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
