While imagesetters aren't new, they are making news in the small-format market. In recent years imagesetting has become affordable to quick and small commercial printers for the first time. These new machines can output plates and film that match the quality produced by service bureaus. Reasons given for small shops going to imagesetting include getting first generation quality by going direct-to-plate, cost and time delays of outsourcing, and reducing materials usage, including the elimination of negatives, aluminum plates, and chemistry.

Author: Chrystal O'Hanlon
Title: Should you buy an imagesetter?
Source: American Printer June 1998, Vol. 221, No. 3, pages