A Cautionary Tale

On the sheetfed side, “The newest technologies to influence cost are direct drive, improved color management and inking systems, as well as anti-marking systems for plastic, UV and hybrid UV printing—and the list goes on,” according to Prince.

At the same time, gapless blankets, quick-change plate cylinders, automated plate changing systems and CIP4 integration are making a big difference in the handling of short-run work in web pressrooms, and Holliday also reports that in-line finishing on web presses continues to work on its long makeready disadvantage as order quantities and run lengths continue to shrink.