NEW YORK, NY -- November 13, 2002 -- TrendWatch Graphic Arts today released their first report ever dedicated to Direct-to-Plate technologies. The 100+ page report, called "Direct-to-Plate: Transitioning the Workflow" strives to better identify the nuances of the direct-to-plate (also called "computer-to-plate" or CTP) marketplace. According to the report, print businesses, which once doubted the value of CTP offerings, have overwhelmingly begun to embrace and benefit from the decade old technology. For example, as early as the Fall of 1998, only 10% of sheetfed press shops planned to invest in a direct-to-plate system. Just three years later, that number had more than doubled, and the impact has been positive. The evidence: earlier this year, 39% of print businesses perceived direct-to-plate as having a positive effect in their business. The report is available for online purchase at the TWGA eStore in PDF format. For more information, please go to the TWGA website (www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com). Researcher's Quote... "Direct-to-Plate technologies are still in competition with other 'direct-to' technologies that have yet to be adopted at the same rate as CTP," notes Vince Naselli, Director, TrendWatch Graphic Arts. "Direct-to technologies, such as Direct Imaging presses, digital color presses, and color copiers are beginning to carve their niche in specified markets and will impact CTP players over time. Yet change is slow, especially during economically-challenged times, and so as CTP has methodically captured acceptance away from the imagesetter, so will these newer 'direct-to' technologies, given enough time, though for the near term CTP adoption continues to track strongly as a planned investments." According to the Report... -- 55% of sheetfed offset press shops perceive direct-to-plate as having a positive impact on their business; -- In Spring 2002, only 2% of print businesses planned to invest in an imagesetter; -- 17% of all sheetfed press shops will start using digital plates, while 36% will use more digital plates. About the Report... This latest report from TWGA documents the major trends in the marketplace and provides the latest data on the usage of CTP by various segments. For example, eight-up systems have traditionally been the favored CTP configuration. But investment has been on the wane, while both 16-up and 4-up configurations have been on the rise. This report aims to identify trends that will assist marketing managers in targeting key growth segments. It answers critical questions such as: -- What trends are in effect, and how will those changes impact the market for direct-to-plate equipment?; -- What is the prevailing attitude toward UV, thermal, and visible light technologies?; -- What has been the rate of adoption, and will it continue? The report also provides historical data, tracking key acceptance and usage trends through the TWGA historical database, allowing purchasers to see how these trends have emerged over time. Availability... The TrendWatch Graphic Arts "Direct-to-Plate: Transitioning the Workflow" report is available for purchase by visiting the secure TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore online at www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com or by phone at 866-873-6310. The price for the report is $1595. TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore customers can download this report in PDF Acrobat format immediately after purchase.