Grandiose Inkjet Predictions of the Future - Print Trends

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Howie Fenton

Grandiose Inkjet Predictions of the Future
April 7, 2008

If you have read the articles in the popular press you probably noticed that the DRUPA has been coined the Inkjet DRUPA. Although not discussed in depth, the assumption is that new inkjet technologies will be shown that will start the migration from offset lithographic printing as the dominate technology used for commercial printing to inkjet. If this is true it will mean that inkjet will overcome not only electrophotographic (laser, LCD and toner based) technologies for shorter runs but offset printing for longer run lengths.

Few discussions generate as much controversy as the prediction of which printing technology will be the dominate technology in the future. It should be no surprise that large grandiose predictions about technology and the future occur in conjunction with the large international shows.

Years ago the themes emerged after the shows such as “the computer to plate IPEX (2002)” show “the digital press DRUPA (1995),” and the “the JDF DRUPA (2004)”. But due to preshow publicity the themes are emerging before the shows.

Over the last 6 months pre-DRUPA announcements about the HP Inkjet Web Press, Kodak Stream Inkjet Concept Press and the Océ JetStream 1100 have fueled this speculation.

Posted by Howie Fenton on April 7, 2008 | Comments (2)

April 8, 2008
In response to: Grandiose Inkjet Predictions of the Future
Don Piontek commented:

Dear Howie: I have no doubt that it will live up to it's billing with regard to ink-jet. The "key" question is what will be the customer acceptance of ink-jet given it's current quality limitations. 'Real" customers in the transactional field have balked at the quality produced by the current system offerings. Only the Kodak Concept Press has produced "ooh's and aah's" from prospective users as of yet.

April 12, 2008
In response to: Grandiose Inkjet Predictions of the Future
David Schwalje commented:

Hybrid near line combo print production for micro versioning and database driven mass customization of catalogues will benefit from the lower cost inks and improved productivity of the new inkjet systems. Minimizing the use of expensive digital ink by printing the majority of content heatset web and then overprinting that content with digital is being used for high page count as well as low page count long print runs. Off line but highly coordinated finishing solutions continues to be the missing link but there are now acceptable economics.