drupa – Screen’s strategy to focus on emerging POD role

With CTP sales to peak in 2008 the Japanese equipment manufacturer is determined to transform itself into a digital press supplier.

In a wide-ranging review of the company’s history, present situation and future prospects, Screen’s European management took the stage at the drupa media conference to emphasize the transformative process the company is undergoing.
Despite still relying on CTP for 90 per cent of its graphic arts revenue and preparing to install its 12,000 platesetter, Screen recognises that the market for CTP is mature, especially in Europe and the US, and that it needs to develop new product lines for the future. As a result a range of inkjet print on demand (POD) engines will be the centrepiece of Screen’s engagement with the graphic arts industry in the future and the focus of its drupa exhibition stand in May.

In addition to its offset Truepress 344, launched in2004, it will show the Truepress Jet250, a high-speed continuous feed, inkjet POD system. First previewed at Ipex two years ago, the full colour press uses Epson inkjet heads using water-based pigment inks. With a throughput of 64m/min (25,200 A4 pages per hour simplex and 50,400 pages an hour duplex), it is targeted at direct mail and the transpromotional market as well as short run newspaper production.

The wide format market is the focus of the Truepress Jet 2500UV that made its debut at Fespa last year. A high performance machine it has five different resolutions from 300 to 1500 dpi and comes in a roll fed or flatbed model.

Industrial inkjet printing is a niche market for Screen that it addresses with the Truepress Jet650 UV. Typical uses for the technology include the digital printing of car instrument panels, for instance.

The challenge for Screen to transform itself into a digital press manufacturer should not be underestimated. It has opened a transformation centre, White Canvas Rakasui, outside Kyoto with the intention of generating innovative ideas as to the way forward.

Although committed to maintaining its leadership position in CTP manufacture, Screen is actively reinventing itself. It is a space to watch.