SMALL-FORMAT PRESSES -- Small, But Powerful

Schardt sees small-format presses moving toward faster and cheaper make-readies with a trend of polyester plates and finished formats to save costs, especially with four-color work.

This increased versatility regarding different plate materials is one of the leading trends in the market, suggests Bernd Blumberg, marketing director of Printmaster systems for Heidelberg USA. He also identifies the need for more automation to reduce the demand for skilled personnel.