Blueprints:

Invented in the mid-1800’s, blueprints were the only low cost way to reproduce copies of drawings. Similar to the photography process, images were exposed to light to create a negative. Over the next 50 years the blueprint industry underwent a slow evolution as the processes were developed and mastered.

Reprographics:

The introduction of the xerographic process in the 60’s marked the first major change in the industry, morphing from its original form to the modern process that we know today. Xerography made printing copies faster, enabled larger format copies to be produced and allowed for prints to be made on opaque white paper, doing away with the blue that was common in the blueprint process.  In the 70’s the industry became known as reprographics- reproduction of graphics.

The Future:

The last decade has seen the industry take its next big leap. With digitalization came more latitude for blueprint companies to handle more than just reproducing and storing copies. Realizing that builders, engineers, architects and contractors all come to one source for the plans, blueprint companies saw the opportunity to become fully vested in these industries by positioning themselves as total document managers. 

Unlike so many other industries that refused to change or did not look ahead to see the big picture, the reprographics industry had the foresight to adjust itself and make the changes it needed to ensure that it did not fall to the wayside. As SE Blueprint continues to grow, change and diversify we are confident that we have ensured our place in this industry well into the 21 century.