SMART Papers

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Experience has taught printers to error on the side of caution when it comes to managing paper. Any tendency toward overreacting is understandable, given how essential this raw material is to the process. It's easy to imagine the sense of helplessness from having a press sit idle or turning away business for want of paper. The critical role of paper helps explain much of the past volatility in the marketplace. In recent years, paper buyers and suppliers have both taken steps to instill more stability and rationality in the market, and there were some indications of this

Creo Inc. has been honored by Xerox Corp. with the title of Software Partner of the Year. Creo was acknowledged for its Spire color servers designed for various Xerox color presses. The announcement was made at the annual Xerox Business Partner Conference, held in February. Creo also reports a partnership with Sichuan Juguang Printing Apparatus, one of the largest plate manufacturers in China. Under the terms of the agreement, Juguang will manufacture and sell the jointly developed Juguang JPT-1 positive thermal plate. Creo will offer the plates as part of its complete computer-to-plate systems in China. An estimated 75 new jobs will be created at

Dallas Printers Agree to Merge DALLAS—Impression Graphics and Ussery Printing have agreed to merge, with the company operating under the name of Ussery Printing. The combined companies have 76 employees and roughly $11.7 million in annual sales. The company will be able to produce small- and large-format printing. Quad/Graphics Signs Extension SUSSEX, WI—Quad/Graphics will become the exclusive printer for U.S. News & World Report in January 2005 after the two parties reached an accord on a contract extension. Quad will print 2.2 million weekly copies of the publication for distribution throughout the United States. The work will be produced entirely at Quad facilities in Saratoga Springs, NY,