Drupa 1972 small format offset versus small format digital at drupa 2016

In 1972 I saw the breakthrough of small format offset on my second drupa. Contrary to table offset and duplicators, presses such as Heidelberg GTO (Grosser Tiegel Offset), the Nebiole Invicta and the MAN Roland Favoriet RF could produce prints at the same quality as middle and large format offset presses. I, who had just finished my apprenticeship, saw that now printing solids and four colour printing could also be done fast and efficiently in small format. This gave offset the push to become the printing technique of the next decennial.

This development was made possible by rapid changes in pre-press, pre-sensibylised plates enabled the production of the perfect offset plate much more easy. Much simpler than the difficult production of tri-metal plates which were used in large offset and definitely easier to use than the super format repro camera which could fill a whole dark room. Materials such as Agfa´s Copyproof series for sharp a print to produce a camera ready montage and the auto reversal film by Kodak with which a wrong reading film necessary for the production of offset plates, made it all very easy. This opened new markets for printers who wanted to use small formats to produce their offset work.

Small format offset was also the perfect solutions for black-and-white book printers who could now produce their covers in colour.
That new generation of offset presses was not only more compact and easier to use, another advantage was that it was possible to quickly change paper format and type. For the fast growing market of business cards, letterhead and flyers this was an extra argument for printers to invest in these type of presses.

Small format digital at drupa 2016
There is no doubt that production inkjet giants such as from HP, Canon, Delphax and Landa will get a lot of attention at drupa. Drupa is the ideal opportunity to look at these giants at work. But, for many print shops the trend towards small format digital is more important. Small format digital presses from Screen, Fuijfilm, Xerox, Canon and Kodak are not only, just as small format offset in 1972, good for a several print jobs, but ask for a much smaller investment whilst having the advantage of digital printing, variable data and are efficient with small editions. Interesting product introductions at drupa 2016 are the new Kodak Nexpress with LED water-based inks and Screen and Fuijifilm´s new jet press series. Those companies with a big production capacity will benefit from a demonstration of the Xerox Rialto. This small web press looks to be one of the best solutions for print shops with between 1,5 and 5 million prints a year.

It is not only inkjet for small format. Don´t forget that toner systems are also revolutionising. With super fine toners for sharper prints and better colour quality a toner printer can be a good alternative for formats up to A3+.

Finishing is the key to success
The development of small format digital is closely linked to the development of small format finishing. A super fast print means nothing if you have to wait hours for the end product. Inline finishing is the ideal solution for many jobs. For brochures, books or just flyers folding, companies such as Muller Martini, Hunkeler, Watkins, CP Bourg, Horizon and Duplo offer complete inline production lines.

The growth market direct mail is served by specialists such as Pitney Bowes and Plockmatic. Together with digital printer manufacturers they offer completely automated solutions.
In-line finishing is not always the best solution. In the case of various finishing methods needed or if finishing has a negative influence on the print capacity, off-line or near-line might be the better solution. Several companies will show at drupa that, thanks to the Portable Job Format, automating these solutions is no longer a problem.
This will play a central role in the DIP pavilion. You will find not only practical solutions, but also workshops and presentations by experts in this field. Automation of finishing is, as you will be able to see there, the key to success in digital print.