For printers who need to protect their business prospects, direct digital output is the only choice. This is undoubtedly certain, but the uncertainty is whether to opt for CTP technology or buy an A3+ or B3 format direct imaging (DI) press with built-in direct platesetter. Now, the question is not just whether to consider buying a press with a built-in direct plate-making machine, or investing in an independent CTP device, but rather to consider the application that dominates investment preferences.
Business requirements drive decisions
Many manufacturers of CTP systems agree that digital platesetters are the only way out, mainly because it has no format restrictions. The two manufacturers, Presstek and Screen, of the CTP and DI devices did not seem to be able to do so, because they also needed to consider business requirements. Although the market share of CTP is now greater than that of DI, both companies expect that both DI and CTP sales will steadily increase. Digital Dots research shows that the global production of DI printers is slightly higher than 5,200, while the number of digital platesetters is close to 20,000. Most commercial printers use DI because they want to support very unique business applications. For example, they need a higher print volume than a variable data digital printer. In most cases, printers investing in DI hope to increase production capacity and make useful additions to variable data digital printers to support medium print volumes of up to 10,000 copies. On the other hand, printers investing in CTP want to simplify their workflow, save time, and reduce consumables costs. Therefore, the starting point of their decision is not the amount of printing.
Tim Taylor, Marketing Director at Screen, stated: “Digital printers starting with Indigo's variable data digital presses or similar are more likely to prefer DI. So they are not equipped with CTP devices, but they find that their digital presses are not as reported. As for the CTP, Taylor believes: "It is continuously growing. We sold more in Europe last year than any other year. We have 36% market share in the rest of the world, Viewed separately, it is 25% in Europe, 25% in the United States, and 50% in Asian markets such as Japan, China, and India. We have not yet foreseen a declining performance."
BR > DI Excels in Small and Medium Print Markets
Presstek also sells CTP and DI technology at the same time, and believes that the market still needs DI technology. Stan Najmr, Director of DI at Presstek Europe, said: “DI provides many opportunities for digital printing service companies, prepress studios, and small and medium-sized printers. Digital printing services are moving towards lithography, but they do not want to engage in traditional lithography. For European printers, they are mainly concerned with printing a profit range of 350-10,000 copies of the A3+ format."
For many consumers, the decision factor is usually the type of print to be made, especially when the print is mostly a small number of color prints. Najmr explained: “Digital devices are best suited for digital printers up to 1500 or less, because they are easy to operate. Medium-volume market is suitable for DI devices because it costs less per page than digital devices and is faster than traditional presses. Faster, less wasted, and the large print market is best suited to traditional presses and CTPs, because the economies of scale of large prints can offset long lead times, overprint proof waste, and ink balance in traditional processes."
Global CTP market continues to expand
As the demand for four-color printing in the market continues to increase, and the demand for printing volume decreases, direct imaging presses are becoming more and more popular. This is particularly evident in the European and American markets. However, because the CTP system has the flexibility of ultraviolet and thermal imaging, and can simultaneously print and plate, many printers still have a special liking for it. Although there is great debate in some markets (especially in the commercial printing market), the appeal of format flexibility is obvious. Fujifilm stated that the overall market value of CTP will reach 2.4 billion euros by 2008. Although the market forecast for DI has not yet been announced, it is believed to be much smaller than this number.
Heidelberg was active in the CTP and DI markets, but a few years ago, Heidelberg, who had been in the DI business for fifteen years, decided to abandon the DI printing press technology, replaced it with the development of the CTP, and recently added the 1,000th new generation of Suprasetter.