Agfa Graphics

IT MAY be telling that, with a few exceptions, the presses in operation around the show floor of Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006 were of the digital variety. Offset units were conspicuous in their absence. Digital presses largely have become part of the commercial printing mainstream, rather than being a specialty product segment or market niche. The exhibition’s Wide Format Pavilion showed ongoing interest in that segment, but adding a wide, large, superwide or grand format digital system still is seen as a way to diversify rather than being standard equipment. Hewlett-Packard shared results from an InfoTrends study that surveyed a sampling

SINCE THE digital revolution began, developments in the front end of the printing process have been as much about big ideas as they have specific products and solutions. The latest in a string of topics that have been debated include PDF versus native files, violet versus thermal CTP and process automation via JDF. At Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006, the discussion tended to be focused back at the product level. The parameters of the state-of-the-art in workflow, for now, have been clearly defined. They include: • PDF-based file processing in a color managed environment is a given; • computer-to-plate is also a given,

WASHINGTON, DC—October 11, 2006—The Print Council, a national business development initiative dedicated to the promotion of greater use of printing and print media, today announced the publication of a new, 24-page marketing brochure demonstrating the extraordinary value and effectiveness of print communications. Titled “Why Print? The Top Ten Ways Print Helps You Prosper,” the full-color brochure marks the launch of an ongoing series of strategic activities by The Print Council designed to make a major impact on media decision makers, significantly elevating their awareness of, and appreciation for, the value of print. The first copies of “Why Print?” will be released

CALIFORNIA CITY OF INDUSTRY—Kion Printing has invested in a six-color Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 press with coater. Founded in 1982, Kion Printing is a privately held company housing 52 employees. FOOTHILL RANCH—Westamerica Graphics recently installed a six-color Komori Lithrone S40. This is the sixth Komori press for the 29-year-old firm. The company is facing increased client demands for short-turnaround, four-, five- and six-color print applications. REDWOOD CITY—Pacific Printing and Fulfillment Inc. (PPFI) recently purchased its third Kodak NexPress 2100 digital production color press and its first Kodak NexPress fifth imaging unit to increase its services to include in-line coating and an expanded color gamut range. CONNECTICUT EAST WINDSOR—Keystone Paper

PHILADELPHIA—PRINTING IMPRESSIONS is hosting a live, interactive free Webinar, “Extending Your Workflow to Digital,” on September 12 at 2 p.m. Eastern time.The hour-long Webinar, sponsored by Hewlett-Packard and Agfa, features printers and industry experts who will share their thoughts on developing, managing and implementing a successful digital workflow strategy. Steven Schnoll of Schnoll Media Consulting…

Gämmerler will launch the BL 408 bindery stacker for use behind saddlestitchers, perfect binders, folders and inserters. Features wide format range, two-stage stacking system and a low copy drop height. The infeed is equipped with four top belts and eight bottom belts. Visit www.piworld.com/infocenter and enter number 381 Goss International will unveil its Pacesetter 2200 and 2500 saddlestitchers. The systems feature servo-driven hoppers and excel at quick makereadies. The Pacesetter 2200 system completes up to 22,000 books per hour. The Pacesetter 2500 model features a dual stitcher and a 25,000 books per hour capacity. Visit www.piworld.com/infocenter and enter number

THOSE DETRACTORS who claim that computer-to-plate (CTP) technology has not completely delivered on its promise might be lacking in big picture perspective. Like complaining that a cellular phone service provider doesn’t always generate “enough bars,” or the phone itself is now obsolete because it doesn’t take pictures, people often fall into the trap of wanting the next great technology. After all, does anyone miss the early days of composition? Have fond memories of pasting up boards, shooting them, developing film and burning/punching plates? Looking at it from the perspective of traditional prepress, there is a little room for forgiveness in noting that not

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM—Despite posting a 27 percent increase in group profits for the second quarter, Agfa-Gevaert said it would eliminate as many as 2,000 jobs—roughly 14 percent of its workforce—in a planned cost-cutting move.Of the total, 945 employees at its plant here (25 percent of the workforce) would be let go. More than 600 other jobs…

RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ—August 17, 2006—Agfa Graphics announced today that The Town Talk, a Gannett-owned daily newspaper in Alexandria, LA, has purchased two of Agfa’s violet Advantage platesetters, one for the newspaper and the other for its commercial operation at a separate facility. “We’ve been studying the CTP market for three years now. Our sister facility in Lafayette, LA, purchased two Advantage DLs two years ago, so we decided to go down there to take a look,” said Dorothy Sasser, production director for The Town Talk. “Once we saw it in action, we were convinced. The competition in this business is fierce, so we need

MORTSEL, BELGIUM—Agfa-Gevaert has been split into three independent businesses—Graphics, HealthCare and Materials. The new business, Materials, will group all of the film manufacturing activities with the niche products of Specialty Products and will be positioned as an independent supplier of film and related products.According to the company, the new structure will give each business the…