September 2000

Alternatives to Contact Printing

When we think of alternatives to contact (or proximity) printing, laser direct imaging (LOI) comes to mind. However. there are many alternative approaches being looked at. Some are commercial, some were developmental or commercial bUl faded away, and others are altlle conceptual or lab development stage. Laser direct imaging itself offers a variety of different technical approaches. In view of lhis fascinating but equally confusing multitude of technologies, a brief overview of lhese alternatives might be of interest, even at the risk of missing one or the olher important development.

Karl H. Dietz, DuPont i-Technologies