3D Systems Brings 3D Printing to AIA 2012

Press release from the issuing company

3D Systems Corporation announced today that it will showcase its latest 3D content-to-print solutions at the American Institute of Architects' 2012 National Convention and Design Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC May 17-19th in booth number 2160.

Architects continue to stretch the limits on fine feature detail, speed and sizes to accommodate larger and more complex scale models. With our recently launched ZPrinter(R) 850, boasting the largest build platform in its class, architects can print larger scale, fine detailed models faster. Users can also stack up several small scale massing models in a single build, conducting quick design studies and concept iterations with their teammates, clients or regulatory boards.

"We are pleased to share our complete design to manufacturing capabilities with the attendees of AIA 2012," said Cathy Lewis, Vice President of Global Marketing for 3D Systems. "Working closely with customers we have already transformed the way architects design and communicate. With our expanded range of on-site and cloud printing services we look forward to empowering more architects to create and make faster."

05/17/12

Loire Offset Plus Opts for a 48-page KBA C48

Press release from the issuing company

Last year Loire Offset Plus in Molina-la-Chazotte celebrated its 20th anniversary. At about the same time the company relocated to bigger premises offering 21,000m² (226,000ft²) of production floor space. Three Rapida litho presses also made the move: an eight-colour Rapida 142 perfector for four-over-four, a five-colour Rapida 106 coater press and a four-colour Rapida 185. They were later joined by two new presses: a Rapida 162a perfector for four-over-four and a five-colour Rapida 142 with coater. This French book printer thus has a total of 32 KBA printing units and 13 folding machines.

At Drupa, Loire Offset opted for a 48-page KBA C48 commercial web press as a means of expanding capacity for high-volume products without having to add the extra folder and guillotine that would have been needed with a further sheetfed press. Installation of the new press, which will have a cylinder circumference of 1,240mm (48.81in) and a web width of 1,450mm (57in) will start next year. One of the C48's many unique features is a variable-format V5 folder for delivering books. Along with Loire Offset's satisfaction with its fleet of Rapidas this was a key criterion in favour of the C48. It will be the sixth V5 for a French print operation within a short space of time.

The new press's ability to print and inline finish long runs of books will cut production costs, while the use of web stock will reduce paper costs.

05/17/12

KBA Rapida 145 Goes to Schur Pack

Press release from the issuing company

The Rapida 145, the litho press with the largest sheet format at Drupa, will ship to Schur Pack Denmark in Horsens after the show. The plinth-mounted six-colour press with SFC coater (sleeves and simultaneous coating-forme change), pile logistics and a raft of automation modules has redefined the global benchmarks in sheetfed technology and will substantially cut production costs at this internationally active packaging group. In the words of factory manager Allan Laursen, a peak performance and “the best of the best” are essential criteria for Schur Pack.

Prior to signing the contract Schur Pack's technical experts carried out exhaustive tests on all the large-format presses on the market. Three print jobs were produced on presses built by the three shortlisted manufacturers. The results of the evaluation process were unequivocal: KBA, the market leader in this format, offered the best and most cost-effective package for Schur Pack's needs.

Alongside the Rapida 145, which also features simultaneous plate changing, flying job changes plus inline measurement and control technology, the company will take delivery of a seven-colour Rapida 106 with two coaters, a UV capability and the same high level of automation. The two Rapidas will replace four older presses from another German vendor, and Schur Pack is confident that this will shorten makereadies and deliver a major boost to output. The number of personnel in the press room will be reduced to two operators per press and shift plus one man for logistics. Flying job changes will be used for switching the languages on packaging for an international clientele.

05/17/12

GPO Introduces New eLearning Tool

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has a new eLearning tool that allows the agency to conduct virtual trainings and host virtual meetings with members of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). GPO attained this tool through a competitive procurement and can now provide libraries with training on GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys), a one-stop site to authentic, published Government information. In turn, libraries across the country can help the American public use FDsys to access information on the three branches of the Federal Government. This tool also allows GPO to customize training for specific audiences, record the training for future use, and enhance training with online discussions. In April, GPO conducted three virtual trainings using the eLearning tool and received positive feedback. Through the FDLP, GPO partners with 1,200 libraries nationwide to provide the public with free access to Government information in both print and digital formats.

"With our rapidly changing digital environment, it is important that we provide the Federal depository library community with eLearning opportunities," said Superintendent of Documents Mary Alice Baish. "Through this tool, GPO can equip libraries with the necessary training to help their communities access authentic, published Government information."

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO's Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,200 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Facebook, Twitter, and on YouTube.

05/16/12

The Artcraft Company Now 100% Solar Powered

Press release from the issuing company

At a celebratory event held last Friday, John Dumouchel said his company is giving new meaning to the words ‘green printing’; then he figuratively flipped the switch to turn on the newly installed new solar powered system that now powers The Artcraft Company in North Attleboro, MA. This announcement makes this third-generation family-owned company one of the most environmentally conscious engraving and printing company in the U.S. Artcraft, one the largest specialty print production facilities in New England, is best known for its high-quality engraving services for business cards and identity systems, invitations and more.

To the gathering of customers, colleagues, friends and family at the celebration named after The Beatle’s eponymous song, “Here Comes the Sun”, Dumouchel said, “We’re moving into a new dimension as we transform our company. Today, I am very pleased to announce that The Artcraft Company is not only going solar, but with this change in how we power our operation, we can now produce the most environmentally responsible identity systems, and invitations possible. I want to go into the next generation doing the right thing for the communities in which we live and work.“

Artcraft, an FSC-certified printer, is now powering 100% of its engraving facility, and 50% of its offset department with clean, renewable, solar energy. “Research has shown that engraving is the most environmentally friendly print production technique available, and now we’re advancing the level of environmental savings by producing our customers projects through the use of solar power. We are excited to not only continue to support sound environmental practices within Artcraft, but to also make the most sustainable practices available to our customers,” said Dumouchel.

The Artcraft Company’s solar project is expected to reduce its Green House Gas emissions by over 5,226 tons of CO2 —equivalent to saving 10,774,845 miles of air travel, planting 209,032 trees, or not traveling 6,657,070 miles in an SUV.

This significant carbon footprint reduction is the result of the new solar powered system that Munro Distributing has recently installed at The Artcraft Company. Over 1,100 solar panels have been installed on the roof of Artcraft’s production facility. This is the largest commercial installation in North Attleboro, MA, and Artcraft is the only U.S. engraving and printing company to be 100% solar powered.

Sean Bielat, local businessman and congressional hopeful spoke at the event, “This project represents one of the best ways for government to support development of new technologies—by providing competitive grants and then getting out of the way as much as possible to enable businesses and families to decide what is best for their needs. This project will cut costs for Artcraft, making it even more competitive in the market and thus spur growth and job creation. I salute John Dumouchel and Artcraft for taking initiative to compete for a grant to invest in new technology. It’s just one more example of local companies being at the cutting edge of innovation.”

Dumouchel, who recently finished serving as President of the International Engraved Graphics Association (IEGA), like his father before him, was at the event with his wife and four children, watched as his children cut the ribbon to launch the beginning of this exciting endeavor for Artcraft. “I am delighted that so many came out to support North Attleboro’s first industrial solar project, and that my four children were there to witness, and partake in, our latest green initiative, as this is actually for them,” said Dumouchel.

Click the “Solar Powered” button on The Artcraft Company’s website to see a real-time calculation of the solar energy that the company is generating on a daily basis.

05/16/12

GlobalSoft Continues Its Sustainability Efforts

Press release from the issuing company

GlobalSoft Digital Solutions, a leading digital marketing company in Mahwah, announced it agreement to install a state-of-the-art solar system on the roof of its U.S. headquarters’ facility. The new system, valued upwards of $1 million and subsidized by the State of NJ’s Clean Energy Program, will be installed by one of the East Coast’s leading solar integrators, Mercury Solar Systems, and will provide GlobalSoft with 30-50% of its energy (depending on the time of the year), save the company money, and even provide pay back within a few years.

"Our clients are looking more and more towards partners who embrace sustainable operations. So along with being a world community partner concerned with our carbon output footprint, we felt solar is just one more way we can do the right thing as a corporate citizen,” said Christopher M. Petro, President and CEO of GlobalSoft Digital Solutions. “We wanted more. We really wanted to develop our own power using the sun and be part of the solution—not just look good on paper through buying alternative power from the grid. In some months, we will actually deliver energy back into the grid for others to use. To me, that's action, and responsibility, and commitment to the environment.”

The decision was made to expand on the company's previously initiated sustainability practices of cardboard/paper waste recycling, high efficiency/green lighting, and proximity control of energy and lighting throughout the facility. “It’s a culture” Petro continued. “Everyone in our organization has joined our corporate efforts to make sustainability viable for us. Without the commitment of our people…sustainability doesn’t work.”

“GlobalSoft exemplifies why New Jersey ranks as the second largest state for solar installations,” said Jared Haines, President of Mercury Solar Systems. “Chris and his team understand how going green can help drive the business forward and we look forward to helping them maximize their investment.”

The project is expected to commence at the end of May, with the hope from GlobalSoft Digital to take full advantage of the summer sun.

05/16/12

Grupo Ajusco Orders Goss Web Press at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

With one Goss M-800 press in operation at its facility in Mexico, commercial printer Grupo Ajusco placed an order for a second one at the drupa trade show.

The four-unit M-800 system with a 4x4 32-page cylinder configuration will be installed later this year. Grupo Ajusco has invested in the press to add capacity for a wide range of high-quality heatset commercial, tabloid newspaper, retail insert and book products.

“The overall performance of our first M-800 press, and in particular the high print quality, led us to invest in the second one,” according to Sergio Torres, owner of Grupo Ajusco. The company also operates two Goss M-600 16-page web presses. Torres says having two 16-page presses and two 32-page presses with compatible web widths will provide exceptional versatility and efficiency.

Goss International will equip the new M-800 press at Grupo Ajusco with a Contiweb CSsplicer, Ecocool dryer and JF70 collect folder as well as automated Goss Omniconcontrol technology.

The Goss M-800 press prints at up to 2,200 feet per minute (11 meters per second). The press utilizes conventional flat blankets but incorporates several high-performance features from gapless Goss Sunday presses, including inking and dampening systems, multidrive and an in-line cylinder stack. The Goss JF70 folder delivers up to 35,000 32-page signatures per hour in collect mode or up to 70,000 16-page signatures in straight production.

05/15/12

Everett Graphics Signs Up for a KBA Rapida 106

Press release from the issuing company

US packaging printer Everett Graphics in Oakland, California, has signed up at the show for a new-generation Rapida 106 launched at Drupa. The press will have ten printing and coating units and will ship as early as the end of July. Other features will include an optional package for printing on corrugated, a DriveTronic SIS no-sidelay infeed, a UV capability, QualiTronic inline colour control and ErgoTronic ACR register control.

Everett Graphics is a leading developer and manufacturer of top-quality packaging for the food-processing, beverages, pharmaceuticals and technology industries and for health and beauty products. President Whit Everett was looking for a press that could handle extra-heavy, rigid substrates as well as corrugated. The project was initiated three years ago, and KBA proved to be the only manufacturer with the superior know-how required to offer the type of press that Whit Everett had in mind: capable of printing coasters and even sheet metal. For him, the medium-format Rapida 106 is the “best packaging printing press on the market today.”

Everett Graphics was founded 30 years ago and is still a family enterprise. The company is considered one of the leading folding-carton manufacturers in California and has received a string of awards for the quality of its printed and finished products. Protecting the environment is a major corporate objective. The Rapida's advanced level of automation, inline quality monitoring and array of waste-reducing features will help Everett Graphics to burnish its green credentials still further.

05/15/12

Bell & Bain in KBA Rapida Hat-trick

Press release from the issuing company

Glasgow academic book and journal printer Bell & Bain has further strengthened its long term partnership with KBA by ordering its third Rapida 142 at the Drupa exhibition. The press will be commissioned in the fourth quarter of the year.

The investment in a large-format eight-colour four-over-four perfecting press joins two four-colour perfecting presses and will eventually replace one existing machine.

Bell & Bain's new high speed Rapida 142, with fully automatic plate changing, will incorporate many of the unique features tried and tested on KBA's flagship Rapida 106, including its CleanTronic Synchro system which washes the inking rollers, blankets and impression cylinders simultaneously. The new Rapida 142 features KBA's perfecting delivery for increased speed and performance.

Managing director Ian Walker says: “We have been working with KBA presses since 2005 and they have helped to develop our successful business. We look forward to the new press, with all the latest performance technology, continuing this trend.” Steve Docherty, sales director of Bell & Bain, adds: “This press will enable Bell & Bain to offer our customers more choice and colour and help us in the process.”

KBA UK managing director Christian Knapp comments: “This is Bell & Bain's third Rapida 142 press which comes with many of KBA's high performing Tronic systems for increased automation and quality assurance. Customer loyalty is not a given in these difficult market conditions and we are extremely pleased that Bell & Bain has returned to KBA again for their third machine. The Rapida 142 large-format configuration will enable Bell & Bain to continue to further enhance it high-quality responsive print portfolio and drive growth through sales.”

Bell & Bain was founded in Glasgow by James Bell and Andrew Bain back in 1831. It has been an established and respected book printer for over 170 years and one of the few Scottish academic printers to have survived in today's ultra-competitive market. Today Bell & Bain employs over 80 people and has a turnover in excess of £8.5 million $13.7m). The company enjoys a customer list of over 150 including most of the blue-chip names from international publishing.

05/15/12

Further Rapida 145 for Druckhaus Mainfranken

Press release from the issuing company

Druckhaus Mainfranken, one of the biggest litho and internet print operations in Germany, signed up for a further Rapida 145 at Drupa. The company has four production plants: in Greussenheim and Marktheidenfeld (Bavaria), Klipphausen and Kesselsdorf (Saxony). It also owns a printshop, Thieme, in Meissen.

Production at Druckhaus Mainfranken is based on standardised processes and extensive automation. Most of the products printed are distributed by Flyeralarm, a fast-growing, highly successful online print portal. At present there are four large-format KBA Rapida 142 four-colour presses in operation at the Greussenheim plant. These will gradually be replaced by Rapida 145 press lines. A beta version of the Rapida 145 with DriveTronic SPC simultaneous plate changing launched into action at the beginning of last year. As soon as the test phase was completed the company ordered a second Rapida 145, which will be installed in July. The next contract followed at Drupa. This was for a further Rapida 145 for Greussenheim and a Genius 52UV for Thieme. It will be the first KBA press in the Meissen printshop.

All Rapida 145 presses for Druckhaus Mainfranken have the same features. Alongside DriveTronic SPC dedicated drives they include inking-unit temperature control, nonstop facilities at the deliveries, new ErgoTronic Professional consoles with wall screens and QualiTronic inline colour control.

Druckhaus Mainfranken's Klipphausen plant has a press room full of big Rapidas. Its eight Rapida 142 presses are extensively automated and embedded in a standardised workflow.

05/14/12

Domtar Acquires EAM

Press release from the issuing company

Domtar Corporation today announced that it has acquired EAM Corporation, a leading privately-held manufacturer of high quality absorbent composite solutions, from Kinderhook Industries, LLC for $61 million.

"The acquisition of EAM Corporation will give us long term research capabilities to further differentiate our full line of adult incontinence products while integrating the best available technology to grow our existing businesses," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. "EAM's patented airlaid manufacturing process provides the performance, quality, and cost competitiveness that we believe to be keys to success in the personal care market."

EAM Corporation produces airlaid and ultrathin laminated absorbent cores with brands such as NovaThin and NovaZorb used in feminine hygiene, adult incontinence, baby diapers and other medical, healthcare and performance packaging solutions. The company serves a diversified customer base and has long-standing relationships including well-known branded and private label consumer products manufacturers throughout North Americaand abroad. The company operates a 71,000 square foot facility with state-of-the-art research campus and production lines in Jesup, Georgia. EAM Corporation has annual sales of approximately $45 million in more than 50 countries and a total of 53 employees.

05/14/12

Printed Electronics & Membrane Switch Symposium at 2012 SGIA Expo

Press release from the issuing company

SGIA’s Printed Electronics and Membrane Switch Symposium (Las Vegas, October 18–19) has joined the industry’s premier 2012 SGIA Expo, and registration is now open! On top of exclusive networking opportunities and the latest technology demonstrations, attendees will also have access to the Expo reduced early registration fee, hundreds of specialty imaging exhibitors, a Printed Electronics and Membrane Switch community reception with industry peers and the SGIA Keynote Breakfast.

The Symposium features high-end educational programming commonly regarded as the best of the best, delivering relevant, near-future technical information, with sessions including:

Inkjet Inroads in Printed Electronics
Rapid Prototyping of Capacitive Touch Keypads
Controlling Silver Migration in PTF Circuitry
Printed Batteries and Their Applications

Additionally, a pavilion of Symposium-dedicated exhibit space will be prominently located near the Industrial and Printed Electronics Zone on the Expo floor. This Zone itself will serve as a meeting point for Symposium attendees to network with participants showcasing cutting edge equipment and materials.

For more information about the 2012 SGIA Printed Electronics and Membrane Switch Symposium and to register, visit SGIA.org, Keyword: PEMS.

05/14/12

KBA Soon to Add Sales and Service Subsidiary in Mexico City

Press release from the issuing company

Within days of announcing at Drupa that it had acquired a majority interest in its Brazilian agency, Deltagraf in São Paulo, KBA has revealed that it will shortly be boosting its presence in northern Latin America with a new sales and service organisation based in Mexico City.

The new subsidiary, whose name has yet to be finalised, will serve printers in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela as well as the Caribbean. It will be headed by Stefan Deuster, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the graphic arts industry and previously managed the manroland Latina group.

The new subsidiary currently being set up will enable the world’s second-largest press manufacturer to intensify its local customer, investment planning and after-sales services with the aim of expanding its market share in line with its performance in many other regions worldwide. Cutting-edge products for all key market sectors and a dedicated, highly trained sales and service team under Stefan Deuster form a sound basis, because KBA technology already enjoys an excellent reputation in Latin America.

05/11/12

Five Rapida 105 Presses for Chinese Company

Press release from the issuing company

Yesterday at Drupa Beijing Hongbo Haotian snapped up five new-generation Rapida 105 presses for a commercial printing plant it is currently building in Beijing.

The presses will have a total of 23 printing and coating units split into three four-colour and two five-colour versions, one with a coater. All five will be shipped in one consignment this summer.

Beijing Hongbo Haotian already has four factories in China. The packaging division in Luzhou, Sichuan province, operates one eight-colour and two six-colour Rapida 105 coater presses. At the security printing plant in Fuzhou (Fujian province) there is a Rapida 75. The company also has a plant for printing business forms. The new works in Beijing will produce books and other commercial products because most of the publishing houses in China are in the immediate vicinity of the capital.

While You You Yue, president of Beijing Hongbo Haotian, and other members of management signed the contract for the Rapida 105 at Drupa, construction of the factory in Beijing continued apace. Pre-press equipment has already been ordered. By the time the Rapidas are installed the entire plant will have been completed and full-scale production can start. Beijing Hongbo Haotian thus remains virtually an all-KBA operation.

05/11/12

TRESU Boosts Global Service Team

Press release from the issuing company

TRESU Group, the flexo printing machine builder and provider of ancillary technology for the packaging printing market, has strengthened its global service network by appointing new distribution agencies in Brazil, Mexico and India.

The three agencies are Creagraphics of San Juan del Rio, covering Mexico and Central America; André Gerstmann, based in Mairiporã, São Paulo (Brazil) and Capital Graphic Supplies, based in New Delhi (India).

The agencies will enable TRESU to offer a local, direct source of support, retrofitting advice, project management and maintenance to customers in the flexo and offset markets.

Søren Maarssø, COO of TRESU Group, comments: 'We are seeing a growing investment in flexo technology globally, and a greater need for high-end packaging solutions that can only be achieved by a complex combination of printing finishing and converting operations. Our global agencies and their experienced people give fast, local access to technical support and project management expertise to help customers bring new finishing and converting capabilities their existing lines.'

TRESU Group is a leading supplier of ancillary products for the flexo and offset markets, including its pressure-controlled, sealed chamber doctor blade systems for narrow and mid web markets. The company builds and maintains customised converting lines for global suppliers of liquid packaging converters, paper, board, flexible packaging, labels tissues and coated products.

05/11/12

Bell and Howell Shows The Ascender 14 with Navigator and Harmonix at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

Bell and Howell, a leading provider of solutions and services for paper-based and digital messaging, will demonstrate to the international marketplace what has been considered by many the most flexible inserter in the industry – the Ascender 14. Bell and Howell is exhibiting at drupa in Hall 4, Booth A24, May 3 – 16, 2012.

“Bell and Howell’s Ascender inserters are designed for the highest possible application flexibility and output,” said Gordon J. Galloway, marketing director of Bell and Howell. “Format changeovers are simple, and can easily be done by a single operator in minutes.”

The Ascender 14 includes Bell and Howell’s proprietary Harmonix throughput management software and Navigator User Interface. Navigator and Harmonix combine to dramatically increase operator productivity. This new user interface can include options such as voice control and notification, live video communication and enterprise software connectivity.

“Flexibility and integrity are critical to the modern mailing enterprise and considered a must by our customers,” added Hendrik Fischer, vice president of Bell and Howell International. “The Ascender 14 is already providing these benefits to banks, insurance companies, government agencies and service bureaus throughout Europe and Asia.”

05/10/12

Nies/Artcraft Consolidates Operations

Press release from the issuing company

After operating out of three sites for many years, St. Louis-based commercial printer Nies/Artcraft, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company, will consolidate two of its current facilities into a single, new location. The company executed a lease on April 2, 2012 for a new building located at 3049 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63103.

The building was designed and built by Clayco, and includes 103,519 square feet of flexible work space. Numerous locations were considered for the move, but one of the winning qualities of the Choteau location was its open layout. By having a completely open floor plan, Nies/Artcraft’s production management team was able to work with Clayco to create a layout specific to its work flow needs.

“The benefits of being able to design a workspace, rather than having to try and fit your work into a space, are substantial. From providing estimates to shipping finished products out the door, the streamlined production workflow enabled by the Choteau facility will allow us to work much more efficiently,” said Nies/Artcraft President James Hill. “Our facility consolidation will improve the way we collaborate with one another and with our clients, creating a great new customer experience. We are excited to be taking this step forward and looking forward to completing our move in September of this year,” he said.

Another winning quality of the building is its environmentally conscious design: it is a silver LEED certified structure. LEED certification gives independent, third-party confirmation that a building, community, or home was designed and built using techniques geared toward achieving high performance in human and environmental health. The environment is considered in all of Nies/Artcraft’s actions from the inks used to an aggressive recycling program. This move further demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Valcour, Nies/Artcraft’s digital print production facility located in Valley Park, MO, as well the company’s fulfillment center, located on Fyler Avenue in St. Louis, will move into the new building in phases, to ensure uninterrupted service for Nies/Artcraft customers.

05/10/12

QuarkXPress Version 9 Upgrade for $349

Press release from the issuing company

Quark announced today that all QuarkXPress customers, including those using versions of QuarkXPress dating back to version 3, can upgrade to QuarkXPress 9 for $349. QuarkXPress 9 is the newest version of QuarkXPress that, among many new design features, gives creative professionals control over publishing interactive content to the iPad. QuarkXPress 9 is also the only version of QuarkXPress officially certified for Lion, the latest version of Mac OS X.

“QuarkXPress 9 has been turning heads and winning awards for innovative functionality since its release. With a low upgrade price, all users now have the opportunity to upgrade to version 9 while getting even more value from their previous investments in QuarkXPress,” said Gavin Drake, vice president of marketing for Quark. “We release major versions of QuarkXPress about every two years and unlike many other vendors, provide free, feature-rich updates regularly within release cycles. Assuming a user upgrades on the two-year cycle, an upgrade price of $349 brings the cost of owning version 9 to as low as $14.50 per month – and users own the software once they’ve upgraded, which means no long-term financial commitments.”

QuarkXPress 9 revolutionized how the individual designer, the agency, and the corporate team can use one tool to create stunning print, Web, and digital work, including eBooks with audio and video in the new ePub3 format. With Quark App StudioTM, designers – not developers – control the process of designing for tablet devices like the iPad. Designers can even incorporate HTML5 content for additional interactivity and animation effects. A selection of iPad apps created with QuarkXPress 9 and App Studio are featured here:http://www.quark.com/Products/AppStudio/App_Showcase.aspx.

How to Upgrade

To upgrade users must have a valid, registered, and activated serial number for any version of QuarkXPress. Upgrades can be purchased through Quark Authorized Resellers, the Quark Store, and Quark Customer Service. Upgrade or get more information here.

Missing Serial Number?

Customers who are unable to locate their previous QuarkXPress serial number may still have the opportunity to upgrade their licenses. In these cases, customers can provide proof of purchase or complete an online “missing serial number” form here.

About App Studio

App Studio is the solution for publishing to the iPad that is most accessible to designers, media, and corporate publishers. Together with QuarkXPress 9, App Studio enables designers to create branded apps for the iPad, distribute apps through the Apple App Store, and design and publish content that can be purchased from within the apps.

For a full overview of App Studio, including in-depth training material, please visit:http://www.quark.com/AppStudio/.

05/10/12

Appleton Coated Sponsors Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum

Press release from the issuing company

Appleton Coated has become an official sponsor of Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum, demonstrating its commitment to the enduring power of printed communication. In celebration, Hamilton Wood Type will create a series of specimen sheets highlighting classic typefaces, letterpress printing, and Utopia coated papers and Curious Collection papers.

Located in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum is the only museum dedicated to the preservation, study, production and printing of wood type. With 1.5 million pieces of wood type and more than 1,000 styles and sizes of patterns, Hamilton's collection is one of the premier wood type collections in the world. In addition to wood type, the museum is home to an array of advertising cuts from the 1930s through the 1970s, and all of the equipment necessary to make wood type and print with it, as well as equipment used in the production of hot metal type, tools of the craft and rare type specimen catalogs.

"Hamilton Wood Type's vast collection and hands-on approach make it a one-of-a-kind destination for design and print professionals, historians, and creative people of all ages," says Ferkó X. Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager at Appleton Coated. Incorporated in 1889, Appleton Coated is only one hour away from Two Rivers.

"We're a little older than Appleton Coated, Hamilton was formed in 1880," adds Jim Moran, museum director. "Appleton Coated has been a strong supporter of the museum's mission in Two Rivers and of our outreach efforts throughout North America. We feel fortunate to have this long-standing relationship and are excited by the ongoing opportunities made possible through this formalized sponsorship."

Appleton Coated's sponsorship supports the museum's type specimen sheet archiving program and documentation of its type collection. As part of this partnership, Appleton Coated also will be providing Utopia coated papers and Curious Collection papers for selected projects and events.

The first in the series of the type specimen sheets will be printed on Utopia Premium 150-pound Silk Cover using Hamilton's typeface No. 90. "This is one of Hamilton's original fonts," says Jim Moran. "It's a rounded, decorative Tuscan font from the post-Civil War era. In its time, it was used for posters and announcing special occasions such as a farm auction or a dance."

Bill Moran, Jim's brother and artistic director for Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum, continues, "We took a playful approach in designing the specimen sheet. We don't get to see a lot of these more decorative fonts, and we don't often get to see coated paper used in letterpress. The combination produced some surprising results. The type really pops off the page."

Goldinger also is excited by the results and notes that Utopia Premium's "single-ply, heavyweight 150-pound cover is unique to the industry. Its triple-coated, super-smooth surface optimizes it for heavy ink coverage due to surface levelness and superior ink hold out." Utopia Premium also is acid-free, elementary chlorine free (ECF), manufactured with electricity in the form of renewable energy, and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The 12x18-inch sheets are printed on a Vandercook Proof Press. The type specimen's alphabetic letterforms are complemented with a small selection of ornaments including a pointing finger, known as a "manicule" by typographers, printers and other creative professionals. Typeface No. 90 is part of the Graham Lee collection donated to the museum in the last decade.

05/08/12

KBA Strengthens Presence in Brazil with Own Subsidiary

Press release from the issuing company

Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) has acquired a majority stake in a former sales agency, Deltagraf Representações Comerciais ltda. in São Paulo, in order to strengthen its presence in Brazil. It thus expands it own global sales network with a subsidiary in the biggest print market in Latin America. The new company, which is to be renamed, will be headed by Deltagraf's existing managing director Luiz Cesar Dutra, who will be hiring additional personnel.

Luiz Cesar Dutra, who has worked in Brazil's graphic arts industry for some 20 years, took over all sales and service activities for KBA web presses five years ago, and added medium- and large-format Rapida litho presses in March 2009. Following the change of agency the active support of Dutra and his team enabled KBA to boost sales substantially, at first mostly among Brazil's leading commercial printers. Oceano, which is owned by Grupo Escala, and Editora Abril installed a number of 16- and 48-page Compacta presses alongside some single-width Comet newspaper presses with heatset capabilities.

Deltagraf's dedication and outstanding customer services are also evident in the rising sales of KBA sheetfed offset presses. In a relatively short period of time the company booked orders for Rapidas from several commercial, book and packaging printers, both ex-KBA and new customers. Deltagraf has landed contracts from some major printers, mostly in the packaging sector. One of them is Emibra, which signed up for two Rapidas. As well as the Rapida 105, Rapida 106 and Rapida 130 -162 models handled by Deltagraf, an increasing number of Brazilian users are opting for B2 (29in) Rapida 75/75E and small-format Genius 52UV press lines. These were previously distributed by another agency, but in future they will be part of KBA's new Brazilian subsidiary's product offering.

As the world's second-biggest press manufacturer and a technological innovator with a broad and highly advanced product range, KBA believes there is still plenty of untapped potential for growth in the rapidly expanding Brazilian market. Its new subsidiary furnishes the resources necessary to offer customers focussed and effective sales and service offerings in this huge country.

Luiz Cesar Dutra and his team are aiming to steadily expand the circle of loyal KBA users in Brazil.

05/08/12

KBA / Atlantic Zeiser Showcase Rapida 105 + DELTA 105i at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

The Atlantic Zeiser Group, a leading developer and supplier of modules and integrated end-to-end system solutions for industrial digital and security printing, will demonstrate at drupa how its DELTA 105i high-speed digital printer can be integrated into the new generation Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) sheetfed offset Rapida 105. The collaboration enables printers to realise a wider range of special applications and opens up new business sectors with cost-efficient sheet printing. This combination ensures maximum print quality and speeds between 7,500 and 14,000 sheets per hour.

Ideal for coding and serialising, the innovative DELTA industrial digital printing technology from Atlantic Zeiser will be integrated into the Rapida 105. It is designed for high offset speeds of up to 240 m/min at a resolution of up to 600 dpi. Comprehensive market analyses have demonstrated that hybrid solutions, the combination of offset and digital printing technology, are the future of printing. Until now, the high quality levels and speeds permitted by offset printing were unobtainable from standard digital printing technologies so far.

Increasing demands of printing industry

The innovative DoD inkjet printing systems developed in-house by Atlantic Zeiser fulfil these challenging demands. They are an ideal inline integration and high-performance addition to modern offset systems such as the KBA Rapida 105.Added to this is the need for versatility in printing variable data onto different materials without extended setup times making industrial digital printing systems such as the DELTA a highly effective, cost-efficient solution.

Ultimately, the latest developments in product printing must be adopted. Legal requirements and the rapidly growing number of product forgeries make high quality, individual coding and serialising a necessity for product tracking and forgery protection on individual packs. The 2D Datamatrix barcodes required to do this can be optimally printed by digital printing systems from Atlantic Zeiser and checked directly and inline via integrated verification solutions such as VERICAM. This also facilitates transparent quality management and sustainable quality assurance. Carl-Michael Heüveldop, Chief Marketing Officer, Atlantic Zeiser, comments: "We anticipated the market's need for individual coding and serialising of products with variable data early on. Developments within the EU to implement binding national regulations for standardised product and coding and serialising for product traceability of pharmaceutical goods by 2013 underline the market opportunities; and this is just one defined market sector. We are very proud that KBA, following in-depth inspection procedures and comprehensive testing, chose our DELTA digital printing solution and the optional VERICAM verification system as an integrated package for individual coding and serialising on its new Rapida 105."

Jürgen Veil, Head of Marketing Sheetfed Offset, Koenig & Bauer AG, adds: "We have designed the latest Rapida medium format generation to offer our customers the maximum range of applications increasingly being demanded by the sheet offset printer market in recent years. A key point here is the integrated option to code and serialise sheet, label and packaging printing variably inline. As a result, we have been looking for powerful, compact and flexible digital printing systems, and we found just what we were looking for in the DELTA from Atlantic Zeiser. The European debut of this hybrid solution in large format will be on our drupa stand under the slogan of 'Sprinting ahead'. This concept has already found considerable success in Asia and we have seen 20 orders for the new Rapida 105."

Atlantic Zeiser will be exhibiting industrial digital print solutions at drupa in Hall 11, Stand C56 under the slogan 'Beyond Printing'.

To discover the company’s complete range of products, systems and services, visit www.atlanticzeiser.com.

05/08/12

Atlantic Zeiser Reveals Manfred Minich as CEO

Press release from the issuing company

Manfred Minich has taken up the prestigious role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Atlantic Zeiser Group, a leading developer and supplier of modules and end-to-end system solutions for industrial digital and security printing, numbering and card personalization as well as individualization. He has also become a member of the board of directors of parent company Orell Füssli Holding AG.

Before joining Atlantic Zeiser Minich was responsible as managing director sales, marketing and service at folding and print finishing equipment supplier MBO Binder GmbH & Co. KG in Oppenweiler, he will work closely with CFO Thomas Obitz.

“Manfred Minich has an exceptional track record of success in developing and growing businesses,” said Michel Kunz, CEO of Orell Füssli. “His broad set of experiences will bring great value to Atlantic Zeiser as we pursue our strategic growth opportunities.”

After obtaining a degree in business administration, operation and management, Manfred Minich, 54, began building up a wealth of business expertise with 20 years at Metabowerke in Nürtingen, where he gained extensive marketing and sales experience. Positions such as marketing director at German/Alpine, member of the management board of Black & Decker Deutschland in Idstein and marketing director worldwide at Loewe in Kronach then followed. In 2001 he was appointed managing director of the label division at HERMA GmbH in Stuttgart, later becoming chairman of the executive board. Manfred Minich: “The key success factors in the global markets of Atlantic Zeiser are innovation, market and detailed industry know-how - especially in our sensitive markets for personalization solutions. I’m delighted to bring broad experience of international sales, marketing and business development strategies to Atlantic Zeiser, which is already a technology leader in his targeted markets.

“Atlantic Zeiser is making good progress on the transition from an innovator of some very successful products to a full system solutions provider. This will mean even more quality and better service for our customers, and enable us to deliver added value in the long term.”

05/04/12

TRESU Launches the Flexo Innovator

Press release from the issuing company

Flexo press manufacturer TRESU has launched a web-fed flexo printing and multi-process finishing concept for speciality packaging products. The Flexo Innovator series provides an open, modular platform for the building of complete, uniquely configured production lines. This provides a high-performance, single-pass alternative to labour-intensive sheet-fed printing situations.

The Flexo Innovator series has maximum flexibility in configuration. It includes any number of flexo units, and specially configured hot-air drying or curing units for virtually all ink types, custom-engineered and assembled at the TRESU factory. There are three width options within the Flexo Innovator series to suit a range of different applications. These include the FI 900, accommodating widths up to 900mm, the FI 1100 (widths up to 1100mm) 1100mm and the FI 1300 (1300 mm). Flexo Innovator’s technology also assures precise registration throughout the print run, high-end regulating web tension control technology, rigid design for minimising vibrations, resulting in very high stability throughout the printing process.

The open platform of Flexo Innovator can be built to include custom-designed cold foil, die-cutting, laminating, embossing, rotary screen and rotogravure technology from leading partners, and cutting options, such as rotary sheeting, that combine economy and performance benefits.

The first of these machines, the FI 1100, has been built at TRESU’s production plant in Kolding, Southern Denmark, and will be used for sample production, demonstrations and testing for the development of new applications. FI 1100 achieves speeds of up to 400m/min (optional 600m/min) and offers repeat sizes ranging from 450mm to 1060mm. It also features front and reverse side printing stations to provide a single-pass print / converting solution folding carton, paper, unsupported film, laminates and aluminium products, among others.

The Flexo Innovator is a product of TRESU Concept, a division of the company that provides bespoke single-pass printing and processing lines for special packaging products. This engineering and integration service enables board converters adopt leaner, modular, high-performance web-fed production alternatives to sheet-fed situations that have traditionally required separate several processes and much manual input.

The new Concept division focuses on roll-to-roll, and roll-to-sheet or roll-to- die cutting manufacturing lines. This provides a leaner, faster manufacturing alternative for numerous paper and board printing applications that traditionally have been produced by sheet-fed process. Enabling a switch to higher speed web-fed lines in which several added value operations are completed in a single pass, saves make-ready time and manual input requirements, and simplifies logisitics.

Kim-Regin Sustmann, head of TRESU Concept, comments: “Flexo Innovator finally makes lean manufacturing an option in high-end package converting. The Flexo Innovator series combines precision flexo engineering capabilities with our expertise as a proven integration partner to provide a lean, single process manufacturing solution for a host of high-end packaging products.”

05/04/12

FFEI Introduces RealPro ColorCloud

Press release from the issuing company

FFEI Ltd, the developer of award-winning digital imaging solutions, has announced the introduction of RealPro ColourCloud, a unique and cost-effective cloud-based colour application which offers online ICC & Device Link profile creation combined with ink saving via a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model.

RealPro ColourCloud allows users to upload data and create custom ICC and Device Link profiles with single, averaged or mixed data sets. The solution offers free registration (www.colourprofiling.com) allowing users to create and test profiles with no initial outlay or ongoing subscription charges.

Ink saving is offered as standard and can be applied in ICC or Device Link profiles, users can preview the effect using their own test images which can be processed in the cloud and downloaded for viewing and assessment in advance of payment. An advanced 3D gamut viewer allows accurate comparison of profiles ensuring critical colours have not been clipped and the required quality has been achieved.

Users can access the solution from any location using their own private login via a web browser. Previously purchased profiles and data are all stored within the cloud makingRealPro ColourCloud ideal for colour consultants or quality assurance personnel working across multiple sites. The solution is ideal for those who have immediate or long term colour requirements, such as a quick “one-off” Device Link profile to repurpose legacy CMYK images, or for colour control across a range of devices in digital, offset or hybrid print environments.

Free-of-charge promotion until end of May 2012

As part of its introduction of RealPro ColourCloud, FFEI is inviting drupa visitors to try the solution free-of-charge. Users can simply log on to www.colourprofiling.com and follow the drupa promotional link on the main page to receive free of charge credits that allow them to create and download ICC & Device Link profiles. The site will be live from the first day of drupa and the promotion is available until the end of May.

Cost effective solution

The ability to “try before you buy” allows users to create and test profiles to ensure settings are correct before purchase.

“Traditionally, to create Device Link profiles, colour consultants or users are obliged to invest in high end proprietary solutions, which typically cost several thousand pounds,” says Nick Gilmore, software business manager at FFEI.

“RealPro ColourCloud is a potential game-changer because it provides a revolutionary approach using a risk-free alternative costing as little as £20 per profile,” he adds. “Instead of being forced into current offerings that are costly and inflexible, FFEI’s solution puts the power in the hands of the user with a cost-effective, flexible product that ticks all the right boxes in terms of quality, whilst also offering other added-value benefits.

Increased benefits from ink-optimised profiles

“With RealPro ColourCloud, users, both conventional and digital, can purchase an ink-optimised profile that enables them to obtain high quality, while achieving savings on ink or toner. As a result, they enjoy enhanced image quality, faster drying times and increased press speeds, while also saving money on expensive inks,” he continues.

RealPro ColourCloud is compatible with any workflow that accepts standard ICC or Device Link profiles and doesn’t require the installation of dedicated servers. As it is cloud-based, the solution offers reduced software maintenance and hardware costs without long term commitments or subscriptions.

05/04/12

Landa's Breakthrough Nanographic Printing Presses

Press release from the issuing company

Landa Corporation today announced the details of its groundbreaking Landa Nanographic Printing Presses that are set to transform mainstream commercial, packaging and publishing markets. With output speeds comparable to offset presses and employing NanoInk colorants that create unprecedented image qualities, the Landa Nanographic Printing Press portfolio is set to fundamentally change printing as we know it.

Landa Founder, Chairman and CEO Benny Landa says, "Nanography is a new technology for applying ink to paper. In developing Landa Nanographic Printing we had to re-think and reinvent the printing press. The result is digital printing with remarkable performance - from a family of presses that share stunning ergonomic design, a small footprint and some of the most advanced user functionality available in the market."

Landa Nanographic Printing Presses

At drupa 2012, Landa is unveiling a family of six Nanographic Printing presses - three sheetfed and three web presses - that enable print providers to produce short-to-medium run lengths at unmatched cost-per-page.

Each of the three sheetfed presses can print in up to eight colors and can use spot and specialty colors for a range of applications including general commercial printing, marketing collateral, medium-run books and manuals, direct mail and short-run folding cartons:

The Landa S5 Nanographic Printing Press is a B3 (20 in.) entry-level press for fast and easy transition to digital production. The Landa S5 can print single-side at speeds of up to 11,000 SPH on any off-the-shelf media (60-350 gsm). The Landa S7 Nanographic Printing Press is the most productive B2 (29 in.) digital production press on the market. It is capable of single- or double-sided printing at speeds of up to 12,000 SPH on any off-the-shelf media (60-350 gsm). The Landa S10 Nanographic Printing Press is the market's first B1 (41 in.) digital production press. It is able to print single-side or double-side at up to 13,000 SPH on any off-the-shelf stock (60-400 gsm). A straight printing (simplex) model for folding carton operates at up to 6,500 SPH on virgin and recycled carton board, metalized stock (200-1000 micron thickness) and plastic foils. The three web presses can print in up to eight colors and are aimed at commercial printing, publishing, labels, and flexible packaging:

The Landa W5 Nanographic Printing Press is a 560 mm (22 in.) web width press capable of single-sided printing at up to 200 m/min (656 ft/min) on plastic films and shrink sleeves (12 to 250 microns) and on label stocks, tube stocks,aluminum foil and paper (50 to 300 microns).

The Landa W10 Nanographic Printing Press is a 1,020 mm (40 in.) web width press, capable of single-sided printing at up to 200 m/min (656 ft/min) on film stock (12-250 microns) and on paper (50-300 microns). As Landa NanoInk will be FDA-compliant for food packaging, the W10 should be of interest to mainstream packaging converters.

The Landa W50 Nanographic Printing Press is a 560 mm (22 in.) web width press for high-volume, digital production and is capable of double-sided printing at up to 200 m/min (656 ft/min) on any coated or uncoated paper (40-300 gsm). It is ideally suited for publishing books, magazines, periodicals, annual reports, journals, directories, manuals, direct mail with personalization and versioning... and more.

"Landa Nanographic Printing Presses are intended not to replace offset printing, but to complement it. For the foreseeable future, offset printing will continue to be the preferred method for producing run lengths of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands," says Benny Landa. "But the market is demanding shorter and shorter run lengths - and that's where Nanography comes in - to enable print service providers to produce those short to medium run lengths economically - at offset speeds. That's what we mean when we say that Landa Nanographic Printing brings digital to the mainstream."

The Nanographic Printing Process

At the heart of the Nanographic Printing process are Landa NanoInk colorants. Comprised of pigment particles only tens of nanometers in size (1 nanometer is about 100,000 times thinner than a human hair), these nano-pigments are extremely powerful absorbers of light and enable unprecedented image qualities. Landa Nanographic Printing is characterized by ultra-sharp dots of extremely high uniformity, high gloss fidelity and the broadest color gamut of any four-color printing process.

Nanographic Printing begins with the ejection of billions of microscopic droplets of water-based Landa NanoInk onto a heated blanket conveyor belt. Each droplet of aqueous NanoInk lands at a precise location on the belt, creating the color image. As the water evaporates, the ink becomes an ultra-thin dry polymeric film, less than half the thickness of offset images.

The resulting image is then transferred to any kind of ordinary paper, coated or uncoated, or onto any plastic packaging film - without requiring pre-treatment. The NanoInk film image instantaneously bonds to the surface; forming a tough, abrasion-resistant, laminated layer that doesn't leave any residual ink on the blanket.

Since NanoInk images are already dry, there is no need for post drying. Doubled-sided printing becomes simple and printed goods can be immediately handled, right off the press, even when using the most aggressive finishing equipment.

Unique Graphic User Interface

The stunning new design of the Landa Nanographic Printing Press features the Landa Touchscreen, an oversized user interface that enables even an untrained operator to quickly master the press. Press controls appear both on the left and right sides of the screen to allow convenient operation from either the feeder or delivery end of the press.

The right side of the display is dedicated to job management. Here, the operator can easily organize the optimum job sequences for maximum press utilization aided by one of the many built-in job management tools. The left side of the touchscreen is dedicated to press functions. Real time graphics show the status of all press functions and stream live video images of each of the key stations including sheet feeding, image transfer and sheet delivery. Every function, such as ink levels, paper supply, and operational status, are clearly and intuitively displayed.

Due to the high degree of automation on Landa Nanographic Printing Presses, a single operator can manage two, three or even four presses at a time. When the operator leaves the press, the display switches to Vital Signs Mode, in which key indicators are presented in large fonts that can be easily read from 50 meters away. In addition, the entire user interface is duplicated on a portable touchscreen tablet that can be magnetically attached to the press at any convenient location.

05/03/12

EFI Marks 12 Years as the Industry Cloud Services Leader

Press release from the issuing company

Marking its twelfth year of delivering cloud-based solutions, with more than 2,500 customers utilizing the company’s on-demand managed services, EFI today launched an additional cloud service offering – off-site data protection services utilizing its own state-of-the-art data center in North America and additional sites in Europe.

Available now, EFI is offering new online back-up, storage and data recovery options for Print MIS and web-to-print customers that wish to host their own solutions, to ensure protection, redundancy and speedy recovery in case of disaster. Operations are monitored continuously and customers are notified immediately of conditions that could impact service.

“EFI has been a pioneer in cloud-based services with active customers since 2000. We are the largest managed services provider for print providers, with thousands of locations and millions of users accessing the cloud,” said Ghilad Dziesietnik, chief technology officer of EFI. “Software in the cloud offers numerous benefits, most notably reduced maintenance costs for users, 24/7 care and management by a team of experts, anywhere access to information, redundancy, back-up and highly secure data. Our new remote data protection services provide many of these advantages for clients that wish to host their own applications.”

EFI’s current cloud-based Software as a Service offerings include EFI Pace and EFI PrintSmith Vision management systems, the EFI Digital StoreFront web-to-print platform, and the new EFI Fiery Dashboard business information service. Unlike many other applications on the market today that are designed as client-server products, EFI applications were designed from the ground up to run in a browser; their performance and reliability have been fine-tuned over the years to work optimally in a cloud-based deployment.

EFI cloud offerings enable customers to utilize powerful, Web-based tools without investing in any hardware or dedicated IT personnel on site. The system is continuously available to administrators, print operations personnel and print requestors via the Internet, without any need for local software other than a browser.

Commercial printer Freeport Press, Inc. is an EFI MIS client that hosts their own solution and was an early adopter of EFI’s disaster recovery services. “We had a fire in our facility and EFI was able to recover our back-up data and have us up and running from their cloud as soon as our replacement hardware was available,” said David G. Pilcher, president and CEO of Freeport Press. “Without EFI’s help and quick response, and their expertise in delivering cloud-based solutions, we would have lost countless hours of business from not having our systems available.”

“The cloud is not only ideal for hosting services, but also for providing other critical capabilities such as disaster recovery,” said Greg Carter, director of EFI cloud services. “With their data safely stored off-site with EFI, customers are more prepared than they could be on their own. Our capacity and expertise ensure a timely recovery at a moment that is trying and critical for any organization.”

Customer data are transferred automatically every day using secure protocols to allow a full recovery into EFI’s cloud which uses the latest border security, access control techniques, active virus filtering, and centralized monitoring. EFI provides MIS and Internet know-how combined with 24x7, real-time situation handling to deliver reliable services from the cloud as well as superior recovery into the cloud.

For more information on EFI’s products and data protection services, visit EFI at drupa (stand C01, Hall 5 through May 16), www.efi.com or call 800-875-7117.

05/03/12

Elpical's New Organic Imaging Brand Debuts

Press release from the issuing company

For the first time in history, the many thousands of publishers, photographers, creative studios and premedia operations prevented from taking advantage of professional quality, automated, image editing and correction -- primarily because of price – are given a long overdue option in the easy-to-use, high throughput and economical desktop application: Organic Imaging, a new brand by Elpical. Based on mature, proven Elpical technology that has met the demanding criteria of large publishers worldwide -- including Modern Luxury and Top Gear magazine -- Organic Imaging eliminates the price barrier by giving users the first 250 images free; and then charging under 15 cents (10 cents Euro) for up to 5000 corrected images per month(*)(**) . The pay per image model also allows installation on any number of workstations, without additional investment. “Hundreds of important applications are held back from realizing their destiny: to be useful in the hands of many,” says Elpical president John de Jong, who elaborates by saying that superior components are often “trapped” in high priced, overkill systems; or underutilized by mediocre management and poor decision-making. “I’m happy that Elpical can do its part, through Organic Imaging, to bring commercial-quality tools to, literally, anyone with the need.” Super-Partners Provide Regional Marketing and Operational Support To manage local language customer support, support for regional events, and general local marketing and operations; Organic Imaging is partnering with marketing and distribution firms beginning with MRSystem for Spanish-speaking Europe and Latin America, Elpical GmbH for DACH, and Tools4Media for North America and a guaranteed 24hrs english support service. Affiliates Can Earn Commission The pay-per-use business model also supports the growth of an international affiliate marketing network of related service providers -- such as photo book producers – who earn commission when convincing their clients to use the Organic Imaging App. The Story Behind the Name and the Business Model de Jong explains the name of the new brand, saying that “Organic Imaging” refers to the software’s intelligent ability to make correction and enhancement decisions that reflect the color reality in the context of each image or image series. Images receive precisely the corrections they need with regard to exposure, sharpness, skintones, natural greens, blues and more. “The name also reflects our ability to adjust processing to meet the precise and differing needs of all customers and their creations, including each piece's unique, artistic look and feel. Organic Imaging honors individuality and creativity,” de Jong says. de Jong chose pay per image rather than SaaS (software as a service), saying that although SaaS is a viable option for many applications, it did not prove a good solution for the new brand because Organic Imaging jobs tend to be resource intensive, and would put strain on an SaaS network. Target Markets Target audiences include publishers, photographers, ad agencies, designers, and freelance retouchers. Availability Organic Imaging is now available as a BETA version (pre-release) at www.organicimaging.com.

05/03/12

Xaar Welcomes New Sales and Marketing Director

Press release from the issuing company

Richard Barham has joined Xaar, the world’s leading independent supplier and manufacturer of industrial inkjet printheads, as Sales and Marketing Director.

Richard comes to Xaar from Agfa Graphics where he held a range of senior sales, marketing and management positions for over 25 years. Most recently, as Vice President of Agfa’s Inkjet Division, he was responsible for driving growth, quadrupling turnover to over €150M and integrating a major acquisition.

“In the past, as an inkjet systems builder, I worked with many different printhead suppliers including Xaar; its future roadmap and the strength of the IP and development team convinced me that this was a great team with a bright future. This shows how strongly I believe in Xaar’s technology,” says Richard. “It’s a great company with great technology and amazing IP. Xaar is undergoing rapid growth due to the capabilities and potential of its printheads. In addition to helping our partners build successful products for a range of graphics, packaging, ceramics, décor and coding and marking applications, we are actively investigating new market opportunities. This is an exciting time to be joining the organisation.”

Ian Dinwoodie, Chief Executive of Xaar, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Richard to the Board. His extensive experience will help drive our continued expansion into new industrial inkjet markets.”

05/02/12

Satori Relate Released

Press release from the issuing company

Satori Software today announced the immediate availability of Satori Relate matching and duplicate management software, the newest addition to its contact data quality line.

Satori Relate is available as an SDK for API-based integrated processing or in a standalone desktop application. The Satori Relate SDK supports matching existing contacts at point-of-entry to batch processing records across disparate data sources. The desktop version offers out-of-the-box functionality for organizations that have the need to consolidate and manage duplicates in lists for clients.

“Functions across the enterprise rely on accurate, unique records for sales, marketing, order processing, customer service and more. In order to reap financial benefits from data quality initiatives, organizations need to take a holistic approach. Satori Relate supports the identification of duplicate records at the crucial point-of-entry stage,” said Randy Hoefer, senior vice president of research and product strategy for Satori Software. “Combined with other Satori solutions, Satori Relate brings organizations a complete solution for validating and cleansing their important contact data.”

To learn more about Satori Relate ant other Satori contact data quality solutions, contact Satori Software at 800-553-6477 or visit www.satorisoftware.com.

05/02/12

Exclusive Intec Partner for Mexico Signed Up

Press release from the issuing company

Printer dealer Celupal, SA de CV has become the exclusive Intec partner in Mexico and in so doing is opening a new branch creating as many as 10 jobs.

“We decided to sell a digital press because there is great demand from many customers of the commercial plotter division, who have requirements for this type of printer,” says Joshua Thomas, Director Commercial Plotter Division, adding that the Intec range is well-suited to flyer and brochure production.

“Also customers of the commercial printing paper division (offset printers) require this type of press for their short runs,” he adds.

“I hope this product line can help bridge the two sales divisions. Intec Printing Solutions is a brand that is not currently represented in Mexico and we prefer to have exclusive distributions. Intec is the first digital press we have represented.”

Founded in 1992 Celupal employs 115 staff and its new branch is scheduled to open within the next month. Its 1,500 customers include the Mexican Army (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional), Costco, Maxi-Copias and Armo Pop, all well-known Mexican businesses.

05/02/12

Ariva Introduces New Digital Opaque Sheet

Press release from the issuing company

Ariva, North America's premier source of innovative business communication solutions, today announced the introduction of its new Ariva Digital Opaque paper. Designed specifically for high-volume digital printing, the new sheet combines exceptional brightness and opacity with proven performance on leading digital printing platforms.

Ariva Digital Opaque is an archival, acid-free paper with a brightness of 96 and excellent opacity to prevent show-through. It offers exceptional smoothness for vibrant images and superior runnability.

Certified for use with HP Indigo and other leading digital printing systems, Ariva Digital Opaque offers guaranteed performance on today’s most popular high-volume digital printing platforms, including toner-based systems.

Ariva Digital Opaque is available in Bright White smooth finish, in a variety of sheet sizes, in 50, 60, 70, and 80 lb. text and 65, 80 and 100 lb. cover.

“With the continued growth of digital printing, Ariva is committed to leading the way with innovative solutions for all of our customers’ digital media needs,” said Mark Shaneyfelt, Vice President of Marketing. “The introduction of Ariva Digital Opaque is just another example of this commitment, providing printers with a no-compromise solution that offers exceptional quality and trouble-free performance on their digital printing equipment.”

For more information or a free sample of Ariva Digital Opaque, contact Dan Chadwell, Business Development Manager, at daniel.chadwell@arivanow.com.

05/01/12

Standard Register Elects New Officer

Press release from the issuing company

Standard Register, a leader in management and execution of mission-critical communications, announced that William "Bill" Lee has been appointed as an officer of the company by its board of directors.

Lee joined the company in 2011 as president of its Financial Services business unit based in New York City, NY. Standard Register announced at its annual meeting of shareholders last week that its four business units will be consolidated into two: Standard Register Business Solutions and Standard Register Healthcare. Lee will serve as president of Standard Register Business Solutions, which integrates the former Financial Services, Commercial Markets and Industrial business units. Brad Cates will continue as president of Standard Register Healthcare.

"Bill is a valuable member of our team, with his deep experience and leadership skills," said Joseph P. Morgan, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Standard Register. "He is the right person to lead the new Standard Register Business Solutions, which will align our most skilled resources with our best opportunities and execute on a marketing strategy leveraging our technology-oriented Core growth solutions across vertical markets."

"We are finding that our Core technology-oriented solutions are driving sales across all the markets we serve," Lee said. "Standard Register Business Solutions will provide innovations in critical communications, marketing communications, on-demand publishing and product marketing and labeling through our platform of traditional printing, digital color, personalization options and digital media, including our new tablet applications."

Lee joined Standard Register after 11 years at Bowne & Company before it was acquired by R.R. Donnelly (RRD). He co-led the integration team for the legacy Bowne and RRD capital markets business. In his last role at Bowne, Lee was president of capital markets and compliance, leading Bowne's most profitable business unit with $400 million in sales and double-digit growth in revenue and profitability. Prior to his role as president, Lee served as managing director for Bowne's Europe and the Middle East markets. Lee earned a Bachelor of Science in business management from Fairfield University in Connecticut. In his new position with Standard Register, he will continue to divide his time between New York and Standard Register's Dayton, Ohio headquarters.

05/01/12

Videk Launches "Golden Image" Bitmap Matching Solutions

Press release from the issuing company

Videk, a leading provider of vision-based document integrity assurance systems today announced a “Golden Image” print verification system that will detect process-based artifacts as small as seven one thousands of an inch deviation (.007”) from the original digital print file.

The full-page verification solution provides 100 percent print quality inspection and proof of print reporting for every page. Placed downstream from a high-speed digital web press, it is fully integrated with the printer controller in order to receive the digital reference or “Golden Image” used for comparison.

Errors are detected real time, and inspection results are collected for closed loop reprint operations. The solution also incorporates Videk’s “Image Archival” tool providing visual reference and identification of the physical defective page for removal, and for subsequent retrieval for later visual analysis.

The state-of-the-art inspection operations are made possible by Videk’s new “Fusion” platform, taking advantage of its Scalable Mass Parallel Processing Architecture (F-SMPP). Every square mm of a 20 by 40 inch print impression is scrutinized for artifacts as small as 7/1000 of an inch. This assures that spurious particles or missing toner/ink will not inadvertently alter the meaning of the textual content- especially important in pharmaceutical labeling where the smallest of print errors can produce adverse consequences and costs.

“Although this is a highly complex and challenging inspection operation, it has been encapsulated in a manner where there is little to no operator intervention or setup” says Jim Reda, vice president and chief technology officer at Videk.

The design goal is to provide the user with an easy-to-use ‘what you asked for’ (the Golden Image) is ‘what you get’ solution. With pharmaceutical companies now subject to intense quality controls as a result of industry mandates and compliance requirements, this solution streamlines the QC process while greatly reducing manual inspection costs and product waste.”

05/01/12

Martin Brodigan Named Chairman and CEO of Ricoh Americas

Press release from the issuing company

Ricoh Americas Corporation today announced that Martin Brodigan has been named Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ricoh Americas Corporation effective May 1, 2012. Brodigan will succeed Kevin Togashi, who is taking on a new role within Ricoh Group in Japan.

Brodigan brings over 20 years of experience at Ricoh to his new position as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Ricoh Americas Corporation, overseeing all sales and service channels in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Ricoh Americas Corporation for two years since 2010, and was President and CEO of Ricoh’s US operations from 2007 to 2010. He has also held assignments in Europe and Canada, and led Ricoh’s global services business.

“Martin is a talented leader with a broad base of sales, operations and financial experience to lead Ricoh Americas Corporation going forward. His unwavering commitment to our customers, dealers and our employees, along with his knowledge of the industry and emerging market trends, will be a great asset as he leads this organization to continued success,” stated Kevin Togashi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ricoh Americas Corporation.

“I am both honored and excited to lead Ricoh Americas Corporation,” said Brodigan. “Today Ricoh has one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of products and services, a team of talented and experienced employees and a strong network of dealers. We have a compelling vision for the future and will continue to transform our business model to provide our customers with the integrated services, expertise and technology they need to help manage information and workflow throughout their organizations.”

04/30/12

Charlie Bolger Awarded Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year

Press release from the issuing company

The Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) held its annual Star of Excellence Awards Banquet, on April 26, 2012 at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center. The top awards recognized outstanding leadership, customer service, production and printed materials.

The 2012 Graphic Arts Industry Leader of the Year was awarded to Charlie Bolger, CFO at Bolger Vision Beyond Print, Minneapolis. The past recipients select each new member of this elite list annually. Bolger was chosen for his commitment and contributions to the industry. David Radziej, President, PIM said, “Charlie Bolger has been a leader in our industry for many years, and he is truly an ambassador of print.”

Paul Byers, RR Donnelley Twin Cities, and Stacey Larson, Travel Tags, Inver Grove Heights, MN, received the fourth annual Customer Service Representative of the Year Awards; and Matt Hammes, Western Graphics, St. Paul, received the third annual Production Professional of the Year Award. The People’s Choice Award (selected by banquet attendees) was presented to Carlson Print Group for their Carlson Calendar entry.

The evening was rounded out with the announcement of the Star of Excellence Best of Show. This year’s winner, chosen by a panel of qualified judges, was The First Impression Group, Eagan, MN. Their winning entry, The Fox with the Golden Fur, was entered in the Diecuts, Pop-Ups, Unique Folds, and Involvement Devices Category.

04/30/12

LithoTechnics Becomes Metrix Software

Press release from the issuing company

LithoTechnics, Inc., developer of Metrix, the intelligent, automated job planning and imposition system, announced today that the company would begin trading under the name Metrix Software. Along with the new trading name, the company has revamped and rebuilt its website (www.metrixsoftware.com), and invites all Metrix fans old and new to come and have a look around.

The first version of Metrix was launched at Drupa 2004, and this year marks the third Drupa for the innovative company. With offices now in the US, Belgium, and Australia, and start-up days well behind the company, Metrix has grown from a niche product into a recognized leader for production planning and automated imposition. Hundreds of companies around the world have adopted the technology and have reaped the benefits: faster turnaround, improved efficiency, fewer errors, and superior accuracy. Metrix users frequently observe a 50% labor savings in their planning and imposition departments, along with unforeseen positive results in the press room, finishing department, estimating, and even sales.

Rohan Holt, CEO of Metrix Software, explained, "Metrix is a single product, but it touches and improves many different areas of the print manufacturing process. Our goal as a company is to provide tools to the printing industry that remove the guesswork and labor intensive processes that linger as relics of the past. Metrix is that tool. It is our sole focus, and the way we are contributing to the modernization, automation, and rationalization of the industry."

Holt continued, "We've been shipping Metrix since 2004, and we now have well over 1000 Metrix users in 22 countries around the world. Since the company has focused exclusively on enhancing the Metrix product line and building our customer base, the market has come to know us as simply 'Metrix.'" Holt added, "Renaming the company Metrix Software reinforces our brand and our focus, and capitalizes on our success. While Metrix is not yet a 'household name,' it certainly is recognized by many as the de facto standard in automated production planning and imposition, and we intend to keep building on that achievement." Holt concluded, "Being proud of our achievements doesn't mean sitting back, however. We are constantly expanding and perfecting our core technology, and there is no shortage of potential applications and enhancements. I expect Metrix Software to be very busy in the coming years, with some exciting announcements even in the near future."

If you'd like more information about this topic, or if you'd like to arrange an interview with Rohan Holt, please call Davo Laninga.

04/30/12

FusionLab Chooses QuarkXPress 9 and App Studio to Create iPad Apps

Press release from the issuing company

Quark announced today that FusionLab, Inc., a full-service visual design studio based in New York, is using QuarkXPress 9 and App Studio to produce VIEW magazine for the iPad. VIEW is a portfolio-style review of talented but mostly unknown photographers from around the world who are passionate about creating non-commercial photography. The first issue of VIEW is currently available as a free download on the iTunes store: http://itunes.apple.com/US/app/view-magazine/id422061173?mt=8.

VIEW is curated by FusionLab, Inc. founder Alon Koppel who envisioned an iPad app featuring the work of photographers who shoot simple street scenes, landscapes, and the world and people around them. The iPad magazine is an avenue for what Koppel calls “boring” photography – no fashion, no nudity, no sunsets, and very little black and white. “As we designed iPad apps for our clients, we were inspired to bring to life the photography we are most passionate about. The iPad lends itself so well to viewing pictures, so we set out to discover and showcase the work of unknown photographers while building an app that highlights our skills as designers and our love of photography.”

The team at FusionLab is well-aware of the options for creating iPad apps – from the intense process of iOS programming to using solutions from Adobe Systems. In fact, the team initially created VIEW using a beta solution from Adobe but, as a small design studio, couldn’t afford it once they had to transition to the full commercial version. After researching solutions for digital publishing, Koppel chose QuarkXPress 9 and App Studio for the ongoing production of VIEW.

Koppel said, “From a purely economic perspective, QuarkXPress 9 with App Studio is a lot more affordable than the option from Adobe. But just as important is the quality of output. With QuarkXPress and App Studio we can build really beautiful layouts that flow dynamically when displayed on the iPad. I like that when you land on or advance to a page in an app created with App Studio, it’s always sharp – others are flat, no dimension. There are a couple other options out there at either higher or lower prices but once you output it’s very much like you are reading a PDF – flattened pages with links on top. That was not what we wanted for VIEW.”

Each issue of VIEW exhibits a wide variety of topics and styles, including “Projects,” a section that highlights long-term assignments, “While You Were Away,” a section that explores a different place of conflict in the world through the unique perspective of people on the ground, and “Overview” which includes an information-graphic map displaying stats about each issue’s contributors. The first issue of VIEW is available on the iTunes store and is free. Readers can opt into a one-year subscription for $3.99. http://itunes.apple.com/US/app/view-magazine/id422061173?mt=8.

04/27/12

ProGraphix Receives SGP Certification

Press release from the issuing company

Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry, today announces that the Austin, Texas print facility of ProGraphix is SGP Certified. ProGraphix is a wide format digital printer specializing in sustainable and eco-friendly retail, exhibit, event, and promotional graphics. The company is already realizing the benefits of implementing SGP's criteria, such as an increase in its efficiency and a reduction in waste. SGP Certification also strongly positions ProGraphix as a leader in sustainability, as it is the only SGP Certified facility in Austin, and the second facility in Texas.

"SGP Certification was a substantial undertaking, but the resulting improvements in our products, processes, and facility were well worth the effort," comments Nicki Macfarlane, President, ProGraphix.

SGP Certification gives ProGraphix the opportunity to develop and implement a formal sustainability program that delivers value and results. As a credible, third party endorsement, SGP Certification demonstrates ProGraphix's commitment to achieving its sustainability goals, while meeting customers' expectations and providing a safe working environment for employees.

"SGP Certification is for all companies, large and small alike," states Marci Kinter, Chair, SGP Program. "The Certification demonstrates ProGraphix's commitment to sustainable business practices, and it clearly differentiates them in the marketplace."

The Certification Process

ProGraphix began the certification process with regular committee meetings to encourage employee participation and communication. The company conducted extensive research to identify environmentally friendly print materials, such as recyclable banners and biodegradable rigid substrates. Today, ProGraphix recommends these sustainable materials to its customers whenever possible, and ensures that its suppliers are aware of its preference for sustainable media.

As part of the Certification process, ProGraphix also opted to upgrade its equipment to incorporate more sustainable processes. For example, its new flatbed printer substantially reduces the amount of waste produced, and the printer's UV inks have virtually no VOCs. Other improvements were based on the safety and health checklist that supported its goal of providing a safe working environment.

04/27/12

HELIOS Announces File Transfer App for iPad

Press release from the issuing company

HELIOS Software GmbH (drupa, hall 09/D04), a leading developer of cross-platform file, print, image, proofing, remote collaboration, and PDF server software, presents its new iPad Document Hub app. The iPad Document Hub is the ideal solution for businesses to easily and securely distribute documents to iPad users for local use, online or off. It allows easy presentation of PDFs, images, Office documents, and other files. Documents can be forwarded to other apps, attached to an e-mail, printed, or sent back to the server.

The HELIOS iPad Document Hub app works with HELIOS WebShare, which provides secure, multiuser access to their company’s intranet server volumes. Online operation allows access to any available document from the file server for local viewing or for use in apps like Numbers, Keynote, Quickoffice, Acrobat, iBooks, and others. The built-in synchronization ensures that all users receive the latest version.

Further benefits and features of the upcoming iPad Document Hub iPad app will be presented as one of the special HELIOS drupa seminars in the HELIOS exhibition area (booth #09/D04). Additional HELIOS seminar topics will focus on Remote Soft Proof, Virtual Server Appliance, and Spotlight Search. Online registration for all seminars is available at the HELIOS website http://www.helios.de.

Smart Ideas for Better Networking

HELIOS UB2 Unbreakable Server Solutions deliver mission critical server solutions to enterprise, government, university, and prepress sites. WebShare, EtherShare, and PCShare provide integrated cross-platform networking for Mac, Windows and Web clients, with advanced file and print server features, and easy remote server administration. HELIOS ImageServer, PDF HandShake and PrintPreview bring high efficiency and advanced capabilities to design, prepress and printing operations.

HELIOS products run on powerful and scalable servers including Apple Mac OS X, IBM AIX, Linux, Oracle Solaris, and Windows systems. HELIOS products provide reliable cross-platform support for Mac, Windows, Web and UNIX-based clients.

Distributors sell HELIOS products worldwide to value-added resellers who provide complete networking solutions to customers. HELIOS also works with many strategic partners that incorporate HELIOS server software to provide powerful third-party archive, asset management and workflow solutions.

04/27/12

Agfa Graphics Launches :Apogee Suite 8.0 at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Agfa Graphics today announced the launch of the next generation of its award-winning prepress workflow, :Apogee Suite 8.0. Featuring new tools designed to help printers in offset and digital print or hybrid environments become more innovative, it interacts more efficiently internally and with their customers while optimizing every step in the production process. :Apogee Suite 8.0 will be running live and available for demonstrations at the company’s stand at drupa (Düsseldorf, Germany May 3 – 16, Hall 8A). It will be available in the third quarter 2012.

Among the innovations in :Apogee Suite 8.0 is the new interactive :Apogee StoreFront, the new cloud-based, web-to-print solution. :Apogee StoreFront makes it easy to set up online stores for both printed and non-printed products. Seamless integration with :Apogee Prepress or any other workflow software ensure that orders are automatically downloaded and setup for production based on job specifications. Because it is cloud based and easy to use, printers can launch multiple, customized storefronts with no additional staff or costly infrastructure investment. :Apogee StoreFront gives printers the means to reach new markets and enrich customer experience, thus expanding business.

:Apogee Impose now supports web offset printing. Designed for the specific needs of web printing operations, this unique rule-based imposition software takes all specifications into account, including web folding and finishing requirements, to generate the optimal imposition scheme. A last minute change of press is no problem for :Apogee Impose. Plus, it supports single, dual and multiple web deliveries. :Apogee Impose lowers setup cost while delivering the level of automation web printers demand.

A new Merge Jobs function lets :Apogee 8 determine which jobs can be combined in one production run. This cuts costs by optimizing press runs. An innovative algorithm places different jobs on the sheet in the most optimal manner. As a result, there are fewer cuts which translates to less paper waste.

“:Apogee 8 is loaded with innovations that cater to every type of operation—sheet and web offset as well as hybrid operations including wide format. New 64-bit support combined with virtualization (VMWare) lets high-volume printers consolidate processing. Other tools reduce costs with efficient output management such as the job merge function. All of these improvements are the result of carefully listening to our customers all over the world and incorporating their feedback.” said Andy Grant, Head of Software, Agfa Graphics, worldwide.

:Apogee Suite 8.0 gives prepress operators more process control. A toolbox of plugins allows them to easily manipulate PDF pages in the workflow. A varnish plugin, for example, lets them create a spot varnish on top of text or an image. The new CSR Dashboard gives customer service representatives or production managers detailed job status reports, allowing them to interact more efficiently and accurately internally and with customers. CSRs can record notes and add customer requests. All information stays with the job to ensure absolute job integrity

:Apogee Preflight offers improved color management. The new document-based capability verifies that profiles are attached to all objects and automatically updates incorrect profiles. :Apogee Preflight also makes the necessary adjustments should the output target change. A new customer profile wizard generates the optimal calibration profiles for any substrate. This is a critical capability in operations that have offset, digital and industrial inkjet printing. The end result is consistent color output over different media types regardless of the output device or if the operator is generating a proof.

ICC Profile Regularization is an Agfa patented technology that avoids discontinuities in profiles due to folding. This is especially important for wide-format applications and results in better and more consistent color output.

:Apogee Suite 8.0 is also built to support digital printing, including variable data printing, giving users an edge when it comes to providing new services for their customers.

04/26/12

IWPA Celebrates Earth Day / 20th Anniversary with Special Membership Discounts

Press release from the issuing company

The International Waterless Printing Association (IWPA), a non-profit association serving waterless and DI waterless printers, is celebrating Earth Day and IWPA’s 20th anniversary with special membership incentives and discount savings.

“In recognition of 20 years as the premier member association for waterless printers and on the very appropriate occasion of Earth Day, we have created several special incentives for new members” says John O’Rourke, IWPA vice president. “Since its inception, IWPA has been the premier source of information about waterless printing. The new IWPA website includes a wealth of waterless information as well as a searchable database to help print buyers find waterless printers (our members). IWPA is also a virtual community for our members, where waterless and DI waterless printers can reach new prospective clients, network with their peers to develop cooperative relationships, share best practices, and discuss / resolve technical issues.”

IWPA recently completed the publication of a white paper comparing waterless print performance to conventional wet offset. The white paper provides A/B analysis of live print jobs and documents several key advantages for waterless printing in print quality, production efficiency and environmental impact. A copy of this 32-page white paper, a $149 value, is available free to all new members upon activation of their account.

In addition, IWPA is offering two more new member incentives: generous rebates to new members as well as an additional three months of membership (15 months rather than 12). For a limited time, IWPA is offering rebates of $50 or $100 in VISA gift cards to new first-time members.

“Being a waterless printer is a key part of our marketing message” says Erik Melander, COO of Overnight Prints, a DI waterless printer in Louisville, KY (www.overnightprints.com). “Our waterless print process saves water, reduces air pollution, conserves trees and decreases waste. What could be better for Earth Day? In addition, waterless printing offers our customers higher-quality results than traditional offset printing. For our company, IWPA membership is invaluable.”

It is fitting that IWPA is celebrating Earth Day with these new member rebates. Waterless printing offers many advantages over traditional wet offset printing including one of the most obvious benefits: eliminating fountain solution from the printing process. The wet offset process consumes about one gallon for every 8,000 25" x 40" color press sheets. The waterless process promotes water as a natural resource to be protected and does not generate any industrial waste water.

The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970 and encouraged Americans to begin the modern environmental movement. Since then, the passage of the landmark Clean Air Act,Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws were enacted. Today, more than one billion people participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world.

The Waterless Printing Association was founded in October 1992 as a non-profit association focused on advancing awareness of the benefits of waterless printing. Today, the IWPA has sister associations in Japan (JWPA) and Europe (EWPA) and continues its worldwide growth in waterless printing with the expansion of non-profit member associations. The association’s website is www.waterless.org.

Contact:
John O’Rourke
International Waterless Printing Association
603-488-5610
jorourke@waterless.org

04/26/12

Kenneth Hansen to Head KBA Korea

Press release from the issuing company

Alongside successful sales and service subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Australia for Asia and the Pacific, at the end of last year Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) set up a new subsidiary, KBA Korea Co., Ltd. in Seoul, to cater to a further key industrial growth market in the Far East. Users of KBA presses are reaping the benefits, since they now have a direct line to the German manufacturing plant, a broader choice of service offerings, local spare-parts accessibility and the services of highly trained local personnel for installations and trouble shooting. There are also plans for a remote maintenance facility. Initially KBA Korea will handle all activities relating to sheetfed offset, commercial web offset and digital presses for the German parent. Sales of newspaper presses will continued to be handled from Germany or by German staff in China.

With effect from 15 April the managing director of the new subsidiary is Kenneth Hansen (54), who has worked in the Asian graphic arts industry for 35 years, the last eight of them as CEO of manroland Northeast Asia in Korea and Japan. Hansen says: “KBA has the broadest and most advanced product range of all press manufacturers and in many sectors leads the field in technology and innovation. So Korea's vibrant and demanding print market offers enormous potential for growth. In my new capacity as md I am aiming to build on KBA's success to date in Korea. My primary focus will be on providing competent advice for our Korean customers on investment decisions, backing this up with the best possible service.”

Korea is a key KBA market in Asia. Customer expectations in terms of reliability, performance and quality are particularly high, and KBA is now better placed to address these demands. Most sales to date were of medium-format litho presses plus a few big newspaper press installations and some commercial web presses. They included a Rapida 106 ten-colour perfector for Komsco (Korea Minting & Security Printing) in Daejon and a five-colour Rapida 105 with DriveTronic SIS no-sidelay infeed installed in 2010 at Gomundang Printing in Daegu-Si, which will shortly be joined by six-colour Rapida 105 coater press with automatic plate changing and a board-handling capability. A seven-colour Rapida 105 with coater and UV package was shipped last year to packaging printer Duk Su in Chungchunbuuk-Do.

With no customs duty payable on products from Germany, and the strong yen impairing the competitiveness of Japanese vendors, KBA is aiming to boost sales still further this year. Given the problems that other vendors are currently experiencing, the group is confident of winning new customers alongside its regulars. Among Korea's packaging printers KBA can build on its outstanding reputation in this high-growth sector.

04/26/12

Duplo USA Launches Newly Redesigned Website

Press release from the issuing company

Duplo USA has launched its newly redesigned website, www.duplousa.com, which provides richer content and additional resources for commercial and in-plant printers as well as other organizations searching for print finishing solutions. The upgraded website also features an enhanced interface that stays in uniform with the global Duplo brand and allows offset and digital print providers to browse the complete line of finishing equipment that includes bookletmaking and saddle stitching systems, slitter/cutter/creasers, perfect binders, UV coaters, folders, and digital duplicators with ease.

“The new website offers more than just a new design,” says Si Nguyen, director of new business development at Duplo USA. “We want our site to be an immediate source of information for not only our dealer network, but end users as well. It’s been revamped to be more solution-driven and help users determine their needs right away. We hope visitors like the look and feel of it as well as the ease of use as they browse and access information on the solutions they’re looking for.” Some of the new features include:

More Ways to Browse for Products. Equipment can be searched by type (on demand finishing, production equipment, or digital duplicating), category (collators/sheet feeders, bookletmaking systems, slitter/cutter/creasers, etc.), model, or application. Product Comparison. A list of applicable solutions along with brief highlights appears when searching by category and makes it easy to compare various models on the spot.

Enhanced Content. Each product page provides a description, features, key applications, and specs/options to offer a thorough overview of the solution.

Suggested Solutions. Recommendations based on the most recent search appear at the bottom of the product page to further assist users in finding the right equipment to meet their needs.

New Resources Page. Visitors can access client success stories, learn more about partners, and search solutions by application. New Videos Page. Direct access to all product demos available. Videos can also be viewed from the individual product pages.

Navigation, shortcuts, and other functions have overall been improved to enhance the visitor’s experience in their search for print finishing solutions. Visit today at www.duplousa.com.

04/25/12

Mediaclip and Ultimate Technographics Announce Partnership

Press release from the issuing company

Ultimate Technographics and Mediaclip are pleased to announce a new partnership geared to deliver an easy-to-use creation and production flow for photo products. Both companies will co-market a well integrated solution that provides an automated and efficient way to prepare photo products ordered online and to insure a streamlined cost-effective printing and finishing process.

Mediaclip's solution allows the creation of any printable personalized product, including photo, business or branded & licensed products. Mediaclip's software enables PSP, retailors and web integrators to deliver a rich user experience, increasing both sales and customer loyalty. The versatility and openness of the architecture of the solution makes it easy to introduce new trendy products and to connect with other technologies like the automation capabilities offered by Ultimate Technographics. As a result of the Mediaclip's flexibility, providers benefit from a significant lower product deployment and manufacturing cost while delivering a higher quality end-product.

Ultimate's Impostrip OnDemand Automation solution known for its powerful automation is designed to integrate easily as a back-end to web-to-print systems that are focused on personalized or short-run on-demand printing. Combined with Mediaclip, print service providers can use various imposition optimization schemas generated by Impostrip OnDemand Automation to increase the efficiency of their digital press and to simplify the finishing transformation, while taking advantage of the large cut-sheet sizes available. Customers can count on Impostrip OnDemand Automation to leverage their digital web presses' speed, dedicated to photo production, saving time and money.

According to Mediaclip's CEO Marion Duchesne, "We always focus on finding new ways to help our customers achieve their goals and simplifying the production process is a great way to do that. We are dedicated to stay ahead of the pack when it comes to user experience and this includes not only the creation software end-users but the providers as well. Making it easier to manage everything from the creation process to the delivery improves everyone's satisfaction ".

"In digital printing, automation drives results'', says Joanne David, President and CEO at Ultimate Technographics Inc, "and because we integrate nicely withMediaclip, this easy-to-use web-to-print solution for photo products and many types of publishing projects, our customers will be able to draw better profit margin on every order. This partnership allows us to intensify our mission to automate, simplify and increase the profitability of modern digital printing.''

04/25/12

KBA Demos New System Brunner at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America announces that it will demonstrate new System Brunner print quality measuring systems at Drupa 2012 scheduled for May 3-16 in Düsseldorf, Germany. KBA, which is describing this year’s exhibition theme as “Sprinting Ahead”, has booked a large 37,700ft² stand in Hall 16, Stand C47 as the showcase for its many new developments for sheetfed, digital and web offset printers.

System Brunner’s Instrument Flight technology has earned worldwide acceptance and notoriety as the leading control strategy on the market. The KBA QualiTronic Instrument Flight system is the leading solution for inline color control on sheetfed offset printing systems with the priority on color balance and gray balance, taking into account more than 30 process variables. Instrument Flight has now been expanded with new balance control strategies and new Globalstandards including ISO/PSO and G7. With the unique 5 star rating system, the printer is always aware of the print quality produced compared with the standard selected. Certified companies are now in a position each day to comply with different standard targets and achieve even better color consistency in picture reproduction. ErgoTronic Instrument Flight provides the same functions but the measurements are made outside the press with online control of the inking zones.

In addition, KBA will be demonstrating its own state-of-the-art print quality measuring systems on press demonstrations. These include:

The entry-level ErgoTronic ColorDrive
ErgoTronic SpectroDrive for Rapida 75 and Rapida 76 presses
Ergotronic Color Control console high-end system
QualiTronic Color high-end in-press system
QualiTronic Professional with in-press inspection
DensiTronic Professional advanced closed loop
DensiTronic PDF with PDF reader

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established almost 200 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, inkjet systems and presses, special presses for banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards and discs. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com.

04/25/12

Bordeaux for Better Printing at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Bordeaux will exhibit new inkjet ink formulations, technologies and solutions based on its in-house R&D.

With 12 years of experience in new technologies and integrated ink solutions for wide variety of inkjet applications, Bordeaux stands at the forefront with products for a greener environment. The company's presence in over 100 countries and several production plants in different continents, Bordeaux is enthusiastic about DRUPA 2012, the world's printing Olympics. During the event, Bordeaux will reveal its latest products that represent a fresh approach for tackling the versatile needs of the industry.

Bordeaux will also present its new development for super flexible UV LED ink with extreme elongation properties, dye sublimation inks for direct and indirect applications, full variety of water & UV based liquid laminations for signage and digital press applications and Bordeaux's well knows Eco solvent technologies.

You are invited to visit us in Hall 3, booth B50 to hear about the new additions to our product line.

04/24/12

Heidelberg to Launch Linoprint Digital Portfolio at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberg will present its entire digital print portfolio under the Linoprint name at drupa 2012. The brand message is that offset and digital processes can be truly complimentary—and consistently profitable—when both are integrated properly and production managed fluidly between them. Backing up this pledge is Heidelberg’s unique expertise in cross-platform color matching, a core competence that shrinks to a minimum the difference in measured color between Heidelberg offset presses and Heidelberg’s digital print solutions.

In an expansion of its cooperation with Ricoh, Heidelberg now will offer Ricoh’s short-run, cut-sheet digital printing systems under the Linoprint C name. Heidelberg’s exhibit in Hall 1 at drupa 2012 will feature the debut of the Linoprint C 901 and Linoprint C 751 digital printing systems equipped with the latest version of Prinect Digital Print Manager, which enables print shops to manage and calculate both their offset and digital print jobs from a single workflow. This solution covers a wide range of functions such as variable data management, postpress with digital in-line and near-line finishing, and document-oriented production, and gives printers the ability to route jobs quickly to the most cost-efficient production equipment. Full integration with a shop’s Prinect workflow enables digital jobs on Linoprint C equipment to be seamlessly planned and managed (including standardized color management via Prinect Color Toolbox) with offset presswork—all from the same workflow software.

Finishing Options Expand Application Range

Linoprint C devices will be controlled by Heidelberg’s Prinect software and supported by a variety of inline finishing options including perfect binding, ring binding, folding, cutting, and stitching. Especially well-suited to the handling of both traditional and digitally printed materials are Heidelberg’s DG Creaser, 714XA/XLT; USA B20 Stahlfolder SPS (slit, perf, score); as well as POLAR’s forthcoming line of cutters with CompuCut 5.0 operator guidance and networking software, the Eurobind EB600/1300 adhesive binder, and versatile die cutting and folder-gluing equipment from KAMA.

Visitors to Hall 1 also can learn about Linoprint L, an inkjet system currently in development by Heidelberg. Linoprint is a drop-on-demand system for the economical production of complex, short to medium-sized label and film runs, and applications with variable content: for example, smart labels, security printing, and traceable labels. This system will be sold in the U.S. by CSAT, a digital press manufacturer acquired by Heidelberg in 2011.

04/24/12

Latest KBA Report 40 Spotlights New Expansive drupa Technology

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America announces that its latest corporate Report 40 focuses on the upcoming Drupa 2012 trade fair in May 2012 with several pages dedicated to the raft of new sheetfed offset, digital, industrial ID, packaging and newspaper presses being exhibited by KBA at Drupa and the user benefits they offer. Recent North American customers such as CardPak, Specialty Finishing, and the Albany (NY) Times are also featured in the Report.

“Because we are press manufacturers, we prefer to develop our own product,” writes KBA president and CEO Claus Bolza-Schünemann in Report 40’s editorial page. “It was the only way we could offer our customers the system best suited to their production needs from an impartial perspective. For many applications an offset press may still be the best solution, while for ultra-short runs or personalized prints it may be our new RotaJET digital press or, in some cases, a hybrid offset/inkjet system such as the offset Rapida 105 we are showcasing at Drupa with an additional inkjet unit.”

Other new KBA Drupa exhibits include the 17,000sph Rapida 145, the new medium-format Rapida 105 and its high-tech Rapida 106, which will be shown at as a long perfector with perfect coating capability. The Rapida 106’s maximum rated output will soon be raised to 20,000sph straight and 18,000sph in perfecting mode.

KBA Report 40 also features three of KBA’s many satisfied customers in North America. CardPak, Inc., a leading supplier of packaging products to consumer brand companies across the globe, installed a new KBA Rapida 106 41-inch ten-color perfecting press with coating tower and twelve foot extended delivery at its headquarters in Solon, Ohio.

CardPak’s new Rapida 106 41-inch ten-color perfecting press features a high press speed of 15,000 sph output, ultrafast makeready times, and expanded automation and productivity. The press provides a wide choice of automation options, including the KBA DriveTronic dedicated drives, as well as the DriveTronic feeder, with its presetting capabilities. The press also features the PIA InterTech award–winning sidelay-free infeed, DriveTronic SIS. Its KBA LogoTronic system allows for presetting of ink fountains. New technology on press also includes the KBA DensiTronic Professional closed-loop color management scanning spectrophotometric system and QualiTronic In-Line Color Control. The substrate range runs from lightweight papers to heavy board, from plastic films to corrugated—all without adjusting any grippers.

Specialty Finishing, an Omaha, Nebraska full service folding carton manufacturer, purchased two large format presses from KBA North America at Chicago’s Graph Expo 2011 in early September. The new presses are a six-color and a seven-color equipped with KBA’s unique automation and inline quality control features and coaters. These are the first KBA presses purchased by Specialty Finishing.

“We chose to purchase two large-format presses from KBA because they could offer the highest level of automation and productivity as well as a custom-configured press for our particular needs,” says Mark Wright, Specialty Finishing president. “These presses will allow our company to continue its rapid growth and offer our customers the highest level of productivity and quality that they expect. We needed the added capacity because we’ve been experiencing 25% growth year-over-year for the past several years.”

The two new KBA Rapida large-format presses will incorporate many inline quality control systems as well as the latest automation to ensure efficiency in large format printing. They will join two additional six-color 40-inch presses from a different press manufacturer. An existing 56-inch sheetfed press will be replaced with the two new KBA models.

The Albany (NY) Times Union ordered a new Commander CL, bucking thetrend in the North American newspaper industry and reaffirming its commitment to print. The H-unit web press with four reelstands, four four-high towers and two folders is destined for the major U.S. media’s upgraded plant in Albany and will print the Times Union, the leading newspaper in New York state’s capital region.

“The Times Union has been the Capital Region’s most trusted source for news and information for more than 150 years,” says Hearst Corporation CEO, Frank A Bennack, Jr. “This announcement continues that mission for readers and advertisers, and greatly enhances the vibrancy of the newspaper. The capital investment affirms our commitment to a printed newspaper while we invest in cutting-edge digital technologies at the same time.”

To read the complete 40th edition of KBA Report, Koenig & Bauer’s corporate magazine featuring trends and print applications from around the world, please download it at: http://www.kba.com/en/news/detail/article/new-kba-report-focuses-on-drupa/back/15/

04/24/12

Taopix Unveils Portfolio 3.2 at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

UK software developer, Taopix, has announced a new upgrade to Taopix Portfolio, its award-winning photo book and gift platform. The raft of new features and enchancements will be demonstrated on its stand, in Hall 4 (A19), at Drupa.

All new features have been developed to provide print providers and pro labs with increased productionefficiencies and their customers with an enhanced user experience.

Key enhancements include enhanced Social Media support, new Starter Kit components, the addition of Hungarian and Slovenian languages as well as Japanese, Chinese and Korean vertical text support. There is now support for 20 languages included within the application.

Visitors to the Taopix stand at Drupa will be able to see the new PhotoFix module performing red eye removal and image enhancement functions on poor quality images.

An External Photo Editor Link function, which allows the end user to perform advanced photo retouching and editing functions by automatically launching third party applications, will also be demonstrated.

Taopix has announced its commitment to a new Single Prints feature. Single Prints will give photo gift manufacturers the ability to access new markets and capture more business from existing customers by offering the ability to order multiples of one off prints of varying sizes.

Representatives from the Taopix worldwide distribution channel will be present on the Taopix stand throughout the show for demonstrations and go to market advice.

04/23/12

Mike Blanco Joins GPA

Press release from the issuing company

GPA is proud to announce that Mike Blanco has joined GPA in the capacity of Technical Support Specialist. In this new role, Mike will provide technical support, troubleshooting assistance and digitalprinting expertise to GPA’s customers.

With over 24 years of experience in the printing industry, Mike spent 23 years at Finlay in Bloomfield, CT where he most recently served as their Digital Press Supervisor. Just prior to joining GPA, he worked forIntegrity Graphics in Windsor, CT as a Digital Print Specialist. Mike has been heavily involved with HP Indigo printing technology since 2005, and over the years has gained extensive experience on HP Indigo Series I, II and III press technology.

"I am extremely excited about Mike's new role as Technical Support Specialist for GPA. A key to GPA's success over the last several years has been our ability to identify the needs of our customers, provide innovative solutions and focus on helping them grow their business. Mike will play an integral role in adding a new level of value to our customers’ success," said Bob Niesen, GPA’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Mike has also been an integral part of Dscoop community since the organization’s inception and has served on their Operations Committee; he also served as Dscoop’s Operations Committee Chairman for the 2011-2012 year.

GPA is the premier source for specialty substrates and solutions for offset anddigital printing. Products include coated and uncoated papers, pressure sensitive and specialty papers, synthetic films and substrates exclusively engineered for HP Indigo presses. GPA is an HP Indigo Preferred Partner and a Diamond Partner of Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative). For more information on GPA or the products it offers, visit www.askgpa.com or contact GPA Customer Service at 800-395-9000.

04/23/12

KBA Unveils Brand New Rapida 105 and 106 at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America announces that both its popular Rapida 105 and Rapida 106 41-inch presses will be showcased with new automation, faster running speeds, and a new press platform at Drupa 2012 scheduled for May 3-16 in Düsseldorf, Germany. KBA, which is describing this year’s exhibition theme as “Sprinting Ahead”, has booked a large 37,700ft² stand in Hall 16, Stand C47 as the showcase for its many new developments for sheetfed, digital and web offset printers including daily demonstrations of both the Rapida 105 and Rapida 106 presses.

Digital joins offset: Rapida 105 with inkjet printing system

Under the banner “Designed for Performance”, KBA will be presenting a completely new medium-format series in Düsseldorf for the Rapida 105 41-inch model. The range of automation options has been extended compared to the predecessor model and the maximum production speed for presses incorporating the high-speed package is to be raised to 17,000sph. The Rapida 105 is also available in a four-over-four perfector configuration, with a perfecting unit based on the modern technology of the Rapida 106.

The real show highlight, however, is the presentation of this internationally popular press type in a hybrid offset/inkjet version. The five offset printing units and coater tower are joined by an inkjet unit with two Delta 105iUV printing systems from Atlantic Zeiser for personalized imprinting and coding applications. Due to an innovative vacuum cylinder (AirTronic Drum) to fix the sheets under the inkjet heads, the KBA Rapida 105 and 106 are currently the only presses on the market to incorporate this option without the need for mechanical sheet guides and print-free corridors. The unique solution prevents lifting of the tail edges and enables the inkjet systems to be installed at a clearance of only 0.04 inches from the sheet. UV-LED dryers provide for fast drying of the ink.

There are many potential applications for inkjet systems in a sheetfed printing press. They range from sheet marking in connection with quality inspection using the alphaJET-tempo printer from KBA-Metronic to codings for purposes of brand protection (barcodes, QR codes, numerical IDs or combinations thereof). Relevant fields are security printing, packaging, labels, lottery tickets and industrial product marking. Up to eight inkjet heads from Atlantic Zeiser can be accommodated in a printing unit of the Rapida 105 or 106 press. The high-speed greyscale printer is equally suitable for coated, laminated, glossy and non-absorbent materials. A mini controller takes care of system handling in marking, inspection and quality assurance processes. Quality control, including verification of the variable data, is similarly the purpose of a high-speed camera system. Another valuable option for packaging printers is the marking of individual blanks in connection with the inline sheet inspection system KBA QualiTronic MarkPlus. Flawed blanks can then be ejected automatically during downstream processing, e.g. in the folder gluer. With the KBA AirTronic Drum, further inline finishing processes are likely to be integrated in future.

Rapida 106: 20,000sph and many brand new features

At this year's show, the makeready world champion Rapida 106 press will be displayed with an optional package that raises the maximum production speed one notch further to 20,000sph in straight printing and 18,000sph in perfecting mode. At Drupa, this KBA flagship press will be seen in a 12-unit configuration for four-color print and inline coating on both sides of the sheet. Among the many innovations incorporated into this already highly-automated press, particular mention should be made of the new coater tower with simultaneous form changing (DriveTronic SFC), automated anilox roller exchange with AniloxLoader, the further optimized AirTronic delivery for exact pile formation at even the highest speeds, new modules for online and inline quality monitoring and control, and a new ErgoTronic console with wall screen as on the large-format presses.

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established almost 200 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, inkjet systems and presses, special presses for banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards and discs. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com.

04/23/12

Drupacity Offers Attractive Program for Guests

Press release from the issuing company

Together with over 100 partners and a unique concept, Messe Düsseldorf will again turn the city of Düsseldorf into drupacity for drupa 2012, print media trade fair, to welcome guests from all over the world. "In May, Düsseldorf will become a temporary home for the around 1,850 exhibitors and their 30,000 strong stand personnel as well as the 350,000 visitors and 3,000 journalists expected to come from all over the globe“, stated Manuel Mataré, Director of drupa. "We want to welcome them with this diverse program. In addition, we and/or our partners have come up with some very special events this year in order to also bring the topics of print and media a bit closer to the people of Düsseldorf.” drupa will take place from May 3 – 16, 2012 at the Düsseldorf fairgrounds.

Four shopping malls, 44 retail shops and 48 gastronomical establishments as well as the premium drupartners Duessel Aqua, Museum Kunstpalast (museums), Frankenheim, Schlösser, Schumacher, Zum Schlüssel, Uerige and Füchschen (breweries), Taxi Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Marketing&Tourism (DMT), the airport and Lufthansa are involved in drupacity 2012 concept.

A lot of the stores will give out small presents with purchases as a "little thank you" (such as an insider's guide to Düsseldorf in form of a rummy game at “Mayersche”, miniature bottles of perfume at “BEAUTYAffair”, large postcards with Düsseldorf motifs at “Art Editions Fils”, a present made of elephant dung paper at “el martin”). Some shops will have discounts, while others will offer free shipment with a purchase above a certain value. Stores in Düsseldorf are usually closed on Sundays but on May 6, almost all drupartner shops will be open.

The Düsseldorf gastronomy will also offer its guests a variety of “treats”: free desserts in combination with a main course (chocolate soufflé on morello compote at “Gallo Nero”, semolina pudding with wild berry sauce at “Curry”, Maibowle (May punch) at “Caruso”, strawberries with sushi cream at “Julian’s” or a pre-dessert in “Patrick’s Seafood” as well as a selection of free aperitifs (drupeliá at “Hotel Meliá”, drupa-red Maibowle or a Rätemateng (herbal schnapps) at “Caruso”). Some restaurant owners (“Askitis”, “Plaisir” and “Spoerl”) will even cover the costs for a taxi ride or the shuttle from the fairgrounds to the restaurant and afterwards to the hotel.

A special highlight will be the paper boat drupaperboat, which will be anchored in the Kö-Graben in downtown Düsseldorf. The Dutch paper artist Filip Jonker created this 24.6 feet long and 8.7 feet wide boat out of 4,400 lb of paper and 5,500 lb of sand as ballast. Due to the waterproof coating, the ship is seaworthy and Filip Jonker used it to cross the channel in September 2011.

Attractive exhibitions at the Königsallee (main shopping street) will also show extraordinary products made of paper. The Kö gallery will present high-fashion accessories (bags and jewelry) made of paper, the drupaper gallery in the stilwerk will display works by the renowned paper artists Luisa Kuhn and Jo Pellenz while the Schadow Arcades will feature an interactive “Augmented Reality” project.

drupaul and drupaula, the trade fair's welcoming team, will greet the international visitors at the Düsseldorf airport. Sponsored by Lufthansa, they will “sweeten” the arrival in Düsseldorf with gummy bears and give visitors detailed information about drupa 2012 and the attractive offers of drupacity. A total of 40 teams will be working during drupa 2012.

A special drupacity guide with a map listing all the events will be available at all trade fair information points and at the fairgrounds. The prominent red drupa double-decker buses will bring guests to the most popular visitor locations in Düsseldorf and will also function as additional mobile information points for trade fair guests.

DMT will offer a special “after trade fair city tour” with open-top buses on May 5, 6, 11 and 12 at 6:00 pm. After prior registration (willkommen@duesseldorf-tourismus.de), the buses will pick up the exhibitors and visitors at the Congress Center Süd (South) at the fairgrounds. After the city tour, the passengers will be dropped off in the heart of the Altstadt (Old Town).

For further information on visiting or exhibiting at drupa 2012, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com; Visit our web site http://www.mdna.com; Subscribe to our blog at http://blog.mdna.com; Follow us on twitter at http://twitter.com/mdnachicago

For hotel and travel information, contact TTI Travel, Inc. at (866) 674-3476; Fax: (212) 674-3477; E-mail: info@ttitravel.net; www.traveltradeint.com

04/20/12

Heidelberg's Printmaster GTO 52 Turns 40

Press release from the issuing company

The Printmaster GTO 52 from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) turns 40 this year. The GTO - which stands for Grosser Tiegel Offset (large platen offset) - was unveiled at drupa 1972. With its exceptional flexibility and print quality, this very robust press set the standard for small-format applications. The GTO 36 x 52 cm (14.17 x 20.47 in) format established a new format class in professional high-quality offset printing. Having sold over 106,000 printing units, the Printmaster GTO 52 is the best-selling press in the 35 x 50 cm (13.78 x 19.69 in) format. Customers appreciate its high quality, which matches that of larger presses. The GTO is a flexible entry-level model based on manual operation that can be used for applications such as numbering, perforating, imprinting pre-punched products, envelope printing, leaflets, forms, cards, and labels. Its high-precision single-sheet feeder supports a wide range of different formats and substrates - from light-weight paper to cardboard.

Heidelberg is marking the anniversary by offering four exclusive GTO anniversary models on attractive terms. Customers ordering GTO single- to four-color presses between May 1 and October 31, 2012 will also receive selected accessories and a specially designed printing unit guard. A column in the Commercial Flexibility section of the Heidelberg stand at this year's drupa will display the four different designs of the GTO press over the years.

"The Printmaster GTO 52 is a global success story. In the years ahead, we will see continued demand for this ideal entry-level press from customers in both industrialized countries and emerging markets," states Stephan Plenz, member of the Management Board responsible for Heidelberg Equipment.

In successful operation the world over
"The Printmaster GTO 52 has more than doubled our sales and won us numerous additional orders because our customers know we have a new Heidelberg press," stresses Ms. Liuping, who runs Yi Nuo Wie Printing in Xi'an, China. The company purchased the GTO in 2009 at China Print in Beijing and has been extremely happy with its print quality and flexibility from the outset. With its 20-strong workforce, the print shop produces items such as invitations, labels, brochures, and postcards. It also prints special papers for customers from the automotive industry and the telecommunications, banking, and financial sectors. "Printing on special papers with a pearly luster coating is particularly popular with our customers. We are also able to deliver faster because, instead of processing just 10 sets of plates a day as we did previously, we now manage 30," continues Liuping. In addition to the GTO, the print shop also operates an SORS two-color press and a Suprasetter CtP platesetter from Heidelberg.

Brazilian print shop Santha Fé Editora e Artes Gráficas in São Paulo has also been won over by the versatility, quality, and excellent availability of the Printmaster GTO. "Installing our new GTO in summer 2010 won us new customers and enabled us to print high-quality flyers and catalogs," underlines owner Emidio Carleti. "Its high resale value and low maintenance costs were among the factors that led us to buy this press," he adds. The print shop's 30 staff get through 15 to 20 jobs with an average run length of 1,000 to 5,000 sheets each day.

"Our print shop considers it extremely important to offer customers impressive quality, optimum reliability, and fair prices," explains Ernst-Otto Jäger, one of the managing directors of Foto-Litho-Jäger in Kassel, Germany. Founded in 1949, the print shop operates two Printmaster GTO 52 presses and has added digital printing to its portfolio. "We'd had nothing but positive experiences with our GTO 52 two-color press in terms of fast setup, smooth paper travel, and stable inking. In 2010, we therefore decided to add a GTO 52 four-color press with Prinect Classic Center, as the hourly rate can be kept very low for both presses and the GTO fits well into our overall concept," explains Jäger. The eight staff use the GTO presses for very short runs, art prints, letterheads, flyers, and brochures for customers in the region and other print shops that no longer support the 36 x 52 cm format. Foto-Litho-Jäger systematically focuses on sustainable print production based on alcohol-free printing on FSC-certified paper and 100 percent green electricity.

Ongoing further development ensures state-of-the-art features
New developments such as the Prinect Classic Center or the alcohol-free direct continuous dampening system for eco-friendly printing ensure that the Printmaster GTO 52 continues to enjoy market success even after 40 years. The Prinect Classic Center combines precision with straightforward operation. The membrane keypad on the user-friendly central console is used for all ink and register settings. Settings can also be stored for repeat jobs.

The excellent print quality is achieved thanks to a high-volume inking unit with a storage capacity of 1:6.5 for high-quality processing of solid colors. Four oscillating inking form rollers help prevent ghosting, which is a particular advantage on surfaces with negative cut-outs. The alcohol-free direct continuous dampening system has an extended working window that applies a thin, even film of dampening solution for a fast and stable ink/water balance. What's more, the inking and dampening system can be washed in a single pass. Bearer to bearer pressure between plate and blanket cylinder enable precise transfer of the print image onto the substrate, while high-precision Heidelberg printing units ensure a long service life and the robust design for which the GTO is renowned.

GTO product development:

1972 drupa: Launch of the single-color GTO in the 320 x 460 mm (12.60 x 18.11 in) format
1977 drupa: Launch of the first four-color GTO
1980 First GTO 52 in the 360 x 520 mm (14.17 x 20.47 in) sheet format
1984 Market launch of the first GTO models with Alcolor dampening system
1986 drupa: Launch of the GTO 52 five-color press
1990 drupa: Launch of the first fully digitized five-color GTOF-S with CPTronic, stream feeder, and a print output of 12,000 sheets/hour
1995 drupa: New GTO series with single-, two-, and four-color models
2000 drupa: GTO models in a new design
2002 Launch of the Prinect Classic Center (remote control for inking and register)
2009 Streamlining of models: Four standard models with standardized configuration for the Printmaster GTO 52 press series: GTO 52-1, GTO 52-2, GTO 52-4, and GTO 52-4 with Prinect Classic Center
2012 Anniversary press to mark 40 years of the Printmaster GTO 52

04/20/12

Heidelberg to Present Offset Portfolio in Three Categories at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

At drupa 2012, Heidelberg will present its offset portfolio in three categories: Speedmaster SM and CD, Speedmaster SX and CX, and Speedmaster XL. These product lines represent the industry’s widest range of choices for sheetfed offset printing, providing an optimal solution for every production requirement.

Besides being the world’s largest manufacturer of sheetfed offset equipment and related production systems, Heidelberg also is the industry’s primary driver of technological change in conventional lithographic printing. Although the mechanics and electronics of offset equipment are highly complex, the philosophy of press design at Heidelberg is simple: offset R&D works best when it works hand-in-hand with print market intelligence. Printers tell Heidelberg how their customers’ print-buying preferences and strategies have changed. Heidelberg responds by making sure every press it sells has what it takes to perform accordingly.

At drupa 2012, Heidelberg will demonstrate how this principle works in practice by presenting the broadest portfolio of sheetfed offset printing solutions it has ever showcased at a trade fair. Now, printers of every size and specialty in markets the world over can look to the Heidelberg sheetfed portfolio for the ideal piece of offset equipment—and be certain of finding it there.

SM and CD Presses
Heidelberg’s standardized 2- and 4-color Speedmaster SM 52 and Speedmaster SM 74 are the perfect solutions for small and medium-sized commercial print shops looking to satisfy growing customer requirements. An extended range of standard features offers a favorable price-performance ratio and opens the door to growth in high-end offset printing. Likewise, the wide range of standard features and the successful technology of the Speedmaster SM 102 offer production reliability in tandem with investment security, thanks to high print quality, established reliability, and excellent value retention.

Peak Performance
Unrivaled in the industry, Heidelberg’s Peak Performance presses have been setting standards in production speed, print stability, and output since their introduction in 2004. Print shops looking for maximum productivity and top quality will gain a competitive edge with the Speedmaster XL 75, XL 105, XL 145 and XL 162 presses.

Before the public for the first time will be the Speedmaster XL 105 operating at a top speed of 18,000 sheets per hour (sph) in perfecting mode. Aimed at industrial printers producing 40 to 70 million and more sheets per year, the new version boosts productivity by up to 20 percent, compared with the 15,000-sph Speedmaster XL 105-P. Technological innovations include a new perfecting and delivery concept, and an adapted sheet control system, ensuring precise registration at the highest speeds.

New SX Series
Completely new for drupa 2012 is the Speedmaster SX series, comprising theSpeedmaster SX 52, Speedmaster SX 74, and Speedmaster SX 102. In these models, advanced functions from the Speedmaster XL class join forces with the best features of the iconic Speedmaster SM platform to create a new performance class ideal for printers ready to take their productivity to the next level.

Building on the resounding the new Speedmaster CX 102, Heidelberg’s Speedmaster SX models deliver outstanding print quality, high stability in production, intuitive and ergonomic operation, and a high level of automation. They also offer a wide range of configurations with coating unit, perfecting device, and many additional features including an automatic washup device, static electricity eliminator, and color measuring instruments, including Prinect Image Control and Prinect Inspection Control.

Prinect Press Center control with Intellistart operator guidance, fully automated color monitoring and adjustment, and eco-friendly operation are among the many technical advancements built into the Speedmaster SX series. In addition, a new surface technology for the exchangeable impression and transfer cylinder jackets ensures a far longer surface like and extended washup intervals. On display in Hall 1 will be a Speedmaster SX 52 with the Anicolor short inking unit; a Speedmaster SX 74; and an 8-color Speedmaster SX 102 perfector.

04/20/12

Standard Register at Atlanta Healthcare IT Summit

Press release from the issuing company

Standard Register, a leader in managing critical communications across the continuum of care, is presenting a special session on Patient-Centered Communications at the iHT2 Health IT Summit, which will be held April 24-25 at the Historic Academy of Medicine at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA.

The invitation-only event, which will host more than 200 C-level executives from hospitals, health systems and larger physician practices from around the region, will focus on "Health IT in Practice: Strategies for a Next Generation Healthcare System."

The Standard Register breakout session will feature Aaron Fink, MD, professor emeritus of surgery at Emory University School of Medicine and attending surgeon at the VA Medical Center in Atlanta, and Tim Kelly, vice president of Dialog Medical, a Standard Register company and innovative software developer that is transforming informed consent and patient education processes with its iMedConsent application.

The two will present four strategies for leveraging existing health information technology to help make patients better partners in their care. They will cite specific examples of how pre-procedural instructions, consent documents, a National Quality Forum-endorsed teach-back practice and proper discharge instructions are being used to improve outcomes and lower the rate of preventable readmissions.

A governor in the American College of Surgeons who has previously served on the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) National Executive Committee, Dr. Fink was the co-principal investigator of the VA Health Services Research and Development-sponsored, multi-site study investigating the potential benefits of "teach-back" within a computerized informed consent program. Insights from that research will be shared in the presentation.

"As the healthcare industry moves toward a value-based model of accountable care, and providers intensify efforts to improve outcomes and reduce readmissions, effective patient and family engagement is essential," said Brad Cates, president of Standard Register Healthcare. "Through this program, we hope to provide summit participants with evidence-based approaches that can be followed to bring about a measurable improvement in patient outcomes."

04/19/12

New Goss Press Goes Live at Centro Stampa Friuli

Press release from the issuing company

Italian publisher Loghicon srl of Pordenone, North-East Italy, has gone on-edition with a new 16-unit Goss Community SSC press at its new print facility, Centro Stampa Friuli. The press was procured to improve quality, shorten production timescales and reduce costs, according to Simone Saletti, owner, who adds that the company also expects to expand its business with the additional print capacity, potentially into new geographical areas.

“Our two key titles, Città Nostra and La Gazzetta Immobiliare, are high-quality advertising newspapers for the north eastern region of Italy. Although the market is extremely competitive – even overcrowded – there is still room for good quality publications. It’s very important to invest, particularly when times are tough, to differentiate your product.

“We expect the new Community SSC press to help us claim a leadership position for our titles, differentiated by quality in a market that has become flooded with low-grade products. We plan to increase production by up to 30 - 50 percent in the coming months, extending our readership further afield and possibly even looking beyond national borders, to Slovenia, Croatia and Austria,” Saletti explains.

The new Goss Community SSC press, comprising four four-high towers, has an SSC 1:2 jaw folder with quarterfold capability, a 578 mm cut-off and runs at speeds up to 35,000 iph. Capable of outputting 32 tabloid pages in full-color, the press went on-edition as the first phase of a two-part project for Loghicon. For phase two, Goss International will add three mono units and a folder to the press line, all existing equipment from another facility, delivering another 24 pages of capacity. The second phase is scheduled for completion in the spring.

“It’s not only important to invest in hard times, but also to find able and committed partners,” says Saletti. “We’re working hand-in-hand with Goss International to produce the most productive press site in the region. From the first drawing to every milestone along the journey, we feel Goss is helping us move towards a very positive future.”

Established in 1992 with the purchase of free newspaper Città Nostra, Loghicon is a family-run publisher with headquarters in Pordenone and its printing facility, Centro Stampa Friuli, in nearby Zoppola. Total production and distribution of its main titles La Gazzeta Immobiliare, printed in magazine format, and the tabloid publication Città Nostra reaches 8,000,000 copies per year.

04/19/12

Mutoh Takes Baihan Sales Contest Winners to Japan

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh America, Inc., an industry leader in wide-format printers, recently took a group of 14 lucky Mutoh resellers on the Baihan to Japan trip to celebrate Mutoh's 60th anniversary, educate resellers on Mutoh history, discover new innovations and sight see. The trip took place during Japan's cherry blossom season from April 1-5, 2012.

"Baihan was an excellent way to reward some of our valued resellers who won the contest," shares Brian Phipps, General Manager of Mutoh America. "Sharing Mutoh's history and culture with our resellers brought a spirit of camaraderie and enthusiasm. Baihan allowed us to provide insight and future plans while having fun and experiencing Japan."

Resellers were entered into the Baihan Sales Contest, and winners were selected based on performance criteria over the span of a year. Two representatives from seven different companies were welcomed on the trip.

Mutoh gave resellers an energetic and eventful trip with a visit to Mutoh's Headquarters in Tokyo followed by sightseeing through the cities of Kyoto and Nara. Resellers visited historical temples, gardens and a kimono factory. The winners got to experience a traditional Japanese dinner party firsthand complete with a traditional Japanese Geiko and Wadaiko drum performance.

"The trip was tremendous. The hospitality and thoughtfulness of everyone at Mutoh was overwhelming," states Dave Philipps, owner of Graphic Resource Systems. "I really got an appreciation as to why the ValueJet printers are such a quality product, based upon the commitment I saw at Mutoh in regards to quality control and their excellent engineering capabilities. All in all it was a great trip, great country, great hosts and great company. I could not be happier with the results of my visit."

04/19/12

Two Sides and Print Power European Survey

Press release from the issuing company

Two Sides, Print Power and VTT, the Technical Research Centre of Finland, are carrying out a study on how consumers from 15 countries, including the United States and Australia, perceive print advertising. The objective of the study is to better understand the role that print now plays in our everyday lives.

The study will be carried out in two phases; first as a questionnaire and then as a discussion and innovation forum. The questionnaire consists of six short stories, each describing a different media use situation. Consumers are invited to read the stories and rate how well the stories fit into their lifestyles and media use habits. Also, attitudes towards advertising in different media channels are studied.

In the second phase small groups of consumers from different countries will be invited to provide more detailed information on their media use habits. The focus will be on finding out what kind of needs and expectations people have for print advertising and examine the role of print products in everyday life.

Martyn Eustace, Two Sides Director states, “In a multi-channel world we have to understand how consumers relate to print and how reading habits are being impacted by new media. This will give us valuable insight, ensuring that our promotion of print as a highly effective and sustainable media is clearly focused on consumers’ reading preferences.”

To participate in the survey visit the Two Sides UK website at www.twosides.info and click on the survey link on the home page.

04/18/12

New KBA Report Focuses on drupa

Press release from the issuing company

Issue 40 of Koenig & Bauer's corporate magazine, KBA Report, focuses on the Drupa 2012 trade fair, with several pages dedicated to the raft of new sheetfed offset, digital, industrial ID, packaging and newspaper presses KBA is exhibiting there and the user benefits they offer.

200 years after the invention of the mechanical printing press by the company's founders, Friedrich Koenig and Andreas Bauer, KBA is expanding into high-volume digital inkjet printing with the KBA RotaJET 76 manufactured at the group's main plant in Würzburg. In the editorial KBA president and CEO Claus Bolza-Schünemann writes: “Because we are press manufacturers and not dealers, we obviously preferred to develop our own product. It was the only way we could offer our customers the system best suited to their production needs from an impartial perspective. For many applications an offset press may still be the best solution, while for ultra-short runs or personalised prints it may be our new RotaJET digital press or, in some cases, a hybrid offset/inkjet system such as the offset Rapida 105 we are showcasing at Drupa with an additional inkjet unit.” In an article on the front page with the title “Seeing change as an opportunity”, KBA head of corporate communications Klaus Schmidt notes that the initial confrontation between digital and conventional media and digital and conventional printing processes is evolving into a stimulating co-existence engendering new, merged forms.

Some of the new Drupa exhibits that KBA has announced in recent weeks have already proven their mettle as disguised prototypes in customer press rooms. One of them is a 17,000sph Rapida 145 at Leopold Verpackungen in Marbach, on which there is a detailed article. Other reports from Germany and abroad include KBA's new medium-format Rapida 105 and also its high-tech Rapida 106, which will be shown at Drupa as a long perfector with perfect coating capability. The Rapida 106's maximum rated output will soon be raised to 20,000sph straight and 18,000sph in perfecting mode. Another record-breaker featured in KBA Report is a world atlas printed on a KBA Rapida 205 at Litorama in Italy. Called Earth Platinum, it measures 1.8 x 1.4m (70.86 x 55.1in) and weighs 150kg (over 330lbs). Other articles discuss new products, orders, production processes and customer verdicts on web offset, plastic printing and metal decorating presses.

Available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, KBA Report can be obtained free of charge from KBA dealers or the KBA marketing department (tel: +49 931 909-4336; fax: +49 931 909-6015; e-mail: marketing@kba.com), or downloaded as a PDF file from KBA's website (http://www.kba.com).

04/18/12

IBT Global Purchases Hamilton Printing

Press release from the issuing company

Integrated Book Technology, Inc. (IBT Global) has joined forces with Hamilton Printing Company (Hamilton) of Castleton, NY. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

John R. Paeglow III, IBT President, made the announcement Monday citing the outstanding synergies of both companies as the foundation for a bright future in the book manufacturing/publishing industry.

“I spent the first 12 years of my career under the tutelage of out-going Hamilton President Brian Payne,” said Paeglow. “I am very familiar with their staff and business model. For the last 20 years, my focus has been building a company that utilizes the latest in technology to manufacture books and help publishers to fully utilize their intellectual property. As we combine the two companies, we will be able to offer customers manufacturing for the life cycle of a title, resulting in streamlined inventory management.”

IBT’s digital offering will be enhanced by Hamilton’s web offset capabilities. When combined with IBT’s editorial, page composition, and software, linking publishers’ administrative systems and warehouses, IBT/Hamilton will enable a publisher to improve schedules and control inventory from 10,000 copies to one copy.

“Without question, this acquisition is a great strategic fit and creates a sound financial foundation for IBT/Hamilton to grow and serve its customers’ changing needs,” said John Lang, IBT Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer.

The combined entity will have over 160 employees with revenues approaching $30 million. The corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities will remain in their current locations for the time being. The new company will operate under the name IBT/Hamilton moving forward.

04/18/12

Graphic Evolution to Handle Sales and Service for KBA

Press release from the issuing company

On 1 April Graphic Evolution in Melun, France, became KBA's new sheetfed offset sales and service agency for Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Senegal. Graphic Evolution is an established professional in the print media industry and has already built up an infrastructure for catering to the needs of printers in these countries.

For KBA, the key criteria in awarding the contract were competence and efficiency in handling sales, service and spare-parts activities for all the formats in the group's portfolio.

The owners of Graphic Evolution and KBA are old acquaintances. Managing director Pierre Monopoli has known KBA-France since way back when, and until a few years ago his brother Saverio used to work there. So signing the agency contract for KBA sheetfed offset sales and services signalled a return to the fold. Following the Arab Spring the Maghreb has become a major focus for KBA. The region's entrepreneurial buzz and huge potential for growth are what prompted the world's first and oldest press manufacturer to strengthen its local presence with the competent support of Graphic Evolution.

04/17/12

IBIS to Launch Smart-binder 'Plus' at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

IBIS will launch a new enhanced model Smart-binder ‘PLUS’ system at Drupa on the JMD stand B10 in Hall 13.

Features of this new ‘PLUS’ model include higher cycling rate, indexing book transport belts in the trimmer, a cover auto-loader, automatic stop-stitch and higher web speeds.

New selective folder F-200

A new ‘selective’ folder model F-200 is now available for Smart-binder operation when web speeds exceed 300 feet/min. This folder offers the unique ability to vary the number of pages in the book on-the-run in increments of 4, by a making a combination of 8 and 12 page folded sections.

Smart-binder SB-5

IBIS is currently installing a Smart-binder SB-5 system (including both an in-line saddle-stitcher and an in-line 4-clamp perfect binder) in-line with a high speed ink jet printer (492 feet/min) at a Government Printers in Italy. This system switches automatically between saddle-stitched booklet production and perfect-bound book production.

Smart-binder SB-2 performance feedback

We have received customer feedback that during February 2012 three Smart-binder SB-2s at one site eachprocessed 26 million A4 pages into saddle-stitched booklets in-line with three digital CF printers. This represents around a million pages per day, per machine, and demonstrates the Smart-binder’s unique capability for high-volume output.

New Perfect binder (1,500 books/hour)

To complement our existing single-clamp in-line perfect binder model PB-600, we are now able to provide our new ‘Sprint-binder’ PB-2000 with 4 clamps for 1,500 perfect-bound books/hour. We can configure this binder as part of a complete system tooperate in-line with the highest speed digital CF web printers.

04/17/12

Arnold Schwarzenegger Tours Super Shop 9

Press release from the issuing company

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the muscleman turned actor turned politican who served as California's governor from 2003 to 2011, toured Venice High's School's Super Shop 9 during an open house to celebrate its new $3 million state of the art printing facility.

Schwarzenegger toured the facility for more than an hour Saturday and was assisted by students as he printed a Venice High School t-shirt and helped operate the facility's new four-color printing press.

Super Shop 9 has been home to the school's graphic communications program since 1956. Longtime Super Shop 9 instructor Art Lindauer applied for and won a $1.5 million Proposition 1D grant from the state in 2006 and then lobbied for five years to receive a $1.5 million matching grant from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Lindauer applied the grant money and matching funds to a complete overhaul of the printing shop, which now includes the four-color Speedmaster printer manufactured by Heidelberg, a two-color Printmaster, a high-speed guillotine cutter and screen printing presses. There's also a computer lab for graphic design that features a classroom full of Mac computers and a 65-inch HD TV with touch-screen capabilities. Lindauer and printing professionals believe that Venice High School is now the best equipped high school graphics printing program west of the Mississippi and Schwarzenegger said he thinks it's the best in the country.

Schwarzenegger was invited to the open house for his support of Proposition 1D, the $20 billion bond measure to repair and upgrade public schools. About 150 people attended the open house Friday despite the stormy weather and Schwarzenegger was joined Saturday by a few dozen students and family members. Venice High School Principal Elsa Mendoza and LAUSD board member Steve Zimmer also attended.

Lindauer thanked Schwarzenegger for his efforts to get Proposition 1D on the ballot and told the crowd that Schwarzenegger was the only Republican he's ever voted for.

"I fought very hard during my administration to rebuild our schools and to elevate our education system," Schwarzenegger said. "We passed in 2006 infrastructure bonds, but I made it very clear to the politicians in Sacramento that I would never sign any of the bonds if we don't also have money available for career tech education."

Schwarzenegger called Venice High one of the special schools in the state that gets students ready for higher education, but also prepares students for careers, such as printers.

"There are thousands of jobs that we need out there that aren't directly related to four-year university. You have got to be able to offer kids both, a career tech education or go to university," Schwarzenegger said.

Schwarzenegger lauded Lindauer for fighting to get the money from the state and the district. He said he visited Venice High School in the 1970s and the school had that outdated equipment until the recent upgrade.

"We've got to think about our children. Our children are the future and they are the most important thing. And, they don't have anyone fighting for them, so it's great when you see people stepping forward and fighitng for our kids," Schwarzenegger said.

Mendoza said the school held the open house to showcase the new equipment and the opportunities it opens for students.

The class is an elective with some students starting in 9th grade and taking it for several years and others who take it for only a year in the upper grades.

The class provides skills that keep them engaged while at school and also improves their chance of graduating, Mendoza said. She said that she hopes to make Super Shop 9 a priority as the school faces a declining enrollment and less funding.

Lindauer was among the thousands of teachers statewide who received layoff notices in March as the state continues to deal with budget shortfalls. Zimmer said most of the layoff notices sent in March likely will be rescinded and if exceptions have to be made he ensured that they would.

"Art (Lindauer) will be here in August," Zimmer said.

Lindauer, who has been teaching for 33 years, said he has received March layoff notices for the past three years.

Alex Mercado, 18, has been taking Super Shop 9 classes for three years and said that it was "a lot easier now" with the new equipment. Mercado explained the process, helped other students and later said that he hopes to make a career out of screen printing with the skills he's learned at Venice High.

Mitnie Hernandez, 14, a freshman, said Lindauer's class was "pretty cool." She said that she likes to make t-shirts and plans on taking technical arts while at Venice High School.

Lindauer's efforts means that students who graduate from Venice will be acquainted with the latest technology if they apply for printing jobs after graduation.

"Printing is the only industry I know where you are able to earn a good salary no matter what level of education you have," Lindauer said.

04/17/12

Russia’s First Speedmaster XL 105 with Cutstar and Prinect Inpress Control at Prof-Press

Press release from the issuing company

More than 40 representatives of printshops from Russia's Southern region and Moscow attended the recent installation ceremony of the Speedmaster XL 105 eight-color with coating and perfecting unit, CutStar and Prinect Inpress Control at Rostov-on-Don-based Prof-Press - the first press of its kind in Russia. The platform of the Speedmaster XL 105 with perfecting unit from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), designed to meet even the most ambitious demands of the market, had been launched on the occasion of drupa 2008.

Speedmaster XL 105 with perfecting unit sets new records in terms of annual production

The Speedmaster XL 105 with perfecting unit allows Prof-Print to produce a printing volume of around four million prints per month. The list of requirements from customers is continuously getting longer: fast delivery times, shorter run lengths, high quality, and exquisitely finished end products. Customers who use the Speedmaster XL 105 with perfecting device to keep their pressrooms up-to-date clearly have the edge in this regard. This Peak Performance Class press is a benchmark in the 70 x 100 centimeter format thanks to its range of automation components. The modular platform plays a key role in this.

Competitive edge: Customer benefits from Prinect Inpress Control and CutStar

Prof-Press opted for the Prinect Inpress Control spectrophotometric inline measuring system. This module automatically measures and controls color and register in the press and forwards any necessary corrections directly to the Prinect Press Center control station. Process colors, spot colors and register in the quality control strip are factored into the calculation. The company is very impressed with the speed of makeready and the way it gets to top quality quickly and retains it throughout the run.

The Speedmaster XL 105-8-P+L continuously runs at a speed of 15,000 sheets per hour and with CutStar provides an industrialized solution. The CutStar sheeter combines several advantages: It cuts paper costs because reel stock is less expensive than sheet stock and the variable cut-off length results in optimal use. It cuts production costs too because it increases the utilization levels of Speedmaster presses. There are further benefits relating to the storage area required for reels, and printing with single-web paper is also possible. The transition from web mode to sheet mode can be accomplished in a few minutes.

Prof-Press's General Manager Svyatoslav Gennadievich Shalai says that the purchase of a new press was part of the company's development plans. "The purchase of a new press fast became a vital need. We were dealing with a high work load, but had no time to print the orders. We had several offers for a new press, but finally focused on Heidelberg. In all aspects, Heidelberg CIS is the best partner in terms of consultancy and service. The new press gives us a competitive edge regarding shorter production and delivery times and stable high quality. I am certain, that more installations of presses like ours are to come in the Russian market. " Prof-Press concluded a service contract with Heidelberg comprising unlimited services and the supply of genuine service parts.

Prof-Press, founded in 2002, mainly manufactures children's books as well as stationery. The company started with a workforce of nine and today occupies a staff of more than 300. The new Speedmaster XL 105-8-P+L works alongside further Heidelberg equipment: a Speedmaster SM 102-2-P, a Printmaster 74-4, four recently installed Polar cutters, a CtP Suprasetter A105, and a Stahlfolder KH 78 folding machine.

04/16/12

interlinkONE to Offer Free Webinar

Press release from the issuing company

interlinkONE, a provider of web-based marketing software solutions, announced that it is hosting a free webinar on April 18th. This webinar is intended for companies that are looking to understand how they can capitalize on the growing importance of mobile in the marketing mix. The webinar, which is themed “Finding Success with QR Codes and the Mobile Web”, will be held on April 18th, 2012 at 2PM Eastern Time.

Registration is free, but limited. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at http://ilink.me/AprilWeb.

During the webinar, interlinkONE’s Jason Pinto and two co-presenters will cover topics such as:

Best Practices for Implementing QR Codes: Design tips and strategies for increasing the number of QR Code scans.

Building an Engaging Mobile Website: Tools and best practices that companies can use to effectively build mobile websites that provide relevant information and generate leads.

Strategies for Selling Mobile Solutions: Promotional ideas and sales steps that service providers can follow to actually monetize QR Codes and mobile websites.

And more!

“There is no doubt that mobile is changing the world of marketing and communications,” said Pinto. “But while the usage of QR Codes and other mobile tags has increased greatly over the past year, some companies have been disappointed by the results. During this webinar, we’ll discuss whether it’s the technology that needs to be changed, or if best practices and integrated strategies can help us to find success with mobile.”

Register for this April 18th webinar at http://ilink.me/AprilWeb.

04/16/12

Conqueror's "Typographic Games" Due April 30

Press release from the issuing company

For the last four months, Conqueror's "Typographic Games" have challenged international designers to create the best typographic poster on the theme of sport, based on the statement: "It's not what you win, but how you conquer it." Creative minds that want to participate now have until April 30 to enter the competition, reaching the first step of the podium.

Conqueror is the global premium paper brand from Arjowiggins Creative Papers of Paris, France, which is distributed exclusively in North America by Appleton Coated. Learn more about Conqueror and the "Typographic Games" at Conqueror.com. Submission is free and entries are posted online. Website visitors show their support by voting for their favorites.

With only five months until the opening of the Olympic Games, more than 500 posters from 50-plus countries are now in competition. The top five are from Ireland, Italy (two entries), Turkey and France. The international panel of jurors will deliberate on the top 50 designs for the "Typographic Games" in June 2012.

The jury of this race of the imagination is composed of journalists, bloggers, designers and typographers who will select the winners of this Olympic-style competition. World-renown typographer, Jean-François Porchez, heads the jury. Porchez designed five bespoke "Conqueror" typefaces as part of the "It's Not What You Say, It's How You Say It" award-winning campaign, which re-launched the Conqueror brand in 2010.

Other jurors for Conqueror's "Typographic Games" include:
* Tim Lindsay, President of D&AD (United Kingdom)
* Étienne Hervy, Artistic Director of the Poster and Graphic Design Festival of Chaumont (France)
* Patrick Burgoyne, Editor of Creative Review (United Kingdom)
* Caroline Bouige, Deputy Chief Editor of Etapes (France)
* Christine Moosmann, Editor of Novum (Germany)
* Romain Colin, Founder of Fubiz (France)
* Joep Pohlen, Designer (Netherlands)
* Yves Peters, Typographer (Belgium)
* Stephen Coles, Typographer (United States)
* Eric Chan, Blogger and Designer (Hong-Kong)

The jury will announce the winners on June 14 at the Colette shop in Paris. During the evening, the top 50 posters will be displayed. The 'Gold' winner will receive tickets to the 2012 Olympic Games, as well as a trip to London, and the five 'Silver' winners will receive a pair of Nike shoes. Their posters, in addition to seven 'Bronze' winner submissions, will be published in the international design magazine, "Creative Review."

04/16/12

Alwan Color Expertise Announces New Multicolor Technologies for PDF / PRINT Control and Standardization

Press release from the issuing company

“For years, print buyers and printers have been looking for solutions to help them predict and stabilize color reproduction” said Elie Khoury, Alwan’s President. “But this can be a daunting process. With print buyers increasingly demanding consistent colors, it is critical for printers to step up their efforts to standardize their printing processes and to demonstrate compliance on a daily basis. Alwan has developed its new solutions to allow printers easily obtain ISO 12647 or G7 certification, but also to extend their color control and standardization to non CMYK printing processes such as multicolor and spot color printing.” Khoury also points out that all checks, corrections and process assessments performed on files or on press using Alwan solutions are documented in xml and PDF reports. Those reports delivered by all Alwan solutions conform to ISO 9000 quality management requirements, delivering an unprecedented level of operational security and information traceability.

Alwan will be exhibiting its suite of solutions in Hall 09, Stand D10, at DRUPA 2012. The company plans to offer promotional pricing, product bundling and the opportunity for visitors to win prizes during the show.

Alwan's Color Control and Standardization Solutions
The Alwan suite consists of three independent software modules that can be used either separately or in conjunction with each other to ensure total ISO and G7 compliance throughout production:

· PDF Color Preflight, Conformance and Ink Reduction: CMYK Optimizer
· Printing Device Calibration and Conformance : PRINT Standardizer
· Proof and Printed Products Assessment: PRINT Verifier
Alwan solutions offer the unique ability to check, correct and report on any operation conducted on Color data, PDF files and Printing devices in a production workflow.

Alwan’s software suite brings an unparalleled level of control as well as a high degree of security made possible by the interconnectivity of the Alwan software suite.

“By bringing together these modules” concluded Khoury, “Alwan has again demonstrated its deep color expertise and dedication to bringing the delivery of compliant printed products within easy reach for any printing operation.

We are excited to welcome visitors to our stand at DRUPA to see this unique suite in action.”

About CMYK Optimizer
With more than 1,000 installations worldwide, Alwan CMYK Optimizer remains the a leading automated color server with its integrated Dynamic DeviceLinks technology for publishers and print service providers.

It is adapted to all types of workflows and printing devices, including offset, flexo, gravure, screen and digital, as well as large and wide format devices which can see as much as 30% in savings in expensive inks.

In contrast to other color server solutions, Alwan uses a dynamic approach. Every file is analyzed and its color preflighted before further processing takes place. This guarantees that all necessary parameters for good color transformation are understood in advance of actually printing the job. Depending upon the output settings, and based on the color analysis of the job, a Dynamic DeviceLinks profile is calculated. This allows color transformation to be implemented in such a way that ink consumption is reduced without visual changes in the color impression and/or measurement, maintaining PDF color integrity.

Thanks to its embedded Adobe PDF library, CMYK Optimizer also delivers exceptional transparency management, maintaining color integrity of transparent objects in PDF/X1a and PDF/X4 workflows.

About Print Standardizer

With more than 200 ISO 12647 and G7 certified sites worldwide, Alwan Print Standardizer, is an Industry-First automated Quality Control and Assurance server system for the pressroom.

It provides printers with an easy and automated way to calibrate their conventional presses and digital printers in order achieve ISO 12647 and G7 conformance after few hours in production.

With Alwan’s unique Dynamic Calibration technology, printer conformance is automatically achieved during production, which eliminates the need to conduct costly, time-consuming and often insufficient calibration sessions.

PRINT Standardizer supports most popular press measurement systems including X-Rite and Techkon press-side instruments and QuadTech in-line instruments.

About Alwan Print Verifier
Alwan Print Verifier is a print verification software for handheld devices destined to print buyers and quality assurance operators.

Unique to Print Verifier is its ability to hold a number of quality control settings in its "Settings" manager. This allows operators to save, export and import quality-control analysis conditions including: Target, Instrument, Control strip, Measuring conditions, and Assessment method. This unique capability guarantees printers and print buyers that they are performing quality control measurements in identical conditions, hence avoiding mistakes and inaccuracies that can lead to false results, disagreements, and other potential conflicts that can now be avoided.

PRINT Verifier supports most popular handheld measurement instruments including X-Rite and Techkon prepress and press instruments.

04/13/12

Countdown to drupa 2012 Has Started

Press release from the issuing company

Hall 1 at the Dusseldorf exhibition center still looks like many other exhibition halls. But this will all change in less than four weeks when five Hei-Tech print shops, representing successful business models, go into operation in the hall for 14 days. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), the world leader in the print media industry, is once again the largest exhibitor at drupa this year. The world's largest trade show for the printing and paper industry will run from May 3 through 16.

Heidelberg is presenting around 60 innovations under the banner "Discover HEI" at drupa, which is being held every four years. The company is exhibiting its complete portfolio of solutions for commercial and packaging printing at its booth, which covers around 6,300 square meters (67,800 square feet) - roughly equivalent to a soccer field. This portfolio ranges from prepress to postpress and includes the full offering for digital printing. "Building such complete and integrated print shops would normally take longer than half a year," explains Uwe Galm, the technical manager for the drupa presentation at Heidelberg. He doesn't have that much time on this occasion though - exactly 27 days and nights will have to do.

Just before Easter, Heidelberg gained entry to Hall 1 and over the holidays large parts of the infrastructure were installed such as lighting, sound, and cabling in the floor and along the ceiling. The Tuesday after Easter saw assembly of the machines get underway. Two weeks later, on April 23, Heidelberg aims to begin testing all the assembled machines to ensure they are fully functional. Everything needs to be ready on the afternoon of May 2, barring a few smaller jobs.

This is a mammoth task logistically for Galm and his team, involving almost 200 service engineers, booth builders, electricians, and lighting and audio engineers. In the first few days, they will be working in two shifts around the clock and later in just one. Around 2,000 metric tons of material will need to be brought to the right locations at the booth - but first of all it has to be transported to Dusseldorf. The weight equates to around 1,500 mid-range cars or 100 truck loads in the 40 metric ton class and everything will need to reach the exhibition center in a precise sequence. The heaviest individual component, the Dymatrix 106 die cutter, is 10 meters (33 feet) long, 2.70 meters (9 feet) wide, 3 meters (10 feet) high, and weighs 33 metric tons alone. In all, 12 presses and 11 postpress machines will be installed at the Heidelberg booth.

The volume of materials that Galm has to provide for power supplies, communications, and setting up a data network is also impressive. His "must do" list includes 3.2 kilometers (2 miles) of fiber optic cables, 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of 230 V power lines, 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) of telephone lines, 8.5 kilometers (5 miles) of cables, 6 kilometers (4 miles) of data cables, and a whole lot more besides. To show the machines in the right light, he also needs 1,150 conventional and 400 LED spotlights with a total output of 1.2 megawatts, while 130 loudspeakers will ensure the correct acoustics.

Running the booth itself will also be a major organizational and logistical challenge. Around 1,200 employees at Heidelberg are involved in preparing for and staging drupa. They and some 130 hostesses have been given intensive training for several weeks to ensure everything is just right and to make the visitors, who are expected to number around 360,000, feel completely at home.
Entire trade show booth is to be carbon-offset

Yet Heidelberg doesn't just attach importance to a perfect trade show presentation. It is also committed to ensuring it is as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. Attention was focused on environmentally friendly processes and reusable/recyclable materials as early as the planning and tendering phase. The entire trade show presentation will be climate-neutral, which means CO2 emissions for all processes and materials related to the trade show will be offset. This applies to all areas ranging from project management and logistics operations - including assembling and dismantling machinery - to operating the machinery, travel to and from the event, and accommodation for staff. Additional parameters involved in the CO2 calculations for the booth include consumables used such as paper and inks and power supplies for the technology and equipment at the show. The monetary equivalent of the CO2 emissions will go toward a reforestation project in Togo.

At drupa 2012, Heidelberg will also be underlining its pioneering role in green printing itself. The company is the first manufacturer worldwide to offer the option of carbon-offset presses ex works. Virtually all sheetfed offset presses featured at drupa will also contain an energy meter that measures the power consumption per 1,000 sheets, thus making it easier for customers to save electricity.

Galm and his team are faced with an extremely busy April. But this doesn't daunt the 44-year-old - although this is the qualified IT specialist's first drupa in his current role, it is already his fourth time in Dusseldorf.

04/13/12

Average Tenure of CEOs Declined to 8.4 Years

Press release from the issuing company

The average tenure of a CEO declined to 8.4 years in 2011 from approximately 10 years in 2000, according to the 2012 edition of CEO Succession Practices, a new report by The Conference Board, the global business research and membership organization.

CEO Succession Practices documents and analyzes succession events for CEOs in S&P 500 companies in 2011. It includes historical comparisons with data from the last decade and a review of findings from a survey of general counsel and corporate secretaries at more than 330 U.S. public companies.

“The stronger independence and accountability of directors registered during the last decade and increased scrutiny from shareholders and activists might motivate corporate boards to be more inclined to dismiss a CEO who is performing below expectations,” said Matteo Tonello, Managing Director of Corporate Leadership at The Conference Board and co-author of the report with Jason Schloetzer, Assistant Professor at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, and Melissa Aguilar, a researcher in the corporate leadership department at The Conference Board. “In addition, the pressure of serving as the CEO of a large company in an increasingly competitive global marketplace could contribute to voluntarily shorter tenures, suggesting that CEOs are leaving on their own terms after fewer years in the position.”

The lower-than-average tenure recorded in 2003 (7.4 years) may have been related to the U.S. recession following September 11, 2001, and an increase in widely publicized accounting scandals.

Following are some of the key findings described in the 2012 edition of the report. To access the report, visit www.conference-board.org/CEOsuccession2012.

CEO succession rate

In 2011, 55 CEOs in the S&P 500 left their post. The rate of CEO succession was 10.8 percent, consistent with the average number of annual succession announcements from 2000 through 2010.

Company performance and CEO age as determinants

The probability of CEO succession is higher following poor performance. In the 2000–2010 period, the succession rate of CEOs of poorly performing companies averaged 14.0 percent, ranging from a high of 21.2 percent to a low of 10.0 percent. In 2011, the succession rate of CEOs of poorly performing companies was consistent with the prior trend at 12.7 percent. The succession rate of CEOs of better performing companies varied from 6.5 percent to 11.6 percent during the 2000-2010 period, averaging, 9.7 percent. In 2011, the succession rate of CEOs of better performing companies was 10.3 percent.

The probability of CEO succession is also higher for CEOs who are at least 64 years of age. In the 2000–2011 period, the succession rate of CEOs who were at least 64 years old ranged from 29.0 percent to 9.4 percent (on average, 18.4 percent over the period), while the succession rate of younger CEOs ranged from 8.3 percent to 13.4 percent (on average, 10.1 percent over the period). The rate of CEO succession for younger CEOs is remarkably consistent across the sample.

CEO dismissal rates

CEO dismissal rates vary across the 2000–2011 period, ranging from a high of 40.0 percent in 2002 to a low of 16.2 percent in 2005 (on average, 28.2 percent for the period). Despite that variance, the rate of CEO dismissals for the 2000–2005 period, at 28.6 percent, is similar to the rate for the 2006–2011 period, at 27.9 percent. Since 2008, which roughly coincides with the beginning of the financial crisis, 28.6 percent of all succession events were associated with CEO dismissals.

Inside promotions and outside hires

Consistent with a continuing trend in the hiring of outsiders that has been recorded since the 1970s, 19.2 percent of successions in 2011 involved an outsider CEO appointment.

Joint election as board chairman

Only 19.2 percent of the 55 successions in 2011 involved the immediate joint appointment of an individual as CEO and chairman of the board of directors. Based on reviewed succession announcements, the majority of departing CEOs remained as board chairman for at least a brief transition period, typically until the next shareholder meeting.

“Anticipating a change in CEO and understanding the succession process can often be a challenge for market participants,” said Jason Schloetzer. “Fifty percent of CEO succession announcements from S&P 500 companies in 2011 were effective immediately, while two-thirds of announcements fail to provide market participants with a clear window into the board’s process of selecting the successor CEO.”

“Interestingly, the tendency to appoint a seasoned executive as incoming CEO is related to firm performance,” noted Melissa Aguilar. “The data shows better-performing companies appointed seasoned executives—those with tenure in the company exceeding 20 years—far more frequently than their poor-performing counterparts.”

The printing of the report was possible thanks to the generous support of RHR International and Latham & Watkins LLP.

Source: CEO Succession Practices: 2012 Edition, Report R-1492-12-RR, The Conference Board.

04/13/12

Hamillroad Software Publishes Auraia-II Sample Book

Press release from the issuing company

Hamillroad Software, a leading RIP and screening innovator, today announced the publication of their Auraia-II Sample Book exhibiting real-world works of DM screening. Developed for the printing community, the 94-pp book compares and contrasts the benefits achieved with DM Screening. The Sample Book is available on a first-come, first-serve basis and free of charge, but is limited to one book per request with a total worldwide distribution of 2,000 books. To request a Sample Book, email auraia@hamillroad.com and include a shipping address and contact information.

Commenting on the Auraia-II Sample Book, Professor Hans Kellogg, Professor in Graphic Arts Management at Ball State University, USA said, “I just received the Sample Book and to say I am excited is an understatement! I am forcing myself to read the complete explanations; without flipping to the back and looking at the results. It is almost like someone reading the latest in the Harry Potter series and wanting to flip to the end to see what happens”. After studying it in detail, Prof Kellogg went on to say "I just finished the Auraia Sample book and I must say it is very impressive. What are most striking are the smooth tonal renditions of the vignettes (and flat tints) and its ability to hold open the subtle detail within the deep shadows. Very nice!”

Kevin Caughtry, Sales Manager for Compose System in the United Kingdom and Ireland, said, “It’s a fantastic marketing tool for showing a printer just what they can achieve with Auraia-II; how they can improve their print quality, reduce pre-press and press issues and save money whilst doing so”. Kevin went on to say “The first Commercial Director I showed it to almost fell of his chair with excitement when he viewed the printed examples and immediately committed to running a print trial. The response has been very overwhelming at all levels of the printing industry”.

Note: Compose Systems will be exhibiting at Drupa 2012: Hall 9, Stand E31. Ask for Kevin.

Each Auraia-II DM Screening Sample Book contains 15 real-world jobs, including invoices, shipping notes, letterheads, compliment slips, business cards and company brochures on a wide range of stocks from 70 gsm uncoated NCR paper through to 350 gsm silk coated board. Each sample is printed on the left hand side with a 175 lpi AM screen and on the right hand side with Auraia-II for easy comparison. On the front of each sample is a narrative providing background information on the job and what benefit the printer was seeking in using DM Screening. To push the envelope and provide a wider range of comparison, some jobs were also printed using a coarser 133 lpi AM screen or a finer 250 lpi AM screen.

At the back of the book are two technical pages, one on coated and one on uncoated, showing some more specific technical benefits of Auraia. These are followed by four ICC prints, of a 175 lpi screen and Auraia both on coated and uncoated stocks, that were used to measure the press (tone) curves used to align the color of Auraia with the 175 lpi screen. The complete book was plated on a violet CtP device, so an additional fifth ICC print was included which was plated on a thermal CtP device so as to enable a direct comparison of the results from the two competing plate technologies.

In addition to eliminating many (if not all) of the issues with conventional screening and producing higher quality results, press ink duct settings were recorded for one of the jobs which clearly shows that ink savings of up to 20% are achievable (depending on job) at the same time as producing the higher quality results. This enables an incredible ROI to be obtained with a relatively small investment in the technology, allowing a printer to increase their profitability and business.

The company’s new DM-II screening technology, “Auraia-II”, is a revolutionary innovation that enables high-end violet and thermal CtP devices to produce images that emulate the quality of a traditional 400-500 lpi screen for commercial printers and 200-250 lpi screen for newspaper printers. It ensures production of rosette-free, moiré-free and noise-free flat tints that equal or better the smoothness of conventional screening. In fact several tests have proved that Auraia-II produces noticeably smoother flat tints than high-lpi conventional AM/XM screens. For more information, go to http://www.hamillroad.com/main/products/auraiascreening.htm.

The Auraia-II Sample Book is available to the media, commercial printers / publishers, industry consultants / analysts, printing associations and printing colleges / universities worldwide. To receive a copy please contact auraia@hamillroad.com and supply your shipping address and contact information.

The Auraia-II Screening module is available immediately through Hamillroad Software's dealer network. For a list of dealers, go to http://www.hamillroad.com/main/sales/auraia.htm.

04/12/12

EFI Acquires Metrics Sistemas

Press release from the issuing company

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced it has acquired privately-held Metrics Sistemas de Informacao ("Metrics"). Metrics is a leader in ERP (MIS) systems for the printing and packaging industries in Latin America. While financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, the acquisition is not expected to be material to EFI's 2012 results.

“The addition of Metrics’s high-caliber team and the extensive customer base they have built in South and Central America combined with EFI’s software portfolio will allow us to provide a higher value proposition to customers, along with creating a platform for EFI to introduce our unique digital eco-system to the region,” said Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI. “Latin America is a vibrant market with exciting growth opportunities for the entire EFI portfolio ranging from Fiery workflow, to our cloud and customer-hosted web-to-print and ERP software, all the way to our industrial inkjet production printers. With this acquisition we believe we are now the largest MIS/ERP provider to the printing and packaging industries in North and South America, Europe, Australia/New Zealand and South Africa with over 20,000 installations worldwide.”

Metrics is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Over the past 14 years, the company has built a base of more than 250 customers in Brazil and Latin America. Metrics will become part of EFI's Business Software portfolio under the leadership of Osmar Barbosa, co-founder and CEO of Metrics. Customers of Metrics will be able to take advantage of EFI’s complete product portfolio, as the Metrics product will be integrated with EFI’s industry-leading Fiery digital front ends, as well as VUTEk and Jetrion inkjet printers so Metrics’s customers can enjoy the same advantages of integration that EFI’s other MIS clients have.

EFI intends to integrate support and operation of Metrics into the existing Business Software organization, while continuing to enhance the product offerings. The Metrics organization will assist with the localization of EFI’s existing product portfolio for the Brazilian and other Latin American markets and will be cross-trained so they may deploy and support EFI PrintSmith, EFI Pace, EFI Monarch, EFI Radius and EFI Digital StoreFront throughout Latin America.

“Metrics is excited to join the world-class team of EFI employees and become the centerpiece of EFI’s strategic focus and investment in Latin America,” said Barbosa, who is now general manager of EFI Business Software, Latin America. “In addition to our current solution, our customers will now have access to an extensive portfolio of industry-leading technology, with more options to grow their business, while continuing to receive the same high-level of support and attention they are accustomed to. We are especially gratified that we were able to keep our entire team intact as part of the transition to EFI, and that EFI is looking to grow our staff in the coming years.”

“Metrics has been extremely successful in Latin America, and as with our other acquisitions, we examined all of the competitors in the region and determined that Metrics was by far the best company,” said Marc Olin, senior VP of EFI Business Software and general manager. “They offer the strongest customer base in South and Central America, and have enabled EFI to establish a software group in the region. EFI is very committed to this business and to being the market leader in all regions of the world. With this investment we will continue to build upon the strength of our Americas organization and now offer Spanish and Portuguese implementation and support services for the EFI software portfolio.”

With the addition of Metrics, EFI is now a leading MIS/ERP provider in South and Central America, specifically Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico and Peru.

04/12/12

KBA Launches Varius 80 Variable-Format Web Offset Press For Flexible Packaging

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America announces that it will launch the Varius 80, a new variable-format web offset press for the flexible packaging market at Drupa 2012 scheduled for May 3-16 in Düsseldorf, Germany. KBA has booked a large 37,700ft² stand in Hall 16, Stand C47 as the showcase for its many new developments for sheetfed, digital and web offset printers.

The new Varius 80 is a modular, variable-format web offset press designed for the flexible packaging market. It implements the same waterless technology as the KBA Genius 52UV 20-inch press, with short-train inking units and UV drying. This combination achieves excellent print quality on flexible, non-absorbent substrates with very low start-up waste. The offset plates, moreover, are significantly less expensive than the sleeves required for a flexo process. The keyless and waterless Varius 80 is already in full color after 328 feet – a waste saving of around 80% compared to other presses. As runs become ever shorter and job changes more frequent, it is an advantage that can make all the difference. And the higher quality of offset compared to flexo no doubt answers the wishes of many print customers. The press is also environmentally-friendly since the Varius 80 uses no water, no solvent and no powder. Engineered for a maximum web width of 31.5-inches and a production speed of 1,312 feet per minute, the Varius 80 from KBA-MePrint handles substrate thicknesses from 30 to 800µm. The printing length is variable between 21 and 34 inches. Changes in format length are accomplished in a matter of minutes with an automated plate and blanket cylinder change function (no sleeves).

04/12/12

Scodix to Introduce Two Sheet Size Formats at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

Scodix, a leading provider of digital enhancement solutions for the graphic arts industry, is proud to introduce the new Scodix Digital Press S Series, to support B2+ and B3+ size applications. With the S52 and S74 presses, to be unveiled at the DRUPA conference in Dusseldorf, Germany, in May, Scodix increases the differentiation capabilities that print service providers can pass on to their customers.

The Scodix S Digital Press series that creates the tangible Scodix SENSE experience uses advanced jetting block and multiple independently controlled inkjet nozzles that delivers Scodix's proprietary PolySENSE clear polymer in small drops and multiple layers. The Scodix patent-pending Optical Print Alignment (OPA) camera system executes enhancements with pinpoint accuracy, scanning each and every sheet to ensure delivery of the Scodix PolySENSE clear polymer to its exact location.

As a stand-alone solution compatible with offset, laminated sheets and digital print feeds, the press automatically processes a wide range of substrates and formats - substrates weights from 135 to 675 gsm / 6-30 points and thickness of up to 0.7mm / 700 microns. The Scodix S Series can print variable levels of thickness and texture, with a thick clear polymer that can reach as high as 250 microns, enabling the production of Braille letters as well as graphic elements.

Now Scodix has increased its printing capacity to include B3+ (52cm/20”) and B2+ (74cm/29”) size application versatility. These additional different size products, with the thicker substrates and higher ScodixSENSE solution of up to 250 microns, open more opportunities for digital PSP's. "Our mission is to lead print enhancements into the digital age with our commitment and passion to continuously providing our customers, and in turn their customers, with what they need most" said Kobi Bar, CEO and Founder of Scodix. Since Scodix's enhancement products are modular and their new features are add-ons that can be fully integrated into customers' existing Scodix systems, PSP's can easily and cost-effectively provide the ScodixSENSE experience on the majority of graphic art requests.

04/11/12

Graphcom Receives G7 Certification

Press release from the issuing company

Graphcom, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company, with capabilities including digital printing, offset printing, web printing, packaging and fulfillment, announced today it has achieved G7 Master Qualified Printer status through IDEAlliance, the non-profit industry organization that develops, educates, and validates best practices in publishing and information technology. Graphcom’s G7 Master Qualified Printer designation highlights the company’s commitment to quality, consistency and color management.

“Graphcom's status as a G7 Master Qualified Printer provides our customers with the confidence that we are providing best-in-class color matching and printed products of the highest quality available,” said Kenny Carter, President of Graphcom. “This certification is just one part of our greater commitment to serve our customers with the best service, quality, and capabilities the print industry has to offer.”

Graphcom has been trained to utilize the new G7 methodology and can produce a press sheet to GRACoL (General Requirements for Applications in Commercial Offset Lithography) targets within acceptable tolerances. By achieving the status of a G7 Master Printer, Graphcom can reliably produce high-quality printing with a close visual appearance from proof to press, as well as from press to press. As a G7 Master Printer, the company will go through a yearly requalification audit to ensure it maintains IDEAlliance calibration and process standards.

Including Graphcom, 60 Consolidated Graphics companies hold the G7 Master Printer status, giving the company the distinction of having the most G7 certified printers in the world.

04/11/12

ODM to Officially Launch Super Sewer XXL at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

The Next Generation of the ODM Super Sewer XXL is an automatic side sewing machine designed for ‘on-demand’ photo books up to one-inch (25 mm) thick. The Super Sewer XXL features the same Back Tack Technology, as in the Super Sewer. Simply put, the machine does a reverse lock-stitch on the head and foot of the book block ensuring a very strong side sew which will not come apart like standard side sewn books normally do. The Super Sewer™ XXL pre-drills holes prior to thread stitching enabling the book block thickness up to one inch. The Super Sewer™ XXL can sew up to 400 books per hour and is easy to operate with a touch screen LCD color control panel, high speed drill station and vacuum drill waste removal system. CE approved.

Book size:
Minimum: 4” x 4” (100 mm x 100 mm)
Maximum: 18” x 18” (450 mm x 450 mm); up to 1” (25 mm) thick
Production: up to 400 books per hour
ODM will be exhibiting their latest casemaking line at drupa 2012 – Hall 15 / A11-2 in Düsseldorf, Germany from May 3 - 16.

04/11/12

Redcort Software's Virtual TimeClock '12

Press release from the issuing company

Employers looking for an easier way to manage employee timecards will appreciate the new features and redesigned interface in today’s release of Virtual TimeClock ’12 from Redcort Software, Inc. A simple new user interface for clocking in, out, and managing elapsed time for activities ensures that hours are easily and accurately recorded. With new support for QuickBooks, employee hours and overtime flow from Virtual TimeClock directly into QuickBooks timesheets for fast, error free payroll processing.

The new QuickBooks payroll integration joins Virtual TimeClock support for Paychex, SurePayroll, PayChoice, AccountEdge, and CheckMark Payroll, providing employers flexibility and choice in their timeclock payroll solution. Posey Hedges of Old City Millwork in Tennessee has been using Virtual TimeClock for the last four years. "Virtual TimeClock has become a business tool we cannot do without." Hedges commented, "Now with QuickBooks integration, our record keeping just got even easier."

"Virtual TimeClock ‘12 is our most ambitious upgrade in a decade," said Keith DeLong, CEO of Redcort Software. “Many of our larger customers have asked us for secure and simplified user options.” Because adding new options can bring unwanted complexity, DeLong continued, “The really hard work for us was reengineering the entire user experience to make a more powerful and flexible Virtual TimeClock even easier to setup, manage and use.”

Virtual TimeClock’s new user options include numeric and alphanumeric entry options and a new individual interface that creates a personal time clock for users when privacy is a concern. Elias Rodriguez, Campus Technologist for Leander ISD in Leander, Texas has deployed Virtual TimeClock throughout his school district for student time tracking. He appreciates the benefits of Virtual TimeClock’s new PIN interface saying, “Students will no longer have to search through a list of 1,200 names. This immediate access will allow more time for personalized instruction. And with more instruction, the student has a greater chance of success in their upcoming assessment."

Included with the introduction of new user options, Virtual TimeClock ’12 includes an all new Configuration Center that facilities easy program setup and maintenance. New administrative and manager toolbars make it easy to find and perform common administrative actions. At the request of network users concerned about security, the Virtual TimeClock suite includes a new User Client application that allows use of the time clock without any administrative features. A new time source option rounds out the new security features by using an Internet Time Server for added confidence in the accuracy and integrity of all timecard entries.

A complete list of Virtual TimeClock ‘12 new features and a fully functional free trial of Virtual TimeClock software is available at the Redcort Software web site. Free trials are available for the Basic, Pro and Network Editions of Virtual TimeClock at www.redcort.com.

Pricing for Virtual TimeClock '12 starts at $99 (USD). Annual software maintenance and support as well as generously discounted upgrade pricing is available. Full pricing details are available online at the Redcort Software store.

04/10/12

Acting Public Printer on "Doing More With Less"

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office's (GPO) Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks will address approximately 100 mid to senior level financial officials from agencies throughout the Federal Government on the topic of "Leading with less in the Federal Government." The symposium is being hosted by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA). GPO has been a leader in the Federal Government for doing more with less while budgets are being reduced. GPO was commended during a legislative branch appropriations hearing for setting the standard in the Federal Government for finding savings and implementing cost cutting initiatives. Vance-Cooks will share the ways GPO has reduced costs while maintaining productivity and moving forward as the digital information platform for the Federal Government.

WHEN:
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
1:30 p.m. EST

WHERE:
KPMG LLP
1801 K Street NW
Washington, DC 20006

04/10/12

Konica Minolta bizhub 215 MFP Launched

Press release from the issuing company

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announces the launch of the bizhub 215 Monochrome Multifunctional Product (MFP - print, copy, fax and scan all in one system). Delivering power, productivity and value to the desktop, the new bizhub 215 features a modular design with a broad range of options to increase paper handling, add network capabilities and more, for a completely customizable document management solution.

Offering output speeds of up to 21 pages per minute (ppm), high resolution output at 600 dpi x 600 dpi featuring Konica Minolta’s Simitri HD Toner Technology, and color scanning capabilities, the bizhub 215 MFP is ideal for small businesses and workgroups. The modular design of the bizhub 215 offers the ability to create the perfect solution to suit a variety of environments, with options to increase paper handling, add network capabilities, fax functionality and more. In addition, an integrated Toner Loop Mechanism recycles and reuses toner particles that have not been transferred to paper, thereby reducing toner waste on the bizhub 215 MFP to zero, making it one of the most sustainable MFPs in its class.

“By allowing a completely customizable configuration that can be uniquely tailored to fit each and every user environment, the bizhub 215 MFP permits flexible document management directly from the desktop,” said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “The bizhub 215 is an ideal solution for users looking for color scanning workflow and monochrome printing, and is just another reason why customers can count on Konica Minolta to deliver hard-working, digital printing solutions that optimize print and document workflow efficiency.”

04/10/12

World Record-breaking Paper Airplane Takes Flight on Conqueror

Press release from the issuing company

The paper airplane designed by John Collins that broke the Guinness World Record for greatest distance flown was fashioned out of Conqueror CX22. "As the exclusive North American distributor for Arjowiggins, Appleton Coated was pleased to have arranged the donation that put the world's best identity paper into the hands of the world's best paper airplane guy," says Ferkó X. Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager.

Known as "the paper airplane guy," Collins has been perfecting his design for several years. In 2011, he selected Conqueror as his paper of choice. Davis' "pilot" and Arena Football League quarterback, Joe Ayoob, threw the hand-folded paper aircraft 226 feet, 10 inches on Feb. 26, 2012 at McClellan Air Force Base in California. This is the greatest distance ever recorded for a paper airplane flight. (Video)

"We are very excited for John and Joe, and to have Conqueror be a part of this record-breaking event. It's a winning combination: earning a world record using the world's most-recognized communication and identity paper," says Goldinger. "Available in more than 120 countries, Conqueror reflects attention to the smallest of details and leaves a lasting, positive impression -- whether used in the best paper airplanes or by the most-recognized global brands."

Conqueror also sends an environmentally responsible message, as the products are elemental chlorine-free, acid-free, have earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and are manufactured in an ISO 14001-certified facility.

For more information on Appleton Coated, please visit appletoncoated.com. To learn more about Conqueror, please see CuriousPapers.com and click on the "Conqueror" icon.

04/09/12

Seasoned Direct Marketer Joins V3

Press release from the issuing company

Industry veteran, Andrew Hennings, is the newest addition to V3’s sales and marketing team. Assuming the role of account executive, Hennings will work out of the Los Angeles office and bring expertise in integrated direct marketing services and extensive knowledge of production, manufacturing, fulfillment, quality assurance and logistics.

A graduate from the University of La Verne, Hennings has over 23 years experience in the direct marketing industry and numerous certifications in customer service, quality management and USPS mail services. Prior to joining V3, he most recently served as vice president at Direct Connection Marketing Communications and was formerly vice president of operations at Harte-Hanks, a worldwide direct and targeted marketing company. His clientele included non-profit organizations, educational institutions and companies in the financial, high-tech, pharmaceutical, electronic and retail industries.

Mike Szanger, V3’s vice president of sales, remarks: “Andy is a respected leader in the business community who has tremendous insight on where the industry is heading and proven experience helping clients take advantage of it.”

In addition to his professional duties, Hennings has previously served as presidents of the Orange County Chapter of the American Marketing Association and of the California Inland Counties Chapter. Additionally, he has been a speaker at the National Postal Forum and an academic Advisory Board member at California State University, Fullerton. Hennings lives in La Verne with his wife, Leslie, and three daughters.

04/09/12

WEILBURGER Graphics' SENOFLEX

Press release from the issuing company

For some time now it is impossible to imagine the packaging industry without the corrugated direct printing. The printing systems become steadier and the achievable qualities of the printing results rise. For quite some time WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH also offers under the product class SENOFLEX a co-ordinated ink and coating series for this market. It resulted from the specific requirements for special formulations for these products from the customers

Ink quality through:
• Ideal processing times
best print technical performance of the ink at the plate or rather at the anilox roller while at the same time low cleaning effort

• Optimized discharging properties
for an excellent ink transfer to the plate/printing substrate while at the same time reduced adding of the anilox roller in regard to the cleaning intervals.

• High concentrated ink series
low dot gain, constant vignetted screen tints, good drying characteristics for an excellent printing

And coating quality through:
• Optimized penetration performance
fast drying in combination with our ink system

• Blocking resistance and rub resistance
best possible wet blocking resistance while at the same time high rub resistance for further processing

• Static and dynamic friction
excellent static and dynamic friction in regard to transport properties

The inks and coatings of the SENOFLEX product class from the company WEILBURGER Graphics have been specifically designed in regard to these quality criterions and are able to achieve excellent results also at high printing speed. Furthermore the optimized drying characteristics and the reduced cleaning effort and cleaning agents contribute to an increase of economic and energy efficiency.

SENOFLEX inks are actually available as euroscale inks as well as a mixing system with thirteen basic inks. The special inks which come out of it cover the complete spot ink segment; very brilliant gold and silver inks complete the product program. For finishing matt and glossy SENOFLEX coatings as well a wide range of effect coatings are offered from the extensive product line.

Arno Dürr – Sales Manager of WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH – comments on the SENOFLEX product class: “From our point of view flexo printing will become more and more important in the future, especially in the premium field of packaging. By the interaction of high quality and co-ordinated components and processes, qualities can be achieved, which were considered impossible a few years ago.” Arno Dürr further: “Not least with the top-class co-operation with selected machine manufacturers, suppliers and manufacturing companies we could develop with our SENOFLEX product class an extraordinary high-quality range of inks and coatings for the flexo printing and we are very glad that the market positively accepted it.”

Just like every year WEILBURER Graphics will also offer in this year a SENOFLEX workshop. Interested parties can already register from now on for this event.

For the drupa WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH will present a finished four-part packaging, which was created in the double-sided corrugated direct printing with different coating effects. It was produced together with the companies D.&W. Flexo-Manufaktur, Merck, Smurfit Kappa and Mayr Melnhof.

The exhibition booth of WEILBURGER Graphics will be located in the PrintCity VAPack area (Value Added Packaging), hall 6 booth C33.

For further information: www.weilburger-graphics.de

Contact:
WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH
Am Rosenbühl 5
91466 Gerhardshofen
Germany
Phone: +49 9163 9992-0
Fax: +49 9163 654
info@weilburger-graphics.de

04/09/12

Electric City Printing Installs an HP4600

Press release from the issuing company

Electric City Printing, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company based in Williamston, SC, recently installed an HP4600 digital press in order to facilitate a growing demand for the company’s printed race number capabilities. The new HP4600 will supplement output from the printer’s existing HP4050, which serves a similar function. Electric City is the world’s largest printer for competition media, providing entry packets, racing numbers, brochures, signage, and integrated technology to help facilitate major races and competitions throughout the world.

“We had to look for additional equipment to service our growing clientele,” said Electric City President Mike Schmitz. “Electric City has been servicing the racing business for over 30 years, and we’ve committed ourselves to bringing our customers the newest technology, highest-quality equipment, and best-in-class service to meet their needs.”

Schmitz possesses a solid understanding of the racing business, as he himself is a marathon runner, and is therefore able to ensure that his business provides top of the line capabilities to its race business clients. “The racing business is a highly-customized segment,” adds Schmitz. “By running in the events, I’m able to personally experience the result of the services we provide, and to bring better, more innovative solutions to our customers. The HP4600 is just one of the ways we’re doing that.”

The new press will supplement the company’s existing HP4050 press, enabling Electric City to output nearly six million impressions per month in order to keep up with growing demand. The two presses will be used primarily to print race numbers on DuPont Tyvek, which requires specialized equipment to avoid melting the substrate. The digital press also helps service a growing demand for customization at events like the Disney Princess Race in Orlando, Florida, where runners can select a Disney princess, color, and name, all of which are printed onto the race number. Additional benefits of the new press include faster turnaround times and reduced cleanup and maintenance.

Other races serviced by Electric City Printing include the Boston Marathon, New York Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Rock & Roll Marathon series, Houston Marathon, and the 2012 Olympic Marathon qualifier held in Houston, TX.

04/06/12

Maximum Graphics Expands Capabilities With New Hires

Press release from the issuing company

Maximum Graphics, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company (NYSE: CGX), and a full service print provider specializing in data-driven processes and technology, is pleased to introduce four team members who have joined Maximum over the past six months, assuming key positions in sales, quality and production as well as two additions to its senior management team. The new staff brings extensive experience and knowledge to the existing team and provides a greater focus on building customer relationship quality, improving quality control procedures and expanding Maximum Graphics’ marketing capabilities.

“We are delighted to welcome this first-class talent to the Maximum Graphics team as we reposition and streamline our organization for growth,” said Maximum Graphics President Rob Nawfel. “Their experience and dedication to quality are a great fit with our company as we focus on helping customers achieve success, drive client revenue and improve operational efficiency and quality.”

Joining Maximum Graphics’ senior management team as Vice President of Operations is Adam Lancette. He brings 22 years of print experience with an extensive background in creating structured, process-oriented environments and will oversee the operations department, focusing on improving quality by documenting and enforcing protocols.

Kristina Garcia joins the Maximum Graphics senior management team as Digital Operations Director. She has 17 years of print experience with her expertise residing in variable related programs, data processing and custom configuring digital workflow. Garcia will concentrate her efforts on creating structure within the data process department and establish new software and automation that will help Maximum Graphics build jobs for the future.

Other members joining the Maximum Graphics team include:

Jeremy Steil, taking on the new position of Quality Manager and bringing four years of knowledge of quality control and print auditing.

Matthew Hatch, bringing 10 years of print and sales experience as a Sales Representative.

Jamie Brunes, coming to Maximum Graphics with 15 years of experience in print, with 10 years focusing on sales, as a Sales Representative.

Greg Swanson, joining as Production Manager with over 30 years print experience and extensive involvement in managerial roles, print presses and mailing and fulfillment.

“We will continue to expand our team with top talent to provide customers with unmatched print expertise, customer service and innovative solutions to their graphic communications needs,” says Nawfel.

04/06/12

Custom Printing Acquires Ojai Printing

Press release from the issuing company

Custom Printing announced today that Ojai Printing has merged with the Oxnard printer. The alliance gives Custom Printing added purchasing power and the ability to pass those savings on to the firm’s clients and makes the company the strongest printer in the tri-county area.

All operations will be conducted from Custom Printing’s 30,000-square foot facility at 2001 Cabot Place in Oxnard. The merger went into effect Monday, April 2.

“This is a win-win for everyone!” said Custom Printing President Charles Utts. “We are looking forward to working with Ojai Printing’s clients, and seeing how our Printing and Mailing facilities can benefit their businesses. Both companies have serviced the same geographical area, but we are very surprised how few of our customers were competing against each other. That’s probably why this deal went so smoothly.”

Utts added, “We are determined to place as many former Ojai Printing employees as possible in positions at Custom Printing”.

Al Milner, owner of Ojai Printing, is retiring and wanted to do everything possible to keep his loyal co-workers employed. Milner serviced the Ojai Valley for 40 years and has been a valued member of the business community.

“All digital files, current and archived, have been transferred to Custom Printing,” Utts said. “Probably one of the nicest things that worked in our favor is both companies are on the same estimating system so we’ll have no problem continuing the same pricing structure with additional benefits from Custom’s larger facility.”



Custom Printing has been in business since 1974 and specializes in premium quality, full color printing. A family-owned business, the company’s list of customers includes K-Swiss Footwear Inc., Warner Brothers Studios and the distinguished artist Peter Max.

04/06/12

Weber Packaging Solutions Purchases Six AVT Helios II Systems

Press release from the issuing company

Weber Packaging Solutions Inc., a leading worldwide manufacturer and supplier of labels and labeling systems since 1932, has purchased six PrintVision/Helios II 100% Inspection Systems from Advanced Vision Technology (AVT), the world leader in print process control, quality assurance and color control for the packaging, labels, folding cartons and commercial print markets.

Weber Packaging Solutions, which conducts business globally in fifteen countries, will place the six Helios II Inspection Systems in their worldwide headquarters in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago near O’Hare airport. Weber has done business with AVT before when they purchased Proofit Systems. When looking for 100% Inspection Systems they naturally went with the worldwide leader in Automatic Inspection Systems – AVT. Weber’s sophisticated label manufacturing equipment includes the latest flexographic and digital high-speed label presses. Four of the Helios II 100% Inspection Systems will be placed on presses, one on a rewinder and one on a finishing unit of a digital label press.

John O’Leary, VP of Manufacturing, commented: “We have been looking to upgrade our vision defect detection systems for a few years. We have several pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medical device manufacturers as customers and it is becoming almost a requirement to utilize this technology to guarantee the quality of the labels their products demand. After several discussions with AVT over the years, we were intrigued by the features of the AVT Helios II system. During Label Expo 2010 we decided to take a closer look at the system and we were very impressed by the user interface as well as how easy it was to isolate several different areas on a label with various degrees of scrutiny. We determined that we could benefit from not only upgrading our systems on our rewind inspection equipment, but could also add systems to our ten-color flexo presses to help reduce scrap by alerting the operator sooner to correct a defect. Since we also print labels on digital presses and convert those labels on a digital finishing machine, we decided it would make sense to add one to the digital finisher to ensure defect free product coming off of that equipment as well. To help us make the decision, our AVT sales representative took us to another customer site where we were able to see the system setup and operating in live production. We were able to discuss the ease of use with the other customer’s operator and manager. From that point we were sold and now we are anticipating the installation of our first two units of a total of six scheduled to be deployed this year.”

Commenting on the sale, Amir Dekel, Corporate VP Marketing of AVT said: ” For AVT to be recognized by one of the leading label manufacturing companies in the world is important for our company. It is confirmation that our state-of-the-art technology is meeting the highest standards of the industry and it is working reliably in any production environment. These inspection systems will guarantee that Weber will deliver labels that are 100% inspected, 100% of the time. This is adding real value to customer care.”

PrintVision/Helios II is the most advanced 100% Automatic Inspection solution for label and narrow web printing. It is an innovative solution that delivers process control and 100% quality assurance capabilities throughout the entire print production workflow, from setup through printing to finishing. PrintVision/Helios II can be installed on any press or rewinder and identifies defects on labels as soon as they occur. The system detects every type of printing and finishing fault including color misregister, color variations, hazing, misprints, defects to the text, spots, splashes, die-cut problems, missing labels and many other print problems.

04/05/12

Highcon Appoints International Sales Director

Press release from the issuing company

Highcon Systems Ltd has made a key appointment to its sales team with Nigel Tracey joining as International Sales Director from 2nd April 2012. Nigel will lead the recruitment and appointment of new Channel Partners internationally, in addition to expanding the customer base for the Highcon Euclid.

Nigel brings with him 25 years experience in printing and packaging and particularly in the folding carton and corrugated board industries. Nigel has held various senior sales and marketing positions, most recently as Head of Sales for the sheet-fed business unit at Bobst Group, where he was responsible for the global sales network and sales operations. Nigel is based in Switzerland.

"The demands on convertors are changing fast and they now require more flexible and responsive solutions to meet their customers’ requirements. The team at Highcon has impressed me with its grasp of the future of digital finishing and the Euclid digital cutting and creasing solution is a huge step forward and I am delighted to be part of this revolution"

The Highcon Euclid uses precision laser optics and polymer technologies to transform cutting and creasing from an analogue to a digital workflow, dramatically streamlining the finishing process. Turnaround times are cut dramatically while run lengths up to 10,000 sheets become attractive and profitable for the converter.

Chris Baker, Highcon VP Sales and Business Development ‘’Nigel brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and experience which we know will enable us to build our channels faster and help ensure we deliver exactly what the customers require. We are delighted he has chosen to join this dynamic company.

The Highcon Euclid will be formally launched and demonstrated on our stand at drupa 2012, Hall 4 Stand B28, Düsseldorf, Germany.

04/05/12

Omaha Print To Aquire Holm Graphic Services

Press release from the issuing company

The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) has announced that Omaha Print of Omaha, Neb., has agreed to purchase the customer base of Holm Graphic Services Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa. Mary Ann Amundson, sole shareholder of Holm, will join Omaha Print as Iowa Regional Director – Sales and Business Development. She will utilize Omaha’s manufacturing capabilities for Holm customers and Holm will cease its own production.

NAPL has provided ongoing strategic advice on growth by acquisition to Omaha Print, introducing the parties and advising on the transaction price and structure so that a Letter of Intent was signed within seven days of the first contact. Senior Vice President John Hyde, head of NAPL’s Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Team, stated, “Omaha Print is a great example of a forward thinking company that is positioning itself for future success and growth. It fully expects to explore further strategic acquisitions in 2012.”

“We are happy to have Mary Ann Amundson come on board with us and look forward to her leading our expansion into the greater Des Moines marketplace,” said Chuck Kinzer, President of Omaha Print. “We appreciate that Mary Ann thinks highly enough of us to trust that her customer relationships will be maintained and enhanced with access to our extensive platform of additional capabilities.”

Regarding her new home with Omaha Print, Amundson said, “I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with Omaha Print. They have a long-standing reputation as an innovative and industry leading company. My customers will benefit from bigger and better capabilities and services from a company with a trusted name in the business.”

04/05/12

GPO Fills Management Positions

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) names Jane Sánchez as Director of Library Services and Content Management (LSCM) and Kerry L. Miller as Deputy General Counsel.

As director of LSCM, Sánchez will provide management support for implementation of strategic programs and operations in the Federal Depository Library Program, in partnership with depository libraries and in collaboration with other GPO business units. Sánchez has 35 years of library and information management experience with the Federal Government and the private sector. Sánchez came to GPO from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) where she managed nine operational divisions. She and her staff provided research to support the Department's litigation, and senior management offices for the Attorney General and Solicitor General. Sánchez spent 17 years working in the private sector at BNA Corporate Headquarters where she developed and implemented several digital information initiatives including: BNA's first internal website, an online database for customers, conversion of print reference directories to online searchable databases for Federal and state courts, judges, and clerks, and creation of a single repository of all primary legal resources. Sánchez hold a Juris Doctorate Degree from The American University's Washington College of Law, a Master's Degree in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston, and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

"GPO welcomes Jane and her experience with implementing information technology initiatives in the library community," said Superintendent of Documents Mary Alice Baish. "Jane has outstanding accomplishments from her career in both the public and private sector and I am looking forward to utilizing her information technology skills to advance the mission of the Federal Depository Library Program and GPO."

Miller returns to GPO as Deputy General Counsel. Miller is responsible for supervising the activities of all professional and administrative employees of the Office of General Counsel, rendering legal advice and counsel on questions and interpretations of laws, regulations and administrative policies affecting the GPO, and serving as the agency's Ethics Officer. Miller started his legal career at GPO in 1980 where held various positions until leaving the agency in 2006 for the Federal Transit Administration where he served as Assistant Chief Counsel for General Law. During his time at GPO, Miller primarily served as GPO's senior procurement law attorney where he provided advice to agency officials on contract formation and contract administration issues, represented the agency in contract appeals before the GPO Board of Contract Appeals, defended Government Accountability Office bid protests, and coordinated all administrative suspensions, debarments, and affirmative litigation involving GPO contractors. He also served as a Board of Contract Appeals judge and was the GPO's first Chief Acquisition Officer. Miller earned his law degree from Catholic University and his undergraduate degree from George Mason University.

"I am very pleased that Kerry Miller has rejoined our legal team," said General Counsel Drew Spalding. "His extensive legal and administrative expertise will be a great asset to the Office of the General Counsel and GPO."

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO's Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Facebook, Twitter, and on YouTube.

04/04/12

KYOCERA: New Solutions for a New Future

Press release from the issuing company

KYOCERA will be making its first appearance at Drupa 2012 (Dusseldorf, 3 - 16 May 2012) with a new name as well as strategic solutions for the product area: From April 2012 the Japanese manufacturer of printers and multi-function devices will be changing its name worldwide to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. and will be bringing its main area of business "Document Management Solutions" more sharply into focus for its customers.

A central theme of Drupa 2012 is sustainability. Since KYOCERA has been successfully marketing environmentally-aware ECOSYS technology on a global scale for exactly 20 years, KYOCERA is using Drupa as an opportunity to introduce its latest product and solutions concepts for the publishing industry together with new environmentally-friendly print technology.

KYOCERA, at drupa 2012, will be in Hall 8b, Stand A77.

04/04/12

Civilians Become Color Management Veterans at SGIA's Workshop

Press release from the issuing company

Students from all facets of specialty imaging gathered last week for SGIA's Color Management Boot Camp, where industry experts, Tony Quinn of Nazdar, and SGIA’s own Jeff Burton presented the unique aspects of large-format inkjet printing. Manufacturer reps were also on hand from Caldera, Mutoh, Nazdar, ONYX and X-Rite.

"I think the biggest benefit [of this Workshop] is that you learn just as much from the participants than you do from the instructors," said Bruce Wright of X-Rite. "People in this room all have different color management workflows they are involved with, and between the participants and the instructors, there's a really good interchange of knowledge."

During the Workshop, held March 27–29 in SGIA’s state-of-the-art facility in Fairfax, Virginia, attendees learned all about basic color management concepts; print standards and specifications; color measurement instrumentation and profiling software; and device calibration.

Workshop attendee, Steve Horrocks of JDK Design, came for two reasons: To optimize his studio's internal production of presentation materials and color proofs, and to address some challenges the company has faced with print vendors overseas.

"The panel of instructors brought an impressive knowledge of the science behind color management, which balanced nicely with extensive real-world experience," he said. "I can honestly say that I left with no questions unanswered."

If you missed it this time, don’t worry! The popular Color Management Boot Camp will return this fall (September 11–13). Monitor SGIA.org, Keyword: Events, for more information about this, and other, educational opportunities in 2012.

04/04/12

New Appointment at Intec

Press release from the issuing company

Frank Vincke has been appointed as Channel Sales Manager for Northern and Central Europe.

This new position will see Mr Vincke creating distribution channels for Intec colour heavy stock printers in Benelux countries, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey.

“I have worked in those places and know the dealer network quite well,” says multi-lingual Mr Vincke, 57, who has spent his entire career in the printing industry.

Founder and MD Ian Melville says: “Frank speaks fluent English, Dutch, French, German and Italian and this will be a great asset. Intec is expanding and I anticipate that Frank will work closely with our other International Channel Sales Manager, who I am currently in the process of recruiting.”

04/03/12

Online Labor Demand Rises in March

Press release from the issuing company

Online advertised vacancies rose 246,300 in March to 4,669,600, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine (HWOL) Data Series released today. The March rise is the fourth consecutive monthly rise. The Supply/Demand rate stands at 2.9 unemployed for every vacancy; however, nationally there are still 8.4 million more unemployed than advertised vacancies.

“The March sharp rise in labor demand continued to narrow the gap between the unemployed and available job opportunities,” said June Shelp, Vice President at The Conference Board (Chart 1). Nationally advertised vacancies are 60 percent above their levels in June 2009, the official end of the great recession. However, that increase has varied greatly among the States with some Midwestern States exceeding the national average, including Minnesota (+ 121%); Ohio (+ 102%); Wisconsin (+ 95%); Indiana (+ 92%); and Michigan (+86%). Some states where the housing market tank — including Nevada (+ 21%) and New Mexico (+ 24%) — remain well below the national average while other States like Florida (+50%), where the housing market was also an issue, showed more resiliency.

REGIONAL AND STATE HIGHLIGHTS

In March all of the largest States except Pennsylvania post gains 12 of the 20 largest States are on an upward trend in job demand In March the South gained 74,700 advertised vacancies, with gains in all six of its largest States. Texas was up 19,000, reflecting increases of 11%+ over the last four months for labor demand in the metro areas of Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Virginia gained 9,200 for a combined three-month gain of 14,300. North Carolina rose 6,700 bringing its two-month increase to 8,500. Maryland gained 5,800 for a combined two-month gain of 9,600. Georgia was up 4,800 in March. Florida rose 2,400. Among the less populous States in the South, Tennessee rose 7,800, South Carolina increased by 1,600, Louisiana gained 1,200, and Arkansas gained 900.

The West gained 61,700 advertised vacancies, reflecting gains in all four of its largest States. California had by far the largest increase, 23,300. Over the past four months, labor demand in California was up 80,200 with gains in all of its larger metro areas, led by notable increases of 21.7 percent in San Diego and 20.6 percent in Sacramento. Washington State gained 9,600. Colorado rose 4,400 while Arizona gained a mere 500. Among the less populous States in the region, Oregon rose 4,300; Nevada gained 2,600; and Utah rose 1,500 (Table 3).

The Midwest region gained 48,800 vacancies in March. Ohio experienced the largest gain — 8,700 — and, at 181,900 advertised vacancies, reached its highest level since the HWOL series began in May 2005. Minnesota rose 6,700. Missouri rose 5,600 for a combined two-month gain of 8,200. Michigan gained 5,200 for a two-month gain of 6,500. Wisconsin rose 4,700. Illinois gained 1,600. Among the less populous States in the Midwest, Indiana gained 5,100, Kansas rose 1,800, South Dakota gained 1,300, and North Dakota rose 600.

Labor demand in March in the Northeast rose 23,100, which included a rise of 9,300 in New York. New York is up 17,700 over the last four months with the New York metro area up 14.8 percent and Rochester up 12.2 percent. New Jersey rose 7,100 while Massachusetts gained 4,900 for a combined four-month gain of 11,500. Pennsylvania was down 1,700 in March. Among the smaller States in the Northeast, the number of advertised vacancies in Connecticut fell by 300. Maine rose 1,000 in March while New Hampshire gained 1,400 and Rhode Island gained 300 (See Table 3 for other States in the region).

The Supply/Demand rate for the U.S. in February (the latest month for which the national unemployment number is available) stood at 2.90, indicating that there are just under 3 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Nationally, there are 8.4 million more unemployed workers than advertised vacancies.

The Supply/Demand rates for the states are for February 2012, the latest month available for unemployment data. The number of advertised vacancies exceeded the number of unemployed only in North Dakota, where the Supply/Demand rate was 0.88. States with the next lowest rates included South Dakota (1.23), Nebraska (1.28), Vermont (1.41), Alaska (1.56), Minnesota (1.60), and New Hampshire (1.68) (Table 4). The State with the highest Supply/Demand rate is Mississippi (5.97), where there are nearly 6 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Other States where there were more than 4 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy included Nevada (4.42) and Kentucky (4.13).

It should be noted that the Supply/Demand rate only provides a measure of relative tightness of the individual State labor markets and does not suggest that the occupations of the unemployed directly align with the occupations of the advertised vacancies (see Occupational Highlights section).

METRO AREA HIGHLIGHTS

19 of the 20 largest metro areas posted gains in labor demand in March San Francisco up 7 percent in March (Table C). In March, 19 of the 20 large MSAs posted increases in the number of online advertised vacancies. Overall 47 of the 52 metropolitan areas for which data are reported separately also showed increases in March (Table 5).

A number of the largest metro areas have shown real strength since the official end of the recession in June 2009. Four have posted increases of over 100 percent since then: Cleveland, up 142%; Minneapolis-St. Paul, up 124%; Detroit, up 116%; and San Jose, up 112%.

Six MSAs had Supply/Demand rates in January 2012 (the latest available data for unemployment) below 2, indicating there fewer than two unemployed for every advertised vacancy (See Table C). Washington, DC continues to have the most favorable Supply/Demand rate (1.21) with about one advertised vacancy for every unemployed worker. Minneapolis-St. Paul (1.36), Boston (1.54), Oklahoma City (1.63), and Salt Lake City (1.67) were metropolitan locations with the next lowest Supply/Demand rates.

Metro areas where the number of unemployed is substantially above the number of online advertised vacancies include Riverside, CA — with over 8 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy (8.23) — Sacramento (4.56), Miami (4.53), Las Vegas (4.47), Los Angeles (4.19), and Memphis (4.04). Supply/Demand rate data are for January 2012, the latest month for which unemployment data for local areas are available (Table C & Table 6).

OCCUPATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Supply/Demand rates range widely for the 22 major occupational categories (See Table 7)

Labor demand for retail sales help rises in March (Table B and text)

Demand for Healthcare practitioners dipped in March but job opportunities continue to outnumber unemployed looking for jobs

Changes for the Month of March

In March, nineteen of the 22 Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC codes) that are reported separately posted gains and three declined (Table 7).

Among the top 10 occupation groups with the largest numbers of online advertised vacancies, demand for Sales and Related workers rose 35,900 to 596,500 (Table B) and was led by an increase in demand for Retail Salespeople and First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Retail Sales Workers. The number of unemployed in this occupational category continues to outnumber the number of advertised vacancies by over 2 to 1 (S/D of 2.30) but is substantially below the slightly over four unemployed for every available advertised vacancy in April and May 2009.

Labor demand for Computer and Mathematical Science workers rose 25,800 to 620,700. Over the past four months, labor demand has increased by 77,100. The higher demand included increases for Computer Systems Analysts and Applications Computer Software Engineers. The number of advertised vacancies in this occupational category continues to outnumber job-seekers by over 3 to 1 (0.28 S/D based on February data, the latest unemployment data available).

Demand for Management occupations rose 25,700 to 461,200 for a combined four-month increase of 56,600. Responsible for the rise was higher demand for Marketing Managers and General and Operations Managers. The number of unemployed in these occupations was just over one (1.39) unemployed for every advertised vacancy in March and significantly below the almost three (2.9) unemployed for every advertised vacancy at the HWOL series high in October 2009.

Labor demand for Office and Administrative Support occupations rose 22,700 to 476,900 for a gain of 50,100 since January, but the March level is still slightly below the level of demand in late 2011. Largely responsible for the March increase was higher demand for Customer Service Representatives and Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants. The number of unemployed in these occupations remains above the number of advertised vacancies with close to 3.6 unemployed for every advertised vacancy.

Business and Financial Operations positions increased by 17,100 to 268,100 advertised vacancies in March. Accountants, Training and Development Specialists, and Financial Analysts were among the advertised vacancies that showed increases. In this field there are 1.56 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy.

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical occupations fell 18,800 in March to 578,100. Largely responsible for the drop were decreased advertised vacancies for Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Physical Therapists. The number of advertised vacancies in this occupational category continues to be quite favorable and outnumbers job-seekers by 2.4 to 1 (0.41 S/D).

The Trend in Production Occupations

In March the demand for production workers reached a series high of 148,000 — 6,000 above last month’s number and 10,000 above the previous series high of 138,000 in December 2005. Production jobs, or the jobs typically associated with manufacturing, declined sharply from early 2007 and bottomed in May 2009 at 56,000. “Labor demand for production workers, which was not consistently strong in 2011, has risen over the last few months and hopefully will remain strong throughout 2012,” said Shelp (Chart 3).

There were still over six unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy in production jobs, but it is significantly improved form the situation in June 2009, when there were over 25 unemployed for every vacancy, (See Table 7).

Nationally the production jobs in highest demand included First-Line Supervisors and Managers, Machinists, and Helpers. Line Supervisors and Managers were in high demand in several states including California, Ohio, and Texas. In California, in addition to supervisors, online advertised jobs included Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers, and Machinists. In Ohio the openings are in First-Line Supervisors / Managers of Production and Operating Workers, Helpers – Production Workers, and Machinists. High-demand opening in Texas include First-Line Supervisors / Managers of Production and Operating Workers, Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters, and Machinists.

04/03/12

GrayHair Software Attending National Postal Forum

Press release from the issuing company

GrayHair Software, Inc., a leader in solutions for business mailers, announces its attendance at the National Postal Forum (NPF) in Orlando, Florida, from April 1 -4. In years past, GrayHair has set the bar with a constant stream of innovative services and applications including the 2011 unveiling of its cloud platform, SelectSolutions, and it has consistently set the standard for in-booth events. From the SmartCar to the 3DTV and 3D Printer to the now-famous daily in-booth giveaways of the hottest technologies, GrayHair has been the buzz of the show year after year.

At the 2012 NPF (www.npf.org), attendees can expect to see live demonstrations and presentations of the newest GrayHair offerings, which include the new SelectSolutions™ Reporting Engine, a set of interactive reports providing visual analysis of mail data; MailWatch, a dedicated mail monitoring solution and GrayHair’s Informed Visibility solution, which uses their existing services to enhance the new USPS Informed Visibility data. GrayHair Advisors, a team of mailing industry experts who provide strategic and tactical consultation on postal marketing and operations issues and the company’s newest division, will be at the GrayHair Booth to meet with attendees. Attendees will also want to check their show bags to see if they are the big winner with another GrayHair innovation – the Golden Pen. At last year’s show, the show bags contained four pens and the winners got to pick from a range of prizes or could choose to donate to a local charity.

“The National Postal Forum continues to be the leading event in the mailing world. It is a show where the leaders in the industry showcase their new innovations. You can stop by the GrayHair booth to get demonstrations of our newest ground-breaking applications. Last year, visitors to our booth enjoyed the company of some adorable puppies and, in conjunction with GrayHair, donated money to a local animal shelter. Winners of our daily drawings took home iPads, Playbooks and iMacs and, since we won’t be outdone by last year’s events, you can expect even more amazing things from our booth. If you are at the show add Booth 1313 to your list,” said Raymond Chin, VP Product Management and Marketing, GrayHair Software.

In addition to GrayHair’s Booth, multiple members of the team are presenting educational workshops at this year’s event. These include:

Paula Stoskopf on cloud solutions with Brian Euclid, TEC Mailing, co-presenting
Tom McCaully on marketing automation with Jay Adams, Makesbridge, co-presenting
Raymond Chin on ACS and Move Update
Everette Mills on USPS data
Tom McCaully on hybrid mail with Chandra Briggman, US Postal Service, co-presenting
Paula Stoskopf on address hygiene with Josh Evans, Lorton Data, co-presenting
Tom McCaully on IMb uses with Mike Francis, US Department of State, co-presenting
Angelo Anagnostopoulos on visibility data with Shariq Mirza, Assurety Consulting, co-presenting
Paula Stoskopf facilitating IMb Roundtable

Once again, GrayHair is extremely proud to be the sponsor of the Association for Postal Commerce’s (PostCom) “Live from the NPF” Webcast. This broadcast, hosted by Gene Del Polito, President of PostCom, features industry thought leaders discussing leading events of the day from the floor of the NPF. This year’s the panel members includes industry leaders and attendees will also be asked to share their thoughts on the NPF, sessions, vendors and presenters. Broadcasts are scheduled for Monday, April 2, and Tuesday, April 3, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Watch them live at www.grayhairsoftware.com. If you are attending the NPF, go to GrayHair’s Booth, #1313, or PostCom’s Booth, #2 in the Mailing Industry Resources Pavilion, to find out more information on the event.

For more information about GrayHair and its products, contact Bobby Tiedeken by phone at (856)924 2253 or by email at btiedeken@grayhairsoftware.com.

04/03/12

Heidelberg Concludes Negotiations on “FOCUS 2012”

Press release from the issuing company

The Management Board and Workers' Council of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) have reached an agreement regarding the implementation of the "FOCUS 2012" efficiency program. The consensus reached provides for savings on personnel costs, more flexible working time arrangements, and worldwide job cuts through socially acceptable measures that will result in a headcount of below 14,000 by mid-2014.

As Heidelberg CEO Bernhard Schreier explained: "The outcome of the negotiations will enable us to adjust capacities to meet demand and achieve the announced savings as planned. In consultation with the Workers' Council and the IG Metall union, we have devised a responsible concept for making the required cost and capacity reductions on a socially acceptable and sustainable basis through the global job cuts announced."

Taken together, these measures will help achieve the targeted annual savings of around EUR 180 million from financial year 2013/2014. Up to a third of these savings will already be achieved in financial year 2012/2013. The necessary one-off expenditure amounts to approximately EUR 150 million, most of which will be posted during the current 2011/2012 financial year.

Global headcount to fall below 14,000 by mid-2014
The agreement reached on a wide-ranging package of measures will ensure the company's profitability targets can be met. Most of the job cuts in Germany will be achieved by mid-2014 through voluntary redundancies, including options for older staff. This will ensure a balanced age structure at the company and prevent qualified staff from having to leave based on social criteria. Staff whose jobs disappear as a result of structural changes and adjustments to achieve greater flexibility will have the option of moving to a transfer and qualification company. The planned job cuts outside Germany are also under way.

Immediate capacity reduction of around 15 percent with rapid and sustainable cost savings
Shortening the working week to 31.5 hours for all staff and reducing remuneration levels accordingly will put in place a long-term, collectively agreed arrangement that will lower personnel costs and immediately cut capacities at the German production sites by 15 percent. Taking the shorter working week as a basis, working-time accounts can be used to adapt individual working hours to the relevant capacity utilization. This will enable the company to make working times far more flexible and respond effectively to changing market requirements in the future, especially in the year that drupa - the world's largest trade show for the print media industry - takes place in Düsseldorf.

"Thanks to the rapid consensus, we are in a position to implement the agreed measures earlier than expected on May 1 this year and achieve the planned job cuts through socially acceptable means. Taken as a whole, the agreement reached represents a big step toward achieving the target operating result before special items of around EUR 150 million in financial year 2013/2014," said Schreier.

Sales structures adapted - realignment of research & development
The company has introduced measures to adapt its global sales organization to the changed market conditions. The adjustment of activities in industrialized nations is being accompanied by an increased presence in emerging markets. To significantly reduce structural costs, sales activities have been pooled and specific markets restructured. Comprehensive support for the global customer base will still be ensured.

A realignment of research & development as part of the "FOCUS 2012" program will take effect as announced on April 1, 2012. This will involve further optimizing internal processes and placing research in a number of fields on a new footing. By modularization, the company will facilitate access to the latest technologies throughout the portfolio. Development work on digital printing for commercial and packaging applications is to be pooled and expanded. With regard to the promising printed electronics market, Heidelberg is involved in intensive research into new technologies in cooperation with other technology companies. Initial potential applications are already at the advance development stage. Research activities focusing on the multidisciplinary technology of hybrid lightweight construction will be expanded, with a slight increase in investment in this new market segment.

As of December 31, 2011, Heidelberg had 15,666 employees worldwide (including trainees and apprentices).

04/02/12

AF&PA Releases Paper, Paperboard, and Pulp Capacity Survey

Press release from the issuing company

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) today released the 52nd Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity, reporting that U.S. paper and paperboard capacity decline slowed to 1.4% in 2011 to a level of 89.7 million short tons.

Last year's decrease was smaller than the 3.1% reduction recorded in 2010. Total paper and paperboard capacity is expected to decline 1.0% in 2012 and then register increases of 0.6% and 0.5% in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Containerboard and tissue paper capacity expanded in 2011, while the packaging & industrial convertingand boxboard categories held approximately stable. Newsprint and printing-writing papers registered the largest 2011 capacity declines.

Several mills and machines were removed from the survey base during the 2011-2014 period because they have closed, plan to close, or have been idled for some time with few indications they will be restarted in the near future. However, several new tissue paper machines either started operating or will start operating by 2014, and a new recycled linerboard mill is scheduled to come on line in mid-2013.

The survey reports U.S. industry capacity data for 2011 through 2014 for all major grades of paper, paperboard, and pulp, based on a comprehensive survey of all U.S. pulp and paper mills. Survey respondents represent about 90% of the U.S industry capacity.

The complete survey with detailed tables can be purchased for $1,800 by contacting Dina Menton at dina_menton@afandpa.org or 202-463-2710.

04/02/12

KBA Order Intake 20.8% Higher in 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Following preliminary disclosures in early March, German press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) has now published its financial statements for 2011. Notwithstanding the challenges arising from ongoing structural changes in the print media market the KBA group met all its capital requirements from a healthy operating cash flow of €83.9m, scaled back bank debts still further and boosted liquid assets. The 195-year old enterprise bucked the industry trend and was unique among major global press manufacturers in disclosing a post-recession profit for the third year in succession.

Thriving business in special presses
Brisk demand for security, metal-decorating and coding equipment helped swell the group order intake to €1,552.1m - its highest level since the record year of 2006 and 20.8% up on 2010 (€1,284.9m). The backlog of unfilled orders almost doubled from €440.8m to €825.7m. But at €1,167.2m group sales were marginally below the prior-year figure of €1,179.1m due to shipping delays and weak demand for sheetfed and web offset presses in the second half-year.

Patchy performance
Flagging investment activities in the final four months led to an 8.3% drop in new sheetfed contracts to €569.9m. Brisk demand for niche products, however, sent the intake of new orders for web and special presses soaring by 48.1% to €982.2m. Although the two divisions each posted sales worth €583.6m, this represented an improvement of 5.9% over the prior year in sheetfed sales, but a slide of 7.1% in sales of web and special presses following shipping delays.

Rising costs and investment impact on operating result
The rising cost of raw materials, heavy investment in new products, wage increases, unscheduled structural expenses and lower sales following external delays in deliveries until the current year reduced the group operating profit from €22.2m in 2010 to €9.9m. But despite unsatisfactory market pricing and fluctuating levels of plant utilisation, KBA's web and special press division posted a profit of €28m (2010: €14m), with niche and service activities playing a major role. In the sheetfed division, price erosion and the high up-front expense associated with developing new products put paid to any operating profit, even though restructuring measures delivered substantial cost savings. The division therefore made an operating loss of €18.1m following a profit of €8.2m the year before.

Pre- and post-tax profit
A group pre-tax profit of €3.3m and annual net income of €0.4m fell well short of the corresponding figures for the previous year of €15.3m and €12.5m. Earnings per share were just 2 cents (2010: 76 cents). In view of this unsatisfactory performance, and the current challenging business environment, the management and supervisory boards plan to dispense with a dividend for 2011.

Solid finances and a strong cash flow
Despite bigger inventories, cash flows from operating activities surged to €83.9m (2010: €30.1m) following a jump in customer prepayments and a drop in trade receivables. This covered higher outflows for investing activities and boosted the free cash flow to €57.8m. Liquid assets soared to €145.6m while bank loans were trimmed to €35.9m, giving a net financial position of €109.7m at the end of the December, over twice the figure for 2010 (€47.9m). A comfortable level of liquidity and access to adequate credit lines document KBA's solid financial profile, as does the high ratio of equity to the bigger balance sheet total, which in 2011 was 38.2%.

Trademark innovation
Whilst implementing rigorous cost-cutting initiatives, KBA has not economised at the expense of innovation, and the proportion of R&D to total group sales was again around 5%. According to the Patent Scorecard™ for Heavy Industrial Equipment, published in the Wall Street Journal in January this year, KBA has moved up from 21st to 11th position among the top 50 international players, ahead of all other major German press manufacturers. As an acknowledged driver of technological advances the group will be launching an array of new products and processes at the Drupa trade fair in May, among them a web-fed inkjet press for the high-growth digital print market.

More shipments to Europe
A 34.3% rise in domestic sales trimmed the export level from 88.5% to 84.4%. The proportion of group sales generated in the rest of Europe climbed from 28.5% to 35.6%, with higher sales of both sheetfed and web presses contributing to the increase. Despite a gain in sheetfed orders, the proportion of the group total attributable to North America plunged to the exceptionally low level of 8.6%. While the anti-inflationary monetary policy pursued in China put a temporary curb on sheetfed sales, the contribution from Asia and the Pacific remained high at 27.4%. The 12.8% generated in Latin America and Africa was nearer its historical average than the prior-year figure of 20.6%.

Consolidated payroll below 6,000
At the end of 2011 there were 6,408 permanent employees (including 428 apprentices) on the KBA payroll. Excluding the newly consolidated subsidiaries there would have been 71 fewer. Once all downsizing measures have been completed the KBA group in its present composition will have well below 6,000 employees. However, to maintain the high standard of qualifications necessary for such a technologically sophisticated line of business KBA invests a higher than average percentage of earnings in training. Last year 6.7% of the workforce was in training, compared to 6.5% in 2010.

Outlook for 2012: moderate growth and a higher profit
Looking ahead, KBA management emphasised the higher risks that exporters face from slowing growth in major emerging markets, the high oil price and ongoing debt crisis in Europe. While the Drupa trade fair is expected to stimulate sales, and management is confident that a raft of new products will boost the order intake, particularly in the sheetfed offset division, there will be no return to the high volumes of previous years. If market conditions remain stable KBA is targeting a single-digit percentage increase in sales and a higher pre-tax profit.

President and CEO Claus Bolza-Schünemann said: “We are working at full stretch to boost our performance on a sustainable basis and defend our position as the world's no. 2 press vendor through innovation, process optimisation and strategic market decisions. We are also busy stepping up our activities in the packaging sector and broadening our commitment beyond sales and service in China, a major growth market. As well as driving growth by upgrading, streamlining and expanding our product palette, we are beginning to reap the benefits of the capacity adjustments we have made and the initiatives we have introduced to trim manufacturing costs. There is good reason to hope that, in the medium term, ongoing consolidation in the sector will help to eliminate overcapacity among suppliers and lead to more disciplined pricing in the marketplace. KBA is a solidly financed press manufacturer with a technologically advanced and uniquely diverse portfolio for a range of applications. So we are well poised to emerge with confidence from the current wave of industry consolidation.”

However, given the challenging business environment, fundamental shifts in print media markets and changes on the supply side, KBA management is unwilling to make more detailed projections until the Drupa trade fair has taken place and the half-year figures are in.

The financial statements can be downloaded as a PDF file from http://www.kba.com/en/investor-relations/financial-reports/reports-2011/.

04/02/12

GrayHair Software Expands with New Branch of Advisory Services

Press release from the issuing company

GrayHair Software, Inc., known for its industry-leading services for business mailers, announces the launch of a new division, GrayHair Advisors™. This team of leading mailing industry experts is a source for strategic and tactical consultation on postal marketing and operations issues. It helps clients adapt quickly and cost effectively to new postal rules, take advantage of every available postal-rate discount and incorporate best practices in mailing and postal network integration.

GrayHair Advisors helps clients navigate the complex postal distribution channel. The group offers guidance in qualifying for the USPS® Intelligent Mail® Full Service program and achieving expedited approval for USPS PostalOne!® upgrades. Focusing on postal optimization, USPS compliance and operational changes to streamline mail delivery, they deliver and achieve measurable results in operational efficiency, response rates and cost control.

“GrayHair Advisors conducts a comprehensive review of a client’s business,” says Raymond Chin, Vice President, Product Management and Marketing, GrayHair Software. “We look at every aspect of the mailing operation from mailpiece compliance and preparing names and addresses to transferring mail to the USPS, tracking its delivery and examining mail returned by the Postal Service as undeliverable. GrayHair Advisors evaluates the existing processes from start to finish and delivers a clearly defined plan for improvement.”

Collaborating with clients’ in-house teams, the new division baselines existing operations, diagnoses problems and addresses particular issues in mailing and postal network integration. GrayHair Advisors partners with specialists in related areas, who provide expertise and solutions for international addressing and logistics, database marketing architecture, and business and process engineering. The division also employs GrayHair Software’s vast wealth of postal data and experience to ensure successful outcomes for clients.

Jody Berenblatt, Senior Advisor, stated, “GrayHair Advisors focuses on what works best for the business client. We are supplier agnostic, recommending software and hardware solutions from any and all suppliers, always selecting the product that produces the best results in a particular situation.”

For more information about GrayHair and its applications and services, contact Bobby Tiedeken by phone at (856) 924?2253 or by email at btiedeken@grayhairsoftware.com.

03/30/12

Toray to Showcase Waterless Offset Technology at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Toray will demonstrate its value added technologies for offset print on demand at drupa 2012, from 3 to 16May, in Düsseldorf. Increased flexibility and efficiency, with fast processing on different materials, have been the focus of the Japanese manufacturer’s most recent developments to meet the increasing challenges presented by a changing print market. In the difficult business environment caused by decreasing demand for commercial printing on paper, it is Toray’s aim to show solutions that will help printers expand their product range.

“Waterless’ ability to produce superior quality on a wide variety of substrates beyond paper and board, with the same ink, will make it easier for printers to diversify,” explains Junichi Ishii, Sales Manager for graphics and chemical products at Toray International Europe. “ The quick make ready and in-line finishing that are possible with waterless UV printing, make production highly efficient and shortens delivery times to customers.”

Toray will show visitors the benefits of waterless UV printing in B1 and B3 formats, including highly automated in-line finishing, in live demonstrations on stand D32 in hall 16.

Added value by waterless offset printing

Waterless technology delivers stable reproduction of high-resolution images ensuring exceptional print quality on a wide range of substrates from paper, cardboard, plastic, film or metal foil. It also offers environmental benefits as it eliminates water use on press and reduces chemical effluent and VOC emissions. Since there is no ink/water balance to control, make ready times and waste are minimized making it possible to print more jobs per day. The benefits are particularly effective when using UV curing printing inks, which in conventional offset printing may become unstable in combination with water.As print jobs get smaller and product diversification requires more expensive substrates, the reduced waste made possible by the waterless process presents a significant economic and environmental argument. Owing to the uniqueness of waterless printing, i.e. the combination of higher quality and the proof of sustainability, printing firms can provide added value.

New markets opened up

Waterless offset printing is particularly successful in applications where conventional offset printing is pushed to its limits with regard to spoilage rate, printability and quality such as premium packaging, plastic cards, advertising posters, self adhesive labels, 3D and lenticular applications, CD/DVD, wood laminates, metal decor as well as commercial print runs including brochures, magazine titles and flyers.

Conversion to waterless printing is possible on all standard offset presses and simpler than many people think. There are only a few key requirements: the printer must have temperature control for the inking units on press, a special developing machine for waterless plates and use waterless printing inks, which are available from several suppliers.

Ishii concludes: “If these requirements are met, all options are open to the waterless offset printer wanting to add value to their services.“

03/30/12

Possehl Purchases manroland Great Britain’s Web Business

Press release from the issuing company

On 8th March 2012, Possehl & Co. mbH, the owner of manroland web systems GmbH, purchased the business and assets of manroland Great Britain’s web division from MRGB Realisations Limited, formerly manroland Great Britain Limited (in insolvency administration). The Lübeck/Germany based Possehl group now inherits the service for the majority of the UK’s installed base of both newspaper and commercial web offset presses.

manroland web systems (UK) Ltd. was incorporated to facilitate the sale and secure the quality of products, service, and support manroland customers have enjoyed for decades. manroland web systems (UK) Ltd. will be based in Maidenhead, Berkshire, being headed by the former manroland GB Web Division Director John Ellis.

David Baxendale, administrator of MRGB Realisations Limited, and a director at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, says: “Following the earlier sale of the UK sheetfed business and the transfer of 37 employees, securing a sale of the webfed business concludes the disposal of the business of manroland Great Britain Limited preserving a further eight jobs.”

manroland quality assured for the UK printing industry

Peter Kuisle, Executive Vice President Sales, Service, and Marketing at manroland web systems GmbH in Augsburg/Germany: “We are delighted with the outcome of these negotiations, most of all because it gives us the possibility to provide our UK customers with all the products and services manroland as web offset market leader stands for. We can now concentrate entirely on the UK web offset industry and the growth of the digital printing environment. We have a dedicated team of professionals in the UK and all of us are looking forward to being a strong and reliable partner for the UK printing industry.”

John Ellis adds: “Possehl has committed to a long-term development with manroland web systems GmbH to remain in the market leading position. So we can focus on striving to provide unparalleled service and support to our customers and developing bespoke solutions for new investment and service. We have a fantastic team with great products and a passion for print.”

03/30/12

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Decreases

Press release from the issuing company

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had increased in February, pulled back slightly in March. The Index now stands at 70.2 (1985=100), down from 71.6 in February. The Present Situation Index, however, increased to 51.0 from 46.4. The Expectations Index declined to 83.0 from 88.4 in February.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey®, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was March 15.

Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "Consumer Confidence pulled back slightly in March, after rising sharply in February. The moderate decline was due solely to a less favorable short-term outlook, while consumers’ assessment of current conditions, on the other hand, continued to improve. The Present Situation Index now stands at its highest level in three and a half years (61.1, Sept. 2008), suggesting that despite this month's dip in confidence, consumers feel the economy is not losing momentum."

Consumers' appraisal of current conditions improved in March. Those claiming business conditions are "good" increased 14.3 percent from 13.7 percent. However, those claiming business conditions are “bad” also increased, to 32.7 percent from 31.7 percent. Consumers' assessment of the job market was mixed. Those saying jobs are "plentiful" increased to 9.4 percent from 7.0 percent, while those stating jobs are "hard to get" also rose, to 41.0 percent from 38.6 percent.

Consumers were less optimistic about the short-term outlook than they were last month. The proportion of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months increased to 19.2 percent from 18.9 percent. However, those anticipating business conditions will worsen also rose, to 13.5 percent from 11.8 percent. Consumers’ outlook for the labor market was moderately less upbeat. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead decreased to 17.3 percent from 18.8 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs increased to 18.3 percent from 16.4 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes improved slightly to 15.8 percent from 15.5 percent.

The next release is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, at 10:00 AM ET.

For further information contact:

Jonathan Liu
1 212 339 0257
Jonathan.liu@conference-board.org

Ralph Piscitelli
1 212 339 0441
ralph.piscitelli@conference-board.org

03/29/12

Don Burdge Received the Ben Franklin Award

Press release from the issuing company

Don Burdge was honored at the recent PIASC Graphics Night as the 2012 Executive of the Year and received the bestowed Ben Franklin Award from Doug Rawson, the 2011 PIASC Executive of the Year. Burdge was instrumental in the creation of the Choose Print campaign, which today has spread to printing affiliates across the country.

BurdgeCooper came about when Burdge, Inc., and Stuart F. Cooper merged into BurdgeCooper on July 1, 2010. Today, BurdgeCooper is the world's largest engraving company, one of the nation's largest small format commercial printers, and the only company able to print eight different printing techniques among its 56 presses in Los Angeles and Atlanta

03/29/12

Pauline Gindlesperger, 94, Retires from the Print Industry

Press release from the issuing company

After 77 years in the print industry, Pauline Gindlesperger, 94, is retiring from e-LYNXX Corporation where she has been a key advisor and corporate officer since the firm was formed as ABC Advisors in 1975 by her son, William Gindlesperger, chairman and chief executive officer of e-LYNXX.

Prior to forming ABC Advisors, the Gindlespergers had grown their print firm to be the largest print supplier for the federal government. The name change to e-LYNXX from ABC Advisors occurred in 1999.

Today, e-LYNXX is recognized as a leader in procurement innovation. Supply & Demand Chain Executive magazine has named e-LYNXX one of the top 100 procurement firms in North America in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and William Gindlesperger as one of the most influential procurement leaders in the United States and Canada in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

"I am really proud of my son, our company and the e-LYNXX staff," Mrs. Gindlesperger said. "We are making a difference in a way that is helping others. We help our clients become more profitable. That, in turn, keeps them in business and provides jobs. That's really important in today's economy."

"My mother was supportive as I formed ABC Advisors and then e-LYNXX, and her advice has been invaluable as we have grown over the years," said William Gindlesperger. "She has been a key advisor as the company evolved from working with printers, assisting them to win work from the U. S. Government Printing Office, to the significant services that we now offer to assist print buyers in the United States and Canada to improve their print procurement process and reduce their costs for procured print at the same time."

Mrs. Gindlesperger remembers the print industry before the benefits of e-mail, the Internet, digital photography, digital printing or even photocopying. Less than a couple of decades back, she recalls how every proof had to be snail mailed, hand delivered or picked up. Communications was by landline phones or in person. Edits often required someone with a steady hand cutting out copy with an XACTO knife and then pasting down the correction. Photos were processed in darkrooms using chemicals. Faxes were sent using landline phones that required synchronization by the sender and the receiver. U. S. mail was the way to send and receive letters and packages.

She also recalls when the print industry embraced large rotary presses that could print millions of copies a day. The rotary press feeds a continuous stream of paper through drum-shaped cylinders and was much cheaper to operate than any of its predecessors. Printers also were beginning to use smaller jobbing presses – more agile, less cumbersome to set-up than the rotary press. Letter presses capable of printing small-format pieces such as letterheads, business cards and envelopes also became popular. Offset printing was not yet widely used and linotypes and hand-set type were called modern.

A true revolution for the print industry occurred with the introduction of the photocopier by Xerox in 1959, Mrs. Gindlesperger said. About 15 years later, in 1975, IBM came out with the first high-speed laser printer, the Model 3800, for the business market, and, Mrs. Gindlesperger said this had a real impact on small jobs that otherwise would have come to a professional printer. The first mass-market household model photocopier was the HP LaserJet, which was released in 1984, and that too cut into work that would have been brought to a print shop.

However, Mrs. Gindlesperger said photocopier and fax machine advances pale compared to what has happened since the Internet was introduced in the 1990s. "We are so use to instantaneous communications now, we think nothing of it," she said. "The speed with which we can send e-mails with attachments, like proofs, is mind boggling. The Internet era has hurt and helped the print industry. Printers are so much more efficient today because of it. However, so is everyone else and the need for printed documents is on the decline. Look at what has happened with the U. S. Post Office because it raised its prices and caused the drastic drop in direct mail pieces."

Mrs. Gindlesperger admitted that at first, she was very skeptical about computers. "Now, I have to be pulled away from mine," she quickly added. "The computer is like my lifeline to the rest of the world. Our business certainly has changed because of them."

Computerization makes it possible for e-LYNXX to provide the sophisticated and innovative services that it offers to printers and print buyers today – a business very different from the family's print business back in the 1960s and 1970s.

03/29/12

Crawford Technologies Acquires ASE Technologies

Press release from the issuing company

Crawford Technologies (CrawfordTech) has acquired ASE Technologies (ASE), a leading software developer and systems integrator in the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) market.

Located in Boston, Massachusetts, ASE is the developer of Riptide Server, the preeminent output management software for ECM systems such as IBM FileNet P8, EMC Documentum and Microsoft SharePoint. Riptide allows ECM users to output documents of mixed formats to email, print, fax or dynamic link, eliminating the need for the originating applications. Riptide Server is fully integrated with CrawfordTech’s robust product suite.

ASE’s experienced team brings over 18 years of ECM market proficiency to CrawfordTech. Their products and expertise in ECM migrations, print workflow processing and ECM output management perfectly complement CrawfordTech’s market-leading Enterprise Output Management product suites and the PRO Archiver solution for ECM systems such as EMC Documentum.

“By combining ASE’s expertise in the ECM market with CrawfordTech’s best-in-class print-stream transforms, document re-engineering, workflow management products and customer support team, we will bring many new innovative solutions to our combined customer base,” said Ernie Crawford, President of Crawford Technologies.

“The benefits to our customers include a more responsive and more extensive range of capabilities. Together we will shape the future of Enterprise Output Management.”

CrawfordTech plans to integrate ASE’s ECM loading technology for SharePoint into CrawfordTech’s PRO Archiver solution. Currently, PRO Archiver provides EMC Documentum users with the ability to integrate computer reports and transactional documents into EMC Documentum. In a fully utilized ECM implementation, 80% of the content comes from these documents. By adding ASE’s loading technology for additional ECM systems, both companies can combine forces and offer the best solutions for handling this major source of ECM content.

ASE's technology isn’t limited to the archive market. ASE Conversion Services provides the ability to convert and merge MS Office files for any application. This added capability will be used to extend the CrawfordTech print-stream transformation and document re-engineering software families.

“We see this as a great opportunity to take ASE and its software to the next level. With CrawfordTech’s marketing and sales expertise, worldwide partner network and great market reputation we can leverage new opportunities that were unobtainable in the past,” said Jay Baumgarten, President ASE Technologies.

“We have worked together for 10 years reselling and supporting CrawfordTech’s products, so we are very excited about this new endeavour.”

For more information on this acquisition, please email media@crawfordtech.com or phone +1.866.679.0864. To learn more about all of our products and services, visit www.crawfordtech.com.

03/28/12

Duncan Print Group Purchases a Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105

Press release from the issuing company

Flexibility and productivity were critical to Duncan Print Group's (Duncan Print) decision to purchase a new press. As a commercial and packaging producer it needed a press that could process lightweight 60gsm papers through to 1 mm boards and could run both UV and conventional inks with an easy switch between the two.

Following extensive testing with four potential suppliers, Duncan Print concluded that the Speedmaster XL 105-6+L from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) offered the best solution. The Speedmaster XL 105 comes with full logistics materials handling, Inpress Control spectrophotometer and automated colour adjustment and semi-automatic plate changing. The order includes the Pressroom Manager workflow and a new Stahlfolder TH 82 fully automatic folder with full JDF compatibility. The Stahlfolder will be delivered at the end of March and the Speedmaster XL 105 will arrive at the Welwyn Garden City plant in May.

New Speedmaster XL 105-6+L will increase production capacity and create new market opportunities John Segre, print manager, says the new Heidelberg press will replace two competition machines, but that it will give the company a 20 percent increase in production capacity. Bill Duncan, group managing director is delighted with the purchase: "We looked at a number of presses in the field before going to the supplier demonstrations. The Speedmaster XL 105, fitted with Inline colour control, will significantly reduce make-ready time and paper waste. We will also benefit from its ability to consistently run up to its maximum speed of 18,000 sph. We were particularly impressed with the carousel unit which holds up to four anilox rollers above the coating unit. This will dramatically improve the changeover time from conventional to UV printing. Another benefit will be that for the first time we will be able to print on plastic which will create important new market opportunities for us."

The six-colour press will operate on a three shift, round the clock basis to produce promotional packaging, forms, brochures, posters and leaflets. Printed carton production is a key strength of the business. For these products a complete range of products from design through production and finishing to fulfilment is provided. Duncan Print plans to run the press with just three percent alcohol.

03/28/12

KBA Founds PrintHouseService GmbH

Press release from the issuing company

More and more commercial web and newspaper printers are recognising the appeal of technical support partnerships to handle comprehensive and timely maintenance for their press installations. In response to the growing demand expressed by the print industry, particularly in the field of technical services, KBA has founded the company PrintHouseService GmbH (or PHS for short) with headquarters in Würzburg and several decentralised branch offices. PHS employs highly qualified specialists with many years of practical experience in the printing press industry and offers their flexible services at regular prices for work of all kinds, for example technical repairs, maintenance and inspections, or on-going production support, as well as retrofits and upgrades. Where required or within the framework of outsourcing projects, specialists can be based at the customer's location a pre-determined period - or even permanently - to ensure 24/7 availability for technical support and maintenance.

PHS stands on sound financial foundations and sees itself as a reliable partner for long-term business relationships. The geographical and technical proximity to KBA permits flexible extension of the premium customer services already offered by the manufacturer. Furthermore, it can be guaranteed that the PHS staff are at all times right up to date on the latest technology developments.

03/28/12

GFI Innovations Ships First Dispenser to Europe

Press release from the issuing company

GFI Innovations, manufacturer of the popular Mx-Series dispensing equipment, has just shipped their first machine to Europe. The Mx12 dispenser will be installed in Switzerland.

“Obviously it’s an exciting time for us to be shipping equipment internationally. With help from the internet and praising word of mouth, our reach is growing quickly. More and more printers are realizing how simple and profitable the technology makes their color matching process,” says Robert Luehrsen, President of GFI Innovations.

The Mx12 is a private labeled unit for the Sun Chemical corporation, and is based off the same technology as GFI’s Mx6 dispenser. Using the EcoFlow cartridge system, both dispensers give printers the ability to manufacture Spot Colors in-house without any ink or color expertise. Cost savings are typically between 30-50% over colors made by hand at an ink branch, and the systems also allow printers to recycle their old ink inventory into new colors.

“This particular unit will be used for Metal Decorating ink, a new market for us. The high viscosity nature of the ink works really well with the EcoFlow, and opens a lot of doors for us. With the international exposure and our other growth initiatives, I’m confident we’re going to beat our best year again in 2012,” added Luehrsen.

GFI Innovations’ award winning Mx-Series technology gives printers the ability to manufacture spot colors on their pressroom floors faster, more consistently, and more profitably than is otherwise possible. Current clients have successfully recycled thousands of pounds of old ink into new colors, and have accumulated millions of dollars in ink savings through a more efficient procurement process. Demo videos and product literature can be found on ColorItSmarter.com.

03/27/12

GSE Research / Publishing Technology Launch GSE Research Online

Press release from the issuing company

Publishing Technology, the largest provider of software and services to the industry, and newly established online scholarly publisher GSE Research, announce the launch of GSE Research Online, a resource defining the new age of digital academic publishing.

GSE Research’s portal is a bold concept to drive interaction and engagement across the academic audience, policy-makers and the corporate world in an interactive professional network supporting governance, sustainability and the environment.

Built on the pub2web platform, the site leverages semantic technology and novel functionality for an enriching, engaging and synergised user experience, which has been refined and honed following extensive user testing and feedback. The site supports a range of author benefits including rapid publication, a choice of open peer review or traditional peer review options, collaboration tools with article metrics to follow. The GSE vision allows the full breadth of stakeholders within this field to join in the conversation, share content, review and comment on papers, find collaborators, locate experts in the field for conference speaking or job opportunities.

The site boasts features further transformative, semantic enhancements:

• Taxonomy creation - tailored to the GSE community’s specific needs but also mapped to industry standards to ensure optimal interoperability.

• Semantically enriched content– supporting new ways of delivery and navigating to content.

• Article context – the ability to place scholarly articles within their external context by displaying contextual information from trusted external resources such as news and government data sets, providing a real value add for readers and increasing engagement with the platform.

• Taxonomy visualizations - to enable researchers see at a glance via article “fingerprints” what a paper is about and more easily navigate the data based on a particular field of interest.

• Faceted navigation – for accessing site content by applying multiple search filters based on taxonomy.

• Concept pages – to serve as entry points or “homepages” for topical concepts such as “Air Pollution” or “Greenwash”.

• The Research Exchange – a professional social network driven by location, subject specialty and articles published.

To facilitate and promote awareness of the GSE vision, Publishing Technology’s internationally recognised sales and marketing consulting firm, Publishers Communication Group, through its offices in Boston, Oxford, Sao Paulo, Beijing, and New Delhi, is also supporting the GSE sales and marketing team in their international activities to institutions.

www.gseresearch.com

John Peters, Publishing Director at GSE Research Ltd, commented:

“It’s with great excitement and anticipation that we launch the website, now available to the global academic publishing community. The new site represents a radical new way for academics to collaborate and explore new content, in real time and really exploits the benefits of semantic enhancements to deliver this. Bringing together academics from around the world, across environment, sustainability and governance, and allow them to share research and discuss topics with each other with greater ease, has always been our ultimate goal, and the pub2web platform has brought our concept to life with highly innovative technology and flourish.”

Louise Russell, Chief Operations Officer at Publishing Technology, said:

“GSE’s digital strategy and concept for their site is testament to their whole philosophy. The GSE approach benefits from not being restricted by the traditional content ‘containers’ of journals and books and create an online platform that turns the traditional model on its head. Exploring critical and innovative ways of empowering a whole community through online collaboration, the new site launches with semantic enrichment embedded within the workflow from day 1, support for rapid publication, a broader range of author benefits all integrated with a community model that fosters conversation and engagement. GSE have a unique and innovative approach to publishing and we are delighted to have played a part. The pub2web platform is a flexible and interoperable solution that will support GSE’s business every step of the way.”

The GSE Research model and approach has already received high praise from some leading names in the academic publishing industry. Professor Baback Yazdani, Dean of Nottingham Business School, commented: "This is an important field, and GSE Research are taking an innovative and welcome approach to scholarly publishing in the digital era," and industry commentator David Worlock, referred to GSE as “a project to watch, but also a trend to be noted.”

Visit GSE Research on stand (15) at UKSG. For more information about Publishing Technology’s online publishing services, please visit the PCG stand (35).

03/27/12

Valassis Named to 'Best Places to Work' List

Press release from the issuing company

Valassis (NYSE: VCI), one of the nation's leading media and marketing services companies, announced today that it has been recognized for the second consecutive year by Advertising Age magazine as one of the "Best Places to Work" in Marketing & Media. Valassis was 38th on Advertising Age's list of the top 40.

The Best Places to Work List was determined by the results of two surveys – one detailing hiring practices, benefits and pay and an employee survey, conducted by Advertising Age'sresearch partner, Buck Consultants, LLC. The employee survey accounted for 60 percent of the overall score. The list includes agencies, media owners and marketers with more than 50 full-time employees.

Nearly 185 companies applied for inclusion on Advertising Age's third annual Best Places list. About 15,000 employees took the survey which measured aspects of the workplace environment that contribute to an engaged staff, including employee engagement and satisfaction; career development; total rewards; and work environment.

"The collaborative spirit, energy and innovative thinking of our associates make Valassis a truly great place to work," said Suzie Brown, Valassis Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "This award is a testament to all of our dedicated associates who are the heart and soul of our company. Our team's passion and drive for excellence shine through to our clients."

There is a strong focus on the company's culture and emphasis on making its workplace inclusive, team-oriented and celebratory. Valassis rewards creativity through a variety of programs, including associate appreciation days and a Platinum Performer program in which 50 associates a quarter are recognized and rewarded with extra vacation days and cash payouts. Communication is also key to the company's collaborative work environment, and information is shared on an ongoing basis through daily huddles, CEO town hall meetings, Sales road shows, the Valassis Associate Council, which is dedicated to open communication and knowledge sharing and more. The company provides a host of convenient services, including onsite workout facilities and discounts, health fairs/flu shots, dry cleaning, postal services and discount tickets, to name a few.

As a company, Valassis has received numerous awards recognizing its workplace culture, diversity and innovation. In 2011, the company was recognized with 23 regional and national awards from Working Mother, InformationWeek, Diversity Employers and Printing Industries of America, to name a few. Earlier in the year, Valassis was named a "Top 50 Company for Executive Women" by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE) and by AZ Magazine in Arizona where it has an office in Phoenix as a "Top 25 Workplace for Women."

Winners are detailed in Advertising Age's March 26th issue at http://adage.com. To read more about Valassis, go to: http://adage.com/article/special-report-best-places-to-work-2012/valassis-38-ad-age-s-places-work-list/233666/.

03/27/12

Turtle Run Winery Chooses Color-Logic Process

Press release from the issuing company

Turtle Run Winery—a boutique estate winery in southern Indiana—recently chose the Process Metallic Color System from Color-Logic to produce labels which strengthen their brand on store shelves. According to winery owner Jim Pfeiffer: “When our label was produced using the Color-Logic process, it yielded the effect I had been trying to achieve for 11 years. After more than a decade of frustration, I finally got the look I wanted. Retail customers who see it in the wine shop love the new labels, as do those who visit the winery.”

Commenting on the project, Color-Logic Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Geeves said: “Brand and product managers are rapidly adopting the Color Logic process to differentiate their products from competitors in the marketplace. The superb metallic special effects enable brands to truly stand out on store shelves.”

Color-Logic™ develops color communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications. Color-Logic provides brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results. Color-Logic decorative effects utilize the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of special equipment. Color-Logic supports the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media. For more information, visit www.color-logic.com or call 513-258-0047.

03/26/12

Western States Launched New and Improved Site

Press release from the issuing company

Live chats with Customer Service. Enhanced product shopping and 24/7 online ordering. Ideas and tips for greener business practices. These are just a few of the new website offerings available to help Western States Envelope & Label customers grow their business.

Western States launched its new and improved site (www.wsel.com) on March 23, 2012 with its customers’ and prospects’ needs in mind. “We wanted to create an online experience for our customers that was engaging and valuable to their business,” noted Mark Lemberger, President & CEO of Western States Envelope & Label.

As a wholesale provider of premiere envelopes and labels, Western States now provides many tools at the touch of a button. “We have so many unique offerings that bring real results to our customers and their clients. This enhanced site builds on our social media success by directing the exchange of ideas and information to a one-stop online resource,” added Renee Berger, Marketing Manager for Western States Envelope & Label.

Western States Envelope & Label is headquartered in Butler, Wisconsin with five full-service locations, including one label operation. The company serves a national market of printers, distributors and mailing service providers. In business since 1908, Western States is known for its expansive offerings, innovative manufacturing techniques and commitment to environmental initiatives.

03/26/12

FlexPrint Inc Partners with Sharp

Press release from the issuing company

FlexPrint, Inc. (FPI) has announced a strategic partnership with Sharp Electronics that allows FPI to market Sharp’s award winning systems that offer advanced features and innovative technology. This partnership expands FPI’s overall product line-up and strengthens FPI’s technology agnostic approach to managed print services.

FPI’s primary focus with the alliance is to enhance their unique managed print services model. The additional partnership with Sharp further ensures that customers receive the most comprehensive suite of customizable solutions and intelligent devices – including products from Ricoh/Lanier, Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Kyocera, and Sharp.

“There is no other company in the nation with this level of focus on creating custom managed print solutions,” says Frank Gaspari, CEO of FlexPrint, Inc. “The print strategies we create and manage are tailored to our customers’ specific business requirements, and allow people, process, and best-in-breed technologies to work seamlessly together.”

FPI’s approach to lowering operating costs and increasing efficiencies is 100% consultative, and being a technology agnostic provider allows FPI to build a flexible print strategy that best fits the ever evolving needs of business.

03/26/12

KBA "Sprinting Ahead" at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

True to the chosen slogan “sprinting ahead”, the second-largest printing press manufacturer in the world, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), has planned a veritable innovation firework to light up this year's Drupa exhibition. A press conference on 20 March, at the opening of a special sneak preview for invited users at the company's sheetfed offset facility in Radebeul, announced many of the Drupa highlights for offset and digital print to a wider audience for the first time. Around 1,000 print professionals from Europe and overseas took advantage of the open house to experience the latest sheetfed offset generation during impressive live demonstrations. With the unveiling of its new, highly automated large-format press series Rapida 145, represented on this occasion by a six-colour model tailored for packaging and an eight-colour perfector press for commercial and magazine printing, KBA underlined its technical supremacy as market leader in this format class. An example for meaningful synergy effects between offset and digital print was given with the new inkjet printing system for the new Rapida 105 medium-format generation. The Drupa curtain was naturally not yet raised on everything the engineers have up their sleeves in Radebeul, but the exciting innovations placed on the table so far have definitely justified the Drupa slogan “sprinting ahead”. KBA has booked a 3,500m² (37,700ft²) stand in Düsseldorf (hall 16, stand 16C47) as the showcase for its many new and further developments for sheetfed, digital and web offset printers.

Bolza-Schünemann: print needs innovation

In his opening address, KBA president Claus Bolza-Schünemann drew attention to the tense market situation which still burdens the advertising- and media-dependent segments of the industry, and to the excess capacities which still exist in some areas on the manufacturer side, despite the painfully extensive workforce reductions. Years of unhealthy price competition were identified as a significant contributing factor in the recent bankruptcy of the former number-two German manufacturer. KBA, by contrast, has always rejected and continues to reject this path of problem solution on the shoulders of others. Through timely capacity downsizing at the group's own expense, intensification of the internal division of labour, an increased proportion of in-house production, development of the niche segments established over the past decades, and expansion into the field of digital print, the foundation has been laid for improved plant utilisation. KBA is the only one of the three major German manufacturers to have weathered recent storms by its own efforts, and was likewise the only press manufacturer to post a pre-tax profit in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The sums, however, are still insufficient to finance all the necessary investments and innovations, and so work continues on the optimisation of structures and processes, the broad and modern product portfolio, and the group sales organisation. Negotiations with a Chinese partner, for example, are already well advanced and envisage the local manufacturing of entry-level sheetfed offset presses for this enormous market, alongside the high-tech presses imported from Germany. Bolza-Schünemann emphasised that KBA would be maintaining its commitment to innovation, because an abandoning of technical progress would in his opinion worsen rather than solve the problems of the print branch in the online age.

Sprinting ahead: KBA active in shaping the future of print

Marketing director Klaus Schmidt explained that the slogan “sprinting ahead” also serves to spotlight the encouraging opportunities for print in the multimedia age. As an innovative press manufacturer, KBA intends to remain active in helping to shape the future of print. That was one of the reasons behind the group's move into digital print and the merging of digital inkjet technologies with analogue offset print. Despite the importance of thrift, the Drupa stand is the same size as in 2008, and the number of innovations on show has even been increased. The five sheetfed offset presses in small, half, medium and large format (three of which are completely new), three web offset installations for commercial, packaging and newspaper print (two of which are completely new) and the new inkjet web press from KBA will be complemented by a five-colour Rapida 106 coater for waterless UV offset and a Genius 52UV on the neighbouring stand of Japanese partner Toray Industries. The comprehensively equipped Rapida106 is configured for eco-friendly production on plastic films and other high-quality substrates.

KBA RotaJET 76: digital print from the offset experts

The round of Drupa innovation previews began with a high-volume web-fed inkjet press of the latest generation for the on-demand or individualised production of four-colour books, brochures, commercial products, mailings and magazines. The KBA RotaJET 76 built at KBA in Würzburg was presented by new project manager Oliver Baar, an experienced specialist in the field of digital print. Engineered for a maximum web speed of 150mpm (493fpm) and web widths of up to 780mm (30.7in, corresponding to approx. 3,000 A4 pages/min or 85 million pages per month), the KBA RotaJET prints with water-based pigment inks. The state-of-the-art piezo inkjet heads are reliable in production and require only a minimum of maintenance. They have been designed for heavy-duty use and contribute to the high availability of the overall system. Frequent replacement is avoided and uninterrupted industrial production is guaranteed. Precision engineering from KBA is here the key to high print and register quality with the inkjet technology. This quality is only realised, however, in combination with precise web tension. The unwinder and infeed unit have thus been designed specifically for the RotaJET. Together with an ingeniously simple web lead without turning bars for four-colour production, they ensure excellent results. Web tension is controlled fully automatically. In this connection, Oliver Baar pointed out the greatly reduced waste compared to other press systems, as the RotaJET 76 is thus able to produce good copies even during the start-up phase. This permits considerably more efficient production and at the same time enhanced flexibility. An automatic reelstand with integration into automated paper logistics is to be made available in future as an option to further boost productivity. The web offset expertise is unmistakable.

The two arrays of 56 inkjet heads each (total 112) form an arch over large central impression cylinders for four-colour printing on both sides of the web, but can still be shifted aside for cleaning and maintenance purposes. This arrangement provides for optimum web guidance and facilitates an outstanding print quality even with problematic materials. The printing heads are cleaned and aligned automatically (stitching) to minimise manual intervention and ensure straightforward handling. The system offers a native print resolution is 600dpi, while the variable droplet size represents an additional quality plus. A dispersion coater is planned as a future option for further quality enhancement. Internal communication is compliant with the JDF standard, as is the integration with third-party systems - another feature which helps to optimise processes and lower costs. Drupa visitors will be able to witness personalised production driven through the popular Adobe APPE (Adobe PDF Print Engine) workflow. A powerful front-end is geared to the high data throughputs associated with industrial-scale PoD applications. With even the largest data volumes, the RotaJET 76 delivers full-colour variable production at maximum speed, without stoppage and waiting times. Another advantage, according to Oliver Baar, is that KBA speaks the language of generations of printers and understands the demands they place on systems, processes and final products.

The KBA RotaJET 76 on display at Drupa will be operating in conjunction with a SigmaLine digital production system from Müller Martini, a solution for overall production control which has already been installed with numerous users worldwide. SigmaLine is here configured with the variable-format section folder module SigmaFolder and a Primera Digital saddle stitcher system, enabling digitally printed magazines and advertising brochures to be folded and stitched inline. SigmaLine is controlled through the smart data and process management system Connex, which ensures consistent integration between the printing press and the finishing equipment. Thanks to the modular system design and the broad spectrum of finishing options, SigmaLine can be tailored for both softcover and hardcover book production, as well as for a diversity of stitched products.

Turning to sheetfed offset users, the responsible head of marketing Jürgen Veil announced new press generations to be unveiled at the show, alongside ground-breaking technology innovations in all format classes.

New Rapida 145 defines new benchmarks for large format

As the established market leader, KBA has chosen Drupa as a fitting occasion to redefine the benchmarks for offset printing in large formats. The latest generation of large-format Rapidas is to celebrate its official market premiere in the form of a plinth-mounted six-colour Rapida 145 with new coater, triple-length extended delivery and automated pile logistics. The maximum production speed of the 1050 x 1450mm (41.34 x 57in) Rapida 145 is 17,000sph in straight printing with the high-speed package and 15,000sph in perfecting mode with the new three-drum perfecting unit. Many of the automation modules of the makeready world champion press Rapida 106 are now also available to large format users. The press to be seen at Drupa, for example, features the sidelay-free infeed DriveTronic SIS and DriveTronic SPC direct drives for fast, simultaneous plate changing. The CleanTronic Synchro system (two washing beams) for simultaneous washing of ink rollers, blankets and impression cylinders parallel to plate changing, a new programme for extremely fast inking unit washing (CleanTronic ReInk) and further parallel makeready processes contribute to significantly higher net production output compared to the predecessor series and presses from other manufacturers. The same can be said of the new coater with simultaneous coating forme changing (DriveTronic SFC) and of the fast, one-man replacement of the exchangeable anilox roller sleeves (AniSleeve). The high production speed of 17,000sph is made possible not least by the new AirTronic delivery with high-level Venturi sheet guiding, dynamic sheet brake and console-based preset capabilities, and by a new blade chamber for the coating system (HighFlow Chamber). Convenient operation is guaranteed at the new ErgoTronic console with wall screen, picture-in-picture function and integrated colour measurement and control system (QualiTronic ColorControl) for quality monitoring. In addition, the new large-format Rapida presses feature inline register control (QualiTronic ICR), and with QualiTronic PDF it is possible to perform an inline comparison between the print result and the original PDF file. The energy-saving KBA VariDryBLUE dryers which were already offered to large format users are to be made available also for medium-format presses in the future.

Digital joins offset: Rapida 105 with inkjet printing system

With the Rapida 105, KBA will also be presenting a completely new medium-format series in Düsseldorf. The press was unveiled to the public at the All in Print China fair in Shanghai last November. The high-level delivery is immediate indication that the new Rapida 105 is based on the same platform as the high-end Rapida 106 press. The range of automation options has been extended compared to the predecessor model. After positive experience with the presses delivered over the past three months, the maximum production speed for presses incorporating the high-speed package is to be raised to 17,000sph (standard: 16,500sph) with effect from Drupa. The Rapida 105 is now also available in a four-back-four perfector configuration, with a perfecting unit based on the modern technology of the Rapida 106. The new Rapida 105 thus packs all the features expected of a modern commercial press placed under the banner: “Designed for Performance”.

The real show highlight, however, is the presentation of this internationally popular press type in a hybrid offset/inkjet version. The five offset printing units and coater tower are joined by an inkjet unit with two Delta 105iUV printing systems from Atlantic Zeiser for personalised imprinting and coding applications. Thanks to an innovative vacuum cylinder (AirTronic Drum) to fix the sheets under the inkjet heads, the KBA Rapidas (105 and 106) are currently the only presses on the market to realise this option without the need for mechanical sheet guides and print-free corridors. The unique solution prevents lifting of the tail edges and enables the inkjet systems to be installed at a clearance of only 1mm (0.04in) from the sheet. UV-LED dryers provide for fast drying of the ink.

There are many potential applications for inkjet systems in a sheetfed printing press. They range from sheet marking in connection with quality inspection using the alphaJET-tempo printer from KBA-Metronic to codings for purposes of brand protection (barcodes, QR codes, numerical IDs or combinations thereof). Relevant fields are security printing, packaging, labels, lottery tickets and industrial product marking. Up to eight inkjet heads from Atlantic Zeiser can be accommodated in a printing unit of the Rapida 105 or 106 press. The high-speed greyscale printer is equally suitable for coated, laminated, glossy and non-absorbent materials. A mini controller takes care of system handling in marking, inspection and quality assurance processes. Quality control, including verification of the variable data, is similarly the purpose of a high-speed camera system. Another interesting option for packaging printers is the marking of individual blanks in connection with the inline sheet inspection system KBA QualiTronic MarkPlus. Flawed blanks can then be ejected automatically during downstream processing, e.g. in the folder gluer. With the KBA AirTronic Drum, further inline finishing processes are likely to be integrated in future.

Rapida 106: 20,000sph and duplex inline coating

The makeready world champion press Rapida 106 was first presented at the last Drupa in 2008. For this year's show, an optional package now raises the maximum production speed one notch further to 20,000sph in straight printing and 18,000sph in perfecting mode. The KBA flagship in medium format is to be seen in a 12-unit configuration for four-colour print and inline coating on both sides of the sheet. Among the many innovations incorporated into this already highly automated press, particular mention should be made of the new coater tower with simultaneous forme changing (DriveTronic SFC), automated anilox roller exchange with AniloxLoader, the further optimised AirTronic delivery for exact pile formation at even the highest speeds, new modules for online and inline quality monitoring and control, and a new ErgoTronic console with wall screen as on the large-format presses.

B2 format: high-end Rapida 76 to complement the Rapida 75

In the half-format segment, the 15,000sph, 530 x 750mm (20.86 x 29.53in) Rapida 75E unveiled at Ipex 2010 has been upgraded in terms of sheet travel, feeder, delivery and many other technical details. It is now offered with the new ErgoTronic console, QualiTronic inline colour measurement and control system and a UV accessory package, and is now available in a four-back-four perfector version. The compact, energy-saving B2-format press has regained its original name of Rapida 75 and will be joined at Drupa 2012 by a sister press boasting higher speed and an enhanced level of automation: the high-end Rapida 76.

The new Rapida 76 on the stand in Düsseldorf is a five-colour coater press. With its maximum speed of 18,000sph in straight printing, it is an interesting proposition for both commercial and packaging printers and incorporates many of the automation options of its medium-format sister Rapida 106. These include DriveTronic SIS sidelay-free infeed, fast automatic plate changers, DriveTronic SPC dedicated drives for the plate cylinders, fast, simultaneous washing with CleanTronic Synchro and ErgoTronic online colour measurement and control at the new console, or inline colour measurement and control with QualiTronic. With the Rapida 76, KBA has transferred cutting-edge solutions from its large and medium-format presses into the half-format class.

Innovation in web offset, too: C16 and Commander CL

In commercial and newspaper web offset, too, KBA is able to present a raft of new developments addressing the latest market demands. The Commander CL, the newspaper press with module-based automation launched at IFRA Expo in Vienna in October 2011, for example, is to be shown for the first time with a compact printing unit featuring semi- and fully automatic plate changing and further innovations, alongside the very latest ErgoTronic console technology. In addition, a printing unit of the 16-page commercial press KBA C16 will be spotlighting the further optimisation for fast job changes with short and medium runs, together with its new low-maintenance quarterfold module and user-oriented console.

KBA-MePrint: variable-format Varius for flexible packaging

Subsidiary KBA-MePrint has prepared two presses of the small-format Genius 52UV series with a number of new features which are to be available in the future (envelope feeder; rainbow printing). Another highlight is an interesting new development for the growth market of flexible packaging. The new Varius 80 is a modular, variable-format web offset press. It implements the same waterless technology as the Genius, with short-train inking units and UV drying. This combination achieves excellent print quality on flexible, non-absorbent substrates with very low start-up waste. The offset plates, moreover, are significantly less expensive than the sleeves required for a flexo process. The keyless and waterless Varius 80 is already in full colour after 100 metres - a waste saving of around 80% compared to other presses. As runs become ever shorter and job changes more frequent, that is an advantage which can make all the difference. And the higher quality of offset compared to flexo no doubt answers the wishes of many print customers. The environment also benefits, because the Varius 80 uses no water, no solvent and no powder. Engineered for a maximum web width of 800mm (31.5in) and a production speed of 400 metres per minute (1,312fpm), the Varius 80 from KBA-MePrint handles substrate thicknesses from 30 to 800µm. The printing length is variable between 21 and 34 inches. Changes in format length are accomplished in a matter of minutes with an automated plate and blanket cylinder change function (no sleeves).

KBA-Metronic: innovative marking with betaJET

As a specialist for digital and analogue marking and coding systems, KBA-Metronic will be showcasing yet another interesting solution for the packaging branch. The betaJET thermal inkjet unit integrated into the udaFORMAXX feeding system for sleeves, cartons and the like is freely programmable. As such it is suitable for a diversity of uses, for example in addressing applications, as an anti-counterfeiting module in the pharmaceuticals industry, for brand protection or in just-in-time manufacturing in the textiles and cosmetics branches.

Green printing, technology lounge, JDF workflow, MIS etc

As a declared pioneer of eco-friendly production, as already demonstrated at Drupa 2008, KBA will again be lending particular weight to the topic of “green printing”. Four web and sheetfed presses implement a waterless UV process. New offers for climate-neutral print and the possibilities for climate-neutral press manufacture are to be presented in cooperation with Climate Partner. And in a dedicated technology lounge, KBA will be putting forward current and future solutions for UV-LED and HR-UV drying, energy management and heat recovery in the printshop. The CtP pre-press with a Magnus 800 MCU platesetter is from Kodak, as at previous Drupas. The JDF workflow on the stand is networked via KBA LogoTronic Professional, and Italian KBA partner Logica Sistemi will be presenting branch-specific MIS software suitable also for smaller users.

03/23/12

Standard Register - HealthTrust Agreement

Press release from the issuing company

Standard Register (NYSE:SR), a recognized leader in managing critical communications and information for health care, has signed an agreement with HealthTrust Purchasing Group, L.P., (HealthTrust), a Tennessee-based group purchasing organization (GPO).

The agreement gives HealthTrust members access to Standard Register Healthcare’s portfolio of document solutions, and for the first time, SMARTworks® Clinical Enterprise, a technology platform that automates patient registration, identification and clinical workflows.

“It’s gratifying to see how our 12-year relationship with HealthTrust has grown,” said Brad Cates, president of Standard Register Healthcare. “We look forward to building on our relationship and creating a positive impact for HealthTrust members in new and innovative ways moving forward.”

03/23/12

New iPad Catalogue App Made with QuarkXPress

Press release from the issuing company

Quark announced today that the agency group Kreativdienst has published the German fashion and lifestyle catalogue IMPRESSIONEN as an iPad app using QuarkXPress® 9 and App StudioTM. The IMPRESSIONEN app is now available free of charge in the Apple Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/impressionen/id478822934?mt=8.

IMPRESSIONEN offers readers attractive, high-quality, and exciting fashion, lifestyle, and decor products. The new iPad app not only features a sophisticated, interactive shopping experience, but also links directly to the existing IMPRESSIONEN Web store (www.impressionen.de). Customers can use the app to order goods quickly and conveniently with a single click inside the app. The ability to integrate HTML links within the app using QuarkXPress and App Studio made it possible to create a complete purchasing process without additional development costs or programming.

In order to produce the iPad version of the IMPRESSIONEN catalogue, the Kreativdienst team initially carried out test runs with Adobe Creative Suite. "However, we decided on QuarkXPress 9 with App Studio," reports Florian Rathcke from Kreativdienst, who shares responsibility with two colleagues for producing the app. "The Quark App Studio cost model is significantly clearer and easier to understand and there are only fixed costs, no monthly fees or variable costs that are impossible to calculate. Plus, the fixed costs are incurred only when we publish."

Rathcke and his colleagues come from the traditional print sector, but also have some experience in the creation of digital media. App Studio was new territory for everybody, but it didn’t take them long to get familiar with the new digital publishing. According to Rathcke, "The functionality of App Studio is easy to grasp. Even without previous experience in this specialized area, my colleagues and I found it relatively easy to understand the procedure for generating interactive elements.”

There are plans to bring additional IMPRESSIONEN catalogues to the iPad using QuarkXPress 9 and App Studio. Besides publishing the main catalogue on the iPad, work is underway to create a format that will exist exclusively as a digital publishing version.

A complete case study is available to download here: http://www.quark.com/About_Quark/Press/Success_Stories.aspx.

03/23/12

KiNETiK Shows HTML5-based Web-to-Print Solution at drupa

Press release from the issuing company

After Adobe has abondoned Flash technology for mobile devices it is clear that only HTML5 can be the future of modern web applications. But currently it is not yet known, what HTML5 will be able to offer and how it performs in real world when it comes to web-to-print applications.

At drupa KiNETiK will present facts: iBright Gecko, a new web-to-print editor based solely on HTML5 technology, outrivals the well known Flash-editors in almost all areas. Screenshots and videos at www.kinetik.de/gecko provide a first impression.

Managing director Andreas Kurzac: "Since 2009 we have been working on this new editor and we checked out both flash and HTML5. At a very early stage, we decided to focus on HTML5 and it soon proofed to be the right decision. At drupa we will show features of our new iBright Gecko editor, no one has ever seen in a webbrowser before. Our customers will be amazed."

The iBright Gecko editor allows free editing of documents, while demanding tasks like crop, skale or rotating images or placing text an a path are still easy to handle.

In future the iBright Gecko Editor will also support modern tablets and smartphones because these devices with Apple iOS and Google Android already support the new HTML5 standard.

Integration of Online-Shops

Besides a simple order processing that the iBright System offers by itself, at drupa various integrations will be shown at the apps4print booth (Hall 7, E08), for example an integration of the OXID eSales Shop System, an integration of the order portal "FTP Portal" and an integration of the davida DAM system.

Live presentation and availability

The new Gecko Editor will be demonstrated live by KiNETiK at drupa in drupa-innovation-park, Hall 7, E08. After drupa the iBright Gecko Editor will be available for licencing and as a cloud based SaaS solution at a monthly fee.

03/22/12

All Covered Acquires Covisia Solutions

Press release from the issuing company

All Covered, a division of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A Inc. (Konica Minolta) focused on delivering high?performance IT Services to small? and medium?sized businesses, is pleased to announce that Covisia Solutions, a Managed IT Services company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, has joined All Covered. With the addition of Covisia Solutions, All Covered expands its presence with a broad and talented group of professionals along with a diverse list of clients.

“Covisia Solutions’ extensive experience helping businesses leverage Cloud Computing and virtualization technologies aligns perfectly with All Covered’s expanding range of Cloud Computing services,” said Todd Croteau, President of All Covered. “In addition, Konica Minolta has over 3,000 customers in the Boston area and there is significant growth opportunity to provide IT services to these companies. All Covered has a well-established base of customers in the Boston market and the addition of Covisia Solutions allows us to expand our presence while delivering innovative Cloud and IT Services designed to meet the business needs of our customers.”

Covisia Solutions has over 20 years of experience analyzing, designing, implementing, managing and scaling information technology environments for clients across New England. They provide customers with a streamlined application delivery process, by following their 4C methodology of centralization, consolidation, collaboration and continuity. They are one of the largest technology support services firms in New England and in the top one percent of Citrix partners across the US. The company has been a Citrix Platinum Solutions Provider Partner since 1999, having worked on over 1,000 Citrix installations.

William G. Fistori, President of Covisia Solutions said, “All Covered and Konica Minolta are great matches for us in terms of vision and culture. Joining one of the top ranked IT Services companies in the country allows us to offer our customers expanded services, as well as a portfolio of proven vertical solutions.”

03/22/12

RPI Appoints Randy Bice as Vice President of Operations

Press release from the issuing company

RPI (www.rpiprint.com), a leader in make-on-demand private label personalized photo books, greeting cards and stationery products for mass and specialty retailers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Randy L. Bice as vice president of operations. Bice brings nearly 20 years of engineering and international business experience in technology, innovation, supply chain management and Six Sigma operational excellence to RPI.

As vice president of operations, Bice is responsible for managing RPI’s U.S. lean manufacturing facilities, and improving the efficiencies and profitability within RPI’s operations, including infrastructure enhancements, product quality and personnel. He will report to RPI Chief Executive Officer Rick Bellamy and work to develop strategic processes that drive continuous improvements to the company’s industry leading manufacturing, design and fulfillment services.

“Randy has a proven track record for implementing lean manufacturing best practices to successfully drive growth, increase efficiencies and launch new technology platforms,” said Bellamy. “His extensive experience in operations and supply chain management will play a critical role inexpanding our innovative consumer product offerings to our valued clients worldwide.”

“I’m excited to join the management team of a company committed to driving continued innovation in the personalized consumer products industry,” said Bice. “RPI is poised for tremendous growth as it creates a more robust, stronger mass customization platform with new consumer products to benefit its leading retail and online photo publishing partners. I look forward to leading the operations team to drive greater efficiencies, product quality and improved customer delivery to further exceed customer expectations.”

Prior to joining RPI, Bice served as vice president of digital solutions at Taylor Corporation, where he led efforts to transform its digital strategies and print-on-demand capabilities. During his tenure, he introduced lean Six Sigma practices and developed multi-channel communication strategies to better serve national and international customers. His previous experience also includes key management and engineering roles at Oshkosh Corporation, Vermeer Manufacturing and PowerTeam. Bice earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical systems engineering from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and a master’s degree in business administration from Drake University. He is also an 18-year member and Commander in the United States Naval Reserve.

In addition, Bice serves as an advisor with industry leaders HP, Xerox, Oce and the Digital Solutions Cooperative (Dscoop). Bice will participate in a customer panel discussion on self-publishing at the Dscoop annual conference in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The panel will focus on how business owners can develop new market strategies in custom publishing and how print service providers can gain new opportunities within custom publishing and existing markets. For more information about the Dscoop conference visit: www.Dscoop.org.

03/22/12

BCT Educational Webinars

Press release from the issuing company

On the heels of receiving considerable commendation by Print Professional Magazine, BCT, the largest wholesale printer in North America, is eager to announce a series of educational webinars to assist its network of print brokers, advertising agencies and designers in their mission to deliver best-in-class service. The educational seminars are designed around the premise of providing valuable tools to those individuals who buy or sell print and will work to secure BCT’s role as a leader in the category.

The first webinar is scheduled for March 28, 2012. The class, entitled, “Offset vs. Digital: Everything a Distributor Needs to Know About Choosing the Best Printing Process for any Print Project,” will address customer’s concerns over identifying which printing process is the ideal to choose for their unique project and will discuss how to properly explain the differences between offset and digital printing. The webinar, which has been called “fast-moving,” will also provide helpful selling tips for both printing services. Register for this class at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/367353882

The next course, “Making the Sale,” will be held on April 25, 2012. This particular class works to address prospecting in the current business environment and identifies methods that not only inject creativity into lead generation efforts, but will also instill new commitment and dedication regarding the activity in course participants. A step-by-step process to prospecting will be discussed which includes facing many of the challenges in the industry today. Information on how to move a “suspect” through the pipeline to “prospect” and then onto “customer” will be a focal point of the seminar and the class will provide a frank discussion on qualifying or disqualifying leads as well as how to handle objections and get through gatekeepers. Register for this class at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/118592770

Additional monthly webinars will be scheduled throughout the year covering topics such as; The Latest in Web-2-Print Solutions, Closing the Sale and Using Mobile Technology To Increase Sales and Productivity.

All webinars are scheduled to commence at 1:00 p.m. EST on the dates listed above and are one hour in length. Individuals interested in learning more information about these events or who would like to participate in one or all of the classes can register by visiting www.bctonline.net. Additional information on speaker David Fellman can be found at www.davefellman.com.

03/21/12

First KBA Rapida 75E in Scandinavia

Press release from the issuing company

The B2-format press KBA Rapida 75E, which was first shown to the public at IPEX 2010, is also attracting increasing attention in the Scandinavian countries. A five-colour coater version was recently taken into production at Cela Grafiska in the Swedish town of Vänersborg, approx. 100 km northeast of Göteborg.

Cela Grafiska was founded as far back as 1848, and already sent a stir through the local print industry with its purchase of a Rapida 74G (Gravuflow) with keyless anilox inking units in 2004. The new 16,000-sph Rapida 75E is viewed as the key to further growth at Cela Grafiska. Its compact design and especially low energy consumption combine with an extensive feature list, including CX board-handling accessories, SAPC semi-automatic plate changers and the autoregister system ErgoTronic ACR.

Innovative strategies count

Cela Grafiska can look back over an eventful and occasionally turbulent history in book, newspaper and commercial printing since Samuel Victor Bagge founded the company 164 years ago. But at the latest since joining forces with the advertising agency Friberg & Co. in 2000, it has positioned itself as a modern print enterprise with clearly defined workflows and an attractive, constantly expanding product portfolio under the management of Joachim Friberg (CEO), Hans Bolander, Stephan Palm and Lars Elgh. Cela Grafiska has developed into one of the top print industry players in the region around Vänersborg. After acquiring a number of other businesses along the way, it now serves around 1,500 demanding customers in the private, retail and industrial sectors between Vänersborg, Göteborg and Linköping. Some first successes have also been recorded with exports to Denmark, Finland and Norway.

Programmed growth

Alongside offset and digital print, Cela Grafiska offers a full range of services in graphic design, pre-press and print finishing. The 20 employees currently achieve a turnover of around €3.5 million, but this figure is set to receive a significant boost in coming years with the new KBA Rapida 75E. A move to new, 2,000 m2 premises in December 2011 has established ideal conditions. Creative products, for example high-quality flyers, brochures, catalogues, books, posters, banners and increasingly also packaging, have helped to build up a loyal customer base, and future growth is already programmed.

Productive and cost-efficient

Joachim Friberg: “We recorded some notable successes with the waterless Rapida 74G between 2004 and 2011, especially in terms of quality and productivity. But the price competition on our markets is fierce, and our consumables were too expensive. That is why we chose to buy the new Rapida 75E. The performance, reliability and service offered by KBA-Nordic were fantastic from the very beginning. Even so, we see this investment as something of a temporary solution. If we maintain our present course, there will soon be no alternative to a move up into 3b format. But with the Rapida 105 and 106 series, KBA has attractive equipment for that segment, too.”

03/21/12

Environmental Innovation Awards Application Deadline Extended

Press release from the issuing company

Due to the large number of application downloads for the Fourth Annual Environmental Awards, and our desire to give entrants as much time as possible to thoroughly complete their applications, WhatTheyThink has extended the deadline for entry. “We know that over 100 applications for awards were downloaded and we want to include as many great sustainability stories as possible this year,” said WhatTheyThink President Eric Vessels, “so we’re giving everyone who has an application a bit more time to get it in and we look forward to giving proper recognition to all the great environmental efforts in the industry.”

Applicants now have until April 6th to get their applications in. Richard Romano, Managing Editor of WhatTheyThink’s Going Green added, “We’d like to thank everyone who has submitted their applications this year as well as our great partner Unisource for their support. Together they are making it possible to bring recognition to companies doing some great things.”

Winners will be announced on April 23rd (the Monday after Earth Day) and will be flown to Atlanta, where they will be presented their awards by executives from WhatTheyThink and Unisource.

Be sure to send your applications to Awards@WhatTheyThink.com before Friday, April 6. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity!

Don’t have an application? There’s still time! You may still download applications at http://whattheythink.com/environmental-award/.

03/21/12

Roland DGA Launches New Rental Program

Press release from the issuing company

Roland DGA Corp. has announced a new rental program for its award-winning line of inkjet printers and printer/cutters. Available to customers in the United States only, the new Roland Rental Program provides flexible financing options for customers with short-term equipment requirements as well as businesses that do not qualify for traditional financing programs.

“Buying a new Roland inkjet is one of the best ways for a graphics provider to expand his or her business,” said Andrew Oransky, director of marketing and product management for Roland DGA Corp. “However, the credit crunch of the past few years has made it difficult for many businesses to qualify for a lease or other financing. The Roland Rental Program is designed to help these businesses quickly and easily obtain the equipment they need in order to grow. It is also an excellent option for businesses with short-term projects, such as election year signage, where added production capacity is needed on a temporary basis.”

Available exclusively for Roland VersaCAMM, VersaArt and VersaStudio models, the Roland Rental Program offers one-year and three-year options at affordable monthly rates. Warranty coverage is included in the monthly payment for the life of the rental, covering parts and labor, with the exception of consumable items.

Complete digital printing solutions, including VersaWorks RIP software, VersaArt, VersaCAMM and VersaStudio printers deliver outstanding image quality, high-speed productivity and reliable long-term performance. They are ideal for applications ranging from signage, banners, vehicle graphics and wraps to labels, decals, POP, packaging comps, decorated apparel, soft signage and personalization. For added versatility, VersaCAMM and VersaStudio models feature integrated contour cutting capabilities and can be configured with specialty inks, including white and metallic silver, for premium finishes and effects.

In addition to the rental program, Roland Financial Services offers a variety of flexible leasing options through Geneva Capital that enable customers to preserve their existing credit lines while growing their business. For more information, call (800) 542-2307 or visit www.rolanddga.com.

03/20/12

FSEA Launches Revamped Website

Press release from the issuing company

The Foil and Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has redesigned its website, creating information areas for three types of visitors: association members, those looking to design with specialty effects and those seeking finishers or other suppliers to the industry.

Visitors will find descriptions and photos for each specialty finishing process, providing inspiration and an understanding of what each technique adds to a finished piece. A list of print finishers that can provide the needed finishing technique is easily accessible, and is searchable by sheet size, finishing process and region of the country. Industry suppliers also can be easily located through the site for those seeking suppliers of foils, engravings, machinery, coatings and much more. “The redesigned site offers visitors many more examples and resources to utilize in designing with foil and other specialty processes,” stated FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “Its new, user-friendly format makes it easy to find useful information, such as suppliers of the various decorative processes, at a click of a button.”

View the redesigned site at www.fsea.com.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012, the Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has worked towards industry awareness and growth, serving as a resource and educational platform for all decorative finishing processes (including foil stamping, embossing, cold foil, specialty UV coating and laminates, laser cutting and more) and providing members with the tools and knowledge necessary to grow their businesses.

03/20/12

Harper Corporation Releases Harper Bridge Sleeves

Press release from the issuing company

The latest in a line of flexographic products, Harper Bridge Sleeves have recently been released by global anilox roll supplier Harper Corporation. Carbon fiber is the key material and its use maximizes stiffness and reduces weight. The result is an optimized performance.

The Harper Bridge Sleeves “Flow-Thru” feature allows secondary air to permeate the system to make it easy to mount plate sleeves or I.T.R. plates. All press OEM specifications were used in the designing of bridge (adapter) results to create the quality product clients expect from Harper. This product follows Harper's long tradition of being an industry leader.

First and foremost, the patent-pending replaceable notch system can incorporate a straight, bayonet, or custom notch design, allowing for use with a variety of presses. A great deal of time and energy was spent to develop this unique characteristic.

Additionally, Harper Bridge Sleeves (adapters) can be used with steel or carbon fiber base mandrels, as well as hydraulically clamped or mechanical lock down systems. A mechanically fastened end ring incorporates a built-in sleeve stop, and Harper Bridge Sleeves offer a notch to locate pin tolerances +/-.0015 inches in relation to locating pin.

The goal of Harper Corporation of America is to create quality products and services that improve client processes. As a member of Harper Corporation's long line of quality products, Harper Bridge Sleeves reduce waste, increase cost-effectiveness, and enhance the efficiency of client processes.

Harper Bridge Sleeves will be on display at the FTA's 2012 Annual Forum & Info*FLEX Exhibition March 18 – 21 in San Antonio, Texas.

For more information, please contact Jazmin Kluttz at 704-588-3371, ext. 4292, or jkluttz@harperimage.com.

03/20/12

GPO Concludes FY 2013 Appropriations Hearings Before Congress

Press release from the issuing company

Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks presented the FY 2013 appropriations request for the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) before the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Appropriations on March 15.

Link to full hearing: http://appropriations.senate.gov/webcasts.cfm?method=webcasts.view&id=e05f1d0c-abfc-4a37-8d26- 46efaf163bed

As previously requested to the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Appropriations on February 7, GPO is requesting no increase over the level of funding the agency is receiving for FY 2012 due to savings garnered from cost-cutting activities last year as well as projected workload changes for FY 2013. GPO’s budget request also includes a significant shift in funding away from conventional printing and distribution toward digital systems. The current level of $126.2 million is a 6.6% reduction from FY 2011 and about a 15% reduction from FY 2010. GPO’s funding level for FY 2013 is provided through three separate accounts in the annual Legislative Branch Appropriations bill:

The Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation covers the cost of information products in digital and print formats that GPO produces for Congress. About 70% of this cost is for preparing the electronic files used for both digital access and printing. For FY 2013, GPO is requesting $83.6 million, a decrease of about $7 million.

The Salaries and Expenses Appropriation of the Superintendent of Documents primarily covers the cost of the Federal Depository Library Program, which works in partnership with 1,220 libraries nationwide to provide public access to Federal Government information. For FY 2013, GPO is requesting $34.7 million, a decrease of about $300,000.

The GPO Revolving Fund receives appropriated funds for specific technology investment and facility improvements. For FY 2013, GPO is requesting $7.8 million. The request includes funding for the continued development of GPO’s Federal Digital System (FDsys) to support increased online access to congressional and Federal agency information as well as other digital information technology improvements. GPO achieved significant savings in FY 2011 by reducing unnecessary overhead expenses and conducting a buyout that helped reduce staffing by about 15%. As a result, GPO achieved positive net income of $5.6 million for the year. The agency, whose information production and dissemination operations have transitioned to digital technologies, is currently operating with its smallest workforce in more than a century.

“GPO is doing more with less in meeting the digital information needs of Congress, Federal agencies, and the public,” said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks. “GPO’s plan of reducing costs while continuing to expand services to our customers is working and showing real and measurable benefits.”

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO’s Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/USGPO Twitter http://twitter.com/USGPO and on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/gpoprinter.

03/19/12

CHILI Publish Partners with PHPro

Press release from the issuing company

The ability to easily integrate CHILI Publisher with software from major industry players is helping CHILI Publish secure a number of exciting partnerships. PHPro, part of the Belgian Cronos group, is the latest to adopt the technology.

The relationship with PHPro has resulted in the development of CHILI connector for Magento. It allows Magento e-commerce owners to offer professional document editing in their e-shops.

“This combination allows graphical service providers to create webshops with online editing capabilities in a very short amount of time,” comments CHILI Publish’s Managing Partner Bram Verniest. “Since Magento is open source, based on PHP, and CHILI Publisher hosts a very powerful API, shop-owners can now push the boundaries of web-based applications.”

Integrating CHILI Editor in Magento was a straight-forward task according to Jasper De Craecker, technical lead developer, PHPro. “Thanks to the well designed CHILI API and detailed documentation made available in the CHILI Backoffice, our developers were able to put together a proof of concept in Magento within a few days.”

The web services, in combination with the Javascript integration, provide a solid and easy to learn basis enabling the tight integration of CHILI Editor into Magento. Jasper De Craecker adds: “At this moment a wide set of CHILI API features are being used in CHILI Connector for Magento, but there are still many interesting unused features which we are planning to implement in the next releases of the module.”

Why choose CHILI?
Customers and partners choose CHILI Publisher because:
• CHILI Publisher offers wysiwyg editing capabilities out of the box.
• CHILI Editor (the wysiwyg editor) uses the same CHILI API that external applications use.
• Simple pricing model.
• CHILI Publisher offers an unprecedented amount of functionalities, in a browser, previously only available in desktop publishing applications.
• Branding: CHILI Publisher integrates seamlessly into the web-application so end-user are unaware a third party component is being used.
• Integrators choose how to organize their workflow.

Drupa 2012
Visit CHILI Publish at Drupa 2012 in Hall 7A, stand C15. CHILI Publish will demonstrate CHILI Publisher and host demos by existing customers / partners to show how CHILI Publisher is being used in their solution.

For background information, images & screenshots please visit http://www.chili-publish.com/drupa2012/

03/19/12

Image Craft Announces Acquisition of Qube Visual

Press release from the issuing company

mage Craft, a graphic printing, fine art reproduction and themed-environment company, announced today the acquisition of Qube Visual, a Denver-based signage and graphics company in business since 1982.

The acquisition will allow Image Craft, with a sales office in Denver since 2005, an opportunity to leverage Qube Visual's extensive client base, including the Pepsi Center, providing more solutions than Qube Visual was able to do alone, while allowing Image Craft to have a production facility to more directly serve Denver clients.

"We're excited about expanding in Denver," says Doug Olson, president of Image Craft. "We're seeing increased activity in their marketing and professional sector, indicating the area's confidence in the economy. When the opportunity to merge our extensive capabilities and relationships with Qube's reputation and client base, we knew there was a strong opportunity for growth."

Image Craft has been planning to expand in Denver prior to talks about acquiring Qube Visual. Based in Phoenix, Ariz., Image Craft plans to keep the Denver sales team as well as the majority of Qube Visual employees on staff.

"This arrangement puts us two years further ahead than what we originally planned," Olson says. "We're excited to build a more permanent home in Denver. Joining forces provides us the opportunity to immediately offer broader services to Qube Visual clients along with an experienced staff that's worked together for many years."

While there are a lot of similarities between the two companies, including graphic and printing services, as well as history (both companies are more than 30 years old) and types of clients (Qube Visual is the official signage provider for the Pepsi Center in Denver, as is Image Craft for U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix), Image Craft also provides fine art reproduction, and design, fabrication, and installation of complete themed environments.

"Combining our market presence with Image Craft's capabilities makes us a fierce competitor in Denver," says Jim Scott, president/CEO of Qube Visual since 2006, who is fully engaged in the integration. "Our customers get a significant upgrade with access to the best technology on the market with employees familiar with their products."

Image Craft has steadily expanded its services throughout its history and is in the process of transitioning to environmentally friendly latex printing equipment, which only a small percentage of the industry utilizes. Olson describes the company as a decades-old startup company, referring to the company's openness to new opportunities and finding creative ways to lead the market.

03/19/12

drupa cube 2012 Program Announced

Press release from the issuing company

One of the highlights of drupa 2012, print media trade fair, will again be the drupa cube. Staged over 13 days with daily changing topics, the drupa cube will address the trends in printing communication. Visitors will receive comprehensive information on which print products will combine communications capability with commercial success in the future. drupa 2012 will take place from May 3 - 16, 2012 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany.

“Someone who is responsible for marketing and publishing will not have a great interest in the technology with which a print product is realized. It is only important to him or her which advantages can be achieved. It is exactly this information that we, together with our partners, offer in the drupa cube – on every day of the trade fair,” stated Manuel Mataré, Project Director of drupa 2012.

Each trade fair day will have its own motto, starting with “Print – Web – Mobile” to “Day of Corporate Communication” and “Day of Newspapers”. Whether magazines, books, out-of-home (home office) applications, dialogue marketing, packaging, electronic printing or media production – on every drupa day, experts will introduce and discuss the latest applications and trends from print communication in a half-day symposium.

drupa has developed the program in collaboration with its national and international partners from the printing and media industry. Amongst others, the Akademie des Deutschen Buchhandels (Academy of the German Book Trade), the Typografische Gesellschaft München TDG, the Type Directors Club of New York TDC, the Deutsche Fachpresse (German Trade Press Association), the Forum Corporate Publishing FCP, the Deutsche Dialogmarketing Verband ddv (German Dialog Marketing Association), the Fachverband Medienproduktioner f:mp, the Organic Electronic Association (oe-a) as well as the European Specialist Printing Manufacturers Association ESMA will be active in the drupa cube.

Both drupa 2012 weekends will offer special highlights with the “Creative Weekend” and two days on the topic of “Future of Print”. On May 5 and 6, the “Creative Weekend” will deal with modern typography in a cross-media context. On the second weekend of drupa (May 12 and 13), the speakers will discuss the future of print production. The program will not only address marketing decision makers and advertisers but also traditional drupa visitors. With the Organic Electronic Association (oe-a) as the partner, there will be a symposium on the topic of printed electronics on May 12. The program on Sunday (May 13) will be organized by the ESMA with lectures on 3D and functional printing.

03/16/12

Sigmajet Expands Into US

Press release from the issuing company

Sigmajet, the Czech Republic manufacturer of wide format hybrid and flatbed UV printers, has today announced the transatlantic expansion of its business with the opening of a brand new US office. The company, formerly known as Grapo Technologies, was acquired by a group of private investors late last year, giving them the financial backing to significantly strengthen their position in the global wide format print market.

Strategically based in Washington DC, the new office will serve as the headquarters for the company’s US operations and its rapidly growing North American client base. The move was prompted by the installation of a second Shark printer - which churns out over 100m2 of high quality imaging per hour – at a North American customer, coupled with Sigmajet’s planned global expansion strategy. The move also supports the company’s drive for outstanding customer service, enabling the company to provide specialist local support to respond directly to customer demands quickly and efficiently.

Branislav Oravec, CEO, Sigmajet comments:’ We’ve had over ten years experience manufacturing high quality industrial UV flatbed printers, so we now have an established user base of more than 200 printers worldwide, with an increased amount of interest coming from the US.’

‘We are very pleased to become part of Washington’s vibrant and growing economy. Being serviced by three airports makes it a great location to support the whole of the North American market as well as being great for travel and lines of communication to head office in Europe’, Mr Oravec adds.

To support the North American market, Sigmajet is exhibiting on Booth 856 at the ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando later this month (March 22 - 24, 2012). On show will be the Gemini printer - with its 90m2/hour throughput, and its ten Xaar 1001 printheads featuring Xaar’s unique TF Technology™ – it is one of the highest performing products on the market today.

After the show, the printer will be installed for customer demonstration at the Washington office. Find out more about the Sigmajet printer range at www.sigmajet.com

03/16/12

Unisource at Dscoop 7

Press release from the issuing company

Unisource Worldwide, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the United States, will feature its digital paper products along with logistics and packaging solutions at the 7th Annual Digital Solutions Cooperative Conference (Dscoop). The Conference will be held March 22-24, 2012, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, in Washington, D.C. v Conference attendees are encouraged to visit the Unisource Booth 1019 to learn how partnering with Unisource can help address their paper, packaging and logistics needs.

“Dscoop is a great opportunity to network with customers, exchange experiences and learn best practices,” said Martha Issa, director of business development. “We will be on hand to share how Unisource’s range of digital papers, logistic and engineered packaging solutions can bring immediate and positive impact to a customer’s bottom line.” In addition to Issa, Dianne Linderoth, marketing manager and Dean Powell, category manager, will represent the company at the conference and be available to speak with conference attendees.

Founded in 2005, Dscoop is an independent global community of graphic arts business owners and technical professionals who use HP Indigo and Scitex equipment and related solutions. Dscoop is focused on educating and connecting its members with each other and with HP to improve members’ business growth, efficiency and profitability.

03/16/12

Heidelberg UK Signs Up to Two Sides

Press release from the issuing company

Two Sides is delighted to announce that Heidelberg UK, the market leading provider of solutions for the printing industry, has joined the Two Sides campaign, which promotes the responsible production and use of Print and Paper and seeks to dispel common environmental misconceptions by providing users with verifiable information on why Print and Paper is an attractive, practical and sustainable communications medium.

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is the world-wide leading provider of solutions and services for the print media industry. The company offers comprehensive solutions in the fields of sheet-fed offset printing, digital printing and in the production of sophisticated parts and assembly groups in the realm of precision mechanical engineering.

The name Heidelberg is internationally associated with leading technology, top quality, and customer focus. The company's core business covers with its equipment and services the entire process and value chain of the sheet-fed offset format classes from 20 inches (35 x 50 cm) to 64 inches (120 x 160 cm) as well as digital printing solutions. Heidelberg develops and manufactures in its equipment division precision printing presses, devices for plate imaging and post-press finishing as well as digital inkjet systems for packaging manufacturers. In addition, Heidelberg sells digital printing presses of its partner Ricoh and offers integrated offset and digital solutions.

Gerard Heanue, Managing Director, Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Ltd comments, “Many of our customers greatly appreciate the campaign by Two Sides to counter the negative messages about print from ill-informed or misguided agencies by presenting the facts clearly and lobbying on behalf of our industry. If Two Sides can help ensure a “level playing field” allowing printers to secure more business then this is going to be good for our customers and we are delighted to be able to support Two Sides in achieving this goal.”

Martyn Eustace, Two Sides Director, says, “Heidelberg is a great organisation and a natural partner to have on board for our campaign. They are at the forefront of print innovation continually striving to improve the attractiveness and effectiveness of print media in an increasingly digital world. Sustainability and environmental protection are a focus of all of the company’s activities. Measures in connection with the development, production, and use of its products are reducing resource consumption and therefore carbon and other emissions as well as process-related waste. Print is still a vital channel for brands to achieve real impact and Heidelberg can equip printers with highly efficient and sustainable print media solutions.”

03/15/12

Frank M. Misischia Appointed President of FLM Graphics

Press release from the issuing company

FLM Graphics has announced the appointment of Frank M. Misischia to the position of President.

As President of FLM Graphics, Mr. Misischia has responsibility and authority over production operations, technology development, sales, client services, finance, and administration, and he will be responsible for bottom line performance of all FLM business units, including the company’s commercial and digital printing, Trucolor, and Access Images operations. He also will continue to serve in his current role as President of FLM Reprographics, FLM’s business focused on printing and document management services customized to serve the AEC (architectural-engineering-construction) industry.

Frank M. Misischia—known to friends and colleagues as “Frank M.”—succeeds Vince Fiorello who has overseen FLM Graphics since 1998 and continues to serve as an active executive member of the board of directors for FLM Graphics Corporation.

Mr. Misischia was instrumental in establishing and managing FLM’s sourcing and facilities management operation for the new Meadowlands Stadium project in East Rutherford, NJ, between 2007 and 2010, and he has played a pivotal role in bringing to fruition a number of web-to-print program projects custom-designed for FLM clients in the retail, pharmaceutical, and financial industries.

“Frank M. is a dynamic leader with a track record of delivering breakthrough creativity and forging strong client partnerships,” said Frank L. Misischia, Founder, Chairman and CEO of FLM Graphics Corporation. “He has taken our reprographics and digital printing business to the next level of its success and will accelerate our continued efforts to serve as a powerful and valued resource in providing cost-effective, integrated, graphic communications services to our clients.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead FLM’s continuing evolution from its roots as an industry leader in the conventional methods of putting ink on paper to its current and future position as an industry leader,” Frank M. Misischia said in discussing the challenges and opportunities in his new role. “The primary goal for FLM’s management team is to innovate and work with our industry partners to help our clients create, manage and disseminate their content and communications through a wide variety of cross-media applications, including, but not limited to, marketing portals, targeted variable direct mailings, e-mail blasts, personalized URL’s and social media.”

Prior to joining FLM Graphics Corporation in 2007, Frank M. Misischia worked for Day Pitney LLP in Morristown, NJ, as attorney at law. He also worked at Morgan Stanley in New York. He is a graduate of Georgetown University with a BS in Finance, attended the London School of Economics, received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School, and is a certified member of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Mr. Misischia lives in Wyckoff, NJ, with his wife, Erin, and their son. He is an active member of the International Reprographic Association (IRGA) and Printing Industries of America (PIA), and serves on the Development Committee of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Northern New Jersey.

03/15/12

Drytac Film Laminates FDA Compliant for Food Contact Use

Press release from the issuing company

Drytac’s popular Emerytex® laminating films are now certified to be compliant with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations governing materials that can be used for surfaces that come in contact with food. This means that this clear PVC based laminating film can be used on applications like place mats, coasters, menu boards, countertops and wall and tabletop graphics.

After being independently tested, the Emerytex® surface was found to meet all the qualifications of FDA regulations for PVC films used in food contact applications as well as European Regulation No 321/2011 for Bisphenol A (BPA) content.

Emerytex® is a non-glare, pebble-textured, clear PVC laminating film with a scuff-resistant finish. Emerytex® is available with a heat-activated adhesive (MediaShield Emerytex®) and two different pressure-sensitive adhesives sold under Protac Emerytex® and Interlam Pro Emerytex®.

03/15/12

Transcontinental Reports 4% Decrease in Revenues

Press release from the issuing company

Transcontinental’s Inc. revenues decreased by 4% in the first quarter, from $514.8 million to $495.9 million, driven primarily by the sale of its black and white book printing business, destined for U.S. exports, completed last September, which was part of the asset swap transaction in which it acquired Quad/Graphics Canada on March 1st. Revenues were also impacted by lower volume from the non-recurring revenue from the printing contract for the Canadian Census last year and to a lesser extent, the printing of magazines and books. This first quarter decrease was mitigated by the Media sector, most notably from the growth of its digital media and community newspaper businesses, as a result of recent investments. Consolidated revenues are expected to return on a growth path over the next year given the contribution from the Quad/Graphics Canada acquisition as well as other contracts such as Canadian Tire.

For this same period, adjusted operating income decreased 12%, from $48.7 million to $43.0 million, driven primarily by the Media sector due to a softer advertising environment coupled with continued competitive pressures in the local solutions marketplace and to a lesser extent by lower first quarter volume in the Printing sector. Net income applicable to participating shares decreased from $25.7 million, or $0.32 per share, to a loss of $33.3 million, or $0.41 per share. This decrease is mainly due to a tax provision of $58.0 million related to notices of re-assessment, which the Corporation intends to contest, pertaining to deductions on investments in capital assets made by the Corporation, as well as interprovincial allocation of income. Excluding unusual items, adjusted net income applicable to participating shares decreased 6%, from $28.8 million, or $0.36 per share, to $27.1 million, or $0.33 per share.

“The acquisition of the Canadian assets of Quad/Graphics is an important milestone in our development, said François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. It strengthens our print business going forward given the industry dynamics and it allows us to extend our integrated marketing activation offering to many new customers. In fact, our transformation continues to ramp up with the growth of our digital and interactive revenues again this quarter.

We continue to maintain a strong financial position with a solid balance sheet and an ability to generate significant cash flow. If the advertising markets remain stable, we expect to improve our performance in the balance of the year given the lift from the Quad/Graphics Canada acquisition, the full impact from new contracts and the benefits related to the integration of our Media and Interactive sectors. We are confident in our strategy and future prospects and as such have increased our dividends on participating shares by 7%.”

On February 16, 2012, Isabelle Marcoux was elected Chair of the Board.v

Capital expenditures decreased, from $21 million to $8 million. Capital expenditures are expected to be $75 million at the most for fiscal 2012. Transcontinental Inc. put in place a new $400 million five-year Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility that expires in February 2017. The current credit facility will remain in place until its expiry in September 2012 but has been reduced to $200 million. As at January 31, 2012, the adjusted net indebtedness ratio was 1.42x, as compared to 1.44x as at October 31, 2011. In February 2012, the federal and provincial tax authorities informed the Corporation that it would receive notices of re-assessment estimated to be $58.0 million, including applicable interest and penalties for its fiscal years 2006 to 2010. The notices of re-assessments relate to deductions on investments in capital assets made by the Corporation, as well as the interprovincial allocation of income. The Corporation recorded a provision of $58.0 million with respect to these matters, of which $16.0 million was included in financial expenses and $42.0 million in income taxes, although it intends to contest these re-assessments. Therefore, the outcome of this dispute could favorably influence the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation. Continued to grow our newspaper publishing operations in Quebec by acquiring the print and Internet publishing assets ofCourrier Frontenac as well as acquiring the assets of Tout Magazine. We also launched a new community newspaper, theValleyfield Express.ca. In addition, we are now the sole shareholder of Réseau Sélect, the largest advertising network for the French-language weekly press in Canada. Acquired the shares of Les Éditions Caractère, the leader in the supplemental educational publishing market in Quebec and publisher of bestsellers in the trade market. For more detailed financial information, please see Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the first quarter ended January 31, 2012and the complete financial statements on our website at www.tc.tc, under “Investors.”

Financial data have been prepared in conformity with IFRS. However, certain measures used in this press release do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and could be calculated differently by other companies. We believe that many readers analyze our results based on certain non-IFRS financial measures because such measures are more appropriate for evaluating the Corporation’s operating performance. Internally, Management uses such non-IFRS financial information as an indicator of business performance, and evaluates management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. These measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

At its March 12, 2012 meeting, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.145 per Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B Shares. This dividend is payable on April 26, 2012 to participating shareholders of record at the close of business on April 6, 2012. The Corporation thus increased the dividend per participating share by 7%, or $0.04 per share, raising the new annual dividend to $0.58 per share, from $0.54 per share. This increase is a reflection of Transcontinental’s strong cash flow position. Furthermore, at the same meeting, the Board also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.4196 per share on cumulative 5-year rate reset first preferred shares, series D. This dividend is payable on April 16, 2012. On an annual basis, this represents a dividend of $1.6875 per preferred share.

03/14/12

Imprimerie L’Empreinte Installs Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105

Press release from the issuing company

Located in the center of Montreal, and celebrating 25 years in business, Imprimerie L'Empreinte (L'Empreinte) recently installed a Speedmaster XL 105 6+L with Inpress Control from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The company is more than impressed with this latest leap in technology.

Now occupying 58,000 square ft, and boasting 115 employees, L'Empreinte is enjoying a successful growth period. "We pride ourselves on being a high quality printer and offering our customers more than just a quote", says Sebastien Chartrand, Director of Operations and pressroom manager. "We have a team of Customer Service Representatives that work directly with accounts to make sure that our customers' concepts become a reality. For example, we have an ink mixing lab from Heidelberg Saphira, and often our customers can make a last minute change to a color for optimal effect. For us that is no problem. Staying at the forefront of technology is also a goal of ours. It gives our customers a competitive edge."

With the new Speedmaster XL 105 five-color press with coating the company offers the best in class for print quality and sets new standards in the Peak Performance Class with a productivity increase of 30 percent or higher. The press enables L'Empreinte to offer their customers better quality, faster delivery, and improved service overall.

The latest investment of the L'Empreinte family is no exception. Sebastien Chartrand states: "When we looked for a new press, quality of print was the chief criteria. We found the Speedmaster XL 105 inking unit, sheet transfer, colour management technology, and coating capabilities beyond anything else out there. Difficult ink motifs were easily realized on this press. We also decided on the option Prinect Inpress Control. The spectrophotometric inline measuring system automatically measures and controls color and register on the fly and at any speed. Integrated directly into the press, the measuring unit measures process colors, spot colors and register in the print control strip. Any corrections required are forwarded directly to the Prinect Press Center for adjustment. As the press does not need to be stopped for either make-ready or monitoring of the production run, Prinect Inpress Control achieves maximum productivity. That's high quality made easy."

Since its installation, the press has proven to be at least 50 percent faster than any other machine in the plant. It is important for L'Empreinte to show their client base that they invest in the best. Sebastien Chartrand said that when customers walk out to the pressroom, everything about the Speedmaster XL 105 speaks "Hi-Tech". This is what L'Empreinte's customers want in 2012. The new press meets their customers' changing needs and challenging requirements.

L'Empreinte, founded in 1986 and a perennial winner at the Grand Gutenberg Awards, has an excellent reputation for the high-end market and for added value technology services, offering to their clients a wide range of new services. Multi-channel marketing, website and applications development, digital services for the new markets, and now with the new Speedmaster XL-105 6-L the company offers state-of-the-art technology. The road for the company's further success looks bright!

03/14/12

INX Begins Construction of New Facility in England

Press release from the issuing company

INX International UK Ltd. held a ground breaking ceremony for a new manufacturing facility in Heywood, England on February 27. Expected to be completed in 2013, the 40,000 square foot building at Hareshill Business Park will be 75 percent larger than the current location at Transpennine Trading Estate in Rochdale.

Sakata INX Corp., through U.S. subsidiary INX Group Ltd., began blending and storing ink for the printing of beer and soft drink cans in Rochdale, England in 1992, through a newly established subsidiary, INX Group UK Ltd. INX has expanded and increased its market share to become the leader of supplied ink in the U.S., Asia and Europe. INX International UK Ltd. currently employs 70 people in Rochdale and another 36 overseas. It is anticipated the new facility will result in a workforce increase when it opens.

Attending the ceremony were the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, along with several Councillors.

“The development of this building shows INX International’s commitment to all of our customers but, in particular, to the beer and beverage market in Europe and the Middle East,” said Jonathan Ellaby, VP of International Operations for INX International. “Despite the hard times Europe is going through, INX is committed to the market and to improving our manufacturing capability in the region. We will add equipment that will improve efficiencies and will allow us to increase our output for the European market.”

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America with over 20 facilities in the U.S. and Canada, and is a global supplier as part of Sakata INX worldwide operations. For more information, visit the Web site at www.INXinternational.com or contact Bob Wolff at The Drucker Group: 312.867.4960.

03/14/12

Crawford Technologies Announces Release of PRO Channel Manager

Press release from the issuing company

Crawford Technologies today announced the release of PRO Channel Manager, an innovative new software solution that allows mailers to send documents through multiple delivery channels such as digital mailbox services or online bill consolidation systems. With the recent explosion of Cloud and tablet usage, mailers are finding that customers want to receive their transactional documents using new technology such as digital mailbox services. PRO Channel Manager is designed to integrate digital mail into print and mail shops and print service provider workflows to provide customer preference management. This allows mailers to send mail to customers using their individual preferred delivery method and immediately reduce their print and mail costs.

Digital mailbox services have been in use for decades in Europe and Canada, and in the past year usage has exploded in the U.S. Several services have become popular in the U.S. including Digital Postal Mail, powered by Zumbox, Manilla, doxo and Volly (Pitney Bowes). They provide a paperless way for users to securely read their mail digitally wherever they want and on whatever device they want. PRO Channel Manager makes it easy for mailers to get on board, achieve cost savings, improve customer loyalty, improve online marketing reach and improve cash flow using online payments.

“We have been involved in online content delivery for more than 17 years and this is one of the most exciting products we have ever launched,” said Ernie Crawford, President of Crawford Technologies.

“PRO Channel Manager represents the next major step in shaping the future of Enterprise Output Management. This is truly a game changer.

”While many organizations currently have portals offering their customers online access, the use of these facilities for paperless document delivery has stabilized in recent years. Users’ expectations have changed with the advent of mobile, tablet and Cloud technology. According to industry consultant, InfoTrends, usage is set to explode. In a 2011 survey, InfoTrends predicted that within five years the print and mail industry will see two billion paperless documents/year delivered through digital mailbox services, driving an estimated $1.8 billion in annual savings to U.S. print and mail operations.

PRO Channel Manager lets mailers take advantage of the benefits and cost savings of digital mailbox services by providing a facility to track individual customer preferences for each type of document sent to them. This allows the mailer to send documents to customers in their preferred channel in the format needed, offering the perfect solution for customers who want to go paperless. PRO Channel Manager is designed to fit into any mailer’s current document creation and production environment, making it easy for mailers to implement digital mailbox services quickly and inexpensively.

PRO Channel Manager is able to manage customers’ preferences for any delivery method including accessible document formats such as Braille, Large Print, audio and e-text files, which are becoming important regulatory requirements.

“Organizations are looking to meet the evolving digital document delivery preferences of their customers and PRO Channel Manager greatly simplifies managing those preferences,” says Stuart Warner, Vice President of Sales. “The resulting benefits in customer loyalty and print and mail cost savings can be significant.”

Visit www.crawfordtech.com or contact sales@crawfordtech.com to learn more about PRO Channel Manager and the significant savings an organization can benefit from.

03/13/12

Flint Group Raises Prices on Coldset Black Inks

Press release from the issuing company

Flint Group North America has announced a price increase on black coldset inks, effective April 1, 2012, subject to existing contracts. Prices will increase by US$0.04 per pound (CAD$0.09 per kilo) for black coldset inks used to print newspapers, directories, books and web-coldset commercial applications.

Increased global demand for certain petroleum-derived raw materials, coupled with the increased price of crude oil, has raised the costs of the primary materials used to produce black coldset inks. Specifically, costs of refined naphthenic oils and carbon black have sharply increased.

The number of naphthenic oil refiners has decreased over time. A few remaining North American refiners now supply the majority of worldwide demand, exporting a significant amount of their production overseas. Norm Harbin, Business Director, News Inks for Flint Group, notes that the industry “no longer competes solely on a domestic basis for these resources, but rather in a global environment.”

Meanwhile, carbon black manufacturers removed a significant amount of capacity at the height of this recession. Demand has since increased, especially for the tire industry, and carbon black suppliers now find themselves at full capacity with no plans for expansion. “Flint Group is taking every possible measure to mitigate the impact of this increase,” says Norm. “We appreciate customers’ understanding of the market conditions that make this price increase necessary.”

03/13/12

Lecta Announces the Acquisition of Polyedra

Press release from the issuing company

Lecta Group, the second largest European coated woodfree manufacturer, formed by Cartiere del Garda S.p.A, Torraspapel S.A and Condat SAS formalized, pending approval by the European Commission, the acquisition of Italian paper merchant Polyedra now belonging to PaperlinX Group.

With this acquisition Lecta strengthens its position in Italy, one of the main strategic markets of the Lecta Group. In Italy, Lecta has its Cartiere del Garda CWF mill and a thorough knowledge of the coated woodfree and specialty papers markets in that country

Lecta has a deep experience in the distribution business through its own Torraspapel’s merchants activities presente in Spain, France, Portugal and Argentina. With the acquisition of Polyedra, Lecta reinforces its position as the leading manufacturer and distributor in Southern Europe.

Polyedra, one of the leading paper merchant in the Italian market, has a prestigious image in all market segments and a global national coverage achieving a turnover of approximate EUR 260 mill. Additionally Polyedra will provide Lecta with its knowledge in other special paper product ranges and innovative services.

With this integration, Polyedra and Lecta Group will benefit from strong synergies and logistical advantages to face the current market challenges.

03/13/12

Dscoop7 Conference Sold Out

Press release from the issuing company

The seventh annual Dscoop conference, Dscoop7, being held March 22-24, 2012, in Washington, D.C., is officially sold out.

“This is tremendous news, and we are blown away by the enthusiasm and energy of our members and Partners, who registered early and are turning out in record numbers for this groundbreaking event,” said Craig Curran, Dscoop7 chairman and vice president of sales at Nosco. “In a drupa year, the fact that Dscoop7 has sold out shows that our members highly value the Dscoop community and what it has to offer. Dscoop is a reunion for our members, and I am certain they will leave with energy, momentum and creativity to infuse into their business.”

As the executive sponsor of Dscoop7, HP has recommended that its customers attend to see some of the latest innovations HP will be launching at drupa 2012.

“Dscoop7 is the key event for HP Graphic Arts in North America this year and we are treating it like a pre-drupa portfolio showcase event for our customers,” said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. “Both Chris Morgan, senior vice president of the Graphic Solutions Business and Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager of the HP Indigo division, will speak at the opening keynote session. They will preview many of the new technologies we will show the world at drupa—not to mention the broad range of digital presses, printers and solutions that will be on demonstration in the Solutions Showcase.”

Heading into the event next week with 25 percent growth in its core audience, Dscoop is closing registration to focus on ensuring a positive onsite experience for its attendees. Dscoop7 attendees will be able to choose from more than 100 sessions about business management and technical education, with a focus on brand strategy and new tools to help grow their company.

For more information about the conference, please contact Dscoop Headquarters at 312.527.6707. More details, including the agenda, speakers and Partner list can be found at www.dscoop7.org.

03/12/12

PitStop Offers New 'Smart Preflight & Correction

Press release from the issuing company

Over 130,000 Enfocus PitStop users worldwide will benefit from significantly more accurate and flexible PDF preflight and correction when Enfocus releases PitStop Pro and PitStop Server 11, at drupa 2012. PitStop 11's "Smart Preflight & Correction" is a key Enfocus advancement that allows real-time interactions of user or job-fed Preflight Profile settings.

The automated use of metadata (e.g. JDF and XML) for job processing, via PitStop Server, introduces a new level of automation.

Enfocus PitStop Pro and Server users repeatedly say that their PitStop preflight solution is the most crucial contributor to the success of their PDF workflows. "PitStop 11 allows customers to continue to use their familiar PitStop technology while moving into this new era of preflight," says Enfocus Product Manager for PitStop Pro and PitStop Server, Leen Vanmaele.

Preflight made Specific to Each Job

Vanmaele says the company has been working to make the preflight process more accurate, and specifically reflective of individual job requirements. In sum, she explains that organizations have not been able to take full advantage of PitStop's preflight and correction capabilities, because creation of individualized preflight checks and fixes for each job required highly time-consuming creation of a different Preflight Profile for every possible combination of values and conditions.[1]

New PitStop Pro and PitStop Server 11 unleash the full power of the checking and correction options available in the PitStop engine with user-fed or automatic, job-fed values. These are used by the Preflight Profiles to direct which checks and fixes should be over-ridden and open to change at job run-time. Fast and correct linking of the PDF with customers' specific requirements makes service faster and more accurate. Overall quality is improved and processes are standardized.

PitStop Pro 11 will give its customers the ability to use smart values to check and correct a PDF; while PitStop Server 11 users can enjoy a completely hands-off, new level of automation. In the latter case, PitStop Server preflight settings and values can be driven by job-specific information such as JDF or XML job tickets, often generated by a MIS or an Ad Booking system.

Additional Features: Streamlined Interface and Smarter Text Editing

Additional improvements and changes to PitStop 11 include a cleaner, more streamlined interface making preflight and result navigation more user friendly.

PitStop 11 also brings smarter text editing. For instance a handy "Find and Replace" text tool allows PitStop Pro users to quickly find text and, if desired, can immediately replace it while maintaining the PDF's existing format. Text is also automatically re-merged on a single line, if needed. This will significantly improve ease of use and editing capabilities.

PitStop Server Customers Will More Easily Move into Smart Automation

Research data shows that PitStop Server 11 users

will be well positioned to move into more advanced, digital workflows where metatagged, JDF, and XML-embedded files interact intelligently with production processes along the way.

As PitStop Server customers become more familiar with utilizing metadata, they will aim to achieve end-to-end automation within a workflow. Switch 11, Enfocus' new modular automation solution, is the answer to these users.

"Enfocus continues to improve production environments in a profound, yet logical, way," says Fabian Prudhomme, Enfocus VP. "We round the next curve before our customers do, so that we're ready for them when they reach their next goal or destination."

Beginning immediately, users purchasing or upgrading to PitStop Pro / Server 10 now will be entitled to a free upgrade to PitStop Pro / Server 11, until the actual release date.

Pre-drupa promotions are also available through Enfocus resellers.

PitStop Pro 11 and PitStop Server 11 will be available by beginning of May, drupa.

For more information on promotions and pricing, please contact your local reseller, or Enfocus, at: sales@enfocus.com.

03/12/12

Sinapse Print Simulators Print Productivity Contest

Press release from the issuing company

The final round of the global print simulator-based productivity contest will be a ‘face-to-face’ showdown at drupa. Over 150 students from Asia, Europe and North American have been remotely competing from simulators at their technical schools. UPM is sponsoring the travel of the international finalists to Dusseldorf to participate in the finals.

The final round of this contest will be held on May 7th at 15:00 on the Sinapse Print Stand *E64 in Hall 6, close to the UPM stand.

Please join us at these Finals for a chance to interview the students and to learn more about these unique training programs.

The competition is based on solving a series of simulated printing problems in a limited time. The winner will be determined after five 10-minute heats on who solves the problems with the highest quality and the lowest production cost.

The “SHOTS Heard Round the World” productivity contest encourages skills improvement of printing students globally. The event is co-sponsored by UPM, Printing Industries of America (PIA), and Sinapse. Contestants will operate the SHOTS sheetfed simulator from Sinapse — winner of the PIA Intertech Award and used in the recent WorldSkills Competition.

Simulation at UPM/PIA/Heidelberg

Simulation-based training is now the worldwide norm in almost every profession to optimise skills and problem solving. UPM have been successfully using printing simulators to help train their customers and staff to improve process understanding of printing technology. PIA uses these as part of their training and problem-solving seminars, Heidelberg uses them as part of apprentice training.

Simulators allow the user to ‘see’ the results of process adjustments on the simulated print copy and the related production cost.

UPM works closely with Sinapse Print Simulators — the leader in this field — to implement a unique training environment. Simulators can be built into press consoles (like airplane simulators) to provide a perfect way to demonstrate, analyse and solve problems in an industrial context. Alternatively, they can be used on one or dual screen PCs.

03/12/12

Mutoh America, Inc. Showcases Smart Printing at ISA

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of wide-format printers, will present the new ValueJet Status Monitor (VSM) and other Mutoh Smart Printing technologies at ISA, booth #1662. Mutoh's ValueJet printers incorporate one of a kind technology and value to users.

VSM is a sophisticated software application offered free to Mutoh customers and is used to monitor the health and status of the ValueJet 1324, 1624, 1638 and 1608HS printers. This includes monitoring ink levels, heater settings, firmware updates, color output and more.

An exclusive Mutoh feature, VSM is free to ValueJet printer users.

Demonstrations of the Smart Printing function will be shown and available on ValueJet printers using the VSM smart phone application.

Mutoh will also be demonstrating the new ValueJet 1638-64", four color, Eco-solvent printer. Engineered with a staggered dual-head design, the 1638 prints up to 1,000 square feet per hour and is priced at only $29,995.

The VJ 1638 includes a variety of Smart Printing systems including the Intelligent Interweave (i²) print technique, ColorVerify, ColorVerify Pro, and can be equipped with Mutoh SpectroVue VM-10 Spectrophotometer.

Mutoh will also showcase the following products at ISA:

ValueJet 1324-54" Eco-solvent printer
ValueJet 1624-64" Eco-solvent printer
ValueJet 1608HS-64" hybrid printer
NEW ValueJet 1638W-64" dye sublimation printer
Kona 1400-55" cutting plotter
For more information on Mutoh products and Smart Printing features visit www.mutoh.com.

03/09/12

GRAPH EXPO Housing Now Open

Press release from the issuing company

Housing for GRAPH EXPO 2012 is now open, the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) has announced. GRAPH EXPO 2012, the year's largest graphic communications exhibition and conference in the Americas, will take place October 7-10, 2012, in Chicago's McCormick Place South.

GASC has negotiated the lowest rates for GRAPH EXPO 2012 exhibitors and attendees at the most popular and convenient hotels in downtown Chicago. Special introductory rates are available and visitors are encouraged to book early as rates are subject to change and will increase as the show approaches.

In addition to the specially negotiated rates, attendees who book their rooms through the official GRAPH EXPO housing service will enjoy certain additional benefits:

* GRAPH EXPO rates are guaranteed to be the lowest rates,

* If any official GRAPH EXPO hotel lowers its rates, or lower rates are found, GRAPH EXPO rates will automatically be lowered and new confirmations generated,

* No deposit is required at time of booking,

* No contract is required for exhibitor or group bookings, and

* Complimentary shuttle bus service is provided for guests between the official GRAPH EXPO hotels and McCormick Place.

Graphic communications professionals planning on attending GRAPH EXPO are encouraged to reserve their rooms early, as hotels sell out quickly and these special introductory rates are only available for a limited time.

There are two ways to book a room for GRAPH EXPO. Attendees may go online and visit www.graphexpo.com/HotelTravel.aspx, where they can make their hotel reservations through the official GRAPH EXPO housing service or download a hotel housing form to mail or fax in. Attendees reserving their rooms via mail or fax will still receive the same discounted rates and benefits as those who register online. Information on discounted air travel arrangements on American or United Airlines, the official airline carriers for GRAPH EXPO, can also be found at www.graphexpo.com.

Recognized as the commercial printing, publishing, mailing and transactional exposition for the Americas, this year's "Print Integrated" themed GRAPH EXPO 2012 has been designed to offer a customized show-going experience to a diverse spectrum of attendees. The exhibition will offer the latest graphic communications technologies in live equipment demonstrations across the expansive show floor and education on the most in-demand products and profit-making opportunities. In addition to the returning highly popular Marketing Pavilion, which offers education, resources and networking opportunities for today's marketers, attendees will find seven other special interest sections on the show floor. These include News Print-the newspaper pavilion, back by attendee demand for a third year at GRAPH EXPO 2012 answering the call from newspaper printers and production executives for a dedicated show floor section; Future Print, featuring two of today's hottest technologies Printed Electronics and RFID; the Mailing & Fulfillment Center, the industry's largest mailing event anywhere in the Americas; the fourth annual GREENspace, a showcase on sustainability and eco-friendly products and services; the Prepress/Software/Workflow and Press/Finishing/PackPrint sections, and Education Main Street, for attendees seeking well-educated, talented industry newcomers to augment their company's workforce.

For additional information about GRAPH EXPO 2012 visit:www.graphexpo.com.

03/09/12

Bell and Howell to Launch New High-Speed Inserting System at a Technology Open House

Press release from the issuing company

Bell and Howell, a leading provider of solutions and services for paper-based and digital messaging, announced plans to unveil its newest high-speed inserting system at a technology showcase and open house on March 15. The event will be held at the company’s headquarters in Durham, N.C.

The new Producer™ 30 inserting system is the latest in a continuous stream of innovations that the company has introduced over the past six months. Producer inserters are designed for environments that demand stringent mailpiece quality and integrity controls, high production volumes and low operating costs.

“Bell and Howell is committed to delivering the most innovative suite of solutions in the industry. With the Producer 30, we have a best-in-class offering that provides customers with the lowest cost of ownership and highest level of productivity,” said Les Stern, Chief Executive Officer of Bell and Howell. “We are very excited about this launch, and look forward to engaging in discussions and demonstrations of the many ways that we can partner in our customers’ success.”

Features and benefits of the Producer 30 include:

- High-speed inserting – up to 30,000 cycles per hour with high net throughput

- Targeted at First Class™ transactional mail and Standard Mail®

- Helps mailers achieve the lowest cost per mailpiece

- Ideal for high-volume mail production environments

The open house includes demonstrations of the complete range of Bell and Howell finishing solutions, including the Ascender™, Forerunner™ and Producer inserting systems; Inveloper® finishing system; JETVision® reading system; and demonstrations of the IQ Software Suite, Bell and Howell’s comprehensive postal and workflow process management software.

Stern will also discuss the company’s business strategy, and additional Bell and Howell executives will speak on industry trends, productivity and personalization, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

For additional information, call 1-800-220-3030 or email marketing@bhemail.com.

03/09/12

Quark Presents QuarkXPress Basics

Press release from the issuing company

On Thursday, March 8 Quark is hosting an eSeminar that will cover the basics of QuarkXPress®, the graphic design and layout software used to create print, Web, and digital projects. QuarkXPress 9 allows users to create iPad apps and eBooks without requiring programming skills, which has attracted authors, publishers, business owners, and others to the affordable solution. Those new to QuarkXPress and current users interested in a refresher are welcome to join the session that will cover:

How to effectively use text, graphics, and other design elements to set up a layout
Time-saving best practices, such as using style sheets and master pages
Power-user tips for navigating and fine-tuning layouts
What: QuarkXPress Basics
Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012 Time: 8:00 am PST | 9:00 am MT | 10:00 am CT | 11:00 am EST |16:00 GMT | 17:00 CET
Register: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/551810881

For more information about QuarkXPress, please visit: http://www.quark.com/Products/QuarkXPress/.

To download a free 30-day Test Drive of QuarkXPress 9, please visit:http://www.quark.com/Products/QuarkXPress/Test_Drive.aspx.

For QuarkXPress 9 training resources, including free step-by-step lessons from Quark, please visit: http://www.quark.com/Products/QuarkXPress/Quark_Training/.

03/08/12

Mutoh Celebrates 60th Anniversary at ISA

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh America, Inc. celebrates Mutoh Industries' 60th anniversary as a wide-format pioneer and industry leader at ISA with the Celebrate 60 party on Friday, March 23rd from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in Mutoh's booth, #1662.

Industry partners and Mutoh customers are welcome to attend the event and join in celebrating 60 remarkable years. Giveaways and refreshments will be provided.

Representatives will be available to showcase Mutoh's newest products including the high speed 1638 printer and the ValueJet Status Monitor (VSM). VSM software monitors the health and status of the ValueJet 1324, 1624, 1638 and 1608HS printers through its own smart phone application. VSM is just another example of Mutoh's smart printing technology.

Based out of Tokyo Japan, Mutoh began in 1952 as a manufacturer and distributor of mechanical drafting products. Since then, Mutoh has become a worldwide corporation leading the way in wide-format printers specializing in signage, vehicle wraps, textile and packaging markets.

Mutoh America, Inc. has recently expanded their corporate office in Phoenix, Arizona to regional sales offices located in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta.

For more information on Mutoh, its products and history visit www.mutoh.com or stop by Mutoh's ISA booth from March 22-24, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

03/08/12

Xplor International’s “Lunch and Learn” Webinar Returns

Press release from the issuing company

Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today announced the return of their monthly “Lunch and Learn” webinar series. The complimentary webinars will run from March through October 2012 and are held the third Thursday of each month at 1:00 pm EST. The informal panel format, lead by industry veteran, Pat McGrew, M-EDP, CMP, will cover a host of subjects related to the electronic document industry including QR codes, AFP, design, multi-channel delivery and more.

“Now in its fourth year, Xplor’s Lunch and Learn complimentary webinar series has been very successful well attended and an excellent vehicle for vendors and end-users to interact in an online educational forum,” says Skip Henk, EDP, President and CEO of Xplor International. “We are excited to resume the series of one hour events and grateful to those that volunteer their time to participate and freely share their knowledge and experiences in the spirit of Xplor.”

· March 15: Xplor 2012 Conference and Vendor Forum Preview, Making It Relevant. Come find out from the track chairs why this will be the best education event in the industry and what makes their track the one you should be attending. We have the best and brightest. Come spend an hour with us and you won’t be able to wait to get to Xplor’s Conference and Vendor Forum, 2012 – Making it Relevant.

· April 19: More QR/AR fun. Last year’s QR Codes Lunch & Learn ran over time by half an hour and we knew we had to come back and revisit. We’ll be sharing what’s new, tools and the best ways to integrate QR Codes and Augmented Reality into your customer communications plans!

· May 17: Back to Basics – AFP, PDF and Transforms! No matter how much you work with AFP. PDF, metacode, PCL and the other print languages of the business world, there is always more to learn and a lot to share. In this edition of the Lunch & Learn’s we’ll talk about what’s new in AFP (yes, there are still updates!), and what’s new in PDF. It’s always lively when talk turns to print streams and transforms!

· June 21: Technology Basics: Designing for Print and Pixel. Last year’s design webinar resulted in a record turnout, so it’s back. Come hear from design professionals as they help us understand how technology impacts your selection of fonts, colors and design techniques. We’ll take questions in advance.

· July 19: Back to Basics – Workflow (More than just a controller!) When we say “workflow” what do you think of? For some it’s Automated Document Factory, for some it’s the Digital Front End and for still others it’s everything from job creation to insertion into the mail stream. No matter where you are in the mix, we’ll be talking about something that will be relevant to you!

· August 16: Educating your Team: What do they need to know and how do you educate them? Each year new people come in to the industry and often they have a limited understanding of creating work that will go in to the mail stream, delivered via secure email or digital post services. In this webinar we’ll talk about the basic needs for education and what type of mentoring plan can work to ensure that your team up-to-date and on board with technology changes!

· September 20: Multi-channel Delivery Alternatives – What should you be thinking about? digital mail boxes, augmented reality, intelligent/smart print, email, web services, SMS and a host of other technologies are available to deliver information to our customers. We’re gathering experts to help sort out the options and help point you to where the best practices are emerging today.

· October 18: Fall Wrap Up: What’s New, What’s Emerging. It’s a drupa year, and that always means announcements that get us thinking about the future. For this wrap up we’ll look at the most interesting announcements of the year and talk about how they impact the world that Xplorers live in.

The Lunch and Learn webinars are being produced by the Xplor Document University, the educational arm of Xplor International, the webinars are complimentary and open to anyone interested in participating. For more information visit www.xplor.org.

03/08/12

Domtar Sponsors 20th Annual Environmental Film Festival

Press release from the issuing company

Domtar Corporation(NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) announced today it has renewed its sponsorship of the Environmental Film Festival, the largest showcase of environmental film in the United States. The 20th annual Environmental Film Festival will take place fromMarch 13th to the 25th in Washington, D.C., featuring 180 engaging and thought-provoking films, including 93 world premieres from 42 countries.

This marks the second straight year Domtar has sponsored the Environmental Film Festival, providing Cougar® paper - part of its EarthChoice® line of environmentally and socially responsible papers - for the printing of the festival programs. Domtar Cougar® paper is certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council" (FSC®), an international, independent, not-for-profit organization that sets global standards for responsible forestry.

"Once again, the Environmental Film Festival has lined up meaningful work from some of the leading environmental filmmakers, helping us focus on the environment and the ways we can work together to manage natural resources," said Lewis Fix, Domtar's Vice-President of Sustainable Business and Brand Management. "That's a message that is vital to us at Domtar, and we're pleased to be supporting this important event."

Films are screened at partnering museums, embassies, libraries, universities and local theaters. Selected to provide fresh perspectives on global environmental issues, most films are accompanied by discussions with filmmakers, environmental experts and special guests, including national decision makers and thought leaders, and are free to the public. The Festival's Web site serves as a global resource for environmental film throughout the year. For more information, please visit: www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org.

03/07/12

Purlem.com Launches PURL Template Editor

Press release from the issuing company

PURLs (Personalised URLs) are rapidly being poised as the ultimate way to increase online conversion rates. Purlem.com, a web-based platform that’s leading the way in the PURL movement, is today announcing the launch of their innovative template editor.

The company’s PURL Template Editor gives marketers of all abilities an opportunity to create beautiful, fully-functional landing pages that are personalized to each visitor.

With a focus on allowing businesses to present the most appealing content to their audience, the PURL Template Editor puts the power in anyone’s hands in minutes.

"Our goal with creating the PURL Template Editor was to make it incredibly easy to both design and personalize the Landing Page." says Marty Thomas, Purlem's Founder. "Because, when a Landing Page is personalized to each and every visitor, the magic really happens”.

The Purlem platform allows marketers to choose from a myriad of design layouts, change the colors and upload images. They can even create a survey/questionnaire, add personalized content and finally create a unique web address for each recipient.

Each PURL contains the recipient’s name within the web address (e.g – www.joesmith.domain.com) – with the hope that the unique format with catch the recipient’s attention and prompt them to click the link.

However, the personalization doesn’t end there. After the clicking the link, Joe will be greeted with a 100% personalized landing page which is relevant to him. This is thanks to the power of the PURL Template Editor, allowing fast personalization, such as greeting the web user with their first name, using a simple drop-down menu.

Aside from the functionality, the team at Purlem placed a huge focus on accessibility – ensuring that their layouts are fully compatible with all browsers and mobile devices.

"Now everybody, no matter their skill level, can create professional looking PURL marketing campaigns," says Thomas. "Anybody that uses direct mail or email marketing can now increase their response and conversion rates with PURLs”.

Advanced users that want full control of the design can create their own templates, or work directly with the HTML source code to modify the design of the Landing Page to their specifications.

The PURL Template Editor is the latest addition to Purlem's marketing application, making it easy and affordable to create PURL marketing campaigns.

Purlem can be found online at: http://www.purlem.com

03/07/12

GI Direct Joins Two Sides

Press release from the issuing company

Two Sides is delighted to announce that GI Direct has joined the Two Sides campaign which promotes the responsible production and use of Print and Paper and seeks to dispel common environmental misconceptions by providing users with verifiable information on why Print and Paper is an attractive, practical and sustainable communications medium.

GI Direct lead the way in sustainable business practice. The company has been certified to ISO 14001 for 10 years and in that time has pioneered effective resource monitoring and use; efficient waste management strategies and improvement of production efficiency.

GI Direct offer every aspect of the communications cycle, starting with target audiences, through imaginative print and multi-channel communications options, to the most efficient methods of sending those campaigns. Their services allow clients to utilise existing communications to carry targeted marketing offers. GI Direct integrate print, direct mail, online and all other communication channels.

Demonstrating their environmental leadership, GI Solutions Group were awarded with a Green Apple award in 2011 for waste management and product efficiencies.

Robin Welch, Managing Director of GI Direct, comments; “We are delighted to join Two Sides, as a symbol of our dedication to continually improve our environmental best practice and our commitment to help educate on sustainability within the Direct Marketing Industry. GI Direct are proud to support the pioneering work that Two Sides do, which we believe benefits the whole industry.”

Martyn Eustace, Two Sides Director, says, “The fact that GI Direct joined the Two Sides campaign is great news as it illustrates the fact that major industry companies increasingly realise the importance of pursuing sustainable strategies in their business. There is still much misinformation about the sustainability of direct mail and, by working with companies such as GI Direct and others, we can spread the message that print in general and direct mail in particular can be a sustainable and effective way to communicate.”

03/07/12

First Edge Solutions Acquires Print1 Direct

Press release from the issuing company

First Edge Solutions has acquired Print1 Direct, an Atlanta-based provider of print-on-demand, direct marketing, and document output services. With a growing national network of sales offices in San Diego, Chicago and New York and production facilities in Milwaukee, Phoenix, and now Atlanta, First Edge has become one of the top companies in the country able to affordably roll out a client’s multichannel national distribution strategy.

“The expansion creates opportunity in a challenging market and better positions us to negotiate national contracts with suppliers to drive down costs for customers,” said First Edge President and CEO Robert M. Kraft. “The acquisition combats the shipping challenge that comes with national distribution as gas and oil prices continue to rise, and we can help our fortune 1000 to mid-size clients reduce national supply chain management costs. Strategically, this gives us a competitive advantage of a national production platform, along with a healthy roster of clients.”

One thing that attracted First Edge to Print1 Direct was the strength of its management, and those leaders will continue to help drive the company. Print1 Direct owner Bob Irvin has been named senior vice president of First Edge’s new southeast region.

“It’s a case of two plus two equals five,” said Kraft. “They have a first-class print facility with good clients, and we’ll add value to their operation with our proprietary software, processes and technology. As a multichannel expert, First Edge is especially strong in applying our data management discipline and skills to both marketing and business-critical applications.

“From an IT standpoint, by the end of Q1, we will have upgraded our new facility to theHIPAA/PHI standards that operate across our platform. With a unified platform, their customer base can immediately benefit from First Edge services and innovations such as Ordernet.com (proprietary Web-to-print platform), eGencee.com (proprietary e-commerce direct marketing platform), FE Agency (full service marketing agency), and Meet-Meme.com (proprietary social media platform).”

Cross-country Job Routing and Workload Optimization According to Kraft, “The redundancy is ideal from the standpoint of capacity management and utilization. We can optimize multiple shifts across production facilities in Milwaukee, Phoenix and now Atlanta. As a result, we can offer the best distribution costs and plant capacity utilization. It’s also important for our quality standards, because if there is ever an interruption at one of our facilities, such as from bad weather for example, we can route work through the other sites and ensure we make every drop date.”

“With its own software and programmers, First Edge is driven by IT and not what’s on the plant floor, and that’s exciting to our employees,” said Bob Irvin. “Our team is eager to move forward with the technology integration. Adding the data management component gives us the ability to take our services to a new level.”

03/06/12

KBA Integrates Atlantic Zeiser’s DELTA 105i Into New Rapida 105

Press release from the issuing company

The Atlantic Zeiser Group, a leading developer and supplier of modules and end-to-end system solutions for industrial digital and security printing, is to deliver the DELTA 105i high-speed digital printer to Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) for inline integration into the new generation sheetfed offset Rapida 105. The agreement enables printers to realise a wider range of special applications and open up new business sectors with cost-efficient sheet printing. The Rapida 105 with the integrated DELTA printers will be on show at drupa at the KBA stand in Hall 16, Stand C47.

Ideal for coding and serialising, the innovative DELTA industrial digital printing technology from Atlantic Zeiser will be integrated into the Rapida 105. It is designed for high offset speeds of up to 240 m/min at a resolution of up to 600 dpi.

Comprehensive market analyses have demonstrated that hybrid solutions, the combination of offset and digital printing technology, are the future of printing. Until now, the high quality levels and speeds permitted by offset printing had been sorely lacking from standard digital printing technologies.

The innovative printing systems developed in-house by Atlantic Zeiser fulfil these challenging demands. They are ideal for this type of inline integration and high-performance addition to modern offset systems such as the KBA Rapida 105. Added to this is the need for versatility in printing variable data onto different materials without extended setup times making industrial digital printing systems such as the DELTA a highly effective, cost-efficient solution.

Ultimately, the latest developments in product printing must be adopted. Legal requirements and the rapidly growing number of product forgeries make high quality, individual coding and serialising a necessity for product tracking and forgery protection on individual packs, for example. The 2-D Datamatrix barcodes required to do this can be optimally printed by digital printing systems from Atlantic Zeiser and checked directly and inline via integrated verification solutions such as VERICAM. This also facilitates transparent quality management and sustainable quality assurance.

Carl-Michael Heüveldop, Head of Business Development, Atlantic Zeiser, comments: "We anticipated the market's need for individual coding and serialising of products with variable data early on. Developments within the EU to implement binding national regulations for standardised product and coding and serialising for product traceability of pharmaceutical goods by 2013 underline the market opportunities; and this is just one defined market sector.We are very proud that KBA, following in-depth inspection procedures and comprehensive testing, chose our DELTA digital printing solution and the optional VERICAM verification system as an integrated package for for individual coding and serialising on its new Rapida 105."

Jürgen Veil, Head of Marketing Sheetfed Offset, Koenig & Bauer AG: "We have designed the latest Rapida medium format generation to offer our customers the maximum range of applications increasingly being demanded by the sheet offset printer market in recent years. A key point here is the integrated option to code and serialise sheet, label and packaging printing variably inline. As a result, we have been looking for powerful, compact and flexible digital printing systems, and we found just what we were looking for in the DELTA from Atlantic Zeiser. The European debut of this hybrid solution in large format will be on our drupa stand under the slogan of 'Sprinting ahead'. This concept has already found considerable success in Asia and we have seen 20 orders for the new Rapida 105."

Atlantic Zeiser will be exhibiting industrial digital print solutions at drupa in Hall 11, Stand C56 under the slogan 'Beyond Printing'.

03/06/12

Unisource Canada Announces Unisource Wide Format

Press release from the issuing company

Unisource Canada, Inc. announces the rebranding of the Mondrian-Hall division under the name Unisource Wide Format. Unisource Wide Format is the new name of one of Canada’s largest distributors of wide-format printers, supplies and technical services. Capitalizing on the synergies achieved through the 2009 acquisition of Mondrian-Hall as a division of Unisource Canada, the new name better positions the expansion into wide format, commercial, sign, photo and digital printing markets. As part of Unisource Worldwide; Unisource Canada, Inc. continues to provide a comprehensive range of products, services and equipment to the printing industry.

Supporting the new rebranding strategy, Unisource Wide Format is launching the new private label brand, called SelectSource.

The new brand looks to provide competitively priced, quality, performance based media and national stock availability. The focus of the SelectSource line is to match a selection of competitively priced substrates to the top industry end-applications including banners, posters, signs, interiors, photography, POP displays, decals, engineering drawings and fine art.

“The SelectSource line will be the new focus which will complement our existing media line,” says Sandra Ondas, the Marketing Manager for Wide Format Media. “The range of products within the line is extensive and includes aqueous, solvent, UV-cure and latex compatible products such as photo paper, scrim banner, window perforated vinyl, mesh, display film and xerographic papers.”

Unisource is Canada’s national supplier of Printing and Imaging, Packaging and Maintenance Supply products, operating from 18 locations across Canada. Unisource is committed to being the choice for Integrated Business Solutions that Drive Customers to Improved Performance and to continue to offer Customer Solutions in a Global Market.

Visit www.unisourcexl.ca for more information.

03/06/12

Velocity Print Solutions Expands Team

Press release from the issuing company

Velocity Print Solutions is pleased to announce that John Hissick has joined the Velocity Team as an Account Executive for New Markets. John has over 23 years in Printing, Digital Print and Direct Mail with Staples and Curtis 1000 in the New England Region. John will be responsible for developing new markets with a focus on Education.

In addition, Pearl Bernaski has accepted the position of Production Scheduler for the Albany plant, Don Gardinier will be overseeing the Automation/Mailing department operations and Mark Hall is now Fulfillment supervisor for the Albany plant. Previously Mark was mailroom supervisor at an offsite client facility. Pearl and Mark have been with the company for 9 years and Don has been with Velocity for 3 years.

03/05/12

Eclipse Colour appoints Business Development Director

Press release from the issuing company

James Jose has joined Eclipse Colour in the role of Business Development Director. He brings a wealth of experience in print and DM sales coupled with an excellent reputation of dealing direct with blue chip companies. This winning combination has produced a track record of success that was hard to ignore.

‘Eclipse Colour is well known throughout the industry for quality and efficiency and I’m really excited to be a part of that now - It’s only when you actually see a business like this from the inside that you can appreciate just how well it’s being run and the positive impact of the culture of Lean manufacturing.’…explains James…

‘When Eclipse Colour invested in 4DM last year I knew that I needed to be a part of their plans if my career was to develop further and I was to be able to offer clients the fully integrated marketing solutions they demand.’

Eclipse Colour MD, Simon Moore added…

‘We’re really pleased that James has joined us in this pivotal role. He’s seen the potential that’s been created by Eclipse Colour now working alongside 4DM and with his ability to understand and develop genuine Cross Media projects he will be a real asset to us - James shares our vision of how a modern print media based business should move forward and he has the full support of everyone here to help make that happen.’

03/05/12

Ideal Printers and PrintMailers Merge

Press release from the issuing company

Ideal Printers and PrintMailers, Inc., two of Houston’s largest mail and print service companies, today announced a merger that will combine their complementary portfolio of cross-media production services. The new company, Seebridge Media, will occupy the existing PrintMailers Inc. 112,000 sq. ft. location in Houston and offer an expanded range of fully integrated production services.

“The synergy is excellent,” stated Steve Johns, Seebridge Media partner and former owner of PrintMailers. “We see great opportunity in combining our complementary offerings, and providing a full range of production services from one company to simplify the process and better serve our clients.” Communications are becoming increasingly complex with diversied channels for reaching an increasingly sophisticated audience. Projects today require a multimedia strategy with a higher level of customization and personalization than ever before. Seebridge Media intends to bridge the gap between marketing strategy and execution by providing advanced production expertise and capabilities that improve the way businesses communicate.

With a combined 50+ years experience and 150 employees, Seebridge Media will utilize a broad portfolio of media production services and state-of-the-art operations to help communicators, marketers, and agencies successfully execute their programs.

Steve Johns and Larry Vaughn, and their respective previous companies, are well recognized in the Houston area for being in the Top 10 of the Houston Business Journal Book of Lists and delivering cutting edge marketing programs using the likes of variable data printing, QR codes, PURLs and web-to-print strategies. Heavily involved in the industry, both are members of the American Marketing Association. Vaughn is a founding member of the Digital Solutions Cooperative (DSCOOP) and a member of the Mobile Marketing Association, while Johns served as President of the Southwest chapter of the Mailing and Fulllment Services Association. They have produced programs for companies that span marketing agencies, healthcare, automotive, oil & gas, education, food services, and technology manufacturing industries

03/05/12

Eclipse Colour Appoints Business Development Director

Press release from the issuing company

James Jose has joined Eclipse Colour in the role of Business Development Director. He brings a wealth of experience in print and DM sales coupled with an excellent reputation of dealing direct with blue chip companies. This winning combination has produced a track record of success that was hard to ignore.

‘Eclipse Colour is well known throughout the industry for quality and efficiency and I’m really excited to be a part of that now - It’s only when you actually see a business like this from the inside can you appreciate just how well it’s being run and the positive impact of a culture like Lean manufacturing.’…explains James… ‘When Eclipse Colour invested in 4DM last year I knew that I needed to be a part of their plans if my career was to develop further and I was to be able to offer clients the fully integrated marketing solutions they demand.’

Eclipse Colour MD, Simon Moore added…

‘We’re really pleased that James has joined us in this pivotal role. He’s seen the potential that’s been created by Eclipse Colour now working alongside 4DM and with his ability to understand and develop genuine Cross Media projects he will be a real asset to us - James shares our vision of how a modern print media based business should move forward and he has the full support of everyone here to help make that happen.’

03/02/12

MassChallenge Adds Perkins School for the Blind Assistive Technology Prize

Press release from the issuing company

Perkins School for the Blind is ready to back entrepreneurs who focus on improving opportunities and quality of life for people with disabilities by offering the Perkins Assistive Technology Prize as part of the MassChallenge 2012. The $25 thousand dollar grant, drawn from a donation earmarked for technological solutions, promotes Perkins’ mission to empower individuals with disabilities to reach their personal potential.

“We are very pleased to partner with Perkins School for the Blind, an organization that has continually led the way in improving lives through innovation,” said Akhil Nigam, Founder and President, MassChallenge Inc. “Their generous support will help raise awareness and attract many more entrepreneurs to develop cutting edge solutions that can transform lives.”

Administered through MassChallenge, Perkins Assistive Technology Prize seeks to encourage competitors to develop new, low- and high-technology devices that could have a significant impact in the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Such assistive technology could apply to any sector of life (education, transportation, recreation, communications, vocational, etc.). The assistive technology could be designed for a certain group of individuals with a disability (vision loss, hearing loss, mobility, etc.), or have a more universal market application. Details and application information at www.MassChallenge.org

One-fifth of the U.S. population lives with some type of disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. As the population grows and the Baby Boom generation ages, that number will rise rapidly.

Disability pushes people to the fringes of community and society. Without innovative solutions, a disability can lock the wheels of a person on the move, block communication pathways of a person who cannot see, hear, or speak and stops their forward motion through life. Technology can unlock those wheels and open the gateways of information and ideas. Perkins has a 183-year history of innovation in educating people who are blind or deafblind.

“Joining with MassChallenge is a natural for us,” says Perkins President Steven Rothstein. “It’s in everyone’s interest to urge entrepreneurs to consider accessibility because better access for people with disabilities means better access for all.”

Assistive technology allows people with disabilities to be productive workers, to process information, and to put their ideas into action. Innovation can be applied in countless ways to provide mobility for people with physical disabilities, communication access for those with impaired hearing or vision, and adaptations we have yet to imagine. Together, Perkins and MassChallenge can put entrepreneurs’ imaginations in motion to find new ways to leap over disability to productivity and independence.

Perkins School for the Blind, the nation’s first school for students with visual impairments, provides education and services to help build productive, meaningful lives for more than 200,000 children and adults who are blind or deafblind, including those with additional disabilities in the U.S. and 67 countries worldwide. Founded in 1829, Perkins pursues this mission around the world, in the community, and on campus. Learn more online atwww.Perkins.org

MassChallenge is the largest-ever startup accelerator and competition, and the first to support high-impact, early-stage entrepreneurs with no strings attached.

Benefits for startups include:

* 3 month accelerator program. World-class mentorship and training, free office space, access to funding, legal advice, cofounders, media exposure and more.
* $1M in Cash Awards. $4M+ in-kind support.
* Open to all. Any startup can enter, from anywhere, in any industry.
* No equity taken. No restrictions applied.

President Obama honored MassChallenge in January of 2011 as one of the nation's best organizations for supporting high-growth entrepreneurs, and MassChallenge was the youngest inaugural affiliate of the Startup America Partnership. The 111 startups supported in the 2010 MassChallenge accelerator raised over $100M in outside funding and created ~500 new jobs in under 12 months.

03/02/12

EPA Names Brown Printing 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Brown Printing as a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for strategically managing and improving the energy efficiency of its entire building and manufacturing portfolio. Through its partnership with the ENERGY STAR program, Brown Printing has improved its energy performance, saved money and helped to protect the environment for future generations.

“Brown Printing’s commitment to environmentally sustainability and energy management, alongside our partnership with ENERGY STAR has paid big dividends,” said Jack Johnson, Environmental Coordinator and Energy Manager at Brown Printing. “Making our buildings and manufacturing facilities more energy efficient is one of the most effective ways for us to reduce our impact on the environment and save money, and we are honored to be recognized by EPA for our efforts.”

With a focus on ongoing performance measurement and whole-building improvement, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program provides a proven energy management strategy that has helped Brown Printing achieve important reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. Key accomplishments of Brown’s award winning energy management program include:

Improving companywide energy intensity by 4.3%, which equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 31 million pounds or the elimination of the emissions from 3,310 cars for a year.

Instituting a corporate-wide energy program that achieved 100% facility participation in the ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry. Implementing best energy management practices that included requiring all capital investments to consider energy efficiency, educating employees on energy efficiency, and implementing an array of technical and process improvements across Brown’s manufacturing facilities.

“As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize Brown Printing with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Brown and all our ENERGY STAR award winners are improving the energy efficiency of the places where we work, play and learn, which is good for our climate, the health of our economy, and our future.”

EPA’s annual ENERGY STAR Awards honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. The award winners are selected from about 20,000 partners that participate in the ENERGY STAR program and will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2012. Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.

03/02/12

Pantone and X-Rite Introduce PantoneLIVE; Allows Brand Owners to Manage Color in the Cloud

Press release from the issuing company

X-Rite, Incorporated and Pantone LLC, today unveiled PantoneLIVE™, a cloud-based color service that provides instant access to essential brand color standards. PantoneLIVE is the first service under the Pantone Digital Business Unit, a newly created division of X-Rite that is the byproduct of Pantone’s expertise as the world’s color authority and X-Rite’s color science and technology leadership.

From chocolates and champagne to soda and stilettos, the past year has been wrought with cases of counterfeiting, deception and consumer confusion – all tied to the ubiquitous colors that uniquely identify brands. Cadbury and Veuve Clicquot were involved in high-profile legal battles to own their brand colors, while Christian Louboutin fought to trademark its signature red soles. With color so critically tied to brand identity, inconsistent brand color can lead to a lack of consumer confidence and lost sales.

In a recent survey conducted by the Pantone Color Institute*, more than 70 percent of creatives noted that brand color definitions, accuracy and consistency in creating products or packaging are important to their business, while 42 percent indicated that color-related challenges have a negative impact on their company. “Nearly 50 years ago, Pantone brought consistency and a common language to an industry that lacked standardization. Historically an analog process, reliant on centuries’ old color alchemy, printing and production have advanced with technology in the digital age,” said Ron Potesky, senior vice president and general manager of Pantone. “PantoneLIVE digitizes the process, taking it from visual and subjective to consistent and repeatable – significantly reducing production timelines and improving the bottom line.”

“PantoneLIVE represents a transformational change in color management for brand owners across their entire supply chain” explained Tom Vacchiano, president and CEO of X-Rite. “Our own Dr. Sonia Megert, whose vision for the digital supply chain led to the development of PantoneLIVE, will head the new Pantone Digital Business Unit.”

“Globally consistent color standards are essential to brand identity. With supply chains made up of hundreds of different facilities scattered around the world, corporations struggle to control and maintain color consistency,” said Dr. Megert. “PantoneLIVE is a dynamic ecosystem, open to all supply chain participants, which delivers consistent color across the entire packaging workflow – from design concept to retail store shelves.”

Brand color standards are the principal component of PantoneLIVE and are derived from real ink on real substrates using real printing processes. This allows brand owners to predict how corporate spot colors will reproduce on a wide variety of substrates including brown corrugated, clear film and white polypropylene. A brand’s color assets, analogous to a brand’s color DNA, are managed and maintained in a secure cloud-based data repository to ensure accurate color communication – to any supplier, around the world.

“The benefits of using PantoneLIVE are clear,” says Nigel Dickie, director of corporate and government affairs for Heinz (see Beanz Meanz Heinz and Knowing about Color case study). “The digital tools gave us unprecedented control and consistency from different print processes and materials. Across all of our packaging formats we saw a reduction in color variance of 50 percent and saved time by establishing one color target that can be applied to all our Heinz Beanz designs. The results with our Beanz packaging have been so remarkable that we plan to extend PantoneLIVE to additional product lines, including Heinz soups and Spaghetti Hoops.”

While accurate color is important to the brand identity of consumer packaged goods, protecting brand integrity in the pharmaceutical industry is crucial as counterfeit drugs put the health of consumers at risk. Chesapeake (see Accurate Brand Colors Help Stem Drug Counterfeiting case study), a global producer of consumer packaging for many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, turned to PantoneLIVE to increase consistency in its customers’ packaging. When it comes to pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications, even the slightest variation in packaging color can make a product suspect and the brand vulnerable to counterfeiting.

On one job, for example, Chesapeake was able to reduce color variation by 84 percent and improve process controls, which led to zero rejections from the print run and 100 percent client approval. PantoneLIVE is creating another positive impact on Chesapeake’s business. The company previously stocked as many as 3,000 different inks in its Leicester, U.K. plant and now stores only 537 without reducing color choices.

PantoneLIVE is connected to a large portfolio of software, containing real-world color data for hundreds of thousands of colors, and is supported by the latest color measurement technology. This is combined with professional services including workflow and color rationalization audits, and customized operating procedures from Pantone and X-Rite. Custom and bespoke spectral data, as well as metadata, are used to digitize brand colors. Digitized palettes are then expanded to create independent color standards to allow for accurate color reproduction on a variety of substrates.

Brand color data, equivalent to a digital color swatch, is stored in a secure, cloud-based portal that lets brand owners and other approved members of the supply chain manage digital rights and facilitate color communication across all materials in the production process. This centralized color communication process promotes consistency and helps achieve speed to market efficiencies from initial design to final production. The portal also provides direction to suppliers to meet brand requirements related to color quality.

Industry Support

While users of any manufacturer’s ink will be able to take advantage of PantoneLIVE, Sun Chemical (see Sun Chemical press release) is the preferred ink partner. Esko (see Esko press release), a global supplier of integrated solutions for packaging, sign and display finishing, commercial printing and professional publishing, is also a preferred partner supporting PantoneLIVE. Both companies worked closely with Pantone and X-Rite to develop PantoneLIVE. Sun Chemical’s technology and color data are the foundations for PantoneLIVE, and this technology is integrated into Esko’s solutions.

In addition, Windmöller & Hölscher, a leading supplier of flexographic central impression and rotogravure printing presses, is recognized as the PantoneLIVE technology partner, serving the flexible packaging industry. In this unique capacity, Windmöller & Hölscher will extend the capability of their EASY COL on-press color matching solution to incorporate access to the PantoneLIVE ecosystem, thereby allowing converters to reduce press set-up times and in turn assure the quality of important brand colors on press.

Pantone and X-Rite are continuing to work with leading vendors to integrate and enhance their solutions with PantoneLIVE. This approach will offer customers real value in the color management and color communications process, while leaving much of their current investments in place.

Pricing and Availability

Access to the PantoneLIVE database starts at $99 USD (£63 GBP, €76 EUR) annually for a designer, $1,150 USD (£730 GBP, €885 EUR) annually for preproduction and from $2,000 USD (£1,275 GBP, €1,540 EUR) to $2,650 USD (£1,690 GBP, €2,040 EUR) annually for production. A color audit for a brand owner starts at $4,500 USD (£2,870 GBP, €3,460 EUR). Additional fees apply depending on services and scope required. PantoneLIVE solutions will be available June 15. For more information, please see www.pantone.com/live.

03/01/12

WorkflowOne Enhances Data Security

Press release from the issuing company

WorkflowOne, a leading provider of print management, distribution and marketing services, announced today that it has achieved compliance with the Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standard. The company, which received a Report of Compliance covering both the Merchant and Service Provider standards, is one of the first in its industry to do so.

“WorkflowOne has made a multi-million dollar investment in hardware, software and system development to protect our customers’ credit card data,” said Jeff Noffsinger, Vice President of Information Technology. “When our customers’ employees, agents, dealers, brokers and consumers purchase print or promotional items through WorkflowOne’s e-commerce websites, users can be assured that their credit card information will be handled with the highestlevels of security in the industry.”

PCI is an independent body that was created by the major payment cards brands (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB). The PCI’s Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment. PCI applies to all organizations or merchants that accept, transmit or store any cardholder data, regardless of their size or the number of transactions they process.

"We realize that protecting data is essential to earning and maintaining our customers’ trust,” Noffsinger said. “Our investment in technology, combined with ongoing company-wide training, helps ensure our customers’ data is handled with the utmostconfidentiality. As our online transactions continue to grow, we anticipatecontinued investment in technology and training in order to maintain our PCI compliance.”

In addition to PCI compliance, WorkflowOne also meets the requirements of SSAE-16 in locations that handle large amounts of customer data, such as Salt Lake City, Utah; Columbus, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio. SSAE-16 is a standard of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants which replaced SAS 70 as the authoritative guidance for controls at third-party service organizations. WorkflowOne first achieved SAS 70 Type II certification in 2004.

03/01/12

Tower Introduces One-Step Fountain Solution

Press release from the issuing company

Tower Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of environmentally sensitive pressroom chemistry has fully released MILLENNIUM 2000, an advanced technology, one-step fountain solution for use on high-speed sheet-fed presses manufactured by Komori.

MILLENNIUM 2000 does not require the use of alcohol or alcohol replacements. The product gives Komori sheet-fed press operators increased latitude on press at maximum production speeds and eliminates the need for mixing two products for the fountain. More importantly, utilizing a unique wetting agent system, MILLENNIUM 2000 can be used at a very low dosage (4 ounces per gallon) versus other one-step products running double the dosage. This unique fountain solution formula of the MILLENNIUM 2000 reduces ink feedback sometimes found on the Komori dampening rollers. Printers have also found much less contamination build up on the impression cylinders. MILLENNIUM 2000 also features an outstanding buffering system to prevent calcium carbonate from causing a pH drift and produces a fast, clean roll up, preventing excess paper waste.

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department at 800.527.8626 or visit our website at www.towerproducts.com.

03/01/12

Professional Printing Center Installs Fourth Komori Press

Press release from the issuing company

Komori America Corporation, a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, today announced that Professional Printing Center, a full-service commercial printer located in Chesapeake, VA, recently installed its fourth Komori press, a five color Lithrone S40 (LS540) with advanced interface (AI) software, to answer the company’s increased demand for high quality, more sophisticated applications. The company reports that the advanced technology of the LS540 coupled with AI software is significantly enhancing productivity and improving profitability with its ability to cut makeready time by 50 percent and reduce sheet count by up to 70 percent.

“We expanded our services over the last two years, so a higher level of productivity was important to us for a number of reasons,” said Brian Ward, president of Professional Printing Center. “We had a huge comfort level with Komori because we know we can count on them. Other manufacturers may make great presses, but they just can’t compete with the support you get from Komori.”

In selecting the press, Professional Printing Center was particularly impressed that AI technology allows all press functions to be preset from the console, saving time and money. In addition, the AI software also has self-learning technology that progressively updates press settings over time to reduce waste. Professional Printing Center’s long history and high satisfaction with the advanced technology and the ease-of-use of Komori’s presses which made it possible to eliminate two older presses were additional factors in the decision to add a more advanced press.

“We are FSC certified and serious about establishing sustainable efforts at every level of production, so having the ability to further reduce waste was a very important consideration and the LS540 delivers on that feature,” said Pat Wilcox, vice president and plant manager for Professional Printing Center. “Additionally, we are excited that the new technology makes it possible to offer a high level of repeatability with every job and the ability to turn jobs around very quickly.”

“We are pleased that the LS540 is offering Professional Printing Center the technology needed to meet its demand for maximum productivity and commitment to the environment,” said Jacki Hudmon, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Komori America. “We value our long-term relationship with them and look forward their continued success.”

02/28/12

EFI Expects Record Attendance for 13th Annual Connect Users' Conference

Press release from the issuing company

EFI™ (Nasdaq:EFII), a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, is gearing up for its largest Connect users' conference in history, set for April 10-13 at the Wynn Las Vegas. After last year's record-setting customer attendance, EFI is preparing for another sold out event with a large group of international attendees. Connect enables print industry leaders from around the world to attend educational sessions, test drive the latest EFI products, voice their opinions at user group meetings, discuss industry trends, and network with peers.

The detailed list of more than 150 class sessions is now available online. Sessions cover MIS/ERP and Web-to-Print systems, inkjet and label solutions, a special Fiery® technology track, and more.

EFI will highlight its unique, fully integrated, end-to-end workflows throughout the event with live demos. The Connect lab area will once again showcase the full portfolio of EFI solutions, including the complete print MIS line-up (PrintSmith™, Pace, Logic™, PSI™, Monarch, Radius, PrintStream, PrintFlow® and Digital StoreFront®), numerous Fiery digital print servers and proofing solutions, wide-format and label inkjet printers. Leading industry partners will have their latest products on display as well. Ricoh is this year's Platinum sponsor. Canon U.S.A., Kodak, SmartLinc and xpedx are Gold sponsors; Agile Network, Hybrid Software, Lithotechnics, MGI and Unisource are Bronze sponsors. The company expects more exhibitors to be added in the coming weeks.

"After an amazing event in 2011, we're getting excited to host another installment of EFI Connect with an even higher caliber of educational sessions, user group meetings, and product demonstrations for an anticipated record number of customers," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at EFI. "This event is solely focused on helping our customers get the most out of their EFI products so they can operate more efficiently and profitably now and in the coming years."

A long-time EFI customer, MOSAIC offers conventional, waterless, UV and digital printing. Brendan Connors, CEO, says: "Connect provides the perfect venue to understand technology, strategize on workflow and share best practices with some of the best in the industry. Last year we were evaluating replacing PSI after 20 years. All options were on the table. We sent a team to Connect and came out with a plan to take MOSAIC to the next level with EFI Pace. The contacts we met while at Connect were invaluable and we are looking forward to this year's event."

During the event, attendees will hear from EFI CEO Guy Gecht, Rob Schlacter, vice president of quality and business services at Staples, and other EFI executives and customers.

For the second year, EFI is hosting a special Fiery digital print server and solutions track. The Fiery Tech @ Connect conference is an advanced training forum for reseller sales analysts and specialists. The interactive sessions provide in-depth knowledge and tools to identify new business opportunities, offer the right customer solutions, provide competitive selling tips, and to help justify their customers' investments in higher value solutions.

Connect will also feature the return of the popular live auction, held Wed., April 11 during the evening sponsor appreciation reception. Items for auction include training sessions, site audits, and Fiery and MIS software modules. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation.

Customers can enter the "Win with EFI" video contest until March 16 by submitting a video about how their company uses or plans to use EFI products to help ensure business success. The winning company will receive conference registration for one attendee, three nights' hotel accommodations at the Wynn during the conference for that attendee, and $5,000 in credit towards the purchase of EFI products. (No purchase necessary. For complete information, see details and official rules at www.efi.com/connect/2012videocontest/).

Early bird registration rates are good until Feb. 29, 2012. To register, go towww.efi.com/Connect/Register%202012

For more information about EFI, visit www.efi.com or call 800-875-7117.

02/28/12

FINAT Congress and Label Competition 2012

Press release from the issuing company

FINAT, the world-wide association for the self-adhesive labels and related products, introduces the entry and participation details of its annual international labelling competition and the provisional programme of its congress which will take place in the Hilton Hotel in Athens, Greece from 6-9 June 2012. FINAT also reveals the winner of the congress logo contest of this year's edition.

Congress 2012 Theme: Sustainable labelling – now is your chance!

"In today’s developed society, businesses are increasingly embracing a corporate approach that goes beyond the single dimension of company profit," says Kurt Walker, FINAT President. "Awareness is growing that short-term profit maximization cannot be achieved without taking into account a company’s corporate responsibility towards the environment, the community in which it is operating and the people it employs. ‘Sustainable entrepreneurship’ is aimed at maximising ‘PPP Value’: People, Planet andProfit. In this concept, the scope of entrepreneurship is broadened from the ‘here and now’ to the ‘there and then’."

That is why under the title 'Sustainable labelling - now is your chance!', this year's congress takes a specific look at the various aspects associated with the buzzword ‘sustainability’ for the labelling industry. It will highlight the perspective from one of the leading customers of our industry, demonstrate how to combine economy and ecology when designing packaging and labels, and allow the opportunity to share and discuss best practice with industry leaders and entrepreneurs in different areas of corporate sustainability. In addition the congress will bring inspiration from the Live8 (Live Aid) experience and will present an outlook into our common future from a leading futurologist. And it will give participants a first hand opportunity to learn about the latest trends and developments affecting the European self-adhesive label industry. The full programme will be released in due course.

Thirty Second International Label Competition: Final Call for Entries

FINAT converter members and other label printers that are not yet affiliated to FINAT and who have not yet entered their labels are encouraged to do so before the March 9 deadline. The FINAT label competition recognises and rewards achievements in terms of both end use/marketing impact and print and converting quality. The awards will be presented to the winners during FINAT's Congress in Athens.

This year the competition is separating all wine labels from the mainstream categories irrespective of printing process used. This means that there are three drinks categories and one food category. This trial has been prompted because wine labels by their very nature are usually aesthetically pleasing and very decorative and the quality of design and printing quality has improved considerably over the years. The intention is to allow other end use categories to have a greater chance of winning an award. This principle has also been applied to the cosmetic entries where all cosmetic labels will be entered in the cosmetic category irrespective of printing process used allowing more scope for labels entered in the pharmaceutical and other related categories.

In recent years the FINAT awards competition has seen a considerable increase in the total number of entries with the figures hovering around the 300 mark with almost two thirds of the entries to be found in the Marketing/End Use Group.

In the 2010 competition a label from the Wine/Spirits category won best in show with wine labels taking several of the printing process awards. Again in 2011 a wine label won best in show and another was awarded the jury prize. In both competitions wine and drinks labels also won the Sets of Labels category. Of course wine labels will not be excluded from winning the ultimate award but the new classification will level the playing field somewhat. Almost certainly we will see the wines and spirits label up in the top awards again in this year’s competition. There has been a significant trend in food labels to more realistic illustrations of food products. This is driven to some extent by the brand owners demanding more differentiation of their products on the supermarket shelves. It has been proven that realistic looking packaging and labels placed at consumer eye level increases sales by up to 10%. The same research indicated that more men buy wine by design than price. Whereas women tend to purchase based initially on price and secondly by design.

FINAT Congress Logo Contest: and the Winner is ...

In order to encourage the next generation of graphic designers, FINAT has for the past four years organised a congress logo competition. Several colleges and universities from the host country Greece were invited to submit entries from their students on the theme 'Sustainable Labelling - now is your chance'. More than 120 entries were received from 2 teaching establishments. The Vakalo Art & Design College and the Akto College both located in Athens.

The standard of entries was very high and bodes well for the future of the graphic design industry especially in Greece. It was very difficult to make the final decision as many of the entries showed some really original ideas in their designs. The final award was made to Georgios Karanikas from the Vakalo Art and Design college. He produced a very simple one colour design depicting the meander, a design often seen round the walls of ancient Greek buildings. His idea was to show, in a stylised way, two hands interlinking and collaborating together illustrating the international, multi-cultural character of the FINAT Congress. The judges were impressed by the simplicity of design using only one colour and the concept behind the design.

For all information: www.finat.com

02/28/12

Management Team at manroland Sheetfed GmbH Confirmed

Press release from the issuing company

Following the appointment of Alfred Rothlaender as head of the newly formed manroland sheetfed GmbH on 10 February 2012, the company today confirmed the senior HQ management team:

Alfred Rothlaender - President (Geschäftsführer)
Rafael Penuela Torres - Vice President Sales (Geschäftsführer)
Marco Faulhaber - Vice President Aftermarket (Prokurist)
Peter Esch - Head of Production (Prokurist)
Stefan Finger - Head of Engineering R&D (Prokurist),B Ewa Lohmann - Head of Finance (Prokurist)
Thomas Heyn - Head of Human Resources

02/27/12

Collins Ink Corporation Gets ISO Certification

Press release from the issuing company

Collins Ink Corporation is proud to announce it is now certified as an ISO 9001:2008 compliant organization. The certification addresses Collins Ink's Management System and assures that it complies with the rigorous performance standards set forth by the International Standards Organization (ISO), a group that sets quality and management standards for businesses.

To become certified as ISO 9001:2008 compliant, Collins Ink underwent a one-year evaluation process that included quality management system development, a management system documentation review, pre-audit, initial assessment, and clearance of non-conformances, all of which work to identify corrective actions that eliminate non-conformance to the quality management standard. The process culminated in a comprehensive two-day registration audit.

"Achieving ISO 9001:2008 certification reinforces the quality of our organization and is something we've worked very hard to achieve," said Michael Dull, Director of Quality Control. "Our employees and staff are proud of achieving this important certification and are committed to demonstrating excellence every single day."

With this certification, customers can feel confident in Collins Ink’s continued dedication to complete customer satisfaction.

02/27/12

Neopost Partners with Uniserv

Press release from the issuing company

Neopost today announced a partnership with Uniserv GmbH that enables customers to validate the addresses of additional countries on top of the USA and United Kingdom currently already offered when using Neopost solutions. While customers using the Neopost PrintMachine document output management solution will be the first to benefit, additional Neopost mail optimization and preparation products will also take advantage of the Uniserv data quality products and services.

Validating addresses ensures mail is deliverable and keeps valuable financial resources from being wasted on returned mail. Undeliverable mail can impact business operations, efficiency and cash flow due to additional expenditures in re-sending mail as well as lost revenues from late bills and invoice payments.

"We're really excited to be working with Neopost, to be part of a strong joint offer that will help Neopost customers drive efficiency and effectiveness in their everyday operations. At the same time we're introducing Uniserv's proven services and products to a new user audience," said Jon Paterson, Alliance Manager at Uniserv.

"Uniserv is well-known in the data quality and data integration industry and will now be a key player on our data quality team," says Enno Ebels, Managing Director of Neopost Data Quality solutions. "In addition to our Satori Software services, Uniserv products and services will enable us to further meet the growing needs of our international customers who are demanding added value during their mail preparation processes. Our customers will immediately benefit from the Neopost-Uniserv agreement."

Customers of PrintMachine 4.0 can now cleanse and correct addresses when creating output via access to Uniserv online address validation services. Additional products and services will be developed through a joint effort between Neopost software development teams and Uniserv in the near future.

02/27/12

Duplo Announces New Slitter / Cutter / Creaser Installations

Press release from the issuing company

PALOMAR REPROGRAPHICS, Carlsbad, Calif., has brought their post-press operation in-house with Duplo’s DC-615 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser. Perfect for processing short-run jobs on demand, the automatic DC-615 eliminates white borders and prevents toner cracking on digital color documents in a single pass. Formerly outsourcing such tasks, the company now finishes their own business cards, postcards, brochures, and other digitally-printed pieces and has already seen a return on their investment. “We now have the ability to complete orders in-house and expand our offerings to our customers,” says Helga Batsford, president of Palomar Reprographics. Palomar Reprographics is a full service reprographics and document management firm serving the San Diego area.

APEX COLOR, Jacksonville, FL, has recently added Duplo’s DC-645 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser and the UJ-500AS Jogger to their shop. In need of a more efficient method for finishing their business cards and scoring their jobs, Apex Color has found the DC-645 has reduced their turnarounds and increased their productivity. “It has freed up personnel from having to score jobs separately and it’s able to finish the business cards, postcards, and book covers quickly,” says Jeff Kidd, operations manager at Apex Color, saving hours of production time. “It’s like having another employee without the cost because the machine virtually runs itself after a simple job set up.” In addition the UJ-500AS Jogger has reduced the static from their digitally-printed jobs, making overall finishing easier to process. Apex Color is a commercial printer offering a wide range of printing and bindery services.

COPY CORNER, in College Station, TX, has installed Duplo’s DC-645 Slitter/Cutter/Creaser. The shop, which serves professors and students from local colleges and universities, is now finishing their business cards, flyers, postcards, and invitations in less time and more efficiently. “We had been using a desktop machine for cutting, perforating and business cards, but could not score,” says Keith Truett, operations manager of Copy Corner. “The DC-645 has enabled us to market new products and services as well as increase our capabilities.” The machine was sold and installed directly by Duplo USA.

02/24/12

Organic Imaging to Debut at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

CEO/CTO John de Jong of Elpical said today that the company will unveil a new product line, Organic Imaging, at drupa 2012 Hall 7.0 space A26. de Jong says that Organic Imaging is based on the same core technology used in the company's commercial-level Elpical Claro family, which is used by many of the world's top publishers including Modern Luxury, BBC Worldwide, and USA Today.

The combination of economy and performance using the easiest interface in a professional-grade imaging application will allow many professionals and markets to take advantage of the benefits very quickly.

"We're very excited about the debut of Organic Imaging at drupa. We believe it will rapidly gain a following among the printers, pre-press, and multi-channel production executives who hear about it and see it there," de Jong says. He adds that the nature of the offering will make it attractive to other segments, as well.

"The democratic aspects of the internet have extended to the tools available to the people who use it," de Jong says. "Organic Imaging will be one of them."

02/24/12

Cal Poly Acquires a Digital Web Press and a Die-Cutting System

Press release from the issuing company

Through a partnership with Hewlett Packard and Esko, Cal Poly’s Graphic Communication Department has installed new equipment that will give students hands-on experience integrating the technologies of digital printing and commercial printing and packaging.

HP donated a variable data Indigo ws4000 series web press valued at $188,000 and Esko donated a Kongsberg iCut variable data die-cutting system worth $179,000.

The web press and die-cutting technology will be used by graphic communication students in advanced digital printing classes and by professionals attending industry seminars and workshops conducted by the Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly.

The workflow resulting from these two systems allows printing runs of one or multiple images and moves them to the iCut for variable die-cutting of individual or multiple images. The iCut is based on Kongsberg technology, combined with iCut software tools designed for short-run production work, in sheet and roll form.

Cal Poly graphic communication Professor Malcolm Keif and Department Head Harvey Levenson led the effort to bring this digital web press and die-cutting workflow together. “The Esko team has been very supportive of our program,” Keif said. “They are involved in educating our students, working on industry outreach, collaborating on research, and hiring our graduates. Esko epitomizes our industry/education partnership.”

Levenson, who coordinated the HP partnership, said, “Since HP acquired Indigo in 2001, we’ve been working together to educate students and companies in how to market, sell and integrate digital printing technology into commercial printing and packaging. The ws4000 series press compliments our Indigo sheet-fed press and expands our capabilities to teach a workflow representing present and future opportunities for the graphic communication industry. Capturing, printing and die-cutting digital images – static or variable – in a closed-loop workflow represents a direction that will keep the commercial printing and packaging industries viable in the years ahead.”

02/24/12

2012 TAGA Conference Advanced Tutorial Sessions Announced

Press release from the issuing company

The Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA) is excited to announce the advanced tutorial sessions and technical focus sessions that will take place at the 64th Annual Technical Conference. These informative sessions will convey the future of the industry with specific insight into the latest in technology. The 2012 TAGA Technical Conference will be held March 18–21, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville-Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, FL.

Advanced Tutorial Sessions
These sessions have been developed by the TAGA board to update attendees on some of the latest technical innovations that focus on a particular subject area. These sessions will cover much more than can be conveyed in a technical paper. Attendees will get a great insight into each topic covered, including the underpinning technology, applications, and business impact in these areas.

This year’s conference will feature standout sessions focusing on sustainability, holography, and educational/development skills. Sessions include:

Sustainable Ink, presentedby Don Duncan, Wikoff Color Corporation
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations. Learn about different ink technologies—the differences between them and where they integrate into a sustainable process.

Advancement and Developments in Holography—All You Wanted to Know and More, presentedby Anthony Stanton, Carnegie Mellon University Holography has developed significantly over recent years from the initial work in the ‘40s and then the developments that were accelerated due to the use of lasers in the ‘60s. Today the use of holography covers many different areas and can be seen in everyday life. Learn the underlying principles behind holography and the different effects that can be used, the difference between a static and dynamic hologram, and how they are used for art, data storage, sensors, and security.

Technical Focus Sessions: Color, Ink, and Paper
These two interactive sessions, conducted by industry leaders, allow an in-depth discussion of the latest technologies, methodologies, and standards. Discussions will include:

How changes impact the industry.
What you should be aware of that is new in the industry.
How these standards will impact equipment and processes.
How consumables—for any process—impact the performance of the printing.

This conference provides the assets, solutions, and networks necessary to stay on top of graphic arts technology. For more information please visit tagaatc.printing.org/, or to register for the conference contact Elise Cohen at ecohen@printing.org or 412-259-1713.

02/23/12

Deborah Smith Read Appointed Creative Director at Anthem Worldwide

Press release from the issuing company

Anthem Worldwide, the brand development division of Schawk, Inc. (NYSE: SGK), whose integrated global network provides innovative solutions to articulate, unify and manage brand impact to create compelling and consistent brand experiences, announced that it has appointed Deborah Smith Read to serve as creative director for its San Francisco office.

Lor Gold, global chief creative officer for Schawk, said, "Successful brands must truly connect across consumer touchpoints whether it's at home, on the go, at the store or on the shelf. Deborah brings the creative connective tissue through experience and passion to help Anthem's clients deliver an emotionally compelling brand experience for consumers."

Deborah Smith Read joins Anthem with 25 years of experience in brand development, including design strategy, naming and identity, package design and interactive creative from her own consultancies Brand Engine and Addis Creson in California. Read's background includes experience with Williams-Sonoma/Pottery Barn Kids, Smith & Hawken, Kraft Foods, Sara Lee, The Clorox Company, Barclays Global Investors and LVMH.

"I am energized to become part of Anthem Worldwide's creative leadership," said Read. "Anthem understands that as a brand development agency, we are the bridge between the brand and the shopper's hand. It is this creative responsibility that fuels our global network of exceptional talent. Our deep expertise in developing creative ideas across multiple consumer channels drives growth for our clients."

Added Gold, "For both Schawk and Anthem, our collective creative, both globally and individually, fulfills extremely important creative needs for every one of our clients. In every case, there is tremendous creative talent and care and concern for detail, which end up as a highly creative brand expression designed to help our clients win at any point of consumer influence."

Read received a B.F.A. in Graphic Design at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, CA.

02/23/12

MarquipWardUnited Welcomes Frederic Duquenne to Sales Team

Press release from the issuing company

MarquipWardUnited, a leading manufacturer of advanced sheeting, corrugating and finishing equipment, has announced the addition of Frederic Duquenne to its European Sheeter sales force. Duquenne joins the company as the sales executive for new sheeting machinery for Western Europe and North Africa territories.

Duquenne brings more than fifteen years of increasing responsibility in technical and sales management leadership from Heidelberg Web Press, France; his commercial web press experience spans eight years. Most recently, Duquenne was the France Sales Manager for commercial and newspaper web press at KBA where he demonstrated his extensive record of collaboration and team building that contributed to the growth and profitability goals of his customers.

“Frederic will allow us to communicate in French to our French-speaking customers, enhancing the overall customer experience as well as helping to build on our excellent results from this market sector,” said Steve Brimble, Managing Director Apollo Sheeters Ltd. and VP Sales Europe and Asia.

Duquenne will work from his office in Senlis, France, north of Paris.

Contact Frederic Duquenne at Frederic.Duquenne@MarquipWardUnited.com or +33 (7) 78 88 79 46.

02/23/12

SA International Launches PixelBlaster

Press release from the issuing company

SA International (SAi), a leading provider of solutions for the professional signmaking, large format digital printing and CAD/CAM for CNC machining industries, has announced the introduction of its new PixelBlaster™ print-to-finish production software.

PixelBlaster is a genuine end-to-end system that covers pre-flight to production. Modular and scalable, the PDF-based software is a single solution delivering a customer-selected suite of workflow applications that drive an operation’s entire large format print hardware line-up.

PixelBlaster has been designed to reduce bottlenecks, streamline workflows and increase profitability, while its capability to standardize printing ensurespredictable and consistent print quality and color.

Available now, PixelBlaster offers a complete solution to guide jobs through every stage of the production process – from file verification, job preparation, color management, RIP to analog or digital (CTS to screen), output check and finally printing and automated finishing.

Using a modular approach, PixelBlaster can be easily tailored and scaled to fit users’ needs in mixed Macintosh® or Windows® environments. A key feature is its ability to standardize colors based on industry accepted profiles, including GRACoL, ISO, Euroscale and FOGRA.

The solution is first of its kind to deliver standardized printing to the large format sector. This means that in multi-printing device environments,PixelBlaster ensures each printer automatically generates exactly the same predictable and reproducible output quality and color – regardless of the brand of hardware, the type of inks or the substrates used.

PixelBlaster’s advanced color engine allows easy integration of proofing into the production process. By accurately predicting the final output, PixelBlaster offers a cost effective way of eliminating errors and significantly reducing media and ink wastage.

Additionally, PixelBlaster features an easy-to-use Variable Data Printing option to personalize text, graphics and images. Based on a template, users can quickly apply variables and load text and images into placeholders to mass produce customized prints.

“While other RIP’s focus heavily on print preparation, PixelBlaster goes more ‘upstream’ by providing a front-end comprising all job preparation features to drive production,” explains Gudrun Bonte, Product Manager at SAi.

“At the same time, PixelBlaster goes more downstream, providing all job finishing items from the front end and by supplying a separate software to drive the printers. In doing so, we believe that PixelBlaster delivers a wider and more tangible offering than other RIP solutions, combined with a more improved and complete toolset,” she adds.

In addition to meeting the needs of users in super-wide high volume print production environments, PixelBlaster has also been designed for the increasingly important specialty printing sector, which embraces substrates such as textiles, glass and ceramics. To ensure color predictability when not using the CMYK process, PixelBlaster includes an N-Color support feature. This enables production of custom ink sets to ensure full spot colour profiling within the gamut provided by the selected inks.

Thanks to the PDF engine, PixelBlaster handles transparencies with ease and has no problem managing multiple file types. Unlike certain RIPs that struggle to faithfully process PDF files, PixelBlaster eradicates such issues. This prevents workflow being impacted by avoiding the need for users to rasterize files before printing to ensure proper translation of information.

PixelBlaster is already being tested by several sign and graphics businesses, including US-based, Signs by Tomorrow. According to Ryan Warner, Press Operator and Design Manager at the York, Pennsylvania, company, PixelBlaster delivers a multitude of benefits, not least of which is its capability of faithful PDF support.

“PixelBlaster basically allows us to RIP and print jobs from PDFs faster and at a higher quality, as well as cut them more accurately, than any other software I’ve used in the past,” he says. “Not only that, PixelBlaster allows us to print the same file from the same computer on either or both printers, all while operating within the same color space. We can print one portion of a job on our solvent printer and the other on our UV printer and the colors are identical.

“For anyone looking to simplify their work flow, improve their print and cut quality, decrease production time or just make their day easier, Pixel Blaster is the way to go,” he concludes.

PixelBlaster extends SAi’s growing line of comprehensive, professional software solutions, which also include the Flexi™ and PhotoPrint™ family of products. Having obtained a license for the software, customers can register at a dedicated on line portal, where they can create and manage their personal profile page, as well as download the software and necessary profiles drivers and user manuals.

For further information on SAi’s new PixelBlaster production software solution please e-mail Info@SAintl.eu or call +32 2 725 52 95.

02/22/12

Mutoh America, Inc. Introduces ValueJet Status Monitor

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh America Inc., a leading manufacturer of wide-format printers, adds ValueJet Status Monitor (VSM) to its product portfolio.

VSM is a sophisticated software application offered free to Mutoh customers that is used to monitor the health and status of Mutoh ValueJet printers. This includes monitoring ink levels, heater settings, firmware updates, color output and more.

This smart software is exclusive to Mutoh's ValueJet printer line.

Printer functions are checked by VSM to ensure the printer is providing the user consistent output and notifies the operator via email or smart phone if there is a problem.

"Mutoh's exclusive VSM system adds to the many smart printing features that Mutoh ValueJet printers offer today" say David Conrad, Mutoh Marketing Manager. "This is just one more step Mutoh is taking to help their customers prevent down time and make their jobs easier and more productive."

Operators can multitask with piece of mind because VSM includes an email notification system to alert the operator to several pre-programmed messages including printer status, low ink, media end and more.

Through internet access, the operator can check the status of the ink level and heater temperatures from any PC that the VSM software has been installed.

The system is currently available on the VJ-1324, 1624, and 1608HS printers. New VSM capable printers and smart phone remote access app will be announced in the near future.

02/22/12

SGIA’s New Safety Package Focuses on Heavy Lifting

Press release from the issuing company

SGIA has released its newest safety package, as a reminder to the specialty imaging community to lift with your legs, not with your back! The package is being mailed to SGIA members this week, and is available online now, at SGIA.org.

Critical safety resources include a Safety in Action Case Study, which presents information about the importance of knowing your limitations, and valuable instruction on how to execute the perfect lift. Also included is a What to Do law guide, designed to supply members with the ins and outs of federal employment and labor laws regarding heavy lifting practices.

The safety package also contains a workplace safety poster, to demonstrate to your employees the dangers of improper lifting, and to encourage the proper lifting techniques. SGIA Safety Posters can be modified before hanging, to include your company logo and name.

SGIA provides these important resources because a safe work environment means a successful work environment. For more details about SGIA’s commitment to workplace safety and additional resources members can take advantage of, visit SGIA.org, Keyword: Safety.

02/22/12

Lecta Publishes Its New Environment Report

Press release from the issuing company

Lecta is a company firmly committed to sustainability that views its business activity as being inextricably linked to an attitude that is respectful of both the environment and society.

One of the guiding principals of Lecta’s environmental policy is transparent and regular communication of its environmental practices. The publication of the “2010 Environmental Report: Challenges 2011/2012” underpins this transparency, and reflects Lecta’s commitment to demonstrate to our partners that they may have the utmost confidence and trust in the sustainable nature of our activity.

The latest Environmental Report draws together the efforts made in recent years by the Group’s member companies – Condat, Cartiere del Garda and Torraspapel – while also detailing the commitments we have made that constitute our challenges for the immediate future.

In order to validate the Group’s desire to be transparent, committed and responsible in communicating its environmental performance, the environmental data included in the report have been evaluated and verified by an independent organization, as stated in the appendix.

Lecta is one Europe’s largest manufacturers of coated woodfree paper (CWF), with a production capacity of more than 1.4 million tons, making it the market leader in Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, France and Italy). In addition to manufacturing coated woodfree paper at its manufacturing sites in Spain, Italy and France, Lecta produces 330,000 tons of diverse specialty and base papers in Spain, with a total production capacity of nearly 2 million tons of coated paper, pulp, specialty papers and base paper.

Over the last five years, Lecta has invested close to 90 million euros in environmental projects aimed at improving energy efficiency in production processes and implementing modern CHP (cogeneration) plants; reducing CO2 emissions by increasing control points, upgrading and modernizing equipment, and replacing fuel oil with other cleaner fuels; achieving a 90% reduction of odor-producing gases from the pulp mill in Zaragoza; attaining the most rigorous environmental certifications – ISO 14001, EMAS, PEFC™, FSC® and UNI CEI EN 16001 –; and improving waste management in order to minimize the amount of waste sent to disposal sites and the emissions produced therein.

Lecta’s new Environmental Report is available in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Italian. For the full report in pdf, consult the websites www.lecta.com, www.torraspapel.com, www.condat-pap.com and www.gardacartiere.com.

02/21/12

Long Time Customer Keeps Coming Back to MCS

Press release from the issuing company

MCS, Inc., a leader in industrial inkjet technology, camera systems and digital production solutions, is pleased to announce fmi direct's acquisition of two of the MCS Eagle UV-Curable Inkjet systems, as well as a production digital color press form MCS' digital product family.

After 25 years in the direct marketing business, President Lisa Formica of fmi direct knows that there is more than one way for their clients to get their message out: Offline. Online. Any and all lines in between. The company offers direct marketing, data management, digital print, mail and fulfillment to serve the marketing needs of their clients.

But direct mail still reigns king, and comprises a large portion of fmi's work. Enter MCS Eagle UV Inkjet.

"We installed our first Eagle system in 2010," explains Lisa Formica. "Clients wanted to print more personalization on envelopes and the Eagle's 4.25" print head was the ideal solution. Sometimes we have to rotate the envelope 90 degrees, and the Eagle system gave us the flexibility to do so without stitching," she asserts.

Formica continues: "Once installed, we found that the Eagle system used less ink. Also, our operators like the MCS Eagle. It's is simple to set up, and they LOVE that there is no stitching with the 4.25" print head. We've had absolutely no issues with it."

Fmi purchased the second Eagle UV inkjet due to growth of their business and clients. "We need the UV capability for glossy stock. We used to produce the aqueous coating with a knock-out for the address block. With the Eagle UV, we can do a single pass, and the client no longer needs to pay for the extra plate charge. We do a lot of PCs and self-mailers on glossy stock, so MCS's UV capability and the ability to handle a lot of difficult substrates really helps. Also, the sales reps now have more capabilities to sell," says Formica.

Formica describes her choice of MCS as a vendor: "The thing I like most about MCS is that the founder and President David Loos, in particular, is constantly monitoring the industry to develop products and relationships that mailers can use to generate more business."

Formica uses the MCS digital press product line as an example. "The market was moving toward smaller, more data-driven direct mail, she says. "With our data capabilities, we can now swap out images based on demographics, use spot color, and all sorts of options. We needed a printer that could handle it. We had another digital color product in the past, and MCS came in and took over the maintenance, putting everything on the same program. We had experience with MCS, and they brought in their expertise and their service approach, which was outstanding. So it made sense to buy our next digital color press from MCS when we were ready."

02/21/12

USPS releases new business plan

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) today released an important update to its business plan for returning to profitability and long-term financial stability. While fundamentally consistent with the approach advanced by the Postal Service over the past year, the plan released today incorporates important refinements of financial projections and recommended legislative reforms.

“The plan we have developed requires a combination of aggressive cost reduction, rethinking the way we manage our healthcare costs, and comprehensive legislation to reform the business model of the Postal Service,” said Postmaster General, Patrick Donahoe. “If provided the flexibility to quickly implement this plan, we can return to profitability and better serve the American public. If not, we risk becoming a significant burden to the American taxpayer.”

At its core, the plan requires the reduction of annual costs by at least $20 billion by 2015, rising to more than $22 billion by 2016. This cost reduction is necessary given projected declines in First-Class Mail volume, which has already has dropped by 25 percent since 2006. However, the Postal Service can achieve only a portion of these reductions under current business model constraints; legislative changes are needed to achieve the full $20 billion in cost reductions.

In the absence of legislative reform that quickly enables meaningful operational changes and cost reductions, the Postal Service could incur annual losses as great as $18.2 billion by 2015, and accumulate a total debt of $92 billion by 2016. “These prospective losses would be unsustainable and highly undesirable,” said Donahoe. “Fortunately, as our plan demonstrates, such an outcome is entirely avoidable; the Postal Service can be profitable over the long term and not require taxpayer support.”

The Postal Service is a self-financing federal entity that generates its revenue from the sale of postal products and services.

The comprehensive five-year plan provides an achievable roadmap to long-term financial stability and independence from taxpayer support, and provides for full repayment of $12.9 billion in debt currently owed to the U.S. Treasury. A central tenet of the plan is that success is not dependent upon achieving a mix or subset of reforms: the scale of the financial challenge requires that all of the major elements be pursued concurrently and fully executed within a short window of opportunity.

Among the major legislative reforms recommended, the most significant include enabling the Postal Service to provide employee health benefits independent of federal programs ($7.1 billion annual cost reduction), and transitioning to a national five-day delivery schedule ($2.7 billion annual cost reduction).

The Postal Service also is aggressively pursuing the realignment of its mail processing, retail and delivery operations, which is expected to yield more than $8.1 billion in annual cost reduction. Additionally, the Postal Service is seeking other significant cost reductions and is continuing efforts to grow or retain revenues within its current business model.

The plan has been subjected to independent review and analysis by Evercore Partners, one of the nation’s leading independent investment banks and a prominent financial advisor on major corporate restructurings. Evercore Partners played an important role in analyzing Postal Service models and assumptions, and validating the approach taken by management to develop the plan. The plan also reflects prior business model analysis from McKinsey & Company and revenue projections from the Boston Consulting Group.

"We have set out a roadmap to put our current financial crisis behind us and we are highly confident that it is achievable,” said Donahoe. “However, our success depends on whether we can quickly implement our proposed changes, and that depends on whether we can gain the necessary legislative reforms we need to move ahead.”

The Postal Service is a vital part of the nation’s economic infrastructure, providing a reliable, secure, and affordable delivery platform that sustains a $900 billion mailing industry that employs 8 million people.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

02/21/12

Trelleborg Launches Institute of Contemporary Print at drupa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Leading manufacturer of printing blankets, Trelleborg, will launch the ‘Institute of Contemporary Print’ at DRUPA 2012. A creative and interactive space in which visitors to the show can relax, experience exciting art and discover the possibilities of modern print. The Institute promises visitors the opportunity to see more innovative printing solutions under one roof than ever before.

Managing Director, Trelleborg Printing Blankets, Thomas Linkenheil, commented: “We have been coming to DRUPA for many years now, as it provides the ideal opportunity for us to bring our high performance products and solutions direct to the people that can benefit from them most. We are the only printing blanket manufacturer to offer solutions across all three segments; Offset, Digital and Flexo.

“However this year, as well as showcasing new products such as our Vulcan® Synthesis Evo and Rollin® MyCoat, we wanted to go the extra mile and really showcase the capabilities of our entire range of high performance printing solutions. The Institute of Contemporary Print provides the ultimate vehicle for us to do this.

“Taking centre stage within the Institute will be ‘The Masters’ Collection’, a compilation of artworks produced in association with aspiring students from Germany and the Netherlands. These have been specifically developed to showcase modern interpretations of some of the world’s most famous pieces of art, while demonstrating the versatility, capabilities and range of our printing blankets on virtually any substrate.”

The company will also be launching a new blanket for its high performance Vulcan range at the show. The Vulcan® Synthesis Evo is the next generation in sleeve development for the Heatset sector and features an innovative new design and carrier.

In addition, Trelleborg will reveal its new Rollin® MyCoat, a 2-ply mylar based strippable coating blanket. Available in three thicknesses, 1.96mm, 1.35mm and 1.15mm, the specialist construction of this new blanket makes stripping very easy; the innovative compressible layer of the blanket strips down to the blue layer allowing the end-user to see if knock outs are correct and precise. A specially designed top rubber compound also makes the blanket suitable for use with both aqueous and UV coating applications.

Furthermore, ‘The Institute of Contemporary Print’ invites delegates to be a part of DRUPA history and get involved with the first ever live mosaic that will be created on stand out of delegates photos. As the event progresses, so will the interactive collage. By the end of the two week exhibition, a modern day masterpiece will be revealed for all to enjoy.

Thomas Linkenhiel continued: “With so many great pieces of artwork being created and displayed, we couldn’t let them go to waste. So, a daily reverse auction will also take place on stand, with visitors asked to give their lowest unique bid for a chance to win these unique pieces of art. All bids will be taken digitally, with no money changing hands. Winning bids will be matched by Trelleborg and donated to The Printing Charity, a cause close to our hearts. We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors to our stand for a truly masterful experience.”

A team of Trelleborg technical experts will be on hand to take delegates through the stand as well as the products that were used to create ‘The Masters’ Collection’, with complete confidence.

For more information on the Institute of Contemporary Print or the Masters’ Collection, visit: www.TrelleborgICP.com.

02/20/12

Rémi Marcoux Steps Down as Chairman of the Board of Transcontinental

Press release from the issuing company

The annual TC Transcontinental shareholders’ meeting held today in Montreal was highlighted by the tribute paid to Rémi Marcoux, outgoing Chairman of the Board of Directors and founder, and the election of his daughter, Isabelle Marcoux, as Chair of the Board. Mr. Marcoux will remain on the Board as a director.

Mr. Marcoux spoke about his pride in the company’s achievements and thanked the thousands of people who have worked for TC Transcontinental since 1976, the year he founded the company with Claude Dubois and André Kingsley. “My dream was to found a company that was built on my values and that would last for a long time. Every day I have had the great pleasure of realizing this dream. In addition to enjoying seeing Transcontinental grow, I also have a great feeling of pride. We are members of the select group that has been in business for 35 years or more, and this is a wonderful achievement. It shows our ability to weather storms and change. We had to adapt, anticipate trends, transform ourselves and take calculated risks. In this period when the print, media and marketing communications industries are in a state of transformation, I am certain that Transcontinental will continue to find excellent opportunities for growth.”

Rémi Marcoux also explained his decision to step down as Chairman of the Board. “My decision has been planned to ensure an orderly and transparent transition in the Chair of the Board. Isabelle has all the qualities needed for this role. She has been Vice Chair of the Board of Transcontinental since 2008. She is also a member of the boards of several other major Canadian corporations. For the past 15 years, as Corporate Vice President of Development, she has also been a central player in determining Transcontinental’s approach to its issues and major orientations. She is the ideal candidate for this position. As a director, I will continue to keep a close watch over Transcontinental. I have exciting projects, including, in the short term, visiting our employees in their workplaces to personally thank them for their contribution to Transcontinental’s success. I am delighted to have the health and energy to get involved in new activities.”

A promising future
Isabelle Marcoux, the new Chair of the Board of Transcontinental Inc., paid tribute to the legacy created by Mr. Marcoux through his many years of commitment to the growth of Transcontinental. “Rémi is giving us a company with assets which place it in an excellent position for the future: sustained growth, loyal and satisfied customers, a strong corporate culture based on the values of innovation, respect, performance and teamwork, a low debt level, a commitment to sustainable and responsible development and excellent corporate governance.” She also commented on the main challenges facing Transcontinental Inc. going forward. “We must continue our transformation by developing digital products and services that are aligned with the marketing strategies of our customers; we must create value for our shareholders, both by leveraging our assets and by making strategic investments; and we must broaden our reputation as a company that acts responsibly in its community and is true to its values.”

Activating change
Addressing the shareholders’ meeting, François Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer, presented the highlights of fiscal 2011 in these terms: “I would describe 2011 as a year of major change at Transcontinental. We have redefined the basis of our future development. Whether this involved modernizing our values, positioning and our new branding; or setting up programs to promote innovation; or markedly improving the performance of our print network; or announcing the acquisition of Quad/Graphics Canada; or amalgamating our Media and Interactive sectors, we have had a single aim throughout: to serve our customers better.”

Mr. Olivier also emphasized that print is still a highly effective medium, since 46% of advertising spending goes to print. In the Printing Sector, TC Transcontinental Printing benefited from the more than $700 million in capital investments in recent years, particularly in the new hybrid press platform, which led to the extension of a number of contracts and the awarding of new ones. The company also proceeded with the acquisition of the shares of Quad/Graphics Canada. Having received the authorization of the Competition Bureau, this transaction, which will close in the near future, should generate an additional $40 million in operating income in the next 12 to 24 months.

The activities of the Media and Interactive sectors were amalgamated under TC Media in order to present an integrated offering that would help customers reach their target consumers more easily through a mix of media, digital and interactive solutions. The company has considerably increased its Web traffic, now reaching close to one-half of all Canadian Web users through its more than 1,000 websites. New websites and community newspapers were launched, and weekly papers and a publishing house were acquired. Digital and interactive marketing operations account for about 10% of TC Transcontinental’s consolidated revenues, or close to $200 million. Mr. Olivier also noted the important additions to the management team of Katya Laviolette, Corporate Vice President, Human Resources; Nelson Gentiletti, Chief Financial and Development Officer; and Alain Gignac, Chief Marketing Activation Officer.

Adjustment in the Corporate Governance Structure
Given the change in the Chair of the Board, the Board made certain adjustments to corporate governance, strengthening the role and responsibilities of Senior Director Richard Fortin. Mr. Fortin will chair the meetings of the independent directors and ensure that the Board functions independently from management. He will also evaluate the performance of the president and CEO and will recommend compensation levels jointly with the chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, which is composed exclusively of independent directors.

02/20/12

Quad Expects to Close the Sale of Its Canadian Operations

Press release from the issuing company

Quad/Graphics Inc. (NYSE: QUAD) today announced that it has been authorized by Canada’s Competition Bureau to complete the sale of its Canadian operations to Transcontinental Inc. The company expects to close the transaction in the next several weeks.

Quad/Graphics entered into a definitive agreement with Transcontinental on July 13, 2011, to essentially exchange its Canadian assets (with the exception of its Vancouver, B.C., facility, which was not part of the original transaction) for Transcontinental’s Mexican assets and a portion of Transcontinental’s book printing business. Quad/Graphics completed the acquisition of the Mexican assets and the book printing business on September 8, 2011.

02/20/12

DeMarchi Becomes iSys Label's New Argentina Distributor

Press release from the issuing company

iSys Label is pleased to announce DeMarchi as Argentina Distributor.

“There are great opportunities in Argentina for the iSys Label line of printers. The APEX 1290 has the quality and impression we are looking for within the simplicity of the machine. The software allows the user to have a total control of the printer. The APEX 1290 can print on a variety of substrates, without pre- treatment, giving the user multiple output options while saving time” said Leonardo DeMarchi, Owner of DeMarchi.

DeMarchi is a converter, specializing in printing pressure sensitive labels, offering flexo, screen, offset, letterpress and now digital printers, with the new APEX 1290.

“iSys Label is truly thrilled to add DeMarchi as our Argentina Distributor,” said Randy Rickert, Director of iSys Label. “We are confident DeMarchi will present our products and offer quality service to our customer base in Argentina.

DeMarchi is located at Inca 236 B1836BBF Llavallol, Buenos Aires, Argentina. For more information please email: ventas@demarchietiquetas.com.

02/17/12

Bordeaux Unveils New Brand Identity at Fespa 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Bordeaux Digital PrintInk (Hall 3, Stand E30), a developer and provider of customer-focused ink solutions for inkjet technologies, printing and the graphic arts industry, is introducing a new brand identity at Fespa Digital 2012. The new branding is designed to communicate a consistent message on a global basis to customers, partners and employees and to deepen awareness of Bordeaux to broader audiences.

Extensive market research helped Bordeaux create a new identity system that crystalizes the look of and the experience, everyone has with Bordeaux. It makes a bold statement about Bordeaux’s strength in the marketplace, based on the values that have made Bordeaux a good partner to work with for the past 12 years. Some of these values are new possibilities, innovation and most important collaboration, all of which strongly shaped the Bordeaux brand unveiled today. It is designed to drive greater understanding of Bordeaux as a company leading the industry’s progression from OEM inks to fully compatible alternative solutions, offering print customers superb results and reliability, production advantages and lower print costs.

The new identity debuts at Fespa Digital 2012 with a bold yellow stand, to convey Bordeaux’s history in the digital inkjet business and its strong commitment to quality and precision. The yellow color and the new company slogan “FOR BETTER PRINTING™” communicates’ Bordeaux’s dedication to move beyond barriers and enable its partners and customers to experience business and technological breakthroughs. The dartboard and arrow on the stand walls and marketing materials signal Bordeaux’s dedication to delivering products and services that help achieve new businessmbenefits reflected in better precision, value, performance, variety and environment.

“Our customers have always valued our ability to deliver innovative products that provide outstanding cost efficiency and enable breakthroughs for their business,” said Moshe Zach, CEO of Bordeaux. “Our new brand acknowledges our innovative history and conveys a sense of what’s possible in the future when we work with our partners and customers to overcome the limits of technology and create new opportunities.”

“We hope the new branding, will take the success we have and increase our awareness to more people, so that we can accelerate new account acquisition, deepen account penetration and continue to grow and lead the industry, “ said Dror Mualem, Vice President Sales and Marketing. “We believe that our value proposition enables success and that, when our customers and partners succeed, we succeed.”

As part of the company’s brand and awareness efforts, Bordeaux has a new website, www.c-m-y-k.com. The site features the new brand identity, user-directed content delivery, and a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and search ability.

Additionally, Bordeaux will demonstrate many new solutions at Drupa 2012, in Dusseldorf, Germany. The Bordeaux stand will feature a variety of groundbreaking demonstrations and products as well as executive 1:1 opportunities and engaging entertainment. The stand will be a premier place to learn more about inkjet inks and solutions and how to accelerate business breakthroughs and achieve outstanding cost efficiency.

Please join us at Fespa Digital 2012, Hall 3, Stand E30; Drupa 2012, Hall 3; E14 and ISA Sign Expo 2012, Stand 327

Contact us to schedule a meeting: Galit Beck, Email: galit.b@c-m-y-k.com, Skype: galitbeck, Tel: +972-54-3039710

02/17/12

FedEx Office Print Online App Now Offers Cloud Storage

Press release from the issuing company

FedEx Office®, the leading provider of printing and shipping services, has announced advancements to its award-winning FedEx Office® Print Online application. The company’s intuitive print management solution now provides customers with new cloud storage and advanced file organization capabilities for convenient printing anytime, anywhere.

From its early days as Kinko’s to the present, FedEx Office has been the leader in bringing tomorrow’s print solutions to life today. FedEx Office is leveraging cloud technology to improve the online printing experience for customers such as small businesses, mobile professionals, Gen Y users and more. With the new My Online Documents feature, FedEx Office Print Online registered users can seamlessly upload and store a variety of file types, including Microsoft® Word, PowerPoint® and Adobe® PDFs. Customers also have the ability to create folders, copy or move files to folders, conduct advanced search, and sort files by name, date or price.

The company has also upgraded its FedEx Office® Print Online Corporate application with these same features. Designed for commercial customers, this solution provides improved efficiency and advanced workflow capabilities helping businesses better manage their print needs for documents—such as training manuals, marketing materials and sales proposals.

“We are committed to continuing to deliver robust, innovative solutions that meet the growing customer demand of online and mobile printing,” said Anthony Norris, vice president, product and e-commerce marketing for FedEx Office.

Launched in 2007, FedEx Office Print Online has evolved over the years with enhanced preview, storage, archive and reordering features, as well as the ability to upload files from Google DocsTM accounts for convenient printing.

To learn more about FedEx Office Print Online and see how it works, go to www.fedex.com/printonline.

02/17/12

360 Digital Imaging Solutions Grand Opening

Press release from the issuing company

360 Digital Imaging Solutions announced today it is officially open for business. The company specializes as a value-added reseller of large format supplies and equipment. Located in San Diego, California, 360 Digital Imaging Solutions has partnered with multiple logistics companies to ensure next day delivery to the Southwestern United States.

“My idea behind 360 Digital Imaging Solutions is to offer customers a complete solution, tying together ink, media, laminates and equipment. Business today is complicated enough, so we have tried to make it very easy to do business with us,” said Clint Fox, Owner, 360 Digital Imaging Solutions. “Over the past ten years I have worked for both printer manufacturers and dealers serving the industry. During that time I have gained an appreciation of the challenges digital printing companies face. Digital printing companies need to provide a range of services and maintain the ability to meet deadlines, and that’s where we come in. Part of our pledge is to guarantee stock for our customers. If a customer makes a commitment to purchase supplies from us we will guarantee that it will be in stock.”

360 Digital Imaging Solutions stocks brand name product from Clear Focus, Graphtec, Hewlett-Packard, INX Digital, Oracal, Onyx Graphics, Seiko, Value Vinyls, and X-Rite, and includes free shipping on minimum orders of $500. Orders received by 4:00 PM are shipped the same day.

360 Digital Imaging Solutions is located at 9350 Cabot Drive, San Diego, CA 92126, phone 866-360-0111, FAX 866-505-7908,and can be found on the Web at www.360dis.com

02/15/12

The Chicago Tribune Installs QuadTech's Technology

Press release from the issuing company

The Chicago Tribune Company is making a major investment in print quality – centered around QuadTech’s color control, inspection and register control technology. In the largest deal of QuadTech’s 33-year history, one of the USA’s most prestigious newspaper publishing groups is equipping 52 towers, on 10 printing lines with QuadTech’s Color Control and Web Inspection System with AccuCam™ and Register Control System with MultiCam™ at its Freedom Center plant in Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune’s Freedom Center is the largest newspaper web-offset operation under one roof in North America. Its ten MAN Colorman and Goss Metrocolor presses manufacture 2,850,000 products each day, printing a host of major newspaper titles, including the Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Investor’s Business Daily, Chicago Sun-Times Media Publications, and over 20 regional and specialist business titles.

“This investment is being made to gain efficiency, uniformity in our press operations and improvement in print quality for ours and our commercial clients’ products. We are confidently investing in the future of print. The installation of QuadTech’s technology represents our commitment to delivering consistent quality and minimizing our cost structures, especially for our customers in the short-run market,” commented Brian Karnick, Chicago Tribune Vice President of Operations.

Karl Fritchen, QuadTech president, commented: “With the advent of the digital age, readers and advertisers alike are less tolerant of defects, including variations in density, color reproduction and registration. We are delighted to form a strategic partnership with the Chicago Tribune to overcome these challenges and deliver to the same exacting standards of reproduction as rival media alternatives, with this landmark agreement.”

QuadTech’s AccuCam combines color control and web inspection capability, all from the same sensor. Its proprietary spectral sensor for L*a*b* image-based color control eliminates the need for colorbars or graybars. A closed-loop system, AccuCam analyzes the entire image and automatically obtains target aim point values from a high-resolution prepress file to maintain accurate color, by automatically adjusting ink keys throughout the production run. The system also controls and optimizes the ink ratchet for high inking performance, creating better color, reduced waste and minimized operator intervention. All surfaces are inspected and common print faults such as scumming, blanket smashes, incorrect plates and color variations, are detected. Early spotting of inconsistencies allows for corrective action before defects become a costly problem.

QuadTech’s MultiCam® provides accurate color-to-color register, cut-off register and ribbon register to commercial web and newspaper printers. Like AccuCam, the MultiCam systems are designed to work on the ICON™ integrated platform with other QuadTech products. MultiCam is the world's best-selling register camera with over 10,000 cameras built.

On the decision to invest in QuadTech’s technology, the Chicago Tribune’s Brian Karnick said: “There are many color control choices in the marketplace. QuadTech was the best fit for our needs in terms of quality control and defect detection. The modular design and image-based technology allows for state-of-the-art image control without the need for additional targets and gray bars. This made it very appealing for our team. In addition, the ability for the system to alert operators to other defects such as ink loss or ink scumming is like another set of eyes for our press team.”

QuadTech’s strategic partnerships with newspaper printers have led to continuing development of AccuCam capabilities. At drupa 2012 (Hall 17 / A01) the company will introduce the addition of water control to the AccuCam system’s array of capabilities.

02/15/12

All Covered Acquires Service Assurance

Press release from the issuing company

All Covered, a division of Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. (Konica Minolta) focused on delivering high?performance Managed IT Services to small? and medium?sized businesses, is pleased to announce that Service Assurance, a Managed IT outsourcing company based in Memphis, Tennessee, has joined All Covered. With the addition of Service Assurance, All Covered expands its presence with a broad and talented group of professionals along with a diverse list of clients.

“Service Assurance’s core values align nicely with All Covered’s vision to provide comprehensive national coverage for Managed IT Services that offers immediate business value and unmatched customer support,” said Todd Croteau, President of All Covered. “Small- and medium-sized businesses around the country can count on All Covered and Konica Minolta to deliver consistent and reliable Managed IT Services to improve business productivity.”

Since 1989, Service Assurance has been providing businesses with strategic IT planning, 24x7 help desk support, remote backup management, cloud services, email and security management. As the largest regional technology support and Managed IT Services provider in the Mid-South, Service Assurance is a leader in working with organizations to streamline IT operations. It is recognized as a top managed services provider and appeared on the MSPmentor 100 list for 2011.

Mark Giannini, CEO of Service Assurance said, “Joining All Covered is the right decision to help us better serve our growing list of national customers, provide additional services and expertise to our core Mid-South clients while giving our employees the broadest career growth opportunities. We are excited to join the Konica Minolta family and offer our customers extended IT and print services as well as a portfolio of proven vertical solutions.”

02/15/12

GPO Releases Mobile Web App for Federal Budget

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) releases a mobile Web application (app) for President Barack Obama's Budget for the U.S. Government, FY 2013. This is the first time the Budget is available as an app. GPO's mobile Budget app will provide users with access to the text and images of the FY 2013 Budget, including the Budget Message of the President, information on the President's priorities, and budget overviews organized by agency. The app provides links to GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys) where summary tables and additional books of the Budget, including the Analytical Perspectives, Appendix, and Historical Tables are available. The public can take advantage of this free mobile Web app on major mobile device platforms, including iOS 4.3 and above, Android 2.2 and above, and Blackberry OS version 6.0 and above. The Budget is also available through GPO's retail and online bookstore and on FDsys.

Link to FY 2013 Budget app: http://m.gpo.gov/budget
Link to FDsys: www.fdsys.gov
Link to bookstore: http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/budget.jsp

"GPO is very excited to make President Obama's Budget for the U.S. Government available for the first time as a mobile Web app," said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks. "Through GPO's role as the digital information platform for the Federal Government, we continue to explore different ways to make Government information available to the public and developing apps is just one way we are meeting that goal."

The FY 2013 Budget app is the second mobile Web app that GPO has developed. The first, the mobile Member Guide, was released in November 2011. GPO also supported the Library of Congress in developing an iPad app for the Congressional Record, released last month.

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO's Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/USGPO Twitter http://twitter.com/USGPO and on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/gpoprinter.

02/14/12

PRIMIR Releases Study On "Impact Of Electronic Technologies On Print

Press release from the issuing company

PRIMIR, the Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization, announces the publication of its newest study, "Impact of Electronic Technologies on Print."

Early in 2011, PRIMIR commissioned I.T. Strategies to investigate electronic communications technologies and provide insights into how and why the printing industry will be impacted by the ever-increasing array of communications solutions. Eight months later, after thousands of hours of interviews with technologists, industry experts, consumers and printers, I.T. Strategies delivered this significant study outlining the current and future effects of electronic technologies on each of the major print applications.

According to Marco Boer, Vice President, I.T. Strategies, and principal researcher on this study, "Contrary to popular belief, mostly fueled by media saturation, e-books, iPads and other similar devices aren't the root cause for the decline in page volume within the various print applications. Instead, the true major change-agent is a shift in business models." These transforming business models emerge from a business' desire to be more efficient, timely, and thrifty, yet at the same time addressing the communication needs and desires of customers. The study delves further into these evolving business models in the various print applications.

The Cloud was identified as the single-most important enabler of continuing growth of electronic communication technologies. I.T. Strategies conservatively estimated investment in Cloud computing at $20 billion in 2011 alone. This investment exceeded the entire R&D investment of the worldwide printing equipment and supplies manufacturing industry.

The study, which separately addresses impact, trends and volume shifts for 12 print applications, reveals that not all print applications will be impacted equally. And the same thing can be said about equipment and supplies in the print value chain. For example, plate volume will likely increase due to more frequent, shorter-run print jobs. In applications, publications that rely upon advertising revenue are far more vulnerable than books, surprisingly, in large part due to 'channel switching.'

There has been tremendous press coverage about electronic technologies and books; however, for the next three years the actual impact on page volumes will be smaller than one might expect-in part because there are many segments in book printing that will not be impacted for at least another five years.

With newspapers, in the future, the right combination of screen size, resolution, and battery life may encourage readers to migrate to electronic content because of their need for time sensitivity, plus the ability to interact with other readers and post comments.

According to the study, now and in the future, the benefits of electronic communication technologies outweigh, and will continue to outweigh, the disadvantages. Nonetheless, print will co-exist where instant availability is not the most important factor. One inherent advantage of print is that it is fixed and cannot be changed. This enables control over who has access to the content and this may ultimately be its major advantage.

The comprehensive 300-page research report, "Impact of Electronic Technologies on Print," identifies a number of implications-both threats and opportunities-for all participants in the print supply chain.

The results of the study will be revealed in a presentation by Mr. Boer on Wednesday, February 22 at the Vision 3 Summit in Marco Island, Florida. The full report is currently being circulated to all PRIMIR and NPES members. Eligible firms may join PRIMIR now and receive the study at no cost. For more information about this study or PRIMIR membership, contact Jackie Bland, Managing Director at e-mail: jbland@primir.org or phone: 703/264-7200.

02/14/12

IPC Aquires Temple-Inland Inc.

Press release from the issuing company

International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Temple-Inland Inc. (NYSE: TIN) through the merger of its wholly owned subsidiary Metal Acquisition Inc. with and into Temple-Inland. Temple-Inland is now a wholly owned subsidiary of International Paper. Under the terms of the transaction, each issued and outstanding share of Temple-Inlandcommon stock has been converted into the right to receive $32.00 in cash, without interest thereon, and less any applicable withholding taxes. Including the assumption of approximately $700 million in Temple-Inland net debt, the total transaction value is approximately $4.5 billion.

As a result of the acquisition, Temple-Inland's common stock will cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange today. International Paper Chairman and CEO John Faraci said, "We are very pleased to have completed this compelling transaction. The combination of International Paper and Temple-Inland strengthens our North American packaging business and enhances our ability to generate cash flow while maintaining our strong balance sheet. We look forward to working with the employees of Temple-Inland as we successfully integrate our businesses and create an even stronger company with substantial benefits for our customers, employees and shareholders."

02/14/12

KTP Announces Retirement and New Personnel Appointments

Press release from the issuing company

KURZ Transfer Products, L.P. (KTP) announces the retirement of Sam McElree – Product Manager, Graphics. McElree has provided over 37 years of dedicated service to the organization and the industry. We celebrate his accomplishments and wish him well in retirement.

KTP announces the promotion of Scott Tacosik to the position of Product Manager, Graphics, Colorit® and Light Line® products. Tacosik’s past efforts in the sales field, success in developing the Mid-West territory and market technical knowledge will provide excellent compliments in his new position as Product Manager. In his new role, Scott will relocate to our Lexington, NC facility.

KTP is pleased to announce the appointment of Gregory Ott to the position of Sales Representative for graphics, Colorit® and Light Line® products. In his new role, Greg will cover the Mid-Western United States from his base in Ohio.

As account representative, Ott assumes responsibility for account management and customer development in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. He will also manage strategic accounts in the graphics marketplace.

"With his strong commitment to customer service and leadership, as well as his demonstrated sales success, Greg is a welcome addition to the KTP team,” Myron Werner, KTP's area sales manager said. Werner continued, "Greg has excellent market experience in the printing and label industries, having held progressive positions in customer credit services and sales roles. With his diverse background, he will be able to dive right in and become a highly productive member of the KURZ sales team.”

Ott currently resides in Ohio with his wife and two children. He earned his college education from John Carroll University and Mt. Vernon University, majoring in Business Management and Theological Studies.

02/13/12

WEILBURGER Graphics Upgrades Their Service Range

Press release from the issuing company

The WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH based in franconian Gerhardshofen, exploited the short winter break of the festive days to renew and upgrade their capacities and service range. In addition to the further development of the storage and shipping department, the company, together with specialists of their trade, RSW-Orga GmbH, implemented a new inventory management system with integrated CRM module. The RSW-Orga GmbH offers a fully developed industry solution for the chemical industry, which has been engineered in a long-lasting collaboration with medium-sized enterprises, many of them members of the association of the coating industry. A formula oriented batch production, an item-drum-logic specific for chemicals as well as a continuous hazardous material management are, amongst others, integrated in the solution.

Furthermore through the activation of the CRM module a further improvement of the service is reached with the goal to attend to and advise the customers of the WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH in the best possible way. In the area of storage, the already available capacities at the headquarters in Gerhardshofen have been expanded again and so space for more than 2,500 euro pallets was created. This is a considerable part of the business strategy, to provide customers as quickly as possible with the required products from WEILBURGER Graphics. Additionally the company extended their business hours on the weekend and is available on Fridays until 4.30 p.m. for their customers from around the world.

The general manager of WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH, Mr. Günter Korbacher, comments on these improvements: “We took advantage of the turn of the year holidays as well as the beginning of 2012 to broaden our IT structure and align it towards the future. The start of our new inventory management system on January 2nd 2012 was a brilliant success. We were able to start working right from the start and attend to our customers without problems.” Günter Korbacher adds: “The WEILBURGER Graphics is clearly on a path of expansion and so we can assume that our product – and business philosophies are tuned ideally to the markets needs and will be accepted by it. With the aid of the new CRM system we will be able to advise and support our customers more specifically and together with our partners we aspire to a continuous rising customer satisfaction.”

For further information go to www.weilburger-graphics.de

Contact:

WEILBURGER Graphics GmbH
Am Rosenbühl 5
D - 91466 Gerhardshofen
Germany
Tel.: +49 9163 9992-0
Fax: +49 9163 654
info@weilburger-graphics.de

02/13/12

Flint Group's New Technology to be Introduced at INFO*FLEX 2012

Press release from the issuing company

Visitors at the upcoming Forum 2012 and INFO*FLEX Exhibition to be held March 18 – 21, 2012, in San Antonio, TX, will view a comprehensive showcase from Flint Group with products ranging from flexographic printing plates, sleeves/adapters through to its comprehensive portfolio of packaging and narrow web inks.

Flint Group Flexographic Products division will debut its new and innovative nyloflex® NExT exposure technology for producing precise image reproduction as well as flat top dots, providing all the benefits linked to this structure, including increased tonal range, expanded utilization of surface textures to greatly improve ink lay down, and solid ink density. The new exposure technology utilizes high intensity UV-A LEDs to conduct a very rapid crosslinking of the polymer surface before the oxygen can inhibit the reaction. The high energy UV-A LEDs can then be combined with standard UV-A tubes to complete the through cure of the image to the floor of the polymer plate. The resulting image is virtually a 1:1 reproduction from the image on the LAMS layer. nyloflex® NExT equipment is available in two format sizes – 36 x 47 inches and 52 x 80 inches.

“The nyloflex® NExT technology offers great possibilities to establish a new quality standard for platemaking” explains Rich Emmerling, Technical Manager Flexographic Products. “One of the main advantages of utilizing this new technology is that it does not add any steps to the existing digital workflow, and it doesn’t require the use of additional consumable items. We are very excited to introduce this technology here in North America.”

Another new development to be highlighted at the booth from Flint Group Flexographic Products is the nyloflex® Automated Plate Processor (APP), a fully automated processing line for flexographic printing plates, which includes a processor with digital layer separation, dryer and light finisher. nyloflex® APP is capable of processing photopolymer plates up to a maximum size of 52 x 80 inches. The new equipment is extremely efficient offering short washout as well as greatly reduced drying times, automatically controls and regulates the solvent temperature and saturation, allowing platemakers to achieve a very high level of plate standardization and quality.

In addition to the new technology in platemaking equipment, Flint Group Flexographic Products will present a comprehensive product range of nyloflex® printing plates, nylosolv® washout solvents, rotec® sleeves and rotec® adapters.

Flint Group Packaging and Narrow Web will be on hand to discuss the latest in inks and coatings available for Flexographic printing – water-based, solvent based and UV curable Flexo inks, coatings, and specialty products.

Printers can also learn how to enhance their packaging production with the new solvent based ink systems PamioStar™ Outdoor which is providing excellent adhesion and resistance properties for production of durable outdoor bags and FlexiTech™ Shrink-U which provides excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates making it a truly “Universal” ink range for the production of outstanding shrink sleeves.

For the packaging and label production with UV curing inks and coatings Flexocure FORCE™, high definition UV Flexo inks; Flexocure ANCORA™, high performance low migration UV Flexo inks; BioCure™ F UV Flexo inks based on bio-renewable resin technology; and Cast & Cure Coatings, which offer a sustainable solution for product decoration will be highlighted.

Visit stand #219 to hear the latest in ink product developments, such as UV LED ink technology. Flint Group takes a product leadership position in the development of this sustainable, cost effective and leading edge technology. The Packaging and Narrow Web ink experts will be on hand to provide insight on the latest ink innovations.

02/13/12

Vibrant Graphics Welcomes New Employee

Press release from the issuing company

n order to continue the excellent customer service established over the past years, Vibrant Graphics, a package label printing company in Milwaukee, has hired Sally Okruhlica to take on the company’s Production Control efforts.

“We are excited to have Sally join us at Vibrant Graphics,” said Roger Wrass – General Manager at Vibrant Graphics. “She brings valuable new strengths to our production/sales team as we strive to improve the value we bring to our customers.”

Okruhlica brings her experience to Vibrant with mastery skills in the areas of prepress, quality control and production management. She has a degree in Commercial Art and advanced certifications in DTP applications.

02/10/12

British Investor Acquires manroland Sheetfed Division

Press release from the issuing company

An investor solution has been found for the sheet fed business of insolvent manroland AG, just days after a sale of the web machines business to German Possehl group was announced. British entrepreneur Tony Langley and the privately owned engineering group, Langley Holdings plc (www.langleyholdings.com), have emerged as the investors behind a 100% takeover of the sheet fed printing equipment division and its properties portfolio in Offenbach, together with manroland’s international marketing organization in more than 40 countries.

“I am very pleased with the solution which will provide a long-term perspective to the Offenbach location and the sheet fed printing business”, said Werner Schneider, Insolvency Administrator. Roughly 860 employees in Offenbach will be taken over...” …Tony Langley is well known as a long term investor who acts strategically. I am convinced that a lasting perspective has been found for manroland’s sheet fed printing business“, Schneider went on to say.

Excellent basis to get back on track
“We foresee very good economic prospects for manroland sheetfed following the recent re-structuring…” commented Tony Langley, “…this is a world-class business with an excellent reputation and its production and research & development facilities are superb; everything one expects from the very best of German engineering”.

In a moving address to the entire assembled workforce of over 850 people in Offenbach today, Langley said that “today was the beginning of a new era” and that he was confident the company would succeed, finishing to spontaneous applause with words reminiscent of the most famous ever spoken in German by an English speaker, those of President John F Kennedy in 1963, “Ich bin ein Rolander”.

Langley already operates two highly successful technology divisions in Germany engaged in the capital technologies sector. In 2011 the group recorded revenues of approximately €500 million and a profit before tax of some €76 million with around two thirds coming from its German operations. The group has a strong balance sheet with no debt and although it has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed, it is known that Langley financed the entire transaction from own cash resources.

In testimony to the strength of manroland equipment in the market, almost all customers who had orders with the sheet fed division when the former parent’s bankruptcy was announced last November, did not cancel their orders. Satisfaction with these incredibly sophisticated machines is high and customers, having chosen manroland sheetfed technology for its exceptional print quality and efficiency, have been reluctant to switch to competitor products, preferring instead to wait and see what the business sale process yielded. They were not to be disappointed, “…a better investor could not have been hoped for” said veteran “Rolander” Rafael Penuela, Executive Vice President of newly formed manroland sheetfed GmbH. “Langley is a strong and experienced industrial group that really understands the capital equipment sector and has long term perspectives on all of its investments. The management are delighted with the outcome.”

All contracts were signed on 1st February and the transaction received German cartel office approval earlier this week.

02/10/12

USPS Losses Continue in First Quarter

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Postal Service ended the first three months of its 2012 fiscal year (Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2011) with a net loss of $3.3 billion. Management expects large losses to continue until the Postal Service has implemented its network re-design and down-sizing and has restructured its healthcare program. Additionally, the return to financial stability requires legislation which gives the Postal Service typical commercial freedoms, including delivery flexibility, returns over $10 billion of amounts overpaid to the Federal Government and resolves the need to prefund retiree healthcare at rates not assessed any other entity in the United States.

Stronger than expected holiday shipping activity, driven by strong growth in online merchandise sales and successful USPS marketing efforts, helped the Postal Service grow its competitive Shipping Services business in the first quarter, with revenue totaling $2.8 billion, an increase of $179 million or 7 percent over the same period last year. However, declines in First-Class and Standard Mail of $650 million were 3.7% percent of total revenue and greatly exceed the gains made in the package business. First-Class Mail declines due to electronic migration of transactions are expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

Mailing Services revenue, excluding First-Class Mail parcels, totaled $14.5 billion, a decrease of 2.9 percent. First-Class Mail continued to decline, with revenue decreasing 4.1 percent compared to the same period last year. First-Class Mail revenue has declined nearly 15 percent and volume has declined 25 percent since volume peaked in 2006. While some of the decline is attributable to economic weakness since 2007, the more significant factor is the continuing transition to electronic alternatives.

“Technology continues to have a major impact on how our customers use the mail,” said Postmaster General and CEO Patrick Donahoe. “While it has helped us grow our Shipping Services businesses, it has had a significant negative impact on some of our much larger sources of revenue, particularly First-Class Mail. Revenue from Shipping Services represents about 17 percent of total revenue and, even with continued growth, cannot fully offset the decline in First-Class Mail revenue.”

To return to profitability, Donahoe has advanced a plan to reduce annual costs by $20 billion by 2015. The plan includes continued aggressive actions to generate additional revenue and reduce operating expenses. To reach the goal, the Postal Service also needs changes in the law. “Passage of legislation is urgently needed that provides the Postal Service with the speed and flexibility needed to cut costs that are not under our control, including employee health care costs,” Donahoe said. “The changes will give the Postal Service a bright future and provide the nation with affordable and reliable delivery for generations to come.”

Other details of the first quarter results compared to the same period last year include:

Total mail volume of 43.7 billion pieces, a 6 percent decrease.
Operating revenue of $17.7 billion, a 1.1 percent decrease.
Operating expenses (before prefunding of retiree health benefits and the impact of discount rate changes for worker’s compensation liability) of $17.8 billion, a 1 percent increase.
Transportation expenses increased by $105 million, or 6.3 percent, due to rising fuel costs. The Postal Service continues to decrease controllable costs, including an 8 million decrease in work hours, or 2.8 percent. Total compensation and benefits expenses decreased by $180 million, or 1.4 percent.

The Postal Service continues to suffer from a severe lack of liquidity. “Absent significant changes in the law to allow normal commercial freedoms, the Postal Service will default on both retiree health benefits pre-payments to the federal government due this year,” said Chief Financial Officer Joe Corbett. “Even if legislation changes or eliminates the prefunding payments, we may reach our $15 billion debt ceiling in the fall of this year.”

Complete financial results are available in the Form 10-Q, available after 10 a.m. ET today, at http://about.usps.com/who-we-are/financials/welcome.htm.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

02/10/12

HardingPoorman Installs P.A.C.E.

Press release from the issuing company

HardingPoorman Group recently installed a POLAR P.A.C.E. 137XT fully automated cutting system with robotic loading and stacking and Compucut automatic presetting in its recently expanded Indianapolis, IN facility.

“The new system has taken over the lion’s share of our commercial print cutting work, which includes anything and everything from finish trim to posters, signatures, and diecut sheets,” said Steve Anzalone, COO. “It’s also our first piece of postpress equipment with presetting connectivity. We can take the cutting file directly from our prepress layout, resulting in significantly reduced makeready time.”

The P.A.C.E. (POLAR Automation for Cutting Efficiency) system replaces two existing standalone POLAR machines. It now operates alongside the company’s remaining POLAR 115 EMC cutter, which the company reserves for smaller jobs. Even minus two cutters, Anzalone said, “We’re much more productive and have no problems keeping up with the workload.”

The time-saving automated setup, preparation of the cutting material via stacklift and jogger, and unloading via Transomat mean that HPG’s cutter operators are spared the wear and tear of repetitive bending and lifting. POLAR Autotrim automatic waste removal further improves performance by removing cutting waste during the cutting process, eliminating the arduous manual picking of waste strips.

HardingPoorman based its choice of the POLAR 137XT cutting system on its previous experience with the POLAR brand. Said Anzalone, “We had exceptional uptime and reliability with our older machines and every reason to expect more of the same this time around. In fact, we rarely needed service because the machines were virtually never down.”

“Frankly,” he added, “we weren’t originally looking to acquire this level of automation, but we’re really glad we went ahead with it. The ROI is in line with expectations and the benefits have been outstanding.”

02/09/12

KBA Rapida 205 at Litorama Prints Earth Platinum

Press release from the issuing company

Records are made to be broken. They inspire competition and thus engender ever greater achievements. The international book scene is no exception. An Australian publishing house, Millennium House in North Narrabeen (New South Wales), recently unveiled the biggest and heaviest atlas ever produced, measuring 1.8 x 1.4m (70.86 x 55.1in) and weighing in at 150kg (over 330lbs). Titled Earth Platinum, this monumental, leather-bound work was printed at the end of last year by Litorama div. Igap in Mazzo di Rho, near Milan. Fittingly, the limited edition of just 31 copies was produced on the world's biggest sheetfed offset press, a KBA Rapida 205 for a 1510 x 2050mm (59.45 x 80.70in) format.

Giant KBA Rapidas make spectacular books possible

This exceptional print job was awarded to an Italian printer following a worldwide selection procedure. This is hardly surprising: Italian book printers enjoy a global reputation and this is not the first time that they have hit the headlines. In 2003, when Taschen-Verlag published the massive Greatest of all Time - a biography of boxing champion Muhammad Ali to celebrate his 70th birthday, it was printed by Arti Grafiche Leva (Sesto S. Giovanni) and Canale (Turin) on KBA Rapida 162 large-format presses and bound by Legatoria LEM.

Record for generations

Acclaimed by the international press at the time as the most gigantic book in the history of literary culture, this mammoth work is surpassed by the Earth Platinum world atlas both optically and in terms of the technological challenges entailed. With a surface area of 2.52m² (27ft²), Earth Platinum is sure of a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The weight and dimensions of this exquisite reference book break a record for atlases that dates back to the Klencke Atlas of 1660. The only one of its kind, this can still be viewed today in the Antiquarian Mapping Division of the British Library in London.

Millennium House, creator of award-winning products

Millennium House, which started up seven years ago in Sydney, specialises in the production of exclusive books, and soon established a high-profile image in the international book industry thanks to the outstanding design and quality of its exceptional creations. Since producing its first world atlas, Earth Blue, in 2008, Millennium House has carried off countless cartographic awards: IMTA Best Book Award 2008, 2009, 2010, Best World Atlas International Cartographic Conference 2009, IMTA Asia-Pacific Best Overall Award 2010. Earth Platinumcontinues the company's success story.

The main objective in creating Earth Platinum was to provide a cartographic record as a legacy for future generations, depicting the world in precise detail at the time of publication.

Labouring for absolute perfection

In carrying out this ambitious undertaking Millennium House employed the very best processes at every stage of production to ensure quality excellence. 24 photographers, 88 cartographers and geographers plus a host of computer specialists from all over the world set about fashioning this unique work with meticulous care and precision. Earth Platinum has a selling price of $100,000.

The quality and detail demanded in the production of the book represented a challenge which was further intensified by its huge dimensions. When reproducing the sumptuous photos the focus was on precision and the creation of 3D-like effects. While a short print run like this would normally make digital printing the preferred choice, quality specs meant that offset was the only possible process. Of the 26 offset printers throughout the world that were screened in the selection procedure, KBA user Litorama div. Igap was the final choice. The book was finished and bound by Sunflower Bindery in Hong Kong, which created the desired optical impact and ensured vital durability using traditional skills.

Expertise wins the day

Litorama div. Igap in Mazzo di Rho near Milan was established in 1881 as Impresa Generale Affissioni e Pubblicità (IGAP) and is the oldest, largest and most successful poster printer in Italy. In December 2004 it became part of the Litorama group, whose activities embrace digital, sheetfed and web offset printing plus finishing, and which has four production plants in Milan and Rome.

Litorama installed two superlarge-format KBA Rapida 205 presses seven years ago, before it adopted its present name. The first modern presses for this format in Italy, they redefined the print quality and productivity benchmarks at this old-established firm.

Quality and performance safeguard advances

Litorama div. Igap is a popular choice among industrial enterprises, retailers and publishers for exquisite printed products of all kinds. Its highly discerning customers include the fashion industry, which is renowned for its outlandish campaigns.

KBA's superlarge-format Rapidas have a maximum rated output of 9,000sph, can handle substrates weighing 90 to 600gsm (50lb to 64pt) and are used for jobs demanding a superior quality. The five-colour press, whose array of extras includes IR and UV dryers, can apply either conventional coatings or hybrid inks plus UV coatings. Boasting automatic plate changing, an online link to pre-press, ErgoTronic ACR automatic registration, DensiTronic Professional quality management and EES (Emission Extraction System), the Rapida 205 combines fast makereadies with exceptional production flexibility.

Outstanding performance, awesome technology

During a visit to Litorama div. Igap in Mazzo di Rho to see how work was progressing, Millennium Earth managing director Gordon Cheers expressed his admiration of management and press operators: “The print quality delivered by the KBA Rapida 205 is fantastic. I don't know how we would have produced Earth Platinumwithout this awesome machine. We at Millennium House are working on the production of another extraordinary book and hope to collaborate with KBA once again to bring it to completion.”

02/09/12

EFI Launches New Designer Edition

Press release from the issuing company

Building on its joint success in North America, today EFI™ (Nasdaq: EFII) and Epson have launched new Designer Edition product bundles in Europe, bringing a unique and complete proofing solution to creative professionals. Combining award-winning Epson Stylus Pro printers with an industry-leading EFI eXpress for Epson Software RIP, these bundles are engineered to deliver powerful yet easy-to-use solutions for professional graphic designers and photographers, enabling them to print their creative visions with unsurpassed color accuracy.

Included as part of the Designer Edition bundles are the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900, the Epson Stylus Pro 4900 (with or without SpectroProofer) and the Epson Stylus Pro 3880. The combination of these printers and the EFI eXpress high-quality inkjet RIP gives users the unique ability to create color accurate comps, proofs or mockups, alongside RGB photographs. The software includes sophisticated yet simple to use spot color support with embedded libraries for DIC, HKS, PANTONE and Toyo, ensuring accurate color reproduction out of the box. True Adobe interpreters allow for complete compatibility with the latest design suites on a Mac or PC.

Marco van Niekerk, senior product manager LFP at Epson, said: “These bundles have been put together to give agencies and design professionals a complete solution to easily achieve high-quality print and color reproduction. Together, the Epson printers and EFI RIP ensure that proofing is consistently accurate, repeatable and can be achieved simply, at an affordable price point.”

“EFI is proud to have once again been chosen exclusively by Epson to bring a powerful proofing workflow solution to a diverse new marketplace,” said Stefan Spiegel, general manager of Fiery inkjet printing application products at EFI. “Now, creative professionals in Europe will have a unique, complete and affordable solution to meet all of their contract-proofing needs. These Designer Edition bundles fill the gap between high-end proofing solutions and entry-level RIP offerings, providing the identical accuracy to a full-featured EFI proofing RIP while reducing the price point dramatically.”

The Designer Edition bundle can verify every proof with an EFI ES-1000/Eye One Pro spectrophotometer or with the optional Epson built-in SpectroProofer for the Stylus Pro 4900. From job submission to proof, everything can be done automatically, including the verification result printed on the proof as a label. The verification feature is a convenient, easy-to-use solution for quality assurance based on ISO 12647-7/8 or house standards. It measures and compares color values based on Ugra/Fogra or IDEAlliance control strips and is an essential tool for successful and reliable proofing.

02/09/12

GPO Gets Record Number Of Visits

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office’s (GPO) Federal Digital System (FDsys) achieved a record number of visits, totaling more than 140,000 visits to the site over a five-day period. This record was accomplished after GPO supported the National Archives in releasing the post-President Kennedy assassination audio tape recording on FDsys last week. FDsys also achieved a one day record of 55,856 visits on January 31st. There have been 4.3 million total visits to FDsys since the site was launched by GPO in January 2009.

“This is an incredible achievement for GPO and its role as the digital information platform for the Federal Government,” said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks. “FDsys contains up-to-date collections of Government information and GPO is adding new content everyday. We were excited to partner with the National Archives for the post-President Kennedy assassination recording and look forward to partnering with other Federal agencies in the future to support their information dissemination needs.”

FDsys gives the American people a one-stop site to authentic, published Government information. This system allows GPO to receive information from Federal agencies in all three branches of Government and create a repository for permanent, public access. FDsys offers state of the art search capabilities for users such as: searching by Congressional Committee, a Member of Congress, keyword and date. GPO authenticates documents on FDsys by digital signature. This signature assures the public that the document has not been changed or altered and verifies the document’s authenticity.

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO’s Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/USGPO Twitter http://twitter.com/USGPO and on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/gpoprinter.

02/08/12

Contex To Host 3-Part Video Series

Press release from the issuing company

Contex, the world's leading developer of wide format scanning and imaging solutions, today announces a three-part video series that gives tips and tricks for the HD Ultra, the market's fastest and most productive wide format scanner. The videos highlight the flexibility, productivity, and image quality of the recently released scanner, which is put to the test by scanning the most challenging documents. For example, one segment showcases the HD Ultra scanning 10 D-size drawings in less than 70 seconds. Another shows viewers how to achieve high-quality scans from various media, from small or large drawings and color artwork on foam board, to old and wrinkled drawings and newsprint. Each of the videos highlights a different function of the HD Ultra and can be viewed on Contex's website or on its Youtube channel.

"The HD Ultra provides the flexibility to handle a wide range of users' needs, and these videos show our customers just some of the possibilities of this powerful scanner," comments Phil Magenheim, President, Contex Americas.

HD Ultra Tips and Tricks

The HD Ultra videos show various ways to achieve high-quality scans. For example, viewers can see the funnel-shaped feed in action, which easily scans documents that have been curled or wrinkled. Viewers can also watch how the clean-up feature makes old documents look new again. In addition, the videos demonstrate how to utilize the HD Ultra's adaptive threshold, which removes unwanted marks on documents. They also show how to adjust the brightness and whiteness levels of the document's background using the touch-screen monitor.

Viewers can also observe high-speed batch scanning using the right-side paper load, which makes it easy to keep the documents flowing; the sample documents are conveniently saved in one multi-page PDF file. The videos also demonstrate how to scan images to precisely represent the original, making the most of the scanner's 1200 dpi optical resolution and AccuColor technology, which can capture and process full 48 bits of color.

For more information, contact Contex toll-free at 877-226-6839 to find a dealer or distributor best suited for your company's needs.

02/08/12

Dscoop7 To Host Olympic Medalist

Press release from the issuing company

Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative) confirms that Dara Torres, 12-time Olympic swimming medalist, will speak at Dscoop7, taking place March 22-24, 2012, at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

At the Beijing Games in 2008, Torres became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics. In total, Torres has competed in five Olympic Games. Her performance in Beijing has inspired many older athletes to consider re-entering competition. Despite undergoing knee surgery in 2009, Torres says she will try for the 2012 London Olympics.

In addition to her accomplishments in the pool, Torres is a commentator and author. In 2009, Torres won the ESPY award for “Best Comeback” and was named one of the “Top Female Athletes of the Decade” by Sports Illustrated.

“Dara’s accomplishments are tremendously inspirational to everyone who’s ever felt like the odds were stacked against them,” said Craig Curran, Dscoop7 chairman and vice president of sales at Nosco. “This is a common theme in both sports and business, and I believe Dscoop members will be able to relate to her story in a meaningful way. She will be sharing the importance of never giving up on your dream and how to achieve them at any stage in your life.”

“Based on the phenomenal speakers we’ve been able to secure, we are tracking ahead in number of registrations and all indications are that we will sell out very early this year,” said Eric Hawkinson, global executive director of Dscoop. “We’re incorporating many new offerings for Dscoop7 this year, and I’m proud that we’re providing tools and education to attendees that they cannot get anywhere else.”

More conference information is available at www.dscoop7.org.

02/08/12

GOP Produces Super Bowl Commercial

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) used security design and printing techniques to produce the FBI special events credential that was used at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, IN by public safety personnel. GPO produced approximately 10,000 of these secure credentials at the agency's secure production facility in Washington, D.C. The special event credentials are issued to approved public safety and security personnel from local, state, and Federal agencies who required access to secure areas during major special events. The FBI sought GPO's services due to the agency's reputation of providing secure government-to-government products that have a proven record of securing our Nation.

"GPO is honored to assist the FBI by creating this secure credential that was used at one of the biggest events in the country," said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance Cooks. "GPO has a highly skilled staff that is dedicated to producing the best products for our customers and committed to protecting our national security through the manufacturing of secure credentials."

"The FBI is very pleased GPO has provided us with a very secure state of the art public safety official credential," said Section Chief Juan Molina of the FBI's Critical Incident Response Group. "GPO was able to design a secure credential and a single production and distribution process for all local, state, and federal agency personnel who each provide vital safety and security roles during major special events."

GPO also produces other secure credentials for the Federal Government including Trusted Traveler Program cards for DHS' Customs and Border Protection and the Nation's passports for the Department of State. GPO has also been certified by the General Services Administration to provide Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) services to Federal agencies.

GPO is the Federal Government's primary resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government in both digital and tangible formats. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. In addition to publication sales, GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through GPO's Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/USGPO Twitter http://twitter.com/USGPO and on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/gpoprinter.

02/07/12

Ferrostaal Announces New Dealer

Press release from the issuing company

Ferrostaal Equipment Solutions North America, a new and fast-growing printing equipment supplier, today announced that Orange County-based Print & Finishing Solutions is its exclusive sales and service dealer for California and Hawaii.

PFS represents Ferrostaal and Ryobi throughout the two states and has more than a decade of experience selling and servicing Ryobi presses. For more information, contact 800-398-5283, support@printfs.com or visit www.printfs.com.

With the addition of PFS, Ferrostaal now has 15 print equipment dealers across the U.S. and Canada. Like the others, PFS is responsible for Ferrostaal and Ryobi sales, quick-dispatch technical service, parts and all customer support. All dealers are expert in offset and digital printing—and provide a full range of pre-press, press, bindery/finishing and mailing hardware, software and supplies. Customers include commercial printers and binderies, in-plant printers and marketing services companies.

Ferrostaal executives said PFS is an established leader for printing equipment sales and service in California and Hawaii and ranks among top peers in North America and worldwide. The company has a proven record of success helping customers improve and grow their businesses with highly automated, state-of-the-art print production and distribution technologies.

PFS and its customers are supported by Ferrostaal and Ryobi teams in the U.S., Japan and elsewhere across the world.

In the Western U.S. states outside California and Hawaii, Ferrostaal currently handles Ryobi sales, parts, and technical support. For information, contact Mark Booth at 281-741-6719, email usasales@ferrostaal.com, or visit www.ferrostaal.us.

02/07/12

Edwards Bros and Malloy To Merge

Press release from the issuing company

Edwards Brothers, Inc. and Malloy Incorporated, two leading book manufacturers, announced today that they would merge effective February 6, 2012, forming a new company called Edwards Brothers Malloy. The new company will have combined sales of $115 million and will be the sixth largest book manufacturing firm in the United States, offering publishers a global distributed print program and fulfillment services that combine to form a single print supply chain solution.

Edwards Brothers Malloy will have three offset facilities—Edwards Brothers’ plants in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Lillington, North Carolina and Malloy’s operation in Ann Arbor—along with eleven digital print plants in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With Edwards Brothers’ gps Global Print SolutionsTM distributed print partnership, publishers will be able to print and distribute books with one order, one file, and one invoice around the world.

John Edwards, President and CEO of Edwards Brothers, says the merger brings two strong family-owned businesses together with over 170 years of book making experience between them. “I’ve known the Uptons my whole life, and I’ve always respected Malloy as a competitor. They have a great reputation for service and a very strong financial foundation. I’ve been amazed as we put this merger together how similar our companies are. We share a strong commitment to our employees, our customers, and the craft of book making.” Edwards also noted the fact that Malloy has roots in EB. Jim Malloy, who founded Malloy in 1960, was production manager at EB in the 1940s. As Edwards puts it, “In a sense, we’re being reunited.”

Edwards will be the CEO of Edwards Brothers Malloy. Bill Upton, President of Malloy, will become the Vice President of Operations for the new unified company, and Joe Upton, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Malloy will take over that same role with Edwards Brothers Malloy. Bill Upton believes the merger will result in additional business and jobs flowing into the current Malloy facility and is excited about the expanded services the new company will be able to offer to Malloy’s current customers: “We can’t wait to introduce the Edwards Brothers global digital printing platform to our customers. Our customers can now turn to us for print-on-demand (POD) service and use gps Global Print SolutionsTM to print closer to their international customers. Edwards Brothers Malloy combines two book manufacturers into one print supply chain solution.”

The focus of the new company will be on pursuing growth opportunities. To that end their current sales and customer services teams will remain largely intact. Both Upton and Edwards noted that they have relatively few common customers, which they believe will lead to new business as their respective customers become familiar with the capabilities of the other company.

Both Edwards Brothers and Malloy have invested heavily in recent years in digital printing equipment and technologies that help publishers better align their print quantities to demand. Edwards has established what is arguably the most expansive global digital printing platform in the industry, with ten digital printing centers spread across North America and the United Kingdom and the GPS alliance with four other international printing partners. GPS allows customers to place one order and have their books printed and distributed around the world.

For Malloy’s part, their technological and service enhancements have been focused primarily on web-based service tools that allow customers to more easily manage their work at Malloy. Malloy also has a storage and fulfillment operation that serves well over 100 mostly small publishers. Some publishers take advantage of this service to store and fulfill orders for all of their books, while many others use it to serve particular segments of their markets.

For cost-effective printing of longer print runs, the new firm will also have 15 Timsons web presses, the largest number of any manufacturer in the United States.

Edwards and Upton see the combination of Malloy’s focus on service with Edwards Brothers’ global printing platform as a game changer for publishers of all sizes. Says Edwards, “We are no longer simply a book manufacturer—though we are still good at making books—we are a supply chain manager and an inventory management and delivery company. We can save publishers a lot of expense and time being a trusted supplier with full responsibility for their print orders. We’ll make sure the publisher never misses a sale, never has too many books sitting in a warehouse, and never has to worry about the quantity of their last reprint.”

Edwards Brothers Malloy will have over 950 employees and will maintain its headquarters in Ann Arbor with eight sales offices located across the United States.

02/07/12

Quad/Graphics Aquires Williamson Printing Corperation

Press release from the issuing company

Quad/Graphics, Inc., a global provider of print and related multichannel solutions, today announced it has purchased Dallas-based Williamson Printing Corporation, a full-service commercial and specialty products printer specializing in short- to medium-runcatalogs, case-bound books, direct mail and other promotional products.The acquisition expands the company’s growing U.S. network of commercial and specialty print facilities to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, home to one of the largest concentrations of corporate headquarters in the United States.

“Williamson is an exceptional printing company with a long list of regional and national clients,” said Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO of Quad/Graphics. “It has a superior reputation for quality, service and innovation, and its experience and success in growing its commercial and specialty printing business will complement our own growth plans for that segment.”

Williamson’s two Dallas facilities will join Quad/Graphics’ Commercial & Specialty group, which also operates facilities in Burlington, Menomonee Falls and New Berlin, Wis.; Enfield, Conn.; and Leominster, Mass. The group provides publishers, marketers and retailers with specialized print products and services, including specialty books, catalogs and directories; marketing collateral; print-on-demand custom publications; specialty binding; and mailing and fulfillment.

Craig Faust, President of Quad/Graphics’ Commercial & Specialty group, said Williamson is part of an ongoing plan to grow commercial and specialty printing services: “Through strategic investments in technology and capabilities, we’re building a more complete, innovative and cost-effective platform for our clients while maintaining the high level of personal interaction and service they expect.”

Jesse Williamson, President of Williamson Printing, said Quad/Graphics’ financial strength and stability plus a mutual commitment to innovation and service excellence will produce a winning combination: “We’re both innovative printers at heart, and we’re passionate about print’s crucial role in today’s multimedia landscape. The combined QuadWilliamson brand will create more value and more solutions for more clients.”

Mr. Williamson will continue in his leadership role with QuadWilliamson. His brother, Jerry Williamson, Chairman & CEO of Williamson Printing, will serve as an advisor before retiring in the near future, at a date yet to be determined.

02/06/12

Blackstreet Capital Partners Appoints New Senior VP

Press release from the issuing company

Blackstreet Capital Partners II, an affiliate of a Maryland-based private equity fund, has announced its promotion of AlphaGraphics, Inc.’s Senior V.P. of Global Development, Art Coley to President of the franchise organization with nearly 300 centers worldwide. This appointment is effective immediately and follows the departure of Kevin Cushing as Chief Executive Officer of the company.

“We are very excited to have someone with Art Coley’s franchising knowledge and industry experience to lead AlphaGraphics,” said Blackstreet Capital Managing Director Lawrence Berger. “AlphaGraphics, and the printing industry in general, is at a critical inflection point and we are looking for renewed leadership to further implement the organizations’ strategy and achieve its goal of becoming the leading provider of business and marketing communications services to small- and medium-sized businesses.”

Coley added, “I am honored and humbled to lead this great organization. I see a bright future for AlphaGraphics, as it has continually positioned itself as a leader in its industry. I am excited to continue that trend.”

Before joining AlphaGraphics, Coley was Executive Vice President of Franchising for the International Center for Entrepreneurial Development (ICED). In addition, Coley is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and served as president of Computer Explorers for four years, growing the number of locations from 58 to 105. Coley's experience also includes owning and operating a successful small business.

For more information about AlphaGraphics, please contact Jesse Himsworth at 801-595-7264 or visitwww.alphagraphics.com.

02/06/12

Denmaur To Offer Carbon Neutral Paper

Press release from the issuing company

Denmaur Independent Papers has strengthened its environmental branding by now offering carbon neutral certified paper.

With the endorsement of The CarbonNeutral Company®, Denmaur now provide ten of their current stock lines with carbon neutral certification.

Commenting on this, Danny Doogan, Denmaur Independent Paper’s Environmental Manager, stated,

“Each of the grades has been subject to a comprehensive and independent audit in respect of the carbon emissions associated at each stage of their production, storage and delivery.”

“The value of the total carbon emissions figure has been invested into a Verified Carbon Offsetting scheme, and it this investment that allows us to sell nominated stock lines as carbon neutral.”

The grades included are as follows ;

Amadeus primo Gloss and Silk
Amadeus 50% recycled Gloss, Silk and Offset
Amadeus 75% recycled Matt
Amadeus 100% recycled Gloss, Silk and Offset
UPM Fine

Last year, Denmaur Independent Papers was awarded ISO 14001 certification for the implementation of their “Act on CO2 at Denmaur” initiative, which was responsible for driving down their direct environmental impacts. However, the association with The CarbonNeutral Company® will form an integral part of Denmaur’s environmental management system by addressing their indirect environmental impacts.

Continuing, Doogan pointed out,

“The notion of investing into a carbon offsetting scheme does have its critics, but its validity is that it allows us to outsource the further reduction our carbon footprint.”

“Denmaur will register all carbon neutral transactions with The CarbonNeutral Company® and they will provide labelling and documentation to ensure a chain of traceability that will support carbon neutral certified print.”

For further information regarding Carbon Neutral papers or any other product from Denmaur Independent Papers, contact Peter Sommerville, Denmaur Independent Papers Limited (07770 721170) or visit www.denmaur.com

02/06/12

Jon Roberts Returns To Wyndeham Group

Press release from the issuing company

Jon Roberts has been appointed Managing Director of Wyndeham Roche, Wyndeham Group's web offset printing subsidiary based in Cornwall. He joins the business on 12 March.

Roberts, 44, had been General Manager of Roche until 2009, then part of St Ives plc. He left to become European Operations Director at Supplair, the airline supply chain management business of Gate Group plc. Wyndeham Group bought Roche, which employs 258, as part of the acquisition of St Ives plc's Web Division that completed in April 2011.

Paul Utting, chief executive officer of Wyndeham Group, said: “I'm delighted Jon has decided to join us. He’s a high calibre individual with proven operational and manufacturing management skills that will, undoubtedly, enhance Roche's position as one of the leading web offset printing facilities in the UK."

Roberts commented: "Having worked in this sector for 20 years and been involved with Roche for six of those, I understand the business very well. I've followed Wyndeham's rapid progress and was particularly attracted by its exciting market strategy and sensible approach to the challenges that lie ahead. I'm looking forward to supporting the Roche team to ensure we maximise the huge potential that is embedded in this well-invested factory."

Roberts will succeed Brian Harris, who is relocating to the north England to be with his family.

02/03/12

Jeffery Cook Joins Schweitzer-Mauduit

Press release from the issuing company

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (NYSE:SWM) today announced the following management change effective February 9, 2012.

Jeffrey Cook will be assuming the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, reporting to Frédéric Villoutreix, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mark A. Spears, Corporate Controller since March 2008, has served as interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since November 28, 2011, and will continue in his position as Corporate Controller once Mr. Cook joins the company.

In announcing this appointment, Mr. Villoutreix stated, "Jeff comes to SWM with a proven track record of success leading the financial function in complex multinational manufacturing and sales organizations. We are confident that he will be a strong addition to our management team and a key contributor to our future success. I am also extremely appreciative of the leadership role Mark Spears has played during this interim period."

Mr. Cook, age 57, has more than 30 years of expertise in international business, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, investor relations, strategic planning and general management.

Having begun his career with 17 years at General Electric, followed by a Group Vice President role at Lockheed Martin Corporation (formerly GE Aerospace), Mr. Cook's experience as the top financial officer in previous roles includes the following:

Presstek Inc. , a global manufacturer and distributor of products for the commercial graphics industry, including printing presses, consumables and service headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he was Chief Financial Officer and also served on the Board of Directors.

Kodak Polychrome Graphics, a $1.7 billion joint venture between Eastman Kodak and Sun Chemical, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, with global manufacturing and sales of consumables and digital solutions to the graphics industry, where he was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer.

Moore North America, the largest division Moore Corporation and located in Lake Forest, Illinois, a leading manufacturer and provider of business forms and commercial printing products to the graphics industry, where he was Vice President Finance.

Bechtel Group, Inc. where he was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Bechtel Systems and Infrastructure, Inc. Headquartered in San Francisco California, Bechtel provided engineering, large-scale construction, environmental remediation and research and development services to Federal and State governments.

"I'm excited to be joining SWM," said Mr. Cook. "I look forward to working with the SWM team on the continued focus of leveraging the company's strong financial position for global expansion of key value-added products as well as other strategic opportunities."

02/03/12

Guangming Daily To Install New Press

Press release from the issuing company

Beijing based newspaper publisher Guangming Daily has ordered a new Goss Universal press to increase color capacity and to pursue more sub-contract printing in the Chinese market. The new single-width, double-circumference (2x2) press will be mainly used to print the 150,000 copies a day of the Guangming Daily and 250,000 copies a day of the tabloid Xin Jin Bao.

Mr. Zhao Ping the deputy general secretary and factory director at Guangming Daily, comments, “We have established ourselves as an influential newspaper in China in the fields of science, technology, education and culture with a high reputation among academic institutions and state agencies. It is therefore imperative that we meet the demands of our readers by employing technology of the highest print quality to match our impactive journalism. We look forward to a new level of technology and productivity with the installation of the Goss Universal press in the first half of 2012.”

The new Goss press will include three four-high printing towers, three reelstands and two 2:3:3: jaw folders. The system will also include closed-loop color registration controls, an ink leveling system, blanket washers, two counter stackers and an in-line stitcher. Rated at a maximum of 80,000 cph, the press will generate higher productivity and more color pages for the national daily central government newspaper.

Launched in 1949 by the China Democratic League, and based in China’s capital Beijing, the Chinese language Guangming Daily considers itself a newspaper for intellectuals. The paper is also printed in the cities of Shenyang, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Lanzhou, Chengdu and Kunming. With correspondents resident in many countries worldwide it has a large global circulation. As well as printing Guangming Daily, the publishing group also publishes three additional newspapers, four periodicals and a website.

02/03/12

Online Labor Demand Rises

Press release from the issuing company

Online Labor Demand Rises 61,300 in January, The Conference Board Reports

Labor demand rises 61,300 in January following a 126,000 rise in December Rebound in demand in Manufacturing & Construction occupations differs significantly (Page 5) Note: See Program Notes on page 8 of the pdf for 2012 HWOL annual revisions Download the National Historical Table.

Online advertised vacancies rose 61,300 in January to 4,383,400, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series released today. Nationally, there are 8.8 million more unemployed than advertised vacancies and the Supply/Demand rate stands at 3 unemployed for every vacancy.

“The monthly increase for the last 2 months (December and January) averaged 93,000/month, giving hope that labor demand will continue to improve,” said June Shelp, Vice President at The Conference Board. Overall labor demand has grown by over 1.6 million since the recession’s low point in April 2009. The current monthly level of labor demand of about 4.4 million is in line with the pre-recession high in 2007 and reflects a healthy level of turnover/churning in the U.S. labor market, which is good news for the unemployed and job changers. However, while the gap between the number of unemployed and advertised vacancies has also narrowed to three unemployed for every ad, down from a high of 5.02 (Supply/Demand rate) at the depth of the recession in April 2009, it still remains well above the November 2007 rate of 1.73, prior to the onset of the recession.

REGIONAL AND STATE HIGHLIGHTS

In January:

Among the 20 largest States, California and Illinois have largest gains Recent trend in labor demand for three-fourths of the largest States is either flat or positive The trend in labor demand for the U.S. as a whole is flat; however, the trends among the largest States differ significantly. In 5 of the 20 largest States the trend for labor demand is up (Georgia and Texas in the South, Illinois in the Midwest, and Arizona and Colorado in the West). In another 10 out of the 20 largest States, the trend in online labor demand is flat. On the other hand, the trend continues to be down in five other States (Massachusetts in the Northeast, Maryland and Virginia in the South, Missouri in the Midwest, and Washington in the West). (See Table A).

In January, the West rose 8,700, reflecting gains in all 4 of its largest States. California had the largest increase, 26,800. Over the past 2 months California gained 38,500. Washington was next with a gain of 2,400. Colorado rose 2,100. Arizona showed little change with a slight gain of 100. Over the past 5 months, Arizona has gained 5,200 and now stands at 79,600. Among the less populous States in the region, Utah lost 2,600, Nevada declined by 2,100, and Oregon fell by 1,000 (Table 3).

Labor demand in the Northeast dipped 14,300 in January. New Jersey experienced the largest decline, 5,900, and is now at 136,800. New York fell by 1,200 while Pennsylvania (+100) and Massachusetts (no change) remained steady in January. Among the smaller States in the Northeast, the number of advertised vacancies in Connecticut rose by 400. Over the past two months, Connecticut has added 5,900. Rhode Island lost 1,000 while Maine and New Hampshire fell by 600 each. (See Table 3 for other States in the region).

The South declined by 7,000 in January, reflecting losses in a number of its large States. Florida experienced the largest loss, down 13,100, while Maryland declined 5,200. States with gains included Texas, up a modest 4,800, bringing its gain over the last 5 months to 24,200. Virginia rose by 3,900 while North Carolina fell by 2,100. Georgia had a modest gain of 1,300. Among the less populous States in the South, Arkansas gained 2,300, Tennessee fell by 3,100, and Louisiana and South Carolina were down 1,800 and 600, respectively.

The Midwest remained basically flat, with a slight loss of 1,600. Illinois rose by 10,800. Over the past 4 months, Illinois has risen 17,900 to a total of 169,000. These increases were offset in part by weak labor demand in several of the other large states. Among the largest States, Michigan declined by 6,100. Missouri and Minnesota both fell by 2,600. Ohio and Wisconsin experienced smaller losses at 800 and 200, respectively. Among the less populous States in the Midwest, Indiana fell by 1,800 while Kansas rose by 1,700. North Dakota and South Dakota fell 1,500 and 400, respectively.

The Supply/Demand rate for the U.S. in December (the latest month for which unemployment numbers are available) stood at 3.03, indicating that there are 3 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Nationally, there are 8.8 million more unemployed workers than advertised vacancies.

The number of advertised vacancies exceeded the number of unemployed only in North Dakota, where the Supply/Demand rate was 0.74. States with the next lowest rates included South Dakota (1.20), Nebraska (1.36), Vermont (1.39), Minnesota (1.54), Alaska (1.59), and New Hampshire (1.63) (Table 4). The State with the highest Supply/Demand rate is Mississippi (6.44), where there are over 6 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Other States where there were more than 4 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy included Kentucky (4.51), California (4.36), Nevada (4.11), and Illinois (4.09).

It should be noted that the Supply/Demand rate only provides a measure of relative tightness of the individual State labor markets and does not suggest that the occupations of the unemployed directly align with the occupations of the advertised vacancies (see Occupational Highlights section).

OCCUPATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

In January:

Demand for Computer and Mathematical Science and Food Preparation and Serving Related workers posts gains Labor demand for Office and Administrative Support and Healthcare Practitioners workers declines (Table B and Table 7) Changes for the Month of January

In January, ten of the 22 Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC codes) that are reported separately posted gains and twelve declined (Table 7).

Among the top 10 occupation groups with the largest numbers of online advertised vacancies, demand for Office and Administrative Support occupations fell 52,200 to 426,800 after a gain of 15,900 in December. Largely responsible for the decline was lower demand for Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Receptionists and Information Clerks, and Customer Service Representatives. The number of unemployed in these occupations remains above the number of advertised vacancies with more than 3 (3.36) unemployed for every advertised vacancy.

Labor demand for Computer and Mathematical Science workers rose 19,200 to 582,600. Over the past 2 months, labor demand has increased by 38,900. Responsible for the rise was higher demand for Computer Systems Analysts, Applications Computer Software Engineers, and Computer Systems Engineers and Architects. The number of advertised vacancies in this occupational category continues to outnumber job-seekers by over 3 to 1 (0.27 S/D based on December data, the latest unemployment data available).

Food Preparation and Serving Related positions grew by 13,000 to 175,700 advertised vacancies in January. First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Food Preparation and Serving Workers were largely responsible for the rise. In Food Preparation and Serving the number of unemployed outnumbered advertised openings with 5.6 times more job-seekers than openings.

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical occupations posted a decrease of 12,900 to 580,300 (Table B). Largely responsible for the drop were decreased advertised vacancies for General Internists and Family and General Practitioners. The number of advertised vacancies in this occupational category continues to be quite favorable and outnumbers job-seekers by 2.4 to 1 (0.41 S/D).

Labor Demand for Selected Manufacturing and Construction Occupations

Two important U.S. economic sectors are Manufacturing and Construction. Labor demand for core occupations in both Manufacturing and Construction turned down about two years before the official start of the recession in December 2007. While these occupations both bottomed around the official end of the recession in June 2009, their recoveries since then paint very different pictures. The demand for Production (Manufacturing) workers is now back up to the pre-recession series high. In January 2012 labor demand for Production workers was 137,200, in line with the series high in December 2005. (The HWOL series begins in May 2005.) (See Chart 3)

Construction ads, on the other hand, have increased, but the rise has been tepid compared to the gains for Production workers. Construction labor demand peaked in December 2005 at 116,000 and declined steadily for almost four years, to 39,000 monthly advertised vacancies in September 2009. Since then labor demand for Construction workers has seen a slow but steady increase over the last two years. However, by January 2012 it has regained only about half of its losses. (See Chart 4)

METRO AREA HIGHLIGHTS

There are fewer than 2 unemployed for every online advertised vacancy in 13 of the top 52 metro areas Washington, D.C., has the lowest Supply/Demand rate (1.10) In January, 45 of the 52 metropolitan areas for which data are reported separately posted over-the-year increases in the number of online advertised vacancies. Among the three metro areas with the largest numbers of advertised vacancies, the New York metro area was basically unchanged since January 2011 (down 100). The Washington, DC metro area was down 7,400, or 5.5 percent, from January 2011. The Los Angeles metro area was up 5,000, or 3.7 percent, from last year’s level (Table C & Table 5).

The number of unemployed exceeded the number of advertised vacancies in all of the 52 metro areas for which information is reported separately. Washington, DC continues to have the most favorable Supply/Demand rate (1.10) with about one advertised vacancy for every unemployed worker. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Boston, Salt Lake City, and Oklahoma City were metropolitan locations with the next lowest Supply/Demand rates (Table C). On the other hand, metro areas where the number of unemployed is substantially above the number of online advertised vacancies include Riverside, CA — where there are about 8 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy (8.10) — Sacramento (4.90), Miami (4.48), Los Angeles (4.28), Las Vegas (4.12), and Chicago (3.88). Supply/Demand rate data are for November 2011, the latest month for which unemployment data for local areas are available (Table C & Table 6).

PROGRAM NOTES

HWOL 2012 Annual Revision

With each January press release, the HWOL program incorporates an annual revision to ensure the accuracy and consistency of the time series. This year’s revision makes adjustments to the HWOL job board coverage for 2011 and updates the seasonal adjustment factors using the latest data through December 2011. Data prior to 2011 remain unchanged except for the updated seasonal factors.

Job Board Coverage

The HWOL program collects data on a daily basis from over 1,000 online job board sources. Each year, new sources are added as they emerge while some existing sources may be dropped if it is determined that they primarily aggregate their data directly from other job boards. In 2011, 2 job boards were suspended in July 2011 and 2 additional job boards were suspended in August 2011 as research indicated that they had recently become primarily aggregator boards with growing spidering activities. The suspensions resulted in drops in levels in both July and August. The 2012 revision removes 3 of the job boards starting in January 2011 (prior to the start of their aggregation activities) and re-instates 1 of the job boards. The impact of the revision eliminates the large July and August drops resulting in a flat 3rd quarter while leaving the other quarters of 2011 relatively unchanged. While mid-year suspensions of job boards have been relatively rare, new procedures are being investigated to minimize the impacts on monthly data due to any future job board suspensions.

02/02/12

UNIMAC Goes Solar

Press release from the issuing company

UNIMAC Graphics, an integrated communications solutions provider, today announced that it has installed the largest solar energy system in Carlstadt, NJ producing over 1,000,000 kWhs of clean solar energy and furthering its commitment to environmental leadership in New Jersey. The system was designed and installed by Mercury Solar Systems Mays Landing, NJ office and is expected to meet 30 percent of UNIMAC’s annual electricity needs.

“We are dedicated to protecting the environment, prevention of pollution and ensuring the health and safety of the community, our clients and our employees. Solar energy was a logical next step as we continue to execute on our overall master environmental plan,” commented George Amann, CEO at UNIMAC. “Mercury Solar Systems’ diligence in getting our paperwork approved and system installed helped us get up and running in just a few months.”

The 1,000,000+ kWhs of solar energy will produce enough energy to power 75 average size residential homes each year. This is equivalent to recycling 16 million cans of soda, planting 58,000 trees and taking 105 cars off the road annually.

“UNIMAC is raising the bar for local businesses in New Jersey. They understand what it means to be a sustainable business and we commend them for adding solar energy to their list of green initiatives,” commented Jared Haines, President of Mercury Solar Systems.

02/02/12

Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index Decreses

Press release from the issuing company

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had increased in December, retreated in January. The Index now stands at 61.1 (1985=100), down from 64.8 in December. The Present Situation Index declined to 38.4 from 46.5. The Expectations Index edged down to 76.2 from 77.0 in December.

The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey®, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was January 19.

Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "Consumer Confidence retreated in January, after large back-to-back gains in the final two months of 2011. Consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions turned more downbeat and is back to November 2011 levels. Regarding the short-term outlook, consumers are more upbeat about employment, but less optimistic about business conditions and their income prospects. Recent increases in gasoline prices may have consumers feeling a little less confident this month."

Consumers' appraisal of current conditions was less favorable in January. Those claiming business conditions are "good" decreased to 13.3 percent from 16.3 percent, while those stating business conditions are "bad" increased to 38.7 percent from 33.5 percent. Consumers’ assessment of the labor market was also less positive. Those saying jobs are "plentiful" decreased to 6.1 percent from 6.6 percent, while those claiming jobs are "hard to get" increased to 43.5 percent from 41.6 percent.

Consumers' short-term outlook was slightly weaker than it was last month. The proportion of consumers anticipating business conditions to improve over the next six months decreased to 16.6 percent from 16.8 percent, while those expecting business conditions will worsen increased to 15.1 percent from 13.4 percent. Consumers' outlook for the labor market, however, was moderately more favorable. Those expecting more jobs in the months ahead increased to 16.2 percent from 14.0 percent, while those anticipating fewer jobs declined to 19.5 percent from 20.2 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes declined to 13.8 percent from 16.3 percent.

02/02/12

TITLE

Press release from the issuing company

If 3D printing advances as fast as 2D printing advanced, we’ll be working with our own Replicators from Star Trek by the year 2080. It took just 40 years for the original printing press to turn over from the single Gutenberg press to get to a mass production scale across Europe, and much, much less time for computers to advance from massive machines to teeny-tiny chips. With advances like home-bound do it yourself printers and the fact that pirate sites across the web are now sharing model files so that you might print your own objects at home without effort, we’ve not got much time at all before advances are made to the tune of Earl Gray, Hot.

The first 3D printers could be considered rapid prototype machines which started to be widely available in the late 1980s. They started to work on a real level much earlier than that. Take the short time it’s been between the massive computers popping up in the last 100 years, inside our lifetimes, and the ultra tiny world of nanoprocessors today and you can see that we’re developing now at an absolutely explosive, exponential rate.

01/31/12

Tech Test Drive: Best printers

Press release from the issuing company

More often than anything else, we get the question, "What's the best printer for me?" It's a tough question to answer, because it all depends on what you want to do with your printer. Whether you want a high-quality printer, an all-in-one workhorse, a compact photo printer, or a simple single-function inkjet, we've got you covered.

Epson WorkForce 845 All-in-One printer

The good: The WorkForce 845 excels in print speeds and output quality, with hardware working overtime in autoduplexing, wireless networking, and mobile printing support by way of Epson's suite of Connect mobile printing services.

The bad: Photo print speeds are slightly lower than for the average inkjet, and the packaging doesn't include the USB and Ethernet cables required for a tethered connection.

Lexmark Prevail Pro705

The good: The attractive Lexmark Prevail Pro705 bundles a useful set of features for the office crowd, including wireless connectivity, an autodocument feeder and duplexer.

The bad: We don't expect an office-friendly printer to output studio-quality snapshots, but our grap hics test document was not without quality flaws.

HP LaserJet Pro P1606dn

The good: The compact printer offers rapid printing at an affordable price.

01/30/12

HP updates small-business color printer line

Press release from the issuing company

Small and midsize businesses seeking to keep their color printing costs to a minimum, could handle more tasks in-house with a series of new Hewlett-Packard printers and multifunction devices designed to create “professional-quality” color output.

The new products include the LaserJet Pro 400 color M451 printer, which is intended for SMBs that produce their own marketing collateral; the LaserJet Pro 300 color MFP M375, which combines high-quality color output with scanning, copying and faxing capabilities; and the HP LaserJet Pro 400 color MFP M475, which does the same stuff as the M375 but at higher speeds and with duplexing capabilities.

Donna Fox, an HP beta reference and the vice president of Fox Land Surveys, a small company that produces survey maps and materials, said the speed of the MFP M475 that her team has been using has helped save money that would have been paid to outsource this document production in the past.

01/27/12

Uh-Oh, Peer-to-Peer Networks Discover 3-D Printing

Press release from the issuing company

People will soon be able to download files of physical objects and print them out at home. Although being able to print out a new mug or toothbrush at home sounds magical, I said that there would surely be copyright problems that occur as a result of this technology’s going mainstream.

This theory struck oil this week when the Pirate Bay, a notorious peer-to-peer file-sharing Web site that is a source of free copyrighted music and movies, said it was creating a new download section on its site that would enable people to freely take files a 3-D printer can recreate into physical things.

In a blog post, the Pirate Bay Web site declared its entrance into a new copyright battle thusly: “We believe that the next step in copying will be made from digital form into physical form. It will be physical objects. Or as we decided to call them: Physibles.”

Physibles? O.K. But what makes the declaration by the Pirate Bay different from other copyright issues is that some of the objects people upload to the site — and others then download — might not actually break copyright laws.

Michael Weinberg, a senior staff lawyer with Public Knowledge, a Washington digital advocacy group, who explained that copyright law did not always apply to recreating physical objects.

Mr. Weinberg said that because of old copyright rules, recreating an object that is considered “useful” is not actually a copyright violation. “If an object is purely aesthetic it will be protected by copyright, but if the object does something, it is not the kind of thing that can be protected,” he said in the interview. A useful object may be patentable, but we are talking about copyrighted plans.

Of course the Pirate Bay isn’t the first Web site to offer the ability to download files that can print objects. Web sites like Thingiverse, a free online site that offers schematics of more than 15,000 objects, have been around for some time. The announcement by the Pirate Bay will bring this issue a lot more scrutiny and, I dare say, heated talk.

01/26/12

HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus Review

Press release from the issuing company

Why do offices choose all-in-one (AIO) laser printers—that is, models that can print, copy, scan, and fax—over their inkjet counterparts? The two main reasons: Laser devices print faster, and they usually cost less over the long haul to print black-and-white pages in volume. The trade-off is that most inkjet AIOs print photographs much better than laser multifunction machines, and, of course, most color-capable laser devices cost considerably more than inkjets.

The rare device, though, can give you the best of both worlds: speed, economical consumables, and excellent photograph printing. And we just found that seldom-seen combination in one moderately priced AIO. Enter HP's $299 OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus, one of the fastest, least-expensive-to-use inkjets we've seen in quite some time. Not only is it fast, but this model is loaded with features, such as a duplex-capable automatic document feeder (ADF), which allows you to scan, copy, and fax double-sided pages unassisted. It also has a great-looking, big 4.3-inch color touch screen.

It's not often that we come across an AIO printer that we can recommend without reservations—that is, unless it's simply too much printer for your needs. (This model will, after all, set you back substantially more than a budget inkjet AIO; good budget models sell for well under $100.) If you need most of what this printer has to offer, though, it's a really good value. Aside from one small snafu during installation (which we'll get to in the "Setup & Paper Handling" section), we found little about this AIO not to like. It's a perfect fit for home and small offices that need the speed and economy of a color laser printer, as well as the ability to print nice-looking photographs that an inkjet printer offers.

01/25/12

WIRELESS PRINTING SOLUTION FOR IOS DEVICES

Press release from the issuing company

At a private press event the night before the official start of CES, Lantronix showcased its upcoming xPrintServer. With an expected February release, xPrintServer will be the first print server compatible with virtually any device running Apple's iOS mobile operating system. The wireless device -- itself about the size of an iPhone -- aims to give both enterprise and consumer iOS users an easy way to do network printing with minimal hassle.

In fact, the set-up pretty much entails plugging the xPrintServer anywhere into the network with an Ethernet cable. It will supposedly then discover any networked printers automatically. And as long as the iOS device in question is running version 4.2 or later, no further configuration will be necessary. Users will be ready to print right from their native OS print menus, without any additional downloads or apps.

01/24/12

Now, printing electronics that use silver ink

Press release from the issuing company

Unlike conventional inks used for printing electronics, which are made up of metallic particles, researchers have now developed an all-liquid ink made of a solution of silver and ammonia.

According to Jennifer Lewis, a professor of materials science and engineering, and graduate student S. Brett Walker, when printed, the liquid evaporates, leaving a trail of conductive material.

The new ink developed by University of Illinois researchers has quite a few advantages over more conventional electronic ink.

One is the size of the inkjet nozzle that can be used. Inks using particles require bigger nozzles - on the order of a micrometer in size whereas the liquid silver ink requires much smaller nozzles - 100 nanometers.

It is also easier to make than other electronic ink and it sticks to a wide variety of materials, including plastic, paper or fabric, Discovery News reported.

The other big benefit is temperature. A typical particle-based ink has to be printed at a comparatively high temp in order to get good conductivity. That is why they are not used on paper or some plastics.

But the silver-based solution gets to its maximum conductivity at about 90 degrees Celsius, or about 194 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite being warm, it is still cool enough to work most materials.

Another important factor is price. Although silver may sound like an expensive material, it is been between 26 dollars and 48 dollars per ounce over the last year, and an ounce of silver would produce a good quantity of printing ink.

01/17/12

3D printing comes to the home

Press release from the issuing company

3D printing has always been a technology that has seemed out of reach for the regular consumer thanks to the expensive and bulky equipment you need to make it happen.

But that’s all about to change. Demonstrating a 3D printer for the home at CES 2012 was 3D Systems, the company that created 3D printing 25 years ago.

Named the Cube, it is the first ever consumer 3D printer and is ready to print your designs straight out of the box. It comes with a membership to Cubify.com, a website where consumers and designers alike can share their 3D designs, and a place to get inspiration and guidance if you’ve never designed one yourself before.

Once you've picked or designed your 3D object, you simply download the design onto the printer and watch it work its magic!

The printer will print small objects that fit within a 140mm cube, in a variety of colours (though you can only print in one colour at a time).

The Cube will go on sale in the first half of 2012 for $1299.

01/12/12

Epson unveils new A3 printer

Press release from the issuing company

Epson has introduced a new wide format photo printer, which is capable of offering gallery standard prints at up to 13 x 19 inches.

The Epson Stylus Photo 1500W is also capable of wireless networking and mobile printing.

Epson's own exclusive Advanced MicroPiezo print head is combined with DX5 technology in the new printer, designed specially for accurate ink placement, smooth gradations and amazing skin tones.

Wireless networking means that anyone on the same network can use the printer, while the Epson iPrint app allows users to print and share from a smartphone or tablet.

Gallery quality prints can be printed on a range of borderless sizes, including 6x4 inch, 13x19 inch and 12 x 12 inch.

Long lasting
Additional features include the ability to create smudge, scratch and water resistant prints that last up to 200 years in storage and up to 98 years on display under glass.

A range of eco features and environmental qualities including Energy Star and RoHS compliance are also available.

Adobe Photoshop Elements is bundled with the printer, meaning other projects including brochures, posters, photo enlargements and personalised CDs and DVDs can also be created and printed via the printer.

01/11/12

3D Printing Draws Closer to Mainstream with Cubify

Press release from the issuing company

If 3D printing is something that excites you, get ready for a rush.

The process, which involves using a machine to turn a digital file into a finished physical object by building it up layer by layer, is something that makes technophiles drool, but up until recently was too expensive for the average tinkerer.

But 3D Systems launches at CES its beta Cubify.com platform, which sounds like it might be pretty amazing once the wraps come off it. It also indicates that more people may soon be giving 3D printing a shot.

Sometime in the next few months, 3D Systems will start selling a new Cube 3D printer priced at $1299 that comes with a cartridge of plastic available in ten colors. The printer is 14-by-14-by-18 inches, weighs less than 9 pounds, and can print about ten to twelve "average size" parts, which Rajeed Kulkarni, 3D Systems VP and general manager of consumer solutions, says works out to be about $4 to $5 per part. When it’s time to reorder a new cartridge, the cost is $50.

But the really interesting part is the Cubify platform itself.

It’s a free online social platform that’s available for individuals, artists, developers, and creative partners.

As an individual, you can go online and pick a digital file of something you like -- let’s say a mug, belt buckle, or cookie cutter. Then you download an app that lets you customize it. After you’ve designed your custom product it’s just a matter of either wirelessly printing to your own Cube printer, or sending it to 3D Systems’ printing service, and they’ll produce it for you.

But some people want to do more than just play around with 3D printing. You can use the tools on Cubify to create products that you think are marketable and sell them right there on the platform. And companies already printing their own 3D products can use Cubify as another sales channel.

While Cubify already has a pretty beefy inventory of apps created by the 3D Systems developer community, Kulkarni says Cubify is wide open for any developer who wants to market 3D apps. “We are really relying on the developer community to come up with ideas and build on this platform in various ways so that it grows 3D printing into a space where people like moms, dads and kids can use it in the house,” he says.

Artists and developers get 60 percent of the revenue from sales of products or apps on Cubify. 3D Systems takes a 30 percent share and the rest goes to sales tax, they tell me.

Geomagic, a company that transforms 3D scan data into highly accurate polygon and native CAD models for reverse engineering, product design, rapid prototyping, and analysis, is one software company already on the Cubify bandwagon. It has created a super cool Kinect-To-Print app that lets you use your Kinect to print things.

01/09/12

Need to print from iOS? Look no further

Press release from the issuing company

When then-Apple CEO Steve Jobs promised in spring 2010 that iOS would support native printing, I and many others were happy, as the inability to print was a big inconvenience when using an iPhone or iPad. But iOS 4.2's printing support was disappointingly limited to a handful of AirPrint-compatible printers from Hewlett-Packard, and the list has hardly grown in the year since. Worse, iOS 5 this past fall plugged a hole that app developers had used to enable printing to non-AirPrint network printers. Printing became effectively useless on iOS devices.

Not any more. Lantronix has a box for that: the xPrintServer Network Edition print server, which is the size of a pack of cigarettes. Once plugged into the network, it makes all recognized network printers on the current subnet available to any iOS device (running iOS 4.2 or later) also on that subnet. There's zero configuration needed for the print server, nor any configuration or app installation on the iOS device. Printers simply show up in the printer list from any iOS app with a Print option in its Share menu. It's truly plug-and-play. And it just works.

That bears repeating: It just works. Plug in the xPrintServer, wait a few seconds for it to autodetect the printers on the network for which it has drivers (more than 4,000, including a variety of HP and Canon printers), and tell your users they can print from their iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads using the standard controls. After a delay of a few seconds, the selected printer receives the print job. (If you have more than seven or 10 printers on a subnet, Lantronix recommends partitioning the printers across multiple xPrintServers, for performance reasons.)

Don't worry if the list of available printers is daunting. First, iOS remembers a user's selection, defaulting to that printer until the user selects a different unit. If you want to control the printers available to iOS users, log in to the xPrintServer's management console via a Web browser to delete printers from the list shown to users. That console has other settings, such as for patching the firmware, editing the printer descriptions, printing test pages, and monitoring the print queues.

01/06/12

Brother MFC-J430w review

Press release from the issuing company

For a printer that retails for only £108 and is heavily discounted online, the Brother MFC-J430w colour inkjet printer (copy/fax/print/scan) gets things done in a hurry: text pages print at a brisk 7.6 pages per minute or faster. Other strengths include sharp text output and below-average ink costs, if you stick with the high-capacity supplies. You get some nice features for the price, but note that colour graphics quality is merely adequate, paper capacity is minimal, and automatic two-sided printing or scanning is nonexistent.

The Brother MFC-J430w's appearance is best described as conventional. The all-black multifunction printer has a small, 1.9-inch LCD that tells you what's going on, plus the usual array of navigation, job, and fax buttons. The buttons are logically placed, and navigating the menus is very easy. You can even scan to a PC directly from the control panel. See also: Group test: what's the best inkjet printer?

Although the Brother MFC-J430w is easy to set up and supports both Wi-Fi and USB connections, it has no ethernet, no card slots, and no USB/PictBridge port. If you frequently need to print photos from a camera, look for another MFP. The input tray holds just 100 sheets, and the ADF for the A4-size scanner holds 20 sheets. It's definitely a light-duty machine.

Brother has implemented one software feature that's currently unique: The iPrint&Scan app for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone 7 lets you scan from the MFP directly to your phone or tablet via Wi-Fi. It's pretty cool. Printing over email happens through Google Cloud Print, which has apps for iOS and Android, but not Windows Phone 7. Brother provides both PC and Mac drivers, as well as OCR software (Scansoft Paper Port 12 for Windows and Presto PageManager for the Mac).

Alas, while Brother embraces the Mac, it's less than a bear hug: You'll find no support for even manual two-sided printing. Also, you'll need to download the latest driver from Brother’s website to get around a problem we encountered using version 4.1.4 from our installation CD: The Mac scanner driver would not install automatically. We confirmed that the company solved this problem with driver version 4.1.5.

01/05/12

Canon U.S.A. Announces Availability Of uniFLOW Version 5.1 Print Management Software

Press release from the issuing company

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, today announced the availability of uniFLOW Version 5.1 (v5.1) print management software. uniFLOW v5.1 offers businesses the ability to consolidate enterprise output management in a single, unified platform including device management, print management and scanning while expanding uniFLOW's capabilities to smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. uniFLOW v5.1 also eliminates the need for customers to use multiple tools to maximize output management capabilities while enhancing device management and information security capabilities to streamline Managed Document Services deployments and enable businesses of all sizes to securely link mobile workers, contractors and even guests to their print network.

With an increased emphasis on mobile print technology, uniFLOW v5.1 offers support for Internet-enabled mobile devices allowing jobs to be easily printed from smartphones and tablets via multifunction products (MFPs) and single function printers. In addition, organizations can now enable their employees, guests and mobile staff to print directly from their mobile devices while controlling the release of the print output to networked devices. This level of functionality is enabled as part of an organization's managed print infrastructure, allowing for the retention of full cost-control, print and network security while also facilitating the creation of potential revenue-making opportunities from onsite mobile printing services (e.g. airport business lounges, universities and hotels).

"With the launch of uniFLOW v5.1, Canon delivers an innovative mobile print solution that also improves core performance by providing customers with an higher level of document security, cost-control and multi-vendor fleet support," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A. "uniFLOW Version 5.1 is a comprehensive fleet management solution for today's 24/7 connected work force."

Available in January 2012, uniFLOW v5.1 includes a host of productivity enhancing features including: Mobile Submission

uniFLOW v5.1 provides several different methods* for users to submit jobs including via email, uploading a job via a web browser and printing directly from an application using an Internet-enabled driver. uniFLOW also supports the integrated print functionality of iOS devices. Mobile Release

All of the print release capabilities within uniFLOW are seamlessly supported for mobile users. Mobile jobs can be released from any uniFLOW controlled printer via card access or pin code. There is also a uniFLOW native app for Apple iOS devices like iPod, iPhone and iPad. The app enables the mobile device to identify the printer, for example by a QR code, select a print job from the user's personal print queue, make necessary print settings and release their job. Advanced Device Management

uniFLOW v5.1 allows IT Managers to control the print environment by collecting information about device status, meter and consumables. Information is gathered across a complete, multi-vendor (Canon and third-party devices) print fleet and can be used to effectively manage consumables, inform customers and service providers about issues and maintain device uptime. Scanning Enhancements

uniFLOW v5.1, in addition to its core document scanning capabilities for document capture, routing and workflow, offers more scan destinations with direct desktop integration to enable convenient post-scan document processing and manipulation. With improved scan security, uniFLOW v5.1 scanning also delivers advanced features including linking to external databases for validating index information against pre-existing database content. Improvements in Universal Driver technology

The uniFLOW v5.1 universal driver contains an improved image compression technology resulting in smaller file sizes and faster processing. Further, the Canon PCL6 Generic driver is now supported for secure printing workflow, allowing organizations using the Canon PCL6 Generic driver to enjoy the benefits of making finishing changes at the imageRUNNER ADVANCE, which in the past was only possible with the uniFLOW Universal Driver. Embedded Applets for Secure Printing

01/03/12

3-D printing on way to becoming affordable

Press release from the issuing company

University of Washington professor Mark Ganter sees the future, and it's printing apple pies.

And maybe vital organs, furniture and buildings.

Ganter experiments with using alternative materials to print three-dimensional objects, part of growing efforts to make 3-D printing more diverse and accessible to consumers.

The machines print layers of material to produce the models. Some printers add layers of powder and liquid binder, while others melt layer upon layer of plastic.

At the UW's Solheim Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Manufacturing Lab, which Ganter codirects, he's constantly asking students: "What did you make?"

The results have included, among other things, pineapples made out of mango iced-tea mix and miniature plaster replicas of Easter Island's colossal Moai statues,

Ganter estimates his team of "printistas," the term he's coined for professional 3-D printers, has worked with almost 50 different materials. He jokes that he'll stop when he's tried 1,000, and has talked about experimenting with mashed potatoes.

Ganter's lab is not alone in the changing landscape of 3-D printing. More and more companies are selling 3-D printers within the price range of consumers. Most machines several years ago cost tens of thousands and were sold primarily to architects and engineers. Cheaper commercial self-assembly kits now go for about $1,100.

12/29/11

HP Ranked a Leader in IDC Managed Print Services MarketScape

Press release from the issuing company

HP today announced that industry analyst firm IDC has named HP a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Managed Print Services 2011 Hardcopy Vendor Analysis Study.(1)

An independent and global provider of IT research, IDC completed its multivendor assessment study and identified that HP Managed Print Services (MPS) continues to maintain market leadership with high scores in strategic direction and offering capabilities.

Based on the report, HP’s market leadership is reflective of its comprehensive strategy to deliver a unified experience across the office, onsite production and external printing and imaging environments. Its broad portfolio is enriched with industry solutions and features such as HP ePrint, the Open Extensibility Platform (OXP) and FutureSmart firmware. These innovations allow customers to easily update, manage and extend the capabilities of their multifunction printers (MFPs) and printers with the latest solutions and applications, and conveniently print while on the go.

In addition to HP’s existing direct MPS enterprise model, HP’s recent acquisition of Printelligent, a provider of managed print services, helps extend the company’s reach and enables it to delivers its world-class sales, services and print management expertise to small and medium-sized businesses through select channel partners who can now scale their engagements.

12/28/11

Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 All-in-One Inkjet Printer ‎

Press release from the issuing company

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 is its immense paper capacity--nearly 600 sheets can fit in the various paper trays at one time. Not to mention the outsize inkjet cartridges that promise 2,400 black and 1,200 color pages (and which are not exorbitantly priced). Or maybe it's the decent print speeds, which averaged about seven seconds per page at normal quality. Or perhaps the price--only $299 at last check. It's not perfect, though. Like some other Epson printers, Mac users will need extra time (a lot in my case) to download from Epson's Web site the drivers and software to make the WP-4540 work. You'll need a big desk to put it on, since the WP-4540 isn't small by any measure. And if you have questions (which tray is photo paper supposed to go in?), get ready to hunt for the online user's guide. Gripes aside, this printer is an excellent value.

Speed

Printing speeds for the WP-4540 were competitive with other (more expensive) inkjet printers, with a four-page Word document taking a bit longer than half a minute to print (about 15 seconds for the first page, and just over six seconds per page after that). By comparison, the Epson WorkForce 845 took 19 seconds to print just a single page of a Word document. A graphics-heavy four-page PDF had its first page done in 22 seconds, with subsequent pages taking only seven seconds per page after that. Add lots of time to print duplex, of course, with first pages taking 36 seconds to print and then 20 seconds per page subsequently.

This inkjet printer also did a great job at printing photos, though not quite as fast as the Kodak Hero 9.1 did, needing 46 seconds from start to finish. Still, that's perfectly respectable time for an all-in-one.

Quality

Overall quality of prints made with the WorkForce WP-4540 was very good. Black fonts in particularly were sharp and clear. While graphics looked decent, they weren't great--for great, you'll have to bump up the print quality a notch and wait a bit longer for results. If you print duplex, be aware that the printer doesn't wait for ink to dry before printing the other side of the sheet, as some printers do. The result is what Epson calls "cockle," or page curl, a term I'd not heard before--but I'm adding to my glossary. Cockled pages do lie flat after the ink gets absorbed.

Bells and Whistles

The WP-4540 is an all-in-one printer that's made for offices and so it offers every feature that an office could want, including built-in wireless, an automatic document feeder and automatic duplex printing, and an extra paper tray that sits on the bottom of the printer. There are unfortunately no card slots for SD or other media except for a USB stick on the front panel of the printer.

The 5.8-inch touchscreen control panel doesn't tilt; and there's a separate number pad for the fax machine, which seems redundant to me (the touchscreen becomes a number pad when setting up the Wi-Fi connection, for example). The overall feeling is that it's a bit cluttered and they're not yet making the best use of a touchscreen.

Like other Epson printers such as the WorkForce 845, the WP-4540 can print via the cloud using Epson Connect Email Print, iPrint, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print. It was a pleasure to be able to print from an iPad without even being in the same room.

12/27/11

3D Printing: A Technology Awaits its iPad Moment

Press release from the issuing company

The idea of creating your own plastic objects using a 3D printer is very cool. Imagine, for example, being able to print Christmas gifts at home. Looking for a special toy? No need to visit the toy store when you can download that race car design file from a library of toys on the Internet and send it to your 3D printer. Or perhaps you'd like to customize the item first by opening the file in a simple 3D modeling program and add a few personal touches. That's the vision.

The reality is a bit different.
Two things are keeping 3D printers from going mainstream. One is technical. The other has to do with a lack of imagination. As with the tablet PC, 3D printing technology awaits its iPad moment when everything comes together.

By using a technique very similar to ink jet technology, 3D printers can build virtually any object by printing it using molten plastic ink or other materials, one layer at a time (see the comparison chart of 3D printing devices). The prices for these devices, which at one time cost $100,000 or more, are now available to hobbyists for under $1,500 -- and $500 models aren't far off. Terry Wohlers, principal consultant and president at market research firm Wohlers Associates, says low end printers in the $100 to $200 range for use by children are just around the corner.

Of course, you'll need to buy the "ink" for your 3D printer. Today, operating costs can be as low as $2.50 per cubic inch of material used. That's still expensive when compared to, say, a mass-produced, injection molded plastic action figure, but its not bad at all for custom or one-off items.

There are also more practical uses for the technology. Imagine parts libraries that are as common on the Web as user manual PDFs are for consumer products. Need a hose attachment for your Sears canister vacuum? Download the object file from Searspartsdirect.com and send it to your printer. That ecosystem of objects isn't available today, but online communities are already building and sharing all sorts of objects that are freely available for download at sites such as Autodesk 123D Gallery and Thingiverse.

12/22/11

Electro Image LLC takes business card printing to the next level

Press release from the issuing company

Lenticular and Akuafoil business cards are the “hot” new products in a small business’ tool kit, allowing companies’ “miniature billboards” to stand out in the crowd. Lenticular technology or Akuafoil printing adds a new dimension to ordinary, everyday business cards. They also offer an extensive selection of design choices and 21 point thickness of Lenticular business cards assures durability. These cards will not only stand out in a pack of business cards gathered at a networking function, but they will also endure more handling (16 point thickness for Akuafoil cards). They will last longer than ordinary business cards and are a unique addition to a company’s range of marketing materials.

Lenticular business cards are interactive and can be produced with two or three images on the front side, allowing two or three messages to appear that help to separate businesses from their competitors, providing an edge that helps them to stand out and get them noticed. Lenticular printing technology was created in the 1940s but has evolved over time to show more motion and increased depth. Lenticular printing technology utilizes a distinct plastic lens which produces changing images when the business card is tilted in the customer’s hands. An example of an industry for which Electro Image would produce a Lenticular business card would be an Orthodontist. The Orthodontist’s business card would display the company’s name and information and perhaps a graphic of an orthodontist dental appliance or braces. When the card is tilted, the braces or dental appliance simultaneously appears and disappears on the graphic, creating a spectacular, interactive effect. The business contact information is static and is printed on the back side of the card

In order to produce Lenticular business cards, Electro Image uses the customer’s images and creates a “swapping” effect in which each image disappears and reappears as it is moved up and down. The business card backing can also be printed in normal four color process. Lenticular cards are very durable and substantial; total thickness with plastic and 4D viewer combined is .21pt. However, the 3D effect appears solely on the front, or most prominent side, of the card,

Akuafoil business cards incorporate a five color process by adding the fifth color as a sparkling metallic foil finish. The end result is a sparkling foil finish business card, embellished with metallic foil. Adding metallic foil allows the graphic designer to create business card designs that will catch the recipient’s eye, providing a competitive advantage. State of the art features allow the customer to request a design for their business card with unlimited possibilities. The process allows the printer to produce foiled half tones and gradiants and have multiple colors in foil in the same design. A wide range of CMYK colors can be turned into multi-colored foils using a special processed foil system that is applied under 4 color process to create an array of foil colors and providing a business card which is affordable and which stands out from the crowd.

About Electro Image LLC:
Electro Image LLC produces printing at the lowest possible cost for a one-color to full-color print project. Electro Image invites their customers to “give us your concept for your business, association, event or charity. We will design and print it! We handle business cards to large banners, and everything in-between”. Centrally based in Chesterfield, Missouri, Electro Image LLC is a full service one stop inexpensive print and graphics source providing printing services for custom print projects ranging from affordable ad design to quality business banner displays. In addition, the company’s expertise and low cost printing includes professional brochures and flyers as well as glossy business cards design, inexpensive single sheet or multi part forms, budget presentation folders and customized stationery.

12/21/11

3D Systems Voted Global Digital Manufacturing Leader

Press release from the issuing company

3D Systems Corporation DDD +3.49% announced today that it was voted the "Leader in Digital Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping" for the second year in a row by the readers of Design World Magazine in a global competition that took place between January 1 and October 31, 2011. The Digital Manufacturing category included 13 companies engaged in the development and manufacture of 3D printers, Additive Manufacturing systems, services and materials.

3D Systems pioneered 3D printing and Digital Manufacturing with the invention of Stereolithography(R), Selective Laser Sintering and Multi-Jet Modeling. The company led the democratization of 3D printing by providing universal connectivity from 3D content-to-print through the development of the .STL file format. The company is driving the adoption of large scale custom manufacturing solutions by aerospace, defense, automotive and healthcare users worldwide. More recently 3D Systems introduced a complete range of personal and professional 3D printers together with comprehensive on-demand parts services under its Quickparts(R) brand, and compelling design productivity tools like Alibre(R) 2012 for professionals and consumers, alike.

12/20/11

Kodak patents focus on printer quality

Press release from the issuing company

In 1901, businessman King Gillette applied for a patent for his new invention, the safety razor. Men of that era typically shaved with a straight razor, which required constant sharpening. Gillette conceived of an inexpensive disposable blade that could be used a few times and then discarded, to be replaced with a new sharp one. It was a phenomenal innovation for a product that nearly half of the population used every day, and you'd think it would have been a big seller. But in his first year of business, Gillette sold only 51 razors.

He tried all sorts of promotions, but nothing worked. Then he came up with a radical idea. If Gillette gave the razor handles away, he could get people to try his product and create a base of customers who would be repeat buyers for his blades. The strategy was a runaway success. The following year Gillette sold 120,000 blades. By 1915, his company was selling more than 70 million a year.

The razors-and-blades model has been adopted by many other businesses. John D. Rockefeller gave away millions of oil lamps in China to create a market for kerosene. In recent years, the mobile phone market has been based on the premise of giving you a phone for free or at a steeply discounted price in exchange for your commitment to a long-term service contract. And of course there are inkjet printers, which are given away with new computers or sold at a low price so that the manufacturers can make money selling you ink cartridges.

12/19/11

Will printed newspapers be extinct in 5 years?

Press release from the issuing company

A new study from the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future states that the majority of newspapers in the USA will cease to exist in printed form within the next five years. The report asked whether America had arrived at a "digital turning point" and examined the role of new, often disruptive, digital technologies in American politics, media, communication and the American lifestyle in general.

The report concluded that, as print circulation continues to drop, most newspapers will suffer, causing them to terminate printing operations altogether. Whether publications stand a chance of maintaining printed editions seems to be a question of size; large organisations, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, could potentially keep their printed editions, whilst local weeklies presumably thanks to their small numbers of staff and dedicated readerships, could also keep their printed editions.

12/16/11

Tiny solar cell dots printed for powerful array

Press release from the issuing company

The company's tiny solar cells, each a dot the size of a ballpoint pen tip, have been validated to convert 41 percent of solar energy to electricity, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced yesterday. Semprius is in the process of building a manufacturing facility in Henderson, N.C., to make concentrating solar arrays using its "micro-transfer printing" technique, according to the Department of Energy.

The semiconductor printing technique can be used for many applications, including improving LED lighting performance, better hard drives, or sensors for medical device.

But Durham, N.C.-based Semprius has first chosen to build a concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) collector that uses lenses to concentrate light 1,000 times onto its tiny solar cells. By having smaller cells, the company hopes to bring down the cost of concentrating solar power, which works in areas with lots of direct sunlight, such as the southwest U.S.

To build an array of "micro cells," Semprius grows a tiny semiconductor on a substrate and then a machine transfers those cells to a wafer. Additional layers are automatically added to the wafer so that a very efficient, triple-junction solar cell is constructed.

12/15/11

Japan Printing & Graphics Sees Rise in Business Card Orders for Holiday Socials

Press release from the issuing company

Holiday parties, charity events, and other festivities can be a great time to network. Business professionals should always be prepared to discuss their business and have business cards ready to hand out if the situation arises. Business cards are an extension of the company's image and one of the best ways to leave a lasting impression on potential clients, customers, and business partners.

When dealing with international business affairs, it is best to research the business etiquette commonly accepted in that country. Japan Printing & Graphics, a premier NYC business card printing company, has a wealth of knowledge regarding the customs of international business cards in countries all over the world. For example, in Japan, exchanging business cards is an integral part of business etiquette, much like shaking hands in the western culture. It is highly recommended that business cards are translated into Japanese on the reverse side, known as a bilingual business card, and handed over with the Japanese side facing up. Exchanging business cards in Asian cultures is a much more formal process than in Western cultures.

12/13/11

Printing Industry Midwest Great Printer Environmental Initiative

Press release from the issuing company

The Printing Industry Midwest (PIM services member firms located in the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska as well as North and South Dakota) announces that Jacob North Companies, Lincoln, NE, is the most recent member to obtain Great Printer Certification. The certification process involves a safety and environmental audit and the implementation of two “above compliance” projects.

“The Great Printer Certification will add value to our business and ensure a safe work environment,” said Chad Pinkman, VP Jacob North. “Paul Gutkowski will be an asset to our company as a member resource of PIM.”

The Great Printer program has been a service of PIM for over 15 years, recognizing printers for their efforts in environmental and safety operations. Printers in this program have improved the environment by using less hazardous solvents to clean presses, purchasing wind generated electrical energy and many other “green” initiatives. In addition, the certification requires that the printer has two “above compliance” projects in place at all times.

12/12/11

NASA Looks to 3-D Printing for Spare Parts for Space Station

Press release from the issuing company

Launch $1-billion-worth of spare parts to the International Space Station, and you can keep Earth's orbital outpost going for another decade. Send up some 3D-printing devices, and you invest in the ability to build everything on demand in space: space-station parts, astronaut tools, satellites, even spacecraft.

A first step toward space factories may come from NASA's recent selection of a U.S. startup's proposal to build a 3D printer for the space station. Such printing technology could build any number of objects, layer by layer, based on designs uploaded from mission control. Astronauts would only need "feedstock" material, such as plastic or metal, to make new tools or spare parts on the fly.

12/09/11

Xerox Leads Global Managed Print Services Market as Businesses of All Sizes Sign On for Cost Savings, Productivity

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox Corporation XRX -2.63% remains the worldwide leader in managed print services (MPS), as businesses large and small enlist the company's help to cut costs and reduce the time employees spend on print-related activities.

According to Gartner, Inc., the MPS market experienced double-digit growth in 2010. Xerox led the way, as more and more IT leaders discovered the benefits of better managing the way documents are printed, shared and updated. For example:

Large organizations: British Airways, Cisco, Kelly Services, Cuyahoga Community College and University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are using Xerox Enterprise Print Services to make it easier and more cost-effective to print across multiple networked offices, in-house print centers and on the road. Through ACS, A Xerox Company, Xerox integrates MPS into the IT infrastructure to help businesses convert paper into digital, simplifying and speeding up workflows in ways that save time and money.

Organizations with a smaller print infrastructure: The cities of Rochester, N.Y. and Riverside, Calif. and the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College are using Xerox Print Services to take control of print costs by applying the same tools and techniques used to save millions for large corporations. Xerox provides remote support for break-fix, supplies and procurement to manage their in-house printing and copying.

Small and medium-sized businesses: Clients are working with Xerox partners around the world to better manage print devices from multiple vendors using Xerox Partner Print Services and PagePack(R) 3.0.

12/07/11

3D Printer Plays Supporting Role in Chipotle's Award-Winning Viral Video

Press release from the issuing company

3D printer maker Stratasys said its Dimension 3D Printing technology created several of the physical models for the popular stop-motion animated short "Back To The Start," which has garnered more than two million YouTube views and a nod from AdWeek as one of the top commercials of the year.

Produced for Chipotle Mexican Grill by CAA Marketing Group and Nexus Productions, "Back To The Start" features a stop-motion animated trip from farm to table, punctuated by a soulful Willie Nelson cover of Coldplay's "The Scientist," specially commissioned for the video.

The film, by filmmaker Johnny Kelly, depicts the life of a farmer as he slowly turns his family farm into an industrial animal factory before seeing the error of his ways and opting for a more sustainable future. Both the film and the soundtrack were commissioned by Chipotle to emphasize the importance of developing a sustainable food system.

London-based special effects studio Artem, Ltd. produced the visual effects for the video, which has won praise for its creative approach to telling Chipotle's sustainability story. During the past five years, Artem has used the Dimension 3D Printer to produce models for dozens of clients, including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), 20th Century Fox and Nokia.

12/06/11

French print company picks Kodak

Press release from the issuing company

French print service provider Maugein Imprimeurs has entered the digital print market after investing in the KODAK NEXPRESS SE2500 Digital Production Color Press. The installation will complement the company’s wide- and small-format offering, and enable it to capitalize on the burgeoning short-run market. It began as a newspaper printer before moving into commercial printing. Today the company has a nationwide customer base, comprising large enterprises, public organizations and local businesses.

Maugein Imprimeurs operates two sites, at Tulle and at Malemort, for wide-format and small-format offset printing respectively. The company was an early adopter of in-house prepress equipment and has two CTP systems, as a press release adds.

“Our partnership with Kodak goes back a long way,” explains Jean-Paul Maugein, Director of the Malemort site. “We’ve been using KODAK Films for years, and KODAK Plates more recently. In 1999 we invested in KODAK LOTEM 400 and LOTEM 800 Platesetters controlled by two identically configured KODAK PRINERGY Workflow Systems.”

Jean-Paul and David Maugein started thinking about moving into digital printing in 2010. “We knew we were missing out on the short-run print market—from a few dozen to a hundred or so copies,” said Jean-Paul Maugein. “We’d been aware of the issue for three or four years. Yet we couldn’t consider investing in digital while the technology couldn’t rival offset.”

12/05/11

Japan Printing & Graphics Celebrates 40 Years of Excellence in Digital Printing in NYC

Press release from the issuing company

Japan Printing & Graphics Inc, celebrates its 40th year of providing the New York City area with excellent digital printing in NYC and business card printing service. A family operated business, Japan Printing & Graphics prides itself on offering customers unparalleled quality products and excellent customer service at price points that are affordable to all businesses.

"At Japan Printing & Graphics, we know the importance of a first impression," said a Japan Printing & Graphics representative. That's why we want your business to put its best foot forward with quality business cards at affordable prices."

Japan Printing & Graphics offers a wide range of services including business card design and business card printing, custom digital printing in NYC, foreign language translation, document and website translation, and more. JP&G allows companies to choose from hundreds of high quality paper stock options and hundreds of colors for printed material.

12/02/11

7 Ways to Protect Your Printers

Press release from the issuing company

Can a hacker burn down your business by remotely setting one of your printers on fire? Researchers at Columbia University have recently proposed such a scenario, although HP quickly denied that it's possible. Howver, even if your printers can’t be used as remote firestarters, there are many risks involved in networking a printer.

Businesses often overlook keeping the printing environment secure. Data security gets a lot of attention, and file servers provide encrypted, access controlled storage. Workstations are encrypted as well, with password and even biometric access required. Databases and even files often require a password just so you can see what’s inside. Then you print that sensitive data, sending it off to a printer that may not be nearly as secure as the rest of your system.

You can avoid most networked printer problems by following the first three basic steps listed below. If you deal with highly sensitive data, then you need to go beyond those by protecting your printout at every step along its journey. HP has detailed information on how to use its products to protect your data, and other printer providers offer similar solutions as well. Regardless of the vendors you use, consider all seven of these steps to keep your businesses data secure through the printing process.

1. Unplug

2. Password

3. Firmware

4. Secure Your Infrastructure

5. Secure Your Data

6. Secure Your Printers

7. Secure Your Printouts

12/01/11

Method of 'printing' bones using an inkjet machine developed by scientists (probably skeleton staff)

Press release from the issuing company

Thought your inkjet was for printing off a new CV or a photograph? Think again, because researchers have found a way of using the machines to ‘print’ bones.

Scientists from Washington State University used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis.

Paired with actual bone, it acts as a scaffold for new bone to grow on and ultimately dissolves with no apparent ill effects.

A main finding of the paper is that the addition of silicon and zinc more than doubled the strength of the main material, calcium phosphate.

The researchers also spent a year optimising a commercially available ProMetal 3D printer designed to make metal objects.

The printer works by having an inkjet spray a plastic binder over a bed of powder in layers of 20 microns, about half the width of a human hair.

Following a computer's directions, it creates a channeled cylinder the size of a pencil eraser.

After just a week in a medium with immature human bone cells, the scaffold was supporting a network of new bone cells.

11/30/11

3D Systems Brings Content-to-Print Experience to Life at EuroMold

Press release from the issuing company

3D Systems Corporation today announced that it plans to bring its comprehensive suite of 3D content-to-print solutions to 'life' at the 2011 EuroMold Exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, November 29th - December 2nd, 2011 in Hall 11, locations F110 and FN01.

3D Systems plans to create a series of daily interactive experiences for EuroMold visitors including a tour of its latest design productivity tool, Alibre Design(TM) 2012, and hands on access to the enhanced printing experience with its affordable new personal color printers. As part of its growing European on-demand parts services capabilities, the company is showcasing a full size, single piece automotive dashboard together with other printed parts that are indistinguishable in appearance and performance from traditionally manufactured parts. To embody the functionality and utility of its 3D content-to-print solutions, the 3D team will wear 3D printed clothes and accessories and demonstrate the use of 3D printed products as part of its five vertical marketplace pods.

To celebrate its commitment to democratize access to affordable 3D content-to-print solutions, 3D Systems invites all attendees to its "Experience in 3D" display located in the breezeway separating Hall 11 and Hall 9, where together with Geomagic, Microsoft Kinect and DEMAT, the company has a unique interactive 3D consumer experience in store. Lucky visitors can win a personal model of their visage.

11/28/11

Global Printing Inks Market to Reach US$18.2 Billion by 2017, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Press release from the issuing company

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Printing Inks market. The global market for Printing Inks is projected to reach US$18.2 billion by the year 2017, driven by the mounting popularity of environment friendly inks, and incessant technology innovations that are opening up newer growth avenues including relatively new markets such as UV and ink jet inks. Radiation curing inks and energy-curable ink technology also offer numerous opportunities, thereby pepping up industry growth prospects.

Printing inks is an industry that embodies the strength of the global as well as regional economies. With high correlation to a country’s GDP, the printing inks industry is cyclical in nature, with economic ups and downs amplifying the demand patterns. The business of printing inks involves development of products as per application and customer needs. Partly dented by the recent global meltdown, and the soaring raw materials prices, the global printing inks industry is projected to grow moderately over the near term. The industry continues to face severe pricing pressures, arising from spiking raw material costs, a scenario that is expected to continue over the near future. The market is also witnessing a transition towards high-value digital and energy-cured inks. Packaging, commercial publishing/printing comprise the largest end-use industries in the printing inks market.

11/22/11

Z Corporation 3D Printing Helps University Of California Berkeley Speed Development Of Lifesaving Medical Device

Press release from the issuing company

Burlington, MA /PRNewswire/ - The University of California Berkeley is using Z Corporation 3D printing technology to accelerate the evolution of a new medical device that promises to deliver safe, non-invasive angiography.

Called X-space Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), the technology will let doctors look inside the heart and brain without the dangers of radiation, iodine, guide wires or catheters, according to Patrick Goodwill, University of California Berkeley research associate and developer of both the theory and first x-space MPI scanner. The MPI scanner detects nanoparticles spotlighted by benign iron oxide tracers injected into the bloodstream.

Goodwill and a team of graduate engineering students in the Conolly Laboratory use the ZPrinter® 150 3D printer to create parts for MPI scanner prototypes that can image small animals. These devices are precursors to human-scale scanners.

11/21/11

Xerox, British Airways Sign Managed Print Services Agreement

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox has signed a five-year enterprise managed print services agreement with British Airways. Through the agreement, Xerox hopes to cut British Airways’ printing costs by at least 25 percent annually. MITIE Business Services is partnering with Xerox on the deal.

Xerox will handle all of the airline’s internal and external mail — yes, it sounds like traditional snail mail — and ramp up production of all of its in-flight documents. Xerox and British Airways have an existing agreement that dates back to 1995 through which Xerox handles all of British Airways’ technical publications, in-flight services, training manuals and payroll printing jobs. The companies will honor their long-standing contract and add this new MPS deal to the partnership.

The new Xerox – British Airways MPS deal also includes MITIE Business Services — a document management service provider that Xerox will leverage to create British Airways mail distribution centers at London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports. The two airports process more than one million items through the British Airways mail system each year.

11/18/11

Epson and Microsoft Join Forces to Print and Share Holiday Memories for Picture Perfect Holiday Program

Press release from the issuing company

Epson and Microsoft® join forces to spread some holiday cheer during the busy holiday travel season in malls and airports across the U.S. with the Picture Perfect Holiday Program. Consumers can now visit participating locations and take pictures with Santa, printing them instantly using Microsoft photo editing tools and the Epson Artisan all-in-one printers for the holidays.

"We are delighted to join Microsoft to help create such a fun and memorable experience for families traveling this holiday season," said Gregg Brunnick, group product manager, Epson America, Inc. "Nothing captures the moment like a photo in hand and the Epson Artisan 730 all-in-one ensures holiday photos are ready for sharing, gift-giving and more."

The Epson Artisan® 730 is the world's fastest 4" x 6" photo printer with prints in as fast as 10 seconds(1). Creating one-of-a-kind cards, gifts, CDs/DVDs and more is easier than ever with a smart touch panel and 2.5-inch LCD. In addition, users can print, scan and access memory card slots from any room in the house with Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ n wireless networking(2) and built-in Ethernet networking. Also equipped with Epson Connect(3), a new portfolio of cloud and mobile services, the Artisan 730 enables users to print documents and photos directly from any mobile device, tablet and more. Rated number-one in photo quality, printing better-than lab-quality photos with vivid colors is easier than ever

11/17/11

X-Rite Color Management Technology Used in New Xerox Color Laser Printer

Press release from the issuing company

Proprietary technology developed by X-Rite Incorporated XRIT -0.21% is included in Xerox Corporation's new Phaser(R) 7800 color laser printer that offers exceptional color management capabilities for graphic design professionals.

X-Rite's PhaserMeter(R) color measurement device and PhaserMatch(R) software is used to control of color quality in the Phaser 7800 printer, which produces jobs quickly and offers precise control over color matching, allowing creative shops to meet deadlines and exceed client expectations.

To deliver a new level of color accuracy, X-Rite developed the PhaserMeter customized all-in-one spectrophotometer that gives users the ability to control and manage color in a fast and easy way. The PhaserMeter comes with a customized software application called PhaserMatch that provides a variety of tools to manage color with the Phaser 7800 series printers.

The PhaserMeter device is able to read selectable printed targets to accurately calibrate the 7800 series printers. The PhaserMatch software allows a user to calibrate and profile the printer's display in a few steps.

11/16/11

Epson Stylus NX430 Small-in-One – the compact, efficient All-in-One

Press release from the issuing company

The Epson Stylus NX430 Small-in-One is part of the company’s new line of Small-in-One printers. This small, compact wireless printer supports printing, copying and scanning. It also prints out brilliant photos. Easily configure and connect to this printer on your wireless network from smartphones, iPads, tablets and other devices. It is ideal for use in homes and small businesses.

The smart touch panel and easy to use features allow for quick setup and control. Save paper by using the manual two sided printing option. The 2.5” color LCD panel and built-in memory card slots support PC-free photo printing. The printer offers improved image quality with red-eye removal, photo restoration and correction.

Use this printer for quick, high quality scanning of important documents at scan resolutions of up to 2400 dpi.

The printer supports Epson Connect which provides the Email Print and Epson iPrint solutions. Email Print allows users to print from their mobile devices to any Epson printer, anywhere

11/14/11

Public Printer to Keynote INTERQUEST Event

Press release from the issuing company

INTERQUEST, a leading market and technology research and consulting firm in digital printing and publishing is pleased to announce that the 26th Public Printer of the United States, William J. "Bill" Boarman will keynote its sixth annual Digital Printing in Government and Higher Education Forum. The seminar, which is free for government and higher education professionals, will take place in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.

11/11/11

Xerox targeting POS and packaging prototype production with Phaser 7800 launch

Press release from the issuing company

The Xerox Phaser 7800 can print on a range of media weights from 75gsm to 300gsm at speeds up to 45ppm.

Offering resolutions up to 1,200 x 2,400dpi, the 7800 comes with PhaserMatch 5.0 colour management and calibration software and incorporates an X-Rite-powered PhaserMeter colour measurement device, which controls colour accuracy across the print run.

The printer also features Pantone-approved solid-colour simulations, advanced trapping technology to ensure clean edges and prevent gaps between adjacent colours, and Xerox’s Hi-Q LED print head technology, which is said to produce more precise colour registration.

The machine also offers two-sided printing on substrates up to 256gsm without compromising print speeds while an optional extra heavy duty media kit enables automatic two-sided printing on standard and custom-size media up to 300gsm.

11/10/11

Xerox targeting POS and packaging prototype production with Phaser 7800 launch

Press release from the issuing company

The Xerox Phaser 7800 can print on a range of media weights from 75gsm to 300gsm at speeds up to 45ppm.

Offering resolutions up to 1,200 x 2,400dpi, the 7800 comes with PhaserMatch 5.0 colour management and calibration software and incorporates an X-Rite-powered PhaserMeter colour measurement device, which controls colour accuracy across the print run.

The printer also features Pantone-approved solid-colour simulations, advanced trapping technology to ensure clean edges and prevent gaps between adjacent colours, and Xerox’s Hi-Q LED print head technology, which is said to produce more precise colour registration.

The machine also offers two-sided printing on substrates up to 256gsm without compromising print speeds while an optional extra heavy duty media kit enables automatic two-sided printing on standard and custom-size media up to 300gsm.

11/10/11

Polaroid Releases Instant Printer/Camera

Press release from the issuing company

Polaroid used the occasion of the International CES Press Preview Tuesday to formally introduce its latest instant digital camera and printer combination, designed to deliver the instant gratification of the brand's old Land cameras with the quality of today's imaging technology.

The Z340 ($299 suggested retail) offers the guts of a 14-megapixel digital camera with an integrated Z-ink-based printer. Z-ink is a printing technology used by Polaroid that doesn't require traditional inkjet cartridges and printing paper. Instead the ink is embedded into the paper as clear dye crystals that are activated by heat to create a nearly instant photo print.
Though heftier than most point-and-shoot digicams, the Z340 is still small and light enough to be easily carried in a medium-sized handbag. It is equipped with a hand strap for safe and easy portability.
Photos shot with the camera are first stored and digital JPEG files on SD memory cards, like most digital cameras. The user can decide whether or not to make a print on the spot to hand out to friends.

"The Polaroid instant digital camera Z340 is available now from online retailers, including BestBuy.com, Amazon.com and Polaroid’s own website, for a $299 suggested retail."

11/09/11

Objet Continues 3D Printing Revolution - Launches High Temperature Material Combining Thermal Functionality with Outstanding Dimensional Stability

Press release from the issuing company

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing has announced today the commercial availability of a new High Temperature Material (RGD525), available for use on Objet Connex500 and Eden500V 3D printers. The High Temperature Material is capable of simulating the thermal performance of engineering plastics and provides outstanding dimensional stability for static 3D models and prototypes. Objet plans to make the High Temperature Material available on additional platforms during 2012.

The High Temperature Material (RGD525) follows Objet's launch of Bio-Compatible material (MED610) in September and transparent VeroClear, VeroWhitePlus and ABS-like Digital Material in April 2011.

11/08/11

Printers And Ink Should See Kodak Return To Growth

Press release from the issuing company

Kodak's move into the printer and ink cartridges industry could help the manufacturer return to former glories, it has been suggested.
Concerns have been raised over the financial health of the 131-year-old firm, which continued to lose money during the third quarter of the year.
Falling digital camera and film sales saw the firm lose $222 million between July and September 2011, causing cash reserves to fall to $862 million.
However, as Ben Dobbin, writing for the Associated Press, explained, there is positivity in the Kodak camp based upon the firm's growing ink and printing arm.
"Since 2005, Kodak has poured hundreds of millions into new lines of inkjet printers that are finally on the verge of turning a profit," he noted.
"Home photo printers, high-speed commercial inkjet presses, workflow software and packaging are viewed as Kodak's new core."

11/07/11

HP Deskjet 3050A e-All-in-One

Press release from the issuing company

The good: The HP Deskjet 3050A features a refreshing design and its wireless Web connectivity lets you print in the cloud with HP ePrint technology.

The bad: The printer lacks an Ethernet port for wired networking and its dual ink cartridge bay is a money sink if you print a high volume of photos and color documents.

The bottom line: The HP Deskjet 3050A All-in-One printer marries an attractive design with the latest cloud printing technology in a multifunction device that works for small offices that don't need to print a lot of full-color photos.

Although its print quality is limited by a dual-ink cartridge bay, the $80 HP Deskjet 3050A is built for productivity with wireless connectivity and mobile printing by way of HP smartphone apps and the company's ePrint remote printing service that lets you access downloadable content from any computer. We wouldn't recommend its 60-sheet paper input capacity and low-volume ink cartridges for larger offices, but the Deskjet is certainly worth a look for periodic users on a strict budget.

11/04/11

Color Prints Specialist, Photoworks San Francisco is Hosting a Pre-Holiday Canvas Printing Sale

Press release from the issuing company

Photoworks, San Francisco's premier photo lab and image processing center specializing in brochure printing, color prints, film scanning and more, will have a sale on all 16 x 24 canvas prints on November 7 through November 12.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 03, 2011
Color prints specialist, Photoworks, San Francisco's premier photo lab and image processing center, will have a sale on all 16 x 24 canvas prints on November 7 through November 12. Canvas prints normally offered at $125 will be on sale for $75.

"Photography, art, and original designs are all suitable for printing onto a canvas print. With Photoworks SF, you can turn your images into works of art. So get a jump on your holiday gift buying; photos on canvas are the perfect holiday gift," says said David Handler of Photoworks San Francisco.

A completed canvas print should be "stretched" on wood bars. The standard depth is one inch, but Photoworks also offers canvas depths at 1 1/2" and 2 3/8". Either of these creates the museum effect seen in galleries. Customers may choose to have their image visible on the sides or have a white or black border on the sides. The staff at Photoworks will be happy to examine the file and offer their recommendation. While this deal is not available during the holidays, it is still a great time to get an early gift at a great price.

11/03/11

Printing Technologies for Conventional Electronics: A step closer to fully printed devices

Press release from the issuing company

Screen Printing is one of the more established technologies utilised in the manufacture of what a lot would consider "conventional" electronics. And although they represent a hybrid state between fully printable electronics and electronics processed in silicon fabs, they also represent the intermediate step that leads to more accurate, fully automated atmospheric processing at very high volumes, with equally high yields.

11/02/11

KODAK Shows Innovative Portfolio and Digital Printing Demos at PAMEX

Press release from the issuing company

At PAMEX 2011, Kodak will showcase its wide portfolio of innovative products and services for printers, publishers, and packaging professionals. Visitors to the Kodak booth, Hall 4, will learn about a variety of KODAK Products ranging from thermal CTP devices to digital printing presses, as well as workflow and packaging solutions.

"Visitors come to PAMEX looking for the latest printing technology developments to help their businesses gain a competitive edge. We will show them how KODAK Solutions can help them reach greater business success," said Bhalchandra Nikumb, Head of Sales and Channel Management, India Cluster, Graphic Communications Group, Kodak India Private Limited.

PAMEX 2011-sponsored by the All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP)-will be held Nov. 1-4, in Pragti Maidan, New Delhi and is a key trade show in the Indian printing industry. Held every two years, PAMEX attracts more than 20,000 visitors in search of the latest graphic communication technologies.

11/01/11

Fuji Xerox Printer Channel launches MPS training program Streamline for channel partners

Press release from the issuing company

Photizo Asia Pacific MPS Conference, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, 31 October 2011:Fuji Xerox Printer Channel today announced the launch of Streamline, the Asia Pacific region’s first training program designed to help channel partners capitalise on the growing interest in Managed Print Services (MPS) by the SMB sector.

According to Photizo, the Asia Pacific MPS market will grow by 64 percent through 2013, faster than any other region in the world.[1] Streamline has been designed to assist Fuji Xerox channel partners in making the sales cycle for MPS more efficient and effective using faster and simpler proven working methods. It will be rolled out throughout the Asia Pacific region, starting first with Australia in early 2012.

A key component of Streamline will be the Asset DB software suite, made possible through a new strategic reseller agreement with NewField IT. This agreement expands upon the successful Xerox partnership with Newfield IT in Europe and the US.

An award-winning, industry leading MPS consultancy toolset for in-house print and asset management, Asset DB can create visual maps of a floor plan to show how printers and copiers are used throughout an office. By combining this visual mapping with a database that tracks usage patterns of document devices, Asset DB gives Fuji Xerox channel partners the ability to monitor and assess a customer’s workplace environment, making it easy for them to advise on the most efficient way to manage devices and overall print-related costs.

10/31/11

HP announces a win for high priced printer ink

Press release from the issuing company

Maker of expensive printer ink HP has announced a victory in defending its turf in the US.

The firm has announced that it has won a "favorable review" by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that covers the importation and sale of patent infringing inkjet print cartridges.

The ITC has agreed with HP that a firm called Asia Pacific Microsystems (APM), which is part of Taiwan-based United Microelectronics Corporation, is a "contributory infringer" of HP patents that cover the manufacture of inkjet printheads. It also agreed with the firm's suggestion that APM was "liable for inducing infringement by other companies in supplying inkjet printheads".

Two other firms were named and censured in the ITC ruling, MicroJet Technology Co and PTC Holdings Limited. These companies are direct infringers of HP's patents in the manufacturing and/or sale of inkjet print cartridges, according to HP.

10/27/11

Contract Screen Printers American Printhouse

Press release from the issuing company

Contract Screen Printer, American Printhouse recently added a new high volume print-machine to increase it's daily print potential to just over 15,000 units per day.

Sam Akkad, owner of APH said the new equipment was necessary to keep pace with it's wholesale retailers and high demand clients such as the History Channel, Orange County Choppers, Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic.

With 22 full time employees (most screen printers carry a staff of 5 to 7) the Printhouse is the only screen printer in Arizona that can design, print, tag, fold, bag and drop-ship tens of thousands of custom printed apparel pieces a week.

10/26/11

Canon launches Pixma Pro-1 photo printer

Press release from the issuing company

Canon has launched its new flagship Pixma Pro printer for gallery-quality prints of photos and artwork. The company says that the Pixma Pro-1 is the world's first A3+ printer to feature 12 separate inks.

The Canon Pixma Pro-1 features a design inspired by the company's EOS digital SLR cameras. The 12-ink system significantly expands the printer's colour gamut over previous Pixma Pro models. There are two black inks (Photo and Matte), three grays (Dark Grey, Grey and Light Grey), six colors (Cyan, Photo Cyan, Magenta, Photo Magenta, Yellow and Red) and a Chroma Optmizer, which Canon says "increases black density and makes glossiness uniform."

The five monochrome inks are designed to produce professional-quality black and white prints with detail in shadow and highlight areas, as well as smooth tonal gradation and suppressed graininess.

10/25/11

Canon announces new pro A3+ printer

Press release from the issuing company

Canon has launched a new flagship printer to sit at the top of its Pixma range, and is the world's first A3+ model to use 12 separate inks.

The new 12-ink system helps to expand colour gamut in most areas and features new Chroma Optimiser for increased black density and glossiness.

Five monochrome inks are include for professional quality black and white prints with extra detail in shadow and highlight areas, as well as smooth tonal gradation and suppressed graininess. Lucia pigment inks are used in the printer.

The Pixma Pro-1 supports 1200ppi input resolution, double that of previous generations of Pixma pro printers, which Canon says reflects the number of pixels available on professional cameras and making the printer capable of producing images with a resolution up to 4800x2400dpi.

A new Optimum Image Generating (OIG) system analyses the photo colour and precisely calculates the optimum ink combination and volume of ink droplets, which Canon claim are then accurately placed on the paper by a print head with 12,288 nozzles.

Canon also claims that the OIG system enhances colour reproduction, natural tonal gradations and uniform glossiness in each print mode and with each media type. Smooth tonal gradation is also achieved in colour and monochrome prints via a 16 bits per channel printing capability.

10/24/11

3D Systems Brings 3DTouch(TM) Color Printer to BETT

Press release from the issuing company

The 3DTouch(TM) is packed with new features including multiple print heads, an intuitive touchscreen for enhanced user experience and USB storage. This innovative 3D printer is ideal for the classroom according to Dave White, an advanced design and technology skills teacher from the UK. "Students can now design and test their ideas instantly, making these machines invaluable in the classroom," said Mr. White.

"The 3DTouch(TM) delivers significant educational benefits," said Andy McLaren, Director of Sales and Marketing, BFB(TM) Products, 3D Systems. "David White's 3D printing classroom curriculum, is teaching us how to empower future generations with the innovative and creative skills that are required for them to succeed in today's highly competitive global marketplace."

About 3D Systems Corporation

3D Systems is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials and on-demand custom parts services for professionals and consumers alike. The company also provides creative content development, design productivity tools and curation services and downloads. Its expertly integrated solutions replace, displace and complement traditional methods and reduce the time and cost of designing new products by printing real parts directly from digital input. These solutions are used to rapidly design, communicate, prototype and produce functional parts, empowering its customers to create with confidence.

10/21/11

HP Brings Large-format Printing To Design Professionals On The Go With New Mobile Application

Press release from the issuing company

Bringing easy large-format printing and the instant sharing of plans to design professionals wherever they work, HP (NYSE:HPQ) today unveiled a new HP ePrint & Share mobile application for the iPhone, iPad® or iPod touch®.

HP ePrint & Share (2) is a printing and sharing tool that allows designers in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry to easily locate and access large-format plans on the cloud. This makes it easy to share these files with team members regardless of file size and format, and to adjust page layouts, preview print pages and create print-ready files. With the new mobile application, large-format plans are always available from any iOS-based device, enabling users to:

• Print to any web-connected HP Designjet ePrinter while on the go, whether in a taxi, at the airport or on a construction site.
• Easily access and view the latest project documents stored in their HP ePrint & Share library at any time.
• Share designs with remote project teams and seamlessly collaborate with design partners around the world – wherever the job takes them.

10/20/11

Top 50 GPO Print Suppliers for third quarter 2011s

Press release from the issuing company

Top 50 Contractors for the Government Printing Office – 3rd Quarter Calendar Year 2011    
                              
     Rank    Company    Location    Winnings         
     1    NPC, Inc.    Claysburg, PA    $5,748,230         
     2    Gateway Press    Louisville, KY    $3,606,682         
     3    Monarch Litho, Inc.    Montebello, CA    $3,329,197         
     4    Pearson Custom Publishing    Boston, MA    $2,524,410         
     5    Signature Graphics    Portland, OR    $2,331,420         
     6    Cenveo    Stamford, CT    $2,267,354         
     7    Sourcelink LLC    Miamisburg, OH    $2,015,542         
     8    Gray Graphics    Capitol Heights, MD    $1,909,862         
     9    McDonald & Eudy, Inc.    Temple Hills, MD    $1,651,015         
     10    National Envelope    Nashville, TN    $1,267,113         
     11    P.A. Hutchison    Mayfield, PA    $1,041,669         
     12    Compton & Sons    St. Louis, MO    $1,007,893         
     13    Coastal Mailing    Salinas, CA    $921,104         
     14    District Creative Printing    Upper Marlboro, MD    $910,449         
     15    RR Donnelley    Chicago, IL    $884,603         
     16    United Book Press    Baltimore, MD    $852,805         
     17    Colonial Press Int'l.    Miami, FL    $811,965         
     18    Envision    Wichita, KS    $795,301         
     19    Darby Printing Company    Atlanta, GA    $762,502         
     20    Fry Communications    Mechanicsburg, PA    $743,964         
     21    KD8 Enterprises    Centerville, UT    $732,324         
     22    Balmar Printing & Graphics    Gaithersburg, MD    $639,541         
     23    Litho Press    San Antonio, TX    $638,359         
     24    CRT Color Printing    Santa Fe Springs, CA    $632,752         
     25    BKR Printing    Salt Lake City, UT    $571,766         
     26    Precision Printing    Moberly, MO    $549,167         
     27    Premium & Specialty, Inc.    Medford, NJ    $517,147         
     28    Universal Printing Company    St Louis, MO    $505,738         
     29    Art Litho Company    Baltimore, MD    $491,816         
     30    Production Press    Jacksonville, IL    $490,983         
     31    ICM Conversions    Phoenix, AZ    $487,942         
     32    Intelligencer Printing    Lancaster, PA    $482,109         
     33    Alphagraphics    Boston, MA    $466,555         
     34    Banknote Corporation of America    Browns Summit, NC    $454,432         
     35    Bosworth Printing    Stoughton, MA    $451,201         
     36    Learfield Communications    Jefferson City, MO    $450,000         
     37    Printing Resources    Cleveland, OH    $414,690         
     38    West Shore Printing & Distribution    Mechanicsburg, PA    $385,160         
     39    Corporate Media Solutions, LLC    Falls Church, VA    $377,964         
     40    Printwell Acquisitions    Taylor, MI    $375,343         
     41    Data Integrators    Woodbridge, VA    $365,146         
     42    Sekan Printing    Ft. Scott, KS    $358,756         
     43    Todd Allan Printing    Beltsville, MD    $354,984         
     44    Goodway Graphics of VA    Springfield, VA    $346,163         
     45    Graphic Visions & Associates    Gaithersburg, MD    $346,072         
     46    Nocona Envelope & Tag    Nocona, TX    $342,144         
     47    The Standard Register Company    Dayton, OH    $337,475         
     48    Pinnacle Data Systems    Hoover, AL    $322,134         
     49    Consolidated Graphics    Houston, TX    $320,559         
     50    Las Vegas Color Graphics    Las Vegas, NV    $311,894         
                              
This list was compiled exclusively by Government Print Management®, a division of e-LYNXX Corporation.   

10/19/11

How to Ink the Best Deal on Printer Cartridges

Press release from the issuing company

Never fear when you see "Toner Low" message. We've consulted printing industry experts for tips on how to get the most for your money and get you back to printing ... what ever it is that you print ... in no time.

The Savings Challenge: Brand Name vs. Remanufactured Toner

Buying remanufactured toner cartridges are an environmentally friendly way to recycle your cartridges and get more prints. First, the cartridge is completely disassembled and every part of the cartridge is cleaned and inspected for damage. After replacing the parts that are damaged or worn, the cartridge is reassembled and filled to capacity with toner specific to your cartridge requirements.

Do It Yourself

If you're feeling brave, try refilling the toner yourself. Toner refill kits are available online and range in price from $12 to $15 depending on the yield of cartridge you are re-filling. A typical kit Includes one bottle of toner, one pair of latex gloves, a plug (if applicable) and detailed instructions. According to ToneRRefillYourself.com, you can refill a cartridge up to three times without disturbing its performance. Brother toner cartridges can be refilled up to five times.

Set the Right Tone with Draft Mode

Your printer toner should last about two months per cartridge. If it's running out after three weeks, set your printer to Draft Mode. That can cut cost-per-page can by half or more. "If you are printing documents for your own reference, like homework or e-mails, put the printer into draft mode," says Loeper. "You will get a decent quality printout and save 60% of your toner." Consumer Reports tested printers from Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, and Lexmark to see whether printing in Draft Mode saves money. They discovered that all the printers use less toner when printing in draft mode. They also print faster.

10/18/11

A Print Focus on Social Media

Press release from the issuing company

Four new monthly magazines advising business owners on how to use social media tools will go on sale on Monday. Each publication focuses on one of the major platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Google and LinkedIn.

The magazines, published by GSG World Media, will cost $7.95 each at Office Depot stores. They will also be free in various digital formats to five million people who will receive an e-mail from Office Depot this week. The magazines are called: Tweeting & Business; LI & Business; fb & Business and The Big G & Business. A related Web site called socialmediamags.com will open on Monday.

Despite the huge volume of information about social media tips and tools online and in print, Eric Yaverbaum, associate publisher of the magazines, says he and his partners see an opportunity to use the print magazine format to reach some business owners trying to learn more about the digital world. He said that they were printing a total of 250,000 copies of the magazines at their introduction.

10/17/11

Guide to the perfect printer for your business

Press release from the issuing company

1. Do your research

2. Establish exactly what you need, both now and later

10/14/11

HP and Conde Nast Team Up for Print-at-Home Magazines

Press release from the issuing company

Magazines have seen their profits and sales numbers go downhill ever since the internet came along, but they're not about to go down without swinging. The latest plan to save magazines? Print-your-own magazines. Uh, OK.

HP and Conde Nast have teamed up to let you print out entire magazines when they're released.

It's as if they didn't realize that printer ink is one of the biggest ripoffs out there and that people want to read things that they can share with friends and find context to easily! This is pretty much the exact opposite of the direction things are going; rather than making a magazine digital, easy to read on a multitude of devices, searchable and filled with links, they've just moved it from being printed elsewhere to you paying to print it at home. No thank you! But good luck with all that.

10/13/11

Epson WorkForce 845 All-in-One Printer

Press release from the issuing company

The good: The Epson WorkForce 845 excels in print speeds and output quality with hardware working overtime in auto-duplexing, wireless networking, and mobile printing support by way of Epson's suite of Connect mobile printing services.

The bad: Its performance in the photo test tarnishes its otherwise chart-topping scores and put it behind competing models.

10/12/11

Epson Expands WorkForce Line with New AIOs Delivering Superior Performance for Small Businesses

Press release from the issuing company

Epson America, Inc., today announced a new line of superior performing printers for small and home-based businesses - the WorkForce® 435, 545, 645 and 845. The new all-in-ones deliver the world's fastest print speeds and mobile printing capabilities through Epson Connect to ensure easy, hassle-free printing. Each model in the series offers a range of functionality and intuitive operation at an affordable price.

The WorkForce 845 all-in-one is ideal for small businesses requiring robust functionality with a higher printing volume. The WorkForce 845 delivers one-sided print speeds of 15 ISO ppm (black) and 9.3 ISO ppm (color) and the world's fastest two-sided print speeds of 7.4 ISO ppm (black) and 5.4 ISO ppm color. It also offers a 500-sheet input capacity which translates into less time spent making sure the printer has enough paper, so energy can be focused on core business functions. It also boasts an array of high-productivity features including automatic double-sided printing, copying and a 7.8" Smart Touch panel. With the included Extra High-capacity ink cartridges, businesses will save on ink -- up to 40 percent versus color lasers.

10/11/11

HP debuts cloud-connected printer

Press release from the issuing company

HP has unveiled four new printer models at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK, including the TopShot LaserJet Pro 200 M275nw, a multi-function printer capable of printing 2D images of 3D objects, which will be released in February 2012.

We are talking innovations today and this printer is completely innovative. This printer can capture 3D objects, get them into the work flow and can use this information and upload it into the cloud automatically, so we don’t need a PC anymore.
This means, for example, that if a user wants to upload a picture of an object to the internet, instead of having to take a picture, then download it and then upload it to a website, users can scan it and it is sent directly to the cloud.

The printer also features a touchscreen with support for multiple applications and a brand new innovation called Wi-Fi Direct, an industry first feature that allows users to connect their Wi-Fi enabled phone or device directly to the HP printer and print out pictures or documents.

10/10/11

HP Photosmart C4600

Press release from the issuing company

For scanning, printing and copying purposes, the all in one HP Photosmart C4600 home and office printer is one of the best printers currently available on the market. The printer is very easy to operate and it makes use of thermal inkjet technology. Measuring at a compact size of 17.4-inches by 16.5-inches by 6.7-inches, it will definitely take up little space. Weighing in at 10.18 pounds, this renders the printer lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around. Borderless media, cards, iron-on transfers, HP`s premium media, transparencies, envelopes and media are some of the various material the HP Photosmart C4600 is capable of processing. The computer will indicate the level of ink each time a printing occurs. This notification feature proves useful to let you know when it is appropriate to do an ink refill.

The HP Photosmart C4600 has the control panel positioned conveniently on top together with buttons, which are easy to use. The LCD color display panel measures in at 1.4-inches a good size to preview and edit photos if necessary if requires before final prints. Finally, the HP Photosmart C4600 LCD color display panel together with the menu guide accessible via the touch screen make it easy to make corrections for you to obtain high-end photo quality photo prints. With many great capabilities that come with the HP Photosmart C4600, make it a great home and office printer despite the high operating costs per print.

10/07/11

3D printing speed, color and affordability dictated the choice

Press release from the issuing company

Much as a document printer converts a word-processing file into a business letter, 3D printing converts 3D digital data into a physical model you can hold in your hands. "We chose to ZPrint this model because it creates a model faster, more affordably and more accurately than handcrafting," said Lindberg. "We worked toward a tight deadline and printed different sections of the model nonstop for two weeks. It would have taken us at least three times more time and money to make this by hand, and the result would have been far less detailed. In other words, ZPrinting made this project a success."

10/06/11

Laser printers shipments fall off in Q2 2011, but inkjets soar

Press release from the issuing company

The laser printer market fell short of forecasts in Q2 2011, according to analyst firm, IDC. But the rest of the printer market grew.

The overall A/NZ printer market recorded a 10 per cent year-on-year and 5 per cent sequential growth in Q2 2011. However, the number of overall shipments hit 760,000; a decrease from an expected 780,000.

IDC expects this number to drop further in the third quarter estimating an 11 per cent dip sequentially due to a seasonal slowdown in the printer market.

IDC indicated discount pricing facilitated growth across the whole A/NZ region.

A drop in laser printer shipments of 2 per cent year-on-year was put down to excess stock following a strong first quarter and minor supply limitations from the Japan earthquake.

However, inkjet printers, which recorded a 15 per cent year-on-year increase, led the trend to overall market growth. According to IDC, a sub-$400 price point and smart marketing of inkjets as low-end colour laser model substitutes that offer “laser-quality” print output drove a strong uptake in inkjet printers.

10/04/11

Digital print market seen growing at 23pc

Digital print market seen growing at 23pc

The digital print market, valued at $85.2 billion globally in 2010, is expected to reach 23 per cent growth by 2015, said the organisers of an upcoming sign and graphic imaging show in Dubai.

The 15th annual Sign and Graphic Imaging Middle East will be held from January 31 to February 2, 2012 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Event organisers International Expo Consults (IEC), a division of UAE’s multi-faceted business conglomerate - Falak Holding, stated that the digital printing industry in the Middle East is set to experience a phenomenal growth with the advent of new digital printing technologies.

10/03/11

Toner Warehouse adds new printer partner

Press release from the issuing company

Printer consumables distributor Toner Warehouse has scored a partnership deal with Fuji Xerox Printers to supply the company’s printing products to resellers.

Toner Warehouse chief Isabel Fryer cited increased demand for Fuji Xerox’s consumer products as a driver behind the deal.

“We are very pleased to be appointed a distribution partner for Fuji Xerox Printers,” Fryer said in a statement. “Their products have a strong presence in the value segment and are also pushing strongly into the retail space.”

Fuji Xerox joins the likes of Brother, Canon, HP, Toshiba and Epson at Toner Warehouse’s consumables supplier stable.

Fuji Xerox Printers Australia general manager David Borg said the company had grown by more than 40 percent in recent years.

09/30/11

HP Introduces Indigo WS6600 Digital Label Press

Press release from the issuing company

HP today announced the industry's most versatile and productive digital label press, the HP Indigo WS6600 Digital Press, which is capable of printing more than 40 linear meters (131 linear feet) per minute in full color and features a new in-line priming unit.

Other features for improved productivity include a new common digital front-end (DFE) from EskoArtwork, an improved white ink option and new converting solutions from AB Graphic International, a member of the HP Graphics Solution Partner Program.

HP also introduced the industry's most productive entry-level solution for digital labels, the HP Indigo WS4600 Digital Press, with an option for full-color throughput of more than 21 linear meters (69 linear feet) per minute. Both the WS6600 and WS4600 deliver higher throughput via a new Enhanced Productivity Mode developed by HP.

09/29/11

OWN-X Kft Introduces the WideStar 2000 Super Fast Wide Format Printing System Powered by Memjet

Press release from the issuing company

OWN-X Kft, the rapidly expanding Hungarian provider of professional digital print solutions, today announced the WideStar 2000 high-speed wide format printing system powered by Memjet, a global provider of high-speed color printing technologies.

The WideStar 2000 promises to change the way the market views wide format printing because of its ability to print single pass, full color, large format images on a wide range of substrates both exceptionally fast and affordably. It is the first Memjet-powered wide format printing system introduced in Europe.

The WebStar 2000 sets new standards for speed and affordability by delivering more than 3 billion drops of inks per second for print speeds up to 8 times faster than traditional inkjet technology.

WideStar 2000 Highlights:
Incorporates revolutionary Memjet technology and components for state-of-the-art production printing paired with OWN-X reliability, support and cost-effectiveness.
True single pass wide format printing utilizing 5 Memjet 8.77" (222mm) Printheads for a total of 352,000 ink nozzles (70,400 per color CMYKK)
Print speeds of 6 inches/sec (15mm/sec) or 12 inches/sec (30mm/sec)
Resolution up to 1,600 x 1,600 dpi print quality at 6 in/sec (15mm/sec)
Standard D size or A1 size plot printed in 2 or 4 seconds
Print on a broad range of media and sheet sizes from A4 up to 42" (1067mm) x 100' (30m) for the ultimate in versatility
Offers 2 liter or 10 liter CMYKK ink tanks for cost-effective operations and low consumables costs while ensuring vibrant color reproduction.
Runs variable data/personalization of individual pieces at full speed for efficient production of high-impact and high-response rate customized materials.

09/28/11

Kodak ESP Office 2170 All-in-One is affordable, but minimal

Press release from the issuing company

Kodak's ESP Office 2170 color inkjet multifunction printer (print, scan, copy, fax) aims at the home-office market, highlighting its affordable ink and its very economical purchase price. Unfortunately, no perfect multifunction exists at this price point; the ESP Office 2170’s particular weaknesses are minimal features, slow performance, and mediocre output quality on plain paper.

To Kodak’s credit, the ESP Office 2170 is very easy to use. Installation via Wi-Fi or USB is straightforward, and the control panel’s labeled buttons are refreshing in their one-to-one functionality. The unit also features a readable, if small, 1.5-inch LCD screen. The software handles all multifunction chores ably.

09/27/11

Bio-Compatible 3D Printing Material

Press release from the issuing company

The innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, today launched a new Bio-Compatible 3D printing material (MED610™). According to this objet, the material combines bio-compatibility with high dimensional stability and clear transparency. This makes it useful for PMMA simulation and a wide range of medical and dental applications – particularly the production of highly accurate, customized surgical guides.

The new Objet Bio-Compatible material is ideal for prolonged skin contact of over 30 days and mucosal-membrane contact of up to 24 hours. It has five medical approvals according to the harmonized standard ISO 10993 1: Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity, Delayed Type Hypersensitivity, Irritation and USP Plastic Class VI.* MED610 is also manufactured under the ISO 13485:2003 certification, which specifies that each and every batch of the material undergoes bio-compatibility conformity testing, including GC-FID before it is packaged. This ensures the highest bio-compatible standards for medical and dental application requirements.

09/26/11

SEE WHAT YOU PRINT !!!

Press release from the issuing company

The See What You Print machine would boast a full-length touchscreen on its top surface, asking the user to interact with the printer rather than the computer. This is more easily explained via video, so have a look:

SWYP: See What You Print from Artefact on Vimeo.

09/23/11

TOP 5 COMPANIES IN THE COMMERCIAL PRINTING INDUSTRY OFFERING INVESTORS THE BEST VALUE (CRRC, MFW, EBF, CGX, SR)

Press release from the issuing company

Below are the top five companies in the Commercial Printing industry as measured by the price to book ratio. Often companies with the lowest ratio present the greatest value to investors.

Courier NASDAQ:CRRC - has a price to book ratio of 0.6x based on a current price of $7.03 and a book value per share of $12.42.

M&F Worldwide (NYSE:MFW) has a price to book ratio of 0.7x based on a current price of $24.53 and a book value per share of $35.68.

Ennis (NYSE:EBF) has a price to book ratio of 1.1x based on a current price of $14.93 and a book value per share of $13.77.

Consolidated Graphics NYSE:CGX - has a price to book ratio of 1.4x based on a current price of $36.48 and a book value per share of $26.48.

The Standard Register (NYSE:SR - Snapshot Report) has a price to book ratio of 1.5x based on a current price of $2.55 and a book value per share of $1.73.

09/22/11

Canon Introduces New Printers That Support Apple’s AirPrint

Press release from the issuing company

Limited printing capabilities from iOS devices, especially with the iPad, has been a sore spot with users. Canon hopes to make life a little easier by introducing new models that will support Apple’s AirPrint. This feature allows users to print wirelessly from their mobile iOS devices without installing printer drivers.

The included Canon printers are the PIXMA MG8220, MG6220, and MG5320 wireless all-in-one inkjet photo printers. Canon stated that most new Canon printers would support AirPrint from this point forward.

Wwith Canon entering the game, hopefully more printers will follow and AirPrint will become the standard.

AirPrint is compatible with the iPhone 3G and later, the iPod touch third generation and later, as well as the iPad

If you already own one of these Canon printers, you may need a firmware upgrade in order for the AirPrint feature to work. You can find all the detailed information on the Canon website.

Thank you Canon for bringing more print compatibility into the iOS world!

09/21/11

See What You Print' Concept Printer Unveiled

Press release from the issuing company

The future of printers doesn't have to be boring, at least in the eyes of design firm Artefact. The group's concept printer, dubbed "See What You Print," aims to "bring the printer to the 21st century, by stripping it down of its cumbersomeness."

See What You Print is a minimalist black box, propped up at an angle and devoid of physical buttons. Its top panel is a massive touchscreen that allows for image editing -- just crop and rotate with your fingers, and the device prints whatever image is on screen. The display is calibrated to the printer, so previews show exactly what the printed page will look like (hence the name). Of course, Artefact envisions wireless printing from digital cameras and integration with Facebook and Flickr.

Artefact designed the box itself for "radical simplicity," as it's made to resemble a ream of paper. The paper tray consists of fabric that unfolds to become rigid, and there's no on or off button; that function is handled entirely by opening and closing the paper tray. Selecting ink types from the touchscreen reveals an augmented view of the printer's innards, overlaid with ink levels and paper type information.

HP might want to take note. But in the meantime, I'm wondering if a tablet app can perform many of the same functions that Artefact imagines.

09/20/11

Xerox At IPEX 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox India, a part of Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) , demonstrated its digital printing strength with a wide range of revenue-generating applications, products and solutions at IPEX South Asia 2011, one of the largest printing tradeshow exhibitions in Asia.

Xerox’s key message for the tradeshow “Ready for Real Business Live”, set the stage for attendees to learn how Xerox can help print providers succeed, as the economy improves, maximize business profitability and explore new growth opportunities with the right mix of innovation & proven hardware technology.

09/19/11

Xerox unveils first high-volume waterless inkjet press

Press release from the issuing company

If you are looking for printing on low-cost offset papers, Xerox has launched what it claims is the world's first high-volume waterless inkjet CiPress 500 printer.

The twin-engine machine, which can output up to 2,050 A4 pages per minute, is being targeted at companies producing personalised marketing, transpromotional and publishing collateral.

The four-colour machine prints at a resolution of 600x400dpi and can handle untreated, uncoated paper stocks up ranging from 229mm to 483mm in width.

09/15/11

Xante Launches Super-Fast Inkjet Category with 42" Printing System Powered by Memjet

Press release from the issuing company

Xante, a major company that provides professional digital print solutions, today introduces the Excelagraphix 4200 powered by Memjet, a global provider of high-speed color printing technologies. Xante will demonstrate the current version of the Excelagraphix 4200 in booth #5033 here at Graph Expo, McCormick Place South, Sept. 11-14.

Xante has proven itself capable of filling technology gaps that were cost-prohibitive for other manufacturers to fill those gaps with amazingly progressive and yet inexpensive systems. As a result, many hundreds of shops and in-plants are able to produce commercial quality work and compete in their markets.

The Excelagraphix 4200 changes everything the market knows about high speed wide format printing because it prints full color, high impact , large format pieces on a wide range of substrates at "screaming fast" speeds, and at a price point that's affordable for a fast ROI. The product is the first commercial solution in the world specifically powered by Memjet wide format color printing components and technologies.

09/13/11

PrintEco cuts paper waste when you print

Press release from the issuing company

Software utility can help cut between 20 percent and 30 percent of the wasted pages that often are churned out when you print content from the web, email threads.

Some of us just can’t seem to resist the habit of printing the longer messages that we receive in our email or while collecting research for some purpose or another. New research from IDC, in fact, estimates that there will be something like 1.2 trillion pages printed during their forecast period of 2010 to 2015.

Many of us have embraced the duplex religion, printing on both sides of a sheet of paper before tossing it somewhere (hopefully in the recycling bin). But most of us still struggling with reams of wasted paper, especially if you are printing something from a Web site.

There are printing utilities specifically intended to help with this; the latest I’ve discovered is called PrintEco, from PrintEco Software. the software can help people eliminate close to 20 percent of the wasted pages. It acts in conjunction with the Windows editions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. A customer dashboard displays that pages that can be eliminated if you choose the more ecological path.unfortunately no Macintosh edition yet.

What makes the software different from other green printing utilities? it is the amount of manipulation required in order to cut out paper. Other similar utilities require to spend time reviewing the print preview and making selections, but PrintEco lets you do some scripting to eliminate that step.

09/12/11

Kodak Introduces Next Generation KODAK VERSAMARK

Press release from the issuing company

the worldwide market leader in web inkjet presses, introduces the next generation VERSAMARK Printing System with the industry's smallest footprint and innovative single-engine design.

The new family of KODAK VERSAMARK Printing Systems is made up of compact, high-speed monochrome and process color web presses that feature a single-engine duplex design and the next generation of Drop on Demand (DOD) printheads from Kodak. With these new systems, customers have the option of starting with monochrome and easily moving up to spot and full color as their production needs change.

This product is design to address customers needs for scalability, the new VERSAMARK Printing Systems offer a shorter web path than previous models, which means fewer web breaks and increased productivity. Thanks to the single-engine duplex design, the eight new models offer a 40 percent smaller footprint than competitive systems and represent exciting opportunities for transactional, newsletter, direct mail and newspaper printers, especially where space is at a premium. This device prove the new technology to make a high image quality, enhanced features, smaller footprint, and a focus on ensuring an easy upgrade path,The market called for high-speed color inkjet that delivers higher performance in less space and we responded with smaller, more productive and reliable systems that fit any business and grow with the customer."

09/09/11

New HP Printer Lineup; Will the TopShot be a HotShot?

Press release from the issuing company

HP announced yesterday a new printer, the TopShot LaserJet Pro M275. What makes this printer different? Of course it has the usual scanning feature that the HP LaserJet’s have featured for years, but with a new spin, 3D scanning. The TopShot doesn’t have an ADF, or even a cover to close on a single sheet. Instead, it has an arm across the top that takes digital images of what’s on the bed. The arm contains LED lights and takes six images of any object placed on the scanner. It takes three images with the lights on, and three with them off. The printer than takes the best images and compiles them to create the file. It takes into consideration shadows, and eliminates the need to worry about lighting conditions.

HP is planning to launch the TopShot printer to businesses with hopes of getting the attention of telecommuters. Since telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular, HP hopes that this will allow an employee to send their employer a much better image of the project at hand, without having to actually travel. This idea would make it much easier for employers to closely monitor telecommuters at every phase of their work. No matter what the object, the HP TopShot can make a 3D image of it as long as it fits under the camera.

We can use this machine for light copying. This is mainly because of the scanning bed. Its lack of an ADF would require the user to manually flip and feed each side of each document. Despite the inconvenience, HP says that the copies of regular paper would be equally as good as a printer with an ADF as far as quality of the print goes, despite the camera being so far from the page. This also means you would have to make room for another office printer in a busy office.

Another nice feature that HP is including with their entire new lineup is the AirPrint feature. This feature allows devices running Ios to print wirelessly to the new HP lineup with no hassle. The downfall of course is that similar Android and Symbian apps are only on the drawing board.

09/08/11

Canon U.S.A. Announces Two PIXMA Wireless Photo All-in-One Printers For High-Quality Printing From Almost Anywhere

Press release from the issuing company

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, announced the addition of the PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 All-in-Ones to the company’s line of wireless photo All-In-One models with the ability to print, copy and scan images and documents. These beautifully designed, affordable printers are compatible with many of the popular wireless devices on the market today for easy printing from almost anywhere.

It's really easy to print images and documents with the newly developed Canon PIXMA Cloud Link. Exclusive to these two PIXMA printer models, is the ability to print select Google Docs™ and Gmail™ attachments from any accessible device, further adding to their wireless versatility. For registered users of CANON iMAGE GATEWAY or Picasa Web Albums, users can wirelessly access their photo albums directly through the printers without the use of a computer and all users will have access to exclusive printing templates including stationery, envelopes, memos, calendars and many others.

The PIXMA MG8220 and MG6220 Wireless Photo AIO printers are 802.11n Wi-Fi certified allowing for a faster network transfer rate. Wireless networks can be set up with the press of one button when using a Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS).

09/07/11

Five Best Android Free Apps For Printing

Press release from the issuing company

Every one of us have been taking plenty of digital snaps with the camera on his/her smartphone, or sometimes we create pdf from them, anyway we need to print out, here's five free apps that'll let you print from your Android smartphone without need to connect the device to your PC.

HP iPrint Photo

This app finds your phone when it connects to the WiFi and it lets you print photos and PDF files stored on your phone as well as PDF attachments in your Gmail account from your handset to any HP printer that is also connected to the same WiFi network.

Canon Easy-PhotoPrint

The Canon Easy-PhotoPrint app not only lets you print photos stored on your Android smartphone, it also lets you scan documents from compatible Pixma multifunction printer and save them to your handset via a WiFi network.

Epson iPrint

This app is really cool , it lets you to scan images and documents and save them into your handset and print files from online storage services including Box.net, Dropbox and Evernote and even configure your printer's settings remotely.You can aslo print photos and web pages to an Epson all-in-one printer on your local WiFi network.

Brother iPrint&Scan

Brother printer owners don't need to despair. You too can print from and scan to your Android device with the help of this app and a local wireless network.

Kodak Pic Flick

Not to be left out, Kodak has also developed an app for its printers and digital photo frames so smartphone owners can print or share digital snaps direct from their smartphone.

09/06/11

09/07/11

3D printing: Another dimension to the design process

Press release from the issuing company

A rapid-prototyping technology that is becoming more popular, saving manufacturing businesses time and money in multiple ways. When the first 3D printed air craft launched in the last mount , it's really taking off as a key player in the rapid-prototyping industry.

3D printing can be achieved using one of a range of technologies but the process essentially involves building up layers of extremely fine plastic, steel or titanium, usually to create a mock-up of a product, and the model is strong, flexible and able to be plated, sanded and drilled if necessary.

Some of the Global brands such as BMW, Siemens and Johnson & Johnson already use 3D printing as a vital element of the design process. Since 2003 the cost of 3D printers has declined and the popularity of the technology has grown considerably. For these companies cost and time savings with this technology are enormous.

Furthermore, because 3D printing is relatively cheap, several models can be produced throughout the design process, and it means that we have time and cost saving policy. Models produced by 3D printing can not only speed up communication and help you to identify issues sooner, but the technology may also prove itself to be a valuable marketing tool.

In conclusion, 3D printing has become commonplace in anything from architecture to aerospace and from footwear to education. There have even been efforts to develop 3D printers suitable for desktop use by individual users.

09/02/11

MicroGREEN Polymers Unveils New InCycle(R) Sheet Starter Kit for Printers

Press release from the issuing company

MicroGREEN Polymers, Inc. today unveiled a new Printing Starter Kit designed to help printers present InCycle(R) sheet to their customers and enhance their sustainability. Starting today, the Printing Starter Kit is available for $150 through Agfa Graphics, GPA Specialty Substrate Solution, Laird Plastics, SABIC Polymershapes, and other fine distributors nationwide. The kit includes:

• Ten blank 28"x40" 30 mil sheets
• Ten blank 28"x40" 40 mil sheets
• Ten blank 28"x40" 60 mil sheets
• InCycle informational and promotional materials

InCycle sheet is a revolutionary transformation of recycled water bottles (PET) into a low-source, recyclable, printable plastic sheet stock, and is offered as a cost-effective, sustainable substrate to the print, signage, packaging, and food service industries. InCycle sheet is made with recycled PET, which is mechanically expanded to make it lightweight while reducing the amount of plastic required. Therefore, signage and packaging made from InCycle have a significantly lower environmental footprint. Most importantly, signage and packaging made from InCycle sheet are 100% recyclable in the PET recycling stream that exists today, enabling retailers, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies, and quick service restaurant (QSR) operators to continuously recycle their signage and packaging, rather than send it to the landfill.

MicroGREEN Polymers is a privately held enterprise founded in September 2002 to commercialize its patented solid-state microcellular expansion technology called Ad-air(R), which significantly reduces the financial and ecological costs of many plastic products. It is applied to plastics in print and signage, food and beverage packaging, general packaging, transportation, building materials, appliances and consumer electronics industries. MicroGREEN Polymers uses its Ad-air technology to create InCycle(R) sheet, a low-source, recyclable, bright white, printable plastic sheet stock made from recycled water bottles (PET). MicroGREEN Polymers is headquartered in a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Arlington, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.microgreeninc.com .

09/01/11

Functional Inkjet Inks for Digital Fabrication Applications -2011

Press release from the issuing company



The report quantifies the future revenues from the fluids used in jetting industrial prototypes and 3-D models, automotive components, printed circuit boards (PCBs), MEMS, security printing, smart textiles, electronic displays, smart packaging and RFID tags, ceramics, photovoltaics and biochips.

The report provides eight-year projections (both volume and value) of inks used in such applications, with break outs by ink type, printer technology and world region. Inks covered comprise aqueous, solvent, ultraviolet/electron beam (UV/EB), hot melt/phase-change and oil-based. The break-out by printer technology covers continuous printing, piezoelectric, thermal and valve jet.

This report identifies both immediate opportunities for functional jetting inks and longer-term one and the strategies that are being used to capitalize on these opportunities. Among the firms discussed in this report are Agilent, Bayer, Cambridge Display Technology, Cima NanoTech, Dai Nippon Printing, Dow Corning, DuPont, Fujifilm Dimatix, Hewlett-Packard, Kovio, Methode, Microfab, Mitsubishi, Objet Geometries, Samsung, Sartomer, Source Technologies, Sun Chemical, Teijin, Seiko Epson, VTT, Xaar, Xennia, Xenon and Z Corporation.

09/01/11

Pen-based printing allows one to construct electronic devices ‘on-the-fly’

Press release from the issuing company



Now etching Silver on electronic circuits as easy as writing with a ballpen. Engineers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed the technology by replacing the ink catridge from a rollen pen with a conductive ink made from a concentrated mixture of silver particles, a solvent and a small amount of polymer.according to Silver News (August 2011) published by The Silver Institute. The silver ink is formulated to have the same consistency as commercial ink so it matches the pen’s flow behavior, according to Jennifer Lewis, director of the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at the University, who led the development.

By writing with the pen, they were able to produce silver lines which became electrical circuitry. “Pen-based printing allows one to construct electronic devices ‘on-the-fly,’ ” said Lewis. “This is an important step toward enabling desktop manufacturing (or personal fabrication) using very low cost, ubiquitous printing tools.” One of the tests that the engineers carried out involved sketching a house, trees and Chinese text from a painting. The ink became wiring for an LED mounted on the roof with a battery connected at the edge of the painting. The team also used the pen to produce an RFID antenna, like those used in merchandise tags.

The ink maintained its conductivity despite many bends and folds in the paper. With the price of Silver around $40 an ounce, the pen could cost around $60 if produced commercially. However, because one pen can draw many circuits, each use might cost less than a dollar. Lewis estimates that the pen could go into production in one to two years, but his group has not yet taken steps in that direction, because they want to continue their experiments. For example, they want to produce a pen that writes finer lines. The researchers also are expanding their tests to include different ink colors and different surfaces. Their work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

09/01/11

MASTERPIECE GRAPHICS POWERED BY WIND

Press release from the issuing company

As a leader in the sticker printing industry, StickerGiant is a big believer in the importance of alternative energy. In addition to relying on wind energy to power their Colorado headquarters, the actual material used to print the stickers comes from a wind-powered company, Masterpiece Graphix.

Talk about being committed to green. Like many companies, StickerGiant buys the electricity used at its Hygiene, Colorado sticker printing facilities through a wind energy program offered by Xcel Energy. StickerGiant takes this a step farther by incorporating its eco-values into supply chain management. Masterpiece Graphix, a source for sticker material, is a great example.

Like StickerGiant, Masterpiece Graphix employs environmentally friendly tactics and technologies in their day-to-day operations. Their treatment facility and offices are powered by wind energy, and they use recycled packing materials with every shipment that leaves their plant.

“At StickerGiant, we are committed to being as eco-friendly as we can. It’s ingrained in our company culture,” said president John Fischer. “It just makes sense to extend this to our supply chain.” Unlike traditional methods of generating electricity, wind energy reduces carbon emissions, consumes no water or fuel, and does not emit air pollution. Just one megawatt of wind energy can offset approximately 2,600 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

With nearly a dozen years of experience, greater capabilities than any other sticker printing company, and a desire to exceed customers’ expectations, StickerGiant lives up to its name.

08/04/11

GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER TO BEGIN REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT

Press release from the issuing company

The Guardian News and Media Group, the company behind the Guardian and Observer newspapers, have announced their increased commitment to environmental sustainability in a recent report published on their website.

A large part of their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint is centred on their use of paper. Whilst this may seem like an impossible commodity to reduce the usage of as the Guardian News and Media Group is rooted in producing newspapers, it is easy to see that the group is aiming to reduce paper consumption in other areas of their business, or to use sustainable sources where possible.

Anglo Office Supplies are the company who deal with the office stationery on behalf of the Guardian News and Media Group. 48% of the products that are bought by the group from Anglo Office Supplies are either from certified sources or are completely recycled. This reflects a nationwide trend into sustainable paper and something that is a major concern when it comes to stationery printing.

Altrincham, Manchester and the surrounding areas all have strong links with the Guardian News and Media Group, with it being one of the biggest and most influential media groups not just in the region, but also in the country. Their influence is no doubt being spread to other local businesses who will be reviewing the environmental credentials of their stationery printers before long. Local firms offering stationery printing in Altrincham will no doubt benefit from providing sustainable or environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional printing.

08/04/11

PRESSTEK OFFERS REDUCED WASTE PRINTING MACHINES

Press release from the issuing company

Presstek has announced that German printing company Druckerei H. Gebhard GmbH & Co has installed a Presstek 52DI-AC digital offset press with an aqueous coater.

The installation of the DI digital offset printing machine will enable the traditional commercial printer to profitably deliver small and medium-sized runs, which are becoming increasingly common. Specialist Presstek partner, Heinrich Baumann Grafisches Centrum, played a key role in ensuring the installation went smoothly.

‘One thing is clear - print runs are getting smaller,’ said Anja Gebhard, managing director at Druckerei Gebhard. ‘We needed to respond to this trend and at the same time meet our customers' requirements, being a total printing solutions provider, and have found the ideal solution in the Presstek DI. The system will help us close the gap between offset and digital printing.’

Previously the company was handling requirements for multiple sizes on a 700 x 1000 offset printing system. However, the set-up would not prove profitable in the long term, as customers would have to wait a long time for their print products.

Another important factor in Druckerei Gebhard's decision-making process was the integrated coater. ‘The digital waterless offset printing technology had already won us over at Drupa 2004, but the integrated coater option was also key in our investment decision,’ continued Gebhard. Applying a fast-drying coating inline not only shortens turnaround times, it also increases the visual appeal and extends the service life of the printed products. The Presstek 52DI-AC can apply aqueous coating across entire surfaces or partially for spot-coated effects.

Virtually every Presstek application is finished with dispersion coating at Druckerei Gebhard. These include print runs of up to 5,000 sheets that are used to produce letterheads, postcards, dispensers, promotional flyers and brochure covers. The company is more than happy with the printed image, ‘We get excellent results with the FM screens we frequently use and with 175lpi screens on uncoated papers e.g. for commercial printed goods.’

Registration problems are virtually eliminated with the Presstek DI. ‘The make-ready times are extremely short and colour is reproduced quickly,’ added Gebhard. ‘We never need to worry about registration accuracy. As the plates are imaged on press without the use of chemistry. , Our reject rate on the DI press is considerably lower compared with standard offset printing systems.’

The reduced waste and elimination of dampening solutions and alcohol, thanks to the waterless offset printing process, fits perfectly with the FSC-certified, climate-neutral company's sustainability ethos.

Presstek DI digital offset printing machines are available in three basic versions: Presstek 75DI, Presstek 52DI and Presstek 34DI. All three models are environmentally-friendly, highly automated and offer 300 lpi as well as FM screen quality. The Presstek 52DI is a digital landscape printing machine offering speeds of up to 10,000 sheets per hour and a maximum sheet size of 520 x 375mm. The 52DI is available with either an inline aqueous coater or a UV print unit. It supports a wide range of media up to a thickness of 0.5mm.

08/04/11

JAKPRINTS HOLDING FESTIVAL

Press release from the issuing company

The heart of Cleveland beats with the passion of visionary artists and the energy of audacious entrepreneurs. Very few know this fervent beating better than printing company Jakprints, which has grown from a two-man screen printing shop to a 125-person operation serving clients throughout the world.

Who else, then, to throw a festival that brings together visual art, food, fashion, music, technology and sustainability? Jakprints and their employees will be celebrating these things and more with the Jak of all Trades Fest on Saturday, September 3, 2011 (presented in partnership with HP.)

The event is open to the public and admission is free, though an online RSVP by Sunday, August 28th is necessary to attend. To RSVP visit http://www.jakprints.com/joat. Jak of all Trades Fest will take place at 3134 Perkins, in Cleveland, Ohio right behind Jakprints' MidTown headquarters.

From noon to 7 p.m, this all-day fest will feature live bands, DJs, a skate park featuring an open skateboarding street course, mobile food trucks, fashion show, a complimentary sponsor beer garden, and tours of Jakprints' cutting-edge and environmentally friendly printing facilities. Jakprints' designers and clients will share their work with a gallery exhibition and a fashion show supported by local indie boutiques; meanwhile, employee and Cleveland gallery owner William Rupnik will head a team of artists to assist in a live mural installation.

Family-friendly activities will be featured at Jak of all Trades Fest, such as games, crafts, a kids' chalk area, a Big Fun squirt gun zone, and special skateboarding hours for those 14 and under. Although free parking will be provided, Jakprints encourages bicyclists to participate in a bike ride leaving Ohio City's Joy Machines Bike Shop at 12:30 p.m. At the Fest, they can either take part in bike polo organized by Pedal Republic, or park their rides at a complimentary bike valet.

Further proof of Jakprints' commitment to a better Cleveland can be found in the Jak of all Trades charity raffle. Participants can win an HP TouchPad; tickets to concerts and professional sporting events; locally-oriented gift cards and baskets will also be raffled away. 100% of the raffle proceeds will go to help MidTown Cleveland Incorporated and Community Greenhouse Partners.

Jakprints feels that MidTown, home to Jakprints and over 800 businesses and institutions, is an important component in Cleveland's economic and cultural landscape. Jakprints believes in the future, so raffle proceeds will also go to Community Greenhouse Partners, which plans to build a greenhouse that will serve an economically distressed Cleveland neighborhood through food sales and education. Jak Of All Trades is brought to you by a partnership with HP and by a media sponsorship with Scene Magazine.

For more information on Jak of all Trades Fest, contact Fest Coordinator, Angela Hetrick at 216-773-0210 or events(at)jakprints(dot)com.

08/04/11

ROCHESTER INSTITUE OF TECHNOLOGY EXPANDS SCHOLARSHIP

Press release from the issuing company

RIT endowment aims to include applicants from Southwestern states

One of the world's leading schools of print media is expanding a popular scholarship to include more students.

Rochester Institute of Technology, located in western New York, is opening its doors for more applicants to an endowed scholarship geared toward the university's School of Print Media.

The Southwest School of Printing Management Inc. Education Fund, given to students attending RIT, will now include applicants from Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. The scholarship is now available for the first time to those entering print graphic arts and communications related fields of study such as media arts technology, visual communications, new media publishing, graphic design, photography or journalism. The funds were previously only dedicated to undergraduate and graduate students in the print media program.

The Southwest School of Printing Management Inc. established the endowment in 1982, which now totals nearly $800,000. The fund is permanently endowed and invested under the direction of RIT's Board of Trustees.

For more information about Rochester Institute of Technology, go to www.rit.edu.

08/04/11

NEW SPECIALTY SHEETER RELEASED

Press release from the issuing company

Sheeting of abrasive materials such as emery paper, sand papers or abrasive cloth can now be achieved with minimal knife wear with a new specialty sheeter from MAXSON AUTOMATIC MACHINERY COMPANY (Westerly, RI USA).  The scissors like cutting action of the dual knife rotary design and the MAXSON exclusive cutting clash adjustment greatly extends the knife life over conventional stationary bed knife cutters.  

The cutting section includes knives mounted in upper and lower rotating cylinders.  Using the exclusive clash arrangement, the Operator can safely adjust the cross cutting blades while the cutter is running, by transversely shifting the upper cylinder across the width of the cutter to increase clash.  This allows the Operator to improve cut quality while running the cutter.  

Quick lock knife adjustments are used across the upper and lower knife cylinders to allow rapid removal and installation of steel rule blades.  With this design, knife changes are completed within 20 minutes.  

Capable of speeds of over 300 cuts per minute on an 11" (279 mm) cut off, the cutter can slit at multiple intervals across the web and can be custom designed to meet the special requirements of the abrasives converter.  The cutting section includes a slitter rig that permits up to 7 piles across the width of the sheeter.  

08/03/11

BELL AND HOWELL RELEASES ACCURANT AIX 64 PLATFORM

Press release from the issuing company

Bell and Howell, LLC, provider of BCC postal and data quality solutions that optimize client communications, announces the release of the Accurant AIX 64 platform. It joins Win32, Win64, and Linux 64 as the available options for this multiplatform solution. Accurant is Bell and Howell's premier address validation and standardization solution.  

Accurant helps to eliminate data errors at the point of capture by confirming address records against the most current USPS reference data, and by cleansing the data when run in batch mode. Supporting multiple inputs and outputs in a single run, addresses are standardized and enhanced with essential ZIP + 4, carrier route, delivery point, and other valuable information. It also alerts you to non-validated addresses and supplies possible reasons why addresses are undeliverable.  

Users can enter addresses quickly by leveraging Accurant's express entry feature, which gives location suggestions in real time as addresses are entered through a Web-based interface. When addresses are entered incorrectly, Accurant returns with a list of suggested addresses. This helps the company and its customers by safeguarding databases against incorrectly entered addresses, and ensuring that products ordered are delivered promptly and accurately.

08/03/11

GAERF 2011 STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Press release from the issuing company

The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) has announced the winners of the GAERF 2011 Student Design Competition. This third annual contest challenged secondary and post-secondary school students to design marketing materials to promote graphicCOMMcentral.org, a comprehensive website providing visitors with a direct connection to an extensive network of resources and information for and about today's graphic communications industry.

From among the 225 entries, six winners were chosen, three at the secondary level and three at the post-secondary level.

Winners at the secondary school level were:

• 1st Place: Kyle Daum, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School, Fall River, MA
(Instructor: Raymond Machado)

• 2nd Place: Tyler Hayes, Rockland BOCES, West Nyack, NY
(Instructor: Patrick Mitrione)

• 3rd Place: Karissa Tollier, Applied Technology Education Campus, Camden, SC
(Instructor: Walker Canada)

Winners at the post-secondary school level were:

• 1st Place: Kaela SooHoo, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
(Instructor: Lorraine Donegan)

• 2nd Place: Sierra Norman, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
(Instructor: Lorraine Donegan)

• 3rd Place: Hallie Helbert, Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
(Instructor: Lorraine Donegan)  

First place winners and their instructors will receive a two-day all-inclusive paid trip to attend GRAPH EXPO 2011 in Chicago, IL.  In addition, they will be presented with a $2,000 check during GRAPH EXPO 2011's Career Awareness Day, on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. The second place winners will each be awarded $1,500, and the third place winners will each receive $1,000.

"GAERF is proud to continue its commitment to supporting education initiatives by encouraging creativity and self-expression in students through the art of design and production," said GAERF President Ralph Nappi. "Most impressive is the significant number of entries received, a 64% increase over the number received for last year's contest. The GAERF 2011 Student Design Competition has served to recognize our best and brightest students, as well as the significant commitment of their instructors."

All student entries will be featured in a special display within GRAPH EXPO 2011's Education Main Street, and posted on both the GAERF website: www.gaerf.org and the graphicCOMMcentral website: www.graphiccommcentral.org.

08/03/11

RICOH DEBUTS ECO-FRIENDLY BILLBOARD

Press release from the issuing company

Ricoh, an international office products and solutions company, has recently revealed its latest eco-friendly billboard, this one standing above London. The billboard is one of three that Ricoh has called “eco-boards,” all of which are 100% wind and solar-powered. The other two billboards are in New York and Sydney. According to a press release from Ricoh Europe, “The European eco-board is located on the M4 motorway which runs from London to London Heathrow airport, the gateway to Europe. The eco-board is powered by 96 solar panels and 5 individual wind turbines and forms a key part of Ricoh’s overall commitment to raising environmental awareness in the region.”

The company has promoted eco-friendly products in the past. According to Treehugger, Ricoh also introduced printers made of plant-based plastic in 2006. These billboards are an advertisement for the eco-boards themselves as well as a call for environmental protection.

According to Ricoh, “Although the eco billboards have only a small direct effect on reducing our environmental impact, we hope that the messages communicated through the billboards will help more people aware of environmental issues and lead to a greater movement toward the creation of a sustainable society.”

08/03/11

FREE UPDATE OF QUARKXPRESS RELEASED

Press release from the issuing company

Quark announced today the availability of QuarkXPress 9.0.1, a free update of QuarkXPress 9 that is available to all current version 9 users. As the first maintenance release of QuarkXPress 9, version 9.0.1 resolves issues identified in QuarkXPress 9.0. The update can be downloaded from www.Quark.com.

To download the update to QuarkXPress 9.0.1 visit: http://www.quark.com/Support/Downloads/ To read more about the known and resolved issues in QuarkXPress 9.0.1 visit: http://support.quark.com/documentation/QuarkXPress/known_issues.html

QuarkXPress 9 is the newest release of Quark's page-layout and design software that is built to help designers create content that can be published to digital devices - e-readers, smartphones, and tablets - with one tool, and without coding. Whether a designer needs to publish from QuarkXPress to the iPad, create content for an e-book, or reach an expansive audience through the Blio eReader, QuarkXPress 9 can help.

QuarkXPress 9 also includes new features that automate the design process. The features are instrumental in increasing productivity and alleviating many manual, time-consuming design tasks. For a complete list of new features visit http://www.quark.com/Products/QuarkXPress/Whats_New.aspx.

System Support
QuarkXPress 9.0.1 supports Mac OS 10.5.8 (Leopard), Mac OS 10.6.4 (Snow Leopard), Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or 3), Windows Vista 1.0, and Windows 7. The next update to QuarkXPress 9, due in late August, will be certified to support Mac OS 10.7 (Lion).

30-Day Test Drive
Quark is offering a free, fully functional, 30-day Test Drive of QuarkXPress 9 to users interested in experiencing the new features for digital publishing and design-driven automation. To download the QuarkXPress 9 30-day Test Drive visit http://www.quark.com/products/quarkxpress/test_drive.aspx.

08/02/11

FUJI XEROX TO PROVIDE ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

Press release from the issuing company

Fuji Xerox believes in contributing actively towards environment conservation.  As part of their ongoing commitment to the environment, Fuji Xerox Philippines, Inc. will launch the Eco.SITE (Ecology. Showroom, Innovation, Technology/Training, Education/Environment) on June 24, 2011, to provide eco-friendly products and services.

The Eco.SITE further enhances this commitment by showcasing an actual eco-friendly environment.  This is a goal to which they are truly dedicated:  to reduce the environmental impact of their activities.  Through this, Fuji Xerox encourages and inspires their customers and business partners to go green.

The Eco.SITE facilities provide innovative and customized solutions that will cover every aspect of their customer’s document system and business processes.  The Eco.SITE is equipped with training facilities to allow our customers to train, simulate, and execute their business.  Fuji Xerox will remain focused in understanding our customers’ needs/requirements and finding solutions for these.

Environmental considerations are now the key factor in the product development process.  Every piece of Fuji Xerox equipment is designed with environment in mind.  Fuji Xerox continues to improve energy savings with each generation of products. The entire range of products incorporates energy-saving technology and has set “green goals” for the future improvement. The technology now available to businesses of all sizes presents many opportunities for creating “a Green Office” by incorporating eco-friendly activities into the office environment.   Effective management of documents, especially as it relates to printing, may include electronic document processing, paperless fax, digital imaging and archiving, secure document release and integrating these documents into business workflow.  These processes help to drive efficiency, innovation, profitability, and longevity, which are the pillars for business sustainability. To learn more about Fuji Xerox’s environmental initiatives visit  Fuji Xerox Eco.SITE at the 18th 6788 Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati city or visit our website at www.fujixerox.com.ph 

08/02/11

HEIDENREICH CHOSES SPEEDMASTER FOR HYBRID APPS

Press release from the issuing company

Since May 2011, commercial and packaging printer Heidenreich Print, based in Bünde, East Westphalia (Germany), has been producing with the world's first Speedmaster XL 145 for hybrid applications from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). The press is a six-color Speedmaster XL 145 with coating unit that can be operated either conventionally or, thanks to three UV interdeck dryers and a UV dryer in its delivery, can be run as a hybrid or UV machine, as well.

In recent years, Heidenreich Print has built up a reputation as an experienced UV specialist in high-end commercial printing. After using presses of a different make for many years, the decision was taken in March 2010 to switch the entire press park over to machines from Heidelberg. A Speedmaster CD 102-5+L had been installed in August 2010, followed by a Speedmaster XL 105-6+L UV in January 2011 and now the Speedmaster XL 145-6+L UV. "This has given us even more flexibility to respond to customer requirements ranging from standard print to high-finish premium print products," Hendrik Heidenreich, Managing Director of Heidenreich Print, affirmed. He is also impressed with the user-friendliness of the Heidelberg presses: "In the past, we had to meticulously plan which operator would produce which orders on which machines and when. Thanks to the Heidelberg machines, we no longer have this problem. Our staff are impressed by the user-friendliness. Delivering first-class quality isn't a headache anymore."

Rudolf Becker, Commercial Director at Heidenreich Print, is particularly pleased with the increase in productivity: "Even with the Speedmaster CD 102, we produced 25 million sheets in the first six months after taking it into service. We would have needed 15 months to produce that volume in the past. The Speedmaster XL 105 could even boost this output - just four weeks after commissioning the press, we completed an order of three million sheets with a net output of 16,500 sheets per hour. And the Speedmaster XL 145 has helped us achieve a whole new level of performance in the large-format sector, too."

Established in Bünde in 1991, Heidenreich Print has a workforce of around 60 and handles both high-quality commercial orders and subcontracted orders in the packaging sector. The company's skills have won it numerous accolades including silver and bronze in the "Sappi European Printer of the Year" competition.

For further information about the company and image material, please visit the Press Lounge of the Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.

08/02/11

ALPAKTROJAN INSTALLS NEW RAPIDA PRESS

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America announces that Allpak/Trojan, an award-winning printing and packaging company located in Seattle, has installed a KBA Rapida 142 56-inch six-color plus coater sheetfed press in early 2011. This new KBA press compliments an existing KBA Rapida 142 56-inch eight-color sheetfed press with coater and hybrid UV capabilities operating with the KBA Qualitronic II inline sheet inspection system installed in July 2005.

"Growth from our existing large format work had developed to the point where a second press was required," says Wayne Millage, president of Allpak/Trojan. "After reviewing our product mix, we decided that a six-color plus coater would be the right configuration to support this growth. Based on our experience with KBA's service and support, combined with the quality and productivity improvements that we have experienced, it was clear to us that our initial view of KBA as a leader with a proven track record in the large format market was an accurate assessment. In order to be a leader and an innovator you must be partnered with and supported by the best suppliers, which we consider KBA to be."

In order to ensure enough room for the new large-format press, Allpak/Trojan needed to remove two existing 40-inch presses in its pressroom. "We've found that our KBA presses are so productive that down-stream equipment needed to be added to handle this new capacity," says Millage. "Although we removed two presses and replaced it with one press, we have significantly increased capacity while keeping manning at existing levels or even slightly less than before. Our customers will benefit in the increased production capacity now available from us."

In addition to increasing capacity, Allpak/Trojan is gaining greater savings and quality and providing benefits to its environmental commitment. "The savings in paper from a 56-inch sheet compared to a 40-inch sheet surprised even us," commented Millage. "Technically the 56-inch sheet is twice as big as a 40-inch sheet but we typically get 125% more product on the larger sheet size. Quality is quite important too and what we get from our KBA presses is rock-solid predictable and consistent quality from sheet number one to one million," says Millage. "The new KBA press allows us to continue the high level quality our customers have come to expect from us. And we can rest assured the quality level will match what they've come to expect form our existing eight-color KBA."

Allpak/Trojan's commitment to the environment was maintained with the new press installation. The firm has significantly reduced waste, according to Millage, especially make-ready waste with the new Rapida press. The wash-up chemistry and ink waste was brought down considerably with the addition of the automatic ink dispensing as well, he recalls.

"As a high production facility it was important for us to be comfortable in the knowledge that we could install a new press and get up to full production as quickly as possible," says Millage. "Ever since our first KBA press was installed, we have been extremely impressed with how quickly and efficiently the KBA installation team works."

Founded in1950, Allpak/Trojan provides high-end commercial printing and innovative packaging solutions. Allpak/Trojan also offers in-house graphic and structural design; point-of-purchase displays; pack and assembly services; all under one roof.

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established 194 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), the parent of the KBA group, is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, special presses for books, inserts, banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards; CDs and DVDs plus inkjet and other coding systems. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com

08/02/11

PRESTONE PRINTING USES ESTIMATOR

Press release from the issuing company

President Ira Wechsler of Prestone Printing, a large 4 color Long Island City NY printer, 1st purchased Estimator in 2005, because of it speed, mistake-proof design ease of installation and setup. Looking for faster access from  multiple users, in 2006 they then purchased a competetive solution. Estimator Corp after installing several Access Anywhere Cloud installations in June 2011, demonstrated its new Cloud Application and 2 weeks later Prestone purchased Estimators Wide-Format solution and reactivated its original large-press sheet-fed software. Mr. Wechsler commented on how quickly the solution responded and that multiple users could now easily access and simultaneously work on the same estimate and work-flow reports.   
 
The new Estimator application is non-browser based and requires no HTML configuration. Selecting the latest RDP technology for the platform allowed Estimators software developers in conjunction with MicroSoft to create the necessary technology to have its software package operate seamlessly in the cloud.   
 
Estimator expands its cost effevtive fully Artificial Intelligent (AI) estimating and work-flow solution capability with an  industry first, using the latest 2008 R2 technology.   The easy-to-install, learn and use solutions with Advanced Job Costing,  delivers 19 unique reports in an error-free, single screen environment and includes analysis of sales, productivity and department production load schedules.  
 
A solutions leader for Sheetfed, Web, Wide-Format, Screen, Digital and Flexo, award winning Estimator also provides Full-Metric configuration with a simple click... and includes non-intrusive installation in a few days with regular updates and full live maintenance

08/01/11

HEIDELBERG HELPS OTHERS BE ECO-FRIENDLY

Press release from the issuing company

Combining ecological printing and cost-effective production, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) supports print shops in all aspects of ecological printing by supplying the requisite technology and products and increasingly supplementing these with consulting services.  
 
The Sustainability Report recently published by Heidelberg for the 2010/11 financial year focuses primarily on reducing emissions in the printing process. Based on the new IPA-free package, the report shows how the solution provider's approach of perfectly coordinating machine components, consumables, services, and consulting helps print shops reduce emissions in the pressroom. A case study and an interview with a representative of the German Institution for Statutory Insurance and Prevention in the Printing and Paper Industry provide additional information on IPA-free printing.  
 
On July 6, the second international Heidelberg Eco Printing Award for print shops was presented in the categories "Sustainable companies" and "Forward-looking solutions". The Sustainability Report 2010/11 gives an insight into the work and decision-making process of the panel of judges, examines the criteria on which they base their decision, and profiles the award winners.  
 
Two new environmental bodies at Heidelberg - the ECO Council and the ECO Working Group - are driving forward projects for environmental protection and sustainability in an even more targeted and efficient way and making sure that the projects and processes merge into a single integrated concept.  
 
"Sustainability and environmental protection are right at the top of our strategic agenda. These two environmental bodies are designed to intensify our activities in these areas. We see this integrated approach as an opportunity to combine eco-friendly practices with economic benefits," says Stephan Plenz, Member of the Heidelberg Management Board responsible for Heidelberg Equipment.  
 
The report is rounded off with articles and news on ecology, economy, and social responsibility as well as information on individual locations and projects.  
 
Environmental protection has been firmly established as a corporate goal of Heidelberg since 1992, a period of almost 20 years. Heidelberg is working consistently and systematically to achieve this goal along the entire value-added chain. This work takes in everything from product development and manufacturing to the operation of its machines at customer sites. Heidelberg is focusing in particular on three areas: Resource consumption, emissions, and waste and is looking to reduce - or ideally avoid - all three wherever possible. Production of the Sustainability Report 2010/11 also focused on conserving resources, minimizing CO2 emissions, and offseting those CO2 emissions that are unavoidable.  
 
For a copy of the Sustainability Report 2010/11, send an e-mail to environment@heidelberg.com or fax +49 (0)6224 971850.  
 
The report is also available to download at www.heidelberg.com/eco.  
 
Further information on sustainability along with environmental data, contacts, and general information on the company's development and production sites are also available online at www.heidelberg.com/eco.

08/01/11

DELUX CORP ACQUIRES PSPRINT

Press release from the issuing company

Deluxe Corporation announced today that it has acquired the net operating assets of PSPrint LLC, an Oakland, California-based provider of online printing services, including custom graphic design, direct mailing list creation and direct mail fulfillment.  
 
"The PSPrint acquisition accelerates our web-to-print growth efforts and aligns with a key focus area of our strategy, growing our service offerings to small businesses," said Malcolm McRoberts, senior vice president, small business services at Deluxe. "This is a great opportunity for us to leverage our recent investments in the web-to-print space with the established systems and processes at PSPrint. The result will be a best-in-class workflow technology for small businesses, including PSPrint's loyal and established customer base. Web-to-print is a growing market segment and a natural extension for our products and services."  
 
Deluxe purchased PSPrint for $45 million in cash. The acquisition is expected to generate an incremental $15 million in revenue for the remainder of 2011 and be neutral to Diluted EPS after including transaction costs and acquisition-related amortization expense.

08/01/11

USPS CONTINUES RESTRUCTURING AND EVOLVING

Press release from the issuing company

As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices - the largest retail network in the country - diminishes. To that end, the U.S. Postal Service announced today that it will be taking the next step in right-sizing its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs. As part of this effort, the Postal Service also introduced a retail-replacement option for affected communities around the nation.  
 
"Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service's retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7," said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. "Our customer's habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business."  
 
For communities currently without a postal retail office and for communities affected by these retail optimization efforts, the Postal Service introduced the Village Post Office as a potential replacement option. Village Post Offices would be operated by local businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and other appropriate retailers, and would offer popular postal products and services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.  
 
"By working with third-party retailers, we're creating easier, more convenient access to our products and services when and where our customers want them," Donahoe said. "The Village Post Office will offer another way for us to meet our customers' needs."  
 
With 32,000 postal retail offices and more than 70,000 third-party retailers - Approved Postal Providers - selling postage stamps and providing expanded access to other postal products and services, customers today have about 100,000 locations across the nation where they can do business with the Postal Service.  
 
"The Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive and it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value," Donahoe added.  
 
The list of offices being studied and additional information, including video, audio soundbites, b-roll and JPEGs, can be found at http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/expandedaccess/welcome.htm. 
 
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

08/01/11

FLINT GROUP DEBUTS NEW PLATE WASTE RECYCLING PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

In today's environment, there is more interest than ever in the responsible handling and minimization of the amount of waste that ultimately ends up in a landfill. The offer of a more responsible way of utilizing photopolymer printing plate waste is an attractive option to printer/converters and tradeshops who want to improve the environmental footprint of their overall operation. To accommodate its customers who are placing a priority on improving the sustainability of their prepress process, Flint Group Flexographic Products is rolling out a new program to provide a plate waste recovery service to its flexographic printing plate customers in the continental United States.

The service is simple and easy to use. Cubic yard corrugated containers are provided to the customer. As plate waste is accumulated, raw plates, coversheets, and used printing plates with or without mounting tape affixed are placed in these containers. When the containers are full, the customer simply calls a toll free number, and the containers are picked-up by a licensed waste service provider and replaced with new ones. Title to the waste immediately transfers to the disposal company, who responsibly takes the waste plates and utilizes it for their energy content in the production process in the making of cement. The process involves 100% recycling of the waste; even the ash content after incineration becomes part of the cement product, whereas in a landfill it would consume space and might linger for many years.

Another benefit of this program is that when it is administered properly, it indemnifies the customer from future issues related to transportation, disposal and long term liability. "The real beauty of this service is that the customer receives the peace of mind in knowing that his waste has been responsibly disposed of, and at the same time, he is achieving a more eco-efficient process," affirms Terri Stewart, Marketing Manager for Flint Group Flexographic Products. The program is very cost effective and immediately available to all customers in the continental United States. Customers may contact their Flint Group Flexographic Products regional sales manager, or customer service at 800-556-6742, to initiate the program.

07/29/11

IMPRIMEX RECEIVES 2ND RAPIDA PRESS

Press release from the issuing company

Just two years after holding an open house to celebrate the first KBA sheetfed offset press in Uruguay, Imprimex Industria Grafica in Montevideo has fired up a second one. Both Rapida 105s have a coater, semi-automatic plate changing and board capability, but the second has five colours instead of four and a higher level of automation that includes KBA DensiTronic Professional. It will help Imprimex to expand still further in the growing markets of South America.

Founded in 1978, under the Rey Lottermoser brothers this family enterprise has become one of the biggest printing operations in the country. In 1995 Imprimex relocated from the city centre to an 8,700m² (2-acre) site offering plenty of scope for realising the company's clear growth targets. Alongside quality enhancements its first Rapida 105 delivered a substantial capacity boost that helped drive up sales to US$14m. The second press will accelerate this trend.

The 205-employee company has three highly successful business lines: packaging, which generates 45 per cent of total sales; commercials (33 per cent) and labels (22 per cent). Imprimex serves the food and beverages industry, publishing houses and advertising agencies, and also prints publications for government ministries. Exports – mainly to Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Paraguay and Puerto Rico – account for around ten per cent of total output. Its production volume is impressive: 150 tonnes (165 US tons) of paper and 400 tonnes (440 US tons) of cartonboard and microflute corrugated are processed every month. Production is subject to rigorous quality controls. Accreditations and countless customer awards are evidence of Imprimex' high standards.

Regular investment in pre-press, press and finishing equipment has raised production to international standards. Horacio Rey Lottermoser has never regretted switching from Italian, Japanese and other German manufacturers to KBA. Shortly before Drupa 2008 he accepted an invitation from KBA to visit Germany, and was so impressed by the performance of the presses in the customer showroom and at diverse reference installations that he placed an order for the four-colour Rapida 105 just two months later.

"Since we make so many different products and frequently have to switch between carton and paper, we felt it was important to see what KBA was offering in terms of automation, makeready, substrate flexibility and quality control," says Horacio Rey Lottermoser. "Maximum press speed was of secondary importance because most of our work is in the 5,000 to 6,000 sheet range. We print at an average speed of 12,000 to 13,000 sheets per hour."

He continues: "Service, training, maintenance and spare-parts accessibility were also key considerations. KBA satisfied our criteria on every point, and since the first Rapida 105 went live at the beginning of 2009 our opinion of KBA has been one hundred per cent positive. Commissioning was completed fast, the press is highly productive and easy to operate. So we very quickly decided to replace another older press with a second, five-colour version, of the Rapida 105 and are more than happy with this move. The two Rapidas run in multiple shifts twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and in addition to boosting capacity have delivered substantial quality enhancements while slashing makeready times. When the time is ripe we'll be making a further productivity leap with a Rapida 106."

07/29/11

NEW VERSION OF QUARK DEBUTS

Press release from the issuing company

Quark announced today the availability of Quark Publishing System 9, the new release of Quark's dynamic publishing platform for automated publishing to print, Web, e-reader, mobile, and tablet devices. The new version offers enhanced automation for publishing eBooks and multi-page documents, customizable workflows for the creation of media and business documents, fully supports the new capabilities of QuarkXPress 9 and QuarkCopyDesk 9, and delivers updates to Web Hub for content creators working remotely and externally.

"Quark Publishing System has evolved to be a flexible and powerful publishing platform for all types of organizations who need to streamline their publishing processes while delivering engaging information to multiple types of media including print, Web, and digital. Our customers in financial services, manufacturing, and many other industries are choosing Quark Publishing System to create marketing collateral, technical documentation, white papers, investment research reports, and other communications," said PG Bartlett, senior vice president of product management for Quark.

Expands Digital Publishing Capability with ePUB Support
With Quark Publishing System, customers are already able to create and publish custom-branded apps with interactive content to the iPad. Quark Publishing System 9 now supports automated digital publishing from XML to the ePUB format. The capability to create intelligent, structured content using XML allows content to be easily reused and repurposed dynamically for automated publishing across multiple documents, channels, and formats.

Improves Flexibility to Manage Varied Workflows by Project and Asset
Quark Publishing System 9 enhances workflow functionality to extend support for different types of documents, projects, and assets through a new feature called "Collections," which are groups of related assets that can share one or more workflows, automatic routing rules, Job Jackets, users and groups, and revision settings. Collections allow users to organize assets in an n-level directory structure according to business needs. The Collections functionality includes:

• Collection Attributes: Assign attributes such as due date to an entire collection rather than just to individual assets within a collection.
• Collection templates: Define standard parameters in a collection template and use the template to create a new collection rather than define parameters from scratch each time.
• Asset type-based workflows: Create workflows for different types of assets, such as one workflow for images and a different workflow for articles. Users can switch an asset to a different workflow at any time.
• Reusable workflows independent of directory structure: Apply existing workflows to any asset in any directory instead of recreating them.

Enhances Publishing Automation
Quark Publishing System 9 enhances support of dynamic layout of tables eliminating the need for manual intervention to automatically publish annual reports, financial statements, and other documents that use tabular information. The publishing platform can now automatically create tables and automatically handle tables that span more than one page.

Quark Publishing System 9 also allows for multiple sections within any journal or publication to be worked on independently as a project which then can be automatically merged into one single publication.

Advanced Remote Access with Web Hub
Web Hub is a module of Quark Publishing System that allows external content creators and editors to work remotely from a Web browser. The interface of Web Hub in Quark Publishing System 9 has been overhauled to provide a more intuitive and productive experience, including the ability to browse through the directory structure. The updates also provide editing enhancements, including:

WYSIWYG view: Combines preview and editing in a single view to allow users to find and change content more easily and preview those changes without any extra mouse clicks. Picture editing and picture attachment to articles: Users can manipulate pictures through capabilities such as enlarging, shrinking, cropping, and rotating – or even replace pictures entirely. Zoomable asset previews: In the preview mode, users can zoom in to see content in greater detail.

Compatibility with QuarkXPress 9, QuarkCopyDesk 9
Quark Publishing System is fully compatible with QuarkCopyDesk 9, the application that allows writers, editors, reviewers, and other non-designers to collaborate on a layout from the page designer's perspective. QuarkCopyDesk now supports 17 user interface languages, including Czech, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and European Portuguese; allows users to create new articles from templates; gives more control for overriding local formatting while applying style sheets; provides Job Ticket support; and supports the .docx file format of Microsoft Word 2007 and 2010.

Through QuarkCopyDesk, Quark Publishing System also supports advanced design automation functionality introduced with QuarkXPress 9, including: • Conditional Styles: The ability to automatically style content by applying powerful, pre-defined styling rules
• Bullets and Numbering: The ability to apply pre-defined bullet, numbering, and outline styles to lists and outlines
• Callouts: The ability to move boxes and groups automatically with text
To read more about Quark Publishing System 9, visit: http://www.quark.com/Products/Quark_Publishing_System/Whats_New.aspx.

To read about businesses and organizations using Quark Publishing System, visit: http://www.quark.com/About_Quark/Press/Success_Stories.aspx.

To read more about Quark Publishing System support for Microsoft SharePoint 2010, visit: http://www.quark.com/Products/Microsoft_SharePoint_Adapter/.

07/29/11

PRINT BUYER BOOT CAMP TO BE HELD 9/12/11

Press release from the issuing company

If you've ever longed for a way to learn everything you need to know about printing and print buying in one place, you can stop wishing and start learning on September 12th at Print Buyer Boot Camp! from Print Buyers International (PBI).  

This one-of-a-kind program will kick off at McCormick Place in Chicago on the day before the start of the 6th Annual Print & Media Conference. It is produced by the leading organization for professionals who purchase or influence the purchase of print and other media and is specially designed to help new and intermediate print buyers, designers, marketers, and corporate communicators master printing basics.  

At PBI's Print Buyer Boot Camp, you'll receive an introduction to printing and print buying basics and explore print industry terminologies and technologies. You'll also examine current print industry trends and challenges, and develop an understanding of the present – and future – of print and print buying.  

Print Buyer Boot Camp! is different from other educational programs because of the quality of the material and the expertise of the instructors. Our in-depth curriculum is created for print buyers, so it's tailored to your needs. Our faculty consists of "top brass" educators with the highest levels of experience, whose names stand for excellence in their respective fields. You'll learn from:  

RIT Professor Emeritus Frank Romano, author of 45+ books and hundreds of articles, founder of eight publications, one of the print industry's most popular keynote speakers, and the acknowledged "Dean of Digital Printing"  

Print Educator Steve Suffoletto, whose 30+ years of diversified print industry experience combined with his knowledge of color measurement, color control and color management has fueled his success as a trainer and consultant for companies around the globe  

Print Buyers International Founder (PBI) Margie Dana, a former print buyer and currently, public speaker, e-newsletter writer, book author, blogger and consultant who has built a career around providing print buying professionals with much-needed education and information  

The quality of the Boot Camp curriculum and speakers is what attracted leading commercial printer Trend Offset Printing to sponsor a luncheon for Boot Camp attendees, explains Vice President of Strategic Sales Aaron Day.

"Trend Offset Printing is excited to be a special sponsor of the Boot Camp, as we believe very strongly in the need for our industry to continue to educate everyone involved with print and the distribution of print," Day says. "The need has never been greater for the print buying community to fully understand the value print can deliver to their company's brand and revenue growth. We have dedicated our efforts to helping our clients find more value in print and the Boot Camp is an excellent source of information."  

Every PBI Boot Camper will also receive a complimentary copy of the Print Buyer Boot Camp Handbook, an educational resource containing practical, valuable information about printing and print buying.  

Register online for the 9-to-5 Boot Camp at www.printbuyersinternational.com. Attendees are invited to register at the same time for the 2-day Print & Media Conference. Early Bird rates for the Conference last through July 31st.

  To learn more, please contact Executive Administrator Phyllis Myung at Phyllis@printbuyersinternational.com. Group discounts are available.

07/29/11

COLOR-LOGIC ANNOUNCES METALLIC COLOR SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL PRINT PROCESSES

Press release from the issuing company

 Color-Logic-developer of the popular Process Metallic Color System-has announced that the process is now available for all print processes.  Color-Logic Director of Sales and Marketing Mark Geeves commented: "Color-Logic has significantly expanded the capability of our Process Metallic Color System.  Licensed Color-Logic printers will now find the software produces specific files for printing using offset lithography, flexography, digital (HP Indigo, Xeikon, and EFI Jetrion), and certain wide format presses.  As a result, printers with multiple print process capability can offer their customers cross-media services and print economical, predictable metallic images and 250 metallic colors on a variety of machines.  The Color-Logic Process Metallic Color System is available directly from Color-Logic at www.color-logic.com."  

Color-Logic develops color communication systems and software tool sets for a variety of special effect printing applications.  Color-Logic provides brand owners, product managers, corporations, and their advertising agencies the ability to differentiate themselves and their clients with a simple print production process that yields dramatic results.  Color-Logic special effects utilize the existing workflows of printers and designers, yielding dynamic results without the use of special equipment.  Color-Logic supports the value of print and works with designers and printers to enhance their printed media.  For more information, visit www.color-logic.com or call 513-258-0047.

07/29/11

KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LAUNCHES BIZ HUB SECURE

Press release from the issuing company

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announces the launch of bizhub SECURE, a Professional Service that ensures Konica Minolta customers peace of mind by assisting end-users with the setup of enhanced password protection and data security measures.  

Konica Minolta has led the industry in providing enhanced security features for the digital era and now, with the new bizhub SECURE functions, document data that might reside on the bizhub's internal hard drive is locked down.  Easily activated by a Konica Minolta field engineer, bizhub SECURE offers the following security measures on all bizhub MFPs:  

Hard Drive Encryption – The hard drive encryption setting is a 20-character alphanumeric key that encrypts the entire contents of a bizhub hard drive. This feature uses real-time 128-bit AES encryption algorithms and provides the highest level of protection if the hard drive is removed from a bizhub MFP and an unauthorized user attempts to extract its data.

Hard Drive Lock Password – Hard Drive Password Protection is an additional level of security that can be added to a hard drive by electronically locking it to the bizhub MFP via a 20-digit alphanumeric password.  The password is applied directly to the BIOS of the hard drive and prevents access to the hard disk data. This also protects the hard drive from unauthorized access if it is removed or switched to another bizhub device.

Automatic Deletion of Temporary Image Data – Auto deleting User Box Data on a timely basis is another safeguard to data security for bizhub MFPs. An auto deletion time can be set for data stored in the personal or public user boxes, as well as system boxes (e.g. secure print box or encrypted PDF print box). The auto deletion setting will erase the copy, print, scan or fax jobs stored in boxes, depending on the storage period and the time frame selected for deletion.

Data Overwrite of Electronic Documents on a Timed Basis – Eliminate the potential of retrieving temporary data even after it's been deleted by enabling Temporary Data Overwrite on bizhub MFPs. This feature automatically overwrites each completed job, deleting it from the bizhub and leaving no trace of its data anywhere in the system. It uses either one-time overwrite or three times overwrite in compliance with U.S. Department of Defense standards.  

"Of the many important resources to organizations across all industries, data can be the most valuable as well as the most vulnerable, and ensuring that industry-leading digital imaging technology safeguards this asset is one of our top priorities," said Sam Errigo, Senior Vice President, Business Intelligence Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. "The new bizhub SECURE Service offers unmatched levels of MFP security, and is another reason why customers can count on Konica Minolta to provide state-of-the-art security features that their company or organization demands."  

Konica Minolta works closely with third party security consultants to check each system for weaknesses or vulnerability, especially the security of information stored on bizhub MFPs.  As a result, the total security system on all bizhub MFPs is independently certified to the ISO 15408 Data security standard as established by the Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation.  While some manufacturers may only certify a component of their MFP or a "security kit," the entire system architecture of a Konica Minolta MFP is certified.

07/28/11

VALASSIS REPORTS HUGE CUSTOMER SAVINGS WITH COUPONS

Press release from the issuing company

Valassis, one of the nation's leading media and marketing services companies,announced today that first-half 2011 coupon redemption volume reached 1.75 billion, a moderate 2.9% increase compared to the first half of last year. In total, consumers saved $2 billion in the first six months of the year, according to the U.S. Mid-year 2011 Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Coupon Facts Report, released by NCH Marketing Services, Inc., a Valassis company. This savings is a 17.6% increase from the comparable period in 2009 when CPG marketers began offering more coupons during the depths of the economic downturn.

Coupons were distributed in record numbers in both 2009 and 2010. Distribution began to stabilize in the first half of 2011, marked by a 6.2% decline from the same period the prior year as marketers issued 167 billion CPG coupons. Although year-to-date distribution is down in the first half of 2011, it remains comparatively strong versus recent years when there was a rapid increase due to economic conditions. In fact, year-to-date, 2011 distribution is 5.7% higher than the comparable period in 2009 when distribution grew to 158 billion, and it is 18.4% higher than the first half of 2008.

First-half 2011 findings also reveal that the average face value is up 5.4% to $1.57 compared to $1.49 for the first half of 2010. In addition, marketers have shortened the average expiration to 10.1 weeks compared to 11.3 weeks for the comparable time period in 2010. Additionally, 27% of coupons distributed in the first half of the year required multiple purchases versus 24% for the same time period last year.

"Despite marketers' efforts to reduce redemption liability, coupon redemption volume saw a marked increase as the first half progressed," said Charlie Brown, NCH Vice President of Marketing. "CPG marketers are fine tuning their strategies including the number of offers in the marketplace. Every CPG company sets their own strategy. We are seeing many companies that are continuing to increase the total number of coupons they offer, including a few top coupon distributors promoting at a double-digit rate of increase over the prior year. But there are also a number of companies that have reduced their coupon activity for reasons specific to their own situation, such as cost management or changing tactics."

Despite fewer coupons in the marketplace, first-half coupon redemptions have outpaced prior years. Suzie Brown, Valassis Chief Marketing Officer, says higher redemption is due to a number of factors including the permanent shift toward a value-oriented mindset; rising food and gas prices; and increased availability of digital offers. Despite the growth of digital offerings, Brown pointed out that the distribution of digital values remains small, likely 1% or less of all coupons in the marketplace.

"Value-oriented behaviors continue to drive consumers to save, and marketers have taken note of what motivates these savvy shoppers," Suzie Brown said. "Marketers are well aware of today's deal-seeker and they remain committed to delivering value, building loyalty and retaining shoppers in a competitive marketplace or face losing market share."

Overall, CPG marketers continue to allocate the largest share of coupons - 89.6% - in the free-standing insert (FSI) via newspaper and shared mail delivery methods. This reflects a 2.1 share point increase from a year ago. Digital coupons, including both paper and paperless formats, continued to grow in the first six months of the year but at a slower pace compared to the upstart rates seen when first introduced. NCH measured a 15% increase in offers distributed digitally compared to the mid-year point a year ago.

Among retailers, first-half redemption volume is increasing across non-traditional grocery channels including drug stores experiencing 26% growth; other store types, including dollar stores are up 11.2%; and mass merchants, up 10.4%.

07/28/11

PRINTCITY ALIIANCE ANNOUNCES SEMINARS IN EUROPE

Press release from the issuing company

A new series of PrintCity Alliance knowledge sharing events in Europe is announced, featuring seminars in Turkey, the Ukraine, Russia and Poland this winter. Full details at: http://www.printcity.de/index.php?site_id=361    

First ever PrintCity Seminar in Istanbul, Turkey

Join us for our first seminar in the intriguing Turkish market on September 13. All PrintCity market sectors are covered in this event being organised with the Turkish printers association BASEV. This event offers many benefits for those interested in packaging, magazines, newspapers, commercial printing and book production.

Packaging & Sheetfed Seminars in Eastern Europe

Based in the popularity of PrintCity events across Eastern Europe in recent years, these seminars cover a wide range of printing & packaging topics under the 'connection of competence' alliance focus. Special highlights include the first results from the Value Added Packaging project exploring new technologies for high-end decoration and food packaging.

• October 27/28 – 6th Balkan Print Forum, Belgrade, Serbia – under the patronage of manroland
• November 9 – Kiev, Ukraine
• November 17 – Moscow, Russia
• November 22 – Poznan, Poland

Who should attend PrintCity Seminars

Managers involved in any area of the print & packaging industry who wish to increase their industry skills and process knowledge.

Benefits for PrintCity Event Attendees

Attendees receive latest knowledge on trends for packaging, magazines, newspapers and book production, through business benefit and process focused presentations by PrintCity Alliance members. They participate in an interactive programme which includes question & answer sessions and break-out opportunities. Direct benefits include access to the shared knowledge of PrintCity members, plus networking with other industry professionals.

07/28/11

XPLOR TO HOLD CONFERENCE & VENDOR FORUM

Press release from the issuing company

Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today issued a "call for presentations" for their 2012 Conference and Vendor Forum taking place March 27-29, 2012 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Hotel and Conference Center, a 4-Star, 585 room resort destination in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Themed "Making It Relevant," the event will feature over 70 educational sessions as well as a vendor forum and networking events. To submit a presentation or speaking topic, visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TLC27VN. Only complete surveys will be considered and the general deadline for submissions is August 31, 2011.Those selected will be notified of the status of their submission at the end of November.

Tweet this: Xplor International Issues Call for Presentations

Submission Guidelines
• Each session is 50 minutes in length including time for questions and answers. In the case of a technical presentation, Xplor will consider a double session if requested
• All sessions must be educational in nature -- no commercials for products or services! Presentations go through a review process with a Track Chair and Xplor before presentation
• Selected speakers will receive a complimentary Platinum Passport registration (up to $1,145 value) that will give them access to all conference sessions, daily lunch and evening networking events
• Both end user and vendor submissions are welcomed
The Xplor Conference and Vendor Forum is a great opportunity to share knowledge with others in the industry, network and learn. Presenters will be featured on the Xplor conference website and in the onsite conference guide. No other compensation is included.

Questions should be directed to Register@xplor.org, or via telephone at +1-813-929-8100 or 1-800-ON-XPLOR between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST), Monday through Friday. Vendors interested in exhibiting or being an event sponsor should contact Xplor's Director of Sales, Deborah Green at 770-444-3845 or via email at deborahgreen1@earthlink.net.

07/28/11

PREMIER PRESS CERTIFIED GREEN BY SGP

Press release from the issuing company

Premier Press, operating in Portland, Oregon's "Pearl District", is certified by the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership SGP-the first full-service printer to be certified (offset, digital, wide format, e-marketing)on the West Coast. It is easy to say you are "green", but it is really another matter to successfully complete the SGP program.

Accepting responsibility for environmental impact, Premier Press submitted to SGP's stringent review and documentation processes to ensure sustainable practices in all aspects of its business. Implementation of mandatory best practices is broken down by product, process, and envelope. Everything is scrutinized from operations, materials and processes, to human resources and consumer education. Annual review, ongoing educational programs, and ongoing improvement programs provide continual advancement towards true sustainability. www.sgppartnership.org

Premier Press has already taken several steps towards sustainable business practices. It is a 100% Wind Powered Facility and operates as a carbon neutral business. Other environmental certifications include FSC Forest Stewardship Council, SFI Sustainable Forestry Initiative and PEFC Programme for the Endorsement of Forest. Premier is an award-winning, full service print, design, marketing and e-service provider. Everything under one roof from in-store displays, signage, high-end marketing materials, and direct mailing services operating since 1974. A family owned and operated business, Premier Press has the relationships, responsibility, resounding quality and results that help companies prosper. Certified WBE minority business enterprise.

07/28/11

TOYO INK AMERICA TO SHOWCASE AT PACK EXPO 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Toyo Ink America, LLC, a member of the Toyo Ink Group, is showcasing its latest developments in packaging and printing solutions from its expanded product line at booth #5636 during Pack Expo 2011, September 26 – 28, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.   

Built around the theme "History. Technology. Innovation." Toyo Ink will underscore its longevity and expertise in developing products that outperform the competition in all packaging and print categories.  Printers in the flexible packaging, folding carton, bag, foil and label printing markets who are looking to add value and services while enjoying a great return on their investment can learn more about the company's powerful, performance-driven products.

At Pack Expo, Toyo Ink will emphasize performance benefits from its portfolio of more than 20 flexographic, gravure and offset inks, including the latest formulations for printing on film and paper substrates applications.  In addition, Toyo's comprehensive lineup of adhesives, inkjet, plastic colorants and other packaging related materials will be featured at the show.  Some product highlights, to name a few, include:

• Water-based surface film inks such as PolytechTM, a high-pigment-load ink formulated exclusively for clean-running applications on high-density polyethylene substrates.  Polytech is a popular choice for producing strong glossy images on HDPE garment and T-shirt bags.  Polychip PC3TM for low-density polyethylene substrates and the low-VOC VersafilmTM are also featured items in this line.

• Toyo's water-based lamination ink, Densiflex 9TM, another popular choice for superb color strength, high printing speeds and good adhesion to a wide range of film substrates.  It prints on PET, polypropylene, LDPE and other films without a cross-linker or additives.  

• In the solvent-based surface film ink lineup, Toyo's StarflexTM and ProshineTM excel at high-speed printing of polyolefin substrates.  Characterized by medium heat resistance Proshine-a nitrocellulose-based blendable ink-enables fine process printing and clean running of fine type and screen applications.  

• BondwiserTM, a solvent-based lamination ink, ensures clean flexographic printing, good adhesion on multiple film types and extremely low solvent retention and odor. It works well with water-based, solvent-based and especially solvent-less adhesives. Its nitrocellulose base delivers high color strength.

• Toyo offers a wide array of water-based paper inks.  AquaPrimeTM easily handles the requirements of folding carton, kraft, envelopes and many non-porous films as well as paper substrates used in narrow-web and wide-web printing.  EconotechTM, designed for 300-line anilox rolls, performs extremely well for fine-line printing on kraft, SBS, recycled board and coated envelope substrates.  Made from heat-resistant resins DynatechTM is formulated for doctor-bladed high-line/low-volume anilox rolls.  

 "Whatever the job requirement, whether it be film, paper, energy-curable, water-, oil- or solvent-based printing, Toyo Ink has the printing technology know-how to fulfill customer's requirements," said John Copeland, president and COO of Toyo Ink America, LLC.  "What's more, we've recently relocated our headquarters to a 109,000-sq.-ft. facility in Wood Dale, IL, nearly double the size of our previous work space.  The relocation provides us with the resources necessary to respond to our increasing customer base in the Americas and immediate need to bring customized packaging and printing solutions to the global marketplace."

For a downloadable version of the Toyo Ink America product brochure in pdf format (3MB), please go to the following link: https://www.tia.toyoink.com/files/Toyo_Brochure_4-11-11.pdf

07/27/11

POST OFFICE RESTRUCTURING AROUND CUSTOMER NEEDS

Press release from the issuing company

As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices - the largest retail network in the country - diminishes. To that end, the U.S. Postal Service announced today that it will be taking the next step in right-sizing its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs. As part of this effort, the Postal Service also introduced a retail-replacement option for affected communities around the nation.

"Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service's retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7," said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. "Our customer's habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business."

For communities currently without a postal retail office and for communities affected by these retail optimization efforts, the Postal Service introduced the Village Post Office as a potential replacement option. Village Post Offices would be operated by local businesses, such as pharmacies, grocery stores and other appropriate retailers, and would offer popular postal products and services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.

"By working with third-party retailers, we're creating easier, more convenient access to our products and services when and where our customers want them," Donahoe said. "The Village Post Office will offer another way for us to meet our customers' needs."

With 32,000 postal retail offices and more than 70,000 third-party retailers - Approved Postal Providers - selling postage stamps and providing expanded access to other postal products and services, customers today have about 100,000 locations across the nation where they can do business with the Postal Service.

"The Postal Service of the future will be smaller, leaner and more competitive and it will continue to drive commerce, serve communities and deliver value," Donahoe added.

The list of offices being studied and additional information, including video, audio soundbites, b-roll and JPEGs, can be found at http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/expandedaccess/welcome.htm.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

07/27/11

QUANTUM PRINT & PACKAGING AQUIRES NEW FOLDER GLUER

Press release from the issuing company

Packaging print shop Quantum Print & Packaging in Willenhall, England, recently became the first company in the UK to take delivery of a Diana X 115 folder gluer. "This investment helps us optimize the production process and represents a huge step towards our efficiency goals," says Managing Director Chris Holmes and continues "the arrival of the Diana X 115 marks the end of any outplacement of gluing work". The company hopes that this machine will boost its current GBP 2.3 million turnover (over EUR 2.6 million) by 20 percent. Quantum Print & Packaging employs 32 staff and produces a wide range of folded cartons in short to medium runs on a five-color Speedmaster CD 102 with coating unit and a two-color GTO 52. The company manufactures stock boxes, blister cards and point of sale and display packaging for a broad customer base nationwide.

"We were particularly impressed with the specification of the Diana X and its excellent reputation. We also know that Heidelberg will provide outstanding service and comprehensive support," adds Holmes.

"The Diana X gives us greater flexibility, higher production speeds, simpler setup, shorter makeready times, and the ability to offer more bespoke, individually styled cartons and packaging products," confirms Production Director Peter Thomas. Quantum Print & Packaging holds quality and environmental certification in the form of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 respectively. The company is also in the process of installing a management information system (MIS). In the future it also intends to utilize the electronic presetting options of the Diana X 115.

The Diana X 115 has proved very successful since its European launch in 2009, with more than 20 machines sold on this market. Packaging printers in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, and Poland are showing a great readiness to invest at present. In 2010 alone, packaging printers took delivery of seven Diana X 115 folder gluers.

The modular design of the Diana X 115 enables an extremely broad range of applications. The machine plays a key role in two market segments in particular - in the confectionery segment with complex universal machines, some of which are equipped with turning modules. And in the foodstuffs segment with fast, high-performance lines, usually in conjunction with pile turners, feeders, and packers. Heidelberg is now the market leader in Germany in this peak performance class - and the Diana X 115 sets standards here for state-of-the-art equipment thanks to its high productivity, accurate folding quality, and minimum makeready times. On the basis of their market success, production capacity at Heidelberg for folder gluers has recently been doubled.

The Diana X 115 was developed in close cooperation with leading folding carton manufacturers and launched at drupa 2008. The machine was taken into series production at the start of 2009. Its high modularity paves the way for bespoke and customized configurations. As a result, the Diana X enables an almost unlimited range of cartons and offers flexibility and opportunities for growth in the future, as individual modules can be retrofitted at any time. Over 200,000 cartons per hour can be processed at speeds of up to 650 meters per minute. What's more, the fully automatic Autoset changeover cuts makeready times dramatically. Further advantages include maintenance-free servo drive technology, a state-of the-art safety concept with light grids, and a roller bar and transportation concept that increases flexibility and accelerates setting processes. The cutting-edge blank removal system ensures that even complex cartons can be ejected reliably at full speed.

07/27/11

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TRIM PRINTING COSTS

Press release from the issuing company

Colleges and universities take note: a closer look at the way students and staff are printing documents could go a long way in stretching the budget.  For example, Ohio-based Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) will save nearly $2 million using Xerox Corporation's managed print services (MPS) to control costs associated with printing across its three campuses.  

Tri-C signed on for a five-year Enterprise Print Services contract to better handle how its more than 32,000 students were using printers, copiers and fax machines.  Working with Xerox, Tri-C eliminated approximately 400 outdated or unused devices and simplified the print environment to help students and staff direct jobs to the most cost-effective, energy-efficient machines.  

"Xerox delivered a strategy that has an immediate impact on our bottom line and our sustainability efforts. In the first year alone, we'll save up to $400,000 across campus offices and print centers, and we'll reduce paper and energy use by 34 percent," said Al Moran, vice president, Marketing, Tri-C.  

Xerox will measure progress using tools such as its Sustainability Calculator to pinpoint new opportunities to reduce paper use and power consumption.  Education efforts are underway to help staff and students understand the environmental benefits of the new print strategy.  

"Our primary mission is the education of students and to train and retrain the workforce in Northern Ohio – not managing documents. Xerox clears the way for us to focus on what's important," said Jerry Hourigan, vice president, IT, Tri-C.  "They also understand that how we communicate and execute MPS across campus is just as important as cost savings and other benefits."  

Xerox was positioned by Gartner, Inc., in the Leaders Quadrant in the 2010 Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services Worldwide1, and was recognized as a leader in IDC's Worldwide and U.S. Outsourced Print and Document Services Forecast and Analysis2 and in IDC's 2010 MPS MarketScape report3. Xerox was also named a managed print services market leader in Quocirca's European Vendor "MPS Comes of Age" report 2010.

07/27/11

VERTIS COMMUNICATIONS APPOINTS NEW CEO

Press release from the issuing company

Vertis Communications, a results-driven marketing communications company that delivers inventive advertising, direct marketing and interactive solutions to prominent brands across North America, announced today the appointment of Gerald "Jerry" Sokol, Jr. to the permanent position of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 25, 2011. Sokol held the position of interim President and CEO since December 20, 2010, while acting as the company's Chief Financial Officer.

"The Board of Directors believes Jerry has done a tremendous job over the past several months and is clearly the right person to lead Vertis," said Doug Teitelbaum, Chairman of the Board. "Since assuming the role as interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Jerry has demonstrated outstanding leadership, taking decisive actions to establish a solid operational foundation for the company while setting a clear growth strategy to capitalize on a rapidly changing industry. We have also received positive feedback from across the organization about Jerry's passion for the business and performance to date. We look forward to Jerry leading Vertis through its next phase of growth."

"I am honored to have the opportunity to solidify my ongoing commitment to the organization and work with the talented group of professionals at Vertis to carry forward the strategies we've put in place to build value for our customers, employees and shareholders" said Sokol. "Vertis is an elite marketing communications company that has an excellent track record in delivering superior customer service and quality solutions to prominent brands across North America. I look forward to leveraging the enormous potential of Vertis to advance the organization to the next generation marketing organization."

Before joining Vertis as CFO in 2009, Sokol served as Executive Vice President of AOL Finance, Operations and Strategy for the AOL division of Time Warner. During his 10 years with the company, he administered a multi-billion dollar operating budget and led business development, domestic operations, and the marketing analysis team. Sokol launched the AOL service in 11 international markets that generated several hundred million dollars of revenue through a mix of search, advertising, and subscription services and also led the IP of AOL Latin America. Prior to AOL, Sokol served as CEO, President and acting Board Chairman for NTN Communications, an interactive and Internet game development company, where he successfully architected a major financial, product and organizational restructuring. He has also held the position of Vice President of Finance and Treasurer at Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI) which was the largest U.S. cable television company and prior owner of Liberty Media.

Sokol earned a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Oakland University in Rochester, MI. For more information about Vertis Communications, please contact Lori Russo with Stanton Communications at 410-727-6855 or lrusso@stantoncomm.com.

07/27/11

OMAHA PRINT PURCHASES NEW UV INKJET SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

MCS, Inc., a leader in industrial and mailing inkjet technology and camera systems, announced Omaha Print's recent purchase of the new Eagle UV Inkjet system with a 4.25" print head, currently the widest print head on the market.

As a leader in direct mail solutions, Omaha Print purchased the MCS Eagle UV inkjet system to run a variety of applications. "We made this acquisition to add more capability to our arsenal of equipment to better serve our customers," claims Bob Redmond, Director of Mailing, Bindery and Digital for the Company. "We had been looking for a way to print pieces with the address information oriented either way on the piece, giving us the ability to run our jobs faster. We needed to address the rapidly growing need to print high quality graphics and variable QR codes to meet Cross Media marketing requirements. Finally, we wanted to exceed our customers' expectations of printing on top of aqueous coatings and plastic cards. The MCS equipment lets us meet all of these needs without compromising our high standards for print quality," claimed Redmond.

The MCS Eagle UV inkjet is a first-of-its-kind 4.25" inkjet printer for the industrial market. The high-speed, high resolution printer offers wide print widths, supports difficult substrates such as coated stocks and gift cards, and uses less ink than its competitors while delivering true native 600dpi quality. The unique 4.25" and 8.5" print heads support large print areas without stitch marks. Print heads can be combined, for a total width of up to 17 inches.

"The Eagle UV is an excellent product for direct mail jobs in particular," says Glenn Toole, VP of Sales & Marketing for MCS. "By running the pieces sideways, printers can increase their throughput and not sacrifice quality. For high-value pieces like gift cards and such, the UV ink's ability to handle many substrates is a real advantage."

Redmond found another advantage. "We also realized the benefit of faster drying time using the UV ink on difficult substrates including aqueous coated stocks," he added.

07/26/11

GREAT WESTERN INK AQUIRES FARBOTECH COLOR

Press release from the issuing company

Great Western Ink, a leading independent ink manufacturer and graphics supplier, announced today the successful acquisition of Farbotech Color out of Los Angeles, California.

Effective immediately, Fiona Cummings, Frank Butch and their team will join the Great Western Ink technical sales team and Great Western Ink will acquire the company's assets, name, and formulas.

"We are excited to have Fiona, Frank and their team joining us," said Keith Voigt, president of Great Western Ink, "Farbotech Color, with over 20 years in this region, brings a solid reputation for quality products, commitment to service and a wonderful group of customers to Great Western Ink.  GWI's goal is to humbly become the preferred supplier to the independent printing communities we serve and Farbotech will help us fulfill our mission in the greater Los Angeles area."

"Great Western Ink and Keith have been long time friends to Farbotech Color, my father Edd Butch, and our team.  This change has been discussed for years and will help strengthen Farbotech's ink products, technical support, product breadth and overall service to our customer base," said Frank Butch, President of Farbotech Color. "I have always respected their products, their service, and their conduct in the market.  I look forward to helping my current customers take advantage of all GWI has to offer.  Keith has put together a great team that is dedicated to helping the local community of printers thrive.  We look forward to joining his team and I look forward to leading our efforts in LA."

"I am more than happy that the business Edd and I led for so many years is now a valued part of a great organization. I have seen so many changes in the Printing Industry in Southern California over the last twenty years; it is good to continue with a true independent that can understand and serve our loyal customer base," said Fiona Cummings, now VP of Great Western Inks.

07/26/11

PACKAGING PRINTING HAS BRIGHT FUTURE

Press release from the issuing company

The future for packaging printing is brighter than ever, but printers can only succeed if they refuse to be boxed in. The on-the-go lifestyle of today's work-force is driving up consumption and making packaging printing even more indispensable, but a forward-looking approach is needed if printers want to profit from it.

When economies grow, people will buy more products, they will shop more. More supermarkets and other shops will emerge. In these shops and supermarkets, you cannot just throw all the products you sell on a pile or hang on a hook. You need to put it on a shelf. You need to display it nicely so that people notice your product and will actually buy. This means: Boxes are needed. Boxes need to be printed and printed well. Satisfying this huge demand may look easy at first glance. However, not every printer has the ability to meet the high quality standards set by the customers. The trend for shorter print runs resulting from retailers having little room to keep stock of products, and additional packaging security measures to protect customers' brands from imitations add to the challenges that printers face. Complicating matter is the growing emphasis on environment protection – a must-do for established brands that would like to pro-ject themselves as socially responsible.

Having access to topnotch presses and applications, like those provided by manroland, certainly does help. manroland knows best how to help printers in cop-ing with the demands: production efficiency, quality, and consistency as well as ability to differentiate. Production efficiency has plenty to do with a streamlined production management, short makeready times, quality assurance, and format, and these can benefit from digital workflows. Print shops have to rationalize order management procedures in order to boost the performance in the print value chain. A highly efficient process management system is needed, focusing on the whole production process with integration of prepress, press, and postpress as well as a link to business processes like cost calculation, quotations and even links to cus-tomers or print buyers.

It is good to consider where the cost of your company is actually sitting. Most of the cost in the printing company is related to paper, other materials and personnel. The total finance cost of the press is about ten percent of the total cost of operation. Therefore, when investing in production equipment, it makes sense to look carefully to which extent your new equipment can help you to reduce your paper cost and personnel. It could be better to spend a bit more on a machine that enables you to reduce paper cost, personnel cost and maintenance cost than buying a lower-cost machine that does not eventually give you a big advantage in reducing your total production cost.

If you as a printer do not care about the environment, you will simply not get a job from any well known brand owner. The manroland ecometer lets you determine po-tential savings. It calculates the required energy and resources based on specific information such as machine type, production volume, and paper consumption and offers specific suggestions for sustainably improving printing processes. In addition, it reveals the total savings that are possible over a year or over the total service life of a press. In addition to representing energy efficiency, reduced emis-sions, and resource savings, the ecometer provides an ecological assessment for predefined press configurations and indicates savings for carbon dioxide, energy, and the cost of materials. Cutting down on carbon emission is an important initial step in becoming eco-friendly. manroland works with consulting company ClimatePartner to calculate the carbon footprint.

07/26/11

BTA TO OFFER SALES WORKSHOP IN AUGUST

Press release from the issuing company

Strategy Development, a leading management consulting and advanced sales training firm, along with BTA, is conducting their BTA MPS Sales Workshop on August 9-10 and their Sales Management Workshop on August 11-12, 2011 in Minneapolis, MN.  Both classes will be held at Katun Headquarters.

BTA members who register by August 5th will receive 3X credit on their $150 educational discount coupon for either the BTA MPS Sales or BTA Sales Management Workshop:  A discount of $450!

In addition, those participants who are also Katun customers will receive a $300 Katun account credit (one per account) just for attending the August BTA MPS Sales Workshop.  That's a total savings of $750.

The BTA MPS Sales Workshop, taught by Strategy Development consultants Ed Carroll and David Ramos, is designed to provide sales leaders with a systematic and proven methodology to establish and maintain a profitable MPS program.  Participants will learn how to uncover new revenue streams, significantly increase the quantity of captured prints, lock in customers, enable differentiation from competitors, and, ultimately, sell more hardware.

Topics covered in this two-day workshop include: understanding the print space (the opportunity, IT's involvement, the sales approach and target markets); getting the appointment; presenting a value proposition; conducting an assessment; developing a strategy and tactics; building an MPS proposal that sells; pricing an MPS contract; expanding the opportunity after the sale; and preparing for quarterly business reviews.

The BTA MPS Sales workshop has been met with rave reviews:

Jackson Jordan of Advantage Business Systems said, "Great workshop!  Straight forward, easy to understand approach to MPS.  They give you the tools needed to implement a profitable MPS program.  Thank you Strategy Development!"

Richard Detwiler of Digital Business Machines in Nashville commented, "The knowledge that I acquired from real-world experiences, as well as the documentation examples, have given me the confidence to launch a print management division in our company. You have broken the process down to a step-by-step building block approach that makes the target very visible and achievable. I look forward to implementing the program in our company."   

Also taught by Carroll and Ramos, the BTA Sales Management Workshop will provide sales leaders a framework, process and tools concentrated on developing sales professionals, uncovering new business and expanding share of wallet with current customers.  All sales leaders, or sales professionals moving into a management position, will benefit greatly from this interactive workshop.  They will leave with proven processes that, when implemented, will increase their effectiveness, reduce turnover and drive improved results.

Lisa Chambers of Professional Business Systems in Arkansas said, "The BTA Sales Management workshop material was valuable and should provide great ROI for our business. This workshop was also motivational and it has helped to ignite excitement in current areas of struggle and opportunity."  And Margaret Sholl of Advanced Business Machines in Illinois had this to add, "Being new to the manager role, this workshop opened my eyes and provided me with how a person should be managed. This was a high-energy course that was filled with ideas I can bring to my company."

Some of the topics covered in this two-day workshop include:  how to build an effective sales team; territory design and management with focus on MPS and equipment; designing individual development plans; account planning and penetration; and, effective forecasting.  All attendees will leave with templates for account planning sessions and development planning as well as a customizable on-boarding schedule.

For more information or to register, please contact Tom Callinan at callinan@strategydevelopment.com or at 610-527-3317.

07/26/11

BGP TO INVEST IN 2ND STITCHING SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

Following a significant number of contract wins, BGP is investing in a second Ferag rotative gathering & stitching system for installation by November 2011, following its previous successful installation in December 2010.

Unlike the first installed machine which was designed solely for A4 products, the second machine will have the flexibility to also process tabloid and A5 specifications and brings investment in Ferag equipment to circa £6m over the last 9 months.

CEO David Holland commented, "This investment is once again based on minimising unit costs of manufacture through the application of the best available technology. Any alternative route would have necessitated the acquisition of 2 new binding lines rather than one. We have found Ferag to be an excellent partner over this year and are happy to increase our commitment to them."

To add to this expenditure BGP is also investing in soft proofing technology, more details of which will be announced shortly.

07/26/11

3 SIGMA CORPORATION ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE-LEVEL APPOINTMENTS

Press release from the issuing company

3 Sigma Corporation, a leading supplier of specialty custom adhesive and top-coated materials for the pressure-sensitive label industry, has announced several executive-level appointments:   
 
Tony Rowley has been named President of 3 Sigma, reporting to Grant Beck, 3 Sigma CEO.  Rowley was also appointed to the 3 Sigma Board of Directors, and will play a key role in defining the strategic direction and governance of the company.   
 
Mike Sotzing has been promoted to 3 Sigma Vice-President of Operations, replacing Rowley, who previously held that position.   
 
Rob Hoffert has been promoted to the position of 3 Sigma Plant Manager, and will oversee all manufacturing operations.    
 
Announcing the appointments, 3 Sigma CEO Grant Beck commented: "During the past two years, 3 Sigma has worked diligently to grow the company during a difficult recessionary period in the coating and laminating industry.  In late 2010 and the first half of 2011,  3 Sigma experienced tremendous growth.  Our manufacturing staff has been expanded, and 3 Sigma will add capacity in the second half of 2011.  The promotions being announced recognize the hard work and efforts of the 3 Sigma Operations group through a difficult period."

07/25/11

METRIX NOW SPEAKS ITALIAN

Press release from the issuing company

As European Market Share Grows, Metrix now speaks five languages: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish Metrix already has many fans in North America, where Intelligent production planning and automated ganging - on both the Windows and Mac platforms - has been gaining steady ground since the launch of Metrix in 2004. But its European presence is quickly growing as well.  
 
John Davies, Business Strategy Manager, Workflow, Fujifilm Europe, remarked, "We began including Metrix in our product offerings about 8 months ago, to accommodate customers who require an automated ganging solution. This market segment is growing at a fast pace due to printers having to print higher volumes of small jobs. To gang this type of work efficiently required some intelligent automation which is exactly what Metrix offers, and we are pleased to see a growing number of our customers adopting it."  
 
Rohan Holt, President of LithoTechnics, Inc., said, "About half of all printers in Europe are expected to adopt an internet-based storefront by next year, and so increasing numbers are looking for ganging solutions, which make the storefronts profitable. In addition, print production automation is moving ahead in other ways - witness the growing popularity of Management Information Systems for even small- and medium-sized enterprises. This, too, makes Metrix a key ingredient for success, as it consumes data directly from MIS, performs its planning, then sends complete, plate-ready impositions to Prepress. Metrix thus provides great value, and helps to ensure a smooth and cohesive workflow."  
 
Dario Brambilla, Product Manager BD Graphic System E.I. of Fujifilm Italy, added, "Italian printers are very interested in Metrix, and now that we have an Italian version we expect it to be a very popular part of our portfolio."  
 
Philip Glorian, LithoTechnics' European Sales Manager, affirmed, "The value of Metrix has certainly been recognized by our first user of the Italian version, who declined to be interviewed on the grounds that Metrix is a powerful competitive advantage!"  
 
Another European Metrix user, Stefan Ortmaier of Ortmaier Druck in Frontenhausen, Germany, confirms the competitive advantage Metrix affords: "With Metrix we can plan better and in a more standardized way, we can reduce costs significantly, and on top of that we clearly have less waste. In our company, Metrix is used throughout the complete print preparation process for gang-run jobs and commercial print jobs. On the whole, Metrix has contributed to an improved production workflow in prepress."  
 
Hervé Vermeuil at Exaprint in Montpelier, France, confirms this assessment: "With Metrix, we have been able to increase the number of orders we process each day by 20%. This added productivity has enabled us to expand our business."

07/25/11

BLI HONORS THE THREE MOST ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRINTING MODELS

Press release from the issuing company

Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI), the world's leading independent tester of document imaging products, today honors the most energy-efficient models tested in the past six months with "Outstanding Achievement" awards. Models from Brother, Lexmark and Samsung proved to be the most energy efficient in their respective classes.  
 
"With the growing need for customers to be 'green,' achievement awards for energy efficiency aren't given out lightly. To qualify for the awards, products must not only be among the most energy-efficient, but must also garner a 5-star rating overall in BLI's environmental tests, a feat that fewer than 25 percent of models have achieved since BLI began publishing the reports," said Lisa Reider, BLI's senior product editor for environmental testing. "It is an honor to acknowledge products that offer even more for the customer than outstanding performance in core categories like reliability, speed and image quality."  
 
BLI measures the energy consumed by document imaging products in all operating modes as well as in energy-save, idle and sleep modes. In addition to reporting on a range of other environmental related features, such as runnability with various grades of recycled paper, the reports include a projected annual energy consumption and cost based on real-world usage for each product segment.  
 
After analyzing the results for the top performers in a range of printer and MFP categories, BLI awarded Summer 2011 "Outstanding Achievement" awards in energy efficiency to the following products:  
 
BROTHER INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 
Brother MFC-9560CDW  
 
LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. 
Lexmark X792de/X792dte  
 
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA 
Samsung ML-3712ND 
Samsung SCX-5639FR  
 
Brother 
With a projected annual energy consumption about 75% lower than the average for its class, the Brother MFC-9560CDW earned a Summer 2011 BLI "Outstanding Achievement" award for its superb energy efficiency. In addition, this A4 color MFP model in the small to mid-size workgroup segment also offers duplexing functionality that intelligently avoids duplexing single pages and the last page of odd-numbered originals. Additional environmentally friendly features include blank-page removal and a job review mode for printing, which help to reduce paper and consumable consumption. The MFC-9560CDW and its international counterparts also meet the requirements for US ENERGY STAR, Germany Blue Angel, Japan Eco Mark and Nordic Swan.  
 
Lexmark 
In addition to its significantly lower than average projected annual energy consumption rate, which contributed to its recognition as the most energy-efficient A4 color MFP in the mid-size to large workgroup segment tested to date, the X792dte also earned five-star ratings in nearly every environmental category evaluated. Indeed, the X792dte consumes less energy, recovers from sleep mode in less than half the time it takes the competition and offers longer-lasting consumables. The X792dte also offers a variety of environmentally friendly features, including duplex functionality, a toner-save print mode and proof and job review modes. Unlike some competitive devices that remain active if an error condition is left unresolved, this unit enters sleep mode at its set time even if an error condition remains active, which helps to reduce overall energy consumption.  
 
"A key corporate initiative for Lexmark is sustainability, which is why we set the bar high to develop workhorse products with the smallest environmental footprint possible," said Marty Canning, Lexmark executive vice president and president of Imaging Solutions and Services. "This commitment enables our customers to, in turn, know that deploying Lexmark's devices will enable them to be more efficient when it comes to both employee productivity and energy usage. We appreciate that BLI has recognized the Lexmark X792dte color laser MFP for its outstanding energy efficiency," added Canning.  
 
Samsung 
Two Samsung devices earned "Outstanding Achievement" awards for "Energy Efficiency" in their respective categories: the ML-3712ND, an A4 monochrome printer in the small to mid-size workgroup segment; and the SCX-5639FR, an A4 monochrome MFP in the small workgroup segment. Both devices offer lower than average projected annual energy consumption rates when compared with the competition, which contributed to their award recognition. Additional environmental attributes include duplex functionality, as well as job review and toner-save modes. The ML-3712ND also offers a faster than average recovery time from daytime sleep mode, which allows the device to use less energy while still maintaining productivity.  
 
"Samsung is always looking for more ways to be eco-conscious," said Yonghwan Park, senior vice president of marketing for Samsung's IT Solution Business. "We appreciate the recognition from BLI, which further demonstrates the validity of our efforts to produce printers that lower both energy consumption and total cost of ownership."

07/25/11

MUTOH APPOINTS NEW WESTERN REGIONAL SALES ENGINEER

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh, an industry leader in wide-format printers, proudly appoints Mike Arias as Mutoh America Inc.'s western regional sales engineer. Arias' experience with sales and technical support in the wide-format industry makes him a perfect fit for his new position with Mutoh.   
 
Working under the guidance of the director of sales: Gary Rudnick, Arias' main responsibilities will be: product training for Mutoh dealers, maintaining equipment in the Torrance, California office demo room and working with the regional sales manager to implement trade shows, open houses and customer demonstrations.   
 
Prior to his position with Mutoh, Arias was the western regional service manager at GEI Calgraph for six years. Arias has an extensive background in sales and technical support through previous positions at Roland DGA and Océ. He is excited to be on the Mutoh team and help increase sales and customer service in the region.   
 
"I have worked for many companies in the wide-format industry, but none that have the revolutionary products that Mutoh has," shares Arias. "The Mutoh line is innovative and constantly growing; it gives us a great opportunity to be on the forefront of different industries including textiles, sign and many others. I am looking forward to increasing territory productivity by supporting our dealers and increasing brand awareness."

07/25/11

TORRASPAPEL DEBUTS METALVAC 100% RECYCLABLE METALLIZED PAPER AT LABELEXPO

Press release from the issuing company

Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, will be present once again at the world's largest event for the label industry, showcasing numerous innovations in its one-side coated, metallized, cast-coated and thermal label papers as well as its self-adhesive label materials.

Torraspapel's presence at Labelexpo this year follows the announcement of investments of over 26 million Euros aimed at increasing the production capacity of the company's Metalvac and Adestor specialty paper ranges, demonstrating its commitment to diversifying its product range and its willingness to extend its leadership into new market segments.

A new machine will be brought on line in Almazán (Spain), doubling current self-adhesive production capacity, and a state-of-the-art logistical center opened in Central Europe, thereby strengthening Torraspapel's service and market position in Central and Eastern Europe. The Adestor line of self-adhesive materials are products of recognized quality available in sheets and reels, offering multiple solutions for the most demanding label needs. The range, with a variety of colors, finishes and textures, is tailored to the different end uses for which it is intended, including food and beverage, retail, logistics and transport, and personal and home care.

As to Metalvac, a line of 100% recyclable high-vacuum metallized papers, the new investment will allow for an increase in production capacity of approximately 70% in order to meet the needs of a growing sector, specifically in the label and packaging segment. The installation of a new metallizer at the Leitza mill (Spain) reflects Torraspapel's desire to grow in high added-value products. Metalvac is a product designed specifically for high-end beer and beverage labels, inner-liners and flexible packaging. Available in silver and gold, glossy and matt, Metalvac comes with different embossed finishes and is suitable for returnable container labels.

Eurokote is Torraspapel's cast-coated paper with superior whiteness for prestige labels for the wine, spirits, champagne, luxury packaging, self-adhesives, advertising and publishing markets.

Torraspapel recently extended its line of Creaset one-side coated papers with the launch of Creaset Suit. Specifically designed for color printing of all sorts of labels and flexible packaging, Creaset Suit is a glossy paper with high specific volume and opacity as well as rapid ink absorption that facilitates inline varnishing and subsequent finishing processes. Creaset Suit's sheet formation and physical properties give it substantial internal resistance and dimensional stability, enabling increased productivity in printing and finishing processes and final application on the package.

With the aim of offering label solutions for direct thermal printing applications, Torraspapel has developed Termax, an extensive range of heat-sensitive papers. Used for sales receipts and tickets, Termax papers are also suitable for self-adhesive labels.

All of Torraspapel's product lines are manufactured at sites holding ISO 9001 quality certification, as well as ISO 14001 and EMAS environmental certifications, and are available with PEFC and FSC chain-of-custody forest certification upon request.

With a total production capacity of more than 1.1 million metric tons, Torraspapel is a pulp, coated paper, specialty papers and base paper manufacturer. It has invested heavily in its seven Spanish manufacturing sites, which have been equipped to specialize in specific product lines, with a high level of integration and technological know-how, resulting in better product knowledge, higher quality and excellent environmental positioning.

Discover an endless world of labels at the Torraspapel stand at Labelexpo 2011, Pavillion 5, stand A72, from September 28 to October 1 in Brussels.

07/25/11

STANDARD REGISTER RELEASES NEW APPLICATION SUITE

Press release from the issuing company

To help companies coordinate and manage billing and payment processes that span multiple distribution channels, Standard Register (NYSE:SR), a leading provider of critical communications management solutions, has developed a suite of Integrated Statement and Billing Solutions that enable businesses to manage multi-channel customer communications to reduce transaction costs, shorten the time between invoicing and payment, and create new cross-selling opportunities.

Integrated Statement and Billing Solutions provide a complete outsourced solution for managing the printing, mailing, electronic transmission and fulfillment of business-critical documents, such as invoices, statements and notifications. The multi-channel approach coordinates print and electronic presentment and payment solutions, enabling businesses to tailor communications to customer preferences while moving aggressively to increase e-billing and payment. It is designed for businesses of all sizes that regularly provide invoices or statements to their customers including financial services, business and consumer services, utilities, transportation and distribution and telecommunications.

"We wanted to get out of the print and mail business and focus on our main business," said Brock Dewey, executive vice president for Pasadena-based Dewey Pest Control, which uses the Integrated Billing and Statement Solution with its 60,000 clients. "With Standard Register, we found a partner that could provide an end-to-end solution that enhanced our brand in the eyes of our customers. The return-on-investment from outsourcing our printing and mailing operation was instantaneous."

Integrated Statement and Billing Solutions build on Standard Register's foundation of services, technology and a robust print and electronic production and distribution infrastructure. Programs are customized to the requirements of each company and their customers, and can include:

Composition and design services that produce personalized, impactful documents that can be delivered via print, web, email and text
Complete printing and mailing services
Document conversion from print to PDF
Online document presentment through a branded portal to deliver invoices and bills online
Secure distribution of electronic bills, statements and notifications
Electronic payment processing
Integration with consolidated billing sites and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
Document indexing, archival and retrieval

The Integrated Billing and Statement Solution draws on the extensive capabilities Standard Register has developed supporting critical communications for its large enterprise customers, including 24/5 SAS 70 compliant print and mail centers to ensure quality and security of printed communications, the Automated Document Factory to verify that each inserted mail piece corresponds to the right print file, and 2D bar coding and optical scanners to ensure quality and security. All operations are managed to the highest security standards with all facilities equipped with inventory access control, restricted production areas and 24/7 surveillance.

"With increased consumer acceptance of e-billing, businesses have an opportunity to dramatically reduce their costs while providing a convenient and secure service for their customers," said Brian Yavorsky, product manager for customer communications, Standard Register Commercial. "With this integrated solution we are helping our customers capitalize on that opportunity while delivering a level of quality, security and automation that most could not achieve in-house."

07/22/11

KBA'S B2 E-VERSION RAPIDA 75 A SUCCESS

Press release from the issuing company

The E-version of KBA's B2 (29in) Rapida 75 launched at Ipex 2010 in Birmingham is fast gaining an international following, with installations in Europe, Asia, Latin America and, since spring this year, South Africa, where two press lines went live at Pro-Print in Congella, near Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). They are resounding proof that the E stands for both economy and ecology.

The KBA presses are the first in the company's 47-year history, and join 16 Komori presses totalling 64 printing units. Pro-Print, which specialises in top-quality pharmaceutical packaging, has won numerous accolades, including the Sappi African Printer Award.

Proprietor and managing director Barry Roberts took over the helm from his parents, Ernest and Doreen, who in 1964 seized the opportunity to acquire the printing arm of Allen Hanburys, now Glaxo Smithkline. Since then Pro-Print (short for Professionals in Print) has built up a reputation for quality excellence and outstanding customer services. Its 3,000m² (32,300ft²) premises in Hannah Road have witnessed its evolution from modest beginnings into a modern and well-equipped printing plant. Last year Pro-Print's 160 employees generated sales exceeding €11m ($15.8m). With the two new KBA Rapida 75E presses the company is gearing up for future growth by burnishing its economic and environmental credentials.

Alongside international pharmaceutical companies Pro-Print's highly discerning clientele includes prominent advertising agencies and a host of retail, industrial and tourist enterprises, among them Adcock Ingram, Aspen Pharmcare, Bayer, Winthrop pharma, Janssen Cilag, NBI, Sandoz Novartis Hexal, Whalley & Ass., Glaxo Smithkline and Xpressions.

In choosing the Rapida 75E Pro-Print has opted for the energy-saving champion in B2 format. In addition to a higher maximum output of 16,000sph and a wider range of stock thicknesses (up to 0.8mm or 32pt) the press features a raft of new advances.

Pro-Print CEO Barry Roberts says: "It may come as a surprise to many in the sector that as a longstanding Komori user we brought a new vendor on board, but the spontaneous decision made at Ipex 2010 in favour of the two Rapida 75E presses was based on solid facts. It was not so much the production speed that tipped the scales, but the small footprint, the array of features and the quality of the service provided. The evaluation system on which our success and reputation are founded accords quality, efficiency, pricing policy and service equal priority. This applies to every aspect of our production chain from pre-press, press and finishing to mailroom logistics."

He continues: "Our rigorous standards don't just apply to pharmaceutical packaging: we observe the same high principles when printing business cards and reports, brochures, catalogues and flyers, and environmental awareness is an integral part. All presses are alcohol-free. The new KBA presses fulfilled our expectations right from the start, enhancing our performance on a sustainable basis. We installed a four- and a five-colour version, both of which boast automatic plate changing, blanket washing and ErgoTronic consoles. Their makeready times and energy efficiency are highly competitive, and they are extremely reliable. Their ability to print alcohol-free makes them exceptionally eco-friendly."

Barry Roberts has ambitious plans for the future. "Service is provided by the Durban branch of KBA's South African agency, Thunderbolt Solutions. We are progressively updating the automation levels of our existing presses and maybe in a few years we'll have an entire KBA fleet. Who knows?"

07/22/11

BLI ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF ITS SUMMER 2011 PICKS

Press release from the issuing company

The world's leading authority on document imaging devices, Buyers Laboratory Inc. (BLI) today announced the winners of its Summer 2011 "Picks" in the critical color printer and printer MFP categories, with awards going to Dell, HP, Lexmark, Kyocera and Ricoh. Presented twice each year, BLI's "Pick" awards acknowledge the devices that are the best of the best and clearly stand above their respective peers.

After BLI analysts and editors spent months evaluating lab test data in such critical performance areas as reliability, image quality, ease of use and cost of ownership, the following seven models from five vendors were selected by BLI as "Pick" winners:

Dell Inc.
Dell 2150 Series
Outstanding A4 Color Printer for Small Workgroups

Hewlett-Packard Company
HP Officejet Pro 8000 Enterprise Printer
Outstanding Business Inkjet Printer

Kyocera Mita America, Inc.
Kyocera FS-C5250DN
Outstanding A4 Color Printer for Mid-Size Workgroups

Lexmark International, Inc.
Lexmark X548 Series
Outstanding Solutions-Capable A4 Color MFP for Small Workgroups

Ricoh Americas Corporation
Ricoh Aficio MP C400 Series
(also sold as Lanier LD140C and Savin C240)
Outstanding A4 Color Printer for Mid-Size Workgroups

Ricoh Aficio MP C300 Series
(also sold as Lanier LP130C and Savin C230)
Outstanding A4 Color MFP for Mid-Size Workgroups

Ricoh Aficio SP C430DN
(also sold as Lanier LP137CN and Savin CLP37DN)
Outstanding A4 Color Printer for Large Workgroups

Ricoh Wins for High-End Color
Ricoh was awarded "Picks" in outstanding color devices in three categories. "Though a relative latecomer to the high-end A4 color MFP market, Ricoh really delivers quality and performance with the MP C300 and MP C400 series," said BLI Senior Analyst for Printers and A4 MFPs Marlene Orr. "Both devices offer the full functionality and ease of use of the company's copier line, are built on Ricoh's open architecture platform to allow for seamless integration with software solutions and include flexible and robust management utilities. Adding to the package are fast speeds, bright color saturation and the ability support heavier paper weights than many competitive models."

Ricoh also earned a Pick for the SP C430DN printer. "One of the most compelling things about the SP C430DN is that it ran at nearly identical speeds in simplex and duplex, so users don't have to sacrifice productivity to conserve resources," said BLI Associate Editor Carl Schell.

"We are honoured to be awarded BLI "Picks" for our MP C400, MP C300 and SP C430DN models," said Kentaro Fukutomi, MFP product manager for Ricoh Europe. "These colour MFPs provide great benefits for mid-size and large workgroups, combining productivity, reliability and ease of use in a compact device. Our new A4 MFPs enable customers to choose various solutions from our strong MFP and printer line up to assist them in their successful business."

Lexmark Brings Solutions to the Desktop
One of the first small workgroup MFPs to bring embedded software solutions to the desktop, the Lexmark X548 series combines high-level workgroup functionality with a small workgroup footprint and price tag. "The X548 series takes ease of use to a new level, incorporating Lexmark's eTask interface to not only simplify walkup functions, but also allow for customization and integration with software solutions to automate workflow," said BLI Senior Test Technician Tony Maceri.

"With the X548 color laser MFP series, Lexmark has delivered advanced features and functionality to the small workgroup environment that are commonly seen in enterprise devices, giving customers an innovative, solutions-ready MFP at an affordable price point that's ready to take on their workflow needs," said Marty Canning, Lexmark executive vice president and president of Imaging Solutions and Services. "Receiving BLI's 'Pick of the Year' Award validates that this product line is an ideal choice to bring efficiency to small workgroups, and we're honored to receive this distinction."

Robust Features Earn Kyocera "Pick" Award
Reliability, productivity and a robust feature set have won a "Pick" for the Kyocera FS-C5250DN in the mid-size workgroup category. "In the test that is one of the most key indicators of real-world performance, the FS-C5250DN's performance was at the top of its class, clearly proving this printer can handle just about anything workgroups will throw at it," said David Sweetnam, who heads BLI's European research and lab services. "High memory and paper capacities, loads of standard security features and long-life consumables make this unit that much more attractive."

"Reliability is a key feature of the Kyocera range, so we are delighted that BLI has recognized this as a compelling benefit of the FS-C5250DN," said Oliver Kreth, general manager of European marketing for Kyocera. "At Kyocera we aim to make high quality color printing easily accessible and very affordable for our customers. We are very pleased to win this coveted award."

Dell Wins with Fast, Affordable Desktop Printer
Winner of a BLI "Pick" in the small workgroup MFP category, the Dell 2150cdn delivers the features small workgroups need in a compact footprint. "In our evaluation, the 2150cdn's speeds were faster than average in nearly every print productivity test," said BLI Associate Editor Carl Schell. "Flawless reliability over 20,000 impressions, a simple control panel design and intuitive drivers that boost ease of use, and lower than average cost of ownership add to the package."

"Dell is honored to have been chosen by Buyers Laboratory as its 'Pick' for both Outstanding A4 Color Personal Printer for Small Workgroups and Outstanding A4 Color Printer for Small Workgroups," said Don Heath, marketing director for Dell Printing and Imaging. With both the 1350cnw Color Laser Printer and the 2150 Color Printer Series, we sought to deliver outstanding value in the form of world-class reliability and efficiency. We are dedicated to providing our customers with quality solutions to meet their diverse printing needs."

HP Wins for Enterprise-Level Features in an Inkjet Printer
An easy-to-use inkjet printer that combines the best of ink and laser worlds, the HP Officejet Pro 8000 Enterprise takes BLI's "Pick" in the business inkjet category. "A budget-friendly choice, with a purchase price and cost per page that are lower than the average of its peers, both inkjet and laser, the Officejet Pro 8000 Enterprise Printer offers an above-average feature set that includes security and management features not normally found on devices in this class," said BLI's Orr. "In fact, combined with its strong showing in our tests, the Officejet Pro 8000 strong feature set and aggressive pricing make it a more viable option than many low-end lasers for a variety of business environments."

"We are pleased that BLI has awarded the HP Officejet Pro 8000 Enterprise Printer with this distinction for its low cost of ownership, professional print quality and enterprise manageability," said Hatem Mostafa, vice president with HP's Imaging & Printing Group. "The HP Officejet Pro prints professional color for up to 50 percent lower cost per page than lasers and it is our first desktop inkjet printer for the enterprise with built-in support for HP's print management tools. IT managers can easily integrate the device into existing printing environments, increasing productivity and reducing management costs."

Stay tuned for the July 22 announcement of Buyers Lab "Outstanding Achievement" award winners.

07/22/11

ROTOCONTROL RECEIVES FIRST ORDER FROM KIMOHA

Press release from the issuing company

ROTOCONTROL today announced the receipt of the first purchase order in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from Kimoha, a pioneer in the manufacturing and marketing of Self Adhesive Labels and Flexibles headquartered in Dubai.  

Mr. Michael Aengenvoort, ROTOCONTROL Business Development Manager, met with Mr. Vinesh Bhimani, Managing Director and Mr. Wolfram Gruening, Executive Director on-site at Kimoha. Ordered was an RSC Slitter/Rewinder Inspection Machine with a fully integrated Vision System  from Nikka Research.  

Mr. Vinesh Bhimani, Managing Director of Kimoha commented: "I originally met with ROTOCONTROL at Labelexpo India. As a result of increase in production demand, we needed to expand our Finishing Machine capacity.  We opted for the ROTOCONTROL RSC due to its integration with the Nikka Research Vision System, the Vacuum Splice Table option enhancing Operator efficiency, and the 100% servo Bosch Rexroth Drives for our tension critical material."  

Mr. Wolfram Gruening, Executive Director of Kimoha commented: "ROTOCONTROL finishing machines are designed and built with the innovative technology and consideration of Operator use. We are delighted to invest in ROTOCONTROL."

With more than two decades of successful performance and commitment to excellence, Kimoha is a pioneer in the manufacturing and marketing of Self Adhesive Labels and Flexibles in addition to other complementary divisions including Auto ID and Aviation.  Headquartered in Dubai, Kimoha is focused on environmental sustainability, quality product, and service

07/22/11

2011 SGIA EZPO TO BE HELD 10/19-10/21

Press release from the issuing company

The 2011 SGIA Expo (New Orleans, October 19-21) showcases the broadest range of specialty imaging technology and business solutions in the marketplace. On top of the expansive show floor, attendees can mix and mingle with industry peers, compare notes with colleagues and make new business contacts at SGIA's exclusive networking events. http://www.sgia.org/events/current%5Fexpo/sgia11/events/

Community Receptions (Wednesday, October 19)
Network with industry professionals and enjoy a cold one (or two) on us. Industry segments represented at each reception:
• PDAA Community
• Latin American Community
• Garment Decoration Community
• Canadian Community
• Printed Electronics and Industrial Imaging Community

Receptions are by invitation-only. Receive a free ticket when you register for the Expo. http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia11/events/reception.cfm

Keynote Breakfast with Gene Marks (Thursday, October 20)
SGIA Keynoter and best-selling author Gene Marks will talk about the close relationship between politics, the economy and small business. He will delve into how today's current events impact tomorrow's profits.
http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia11/events/keynote.cfm
Thursday Night Awards Party (Thursday, October 20)
Grab a cocktail, some dinner and bring your date to see the industry's most prestigious awards honored at this annual event.
http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia11/events/tnap.cfm

For more information about the 2011 SGIA Expo and to register for your free pass, visit SGIA.org, Keyword: SGIAExpo.
http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia11/

07/22/11

KOMORI LITHRONE PRESS UTILIZED BY PRINTMAILERS

Press release from the issuing company

Komori America Corporation, a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, today announced that PrintMailers, a Texas-based marketing communications service provider, has recently installed a six-color Komori Lithrone SX29 (LSX629) to support its turnkey marketing communications production facility. PrintMailers offers its clients an impressive array of capabilities, including offset and digital printing, mailing and logistics services, creative design, list management, warehousing and inventory management and on-line order fulfillment. With its advanced automated features, the new Komori press supports PrintMailers' commitment to control the quality of every job from start to finish, quickly and efficiently. "Komori's reputation for print quality and performance was behind our decision to select this press and we haven't been disappointed," said Steve Johns, president of PrintMailers. "Because color consistency and control is huge in our business, we really liked the fact the LSX629 offered a closed-loop color control system that makes it possible to match colors to a proof much closer than we could before. This is very important when it comes to ensuring our customers' standards are met on every piece we print.  Additionally, it gets up to color 25 percent faster than our other equipment, which is also impressive. With the 29" sheet size we can run more up on a sheet, doubling our productivity and truly optimizing efficiency, which is so important."

The Lithrone SX29 offers PrintMailers not only exceptional print quality, but also competence with a range of paper thicknesses and special options that enable in-line value added printing.

"PrintMailers has successfully made the transition to being a value-added marketing services provider with its ability to handle every single component for customers, from idea to delivery," said Jacki Hudmon, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Komori. "We are pleased the LSX629 is supporting the company's successful turnkey operation by ensuring speed to market with a quality product."

07/21/11

FUJI XEROX CO. DEVELOPS FASTEST INKJET YET

Press release from the issuing company

For data printing and commercial printing, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. has developed a full-color inkjet printing system, 2800 Inkjet Color Continuous Feed Printing System, which has achieved the fastest output speed - 200 meters per minute in full-color duplex - in its product lineup. The new system is available in the Asia-Pacific region for immediate order taking, with installations starting on August 31.

The new system's full-color variable data printing feature with enhanced reliability will contribute to improvement of communications between customers and corporations in industries that need to issue such documents as account statements and invoices to individual customers. In those industries including banking and finance, life insurance, utility, securities and telecom, there is a growing need for high-volume printing in short lead-time as well as for variable printing that adds personalized information to each customer's document, which would encourage consumers to make a purchase decision or boost response rates.

The features include:

• High-speed output of 200 meters per minute in full-color duplex (2,624 pages 2-up duplex A4)Note1 by employing the inkjet printing system, making it Fuji Xerox's first inkjet production printer.
• To print variable data on each page, the newly-developed controller - a high-speed raster image processor (RIP) accelerator - boosts the data conversion performance to ensure the output speed of the printer engine.
• The new printer enables duplex printing without additional printer - as for previous high-speed inkjet printing systems in the market, two printers needed to be connected for duplex printing - thus saving the installation space by 50 percent.
• The main unit features a color management tool to reduce the time required to adjust colors for image reproducibility, while also printing crispy sharp text and numbers.
• The easy-to-use touch panel allows users intuitive operation to check the status of the printing system, printing jobs and RIP performance, which maximizes the operation efficiency.

07/21/11

SEAN DAVEY ENDORSES EPSON STYLUS PRO

Press release from the issuing company

Sean Davey, a professional photographer specializing in surfing and water photography, relies on an Epson Stylus Pro 9900 44-inch printer and Signature Worthy Exhibition Canvas Gloss for his high-quality output and print sales. Widely published in several countries, Davey boasts photo credits on over 120 magazine covers, and leverages the power of Epson technology to create his award-winning prints.  

"When I first started printing canvas, I put it in the printer and what I got was uninspiring," said Davey. "The blacks weren't really black, the whites seemed a bit yellow and the colors didn't have the pizzazz I was seeing on the monitor. I knew I had a great printer, I just had to find the right canvas, and that's when I heard about Epson's Exhibition Canvas Gloss. After producing my first print, I found what I was looking for – the blues and cyans are so important to what I do, and with this canvas, every color comes out exactly as it should with amazing contrast, gutsy blacks and beautiful saturation."

  Originally from the island state of Tasmania in Australia, Davey now calls Oahu's north shore home, and spends much of the Hawaiian winter photographing surfers from all over the world, and summer months shooting turtles, dolphins and fish. When not in Hawaii, Davey leads exploratory photo expeditions to many of the worlds more remote surf zones.  

In the past, Davey found some of his most popular images difficult to print because printers and papers couldn't fully express the images the way he saw them. Once he started using the Epson Stylus Pro 9900 and Exhibition Canvas Gloss, he found the blacks are true black and the aquas of the oceans and the blues of the sky are as vibrant as nature intended.  

Davey believes his customers gravitate toward canvas prints because it doesn't have glass – it allows them to look at the print and feel like they can almost jump right into the scene. "Canvas feels like fine art to my customers and looks best in larger sizes. The bigger the canvas, the greater the profit. I've printed on all kinds of papers, but it's really the canvas that people seem to love the most – it accounts for over 80 percent of my sales," said Davey.  

"The business has changed, and in order to survive, I've had to change with it," said Davey. "Bringing canvas printing in-house has allowed me to reach out to new markets and Exhibition Canvas Gloss has proven to be the perfect match for my work."  

More about the Epson Stylus Pro 9900 and Exhibition Canvas Gloss The Epson Stylus Pro 9900 combines the precision of a MicroPiezo TFP print head with the performance of 10-color Epson UltraChrome HDR ink, to deliver advanced print quality, fast speeds and an extremely wide color gamut. Combining Epson UltraChrome HDR ink with AccuPhoto HDR screening technology dramatically raises the level of print quality, which yields greatly enhanced photographic print quality with exceptionally fine photographic blends and transitions, and highly accurate highlight-to-shadow detail.  

Epson's Exhibition Canvas Gloss is engineered for the most discerning professional photographers, artists, fine art reproduction houses, and print-for-pay businesses. Built on a polyester and cotton blend that is specially coated to produce vibrant colors as well as rich, deep blacks and tonal gradations, this heavy 21 millimeter poly-cotton canvas can also be easily stretched and coated to help achieve the best combination of image quality and archival display life. Exhibition Canvas Gloss is part of Epson's Signature Worthy line of papers which represent the finest in print quality and permanence, deemed by creative professionals to be worthy of their signature.  

A video featuring Davey talking about his experience and work with Epson can be found on Epson Focal Points. For more information on Epson's complete line of professional printers and papers, visit www.proimaging.epson.com.

07/21/11

PRETON PARTNERS WITH PHAROS SYSTEMS TO OFFER SOFTWARE PACKAGE

Press release from the issuing company

Preton, the leading provider of printing cost reduction software, and Pharos Systems, the leading provider of cross-enterprise intelligent print management software and services, today announced that the two companies have formed a partnership to offer a bundled software package to increase the control and cost savings for corporate printing.

Preton's Pixel Optimizer technology intelligently indentifies and removes wasteful pixels during the printing process without visibly impacting quality. Pixel Optimizer is the core technology behind Preton's PretonSaver software application and has been integrated into the Pharos Blueprint Enterprise software. Blueprint is the premier print management and optimization software that delivers cost savings and waste reduction by providing comprehensive functionality to audit, track, monitor and control corporate printing activities. The integration of the Pixel Optimizer technology significantly extends the control and cost savings corporate customers can achieve with Blueprint.

"Preton and its Pixel Optimizer technology creates a new level of transparency and control for printing costs," said Keith Nickoloff, President of Pharos Systems. "Pixel Optimizer will benefit our enterprise customers with a non-intrusive method for determining maximum savings levels and reducing supplies consumption."

The reporting features from PretonSaver relating to ink and toner consumption, including unique measurements of printed page coverage, have also been incorporated into Pharos Systems' Blueprint software.

"Our partnership with Pharos is a significant opportunity for us to demonstrate the full value of our core Pixel Optimizer technology," said Ori Eizenberg, CEO of Preton. "We are pleased to be partnering with Pharos and extending our involvement into the US enterprise market."

The Blueprint software bundled with the Pixel Optimizer technology is available through Pharos Systems' worldwide network of sales professionals.

07/21/11

KERN GROUP LAUNCHES NEW ENVELOPE AUTO-TRAYING SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

The Kern Group has launched a new envelope auto-traying system to the UK market, the K60Light joins an expanding portfolio of mail room solutions.

The K60 Light is a pneumatic system that stacks envelopes into postal trays after they have been filled and attaches a corresponding tray label printed with delivery information.  The single tray type now adopted by the Royal Mail and all downstream access providers was developed to enable users to take advantage of Royal Mail's Mail current Sorts and  MS70 currently being rolled out.  The pre-sorted service launched on 27th September 2010 and offers lower prices for UK mailings of over 20,000 letters that are either OCR or CBC readable, and presented in trays.

Clive Martin, National Sales Manager at Kern, said: "The K60 Light is suitable for any company, large or small, that uses in-house mailing systems. The product is a smaller version of the K60, Kern's original concept in fully automated envelope management products. Although very popular in Europe, the UK market needed a smaller system as mail room facilities tend to be far more restricted in space. The K60 Light overcomes this challenge and has the added benefit of being modular so it can be adapted to fit any size mailing facility."

The design of the system makes it simple to switch between applications for processing DL and C5 envelopes.  It eliminates the need for strapping and bagging in sacks.  Trays are easily transported throughout the mail facility, and are cleaner and safer to handle.  When combined with Kern's high speed inserting system, the K3500, the K60L can process up to 24,000 envelopes per hour. The K60 Light is also compatible with other Kern systems including the K2600 and K2500.

The solution can also be used in conjunction with a Kern Logistical conveyer system to transport filled trays away from the system to the despatch area, eliminating the need for pallet lifters and saving room in limited spaces.

07/21/11

THREE CAL POLY STUDENTS AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS AT DESIGN COMPETITION

Press release from the issuing company

Three Cal Poly Graphic Communication students were awarded scholarships at the 2011 Bookbuilders West Scholarship Competition. Christina Dillon, Daniel Triassi and Jeannie Nguyen each won $500 for their book design projects.   
 
Student competitors were asked to select, design and produce a limited-edition book. The submissions are judged on creativity, presentation and meeting design objectives.   
 
The books were designed for Cal Poly Professor Lorraine Donegan's Book Design Technology course.   
 
"The students paid attention to every detail in designing their books, from the choice of typeface to the stitching of their pages and binding of the book," Donegan said. "Each project is unique based on the relationship the designer has with the book. It's fun to watch them fall in love with books and develop a deep appreciation for book design and production. We are very pleased to be recognized by the Bookbuilders West panel of judges."   
 
Dillon designed and produced "Pride and Prejudice." She became deeply involved in the project. "I love thinking that by designing a beautiful book, I am contributing to a reader's experience with the book itself," she said.   
 
Triassi designed and produced "The Hardy Boys, Tower of Treasure." He illustrated the book with a mix of nostalgic and timeless design, including his own illustrations. "The illustrations are representative of 1950s and '60s design aesthetic yet are still current today based on their clarity and simplicity," Triassi said.   
 
Nguyen designed and produced "Ella Minnow Pea," a novel based on a society in which letter writing is the principal form of communication.   
 
"Jeannie's creative typography and unique bookbinding wowed the judges," Donegan said. "She bound the letters into a book covered with a vintage graphic reminiscent of an international airmail envelope."   
 
Bookbuilders West focuses on the design, typography, production and manufacture of books. Bookbuilders West assembled an impressive panel of judges: Michael Carabetta, creative director, Chronicle Books; Leslie Cohen, freelance production director; Rob Ehle, art director, Stanford University Press, and Alistair Fein, senior designer, McGraw-Hill Higher Education.  
 
"Under professor Donegan's leadership, our students excel each year in the Bookbuilders West competition," said Harvey Levenson, head of Cal Poly's Graphic Communication Department. "Part of this success has to do with the philosophical undergirding built into our curriculum that books and reading remain a significant core value of our free society in expressing ideas and in distributing information in print -- perhaps the most viable, pervasive, meaningful and detailed form of mass communication that has ever existed. Our students take this premise very seriously."

07/20/11

EPMS AND SOFT SOLUTIONS, INC. COMBINE FORCES

Press release from the issuing company

EPMS (Enterprise Print Management Solutions), a leading print MIS developer, and Soft Solutions, Inc, a leading provider of DMI solutions announced the integration of their technologies, Enterprise 32  and SoftSolutions FLEX product line.  This integration combines the planning and production monitoring power of the EPMS print management system with the ability to capture equipment performance metrics and data in real time on the shop floor.  
 
EPMS actively seeks integration partnerships with industry vendors whose products complement the Enterprise management system.  "We needed to provide our clients with an easy to install, accurate and affordable DMI system that would help them to create and hit production targets, and obtain accurate real time data collection information from shop floor equipment.  Our larger clients in particular will benefit from this integration because it will remove the margin for error that comes with manual intervention in the data collection process.  SoftSolutions not only provides products that meet the needs of our clients, but they also practice the kind of client service and support that aligns with our corporate philosophy.  We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to work with them, "said Craig Andersen, Exec. VP of EPMS.  
 
"SoftSolutions is pleased to be partnering with an industry leader such as EPMS.  Our mutual goal is to help customers gain easier access to the business metrics they need to drive bottom line results.  EPMS has a long history of helping printers solve their MIS challenges in a straightforward and highly cost-effective manner.  That aligns perfectly with the philosophy at SoftSolutions.  We also appreciate the personal touch and strong focus on customer service that EPMS offers the print sector.  I am excited about the opportunities we will have to help more printers with their need for better integration to drive down costs and win more orders in this highly competitive market."

07/20/11

ENNIS, INC. ANNOUNCES NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR ATLAS TAG & LABEL

Press release from the issuing company

Ennis, Inc. is excited to announce the promotion of Bob Hagen to General Manager of our newest acquisition, Atlas Tag & Label in Neenah, Wisconsin. Mr. Hagen is a 10 year industry veteran, serving in roles such as accounting manager and controller. He has been a part of the Ennis, Inc. team since the Atlas acquisition in September 2010.  
 
"Bob was integral to our integration of Atlas Tag & Label into Ennis. Promoting from within the Atlas facility gives us a leader with 10 years of experience in the Neenah facility. I am looking forward to continue working with Bob on the improvement plans that have already started including the addition of capabilities through equipment upgrades," said Dale Donati, Vice President of Operations.  
 
Atlas Tag & Label was acquired by Ennis, Inc. in September 2010. The company continues to advance in the print industry, offering customers multiple solutions for their tag and label needs. In addition to the variations in product type, the facility is also able to print large and small quantity runs, allowing for complete customization on each order.  
 
For more information about Ennis, Inc. go to www.ennis.com or call the Ennis HOTLine at (800) 972-1069.

07/20/11

FIREHOUSE BOOTS PRODUCTION WITH BIZHUB PRESS

Press release from the issuing company

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that Firehouse Printing (Firehouse) has grown its color print production business by 18 percent with the award-winning bizhub PRESS C8000 Color Digital Press.  With the bizhub PRESS C8000, Firehouse has been able to expand its business beyond the production of training materials to offer customers higher quality, color printing options for heavy-stock postcards, direct mail flyers, business cards, and billing inserts while still meeting tight deadlines and budgets.   
 
With continued advancement of digital printing, Firehouse customers are requesting features such as exact color profiling, crisper images with higher resolutions and the ability to run heavier stock paper.  Firehouse Printing selected the bizhub PRESS C8000 with the Fiery Image Controller and EFI Fiery Graphic Arts Premium Edition to help them meet customer demand and provide the company with a competitive edge. Firehouse now offers sophisticated color management tools and can save individual customer color profiles to ensure that the specific colors are consistent for each print job saving the production team time and keeping customers coming back for more services.   
 
"The bizhub PRESS C8000 meets all of our expectations and is reliable, fast and easily handles any job we put at it," said Pablo Ramirez, Production Manager for Firehouse Printing.  "Not only does it have more robust features, but it requires less maintenance from facility operators allowing us to free up resources.  More importantly, with the bizhub PRESS C8000 we have expanded our business to become a one stop printing solution for our customers."   
 
Firehouse runs 100,000 to 120,000 impressions monthly through the bizhub PRESS C8000 and the print quality and color remains consistent on all print jobs from the first impression to the last.  Firehouse can quickly turnaround press quality materials with heaver substrates ranging from 100 to 130 pounds cover stock.  The Dual Fusing feature allows Firehouse to run thicker stock at near full rated speed providing offset-quality images without the time constraints of using an offset production press.  In addition, the company has not experienced any paper curling with the hybrid de-curling and humidifier option.  This combined with the air vacuum paper feeding ensures that all paper moves quickly and smoothly through the system.   
 
"In a tight economy growing your business can be challenging and Firehouse Printing is an excellent example of how production print companies can leverage the bizhub PRESS C8000 as an alternative to costly offset presses," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.  "Our customers can count on Konica Minolta to deliver fast, reliable, world-class color output, and market-leading innovation that will increase their productivity and provide them a competitive advantage."   
 
Click here for more information on Konica Minolta's award-winning products and services geared towards the production print marketplace.

07/20/11

SURVEY ADVANTAGE RELEASES BENCHMARKS RESULTS

Press release from the issuing company

Survey Advantage released their Print Buyer Satisfaction Benchmarks for the second quarter ending June 30th. The top 10% achieved over 91% print buyer loyalty, top third over 85% loyalty, average performers 76 to 85%, and  bottom third performers under 76%. Loyalty scores increased more than one percentage point over last quarter. Results were calculated from 11,029 print buyers evaluating recent performance of the printers who serve them.  Congratulations to AlphaGraphics-Evansville, IN for achieving the best overall loyalty rating. 95% of their customers stated they were "Very Likely" to recommend them to colleagues and friends based on their first quarter performance. AlphaGraphics Network 
AlphaGraphics - Evansville, IN, Lisa & Tom Slade 
 
Allegra Network 
Allegra P & I - Portage, MI, Brian Kaufman 
Franchise Services 
 
PIP Printing - Greenville, NC, Donald Stocks Independent Commercial 
Print 1 - Bethesda, MD, Jeff Gordon  
 

07/20/11

GPO PRINTING EXHIBIT NOW OPEN

Press release from the issuing company

"The coolest thing ever!"  "Great exhibit!"  "Very fine presentation!"  These are just some of the comments being left by the public at "Keeping America Informed," the new exhibit hosted by the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) to commemorate the agency's 150 years of service to the Nation.

Link to video of exhibit:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFTu8a-PLao&feature=channel_video_title

The exhibit's centerpiece-and a must-see for all those interested in one of the greatest documents of American history, as well as Lincoln enthusiasts and Civil War buffs-is an original, printed preliminary version of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued in September 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief and printed by GPO.  The document, on loan from the Library of Congress, shows proofreader's edits marking revisions that were incorporated into the final Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863.

Telling the story of how GPO's employees through its history moved from hand-set type to hand-held devices for receiving the latest digital files of Government information, the exhibits uses images and examples of the agency's remarkable output to describe What We Do (the nature and variety of GPO's work for Congress, the White House, Federal agencies, and the Courts), Who We Are (the skilled and dedicated employees who do the work), and How We Do It (the ongoing interaction of technology and skill that makes information available in print and online).

Among its features are copies of the memorable work produced by GPO throughout its history, including Thomas Jefferson's Bible, Warren Commission Report on the Assassination of President Kennedy, the colorful posters issued by the Government during World War II, a signed copy of President George H. W. Bush's 1991 State of the Union address, and the latest Web 2.0 version of the Federal Register.  A linotype machine that accompanied General John J. Pershing's headquarters staff in France during World War I is also on display, in addition computer kiosks providing access to GPO's Federal Digital System.

Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 732 North Capitol Street NW. The exhibit is open to the general public.  Exhibit goers can also pick up a discount coupon for GPO's latest book, Keeping America Informed, the exhibit's companion volume, available at GPO's recently renovated bookstore or online at: http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/gpo-keeping-america-informed.jsp

07/19/11

CANON SELLS ITS 2000TH imagePRESS

Press release from the issuing company

Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the sale of the 2000th unit of its imagePRESS C7010VP series digital production press. Built upon the revolutionary imagePRESS platform and developed with direct customer feedback to help grow their businesses, the 2000th imagePRESS C7010VP unit has been purchased by Doug and Michele May of One Step Inc., of Davenport, Iowa from Canon Authorized dealer RK Dixon, also of Davenport.

A Canon imagePRESS customer since March 2008, One Step (www.print1step.com) focuses on delivering high-quality digital output and services including custom short-run; web-to-print; and hybrid workflows combining offset and digital runs to customers in the Quad Cities and Chicago metropolitan areas. As demand for their digital services has grown, the Company worked with the production experts at RK Dixon (www.rkdixon.com) to expand their digital press fleet through the addition of a new Canon imagePRESS C7010VP.

"Reflecting on the incredible sales of the Canon imagePRESS C7010VP series of digital presses since its launch, Canon is proud to mark the sale of the 2000th imagePRESS color digital press," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "This milestone demonstrates how the Company's largest investment in R&D and three years of customer-centric feedback has created a digital production solution that is helping customers transform their businesses."

Starting as a digital-only print shop in 1995, One Step leveraged Canon's renowned image quality and the extraordinary durability of the imagePRESS platform to approach larger customers seeking high-volume production runs that demand uniform quality and timeliness to expand their business.

"When One Step sought to grow our digital print service portfolio, we felt that the Canon imagePRESS digital press was the first true digital press on the market capable of delivering the offset-like quality and reliability that we required," said Doug May, co-owner of One Step Inc. "As we open a new 35,000 square foot print facility, we are thrilled to be recognized by Canon for adding the 2000th Canon imagePRESS C7010VP digital press to our fleet of Canon digital imaging products and look forward to working with them, and our friends at RK Dixon in the future."

"For many customers, the ability of the Canon imagePRESS C7010VP series to handle larger sheet sizes and heavier stocks* while delivering consistent output speed and maximized uptime gives them the confidence to go after bigger, more complex pieces of business," said Bryan Dixon, president and CEO of RK Dixon. Once RK Dixon understands our customer's process, we provide them with the hardware, service and software solutions that they need to be successful and we are proud to offer Canon products to our customers like One Step.

July 2011 also marks another significant milestone for Canon and the imagePRESS C7010VP series as Canon Business Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., Inc., sold its 1000th imagePRESS C7010VP series digital press, further reflecting the strength of Canon's distribution network.

The Canon imagePRESS C7010VP series is available for customer delivery through Canon Authorized Dealers, Canon Business Solutions and Océ North America.

For more information please visit www.usa.canon.com.

07/19/11

KOMORI AMERICA TEAMS WITH McCALLUM PRINT GROUP

Press release from the issuing company

Komori America Corporation, a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, announced today that McCallum Print Group has retrofitted its latest innovation-the H-UV curing system-on the company's LS640 press. Seattle-based McCallum Print Group provides a wide range of in-house integrated direct marketing services that include high quality direct mail, mailing and distribution, assembly and fulfillment.   As McCallum looks to add additional value to its products and services and increase overall efficiency, Komori's proprietary eco-friendly UV curing system provides a perfect fit.  

"Everything in our world today is on-demand and has to be turned around very quickly, so when it comes to putting ink on a substrate, Komori's H-UV system is very appealing because the entire printing process is powderless. In addition, everything comes off  the press dry and ready to handle, making it possible to do the finishing work immediately," said Terry Storms, CEO and owner of McCallum Print Group. "Another huge advantage is the enhanced image quality we can achieve with the ability to create special effects on a variety of substrates, like strike-through varnishes for our packaging applications. We also liked the affordability of the H-UV system. It is about half the cost of a conventional UV system."  

Because McCallum management believes that sustainable practices are critical for its business and its clients' businesses as well, they see the addition of Komori's H-UV system as an integral part of an ongoing commitment to an efficient use of resources. "We are 100 percent renewable energy driven; and last year the EPA rated us as the 17th largest print buyer of renewable energy, so it is evident that sustainability is an important factor in every decision made at this company," said Storms.  

The H-UV system supports the company's environmental stewardship in a number of ways. Since it is a one lamp system, energy usage is significantly reduced when compared to traditional inter-deck UV systems, and it uses less power than the traditional IR drier that came with the press.  Additionally, the ozone that is created with traditional UV applications is completely eliminated with the H-UV system.  

"We are very pleased that McCallum Print Group has chosen to retrofit our H-UV system to its Lithrone S40 press to achieve both its productivity and stewardship goals," said Jacki Hudmon, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Komori. "As a company, Komori is proud to offer the marketplace an alternative to traditional UV that delivers a high print quality and reliability as well as excellent economic and eco-friendly performance."

07/19/11

KYOCERA MITA TO OFFER MFPS WORLDWIDE

Press release from the issuing company

Kyocera Mita Corporation (www.kyoceramita.com), Osaka, Japan, a group company of Kyocera Corporation, and one of the world's largest manufacturers of office information equipment, together with EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, announced today that its new TASKalfa color multifunctional products (MFPs), available to customers worldwide, can now include an optional EFI Fiery Printing System 11/12. These new Fiery controllers are the result of a year-long partnership with EFI and further enhance the already robust capability of the TASKalfa color MFPs.  

"Fiery innovation has set the standard for digital color printing over the past 20 years. EFI is excited to work with Kyocera Mita and broaden the reach of Fiery technology and solutions through Kyocera Mita's extensive channels," said Toby Weiss, general manager of Fiery and senior vice president, EFI. "We are committed to a long and successful relationship with Kyocera Mita."  

Introduced in May 2011, Kyocera's latest TASKalfa Color MFP lineup, including the TASKalfa 7550ci, 6550ci, 5550ci, 4550ci, 3550ci and 3050ci, is already transforming customers' document workflow and maximizing document efficiency through common technology, common design, easy-to-use features and compatibility with many business-critical software applications. Through Kyocera's partnership with EFI, the TASKalfa Color MFP lineup provides the option of a Fiery Printing System, extending the color MFPs' versatility by delivering enhanced color quality, productivity, performance and security benefits.  

"Our commitment to color has given Kyocera Mita the opportunity to provide businesses globally with the very best combination of performance, ultra-reliability and superior document imaging solutions. Our partnership with EFI has enabled us to build upon our success," said Ryuzo Morita, executive officer and senior general manager, corporate strategy planning division at Kyocera Mita Corporation. "We see our collaboration with EFI, and the combination of our TASKalfa color product line with the Fiery Printing System as an exciting growth opportunity that will enable us to expand our presence in several new target segments globally, beginning today with the introduction in North America, and to other Kyocera Mita sales organizations in the next few months."  

Kyocera's Color TASKalfa MFPs with embedded Fiery Printing System offer accurate color and image quality, improved usability and seamless integration across Windows and Macintosh (MAC) business environments. Fiery Printing System 11/12 features include:
• Fiery ColorWise – built-in color management technology
• Fiery Spot-On – a complete toolset to print PANTONE and custom spot colors
• Fiery Image Enhance – automates color correction
• Fiery VUE – a visual print application with 3-D user interface for Microsoft suite
 For more information on EFI Fiery, visitwww.efi.com.

07/19/11

ADOBE ACQUIRES ECHOSIGN

Press release from the issuing company

Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced that it has acquired EchoSign, a leading Web-based provider of electronic signatures and signature automation. EchoSign's pioneering electronic signature solution will be a key component of Adobe's document exchange services platform for reliably exchanging documents for universal access, review and approval.

EchoSign's solution, which currently supports more than three million users worldwide, will be offered as part of Adobe's online document exchange services platform. The EchoSign solution will be integrated with other Adobe document services including SendNow for managed file transfer, FormsCentral for form creation and CreatePDF for online PDF creation. By reducing the time and costs of having documents signed with traditional methods, such as fax and overnight envelopes, the EchoSign solution can enable customers to significantly accelerate sales cycles, improve tracking and centralize the management of signed agreements through a simple to use cloud service.

"Adobe's document solutions help organizations turn inefficient, paper-based workflows into streamlined electronic ones," said Kevin M. Lynch, vice president and general manager of Acrobat Solutions, Digital Enterprise Solutions, Adobe. "By adding electronic signature capabilities to Adobe's document exchange services platform, we will be addressing the need to provide better customer experiences by significantly reducing the time, cost and complexity associated with having a document signed."

With just one click, the EchoSign electronic signature solution automates the entire signature process from the request for signature to the distribution and execution of the form or agreement. The EchoSign solution provides a secure subscription-based service to individuals, small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enterprise customers, enabling real-time visibility into the signature process and automatically storing and managing all signed documents.

The EchoSign service includes a rich set of APIs for incorporation with company-specific solutions to improve the process of sending, tracking and signing digital documents. Used by thousands of companies around the globe, the EchoSign service also integrates with partner solutions, such as Salesforce.com and NetSuite, and has been named "Best of Salesforce AppExchange" by the Salesforce.com customer community for the past three years.

"Bringing together EchoSign's ease of use for contracting on the Web with Adobe's brand, reach and trust in the document space, I fully expect that electronic signatures will soon become the common way for people to sign documents," said Jason Lemkin, chief executive officer, EchoSign. "With nothing to download, learn or install, there is simply no faster or more secure way for organizations to sign, track or file contracts – and close more business quickly."

EchoSign is based in Palo Alto, Calif. with a sales presence in the U.K. and Germany. The founders of EchoSign and all full-time employees will join Adobe, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in electronic signature solutions.

07/19/11

US DEPT OF LABOR UPATES WEBSITE

Press release from the issuing company

Today, the U.S. Department of Labor updated its O*Net website (www.onetonline.org) with printing industry job descriptions and titles supplied by industry representatives. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) is the nation's primary source of occupational information, ultimately determining funding for career and technical education programs.

Printing industry representatives from the Education Summit, which held its first meeting in 2007 and is sponsored by the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF), completed the effort initiated by Mountain States Printing Education Foundation nearly a decade ago to get the Labor Department to update the printing industry titles and job descriptions in the O*NET website and its Standard Occupational Classification system. NPES, the Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF), and Printing Industries of America also contributed significantly to the project.

Ted Ringman, vice president of development for PGSF says, "The O*NET updates for the printing industry cover the areas of prepress, press, and bindery. The revised information will give students and educators a more realistic view of industry job titles and typical job duties and requirements."

07/18/11

NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS SHOW GROWTH FOR Q2

Press release from the issuing company

Newspaper publishers continue to grow their share of the Internet audience, attracting an average monthly audience of 110.8 million unique visitors ages 18+ to their websites in the second quarter – nearly two-thirds (64.6 percent) of all adult Internet users. That quarterly average represents a 2 percent increase in visitors over the first quarter average. The analysis, performed by comScore for the Newspaper Association of America, indicates that this is the third consecutive quarter of increased traffic for newspaper websites since comScore began tracking Web audience data for NAA, in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The figures also demonstrate the high engagement of newspaper website visitors, who generated an average 4.1 billion page views each month. The quarter's high point was reached in May, when newspaper websites attracted more than 112 million unique visitors who generated 4.3 billion page views and spent 3.7 billion minutes browsing the sites.

"Smartphones and tablets are increasing mobility and ease-of-access to newspaper websites, and these latest figures reflect the innovative and successful steps that newspaper publishers are taking to optimize their content across platforms," said NAA President and CEO John Sturm. "The credibility associated with newspapers and strong newspaper brands clearly carries over to the online environment - distinguishing newspaper sites from other sources. When dramatic global events unfold, such as the death of Osama bin Laden, readers look to newspapers first, online and in print, for the high-quality journalism that they provide."

Newspapers websites also attracted key demographics and affluent readers, reaching nearly 25 million 25-to-34 year olds and 76 percent of adults in households earning more than $100,000 a year on average throughout the quarter.

Figures released by NAA in May showed that online advertising generated $807 million for newspapers in the first quarter, a 10.6 percent increase from the previous quarter.

07/18/11

BB DIRECT TEAMS UP WITH ENTECH COMPUTER SERVICES

Press release from the issuing company

BB Direct, a database sales organization, tapped Entech Computer Services because of their ability to customize a fixed fee service package that focuses on ensuring business uptime through a combination of guaranteed support, proactive maintenance, and technology strategy planning. This provides BB Direct with a stable IT budget to have financial and technical flexibility for their dynamic business growth. With several remote office work stations, online data delivery requirements, and the need for secure data transmission, speed and redundancy, Entech Computer Services was selected over all competing business technology solution providers.

Brian Berg, CEO of BB Direct, says, "As a wholesale list provider to many of the largest direct mail service businesses within the U.S., we move a lot of data. Our systems must be fast, and they must always be working. We lined up other business technology providers and then listed their capabilities as they relate to our business model. On each and every item, Entech Computer Services was the clear winner."

Mr. Berg adds, "What's better is that my previously computer issues have been minimized or completely eliminated, allowing my employees to focus on doing what we do best, supporting our customers. We no longer worry about our computers."

Entech Computer Services, a Fort Myers FL based computer and IT support business, serves both regional and national clientele. Through the use of state-of-the-art proactive maintenance techniques and tools and industry best practices gathered from 14 years in business, their unique approach to supporting a business' technology allows them to offer unlimited Help Desk and Onsite Support. The companies they support view Entech as their own IT department. In addition, they specialize in business technology solutions and offer IT consulting, network administration and management, offsite data storage, remote Help Desk support, Cloud solutions, backup and disaster recovery, and onsite computer repair.

BB Direct is a provider of data, usually in the form of either a postal or email list to the reseller industry. Their products and services include consumer & business acquisition lists, online access technology, database cleaning and enhancement services, and database analytics.

For further information, BB Direct can be reached by visiting their website at http://www.bbdirect.com, emailing them at info(at)bbdirect(dot)com, or by calling them at (866) 501-6273.

07/18/11

KUGLER-WOMAKO TO PRESENT AT LABEL EXPO 2011

Press release from the issuing company

At Label Expo (Hall 7, Booth K92), Kugler-Womako will present new developments for both the cutting of plastic labels as well as a concept for efficient label matrix removal for pressure sensitive labels.  

For over 10 years, the LabelCut 102 from Kugler-Womako has been used throughout the world and enables customers to professionally convert wet glue labels from reels into strip piles. Kugler-Womako is building upon this successful technology: Its new development, a cutting capability for plastic labels, is targeted to the stringent requirements of this demanding niche market.  

The LabelCut cuts plastic labels with a thickness of 50 μm to 105 μm at a speed of 2,000 cuts/min or 200 m/min. Even at the highest speed, the cutting accuracy is +/- 0.1 mm, both longitudinally as well as transversely. This is a performance that is even unmatched with paper. Nicolas Herd, Technical Director at Kugler-Womako, describes the new development as follows: "To meet our usual quality standards, even with these delicate materials, we have adjusted almost all individual stations." The company developed a collating area that makes it possible to collect sensitive plastic labels in strips smoothly and precisely. Even during operation, the collating area can be adjusted from outside to millimeter accuracy. "To meet the tolerance range of the connected machines, exact positioning of the strip piles, which are up to 110 mm high, is critical," says Herd.  

Another innovation of the Southern German company focuses on efficient label matrix removal for pressure sensitive labels. Especially for the thin and attractive "no label look" labels, it is difficult to achieve significant precision, particularly at high speeds. With its new concept, Kugler-Womako meets this challenge. Its solution for the converting of thinner label webs reaches a speed of 200 m/min and a width of 650 mm, without damaging the substrate. "Together with our customers and industry partners, we have developed a highly efficient concept for the label market and are now eagerly awaiting feedback from the knowledgeable audience at Label Expo," says Dr. Hakan Ispaylar, Managing Director of Kugler-Womako.

07/18/11

CONCENTRIX CORPORATION WELCOMES CLARE FINDLAY

Press release from the issuing company

Ms Findlay has more than 20 years' experience at senior level positions in the computer software industry and is managing director of the UK operations of Concentrix Corporation, the global business process outsourcing division of SYNNEX.

In 2003, Ms Findlay founded Aspire Technology, a European specialist in providing customer renewal services through its proprietary RenewalsManager SaaS platform, which was acquired in November 2010 by Concentrix Corporation.

Prior to founding Aspire, she was a divisional director of business technology integrator Morse Plc where she was responsible for Morse's entry into building a software services business. She has also held senior positions at Catalyst Solutions Plc and Pacific Associates Plc, before it was sold to Catalyst Solutions.

Johan Volckaerts, chairman of Global Graphics' Board of Directors commented: "We are delighted to welcome Clare to the board. She offers a wealth of knowledge of the computer software industry, combined with strong management and people skills."

For further information please contact Alain Pronost, Global Graphics' chief financial officer, either by e-mail at investor-relations@globalgraphics.com, or by written request sent to the Company's registered office in Pompey (France).

07/18/11

DENMAUR INDEPENDENT PAPERS DEBUTS NEW SWATCH

Press release from the issuing company

Denmaur Independent Papers has produced a new swatch to support the launch of its newest product, Amadeus primo. Available in either a Silk or Gloss finish, in a truly comprehensive range from 90 to 380gsm, Amadeus primo sets the bar even higher in terms of smoothness, ink lift and runnability.

With its triple coated finish, Amadeus primo delivers a premium quality surface smoothness, which reproduces multi-coloured images with ease, making them virtually come to life.

Commenting on the launch of Amadeus primo, Denmaur Independent Papers' Managing Director, Mike Gee stated, "Amadeus primo is first for quality, a triple coated paper manufactured from prime sustainable virgin fibre. It now rightly sits at the top of the Amadeus family tree."

Gee continues, "As an independent merchant, we need to provide the very best papers in combination with high quality personable service, paper management and supply solutions. Amadeus primo, and our recently launched Service Plus package will help us stand out from our competitor paper groups, who are probably more focused on consolidation."

With over 100 products in stock, and available in both sheets and reels, Amadeus primo has been developed to combine high quality reproduction with everyday essential money saving features such as;

Split pallets on all bulk packed SRA2 and B2 stocks, so that printers save time restacking stocks
Use the 630x880 from stock as opposed to the SRA1 and save 4%
Make use of the 380gsm, and save 5% over 400gsm

The primo swatch has been specifically designed to enable users to quickly find the information they require, whether it's technical or environmental, plain or printed samples.

Amadeus primo is a part of a wider family of quality paper products, which publishers, designers and printers can trust to deliver demanding print performance time and time again. Family members include:

Amadeus primo Silk
Amadeus primo Gloss
Amadeus recycled Offset
Amadeus recycled Silk
Amadeus recycled Matt
Amadeus recycled Gloss
Amadeus recycled Offset

To get a copy of the new Amadeus primo swatch, and a free Amadeus chocolate goody, or to get further information on Denmaur Independent Papers and its services, contact Denmaur Independent Paper's Marketing Manager, Andy Bruguier or visit www.denmaur.com

07/15/11

ASIATIC PRINTING ADDS KODAK NEXPRESS

Press release from the issuing company

Diversification is the key to future success and that's why United Arab Emirate operation Asiatic Printing Press chose to invest in a KODAK NEXPRESS SE3000 Digital Production Color Press.

"A lot of our work is book printing, but the print runs are gradually coming down," explains Vipin Ramachandran, General Manager of Asiatic Printing Press, which installed the KODAK NEXPRESS Press. "We wanted to be able to produce shorter runs more cost effectively. With the digital and litho mix we have, we can be very flexible and that means we can help customers achieve whatever their jobs demand. We made a conscious decision for flexibility and quality. We looked at other solutions in the market, but the KODAK NEXPRESS SE3000 Press offered the most flexibility, which is a key element in our offering. It also very closely matches the color quality achieved on our KBA presses, which was important for product consistency."

Since its installation, Vipin has found the press's capabilities extend beyond its earlier capacity, providing Asiatic Printing Press with a more profitable way to address current market demands. "With the ability to print up to 350gsm we can produce a wider range of print and are now talking to customers about greetings cards and photobooks, as well as print on demand. Also, being able to produce runs of one or 50 allows our clients to better target their message. For example, we work with a couple of event management companies and they will be able to add value by personalizing their brochures. This kind of direct marketing is going to be a dominant trend and we will be able to make the most of it now that we have the KODAK NEXPRESS SE3000 Press. The ability to offer dimensional printing also enables us to offer customers a wider range of products and allows us to move into new markets such as greetings cards."

Vipin expects ROI in two years and the digital arm of the company to grow from 15 percent of the monthly 4.5m UAE Dirham ($1.2 million) turnover, to 30 percent by the end of 2012. However, it is not only for acquiring new business that the KODAK NEXPRESS SE3000 Press can help Asiatic Printing Press, states Vipin: "The press is perfect for soft launching new books. We can produce very short runs initially and then when larger orders are placed these are produced on our KBA presses. For our customers, this means greater control over ordering and costs. We can print one copy or a million depending on their needs."

The dimensional ink capabilities is helping win new business for Asiatic Printing Press, too, says Vipin: "The ability to add the dimensional is something our customers are very keen to learn more about. They want to see how it will help their products stand out."

Vipin concludes: "If you want to survive you have to move into new areas and look at different avenues, which is what the KODAK NEXPRESS Press has been helping us do. We are very pleased with the Kodak team in Dubai who have been very supportive in helping us market the potential of this press to our customers, which is vital when trying to win new business. The service support has been unparalleled and outstanding. We feel confident we'll be reaping results shortly!"

07/15/11

HEIDELBERG PRESS HELPS MERKUR DRUCK AG UP PRODUCTION

Press release from the issuing company

Some four years ago, Langenthal-based Swiss print shop Merkur Druck AG invested in a Speedmaster XL 105-5+LX2 from Heidelberg. Since then, the press has notched up an impressive total of around 100 million print sheets. Now the company has signed a contract with Heidelberg Switzerland for a second Speedmaster XL 105 in six-color configuration with perfecting device after the second printing unit and chambered doctor blade coating technology. The print shop chose another Heidelberg press mainly because of the net output achieved on the Speedmaster XL 105-5+LX2 and the high standard of consulting and service provided by Heidelberg Switzerland. Peter Germann, Head of Sheetfed Printing and Postpress, singles out Prinect Inpress Control for the measurement and regulation of color and register, end-to-end preset functions and high availability as being key to the quality and cost-efficiency that Merkur Druck AG has been able to achieve with the Speedmaster XL 105.

When the second Peak Performance class press is taken into service this summer, the print shop's competitiveness will receive an extra boost as productivity in industrial sheetfed offset printing is further increased and significant cost savings are achieved in terms of power consumption and paper waste. Merkur Druck AG has learned from experience over the last four years that all of these objectives can be achieved with XL technology and the efficient Star peripherals for dryer operation, air supply, and the processing of dampening solution.

07/15/11

EFI PARTNERS WITH CANON USA

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced it is working with Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, to bring mobile printing to the enterprise-print marketplace. As the first step, Canon's imageRUNNER ADVANCE lineup of color and black & white office systems utilizing Fiery-based imagePASS and ColorPASS controllers now support EFI's direct mobile printing solution.

Residing on the Fiery controller, EFI's direct mobile print technology enables printing directly from Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod touch devices, further enhancing the functionality of Canon's award-winning series of imageRUNNER ADVANCE office systems beyond traditional wired environments.

"We're excited to extend our long-standing relationship with Canon to the mobile print arena, and we're confident Apple device users will welcome this new printing ability," said Toby Weiss, general manager of Fiery and senior vice president, EFI.

"The combination of Canon's imageRUNNER ADVANCE technology with EFI's direct mobile print solution creates an easy, intuitive way for Apple device users to automatically discover a Fiery-based printer on their WiFi network and print with the touch of one button," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Canon U.S.A.

EFI's direct mobile printing offering works together with Apple's iOS software. With the Fiery-based Canon controller running on the same wireless subnet as the iOS device, Apple users will find a print function automatically enabled on their device and can select a printer on their network to output their documents.

07/15/11

FINELINE PRINTING GROUP LAUNCHES NEW MAGAZINE

Press release from the issuing company

Fineline Printing Group has just launched "connect" magazine, a bimonthly, 16-page publication with articles devoted to marketing, marketing services, and strategic concepts for marketers.

The publication is, in part, supported by Canvas magazine, a nationally renowned subject matter hub for the marketing, graphic arts, and print profession.

"Fineline has invested financially in a partnership with Canvas to get high-caliber articles and research content. It would be difficult to produce such robust content without access to this resource," remarks Richard Miller, Fineline's President and Owner.

Miller started Fineline in 1981, is the sole owner, and remains active in the day-to-day operations of the company.

In addition to compiling marketing trends,"connect" includes facts and commentary in areas of marketing services and strategic concepts. The glossy, vivid publication is mailed to Fineline's database of customers and prospects that are in the marketing profession.

Fineline's Director of Marketing, Jill Wangler, says, "Our worlds are so highly connected with all of the electronic devices at our disposal. But sometimes we seem less connected than ever before. Connect is dedicated to engaging marketing minds. It endeavors to go deeper than a 140-character text message. The name says it all."

07/15/11

PITNEY BOWES EXPANDING INTL MAILING SERVICES

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Inc. today announced it is expanding its international mailing services to help U.S. customers deliver publications around the world.  The Company's international mail services facility in Itasca, Illinois will now serve as a publications center of excellence for customers shipping magazines, trade journals, bulk newsstand shipments and books to 215 countries.   

As a leading international publication distributor, Pitney Bowes handles and ships thousands of publication titles worldwide each year for top publishers in the U.S.  These mailing services help customers navigate the complex and dynamic world of delivering publications to international readers.  In addition, Pitney Bowes's international mail services can help customers improve delivery speed and reliability, increase mail preparation efficiencies, and reduce international postage expenses.  

"Pitney Bowes understands that providing innovative solutions and access to information is critical for helping customers manage the global distribution of their publications," said Tim Bates, senior vice president, international services, Pitney Bowes.  "In addition to comprehensive production capabilities, our new center of excellence will offer customers web-based services for around-the-clock access to manage their inventory and track product shipments."   

The company's web portal also enables customers to track international postage costs, view current and historical invoices, and generate reports by selecting data and search criteria.  

Pitney Bowes's services also include high-speed inkjet addressing, poly-bagging, machine inserting, machine on-serting, tabbing, hand inserting and labeling, pressure sensitive labeling, online inventory, full data processing services, bulk mail services and "local-look-and-feel" in destination countries.  

Pitney Bowes collaborates with cross-border carriers, customs brokers, and in-country delivery services around the world to help customers gain greater visibility into the movement of international publications.  Pitney Bowes also manages the customs process and pays service providers on behalf of customers. Pitney Bowes's international network of resources is supported by the most advanced mailstream technology and processes anywhere.

07/14/11

ACIERTA TEAMS UP WITH PRESSPRINT

Press release from the issuing company

July 13-Billing, marketing and Transpromo specialist, Acierta Transpromo & Billing Solutions, has joined forces with newspaper printing company PressPrint to create a local integrated digital newspaper printing service in Spain.  

The service will use Acierta's infrastructure in Madrid, which includes two KODAK VERSAMARK VL4200 Printing Systems. One of the systems is a recent purchase, while the other is an upgraded KODAK VERSAMARK VL2200 System that was already in use at the company.  

This integrated offering initiative was driven by a development project involving Acierta, PressPrint, Kodak, ASIP, the Tajamar Institute of Graphics and Technology (ITGT-Tajamar) and the paper producer, Holmen Paper Madrid. The project involved conducting research into developing new inks, paper weights, files and workflows suitable for digital newspaper printing while delivering quality similar to offset printing. After 18 months of research the project finally bore fruit. Today, several international newspapers are interested in using Acierta's and PressPrint's services to enter the Spanish market.  

Juan Manuel Albelda, PressPrint's Managing Director, explains: "Acierta played a key role in the project, not only because the company already had the KODAK VERSAMARK VL4200 Systems, but also because of its knowledge of database management, which is one of the services we offer newspapers to help them capture subscribers. The integrated offering makes a newspaper's move into the Spanish market much easier, as we can do much more than just print and distribute newspapers-we can also help them increase circulation and offer other services, such as customization."  

Eduardo Giner, Acierta's Sales Director, confirms the importance of PressPrint's involvement in the project. "Nobody knows the problems that exist in this market better than a company that belongs to a publisher like PressPrint, whose titles include El Pa's, AS and Cinco D'as. The company's experience has been vital in developing the entire workflow-they knew where the weak points were, enabling us to focus research on strengthening these areas. The result is an automated workflow that delivers outstanding digital print quality for newspapers." Delivering fast, top-quality output with the VERSAMARK VL4200 System Benjam'n Caro, Acierta's Managing Director, summarizes the partnership: "It is the collective added value that Acierta and PressPrint offer that differentiates them from other companies that focus solely on printing. The two companies offer an integrated service that includes customization and the capturing of subscribers.  

"And because we have incorporated a second KODAK VERSAMARK VL4200 System into our infrastructure, we now have two powerful printing systems that can produce around 12,000 copies a night."  

Gerardo Codeso, News and Publishing Sales Specialist for Digital Printing Solutions at Kodak, adds: "The VERSAMARK VL4200 System has a strong track record in the digital production of newspapers. The systems are used in newspaper printing operations around the world, thanks to their duplex and color printing capabilities. The VERSAMARK VL4200 System enables end users to add newspaper printing to their traditional commercial and data printing offering, opening up business opportunities using a single, versatile system."  

The VERSAMARK VL4200 System operates at 410 feet per minute (125 meters per minute) at a resolution of 600 x 360 dpi. The system is packed with features that help users enhance reliability, stability, speed and productivity. The ink refill system, for example, runs continuously during production so jobs can be undertaken without interruption, ensuring production is fast and quality meets customers' expectations.  

Eduardo Giner explains that Acierta has aimed to add value to each of the production processes: "In prepress, ASIP and ITGT-Tajamar have played an essential role in workflow development and color management, while we have contributed our knowledge to create a communications network that helps us stay in contact at an international level and handle all aspects of customization. "In printing, PressPrint has made a huge contribution by sharing its vast knowledge of working alongside newspaper publishers. So too has Holmen Paper Madrid, which has developed newsprint that weighs 52 g/m2, providing a digital print with a quality that rivals offset.  

"As for Acierta, we have two KODAK VERSAMARK VL4200 Systems that will print newspapers at night, and the usual transactional and billing statements during the day. It's also worth noting that having two systems lets us fall back on one in case anything unforeseen occurs, and that the finish is done using HUNKELER Systems."  

Giner concludes: "We can help foreign publishers establish themselves in Spain via our distribution network, direct marketing strategies and by capturing subscribers. We can also create communication databases for them through the traditional postal service and via the internet.  

"These services make the newspaper's entry into the Spanish market far simpler. In a nutshell, we are an integrated service provider-we receive the file that comes in for printing, capture subscribers and can help publishers build customer loyalty. We can even collaborate with media agencies to handle local advertising. We've certainly built a very strong foundation for the company."  

Juan Manuel Albelda believes the integrated offering will appeal to publishers that want peace of mind when entering a new market: "In today's economic climate, the integrated option is a safe way for international newspapers to set themselves up in Spain, as it provides all the necessary guarantees-from near-offset print quality to the newspapers' timely arrival at sales outlets. Cost also plays a big part-although it may be slightly higher than offset printing, publishers gain because there are no logistics to factor in.  

"We also help national publishers to customize their newspapers, as we believe in the future that newspapers will increasingly provide their subscribers with value-adding content. Holding reams of information on subscribers means we can create products tailor-made for them, which will help circulation and ultimately make the newspaper more attractive to advertisers."  

Benjam'n Caro believes that the future of the press industry involves listening to the customer more, and knowing how to provide the content he or she wants: "Companies are realizing that to survive they must deliver what the customer desires. This has resulted in today's multi-channel world, where there is far more direct communication and interaction with the customer. Content will need to be more customized and targeted at specific groups, so having detailed information on subscribers is vital. And this is exactly what we're preparing for."  

Kodak is a global advisor and provider of integrated services to help companies transform and optimize their businesses. Through a network of service professionals in 120+ countries, Kodak provides technical, professional, consulting and managed services to enable customers to focus on growing their businesses, maximize productivity, and more effectively manage risks.  All Kodak products and software are backed by KODAK Service and Support. To learn more, visit http://graphics.kodak.com/.

07/14/11

JOHN BENJAMINS TO HOST PUB2WEB

Press release from the issuing company

John Benjamins, an independent Dutch academic publisher, has chosen Publishing Technology plc's pub2web platform to host its publications in one place for the first time.  

The new deal will see Publishing Technology (LSE: PTO), the largest global provider of software services to publishing, work with John Benjamins to upgrade its online hosting solution to the pub2web platform. The company has nearly 3,000 books and 50 journals, as well as bibliographic databases and online handbooks which pub2web's custom portal will integrate within a single resource.  

The pub2web platform will enable potential customers to find content across all of John Benjamins' titles – frontlist and backlist – and help the company to create new online products across all of its specialist fields. Crucially, these services will provide the publisher with new opportunities for monetization and repackaging of existing content across its book, journal and reference products.  

Jan Reijer Groesbeek, Director of Publishing at John Benjamins, said: "We have been working closely with Publishing Technology for a number of years now and are delighted to be discovering new avenues of digital development with them. With such a large backlist and a steady stream of newly published titles coming out each year, it is vital that we have the right partnerships in place to help us make our content more discoverable online and to generate subsequent revenue."  

Rachel Henning, Head of Client Management at Publishing Technology, stated: "This important new deal will enable John Benjamins to evolve its online strategy significantly. By taking full advantage of the pub2web platform's industry standard compliance and sophisticated information commerce, and having the potential to use the semantic web capabilities, the company will be able to experiment with new business models in a low risk environment."  

John Benjamins has already worked with Publishing Technology for 12 years, as it is a long-standing ingentaconnect customer. One of Publishing Technology's core products, pub2web provides custom web platforms, tailor made to any business model and any type of content.  

Visit www.publishingtechnology.com, follow on Twitter @publishingtech, or connect on LinkedIn

07/14/11

HICKORY PRINTING SOLUTIONS INSTALLS NEW DIECUTTER

Press release from the issuing company

Hickory Printing Solutions, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company, recently installed a new Bobst diecutter and Bobst folder-gluer at its Greensboro, North Carolina facility.  The new equipment enhances Hickory Printing Solutions' packaging production services – from concept through delivery – to customers in North Carolina and the surrounding region.  

"We are continually investing in the best equipment and technology that gives our customers the most effective solution possible to meet their needs," said Stephen Patton, President of Hickory Printing Solutions.  "In this case, Bobst provided us with an industry-leading production solution – in terms of quality, reliability, speed and efficiency – to ensure flawless execution of our packaging customers' projects."  

The new Bobst equipment provides a multitude of advantages to customers:  

Bobst Expertcut 106 LER Diecutter
• Production speed of 9,000 sheets per hour
• Electronic eye that registers each printed sheet to the die laterally to ensure precise 1:1 registration
• Manufacturing time is reduced
• Job memory for future make-readies
Bobst Expertfold 110 A-2 CS Folder-Gluer
• Folds at high speeds (125,000+ pieces an hour)
• Unique in-line windowing
• Leary glue system with six gun glue detection
• Verifies UPC code on each project piece
• Non-Conforming blanks are automatically ejected 

Hickory's recently upgraded facility in Greensboro is a technologically advanced commercial sheetfed printing and packaging operation. With the addition of the new Bobst equipment to its multiple color presses and finishing and binding equipment, Hickory is an industry leader in producing high-quality packaging.

07/14/11

TENSION ENVELOPE CORP CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY

Press release from the issuing company

Throughout its long history, Tension Envelope Corporation has been an industry leader in envelope design, printing and manufacturing. As the company celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2011 and prepares for the future, it has announced an updated brand identity that includes a new naming convention, refreshed logo and a tagline.  

As of July 13, the company will be known formally as Tension Corporation, or simply Tension. Under the Tension brand there will be three distinct divisions: Tension Envelope, Tension Packaging & Automation, and Tension International.  

"Envelopes are our core business and a critical part of Tension's future. However, we have diversified to grow our business," said Tension President and CEO, Bill Berkley. "We are expanding our global presence and our leadership in packaging and automation solutions. The shortening of our name helps strengthen and clarify our comprehensive offering."  

Tension Packaging & Automation designs and builds automated packaging systems and equipment for central fill, mail order and specialty pharmacies, and direct-to-consumer order fulfillment distribution centers. This includes equipment, consumables, software, service and systems integration. Tension recently acquired Maverick Enterprises, Inc., a pharmaceutical packaging equipment manufacturer based in Longmont, Colo. With the purchase of Maverick, the company will now manufacture automated packaging equipment and systems, a step that provides Tension with expanded opportunities for growth in both its pharmaceutical automation and direct-to-consumer businesses.  

In addition to the new naming convention, Tension refreshed its visual brand identity and developed a new tagline. The updated logo features clean, contemporary lines and visually represents its rich history by incorporating the classic "T" and red-and-black color scheme. The new tagline, "Ingenuity at work," embodies the service, quality and innovation for which Tension is known.  

"We show our ingenuity everyday through our associates' high level of performance. We provide solutions to help our clients improve internal processes, save money and deliver results," said Bob Broadbear, chief operating officer. "Companies turn to us for insight on new trends, industry innovations and process improvement recommendations to help their businesses be more successful. That is ingenuity at work." 

Tension is privately owned and headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., with regional sales offices and eight manufacturing plants and regional sales offices throughout the United States. International facilities are located in China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Australia.

07/14/11

FIRST CANADIAN PRINT FIRM INSTALLS GOSS SUNDAY 3000

Press release from the issuing company

One of Canada's largest independent printing companies will be the first in North America to install a Goss Sunday 3000 web press with a 75-inch width, DigiRail digital inking technology, an advanced Goss Ecoset dryer and dual folders.

Solisco Printers, which was founded in 1991 and provides complete publication, commercial and book printing services for customers in Canada and the United States, will add the gapless-blanket Sunday press capable of producing more than three million magazine-size pages per hour at its facility in Scott, Quebec later this year. The width of the 2x8 press, along with pinless former and combination folders, will allow production of multiple product formats and page counts, including finished magazine-format products that are up to nine inches wide. The Ecoset dryer with integrated chill rolls includes innovative technology which reduces energy consumption considerably.

Alain Jacques, co-owner of Solisco Printers, says lower waste, faster job changes and the opportunity to triple productivity with the same crew size make it easy to justify replacing less efficient capacity with an advanced Sunday press system.

"We can't stand still in terms of innovation if we want to stay competitive and continue to exceed the expectations of our customers," Jacques adds. "Goss shares that philosophy and has provided us with exceptional support and increasingly advanced press technology for two decades."

Two Goss pinless folders will expand the versatility of the new Sunday press, allowing magazine, tabloid and digest product formats. The PFF-3 former folder will be capable of producing more than 190,000 16-page signatures per hour in dual-delivery mode. The PCF-1 SQF high-speed combination folder will produce a full range of product formats and will feature new Goss innovations for quarter folding and signature control.

"The productivity and versatility of the 2x8 Sunday press format, along with the nine-inch product capability, create valuable competitive advantages that we look forward to passing on to our customers," explains Jean Gregoire, who founded the company along with Jacques.

Goss International will equip the Sunday press at Solisco Printers with its exclusive DigiRail digital inking system. DigiRail technology replaces analog, open-fountain ink delivery with pumps that deliver pulses of ink directly to the ink train through individual valves. Digital control of the pumps and ink flow complements digital workflow and presetting capabilities.

"The precision of DigiRail inking improves presetting, cuts start-up time and waste, and makes it easier to sustain ink density and color quality through the run," according to Jacques. "The technology is highly proven in newspaper and insert applications, and it represents an important new breakthrough for the North American commercial printing market."

Additional features of the Sunday 3000 press at Solisco Printers will include a Goss Contiweb FD paster, Omnicon controls and the automated Goss Web Center workflow system.

07/13/11

COMMUNICORP AWARDED QUALITY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION

Press release from the issuing company

Communicorp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac Inc., announced it has been awarded the Quality Management Certification, having met the standards set forth by the International Organization for Standards (ISO), the world's largest developer and publisher of International Standards. A marketing solutions provider, Communicorp is headquartered in Columbus, with offices in Norcross, GA.

In June, SRI Quality System Registrar of Pittsburgh, an internationally recognized accredited registrar, reviewed Communicorp's management system and informed the company that it meets the rigorous ISO standards. ISO standards are derived from an international consensus on good quality-management practices and require a strong business management process and equally strong documentation of how the company meets its goals and provides excellent customer service.

"Attaining ISO certification is an arduous process, months in the making, so this is terrific news for all of our 180 employees who are extremely proud to be ISO quality management certified," said Eric Seldon, president and CEO of Communicorp. "It is important for our customers and potential customers to know that Communicorp is devoted to providing top level services and dedicated to improving every day. This certification provides independent validation of our practices from the international standard bearer of quality management processes."

According to SRI Quality System Registrar, Communicorp has built a strong, ongoing quality management system through a top-down commitment supported by the entire workforce. The SRI auditors will continue to review Communicorp's processes annually to ensure that the company remains within the standards for ISO certification.

"We are pleased to acknowledge that Communicorp Inc. has demonstrated effective implementation of a management system," A. Joseph Falcsik, SRI's Vice President of Certification said. "ISO 9001 certifications provide evidence to customers, suppliers, employees, and their community of their commitment to producing a quality product and providing customer satisfaction."

The ISO 9001:2008 is a process-based certification that recognizes organizations that can link business objectives with operating effectiveness. According to ISO, companies that achieve management system certification have demonstrated effective implementation of documentation and records management, top management's commitment to their customers, establishment of clear policy, good planning and implementation, good resource management, efficient process control, measurement and analysis, with an institutionalized prioritization of continuous improvement.

07/13/11

COPRESCO WINS TWO AWARDS

Press release from the issuing company

Copresco has won two awards for exceptional technical writing from the Society for Technical Communication, Chicago chapter.

The Chicago area digital printer was honored with an Award of Excellence for an article written by company president and CEO Steve Johnson for the forecast issue of PIA Magazine, a monthly publication of the Printing Industries of America.

Johnson allays the fears many printers have that Web-based media will destroy print as a primary communications medium. He sees the "Web 2.0," also known as the "Social Internet," offering enormous databases of text, video and graphics that can be turned into digitally printed and bound books.

Color picture books are a prime example, he noted. "Social networking site Flickr offers free image hosting but charges for layout, imposition, digital printing and binding of those images. Web-savvy consumers expect online services to be free of charge, but perceive print services to be of higher values and are willing to pay for them."

Johnson's article on "Color Presses Run the (Color) Gamut received an Award of Merit. He described gamut as the range of color that a press can reproduce and the differences between offset and digital processes. Copresco's digital presses have a wider color gamut than offset systems, a critical advantage in printing high-quality color publications.

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is an international organization dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of technical communication.

Copresco specializes in digital on-demand printing of publications, books and manuals for clients in the general business, printing trade, technical and institutional fields.

07/13/11

STROMA JOINS WITH NEWSPAPER ABROAD TO BRING MORE NEWS TO LONDON

Press release from the issuing company

Stroma and Newspaper Abroad, two pioneering companies in digital newspapers, today announced an agreement that will bring more international newspaper titles available the same morning to London for the first time. The partnership will ramp up production with 45 new titles printed from the London headquarters of Stroma, the digital printer with the widest range of newspapers from around the world being produced digitally in color in London on a daily basis.

Already, Stroma – the company at the forefront of digital newspaper printing for more than a decade – has been printing between 50 and 60 titles a day from a 1400-strong newspaper database. The announcement is being made today at a newspaper industry event for an international audience near Heathrow followed by a live digital printing demonstration at Stroma in west London. Crucially, this will pave the way for new international newspapers to be made commercially available in London.

Andreas Qvist, Chief Executive and co-founder of Newspaper Abroad, said: "Until now, the newspapers had been flown in at prohibitive cost and then distributed the following day, which didn't make sense particularly as there often was the problem of cancelled flights as well. Now virtually all the editions will be available to the reader before 7.30am. This is a fantastic project. International newspaper sales are important for publishers' revenue streams and their readers while travelling or living abroad.  They need to think of digital printing, as we have done, going forward."

He added: "More and more publishers are outsourcing their international marketing and brand development opportunities to Newspaper Abroad, instead of having their own internal departments for their expatriate customers. And they also understand how we can source local advertising for them in the countries in which they operate abroad, which now includes London. Stroma and Océ are important print partners for us, particularly as they have worldwide reputations for digital excellence in the newspaper industry. And we are also planning other digital newspaper initiatives with Océ at other locations throughout the world."

Against a backdrop of falling sales for newspapers, Newspaper Abroad's venture is expected to increase sales – currently 'thousands of copies per day' – by 25% within six months. The cover price will be on a par with prices in their homeland. Most new titles are Scandinavian, but also include titles from around the world currently unavailable the same day in London. Important step forward for colour production of newspapers Steve Brown, Managing Director of Stroma, said: "It's great news and an important step forward for our digital color production of newspapers in London. These international newspape

07/13/11

PRESSTEK TO REPRESENT AT GRAPH EXPO 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Presstek, Inc., a leading supplier of digital offset printing solutions to the printing and communications industries, today announced that its portfolio of DI digital offset presses, CTP systems and plates, press room supplies, and service offerings will be represented at Graph Expo 2011, scheduled for September 11-14, 2011, at McCormick Place in Chicago. Presstek will be located in Booth 3200 at the front of the South Hall. The booth will feature a five-color Presstek 75DI digital offset press which goes from digital file to sellable sheet in only six minutes.  

"Building off of last year's successful launch of the Presstek 75DI," said Joe Demharter, Presstek's Vice President of Sales, "we are seeing growing momentum in the marketplace for this breakthrough product. We are especially pleased that organizations of the quality of Quad/Graphics and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee have chosen to add this efficient, high quality press to their production portfolio. These orders validate our strategic initiative to serve larger commercial and in-plant printers. If you haven't looked at Presstek lately, I encourage you to stop by Booth 3200 at Graph Expo. Presstek has the broadest array of digital offset solutions in the marketplace, feet-on-the-street service, and a culture that values every account, regardless of size."  

In addition to the 75DI, Presstek will be displaying its wide range of digital offset solutions designed to improve productivity, reduce costs and environment impact, and improve competitiveness for printing businesses of all sizes. These include:  

• Presstek 52DI-AC and Presstek 34DI digital offset presses. These unique digital offset presses, together with the Presstek 75DI, offer printers the most profitable solution for meeting the demand for quick turnaround, high quality color printing in runs from 500 to 20,000. These presses are also being widely adopted by digital-only and mailing and fulfillment companies who wish to add offset quality print to their portfolio of offerings without the complexities of convention four-color offset. For the highest quality personalized printing at the lowest cost, print the shells with the Presstek DI and then overprint using a toner-based or inkjet device. Capabilities are further expanded with the DI's ability to print on a wide range of substrates from onion skin to heavy card stock; including plastics and magnetic media. Superior quality printing is produced at up to 300 lpi and FM screening-without incurring additional time or expense. The Presstek 52DI-AC supports both flood and spot aqueous coating. In-line aqueous coating is also available for the 75DI.

• Presstek Dimension Pro. The Dimension Pro an excellent entry-level to mid-range CTP solution. It produces plates up to 45.0 x 33.0 inches at 450 lpi. Production speeds on the Dimension Pro range from 15 to 50 plates per hour. Four- and eight-page configurations are available. Fully automated four and eight-page models of Presstek's Compass Series are available for shops requiring greater throughput and flexibility.

• Vector FL52. This 52 cm metal platemaker features a compact footprint with an integrated plate washer and uses Presstek's chemistry-free Freedom Pro plates. The Vector offers the small format (52cm and under) printer a metal platemaking solution that provides higher productivity, a cleaner operation, and a lower overall operating cost.

• DPM Pro 400. The Presstek DPM Pro 400 is an easy-to-use, fully automated, high resolution polyester plate CTP system with an integrated plate processor. It supports plate widths up to 16.31" and is faster, more economical to use, more environmentally-friendly, and more compact than comparable choices.

• Aeon Thermal CTP Plate. Aeon is a positive working high resolution non-preheat thermal CTP plate that offers run lengths to 200,000 without baking; an optional post-bake will enable runs of up to one million. Aeon is a versatile product that operates in 830 nm external drum platesetters.

• Aurora Chemistry-Free CTP Plates. Aurora is a true chemistry-free daylight-safe metal plate that can be imaged on a range of thermal platesetters. Aurora is rated up to 50,000 impressions and can be imaged at a resolution of 1% to 99% at 200 lpi. Its chemistry-free process only requires a simple water wash after imaging, there is no need for chemistry. It has a strong resistance to UV inks and solvents and can be used in both UV and conventional printing without any sacrifice in productivity and quality.

• Expert Service. In today's highly competitive market having a reliable service partner that provides rapid response and maximum uptime is essential. Presstek's highly experienced field engineering team, our second-level technical support experts, and our customer care group, are dedicated to delivering service, parts, remote support and supplies-what you need, whenever you need it to ensure optimum performance and a high-level of satisfaction.

• Supplies. Presstek stocks a wide range of printing supplies, plates, prepress materials, proofing products, parts, and small equipment, all ready to ship when you need it to. Purchasing is fast and easy. Order and manage your supply needs at shop.presstek.com, or call 1-800-422-3616 in the USA and 1-800-387-3143 in Canada  

"Our open platform CTP and plate strategy is also paying big dividends as our product portfolio matures," said Kathleen McHugh, Vice President of Marketing. "Our long-run Aeon plate is gaining good traction in the marketplace and we expect that to continue. In addition, many printers have turned to Presstek's chemistry-free Aurora plate as a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemistry-based plates. These plates provide an ideal digital plate alternative for printing companies of all sizes."

07/13/11

CONTEX DEBUTS NEW SOFT PACK TRANSPORT CASES

Press release from the issuing company

Contex, the world's leading developer of wide format scanning and imaging solutions, today announces the availability of its Soft Pack Transport Case for Contex's popular XD2490 24-inch wide format scanner. Constructed with ballistic nylon and a closed-cell reusable foam cushioning system, the Soft Pack Transport Case is designed to protect the compact scanner from extreme shock and vibration. Safeguarded by the Transport Case, the XD2490 wide format scanner delivers exceptional reliability and image quality for remote operations. The Soft Pack Case is convenient and lightweight, weighing less than 50 lbs. when combined with the XD2490.  

"This new, lightweight Soft Pack is ideal for customers who use the XD2490 wide format scanner for off-site engineering, architectural, or GIS projects," comments Ed Delaney, Federal Sales Director for Contex. "This portable solution provides a secure and reliable way to protect the equipment and achieve high-quality scans remotely."  

Since its release in September 2009, the XD2490 scanner has received much recognition for both its affordability and its lightweight, compact size. Easily transportable, the wide format scanner is used by various companies in AEC, land management and development, gas and oil exploration, and defense and intelligence.  

For more information about the Soft Pack Transport Case and other wide format scanner case options, contact Contex at 877-226-6839.

07/12/11

OMET CLEANS UP IN ITALY

Press release from the issuing company

Since the beginning of the year, OMET has sold five print lines to the Italian market: four of the presses  are X-Flex 430's, three of which have 10 colors and one 8 colors. The configurations are completed by units such as cold foil, delamination-relamination, back print, peel&seal, etc.

"It is a further proof of the reference position acquired by OMET on the Italian market, thanks to the flexographic and mixed-technology line - states Angelo Bartesaghi, OMET's president. The mission and the passion for research and innovation, which have always been the main feature of our company, couple that with our attention to the customer and our set-up of solutions, we are able to fulfill specific needs with innovative product.

We thank all the customers who placed their faith in us, sure that their investments will be rewarded by the benefits they will obtain with groundbreaking machines. This is a demonstration of the opinion given by the Italian market about X-Flex and in general around the world about OMET machines".

To find out more about the OMET X-Flex 430 and the complete of label presses and tissue machines call Matik 860-232-2323 or visit them on the web at www.matik.com

07/12/11

SYMETA UTILIZES OCE INKJET TECH

Press release from the issuing company

Océ, an international leader in digital document management and delivery, today announces that Symeta, Belgium's key print service provider and Océ inkjet customer since 2009, has started to produce color editions of international newspapers on the latest digital inkjet technology.

Symeta is a newly formed full service print provider under the umbrella of Belgium's leading retail company Colruyt. It will make the business communication of both the Colruyt Group and outside customers more efficient, using numerous printing and document management solutions to optimize information flows.

In 2009, Symeta's predecessor company Druco was the first customer to start inkjet production in the Belgian market. The Océ JetStream 2200 printing system is installed at its Halle facility – close to Brussels – providing document management solutions for the internal and external market.

In close co-operation with Océ, Symeta has identified the production of international newspapers as one of its services to outside publishing customers. Brussels is the heart of the European community and the capital is one of the most international cities in Europe as well as Europe's key logistics hub. The newspapers are produced on the Océ JetStream 2200 printing system. Advances based on Océ JetStream technology inkjet presses in terms of speed and quality, plus unrivalled color quality and flexibility, means that digital newspapers have become an even more acceptable product for the newspaper industry. The Océ JetStream 2200 press prints in excess of 2,000 36-page tabloid newspapers per hour. Each copy is potentially an individual product, printed digitally with no loss of speed or quality compared to more traditional printing methods. Symeta targets to produce more than 5,000 digital newspapers during the night shift.

Océ pioneered the digital newspaper market a decade ago with its Digital Newspaper Network. Approximately 30 million newspaper copies have been produced globally through this network since 2001, making Océ the world market leader in digital newspaper production. Symeta will be the sixth partner in the Digital Newspaper Network.

The introduction of the Océ JetStream series of digital full color inkjet presses extended Océ production capabilities into higher run lengths, unprecedented productivity and full color quality on par with traditional newspapers produced on offset presses. Now digital production speeds are within the scope of those required for smaller metropolitan, suburban and country newspapers.

The first titles to come on board are produced on behalf of Newspaper Abroad to meet the demand of international newspapers. Newspaper Abroad has its headquarters in Brussels and operates in over 10 countries around the world. Newspaper Abroad offers A-Z solutions to publishers by handling sales, marketing, prepress, production and distribution of foreign newspapers. The newspapers are sold in retail shops, airports and hotels as well as subscriptions to embassies, libraries, offices, and to the expatriate community.

"The production of international titles at Symeta is more proof of the viability of digital inkjet technology for the newspaper industry. Ensuring immediate delivery in international markets of newspapers printed digitally in color with a print quality comparable to traditional printing provides a steady revenue stream and potential growth opportunity for newspaper publishers," says Sebastian Landesberger, Executive Vice President, Océ Production Printing.

Philip D'hooge, General Manager of Symeta, said: "The production of international newspapers is a new business opportunity for Symeta based on Océ's leading edge inkjet technology. We are very pleased that Symeta's Océ JetStream 2200 can handle a wide range of document solutions ranging from direct mail and loyalty programs to international newspaper production."

07/12/11

MGI DIGITAL GRAPHIC TECH ANNOUNCES NEW PAPER AVAILABLE

Press release from the issuing company

MGI Digital Graphic Technology, the multi-substrate (paper, plastics & envelopes) digital press and finishing solutions manufacturer, today announced the availability of an InfoTrends white paper that details the company's newest product offerings and provides a comprehensive overview of MGI's long history of innovative digital printing and finishing solutions. The white paper, titled "Extending MGI's Market Impact: Introducing the Meteor DP8700 XL" is authored by Jim Hamilton, Group Director of Production Printing & Media Consulting Services at InfoTrends.  

The white paper focuses on MGI's newest digital press, the Meteor DP8700 XL, which was launched in June. MGI's Meteor series of digital presses is regarded as the most versatile in the industry, with true multi-substrate versatility (paper, plastics & envelopes), the longest sheet size among production cut-sheet digital presses (up to 13 x 40" in production, up to 13 x 47" via manual bypass), along with laser-safe prints, no click charge, and an offset comparable output. The Meteor DP8700 XL takes this versatility to a new level, offering 3600 dpi / 270 lpi print resolution (including stochastic), increased print speeds up to 4,260 A4/letter sheets per hour, a new auto-adjusting offset feeder table (ensuring registration of ±0.2mm left-right, ±0.5 mm top-bottom, front-back), along with many other new features.  

In addition to highlighting the Meteor DP8700 XL, the white paper's analysis looks at MGI's innovative production inkjet solutions: the JETvarnish digital inkjet spot UV coater and the JETcard, which integrates 4-6 UV inkjet color printing (with full variable data), spot/flood UV coating, security (black light visible) coating, data encoding and verification (magnetic stripes) into just one unit, designed for high volume plastic card production. Also hinted at are future developments in MGI's production inkjet technologies for the commercial printing market.  

Rounding out the white paper are MGI's innovative finishing technologies, including the DF360 multi-function finishing unit and the PressCard Pro and PunchCard Pro, lamination and die cutting solutions for the plastic card manufacturing segment.  

"We were thrilled to work on this project with Jim Hamilton and InfoTrends; they did an excellent job of articulating MGI's long history of innovation for the global graphics market," said Michael Abergel, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of MGI USA. "Our versatile digital portfolio has been making an impact in nearly every segment for almost 30 years, and this white paper is a great representation of the many accomplishments of MGI as a company over the years as well as a glimpse of what our future holds."  

"The announcement of the Meteor DP8700 XL is significant not only because it extends the Meteor product line to new levels of productivity and format, but also because it puts the industry on notice that MGI is expanding its product line and distribution capabilities in a way that puts them into direct competition with much larger companies," said Jim Hamilton. "MGI's value proposition combines printing, finishing, and value-added features in ways that no other vendor is currently doing. Their recent announcements show how the company is developing expertise in inkjet technologies, which build on MGI strengths in feeding, imaging, and finishing technologies suitable for many weights and types of paper and plastic substrates. Since the mid-1990s, MGI's historic progression has been impressive, and there is little doubt that the company will extend this innovation in the coming years."  

The white paper is now available and can be downloaded via the following link:
http://www.infotrends.com/public/Content/FreeDownloads/pages/mgi.html

07/12/11

INTERNATIONAL PAPER CO. OFFERING COMMON SHARES

Press release from the issuing company

International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) today announced that it is commencing a fully financed tender offer for all outstanding common shares of Temple-Inland Inc. (NYSE: TIN) for $30.60 per share in cash. The all-cash offer represents a 46% premium to Temple-Inland's closing price on June 6, 2011, the last trading day prior to public disclosure of International Paper's proposal to acquire Temple-Inland. The offer will commence tomorrow and will expire at 5:00 p.m.New York City time on August 9, 2011, unless extended.

International Paper chairman and CEO John Faraci said, "We believe Temple-Inland's price expectations are unrealistic and their unwillingness to engage in any meaningful discussions with respect to value has left us with no alternative but to make our offer directly to Temple-Inland shareholders. While we prefer to reach a negotiated, friendly deal, we are committed to remaining disciplined and completing this transaction at a fair price for both companies' shareholders. We are confident in our ability to secure the necessary regulatory approvals to complete this transaction in a timely manner."

Faraci continued, "We respect Temple-Inland, but we disagree on the realistic standalone value of the company, which we believe is currently $21 to $24 per share. The premium we are offering is substantial, the multiple is well above recent directly comparable transactions, and we are providing Temple-Inland shareholders the certainty of cash in the midst of a very uncertain economic environment. At $30.60, we believe our offer fully reflects the future business plans and economic outlook for Temple-Inland and for the sector, including the current environment and outlook for containerboard, the potential cyclical improvement in Temple-Inland's building products segment and near-term expected increases in Temple-Inland's earnings. We are confident that Temple-Inland shareholders support a transaction, and it is now incumbent upon the Temple-Inland Board to take the next step."

International Paper noted that its fully financed, all-cash offer represents compelling value when compared against all reasonable metrics and precedents, including:

• A 46% premium to Temple-Inland's closing price of $21.01 on June 6, 2011, the last trading day prior to public disclosure of the offer
• A 30% premium over the present value of average analyst price targets for a standalone Temple-Inland of $23.57
• A highly attractive multiple of 9.8x Temple-Inland's 2011 estimated EBITDA (9.0x excluding timber tax liability) versus forward EBITDA multiples of recent precedent transactions of 6.1x for
Smurfit-Stone and 6.3x for Weyerhaeuser's corrugated packaging business, and well above Temple-Inland's average forward EBITDA multiple of 6.1x since 2008
• The fact that IBES research estimates for Temple-Inland's EBITDA have come down since International Paper's proposal was made public, given market expectations
• A significant premium to Temple-Inland's standalone value which, based on pre-offer trading and independent analyst estimates of Temple-Inland's earnings potential, International Paper and third parties credibly estimate at $21 to $24 per share. This compares to Temple-Inland's contention that standalone value should reflect multiple expansion to near 7x applied to an above-average estimated EBITDA for 2012 - a view we believe neither investors nor third parties share
• Realization of the benefits from a potential cyclical improvement in Temple-Inland's building products segment, even with a recovery uncertain and likely years away
• The benefits of more than half of the synergies that are expected to result from the combination
• The certainty of cash, versus the uncertainty of any potential future benefits to shareholders that Temple-Inland's current business plan may, or may not, deliver through cyclical and operational improvement

International Paper has secured committed financing from UBS Investment Bank, and the offer will not be conditioned on financing. The offer will be conditioned on there being validly tendered and not withdrawn at least a majority of the total number of Temple-Inland shares outstanding on a fully diluted basis, Temple-Inland's Board of Directors redeeming or invalidating its "poison pill" shareholder rights plan, the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions as described in the Offer to Purchase.

International Paper also is filing notification tomorrow with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and Department of Justice ("DOJ") as required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR). The HSR waiting period will expire on July 27, 2011 unless extended by the FTC or DOJ, which would not be unusual in these circumstances.

The Offer to Purchase, Letter of Transmittal and related documents will be filed tomorrow with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Temple-Inland's stockholders may obtain copies of all of the offering documents free of charge at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) or by directly requesting copies of all of the offering documents free of charge at Innisfree M&A Incorporated, the Information Agent for the offer, at (877) 456-3488 (toll-free). Banks and brokers may call collect at (212) 750-5833. The tender offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.New York City time on August 9, 2011, unless extended in the manner set forth in the Offer to Purchase.

International Paper's dealer managers for the tender offer are UBS Investment Bank and Evercore Partners. Its legal advisor is Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the Company's North American distribution company. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee the company employs about 59,500 people in more than 24 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2010 net sales were more than $25 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.

07/12/11

ISO TC130 PUBLISHES GRAPHIC TECH-PREPRESS DIGITAL DATA EXCHANGE PART 4

Press release from the issuing company

Providing a reference of color images in electronic form for research, testing, and assessment of output systems (including printers, color management systems and color profiles), the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 130 (ISO TC130) has published ISO 12640-4 Graphic technology–Prepress digital data exchange–Part 4: Wide gamut display-referred standard colour image data [Adobe RGB (1998)/SCID].

This part of ISO 12640 provides a reference set of wide gamut display-referred color images in electronic form, encoded as 16-bit Adobe RGB (1998) digital data, that can be used to evaluate changes in image quality during coding, image processing (including color re-rendering and color space transformations, compression and decompression), displaying on a color monitor and printing. The images of Part 4 supplement the images of Part 1 (CMYK data), Part 2 (sRGB gamut images), and Part 3 (large gamut images encoded as CIELAB data). Part 4, available on DVD, includes 14 natural images and two synthetic images (test charts).

ISO 12640-4 is available for purchase from NPES and ISO member national organizations. For more information or to order, visit the Standards Workroom or contact Debbie Orf, NPES Assistant Director of Standards, at phone: 703/264-7229 or e-mail: dorf@npes.org.

07/11/11

AVERY DENNISON INTRODUCES MINIMUM RETROREFLECTIVITY COMPLIANCE KIT

Press release from the issuing company

Avery Dennison introduced an innovative product today to help state and municipal government officials maintain that their traffic and safety signs reflect enough light to be in compliance with federal regulations. The new Avery Dennison Minimum Retroreflectivity Compliance Kit is an affordable and easy way for officials and road sign fabricators to evaluate if an existing sign meets new federally established standards for "retroreflectivity," the standard for measuring sign brightness.   
 
The kit contains calibration sign standards and comparison panel standards. When used in conjunction with each other, the components allow a state, county or city government agency to easily test existing signs for compliance simply by holding the kit's comparison panel next to a sign. If the sign is as bright as the panel, the sign is in compliance, if not, it needs to be replaced.     
 
The calibration sign standards come in all required colors with retroreflectivity levels engineered to match the values specified in Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)¹ Table 2A-3. Agency personnel can easily calibrate their vision prior to conducting nighttime sign inspections and mark signs as pass, fail or marginal.   
 
The visual assessment method using the Kit is simple, effective and fully compliant with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommendations for sign evaluation. In accordance with the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD, state and municipalities have until January 22, 2012 to select and begin employing an assessment or management method to maintain traffic sign retroreflectivity at or above established minimums. By January 15, 2015, they must replace regulatory, warning and post-mounted guide signs that fail to meet established minimums. And, by January 22, 2018, overhead guide and street name signs that fail to meet established minimums must be replaced.   
 
"The Avery Dennison Compliance Kit is accurate, approved and the most cost-effective method for an agency to test their existing signage and be in compliance," said Scott Chapman, traffic & safety segment manager, Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions. "We are committed to working proactively with government agencies to ensure they are compliant with the MUTCD rules."   
 
The retroreflective values for both the calibration sign standards and comparison panel standards are certified by Avery Dennison.  
 
Kits are available from authorized resellers.  For a list of resellers and more information on Avery Dennison reflective products, state officials and sign fabricators can visit www.reflectives.averydennison.com or contact Avery Dennison at 800-282-8379 for additional product information. ¹ The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is a compilation of national standards for all traffic control devices, including road markings, highway signs, and traffic signals.

07/11/11

CMYUK DIGITAL EXTENDS ITSELF WITH PRINTING CARPETS

Press release from the issuing company

Following the unprecedented success of its distribution agreement for A Berger's broad range of digital textiles, CMYUK Digital has now extended its range of specialist materials with an exclusive arrangement with Printing Carpets. As its name suggests, this company manufactures a comprehensive range of carpet, vinyl and foil floor coverings, all of which are designed to be decorated using ink-jet processes.  
 
The ability to print to carpets and other floor coverings is now achieved easily by users of wide-format printers who want to add new options for creativity to their existing services. With space at a premium on walls and billboard sites, displays suitable for interior and exterior use on the ground offer innovative and unusual options for brand specialists and other businesses looking for new promotional opportunities.  
 
Materials from Printing Carpets now available from CMYUK Digital include products in a choice of widths which can be output using a variety of different ink chemistries. This means that users can work with their existing platforms yet add a new range of application options to their end customers.  
 
"Printed floor coverings are rapidly increasing in popularity, boosted by the ability for today's ink-jet technologies to output onto media which can handle UV-curable, solvent-based and latex ink formulations," explains CMYUK Digital's Jon Price. "The portfolio we're offering includes carpets and floor mats, many of which can also be printed with disperse inks or via two-step dye sublimation." As well as carpets, specially treated vinyl materials and street foils enable users to produce tough and durable floor coverings that are suitable for interior and exterior use. Suitable for application to asphalt and concrete surfaces, these non-slip products provide unusual opportunities for branding and event advertising as well as for general promotional displays.  
 
"Our growing customer base is continually asking us for new materials which benefit end users who want to come up with new and innovative ways in which to promote their products, services and companies," Price continues. "Floor graphics aren't a new concept but, to date, suitable materials have been limited in size and type. The options from Printing Carpets now mean that we can help our users achieve greater productivity from their printer investments and give them new areas to promote for the use of digital production."  
 
The addition of the products from Printing Carpets complements perfectly the families of wide-format platforms available from CMYUK Digital. The company is the UK authorised distributor for EFI VUTEk UV-curable solutions, HP's Designjet L25500 and Scitex LX series of latex printers, and Zünd's G3 contour cutting solutions.  
 
Further information is available from Jon Price at CMYUK Digital, Unit 12 The Metro Centre, Toutley Road, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 1QW, telephone 0118-989 2929, e-mail info@cmyukdigital.com, www.cmyukdigital.com.

07/11/11

VAN GENNEP TO EXPAND SALES TEAM

Press release from the issuing company

To keep pace with the growing global demand for editorial workflow and planning software, Van Gennep is expanding its sales team with the addition of a new senior Sales Manager, Christian Jansen.  
 
Christian brings 13 years of sales experience in international companies to Van Gennep. As Sales Executive at ATOS Origin, he was made responsible for gaining, supporting and maintaining new customers, after having previously worked for the distribution of ATOS's development, integration and strategic sourcing solutions. Prior to this, Christian spent two years at Centric as Account Manager, where he was responsible for the distribution of ICT solutions and services.  
 
At Van Gennep, Christian will develop the Sales organization to better respond to the forecasted growth of publishing into the corporate world.  
 
Ton van Gennep, CEO at Van Gennep, said: "We are delighted to welcome Christian to our expanding company. His ability to find and implement solutions based on long-term experience will greatly aid Van Gennep in its strategy to become a leading player in the fast-evolving world of enterprise multi-channel publishing."  
 
At the end of 2010, Van Gennep announced their strategic partnership with ADAM Software, a global provider of media workflow and marketing technology software, to deliver a DAM-based, end-to-end workflow publishing platform. The seamless integration of the companies' solutions provides users with a coherent and easily deployed approach to digital asset management, business process management and multi-channel publishing workflows. Key among Christian's responsibilities will be increasing market awareness of these ground-breaking solutions.

07/11/11

CROUSER & ASSOCIATES RELEASES WEBSITE PRICING REPORT

Press release from the issuing company

A report on Pricing Websites has been released by Crouser & Associates providing not only survey data from website providers but also giving guidance on pricing this function. Demand for websites is still very strong and the margins can be very good. Even though websites have been around for sixteen years, many businesses are still without a website OR they have an outdated site with little functionality and/or an inadequate online presence. 
 
  Website creation services are a good compliment for commercial and quick printers who are currently providing very similar marketing/advertising services for the very people who need websites. Although websites can and should be interactive and provide functions besides advertising (customer service is common), the basic concept is the same. That concept is to create once (typeset/pre-press or website construction) and reproduce many (produce duplicates or bring eyeballs to webpages). Likewise, sending out a monthly newsletter for an organization is not much different than doing the same function via email broadcast. Even HTML code will be familiar to those who have previously used phototypesetting machines.   
 
The report is part of the Price Advisory Service provided by Crouser & Associates to subscribers of the Crouser Guide at no additional cost. The report may be purchased separately for $75 at crouser.com/web. More information is available at crouser.com.

07/11/11

OBJECTIF LUNE TO ACQUIRE PRINTSOFT

Press release from the issuing company

Objectif Lune, Australia Post and PrintSoft, today announced they have entered into an agreement under which Objectif Lune will acquire global operations of PrintSoft, effective July 1st, 2011.

Founded in 1993, Objectif Lune offers software solutions that scale across a company's document-driven business processes. A privately owned organization, Objectif Lune's team of passionate people built its success through delivering elegant and practical solutions to answer everyday issues faced by organizations of all sizes.

The integration of PrintSoft further supports our mission to revolutionize management of document-driven business processes, says Objectif Lune's CEO, Didier Gombert. "In line with Objectif Lune's expansion strategy, this acquisition is the sixth over the past eight years. It represents another step towards strengthening the company's global presence while growing its solution portfolio in innovative areas such as hybrid mailing and document management systems. PrintSoft is a well respected player in the industry and we are proud to welcome them in the Objectif Lune family. We are honored to gain prestigious clients such as Australia Post as a result."

Established in 1989 and based in Melbourne Australia, PrintSoft offers enterprise business solutions that help organizations compose, process, deliver, track and store business documents whether in paper or digital. The company's powerful solutions enhance Objectif Lune's portfolio, enabling the automation of business processes for B2B markets including supply chain management, financial services, healthcare and utilities.

"PrintSoft's expertise and capabilities complement the Objectif Lune business, and we are pleased that Objectif Lune intends to preserve and build on the PrintSoft brand into the future. I believe that this is a win/win situation for PrintSoft, Objectif Lune and their respective customers," says Derek Jones, Acting PrintSoft CEO.

07/05/11

REM PRINT AN INDUSTRY PIONEER

Press release from the issuing company

REM Print s.r.o. of Bratislava, Slovakia, founded only in 2008 and with a staff of just four, is most probably one of the smallest printing companies in the country famous for the Tatra Mountains and the Danube. Nevertheless, this company can be viewed as a pioneer in quite a number of future-oriented printing concepts. For example, the team based around René Ebner and Michael Pala, the two managers of REM Print, have become the very first Slovak printers to invest in a Genius 52UV from KBA-MetroPrint, so expanding their range of everyday and special print products, which represents a clear competitive edge.

Plastics, 3D lenticular sheets, cardboard or paper and processed and non-absorbent surfaces, in other words exclusive substrates in a broad range of thicknesses of 0.1 to 0.8 mm, will now all be new options on offer in the company's product range.

But not only the almost unlimited material processing, ease of use, or the brilliant print quality played a crucial role when buying the machines, explained REM Print managing director René Ebner in more detail: "This investment needs to be viewed as a very clear statement on our part. It's a sign that even small printing shops can operate more successfully than full-service partners, provided they have the right equipment and the necessary vision to act on. Too often in the past we had to turn down many customers' requests, which we could not have easily fulfilled due to our limited technology. We have thus targeted profitable, simple solutions and in doing so were fortunate to discover the Genius 52UV". Since the Genius 52UV has a waterless and keyless inking unit, inking is absolutely stable. The registry system allows precise positioning during automatic plate changing. This keeps set-up times down to a minimum and means that spoilage during start-up is extremely low: Even the tenth sheet printed is fit for sale or shipment.

"One of the main priorities will now be the 3D lenticular printing. The Genius 52 UV operates economically in waterless offset sheet printing using UV technology. The inks dry very quickly even on the most special plastic or foil material and the printing results are of consistent quality - no matter what kind of material is being printed on.

Another thing that is very important for a company of our size: simple one-man operation, and the a complete job-change within just seven minutes. This all made our purchase decision easier - and the choice was clear" explained managing director René Ebner.

With the investment in a Genius 52UV, REM envisages an effective development that efficiently responds to individual customer requirements in Slovakia, that distinguishes itself from the competition so permitting a successfully transmission into the future.

07/05/11

ROLAND 700 DIRECTDRIVE REDUCES NON-PRODUCTIVE TIME

Press release from the issuing company

Motorists in Germany spend around six years of their lives stuck in traffic jams. Some printing presses are faced with a similar situation. For up to the half of potential production hours they stand still and generate no income. Modern presses reduce this non-productive time considerably but the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive takes a quantum leap forward. With direct drive technology and QuickChange modules it reduces makeready time by 60 percent. However, what sort of job structure makes the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive a wise investment?

Customers are ordering ever-shorter run lengths, insist on lower prices and have high quality expectations. At the same time a printing company has to operate profitably. Printing systems that can be made ready quickly provide the efficiency needed to produce faster and less expensively. This is a crucial pillar of manroland's Value Added Printing philosophy, which is embodied by the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive. Regardless of whether the run length is 500 or 30,000: DirectDrive can dramatically reduce the ratio of makeready time to total production time over a very wide range of different jobs. This increases production capacity in the pressroom, which results in higher turnover and profits.

The ROLAND 700 DirectDrive concept is more than simultaneous plate changing; it reduces makeready time through multitasking. DirectDrive features a drive motor with a control unit and an intelligent clutching system that disconnects the plate cylinder from the rest of the press. This allows changing plates in all printing units simultaneously and washing the impression and blanket cylinders at the same time. With a so-called large job changeover (including an ink change), the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive can as a first step simultaneously wash the inking units and blanket and impression cylinders at different speeds. In a second step inking up takes place during simultaneous plate changing. DirectDrive has advantages during production: the start of print can be adjusted by up to 99 millimeters. Moreover, the unique electronic print length correction of +/- 0.1 millimeters enables the printer to correct the length of the image on the run.

Which job structure is optimal for DirectDrive? Commercial and publications printers whose run lengths are generally long swear by direct drive technology. However, the fact is that with short runs makeready time is over proportionally high. Therefore the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive is unbeatable for runs up to 5,000 sheets, more than ten jobs per shift and double-shift operation. Makeready time of course depends on the number of tasks to be carried out. A small job changeover with plate changing and cylinder washing can be reduced from ten to four minutes. With a large job changeover that includes washing the inking rollers and then inking them up with the new profile for the next job, makeready time can be reduced from 16 to six minutes. What effect does this have on a working day? With jobs with five colors (CMYK plus a spot color), an average run length of 5,000 sheets and a production speed of 15,000 sheets per hour the makeready time savings with the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive amount to 20 minutes per job. In two-shift operation this means that 24 jobs can be printed per day instead of 15. These nine additional jobs boost a company's profitability. Projecting this example over a year results in additional production capacity of 13 million sheets per year.

With DirectDrive a printing company can not only produce more jobs in a given period but can also offer new types of print products. More jobs can be entered into production planning at short notice, including jobs that only become economically viable with DirectDrive. Target group-oriented product catalogs for example with individualized title pages or contents that can be produced with DirectDrive at an attractive cost per copy. With declining run lengths, some printing companies are using DirectDrive technology to considerably reduce their costs. It may make sense for instance to replace two older presses with one ROLAND 700 DirectDrive. This reduces capital employed and personnel costs and aligns capacity with the actual job structure. With DirectDrive technology therefore a company is already well equipped for growth at a later time.

07/05/11

PRATI TO SHOWCASE AT LABELEXPO 2011

Press release from the issuing company

PRATI is to showcase a raft of its innovative finishing machines at the biennial trade show, Labelexpo 2011. Visitors to the company's stand will discover the latest finishing technologies shaping the label market. Labelexpo is the world's largest event for the label, product decoration, web printing and converting industry. This year's show takes place in Brussels between September 28 and October 1. PRATI can be found in Hall 5 at Stand C60 with the largest booth demonstrating finishing machines.  

Eight PRATI machines that have proved very popular and successful  in the pharmaceutical and booklet market will be on display at the event: four slitter rewinder inspection machines, two VEGAplus converting platforms, the Pharmacheck and the VEGAplus Booklet Maker. In addition, three other slitter rewinder machines (Type Saturn), equipped with digital inspection cameras, will be demonstrated at the booths of the camera manufacturers AVT, NIKKA and BST.  NIKKA and BST will be showcasing PRATI finishing machines exclusively.  

"We've been present at Labelexpo since 1993, so we can't miss out this year on what's set to be the largest ever show," says Chiara Prati, Sales Manager at Prati, Italy. "The exhibition is an excellent forum for meeting with customers and prospects to get a better understanding of the challenges they face.  

"And, of course, it's the ideal platform to introduce our portfolio of machines and related services to a larger, worldwide audience. Visitors to our stand will see innovative systems and applications that can help them generate new revenue." PRATI will also use Labelexpo to highlight its response to demand for more sustainable solutions. "The Saturn Linerless, for example, is just one of our environmental friendly machines, producing zero liner waste," Prati continues.  

Earlier this year PRATI opened its new plant to handle increased international demand for its solutions. "We've witnessed a strong economic recovery in the industry and feel confident about the future," concludes Prati. "We're proud to have top companies such as CCL , Schreiner and other large  multinational groups investing in our finishing solutions."

07/05/11

OEC GRAPHICS UPGREADS SEAMEX LINE

Press release from the issuing company

OEC Graphics, a prepress supplier to converters and consumer packaged goods companies, has recently upgraded its exclusive Seamex line of photopolymer printing sleeves to incorporate Flat Top Dot technology.  With this enhancement, OEC is the only organization capable of creating this revolutionary technology. Applicable with HD Flexo 2.0, Seamex sleeves deliver all of the benefits of HD Flexo 2.0's solid screening technology combined with exceptionally fine highlight dots. As a result, there is increased color gamut through greater solid ink density and longer tonal range.

OEC's exclusive Flat Top Dot Technology, used in conjunction with HD 2.0, produces the most advanced printing system in the market. When applying this technology, all dots do come to the surface which raises the floor height to help support the main dots. Solid cell openings are sharper than non-flat top dot structures. This combined technology of HD 2.0 and Flat Top Dot can be applied to all flat photopolymers and to OEC's ITR polymer solution, Seamex, allowing for finer copy and reverses along with cleaner print.

Used individually or in combination, HD Flexo 2.0 and Flat Top Dot Technology rival gravure printing for higher resolution, increased color gamut and print consistency. Brad Vette, Corporate Managing Director, when discussing the evolution of Seamex photopolymer sleeves states "As the only manufacturer in the world that offers an in-the-round photopolymer printing sleeve that combines the capabilities of both HD Flexo and a Flat-Top-Dot, we are in a unique position to offer our customers unsurpassed performance and technology that can compete in any packaging market".

07/05/11

NPES RE-ACCREDITED BY ANSI

Press release from the issuing company

NPES has been re-accredited as a standards development organization by the American National Standards Institute, after an audit of the association's standards administration operations by ANSI.

NPES administers the work of the Committee for Graphic Arts Technologies Standards (CGATS) and B65 committees, as well as serving as secretariat for the US Technical Advisory Group to the International Organization for Standardization's Technical Committee 130 on Graphic Technology (USTAG to TC130).

CGATS received ANSI accreditation in 1989.  The goal of CGATS is for the entire scope of technical work for printing, publishing and converting technologies to be represented in one national standardization and coordination effort, while respecting the established activities of existing accredited standards committees and industry standards developers.  CGATS has standards either approved or in draft, relating to pallet loading of printed materials, metrology, terminology, plates, process control, digital data exchange, color data definition, design workflow for packaging, and ink and color characterization for packaging. Membership in CGATS is open to anyone having an interest in the work and involvement from the user community is sought to ensure standards meet their needs.

The B65 Committee, which received ANSI accreditation in 1983, develops safety standards relating to printing presses and press systems, binding/finishing equipment and systems, bindery cutting machines, platen presses and ink making equipment. These standards address design, arrangements, designation, and color scheme of controls and signaling devices, guarding and interlocking of guards, mechanical safety devise, symbology, and safe practices as they apply to printing equipment.

The USTAG to TC130 consists of industry experts who provide guidance to ANSI on the development of the U.S. position on International Standards relating to graphic arts. The USTAG maintains a list of experts in all areas of the graphic arts, including, but not limited to, technologies such as ink, process control, plates, blankets, digital data exchange, environmental impact of printed products, management of security printing, printing certification requirements, safety and color management.

Participation on any of these committees is open to anyone having an interest. For more information, or to participate in this work, contact Assistant Director of Standards, Debbie Orf, at phone: 703/264-7200 or e-mail: dorf@npes.org.

06/30/11

1-TAG TECH OFFERS NEW SOLUTIONS

Press release from the issuing company

The 1-TAG technology from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) offers brand goods manufacturers protection against product piracy and thus provides a solution for minimizing the resultant economic damage. For all end customers, this solution also offers a simple way of checking the authenticity of products using a smartphone.

For reliable protection against counterfeiting, the products are equipped with 1-TAG security labels. These comprise a pattern randomly generated from copper threads and an accompanying unique two-dimensional quick response code (QR code). The combination of these two elements on the product itself or on the packaging ensures the best possible protection against counterfeiting and creates a unique identity for each product, comparable to a human fingerprint. Free mobile software (app) specifically developed for this technology allows end users to check the authenticity of the labeled products quickly and easily using a smartphone. The check takes place directly on the user's phone without the need for a network connection. Consumers can download the relevant apps free of charge from the Apple Store and the Google Android Market. The solution is available now for manufacturers and offers a far higher level of security than popular hologram concepts, which can usually be copied by counterfeiters in just a few days.

1-TAG is based on a combination of physical random processes and cryptographic signatures. The term cryptographic signature refers to processes that can be used to document the authenticity of data and enable this data to be checked by everyone. First, a pattern randomly generated from copper threads is applied to a label. This pattern is read off using a camera, and a cryptographic key that is unique to each manufacturer converts it into an equally unique code. This cryptographic signature ensures that the random pattern, code, and product information are linked up in such a way that they offer reliable protection against manipulation. The code is printed on the label next to the pattern of copper threads using a digital drop-on-demand inkjet system from Linoprint. "We designed 1-TAG primarily as a security system for brand goods manufacturers and their end customers to provide better protection against counterfeit products," says Stephan Plenz, Member of the Heidelberg Management Board responsible for Equipment. "For the first time, this technology allows brand goods manufacturers to incorporate their customers into the process of counterfeit protection. Thanks to its high level of security and simple user handling, 1-TAG offers extremely effective protection, particularly for health- or security-critical products."

Brand goods manufacturers can also use 1-TAG to protect their brand names against misuse by specifying in advance, for example, how many items a packaging company can label with the 1-TAG technology and which product information can be coded during this process. The quota of security labels defined in this way is produced just-in-time on-site by applying signatures to a corresponding number of raw labels, i.e. labels that have not yet been assigned to a product through a signature. The quota is specified via a secure Internet connection and can be redefined quickly and easily each day. In this way, there are no superfluous labels that need to be documented by the packager. Remaining raw labels can be kept for the next order without the risk of misuse. Protection against the misuse or theft of the cryptographic key used with 1-TAG is comparable with the most secure solutions for Internet banking. Implementation is fast and risk-free for brand owners, because Heidelberg manages all the security-relevant processes.

To check the authenticity of a product labeled with 1-TAG technology, end customers only need their smartphone and the freely available 1-TAG app. The software scans the security label and detects immediately whether the content of the QR code matches the pattern of the neighboring copper threads or not. This process does not require access to the mobile data network, which means that the check is free of charge across the globe. In addition to the result of the check, the app also displays the corresponding brand, the product name, and the size of the packaging and can supply end customers with additional product-specific information. For example, the best-before date or batch number can be integrated into the code and accessed in parallel to the authenticity check. What's more, users can also access the websites of the products or manufacturers from 1-TAG via weblinks. This gives brand goods manufacturers additional options for addressing customers - particularly now that more and more people are accessing the Internet through their smartphone while on the move.

Sales centers and supermarkets can also integrate the check into their existing logistics systems. The additional data supplied can also be used for logistics purposes and enables interaction with inventory management systems.

For further photos or information about Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, please visit our Press Lounge at www.heidelberg.com.

06/30/11

WYNDEHAM GROUP TO MAKE 58 REDUNDANCIES

Press release from the issuing company

Wyndeham Group is proposing to make 58 redundancies that will affect all departments at its Wyndeham Roche web offset printing subsidiary in Cornwall. A 30-day consultation process has commenced today.

Following the acquisition of the St Ives Web Division by Walstead Investments, Wyndeham Group's parent, on 6 April 2011, a review of the Wyndeham Roche business was undertaken. The review concluded that due to the ongoing poor financial performance of the company it will be necessary to implement cost savings.

Like all manufacturing businesses, and particularly those in the web offset sector, Wyndeham Roche is a victim of significant raw material increases and these, combined with rising utility costs, have put already low margin work under even more pressure. The web offset printing market in the UK has, until recently, experienced significant overcapacity and volumes continue to decline. Consequently, market prices are at an all time low. These dynamics mean that overheads are too high in relation to current revenues. The changes at Wyndeham Roche are considered necessary despite the significant capital investment in the plant.

Paul Utting, Chief Executive of Wyndeham Group, commented: "Following our recent announcements at Wyndeham Apple and Wyndeham Plymouth it is disappointing to have to give notice of this additional restructuring. However, as we have said previously, the web offset sector in the UK is under severe stress following unprecedented increases in raw material and utility costs compounded by reducing volumes of work. Against this backdrop, even an operation like Wyndeham Roche, with modern equipment, needs to make changes in order to remain viable. It is inevitable that similar cost saving programmes will be implemented across the sector."

06/30/11

IMAGE OPTIONS UNVEILES NEW PRINTING METHOD

Press release from the issuing company

Image Options today unveiled a new green printing method with the installation of  the EFI VUTEk GS3250LX UV-curing digital inkjet printer on MicroGREEN Polymers' InCycle PET sheets.  

"As an SGP-certified printer, we have an obligation to lead the way in providing our customers with the most environmentally-friendly options for their print and graphic needs – from the equipment we use to the substrates we offer.  The high-quality results we have seen with the GS3250LX press on InCycle sheets are a great match for a variety of signage and POP applications," said Tim Bennett, CEO of Image Options.

Engineered to dramatically lower the total cost of ownership over the lifetime of the printer, the VUTEk GS3250LX incorporates "cool cure" LED technology and increased productivity to facilitate faster and more efficient job production than ever before. With no VOCs, less consumables and waste, low energy consumption, and the ability to print on recycled and other materials without introducing warping or head strikes, the printer is ideal to partner with substrates like InCycle to create a significantly more sustainable print product.

InCycle is a revolutionary transformation of recycled PET into a recyclable, lightweight, printable sheet, created as a cost-effective, sustainable alternative for print, signage, and packaging.  InCycle sheets are made from recycled PET, which is then expanded to reduce the amount of plastic required and significantly lower the environmental footprint of products made from it.   InCycle sheets also have an integral skin which is moisture-proof and can be printed on directly. The integral skin is naturally white without the addition of pigments and highly reflective, which makes print appear to jump off the surface. InCycle sheets are available in a variety of gauges, from 0.020" to 0.060".

06/30/11

ENFOCUS ADDS TO THE TEAM!

Press release from the issuing company

Enfocus Vice President Fabian Prudhomme today announces that industry veteran and digital pioneer, Chris Heric, joins the international Enfocus team as Automation Solutions Architect. Heric will report to Elli Cloots, Enfocus Product Management Director.  

Heric will concentrate on further developing Enfocus core technologies -- particularly Switch, at this time – for use in newly identified high-growth segments, including graphic arts.  

Heric has consulted to Enfocus engineering in the past, and has long been an outspoken proponent of the Enfocus PitStop and Switch product families.  

"Chris Heric is a dynamic, quick-thinking professional with an intuitive gift for development across numerous market segments," says Prudhomme. "Given his 22 years of print production experience and expertise, combined with deep technical knowledge of Enfocus products, IT systems, and imaging and prepress; we are fortunate to have him help us find, and develop, applications that can be better served with Enfocus technology."  

Prudhomme says that company research is uncovering a surprising absence of affordable, quick-ROI automation solutions in numerous vertical segments. "Even industries with some history and experience in automation are lacking options," Prudhomme says. "Enfocus' fast, easy approach runs counter to the quarter-million dollar, eight-month plus implementation solutions that are more commonly utilized in other markets, but doesn't compromise functionality at its lower price point."  

Prior to joining the Enfocus team, Heric was an independent consultant for 18 years. His clients ranged from magazines and periodicals to software developers, and prepress and print facilities worldwide.  

Currently the Chairman of the CIP4/JDF Content Creation sub-working group, and an active member of the CIP4 Technical Steering Committee, Heric is also a frequent speaker, author, and inventor. Other key accolades include his tenure as a key speaker and architect of the Seybold PDF Conference, and involvement as an early member of the SWOP review committee.

Enfocus' increasingly popular Switch automation platform continues to evolve. The newest Switch 10 version, which recently became available, offers printers and publishers more robust automation, greater depths of data security, and the ability to extract more value from existing information sources and third-party tools.

06/30/11

HIFLEX ANNOUNCES NEW MAJOR RELEASE

Press release from the issuing company

HIFLEX presented new features and developments, but also introduced the next major release of HIFLEX MIS - release 2012, also referred to as the Drupa-release. This release initiates a new age for HIFLEX as it is a new and completely redesigned and restructured version of the HIFLEX MIS system.

For the first time ever in the Print MIS space, and with the advent of release 2012, HIFLEX MIS can be configured as a cloud-computing-solution. HIFLEX MIS can be installed at the printers location but can also anywhere off-site or at any external service provider. In addition, version 2012 offers enhancements that provide improved performance and a simplified implementation.

Rave reviews from HIFLEX Users

HIFLEX Users and Prospects who attended were thrilled with the new developments of release 2012 and commented:

"HIFLEX has really hit the mark with its new Cloud-Computing Release – this technology is really the way of the future and will help us to manage our business much more efficiently and reliably."

"Cloud Computing and the other system enhancements get a yes vote from my company. As usual, HIFLEX is first and we are very excited to take advantage of these new innovations. We especially like their move to OpenOffice!"

A well configured and utilized MIS system is vital for a modern printing company. Over 100 participants from 12 nations and 3 continents confirm the importance of being well informed and up to date on the latest technological advancements and best practices available.

The latest version release of the HIFLEX Webshop was most interesting as well. Because it inherits the open source developing platform of Drupal, it is most easy to configure and convinces with great usability. The new version offers many of new and improved features such as its new functionality for uploading, preflighting, signing and processing of prepress-data was impressive.

06/29/11

RECIPIEMTS PF RIT ISAIAH THOMAS AWARD ANNOUNCED

Press release from the issuing company

A group of seven Rochester Institute of Technology alumni who have won a combined 11 Pulitzer Prizes are this year's recipients of the RIT Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing.

The Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing, named for one of America's great patriot printers, recognizes outstanding contributions made to the publishing industry. The honor is presented annually by RIT's School of Print Media. This year's recipients are all graduates from RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences:

Paul Benoit '76, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1979 in the Feature Photography category while working for Boston Herald-American. Benoit and members of the paper's photography staff won for their coverage of the blizzard of 1978.

Robert Bukaty '82, winner of Pulitzer Prize in 1999 while working for The Associated Press. Bukaty and fellow RIT alumnus Dan Loh were part of the AP photography staff honored in the Feature Photography category for their series of images of the key players and events surrounding President Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky and the impeachment hearings.

Ken Geiger '11, winner of Pulitzer Prize in 1993 while working for The Dallas Morning News. Geiger and William Snyder, an RIT alumnus who is currently the program chair of RIT's photojournalism program, won in the Spot News Photography category for their images of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Stan Grossfeld '73, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes in 1984 and 1985 while working for The Boston Globe. Grossfeld won in 1984 in the Spot News category for his series of photographs revealing the effects of war on the people of Lebanon. In 1985, he earned a Pulitzer in the Feature Photography category for a portfolio of images of the famine in Ethiopia and of illegal aliens on the Mexican border. Grossfeld was also among the finalists for Pulitzers in 1984, 1994 and 1996.

Dan Loh '95, winner of Pulitzer Prize in 1999 in the Features Photography category while working for The Associated Press, for his coverage of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

William Snyder '81, winner of four Pulitzer Prizes, in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 2006, while working for The Dallas Morning News. Snyder was honored in 1989 in the Explanatory Journalism category. Snyder was part of a three-person team that reported how the National Transportation Safety Board conducts air-crash investigations following a crash in 1986. In 1991, Snyder won a Pulitzer in the Feature Photography category for his images of ill and orphaned children living in deplorable conditions in Romania. Snyder and Geiger won in the Spot News category in 1993 for their images of the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Under Snyder's leadership as director of photography at The Dallas Morning News, the staff earned a Pulitzer in 2006 in the Breaking News Photography category for its coverage of Hurricane Katrina.

Anthony Suau '78, winner of Pulitzer Prize in 1984 for Feature Photography while at The Denver Post, for a portfolio of images depicting the tragic effects of starvation in Ethiopia and for a single photograph of a woman at her husband's gravesite on Memorial Day.

The seven recipients will be honored during a ceremony Sept. 22 at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The Newseum features five centuries of news history with exhibits and galleries including one of a comprehensive collection of Pulitzer Prize-winning images.

"I'm extremely honored to be recognized by RIT, one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the fields of imaging arts and sciences," says Loh. "It was a dream of mine to be able to attend RIT, so it is such an honor to be recognized in this way. RIT is truly an incredible place and can easily set any aspiring photographer off in the right direction."

Adds Snyder: "I am honored to be included with this distinguished group of RIT photojournalism alumni and thrilled that the university has chosen to honor us this year with the Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing. It is a testament to the great legacy of RIT's Photojournalism Program."

Past recipients of the award include Mark Mikolajczyk, president and publisher of Florida Today; Thomas Curley, president and chief executive officer of The Associated Press; Allen Neuharth, chairman and president of the Gannett Co. Inc.; and Katharine Graham, president of Washington Post Co.

"This group of distinguished photojournalists has demonstrated significant career achievements in the news media industry," says Twyla Cummings, the Paul and Louise Miller Distinguished Professor at RIT. "By bestowing them with the Isaiah Thomas Award in Publishing, it further highlights the caliber of their journalistic work and their significant contributions to the industry. We are excited to honor them at the Newseum as it aligns with the tradition and spirit that Isaiah Thomas symbolized."

The Paul and Louise Miller professorship is an endowed chair that was established in 1976 by the Trustees of the Gannett Foundation in honor of Paul and Louise Miller. Paul Miller rose to a position of international influence in both the Gannett Corp. and The Associated Press, becoming president of Gannett Corp. in 1957 and elected president of The Associated Press in 1963. One of the professorship's goals is to bring greater recognition to the newspaper industry.

RIT established the Isaiah Thomas Award in 1979 to honor leaders in the newspaper industry. The award is named in tribute to an early leader of the American printing industry. In 1779, Isaiah Thomas created The Massachusetts Spy at a print shop known as the "sedition factory" by the British colonial government. Additionally, in 1810, Thomas wrote The History of Printing in America, which was regarded as the basic source of information on early American printing and publishing.

06/29/11

PURLEM RELEASES QR CODE GENERATOR

Press release from the issuing company

Purlem, the fastest growing Personalized URL platform, has released a QR code generator that creates a unique QR Code for each customer and/or prospect in a company's database.  

"QR Codes have been getting a lot of attention recently, and studies have shown the usage has increased substantially over the last couple of years," explained Martin Thomas, Founder of Purlem. "The trick was introducing the QR Codes into Purlem's platform, while still maintaining our simplistic approach. What we came up with was a way for our users to create unique QR Codes, for every contact, with a simple click of the mouse." When combined with Purlem, the QR Code acts as a response mechanism in a multi-channel marketing campaign.  Typically printed on an offline promotional piece, the QR Code gives users a convenient way to visit a website. When the QR Code is scanned with a mobile phone, the user will be taken directly to their personalized website, and tracked by the marketer.   

The QR (Quick Response) Code is essentially a two-dimensional bar code that is readable by mobile phones with a camera.  The QR Codes have become widely adopted in Japan, where they were created by a Toyota subsidiary to track vehicle parts.  When mobile phones introduced QR Code readers, the application took on a much broader context. The primary application of QR Codes is now to link consumers to a specific website - In Purlem's case, a personalized website.

"2011 is the year of mobile marketing" states Thomas. "I'm excited to offer such a innovative technology to our users."  

For more information visit www.purlem.com.

06/29/11

CONDAT USES RENEWABLE ENERGY

Press release from the issuing company

Since January 1st, 2011, 25% of the electricity consumed at Condat's paper mill, located in Dordogne, results from renewable energy.

Condat has signed an agreement to partner with a supplier that produces electricity partially from hydroelectric power plants. As a result, 25% of the electricity supplied for consumption, thanks to the AlpEnergie 25 contract, will be provided from a renewable energy source, as verified by an independent certification body.

In this way, Condat, part of the Lecta Group, demonstrates once again its commitment to sustainable development, in order to help mitigate fossil fuel depletion and find alternatives to the production of greenhouse gases caused by fossil fuel combustion.

Learn about the numerous actions carried out by Condat and the Lecta Group in the area of sustainability at www.condat-pap.com and www.lecta.com.

06/29/11

GPA ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT

Press release from the issuing company

GPA proudly announces the latest addition to their product line: InCycle Expanded PET, the revolutionary, sustainable alternative to traditional films and synthetics. It offers durability, environmental benefits, and a feather-light weight one must feel to believe.  

Manufactured from recycled water bottles (25-50% post-consumer recycled PET), InCycle uses as little as one-fifth the raw materials of traditional synthetic films andweighs up to 80% less than other film products, offering significant savings on freight and shipping costs. Qualifying as a #1 recyclable plastic, this material is the most common and easiest type of plastic to recycle. This new product makes it easier than ever for customers to make sustainable business choices.  

By using an innovative new technology, InCycle is expanded by preciselydistributing billions of microscopic bubbles beneath the solid skin surface. This engineered microstructure gives InCycle its characteristic light weight and superior thermal insulating properties. InCycle is also naturally bright white without the addition of pigments; this creates a crisp backdrop and remarkably smooth surface for vivid graphic reproduction.  

InCycle is perfect for a variety of applications, including: signage and displays, packaging and boxes, posters and menus, POP and shelf talkers, cups and containers, presentation folders, gift cards and durable brochures. It is also suitable for a wide variety of finishing processes, including die cutting, coating, foil stamping, folding, embossing and debossing, and thermoforming. InCycle Expanded PET is stocked in 28" x 40" sheets for offset and UV printing, with custom sizes and gauges up to 60 mil available.

06/29/11

OKI DATA AMERICAS OFFERS NEW PRINTER COMBO

Press release from the issuing company

OKI Data Americas offers its pro510DW Digital Color Web – part of the OKI proColor Series of printers – together with the Kompac EZ Koat Web 15 by Kompac Technologies. The combination of the pro510DW Digital Color Web's ability to produce fast, customized continuous web printing with the EZ Koat's UV coating applicator, further expands the products' usefulness within the flexographic industry.

The OKI pro510DW combines affordability and functionality, making it an ideal solution for short-run Web printing. By using the pro510DW in conjunction with the additional UV coating provided through the combined use of EZ Koat, Web 15 provides rub-, fade-, water- and scratch-resistance to the printed materials, which is advantageous for multiple applications.

"OKI has further expanded the usefulness of the pro510DW with the addition of the Kompac EZ Koat," said Rich Egert, general manager of the Strategic Technology Provider Business Group for OKI Data Americas. "OKI offers innovative, high-quality, short-run color printing solutions through its proColor Series. By entering into such collaborative relationships as the one we've forged with Kompac, OKI continues to develop and broaden its product line to meet current and emerging needs within the marketplace. This will surely be attractive to the desktop and production markets, and benefit our channel partners and dealers, alike."

Thomas Hayes, president of Kompac Technologies, agreed. "Kompac's EZ Koat coating system is an ideal post-production supplement to the OKI pro510DW," he said. "The protection afforded printed materials through the addition of UV coating adds tremendous value and is revolutionizing printing at this price-point."

06/28/11

BIA ANNOUNCES POE AWARD WINNERS

Press release from the issuing company

The Binding Industries Association (BIA), the preeminent organization for the graphic finishing and custom loose-leaf manufacturing industry, announced today its 2011 Product of Excellence Awards (POE) winners. From around the world, companies submitted their best work to be judged against that of their peers.

As the world's only competition specifically for graphic finishers and custom loose-leaf companies, the POE awards provides a platform for companies to demonstrate the value they provide to the graphic arts community. These awards are judged by experts in the industry, and entries must be technically flawless to win.

The following companies have achieved the highest pinnacle in the industry, and, as such, are the "best of the best" for 2011: C&C Offset Printing Co.; Rickard Circular Folding; Pacific; Bindery Services Ltd.; Bridge Publications, Inc.; Roswell Bookbinding; New Hampshire Bindery; Anstey Book Binding Inc.; Trends Presentation Products; American Thermoplastic Company; Tamarack Packaging; Holum & Sons Co. Inc.; FastKit; Binding Solutions, Inc.; and Pack Appeal.

Mike Roswell, president of Roswell Bookbinding and a POE winner, said, "For Roswell Bookbinding, winning these awards validates our commitment to excellence and dedication to innovation and ingenuity. It also provides us more motivation to continue producing the highest quality work in the United States."

Winners of the POE awards receive a listing on www.bindingawards.com, a featured article in The Binding Edge magazine and Printing Industries of America: The Magazine, publicity on social media, and a handsome plaque to show off to customers.

The 2011 competition was sponsored by Achilles USA, Bensons, Bielomatik Jagenberg, Challenge Machinery, Colter and Peterson, C.P Bourg, IFS-DuraPro, fixyourownbindery, Gane Brothers, Heidelberg, Holliston, Kolbus, L.D. Davis, The Newark Group, Nor-Cote International, Nordson, Standard Finishing Systems, Spiral Binding, Tech-ni-Fold, Update, US Ring, and WCJ Pilgrim.

For complete details on this years champions, please visit the POE page of winners. Challengers for the 2012 competition are encouraged to see if they can beat the "best of the best!" Get motivated and start saving your award-winning pieces today! The 2011 POE winners will be waiting to see if your company has what it takes.

06/28/11

RICOH AMERICAS CORP FIRST MANUFACTURER TO JOIN MPSA

Press release from the issuing company

Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment and advanced document management solutions, has just signed on as the first manufacturer to join the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) at its highest commitment level, the Foundation Member.  Ricoh Family Group (RFG) dealers may now join the MPSA at a discounted rate because of Ricoh's Foundation Member status. In addition, Foundation Membership is the premier level of corporate involvement in MPSA, and Foundation Members receive top visibility among corporate members in the organization.

"We are excited that Ricoh is our first OEM to join the MPSA as a Foundation Member. Since Ricoh is an influential leader within the managed print services community, we anticipate others will follow their lead and increase their involvement in the MPSA. Ricoh was also one of our 2011 MPSA Leadership Award winners, so their experience and innovation in managed print and managed document services are of the highest caliber. All our MPSA membership is important, but Foundation Members are a special group who make a significant commitment to the association. We look forward to working with Ricoh as our newest Foundation Member to drive the growth of managed print and managed document services," said MPSA President, Joe Barganier.

"Ricoh is fully committed to managed print and managed document services. By becoming a Foundation Member, we can participate at the highest levels of the association to help drive industry standards, best practices and growth. The MPSA offers clear value to managed print and managed document services players of all kinds, so we are pleased to offer our RFG dealers the chance to join MPSA," said Mark Boelhouwer, Vice President, Strategic Marketing for Ricoh U.S.

Ricoh recently announced ChaMPS, a Ricoh Managed Document Services (MDS) Program to help its dealers transform their business to a services-based model to meet customers' document management needs. The program has three components – Proven Methodology, Best-in-Class Resources and Ricoh's Industry Leading Services. This new program makes it easier for Ricoh, Savin and Lanier dealers to leverage what they need when they need it, while lowering their document-related capital investment and helping accelerate profit generation opportunities.

An important piece of the ChaMPS offering is the opportunity for Ricoh Family Group dealers to join the Managed Print Services Association at a significantly reduced rate. Because of Ricoh's strong financial commitment to the MPSA, RFG dealers can join for only $500, a 50 percent reduction. By joining, a dealer gains MPS credibility and access to the MPSA's strong industry alliances, technical partners and best practices.

06/28/11

AVERY DENNISON ANNOUNCES CONTEST WINNERS

Press release from the issuing company

Avery Dennison today announced the winners of the Avery Dennison Brand Experience Contest, which challenged designers to deliver a unique brand identity for fictional products in five categories, including children's juice, red wine, organic coffee, salad dressing and shampoo. The winners were announced at The Dieline Package Design Conference in Chicago.

Avery Dennison developed the worldwide packaging design contest to support and inspire design professionals. The contest encouraged more than 270 participants from 43 countries to leave behind normal project constraints to create work that showcased their creative skills and vision.

Selected by a panel of internationally-recognized designers, educators and thought leaders in the package design industry, the five winners reflect a global group of professionals from design and advertising firms as well as self-employed design professionals.

Avery Dennison Brand Experience Contest Category Winners:

Coffee Category--Yve Oosthuizen, Contrast Studio, Capetown, South Africa.
Salad Dressing Category--Steve Rischmiller, Saltmine Group, Sydney, Australia.
Juice Category--Stuart Robson, Saltmine Group, Sydney, Australia.
Shampoo Category--Christopher Loke, Pixology Designs, Orem, Utah.
Wine Category--Louise Besseling, Tan Branding, Utrecht, Netherlands.

"In addition to communicating brand stories, we strive to bring more to the table by offering innovative production, design and business development ideas," said Christopher Loke of Pixology Designs, winner in the Shampoo Category. "This contest provided a unique platform for us to explore our creativity, learn about new label and packaging innovations, and receive recognition among our peers and potential clients."

The five winners received their awards at The Dieline Package Design Conference in Chicago on June 22, 2011. As title sponsor of the conference, Avery Dennison displayed the winners' work in the Brand Experience Contest booth. Following the conference, the winners will receive international acclaim on TheDieline.com, the world's number one package design website.

Additionally, Avery Dennison will create a Look Book that will be shared with 2,000 global consumer packaging brand owners. Each winner also will be given a chance to make a difference through a $1,000 donation in their names to an international charity.

"We believe that the combination of compelling design with our innovations and the high quality printing by our converter partners can ignite brands on the shelf and beyond," said Jon Maley, global vice president of marketing for Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials. "Better branding helps grow the industry for everyone."

To view the work of the winners and finalists, visit www.Enhanceyourbrand.com/design-contest.

06/28/11

VALASSIS REFINANCES ITS CREDIT FACILITY

Press release from the issuing company

Valassis, one of the nation's leading media and marketing services companies, announced today that it has completed the refinancing of its existing senior secured credit facility with a new $400 million senior secured credit facility. The new facility consists of a $300 million term loan and a $100 million revolving line of credit, of which $50 million was drawn at the closing. We used the proceeds of the new credit facility along with existing cash to repay and terminate the outstanding $462.2 million in term loans and the $50 million revolver, which was undrawn, and to pay related fees and expenses. The interest rate on the new term loan and revolver is grid-based and starts at LIBOR plus 175 basis points. The new credit facility will mature in June 2016, with only the term loan amortizing on a quarterly basis at 5% during each of the first two years, 10% during the third year, 15% in the fourth year and 11.25% in the fifth year, with the remaining 53.75% due at maturity.

We believe the new credit facility provides us greater flexibility in certain circumstances to use our cash flow for the benefit of our shareholders, and the terms better reflect our improved debt-to-earnings ratio. A one-time, non-cash charge of approximately $5.8 million ($3.5 million, net of tax), resulting from the write-off of unamortized fees related to the senior secured debt refinanced and termination of hedge accounting on the related interest rate swap, will negatively impact second quarter 2011 earnings per share (EPS) by approximately $0.07. We expect the refinancing will have a positive impact on future interest expense which we will discuss when we release second quarter earnings.

We will file a copy of the credit agreement as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

06/28/11

HP TO HOLD EXHIBIT

Press release from the issuing company

HP, working with design firm Counterspace, is showcasing the ways high-quality HP Indigo digital printing expands the limits of what creative professionals can produce. HP, in its exhibit at F+W Media's HOW Design Conference in Chicago, is highlighting many of the unique, offset-quality and award-winning pieces HP Indigo customers produce, including the series of inserts appearing in each issue of F+W's Print magazine for 2011.

Counterspace partners Michael Worthington and Yasmin Khan will speak at the conference in a June 25 session, detailing how HP Indigo digital printing enabled their firm to publish 21 versions of an April insert featuring work from the magazine's "New Visual Artists."

"Events like the HOW Design Conference give us the opportunity to show how HP Indigo presses help design professionals do more with print," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business – Americas, HP. "The presses not only offer the true look and feel of offset lithography, they give designers the ability to make printed work more meaningful with affordable, short-run versioning and full one-to-one personalization."

HP Indigo presses, which use liquid inks instead of dry toners, are the only digital presses that use true PANTONE-licensed spot-color inks or offer four-, six- and seven-color PANTONE-licensed spot color emulation. With their unique color capabilities, HP Indigo presses can reproduce up to 97-percent of all Pantone Matching System and Pantone Goe colors.

Counterspace's versioned inserts in Print magazine used HP ElectroInk White – the only white ink available for sheetfed commercial digital presses. The white ink expands designers' digital printing options by enabling full-color printing on transparent, colored and other substrates.

More information about HP Indigo digital presses is available at www.hp.com/go/gsb or by following the HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.

06/27/11

QUAD/GRAPHICS SEEKING LOANS TO REFINANCE

Press release from the issuing company

Quad/Graphics Inc., the Sussex provider of printing and graphic-design services, is seeking $1.5 billion in loans to refinance debt, the company confirmed Friday. "We are refinancing our debt," said Claire Ho, spokeswoman for Quad/Graphics. "The markets are much more attractive today than they were when we put the original financing in place." Ho said the company has made significant progress integrating World Color operations with Quad's, and in paying down debt. Quad acquired World Color Press last year in a deal valued at $1.3 billion to $1.4 billion.

The company will host a bank meeting Tuesday in New York.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is leading the refinancing transaction, which includes an $800 million revolving credit line and a $400 million term loan A, both due in five years, and a $300 million, seven-year term loan B.

A term loan B is sold mainly to non-bank lenders, such as collateralized loan obligations, bank loan mutual funds and hedge funds. A term loan A is sold mainly to banks. Quad/Graphics last year got a $700 million term loan B that comes due in July 2016, according Bloomberg News data. The company has $685.3 million outstanding under the facility, which pays four percentage points more than the London interbank offered rate. Quad/Graphics also got $530 million in revolving credit lines.

In a revolving credit facility, money can be borrowed again once it's repaid. In a term loan, it can't.

Quad/Graphics shares on Friday closed down $1.92, or 4.8%, at $38.01.

06/27/11

PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA FIGHTS WHITE HOUSE

Press release from the issuing company

Printing Industries of America has sent a letter to the White House in response to the Obama Administration's Executive Order to cease the printing of the Federal Register. In Obama's announcement, he equates the printing and mailing of the Federal Register as a stack of "expensive doorstops" and "stupid spending" that "doesn't benefit anybody." By dismissing print as "pointless waste" that "no one reads," one may infer a negative perception of a stalwart industry or mistakenly assume that printed material is a dying and irrelevant relic. Printing Industries of America hopes to inform the current presidential administration about the importance of print in this economy.

The letter to the White House explains that the printing and graphic communications industry is eying a vibrant future that embraces and integrates the Internet and new technologies. Digital-based print is expected to grow at an annual rate of three to four percent per year through the year 2020, and printing companies are increasingly transforming to become integrated communications solutions firms--embracing ancillary services such as database management and website development and hosting.

Within the U.S. manufacturing sector, the industry ranks number two in number of establishments and number nine in value of shipments. The industry is among the most domestic of all manufacturers; almost all print consumed in America is produced in America. To read the letter visit www.printing.org/whitehouseletter.

In addition, Michael Makin recorded a video rebuttal that can be viewed at http://prnt.in/videoreply.

Michael Makin, president and CEO of Printing Industries of America, said, "It's important for printers to stand together and deliver a strong, coherent message about the viability and effectiveness of print. We encourage printers to stand up for their industry and communicate to their members of Congress that print is more than an expensive doorstop and it vital to our economy. What better way than to encourage legislators to visit printing facilities first hand!"

06/27/11

SIGN MAGIC WORKSHOP TOUR TO INCLUDE ENROUTE

Press release from the issuing company

Salt Lake City, EnRoute Software developer Jeff Hartman has been invited by award winning sign maker, Dan Sawatzky to participate in his worldwide Sign Magic Workshop tour.  Sawatzky recently finalized plans to offer his 3-day Sign Magic Workshop at several locations in Canada, the United States and the Ukraine. "Dan's signs showcase the capabilities of EnRoute Software" states Hartman, adding that, "For professional sign makers these one of a kind workshops are both inspirational and educational."

For several years Sawatzky has hosted Sign Magic and Sculpting workshops at his Imagination Corporation studio in Chilliwack, British Columbia. This is the first year that he will be taking his sign making classes on the road to other locations.

"At the Sign Magic Workshops I try to teach as many of the things as possible that I've learned and discovered in more than 40 years in the sign business," explains Sawatzky. "I share not only routing secrets but also the many other tools and methods I use to finish my signs and themed environments. The challenge is to do all that in only three days."

06/27/11

POSTAL REFORM ACT 2011 INTRODUCED

Press release from the issuing company

We thank House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) for introducing the Postal Reform Act of 2011 and look forward to working with him as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.

While there are several provisions in the bill that we agree with, the bill appears to be based on the assumption that the Postal Service's challenges result from too little regulation. The opposite is true. Our financial instability is the result of dramatic loss in volumes, coupled with restrictions imposed by Congress that have prevented the Postal Service from adequately responding to those losses in a business-like fashion.

We strongly oppose a provision in the bill that provides for an additional $10 billion in borrowing authority from the U.S. Treasury. The Postal Service does not need to incur additional debt - we need the money back that is already owed to us. We also strongly oppose sections of the bill that would create more government bureaucracy and slow our progress on streamlining our operations.

Also, we are disappointed that Rep. Issa's bill does not address core issues that Congress needs to address to enable the Postal Service to return to financial stability, including the need to:
• Eliminate the current mandates requiring retiree health benefit pre-payments, which costs the Postal Service $5.5 billion annually.
• Allow the Postal Service to access Civil Service Retirement System and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) overpayments. The FERS overpayment is estimated to be $6.9 billion.     We are pleased that the bill recognizes the need for a change in delivery frequency. The bill's provision to move to five-day delivery would save the Postal Service $3.1 billion annually.



The need for legislative change is urgent. Despite significant and ongoing cost cutting actions and progress on new revenue generation, the Postal Service is in danger of running out of cash as early as this October.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

06/27/11

KBA HELPS PRINTERS EXPAND

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, continues to help savvy printers expand their businesses and find greater profitability with their KBA large format presses. Customers include All Out, Edison Litho, The Garvey Group, Master Packaging, Menasha Packaging, Meyers, Motivating Graphics, Pazazz, and Rand Graphics along with many other industry titans just to name a few.  

These printers and many others are faced with a transition in the market, where quality, high efficiency, and flexibility are necessary key ingredients to a successful bottom line. Finding the right press and manufacturing partner along with its stability, profitability, and an emphasis on consultation, training, and service are leading printers to KBA North America and its wide range of award-winning large-format press models. The large-format KBA Rapidas feature an advanced level of automation, cutting-edge technology, in line quality control systems and array of automation modules. This has helped many printers expand into new high-growth markets. Commercial and packaging printers alike are seeing increased productivity and profitability with their new Rapida large formats presses.  

With well over 1,000 large format presses operating worldwide, this continued success underlines the reason that KBA continues to be the undeniable leader in the large format press market in North America.  Since Drupa 2008 KBA North America has captured a dominant 65%+ of leading print industry titans who choose an award-winning KBA large-format press to grow and succeed.  

"Since DRUPA 2008, KBA has continued its long-term 90-year dominance in the large format market for both commercial and packaging customers with a lion's share of the market over its competitors," says Mark Hischar, KBA North America president and CEO. "In the last three years, we've sold nearly double the amount of presses that our two competitors have sold combined. Our roster of customers reads like a 'Who's Who' of the most respected and dominant printers in North America. They are attracted to our innovative technology and our wide array of large format press models-from 51-inches to 81-inches---as well as being the only manufacturer to offer many unique features in large format. Plus, we are the only press manufacturer to have been recognized with the prestigious PIA InterTech Award for our large format model, the Rapida 205 81-inch press."  

Leading industry print titans that have recently chosen KBA's large-format presses :  

• A Rapida 205 81-inch press to Rand Graphics, a Wichita, Kansas print specialist in point-of-purchase applications. "Not only are we excited to install our amazing Rapida 205 81-inch press but our customers are excited too," says Randy Vautravers, president of Rand Graphics. "It's an opportunity for them to create new work and an opportunity for us to gain in efficiency, faster throughput, and flexibility while being one of the few printers in the country with this award-winning press."

• A Rapida 162 64-inch press to Motivating Graphics, a global printing company based in Ft. Worth, Texas. Motivating installed its third KBA press to provide packaging and printing for the high-tech telecommunications market in North America, South America, Central America, China, and Europe. "Our new KBA Rapida 162 64-inch six-color press will increase our platform of automated technology allowing us greater flexibility, shorter turnaround, less waste, and additional efficiency to continue to serve our customers at the high level that they are accustomed. We also believe that it will help to grow our business into new markets," says Ray Glenn Clark, president of Motivating Graphics.

• A Rapida 142 56-inch press to Master Packaging, eastern Canada's largest full-service packaging firm. "Our new Rapida press will allow our company to open up new markets with its new automated technology so we can do shorter runs," says Mary Jean Irving, president and CEO of Master Packaging.  

KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established 194 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), the parent of the KBA group, is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, special presses for books, inserts, banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards; CDs and DVDs plus inkjet and other coding systems. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com

06/24/11

AI AND DARCLAYCARD US RECEIVE THREE HONORS

Press release from the issuing company

Associates International, Inc. (Ai) (http://www.associatesinternational.com), a leading integrated marketing services provider, and Barclaycard US received three honors at the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association (PDMA) Benjamin Franklin Award for Direct Marketing Excellence celebration held June 8.  

Associates International and Barclaycard US won "Benny" awards – the top honor – in three categories for its "Express Your Inner Animal" entry:
• Multi-Media – Acquisition to Existing Customers – Financial
• Internet / Interactive – Retention – Financial
• Internet / Interactive – Acquisition to Existing Customers – Financial
The winning campaign was created to help Barclaycard US convert Midwest Airlines MasterCard customers to the Frontier Airlines MasterCard following consolidation of the two airline brands in 2010.  To be effective, the effort needed to make cardholders aware of the change and educate them about the benefits of their new Frontier Airlines MasterCard.  

In response to this challenge, Associates International and Barclaycard US collaborated to deliver an innovative, highly integrated customer communication designed to support the rebrand.  The resulting effort delivered dynamic, upbeat, engaging and personal messages that convey trust in a fresh, personal and conversational tone.  Tactically, this approach was executed with both traditional and non-traditional marketing methods, with an emphasis on digital and included highly personalized letters and direct mail.  

The program was a success, achieving a 55% unique visitor rate to the microsite and a 33% response rate for the direct mail effort, far surpassing typical industry standards.  Barclaycard US converted nearly all of the Midwest Airlines MasterCard customers to the Frontier Airlines MasterCard.  The campaign was successful from a customer experience perspective as well.  The former Midwest Airlines MasterCard customers are now engaged with and using their new Frontier Airlines MasterCard cards.  

"We were very excited about bringing the Frontier animal characters to life in support of this campaign," said Steve Mathwig, Director of Loyalty Marketing, Frontier Airlines.  "It was a great way to introduce the legacy Midwest Airlines members to the Frontier brand and their new Frontier Airlines MasterCard."  

"The success of the conversion program is testimony to the great work and collaboration of all parties involved," said Surinder Singh, General Manager-US Cards at Barclaycard US.  "Barclaycard US is very focused on its partnerships and is flexible and ready to help when partners experience a change in their business."  

"We are pleased to accept these Benjamin Franklin Awards with our client Barclaycard US for the second consecutive year," said Dave Zamorski, Chief Operating Officer, Associates International.  "This winning track record reinforces the value of the working partnership between Barclaycard US and Associates International in meeting the needs of Barclaycard's partners."  

The Benjamin Franklin Award for Direct Marketing Excellence competition has been a proud Philadelphia tradition for 38 years with the "Benny" itself now one of the region's highest honors in direct marketing and advertising.  A panel of direct marketing experts from the Direct Marketing Club of New England judged this year's submissions and awarded 30 winners and 4 honorable mentions in categories that include direct mail, social media, Internet/interactive, multi-media, three dimensional, television, and print.

06/24/11

GMG ANNOUNCES NEW RESELLER

Press release from the issuing company

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end color management software solutions, announces that Nustream Graphic Inc. has become a GMG reseller, representing GMG products throughout Canada.

Nustream Graphic serves the Canadian graphic arts industry with complete solutions for print-on-demand, CTP, and proofing - along with all printing supplies. Nustream Graphic's goal is a satisfied customer, supported by offering the latest in printing technology while providing guidance and support throughout the process. The company's main focus is helping small- to mid-sized printers identify the solutions that best fit their business environment. It has representation in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and everywhere in-between. The company also has an office in Europe.

"We have been involved in color management for quite a while, and believe GMG's products represent the future of color management. That's why we, as a national dealer that carries the best products in each prepress area, have decided to offer GMG's entire line of color management products," explains Steve Daigle, sales & marketing director. "We represent exceptional companies such as Screen in CTP, Xeikon and Agfa. With all this experience in CTP, toner and inkjet digital printing, and traditional offset, we wanted to close the loop with the best solution for color management and make sure our customers were able to offer the most consistent color, no matter the device. We carry a lot of different plate technologies, paper and workflows, and try to fit the best system for the individual needs of each customer. So, we decided to go with the best: GMG. We believe they offer the leading color management solutions.

"We are pleased to be working with Nustream Graphic. Their team is well represented and has the broad expertise required to apply color management in a variety of end-user environments.," comments Jim Summers, GMG president. "Their experience in digital, web and offset printing, along with prepress and color management complements the GMG product line very well. Their ability to touch all these prepress areas in a one-stop shop, with automated software solutions for any prepress environment is impressive. It is also comforting that their customer support team is available to help any print provider, no matter the technology."

06/24/11

INFOPRINT SOLUTIONS ENHANCES INFOPRINT 5000 INKJET SYSTEMS

Press release from the issuing company

InfoPrint Solutions, a Ricoh company,  today announced enhancements that further improve productivity for companies using the InfoPrint 5000 inkjet system for a variety of color and monochrome applications.  With today's announcement of the InfoPrint Ink Suite, the company is taking the next step to integrate existing stand-alone ink management tools into its InfoPrint ProcessDirector workflow solution, in addition to adding complementary new functions.  Integrating these already proven tools and functions with InfoPrint ProcessDirector enables more automated job preparation and management, increasing efficiency.

Customers can choose to implement any of the following Ink Suite tools that are initially being integrated with InfoPrint ProcessDirector:
• Enfocus PitStop Connect – Automates the preparation of PDF files for print, increasing accuracy and repeatability by eliminating manual steps.
• Ink Savvy – Optimizes InfoPrint 5000 color files to enhance output quality and reduce ink usage, while maintaining the overall "look and feel" of the document.
• Ink Estimation – Enables ink job cost estimates to be quickly generated for PDF or AFP files, customized based on the InfoPrint 5000 settings
• Preview Print - Allows customers to print sample pages of a job on the InfoPrint 5000 with key print setting information on a banner page, for review, before printing the entire job, and for tracking purposes.

 In addition, to provide flexibility to customers with different workflows, the existing versions of Enfocus PitStop Connect, Ink Estimation, and Ink Savvy will be offered as stand-alone tools, as well as the InfoPrint 5000 Ink Monitor feature which tracks actual ink consumption during print.  

Since the initial launch of the InfoPrint 5000, numerous tools and enhancements have been delivered to help customers leverage their InfoPrint 5000 investment to improve their business operations.  With this announcement, customers can now achieve even more process automation by using the InfoPrint ProcessDirector integrated Ink Suite tools to streamline their operations.  For example, a single automated workflow can be created that will identify multiple color quality options for a job, estimate the price for each color option, create custom banner pages documenting the color options and ink costs, print a subset of the job multiple times with different settings applied, choose and approve the appropriate color option, and then print in high speed production mode.  

The benefits to customers of using Ink Suite of tools include:
• Automation to reduce labor and process step costs - With the integration of the tools with InfoPrint ProcessDirector, customers can reduce the risk of errors and delays
• Achieving optimum document appearance with minimal ink consumption - These ink tools can improve the overall document appearance, while reducing ink cost
• Optimization of cost estimates for improved ROI – This empowers customer to make faster and easier decisions to improve business results.

"Printers today need more options to manage processes and costs – plain and simple.  The new InfoPrint ProcessDirector features in Ink Suite provide that to printers, along with the added bonus of increased flexibility and productivity," said Gary Borgese, Director, Software Product Management, InfoPrint Solutions.  "Based on our customers' needs, we've developed this integration of InfoPrint 5000 ink tools with InfoPrint ProcessDirector with their business requirements in mind.  This offering is a natural choice for anyone running the InfoPrint 5000."  

InfoPrint ProcessDirector is the industry's leading workflow automation and print management software that manages end-to-end output processes from a single point of control.  Customers across an array of industries such as healthcare, utilities, outsourcing and many more have selected this solution to support their workflow and output demands.  InfoPrint ProcessDirector is the core platform of InfoPrint Solutions' Automated Document Factory (ADF) offerings which have received top accolades from leading analyst firms IDC and Gartner.  Most notable, a 2010 IDC survey found that 68 percent of respondents receive their ADF solutions from InfoPrint Solutions*.

06/24/11

XPEDX AND RYOBI END DISTRIBUTION RELATIONSHIP

Press release from the issuing company

xpedx and Ryobi Ltd. have agreed to end their distribution relationship in the United States and Canada. Effective Oct. 1, 2011, Ferrostaal AG will be master distributor for Ryobi offset printing presses in these markets.  

xpedx has distributed Ryobi offset presses in the United States since 1978, and in Canada since 2009. Ferrostaal is a worldwide brand operating in more than 40 countries. The company has supplied the graphic arts industry for 50 years and has been a Ryobi distributor since 1996. Today, Ferrostaal distributes Ryobi presses in South Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.  

"xpedx has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Ryobi Ltd., and has been proud to be associated with Ryobi's superior performance, reliability, and ease of operation," said Dan Watkoske, xpedx's executive vice president, Sales. "As we evaluate how to bring the greatest value to our customers in this evolving marketplace, we have chosen to exit the offset press market and focus on the things that will enable xpedx to support our customers' growth."  

xpedx will continue to provide sales support until Oct. 1, 2011 and during that time, John Torrey, vice president and general manager, xpedx Technology Center, will lead the transition of the Ryobi business from xpedx to Ferrostaal. After Oct. 1, Ryobi press owners will have three service options: xpedx, Ferrostaal and independent service providers.  

"Ferrostaal has represented Ryobi's offset press line for more than 15 years, expanding our reach across continents by providing excellent sales and support," said Bernd Ahlmann, senior vice president, Equipment Solutions, Ferrostaal AG. "Last year, we took on distribution activities for Ryobi products in the Middle East and we are now very pleased to follow this success story with Ryobi in the United States and Canada."

06/24/11

SNOWBOUND SOFTWARE PARTNERS WITH NETXPOSURE

Press release from the issuing company

Snowbound Software, the market leader in document viewing and conversion solutions, is pleased to announce an OEM partnership with NetXposure, providers of Digital Asset Management (DAM) solutions to many of the world's leading organizations. NetXposure will integrate Snowbound's technology into their DAM offerings – for a front-end imaging engine that also provides document manipulation and clean-up functionality.  

DAM is the process an organization undertakes to collect, catalogue and store their electronic file assets – with the goals of creating an organized repository for easy asset retrieval and distribution. Digital asset management systems (DAMS) include computer software and hardware systems that aid in the process of digital asset management.

NetXposure's Digital Asset Management solution is an enterprise software application for managing large libraries of digital image, document, and rich media files. An effective DAM will reduce the time and cost of content production, maximize ROI from media assets, and streamline creative and marketing workflows. NetXposure is proud to count world-class enterprises including Cornell University, The Museum of Modern Art in New York City and Daimler Trucks North America as clients.

Snowbound's solutions provide the tools needed to add document viewing and conversion functionality into an organization's workflow application(s) including ECM, BPM and, of course, DAM. Imaging functions include viewing, conversion, annotation and manipulation – which features fast retrieval, revision (without altering the original file), and archiving – for streamlined processing and review. An optional module, DocClean, automatically detects and cleans flaws on scanned and faxed documents, as they are added to the repository.  

"We are very excited about the business opportunities that the partnership with Snowbound Software opens up for us," explained Jason Wehling, president of NetXposure, Inc. "Our technology partnerships enable us stay ahead of the curve and enhance our solutions so they remain flexible for the rapidly changing technology industry."

06/23/11

ECLIPSE COLOUR WINS BPIF EXCELLENCE AWARD

Press release from the issuing company

Eclipse Colour have scooped the top prize at this years prestigious BPIF Excellence Awards. Judges for the federation have voted Eclipse Colour as 'Company of the Year' for 2011 in the £5m plus turnover category.

Simon Moore collected the accolade on behalf of Eclipse Colour at the glitzy awards ceremony in London's revamped Café de Paris. The event saw everyone who is anyone from the world of print eagerly awaiting the results announced by comedian Mark Steel - doubly so for Eclipse Colour as they were the only commercial printer to have been shortlisted in two categories - both 'Company of the year' and 'Lean Manufacturing'.

'It was a real privilege to be named the company of the year by an organization like the BPIF and reflects what a great year we had in 2010' … said managing director Simon Moore…

'It will certainly give the whole team a real boost and will highlight to our customers that they really are dealing with an award-winning company'.

He also added…' I'd like to thank the BPIF for not only a fantastic evening but for the support they have given us through 'Vision in Print' in the process of continual business improvement.'

06/23/11

ONE WORD BRIEF ANNOUNCES THREE MOST POPULAR DESIGNS

Press release from the issuing company

The first exhibition by design collective, One Word Brief, has concluded with the announcement of the three most popular designs, as voted for by visitors to the One Word Brief live and online exhibitions.

One Word Brief asked designers to respond to one of six one word briefs:

CHANGE
SEARCH
FREEDOM
SOCIAL
SPACE
ENOUGH

The open exhibition, sponsored by Denmaur Independent Papers, had two simple aims: To engage the design community in an opportunity for creative self-expression and to remind people how great graphic design can be.

The three most popular designs were produced by Corissa Taber, who chose to respond to the one word brief FREEDOM, Ben Philp, who chose CHANGE and Andres Santana who selected ENOUGH.

The three designers and their guests will be taken on a two-day all expenses paid trip to Nordland Mill, the home of UPM Fine in Germany, by Denmaur Independent Papers. Denmaur sponsored the One Word Brief exhibition, selecting UPM Fine as the official exhibition paper for submissions to be printed on.

Zoltan Marfy creative director and co-founder of One Word Brief commented, "We've been amazed by the number of responses to our six one word briefs in the first year of our existence and have welcomed work from designers as far afield as Switzerland, Romania, Canada, Australia and India. This was an opportunity for designers to express themselves freely without clients or agencies getting in their way. We're looking forward to creating that same opportunity for designers again."

Tom Jansz of Denmaur Independent Paper commented, "Congratulations, to all those who have taken part. We look forward to taking our guests to Germany, and beyond that to celebrating everyone's work in the One Word Brief book we have planned."

For a free copy of the new UPM Fine swatch, to join the mailing list for One Word Brief 2012, or for further information on Denmaur Independent Papers and its services, please contact Denmaur Independent Papers' Marketing Manager, Andy Bruguier or visit www.denmaur.com

06/23/11

XITRON ANNOUNCES NEW WORKFLOW LEASE PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

Xitron, the prepress industry's leading independent developer and integrator of prepress workflow and pressroom software and Balboa Capital Corporation, a leader in lease financing within the United States, announced a new workflow lease program for commercial printers. The program offered through Xitron and Xitron dealers within the United States provides commercial printers with the most flexibility and a simple application process. In most cases, a printer will need to submit only a single page application for approval. For larger purchases, a more in-depth application may be required.

Balboa Capital will provide leasing for Xitron's complete array of prepress and pressroom workflow solutions including: • Navigator Harlequin RIP and Workflow
• Xenith Sierra Adobe PDF Print Engine workflow
• KeySetter ink key presetting system
"Xitron is pleased to work with a partner like Balboa Capital," stated Mark Eisenschenk, Xitron's President and Chief Executive Officer. "As a business owner myself, I can appreciate the simple process and ease of working with Balboa for leasing."

"Balboa Capital is pleased to offer leasing programs to Xitron workflow users," stated David L. White, Senior Account Executive, Commercial Division, Balboa Capital. "Xitron offers a good mix of products to fit various users and Balboa is pleased to be able to offer a number of leasing options to match customer needs."

The new leasing programs are available to qualified Xitron workflow prospects and customers within the United States. Rates and options vary based on the product purchased and credit worthiness of the account. In addition to a variety of leasing options, many printers may also qualify for federal tax incentives up to the full amount of the purchase price of the system. Xitron recommends that any prospect who is considering a purchase consult with their tax advisor regarding the programs which may best fit their specific business needs. For obtain more information about the lease program offers, visit Xitron at www.xitron.com/leasing.

Xitron RIPs and workflow solutions drive more than 250 different output devices ranging from black and white and color proofers to film imagesetters and the latest in CtP and direct-to-press systems. With shipments of more than 20,000 RIPs, Xitron is the largest independent provider of RIPs in the market. For more information about Xitron products, visit Xitron on the web at www.xitron.com.

06/23/11

SGP CERTIFIES CANADIAN PRINT FACILITY

Press release from the issuing company

Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry announces today that PolyCello of Amherst, NS is the first Canadian print facility to be SGP certified. Family-owned since 1956, PolyCello is one of Canada's largest print facilities and a leader in flexible packaging. PolyCello views SGP Certification as validation of its environmental controls implementation in 2000. The company plans to use the SGP Certification to align with environmentally conscious clients that value packaging sourced from a certified, sustainable facility.       

"Our team meets regularly to determine methodologies for dealing with waste products and to curb emissions. We continually assess every aspect of our operations to identify opportunities to further reduce our environmental footprint," comments Frank Wilson, EH&S Coordinator. "SGP is in line with our business strategy and provides the benchmark for measuring sustainability. It is a logical step in our sustainability path."  

PolyCello strives to maintain a responsible balance between economic, environmental and social needs. The company offers alternative packaging solutions including MicroPack Steamable packaging, recyclable SmartPack packaging that replaces millions of landfill-bound laminated products, and a wide range of full-featured, multi-web stand up packages. The company also uses VOC-free solventless lamination and an in-line electron beam-cured solventless coating.

06/23/11

TOSHIBA JOINS CORTADO CLOUD PRINTING ALLIANCE

Press release from the issuing company

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) announced that it has joined the Cortado Cloud Printing Alliance. Through its membership, Toshiba is supporting secure mobile printing from iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android or Symbian devices in an effort for end-users to realize easy, on-demand printing for any content, with any device, at any location.

"Everyday, more and more people are using smartphones and tablets to access and edit personal and business-related documents while away from their homes and offices," said Mark Mathews, president and chief operating officer (COO), TABS. "One important feature often missing for many people is the ability to print while on the road. Now, due to our membership in the Cortado Cloud Printing Alliance, Toshiba MFPs will be fully supported and accessible from mobile devices."

At the heart of the alliance is Cortado Workplace. Starting with 2GB of online storage, this solution can be set up for free when users install the Cortado Workplace app on mobile devices, offering round-the-clock access to files and documents with true mobile cloud printing, regardless of the file type or having access to a PC. The user simply logs on with his/her web-enabled mobile device and can use any installed imaging device. The drivers required to print are stored within the Cortado Hosting Center.

"Thanks to Toshiba's participation in the Cloud Printing Alliance, customers with smartphones and tablets can print not just when on the road, but also, for example, in a customer's meeting room to any Toshiba printer located in the Wi-Fi network," said Frank Hoffmann, director strategic relationships at ThinPrint AG. "There is no complicated installation, all file formats are supported and there is no need to turn on a computer."

Cortado Workplace is available as a free app in all popular app stores.

06/22/11

SHARP IMAGING NOW CERNER CERTIFIED

Press release from the issuing company

Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, has announced that its workgroup line of MFPs are now Cerner Certified for use in Cerner's Millennium environment which will offer customers in the medical and healthcare markets that already deploy Cerner applications continued access to the best technology and support available.

Cerner is a worldwide leading supplier of healthcare information technology solutions that optimize clinical and financial outcomes. The Cerner Certification process is an evaluation of a technology designed to minimize downtime and risks, and to ensure compatibility with the Cerner application environment. The process includes development of necessary operating systems scripts, installation and support documentation, and training of Cerner support associates.

"Sharp's latest MFPs utilize a customizable high-resolution touch-screen display that simplifies common tasks performed on the machine," says Vince Jannelli, director, product management applications, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. "We are very pleased to have our line of A3 and A4 products Cerner Certified because whether from a small nurse's station or from an administrative office, everyone can be assured that Sharp MFPs and printers will work reliably in their Cerner Millennium environment."

The newly certified Sharp products include several A4 monochrome models.

The certification covers the following Cerner products and environments:

Cerner Millennium / AIX Environment
• IBM AIX version 5.3 – ML 3 or greater
• Cerner Millennium 2005.02.06 or greater
Cerner Millennium / HP-UX Environment
• HP HP-UX version 11.23 or greater
• Cerner Millennium 2005.02.06 or greater
Cerner Millennium / OpenVMS Environment
• OpenVMS version 7.3-2 or greater
• Cerner Millennium 2005.02.06 or greater
• Spooler version 2.00.R1
Windows Environment
• Windows XP, SP2 and higher
• Windows Server 2003


06/22/11

MUTOH LAUNCHES NEW COLORVERIFY PRINTER

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh, an industry leader in wide-format printers, announces the launch of Mutoh ColorVerify, an on-printer color checking system, using Mutoh's SpectroVue VM-10 spectrophotometer. The SpectroVue can be equipped to the new ValueJet 1324 and 1624 printers, and comes standard with the ValueJet 1608 Hybrid printer.  

ColorVerify is a quick and easy way to save time and money by verifying the printer's color output before running a print job. Mutoh's ColorVerify service provides a check for color 'drift' before it results in rejected jobs. The process takes just a few minutes to complete and can be done without sheeting off, so it fits into the operator's workflow.  

How it works: When the SpectroVue option is added to a new ValueJet 1324 or 1624 printer, it automatically activates Mutoh's free ColorVerify service. With this service, the operator simply prints the built-in ColorVerify Color Check test strip at the beginning of a print run and stores the measured values as a "baseline" in the printer's on-board nonvolatile memory. Then, at any point throughout the print run, the operator can reprint the test strip and re-measure. The printer will analyze the measured values, compare them to the baseline values, and report how much color variation has occurred between the current print and the baseline measurement.  

In addition to checking for color drift, ColorVerify also notifies the operator if the printer is reproducing color consistently across the full platen width, which is critical when printing multi-panel jobs such as billboards, tradeshow murals and vehicle wraps.

"Mutoh is the first in its industry to provide customers with an effortless and accurate color verification system," shares Brian Phipps, General Manager of Mutoh America Inc. "In this economy, maximizing color efficiency is critical. ColorVerify quickly alerts the operator if something within the production workflow has changed that could impact color accuracy. Process control has been a relatively unaddressed issue until now."  

Faster and more efficient than a manually operated spectrophotometer, the SpectroVue provides accurate and consistent color measurements. The SpectroVue mounts directly to the side of the print head and takes its measurements from the same sample spot every time a ColorVerify Color Check test strip is run.  

The ValueJet 1324-54" and 1624-64" are Mutoh America's newest additions to the ValueJet printer line. Not only can they be equipped with the SpectroVue spectrophotometer, but they offer an automatic sheet off function, adaptation to different ink cartridge sizes and print at blazing speeds (up to 313 sq/ft per hour on the 1624).

06/22/11

NAPL ASSEMBLING NEW PEER GROUPS

Press release from the issuing company

The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) is actively assembling industry peer groups by means of its Peer Group Clearinghouse Company Profile. The new online submission process makes it easy for company executives and managers to indicate their interest in joining NAPL-facilitated peer groups, where they can share ideas, experiences, and best practices.  

"Peer groups are a great resource, especially during a time of rapid change," says NAPL President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph P. Truncale, Ph.D. "A peer group lets you make a connection with colleagues from around the country without worrying about revealing competitive information to someone in your market. These are people you can call on for advice and assistance any time-in fact, many members say that their peer group colleagues are among their most trusted industry resources."  

Experience has shown that self-directed peer groups tend to start off strong and then fade over time; peer groups have the greatest chance of success and longevity when they are managed by independent third parties that can provide outside consistent administration and group momentum. With its unparalleled industry information and contacts throughout the North American printing community, NAPL can structure, monitor, and facilitate peer groups that meet regularly, tackle real-world issues, and produce actionable outcomes for their participants.

"Unlike a self-directed peer group, an NAPL-facilitated group enables each member to participate fully in the discussions without worrying about group logistics such as making transportation and meeting arrangements or setting agendas," says Truncale.

"And NAPL brings tools, processes, and programs that can be deployed in the peer group atmosphere," he adds. "Our Performance Indicators program, for example, is a great way for a peer group of CEOs and owners to compare key metrics in operations to each other, and then to similar groups of different demographics in the industry."  

CEO peer groups generally share key performance metrics, providing a context for discussions and bringing a confidential transparency to membership in a group that seeks to help each other grow and prosper. Based on the Clearinghouse profiles, NAPL is currently assembling peer groups for company owners and chief executives, as well as groups for financial, sales, marketing, human resources, and plant operations leaders.

  "CEO/Owner-operator peer groups will generally be about eight-to-10 companies on average so we can be sure the companies are not competitors," says Truncale, "while special interest groups will typically be somewhat larger, since there is less of a competitive aspect involved. In either case, these are roll-up-your sleeves, get involved meetings, where everyone participates fully. And every meeting is facilitated by an NAPL business adviser who is fully versed in NAPL best practices and offers the groups access to NAPL business management tools, research studies, surveys, and other programs."  

Owner-operator peer groups generally meet quarterly, including conference calls and on-site visits. Meetings held at members' plants allow the group to tour the facilities, experience the companies' value propositions, and see how they are handling shared issues, and enable the host companies to get a view of their operations through the eyes of their group colleagues. Special-interest groups may opt to meet at airport hub hotels or other convenient facilities.

06/22/11

X-RITE RELEASES i1DISPLAY PRO

Press release from the issuing company

X-Rite, Incorporated, the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, today announces the immediate availability of i1Display Pro and ColorMunki Display, two all-new technologically advanced hardware and software solutions for color calibration and profiling of displays, laptops and projectors.

The i1Display Pro is the ultimate choice for discerning photographers, designers or any imaging professionals looking for the highest on screen color accuracy. i1Display Pro offers power users 'Advanced' user-defined settings and in-depth quality assurance tools for precise color control, as well as predefined 'Basic' settings to provide them with the perfect balance of speed and options to suit their individual workflow and changing needs.

The ColorMunki Display is the ideal color solution for both passionate and professional photographers and designers looking for professional color results in an easy-to-use format that doesn't require in-depth knowledge of color science. ColorMunki Display features an 'Easy' mode with a selection of one-click presets and an 'Advanced' mode, with easy to navigate wizard-driven options for more control. ColorMunki Display provides users everything they need in an easy to use solution that delivers high quality calibration and profile results in no time.

"Professional and passionate imaging professionals who are concerned about color perfection know that a properly calibrated and profiled display is an essential and critical component for a successful and efficient creative workflow," said Thomas Kunz, X-Rite's Market Manager, Imaging. "The new i1Display Pro and ColorMunki Display solutions provide all levels of users with perfectly calibrated displays and projectors, consistently and easily. This ensures a user's digital files will be viewed and shared accurately to enable faithful reproduction every time."

These two new solutions feature the industry's most advanced colorimeter bundled with new display and projector profiling software to ensure unrivaled color accuracy and consistency now and in the future. Both i1Display Pro and ColorMunki Display devices feature an advanced, high-end, optical system with custom-designed filters that offer superior color measurement results on all modern display technologies and is fully updatable for future display technologies.

The new all-in-one colorimeter design also combines three important functions – ambient light measurement, display profiling, and projector profiling. An, integrated, ambient measurement diffuser makes it seamless to take ambient light measurements of the users work environment.  Rotate the ambient diffuser out of position and it now acts as a tabletop stand for positioning of the device when creating projector profiles, or use the integrated tripod mount. Finally, the device is positioned on the display using an integrated counterweight with push button action to easily adjust the position for display profiling.  

The new i1Display Pro and ColorMunki Display also incorporate the next generation display and projector profiling software with features like Ambient Light Smart Control that measures and compensates for ambient lighting conditions (for color accuracy regardless of the viewing conditions) and FlareCorrect for the measurement of display surface flare which automatically compensates for on-screen glare. The Intelligent Iterative Profiling technology of these solutions enables users to attain the highest quality color results on all modern display technologies including new LED backlight and wide gamut displays. X-Rite's Automatic Display Control (ADC) automatically adjusts the user's display hardware, further simplifying the process while attaining high quality results.

For imaging professionals who demand the absolute highest quality and require total control and maximum flexibility to control color on their monitors and projectors, i1Display Pro is the perfect solution. Key features include:
• Technologically advanced i1Display instrument: an all new and ergonomically designed colorimeter with new optical technology and filter set
• 5X measurement speed measures more color patches in less time
• 3-in-1 functionality - designed to easily switch between display or projector profiling and ambient light capture
• Fully updatable for future display technologies
• Next generation i1Profiler display and projector profiling software
• Infinite control of white point, luminance, contrast ratio, gamma and more
• Measurement, compensation and ongoing monitoring of ambient lighting conditions
• Multiple monitor and workgroup matching
• FlareCorrect for display surface flare measurement and compensation
• Intelligent Iterative Profiling to accurately measure the color capabilities of a display
• Profile optimization using colors extracted from images or PANTONE Color  Libraries
• X-Rite's Automatic Display Control (ADC) automatically adjusts display hardware further simplifying the profiling process
• Display QA workflow feature provides display quality check and trending over time
• Display uniformity test to show white point and luminance uniformity over nine locations on display
• PANTONE Spot Color optimization with included PANTONE Color Manager software
About ColorMunki Display


Without needing in-depth knowledge of color science, the new X-Rite ColorMunki Display quickly and easily provides users with amazingly accurate display calibration and profiles. For both passionate and professional color perfectionists who demand professional quality results coupled with an easy, Wizard-driven interface, ColorMunki Display offers the advanced technology they need to get brilliantly-calibrated and profiled displays every time.

Key features include:
• Technologically advanced ColorMunki Display instrument: an all new and ergonomically designed colorimeter with new optical technology and filter set
• 3-in-1 functionality - Unique ergonomic design for quickly switching between monitor or projector profiling and ambient light capture
• Fully updatable for future display technologies
• Advanced ColorMunki display and projector profiling software
• Intelligent Iterative Profiling to accurately measure the color capabilities of a display.
• Easy and Advanced modes in a wizard driven interface with predefined options for ease-of-use
• Ambient Light Smart Control for measurement, compensation and ongoing monitoring of ambient lighting conditions
• X-Rite's Automatic Display Control (ADC) adjusts display hardware further simplifying the process
• FlareCorrect for display surface flare measurement and compensation



06/22/11

TORAY PLASTICS INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCT

Press release from the issuing company

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., (www.TorayFilms.com), the only United States manufacturer of precision-performance polypropylene, polyester, and bio-based films for packaging and industrial applications, introduces to CPG's and converters new, technologically advanced Torayfan CBH and CBLH biaxially-oriented clear-barrier polypropylene films designed to be used as mono-webs and as alternatives to PVdC-coated film. New Torayfan CBH film's advanced friction properties create a low CoF, which enables faster processing on high-speed VFFS and HFFS equipment. CBH film also eliminates the need for over-lacquers used to maintain a low CoF, and therefore provides an inherent economic advantage. CBH film's low seal-initiation temperature (SIT) and broad heat-seal window further expedite processing and manufacturing. New Torayfan CBLH film has the same characteristics as CBH film, and it offers an improved sealant layer that provides greater seal strength and a better hermetic seal. Both CBH film and CBLH film are twice as effective in protecting against moisture-vapor transmission as standard BOPP films are. Better hermetic seals and improved barrier protection help maintain product freshness and brand integrity. Applications for the new films include baked goods, crackers, cookies, and confectionery items.

"CPG's and converters are always seeking ways to improve efficiency and produce a better product, and these new clear-barrier films deliver," says Franco Chicarella, Product Manager, Torayfan Polypropylene Film Division, Toray Plastics (America), Inc. "Equipment can run faster, processing is enhanced, and the finished package maintains product freshness longer."

In addition, the new Torayfan clear-barrier films possess excellent oil resistance and an appropriate stiffness, both of which contribute to brand appeal, and their advanced mechanical properties yield significant puncture resistance.

06/21/11

XPLOR OPENS REGISTRATION FOR TWO-DAY PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today announced that registration is now open for their two-day program at Graph Expo 2011, the year's largest graphic communications exhibition and conference in the Americas, September 11-14, 2011 at Chicago's McCormick Place South. Xplor's program, titled The Next Generation of Customer Communications, will feature 18 education sessions and take place September 12 and 13.

Taught by some of the leading authorities in the mailing, variable data, transactional printing and personalized communication industries, featured sessions include:

Monday, September 12, 2011
• The Ugly Secret About QR Codes?
• ADF is No Longer a Want it's a Requirement in Today's Compliance and Regulatory Environment  
  • Technology Applications and Their Use in Multi-Channel Marketing Campaigns?
• Building Successful ADF Platforms?
• Data – The Key to a Winning Strategy
• Communication Requirements in a Multi-Channel World?
• Management in Print – Expanding the Value Chain?
• The Jump to Transaction Color Printing?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011 
            • Repurposing Legacy Applications for Multi-Channel Communications?
• Increasing Customer Loyalty?
• Digital Collision – Where Do We Go From Here??
• Creating and Measuring an Integrated Marketing Plan?
• The Interactive Document?
• What Makes a Successful Multi-Channel Campaign? The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
• Learning to Love The Cloud and What it Means to Customer Communications?
• 33 Things You Can Do With a Print File Besides Printing It?
• Automation...Now More Than Ever!

Xplor's sessions will take place September 12 and 13, 2011 at McCormick Place North, rooms N426a, N426b, N426c. Attendees can purchase one, three or six Xplor conference sessions passes for Monday and/or Tuesday that also includes free access to Graph Expo's exhibit show floor. This event is priced separately and cannot be combined as part of a Value Package. For more information, a detailed session agenda and list of speakers, visit http://bit.ly/jeZaIH. Early-bird registration discounts are available until August 12, 2011.

06/21/11

VELOCITY PRINT SOLUTIONS OPENS NY SALES OFFICE

Press release from the issuing company

Velocity Print Solutions announced today that it has opened a New York City Sales Office at 757 3rd Avenue, 21st Floor, NY, NY 10017. The office number is 212.376.6225. Dale Cone, the newly hired Vice President of Sales NY Metro will be responsible for overseeing the development of this office.  Dale has over 25 years experience in marketing and printing and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his previous work with Banta Direct Marketing Group and Quebecor World.  Jim Stiles, CEO states: "The establishment of the NY office is a natural progression for us as we expand our reach in New England."

Velocity Print Solutions, a northeast based company with offices in Boston, MA; Middlebury, CT; Albany, NY and NYC; provides a complete range of services which include digital and offset printing; promotional products, mailing, distribution and fulfillment; cross-media marketing, 3D animated flip pages, image personalization, and personalized urls. Velocity is a Certified Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody printer. Velocity is also a Leadership Club member in the EPA Green Power Partnership Program for its purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) equal to 100 percent of its energy use. Further information is available at the website www.velocityprint.com.

06/21/11

METRIX EDUCATIONAL DONATION PROGRAM A SUCCESS

Press release from the issuing company

Many of the world's leading graphic arts educational institutions are saddled with outdated technology and no budget for upgrades. This places the burden on the printing companies, who must spend substantial sums providing on-the-job training. It also severely impacts the readiness of Graphic Arts graduates to qualify for jobs upon graduation. "We developed the Metrix Educational Donation Program because we are committed to assisting the educational institutions who are training the next generation of industry leaders," said Rohan Holt, President of LithoTechnics, Inc., developer of Metrix, the industry standard software for automated and intelligent job planning and imposition.

Holt continued, "We are very proud of the results of this program thus far. Literally hundreds of Metrix seats have been donated to leading G.A. schools throughout the U.S., Canada, Germany, Belgium, and Australia. Along with the software, we've made available our superb multi-media training materials, which are an invaluable teaching aid."

"Learning Metrix has had incredible value for our students," said Dr. Naik Dharavath, Associate Professor in Graphic Communications Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. UW-Stout's program, which dates back to 1912, prepares graduates for careers in printing and associated industries. It is the largest in the Midwest and one of the most competitive in the nation. LithoTechnics' donation will permit students and faculty to practice and perform computerized production management activities and to learn how Metrix integrates with MIS, prepress and post-press systems and processes, Dharavath said.

"It has been a great learning experience for the students in the post-press and estimating classes to be able to experience the production management workflow – from print job planning to print finishing – as it is performed today in the industry and to see how this contributes to high quality work, efficiency and profitability," Dharavath said.

Doug Paape, Printing & Publishing Instructor at Fox Valley Technical College, stated, "When Preps 6* came out, we were faced with a decision: retrain entirely on Preps, or go with new technology capable of automating and rationalizing the entire job planning and imposition task – Metrix. We decided to do the latter, and have never looked back. The transition from Preps to Metrix was far easier and much more worthwhile than implementing and retraining on Preps 6."

Art Seto, Assistant Professor at the School of Graphic Communications Management at Ryerson University in Toronto, commented, "We have been using Metrix to teach our students automated job planning since the Winter semester of 2009. Students find Metrix extremely user-friendly and intuitive, which makes the complexities of job planning and imposition easier to teach."

If you'd like more information, or to arrange an interview with Rohan Holt, contact Davo Laninga.

06/21/11

EDSF TO HOST 2ND ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT

Press release from the issuing company

EDSF, the international, non-profit organization dedicated to the document management and communications industries, will host its second annual Scholarship Night on Sept. 13, 2011 from  5 - 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, after the GRAPH EXPO exhibit hall closes for the day. GRAPH EXPO 2011, the year's largest graphic communications exhibition and conference in the Americas, will take place Sept. 11 - 14, 2011 in Chicago's McCormick Place.

Last year's inaugural event was a huge success and was attended by over 400 industry leaders with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly into funding scholarships for the 2011 - 2012 academic year.

This year's event will include a cocktail hour for networking with other high-level industry executives; a plated dinner; presentation of OutputLinks Women of Distinction awards; plus silent and live auctions of some exciting "Dreams-to-Reality" packages, designed to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

06/21/11

NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER TO INSTALL NEW GOSS MAGNUM PRESS

Press release from the issuing company

Pioneering Chinese newspaper publisher and long-time Goss press user Yangzhou Newspaper Media Group will install a new Goss Magnum press with a combination of heatset and coldset printing capabilities in late 2011.

The Magnum 4 press in the "MV400" hybrid configuration will include two four-high coldset towers and a four-high tower equipped with a heatset dryer. The system will produce up to 40,000 newspapers per hour and feature three-form ink rollers for high print quality, advanced tension control and folding capabilities, and an integrated digital workflow.

"Our readers are demanding commercial quality newspapers, so we need to build a new production platform to meet the requirements," explains deputy general manager Shi Kangning. "Choosing the Magnum press family that we trust, with semi-commercial heatset printing capability gives us the confidence and ability to bring new visual enjoyment to our readers. It will also give print advertisers more leverage in the competitive marketplace."

Yangzhou Newspaper Media Group began printing its flagship Yangzhou Daily in full color on a Goss Community press nearly 20 years ago. The two companies have cooperated closely, as the publisher has grown from a small local paper to one of the strongest media groups in central China. In 2009 and 2010, the group installed a Goss Magnum 4 press and a Goss Community SSC press.

Yangzhou Newspaper Media Group also publishes Yangzhou Evening News and Yangzhou Times.

06/20/11

DRUPACUBE HOLDS PRINT MEDIA TRADE FAIR

Press release from the issuing company

With the introduction of the drupacube in 2008, drupa - print media trade fair - launched a decisive change in perspectives that proved to be a guide for the entire sector: Pure technology moves into the background in favor of applications. This very approach was also the central message of digi:media, a new trade fair for commercial printing and digital publishing, organized very successfully by Messe Düsseldorf for the first time in April this year.  "This step from drupacube to digi:media represented a logical development of this very concept, because this triad which brought together content, technology and business both in the offer presented by the trade fair and in the range of offers for specialists was completely in line with the market requirements of the print and media sectors," stated Manuel Mataré, Project Director of digi:media and drupa.  

This concept which also adopts the digi:media philosophy will be integrated into drupa 2012 (to be held from May 3 - 16, 2012 in Düsseldorf, Germany). "We merge the drupacube and the drupa innovation park conceptually and physically," explained Manuel Mataré: The drupa cube, which in 2008 was positioned in the outside area between halls 2 and 3, will be relocated into hall 7A, next to the drupa innovation park hall 7.0. This location allows for a still closer combination of technology and content. "This configuration also means that communicative interaction among visitors and exhibitors and between the exhibitors themselves can be initiated much more effectively. With this we implement digi:media's basic concept – all target groups involved in their workflow should be brought together - also into drupa. Therefore it is only logical that the drupacube will be presented by digi:media, our successful trade fair premiere in April 2011," added Manuel Mataré.  

As in all the 19 trade fair halls, the focus of the drupacube will be on the printed product - with one major difference: Everything seen in hall 7 A refers to the use of printed products for communication, driven by marketing. This change in paradigms offers one unbeatable advantage: the respective heads of marketing or publishing houses, manufacturing experts, contact persons and creative arts directors can get comprehensive information regarding print products on combined markets. This helps to bring very diverse target groups closer to drupa - and therefore closer to printed products.  

The diversity of needs of this target group will be matched by the variety of the drupacube offers. Conferences held every morning will cover a different theme daily, including a "Magazine Day", "Book Day" and "Dialogue Marketing Day" as well as a  "Packaging Day" and a "Corporate Communication Day". The program of activities aimed at specific target groups will be enhanced by current topics such as "Green Printing", "Functional Printing", and "Social Media". In the evening, the drupacube will be the venue for exhibitor parties.  

"Our intention is to be with the people and the problems they face every day," emphasized Manuel Mataré.  The appropriate associations are involved in order to turn this into practice. The following associations have assured their commitment: The Academy of the German Book Trade, the Association of German Magazine Publishers (VDZ), the Forum Corporate Publishing (FCP), the German Dialogue Marketing Association (DDV) and the specialist organization of media production experts (f:mp). In addition, numerous drupa exhibitors are being contacted in order to combine information relevant to print buyers with the range presented in the drupacube.  

The latest information on the drupacube and its program of activities is available at www.drupacube.de

06/20/11

ONE WORD BRIEF HOLDS EXHIBITION

Press release from the issuing company

The first exhibition by design collective, One Word Brief, asked designers to respond to one of six one word briefs:  

Change
Search
Freedom
Social
Space
Enough

The open exhibition, sponsored by Denmaur Independent Papers, had two simple aims: To engage the design community in an opportunity for creative self-expression and to remind people how great graphic design can be.

Creative director of the event, Zoltan Marfy, stated, "One Word Brief was a chance for graphic designers to express themselves freely without the restrictions of clients or their agencies. We wanted to hark back to an era of graphic design when individuals not agencies were the heroes and graphic design like punk rock played a role in challenging the status quo."

Launched to the design industry at the start of May, entries soon started arriving, and by the close, nearly 100 designers had participated from as far-a- field as Switzerland, Romania, Canada, Australia and India.   

The exhibition itself, held at the Rag Factory's Apricot Gallery, in London, ran from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th July and was preceded by an invitational launch evening. A resounding success, over a hundred guests from the design community attended, admiring the inspiration on show.  All the works on display were printed on UPM Fine, an industry favourite uncoated offset, available in a wide range of weights from 60 through to 300gsm.  

Supporting the main show, Denmaur Independent Paper also offered a prize of a free all expenses paid trip to Nordland Mill, the home of UPM Fine to the winners and runners up of the people's choice award "One Stood Out" voted for by guests at the launch event and subsequently online in response to the digital exhibition of the same works. All submissions can be viewed at http://onewordbrief.tumblr.com/. The people's choice winners will be announced on Friday 17 June.   

An elated Peter Sommerville, Marketing Director of Denmaur Independent Papers commented, "One Word Brief has been a magnificent triumph and we are delighted to have been the key sponsor.  This project has been met with such enthusiasm from the design community that it's just a great pleasure to have provided UPM Fine for the posters and now we look forward to announcing the winners, who in turn will be able to see how the paper is manufactured."

For a free copy of the new UPM Fine swatch, to join the mailing list for One Word Brief 2012, or for further information on Denmaur Independent Papers and its services, please contact Denmaur Independent Papers' Marketing Manager, Andy Bruguier or visit www.denmaur.com

06/20/11

ECLIPSE COLOUR NAMED BPIF COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Eclipse Colour and AJS Labels celebrated their success as BPIF Company of the Year 2011 winners at the BPIF Excellence Awards last night (15 June). As winners of the over £5m turnover and up to £5m turnover categories respectively, the two companies received their trophies at a spectacular awards ceremony held in the stunning and exotic surroundings of London's Café de Paris, where guests were entertained by author and comedian Mark Steele, the brilliant celtic/rock band Bags of Rock, and the legendary burlesque dancers for which the venue is famous.   

Sponsored by Konica Minolta, J&G Environmental and BPIF Insurance Services (R K Harrison), The Awards were introduced by BPIF CEO Kathy Woodward, who described this year's Finalists as "the cream of the industry".

Eclipse were praised for their focus on 'smart change' that harnessed their skills and capabilities and established alliances and partnerships that provided a 'platform for excellence', while self-adhesive labels printer AJS Labels received the judges' plaudits for their simple 'back to basics approach' to reconnect with customers and engage staff to deliver a service focussed on continual improvement.

The night also saw a double triumph for Communisis, who won both the Health and Safety (over £5m annual turnover) and the Human Resources (over £5m annual turnover) Awards. The marketing solutions provider was complimented on its 'comprehensive risk management system' and 'positive employee culture'. Family-run Kingfisher Print and Design, based in Totnes, Devon won the Human Resources (up to £5m annual turnover) Award, with recognition for their engaged workforce who were 'all pulling in the right direction'.

Excellent monitoring systems and reduced environmental impact enabled book manufacturers T J International to scoop the Environment (over £5m turnover) Award, while Hampshire-based Making Impressions won the Environment (up to £5m turnover) Award  with its 'positive environmental culture and impressive training programme'.  

The Marketing Award went to Leicester-based GI Solutions, well known for their innovative and cost-effective direct mail print, who produced 'a winning campaign that made comprehensive use of cross-media with a clear call to action'. Park Communications' ability 'to offer a winning combination of the right people and effective processes linked to a true customer focus' enabled them to lift the Customer Service trophy.

The Lean Manufacturing Award was secured by Newsprinters Broxbourne, the largest print site in the world producing over 20 million copies of The Sun, The News of the World, The Times, The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph each week. They were described by the judges as having 'taken the application of Lean Manufacturing to a new level which is exemplary for any industry'.

The Innovation Award was keenly fought, with two joint winners emerging: Precision Printing and Ryedale Group. Managed print services provider Precision won their award for process innovation, while family-owned Ryedale - the UK's largest manufacturer of horticultural plant labels, point-of-sale products, and pre-paid plastic telephone cards - won theirs for product innovation.  

Privately-owned brochure, journal, book and music printers Halstan & Co were the victors in the Training and Development category. They demonstrated a willingness to include a total cross section of their workforce in a major training programme, putting every aspect of their business under the microscope. Outcomes were clearly measurable not only in individual NVQ accreditations but in the adoption of the team based recommendations for change. The 2011 Apprentice of the Year was Amey Herefordshire's, Thomas Hancock, whose versatility in learning a wide range of skills in digital printing, finishing and print administration marked him out from the other candidates as a clear winner.

06/20/11

MUTOH APPOINTS NEW MARKETING MANAGER

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh, an industry leader in wide-format printers, proudly appoints David Conrad as Mutoh America Inc.'s marketing manager. Conrad's experience with marketing and sales in the wide-format industry makes him perfect fit for his new position with Mutoh.  

Working under the guidance of the director of marketing: Hiroaki Futsukaichi, Conrad's main responsibilities will be: implementing and managing marketing and reseller programs, sales and reseller support, and creating advertisements.  

Prior to his position with Mutoh, Conrad was the senior product manager for SEAL-Neschen. His responsibilities included product development, corporate marketing and branding and training. He provided support for all equipment, film laminates, adhesive and liquid products. Conrad is looking forward to working in a new section of the wide-format industry and plans to use his experience to grow the Mutoh brand name.

  "I'm excited to work for the premier printer manufacturer in the sign market," shares Conrad. "With my marketing and business development experience in the wide-format industry, I plan to help Mutoh maintain and build upon their already strong brand name through creative marketing campaigns and programs. I hope to facilitate development and establish new partnerships that promote the Mutoh brand and help keep Mutoh at the top of the sign and graphics marketplace."  

Conrad has worked in the wide-format world for over 18 years. His career has lead him through numerous job functions including marketing, product management, business development and sales.

06/20/11

CONDAT ABIDES BY GLOBAL COMPACT

Press release from the issuing company

The Global Compact is the world's largest corporate social responsibility initiative.

The United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary policy initiative for businesses that are committed to corporate responsibility through their support of ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.

By adhering to the Global Compact, Condat, part of the Lecta Group, reaffirms the company's commitment to socially responsible management and to aligning its operations and strategy with the ten stated principles. The aim is fulfillment of the Compact, as well as publicly advocating the objectives and principles of the global platform.

The Lecta Group is made up of three companies: Cartiere del Garda in Italy, Condat in France and Torraspapel in Spain. All of the Lecta Group companies have pledged their support for the Global Compact, publicly confirming their firm commitment to sustainable development.

Condat has defined its corporate responsibility in a social charter. Its commitment is detailed in three main areas: social responsibility within the Company, the promotion of cultural and educational activities, and environmental protection.

Learn about the numerous actions carried out by Condat and the Lecta Group in the area of sustainability at www.condat-pap.com and www.lecta.com.

06/17/11

ISM RELEASES NEW HANDBOOK

Press release from the issuing company

Looking for real-world examples of how companies are implementing sustainability and social responsibility excellence across the supply chain? Supply professionals are increasingly playing a critical role in this area and they now have an additional resource with the debut of the Sustainability and Social Responsibility Handbook, available from Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Written by the ISM Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility, the Handbook includes metrics and performance criteria, as well as unique stories from companies and organizations including Bellwether Services, Herman Miller, IBM, MeadWestvaco, RL Environmental and University of Washington.

The just-published Sustainability and Social Responsibility Handbook was a top seller at ISM's 96th Annual International Supply Management Conference in Orlando, Florida. "The tremendous reception reaffirms our sense that supply chain professionals are seeking current information on sustainability and social responsibility that is relevant and provides guidance in this increasingly important arena," says Cathy A. Rodgers, chair, ISM Committee on Sustainability and Social Responsibility and IBM vice president, Global Opportunities and Business Development. "This is exactly why the committee worked so hard over the past year gathering these key resources, company stories and related reference material into one convenient volume dedicated to this critically important topic."

Additional resources included in the Handbook are: ISM Principles of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, ISM Standards of Ethical Supply Management Conduct, and a business case for sustainability and social responsibility. The Handbook also includes current articles from ISM publications, as well as CAPS Research benchmarking samples and a Focus Study on championing environmental supply management initiatives. To purchase, visit ISM Product Catalog online at www.ism.ws. ISM member price is US$49. Non-member price is US$69. For additional resources visit ISM's Sustainability and Social Responsibility website at www.ism.ws/sr.

06/17/11

XEIKON AMERICA SPONSORING EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION EXCHANGE

Press release from the issuing company

Xeikon America Inc., an innovator in digital color printing technology, announced today that it is sponsoring an Executive Communication Exchange forum for the label industry on June 22 in Marina del Rey, CA. The forum will give label printers insight into the expanding opportunities in this market and best practices on using technology to grow their sales.

The LA area forum is a part of a series of events sponsored by Xeikon to provide owners and executives of label printing companies direct interaction with industry experts, thought leaders and their peers. There is no charge for label printers to participate.

"The opportunities for growth and profitability in the label industry are abundant for those who understand the current state of the market and what the future holds," said Michael V. Ring, president of Xeikon America, Inc. "Through the Executive Communication Exchange forums, Xeikon is empowering label manufacturers with the information needed to thrive in this changing marketplace."

The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Yacht Club, in Marina del Rey, CA. It will examine label printing trends and technologies from multiple perspectives. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to learn and discuss critical success factors, such as the current brand owner requirements from label printers and business strategies that offer the greatest promise in today's market.

The event will include the following presentations:

Jack Kenny, editor of Label & Narrow Web magazine, will present his perspective on the state of the industry;
Bob Leahey, associate director of InfoTrends, a leading market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging industry, will share trends from a 2011 study on the needs of brand-owners;

Jay Ziegler, director of Marketing and Strategy at Tapecon, Inc., a Buffalo, N.Y.-based full service manufacturer of pressure-sensitive labels, decals, membrane switches, and custom fabrication, will talk about his company's experiences in implementing digital technology and operating it in a hybrid environment.

One participant at the event, determined by random drawing, will receive a Commercialization Assessment Report-TM (CAR) for the Narrow Web Label Printer/Converter as well as a personal consultation from Karstedt Partners, LLC, to evaluate the potential of digital label printing for their business.

Label printers and converters who would like to attend the LA area event or would like more information on any of the upcoming forums may contact Larry Vogel at 585-271-4655 or larry@analystadvisors.com.

06/17/11

COLORMAN AUTOPRINT SERIES A GENERATION CHANGER

Press release from the issuing company

Extensive automation for the best and most future-safeguarded workplace in newspaper printing

"This is exactly the right press for printing freaks!" Harald Blendowski, Technical Manager at the Mannheimer Morgen newspaper in Germany, is very enthusiastic about the COLORMAN autoprint. He gazes with pride at the product running through the press. With the extensive automation, something priceless has returned for him in the daily routine of printing: stability and tranquility.

The COLORMAN autoprint series marks the beginning of a generation change in newspaper presses. Driven by the vision of building a fully automated printing system, the COLORMAN autoprint today is technically the world's number one. This development also changes the printer's job profile: from an operator to a monitor of the production process. As is the case with every generation change, there are ardent supporters as well as skeptics. "Operation of the press has changed dramatically", explains Georg Riescher, Executive Vice President Newspaper Printing Systems Business Unit at manroland. "The job of printers and operators is much easier to manage today."

With a range of options that provide the highest degree of automation on the market, and a host of further groundbreaking developments, the COLORMAN autoprint is presently by far the most operator-friendly newspaper printing system. The design of the press not only relieves the operator of numerous worksteps, but all manual tasks are ergonomically optimized as well. Moreover, since the operator is in a separate room from the press during production, noise pollution is avoided.

Thanks to the high level of automation provided by the COLORMAN autoprint, the operator's time-consuming routine tasks are a thing of the past. The design of the COLORMAN autoprint reduces legwork and provides optimal ergonomics for work at the printing units. A high-performance lift platform located directly at the control console for transporting people and materials accelerates plate supply without steps, and saves the time otherwise needed for lifting and lowering materials at each individual printing tower. This simplifies extensive maintenance work in particular. The gallery also features a well thought-out workplace for the operator with ample room and good accessibility plus practical storage space for materials, tools, and washing agents.

The workplace strains COLORMAN autoprint operators are exposed to are very slight. The high level of automation reduces the time an operator needs to spend at a running press to the absolute minimum. The automated plate transport system APL logistics for instance permits the cassettes for the APL robot to be loaded in a soundproof room. Manual readjustment of the press during printing is no longer necessary. The COLORMAN autoprint features many exclusive technologies that completely relieve the operator of complex readjustments during production.

Patented key technologies for consistently high print quality

Sensors directly in the plate cylinder continually measure the cylinder temperature and regulate the fountain solution feed during production (InlineDampening Control)
A control circuit for permanently constant web tension (InlineTension Control)
Roller bearings that automatically compensate for heat expansion of the inking/dampening unit rollers (IROLOC) and thus contribute to sustainability and reduce maintenance and wear
A long inking unit for greater storage capacity and the most constant density

Operation from the control console has fundamentally changed as well. The new manroland control console offers by far the most integrated functions but is easier to operate than ever before. The fully automated printing process needs much fewer operating elements because the portrayal of the autoprint sequences and the function selection is clearly arranged, and the control console reliably guides the operator through the production process like a navigation system. A visit to the manroland Print Technology Center in Augsburg is the best way for printers to find out how operator-friendly the COLORMAN autoprint really is. There they can see for themselves how their workplace can look like in the future.

06/17/11

POSTAL SERVICE REALIGNS AND SAVES

Press release from the issuing company

The ongoing realignment of postal facilities to better fit the changing needs of customers is saving the Postal Service millions of dollars - but it and other cost-cutting measures are not enough to stave off a fast-approaching liquidity crisis, a House subcommittee was told today.

"The Postal Service knows how to cut costs, streamline our excess processing network and make the necessary changes to bring our organization further into the 21st century," David Williams, vice president of Network Operations, told a subcommittee of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. "Rightsizing our network is only one of many strategies the Postal Service has employed in our efforts to cut costs and improve efficiency."

Over the last four fiscal years, the Postal Service has reduced its size by 110,000 career positions and saved $12 billion in costs. "Our achievements notwithstanding, issues that fall outside our control continue to prevent us from being able to close the gap between revenue and costs," Williams testified. Absent Congressional action this year, the Postal Service will experience a cash shortfall and default on legislatively mandated payments to the Federal government.

The Postal Service is seeking passage of legislation that would address the statutory schedule for prefunding of retiree health benefits, address the overfunding of pension benefits and provide authority to adjust delivery frequency. Lack of action would result in consequences stretching into fiscal year 2012 and threaten a mailing industry that pumps more than $1 trillion into the nation's economy each year and employs more than 7 million Americans.

"More than 90 percent of mail-related jobs are in private companies of all sizes. The success of these firms and their millions of employees depend on a healthy and thriving Postal Service," Williams said.

Williams said legislative action must occur in concert with the continued efforts of the Postal Service to reduce costs by trimming its network footprint. Area Mail Processing (AMP) studies have been used since the 1970s to reduce a sprawling mail processing network that consisted of more than 2,000 facilities. Today, the Postal Service has reduced outgoing mail processing facilities to fewer than 300. The Office of Inspector General has conducted 35 audits related to AMP studies and consolidations since 2005 and in each case found that a valid business case existed to support the Postal Service's consolidation action.

The Postal Service is taking a similar business case approach to streamline the number of postal-operated retail locations, which totals approximately 32,000. With nearly 100,000 places to buy stamps and ship packages - including grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores and other retail locations - customers have more than double the number of retail outlets for postal products and services as the number of brick-and-mortar Post Offices. With usps.com, customers can request free Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging, print a label, pay for postage with Click-N-Ship and request free Carrier Pickup for packages.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

06/17/11

KERN UK ACCREDITED WITH ISO

Press release from the issuing company

Kern UK is delighted to announce that it has been accredited with the environmental standard ISO EN14001- demonstrating to potential customers that it is committed to responsible environmental practices .

Pete Jolley, UK managing director of Kern, said: "We have always been conscientious about environmental issues but ensuring compliance with an internationally recognised standard is a important step. We want to be able to reassure customers and prospects that we are dedicated to ensuring good practice in all areas of our activities."

The successful accreditation follows an extensive programme over the past months involving a headed up by Steve Brimble, UK compliance manager. An environmental scientist pre-audited Kern and set up Aspect and Legislation Registers which provided a framework for the improvement programme.

The Aspect Register looked at every Kern activity and identified its environmental impact on a wide range of factors including: human health, nuisance, climate change, air pollution, ozone depletion, groundwater, surface water, contamination, ecological impacts and natural resource depletion. Secondary aspects were also recorded, such as deforestation, CO2 emissions, ozone emissions.

A Legislation Register was then compiled to identify the legislation type, statute, regulation, requirement, application, guidance and relevant documents which apply to Kern's activities. These include such Acts and Regulations as:

The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009
Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009
Controlled Waste Regulations 1992 (Amended 1993)

Within the company, the compliance team now has documented information regarding waste streams and has set up records to monitor these.

Says Steve Brimble, UK Compliance Manager at Kern: "It is very important to Kern that our company keeps its environmental impact to a minimum and we'll be working hard to maintain and improve on the steps we've taken so far to achieve accreditation."

06/16/11

TUKAIZ RECOGNIZED ON THE FAST FIFTY LIST

Press release from the issuing company

Tukaiz, a leading marketing services production company, announced today it has made the Crain's Fast Fifty list for the Chicago area. The list recognizes Chicagoland's fifty most promising and fastest growing public and private companies. Rankings are based on percentage revenue growth over five years, from 2005–2010. Tukaiz' revenues grew 136 percent during this period.

Tukaiz has been offering marketing production services for more than 48 years. It provides imaging, print and interactive services for more than 200 advertising firms and corporations in a variety of industries, most of which are household names. Tukaiz remains under the leadership of the original founders and owners, the Defino Family, whose business model has always been to lead the industry with innovative services that are driven by a keen sense on the pulse of the marketplace. Fostering a culture that attracts and rewards the industry's best, brightest and most innovative thinkers, Tukaiz employs 167 people in its 150,000 square-foot facility located in Franklin Park.

"Tukaiz is both proud and humbled to be recognized by Crain's as one of the fifty fastest growing companies in the Chicago area," said Frank Defino, Sr., CEO of Tukaiz. "From the very beginning, we have understood the importance of an unwavering focus on customer care and exceeding expectations. This has not changed over the years. We are very grateful for our talented and dedicated employees and our loyal customer base. We would like to thank them today as we know much of our company's ability to achieve and sustain this outstanding growth rate is due to them."

To identify its Fast 50 list, Crain's evaluated companies with headquarters in a six-county area with 2010 revenues of at least $20 million. The companies with the highest five-year percentages of growth became the Fast 50.

06/16/11

WIN 1 MILLION SMACKERS WITH ZUMBOX

Press release from the issuing company

Starting today, household residents in the United States have the chance to win $1,000,000 in cash, a Nissan Leaf hybrid automobile or thousands of other prizes in a giveaway sponsored by Zumbox, Inc., the leader in digital postal mail services on the web.

Zumbox has created a digital mailbox for every street address (house, apartment, condominium or any other residence) in the US. Any resident can claim and verify the household Zumbox for their street address for free at www.zumbox.com for a chance to win. Zumbox is a safe, highly secure, private place on the Internet for every household to receive, manage and store their postal mail online instead of on paper.

More than 5,000 of the street addresses in the US have been randomly selected to receive instant-win prizes in their Zumbox, including $1,000,000 in cash, 20 Nissan Leaf hybrid automobiles, iPads and laptops, thousands of gift cards from Starbucks and Amazon.com and other valuable prizes - with total value close to $7 million. More than 650 winners are guaranteed per month.

The giveaway is open to any person over 18 years of age who claims and verifies their Zumbox digital mailbox, limited to four per household address, starting June 15, 2011. To enter the giveaway, residents simply claim and verify their Zumbox, a free digital mailbox tied to their street address. Inside each Zumbox is an instant-win envelope that, when opened, lets them know if they have won one of the thousands of prizes.

Whether a resident has won or not, they can tell their friends and family about the giveaway using Facebook, Twitter, email and other social media channels. If any of their referred friends win, the referring friend receives exactly the same prize, even if it is the $1,000,000 grand prize or an automobile. This means everyone has multiple chances to win.

Here's how to enter and see if you won:

Visit www.zumbox.com and sign up by registering your street address to claim your Zumbox.
Return to www.zumbox.com and enter the verification code delivered via the US Postal Service to verify residence at that street address.
Check your Zumbox to see if you are the grand prize winner, or one of thousands of other prize winners, by opening the instant-win envelope inside.

"The time for moving from paper to digital postal mail has come. Every household benefits from saving time and eliminating the clutter of paper mail. They can replace file folders and bankers boxes with a digital archive of postal mail, delivered and stored for them automatically, forever, for free," said John Payne, CEO of Zumbox. "We all benefit from environmental gains like saving trees, getting postal trucks off the road and eliminating landfills. Now there is a third benefit. Check your Zumbox today to save yourself some time, save a tree and maybe even win a million dollars!"

Zumbox is the world's first digital postal system. It allows household residents to receive their important postal mail, such as bills, statements, insurance documents, warrantees, government mail, stock and brokerage disclosures and annual reports in one central online location, stored securely forever, for free. Digital postal mail is an exact copy of the mail and documents people receive today on paper, but is instead delivered digitally and securely online.

06/16/11

HEIDELBERG RELEASES A NEW WHITE PAPER

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberg USA has issued a new white paper focusing on security issues unique to modern printing facilities. Entitled, "24 Ways A Printer Can Avoid Being Hacked," the white paper views security, not as an unnecessary added cost, but as a real competitive advantage printers overlook at their peril.

Security and privacy issues have taken on new urgency in light of stepped-up cyber attacks, virus infestations and network break-ins that target complex IT infrastructures and vital information processes. Unfortunately, back-up and data protection are not always a top priority for printers until job data loss and significant downtime occur, due to accidental data deletion, hardware failure, lost or stolen removable media-even natural disaster. As a result, printers may fail to take appropriate steps to safeguard employee or customer information, or to keep production running smoothly in spite of threats to plant security. The reality, however, is that no individual or company is immune.

"Until the unthinkable happens, printers typically do not see themselves as potential targets for attack," said Eugene O'Brien, Senior Technical Specialist, Prinect and CtP Services, Heidelberg, USA, author of the white paper. "But as printers provide more and more Internet-based products and services to their customers, every company has a responsibility to evaluate its security risks and determine the best security practices to implement. '24 Ways A Printer Can Avoid Being Hacked' is a practical guide to recognizing common security threats and taking effective measures to reduce or eliminate them."

"24 Ways A Printer Can Avoid Being Hacked" describes both common methods used by hackers to disrupt and exploit other computer networks as well as common security lapses that invite such attacks. It explodes mistakenly held beliefs about the security of IT systems, and urges printers to show they take security and privacy seriously by adopting a proactive approach toward fending off unknown threats from outside and inside their companies. It also recommends that printers use industry-standard, vendor-recommended best practices to secure their plants. Such measures include:

Assigning a Chief Security Officer to establish policies and procedures to help limit exposure and liability Conducting a Vulnerability Assessment to identify areas of need
Establishing an Acceptable Use Policy for managing access to the Internet
Removing unwanted software
Creating a baseline security for servers, workstations and printers
Eliminating FTP, commonly termed "Failure to Protect" by seasoned hackers
-and many more.

Whether a security threat is intentional or accidental, internal or external, it has an impact on production and ultimately costs a company money. As "24 Ways A Printer Can Avoid Being Hacked" makes clear, the best way to survive a cyber-attack is to be prepared for it.

06/16/11

XEROX TO OPEN NEW COLOR INNOVATION CENTER

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox Corporation will be opening a 1,729 square-foot Color Innovation Center in the heart of Greater Philadelphia. The new facility will feature innovative products and services aimed at helping graphic arts professionals grow their business with the latest digital print technologies.

Opening on June 22, the center is designed to give current and prospective commercial printers and corporate customers one-stop access to the latest digital print technology, and will demonstrate how advancements like one-to-one marketing, cross-media campaigns, QR codes, photo applications and workflow automation are transforming the world of print.

Products featured in the center will include the ColorQube 8860 Solid Ink Color Printer, ColorQube 9303 Color Multifunction Printer, WorkCentre 7556 Multifunction Color Printer , WorkCentre 7775 Color Multifunction Printer, Xerox Color 560 Printer, Xerox 700 Digital Color Press and Xerox Color 1000 Press. Solutions on display include Xerox Extensible Interface Platform paired with the Xerox Mobile Print Solution, Xerox FreeFlow Print Server and partner solutions from EFI, Equitrac and Nuance. ACS, a Xerox Company, will showcase human resource outsourcing services.

The grand opening will feature a keynote presentation from Rochester Institute of Technology professor Frank Romano about the future of printed product. The event will also include a card drive for the Let's Say Thanks program, which sends postcards to U.S. military troops overseas.

06/16/11

XEROX TO HELP REDUCE PRINTING COSTS FOR SANDWELL

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox will support BT to reduce Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council's office printing costs by up to 30 per cent in a five-year, multi-million pound managed print service agreement.  

The new managed print service will provide the council with a complete view of its office print environment, enabling it to take control of all costs and processes related to office output devices.  Xerox and BT will work together to implement a print management strategy helping the council meet sustainability targets, increase efficiency and reduce costs.  

The managed print service will be rolled out as part of 'Transform Sandwell', a 15-year partnership between Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and BT to transform Sandwell's IT infrastructure. Xerox will work with BT to integrate the managed print service into its broader IT service to ensure a seamless user experience.  

The Xerox/BT programme includes the replacement of 1,500 printers with 150 new energy-saving multi-functional printers. The team will also introduce 'follow-me' printing, which will enable council staff to send a print job to any device on any floor of the council's premises and release the job with a swipe card. This will ensure documents do not go unattended or unclaimed, helping improve efficiency and security as well as reducing waste.  

Stuart Kellas, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council's finance director, said: "This initiative with Xerox and BT not only saves the council a significant amount of money straight away, but will ensure costs are controlled and managed over the lifetime of the agreement. The partnership's joint expertise gives great confidence that our crucial cost-reduction, service and wider business objectives will be delivered."  

Dave Ratcliffe, CEO of BT Transform Sandwell, said: "BT has long been an innovation leader, as has Xerox. Working together, we are delivering industry-leading solutions to help Sandwell council meet its business objectives."  

Amanda Abernethy, director and general manager, Global Document Outsourcing, Xerox UK said: "Working in partnership with BT, we will focus on streamlining the council's print environment to meet its cost-saving targets and environmental agenda, so Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council can focus on its business of improving and transforming frontline services for citizens."  

Xerox has been a partner to the U.K. government and public sector for more than 35 years, recently signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cabinet Office to deliver savings to HM Government as part of the Efficiency Reform Group's deficit-reduction programme. Xerox provides technology, document management and business process outsourcing to such public sector clients as the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP), Worcester NHS Trust, Manchester City Council, Scottish Police Services Authority and Kirklees Council.  

As the worldwide market leader in managed  print services, Xerox applies the same tools and techniques used to save millions for corporate customers to help clients in the public sector. Xerox was positioned by Gartner, Inc., in the Leaders Quadrant in the "Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services Worldwide"[1] for 2010 and was recognised as a leader in IDC's 2010 MPS MarketScape report[2].

06/15/11

OMET SRL OPENS NEW AMERICAN BRANCH

Press release from the issuing company

OMET SRL, Italian manufacturer of Narrow and Mid web printing presses and converting equipment announces the opening of its new branch in America, OMET America Inc..

The new company will focus on providing high level service and parts for the company's existing and future installations in North America, the Caribbean and Latin America.  North American sales will still be handled Matik Inc. out of West Hartford, CT.

Angelo Bartesaghi, Founder and President of the Italian Company, states:

"We are extremely pleased to achieve this new milestone in Company history. This move will reinforce our global presence, after establishing our facilities in Europe and Asia.

The Last years have been very successful for Omet, and we consider now to be the best timing for this important step, which we believe will demonstrate our Commitment to the market". OMET America's will operate from a  Grand Rapids Michigan headquarters.  

The new facility is conveniently located few minutes away from Lansing International Airport,  in  a 5.600 SQF building.  The address of the headquarters is 4245 44th Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49152

Beside space for office and spare parts inventory, there will be sufficient space for future expansion, according to Omet's plans.

"We wanted our customer to be able to maximize the high technology of our presses. Servo technology provides extreme productivity, but we wanted to provide also th flexibility to troubleshoot. " comments Jean-Pierre Penhoat - VP of Omet Americas.

Penhoat has an extensive experience in servicing printing equipments, since he has spent more than 20 years within graphic arts industry. He has knowledge into different markets, including labels, packaging films and cartons.

Beside his technical background, he can provide useful support on procedures and production organization, thanks to his previous experience in production management positions.

Penhoat is also fluent in French and has good knowledge with Spanish, which will be appreciated by some Canadian customers, as well as the ones from Latin America!!

Advantages for American,Carribean and South American customers will include:

• Local parts inventory, providing the shortest lead time
• Technical engineers available for immediate service response
• Provide on site support for new press installations
• Programs for periodic maintenance visits and training programs, available on demand 
• Online Press service through Internet connection.

This last feature is particularly important, because will extend service time to the entire working day (same service is available also during night time from Europe). Using this technology, problems can be detected and solved in the shortest time; also upgrade on software programs can be easily downloaded into press. Staff will include service technicians for mechanical, electric and electronics; as well as back office for the parts order's handling.

In order to provide this high level of service, US service personnel will be specifically trained on site about OMET systems by skilled European technicians. Paolo is one of them:" I'm ready to make available my knowledge and experience to my new American colleagues and customers.  I'm thrilled to have this opportunity for my company's and personal growth!" comments.

No doubts, this new organization will be very beneficial to sales activity, and generate interest on the OMET product line.

" I've very glad and excited about this new organization.

We were requested from our North American customers since our first press was sold in North America to offer thishigher level of service, and I guess the Company response has been really the best one! " comments Alberto Redaelli, OMET VP of Sales and responsible for North American sales activities.

I believe that Lansing location is strategically placed within North America, and we will be able to offer an high standard of service and an even closer contact with our industry partners".

North American markets has always been very receptive of OMET products.

OMET has  a large number of installations in the Americas, including the high tech servo driven Gearless Varyflex and X-flex packaging presses, for a number of different applications, ranging from PS labels, to unsupported films and cartons.

06/15/11

TWG PLUS RECEIVES SILVER AWARD

Press release from the issuing company

TWG Plus (formerly The Whitley Printing Company) received a Silver Award for the Sheet-fed Magazine category in the 2011 Sappi North American Printers of the Year Competition. Sappi's competition is a highly respected competition evaluating printers on various criteria, including general appearance, innovation, and appropriateness of techniques and materials used to the subject matter.  

Kevin Cassis, CEO of TWG Plus said, "As a recipient of multiple Sappi Printer of the Year Awards, we are excited to add another to our collection. As the industry forces printers to diversify their offerings as we have with our multi-channel marketing efforts, it pleases us as lifetime printers to be recognized for our first love, quality print."  

Based in Austin, TX, TWG Plus is a commercial print provider working with hundreds of clients, in various markets, including a strong presence in the Higher Education community to strategize and deploy effective multi-channel marketing campaigns. To learn more about TWG Plus, visit their website (http://twgplus.com) or follow them on Twitter (http://twitter.com/twgplus).  

About the Sappi Printers of the Year Competition With more than 2100 entries, the Sappi Printers of the Year awards competition is one of the largest in the industry. The awards recognize print excellence and innovation created on Sappi papers within ten categories: Annual Reports, Books, Brochures, Calendars, Catalogs, Digital, General Print, Magazines (sheet-fed & web) and Printer's Own Promotions. The judging criteria are based on the overall impact of the piece, degree of difficulty, and technical excellence by a judging panel of highly regarded print professionals. To view the list of the winners, visit: (http://www.na.sappi.com/education/printers-of-the-year/2011-winners).

06/15/11

PRISIM REVEALS PLANS FOR GRAPHIC ARTS APPS

Press release from the issuing company

Executives from around the world disclosed the roadmap into the coming years for Prism’s graphic arts applications WIN and QTMS. Manfred Lange, Prism technical director for management information system (MIS) product development disclosed the software architecture that will enable Prism’s users to enjoy the very best in reliability, security, and functionality. David Sparling, Prism technical director for Prism QTMS gave users a peak of the latest major version of QTMS that will be released at Graph Expo in September. Forty attendees from across the US and Canada attended the four day event which included an architectural boat tour of Chicago.

Lange, travelling from Auckland, New Zealand, Prism’s world-wide headquarters, described the move toward Prism WIN’s three-tier architecture.

“Architecting three discreet modules for the user interface, business rules, and database allows Prism to update each of the modules independently as enhancements and technology dictate,” said Lange as he addressed the general session. “This also sets the stage for continuing Prism’s heritage of open architecture and connectivity to external systems. We are continuing to supplement the existing Prism WIN Connect module with state of the art web services allowing robust and secure two-way access to the database layer.”

This year was the first year Mark Kuehn, Chief Technology Officer at the John Roberts Company of Minneapolis, MN, attended the conference.

“We recently purchased Prism WIN and QTMS and are in the midst of implementation,” says Kuehn, “and what attracted me to the product offering and the company was Prism’s dedication to staying at the forefront of technology. Having the opportunity to meet Manfred and hear first hand his plans for the product made the conference worthwhile for me. I hope to be back year after year.”

Sparling, travelling from Colchester, UK, grabbed the attention of the attendees as he demonstrated the latest in automated shop floor data capture and material tracking. This, combined with Jim Zeman’s case study of QTMS material tracking in a labels operation laid the foundation for a strong return on investment for controlling shop floor material handling, counts, and waste reduction. Zeman is Production Manager at Outlook Group of Menasha, Wisconsin.

President and CEO, Filip Buyse provided a year in review which included Prism’s strong financial performance, business unit performance and goals, and organizational changes.

“Prism has had a strong year,” Filip said during his presentation, “showing that when you help your customers become successful, it helps your company’s performance.”

Buyse also highlighted the successful year in North America with record new sales.

This year marks the first year that Prism holds three user conferences around the world within a 12 month period open to all Prism customers. Chicago was the first conference with two additional conferences in the UK and Australia.

“One of the many values of the user conference is networking between customers,” states Kathy Mitchell, Global Director of Professional Services and Technology. “We feel that sharing ideas across continents will be a great benefit to all Prism users.”

Mitchell, who arrived from Brisbane, Australia, encouraged North American attendees to join future conferences in Australia and the United Kingdom.

“Jet Litho has been a long time Prism user and has attended just about every user conference since the first North American users gathered together,” says Jeff Norby, President and CEO of Jet Lithocolor, Downers Grove, IL. “The face to face interaction with Prism staff and customers is invaluable to Jet in our pursuit to maximize our utilization of Prism WIN.”

The next Prism user conference is in Birmingham, UK, September 6 and 7, 2011.

06/15/11

DOMTAR CORPORATION OFFERS NEW ENVIRONMENTAL TOOL

Press release from the issuing company

A new environmental tool from Domtar Corporation offers customers the ability to view the environmental impacts of specific paper grades, providing unmatched transparency among today's industry calculators. The online tool that we call the "Paper Trail" discloses what it takes to manufacture Domtar paper and assists businesses and consumers to measure their impact on the environment while also providing guidance in their choice of product.

The Paper Trail (www.domtarpapertrail.com) develops personalized reports that measure Domtar products across five categories: water usage, the distance fiber travels to a paper mill, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, waste sent to landfills and renewable energy usage. The data is displayed in real-world equivalents, with comparisons to issues such as the amount of water the average household uses or the amount of waste it generates. The Paper Trail will also illustrate how Domtar compares to the rest of the industry in these particular categories.

"We know consumers are increasingly aware of their effect on the environment and want to know where their paper comes from. We think we have a good story to tell, and part of that story is being transparent," said Lewis Fix, Domtar Vice President of Sustainable Business and Brand Management.

"Other paper calculators often give only part of the story," Fix said. "They usually compare recycled and non-recycled grades and the differences in resources used, and they estimate savings based only on industry averages. The Paper Trail will show Domtar mill-specific data, and since no company is environmentally perfect, it indicates what we are doing well and what needs to be improved. We think it's crucial to share all the information, and then let the customers make their own decisions."

The Paper Trail is Domtar's most recent project indicating its leadership as a sustainable paper company and highlighting its environmentally preferable paper products, which have earned the support of well-known environmental organizations such the Rainforest Alliance.

Initially, the Paper Trail will measure the impact of two Domtar products: EarthChoice Office Paper and Cougar, both of which have been certified to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which is recognized by the Rainforest Alliance as the world's most comprehensive certification for responsible forest management. As part of the EarthChoice product line, they help form the broadest and most flexible collection of environmentally responsible papers available in the marketplace. More products and mills will likely be added to this new and exciting online tool in the future.

The Paper Trail will also provide users with a look at Domtar's mills - all of which are in North America - with additional information about each facility's environmental impact and the social and economic benefits the mills have in their communities. In areas where the environmental impact can be improved, Domtar will voluntarily disclose the information, as well as provide efforts for improvement.

"Transparency means sharing everything, not just the highlights, and just as we are committed to developing responsible products, we are committed to transparency," Fix said. "Realizing our paper comes from sustainable sources and is easily recycled, Domtar customers can see the differences and use our products with greater confidence."

06/15/11

USPS ISSUES NEW REPORT

Press release from the issuing company

In a report issued today and delivered to Congress, the U.S. Postal Service asserted that the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) based a recent advisory opinion on a questionable analysis of the potential cost savings that could be achieved by implementing a five-day delivery schedule to street addresses.  
 
The Postal Service has estimated that making the move would yield a net annual cost reduction of $3.1 billion based on extensive market research and financial estimates provided to the PRC March 30, 2010. The PRC issued a nonbinding advisory opinion March 24, 2011 that concluded that transitioning from a six-day delivery schedule to a five-day street delivery schedule would only achieve $1.7 billion in net annual savings. 
 
The $1.4 billion discrepancy between the respective estimates results from:  
  • the Commission's unwillingness to recognize about $760 million in savings from increased city carrier productivity and efficiency under a five-day schedule; 
• the Commission's failure to account for more than $260 million in highway transportation and mail processing economies associated with one less day of street delivery; and 
• the Commission's summary dismissal of the unrefuted testimony of market research experts to reach its conclusion that the Postal Service estimate of annual revenue loss resulting from the change was understated by $386 million. 
 
On the variances between the agency's cost savings estimates, the Postal Service report questions the PRC assumption that "little, if any, efficiencies and increases in productivity would be realized in certain city carrier activities by delivering the same volume Monday through Friday instead of Monday through Saturday." The PRC revenue loss estimate "is contradicted by the overwhelming weight of expert testimony … [and] falls short of the requirement that it be based on substantial record evidence."  
 
The Postal Service finds it unfortunate that the PRC relied upon a questionable financial analysis in developing its nonbinding advisory opinion.  The total impact of transitioning to a five-day delivery schedule will significantly improve the Postal Service's financial stability by reducing annual net costs by about $3.1 billion annually. The report states that "No other single action the Postal Service could take operationally will result in such large costs savings."  
 
Further, the Postal Service report explains that the Commission's estimate of approximately $1 billion less in annual operational savings stems from the PRC's use of its rate case approach to product cost analysis, which assumes a static network.  The PRC acknowledged in its Jan. 30, 2009 Report on Universal Service and the Postal Monopoly that such an approach fails to consider the operational impact of changing delivery frequency.  
 
The Postal Service report vigorously disputes the PRC claim that the five-day delivery proposal did not sufficiently take into account the needs of customers in rural and remote areas. The Postal Service contends that its extensive market research considered the views of rural customers and incorporated them into its implementation plan. The Postal Service noted that the same market research methodology for considering the needs of rural customers was accepted by the PRC in its 2009 Universal Service report.  
 
The Postal Service report regarding the March 2011 advisory opinion also criticizes the PRC for its inability to fulfill its core function in the nonbinding advisory process, which is to address whether the proposed service changes would be consistent with governing statutory policies.  
 
The USPS report is available at: 
http://www.usps.com/communications/five-daydelivery/assets/pdf/USPS-Report-re-PRC-Advisory-Opinion.pdf  
 
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

06/14/11

HP ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES

Press release from the issuing company

HP today announced organizational changes that will more closely align its corporate structure with the strategy it announced in March.  
 
The organizational changes will increase transparency for these business functions relative to the company’s strategic roadmap, sharpening the executive team’s focus on customer-facing businesses, further enabling opportunities for synergies across business units, and positioning HP for the opportunities it sees in the market. The company also announced that one of its most successful executives is joining the HP board of directors, and it has appointed executive sponsors for two of its most important growth markets.  
 
Ann Livermore has been elected to the HP board. Her election reflects the success of her career as one of the IT industry’s most talented and respected executives. During her 29-year career with HP, Livermore has been instrumental in helping countless HP customers grow and transform their businesses. While she will step down from her day-to-day management of the HP Enterprise Business, Livermore will contribute valuable guidance to the organization as a member of the board. To effect a smooth transition, Livermore will continue to serve as interim lead for HP Enterprise Services and sponsor certain key accounts until a new services leader is named.  
 
“Ann’s distinguished role as a leader of our largest business, deep relationships with our most important customers, institutional knowledge of the company and its employees, and insights on the technology industry will be tremendous assets to our board of directors,” said Ray Lane, non-executive chairman, HP board of directors. “On behalf of HP’s 320,000-plus employees, I would like to congratulate Ann on her election and offer our heart-felt gratitude for her long service and dedication to this company.”  
 
Elevating businesses most critical to customers and which play a key role in delivering on the opportunities the company sees as the IT industry evolves, Dave Donatelli, executive vice president, Enterprise Servers, Storage, Networking and Technology Services, and Bill Veghte, executive vice president, Software, will now report directly to Léo Apotheker, HP chief executive officer and president, giving their respective units greater visibility and support throughout the entire HP organization. Similarly, Jan Zadak, executive vice president, Global Sales, also will report to Apotheker, facilitating efforts to better leverage the full HP portfolio to deliver integrated solutions for customers and partners.  
 
“These businesses play a vital role in our continued growth and success, and as such, Dave, Bill and Jan will report directly to me and help drive the overall direction for HP,” said Apotheker. “In our ongoing effort to accelerate our progress in executing our strategy, we will continue to make the necessary changes that streamline our operations, drive focus and agility, and position us for success.”  
 
As part of the realignment to improve the company’s focus on customer-facing businesses, HP will streamline its administrative operations. HP will eliminate the chief administration officer role and broaden the role of its chief information officer. As a result, Pete Bocian, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, is leaving HP, effective immediately. The functions that make up that organization will be subsumed within other parts of HP. In addition, Randy Mott, executive vice president and chief information officer, is leaving HP effective immediately. The company will conduct a search for a successor. The company thanks Pete and Randy for their efforts and wishes them the best in their next endeavors.  
 
As communicated in March, one of HP’s key priorities will be to deliver unique and innovative market-specific solutions to customers. Both China and India are critical markets to HP, and the company will increase its dedication to supporting these markets. To achieve this, in addition to their existing global business leadership roles, Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, will lead cross-business initiatives focused on expanding HP’s market share in China, and Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president, Imaging and Printing Group, will lead similar efforts in India.

06/14/11

HP SPONSORS THE 2011 CANNES LIONS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Press release from the issuing company

Digital printing enhances creative output in unprecedented ways through HP's sponsorship of the 2011 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Young Lions Competition, a weeklong event, bringing together rising advertising professionals from around the world, challenging them to produce innovative campaigns in five categories – cyber, film, media, print and marketing.  
 
"Today's brand owners turn to creative professionals for impactful, multi-channel campaigns that resonate with customers on a personal level," said Sumeer Chandra, vice president, Marketing and Strategy, Graphics Solutions Business, HP. "Our sponsorship will help more than 350 competitors use digital printing applications to deliver creative concepts that are personalized, immersive experiences that build brand preference and loyalty."  
 
As part of this year's sponsorship, HP has created a "blank canvas" lounge, allowing competitors to experience the power of digital print applications firsthand. The HP White Space lounge in the Young Lions Zone is the ultimate "concepting" space where every single surface – from the table top, walls, and rugs to the refrigerator, chairs and even drink cans – can be drawn on. HP is encouraging competitors and Festival attendees alike to put their mark on the HP White Space. The company will then use its digital printing technology to turn the competitors' creative renderings into digitally-printed designs – whether they are on glass, metal, vinyl or cloth – transforming the "blank canvas" lounge into a vibrant room where digital and physical intersect.      
 
Consumers expect information to be accessible the way they want – anytime and anywhere. To succeed in today's market, brands owners need to capitalize on this shift, delivering their messages through multiple platforms. Digital printing can strengthen integrated marketing campaigns by connecting "the online experience" with offline content. Creative professionals can utilize digital applications to execute arresting campaigns that feature dynamic, personalized physical output.  
 
Marcos Medeiros, senior art director of AlmapBBDO in Brazil, is well-versed in bridging the online-offline divide. A winner of 12 Lions, including the 2010 Press Grand Prix for a highly celebrated Billboard Magazine campaign, Marcos will present a master workshop in the HP White Space on Friday, June 24 at 11:00 a.m. During the workshop, he will discuss the strategy and execution behind the award-winning campaign and how the creative engineering movement led to a highly interactive campaign experience that tapped into the passion of music fans and leveraged the impact of personalization through the power of digital printing.  
 
More information about HP's sponsorship of the 2011 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Young Lions Competition, including videos and photos from the event, are available at www.hp.com/go/CannesLions or www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or through the HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.

06/14/11

BURNISHINE PRODUCTS ANNOUNCES NEW LINE OF PRODUCTS

Press release from the issuing company

Burnishine Products has announced a new line of aerosol products to complement the traditional Burnishine line of pressroom chemicals. Announcing the new Burnishine aerosol line, Burnishine Products President Roger Giza commented: "In today's modern pressroom, many products are more convenient to use in spray form rather than liquid. Our new line of Burnishine aerosol products provides new convenience in the pressroom and reduces the possibility of spills. Of course, the reliability and consistency of these new Burnishine products remain exactly what our loyal customers expect."   
 
The new line of Burnishine aerosol products includes the following, all formulated precisely for pressroom use: 
• Burnishine Glass Cleaner for general use 
• Burnishine Spray Adhesive for plate bonding and related uses 
• Burnishine Silicone Spray for reducing friction 
• Burnishine Anti-Skin Spray to prevent ink skinning on screens and rollers 
• Burnishine Screen Opener for cleaning dried inks on screens 
 
Since 1887, Burnishine Products has manufactured a broad line of pressroom and related chemical products, including plate chemicals, blanket and roller cleaners, fountain solutions, and a line of related cleaning products. All Burnishine products are manufactured in the United States.

06/14/11

FINCH PAPER TO EXHIBIT AT HOW DESIGN CONFERENCE

Press release from the issuing company

Finch Paper is bringing an unmatched combination of paper solutions and design resources for creative professionals to Finch exhibit #416 at the HOW Design Conference in Chicago, June 24-27.   
 
The show focus is the debut of the Digital Field Guide, co-authored by Printing Industries of America's Digital Printing Council (DPC), in a limited, first-edition run. The Finch is in the House contest is also marking its first anniversary at the HOW conference.  
 
  Finch will unveil its brand new Digital Field Guide for designers, produced in conjunction with the Printing Industries of America's Digital Printing Council. The 70-page, comprehensive guide contains design considerations for digital printing. Components include a basic breakout of current printing technology, including digital presses; and it delves specifically into designing for digital to produce optimal results.   
 
With the vast growth of digital printing being utilized for brochures, booklets, marketing collateral, and related materials; the Digital Field Guide - and top-performing Finch digital solutions - are ideal for designers working at universities, corporate in-plants, and non-profit organizations printing shorter runs and using variable data to obtain higher response rates.     
 
Finch Fine iD and Finch Fine Color Copy - Digital Performance Superstars Finch Fine iD is a superior uncoated sheet for HP Indigo presses, offered at an affordable price point. It is photo-certified and three-star rated (best performing for Indigo) by RIT's Printing Applications Laboratory. Benefits include increased color densities, 100% Electroink adhesion, and a super smooth feel. Finch Fine iD is available in the widest range of basis weights - from 50 lb. text to 130 lb. double-thick cover - and in a highly desirable Vanilla shade.   
 
Finch Fine Color Copy is one of the brightest and smoothest papers on the market for full-process color printing and copying. This high-quality sheet is ideal for digital production printing on the Xerox iGen, Kodak Nexpress, and Canon imagePRESS; and features FSC certification and 10% post-consumer recycled fiber to meet corporate requirements.   
 
HOW Design Conference attendees will have the opportunity to see the Digital Field Guide for the first time during the Digital Printing Essentials: What You Need to Know to Create Top-Notch Print Projects session, presented by Joe Marin, Senior Analyst, Digital Technologies, Printing Industries of America. Presented by Printing Industries' Digital Printing Council and Finch Paper, the session is scheduled for Saturday, June 25, at 3:45 pm. *Note that this session is first-come, first-served.  
 
Designers also have the opportunity to take part in the Finch is in the House contest, which marks its first anniversary at the HOW Conference. The current contest phase runs through July 25, and entrants will have a chance to win one of five gift cards to Design Within Reach, the well-known modern design furniture and accessories outpost. Entries can be accessed here: http://finchpaper.com/call-for-samples/. Submissions from past Finch is in the House entrants will be on display at the Finch Paper booth #416.

06/14/11

INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY ADDS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Press release from the issuing company

International Paper Company announced the election of Joan E. Spero, Ph.D., to its board of directors effective today.

"Joan's experience as a business and foundation executive, a corporate board member and in government service lends a unique perspective to our board of directors," said John Faraci, Chairman and CEO. "We are very pleased to welcome her today."

Ms. Spero served in the U.S. Department of State as Undersecretary for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs and as Ambassador to the United Nations for Economic and Social Affairs. She has held leadership positions in Corporate Strategy and Corporate Affairs over a span of 12 years at American Express, and from 1997 to 2008, she served as President of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Ms. Spero is currently a Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

Previously, Ms. Spero served on the board of directors of ING Groep N.V., Delta Air Lines Inc., and First Data Corporation. She is a member of IBM's board of directors, a Trustee of both the Council on Foreign Relations and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and a Trustee Emeritus of Columbia University and Amherst College. Ms. Spero earned a masters degree and a doctorate from Columbia University.

06/13/11

ESIMATOR REMOTE HOSTING OFFERS LOW COST SOLUTIONS

Press release from the issuing company

Earl Litho of Menasha Wisconson and West Coast Graphics of  St. Petersburg FL selected the Estimator remote hosted solution for their estimating and work-flow software, for its low cost, ease of installation and high speed response from any location including I-Pads, Mac's PC's or Android devices. The nominal third party hosting fee of $89.95/ month charged by Zebra Host allows up to 5 simultaneous users and provides 300GB data transfer and automatic backup.  

The acquisition of a new facility by West Coast Graphics with a different configuration allowed simultaneous access from each location to the same database.  

The new Estimator application is not browser based and requires no HTML configuration. Selecting the latest MicroSoft RDP technology for the platform allowed Estimators software developers in conjunction with MicroSoft to create the necessary technology to have its software package operate seamlessly in the cloud.  

Both clients immediately recognized significant savings in equipment updates as well as increased efficiency in their daily operations.  

Estimator expands its industry cost effevtive fully Artificial Intelligent (AI) estimating and work-flow solution capability with an  industry first using the latest RDP technology.   The easy-to-install, learn and use solutions with Advanced Job Costing,  delivers 19 unique reports in an error-free, single screen environment and includes analysis of sales, productivity and department production load schedules.  

A solutions leader for Sheetfed, Web, Wide-Format, Screen, Digital and Flexo, award winning Estimator also provides Full-Metric configuration with a simple click... and includes non-intrusive installation in a few days with regular updates and full live maintenance

06/13/11

KODAK CUSTOMERS PRODUCE AWARD-WINNING WORK

Press release from the issuing company

Kodak customers are leveraging their KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses and KODAK Prepress and Workflow Solutions to produce award-winning work.

This year, Kodak customers won 22 of the 75 awards at the In-Print 2011 competition. Kodak's solutions were used to produce 12 Gold Award winners, more than any other brand in the competition. The awards were presented at the 2011 IPMA conference, where all 75 winning pieces were on display.

In the digital category, NEXPRESS Presses were used to create winning entries for University of Oklahoma (OU) Printing Services (three Gold, one Bronze), Briggs & Stratton (one Gold, one Silver), University of Mississippi (one Silver), and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (one Gold, two Silver).

Kodak customers who were honored in the offset category included OU Printing Services (five Gold, three Silver), University of Missouri-Columbia (two Gold) and the University of New Hampshire (one Bronze).

Additionally, Pennsylvania College of Technology received a Silver award in the hybrid category, which is awarded for pieces that combine offset with digital print production.

"Everything we produce at OU Printing Services utilizes a KODAK Solution at one time or another, whether the work is produced on offset or digital presses. On all our digital pieces, the KODAK NEXPRESS Press gave us color quality and evenness of coverage that made them stand out," said John Sarantakos, Administrator, OU Printing Services. "KODAK Workflow Solutions allowed us to electronically paginate, proof, and output plates that made press-ready and production runs accurate and gave us the highest quality of image reproduction. Most importantly, our customers were delighted with the final products."

OU Printing Services uses KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates, imaged on a KODAK MAGNUS 800 Platesetter, and KODAK PRINERGY Workflow. This solution enables OU Printing Services to achieve high-quality, consistent prints while reducing environmental impact by eliminating the need for a plate processor or processing chemistry.

KODAK NEXPRESS Presses allow customers to achieve consistent and reliable results, while improving efficiency and increasing print capabilities via its short-run production ability and the KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions. The Fifth Imaging Unit offers a variety of unique finishing techniques, including high-gloss coating (spot and full page) and dimensional print.

"The Fifth Imaging Unit on the NEXPRESS truly differentiates our print work, allowing us to create highly distinctive pieces," said Debbie Pavletich, Graphic Services Manager, Briggs & Stratton. "The creativity and talent of our staff, combined with the unique look and feel of NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions, lets us create sophisticated products for our clients. In fact, our winning entry was a capabilities brochure, which demonstrated all the different NEXPRESS Press coating techniques. It's used by our sales team and shared with customers to keep them informed of the high-end features available with digital print production."

The In-Print 2011 awards are co-sponsored by the In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) and In-Plant Graphics magazine. The competition is the only national awards program exclusively for in-plants, and more than 400 different print pieces were entered in this year's competition.

Kodak will be providing coverage of the awards and the IPMA conference via the blog www.kodak.com/go/inprint. It will include videos, photos, and commentary about the event.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals in 120 countries. It is a leading multi-vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging, data storage and retail industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

06/13/11

OCE HOLDS PRODUCTION PRINTING SUMMIT 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Almost 2000 international decision makers and experts of the printing community visited the Océ Production Printing Summit 2011 which took place at the Océ Leadership and Technology Hub in Poing near Munich from 7 to 10 June.

The Summit highlighted the next generation of digital high-speed color printing solutions and showcased variable data printing in transaction and TransPromo, premium direct mail and loyalty program applications as well as security printing. Future-proof graphic arts applications such as publishing-on-demand, digital newspapers, magazines, hybrid catalogs, and manuals revealed promising growth paths, presented together with manroland. Visitors at the Summit obtained cutting-edge information about manroland and Océ. manroland and Océ have joined forces and developed an application-related combination of print data management, digital and offset printing, integrated workflow solutions and post-processing.

"The value-added print chain in conventional printing is undergoing a change, as for example hybrid products become more and more popular. With our inkjet technologies, we were demonstrating a combination of top quality and maximum individualization as well as their value proposition for state-of-the-art print communication," says Sebastian Landesberger, Executive Vice President, Océ Production Printing.

Océ and manroland showcase their strategic alliance for heavy-duty printing "We were showing how inkjet printing systems supplement industrial offset printing," explains Gerd Finkbeiner, CEO of manroland. "In our role as front runners, we and Océ have ambitious aims. We want successful customers who are participating in the dynamic growth of digital print production – and we are committed to supplying them with solutions that are at the same time groundbreaking and future-proof."

06/13/11

ROLAND DG HOLDS EXIBITION

Press release from the issuing company

Following its first ever attendance at Northprint, Roland DG reports that the exhibition generated new levels of interest from the commercial print sectors for the company's wide-format and specialist inkjet solutions. Emulating its well-known Creative Centre at the Harrogate venue, existing and potential users of Roland technologies were able to discover a new range of design and production areas to stimulate business growth.

Being introduced to the general printing community was the Roland VersaUV LEJ-640, the company's first wide format hybrid solution which has a printing width of 1.62m and is designed to output direct to rigid and flexible materials. This machine incorporates Roland's, VOC-free flexible Eco-UV inks in CMYK plus white and clear, and produces a maximum resolution of 1440 x 1440 dpi so that the highest quality photographic prints can be output.

As this machine represents a low-cost flat-bed and roll-fed production unit likely to appeal to users who want to integrate output with an independent cutting table, Roland has partnered with EskoArtwork Kongsberg. This leading manufacturer of software solutions for the print, packaging and sign and display sectors will bring the benefits of its expertise to Roland with its RIP independent i-cut Suite layout and workflow programs as well as its series of sophisticated cutting systems.

The combination of output from Roland's LEJ-640 UV-curable printer and the Kongsberg cutting tables ensures the most accurate results can be generated across both roll-fed and rigid media. EskoArtwork's expertise in the packaging and display sectors also brings to Roland new opportunities for matching wide format digital printers with Kongsberg's high quality contour cutting tables. Northprint also saw Roland demonstrating its VersaUV LEC-330 UV-curable integrated print and cut device which, again benefits from the company's flexible UV-curable inks. The addition of white and clear to the CMYK ink-set enables tactile and textured finishes to be produced and brings new business opportunities to print, proofing and packaging companies who want to launch into new markets in return for a modest investment.

For long-term durability, Roland complemented its UV-curable technologies by displaying the SolJet Pro III XJ-740 production printer. This tough work-horse is designed for the consistent, high quality output of interior and exterior graphic applications, including posters, banners, signs, point-of-sale and retail, front and backlit displays, and event graphics. Additionally, with its durable Eco-Sol Max inks, it is proving to be particularly popular for niche areas including vehicle wraps.

All of Roland DG's printer families are now proving themselves as valuable investments for the commercial print sector. "We received a very positive response to all of our products at Northprint, and visitors showed high levels of interest in the potential for adding a Roland solution to their existing production capabilities in order to generate new revenue streams," comments Mathew Drake, Business Manager - Commercial Print at Roland DG (UK). "Partnering with EskoArtwork Kongsberg is also a positive move for both companies by bringing together our respective packaging, printing and display production technologies to result in fully integrated work-flow solutions."

"One of Roland's strengths has always been in its integrated cutting capabilities but, by partnering with EskoArtwork, we can extend this expertise into new workflow routines and end-user requirements with the integration of Kongsberg's cutting tables," states Steve Chappell, Roland DG's Business Manager – Packaging, Proofing and Industrial Labelling. "Working together we can help print and packaging companies discover the benefits of working with Roland and EskoArtwork Kongsberg to optimise production capabilities and generate new business."

Overall, Northprint proved to be a successful venture for Roland, whose involvement within the commercial sector continues to attract businesses who want to benefit from wide format and specialist digital technologies. With the emphasis on short runs, larger applications and greater versatility in terms of colours and textures, the flexible characteristics of Roland's innovative solutions are increasing in popularity amongst print houses of all sizes.

06/13/11

HEIDELBERG GEARING UP FOR CHANGES TO SUPERVISORY BOARD

Press release from the issuing company

At today's conference, the Supervisory Board nomination committee and the Supervisory Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) paved the way for changes on the Supervisory Board.

Lone Fønss Schrøder (51) and Dr. Herbert Meyer (64) are to be put forward as members of the Supervisory Board at the Annual General Meeting on July 28, 2011.

Lone Fønss Schrøder from Copenhagen, Denmark, is a non-managerial member of the administrative bodies of several foreign companies, including Volvo Personvagnar AB, Sweden, and NKT Holding AB, Denmark.

Dr. Herbert Meyer, born in Eckernförde, will function as President of the Financial Reporting Enforcement Panel (FREP), Berlin, until June 30, 2011. Previously, he was a member of the Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG for a period of twelve years, during which time he was responsible for the company's finances. He has also held leading positions in several international corporate groups. Moreover, Dr. Meyer is a member of the Supervisory Boards of DEMAG Cranes AG and WEBASTO AG.

Dr. Mark Wössner (72) will resign as Chairman of the Board after the Annual General Meeting on July 28, 2011 as planned. He will also resign as a member of the Heidelberg Supervisory Board for reasons of age. Wössner will stay closely connected with Heidelberg.

At his own request, Dr. Werner Brandt (57), member of the Walldorf-based SAP AG Management Board, will resign as a member of the Heidelberg Supervisory Board with effect from July 28, 2011, i.e. after the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Immediately after the Annual General Meeting on July 28, 2011, the Supervisory Board intends to elect Robert J. Koehler (62), Chief Executive Officer of SGL Carbon SE, Wiesbaden, Germany, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and successor of Dr. Mark Wössner. Robert J. Koehler has been a member of the Heidelberg Supervisory Board since 2003.

06/10/11

JIANGSU ZHONGCA GROWS QUICKLY WITH 3 RAPIDA PRESSES

Press release from the issuing company

The trio is complete. At the end of last year Chinese packaging specialist Jiangsu Zhongcai Printing in the city of Danyang fired up a seven-colour Rapida 105 UV coater press that now prints the luxury packaging for which the company is internationally renowned. It joined two medium- and large-format six- and five-colour KBA presses that went live In 2003 and 2002 respectively, and which have played no small part in Jiangsu Zhongca's rapid growth.

Jiangsu Zhongcai Printing was established in 1994 and together with Shanghai Jiacai Printing is part of the tnp (The National Press) group, a specialist producer of top-quality packaging. Alongside seven offset presses the group operates an array of flexo and gravure presses at two big production plants employing around 1,000 people. The 15-hectare (37-acre) site in Danyang offers over 86,000m2 (926,000ft²) of production space, so in conjunction with a well-equipped pre-press and finishing departments there is plenty of capacity for other types of packaging in addition to upmarket products.

The ISO 9001:2001 and ISO 14001:2004 accredited enterprise is managed by two brothers, Jiao Xiao Lin and Jiao Xiao Ping, and has experienced incredible growth since its foundation. Sales total around €50m ($71.1m) and are set to climb steeply in the next few years, aided by a subsidiary in Korea. In addition to quality the primary focus is on environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, which have received plenty of accolades from customers.

General manager Jiao Xiao Ping says: "We have a large number of long-term delivery contracts with top national and international firms in the tobacco, electronics, medical, household goods, food and drinks industries. They include Panasonic, Siemens, Motorola, Philips, McDonald, KFC, Colgate and Castel, reflecting our high-powered capabilities. Since our customers are all keen to boost sales in China, we help them develop new, more attractive packaging on an ongoing basis. We work ceaselessly to enhance our designs and quality. We see huge potential in packaging for tobacco and luxury goods like wine and spirits."

Technology played just as important a role as marketing strategies in the company's success. Jiao Xiao Ping says: "The fact that we opted for KBA presses again after a considerable interval is no coincidence. We have experience of offset presses from other German and Japanese vendors. But in recent years KBA has drawn ahead of the field, gaining widespread recognition in China and really burnishing its image here. This applies not only to technological innovations but also to performance and, not least, after-sales service. We value the trust engendered in the course of our communications with KBA, and are open to any new advances that may help us drive growth. Our customers are highly discerning and demand ever more complex products that we must be fully capable of delivering."

Mr Jiao continues: "Prior to making the final decision on which type of press to take we visited a reference installation at Dongguan QP Factory in Shenzhen, where we saw that KBA is well able to provide the technology needed for top-quality packaging production. We were deeply impressed by the demonstrations given on the big KBA fleet there."

Deputy general manager Jianping Bao is also delighted at the continued association with KBA: "The press was delivered bang on schedule and commissioned to our complete satisfaction. It will help us to enhance our product range still further, particularly in the high-quality sector. We have therefore arranged for KBA to provide further training in a three-month cycle."

06/10/11

HH EXPANDS PRESENCE IN FRANCE

Press release from the issuing company

HH, the leading global marketing services provider, is expanding its presence in France with new offices, increased staff, enhanced technology and provision of a full studio service. Following the company's recent announcement of its expansion in India, HH is similarly focusing on further growth in France within 2011.

HH France supports the full range of HH's offer including Studio Services, Transcreation and Adaptation Services, Technology Development, Technical Support, Marketing Resources Support and Print Management. The organisation serves a number of high profile clients both locally and globally.

Karine Ansa, Country Manager, HH France, comments: "HH France is one of the biggest markets in Europe and the potential of our French client base is significant. We are in a perfect position to build on our success and continue to develop innovative ideas and technologies which underpin the HH strategy and adds real value to our clients and prospects."

06/10/11

AFFINITY EXPRESS RELEASES SURVEY RESULTS

Press release from the issuing company

Affinity Express Inc., the leading offshore, onshore and onsite provider of high-volume print and interactive advertising and marketing production solutions, with hundreds of multi-media publishing, marketing services, retailer and other clients, released the results of its survey of small- to medium-sized business (SMB) customers to measure their use of online advertising and marketing tactics.

Around 70 SMBs responded to the survey and 63% and have used online advertising or marketing for their business. Website and landing pages is the most commonly used tactic used by 77% of respondents, with email marketing following closely (73%). Half of the respondents use social media marketing (50%) and around one-third use search engine optimization (31%) and online catalogs (27%). Channels like display ads (23%), blogging (23%), search ads (19%), and mobile (15%) are less explored.

An interesting find is the low use of search engine optimization compared to the prevalence of websites and landing pages as a marketing tactic. This indicates that SMBs are focusing efforts on developing websites and landing pages, but not on optimizing those pages to get found in search results.

Sales is the Most Important Online Marketing Objective

Sales is the most important focus for a small business owner (36% voted it the most important objective of their online advertising or marketing activities), and drives her marketing strategy. However, 23% respondents indicated that brand awareness was most important. Less important are lead generation (14%), lead nurturing (9%), customer service (9%), reputation management (5%), and customer lifetime value (5%).

Only 12% SMBs Consider Online Marketing Very Effective

The focus on sales might be partly why SMB owners don't rate online tactics as very effective. Only 12% consider online advertising and marketing very effective and 44% admit it is somewhat effective. 36% rate online tactics somewhat ineffective for their businesses, while 8% consider it very ineffective.

Search Engine Optimization is the Most Effective Online Marketing Tactic

Even though search engine optimization isn't used by many SMBs, it emerged as the most effective tactic with 33% voting it very effective. Website and landing pages are at a distant second (16%), followed closely by email marketing (15%), online display ads (13%), search ads (13%), online catalogs (13%), and mobile (12%). Surprisingly, social media marketing (9%) and blogging (6%) are considered least effective.

Cost and Lack of Resources Are Significant Challenges

The biggest challenge that SMBs face with online marketing is the high cost of external resources (27%), followed closely by insufficient expertise (25%) and lack of measurable ROI (25%). Lack of in-house resources is the most significant issue for 20% of respondents and lack of buy-in from management is only an issue with 2%.

SMBs Manage Online Marketing In-House or Through DIY Services

57% respondents have internal teams manage online advertising and marketing and 48% use online do-it-yourself services. 22% use outsourcing providers, 4% use freelance providers, and 4% use Affinity Express, who only started offering online advertising and marketing production to this category in 2011.

84% Respondents Will Use Online Marketing in 2011

Despite the perceived low effectiveness of online marketing, 84% respondents say they plan to use online marketing in 2011.

Almost all the survey respondents are owners or employees of a small business, with over half of the businesses employing 2-10 people and 26% employing only one person. Only 8% of the businesses have more than 500 employees. 5% each have 11-100 and 101-500 employees respectively.

For the full report and all charts, access SMB Online Marketing and Advertising Survey.

06/10/11

BASYPRINT ANNOUNCES NEW UV PLATESETTERS

Press release from the issuing company basysPrint announces its new series of 4-page and 8-page UV platesetters. The new UV-Setter 450x and 850x Series open the doors to a range of unique Cross Applications for its customers, helping them to safeguard the future of their businesses. These multi-functional and highly productive UV-Setters were recently introduced to basysPrint's network of distributors and agents, at an event held at basysPrint's production plant in Belgium on June 6-7.

"Our approach is to develop solutions that will secure the future of our customers' businesses," says Christophe Lievens, Director of Sales and Marketing. "The ability to provide an array of innovative applications that will differentiate their offering in an increasingly commodity based industry is of the utmost importance to printers. At basysPrint, we use the name Cross Applications for these unique print effects such as spot varnishes, hot-foil stamping and embossing, as well as processes like die-cutting and screen printing. By enabling our customers to offer these Cross Applications in-house, we supply them with additional revenue streams and service levels to help them safeguard their continued success."

Cross Applications for profitability and flexibility The new devices extend the success of basysPrint's existing UV-Setter 450 and 850 Series, and give customers the opportunity to embrace new markets and Cross Applications. Using the UV-Setter 450x and 850x Series, printers can now image in-house:

UV plates for offset printing
Coating plates for spot varnish printing
Photoengraving magnesium or copper plates (up to 10mm thick) for hot-foil stamping and embossing
Screen meshes for all kinds of silk screen printing applications
Dies for flexible die-cutting

In addition, the UV-Setter 850x Series deliver higher productivity through a dual plate loading capability that allows to process two plates (up to a maximum size of 445 x 1150 mm) at the same time. This means that the system can image up to 120 plates per hour (470 x 650 mm size). With the new graphical user interface, printers can manage and control their UV-Setters also remotely, even by using Smartphone and tablet type devices.

The UV-Setter 450x and 850x Series are available with a range of flexible options, from completely manual and semi-automatic versions, right up to fully automatic multi-cassette systems capable of accepting up to five different plate formats from five cassettes, each holding 100 plates. Customers can easily upgrade their system to another model with higher level of automation and number of plate cassettes when required.

basysPrint UV-Setters expose all UV sensitive plates for all types of printing presses. They have a unique flatbed design and Dynamic Autofocus technology, allowing the UV-Setter 450x and 850x to expose a wide range of different plate types, and handle the various Cross Applications. An integrated punch provides fast, reliable and register-accurate customer-specific punching before exposure. And the exposure speed can be configured individually by increasing the number of high-performance diode modules (DSI³), enabling plate throughput rates to be more than doubled.

As with all basysPrint UV conventional CtP systems, the new platforms also provide the many standard benefits of UV-plate technology. These include high quality imaging, stable, easy to maintain processing with wide processing tolerances, high run length stability even without baking, low energy consumption, and eco-friendly processing chemistry which can be poured down the drain after use, and lasts three times longer than chemistry used with digital plates.

Distributors and agents from around the world were given the chance to learn about the new UV-Setter 450x and 850x Series when they were unveiled for the first time at an event at basysPrint's production plant in Ieper, Belgium on June 6-7 2011. This event focused on the multi-functionality of the new platforms, with demonstrations being given on the 8-up UV-Setter 851x (manual) and 855x (automatic), alongside workshops on utilizing the Cross Applications for relevant markets. Customers can therefore be certain that, wherever they purchase a basysPrint UV-Setter system from, they will receive the highest standards of service and information.

The new UV-Setter 450x and 850x Series will be commercially available for customers on November 1, 2011.

06/10/11

BALDWIN TECH SELLS OXY-DRY FOOD BLENDS

Press release from the issuing company

Baldwin Technology Company, Inc., a global leader in process automation technology for the printing industry, today announced that it has sold Oxy-Dry Food Blends, Inc., a U.S. food blending and packaging business, to CPC Dry Pack, Inc., a contract manufacturing company.

In April 2011, Baldwin announced a planned exit of this non-core food blending and packaging business, classified Oxy-Dry Food Blends as discontinued operations and recorded certain third quarter charges. Additionally, the Company had announced its expectation to record an additional $3 million charge in the current fourth quarter related primarily to a continuing Oxy-Dry Food Blends lease obligation in Addison, Illinois and associated employment level reductions.

Under the terms of this transaction, the Company has fully transferred the lease obligation to CPC Dry Pack, Inc. and will no longer need to record the related fourth quarter charge.

Baldwin President and CEO Mark T. Becker said "We are pleased to have successfully consummated this stock sale just two months after designating this operation as discontinued operations. As previously noted, the food business was acquired in 2006 as part of our purchase of the Oxy-Dry group of companies. This non-core business did not have the scale to be successful as a standalone food operation within Baldwin but can add value to the buyers mainly through synergies in consolidation with their existing Chicago, Illinois area operations. Not included in the sale are our Oxy-Dry graphic arts powders brand and products which are a growing part of our expanding consumables business. We expect to provide uninterrupted service to our powders customers during a brief transition period" Becker concluded.

06/09/11

PITNEY BOWES ANNOUNCES BRILLIANT COMMUNICATIONS AWARD WINNERS

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Inc. today announced the winners of its first annual Brilliant Communications Awards. The awards recognize leading high-volume print and mail organizations that are finding new ways to streamline workflow, ensure accuracy, and market precisely to get the greatest value from their customer communications. The inaugural recipients of the awards were recognized at the Company's annual Global Document Messaging Technologies Customer Summit, June 6-8, 2011.

 "The winners of our Brilliant Communications Awards are innovators, early adopters and creative problem solvers who can point the way for others," said Ramesh Ratan, president of Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies. "They are helping to lead a customer communications evolution using solutions to help lower costs, enhance the value they provide to their customers, and make their organizations more successful."

The winners of the 2011 Brilliant Communications Awards include:

"Powerful Communication Award" – Tri-Win Digital Print and Direct Mail, Dallas, TX, USA
Tri-Win Digital Print and Direct Mail, a direct mail house and digital print shop, won the Powerful Communication Award for improved productivity, efficiencies and quality. Tri-Win used FlowMaster RS Flex Inserting Systems with optional camera verification systems, and in-line inkjet printing station capabilities. The solutions helped Tri-Win increase the speed, and reliability of its envelope insertion process, and more importantly, increase its statement mailing customer base.

"Colorful Communication Award" – Emdeon, Toledo, OH, USA
Emdeon, a leading provider of healthcare revenue and payment cycle management and clinical information exchange solutions, won the Colorful Communication Award for migrating to full digital color White Paper Factory solutions. Emdeon used IntelliJet roll-fed printing systems; APS and MPS Advanced Productivity Series Inserting Systems; a FPS Split Drive Inserting System; and Pitney Bowes software to drive the printers and provide reports for tracking and management analysis. As a result, Emdeon can now print full-color, eye-catching patient statements quickly and easily in a single print run at full production speed. Emdeon also streamlined operations for greater efficiency, eliminated costs and storage space for millions of sheets of paper, increased print capacity to better handle volume spikes and future growth, and shortened mail delivery time to the consumer.

"Profitable Communication Award" – Logistic Mail Factory GmbH, Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany
Logistic Mail Factory, an alternative, private-run postal company in Bavaria, won the Profitable Communication Award for creating more relevant, precision marketing communications. Logistic Mail Factory used a VariSort Mixed Mail Sorter, Olympus II Flexible Tier Sorter, DI950 Inserting Systems, DM1000 Digital Mailing Systems, P/I OfficeMail, P/I Output Manager software with VIP centralized output management, and P/I Enhancement Manager software with VDE centralized output management. The solutions enabled Logistic Mail Factory to receive and register letters from companies electronically instead of physically, as well as automatically print and finish mailpieces and bill customers for services. Each mailpiece is assigned a tracking number and is enriched with final sorting criteria based on a software database. As a result, this simplified and optimized the physical sorting process. Also, Logistic Mail Factory increased productivity, accuracy and efficiency; and decreased production costs by fully automated scanning and sorting.

"Innovators Choice Award" – PSC Info Group, Oaks, PA, USA
PSC Info Group, a national provider of innovative, technology-enabled solutions and proven revenue acceleration tools to streamline the collection of consumer payments, won the award for the most innovative solution. PSC Info Group accepts data from various clients, most of which are collections or medical in nature. PSC Info Group uses P/I Output Manager software with VDE centralized output management and P/I Wizard software along side their document creation software, and developed a way to pass information to the P/I products from the document creation software by embedding them in the document files themselves. PSC Info Group is now able to group significantly more jobs together for increased efficiency. In addition, the solutions have helped PSC Info Group simplify the process of linking Intelligent Mail barcodes with stored return data, resulting in reduced server overhead.

Winners of the Powerful Communication Award, Colorful Communication Award and Profitable Communication Award received a $25,000 credit toward future solutions purchases, as well as travel accommodations and transportation to the Customer Summit. The winner of the Innovators Choice Award received a prize package including an iPad with 16GB Wi-Fi, as well as travel accommodations and transportation to the Customer Summit.

Pitney Bowes customers submitted entries for the Brilliant Communication Awards from March until May 2011. Applications included physical, digital or hybrid-mail. A panel of industry experts including Andy and Julie Plata, co-CEO's of the OutputLinks Communications Group, and thought leaders from Pitney Bowes selected the winners of the Powerful Communication Award, Colorful Communication Award and the Profitable Communication Award. Industry peers viewed and voted for nominations for the "Innovators Choice Award" online.

06/09/11

PRINTCITY MEMBERS HOLD MEETING

Press release from the issuing company

Key PrintCity member executives, with their special responsibility as active drivers of the direction of the Alliance, held a meeting on May 25.

For the long term PrintCity Alliance Strategy, members UPM, Sun Chemical, manroland and Océ agreed on:
• Full commitment to 'digital' within PrintCity – this has growing importance for all
• The Value Proposition of the PrintCity Alliance – for members and customers
• Importance of the alliance Annual Strategic Plan – member coordination & value
For drupa in May 2012, alliance members are committed to working together for:
• Strong visibility of PrintCity as a visitor central focus point – attraction
• Good customer guidance in Hall 6 linking all attractions & members – information
• An emphasis on the 'Future of Print' in a multi-media society – vision
Key focus areas will include Digital & Offset Printing, Value Added Printing & Packaging plus Lean & Green hot topic visitor attractions.     

More information on PrintCity attractions for drupa will be announced later in 2011.

06/09/11

BPGRAPHICS TRANSITIONING TO DIGITAL

Press release from the issuing company

HP today announced that BPGraphics is successfully transitioning more of its analog screen-printing work to efficient, high-quality UV digital printing with the installation of an HP Scitex FB7500 Printer.

The Phoenix-based company – a large-volume customer that owns 11 HP Scitex printers – also is working to streamline color management across its digital production platforms as a beta user of the new version of ColorServer Suite from GMG GmbH & Co. that is customized for use with HP Scitex printers.

The new printer and color management software offer a number of benefits that can substantially improve productivity at BPGraphics. With its 65x126-inch media capacity and print speeds that reach 5,380 sq.ft./hr., the HP Scitex FB7500 Printer quickly and affordably produces longer-run jobs – work that the company previously completed using an analog screen printer.

"The HP Scitex FB7500 Printer's biggest advantage for us is its ability to do short runs as well as long runs, using one operator instead of two – all on a device that offers excellent quality on the same substrates we use on our screen printer," said Curt Carpenter, president, BPGraphics.

The HP Scitex FB7500 Printer also gives the company distinct advantages in proofing for longer-run signage and point-of-purchase jobs that once ran on its analog technology.

"We can do one-off proofs on the printer using the actual substrate for the final job, make any changes that customers request, and then print the entire job," said Carpenter. "Proofing on the actual production device gives us confidence that we are giving customers exactly what they want when we are printing a job."

BPGraphics has recently transitioned longer-run jobs that were once considered analog-only to digital printing, such as a recent job for 500 point-of-purchase standees that were efficiently produced, with more accurate proofing, on the HP Scitex FB7500 Printer.

The printer also helps BP Graphics better serve a growing number of customers who, instead of purchasing 500 copies of a specific design, are likely to prefer a versioned run – 100 copies of five different designs, for example – as a way to customize and improve their marketing efforts. Customized and versioned work can prove impractical for a screen printing device because of the numerous screen change, set-up and makeready costs they incur. Digital devices like BPGraphics' fleet of HP Scitex equipment, however, can profitably accommodate those versioning requests.

The HP Scitex FB7500 Printer, with its extensive rigid media capabilities, complements a pair of HP Scitex TJ8300 Printers that extend BPGraphics' high-volume, high-end offering to flexible media graphics applications.

The GMG ColorServer Suite installed at BP Graphics gives the company a new level of color management consistency across its digital large-format printers. GMG, a member of the HP Graphics Solutions Partner program, designed the latest version of its ColorServer product with tools to simplify color conversions between color spaces. Users have the option of working with pre-loaded HP Scitex model settings on the server. Plus, the server includes GMG SmartProfiler software, which can further reduce the amount of time needed for printer profiling and calibration.

At BPGraphics, the server provides a competitive advantage on larger campaigns – work where identical graphics are produced on different printers using different substrates – including the full range of stadium graphics the company prints for one of its long-time customers, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim professional baseball team.

The GMG ColorServer system not only provides greater consistency on campaigns, it provides even bigger productivity benefits with jobs BPGraphics produces on its four HP Scitex XP5300 Printers. In the past, according to Carpenter, BPGraphics minimized the risk of color inconsistencies by proofing and printing on the exact same device.

"With the GMG ColorServer Suite," said Carpenter, "once we have an approved proof, the job can print on any one of the four HP Scitex XP printers. The extra level of consistency across printers translates into a huge improvement in our workflow for those devices because it eliminates the idle printer time or production delays that come with reserving a specific printer for a specific job."

In addition to the HP Scitex FB7500, XP5300 and TJ8300 Printers, BPGraphics also owns a pair each of the HP Scitex XL1500 Printer and the HP Scitex LX600 Printer with HP Latex Inks.

The long-term investments BPGraphics has had with HP is the result of a strong, growing relationship. Company executives, for example, traveled to HP's Scitex division headquarters in Israel to share their thoughts for the features and capabilities needed when HP was working to create the HP Scitex FB7500 Printer. BPGraphics also participates on the large-format committee in the Digital Solutions Cooperative HP users' group.

"BPGraphics has an admirable formula for staying on the leading edge of innovation and growing profits: provide high quality and high productivity for a full range of graphics needs, and then accelerate the business with new technologies that allow for even better service," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business – Americas, HP. "We are proud to have a strong and extensive relationship with BPGraphics, a valued customer that will continue to do great things with the capabilities the HP Scitex FB7500 Printer offers."

06/09/11

INX DIGITAL INTERNATIONAL HELPS PRINTERS AT FESPA

Press release from the issuing company

INX Digital International Co. experienced tremendous success in its continued quest to help printers convert to digital printing at the recent FESPA Digital show, held May 24-26 in Hamburg, Germany.  Company officials are proud to report across-the-board interest in many of the products INX Digital had to offer at the show. In addition to the increasingly popular EVOLVE Advanced Digital Solutions, DTX direct-to-fabric textile inks and the environmentally friendly EDX inks and EcoBulk ink delivery system scored big points with show visitors.  INX Digital's new Prodigy brand also was well received at what Ken Kisner, President of INX Digital International, refers to as the annual premier European tradeshow.

"Show organizers promised an "Evolution" and people got it when they visited our booth," remarked Kisner.  "I thought the show was well attended with a very focused and qualified group of people.  Those that I spoke with said they stopped by to learn more about our fabric and digital printing offerings.  I was very pleased that the great majority of these people were authorized to purchase products, in addition to the tremendous turnout of our Triangle dealers representing the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific and Latin America regions."

The Triangle DTX direct-to-fabric textile inks in the booth were demonstrated on ATP color printers. Designed for use on direct printing with synthetic fabrics using Epson print heads, they deliver optimal quality and a wide color gamut.  These inks have extremely fast drying characteristics on polyesters with minimum 60% blends.  DTX also displays optimal ink fluidity and an excellent image definition and fastness properties. The EDX inks are eco solvent products and represent the first time the Triangle brand has offered a color and chemically compatible ECO product for the alternative market.  Designed for Roland printers with Epson DX4 print head technology and demonstrated at FESPA Digital on Roland VersaCAMM printers, EDX is a fast drying ink with low odor and is TAPS-free.  It's also unique being the only HAPS-free product in the industry.  EDX also provides a significant cost savings when compared to OEM eco inks.

The Prodigy brand attracted interested buyers for several reasons.  The Graphic Arts side serves OEMs, Integrators and print head companies within the digital market, but the expanding Industrial market targets textile, fabric, tile, glass, metal and wood grain business with a variety of UV, water and solvent-based products.  Various fabric and packaging samples were on display in the booth.

INX Digital International Co. is a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks for wide format, super-wide and new generation digital printers, and a supplier of printing parts and related services.  As the digital arm of INX International Ink Co., it offers a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services including chemistry, hardware and software, engineering design, and integration and media.  For more information, visit the Web site at www.INXdigital.com.

06/09/11

STANDARD GROUP ACQUIRES DBO

Press release from the issuing company

The Standard Group, headquartered in Reading, Pa., has announced the acquisition of Donald Blyler Offset (DBO) of Lebanon, Pa. Both companies have deep roots in the printing industry, while also demonstrating success at growing, changing, and expanding to meet the full service and value-added needs of today's customers.

John Hyde, NAPL Senior Vice President, who along with the NAPL M&A Consulting Practice facilitated the acquisition said, "This transaction speaks volumes about the consolidation trend in the printing industry."

Scott Vaughn, CEO of the $25 million Standard Group said, "Our mission is to simplify the art of communication for our customers, clients, and partners, and Donald Blyler Offset fits squarely into achieving that mission."

Added Vaughn, "We've admired the company, the way it treats its customers and employees, and the high quality of products it produces for a long time. The addition of DBO to the Standard Group is a great fit."

Donald Blyler, Owner of DBO echoed Vaughn's comments. "Over the years I have turned down many opportunities for a sale or merger with very good printing companies because they were not the right partner for us. However that all changed when I toured The Standard Group, met their key people and had the chance to learn about the future direction of the company. Through that meeting and several others in which NAPL's Consulting Team played a major role, I accepted an offer from The Standard Group. This offer represented an excellent opportunity for my clients, sales team, employees, my family, and The Standard Group. I'm excited about the future for all concerned."

Hyde, who has been involved with mergers and acquisitions in the printing industry for nearly 20 years, sums up the deal in this way: "One company is seeking growth through strategic acquisition as a way to build long term shareholder value, while the other side is planning an exit strategy to move from ownership toward retirement. The dynamics exemplified by The Standard Group and Donald Blyler Offset reflect careful ownership considerations about growth and succession planning, and we commend them both for their strategic planning and management."

DBO, which over the years has received several prestigious honors including the Silver Award for Printer of the Year from SAPPI North America and the Top Businessman Award from the Small Business Association of Eastern Pennsylvania, will continue to operate as a stand-alone organization for the foreseeable future, according to Vaughn.

06/08/11

NEW INFOTRENDS STUDY RELEASED

Press release from the issuing company

A new study from InfoTrends entitled, Mobile Technology: Making Print Interactive, is designed to determine the importance of combining print and mobile technology to activate, cultivate, and engage customers. Amid a sea of marketing messages that are bombarding consumers every day, this study will explore marketers' intentions for creating integrated marketing campaigns that leverage the only two forms of portable media-print and mobile.

Bryan Yeager, a Senior Consultant at InfoTrends, states, "The market has seen a growing number of examples of major brand companies combining print and mobile technologies to deliver enhanced value through engaging activities. Mobile-enabled ads, postcards, billboards, packaging, and labels can be part of a blended mobile/print solution. This opens the door to new service revenues for providers, including delivery, management, measurement, and optimization of integrated campaigns."

This benchmark InfoTrends study will explore the concept of print/mobile-optimized marketing campaigns from the perspective of consumers, marketers, infrastructure providers, and print service providers. It will discuss where the market is today, provide projections for the future, and deliver valuable insight on combining mobile technology with print advertising and marketing. The study will provide strategic information to help executives and business owners:

Assess the current state of the print/mobile-optimized marketing campaigns in the market today and its future direction.
Understand marketing executives' and agencies' needs, perceptions, and challenges in implementing blended mobile and print campaigns for both B2B and B2C clients.
Understand requirements for successful implementation of optimized print and mobile marketing strategies and campaigns that effectively address the engagement, education, acquisition, retention, and loyalty of target customers.
Provide profiles of key vendor solutions that enable optimized mobile and print marketing campaigns.
Summarize key success factors in combining print with mobile marketing and recommend appropriate strategies for technology vendors and service providers moving forward.

The study will:

Segment and profile consumer utilization of mobile technology combined with print.
Explore marketer and agency perspectives on blending print and mobile technologies through survey activity and in-depth interviews.
Evaluate the current state of mobile technology adoption through service offerings with print service providers.
Include in-depth interviews with infrastructure providers to define the tools and techniques for blending mobile and print.

06/08/11

BOLGER VISION BEYOND PRINT WINS BEST OF SHOW AWARD

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, congratulates Bolger Vision Beyond Print, a 200-employee, $35 million Minneapolis-based commercial printer, that recently won the Star of Excellence Best of Show award at the Printing Industry Midwest (PIM) Star of Excellence Awards Banquet. Bolger received its award on April 28 at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center. The Star of Excellence Awards recognizes companies who produce the best in print media and promotes excellence in print communications. The judges praised Bolger's winning entry for its fine printing execution and finishing techniques.

Bolger's winning entry, David Yurman MENS, was produced on its one-of-a-kind KBA Rapida 105 ten-color UV perfecting press. The 24-page 8x10.5-inch catalog plus four-page cover called for a print run of 70,000. The four-page cover was blind embossed and foil stamped with satin metallic silver foil on a 100# Carnival Felt New Black Cover stock. The inside 24-pages were printed four-color process on 65# Astrolite Smooth White Cover stock. The KBA Rapida 105 ten-color perfector with dual coaters printed the job in one pass utilizing a hybrid 200 line convention/18 micron stochastic screening technique. The finished catalog was cut, folded, and perfect bound.

The Star of Excellence Awards from the Printing Industry Midwest is an annual printing competition among its members. This year, the organization received 250 entries for 26 different categories. Bolger Vision Beyond Print entered David Yurman MENS in the Product Catalog category of four or more colors. It won the Product Catalog category, the Best of Division category based on Bolger's number of employees, Best of Class category, and Best of Category. All 26 winning Best of Category pieces were judged and the Bolger entry was chosen as Best of Show.

"The KBA press technology has allowed Bolger to achieve a growing presence in the national high quality print market," says Paul Pyzdrowski, vice president of print production at Bolger. "The critical factors are a combination of the UV print process, press perfector technology and fine line screening, which have resulted in elevated print performance; with exceptional throughput and a significant price advantage to the customers we serve. And finally, great print technique is a result of understanding all manufacturing components through optimization of the control points, (plates, inks, substrates, and color management) which have contributed to operating the press at an award winning level."

The only one of its kind in North America, Bolger's 10-color KBA Rapida 105 perfecting press prints and coats both sides of the sheet at once, using UV inks. It also features coating towers after the fifth and tenth units for special effects. Unlike a regular perfecting press, the KBA Rapida 105 maintains high quality on both sides, with no marking and increased register control. Better yet, it cuts make-ready times in half; allowing customers to press check both sides of the sheet at once. To help protect the environment, the press dries ink instantly and requires no VOC's in UV curing. By printing both sides simultaneously and accepting a broad range of paper weights, it eliminates waste.

"When it comes to quality, speed, consistency and cutting-edge technology, no other press can touch the KBA," says dik Bolger, Chief Executive Officer at Bolger. "KBA is the best press manufacturer that can print five colors, coat and perfect and then do five colors and coat all with UV (in this configuration)."

Bolger Vision Beyond Print has been a leader in the printing industry since 1934. Its mission is to help its customers excel at communicating with their audiences. To accomplish this, the firm goes beyond full-service commercial printing by offering unique and unconventional advantages, including: print on demand/variable print; technology solutions; real-time fulfillment; display; and mailing. Bolger serves numerous clients in a wide variety of industries, ranging from insurance to healthcare to manufacturing.

06/08/11

PBMS RECEIVES SUPPLIER EXCELLENCE AWARD

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Management Services, Inc. (PBMS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pitney Bowes Inc., has been selected as the recipient of Eastman Chemical Company's 2010 Supplier Excellence Award. This is the second consecutive year PBMS has received this prestigious honor for its service to Eastman Chemical Company.

In 2010, PBMS achieved a service delivery level of 99 percent and delivered more than $720,000 in cost savings and process improvements.

"We are proud and honored to receive this award for the second consecutive year from our valued customer, Eastman Chemical Company," said Jennifer Bonilla, president and general manager, PBMS-Americas. "This award underscores our commitment to delivering service excellence and value to our customers each and every day. On behalf of the PBMS team, I would like to thank Eastman Chemical for this great honor."

PBMS provides a range of mail, print and document management services to Eastman Chemical. To qualify for this award, PBMS was required to meet certain established criteria for delivering quality, cost efficiencies, customer satisfaction and safety.

Pitney Bowes Management Services designs, implements and operates global solutions that provide enterprise clients with customer communication, mail and document lifecycle services that help in creating more effective, efficient and compliant business processes and operations.

06/08/11

AVERY DENNISON SPONSORS 2011 SEGD DESIGN AWARDS

Press release from the issuing company

Avery Dennison sponsored the 2011 SEGD Design Awards Presentation on Thursday, June 2. The Design Awards, held at the SEGD annual conference, recognized the best environmental graphic design projects in the world. This year's contenders range from a dazzling world exposition pavilion to an ingenious urban typography project.

"We were proud to be part of SEGD's industry-leading design competition," said Steve Gary, market segment manager with Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions North America. "Avery Dennison's products are used every day around the globe by designers of projects such as the Beijing Olympics, an Audi commercial and Trends, the German furniture store chain, that transform spaces into completely new environments."

Avery Dennison films were the canvas for the graphics and signage produced by SEGD for the conference, which is in Montréal from June 1 – 4, 2011. The international conference, hosted by SEGD, focused on communication design for the built environment.

Avery Dennison graphic media is a blank slate for possibility – taking the form of art, branding or publicity to create a unique environment, whether it's in a corporate office, retail store or education facility. Designers bring their creative visions to life with Avery Dennison's range of digitally printable, transparent or opaque films, in hundreds of colors, transforming ordinary environments into stunning, award-winning spaces.

Avery Greenline GP films were transformed by Big Apple Graphics into graphics reflecting the conference's theme of diversity. Greenline GP films are an ideal choice for high-impact graphics with superb printability. The films are available with a gloss or matte finish in addition to a gloss transparent option and can be applied to a wide variety of surfaces to completely transform a space.

Avery Dennison recently launched a new website to serve as an inspiration point for the design community. AveryDennisonIdeas.com showcases the company's belief that ideas are everywhere; they're just waiting to be discovered. The projects chosen for the website highlight the inspirational and creative ways Avery graphic solutions are used in a wide variety of projects around the globe. Not every image on the Wall involves an Avery Dennison product, inspiration is everywhere – just look for it. Visit AveryDennisonIdeas.com and follow @averyinspires on Twitter to find inspiration or share a new idea.

Avery Dennison representatives were at the SEGD Conference to talk more extensively about the portfolio of graphic solutions available for the environmental design community.

06/08/11

EPG JOINES IMDA

Press release from the issuing company

EPG (Essex Products Group www.epg-inc.com), the Connecticut-based manufacturer of KeyColor ink and color measurement controls and presetting and scanner interface systems, is pleased to announce that it has joined the International Metal Decorators Association (IMDA www.metaldecorators.com). EPG was officially inducted as a new member of the IMDA at the association's 2011 Annual Conference and Convention in Bloomingdale, Illinois. The IMDA, founded in 1933 and based in Timonium, Maryland, fosters and encourages the development of technological advances in the art of metal decorating. EPG has been a global leader in commercial, packaging, and newspaper printing for over two decades. Over the years the company has experienced significant growth in its packaging business, and has expanded into the metal decorating industry. EPG anticipates that the trend will continue as the industry continues to grow. Decorated metal packaging is used for a variety of consumer products, including food, specialty cookies, crackers and snacks, beverages, coffee, tea, confectionery items, personal care items, cosmetics, automotive items, and other retail goods.  

"We are very pleased to be affiliated with the IMDA," says Peter Griffin, president, EPG. "We share an interest in and respect for the quality of metal decorating; this collaboration will help us move forward with the industry."   

For more than two decades EPG has been helping printers save time and money with state-of-the-art KeyColor Systems. KeyColor Systems are integrated into original equipment by leading press manufacturers and installed worldwide as press retrofits for commercial, packaging, and newspaper printing.  KeyColor products include remote ink control systems, color measurement and defect detection equipment, and presetting and scanner interface software. For more information about EPG and integrated color control systems, contact Helga Kollegger, Sales Administrator; e-mail sales@epg-inc.com; telephone +1-860-767-7130; fax +1-860-767-9137. EPG's headquarters is located at 30 Industrial Park Road, Centerbrook, CT 06409. Visit the EPG Web site at www.epg-inc.com.

06/07/11

CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS NAMES NEW VP

Press release from the issuing company

At today's Crain Communications Board of Directors meeting, David Snyder, publisher of Crain's Chicago Business, was named a vice president of Crain Communications Inc.    

Mr. Snyder, 49, joined Crain's in 1983 as a researcher in the Washington bureau. He moved to Chicago in 1984 and spent the next four years as a reporter covering consumer products and food companies. He held a series of editing positions before he was named editor of the paper in 1993.   Under his leadership as editor, Crain's won numerous national and local journalism awards. He was named general manager/Interactive in 2000, and directed a major relaunch of Crain's website, ChicagoBusiness.com.  

In 2004, he became associate publisher, taking on expanded management duties for Crain's print, online and event operations.  Mr. Snyder became publisher in September 2010.  

"David's a great example of someone who has worked his way through the ranks at Crain and continued to break the mold in every position he has held," said Rance Crain, president.  "His enthusiasm for multiple platforms of news and content delivery is a wonderful model for all our employees at our many brands."

06/07/11

TECH 8 APPOINTS NEW TECHNICAL ACCOUNT MANAGER

Press release from the issuing company

Tech8, the technical support and spares provider for the wide format printing industry, today announced the appointment of Graham Parkinson to the role of Technical Account Manager.   

With over 20 years experience across all aspects of the printing industry, Graham is ideally qualified for this newly-created position.   

His primary responsibility will be the development of mutually beneficial technical support partnerships with key customers throughout the UK and Europe.   

Having spent 10 years working in a production environment – and gradually working his way up to managing the whole operation – Graham truly understands the technical challenges faced by print businesses.   

In subsequent years, Graham held key technical support positions within major manufacturers including Roland and Mimaki with responsibility for servicing and supporting end users.   

In joining Tech8, Graham is moving to a more commercial role where his significant experience from all sides of the industry will allow him to further develop Tech8's ever-expanding range of products and services.  His appointment is crucial in aiding Tech8's ambition to become the leading UK provider of printer after-sales care and support.   

According to Justin Atkinson, Technical Services Manager at Tech8, "Graham's appointment will really help to drive the business forward.  Our core business is the provision of tailor-made warranties and exemplary customer service, as well as the provision of competitively-priced spare parts for all major printers."   

Graham adds, "I am delighted to join Tech8 in this business development role.  Some manufacturers view support as a costly overhead, whereas the provision of first-class service is Tech8's sole purpose.  We offer printer owners a dedicated support resource and I'm convinced that our approach offers a compelling alternative to existing technical support provision."   

Further information on Tech8 can be found on their website at www.tech8.eu

06/07/11

GPO PRODUCTION MANAGER ACHIEVES 45 YEARS OF SERVICE

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office's (GPO) Production Manager John Crawford has achieved 45 years of service to GPO and the Federal Government. Crawford began his career at GPO in 1966 as a journeyperson bookbinder on the night shift. Forty-five years later, Crawford has been promoted seven times and works as Production Manager overseeing the production of some of our Nation's most important documents, including the President's Budget, The Congressional Record, The Federal Register, The Code of Federal Regulations and legislative bills, hearings and reports. Throughout his years of service, Crawford has worked on secure projects, including the implementation of the electronic passport, and contributed to the agency's transition into the digital age.  

"I feel like I am contributing to the agency and when I can no longer contribute then I will retire," said Production Manager John Crawford. "I am open to change to make things better. I continue to train to be on top of technology and up-to-date with new processes because I think they are efficient and cost effective. GPO employees are the best people to work with and the agency is the best place to work in the Government."  

One of his first jobs in the late 1960s was producing secure test forms for the U.S. Air Force.  Crawford was promoted to his first management position in 1972 and was responsible for coordinating and overseeing the production of President Nixon's inaugural materials. In the 1980s, Crawford led the team to automate the passport binding process, which was previously done by hand. As technology has advanced and GPO's workforce has decreased, Crawford has worked with GPO management to combine and reorganize plant departments to maintain efficiency and to continue to meet the needs of Congress, Federal agencies, and the public.  Prior to being named Production Manager in 2007, Crawford was Superintendent of the Binding Division for 14 years.  John is one of three generations of Crawfords to work at GPO. Crawford's grandfather worked at GPO in the early 1900s and his son Nick currently works at GPO as a graphic designer.  

"On behalf of GPO, I want to congratulate and thank John for his 45 years of service," said Public Printer Bill Boarman. "John's leadership and knowledge are crucial to the successful day-to-day and future operations of GPO. John is an asset to the agency and I look forward to continuing to work with him for years to come."

06/07/11

INTERNATIONAL PAPER TO ACQUIRE TEMPLE-INLAND

Press release from the issuing company

International Paper today announced that it has proposed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Temple-Inland for $30.60 per share in cash. Under the terms of the proposal, the offer represents a 44% premium to Temple-Inland's price as of noon EDT, June 6th, 2011($21.21). International Paper's offer, which is backed by committed financing from UBS Investment Bank, is contingent on appropriate documentation and regulatory approval, which International Paper believes can be obtained.  

International Paper first communicated its proposal verbally to the chairman of Temple-Inland on May 17th, 2011. Subsequently, there has been a call, a face-to-face meeting between the two sides and two letters of correspondence from the chairman of International Paper to the chairman of Temple-Inland. International Paper was informed in a letter from Temple-Inland's chairman dated June 4, 2011 that the Board of Temple-Inland has unanimously rejected International Paper's proposal. In response, International Paper today sent a letter to Temple-Inland expressing its continued interest in pursuing an acquisition (the full text of that letter is below).  

International Paper chairman and CEO John Faraci said, "We are very disappointed with the response of Temple-Inland's Board of Directors. We believe that our proposal offers clearly superior and compelling value to Temple-Inland's shareholders. Our proposal reflects the future business plans and economic outlook for Temple-Inland and for the sector, and incorporates a significant portion of the cost savings resulting from the merger of International Paper and Temple-Inland, while at the same time creating value for International Paper shareholders."  

The offer reflects the potential cyclical improvement in Temple-Inland's building products segment and International Paper's willingness to share a portion of the significant synergies available from the transaction with Temple-Inland shareholders. International Paper is prepared to consider all alternatives to successfully complete this transaction. Investor Webcast  

The company will hold a webcast at 5:00 p.m. EDT/4:00 p.m. CDT today. All interested parties are invited to listen to the call live via the company's Internet site at http://www.internationalpaper.com by clicking on the Investors tab and going to the Presentations page. A replay of the webcast will also be available beginning approximately two hours after the call. Parties who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (706) 679-8242 or, within the U.S. only, (877) 316-2541 and ask to be connected to the International Paper Investor Call. The conference ID number is 73833494. Participants should call in no later than 4:45 p.m. EDT/3:45 p.m. CDT. An audio-only replay will be available for four weeks following the call. To access the replay, dial +1 (706) 645-9291 or, within the U.S. only, (800) 642-1687, and when prompted for the conference ID, enter 73833494.  

International Paper is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the Company's North American distribution company. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee the company employs about 59,500 people in more than 24 countries and serves customers worldwide. 2010 net sales were more than $25 billion. For more information about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit internationalpaper.com.

06/07/11

AVANTI COMPUTER SYSTEMS LIMITED COMPLETES 19TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Press release from the issuing company

Avanti Computer Systems Limited, a leading provider of Print MIS and Web-to-Print solutions, completed its 19th annual user's conference in Washington, DC earlier this month with a great mix of both In-Plant and Commercial print providers. The conference provides Avanti customers a unique opportunity to network with peers and swap ideas that they can execute on as soon as they get back to their shops.

The three day conference, sponsored by Xerox, HP, Gimbel and Associates and Pageflex, was kicked off with a keynote address by Patrick Bolan, Avanti's President and CEO. Mr. Bolan focused on the company's 2011 strategy and vision. "Printers are re-defining themselves and their business management software has to change to help them do so." Automation, integration and cloud computing were dominant themes of Mr. Bolan's presentation.

Other conference highlights included presentations from Sappi, Print Art and PIA and break-out sessions focusing on hot print industry topics geared towards management, operations and executive level attendees.

Daniel Dejan, North American Print and Creative Manager at Sappi gave an inspirational presentation on the changing role of print in today's market, while Frank Nardi, VP of Operations at New Jersey-based Print Art, talked passionately about how the company was able to completely transform itself by challenging the status quo, developing a personality and fun and energetic culture that is attractive to both customers and employees.

"Frank's presentation really resonated as our company has experienced this need for change as well as many others I'm sure. A lot of print provider's are stuck in the ways of the past and believe that what worked 10 years ago can still work today," says Kevin Lanuke, President and CEO of Blitzprint. "Frank demonstrates the importance for companies to step out of their comfort zone," adds Lanuke.

One of the benefits of having the conference in Washington was the opportunity to see Avanti's software "in action". A very busy agenda of presentations and roundtable discussions was augmented with onsite tours of shops running Avanti. Delegates were able to spend time at two of the US Senate's shops (the digital operation as well as the litho/mail facility) as well as Alexandria-based Global Printing, where Mark Smith, VP of Sales and Josh Hirschorn, VP of Operations, talked the entire group through how Avanti helps them manage all facets of their business: Web design, Marketing Services, Printing and Fulfillment.

"It was exciting to see in all three shops how deeply integrated Avanti is into their workflow. As a first time conference attendee and new user of Avanti, we are taking lots of great ideas back with us that I know we can act on immediately," says Terry Sutter, Vice President and COO of Runbeck Election Services.

According to Karen Meyers, Business Manager at Michigan Farm Bureau's Printing Services Department, "It really is that one time per year to catch up with old friends and to make new friends with users that attend the Avanti Conference who we communicate with and rely on as resources throughout the year." The three day agenda left lots of room for networking and also some team building. Delegates formed teams to compete in a challenging scavenger hunt at Washington's Spy Museum and many ambitious individuals hit the Washington streets for an evening bike tour of the monuments.

The planning has already begun for the 2012 event with the Executive User Committee now looking at the finalist cities.

06/06/11

100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ROLAND

Press release from the issuing company

In the economic history of Offenbach, it occupies a prominent position. 2011 marks the hundredth year since the first ROLAND model press left the factory.

Along the complex path from lithography to high-tech offset, modern printing technology has widely removed itself from the early work of Senefelder. It has also come a long way since the first ROLAND in 1911. Nonetheless, its name lives on, on literally every continent, in the printing companies that use presses from Offenbach for their work. One hundred years have passed since the first ROLAND model left the manufacturer.

It's name would later be adopted by the entire company. The Offenbach factory in question had already been in existence for around 40 years. The Franco-Prussian War forced the engineers Louis Faber and Adolf Schleicher to leave Paris in 1870. In the following year, they established their Association for Production of Automatic Lithographic Presses. Though they established the company in Frankfurt, Faber and Schleicher broke ground in Offenbach, where they were soon doing business on an international scale. Their first export model was the Albatros, which was sent in 1875 to the Russian capital of St. Petersburg. In 1911, as the first ROLAND entered the market and immediately won a gold medal at the Turin World's Fair, the founders officially established their company as Faber & Schleicher AG.

In 1957, the successful model made its way into the company name, which was now Roland Offsetmaschinenfabrik Faber & Schleicher AG. Faber had died in 1896; Schleicher in 1910. In 1979, it was decided that their names, too, should be put to rest in the company archives. Another name change followed the amalgamation of the Offenbach company with the printing press unit of the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nuremberg (MAN) in Augsburg, a major long-term shareholder. The company thus became MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG. And it stayed that way until 2008. That was the year that brought us manroland.

Today, the romantic names of the ROLAND's predecessor models Albatros, Faust, Gretel, Odin or Delfin are reserved for specialist literature. Those models were still lithographic presses and still quite similar to the technology developed by the inventor Alois Senefelder at the turn of the 19th century in Offenbach for the André music publishing company. Faber and Schleicher were not alone in their constant expansion and advancement of this area with new technologies and designs; they and their successors were, however, always at the cutting edge of development. Their presses ultimately conquered the world market. The names of many successful new products that were developed along the way still pay tribute to the ROLAND model.

On its hundredth birthday in 1971, the company's celebrations focused less on itself and more on its origins with a tribute to the 200th birthday of lithography inventor Alois Senefelder. manroland marked the occasion by founding the International Senefelder Foundation. The foundation regularly presents the International Senefelder Award in order to honor extraordinary achievements in the field of artistic lithography and its further development in flat-bed printing.

06/06/11

PBI LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Press release from the issuing company

In a year filled with milestones for Print Buyers International (PBI), the organization has added another landmark achievement to its growing list: the complete makeover and re-launch of the PBI web site.

Located at www.printbuyersinternational.com, the new site picks up where the former Boston Print Buyers (BPB) web site left off with exciting, new content, expanded capabilities, and an inviting new look and feel. It contains a wealth of valuable information for professionals who purchase, design for, or market with print and other media – as well as the businesses that serve them. And that's just the beginning of the story.

In addition, the new site centralizes all of PBI's events and services in one place, so visitors can easily explore upcoming PBI Conferences and Boot Camps; peruse current and archived copies of PBI founder Margie Dana's weekly e-newsletter, Margie's Print Tips; check in on much-followed weekly polls and the popular Print Buyer Glossary; and access social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

PBI's annual conference always had a separate web site. The new site will incorporate the upcoming 6th Annual Print & Media Conference. Details and registration will be posted this month.

Designed and developed by Grow Socially, the well-known marketing and social media consulting firm, the new site is the next step in PBI's evolution from a local organization serving Boston-area print buyers to an international powerhouse at the center of a new communications era.

"The new site reflects our corporate personality," explained Margie Dana. "It has grown increasingly clear over time that the issues of print buying professionals were universal, and that we could be a resource for buyers and printers the world over. It is our hope that our site's new vision and functionality will make it the go-to place on the web for people who work with print and e-media and who want to stay relevant and informed about the changes affecting their futures and their careers."

06/06/11

EDWARDS BROTHERS FORMS PARTNERSHIP CALLED GPS

Press release from the issuing company

Edwards Brothers, Inc. announced the formation of a print partnership with market leaders in digital print technology to provide publishers with a one-stop print solution for printing around the globe. The partnership is designed to meet the need for a global manufacturing network and is being called gps Global Print SolutionsSM. Partners include Edwards Brothers, covering North and South America; CPI, covering Europe and Africa; Markono Print Media, covering Asia; and Griffin Press, covering Australia.

"It's a powerful concept," said John Edwards, President and CEO of Edwards Brothers. "There's one order, one invoice, and one file available globally for local production. So publishers anywhere in the world can work with their local partner and get the same guaranteed service, no matter the final destination of the book. With gps Global Print SolutionsSM, publishers will be able to intelligently and easily manage the global distribution of any title."

Publishers will work with their current local supplier, who will serve as the sales and service contact for the partnership. Orders will be passed to the closest partner for production and distribution. Publishers get one invoice from their local vendor, eliminating time-consuming purchasing processes with unknown overseas vendors.

"gps Global Print SolutionsSM is a natural extension of EB's Life of Title philosophy, which helps publishers maximize revenues and profits for any title from cradle to grave," said John Edwards. "EB's goal has always been to help publishers print the right quantity at the right time on the right press closest to final destination. The alliance helps to extend our reach beyond North America and serve customers who need to get product overseas without breaking the bank on shipping costs. It's a smart solution for us and for our customers."

The move is part of Edwards Brothers' continuing push into the short-run offset, digital, and print-on-demand book and journal manufacturing segment. Edwards Brothers opened its first digital book center in 1997 and currently runs nine digital print operations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

06/06/11

MORRISONS PARTNERS WITH XEROX

Press release from the issuing company

U.K. grocery retailer, Morrisons, is working with Xerox to better use print and marketing resources to make it easier for shoppers to get information on the best in-store deals.

Under a new, six-year agreement, Xerox will manage the sourcing, production and logistics of all in-store marketing communications, promotional material and shopper magazines. Using an on-line integrated workflow process, Xerox will connect Morrisons with its marketing agencies and supply-chain partners in real-time, providing key data to inform decision-making and improve processes.

Xerox will also deploy its Enterprise Print Services (EPS) offering to help Morrisons better manage documents across its entire print infrastructure, from the office to the in-house print centre.

"Morrisons succeeds by exceeding our shoppers' expectations. Our customers trust us to deliver consistently high quality food at reliably low prices; we trust Xerox to do the same in terms of our marketing print needs," said Richard Lancaster, marketing director, Morrisons. "Xerox is an expert partner who we rely on to execute our campaigns, freeing us to focus on our business: bringing fresh food and great service to our customers."

"Xerox is helping Morrisons meet the fast-paced, dynamic demands of marketing to more than 11 million shoppers, across 430 stores, every week," said Shaun Pantling, director and general manager, Global Document Outsourcing, Xerox Europe. "We're using our expertise in managed print and communications marketing to deliver campaigns – from concept to in-store execution – while Morrisons staff stay focused on business and customer service."

Xerox was recently named a market leader in managed print services in Quocirca's European Vendor "MPS Comes of Age" report, 2010. Xerox was also positioned by Gartner, Inc., in the Leaders Quadrant in the 2010 Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services Worldwide[1] and the company was recognized as a leader in IDC's Worldwide and U.S. Outsourced Print and Document Services Forecast and Analysis2 and in IDC's 2010 MPS MarketScape report3.

06/06/11

UNIVERSAL AQUIRES WILDE SOLUTIONS GROUP

Press release from the issuing company

Universal, New England’s largest independent graphic marketing communications provider, has completed the acquisition of the Wilde Solutions Group and Wilde Agency (collectively, “Wilde”). Wilde combines best of breed personalized direct marketing capabilities with behavioral science methodology to design and execute its client’s marketing programs for attracting customers, building loyalty, improving retention and increasing lifetime value.

“The Wilde acquisition realizes our customer-centric vision of “Thought to Distribution” said Bill Fitzgerald, President & CEO of Universal. “By providing customers with dynamic tools, solutions and strategies to effectively engage with their target audience, we can reduce time to market, lower the total cost of ownership and improve their overall marketing return on investment.”

With the addition of Wilde, Universal is now able to offer their customers additional direct marketing services including an award-winning direct and digital agency, advanced variable data print, proprietary delivery technologies, state-of-the-art mail services and comprehensive fulfillment operations. These services complement Universal’s high quality commercial print and promotional products arm to provide a complete spectrum of direct response solutions to our customers.

“I am particularly pleased about how this partnership will present more opportunities and advantages to Wilde customers and employees” said Tom Wilde. “Significant investments in process, people and technology have been made to provide solutions that address customers’ needs in today’s competitive marketplace. The benefits of these investments will become even more apparent by joining forces with Universal to bring scale and seamless comprehensive marketing services to the marketplace.”

Wilde will continue to operate as an autonomous business unit out of Holliston, MAwith access to the resources and support of its parent company, Universal.

John Sisson, formerly Universal’s Chief Technology Officer, will serve as President ofWilde, reporting to Bill Fitzgerald.

06/03/11

SAPPI FINE PAPER ANNOUNCES AWARD RECIPIENTS

Press release from the issuing company

Today, Sappi Fine Paper North America announced the recipients of its 14th North American Printers of the Year Silver and Bronze awards for 2010-2011. The silver and bronze award recipients in each category were culled from a field of more than 2,100 entries.

Sappi's Printers of the Year awards competition recognizes print excellence and innovation produced on Sappi papers within the following categories: Annual Reports, Books, Brochures, Calendars, Catalogs, Digital, General Print, Magazines (sheetfed & web) and Printer's Own Promotions. All entries were judged by a panel of highly regarded print professionals on the overall impact of the piece, degree of difficulty in the printing techniques used, and technical excellence.

"We are pleased to recognize the printing excellence demonstrated by our Silver, Judges Award and Bronze award recipients. We consider the Printers of the Year award winners to be our true partners as we work to elevate print's relevancy in our world today," said Jennifer Miller, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Sappi Fine Paper North America.

The silver award recipients are now in the running to win a gold award and up to $20,000 to support their marketing initiatives, as well as a chance to compete in the International Printers of the Year Award in 2012; the gold winners will be announced on June 7th.

Award recipients are listed on Sappi's web site at www.sappi.com/na/poy. Winners will also receive a framed award as well as the use of the official Printers of the Year logo. For information about Sappi's coated fine papers in North America, visit www.sappi.com/na.

06/03/11

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2011 THEME ANNOUNCED

Press release from the issuing company

World Environment Day is a global event that seeks to promote positive environmental action. As 2011 was declared the International Year of Forests, the theme "Forests: Nature at Your Service" was chosen to encourage forest conservation and the sustainable management of forest resources that permits environmentally friendly growth.    

Forests provide invaluable ecological, economic, social and health benefits as well as playing a key role in the battle against climate change. Mindful of this, Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, carries out numerous actions involving forest conservation and their environmental promotion. Forest restoration is a pillar of this social and environmental commitment. Since 2004, Torraspapel has continuously promoted, in collaboration with the NGO AccióNatura, reforestation programs and volunteer days in which customers, employees and their families have all participated, resulting in the planting of more than 20,500 trees on the Iberian Peninsula and in Brazil. Torraspapel also participates in the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) "Plant for the Planet" by including its reforestation projects in the campaign and as the paper of choice for the campaign's print communications in Spain.     

We all must take responsibility for promoting the use of environmentally friendly products. In this sense, Torraspapel guarantees the responsible origin of the wood sourced in manufacturing its products and can verify that this wood comes solely from legal and non-controversial sources, all of which are either certified or controlled. Proof of this is the PEFC and FSC multi-site chain-of-custody certifications held for all of its production.

Support for World Environmental Day falls within the framework of Torraspapel's commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability as reflected in its mission and corporate values. To learn more about its activities as a socially responsible company, please visit the Sustainability section on the website www.torraspapel.com.

06/03/11

CHARLESTON POST & COURIER OF SOUTH CAROLINA IMPLEMENTS GOSS ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

The Charleston Post and Courier of South Carolina, USA, has experienced significant performance improvement since implementing a Goss enhancement program. The program has involved upgrading the reelstands of two Goss Metroliner presses comprising 10 units and seven half-decks.  

"We judged that, with a few efficiency improvements, our Metroliner presses have at least another 10 years of good service in them," says Mickey Bella, president of the newspaper's shared service division. "We were looking for improved paste performance and better overall tension control and we got precisely that." According to Bella, with the presses regularly running at 92 – 96 percent capacity and only a few non-production hours each day, the company has also greatly benefitted from a sharp reduction in maintenance time.

The Goss RTP Upgrade program for double-width CT45/50 reelstands is a package of hardware and software enhancements designed to extend the competitive lifespan of installed newspaper presses through enhanced reelstand performance. New features introduced through the upgrade include an integrated controls system, supported by the latest generation of digital drives, encoders, valves and sensors. Together, these components provide finer control and improved repeatability via a user-friendly interface.

"Older reelstands can be subject to a range of issues after long-term, extensive use, including reduced control of web tension, instability of dancer roller, complex maintenance, and the difficulty of replacing aging or obsolete components," says Tom Bernth, senior aftermarket product manager for Goss International. "The integration of this latest component technology, combined with our knowledge and experience, results in improved registration, reduced paper waste and reduced maintenance during pastes and center half-roll applications."  

According to Bernth, the Goss RTP Upgrade amounts to a low-risk opportunity to get an immediate boost in production capabilities and efficiency from an existing press that might otherwise experience a gradual decline in overall competitiveness.

The Goss RTP upgrade program also offers a wide range of optional extras including remote diagnostic support, replacement drive motors, automatic edge alignment, and mechanical refurbishment packages tailored to match the generation and condition of individual reelstands.  

According to Mickey Bella, from very first start-up after the initial upgrade installation at The Charleston Post and Courier, the paper has seen a significant improvement in successful splice rates. "In fact, it was weeks before we missed a paste," he adds. "The improvement in web tension has also greatly helped in keeping the color register tight, which is an important benefit to us as we're running back-to-back color every day."

The 208-year-old company prints a number of in-house titles, including up to 91,000 copies daily of its flagship title The Post and Courier as well as a number of weeklies and contract publications and a healthy volume of work for commercial customers.

06/03/11

SCHAWK RELOCATES SHANGHAI OFFICE

Press release from the issuing company

Schawk, Inc., a leading provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, has relocated its Shanghai office to accommodate its growing presence in China.

Forest Li, managing director of Schawk China, said, "With increasing business opportunities in the Chinese market, we are expanding our talent at Anthem Worldwide, Schawk's strategic design division. At the same time, we are bringing Anthem under the same roof as Schawk to offer our clients an integrated brand development and brand deployment experience."

"We are excited about being able to serve our clients from our new office in Shanghai," said Brad Wills, executive vice president of international operations, for Schawk in Asia and Europe. Added Wills, "With a growing employee base in Greater China, we required space that allowed us to design a work environment that would enable us to maximize efficiencies between the stages of concept design and concept turnover."

The new office integrates Anthem's strategy and design services with Schawk's artwork adaptation, premedia (production, colour management), workflow technology and TSR supply chain services (print vendor management), allowing clients to engage seamlessly with brand creators, brand designers and brand deployers to bring new products to market quickly and accurately while creating compelling and consistent brand experiences.

Schawk established operations in Shanghai in 1996, making it the first wholly-owned international company to enter the China market. Since then, Schawk has expanded its presence in China by opening an office in Shenzhen that includes a photography studio designed to accommodate high volume image requirements and deadlines.

The new address for the Schawk and Anthem Worldwide office is: 2nd Floor, General Building South, No. 3079 Shen Jiang Road, JinQiao Export Process Area, Pudong, Shanghai, 201206, P.R.C. The main telephone number is (8621) 5854-5475.

06/03/11

PITNEY BOWES TO HOST 10TH ANNUAL GLOBAL DOCUMENT MESSAGING TECH SUMMIT

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Inc. will host its tenth annual Global Document Messaging Technologies Customer Summit on June 6 – 8, 2011, in Danbury, Connecticut. The event will bring together top industry leaders for insightful sessions and innovative solutions tours that can help mailers and marketers transform their customer communications and grow their businesses. Pitney Bowes will also announce the winners of its Brilliant Communications Awards, which honor leading print and mail organizations that are finding new ways to streamline workflow, ensure accuracy, and market precisely to obtain the greatest value from their customer communications.

Ramesh Ratan, president, Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies will deliver the keynote address at the summit. "We will celebrate our customers' successes, share innovative solutions, and take a strategic look forward at how customer communications are evolving, changing and growing," said Ratan. "We look forward to meeting with our customers to exchange ideas for solving today's business challenges and creating more effective connections with their customers."

This year, more than twenty-five of the Company's latest innovations will be on display in the Danbury Global Technology Center. Guests will participate in solution tours and engage one-on-one with experts to explore a wide range of Pitney Bowes solutions including:

A next generation mail finishing platform that redefines high performance;
New mail finishing innovations that extend automation capabilities beyond traditional concepts;
White Paper Factory building blocks that are right-sized for every print and mail organization;
A new Web-based platform for the U.S. market that can help generate revenue by selling available space on transactional documents to third party advertisers;
Volly Digital Mail Delivery Service for U.S. mailers;
Techniques to leverage QR Codes as an integrated part of your customer communications; and
Innovations that help maintain consistently high mail sorting throughput and new blended strategies for optimizing postage cost.

Attendees will see Pitney Bowes's growing family of IntelliJet Production Printing Systems in action at the Customer Innovation Center in Shelton, Connecticut. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about Pitney Bowes Production Intelligence Output Management and ADF software.

In addition, joining the event this year will be more than thirty industry-leading organizations that will showcase solutions for material handling, vision systems and document finishing.

A unique marketing track for marketing and business leaders will reveal innovative ways to acquire the right customers and strengthen relationships. Discussion will also include techniques that work across the customer lifecycle to help build longer, more profitable relationships, and innovative communications solutions to onboard and serve customers.

Participants will be able to network with peers and also hear directly from print, mail and marketing industry leaders in customer panel discussions on topics including:

Market trends affecting your business;
Key drivers to best-in-class print quality in high-volume inkjet printing systems;
Innovating for success in a tight economy;
Practical and effective solutions that can impact the bottom line; and
Leveraging postal regulations for business success.

The summit is ideal for any business that relies on customer communications for transactions and growth, including financial services, banks, insurance providers, utilities and government. For additional information and to register online, please visit www.pb.com/customersummit

06/02/11

MPS GLOBAL CONFERENCE 2011 A SUCCESS

Press release from the issuing company

The 2011 Global MPS Conference was the largest event to date for the MPS industry, with over 300 attendees from 17 countries. “This was the most successful MPS Conference so far, and we are grateful for the support of the industry, particularly the event’s Platinum Sponsors, HP and Ricoh. With their commitment, we were able to work together to create an event that benefits the entire MPS industry,” said Photizo CEO, Ed Crowley.

The 318 conference attendees were split among resellers and dealers, OEMs, software vendors and end users. The majority traveled from North America, but many other regions were represented, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East, India, Africa and Central America.

Hosted by Photizo Group, the Global MPS Conference is the latest in a series of international events dedicated to MPS education and growth. Archived Webcasts of selected conference sessions are available at http://www.photizogroup.com/conference/webcasts/on-demand.

Feedback Reflects Wide Ranging Value of MPS Educational Event The perceptions and value of the conference are best communicated through the comments of the attendees:

“The value of the MPS conference is in the ability to share best practices, problems and solutions with like companies.” Jonathan Ceaser, Vice President of Sales, Principal, PrinterWorks West Inc.

“We gained insights into the world of MPS that would have been impossible to gain through other means.” Kent Dunn, Vice President of Sales and Business Development GreenPrint Technologies.

“The Global MPS Conference had a nice balance of reviewing industry trends as well as gathering new information and ideas from all over the globe.” Jason Peterman, Sales Manager, MY Business Technologies

“I found the Managed Print Services Conference to be invaluable and an outstanding opportunity for education, vendor and partner networking, and creating new relationships; which facilitates my company's advancement within the MPS capability maturity model.” Jim Ryave, Business Development Manager, ISS Solutions

“The only conference that includes all participants in the industry and where, no matter how advanced you are in MPS, you'll always take away new ideas and innovative concepts.” Justin West, IT Engineer, Nationwide Insurance and Vice President, MPSA

06/02/11

GMC LAUNCHES NEW ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

Press release from the issuing company

GMC Software Technology, the standard in customer communications, today launched their new e-learning and online training courses that have been integrated within GMC's customer social networking portal.

Tweet this: GMC Software Technology Expands Customer Social Network: http://bit.ly/in4hln

"GMC's new e-learning and online training courses are quick, easy and cost-effective training solutions that can be taken anytime and at the user's own pace", said Jana Volencová, Head of Education Centre, GMC Software Technology. "Users can return to the course as many times as they need, while taking advantage of recorded commentaries, videos, simulations and real-world examples."

Launched in December of 2010, the company's customer social networking portal has become an online destination for GMC's growing customer base, which numbers in the thousands in 43 countries around the world. The new expansion adds more than 100 hours of certified courses that provide modular training for GMC's end-to-end Customer Communications Management (CCM) platform.

Customers can register for GMC Software Technology's new e-learning courses at http://community.gmc.net or by contacting their local GMC office. New online courses will be added on a monthly basis and pricing is based on an annual subscription basis that includes multi-user discounts. In addition, traditional classroom training is also available that can be tailored for specific needs.

06/02/11

MINI-PLOW OFFERS MANY NEW POSSIBILITIES

Press release from the issuing company

Over 50 years ago, a bent Allen key revolutionized people's attitude towards buying furniture. In 1963, a mouse sped up the development of computers. And they still pop up today, these ingenious little ideas that make possible what before seemed unimaginable. In newspaper production, the mini-plow certainly belongs among them.

"With the idea and the approach, the mini-plow has everything an invention needs to be successful. It is easy to operate, inexpensive to implement in production, requires little space, is universal in application, and offers many possibilities," says Andreas Ullmann from Presse-Druck Augsburg, Germany.

From a technical standpoint, the patented mini-plow folds the edge of the paper web a maximum width of 80 millimeters. From a marketing point of view, this sounds very different. For Media Markt, the consumer electronics store chain, "the striking special form of advertising was ideal for the giant re-opening of the company's store in Augsburg-Göggingen following renovations". Words of praise that Ulrich Hartmann, Managing Director of that store, especially directs at his media partner, the Augsburger Allgemeine. Thanks to the longstanding cooperation, Media Markt has time and again achieved maximum attention with new possibilities (most recently even in 3D) regarding quality and creativity in ads and supplements.

At Presse-Druck, the mini-plow supplements the other special forms of advertising perfectly. In the last two years, the company has developed many creative promotional products such as nano booklets and nano-fold posters, and now the mini-plow fold opens up completely new design possibilities.

It is not difficult to expand the product range of an existing manroland press with the inexpensive mini-plow. The solely mechanical fold construction does not need a software link and can be fitted wherever there is a Bay Window possibility. Besides that, the mini-plow features intuitive operation, is sturdy, and designed to work with COLORMAN press speeds. Service for the mini-plow is of the usual high standard. To expand the production possibilities of existing presslines, manroland offers an upgrade that on request includes project planning, installation, commissioning and production monitoring.

06/02/11

KODAK ANNOUNCES NEW KODAK TRACELESS SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

Kodak's Security Solutions group announces the availability of the KODAK TRACELESS Anywhere System for Anticounterfeiting, designed to help brand owners, companies and law enforcement agencies combat counterfeiting and product diversion. The TRACELESS Anywhere System combines robust, proprietary marker material with a discreet, handheld, field deployable reader. This combination enables users to effectively detect illegally marketed products and merchandise.

Kodak will demonstrate the TRACELESS Anywhere System during the IQPC Anti-Counterfeiting for Pharma & Medical Devices Conference, June 1-2 at The Chemical Heritage Foundation Conference Center in Philadelphia.

"The complex nature of counterfeiting and product diversion poses many challenges for brand owners and law enforcement officials," said Dr. Myra T. Olm, Director, Brand Protection Research and Product Development, Security Solutions, Kodak's Business Solutions and Services Group. "At Kodak, we're constantly assessing this landscape and discovering new ways to leverage our imaging and materials science capabilities to protect consumers by enabling companies to stay ahead of counterfeiters."

The TRACELESS Anywhere System offers ease of implementation into companies' existing manufacturing or printing processes to minimize impact on product and packaging processes. The proprietary marker material can be implemented on a wide range of material types including plastics, foils, corrugated and flexible packaging, labels and documents. A variety of application types can be used, including flexographic, offset, gravure, screen, pad and thermal transfer print methods.

The system's pocket reader enables companies to deploy a discrete field authentication strategy. The easy to transport, battery-operated reader displays color coded LEDs to indicate the presence of different types of marker formulations. Companies and brand owners work with Kodak to customize programming for specific tracking purposes. This adaptable function also allows companies to regionalize and localize their brand protection strategies.

For companies seeking to safeguard products along the entire supply chain, the TRACELESS Anywhere System can be integrated with other overt and covert offerings from the KODAK Security Solutions portfolio to build a multi-layered brand protection model.

"Our most recent developments will help companies establish stronger countermeasures against counterfeiting from point of production to product distribution," said Roberto D. Colangelo, General Manager, Worldwide Services, Vice President, Kodak's Business Solutions and Services Group. "Kodak's broad experience in deploying and implementing services in a variety of environments enables us to maximize security while maintaining costs and existing processes."

KODAK Security Solutions bring together the resources of Kodak's vast intellectual property portfolio, along with expertise in material science, digital imaging, document imaging, and graphic communications to create a broad portfolio of products and technologies that protect against counterfeiting.

Information on Security Solutions is available at http://www.kodak.com/go/brandprotection.

Kodak is a global advisor and provider of integrated services to help companies transform and optimize their businesses. Through a network of service professionals in 120+ countries, Kodak provides technical, professional, consulting and managed services to enable customers to focus on growing their businesses, maximize productivity, and more effectively manage risks. All Kodak products and software are backed by KODAK Service & Support. To learn more, visit http://graphics.kodak.com.

06/02/11

BILKLEY DUNTON AND STRATEGIC PAPER GROUP TO CONSOLIDATE

Press release from the issuing company

Bulkley Dunton and Strategic Paper Group -- xpedx's publishing businesses -- have announced they will consolidate under the Bulkley Dunton brand. The consolidation supports xpedx's strategy to align its resources for the benefit of its customers, suppliers and employees.  

George Doehner, president, Bulkley Dunton, and Donald Heller, president, Strategic Paper Group, and now senior executive vice president, Bulkley Dunton, will lead the organization managing their respective sales teams as they have up to this point.  

In a joint statement, Doehner and Heller said, "We have a deep commitment to our customers, suppliers and the publishing industry. We are focused on being the supplier of choice to our customers and distributor of choice to our suppliers. Our clients will enjoy improved access to the best manufacturers and will benefit from the opportunities we will gain from increased volume."

"Our Bulkley Dunton and Strategic Paper Groups brands have unique strengths and provide specific expertise to the marketplace," added Doehner and Heller. "We believe that integrating our collective value to customers will benefit all stakeholders."

Today, Bulkley Dunton and Strategic Paper Group have separate business headquarters, located across the street from each other in the Penn Plaza area in New York City. Soon these offices will begin merging into Bulkley Dunton's headquarters at 250 W. 34th Street, Suite 2814, New York, N.Y.

06/01/11

OFFSET BEYOND HOLDS SHOWCASE

Press release from the issuing company

Offset & Beyond, presented by WOA and Printing Industries of America, showcased the best the offset industry had to offer--strategies, solutions, and tactics--presented by industry leaders and experts, discussing the current environment of the market as well as a look at what the future holds in the dynamic world of traditional and integrated print.

"Don't obsess about the things you can't control, but concentrate on what you can control," said keynote speaker Michael Graff, president and CEO, Sandy Alexander Inc. Graff stated that printers must be more than order takers and manufacturers of custom products. He said you must position your company to be an integrated manufacturer and problem solver.

Robert Murphy, founder and chairman, Japs-Olson Company, was honored as the recipient of the 2011 Harry V. Quadracci VISION Award. Murphy is chairman of Japs-Olson Company, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The VISION Award is conferred to a web offset printing industry executive who has reached an unsurpassed level of excellence and achievement in the industry.

Keynote Jim Sampey, chief operating officer, Cox Target Media/Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc., stated, "We are proud to be a printer, but we are also taking print into the digital age." He described how Valpak built one of the most advanced and automated manufacturing centers in the world--a hub of technology where automation and robotics are at the core of the operation. Sampey's stressed the importance of knowing your customers, using your core attributes for expansion, and moving beyond price to value for your customers.

John Gaspari, vice president, Operations, Specialty Print Communications (SPC), was named the 2011 H. Howard Flint II, Pressroom Manager of the Year. Gaspari's leadership and determination have vastly expanded SPC's capabilities through the management of millions of dollars in capital investment in new equipment and technology. In thanking Flint for the award, Gaspari announced Western Michigan University as his choice to receive a $2,000 scholarship for their print program.

Offset & Beyond wrapped with a final general session Tuesday afternoon with Jamie Olson, senior director, brand management, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, and Hilary Strauss Hahn, managing director, global marketing, xpedx, with a look at the corporate buyer's perspective on how to survive and grow in today's multi-channel world.

Hahn discussed the explosion of data and multi-media, stressing that it is vital to understand a customer's language and their multi-channel choices without forgetting that print means trust and reliability to customers. Olsen stated direct mail is making a comeback, noting that while 80% of emails are deleted without being opened, 81% of households open and read the direct mail they receive. She also noted, "You cannot unsubscribe from the USPS." Both speakers wrapped with "long live print."

06/01/11

XLX OPENS NEW EUROPEAN OFFICES

Press release from the issuing company

To accommodate a growing demand from global clients, Xerox Litigation Services (XLS) has opened its first two European offices in London andTelford, England.  

XLS is one of the world's largest providers of electronic discovery and consulting services, helping lawyers reduce risk and control costs in complex e-discovery matters.  XLS is providing processing, hosting, review management, production and support services in theU.K.TheTelfordlocation has two data centers hosting nearly 200 virtual servers with hundreds of terabytes of storage capacity. The client services team operates out of theLondonoffice providing year-round service around the clock.     

"Our clients in theU.S.urged us to provide our full range of services in theU.K." said Randall Burrows, vice president and general manager of XLS. "We are now better positioned to further support our existing clients as well as introduce our technology and services to new prospects in the rapidly growing European e-discovery market."  

XLS will offer the full scope of its services including the OmniXTM review platform, and CategoriX, its automated document classification (ADC) solution. In addition, XLS' team of consultants provides litigation readiness and e-discovery best practice services which are increasingly important with the introduction of Practice Direction 31B, a regulation that encourages a consensual approach to the disclosure of electronic documents that is both proportionate and cost-effective.  

Voted 'Best eDiscovery Provider' in 2010 by the New York Law Journal – Xerox Litigation Services is one of the world's largest providers of electronic discovery and litigation support services.  With more than 2 billion pages of hosted data, 20,000 client users and 250 employees, XLS is the trusted partner of leading corporations and their law firms, streamlining the e-discovery process from collection through production.  Xerox Litigation Services' industry leading OmniX review platform and CategoriX technology enable Xerox to efficiently and effectively manage the most complex, voluminous discovery projects from beginning to end.

06/01/11

AFL WEB PRINTING SELECTS NEW VP

Press release from the issuing company

AFL Web Printing announced today that it has promoted Robert P. Walters to Vice President, effective immediately.

Walters has spent nearly 30 years in the newspaper and commercial printing business at several locations throughout the country. Walters joined AFL in 2008 and has served as the Vice President of Sales and Business Development Manager.

"Bob brings to the table a diverse sales and printing background. He is a proven leader who is dedicated to our customers," said Antoinette Francheschini, AFL President and CEO. "In Bob's new role he will be focused on growing our company by expanding services and acquisitions."

Prior to joining AFL, Walters was the Vice President of Operations at The Journal News, a Gannett newspaper, in White Plains, NY. Over his career, Walters has held management positions in sales, manufacturing, and information technology.

06/01/11

MIKE HUEY TO SPEAK AT APR FLEXO PRODUCTIVITY OPEN HOUSE 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Global anilox supplier Harper Corporation is proud to announce that Mike Huey, Technical Graphics Manager of the Western Division, will be speaking at the 2011 APR Flexo Productivity Open House.

An event slated to present the most advanced pressroom techniques and technologies utilized by industry leaders, including the new Gallus ECS 340 "Rock Press," the Open House will bring together flexographic professionals and allow them to open conversation about the direction in which the industry is headed and the newest innovations that are moving it forward.

Huey will be contributing a presentation entitled "Standardizing your Anilox Inventory for Consistent Profitability." His discussion will take place on Wednesday, June 15th between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.

In addition to attending presentations made by Huey and other speakers, participants will have the opportunity to meet with industry specialists and learn more about the latest flexographic technologies. All Printing Resources (APR) will also present new prepress, platemaking, proofing, and color management techniques in the Technology Center, which will be open for event participants.

Productivity solutions furnished by leading industry retailers, including 3M, EFI, Epson Proofing Equipment, and EskoArtwork, among others, will also be available for demonstrations.

Hosted by APR, the Open House will run for two days, June 15 and 16, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm each day. The event will be held at APR Headquarters, which is located at 140 W. Lake Drive, Glendale Heights, Illinois, 60139.

06/01/11

KBA RANKED AMONG TOP 50 MANUFACTURERS

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, proudly announces that Koenig & Bauer AG, its parent company, is ranked 27th among the top 50 in the annual update of The Patent Board's Patent Scorecard for manufacturers of heavy industrial equipment in 2011. The update appeared in the Wall Street Journal on May 17.   
 
In the Patent Scorecard, Koenig & Bauer was granted 44 U.S. patents.   
 
"This high ranking reflects the group's consistent focus on innovation as a pioneer of press engineering for the past 194 years," says Mark Hischar, president and CEO of KBA North America. "KBA had the highest ranking of the three German press manufacturers. We're very proud of our continuing lead in this prestigious ranking."   
 
The Patent Board's Patent Scorecard is based on companies and private research firms that are grouped by their Patent Board technology strength ranking which is based on the scale, quality, impact, and nearness to core science of a company's patent-based intellectual property. This overall strength rating factors in both qualitative and quantitative aspects of a company's patent portfolio. The charts help to spot the leaders in each group and across the board. All indicators based on 13-week rolling averages.  
 
KBA North America is located in Dallas, Texas and a member of the KBA Group. Established 194 years ago in Wuerzburg, Germany, Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), the parent of the KBA group, is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer worldwide. KBA's banner, 'People & Print', reflects its dual focus as a leading innovator for print entrepreneurs. The group's product range is the broadest in the industry; its portfolio includes commercial and newspaper web presses, sheetfed offset presses in all format classes, special presses for books, inserts, banknotes, securities, metal-decorating, smart cards; CDs and DVDs plus inkjet and other coding systems. For more information visit the company's web site at www.kba.com

05/31/11

FINSH PAPER TO SHOWCASE AT IPMA CONFERENCE

Press release from the issuing company

Finch Paper will showcase popular offset and digital papers – including its line of high-performance inkjet papers – at the IPMA Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, June 5-9, 2011. Representing Finch at IPMA is Connie Sukeforth Harrison, recently appointed to the Finch management team. Harrison is stocking samples of Finch's wide range of substrate solutions, for every type of offset and digital press, at the Finch exhibit table.  
 
A focus on collaborative, solutions-oriented relationships; precise product fit; and fast delivery have made Finch's uncoated options a leading choice at in-plants over the years.  
 
Matching Lines for Multi-Press Environments  
 
Two new offerings for IPMA visitors are Finch Performance Inkjet papers, Finch Inkjet Pi and Finch dyeJet. These two papers were introduced in conjunction with the Finch Digital Paper Program, which employs a new, cross-company digital applications team to research and develop the ultimate product mix for digital printing applications.    
 
Finch's uncoated portfolio increases production efficiency and brand consistency for in-plant applications such as corporate, legal and financial publishing; print-on-demand; transactional and transpromotional printing; and direct mail.  
 
Also being distributed at the Finch booth during IPMA are the latest educational resources, including the company's newly published whitepaper, Managing the Variable Characteristics of Inkjet Substrates for Profitability.  
 
Says Harrison, "Finch's progress in corporations, government and academia has put it on the map with in-plants, and we're excited to support IPMA this year. Attendees can expect to see the latest in customized inkjet substrate technology, and are welcome to paper samples and our latest educational publications."

05/31/11

PCG OPENS NEW OFFICE IN INDIA

Press release from the issuing company

Publishers Communication Group (PCG), today opened an office in New Delhi, India. PCG, a division of Publishing Technology plc (LSE: PTO), the largest provider of software and services to the publishing industry, will be offering sales and marketing activities targeting the ever-growing academic readership in India to US and European scholarly publishers.  
 
Initially representing BioOne, the American Society for Microbiology, and Adam Matthew Digital, the New Delhi office will allow PCG to build stronger relationships with over 500 academic universities and over 3,000 technical education institutes in India for the publishers it represents. PCG will also aim to provide on-the-ground insights into the Indian publishing market for US and European clients, and to assist in the effective delivery of these major content brands to Indian institutions and academics.  
 
PCG has recruited locally and appointed Dilip Jha Kumar as Country Manager for India. Dilip has worked for Balani Infotech managing customer relationships in Northern India for publishers, and spent the last five years working in sales. He obtained a Master in Business Administration in 2002. Sunita Lal has been appointed as Country Liaison Officer. In addition, PCG has appointed Sunita Lal as Country Liaison Officer. Sunita has a degree in library science and will be responsible for conducting research and marketing activities for our clients.  
 
PCG and Publishing Technology also operate from offices in the UK (Oxford and Bath), the USA (Cambridge, MA, and Somerset, NJ), Brazil (São Paulo), Australia (Sydney), and France (Paris).  
 
Douglas Wright, Director of PCG, said: "India is such a significant market for academic and scholarly publishers in terms of content distribution, academic and research development and their growing appetite for new technology connecting them with US and European institutions. Having an office in New Delhi and locally-based staff will bring us closer to the marketplace as well as providing invaluable insight for our existing clients."  
 
George Lossius, CEO, Publishing Technology, said: "Opening an office in India is a significant part of our aim to provide the widest possible service in support of our customers, and we are very excited to now be operating in this tremendously dynamic and education-focussed country".  
 
The New Delhi office is located at Connaught Place.

05/31/11

BAUMER HHS PRESENTS NEW BAG MELTER

Press release from the issuing company

In focus of the Baumer hhs presentation (hall 22, standC18) you will find the newly developed bag melter for PUR adhesives from 20kg packages. Applications in wood and furniture industries for PUR adhesives range from edge gluing to production of prefinished hardwood floor and inlay production.Wherever great strength and resistance of the adhesive to heat,frost and humidity are required.  
 
Effective and resource-saving work with PUR adhesives requires a continuous production process without interruptions,minimum cleaning time and long-term maintenance intervals:Features of the all-new XBM bag melters. It thus sets a new standard of quality in sustainable and economic production.  
 
The construction of the bag melter allows for this reason,a full discharge and a long shelf life of the opened foil. The content of the bag is used up entirely, expensive residues do not remain. Premature hardening of the polyurethane adhesive and oxidation are prevented by the airtight sealing of the atmospheric air in connection with special pressing cycles.  
 
It is easy to clean the bag melter. The high quality non-stick coating of adhesive-carrying parts of the bag melter ensures quick and easy cleaning. The tank cap can be removed without tools; all parts to be cleaned are reached by the operator without difficulty. The short easy cleaning cycle increases the productivity of the machine.  
 
The bag can be changed during the current production. The gentle, yet rapid melting ensures a quick start without a long wait. Brought to perfection, the tank allows an optimized melting of the adhesive and easy cleaning. Only the required amount of adhesive is melted. The effective insulation of the tank completes energy saving of the XBM. Powerful gear pumps transfer the adhesive. To adjust the flow rate they can be replaced in a few simple steps even with completely filled tank.

05/31/11

TORRASPAPEL CHOSEN BY LUX PHOTO AWARDS

Press release from the issuing company

Torraspapel, part of the Lecta Group, reaffirms its connection to the world of art and culture as the paper of choice for innovative and emblematic artistic work.     
 
Since their creation in 1993, the LUX Photography Awards have emerged as a touchstone of professional photography in Spain, recognizing the year's best work by professional photographers, with a special emphasis on the search for innovative techniques and the work's ability to communicate.      
 
The paper chosen to give expression to the photographs of the winners and finalists of the 2011 LUX Awards was Torraspapel's PEFC-certified 170 and 350 g/m2 CreatorSilk. The paper is specifically designed to guarantee excellent print quality and color reproduction in prestige work.     
 
With the LUX Photography Awards Book, our paper will be in the hands not only of the best professional photographers but also in schools, libraries and leading book stores in Spain. 1,200 copies will also be distributed to designers and artists at the Ibero-American Advertising Festival "El Sol".     
 
Torraspapel is proud to contribute, once again, to making creative work more widely available.    
 
More information about Torraspapel's wide range of paper for graphic arts and publishing professionals can be found at www.torraspapel.com.

05/31/11

AVERY DENNISON LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Press release from the issuing company

Avery Dennison recently announced the launch of CarWraps.net, an easy-to-use website that makes it convenient for small business owners and consumers to get information on branding or personalizing their car with vinyl graphic media. CarWraps.net also includes an easily searchable database so that individuals can locate a pre-screened and certified installer near them and request a quotation on a vehicle wrap.  

"Many small- and medium-sized businesses are exploring the idea of having cut or printed graphics applied to their vehicles or fleets as an excellent way to gain exposure for their brands," said Kathleen Hall, North American vice president and general manager for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions. "Carwraps.net is designed to make this process straightforward and accessible for them as well as for consumers who want to customize their vehicles with their own style.  Our website also helps them execute their ideas by providing easy access to qualified wrap installation professionals."  

Full-service wrap companies and installers that have been certified by Avery Dennison or the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA), an independent, industry-leading organization dedicated to raising the reliability and professionalism of the graphics installation industry, are listed on the website.  Avery Dennison and PDAA Master Certified Installers are experienced with all types of graphic installations, including walls and flat surfaces, glass, curved surfaces, and complex curved surfaces including vehicle wraps.  

To get listed on carwraps.net, installers must pass the Avery / Mutoh Car Wrap Training Certification exam that is given at a variety of locations throughout the United States this year.  The Avery / Mutoh Car Wrap Training program is taught by Justin Pate, a world-recognized wrap installer.  The course consists of two days of classroom and hands-on training followed by a certification exam on the third day. Installers will learn the techniques necessary to improve their application skills by increasing speed and quality.  

CarWraps.net has exceptional search engine rankings. It is typically listed in the number one or two position for Google searches of "car wrap" or "car wraps," which are highly used search terms. The website complements the efforts of converters and wrap companies to promote themselves and creates a new lead generation tool for potential customers.  

Avery MPI 1005 Supercast digital wrap films and DOL Series overlaminates are the combination of choice for both wrap shops and installers. Supercast films give installers an edge by conforming to compound curves, corrugations and rivets easily.  In addition, the Easy Apply RS feature allows the film to slide across the substrate while being properly positioned and reduces the formation of air bubbles.  Customers love the printability of the film, which makes brands and promotional messages stand out on the vehicle.

05/27/11

SHAWK HIRES NEW VP

Press release from the issuing company

Schawk, Inc., a leading provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, announced today that it has hired Lou Bart to serve as the senior vice president, account management for the Sears Holding's business within its retail marketing group.

Michael Komasinski, president and group managing director of Schawk Retail Marketing, said, "Lou brings more than 20 years of experience leading strategic multi-channel marketing programs for Fortune 100 retail organizations. His proven ability to help clients create awareness and ultimately a consumer purchase, closely aligns with our core offering, making him a great addition to the team."

Added Komasinski, "Clients value Lou's thoughtful approach to service. He listens to the client as well as to the marketplace, building a strategy-driven solution for even the most fundamental assignment. Furthermore, he adds value with every opportunity to engage in their business."

In his new role, Bart has strategic and day-to-day leadership responsibility for driving the contribution and growth of both the client's business and Schawk's. He is charged with managing and delivering relevant promotional strategies and cross-channel marketing tools to support client objectives.

"Retail marketing is about helping our clients understand and connect with their target," said Bart. "I was drawn to Schawk because the company has the experience and capabilities to allow my team to effectively deliver strong, profitable relationships between our retail clients and the consumer. At the end of the day it's about creating results."

Bart previously held senior leadership roles at several organizations including MAB Advertising and Euro RSCG where he oversaw major retail accounts including Sears, Best Buy, OfficeMax, and Safeway.

05/27/11

BTA CONDUCTING MPS SALES WORKSHOP IN JULY

Press release from the issuing company

Strategy Development, a leading management consulting and advanced sales training firm, along with BTA, is conducting their BTA MPS Sales Workshop and their Service Management University (SMU) on July 14-15, 2011 in Irvine, CA.  Both classes will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, CA.

The BTA Service Management University provides service leaders with concrete steps they can take to achieve sustainable margins over 52%.  The intensive, two-day program was designed by industry veteran and Strategy Development Service Consultant Mike Woodard.  In the course, Woodard, teaches participants how to set prices, properly manage parts, and develop and deploy employees.  Other topics covered include how to effectively communicate with other departments, interpret reports, and utilize data to develop and execute plans.  

"Mike's willingness to share real world solutions and materials will certainly help in our efforts to continuously pursue improvement and strive for excellence.  I think it was a great experience for my team and has their juices flowing on how we can become better," said Don Katalenas, VP of Service, Perry Corp, Lima, OH.

SMU attendees will walk away with the skills they need to assess their service department's strengths and weaknesses, develop specific actionable plans to address areas of opportunity, manage a service P&L, price aftermarket, and effectively service Managed Print Services (MPS) agreements.

The BTA MPS Sales Workshop, taught by Strategy Development's Tom Callinan and David Ramos, is designed to provide sales leaders with a systematic and proven methodology to establish and maintain a profitable MPS program.  Participants will learn how to uncover new revenue streams, significantly increase the quantity of captured prints, lock in customers, enable differentiation from competitors, and, ultimately, sell more hardware.

Topics covered in this two-day workshop include: understanding the print space (the opportunity, IT's involvement, the sales approach and target markets); getting the appointment; presenting a value proposition; conducting an assessment; developing a strategy and tactics; building an MPS proposal that sells; pricing an MPS contract; expanding the opportunity after the sale; and preparing for quarterly business reviews.

The BTA MPS Sales workshop has been met with rave reviews:

Jackson Jordan of Advantage Business Systems said, "Great workshop!  Straight forward, easy to understand approach to MPS.  They give you the tools needed to implement a profitable MPS program.  Thank you Strategy Development!"

Richard Detwiler of Digital Business Machines in Nashville commented, "The knowledge that I acquired from real-world experiences, as well as the documentation examples, have given me the confidence to launch a print management division in our company. You have broken the process down to a step-by-step building block approach that makes the target very visible and achievable. I look forward to implementing the program in our company."  

The MPS Sales Workshop is supported with co-op from many OEMs.

05/27/11

GMG LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Press release from the issuing company

GMG, a leading developer and supplier of high-end color management software solutions, announces it has launched a website for its customers in Latin America, www.GMGColorLA.com.. The new site gives customers a direct link to information about GMG's innovative technology, in a choice of two languages, Portuguese and Spanish.

"The GMGColorLA.com site confirms our commitment to deliver comprehensive support to our customers in Latin America, one of our fastest growing regions," says Paulo Monteiro, Business Manager, Latin America. "The new site offers a user-friendly place where visitors, with a simple click, can get immediate access to information on GMG color management solutions."

The "Home of Color" welcome page serves as the visitor's portal to GMG color management technology, offering instant entree to the company's range of products and solutions. Visitors can click on one of the "Experimentar" tabs to access online information and demos for GMG ColorServer, GMG InkOptimizer, and GMG ColorProof. Unique to GMG's websites, customers are able to test the technology using their own data.

Clicking on the Espa-ol or Portuguese bar provides additional information on the company, products and markets that GMG covers. The product areas offer downloadable PDF files on GMG's full line of color proofing, color management, and color control technology. Customers interested in learning about GMG's solutions for packaging, offset, wide-format or digital can view animated video presentations and download PDFs. The video animations deliver a user-friendly, instructional and entertaining view of how GMG's color management solutions work.

Visitors can also sign up to receive updates and notices. A password-protected area for resellers is also accessible on the site.

The site is currently up and running, and available to on-line visitors.

05/27/11

GPO NAMES NEW CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) names Andrew M. Sherman as Chief Communications Officer. Sherman has been a GPO employee since 1980 and has worked for the Office of the Public Printer since 1985.  He has extensive experience with the agency's budget, appropriations, legislation, planning, public relations, and employee communications operations.  Since 1997, Sherman has served as GPO's official point of contact with Congress, providing direct liaison on behalf the Public Printer and the agency.  As Chief Communications Officer, Sherman will continue to serve as GPO's liaison to Congress and will oversee the agency's internal and external communications operations as well as the design and development of internal publications and GPO's Web site. Sherman holds a B.A. and M.A. in Government from the University of Virginia, where as a graduate student he held a Governor's Fellowship, and was a graduate teaching assistant in American history at Old Dominion University prior to his appointment to GPO.

"Andy's institutional and extensive knowledge of GPO makes him a natural choice to oversee the agency's congressional and communications operations," said Public Printer Bill Boarman.  "We will be depending on our communications team as GPO continues to move forward as the digital information platform for the Federal Government."

05/27/11

PRINOVA APPOINTS NEW PROFESSIONALS TO MANAGEMENT TEAM

Press release from the issuing company

Prinova, Inc., a leader in the Customer Communications Management market, with a focus on integrated multi-channel customer messaging, today announced the appointment of three seasoned technology professionals to its senior management team.

"Prinova continues to optimize our strategic plans to drive growth and build upon our already highly successful business with our market-leading messagepoint(R) solution," said Barrie Laver, CEO of Prinova. "We are excited to have attracted such seasoned individuals to our team. We welcome their experience and leadership as we continue to build upon the powerful messaging capabilities messagepoint delivers to our customers."

Chris Miller has spent more than 15 years in product management, working closely with customers globally to build a broad range of both on-premise and cloud-based enterprise solutions. Based in Prinova's Toronto headquarters, Chris is responsible for driving the strategic direction and roadmap for Prinova's messagepoint product line.

Chris believes in taking a strong customer-centered approach to solution development to ensure customer needs are met and development resources are focused on the things that matter most to customers. Chris brings a global perspective and understanding to building great products; he has lived and worked in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Prior to joining Prinova, Chris took a leadership role in guiding the direction of product lines for Symantec, Sage, and Eloqua. Chris graduated from the University of Toronto.

Joanne Gore has nearly 20 years of enterprise hi-tech marketing and communications experience, with several early stage and larger technology companies. Based out of Prinova's corporate head office in Toronto, Canada, Joanne is responsible for planning, managing, developing and implementing effective and efficient global marketing communications and demand generation programs that have a tangible positive impact on Prinova's revenue growth, market positioning and brand.

Joanne produces and develops both direct and channel-focused programs, specifically within the B2B technology sector, that embrace best practices, expertise, and emerging trends. She is passionate about customer-driven innovation and the significance of both internal and external communications tactics.

Joanne has worked for some of the industry's leading technology organizations, including Delrina, Compaq, BorderWare, DST Output and Actuate's Xenos Group. Joanne graduated from Dawson College in Montreal with a degree in Graphic Design Technology.

Adam White has spent over 10 years managing confidence and risk by testing software and reporting to stakeholders. Based in Prinova's Toronto headquarters, Adam is responsible for driving the Software Testing team for Prinova's messagepoint product line.

Adam approaches risk identification and management by asking the right questions that lead to process Improvement. Adam joins Prinova from Novell, where he was Director of Software Testing and Customer Escalations for Data Center products. He started his testing career with 724 solutions, followed by PlateSpin Ltd., a Toronto-based software company where he was a valuable contributor to the company's successful acquisition by Novell for $205 million.

Adam brings a passion for testing, learning, coaching, and improving the overall customer experience. Adam graduated from Acadia University in Nova Scotia, with a Bachelor degree in Computer Sciences.

05/26/11

PITNEY BOWES TEAMS UP WITH PROMAIL

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes and Promail have announced that they are working together for the first time.

The two companies will co-operate to sell the DPS100 inserter into the UK direct mail market.

The Pitney Bowes DPS100 inserter operates at up to 16,000 cycles per hour and is aimed at companies looking for a reliable, high productivity machine. The machine offers the latest Servo Driven Rotary and Friction Feeder technology.

Launched in 1996, Promail is the UK's leading independent supplier of mailroom machinery solutions, addressing solutions, print finishing and forms handling machinery. The company serves a number of businesses within the direct mail sector including contract packagers and commercial printers as well as companies within key markets such as legal, government and finance.

The arrangement will see Promail offer the DPS100 to its customers, and take control of subsequent servicing and after-care.

Daran Hanson, Sales and Marketing Director, Promail comments: "This partnership brings together two companies with a wealth of experience dedicated to delivering the best products and services for customers. The DPS100 is a high productivity machine offered at a competitive price and is an excellent addition to the Promail range."

John Ricketts, Sales Director UK & Ireland, Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies comments: "Promail has a respected presence in the direct marketing field which will allow us to introduce Pitney Bowes technology to a wider range of customers. We are looking forward to developing this relationship further in the future."

05/26/11

DP DIRECT BOOSTS EFFICIENCY WITH GMC SOFTWARE TECH

Press release from the issuing company

GMC Software Technology, the standard in customer communications, today announced that DP Direct has been able to accelerate client acquisition and boost the efficiency of their operations with GMC Software Technology. The GMC solution was implemented to streamline workflow and significantly increase print performance speeds, reducing the overall production time for DP Direct.

Tweet this: DP Direct Accelerates Client Acquisition and Boosts Efficiency with GMC Software Technology: http://bit.ly/fQRyGU.

As one of the largest digital printing, fulfillment and mailing houses based in the London, UK area, DP Direct is a proactive partner to many successful direct marketing agencies and blue chip companies. DP Direct combines the latest technology, with the personal touch along with speed, efficiency and accuracy. With huge advances in digital printing technology over the last few years, DP Direct is in a position to offer their clients a real alternative to offset lithography without compromising on quality. As a result, DP Direct provides direct marketing products and services across all industries including, retailers, magazine publishers, newspapers, financial, print management and direct marketing agencies.

"Our previous software solution placed significant limitations on our high-speed continuous feed digital presses along with extra steps in our workflow," said Nick Claxson, Managing Director at DP Direct. "However, since our decision to invest in solutions from GMC Software Technology, we can now run the same equipment at maximum rated capacity, streamline our workflow with faster overall turnaround times for our customers."

GMC Software Technology has allowed DP Direct to attract new business from the large GMC user base in the UK that consists of service agencies and enterprise users. DP Direct are in the process of migrating all of their customer communication templates to the GMC platform, replacing their previous installation PReS from PrintSoft. The GMC platform will drive a number of different digital printing presses from several manufacturers.

"As one of the largest suppliers of direct mail services in the UK, we are honored that DP Direct has selected GMC Software Technology to improve their production process and expand their business," said Mike Davies, Vice President of Sales for the UK subsidiary of GMC Software Technology. "We look forward to assisting DP Direct expand their business, further their growth plans while offering their customers advanced solutions for customer communications."

05/26/11

ENFOCUS WELCOMES STRAIGHTLINE

Press release from the issuing company

Enfocus is pleased to welcome Straightline as one of the newest authorized resellers in North America. Straightline offers customers Enfocus' powerful Switch automation technology, as well as the company's popular flagship solution. PitStop Pro.

Enfocus Channel Manager Steve Hosford says that Straightline has been a valued partner for years, and is enthusiastic about the company's new authorized reseller status. Says Hosford, "Straightline has extensive history working with production workflows, and understands exactly what customers are looking for."     

Robert Baldwin, Owner, Straightline, says that both Enfocus and Straightline work together to provide customers with products that they are going to use, and not just sit on a shelf.

Baldwin states, "Being a professional in this industry for many years, I constantly work to stay on top of the latest applications that suit customers' needs and help simplify their workflows.  

"Enfocus products like Switch are proving to help customers of all sizes to be competitive. Enfocus technology streamlines processes, allowing more cost- effective job production, which in turns gives customers an advantage during bidding, and greatly helps their bottom line."  

Enfocus Switch and PitStop products are designed for graphic arts professionals to use on a daily basis. Baldwin notes that customers quickly see their return on investment (ROI), and truly get their bang for the buck with Enfocus technology.

"Customers are definitely going to get their ROI with Enfocus, especially with PitStop and Switch," Baldwin says. "Enfocus provides generous new features with each product upgrade; so it is definitely worth choosing Enfocus for streamlined workflow and automation needs. You honestly can't say that about all software."

05/26/11

KINGERY PRINTING COMPANY UPGRADES ITS EFI MONARCH

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced that Kingery Printing Company has chosen to upgrade its EFI Monarch print management system and purchased additional modules to further increase productivity.  

Kingery Printing, a family-owned and operated company founded in 1968 by John and Dolores Kingery, is a full-service commercial printer located in Effingham, Ill.  They operate a broad range of 4- up to 10-color press equipment, including variable data, sheet-fed and heatset-web, with the ability to aqueous or UV coat. Besides printing, Kingery provides a full-range of pre-press, bindery, direct mail and distribution services, including saddle/perfect binding, selective binding, inside-outside inkjetting, polybagging, die-cutting and foil stamping.  

An EFI Hagen user since 1986, Kingery Printing recently decided to upgrade their EFI Monarch system – a flexible, powerful, intelligent, and automated print management solution. And, plans are underway to install Monarch Planner, the Pre-Press Module which provides integration with Kodak Prinergy, PrintFlow dynamic scheduling, and EFI PrinterSite Internal to automate the request for quote process.  

"Due to our broad range of offerings within one facility, we needed a software package capable of serving our growing needs," said Tom Kingery, president of Kingery Printing. "We evaluated several options and decided to remain with EFI because they have the best package available in the market. And, we are looking forward to gaining greater automation and efficiency once the upgrades and the software additions are installed and EFI's training is complete."

05/26/11

APWU REACHES CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH USPS

Press release from the issuing company

It's official. The American Postal Workers Union (APWU) AFL-CIO ratified March 14 tentative labor contract agreement with the U.S. Postal Service that will save the nation's mail system $3.8 billion over the four and a half year life of the contract that becomes effective today.  

"This contract serves as a testament to the commitment the American Postal Workers Union has to its membership and to preserving the future of the Postal Service," said Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe. "We worked together to negotiate a responsible agreement that is in the best interest of our customers, our employees and the future of the Postal Service. It offers short-term cost relief, structural changes to future labor costs and enhanced workforce flexibility to adjust to America's changing mailing trends."  

"I am pleased that we were able to negotiate a contract that will strengthen the Postal Service for the future and protect the job security of union members so that we can better serve the American people," said APWU President Cliff Guffey. "The new contract accomplishes those goals," he added, "and it shows that public-employee unions and their employers can make collective bargaining work - even when faced with a financial crisis."  

The contract, which is effective May 23, 2011, through May 20, 2015, is a cornerstone for the Postal Service to achieve short-term cost relief, structural changes and enhanced workforce flexibility.  

The contract includes a wage freeze for the first two years, with low wage increases over the life of the contract (ranging from 0 to 1.5 percent), totaling 3.5 percent. Cost of living adjustments (COLAs) are eliminated in the first year, deferred in the second to the third year and resumed thereafter.  

The agreement establishes a new career pay schedule that on average is permanently 10.2 percent lower than the current pay schedule. It also allows for significantly increased use of non-career employees from the current level of 5.9 percent to 20 percent in clerk craft and 10 percent in maintenance and motor vehicle craft function. As the Postal Service moves to greater use of non-career employees, which will happen as current APWU employees retire, the Postal Service will not be incurring long-term liability costs for retirements and other benefits.  

The contract introduces completely new scheduling flexibility for career employees; rather than working   8 hours a day for 40 hours a week, the Postal Service can schedule employees for irregular shifts with hours totaling between 30 and 48 hours per week. Employees will contribute additional amounts to health care premiums; employer contributions to health care will equal 76 percent at the end of the contract.  

The agreement is a key component in the Postal Service's strategy to address its dire financial condition. Other components include aggressive cost-reductions in excess of $12 billion over the last four years. The postal workforce has been reduced by more than 112,000 employees in the same time frame, through consolidating mail-processing facilities and reducing the Postal Service retail facility footprint.  

Nearly 205,000 employees represented by the APWU generally work as clerks, mechanics, vehicle drivers, custodians and in some administrative positions.  

Negotiations with the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association (NRLCA) came to an impasse upon the contract's Nov. 20, 2010, expiration; however, discussions between the parties continue. If those discussions do not result in a negotiated resolution, the parties will continue to follow the current agreement until a third party determines the outcome of a new contract. Unlike in the private sector, when negotiations come to an impasse, federal employees are not permitted to strike. An arbitrator determines the final outcome and is not legally required to consider the Postal Service's financial obligations when rendering a decision.  

Employees represented by the NRLCA deliver mail in primarily rural and suburban areas. The NRLCA represents 67,000 career employees and 48,000 non-career employees who substitute for career employees on their days off. Employees represented by both unions received more than $20 billion in wages and benefits last year.  

Two other unions represent most other postal employees. More than 203,000 employees represented by the National Association of Letter Carriers, AFL-CIO (NALC) deliver mail in metropolitan areas, and 48,000 employees represented by the National Postal Mail Handlers Union, AFL-CIO (NPMHU) work in mail-processing plants and Post Offices.  

The NALC and NPMHU begin negotiations this year approximately 90 days prior to the midnight Nov. 20, 2011 contract expiration date. For additional background information on labor negotiations and the Postal Service's workforce, please click on these links:  Labor Negotiations and Workforce.  

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.  

We're everywhere so you can be anywhere: www.uspseverywhere.com

05/25/11

EFI LAUNCHES NEW PLUG-INS FOR GLOBALSCAN NX

Press release from the issuing company

Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment and advanced document management solutions and services, in partnership with EFI, a world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, today announced the launch of EFI plug-ins for GlobalScan NX. This innovative capture and distribution technology simplifies document management workflows by enabling users to convert paper documents to digital files and dynamically interact with leading Enterprise Content Management systems (ECM/EDM) for convenient collaboration, storage and distribution.  

Sitting on the GlobalScan server, EFI plug-ins for GlobalScan NX are easy and quick to set up. The plug-ins are accessible from the touch screen control panel on Ricoh MFPs and offer one-click access for customized or preconfigured, frequently used workflows. The EFI dynamic plug-ins provide real-time two-way communications between GlobalScan NX and the EDM/ECM, systems helping users effectively streamline workflows and improve productivity. The GlobalScan solution also achieves significant cost savings through reduced paper use and time spent searching for documents.  

"Ricoh's GlobalScan NX and EFI's intelligent plug-ins allow us to meet our customers' evolving demands and capture needs," said Shun Sato, senior vice president, Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "Ricoh remains committed to helping its customers access the right information, at the right time in the right form through effective document management solutions, and our partnership with EFI helps us achieve this."  

In addition, EFI plug-ins for GlobalScan NX help protect sensitive information with improved document security that includes built-in encryption and user authentication controls to ensure accurate audit trails. Also, the browser-based GlobalScan server console allows administrators to centrally configure an entire fleet of devices and track activity by device, user, connector or job status.  

EFI is Ricoh's premier provider of GlobalScan NX plug-ins.  For more information about EFI plug-ins for GlobalScan NX and other Ricoh products and solutions, please visit www.ricoh-usa.com.

05/25/11

EFI DEBUTS NEW MACHINE AT FESPA DIGITAL 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Making its worldwide début at FESPA Digital in Hamburg, EFI's latest dedicated roll-fed machine was developed to bring the cost savings and flexibility of solvent-based inks to a completely new UV-curable platform. Designated the EFI VUTEk GS3250r, this 3.2m wide-format production printer produces high margin, closely viewed applications with a low total cost of ownership, a true 1000 dpi resolution plus dual roll-to-roll capabilities and the 3M MCS warranty.   

EFI has designed and manufactured the VUTEk GS3250r to increase production rates and reduce investment and running costs substantially. Its true 1000 dpi output quality is complemented by a maximum throughput speed of 111 square m/hour to generate savings of up to 37 percent when compared with alternative platforms. Dual roll capability, multi-queue functionality and double-sided printing combine to give this machine the productivity of a roll-fed superwide-format system.   

"The introduction of the VUTEk GS3250r represents a new generation of high production roll-to-roll printers with its ability to produce high quality throughput suitable for close as well as distant viewing," explains Scott Schinlever, senior vice president and general manager of EFI VUTEk and Rastek. "There are still many users of solvent-based wide-format printers who want to make the move to UV-curable ink technologies but have been deterred because they believe there are trade-offs in image quality and that the process is slower and more costly. These businesses can now be assured that there is a machine available that will produce high-quality output with improved throughput speeds and cost-efficient production in a nearly VOC-free environment."  

The rugged yet sophisticated construction of the EFI VUTEk GS3250r is complemented by its six-colour UV-curable inks, and a choice of true 1000 dpi resolution (14 picolitre drop size) or 600 dpi (28 picolitre) to cater for different output requirements. Designed both for short runs and high volumes, the machine handles dual rolls. It offers multi-queue functionality available at the user interface to run multiple jobs at the same time, and its double-sided printing capability makes it ideal for jobs where precise register must be maintained.   

The machine incorporates EFI's VUTEk GS4 3M Premium UV-curable inks, which are supplied in five litre containers, for maximum reliability and the broadest colour gamut. With fast UV-curing producing excellent adhesion and long-life durability, there is minimal risk of flaking, crazing or cracking.   

The VUTEk GS32350r also benefits from the 3M MCS (Matched Component System) Warranty when printing with 3M's flexible media, which broadens application potential across a wide range of flexible materials.   

"The industry will welcome the arrival of the EFI VUTEk GS3250r because it's extremely high quality and low running costs make it a wise choice for anyone wanting to produce the throughput and vivid colours generated by solvent-based ink formulations but on a UV-curable wide-format platform," comments independent consultant, Sophie Matthews-Paul.   

The integration of EFI's Fiery XF RIP simplifies all areas of production, from advanced ICC colour management through to batching, queuing, nesting and tiling, and many other advanced functions necessary in today's production houses. The bi-directional communication between the Fiery XF RIP and VUTEk system provides audit information, such as printing time and ink and media usage, on every print job. This sophisticated yet easy-to-use solution can be used alongside the company's print MIS and Digital StoreFront? web-to-print solutions, offering full JDF connectivity for greater business efficiency.   

The new VUTEk GS3250r joins other wide-format print solutions from EFI at FESPA Digital. These include the 3.2m VUTEk GS3250LX, which features LED "cool cure" technology and continuous board feeding, and the enhanced VUTEk GS5000r 5m platform, which now has an in-line white ink option. Complementing these systems are two entry-level options, the Rastek H652 flatbed printer and the new Rastek R3204, which is the first 3.2m roll-fed solution from this stable. The Jetrion 4830 digital industrial label solution also will be in the stand.

05/25/11

WYNDEHAM GROUP TO CLOSE PRINTING FACILITY

Press release from the issuing company

Wyndeham Group has today announced it is entering into a 90-day consultation process with the 145 staff employed by Wyndeham Plymouth with a proposal to close the web offset printing facility on 22 August 2011.  

Wyndeham Plymouth (formerly St Ives Plymouth) was purchased by Walstead Investments, Wyndeham Group's parent, as part of the St Ives Web division acquisition which completed on 6 April 2011 and which also included web offset printing businesses in Peterborough and Roche (Cornwall).  

Wyndeham Plymouth, which is the smallest of the three ex. St Ives Web businesses, made a £2.95 million loss before tax on turnover of £20.2 million in the financial year ended 30 July 2010. The company operates two 32pp presses, three stitching lines and two perfect binders.  

If Wyndeham Plymouth closes, and subject to agreement with its clients, Wyndeham Group will transfer production of its work to its other web offset facilities that operate larger 64/72pp presses.  

Roy Kingston, Wyndeham Group's Chief Operating Officer, said: "Wyndeham Plymouth has been making losses for many years. We have reviewed a range of options to find an economic solution that would make this business viable. Any solution would have to quickly stem the losses and, importantly, show a realistic plan to achieve sustainable profits. So far, we have been unable to find a workable business model that meets these goals meaning the site will continue to generate substantial losses which we are not prepared to absorb."  

Paul Utting, Wyndeham Group's Chief Executive Officer, said: "We regret having to go through this process. However, it is symptomatic of the wider structural changes that are becoming increasingly necessary to ensure the diminishing UK web offset industry can continue to supply publishers and print buyers with a reliable service in the long term.  

"Wyndeham Group is at the forefront of consolidating the sector and we intend to maintain our market-leading position. It is paramount that we match capacity with demand and that our clients' work is produced on the most efficient equipment we have available. Unfortunately, with declining volumes compounded by spiralling raw material costs and market prices at an all time low, we have to restructure to remain viable. I anticipate there will be further initiatives of this type across the sector as all of our main competitors continue to make significant losses."

05/25/11

POLYTYPE OPENS FESPA DIGITAL 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Polytype has opened FESPA Digital 2011 in Hamburg, Germany today by announcing the evolution of its sophisticated Virtu printer range with the addition of an advanced new ten-picolitre print-head. The unprecedented quality promised by the Virtu Quantum series will deliver exceptionally fine output for a wealth of industrial and display products, including closely viewed applications such as back-lit displays, décor and industrial glass.  

Owners of the new Virtu Quantum series will benefit from the extension of greyscale printing technology, which varies droplet sizes to ensure improved resolution and optimised ink coverage, to incorporate miniscule ten-picolitre dots. Polytype has applied this to combine the absolute precision of the ten-picolitre head with the existing versatility of the award-winning Virtu platform, resulting in significant advantages for wide-format printing businesses.  

Polytype has engineered the Virtu Quantum printers to deliver even finer resolution on the same, practically limitless range of substrates as previous models. Prodigious control over droplet sizes means that the machines can produce even finer detail and, therefore, superb clarity in graduations and tiny text sizes while also avoiding oversaturation in the production of solid colour areas. This results in vastly optimised ink use and therefore minimises expenditure on consumables, culminating in excellent cost of ownership.  

"All types of print business are expected to produce mind-blowing quality and, often, are limited by the substrate they are trying to print," says Sylvia Muhr, European sales director for Polytype's Virtu business unit. "With the Polytype Virtu Quantum they no longer need to worry: any material, from leather to glass and Dibond to aluminium, can benefit from the near-photographic resolution offered while keeping the productivity advantages of previous Virtu models.  

"The theme of FESPA Digital is evolution, and Polytype believes that it is the responsibility of technology manufacturers to help print companies drive that change by offering advanced platforms that increase quality while remaining versatile enough to meet new challenges," she continues. "That conviction makes this show the right arena in which to demonstrate the powerful proposition of the new Virtu Quantum, and to show how we as a manufacturer are consistently evolving to provide our customers new opportunities."  

The Virtu range from Polytype is designed to meet and exceed the stringent quality requirements demanded by an array of applications, including graphic display production, fully operational glass printing lines and various industrial purposes. The fully hybrid 2.5m Virtu RS25 and 3.5m Virtu RS35 sport a robust table as part of the machine's construction, offering the versatility to print on both flexible materials and rigid substrates of unlimited length in six colours plus white or spot varnishes. The RR50 is Polytype's award-winning roll-to-roll printer which offers impressive productivity and quality for graphic arts production and other jobs. Each can now be supplied as a Virtu Quantum sporting the 10pl print-head and its resulting capabilities.  

Polytype SA (formerly WP Digital) is renowned in the wide-format digital ink-jet space as a manufacturer of resilient, reliable printing technologies for the production of many different decorative, display and industrial applications. With characteristic Swiss attention to precision engineering inherent to all of its technologies, its Virtu range of wide- and super-wide-format UV-curable printers is recognised for its ability to produce high-quality graphics on a practically unlimited range of substrates.  

For further information about Polytype's technology, products and services, or to discuss key markets or applications, please contact European sales director Sylvia Muhr at sylvia.muhr@polytype.com, by telephone at +41 (0)26 426 15 16 or by fax at +41 (0)26 426 14 54. Polytype's postal address is 26, route de la Glâne, CH-1701 Fribourg, Switzerland.

05/25/11

INC MAGAZINE NAMES HOPKINS PRINTING A 2011 TOP SMALL COMPANY

Press release from the issuing company

Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces announced today the winners of the 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces competition and awarded Hopkins Printing one of the 50 coveted spots. The Top Small Company Workplaces competition is an annual contest that has recognized the nation's best small and mid-sized company work environments since 2003.  
 
Winning Workplaces and Inc. received nearly 350 completed applications for the 2011 contest. A national panel of experts in leadership and small to mid-sized business judged finalists on employee engagement and development, company mission, rewards and recognition, management effectiveness, and benefits.   
 
"These firms represent some of the finest privately held companies in the world," states Bob LaPointe, president of Inc. "Their stories, appearing in the June issue of Inc., clearly demonstrate that taking an innovative approach to creating the right culture-one in which human capital is embedded in a company's value proposition-can create real competitive leadership. Each of these Top Small Company Workplaces offers an environment in which people flourish and, as a result, profit follows."   
 
Hopkins Printing is committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive and one way they do so is through a "three-deep" training agenda. 75% of all positions are trained 3 Deep at Hopkins, which means that at any one time three people are capable of operating a particular piece of equipment or covering for a certain position.  Cross-training of all employees to cover other positions increases productivity, creates flexibility, and allows employees to become knowledgeable authorities in multiple areas of business and production.   
 
"It is a true honor to be named one of the best small workplaces in the nation and a greater surprise to have Hopkins as one of the featured companies in the Inc. magazine article. Winning Workplaces reviewed each of our programs, policies, and benefits before they surveyed all of our employees.  It was a thorough process and we're pleased that everyone was able to contribute their thoughts.  Hopkins employees care about the success of our company and together we all make it a great place to work!" said Michelle Waterhouse, HR director for Hopkins Printing.

05/24/11

ZUMBOX RELEASES DMP GATEWAY

Press release from the issuing company

Zumbox, the leader in digital postal mail services, today announced at CS Week the availability of its Zumbox Digital Postal Mail Gateway (DPM Gateway), a secure network appliance that will automatically and securely deliver postal mail via a digital channel to consumer households. Once the gateway is installed and configured, mailers simply direct their print stream to the DPM Gateway installed inside their corporate firewall. This allows mailers to achieve paper suppression targets, reduce postage and other mailing related costs and improve customer communications.   
 
Designed for large organizations that send transactional mail to consumer households, the DPM Gateway provides direct, secure access to the Zumbox postal network. The appliance manages digital delivery with a simple interface, without the need for custom IT integration work. It delivers detailed reporting about mail recipient usage, including paperless requests, views, payments, printing and discards.   
 
By diverting files headed to print, mailers can immediately push 100% of their files to Zumbox for delivery. This provides the lowest cost possible for delivery to the Zumbox postal network. Delivery of digital postal mail is free. Mailers only pay when users suppress paper, ensuring that any cost comes from real savings.   
 
"A cost-saving alternative to paper mail, digital postal mail has been adopted and deployed by many leading technology and print service providers in conjunction with other physical channels," said John Payne, CEO of Zumbox. "We're now seeing demand for increased savings by large mailers who operate their own mail centers. This appliance is the perfect solution for them, enabling large mailers to offer a digital delivery channel to consumers that dramatically increases paper suppression rates and lowers postage costs."   
 
The DPM Gateway achieves three goals for in-house production mailers: (a) rapid, low-cost deployment with almost no IT resources required, (b) a highly secure, encrypted channel for digital distribution accessed inside the corporate network rather than "in the wild" over the Internet and (c) powerful reports and APIs that provide insight into paper suppression, consumer interactions and other consumer mail response and usage details.   
 
Digital postal mail is an exact facsimile of paper mail, created from a diversion of the print stream before it reaches a mailing system. Zumbox archives and presents mail to consumers in a secure, central online environment, instead of on paper, forever, for free. Zumbox has created a digital mailbox for every street address in the US, connecting large transactional, financial and government mailers to consumer households for the secure, on-time delivery of postal mail online. Ultimately, Zumbox gives consumers increased flexibility in where and how they receive, manage and store their postal mail.

05/24/11

BPIF LAUNCHES REDUNDANCY CALCULATOR

Press release from the issuing company

The BPIF is pleased to announce the launch of its online redundancy calculator, an easy to use and user-friendly online service tool which will assist members to make the necessary calculations with regards to redundancy pay.  
 
Nobody needs reminding that the last couple of years have been the toughest many have known within the industry.  Managers have had to make very difficult decisions in order to keep the business afloat and, unfortunately, that has often meant employees losing their jobs through redundancy.  
 
The BPIF has always taken an active role in assisting members through good and bad and has a wealth of knowledge on redundancy issues.  HR Advisers have spent more time than usual advising on both large and small scale redundancies and the BPIF is pleased to note that, although some such exercises are still ongoing, they are much reduced and involving fewer employees.  
 
However it is always useful to be able to streamline the administration during such an exercise, so that managers can concentrate on dealing with the personal issues that come with potential termination of employment.  As a result the BPIF has developed an online tool to perform the necessary calculations involved in compiling the figures on individual redundancy pay and on assessing the overall monetary impact on the business.  
 
Anne Copley, Head of Legal and HR, is therefore very pleased to be able to announce today the launch of the BPIF online redundancy calculator.  "It's easy to use and can accommodate any number of individuals.  It will give you a quick view of the individual's gross entitlement and also the full cost to the business of all redundancy and notice payments.  Whilst nothing can really ease the pain of a redundancy exercise we hope this can at least remove some of the headaches".  
 
The calculator is available to members under "Membership Services" on the BPIF website www.britishprint.com .  If you have any difficulty accessing the website, please contact your local Business Centre.  
 
For general advice on redundancy please contact your local HR Adviser.

05/24/11

PITNEY BOWES LAUNCHES FLOOD RISK PRO

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Business Insight, a global leader in customer data, analytics and communication software and services, today announced the launch of Flood Risk Pro, a new Risk Data Suite™ bundle. This new product will enable National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Excess Flood coverage insurers to build up-to-date flood risk information into their underwriting processes.  
 
During 2011, the U.S. has experienced some of the worst flooding in recent history. Flooding along the Mississippi river in recent weeks forced more than 5,000 people from their homes in five states and inundated more than 2 million acres of farmland.1 The average annual U.S. flood losses in the past 10 years (2001-2010) were more than $2.7 billion. More than 5.5 million people currently hold flood insurance policies in more than 21,000 communities across the U.S.2  
 
Flood Risk Pro provides timely and comprehensive flood zone and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This product will help NFIP insurers and Excess Flood coverage providers issue accurate flood insurance policies to their customers.  
 
Flood Risk Pro strengthens Pitney Bowes Business Insight’s Risk Data Suite. The Risk Data Suite provides geospatial data about physical and historical insurance risks, as well as information for flood, fire protection, ground sinking, hurricane and severe weather. The products in the suite are used by property and casualty insurers who have pinpointed their policies by geocoding and then use risk data to evaluate the related risks.  
 
The new solution can be implemented within the Pitney Bowes Enterprise Data Integration platform and MapInfo Professional mapping software to provide user-friendly interfaces for accessing and analyzing the data.  
 
“Insurers are always looking to improve the quality and accuracy of their data in an ongoing effort to mitigate their loss exposure due to natural disasters” said Bill Sinn, Strategic Marketing Director, Pitney Bowes Business Insight. “It is imperative for NFIP insurers to have accurate data on hand throughout the underwriting process so that they can manage risk appropriately and provide customers with fair pricing.”

05/24/11

PII HOLDS 84TH ANNUAL MEETING

Press release from the issuing company

The Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana (PII) held its 84th Annual Meeting and 9th Annual Pinnacle Print Awards Gala on May 17, 2011 at Café La Café, Des Plaines, IL. Over 160 members and guests welcomed Michael R. Keene, Chairman of the Board of the Printing Industries of America, surprised PII member Hal Slager, Trico, Chicago and enthusiastically received information about the industry's new Choose Print multi-media campaign.

The evening began with networking and viewing of the top winning pieces in PII's Pinnacles Competition. Following dinner, Master of Ceremonies Bill Gibson, Burton and Mayer Chicago, Tinley Park, IL initiated the program. The 84th Annual Meeting of the association was called to order by Chairman Joe Novak, BFC, Batavia, IL. The membership elected the Officers and Directors for 2011-2012, including Bill Barta, Rider Dickerson, Bellwood, IL as Chairman, Steve VanderVeen, ABS Graphics, Addison, IL as Executive Vice Chairman and Mark Turk, International Label and Printing, Elk Grove Village, IL as Senior Vice Chairman.

The audience heard remarks from Michael R. Keene of The John Roberts Company, Minneapolis, MN and current Chairman of the Board of Printing Industries of America. Hal Slager, Trico, Chicago was recognized for his many years of service to the PII Board of Directors and Finance Committee as well as his service as Treasurer of Printing Industries of America.

The Pinnacle Print Awards presentations followed, with awards for Best of Division and Best of Category, culminating in the presentations of Best of Illinois by Derek Gordon, Komori to the JohnsByrne Company, Niles, IL for its entry in the Soft-Cover Books category Redken 'Gold Rush' Look Book and Best of Indiana by Cathy Austill, Xerox to Quality Printing, Anderson, IN for its entry in the Booklet or Brochure Series category MPRI.

The highly anticipated 2011 Pinnacle Print Awards Competition Best of Show Award was presented by Glenn Barton, Unisource to the JohnsByrne Company, Niles, IL. Keeping with Pinnacle tradition, the company received a custom, framed award that included the winning print project. During the Awards presentation, PII President and CEO Joanne Rock introduced the Association's Choose Print branded multi-media campaign designed to spread the word about the sustainability and marketing effectiveness of print on paper (www.chooseprint.org).

The evening concluded with extended networking.

The Pinnacle Print Awards competition recognizes outstanding craftsmanship in the creation and production of printed materials in Illinois and Indiana.

PII is the trade association for graphic arts firms located in Illinois and Indiana. For more information about PII and its members, please visit www.pii.org.

05/20/11

XEIKON CONTINUES TO PARTNER WITH SCI

Press release from the issuing company

Xeikon, an innovator in digital color printing technology, announced today that Strategic Content Imaging (SCI), a Carlstadt, N.J.-based company specializing in electronic communications and digital print technologies, will continue to leverage the industry-leading image quality of Xeikon technology to grow its book printing offerings. SCI offers print-on-demand books, variable data, color, black & white digital printing, warehousing, pick & pack and web-to-print applications. The company's digital print capabilities include two Xeikon 8000 digital color presses and one Xeikon 6000 digital color press, which are handling the bulk of the company's high-quality, full-color, short-run book production.

Burt Scherman, president of SCI, said thanks to the true 1200 dpi and 4-bit variable dot density offered by both Xeikon models, his company does not have to sacrifice print quality to achieve high levels of productivity with its short-run, full-color book printing.

"Our Xeikon machines offer a powerful combination of the highest achievable image quality and productivity for our book printing applications," said Mr. Scherman. "Xeikon is still the technology of choice for us when our clients demand the highest print quality. In addition, it allows us to keep our investment and running costs very competitive and pass on the savings to our customers."

The Xeikon 8000 offers speeds of up to 275 letter-size pages per minute, and a monthly duty cycle of up to 10 million pages. The Xeikon 6000 offers printing speeds of up to 170 letter-size pages per minute and duty cycles of up to 5.3 million pages per month.

In addition to their productivity and image quality, the Xeikon 8000 and 6000 offer unparalleled format flexibility with a 20 in. web width and virtually no restrictions on the length of the printed page, allowing SCI to produce a larger number of book blocks for each print run compared to competing technologies.

"Clearly, a growing number of book printing and publishing companies are recognizing, as SCI has, that productivity and image quality can coexist with the Xeikon technology," said Michael V. Ring, president of Xeikon America, Inc. "Moreover, as run lengths are getting shorter and the market is driving towards increasingly sophisticated levels of personalization, in part due to the advent of higher resolution electronic alternatives, maintaining and improving the image quality of printed applications becomes paramount. To add to our industry leading image quality, our presses can easily handle monthly duty cycles between 5 million and 10 million pages. As a result, we enjoy a distinctive product positioning in the market. We are the only available solution for monthly production volumes in this range for high quality applications."

The Xeikon presses also provide an unmatched range of coated & uncoated substrate options to SCI and handle paper stocks from 27 lb text (40 gsm) to122 lb cover (16-pt. board). Furthermore, Xeikon's X-800 Digital Front-End and QA-P toner technology deliver outstanding quality and cutting-edge workflow management tools for a streamlined book production workflow.

05/20/11

PHILLIPS PRINTING INCREASES PRODUCTION

Press release from the issuing company

Phillips Printing, Nashville, Tenn. claims to have doubled its output and nearly tripled its capacity with four fewer employees on the production end after consolidating the majority of its consumables purchasing with Heidelberg USA.

Founded in 1959, the formerly small family print shop has evolved into a full-service communication company offering print, design, direct mail, inserting, wide-format POS, fulfillment and inventory, along with a range of special services. With a staff of just 13 employees, the enterprising company continually looks for opportunities to improve its efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Over the past year-and-a-half, Phillips has had an opportunity to experience the positive difference the right consumables package can make.

The company currently uses Heidelberg Saphira Chemfreeplates, fountain solution, Saphira Advance process and Pantone spot color inks, in addition to press wash, blankets, rollers and other pressroom consumables. Phillips also relies on Heidelberg Systemservice personnel and Original Replacement Parts to keep the company's Speedmaster SM 102 6-color and Printmaster QM 46-2 presses humming.

Using Saphira Chemfree plates and the Saphira Advance process ink set, Hearn claims to see a clean sheet from nearly the first sheet through the press on a new job, yielding substantial improvement in quality and production volume.

"Saphira Chemfree plates roll up clean almost instantly, such that we're up to color in as little as five sheets, especially when we're also using the Heidelberg ink and fountain solution," said John Hearn, Operations Manager. "Heidelberg ink is stable from the first sheet and responds well to small adjustments. Whenever we have a sensitive job or one with a lot of coverage, we'll open up a new can of the Heidelberg PMS because we know it's going to give us fewer problems and more consistent results." In addition, "We certainly have noted a cleaner, sharper, more consistent dot on every color on every job," he confirms. "Generally, we're able to get 30 percent more work off the press on a series of short runs, and 100 percent more doing one or two long runs during the day. Our run speed also has increased for most stocks because the plates, ink and chemistry deliver high-quality work at higher speeds."

Focusing on the larger picture, however, Hearn insists that what Heidelberg brings to the table with its consumable offerings is a combination of elements that have been thoroughly tested and proven by Heidelberg to perform as well as possible together.

"While the greatest improvement Phillips has seen over the past 18 months is due to the new Saphira plates, "the outstanding results we see from Heidelberg Saphira consumables really come from using them together across the board," he said. He further observed that Heidelberg's reliance on Saphira consumables to demonstrate the advanced capabilities of new equipment at its Kennesaw Tech Center "should speak volumes to any printing company owner or pressroom manager."

Print jobs make or lose money, based on how productively and efficiently the press runs, not on the cost of consumables, Hearn cautioned. "Every printer wants to produce more work faster and generate more sales. It just makes good business sense to rely on a consumables package that is specifically designed to bring about that result."

05/20/11

CCI ACQUIRES WINNEBAGO COLOR PRESS ASSETS

Press release from the issuing company

CCI/CoakleyTech, a leader in print, eBusiness and marketing solutions, announced today that the company has acquired certain assets of Winnebago Color Press, headquartered in Menasha, Wisconsin. Winnebago Color Press provides leading commercial printing and marketing services to companies throughout the Midwest. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Chris Illman, President and CEO of CCI/CoakleyTech stated, "CCI/CoakleyTech will continue to support WCP's customers with diversified and specialized print and marketing solutions. With the additional resources of the TouchPoint Print Solutions family of companies, including a large network of operations throughout the US and leading technology platforms, we will continue to serve and exceed every client's expectation."

Steve McGrath, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of WCP, commented, "We are excited to offer our customers all the additional capabilities and solutions CCI/CoakleyTech and TouchPoint Print Solutions have to offer. Our sales team looks forward to being a part of the future with CCI/CoakleyTech in their various operations, including Mary Morgan Inc. in Green Bay, and having the financial strength and resources of TouchPoint Print Solutions behind us."

05/20/11

INX TO ATTEND METAL DECORATORS CONVENTION

Press release from the issuing company

The International Metal Decorators Association's annual convention is almost here and INX International Ink Co. representatives are ready for it. In addition to sponsoring and exhibiting at the three day event that runs from May 24-26 at the Hilton Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois, INX will have two formidable experts present at one of the general sessions.

Jonathan Ellaby, VP of International Operations and Jack Knight, Director, International Technical Service for INX, will discuss "Advanced Digital Solutions for Metal Decorating", on Thursday morning, May 26 from 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. The pair will talk about how the company's EVOLVE Advanced Digital Solutions can make a major impact on metal decorators, especially with the CP100 UV digital cylindrical printer and MD series of UV flatbed printers. They will also discuss other digital systems available in the market.

The CP100 is designed for the short run production of cylindrical printing and its high speed technology is ideal for 2-piece cans. The MD660 and MD1000 are perfect examples of a cost effective solution for metal decorators who are looking to transition into digital printing. These printers achieve high resolution in excess of 1000 dpi using proven and the most reliable print head technology. The CP100 and MD series use specially designed INX Digital EVOLVE brand UV inks and are supported by a team of digital integration specialists who are trained to assist and help customers with the transition to digital printing.

The IMDA 2011 annual convention kicks off with its Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing at the resort's course on Tuesday, May 24. A membership meeting on Wednesday is followed by general sessions and an Awards dinner that night. It wraps up Thursday with more general presentations, followed by Technical Tutorials in the afternoon.

05/20/11

HANG REACHES DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH PFP

Press release from the issuing company

Constantin Hang Maschinen-Production GmbH (Hang) of Germany has named Print Finishing Partners (PFP) of Lakewood Ranch, FL as the exclusive North American distributor for its paper drills and riveting machines.  

As one of the global leading manufacturer of fastening technique and paper drilling equipment Hang is offering proven riveting solutions and paper drilling machines.

Hang is a worldwide name for extremely powerful and progressive fastening technology - for over 100 years.  Be it paper drilling machines, paper drilling systems, riveting machines, riveting systems or high power riveting systems, or eyeleting machines. The technological brand, Hang is much sought in a wide variety of industries for a whole range of applications. This result is not only from the quality of Hang equipments but also of the services provided. With Hang, the industry can enjoy a complete care-free package catering for all needs:

From competent and cooperative consultation regarding system installation on site, through to a rapid and reliable repair and replacement parts service, Hang is the right partner.  

You manufacture – we make sure everything runs well. We promise!

Volker Petzold, President of PFP, has decades of hands-on experience in the print finishing industry in Germany and North America. Volker has much experience in Hang equipments from the past working for Kolbus and BS&S.

Hang selected PFP as the sole North American distributor because of Volker's experience, expertise and reputation in this industry. Hang welcomes the new partner and wishes Volker and PFP continued success.

05/19/11

RIT RELEASES PSASM CERTIFICATION

Press release from the issuing company

Rochester Institute of Technology has announced the commercial launch of PSAsm Certification. PSAsm Certification, or Printing Standards Audit Certification, is a rigorous, objective process for assessing a printer's ability to operate a standards-compliant workflow. Such workflows are fundamental to creating efficient print supply chains, especially as printers adopt new technologies and supply chains become more international in character. By attaining PSA Certification, printers can objectively demonstrate that they have mastered the use of standards in the workflows they operate.

PSA development began more than a year ago when professor Robert Chung of RIT's School of Print Media surveyed standards assessment practices with international leaders including KEE Consultants (France), Fogra (Germany), Ugra (Switzerland), SCGM (Netherlands), BPiF (UK) and IDEAlliance (U.S.). Each of these organizations welcomed Chung and contributed to the development of RIT's global approach to certification. During this period, he was able to engage in extensive conversations with experts in the field and participate in the training programs when they were offered.

Chung says RIT's long-standing relationship with Elie Khoury of KEE Consultants proved to be especially valuable in developing PSA. For the past 10 years, KEE Consultants has promoted the use of standards as a vehicle for introducing modern industrial practices into the printing industry. As part of this effort, KEE developed an ISO 12647-based Gap Analysis Audit that is fully aligned with the PSA process and a suite of tools for assessing conformance to a PDF/X compliant workflow, some of which are incorporated in the PSA process.

RIT's other key collaborator in developing PSA certification is IDEAlliance. Over the past decade, IDEAlliance enabled printers to achieve a shared neutral appearance across multiple technologies and substrates through the use of its G7 calibration method. Currently, the IDEAlliance Print Properties and Colorimetric Council is developing the tolerances required to assess conformance to G7 aims contained in the GRACol and SWOP specifications. This allows PSA Certification to offer printers the choice of certifying their workflows to a G7 based standard or to ISO 12647-2. In either case, prepress and proofing workflows will be certified to the relevant ISO standards (15930 for data reception and 12647-7 for proofing). In the future, certification will be extended to cover conformance to the new process independent standard (ISO 15339) as soon as this draft standard is approved.

To support print facilities in preparation for the PSA Printing Standards Audit, IDEAlliance has announced the G7 Process Control and Conformance Program (G7PCC) as an extension of the G7 Master program. The G7PCC program is serving as a foundational tool to prepare for the PSA Certification Program, designed in module format to serve the total media supply chain, including brand owners, creative agencies and print providers.

David Steinhart, president and CEO of IDEAlliance, says: "With PSA and G7 PCC Certification, our organizations are fulfilling an industry need that our members have expressed to us for the past several years, the need for comprehensive process control training and an independent audit program. IDEAlliance is committed to making specifications and developing standards that are relevant to industry needs and global in scope. RIT shares this commitment and is deeply involved in developing such specifications and standards. PSA Certification increases the value of these standards by providing the print supply chain with a highly visible independent mechanism for recognizing printers who conform to them."

Frank Cost, interim dean of RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences adds: "The PSA initiative embodies the best features of an academic-industry collaboration. It leverages RIT's objectivity, scholarship and academic excellence in research to offer the printing industry an impartial assessment of standards conformance that it can genuinely trust."

05/19/11

AHLFELDT OBTAINS CABON NEUTRAL SPEEDMASTER

Press release from the issuing company

The Ahlfeldt & Company GmbH print shop in Wiesbaden recently started production operations with the first carbon-neutral Speedmaster SM 52 Anicolor from Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). Some 62 metric tons of CO2 emissions were generated during the manufacture of the five-color press with coating unit. This was offset by investing in a certified climate protection project in Vietnam. "We see printing as an integrated process that starts with the manufacture of the press itself. It is impossible for our day-to-day printing operations to be any more environmentally friendly than they are with the Anicolor press," Production Manager Armin Ahlfeldt stated with enthusiasm. "We now need only 20 sheets for makeready and the quality is simply superb," he continues. Compared to traditional small-format offset printing, the Anicolor inking unit cuts makeready times by almost 40 percent. What's more, eliminating ink zone setting also makes job changes faster and reduces waste by up to 90 percent. "Top-quality green printing isn't a contradiction in terms and the Anicolor press has also got the economic balance right," says Ahlfeldt.

Since it was founded in 2004, the Ahlfeldt & Company print shop has positioned itself as an environmentally friendly high-end business and systematically focused on combining sustainability with environmental protection. The full-service print shop employs eight staff and produces commercial products such as flyers, mailings, brochures, and magazines. Ahlfeldt & Company is FSC-certified (FSC = Forest Stewardship Council) and obtains all its paper from a single supplier based in Europe to cut down on transport. At the prepress stage, a Suprasetter A 75 images chemical-free printing plates. And Saphira inks with low mineral oil content are used in production. All the electricity required is generated from hydroelectric power. Ahlfeldt & Company is one of the 100 most environmentally friendly companies in the German state of Hesse. It is the only FSC-certified print shop in Wiesbaden and also the only one to offer certified climate-neutral print production. "We work with a large number of regional and national agencies and industrial customers who ask for products that employ eco-friendly printing. The Anicolor press will win us lots of new customers by enabling us to combine green printing with top quality," explains Ahlfeldt.

The Anicolor press is integrated in the Prinect print shop workflow and is part of a two-and-a-half-shift production operation. Print runs vary between 20 and 400,000 sheets. Before the end of the year, the print shop intends to produce 14 million prints. This corresponds to between 300 and 400 metric tons of paper and 13,000 printing plates. "Our strengths are flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to customer requirements. Our aim is to continue growing, and we can hardly wait to see, which solutions Heidelberg will offer us at drupa. Our aim is to continue growing and also to move in the direction of digital printing and personalization in the future," concludes Ahlfeldt.

Heidelberg the only supplier to provide accurate details of CO2 emissions during press manufacture An increasing number of print shops are keen to operate carbon-neutral presses. Heidelberg has joined forces with Darmstadt University of Technology to develop a method for determining the carbon footprint of all its press series. The two key questions are how much CO2 is generated by the materials used in the press and how much by the energy consumed during production?

The parts list forms the basis for the material assessment and includes all the parts required to build a press. It is very comprehensive, with around 70,000 components, and indicates the metals and other materials the parts are made from and their weight. The GaBi database developed by PE International (GaBi = life cycle assessment) is used to determine the carbon footprint of these components. It includes the CO2 emissions generated during the manufacture and transport of each material.

The amount of direct (production-related) energy required during operations such as grinding, turning, milling, hardening, and coating components is taken into account in the assessment, as is the indirect energy required for lighting, heating, and cooling the production halls. This data can be obtained and assigned based on the recorded energy consumption for the individual halls, the number of components produced in each one, and the scheduled times for the production processes in conjunction with the relevant energy indices.

05/19/11

CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS INTRODUCES WORKSMART SUITE

Press release from the issuing company

Consolidated Graphics, Inc. announced today the introduction of WorkSmart Suite, an integrated technology platform of marketing solutions. Backed by Consolidated Graphics' international print production capabilities, including the world's most advanced digital footprint, WorkSmart Suite represents an end-to-end solution for creating, distributing and managing breakthrough marketing campaigns.

Created from 15 years of experience in providing technology solutions across a myriad of industries, WorkSmart Suite is designed to help marketers grow sales, cut costs and improve marketing returns. Applications include web2print, integrated multichannel marketing and data asset management.

"WorkSmart Suite is a flexible, adaptable technology set that can be used across a multitude of industries," said Paul Garner, executive vice president and Chief Technology Officer of Consolidated Graphics. "WorkSmart Suite allows our customers to create custom marketing solutions that advance their goals and help capture market opportunities. WorkSmart Suite also demonstrates our commitment to technology and allows users the flexibility to adopt the entire platform or choose individual applications to meet specific needs."

A premier application within WorkSmart Suite is "Streamline," an advanced web2print solution that represents the next generation of Consolidated Graphics' widely successful StoreFront tool. Streamline provides 24/7 access to users and simplifies the process of on-demand print purchasing, management and distribution of marketing material, to help customers increase sales, improve control over their marketing material, eliminate waste and cut their total cost of ownership.  

Streamline features a completely redesigned system architecture, based on an industry-standard variable data printing engine and best-of-breed e-commerce engine. This web-based solution provides for a rapid, lower-cost implementation with significantly increased functionality for customers, including instant on-screen proofing, mail list procurement and HTML products. The value of Streamline is further enhanced by its seamless and automated connection to a preferred CGX production and fulfillment  company.

05/19/11

CREEL PRINTING AQUIRES NEW CONTRACT

Press release from the issuing company

Publishing solutions provider Creel Printing has landed a multi-year, multiple-edition contract with Daily Racing Form. The agreement spans front-end processing through distribution of seven of the company's tabloids.

One of the most complex newspapers in the nation, Daily Racing Form publishes up to 2,000 unique pages daily. Creel's unique capabilities and specialized technologies will provide the publisher with significant time and cost savings. By developing customized software, Creel has automated file uploading and imposition, enabling pages to go directly to plate. Creel has further streamlined production by attaching large LED screens to its presses, from which full flip-book versions of the newspapers can be viewed and approved-eliminating all bluelines.

These advancements, along with Creel's closed-loop color controls, give Daily Racing Form "green" benefits, including less ink and as well as lower make-ready/spoilage waste. Creel's location and distribution efficiencies also support expedited shipping and reduced freight costs.

"Publishers today need new efficiencies and savings opportunities," said Chris Evans, V.P. Premedia & Customer Solutions. "Creel is proud to deliver customized solutions that answer these needs and give them a tangible advantage. Because we have the proven technical and R&D expertise in-house, we can help customers achieve their objectives quicker with greater results."

"We are thrilled to support Daily Racing Form, and become part of its impressive publishing heritage," added Allan G. Creel, President of Creel Printing. The 116-year-old Daily Racing Form produces the country's only daily newspaper dedicated to a single sport, horse racing.

Founded in 1953, Creel Printing is one of the most tenured and awarded family-owned enterprises in the world of print. Ranked among the top 50 commercial printers and 10 largest publication printers nationwide, Creel's capabilities span high-end, full-color web printing; specialty-configured bindery operations; a web-based digital edition tool; integrated publishing solutions; and more. Creel runs a state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot headquarters in Las Vegas and a nearby open-web plant. The company runs three shifts, operating 24/7.

05/19/11

HP RELEASES Q2 RESULTS

Press release from the issuing company

HP today announced financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2011. Net revenue of $31.6 billion was up 3% from the prior–year period as reported and up 1% when adjusted for the effects of currency.

GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.05, up 15% from $0.91 in the prior–year period. Non–GAAP diluted EPS was $1.24, up 14% from $1.09 in the prior–year period. Non–GAAP financial information excludes after–tax costs of approximately $0.19 per share and $0.18 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively, related primarily to the amortization of purchased intangibles, restructuring charges and acquisition–related charges. Information about HP´s use of non–GAAP financial information is provided under "Use of non–GAAP financial information" below.

"HP executed well and delivered a solid quarter," said Léo Apotheker, HP president and chief executive officer. "Our enterprise strategy, with services at its core, is focused on higher value–added solutions. Today we are accelerating our efforts to align our services business model to our long–term strategy to deliver unprecedented value to our customers and a better return for our shareholders."

"In the second quarter, we saw continued strength in the enterprise with combined revenue from our commercial businesses up 8% year over year," said Cathie Lesjak, HP executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We again expanded our margins and increased both earnings per share and cash flow from operations double digits year over year."

Results were largely driven by performance in the commercial sector as businesses continued to spend on technology. HP experienced uneven consumer performance across its product categories during the quarter with continued softness in consumer PCs across all geographies.

Second quarter revenue was up 2% year over year in the Americas to $13.8 billion. Revenue was down 1% in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and up 10% in Asia Pacific to $11.7 billion and $6.1 billion, respectively. When adjusted for the effects of currency, revenue was up 1% in the Americas, flat in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and up 4% in Asia Pacific. Revenue from outside of the United States in the second quarter accounted for 66% of total HP revenue. HP saw accelerated growth in BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) with revenue increasing 19% while accounting for 12% of total HP revenue.

05/18/11

INX TO SHOWCASE IN GERMANY

Press release from the issuing company

For two–plus years, INX Digital International Co. (Hall A1 Stand C40) has helped printers convert to digital printing by way of its highly successful EVOLVE® Advanced Digital Solutions.  Show organizers have dubbed the theme of the upcoming FESPA Digital 2011 as “Evolution”, for what is being billed at the greatest event in digital printing.  It takes place May 24–26 in Hamburg, Germany, and will show how INX Digital is ready for any digital occasion.

The company will have a full arsenal of products on display.  Besides EVOLVE, visitors will find the Triangle™ DTX direct–to–fabric textile inks running on ATP color printers and the Triangle™ EDX inks running on Roland VersaCAMM printers.  Also featured will be the new Eco Bulk ink delivery system in use with a Mimaki JV33 printer, a Neolt printing unit and various fabric and packaging samples.

The DTX textile inks were created for and are experiencing much success with the Aftermarket ink channel.  The program switch of PVC–based materials and solvent inks towards a greener production environment continues to hike interest in these direct–to–textile inks.  Designed for use on direct printing with synthetic fabrics using Epson print heads, they deliver optimal quality and a wide color gamut.  These inks have extremely fast drying characteristics on polyesters with minimum 60% blends.  DTX also displays optimal ink fluidity and an excellent image definition and fastness properties.

The EDX inks offer a line of eco solvent products and represent the first time the Triangle brand has offered a color and chemically compatible ECO product for the alternative market.  New color profiles are not required in order to obtain the same color as OEM inks when printing.  Designed for Roland printers with Epson DX4 print head technology, EDX is a fast drying ink with low odor and is TAPS–free.  It’s also unique since it is the only HAPS–free product in the industry.  EDX also provides a significant cost savings when compared to OEM eco inks.

Eco Bulk is a prime example of INX Digital’s corporate commitment to develop more sustainable products.  A key part of the company’s Green recycling program, the ink delivery system is easy to use and features a unique cardboard box design that consists of 100 percent recycled material.  Comprised of one box instead of five, 440 ml cartridges, the ink is housed within a foil bag.  Once emptied, the bag is disposed of and replaced, a much more sustainable approach compared to plastic.  The foil bag can contain up to two liters of ink, double the current industry standard of one liter packaging.  It also results in less waste, but 440 ml cartridges are available for customers who use less ink.   

INX Digital International Co. is a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks for wide format, super–wide and new generation digital printers, and a supplier of printing parts and related services.  As the digital arm of INX International Ink Co., it offers a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services including chemistry, hardware and software, engineering design, and integration and media.  For more information, visit the Web site at www.INXdigital.com.

05/18/11

HEIDELBERG DEBUTS LINOPRINT DRIVELINE SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is introducing the Linoprint DriveLine F UV inkjet printing system at this year´s interpack in Dusseldorf from 12 to 18 May. This digital printing system is an inkjet solution for inline and nearline integration in packaging lines, particularly in the pharmaceutical and medical engineering industries. The printing system offers an extremely high level of flexibility and production reliability for individual and integrated printing of blister foils.

Daniel Dreyer, Head of the Heidelberg Linoprint business area, says: "With our Linoprint UV inkjet printing systems, we are offering a well–rounded portfolio for variable, high–quality printing of labels, aluminum blister and plastic foils, and folding boxes. At this year´s interpack we are introducing the DriveLine F printing system that is specially designed for sensitive pharmaceutical packaging. The system enables pharmaceutical manufacturers and packaging companies to integrate digital inkjet printing into their production lines for safe and reliable printing of individualized packaging materials."

DriveLine F for safe and reliable printing of pharmaceutical blister packs and foils DriveLine F optimally adapts to the pace of the packaging line and handles both intermittent and continuous operation. Static and variable content can also be printed flexibly in high quality on the back of pharmaceutical blister packs or foils. The DriveLine F system uses specially developed UV inks with a low migration potential and excellent set–off properties that cure with the required sealing strength immediately after printing. An integrated print control system ensures a perfect match of layout and input data in production – thus, the finishing of only faultlessly printed foils is guaranteed. DriveLine F processes aluminum, composite and plastic foil in widths up to 320 mm. It is capable of printing foil widths up to 280 mm and thicknesses ranging from 15 µm to 100 µm at 360 dpi resolution. An second head optionally allows the choice of higher resolution (720 dpi), two–color or redundant printing.

05/18/11

GPO PRODUCES RECORD NUMBER OF CREDENTIALS

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has achieved a milestone in the production of secure border credentials. GPO employees have produced one million Trusted Traveler Program cards for the Department of Homeland Security´s (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). GPO has been producing the cards since 2008 at the agency´s ISO 9001 certified secure production facility in Washington, D.C. GPO is responsible for designing, printing, personalizing and mailing the cards. CBP´s Trusted Traveler Program provides expedited entry process for pre–approved, low–risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Trusted Traveler Programs cards include NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST and are approved travel documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. For more information, please visit www.cbp.gov.

"Reaching the one million card milestone is a great accomplishment for GPO employees and our colleagues at CBP," said Steve LeBlanc, Managing Director for GPO Security & Intelligent Documents. "We take added satisfaction from knowing that our teamwork with CPB on the Trusted Traveler Program contributes to the security of our nation´s borders." "The trust we placed in GPO paid off with improved card performance, reliability and durability," said John Wagner, CBP´s Executive Director of Admissibility and Passenger Programs. "Our team, built from committed employees of both agencies, not only achieved its goals, but also established a framework for success and growth for years to come."

05/18/11

INFORM PRINTING AQUIRES NEW KOMORI PRESS

Press release from the issuing company

Komori America, a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, today announced Inform Printing has replaced its Heidelberg press with a fully automated five–color, Komori Spica 29 (Spica 529P) with perfecting capabilities. Located in the heart of Connecticut, Shelton–based Inform Printing is a family–owned commercial printing business delivering quality print at a competitive price since 1992. Inform Printing serves a variety of area industries that have a high demand for personalized service and quality work.  The advanced automation of the Spica 529P makes it possible for the company to expand its business offerings when it comes to color capabilities and a variety of formats, as well as offer faster turnaround due to the Spica´s full CIP4 advanced digital workflow capabilities.    

"Komori presses have taken the lead as the industry benchmark when it comes to advanced automation. The installation of the Spica 529P enables us to experience an exceptionally quick makeready with very little waste, which is very important in our ability to turn jobs around quickly and meet our environmental goals," said Bill Carlson, president of Inform Printing. "Additionally, the Spica´s capacity to flexibly handle a very wide work mix better positions us to be more competitive by enabling us to run a variety of jobs we might not have been able to do in the past."

As an FSC certified print supplier, Inform Printing practices sustainable efforts at every level of production. The Spica 29 Perfector contributes to the company´s green initiatives through the Komorimatic dampening system that enables environmentally friendly non–alcohol printing.

"We are very pleased that our Spica 29 is helping Inform Printing to expand its business offerings," said Jacki Hudmon, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Komori America. "This press offers all the flexibility and capabilities needed to meet growing client demands for shorter turnarounds, competitive pricing, and higher quality requirements."

05/18/11

GRAND RIVER PRINTING AND IMAGING RECEIVES NEW POLAR CUTTER

Press release from the issuing company

Grand River Printing and Imaging, a full–service commercial web print shop in Belleville, Mich., has taken delivery of a 45" POLAR 115 XT guillotine cutter with Autotrim. The new cutter, also equipped with scale and lift, is being used to cut and trim a wide variety of commercially printed materials from postcard–size on up. According to plant manager Jim Hartnett, Grand River´s cutting department already has noted significant enhancements in precision, speed, quality and productivity, which is up around 30 percent (with one operator), due primarily to the action of the Autotrim waste removal system. In addition, Hartnett said,  

"Our operators really appreciate the job set–up and recall, which improves our repeatability and in general makes life easier for the operator."  

Founded in 1978 and employing a staff of around 60, Grand River Printing serves a primarily regional clientele in education, healthcare, government and trade printing.  The company also is a national provider of advertising inserts and publication services, and its GreenMedia program brings together a unique blend of environmentally responsible print production materials and processes for the convenience of its customers.

05/17/11

VAN SON HOLLAND INK CORP APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Press release from the issuing company

Van Son Holland Ink Corporation, the leading global manufacturer of high performance printing inks, announced today the promotion of James Thoele to managing director, technical services. In his new role, Thoele will assume the direct leadership of all of the company´s technical functions with an emphasis on establishing and maintaining relationships with clients from both a technical and sales level.  Additionally, he will continue to lead members of Van Son´s technical team in the field and at color service labs throughout the U.S., overseeing all technical aspects to ensure consistent quality control at all Van Son facilities.

In his previous role as technical field manager, USA, Thoele was integral in helping Van Son gain its strong reputation as a service–oriented ink supplier to the sheet–fed printing ink market. Thoele´s new promotion to the management team will continue to enhance the technical efficiency and process control Van Son is known for offering its customers.

"James has been an instrumental part of our team for the past nine years, delivering the hands–on support and industry guidance that makes Van Son such a huge value–add to printers nationwide," said John Sammis, president of Van Son Holland Ink. "I am confident he will add significant value in his role as a technical expert and team leader. We look forward to his input as we continue adapt our product line to support the latest technologies available to help our customers increase press room efficiency and their bottom line."

05/17/11

KODAK WINS TWO GOLD MEDALS AT PIF

Press release from the issuing company

Kodak capped a highly successful exhibition at Poligrafia by winning two prestigious prizes at the PIF Gold Medal Competition. The company landed a brace of coveted Gold Medals for its KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System and KODAK PROSPER S5 Imprinting System. Poligrafia is the largest print trade show in Poland, and was staged in Poznan at the Poznan International Fair between April 12, 2011 and April 15, 2011.

The PIF Gold Medal Competition is a highly respected industry event that celebrates modern design, innovation and functionality, qualities which the panel of industry experts saw in the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System and KODAK PROSPER S5 Imprinting System.

The FLEXCEL NX System is a complete solution for digital platemaking that enables users to truly push the boundaries of flexo printing.  The System enables customers to grow their business through differentiated print quality, reduce costs through production efficiencies and support sustainability goals through reduced waste.  Simply stated, the FLEXCEL NX System enables users to do more with flexo.

The PROSPER S5 Imprinting Systems, part of the KODAK PROSPER S–Series Imprinting Systems expand the capabilities of web offset presses by enabling variable printing inline or offline for personalizing applications such as direct mail. This solution offers the highest quality in the hybrid digital printing product line, with speeds matching those of a web offset press and web finishing lines while extending the printers´ capital investments in output and workflow solutions. For more information on the PROSPER S–Series Imprinting Systems, click here and view the McAdams success story.

During the show Swapan Chaudhuri, Managing Director of Kodak Poland, participated in the ´Future of books in a digital world´ conference organized by the Polish Printers Association, the principal graphic arts organization in Poland. Kodak was also involved in a roundtable discussion, where company representatives covered book printing using inkjet and laser technology.

The Kodak stand proved hugely popular at Poligrafia 2011, with the company presenting a host of its market–leading graphic arts systems and workflow solutions for a range of markets, such as commercial print, book printing, web offset, newspaper and packaging. There were demonstrations of the KODAK PROSPER S–Series Imprinting Systems, the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System with hybrid option, KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK and PRINERGY CONNECT Unified Workflow Systems, KODAK INSITE Prepress Portal and INSITE Storefront Systems.

The company also showcased the KODAK Picture Kiosk, as well as some of its latest consumer products, including cameras, video cameras and digital picture frames.

Poligrafia 2011 attracted almost 13,000 attendees, drawing in delegates from print service providers, advertising companies, graphic studios, bookbinding companies, wholesalers, specialist shops, and suppliers of printing accessories and consumables. And more than 400 companies from 13 countries exhibited their latest offerings. The majority of exhibitors (55%) presented printing machinery and components, a quarter showcased prepress solutions, with the remaining 20% exhibiting binding and post–press equipment.

Swapan Chaudhuri, Managing Director of Kodak Poland, comments: "Poligrafia was a major success for Kodak. Only nine Gold Medals were awarded at this year´s show, so to walk away with two prizes was a special honor and a great endorsement for the company´s commitment to research and development."

"And, of course, it was very important to be at the event so we could meet face to face with our customers, partners and prospects in the region. The show was an invaluable opportunity for delegates to see firsthand what our solutions can do."

05/17/11

EFI DEBUTES FIERY COMMAND WORKSTATION

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, today made available the latest version of its Fiery Command WorkStation print job management and user interface software, with all–new features to improve image quality, color output, usability, and imposition workflows. Available to most Fiery users worldwide*, Fiery Command WorkStation version 5.3 can be downloaded at no cost at www.efi.com/cws5.

"Fiery Command WorkStation is the recognized industry standard for production printing job management technology, serving as the window into the entire printing workflow," said John Henze, vice president of Fiery marketing, EFI. "Known for its intuitive interface, Command WorkStation gives businesses a productivity boost for production printing. It enables seasoned pros to more quickly produce even higher quality output, while making it easy for less experienced users to produce professional looking documents in just a few clicks."

The Fiery Image Enhance Visual Editor (IEVE) is a powerful industry–first feature newly available in this version of Command WorkStation. IEVE allows for editing of each image in a job without going back to the native design file, saving time and simplifying the editing process. It provides an interactive toolset for optimizing image appearance and applying per–image corrections, to ensure photos look their best. This tool gives users the control to adjust brightness, contrast, highlights, shadows, color balance, sharpness and to make red–eye corrections on any image within a job. Users can save preferred settings as presets to apply to other images or other jobs on the Fiery, ensuring consistent and optimized output.

The newest version of Command WorkStation includes imposition workflow improvements that make operators more productive. Enhancements include the addition of a user–defined finish size workflow in Fiery SeeQuence Impose (an add–on module) to honor the designer´s intent by automatically detecting the trim box and bleed box defined in the source document. Now, operators gain greater control and can get the job done faster with fewer errors.

Another key addition in Command WorkStation is integration with the industry leading profiling and color management software, EFI Color Profiler Suite. This new integration makes users even more productive since they don´t have to leave the Command WorkStation interface to use Color Profiler Suite tools to diagnose profile problems, compare color gamuts, and create and edit profiles. This saves valuable time and eliminates guesswork.

This latest version also has enhancements that make the software easier to use, which further support the ongoing goal of Command WorkStation – to make common tasks more accessible and required job information readily available to operators so they can be more productive.

05/17/11

PITNEY BOWES EXPANDS SERVICEWORKS

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Document Messaging Technologies has announced investment in a further expansion to its Multi Vendor Services offering branded ServiceWorks. Pitney Bowes has for some time offered the ability to support multiple vendor mailing platforms but with the recruitment of Steve Keen from Böwe Systec UK, the offering is set to expand still further.

Gareth Stoten, General Manager UK & Ireland commented, "We are delighted to have Steve Keen on board to head up this expansion. With a growing service division comprising over 200 staff, many with training across multiple vendor platforms, the time is right to give this offering a dedicated focus"

Steve Keen, added, "I am delighted to be joining Pitney Bowes and am excited at the opportunity to add to the already successful team. It was a really pleasant surprise to find for example that the existing Multi Vendor Service offering was so extensive and that over £2m of non–Pitney Bowes parts is held in stock already".

ServiceWorks offers a simple, convenient cost effective business solution through a single service provider. Services cover everything from installation to repair with no need to manage multiple service contracts, many different vendors and inconsistent service.

Pitney Bowes claims industry leading customer satisfaction ratings and technician expertise averaging 15 years service, and the ability to bring economies of scale across a range of print and mail platforms.

05/17/11

CONSOLIDATED GRAPHICS AQUIRES EGT GROUP

Press release from the issuing company

Consolidated Graphics, Inc. announced today that EGT Printing Solutions, a Consolidated Graphics company, has acquired certain assets of The EGT Group, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan.  The EGT Group was founded in 1970 and grew to become one of the largest commercial printers in Michigan. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  EGT Printing Solutions offers commercial and digital printing, data management, mailing and fulfillment.

Commenting on the acquisition, Joe R. Davis, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Graphics, Inc., stated, "EGT Printing Solutions is going to continue to serve EGT´s customers with best in class service and state of the art solutions. With the additional resources of Consolidated Graphics, including the world´s largest and most sophisticated digital printing network and leading edge technology, EGT Printing Solutions and its employees will continue to exceed every customer expectation."

Jon Strager and Michael Gonte, owners of The EGT Group, commented, "We have long admired the Consolidated Graphics business model and are excited to offer our customers all of the capabilities and solutions that Consolidated Graphics has to offer. We are looking forward to being a part of the future with EGT Printing Solutions and having the financial strength and resources of Consolidated Graphics behind us."

Jim Cohen, Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions at Consolidated Graphics, added, "The recession has made it very difficult for independent printing companies to grow on their own. Even larger companies like The EGT Group that have established reputations have faced challenges.  Our strong balance sheet, 650 salespeople and cutting edge technology solutions will enable EGT Printing Solutions to be a real juggernaut in the Detroit metropolitan area."

Consolidated Graphics, Inc. (CGX), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is one of North America´s leading general commercial printing companies. With 70 printing businesses strategically located across 27 states, Toronto, and Prague, Consolidated Graphics offers an unmatched geographic footprint, unsurpassed capabilities, and unparalleled levels of convenience, efficiency and service. With locations in or near virtually every major U.S. market, CGX provides the service and responsiveness of a local printer enhanced by the economic, geographic and technological advantages of a large national organization.

Consolidated Graphics´ vast and technologically advanced sheetfed and web printing capabilities are complemented by the world´s largest integrated digital footprint. By coupling North America´s most comprehensive printing capabilities with strategically located fulfillment centers and industry–leading technology, CGX delivers end–to–end print production and management solutions that are based on the needs of our customers to improve their results. For more information, visit www.cgx.com.

05/16/11

TENSOR GROUP TO BE LA PRESSE FLAMANDE SUPPLIER

Press release from the issuing company

La Presse Flamande, Hazebrouck, France, tapped TENSOR GROUP, INC. as the preferred supplier to extend and upgrade the newspaper´s existing Manugraph DGM, Inc. pressline.  Four TENSOR T–1400 towers, with extensive drive and auxiliary equipment improvements, will be installed during second quarter of this year.

The project includes reconfiguration of Manugraph DGM 430 2–highs into 4–high towers, replacement of closed loop register/cutoff controls, upgraded remote inking and new, integrated drive controls and consoles for the entire press.  Eight phases to complete the install were carefully designed into the project to ensure little or no interruption of daily production.  The additional units will convert the press from capacity of 64 pages (32 black and 32 four–color) to 72 pages of four–color production.

The TENSOR T–1400 footprint shaftless press towers are outfitted with Baldwin spray dampening, GMI remote inking, CIP3 file interface and TENSOR/DRCS register and cutoff controls.  Retrofit of auxiliary equipment onto the existing units will update the press entirely.  All new and existing press components will be fully integrated through two new, highly functional and identical TENSOR/DCOS operator consoles.  One new Jardis zero–speed splicer will also be added.

"The high–priority concern for La Presse Flamande was to benefit in the long term with the most effective and cost–productive way to achieve complete systems integration and control of all equipment," commented Martin Hozjan, TENSOR´s CEO.  "TENSOR, La Presse Flamande, DCOS and GMI worked diligently through all potential issues to arrive at the optimal solution for this specific, complex project."

05/16/11

TITLE

Press release from the issuing company

Strategy Development, a leading management consulting and advanced sales training firm, will be exhibiting at the Lexmark  "Solutions Revolution" Dealer Meeting at the Lexmark corporate headquarters in Lexington, KY on May 16–18, 2011.  The "Solutions Revolution" brings together over 100 dealers from across the country with Lexmark business solutions partners under one roof.

Tom Callinan, Managing Principal of Strategy Development, stated, "We are very excited to participate in this event and to have the opportunity to showcase our extensive consulting engagements and award–winning training programs to Lexmark dealers nationwide.  Whether you need help with your service operations, launching an MPS program, making your MPS program more profitable, or re–energizing your sales efforts, we have a program for you.  Our consultants are engaged daily at the front line level to help dealers expand their businesses and improve operating margins."

In addition to discussing their consulting engagements, Strategy Development will be highlighting their recently launched eWorkshop series which consists of three live, interactive, web–based programs developed and taught by Strategy Development consultants.  All programs include up–to–date industry information and relevant examples to bring the program to life.  Upon completion of the courses, dealers will have the tools they need to implement an MPS program or grow solutions sales or improve service margins.

Tom Callinan will be joined at the meeting by Ken Staubitz, Strategy Development Service Consultant.  Stop by the booth to learn more about Strategy Development´s service consulting, business planning practice, and the numerous award–winning advanced sales training programs offered in conjunction with BTA.  Show specials which include personalized strategy sessions with Strategy Development consultants will be offered at the booth.

For more information or to schedule an appointment during the show please contact Deb Meteraud at meteraud@strategydevelopment.com or at 305–684–3618.

05/16/11

SOS INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES Q1 RESULTS

Press release from the issuing company

SGS International, Inc., a provider of design–to–print graphic services to the consumer products packaging market, announces that sales in the first quarter of 2011 were $91.6 million, an all–time first quarter record. First quarter 2011 sales were up 6.2%, or $5.3 million, from the $86.3 million reported in the first quarter of 2010.

The increase in sales was primarily due to organic business growth, but was also helped by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Organic growth increased first quarter 2011 revenue by $4.0 million versus first quarter 2010. The weakening of the US Dollar versus the Canadian Dollar and the British Pound increased first quarter 2011 sales as compared to first quarter 2010 sales by $0.9 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Revenue in the first quarter of 2011 was also helped by a small acquisition closed in February of 2011 which added $0.2 million of revenue to the first quarter of 2011. Gross margin percentage (exclusive of depreciation) in the first quarter of 2011 was 40.6% compared to 41.2% in the first quarter of 2010.

Net income increased by 36.7% from $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2010 to $7.6 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase was due to the revenue increase discussed above, and to lower income tax expenses in the first quarter of 2011 than for the same period in 2010. The decrease in income tax expense ($2.0 million in the first quarter of 2011 versus $3.2 million in the first quarter of 2010) was due to a tax benefit of $1.6 million recorded in the first quarter of 2011, associated with the reversal of withholding taxes on intercompany interest accrued but unpaid. The reversal is the result of the company´s election to repatriate intercompany interest income back to the United States for tax purposes and a corresponding reduction of the withholding tax rate from 25.0% to 0% on the intercompany interest accrued but unpaid.

EBITDA (a non–GAAP measure) increased by $0.4 million, or 1.8%, to $22.4 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $22.0 million for the same period in 2010. Included in theseEBITDA figures are integration and consolidation costs, acquisition expenses and management fees totaling $0.3 million in the first quarter of 2011 and $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2010.

While EBITDA is a non–GAAP measure, management believes its inclusion enhances the users´ overall understanding of the Company´s current financial performance and future prospects.This non–GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Hank Baughman, CEO of SGS, said "We are pleased with our first quarter results. Southern Graphic Systems delivered record first quarter revenue and EBITDA. We also continued to reduce our outstanding debt, and we acquired new important capabilities in digital printing. During the remainder of 2011, we expect to continue to concentrate on exceeding our customers´ expectations. We will also continue to pursue organic growth, and to add capabilities important to our continued success in the market."

SGS International, Inc. is a global leader in the digital imaging and communications industry offering design–to–print graphic services to the international consumer products packaging market.

Conference Call NotificationSGS International, Inc. will hold a teleconference at 10:00 AM EDT on Thursday, May 12, 2011. Please dial (1–800– 288–8976) in the USA or (1–612– 332–0228) internationally to access the call.The conference ID number is 203424.

05/16/11

BITSTREAM REPORTS INCREASED REVENUE

Press release from the issuing company

Bitstream Inc. today reported that total revenue increased by $1,605,000 or 31% to $6,813,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to total revenue of $5,208,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and by $294,000 or 5% sequentially as compared to $6,519,000 for the three months ended December  31, 2010.  The Company´s aggregate cash, cash equivalents, and investments at March 31, 2011 totaled $11,456,000, an increase of $188,000 from a balance of $11,268,000 at December 31, 2010.

"We are pleased to report that revenues increased sequentially for the fourth consecutive quarter to $6,813,000 for the first quarter of 2011," said Amos Kaminski, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  "The increase from the prior year was the result of increased sales across all of our product lines. MyFonts sales, with the addition of Webfonts, continue to grow and exceeded our expectations. Our OEM font product line closed several large licenses during the quarter that include possible royalties in future quarters. In addition to closing Pageflex Storefront licenses, our publishing line also received OEM revenue from our acquired iWay product.  We continue to strengthen the relationships with our iWay OEM partners and additionally have signed contracts with iWay resellers in the US and Europe. Our BOLT browser team, built over the past year, is focused on generating revenue opportunities through a variety of channels and establishing BOLT´s brand recognition."

The increase in cost of license revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010 is due to the increase in direct third party cost of $473,000 primarily from royalties associated with e–commerce sales and $47,000 for amortization expense related to the acquisition of iWay technology.  Cost of services increased primarily due to the additional personnel added with the iWay acquisition.

Operating expenses increased $1,558,000 to $4,496,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $2,938,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. The increase includes increases in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses of $144,000 in professional fees and $100,000 in salaries and benefits from an increase in personnel.  We also invested approximately $1 million in iWay technology and increased our investment in the BOLT technology by approximately $300,000.

On May 1, 2011, Anna Chagnon, Bitstream´s President and CEO, resigned as an employee and director of the Company. Approximately $685,000 in expenses related to this resignation will be recorded as a G&A expense during its second quarter.

Our loss from operations increased $602,000 to $1,005,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to $403,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Our net loss increased $636,000 to $1,034,000 or $0.10 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $398,000 or $0.04 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Our non–GAAP results exclude stock–based compensation expense, the amortization of intangible assets primarily acquired from Press–Sense Ltd. and acquisition costs for certain assets of Press–Sense Ltd. Our non–GAAP loss from operations increased $511,000 to $680,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to $169,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Our non–GAAP net loss increased $545,000 to $709,000 or $0.07 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2011, as compared to $164,000 or $0.02 per share for the three months ended March 31, 2010.  A reconciliation between GAAP and non–GAAP results is provided at the end of this press release.

05/16/11

ASAHI TO RESTRUCTURE SALES NETWORK

Press release from the issuing company

Asahi Kasei E–materials Corp. (Asahi), a world–leading supplier of photopolymer printing plates to the flexographic printing industry focusing on providing high value added products and unique photopolymer technology for flexographic printing plates and systems, announces that it is reorganizing its photoproducts sales network in North America. Going forward, Asahi will discontinue its direct sales efforts, and will rely on its reseller network for all sales and technical support activities. In doing so, Asahi is in the process of closing the Atlanta Office of Asahi Kasei America Inc.(AKA).

In the view of the strength of the Japanese yen compared to the US and Canadian dollars, and the slow recovery of the North American economies, Asahi decided to provide technical and sales support through its strong network of distribution partners.   Resellers to provide sales and technical support in North America

While Asahi had overseen its North American sales efforts from the Atlanta Office of AKA since 2008, the company has provided its products and service through the North American distribution network it has utilized since 2000. These reseller partners include Correct–Touch Graphic Arts, Inc. (www.ctgraphicarts.com), RBCOR, LLC. (www.rbcor.com), All Printing Resources, Inc. (www.teamflexo.com) and Heidelberg Canada Graphic Equipment Limited (www.ca.heidelberg.com).

The office in Atlanta will conduct business until existing accounts are transitioned to the reseller network. Any questions can be directed to Joe Bauer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Photoproducts Division. He can be reached at 404–344–1223 X101 or via email at jbauer@asahi–photoproducts.com.

05/13/11

MANROLAN AND SEGO GROUP INSTALL LITHOMAN

Press release from the issuing company

A partnership going back for 30 years pays off in that the partners know and think highly of each other. This is the case with manroland and the SEGO Group of Paris, France, where the printservices team and SEGO staff together installed a modern classic – a 72–page LITHOMAN around four years old – within a tight time frame.

SEGO and manroland have worked together for many years and their latest joint project required great precision – dismantling and reinstalling a LITHOMAN within a very short time. Since recently, SEGO prints products with sections of up to 72 pages at a maximum speed of 45,000 copies per hour in three–shift operation. What was the reason behind this investment? Herve Richard, CEO of Groupe SEGO, explains: “With its somewhat shorter cut–off length, the LITHOMAN enables us to save on paper without detracting from the appearance of the finished product. The popular French weekly magazine Nouvelle Observateur now appears in a new format.”

manroland reconditioned the LITHOMAN and installed it at SEGO. Harald Klein, Area Service Director for manroland, is more than satisfied with how the installation went, now the 15th manroland webfed press at SEGO: “Despite difficult dismantling conditions, we managed to relocate the some four year old LITHOMAN and get it back into production in only twelve weeks including modifications to the building. This proves once again the wisdom of utilizing the manufacturer’s technical expertise in all areas of commissioning, and coordinating the work through an experienced project team.”

From the outset, Richard had full confidence in the professional printservices team: “With this project it was important for us that all phases of the relocation of the press were coordinated and carried out by the manufacturer manroland. The fast and uncomplicated restart confirms we were right.” Groupe SEGO belongs among the top 5 printing groups in France and is the largest user of manroland webfed presses in that country. On a production area of 30,000 square meters, the company provides full printing services, from data acceptance through prepress, printing, finishing, and shipment. At the present time, twelve commercial web presses are in operation here.

05/13/11

HEIDELBERG TO EXPAND PORTFOLIO

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is expanding its portfolio for packaging manufacturers and will be presenting a comprehensive range of products designed for digital UV inkjet printing at interpack 2011 from May 12 to 18, 2011, in Dusseldorf. The printing solutions supplied by the company´s Linoprint business area are part of the new Heidelberg digital printing portfolio designed for cost–effective production of short print runs and individualized print products. Heidelberg is presenting the latest Linoprint solutions developed specifically for the packaging industry and consumer goods manufacturers at the interpack in Hall 11, booth E33.

According to independent market surveys, the sales volume of digitally printed folding–carton boxes, foils, and labels amounted to EUR 2.5 billion in 2009. This figure is expected to increase with annual growth rates of around 17 percent until 2015. "UV inkjet printing is rapidly gaining importance thanks to its versatility in the choice of substrates and the fact that it can be directly integrated into packaging production lines," said Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg Management Board, responsible for Equipment. "Together with our recently established partnership with Ricoh, the Linoprint portfolio represents a second stronghold in our range of digital printing solutions. Linoprint gives our customers the flexibility they need to cost–effectively manufacture high–quality small and variable lot sizes in the packaging production."

On the occasion of interpack Heidelberg is showing how folding–carton boxes produced in offset can be individualized using UV inkjet technology. Consumer goods, packaging and bottling companies benefit from solutions that enable individual branding and labeling with a choice of substrate options. The DriveLine C printing system developed by Heidelberg for folding–carton boxes and blanks makes it possible to print extremely short runs with high–quality logos or labels in different language versions.

The Heidelberg DriveLine B and DriveLine F solutions are designed for applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Presented to the public for the first time at interpack, the DriveLine F system can be integrated directly into a packaging line and offers maximum versatility and reliability for the production of individualized blister pack foils. The strengths of the DriveLine B stand–alone system lie in the fact that it supports multiple packaging lines simultaneously and can also be assimilated into an existing production environment.

Heidelberg is a technology partner in "Innovationparc Packaging" Heidelberg is also presenting a series of business models at interpack that offer environment–friendly print product finishing and designing based on sheet–fed offset technology. The joint projects, realized with other companies, are on display in the Innovationparc Packaging health and well–being section, Hall 7a, booth 7AB11/C30.

05/13/11

US SENATE NOMINATES NEW PUBLIC PRINTER

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Senate Rules and Administration Committee voted favorably on the nomination of Public Printer William J. "Bill" Boarman out of committee and to the full Senate for consideration.  President Barack Obama renominated Public Printer Boarman in January.  The President appointed Boarman on December 29, 2010, during a recess of the Senate. Boarman has been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) since January 3, 2011. He is the 26th Public Printer of the United States.

The President originally nominated Boarman to be Public Printer on April 19, 2010. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration held a confirmation hearing in May 2010, and Boarman´s nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate in July 2010.

05/13/11

KONICA MINOLTA LAUNCHES MY OPEN TICKETS

Press release from the issuing company

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), A Leading Provider Of Advanced Imaging And Networking Technologies For The Desktop To The Print Shop, Today Announces The Availability Of My Open Tickets, An Enhancement To The Solution Support Division (Ssd) Mobile Access Application That Provides Mobile Support To Field Technicians Who Service The Company´s Award–Winning Line Of Bizhub Multifunctional Products.   My Open Tickets Allows Technicians To View And Update Their Open Service Tickets While At A Customer Site Using A Handheld Device, Including Android, Blackberry, Ipad, Iphone, Motorola Symbol Mc70 Handheld Computers, Windows Mobile And Windows–Based Pc´s Or Laptops.  

The Ssd Mobile Access Application Is Free To All Registered Konica Minolta Business Partners And Dealer Service Technicians.  With The New My Open Tickets Capability, Field Technicians Can Easily Review The Details Of An Open Service Ticket, Add New Information Or Close A Ticket When It Is Resolved From A Mobile Device.  With This New Feature, The Ssd Mobile Application Makes It Even Easier For Technicians To Interact With Konica Minolta´s Product Support And Service Resources While In The Field, Elevating The Customer Experience Through Optimized, Efficient Service Call Management.  

"With Konica Minolta´s Mobile Applications, Our Dealer Partners And Service Technicians Can Respond To Service Calls More Quickly, Answer Questions More Confidently, And Complete Service Jobs More Effectively," Said James Ingrassia, Vice President, Solutions Support Division, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.  "This Is Another Example Of How Our Customers Can Count On Konica Minolta And Its Dealer Partner Community To Keep Their Digital Printing Solutions Working At Peak Operating Condition."  

The Ssd Mobile Access Application Integrates With The Recently Announced Bizhub Vcare Mobile Application, A Device Relationship Management (Drm) Application That Provides A Real–Time, Comprehensive Diagnostic View Of Any Bizhub Vcare–Enabled Product For Enhanced Fleet Management From A Mobile Device.

05/13/11

PHOTIZO GROUP RECEIVES LEADERSHIP AWARD

Press release from the issuing company

Photizo Group has received a 2011 MPSA Leadership Award from the Managed Print Services Association. The annual MPSA Leadership awards recognize organizations demonstrating leadership in implementing, providing or supporting MPS projects. This year´s 2011 were announced recently at the 2011 Global MPS Conference in Orlando, FL. Photizo Group won first place in the category of Independent Professional Services provider.

"There are many outstanding organizations involved in the MPS industry today, and we are honored to be one of those recognized with a 2011 MPSA Leadership Award. Our business objective is to provide thought leadership to the MPS industry and to help clients with market intelligence, research and consulting. This award validates the confidence our customers have placed in Photizo Group to help them achieve their MPS goals," said Photizo Group CEO Ed Crowley. Photizo Group´s history of pioneering MPS achievements was highlighted in the company´s submission during the award nomination process. These accomplishments include:

Partner Transformation Program was launched at the 2011 Global MPS Conference as a strategic partnership with the PROS Elite Group. This is the first, comprehensive transformation program enabling channel providers to enter MPS, as well as re–energize MPS programs that have stalled.

The MPS Customer Adoption Model provides a framework for describing the MPS customer adoption process. Constantly expanding with the industry and trends, the model has become a standard for the stages a company moves through to complete an MPS engagement.

The Hybrid Dealer Development Model, created in 2008, describes a new framework to help resellers shift their business model from focusing on transactional product sales to a services–centric business.

Photizo Group conducted the first annual tracking study on MPS Decision Makers.  The study provided information in three areas: demographics, purchase, and brand metrics. This ongoing research provides an in–depth analysis to further understand what is important for a decision maker in adopting MPS.

Photizo hosted the first MPS Conference held in 2009 in San Antonio with 135 attendees. Since then, Photizo Group has hosted four more events in the U.S. as well as others in Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Singapore. Leaders from across the MPS industry come together and learn best practices, management metrics, program development and all other aspects of MPS.

In 2007, Photizo Group launched the first issue of the MPS Insights Journal, the first MPS–centered publication. The journal started with the purpose of providing an unbiased, informed view of the developing MPS market. Today, it has developed far beyond expectations, evolving into MPS Insights Daily News, MPSInsights.com and the MPS Insights PRO, a premium–content community for MPS professionals.

The Managed Print Services LinkedIn group, which Photizo launched in 2009, has grown to over 4,000 members.

Founding member of the Managed Print Services Association, which had its beginnings at the first North American MPS Conference in 2008.

05/12/11

ITL TO ALLIGN WITH IST METZ

Press release from the issuing company

British ultra–violet (UV) curing systems developer Integration Technology Ltd (ITL) is to enter into a strategic alliance with Germany´s IST METZ GmbH of Nürtingen near Stuttgart, a worldwide market leader in UV technology and supplier of high–quality UV systems for a variety of applications.Strategic Partnership

The alliance is to be announced on the occasion of IST METZ´s "UV DAYS 2011″ (from 16th to 19th May) where both companies will appear together for the first time.

Upper Heyford, Oxford–based ITL was established in 2000 and is global market leader in the sale of UV lamp units for the ink jet printing sector with an annual turnover of over six million Euros.

"As our product ranges in UV and LED complement each other perfectly, our customers now have available a complete spectrum of UV solutions for the printing industry and other industrial applications," explained Dirk Jägers, managing director of IST METZ.

Adrian Lockwood, managing director and CEO of ITL, added: "As a result of the planned co–operation in marketing, sales and development, both our companies can combine their resources and at the same time increase their presence".

05/12/11

M&D PRINTING COMPANY UPGRADES TO EFI MONARCH

Press release from the issuing company

EFI a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, today announced that M & D Printing Company, Inc. has chosen to upgrade its EFI print management system to EFI Monarch and to immediately implement key modules. The company has also purchased EFI PrinterSite Internal to automate their request for quote process.  

In operation since 1936 in Henry, Ill., M & D Printing is a family–owned, full–service printer specializing in catalog and magazine printing. Their facility runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week and serves customers nationwide.  

An EFI Hagen user since 1992, the company recently began producing increasingly complicated jobs with many version changes. As a result, they decided to upgrade their Hagen system to EFI Monarch – a flexible, powerful, intelligent, and automated print management solution. They will soon be installing Monarch Planner and the Pre–Press Module which provides integration with Kodak Prinergy.  

"After looking at various options, we selected EFI Monarch because it was the only product that brought the whole solution together for us now, while also providing a base on which to build and grow," said Mike Kingery, president. "EFI´s leadership position in the industry was also key to our decision."  

Kingery is most excited about the improvements Monarch Planner will bring to the operation. "The ability to graphically explain a job ticket will mean fewer errors and far fewer headaches," he says. "For instance, we have one monthly order that calls for 250,000 copies of a magazine in 14 different versions. We receive the job on a Friday and the printed magazines are delivered the next Tuesday. With Planner and its scalable imposition templates, we´ll be able to handle the job ticket development and prepress quickly and easily."  

05/12/11

BRAINTREE PRINTING HOLDS SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE

Press release from the issuing company

Around 150 printing and graphic communications professionals RSVP´d that they´d attend Braintree Printing´s March 31st open house –– and 300 showed up. Braintree Printing owner Jim Corliss was pleased with the successful turnout at the company´s Wood Road, Braintree, MA printing plant and said it´s proof that the printing industry continues to thrive.

"It was a terrific social event with food, drinks, raffles and leisure time to talk shop with people in our busy trade," said Corliss who planned the celebration as a networking night and a chance to learn about industry trends and new technology.

Corliss said printing pros at the gathering hailed from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. They included printers, paper merchants, equipment dealers, printing employees and graphic communications professionals.

While the economic downturn has hit the U.S. printing industry hard, many businesses, such as Braintree Printing, have survived by incorporating digital and online technologies and diversifying services.

Corliss said collaboration within the industry –– sharing ideas and partnering on projects is also key. He praised the efforts of printing colleagues and his employees in making the open house such a well–organized success.

Braintree Printing staff, wearing white shirts embroidered with the company logo, greeted guests at the door. They bartended, served food and gave tours. Bindery crew demonstrated the company´s newest acquisitions: a UV roller coater made by Fergesen Systems and a digital envelope printer from RENA.

Blue Hills Regional Technical School students were also on hand promoting Braintree Printing´s apprenticeship training program.

Colleagues from numerous businesses, including Sappi Paper, Komori and DeBourke Company, donated raffle prizes. A $250 gift certificate to Boston´s Capital Grille given by Xerox was won by Edward Figueroa of Kreate and Print, Norwood, MA. Two Red Sox tickets donated by Lindenmeyer Paper were awarded to Dave Spaulding of DAS Print Group, Manchester, NH.

Former Braintree Printing employee Martha Marsden of Marsden Creative photographed and videotaped the night´s festivities.

05/12/11

EXPOGRAFICA 2011 TRADE SHOW TO FEATURE MORE THAN 200 EXHIBITORS

Press release from the issuing company

More than 200 exhibitors will be addressing the latest print technology trends at the Expográfica 2011 trade show in Mexico City from 17th to 20th May. The Koenig & Bauer group (KBA) is to be represented at this print and graphic arts showcase by its Mexican sales and service partner Offset KBA Mexico S.A. de C.V. and will be demonstrating high–quality small–format print with a KBA Rapida 75E press on Stand 1646. Specialists from the German headquarters will be joining the team of the local KBA agency to guarantee visitors a maximum of first–hand know–how.  

During the fair, a Rapida 75E in a four–colour coater version with extended delivery, automated plate changing, inking unit temperature control, roller and blanket washing systems and a KBA ErgoTronic control console will be printing a diversity of sophisticated posters with high–quality dispersion finishing. The Rapida 75E was first shown to the public at IPEX last year and is becoming increasingly popular in Latin America. Thanks to its fast makeready, small footprint and an extremely low energy consumption, it is already an ideal means of production for the many small and medium–sized print businesses in the region.  

With its population of more than 100 million, a high level of domestic consumption and low labour costs in conjunction with the proximity to the enormous US market, Mexico is one of the growth markets for printing presses. The KBA agency Offset KBA de México S.A., which has been active in Mexico City since 2002, has been successful in placing a number of Rapida sheetfed presses on the market over the past years. A six–colour Rapida 142 with coater and hybrid equipment, for example, has been in production at Cartographic, a Guadalajara–based packaging printer, since 2010. Latingraph in Mexico City, on the other hand, chose an eight–colour Rapida 105 coater press for its packaging operations. And in August this year, a Rapida 106 with seven printing units, inline coater, fully automatic plate changing and hybrid facilities for high–end finishing effects is to be installed at Litografia d´Ortega. The similarly good reputation of KBA web presses, furthermore, was recently reaffirmed with the delivery of a KBA Comet with four–high tower and heatset capabilities for semi–commercial production at Compa–´a Editorial Ultra in Mexico City. As a longstanding customer of KBA, Editorial Ultra is already using several Compacta commercial web presses.

05/12/11

WESTERN STATES ENVELOPES & LABEL RELEASES 8 NEW PRODUCTS

Press release from the issuing company

Western States Envelope & Label announced the addition of eight new products to its popular line of digitally compatible window envelopes called Digi–Clear. "Since 2009 the Digi–Clear window envelope has proven to be the leader in product performance over the wide variety of digital 4–color toner–based equipment on the market," according to Steve Brocker, vice president sales and marketing for Western States. The product is designed to run through the higher temperature environment of digital presses without distortion or wrinkling of the window.

"We are pleased to greatly expand our stock sizes as the digital envelope market continues to grow," Brocker added. "We continue to improve the Digi–Clear product to accommodate equipment changes.  We just completed exhaustive testing of the newer equipment on the market, and our current products reflect the results of those tests. We will continuously improve the product to insure the best quality for our digital print customers," Brocker said.

05/11/11

KUGLER RELEASES NEW ECOBINDER

Press release from the issuing company

The new EcoBinder from industry leader Kugler–Womako is not just a single–batch paper binder, it is also the first binding system ever to offer the benefits of a rotary table.

The new EcoBinder from Kugler–Womako provides twofold innovation, taking both product and process down new paths and giving users creative options once thought impossible.  

The environmentally–friendly, award–winning EcoBinder technology from Kugler–Womako is already the talk of the industry. Instead of traditional combs and spirals made of wire or plastic, the system uses 22–mm–wide printable paper rings, perfect for advertising purposes.  

That alone makes the EcoBinder a true novelty in the industry. But the design team at Kugler–Womako wasn´t satisfied with just one innovative feature. Instead of the typical linear transfer system, the EcoBinder handles the process using a rotary table – the first of its kind. "A rotary table is more compact and consists of fewer individual parts than a linear arrangement, which helps reduce maintenance costs," explains project manager Anton Jost. In a circular process, input and output stations are located next to each other. Therefore, one worker can operate the entire machine. The innovative solution also facilitates a completely new, space–saving workflow.

In the semi–automated version, bundles are inserted by hand. At 15 cycles per minute and with no manual intervention required, the rotary table transports the bundle 90 degrees to the corresponding processing station where strips of paper are coated with hot glue, rolled and adhered to the back cover of the bundle.

"This configuration is just one of many possibilities," says Anton Jost. "As with all our machines, the EcoBinder can be customized to meet our customers´ individual needs."

05/11/11

INX DIGITAL UPGRADES WEBSITE

Press release from the issuing company

As the traditional printing world continues to evolve with digital printing solutions, INX Digital International is hedging its education efforts in the process.  Following the successful introduction of a training portal for dealers in the third quarter of 2010, INX Digital recently upgraded its www.smartINX.com web site that is available 24/7.

INX Digital manufactures and distributes inkjet inks and toners for a variety of industrial markets. The training portal provides a sales overview and insight into the products offered by INX Digital to dealers who desire to be registered with the company´s global network.  In the last year, INX Digital has introduced several new product lines of dry and liquid toner, plus a range of customized industrial inkjet inks including textile products and UV curable technologies.  Initially available only in English when it debuted nearly eight months ago, the portal now offers Spanish and Portuguese versions.

"The smartINX.com portal is invaluable as a training tool and an information and reference center for our dealers and employees," said Ken Kisner, President of INX Digital International.  "Much time has been invested in creating videos, course materials, and a library as well as other educational content.  This is another value–added resource not only for our dealers but our internal staff as well. We currently have three courses available, but are continuing to add resources to this project and will expand the portal.  The world of digital is a very exciting place to be and we believe this technology tool will help grow our business and empower the global dealer network and channel program."

INX Digital employees have participated in mandatory training sessions and are well versed to assist and handle any questions dealers have.  Dealers logging into the portal will find a section on how to get started, followed by a training catalog and objectives and access to the virtual library.  They´ll also find training solutions that will prove effective and get a better understanding on how the company´s digital product technological advancements help with print performance.

Currently, INX Digital is well known for its Graphic Arts products that are used primarily for billboards, banners, vehicle and building wraps and other large format output.  However, future updates to the portal will include more detailed information on items such as the EVOLVE Advanced Digital Solutions brand line.  Any dealer interested in registering with the INX Digital global network should contact their local company sales representative.

05/11/11

GPO APPOINTS NEW IG

Press release from the issuing company

Public Printer Bill Boarman appoints Rodolfo "Rudy" Ramirez, Jr., as interim Inspector General (IG) for the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO).  Ramirez will oversee the agency´s Office of Inspector General (OIG), which provides an independent and objective means of keeping the Public Printer and Congress informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration and operations of GPO.  He will serve in an interim capacity while a search for a new Inspector General is conducted.

Ramirez brings to the office twenty–five years of accomplishments while serving as a Special Agent, Criminal Investigator, Supervisor, and Senior Manager for the Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice, including service as country attaché to the U.S. ambassadors of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras for international narcotic matters, and assistant country attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.  Ramirez also served as Assistant Special Agent–In–Charge for the Detroit, MI, Division, where he oversaw more than 300 employees and major drug trafficking investigations in three states.  Additionally, Ramirez was senior inspector for the DEA Office of Professional Responsibility, where he supervised and investigated allegations of misconduct by DEA employees, and senior manager of the DEA Board of Professional Conduct, which reviewed and evaluated all integrity and misconduct allegations involving DEA employees.

Following his service at DEA, Ramirez worked for seven years as senior corporate security representative for American Airlines, where he was responsible for conducting criminal and internal administrative investigations that included drug smuggling, bomb threats, credit card fraud, counterfeit tickets, mail theft, and employee theft.  For the last decade, Ramirez has been involved in investigations for security clearances for Federal Government agencies including the Department of State and U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security.  He was involved in the investigations that resulted in hiring 6,000 Border Patrol agents in 2008.  Ramirez is a graduate of St. Mary´s University in San Antonio, TX.  He also attended St. Mary´s University Law School and the University of Southern California´s School of Public Administration.

"Rudy Ramirez brings a wealth of investigative knowledge and experience to the Office of Inspector General," said Public Printer Bill Boarman.  "His background and expertise will be a great asset to GPO in detecting and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse and providing recommendations in strengthening efficiency for the agency´s operations."

05/11/11

USPS HAS POOR Q2

Press release from the issuing company

The U.S. Postal Service ended the second quarter of this fiscal year (Jan. 1 – March 31, 2011) with a net loss of $2.2 billion, compared to a net loss of $1.6 billion for the same period in FY 2010.

Despite significant cost reductions and revenue growth initiatives, current financial projections indicate that the Postal Service will have a cash shortfall and will have reached its statutory borrowing limit by the end of the fiscal year. Absent substantial legislative change, the Postal Service will be forced to default on payments to the federal government.

"The Postal Service continues to seek changes in the law to enable a more flexible and sustainable business model," said Postmaster General and CEO Patrick R. Donahoe. "We are committed to working with Congress and the administration to resolve these issues prior to the end of the fiscal year. The Postal Service may return to financial stability only through significant changes to the laws that limit flexibility and impose undue financial burdens."

Mailing Services revenue of $14.0 billion decreased $568 million, or 3.9 percent, in the second quarter of 2011, compared to the same period a year ago. Mailing Services volume of 40.7 billion pieces represents a 3.1 percent decline from the same period a year earlier. The modest increase in revenue from Standard Mail was not sufficient to offset the loss of revenue from the reduced volume of First–Class Mail.

"Sluggish economic growth and diversion of First–Class Mail to electronic alternatives continue to cause record losses, despite a reduction of over 130,000 full–time equivalents (FTEs) in the last three years," says Joseph Corbett, CFO and executive vice president. The Postal Service reduced work hours in the second quarter by 9.6 million hours or 3.2 percent. The number of career employees on March 31, 2011, was 571,566, a reduction of 6,726 employees during the second quarter.

Mailing Services results in the second quarter include:
• First–Class Mail revenue of $8.0 billion, on volume of 18.5 billion pieces;
• Standard Mail revenue of $4.2 billion, on volume of 20.2 billion pieces;
• Periodicals revenue of $443 million, on volume of 1.7 billion pieces; and
• Package Services revenue of $394 million, on volume of 167 million pieces.
Shipping Services revenue of $2.2 billion increased 5.0 percent or $105 million compared to the same period a year ago. Shipping Services volume of 352 million pieces represented a 3.5 percent increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

Details of the second quarter results include: • Total mail volume of 41.0 billion pieces, compared to 42.3 billion pieces in the same period a year earlier, a decrease of 3.0 percent, lead by a drop in First–Class Mail; and
• Operating revenue of $16.2 billion, compared to $16.7 billion in the same period a year earlier, a decrease of 2.8 percent.
Service performance remained excellent during the second quarter, with the national score for overnight Single–Piece First–Class Mail arriving on time 96 percent of the time, a slight improvement over the same period a year earlier.

A number of new marketing initiatives have been introduced that may help to improve revenue growth in 2011, including expansion of simplified addressing for business mailers, Every Door Direct Mail, Priority Mail Regional Rate Boxes, and Reply Rides Free. In January 2011, new Shipping Services prices increased an average of 3.6 percent. New Mailing Services prices that are limited to the Consumer Price Index cap of 1.7 percent took effect April 17, after the close of the second quarter. While new marketing initiatives and price increases may improve revenue growth, electronic diversion will continue to cause reductions in First–Class Mail.

The Postal Service is aggressively reducing expenses, including organizational redesign initiatives. The Postal Service projects $1.2 billion to $1.6 billion in cost savings in fiscal year 2011, including a reduction of workhours across the organization. Benefits of these initiatives, however, may be offset by rising fuel prices.

05/11/11

PANTONE ANNOUNCES CERTIFIED PRINTER PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

Pantone LLC, an X–Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT) and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced the PANTONE Certified Printer Program.

Designers rely on Pantone for consistent color standards – from initial inspiration to final output. The PANTONE Certified Printer Program is a patent–pending, professional certification program developed to ensure accurate PANTONE Solid and Process Color matching throughout the production workflow. The program audits, inspects, analyzes and qualifies the operations of participating offset printers – from intake and ink mixing to print production and customer handling. Each phase of the process is examined and must meet Pantone´s stringent quality standards.

"Designers rely on their chosen print provider to accurately reproduce their projects, regardless of the many variables that can affect color reproduction," said Giovanni Marra, director of corporate marketing at Pantone. "By selecting a PANTONE Certified Printer, designers can rest easy knowing the printer has an effective color reproduction process in place with all of the required tools to properly evaluate color and ensure the best match to PANTONE Colors."

"The Pantone Certification Program represents a unique ´all inclusive´ approach which enabled us to bundle all our quality programs, including ISO and G7, into a more structured process," said Lester Samuels, managing director of New Jersey–based Pictorial Offset Corporation, one of the largest privately–owned, commercial printers in North America. "By implementing PANTONE Certification, we´ve been able to reduce material and labor waste, reduce rework, produce consistent color branding for our clients, increase customer satisfaction and ultimately drive our top line."

"We decided to become part of the PANTONE Certified Printer Program because we truly believe in an engineered color–consistent process," said George Amann, president of UNIMAC Graphics, a diversified graphics communication company serving clients in the Northeast and Mid–Atlantic regions. "With PANTONE Certification, we are able to improve the repeatability of our entire color process, whether utilizing PANTONE Solid Colors or traditional four–color process. Color consistency can save a job and a client, so the payback for the certification is immediate. The PANTONE Certification will also assist us in acquiring more business, as it will be a great influencer for savvy supply chain personnel."

The PANTONE Certified Printer Program focuses on measurement, control and communication, and audits each step of the process including prepress, press and ink. Through the use of instruments and ink formulation software, PANTONE Certified Printers can calculate the best possible match to a client´s chosen substrate and set realistic expectations by providing a report that indicates how closely a designer can expect to match any given color. Those printing to the GRACoL standard can use PANTONE Color Numbers straight from PANTONE Guides; others can calculate the best four–color build for their press conditions by using PANTONE COLOR MANAGER Software. For more in–depth information about the certification process, please visit www.pantone.com/certifiedprinter.

Printers can become certified as part of the PANTONE Certified Printer Program for U.S. $7,850. This covers the first year of certification, a two–day audit and a one–year PANTONE License. Certification for additional printing plants is $4,100. Recertification is available for U.S. $6,050 per year. Recertification of additional plant sites is U.S. $2,300 per year. There may be additional costs for products, software and equipment calibration necessary to pass audit requirements.

05/10/11

SOP CREATES ALLIANCE WITH FREEPORT PRESS AND DEMOCRAT PRINTING

Press release from the issuing company

Southwest Offset Printing (SOP) announced today that it has formed a strategic alliance with two regional print partners, giving each an enhanced platform on which to build a national account presence. SOP joins forces with Freeport Press of Freeport, Ohio and Democrat Printing & Lithography of Little Rock, Arkansas to manufacture the inaugural issue of Help Me Rent Magazine (HMRM), which launches in 32 cities in July. With its first edition, HMRM introduces "the print button," a breakthrough technology which allows online content providers the ability to auto–upload content and select the appropriate regional print edition in which to display classified advertisements. HMRM believes its cutting edge processes will energize publishing markets by breathing new life into the print medium.

Regional printers have been limited in their geographic scope due to freight and distribution challenges, but joining forces gives independent companies an opportunity to service national accounts. By offering clients a cooperative platform featuring similar print platforms, prepress protocols and binding capabilities, SOP and its partners aim to recapture business that is now the exclusive domain of multi–plant concerns. As supporters of the recent "Choose Print" initiative launched by the Printing Industries Association of Southern California, SOP believes strategic alliances will assist print manufacturers as they re–energize print as a vital component in the modern media mix. SOP Executive Vice President Jennifer McDonald adds, "When Help Me Rent approached us with their aggressive launch plans, I reached out to potential partners, and found Freeport Press and Democrat Printing & Lithography to be ideal candidates for a cooperative effort. Together, we´ve created a comprehensive platform for a new national publisher by pooling the best of our common resources while embracing HMRM´s innovative front–end technologies."

Privately–held Southwest Offset Printing is one of the largest independent printing companies in the western United States. Operating facilities in both Gardena and San Jose, California, the company offers both cold web and heatset press lines, and manufactures regional editions of The New York Times, USA Today, Financial Times and Investors Business Daily. The company prints 19 daily papers and hundreds of weekly and monthly newspapers, magazines and catalogs.

05/10/11

DAEHAN PAPER TO RECEIVE NEW EQUIPMENT FROM PEMCO

Press release from the issuing company

Seoul–based Daehan Paper in Korea has announced the pending arrival of new folio–size sheeting and wrapping equipment from Pemco, a company of the Körber PaperLink Group (KPL). The SHM dual rotary sheeter and Wrapmatic folio ream wrapper GRM will be installed in June.

"With these machines, our partnership with Pemco increases our sheeting and ream wrapping production capacity by 50%, from 2,000 tons per month to 3,000," said Mr. S. Jang, Senior Executive Director / Mill Manager at Daehan Paper.

The sheeter has a working width of 1650 mm, and is equipped with a high–speed automatic pallet change system and a sensitive products package which will facilitate high speed production of sensitive coated paper products. These two options will result in finished pallets presented to the highest commercial standards. The high–performance wrapper processes all types of papers as fast as 17 reams/min., and is equipped with a non–stop single palletizer.

Until now, Daehan Paper has used conventional single–rotary sheeters, the cut quality and tolerances of which Daehan Paper finds unsatisfactory for today´s market. In contrast, the dual rotary synchro cross cutter on the new SHM 1650 DR ensures market leading cut quality and cleanliness as well as sheet length precision and flatness because the cutting speed is always synchronous with the web speed across the full range of cut–off lengths.

The directly connected ream wrapper further increases quality and efficiency. Its single palletizer minimizes the number of conveyors needed, thus reducing overall footprint while matching the speed and output of a standard double palletizer.

"Until now, we have been wrapping reams manually," noted Mr. D.Y. Park, Managing Director. "Automatic ream wrapping by the GRM machine will not only result in each individual ream having uniform tension and presentation, but at the same time will significantly reduce our labor costs and improve our palletized products´ stacking quality."

Daehan Paper ordered the machines last September. Both machines are scheduled to be shipped mid–May, 2011. Installation is scheduled to begin at the end of June, with full production a month later.

05/10/11

XEROX TO PARTNER WITH CISCO

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox Corporation and Cisco announced today that they intend to form an alliance to simplify IT management by delivering cloud–based services and technology solutions that combine network intelligence and print.

The alliance plans to bring Xerox´s market–leading managed print and cloud IT outsourcing (ITO) services to customers over Cisco´s intelligent network infrastructure. Both companies will arm channel partners with solutions that help businesses extend their existing IT investments to improve performance and reduce cost.

Through this alliance, Xerox and Cisco plan to make IT applications more accessible and improve efficiency for the workforce with solutions such as mobile printing – the ability to print from any device, anytime, anywhere.

"This relationship puts Xerox and Cisco at the center of a simplified, connected infrastructure – bringing together networking, printing and cloud services," said Ursula Burns, chairman and CEO, Xerox. "Together we´re helping businesses transition to the cloud in ways that best suit their operations, and add the services needed to enhance security and productivity for employees."

Xerox and Cisco are collaborating to deliver the following solutions:

Xerox Managed Print Services (MPS) over Cisco Borderless Networks: consolidate IT and print management using the network´s embedded security, WAN optimization, and Internetwork Operating System (IOS) software. The combined solution monitors print technology and reduces operating costs, protects confidential data from any location, and improves employee productivity with advanced mobile and cloud printing applications.

Xerox Cloud ITO Services built on Cisco UCS and Vblock infrastructure: help customers accelerate the rollout of new IT services, so they can better respond to changing needs of the workforce and reduce IT costs through a private cloud, the public cloud or a hybrid cloud environment. These cloud services from ACS, A Xerox Company include infrastructure as a service (IaaS), cloud consulting services, and private cloud deployments.

Xerox Mobile Print Solution on Cisco virtual desktop clients and Cisco Cius: allows mobile workers to securely print business documents from any email–enabled device – including Cisco virtual desktops clients and Cisco Cius business tablets – to any enabled printer, using Cisco Borderless Networks and Wireless LAN solutions for reliable and seamless connectivity from any location.

"Aligning Cisco and Xerox cloud offerings brings the power of intelligent networking to printing to help our mutual customers drive innovation across their businesses and become more agile and reduce costs. This strategic alliance also creates a tremendous opportunity for channel partners to grow revenue by building cloud practices," said John Chambers, chairman and CEO, Cisco.

Today, Xerox and Cisco are working with channel partners so they can resell, deliver and manage Xerox private and public cloud services on Cisco´s Data Center and Borderless Network architectures. These services, including IaaS, private cloud environments, and MPS, have been released for limited availability to Cisco channel partners. The alliance intends to provide Cisco channel partners with new ways to reduce costs and track print usage for customers, while Xerox channel partners can take advantage of Cisco Smart Services (such as Cisco Smart Care) to support customers´ network solutions. Xerox Mobile Print can be accessed from Cisco virtual desktop clients and Cius when they are generally available.

05/10/11

PPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT PARK PLAZA

Press release from the issuing company

Developing new income streams from the increasing digitalisation of the publishing sector was the key theme in a number of the discussional forums at the recent PPA Annual Conference held at the Park Plaza in London on the 4th May 2011.

Commenting on a number of developments which have proceeded apace within the Publishing sector throughout 2011, Peter Sommerville, Marketing Director of Denmaur Independent Papers stated,

"Providing that extra bit more, that sets you apart from your competitors, remains a key strategy for any business to succeed and stay ahead. Both Denmaur Independent Papers and the members of the PPA are no exception to this."

In order to further highlight its own differentiation, Denmaur Independent Papers used the event to launch their own "Service Plus" package. Stressing the need to stand out from the crowd, Sommerville continued,

"We´ve identified a number of areas where we can be of assistance and lend our expertise to our customers, helping them make more effective decisions about their business. Our paper healthcheck, is a periodic review of our customer´s trading position with us, is an excellent example of how we analyse, report and suggest a number of possible alternative solutions with them."

The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) conference is an annual event, which in 2011 celebrates its 21st year. As a trade body, the PPA principally reflects the views of its members whilst providing a larger platform for the launch and support of a host of new activities.

05/10/11

XPLOR INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES TOUR SCHEDULE

Press release from the issuing company

Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today announced the 2011 schedule and locations for XDU on the Road, a 10–city traveling educational program kicking off May 11, 2010 Omaha, Nebraska.

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XDU on the Road is designed for busy professionals and offers a unique face to face experience from interaction with sponsors, networking with colleagues and the ultimate XDU educational experience including knowledge shared from a combination of end users, industry analysts and subject matter experts who provide collective information through real world experiences. The theme for XDU on the Road for 2011 is "The Next Generation of Customer Communications" and will feature a series of one day seminars running from May through November 2011 in selected U.S. cities including:

• May 11: Omaha, Nebraska
• May 25: Washington, DC
• June 14: Cincinnati, Ohio
• June 29: Atlanta, Georgia
• July 19: Vancouver, Canada
• August 10: Baltimore, Maryland
• August 31: Toronto, Canada
• September 28: Kansas City, Missouri
• October 18: Dallas, Texas
• November 9: Tampa, Florida

The seminar series runs from 8:15 AM through 3:30 PM with an agenda that includes educational sessions, lunch and panel discussions*. Registration is complimentary for Xplor members, $99.00 USD for non–members that also includes a complimentary individual Xplor membership for six months for US residents.

For a complete listing of cities, dates and registration options, visit http://www.xplor.org/xdu_road/. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, call Deborah Green at +1 770 444–3845 or email deborahgreen2@earthlink.net.

XDU on the Road is sponsored by BARR Systems, DocuLynx, Pitney Bowes, Ricoh/InfoPrint Solutions and Solimar Systems.

* Speakers may vary from city to city. Some cities include a hosting company facility tour

05/09/11

ROLAND DG RELEASES WIDE–FORMAT HYBRID PRINTER

Press release from the issuing company

Following the successful adoption of the VersaUV LEC–330 and LEC–540 UV–curable machines, Roland DG has incorporated the same ground–breaking technology into its first wide–format hybrid printer. Designated the VersaUV LEJ–640, this new roll fed and flat–bed solution is designed to print to flexible and rigid materials and incorporates both white and clear varnish to its CMYK ink set for highly visual and tactile finishes.

The Roland VersaUV LEJ–640 has a maximum printing width of 1.625m and can work with coated and uncoated rigid substrates up to 13mm in thickness. Its versatility also enables it to print to flexible roll–fed materials, with fast change–over from one media type to another.

A maximum resolution of 1400 x 1400 dpi means that the VersaUV LEJ–640 can output extremely fine dot quality which rivals screen–printing, offset litho and gravure for applications where sharp text and highly detailed graphics are required. The machine´s ability to incorporate white ink and clear varnish makes it ideal for the production of short run packaging and prototypes as well as a vast range of innovative signs and displays.

The LEJ–640 is ventilation ready, featuring a hood for easy connection with an air filtration system. The VOC–free inks and LED curing combine to make the VersaUV LEJ–640 ideal for users who want to integrate UV–curable production into their existing facilities without having to add special ventilation and ducting. The machine´s LED curing technology means it can be used in conjunction with delicate materials which, traditionally, have been difficult to cure efficiently. Additionally, the long–life lamps need no warm–up time, making them cost–efficient to use and cool to the touch, leading to a safe printing environment.

Prints produced on the VersaUV LEJ–640 are instantly dry and ready for finishing as soon as they have been cured, enabling users to shorten their production time where lamination is required. Roland´s Eco–UV inks feature flexible properties so that there is no flaking or cracking, even on the finest materials. The printer´s white ink circulation system is designed to prevent the pigment from settling, allowing for unattended production.

This new machine incorporates advanced features which ensure fast throughput and an efficient production workflow, yet set–up and its use is straightforward and easy, even for first–time operators. The VersaUV LEJ–640 has a specially designed media securing mechanism to hold flat substrates in place, supporting even the thickest of materials, and enabling layered clear varnish to be applied accurately for highly visual, tactile and textured finishes.

Roland´s established Eco–UV inks are renowned for their adhesion and tough finishes, complemented by their vivid and accurate colours. The inclusion of a highly opaque white makes the machine ideal for printing onto non–white and transparent materials, such as corrugateds and window films, adding new levels of versatility to UV–curable production on a wide–format platform.

The inclusion of Roland´s clear varnish, which has already proved to be hugely successful in its VersaUV LEC duo of machines, enables users to produce unusual and creative textures on all materials. These can be created by the user or selected from the Roland Texture Library which is included in Roland´s easy–to–use VersaWorks RIP software, supplied with every machine.

"This latest addition to Roland´s growing portfolio of versatile, creative printing solutions brings the benefits of our high quality UV–curable technology to a true hybrid wide–format system," states Rob Goleniowski, Business Manager – Sign and Graphics at Roland DG (UK). "We have incorporated into the new VersaUV LEJ–640 the successful and innovative attributes that have proved to be extremely popular in the LEC–330 and LEC–540 models. The result is a low investment, cost–effective and versatile solution which is certain to appeal to sign–makers, commercial printers and display producers who want to add innovative results to their applications."

Available in a choice of versions with CMYK plus white and clear varnish, CMYK plus two channels of white, or CMYK plus two channels of clear, the VersaUV LEJ–640 also incorporates Roland OnSupport for remote diagnostics. At an attractive price of £45,999 the LEJ–640 also comes with the company´s comprehensive Roland DG Care Service Agreement, and this is complemented by training courses at The Roland Academy which help users develop innovative and profitable markets for their investments.

05/09/11

CMABRIDGE APOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER

Press release from the issuing company

Cambridge, Xaar, the world´s leading independent supplier of industrial inkjet printheads, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Bobertz as General Manager Asia Pacific, and Duncan Gellatly as Ink Sales Manager.

These newly–created roles are part of Xaar´s expansion plans and ensure that the company has the best structure in place to deliver rapid growth over the next few years.

Bob Bobertz brings 12 years´ experience as General Manager Asia Pacific with Linx Printing Technologies, an industrial inkjet manufacturer and a global leader in the product identification market. Based in Hong Kong, Bob now has operational responsibility for all Xaar´s activities in the Asia Pacific region, encompassing China, Japan, Korea, India, Australasia and the Asian rim countries.

Xaar works in partnership with the world´s leading ink manufacturers to develop and approve the widest range of inks that are compatible with its range of printheads.  Duncan Gellatly joins Xaar as Ink Sales Manager from Avecia, a leading supplier of pigment and colorants to the printing industry. He has extensive commercial and technical inkjet experience and now has global responsibility for Xaar´s ink sales strategy which includes managing ink partner relationships to ensure that Xaar meets the needs of the graphics and ceramics markets.

Phil Eaves, Sales and Marketing Director, Xaar, says: ´These new senior management appointments add top level skills and experience to the company at a time when we are undergoing substantial growth in a number of market sectors. Bob and Duncan bring considerable inkjet knowledge and commercial expertise and will help drive significant further success in 2011 and beyond."

05/09/11

GPA NAMED BEST WORKPLACE OF 2010

Press release from the issuing company

For the fifth straight year, GPA has been awarded the prestigious designation of Best Workplace in the Americas for 2010 by the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation for their exemplary human resource practices.

"Genuine trust and care are the cornerstones of our culture at GPA, and I´m proud to be part of an environment where people truly enjoy helping each other grow and succeed in all that they do. We are very fortunate to work with such an outstanding group of professionals throughout our organization who make up GPA, and we appreciate the recognition of our collective effort which has resulted in this achievement," said Tom Brooker, President of GPA.

Run by the Printing Industries of America (PIA), this award program uses over 300 metrics to compare GPA´s human relations programs and policies to other companies in the graphic arts industry. A panel of highly respected HR professionals with decades of experience in the graphic arts industry reviewed the submissions. All applicants were judged on eight criteria: Management Practices, Work Environment, Training and Development Opportunities, Financial Security, Workplace Health and Safety, Work–Life Balance, Recognition and Rewards, and Health and Wellness Programs.  

GPA is the premier source for specialty substrates and solutions for offset and digital printing. Products include coated and uncoated papers, pressure sensitive and specialty papers, synthetic films and substrates exclusively engineered for HP Indigo presses. GPA is an HP Indigo Preferred Partner and a Platinum Partner of Dscoop (Digital Solutions Cooperative). For samples and more information on GPA or the products it offers, visit www.askgpa.com or contact GPA Customer Service at 800–395–9000.

05/09/11

CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY ADOPTS PLATINUM BRAND

Press release from the issuing company

Chemical Technology–a worldwide manufacturer of surface chemistry products for the printing and electronics industries–has adopted the Platinum brand for its entire line of heatset web fountain solution products.  Announcing the new brand, RBP President Mark Kannenberg commented: "Heatset web printers in the southwestern United States already know the Platinum brand because Pressroom Solutions Incorporated (PSI) distributed products under that name for many years.  With the RBP acquisition of Pressroom Solutions late last year, the traditional Platinum products continue to be available.  Because the Platinum brand is extremely well known in the heatset web community, however, it is being extended to all RBP heatset web fountain solution products."  

The RBP Platinum product line includes a broad selection of fountain solution products for heatset web presses regardless of the dampening system used.  

Founded in 1954, RBP Chemical Technology is a global supplier of proprietary chemicals and delivery devices for the printing, newspaper, and electronics manufacturing industries.  RBP Chemical Technology products are manufactured in a 48,000 square foot plant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; in a wholly owned blending facility near Mumbai, India; and by approved blenders in the US, South Korea and Thailand.  RBP Chemical Technology is ISO 9001:2008 certified.  RBP products are sold and serviced by factory–trained sales and service representatives and distributors in the Americas and Asia.  For more information, call 414–258–0911 or log on to www.rbpchemical.com

05/09/11

EFI COMPLETES 12TH ANNUAL USER CONFERENCE

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, completed its 12th annual users´ conference last week at the Wynn resort in Las Vegas with approximately 1,000 customers in attendance, a record number of partner sponsors, and 150 educational sessions.   

EFI also announced the 2012 Connect conference details – the event will return to the Wynn resort April 10–13, 2012. Advance registration is now available at www.efi.com/connect with special registration rates (good through Aug. 31, 2011).   

"We had an incredibly successful Connect last week, with the largest group of customers ever taking advantage of classes, user group meetings, product demonstrations, keynote presentations, networking opportunities and more," said Frank Mallozzi, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing, EFI. "We´re already hard at work prioritizing the product feedback we received throughout the event, and are starting on plans to ensure the 2012 conference is even bigger and better."   

As one of the only companies in the print industry to provide a fully integrated, end–to–end workflow, EFI highlighted these capabilities throughout last week´s event with live demos and educational sessions. For the first time at Connect, EFI hosted a special three–day Fiery digital print server and solutions track, as well as first–time break–outs specific to EFI´s Radius ERP/MIS for packaging and new PrintStream ERP/MIS software focused on mailing and fulfillment services.   

"My colleague and I really got a lot out of EFI Connect. As first time attendees, we weren´t sure how helpful it was going to be, but it exceeded our expectations," said Mitch Termotto, president of Express Graphics, which runs Fiery, Pace, PrintFlow and a VUTEk QS2000. "We´ve already signed up three people to attend next year."

05/06/11

AGFA GRAPHICS TO IMPLEMENT SURCHARGE

Press release from the issuing company

Agfa Graphics announced today that the company will be implementing a silver surcharge on graphic film products effective May 9, 2011.  

"The price of silver continues to escalate to all–time high levels.  Year–to–date, silver prices have increased almost 60% with no signs of stabilization. This follows an 80% increase in silver prices throughout 2010.  Agfa can no longer absorb the ongoing increase in silver prices. Due to the rapid rate at which silver prices are escalating, it is impractical to offset these increases with a traditional price increase," said Peter Wilkens, President of Agfa Graphics.  

In lieu of raising product prices, a surcharge will be implemented to compensate for these extraordinary market conditions.  The surcharge will vary as the cost of silver fluctuates, keeping the customer´s current product pricing stable. It will be discontinued when the price of silver returns to January 2011 levels.  Customers are encouraged to take advantage of silver recovery to recoup the additional costs related to the silver surcharge.

05/06/11

SCHAWK TEAMS UP WITH AVGCI

Press release from the issuing company

Schawk, Inc. a leading provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, announced today it has executed a formal supply agreement with American Yuncheng Gravure Cylinder, Inc. (AYGCI) located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. AYGCI is the U.S. subsidiary of Yuncheng Plate Making Group Co, Ltd., the world´s largest manufacturer of gravure printing cylinders.  

This strategic relationship and supplier agreement is expected to allow Schawk to expand its current gravure cylinder engraving capabilities in the North American region, thereby further enhancing its portfolio of brand development and deployment services.  

Schawk´s Chief Operating Officer, A. Alex Sarkisian, commented, "By forming an alliance with American Yuncheng, we are better–positioned to deliver expanded world–class gravure cylinder engraving services to our clients in North America while continuing to focus our internal capital investments into technology and leading edge modes of communication both domestically and internationally, particularly in developing and emerging regions."  

Mr. Sarkisian added, "We have been doing business in Asia since the late 1990s, and as part of the services we routinely perform for our clients, we were familiar with the high quality products and services provided by the Yuncheng Group. We look forward to doing business with American Yuncheng in North America and believe that this relationship will be beneficial not only for Schawk but for the overall market as well."  

"We are pleased to have entered into this agreement with Schawk," said Wenchun Li, CEO of American Yuncheng. "Schawk is well known in its industry and has a reputation as a world–class provider of brand development and deployment services globally. I believe that combining Schawk´s capabilities and excellence and Yuncheng´s world– class quality and efficiency will further elevate the quality of service and products delivered to the North American brand imaging market."

05/06/11

VELOCITY PRINT SOLUTIONS OBTAINS TWO NEW KODAK DIGIMASTER EX138´S

Press release from the issuing company

Velocity Print Solutions announced today the purchase and installation of two Kodak Digimaster EX138 digital production systems. The Digimaster EX138 offers enhanced image quality for black/white digital work and is capable of producing up to 4.5 million impressions per month. A wide variety of paper stocks can be utilized up to 110 lb. index, including coated.   

"We chose the EX138 because it delivers outstanding performance that will help us meet critical customer deadlines with maximum efficiency and quality" said Jim Stiles, CEO, Velocity Print Solutions.

05/06/11

KERN GROUP LAUNCHES THE KERN 90 W/ ROBOCARD

Press release from the issuing company

Kern Group has launched a unique and innovative new card–processing system, the Kern 90 with RoboCard technology, which boasts a range of unique features including the ability to place up to eight cards anywhere on a document, as well as handling cards of varying sizes, shapes and thicknesses – all at speeds of up to 12,000 per hour.  

Particularly appropriate for use in retail, finance and telecom sectors, for loyalty and gift cards, credit cards and sim cards for mobile phones, the Kern 90´s pick and place robot opens the door for far greater creativity in card mailings than ever before.     

Kern´s national sales manager for mailing, Clive Martin, said: "Each processing step is monitored, and an ergonomic user interface makes system operation and application changes extremely simple and intuitive."  

The K90 is able to interface to many database formats and read a complete range of ID codes and chips, including magnetic strips, 1D barcode, 2D datamatrix and OCR, so that it can validate card data to a main database. Additional information can then be pulled from the database to print black or colour and personalise the cut sheet or continuous mailer before the robot picks and places the card on it.   

Cards from up to eight feeders can be attached using glue or double–sided adhesive, with up to eight items being attached to each document, with an accuracy of ± 0.005mm and at any angle between 0° and 360°. One RoboCard module can affix up to 8,000 single cards per hour, and two can handle 12,000 per hour.  

Being modular, the Kern 90 interfaces seamlessly with existing Kern mailing systems such as the 2500 and 2600, enabling completed mailers to be neatly inserted into envelopes, which could also be personalised with black or colour print before being posted.   

Less complex mailers, such as those needing only one card per mailer with standard placement, can take advantage of smaller, cheaper, alternative K90/4.

05/06/11

JEFF JARVIS TO SPEAK AT POSTALVISION 2020

Press release from the issuing company

PostalVision 2020 organizers are pleased to announce that Jeff Jarvis, renowned buzzmachine.com blogger, author of What Would Google Do? and professor of journalism at City University of New York, will join an esteemed roster of speakers at the first PostalVision 2020 event. Jarvis will convene with other innovative business thinkers and postal influencers on June 15 to consider a bold vision for the American postal ecosystem by looking ahead to 2020 and beyond.

Jarvis blogs about media and news at Buzzmachine.com. His book, What Would Google Do?, helps companies understand how to succeed in the internet age by applying the principles of Google´s success to a number of industries, companies, and institutions, from carmakers to restaurants to universities to government–and now, even the U.S. Postal Service.

"PostalVision 2020 is an incredible opportunity to reimagine and begin to rebuild a key engine of the economy: delivery," Jarvis said. "Like so many industries, the postal and delivery sectors are in the midst of tectonic disruption. Email and Facebook are challenging the idea of the letter. Transactions and media are moving online. Meanwhile, much of retail is shifting to long–distance delivery. I look forward to moderating a frank and daring discussion among leaders from industry, technology, and government. PostalVision 2020 is assembling to explore the challenges and needs–but more so the opportunities–this change presents."

Jarvis joins an impressive roster of PostalVision 2020 speakers, including:

Keynote speaker Vint Cerf, Google´s Chief Internet Evangelist, widely hailed as the co–inventor of the architecture and basic protocols of the Internet

Larry Weber, social media marketing guru, author of his newest book, Everywhere: Comprehensive Digital Business Strategy for the Social Media Era and Marketing to the Social Web and founder and chairman of W2 Group

Matt Swain, senior consultant for InfoTrends, Document Outsourcing and Transpromo Consulting Services

Ruth Goldway, Chairman of the United States Postal Regulatory Commission

James Campbell Jr., independent legal consultant who has written numerous papers, books and testimony on domestic and international postal regulatory issues

Dr. Gene Del Polito, President of the Association for Postal Commerce

"We are convening these dynamic and provocative thought leaders–from both inside and outside the postal industry–to have a frank and productive conversation about the roles the USPS and the private sector should play in the nation´s postal ecosystem looking forward," said John Callan, Managing Director of Ursa Major Associates LLC, the creator and producer of PostalVision 2020. "The Postal Service is suffering dramatic losses due primarily to electronic substitution for conventional mail. Its service offerings will soon be out of sync with communications trends and irrelevant to on–coming generations. The traditional postal business operating model is clearly not sustainable. We must ask, ´How should the Postal Service serve the future needs of the nation, if frankly, at all?´"

PostalVision 2020 is the first in what will be a series of events dedicated to examining the future of postal service in America. The conference will take place on June 15, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. For more information, including conference rates and hotel reservations, please visit http://www.postalvision2020.com/.

The event is created and produced by Ursa Major Associates, LLC, thought leaders in the postal and parcel shipping space, in association with PostCom, The Association for Postal Commerce, representing those who use or support the use of mail for Business Communication and Commerce, and PostalJournal.com, with strategic advisors InfoTrends.

05/05/11

VJOON RELEASES NEW DIGITAL PUBLISHING PACKAGES

Press release from the issuing company

vjoon has rolled out its offering of affordable vjoon K4 Digital Publishing Packages (DPP) in a move timed to coincide with the release of the Professional Edition of Adobe´s Digital Publishing Suite (DPS). Tailored precisely to fit the special requirements of magazine app publishing, these packages comprise a full–fledged Cross–Media Publishing Platform including database as well as Adobe InDesign Server to enhance performance for layout and design editing and automated workflows. Beyond that, these quick–start kits contain K4 Overview Advanced, an application that enables the head of production or project managers to monitor the publishing workflow on the fly in a browser. The new version 6.4 of vjoon K4 is also available in May. Featuring a host of new capabilities, it is compatible with Adobe Creative Suite 5.5.

"Large publishing houses and media companies such as Condé Nast and Red Bull´s famous lifestyle magazine The Red Bulletin have deployed vjoon K4 and Adobe DPS with great success," notes vjoon´s Director of Business Development Holger Kraemer. "With our vjoon K4 Digital Publishing Packages and the Professional Edition of Adobe DPS, smaller publishing houses and corporate publisher now have a turnkey solution enabling professional–grade publishing and distribution of digital contents."

Adobe Digital Publishing Suite already contains a wide range of functions and services for publishing houses and corporate publishers. Nonetheless, even a single publishing project involving just a small team can quickly become very elaborate. Such complexity can cost precious time when editors lose sight of the big picture. vjoon K4 and Adobe DPS have been integrated specifically to resolve this issue. Nothing less than a professional publishing system will do to steer workflows, automate time–consuming routine tasks, afford simultaneous access to documents, and manage layouts, texts, pictures, and videos in a single database. vjoon K4 enhances the creative tools provided by Adobe Creative Suite and leverages industry standards to ensure a smooth transition to Adobe DPS services.

"Adobe DPS and the .folio format are fast becoming the standard for publishing digital contents," notes Carsten Althaber, Director of Marketing at vjoon. "Integrated with vjoon K4, they offer a unique array of professional publishing tools as well as delivery, e–commerce and analysis services to publishing houses and corporate publishers."

This special offer of vjoon K4 DPP is available now and is tentatively scheduled to run until the end of the year. Authorized vjoon integration partners can provide details on prices and configuration options. Prices for the individual vjoon K4 Digital Publishing Packages are based on the number of seats. Entry–level packages are available from two seats. Adobe DPS is sold separately. Customers are free to upgrade to larger packages whenever they wish.

Version 6.4 of the Cross–Media Publishing Platform vjoon K4 is available in May. Authorized integration partners can provide details on prices and configuration options. vjoon K4 version 6.4 supports Adobe Creative Suite 5.5. This new version offers many new and improved functions as well as even greater ease of use. The vjoon press release of April 12, 2011 provides detailed information on version 6.4.

05/05/11

SCHAWK REPORTS STRONG Q1 RESULTS

Press release from the issuing company

Schawk, Inc. a leading provider of brand development and deployment services, enabling companies of all sizes to connect their brands with consumers, reported first–quarter 2011 results. Net income in the first quarter of 2011 was $2.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, versus $2.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010.

On a non–GAAP basis, adjusting for financial impacts relating to foreign currency exposure and certain expenses as further detailed in this earnings release, Adjusted net income was $4.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $4.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, during the prior–year comparable period.

President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Schawk, commented, "Our first quarter 2011 revenue reflected typical first–quarter softness relative to other quarters of the year coupled with continued cautionary spending by our consumer packaged goods clients reflecting their concern over elevated commodity prices. During this period of continued economic uncertainty, we continue to focus on managing our costs effectively and positioning our company for future growth, particularly in developing and emerging regions. In fact, we recently have seen success with certain of our CPG clients as they expand further into these global markets. Furthermore, we remain focused on expanding our diverse service offering across our client base and driving operational excellence throughout our organization."

Consolidated net sales in the first quarter of 2011 were $107.2 million compared to $111.7 million in the same period of 2010, a decrease of approximately $4.5 million, or 4.0 percent. The quarter–over–quarter sales decline was partially offset by $1.4 million of foreign currency translation gains, as the U.S. dollar declined in value relative to the local currencies of certain of the Company´s non–U.S. subsidiaries.

Consumer packaged goods (CPG) accounts sales in the first quarter of 2011 were $82.3 million, or 76.8 percent of total sales, compared to $84.4 million in the same period of 2010, a decrease of 2.5 percent. The decrease over the prior–year quarter was primarily driven by decreased product and brand activity by the Company´s CPG clients. Advertising and retail accounts sales of $18.5 million, or 17.3 percent of total sales, in the first quarter of 2011 decreased 11.2 percent, from $20.8 million in the prior–year period. Included in the decline in Advertising and retail accounts sales is a $1.9 million decline in revenue related to the previously disclosed loss of a non–core, retail client during the third quarter of 2010. Entertainment accounts sales for the first quarter of 2011 of $6.4 million, or 6.0 percent of total sales, were essentially comparable to the $6.5 million reported in the same period of 2010.

Gross profit was $38.8 million in the first quarter of 2011, a decrease of $3.1 million from the first quarter of 2010. First–quarter 2011 gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 36.1 percent from 37.5 percent in the 2010 first–quarter period. The decline in gross profit percent was largely driven by the reduced operating leverage resulting from the lower period–over–period revenue.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses declined approximately $1.5 million to $31.0 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $32.5 million in the first quarter of 2010, principally due to the sublease of certain vacant properties in Europe.

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company reported business and systems integration expenses of $1.2 million compared to $0.1 million in the prior–year comparable period. As previously disclosed, these expenses relate to the Company´s information technology and business process improvement initiative.

The Company recorded a $0.5 million loss on foreign exchange exposures in the first quarter of 2011 compared to a loss of $1.8 million in the comparable prior–year period. The Company´s foreign exchange gains or losses are largely driven by unhedged currency exposure from intercompany debt obligations of the Company´s non–U.S. subsidiaries. Since foreign currency gains or losses primarily relate to intercompany financing activity, the economic impact to the Company is minimal, as these gains or losses are mostly offset by corresponding losses or gains in accumulated comprehensive income, net, included in stockholders´ equity.

There were no expenses related to the impairment of long–lived assets during the first quarter of 2011 compared to $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2010. During the first quarter of 2010, certain equipment sustained water damage and was rendered inoperable at one of the Company´s facilities.

Acquisition integration and restructuring expenses increased from $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 to $0.4 million in the first quarter of 2011. The charges in the 2011 first quarter arose from the Company´s continued focus on consolidating, reducing and re–aligning the Company´s work force and operations and are for employee terminations and other associated costs. These actions are expected to result in annualized savings of approximately $1.3 million, with approximately $1.0 million to be realized during 2011.

The Company reported operating income of $5.5 million in the 2011 first quarter compared to $6.5 million in the first quarter of 2010. The decrease in operating income compared to the prior–year period was primarily the result of the decrease in gross margin driven by lower revenue coupled with increased business and systems integration expenses, mitigated somewhat by the Company´s previously–discussed cost reduction efforts, lower foreign exchange losses and reduced expenses related to the impairment of long–lived assets.

Net income in the first quarter of 2011 was $2.8 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared to $2.5 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010. Excluding the after–tax effects of certain expenses detailed within the non–GAAP tables at the end of this press release, first–quarter 2011 Adjusted net income was $4.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to $4.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on a comparable basis for the prior–year period.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2011 was $10.4 million compared to $12.2 million for the first quarter of 2010. Management adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2011 was $12.5 million compared to $14.3 million for the first quarter of 2010. Please refer to the "Reconciliation of Non–GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and Management Adjusted EBITDA" table attached at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of these measures.

05/05/11

KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS RELEASES NEW PRINTING APP

Press release from the issuing company

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announces the immediate availability of a free mobile printing application for select iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch users. PageScope Mobile will connect the award–winning line of bizhub Multifunctional Products (MFPs) to these popular devices.

With the ever increasing popularity of iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch devices in the global workplace, PageScope Mobile is an application that connects a bizhub MFP with an end–user´s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to browse, read and instruct printing of select documents and images. Once paired with a WiFi connection, PageScope Mobile will enable users to utilize their business documents in a variety of creative ways and take advantage of mobility with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. With the launch of PageScope Mobile, Konica Minolta continues its legacy of innovation to support today´s mobile professional.

Now mobile professionals can:

Print Emails and attachments directly to a bizhub MFP.
Print PDF, TIFF, JPEG and XPS documents.
Scan paper documents at high speed from a bizhub MFP directly to the iPhone, iPod touch, and/or iPad, and these files can then be printed, Emailed or stored on the iPad or iPhone.
Save albums of images captured with the iPhone´s built–in camera for quick printing to a bizhub MFP.

While PageScope Mobile is free of charge, an Internet access fee may apply. Please check with your carrier for more information.

Compatibility:

Color MFPs: bizhub C652/C652DS, bizhub C552/C552DS, bizhub C452, bizhub C360, bizhub C280, and bizhub C220
Monochrome MFPs: bizhub 652, bizhub 552, bizhub 423, bizhub 363, bizhub 283, and bizhub 223
iPad (iOS 3.2/4.2)
iPhone 4 (iOS 4.1/4.2) / iPhone 3GS (iOS 4.1/4.2)
iPod touch fourth generation (iOS 4.1/4.2)

"Konica Minolta´s global mission is to create inspiring products and services in the field of imaging, and lead the market with advanced technologies," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "With the introduction of PageScope Mobile, Konica Minolta extends their legacy of cutting–edge innovation by helping mobile professionals to stay competitive by innovating their work styles with enhanced flexibility and efficiency."

Konica Minolta customers can download the free PageScope Mobile app by visiting the Apple App Store and searching for PageScope Mobile.

05/05/11

JAPAN´S ANRI AN ENVIROMENTAL LEADER

Press release from the issuing company

The world admires the discipline with which the Japanese people have been coping with their fate. In any case, there can be no question of hysteria in the face of Japan´s "Zero hour". Instead, responsible action and accepting accountability have been evident. This also involves providing answers as to how future generations can retain their technical status and prosperity. In such a difficult time, it is important that industrial companies set a good example – and one such company is the printing firm Anri Machinery Co. Ltd. of Osaka, Japan.

ANRI is one of Japan´s leading companies employing environmentally friendly technologies, and is now ensuring sustainable printing processes with the first waterless Genius 52UV on the Japanese islands. Not only is the general printing range to be extended, so is the variety of non–absorbent plastics such as PVC, polycarbonate, polystyrene, ABS and PP. The company always strives to give its customers the highest level of quality and protect the environment. New quality standards need to be set in the printing process, as well as an increase in environmental responsibility and sustainability in the service of customers.

Why right now?

"There is not a right or wrong time to invest if a country is in a state of emergency. One needs to look forward. Now especially, it is important to have ecological perspectives on new investment and so secure the business of tomorrow", explained Mr. Nonoshita, President of Anri Machinery Co. Ltd.

The Japanese printing company from Osaka knows the benefits of the Genius 52UV very well indeed: Like no other small format printing machine, it provides a saleable result after just ten preparatory sheets. It meets the requirements of the pre–press stage in terms of ink and remains stable throughout the production run thanks to an inking unit temperature control feature. The need to set ink zones as on a conventional offset machine is eliminated completely, because the five short inking units have no ink keys. An anilox screen roller ensures consistent ink supply. Neither water nor isopropanol are needed. Instead, silicone–coated printing plates provide the perfect distribution of printing and non–printing image areas. The result: crystal clear images, rendered with very fine screens (120L/cm or frequency modulated). Impressive inking results can be achieved because no dampening unit is required.

Factors that were also ultimately decisive in the purchase of the Genius 52UV were the diverse printing patterns possible, as well as the visit to the KBA Metroprint plant in Germany´s Lower Franconia region. The subsequent visits to Genius 52UV users finally won the company over.

05/05/11

KOMORI LITHRONE S29 INSTALLED AT NEW YORK BAR ASSOCIATION

Press release from the issuing company

Komori America Corporation, a premier manufacturer of sheetfed and web offset printing presses, today announced the New York Bar Association has recently installed a four–color Komori Lithrone S29 with coater (LS429C), replacing two older presses. With a membership of more than 77,000 lawyers, representing every county in the state including international members, the New York State Bar Association is the oldest and largest voluntary state bar organization in the nation. The installation of the new Komori press is making it possible for the association to keep more work in house and experience a faster time to market due to the intuitive technology and speed of the LS429C.

"We are very pleased with our new press. We consider Komori a leader in the industry when it comes to offset printing presses. We wanted to work with an organization that is stable and had a strong presence," said Gordon Ryan, print production manager. "We have many new capabilities since the Komori press has come on–board. It has significantly increased our productivity and accelerated turnaround time for our customers. In light of that, we are evaluating the type of work we can now keep in house."

The New York State Bar Association print facility supports the organization printing everything from brochures and direct mail pieces to book covers. A key driver in the decision to select the LS429C included the high level of automation the press offered. With production hours limited to a single shift operation, the ability to start–up and clean up quickly was important. Komori´s fully automatic plate changing system (Full–APC) that changes all four plates in just minutes at the touch of a button is a plus. Ink rollers and blanket cylinder cleaning are also fully automated. The aqueous coating capabilities are also a plus, allowing the New York Bar Association print facility to decrease its post–processing time and produce a higher quality product.

"The ability to create new opportunities and make the print process easier for customers and is at the heart of what Komori presses are designed to deliver. We are proud to be working with the New York Bar Association and look forward to supporting them as they achieve their goals," said Jacki Hudmon, senior vice–president of sales and marketing.

05/04/11

JOHN GASPARI NAMED OPERATIONS MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Press release from the issuing company

he Web Offset Association (WOA) and Printing Industries of America are pleased to announce that John Gaspari, Vice President, Operations, Specialty Print Communications (SPC) has been named the 2011 recipient of the H. Howard Flint II Operations Manager of the Year. He will be honored and recognized during the Offset & Beyond Conference, May 23–25, at the Omni ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.

Gaspari came to SPC as a highly accomplished pressroom manager, and in fact, could have been recognized for this honor prior to his arrival. Since joining SPC, he helped transform the organization from a commercial printer to a direct marketing specialist, increasing revenues by 50% and significantly increasing gross margins. His leadership and determination have vastly expanded SPC´s capabilities through the management of millions of dollars in capital investment in new equipment and technology.

Gaspari spearheaded a quality initiative to reduce the costs of errors in the pressroom. Through his strong experience and background, John helped benchmark best practices and rolled out a quantifiable grading system within a new quality department. He helped set standards, write SOPs, hire and support the new department, and over the next seven months, saw error reductions of 80% yielding more than $1,000,000 in annual net savings.

"As a marketer my job is to communicate a compelling brand story," says Dustin LeFebvre, Executive Vice President, Marketing, SPC. "The SPC narrative has been an incredible one to communicate, as it involves pioneering, a massive expansion of capabilities, and growth in a mature industry under poor economic conditions. I would not be able to tell this story, nor would it exist, without the leadership, hard work, and determination of Gaspari and his team. He has helped transform the company and fueled consistent double–digit sales growth."

SPC is a thriving national print and direct marketing company located just outside Chicago that has experienced exponential growth as a complete direct mail production resource. The reason? Focus. The company embodies an absolute passion for helping generate measurable results by leveraging a communication medium, direct mail, to drive greater awareness, interest, and action to the client´s products and services.

The H. Howard Flint II Operations Manager of the Year Award is conferred on a pressroom manager or supervisor who has excelled in their profession and contributed above and beyond to their company, customers, and the printing industry. Past recipients of the award include Philip E. Archer, Von Hoffmann Corporation; Scott Robinson, John Roberts Company; Steve Richardson, Courier Corporation; and Steve Buechel, The Segerdahl Group.

05/04/11

GO2PAPER RELEASES PAPERMANAGER 4.0

Press release from the issuing company

Go2Paper, a Cloud Computing service provider for the global paper industry, announced today the release of PaperManager 4.0.  PaperManager, located at www.papermanager.com allows Retailers, Catalogers, and Publishers to place and manage their paper orders for their marketing and advertising programs and to expertly manage the paper inventory with their paper suppliers and printers.

Many of the largest paper buyers subscribe to PaperManager.  The service allows buyers to collaborate online with their paper suppliers (brokers, merchants, and mills), issuing and confirming purchase orders, while at the same time documenting paper usage, over/under performance and remaining inventory.  With all parties working together, the system provides greater efficiency in the supply chain, driving down costs.

One of the key features of PaperManager 4.0 is the Dashboard.  This feature provides users with a snapshot of all their paper orders along with the status of each order.  It´s been created with a framework suitable for how paper buyers manage their purchases, providing quick and easy viewing to assure orders meet specifications and on–time requirements.

Other features include more enhanced reporting capabilities along with a new Summary Report, improved roll specifications per line item, and improved search so users can quickly access order details..  Many of the new features have come directly from customer requests.  Mike Conran, Go2Paper CEO, said, "We actively seek our customers´ opinions regarding new features, which will help them manage their business more cost–effectively.  Everything we do is customer driven and we´ve proven over the years that we act on their requests."

The service is being offered to Retailers, Catalogers, and Publishers on a monthly subscription basis without any up–front fees or integration costs, so customers can start using it immediately.

05/04/11

METACOMMUNICATIONS RELEASES APPROVAL MANAGER 2011

Press release from the issuing company

MetaCommunications today announced the immediate availability of its new product, Approval Manager 2011, available in both Standard and free Express editions. For the first time Approval Manager is available separately from the  MetaCommunications Workgroups 2011 suite! Approval Manager 2011 includes hundreds of features for automating online proofing and review for marketing, creative and production environments.  

Approval Manager 2011 is unlike traditional soft proofing tools in that it focuses on automating the workflow of your team and how it interacts with reviewers to gather approvals, feedback, or variation selection.  

"The release of our new standalone editions of Approval Manager will, for the first time, make our technology available to a much wider spectrum of the market." said Robert T. Long, President of MetaCommunications. "The Express edition is completely free and includes more functionality than most of our competitors´ paid products. We think that along with the competitively priced Standard edition, we have a very compelling offer."  

The new Approval Manager 2011 Standard and Express editions are now available for the first time outside the Workgroups 2011 suite. Approval Manager 2011 is a unique team–based solution designed to automate the online proofing and review process. Trials of Approval Manager and a comparison of its editions can be found at http://www.metacommunications.com/products/approval_manager/editions.  

Approval Manager 2011 Standard and Express editions are available immediately. Approval Manager Express edition is free and includes unlimited users, storage, and proofs. Approval Manager Standard edition starts at $995 and includes complete workflow management. Approval Manager may be purchased from the MetaCommunication online store at http://www.metacommunications.com/products/approval_manager/editions.

05/04/11

GRAFCOR TO RECEIVE EDIT GRANT

Press release from the issuing company

Grafcor, Incorporated, a division of Innomark Communications, will receive a $24,000 economic development income tax (EDIT) grant from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County. The grant will be used to assist the company with the purchase and installation of new printing presses that will increase the company´s competitiveness and technological advantage. Grafcor prints large format, point–of–sale (POS) displays for the global retail sector. "Grafcor is a great company who has been in Wayne County since 1993," according to EDC board chair, Gary Hackman. "We´re happy to partner with them and hope for their continued success."

The company will invest $265,000 in the new machinery, retaining 18 existing jobs and creating 4 new jobs. Richmond Mayor Sally Hutton says helping the company remain competitive is important. Hutton continues, "In the current economy, every job we can keep in Richmond is important and we´re glad they are continuing to invest in Richmond. We look forward to working with them for many years to come".

The request for Wayne County EDIT funds will now go before the Wayne County Commissioners for their consideration. Wayne County Commission President, Doug Williamson says, "It´s important to keep our existing businesses strong now and into the future. We´re glad to see a company like Grafcor make an investment to remain competitive in a tough industry."

05/04/11

STANDARD REGISTER INTRODUCES NEW CORPORATE FOCUS

Press release from the issuing company

Standard Register introduced its new corporate focus on advancing its customers´ reputations to shareholders today at the annual meeting, along with a new brand identity that reflects how the nearly 100–year–old company delivers value to its customers. A new corporate logo and complementary brand logos for its three business units, Commercial, Healthcare and Industrial, emphasize Standard Register´s market–driven strategy.

Standard Register is headquartered in Dayton with facilities throughout the U.S. and in northern Mexico. The company provides mission–critical communications management and execution services for the world´s leading companies, including approximately half of the Fortune 100, as well as mid–size organizations and small businesses.

The new focus was developed after significant research on market trends, engagement with leading strategy consultants and discussions with customers, suppliers, partners and supply chain participants. After thoughtful assessment of industry growth drivers, the company determined it can best serve its customers by moving from a document management services company to one that aligns a business´ mission–critical communications with corporate priorities and standards.

"Throughout our history, Standard Register has been an innovator. We´ve grown by helping our customers adapt to changing business conditions," said Joseph P. Morgan, Jr., president and chief executive officer. "We have devoted significant resources to planning our future direction and found that our strengths intersect with what our customers value most. With our deep market–specific expertise and ability to partner to solve problems, we´ve demonstrated we can help them operate more efficiently, build brand consistency, reduce risk and advance their company reputations."

Morgan said Standard Register aligned into three market–facing business units two years ago to intensify its understanding of its healthcare, commercial and industrial customers. The focus on advancing customers´ reputations is the next step in the company´s evolution.

"Even the world´s top companies need help executing critical communications and managing inherent compliance, safety and security risks, because they often don´t have the required resources or expertise in–house. We have a compelling portfolio of solutions that often can be applied enterprise–wide to help customers address their strategic issues. We can help them develop innovative solutions to build, protect and enhance their brands," he said.

The company´s portfolio is comprised of document management and process improvement services and solutions that are customized for its respective markets. Its Commercial business provides marketing, training and customer communications solutions that help companies ensure brand consistency, increase customer loyalty and enhance security. In Healthcare, Standard Register offers solutions to accelerate performance, attract and educate patients, enhance patient safety and improve the quality of care. Its Industrial business helps manufacturers realize efficiencies by removing waste from the manufacturing process, reduce product liability claims through improved compliance, and gain distinction with the latest product decoration technology.

Morgan said that the company´s refined strategy is already gaining traction. "Market analysis showed us we have significant opportunities to grow market share in each of our three segments, and it´s evident we are on the right path. We´ve stabilized the company, made significant investments in technology, and introduced new solutions and services that are driving growth."

05/02/11

IMPRESORA SUDAMERICANA UPGRADES ITS 1998 UNISET

Press release from the issuing company

Directory printer Impresora Sudamericana in Montevideo/Uruguay has upgraded two reel splicers on its 1998 UNISET to restore their reliability. Over a period of two weeks, printservices technicians upgraded one reel splicer per week and integrated them in the printing system.

Retrofits assure customers of the availability of their printing systems and upgrade press automation to the latest level. A control retrofit brings much better system performance with higher product quality and fewer production interruptions. This enables upgrades or InlineControl systems to be planned and integrated perfectly in existing latest generation presses. Combined with Interbus technology and Ethernet communication, the new control with the relevant application software also improves the efficiency of press diagnostics.

A leap forward in the development of control and operating functions A retrofit was developed for the reel splicers equipped with EAE controls which involves complete replacement of the hardware. The new control unit is located on a modified mounting plate at the reel splicer control cabinet and is equipped with the latest PECOM hardware, drive technology and Ethernet communication. This new reel splicer control module is pre–installed and checked in the factory to ensure fast replacement at the customer’s premises, which avoids long downtimes and loss of production. Spare parts are readily available and remote maintenance is improved.

With this retrofit, the reel splicer is integrated in the press control system and so messages from the reel splicer are displayed at the control console. “We are very pleased that the modern control technology has greatly improved the productivity of our pressline and the quality of our products,” says Gustavo Tutzo, Operations Manager at Impresora Sudamericana. “One notices the leap forward in development particularly with operation at the control console. The training was very helpful in getting familiar with the new procedures. Our printers are most enthusiastic about the central control functions.”

05/02/11

HP ADDS TO ITS LATEX PRINTING TECH PORTFOLIO

Press release from the issuing company

HP today unveiled the latest additions to its Latex Printing Technologies portfolio to boost productivity and expand application versatility for print service providers, while delivering high image quality and lowering the impact of printing on the environment.

On display in HP booth 4543 at the ISA International Sign Expo 2011, the new offerings include:

–    The HP Scitex LX850 Printer, a 126–inch (3.2 m) latex ink printer that delivers maximum versatility and productivity with multiple workflow features, including dual–roll, roll–to–free fall and roll–to–collector handling and an ink collector.

–    The HP Scitex LX820 Printer, a 126–inch (3.2 m) latex ink printer that offers high productivity at a lower price in a roll–to–roll configuration.

–    HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks, which produce rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self–adhesive vinyl, plus improved water resistance on fabrics.(1,2)

–    HP PVC–free Wall Paper, available June 1, is now made with FSC–certified(3) paper from well–managed forests and is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified, allowing customers to offer bold, colorful indoor murals without distracting odors.(4,5)

HP also announced new software to help streamline workflows, including HP SmartStream Designer Version 5.1 for creating, preparing and collating personalized campaigns from HP Scitex printers and the GMG ColorServer Suite, a color management software from HP Solutions Business Partner GMG for HP Scitex large–format printers.

"Today´s announcement marks the next development in what has proven to be a revolutionary technology platform for the sign and display market," said Yariv Avisar, vice president and general manager, Scitex Large–format Solutions, HP. "With more than 5,000 HP Latex Ink systems installed worldwide, HP is offering customers the competitive advantages needed to differentiate their businesses and capture new growth opportunities."

Delivering high image quality at production speeds, the HP Scitex LX850 Printer allows customers to accelerate their large–format workflows. The device also enables customers to expand their application versatility with a built–in ink collector for direct–to–fabric printing(2) on flag fabrics. A scaled–down version of the HP Scitex LX850 Printer, the new HP Scitex LX820 Printer, is available with an optional dual–roll kit upgrade.

"We print 13,000 to 16,500 square feet a month, and while we didn´t lack output capacity, competition remains fierce and profit margins have been squeezed," said Jose A–o, general manager at Marc Marti, a Valencia, Spain–based print service provider. "The HP Scitex LX850 Printer´s versatility gives us extraordinary image quality on a range of economical, uncoated media and substrates, while differentiating our products from those using solvent–based inks."

Both the HP Scitex LX850 and LX820 Printers work together with the new HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks. Alternatively, customers can install HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks(6) to offer graphics backed by the 3M MCS Warranty, one of the most comprehensive warranties in the industry. The warranted durability period for vehicle graphics made with the HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks and 3M media has been extended from four years to five years by 3M, and 3M Panagraphics III Wide Width Flexible Substrate has been added.

The HP Scitex LX850 Printer and the HP Scitex LX820 Printer are expected to be available on May 1 and June 1, respectively.(7)

Capable of producing eye–catching images with rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self–adhesive vinyl, the new HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks continue to set the standard for high–quality sign and display output. The inks produce prints with display permanence and scratch, smudge and water resistance comparable to low–solvent inks.(8) Plus, the new formulation offers improved water resistance(1) on fabrics,(2) further expanding high–value soft signage application capabilities.

"The advantage of being able to print on textiles with the HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks is that, unlike dye sublimation, it´s just print and go," said León Gate–o, owner, Target Graphics, a Mexico City–based print service provider. "The upgrade process was very easy and we were printing right after the HP technician finished."

Customers with HP Scitex LX600 or LX800 Printers(9) can benefit from the new inks – as well as double–sided printing capabilities(10) for blockout banners – by purchasing the HP Scitex LX610 Inks Upgrade Kit.

The HP Scitex LX610 Inks Upgrade Kit is expected to be available May 1 and can be installed by an HP technician in one day.

HP SmartStream Designer is an easy–to–use application that generates variable data elements for marketing campaigns, such as images, text and colors, and is also a simple imposition tool for HP Scitex presses. The new HP SmartStream Designer Version 5.1 includes key improvements, such as HP Photo Enhancement to automatically improve variable images and the best fit feature, which optimizes paper usage.

Designed for customers with complex requirements like multipress uniformity and color standards, the GMG ColorServer Suite simplifies color conversions between color spaces using predefined HP Scitex printer settings for the HP Scitex FB7500, TJ8300 and TJ8500 Printers. GMG SmartProfiler software calibrates the output device and creates color profiles for wide–format printers. The GMG ColorServer Suite for HP Scitex printers is now available through GMG distributors and resellers.

John Stevens, large–format specialist for the HP Designjet L25500 Printer series, and Kerry Ignatovich, large–format media specialist at HP, are presenting a seminar titled "Beyond Banners: New Applications for Growth" on Saturday, April 30, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT. The session will help customers think beyond their role as a banner or poster provider to see the profit possibilities that lie in unique applications.

HP offers flexible financing solutions for customers deploying the latest HP digital printing technology through HP Financial Services, the company´s leasing and life cycle asset management services division. An HP Financial Services representative is on–site at ISA to provide details of applicable offers.

More information about HP´s sign and display printing solutions is available at www.hp.com/go/gsb, through the HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts. Additional information about HP at ISA Sign Expo 2011 is available at www.hp.com/go/HPatSignExpo2011.

HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world´s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure at the convergence of the cloud and connectivity, creating seamless, secure, context–aware experiences for a connected world. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.

(1)    Water resistance testing by HP Image Permanence Lab on a wide range of media using the ISO 18935 method. Results may vary based on specific media performance.

(2)    For best results, textile applications should be printed on fabric that does not stretch. Performance may vary depending on media. Compatibility details are available from media suppliers.

(3)    Trademark license code FSC–C017543.

(4)    HP PVC–free Wall Paper printed with HP Latex Inks is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified. Additional information is available at www.greenguard.org.

(5)    Some substrates may have inherent odor.

(6)    With HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks installed, the printer will no longer be compatible with HP LX610 Latex Scitex Inks and double–sided printing capability is no longer available.

(7)    Availability date may vary by region and is subject to change.

(8)    HP image permanence and scratch, smudge and water resistance estimates by HP Image Permanence Lab on a range of media including HP printing materials. Additional information is available at www.hp.com/go/supplies/printpermanence.

(9)    Compatibility with HP Scitex LX600 and LX800 and HP Designjet L65500 Printers requires service installation of the HP Scitex LX610 Inks Upgrade Kit. With the upgrade, the printer will no longer be compatible with HP 3M LX600 Specialty Latex Inks.

(10)    For best results use blockout banner media intended for double–sided printing.

05/02/11

JOSTENS ESTABLISHING NEW FACILITY

Press release from the issuing company

Jostens today announced that it is establishing a new state of the art memory book facility in Clarksville, Tennessee. The enhanced facility will be based at a new location in Clarksville and Jostens´ existing Clarksville production facilities will transition into this new operation following the completion of the 2011 school season.

The new facility platform will allow Jostens to capitalize on its advanced technological solutions, innovation and efficiencies benefitting its customers and the business. As part of this transition, Jostens will move its memory book and commercial print production from its State College, Pennsylvania plant to Clarksville after the completion of the current yearbook season.

The new Clarksville plant will be capable of producing memory books and a variety of commercial print products previously produced in the existing Clarksville and State College facilities. Certain State College customer service, design and School Annual functions, including marketing, sales and certain pre–press support, will remain at the State College facility.

"Jostens continues to transform the way customers are served," said Val Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Jostens. "We believe this new facility demonstrates Jostens´ continued commitment to invest in technology and innovation to benefit our customers and strengthen Jostens´ operational performance."

As a result of the transition, 230 State College full–time and seasonal employee production positions will be eliminated. The transition is intended to be substantially completed during the third quarter of 2011. Jostens will support the individuals losing their job as a result of this transition in the form of severance arrangements and outplacement services.

"State College production employees have provided excellent service to our customers and we sincerely appreciate their contributions," said Williams.

Jostens also produces memory books in Topeka, Kansas and Visalia, California and operates an additional nine administrative, manufacturing and research facilities in the U.S. and Canada to support its memory book and scholastic businesses.

05/02/11

MABEG REACHES DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH MATIK

Press release from the issuing company

MABEG is happy to announce the signing of a distribution agreement with MATIK, Inc. for offline print inspection and individualization systems.  The agreement between MABEG and MATIK covers an exclusive agency for the MABEG Sheet Inspection Systems (MSP 104) and MABEG Blank Inspection Systems (MBP) in both USA and Canada.

05/02/11

ESTIMATOR CORP RELEASES NEW PROGRAMS

Press release from the issuing company

Estimator Corp. of Westport CT announces the release of its new Estimator–Cloud award winning programs using the latest in remote access technology for Sheetfed, Web, Digital, Flexo, Screen and Wide–Format.  

Unlike browser based systems requiring difficult HTML conversion, Estimator programmed the newly released Microsoft RDP remote protocol, to deliver the fastest, easiest and most advanced in–house or hosted cloud solution available.  

Browser independent ERA allows instant connectivity to your Estimator database from any location with access to the Internet, either hard wired or via satellite, allowing authorized personnel to immediately create or update existing information even from small portable devices.  

Real time availability speeds the entire work–flow process delivering on the spot efficient time and money savings, not achievable with existing browser–based programs, costing up to three times or more.  

All of Estimator´s solutions including Offset , Wide–Format, Flexo and Screen are simultaneously accessible from any location.

04/29/11

INTERNATIONAL PAPER ANNOUNCES STRONG Q1 EARNINGS

Press release from the issuing company

International Paper today reported first–quarter 2011 net earnings attributable to common shareholders totaling $342 million ($0.78 per share) compared with net earnings of $316 million ($0.73 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010 and a loss of $162 million ($0.38 per share) in the first quarter of 2010. Amounts in all periods include the impact of special items.

Earnings from continuing operations and before special items in the 2011 first quarter totaled $322 million ($0.74 per share), compared with $296 million ($0.68 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $16 million ($0.04 per share) in the first quarter of 2010.

Quarterly net sales were $6.4 billion compared with $6.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010 and $5.8 billion in the first quarter of 2010.

Operating profits were $585 million in the first quarter of 2011, up from $561 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 both of which included special items. "First–quarter results reflect continued strong performances across all of our global mill businesses," said John Faraci, chairman and chief executive officer. "Industrial Packaging and Printing Papers continued to post solid results, and Consumer Packaging delivered significantly higher earnings. Europe continued its strong performances in paper and packaging and the contribution from our Ilim joint venture also increased. As a result of these strong across–the–board results, first–quarter free cash flow was in–line with our expectations and we remain confident in our earnings and cash flow outlook for 2011."

To measure the performance of the company´s business segments from quarter to quarter without variations caused by special items, management focuses on business segment operating profits excluding those items. First–quarter 2011 segment operating profits and business trends, excluding special items, compared with the prior quarter are as follows:

Industrial Packaging operating profit was $274 million ($279 million including special items) compared with an operating profit of $274 million ($261 million including special items) in the fourth quarter of 2010. First–quarter earnings were impacted by lower volume due to seasonality and unusually harsh weather in January and February. In addition, higher input costs and annual planned mill maintenance outage expenses occurred in the first quarter. These higher expenses were largely offset by favorable operations and lower costs.

Printing Papers operating profit was $209 million ($201 million including special items) compared with an operating profit of $236 million ($234 million including special items) in the fourth quarter of 2010. Quarterly earnings decreased due to globally higher input costs and increased U.S. mill operating costs, partially offset by lower operating costs in our European mills. In North America, the pulp business recorded significantly higher planned maintenance outage expenses, but these were more than offset by lower outage expenses in North American and European papers.

Consumer Packaging operating profit was $101 million ($100 million including

04/29/11

APPLETON COATED CREATES SITES FOR MOBILE DEVICES

Press release from the issuing company

Appleton Coated has enhanced UtopiaPaper.com and CuriousPapers.com for greater compatibility with mobile devices, including Android, BlackBerry and iPad.

"Inspiration doesn´t wear a watch – it can strike at any time and any place," says Ferkó Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager. "Creative professionals understand this all too well and are among the early adopters of new technologies. We want to be sure that they have easy, continuous access to Appleton Coated´s online resources – no matter the time or place."

A simplified version of the more robust "traditional" site, the mobile–optimized websites present a simplified menu and minimal graphics to quickly connect users with the content they seek. Visitors to UtopiaPaper.com are greeted with a short list of contacts, corporate news and products including Utopia Premium, U1X, Utopia One, Utopia Two, U2:XG, and U3.

A link to CuriousPapers.com allows visitors to explore Metallics, Skin, Translucents, Touch, Particles and Conqueror. Clicking on the calculator icon, users can simultaneously compare up to four products for environmental savings in the areas of trees, water, energy, solid waste, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Appleton Coated offers the most comprehensive line–up of premium, coated papers available today marketed under the Utopia brand. From the elegance of Premium to hardworking Utopia Three, the Utopia family of coated papers offers six ways to ignite a passion for paper and the environment. The Curious Collection of fine papers are manufactured by Arjowiggins, headquartered in Paris, France, and distributed exclusively in North America by Appleton Coated. Appleton Coated is headquartered in Combined Locks, Wisconsin.

04/29/11

WOODWING SOFTWARE PARTNERS WITH eMERGE CONSULTING

Press release from the issuing company

WoodWing Software announced today that eMerge Consulting has become a Technology Partner, bringing its industry–leading Scriba XML technology to WoodWing´s worldwide customer base.

Scriba is a complete XML workflow–automation tool built on open standards, including Java, XML–RPC and SQL, which eases the multi–channel delivery of content. Scriba provides users with a complete and rapid development platform with an easy–to–use graphical interface. Scriba puts the power of Java programming, XSLT and system integration into the hands of non–programmers. The data can then be enhanced and repackaged to allow for analysis and delivery to multiple channels, including print, Web, PDF, tablets and other mobile devices.

Shawn Duffy, Managing Partner of WoodWing USA, said that eMerge Consulting was recently elevated to Gold Partner status, serving as a reseller and handling full integration of WoodWing´s product line.

"The strength of WoodWing is that our tools and solutions allow publishers to easily and efficiently publish their content to a variety of channels – print, Web, mobile and the emerging tablet market," Duffy said. "We´ve been the industry leader in this effort, and eMerge´s Scriba technology is another outstanding tool that´s going to make it even easier for publishers to reach their audiences in every possible way. We´re very pleased to have eMerge on board as a Technology Partner."

Michael Sweet, Managing Partner at eMerge Consulting, said the partnership with WoodWing should bring immediate dividends to customers. "eMerge is excited to join forces with WoodWing to bring enhanced functionality to the print and digital publishing markets," Sweet said. "Scriba XML allows customers to integrate their WoodWing Enterprise workflow with content repositories, databases and business systems. Scriba also provides enhanced XML handling capabilities for multi–channel content delivery."

04/29/11

DELPHAX TECH TO PARTNER WITH MEMJET

Press release from the issuing company

Delphax Technologies Inc., a global provider of high–speed digital monochrome printing equipment, today announced plans to enter the color printing arena through a partnership with Memjet, a San Diego–based developer of high–speed color printing technologies. "Our collaboration will introduce Memjet´s disruptive technology in color production to the commercial printing industry in a robust digital print system engineered and manufactured by Delphax Technologies", said Dieter Schilling, Delphax president and chief executive officer. "Memjet has created a print head that represents an entirely new category of digital print technology–a major step forward in speed and economy of high–quality color production. We´re excited about joining Memjet on the leading edge of this development."

Delphax plans a product introduction for Drupa 2012, the largest international exhibition of new printing equipment held every four years, in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Memjet achieves an unprecedented combination of high–speed and high–resolution color production by putting more than 70,000 ink nozzles on a single print head. The print head spans the entire width of a page, allowing Memjet–powered printers to deliver more than 700 million drops of ink per second.

The partnership between Delphax and Memjet brings together two companies that hold ?world´s fastest? titles – Delphax for its toner–based digital monochrome printers and Memjet for its ink–based digital color print heads.

"Delphax Technologies has the industry experience, international reach and engineering expertise that make it an ideal OEM partner for us," said Sean Marske, president of Memjet Labels. "It is a highly innovative company in its own right, establishing a strong competitive position within the commercial printing industry by providing its customers with the cost and performance advantages of high–speed digital equipment."

"The addition of high–speed color capability is an exciting and essential strategic advance for Delphax," Schilling said. "Digital color is a segment of the printing market that has grown despite the recession, and it is projected to gain steadily in share of revenues from equipment, supplies and services."

"Our 30 years of serving the printing industry gives us a profitable base of operations and a solid foundation for the kind of innovation that we are pursuing in our collaboration with Memjet. Delphax was launched through a cooperative application of new technology, and we believe that Memjet´s unprecedented combination of high speed and high quality provides a similar opportunity on a larger scale."

04/29/11

AVERY DENNISON HAS STRONG Q1 SHOWING

Press release from the issuing company

Avery Dennison Corporation today announced preliminary, unaudited first quarter 2011 results. All non–GAAP financial measures are reconciled to GAAP in the attached tables.

"Avery Dennison delivered solid sales growth in the first quarter, with strong performances by Pressure–sensitive Materials and Retail Branding and Information Solutions," said Dean A. Scarborough, Avery Dennison chairman, president and CEO.

"Pricing actions and productivity initiatives mitigated the impact on margins of increased raw material costs," Scarborough said. "We will continue to aggressively manage the impact of inflation.

"As we expected, Office and Consumer Products had an extremely soft first quarter. We are confident that our investments in new products and demand creation will change the trajectory of this business," Scarborough said.

"For the full year, we expect Avery Dennison to deliver solid growth, margin expansion and strong free cash flow that will support share repurchases later in the year," Scarborough said. "We are well positioned for long–term profitable growth and increased returns."

For more details on the Company´s results, see the Company´s supplemental presentation materials, "First Quarter 2011 Financial Review and Analysis," posted at the Company´s Web site at www.investors.averydennison.com, and furnished under Form 8–K with the SEC.

All references to sales reflect comparisons on an organic basis, which exclude the impact of foreign currency translation. All references to operating margin exclude the impact of restructuring charges and other items.

Label and Packaging Materials (formerly Roll Materials) sales grew at a low double–digit rate reflecting both solid volume growth and pricing actions. Sales grew at a high single–digit rate in Graphics and Reflective Solutions.

Operating margin declined as the benefits of pricing actions, increased volume, and productivity initiatives were more than offset by raw material inflation.

Operating margin improved sequentially as the gap between raw material costs and pricing narrowed.

Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS) (formerly Retail Information Services)

Sales growth reflected increased demand from retailers and brands in the U.S. and Europe.

Operating margin increased due to increased volume and productivity initiatives, partially offset by higher employee costs. Operating margin decreased sequentially due to lower volume, reflecting this segment´s normal seasonal trend.

More than half of the decline in sales was due to anticipated customer inventory reductions following a build in the fourth quarter of 2010. The balance of the decline was related to weak end market demand and last year´s distribution losses with one customer.

Operating margin declined due primarily to lower volume and raw material inflation.

Sales growth primarily reflected increased demand for products for automotive and other specialty applications.

Operating margin declined primarily due to expenses related to a warehouse fire in Brazil. The benefits from increased volume, pricing actions, and productivity initiatives more than offset the impact of raw material inflation. Excluding the impact of the fire, operating profit would have been positive.

The first quarter effective GAAP tax rate was 34 percent. The adjusted tax rate for the first quarter increased from 22 to 25 percent, reflecting reduced benefits from discrete tax events this year.

In the Company´s supplemental presentation materials, "First Quarter 2011 Financial Review and Analysis," the Company provides a list of factors that it believes will contribute to its 2011 financial results. Based on the factors listed and other assumptions, the Company continues to expect adjusted (non–GAAP) earnings per share of $3.00 to $3.30 and free cash flow of $325 to $350 million in 2011.

Note: Throughout this release and the supplemental presentation materials, all calculations of amounts on a per share basis reflect fully diluted shares outstanding.

04/28/11

KONICA MINOLTA RELEASES BIZHUB C25

Press release from the issuing company

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announces the availability of the bizhub C25 Color All–in–One Printer (AIO).  Combining a compact design with advanced multifunctional capabilities, the bizhub C25 is ideal for workgroups, home offices and small businesses that require printing, copying, scanning and faxing from the convenience of their desktop.

With fast output speeds of 25 pages per minutes (ppm) in color and black and white, the bizhub C25 offers a sleek design in an ultra compact body measuring 15.9 x 22 x 19.8 inches (W x D x H) for space–saving desktop placement.  Featuring the Konica Minolta Emperon print system and the Simitri HD color polymerized toner made from Biomass, a renewable organic resource with less environmental impact than conventional toners, the bizhub C25 delivers enhanced vibrant scans, prints and photos – while operating at a very quiet 54 decibels when printing.  The bizhub C25 is also equipped with PageScope software that puts the user in control with user and administration management tools.

"The bizhub C25 provides a one–stop document center for workgroups and small businesses with a cost–effective cost per page price and advanced print controller technologies," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.  "With the ability to produce high quality images, graphics and text on a compact color printer, our customers can continue to count on Konica Minolta for robust digital printing solutions that meet a variety of business needs."

The bizhub C25 Color All–in–One Printer is available now through Konica Minolta´s North American direct sales, authorized dealer, and value–added reseller channels.  The manufacturer´s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the bizhub C25 is $2,100.

04/28/11

ROLAND ADDS TO INKJET PRODUCT LINE

Press release from the issuing company

Roland DGA Corp. is exhibiting exciting new additions to its inkjet product line this week at ISA´s International Sign Expo in Booth #3111.

In addition to its lineup of bestselling printers, printer/cutters, vinyl cutters and engravers, Roland´s ISA exhibit will feature two new VersaUV printers, the company´s largest and smallest to date, as well as the new VersaStudio desktop metallic inkjet printer/cutter, the first of its kind for the sign and graphic arts industries.

"These new products address specific needs in the market for applications ranging from labels and signs to specialty graphics, packaging prototypes, personalized promo items and custom apparel," said Andrew Oransky, director of marketing and product management for Roland.  

At ISA 2011, three new Roland products are set to take center stage, bringing the industry innovative capabilities for a variety of applications. The products include:

– VersaUV LEJ–640 64–inch UV–LED hybrid printer: For businesses looking to expand their wide–format capabilities, the VersaUV LEJ–640 prints CMYK, White and Clear.  Designed to produce signs, packaging prototypes, window displays, interior décor items and specialty graphics, it prints on substrates ranging from thin roll media to flat, rigid materials up to a half–inch thick.

– VersaUV LEF–12 UV–LED inkjet printer: With a maximum print area of 12 inches by 11 inches, the VersaUV LEF–12 prints CMYK, White and Clear on a wide range of giftware, award, promotional and industrial products including solid objects up to 4–inches thick.

– VersaStudio BN–20: Roland´s new 20–inch VersaStudio BN–20 will enter the market as the industry´s most compact and affordable eco–solvent printer/cutter.  Equipped with CMYK and metallic inks, the BN–20 prints and cuts graphics for custom signs, POP, labels and apparel decorations.  

The LEF–12 and BN–20, although previewed at ISA, will be announced later in May 2011. These new technologies combine advanced capabilities into compact, entry–level platforms designed for businesses new to the industry and those looking to augment an established production workflow.  

Roland´s ISA exhibit will also feature the company´s most popular sign industry products, including the VersaCAMM VS with Metallic Silver Eco–SOL MAX ink, winner of DPI, EDP and Viscom awards, and most recently, Wide–Format Imaging Magazine´s 2010 "Top Products" award in the Output Device category.  Roland SOLJET, VersaUV and VersaArt wide–format inkjet printers and printer/cutters will also be demonstrated, as well as EGX engravers, GX cutters and the MPX–90 impact printer.  In addition, the company is showcasing a wide range of media that has been tested, profiled and certified for reliable performance including the newest addition to the line, Blue Back Paper Media.

Roland´s ISA workshop series includes live vehicle wrap demonstrations by Digital EFX Wraps, Skip Grant´s "100 Ways to Print & Profit with Roland," and "How to Make Money with Metallic Ink," led by Roland´s product management team. Additionally, Roland customers who visit the company´s booth and declare, "I am a Roland Owner," are eligible to enter a daily drawing to win an Apple iPad tablet.

04/28/11

EFI INTRODUCED NEW VUTEk GS3250LX

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovations, introduces the EFI VUTEk GS3250LX UV–curing digital inkjet printer as an addition to its growing GS Series family of printers. Engineered to dramatically lower the total cost of ownership over the lifetime of the printer, the VUTEk GS3250lx incorporates "cool cure" LED technology and increased productivity to facilitate faster and more efficient job production than ever before. With no VOCs, less consumables and waste, low energy consumption, and the ability to print on recycled and other materials without introducing warping or head strikes, users can more easily satisfy customer requests for a greener printing solution. The VUTEk GS3250LX is being shown for the first time at Connect, EFI´s 12th annual users´ conference taking place at the Wynn in Las Vegas through April 29th.

"This is a true breakthrough in high–speed superwide inkjet printing technology," states Scott Schinlever, senior vice president and general manager of EFI VUTEk and Rastek. "Not only does this printer expand what is possible in terms of substrates and applications, but it also delivers a significantly lower cost of ownership. That translates into greater profit–earning potential for owners. The VUTEk GS3250LX builds on the success of our previously released GS3200 printer. To date, we have shipped 135 GS3200 printers which have produced over 100 million square feet of output for our customers. We expect the GS3250LX to be even more productive."

The combination of innovative GS Series image quality and LED technology enables the VUTEk GS3250lx to produce high–definition point–of–purchase graphics with true 1000 dpi and advanced three–layer white ink printing. The LED system features instant on/off and requires less maintenance, increasing the uptime to produce more profitable jobs. Since there is no warm up time required and the LED bulbs last the lifetime of the printer, owners will consume less energy and lower hard costs to help reduce overall operating costs. The VUTEk GS3250LX expands the range of substrates that can be printed to include, for instance, poly banner materials and some cardboard/corrugated materials by eliminating 100 percent of the infrared heat associated with a mercury bulb curing process. In addition, the innovative ink curing technology delivers high adhesion so you can reduce your material costs with less expensive substrates like thinner styrene and other rolled materials.

Nick Olson, owner of PVS In–Store Graphics, is already seeing the benefits of his new VUTEk GS3250LX. "We´ve been able to print on a much wider gamut of materials than ever before which is opening up new opportunities we couldn´t pursue previously. Equally important has been the benefits of the new cool cure technology. For example, with a much lower UV cure temperature, we have been able to use thinner styrene sheets at half the cost of what we previously had to order."

The high continuous board productivity of the VUTEk GS3250LX also allows users to take on more jobs and turn them around faster. With a time between boards of less than five seconds, it´s possible to produce up to 55 – 4´x8´ (1.2m x 2.4m) boards per hour. Unlike competitive devices, a precision alignment fence accurately aligns every board for highly–consistent image placement without adjustments. The addition of a VUTEk MediaMaster automated material handling system also aids the production of high–speed, high–volume jobs without manually loading materials.    

Users will find that the new printer software improves overall printer performance and simplifies operation. For example, multiple jobs can be run at once across the width of the printer with the multi–queue functionality available right at the user interface. Audit information is also available on every print job (printing time, media usage, and ink usage) through bi–directional communication between the Fieryâ XF RIP and VUTEk system. The enhanced Fiery XF 4.5 RIP enables better color and performance, as well as easier job deployment. Users can also optimize their business processes and profit potential with seamless printer integration to EFI Web–to–Print and MIS solutions with native JDF connectivity. Maintenance is simplified because there are fewer mechanical parts and because the software provides information that helps improve troubleshooting and reduce the possibility of errors.

Additional good news for current EFI VUTEk GS3200 customers is that the new "cool cure" LED technology, along with the continuous board speed enhancement and software functionality described above, will also be available as an upgrade to their existing printers in the near future.

04/28/11

VIGC RELEASES NEW PDF CORRECTOR

Press release from the issuing company

Expensive mistakes caused by inappropriate PDF viewers are set to become a thing of the past thanks to a free new tool from the Flemish Innovation Center for Graphic Communication (VIGC ). The VIGC PDF Viewer Check is a simple tool that lets users know if they are using an inappropriate PDF viewer, or the wrong settings.  

The organization developed the easy–to–use tool after its recent testing of PDF viewers prompted a huge reaction from print service providers, with many claiming the costly errors caused by inappropriate PDF viewing tools are a big issue for the industry.  

"When we started the PDF viewer tests, we knew we were investigating a problem that most print service providers have experienced at some time or other," says Eddy Hagen, managing director and trend watcher at VIGC. “However, when we released the test results we were surprised by the amount of feedback we received. It quickly became clear exactly how commonplace the issue is – some printers claimed they were experiencing PDF viewer issues on a weekly basis."  

Another reason why the VIGC developed the tool was because not all operatives understand which settings they should use. "We know from our tests exactly where things can go wrong in daily production," continues Didier Haazen, PDF expert at VIGC. “The VIGC PDF Viewer Check addresses the most common issue we encountered in our study."  

Clear message given when inappropriate PDF viewer or wrong settings are used The concept of the VIGC PDF Viewer Check is simple: it consists of a one–page PDF, which is inserted as the first page in PDF proofs that printing companies and prepress agencies send to their customers. If the customer uses the appropriate PDF viewer with the right settings, a positive message appears, asking the customer to thoroughly check the proof, together with some points of attention. If an inappropriate PDF viewer is used, or the settings are wrong, a message appears on screen: WRONG VIEWER OR WRONG SETTINGS.  

The tool also includes which PDF viewers work correctly and the link where the free Adobe Reader – the only reliable free PDF viewer from VIGCs tests – can be downloaded. And the tool states which settings should be changed.  

The VIGC PDF Viewer Check is available for free from the VIGC website. And next to the generic version, companies can also get a personalised version eg with contact info or the company logo. The tool is available in multiple languages.  

The VIGC PDF Viewer Check also makes the user aware of their responsibility. If the PDF proof is assessed with an inappropriate PDF viewer or the wrong settings, it may be that not everything is visible the way it will be printed. This message only appears when there is an issue with the PDF viewer. However, when using the appropriate tools with the right settings, the message is not shown.  

"At VIGC it is our goal to research common problems and then provide practical solutions. The VIGC PDF Viewer Check is a perfect example," concludes Hagen.

04/28/11

BBC SOFTWARE TO HOLD GIFT CARD CONTEST

Press release from the issuing company

BCC Software, a BÖWE BELL + HOWELL company and a leading developer of postal and data quality technology solutions that optimize client communications, will offer attendees at the 2011 National Postal Forum (NPF) a chance to win a $500 gift card during the show, May 1–4 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.  

Attendees who registered for the event prior to mid–April will receive a postcard from BCC directing them to bring the card to booth 1534; once there, they may have their card´s Intelligent Mail barcode scanned with a Mail Verifier Plus (MVP) unit on display at the booth. If the serial number embedded in the IM barcode matches that of a randomly selected, predetermined winner, the card´s recipient will win the $500 gift card.  

While at booth 1534, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about industry strategies and initiatives, including a presentation about Intelligent Mail hosted by BCC President Chris Lien, Own Your IMB, at 1:30pm Monday, May 2. Throughout the day, visitors to booth 1534 will also have the opportunity to learn about enhancements to BCC Software´s Mail Manager Full Service software and details on a number of BCC and BÖWE BELL + HOWELL products and services through presentations and videos displayed throughout the day.  

"The Intelligent Mail barcode is something that all mailers should take advantage of," says Lien. "There is so much that can be done with it, and we see this contest as a way to emphasize the importance of this relatively new technology. We´re looking forward to discussing the importance of Intelligent Mail and innovations in BCC and BÖWE BELL + HOWELL´s products and services with attendees who stop by to get their postcards scanned."

04/27/11

VALASSIS PARTNERS WITH ALLIANCE

Press release from the issuing company

Valassis, one of the nation´s leading media and marketing services companies, and Alliance Marketing, the nation´s largest independent ad group, representing over $2 billion in annualized retail sales,announced today an arrangement to develop and execute in–store marketing and media programs, effective second quarter 2011. Alliance Marketing and its affiliates represent independent supermarkets in 15 states. The new partnership brings over 200 independent retailers to Valassis´ In–Store network, representing 70 retail banners. Valassis will help Alliance Marketing emphasize promotional pricing at the shelf, heighten the effectiveness of brand messaging at point of purchase and streamline the way consumers find information about products and how they can be used.

"We are tremendously excited about our partnership with Alliance Marketing and the retailers they bring into the Valassis In–Store network," said Michael Kowalczyk, Valassis Vice President and General Manager of In–Store Marketing. "I would expect that, in combination with Alliance Marketing´s creative and analytical prowess, Valassis will be able to deliver an in–store experience previously unavailable to consumers in those respective markets."

"We are excited about our partnership with Valassis," said Joe Wolf, President of Alliance Marketing. "Every week more than 3,500,000 people shop our stores and we represent a great vehicle for the consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to reach valued consumers. Valassis brings the tools necessary to help us market on behalf of those CPG companies, but more important, improves the shopping and customer service experience our customers have come to expect daily in our stores."

04/27/11

ROLAND RELEASES NEW VERSAUV LEJ–640

Press release from the issuing company

Roland DGA Corp. today introduced the 64–inch VersaUV LEJ–640 UV–LED wide–format hybrid inkjet printer. Based on award–winning VersaUV technology, the LEJ–640 prints CMYK, white and clear on virtually any substrate from roll media to half–inch thick board stocks for premium custom graphics with unique special effects and finishes.  

"As our newest addition to the VersaUV line, the LEJ–640 takes package prototyping and specialty printing to the next level with support for thick media, including corrugated cardboard, foam board  and other rigid substrates," said Hiroshi Ono, group product manager for Roland DGA Corp. "The LEJ–640 also prints and simulates embossing on virtually any flexible packaging media, as well as on a wide variety of materials used for press proofs, membrane panels, wide–format signage, POP, window displays and interior décor items."

For optimum versatility, the LEJ–640 accommodates both roll–fed and flat media substrates and comes equipped with a built–in sensor that ensures proper print head positioning. These advanced media handling systems enable flawless results on papers, films, vinyl, PET, leathers, plastics, polycarbonates and a wide range of board stocks.  Safe–to–use UV–LED lamps are energy efficient and require no warm up time. The LEJ–640 features a high–quality, artistic print mode (1440 x 1440 dpi) for images that rival offset and flexographic print quality.

The LEJ–640 is offered in three ink configurations: the standard CMYK + White + Clear configuration, CMYK + White + White for high–opacity white printing on transparent films, and CMYK + Clear + Clear for thick dimensional effects such as embossing. Clear ink can be layered to produce both gloss and matte finishes, including 72 ready–to–apply patterns from the Roland Texture Library that is part of  Roland´s VersaWorks RIP software.

To ensure the ultimate in reliability, the LEJ–640 is backed by the Roland OnSupport system, which allows remote monitoring of production activities.  When a job is completed or ink runs low, an email notification is sent to any designated smart phone or computer.  Unattended operation and easy maintenance are further supported by an Automated Ink Circulation System that prevents pigments in the white ink from settling, thereby minimizing waste and ensuring continuous uninterrupted printing. A built–in take–up system is also included, supporting media rolls up to 88 pounds.  

The VersaUV series also includes the 54–inch LEC–540 and 30–inch LEC–330 UV–LED inkjet printer/cutters. VersaUV technology was introduced in 2008 and has since been recognized with prestigious DPI, EDP and Label Industry Global awards for outstanding innovation.

04/27/11

ESKOARTWORK TO OFFER GOPRINT WEB–TO–PRINT SOLUTION

Press release from the issuing company

EskoArtwork today announces that it will be offering Hybrid Integration´s GoPrint web–to–print solution to its North American customers. This comes on the heels of Hybrid´s recent news that it has integrated portions of EskoArtwork´s WebCenter viewing technologies within the application. For larger printers, GoPrint has been closely integrated with many EskoArtwork solutions so, for example, it can be incorporated with the complete WebCenter solution. WebCenter is a unique and powerful web–based platform that manages pre–production approval and project life cycle.

"As many of our customers are processing orders of smaller quantities – particularly with digital presses – there has become a greater need to automate an order entry system to make these smaller orders as cost–effective as possible," explains Mark Quinlan, President of EskoArtwork Americas. "A web–to–print system not only allows our customers the means to provide an easier order entry process for standardized projects. It also lets users access private catalogs of open jobs, review them, and offer last–minute changes if necessary. This is much more efficient than requiring face–to–face meetings to review proofs."

"We are pleased that GoPrint will be available for EskoArtwork users," comments Mike Rottenborn, President and CEO of Hybrid Integration. "As shorter runs, faster deadlines, and the demand for client–facing systems drive the need for greater efficiencies, web–to–print portals have become very important. The tight link between GoPrint and EskoArtwork´s an integrated production workflow method that corporate clients require."

Most Web–to–print systems offer templates that let the print buyer control brand management and content. These templates can be reused on new projects to assure consistency from one printed piece to the next – a cost–effective process for print buyers and a faster process for the printer. Unfortunately, many of these systems are built on proprietary database systems and software, and unavailable to smaller print providers. That is not the case with GoPrint, which allows customers to choose from a wide variety of templates, making the customer much more satisfied with the order process.

GoPrint provides a powerful, yet easy–to–use portal for printers and their customers. It provides a database of items and jobs with tracking and order history, fast file transfer capabilities to replace traditional FTP servers, and a customizable product catalog linked to an online order ticket and shopping cart. GoPrint can be easily branded for each customer to provide a familiar look and feel to users.

We believe GoPrint will help our customers increase their market share, utilizing the power of ecommerce," adds Quinlan. "It simplifies the order process for the print buyer, and reduces the ordering life cycle and proofing costs for the print provider. For new product packaging, it streamlines the introduction process; for reorders, it minimizes the hassle."

GoPrint is available directly from EskoArtwork, Hybrid Integration, and other EskoArtwork resellers throughout North America.

04/27/11

KODAK SHOWCASES NEW SUPPORT OFFERINGS

Press release from the issuing company

Kodak Showcases Comprehensive Service And Support Offerings For Kiosk And Other Self–Service Technology During Customer Engagement Technology World (Cetw) 2011 At The Moscone Center In San Francisco, Apr. 27–28 (Booth #804). The Event Targets Retailers, Manufacturers, Marketers, Kiosk Solutions Providers And Digital Signage Professionals. Kodak Will Talk With Attendees About The Benefits Of Professional Installation, Remote Monitoring And Managed Services, Which Include Increased Uptime, Improved Operational Efficiencies, And Higher Customer Satisfaction.

Kodak Service And Support Has Completed More Than 100,000 Kiosk Installations Worldwide, Working Strategically With Retail Developers To Increase Overall Customer Satisfaction. Services To Support Kiosk And Other Digital Signage Companies Include:

– Site Surveys,
– Set–Ups And Installations,
– Remote Monitoring,
– Managed Services,
– Supply Chain Support,
– One–Call Service For All Kodak And Oem Equipment,
– And Other Expert And Professional Consulting.

"Brands That Use Kiosks And Other Customer–Facing Self–Service Technologies Can Benefit From Effective Service Strategies That Offer An Incentive For Increased Customer Loyalty And Satisfaction," Said Kathy Clas, Director, Kodak Service And Support. "Digital Self–Service Offerings Continue To Drive Customer Engagement Technologies And Purchasing Needs. Kodak´s Host Of Professional Services Enables Businesses To Focus On Those Needs Through Fast, Consultative Service–Which Translates Into Better Face–Time And New Growth Opportunities."

At Cetw 2011, Buyers From The Digital Signage, Kiosk, Mobile, Self–Service And Other Technology Industries Can Learn How To Better Understand To Formulate Their Customer Engagement Strategies, And Evaluate Available Technology That Enables Them To Better Engage With Their Customers. For More Information On The Show, Visit: Www.Cetworld.Com.

Kodak Service And Support Is Made Up Of More Than 3,000 Professionals In 120 Countries. It Is A Leading Multi–Vendor Integrated Services Provider, Delivering Consulting, Installation, Maintenance And Support Services For Commercial Printing, Graphic Communications, Document Imaging, Data Storage And Retail Industries. Kodak Service And Support Professionals Are Uniquely Qualified To Provide Services That Control Costs, Maximize Productivity, And Minimize Business Risk.

04/27/11

ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING ANNOUNCES FIRST QUATER EARNINGS

Press release from the issuing company

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, today announced its results for the first quarter of 2011. For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company reported revenue of $140.1 million, compared to first quarter 2010 revenue of $110.8 million.

GAAP net income was $6.2 million or $0.13 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2011, compared to GAAP net loss of $(11.4) million or $(0.25) per diluted share for the same period in 2010. Q1 2011 GAAP net income of $6.2 million was primarily driven by a strong revenue quarter and significant improvements in gross margin.

Non–GAAP net income was $13.5 million or $0.28 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2011, compared to non–GAAP net loss of ($0.1) million or ($0.00) per diluted share for the same period in 2010.

"Our exceptional results in Q1, with 26% year–over–year revenue growth, are a strong indication of the opportunities ahead for EFI as we maintain our focus on the fastest growing segments of printing," said Guy Gecht, Chief Executive Officer of EFI. "The efficiencies and profitability our customers are achieving with EFI´s innovative technology are driving strong growth across all three of our businesses. We look forward to furthering our market leadership and customer loyalty as we introduce innovative new products this week at Connect 2011, EFI´s user conference, and the ISA industry show."

Previously reported revenue in the Fiery and APPS operating segments for the three months ended March 31, 2010 has been revised to conform to the presentation used for the three months ended March 31, 2011, reflecting the reclassification of Proofing software revenue from the APPS to the Fiery operating segment. Total revenue reported for the three months ended March 31, 2010 has not changed.

04/26/11

ICGQ TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE FOR KODAK FLEXCEL

Press release from the issuing company

Attendees of the Institut des Graphic du Québec (ICGQ) Open House will learn about the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System, which helps package printers, tradeshops, and brand owners create high impact packaging with improved print quality, while streamlining production and decreasing operating costs. Kodak helps packaging customers uncover new revenue and profit opportunities with flexographic solutions for the label, flexible packaging, and folding carton segments.

The event, held on April 27 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, will feature live demonstrations of KODAK FLEXCEL NX Plates on press and two identical sessions with presentations from Kodak and other leading flexo solution suppliers. Kodak packaging experts will be available at the event to consult and discuss packaging opportunities. People interested in attending can register here.

"The KODAK FLEXCEL NX System takes flexographic technology to new heights," said Doug Weiss, Kodak Packaging Business Development Manager and presenter at the Open House. "Attendees will see how the unique characteristics of KODAK FLEXCEL NX Plates overcome many of the traditional flexo challenges, and help our customers be more successful."

A virtual demonstration of the KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System can be seen here (http://bit.ly/eNuSrk) and a video of Kodak customer, Packstar, discussing the system´s advantages can be seen here (http://bit.ly/nUwdc).

The award–winning KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic System is a key element in Kodak´s flexographic product line, which addresses a variety of needs–from narrow to wide formats–in the very diverse package printing market. Regardless of the design or line screen, KODAK FLEXCEL NX Digital Flexographic Plates with InterTech Award–winning KODAK DIGICAP NX Screening enable higher print densities, better print contrast, and cleaner tones for a broad range of applications, while improving production efficiencies and helping reduce costs.

With premier package printing solutions, Kodak offers the broadest portfolio of products and services that enable customers to drive business growth through increased shelf impact and production efficiencies. For proofing needs, the KODAK APPROVAL NX Digital Color Imaging System provides a robust, proven option for packaging professionals. Optimized for the FLEXCEL NX System, it enables package printers to reduce time to market, save money on flexographic plates, and more accurately meet customer expectations with digital proofs matching color and imaging on press.

Leveraging the power of KODAK Unified Workflow Solutions, which include KODAK PRINERGY POWERPACK Workflow, KODAK INSITE Solutions and KODAK COLORFLOW Software, package printers have a robust, modular and scalable solution that can streamline production while reducing cost and improving efficiency.

"Kodak has a strong portfolio of packaging solutions that help customers succeed across a variety of applications," said Mace Hoover, Canada National Sales Manager. "We´re pleased that the ICGQ invited Kodak to this important industry event to showcase our packaging solutions."

04/26/11

MUTOH AMERICA TO HOLD SEMINARS AT ISA

Press release from the issuing company

Mutoh America Inc. will draw in a crowd with printing demonstrations and educational seminars at the International Sign Expo (ISA) in Las Vegas. The trade show will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from April 28th–30th.

Mutoh will be showcasing the newest additions to the ValueJet line, the ValueJet 1324–54" and ValueJet 1624–64" printers. The printers are an updated version to the previous ValueJet 1304 and 1614 printers. New print heads give the printers an improved print speed (up to 300 sqft/h on the 1324, and up to 313 sqft/h on the 1624), while still maintaining the remarkable ValueJet print quality.  

With daily printing demonstrations, Mutoh will also showcase its new MP Ink on the ValueJet 1608HS–Hybrid printer. The Hybrid is one of Mutoh´s most versatile printers which prints on both rigid and roll to roll substrates. Composed of 60 percent bio–based materials, Mutoh´s eco–friendly MP Ink offers a wide color gamut with increased adhesion and abrasive characteristics.  

Other showstoppers include:
– ValueJet 1618A–64", Dual head versatile high performance printer.
– Kona Cutter 1400, Multi–purpose cutting plotter that offers the finest cutting quality with excellent tracking. Kona Cutters are available in 30, 55 and 65 inch sizes.
– Application Station, Mutoh´s hands–on display of different applications made from a Mutoh printer.
– Educational Seminars, Mutoh will conduct a series of daily seminars in its booth. Educational seminars will inform the print industry of different way to expand their business, including car wrap techniques and color management.
– GBC´s 640t Wide–Format Roll Laminator, runs roll to roll applications at up to 16 fpm for improved productivity and profits.  

Manufactured in all ValueJets is the i²: Intelligent Interweave print technique that lays down ink in optimized wave forms, drastically reducing or even eliminating horizontal banding.

04/26/11

TOSHIBA CELEBRATES 410% INCREASE

Press release from the issuing company

Toshiba America Business Solutions Inc. (TABS) celebrates an amazing 410 percent year–over–year increase1 in recycled imaging consumables as part of its "Zero Waste to Landfill" program. As the first manufacturer to partner with Close the Loop Inc. (CTL), a world–class recycler of imaging consumables, Toshiba has consistently led the e–waste recycling revolution with their dedication to the environment. The company is taking the "green" lead once again by expanding their program and accepting any spent imaging consumables, regardless of manufacturer, making it easier–than–ever for business customers to recycle.  

"To our knowledge, we are currently the only manufacturer accepting used imaging consumables from other companies, and we do it at no cost to our customers," said Tom Walter, director, Aftermarket Sales, Marketing and Operations for TABS. "With e–waste growing at record rates, Toshiba wants to make it simple for businesses to recycle imaging consumables, not because we have to, but because it´s the right thing to do."  

With nearly 90,000 pounds of electronic waste recycled since the partnership began in late 2008, Toshiba has contributed to the creation of eLumber, Close the Loop´s patented composite product which is used to build structures for local communities and non–profit organizations. For example, in the past three years Toshiba´s recycled cartridges have been used to create numerous park benches, fences and garden boxes for Habitat for Humanity.  

"After seeing the rapid increase of recycled e–waste in the past year, we know that Toshiba is taking steps in the right direction with our ´Zero Waste to Landfill´ recycling program. It´s a great feeling to see how much our program has grown and know that what we´re doing is having a positive effect on our environment," stated Walter.

04/26/11

INX TO SHOWCASE AT FFTA ANNUAL FORUM

Press release from the issuing company

The FFTA Annual Forum and InfoFlex Exhibition usually provides spirited debate for all things related to flexographic printing.  This year will not be an exception, at least when it concerns INX International Ink Co. (booths 1009–1011).  One of the world´s largest ink manufacturers, INX will shine the spotlight on UV, solvent and water–based products when the FFTA event is held May 1–4 at the JW Marriott and Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

The INX booth will feature nearly a dozen flexographic ink products that are performance driven, including INXFlex ITX free UV process inks, Synergy III solvent–based adhesive lamination inks, and VersaTech 100 water–based inks.  Developing and offering these types of products is answering the industry´s call for such inks, says Mark Hill, Assistant Director of Research and Development and Vice President of Liquid Technology for INX International.

"This event is highly productive because it brings together a collection of people with great ideas and open communication," Hill said.  "We always get tremendous feedback from the printers who attend and it makes an impression in our planning.  Printers are always on the outlook for products that deliver outstanding performance and a reasonable return on their investment.  I think the products we are bringing to this year´s show will reinforce their belief in us for finding the right mix of inks that will make their work stand out in the market."

INXFlex ITX Free UV process inks remain a popular choice because they have been formulated to provide minimal plate swell for flexographic printing.  This involves all plate making technologies including digital and fast curing photopolymers, as well as most tag and label, pressure sensitive, shrink and in–mold label applications.  These inks are environmentally friendly, having been formulated without Benzophenone and ITX with an ultra low viscosity pourable system.  INXFlex ITX Free UV also can be used for certain shrink sleeve applications.  Another UV product to be shown at FFTA – INXFlex Last Down Shrink White – is a premium UV flexo low plate swell ink that is ideal for reverse printing on a vast array of substrates.

Synergy III and VersaTech 100 are representative of the 25+ water and solvent–based inks in INX´s product line–up.  Synergy III inks are designed for adhesive lamination and work well with a variety of solvent–based and solvent–less adhesive systems.  A high performance ink blending system designed for printers who want to improve printability and lower ink inventory levels, they offer excellent film adhesion, bond strength, resolubility and adhesive smear resistance.

The VersaTech 100 series are high value water–based inks formulated for surface printing on most treated film and foil substrates, with an emphasis on polyethylene bags.  Available as dispenser bases or completely finished inks, they offer superior strength, excellent resolubility and outstanding stability with a wide range of press speeds.  In addition to clean printing and premium gloss, this series offers scratch, scuff and rub properties and low VOC´s to address today´s environmental concerns.

Two other VersaTech products will be on display: VersaTech LSE is a film and foil printing ink for low surface energy substrates including metalized films, and VersaTech ODE is an outdoor exposure water–based film ink.

INX will feature several other inks at the show.  Roto–Flex G is a base system for multiple end use surface print applications where gloss is a consideration for both rotogravure and flexo printing.  ShrinkPac F is a solvent–based premium ink formulated for shrinkable film labels, and INXLamII is a film printing ink for adhesive systems.  MYLEX is a premium water–based flexo lamination ink system developed to work with solvents, water–based and UV adhesive systems.  Finally, NXT Universal Lamination inks are a solvent–based flexo ink system designed for adhesive or extrusion lamination.

04/26/11

LIBRARYS TO START AQUIRING MORE E–BOOKS

Press release from the issuing company

Although consumer trade books get a majority of the attention, professional and scholarly books, which include the legal, scientific/technical, medical and business segments, hold 75.9% of the $1.76 billion U.S. E–book market. The latest market research report from media and publishing forecast firm Simba Information, Professional Publishing in the Digital Age: E–Books in Libraries, predicts library collection managers will set aside more of their budget for E–books over the next few years.  
 
The clear advantages E–books offer librarians, including archiving and long term access, enhancements and features, usage statistics and cost savings, are pushing professional publishers to continue to work with the library community to fully develop this market. According to the report, surveyed library collection managers are expecting e–books to become a more significant share of publishers´ and distributors´ offering, with 60% indicating that in five years e–books will represent 11% or more of their library´s acquisition budget.  
 
"The professional market is unlike the trade book and education market; professionals need to be able to access content that is searchable and streamlined into their workflow," notes Dan Strempel, senior analyst at Simba Information and author of the study. "Librarians understand these needs, which can only be serviced on an electronic platform."  
 
The current mindset of professional publishers is to replicate the print version of a book, which is creating challenges in the adoption of e–books, including the use of format standards like EPUB and establishing acceptable digital rights management.  
 
"Some of the challenges are arising from disagreements between the publishers and the librarians: 69% of surveyed librarians had a negative opinion of digital rights management, specifically the limited length of access and no allowance for interlibrary loans," added Strempel. "However, it should be noted that most librarians are acquiring their e–books through third party vendors or aggregators and not directly through publishers."

04/25/11

PAPER SHIPMENTS INCREASE BY 1% IN MARCH

Press release from the issuing company

According to the American Forest & Paper Association´s March 2011 Printing–Writing Paper Report, total printing–writing paper shipments increased 1% in March compared to March 2010. Two of the four major printing–writing grades posted increases compared to last March. U.S. purchases (shipments + imports – exports) of printing–writing papers decreased 2% in March. Total printing–writing paper inventory levels decreased 5% compared to February 2011.  
 
Some points of interest from the report include: 
– Uncoated free sheet (UFS) shipments increase for the first time this year. 
– Year–over–year shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) remained essentially flat in March. 
– Coated mechanical (CM) shipments increase year–over–year for the second time this year. 
– Uncoated mechanical (UM) year–over–year exports increase for the first time in five months.  

04/25/11

VERTIS COMMUNICATIONS AWARDED PATENT

Press release from the issuing company

Vertis Communications, a results–driven marketing communications company that delivers inventive advertising, direct marketing and interactive solutions to prominent brands across North America, today announced that it has been awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office for its proprietary method of manufacturing cylindrical pop–up mailers. The exclusive inline production supports organizations such as Campbell–Ewald and Leo Burnett with new opportunities to excite consumers with fun, engaging designs and increase response rates for their leading brands.  
 
The three–dimensional design, which features a cylinder pop–up shape built seamlessly into a custom direct marketing piece, can be used to represent items such as beverage mugs and cans of soup, or to highlight special offers and incentives including coupons and bonus savings cards. The eye–catching format brings brand messages to the forefront to capture consumer attention and increase response rates.  
 
"Producing unique formats that enable our clients to grab the attention of consumers and stand out against the competition is a key mission of Vertis,” said Gerald Sokol, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, Interim, and Chief Financial Officer at Vertis Communications. "We innovate and continuously evolve our products and services each and every day to guarantee that our clients achieve maximum consumer impact that translates into increased sales.”  
 
Promotional materials that utilize this new shape are produced through a patented process on an inline printing press, making production more efficient and cost–effective while eliminating manual manufacturing techniques.

04/25/11

IPS TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE PLASTIC CARD PACKAGE

Press release from the issuing company

Integrated Printing Solutions (IPS) announced that it has opened a new facility in Indiana that will revolutionize the production of the plastic card package. With custom–built machinery, including full robotics, automated quality control and tracking IPS will continue to be an industry leader in the gift card market.  
 
IPS, which is best known as a premier provider and innovator of plastic card solutions and strategies for some of North America´s largest businesses, is expanding its footprint in the packaging industry with this new venture.  
 
"The facility will feature custom–built production lines and robotics that will drive new packaging alternatives and data–validated quality assurance,” said Sev Spagnolie, founder of IPS and chief executive officer.  
 
"Our goal for the Indiana location is to support all existing production lines we have in Denver while expanding our packaging capabilities beyond what is in the market today. The new location enables us to continually support the changing needs of our existing client base and expand our reach into other markets,” said Dave Gandini, president and chief operating officer of IPS.  
 
"The new location in Indiana is yet another step that we are taking at IPS to deliver on the innovation the market is asking for. With the new production lines and growth expectations, we look to be on line to support volume by June of 2011,” Spagnolie said.

04/25/11

BCC SOFTWARE TO ATTEND NPF 2011

Press release from the issuing company

BCC Software, a BOWE BELL + HOWELL company and a leading developer of postal and data quality technology solutions that optimize client communications, will be on hand at the 2011 National Postal Forum (NPF), May 1–4 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.   
 
At Booth 1534, BCC representatives will discuss mailing industry hot topics and the latest offerings from BCC, including enhancements to BCC´s robust Mail Manager Full Service and BOWE BELL + HOWELL´s newest offering, Digital Co–mingle. A number of informative video presentations will be shown throughout each day. In addition, live presentations on BCC and BOWE BELL + HOWELL offerings will be held at both the BCC and BOWE BELL + HOWELL booths. BCC President Chris Lien will present "Own Your IMB” several times throughout the week. See a complete list of presentations below:   
 
Monday May 2 
9:15 am; Vote By Mail; Booth 1426 
9:45 am; Digital Co–mingle; Booth 1426 
12:30 pm; Digital Co–mingle; Booth 1534 
1:00 pm; Economics of Production Mail; Booth 1426 
1:30 pm; Own Your IMB; Booth 1534  
 
Tuesday May 3 
9:15 am; Own Your IMB; Booth 1426 
9:45 am; Managing Rising Postal Costs; Booth 1426 
12:30 pm; Digital Co–mingle; Booth 1534 
1:00 pm; Vote By Mail; Booth 1534 
1:30 pm; Digital Co–mingle; Booth 1426  
 
Wednesday May 4 
9:30 am; Digital Co–mingle; Booth 1426 
10:30 am; Digital Co–mingle; Booth 1534  
 
"We are really looking forward to this year´s NPF,” says BCC President Chris Lien. "The USPS® is in the midst of some major changes, we have new offerings and enhancements – there´s a lot to talk about, and we are happy that we will have the opportunity to discuss these topics with our industry peers."

04/25/11

MANROLAND CLEANS UP AT PRINT CHINA 2011

Press release from the issuing company

At Print China 2011, manroland with its widespread product range has successfully positioned itself as the expert for offering solutions for the customer. The Sheetfed Division sold more than 300 printing and coating units and thus strengthened its leading position at the high–end packaging and printing market.

Large–format printing has already been very successful in 2010: more than 40 large–format presses in different formats and configurations were sold. Moreover, three new sales contracts for large–format presses were signed at this exhibition. manroland´s ROLAND InlineFoiler Prindor technology has also made a breakthrough in the Chinese printing market: manroland is the only printing equipment supplier whose customers apply its ROLAND InlineFoiler Prindor technology in China.

The exhibited six–color ROLAND 700 LV will be installed at Qingdao Longshi Printing & Packaging Co., Ltd. and push forward the development of the packaging and printing industry in Shangdong province. Harbin Hexin Printing Co., Ltd. and Harbin Desheng Packaging Printing Co., Ltd. ordered an eight–color ROLAND 700 LV+UV resp. a five–color ROLAND 700 LV. Shantou Jinshi Press Works Ltd. signed a contract for an eight–color ROLAND 700 LV+UV. Wenzhou Xinya Group ordered a five–color ROLAND 700 LV, its third press in 2011. Shenzhen Jingwan Printing Co., Ltd. ordered a six–color ROLAND 700 LV.

The comprehensive presentation and information on newspaper and commercial printing given in the Value Added Printing (VAP) tunnels were well received by the customers. They agreed that the value added printing solutions on offer are applicable to Chinese printing enterprises. Moreover printservices was very successful. Several upgrade and maintenance contracts and one printnet system were signed at the exhibition.

"The global strategic alliance between manroland and Océ enables manroland to provide the customers with more solutions and become an even better partner of the customers," said Adam Yuen, Managing Director of manroland Greater China. "In fact, the cooperation between manroland and Océ is just like the internal cooperation among the chess pieces in a chess game. No matter how powerful a piece is; it will not be able to achieve success unless it works well with others."

04/22/11

WAUSAY PAPER EDUCATES ON EARTH DAY

Press release from the issuing company

For more than 40 years, people around the world have celebrated Earth Day through a shared commitment to building a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This year, Wausau Paper encourages printers and designers to embrace the truths and debunk the myths about the sustainability of print compared to electronic media, and ultimately, to celebrate Earth Day with the power of print.

Contrary to popular belief, a paperless world is not necessarily a greener one. Many argue that electronic media is the green alternative to print, but research shows this is not necessarily the case.  While digital media does not produce a tangible product to fill landfills, the data centers that drive electronic media require power and rely heavily on coal, which ultimately results in the production of harmful greenhouse gases.

Conversely, the carbon footprint of printing continues to decrease, as printers and paper mills are among the largest consumers of renewable energy.  According to the AF&PA Sustainability Report, U.S. paper mills plant more trees than they harvest, and nearly 65 percent of their power is generated on–site from renewable energy, such as hydropower and biomass.  

Dr. Patrick Moore, co–founder of Greenpeace, has been widely quoted as saying, "Forestry is the most sustainable of all the primary industries that provide us with energy and materials.  To address climate change, we must use more wood, not less.  Using wood sends signals to the marketplace to grow more trees."

For printers and designers looking for environmentally friendly paper options this Earth Day, Wausau Paper offers a wide array of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Green Seal certified papers from its popular brands including Exact, Astrobrights, Intrigue and Royal lines.  Most recently, Wausau Paper enhanced its Exact Index, Tag and Vellum Bristol grade lines. All products within these three lines are now FSC–certified and all white items now containing 30 percent recycled post–consumer fiber.

04/22/11

KBA OPENS TALKS WITH SOUTH AMERICAN PRINTERS

Press release from the issuing company

In recent weeks two delegations of print professionals from South America visited KBA´s sheetfed offset plant in Radebeul and Rapida reference installations in Germany and the Czech Republic to learn more about the latest technological advances.

The focus of the first tour was packaging printing, with around 50 prospects and longstanding Rapida users from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico and El Salvador attending a packaging–oriented open house entitled "Performance is the key" on 5 April in Radebeul. This was followed by a tour of packaging printing plants where medium– and large–format KBA presses are in operation: Schumacher Packaging in Sonneberg, Kroha in Miesbach, Höhn Displays + Verpackungen in Ulm and STI in Lauterbach. At every location delegates were given a chance to compare notes with host production staff.

Following hot on the heels of the first delegation, some 30 commercial printers from Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Colombia saw B2 (29in) Rapida 75E press lines being put through their paces at KBA´s customer centre in Radebeul, Gärtner Druck in Leipzig and at two Czech operations, Garamon in Hradec Králové and KBA–Grafitec in Dobruska.

In view of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Latin American printers KBA is planning further knowledge–sharing events. A roadshow to a Rapida 75 in Brazil is scheduled for June, and in the autumn Latin American commercial printers will be invited to Germany for a tour of medium– and large–format KBA installations.

04/22/11

GPA DEBUTES NEW ULTRA FILM HIGH–TEMP LIGHTBOX MATERIAL

Press release from the issuing company

GPA proudly announces the latest addition to their product line: Ultra Film High–Temp Lightbox Material, which offers the affordability, sustainability and durability that make it the ideal choice for printing outdoor illuminated signage.  

Ultra Film High–Temp Lightbox Material is an economical alternative to Polycarbonate and offers tremendous durability over Styrene. Created to meet the specific challenges of outdoor lightboxes, this material offers a high heat deflection rating and durability, so corners will not crack when folded and inserted into slots. From the coldest Minnesota winters to the hottest Arizona summers, GPA´s High–Temp Lightbox Material can withstand the harshest elements without cracking, warping or yellowing in the sun. It is perfect for applications such as point–of–sale (POS) signage, menu boards, and all other types of outdoor illuminated signage.  

This polypropylene–based polyolefin also qualifies as a #5 recyclable plastic and offers the added advantage of being curbside recyclable, provided the finished piece carries the #5 recycling symbol and the local municipality picks up #5 plastics. This new product makes it easier than ever for customers to make sustainable business choices.  

Ultra Film High–Temp Lightbox Material is stocked in 28" x 40" sheets for offset and UV printing, with custom sizes available up to 48" x 90".

04/22/11

XEROX ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS FOR 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Xerox Corporation announced today first–quarter 2011 results that include adjusted earnings per share of 23 cents. Adjusted EPS excludes 4 cents related to amortization of intangibles, resulting in GAAP EPS of 19 cents.

"Our results in the quarter reflect solid progress in scaling our services business while maintaining our leadership in document technology," said Ursula Burns, chairman and chief executive officer, Xerox Corporation. "Steady revenue growth and our continued sharp focus on operational improvements resulted in a 28 percent increase in adjusted earnings. It´s a good start to the year."

First–quarter revenue of nearly $5.5 billion was up 2 percent on a pro–forma basis with ACS in the company´s results. Revenue from technology, representing the sale of document systems, supplies, technical service and financing of products, was flat. Revenue from services was up 5 percent on a pro–forma basis, and represents the company´s business process, IT and document outsourcing offerings. Signings for Xerox´s services totaled $3 billion in the first quarter and were up 3 percent on a trailing 12–month basis.

"In the past year, we transformed not only our business into a leading player in the services space, but also our business model with growth largely driven from an increasing annuity stream," added Burns. "Multi–year, multimillion dollar services contracts generate long–term revenue. And, we fueled this annuity in the first quarter through growth in both services revenue and signings while building a strong pipeline for future business.

"We continue to hold the number–one revenue market share position for document technology, and strengthened this position during the first quarter with a 27 percent increase in installs of our mid–range color systems and 19 percent growth in high–end color systems," said Burns. "This positive performance – in technology and services – is the result of our differentiation in the marketplace, the benefits of our diverse portfolio, and the increasing trust our clients place in us so they can focus more time and resources on their core business."

First–quarter gross margin was 33 percent, and selling, administrative and general expenses were 20.5 percent of revenue. On a pro–forma basis, operating margin of 9.1 percent was up nearly one point from first–quarter 2010.

The company used $30 million in operating cash during the first quarter primarily due to the seasonality of working capital. Xerox reiterated its expectations to deliver $2.5 billion in full–year operating cash and $1.9 billion of free cash flow. The company expects $1 billion to $1.2 billion in available cash for 2011.

Xerox also commented on the business impact from the earthquake in Japan. "We are focused intently on minimizing any disruption in providing products and supplies to our customers," said Burns. "Due to increasing costs and uncertainties in supply chain issues along with the pressure on Fuji Xerox´s business in Japan, we´re taking the prudent approach to provide a broader range than usual for our second–quarter earnings expectations. We remain committed to delivering on our full–year guidance."

Xerox expects second–quarter 2011 GAAP earnings of 18 to 21 cents per share. Second–quarter adjusted EPS is expected to be 23 to 26 cents per share.

Full–year 2011 GAAP earnings are expected to be 89 to 94 cents per share. Full–year adjusted earnings are expected to be $1.05 to $1.10 per share.

04/22/11

INX DIGITAL TO DISPLAY AT SIGN EXPO 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Promoters of this year´s ISA International Sign Expo 2011 have artfully captured the imagination of sign industry personnel with the promise that "First impressions start here."  INX Digital International Co. (booth #4315) has added to that message, which began at last year´s show.  When visitors convene for the April 28–30 event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, they´ll get a glimpse of the future when they see the display INX Digital has waiting for them.

In addition to the wildly successful EVOLVE® Advanced Digital Solutions, INX Digital will be promoting its new Triangle EDX inks and Eco Bulk ink delivery system and introduce the new Prodigy™ brand to the sign industry.  A separate business unit, Prodigy currently serves the Graphic Arts with toner and industrial inkjet inks for OEMs, Integrators and print head companies within the digital market.  Upon entering the booth, visitors will walk under an archway designed to introduce them to Prodigy.  Display cases of digital print applications will include a unique variety of everyday solutions that use UV, water and solvent–based products as part of the Prodigy portfolio.

"A year ago at this show, we explained our philosophy and strategic plan for using renewable resource materials and our plans for moving forward," said Ken Kisner, President of INX Digital Americas.  

"We believe our ink formulation expertise, coupled with EVOLVE and the Triangle and Prodigy brands, makes us an unequaled source for products, technologies and services for the sign industry.  INX Digital has operations in the U.S., as well as Italy, China, India and the Czech Republic, so we are well situated to handle the growing global demands.  The products we have at this year´s ISA Expo will show our vision for the future of digital printing."

The EDX inks are a new line of eco solvent products and the first time the Triangle brand has offered a color and chemically compatible ECO product for the alternative market.  With dual compatibility, users can perform cartridge–by–cartridge changeover without wasting ink.  New color profiles are not required in order to obtain the same color as OEM inks when printing.  Designed for Roland printers with Epson DX4 print head technology, EDX is a fast drying ink with low odor and is both HAPS– and TAPS–free.  EDX also provides a significant cost savings when compared to OEM eco inks.

Eco Bulk is a perfect example of INX Digital´s corporate commitment to developing more sustainable products.  An integral part of the company´s Green recycling program, the ink delivery system is easy to use and features a unique cardboard box design that consists of 100 percent recycled material.  Comprised of one box instead of five, 440 ml cartridges, the ink is housed within a foil bag.  Once emptied, the bag is disposed of and replaced, a much more sustainable approach compared to plastic.

The foil bag can contain up to two liters of ink, double the current industry standard of one liter packaging.  It also results in less waste, but 440 ml cartridges are available for customers who use less ink.  An extensive test program conducted by INX Digital revealed that more volume allows for greater consistency of the product being delivered through the network.

04/21/11

FLINT GROUP INCREASES PRICE OF NYLOFLEX PRINTING PLATES

Press release from the issuing company

The printing and packaging industry has had to withstand significant and constant pressure since the economic collapse at the end of 2008. De–stocking of raw materials to this industry has resulted in unprecedented raw material prices, while the price of energy continues to rise towards the record levels. Additionally the chemical industry has consolidated heavily in the last few years, limiting the available global capacities. Serious shortages and unrelenting cost increases are still evolving along with an increasing demand.

These ongoing pressures are now beginning to severely impact on many of the raw materials used in the manufacture of Flint Group´s plate manifold components. As a consequence of this, Flint Group Flexographic Products has now began the process of imposing price increases on average by 5% for nyloflex printing plates and by 10% for nyloprint printing plates, depending on the product type – with immediate effect.

"We are aware that the printing industry is being exposed to a high cost pressure" explains Mario Busshoff, President Flint Group Flexographic Products, "and have been working hard to mitigate price increases through various cost containment initiatives, but now we have reached a point where we can no longer absorb the increases and need to adapt the prices for our printing plates." Mr. Busshoff concludes: "We will however continue to challenge our own processes and suppliers to keep the price adjustments as low as possible."

04/21/11

AMS UV NAMED ONE OF TOP COMPANIES TO WATCH

Press release from the issuing company

UV systems and technology leader Air Motion Systems | AMS UV has been recognized as one of the thirty–three 2011 "Wisconsin Companies to Watch," an awards program presented by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs´ Network (WEN) with support from the Wisconsin SBDC Network and the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) at the University of Wisconsin–Extension in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

In connection with the announcement, AMS will be honored at an awards ceremony during the inaugural Wisconsin Companies to Watch gala on May 5, 2011, at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison.

Based along Wisconsin´s I94 Corridor Technology Zone near Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota, Air Motion Systems | AMS UV (www.airmotionsystems.com) is a leading provider of conventional and LED UV curing technologies to the graphic arts and other industries. The company´s patented P3 UV system is now the leading system for high quality offset UV printing in North America, and its next generation PEAK LED–UV system is breaking new ground in the adoption of energy–efficient, semiconductor–based UV LED light curing in the graphic arts and other finishing processes.  

"We are thrilled to receive the Companies to Watch Award for Wisconsin" said Steve Metcalf, President and CEO of AMS. "Our state is home to a growing number of companies involved in exciting and forward–thinking technologies and services. Being recognized in this way is further validation of our enterprise focus and the customer success we´ve experienced in the graphic arts market and the broader industrial UV space."

"I´m pleased to recognize the winners of the Companies To Watch Award," said Department of Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin.  "These companies are poised for future growth and will help drive investment and job creation in Wisconsin." "CTW acknowledges companies at the crucial stage of growth where financial potential, concept and management have been established, and attracting talented workers, solid vendor relationships and access to peer learning are key components of future growth," added Gayle Kugler. The Edward Lowe Foundation's studies have shown second–stage companies are the ones who generate jobs and economic growth in their communities.

Companies making it to the Wisconsin Companies to Watch list are a remarkable group of second–stage companies. Defined as having 6 to 99 full–time–equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants, these companies form the backbone of Wisconsin´s economy. Representing all regions of the state and a diverse range of industries, companies like Air Motion Systems are known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage. Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurial and angel communities.

04/21/11

FINCH PAPER DEBUTS FINCH dyeJET

Press release from the issuing company

Finch Paper today debuts Finch dyeJet for precision printing on dye–based inkjet systems, making the announcement in concert with the unveiling of its comprehensive digital paper program. Finch dyeJet completes the digital paper product line that already includes Finch Fine iD for HP Indigo (liquid toner) presses, and the already highly–acclaimed Finch Inkjet Pi for pigmented inkjet systems.

Paper manufacturers have long been challenged with drying issues associated with dye–based inks in the burgeoning high speed inkjet segment.  Finch has solved the issue with a specially–engineered paper formulation including a surface treatment to maximize ink density and absorption, resulting in instantaneous drying at speeds as high as 750 ft./m.

Finch dyeJet's smooth surface provides brilliant full color, CMYK digital printing.  It delivers better print densities for improved response rates, and fast–drying for increased production rates. Finch dyeJet features the stability and strength necessary for downstream perforating, folding and inserting applications.

Most commercial inkjet presses that incorporate dye–based inks are best matched with Finch dyeJet. These include, but are not limited to: Screen Truepress Jet520, InfoPrint 5000, Kodak Versamark, Oce JetStream 2200 and 3300.

Phil Hart, Finch Paper Director of Product Marketing, says, "Finch is proud to continue to serve the needs of the expanding digital printing marketplace. After the introduction of Finch Inkjet Pi last fall, our growing R&D team has again produced a superior uncoated substrate, this time balancing its focus on dye–based applications."

Finch dyeJet Specifications
– 94 brightness
– Diamond White shade
– Super smooth (100 sheffield)
– Excellent opacity
– SFI–certified
– Elemental chlorine–free
– Archival and acid–free

Finch created Finch dyeJet to give printers the ability to deliver better color with lower total costs for print–on–demand books, transpromo printing, and direct mail.

Finch dyeJet is commercially available in 24 lb./60 lb. text, 28 lb./70 lb. text, and 32 lb./80 lb. text. Finch offers a variety of roll sizes and custom solutions to fit specific application and print engine needs. Finch dyeJet is also available with up to 30% post–consumer recycled fiber and FSC certification.

04/21/11

MANROLAND AND OCE TO HOLD SERIES OF EVENTS

Press release from the issuing company

manroland, one of the leading global suppliers of offset printing systems, and Oce Printing Systems GmbH, the leading global manufacturer of high–performance printing systems for digital continuous feed printing, are starting, within the framework of their strategic alliance, a series of events in the Technology Centers of Offenbach (May 16 to 20, 2011) and Poing/Munich (June 7 to 10, 2011).

Under the motto Digital meets Offset Power, manroland and Océ present the best from both worlds of high–quality offset printing and variable high–speed inkjet printing. From May 16 to 20, manroland invites its graphics industry customers in all segments and sizes of operation, as well as those involved in the advertising industry, to the Sheetfed Summit in the manroland Print Technology Center in Offenbach. The best of the best are to meet in the manroland Print Technology Center to see groundbreaking technologies and solutions for highly efficient sheetfed offset printing. More than 1,000 trade visitors from all over the world are expected to attend the event.

How must print position itself in a multimedia world? Very simple: as a vibrant and creative industry with virtually unlimited possibilities. Print works, and manroland is to show groundbreaking solutions to achieve this efficiently. The Sheetfed Summit 2011 will focus on Value Added Printing for improved business and production processes, as well as fascinating print products. The event will showcase innovations in automation, product variability, sustainable production, networking, services, consumable materials, and consulting.

Less than 150 sheets until the first OK sheet, automated job changeover, integrated data handling, Web–to–Print, a 64–page signature in one pass through the press, and inline enhancement: manroland is to demonstrate how powerful offset printing is in 2011.

With new products like autoprint smart, InlineColorPilot, InlineInspector with PDF comparison, ColorPilot smart and other groundbreaking solutions, manroland will also show how costs can be further reduced, delivery times shortened, flexibility increased, and daily output boosted. Numerous live demonstrations await the participants, along with clear presentations of the benefits and intensive technical discussions with experts and colleagues. A ROLAND 900, XXL format 8 perfecting press, a ten–color ROLAND 700 DirectDrive with autoprint smart, a ROLAND 700 HiPrint and ROLAND 500 both equipped with InlineFoiler Prindor, a ROLAND 200 with High Pile delivery, a special four–color ROLAND 700 HiPrint, and a ROLAND 50 with an envelope feeder will all be in production.

For the first time, manroland will present – integrated into graphics workflows – two high–productivity Océ inkjet printing systems for digital webfed printing. Inkjet systems, with their flexible production and individualization strengths, are increasingly becoming an alternative in both the business models and machine parks of graphics industry printing houses. Gerd Finkbeiner, manroland CEO, notes: "We are showing how inkjet printing systems supplement industrial offset printing. We are not however placing our faith in insular solutions, but in integrated workflows. In our role as front runners, we and Océ have ambitious aims. We want successful customers who are participating in the dynamic growth of digital print production – and we are committed to supplying them with solutions that are at the same time groundbreaking and future–proof."

The Océ Production Printing Summit takes place from June 7 to 10 in the Océ Leadership Technology Hub in Poing/Munich. The events, aimed internationally at the decision–maker level, focus on the complete value creation chain for production printing, from individualized content through to the finished end product. All of these will use innovative and individualized print products as examples. In the course of this four–day high–performance show, Océ will also present growth applications in high–productivity digital printing embedded in workflows for the graphics industry, for example for publishing–on–demand, the printing of digital newspapers and magazines, hybrid catalogs and manuals, as well as 'target group 1' in–vogue applications such as direct mail and loyalty applications.

"Individualized high–speed digital printing is an attractive field of business that is increasingly supplementing industrial print runs," explains Sebastian Landesberger, Executive Vice President, Océ Production Printing. "The print value creation chain is undergoing change, and particularly the intelligent combination of offset and digital printing opens up new lucrative business models for our customers. With, for example, our new Océ ColorStream 3500 and Océ JetStream family high–speed full–color inkjet printing systems, at the Océ Production Printing Summit we will be showing a winning combination of highest quality and maximum individualization as well as their value proposition for modern print communication."

04/21/11

AMERICAN LITHO JOINS FORCES WITH BERLIN INDUSTRIES

Press release from the issuing company

American Litho, Inc. and Berlin Industries LLC, both of Carol Stream, Ill., today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement that will result in American Litho purchasing certain assets of Berlin Industries. The combined company will offer a broader range of product and service capabilities to its customers and will continue to operate the two existing printing plants located in Carol Stream. Closing of the transaction is expected to occur by early June.

Mike Fontana, president and one of the owners of American Litho stated "We are excited about the opportunities the combination of the capabilities of the two companies offer to the customers of both companies. Berlin is an important player in our market and a great addition to our operation." The companies are in close proximity, and Fontana said he expects the integration of the businesses to go quickly and smoothly.

Bruce Smith, chief executive officer of Berlin, commented, "The future of the combined operations is bright. The combination of the companies offers customers an enhanced value proposition with additional capabilities and creates opportunities for improved manufacturing efficiencies." Smith said he feels the larger size of the resulting operation will provide a more competitive platform from which to grow profitably.

04/20/11

UNISOURCE TO HOLD EXPO WITH ALLIANCE PARTNERS

Press release from the issuing company

Unisource Worldwide, Inc., along with its´ Alliance Partners, will showcase packaging equipment and solutions at the company´s first virtual tradeshow – UnisourceEXPO´11. Thousands of packaging decision makers are expected to participate in this information–packed event on May 19, 2011, which is designed to provide ongoing networking with industry peers and conversations with product knowledge experts, all from the comfort of the attendee´s home or office.

In today´s competitive market, customized and leading edge packaging supplies and equipment are critical to almost every businesses success. UnisourceEXPO´11 will showcase the latest packaging products, solutions and technologies that drive sustainability and productivity to achieve the lowest total operating cost.

"We recognize the need to continually provide our customers with innovative solutions and state–of–the art engagement opportunities. That is why we partnered with USMotivation, Inc. to host this industry–first virtual tradeshow," said Darin Tang, President of Sales – Industry Business Group for Unisource. "UnisourceEXPO´11 is a fully interactive day–long tradeshow that will incorporate education materials, live presentations, sustainability discussions, networking and access to leading industry–experts – all at your fingertips," said Tang.

Virtual tradeshows combine the latest technology in webcasting, online chat features, video streaming and advanced graphics to offer the same elements of a physical tradeshow such as exhibitor booths, speeches, seminars, distribution of marketing literature and networking. With travel budgets under constant scrutiny, more companies than ever are turning to virtual tradeshows to connect with customers and suppliers.

"Virtual events enable companies like Unisource to develop sales opportunities, have conversations with customers and generate qualified leads, without the cost and frustration associated with physical tradeshows and travel," said Dave Elash, Divisional Vice President of Sales at USMotivation. "Because of its high ROI, virtual is a great complement to an overall marketing program."

The UnisourceEXPO´11 will include:

– Educational forums with top industry experts featuring such topics as innovation and sustainability.
– An EXPO floor where attendees can visit staffed booths, gather information on the latest packaging solutions and chat with company representatives.
– A digital, searchable resource center featuring downloadable white papers, product information and presentations from exhibitors.
– Unlimited networking opportunities via the virtual lounge where attendees are encouraged to exchange expertise through a discussion forum and one–on–one chats via instant messenger and/or email.
– Live and On–Demand access to education and resources for 90 days after the tradeshow closes.
– Multiple chances to win great prizes throughout the event.

04/20/11

XEROX TO HELP RIVERSIDE, CA SAVE MONEY

Press release from the issuing company

The city of Riverside, Calif. and Xerox Corporation are working together to find new ways to save money. After partnering with Affiliated Computer Services (ACS), A Xerox Company, to advance the city´s technology, Riverside is now adding Xerox managed print services (MPS), cutting costs by nearly 20 percent and reducing the time employees spend on print–related activities.

Riverside´s five–year Enterprise Print Services contract gives the city more time and resources to reallocate toward providing services for citizens, while Xerox manages the way documents are printed, shared and updated across city departments. Xerox´s print governance features – computer screen pop–ups that help employees redirect print jobs to the most cost–effective and energy–efficient machine – will deliver a positive impact to the city´s budget and environmental efforts.

During its 10–year relationship with Riverside, ACS has helped the city develop innovative technology to respond to issues that matter to the community. For example, citizens use their smartphones to report graffiti by emailing a photo of it to the 311 call center with their comments and the GPS location. The city then removes the graffiti within 24 hours.

"The breadth of services and technology from Xerox gives us the right tools to run a more efficient city," said Steve Reneker, chief information officer, Riverside. "As a result of these cost and productivity savings, we can sharpen our focus on providing citizens with services that make Riverside a great city."

Xerox was positioned by Gartner, Inc., in the Leaders Quadrant in the 2010 Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services Worldwide and the company was recognized as a leader in IDC´s Worldwide and U.S. Outsourced Print and Document Services Forecast and Analysis2 and in IDC´s 2010 MPS MarketScape report3. Xerox was also named a market leader in managed print services in Quocirca´s European Vendor "MPS Comes of Age" report 2010.

04/20/11

HEIDELBERGER MET WITH SUCCESS AT PRINT CHINA 2011

Press release from the issuing company

"The Print China trade show was very well attended, and our customers showed great interest in our new products and services," says Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), who was pleased with how this year´s most important trade show went. This success is underlined by the total of more than 4,500 customer inquiries resulting from the event. Close to 150,000 visitors – mainly from China, but also from Singapore, South Korea, India, and Taiwan – came to Print China, which was held from April 9 to 13, 2011 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province. The Heidelberg presentation at its 2,500 square meter booth under the motto HEI Performance – HEI Value demonstrated how print shops with state–of–the–art technologies and services can benefit from cost–effective and eco–friendly print production. "Alongside drupa in Düsseldorf, Print China has become the most important trade show for us worldwide. It offers us the opportunity to further extend our market leadership in China," explains Schreier. China is currently enjoying the highest growth rates in the global print media industry and is now the largest single market for Heidelberg.

The Speedmaster CX 102, which was making its debut on the Chinese market, proved a visitor magnet at the company´s stand. By the end of the event, orders had been placed for more than 40 presses with a total of over 200 printing units. Designed for industrial offset printing, the press is capable of reaching production speeds of 16,500 sheets per hour and lies between the Speedmaster CD 102 and Speedmaster XL 105. Heidelberg unveiled the Speedmaster CX 102 at Ipex 2010, and series production started in September 2010. Since then, more than 100 presses have already been sold worldwide, excluding China.

Further orders were concluded across all format classes, including one for a Speedmaster XL 162 large–format press. Customers in China appreciate the Heidelberg solution approach and also placed orders for several CtP platesetters and numerous postpress devices. "It was a very successful show. The results exceeded our expectations, which demonstrates the customers´ faith in the print media industry. Once again Heidelberg has clearly demonstrated its leadership in the industry. Also, our brand image has further strengthened", says Chua Lian Seng, CEO of Heidelberg China. The products and services for small and medium–sized print shops with the standard presses manufactured locally in Qingpu also proved very popular with customers.

Visitors to the Heidelberg trade show booth saw the company´s solutions for market trends such as efficient packaging production, differentiation through creative print applications, short–run color printing, Web–to–Print, and green printing. More than 1,000 visitors experienced the demonstration of the new business model Web–to–Print. Comprehensive workflow integration, the Saphira range of consumables from Heidelberg, and a wide variety of training and consultancy services rounded off the portfolio.

There was great interest in green printing solutions, as print shops on the Chinese market are becoming increasingly committed to protecting the environment. In addition to providing a practical demonstration of eco–friendly production, experts from Heidelberg also explained all aspects of green printing at an environmental technology center and in a seminar on this subject.

The only manufacturer with a commitment to education and training Heidelberg is the only manufacturer in China to boost the competitiveness and productivity of Chinese print shops by systematically promoting the technical capabilities of talented young people working in the print media industry.

The opening day of Print China saw the first group of young printers, who had taken part in the certification program of the Print Media Academy in Shenzen, being presented with their certificates. A total of 35 printers passed the test on a Speedmaster CD 102.

The training and certification program was initiated in April 2010 and is intended to give talented young individuals from the print media industry the opportunity to receive top–class training. The program is supported by both the Chinese government and China´s print media industry, which in future will be even more dependent on qualified staff. The Print Media Academy in China is planning to introduce further training programs catering to the Chinese printing market.

04/20/11

FINCH PAPER DEBUTS NEW DIGITAL PAPER PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

Finch Paper President and CEO, Joe Raccuia, today unwraps a comprehensive digital paper program that employs a new, cross–company digital applications team to research and specify the ultimate product mix for digital printing applications.

Finch Paper´s collaborative, solutions–oriented relationship model – which has successfully served its traditional customers for decades – is the model for the company´s customer–centric development and delivery plan for the digital paper program.

"Digital production is about choice. You have equipment, software, ink and substrate choices; and you marry these to your resources and customer needs," Raccuia says. "Our unique, vertically–integrated manufacturing platform allows us to engineer papers that meet customers´ resource and application requirements, resulting in highest quality at the lowest cost."

Finch learned that people may not realize how much better their jobs can look, or how much money they can save, because most paper manufacturers can´t offer this kind of customization –– especially for high–speed inkjet printing. "It´s been the invisible leg of the three–legged stool, with the print engine and the ink comprising the other legs," Finch Paper Director of Product Marketing, Phil Hart, says. "Paper is a critical part of the digital print equation, and has tremendous impact on every job."

In its Managing the Variable Characteristics of Inkjet Substrates for Profitability whitepaper, Finch says, "it is by optimizing absorption and ink–fastness specifically for unique print environments that it is possible for printers to use paper and ink with the highest levels of cost efficiency. This is an especially appealing factor when you consider that the ink (and often, bonding agents) contributes nearly 30% to the cost of an inkjet printing job, and the paper only contributes about 10%, or less, to the cost."

Optimizing absorption and ink–fastness can influence quality characteristics such as color and show–through; while engineering modifications can also affect variables like speed and runnability.

In other words, printers can save ink – and money – while boosting quality and ease of use, by using tailored paper solutions.

Finch recommends that paper buyers investigate their options, and ask their paper provider about its ability to tailor paper formulations for their particular needs.

At minimum, Finch recommends that digital printers use papers formulated for the type of colorant (toner or ink) their system utilizes. Finch Fine iD papers, which have received the highest ratings possible from the RIT certification body commissioned by HP, have been available for some time. Finch Fine iD is engineered for HP´s popular liquid toner–based Indigo systems. This past fall Finch rolled out its Finch Inkjet Pi for pigment–based inkjet production. Today, Finch dyeJet is released for dye–based inkjet systems, completing the basic formulation product line.

To facilitate due diligence in establishing the digital paper program, Finch built a team that today includes additional research and development expertise, a new product manager, and a new digital paper sales manager. Operations have otherwise been expanded to accommodate product growth, of which digital paper is only a part. These new resources include the addition of expanded headquarters space as well as new personnel including a Director of Quality and Continuous Improvement.

Finch is not confining its close relationship–building to end–user customers. It is only by fully understanding the technologies made available by the print engine and ink manufacturers that the company can make intelligent decisions about development. Technology resources include Kodak, HP, Océ, Screen, Ricoh/IBM, Pitney–Bowes, Canon, and RIT.

Finch Paper´s insistence on individual, customized attention doesn´t begin with the digital paper program. The company´s flexible infrastructure has, for decades, allowed personnel to offer timely service and support to customers turned away at other mills for a range of reasons, such as orders that are too small, or required too quickly.

"We live the cliche: ´Customers come first," says Raccuia. "When you call us here, a person answers the phone, stands up, and walks over to whomever they need to see to get paper made and shipped on time.

"It´s how we´ve served commercial printers for decades; we´ll do it for the digital paper marketplace as well."

04/20/11

KBA PRESS INSTALLED BY LITHOCRAFT COMPANY

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, announces that Lithocraft Company, an Anaheim, California high–quality commercial sheetfed printer, is expanding into new markets with the installation of a new KBA Rapida 106 41–inch eight–color UV press. Delivery is expected to take place in May 2011.  
 
"2011 will be a year of change for Lithocraft," says Robert Navarro, vice president of operations at Lithocraft. "The addition of the Rapida 106 with UV will be the spring board for this transformation. The new press will allow us to better service our existing customers and it will provide new capabilities thus allowing us to move into the high–end quality packaging market. We will be living up to our customers´ expectations, which are: being responsive, reliable, proactive, adaptable, and providing consistent value."    
 
  Since being launched at Drupa 2008, KBA´s high–tech Rapida 106 continues to be the world champion in makeready and the most productive press in its class. A key unique feature of Lithocraft´s press includes the DriveTronic SIS (Sensoric Infeed System), a totally makeready–free system that knows no setting or sidelay errors, nor does it mark sensitive substrates. Its mode of operation is ingeniously simple: a sensor determines the lateral position of the sheet on the feeder board, and as the sheet approaches the transfer point to the first printing unit the gripper on the transfer drum aligns the sheet with the side position specified at the console. Various automation modules, such as fully automatic plate changers, ErgoTronic ACR video register, DensiTronic Professional ink density control and the LogoTronic management system with CipLink software, ensure maximum productivity.   
 
Lithocraft devoted a great deal of time researching various press manufacturers. However, based on its future plans, "The Rapida 106 is the best piece of equipment to fit the needs of our company," explained Navarro. After extensive research, Lithocraft came to this conclusion for a variety of reasons. These included, says Navarro, the Rapida´s inherent speed and ease of makeready; reliability of KBA equipment; automated equipment service provided by KBA; and the solid reputation of both KBA and Air Motion UV system. Navarro also noted the KBA QualiTronic color–control system, which measures solid densities on each sheet at maximum production speed; this system eliminates time–consuming manual comparisons and reduces start–up waste. QualiTronic is a camera–based inline sheet–inspection system that scans each sheet as it enters the delivery or the perfecting unit, and compares it with a reference sheet.    
 
  Not only will this be the first press with this particular type of configuration but it will be Lithocraft´s first press from KBA. "Our customers expressed an interest in having us expand our capabilities into the UV market with added color capabilities and environmentally–friendly processes," says Navarro. "The efficiencies that the Rapid 106 brings will allow us to eliminate most of our overtime and attract new customers. Having eight–color UV capabilities will give us the tools we need to compete in the high–end packaging market as well as providing added services for our existing clients." Lithocraft will be replacing a six–color conventional sheetfed press from a different manufacturer with the new KBA Rapida 106 41–inch eight–color.   
 
To market the new press, Lithocraft will be holding an open house and producing marketing materials to explain the capabilities of the new equipment. "Our material will help explain the added benefits of an eight–color UV press and how it can help expand and enhance the products our clients are presently producing," says Navarro.   
 
As the firm readies for the Rapida 106 installation, it has made changes to its facility to accommodate the eight–color press. This includes foundation modifications and the necessary upgrades for the UV system electrical requirements.   
 
"Lithocraft will be entering a different market segment, and in doing so we will be making internal changes to help support the market change," says Navarro. "Success for our company is based on our commitment to provide exceptional service with all the necessary support for our clients. As the company enters into new markets we will not only provide new products for our clients but additional internal efficiencies with our staff. Automation for estimating, order processing, digital file handing, make–readies on press, and order tracking for our clients are a few of the new changes that will be instituted. These changes will allow our sales staff the ability to better service our existing clients and the ability to pursue and capture new customers."   
 
Lithocraft was established in 1973 to serve the advertising and marketing community with high quality commercial printing. The company features a full prepress with direct–to–plate capabilities through full bindery producing medium– to high–volume annual reports, brochures, packaging, point–of–purchase displays, and posters. With its 37–year tradition of craftsmanship, Lithocraft takes pride in being recognized as a quality company. It is committed to providing high quality products and services through the continuous analysis and improvement of its processes and procedures.

04/19/11

EFI CHOSEN BY CRAFTSMAN PRESS AS PRINT MGMT AND MAILING SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, today announced that Craftsman Press, a major direct mail printer based in Cheverly, MD, has chosen the complete EFI Monarch suite as its print management and mailing system.   
 
Craftsman Press is a provider of direct mail and fulfillment services to regional and national markets. Their capabilities include heatset web printing, narrow web printing, sheetfed printing, bindery and finishing, with mailing and fulfillment as a primary focus. Craftsman is capable of mailing over one million pieces per day on their selective binding and inserting lines.   
 
In the Fall of 2010, the company acquired Catterton Printing. This left them with two separate management systems, so the company began searching for a single, modern solution. After a comprehensive review of options, the company chose EFI Monarch – a flexible, powerful, intelligent, and automated solution – as its print management system.   
 
"Our unique business means we have unique requirements, and EFI provides the best combination of products to meet them," said Carl Grossman, president of Craftsman Press. "The Monarch system is the best one there is for the printing side of our operations, and we´re confident that with the recent EFI acquisition of PrintStream, Monarch will now be the best system for mailing and fulfillment as well. Together, they´re a home run for us."   
 
"EFI is pleased to be working with Craftsman as they become one of the first adopters of the new Mailing Module for Monarch," said Jeff White, general manager of EFI Monarch. "Their operation will afford us the opportunity to highlight all of our Monarch product offerings within one location – providing Craftsman with the workflow automation and the tightly integrated system they have been looking for."

04/19/11

IRONWOOD LITHOGRAPHERS MERGES WITH HERITAGE GRAPHICS

Press release from the issuing company

Ironwood Lithographers and Heritage Graphics, two Consolidated Graphics, Inc. companies located in the Phoenix, AZ, area, have announced their merger into one graphic communications company. The two companies combine complementary graphic communications capabilities and, together, provide an even greater range of services to their clients. The combined company will operate under the Ironwood Lithographers name.  
 
"We decided to merge the two companies together in order to enhance the value that our customers receive and enhance operating efficiencies," said Joe R. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer of Consolidated Graphics. "Both companies were profitable and thriving independently in a difficult economy, and combining the two entities will allow Consolidated Graphics to maximize our service offerings in Arizona and throughout the Southwest region of the country."  
 
Heritage Graphics brings a successful track record and stellar reputation to the Ironwood operation, and with Ironwood´s centralized location in Tempe and the backing of Consolidated Graphics, the merger will make the company a formidable competitor in the region. The entire Heritage Graphics staff will be joining the Ironwood team at the Tempe facility.  
 
"It´s exciting to see two great operations coming together. In addition to the clear strategic benefits of combining two successful companies, we have an opportunity to create substantial growth," stated Rob Nawfel, president of Ironwood Lithographers. "With Consolidated Graphics behind us, we are committed to leading the industry with the best technology, equipment, cutting edge products and services, and ultimately, value."  
 
Nawfel will serve as the president of the newly merged companies, while John Bruxvoort, president of Heritage Graphics, will be assuming the role of president at Tewell Warren Printing, a Consolidated Graphics company based in Denver, CO.

04/19/11

INFOPRINT 5000 INSTALLED BY FREDERIC PRINTING

Press release from the issuing company

InfoPrint Solutions, a Ricoh company, today announced that Frederic Printing, a Consolidated Graphics, Inc. company in Aurora, Colo., has completed its second installation of the market–leading InfoPrint 5000 inkjet production system to enable the printing of high–quality print–on–demand (POD) textbooks, direct mail pieces and election ballots. This latest move demonstrates the value that this high–speed inkjet platform brings to Frederic´s overall print operations.   
 
"Since our initial installation of the InfoPrint 5000, it has proven to be a reliable, efficient and flexible component of our print production environment, and we´re excited to expand our inkjet offerings with this next platform," said Chris Greene, president of Frederic Printing. "This decision is a testament to the success we´ve had with the InfoPrint 5000 and its versatility, which has provided us with the flexibility needed for short runs, the reliability of increased operational efficiency and, most importantly, the ability to meet and exceed the needs of our broad range of customers."   
 
The first deployment of the InfoPrint 5000 provided Frederic with a POD solution that minimized overall cost of ownership for customers by reducing the cost of warehouse storage and obsolescence. The versatile and flexible functionality of the InfoPrint 5000 was also an important requirement for Frederic, which services a variety of customers across many industries, including education, government and marketing organizations. Because the needs of these customers vary significantly, the ability to quickly adjust the printing environment and produce short runs is crucial to Frederic´s success. The InfoPrint 5000 also supports sustainable and cost–effective printing practices by offering one of the lowest power consumption rates of production inkjet systems, compact size, operational efficiency and use of water–based inks.   
 
"The InfoPrint 5000 continues to serve as a seamless complement to our integrated digital footprint, which is the world´s largest. Upon installation, we quickly experienced for ourselves why this printing system is so successful, which is why we decided to continue on this path with another deployment," said Ric Davis, executive vice president of Operations at Consolidated Graphics. "Proven as a solid, long–term investment, the InfoPrint 5000 has enabled us to provide an exceptional level of quality that meets and exceeds the expectations of our customers, regardless of their industry or print needs."   
 
The InfoPrint 5000´s unique piezo–electric drop–on–demand inkjet technology with multi–bit per spot for every object on the page, coupled with its high–quality water–based pigment and dye inks designed to resist fading and smearing, optimize the appearance of the output while minimizing the volume of ink consumed. These Advanced Function Presentation (AFP)–enabled systems support PostScript and PDF, provide accurate, consistent, and device–independent color–rendering, and provide error recovery, auditability and security benefits.   
 
"Frederic´s success with the InfoPrint 5000 and expanded use of inkjet technology is just another proof point for the benefits and results that companies are realizing with this offering," said George Promis, vice president, Continuous Forms Production Solutions and Technology Alliances, InfoPrint Solutions. "InfoPrint Solutions prides itself on leading the continuous–feed color inkjet industry and, through companies like Consolidated Graphics, we´re able to help organizations deliver on their client promises."   
 
"Frederic is one of the most innovative commercial printers around. By adding an additional InfoPrint 5000, they will see expanded support for their output variety, truly enhancing short–run production printing," said Chris Cosgrove, vice president and general manager, InfoPrint Solutions. "From a commercial print perspective, having this level of flexibility is key to delivering new applications to meet customer demands day in and day out."   
 
At the Digital Book Printing Forum, which took place in conjunction with the Publishing Business Expo in New York on Tuesday, April 5, Chris Greene shared his experience, applications and success with digital printing. Greene specifically provided details on how the InfoPrint 5000 has helped Frederic meet customer needs and deliver on a variety of capabilities.

04/19/11

INNERWORKINGS JOINS WITH WALGREEN CO.

Press release from the issuing company

InnerWorkings, Inc., a leading provider of managed print and promotional solutions, announced today a multi–year print management contract extension with Walgreen Co.  
 
Under the agreement, InnerWorkings will continue to support Walgreen Co. by printing, warehousing and fulfilling several mission critical applications. The two organizations began working together in 2005.  
 
"We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Walgreen Co. through this new multi–year print management agreement," said Marc Collins, senior vice president of enterprise solutions, InnerWorkings. "It has been a true partnership and an ideal example of how InnerWorkings can work with clients to improve and streamline their print supply chain to drive benefits across the organization – from cost reduction to brand compliance to strategic oversight."

04/19/11

I–CUT VISION 7.1 TO DEBUT AT ISA 2011

Press release from the issuing company

i–cut, Inc., an EskoArtwork business unit, will be introducing i–cut Vision version 7.1 during the ISA International Sign Expo 2011, from April 28–30 in Las Vegas, NV. At the i–cut, inc. booth (#2415), the company will also feature its most popular consumable products from the icuttools.com website. To promote the new software and online store, a number of special product promotions are available from the show floor.

New i–cut Vision 7.1 adds productivity, makes it easier to cut difficult materials

i–cut Vision 7.1 software will be launched at the i–cut, inc. booth during ISA, running live on a Trotec Speedy 300 laser system.

Vision control is necessary for digital finishing systems, because all printed materials contain size, rotation and scaling distortions that will produce inaccurate digital die cutting, if not corrected. i–cut Vision´s patented means of distortion compensation enables digital cutting systems to produce error free results. Print runs from just one sheet to thousands are contour–cut reliably, precisely and economically. i–cut Vision Pro is a fully integrated hardware and software solution that turns a digital cutting table into a true, short–run production system, utilizing a camera system that individually adjusts cut files to perfectly match printed graphics. With industry leading vision registration, powerful dynamic routing, an intuitive user interface and true production workflow, i–cut Vision Pro is the world standard in finishing. New to i–cut Vision Pro 7.1 is Adaptive Registration (patent pending), a feature that intelligently reduces the number of registration marks read throughout the production, increasing productivity without sacrificing accuracy.  Using Vision Pro 7.1, print material specifications are taken from the work stream – including cutting keys that supply operators with optimized tool settings and blade/bit recommendations – and are processed with preset cutting parameters. This makes the finishing set–up extremely easy and simplifies the tasks necessary for starting each unique job. Subsequently, set–up times are minimal – and in many cases, virtually eliminated.

During ISA, the i–cut Vision Pro 7.1 system will be demonstrated on a Trotec Speedy 300 CO2 flatbed premium–class laser engraver. The system can be used as a laser engraver or laser cutting machine. It was created with an exceptional, innovative design, with high quality components. The Speedy 300 flatbed laser engraver provides precision and the highest productivity in laser engraving and laser cutting, with durability expected to last over many years.

i–cut Vision 7.1 comes with a number of new features. They include:

– "Adaptive Registration", intelligently reducing the number of registration marks needed to adjust the orientation of a sheet on a table, improving productivity.
– The ability to automatically eliminate overcuts in sensitive materials such as foam, Reboard and PSA film, by cutting away from inside corners.
– A Global Cutting Key library allows a number of devices to share the same cutting key libraries.
– Copies can be added or removed during production, so that the remaining copies can be adjusted without canceling the current production run.
– Multi–passing for lasers – Automatically repeats layers many times to cut dense materials.
– Keep Sequence – Maintain sequencing in imported files as defined by ArtiosCAD and other high–end CAD applications.

During ISA, i–cut Vision Pro 7.1 systems will be available for purchase at the i–cut, inc. booth.

Popular products from icuttools.com available at the booth

The i–cut Resource Center, accessible at www.icuttools.com, has a complete inventory of knife blades, router bits, tool inserts, perforation wheels and consumables for the i–cut digital cutting system. In addition to an online store, the site provides a number of helpful links, such as product information, support downloads, sample files and more. People can also register to join the site´s free i–cut forum to discuss their use of i–cut Vision Pro and the i–cut workflow with a community of digital finishing experts. Pages are updated regularly.

During ISA, many products from icuttools.com – the site´s most popular blades, bits and software products – are available for purchase on the show floor. In addition, visitors will be able to receive a 10%–off coupon for all consumable products available on icuttools.com.

Show specials make the i–cut booth an attractive booth to visit

Consumables are not the only items available at a special prince. During ISA, upgrades to i–cut Vision Pro 7.1 will be available for $1,000, which is $500 off the regular price. Only customers who purchase the system on the ISA show floor will receive the special price. Also, anyone who purchases a new complete i–cut vision system will receive a free hardware kit, worth $2,500.

"i–cut, inc. continues to update our i–cut Vision system to assure it is the most productive, fully featured solution available in the industry. The number of companies who partner with us, such as Trotec, is testament to the significant value–added benefits i–cut Vision Pro delivers to their customers," remarks Steve Bennett, Vice President, EskoArtwork Sign & Display Business. "We also want to use ISA as a reminder that we support our OEM partners with a website that offers easy access just about any i–cut tool for their customers."

04/18/11

NEWPAGE CORP ANNOUNCES NEW VP/CFO

Press release from the issuing company

NewPage Corporation today announced that Curtis H. Short, currently controller and chief accounting officer, has been elected as senior vice president and chief financial officer on an interim basis effective May 11, 2011, replacing David J. Prystash, who resigned from NewPage to pursue other opportunities. Mr. Short will serve in the interim role until a permanent replacement is named.

Mr. Short joined the company in April 2009 and is responsible for managing the corporate accounting and reporting process and ensuring that all financial statements and filings are accurate, complete and timely. In addition, he ensures that corporate–wide accounting policies and appropriate controls are in place in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and works with operations and other finance functions to improve accounting and reporting capabilities.

"Curt has a wealth of experience in driving results, enhancing the timeliness and accuracy of financial reporting and improving our finance function," stated George F. Martin, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. "I am confident in his ability to oversee the financial activities for the company as we search for a replacement CFO; and this change in leadership is not expected to have an impact on our business, customers, suppliers or other stakeholders."

04/18/11

AVERY DENNISON GRAPHICS TEAMS WITH REFLECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

Press release from the issuing company

Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions announced today the launch of CarWraps.net, an easy–to–use website that makes it convenient for small business owners and consumers to brand or personalize their car with vinyl graphic media.

"Vehicle and fleet graphics have been used by the business community for promotion and advertising purposes for many years," says Kathleen Hall, North American vice president and general manager for Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Solutions. "The success of mobile advertising campaigns has led many small– and medium–sized businesses to explore the idea of having cut or printed graphics applied to their vehicles or fleet as an excellent way to gain exposure for their brands. CarWraps.net is designed to make this process straightforward and accessible for the business owner or the consumer who wants to customize their vehicle with their own style."

Statistics from the Outdoor Advertising Association of America confirm the effectiveness of vehicle graphics. One vehicle can generate 30,000 to 70,000 impressions a day. In addition, fleet advertising boosts name recognition 15 times more than any other form of advertising. Car wrap advertising also boasts one of the lowest cost–per–impression ratios among all forms of advertising. These are the types of statistics that have convinced more and more businesses that car wrap advertising should be a key component of their marketing mix.

In addition to businesses, consumers now desire to reflect their individual styles on their vehicles. This personalization trend goes beyond the typical pin stripe and window graphics that are purchased off the shelf. Options for customization range from simply changing the color of the car with a wrap or creating a personal design and digitally printed wrap.

"We are committed to providing business and consumers with easy access to qualified wrap installation professionals," says Hall.

CarWraps.net includes an easily searchable database so that individuals can locate a pre–screened and certified installer near them. Full service wrap companies and installers have been certified by Avery Dennison or the Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA), an independent, industry–leading organization dedicated to raising the reliability and professionalism of the graphics installation industry. Avery Dennison and PDAA Master Certified Installers are experienced with all types of graphic installations, including walls and flat surfaces, glass, curved surfaces, and complex curved surfaces including vehicle wraps.

A wide selection of photos of custom graphics installed on cars, SUVs, vans, trucks, RVs and trailers are available at CarWraps.net for consumers and business owners to see. Also helpful for small businesses, are statistics on the number of impressions a promotional wrap can generate and the ROI for this out–of–home advertising medium.

Avery Dennison´s MPI 1005 Supercast pressure–sensitive vinyl is often digitally printed with designs or company logos for full and partial car wraps. The vinyl graphics are then laminated with one of Avery Dennison´s digital overlaminates to provide protection against normal road wear and UV rays.

The beauty of a car wrap is that, if an individual gets tired of the wrap or graphic design or a company rebrands, the wrap can easily be removed and the paint on the car will look virtually the same as the day it was installed. Pricing for creating a personal graphic design and installation varies depending on the vehicle and the size of the graphic.

04/18/11

KERN INTRODUCES AI–33DIRECT

Press release from the issuing company

Kern, a global leader in high–speed, end–to–end production mail solutions, is pleased to introduce the Ai–33Direct, the next generation of mail inserting systems.  This system is capable of exceeding the fastest mailpiece finishing speeds available today, inserting at 33,000 mailpieces per hour.  The Ai–33Direct incorporates the most advanced electronic control system available, combining top performance controls with comprehensive safety features. The intelligence of the Ai–33Direct allows for the system to "learn as it goes," making alternate adjustments in timing to minimize inefficiencies and maximize throughput.  The speed, along with this intelligence, ensures the highest document integrity and delivers the lowest overall cost per piece in the industry.  The Ai–33Direct incorporates a modular design that allows for easy future expansion or system enhancements at minimal cost.

"Kern´s culture of innovation was a driving factor in our pursuit of the most advanced inserting system ever brought to market," said Dr. Thomas Brock, President and CEO of Kern, Inc.  "We listened to our customers to better understand the features that would help them be more successful. Mailers today are concerned with the cost of labor, materials, and the need to maintain an overall low cost per piece.  We are extremely proud of the product that we have developed."

The Ai–33Direct was designed for mailers that have a high throughput without the need of a front–end cutting device.  The mail inserting system features Ethercat technology, which acts as a single communication system for controlling safety information and functions, as well as offers real–time response and flexible speed options.  The system utilitizes a centralized communication system, enabling effective and simultaneous communication with each module for the most efficient data transfer.

The Ai–33Direct utilizes specially designed features to assist operators dealing with the industry´s fastest available speeds.  The Ai–33Direct features a 9´ outer envelope hopper and a 15´ output conveyor.  The insert hoppers each can hold 39" worth of material.  The system features operator displays conveniently located throughout the system and utilizes #10 or 6" x 9" envelopes.

Pricing and Availability The Ai–33Direct is available for purchase April 18 and is configured to customer´s precise specifications, resulting in a variable base price.  Orders are being filled on a first come, first served basis.  The choice of software, number of divert bins, and number of insert feeders, along with other features, results in variable pricing.  To receive a quote based on specific production requirements, call 1–888–KERNINC or email info@kerninc.com.

04/18/11

CATALYST PAPER´S SNOWFLAK MILL TO CURTAIL PRODUCTION

Press release from the issuing company

Catalyst Paper today announced that its Snowflake mill will curtail production by approximately 5,500 tonnes of recycled newsprint in order to adjust for limited availability of affordable, quality waste paper.

The move also reflects the company´s ongoing commitment to balancing production with orders and to keeping inventory levels in check. The downtime totals approximately six days over the next several weeks and will be used to carry out maintenance activities, including a three–day mill–wide shut, preventing the need for employee layoffs.

The Snowflake mill has annual production capacity of 337,000 tonnes of recycled newsprint and uncoated specialty papers and is chain of custody certified to the Forest Stewardship Council standard. The operation supports recovery and domestic recycling of more than 480,000 tons of waste paper annually and is the second largest private sector employer in northeast Arizona.

04/18/11

DIGI:MEDIA JOINS FORCES WITH HEIDELBERG

Press release from the issuing company

digi:media was the perfect way to launch our global cooperation with Ricoh," says Bernhard Schreier, CEO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg). "Under the motto HEI Flexibility, we gave visitors hands–on examples of how to use the new combination of offset and digital printing from Heidelberg. In addition to numerous sales made across our entire range of products and services, I am particularly delighted that the German client Stünings has become the first customer to purchase the new Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition from Heidelberg," he continues. Stefan Willms, Technical Manager at Stünings Medien GmbH in Krefeld, adds: "We were very interested when Heidelberg announced it was moving into digital printing and postponed our purchasing decision until a solution was available from Heidelberg. Our corporate philosophy is based on an integrative approach that has many parallels to the Heidelberg portfolio. With the new Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition, we are now able to create high–quality short runs and personalized mailings, flyers, and catalogs to meet our customers´ needs. The future support of Heidelberg Systemservice is important to us, and the link between the Ricoh press´s workflow and the Prinect workflow from Heidelberg also helped us reach our decision."

Heidelberg announced the launch of its global sales partnership with Ricoh to the international press on the eve of digi:media, which took place in Düsseldorf from April 7 to 9, 2011. At the beginning of April 2011, Heidelberg sales organizations in Germany and the United Kingdom rounded off their portfolios with a digital printing solution – the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition. The sales organizations in France and Switzerland will follow soon. Heidelberg will start selling the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition in other regions to coincide with international trade shows there, such as Graph Expo in the U.S. and IGAS in Japan. The final step, the global market launch in Eastern Europe, is scheduled to take place at drupa 2012.

The combination of offset and digital printing now available from Heidelberg, enables print shops to respond flexibly to customer requirements by offering profitable variable data printing and shorter runs in addition to cost–efficient, high–quality offset printing. As well as solutions for traditional commercial printing, Heidelberg also offers the Linoprint Driveline B, an industrial inkjet press for manufacturers of branded goods who, for example, wish to produce or personalize packaging in–house. Numerous live demonstrations of hybrid print production combining offset and digital print technology in a single print product enabled visitors to the Heidelberg stand at digi:media to see how even short print runs can be produced for specific target groups while also ensuring cost–efficiency.

Heidelberg presented a complete portfolio of solutions – from the Web–to–Print frontend and use of digital and offset print technologies to professional postpress applications for mailings and books. It was the only exhibitor at digi:media to showcase solutions combining offset and digital printing in practical applications – solutions that have been available to customers since the beginning of April 2011.

04/15/11

XPLOR INTERNATIONAL MET WITH HIGH ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCE

Press release from the issuing company

Xplor International, the worldwide electronic document systems association, today announced that attendance at their 2011 Conference and Vendor Forum, which took place April 5–7, 2011 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Hotel and Conference Center in the Tampa Bay, Florida was up over 30% from 2010.

The event featured over 60 Xplor educational sessions, general sessions and a pipe and drape vendor forum of 30 leading providers of document technology products and services.

Madison Advisors returned with their popular pre–conference intensive and for the first time the FIS Users Group and acadami Transactional Production Printing School joined the program.

Pre–conference facility tours to FIS and ValPak were offered as part of the conference registration package.

In its third year the annual Xplor conference and Vendor Forum continues to grow.

"I am extremely pleased at the 2011 event", declared Skip Henk, President/CEO of Xplor "attendance was up, we welcomed eight new vendor partners and I look forward to 2012. This year we added both the FIS Users group as well as the acadami Transactional Production Printing School, which are a great fit. My hope is both will return and I plan to look for two more complimentary groups for 2012".

Xplor will return to the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort and Conference Center in 2012. Dates for next years event are March 27–29, 2012. The TradeWinds is a AAA 4 diamond hotel located in St. Pete Beach, FL.

For more information visit www.xplor.org or call +1–813–929–8100 or +1–800–ON–XPLOR between the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (EST), Monday through Friday.

Vendors interested in exhibiting or being an event sponsor should contact Xplor´s Director of Sales, Deborah Green at 770–444–3845 or via email at deborahgreen1@earthlink.net.

04/15/11

VALASSIS NAMED ONE OF THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN MEXICO

Press release from the issuing company

Valassis, one of the nation´s leading media and marketing services companies,announced today that it has been recognized by Mexico´s Gestion magazine as one of the "Best Companies to Work" in Mexico. Valassis ranked 84 on the 2011 list of companies with 500–5000 employees, the largest group of companies. This is the first time Valassis Promociones has earned recognition on this list in Mexico.

"What makes this award so meaningful is that it is an affirmation from our employees that Valassis is a great place to work," said Julie Stratton, Vice President, Valassis Promociones, Mexicali, Mexico. "It´s an honor to have our name on this esteemed list which recognizes the contributions our employees have made to our culture and success here at Valassis Promociones."

Stratton added that she is especially proud of the way this team banded together following the largest recorded earthquake in over 100 years in Mexicali, Mexico during 2010, where the epicenter was in the valley area where more than 325 Valassis Promociones employees and their families live. "The team was so touched by the outpouring of good wishes and donations from the rest of Valassis team in the U.S. With all of their support, we were able to put together over 70 care packages that included water, food, paper supplies and health care products."

Over 400 companies in Mexico competed for the list in 2011, which surveyed employees and rated companies on pride, responsibility, celebrating, values, communication, safety and more. As a company, Valassis has received numerous awards recognizing its workplace flexibility, culture, growth and technology, including FORTUNE´s prestigious list of ´100 Best Companies to Work For;´ 100 Fastest–Growing Companies by FORTUNE magazine; FORTUNE magazine´s Hall of Fame 2005; InformationWeek 500, Top Technology Innovators; Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility; and more.

Valassis Promociones, a fulfillment group in Mexicali, Mexico was acquired by Valassis in 1998 and specializes in complex sampling programs, processing millions of pieces of products per week. Valassis Promociones has adapted a culture of accountability as all employees take part in idea generation, objective results and celebrating the company´s successes. All employees participate in achieving the goals of the company and are informed as to how their participation helped reach targets.

A list is published each year for the Best Companies to Work in more than 40 countries around the world, including Mexico. The process of analysis, evaluation and certification conducted for the development of the rankings is regarded as the most important and comprehensive worldwide. The ranking is the result of a rigorous process of analysis and assessment of the views of employees and the corporate culture to select Best Companies to Work. The main objectives of the rankings from the Great Place to Work Institute Mexico are to facilitate knowledge management and sharing experiences among all organizations that know how to get the best results from business and to improve the quality of their workplaces.

04/15/11

FRY COMMUNICATIONS INSTALLS NEW SADDLE STITCHING SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

Fry Communications has begun installation of a new Muller Martini Primera saddle stitching system. This state–of–the–art stitcher brings the highest levels of automation and reliability to this binding process. It will begin running in June of 2011.

"This continued investment in our core print business demonstrates our commitment to bringing the latest technology to our customers," said Steve Grande, Fry´s VP of Sales. "Adding another Muller stitcher to our existing stable provides additional flexibility and cost–effective binding options for customers of all sizes."

04/15/11

HYBRID INTEGRATION LAUNCHES NEW VERSION OF GOPRINT

Press release from the issuing company

Hybrid Integration, a leading developer of print management software for the commercial printing, labels & packaging, and specialty markets, today announced the launch of a new version of its GoPrint print management web portal. Hybrid GoPrint now provides integration with the viewing and approval technologies of EskoArtwork´s WebCenter online collaboration tool, offering a seamless user experience.

GoPrint provides a powerful, yet easy–to–use portal for printers and their customers.  It provides a database of items and jobs with tracking and order history, fast file transfer capabilities to replace traditional FTP servers, and a customizable product catalog linked to an online order ticket and shopping cart.  GoPrint can be easily branded for each customer to provide a familiar look and feel to users.

WebCenter is an online platform that manages pre–production approvals and project life cycle, allowing the ability to review and approve graphical content of all kinds – commercial printing, packages, labels, or any printable graphic element. Instead of transferring the full–size file to the remote browser, WebCenter sends a high–resolution view that can be scrolled, zoomed, and reviewed in detail via a full set of quality control tools that operate within the reviewer´s web browser.

By integrating the WebCenter viewer within GoPrint, Hybrid Integration has produced a powerful platform for its customers. The new solution is a web–based print management system that also delivers the powerful viewing features of WebCenter at an affordable price. As they grow, customers can always upgrade to the complete WebCenter, which is also compatible with GoPrint. Hybrid Integration´s initial sales and marketing efforts will focus on commercial and narrow web label printers throughout North America.

"EskoArtwork has a long–standing policy of partnering with leading companies who develop complementary technology solutions. Hybrid Integration is a very successful reseller of EskoArtwork software," explains Mark Quinlan, President of EskoArtwork North America. "We are pleased to work with them to offer WebCenter viewing and approval features within GoPrint."

Mike Rottenborn, President and CEO of Hybrid Integration, added, "The combination of the WebCenter viewing technology and GoPrint provides a best–of–breed solution for commercial and label printers, and allows them to link their customers tightly through the web.  We are very pleased to be able to partner with EskoArtwork to bring this solution to market."

GoPrint is now available in North America directly from Hybrid Integration and EskoArtwork, and through Hybrid Integration´s reseller network.

04/15/11

EFI LAUNCHES NEW VERSION OF RADIUS PACKAGING

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer–focused printing and packaging industry innovation, today launched a new version of its Radius packaging MIS/ERP solution targeted at the small–to–medium business segment. The software is an entry–level, fully integrated automation solution ideal for single–site label, flexible packaging, converting and folding carton companies.

Built on the powerful Radius Enterprise Edition used by larger packaging companies, the new EFI Radius Small Business Edition comes with a standard suite of modules designed with a streamlined user interface to ensure smaller companies can quickly and easily use the software to improve efficiencies and simplify workflows.

"We´ve taken our market–leading Radius enterprise solution used by larger companies and adapted it to the unique needs of the small–to–medium business market, enabling more packaging companies to benefit from a world class solution specifically designed to integrate and manage their unique business processes," said David Taylor, general manager of EFI Radius. "Smaller, single–site packaging organizations have been asking for a more entry–level version of our ERP system to take their operations to the next level, and we´re excited to fill this need for them."

Modules in the Small Business Edition include Estimating, Tooling Management, Inventory, Purchasing, Scheduling, Shop Floor Data Collection and DMI (Direct Machine Interface), accounting, and the unique one–stop Order Manager. With the goal of making the system as efficient as possible, the Order Manager module is a single source location to obtain and perform job level processes, from production estimates to shipping and everything in between, without having to access multiple modules.

Besides this portfolio expansion, today EFI released an updated version of its Enterprise edition of Radius, with the addition of estimating for corrugated packaging, capabilities to handle complex carton processing, and integration with Esko Artwork.

The latest version includes a new Estimating Module for corrugated carton production. A new approach to estimating corrugated cartons, Radius Enterprise now allows the user to define the various container styles, tooling, flutes and types that are unique to corrugated cartons. This provides the user with a method of constructing relatively simple representations of the sets they are producing, and allows them to break up the sets into manageable, logical units.

AllpakTrojan, a high–end commercial printing and innovative packaging solution provider in Renton, Wash., recently became the first user of the Corrugated Module. "Our corrugated carton facility went live on Radius with the new Corrugated Module in January," said Drew Sanders, IT manager. "Before Radius, we struggled with the workflow for our highly complex jobs. Now, not only have we streamlined the processes from estimating to production in our corrugated facility, we have streamlined our interplant communication and workflow as well, bringing the full power and flexibility of Radius to our entire organization. Many of our jobs run between our carton and corrugated facilities, which previously created a lot of administrative overhead. Now the processing of a job is seamless between plants because Radius transfers work from one plant to the other."

In addition, the new complex carton features include improvements to the system workflow to enhance handling of complex assembled and unassembled multi–part cartons, as well as estimating enhancements and simplification of order and billing for these multi–part cartons.

Also with the new version release, there is now a JDF interface between EFI Radius and Esko Artwork´s pre–press system called Automation Engine (AE), available now for self–adhesive labels. When jobs are created in Radius, the information is passed to AE for pre–press operations and down through the workflow, and job details are passed back into Radius to update the records accordingly. This streamlines the workflow, greatly reduces errors, and improves productivity.

04/14/11

KBA MET WITH GREAT SUCCESS AT PRINT CHINA 2011

Press release from the issuing company

For press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA) and its local subsidiary KBA–China, the five–day Print China trade fair in Dongguan (Guangdong province) that ended on 13 April was a resounding success.

KBA´s banner – "Proven Green Technology" – reflected the group´s focus on environmentally friendly print production, and drew a big attendance to the 1,000m²–plus (10,765ft²) KBA stand, as did the four litho presses exhibited. By the end of the fair KBA had surpassed all expectations, even for the biggest show in 2011, booking orders for more than 250 Rapida small–, medium– and large–format printing units plus two Compacta 215 press lines. Once again the Chinese printing industry underscored its dynamic growth trajectory, particularly in the sheetfed sector.  

With ecology and climate protection high on the list of priorities in China´s new five–year plan, vendor credibility plays a central role. Members of the trade in China acknowledge KBA, which is now the world´s second–biggest press manufacturer, as one of the pioneers and promoters of eco–friendly press technology. KBA unveiled emissions–tested litho presses back at Drupa 2000, long before any other vendor. It has swum against the mainstream for the past 15 years, single–mindedly pursuing advances in waterless offset with waste–reducing anilox inking units for both sheetfed and web presses (74 Karat, Rapida 74G, Cortina, Genius 52UV). In conventional offset the group was an early adopter of alcohol–free print production and more recently has focussed on energy efficiency with new products like its VariDryBLUE dryer with heat recovery in large format, or energy–saving B2 (29in) Rapida 75E press.

  Hybrid print production with UV and oil–based coatings aroused keen interest on the KBA stand. A seven–colour Rapida 105 with coater and delivery extension printed lavishly finished posters. During a single demonstration the press produced prints with three different types of coating (gloss, matt, structured). This model has proved very popular in China, and KBA has booked a string of orders. Two presses exhibited in China for the first time were KBA´s energy–efficient Rapida 75E and also its SRA2 (26in) Rapida 66, which can print twice the format but costs little more than an A3 press. The compact Genius 52UV also attracted a throng of print pros with its ability to print on plastic film and other non–absorbent materials. In tandem with Logica, an Italian alliance partner, KBA also promoted new production management software, ProductivityPlus, which supports workflow integration, job handling and final costing. Workflow demonstrations met with a surprisingly high level of interest and were booked out for the entire show.  

Although KBA did not exhibit any of its big Rapidas, there is an ongoing trend towards large format. Longstanding KBA user Suining Lihua Xinjin Printing and Packing signed up for a Rapida 162a five–colour coater press and, for its subsidiary in Sechuan, a six–colour version of KBA´s high–tech Rapida 106, also with a coater. This brings the company´s tally to eight medium– and large–format Rapidas in less than ten years.    

Heshan Astros, the 20–year–old Hong Kong subsidiary of China´s gigantic LEO Paper Group, also opted for a Rapida 162a to print packaging. It will be Heshan Astros´ seventh KBA press but the first of this type in China to incorporate KBA´s energy–efficient VariDryBLUE dryer. Shanghai Zuotian Industrial Company was one of several to snap up a Rapida 75E. Orders were also booked at Print China for the Rapida 66 and Genius 52 UV.

Jiangsu Henghua Media in Zhenjiang ordered four Rapida 105 litho presses and two 16pp Compacta 215 commercial presses as part of a €10m–plus investment package. One of the 16pp presses is currently being brought on stream at the Hong Kong operation of Switzerland´s Ringier Group.

04/14/11

ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING ADDS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Press release from the issuing company

Electronics For Imaging, Inc., a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, today announced the appointment of Eric Brown to its Board of Directors. The addition of Brown increases the Board to seven members, with five of them independent. Brown will serve on the Board´s audit committee.

Commenting on the appointment, Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI, said, "Eric is a great addition to our Board and a proven leader in the technology industry. We are excited to have him join the Board and look forward to benefiting from his expertise as we execute our global growth strategy."

Brown brings a wealth of financial and operational experience to the role. He is currently the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Electronic Arts, the $3.7 billion global interactive entertainment software company. Prior to his current role with Electronic Arts, he was Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at McAfee Inc., after serving as President and Chief Financial Officer of MicroStrategy, Inc., the parent company of Strategy.com, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Earlier in Brown´s career he was co–founder and Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Business Development of DataSage Inc., after holding various financial management positions at the Haagen–Dazs Company, working in Hong Kong and Paris. Brown earned his bachelor´s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

"Eric´s deep financial and operational experience with several high growth technology companies, will be a great asset to EFI at a time when the company is working to continue to take market share and grow shareholder value," said Gill Cogan, chairman of EFI´s Board of Directors.

"I am impressed by EFI´s success in diversifying the company´s product portfolio and implementing a very solid, strategic growth strategy," said Eric Brown. "I look forward to leveraging my experience to help the company pursue the numerous opportunities before it."

04/14/11

CONQUEROR SWATCHBOOK TO EXHIBIT NEW SELECTION OF PREMIUM PAPER

Press release from the issuing company

The Conqueror Swatchbook exhibits its selection of premium business communication papers and new, matching envelopes. Presented in Laid, Wove and super–smooth CX22 finishes and a choice of shades, the papers offer rich tactility and dependable printability. Please call 800–779–0872 to request a copy of the new Conqueror Swatchbook.

"Conqueror´s contemporary selection of products coordinates corporate stationery with style, sophistication and professionalism," says Ferkó Goldinger, advertising and promotion manager. "Available in more than 120 countries, global brands rely on Conqueror to reflect their credibility and attention to the smallest of details. These papers deliver an exceptional, consistent, unified message that leaves a lasting, positive impression.

Complementing the strength and versatility of Conqueror´s premium business communication papers, Number 10 size envelopes in Conqueror Wove and CX22 writing weights are available for immediate shipping. Sheet sizes and packing information are detailed within the swatchbook and online. For up–to–the–minute accuracy on Conqueror´s stocked items, as well as printing tips, finishing techniques and samples, please visit CuriousPapers.com and click on the "Conqueror" icon.

Sending an environmentally–responsible message, Conqueror products are elemental chlorine–free, acid–free, have earned Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and are manufactured in an ISO 14001–certified facility.

Helping communicate quality, while accommodating a company´s personality in their stationery´s design, the 24– and 26.6–lb. writing weights have a localized watermark. Laid and Wove writing weights and CX22 writing and text weights are guaranteed with desktop laser and inkjet printers. Conqueror also performs well with offset lithography, silk–screening, embossing, foil–stamping and thermography.

Key Credits
Title: "Conqueror Swatchbook"
Company: Appleton Coated LLC, Combined Locks, Wis.
Paper: Conqueror CX22 Diamond White 118 lb. Cover
Printing: Cover – four–color process + match orange + match blue + satin aqueous coating; Dividers – match orange + satin aqueous coating
Writing and Design: The Thorburn Group, Minneapolis

Offering exceptional quality since 1888, Conqueror is the world´s leading brand of premium business communication papers. These papers are manufactured by Arjowiggins, headquartered in Paris, France, and distributed exclusively in North America by Appleton Coated.

04/14/11

WHITMORE GROUP NAMES NEW VICE CHAIRMAN

Press release from the issuing company

Donald E. Roland, a nationally–recognized leader in the print industry, has joined Whitmore Group, an award–winning print firm with more than 60 years of print excellence in the mid–Atlantic region. Roland will serve as Vice Chairman of Whitmore Group and will assist in launching new marketing communications services and customer–based solutions. Roland also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board for Hess Print Solutions. As Chairman and CEO for Vertis, Inc., he helped to transform the company from a $350 million to a $1.8 billion company. Under his leadership Vertis was named by Fortune magazine as one of America´s "Most Admired Companies" in Advertising and Marketing,

Roland commented, "I enjoy the challenge of working with companies as they develop new strategies and new customer–directed programs. With the print industry experiencing major changes, Whitmore has focused on integrating new communications technologies with print. I look forward to working with the Whitmore team on their innovative initiatives. I am especially interested in helping to grow their web to print and electronic marketing programs that truly supplement print and bring a higher return on investment for Whitmore´s loyal clients."

George Shenk, Chairman of Whitmore Group, noted, "Whitmore is developing proprietary marketing programs that combine the best of print and the best of electronic media to support our customers in their search for highly effective web–based  print and marketing management tools. With Don´s expertise we will be able to expand these programs and introduce new solutions."

Roland was inducted into the Printing Industry Hall of Fame in 2003. He was with the commercial print division of The Los Angeles Times for 17 years. He earned his undergraduate degree in Printing Management from California State University at Los Angeles; received his Master´s Degree in Economics from the University of California at Riverside; and has Certificates in Executive Management from the Peter F. Drucker Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University and the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. In 2008 he was named Distinguished Graduate of the School of Business and Economics at California State University at Los Angeles.

Don is on the Board of Trustees of the University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation, the Board of Trustees of the Hammond–Harwood House, and is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Anne Arundel County Library Foundation. He is a member of the Annapolis Rotary Club.

04/14/11

JET LETTER LLC RELEASES NEW VARIABLE DATA PRINTING SOFTWARE

Press release from the issuing company

Jet Letter LLC has announced the release of their newest variable data printing software products, PSL PageBuilder and PSL PageBuilder PRO.  

The PageBuilder Suite delivers a variable data printing solution without compromise. The new suite now has a Drag & Drop user interface that allows users to quickly learn and produce variable data output but still command the full range of over 800 VDP commands. One of the fastest variable data merge engines just became the fastest at set–up.

The PageBuilder Suite´s ease of use and quick learning curve set it apart from the competition.

Its stand– alone design capabilities eliminate the need for plug in third party applications to produce stunning output. Dynamic rendering delivers graphics on the fly such as variable charts, graphs or complex transactional formatting.  Both products produce merge speeds in the 20,000 to 30,000 records per minute range and produce jobs without errors.

Tom Crooks, President of Jet Letter LLC states, "Jet Letter PSL users have been able to grow their businesses even in this difficult economy using Jet Letter´s robust VDP software.  Jet Letter has leveraged the underlying core technology of our product into a suite of Drag & Drop solutions."

PSL PageBuilder includes a robust feature set capable of producing even the most demanding personalized marketing communications. PSL PageBuilder PRO adds even more powerful capabilities required in the production of transactional and transpromotional work. It can also be integrated with third party applications as well as delivering web based solutions.

"These products will deliver to the wider market VDP solutions that are highly versatile, blazingly fast, seamlessly scalable as well as affordable", stated Thomas Bougher of Jet Letter. Customer testimonials include, "Thanks for giving us the tools to impress the heck out of our customers." "Great product, even greater support."  

PSL PageBuilder is priced from $5,995 and PSL PageBuilder PRO from $12,500 including training and the first year of updates and support.

04/13/11

VJOON K4 TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH CS5

Press release from the issuing company

Coming soon in Q2 2011, the new version 6.4 of the Cross–Media Publishing Platform vjoon K4 is compatible with Adobe Creative Suite 5.5. vjoon K4 is also extending CS5.5 with many automated routines that enable, simplify, and streamline process–oriented publishing of tablet editions and eBooks. The new K4 Server Admin application provides a central management entity for the K4 DES (Distributed Enterprise System), as well as for diverse publications, databases, and Adobe InDesign Server. Beyond that, vjoon K4 will ship with many features that make tasks in Adobe InDesign, InCopy, and K4 Web Editor even easier for users to perform. "vjoon K4 version 6.4 makes system administration much more efficient for many publishing houses and corporate publishers, thereby helping to save time and costs," notes Andreas Schrader, CEO of vjoon GmbH. "What´s more, the integration with Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 simplifies digital publishing for tablets and eBooks to even greater extent."

Publishing houses and corporate publishers use Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 to create publications that pair the visual impact of printed products with the interactive power of digital media. In combination with Adobe´s Digital Publishing Suite, CS5.5 also offers hosted services for preparing, optimizing, and putting digital publications to profitable use. It sets the future standard for this breed of application. vjoon K4 substitutes automated processes for routine manual chores. For example, it adapts page formats to the various output devices and formats and converts units of measure and styles. Designers do not have to fuss with individual layouts or even the entire publication to convert content into the necessary folio format. The automated workflows in vjoon K4 also take over this labor–intensive task. Creative teams working in a workflow–oriented environment benefit tremendously from the possibilities in vjoon K4. Powerful features such as clearly structured workflows, clear–cut job lists, and notifications of pending tasks are all part of the standard package.

The management capabilities in vjoon K4 have been extended with a powerful management application called K4 Server Admin. This central entity administers all assigned publications, databases, Adobe InDesign Server, and K4 DES. Users can access several different databases (Oracle 11g Standard/Enterprise, Microsoft SQL Standard/Enterprise, MySQL) simultaneously from a single K4 server, migrate data from database to database, and distribute publications, as the situation requires. This speeds up many processes, particularly backup and archiving. Publications may even be duplicated in a variety of ways, for instance, entirely with all contents or with only the structure remaining intact. K4 Server Admin also allows many tasks to be executed on the fly. For example, further K4 LDS (local data storages) may be connected to the K4 DES at short notice. Additional Adobe InDesign servers may be temporarily added while the system is up and running. Furthermore, the configuration for K4 DSI (Directory Services Integration/LDAP) is performed centrally using K4 Server Admin. This function enables agencies and service providers to manage several customers and publications in their vjoon K4 system using dedicated K4 DSI configurations for each.

The development effort for InDesign and InCopy clients and K4 Web Editor focused on extending the ranges of functions while further simplifying processes. This is why further columns with additional information have been added to K4 Query Panel in version 6.4. It now also features five configurable buttons that may be assigned different functions and designs for each workflow. Further extended functions include access to K4 objects by right–clicking frames in InDesign and InCopy, task–driven downloads and views of high–definition images (configurable for whatever task may be pending), extended search options in K4 Query Panel, and switching article formats in K4 Web Editor ICML.

04/13/11

MUTOH AMERICA INC TO LAUNCH INK CARTRIDGE RECYCLING PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

In an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Mutoh America Inc. launches the new ink cartridge recycling program. The recycling program is just one more step in the green direction, enhancing Mutoh´s environmentally–friendly operations.  

Effective immediately, Mutoh printer owners are encouraged to send their empty ink cartridges to Mutoh America´s corporate office. Once received, Mutoh will then transport the ink cartridges to a local recycling company.  

In addition to the recycling program, Mutoh has begun making 1000ml ink bags, which are more eco–friendly than a smaller, plastic cartridge. The bigger bag size is easier to recycle and produces less waste.  

"I am pleased to announce our ink cartridge recycling program," shares Brian Phipps, General Manager of Mutoh America. "Unfortunately, most ink cartridges end up in the trash after they have been used. We, at Mutoh, are making an effort to reduce the amount of waste that these ink cartridges cause by taking a proactive step in the green direction."  

Mutoh recently announced its new MP Ink, which is composed of 60 percent bio–based materials and contains no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or heavy metals. The MP Ink produces a wide color gamut with increased adhesive and abrasion characteristics. Mutoh´s versatile ValueJet 1608HS–Hybrid runs the MP ink to create vivid, high–quality prints on both rigid and flexible substrates.

04/13/11

HEIDELBERG TO PRESENT NEW LASER TECH

Press release from the issuing company

As part of its drive to open up new areas of business, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be using the trade show LASER World of Photonics 2011 in Munich from May 23 to 26, 2011, to present laser technology it has developed in–house. The laser systems on display emit up to 64 laser beams from a compact module. The modules are fed with data via a fast serial bus and have internal voltage stabilization. They can be integrated easily into a diverse range of applications thanks to the defined mechanical interface and straightforward cooling. An evaluation kit is also available – in this instance, an independently functioning test version complete with software interface for integration into third–party applications.

The modules are ideal for all industrial applications requiring an individually controllable, scalable laser system – for example, for applying lettering to surfaces or for multi–channel data storage.

Heidelberg has been using the exhibited laser modules worldwide in its plate imaging units since 2004. The company has so far installed more than 8,000 modules in print shops around the globe.

"Heidelberg offers extensive know–how in automation technology and the development of laser technology. Our customers value the reliability and productivity of this laser unit, which we have developed in–house. As the technology is suitable for use in a diverse range of industrial applications, Heidelberg is looking to make it accessible to a wider circle of potential customers at LASER in Munich," says Dr. Bernard Beier, Head of Predevelopment at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG.

Trade show visitors will find Heidelberg at LASER World of Photonics 2011 in Munich in Hall B1, Stand 462 from May 23 to 26, 2011. The booth is a joint presentation of various companies under the umbrella of OptecNet Deutschland.

04/13/11

PITNEY BOWES TO COLLABORATE WITH SITMA MACHINERY S.P.A.

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes today announced a collaboration with Sitma Machinery S.p.A. to develop a next generation mail finishing platform to help mail operations produce high quality customer communications at a lower cost per piece.

The platform will combine Pitney Bowes´s expertise in high–speed inserters, software solutions, and service with Sitma Machinery´s innovative wrap solution.  This new mail finishing platform will help Pitney Bowes customers to better manage costs for their mailing and printing operations, without compromising integrity.

"Expectations for improvements and greater return–on–investment from mailing and printing solutions run high on the production floor every year," said Grant Miller, vice president, global strategic product management and North American sales, Document Messaging Technologies, Pitney Bowes.  "Our collaboration with Sitma Machinery will provide our customers with a next generation mail finishing platform that can help increase efficiency, decrease costs, and serve as an important component to integrate mail and print operations."

"Sitma Machinery is delighted to be collaborating with Pitney Bowes to create an integrated mail finishing solution that will help deliver greater productivity to high–volume mailers," said Aris Ballestrazzi, president and co–owner of Sitma Machinery.  "As an important component of the platform, Sitma Machinery´s wrapping solution will help increase work cell efficiency and flexibility with jobs."

Pitney Bowes customers can preview this innovative mail finishing platform at the annual global Customer Summit, June 6 – 8, 2011, which is hosted by the company´s Document Messaging Technologies business group in Danbury, Connecticut.

The new mail finishing platform will be an important component for delivering more powerful, relevant customer communications. Pitney Bowes offers a unique end–to–end solution that can help print and mail operations migrate to an all white paper factory. Pitney Bowes IntelliJet Printing System, Production Intelligence output management software and high–speed mail finishing systems with the Print+ Messenger Colour Inkjet module enable unprecedented levels of productivity and operational cost savings. All these systems are backed by a single service and support team for peak efficiency and performance. Together, these elements result in a truly integrated solution for companies where mail plays a strategic role in customer communications.

04/13/11

GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL AQUIRES SIERRA PACIFIC

Press release from the issuing company

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., a subsidiary of Graphic Packaging Holding Company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets and business of Sierra Pacific Packaging, Inc., a producer of folding cartons, beverage carriers and corrugated boxes for the consumer packaged goods industry. This acquisition will provide Graphic Packaging with a strategic location to service customers on the West Coast.

Completion of the transaction is expected to occur during the second quarter of 2011.

"Graphic Packaging has a strong record of achieving performance improvement objectives and of successfully integrating businesses," said Graphic Packaging International President and CEO David Scheible. "This is an exciting opportunity for Graphic Packaging, Sierra Pacific, and our customers. This acquisition not only provides our customers with important enhanced operating synergies, but  Sierra´s  values, vision and culture of sustainability dovetail nicely with our own growth strategy for the future."

"Sierra Pacific Packaging is one of the largest local employers in Oroville, California and is a leader in sustainability practices –– producing beverage carriers made from 100% recycled materials," said Sierra Pacific Packaging CEO Allen Ennis.  "Graphic Packaging has a strong management team with a deep understanding of our customers´ needs. We are excited to work with David Scheible and his leadership team to successfully combine our operations with Graphic Packaging."

04/12/11

ESTIMATOR CORP RELEASES NEW PROGRAM

Press release from the issuing company

Estimator Corp. of Westport CT announces the release of its new Estimator–Cloud award winning estimating and work–flow programs using the latest in remote access technology.  

Unlike browser based systems requiring difficult HTML conversion, Estimator programmed the newly released Microsoft remote protocol, to deliver the fastest, easiest and most advanced in–house or hosted cloud solution available.  

Browser independent ERA allows instant connectivity to your Estimator database from any location with access to the Internet, either hard wired or via satellite, allowing authorized personnel to immediately create or update existing information even from small portable devices.  

Real time availability speeds the entire work–flow process delivering on the spot efficient time and money savings, not achievable with existing browser–based programs, costing up to three times or more.  

All of Estimator´s solutions including offset and Wide–Format are simultaneously accessible from any location.

04/12/11

ZUMBOX REACHES AGREEMENT WITH NEW ZEALAND POST

Press release from the issuing company

Zumbox, the leader in digital postal mail services, today announced a licensing agreement with New Zealand Post  to deploy the Zumbox Platform for Digital Postal Mail. New Zealand Post has licensed the Zumbox Platform and received a national exclusive on the use of the platform as it develops market offerings to provide mailers and consumers a cost–effective and convenient option for secure digital delivery and storage of postal mail.

The Zumbox Platform is a locally deployable, white–label software offering that provides postal operators and commercial entities a complete system for digital delivery of mail based on street addresses. Digital postal mail is a facsimile of paper mail created from a diversion of the existing print stream. It is presented and archived digitally for consumers in a centralized, secure online location, creating significant cost savings for mailers along with the environmental benefits of reduced paper production and waste.

"As customer preferences change with technological advancements, New Zealand Post is committed to a future that meets our customers´ mailing needs both physically and digitally," said Sohail Choudhry, GM Integrated Communications of New Zealand Post. "We have identified a clear interest –– both among consumers and businesses –– in a digital postal system here in New Zealand, and we are eager to test this service on the Zumbox Platform."

According to a 2010 study by The Research Agency, 77 percent of consumers said they would likely use a digital post network if it were available. Further, the average consumer using the service estimated they would opt out of receiving 59 percent of their current paper mail while 42 percent estimated they would go paperless on more than 80 percent of their mail. The survey also found that the strong consumer interest was matched by businesses, with 77 percent saying they would likely use the service to deliver mail digitally.

Zumbox CEO John Payne says many postal operators have explored digital initiatives in recent years because of the compelling case for providing customers with an alternative. "In recent months, we have seen many posts around the world accelerate rapidly from exploration towards commercial deployment, and we are thrilled to see New Zealand Post seeking to be a key player in digital postal mail delivery."

With a digital postal system based on street addresses, the Zumbox Platform enables multi–channel delivery for postal operators who can now offer mailers the ability to deliver both physically and digitally in parallel until consumers opt out of receiving the paper version. Consumers benefit from a simple, time–saving and environmentally responsible alternative with permanent online recordkeeping of their important mail and documents.

04/12/11

METACOMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES WORKGROUPS 2011

Press release from the issuing company

MetaCommunications today announces Workgroups 2011, the latest edition of its project workflow & productivity management suite. Workgroups 2011 will ship on Friday April 15th, 2011. Workgroups 2011 is a major upgrade to MetaCommunications´ flagship software suite used by advertising, marketing, creative design, packaging and prepress organizations worldwide. Workgroups 2011 includes over 100 new and enhanced features including major new additions to its project management, production automation and developer capabilities.

"On the heels of two major releases in 2010, the new Workgroups 2011 release marks the first of another year of major upgrades and new products," said Robert T. Long, President of MetaCommunications. "We invested heavily in R&D over the past three years, and the fruits of those efforts are now presenting themselves."

A list of key new and enhanced features available in Workgroups 2011 can be found on the product´s features page.

Join a Live Webinar Demo of Workgroups 2011

MetaCommunications is hosting live online demonstration of the new Workgroups 2011 including first–hand look at its many new features. Register for a webinar on the MetaCommunications website.

About Workgroups 2011
The Workgroups 2011 suite is a tightly integrated collaborative process and productivity management suite for marketing, advertising, creative design, packaging and prepress. Workgroups 2011 is comprised of four key modules. This provides an open and flexible solution so that users can adopt the modules of the suite that meet their initial needs, yet retain the ability to later expand the solution.

The four core modules of Workgroups 2011 are:

– Virtual Ticket, a configurable project and workflow solution that brings together all the components of your work to a centralized location, including project briefs, job tickets, schedules, customer information, associated document files and more.

– Approval Manager, an approval management workflow tool for managing, tracking, and scheduling any proof review process within and across marketing, advertising, creative design and production environments.

– Digital Storage Manager, a powerful storage management solution designed to integrate a workgroup´s file management into the overall creative design and production workflow. The solution associates files with projects, archives & retrieves files, and enables users to quickly find digital files for creative design or production processes.

– Job Manager, a powerful suite of financial management tools that enable users to accurately create estimates and quotes, monitor job costs, quickly generate on–demand reporting and invoices, and share information with industry leading accounting systems.

Pricing and Availability

The Workgroups 2011 suite is available immediately. Free upgrades are provided to customers who participate in the Meta Assurance support and upgrade program. New systems are priced affordably with complete multi–user suite bundles starting at $3,995. MetaCommunications products are available from authorized resellers, system integrators, distributors and OEM partners. For more information, visit the Purchase page for details.

04/12/11

PITNEY BOWES NAMED SUPPLY LEADER

Press release from the issuing company

Pitney Bowes Inc. announced today that it has been named the leader among suppliers of transportation management systems worldwide as a result of its offerings in the Parcel Shipping Solutions market, according to a Transportation Management Systems (TMS) Worldwide Outlook study by ARC Advisory Group. The ranking is based on revenue from software license, service, maintenance and recurring fees in 2010.

This is the sixth time Pitney Bowes has captured the top spot in the annual ARC Advisory Group survey.

"In a tough economy, more companies are looking for new and aggressive ways to lower costs. Shipping management is a natural choice," said Debra Thompson–Van, Vice President, Marketing, Pitney Bowes. "We are pleased that our SendSuite Shipping Management solutions are recognized by the ARC Advisory Group. Our platform helps customers manage transportation spend and streamline logistics processes."

Pitney Bowes grew its shipping revenues 6.0% during a period that TMS overall experienced a market decline of 3.3%, according to the study. The report forecasts that 2011 demand for TMS will grow at 5%, and that the TMS market overall will exceed $1.7 billion by 2014, positioning Pitney Bowes for further growth in this market segment.

"Customers looking for additional transportation cost management should consider further integration throughout the shipping process. Pitney Bowes is uniquely qualified to provide this enterprise–level capability as one of only a few companies that deliver integrated solutions," Thompson–Van adds. "As the market leader, we will continue to invest in technology to deliver a more complete enterprise solution that consolidates the process further, enhances the customer experience, and helps us remain the preferred provider in this market."

The report´s findings indicate Pitney Bowes secured the lead position primarily due to its SendSuite Shipping Solutions. These software tools help both inbound and outbound shipment processing and management for mail center, warehouse and desktop shipping applications. According to the report, those products and services and the complete set of mailroom solutions, including postage meters, weighing equipment and software, in addition to extensive sales, maintenance, and support teams, give Pitney Bowes an unrivaled position in North America.

The ARC Market Outlook Study, entitled "Transportation Management Systems Worldwide Outlook: Market Analysis and Forecast Through 2014," segments the TMS market into six high–level solution types, including Planning & Execution, Parcel Shipping, and Fleet Management. The study also includes market data by solution type, geographic region, customer tier and vertical industry plus forecasts and supplier profiles. Additional information can be obtained at http://www.arcweb.com/.

04/12/11

SGIA HONORS 28 COMPANIES

Press release from the issuing company

SGIA recently honored 28 member companies that successfully completed the Safety Recognition Program throughout the duration of 2010. The SGIA–exclusive program makes it easy for participating companies to show employees, clients and the industry how important safety is in their daily operations.

"Safety is one of the most important aspects of running a successful shop," said Marci Kinter, SGIA´s vice president of government and business information. "These companies have shown their dedication to making their workplace as safe as possible, and they deserve to be recognized."

After completing the program, SGIA members received a plaque declaring to inspectors, insurers, clients and employees that their imaging shop is safe.

Congratulations to the following companies:
– Ad Graphics Inc (Pompano Beach, Florida)   
        – Avery Dennison Graphics & Reflective Products Division (Painesville, Ohio)   
         – Central Decal Company Inc (Burr Ridge, Illinois)   
         – Classic Stripes Pvt Limited (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)    
      – Craft Originators Inc (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)    
       – DuraColor LLC (Racine, Wisconsin) 
          – Ferrari Color (Sacramento, California)  
         – Global Products Inc (St. Peters, Missouri)  
           – Graphic Ad Ltd (Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada)  
           – Kar–Go Decal Co Inc (Ivyland, Pennsylvania) 
            – Lil´ Dogs (Ludlow, Massachusetts) 
          – Meisel (Carrollton, Texas)     
       – Nameplates For Industry Inc (New Bedford, Massachusetts)    
             – Nelson Nameplate Company (Los Angeles, California)  
           – Nortech Graphics (Lead Hill, Arizona)     
        – North American Decal (Markham, Ontario, Canada)  
           – Nutron Nameplate Inc (North Olmsted, Ohio) 
          – Portland Color (Portland, Maine)    
      – PRATT (Indianapolis, Indiana)  
         – Prime Source Inc (Atlanta, Georgia)   
          – PSP & Digital Inc (Decatur, Georgia)  
           – Sanca SGC S A (Madrid, Spain)   
        – Sign–Age of Tampa Bay Inc (Clearwater, Florida)   
        – Signcraft Screenprint Inc (Galena, Illinois)   
           – The Mitographers Inc (Sioux Falls, South Dakota)  
         – Transfer Express Inc (Mentor, Ohio)  
            – Voss Signs LLC (Manlius, New York)  
          – Yunker Industries Inc (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin)       

04/11/11

CPA GIVES BACK TO COMMUNITY BY VOLUNTEERING

Press release from the issuing company

In an effort to give back to the community, on March 26, 2011, 30 GPA employees, friends and family members volunteered their time at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

The GPA team spent the morning working on the repacking line with other volunteers creating meal kits that can feed a family of four for three to five days. GPA volunteers repacked bulk items to individual/family size and assembled boxes with assorted food. The boxes are intended for families in crisis, which includes those who have lost their homes to fire and those suffering from economic or other difficulties.

"We appreciate the opportunity to give back to our community by assisting in the wonderful work done by The Greater Chicago Food Depository. Now more than ever, there´s such a need for volunteer support in our community. We look forward to future opportunities where we can work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others," said Tom Brooker, President of GPA.

04/11/11

NYC POLICE COMMISSIONER TO RECEIVE FRANKLIN AWARD

Press release from the issuing company

New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly will receive the prestigious Franklin Award for Distinguished Service at the Printing Industries Alliance´s 2011 Franklin Event on September 21 at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan (5:30–10:00 pm).

"Ray Kelly has served the City of New York with honor, diligence and grace under pressure," noted Event Co–Chair Gary Dolgins (Blanchard System, Inc.) "As a respected 40–year veteran of the Department, he served in 25 different commands before becoming the first person to head it as Commissioner twice under separate tenures of Mayors Bloomberg and Dinkins. We are privileged to add his name to a roster of outstanding Americans who have received the Franklin Award, our industry´s highest recognition."

"Many people are unaware that this extraordinary leader and noted global security expert has also been a former Vice President of Interpol, Commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service, and Under Secretary for Enforcement at the U.S. Treasury Department," added Co–Chair Martin Maloney (Broadford & Maloney, Inc.)   "The more than 350 CEOs and senior executives from the printing, advertising, publishing and graphics sectors who attend the Franklin Event look forward to saluting his numerous contributions to our nation."

Early bird pricing for sponsorships is available until June 15. Platinum level (reserved table of 10), normally $5,000, is $4,000. Gold (reserved table of five), is reduced from $2,500 to $2,000 if reserved before June 15.  Regular prices apply thereafter. Individual tickets are $350 each.

Platinum sponsors to date include Xerox Corporation, HudsonYards and HighRoad Press/Phoenix Lithographing. Gold sponsors include HIFLEX Corporation of North America, Design Distributors, and Graphic Paper, Inc.  Interested companies may contact PIA Vice President Vicki Keenan, vkeenan@PIAlliance.org, (908) 233–4124 to sponsor or to register.

The Franklin Event recognizes individuals making a significant contribution to society and/or the graphic communications industry. Individuals are chosen for recognition by the Franklin Event Committee based on their accomplishments, irrespective of outside factors such as political affiliation and social status. Net Franklin proceeds have been designated to support the educational goals of metro NY/NJ students desiring a career in the graphic communications industry and are not used for administrative, legislative or other unrelated purposes. For further information on scholarship opportunities,  contact Printing Industries Alliance.

04/11/11

INGRAM CONTENT GROUP INTEGRATES WITH O´REILLY MEDIA

Press release from the issuing company

Ingram Content Group Inc. and O´Reilly Media today announced a groundbreaking total inventory management initiative that integrates O´Reilly Media´s leading–edge technology content with Ingram´s worldwide print, distribution, and inventory management solutions.

Through the use of real–time consumer demand, retail inventory requirements and demand forecasting, the new initiative will allow O´Reilly to take advantage of Ingram´s total distribution solution which combines print–on–demand and a worldwide distribution network.

The program enables O´Reilly to boldly shift from a traditional inventory and capital intensive business model to an on–demand program that selects the most timely and cost effective method to print and distribute books, allowing consumers full and immediate access to all of O´Reilly´s titles. O´Reilly is now able to increase their title and channel availability, substantially reduce inventory, free up resources to invest in content development and increase revision speed, keeping the most relevant content available in the market.

"Working with Ingram, we are one step closer to our vision of always available, always relevant, and always in stock," said Laura Baldwin, President, O´Reilly Media. "With the enormous change we are experiencing in the industry, the traditional models of publishing no longer make financial sense. To be able to grow our publishing program while at the same time lowering our costs is a huge leap forward."

Ms. Baldwin continued, "Ingram´s unique end–to–end print and distribution solutions let us adapt our organization to the market and concentrate on our publishing purpose– spreading the knowledge of innovators through all of our content offerings."

To compete in today´s market where consumers demand content when, where, and how they want it, publishers are facing resource decisions unlike any before. By offering complementary and integrated services that cover traditional book distribution, digital distribution, inventory management and a full range of printing services, Ingram offers publishers like O´Reilly a competitive advantage and the tools to better serve their customers.

"As Ingram Content Group has transformed from a traditional wholesaler to a publisher services provider, we´ve demonstrated that by combining our key competencies–print on demand and physical and digital distribution–we can literally change the financial model for a publisher," said David "Skip" Prichard, President and CEO, Ingram Content Group. "Through strategic discussions, we are creating new models with forward thinking publishers like O´Reilly who realize they can benefit from Ingram´s continued investment in the newest print and distribution technologies to better focus on content creation and repositioning their businesses for the future."

04/11/11

KODAK RELEASES WALK–UP SCANNING SYSTEM

Press release from the issuing company

A walk–up photo scanning system from Kodak gives libraries, specialty retailers and other photo–intensive retail environments an opportunity to provide new client services and revenue streams. The KODAK Picture Saver Scanning System PS450 is an on–ramp for transforming printed memories, such as photographic prints and memorabilia, into digital files for photo books, digital slide shows, digital frames, online albums and sharing sites, and social media. Kodak exhibited the PS450 at the 2011 Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) show, booth # 1017, PA Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pa., March 30 – April 2.

The system expands Kodak´s growing family of professional batch photo scanning systems, which include the PS410 and PS810, and offer new revenue potential for organizations wishing to provide a self–serve photo conversion service. The PS450 uses easy and intuitive workflow software that guides the consumer and tracks order amounts as they scan and enhance their images. Administrator functions enable control over settings including customer output, image enhancement, prices and taxes. Libraries can benefit from a customized photo solution that addresses the opportunity for self–funding, while increasing customer engagement in their communities.

"I never met a machine that I loved better than this one," said Jill Youngs, Librarian at Liverpool Public Library.

Prior to today´s announcement, Kodak tested units at a number of public libraries, including the Liverpool Public Library in Liverpool, N.Y., near Syracuse, N.Y. Librarians and patrons alike used the systems in everyday situations to gauge ease of use and applicability of the payment methodology.

"Libraries and retail shops can now provide patrons with an easy way to preserve printed memories," said Andre Bailey, Worldwide Product Manager, Kodak Capture Systems, Kodak´s Business Solutions and Services Group. "Kodak has created an optimal photo scanning experience easily adopted by both experts and novice users."

The demand for digitized photos continues to rise, as users identify new ways to preserve and capture photos and other printed memories into electronic formats. Many use the images for digitally created photo books, calendars, digital slide shows, t–shirts and other mementos. KODAK Picture Saver Systems deliver an intuitive user interface paired with outstanding image–enhancement features.

Through its KODAK Gentle Photo Handling feature, the PS450 gently scans up to 30 pictures per minute at a resolution of 300 dpi. Image–enhancing features include KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology, red–eye removal, auto–deskew, auto–cropping, image rotation and auto–sharpening. Optional A3 (tabloid) and A4–size (letter) flatbed scanners are available for bound, fragile or oversize materials. Once scanned, the included KODAK Picture Saver Scanning Software enables users to seamlessly burn images to a variety of media, including CD, DVD, KODAK Picture CD and portable USB drives. Payment is enabled by an included tabletop device that accepts major credit and debit cards.

Additionally, the PS450 can be leveraged through the administrator as a document scanner, via Kodak´s Smart Touch feature (installed and managed separately from the PS450 software) for customizable one–touch scanning to a user´s destination of choice. The administrator can create PDF, TIFF or JPEG files and email to a recipient or save them to the chosen storage media.

"Photo scanning systems represent a significant revenue opportunity for all types of organizations. Business owners, like retailers, can capitalize on solutions that drive traffic to their stores and monetize photo collections in new ways, while libraries can tap into a resource that attracts new members of the community—like artists, photographers, historians, and others," said Jeanine Thiemel, Worldwide Portfolio Director, Capture Systems, Kodak´s Business Solutions and Services Group. "As users seek novel ways to leverage cherished memories captured in photo prints, from Facebook posts to customized photo products, Kodak provides a digital pathway that is both easy to implement and beneficial to the future growth of libraries and retail."

The PS450 comes equipped with a Scanning Event Promotion Kit, including marketing materials to assist with the promotion of the new service to clients. Materials include both electronic and print formats to quickly engage new clients.

List price for the PS450 system in the United States and Canada (US&C) is $2,995 and will be available for order in the US&C on April 8, 2011. For more information on the KODAK Picture Saver Scanning System PS450, visit: www.kodak.com/go/picturesaverwalkup.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals reaching more than 120 countries. It is a leading multi–vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for the commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging, data storage and retail industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

04/11/11

XEROX CORPORATION RELEASES NEW INK

Press release from the issuing company

A new ink from Xerox Corporation will make it easier for print providers to produce high–revenue, offset–quality photo applications.

Xerox’s new matte dry ink is designed for a range of print jobs, including the photo products consumers are demanding. According to InfoTrends, photo applications such as books, greeting cards and calendars are projected to be a $2.2 billion market by 2014.

The ink is available on the Xerox iGen4 EXP, the latest model built on the award–winning Xerox iGen4 platform.

"Print providers can push the boundaries of digital production with this ink," said Eric Armour, president, Graphic Communications Business Group, Xerox Corporation. "By adding matte dry ink to the Xerox iGen4 EXP they receive the advantages of high–volume digital printing – such as personalization and automation – as well as image quality that’s virtually indistinguishable from offset."

The ink provides a consistent and uniform appearance across highlights, mid–tones and shadows – critical for ink–heavy applications such as marketing collateral, collages in photo books and full–page photographs for calendars and greeting cards. It also produces authentic skin tones and natural colors while maintaining fine detail in background images.

Swiss–based Ifolor AG uses Xerox’s matte dry ink for digital photos and greeting cards, as well as specialty items including posters, photo books, writing pads and calendars. "We demand quality. With the iGen4 EXP’s productivity, combined with the new ink, we print high–volume, color–rich applications in minutes," said Markus Wirth, chief executive officer, Ifolor AG.

The iGen4 EXP offers more image area than competitive devices – translating to more sellable output and increased profits. The solution leverages Xerox FreeFlow Digital Workflow Collection, along with software and finishing options from Xerox business partners, to streamline and synchronize the production process as needed.

04/08/11

AFGA GRAPHICS LAUNCHES APOGEENETWORK

Press release from the issuing company

Agfa Graphics launched APOGEEnetwork, an online hub for Apogee users where they can access news, articles, technology white papers, user guides, videos, online training, release notes, "tips & tricks" and download software. APOGEEnetwork also hosts the :Apogee User Forum where users can share experiences and exchange information.

"APOGEEnetwork allows our customers to get the most out of their investments," said Erik Peeters, Marketing Manager for :Apogee at Agfa Graphics. "We wanted to provide a central place – a community – where all questions can be answered, supplemental information will be available and where users can talk to each other. We learned from our :Apogee User Groups how valuable this is. And we know how valuable it is to have the answer to any question you may have at your fingertips. That’s what APOGEEnetwork is all about. Plus, it’s very easy to use – it’s an intuitive, dynamic platform."

APOGEEnetwork is available at www.apogee.agfa.net. APOGEEnetwork was designed to provide users with in–depth knowledge and helpful information covering a wide range of :Apogee technology topics. Users have access to "tips & tricks," release notes, user guides, software and downloads. An online database provides brochures, product movies, computer–based training and more.

:Apogee User Forum
APOGEEnetwork also hosts the newly revised :Apogee User Forum. The new forum is available to all :Apogee customers, who can register using their configuration ID number. The :Apogee User Forum lets users share experiences as well as discuss and exchange ideas on various :Apogee topics. The :Apogee User Form can be accessed through APOGEEnetwork or can be reached directly at community.apogee.agfa.net.

04/08/11

ESTIMATOR INSTALLS FOR US NAVY AND JAMAICAN NTA EDU

Press release from the issuing company

Estimator completes 2 unusual installations, one for an in–house print facility of the US Navy and the other for the Jamaican NTA educational system.

Although the Navy installation is internal and there is no profit from their in–house operations to provide manuals and forms, they selected Estimator for its work flow solution, ease of installation and simple learning curve.

The sale to the Jamacian NTA or national Training Agency is to provide printed materials for their 39 affiliate teaching institutions. The Estimator program was operational from start to finish within a few days and the director was pleaseed with the ease of both the installation and the quick learning curve.

Estimator expands its industry cost effevtive fully Artificial Intelligent (AI) estimating and work–flow solution, with Advanced Job Costing. The easy–to–install–learn and use solutions deliver 19 unique reports in an error–free, single screen environment and include analysis of sales, productivity and department production load schedules.

A solutions leader for Sheetfed, Web, Wide–Format, Screen, Digital and Flexo, award winning Estimator also provides Full–Metric configuration with a simple click.

Set–up and installation in 2 weeks or less with regular updates and full live maintenance is included.

Interested parties may schedule a Webinar and have the unrestricted program 60–day trial installed in their facility.

04/08/11

ANTHEM WORLDWIDE APPOINTS NEW VP

Press release from the issuing company

Anthem Worldwide, the strategic design division of Schawk, whose integrated global network provides innovative solutions to articulate, unify and manage brand impact to create compelling and consistent brand experiences, announced the appointment of Kris Hull to vice president, brand strategy for Anthem´s Cincinnati office and Bruce Levinson to vice president, brand strategy for Anthem´s New York office.

These newly created positions at Anthem emphasize Schawk´s commitment to deepen and broaden the leadership that drives Anthem´s brand strategy offering. The appointments of Hull and Levinson with their extensive brand management and marketing expertise embody Anthem´s commitment to recruiting exceptional brand strategy talent to help guide the development of its clients´ brands.

"We are thrilled to add Kris Hull and Bruce Levinson to Anthem´s strategic leadership team," said Eric Ashworth, chief strategy officer, at Anthem Worldwide. "Kris can be counted on to deliver business results by creating and deploying strategies that align sharply with consumer insights. Meanwhile, Bruce´s tireless passion for putting the consumer at the center of brand strategy development is refreshingly consistent and always powerfully astute. Both are proven talents at identifying and creating ´white space´ opportunities."

Added Ashworth, "I am confident that the addition of Kris and Bruce to Anthem´s strategic leadership team will add greater value to our engagements with current clients by delivering exceptionally insightful brand solutions that compel consumers to interact with a brand at home, on the go, at the store and on the shelf in ways that build their business."

In the role of vice president, brand strategy for Anthem´s Cincinnati office, Kris Hull will lead brand strategy engagements for Anthem´s Cincinnati–based clients and for additional key clients across the Anthem network as required. As part of these engagements, Kris will drive the identification, development and deployment of market research, strategic analyses, and critical consumer insights.

"I am excited to be back in Cincinnati and to be a part of Anthem´s impressive global network," said Mr. Hull. "I look forward to supporting Anthem´s creative talent in Cincinnati and working with my colleagues around the world to identify strategic business opportunities for our clients´ brands and to develop strategies that allow great creative ideas to flourish while remaining true to the brand´s essence."

Hull joins Anthem Worldwide from Shell Lubricants where he held senior marketing leadership roles, including sector marketing manager for the Americas, senior manager, consumer– customer insights and brand manager for Pennzoil Motor Oil. With over 10–years experience, Kris has acquired a deep tactile background in defined research methodologies, consumer insights, learnings and understandings, as well as traditional brand management responsibilities. Previously in his career, while at The Procter & Gamble Company, Mr. Hull led a team managing research and consumer learnings for category innovation as senior manager, consumer/professional and market knowledge (P&G Pharmaceuticals) and market research manager for P&G Fabric and Home Care.

In the role of vice president, brand strategy for Anthem´s New York office, Bruce Levinson will lead brand strategy engagements for Anthem´s New York metropolitan area–based clients and for additional key clients across the Anthem network as required. Levinson will also focus on building out additional brand strategy resources to support the development of Anthem´s offering.

Bruce Levinson joins Anthem Worldwide from Unilever where he held director and senior brand development positions, and attained extensive brand management expertise. During his 13–year tenure, Mr. Levinson directed strategy, innovation and communications for Unilever´s portfolio of skin care brands in North America, as director, brand development skin care; managed company efforts to become world–class in insight–driven retail activation, as senior manager, customer marketing excellence; and drove step–change improvements in the marketing capabilities of Unilever´s 4,000+ brand builders in over 100 countries, as director, brand building at the Unilever Marketing Academy in London.

04/08/11

NEENAH PAPER HOLDS LABELS OF THE WORLD CONTEST

Press release from the issuing company

Neenah Paper is pleased to open this year´s Labels of the World Contest. The contest, now open to food and other beverage labels as well as wine labels, runs from April 1 to July 30, 2011; winners will be announced Aug. 26, 2011. The 12 winning labels will be included in the beautifully designed, prestigious 2012 Labels of the World calendar. So when you submit your label to Neenah Paper´s 2011 Labels of the World Contest, you are not just entering a contest, but also potentially exposing your printer, designer, and winery to worldwide recognition. This year´s winners will also be publicized in five prestigious wine and/or label periodicals around the world.

There are two categories in the contest, the first being Wine Labels. All wine labels must be printed on CLASSIC Wine Label Papers or ESTATE LABEL Premium Label Papers. The second, Food and Other Beverage Labels, accepts pressure sensitive or glue–applied labels used in any number of applications such as spirits, oils, vinegars, and food. Labels can be printed on CLASSIC Wine Label Papers or ESTATE LABEL Premium Label Papers, or any other Neenah Paper stock.

Winners will be required to submit 2,500 labels to be included in the calendar. The fact that this calendar contains actual labels adds a tactile quality and separates it from any other calendar of its type. The 2012 calendar will be distributed to 2,500 contacts within the label print and design community, providing excellent exposure for the printers, designers, wineries, and distilleries involved. The winner of the "Best in Show" for Wine Labels will receive a $2,000 check, and the winner of the "Best in Show" for Food and Other Beverage Labels will receive a $1,000 check, each along with a certificate of recognition of their work from Neenah Paper!

For more information and to download the Labels of the World contest form, visit www.neenahpaper.com/InspiredDesign/LabelsContest.

04/08/11

EFI SELECTED BY WORKFLOWONE TO UNIFY ITS US LOCATIONS

Press release from the issuing company

EFI, a world leader in customer–focused digital printing innovation, today announced that WorkflowOne, a leading provider of print management, marketing and distribution services, has selected EFI Monarch and EFI Digital StoreFront to automate and unify its 15 U.S. locations. WorkflowOne is already relying on Fiery–driven digital printers in numerous locations to deliver blazing speed and high–quality color.  

WorkflowOne provides print production and document management, billing and customer communication, marketing solutions and promotional strategies, and fulfillment and distribution services for North America´s most admired businesses and brands. Its base of 12,000 clients includes leaders in the healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, retail, non–profit and service sectors.  

As a result of several acquisitions and an extensive manufacturing network, WorkflowOne was in need of a single, unified manufacturing platform that would provide visibility and portability, streamline operations, and integrate numerous systems. After a comprehensive 14–month evaluation, the company selected EFI Monarch – a flexible, powerful, intelligent, and automated solution – as its print manufacturing management system.  

"EFI Monarch met all of the ´must have´s´ we were looking for in a new system, with strong out–of–the box features and the ability to create custom integrations to other key platforms," said Tom Dailey, vice president of operations at WorkflowOne. "Only EFI has the combination of a robust platform that is highly configurable and a roadmap for evolving the product that will ensure we can meet the future needs of our customers. And with integration to our Fiery–driven color printers, we´ll deliver a state–of–the–art, integrated environment."  

WorkflowOne was already an EFI Hagen user in several locations, and is now moving all 15 U.S. printing facilities to the core Monarch system. The company will roll–out the balance of the Monarch productivity modules along with Digital StoreFront, EFI´s award–winning web–to–print platform. Comments Dailey, "We chose Digital StoreFront because of its functional integration to Monarch, its adaptability within our existing storefront solutions, the rules–based specification gathering, and real–time estimating and quoting capabilities."  

In addition, WorkflowOne is integrating Monarch with Fiery–driven digital printers from Xerox and KODAK´s PRINERGY Software, and the KODAK INSITE Prepress Portal to gain efficiencies and fully automate their pre–press workflow.  

"We´re confident we made the right choice, and view EFI as a partner in the future success of our business," said Ernie Miller, executive vice president of global operations. "When fully integrated across our print facilities, we believe we´ll have the most comprehensive solution in the industry and a true foundation for growth. Not only will this greatly streamline and bring added efficiency to our internal operations, but our network of strategic partners will be able to take advantage of these benefits as well."  

"With their decision to implement EFI products, WorkflowOne has taken a critical step in the transformation of their business efficiency and productivity," said Marc Olin, senior vice president and general manager of APPS, EFI. "We´re certain they will realize significant improvements across the board, most importantly in their ability to exceed customer expectations."

04/07/11

SFS UTILIZED BY ACTION MAILERS AND ENTOURAGE

Press release from the issuing company

Standard Finishing Systems, a leading supplier of post–press and paper handling solutions for the graphic arts and print on demand markets, announced today that two customers have added new unwinding, rotary cutting, folding/merging and perfect binding efficiency to their operations.

Action Mailers, Inc. recently added the integrated Standard Hunkeler/Horizon roll–to–sheet solution with chip–out and in–line folding to its Aston, Pennsylvania production facility, which complements its current Standard Hunkeler roll–to–sheet system installed in April 2009. Featuring the Standard Hunkeler UW6 Unwinder, CS6–II rotary double–cutter, FM6 plow fold/web merge module, and Standard Horizon AF–566F Digital in–line signature folder, the new roll–to–sheet line produces complex, variable–data direct mail pieces in one pass at 600 feet per minute. "The new Standard line has already increased productivity, especially due to the flexibility of the FM6 folder/merger," says Dan Dobbin, President at Action Mailers. "The configuration allows for a virtually endless combination of folds for our customers and has widened our direct mail capabilities." The company also purchased a Document In–feed Station so they can use the folder offline for additional production. The solution is designed to run either in–line with continuous–feed print engines or off–line using pre–printed rolls. Established in 1972, Action Mailers has grown into a major direct mail production facility in the Philadelphia area employing over 150 dedicated associates.  

Entourage Yearbooks in Princeton, NJ recently increased their finishing capabilities with the purchase of a Standard Horizon BQ–470PUR automated four–clamp perfect binder.  The binder employs intelligent automation from end–to–end, binds books up to 2.55 inches thick, and has PUR capability for the ultimate in binding strength and durability.  According to Production Manager Edward Jo "We are very happy with the BQ–470.  After evaluating all available binding technologies, we decided it was the best–suited binder to meet our customer requirements." He added "The BQ–470 gives us that competitive binding edge, with a PUR adhesive system that lets us achieve the binding strength required in the books we produce." The sale was completed by Standard Dealer Northern Machine Works of Philadelphia, PA.  Entourage Yearbooks works with high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, colleges/universities, military groups and churches around the country to fulfill their yearbook publishing needs. They pride themselves on offering fast turnarounds and affordable prices.

04/07/11

ROTOCONTROL SHIPS MACHINES TO UK

Press release from the issuing company

ROTOCONTROL today announced the shipment of three Slitter/Rewinder Inspection machines to the United Kingdom.  Three additional Finishing Machines also bound for the United Kingdom are on order and shipping soon.  

Configurations of the machines include an RSP with single pass re–inspection and AVT vision system , and RSC with missing label and AVT workflow links. All machines feature vertical inspection plate/vacuum splice table with integrated waste wind–up, razor cartridge slitting and strobe illumination.

Marco Aengenvoort, ROTOCONTROL Managing Director, commented, "The success in the UK market is parallel to what we are seeing across Europe and Africa not only with new finishing machine orders but with second, third and fourth additional machine investments from Converters.  This repeat business confirms our technology is reliable and beneficial to our customer´s label finishing requirements.  ROTOCONTROL will continue to build machines with advanced Bosch Rexroth controls and drives and invest in our manufacturing infrastructure and people to further benefit the production needs of our customers."

As a result of increased order demand, ROTOCONTROL has sourced additional key suppliers and doubled its manufacturing capacity.

04/07/11

PRINTING INDUSTRIES OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT LINE

Press release from the issuing company

Printing Industries of America is proud to announce a new product line for today´s busy printing professional: MicroLessons. These modules are concise, practical, low–cost, and filled with information on key technology, business, and marketing trends. MicroLessons are available for download at the Printing Industries of America store for as little as $5 and $10.

The MicroLessons line fills the needs of those that want more information that gets to the point quickly. MicroLessons are developed by extracting key information from Printing Industries of America´s current library of publications and presentations. These condensed lessons establish the solid foundation needed to tackle a variety of pertinent industry issues. The MicroLessons available now include:

8 Tips for Change: Management Lessons from Economic Downturns
Common Web Press Procedures: A Quick–Reference Guide
Grapevine 2.0: Monitor and Protect Your Brand Online
LinkedIn 101: Get the Most Out of Your Network
Sales & Customer Service in a Customer–Driven Landscape
Troubleshooting Ink Problems on Your Press [Versions available for Offset Litho, Flexo, Gravure, and Screen Printing]
Web Pressroom Safety: A Quick Reference Guide
More MicroLessons will be added as they become available. To stay up to date on new offerings, follow @printind on Twitter or check back to www.printing.org/microlessons. For more information about the MicroLessons line, contact Amy Woodall at awoodall@printing.org.

04/07/11

HELLENDOORN KG INVESTS IN KODAK NEXPRESS SE2500

Press release from the issuing company

Hellendoorn KG has made its first foray into digital printing by investing in a KODAK NEXPRESS SE2500 Digital Production Color Press. The traditional full–service printer, based in Bad Bentheim near the Dutch border, is using the digital press to complement its offset equipment, which comprises 13 sheet–fed offset printing machines. The NEXPRESS Press will give fresh impetus to Hellendoorn´s short–run work, as the system can process orders more efficiently than the company´s existing small–format sheet–fed offset press, saving the company time and money.

The NEXPRESS SE2500 Press will also enable Hellendoorn to expand its already extensive range of services: "These days, just about anyone can offer digital printing," says Managing Director Thomas Westhuis. "We wanted to differentiate ourselves from other companies´ digital print offerings by adding value that our customers can really see. What really sets the new NEXPRESS Press apart, aside from its excellent print quality, is the inline finishing. It enables us to create highly distinctive print products that really grab your attention, and will prove very popular with customers that want their advertising and marketing collateral to stand out from the competition."

Color with understated elegance or brilliant high gloss

The exciting capabilities of the KODAK NEXPRESS Fifth Imaging Unit Solutions were crucial to Hellendoorn´s decision to invest in the system. The company was particularly impressed with Dimensional Printing, which adds a three–dimensional effect to images, graphics and text. If KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink is used on its own, it is even possible to create transparent 3D effects to mimic blind embossing or to simulate textured surfaces and substrates. All this is in addition to four–color printing, plus everything happens in a single pass.

Hellendoorn is also using the Fifth Imaging Unit to create a high–gloss finish in spot or full–page coating for digital color prints. Sheets are coated with KODAK NEXPRESS Dimensional Clear Dry Ink in the Fifth Imaging Unit, and the KODAK NEXPRESS Glossing Unit gives them a mirror smooth surface. This high gloss–finish adds value to the printed image by creating outstanding brilliance. The finish can be applied either to the whole sheet or to specific areas (spot gloss). The spot glossing creates a visual effect similar to spot UV varnishing. Versatility in use

Hellendoorn, which employs a team of 28 people, installed the KODAK NEXPRESS Press in its prepress department in September 2010. The company typically uses the NEXPRESS SE2500 Press for short runs or pre–publication runs of books, catalogues or company reports. It also handles personalized jobs involving variable data printing, often using a combination of printing and digital printing.

Westhuis is convinced that the capabilities of the NEXPRESS Press will help Hellendoorn raise its profile as a high–quality print provider for commercial and industrial customers and advertising agencies: "At present, these new digital production capabilities give us a unique selling point in an area covering almost 100km, even into Holland."

Westhuis and his team know that nothing can beat actually showing customers what can be achieved in terms of perception and touch. This is why Hellendoorn produces its own marketing, so it can demonstrate the extent to which digital printing has evolved: a three–part slipcase with an image brochure, media pockets and print samples vividly highlight to potential customers the power and versatility of the KODAK NEXPRESS Press.

KODAK Products are backed by KODAK Service and Support. KODAK Service and Support is made up of more than 3,000 professionals in 120 countries. It is a leading multi–vendor integrated services provider, delivering consulting, installation, maintenance and support services for commercial printing, graphic communications, document imaging, data storage and retail industries. KODAK Service and Support professionals are uniquely qualified to provide services that control costs, maximize productivity, and minimize business risk.

04/07/11

LULU TO UTILIZE HP DIGITAL PRESSES

Press release from the issuing company

An expanded relationship between Lulu and HP customers will allow Lulu to take full advantage of the advanced capabilities HP Indigo Digital Presses and HP Inkjet Web Presses offer.  

HP and Lulu executives announced the expanded relationship today at the INTERQUEST 2011 Digital Book Printing Forum in New York.  

Through the expanded relationship, Lulu´s volume of HP–printed pages is estimated to grow in the next 12 to 18 months, with the publishing firm transitioning more of its color and monochrome work to HP Indigo and HP Inkjet Web presses installed at various HP print service provider customer sites.  

Lulu, the leading "open publishing" provider of online print–on–demand self–publishing services, currently publishes approximately 20,000 titles per month and is experiencing rapid growth. Several HP print service providers worldwide would take on new and expanded fulfillment contracts with Lulu to facilitate the transition and handle the expanded volume.  

Lulu sought HP digital presses because they can reliably meet increasing customer demand for quick–turnaround, high–quality books, calendars and other printed products. Plus, HP´s overall IT expertise and technology leadership give Lulu extended capabilities in cloud–based publishing and scalable systems needed to drive further growth.  

"Lulu continues to redefine publishing, by empowering creators to sell their content to more people and gain more profit. We are developing cutting–edge partnerships with companies like HP to deliver our creators and their audiences maximum value, both today and into the future," said Bob Young, founder and CEO, Lulu. "Thanks to HP´s high quality, consistent color, and dedication to developing brilliantly innovative digital presses, we´re able to offer our creators just that."  

Lulu´s work with HP builds on an existing relationship between the two companies in delivering high–quality, highly productive digital print. Last year, Lulu customers collectively published more than 400 million pages´ worth of books, mini books, photo books and calendars. Many of Lulu´s photo books and calendars are produced by HP customers using HP Indigo presses.  

Positioned for success in a growing market  

The self/non–traditional publishing market Lulu serves is one the most dynamic, fast–growing segments of the publishing industry. In 2009, these types of titles outnumbered traditional titles by a three–to–one margin in the United States, according to bibliographic information management solutions firm R.R. Bowker.  

"Leading service providers like Lulu make it possible for anyone to create a professional–quality book that is personal and meaningful," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business – Americas, HP. "HP´s digital printing technology provides Lulu with a stronger publishing platform for mass customization and personalization, giving Lulu´s customers more power than ever to create and market high–quality work."  

Significant trends in the printed book market, such as short print runs and diverse substrate variety, are making digital printing a preferred production method. The combination of HP Indigo and HP Inkjet Web presses would give Lulu the ability to profitably and cost–effectively address these trends.  

With a shift to HP printing, many of Lulu´s books would have Inkjet Web Press–printed book blocks paired with Indigo Digital Press–printed covers. Lulu also would continue its current use of HP Indigo presses in printing photo books, calendars and other high–value color print products.  

High value and high productivity in digital printing  

With more than 5,000 Indigo digital presses installed worldwide, HP is a leading provider of digital printing technologies to the global printing and publishing markets.  

HP Indigo digital presses use a unique liquid electrophotographic printing process to combine the look and feel of traditional offset with genuine photo quality. HP Inkjet Web Presses deliver highly–efficient production of signatures, full–broadsheet formats or multiple–up documents across a range of printing applications.  

HP digital presses integrate with other many finishing and workflow technologies, so printers can establish efficient, automated book production lines that decrease costs, reduce waste and speed time to market.  

More information about HP Indigo and Inkjet Web Presses, including the recently announced HP T400 Color Inkjet Web Press, is available at www.hp.com/go/gsb and through the HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed.

04/06/11

VISION 3 SUMMIT DEBUTS TO GROUNDBREAKING NUMBERS

Press release from the issuing company

The attendance of 433 graphic communications industry executives, representing 185 companies, with printers outnumbering vendor participants by a 2:1 ratio, solidified the successful debut of the Vision 3 Summit, a groundbreaking new leadership conference produced by the industry´s top three associations.  

The conference which took place March 13–16, 2011, at the Desert Springs JW Marriott in Palm Desert, CA, was a joint effort co–produced by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL); NPES The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies (NPES); and, Printing Industries of America.  

Designed for company owners and executives, the two–and–a–half day event offered a distinctly management–level approach to addressing the industry´s biggest challenges. "Our associations realized early in our planning that, given the variety of challenges facing the graphic communications industry today, it was essential for the conference to speak directly to the needs of the highest levels of company management," explained Michael Makin, President and CEO of Printing Industries of America. Participants concurred, reporting the information and management–level discussions were "forward thinking, innovative" and particularly useful, along with the meeting materials that were available online for follow–up.  

Because the Vision 3 Summit was a joint effort of the industry´s top three associations, attendees also benefited from a mix of insights they normally would not receive at other gatherings. "Despite how vast the graphic communications industry is, it really is a small world out there—and seems even smaller when you´re seeing all the same people at the same events every year," observed Ralph Nappi, President of NPES. "The Vision 3 Summit is a rare leadership conference that mingles both industry service provider and vendor attendees at the highest levels of management. Participants gain tremendous value and best practices for running their companies from such a mix of expertise, experience and perspectives."  

As the program evaluations revealed, attendees agreed the most valuable aspects of the program were the "great information," "wide variety of content" and, as repeatedly voiced throughout the program, the "networking among the three groups was the best thing."  

Executives also offered plenty of positive feedback on the variety of topics covered by the leadership conference, which spanned the gamut of management concerns—from the economic recovery to future growth markets, to new–media marketing strategies and sales tactics—with a particular emphasis on real–world applications and "how–to" advice. Participants gave high marks for the "good mix of general and breakout sessions," "variety of topics" and the numerous opportunities for "meeting new folks, hearing new ideas and gaining new confidence to continue business practices."  

"This was not your standard management conference," noted Joseph P. Truncale, President and CEO of NAPL. "The Vision 3 Summit covered an array of topics, delivered in various formats to ensure that participants would come away from every session having learned something applicable to their own businesses. As such, we made sure to include sessions in a variety of formats with subject–matter experts, panel discussions covering real–life business examples, inspiring keynote addresses and more." The result was a conference that was practical and visionary, which presented as one participant stated, "real business ideas for business people."  

The Vision 3 Summit replaced NAPL´s, NPES´ and Printing Industries of America´s individual leadership programs, including NAPL´s Top Management Conference; NPES´ Industry Summit that included the PRINT OUTLOOK Conference and PRIMIR Spring Meeting; and, Printing Industries of America´s Presidents Conference. Both NAPL and NPES additionally held their individual board of directors meetings in conjunction with this conference. Additionally PRIMIR held its Spring Meeting in conjunction with the Vision 3 Summit.  

While the first co–produced conference by NAPL, NPES and Printing Industries of America, the Vision 3 Summit is not the first joint venture between the three organizations. NAPL, NPES and Printing Industries of America also co–own the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC), which produces the popular industry GRAPH EXPO and PRINT exhibitions.  

Based on the enthusiastic and positive feedback gleaned from this year´s conference, attendees have already indicated their interest in next year´s Vision 3 Summit to be held February 19–22, 2012, at the Marco Island Marriott, Marco Island, Florida.

04/06/11

OCE QUALIFIES M–REAL CORP FOR AZ SERIES OF UV FLATBED PRINTERS

Press release from the issuing company

Oce, a Canon Group Company and an international leader in digital document management and delivery, today announced it has qualified several products produced by leading fiber paperboard producer M–real Corporation for the Oce Arizona Series of UV flatbed printers. To date the products qualified include Carta Elega and Carta Integra paperboard and Kemiart topsheet used in corrugate packaging applications.  

The Oce Arizona Series of flatbed printers are very versatile in a variety of applications including digital packaging – from prototype creation to custom and short–run packaging on both paperboard and corrugate. By being able to print directly to rigid substrates up to two inches thick and a maximum eight foot by ten foot image area, the Oce Arizona Series of printers enables packaging companies and their customers to realize a host of digitally–derived benefits previously not cost effective when produced traditionally.  

Oce North America Product Marketing Manager Randy Paar states, "Oce´s qualification of the M–real products now provides packaging companies entering into digital packaging an immediate, high quality, proven result that not only works on the digital flatbed but traditional offset or flexographic presses as well. This means the brand owner can much more confidently and quickly sign–off on a prototype and then see it go into production knowing that the final result will be accurately reproduced on the very same media."  

Qualification consisted of producing samples on the Oce Arizona printer at the Oce Knowledge Center in Itasca, IL followed by further evaluation by M–real. The resulting image quality and ink adhesion were exceptional using the Oce IJC256 Series inks, even when printed at high volume production speeds. Using the companion Oce ProCut digital cutting table for creasing and cutting, both ink and substrate demonstrated good structural performance with virtually no cracking, chipping or scuffing of the printed package with either paperboard or corrugated board. M–real Americas Technical Marketing Manager John Sarik states, "The samples of M–real´s Carta Integra and Carta Elega FBB (Folding Box Board) produced on the Oce Arizona printer looked exceptional. They were presented at a company meeting where the images, screen work, and color reproduction were commented on as being top quality. Additionally, previous samples of Kemiart Lite and Kemiart Graph produced on the same printer as combined corrugated board showed very good color intensity, critical for POP display work, and fine detailed screening used in halftone reproductions."

04/06/11

POLYTYPE COMPLETES VIRTU VETRO INK SERIES

Press release from the issuing company

Polytype announces that its Virtu Vetro ink series for UV–curable production onto glass surfaces has completed a number of performance tests, demonstrating distinction in several key performance areas. The results provide compelling evidence about the excellent compatibility, durability and behaviour of the Virtu Vetro range of CMYK and white inks on float, safety and other glass types for a variety of industrial digital printing applications.   

Developed by the Swiss manufacturer for its award–winning Virtu range of wide– and superwide–format industrial printing technologies, the inks were printed onto glass panes and examined stringently by an independent, accredited testing laboratory. A primer Virtu bond was used to pretreat the substrate, which was then printed in controlled conditions before being tested extensively in 21 categories.   

Of particular importance to Virtu users within industrial digital printing disciplines are conclusions showing the ink´s outstanding durability. Virtu Vetro is confirmed to perform excellently with tapes and adhesives, even under stressful conditions; one stress assessment undertaken when using a silicone–based adhesive even demonstrates full adhesion after two weeks of continuous testing. Polytype´s Virtu Vetro inks are verified as highly resistant to abrasion, scratching, grinding and polishing, and do not chip or flake when cut.   

The printed glass was also subjected to heat and light conditions and monitored for resistance to commercial and industrial chemicals, such as cleaning products, ensuring that it meets European standards. Shock tests designed to replicate unusual environments were also undertaken, as were standard condensation, water and Xenon arc lamp examinations. In all cases the Virtu Vetro ink range did not crack, peel or discolour.   

"This latest round of independent examinations validates Polytype´s attention to detail and reconfirms our commitment to providing quality printing solutions to our customers," comments Sylvia Muhr, sales director for Polytype´s Virtu business unit. "We are proud to see our dedication to excellence in ink performance confirmed independently, proving that the Virtu family of platforms and inks is the right choice for every kind of output, whatever its destination."

04/06/11

GSE DISPENSING PROVIDES AUTOMATED INK LOGISTICS

Press release from the issuing company

Automated ink logistics are an essential component  for the modern flexo–printing operation under pressure to remain lean, agile and responsive when faced with an uncertain economy, rising raw materials prices and increased quality demands.  

GSE Dispensing, exhibiting during the Flexographic Technical Asosciation InfoFlex 2011 conference (2–3 May) at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, is the world´s leading provider of gravimetric, automated ink dispensing solutions, with a global installed base of 1500. The company´s Colorsat range of gravimetric ink dispensing systems offer solutions for all graphics–related flexo–print categories, including narrow–web, flexible packaging, carton and corrugated board.  

Typically, volume requirements for the most challenging recipes are dispensed to an accuracy of one gram. Dispensing time takes between two and four minutes, depending on the application. Excess ink from a print run is easily reused, located and retrieved from stock, for easy reuse in future jobs. Some customers have boosted ink yields by as much as 30 percent, thanks to GSE Dispensing´s technology. A high–powered software platform, IMS, whose time–saving features include a host of management tools such as stock control, ink consumption analysis, recasting and traceability of ink ingredients by batch, as required in pharmaceutical and food packaging applications.  

The Colorsat programme ranges from the Match dispenser, which dispatches in 1 to 5 kg doses for label printing applications, and the Compact, capable of preparing recipes in up to 25 kg doses.  

GSE Dispensing´s gravimetric ink dispensing systems offer a host of benefits. They remove the risk of printing rejects during production, reduce ink waste, and minimize the chance of press down–time as workflow bottle necks at ink–mixing stage are avoided. Furthermore, procurement costs can be reduced by as much as 25 percent because the need to outsource ink mixing operations to external sources is eliminated.  

GSE Dispensing´s US sales headquarters are situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to technical support, the office offers system monitoring online by remote diagnostics.  

Mr. Jose Treviso, vice president sales of GSE Dispensing´s USA division, comments: "Our systems, backed up with first rate technological know–how, and a global service network, empower printers to prepare spot colour on demand, to exacting quality and volume requirements. This provides a hygienic, low–maintenance, cost–conscious way of meeting the global brand–owners´ demands for quality consistency, enabling identical results from one job to the next. Whatever the volume requirement, from narrow–web to corrugated board, we have a solution that offers a fast return on investment."

04/06/11

PICA AWARDS BANQUET HONORS 10 CAROLINA COMPANIES

Press release from the issuing company

Ten Carolina companies received sponsored awards at the prestigious PICA Awards banquet given by The Printing Industry of the Carolinas, Inc. (PICA). Since 1966, the PICA Awards have been the premier symbol of excellence for the graphics industry in North and South Carolina.  The PICA Awards demonstrate a company’s commitment to excellence in graphics communications.  

The xpedx Best of Show award went to Millennium Print Group in Apex for their stunning catalog, Fall Collection2010. Millennium also received three additional sponsored awards including the Heidelberg Award for Best of Division B (10 to 25 Employees), the Wikoff Color Award for Best Process Color Printing and the Xerox Award for Best Newsletter.  

The Mac Papers Award Best of Division D (51 or More Employees) went to Wentworth Printing in West Columbia for the P2 Books – The Little Red Branding Book and Cross Iron Mills Grand Opening Celebration they also received the PICA Award for Our Favorite Job of the Year Award.  

Hutchison Allgood of Winston Salem, NC, received five sponsored awards; the Printers’ Service PRISCO Award for Best of Division C (26 to 50 Employees) for the Wesley Hall 2010 Furniture Catalog. It also received the Eastman Kodak Award for Best Catalog. Hutchison Allgood also received the Trelleborg Award for Best Brochure, the Lindenmeyr Munroe Award for Best Presentation Kit, and the KBA Award for Best Packaging.  

Barefoot Press in Raleigh, NC took home the B.W. Wilson Paper Company Award for Best of Division A (1 to 9 Employees).  The Unisource Award for Best Printers’ Self–Advertising went to Classic Graphics of Charlotte and Raleigh. NAPCO, of Sparta, NC, received the Coyne Textile Award for Best Finishing as well as the Gutenberg Award for the most ‘Best of Category’ awards each year. Clark Communications in Asheville, NC received the Pitman Award for Best Annual Report. The Athens Paper Award for Most Creative Use of Paper went to Greenville, South Carolina company Indexx, Inc. Spectra Integration received the Hewlett Packard Indigo Award for Best Digital Printing.  

In honor of Gwen Doster this year was the inaugural Gwen Doster Judges Choice Award it went to Crowson Stone of Columbia, South Carolina.

Winners were announced April 2, 2011, at the 44th Annual PICA Awards Banquet, held at the Embassy Suites Golf Resort & Spa in Concord, North Carolina. The PICA Awards program is open to all printing companies in the Carolinas.

04/05/11

XITRON AND COMPOSE SYSTEM TO CROSS LICENSE TECH

Press release from the issuing company

Xitron, the prepress industry´s leading independent developer and integrator of Raster Image Processors, RIP management and prepress workflow software and Compose System Ltd. of Hong Kong, an innovative developer of prepress workflow solutions with extensive experience in the printing and publishing industry, have reached an agreement where Xitron and Compose System will cross license output interface technology for Harlequin RIP workflow solutions.  

"Xitron and Compose are the recognized leaders in providing productive and cost affordable prepress Harlequin RIP workflow solutions to the printing industry," stated Mark Eisenschenk, Xitron´s President and CEO. "The agreement provides Compose with a wider array of output device interface options for their customer base. Our markets are diverse and unique resulting in an agreement that will complement both companies."  

"Compose is excited to have this cross licensing arrangement with Xitron," stated Tom Sit, Founder and CEO of Compose System Ltd. "This agreement expands the devices available to Compose workflow users and will bring more cost benefit to customers at this difficult time. It will also enable us to share our resources together to newer interface development in the future. "  

Xitron´s and Compose interfaces drive the prepress industry´s most popular new and legacy output devices from manufacturers including: – Agfa
– ECRM
– Fuji
– Kodak
– Heidelberg
– Ryobi
– Screen  

Xitron RIPs and workflow solutions drive more than 250 different output devices ranging from black and white and color proofers to film imagesetters and the latest in CtP and direct–to–press systems. With shipments of more than 20,000 RIPs, Xitron is the largest independent provider of RIPs in the market.

04/05/11

OMET ADDS NEW EMBOSSING UNIT

Press release from the issuing company

OMET has recently added a new embossing unit to its X–Flex series to print relief labels.

Fitted with a tool side adjustment system and embossing depth adjustment, to allow it to use adhesive materials of different thicknesses and obtain various depths of relief, the embossing pressure on the new unit is highly sensitivity, thanks to the oil system of Kocher + Beck that is used.

Aimed at minimising machine downtime, the new X–Flex embosser has been designed to allow the operator to detach the upper embossing roll without losing timing with the lower roll.  This allows for fast re–webbing in the event of a web break.  It also allows the tool pair for the next job to be prepared offline.  This significantly reduces machine stop times by avoiding the preparation phases of double–sided adhesive tapes and printing plates, plate timing and control of the embossing depth.  All the operator has to do is insert both embossing cylinders into the machine.

For 12" to 20" embossing formats, an additional base unit is not required, because it can be done through the pair of rolls on the first die–cutting on the X–Flex.  For different sizes, a dedicated frame is required.

04/05/11

AGFA GRAPHICS DEBUTS NEW PRODUCTS AT PRINT CHINA 2011

Press release from the issuing company

Agfa Graphics announced today that a series of new products that underline print production with considerable lower environmental impact are making their Asian debut at Print China 2011. One year after the creation of the joint venture with Shenzhen Brothers in China, Agfa Graphics Asia will show and demonstrate sustainable solutions targeted specifically to the Chinese pre–press and printing market.

It is only the second Print China, yet it is already considered one of this year´s major events for the graphic arts industry, and Agfa Graphics´ strong presence at the event shows their commitment to the Chinese printing industry. Agfa is well recognized in the Chinese printing industry and has been selected as one of the ten best–known foreign brand names for five consecutive years. It is known for its wide offering of complete pre–press systems for commercial and newspaper printers, as well as its extensive range of industrial inkjet printing solutions.

"Agfa Graphics Asia has a determined focus on the Chinese printing market," said Mr. Vanhooren, President of Agfa Graphics and Member of the Board at Agfa Graphics Asia. "China´s growth in offset print is both tremendous and challenging at the same time. This industry can only be successful if we answer local needs with specific solutions. We manufacture a range of plates for the region from the Wuxi production plant, to the highest world standard quality, and our R&D teams are working together to design the most appropriate plate production solutions for this market in combination with the most efficient workflow software. These are all investments well spent because, notwithstanding the advance of digital printing technologies, offset is still the dominant printing technology today and is expected to remain so for many years to come."

Among the products and services making their debut is the new :N92VCF chemistry–free violet plate for newspaper applications which outperforms any other solution in terms of quality and consistency, just like :Azura TS for commercial applications.

"We give the growing Chinese printing industry access to the very latest technology in both pre–press and printing," said Mr. Huang, CEO of Agfa Graphics Asia. "Such as :Azura TS, the most successful chem – free thermal printing plate in the industry. It reduces chemical waste by up to 70%, compared to conventional plate systems, which makes it both cost effective and clean. To our customers, it shows Agfa Graphics´ concern for their productivity and for the sustainability of their business. At Print China 2011 we will show total system solutions including advanced software tools which will streamline complex processes and raise efficiency by reducing ink layers on press."

Agfa Graphics is also showcasing a wide format digital inkjet printer which saves energy by curing the UV inks with LED arrays. This allows the use of substrates which are more heat sensitive, while still using less power to print, without compromising on print quality.

"We maintain our technology leadership through continuous innovation," said Vanhooren. "For plates, we keep investing in more efficient, highly productive plate making systems with reduced chemistry and energy waste, while at the same time increasing convenience for printers. And this also applies for our digital printing solutions that enable clean but efficient inkjet print.

Print China 2011 runs from April 9th to April 13th at Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Centre in the city of Dongguan.

04/05/11

KBA RELEASES ITS OFFICIAL REPORT

Press release from the issuing company

The 38th edition of KBA Report, the corporate magazine published by the world´s second–largest press manufacturer, features the familiar mix of user reports, technical updates on production options with today´s high–tech sheetfed and web offset presses, and print–related news from around the world. It also highlights the rapid growth of print in emerging markets in the Middle East, Far East and Latin America.

In the wake of the financial crisis the global economic balance has shifted further east: last year China became the biggest market for litho presses, and countries such as India, Brazil and Turkey posted above–average growth rates both in the print media industry and elsewhere. KBA´s record export level of 88.5% in 2010 reflects this shift, with deliveries to the rest of Europe being surpassed for the first time by shipments to Asia and the Pacific. The user reports illustrate that an increasing number of printers in high–growth regions are standardising and upscaling their operations, investing in similar technology to those in Industrialised countries. In a globalised economy they are often printing for the same customers.

Across the entire industry, and irrespective of location, the key demand voiced by printers is the ability to print cost–effectively and sustainably – and in a provably better quality. This is all the more vital in countries where circulations are steadily declining. KBA Report contains technical facts and figures explaining how these demands can be met. Other features focus on the collaborative alliance KBA has entered with the world´s biggest print group, RR Donnelley, preparatory to moving into digital print with products KBA is developing for launch at Drupa 2012, and the proposed expansion of KBA´s product range to include optimised consumables under the brand name KBA PressConsum.

The English edition of KBA Report includes an eight–page insert by Dieter Kleeberg comparing closed–loop colour control systems by other vendors with the QualiTronic system that KBA launched at Ipex 2010, in tandem with System Brunner´s Instrument Flight.

04/05/11

ENFOCUS APPOINTS NEW SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER

Press release from the issuing company

Enfocus announces the appointment of Andrew Bailes–Collins as Senior Product Manager. In his new role, Bailes–Collins will focus on driving product development and further innovating Enfocus solutions. The appointment is part of Enfocus´ 2011 expansion strategy and follows the company´s focus on continuous growth. Bailes–Collins brings a wealth of experience to the product management team. He most recently worked in a senior product management role at OneV.

Enfocus´ appointment of Bailes–Collins underlines the company´s commitment to developing efficient solutions to meet the changing needs of its customers. Bailes–Collins was recruited for his extensive experience of printing technology as well as prepress and systems management. He graduated from what is now the London College of Communications and went on to serve an apprenticeship as a typesetter. He has worked for a number of companies in the printing and publishing sectors, including DuPont, Scott Colour and Park Communications as Prepress Manager. He joined OneVision in 2001, and there held a number of roles, including Senior Technical Consultant.  

Bailes–Collins comments on joining Enfocus: "I´m looking forward to applying my experience and helping the company continue its expansion. This is an exciting challenge for me. Enfocus enjoys a deserved reputation worldwide for its innovative automation and PDF preflighting tools, and there is much scope in my new role to develop these further. "  

"We pride ourselves on delivering our customers the most efficient tools for workflow automation and PDF preflighting. But in today´s challenging market, it´s key to continuously improve and innovate," says Elli Coots, Director of Product Management at Enfocus. "Andrew is a great addition to the product management team. He has all the technical knowledge and expertise required to help develop our product portfolio in new domains."

04/04/11

KONICA MINOLTA BIG CITY CLASSIC SET FOR SUNDAY

Press release from the issuing company

Over the last five years, Inside Lacrosse (IL) has set the standard for promoting lacrosse with events such as the Konica Minolta Big City Classic (Title sponsor: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.).  This early season extravaganza has attracted more than 47,000 fans in its two–year history and has been a showcase for the top teams and players in college lacrosse.

The wait is over as this year´s Konica Minolta Big City Classic is set for this Sunday, April 3rd at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. with a lineup that once again pits the top teams in college lacrosse against each other.  Four of the six participating teams are ranked in the top 10 of the current Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll, and local Big East Rivals – Rutgers and St. John´s – will get a chance to showcase their up and coming programs.

Game No. 1 – Rutgers vs St. John´s (1p)
Game No. 2 – #5 North Carolina vs #6 Johns Hopkins (4p)
Game No. 3 – #1 Syracuse vs #3 Duke (6.30p)
All times Eastern

Games No. 2 and No. 3 will air on ESPNU, while fans can watch Game No. 1 on ESPN3.com.

BIG EAST rivals Rutgers and St. John´s meet in the first college game of the day, and both teams will be playing in an IL event for the first time.  With conference play still in its early stages, this NY/NJ turf battle is a great chance for one of these teams to gain ground in the cutthroat BIG EAST Conference.

The second game pairs #5 North Carolina and #6 Johns Hopkins, who leads the all–time series 23–16 but North Carolina has won the last four matchups.  Backed by two goals and four assists from freshman attackman Nicky Galasso, the Tar Heels were able to pick up a 11–6 road win at Maryland last week.  Johns Hopkins earned a statement win last week, defeating previous #2 ranked Virginia, 12–11 in Baltimore.

#1 Syracuse and #3 Duke will square off under the lights in the final game of the event, pitting the last two NCAA champions against each other.  The first regular season meeting between these two teams since 1992, the Blue Devils and the Orange last met in the 2009 NCAA Tournament semifinals with Syracuse coming away with a dominating 17–7 performance, eventually winning the national championship.

Tickets can still be purchased for the 2011 Konica Minolta Big City Classic.  Ticket prices are: $45 for the West Midfield seats; $45 for East Touchdown Club (Mezzanine Level) seats; $25 for Lower Level reserved seats; $20 for groups of 10 or more; and $15 for groups of 100 or more.  Parking will be $20 on game day.  All seating locations are reserved.  Fans can also visit www.BigCityClassic.com to get the latest news on the event and details on ordering tickets.

"The Konica Minolta Big City Classic promises to be an incredible day of lacrosse action," said Andy Bilello, Associate Publisher at Inside Lacrosse.  "With the last two national champions in Duke and Syracuse, along with leading contenders in North Carolina and Johns Hopkins on the same field, we expect a playoff–like energy and intensity.  The variety and scope of the Fan Fest activities planned inside the stadium will add to this highly–charged atmosphere."

"If you are a lacrosse fan, then you really cannot miss the Big City Classic experience.  If you are new to the sport, then you could not pick a better day than April 3rd to get introduced to lacrosse."

04/04/11

MINDFIRE TO EXHIBIT AT 2011 XPLOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Press release from the issuing company

MindFireInc, the leading provider of personalized cross–media marketing solutions will be exhibiting at the 2011 Xplor International Conference, April 5–7 at Tampa Bay, Florida.

The Xplor International Conference & Vendor Forum is the perfect blend of information, knowledge and networking, integrating both the end user and vendor communities in a three day, intimate format.

At this event, Joe Manos, MindFireInc´s Executive Vice President, will present an educational session titled "Cross–Media Marketing Success in a Marketing Cluttered World" on Wednesday, April 6th at 1:00 pm EDT. During this 50 minute presentation, he will provide critical insight on the new industry trends and dynamics of cross–media marketing success.

"We are really excited about the Xplor Conference and looking forward to our participation at this year´s event," stated Joe Manos. "Based on our conversations with other industry technology leaders that have attended past Xplor events we felt that this would be a great fit for the MindFireInc Advantage Program and our industry–leading solution. This year we have experienced phenomenal customer growth and success and we feel this venue will add to the momentum that MindFireInc has created in 2011," added Joe Manos.

Attendees and members of Xplor can have a one on one meeting with the MindFireInc team to learn about the most relevant industry information, newest business development tools, and latest best practices in cross–media marketing. MindFireInc is offering a special opportunity for the companies who decide to become a licensed Solution Partner during this event.

To learn more about this special offer, and to book an online or on–site meeting, visit: http://bit.ly/xplor11

04/04/11

BKR INSTALLS NEW STITCHLINER 6000

Press release from the issuing company

KBR Graphics Canada, a major supplier of printing equipment throughout Ontario and Quebec, has installed a new Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 digital saddlestitcher at Webcom, a Toronto–based offset and digital book printer.  

The addition of the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 digital saddlestitcher is part of an overall new production program at Webcom started in September 2010 called BookFWD. The $12 million investment program began with the installation of HP Inkjet Web Press printing technology anchored by the installation of the HP T300 Inkjet Web Press, which is being used for printing text pages and coupled with the previously–installed HP Indigo 7000 for producing covers. These core presses are complemented by investments in additional technology and finishing equipment, such as the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000.  

"We purchased the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 as an extension of our digital technology investments," says Webcom president Mike Collinge. "As we upgraded into inkjet and digital equipment for a complete bindery solution, we believe the StitchLiner gives us a seamless and efficient tool to provide small short–run quantities of versioned and customized products while reducing cycle time and providing fast throughput for digital print. In addition, it allows us the ability to improve our quality control and job reporting to our customers. Finally, we were impressed with the quality of the entire Standard Horizon team including their expert training and technology."  

By investing in the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 and other key equipment, Webcom´s BookFWD program will be able to reduce the costs associated with printed books, including inventory, distribution and production, explains Collinge. "The common theme across each piece of equipment is revolutionary technology that integrates the workflow for a highly streamlined and automated process. This powerful combination is remarkable for its efficiency and its overall technological advancement of the printing industry. Savings to the environment run deep with reduced waste, VOC emissions and energy consumption for overall book production."  

Webcom´s BookFWD program is comprised of several models specifically designed to help trade, educational and reference publishers overcome their most pressing business challenges. Programs are customized for each publisher making the most of modules such as STEPfwd for shorter print runs, FASTfwd for quick turnaround and STRAIGHTfwd for simplified pricing models. Each application is integrated with a BALANCEfwd value solution that addresses workflow, longer print runs, online complements and environmental impact.  

Introduced in 2010, the Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 Digital is capable of running as a continuous–feed saddlestitching solution for the digital print market producing up to 6,000 booklets per hour in–line with continuous feed printers or near line and/or off–line. It offers in–line cover feeding and non–stop booklet production on a range of paper stocks at up to 600 feet per minute. Variable sheet–count booklets can be produced using barcode scanning and/or mark reading. The system features icon–based color touch screen control and fully automated set–up. The unit can be integrated with both the Hunkeler´s UW6 unwinder and CS6 rotary cutter along with the Horizon HSF–30 cut sheet feeder for both near–line & off–line production.  

"We are pleased to work closely with Webcom and add a key piece of equipment to its revolutionary new BookFWD program," says Karl Belafi Jr., vice president of sales and marketing at KBR Graphics. "The new Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000 is a perfect complement to the entire digital printing capabilities."  

For more than 30 years, Webcom has been a forward–thinking book printer offering innovative programs to address the challenges of high inventory and production costs, customized for publishers of books, catalogs and directories across North America. Programs are integrated through advanced workflow technology and automation of leading–edge inkjet web press, conventional offset presses and the latest bindery systems. As an award–winning leader in the area of environmental responsible production, Webcom has strict policies in place to reduce the impact of paper usage, emissions and energy consumption.  

With a tradition spanning over 34 years of dedicated sales and service support to the printing industry, KBR Graphics has evolved as a major supplier to the printing industry covering the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces. The company offers a wide spectrum of graphic arts equipment including major manufacturers such as KBA Offset Presses, MGI Digital Presses, Standard Horizon Finishing Systems, Perfecta Paper Guillotines, Baumann Paper Handling, Esko Art Work, Busch Paper Handling, Graphic Whizard and Challenge. KBR Graphics has locations in both Toronto and Montreal.

04/04/11

KBA OFFERS NEW ECO–FRIENDLY PLASTIC SUBSTRATE

Press release from the issuing company

KBA North America, a global press manufacturer based in Dallas, Texas, is pleased to promote to its customers a new environmentally–friendly plastic substrate from MicroGREEN Polymers, an innovative plastics company that develops economically and ecologically viable advanced plastics technologies to promote sustainable living. The InCycle plastic substrates were tested and run on the KBA Genius 52 UV press and displayed at a recent open house in Dallas.  

"Printers are seeking new environmentally–friendly and sustainable substrates as well as new sheets to set their customers apart in the market," says Mark Hischar, president and CEO of KBA North America. "We´re pleased to work with MicroGREEN Polymers and introduce InCycle to our customers to run on our presses."  

The new 20mil InCycle plastic sheets from MicroGREEN Polymers are available in 28 x 40, 28 x 20, and 48 x 96 –inch, and web rolls. The KBA Genius 52 UV press printed on the InCycle substrate with four–color process inks and a UV coating inline, all cured via UV at the end of press. The basic InCycle brand sheet is made with up to 50% post consumer recycled content.  

"Our end goal is to create a closed–loop substrate manufacturing system. In our process we take virgin and recycled PET plastic, extrude it, and, using our proprietary Ad–Air technology, create bubbles in it, which turns it into a very lightweight easily printed substrate with a solid, waterproof skin," says Chris Jacobs, MicroGREEN´s director of marketing and product development. "The material itself is completely recyclable. We´ve created a sustainable alternative to solid plastic and poly–coated paperboard in packaging and graphic communication applications. We believe that our product will increase your sustainability scorecard rating, insulate you from EPR legislation, save you money with logistics, protect temperature–sensitive items, and offer a bright white/reflecting surface."  

Founded in September 2002, MicroGREEN Polymers is a privately–held enterprise intended to commercialize its patented solid–state microcellular expansion technology called Ad–air, which significantly reduces the financial and ecological costs of many plastic products while maintaining key material characteristics. Ad–air technology is applicable to plastics in food and beverage packaging, general packaging, transportation, building materials, appliances and consumer electronics industries. MicroGREEN is headquartered in a 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Arlington, Washington.

04/04/11

ALMA MEDIA AQUIRES A COLORMAN AUTOPRINT

Press release from the issuing company

Alma Media´s printing and distribution company Alma Manu Oy has purchased a COLORMAN autoprint for its new newspaper printing facility in Finnish Tampere, due to be completed in 2012, from manroland AG.

The new printing press COLORMAN autoprint will simultaneously print three seven–day newspapers. It can also be used for extensive daytime production, and, thanks to its high degree of automation, for economic printing of smaller runs than today. The new press can print both broadsheet and tabloid formats.

"We selected manroland as the supplier after a thorough evaluation. Their central competitive advantages were the operational efficiency of the machine and its first–class print quality. For example, the new press will allow us to print the entire run of Aamulehti in three hours instead of the current five. The decision was also affected by our trust in manroland as a long–term, experienced partner," says Helvi Liukkaala, Managing Director, Alma Manu Oy.

Environmental factors were high on the list of selection criteria. The material and energy efficiency of the new press are clearly better than those of present equipment, which will decrease the environmental impact of the newspapers.

"The investment in the new Tampere printing facility is in line with Alma Media´s strategy and will contribute to a profitable publishing business while we at the same time keep developing our digital services. The new, efficient printing facility will also create the opportunity to collaborate with publishers outside the Alma Media Group," says Kai Telanne, President and CEO, Alma Media Corporation.

Construction work at the new facility is advancing according to schedule. The installation of the new printing press will start in the summer of 2012, and its first newspapers will be delivered to customers in early 2013.

Alma Media is a dynamic media company whose best–known products are Aamulehti, Iltalehti, Kauppalehti and Etuovi.com. Alma Media employs approximately 2,800 professionals.

04/01/11

HEIDELBERG DEBUTS NEW HAND–MOLDING PLANT

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) today celebrated the official start of series production at the new hand–molding plant at its Amstetten foundry. The new 3,000 square meter building adjoins the existing foundry. It had become necessary to enable Heidelberg to produce printing unit side panels and impression cylinders for its large–format presses with a sheet width of up to 162 cm (63.78 in) in sufficient quantities while still adhering to the same high Heidelberg quality standards. Around 20 employees will work at the new production facility, manufacturing hand–molded components with unit weights of up to eight metric tons. This project represents an investment in the order of EUR 4 million.

"Our foundry in Amstetten is one of the most cutting–edge facilities of its kind in Europe. High–end product innovations from Heidelberg have always been associated with investments in the site and this has safeguarded its competitiveness. The construction of the new hand–molding plant is a further milestone for Amstetten´s future viability," said site manager Thorsten Kirchmayer at the official opening.

The new hand–molding plant is designed so that external companies from sectors such as mechanical, automotive, and wind engineering can also benefit from the expertise Heidelberg offers in the manufacture of high–quality castings.

"As part of our strategic realignment, Heidelberg has set itself the medium–term target of generating annual sales of EUR 100 million from the new System Manufacturing section by pooling our external contract manufacturing portfolio. With its new hand–molding plant, the Amstetten foundry will play a key part in this," explained Stephan Plenz, member of the Heidelberg Management Board, who is also responsible for System Manufacturing.

Around 40 companies, primarily from growth sectors, already use Heidelberg as a technology supplier. Customers particularly appreciate its expertise in electronic drive control and the manufacture of high–precision castings.

04/01/11

CURTIS PACKAGING ADDS NEW ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Press release from the issuing company

Curtis Packaging, a leading producer of luxury packaging and a recognized industry leader in sustainability, is pleased to announce the addition of industry–veteran, Dena Goldstein to its team of account executives.

Goldstein comes to Curtis with 30 years of industry experience managing high–end accounts in the fragrance, cosmetics, and gourmet confections industries. "I have been aware of Curtis Packaging´s focus on innovative ideas and novel constructions for many years," said Goldstein. "The company´s pioneering position on sustainability and exceptional reputation for quality puts Curtis in the forefront of the industry, and I am looking forward to helping develop many new and exciting ideas."

"We are delighted to welcome Dena onboard," said Don Droppo, Jr., president and CEO of Curtis Packaging. "Her extensive knowledge of the folding–carton production process and thorough understanding of luxury product industries will be valuable assets for both current and future customers."

04/01/11

IGI CORP COMPLETES BALANCE SHEET FOR INTL GRAPHICS

Press release from the issuing company

IGI Corporation announces completion of the restructuring of the balance sheet of International Graphics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  The Company´s secured creditors are the new owners of IGI Corp., parent of RTape Corporation and CET Films Corporation, having completed a UCC Article 9 sale of the assets of International Graphics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  

Hugh Wilder, Managing Director of Churchill Financial LLC, agent for the secured creditors, commented, "The secured lenders are pleased to have acquired all of the assets of the former International Graphics, Inc.  The Company´s management team has done an outstanding job in growing both revenue and income.  Over the past eighteen months we have formed a close working relationship, and we look forward to partnering with the team as they continue to execute their growth plans".  

Bud Philbrook, President and CEO of IGI Corp., stated, "For a number of months, the leadership of International Graphics, Inc. has been working closely with its secured creditors to restructure the Company´s balance sheet.  The Company´s goals from day one have been:  

 i. to deleverage the Company´s balance sheet,
ii. to decrease the amount of cash required annually to service the Company´s debt, and
iii. to ensure a level of liquidity adequate to fund the Company´s growth plans.  

We are very pleased to announce that the Company and its secured creditors have reached agreement on a new capital structure, which fully accomplishes all three goals. Supported by the new capital structure, we look forward to a very rewarding and exciting period in the Company´s history."

04/01/11

BUBBLES & BEYOND LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT LINE

Press release from the issuing company

bubbles & beyond, a technology company focusing on customized intelligent fluids, today announced the official launch of its enpurex product line, a range of next–generation cleansing agents that mark the beginning of a new era in printing industry cleaning. The cleansers are water–based, non–flammable, free from aggressive chemicals, biodegradable, and also superior to existing products in terms of efficacy. enpurex products are based on bubbles & beyond´s novel, proprietary intelligent fluids approach and offer significant process cost savings, excellent compatibility of materials, optimum efficacy and operating safety.

The enpurex product portfolio currently covers three different cleansers – ONLINE, 95 PLUS, and PRO.

ONLINE is designed for the cleaning of printing rolls, in particular anilox rolls during production, and removes UV–curing, solvent– and water–based printing inks as well as ink glazing.

95 PLUS is a manual cleanser to remove dispersion– and water–based printing ink as well as print lacquer from printing rolls.

The most powerful enpurex cleanser PRO, is a manual cleanser for removing persistent and older staining. Due to incorporated „micro erasers", it removes all kinds of printing inks, including 2k lacquer and UV curing ink and also gets rid of calcium glazing.

The enpurex product line is completed by the surfiMAX cleaning sponges: surfiMAX cleaning sponge C a pop–up sponge which is especially absorbent and resistant to solvents, surfiMAX M, micropore cleaning sponges, which can be divided into two sub–types: M–ON, which is designed to evenly spread enpurex products and to enhance their intrusion into tiny cracks and craters of the surface material, and M–OFF which removes deeply rooted dirt gently and effectively as well as the round cleaning sponge R, which is designed to remove ink residues online in combination with the print roll cleaner ONLINE.

enpurex products are designed to remove all sorts of inks and lacquers used in the printing industry by a unique and fast easy–wipe effect. Thereby, down–time is reduced significantly and printing rolls can be used more versatile across different colors, reducing the need to stockpile print rolls.

"During the beta phase of testing our enpurex products, our collaborating printing plants have already achieved significant process cost savings," said Christian Roemlein, Managing Director of bubbles & beyond. "We have demonstrated that our enpurex cleansers can remove residues far more efficient and faster than conventional cleansers – without the safety concerns attributed to conventional cleansers and cleaning procedures."

04/01/11

XEROX DEBUTS NEW PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE

Press release from the issuing company

"Just help make my work day run smoothly." That´s what Xerox Corporation often hears from clients who are trying to balance the frenetic pace of business today with the need to get basic work done. Simplifying the workplace so customers can allocate more time and resources to their core business is fundamental to the innovation incubating today in Xerox´s labs – and is the purpose of prototype customer care software revealed by the company this week. The software uses Web–based 3D virtual reality imaging to give Xerox customers instant access to live support for their printer or multifunction device.

Xerox scientists say the prototype pinpoints ways to ease customer frustration, shorten customer care calls and free up workers to focus on their real business. To help develop the prototype, ethnography researchers at Xerox´s Research Centre Europe studied the way customers responded to printer issues and examined the calls coming in to service centers.

"Our hands–on research provided an in–depth understanding of the subtle nuances that keep a workplace humming and the ‘pain points´ that create unnecessary frustration," said Sophie Vandebroek, Xerox´s chief technology officer and president, Xerox Innovation Group. "The knowledge led us to a novel approach that promises to help office workers minimize interruptions in their workday allowing our customers to focus on what matters most: getting their real work done."

By pressing the ´Help´ button on the screen of a networked multifunction system, customers can initiate a call to the support desk. As the agent accepts the incoming call, the system uploads a 3D model of the printer while gathering and displaying data on the status of the machine. The system simultaneously uploads the same 3D model on the screen at the customer site so the customer can view the image while talking to the help desk agent – leading to a real–time multimedia conversation.

Xerox is at the forefront of developing embedded and remote diagnostic services and offers several solutions including PhaserSMART®, a customer self help diagnostic tool, and Command Center, a tool that feeds information directly from the Xerox iGen4® and the Xerox Nuvera® digital printing systems to customer service technicians for faster support. This new virtual help desk prototype builds on the successful interactive capability launched with the Xerox WorkCentre 7500 series called Xerox Online Support Assistant, which provides instant access to online support.

The virtual help desk is a research project in support of Xerox´s continued commitment to develop and incorporate the latest customer care technology in its printers.

03/31/11

OCE AND ALPHACORR TO PROVIDE NEW PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

Press release from the issuing company

Oce, a Canon Group Company and an international leader in digital document management and delivery, today announced it has chosen Austin, TX–based AlphaCorr LLC to provide its Macintosh and Windows compatible CAD–based Rules packaging and display design software as part of the overall Oce Solutions for Packaging.

To date the Oce Solutions for Packaging has consisted of the Oce Arizona Series UV flatbed printers, the Oce ProCut digital cutting system, and ONYX ProductionHouse RIP and Oce ProCut Prepress software.

The Oce Solutions for Packaging enables packaging companies to quickly produce high quality prototypes and custom/short–run packaging on paperboard and corrugate by printing directly to rigid substrates, then cutting and creasing – all in a completely digital workflow. Until recently, there was no component for the creation of the structural design of the packaging. The addition of the AlphaCorr Rules software now enables designers a means to efficiently create structural designs – either from scratch or using the provided template library to quickly modify standard designs for new packaging. From concept through production, Rules software is the fastest and most straightforward way to draw, modify and detail accurate packaging and display designs on both Macs and Windows platforms.

Under the arrangement, Oce and AlphaCorr will recommend each other's solutions in a lead–sharing arrangement, and work together to demonstrate the combined solutions. To provide the greatest value to its customers, AlphaCorr will continue to directly sell and support Rules software. Likewise, Oce will continue to sell and support the Oce components of the overall solution.

Using Ashlar–Vellum Graphite as the CAD engine, the AlphaCorr technical team, lead by Michael Collins, the original mind behind Ashlar Score!, has developed a complete set of commands and enhancements specifically for the packaging and display design market. Added to this is a fully parametric box library developed by the team to provide the most robust yet easy–to–use software available for this industry.

Randy Paar, Oce North America Product Marketing Manager states, "Increasingly, the packaging industry is looking to digital workflows to complement existing capabilities plus provide new opportunities in custom and short–run packaging. The benefits to the brand owners can be substantial due to the quick turnaround of new designs and the ability to test market more cost effectively. This can ultimately drive more business back to the packaging producer."

03/31/11

RIT TO HOLD WORKSHOP SERIES

Press release from the issuing company

Experienced faculty from RIT´s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences and acclaimed photographers in their particular fields will teach a series of workshops this summer covering a variety of topics from large format nature photography to video editing to forensic photography to color managed workflow for digital print. The workshops, held primarily on the RIT campus, will run two or three days. Photographers of all experience levels and ages can register. To learn more, go to http://photoworkshops.cias.rit.edu.

"Following a long hiatus, the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences is excited to once again offer these summer workshops," says Michael Peres, associate chair of RIT´s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences. "These workshops will allow photographers who want to develop their creativity and photographic talents the opportunity to work alongside other practitioners and have hands–on access to state–of–the–art equipment in RIT facilities."

The following is a schedule of the workshops offered:

– May 13: Nature Photography

– May 23: Retouch, Restore, Composite—Crafting a Signature Style

– June 6: An Alternative Image: Pinhole Photography Analog and Digital Printing

– June 13: Color Managed Workflow for Digital Print

– June 23: Perfect Portfolio Workshop

– July 7: Extension of Vision: Using Photoshop and Multiple Images

– July 11: Landscape Photography; Forensic Photography

– July 18: Introduction to Photojournalism for High School Students

– July 25: Self–Publishing Photography Books using POD Services; Digital Photomicrography

– Aug. 1: Large Format Landscape Photography

– Aug. 4: Historical Photographic Processes

– Aug. 10: The Evolving Digital Photographic Workflow

– Aug. 15: Image Making for Visual Artists

– Aug. 22: Video Storytelling

After attending a workshop, RIT will give participants a certificate of completion. Team registration discounts are also available. For those traveling from outside the area, the website provides information about hotel and travel accommodations and various tourist destinations in the Rochester area. To learn more, go to http://photoworkshops.cias.rit.edu.

03/31/11

USPS INTRODUCES NEW PRODUCT SAMPLE MAILING SERVICE

Press release from the issuing company

Sending product samples in the mail is a proven way to engage consumers, test new products and generate sales. Now, with the introduction of an innovative co–op service from the U.S. Postal Service, thousands of households across the nation will soon receive packages brimming with food and personal care sample items sure to delight consumers while delivering results for participating marketers.

Sample Showcase is a breakthrough marketing service which brings together the power of direct mail and the promotional effectiveness of product sampling to generate sales for consumer product manufacturers. For this week´s full–scale launch, more than 250,000 targeted consumers at households in the Austin, TX, Chicago, IL, Denver, CO areas and opt–in consumers across the nation will receive Sample Showcase packages.

"Sample Showcase is a highly effective way to deliver product samples directly to consumers, and it arrives at the household in an attractive package," said Paul Vogel, president and chief marketing/sales officer. "By harnessing the unique ability of the mail to access the household in a highly targeted manner, product marketers now have an engaging, measurable and cost–effective way to break through the clutter, build a customer base and increase sales."

Market testing conducted in May 2010 received positive responses from participating consumers, with 95 percent of recipients saying they were very excited to receive Sample Showcase in their mail. Respondents overwhelmingly enjoyed the contents, with 98 percent saying the mix of products appealed to them, and 97 percent said the products were relevant to them. A significant number of survey participants also responded that after trying the product sample they had purchased the item.

Sample Showcase is assembled and distributed by StartSampling, a leading sampling sales and distribution firm, under contract with the Postal Service. The Postal Service is moving forward with additional initiatives for product sampling that leverage its strengths in the marketplace.

Business customers interested in including product samples in future shipments of Sample Showcase can inquire by sending an email message to: samples@usps.com. Additional details about Sample Showcase can be found online at usps.com/directmail/givesamples.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

03/31/11

CESTRIAN AQUIRES 2ND :M–PRESS TIGER

Press release from the issuing company

Agfa announced that Cestrian Imaging, one of UK's leading digital print suppliers has purchased its second :M–Press Tiger. This comes right after a recent quality upgrade of the first system at Cestrian to full greyscale printing and a high demand from customers to deliver ´digital´ screen print and offset quality.

"Our positive experience with the first installation of :M–Press Tiger has fuelled the digital revolution already started at Cestrian Imaging, and has significantly impacted upon the market for traditional screen print and litho applications," said Phill Reynolds, Joint Managing Director at Cestrian. "Our customers don't just ask for print any longer, they now request the :M–Press print when they seek our advice in creating their successful visual marketing campaigns."

Cestrian installed the first :M–Press Tiger in December 2009. The demand for Tiger prints has increased significantly since the system was upgraded to the latest level of technology using full greyscale in every print mode.

"We know Cestrian staff visited many exhibitions and benchmarked leading industry suppliers before they reached their decision," said Bill Kippax of Thieme KPX who represents Agfa Graphics for :M–Press in the UK. "They knew what :M–Press can handle and what it is capable of. It is a true digital alternative for traditional screen printing and litho printing. It is fast and versatile, and delivers high quality prints at an exceptionally low cost per print. Agfa have demonstrated with the introduction of the greyscale printing mode that the modular design allows a continuous programme of improvement that future–proofs the capital investment".

Developed jointly with Thieme, Agfa's :M–Press Tiger combines the printing expertise of both companies: screen printing and media handling from Thieme, and digital inkjet printing from Agfa. The :M–Press Tiger can print up to 700 square metres per hour including loading and unloading, with no make ready, films or screens. It can handle substrates up to 10 mm thick, and features a colour gamut better than ISOcoated V2, the offset gamut. It is now also enabled with variable data printing.

03/31/11

MANROLAN TO SHOWCASE AT PRINT CHINA 2011

Press release from the issuing company

PRINT CHINA 2011 will run from 9 till 13 April in Guangdong and there manroland is to showcase value adding solutions in technology and service, and also exhibit the very popular ROLAND 700 HiPrint. The manroland stand has an area of more than 1,100 square meters and is centrally located in Hall 3.

"Wisdom, Forward Looking, Success": Under this motto manroland Greater China will present at Print China value adding technology that helps customers to grow their business and strengthen their long–term competitiveness. Against this background and in line with the demands of the marketplace, manroland is to focus on Value Added Printing (VAP) at the Print China trade show.

In the VAP Tunnel, manroland experts will explain customized practical solutions for publications, commercial, and packaging printing. Furthermore, manroland will show what Value Added Printing looks like with live demonstrations on a six–color ROLAND 700 HiPrint with an inline coating module and the ROLAND InlineInspector sheet inspection system. This 3B format press is very popular in China, as are the manroland large–format presses, and so a ROLAND 900, XXL printing unit will also be on display at the show. On the manroland stand, the printservices product range covering process analysis, training, maintenance, as well as spare and wear parts supply will be fully explained, and likewise the printcom portfolio of process–compliant system components.

manroland is an extremely strong brand name in China in webfed printing as well. The UNISET, in particular, is very much in demand, with a maximum speed of 80,000 copies per hour and as heatset–coldset combinations. Quality is also a very important factor here, as demonstrated by the recent sale of a ROTOMAN to premium magazine printer Toppan.

Oce and manroland AG will extend their global strategic alliance for the graphic arts industry into China. The companies will supply solutions that cover all of the manufacturing steps within the graphic arts industry by combining print data management and digital and offset printing as well as post processing.

03/30/11

INTERNATIONAL PAPER TO CONSOLIDATE BRANDS UNDER XPEDX

Press release from the issuing company

International Paper will consolidate its xpedx, Western Paper Company and Zellerbach operations in Salt Lake City, Utah, under the xpedx brand effective April 4, 2011.

Western Paper provides paper, graphic supplies, equipment and services to printers in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada and Wyoming. It has operated in Salt Lake City for more than 100 years, the last 26 years from its facility at 2700 South 600 West.

xpedx acquired Western Paper Company in 1992, and in 1998, acquired Zellerbach, which also distributes paper, as well as packaging and facility supplies and equipment. Zellerbach began operating in Salt Lake City in 1916 and is currently located at 2255 South 300 East.

In 1911, Dixon Paper Company began operations in Salt Lake City. It was acquired by xpedx in 1990 and today, xpedx is one of the largest business–to–business distributors in North America. Customers include printers, manufacturers, retailers and other commercial facilities.

International Paper made the decision to consolidate the locations after a thorough analysis of the commercial printing, packaging, and janitorial industries in these service areas. According to Paul Dickamore, general manager, xpedx Salt Lake City, the company determined that its best strategy for business success is to take full advantage of xpedx´s consistent national brand to increase awareness of all products and services while making them available to all customers.

"Each of these brands has performed well and we respect the history, brand strength, and customer relationships that Western and Zellerbach have built in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada and Wyoming," Dickamore said. "This is a strategic decision that will provide many benefits to our customers, our suppliers, and our enterprise."

According to Dickamore, those include a single point of contact for sales and customer service, an enhanced product portfolio and overall, a streamlined supply chain.

Customers will now have access to broader, deeper inventories of paper, graphics, packaging and facility supplies; increased equipment options and technical support; leveraged buying power and enhanced ability to meet truck minimums; and the collected expertise from three respected brands under the same roof.

Sales and customer service employees from Western Paper Company and Zellerbach will move to the current xpedx facility at 3700 West 1987 South on April 4. Warehouse and delivery personnel will remain in all three locations until August when construction finishes on a 277,000–square–foot xpedx distribution facility that will provide logistic efficiencies and improved service to customers. The new facility will be equipped with RedPrairie, an RF–enabled warehouse management system, and other state–of–the–art data and communications capabilities. All employees will move to the new location upon its completion.

03/30/11

HEIDELBERG ADDS SAPHIRA ECO LINE

Press release from the issuing company

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is adding the Saphira Eco line to its portfolio of high–quality consumables. These new products have been tested extensively to ensure their environmental compatibility. The range, which Heidelberg will continue to expand, covers the entire value added chain from prepress and press to postpress. It also meets the strictest industry standards and statutory requirements, even surpassing them in some cases. The first Saphira Eco products will include CtP plates, inks, coatings, adhesives, and washup and dampening solutions.

Saphira Eco consumables enable print shops to meet the requirements of international and regional environmental certification programs such as Nordic Swan, the European EcoLabel, and the Austrian environmental label.

Saphira Eco products conserve resources, enable stable production, and ensure fewer emissions such as volatile organic compounds and ammonia.

Strictest criteria for verifying the environmental compatibility of consumables in the print media industry

To ensure transparent and fact–based labeling of particularly eco–friendly consumables, Heidelberg has committed itself to meeting a catalog of criteria geared toward the principles of "substitution", "reduction", and "offsetting". The criteria, which are being continuously monitored and developed, can be accessed online at www.heidelberg.com/saphira–eco. Although various environmental labels already exist in the print media industry, none of these take into account all the environmental criteria relevant for consumables. From these labels, Heidelberg has adopted the criteria that are key for consumables and used the strictest standards to do so. The result is the Saphira Eco product line, which is based on the most comprehensive and toughest criteria for consumables in the print media industry.

Systematic environmental protection – substitution, reduction, and offsetting The extensive product line of Saphira Eco consumables is based on three key principles:

– Substitution: Wherever possible, mineral and synthetic components are replaced with renewable resources in Saphira Eco consumables.

– Reduction: The possible environmental impact of components in consumables that cannot yet be replaced is dramatically reduced thanks to the introduction of strict limits.

– Offsetting: Users of consumables can offset their CO2 footprint by purchasing emissions certificates.

"Using consumables has a not insignificant impact on a print shop´s environmental performance over a press´s entire lifespan. With the Saphira Eco line, Heidelberg is therefore addressing customers who place great importance on their company´s environmental performance and don´t wish to make any compromises on quality when using eco–friendly consumables. Heidelberg is thus once again underlining the fact that harmonizing economy and ecology is not a contradiction in terms," says Marcel Kiessling, Member of the Management Board at Heidelberg responsible for Heidelberg Services.

The products will be available worldwide from the middle of 2011. Users can purchase these directly from Heidelberg agencies / the Online Shop of the respective national organizations.

03/30/11

KBA IMPROVES PRINTING SPEED

Press release from the issuing company

In today´s print production, even more emphasis is being placed on setup times and productivity than in the past. Especially with smaller job sizes, every job change means lost time – and it does not matter whether only the printing plates are replaced or else a complete ink change is made.

The Genius 52UV, which permits a complete plate change in just five minutes, was very much in the top class to begin with, and it can now improve on this position thanks to a further innovative development.

True to the tried and tested motto that "time is money", the emphasis is placed on saving time when new upgrade kits are being developed.

The new, faster changeable blade system from KBA–MetroPrint is revolutionary and its benefits are obvious, states Rainer Endres, KBA–MetroPrint´s development manager: "First of all, overall productivity is significantly increased, as ink no longer has to be removed from the blade chamber with a spatula. In future, the machine´s setup times can be reduced significantly through the use of multiple blade chamber systems, as time–intensive cleaning is no longer needed. In addition, the new blade chamber system in its closed state has a much larger ink collection volume. The all round time savings per ink change alone are thus around 30% to 40%. Furthermore, less cleaning also means a reduced use of detergents, and that has a positive environmental effect, of course".

There has even been an improvement in the way the new blade chamber is filled. Thanks to the new method of removal, contamination of the machine is reduced to a minimum while user–friendliness is increased. If necessary, the ink can be refilled quickly and easily through an enlarged aperture, allowing production to continue.

Economical use of materials was also an important factor in the development work. The service life of the screen rollers is significantly increased, since the sealing blade is not directly placed on the screen roller during running production, and it protects the material by lifting easily.

The functions of the standard blade chamber and the new changeable blade chamber share an identical basic principle. The only difference between the chambers is that the changeable version can be removed from the printing units regardless of the filling level – and that without removing the ink from the chamber. Through the use of UV–hardening inks, the blade chambers can remain in the ink chamber and can later be inserted in the printing unit, ready for use.

This combination of a rapid blade chamber system and an equally fast plate change not only allows the Genius 52UV to impress as a world–beater in terms of setup times, it also clearly underlines the importance of dealing with people, nature, and materials in a responsible way.

03/30/11

PAPIERFABRIK SCHUEFELEN LAUNCHES NEW PROMOTION FOR HEAVEN 42

Press release from the issuing company

Papierfabrik Scheufelen, Lenningen is currently starting a cross–media promotion on the subject of "White in a new Dimension". Expressive ideas and valuable tips about the brand heaven 42 are summarised in the new Guidebook. heaven 42 is the only absolutely white coated pa–per worldwide. Creative professionals and advertisers in agencies, printing companies, publishers and businesses will not just receive in–spiring suggestions using already implemented applications and pro–jects in the mailing pack. They will also get practically oriented recom–mendations for processing and specific working steps for pre–press and printing.

The mailing box will arouse your curiosity. There is a folding mirror in–side with a smiling mouth printed on it. The punched mouth opening offers space for the small paper fan also supplied with different finishes from heaven 42 and other comparable papers. Anyone interested can look in the mirror and in doing so will largely cover their own mouth with the one printed on the mirror picture. When looking for the right paper quality they can put samples from the paper fan behind the mouth opening. In this way the mailing recipient can convince themselves of the high whiteness of the heaven 42 brand in a playful manner and in comparison with other papers.

heaven 42 is absolutely white and is offered in grammage of 115 g/m2 to 400 g/m2; for roll offset up to 170 g/m2. And this in two surfaces – soft matt and soft gloss – with FSC certification the paper supplied meets the highest environmental standards as a matter of course. Further de–tails about this premium paper can be called up direct on http://www.heaven42.com.

Creative professionals have the possibility of ordering a free–of–charge paper fan and a sample folder of the high quality premium paper. Eve–ryone who answers the questions specifically about heaven 42 using the prepared fax answer sheet or in the internet by 1 June 2011 will also have great chances of winning one of many valuable prizes. A Loewe TV, four Vitra Panton chairs, five WMF coffee machines (pads) – and of course all prizes will be completely white. For legal reasons participants from Italy and France cannot be considered for the compe–tition. All other qualifying participants will take part in the draw. The winners will be notified by email. Any recourse to law is excluded. Details about participation and the competition can also be found on http://www.heaven42.com.

03/30/11

HARTE–HANKS INSTALLS HP INDIGO 7500

Press release from the issuing company

Harte–Hanks, Inc., a leading provider of insight–driven multichannel direct and digital marketing services, recently installed an HP Indigo 7500 Digital Press to expand its print on demand service offering.

The new digital press provides high–end, offset–quality printing in an East Bridgewater, Mass., Harte–Hanks plant that produces marketing collateral for clients in the financial, retail, automotive, technology, pharmaceutical and other industries. The facility has had digital printing operations for more than 11 years, helping Harte–Hanks customers reduce waste and printing costs by replacing "pick–and–pack" warehousing with print–on–demand (POD) personalized and static collateral fulfillment.

Offset–quality printing brings more customers to POD

"Print–on–demand creates savings for our clients, and, as a result, that segment of our business is expanding, with color POD growing much faster than other offerings," said Phil Delaney, director, Print Services, at Harte–Hanks East Bridgewater. "We are finding that customers are interested in moving even more work from analog to digital printing because of the HP Indigo 7500´s print quality."

Harte–Hanks is expanding the scope of what it offers in its POD operations, using the new press for some of its most challenging work, including jobs requiring heavy ink coverage, heavy solid colors, corporate spot colors and unique substrates.

High quality, and high value, with HP Indigo digital printing

The HP Indigo 7500 is HP´s flagship sheet–fed press, offering true offset– and photo–quality imaging at speeds up to 120 four–color, letter–size pages per minute. Using HP´s unique, PANTONE–licensed spot–color ink capabilities, Harte–Hanks´ customers can obtain additional cost savings on two– and three–color jobs because the press prints those jobs at faster speeds, driving down the actual cost per print.

Harte–Hanks is taking advantage of the HP Indigo 7500´s optional upgrade for printing thick substrates up to 400 gsm/460 microns, as well as its white ink option, which allows the company do full–color printing on clear, colored or metallized substrates.

"White ink is kind of a revolution for us because it is something most other digital devices cannot do today," said Delaney.

A 64–bit HP SmartStream Production Pro Print Server installed with the press integrates with Harte–Hanks´ existing digital print workflows. The server also offers the processing horsepower needed to handle a growing volume of variable–data jobs originating from the company´s proprietary, client–facing online order entry system.

Upgrading digital print to a high quality, high productivity standard

"The HP Indigo 7500 and HP SmartStream Production Pro represent the next progression forward as digital color printing matures into a high–productivity, high–revenue business at Harte–Hanks," said Jan Riecher, vice president and general manager, Graphics Solutions Business – Americas, HP.

The HP Indigo 7500 Digital Press is ideally suited to handle short– to medium–run length jobs as well as high–value applications, such as variable–data–driven marketing collateral, photo books and personalized direct mail.

The 7500 model offers Intelligent Automation features for high productivity through automated calibration and troubleshooting. A new Vision System solution on the press provides improved color quality and consistency. The press also uses less imaging oil and consumes up to 10 percent less energy per printed page.

More information about HP Indigo digital presses is available at www.hp.com/go/gsb or through the HP Graphic Arts Twitter feed.

03/29/11

CONVERD LLC PARTNERS WITH FINCH PAPER LLC

Press release from the issuing company

conVerd LLC and Finch Paper LLC today announce that the two companies are partnering to produce substrates for digital wide–format, screen, and commercial applications that require full–color quality with an environmental platform. The foundation of the relationship is the companies´ mutual interest in creating recyclable, renewable products. The announcement was made at GlobalShop, where conVerd is exhibiting in booth #827 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, today through March 30, 2011.

Previous joint developments include conVerd Enviroboard, an environmentally responsible substrate for the wide–format signage market, which is otherwise dominated by fossil–fuel based products. Enviroboard garnered significant interest since its debut and is quickly becoming the number one source of sustainable rigid media. The product was also granted the Green Product of 2010, by the International Sign Association (ISA).

Enviroboard is made with FSC–certified fiber and includes 10% post–consumer waste fiber. Unlike most substrates used for signage, Enviroboard is made from renewable resources and is 100% recyclable.

This closer relationship supports conVerd´s environmental position and affords the company access to Finch´s expertise in paper manufacturing and forest stewardship; as well as providing it with the supply chain management necessary to meet growing demand among large distributors, retailers and printers.

Surf–themed GlobalShop booth #827 constructed of new 6mm Enviroboard

The newest joint development from conVerd and Finch is 6mm Enviroboard. conVerd Marketing Manager Milene Ribas says that the most appealing feature of the 6mm board is its rigidity, allowing use in heavier signage applications. Ribas says that conVerd expects that 6mm Enviroboard will replace much more expensive and unsustainable offerings, providing the market with an opportunity to maintain printing quality and media performance, in a more eco—friendly alternative.

03/29/11

ICS RELEASES NEW REMOTE DIRECTOR 4.0

Press release from the issuing company

Integrated Color Solutions (ICS), the leader in monitor proofing solutions, announces the release of Remote Director 4.0. This new version introduces a completely redesigned, intuitive Web browser interface.

Remote Director 4.0 was designed based on feedback received from current ICS customers and product steering committees, who felt that an easy–to–use, zero–install solution both internally and at remote client locations would be most effective for enabling soft proofing for everyone involved in the creative process.

One of the key benefits of the new browser interface is that Remote Director proofs can now be shared immediately with anyone with an email address and an Internet connection. There is no client application to install, just a simple browser plug–in for viewing and calibrating that is automatically downloaded and installed on first use. This makes Remote Director proofing available to corporate users and others in more controlled IT environments.

"We´re very excited to showcase the extensive work we´ve done with this new technology," says Dan Caldwell, president of ICS. "The 4.0 user interface combines our new workflow technologies with our existing patented cross platform color capabilities in a zero–install, sexy interface that can be accessed from any browser."

Collaboration and color accuracy inside your web browser

Remote Director 4.0 is fully compatible with all common browsers on both Mac and Windows platforms, and makes it possible to obtain color accuracy without ever leaving the browser. Improved annotation and markup tools have a chat feature and all proofs can be shared with anyone, anywhere using just their email address. Email notifications are now also automated for specific project events.

The proof–viewing window places all tools at your fingertips

Remote Director 4.0 has a clean image–viewing window with easy access to all proofing tools, including thumbnail proof navigation, zoom, calibration, measurements, gamut and total ink coverage warnings, annotations, markups and the ability to approve or reject.

Complex workflows supported with full set of project, proof management tools To simplify project management, Remote Director includes sortable project lists and filters that make comprehensive status reporting possible. User roles fully control who has sign–off authority to approve or reject proofs, and what tools and other options are available for individual users.

Comparing versions of a proof becomes simple with the tools labeled ŒShow Similarities, ŒShow Differences and ŒFlash Differences that are fully integrated into the proof–viewing window.

Your choice of content or color proofing

New in Remote Director 4.0 is the choice between a content proofing server (with Remote Director Enterprise – Content) or a fully color accurate proofing server (with Remote Director Enterprise – Color).

The content proofing server offers customers a lower–priced entry point where they can start with collaboration around content proofing. Color accuracy for specific users or all users can easily be added later.

Installation and integration

Thanks to the simple browser plug–in for viewing and calibrating, Remote Director 4.0 is painless to use in large corporate networks. The onsite local server enables fast project uploads and proof viewing.

Remote Director 4.0 can also be easily integrated into a larger proofing or production workflow systems using its SDK to add comprehensive, color–accurate monitor proofing capabilities at the click of a button from the workflow tools already in use by the proof provider.

Availability

ICS Remote Director is available beginning March 28, 2011 and comes in two versions:
– Remote Director Enterprise Color
– Remote Director Enterprise Content

03/29/11

W+D AND K+B REACH DISTRIBUTION DEAL

Press release from the issuing company

W+D North America (W+D) and Kocher+Beck USA (K+B) today announced they have reached a long–term distribution, manufacturing and technology agreement.

Under the terms of the agreement, which is expected to be fully implemented by May 01, 2011, W+D will become the exclusive distributor of K+B flexible dies and magnetic cylinders for the U.S.A. and Canada, assuming all sales and technical support responsibility for existing K+B and W+D customers and K+B will manufacture flexible dies exclusively for W+D in the North American envelope segment.

"W+D and K+B share the commitment to the highest quality and performance of our products, and we are very impressed with the flex die manufacturing footprint and capability K+B has in North America," notes W+D North America vice president, customer operations Randall Gossage. "In partnering with K+B, they bring tremendous technology and flex die manufacturing horse power, which will now enable W+D to accelerate plans to expand our hard tooling and gummer manufacturing platforms and to offer envelope manufacturers one–stop shopping with unmatched value."

K+B executive vice president Frank Hasselberg added, "Both W+D and K+B have great respect for each other. We were looking for a partner that would help us to add value to our existing customers and continue to grow our flex die business in the envelope segment. The strength of the W+D brand, their technology, and know–how, as well as their focused commitment to envelope manufacturers will make them an excellent distribution and technology partner, and we are confident our combined customers will be even better served."

03/29/11

MINDFIRE SIGNS WITH PRIORITY SMART SOLUTIONS

Press release from the issuing company

MindFireInc, the leader in personalized cross–media marketing solutions, announced today that it has signed a Master Reseller Agreement with Priority Smart Solutions of Malaysia to represent MindFireInc throughout the Pacific Rim.

"MindFireInc has earned a worldwide reputation for providing industry–leading multi–channel, cross–media marketing solutions backed by our world–class customer support," stated Joe Manos, Executive Vice President of MindFireInc. "Now with the addition of Priority Smart Solutions, we have a partner with the same focus, capabilities, and expertise in a critical growth region for our company," Manos added. "We couldn´t be more excited or honored to have them on our team as a major player in the MindFireInc world."

According to Pira International Ltd., in terms of the real value of print revenue, the region is growing at a rate far in excess of any other worldwide region. The combined growth of the region (rest of Asia Pacific) and China represent 20% through 2014, and multi–channel, cross– media marketing solutions are an extension of these growth areas.

"The MindFireInc team provides not only a very robust solution, but also support and real world execution knowledge that we find critical for our success as a solution provider to the region," stated Sunny Phang Chet Ping, Managing Director of Priority Smart Solutions. Phang went on to say, "With our geographical footprint of sales and support throughout the region, we can combine multi–channel web, mobile, social and print communication solutions to help service providers achieve new revenue growth in the fastest growing segment of our industry."

According to Forrester Research and other leading research firms, social media and mobile marketing are targeted as the fastest marketing growth areas in the coming four years. In addition to those growth areas, new study data reports that in the last six months of 2010, QR Code utilization increased by 1200% and digital coupons grew by 60%.

"With the rapid growth of mobile and social media marketing, as well as personalized digital solutions, the timing of this agreement will allow the strength of our combined company capabilities to extend across the region meeting the emerging needs of all customers," stated Manos.

"Finally, marketers will have the right tool to achieve the desired campaign results with higher response rates and improved ROI in the Pac Rim," stated Gabriel Dukes, Marketing Director of Priority Smart Solutions. "It is without a doubt that the MindFireInc solutions will be the only avenue that will change the way marketers will execute their thin and declining marketing budget to achieve the targeted results provided by their companies," added Dukes.

03/29/11

VTT TECH PUBLISHES CARBON FOOTPRINT STUDY

Press release from the issuing company

The greenhouse gas emissions produced by a single newspaper during its entire life cycle correspond to a car journey of approximately one kilometre. The carbon footprint of a book bought from a store is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of a car journey of approximately 7 kilometres. The research gives information about the environmental impacts´ magnitude related to products of the print products´ group.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland recently published a study on the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of newspapers, magazines, photo books, books, and advertising leaflets. The case studies were based on a life cycle assessment that followed print products from cradle to grave: fibre supply, paper production, printing, transport, use, and recycling and waste management.

The carbon footprint is a useful indicator of climate impacts. It measures the greenhouse gases produced during the life cycle of print products. International ISO standards for carbon footprints of products and organisations are under development.

The outcome of research is extensive knowledge about environmental impacts of print products. Among all the evaluated environmental impacts associated with the life cycle of newspapers the most significant are climate change, acidification, the depletion of fossil and mineral resources, and the formation of particulate matter. These impacts are mainly attributable to energy production and consumption (electricity, heating, and fuels) during the production process.

The carbon footprint of newspapers mostly comprises emissions caused by the electricity and heat production required for making the product as well as greenhouse gas emissions resulting from transport. In addition, methane is produced as a result of the decomposition of newspapers deposited in landfill sites.

Emissions resulting from the use of purchased electricity in paper production and printing are responsible for approximately 50% of the carbon footprint of a typical Finnish newspaper. If all of the purchased electricity required for the production of newspapers constituted what is known as ‘green electricity´, such as wind power or hydropower, the carbon footprint of a typical Finnish newspaper would drop by approximately 40%.

The carbon footprint of an annual volume of daily newspapers amounts to approximately 75 kg of carbon dioxide equivalents and that of a single newspaper to approximately 210 g. The carbon footprint of an annual volume of daily newspapers is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of a car journey of 456 kilometres.

The carbon footprint of an annual volume of weekly magazines is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of a journey of 45 kilometres by a car. Based on the assumptions made in the study, the greenhouse gas emissions produced over the entire life cycle of a single magazine are therefore equivalent to a car journey of approximately one kilometre.The carbon footprint of a book is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of a journey about 7 kilometres by a car. According to calculations, the carbon that remains bound to a printed paper product such as a book reduces after five years the carbon footprint caused by the production stage by approximately 5%. After 100 years, the drop is approximately 75%. In the study, the life cycle of books was followed from the sourcing of raw materials to the retailer´s warehouse. The last stage of the life cycle (recycling and waste management) was excluded from the examination.

The contribution of newspapers, books, and other paper products to the climate impacts of consumption by Finnish households in 2005 was small (approximately 1%). The biggest climate impacts of consumption by Finnish households were attributable to housing (28%), food products (16%), and transport (13%).

A life cycle assessment is a useful way for evaluating the potential environmental impacts of products comprehensively. The most efficient way to reduce environmental impacts is to lower the consumption of energy and fuels at different stages of the life cycle. Other important ways to reduce environmental impacts include reducing the amount of raw materials and using materials more efficiently. Readers can reduce climatic effects by sorting their waste more thoroughly, thereby reducing the number of print products that are taken to landfills with household waste. No previous generic life cycle assessments related to print products have been carried out in Finland.

The three–year project was commissioned by the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation and coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The project was carried out in collaboration with the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), the Federation of Finnish Media Industry, and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, as well as several printing houses and organisations involved in the print media value chain. Apart from the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation, the project was sponsored by the Graphic Industry Research Foundation of Finland (GTTS), Metsäliitto Group, Myllykoski Corporation, Stora Enso Group, and UPM–Kymmene Corporation.

03/28/11

STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT DEBUTS NEW eWORKSHOP

Press release from the issuing company

Strategy Development, a leading management consulting and advanced sales training firm, has unveiled the industry´s first comprehensive, interactive eWorkshop series designed to help dealers launch a profitable MPS program, re–energize their sales team, and increase service revenues. All employees of a dealership can participate and no travel is required. This new series consists of three interactive web–based programs with the first sessions starting in April.

"We are excited to be able to offer dealers an economical, live and interactive educational experience that does not require time out of the field," stated Tom Callinan, Managing Principal of Strategy Development. "For dealers just starting an MPS program, or those who are looking to fine–tune their service or sales operations, our programs will deliver results."

All of the eWorkshops were developed and will be taught by Strategy Development consultants who have extensive field time helping dealers expand their businesses and improve operating margins. The information is relevant, and upon completion of the webinars participants will walk away with the steps they need to successfully implement new programs and processes. The series was designed to complement the award–winning classes Strategy Development facilitates with BTA.

The series includes the following eWorkshops:

Sales.Operations.Service (SOS): This is a comprehensive web–based MPS educational experience that will teach dealers a step–by–step process of how to launch and administer a profitable MPS program. Not only will participants learn all aspects of selling and implementing an MPS program, but they will also learn about the service and operational issues surrounding MPS contracts. Some of the topics covered include consultative selling, first appointment objectives, conducting the assessment, pricing the opportunity, designing a winning proposal, new fleet assimilation, and service delivery methods. At the completion of the ten week program, dealerships will be able to successfully implement any MPS program.

SOS is a ten–week program running from 11:00 AM until Noon EST each Thursday beginning April 21st. The SOS educational experience will be taught by Leisa Thomason, MPS consultant, and Ken Staubitz, Service Consultant.

Advanced Service Management: This eight–week interactive, web–based program was designed to give service leadership the tools they need to drill down into the four main areas of service expense: salaries and staffing, parts, auto, and training. Managing staffing expectations, creating job structures, managing and reducing parts spend, understanding the cost of response time, and parts inventory effectiveness are only some of the topics covered. Upon completion dealer service leadership will have the necessary tools to enhance their service organization to achieve a gross profit in excess of 52%.

Advanced Service Management will take place on Tuesdays, 11 AM to 12 noon EST, starting April 19th. It will be taught by Mike Woodard and Ken Staubitz, Strategy Development Service Consultants.

Sell With Success (SWS): This ten–week program with hour long sessions was created to give sales professionals a methodic, repeatable sales process that will enable them to successfully penetrate new accounts and develop additional business in existing accounts. Topics covered include time and territory management, business acumen and decision maker motivation, prospecting, questioning and listening skills, initial sales call and presentation skills, proposal writing fundamentals, proficiency in negotiation, account planning and customer retention. After implementing the processes taught, dealers will see a reduction in sales turnover and an increase in sales, including not only traditional hardware, but color, software and services.

The next ten–week series of SWS will start April 11 and run Mondays from 11 AM to 12 noon EST. There will be an interactive Q&A at the end of each session. SWS will be taught by David Ramos, Sales Operations Consultant.

Strategy Development also offers a comprehensive suite of consulting engagements customized to your specific business goals. All programs begin with in–depth assessments of your team and programs and incorporate instructor led training, coaching, and application assignments.

03/28/11

AMS UV SHOWCASES NEW LED PVC PRINTER

Press release from the issuing company

UV systems and technology leader Air Motion Systems | AMS UV showcased the first ever installation of an LED UV printing system designed for heat–sensitive plastic (PVC) sheet substrates at the world´s largest quadrennial trade show for the graphic arts in southern Europe, graphispag.

Along with partner, MAG–D–PRINT (MDP) in Barcelona, US–based AMS demonstrated a sheetfed offset lithography printing system powered by a single high–intensity AMS PEAK LED–UV lamp and capable of drying ink at top production speeds on paper, foil and plastic stocks on a Sakurai 475SDw 30–inch offset press.

"The results of this system were beyond our expectations. We´re truly excited about the broader implications of the LED printing process on plastic materials" remarked Steve Metcalf, President and CEO of Air Motion Systems. "One of the clear advantages of LED–based UV curing is the zero emission of infra–red heat to the substrate media."

"Conventional UV systems emit heat onto printing media and process cylinders that can warp heat–sensitive materials such as PVC, PET and film leading to problematic printing results and press downtime" remarked Hans Ulland, Executive VP of Sales. "Because LED UV wavelengths produce no infrared energy, they run cool in the press and produce no heat to the sheets or web."

Printing on PVC and other synthetic substrates is growing by leaps and bounds in the graphic arts industry as higher–value, more recyclable substrate materials are in demand. Plastic cards, backlit display signs and labels are just a few examples of where LED UV printing technology can be deployed with great success to enhance the printing process.

"Like conventional UV inks, LED UV inks generate zero volatile emissions and promote better adhesion to plastics through instant photo–polymerization in contrast to conventional solvent–based inks" added Ulland.

In addition to removing heat from the process, LED drying is emerging as an alternative to solvent–based print production for "clean–tech" output capable of enhancing print quality, enabling same–day job turnaround and eliminating problematic spray powder from pressrooms. The semiconductor–based AMS PEAK LED–UV system produces no ozone, contains no mercury lamps and consumes significantly less energy when compared to conventional UV sources.

03/28/11

2011 COINS 4 KIDS 5K SPONSORED BY IP

Press release from the issuing company

Bring your friends and family and join International Paper (IP) employees along with members of the Mid–South community as IP hosts the 2011 Coins 4 Kids 5K Run and Walk. The event will be held April 2, beginning at 8:30 a.m., at IP´s global headquarters, 6400 Poplar Ave., Memphis.

Early registration is $18 and members of the Memphis Runners Track Club get a $1 discount. Registration is available online at coins4kids.com and race–day registration will be available for $25 on April 2, beginning at 7:00 a.m. at the race site.

In conjunction with the Coins 4 Kids Run and Walk, the event will include a kid´s Peanut Butter & Jelly (PB&J) Fun Run to support The Memphis Food Bank. In lieu of a registration fee, children are asked to donate a jar of peanut butter and/or jelly to enter the PB&J Run. This race is open to children ages 12 and younger and begins at 9:45 a.m.

One hundred percent of the race proceeds benefit Coins 4 Kids, an award–winning school feeding program, launched in 2004 as a partnership between IP and the World Food Programme, the world´s largest humanitarian agency. For just 25 cents per day or $50 per year, school children who would otherwise go hungry are provided food in school each day. Annually, gifts from the company, IP employees, friends and the International Paper Foundation provide meals in school for more than 72,000 school children in poverty–stricken areas of Nairobi, Kenya.

"IP will always support the communities where our employees live and work," said Patty Neuhoff, president of the International Paper Foundation. "Coins 4 Kids gives us an avenue to continue our corporate responsibility around the globe."

Awards will go to the top male and female overall winners, male and female masters winners, and the top three finishers in each of the following age groups: 10 and under, 11–14, 15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69; and 70 and over.

03/28/11

KBA TO EXPAND PRODUCT RANGE IN WAKE OF HIGH QUARTER EARNINGS

Press release from the issuing company

German printing–press manufacturer Koenig & Bauer AG (KBA), which announced in early March that it is expanding its product range to address the high–potential digital print market, has issued its group financial statements for 2010. In an international market environment shaped by dramatic shifts in media consumption, weak regional investment and fierce competition, KBA´s orders, sales and earnings need shun no comparison with the rest of the sector.

Broad product base attracts big influx of new orders

Brisker demand following a revival in the spring drove the group order intake up to £1,284.9m, a 45.4% improvement on the crisis–shaken previous year. Orders for sheetfed offset presses jumped 33.8% to £621.6m, while those for web and special presses soared 58.2% to £663.3m. The group order backlog at the end of December was up 31.6% at £440.8m. The above–average growth rates for the world´s second–biggest press manufacturer were partly attributable to its broad product range, which addresses both volume markets such as commercial, packaging and newspaper printing, and less volatile niche markets such as metal decorating, coding and security printing.

Demand for sheetfed and special presses greater than for web

Group sales climbed 12.3% to £1,179.1m (2009: £1,050.4m) following a substantial two–year decline triggered by the economic slump and structural changes in the market. Sales of sheetfed offset presses came to £551.1m, 15.1% above the prior–year figure. Even though the web and special press division started the year with a much smaller backlog of unfilled orders, and competition from online media impacted on demand for big newspaper presses, it posted a 9.8% increase in sales to £628m. Demand for multi–unit web presses picked up in the second half–year but remained well below pre–crisis levels. Most of the orders booked for newspaper presses, where KBA is the market leader, came from Germany and elsewhere in Europe.

Operating profit more than doubled

In KBA´s core markets – sheetfed, commercial web offset and newspaper printing – persistent excess capacity on the supply side continues to weigh heavily on prices. Nonetheless, a double–digit jump in revenue, and the cost savings delivered by consolidation, enabled KBA to more than double its operating profit from £8.7m to £22.2m, with both divisions posting a positive operating result.

Benefiting from firmer sales and the reduced cost base accruing from restructuring measures, the sheetfed division converted a £23.1m operating loss the previous year into an £8.2m profit. Provided global economic growth in 2011 is not seriously impaired by current developments, KBA is confident that the higher order backlog at the start of the year and initial brisk demand will enable it to maintain this upward trajectory in sales and profits. The decline in operating profit generated by web and special presses, from £31.8m in 2009 to £14m, reflected more acutely than in the previous year the plunge in demand for web presses: the backlog of orders from better years, which helped sustain figures in 2008 and 2009, was no longer there to cushion the impact of unsatisfactory profit margins in a buyers´ market and the poor level of capacity utilisation