Presstek Inc.

Whether it's for the environmental benefits or the cost and time savings, an increasing number of in-plants are installing computer-to-plate systems. By Carol Brzozowski With a year of computer-to-plate (CTP) experience under its belt, Arkansas State University's in-plant has no desire to ever go back to film. "It's probably one of the best investments we've ever made here," says Director David Maloch of his shop's Heidelberg Prosetter 74. That's what an increasing number of in-plants are discovering. According to an In-Plant Graphics survey, 34.7 percent of in-plants have installed CTP—and the number is growing. The environmental benefit is one of the prime reasons.

If you run a lot of 500- to 10,000-page four-color jobs with tight turnaround times and have the right computer skills, digital offset printing may be just what you need. By Bob Atkinson In-plants face increasing demands for short-run, fast-turnaround jobs, including full-color work. The problem? The traditional film/plate/ press route is poorly suited for these types of jobs. New technology has offered some help with this problem, first in the form of computer-to-plate (CTP) systems that eliminate the time and costs associated with film. Then, starting about a decade ago, an even more powerful technology arrived: digital printing, where a RIP

A look at some of the latest workflow solutions. By Mark Smith The digital revolution was already on its way to making "workflow" a catch-all term in prepress, when the rise of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) extended its use to the entire print production process. As a result, an ever-wider array of products can now be called "digital workflow solutions." For our purposes, the definition is being limited to the evolution of what used to be called prepress systems. Vendors have responded to this trend with a shift toward marketing workflow solution brands as much as specific products. Modularity and flexibility are at

In-plant managers got a chance to see the technologies they've been reading about at the recent Graph Expo show. For the many in-plant managers in attendance, the recent Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2004 show in Chicago was a graphic arts fantasy land. "I felt like a kid in a candy store," observes Mike Renn, of Mellon Corporate Publishing, in Philadelphia. "I went to take a look at the latest direct-to-plate systems and software management packages and came away with numerous options." Attendance this year was pretty healthy, he adds: "I had to wedge myself between bodies to check out the latest gear." Other managers agreed. "I

Smaller formats, chemistry-free alternatives and a variety of imaging technologies are motivating in-plants to successfully—and profitably—bring computer-to-plate imaging in-house. By Vincent De Franco Doug Fenske is one of the growing number of in-plant managers who have realized the benefits and profitability of converting to a computer-to-plate (CTP) workflow. "It's just awesome," he enthuses, referring to the productivity gains he's enjoyed since leading the transformation of the Minnesota State University at Mankato Print Center to CTP. According to Fenske, the range of new opportunities and benefits includes perfect registration, faster imaging speeds and significant process improvements. "It's just so cool," he says.

In-plant managers from all over the country met in downtown Philadelphia for the 40th annual IPMA conference. By Bob Neubauer To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the International Publishing Management Association went back to its roots: Philadelphia. That was where the group got its start back in 1964. And that was where about 150 IPMA members gathered recently for the 40th annual conference. Since Philadelphia is also In-Plant Graphics' home turf, more IPG staff than usual were on hand to mingle with managers during the four-day event, which included educational sessions, an exhibition hall and several evening outings. One of those outings took

More than 38,000 people attended this year's expo. Here's a glimpse of what they saw. By Bob Neubauer Integration was the big theme of this year's Graph Expo and Converting Expo. Individual manufacturers like Heidelberg and MAN Roland showcased computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) technologies connecting prepress, press and finishing. And vendor partnerships, both small and multi-faceted, foreshadowed future integration between multiple vendors' systems. Notably, at a large press conference touting the Networked Graphic Production initiative, 27 companies proclaimed their commitment to defining, developing, testing and delivering JDF-based integration between their systems. They plan to define a standardized set of interfaces to create plug-and-play solutions

Computer-to-plate technology has certainly cut a few steps out of the printing process. But plate manufacturers want to eliminate the processing, as well. By Mark Smith Computer-to-plate (CTP) production is all about removing steps, variables and labor from the workflow. So it naturally follows that people would look to eliminate the chemistry-based plate processor. The leading plate manufacturers have very similar takes on the future of this development. Their shared vision begins with a focus on non-ablative switchable polymer and/or on-press development systems. Presstek, however, is an exception. The Hudson, N.H.-based company has pioneered the market with its current generation of chemistry-free plates and

Many in-plant managers are finding that computer-to-plate isn't the wave of the future—they need it right now. By Mike Llewellyn IT ISN'T easy to convince management to invest in large equipment, particularly not when it transforms an in-plant's workflow. But it was just that vigilant attention to the bottom line that led Ken Volz to prepare his in-plant's offset operation for a digital workflow. "We were still doing small-format film and we wanted to get a large-format platesetter," says Volz, director of Printing Services at the University of Cincinnati. So just over a year ago, the Ohio in-plant brought in an Agfa Apogee prepress

Perfect registration. Faster makereadies. Lower costs. In-plants with direct imaging presses boast of these benefits and more. by Bob Neubauer AT THE University of Texas at Austin a few years ago, the administration started to fall in love with color. Alumni invitations and other projects were increasingly being designed in four-color process, then farmed out to local printers when they proved too complicated for the in-plant's aging two-color presses. To save the school money and give it more control over the final product, Printing Services started looking into digital color, with the administration's blessing. In the end, the in-plant settled on a Heidelberg Quickmaster