20 high-speed HP inkjet webs will transform the economics of book printing

 A technology watershed investment in book printing technology will take place over the next three years in the USA with the announcement that Quad Graphics, one of the largest printing companies, will transform its production platform by installing more than 20 digital inkjet web presses.

The strategic investment will usher in the era where the long-talked about ‘books on demand’ will be become a true commercial reality. Over three years Quad Graphics aims to present publishers with a range of options for producing and delivering books on demand, bringing zero inventory and just-in-time delivery closer to reality.

"The innovation opportunity in books is enabled by new digital print technologies that are profoundly changing book publishing economics," said Joel Quadracci, Quad/Graphics chairman & CEO. "With this investment in digital presses and integrated systems we can support a broad industry transition to a print-on-demand, zero-inventory model.

"Our digital press solution will help redefine the entire book supply chain, giving publishers increased customization and versioning capabilities; faster time-to-market; reduced waste, inventories and obsolescence; and lower fixed costs. Accordingly, publishers will be able to focus more on content and have the ability to redeploy the capital previously tied up in inventory to other initiatives."

Traditionally, book publishers have had to carry large inventories, a significant portion of which may go unsold and become obsolete. Quad/Graphics will put five of the HP colour digital web presses into production this year, the first of which it will begin installing this month, January. The other 15-plus presses will be installed in the remaining two-year period. Once all units are installed, Quad/Graphics will have the capacity to produce nearly 3 billion colour pages each month.

The overall volume of digitally printed books is forecast to increase 15.2% annually through 2019, according to a recent digital book printing study by Interquest, a market and technology research firm.

Printed consumer trade books are showing surprising strength versus what had been expected to be a dramatic shift to e-books. According to Nielsen BookScan, AAP and other book industry reporting, there was an increase in printed books sold in 2014.

According to a recent Bowker study, there continues to be significant annual increases in ISBN-registered book titles being fuelled by small publishers and self-publishers who want to see their books in print. Additionally, a new Nielsen Books & Consumer survey shows that printed books are outselling e-books by a healthy two to one.

"We aim to be the book producer of choice," Quadracci said. "We have a clear vision for the future of this industry and we are taking the necessary steps to realize that vision for the benefit of a $30 (US) billion book publishing industry."

The plan includes investing in:

• 20 or more HP high-speed color digital web presses;
• Front-end workflow solutions for accepting orders and putting them immediately into production; and
• Back-end integrated systems for finishing, distribution and fulfilment, including shipping directly to the end recipient with an auto-generated invoice.