The Digital Decade

BLANCHARD SYSTEMS

A lot has happened over the past 10 years. Who could have predicted the technological and economic changes that occurred—particularly those influenced by the Internet?

Realistically, we can expect more collaborative integration on the supply chain, utilizing JDF and the technologies from the CIP4 initiatives. Customers will be much more involved with workflows. Proofing already exists online, with the ability to communicate with others about suggested changes, in real time, while viewing a proof on a screen.

Why do workflows have to stop at the platesetter? Why aren't we burning plates directly on press? And who's to say they will be plates? Ten years from now perhaps a new breed of electronic inks will be attracted directly to a charge-applied press cylinder. Far-fetched? I don't think so.

Digital printing should experience solid growth, fueled by marketers' desires to fine-tune their pitches to individuals rather than targeting to groups. As technology improves, and it's harder to tell the difference between digitally and traditionally printed pieces, more customers will look at digital presses. The workflows for magazine publishing might even change. The process will involve collaborative online systems that send imposed jobs directly to large digital printing presses (or to traditional platesetters).

Remember what inkjet printers were like 10 years ago? Who's to say that new content won't be delivered online and printed by very capable, wide-format, personal color printers? Or, what happens when the computer converges with television via wireless communications and cell phones? People can receive content online, and click on a story if they want to see a video feed (eerily close to news-based portals, now).

People will continue to communicate. The graphics business should be just fine
for those willing to adapt.

—Charles Blanchard, president, Blanchard Systems