DIGITAL digest

Philly Delivers For On Demand

PHILADELPHIA—According to show organizers, the change in venue for AIIM On Demand 2005 met with "rave reviews" from attendees and exhibitors. Therefore, the event has been scheduled to return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center on May 16-18, 2006.

More than 35,000 people are said to have registered for the 2005 installment, which included some 21,000 attendees and staff from the 350 exhibiting companies.

A wide range of hardware was on display around the show floor, but advances in software accounted for most of the new product announcements in the production printing arena.

Xerox Corp. did formally introduce the DocuColor 7000 digital press as expected. The 70 ppm device is built on the DocuColor 8000 platform and fills the productivity gap between that device and the DocuColor 6060, both of which remain in the product lineup.

Additionally, Standard Duplicating Machines teamed up with Xerox for the official launch of the Standard Horizon ColorWorks 8000 all-in-one document finisher for this family of color printing systems.

In other hardware news, RISO Inc. unveiled the MZ790 printer-duplicator capable of two-color printing at speeds up to 150 ppm.

Eastman Kodak and Canon U.S.A. both introduced lines of document scanners targeted to the AIIM segment of attendees. Canon also formally launched its new line of large-format color printers, the imagePROGRAF W6400 (24˝) and W8400 (44˝), featuring proprietary ink-jet head technology.

Creo Inc.'s presence was notable because it may mark the last time the company exhibited as an independent entity in the United States. Its acquisition by Eastman Kodak received final approval from all relevant agencies soon after the show.

Among the company's new software product demonstrations were the Darwin VI (variable information) authoring tool for Adobe InDesign CS, VI Toolbox Pro version 1.1 for automation of workflows via hot folders and JDF-driven integration of the Creo Spire color server with management solutions, including Press-sense's iWay Prime, NowDocs' NowPrint and the combination of ROI Distribution's Xralle and Pageflex Storefront. Creo also showed a "technology demonstration" of its own Web-to-print solution based on a template-driven page composition engine.

In addition, Konica Minolta Business Solutions teamed up with Creo to introduce the new IC-301 image controller that the companies co-developed to drive the bizhub Pro C500 color printing system. The controller is said to be based on proprietary Creo technology for enhanced document printing, workflow, color management and variable data capabilities.

Quark Inc. previewed QuarkXPress 7, but stressed it wasn't making a product announcement or releasing a final feature list at that time and the ship date was still to be determined. The company did say it will further its commitment to collaboration and interoperability by building many features of the upgrade on open standards.

Quark Job Jacket, which will be "compatible with" and "map to" JDF, is a key feature for printing workflows. It is described as a container for all the specifications for an entire print publishing process, including information about the job itself, contact information, resources required, layout intent, rules, output specifications and more.

Other production-oriented features include comprehensive rule-based preflight capabilities, support for outputting PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language), transparency features and enhanced color management with new controls to improve on-screen simulations for soft proofing.

Meadows Publishing Solutions, meanwhile, released DesignMerge for QuarkXPress 6.5, a variable data processing XTension for Mac and Windows platforms.

XMPie Inc. used the show to debut its uStore Web-to-print storefront application and Personal Effect 2.0, an upgrade to its variable data solution that adds a XLIM composition engine for faster processing, AutoFlow feature for dealing with widely varying copy lengths and individual PDF document generation function.

Paper was the other industry segment to register multiple product introductions.

Mohawk Superfine i-Tone is a new line of uncoated papers for HP Indigo digital presses. The proprietary i-Tone process is applied to its Superfine paper to provide enhanced adhesion of ElectroInk, and traditional dry toner, without the shelf-life issues of existing sapphire pre-treated Indigo papers, the manufacturer claims. The substrate reportedly performed well in testing by the Printing Applications Laboratory at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Smart Papers is offering a similar product, the IN•fusion line of untreated premium papers for HP Indigo presses. Three papers are included in the line—Kromekote cast coated, Carnival uncoated and Knightkote matte coated. The company also released the fifth edition of its free digital printing handbook, titled "Today's Digital Imaging."

Also targeted to digital printing applications, including DI presses, is the Vector paper line from xpedx. Included are Vector coated laser, Vector DI coated offset and Vector multi-purpose.

EFI Connect Brings Out Record Throng

MIAMI BEACH—With sun and fun as the backdrop, about 1,200 printing industry comrades sold out the Fontainebleau Resort here for the sixth annual EFI/Connect 2005 users' conference in June.

When conference-goers weren't working on their tans, they were absorbing any number of 140 educational seminars or taking in the 25 vendors exhibiting complementary equipment and software, not to mention getting up to speed on all of the workflow innovations being offered by host EFI.

And if that weren't enough, attendees were treated to a riveting opening night presentation by Captain James Lovell of Apollo 13 fame.

The man portrayed by Tom Hanks in the cinematic account of the aborted 1970 lunar landing, perhaps best known for the phrase, "Houston, we've got a problem," talked in great detail about how the three-man crew dealt with the explosion that took out most of the craft's oxygen and left them to return home without the benefit of electricity, water or a propulsion system.

Connect '05 got under way in earnest the next morning, beginning with the "EFI Report" from Chairman and CEO Guy Gecht (shown above) and Marc Olin, vice president and general manager of professional printing applications (pictured below). Gecht emphasized that in an age where obtaining volumes of information is no longer an issue, the key is making the most of the information on hand. Olin gave an overview of the EFI family of companies and the latest product versions, including the Fiery 6.1 and version 8.5 of the Hagen OA management information system.

During one media session, EFI introduced a member of its newest acquisition. Scott Schinlever, vice president of marketing for Vutek, highlighted the synergies both parties will enjoy under the same umbrella.

Industry consultant Bill Farquharson provided a lively morning general session on what types of companies are making money on digital printing. Lamenting the death of the "loyal customer," he stressed the importance of getting clients to go digital and owning the file, the quickest way to become "bullet proof" in an account.

"Once (the customer) goes digital, they will never go back," he said. "They will think and design in digital terms."

Standard for Display-based Proofing Proposed

SAN LUIS OBISPO CA—The Graphic Communication Institute at Cal Poly (GrCI) has proposed development of a new industry standard, entitled "Specifications for the Application of Image Displays" (SAID). Hal Hinderliter, GrCI director, unveiled this research effort in a speech at the recent 2005 Technical Conference of the International Prepress Association.

The goal of the SAID initiative is to develop a new industry standard for evaluating computer displays, video cards and software used in the reproduction of color-accurate images for applications such as soft proofing.

It reportedly would provide an objective, measurable methodology to assess the performance and proper application of display-based proofing equipment and methods. The specification is also intended to be applicable for digital video, film making, medical imaging and game development.

"Current methods of display certification rely upon subjective visual evaluations and imprecise data built upon a 30-year-old color measurement system that is widely regarded as inadequate," asserts Hinderliter.

A panel of industry experts and color scientists is being assembled to steer the course of this research project. GrCI says it plans to work closely with established international standards committees to facilitate the development of SAID. Interested parties should contact Hinderliter at (805) 756-5170 or hhinderl@calpoly.edu.

Heidelberg to 'Bring JDF to Life' at PRINT 05

KENNESAW, GA—At PRINT 05 in Chicago, Heidelberg USA will feature an updated version of the "Prinect Experience," which was premiered at Drupa 04. Centrally located in the company's booth, the display is intended to "bring JDF to life" with the Prinect workflow system.

This installment of the experience will consist of nine integrated workstations demonstrating how printers can employ CIM for highly efficient print production while leveraging their existing equipment.

Since the workflow system is modular, scalable and open, it will be demonstrated in a set of core areas—Prinect Production Solutions, Prinect Color Solutions and Prinect Management Solutions. The presentations will cover the full portfolio of solutions, from estimating through completion of the job.

digital bytes

ROCHESTER, NY—Eastman Kodak has provided a Kodak NexPress 2100 digital production color press to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Printing Applications Laboratory for use in its Substrate Qualification Program. The program was recently transferred to RIT, having originally been established by NexPress Solutions and operated in a Kiel, Germany, testing center. (www.kodak.com)

VANCOUVER, BC—Creo Inc. announced the sale of 21 new thermal computer-to-plate devices and a variety of workflow solutions to newspapers throughout North America. These deals were either actually signed during NEXPO 2005 or since that event. The installations range from independent publishers, such as the Wooster (OH) Daily Record adding two Trendsetter News 70 devices, to newspaper corporations, such as Freedom Communications. It purchased a pair of Trendsetter News 100 CTP platesetters for the Valley Morning Star in Harlingen, TX, as well as two Trendsetter News 100s, Prinergy Evo workflow and Preps imposition software for the Jacksonville Journal-Courier in Jacksonville, IL. (www.creo.com)

ROCHESTER, NY—Xerox Corp. continues to announce multiple installs each month of its iGen3 color digital production press. Six months after buying its first iGen3, DMI Inc. in Woburn, MA, has added a second such machine with the expectation of averaging more than 500,000 pages per month on that unit. Despite having grown into a full-service direct mail provider with some 370 people, the iGen3 installed by EU Services in Rockville, MD, is its first color digital press. Mahoney Print Services in Santa Clara, CA, says it anticipates doubling its color print volume with its new digital press, supported by a Web-based system for producing personalized materials. (www.xerox.com)

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA—Fort Dearborn, a provider of decorative labels, has installed a seven-color, roll-to-roll HP Indigo press ws4050 for digitally printing labels. The company already has three other HP Indigo 4000 series presses installed at various sites. (www.hp.com)

ROCHESTER, NY—NexPress Solutions, a Kodak company, has logged a couple of installs of the Kodak NexPress 2100 digital production color press. Integrity Graphics, in Windsor, CT, has added the digital press and Kodak NexTreme DL-100 variable data software in response to customer demand for variable data, short-run work. Outlook Group, Neenah, WI, says it purchased a NexPress 2100 and Printable Technologies' variable data software in part to enhance the capabilities of its Internet-based "Showcase Postcards" printing service. (www.nexpress.com)

ITASCA, IL—Also reporting multiple digital color press sales is Xeikon America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Punch International. New York City-based Mimeo.com has purchased two Xeikon 5000 digital printing presses for its Document SuperHub, a highly automated, digital printing facility that supports its "Documents On-Demand" Web service. Midtown Printing, in Nashville, TN, installed a Xeikon 5000 to capitalize on its format flexibility. (www.xeikon.com)

CHAGRIN FALLS, OH—With the hope of attracting new business, Excel Printing and Graphics is making a move into short-run color work by installing a Kodak Polychrome Graphics DirectPress 5634 DI system with Harlequin Eclipse RIP and Matchprint Proofpro ink-jet bundle, which includes an Epson 10600 printer. (www.kpgraphics.com)

HANOVER, MA—Graphic Developments reportedly has installed the world's first ECRM NEWSmatic 250 CTP device to support production of community newspapers and trade publications for the financial and food industries. It decided to seek the help of a dealer, The Tripp Co. in Braintree, MA, in making the transition to CTP production. (www.ecrm.com)

NORWALK, CT—Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) showed its ongoing support of the Association of Graphic Communications (AGC) with the donation of a KPG Matchprint Professional Server and Canon CLC 1150 digital color printer, which helps AGC to do more in-house production of its annual Buyer's Guide. (www.kpgraphics.com)