WEB OFFSET REPORT -- Make Ready for Change

Drying Up

Again with an eye toward makeready savings, Prince predicts the web offset segment will see a reemergence of waterless printing. "It makes sense in terms of tremendous paper savings," he asserts. "There are still issues regarding the plates (price, run length supported, scratching) and inks (chiefly price). Having a digital waterless plate now available is a positive development. If paper prices keep going up, the process will become a more interesting option."