31.01.2008
 Canon strengthens variable data offering
 Canon and Bitstream, developer of the Pageflex product line of enterprise variable data publishing and web-to-print solutions, announced an agreement that strengthens Canon’s variable data solution offering. The deal now gives users of Canon’s digital production equipment the ability to provide customers with customised communications through variable data printing (VDP) and web-to-print storefronts, as well as cross-media marketing campaigns, such as personalised URLs, microsites, and HTML email.
The agreement means that customers have access to Bitstream’s Pageflex portfolio of products. These include Pageflex Persona, the desktop variable data application that can generate variable communications in both print and HTML email formats.
30.01.2008
Ricoh and Katun on out of court settlement
 Ricoh announced an out of court settlement in the lawsuit claiming infringement of several Ricoh patents by Katun Corporation and for a counterclaim against Ricoh for monopolization of the aftermarket for supplies and consumables for certain Ricoh, Savin, Lanier and Gestetner copies. However details of the settlement are not available.
29.01.2008
PrintCity reveals drupa concept
 The PrintCity Alliance has revealed its new drupa 2008 central Plaza concept, which includes a series of specific attractions for visitors. Focusing its drupa presence on ‘Connection of Competence’, PrintCity members are planning a shared approach to attract and inform visitors about the power of print & packaging media. The 380 square metre PrintCity Alliance central area, located in the middle of Hall 6, incorporates a Plaza plus several other special features to attract and benefit visitors from around the world:
- Central Information Centre and ‘Connection Point’ – guiding visitors direct to PrintCity Competence Centres suiting their interests, plus direct to alliance members & partners;
- Forum presentation area – introducing visitors to PrintCity Alliance projects, Competence Centres and other Hall 6 PrintCity attractions;
- Integrated Competence Centres – two of the many Competence Centres are integrated into this central PrintCity Alliance hub.
PrintCity members will again occupy the centrally located Hall 6 in Düsseldorf for the exhibition. In total there will be more than 30 PrintCity participants at drupa, with exhibition stands ranging from over 4,000 square metres down to 20 square metres.
28.01.2008
Presstek reveals results
Presstek posted a wider third-quarter loss, hurt by charges of 4.3 million euros related to reviews of inventory and receivables, and said it will cut more jobs than it had previously expected.
The digital imaging technology company said it identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting related to revenue recognition, as well as account reconciliation processes in its European operation.
Presstek, which had previously announced a 9 percent reduction in headcount, said its review of inventory and receivables will impact its fourth-quarter results to a lesser extent.
In December, the company said the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was conducting an informal inquiry related to its preliminary financial results for the third quarter of 2006.
In a statement, the company said net loss from continuing operations for the latest third quarter was 2.4 million euros, or 10 cents per share, compared with a net loss of 27,000 euros or breakeven per share, a year ago.
Total revenue stood at 40.5 million euros for the quarter.
25.01.2008
Dalim Software presents new tools
 Dalim Software unveiled new products to complement its entire portfolio of progressive workflow solutions for the graphic arts industry during a pre-Drupa conference, at Düsseldorf, Germany.
Solutions focus on providing publishers exciting, dynamic cross-media content with virtual magazines, implementing working JDF applications, and putting Adobe Print Engine on board.
At Drupa 2008, Dalim Software will introduce version 3.0 of DALiM MiSTRAL, its popular production automation and project management/job tracking system. The highlight of the new version will be Publisher's Production Flatplan, specially catered to non-technical users for faster approval of pages. While other page applications show flatplans of designed work, MiSTRAL 3.0 shows true PDF images of complete pages that have been produced through a production workflow. The attractive, new, easy-to-use interface speeds up the process for these users, with more helpful information. Other new DALiM MiSTRAL 3.0 features will be revealed at Drupa.
Dalim is also introducing new features to Dalim Dialogue, a stand-alone SWOP Certified monitor-based proofing application running under the Macintosh OS X operating system. Dalim Dialogue provides companies a way to provide remote and collaborative viewing and soft proofing of high-resolution files (PDF, PostScript and TIFF-IT, among others) via the Internet.
The company will show Dalim Virtual Library that presents a realistic view of a magazine for approval.
24.01.2008
Speedmaster XL 162 will be Drupa highlight
 The Speedmaster XL 162 press will form the highlight of Heidelberg's stand at the Drupa 2008. In addition, sheetfed printing systems for packaging and commercial print markets will be prominent, along with Heidelberg's Anicolor inking unit and its Prinect print shop workflow system will also be featured at the show, which will be stage in Dusseldorf. Heidelberg said that its efforts at Drupa 2008 will give visitors an insight in to the link between technological advantages and the financial benefits that flow from them. Visitors will also be able to see the company's Systemservice, Saphira consumables, financing options, used machines, the Print Media Academy and business consulting. The company added that with business consulting it offers business management advice based on a personalized analysis of a customer's situation to develop an investment plan and the Heidelberg team would also share their market knowledge with customers seeking advice. Heidelberg, in conjunction with sportswear and equipment producer Adidas, will also print 80 products, such as advertising posters, autograph cards, product and service brochures, as well as packaging products, involving all stages and the company's own systems from pre-press, to finishing.
23.01.2008
Dalim unveils Twist for Drupa
 Dalim unveiled Twist for the graphic arts industry during a pre-Drupa conference. Dalim Software has been one of the drivers of JDF connectivity in the industry, with leading roles in the CIP4 Committee. The company is using its new DALiM TWiST JDF Connectivity Package to connect to and drive applications like Alwan CMYK Optimizer directly from the workflow.The JDF Connectivity Package in DALiM TWiST is able to send files automatically from the workflow to, for example, the Alwan CMYK Optimizer ink management software solution, allows the files to be processed in the application, and returns the files to the DALiM TWiST workflow. As it does so, it can drive the settings of the ink optimization solution directly from the workflow via the JDF communication standards. By allowing the workflow to provide the setting (for example, maximum ink values for newspapers), neither a dedicated hotfolder nor queue is required. Thus, if a company is operating a database-driven DALiM TWiST workflow, the system can remain fully automated. "Basically, the application becomes a DALiM TWiST tool," describes Bertin Sorgenfrey, Dalim Software head of international marketing. "There is a certain amount of handshake information exchanged, the workflow sends the file, the application processes it, and the file returns to the workflow when the task is done." The company will display its entire portfolio of production automation software at Hall 9, Stand 9C44 and at the Drupa Innovation Parc, Hall 7 during Drupa, 2008 held from May 29-June 11 In Düsseldorf, Germany.
22.01.2008
Screen raises digital print profile
 Screen has set out its stall to become a major player in the print-on-demand (POD) arena by putting its key focus on digital print at Drupa. The Japanese manufacturer, which is best known for its CTP products, has promised to give the vast majority of its stand to inkjet presses for a range of variable-data uses, including transpromo.
Key sectors where the firm is developing products include packaging, industrial printing, paper media and sign and display.
Brian Forsdike, president of Screen Europe, told delegates at last week's pre-show press event: "We will give the majority of our exhibition space over to print on demand. We are not known in that market so we really have to make a big impression."
Few specific details were made public on new products for the show, although Screen Europe marketing manager Tim Taylor said new upgrades to the Screen Truepress Jet520 would be on the stand, among other innovations.
He also revealed that the firm was close to signing a customer from the newspaper sector for the Jet, 520, which is able to print full-colour newspapers on uncoated stock, although the name and location of the customer remained under wraps.
In CTP, Forsdike said Screen was committed to producing platesetters for the larger-format web and sheetfed presses that are coming onto the market, although it is unclear whether these will be shown at Drupa.
21.01.2008
HP Indigo division reports record performance
 HP has announced record annual growth for its Indigo digital press division thanks to a 45% rise in page growth from 2006 to 2007.
The company recorded a divisional record for year-on-year page growth for the fourth quarter, up by 46% and claimed revenues had doubled for each of the past three years.
Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president of HP's Imaging and Printing division, said: "HP's plan is to get a slice of every page printed. Our focus is going to be on high use customers."
Under HP's Print 2.0 strategy, the firm has sought to "capture a more significant portion" of the 53 trillion pages predicted to be printed globally by 2010, 10% of which are expected to be digital.
This represents a 2% rise in digitally printed work from 2005, in which 46 trillion pages were said to have been printed, 8% of which were digital.
In addition to strong sales in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and North America, the division said it has extended into photo merchandise printing, book publishing and packaging.
Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager of the Indigo division, said that in 2007, "many successful print service providers experienced how they could create a competitive advantage and drive profit using HP Indigo".
18.01.2008
Presstek plans Drupa showcase
 Presstek will showcase its latest platesetters at this year's Drupa, including the 8pp Dimension800 and the small-format Vector TX52.
The Dimension800, which carries a footprint of 1,850x840mm, supports run lengths of up to 100,000 impressions and is optimised to work with Presstek's chemistry-free Anthem Pro plates.
The Vector TX52 is designed as an affordable chemistry-free platesetter that supports run lengths up to 25,000 impressions with plates of 520x520mm and smaller.
The digital offset manufacturer will also use the event, which runs from 29 May to 11 June in Düsseldorf, Germany, to demonstrate the automatic Dimension450 Excel-Autoloader and its integrated JDF workflow, Momentum Pro.
The kit fully integrates with the Dimension450 and is claimed to enhance imaging productivity, which allows continuous chemistry-free platemaking at 17 plates per hour.
The Presstek Momentum workflow will also be on display at the show and features a fully integrated RIP designed to streamline and automate the production process using certified PDF tools.
Ray Hillhouse, sales and operations director of Presstek Europe, said the firm would use the show to demonstrate how its "solutions enable a streamlined workflow in a chemistry-free environment that results in shorter printing cycles and lowers overall production costs".
17.01.2008
SPP expands production capability
 Scottish Provincial Press (SPP) announces an extension of its Goss Universal press, in order to respond to a demand for greater colour. This increase represents the fourth upgrade in seven years and will include a further tower and the final configuration of the press five four-high towers, with one of the towers configured to run either four mono webs as required or one colour web. SPP, the first company in the world to install a 70,000 copies per hour Universal press in 1998, will establish the new tower during the spring of 2008. “Like many newspaper publishers, we are responding to a demand for greater colour and pagination by our advertisers. We aim to deliver exactly what our customers demand and this need has driven our latest investment providing the additional high-quality colour capacity required at this time”, says Roy Fox, managing director of SPP.
16.01.2008
Fujifilm presents logo for printers
 Fujifilm has unveiled a logo for printers to use alongside work printed produced using Brillia HD Pro-T processless plates.
Graham Leeson, marketing manager at Fujifilm Graphics Systems UK, said with more than 150 printers using the plate in the UK, many have cited environmental benefits such as reduced water and energy as some of the main reasons behind the switch to Pro-T.
Leeson added that with more print buyers than ever aware of the importance of their environmental credentials, the logo enables customers to identify the firms that are using greener processes to produce their plates.
In a recent Lifecycle Assessment (LCA), the Pro-T plate was found to produce 18g of CO2 per sqm of press-ready plate compared to 246g for a processed plate.
15.01.2008
HSP launches brochure
 Howard Smith Paper (HSP) has launched Portfolio, a brochure detailing the paper merchant’s specialist areas.
There is an "at a glance" product leaflet, giving details of all the products available, while HSP has also produced separate product swatches of all its local product lines.
14.01.2008
PrintCity brings out new Drupa partners
 PrintCity announced new Drupa 2008 partners and is already working with them. BAND’ALL, FINESTFOG, GRAPHIC WEB SYSTEMS and LOGOTEC are the companies that accepted this alliance and they all will be exhibiting with other PrintCity members in Hall 6, from May 29 to June 11, 2008. Band'ALL International is a specialist supplier in banding equipment and materials, such as hand fed, high-tech fully automatic and fully integrated systems, full-colour printed paper or film bands. Band'ALL operates in more than 60 countries worldwide, especially in the graphics, food and pharmaceutical industries. FINESTFOG works with industrial humidification systems and water treatment for humidifiers and printing machines. Combining the new and used web offset presses, GRAPHIC WEB SYSTEMS B.V. is specialised in helping costumers to make the most cost-effective long-term web offset investment. The other partner, LOGOTEC is dedicated to develop, produce and also distribute devices for process optimization of CtP processors and presses.
11.01.2008
Xerox unveils biggest change in its history
 Xerox unveiled the most sweeping transformation of its corporate identity in the company’s history. The new Xerox logo is now a lowercase treatment of the Xerox name – in a vibrant red – alongside a sphere-shaped symbol sketched with lines that link to form an illustrative “X,” representing Xerox’s connections to its customers, partners, industry and innovation, and designed to be more effectively animated for use in multi-media platforms. The new brand is designed to reflect a customer-centric company built on a continuing history of innovative ideas, products and services that meet the needs of businesses small to large. Anne Mulcahy, Xerox chairman and chief executive officer said: “Our new brand reflects who we are, the markets we serve and the innovation that differentiates us in our industry. We have expanded into new markets, created new businesses, acquired new capabilities, developed technologies that launched new industries -- all to ensure we make it easier, faster, and less costly for our customers to share information.”
10.01.2008
Major contract from India for KBA
 The DB Group companies Diligent Media Corporation and DB Corporation in Mumbai, India, have placed the “largest ever single order for printing press lines by an Indian publisher” with Koenig & Bauer (KBA). The order includes seven 4/1 Prisma presses with a total of 25 reelstands, 25 four-high towers and seven folders. The seven KBA Prisma presses that will print a raft of titles including Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar and DNA titles will ship this year. Diligent Media is a joint venture between two media heavyweights, the Dainik Bhaskar Group and the Zee Group. One of India’s premier print media players, the Dainik Bhaskar Group publishes not only India’s top Hindi newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar, but also the no. 1 title in Gujarat, Divya Bhaskar. DB Corporation is the group’s printing arm. In all, the Dainik Bhaskar Group has over 40 editions, printed from 36 centres, with a total print order of over 4 million copies each day. The group’s papers have a total readership of over 20 million readers. The group also owns and operates 17 radio channels in principal Indian cities, and has major forays in internet portals, cable TV, real estate and outdoor media.
09.01.2008
Kodak Traceless to stop counterfeit
 Kodak plans to implement Kodak Traceless System for Anticounterfeiting on Kodak’s rechargeable Lithium-Ion Digital Camera Batteries. Kodak aims to pull the plug on counterfeiters exploiting the consumer electronics industry. The worldwide consumer electronics industry is struggling to fend off the growing threat of counterfeit batteries. As consumer use of handheld electronic devices soars, demand for rechargeable batteries is growing rapidly, and so are the problems caused by counterfeiters who are inserting fakes into legitimate sales outlets everywhere. Counterfeit batteries can lead to poor product performance, damage to electronic devices, and overheating that can create the risk of chemical leakage, burns, and even fires.
08.01.2008
Screen expands platesetter range
 Screen is increasing its range of platesetters with the new PlateRite News 2000+. It combines speed and quality for newspaper sector, producing 106 broadsheet plates or 49 panorama plates an hour. With the latest Screen thermal imaging technology, the PlateRite News 2000+ offers four standard image settings and a choice of resolutions, such as 1000 dpi, 1,016 dpi, 1,200 dpi and 1,270 dpi. Supported by the Trueflow Rite News automated workflow system, this new platesetter also provides a 64-channel laser diode imaging head to image plates from 460 mm x 290 mm up to a maximum plate size of 980 x 685 mm. "Regional newspapers who want a combination of high speed, consistency and quality will find what they are looking for in the PlateRite N2000S+. Excellent colour quality and registration can be achieved with Spekta screening for Newspapers", says Rob Hageman, Screen product manager.
07.01.2008
Xaar and Nazdar forge global ink partnership
 Nazdar is the latest ink manufacturer to become a Xaar Approved Ink Partner. "We are delighted to be working with Nazdar," says Jill Woods, Ink Product Manager at Xaar. "We feel Nazdar's strategies are a good strategic fit with our own policies. We are both very dedicated to delivering high-quality inks to the market."
Nazdar has achieved Xaar 'Approved' status for its range of high-performance Nazdar Lyson 7150F UV and 7340F UV Curable Flexible Series Digital Imaging Inks for use with Xaar 500/40 printheads. Nazdar's inks sold to OEM's, and those also sold under the Lyson digital ink brand, incorporate premium grade pigments and resins to ensure superior outdoor durability, plus superior pigment dispersion technology to allow printing performance. Actual and accelerated weather testing has demonstrated that Nazdar inkjet inks withstand two years exterior exposure without a significant change in density or colour variance.
04.01.2008
The world’s largest Advent calendar
 Service Graphics, the large format print and display arm of St Ives PLC, has printed and installed the world’s largest advent calendar at London’s new ‘International’ train station, St Pancras. Produced as part of its ‘Meet me at St Pancras’ campaign, supporting the station’s positioning as a meeting place or ‘destination station’, the 2685sqm of graphics formed a key part of the station’s Christmas celebrations. The brief was to create an authentic 19th Century Christmas experience for commuters, incorporating the spirit of a Victorian Christmas into the newly refurbished Victorian station. Working with its clients, the experiential branding agency, Greenspace, and international exhibition specialist, Clements & Street Limited, Service Graphics printed a range of seasonal interior graphics to be positioned around the station.
As well as the world’s largest advent calendar, and the temporary arch banner produced to cover the calendar whilst installation was in progress, the project included the printing and installation of a theatrical Santa’s grotto, festive backdrops for carol singers and mulled wine and roast chestnut sellers, picture graphics on windows, doors, glass balustrades and in the champagne bar. To ensure the station’s younger visitors can join in the festive fun, a children’s area has also been created, featuring a 1.5m post box for posting letters to Santa. Service Graphics produced colourful, Christmassy floor graphics to further enhance the seasonal decoration of this area. Service Graphics used its state of the art NUR Expedia digital inkjet systems to print the calendar and its recently installed Vutek QS to produce the accompanying interior graphics.
03.01.2008
Leaf AFi medium format system now worldwide
 Leaf is announcing the worldwide availability of the new Leaf AFi medium format digital camera system. The Leaf AFi represents a stellar leap in innovation and is the only 6x6 auto focus, medium format camera currently on the market today. The camera system delivers unsurpassed image quality by integrating hardware, including Schneider AFD lenses and Leaf digital camera back technology. The Leaf AFi offers the same fast speed established by the Leaf Aptus family of digital camera backs, while supporting unlimited shooting. The capture rate is as high as 70 frames per minute, using CCD image sensors of up to 48x36 mm, with up to 33 megapixel resolution. The high level of integration in the camera system ensures simple and accurate operation, making the operation of the camera easier and more efficient. The Leaf Capture software is bundled with the AFi package and offers detailed Live View capabilities, for no additional charge.
03.01.2008
Domino moves into thermal transfer overprinting
 Domino has introduced the V-Series, a new thermal transfer overprinting (TTO) product range, providing clear legible codes for flexible packaging. Ideal for high volume packaging applications involving form, fill, seal machines and labellers, the current range consists of three printers - the V100, V200 and V400. Achieving a print resolution of 300dpi, the V-Series is capable of applying variable data including text, barcodes, Data Matrix codes and logos onto a wide range of flexible packaging materials, including films and paper. The range includes printers for use in either continuous or intermittent modes, which can be mounted on a variety of packaging machines including vertical or horizontal form, fill, seal machines, making the V-Series suitable for many key food and pharmaceutical applications.
02.01.2008
GAE to launch Horizon folder
 Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE) is to hold a series of open house days to showcase its range of finishing kit, including the UK launch of Horizon's B2 combination folding system. The open week will take place on 5-7 February at GAE's Perivale showroom. The kit supplier will show off the fully automated AFC564F folder during the three-day event, which features a 15-second set-up time, 14 standard fold patterns and on-board 200-job memory store. The Horizon line-up also includes the BQ270jdf automated single-clamp binder, the seven-clamp SB-07jdf and the four-clamp BQ470jdf with PUR glue option. Also on show will be the HT30 robotic three-side trimmer, the SPF200A automated booklet production line and StitchLiner saddlestitching system. In addition to equipment from Perfecta, Renz and Lasermax, visitors will be able to learn more about PUR perfect binding. GAE joint managing director Bryan Godwyn called the introduction of automated finishing processes an area "where commercial and in-plant operations can improve their performance and reduce costs".
02.01.2008
Media Paper reveals new website
 Media Paper Management has revealed details of The Media Workshop, its new enhanced and interactive customer website which has now gone live. Managing director of the specialist paper supplier Doug Jessop (pictured) said the firm designed the workshop to act as a working tool for its customers.
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