ON-PRESS IMAGING -- Firing on All Cylinders

With on-press imaging solutions now moving up in format and computer-to-plate (CTP) systems expanding down, the two workflows are becoming more directly competitive.

On-press vs. CTP Debate

As a result, perhaps the biggest question potential buyers now face is: Why spend the money to put imaging systems on every press unit, when a complete set of plates can be made in a single off-line CTP system that has a much lower capital cost? Most of the same benefits claimed by direct-to-press systems can also be achieved by adopting off-line CTP production, especially if the comparison is made to an automated platesetter and state-of-the-art press.