Print UV 2008 Event Scores Home Run in Las Vegas

Discussion topics included how to market and sell UV, innovative UV printing and coating techniques, and the benefits of going 100 percent VOC-free in the UV pressroom. Presenters included John Giusto, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing, Curtis Packaging; UV Master Printer Greg Ross, a Manager at Fort Dearborn Companies; Chris Travis, Director of Technology for KBA North America; Kurt Kroening, a former plastics printer and Vice President of Operations at Air Motion Systems; and Darrell Jursa, Vice President of lifestyle marketing firm CURRENT. On the second day of the conference, a panel of experts from major press OEMs, as well as UV equipment, ink, coating and consumable suppliers answered questions on topics ranging from UV safety guidelines to ink adhesion to proper care for UV blankets and rollers to the best way to "sell" the UV learning curve to upper management. A special executive session focused on developing business, process and quality standards for UV printing.

"We went to Print UV 2008 knowing next to nothing about UV technology and feeling anxious about getting started," said Bruce Sparks, Plant Supervisor, Quest Graphics, which recently added a 64" UV-equipped KBA Rapida to its pressroom lineup. "Frankly, our expectations were pretty low. As a result of what we saw and heard at the conference, however, I can honestly say the anxiety is gone. We're more comfortable and confident that we can be successful with UV technology. And what a fine job the organizers did: it was definitely time well spent."

Added Kevin Regan, Production Manager, "The timing could not have been better for us. We were especially pleased that the well-rounded conference program looked at UV technology from many different angles. We were interested primarily in pressroom and application issues, but we also learned a great deal about the marketing and environmental aspects of the technology. It's a rock-solid lock we'll be there again next year."