Training and Education

PITTSBURGH—Dr. Tim Claypole was presented with the Michael H. Bruno Award during the 60th annual TAGA Conference, sponsored by the Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA). Dr. Claypole is the founder and director of two university spin-off companies, Swansea Printing Technology, providing software and support services, and Teclyn, which offers a manufacturing service for electronics and displays. He is also a driving force behind the Print Forum Wales, which focuses on raising awareness of advances in printing technology. The Board of Directors of TAGA singles out a professional with a distinguished career to receive this award each year in appreciation of his

PITTSBURGH—April 15, 2008—The Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA) presented the Michael H. Bruno award to Dr. Tim C. Claypole during the 60th annual TAGA Conference. The Board of Directors of TAGA singles out a professional with a distinguished career to receive this award each year in appreciation of his dedicated service and contribution to the advancement of the graphic arts internationally. The late Michael H. Bruno was the founder of TAGA in 1948. He was a past president and the first recipient of the TAGA Honors Award in 1976 (renamed in 2005 in his honor); Mr. Bruno dedicated his life to the

ONE OF the biggest selling points of the annual Web Offset Association (WOA) conference is that it hasn’t turned into a statue that’s firmly cemented and unmoving. The venerable conference’s year-old name, Offset and Beyond, suggests that its participants view technology favorably and don’t consider themselves forever locked into the past. Not that we’re turning our backs on offset lithography, mind you. It’s not being thrown under the technological bus. But it stands to reason that web and sheetfed offset printers need as many guns in their arsenal as possible to remain competitive in a congested marketplace, and the good folks who bring you

TWO MASTERS of media will open sessions at the 2008 Offset and Beyond Conference. James Bradley, author of “Flags of Our Father,” and David Gregory, MSNBC chief White House correspondent, will deliver unforgettable messages. Each of the speakers was interviewed by PIA/GATF staff members in preparation for the keynotes. The following article highlights those conversations. James Bradley James Bradley will kick off the opening day with riveting, timeless themes of courage and overcoming obstacles. In a recent interview, Bradley indicated that his message will segue from the historical examples of supposedly insurmountable tasks where people said it could not be done, to everyday life

LONDON—Although Komori announced several innovations that will be highlighted under its “Five Solutions” banner in Hall 15 at Drupa 2008 next month, the spotlight will shine most brightly on the brand-new Lithrone SX40 (LSX40) sheetfed press platform. During a recent pre-Drupa press event held here, Komori America officials revealed that the LSX40 will become commercially available in January 2009. Capable of speeds to 18,000 sph and accommodating a 41˝ sheet size, the six-color LSX40 press with coater enables a 50 percent reduction in job changeover times, making it highly efficient for short runs. This is due, in part, to new KHS-AI “advanced intelligence” sheetfed

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL—HP began its pre-Drupa Press and Analyst Summit here March 9-12, hosting more than 100 journalists, analysts, partners and customers to an unveiling of several new technologies and products. In HP’s most extensive graphic arts push to date, the pre-Drupa rollout included the introduction of the HP Ink-jet Web Press, Latex Inks, SmartStream Digital Workflow Portfolio and three new Indigo digital presses. These latest offerings—which span high-speed ink-jet production and liquid electrophotographic printing, as well as wide-format printing—will debut (excluding the web press) at Drupa in HP’s mega booth in Hall 8A. Causing quite a stir among the debuted products was

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY—The big, heavy curtain has finally been lifted. With much anticipation surrounding the Drupa 2008 launch of its new 56˝ Speedmaster XL 145 and 64˝ Speedmaster XL 162 large-format sheetfed presses, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen CEO Bernhard Schreier welcomed the international trade press to the Wiesloch-Walldorf manufacturing facility in early March to officially unveil both models, as well as the new Hall 11 where they are being assembled. Geared toward the packaging and industrial printing segments, the 15,000 sph, “peak performance” presses will headline Heidelberg’s presentation based around “HEI Performance” and “HEI Value” slogans within its two exhibition halls at Drupa. Corresponding large-format Suprasetter

MIAMI BEACH, FL—Traditionally a show that caters to U.S. and Latin American printers, Graphics of the Americas (GOA) took on a more international flavor as 13,000 people from 78 countries gathered at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The 33rd edition of the show, held February 27 to March 1, drew printers, graphic professionals and print buyers to the 250,000-plus square feet of convention space that housed 940 booths and 450 unique vendors. “We turned up the volume this year and made some very positive noise in virtually all areas of the event,” notes George Ryan, president and CEO of the Printing Association of Florida,

THIS BEING a Drupa year has been exciting from a new technology standpoint and good for earning frequent flyer miles. But a recent string of attending three separate pre-Drupa press events overseas—three weeks in a row—has done havoc to my biological clock and sleep patterns. Hosted by key industry suppliers to preview their Drupa product introductions, I made separate, week-long trips to Japan, England and Germany. I even could have gone to another event in Israel the fourth week, but that would have really been over the top. I’m not whining, mind you. One of the best perks about my job over these

THERE ARE many reasons why a printer may decide to exhibit at a trade show or conference. From generating solid business leads to creating or maintaining brand awareness, exhibiting can have very lucrative results—but only if it is orchestrated effectively. In February, my staff and I hosted our annual Print Oasis Print Buyers Conference at Amelia Island Plantation in Florida. Print Oasis is the premier educational conference focused on the challenges of marketers, print buyers and production professionals. This year, 65 printers and technology companies were featured in the Exhibit Hall. One of the main reasons print buyers choose