1. A method for automatically recognizing and distinguishing between image areas and text or graphics areas a printed master comprising the steps of: optoelectronically scanning said printed master and generating analog signals representing the information contained on said printed master; assigning a first binary value to analog signals having a value above a preselected value and assigning a second binary value to analog signals falling below said preselected value; storing said binary values in a data field in a memory; dividing said data field into a grid consisting of a plurality of windows in said memory, said windows having edge lengths which are not less than the spacing between two lines of text on said printed master; generating four different length of run histograms for each said window; and analyzing said length of run histograms for deriving values therefrom for determining whether the window associated therewith represents a text or graphics area or an image area of said printed master.