FUJIFILM Graphic Systems Div.

IPEX 2002 -- Accent on the Positive
June 1, 2002

BY MARK SMITH Trade shows probably are not the most accurate indicator of an industry's vitality. When the show is IPEX 2002—the international printing exhibition held in Birmingham, UK—it's even harder to draw any direct conclusions about the North American market because of the show's strong English and broader European flavor. Still, there is an understandable temptation to try to gauge the current state of the market based on the tone of major industry events. The organizers of IPEX report overall attendance at the 2002 show hit 65,451 people, which represents about a 30 percent decline from the final count for IPEX 98. Overseas visitors reportedly

ACROSS the nation
June 1, 2002

Four MAN Presses Star at Newspaper INDIANAPOLIS—The Indianapolis Star has begun putting its new $72 million production facility to work, producing advertising sections on the first of four MAN Roland Geoman presses that are scheduled to print both daily and Sunday editions of the paper by mid-July. The new press hall encompasses more than 30,672 square feet on two levels. It is at the heart of a 260,000-square-foot complex, called the Pulliam Production Center (PPC) after the publishing family who led the Star over the past five decades. Stitcher Added to Handle Sales Boom QUINCY, IL—JK Creative Printers has purchased an Osako saddlestitcher from

CTP FIELD REPORTS -- A Digital Duet
May 1, 2002

BY MARK SMITH A consensus of opinion seems to have been reached about why to adopt a computer-to-plate workflow. At least in some quarters, though, the same cannot be said for the question of how to implement one. Or more precisely, which combination of plate and platesetter is the best solution. New product introductions continue to fuel the thermal versus violet imaging debate. The recent IPEX international printing expo also brought a new player (Esko-Graphics, the newly named combination of Purup-Eskofot and Barco Graphics) to the arena of digitally imaging conventional ultraviolet plates. Processless technology continues be developed along ablative, phase-change and other tracks.

ACROSS the nation
May 1, 2002

Williamson Institute Proves Its Value Once Again DALLAS—Williamson Printing hosted the third Williamson Institute in February. The educational seminar provided printing knowledge to college students to help enhance their education within the graphic communications industry. Fifty students representing Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, the University of North Texas and Baylor University attended the seminar. CALIFORNIA ANAHEIM—Pacific West Litho has installed a new six-color, 40˝ Komori Lithrone press equipped with a ColorCommand temperature control/cooling system from TriService. AZUSA—A Steinemann Topspot 102 blanket coater has replaced two silk screen UV coaters at Classic Coating & Laminating. COMMERCE—The transition to a computer-to-plate workflow is complete

ACROSS the nation
March 1, 2002

American Printing Lands New Press MADISON, WI—American Printing recently diversified its pressroom with the addition of an eight-color, 40˝ Mitsubishi Model 3F-16 sheetfed press. CALIFORNIA FOUNTAIN VALLEY—A new A.B.Dick DPM2340 direct-to-plate device is up and running at Brookhurst Printer. The company provides printing for medical groups and the banking, insurance and hospitality industries. HUNTINGTON BEACH—Taylor Graphics, a general commercial printer with 12 employees, has purchased a five-color, 20x28˝ Mitsubishi Model 1F-15 sheetfed press. SANTA FE SPRINGS—At The Dot Generator, a six-color, 28˝ Komori Lithrone press equipped with a ColorCommand temperature control/cooling system from TriService has been installed. GEORGIA ATLANTA—Geographics has completed the

SUPPLIER news
March 1, 2002

Creo Products has appointed Mark Dance to the position of CFO. Dance retains his position as COO and will continue to serve as a director of the company. Dance replaces Michael Graydon who will continue with the company in an advisory role. Graydon is scaling back his responsibilities in order to pursue a greater balance in his family and work life. Also, Creo has appointed Judi Hess to fill the position of president, graphic arts. Hess has held the position of corporate vice president, printing workflow solutions, since April 2000. Goss Graphic Systems has reached an agreement in principle for the sale of substantially

IMAGESETTING VS. PLATESETTING -- Setting the Pace
February 1, 2002

BY MARK SMITH Just "to" it. With all due apologies to Nike, this play on its famous slogan seems to similarly capture the mood in the printing industry. Computer-to-plate (CTP) has become the hip, happening thing in the market. All the attention being paid to the technology makes it hard not to get the impression that everybody is to-ing it. The hoopla also makes it easy to understand why film users can sound a bit defensive when asked about their decision to stick with the tried-and-true workflow. For this community, an equally apt anti-slogan could be derived from those paternal words of wisdom, "If

DIGITAL bytes
February 1, 2002

CLEVELAND—Oliver Printing has installed the world's first Heidelberg Quickmaster DI Pro digital offset press. The full-service printer's clients primarily are Fortune 500 companies and advertising agencies, to which it provides quick turnaround, multicolor printing. The workhorses of its conventional sheetfed offset printing capabilities are two six-color presses, a Speedmaster 74 perfector with coater and Speedmaster 102. The shop has more than 20 employees. (www.heidelbergusa.com) OVERLAND PARK, KS—On Demand Technologies (ODT) has entered into an agreement with Hewlett-Packard to jointly develop and deploy digital printing products and services. ODT will provide HP with certain intellectual property for print-on-demand (POD) solutions targeting the

ACROSS the nation
January 1, 2002

ARKANSAS FAYETTEVILLE—The University of Arkansas Printing Services made a number of new additions to its in-plant facility, including Binuscan's Color Pro color correction software, a CreoScitex EverSmart Pro II flatbed scanner, a CreoScitex Brisque 4 RIP, a Dolev 800 filmsetter, a five-color Komori perfector, a Saber cutter from Colter & Peterson and a 40˝ MBO folder. CALIFORNIA SANTA ANA—Westlam, a supplier of trade laminating and UV coating services, has installed a new Autofeeds laminator as part of its plant modernization program. CONNECTICUT NORTH HAVEN—The William J. Mack Co. has ceased operations after being in business for more than 38 years. Bill Mack has joined

UPFRONT
December 1, 2001

Schmidt Acquires Rapid ReprintBYRON, MN—Publishing industry solutions provider Schmidt announced that it has acquired Rapid Reprint, a quick turnaround article reprint production company based in White Bear Lake, MN. Schmidt, a web offset printer, specializes in the production of direct response vehicles such as magazine and direct mail inserts, as well as the production and distribution of card packs for the publishing industry. Valassis Installs QTI Systems DURHAM, NC—Valassis Communications has purchased a Ribbon Control System 4000 (RCS 4000) and a Register Guidance System V (RGS V) with ink guiding and phaser control for the second of its MAN Roland Lithoman presses. Both systems were