ISBN:9789865113049
即便在今日人手一機的3C世代,被歸類為傳統產業的印刷業,對你我的日常生活依舊扮演著舉足輕重的角色。試想,如果某天醒來,身邊不再有紙本型錄、報章書籍、包裝禮盒等精美又便利的日用品,會呈現出怎樣的混亂局面?而這些支撐著經濟社會正常運作的印刷製品,全都來自一群戮力同心、成天與死線(Deadline)奮戰的職人們。
這本《印刷業抓狂日記》正是以漫畫形式,述說這群自稱印刷男孩的從業人員,在印刷產業修羅場裡的點點滴滴。雖然內容是從幽默搞笑的角度出發,但作者也不吝於分享許多印刷領域的專業術語與常識,並以標註的方式點綴在每一頁的書側。校正、修訂、色差與裝訂。隨著書中故事的進行,我們陸續看到印刷男孩們如同推著巨石上山的薛西弗斯一般,日夜不停地重複處理層出不窮、又不斷重演的課題。
身為系列作的第二本書,內容格局也從技術操作面逐步擴大到經營層面。書中討論到,隨著3C產品普及,以及紙張、機具與印刷原物料成本不斷攀升,印刷公司的經營日益困難,逐漸演變成只有少數大型集團企業才有辦法生存的惡劣環境。中小型公司的數量持續減少,只能承接大公司轉包出來的案件,賺取微薄的代工利潤。嘲諷世界上有本錢的人才能贏者全拿的流行語「本多終勝」,沒想到也在印刷產業中一一得到驗證。寓教於樂是一個我很不想使用的老詞,但這本書確實實至名歸,足以成為將娛樂與知識推廣結合在一起的優秀典範。
Even in today's digital age, where almost everyone carries a smartphone or other electronic device, the printing industry—often categorized as a traditional industry—continues to play an indispensable role in our daily lives. Just imagine waking up one day to find that printed catalogs, newspapers, books, gift boxes, and countless other convenient and beautifully designed paper products had suddenly disappeared. What kind of chaos would that create? Behind these printed materials, which help keep our economies and societies functioning smoothly, are dedicated professionals working tirelessly together, battling deadlines day in and day out.
*The Printing Industry Meltdown Diary* tells the story of these workers—who proudly refer to themselves as the "Printing Boys"—through the medium of manga, capturing their everyday struggles within the often unforgiving world of printing production. Although the book approaches its subject with humor and comedy, the author is equally generous in sharing professional terminology and practical knowledge from the printing industry. Helpful annotations are scattered throughout the margins, enriching the reader's understanding as the story unfolds. Proofreading, revisions, color matching, and binding—page after page, we watch the Printing Boys confront an endless stream of recurring challenges. Like Sisyphus pushing his boulder uphill, they repeat the same demanding tasks day and night, only to face them again the next day.
As the second volume in the series, the book expands its scope beyond technical operations and delves into broader business and management issues. It discusses how the widespread adoption of digital devices, combined with the rising costs of paper, machinery, and printing materials, has made operating a printing company increasingly difficult. The industry has gradually evolved into a harsh environment in which only a handful of large corporate groups can survive. Meanwhile, the number of small and medium-sized printing companies continues to decline. Many are left with no choice but to accept subcontracted work from larger firms, earning only slim manufacturing margins in return. The popular saying "capital wins in the end"—a cynical observation that those with greater resources ultimately take all the rewards—turns out to be just as true in the printing industry as it is elsewhere. "Edutainment" is a rather overused term that I would normally avoid, but in this case it is entirely appropriate. This book serves as an excellent example of how entertainment and knowledge can be successfully combined, making specialized industry topics both accessible and enjoyable to a wider audience.



