Bob Hall
Executive Editor, Quick Printing magazine
I just got back from the Sir Speedy/PIP Printing convention in St. Louis. Other than it being hotter than the hinges of Hades, it was a fun time. Once again I was confronted by a few folks wanting my opinion on the future of offset printing. They quoted such stalwart gurus as Frank Romano in predicting that offset was on the long downhill slide into irrelevance. I replied “Balderdash” or words to that effect.
Sure, digital printing is where the growth is and digital printing will wind up with more and more of the “marks on paper” work we do. However, at the same time that digital is capturing a larger percentage of the information communications market, that market is getting is getting larger. Some of that new information will stay in electronic form but there will still be a robust and growing appetite for printed stuff — whether digital or offset.
Bottom line is that offset — while accounting for a smaller percentage of overall information communications — will continue to account for a big bunch of dollars for the foreseeable future.
Remember, as long as you take in work in digital form, your customers will see you as a digital printer whether you output on an iGen3 or hang CTP plates on a Ryobi or Heidelberg press.
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on Thursday, July 20th, 2006 at 8:53 pm and is filed under Techniques.
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Bob Hall
Executive Editor, Quick Printing magazine
I just got back from the Sir Speedy/PIP Printing convention in St. Louis. Other than it being hotter than the hinges of Hades, it was a fun time. Once again I was confronted by a few folks wanting my opinion on the future of offset printing. They quoted such stalwart gurus as Frank Romano in predicting that offset was on the long downhill slide into irrelevance. I replied "e;Balderdash"e; or words to that effect.
Sure, digital printing is where the growth is and digital printing will wind up with more and more of the "e;marks on paper"e; work we do. However, at the same time that digital is capturing a larger percentage of the information communications market, that market is getting is getting larger. Some of that new information will stay in electronic form but there will still be a robust and growing appetite for printed stuff — whether digital or offset.
Bottom line is that offset — while accounting for a smaller percentage of overall information communications — will continue to account for a big bunch of dollars for the foreseeable future.
Remember, as long as you take in work in digital form, your customers will see you as a digital printer whether you output on an iGen3 or hang CTP plates on a Ryobi or Heidelberg press.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 20th, 2006 at 7:50 pm and is filed under Techniques.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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I’ve thought that offset printing had little future.
I am trying to print a document that has some orange writing and imagery on a purple background. How do I set the document to have the orange objects and text appear as their true color (like on a plain white backgourn) as opposed to looking like it is blending with the purple?
I do strongly believe that offset and digital printing will coexist in the near future
I can’t say if offset printing will survive, but I can honestly say I think it is better than digital printing. I worked on a digital press for a few years, it looked choppy. Offset is so much cleaner. The machine we printed on was the best to say the least, but i’ve seen other digital products, and I could always tell. We will have to see what happens. If offset goes the way of the buffalo, I can’t see it happening anytime soon. Good post.
There is still a big market for offset printing over digital printing. All depends on the customer and their requirements. Good article.
I agree with you, in that I believe that offset will definitely be here to stay, for a while at least. I also think that in the world that we live it, it’s only natural for consumers to gravitate towards new technology. There are also a whole stream of new possibilities that are made possible by digital printers that customers are likely to find very attractive. http://www.digitallizard.com/index.php is a company, for example, that has same-day service as well as providing customers with an online portal from which they can order prints. New technology is always very enticing!
Offset never dies. i prefer offset technology.
Offset printing has still a huge market overall the world. it is more economical way and to print large amounts. And of course its quality, color depth, contrast and etc…
I know plenty of printers in my area that are still going strong. It’s the bindery portion that may be on the downhill. Good article even for 2010.
Repromen Offset Printers (p) Ltd. mainly specialized in Offset printers, Offset Printing, Offset printers Bangalore and Offset Printing Services in India.for more details visit http://www.repromenoffset.com/
It looks like the new digital presses productivity wise will be on par with offset printing presses. Please see: http://www.printoutlet.us/cheap_printing/Digital_Printing
Repromen Offset Printers (p) Ltd. mainly specialized in Offset printers, Offset Printing, Offset printers Bangalore and Offset Printing Services in India.
who do you think will win, offset printing or digital printing? hmm..
if you are looking for a great printing services at Los Angeles check F.A. Daniels. visit site at http://www.fadaniels.com
Stringent quality audit of all products ensures flawless and high performance machines
Offset printing is still the ultimate choice…
when it comes to prinitng method offset is the best option…forget digital…
Great article!