Agfa Graphics

FLYING CARS and colonies in space were once seriously predicted to be a reality by now. Closer to home, though, experts also said that Adobe Photoshop and the Mac would never be acceptable for professional graphic arts applications. Any attempt to predict the course of technological development amounts to an educated guess at best. Even once a prototype has been developed, the scale-up to volume production can be problematic. Often, it is an unexpected development that leads to success. Printed electronics, security printing and lenticular are three technological developments that may hold opportunities for commercial printers. Each is still a work in process to

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—4, October 2007—Agfa Graphics announced today that it exceeded all sales goals in all product areas shown at GRAPH EXPO. Agfa’s success at the exhibition indicates that printers are looking for complete prepress and inkjet solutions from a company with innovative technology that enhances their businesses. Customers were clearly interested in advanced software solutions such as :ApogeeX 4.0 and :Delano 3.0 that help graphic communications firms of all sizes become stronger companies and wide format digital printing systems that offer printers the potential to generate increased revenue. For the third year in a row, demonstrations of Agfa’s patented ThermoFuse™, the technology

The Green Scene NEEDHAM, MA—Atlantic Printing is in its final stage of transition toward a “totally green” offset printing process. Atlantic employs a combination of chemical-free plate making technology (Agfa’s Accento thermal CTP system, which utilizes Agfa’s Azura chemical-free plates), 100 percent soy-based inks (a renewable source that is naturally low in VOCs) and recycled papers (the printer has obtained Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of- Custody certification). CANTON, MA—Several “green” initiatives, including garnering the Forest Stewardship Council Chain-of-Custody certification, have been implemented at Next Generation Printing. The company is also using more recycled papers, including a new “house stock” FSC-certified mixed sheet with 50 percent recycled content,

Citiprint Press Addition Makes Big Impact ALLENTOWN, PA—Citiprint purchased a four-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 74 with coater to complement a two-color Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46 installed in 2004, when the company first opened. Shabir Sumar, co-owner, says the added capability has been instrumental in attracting new customers and producing larger format work for its existing clients. Fong Brothers’ Packaging Niche Expands BRISBANE, CA—Catering to major corporate clients and advertising agencies, Fong Brothers Printing has expanded its packaging and folding carton printing capabilities. The company installed a new six-color, 40˝ Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LX sheetfed press, which handles stocks ranging from 0.002˝ to

PREPRESS USED to be a tightly defined process. Its evolution into “workflow” made the boundaries less clear cut, and they have been further blurred by the introduction of digital printing, variable data, Web-to-print and JDF into the production mix. Developments on all fronts could be seen around the show floor at Graph Expo 2007, along with a new potential wrinkle—Microsoft’s XPS (XML Paper Specification). Delivering on announcements made at last year’s show, a couple of vendors released upgrades to their workflow solutions that implement the Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) technology. It implements native PDF rendering, faster file processing and further JDF integration. Agfa’s

Stitch in Time Saves Nine NORWELL, MA—Smith Print, a full-service commercial printer in the greater Boston area, recently installed a Vijuk 321-T saddlestitcher equipped with six pockets plus cover feeder. The new stitcher was sold and will be serviced locally by Pasquariello Graphics. Frank Stanley, bindery foreman, and Tom Plourde, lead bindery operator, were involved in the final decision-making process and worked closely with Vijuk technicians during the installation and operational training. Open House Showcases UV Special Effects Options SAN RAFAEL, CA—A first-of-its-kind UV Special Effects open house, sponsored by KBA North America, was recently held at Paragraphics Inc., a

SEWICKLEY, PA—The PIA/GATF has revealed the winners of its 2007 InterTech technology awards. Eleven of the 31 nominations were chosen to receive the prestigious awards. They include:Energy Elite dual layer “no bake” plate, Agfa Graphics; UV printing blanket refurbishment, Enviro Image Solutions; C-Fit image intelligence software, Fujifilm; Kodak Traceless system, Eastman Kodak; font emulation in…

Commercial printer Alcom, of Harleysville, PA, has hired a new territory manager/solutions provider: John Newswanger, a 21-year veteran of Acorn Press. Warren Dow, president of Trend Offset Printing in Los Alamitos, CA, has been promoted to president and CEO. Dow joined Trend in July 2005, and became president and COO in 2006. Before joining Trend, he served as COO of Southwest Offset Printing. He’s a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara and is on the board of directors of the Web Offset Association (WOA). The creative agency and technology solutions unit of The CGI Group, CGI Squared Ltd., London, announced the launch of

RIDGEFIELD Park, NJ — August 30, 2007 — Agfa Graphics announced today that the company, a worldwide leader in prepress solutions for the printing, publishing and newspaper industries, will bring a broad spectrum of new and updated products and solutions to its exhibit (booth #3839) at GRAPH EXPO, which is being held September 9-12 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. Some of Agfa’s products and technologies to be shown at GRAPH EXPO include: :Anapurna M – Agfa’s entry-level wide-format industrial ink-jet printer which will be running live at the booth; :ApogeeX 4.0 (worldwide debut) – The newest release of this popular workflow features advances such

SAN ANTONIO, TX—August 24, 2007—Gandinnovations will demonstrate three of the company’s most powerful, top-selling Jeti Printers and accessories on the market today at the Graph Expo, September 9 – 12, McCormick Place South, Chicago, booth # 4474. Gandinnovations’ is selling one UV Jeti Printer every week, which is as fast as they can currently manufacture them. The growing line consistently earns the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry. The Jeti 1224, 3148, and 2048 UV Flatbeds have all fared well in industry reviews earning high scores for the printers, tech support and the Gandy company overall. The Jeti 3148 UV