Adobe Move Angers Print Community

SAN JOSE, CA—Printing associations and a digital user’s group reacted angrily toward Adobe’s decision to incorporate a “send to FedEx Kinko’s” command in its Acrobat 8.1 application. In turn, Adobe recently met with several organizations to address their concerns.

The PIA/GATF, noting Adobe’s contributions in transforming the printing process from an analog to a digital workflow—enhancing graphic communications, while putting millions of bucks in Adobe’s coffers—said the move “insults industry loyalty.” Michael Makin, president and CEO of PIA/GATF, added that the Adobe partnership left the association feeling “terribly betrayed by the company that has been supported by the printing industry.” Makin found it “unacceptable” that Adobe would give up its neutrality and align with one printer.

“It is our hope that Adobe’s CEO, Bruce Chizen, will realize the mistake that has been made and rectify the situation as soon as possible,” Makin said in a statement.

NAPL, on behalf of The NAPL Network, and the National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP), sent a letter to Chizen critical of the decision. In it, Adobe’s partnership with the printer is characterized as an unfair competitive advantage for FedEx Kinko’s.

“The advantage gained by FedEx Kinko’s through this agreement with Adobe comes at the expense of many other printers—including many of our members—who have played such a pivotal role in establishing Adobe as the defacto standard among many end users for reading documents and printing file submission,” the NAPL wrote.

The Digital Imaging Customer Exchange (DICE), with 328 member companies that own color digital presses from Kodak, HP and Xerox, echoed the NAPL/NAQP sentiments of its members making Adobe PostScript and PDF the accepted norm.

At press time, it was unclear whether Adobe will sever its agreement with FedEx Kinko’s, get printers to supply clients a branded plug-in, or offer an 8.2 version.