On Saturday, October 4, 2003, at 02:41 pm, Richard Kenward wrote:
1/ The "press" is only as difficult to get right as your desktop inkjet.
Yes and we all know how difficult many find that! It's all very well, but with a big difference. You inkjet IS on your desktop allowing you to tweak images and immediately verify results, not so with the digital press! Just as much need to get your file right before jumping in the car to get it run off.2/ The "press" can also be the proofer because you can print one or a thousand with equal ease. The whole idea of proofing and proof matching goes out of the window when the proof and final job are one and the same.
I quite agree, but my comments above still apply. Do you really want to stand in a queue whilst other customers put their test sheets through or wait to proof your job whilst others have theirs run off? I suspect that you will make sure your files are press ready, and that you are able to replicate their output on the office proofing system.
Dear Richard
With the right settings, which are not that difficult to achieve, you should be able to get things right fairly easily. I assume you would send the files via your modem and get proofs back next day. Not much standing in a queue! At a very similar low price your client, his marketing manager, the overseas sales manager can all have proofs too.
My understanding is that paper can be a critical element which if not right results in poor adhesion of the toner. Need for ensuring that folds do not touch image areas otherwise flaking occurs....just like the office laser printer. Out of date paper etc. can lead to difficulties. On the question of toner/ink I believe it's a requirement to use the manufacturer's own product. No using 'independent' suppliers......now what a surprise that HP bought out Indigo!
While you may be right about some easy purchase plans looking a bit like the old office copier contracts some of the machines will take any suitable material.
Perhaps one of the most important benefits of digital presses is database marketing where each sheet can be customised to a particular customer or customer type on the fly.
IMHO not anymore. The most important benefits will become low stock levels of colour printed products. Illustrated price lists printed a few at a time and amended every time there is a price change. Copies produced for market research and many other areas.
From the photographers point of view there will be even more acres of photographs printed every day.
Yours
Bob
=============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
