Mercury Print Productions

Mercury Print Productions in Rochester, NY, has installed a new HP Indigo W7200 digital press to bolster its competitive advantage in the book publishing market.

Printing businesses have learned that by incorporating mailing and fulfillment into their existing print service offerings, they can increase profitability, build more flexibility into their production schedules and compete more effectively for the business of print buyers seeking the efficiency and convenience of a one-stop shop.

To meet the need for knowledge by printers on the subject of Mailing, the On Demand 2009 Expo and Conference (www.ondemandexpo.com) includes an educational "intensive" seminar titled Making Money in Mailing: A "How-to" Guide for Printers. The four hour session concentrates on the most important core concepts vital to the successful start-up of a mailing services operation by a printer.

AS AN economically unstable 2008 gives way to a poten- tially more tumultuous 2009, printers from the Sunshine State to Washington State are tightening their belts, digging in and preparing for the worst. Even the firms that forged through the mess and found success, including those named as 2008 Fast-Track Firms, are hoping for a better new year.

The 2012 Printing Impressions 400 list of the largest printing companies in the United States and Canada as ranked by annual sales.

Five-Color Press Expands Business SUN VALLEY, CA—ColorFX Inc., a full-service trade printer, has purchased a five-color, 40˝ Komori Lithrone S40 with coater. The company also recently added an online ordering system to accept work from clients all across the country. One DI Press Not Enough DORAL, FL—City Colors, a trade printer based here, was so successful with its first Presstek 52DI digital offset press after 30 days on the floor, its management decided to purchase and install a second one. City Colors’ DI operation primarily produces gang runs of business cards and postcards for other printers. CALIFORNIA OXNARD—Ventura Printing, which recently acquired the Business Mailing

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2004. Therefore, companies that revised their 2003 revenues may have changed their 2003 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 251 ('03: 245) Fisher Group, Hiawatha, IA Total Sales (Millions): $20.00 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $20.00 Change (%): - Principal Officer: Martin C. Fisher Employees: 145 Primary Specialties: DM 90%; ADV 6%; CAT 4% Web Offset Press Units: 13 Sheetfed Press Units: 0 Other Press Units: 0

Growth Seen in Color Digital Printing Output NEW YORK CITY—Acceptance and use of any new technology is usually a direct function of a decline in cost and an increase in quality or functionality. Digital color printing is following this pattern. According to a new report released recently by TrendWatch Graphic Arts (TWGA), prices for digital presses and related consumables costs have declined significantly. This, in conjunction with technological advancements that have enhanced output quality, has led to a steady increase in investment in digital color equipment, which reportedly is up five percentage points in the last 12 months. In addition, demand for digital

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2003. Therefore, companies that revised their 2002 revenues may have changed their 2002 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 252 ('02: 262) Specialty Printing, Niles, IL Total Sales (Millions): $21.90 Previous Year's Sales (Millions): $21.40 Change (%): +2 Principal Officer: Adam M. LeFebvre Employees: 92 Primary Specialties: DM 45%; ADV 30%; COM 25% Web Offset Press Units: 16 Sheetfed Press Units: 12 Other Press Units:

(Editor's Note: Company rankings for the current and previous years are based on figures reported in 2002. Therefore, companies that revised their 2001 revenues may have changed their 2001 ranking as compared with the ranking that appeared in last year's Printing Impressions 400. Similarly, the percentage change in sales is calculated on the most recent information provided.) 252 ('01: 275) Commercial Communications, Hartland, WI Total Sales (millions): $22.38 Previous Year's (millions): $22.75 Change (%): -2 Principal Officer: Robert D. Hegwood Employees: 250 Primary Specialties: PUB 50%; COM 30%; SPEC 10% (On-demand); BKS 10% Web Offset Units: 6 Sheetfed Offset Units: 18 Other: 14