Xerox Corp.

You guessed it, I just saw Momma Mia and "Like a Super Drupa" keeps rolling around in my head. For those of you not familiar with the show Momma Mia, which is based on the music of ABBA, it's a must see. Super Trooper, one of ABBA's huge hits 24 years ago, is one of the show's toe-tapping standouts with the catchy "Like a Super Trooper." Being a printer to the core, I just couldn't help putting my own spin to the tune. A Super Drupa it should be and, by the time you read this, many will be on their way to Germany

by marie alonso Business Development Consultant The three most prominent features of JDF are its ability to carry a print job from concept through completion, its ability to bridge the communication gap between production and management information services, and its ability to do so under nearly any precondition. JDF, JOB Definition Format, is without question the most significant and viable integration initiative targeting print connectivity today. The road to realizing the benefit from JDF integration has been a long one. There have been many milestones along the way—and Drupa 2004 is the biggest one in the ultimate quest for print connectivity. JDF

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

Vendors Time Release Products for Drupa DÜSSELDORF—Drupa 2004 will most likely have begun its run by the time this story is in print, yet it technically is still part of the pre-show coverage. Two companies elected to make their announcements embargoed until now. Presstek previously released information about its next-generation thermal imaging head, ProFire, but details of its application were held back. Formal product launches were being saved for Düsseldorf. The company is teaming up with Ryobi, KBA (Karat) and Kodak Polychrome Graphics (KPG) to introduce an entry-level, lower cost digital offset printing platform based on ProFire. An entry-level version of the yet-to-be- named

On Demand Closes Doors on Its New York City Run NEW YORK—Two surprises awaited exhibitors and attendees at the recent 2004 On Demand Conference & Exposition. Unfortunately, they both related to the event itself. On the first day, word spread of a change in location and timing for the next installment of the industry forum, which is scheduled to be held May 17-19, 2005, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the heart of Philadelphia. There was no formal announcement, so most exhibitors first learned of the move when they were approached about reserving a booth for the 2005 show. The second surprise awaited attendees

Spiral Binding Co. has named Joe Bondonna product manager for its line of document finishing products. He has worked for the company for 15 years in sales and training roles. Rick Parks is the new western region general manager of sheetfed operations for MAN Roland. He is responsible for sales, service and support in a territory that encompasses 11 western states. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses has made two key personnel changes. Ken Kodama has been appointed vice president of sheetfed sales. The company also announced the promotion of Randy Siver to the newly created position of director of marketing and technical sales. Kodak Polychrome Graphics' (KPG) plate

arizona PHOENIX—AIRO Graphics is now operating a six-color Komori Lithrone 40 perfector. TEMPE—A Prime UV four-lamp UV curing system has been installed as a retrofit on a five-unit Harris M-110 perfector web press to cure wet trap UV ink on commercial printing at ValleyWide Printing Services. california BURBANK—LAgraphico, a full-service premedia and printing company that serves the film industry, recently installed a new Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74 sheetfed press to produce promotional collateral to support feature films such as "Peter Pan," "Seabiscuit" and "Cheaper by the Dozen." On February 20, LAgraphico celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house event at its new 78,000-square-foot

By Marie Alonso Business Development Consultant Once was a time when leaders at a commercial printing operation saw a new offset press, liked the new press, bought it and then made money with it. These were the days when the sheetfed and web offset printing process didn't require the word "traditional" in front of them. That time is no more. While traditional offset printing remains a cornerstone of today's commercial print world, its more digitally savvy sibling—variable data digital printing—is maturing fast and is already looking to step into some of its older brother's shoes. Today's commercial printers need support for the successful transition to understanding,

by chris bauer Managing Editor Digital printing has been tabbed as the future of the graphic arts industry for years now. But, to the chagrin of digital press manufacturers—and probably to the delight of offset press vendors—their use and integration into pressrooms remains relatively limited. Whether it is concerns of quality, price or technology, many commercial printers are sticking with their traditional offset presses, and using digital presses for special applications only—if at all. Those printers who have made the digital leap, however, are singing the praises of the new-found equipment. Many report seeing a bump in business after crossing that digital line, and are finding new

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor The line of demarcation between a copier and printer was the first to fall. Now it's not uncommon for devices with similar capabilities to be called printers or presses, depending on who's doing the naming. And, markedly different machines—such as all-digital and digital offset systems—may be labeled as digital presses, or the ubiquitous production systems. The upshot is that it has become very difficult to neatly define what products should be included in an update on the state-of-the-art in digital printing. Therefore, what follows is a look at some, if not all, of the recent major developments in the