Digital Print Forum

Technical Evaluation of Digital Printing

Leader: Dr. Abhay Sharma, Chair
School of Graphic Communications Management, Ryerson University

Abhay Sharma Podcast

The IPA Proofing RoundUP changed proofing forever. IPA now brings you a landmark study of the business and technologies of digital print.

This study of the business and technologies of digital printing will provide an exhaustive snapshot of digital printing color consistency and serve as a basis for defining a new specification and characterization data set for a global standard for digital printing best practices and color accuracy. This is a hands-on, practical review of digital printing as used in print production and in conjunction with traditional offset printing.

Highlights:

• An independent, technical overview of digital printing technologies in 2008

• The forum will provide a unique up-to-date snapshot of digital printing capabilities

• Real results from real devices produced in a production environment

• Findings will enable and promote true cross-media publishing

• Real printed samples will be compared and distributed to attendees.

Key test areas:

•    Engines
  • Xerographic (Laser)
  • Liquid Ink
  • DI Dry toner
  • Web and sheet-fed digital printers
•    Color
  • Gamut
  • Digital vs GRACoL, SWOP
  • Neutral tone scales
  • Repeatability
  • Tints and gradients
  • Pantone
•    Substrates
  • Print speeds
  • Paper
  • Cracking
  • Rub resistance
  • Fading
  • Special finishes
• Business Models
  • Cost
  • ROI
  • Front End Workflow Integration
  • Variable Data Printing

You've heard how digital printing will increase options for your customers and profitability for your company. But when – and how – do you transit from offset to digital? How do you mix offset and digital? Can you really run a smaller sheet size on a long job without creating a mark on the blanket? This forum will provide the answers.

Come, see, discuss, evaluate – hands-on digital printing in an independent technical forum. We'll help you formulate the questions you need to ask and interpret the answers you'll get.

Committee

The forum has representation and input from major digital print suppliers including;

• Canon
• CGS
• EFI
• Fujifilm
• Kodak
• Konica-Minolta
• Pantone
• Ricoh
• Xeikon

The committee also consists of representatives from the Digital Print Council, North American Color, RIT, RR Donnelley, Western Michigan University and Ryerson University.