In the 16-page Panpa Digital Daily readers will be addressed by his or her first name in headings and advertisements to underline the flexibility of variable data printing in the digital age.
The publication will be printed in concert with Océ Australia on an Océ JetStream continuous feed, full colour, inkjet press. According to Océ, the JetStream is able to print up to 4,000 36-page newspapers an hour, each one potentially an individual production with no loss of print speed or quality.
Mark Hollands, CEO of the Newspaper Publishers Association said the Digital Daily was a conceived to demonstrate what is possible with a digital press.
He says, “This technology presents an opportunity to create new products and revenue streams. I’m attracted by its capacity to allow personalisation of newspapers, sections and magazines. But it in no way replaces offset technology for newspapers.
“Digital technology reduces waste for short-run products, and allows a publisher to create an on-demand model for printing publications, as well as expand into other commercial areas. This is something all newspaper publishers should consider.”
Also commenting, Herbert Kieleithner, marketing manager for production printing with Océ said while the publication was a first for Australia, it was only a small example of how versionised newspapers might progress.
Kieleithner continues, “For instance, the advertisements and stories in the Digital Daily will address the readers by name, but it also possible to select different stories and advertisements to match the preferences of each reader.
“There is the example of the Niiu daily newspaper in Berlin, a world first, which allows readers to choose their own news, from a variety of internationally-known mastheads, and have it delivered to their door.”
The Panpa Forum will be held August 26-27 at the Sydney Masonic Centre in Sydney.
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