Variable Data Cylinder Printing

Abstract

There is a need for a fast digital printing technology that can be used in-line on an analogue printing press, initially for Variable Data on Press (VDOP) applications. Inkski Ltd has been developing a novel drop on demand technology, ‘Light Initiated Liquid Offset’ (LILO) based on the forming of ink drops on a rapidly rotating cylinder. This paper looks at the principles governing the LILO technology and the results achieved from this development, also outlining the technical challenges remaining. The performance characteristics of an offset lithography equivalent printing process are identified and compared to LILO and other digital printing approaches. The conclusion is that unmodified none of these approaches currently have the potential to achieve offset equivalent printing. We briefly introduce an evolution of the LILO technology, which may have the potential to provide an offset equivalent digital printing process.