FOLD, PERF, SCORE & SLIT

Graphic Whizard presents the FoldMaster 250, an air-feed folding, perforating, scoring and slitting system. It features 17-inch sheet width for scoring cover stock and is rated at 25,000 sph. State-of-the-art electronics offer counter, speed control and optional batching. Conveyor outfeed delivery is standard. Users can perforate, score and slit using individually adjusted accessory holders before the fold rollers. No deflector is required if the user only needs to perf, score or slit — removing the upper fold plate is all that needs to be done.

Also new from Graphic Whizard is the Ultra-Mark 2000 inkjet printing system. The PC-based controller is compatible with Windows 98/NT. It has a built-in 6.5-inch VGA monochrome LCD display and kiosk touch pointer with click, drag and scroll features. Date, expiration date, real time and numbering functions are standard features. It can operate at speeds up to 20,000 sph.

The company is also distributing the Plockmatic 60 bookletmaker for producing up to 88-page booklets. It can produce up to 1,800 A5 booklets or 1,350 A4 booklets per hour. Stapling and folding can be done separately. The machine can corner or side-staple sets or just fold sets without stapling.
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WEB PRESS TEST FORMS

GATF offers test forms for diagnosing, calibrating and characterizing press, ink, fountain solution, paper, plate and blanket printing conditions. The forms are available in film-based and digital formats, and in three sizes: 17 × 22 inches for four-color narrow web; and 17 × 24 inches and 22 × 34 inches for six-color web. The test forms help reveal such print problems as slur, doubling and ink/water imbalance, and can be used to check density, dot gain, print contrast and ink trapping.
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HIGH-VOLUME BLACK-AND-WHITE WORKFLOW TOOLS

Heidelberg Digital offers ImageSmart Document Mastering 1.5 and Document Library for its DigiMaster 9110 high-volume black-and-white print system. The document mastering software consists of Adobe Acrobat, PDF ImageWorks, StampPDF and Quite Imposing Plus. It lets digital printers manipulate and edit images within a PDF file.

Using the open-architecture, ImageWorks PDF plug-in enables users to insert photographs into a document. Basic editing functions include cutting, copying and pasting a selected image and portions of an image, cropping images, erasing pixel-level information, adjusting contrast/brightness, and rotating and despeckling images. Documents can be input from a variety of sources, such as hard-copy originals and native application formats including Microsoft Office and Quark Xpress as well as TIFF and PostScript files.

The software is accessible to one or more printers, and multiple stations are accessible to a single printer. Because the software is built on an open standard, users don't have to convert to a proprietary file format before printing. The ImageSmart Document Library provides archiving and retrieval of electronic documents, which can be shared via local-area network, wide-area network, intranet, Internet and extranet, and Web networks.

Also new for the DigiMaster 9110 are the Imagedirect 665 production scanner, an inserter and a perfect binder. The inserter lets users insert both preprinted color and image-rich pages into black-and-white documents without slowing down the workflow. Its three-drawer configuration has a 4,000-sheet capacity and allows a broad range of substrates and paper sizes to be used in a document. The scanner provides 600 × 600-dpi resolution at 65 ppm. The binder, manufactured by C.P. Bourg, produces inline cover-bound books in a maximum book thickness of 1.5 inches. It accepts a variety of cover types, including glossy paper and cutout or transparent front covers in weights of 20 lbs. to 135 lbs.
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FLEXIBLE DIGITAL PRINTER

Océ Printing Systems USA Inc. announces the DemandStream 3040 cut-sheet digital printing system. It offers highlight color in duplex mode for 11 × 17-inch printing, Multiple Resolution Mode (MRM) for automatic resolution management, built-in backup and security, and multiple data stream support. It can be configured as an MICR printer. The 3040 accepts all major data streams and can handle letter to ledger paper sizes, delivering cut-sheet output at the rate of 108 ipm. It comes with a Quick Change Developer station and is capable of black-and-white as well as highlight color applications. It can be configured with a total of eight paper input bins or 10,000 sheets of paper. Up to two stackers can be added for a total output capacity of 12,400 sheets of paper. MRM capability supports resolutions of 240 dpi, 300 dpi or 600 dpi. Dual print engines allow parallel processing for different grades and formats of paper and versatile paper processing.
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DIGITAL PRODUCTION SOFTWARE

Xerox Corp. offers a streamlined version of its digital production printing workflow software. DigiPath Xpress provides entry-level digital production printing support and is upgradeable to DigiPath Professional, which offers more advanced print-on-demand services, such as file storage and management, and Web enablement. DigiPath Xpress offers job, printer and file management capabilities as well as scanning, with a choice of two 600-dpi scanners: the 620S (20 ppm) or the DigiPath production scanner (65 ppm).

The firm's VIPP variable-data tools also have been upgraded. VIPP 2001 includes a utility that lets users organize all files required to run a VIPP job into a single XML-formatted entity; component caching for storing and reusing preRIPed images and objects; support for JPEG, Postnet and Group 128 barcodes; and a new tool that facilitates the creation of personalized PDF files.
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MANIPULATE/MODIFY SCANNED DOCUMENTS

T/R Systems' enhanced version of its MicroImager software can be used for applications ranging from simple scan and print to more complex editing and distribution. Users in high-volume imaging environments can manipulate and modify scanned documents and digital files. Image manipulations options include a WYSIWYG preview and editing mode for adjusting, cleaning, aligning and rotating documents. An auto-incrementing numbers feature can automatically apply sequential numbers to a set of scanned documents or a set of digital images. Users can scan a document to e-mail — the scanned documents can be manipulated through the image-processing mode and then automatically attached to an e-mail message as a PDF or other supported standard image format. Documents and images can be distributed to the MicroPress to multiple network printers or to multiple network folders stored as standard image format, such as PDF and TIFF or text format including HTML.
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ASSET MANAGEMENT ENGINE

Xinet Inc.'s WebNative is an asset management engine that gives customers and prepress operators secure, 24-hour access to digital assets from any location via a standard Web browser. It enables collaboration between geographically dispersed work groups. WebNative is a companion to FullPress, the Xinet suite of prepress networking software.
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INLINE PUNCH

GBC's Fusion Punch II inline punch docks to the Xerox DocuTech, combining printing and punching into one step. It is completely enclosed and matched to the DocuTech series for a unified look, and all operations are controlled by the DocuTech user interface. The punch handles a large variety of stocks, including intermixed slick stocks and lighter stocks, which typically are difficult to finish. The upgraded paper handling ensures reliability and less downtime.

Another major enhancement is the software upgrade, which allows for recovery of misfed documents. Simply throw them out and press reset, and the DocuTech automatically reprints the damaged set. A new integrated offset stacker prepares each document for downstream finishing. There is no need for inserts between documents or for manual separation. For applications that do not require punching, an optional touch-button bypass capability allows documents printed by the DocuTech to pass through without being punched, and travel seamlessly to an alternative finishing system.
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DIGITAL PRINT SERVER

Konica Business Technologies announces Unify Konica, a new digital print server from Advanced Hi-Tech Corp. (AHT) for use with the 7075 and Force 75 production printing systems. Up to 10 of these respective devices can be harnessed together for simultaneous connection to any or all of the engines in the group. Each printer remains accessible individually or as part of a document production alliance. A suite of document management tools brings production-level functionality to the desktop, including DocComposer for creating custom booklets, Imposition Template Editor for placing multiple images on a single page and Vite for variable-data functionality.
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DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT/E-PROCUREMENT

IKON Office Solutions, Inc.'s Digital Express 2000 is a Web-based document management and print e-procurement offering. The application service provider solution is flexible and scaleable, based on a “pay-as-you-go” portal design and a subscription basis for an e-commerce presence as simple as a customized website from a template package for ordering via the Internet, to a full-scale ordering and document management repository for repeat jobs.

Print service providers maintain direct relationships with customers through the private label feature of Digital Express 2000. Sysinct, IKON's e-business unit, will develop customized portals for private labeling: designing the screen displays, ordering options and other features to blend with existing branding elements. Other customized features of the system include file management, document management through a repository providing off-site disaster recovery and back-up support, and file preparation services. Printers also have seamless access to IKON's Digital Express network of digital document production centers.
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DIRECT-TO-SILVER PLATEMAKER

A.B. Dick has extended its Digital PlateMaster line with the DPM2508, a fully integrated, direct-to-silver platemaker. It is said to promote high quality and digital-imaging accuracy, be easy to operate, and allow for fast turnaround and greater productivity with digital plates. With its maximum plate size of 20 × 23 inches, it provides extra functionality by handling offline film up to 20 × 25 inches; it also features integrated punching on the drum with an internal drying system. Resolution levels range from 1200 dpi to 3600 dpi.
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DIGITAL PRINTER/INLINE UV COATING

Xeikon's DCP 320 Dx offers 70 ppm (4,200 pph) and full-color variable-data printing at a list price of $245,000. Users can upgrade to the DCP 320 D with a speed of 130 ppm, as print volumes grow. The new printer is being positioned between the entry-level sheetfed CSP 320 D and high-end DCP 320 D and DCP 500 D. The 320 Dx features the IntelliStream v3.0 front-end with full PPML support for variable-color printing. All Xeikon digital color presses support PPML, including Emerge and Expert digital front-ends. Its one-pass duplex technology can print both sides of a substrate simultaneously, aiding productivity, front-to-back color registration and data integrity with printing personalized applications. It has a printing width of 12.1 inches and virtually no limit in printing length.

Also new from Xeikon is Ucoat, an inline UV coating unit compatible with the complete range of its web-fed presses. Users can print, UV coat, slit, and rewind or cut in a single pass at full press speed. The coating unit adds a high-gloss finish to digitally printed pieces such as book covers, direct mail, labels, packaging and glossy posters or brochures. The unit operates both inline at full press speeds and offline. Its modular design can be configured for various options, including a laminating unit, slitters, rewinding spindles, a guillotine cutter and an output conveyor belt. The unit will be available in Q3 2001.
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DIGITAL, BUSINESS PAPERS

Domtar's Cornwall Digital paper is coated on both sides, and is available in 17 × 11-inch, 18 × 12-inch and 18.125 × 13.25-inch sheets. The line also includes Plainfield Digital, a bright-white opaque that is offered in 60-, 70- and 80-lb. text, and 65- and 85-lb. cover weights. The papers are cut to meet the needs of digital print jobs — there is no need for trimming and no waste.

Also available is the Domtar Business Papers line, including Domtar Color Copy, Insignia Granite, Insignia 25% Cotton, Business Card, Parchment and Sandpiper. The line also includes top-selling grades, such as Windsor Copy, Domtar Copy and Domtar Fusion Colors.
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INLINE TRIMMING FOR DIGITAL WEB PRINTERS

Roll Systems' color Roll-to-Cutter/Trimmer/Stacker (CTS) system allows users of Xeikon-based, digital color, wide- and narrow-web printers to trim sheet size inline, eliminating offline guillotine cutting. Roll's high-capacity vertical stacker is said to enable longer unattended operation and immediate output. It is composed of the color unwinder, color cutter and stacker. It uses standard power, and is mobile, modular and compact.
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DESKTOP GRAPHICS PRINTER

Epson announces the Stylus Pro 5500, a 13-inch, wide-format, high-end inkjet printer. It is suitable for exhibit-quality prints and eliminates the need for interim analog proofing. It features up to 2880 × 720-dpi resolution; variable-sized, three-picoliter droplets; and photographic-quality output.

The printer can produce an 8.5 × 11-inch photograph in about three and a half minutes, and reportedly can match the quality of a chemistry-based photo in about five and a half minutes or surpass that level of quality in approximately 11 minutes, using the highest resolution level. Its six-cartridge inking system (cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta and black) uses six heads with 96 nozzles. The quick-drying ink system enables prints to be handled immediately after exiting the printer.
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LAN-BASED ONLINE PROOFING

RealTimeImage announces RealTimeProofClassic 2.0, a client-server software solution enabling high-speed streaming of production files directly through the local-area network (LAN) for what is said to be collaborative, high-resolution, color-accurate online proofing. Clients and other workflow partners can access and proof files from anywhere at any time. New features include faster image streaming, enhanced annotation tools, support for Scitex Multi-Page files, full production PostScript and PDF rasterization resolution, enhanced administration tools, more multipage browsing tools, and a new navigation tool for measuring both areas and distances on the image.
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COLOR RIP CONNECTS TO PRINTER/COPIER

Imation and Xerox announce the Imation Matchprint Professional Server, a color raster image processor (RIP) providing network connectivity to the Xerox DocuColor 12 printer/copier. It enables the production of high-quality comps, proofs and prints that simulate Imation's industry-standard Matchprint color-proofing systems.

Imation's patented Color Locking technology allows easy and accurate device calibration and linearization, which captures and processes hue, chrome and density color impact. Calibration on the DocuColor 12 requires only three steps and a few minutes to complete. It offers a full range of color targets, including SWOP, commercial, web offset, European and Japanese. Utilizing built-in profiles, the server is fully ICC-compatible for advanced color management. The server offers a range of custom and embedded spot-color options, via Pantone licensing. Accurate in-RIP color-separation support maintains up to 16 color channels: CMYK, plus 12 spot colors.
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DIGITAL FILM SUBSTRATES

Tekra Corp. introduces the Dura-Go and DuraKote lines of digital film substrates. Dura-Go films are engineered for Indigo digital presses, and are available in polyester, polycarbonate, rigid vinyl, label stocks and other substrates. DuraKote films are engineered for toner-based systems such as Xeikon, and are available in polyester and label stocks. Applications for these films include nameplates, product identification, membrane switch overlays, backlit menus, durable printed labels, mousepads, automotive graphics, promotional and point-of-purchase graphics, safety and warning labels, and telecommunications applications.
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FACE SPLITTING

GPA's Accu-Split service is illustrated in a one-page, foldout brochure. Printed four-color process with bleeds on GPA's Ultra Bak Plus white semigloss stock, the brochure demonstrates Accu-Split's pressure-sensitive face and liner splitting technology. The service includes custom face and liner splitting of pressure-sensitive papers, vinyls and polyesters. An alternative to diecutting, Accu-Split can accommodate sheet sizes from 30 × 40 inches to 4 × 4 inches, depending upon stock type. GPA can slit any material from 10-pt. pressure-sensitive tag to laser and film materials with a 1.5-inch minimum distance between splits.
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HIGH-END COLOR SERVER

CreoScitex's Spire CSX2000 color server drives the Xerox DocuColor 2045 and 2060 color digital printers at printer-rated speed. It can reportedly handle a wide variety of files, from simple presentations to complex, long-run, variable-information jobs. Together with the DocuColor 2000 family, it delivers a fast RIP and productivity-enhancing features. These include the Gallop mode that enables users to RIP and print the same file simultaneously, and a powerful but built-in imposition tool that can be used with any application, including variable-information jobs.
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DIGITAL PRINTING GUIDE FOR QUICK PRINTERS

“Digital Print Directions, V2.0” is an educational guide for the digital printing and copying industry written by veteran quick printers Aaron Smith and Andrew Ballem.

The book is organized into a basic timeline, starting with an overview of the digital quick-print industry and then outlining the steps non-digital print shops will need to take. Screenshots, diagrams and step-by-step instructions explain solutions to common digital print problems. Topics include software, networking, scanning, digital workflows, printing problem files, digital printing opportunities and marketing digital printing.

Buyers receive 12 months' free access to a restricted part of the website, www.digitalprintdirections.com, where files are offered for download. One such file is a “How to prepare digital files” booklet that can be given to customers. Cost of the book is U.S. $39 plus postage and handling.
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METALLIZED PAPER GUIDE

Vacumet Corp.'s 2001 Metal Works 28-page swatchbook features its metallized papers in a full-color, stand-up format. It is illustrated with bold graphics that reflect a workout regimen and features useful tips to ensure projects turn out as they are envisioned.
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VARIABLE-DATA TOOLS

Barco Commercial Printing's VIPLane is a suite of high-production variable data tools that can handle complex variable-data jobs — content can be 100 percent variable. It processes and RIPs jobs on NT stations. The jobs can be created on any of the variable-data editors developed by Barco (VIP Layout running on NT, or VIPDesigner, a Quark plug-in), or by other PPML producers and PS and PDF suppliers. Jobs are automatically processed at the nominal speed of the digital printing engine. Features include on-the-fly generation and RIPing of variable documents, WYSIWYG visualization, open format, and automatic batch processing.
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