Graphic Arts

PARAMUS, NJ—Two of the leading educational associations in the commercial printing industry have teamed up to add more value for their respective memberships. The National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL) and the Research & Engineering Council of the Graphic Arts Industry (R&E Council) have agreed to a merger. The latter is being renamed the R&E Council of the NAPL, with all members of the R&E Council and their companies enrolled as full corporate members of NAPL. The R&E Council of the NAPL will be managed from the NAPL headquarters located here. R&E Council Managing Director Ron Mihills will join NAPL as the council's

Donnelley Gets USPS Certified CHICAGO—R.R. Donnelley has become the first commercial printer to be approved for the second phase of PostalOne! certification by the United States Postal Service—for the electronic submission of postal statements. PostalOne! is a system that allows for electronic submission of postage statements and corresponding presort documentation. Gateway Installs Perfecting Unit LOUISVILLE, KY—An eight-unit Mitsubishi Diamond 3000R perfecting press has been installed at Gateway Press. The press features a centralized operator makeready and control system (COMRAC). Sheridan Books Adds Web Press CHELSEA, MI—Sheridan Books has installed a Timsons T48A arch web press at its facility here. The press, which features a simultaneous plate changing

Enovation Graphic Systems announced the formation of Arkin Graphics, which will be based in Flushing, NY. The new company was created to acquire the graphic arts products distribution business from Arkin-Medo Inc. As an Enovation company, Arkin Graphics will continue to serve the companies and customers that Arkin-Medo established over the past 80 years. Creo Inc. has appointed Jonathan Agger as product marketing manager for scanning solutions in North America and Latin America. He has held positions with Agfa, Polaroid Graphic Imaging and Sprockets.com. Screen (USA) is marking its 35th anniversary with an assessment of its success in satisfying its customers and providing quality products. Results

Sometimes overlooked, printing blankets can make a big difference in the quality of output produced on-press. Uncover what some printing blanket manufacturers are offering. Available from DAY International, the dayGraphica 3700 is designed for heatset web printers looking for a blanket that minimizes press mechanical problems. This blanket reportedly keeps presses up and running by resisting smashes, on-press damage and piling. Makereadies are faster due to precise ink transfer and great web release. Circle 371 on Reader Service Card The SX-10 compressible printing blanket, available from DYC Supply, is designed for high-speed printing where a variety of coated and uncoated papers are used. It features

The establishment of a new security printing organization was announced recently. The North American Security Printing Organization (NASPO) was created by a group of printing industry professionals whose focus is to classify and certify security printers and suppliers to ensure the continued integrity of security printed products. The NASPO board of directors includes: Michael O'Neil, chairman; Richard Warner, vice president of operations; David Lightfoot, vice president of organizational development and legal services; Kenneth Overstreet, chairman, executive committee; and Graham Whitehead, Ph.D, senior advisor. Nancy Shafranski-Campobello has been hired by the Printing Industries of America and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation as its new marketing director.

BY LARRY WARTER In order to survive in an ever-changing industry, today's printer will have to become the "smart factory" of tomorrow. The "smart factory" concept integrates all of the internal printing plant processes with information flows linked to the outside. Many of the criteria for being a true "smart factory" are related to standards (including accredited standards, as well as industry specifications), which address aspects of the process that everyone agrees should be standardized and, at the same time, leave opportunities for individual companies to differentiate themselves in other parts of the process. One of the most crucial steps in becoming a

Chicago Press has named Paul Monsen COO. He will continue to serve as the company's vice president of sales, as well. Monsen joined the 75-year-old Chicago-based firm in 1999 and became an officer in 2000. Anthony Parker has been appointed COO of Smyth Companies, Bedford, VA. Parker began his career with Piedmont Label in 1990. He joined Smyth in 1998 after Smyth acquired Piedmont Label. Naperville, IL-based Solar Communications has added two high-level development roles. John Barrett and John Waterhouse have both accepted positions as vice president, business development. Nies/Artcraft Printing, of Saint Louis, has added Rick Blanner to its sales team. Also,

PALO ALTO, CA—R.R. Donnelley announced the development of a new Inventory Management Solution (IMS), which is a book-on-demand, soft-cover production system that it says is designed to help book publishers improve cash flow through shorter printing runs. The system will combine a HP Indigo 3000 digital color press with an integrated, in-line binding module. According to John Conley, vice president of digital services for R.R. Donnelley, the first IMS module will be installed this summer in the company's Harrisonburg, VA, book plant. (www.rrdonnelley.com / www.hp.com) HUDSON, NH/VANCOUVER—Presstek Inc. and Creo Inc. report signing an agreement under which Presstek's Anthem chemistry-free

It's not often an industry gets a close look at an $18 billion market worldwide that fits perfectly into its capabilities and skills, but is slipping by, largely uncultivated. This fall's Graph Expo & Converting Expo will give the printing, publishing and converting business just such an opportunity—a comprehensive overview of the untapped large-format digital ink-jet printing market. The show takes place October 6-9 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. It's the foremost U.S. exhibition in 2002, with an expected attendance of more than 40,000 buyers and about 500 exhibitors slated to occupy nearly 365,000 net square feet of booth space. Large-format ink-jet

CPS Corp., a sister company of INX International, has been recognized for its environmental record and has been accepted into the National Environmental Performance Program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Muller Martini has launched a new digital on-demand finishing division. Andrew J. Fetherman was named manager of the new division. Fetherman was formerly product manager for Muller Martini's press division. That post is now held by Donald Geiger. Kim Graven-Nielsen has been named president and CEO of newly formed Esko-Graphics. The company was created after the merger of Purup-Eskofot and Barco Graphics. Presstek Inc. announced the qualification of its Anthem thermal CTP