CTP is a transient technology that will be superseded by direct imaging on press.


That was the message from Jarrolds managing director William Mills at the ninth Pira Web Offset Conference this week.


"I fully expect that in four, six, eight or 10 years we will be directly imaging on cylinders," he added.


Mills also said that industrial relations during the move to CTP should be handled "with care and understanding".


Many B1 sheetfed printers have adopted the technology, he said, but web offset printers were wary of the investment because publishers had not been supplying digital files. Almost 100% of Jarrolds catalogue work is produced CTP, but the figure slumps to only 5% for magazine work.


He also used the example of a Swiss printer he had encountered who said the start up with CTP was "as predictable as gravure."


But Cooper Clegg managing director Ian Cooper said printers were going CTP "because we have to publishers say its the way of the future".


"If someone tells me how were going to make money out of it I would be delighted to hear from them," he added.