Introduction of Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd.
Kyodo Printing is a company that has a wide range of businesses including printing / publishing, business media, and living / industrial materials.
The printing and publishing department provides various services centered on printing media, from planning and production to logistics, and is promoting sales through promotion activities that utilize various devices and IT-related solution businesses. ..
Introducing this time, Kyodo Printing is a pioneer in the industry. Digitization of manga production environment "is about. Regarding the digital fonts used in the ComicPacker® Manga Full Digital Production System, which was developed to improve the efficiency of plate making, there were few variations corresponding to the typesetting typeface at the time, so it was a trial and error story. We asked Mr. Tada.
Seeking efficiency in plate making, digitizing the production flow
I will briefly explain the manga production flow before it was digitized, using "Weekly Shonen Jump" as an example.
First, Shueisha, the publisher, will take charge of each manga manuscript of the published work from the manga artist's teacher. Shueisha will specify to us, the printing company, a typesetting typeface with a design suitable for the lines of the manuscript. According to the specification, the typeface is output on "photographic paper" and cut and pasted on the original to arrange the layout. Finally, it took a so-called “analog” flow that required craftsmanship, such as scanning, collecting, and printing.
I've been doing this for decades, but now I feel that it should be easy for everyone to make, and work more efficiently when making from magazines to comics. ..
Therefore, it was developed with the aim of digitizing part of the flow from typesetting to platemaking. Manga full digital production system ComicPacker® (Hereinafter, ComicPacker®).
The obstacles to digitization were the font design
There was a lot of trial and error in using the developed "ComicPacker®" so that this work that was being done until now could be performed on a PC as it is now. First of all, the first big problem was the digital fonts (fonts) that are indispensable for DTP (Desktop publishing) *.
The digital fonts used here actually had a weaker impression from the magazine compared to the typesetting fonts that I used to use. It may be a matter of course because it is different from the design and weight used up to now, but even if you used a similar font, the image in the magazine was squeaky and weightless.
Therefore, we proposed to various publishers with the advantages of digitalization such as "speed to first school" and "efficiency when converting to comics" as appealing points, but they have already been set up in phototypesetting. In serialized magazines, publishers often showed difficulty in designing digital fonts, and there were quite a few cases where they were not adopted.
* DTP here means to perform the manuscript creation, editing, design, layout, etc. of the publication on a computer and bring the data to the printing place for publication.
Make an alternate list of fonts and resubmit it to the publisher
Although it was accepted by magazines such as “newly launched magazines and special editions” that would not change the image of existing magazines, serialized magazines are often consulted as to whether the typesetting typefaces could be digitized. was.
Until then, we had created an alternative list for replacing typesetting typefaces with digital fonts, but we decided to completely review this alternative list and propose it to the publisher again.
As a review, we examined alternative fonts by dividing the 20 types of typesetting fonts that were often used for manga into the following three groups from the fonts already released by each font maker.
- 1 Which fonts are similar in design and mood, and which can be directly substituted
- 2 Which font is effective for substitution by processing bold or italic
- 3 Which font does not have a convincing alternative?
Many typefaces “1. Similar design font” I was able to respond as “2. Processing is required” Or “3. No convincing alternative works” Some things have come.
Even under such circumstances, the old stamps that were classified as "3. No satisfactory alternatives" were left unsatisfied with "Is it just because there is no ...?" I chose a font with "kasure" as an alternative.
However, as I was concerned about, when I typeset the text like an actual manga, the only selection point, "Casule" itself, is too small and looks like an ordinary Maru Gothic style. It was It left us dissatisfied with us, who made the alternative list, and with the publisher to whom we proposed.
A strong commitment that it's a manga including fonts
Shueisha, which I introduced as an example at the beginning, was no exception.
Especially for manga and gag manga for boys / girls, there are many typefaces used, "If you replace it with a digital font, the image of the entire magazine will change from what it used to be, and it will give you a light impression. Manga is a manga that includes not only the design but also the typeface expression such as the typeface and series selection. I have a strong commitment to the typeface! " I received an opinion to reaffirm the role of fonts in manga.
In addition, as we want to proceed with digitization that we are satisfied with, “2. Processing is required” Or “3. No convincing alternative works” We will reconsider the fonts. For fonts that require "2. Processing," urgently install a plug-in that applies processing such as "bold, italic, shadow, bag" to the production system "ComicPacker®". We have responded by newly developing it.
If you think about it now, it seems that the font maker will be quick to say that the processed image is not a font. However, the number of fonts corresponding to the typeface variations peculiar to the comics used at that time was small. I decided that I couldn't change my belly on my back.
Ask for a font that matches your image and consult with a font maker
While responding like that, “2. Processing is required” Including various fonts and old fonts “3. No convincing alternative works” Regarding fonts, I decided to consult with various font makers.
It was necessary to consider all aspects such as production time and cost, but Mr. Tada requested based on "Manyo Koushi" which is currently in development based on the kanji design of "Shirafune Koushitai". Font Should I make a new one? I feel that it was a turning point that Fontworks suggested.
Actually, at that time, the fact that the “Shirafune Kotai” font could not be used as a substitute font had a great influence on the fact that it was flat.
One of the reasons for using old stamps in manga dialogue was that I wanted people to feel the "surprising appearance" of the letters along with the design. However, with the existing digital fonts at that time, unlike the image I wanted to produce, there was a risk that the impression in the magazine would be lightened because it felt a little cute and the weight was thin.
Also, this will be about work, but selecting a font that has a flat body will require a fine adjustment for each sentence because it will give a "scratching feeling" when it is set vertically for manga It was the reason I played it sometimes.
However, the taste was very similar to the old stamp used in the phototypesetting, and if I can solve this point well, I hope that I can express the same atmosphere as the typesetting, so I made it. If you can get it, I would definitely like to ask for it! "And decided to request it.
Finally, the perfect font for manga "Manyo Kouji Large" and "Comic Mystery" are completed
Unlike the "Manyo Koushi", the design of the "Manyo Koushi Large" completed from our request eliminates the "Shirafune Koujitai" flat body and adjusts the weight to a thicker atmosphere. It is now possible to represent images.
Actually, if you just put the weights side by side, there is only a slight difference. However, this slight adjustment is important, and the impression of the finish is completely different. We have checked the overall balance and proceeded, but there are many places where we do not think about the details, so please be sure to check the design ideas such as the size of the dakuten and the semi-dakuten each time. I often had it.
Also, regarding the quality, when it comes to confirming the test composition with the publisher, even the editorial department who is familiar with fonts will be satisfied with it, and it will be very pleased. It was.
In addition, "Comic Mystery" and "Comic Reggae" are specially created by adjusting the weights of "Mystery" and "Reggae".
As you can see from the magazines we are in charge of printing, these typefaces are the ones that we use very often. Actually, among them, "Comic Reggae" was suggested by Fontworks, who suggested that it could be used for manga.
It was also a big attraction that the created font entered "LETS"
Typeface development is very expensive. Also, when we place an order for typeface development, the right of the typeface belongs to us. In that case, we would monopolize "basic things in the production environment" such as typefaces, so we thought that it would be bad for the industry.
At that time, from Fontworks Around six months to a year, why not expand the know-how and technology by having the right to exclusively use fonts by Kyodo Printing and then adding it to the "LETS" lineup? ] ”Was proposed. This was really helpful for us because of the story of a ship to cross.
In addition to solving the problem, adding to "LETS" means that many printing companies and publishers can use fonts, so from the printing industry as a whole, it is a great pleasure to promote DTP. did.
In addition, in the project to make this font, in addition to clearing the design issues, I also wanted a font that could produce stable output on the technical side, so the RIP * of the engineer of the actual printing site I also referred to my knowledge and opinions about trends. While there were fonts that required considerable output verification due to RIP moss or output errors, the fonts released by Fontworks were reported to be excellent, so I was able to ask with confidence.
* RIP is hardware that expands data written in PostScript into bitmap data that can be printed and displayed. What realizes this with software is called software RIP.
Light footwork
With regard to the digitization of the manga production environment that we started in 2003, I have the impression that the environment was finally set up around 2008 when the fonts requested by Fontworks were completed.
Just at this timing, as fonts for manga were announced from other companies, and fonts that could be used in DTP were prepared, even in the "Weekly Shonen Jump" that we had been proposing from the initial stage, electronic distribution etc. From the efficiency improvement of, to the consultation that wants to move to digital production.
Actually, there is a high risk of changing the production environment, such as a weekly magazine with a large number of circulations and a severe progress schedule, there is a risk of changing the image of the magazine, it will be a work to remember the name of the font again, etc. I continued to be refused.
However, by providing a newly created "best font for manga" and "jump-only font instruction sheet (alternative list)" and a detailed discussion of the practical work flow, we will prepare a half-year or more preparation period, We were able to achieve a complete transition, including system support and human resources.
In this way, we are able to realize the digitalization that we are satisfied with, thanks to the lighter footwork than any font maker and the kind cooperation we have received. It's already fading now, but the typeface sample that I glanced at for a long time when selecting a typeface is my treasure.
Although many fonts are currently produced by various font makers, in manga composition, you do not have to specify from many fonts each time, and at most 20 in the meeting with the publisher. About the typeface is decided as the basic typeface.
Of course, if you want to express a special typeface, you can specify a typeface other than the basic typeface, but the typeface is narrowed down to some extent in order to reduce the burden of publishers to specify the typeface.
Since editing and production are confusing, we usually do not change the basic typeface decided with the publisher. However, as with the case of "Comic Reggae," we hope that if you make suggestions from a font professional, the variations that are most suitable for manga will increase and the colors will also improve!
This experience is also the cornerstone of digitizing manga content for collaborative printing. The publishers' commitment, and the production's commitment to respond to it. Even in the digital production flow, I feel that the craftsman's commitment to each other creates good jobs for each other and for readers and authors.
＜ Editor's note ＞
This font, made with the thought that it is indispensable for the production of the atmosphere, has come to be seen not only on other paper media but also on TV programs.
We will strive to provide fonts that can be used properly for various reasons and designs that meet the demanded environment.
Company Info
| Company name | Kyodo Printing Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| location | 4-14-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo |
| TEL | 03-3817-2111 |
| URL | http://www.kyodoprinting.co.jp/ |
For enrollment in the "LETS" program or purchase of products, please Contact Us your retailer or place an order.
