The Life Cycles of Digital and Offset

I come from the offset finishing world, but I now work in digital finishing. There are many differences in the "mind-set" of both, among them.

In the offset world, equipment is evaluated and purchased for the "long term" i.e. five to seven years (or more). For some bindery machines, there is no "end-of-life," as long as one keeps replacing parts and components. There are no service contracts either. Commercial print shops and binderies are perfectly capable of maintaining most of their finishing equipment. New equipment is purchased because of a rise in demand, or due to the introduction of faster, more efficient machines, which can increase capacity, shorten lead times, reduce labor, or do all three.