Production/Printing Processes

Eerbeek, Holland-based Drent Goebel will demonstrate its Vision offset press in Virginia Beach, Va., during an open house at the Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) corporate support building, June 5 to 7. The building houses CBN’s printing and personalization division, as well as a complete mailing fulfillment center and call center, which attendees can tour during the event. There will also be workshops focusing on quality, cost savings and personalization. The first servo-driven press in the world, the Vision is an eight-color litho press with a 201⁄2" web width, and it’s equipped with a sheeter and UV curing. It allows for short make-ready times, and

Looking back on some of the research Weymouth, Massachusetts-based Infotrends has produced, the company’s work has, on occasion, concisely predicted the future. Take a 2003 consumer report on digital cameras, which predicted the devices would eclipse nondisposable film cameras by 2008. Fourteen years ago, the company’s foresight was just as sharp, even in the relatively new digital print market. Partnering with Questex, the company which eventually acquired Infotrends in 2006, the group conceived of a show for a niche segment still hashing out its place in the market. When Charles A. Pesko, president of Infotrends, initially embarked on the project, he was reminded that

Headquartered in Wauconda, Ill., Plastic Graphic Company has added a new Oasys Collater (tacking process prior to lamination), as well as a second eight-opening Burkle Laminator and a second Oasys punch press to its equipment list. The increased production capabilities enable Plastic Graphic Company to manufacture laminated plastic cards and other plastic items at a reduced cost and with a quicker turn time. In addition, the new equipment provides the ability to produce more than 300 million cards annually. Established in 1970, Plastic Graphic Company supplies printed plastic cards, rulers, slide charts, key tags, templates and P.O.P displays, as well as a variety of custom

Rowan Business Forms, Salisbury, N.C., announced a major technological investment in the future of the company and its’ customers. The independent forms manufacturer has replaced its 1993 Kodak 3500 Imaging system with Kodak’s latest CS400 Versamark Controller and 130 Data Station. The new system features two 6240 heads, imaging at 500 feet per minute. The 4" imaging heads enable Rowan to continue offering such value-added forms features as consecutive bar codes, MOD numbers, jumbo numbers and variable data imaging on unit sets, continuous, cut sheets, label stock and coated substrates. “Our K-3500 system had grown obsolete”, said Rick Hardesty, Rowan’s president. “So, to

Printing press manufacturer Stevens Technology, Fort Worth, Texas, introduced a new ink system that is specially designed to provide more coverage. Named the “MoreStore Inker,” the system is prefect for handling complex ad designs—such as those typically used for automobiles and prescription drugs—that have heavy solids and knockouts, plus 6-point type with serifs. By using four rollers that oscillate, ink is distributed more evenly to the plate than with conventional inkers. In addition, the ink fountain motor has a programable speed curve that is adjustable from the unit or the main console. The oscillating rollers feature adjustable stroke capacity and come standard with

This month’s featured product is a good option for commercial printers who want to expand their product lines, as well as for printers looking to bolster label sales. It can also provide distributors with a value-added solution for end-user customers in need of full-color, high-gloss, rugged, quality labels. Check out the following clues and try to guess what the product is: • It is designed to facilitate the strong demand for short-run labels. • It helps end-users plug into a growing market. • It is a small, 7 lb. item that can make a big impact on production capabilities.

Headquartered in Oak Harbor, Ohio., pressure-sensitive adhesive coater acpo ltd. presents its 891 easy release polyester self-wound overlaminate film. The product is a clear-polyester film, treated with a platinum-based silicone release for smooth, quiet unwind, and features a high-grade emulsion acrylic adhesive. The premium, easy-release, self-wound film is also available with no adhesive. Label manufacturers use the easy-release polyester overlaminate in label printing processes when they require a smooth, quiet release and a lustrous-looking label. The 891 overlaminate film is easily removable from a variety of surfaces, and can be reapplied to the same surfaces without making any noise. As the manufacturer of this high-quality

Degrava Systems, Roswell, Ga., introduced the Degrava DP 8500, an affordable, high-quality, simple solution for short-run and variable data printing of labels, tags and other narrow web applications. Featuring variable data and on-demand capabilities, the DP 8500 digital press handles up to 81⁄2" wide media with an 81⁄4" print image area, and is built around the award-winning OKI LED engine, a proven design with renowned reliability. The Degrava DP 8500 is a dry toner-based continuous system which prints on laser-approved converted and non-converted adhesive-backed paper and synthetic media, as well as tag stock up to nine point. Color calibration is automatic, and precise

Clarity is an important quality of an excellent print job. The kind of eye-popping projects that draw people from across a room are the result of the concerted effort of all involved. Just as the ink must be properly aligned on the substrate to ensure clarity in a given piece, the wants and needs of the manufacturer, distributor and client must also be properly aligned to ensure clarity in the focus and content of a commercial print job. What can distributors do to ensure they act as the best possible conduit for information and help their clients to produce the products exactly as desired? To help

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,