BASIC ELEMENTS OF REPROGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION
To have a bearing in this subject, we shall define some key terms. The term reprography simply means the reproduction of what is written or printed. it is a process that involves the reproduction of materials and has to do with copiers. ln encyclopedia of librarianship, it is described as the art of producing single or multiple copies of document whether by photocopying or other means. The librarians glossary of terms, defined it as the reproduction in facsimile of documents of all kinds by any process using light, heat or electric radiation-photocopiers, micro-copiers, blueprints, eleclm-copies, thenno-copies, etc; also reproduction by methods of duplicating and office printing. lntemationally understood, reprography is a

collective term for all techniques used for the duplication of two dimensional originals.

SUB-COMPONENTS OF REPROGRAPHY

Within the tield of documentary reproduction, reprographic processes are

especially used for.

( 1) The production of "hard" copies, is the transfer of documents on to a similar kind of information carrier, generally paper of the same size;

(2) The production of microforms, is the transfer of documents on to an information carrier in, a smaller form, readable with the aid of technical devices;

(3) The transfer of documents on to an intermediate carrier (e g. stencil) which IS used for further duplication.

The sub-components of reprography, therefore include

( 1) Duplicating, (ii) photocopying; (iii) microtilming.

(l) Duplicating: This is also called in-plant printing, for the production of multiple copies. it is also called mimeograph. An example is stencil duplicating. Stencil in are intermediate information carrier. It is used for further duplimtion or reproduction of documents.

(ii) Photocopying: This method of document reproduction involves

n photographic process. Usually similar kind of information carrier) generally paper of the same size, is used to transfer information on one document to one or many copies.

iii) Microfilming (Microforms): This is another photographic process;

only that special came as are used to reproduce documents.