GRAPH EXPO 2006: Digital Printing — Short Selling Printing

On the Horizon

IBM generated some excitement with talk of a new digital color printing system, but the actual announcement was less than what met the eye. It issued a “statement of direction” that requires the company to bring a product to market within 24 months.

The solution IBM showed in Chicago as a technology demonstration was based on the same webfed ink-jet print engine as the Screen (USA) Truepress Jet520 digital color press. Screen’s version has a maximum print speed of 210 fpm on paper rolls up to 20.4˝ wide. That engine is said to be on a “short list of options” for the final product IBM plans to introduce.