WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

photomechanics
    n 1: the process whereby printing surfaces (plates or cylinders)
         are produced by photographic methods; "photomechanics
         revolutionized the practice of printing" [syn:
         photomechanics, photoplate making]
    2: the technique of using photomechanical methods to make
       photographs into plates for printing