DIGITAL digest

JDF User Group Formed, Awards Program Expanded

PITTSBURGH—To facilitate implementation of the Job Definition Format (JDF) in automated workflows, a new JDF User Group is being formed by Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) and the International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4). Plans call for the group to meet three times a year in locations across the country, with the first meeting having already been scheduled to run here March 24 and 25.

The group is to convene March 24 at PIA/GATF’s headquarters for a hands-on look at JDF implementations within the facility and a discussion of the challenges in creating successful implementations. March 25 will feature a half-day slate of panel discussions, case studies and peer networking.

Membership is open to users of JDF-enabled systems in processes from job creation to fulfillment, including sheetfed, web and digital production facilities. Under the direction of a steering committee consisting entirely of printers, the group’s focus will be the practical integration of different systems.

For more information on the JDF User Group, including how to join, contact Hallie Barcalow at (412) 259-1706 or hbarcalow@piagatf.org.

In addition, CIP4 has announced a reorganization of its annual Jürgen Schönhut Memorial CIP4 International Print Production Innovation (CIPPI) Awards program. Four regional “Best Process Automation Implementation” categories are being added to the program this year, and an earlier deadline (March 20) has been set for submissions, so the winners can be announced at Drupa 2008.

Also, each application may now be considered for multiple categories and selected to win more than one award. The only restricted categories are the regional awards—Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Emerging Markets.

Any printer, prepress service provider or publisher may enter. Winners will be determined by a panel of judges who have no affiliation to any vendor, printer, prepress service provider or publisher.

CIPPI awards details, case studies from previous winners and 2008 award applications are available at www.cip4.org/cippi/ .

Digital Process Control Tool Offered

PITTSBURGH—PIA/GATF has added the Altona Test Suite Application Kit to its family of digital process control tools. The kit is designed to enable visual comparisons of the included reference prints to proofs and production prints in order to evaluate the color quality of digital proofing systems and incorporate them into a standardized process.

Reference prints are provided for sheetfed and web offset printing conditions in accordance with ISO 12647 standards. In addition, the set of PDF files included contains test form data for offset, continuous-form, newspaper and gravure publication printing conditions.

PIA/GATF is offering the kit for $750 (members pay $395). For an additional fee, the association’s Lab Services group will provide a professional analysis of a test form to verify conformance with the standards.

digital bytes

LAKE SUCCESS, NY—At On Demand 2008 in Boston, Canon U.S.A. will showcase the imagePRESS C7000VP digital color press and report on new customer installs, including Micropage in New York City. It will also display the recently launched large-format imagePROGRAF iPF9100 and iPF8100 color ink-jet printers, as well as workflow solutions from several key partners.

ORISKANY, NY—Seifert Graphics has acquired its second EFI VUTEk super-wide format, ink-jet printer in less than a year. Adding a VUTEk 3360 with the Fusion ink delivery option enables the shop to quickly switch between running solvent-based and dye-sublimation inks for the production of fabric banners.

SAN FRANCISCO—The Technical Association of the Graphic Arts will hold its 60th Annual Technical Conference March 16 to 19 at the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf Hotel here. Keynote addresses will be given by Guy Gecht, CEO of EFI; Hadi Mahabadi, vice president of Xerox and director of the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC); and William Li, who leads the color technology team atKodak’s Graphic Communications Group. For more information, visit www.taga2008.org .

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—Agfa Graphics reports its ApogeeX 4.0 workflow is the first JDF-capable system to receive the “CIP4 Certified Product” designation from PIA/GATF on behalf of CIP4. The system was tested for compliance with the JDF 1.3 specification as defined in the “Layout Creator to Imposition” Interoperability Conformance Specification. This certification confirms that the ApogeeX workflow accepts and correctly processes files created by JDF-certified third-party imposition software.

EL PASO, TX—Said to be the first commercial install in the world, FASTSIGNS has added a Legend 72HUV color ink-jet printer from Digital Equipment Co., distributed by LexJet. This “hybrid” flatbed device can also print roll-to-roll for producing signage and graphics.