photomechanics
Noun 1. The technique or process of using photographic methods to create printing plates or cylinders. This involves using light-sensitive materials and chemical processes to transfer an image photographically onto a surface suitable for use in a printing press. 2. The branch of mechanics concerned with the mechanical properties of matter affected by light. This is a more specialized, scientific meaning relating to the interaction of light and mechanical systems or materials.
The word is a technical term used primarily in the fields of printing technology and physics/engineering. * In a printing context, it describes the historical industrial process that replaced older manual engraving methods. * In a scientific context, it refers to the study of phenomena like photostriction or light-induced stress.
- (Printing Context):
- (Printing Context):
- (Scientific Context):
- The term is often used historically to describe the suite of processes (like photogravure, photoengraving) that constituted graphic arts reproduction before the advent of fully digital prepress.
- It can function attributively as a noun modifier (e.g., , ).
- Photomechanical (adjective): Of or relating to photomechanics.
- The photomechanical reproduction ensured high fidelity to the original photograph.
- Photoengraving (noun): A specific photomechanical process for making letterpress printing plates.
- Photogravure (noun): A photomechanical process for producing intaglio printing plates.
- (For the printing sense): Photoengraving, process engraving, photochemical platemaking.
- (For the scientific sense): Optomechanics, photoelasticity (a specific subset).
The first definition (related to printing) is the most common and widely recognized usage. The second definition (related to the physics of light and matter) is highly specialized and less frequently encountered outside academic or research papers. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear.
- the technique of using photomechanical methods to make photographs into plates for printing
- the process whereby printing surfaces (plates or cylinders) are produced by photographic methods
- photomechanics revolutionized the practice of printing