Graphic Arts

Ricoh Corp. has aligned with UNIX and Linux software developer Codehost Inc. Ricoh will offer its customers and dealers BrightQT, Codehost's suite of Linux and UNIX-based printing tools, for use with Ricoh networked output devices. Creo Inc. has received ISO-14001:1996 certification for environmental management of its Canadian operations. This completes environmental management certification for both of the Creo design and manufacturing operations. Creo operations in Israel recently underwent recertification for ISO-14001—a standard first achieved in February 2001. KBA North America has promoted Evan Heise as its sales representative for a six-state region, including Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho and New Mexico. Heise is now

On Demand Show to Feature Allied Events NEW YORK CITY—Slated to run April 7-9 at the Jacob K. Javits Center, the 2003 edition of the On Demand Digital Printing and Publishing Conference & Exposition is being held in conjunction with two other events—the AIIM 2003 Conference & Exposition and TeleCon Collaborate 2003 Conference & Exposition. AIIM International is an association for the global enterprise content management (ECDM) industry and focuses on the technologies used to create, capture, customize, deliver and manage enterprise content to support business processes. TeleCon Collaborate showcases solutions that enhance productivity and performance within the enterprise, including videoconferencing, Web conferencing and

by chris bauer With the economy stubbornly refusing to shift back to the economically favorable gear of a few years ago, commercial printers continue to search for ways to make a buck. One opportunity many printers have found is to provide more ancillary services, including expanded finishing options. According to recent data from the Printing Industries of America (PIA) and the Graphic Arts Marketing Information Service (GAMIS), the current competitive business climate has forced many operations to diversify and adopt new products and services to remain profitable. As such, respondents to the PIA/GAMIS survey reported that nearly $1 out of every $7 earned

Printer Sees Repair Savings BLOOMINGTON, IL—Bloomington Offset Process Inc. (BOPI) was the first printer in the nation to use MAN Roland's E-Eyes remote diagnostic tool to eliminate the need for a service call. Thomas Mercier, CEO and president of the company says E-Eyes saved BOPI thousands in expenses and repair costs. california IRVINE—A six-color, 40˝ Mitsubishi Model 3F-16 sheetfed press with tower coater and extended delivery has been installed at Mybar Printing, replacing two six-year-old 40˝ presses at the $12 million, full-service commercial printer. Also on order is a four-color Mitsubishi Diamond 3000R perfector with coater. OXNARD—A high-speed Spartanics batching system has been

Workflow Patents Revisited as Henry Freedman Speaks SPRINGFIELD, VA—The October 2002 edition of Printing Impressions included an overview of recent developments related to the patenting of automated workflow methodologies and technologies. The article made reference to an earlier patent held by Henry B. Freedman (U.S. Patent 4,839,829) but, at the time, Freedman said he was constrained from commenting for the story. Having now gotten the go-ahead from his patent attorney, Freedman recently provided an outline of how he sees the "829 Patent" coming into play as the industry moves more toward computer-integrated manufacturing. As of December 2002, 58 other patents already reference the 829

BY MARK SMITH Would color management by any other name still carry the same stigma? When it was first introduced, the concept grew to being billed as just short of perfect color in a box. The early offerings might as well have come in a yellow and black box with a "Color for Dummies" label. It quickly became clear that color, the human eye and perception defy description by straightforward mathematics. Or, maybe it's just that expectations were set so high, there was no chance of matching them. To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, it's worth taking a brief look at

The Label Printing Industry Association (LPIA), a special industry group of the Printing Industries of America, recently inducted William Smyth Jr., of Smyth Companies, St. Paul, MN, into the LPIA Hall of Fame. The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation (GAERF) recently completed a total revision of the competencies that form the basis for instruction in PrintED, a national accreditation program for graphic communications at the secondary and post-secondary levels. In addition, GAERF has begun developing a national exit exam for students in PrintED classes to accommodate its adoption as a state-mandated program. The National Council for Skill Standards in Graphic Communications has announced

BY MARK SMITH Printing is one of the few places where eight is a magic number. Even the once standard eight-hour day for many has become an artifact of a simpler time. Eight-page production, however, continues to be the standard of comparison for most facets of the printing process. For a time it seemed to be the de facto size for computer-to-plate (CTP) solutions. Eight may indeed be enough, but it also can be too little or too much. Two-up platesetters actually helped pioneer the direct-to workflow and technology, albeit using paper and polyester plates. Small-format metal systems have been a more recent

Computer-to-Plate Has Positive Effect NEW YORK CITY—TrendWatch Graphic Arts has released its first report focused exclusively on direct-to-plate technologies. According to the market report, the once doubtful commercial printer community has overwhelmingly begun to embrace and benefit from the now decade-old technology. Among the survey findings cited as supporting this conclusion are: * 39 percent of all print businesses perceive direct-to-plate as having a positive effect in their operations. * 55 percent of sheetfed offset press shops perceive direct-to-plate as having a positive impact on their business. * An additional 17 percent of sheetfed press shops plan to start using digital plates, while

Printer Wins Baldrige Award FORT WORTH, TX—Branch-Smith Printing has received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the small business category. It is the nation's premier award for performance excellence and quality achievement. The Baldrige Award is managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in conjunction with the private sector. The winners were announced by President Bush and Commerce Secretary Don Evans in November. Ennis Acquires Calibrated Forms DESOTO, TX—Ennis Business Forms has completed its acquisition of the outstanding stock of Columbus, KS-based Calibrated Forms Co. Calibrated designs, manufactures and markets printed business forms within the wholesale business forms marketplace. Calibrated becomes