Graphic Arts

Anniversary Open House Draws Crowd MAULBURG, GERMANY—Approximately 250 people recently attended the anniversary open house event, "40 years of Muller Martini Presses," in this town in southern Germany. Group Chairman Rudolf Müller, Group Divisional Manager Dr. Peter Merkli and Managing Director Dr. Jürgen Dillmann took the opportunity to thank all the guests for their long-standing relationship. Muller Martini then demonstrated two new variable-size web presses, the Alprinta and the Concepta. Introduced at Drupa, Muller Martini's new variable-size printing insert maximizes the format flexibility of a standard Alprinta by simply exchanging the plate and blanket cylinders, while the cartridge is still installed in the

by chris Bauer Managing Editor Many printers report seeing the demand for UV offset printing continue to rise—a bright light in a sometimes gloomy commercial printing landscape. One reason given by printers for this trend is the growing desire of print buyers and designers to create high-end consumer packaging, displays and marketing materials. This change in marketing approach by print buyers has had an effect on printed materials, causing a need to provide high-quality results. UV printing is opening up new doors for commercial printers. When it comes to intangibles such as gloss, feel, protective qualities and scuff resistance, UV-printed products are often

The Soderstrom Society of the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) has named Jim Hyder, president and CEO of Fetter Printing, Louisville, KY, and former NAPL chairman, recipient of the 44th annual Walter E. Soderstrom Award. Allen Conway, executive vice president for the resale custom division of Cenveo Inc., has been appointed to the position of president of the Cenveo resale segment doing business as Quality Park. In addition, Bob Hart, current president of the resale segment, has accepted a position as special assistant to the chairman. The Worldwide Printing Thermographers Association (WPT) has announced the winners of its 7th annual Excellence in Thermography Contest—the

arizona PHOENIX—Heidelberg USA has installed its Prinect Prinance Print Management System at Steve Woods Printing. The Prinance package works seamlessly with another manufacturer's digital prepress system and a trio of large- and small-format presses, as well as with its Heidelberg/Polar 137 cutter, and TD66 and TD78 folders. california Los Angeles—Sinclair Printing, owned and operated for 75 years by the Sinclair family, has stepped up its booklet production by adding a new BravoPlus saddlestitching system from Muller Martini to its full-service bindery. Roseville—Master Color is now running a two-color Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46. The new equipment is being used to produce stationery, brochures and newsletters.

By Erik Cagle Senior Editor Of all the current and past inductees into the Printing Impressions/RIT Printing Industry Hall of Fame, Peter McLean is perhaps the unlikeliest candidate. It's not a knock on McLean, who certainly has carved a name for himself after 30 years with 3M Co. and nearly a decade as COO with Continental Web Press, of Itasca, IL. It's just that printing was nowhere to be found on McLean's radar. "It was never my intention to pursue a career in printing," he says. But 40 years later, he's pursuing it with a passion. Rewind to 1995. McLean is serving as a

Eastman Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG) announced its new marketing team. The team reports to Barbara Pellow, chief marketing officer and vice president, Graphic Communications Group. The new GCG marketing team is as follows: Christopher Payne, director of product planning and strategy; Eileen McMahon, market planning manager; and Mark Weber, group director of alliances and acquisitions. Segment managers have been appointed to develop marketing programs in Kodak's four key market segments. The segment managers are: Paula Balik, in-plant printing; Andre Hill, corporate data centers and service bureaus; Charles Hura, digital services; and Cheryl Nelan, commercial printing. Also, Anthony Sanzio joins the group as marketing communications director,

Greg Wayne, director of manufacturing for California Offset Printers (COP) in Glendale, CA, was the winning finalist in the third annual GATF/SGI Web Press Skills Competition. Sponsored by the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, Sinapse Graphic International and MAN Roland, the contest used the SIR Heatset Web Offset Training Simulator, a virtual press, to present problem solving exercises. The competition took place during the Web Offset Association's annual conference. Negotiating traffic jams and finding parking spots will likely became much more enjoyable pursuits for one Metropolitan Fine Printers client. As the winner of the Vancouver-based printer's Segway contest, Laura Rioux of Rethink Communications is now the

SEWICKLEY, PA—Industry research into best practices of sheetfed offset printing with hybrid UV inks and coatings took a major step forward with the donation of a new six-color, 28˝ Komori Lithrone NL28 press for the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) that was dedicated during an open house celebration held here last month. The fourth press donated to GATF by Komori America, the NL28 is equipped with interdeck UV units that, by using special hybrid inks, provide the ability to add a UV coating without changing out rollers and blankets. It also features a redesigned ink fountain, the Komorimatic dampening system and Komori's K-Station

Folder Operators Go Back to School WESTAMPTON, NJ—Twelve folding machine operators representing seven different companies came to MBO America headquarters recently to participate in 2.5 days of in-depth, hands-on training at the MBO Fold School. Trainees were able to observe or operate three different folding machines, including the automated Perfection. Directed by Dave Trutzenbach, an authority on binding operations and equipment, the MBO Folding School provides the opportunity for operators to improve their knowledge and proficiency regardless of their skill level. NAK Marketing & Communications, an agency that has served many of the leading brands in the graphic arts industry for over 14 years,

Pittsburgh, PA--July 23, 2004--PIA/ GATF is pleased to announce 13 recipients of the 2004 GATF InterTech Technology Awards. A panel of independent judges chose this year's recipients from a roster of 33 submissions. Once again, GATF 's InterTech Technology Award recipients reflect a unique cross-section of industry innovations, from consumables like blankets, paper and plates to a classification system for folding and software that enhances the design process while reducing file size. "The 2004 awards show that even small companies can develop a highly innovative technology deserving of an InterTech Award," says PIA/GATF Research Director John Lind. Although the digitization of