In the last article, we looked briefly at what some bespoke and hybrid systems can do, and what some of the market drivers are. In this article, we look at some of the technology drivers that are facilitating the introduction of these solutions into the market.

Needless to say, the advancements in digital systems and controls are at the core of these developments. Digital controls have surpassed electromechanical controls in most printing systems, including both the imaging and transport operations. We have seen this impact not only digital printing presses, but analog printing technologies like offset and flexo as well. At a minimum, that allows for more customized and compact solutions; however, that only begins to touch on the facilitating technology.

This trend may have started with Electrophotography (EP) in 1990 with the introduction of the black-and-white Xerox 135ppm DocuTech, and then further evolved with the introduction of full-color dry and liquid toner (ElectroInk), which is the technology used by the Xeikon and HP Indigo, respectively. When inkjet printing technology came to the market in the mid 1970s with the introduction of HP thermal inkjet desktop printers, and Mead Digital’s (now Kodak Versamark) first commercial inkjet product, a steady growth path began to bring us to where we are today. Initially that growth was slow; but by 2000, the pace of innovation started to pick up dramatically. That speed of technological development has only increased over time.