Agfa Graphics

I happen to be a big believer in PDF. I think it's the best technology driving workflow improvement today, and that it will bring even more benefits to workflows in the years ahead. Now that's hardly a controversial statement—you could even call it a widely-held belief in our industry. But I know there are lots of people out there, both publishers (in the broad sense of the word) and printers (ok, in the broad sense of that word, too), who, while they have a generally positive attitude towards PDF (how could they not, after all the good press we've given it?), still have some doubts,

Enovation Graphic Systems announced the formation of Arkin Graphics, which will be based in Flushing, NY. The new company was created to acquire the graphic arts products distribution business from Arkin-Medo Inc. As an Enovation company, Arkin Graphics will continue to serve the companies and customers that Arkin-Medo established over the past 80 years. Creo Inc. has appointed Jonathan Agger as product marketing manager for scanning solutions in North America and Latin America. He has held positions with Agfa, Polaroid Graphic Imaging and Sprockets.com. Screen (USA) is marking its 35th anniversary with an assessment of its success in satisfying its customers and providing quality products. Results

BY MARK SMITH Job Definition Format (JDF) support came the closest to being a theme among prepress exhibits at the recent Graph Expo and Converting Expo 02 in Chicago. The competitive pressure to beat the drum for JDF compliance may be causing an unintended complication, however. There are signs of a growing trend toward JDF being equated with all efforts to digitally integrate the entire print production process, a concept also known as computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM). That leap is not completely accurate, or at least premature. JDF capabilities are not precisely a successor to the CIP3/4 support touted by manufacturers in the

LARGO, MD—After more than a year of researching the various CTP options, the management of Chroma Graphics decided to install a Screen (USA) PlateRite 8000II thermal plate recorder. The company reportedly was producing 100 percent of its work on the eight-up device within a month of the installation. Chroma Graphics was started in 1989 as a prepress operation and has since evolved into a full-service commercial sheetfed printer with sales of $9.5 million in 2001. It serves a broad base of customers, including high-profile clients such as the Washington Redskins, Nasdaq and the National Academy of Sciences. (www.screenusa.com) TAMPA, FL—Martin Litho is

BY ERIK CAGLE Want perspective on just how old Omaha Print is in relation to our young country? When the company's initial flagship publication—the Omaha Republican—debuted in 1858, Nebraska was still nine years away from becoming a state. Abe Lincoln and the Pony Express wouldn't bow for two more years, and the Civil War was three years away from the first cannonball being fired. And the new printer could count, as one of its first customers, a new company called the Union-Pacific Railroad. Omaha Print has not only changed along with the country—it once sold furniture and stationery supplies from a retail outlet—it has

PALO ALTO, CA—R.R. Donnelley announced the development of a new Inventory Management Solution (IMS), which is a book-on-demand, soft-cover production system that it says is designed to help book publishers improve cash flow through shorter printing runs. The system will combine a HP Indigo 3000 digital color press with an integrated, in-line binding module. According to John Conley, vice president of digital services for R.R. Donnelley, the first IMS module will be installed this summer in the company's Harrisonburg, VA, book plant. (www.rrdonnelley.com / www.hp.com) HUDSON, NH/VANCOUVER—Presstek Inc. and Creo Inc. report signing an agreement under which Presstek's Anthem chemistry-free

BY MARK SMITH Advancing the capabilities of computer-to-plate (CTP) systems requires plate and platesetter manufacturers to perform a tricky little digital two-step. The pair's timing has to be just right since each half of the CTP solution is useless without the other. While the platesetter may represent a much larger initial investment, the plate really does the leading because of its broader impact on the success of a CTP implementation. As a whole, the printing industry hasn't been content to just dance with the ones (technologies) that brought it to the party. Thermal imaging barely had its coming out before people were looking ahead

ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE—A new two-color, 28˝ Komori Lithrone press has been installed at All American Printing. TUSCALOOSA—The University of Alabama has added a new four-color, 21 1⁄16 x 19 1⁄8˝ Sakurai 474EPII press. CALIFORNIA IRVINE—The Dot Printer recently installed a Fujifilm Javelin Luxel T-9000 CTP thermal platesetter. The company is a five-facility, $36 million commercial printing operation. LOS ANGELES—Lithographix has installed its second Rollem TR die-scoring system and a Durselen/Rollem PB01 drilling system. NAPA—Label printer Jonergin Pacific has purchased CRC Information Systems' "The System" business management software. The company specializes in the production of high-quality wine labels. SAN DIEGO—Speedy Bindery has purchased a Best Osako

BY MARK SMITH Trade shows probably are not the most accurate indicator of an industry's vitality. When the show is IPEX 2002—the international printing exhibition held in Birmingham, UK—it's even harder to draw any direct conclusions about the North American market because of the show's strong English and broader European flavor. Still, there is an understandable temptation to try to gauge the current state of the market based on the tone of major industry events. The organizers of IPEX report overall attendance at the 2002 show hit 65,451 people, which represents about a 30 percent decline from the final count for IPEX 98. Overseas visitors reportedly

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. moved into violet imaging CTP technology by previewing three internal-drum systems that feature 30mW laser diodes for exposing photopolymer plates. The Saber Luxel Vx-6000 CTP handles a 29.5x26.4˝ maximum plate size and is offered in manual and semi-automatic configurations. The Saber Luxel V-9600 CTP and Vx-9600 CTP support a 45.7x37.8˝ maximum plate size and initially will be available in a fully automatic configuration. The Vx model supports a slightly larger imaging area and will be offered in manual and semi-automatic configurations in the future. Write in 382 on Reader Service Card Delphax Technologies debuted the Imaggia II series of sheetfed