According to Canon, the number of commercial printers switching from offset presses to digital inkjet presses has been and is expected to keep growing at a steady pace of 8% over the next 5-10 years. Does this growth rate portend the eventual end of offset printing presses at some point in the next 10-15 years? At this point in time, it’s clear digital inkjet presses are becoming more popular and will likely see continued adaptation as the technology advances and improves. Whether offset presses will entirely disappear seems improbable, particularly the faster web offset presses used for larger print production runs.
What’s the Advantage of a Digital Inkjet Press?
Inkjet printing technology has been around for at least 30 years and inkjet printers were initially marketed as a less expensive alternatives to desktop laser printers that, in addition to being less costly, could print color images. (Color laser printers were then and now, not inexpensive.) Image quality of inkjet printers was not, for the most part, anything to get excited about and print speed was sluggish. As the technology has advanced over the years, inkjet print quality has come to equal or exceed what can be achieved on an offset press. And, digital inkjet presses have been steadily increasing in speed, able to produce thousands of images per hour. The primary advantages of digital inkjet presses now are related to things such as:
- Digital Workflows
- Ease of Operation
- Speed
- Image Quality
What are the Disadvantages of a Digital Inkjet Press?
Digital presses, whether of the inkjet or laser/toner-based variety, have limitations on the kinds of substrates/paper stocks they can handle. Although, in recent years as the technology has improved, more paper stocks/weights and other substrates can be handled by the presses.
If you have any questions about Digital Inkjet Presses, give us a call at 330-597-8560. We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
