Print 05 & Converting 05 -- See the Unforeseen

But there's no reason to wait, says consultant Clint Bolte, who sees RFID development as just one aspect of a very promising arena.

"Keep in mind that the low hanging fruit in 2005 as far as RFID revenue streams to printers are concerned is postpress," Bolte contends. "Applying these labels, programming them and QC'ing their application. Printing of RFID may not go mainstream for another year or two. But those who wait for the ink to flow could miss out on some interesting beta testing and credibility building. This year's home run will be in postpress," he concludes, "and I have no idea yet who will hit it! I'm nearly giddy with anticipation at more in-line finishing 'specialty' apps for digital printing that, again, may not necessarily come from the big-name finishing suppliers."