In a presentation by David Jones, Business Development Manager at Gemini International he detailed the benefits of digital printing techniques for book publishers. He emphasised that the main role for digital printing was in short run production. It therefore represents a complimentary approach to book publishing which hereto has been dominated by traditional, litho printing.
Digital printing releases publishing decision-making from previous constraints, where economies of scale have a considerable bearing on what kind of books get published. With digital printing short print runs can be accommodated, even encouraged and niche markets supplied.
The seminar produced lively discussion from those in attendance. Among the concerns raised was whether digital printing could produce the same quality as traditional litho printing. It was pointed out that Gemini International became the first, exclusively digital printing agency, to take the main prize at the Irish Print Awards in 2007, indicating that digital printing has well and truly arrived.
The emergence of this exciting new print medium will herald big changes in book production in the years to come. The main beneficiaries of these changes should be the publishers and hopefully authors too.
The organisers have indicated that similar events may be held in future, focusing on the benefits to authors and self-publishers. The Author's Friend will keep you informed of any developments.
If you are interested in learning more about the whole area of digital printing and it's implications for publishing, you might like to check out the slide presentation which was shown at the seminar:
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