Xerox Corp.

Nothing 'Static' About PIA/GATF VDP Conference PHOENIX—Somewhat akin to the early days of the California Gold Rush, there are endless growth opportunities in today's digital frontier. And the riches will go to those printers that can master variable data printing (VDP), database management and cross-media applications. There's no secret map to the gold, but shops that can provide these services—coupled with the ability to market, sell and then track the benefits of one-to-one marketing—will be the ones most likely to strike it rich. That seems to be the general consensus of the more than 300 participants who attended the 2005 PIA/GATF Variable Data and

Award Winners Honored in China SHANGHAI, CHINA—Jonathan Leslie, CEO of Sappi Limited, and Ronee Hagen, CEO of Sappi Fine Paper North America, presented Bob Coppinger of Kirkwood Printing, Wilmington, MA, with an International Printer of the Year award. Sappi Limited presented awards to nine printers out of 6,000 entries at a gala event held here recently to recognize excellence in print craftsmanship. The only winner from the U.S., Kirkwood Printing took top honors in the annual reports category. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (MLP U.S.A.) has joined The Print Council, an industry coalition dedicated to building the market for print. Jeff Pieper has been promoted to senior vice president

arizona PHOENIX—O'Neil Printing has added a new six-color Heidelberg Speedmaster SM 52 perfector with coating system. The new press is an upgrade from a five-color Heidelberg GTO 52. Founded in 1908, O'Neil Printing has been an employee-owned company since 1996. TUCSON—Southern Arizona Graphic Associates has installed a new six-color Komori Lithrone S40 press with coater. california ONTARIO—Rey Nelson Printing purchased a five-color, 20˝ KBA Genius 52 waterless UV press while attending PRINT 05 in Chicago. According to company president George Alderson, the 28-year-old trade shop sees a major market opportunity to produce short-run synthetic printing. FLORIDA MOUNT DORA—DMMI Promotions has installed two DocuSheeter

Marketing Is What Differentiates Us Don't wager your future on that brand-new offset or digital press your company just installed. Or even on those value-added, non-print services you've decided to embrace. They may help grow your business in the long run, but are no immediate sure bet if not supported by ongoing marketing efforts that help entice existing clients and prospects to buy your various service offerings.

PostScript Update Times Two SAN JOSE, CA—For the first time, Adobe Systems is delivering its latest version of PostScript software in two editions—Host and Embedded. The latter has the potential to increase the pool of PostScript devices and users. Both implementations of PostScript 3 version 3017 feature support of PDF 1.6 and are now available to OEMs. Adobe PostScript 3 Embedded Edition is a streamlined version of the product targeted to printing of Microsoft Office documents on desktop/workgroup printers and MFP devices. It has a smaller footprint in terms of memory space (10MB) and processing demands, but sacrifices some high-end functionality, such as support for very

Journal Shutters Dixie Web MILWAUKEE—Dixie Web Printing, the New Orleans-based printing arm of Journal Communications hit by Hurricane Katrina, will not resume operations, the company announced in its third quarter report. Journal Communications said the decision was made due to softness prior to the storm, and the fallout resulting from Katrina—building damage, operating losses and uncollectible receivables. About 100 jobs were lost at Dixie. Graphcom Joining CGX Family HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) has inked a letter of intent to acquire Graphcom Inc., of Atlanta. The transaction was expected to be completed within 60 days. The deal speaks to CGX's long-term strategy for expanding its geographic footprint, reports Joe

Printer Lauded For Energy Conservation VERONA, WI—By changing all of its work-area lighting from metal halide lights to fluorescent fixtures made by Orion Energy Systems, Park Printing House saved 45 percent (45,290 kilowatt hours per year) on its lighting bill and collected an award for its efforts. Dickinson Press, in Grand Rapids, MI, has bolstered its management team with the addition of Michael Linder as vice president of sales and chief marketing officer and Paul Heroman as vice president of operations. Long-time New England printing executive Duncan Todd has been named president of Daniels, a Merrill Communications Co. In a move to reinforce the company's position,

california ANAHEIM—Expedia Media recently installed a Heidelberg Quicksetter 300E imagesetter. The shop purchased a Heidelberg consumables package with the installation, including Saphira RA imagesetting film and chemistry. Founded in 1984, the shop houses 70 employees. SANTA CLARA—Mahoneyprint Services, a provider of 1-to-1 marketing services, is now doing business under the name The Mahoney Co. The name change signifies the completion of the transition from a print provider to a personalized digital marketing solutions provider with its Xerox iGen3 press. As part of the reorganization, The Mahoney Co. is now organized into five divisions. colorado BOULDER—Intermountain Color, also known as IMC Web Graphics, announced it

Agfa Talks Tech With Printers NORTH BERGEN, NJ—Agfa recently held a one-day "Technology Showcase" for area printers, featuring its chemistry-free CTP solutions and Sublima XM screening. Deborah Hutcheson, Agfa's senior marketing manager, Digital Solutions, gave attendees an overview in a formal presentation and then two of the company's customers shared their first-hand experiences. John Santangelo, executive vice president of H&S Graphics in Lodi, NJ, conducted demonstrations of Azura aluminum plates being imaged by an Acento thermal platesetter for chemistry-free CTP production. The family owned, 10-person general commercial shop made the move to that system after trying a competitive technology. According to Tom Santangelo, president,

Tackling a sizzling-hot topic in the printing industry, the 2005 PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference scheduled for November 6-8 at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel in Phoenix is designed to offer attendees the critical information needed for personalized digital printing success. In the following special section you will find articles pertaining to the main topic of this upcoming PIA/GATF event. Included are a look at several digital printers who have successfully implemented variable data printing (VDP); how a leading direct marketing agency relies on VDP to boost response rates; compensation plans for digital salespeople; results from a recent study concerning postal damage to digitally printed