engleski

Contribution of graphic technology in the production of nautical charts and publications

Early nautical charts used to be made on parchment by hand. They were dilapidated and sensitive to moisture, requiring long- lasting individual work. Until the advent of first printing techniques, handmade charts were designed for and available to a small number of users. A significant breakthrough occurred in the 15th century and in the early 16th century, with the development of wood engraving, copper-plate engraving and copper-plate etching techniques. Small print runs of charts were printed, being coloured by hand in cartographic workshops. Development of printing techniques determined the development of cartographic reproduction and chart printing. With the possibility of rapid reproduction, charts became the products intended for a wider circle of users. In the 20th century, after the invention of offset printing, traditional (conventional) method of chart production was developed. Using new technologies in the production reproduction originals, determined by computer-aided cartography, modern (digital) method was developed by the end of the 20th century. Today’s offset printing with its technical- technological possibilities is major printing procedure in the cartographic reproduction. New technologies of digital printing (plotter printout) have given rise to the latest turning point, Print On Demand (POD). Throughout the history, graphic technology increasingly supported the production of nautical charts and publications, primarily contributing to accuracy of reproduction, higher quality of printing inks and printing surfaces, and shorter time needed for realisation, providing therefore a reliable support for maritime cartography, and for maritime activity in general in terms of navigational safety.

Nautical charts and publications; graphic technology; contribution

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