DTS is generally understood by most observers to be the digital printing of 3-dimensional objects ‘in situ’, which is to say, printing on the final manufactured object at a late stage in final manufacturing. The general assumption is that UV Inkjet is the print technology of choice. The idea is to be able to reduce waste by reducing the use of labels, and also to be able to customize print content at the last possible moment in manufacturing to allow of more efficient or relevant communications to specific user groups. Usually, the commonest application is assumed to be bottles (plastic or glass) or packaging containers (fiber-based, or polymer such as HDPE, PET or metal) used in the consumer economy. The final assumption that is made by many is also that this is already a vibrant market.

DTS in reality is, in our view, made up of three actual or potential user markets or applications areas, if you like, which leverage two separate technology formats. Of the three applications areas only one is truly a market at this time, one is at best an experimental initiative with early market feelers, and the third is virgin territory, though fraught with access difficulties. Furthermore, UV Inkjet as a print technology of choice is hardly a final tested and accepted market-proven choice which may yet encounter real obstacles in its path. Nor are the value propositions for DTS necessarily to be regarded as proven and beyond question.

There are three market or application areas for which DTS is currently relevant. These are as follows: