EFI

WASHINGTON, DC—April 2, 2008—The Print Council, a national business development initiative created to help promote greater use of printing and print media, announced that Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. the largest premium paper manufacturer in North America, has joined the organization. As a new member, Mohawk Fine Papers will work in concert with other member companies of The Print Council to help develop, maintain and expand the market for printed materials. Richard Schielke, National Business Development Manager of Mohawk Fine Papers, notes the importance of The Print Council’s mission for the industry’s future: “Commercial printing today must effectively compete more vigorously than ever against

New Perfector Pumps Up Production at Ultra Imaging BILLINGS, MT—Ultra Imaging, an AlphaGraphics franchise, reports a monthly average increase in print volume of 30 percent since recently installing its four-color Heidelberg Printmaster PM 74 perfector. The new press, which replaced an older two-color model, is being used to print general commercial products, including books, advertising and marketing materials for local clientele, as well as high-end reports for nonprofit organizations. Large-Format UV Press of Choice For Superior LOS ANGELES—Superior Lithographics, a supplier of high-quality litho labels, top sheets and folding cartons, has installed a new six-color, 64˝ KBA Rapida 162a sheetfed press with

FOSTER CITY, CA—EFI has appointed Bill Bieger, a sales professional with a 20-year track record in the print industry, to the position of EFI sales director for North America/graphic arts solutions. Bieger will concentrate his efforts on solutions in a few specific areas where EFI has seen the most opportunity in the market.

SEWICKLY, PA—March 27, 2008—Immediately following this year’s Offset and Beyond Conference, the PIA/GATF Digital Printing (DPC) and E-Business (EBC) Councils will host a special half-day long event featuring five engaging sessions on a variety of digital and Internet-enabled printing topics. Printing executives are invited to attend this open, interactive forum for the digital printing community to learn about the latest trends and innovations in VDP, 1:1 marketing, Web-to-print, and digital sales strategies. The Go Beyond with Digital event will take place on Tuesday, April 29 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg, IL. The event

I HAVE written quite often in this space about the role of “product” in the overall marketing strategy for any company; that is, the physical product or service offered to the customer. There are many exciting new products and services that printers are offering to their customers these days that go beyond print to address a broader swath of the business objectives their customers are trying to achieve. This includes multi-channel communications—incorporating e-mail, PDF distribution, Web, personalized URLs/Web microsites and other communications alternatives along with a print campaign; variable data solutions; transpromotional communications or the use of what is being called “onserts” in place

AppForum Covers Digital Print Spread LAS VEGAS—“We now have members on every continent except Antarctica,” boasted Rab Govil, president of PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, during his keynote address at the association’s seventh annual AppForum. “Perhaps we should recruit penguins,” he mused. While the desert chill might have been suitable for the birds, the nearly 450 human attendees were kept busy indoors with the event’s ample agenda of sessions and networking opportunities. Topics of the presentations spanned the technology, business strategies and applications crucial to running a digital printing business, under the banner “A Celebration of Digital Print.” Attendees also were given an opportunity

ARE YOU going to Drupa 2008? In its 14th edition (the first Drupa was in 1951, 57 years ago!), it will be the largest ever, with more than 1,800 exhibitors from 50 countries and more than 1.8 million square feet of exhibit space. More than 400,000 visitors are expected during its two-week run, beginning May 29th. Why do I bring that up in a column about marketing? Classic marketing texts talk about the “4Ps” of marketing: Product, Price, Promotion and Place. • Product: This is the physical product or service offered to the customer. It also refers to any services or conveniences that are

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY—This will be the ink-jet Drupa. No, it will be the green Drupa. Or, maybe the print buyer Drupa. Actually, it will be big enough to be all three, and much more. With more than 1,800 exhibitors occupying more than 1.8 million square feet of exhibit space in nearly 20 halls, putting a label on Drupa is one way to make it more digestible. Another is for visitors to develop a “must-see” list ahead of time. To that end, a number of briefings are being held in advance of the show to get the word out about what to look for from major

JDF User Group Formed, Awards Program Expanded PITTSBURGH—To facilitate implementation of the Job Definition Format (JDF) in automated workflows, a new JDF User Group is being formed by Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) and the International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4). Plans call for the group to meet three times a year in locations across the country, with the first meeting having already been scheduled to run here March 24 and 25. The group is to convene March 24 at PIA/GATF’s headquarters for a hands-on look at JDF implementations within the facility and a

ROCHESTER, NY—January 29, 2008—PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, announced the 2008 winners of the annual PODi Best Practices Awards on January 29th at the AppForum digital print conference in Las Vegas. These highly anticipated awards recognize outstanding examples of digital print and variable data strategies. “Every year, the awards process gets more competitive as marketers and service providers become more proficient, creative and successful with digital print and personalization. The variety of the winning campaigns reflects new directions and opportunities for our market,” said Rab Govil, President of PODi. “It’s no surprise that the Best Practices awards presentations are a highlight of the AppForum.