FINDING THE RETURN ON CTP

Not so true of the packaging printing world. There are inherent differences in the packaging process that make it more difficult to quantify the value of CTP equipment. First and foremost are manufacturing variables, such as repeat length.

Another significant factor in calculating ROI on packaging CTP equipment is the "point" of value. Many of the productivity benefits of using digitally imaged plates are weighted towards the printer, which has a faster makeready, less waste, and more sellable uptime. However, our industry is still heavily reliant on trade shops—which would likely be, and indeed have been, the first to invest in CTP. When the cost/value equation of improving a specific manufacturing process transcends the business model that supports it, we can expect to see the business model change. Consider the astounding number of commercial trade shops that have bought presses, and the proliferation of in-house prepress operations.