Production inkjet technology has transformed direct mail, books and transactional printing.

By Erik Cagle

On the package printing end, Hamilton sees potential in up-and-coming B2-format cutsheet inkjet solutions, though other technologies (such as liquid toner) could also challenge inkjet for high-coverage work.

While there are certainly bumps on the road to widespread production inkjet adoption, a large percentage of capital investments during the last 12 to 18 months have centered around digital devices, and inkjet in particular. Noel Ward, editor of packagePRINTING magazine, feels that justifying the purchase of a high-speed inkjet system hinges on a printer being able to fill at least 50 percent of the machine's monthly duty cycle on day one—and reach 75 percent capacity within six to nine months.