Gotta Go - Gotta See Opportunities at PRINT 13 (Commentary)

The Hybrid Advantage

Hybrid printing combining offset sheetfed or web offset with digital on a single press is receiving a raft of attention because it is a way of adding variable information to otherwise static content. It is an effective way to extend the life of existing offset equipment while offering an improved printed product to the print buying customer. Installing inkjet on a press does require offset and digital knowledge and installation skills. Kodak, the leading supplier of inkjet hybrid systems, will have a small booth at PRINT, but no equipment. You can get the real skinny on digital installations on an offset press from Adphos North America.

Paper—A Critical Element
Contrary to popular belief, there are a myriad of digital print-compatible paper stocks available. Printers pursuing digital print equipment should specifically ask questions about exactly what paper stocks a machine is certified to run. Get take-home samples—use them with key customers to verify the acceptability of image quality on specific stocks.