New Products

More to come
Graph Expo sets the stage for Drupa 2008
As the curtain rings down on Graph Expo 2007, expectations are being set for the industry's massive event in Düsseldorf. Drupa 2008 doesn't take place until next May, but a few hints were dropped last month at McCormick Place in Chicago.

It's all about the makereadies
In the pressroom, all of the vendors stressed faster makereadies and CIM-enabled efficiencies. Heidelberg has already announced it will launch two larger format presses next year. Two of its timesavers include Prinect Inpress Control and the Anicolor inking system. Inpress Control, for Speedmaster XL 105 and CD 74 and CD 105 presses, uses spectrophotometry to measure color inline and controls registration on the fly even when the press is running at full operating speed (up to 18,000 sph). Anicolor, for the Speedmaster 52, is a keyless inking system and anilox technology that helps maintain a consistent ink film.

Mitsubishi's SimulChanger simultaneous plate changing technology is the first wave in a new press line we'll learn more about next year.

MAN Roland's DirectDrive technology for its new Roland 700 takes automatic plate changing farther. All of the plates can be changed on the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive at the same time, while wash-up takes place, effectively resulting in zero plate-changing time.

Halfsize highlights included Komori's new LSX29 with a sheet size of 24 × 29½-inch sheets. Fully automatic plate changing technology speeds makereadies.

Ryobi, once relegated to the small-format press category, debuted the Ryobi 924, a 24 × 36-inch four-color press.

To the casual observer, Graph Expo 2007 had more digital print vendors than ever, with every major vendor on hand. HP, which had already announced its Indigo 5500 digital color press, DesignJet additions and other new products, further expanded its portfolio with its post-show ColorSpan acquisition.

Ricoh announced its intention to be a production print player with the formation of a special business unit and prototype of its Future Color press. Ricoh also signed on to resell the Kodak NexPress.

Canon continued to stake its claim to production color marketplace with its imagePRESS C7000VP rollout.

Proofing giant Epson showcased the Stylus Pro 4880, 7880, and 9880 models that can accept cut-sheet or roll media up to 17-, 24- and 44 inches wide, respectively. The vendor's UltraChrome K3 ink technology now includes “vivid magenta” and will let users tackle new proofing challenges.

Pantone, soon to join the X-Rite family, took the wraps off its new Goe System (see Editor's Picks on pg. 96).

See you next October
Graph Expo 2007 occupied 460,984 net sq. ft. and a combined attendance of 31,779 people. We've highlighted many of the products from the show's 640 exhibitors in our August and September issues and will wrap up our coverage in November. Mark your calendars: Graph Expo 2008 will take place October 26-29. See you there!

You'd better work (wide-format girl)
EFI's (www.efi.com) “Made in Rio” fashion show was a huge draw. A parade of models vamped in Alessa Migani originals, all of which were printed on a VUTEk FabriVu superwide printer. EFI doesn't expect many printers to produce work for fashionistas, but the vendor did highlight new revenue stream opportunities. EFI VUTEk applications range from banners, signs and billboards to building wraps and display, fleet, floor, window and vehicle graphics.

New VUTEk systems were shown with connectivity to Fiery XF, the EFI Bestcolor-driven superwide printing and proofing solution. The VUTEk QS3200 and VUTEk PV200SC UV-curing digital inkjet printers offer good image quality, productivity and connectivity.

The VUTEk QS3200 represents a new category of printers that combine EFI's production and workflow management technologies with the digital print capabilities of its VUTEk superwide format printers. With an optional second ink delivery system, the VUTEk 3360 opens new market opportunities for traditional solvent and fabric-based, dye-sublimation applications. The 3360 has been optimized for VUTEk BioVu ink.
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Filling the digital color gap
Konica Minolta Business Solutions (www.konicaminolta.us) introduced the bizhub PRO C5500 color print system. Based on the vendor's bizhub PRO C6500, the printer is rated at 55 ppm in both color and black and white. The C5500 targets the gap between high-volume, office-oriented, color-capable printer/copiers and high-volume production color models. The suggested retail price is $39,000.
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Complete UV package
Sun Chemical (www.sunchemical.com/commercial) Synergy is a system solution to UV printing that includes UV ink, coating, press conditioner, wash and fountain solution chemistries. Targeting sheetfed, web, high gloss and plastic applications, Synergy inks also can run on hybrid presses with appropriate rollers.

For the short-run narrow-web label market, Sun showcased its SolarJet UV inkjet printer. It features Xaar 760 printheads in CMYK, which achieve an apparent print quality of 900 × 900 dpi.
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Multiple vendors link up
Bowe Bell + Howell (www.bowebellhowell.com) partnered with leading finishing, printing, sorting and software application suppliers at to demonstrate the real-time interconnectivity of equipment through the BÖWE One software suite. Participating vendors included BCC Software, Buskro, Duplo USA, Eastman Kodak, Lasermax Roll Systems, MegaSpirea Intl., Nipson, Paragon, RISO, Rollem, Sefas Innovations, Solimar Systems, Taneum, Window Book and Xerox Corp. The Connectivity Showcase reportedly is the largest multivendor integration ever displayed at a print tradeshow.
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Who ya gonna call?
Heidelberg (www.heidelberg.com) showcased eCall, a Web-based remote service tool that quickly identifies and resolves potential service issues for maximum uptime. In the event of an impending service issue, the press notifies the operator with an eCall alert on the console screen. If the operator determines the information should be sent to Heidelberg, he or she hits a button. In less than a minute, the requisite data is sent and a preliminary diagnosis is produced electronically. Using this diagnostic information, experts at Heidelberg identify a solution and then phone the user. Customers no longer have to phone the support team to describe the problem and leave their contact information — it's all done automatically.

The eCall program, a component of Heidelberg's systemservice 36 plus program, will launch in the United States and Germany in early 2008 for all new presses with Prinect CP 2000.
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Pitman and Ricoh to resell Kodak presses
Pitman Co. (www.pitman.com) will offer Kodak NexPress digital production color presses as well as Digimaster machines to its U.S. customers. Pitman, one of the largest distributors to the graphic arts market, has served as an authorized reseller of Kodak's prepress solutions to the commercial printing market for more than 40 years.

Pitman will sell all digital production color presses within the NexPress platform 2100, 2100 Plus Press, 2500 and S3000.

For production monochrome printing, Pitman offers the Digimaster EX110, EX125, EX138, EX150 and 9110.

In a related development, Ricoh Americas Corp. (www.ricoh-usa.com) and Kodak announced Ricoh will offer four Kodak NexPress models: 2100, 2100 plus, 2500 and S3000.

Under both resellers' agreements, Kodak will service and support the presses.
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Meet the C7000VP
Canon U.S.A., Inc. (www.usa.canon.com) showcased the imagePRESS C7000VP digital press, which began shipping in July of this year. Representing the largest R&D investment in Canon's history, the imagePRESS C7000VP accepts sheets up to 13 × 19 inches and runs at up to 70 ppm (64, duplex).

Canon's “Essential Business Builder” program helps commercial printers develop a value-added strategy for digital print.

Workflow applications highlighted the “critical six”: imagePRESS technology, customized communications, workflow integration, color management, finishing and business development. Canon partners at the show included Duplo, EFI, GBC, Heidelberg, Kodak, Meadows Publishing, MindFire, Objectif Lune, Objective Advantage, OLEC, Pageflex, Printable, Quark, RSA and X-Rite.
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Ryobi steps beyond small-format presses
Ryobi (http://ryobi.xpedx.com) continues to push beyond small-format presses. At Graph Expo, the company debuted the full size Ryobi 920 series of four- and five-color presses. The booth featured a Ryobi 924 24 × 36-inch four-color press. Tim Kirby, national sales manager of xpedx Printing Technologies, Ryobi's U.S. distributor, says the press offers “eight-up productivity at a six-up price.” Applications include books, pocket folders, posters and specialty jobs. A double-diameter cylinder and transfer drum minimize marking. Rated at 16,200 sph, the press prints up to 24-pt. stock.
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HP acquires ColorSpan
HP's (www.hp.com) broader graphic arts portfolio includes Commercial Job Estimator (CJE)/Business Planner for Indigo press users. The software lets users calculate job costs for digital and conventional presses.

An expanded Capture Business program helps Indigo users extend their reach with HP Designjet and HP Scitex large- and super-wide-format solutions. The program provides market entry, development and growth strategy information and support for applications such as indoor and outdoor signage, point-of-sale/POP, signs, banners, vehicles and building wraps.

After the show, HP announced it will acquire MacDermid ColorSpan, a supplier of UV-curable inkjet printers for display graphics.

HP plans to provide lower-cost platforms and UV technologies to print service providers that are expanding into outdoor applications and more industrial workloads. The deal furthers HP's Print 2.0 strategy to digitize analog prints by extending the company's overall digital content creation and publishing platform.
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Ricoh creates production business unit; announces new press
Ricoh Americas Corp. announced the creation of its Production Printing Business Group (PPBG). PPBG traces its roots to Ricoh's Lanier and Hitachi acquisitions in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Carl Joachim, vice president of marketing for PPBG, explained that the company's cut-sheet color products previously were restricted to light production devices. The portfolio now includes Kodak's NexPress line (which Richoh is reselling) and the InfoPrint IP5000 on the high end. A new press, Future Color, is positioned as a midrange device for in-plant shops, digital print providers, commercial printers, service bureaus, direct marketing firms and data centers.

“We believe Ricoh Future Color has the potential to become a disruptive innovation — offering a combination of price/performance not currently available in the market,” Joachim said.

He added that the company was previewing only its strategy — performance specs and other operating details weren't released.

It's totally automatic
Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (www.mlpusa.com) showed the 40-inch Diamond 3000LS with eight printing units, aqueous coater, delivery extension and features that support speedy turnarounds. The simultaneous plate cylinder repositioning system (“SimulChanger”) can perform a complete plate change on all printing units in approximately one minute without the operator being present at the units, regardless of the number of colors involved.

Mitsubishi spotlighted some recent Chicago-area installations. Shiele Graphics (Elk Grove Village, IL) added a Diamond 3000LS; Diamond 3000S presses are on the floor at Edison Press (DesPlaines, IL); Zoom Graphics (Schaumburg, IL); Integrated Graphics (St. Charles, IL); and Kelmscott Press (Aurora, IL). New Diamond 3000LX presses can be found at M13 Graphics (Schaumburg, IL) and AGI Media (Melrose Park, IL).
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All wrapped up
Xerox's (www.xerox.com) Digital Print Shop in a Box complements the company's ProfitAccelerator Digital Business Resources collection. The offering includes two guides that take a printer through the first months of operating a digital business. The sales and marketing guide is a simple start-up plan that addresses how to train a sales staff for developing a consultative sale that helps build revenue for both offset and digital applications. The operations guide walks a commercial printer through the initial implementation of a unified offset and digital environment. The guides direct users through best-practice resources on the CD and the Web from Xerox and leading industry partners.
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Special effects, automatic plate changing and a new 4/4 web press
MAN Roland (www.manroland.com) launched three new presses: the midsize sheetfed ROLAND 700 HiPrint; and the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive; and a new commercial web press, Euroman.

Rated at 16,000 sph straight and 12,000 perfecting (17,000/13,000 with options), the Roland 700 HiPrint can be configured for two to 12 colors with a single or double coater. HiPrint features a double-size impression cylinder and touchless sheet transfer for “Hi” print quality and application versatility. Many inline options are offered, including foiling.

The ROLAND 700 DirectDrive version is geared specifically toward printers using perfectors and those who require advanced makeready automation, particularly for short runs. Isolating the plate cylinder from the press' main drive means each plate can be changed on the ROLAND 700 DirectDrive at the same time, while wash-up takes place, effectively resulting in zero plate-changing time. Additionally, individual units can be taken offline for plate changes as the press is running.

EUROMAN replaces the traditional double-web 38-inch commercial web press with a more efficient single-web, four-unit design.
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Small-format processless CTP
Xanté (www.xante.com) got its start with laser printers years ago, but at a Graph Expo press conference, Robert Ross, president and founder, stressed that company now concentrates on digital color printing and small-format CTP. Earlier this year, the company beefed up its CTP offerings by acquiring RIPit Imaging Systems. RIPit Systems' workflow and CTP solutions (film, polyester and metal) are popular choices for many quick print franchisors. Wayne Wasulko, former president and founder of RIPit, is now Xanté's vice president of RIP development.

Show highlights included the Impressia GTO, a process-free, two-up metal platesetter as well as new violet metal plates and chemistry (“Harmony”). The photopolymer digital plates are designed for Xante's platesetters, but compatible with most other violet laser platesetters.

The vendor also introduced OpenRIP FastCards, the first product built on Xanté and RIPit's combined technologies. OpenRIP FastCards supports on-demand production of high-res business cards. The modular solution incorporates FastCards software, the OpenRip Symphony workflow, an Illumina four-color press, a flatbed scanner and AdvancedScan software.
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Environmental assistance; easing into VDP
Xpedx is helping environmentally conscious printers understand and achieve dual SFI and FSC certifications via Bureau Veritas Certification (Jamestown, NY). More than 150 general commercial printers have requested xpedx's starter kit. According to Jeff Higgins, xpedx corporate director of marketing services, many printers already have the necessary procedures in place, “It's often just a matter of a third-party auditor documenting them.”

Xpedx also introduced a compact production package for producing lenticular effects. The Opticular system includes a toner-based OkiData print engine, software, laminator, cutter and specially designed substrate. Any photo can be used to produce zoom, flip, 3D and other effects.

Printers can test the digital print waters with xpedx's “pay per click” digital press acquisition program. Users get a production-rated digital press, typically a Xerox model. Printers pay a flat fee per page and can upgrade, replace or remove the press.

The company also announced KwikFlip, an affordable solution for creating two-sided imposition proofs with Epson printers.

On the bindery front, xpedx's booth featured collators and perfect binders from C.P. Bourg, Baumfolder equipment and Perfecta cutters.
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Start making sense
Mohawk Fine Paper's (www.mohawkpaper.com/resources) “Sense and Sustainability” brochure lists the company's environmental papers, indicating which are carbon neutral, FSC, Green-e and Green Seal certified. A Digital Guide highlights which of the company's more than 300 papers are recommended for use on digital presses from HP, Xerox, Canon, Kodak, Richoh, Konica-Minolta and Xeikon.

First published in 1990, the company's “Paper Basics” has been updated. Topics covered include the difference between paper types, paper qualities such as formation and brightness, envelopes and a glossary of terms.
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Halfsize press makes the green scene
Komori America Corp. (www.komori.co.jp) debuted the LSX29 and also featured the Spica 429 convertible perfector. The LSX29 is the largest half-size press Komori offers, accepting 24 × 29½-inch sheets. Fully automatic plate changing technology speeds makeready.

Teaming with Fujifilm, Toyo Ink and Sappi, Komori showed a variety of processes that can reduce the environmental impact of printing. Four daily Spica 429P demonstrations featured Fujifilm's Brillia Pro-T processless plates, Toyo Ink's HyPlus 100 eco-friendly inks and new stock from Sappi, Lustro Offset Environmental (LOE), which is 30-percent post-consumer waste and FSC certified.
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Mailers and mail matching tools
Standard Finishing Systems (www.standardfinishing.com) showcased its Hunkeler Gen6 unwinding, rewind-ing, cutting, stacking, and folding solutions in partnership with InfoPrint Solutions Co., Océ and other continuous feed digital printer vendors.

The Standard Hunkeler CS6-II Rotary Cutter with Chip-Out was shown as part of a solution producing full-bleed, trimmed, color self-mailers. The UW6 unwinder and high performance CS6-II cutter were seen double-cutting sheets from a preprinted roll. The sheets were then folded into direct mailers on the inline Standard Horizon AFC-566FKT automated signature folder. The newest Standard Hunkeler Gen6 solutions handle paper from 40 to 300 gsm with ease, and can be operated either in-line with digital printers or off-line.

Standard Horizon collating systems now offer full document integrity with six high-performance CCD cameras that match and verify each sheet, and stop the system if an error is found, such as an unknown sheet or pages in the wrong order.

The new Standard Horizon IM-30 In-line Sheet Inserter, complementing the Standard Horizon StitchLiner saddlestitcher and SPF-200A bookletmaker, can insert up to three sheets into booklets at speeds up to 4,000 per hour.
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Postcards, presentation folders and more
Xeikon (www.xeikon.com) demonstrated real world digital color printing applications including postcards and presentation folders. With a 20-inch paper width and unlimited print length, the Xeikon 6000 is ideal for creating full-color presentation folders. The printer reportedly can produce in excess of 100,000 4/4 full-color presentation folders per month running a single eight-hour shift, 20 days a month. The Xeikon 6000 prints easily on 12-pt. stock (270 GSM). Other applications for the160 ppm press include book production/publishing, transactional, point-of-purchase (POP), labels and packaging as well as specialty applications.
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EAP
AMERICAN PRINTER
announces
Environmental Award Program
AMERICAN PRINTER announced its Environmental Award Program (EAP) at Graph Expo 2007 in Chicago. “EAP's goal is to heighten the awareness of environmentally sound practices in the commercial printing industry and to honor the commercial printers who are leading the industry in environmentally conscious manufacturing,” explains Scott Bieda, group publisher. “We're proud to salute the efforts of these progressive and forward-thinking companies.”

Sharing the story with print buyers
Commercial printers will be invited to participate in the program by completing an entry form that will be distributed in an upcoming issue of AMERICAN PRINTER and available on the magazine's Web site. Categories will reflect different sizes and types of operations.

Printers attaining a defined level of environmental criteria will be listed in AP's sister publication, Print & Media Buyer (PMB).

This listing will take the form of a directory titled “Environmentally Conscious Printers,” distributed to more than 10,000 print buyers and specifiers across the country. This directory will enable print buyers to contribute to the environmental movement by choosing a “green” print vendor. PMB will present brief profiles of the award winners.

Stay tuned
Awards are scheduled to be presented at the 2008 Graph Expo show. EAP winners will be invited to participate in a 90-minute ceremony at the show. In its October 2008 issue, AMERICAN PRINTER will publish a special section honoring the award winners.

For more information, contact Scott Bieda at APeditor@americanprinter.com.

Briefly noted…

GPA (www.labelexperts.com) debuted UltraGreen, a tree-free substrate. Its smooth, grain-free surface promotes high color saturation and resolution. It is ideal for outdoor applications.

Inca (www.incadigital.com) teamed with distributor Fujifilm to demonstrate the Inca Spyder 320 Q Fine Quality UV digital flatbed printer. The printer targets applications that require crisp images, fine lines and sharp text such as fashion graphics, gaming machine panels and closely viewed prints.

InfoPrint Solutions (www.infoprint.com), an IBM and Ricoh joint venture, launched Bookflow for its 4100 Advanced Function Printing system. The end-to-end book production software links InfoPrint's print management technology and PDF workflow solutions as well as incorporating components from industry partners such as IoFlex and Ultimate Technologies.

Magnetic Attractions (www.magneticattractions.com) unveiled its 2007-2008 catalog of four-color magnetic promotions. Magnetic Attractions' standard product offerings are stocked for quick turn orders of nearly any quantity above 500. Custom shapes and specialty products also are available.

DirectSmile GmbH (www.directsmile.de) and Objectif Lune (www.objetiflune.com) have completed full integration between DirectSmile image personalization software and PrintShop Mail variable-data printing software. Users can preview all personalized images directly in the PrintShop Mail document layout, the automatic export of images and databases from DirectSmile to PrintShop Mail and automatic recognition of PrintShop Mail, when installing DirectSmile.

Schober USA's MicroPunching modules enable dust-free punching of holes as small as 0.020 inch or 0.50 mm. Applications include stamp and security printers, continuous form printers, label printers, paper, film and foil converters, and more.

QualityLogic (www.qualitylogic.com) XPREF provides preflight, workflow automation and document optimization for XPS document files for printing. XPREF is designed for OEMs who need to integrate the processing of XPS document files with existing print production systems.

Prepress Training Solution's (www.prepresstraining.com) library of software tutorials features 47 interactive, online courses broken into short tutorials, covering more than 400 essential prepress tasks. Software titles include prepress applications, such as Adobe Creative Suite, QuarkXPress, Creo Preps, Mac OS X, Dynagram DynaStrip, Enfocus PitStop and Markzware FlightCheck.

Kansa Technology (www.kansa.com) introduced the Kansa Intelli-Jog electric jogger. An auto start mode uses a sensor to detect an approaching operator to automatically start the jogger and then turns off when the operator leaves the area.

Kora-Packmat (www.rainbowpack.com) specializes in wrapping machines for low-profile product packaging. The vendor's SonicSeal F offers flexible wrapping and ultrasonic-sealing of CDs, CD cards and software kits up to A5-size. CD manufacturers can gain significant benefits from ultrasonic-sealing the wrapping of their CDs; ultrasonic seals provide tamper-evidence, intricate patterns on the seals increase protection against counterfeiting, and stiffness of the seals gives extra protection to the CD in a pack.

Univenture's (www.univenture.com) products include Safety-sleeve disc sleeves, which reportedly reduce the plastic needed for a disc package by more than 90 percent. Its EcoEndure EnvyPak envelopes and mailers for direct mail use are manufactured of biodegradable polypropylene.

Xitron (www.xitron.com) has signed an OEM agreement with LithoTechnics, Inc., the developer of Metrix integration and automation software, to sell the entire line of Metrix solutions on a worldwide basis to complement its existing line of workflow solutions for commercial and on-demand markets.

In conjunction with HP, Michelman (www.michem.com) has developed DigiPrime 5000, a water-based primer that can be used by owners and operators of HP Indigo sheetfed s2000 and s3050 presses. The new primer is optimized for screen printing on synthetic substrates and replaces Topaz 17.

IGS (www.igs-usa.com) offers dry ice cleaning/blasting service for presses or any printing machinery. Patented dry ice pellets have the mass and density to remove all types of solvents, inks and varnishes. IGS remarketing programs can help printing companies sell their offset presses. IGS also can store, relocate, install and provide asset protection/preventive maintenance programs.

InterlinkONE (www.interlinkone.com) provides software that enables printers to offer marketing services with a minimal investment. The software supports end-to-end personalized marketing, fulfillment and variable-data print. Print fulfillment specialists and mailers use interlinkONE to better manage, execute and measure their customers' marketing initiatives. Solutions include Web to print, PURLs, VDP storefronts, fulfillment, campaign and list management, lead capture and qualification and response tracking.

ICISS software enables flexible color separations, with the ability to produce jobs in the guaranteed least number of inks, while CoCo provides smooth proportion-ate color correction. See www.specialcolor.com.