WEB OFFSET REPORT -- Make Ready for Change

Heidelberg's Clement has a considerably more reserved take on direct-to-press technology. "There are some niche applications for on-press imaging in the web offset arena, but there is more potential in automation and process integration improvements," he says. "Presses only earn money while they are running. When a single operator can change all of the plates simultaneously in less than two minutes, using systems like Heidelberg's Autoplate, much of the appeal of on-press imaging is lost."