What is digital printing: Digital printing is the digitization of printing technology. Generally refers to the digitization of part or all of the entire process. For example: laser phototypesetting, remote plate transfer, digital proofing, computer-to-plate making, digital workflow, printing factory ERP, etc. all belong to the category of digital printing.

The development history of digital printing technology: In the fierce market competition, enterprise decision-makers should focus on the long-term development of the enterprise, prepare in advance and act as soon as possible, otherwise they will lose market opportunities and even lose Living space is squeezed out of the market. Paying attention to technological changes and progress is particularly important today with the rapid development of science and technology. Driven by the development of digital printing technology, the changes in my country's printing industry over the past decade or so fully illustrate this point.

Digital Printing 1: Farewell to Lead and Fire

In the stage of saying goodbye to lead and fire, the electronic publishing system has been used to replace the traditional typesetting and the traditional typesetting process has been transformed. Technology and environment have laid the foundation for the digitization of publishing and printing. It should be said to be an important milestone in the development of digital printing technology. The significance of the development of electronic publishing systems is not only to bid farewell to lead and fire, but more importantly, it lays the foundation for the long-term development of digital publishing and printing, which is of great significance.

Digital Printing 2: Transmitting editions from different places

More than ten years ago, readers could not see daily newspapers published in other places on the same day. Especially in remote areas of our country, news often became old news. , not to mention the timeliness of news. The use of digital communication technology to replace the copy delivery of off-site printing in traditional publishing has greatly improved the timeliness and accuracy of off-site publishing. At the same time, it also laid the foundation for today's off-site online publishing and printing.

Digital printing three: color and images

It seems like yesterday that people were debating whether desktop color publishing systems can replace electronic color separation machines. With the development of image processing technology and color separation technology, , color management technology, image scanning technology, image information exchange and other technologies, this debate has become history. The desktop color publishing system improves the plate making efficiency of color text and graphics, and organically combines art and publishing, allowing us to have creative designs in publishing and printing, turning a simple information transmission process into an art.

Digital printing IV: Say goodbye to paper and pen

The emergence and development of network technology, network editing and publishing technology, information tracking technology, information exchange technology, and information release technology have made the use of computers and Network technology has made it possible to digitize publishing and editing. This stage of technological development belongs to digital publishing. The most important thing is that it takes a key step towards the realization of fully digital publishing and printing and cross-media publishing.

Digital printing five: efficiency, quality and management

When opening any publication related to this industry technology, computer-to-plate (CTP), film scanning, digital workflow (WORKFLOW), digital proofing and remote proofing, printing factory management system, on-demand and fast printing are all introduced, all of which are to achieve the goals of high efficiency, high quality and management of printing and publishing.

Digital printing six: cross-media publishing and online publishing

Publishing the same set of digital information content through different media is called cross-media publishing. For example, the same document can not only be printed on paper On the Internet, it can be published in the form of newspapers, periodicals and books (paper media publishing), and high-fidelity, reliable, interactive and personalized digital content can be generated, managed and published anytime and anywhere through the network on any device (online publishing).

From the perspective that printing is information processing, the demand for multiple outputs for one processing will put forward higher requirements for the development of digital printing technology.

Digital Printing 7: Digital System

What is a digital printing system? Digital printing system is a technology that digitizes and networks the entire printing process. It covers computer direct plate making, digital workflow, digital proofing, on-demand, rapid printing and other technologies. It is an inevitable necessity for the printing industry to adapt to the development of the information age.

2. Market positioning of digital printing system

Digital printing has fast printing speed and high quality. In addition, digital printing has no requirements for print volume, and the cost of a single print is fixed, which makes the investment of digital printing machines low and the return high. Although digital printing appeared late, its technology is now basically mature and its application space is gradually expanding.

Based on the actual application situation in the current market, the digital printing system should be clearly positioned in the printing fields of fast short-run, on-demand, personalization, variable data and so on.

3. Current Development Status of Digital Printing

According to the source of technology, the existing digital printing equipment on the market can be roughly divided into the following four categories.

1. Digital printing all-in-one machine - developed from copier technology plus digital technology

Typical representatives: Toshiba, Konica, Ricoh, Canon, Xerox, Océ, etc. This type of equipment generally includes three parts: scanning part, laser printing part and folding and binding part. Its functions are relatively comprehensive and can be used for scanning, copying, printing and digital publishing.

Figure 1 Functional diagram of digital printing all-in-one machine

This type of equipment belongs to a multi-functional digital printing system and is a type of digital printing. It has transformed from a single output device to digital input , output integrated equipment.

Features and advantages of digital printing all-in-one machines:

The output speed is 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 100 pages per minute or even higher, adapting to the market Wide coverage;

Due to the addition of digital technology, stable quality is ensured;

The equipment is simple to operate and the working environment is clean;

The digital "group" service system becomes In reality, it is more convenient for users;

The system cost is low and has strong competitiveness;

It is precisely these characteristics of digital printing all-in-one machines that we expect its development prospects to be broad.

2. Digital multi-function machine - developed based on printer technology

This type of equipment is the same as the former in principle, but because they do not master high-speed laser Printing core technology (except Canon and Xerox), so most manufacturers' digital all-in-one machines can only compete in the low-speed (less than 30 pages per minute) market, and even compete for the fax machine market and the printer market. It is difficult for this type of equipment to enter the digital printing market.

3. Digital printing press - developed from printing press technology, digital technology and electronic ink technology

The typical representative is HPINDIGO.

4. Digital printing press - developed from printing press technology plus digital technology and on-machine direct plate making technology

Typical representative: Heidelberg DI.

4. Development prospects of digital printing systems

According to the different digital technologies used, we can design systems with different functions.

1. The combination of simple CTP technology and small offset printing technology forms a non-integrated one;

2. The combination of on-machine silver salt plate making technology and small offset printing technology;

4. With the development of technology, it has even achieved stronger functions, higher quality, and wider adaptability.

5. Misunderstandings about the development of digital printing

Digital printing is developing rapidly, but there are many misunderstandings.

Myth 1: High cost

Cost usually consists of three elements: depreciation, materials, and labor. However, the high degree of automation of digital systems will reduce labor costs to a certain extent; the depreciation of equipment is determined by the investment when purchasing the equipment; material costs, taking toner media as an example, most of today's digital machines use toner Separate, and the life of most equipment drums is more than hundreds of thousands of sheets, and the price of powder should gradually decrease with the expansion of applications; compared with traditional offset printing, digital printing does not require plate making, so plate making costs will be saved. It is worth mentioning that with the increase in users and the maturity of technology, the overall price level of digital printing presses has declined. This also brings the cost of digital printing under control and encourages more customers to accept digital printing.

Myth 2: Products cannot be retained for a long time

First of all, you can do your own experiments to see the difference in storage time of digital printing presses. Put the prints printed with traditional inks, electronic inks, and toners under sunlight. After a few days, you will find that the prints printed by the digital printer have better color durability than those printed with traditional inks.

Secondly, many people believe that prints from digital printing machines cannot be stored for a long time like prints from traditional laser printers and copier prints.

This is not the actual situation. Take dry toner as an example. As the printing resolution of digital printers continues to increase, the toner used by digital printers today is finer than the particles used by traditional copiers and laser printers and melts at high temperatures. During the process, toner can dissolve into the gaps in the paper like ink droplets.

Myth 3: Digital printing is a simple digitalization process

Since the digital printing process is printing directly from the computer or printing to paper (Computer-to-Paper), so the requirements Digital printing machines should have automated functions for the entire process of imposition, correction, and binding. Therefore the software functionality of the system is crucial.

Myth 4: The printing quality of digital printing presses

Although the quality of digital printing is not yet completely on par with traditional printing due to the different mechanical structure and use of consumables, overall Generally speaking, with the continuous improvement of imaging systems, the improvement of imaging accuracy and output resolution, and the enhancement of media tolerance, the digital printing presses currently launched by various manufacturers can meet the needs of high-end printing, and are still moving towards higher quality. develop. In particular, there are more and more multi-color digital printing systems, which can print four or even six colors at the same time, and spot color printing can also be satisfied.

6. Several key software technologies of digital printing systems

Most digital equipment providers are developed from copying and printing equipment, and basically have no background in graphic arts technology. Several key software technologies for digital printing systems are missing. Example:

1. Fully digital printing workflow software

2. Integrated and unified output software that meets various typeset formats for printing

3. Printing Data resource management software

4. On-demand, variable printing production and support software

5. Remote network service software

Due to the lack of the above key technologies Software support, most equipment providers have to position themselves in the office market focusing on copying and printing

Offset printing machine printing silk screen calendar packaging box self-adhesive desk calendar trademark laser anti-counterfeiting trademark Taizhou wall calendar packaging box brochure We accept all kinds of printing services such as posters, promotional paper bags, etc.

1. Offset printing: various color samples, wall calendars, desk calendars, packaging boxes, brochures, posters, exquisite picture albums, handbags, letterheads, envelopes,

Color boxes, advertising paper, bags, packaging and decoration, brochures, tickets.

2. Leather labels: various types of rubber, plastic, PVC leather labels, decorative labels, zipper header labels, key rings, commemorative medals.

3. Weaving and embroidery: computer machine silk weaving of various types of trimming, overlocking satin, flat trademarks, decorative labels, luggage straps.

4. Embossing: various types of clothing tags, self-adhesive stickers, bar codes, crystal drop molding, and laser anti-counterfeiting labels.

5. Silk screen printing: all kinds of silk screen printing ribbons, non-woven fabrics, cloth tape trademarks, marks, PVC plastic labels, processing with supplied materials.

6. Machine printing: all kinds of colorful ribbons, trademarks, marks, washing marks, roll self-adhesive, and special non-woven ribbons.

Packaging boxes, wall calendars, desk calendars, handbags, exquisite albums, samples, brochures, posters, laser anti-counterfeiting labels, stickers, trademarks and other printing.

Digital printing The emergence of it has solved many problems currently existing in the market. Every company wants to minimize storage and shipping costs, and digital printing technology ensures that reprints are as good as the first. The areas it serves are print on demand, personalization and variable data input printing. "The most significant feature of digital printing is that it can be printed from one sheet. Combined with IT technology and Internet technology, network printing can be realized." At Konica Minolta's booth, Lu Haidong, deputy section chief of the company's Beijing digital printing department, introduced it to reporters while demonstrating.

Abroad, digital printing is showing great vitality. Xiao Nan, deputy marketing liaison manager of Kodak Graphics and Imaging Group Greater China, said that as far as the U.S. market is concerned, the number of printing companies has continued to decrease in recent years, but the revenue of the printing industry has continued to grow, most of which comes from digital printing. Revenue growth.

Current situation: lack of understanding

Digital printing has many advantages such as simplicity, speed, and flexibility, making its potential application range very wide, from large-format printing to the printing of books and brochures. Being competent is an extremely important means for producing communication media.

However, the development of digital printing in China is currently subject to certain restrictions. Many commercial printing companies lack understanding of digital printing technology and have great difficulties in applying it. High-performance color digital printing equipment is mainly used in some professional fields and accounts for a large share of the printing market. The share is still relatively low.

At present, the color quality of digital color printing has reached a high level, and in many cases can be compared with four-color offset printing machines. Equipment such as Nexpress2100, HPIndigo and XeroxiGen3 can provide high color quality color digital printing. Nexpress and HPIndigo can also provide printing with more than 4 colors, and can even be varnished, with a wider color range. Xiao Nan took out a foreign newspaper printed in digital color to prove to reporters the practicality and effectiveness of digital printing. She reflected that in foreign countries, digital printing of commercial jobs comes from a variety of printing; while in China, digital printing is mainly used for invoice printing. Lu Haidong introduced that government agencies, printing plants, advertising companies, and printing shops can all use digital printing equipment. Xiao Nan pointed out that digital printing can save costs for customers, improve customer response rates, demonstrate differentiation, and enhance brand image. "I hope that corporate customers and customers of customers can understand digital printing and digital printing technology." She said.

Prospects: The general trend

Relevant data shows that in the United States, 33% of digital printing jobs were diversified and personalized in 2006, and the growth rate of customized printing in the printing market has reached 14%, and the growth rate of jobs printed directly from the Internet has exceeded 100%. Judging from the number of copies printed, the number of copies for 78% of four-color offset printing jobs has been reduced to less than 5,000. For printing companies, the development of digital printing is the general trend. At the same time, the rapid development of digital printing technology has brought huge business opportunities to various fields of the printing industry, and digital printing has become a printing method with the most development potential.

Regarding the development trend of digital printing, the famous American printing expert Frank J. Romano believes that digital printing will supplement and compete with offset printing, screen printing and flexo printing; networked laser printers will Challenge copiers, copiers challenge digital printing, digital printing challenges offset printing, and inkjet will challenge them all; the quality of digital printing will no longer be a problem, but its production capacity, reliability and size issues will still need to be further solved; offset printing is improving , providing more economical and competitive products, but its market will continue to be eroded by digital printing; digital printing will affect all aspects of the printing industry, and will be used in art, packaging, label printing, textiles, books, advertising, etc. Widely used in printed matter.

Romano predicted in his 2006 printing status lecture in the United States that by 2012, the offset printing market share that once dominated the country will drop to 60%, and the rest will be occupied by variable data printing and other methods. . By 2015, the revenue generated by offset printing will account for about 45% of the total revenue of the printing industry, while digital printing will rise to 30%, and the rest will be occupied by ancillary services.

A staff member of the China Printing Technology Association said that although the development of China's printing market is different from that of the United States, judging from historical experience, it is just a difference in "progress". The focus is whether it can succeed in the U.S. market. , a glimpse into the future of digital printing in China.