Olivia Cahoon

Book ‘Em

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By Melissa Donovan

Booklet makers are integral to mid- to high-volume print environments. These machines enable print providers to increase production, quickly delivering finished books. Feature sets cater to production volume, versatility, and ease of use.

Changing Volumes
Current booklet making equipment needs to be able to handle the typical workload of a mid- to high-volume print operation. Average monthly volumes vary by manufacturer.

For example, the Bourg Booklet Maker (BM-e) is C.P. Bourg’s high-end booklet maker, which utilizes the latest technology to produce on demand booklets. The paper flow follows a stitch-fold-trim process with guaranteed set integrity, a maximum of 120 pages per booklet—30 sheets, and a maximum speed of 5,000 booklets/hour.

Duplo USA estimates that inline with a digital press, booklet makers reach monthly volumes anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000. Nearline or offline, these numbers can be 50,000 or higher.

For example, Imaging Solutions AG (ISAG) offers the fastBooklet, which can handle in one, eight-hour shift 1,600 booklets per day, which equates to 35,000 booklets per month.

The Horizon SPF-200 Series booklet makers from Standard feature a throughput capacity of over 4,000 booklets per hour, making it possible to produce 400,000 booklets a month in a single-shift operation.

Tecnau’s booklet makers offer a maximum productivity of 1,800 booklets per hour. Users produce about 200,000 booklets per month.

The PowerSquare 224 from Watkiss Automation Sales Ltd. is designed for average monthly volumes of up to 50,000 books, with a peak of 150,000 booklets per month during times of high demand.

Certain feature sets on a booklet maker target high-volume production where continuous runs are the norm. Automation is essential. “Systems must be easy to operate, have a JDF/PC-based setup, no human intervention, and no tools required for set up,” says Anthony Gandara, partner alliance manager, Duplo.

Jo Watkiss, communications director, Watkiss Automation, points out that stitching from a wire spool as opposed to stapling with pre-formed staples is more cost effective for high-volume runs. In the PowerSquare 224, each spool of wire produces up to 150,000 books.

Another feature popular for high volume is a book stacker. Watkiss Automation’s PowerSquare 224 includes a high-capacity book stacker that allows for unattended running without operator attention. Similarly, Standard’s booklet makers can be paired with a Horizon VAC tower collating system, which allows loading while running non-stop productivity.

“In a production print environment, operators need to be able to set up a machine quickly, and then walk away to leave it running while they attend to other tasks,” explains Watkiss.

Be Versatile
While many print providers may produce static booklets up into the thousands, digital print technology is designed to handle vast amounts of personalization and booklet makers also follow suit. Features found on these machines allow digital print providers to produce variable output and runs as low as one.

Tecnau relies on 2D Datamatrix codes, which allow each booklet to be different from the next, according to Scott Peterson, product marketing manager, Tecnau. This includes number of pages and composition of the booklet—number of inserts, position of the inserts within the booklet, and personalized covers.

On Standard’s Horizon devices, the OMR feature allows for the production of variable page count from book to book, personalized covers can be matched to each booklet with a camera, and an optional barcode reading system ensures the correct information is printed.

“This is especially relevant in the case of healthcare, financial, and insurance applications that may contain sensitive information,” says Bob Flinn, director, business development, Standard.

ISAG’s booklet makers allow for fast and easy format change from booklet sizes like 4×4 to 5×7 inches. “Each booklet can be different from the next in number of pages and page length so single runs are as efficiently produced as large runs,” explains Juergen Tesch, product management fastBooklet, ISAG.

When at drupa…
For a small part of May and a good part of June 2016, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH hosted drupa 2016. Held at the Düsseldorf Fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany, the show provided product launches of all kinds—including those in the booklet making field.

Imaging Solutions AG announced the fastBooklet finishing system for layflat photo booklets. The product is targeted toward photo product suppliers with customers from 15 to 35 years of age requesting prints generated from mobile applications (apps) like Instagram. An integrated order process via a Web app allows for easy transfer of files. Booklets are ready to ship directly after production.

Watkiss Automation Sales Ltd. introduced the new PowerSquare 160 booklet maker, which is aimed at the mid-volume market. With JDF/JFM compatibility, it is available as an inline, nearline, or offline solution. Modular, the system can include two suction-fed sheet feeders and with inline configuration it features a dual-mode functionality for flexible workflows. A face trimmer is included standard with the device, but there is an option for full-bleed trimming of color booklets.

Simple Living
Certain feature sets found in booklet makers make it easier for operators to do their jobs. For example, connectivity, color touchscreens, and stored memory options are components that many buyers look for and often times see as a necessity in today’s need-it-now world.

“In theory, inline connectivity with a digital printer is one of the highest levels of automation, making it as simple as possible for the operator. Automation, a PC-based controller, touchscreen operation, and job memory are all important features that are necessary for an efficient operation,” adds Gandara.

Tecnau controls its booklet makers through a PC with a touchscreen display and the Tecnau Management Information System. “The software diagnoses failures in any part of the system and supplies historical data for efficient management, providing an overview of any recurring errors. The system layout and operating status is depicted on the PC monitor. Productivity data is also available on the PC—booklets assembled per day, month, year,” explains Peterson.

Standard’s devices operate based on a color touchscreen for job input and utilize high-capacity memory storage for repeat jobs and templates. With JDF compatibility, machines perform setup from data created at prepress, job scheduling and tracking, machine availability, and JMF reporting to MIS for historical data.

The Watkiss Automation PowerSquare 224 also allows users to save job settings, which make repeat orders easy to call up with a touch of a button. Stitch position, wire draw length, the amount of spine form required, and trim dimension according to sheet size and number of pages can be saved under a unique name.

Full automation is the center of ISAG’s fastBooklet. The operator’s work is simple, according to Tesch, attach the paper roll, select a product, and press start on the color touchscreen.

“In today’s digital print environment, where same day turnaround is required on jobs with run lengths as little as one, it is important to invest in equipment with the level of technology to provide the higher quality output, with no makeready, low operator skill requirements, and the ability to produce a much higher number of jobs in a single shift,” shares Flinn.

An Open Book
Booklet makers are designed to complement digital print environments. Features like automated book stackers help to keep up with mid- to high-volume output while ease of use is offered through integral components such as connectivity, color touch screens, and stored memory options. In addition, as variability is such a key component to many digital jobs, many devices are equipped with features like barcode reading to ensure integrity between each book. All of these characteristics are important considerations when deciding on a booklet maker. dps

Oct2016, DPS Magazine

A Publishing Evolution

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By Cassandra Balentine

Publishing is one segment of the printing industry especially suited for the use of high-speed production inkjet technology. By offering the benefits of digital with faster speeds, continuous inkjet solutions are an attractive option for print providers focused on book production.

Gasch Printing is a publishing-focused digital print service provider that credits its success to its attention to technology trends. From a small analog shop to a bustling digital printer, the company has continuously evolved its equipment arsenal to remain productive and effective within its niche.

A Little History

In the beginning of 1982, Doug and Linda Gasch started a print operation out of its 100 square foot basement. With a small, one-color duplicator, the shop operated with minimal equipment and stress. However, as the industry changed, Gasch faced several challenges, including almost closing their doors for good.
In 2002, Linda and Doug’s son, Doug Gasch Jr., took over the operations and began moving the company towards digital printing, making strategic equipment investments when needed.

A turning point came in 2006, when the small shop teamed up with BrightKey, a warehouse and distribution company that wanted to partner with a print provider to cater to its publishing and association customers. Far from its basement years, today Gasch Printing is located in Odenton, MD, inside of a joint location with BrightKey where it provides publishers with print, warehouse, and fulfillment services under one roof.

A Lot of Digital
Gasch Printing keeps its shop lean and effective by investing heavily in automation throughout every phase of production.

The company’s first foray into digital came in 2006 with the investment in a Xerox Nuvera 120 press. “The Nuvera provided us with a good entry point into the digital market, but when we started getting into book printing marketing and printing higher quantities, we quickly outgrew the cutsheet digital press,” shares Jeremy Hess, director, sales and marketing, Gasch Printing.

The company’s next step was to invest in a web-fed, toner-based solution. While this printing equipment served the shop well for many years, it recently decided to make the jump to inkjet and installed the Océ ColorStream Mono InkJet press from Canon Solutions America.

“The decision was made in order to increase capacity, reduce operation costs, and to increase print speed,” says Hess.

The company selected the Océ ColorStream Mono InkJet in part because of its longstanding relationship with Canon. “We have a very long and good relationship with Canon/Océ, so we are very comfortable working with them, but more importantly their product gave us the best halftone print quality amongst all the vendors and they just released the new black-only system, which is what we needed,” says Hess.

The Océ ColorStream Mono InkJet press was just installed in the beginning of July. Hess says testing and installation took about three weeks.

With the new inkjet solution, the company now has both inkjet and toner-based digital web presses. “Eventually we plan to move all of the work to the inkjet to take advantage of the lower operation cost,” he says.

Gasch Printing also operates a full digital bindery, which is made up of Hunkeler products from Standard Finishing Systems. With this system, the company is able to trim and collate the books inline. One benefit of its inkjet transition is the ability to leverage its existing finishing equipment.

An Effective Niche
Through the partnership formed with BrightKey, Gasch Printing taps into an industry that is itself in the midst of an evolution. The role of digital printing became more evident, with a continued trend towards smaller runs.

Through its commitment to digital technology and automation, it has developed a one-stop shop for publishers, phasing out offset equipment in favor of digital solutions that enable efficient, short-run book production. Book printing accounts for more than 95 percent of Gasch Printing’s business. Hess says that because the company has strategically invested in both printing and binding equipment, it is able to handle most jobs in house.

According to Hess, the company has experienced ten solid years of continuous growth, rebuilding itself from a traditional shop on the brink of shutting down 14 years ago. While seeing many of its peer shops downscaling, Gasch Printing has managed to add at least one employee each year during the past decade. dps

Sep2016, DPS Magazine

Heading to Orlando

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By Olivia Cahoon

Graph Expo takes place from September 25 to 28, 2016 in the North Hall at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Featuring more than 70 interactive learning sessions and 40+ co-located events for attendees across 12 key market segments, the event is touted as the most comprehensive exhibition in the Americas of inkjet, digital, offset, flexographic, gravure and hybrid technologies, products and services for the commercial, transactional, converting and package printing, wide format/signage and display, publishing, mailing, in-plant, digital imaging, marketing, and industrial printing industries.
This year’s “Refresh” themed Graph Expo 16 presents the latest graphic communications technologies in live equipment demonstrations across the exhibition floor, plus education on the most in-demand products and newest profit-making opportunities.

Exhibitor Preview

An assortment of companies and fresh products are available at this year’s Graph Expo as print experts dominate Orlando. Here are some of the vendors exhibiting at this year’s trade show.

AccuData Integrated Marketing, booth 1075, showcases its fully integrated suite of data solutions, including database marketing, campaign planning, modeling, analytics, digital solutions, and data resources.

Accura MIS, booth 2366, offers an end-to-end solution that provides a fully integrated customer relationship management with business to business Web to print capabilities from a CORE client database that includes estimating, production, proofing links, delivery notifications, invoicing, quoting, and order history. Accura showcases the latest Accura version 4.74, which continues to grow with enhancements, and offers AccuraOnline v5.0, featuring a complete makeover.

Aleyant, booth 2372, showcases web to print (W2P) ecommerce solutions, including the recently updated Aleyant Pressero cloud-based online storefront solution. Pressero can be enhanced with Aleyant eDocBuilder, a web-based variable data publishing system built specifically to integrate into Aleyant or third-party W2P or MIS solutions.

Avanti, booth 1879, unveils the latest version of Avanti Slingshot, a JDF-certified, cloud-based Print MIS that provides integration with HP PrintOS. Additionally, Avanti’s new Point-of-Sale module enables uses to spend more time servicing customers and less time reconciling transactions with fast order entry, invoice generation, and real-time point of sale reporting.

AveryPRO, booth 2711, expands its offering of 12×18-inch, pressure-sensitive materials that are specially engineered for liquid and dry toner digital presses. The new label stock complements the company’s substrate portfolio with the addition of new materials like Soft Touch and a Durable PET. The new products are ideal for short run, print on demand applications and are available in a variety of full-sheet and pre die-cut shapes and sizes.

BÖWE SYSTEC, booth 2207, highlights the Fusion Cross inserting system, which processes #10 and 6×9-inch envelopes at up to 22,000 per hour, and converts to process flats envelopes at up to 16,000 per hour with an automated changeover. The company’s new EPOD II full-color envelope printer further streamlines operations by printing dynamic messages, logos, and addresses on the outer envelopes using piezoelectric print technology. The MiniBridge inserting system is a modular and intelligent printing and inserting system that securely matches duplex printed variable pages of documents from the document input channel, selectively or redundantly adding enclosures to each group of documents, and provides a finished envelope for mailing.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., booth 1500, unveils the latest additions to its production and wide format solutions portfolio, and encourages attendees to #PrintCanon. A leader in digital imaging solutions, Canon celebrates the imaging capabilities that it provides and displays a variety of workflow, color management, finishing, and end-to-end applications. The company displays the Océ VarioPrint i300 featuring new ColorGrip technology, an inline paper conditioning step enabling high-quality inkjet printing on a variety of media. Also displayed is the PRISMAdirect order and workflow management solution as well as the PRISMAsync print server family, the first DFE-embedded G7 certified system.

CGS Publishing Technologies International, LLC, booth 1873, showcases its digital proofing, color management, and packaging solutions. The company’s iC3D Suite first revolutionizes the process of 3D product design, ideation, visualization, and collaboration. ORIS Flex Pack // Web then ensures fast, easy, and cost-effective production of high-quality proofs or mock-ups.

Diversified Nano Solutions Corporation (DNSC), booth 2838, exhibits digital INKS unlimited. The company offers an array of inkjet inks supporting direct mail, transactional, TransPromo, books, catalogs/magazines, ticket, tags, labels, and graphics printing applications. DNSC debuts X-Series, a new family of pigment powders and dispersions to serve as base components for custom development, and production of ink, paint, paste, dispersion, gel, cream, and powder. The special effect base materials offer photo luminesce, fluoresce, absorb IR, and change color with light or heat.

DocuCopy, booth 610, introduces its exclusive toner-receptive clean release ID card, the latest from Holmberg Company, Inc. It offers a fully printable card along with a clean-release format that makes removing the card a breeze.

Epson, booth 2649, showcases its wide format digital imaging solutions, including the 64-inch SureColor P20000. This printer leverages PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads, a newly developed media feeding system, and reformulated Epson UltraChrome PRO nine-color pigment inks to provide print quality and production for print on demand providers, fine art reproduction houses, and indoor display graphics print shops. In addition, Epson showcases the 64-inch SureColor S80600 solvent printer that incorporates the latest imaging technologies—including fourth-generation Epson UltraChrome GS3 solvent ink chemistry, an all-new precision media feeding system, and a high performance Dual-Array PrecisionCore TFP printhead.

GMC Software, booth 2193, demonstrates Inspire Mobile Advantage, a solution that creates a compliant mobile experience. GMC Inspire Mobile Advantage delivers a digital customer experience for print service providers. It enables the creation and delivery of personalized omni-channel communications from one easy-to-use platform, extending GMC Inspire by integrating with existing core systems to pull data and transform existing documents into mobile experiences in hours.

GPA Specialty Substrate Solutions, booth 2940, showcases its growing offerings for printing platforms. Making their official debuts are GPA’s line of Folex Synthetics for HP Indigo commercial presses, and its new offering of pressure-sensitive rolls for HP Indigo labels, and packaging presses. For print service providers with toner digital presses, GPA introduces a range of specialty fine papers in textures, colors, and finishes. The company highlights additional papers, synthetics, and pressure-sensitive papers engineered for performance.

Graphic Whizard, booth 2601, shows a range of short-run digital print finishing systems. By combining anti-toner cracking impact crease systems with added functionality such as; slitting, cutting, perforating, and folding, it offers a machine to fit every printer’s unique needs. A product highlight is the PT335SCC Multi Slitter/Cutter/Creaser/Perforator, which is an all-in-one finishing system for full-bleed applications. Versatility and efficiency are combined in all machines; whether it is binding, UV coating, folding, creasing, numbering, slitting/cutting, or paper banding.

GTI Graphic Technology, Inc. and Remote Director LLC, booth 2273, demonstrate a series of new soft proofing packages. Each package includes a perpetual license for two concurrent seats of Remote Director Software, a USB instrument to calibrate the monitor, and a GTI iQ enabled ISO 3664:2009 compliant viewing system. The company also features a line of Graphiclite D50 daylight products, including CVX and EVS viewing stations, professional desktop viewers, and large format wall viewing systems.

Harris & Bruno, booth 2060, highlights advanced inking and coating equipment for the offset, flexographic, corrugated, and converting markets. Highlighted is the ExcelCoat series of offline/inline coaters for UV and aqueous. The company’s chamber systems consistently apply UV, soft touch, aqueous, matte, and other coatings with particulates. Various levels of automation are available.

HP, booth 1825, demonstrates three new sheet-fed presses, including the HP Indigo 12000, 7900, and 5900 Digital Presses. The 29-inch HP Indigo 12000 provides general commercial printers and compatibility with synthetic materials as well as canvas, metalized, and colored substrates that extend B2-format application opportunities. The 13×19-inch HP Indigo 7900 offers innovations in print quality, application range, and productivity, as well as priming technology and color-matching capabilities. The HP Indigo 5900 is versatile, expanding possibilities with thicker substrates, a digital front end, special inks, and a new priming technology.

Imaging Solutions AG, booth 862, introduces the new, state-of-the art fastBook Professional system for lay flat photo books. This 100 percent Swiss-made system—from development to production—allows 24-hour production of photobook blocks, catalogs, and brochures in XXL format. Panoramic image layouts up to 18 inches in width, and a 36-inch length can be reached thanks to the LayFlat bookbinding technology. FastBook Professional is a four-in-one solution that provides creasing, folding, pressing, and gluing. It processes ultra-thin paper and colored cardboards. The Hotmelt Gluing Technology reduces production costs. Photo products can be shipped on the day of production, no storage or drying time is required.

Infigo Software, booth 2771, demonstrates additions to its product range including 3D preview, BETA print driver, dynamic theming engine, single sign-on integrations including SAML and CAS, and the introduction of an extensive and flexible MIS interface. In addition, the Symphony solution makes cross-media marketing easy, allowing marketers to launch and track campaigns across print, email, and SMS.

KAMA, booth 2460, showcases the new servo main drive, which allows up to 50 percent more output while foiling, coupled with three foil feeders and a new foil tensioning system. See the DC 76 ASB and discover short- to medium-run packaging at the show.

KIP, booth 1137, features color and B&W wide format systems and software. The KIP 800 Color Series provides a comprehensive solution for a range of wide format printing tasks. The KIP 800 Color Series systems are integrated with KIP System K Software—a diversified software suite that provides print control for any production environment from a range of print submission applications, cloud printing, scan and copy, variable data printing, and fully integrated stacking and folding.

Konica Minolta, booth 1801, encourages attendees to come and “touch the future.” The company provides an overview of its latest innovations in printing, applications, and know how. Konica Minolta offers direction on the future of the printing business, creating new business among existing customers, attracting new customer groups, and increasing profits.

LogoJET, booth 757, is a leader in UV direct-to-substrate inkjet printing equipment. LogoJET offers printing solutions and accessory configurations, using specialty inks and producing custom printing trays. LogoJET’s newest release is the UVx90, offering an expanded print area of 24×36 inches. The flatbed automatically adjusts to fit products up to six inches thick. LogoJET’s UV printers offer full-color decorating capabilities on virtually any substrate—natural or synthetic, rigid or flexible, flat or curved. Special effects like textured imprints and gloss varnishes are added to any design and built-in white ink capabilities allow for printing on dark and clear substrates.

Magnum Magnetics, booth 919, showcases its range of direct-printable magnetic media for multiple printer types including inkjet, digital, and offset presses. Print directly to magnet to create attractive printed pieces. Magnum also features its expanding line of aqueous and UV inks and coatings from sister company, Magnum Inks & Coatings, a full-service ink and coating manufacturer in markets ranging from graphics and printing to flexible packaging.

Masterpiece Graphix, booth 2512, showcases the light-catching properties of metalized board. The company’s Silver Board offers improved printability, low static, and is compatible with dry, and wet toner digital printing presses. As a manufacturer and coating center, Masterpiece Graphix creates printing materials including pressure sensitive, cling, synthetic paper, PVC, styrene, polyester, metalized, wood, and soft touch. These materials are engineered for digital presses, as well as many offset and flexographic presses.

MBM Corporation, booth 2413, provides finishing products to meet the demands of today’s digital and offset print finishing industries. The product line includes triumph cutters, Aerocut digital print finishing systems, folders, creasers, collators, and booklet makers. New to the line of products are air purifiers. Also be sure to check out MBM’s new Aerocut Velocity.

Mimaki USA, booth 2448, shows a variety of printers for the sign and graphics, textile and apparel, and industrial printing markets. These include the popular JFX Series UV flatbed printers, the market redefining dedicated textile TS Series printers, feature-rich UJV roll-to-roll UV Series printers, and other Mimaki products.

Mohawk, booth 2413, exhibits within the Materials Matter pavilion. Attendees can see innovative specialty digital substrates including Mohawk’s expanded wide format portfolio which features more than 100 new items for a range of applications, ink types, and numerous additions to the cutsheet portfolio.

Muller Martini, booth 1849, demonstrates how variable magazines and books contain sheet-fed offset, web offset, and digital printing components and how they can be produced using a fully automated machine line up. The company highlights Finishing 4.0, which encompasses game-changing technology in digital networking, and end-to-end touchless workflow from printing to finished product, which represents the cornerstones of the new age of print production. Live equipment demonstrations show how digitally and offset printed signatures are processed concurrently using a smart, highly automated workflow.

Konica Minolta, booth 1801, encourages attendees to come and “touch the future.” The company provides an overview of its latest innovations in printing, applications, and know how. Konica Minolta offers direction on the future of the printing business, creating new business among existing customers, attracting new customer groups, and increasing profits.

OKI Data Americas Experience Center, booth 1001, demonstrates the five-color C942 with vivid white and color-on-color printing capabilities. The C942 is a light production, graphic arts printer representing digital printing. Expand print offerings with color across a range of media types, sizes, and weights, plus white on color stocks. Combine the C942 with the optional EFI Fiery C9 Server for job management, color matching, and variable data printing protocols to produce personalized marketing campaigns.

OXYTECH SYSTEMS, INC., booth 502, serves the graphic arts with more than 55 years of combined drying and curing experience. The company provides infrared drying and UV curing systems as well as solutions for high speed inkjet applications. Engineering, manufacturing experience, and knowledge allows precision engineered and custom tailored systems to meet specific customer needs.

Prinova Inc., booth 2390, showcases its Messagepoint solution. Messagepoint is a hybrid, cloud-based content management platform serving the customer communications management needs of large enterprise customers. It provides an intuitive and secure environment for business users to directly own and control touchpoint messaging content and business rules driving the pace of change for customer-facing print and digital communications.

PrintVis, booth 2079, handles the daily tasks of print business including estimating, production planning, purchasing, and inventory management, shop floor data collection, and bookkeeping. PrintVis offers a business solution from Microsoft to the printing industry—both on premises and in the cloud. It emphasizes standardization, and reduces the burdens of IT staffing, compatibility, and communication problems.

Profectus, booth 2291, highlights Cost Rates Advisor, which profitability helps users confidently and estimate, price, and cost jobs by calculating the minimum hourly cost rate charged for equipment and services to break-even or recover out-of-pocket costs. The cloud-based software uses industry best practices and formulas to calculate manufacturing and administrative cost rates based on expenses, wages, assets, and production environments. Rates are computed for any equipment or service including prepress, sheet fed, web, digital, large format, flexographic, inkjet, screen, cutters, folders, gluers, binders, mailing, handwork, kitting, and warehousing.

Profold, Inc., booth 1078, provides information on its products and encourages attendees to visit its service partner, Bell and Howell, at booth 849 to see ProFold’s new Hurricane intelligent accumulator feeder/folder paired to a Bell and Howell Mailstar inserter.

Rhin-O-Tuff, booth 2201, introduces an all-in-one electric coil binding system. The COIL BINDING SYSTEM 3000 eliminates the need to own three different machines. The new Coil Binding System 3000 combines electric coil punching, inserting, and crimping technologies into a compact, modern design for office and small print shop environments. Documents are punched, inserted with coil, and crimped without tools. Rhin-O-Tuff debuts an automated collating punch system, the Tornado Autopunch EX. It uses BDT Print Media’s handling technology to automatically feed, collate, punch, and deliver offset book stacks ready for binding in a single platform.

Ricoh, booth 2035, demonstrates its production print portfolio including the RICOH Pro C7110X—high-speed, production-class digital printer with speeds up to 90 pages per minute (ppm) at 1,200×4,800 dpi, a fifth color station for clear or white applications, new textured media printing capabilities, and oversized printing up to 49 inches. Also displayed, the RICOH Pro C9110 is a high-speed, heavy segment production color digital printer with speeds up to 130 ppm and media support up to 400 gsm. For wide format, the company showcases the RICOH Pro L4160 color printer featuring six color processing—including white, eco-friendly, aqueous latex ink, seven-color printing, and output capabilities up to 63 inches wide on a range of media.

Rochester Software Associates, booth 2067, tells attendees how to streamline in-plant workflow with live demonstrations of WebCRD Web to print software. The company also showcases a new releases of QDirect output manager and ReadyPrint 2.0, expanded from universal make ready to a universal prepress suite.

Spiel Associates, booth 2617, offers the Sterling DigiBinder Plus fully automated binder. The pneumatic clamp and the nipper adjust automatically. The roughing blade roughs and notches the entire backbone of the book, allowing the binding of coated and oil infused stocks. Twin glue rollers ensure an even glue application and also side glues. The machine produces pads or book blocks for hard cover binding. It also has automatic vacuum removal, a safety cover, and comes with its own stand.

Tecnau, booth 2335, exhibits its new Stacker s25 in conjunction with the established Cutter c23; this is the first exhibition of Stacker s25 in North America. Stacker s25 features a new gripper technology to provide damage-free handling of heavy-ink-coverage graphic arts applications. Borrowing and updating this technology from high-speed offset web cutting and stacking, contact with the printed surface is minimized, preventing damage to the paper’s sensitive edges. Cutter c23 has dual rotary knives to sheet the web using single cut or variable double strip cut for full bleed color printing or removal of inkjet flush lines.

THERM-O-TYPE, booth 2525, features the new NSF Ultra foil stamping/embossing/die-cutting press, with enlarged maximum sheet size and image area. NSF Ultra provides high production speed, ease of operation, and automation using a 20.5-inch, full-color touchscreen and Windows 10 computer core. The company introduces an inline waste stripping attachment for the NSF Elite press. The RDC-Flex rotary die cutter, RAS-mc right angle slitter, various zip cutter/slitter/creaser models, and Foil-Tech foil fusing equipment is demonstrated.

Ultimate TechnoGraphics, booth 2179, highlights true shape nesting capabilities available in Impostrip Automation v.10. The solution easily connects to a cloud or onsite workflow or storefront, AutoNesting streamlines the placement of shapes on a sheet or a roll. Its template-free approach allows for flexibility and productivity.

W2PPrintShop, booth 3780, specializes in online print solutions for print providers. The company offers a range of technology. Portals and websites are created as business to consumer and business to business portals. It is built to stand alone or complement other products.

See You There!
Graph Expo 2016 promises the latest and emerging technology. Stop by booth 2967 for your free copy of the magazine. Check out the October issue for more show highlights. dps

Aug2016, DPS Magazine

Marketing Focused

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By Courtney Saba

When it comes to a print provider’s revenue, marketing collateral retains a large portion of the average shop’s sales. However, the latest technologies enable marketers to become more creative. Digital print providers take advantage of manufacturers’ innovations to improve revenue potential.

“Digital has opened up a whole new world to marketers, and by default, printers,” states John Fulena, VP, production printing business group, Ricoh. By taking advantage of digital printing technologies and tools that address data-driven marketing, print providers can grow their business and ultimately address the latest marketing demands.

The benefits of digital print, including just-in-time production and variability, provide advantages marketers can leverage. From small print for pays to large commercial shops and in-plant operations, the next-generation of marketing collateral applications bring in profit potential. Additionally, technology trends, such as augmented reality and quick response (QR) codes offer a truly unique way to generate attention and track results.

Digital Demands

Marketing collateral is typically a primary application offering for print providers.

“Formally called precision marketing or TransPromo, today’s digital print tools—from new types of substrates and color inks to color and ink management software and variable data print (VDP) applications—allow printers to create unique content for their clients that in turn help them better engage with their customers,” says Fulena.

Jacob Shamis, AMS market development manager and high-speed inkjet solutions, HP Inc., says this application is one of the primary staples for digital printing. Because of this, marketing collateral solutions are one of the main applications for revenue generation on digital production equipment.

The latest digital presses allow shops to print virtually any job, any way that a customer wants it—allowing printers to change personalized content on the fly or print multiple pieces at once with only slight variations in font or imagery. “Add on variable data applications and print providers can help clients customize each piece of marketing collateral to be personalized for different customer segments. Digital print technologies allow this to happen quickly, efficiently, and cost effectively—thereby helping printers grow their own business while maintaining both their and their customers’ bottom lines,” says Fulena.
Brands and enterprises look to marketing collateral to communicate the latest relevant information to internal salespeople, retailers, or directly to consumers to drive their services, SKUs, or products into the marketplace, notes Shamis. Digital provides the ability to do this on demand, quickly, and in exact quantities.

“Marketing loves the fact that they can update collateral at any time to reflect changes in the product or service—logo changes, seasonal changes, or anything on that document during its lifecycle in the market,” says Shamis. Digital print capabilities also allow marketers to test market designs, discount levels, images, or wording before putting a final product to market. “Once in the market, with digital it’s very easy to add geographic information like geo maps, addresses, or phone number information for stores or even door-to-door driving information. If a brand or enterprise deals directly with the consumer, they can utilize consumer data to create marketing collateral that becomes extremely relevant to the customer,” says Shamis.

Marketing collateral helps brand managers stand out. “If used wisely, brand managers can implement tactile printing that adds another layer of uniqueness to the application using HP Indigo specialty printing effects. One can also add specific inks and coatings that can really help emphasize the message and combine it with a specific design,” says Shamis.

Fulena points to the importance of color management when it comes to marketing collateral applications. “Whether you’re going for that perfect bright lemon yellow that will capture your brochure reader’s attention for a moment longer, or a client wants the be sure that the red stripe on their business card matches the red stripe on their company brochure identically—that is where a print provider’s color management software and expertise is important to help ensure accurate color reproduction.”

Leveraging Technology

Marketing applications represent an application type that the scope of print providers can leverage. While smaller print for pays may serve smaller-scale customers compared to their commercial counterparts, the goal and opportunity remains the same. Similarly, in-plant operations can shine with on demand print and new technologies.

While any print provider can sell marketing collateral applications to customers and prospects, smaller shops tend to cater to different size brands and companies that are in the sweet spot of selling, production, finishing, and turnaround time. “In many cases, the limiting factor is bandwidth in shop versus the application. Now, smaller shops can always implement a Web to print (W2P) technology to help automate many of the steps. At the end of the day, a billion dollar company needs marketing collateral and the local bakery, florist, and retailer do too,” offers Shamis.

Fulena adds that smaller shops may be providing 2,000 pieces of marketing collateral for a client, where a larger commercial printer might work with a company that needs 20,000. “The difference lies in the level of customization needed and the uniqueness of the piece,” he says, explaining that every sized print provider looks to digital solutions that can maximize the customization and multi-channel capabilities marketers now want, without compromising quality or cost savings.

In terms of the in plant’s take on marketing applications, Shamis sees them utilizing just-in-time printing and VDP as two anchors to their justification for investing in digital print. He says that typically, the ability to control the amount that is required to be printed for any given division or business group is very important. Many in plants operate as a cost center, so controlling waste and obsolescence is of utmost importance in their daily existence.

Fulena says in plants face the challenge of competing with the rise of commercial print. “This is especially true globally, but it is becoming more of a competitive issue in the U.S. as digital printing equipment has changed the printing arena.” He adds that many in plants use digital print equipment for marketing materials much in the same way commercial printers are, but their goal is to use the tools available to demonstrate why marketing material production should remain in house or be brought back in house.

For example, many in plants are bringing in color printers and color management tools to expand their capabilities and the types of materials they can print. “With Caslon and Company predicating color to grow nearly 800 pages in the next six years, in plants that formally did little with color printing are incorporating both hardware and software upgrades to meet the color demand and remain competitive. In addition, many in plants are looking at why marketing materials have been pushed to commercial printers and adopting new variable data, W2P, color management, campaign management, and more applications to help bring that collateral work back in house and keep it there,” says Fulena. “In some respects, it can be easier since the marketing departments are requesting these services in house.”

Many in plants now market themselves internally to other company divisions or groups to educate them on what digital can offer, including special inks and creative substrates that make prints stand out. “Think about an in plant that actually packages their own product. Digital gives them the ability to dynamically decorate their product packaging, change it to seasonal or casual events, or even test market designs effectively and efficiently. Data-driven printing allows in plants to use internal data sources to create highly relevant content for their customers. A great example is a university print shop that would create freshmen student acquisition brochures using college graduation data to drive alumni gift giving,” offers Shamis.

Interactive Print

One of the benefits of print is that it’s tactile, a physical sense that cannot be replaced by electronics. However, technology is available to enact a bridge between the physical and virtual world, and these solutions are making their way into marketing collateral.

Josie Stein, marketing communications manager, XMPie, suggests that as digital printing technology advances, capabilities like QR codes, VDP, personal URLs (PURLs), and near field communication and augmented reality (AR) are really opening up new opportunities to make marketing collateral stand out. These elements are designed to grab the attention of the customer, and as Stein says, “are essential elements for engagement and action.”

“Digital and mobile technology has created a shift in consumer behavior and most marketing scientists now agree that an integrated, multi-channel approach that includes a variety of touch points—printed mailed brochures, email, QR codes—will generate better results,” says Fulena. He offers the example of a company that wants to drive prospects to their booth at a trade show. The marketing effort might lead with emails, followed by a brochure highlighting the booth location at the show. They might also have a website within the email that leads to a page that describes the company’s presence at a show, as well as a QR code in the brochure that leads to the company’s core product pages for additional information.

QR codes provide an excellent way to connect physical print with the limitless nature of the Internet. By placing these elements on marketing pieces, such as brochures and posters, interested parties can pick up a piece of printed output and scan it on the spot for additional information or even a special offer. “The information should be relevant and timely, which may ultimately influence their purchasing decision,” suggests Stein.

To entice prospects to take the extra step and scan a QR code, special offers—outlined on printed marketing collateral—are promoted. Stein offers the example of one of its clients, Latcham Direct—a print service provider that wanted to showcase its own capabilities. The company utilized XMPie’s PersonalEffect cross-media solution to orchestrate its marketing campaign, which kicked off with the distribution of Christmas cards featuring personalized images, text, and PURLs that directed customers to a site where they could choose a charity that Latcham would donate to on the recipient’s behalf.

To further allure recipients to visit their PURL, the option to choose a gift was offered. Gifts included a personalized box of chocolate, a handmade icing snowman, or a calendar, which would be delivered by a Latcham sales team member. “In the end, Latcham achieved a 53 percent response rate, along with many inquires for potential projects, and over $2,030 raised for three local charities,” says Stein.

Fulena sees many print providers using their technology to produce their own high-quality brochures, business cards, and signage to showcase what they can do for their clients. “Marketing their marketing capabilities so to speak,” he says.

“Print has always been a static medium. By using new technology, it can now take on new characteristics,” says Shamis. He believes the use of data is becoming increasingly important. “In North America, education, diversity, and technology has rapidly evolved over the last couple of decades. That drives the consumer to demand how they consume information now and in the future. Items like VDP, QR codes, and AR help the static page convey more to the consumer. AR could help educate a student who is learning new scientific information, as illustrations like a circulatory system can come to life and animate on your smartphone or computer. QR codes can launch a video to better educate a consumer on the spot about their product. Embedded RFID, microprint, or specialty inks could help in the tracking and counterfeiting of products. All of these new technologies have their place and applications now, but with some of the very creative printers and marketers—the sky will be the limit,” he predicts.

Knowing the importance of cross-media campaigns, many print providers recommend a blended approach to their customers when producing marketing collateral, demonstrating how a brochure and business card with QR codes can enhance touch points to customers. “Those same print providers are incorporating variable data capabilities into their offerings to provide a customizable approach to the printing of large-scale marketing pieces,” says Fulena.

Marketing Matters

Digital print technology goes after a few distinct market segments, including books and manuals, direct mail, photo printing, transactional, and collateral. Marketing materials are needed by nearly every organization, and therefore represent prime revenue-generating opportunity. To move from a commodity stigma, digital print providers can take advantage of the latest technologies—such as PURLs, AR, and QR codes—to impress. dps

Aug2016, DPS Magazine