ROCHESTER, NY—May 19, 2008—PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, today announced PPML Consumer Certification Programs and the first group of certified products for users of PPML (the Personalized Print Markup Language). PPML is the leading open-standard VDP (Variable Data Publishing) language for production digital printing. PPML facilitates creating personalized high-volume print campaigns by service providers, enabling meaningful one-to-one “conversations” for their customers. The addition of PPML Consumer Testing and Certification to the previously announced Producer Certification now provides independent verification that compliant products from different companies will correctly process PPML for the print service provider. Certification is traceable to a single PPML/GA test suite and
XMPie, a Xerox Company
No Waffling on Drupa Plans GHENT, BELGIUM—This country’s comparatively small size belies its standing as a home to major graphic arts industry vendors, with Agfa Graphics, Punch Graphix (Xeikon) and EskoArtwork among the companies based here. That’s why the global series of pre-show media briefings being held in the lead-up to Drupa recently included a stop in Ghent, with side trips to Mortsel and Antwerp. As a backdrop for Agfa Graphics’ Drupa plans, Stefaan Vanhooren, president, noted that the company’s recent “de-merger” had given it a better focus and a stronger identity, but the industry is facing challenges. While overall print volume is still
FOSTER CITY, CA—April 16, 2008—EFI® (Nasdaq: EFII), the world leader in customer-focused digital printing innovation, will be showcasing its most extensive range of productivity and revenue generating print solutions ever in Europe at drupa 2008, from 29th May to 11th June in Dusseldorf, Germany. Visitors to its stand C01, Hall 5, will experience the industry’s broadest array of leading digital solutions, from the latest Fiery®, VUTEk® and Jetrion® digital printing innovation to the Print MIS and web-to-print solutions that are critical to increasing operational efficiency and profitability as printing businesses worldwide continue the analog-to-digital transition. Visitors will also be able to view EFI’s products
AppForum Covers Digital Print Spread LAS VEGAS—“We now have members on every continent except Antarctica,” boasted Rab Govil, president of PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, during his keynote address at the association’s seventh annual AppForum. “Perhaps we should recruit penguins,” he mused. While the desert chill might have been suitable for the birds, the nearly 450 human attendees were kept busy indoors with the event’s ample agenda of sessions and networking opportunities. Topics of the presentations spanned the technology, business strategies and applications crucial to running a digital printing business, under the banner “A Celebration of Digital Print.” Attendees also were given an opportunity
NEW YORK—Jan. 28, 2008—The XMPie Users´ Group today announced it will hold its second annual XMPie Users’ Group Conference at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas beginning Feb. 6, 2008. The two-day event incorporates a comprehensive program of activities and open discussion forums encompassing both a technology-oriented curriculum and a marketing and business development track. Designed as an interactive forum, XMPie staff and XMPie users will discuss the latest Variable Data Printing and Cross Media technology, trends and best practices. The conference will be preceded by a choice of in-depth technical tutorials targeted at either design or programming activities. Adobe, EFI, HP, InfoTrends, Kodak,
THIS SPECIAL editorial section was produced to tie in with the upcoming sixth annual PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference, to be held November 3 to 6 in Phoenix. The event will feature two dozen sessions to help companies leverage variable data for success. Attendees will hear riveting case studies and participate in sessions selected directly by prospective attendees during online voting earlier this year. As one attendee said last year, “This is the type of conference that puts all the variables of variable printing into one comprehensive program. I learned more at this conference than I ever expected.” Sessions for decision makers include
NEW YORK CITY—August 7, 2007—Printing Industries Alliance, formerly known as the Printing and Imaging Association of New York State, has announced that internationally known lifestyle communicator Martha Stewart has been named the recipient of the 2007 Franklin Award, which recognizes the achievements of outstanding leaders and communicators. The award will be presented during the Association’s Franklin Event on Tuesday evening, September 18, at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City. A New Host This is the first time the Franklin Event will be hosted by the Printing Industries Alliance. “We are happy to have this opportunity to host the Franklin Event which has been
Same High-Tech Press, Same Super Success, Very Different Printers LOS ANGELES—The Komori Lithrone LS40SP Super Perfector with double coater technology—so new, there are only a few operating in the United States—inspired Komori to sponsor a media junket to California in April to see two of the presses in action. The Super Perfector, based on Komori’s successful Lith-rone S40 series, is a tangible example of the company’s commitment to create presses from the user’s perspective, employing their input in the development of its products. Zarik Megerdichian, president and CEO of Glendale-based 4Over Inc., who runs an all-Komori shop, claims he’s one of those end
Viewing On Demand BOSTON—Changing locations continues to be part of the story from the On Demand Conference & Expo, which last month completed its 2007 run at the (nearly) new Boston Convention & Exposition Center (opened in 2004). The event first moved from its long-standing home in New York City to Philadelphia for a two-year stint and now on to Boston through 2008. Close to 200 exhibitors had booths in the On Demand portion of the show floor, which the event continues to share with the AIIM Expo. New, or at least now commercialized, color printing systems added up to the largest category
MAN Roland Hosts Printers for Press Premier OFFENBACH, GERMANY—The world premier of a “next generation” sheetfed printing platform isn’t an everyday occurrence, so MAN Roland extended its recent festivities to more than a week to allow for bringing in several groups of select printers, journalists and its own employees from around the globe. The stars of the show were HiPrint and DirectDrive versions of the new Roland 700 sheetfed printing platform. To make the most of the trip, the contingent from North America was additionally treated to tours of a local DirectDrive beta site, MAN Roland’s foundry and its manufacturing/assembly facilities for sheetfed presses.
