Welcome to this webinar archive. The live event was held on September 19, 2007, but you may still access the content with the resources below.

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Post-Event Questions

CTP Platesetters

Q:  What is the future for ctp platesetters?

Ray Prince:  Future is wonderful

Q:  How do you see the evolution of CTP technology over the next 3-5 years? 

Ray Prince:  Processless plates and a cheaper more reliable laser hopefully will arrive -- IR not Violet.   

Q:  Is this a mature market? 

Ray Prince:  There are still a tremendous number of printers that need to buy CTP and a number that need to buy better units.

Q:  Will printers continue to replace older platesetters with newer more sophisticated devices or maintain older units? 

Ray Prince:  Depends on the markets -- folding carton will keep the older units while publication and commercial want automation.   

Q:  What laser technology will prevail?

Ray Prince:  IR and Violet

Q:  Luescher has introduced a CTP that images conventional analog plates with a UV laser (rather than UV lamps like Basysprint).  Is this technology too late for the market?

Ray Prince:  Very late.

Other Topics

Q:  How is the print quality of the Canon ImagePRESS against its competitors i.e. Xerox, HP, etc?

Jim Hamilton:  The quality is excellent. Canon has done a couple of things to provide high quality. For one, the C7000VP has quite a small toner particle size, which helps it form a thin image layer. In addition, the gloss optimization of the C7000VP combined with the lack of fuser oil gives it an offset-like image.

Q:  Regarding Photobooks, earlier at this Graph Expo review mentioned by Barbara, how long is this trend expected to last for print providers. Will it affect print providers as companies like Unibind and Powis are making machines affordable for home use. What is the best all in one Photobook creation machine available for print providers?

Jim Hamilton:  We do expect the trend to continue. While there will be some competition from tools for home users, the typical purchaser of a photobook won't want to go to the trouble and will be happy to purchase the service from outside the home.

Q:  How about Pantone GOe?

Ray Prince:  Looks good. The marriage of X-Rite and Pantone is good for the industry.

Jim Hamilton:  Interesting new development. I like the way that the numbering system is structured. It will present some logistical issues for printers as the base colors are all new. For digital print, however, the issue is around four-color simulation of Pantone colors. At the high end of production digital color, all of the vendors are already Pantone certified and are doing a good job of Pantone simulation.

Q:  Comment on the XPS

Jim Hamilton:  Certainly Microsoft XPS is not for everyone, but quick printers and smaller commercial print service providers will be seeing more and more of these files. Don't underestimate the power of Microsoft.

Q:  Traffic seemed generally good for most of the show, but one exhibitors suggested that Weds, the last day of the show be declared "Visit Your Fellow Vendor Day." Because that's about all the traffic there was. Think we'll ever see a shorter show?

Ray Prince:  Shorter is not the answer --- We need to give the printer a reason for being there on Wednesday. In reality, it is sold as the last day.  Why not make it "Great Application Day -- Technology and Marketing Ideas". Each vendor to have exhibited on that day the best applications of their technology and how marketing departments used them. Each vendor to have ideas in writing. Do It and They Will Come.

Q:  How are photo books printed silver hailide vs digital toner today & in the future.

Jim Hamilton:  Photo books are a toner-based digital print development. Silver halide use is rapidly declining in photofinishing. The future is digital, and mainly toner-based.

Q:  Can you talk about color management and digital color printing, specifically around corporate colors and color stability (avoiding drift). There were quite a few announcements on this topic, including Pantone Goe. Talk about inline spectrophotometry, profiling, etc...

Jim Hamilton:  Not sure what to add here except that for production digital color the consistency and color management tools are getting the job done. Some of this is supported by digital print engines with densitometers or spectrophotometers in-line, providing closed loop calibration and image adjustment.

Ray Prince:  That is a book - sorry.

Q:  You mentioned eco-friendly products a bit, but overall, how "Green" was this year's event from each of your perspectives? Where is it going?

Ray Prince:  FSC is much hotter that I guessed it to be. Green has many aspects and in reality can be good and can be bad. Some of the Green solutions lower quality dramatically -- have to be careful.

Jim Hamilton:  We're hearing more about green products. One example from a digital print perspective was Océ's comment about the low fusing temperature of its toner-based technology, which reduces electricity requirements. Over the past few years, designs of digital print products, driven by legislation in Europe, have simplified end-of-life recycling of products. The InfoPrint Solutions Company and Xerox also made strong cases about how their companies are focusing on sustainability. (For more on this you should look into the work done by Don Carli and the Institute for Sustainable Communications.) 

Q:  With all the emphasis on makereadies, why didn't you mention DI technology? Presstek can get print jobs out in 10 minutes with offset quality and there is no additional platemaking step.

Ray Prince:  DI works and works well. I discussed large presses only.

Jim Hamilton:  Mainly because we were talking about new products, and the newest DI product to the market had already been seen last year at the show, but the questioner makes an excellent point. Presstek, new Presstek parter Pitman, and Screen all showed direct-to-press products. DI products give digital print a high-quality and cost effective run for the money to the production digital color products (when variable data or very short runs are not required). 

Q:  Objective Advantage Symbio  is one to check out in terms of end to end digital print & finishing.

If you have questions about this webinar, please contact Eric: eric@whattheythink.com

About EFI

EFI (www.efi.com) is the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation. EFI's award-winning solutions, integrated from creation to print, deliver increased performance, cost savings and productivity. The company's robust product portfolio includes Fiery® digital color print servers; VUTEk® superwide digital inkjet printers, UV and solvent inks; Jetrion® industrial inkjet printing systems; print production workflow and management information software; and corporate printing solutions. EFI maintains 23 offices worldwide.

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About NAPL

Chartered in 1933, NAPL (www.napl.org) is a not-for-profit trade association representing companies in the $100 billion + graphic communications industry and dedicated to excellence in graphic communications management. NAPL's comprehensive slate of business-building solutions provides company leaders with the strategies, insights, and guidance they can use to make informed business decisions, minimize risk, anticipate change, and profitably grow their business. For more information on membership in the NAPL Network, which includes NAPL, the R&E Council of NAPL, and the National Association for Quick Printers (NAQP), visit www.napl.org or call (800) 642-6275, Option 5.