Jeff Prettyman

Wise President and CEO Bill Prettyman has ink running through his veins. A fourth-generation printer, Prettyman continues to uphold his family’s legacy in an industry that put them in the headlines.

Headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., Wise’s Portland, Maine facility has earned FSC COC certification for its business forms, commercial printing and document services groups.

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

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

Use variable imaging to modernize mature product lines By Carol A. Katarsky As technology continues racing along at its feverish pace, many printers are looking for ways to add value to their products. One of the most promising developments in this area is variable imaging. Graphic Systems Services (GSS), Kettering, Ohio, provides offline transport systems and inline variable imaging systems for forms manufacturers. GSS' director of sales, Dick Prentice, said the most common, and oldest forms of variable imaging are bar coding and numbering, but new opportunities abound in direct mail, labels, on demand publishing, shipping forms with tracking information, invoices and statements, as well as many other