Xerox Corp.

With NexPress 2100 unveiled, Heidelberg ready for the Xerox challenge, Indigo and Xeikon bolstered, Screen showing intent, Presstek enabling on-press imaging for Adast, Ryobi, Sakurai and soon Didde—and more manufacturers, not the least of which is MAN Roland, targeting full-production digital—there is a new zest to digital printing. It ain't just about on-demand any more . . . BY MARIE RANOIA ALONSO Say goodbye to on-demand digital printing—at least the on-demand part. It is now June 2000, the much hyped DRUPA 2000 is over and the digital production color press is an emerging force to be taken very seriously by even the most

The benefits are tangible: PDF preserves file integrity, allows for more predictable final output and facilitates smooth, cross-platform publishing. Is PDF right for you? For your customers? Six commercial printers tell their tales. BY MARIE RANOIA ALONSO (Editor's Note: This article is the first in a two-part series focused on PDF workflows in place at a range of commercial printing operations.) It can, if created correctly, embed images and fonts within a single file, eliminating the problem of missing elements. It can be used for remote proof routing between designer and prepress provider. It can act as the digital master throughout an entire CTP

This is the column where I announce the winners in the sales letter contest that I announced in my January column. But first, 'scuse me while I do my old man aerobics exercises. I'm trying to burn off some calories. I've put this fat old body on a 1,500 calorie-per-day diet and I'm going to keep losing weight until you all:

When I was six years old, a World's Fair was held in Flushing, NY. Companies such as General Motors sponsored pavilions that showed how we would travel in the 21st century. And Bell Telephone showed phones with television screens. Of course, much of what was shown never came to pass. However, many other things that were pure fantasia did turn into reality. In many ways, this month's DRUPA is exactly the same thing, only with all the exhibits dedicated to printing and publishing. For those of us who have experienced only a "traditional" trade show, it's hard to describe just how large this quinten-nial event really

Digital printing is finally well beyond concept acceptance, as On Demand proved last month. New moves in on-press imaging and color server technologies—and the Internet—are delivering on the promise of digital printing. BY MARIE RANOIA ALONSO Given the impossible-to-ignore high velocity of the Internet as it targets multiple areas of the print production process lately, it is no surprise that the Internet is also targeting the time-sensitive profit center that is on-demand digital printing. True to current form, the dotcom emphasis at On Demand in New York was staggering, but not surprising—new online solutions for on-demand document fulfillment, new Internet tools for

Lieber Vater! In many ways, CIP3 can give thanks to the DRUPA exhibition in Germany. DRUPA 1995 was the event that really brought attention to the CIP3 initiative. DRUPA 2000 will see several conceptual aspects of the initiative realized. BY MARIE RANOIA ALONSO In late 1993, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen initiated discussions in Germany with the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics. The two organizations, later joined by bindery innovator Polar-Mohr, formed the foundation for the CIP3 cooperative—a study group known as CIP3, the International Cooperation for Integration of Prepress, Press and Postpress. By DRUPA 1995, the CIP3 movement took official form. Its objective: Facilitate data exchange

Celebrating its 25th (silver) anniversary, Graphics of the Americas 2000—held February 4th to 6th in Miami Beach—was the first international printing and converting trade show of the new millennium. But, unlike the Y2K fears that generated false media headlines as the new millennium approached, this event lived up to all of its advanced billing. Catering to both the U.S. and Latin American graphic arts industries, Graphics of the Americas 2000 featured more than 23,000 attendees and 1,500+ exhibit booths encompassed within more than 500,000 square feet of exhibit space. For the first time, the show occupied all four halls of the Miami Beach Convention

Welcome to the fifth annual Printing Impressions ranking of the 50 print vendors at the top of the color on-demand printing market. The rankings were determined by 1999 annual sales figures, as reported by the companies themselves. 1. XYAN.COMKing of Prussia, PA(610) 992-7100Total Annual Sales: $62,500,000% of Sales From On-demand: 60Principal Officer: Alan BelyeaPlants: 47Employees: 735 Year Founded: 1994Digital Printing Devices: Canon CLC 1000 (2); Xerox DocuColor 12 (34); Xerox DocuColor 40 (8); Xerox DocuColor 70 (1); Xerox DocuColor 100 (1); Xerox DocuTech 135 (5); Xerox DocuTech 6180 (16)Capabilities/Servicess: Digital file transfer; Distribute and print; Distribution and fulfillment; Internet server; Large-format output 2. BPS

The finishing end of the entire on-demand printed product workflow is the poor stepchild of the digital family, watching in envy as the prepress and printing sides get the technological pony for Christmas. But it shouldn't and doesn't have to be that way.

The flood gates are open—digital presses for commercial printers are no longer one size fits all. There are enough devices to tempt the commercial printing community. From the zealous prepress provider to the comprehensive of one-stop printing operations: Specialization is the new mandate for the digital press in on-demand printing, variable or not. BY MARIE RANOIA ALONSO Quick. What is a prime directive of the best of the best commercial printers when it comes to exploring new digital technologies for print? Be receptive to embrace emerging digital printing technologies? Be proactive with contemporary and unique marketing initiatives to promote new digital