ON-PRESS IMAGING -- Firing on All Cylinders

A significant part of the savings from DOP production is the result of eliminating the labor involved in off-line CTP platesetting, Palmer says. It's worth bearing in mind that this analysis is based on a manual CTP system, but an automated machine would increase the associated capital costs.

The other part of the savings is the result of a quicker makeready compared to CTP-based production, he adds. "The on-press imaging operation is integrated into the makeready cycle and it doesn't extend that time any. The savings result from the digitally perfect registration you get with the DOP press, which means you achieve register and color in fewer sheets, saving time and material costs."