Digital
Large-format digital presses p52
Technical developments, better choice and greater
capabilities – what more could you expect from a sector still
in its infancy? The range of work that wide-format printers
can produce seems to expand almost every day.
According to some in the sector, there is also a shift from
full-solvent printing to eco-solvent printing – especially
in the display graphics market, because the process
doesn’t require expensive air-filtration systems and air-
extrusion fans.
Nowadays, people can put printers that will produce outdoor
quality print within an office environment. For example,
signage work within a council can be brought in-house
because there are now entry-level eco-solvent presses around.
Another area that’s exploding at the moment is the take-up
of UV technology – an application that the sector has
embraced very quickly. There are probably 100 to 200 UV
placements made in the UK market every year.
Some industry pundits predict that UV will eventually
overtake roll-fed systems in the not too distant future. It
takes £6 worth of ink to print one A0 poster, which can go
down to £1 if you’re using a newer UV technology.
But, while they may be more economical on materials, the
running costs of UV presses are still high. At the moment,
the cost of production is in the printheads.
Colour digital and DI presses p58
Speed and quality is the name of the game in the digital arena
and if you think the market’s reached its limit, then think
again. The speed of digital is only going to get faster. A
growing need for variable-data printing means there will be a
market for faster digital printers.
Demand for colour digital is on the increase, alongside
personalised print. Even traditional offset printers are now
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looking to invest in digital presses to run alongside their
existing machines, creating a new wave of hybrid
printers who are experienced at running digital and offset
side by side.
This will encroach on more and more sectors. B3 has
already felt its impact and B2 is already in its sights.
Environmental issues are also having an impact on the
sector, influencing the build and technology of the presses.
Already, under new EU regulations put in a year and a half
ago, presses must be lead-free. In addition, UV printing has
led to the reduction of solvent printing methods
In terms of technology, digital presses can handle variable
data, while direct imaging sends digital files directly to a
press, without using offline computer-to-plate processing
technology. Printers expecting longer print runs from several
thousand to 20,000 copies will probably go for direct imaging
and those looking for shorter run variable data are better off
with a digital press.
High-volume monochrome presses p62
A steady rise in very short runs (as little as one copy in some
cases) in the journal and book printing market has helped
drive demand in monochrome digital printers, leading to
improvements in the quality of mono print.
Demand for digital black-and-white printing is still
accelerating in areas like short-run brochures, manuals and
personalised statements. In-house digital production has
opened up new opportunities for manufacturers. And customers
are now expecting flexible equipment, faster production
and better quality
In the future, pure black-and-white machines could well
be replaced by digital presses that offer mono and colour
capabilities at a reduced cost. There will also be greater
emphasis on presses that can handle coated stocks.
digital
Buyers’ Guide 2008 PrintWeek 51
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