Eastman Kodak

BY MARK SMITH Since the dawn of the digital age in the graphic arts, remote proofing has seemed to be a logical way to more efficiently communicate with print clients. At that point, the Internet was still just the domain of computer geeks and researchers, and terms such as e-production and ASP wouldn't be coined for years. Yet, some prepress pioneers were trying to find effective ways to build electronic bridges to their client sites. The cost of maintaining a digital pipeline to customers had traditionally been a significant barrier to adoption of remote proofing. Given the rate at which high-speed Internet access is

CAMBRIDGE, MA—Pageflex Inc. and Xerox Corp. have entered into an agreement that gives Xerox the right to resell Pageflex's Mpower and Persona variable-data software on a non-exclusive, worldwide basis. Pageflex software also will be incorporated into a soon-to-be-announced solution from Xerox for the personalized and customized printing market. (www.pageflexinc.com and www.xerox.com) FAYETTEVILLE, AR—University of Arkansas Printing Services has added a new digital Xerox 6180 Book Factory system to its facility. Consisting of a digital printer and several binding units, the system was chosen by Rich Bundsgaard, director of printing services, after he researched a variety of alternatives. The university is

BY MARK SMITH Offering the whole kit and caboodle of services to the demanding software/high-tech industry is the stock and trade of GlobalWare Solutions in Haverhill, MA. It can be a high-pressure business. With software releases, developers are always trying to do one last bug check or tweak of the code before the CDs are duplicated, manuals printed and product boxes assembled. If it's a major release, anxious buyers have been known to line up at midnight at local computer stores to be the first to get their hands on the product. So the shipments have to be on time. The need for quick turnaround puts

Now there is a color digital production press to suit every printer's desire. Is it time to throw your hat in the ring? BY CAROLINE MILLER Color digital press manufacturers are setting their sights on the commercial printer. No longer is digital printing just for the on-demand and quick printing market segments; it has finally matured to the point where commercial printers can begin to seriously consider integrating these output devices into their business strategy. Today, digital presses offer print quality that is close to offset quality. The mix of improved quality, coupled with quick turnaround, speed and flexibility, is a recipe that

BY MARK SMITH Like a pit bull on a mail carrier's ankle, there are some issues that just won't seem to loosen their hold on the graphic arts industry. Font-related issues are the best case in point, having caused problems since the earliest days of desktop publishing and still hindering the processing of many jobs today. Similarly, digital proofing has presented challenges for most of that same time period. There is no solution that is perfect for everyone, so debate has raged about what is the best—or even just an acceptable—approach to digital color proofing. The points of disagreement usually are rooted in the

BY MARK SMITH Upon returning from serving in the army during World War II, brothers Ozzie and Vary Aslanian founded a photoengraving shop in New York City. The name "Quality" was adopted sometime later, but management has always taken pride in the high level of craftsmanship offered by the company. At the same time, Quality House of Graphics has been a leader in adopting new technologies. The philosophy guiding its investments is that craftsmanship is enhanced, not replaced, by technology. Benchmarks in the company's history include being the first in its market to install a Quantel Graphic Paintbox, for high-end retouching work; and

Having just returned from Chicago, home of the Graph Expo trade show, I must now return to the drudgery of daily work. And right now, that means forecasting the future of the prepress industry. If only prognosticating were easy. Frankly, it's anything but. The data are clearly contradictory. On the one hand, sales are rising (although profits are not) and all the leading researchers seem to agree that this is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. On the other hand, there looms the impact of the Web, which most pundits predict will severely impact commercial printing's future. Yet, if navigating one's way through the crowds tromping

BY MOLLY JOSS In a little more than five years, computer-to-plate (CTP) technology has moved past the early experimenter phase and has moved into the later stages of the early adopter stage. Some might even argue it's moved into the early stages of the mainstream phase. However you measure it, it's difficult to argue that CTP is a flash-in-the-pan technology. Still, it hasn't yet found its way into every print shop in the nation and around the world. Widespread acceptance to that degree is yet to come. Wanting to get an inside look at how CTP is coming along, Printing Impressions recently spoke

BY MOLLY W. JOSS When computer-to-plate (CTP) technology expanded from the single choice of conventional platesetters to the dual choice of conventional or thermal, commercial printers were faced with twice the choices. If you wanted CTP, you bought conventional or thermal and you bought plates that the system vendor said matched the platesetter. Things got more complicated earlier this year as plate manufacturers started their pre-DRUPA announcements and as DRUPA unwound in May. Many of the major plate vendors announced new plates; some introduced three, four or more new offerings. Some announced thermal plates that reduce, or remove, the processing steps. What's more,

BY MOLLY W. JOSS Here's a riddle for you: It's not cake batter, it's not cookie dough, but you still have to bake it to get the most enjoyment out of it. What is it? To some the answer will be obvious: it's a printing plate. Even if you didn't guess the answer to the riddle, you may still find yourself deriving enjoyment—or at least increased print runs and other benefits—from baking digital plates. Depending upon the plate and the print job it's intended for, you stand to gain significant production advantages by using a plate that requires baking either before or after