Offset and Beyond — Great Technologies, But Tough Times

Lamparter agrees, and points to hybrid combinations of ink-jet and offset, as well as ink-jet and flexo for packaging applications, as another way in which a combination of processes are being used to cost-effectively produce differentiated products.

Assuming lithographic print survives the economic recession, will the offset process survive in an increasingly digital world? “Offset has been around a very long time,” ponders Prince. “Will it still be around for a long time? Yes. Will it die? Eventually, maybe in 50 years or so. But, something cheaper, better and more cost-effective will have to come along to displace it, and we just don’t have anything like that at this time.”