Definition: A service bureau provides prepress services that may be beyond the scope of the designer. Printing to a high-resolution imagesetter to provide film for producing printing plates or printing RC Paper (Velox) proofs are common service bureau offerings. Although specific services may vary, typically a service bureau can do trapping of digital files, high-resolution color or black & white scanning, color correction or other image editing, color separations, and preflighting of digital files. A service bureau may do digital proofs, produce transparences or color negatives, and provide typesetting services.
Not every print project will require the use of a service bureau.
Also Known As: SB | service provider | digital imaging center | prepress shop | prepress operator
