Konica Minolta Digital Press Earns First IDEAlliance Certification

RAMSEY, NJ—August 15, 2011—Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, announced that the bizhub PRESS C8000 is the first digital press to receive the IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification.

The IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification program validates that digital presses can consistently meet the production requirements of IDEAlliance's GRACoL color reproduction specifications. Other aspects validated in the certification process include uniformity, rub resistance, color gradations, text quality and color registration. Additionally, designated Konica Minolta production print technicians earned G7 Expert status, thereby permitting the bizhub PRESS C8000 to earn Digital Press Certification.

A program that verifies a digital production press’ ability to meet print specifications based on internationally recognized ISO standards, the IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification testing was produced by a team G7 Experts from two separate divisions of the Konica Minolta Group including Russell Doucette from Konica Minolta Sensing Americas and Jeff Collins from Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Dawn Nye, Product Marketing Manager for Production Print at Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., provided leadership and support on the Konica Minolta Team.

Due to the Konica Minolta Team’s successful efforts, the Customer Engagement Center at the Konica Minolta Headquarters in Ramsey, NJ, has also earned G7 Master Status.

“Our industry benefits greatly from independent system verification and certification. Digital press technologies that meet industry specifications and standards have crossed a new milestone and we thank Konica Minolta for their leadership in supporting this exciting program,” said David Steinhardt, President and CEO, IDEAlliance. “Konica Minolta’s participation in obtaining a Digital Press System Certification will go a long way in helping the industry enhance its understanding and application of digital printing."

“By being the first in the industry to earn Digital Press Certification from IDEAlliance, the bizhub PRESS C8000 is setting the standard for excellence that will come to be expected by customers looking for the highest quality and superior performance from their digital presses,” said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “Having G7 Experts in house and certifying our industry-leading digital presses is just another reason print professionals can count on Konica Minolta to ensure that our technology is not only innovative, but also leading the industry in superior performance certification.”

IDEAlliance certifies that Digital Press Certified systems meet or exceed established industry tolerances for excellence in the areas of Colorimetric Accuracy, Uniformity, Repeatability, Durability, and Registration. The certification program is similar to what GRACoL and SWOP is for inkjet proofing, and the framework is based on upcoming international standards ISO 12647-8, 15311, and 15339.

Witness firsthand the bizhub PRESS C8000 at GRAPH EXPO 2011, the year's largest graphic communications exhibition and educational conference, which runs September 11-14 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. To schedule a personal tour of the Konica Minolta Booth (#2227) and/or an executive interview, please contact Alicia Libucha at ALibucha@kmbs.konicaminolta.us.

ABOUT IDEAlliance
IDEAlliance (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is a global community of content and media creators, and their service providers, material suppliers, and technology partners. Our association identifies best practices for efficient end-to-end digital media workflows – from content creation through distribution. Through our active committees, educational conferences, webinars, training and certification programs, we provide members the forum for the exchange of information that results in the creation of our industry’s most valued standards.

About the IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification Program
IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification Program certifies the capabilities of commercial production xerographic and inkjet devices to meet specific print standards. The program consists of testing and certification in areas of color, print properties and print production. The program considers the entire press system, including the digital front-end, print engine, and paper. Program details can be found at www.idealliance.org/certifications/digital-press or by contacting Joe Fazzi at jfazzi@idealliance.org or calling 913.839.9623

About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop. Konica Minolta has been named Supplier of the Year by both the Allegra Network and the National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP), as well as received the Sales Support Award from Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. For more information, please visit www.CountOnKonicaMinolta.com and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Source: Konica Minolta.