Digital Digest

To package printers put off by digital's slower output rates, Dickinson responds, "Nobody gets a dime for press speed. Digital presses get a huge head start because of no set-up time. A traditional job that might take two weeks to turn around can be done in 24 hours."

Those holding out for wider press widths may have to wait until the clamoring for this capability gets a little louder. Agfa is considering releasing a simplex version of its 18.7" Chromapress 50i if the market opens up. "Wider would be better for certain applications, but we would like to see more penetration," relates Gene Hunt, worldwide marketing communications manager.