Digital printing 'becoming popular'

Printers have been encouraged to innovate with digital printing, as it is expected to represent almost 50% of all book printing by the end of this decade.

During the 2010 Fuji Xerox Innovate conference in Sydney, a consultant with Pira International explained how e-books and on-demand printing are influencing the book printing market.

Using Pira data, Neil Falconer highlighted a significant drop in demand for sheetfed and coldset press, while inkjet equipment sales are likely to increase 135% by 2014.

He said: "Soon, inkjet will be the main colour process eating into the offset market."

By the year 2018, digital printers would be responsible for 43% of book printing revenues, he added. Already, book runs of 5,000 or less represent 70% of book printing.

Commenting on the growing popularity of e-readers, Mr Falconer said devices such as the Kindle and iPad are likely to dominate the market.

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