Advantage: VDP

“All variable data systems come with their own prepress layout software,” says Bell. “It is all very easy to learn and use. Anyone with a little computer skill can be up and running in less than a day. If data files are needed, the systems are very accommodating to a large range of file formats.”

Walsh adds, “We spend a lot of time during prepress looking at [how converters will have] their packages configured on their roll or sheet so that we can register print accurately.” Software-wise, he says, the converter doesn’t have to worry about that. “It’s part of the system and that’s something that’s figured out before the converters get involved, so they just need to look at how they are going to print versus anything else.”