Optimizing workflow in a prepress printing system

A prepress printing system for automatically processing a print job, the system comprising:

• a storage bin for storing cassettes of image receiving substrates;
• a staging area for receiving and preparing one of the image receiving substrates for entry into an imaging drum;
• the imaging drum for receiving the image receiving substrate from the staging area and for supporting the image receiving substrate during imaging;
• an imaging assembly including a movable laser for burning an image onto the image receiving substrate in the drum;
• a print drive system providing a combination of user interaction and automated control of the prepress printing system;
• and
• an application program run in the print drive system for controlling the simultaneous transfer of image receiving substrates from the storage bin to the staging area, from the staging area to the imaging drum, and from the imaging drum to a chemical developing bath.

A method for automatically processing a job in a prepress printing environment, the method comprising the steps of:

• transferring an image receiving substrate from a storage bin to a staging area;
• positioning the image receiving substrate at the staging area;
• transferring and positioning the image receiving substrate with an offset into an imaging drum;
• and burning an image onto the image receiving substrate in the imaging drum with a laser beam.

A method for automatically processing a job in a prepress printing environment, the method comprising the steps of:

• positioning an image receiving substrate in an imaging drum;
• burning a predefined image onto a predefined area of the image receiving substrate in the imaging drum with a laser beam;
• and
• adding job identification information onto the image receiving substrate outside of the predefined area.