Production Inkjet Printing: Ready for Prime-Time for Commercial, Package Printers?

On the package printing end, Hamilton sees potential in up-and-coming B2-format cutsheet inkjet solutions, though other technologies (such as liquid toner) could also challenge inkjet for high coverage work.

While there are challenges to consider on the road to widespread production inkjet adoption, a large percentage of capital imvestments during the last year to 18 months have centered around digital devices, and inkjet in particular. Noel Ward, managing director of Brimstone Hill Associates and newly named editor-in-chief of Package Printing magazine, feels there are a few measures that must be met in order to justify purchasing a high-speed inkjet system: Being able to fill at least 50 percent of the machine's monthly duty cycle on day one, paired with the ability to reach 75 percent capacity within six to nine months.