30.05.2008
New thermo-formable UV ink

Durst, in conjunction with SunJet, the inkjet ink division of Sun Chemical, has developed a thermo-formable UV cured ink system for use with its digital printing presses and both Durst and Sunjet will demonstrate of the new technology at Drupa 2008. The new ink, called Rho TH Ink, will allow Durst’s customers to access new markets for advertising, displays and decoration of functional items. New opportunities include coordination of traditional advertising and point of sale displays with moulded and formed displays. Technically, the flexibility of the ink allows full forming on styrene, acrylic and many other plastic materials commonly used in displays and functional equipment.

29.05.2008
Mimaki unveils Eco-HS1

28.05.2008
Man Roland and Manugraph stop cooperation

Man Roland and Manugraph announced that will discontinue Sales and Service Cooperation. According to Man Roland,the companies have mutually agreed not to renew the agreement cooperation with effect from 26th July 2008.
This shift happens because of the acquisition of DGM by Manugraph, the changing market scenario and the focus of both companies on their own product offerings.

27.05.2008
New KBA press line by royal command

The Prince of Wales pressed for the first time the button on new KBA Commander 85 press at NWN Media. The Prince Charles made the start-up of the high-specification 85,000 cph press line, which has four reelstands and four 8-couple printing towers and automatic reel loading and roller setting. At the royal meeting were also the NWN Media chairman Russell Whitehair and managing director David Faulkner. The new KBA newspaper press line is now operating at NWN Media's new print production facility on the Deeside Industrial Park in Flintshire. “It is an enormous pleasure to see the work carried out by local and regional newspaper of this kind. I was only too pleased to be able to accept the invitation to open your new press hall”, said the Prince.

22.05.2008
Press-sense debuts at drupa

Press-sense announced that Press-sense iWay 5.0 and Press-sense Manager 2.0 will be revealed at drupa 2008. The new 5.0 upgrade sports a completely new user-friendly interface, and multiple features built upon an advanced infrastructure that fosters improved scalability, as well as rapid development and simpler integration of 3rd party products and plug-ins. Press-sense iWay is available in scalable configurations; ASP (available via OrderSense in the USA and Transeo Media in the UK), stand-alone, and multi-site versions.Beyond a new look and feel, iWay 5.0 offers enhancements to enable print service providers to produce catalogs tailored to their clients’ interests, enhances variable -information production and reporting, and offers major advancements in job description parameters within the business workflow. At drupa, Press-sense will be exhibiting in Hall 9 Stand E62, and in the Innovation Parc, Hall 7 Stand H7 and.

21.05.2008
Gandinnovations reaches new heights

Gandinnovations will launch its newest grand format UV digital printer at drupa. The NanoJet UV True Flatbed digital printer will be on display on the Gandinnovations booth in Hall 5, Stand A23. The Nanojet uses the latest in digital print technology and is specifically designed to print outstanding photo-realistic quality outputs. Equipped with a silicon nozzle plate, the NanoJet uses 24 Spectra high performance print heads. This 15 pico liter head is specifically designed to deliver high resolution droplets. Printing at speeds of 220sqft/hr (20.4sqm/hr) in photo-realistic mode, the NanoJet has a print area of 4’ x 8’ and prints in 6 colors at 800dpi, using Gandinnovations UV-curable branded inks. The strong vacuum table on the NanoJet holds virtually any rigid material in place up to 5 cm (2”) in thickness and the specially designed table uses a linear motion system to control movement, ensuring perfect registration on rigid and flexible materials every time. Ideal for high quality display printing on Glass, Acrylics, Dibond, Aluminum, Wood, Steel, Coroplast, Formboard and Styren.

20.05.2008
The Creator Studio: focus on rituals

The twelfth edition of The Creator Studio is inspired by sacred rituals, magic ceremonies and rites of different origins. This new Creator Studio, published in 30,000 copies, has been printed on CreatorStudio Matt paper, Torraspapel's new two side coated natural white matt paper, and is available in three languages and distributed free of charge worldwide among clients and designers.
This edition was made by the japanese illustrator Aki Miyajima, that has allocated a different flower to each of the celebrations typical in her country, andTxema Yeste, that shows through his photographs the symbolism of the mantilla as a fundamental part of many of Spain's rituals. This time The Creator Studio also presents the work of seven artists who illustrate the symbolic and representative weddings in gypsy, Hindu, Moroccan, Chinese, Japanese, Sami and Masai cultures.

19.05.2008
Wetflex debuts at drupa

Sun Chemical is partnering with Comexi and will be showcasing its Wetflex flexographic printing technology at drupa. Being shown on the Comexi stand (Hall 10, Stand C62), WetFlex is a technology which delivers wet-on-wet flexographic printing. It is designed to meet the needs of the flexible packaging market for improved print quality, efficiency, and low environmental impact. WetFlex uses new generation Energy Curable ink technology specially developed and patented by Sun Chemical for the process. At drupa, the inks will be wet trapped using Comexi’s new iF2 Icube concept Central Impression (CI) cylinder press and cured instantly by exposure to ESI’s EZCure-DF EB in-line electron beam, which is installed in an innovative ‘short  web path’ press layout. Comexi will show the new optimised EVertical EB inking system and, the system on display will also feature a state-of-the-art nitrogen delivery system from Air Liquide, a world-leading industrial gas supplier. The WetFlex process can be adapted to specially designed modern presses in order to get the maximum performance from the new technology. Under the slogan ‘Ready for the Future’, Comexi Group will also show a wide range of new devices and processes to reach ‘efficiency through technology’, one of which is the potential capabilities of inks.

16.05.2008
New in-line stitchers at drupa

At Drupa Tolerans will introduce two new stitchers. One stitcher made for extremely high production speed and a second stitcher designed with compact dimensions widely increasing the possibilities to install stitching capability where no stitcher has ever been possible to install before. The new high speed stitchers have been developed to meet the increasing demands, especially from commercial printers, to enable production at full press speed 24/7 all year around. The new high speed stitcher, SPEEDLINER® Commercial is based on the successful SPEEDLINER®  design. Tolerans has also developed a smaller sized stitcher, SPEEDLINER® Anywhere, which can be installed where it was previously not possible. The new stitchers will be demonstrated at Tolerans stand C42 in hall 15 at drupa.

15.05.2008
Torraspapel acquires Secmar SAS

Torraspapel  has acquired 100% of Secmar SAS, a French company holding 100% of Malmenayde SAS and 66% of Nord Papier SA.  Malmenayde is a renowned paper merchant with a longstanding tradition in the French market. The company has over 300 years of history and comprises two merchants, Malmenayde, located in Le Plessis Robinson, near Paris, and Nord Papier, located in Seclin near Lille. Torraspapel S.A. currently owns merchants in Spain, Portugal, Argentina and France. This operation, then, will enable Torraspapel S.A. and Lecta to consolidate their position in French market.

14.05.2008
Record Growth for Alwan

Alwan has announced its best financial results ever in 2007, with total sales value increasing by more than 50% compared to 2006, and over 200 new sites installed. "By any standard, 2007 is Alwan's best to date. Sales, both in Euro and in units, have never been higher. The growth is even more spectacular when you consider that even with the drop in the dollar, more than 20% of our revenue came from the US market!" says Elie Khoury, company founder and president.
Khoury remarks that the surge in Alwan sales has been an international phenomenon. Sales peaked in 14 countries and were spearheaded by major distributors in all locations including the US, the Benelux, Italy, Scandinavia and others. The company points to growing sales across its product range with CMYK Optimizer Print & Publish as its top selling product.

13.05.2008
PRATI’s new distributors

PRATI has signed two new distribution agreements with Gematec Gerards-Technics and with Imp. Exp. Enric Pont S.L. for rewinding, inspection, slittering, matrix stripping and overprinting machines. With a solid experience in manufacturing and servicing presses in the label market segment, Gematec has been working as sole German distributor of PRATI products under the new corporate branding of Gematec Gerards-Technics. The agreement with Imp. Exp. Eric Pont S.L. includes the distribution and servicing of PRATI’s full range of machines in Spain and Portugal. Enric Pont S.L is headquartered in Madrid and has an office in Barcelona. As distributor of flexo printing machines of well-known brands like GIDUE, the company was awarded the title of best distributor of sold units for flexo presses in 2006 and in 2007. The company’s product range includes Newfoil Machines, hot stamping and embossing presses, and Surfscan and ACE printing aided systems.

12.05.2008
ECRM debuts new platesetters at Drupa

Following up on their new campaign to help graphic arts professionals conserve energy and be more aware of ecological benefits, ECRM announced plans to feature three new platesetters at DRUPA 2008. Exhibiting in Hall 9, Stand C56, ECRM will showcase the new platesetters enhanced with the aim towards developing more eco-friendly CTP prepress workflows. In addition, ECRM will be providing a live technology demonstration of the new chemistry-free digital plate, Azura V, for violet platesetters from Agfa.

09.05.2008
New E/bak Cushion Mounting Materials

Rogers Corporation will introduce its new line of E/bak cushion mounting materials, a cushioning solution for corrugated post-print applications at the 2008 Drupa.
E/bak Cushions, based on Rogers’ open-cell urethane foam technology, are used to build thickness on the cylinder, as well as provide cushioning and absorb vibration in the corrugated printing process. These cushions provide a high degree of surface conformity with minimal increase in plate pressure.  E/bak SF (supported firm) material is designed on 0.010” PET (0.254mm) film carrier and is cast to thickness, not buffed. This polyester support layer ensures dimensional stability and acts as a mounting base. The foam is dark green in color and has a skin surface. It is available in three standard thicknesses - 0.040” (1.02mm), 0.060” (1.52mm), and 0.080” (2.03mm) - and produced 60 inches (1524mm) wide. Designed for use on general purpose corrugated applications of line and solid work with some simple combination screens, E/bak Cushions are the alternative cushion for mid-range print quality jobs.

08.05.2008
Presstek delivers UV printing option

Presstek will be introducing a UV printing option for the Presstek 52DI and 34DI digital offset presses at drupa. “Printing with UV waterless inks on Presstek’s DI presses expands Presstek’s opportunity to provide the highest quality lowest cost four color offset solution for a wider range of markets including consumer packaging, point-of-purchase and direct mail,” said Klaus Schleicher, Presstek Group Product Director, Digital Printing Business Unit. “It will also dramatically increase the services our customers can offer their clients.” Presstek DI presses are designed to produce fast turnaround short-run, high quality color work on a wide range of substrates. By adding the UV printing option, the already flexible Presstek 52DI and 34DI presses can switch between standard waterless inks and UV waterless inks for an increased competitive advantage.

07.05.2008
Océ innovates at drupa

Océ is preparing its novelties for drupa, a display of solutions for digital book production, personalization, promotional printing in color, and technical document printing. Océ will present documents with Color on Demand, personalization and TransPromo opportunities and solutions for graphic arts and technical documentation environments. The company will also promote solutions for collaterals-on-demand, interior and exterior signage, banners, posters and POS displays in full color. Océ Prisma software will be at the show, for high speed and reliability production workflows and color support, with the new Océ JetStream, Océ ColorStream 10000 and Océ VarioStream 8000.

06.05.2008
Ultimate opens European office

Ultimate is opening an office in Gent, Belgium, for dealers in Europe. The new office will coordinate channel development and provide technical support training and integration assistance to dealers and their customers. According to Joanne David, Executive Vice President, “Ultimate’s innovative solutions for digital print have been rising in popularity in Europe, and our partners, dealers and customers have asked us to develop a direct presence in the European market. The opening of this office is part of this new marketing and distribution strategy to organize a modern and dynamic channel to serve the growing business of digital print”. Ultimate also created a partnership with Four Pess to open up the office, to provide outsourced sales and marketing services to vendors in the graphic arts industry.

05.05.2008
New Nexpress line at drupa

Flexible solutions that help print providers develop the right production system for their business and customer needs—regardless of the type of technology they choose—will be the focus of Kodak’s presence at drupa 2008. The company’s stand, D01, in Hall 5 will showcase a wide range of hardware and software under the banner of “print is powerful.” New and established electrophotographic and inkjet systems that enable print providers to expand capabilities and applications using digital technology will be on display. A new series of S-Class branded KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Presses leads the list of innovations. The KODAK NEXPRESS S3000, S2500 and S2100 Digital Production Color Presses bring a new level of modularity to the digital production color market, offering flexible front end options, input and output accessories, security application capabilities and on site upgradeability.
Small to mid-sized print providers that want to efficiently and productively produce short run digital color work, as well as incorporate variable data and in-line finishing, can choose from new accessories for the KODAK NEXPRESS M700 Digital Color Press. Options include a feeder module, finisher, saddle stitcher, booklet trimmer, puncher unit, document inserter unit, and a high capacity delivery configuration.

02.05.2008
KBA-Grafitec and Adast join forces

Pending the approval of the competent authorities, KBA’s Czech subsidiary KBA-Grafitec in Dobruška is entering a strategic alliance with Adast in Adamov, near Brno. According to the contracts signed by the two companies, Adast discontinues the development, production and marketing of its own branded products to focus on providing KBA-Grafitec with parts and subassemblies. In return KBA-Grafitec will source a major proportion of its components from Adast. Other KBA production sites will also purchase from Adast where possible. KBA-Grafitec has acquired Adast’s entire portfolio of product, patent and trademark rights, and while Adast will continue to honour current guarantees for its presses, once these expire all further services and spare parts will be provided by KBA-Grafitec. No details of the financial arrangements were revealed.