WEB OFFSET REPORT -- Make Ready for Change

Heidelberg's Clement characterizes the technology's outlook as "almost a certainty" that it will still become a reality for web offset applications. Once a commitment is made to single-fluid ink, he says there could be a need to reengineer presses.

"Dampeners on presses could hinder the technology's development," the product manager explains. "In challenging situations, printers would be tempted to revert back to traditional dampening rather than overcoming any problem with single-fluid formulations and thus advancing the new technology."