Commercial Printing

Headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., Kodak announced that Graphic Arts Monthly (GAM) selected its NexPress S3000 digital production color press to print the magazine’s February 2008 cover. The issue also includes extensive coverage of the AIIM/On Demand digital printing trade show. The cover features a striking photograph of an apricot, requiring a shade of orange that can be difficult for digital presses to reproduce. However, the NexPress S3000 has a larger color gamut than traditional offset-based SWOP specifications, so the vibrant orange color was easily and accurately printed. A custom URL, www.graphics.kodak.com/gam, was set up especially for GAM readers. Kodak used the

Label manufacturer and automated data collection equipment distributor All Barcode Systems, Garden Grove, Calif., has added a high-speed variable data unit to its existing Mark Andy 2200-XL label/tag press. The variable data unit can print barcodes and numbers sequentially or print variable data, including address labels. It can print in black, red, green, yellow and blue inks, as well as UV ink visible only with UV light sources for added security or uniqueness on any label or tag. “We are excited about this addition to our capabilities,” stated Scott Steiner, president. “With this unit we can now offer our customers the colored numbers and

For more than 60 years, Carlson Craft Business Solutions, Regency and Label Works—all independent entities of Mankato, Minnesota-based Taylor Corporation—have successfully serviced the personalized business printing needs for their printing partners across the country. After careful review and consideration, Tom Ninneman, vice president, operations, announced that the three entities would merge into one unified brand, better serving their customers by providing a breadth of offerings and focusing on the qualities that have made each company a long-standing leader in the field. “We believe that our new brand, Navitor, clearly reflects our commitment to assist customers in charting the best path to meet their

1 WorkflowOne Headquarters: Dayton, Ohio Commercial Print Sales $(000): 204,000 Total Sales $(000): 1,200,000 2 Webb/Mason Headquarters: Hunt Valley, Md. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 44,296 Total Sales $(000): 75,078 3 American Solutions for Business Headquarters: Glenwood, Minn. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 34,714 Total Sales $(000): 249,022 4 The Shamrock Companies Headquarters: Westlake, Ohio Commercial Print Sales $(000): 23,375 Total Sales $(000): 77,917 5 Merrill Corporation Headquarters: Monroe, Wash. Commercial Print Sales $(000): 16,400 Total Sales

Information-gathering for commercial printing jobs extends beyond questions of size, coverage, coating, paper stock and binding. Mark McCusker, general manager of printing and graphics at Stylecraft Business Forms & Systems/Printing & Graphics, Canton, Mich., advised asking the additional, following series of questions to ease communication with manufacturers—including a few questions taking the manufacturers’ interests into consideration. Shipping: • Are the packaging requirements shrink-wrap, bulk-back, carton-pack or skid-pack? • Will shipping freight be an additional cost, or does it need to be priced FOB destination? • Will the artwork be digital, scanned or newly set? • Is the digital artwork created in a graphic-friendly program (such as Photoshop or

The old saying “the devil is in the details” applies tenfold to print production. However, knowing every last detail, or anticipating every problem, is essentially impossible—even for the most scrupulous manufacturing partner. Mustering all the possible job information for your manufacturer, even when the devil is nestled in it, will more than likely make you look rather angelic. Handling specs carefully can make for easier production, not to mention the possible polishing of your reputation as a thorough vendor. The more specific specs are, the more often you’ll appear as someone who has, to use another popular phrase, “all your ducks in a row.” Moreover,

1 Ennis Headquarters: Midlothian, Texas Commercial Printing Sales $(000): 58,471 Total Sales $(000): 584,713 2 Champion Industries Headquarters: Huntington, W. Va. Commercial Printing Sales $(000): 43,556 Total Sales $(000): 145,188 3 B&D Litho Headquarters: Phoenix Commercial Printing Sales $(000): 14,333 Total Sales $(000): 43,433 4 Team Concept Printing & Thermography Headquarters: Carol Stream, Ill. Commercial Printing Sales $(000): 6,051 Total Sales $(000): 9,605 5 Lewis Color Headquarters: Statesboro, Ga. Commercial Printing Sales $(000): 5,625 Total

Ask 10 different people to define commercial printing and you’ll get 10 different answers. One thing, however, is a given—whether it’s a glossy, high-color poster on a rich substrate, a black-and-white owner’s manual on uncoated stock or a business card with a PMS logo, the job must be done perfectly and delivered on time. Considering various prepress services, including design (in some cases), the actual printing, finishing options and fulfillment services, there are plenty of opportunities for manufacturers and distributors to demonstrate their talents and skills, proving their value to customers. One-stop-shop trends are making it more and more likely that distributors will be

Printing is increasingly popular with U.S. designers, said a study conducted by Graphic Design USA and sponsored by MAN Roland, whose North American headquarters are in Westmont, Ill. The annual survey of leading American creative professionals revealed the top 10 factors designers consider when selecting a facility to run their commercial print jobs: 1. Price 2. Quality 3. Customer service 4. Trust and reputation 5. Digital short-run printing capabilities 6. Environmentally friendly practices 7. Paper knowledge 8. State-of-the-art equipment

Press manufacturer MAN Roland, with North American headquarters in Westmont, Ill., sponsored an annual survey of leading American creative professionals conducted by Graphic Design USA (GDUSA), which revealed the percentage of designers working in print increased from 91 percent last year to 92 percent currently. In addition, 75 percent of their projects are stand-alone print or involve the creation of at least one printed piece, and 70 percent of their total work time is spent designing for print. “Print uniquely engages the emotions and stimulates the senses with its classic strengths of permanence, tangibility, sensuality and physicality,” observed GDUSA Publisher Gordon Kaye. “Print feels