August 2007 Issue
ACROSS the nation
Globe Litho Installs Press, Commits To ‘Green’ Success RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ—Globe Lithographing recently installed a new six-color Speedmaster CD 102 with in-line coater, which joins two existing six-color Speedmaster SM 102 presses with aqueous coating and a six-color Speedmaster SM 102 perfector. The company, which was awarded Chain-of-Custody certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) last fall, is also making news for recently signing a contract with Community Energy of Wayne, PA, to purchase 100 percent of its electricity from wind-powered energy. Original Impressions Impresses Fast Food Royalty at Burger King MIAMI—Burger King Corp. (BKC), and its purchasing cooperative/supply
Adobe FedEx Kinko’s Update
SAN JOSE, CA—Adobe will remove the “Send to FedEx Kinko’s” service and functionality, currently available to US customers in Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat. The versions of Adobe Reader and Acrobat that are scheduled to be released in October will not contain the feature. We are implementing these changes as quickly as we can. However, we need time to write and test the software. Adobe Reader and Acrobat are critical pieces of software for tens of millions of customers and we have to be sure the software we deliver is up to its usual quality. Adobe originally announced the FedEx Kinko’s features on June
Adobe Move Angers Print Community
SAN JOSE, CA—Printing associations and a digital user’s group reacted angrily toward Adobe’s decision to incorporate a “send to FedEx Kinko’s” command in its Acrobat 8.1 application. In turn, Adobe recently met with several organizations to address their concerns. The PIA/GATF, noting Adobe’s contributions in transforming the printing process from an analog to a digital workflow—enhancing graphic communications, while putting millions of bucks in Adobe’s coffers—said the move “insults industry loyalty.” Michael Makin, president and CEO of PIA/GATF, added that the Adobe partnership left the association feeling “terribly betrayed by the company that has been supported by the printing industry.” Makin found it “unacceptable” that
Adobe, FedEx Kinko’s Pact Creates Firestorm —Michelson
ONE MIGHT well have thought the dangerous wildfires that ravaged parts of California and other Western states this summer also engulfed Adobe Systems’ headquarters in San Jose. They did not. But Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen should have donned his fire protection gear anyway, especially after landing in the hot seat following his software company’s June 6 pact with FedEx Kinko’s. The two companies collaborated to incorporate a “send to FedEx Kinko’s” button within Adobe Reader 8.1 and Adobe Acrobat 8.1 software—making it appear to many in the industry that Adobe is endorsing one print provider. The move has incensed independent and franchise commercial and
BINDERY matters
Stitchers Star at Muller Martini Open House HAUPPAUGE, NY—Nearly three dozen print production businesses, including printing and binding companies of different sizes, recently attended a saddlestitching open house hosted by Muller Martini. The event, entitled “First to the Finish: Leading-Edge Saddlestitching Solutions for Maximum Automation,” was held here at Muller’s Long Island headquarters. Open house attendees viewed live demonstrations of three finishing machines geared toward the middle-performance segment. Demonstrated were a BravoPlus saddlestitcher with AMRYS (Automatic Make-Ready System), a BravoPlus T stitcher with partial AMRYS and a Presto stitcher. During the event, Muller Martini sold a BravoPlus T machine. Visitors not only saw three of Muller Martini’s
Build Trust, Build Business —Morgan
WHEN COMPANIES analyze how to save money, promotional and print costs are often an easy target. In many organizations it’s common that print buyers are given a mandate from management to cut last year’s budget by 5 percent or more. Just as most buyers are not given proper training on printing technology, they also are not given training on financial tools and tracking. Most organizations don’t know how much money they are spending on print, don’t know how much they are spending with each of their printers, what their AA costs are, or which costs are controllable. Without sound financial information, some buyers
Busy Summer Sees CGX Acquire Pair
HOUSTON—Consolidated Graphics (CGX) has enjoyed an eventful summer on the M&A front, acquiring boutique commercial printer Pikes Peak Lithographing of Colorado Springs, CO, and The Cyril Scott Co. of Lancaster, OH. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Pikes Peak specializes in large-format sheetfed printing, producing banners, fine art reproductions, maps and point-of-purchase displays on a variety of substrates, including synthetics and plastics. It will maintain production at its two Colorado Springs facilities. In an earlier move, CGX signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire Cyril Scott, a commercial printer that produces multi-featured print products for the direct mail market, including pop-up/pop-out nested designs and kiss-cut
Cenveo Adds Two Firms; Sullivan Promoted
STAMFORD, CT—Looking to solidify its West Coast commercial printing operations, Cenveo Inc. has acquired ColorGraphics of Los Angeles. Terms of the deal, which was completed in July, were not disclosed. ColorGraphics, a full-fledged commercial establishment with facilities in San Francisco, Seattle and Orange County, CA, as well as Los Angeles, ranked 48th on the 2006 Printing Impressions 400 with $147.25 million in annual revenues. A statement from Cenveo pegged ColorGraphics’ current sales total at roughly $170 million. ColorGraphics President Chris Madison will remain with the company following the closing of the transaction. Cenveo also obtained Commercial Envelope Manufacturing of Deer Park, NY, one of the country’s largest
Computer-to-Plate — Digital Plate Developments
CHEMISTRY-FREE, processless or whatever they may be called, what matters is that digital plates with reduced processing requirements are gaining converts. Eliminating the cost and issues in dealing with chemistry, environmental concerns and space considerations are the top reasons cited by users for making the switch to reduced process plates. Printers using the leading versions of this plate technology tell remarkably similar stories. Along with reporting the same benefits, they’ve all come to one conclusion about plate costs. Even though these products generally have a higher per-plate price, their total cost of usage is the same or less because of the savings on chemistry,
Defining Core Competencies —Sherburne
PART OF effectively marketing your firm is a clear understanding of what your business is about—what are your market differentiators, why do customers buy from you rather than someone else, and what would attract new customers to you rather than the guy down the street or the Internet storefront at their fingertips? In his keynote address at EFI Connect 2007, Apple Fellow Guy Kawasaki’s advice, among other things, was to define your innovation or differentiation with a two- to three-word mantra, like Nike’s Authentic Athletic Performance, FedEx’s Peace of Mind, eBay’s Democratize Commerce. This is a good approach that makes it easy for your
DIGITAL digest
EFI Connects With Record Number of Users LAS VEGAS—Reaffirming its status as one of the largest graphic arts users groups, the Eighth Annual EFI Connect Conference recently drew nearly 1,500 attendees to the Wynn Hotel & Resort. That made it the biggest turnout ever for the conference, and is still impressive even given that the total registration included 250 EFI employees, a number of sponsor partners and a smattering of journalists. Connect is well-designed to deliver an effective mix of stimulating and informative keynotes, an extensive array of educational sessions and networking activities. Topics of the 160 sessions ran the gamut from EFI’s MIS
Domino Extends its Range of Variable Data Printing Solutions
GURNEE, IL—July 31, 2007: Domino Printing Sciences plc, a world-leader in total coding, marking, traceability and printing solutions will launch its L-Series ink jet solution for the mailing market, at this year’s Graph Expo. Making its world premier on the Domino booth (# 3852) will be the L400, the first product in Domino’s new L-Series range. To complement the L-Series, Domino will also launch its BaseLine mail table, designed specifically for ink jet applications. Based on patented thermal ink jet technology, the Domino L400 is set to open up the market for addressing on direct mail, catalogs and magazines for Domino. It is
DRAABE Brings Full-Line of State-of-the-Art Air Humidification Systems to Graph Expo 2007
CHICAGO—August 1, 2007—DRAABE, the world’s leading manufacturer of humidification systems, will be displaying its full line of state-of-the-art air humidification systems for all printing applications (such as prepress, printing plant, and storage) and discussing how its systems can provide higher press and plant performances, lower operating costs, and enhanced health protection at Graph Expo 2007, which will be held in McCormick Place in Chicago from Sept. 9-12, 2007. DRAABE will be located at Booth 1663. “We look forward to meeting show-goers at Graph Expo to explain to them how our humidification systems can provide an array of important benefits,” says Wafik Kouchouk, DRAABE’s Director
Drupa 2008 Entrance Passes Allow Free Public Transportation
August, 2007—For drupa 2008, print media trade fair, Messe Düsseldorf offers a special service to all exhibitors and attendees: Visitor, exhibitor and press entrance passes allow free use of all public transportation within Düsseldorf and neighboring cities on all days of the show. drupa 2008 will take place from May 29 – June 11, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. The entrance passes can be used as a free public transportation ticket on all buses, streetcars, underground trams (U-Bahn), urban railways (S-Bahn) and German rail service within the Rhine-Ruhr regional network (VRR) of Düsseldorf and the Rhein-Sieg transportation network (VRS) which includes the
EarthColor Makes Deal for Thebault
WEST ORANGE, NJ—EarthColor Inc. has acquired high end commercial printer L.P. Thebault, based in Parsippany, NJ. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Brian Thebault will remain chairman of L.P. Thebault, which will become a division of EarthColor. The company was founded in 1954. “The Thebault family has built one of the nation’s most recognized printing and service organizations,” notes EarthColor CEO Robert Kashan. “With over 50 years of experience, L.P. Thebault has an unmatched team of seasoned professionals working with state- of-the-art equipment and technology, a perfect addition to EarthColor.” L.P. Thebault is a web and sheetfed printer that produces general commercial work, including annual reports,
Employee Free Choice Act Blocked, Short of Votes
The Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800/S. 1041) was blocked on the Senate floor, as a procedural attempt to move the legislation forward for debate, and votes fell short, 51-48. Sixty affirmative votes were needed to invoke cloture (cut off debate) on the “motion to proceed” to the bill. The vote fell largely along party lines. PIA/GATF notified all 100 senators that the association opposed the unionization bill and urged a “no position” on the procedural vote. (Thanks to those who took action in opposing the bill.) While a victory for the industry, PIA/GATF members are reminded that this vote was, in some ways,
GRAPH EXPO 2007 Pre-Show Product Preview
Here’s an exclusive, PRE-SHOW PREVIEW showcasing new products submitted by many of the exhibitors that will be displaying their wares next month in Chicago. Colter & Peterson will showcase the BASA 3, which features an automatic jogging system that can automatically form layers of printed sheets, align them accurately and transport them to the subsequent cutting process. The BASA 3 is appropriate for paper from 16-lb. bond to 125-lb. tag, and is effective when combined with a modern, rear-table-feeding system. Existing gripper transport systems can be retrofitted. Visit www.piworld.com/infocenter: enter #377 MBO America will introduce the Super KTZ, featuring a knife-folding unit that
Graph Expo Preview — Digital, Anyone?
TO PARAPHRASE a gag from the late, great comedian Rodney Dangerfield, “I went to Graph Expo the other day and an On Demand show broke out.” If imitation is really the sincerest form of flattery, then the On Demand folks should be downright blushing at the degree of digital technologies that will be offered when Graph Expo storms into Chicago’s McCormick Place South complex from September 9-12. Not that the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), Graph Expo’s producer, is out to steal another show’s thunder; rather, it is only a telltale sign of the trend that is enabling printers across North America to
Look Who’s Become the Life of the Party (Poster) —Cagle
YET ANOTHER sign that the apocalypse is upon us... A former PI amigo dropped a line to mention that he’d heard a funny piece on Howard Stern recently. It seems a somewhat forgotten victim of dubious distinction is in the process of quietly rebuilding her life, by teaming up with her fiancé on a specialty printing Website, called originalpartyposters.com. The company, based in Chats-worth, CA, provides all-occasion posters, predominantly 24x36˝ and 36x48˝ sizes, for celebrations from birthdays, holidays and anniversaries to baby and bridal showers, and corporate events. Originalpartyposters.com also provides ancillary party needs, such as invitations, thank-you cards, place cards and photo albums.
Monadnock Graphic Arts Printing & Packaging Papers Now Made with 100% Renewable Electrical Energy & Manufactured Carbon Neutral
BENNINGTON, NW—August 1, 2007—Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc. announces that all its Graphic Arts Printing and Packaging Papers are made using 100% renewable electrical energy and are manufactured carbon neutral. Monadnock is continuing its leadership in sustainable manufacturing by making significant investments to continue to reduce its carbon footprint and overall environmental impact. “In 2006, 49% of our electricity was self-generated”, says Michelle Hamm, Manager of Environmental Services. “Since 1904, Monadnock has derived much of its energy from mill owned and operated low-impact hydroelectric generation facilities, and Monadnock remains committed to the use of low-impact hydroelectric power.” Monadnock has made a considerable investment in Green-e
Muller Martini to Feature Diverse Capabilities of Innovative Alprinta-V Continuously Size-variable Press
HAUPPAUGE, NY—08/01/07—During this year’s Graph Expo show, Muller Martini, the world leader in variable size web offset presses, will again show why the company is setting the pace in innovative press engineering. Visitors to booth #3863 can learn all about the unique capabilities of Muller’s exciting new Alprinta-V continuously size-variable web offset press as well as view several samples created in a single pass with this technology. The Alprinta-V series utilizes an infinitely size-variable insert system. The insert remains in the press during a size change, since only the actual size parts – the blanket cylinder and the plate cylinder – are exchanged.
Pamarco Global Graphics Displaying Automated Ink Dispensing System
The GTP-1 GreenTrac Performance Pumping system, a remote-controlled automated ink dispensing system designed to fit in tight, restrictive areas, will be introduced at Graph Expo ‘07 by Pamarco Global Graphics. Using ultrasonic sensors, GTP-1 monitors ink in the fountain and adds the required amount when and where it is needed. Ink is pumped to the…
PERSONAL bests
Skip ZIPs with Geocoding IT USUALLY can go without saying that getting the address right is fundamental to direct mail success. The topic has been receiving more attention of late, though, in part because of the U.S. Postal Service’s new Delivery Point Validation requirements for getting the maximum postage discount. Mailing lists must now be scrutinized to an even finer degree to ensure address accuracy. In addition, technology is providing new options for targeting communications to an audience. One example is “geocoding” (geographic coordinates), which enables residences and businesses in a set area to be identified with much greater precision than via ZIP codes.
PIA/GATF Lauds Adobe’s Decision to Remove FedEx Kinko’s Button
PITTSBURGH—August 1, 2007—PIA/GATF is delighted with the announcement by Adobe that it will remove its sole source print solution button within Acrobat Reader 8.1 which directed customers to FedEx Kinko’s. “We recognize that the company must have had to move mountains to retreat on its position, and we commend Adobe for its swift action,” notes PIA/GATF President and CEO Michael Makin. “They have clearly restored confidence in our long-lasting partnership.” Adobe software engineers are fast at work producing Acrobat Reader 8.1.1 which they hope to have on the market within 8–10 weeks in October. This is lightening speed in terms of software releases. Once this new
Print Markets Update — Where Print’s Hot, And Not
AS THE dog days of summer begin to wind down with five months remaining in 2007, printing sales are poised to grow faster than the 3 percent clip of the first half of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve Bank is now forecasting the nearly 4 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) nominal growth rate that we predicted a year ago. The falling dollar continues to inflate prices in energy and other imports, and earnings growth among companies with foreign operations. At least two interest rate hikes before year’s end are inevitable, which will likely dampen retail sales and speed up mega-merger activity in every
