Way back, in 1998 , somebody came up with the idea to print a limited edition of a new book numbered and personalized to be distributed during its introduction to the press. The book we’re talking about is a child’s novel called “De Koningste Koning” by Gregie De Maeyer and cartoonist and illustrator Karl Meersman . It’s a story about all kings and queens invited to a party and struggling to sit on the ultimate throne.

100 pieces were printed using an Agfa Chromapress (similar to the Xeikon DCP series) because it was the only digital machine on earth that could print considerably close enough to offset-quality, according to the traditional printers at the time.

Now that we’re living 13 years later, digital book printing is referred to as digital book production, meaning, we’re talking about an automated, industrialized process. But still, most of the value of this book production is generated by the keepers, those that look and feel valuable enough to keep for at least another 13 years.

All the rest can go on the iPad…

It’s good that, also now in Europe, we see forums coming to life; like the one Xeikon is sponsoring in Paris where book printing companies can come to listen to market trends and try to find some guidance for where their business is going.

Danny Mertens