DRUPA '08 Trends.... by Yves Roussange

Printing standardisation was the big theme of DRUPA-04, but DRUPA-08 was about the demonstration of this standardisation in practice using PSO, offering make-ready times of under 3 minutes, with only 50 sheets of paper used for the print run.

The challenge in being able to utilise these new presses effectively will be through printers maximising the efficiency of their pre-press processes with the use of colour management, ink saving, file management and quality control. Consequently, post-press processes will need to become more automated and to integrate more JDF workflow technology, in order to be able to manage this increased out-put from the presses.

A recent BVDM study shows that over the next 5 years the average print run should decrease from 8000 to 5000 sheets per job. Only through printing standardisation can printers increase the number of print jobs per day in order to compensate for the volume lost.

European printers have been challenged by the international pressure from overseas print shops of cheaper labour. The general response of these printers has been to offer their clients flexibility in pricing and delivery schedules by upgrading their presses to the latest technology in order to increase press use and efficiency. Many now have partnership agreements with printers in Eastern Europe and China so they can offer their clients three pricing levels with three delivery schedules.

Please contact me at ColourProcess on 02 9698-0043 if you would like further information.