Digital Printing

Printegra Upgrades Digital Print Capabilities
May 1, 2006

Peachtree City, Georgia-based Printegra upgraded its digital color and black-and-white capabilities by adding a six-color HP Indigo 5000 press to its Smyrna, Ga., facility, as well as Kodak E125 Digimaster presses in its Smyrna and Montgomeryville, Pa., locations. The HP Indigo 5000 press offers high-quality printing and variable imaging. It uses liquid ink technology for superior quality, while the color matching capabilities can match PMS colors and equal the quality and color range of commercial offset printing. With 812x812 dpi resolution and up to 230 lines per inch, the press provides vibrant color and sharp text. The Digimaster E125 System can produce high-quality, short-run black-and-white,

Digital Printing Trends
March 1, 2006

INDUSTRY GURU FRANK ROMANO, professor emeritus at the Rochester Institute of Technology School of Print Media, noted these digital printing trends: • While digital imaging offset press technology is still valid for short runs, digital printing offers the benefits of one-off impressions and variable data. • Inkjet provides the only foreseeable threat to toner-based printing. Look at a wide-format inkjet printer and you will see the future of the printing press. The quality is high and speeds are increasing. • All printing processes will soon share the same digital infrastructure. • Workflow is, and will be, everything. • Networked laser printers are challenging copiers; copiers are challenging

Get With the Digital Print Program
June 1, 2005

Think beyond short-run solutions to long-term profitability. At the On Demand Conference & Expo, held May 17-19 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the energy was palpable, the excitement was infectious, and the opportunities were mind-boggling. Yes, for distributors who have embraced digital printing, these are the best of times. But, these can seem like the worst of times for those intimidated by technology. "It doesn't have to be like that," stressed Paul Edwards, president of Fenton, Missouri-based FormStore. "Attaching graphic and database files is actually much easier than sitting down and doing form designs, and paper and carbon tests. Time,

Merge into Modern Thinking With Digital Printing
June 1, 2004

New perspectives lead to better profits for distributors. Many in the forms industry would agree that digital printing has had its share of resistance from distributors. Although the technology for this market has been in existence for a while, some still doubt its earning potential, and others have chosen to avoid the learning curve involved. But, two manufacturers offer another way of looking at digital printing. They both provide new perspectives to convince distributors that this niche is well worth their while. In addition, one manufacturer shines a light on more advanced technology, allowing distributors to profit from selling programs, as opposed to the

Growing Pains Persist for Digital Printing Technology
June 1, 2003

Digital printing technology is ready, willing and able, but are the people who make, sell and use the products? Sliced bread's got nothing over digital printing as far as Joe Mehl's concerned. In fact the CEO of Erie, Pennsylvania-based Dispatch (formerly Team Dispatch) called it the most significant development for the industry since the computer. But as with most changes, there are difficulties to overcome before reaping the benefits. The early color-quality issues—blacks, purples, reds and blues that left something to be desired—have been corrected. Said Mehl, "My Xerox DocuColor's quality is as good, and in some cases better, than any offset equipment

Save the Day with Digital Print
November 1, 2002

Fresh but forgotten by some, this technology has got big answers for even bigger dilemmas. David Howard's client had a problem. A marketing director for a local bank wanted brochures printed for all 20 of the financial institution's branches, but she needed the brochures to be personalized for each branch. In addition, she only wanted a few thousand brochures printed at a time because she did not want to be tied to one marketing message for an entire year. Fortunately, Howard, who happens to be the marketing manager for Victor Printing, Sharon, Pa., had an ace up his sleeve—the Indigo Ultrasream 2000. Like

Digital Markets Are Emerging Bit by Bit
June 26, 2002

On-demand digital printing feeds dynamic niches for a variety of products. Digital color printing came on the scene in the early '90s, meeting demands for small quantities of high-quality printing quickly and affordably. Yet many in the industry are still grappling with big-picture ramifications, which involve equipment purchases, new product knowledge and marketing, staff training and customer education. However, for others the assimilation was rapid, and applying this technology to certain obvious applications is resulting in growth and profitability. Consider Dallas-based Hedge Creative. With "print, PIN and ship in three days or less" as its motto, the company specializes in small

It Pays to Get Personal
November 7, 2001

Offering variable printing means big changes, but also high margins. When 52-year-old scuba enthusiast Jane Young of West Palm Beach, Fla., received a travel brochure from Charlie B. Travels promoting a cruise to the Caribbean that included a scuba diving package for those aged 50 and older, her interest was piqued. Just three months later, she was diving off the island of St. Lucia with a group of her peers. That is just one example of the effectiveness of variable data printing making it obvious that, in an industry where printed materials are distributed by the millions, it pays to get personal.

Customers Demand Instant Satisfaction
February 20, 2000

On-demand printing threatens to transform the industry By Eric Fiedler A multitude of industries have used the "just-in-time" process of supply and demand to reduce inventory and save time. It accomplished its goals, and there have been few side effects. When integrated into forms, however, just-in-time is commonly known as on-demand printing—a concept that threatens to displace every business forms model currently in use. "It is more than just a new technology, it's a paradigm shift that will dramatically change the way we do business," said Charles Pesko, president and founder, CAP Ventures, Boston. Pesko has been following the electronic printing industry for about 25 years and is an

The Way of the Future
May 20, 1999

The demand for digital imaging is rising--are you ready? By Carol Katarsky Demand for digital printing has been growing steadily, and shows no signs of slowing down. Its advantages--inexpensive, high-quality color with quick turnaround--is winning over converts throughout the industry. "I see the market continuing to grow," said Karen Gregg, vice president, sales and marketing, In-dependent Printing, De Pere, Wis. "Digital printing is still new to many people. Companies are just starting to realize the potential savings, fast turnaround and increased sales results that are possible if they customize their communications. "Within the next five years, the digital short-run, color market will increase dramatically. As with many new