Axel Zoeller--Taking Giant Steps

PI: Thermal platesetting gained acceptance in 1998, especially in the eight-up market. What is driving its success? Will the four-up market be next?

Zoeller: "The general implementation of CTP technology is not a question anymore, even among commercial printers. Printers of all sizes have realized the benefits and savings that CTP offers in the prepress arena and in the pressroom with faster makeready plus more efficient press utilization, as well as more consistent color throughout a print run. These are the key factors for the technology's positive ROI. A recent GATF survey showed an overwhelmingly positive response by CTP users: More than 75 percent of all CTP recorders installed in 1998 in the U.S. commercial industry were thermal devices, which means the market has accepted thermal as the superior technology.