3D inkjet printers build physical models from computer-aided design (CAD) data. Multiple parts can be printed (manufactured) simultaneously 3D printers operate like a classics desktop inkjet printers. Some systems offer 24-bit color capabilities just like a document printer. 3D printer systems revolutionized the production of pieces having complex geometries and small, detailed features.
You can buy 3D printers that operate in any standard office environment with no need for a dedicated operator.
Depending on the materials deposited through the inkjet(s) you can manufacture production parts for low volume production runs, test CAD designs, make one-of-a-kind parts, build all sorts of architectural models and related components without having to first create molds and then casting parts.
When the printing industry was transitioning from shooting film and burning printing plates the Internet provided the Computer To Plate Pressroom for printers and manufacturers to share new methods, workflows and made the inkjet printer acceptable as a method to proof high quality color images prior to going to press. The 3D printer will be a desk-top model shop replacing the shop model makers.
We have launched the "3D Printing Methods and Applications" internet discussion group on Google Groups™. Join today, share your ideas, projects, ask questions 24x7, meet your peers. Membership is FREE,
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Matt Beals launches Premedia Forum
"Matt Beals Consultant Enfocus Certified Trainer Markzware Recognized Trainer (206) 201-2320 - Main (720) 367-3869 - eFax mailto:matt@mattbeals.com
Matt wrote:
Friends don't let friends write HTML email
Come visit http://www.premediaworld.com where I am forming a new online forum with three partners. We're tailoring it to the premedia professionals to exchange tips, trick, how-to's and other relevant information. Not just for print/prepress but other forms of premedia as well.
You've pretty much got everything you need right there!!
Matt wrote:
Friends don't let friends write HTML email
Come visit http://www.premediaworld.com where I am forming a new online forum with three partners. We're tailoring it to the premedia professionals to exchange tips, trick, how-to's and other relevant information. Not just for print/prepress but other forms of premedia as well.
You've pretty much got everything you need right there!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Fabbers (a.k.a 3D Printers)
"Fab@Home is a website dedicated to making and using fabbers - machines that can make almost anything, right on your desktop. This website provides an open source kit that lets you make your own simple fabber, and use it to print three dimensional objects. You can download and print various items, try out new materials, or upload and share your own projects. Advanced users can modify and improve the fabber itself. Fabbers (a.k.a 3D Printers or rapid prototyping machines) are a relatively new form of manufacturing that builds 3D objects by carefuly depositing materials drop by drop, layer by layer. Slowly but surely, with the right set of materials and a geometric blueprint, you can fabricate complex objects that would normally take special resources, tools and skills if produced using conventional manufacturing techniques. A fabber can allow you to explore new designs, email physical objects to other fabber owners, and most importantly - set your ideas free. Just as MP3s, iPods and the Internet have freed musical talent, we hope that blueprints and fabbers will democratize innovation."
Print Custom Artifical Bones - 3D Printer Recreates Skeletons
"Researchers at the Tissue Engineering Department at the University of Tokyo Hospital and venture capitalist, Next 21, use specialized 3D inkjet printers to print custom artificial bones for implantation. Here's the process used to make an artificial bone. First, the patient's actual bone structure is scanned with X-ray and CT scanners. The resulting data is combined to make a three-dimensional computer model of the bone; a set of cross-sections is sent to the special 3D inkjet printer."
ptonline.com - 3D Printers - Rapid Prototyping - 08/04
Close-Up On Technology - 3D Printers Lead Growth of Rapid Prototyping - 08/04: "The five 3D printer makers include Z Corp., which now offers three models of 3D printers, including its flagship ZPrinter 310; and Stratasys, which offers two versions of its Dimension 3D printer. 3D Systems, which sells both the widely known high-end SLA (stereolithography) and SLS (selective laser sintering) RP systems, launched its first “true 3D” printer, called InVision, in late 2003. Objet Geometries in Israel supplies the higher-end Eden 333 PolyJet 3D printer in North America through Stratasys."
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
TribalSketch for online scrapbook design and layout
The online Scrapbooking site http://www.photoalbum.com/ is using TribalSketch for their online scrapbook design and layout. Users can upload images of all types and create beautiful multi-page scrapbooks right in their browser.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Continuous learning is key
Continuous learning is key
--
Bob Dale wrote: I am sad to announce that this will be my last estimating column for Graphic Monthly. I am proud to have been associated with this fine publication since I started writing this column 10 years ago.
The key message that I have tried to convey is the need for continuous learning. If you arrive at work, keep your head down and work hard without learning something every day, you will find in a few years that you have been left behind. I once did a study of a conventional prepress department with 16 professionals who did great work. But it quickly became clear that their knowledge level was at 30% of where it needed to be to stay current in today’s world of electronic prepress.
Continuous learning does not always mean that you have to attend night school for 13 weeks for years to get a certificate, although that is an excellent way of learning. Continuous learning comes from reading magazines like Graphic Monthly, and participating in trade associations like the Craftsmen Club, which is open to all, regardless of whether there is an active club in your community. Visit IAPHC.org for details.
Attending trade shows should be more than getting posters and free samples. Seminars, demonstrations and meetings are all great ways of learning. Attending seminars, and participating in online forums are great ways of keeping current without investing a significant amount of time. Formal designation and training records are important and should be tracked and kept in your employee file and included on your resume.
Thank you, Graphic Monthly readers for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to stay current on technology, process and management issues and to share these experiences and thoughts with you.
I leave you with a quote from Dave Mainwaring, who leads excellent forums on PrintPlanet.com:
--
Bob Dale wrote: I am sad to announce that this will be my last estimating column for Graphic Monthly. I am proud to have been associated with this fine publication since I started writing this column 10 years ago.
The key message that I have tried to convey is the need for continuous learning. If you arrive at work, keep your head down and work hard without learning something every day, you will find in a few years that you have been left behind. I once did a study of a conventional prepress department with 16 professionals who did great work. But it quickly became clear that their knowledge level was at 30% of where it needed to be to stay current in today’s world of electronic prepress.
Continuous learning does not always mean that you have to attend night school for 13 weeks for years to get a certificate, although that is an excellent way of learning. Continuous learning comes from reading magazines like Graphic Monthly, and participating in trade associations like the Craftsmen Club, which is open to all, regardless of whether there is an active club in your community. Visit IAPHC.org for details.
Attending trade shows should be more than getting posters and free samples. Seminars, demonstrations and meetings are all great ways of learning. Attending seminars, and participating in online forums are great ways of keeping current without investing a significant amount of time. Formal designation and training records are important and should be tracked and kept in your employee file and included on your resume.
Thank you, Graphic Monthly readers for allowing me the wonderful opportunity to stay current on technology, process and management issues and to share these experiences and thoughts with you.
I leave you with a quote from Dave Mainwaring, who leads excellent forums on PrintPlanet.com:
“To succeed, stay focused.
Do what you do best,
up-skill, prepare for
new challenges,
make time for learning”
Bob Dale is president of Pilot Graphic Management Services Inc., a management-consulting and custom-training company. He is also on the executive of the Toronto Club of Printing House Craftsmen. Bob can be reached at (416) 410-4096, or via e-mail at pilotmanagement@rogers.com
Friday, December 07, 2007
Printable Technologies to Demonstrate Integrated Marketing ... - Direct_Mail, Direct_Marketing, Marketing
Printable Technologies to Demonstrate Integrated Marketing ... - Direct_Mail, Direct_Marketing, Marketing: "
Google will demonstrate Integrated Marketing Solutions including Personalized Cross-Media Direct Marketing and Collateral Management Solutions, at NCDM 2007, Las Vegas, from December 10 through December 12. Printable Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of Integrated Marketing, Web to Print, and Personalized Direct Marketing Solutions. To align with these consumers, marketers are rapidly adopting new online marketing channels and integrating them into their campaigns. The cross-media solutions powered by Printable Technologies take advantage of the vast amount of data available to present personalized messages that make marketing more effective. Printable Technologies is a world leader providing Integrated Marketing Solutions including Cross Media Variable Data Publishing (VDP), One to One Marketing Campaigns, and Web to Print solutions, to corporate enterprises, creative agencies, and the graphic arts industry. The complete marketing campaign execution and tracking solution from Printable Technologies"
Google will demonstrate Integrated Marketing Solutions including Personalized Cross-Media Direct Marketing and Collateral Management Solutions, at NCDM 2007, Las Vegas, from December 10 through December 12. Printable Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of Integrated Marketing, Web to Print, and Personalized Direct Marketing Solutions. To align with these consumers, marketers are rapidly adopting new online marketing channels and integrating them into their campaigns. The cross-media solutions powered by Printable Technologies take advantage of the vast amount of data available to present personalized messages that make marketing more effective. Printable Technologies is a world leader providing Integrated Marketing Solutions including Cross Media Variable Data Publishing (VDP), One to One Marketing Campaigns, and Web to Print solutions, to corporate enterprises, creative agencies, and the graphic arts industry. The complete marketing campaign execution and tracking solution from Printable Technologies"
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
MGI Digital Graphic Technology, marketing agreement with Xerox Corporation
IVRY/SEINE, France (Dec. 3, 2007) -- MGI Digital Graphic Technology, the
multi-substrate (paper and plastic) digital press manufacturer, announced
today that they have reached a marketing agreement with Xerox Corporation
(Europe). Under the terms of this agreement, MGI will provide the UVarnish*
off-line infrared and UV coater as a complement to Xerox's finishing product
portfolio.
MGI, based in Paris, has 25 years of experience in designing, manufacturing,
marketing and supporting the worldwide digital market segment.
Launched in 2007, the popular and successful UVarnish is the first and only
"push-button" UV coater available in the digital graphics market. Easy to
use and with the smallest footprint in the industry, the UVarnish is
designed to complement both digital and offset printed paper or plastic
substrates (paper coated and sealed plastic surfaces such as PVC or PET),
accommodating up to 2400 sheets per hour and sizes up to 36 x 52 cm (14 x 20
inches).
Other unique features of the UVarnish include an ultrasonic sensor to detect
and prevent double feeding, designed to protect personalized VDP sheets. The
UVarnish is also environmentally friendly, utilizing an ozone-free UV curing
technology. Depending on the type of substrate and intended application,
various varnish finishes are available, including matte, glossy and
pre-lamination varnish for plastic hot platen lamination. Optional
accessories for the UVarnish include a high capacity feeder and a high
capacity stacker.
This agreement is valid immediately in Europe and will allow the Xerox sales
force to offer the UVarnish in synergy with Xerox's state of the art color
For more information, please contact:
Michael Abergel
Executive Vice President, MGI USA
Phone: (321) 751-6755
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Books don't just appear on the bookshelves by themselves.
Mordy Golding wrote:
Books don't just appear on the bookshelves by themselves. Thanks to all the folks at Sams Publishing, and to Betsy Brown, Jon Steever, Krista Hansing, and Seth Kerney for their professional and untiring help in publishing this book. Special thanks to Kate Binder, who not only helped make sure this book was technically accurate, but offered valuable advice as well.
This book is a work that finds its words shaped from years of experience and friendship. Thanks to Sharon Steuer, Sandee Cohen, David Blatner, and Bert Monroy for your continued support.
There's no way that I could have possibly completed a project of this magnitude without the support from my friends at Adobe. While it's impossible to list everyone, there are some folks for which a blanket "thanks to everyone at Adobe" statement simply won't do. Thank you to Lydia Varmazis, Leon Brown, Will Eisley, Bob Schaffel, John Nack (congrats, Tiny Elvis!), Addy Roff, Kevin Connor, George Arriola, Ted Alspach, Paul Kim, Ron DiTorro, Lynn Grillo, Joe Smith, and Julieanne Kost.
I can't offer enough thanks to Dave Mainwaring and the entire membership of the Print Planet forums. It's a fun place to be, and I guarantee that I learn more from you guys than what you learn from me.
To the Wrotslavsky family, who welcomed me as one of their own over 12 years ago (and who still willingly admit to that fact today).
For all the times I asked him silly questions, like why the sky is blue, my father has forever earned the right to ask me how to create a mask in Photoshop (and other assorted technical support questions). My mother continues to serve as my role model for everything I do.
Of course, this book would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Batsheva, and my children, Chayala, Simcha Bunim, and Chavi. I'm one lucky man.
Mordy :)
Books don't just appear on the bookshelves by themselves. Thanks to all the folks at Sams Publishing, and to Betsy Brown, Jon Steever, Krista Hansing, and Seth Kerney for their professional and untiring help in publishing this book. Special thanks to Kate Binder, who not only helped make sure this book was technically accurate, but offered valuable advice as well.
This book is a work that finds its words shaped from years of experience and friendship. Thanks to Sharon Steuer, Sandee Cohen, David Blatner, and Bert Monroy for your continued support.
There's no way that I could have possibly completed a project of this magnitude without the support from my friends at Adobe. While it's impossible to list everyone, there are some folks for which a blanket "thanks to everyone at Adobe" statement simply won't do. Thank you to Lydia Varmazis, Leon Brown, Will Eisley, Bob Schaffel, John Nack (congrats, Tiny Elvis!), Addy Roff, Kevin Connor, George Arriola, Ted Alspach, Paul Kim, Ron DiTorro, Lynn Grillo, Joe Smith, and Julieanne Kost.
I can't offer enough thanks to Dave Mainwaring and the entire membership of the Print Planet forums. It's a fun place to be, and I guarantee that I learn more from you guys than what you learn from me.
To the Wrotslavsky family, who welcomed me as one of their own over 12 years ago (and who still willingly admit to that fact today).
For all the times I asked him silly questions, like why the sky is blue, my father has forever earned the right to ask me how to create a mask in Photoshop (and other assorted technical support questions). My mother continues to serve as my role model for everything I do.
Of course, this book would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Batsheva, and my children, Chayala, Simcha Bunim, and Chavi. I'm one lucky man.
Mordy :)
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Truth About Bar Codes — Size Matters
BOOK COVER DESIGN:
From: BookCoverDesigner: bookcoverdesigner@yahoo.ca
Posted to Publish-l forum 10/26/2007
http://bookcoverdesigner.typepad.com/
"Bar codes seem to be a never-ending point of contention. I frequently get eMails from clients about bar codes saying things like, 'it's too big. It's much bigger than the ones on the books I have here.' That's quite possible. Here's why: People often confuse UPC bar codes with Bookland EAN bar codes; since going to the 13-digit ISBN (Jan. 2007), bar codes have to be longer just to incorporate the extra numbers; most authors will now need to have the price embedded into the bar code, whereas this wasn't always necessary in the past. The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has conveniently published the guidelines for bar codes on their site, and here's what they say: The Bookland EAN symbol, which always includes the 5-digit add-on, is 1' high x 2-3/16' wide at 100% magnification. At 80% magnification the overall size is approximately 13/16' high x 1-3/4' wide. Magnification may be any size between 80% and 200%. For offset printing it should not be necessary to print larger than 100%. (NOTE: Width is measured with a 3/32 inch 'quiet zone' on either side of bars. Height is measured from the top of the bars to the bottom of the numbers below the bars.)”"
From: BookCoverDesigner: bookcoverdesigner@yahoo.ca
http://bookcoverdesigner.typepad.com/
"Bar codes seem to be a never-ending point of contention. I frequently get eMails from clients about bar codes saying things like, 'it's too big. It's much bigger than the ones on the books I have here.' That's quite possible. Here's why: People often confuse UPC bar codes with Bookland EAN bar codes; since going to the 13-digit ISBN (Jan. 2007), bar codes have to be longer just to incorporate the extra numbers; most authors will now need to have the price embedded into the bar code, whereas this wasn't always necessary in the past. The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has conveniently published the guidelines for bar codes on their site, and here's what they say: The Bookland EAN symbol, which always includes the 5-digit add-on, is 1' high x 2-3/16' wide at 100% magnification. At 80% magnification the overall size is approximately 13/16' high x 1-3/4' wide. Magnification may be any size between 80% and 200%. For offset printing it should not be necessary to print larger than 100%. (NOTE: Width is measured with a 3/32 inch 'quiet zone' on either side of bars. Height is measured from the top of the bars to the bottom of the numbers below the bars.)”"
"There is a crisis in print buying By Frank Romano October 26, 2007
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page: "There is a crisis in print buying By Frank Romano October 26, 2007 -- This week Margie Dana asked the question 'Is there is a crisis in print buying?' and I am here to say there is. In less than a decade we have gone from print buying professionals fully supported by their organizations to production and design professionals who, by the way, also buy print. Printing buying is now ancillary to other jobs. There are 23,000 full-timers who buy print in the United States and they purchase about 70 percent of all print and packaging. Less than 10 percent have print buying in heir titles. Another 92,000 buyers are involved in varying degrees, but virtually everyone else in the nation buys print at some time—from imprinted holiday cards to posters seeking a lost pet."
Information about print buying is scant. The reason is that print buyers, like designers, do not congregate. It is hard to find them because there is no common communication medium. Those that can be found tend to be the really larger print buyers and their data may not be representative of the entire market. But there is hope.
On November 7 and 8 in Westford, MA, the 2nd annual Boston Print Buyers Conference will take place. It brings together print buyers from New England, across the U.S., and even a few international buyers. What is most interesting is that over one hundred buyers signed up for the Print Buyers Boot Camp on November 6th, a basic course in printing and print buying. This is now the must-attend conference for anyone who buys print. Go to www.bostonprintbuyers.com and check it out.
E-commerce is said to be re-inventing the printing business. But it is not as easy as it sounds. E-commerce companies want to automate the process of originating, specifying, estimating, bidding, scheduling, tracking, and managing print. Some of the sources of print welcome this. Some will continue to rely on the primary interface between buyer and seller: the sales representative. But, with the Internet, the customer is evolving into the sales person and the service person.
Complex and very complex jobs account for 60 percent of the revenue of the printing industry. An oversimplified workflow: one third prep and program, one third print, and one third finish. In other words, most printed products are complex because they use multiple steps in the printing process, and the more complex the product the more it needs a godfather (or godmother). What is scary is that many complex print jobs are often initiated without any consultation with the printer.
Thus, I contend that there is a crisis in print buying and the need to educate the latest generation of buyers is critical. Good buyers make good customers—and they also help to make printers better as well.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
MegaSpirea's MailLiner
"People were calling colleagues from the booth saying, 'You gotta see this!' Truth be told, I didn't make it back for a closer look, but after I opened the samples I'd been handed, the marvel of video on the web showed me this is definitely something you have to see. MegaSpirea's MailLiner 100 was one of the Must See 'ems, and Scott Gerschwer, VP of Marketing (the guy who stopped me on the floor) told me last Friday, people were calling colleagues from the booth saying, 'You gotta see this!' The MailLiner 100 addresses the need of service bureaus and data centers to combine envelopes and their contents with 100% accuracy. Instead of printing a document and putting it into an envelope, the system creates the envelope in-line and wraps it around the document. Using a continuous-feed printer (think InfoPrint, Kodak, Nipson, Océ, or Xerox) a document is printed and is immediately followed by an envelope, bearing address, postal indicia and relevant messaging. The MailLiner 100 does the slitting and trimming needed to separate the envelope and its contents, does the requisite scoring, folding, gluing, and marries the pieces back together, ready to mail. Cameras and bar codes further ensure accurate matching of mail piece and envelope. The machine runs at about 300 pages per minute and can put up to 5 pages in each envelope."
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Graphic Arts in 2017...event featuring Dr. Joe Webb
Hi - If you are going to Graph Expo or live in the Chicago area, I hope you will register to attend a special event featuring Dr. Joe Webb next week.
Last year, nearly 200 executives attended and the reviews were excellent. This year, Dr. Joe's presentation is entitled "Graphic Arts 2017: A Speculative Look at the Graphic Arts a Decade from Today". He will offer printing and publishing executives direction and insights relative to the future of print in a multichannel world.
Dr. Webb will also provide a 2008 economic outlook, both in terms of the printing industry and the general economy. A continental breakfast will be provided.
The event is Tuesday, (September 11) from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. in Room S106B, McCormick Place in Chicago in conjunction with Graph Expo. The event is free, thanks to the support of MAN Roland.
Seating is limited so please sign up today. Other WhatTheyThink.com editors and commentators will be in attendance as well. We hope to see you there.
More info - or register
http://members.whattheythink.com/home/ge07event.cfm
Kind Regards,
Randy Davidson, President
WhatTheyThink.com
Last year, nearly 200 executives attended and the reviews were excellent. This year, Dr. Joe's presentation is entitled "Graphic Arts 2017: A Speculative Look at the Graphic Arts a Decade from Today". He will offer printing and publishing executives direction and insights relative to the future of print in a multichannel world.
Dr. Webb will also provide a 2008 economic outlook, both in terms of the printing industry and the general economy. A continental breakfast will be provided.
The event is Tuesday, (September 11) from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. in Room S106B, McCormick Place in Chicago in conjunction with Graph Expo. The event is free, thanks to the support of MAN Roland.
Seating is limited so please sign up today. Other WhatTheyThink.com editors and commentators will be in attendance as well. We hope to see you there.
More info - or register
http://members.whattheythink.com/home/ge07event.cfm
Kind Regards,
Randy Davidson, President
WhatTheyThink.com
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
World Digital Pub | Editor -Marketeer Conf. Oct 10-19
The World Association of Newspapers (WAN) is planning to bring print and digital newspapers together with back-to-back conferences this October 17-19.
This October Digital will meetup with Print at back to back at conference put on by World Association of Newspapers. Attendees will discover array of strategies for digital content, advertising, digital rights management at The World Digital Publishing Conference along side The 10th Editor and Marketeer Conference which will be focusing on print, free newspapers, marketing, and circulation. There will be a keynote speech on the latest world press trends.
Details at http://www.wan-press.org/
This October Digital will meetup with Print at back to back at conference put on by World Association of Newspapers. Attendees will discover array of strategies for digital content, advertising, digital rights management at The World Digital Publishing Conference along side The 10th Editor and Marketeer Conference which will be focusing on print, free newspapers, marketing, and circulation. There will be a keynote speech on the latest world press trends.
Details at http://www.wan-press.org/
Monday, September 03, 2007
"A VOCATION OF UNHAPPINESS [Courtesy Georges Simenon (1903-1985)]
BookAngst 101:
Advancing the Notion of (...ahem...) Realistic Advances: "A VOCATION OF UNHAPPINESS [Courtesy Georges Simenon (1903-1985)] 'Writing is considered a profession, and I don't think it is a profession. I think that everyone who does not need to be a writer, who thinks he can do something else, ought to do something else. Writing is not a profession but a vocation of unhappiness. I don't think an artist can ever be happy.'"
Advancing the Notion of (...ahem...) Realistic Advances: "A VOCATION OF UNHAPPINESS [Courtesy Georges Simenon (1903-1985)] 'Writing is considered a profession, and I don't think it is a profession. I think that everyone who does not need to be a writer, who thinks he can do something else, ought to do something else. Writing is not a profession but a vocation of unhappiness. I don't think an artist can ever be happy.'"
Friday, July 27, 2007
Trade schools on the border
http://www.mpcny.com/printblogger/
Trade schools on the border. My solution to needed skilled workers
John M. HenryJuly 27th, 2007
The printer industry in the USA needs trained press operators and bindery workers. Many other trades are having the same issues. The government so far has been only been in a political fight, not solving this issue. Forget training more designers, you can find one working at every coffee shop, they are like actors.
I have one solution that will take the whole issue one step forward. It is time to start building trade schools on the southern border. Fill them up, document them and send them to us…These trade schools would be like a dorm or as my college was a like, a low security jail 
Workers would stay and train in for 3-9 months as they are processed through and learn skills. If they do not have the IQ, fail out, criminal records, drug issues or cannot find and hold a job ship them back. After 3 years with a good work history and clean records, put them on the path to citizenship. I believe people who have the drive to walk and risk their life to get here, would have the drive to be good press or bindery worker.
Monday, July 16, 2007
"New Periodicals Rates Go into Effect July 15 – What’s a Printer or Publisher to Do?
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page:
By Gail Nickel-Kailing, Senior WTT Editor
July 16, 2007 -- The new postage rates are clearly “top of mind” for printers, publishers, and mailers. The WhatTheyThink Postal Rates and Reform Webinar broadcast on May 15 drew more than 506 registrants seeking more information to help them offset or avoid new postage rates"
{excerpts from article} http://members.whattheythink.com/specialreports/070716gail.cfm
{Members get to read the full article, plus a free trial membership is provided so anyone can read the articles.}
{content snipped}
Ms. Nickel-Kailing is also an author, journalist, and nationally recognized speaker regarding printing and mailing, including web-to-print, variable data printing, and direct mail. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire WI. She can be reached at gail@business-strategies-etc.com.
By Gail Nickel-Kailing, Senior WTT Editor
July 16, 2007 -- The new postage rates are clearly “top of mind” for printers, publishers, and mailers. The WhatTheyThink Postal Rates and Reform Webinar broadcast on May 15 drew more than 506 registrants seeking more information to help them offset or avoid new postage rates"
{excerpts from article} http://members.whattheythink.com/specialreports/070716gail.cfm
{Members get to read the full article, plus a free trial membership is provided so anyone can read the articles.}
Rate and Preparation Changes
The PRC recommendation for Periodicals included many changes that reflect cost-based rating. The biggest change in the rate design is moving from the traditional pound and piece rates to bundle and container rates.
- Pound Advertising and Editorial Rates - The pound rates were reduced for both advertising and editorial rates. Editorial pound rates offer reductions for varying destination entry levels in order to promote drop-shipment of lower advertising content publications.
- Piece Rates - Piece rates include new machineable and non-machineable rates for flats. Also, the basic rate category was replaced with MxADC and ADC rate categories, similar to Standard Mail.
- Piece Discounts - With the exception of the non-advertising piece discount, the piece discounts for destination entry, all pallets and co-palletized products were eliminated.
- Container Rate - Container rates were established to replace flat rate for all pallets and sacks. The rate is based on a combination of the container type (pallet or sack), container sort level and containers point of entry.
- Bundle Rates - Bundle rates are going into effect based on the presort level of each mailing bundle.
Opportunities to Avoid Postal Increases
There are several ways publishers can mitigate – or even avoid completely – the upcoming rate increases. By participating in a number of “work share” programs, publishers can prepare mail to qualify for additional discounts and cost savings. Let’s take a look at a few terms that describe various cost-avoidance programs.
Co-binding or online co-mailing - a printer binds a publication or catalog in the same bindery line at the same time as another company’s and combines their two mailings into one. This process requires that the publications be essentially the same size and have the block for addressing in the same place.
Co-mailing or offline co-mailing - the process of merging finished publications and/or catalogs that have already been bound into one mail stream. The co-mailing process combines address files for all participants into a single mail file that is presorted before the addresses are inkjetted on the covers. Then individual finished pieces are sorted into presorted bundles for which they would not have qualified in the past. Presorted bundles receive greater USPS discounts than unsorted bundles.
Commingling – a term that also refers to the process of merging multiple strings of mail into a single mail stream. Commingling is often used to refer to letter-sized mailings while co-mailing is used for periodical or catalog mailings.
Co-palletization - consolidates the physical bundles of mail, which have already been addressed and presorted, onto pallets. Mail that has been bundled onto pallets prior to its entry into the USPS system is discounted. Mailers qualify for greater postage discounts based on both the number of pieces that previously would NOT have been on pallets and in the number of pieces that move from sacks to pallets.
Drop-shipping - saves money on postal rates by moving the mail closer to its final destination before it is deposited with the USPS. Mailers can save additional postage costs avoiding the USPS zoned structure and taking advantage of destination entry discounts; the savings more than offsets the shipping costs.
Who Can Help?
Major printers such as RR Donnelley, Quad/Graphics, Quebecor World, Banta, Fry Communications, and others offer co-mailing services to their own printing customers and will take finished periodicals from smaller printers to add to their distribution pools.
{content snipped}
Ms. Nickel-Kailing is also an author, journalist, and nationally recognized speaker regarding printing and mailing, including web-to-print, variable data printing, and direct mail. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire WI. She can be reached at gail@business-strategies-etc.com.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Endless Loop Archival Hardware
Endless Loop Archival Hardware: "With OctaTrak Tape Technology, one tape can last FOREVER!!
Bet you thought you'd heard the last of 8-track tapes when you pulled that 750 feet of Steppenwolf out of your Chevy van in 1970! But now it's back, and it's not just a blast from the past, it's the Wave of the Future!
Just slip in one of our patented OctaTrak tapes, and you're good for all the revision cycles you can stand! And with our optional DualAction AudioGraphics Tape Unit, when you're sick of softening wrinkles around Liz Taylor's eyes or making that sky 'just a little bluer' when it's already 100% cyan, just slip in your old Iron Butterfly tape, and it's In-a-Gadda-da-Vida as loud as you can stand it!"
Bet you thought you'd heard the last of 8-track tapes when you pulled that 750 feet of Steppenwolf out of your Chevy van in 1970! But now it's back, and it's not just a blast from the past, it's the Wave of the Future!
Just slip in one of our patented OctaTrak tapes, and you're good for all the revision cycles you can stand! And with our optional DualAction AudioGraphics Tape Unit, when you're sick of softening wrinkles around Liz Taylor's eyes or making that sky 'just a little bluer' when it's already 100% cyan, just slip in your old Iron Butterfly tape, and it's In-a-Gadda-da-Vida as loud as you can stand it!"
ThinkPlate Specs
ThinkPlate Specs: "ThinkPlate employs a daring new technology perfected by Russian psionic researchers. A harmonic charge generated by an artist's visual cortex is used to create a matrix capable of exposing any digital-ready plate. Our competitor uses an inferior 'stream-of-consciousness' approach with a narrow serial bandwidth that fails under the load of complex conceptual graphics. And with upcoming improvements like our MindWander Buffer, it's only going to get better!"
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
words / myth / ampers & virgule: News flash: widows are older than orphans
words / myth / ampers & virgule:
News flash: widows are older than orphans: "But the more interesting question that arose is this: When did the term orphan first enter typsetting argot? A few of us have been looking, and so far, we’ve found widow defined in references from before 1980, but we’ve found no references to orphan that old. In theory, those of us involved in this discussion are old enough to remember when we first heard the term, but we’re also old enough to imagine we heard it many years earlier than we actually heard it.
Further, looking at examples of fine printing from before 1970, pages may be devoid of widows but there seems to have been no effort to eliminate orphans, suggesting that nobody gave the notion much thought before the advent of computerized page makeup.
So here’s your challenge: If you can find a printed definition of or reference to orphans in a typographic context from before 1990, respond in the comments with the citation. There are at least three people who are wasting time on this question, and we’d all like to be doing something more productive. Earliest citation wins a lifetime half-price subscription to this blog. (That’s lifetime of the blog, just to be clear.)"
posted by Dick Margulis at 6:34 PM 2007/07/ to his blog: http://ampersandvirgule.blogspot.com/
News flash: widows are older than orphans: "But the more interesting question that arose is this: When did the term orphan first enter typsetting argot? A few of us have been looking, and so far, we’ve found widow defined in references from before 1980, but we’ve found no references to orphan that old. In theory, those of us involved in this discussion are old enough to remember when we first heard the term, but we’re also old enough to imagine we heard it many years earlier than we actually heard it.
Further, looking at examples of fine printing from before 1970, pages may be devoid of widows but there seems to have been no effort to eliminate orphans, suggesting that nobody gave the notion much thought before the advent of computerized page makeup.
So here’s your challenge: If you can find a printed definition of or reference to orphans in a typographic context from before 1990, respond in the comments with the citation. There are at least three people who are wasting time on this question, and we’d all like to be doing something more productive. Earliest citation wins a lifetime half-price subscription to this blog. (That’s lifetime of the blog, just to be clear.)"
posted by Dick Margulis at 6:34 PM 2007/07/ to his blog: http://ampersandvirgule.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Designing an eBook Reader at PrintCEO Blog
Designing an eBook Reader at PrintCEO Blog: "Designing an eBook Reader
Posted by Adam Dewitz on June 18, 2007
A YouTube user has posted a design proposal for an Apple-inspired ebook reader based on the Apple iPod and iTunes. The proposed reader uses dual-screens to mimic a printed book.
Would a design like this, and its incorporation into the successful Apple iPod product line make an eBook reaser more desirable?"
Posted by Adam Dewitz on June 18, 2007
A YouTube user has posted a design proposal for an Apple-inspired ebook reader based on the Apple iPod and iTunes. The proposed reader uses dual-screens to mimic a printed book.
Would a design like this, and its incorporation into the successful Apple iPod product line make an eBook reaser more desirable?"
Thursday, June 14, 2007
TÜV Product Service Industry News - 'Good progress' made with printed RFID tags
TÜV Product Service Industry News - 'Good progress' made with printed RFID tags:
The radio frequency identification (RFID) industry is making 'good progress' in the field of printed tag development, it has been claimed.
Speaking to delegates at a European conference, Klaus Dimmler - founder of OrganicID and event chairman - said the sector is moving forward with technology able to produce electronic tags using organic inks, reports RFID Journal.
'They're looking better and better,' he maintained, while other industry experts said that although printed tags are improving, there is some way to go before they will be commercially available.
It is hoped a low-cost option will be identified for applying the printed RFID systems directly onto packaging."
The radio frequency identification (RFID) industry is making 'good progress' in the field of printed tag development, it has been claimed.
Speaking to delegates at a European conference, Klaus Dimmler - founder of OrganicID and event chairman - said the sector is moving forward with technology able to produce electronic tags using organic inks, reports RFID Journal.
'They're looking better and better,' he maintained, while other industry experts said that although printed tags are improving, there is some way to go before they will be commercially available.
It is hoped a low-cost option will be identified for applying the printed RFID systems directly onto packaging."
Saturday, June 09, 2007
From Gutenberg to Google: Media in Transition Conference (SocialComputingMagazine.com)
From Gutenberg to Google: Media in Transition Conference (SocialComputingMagazine.com): "The German organizers take inspiration from Johannes Gutenberg, who as the creator of movable type they view as a 'communication machine' pioneer.
'Gutenberg was the man of his century, igniting an information revolution leading to the Renaissance,' comments Matthias Koehler. 'The printing press business is precisely where Germany’s industrial economy launched. Printing presses required precision machinery, creating Germany’s engineering industry. Research in printing inks conceived the German chemical industry. You could make the case, therefore, that Germany derived its industrial power from an information need.'
According to this line of thinking, the Internet is the new kind of movable type, facilitating a similar information revolution: falling communication costs are changing the game.
'We want to address media pros from all industries concerned with the consequences of the clash between new and old,' Koehler adds."
'Gutenberg was the man of his century, igniting an information revolution leading to the Renaissance,' comments Matthias Koehler. 'The printing press business is precisely where Germany’s industrial economy launched. Printing presses required precision machinery, creating Germany’s engineering industry. Research in printing inks conceived the German chemical industry. You could make the case, therefore, that Germany derived its industrial power from an information need.'
According to this line of thinking, the Internet is the new kind of movable type, facilitating a similar information revolution: falling communication costs are changing the game.
'We want to address media pros from all industries concerned with the consequences of the clash between new and old,' Koehler adds."
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Concord Litho Prints Interactive Scent Cards for "Laugh 'n Sniff" Episode of "My Name is Earl"
From induistry news on www.printplanet.com 5/1/2007
PrintPlanet.com :
"Concord Litho Prints Interactive Scent Cards for 'Laugh 'n Sniff' Episode of 'My Name is Earl'
CONCORD, N.H. - Your ticket to 'Must Smell TV' can be found in this week's issue of TV Guide, which contains an exclusive interactive scent card designed to treat fans of NBC's hit comedy 'My Name is Earl' to a unique sensory experience -- the quirky aromas of karma-obsessed Camden County.
Featuring six fragrances tied directly to the first-ever interactive 'Laugh 'n Sniff' episode's script, the scented cards were printed by Concord Litho, an independent printing company in New Hampshire, for a cross-promotional May sweeps campaign involving TV Guide, NBC, 20th Century Fox Television, and exclusive sponsor Oreo.
During the May 3 'Laugh 'n Sniff' episode, NBC will prompt viewers via on-air graphics to rub one of six corresponding numbered boxes on TV Guide's scent card, which will release aromas connected to the 'My Name Is Earl' storyline, including the smell of 'a brand-new car,' and the chocolatey-creamy signature scent of Oreo cookies. Sponsored exclusively by Oreo, this scent card is available only in TV Guide's April 30 issue, which arrives on newsstands April 26.
'Anything That's Printed Can Be Scented'"
PrintPlanet.com :
"Concord Litho Prints Interactive Scent Cards for 'Laugh 'n Sniff' Episode of 'My Name is Earl'
CONCORD, N.H. - Your ticket to 'Must Smell TV' can be found in this week's issue of TV Guide, which contains an exclusive interactive scent card designed to treat fans of NBC's hit comedy 'My Name is Earl' to a unique sensory experience -- the quirky aromas of karma-obsessed Camden County.
Featuring six fragrances tied directly to the first-ever interactive 'Laugh 'n Sniff' episode's script, the scented cards were printed by Concord Litho, an independent printing company in New Hampshire, for a cross-promotional May sweeps campaign involving TV Guide, NBC, 20th Century Fox Television, and exclusive sponsor Oreo.
During the May 3 'Laugh 'n Sniff' episode, NBC will prompt viewers via on-air graphics to rub one of six corresponding numbered boxes on TV Guide's scent card, which will release aromas connected to the 'My Name Is Earl' storyline, including the smell of 'a brand-new car,' and the chocolatey-creamy signature scent of Oreo cookies. Sponsored exclusively by Oreo, this scent card is available only in TV Guide's April 30 issue, which arrives on newsstands April 26.
'Anything That's Printed Can Be Scented'"
Monday, April 30, 2007
Senior essays go from printer to printing press
http://www.yaleherald.com/article.php?Article=5570
BY SARAH FOOTE
After spending hours in the bowels of Beinecke and the stacks of Sterling, most seniors gain a great deal of satisfaction merely by handing their senior essays. Every year, though, some seniors refuse to let their projects go so easily. Determined to see their essays live on, some seniors forge determinedly into the world of publishing, seeking to immortalize their essays in real-world publications and to make them visible to the world outside of Yale.
COURTESY KARISSA ZIMMER
Alan Kennedy-Shaffer, DC ‘06, originally had no plans to publish his senior essay.
Publishing, however, isn’t ordinary for Yale College seniors. Unlike academics, undergraduates do not face the “publish or perish” maxim; few seniors actually embark on their senior essays aiming to publish the finished project. Alan Kennedy-Shaffer, DC ’06, a somewhat infamous former Political Science major, did not intend to publish his essay when first he began to write. Months after turning in his paper, though—and through a combination of hard work and personal investment—the new grad became the author of Denial and Deception: A Study of the Bush Administration’s Rhetorical Case for Invading Iraq.
The fact that so few students publish lends a certain mystique to the process. The very idea of publishing work as an undergraduate seems to imply an impressive intellectual capacity. However, as students who have gone through the process know, published is more about determination and persistence than an extraordinary level of intellectual genius. Getting work published requires serious legwork.
For students like Yood and Kennedy-Shaffer, who are willing to seek out publications for their work, one of the main obstacles to publishing seems to be the nature of the senior essay itself. The awkward length of the senior essay—generally from 25 to 50 pages—makes it difficult to translate into a publication. In their original form, the essays are too long to be published in scholarly journals, but too short to be printed as independent manuscripts. Yale’s own University Press said that they would be unlikely to publish senior essays due to issues with length—like most publishing companies, the Press is generally only interested in full-length manuscripts. No matter which route students take to publication, though, they will need to be willing to commit many more hours of work to their essays to condense or extend them.
BY SARAH FOOTE
After spending hours in the bowels of Beinecke and the stacks of Sterling, most seniors gain a great deal of satisfaction merely by handing their senior essays. Every year, though, some seniors refuse to let their projects go so easily. Determined to see their essays live on, some seniors forge determinedly into the world of publishing, seeking to immortalize their essays in real-world publications and to make them visible to the world outside of Yale.
COURTESY KARISSA ZIMMER
Alan Kennedy-Shaffer, DC ‘06, originally had no plans to publish his senior essay.
Publishing, however, isn’t ordinary for Yale College seniors. Unlike academics, undergraduates do not face the “publish or perish” maxim; few seniors actually embark on their senior essays aiming to publish the finished project. Alan Kennedy-Shaffer, DC ’06, a somewhat infamous former Political Science major, did not intend to publish his essay when first he began to write. Months after turning in his paper, though—and through a combination of hard work and personal investment—the new grad became the author of Denial and Deception: A Study of the Bush Administration’s Rhetorical Case for Invading Iraq.
The fact that so few students publish lends a certain mystique to the process. The very idea of publishing work as an undergraduate seems to imply an impressive intellectual capacity. However, as students who have gone through the process know, published is more about determination and persistence than an extraordinary level of intellectual genius. Getting work published requires serious legwork.
For students like Yood and Kennedy-Shaffer, who are willing to seek out publications for their work, one of the main obstacles to publishing seems to be the nature of the senior essay itself. The awkward length of the senior essay—generally from 25 to 50 pages—makes it difficult to translate into a publication. In their original form, the essays are too long to be published in scholarly journals, but too short to be printed as independent manuscripts. Yale’s own University Press said that they would be unlikely to publish senior essays due to issues with length—like most publishing companies, the Press is generally only interested in full-length manuscripts. No matter which route students take to publication, though, they will need to be willing to commit many more hours of work to their essays to condense or extend them.
Friday, April 20, 2007
The Battle for Color Supremacy
WhatTheyThink.com
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page: "The Battle for Color Supremacy
Commentary by Andrew Tribute
April 10, 2007 -- Three trends show up if one looks at the market figures of digital color printers and presses over the past year. The first is an explosion in sales in what may be termed the “Light” products. These can be classified as color printers that have a performance of between 41 and 60 Letter size pages per minute and which cost less than $100,000. The second is a drop in sales of “Mid-Market” products. These are products with a performance from 41 to 80 pages per minute and which cost under $300,000. The third, “Press” classification of products are ones with a performance in excess of 60 pages per minute and which cost more than $300,000. This area saw an increase in sales. The first “Light” classification is mainly made up of copier printers with an inbuilt scanner. Infotrends reports sales in the USA in 2006 of 26,000 such products, and 60% of these were sold into the office rather than production markets. The leading products in terms of sales in this area of the market come from Ricoh and are sold either by them or their OEM partners. Their 2006 sales have increased on 2005 figures by around 277%."
--
Andrew Tribute, is recognized internationally as one of the world's leading authorities on these subjects.
Attributes' client base comprises a large number of publishers and printers as well as a significant number of industry vendors. In most cases consulting is carried out at high level to assist such organizations in the selection and adoption of technology, or to define ongoing business strategies covering the likely future directions of the markets.
Andrew Tribute is a visiting Professor at University of the Arts London.
Reach Andy via email: tribute@attributes.co.uk.
Commentary by Andrew Tribute
April 10, 2007 -- Three trends show up if one looks at the market figures of digital color printers and presses over the past year. The first is an explosion in sales in what may be termed the “Light” products. These can be classified as color printers that have a performance of between 41 and 60 Letter size pages per minute and which cost less than $100,000. The second is a drop in sales of “Mid-Market” products. These are products with a performance from 41 to 80 pages per minute and which cost under $300,000. The third, “Press” classification of products are ones with a performance in excess of 60 pages per minute and which cost more than $300,000. This area saw an increase in sales. The first “Light” classification is mainly made up of copier printers with an inbuilt scanner. Infotrends reports sales in the USA in 2006 of 26,000 such products, and 60% of these were sold into the office rather than production markets. The leading products in terms of sales in this area of the market come from Ricoh and are sold either by them or their OEM partners. Their 2006 sales have increased on 2005 figures by around 277%."
--
Andrew Tribute, is recognized internationally as one of the world's leading authorities on these subjects.
Attributes' client base comprises a large number of publishers and printers as well as a significant number of industry vendors. In most cases consulting is carried out at high level to assist such organizations in the selection and adoption of technology, or to define ongoing business strategies covering the likely future directions of the markets.
Andrew Tribute is a visiting Professor at University of the Arts London.
Reach Andy via email: tribute@attributes.co.uk.
iPotty
Today's FAKE News First, from WTT WHatTheyDon'tThink
Apple has also decided to cash in on a major market -- look for the new iPotty - available at Toys R Us. Said Steve Jobs, "Kids should think different too."
http://members.whattheythink.com/home/dailyapril.cfm
Special Note: All these stories are presented in the true spirit of April Fool's Day. None of these stories are true, nor are they intended to reflect the strategy and intent of any real person or company. Our purpose with the April Fool's Edition is to elicit a smile, and we hope you will enjoy our spoof! We are an Equal Opportunity Offender: Our contributors name many industry companies in their stories, none of which should be taken seriously.
Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks, a printers feedback
From: Dave Mainwaring http://www.printplanet.com/
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 5:45 AM
To: Data Driven Printing-Publishing, VDP
Subject: [vdp] Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks
Listening to the 2007 OnDemand show videos on whattheythink.com I am hearing terminology that is new to me. I can understand EFI's new "Print to Win" tag line. However, others vendors interviews are referring to "Demand Aggregators", "Commerce Networks" as ways for printers to increase sales. What are Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks and how do they fit into your businesses?
What Do You Think about that?
Asks
Uncle Dave Mainwaring
--
A printer's Reply:
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:35:38 -0700
Subject: RE: Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks
Fundamentally DA's and CN's are e-commerce attempts to make money (in this case) by 'getting in between print buyers and printers.' As such, they "succeed" by ultimately reducing whatever services they e-list to commodities. Think "Priceline" vs. "Hotwire" for hotel rooms. When you think of using these, what are you searching for? Right, lowest price.
And how loyal are you that hotel you once stayed in if they don't have the lowest price next time? Exactly.
Printers interested in serving customers in one-to-one, lasting relationships are generally unimpressed by those actually promoting "commoditization." Aside from fans of dubious IPO's, still fantasizing "mindshare" guarantees profitability, "jargon of the month" doesn't impress. In the case of equipment sellers, it's a means to stimulate sales and leases of their systems/software...by implying they will generate significant business for the equipment one is being encouraged to acquire. Simply having the newest techno-print system doesn't guarantee a lessor's expertise, and savvy print buyers know this...or learn it quickly (the hard way). Those thinking these e-platforms will 'make their sales for them' are in for an unpleasant surprise: what business they may generate is typically going to come from buyers loyal only to the lowest price.
Goes back to a comment I made earlier: these folks (the system manufacturers now also touting DA's & CN's) would do better in the long run (for themselves and the printers they serve) to educate the buying public on the benefits of their technology. If you buy Brand Z...on the proposition they will generate orders for you (Wow - "no cost of sales!"), get a grip. The more equipment they place, the more printers they must list...to the point where being on any given list becomes essentially meaningless. Printers doing well are not foolish enough to rely upon aggregators...but work hard to promote their own companies and capabilities. If something floats over the transom from an aggregator, fine, but it's no kind of "plan" for success in the printing business.
--
From a Posting To: "Data Driven Printing-Publishing,
"Data Driven Publishing, VDP-PLus" is a special interest discussion forum.
This SIG is available 24x7 world wide for on-line discussions concerning
data driven publishing, (also known as : VDP, a catch-all term for any
data-driven document production technique or methodology).
The forum is FREE and a venue for:
Un-biased, real world opinions on VDP software tools from end-users.
Another, less formal (back-channel) venue for technical support from
software and hardware vendors.
Commentary from printing industry pioneers, educators and non-printing
companies adding VDP into their internal document workflows.
Discussion where all parties want to learn, discuss and debate both the
enabling technologies and the
value-creating applications that are based on the technologies.
Discussions cover very broad categories:
"What VDP "is," "how it works," "help!"' - PSP-industry dialogs.
"What VDP does" client-oriented dialogs.
Some members don't care "how;" they just want the "what it does it for me"
information. Others want to know tricks and tips, and the latest updates
and technologies in technical detail. Both are valued members.
Data driven printing is a group of process enabling technologies, nothing
more and nothing less. Generally speaking, VDP enables the "mass
customization" of documents - the ability to use mass production tools and
techniques to produce large or small quantities of documents, each of
which can be unique. DDP enables a diverse range of applications that use
customized documents in some way. The application might be a direct mail
program in which each mail piece contains information that is tailored to
address the specific interests or needs of the individual recipient. Or
it might be an application that produces a customized product brochure
based on information obtained from a prospective customer during a call
center contact. Or it may be a cross media application.
Membership is free to qualified applicants.
What better place to do industry networking.
Details on www.printplanet.com
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 5:45 AM
To: Data Driven Printing-Publishing, VDP
Subject: [vdp] Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks
Listening to the 2007 OnDemand show videos on whattheythink.com I am hearing terminology that is new to me. I can understand EFI's new "Print to Win" tag line. However, others vendors interviews are referring to "Demand Aggregators", "Commerce Networks" as ways for printers to increase sales. What are Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks and how do they fit into your businesses?
What Do You Think about that?
Asks
Uncle Dave Mainwaring
--
A printer's Reply:
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:35:38 -0700
Subject: RE: Demand Aggregators, Commerce Networks
Fundamentally DA's and CN's are e-commerce attempts to make money (in this case) by 'getting in between print buyers and printers.' As such, they "succeed" by ultimately reducing whatever services they e-list to commodities. Think "Priceline" vs. "Hotwire" for hotel rooms. When you think of using these, what are you searching for? Right, lowest price.
And how loyal are you that hotel you once stayed in if they don't have the lowest price next time? Exactly.
Printers interested in serving customers in one-to-one, lasting relationships are generally unimpressed by those actually promoting "commoditization." Aside from fans of dubious IPO's, still fantasizing "mindshare" guarantees profitability, "jargon of the month" doesn't impress. In the case of equipment sellers, it's a means to stimulate sales and leases of their systems/software...by implying they will generate significant business for the equipment one is being encouraged to acquire. Simply having the newest techno-print system doesn't guarantee a lessor's expertise, and savvy print buyers know this...or learn it quickly (the hard way). Those thinking these e-platforms will 'make their sales for them' are in for an unpleasant surprise: what business they may generate is typically going to come from buyers loyal only to the lowest price.
Goes back to a comment I made earlier: these folks (the system manufacturers now also touting DA's & CN's) would do better in the long run (for themselves and the printers they serve) to educate the buying public on the benefits of their technology. If you buy Brand Z...on the proposition they will generate orders for you (Wow - "no cost of sales!"), get a grip. The more equipment they place, the more printers they must list...to the point where being on any given list becomes essentially meaningless. Printers doing well are not foolish enough to rely upon aggregators...but work hard to promote their own companies and capabilities. If something floats over the transom from an aggregator, fine, but it's no kind of "plan" for success in the printing business.
--
From a Posting To: "Data Driven Printing-Publishing,
"Data Driven Publishing, VDP-PLus" is a special interest discussion forum.
This SIG is available 24x7 world wide for on-line discussions concerning
data driven publishing, (also known as : VDP, a catch-all term for any
data-driven document production technique or methodology).
The forum is FREE and a venue for:
Un-biased, real world opinions on VDP software tools from end-users.
Another, less formal (back-channel) venue for technical support from
software and hardware vendors.
Commentary from printing industry pioneers, educators and non-printing
companies adding VDP into their internal document workflows.
Discussion where all parties want to learn, discuss and debate both the
enabling technologies and the
value-creating applications that are based on the technologies.
Discussions cover very broad categories:
"What VDP "is," "how it works," "help!"' - PSP-industry dialogs.
"What VDP does" client-oriented dialogs.
Some members don't care "how;" they just want the "what it does it for me"
information. Others want to know tricks and tips, and the latest updates
and technologies in technical detail. Both are valued members.
Data driven printing is a group of process enabling technologies, nothing
more and nothing less. Generally speaking, VDP enables the "mass
customization" of documents - the ability to use mass production tools and
techniques to produce large or small quantities of documents, each of
which can be unique. DDP enables a diverse range of applications that use
customized documents in some way. The application might be a direct mail
program in which each mail piece contains information that is tailored to
address the specific interests or needs of the individual recipient. Or
it might be an application that produces a customized product brochure
based on information obtained from a prospective customer during a call
center contact. Or it may be a cross media application.
Membership is free to qualified applicants.
What better place to do industry networking.
Details on www.printplanet.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
ITPro: News: Cheaper printing changing publishing, says HP
ITPro: News: Cheaper printing changing publishing, says HP: "Cheaper printing changing publishing, says HP
Posted by Nicole Kobie at 4:52PM, Tuesday 17th April 2007
Digital colour printing processes lowering costs of short-run, on-demand and personalised publishing, HP told the London Book Fair today."
Advances in printer technology means short run colour jobs are no longer prohibitively expensive, HP told attendees of the London Book Fair today.
As digital colour printing gets cheaper, more and more uses are found, such as printing on demand or personalising brochures, said Guy Thompson, HP's product manager of workflow services.
"Generally, in the past, the more you printed, the lower each cost," he said. "Now you print what you need."
While this won't change how the next Harry Potter or Dan Brown novel is produced, it does mean publishers can take more chances on unknown authors or keep older books in print for longer. Before, a long print run meant risking cash up front on printing and expensive warehousing costs, but with digital printing cutting costs books can be printed as they're needed. And, with higher transportation costs, it's often cheaper to print smaller runs locally.
Thompson said if you buy a specialist book from online retailer Amazon odds are, it'll be printed just for you. "Instead of it being on the shelves, they're printing on demand," Thompson said. "They're moving from just a retailer to a printer. It's easier to print than store."
Posted by Nicole Kobie at 4:52PM, Tuesday 17th April 2007
Digital colour printing processes lowering costs of short-run, on-demand and personalised publishing, HP told the London Book Fair today."
Advances in printer technology means short run colour jobs are no longer prohibitively expensive, HP told attendees of the London Book Fair today.
As digital colour printing gets cheaper, more and more uses are found, such as printing on demand or personalising brochures, said Guy Thompson, HP's product manager of workflow services.
"Generally, in the past, the more you printed, the lower each cost," he said. "Now you print what you need."
While this won't change how the next Harry Potter or Dan Brown novel is produced, it does mean publishers can take more chances on unknown authors or keep older books in print for longer. Before, a long print run meant risking cash up front on printing and expensive warehousing costs, but with digital printing cutting costs books can be printed as they're needed. And, with higher transportation costs, it's often cheaper to print smaller runs locally.
Thompson said if you buy a specialist book from online retailer Amazon odds are, it'll be printed just for you. "Instead of it being on the shelves, they're printing on demand," Thompson said. "They're moving from just a retailer to a printer. It's easier to print than store."
RFID industry ratifies important data-sharing standard - Applications - www.itnews.com.au
RFID industry ratifies important data-sharing standard - Applications - www.itnews.com.au: "Promoters say the new standard set of interfaces for EPC data could potentially have a greater impact than a 2004 standard that led to cheaper and better performing RFID chips..
the ratification yesterday of EPCIS could give a big boost to the RFID industry, by finally giving businesses a standard way to capture and share information collected by radio-frequency identification chips.
EPCIS, or Electronic Product Code Information Services, provides a standard set of interfaces for EPC data. Chris Adcock, president of the standards organization EPCglobal, called Monday's ratification as potentially having more impact than the 2004 release of the UHF Gen2 Passive RFID standard.
Those are big words, since the Gen2 standard led to the development of considerably cheaper and better performing Gen2 RFID chips. Executives from such companies as IBM, Proctor & Gamble, and Wal-Mart are applauding the EPCIS ratification."
the ratification yesterday of EPCIS could give a big boost to the RFID industry, by finally giving businesses a standard way to capture and share information collected by radio-frequency identification chips.
EPCIS, or Electronic Product Code Information Services, provides a standard set of interfaces for EPC data. Chris Adcock, president of the standards organization EPCglobal, called Monday's ratification as potentially having more impact than the 2004 release of the UHF Gen2 Passive RFID standard.
Those are big words, since the Gen2 standard led to the development of considerably cheaper and better performing Gen2 RFID chips. Executives from such companies as IBM, Proctor & Gamble, and Wal-Mart are applauding the EPCIS ratification."
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
FREE WhatTheyThink.com Webinars
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page: "WhatTheyThink Webinars offer a unique way for printing and publishing professionals to maintain their edge by attending online presentations presented by some of the industry's brightest experts. There you will find the original presentation, audio recording of the live presentation, and a PDF version of the presentation for viewing and/or printing.
To find out more about webinar sponsorship opportunities, please contact Randy Davidson at randy@whattheythink.com."
To find out more about webinar sponsorship opportunities, please contact Randy Davidson at randy@whattheythink.com."
Friday, April 13, 2007
Hitting Color Series, Dan Remaly
Hitting Color Series: "Hitting Color Series
The Pressroom: Hitting Color, part 5
Apr 5, 2007 1:57 PM, By Dan Remaley
Hitting color - Part 1 in a 5-part series
Mar 5, 2007 2:34 PM, By Dan Remaley
Process control best practices, a five-part series...
Color scanning: Hitting color, part 2
Mar 19, 2007 12:12 PM, By Dan Remaley
Color scanning...
Color proofing: Hitting Color, part 3
Mar 22, 2007 9:31 AM, By Dan Remaley
Film output & platemaking: Hitting Color, part 4
Mar 29, 2007 9:21 AM, By Dan Remaley
Dan Remaley has 30 years’ experience in color lithography. He is senior technical consultant of process control for PIA/GATF. Contact him at (412) 259-1814 or dremaley@piagatf.org."
The Pressroom: Hitting Color, part 5
Apr 5, 2007 1:57 PM, By Dan Remaley
Hitting color - Part 1 in a 5-part series
Mar 5, 2007 2:34 PM, By Dan Remaley
Process control best practices, a five-part series...
Color scanning: Hitting color, part 2
Mar 19, 2007 12:12 PM, By Dan Remaley
Color scanning...
Color proofing: Hitting Color, part 3
Mar 22, 2007 9:31 AM, By Dan Remaley
Film output & platemaking: Hitting Color, part 4
Mar 29, 2007 9:21 AM, By Dan Remaley
Dan Remaley has 30 years’ experience in color lithography. He is senior technical consultant of process control for PIA/GATF. Contact him at (412) 259-1814 or dremaley@piagatf.org."
Monday, April 09, 2007
active RFID technology
Pro AV Magazine: "The RFID tags used in retail are known as passive, simply electronic circuits with no power source, such as a battery. The scanner creates an electromagnetic field that powers the data exchange, effectively pulling information, such as a product code, from the tag. That simplicity makes the tags cheap, as low as 10 cents each, depending on volume.
By comparison, MINI Motorby uses active RFID technology, similar to highway toll-collection systems, such as EZPass. Active RFID tags have a battery, which powers a mini transmitter that sends data to a reader. Active RFID can support connections over hundreds of feet, compared to the few inches or feet a passive RFID system can handle. The battery in the Motorby key fob, for instance, can last three to six years, depending on factors such as how often it uses power to communicate with a billboard."
By comparison, MINI Motorby uses active RFID technology, similar to highway toll-collection systems, such as EZPass. Active RFID tags have a battery, which powers a mini transmitter that sends data to a reader. Active RFID can support connections over hundreds of feet, compared to the few inches or feet a passive RFID system can handle. The battery in the Motorby key fob, for instance, can last three to six years, depending on factors such as how often it uses power to communicate with a billboard."
Printronix Expands Popular Podcast Series on RFID Printing Technology
Printronix Expands Popular Podcast Series on RFID Printing Technology: "Printronix Expands Popular Podcast Series on RFID Printing Technology
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Printronix Inc. (NASDAQ:PTNX), the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, today added original programming to its popular podcast series on radio frequency identification (RFID) printing technologies.
WHO The series is hosted by Printronix's Andrew Moore, senior
product marketing manager, and includes interviews with
RFID experts from hardware manufacturers, software
publishers, middleware providers and end-user customers of
RFID printing technologies. The newest podcasts include
interviews with George Reynolds of Avery Dennison RFID,
Dwain Farley of Enterprise Information Systems, Martyn
Mallick of Sybase Inc., James Supple of Verisign and Brad
Galles of Wells' Dairy."
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Printronix Inc. (NASDAQ:PTNX), the leading integrated supply-chain printing solutions manufacturer, today added original programming to its popular podcast series on radio frequency identification (RFID) printing technologies.
WHO The series is hosted by Printronix's Andrew Moore, senior
product marketing manager, and includes interviews with
RFID experts from hardware manufacturers, software
publishers, middleware providers and end-user customers of
RFID printing technologies. The newest podcasts include
interviews with George Reynolds of Avery Dennison RFID,
Dwain Farley of Enterprise Information Systems, Martyn
Mallick of Sybase Inc., James Supple of Verisign and Brad
Galles of Wells' Dairy."
RFID Journal - Seminar to Address RFID Legal and Public Policy Issues - RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Technology News & Features
RFID Journal - Seminar to Address RFID Legal and Public Policy Issues - RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Technology News & Features: "Leading legal and policy experts will address privacy, data security, government mandates, patent liabilities and other critical issues.
April 9, 2007—International law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge and U.S. trade group Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) will cosponsor an RFID Legal and Public Policy preconference seminar at RFID Journal LIVE! 2007, being held April 30 to May 2 in Orlando, Fla., at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. During the seminar, leading legal and policy experts will address privacy, data security, government mandates, patent liabilities and other critical issues."
April 9, 2007—International law firm McKenna Long & Aldridge and U.S. trade group Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) will cosponsor an RFID Legal and Public Policy preconference seminar at RFID Journal LIVE! 2007, being held April 30 to May 2 in Orlando, Fla., at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. During the seminar, leading legal and policy experts will address privacy, data security, government mandates, patent liabilities and other critical issues."
Monday, March 26, 2007
Postal Services' August 1 address validation requirement changes
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page: "The Postal Service relies on certified address-matching software to help ensure the accuracy of addresses on mail pieces that qualify for postage discounts, through the assignment of a proper nine-digit ZIP code. Beginning on August 1, 2007, the process by which a nine-digit ZIP code is added to an address will carry an additional requirement that the address include verified primary number (or delivery point) information, such as street, PO Box numbers, and Rural Route Box numbers. Addresses that do not have confirmable delivery point information will no longer be eligible for postal discounts.
'Put simply, mailers who are not prepared to meet the new delivery point requirements as of August 1, 2007, are likely to see a two-to-five percent decrease in the number of mail pieces eligible for postal discounts,' said Christopher Baker, president of Group 1 Software. 'We strongly encourage all mailers to take advantage of the consultation opportunity at NPF to educate themselves on the implications of these changes and to learn about the technologies that are available to lessen the impact of these changes on their bottom-line.'
More information on the Postal Services' August 1 address validation requirement changes, including tips for maximizing postal discounts in this new environment, are available online at www.g1.com by typing 'Address Quality Hub' into the search box."
'Put simply, mailers who are not prepared to meet the new delivery point requirements as of August 1, 2007, are likely to see a two-to-five percent decrease in the number of mail pieces eligible for postal discounts,' said Christopher Baker, president of Group 1 Software. 'We strongly encourage all mailers to take advantage of the consultation opportunity at NPF to educate themselves on the implications of these changes and to learn about the technologies that are available to lessen the impact of these changes on their bottom-line.'
More information on the Postal Services' August 1 address validation requirement changes, including tips for maximizing postal discounts in this new environment, are available online at www.g1.com by typing 'Address Quality Hub' into the search box."
Sunday, March 18, 2007
How to Write Engagement Letters
How to Write Engagement Letters: "Managing Client Expectations
There are many ways that you and your clients can communicate the details of your consulting engagement, ranging from formal Request for Proposal (RFP) from the client with your written response, to an informal phone call or short meeting where your client decides to engage you.
The Importance of Written Communication
Regardless of how you and your client communicate, the key to a successful engagement is to set the client’s expectations, and then, at a minimum, meet those expectations, and hopefully, exceed them. The most important factor in managing the client’s expectations is to put your agreement in writing. Putting it in writing also has the side-effect of eliminating post-delivery disputes over what was expected, making your billing method highly visible to your client, and finally, reinforcing your professionalism.
The Engagement Letter – a Basic Communication
The engagement letter is the simplest form of written communication designed to clarify client expectations."
There are many ways that you and your clients can communicate the details of your consulting engagement, ranging from formal Request for Proposal (RFP) from the client with your written response, to an informal phone call or short meeting where your client decides to engage you.
The Importance of Written Communication
Regardless of how you and your client communicate, the key to a successful engagement is to set the client’s expectations, and then, at a minimum, meet those expectations, and hopefully, exceed them. The most important factor in managing the client’s expectations is to put your agreement in writing. Putting it in writing also has the side-effect of eliminating post-delivery disputes over what was expected, making your billing method highly visible to your client, and finally, reinforcing your professionalism.
The Engagement Letter – a Basic Communication
The engagement letter is the simplest form of written communication designed to clarify client expectations."
ENGAGEMENT LETTER
ENGAGEMENT LETTER: "The purpose of the engagement letters is, in part, to get certain things in writing to protect both parties legally. However, an equally important reason is to be genuinely certain that the prospective client (and then client) and I truly have matching expectations. I like my clients. I do not want them angry with me. The engagement letter is one way to avoid misunderstandings. Toward that end, I try to make the engagement letters readable (not lawyer-speak). I try to keep them as short as I can and still cover what needs to be covered. Typically, one of my engagement letters fills both sides of a single 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet of paper."
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Lightning Source Unveils Plans for Third Production Facility
Lightning Source Unveils Plans for Third Production Facility
By Cary Sherburne, Senior WTT Editor February 22, 2007 -- ... more recently, Lightning Source announced that it would be opening a second manufacturing facility in the United States. WhatTheyThink checked in with Lightning Source CEO Kirby Best to get the scoop behind all of this activity and an update on Lightning Source's strategic vision for this exciting market segment.
By Cary Sherburne, Senior WTT Editor February 22, 2007 -- ... more recently, Lightning Source announced that it would be opening a second manufacturing facility in the United States. WhatTheyThink checked in with Lightning Source CEO Kirby Best to get the scoop behind all of this activity and an update on Lightning Source's strategic vision for this exciting market segment.
WTT: Kirby, as always it is a pleasure to speak with you. The last time we spoke, you indicated Lightning Source was producing about a million books a month. What type of volume are you producing these days?
KB: Our volumes haven't changed that much. When we spoke at the end of last year, we were ramping up for the Christmas season. But volumes haven't dropped off, either. What we are really seeing now is phenomenal growth in the number of titles coming into our digital database from the larger publishers?titles that we know have a certain velocity already. That is the real growth story. Ultimately, titles will drive how much volume we do in the next little while, especially the titles with better historical velocity.
WTT: How many titles would you say you have in your digital library at this point?
KB: It is a moving target, but there are about a half million titles in our library at the present time.
WTT: And how many publishers do you have on board these days?
KB: About 4,500.
WTT: When new titles come in, where are they in the life cycle?
KB: That is the fun part. It is a great mixture of frontlist and backlist titles, and a better mixture all the time from traditional and non-traditional publishers. We are currently at 63% traditional and 37% author services in terms of the books that are actually printed. The bottom line is we have now gotten over the hump and publishers now understand the value of on-demand printing and where it can fit in their business model. We don't need to spend a lot of time explaining it anymore.
{snipped}KB: Customers were demanding better halftones in the black & white work, and we carefully watched the development of all of the printers on the market. In the end, it came down to IBM and Océ, and Océ, quite frankly, was developing a better product. It was a tough decision. We had been with IBM for nine years, and the decision to move to Océ was not taken lightly. The fact of the matter is that our analysis showed that the Océ presses print a better halftone. We will leap to an even better halftone with the next upgrade in March. We still have some of the IBMs and will be replacing them as needed. So the acquisition of the Océ presses is a combination of adding capacity and retiring IBMs.
WTT: What about color?
KB: The Océ presses are constructed to eventually print in four color, but Océ is not there yet and their work continues. . While we are not currently using the Océ machines for color, we see the 9000 producing a high grade ?business? color in the future, which was another feather in Océ's cap that helped us make the decision. In terms of color, we expect to put 10 web-fed color presses and five sheetfed color presses in the new plant.
WTT: Are you seeing new applications for color, then?
KB: Absolutely. We have entered into the color book and photo book markets, and we feel they are going to explode twice as fast as the black & white book market did. Color books are very difficult for a publisher to produce in short runs cost effectively, and our short-run capability opens tremendous new opportunity for them. In terms of photo books, this is a new product area that allows consumers a new way of showcasing and sharing their photos. Instead of having your photographs printed at Wal-Mart or Walgreens, or producing them at home on a photo printer, you can incorporate them into a beautiful hardcover book, commemorating soccer teams, birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, all sorts of important life events. And you can have a beautiful, sewn hardcover book for about $30.
WTT: How does Lightning Source fit in?
KB: We divide the industry into three buckets. The first is the traditional big boxes?Walgreens, Sears, Wal-Mart?where you might take photos for processing. In the second bucket, are companies who have written software that allows photographs to be imposed into a product. A lot of these are online. And in the third bucket, are companies that actually make the products, such as a mug, mouse pad or photo book. Shutterfly, as an example, operates in all three areas. We only want to operate in the final bucket, and we are working with software providers to incorporate a ?powered by Lightning Source? logo into their software, making us the default producer of these books. One provider in Europe is producing more than 6,000 photo books a day, and these companies need the scalability of Lightning Source.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
WhatTheyThink.com Acquires Electronic Publishing
WhatTheyThink.com Acquires Electronic Publishing,
Electronic Publishing Subscribers Now Part of Expanding WhatTheyThink.com Community
- WhatTheyThink.com's circulation expands to over 45,000 with acquisition of Electronic Publishing
Lexington, KY and Tulsa OK ? February 19, 2007 ? WhatTheyThink.com, the leading online publication serving the printing and publishing industry, today announced the acquisition of Electronic Publishing. The purchase expands WhatTheyThink.com?s subscriber base from 15,000 to over 45,000 subscribers. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
Electronic Publishing, a 30-year old publication owned by PennWell Corp, provides design, printing and publishing professionals with authoritative information on technology, products and trends. In 2006, PennWell eliminated the printed edition of Electronic Publishing to focus on the digital distribution of content via the website, webcasts, and email newsletters. Electronic Publishing is well known for reporting on and analyzing new directions in prepress and printing products and business technology.
WhatTheyThink.com will integrate Electronic Publishing?s assets immediately. ?Over the past three decades Electronic Publishing has served its readers with cutting edge content and analysis,? said Randy Davidson, President of WhatTheyThink.com. ?I am confident we will be able to build on this tradition and serve Electronic Publishing?s subscribers with timely news, commentary, research and much more.?
Keith Hevenor, who has served as Editor of Electronic Publishing for many years, will remain at PennWell as Editorial and Conference Director for CMM International, the leading event for professionals in the converting and package printing industries. "I have enjoyed serving as Editor of Electronic Publishing for the past eight years. WhatTheyThink.com is a great match for Electronic Publishing?s readers as they provide comprehensive coverage of the printing industry on a daily basis."
Electronic Publishing was founded in 1977 by industry veteran Frank Romano. Romano is an important contributor to WhatTheyThink.com providing commentary and analysis in a weekly column entitled ?Fridays with Frank?. Romano also hosts webinars for WhatTheyThink.com. "What began on my kitchen table as a publication to unite the worlds of typesetting and word processing and then evolved to encompass CTP and digital printing and everything else is now reborn in cyberspace. The fact that Electronic Publishing is still around after all these years is amazing. The fact that I am still around is more so."
WhatTheyThink.com offers free content including daily news, reports, webinars and stock data. Electronic Publishing?s readers will receive WhatTheyThink.com?s free email newsletter and access to all free content.
About WhatTheyThink.com
WhatTheyThink.com is the print and publishing industry's leading online community. The company offers the latest industry news about practitioners, vendors, technologies, and the graphic communications business. Additionally, WhatTheyThink.com provides a robust content syndication program serving related websites.
Monday, February 19, 2007
research and development is critical for survival, Cedar Graphics interview by whattheythink.com
"Naturally we want to promote print; however, we won?t promote it if we don?t think it?s the right solution for the customer.
WTT: How important are research and development to the future of Cedar Graphics?
HI: We think that research and development is critical for survival because it allows us to specialize and react quickly to or even anticipate our customers? needs. We feel strongly about developing our processes and products. Sometimes customers are the impetus to get you to provide them with products that will help them grow their business ? say, something they?ve seen at a competitor. Today, database management and information technology are critical. If a customer says, I want to give you this project but I need reports this certain way, online and in real time, you need to know that you can provide that for them. If you look at them and say, we have to do some research and it?s going to take us three months because we don?t have the infrastructure to get the job done, they?re going to move on to somebody else. The trick is to do the research, anticipate the market and stay one step ahead of the customer.
WTT: Can you offer any advice to your industry peers?
HI: The owners and upper management of successful printing companies I know remain accessible to their customers and in touch with their needs. Management can?t just turn over customer relations wholly to sales. They have to stay intimately involved. I can?t emphasize that enough. Internally, stay in touch with your employees. They are the ones who will make new technology work for you. Treat your vendors like customers. Cherish the partnerships they offer you. KBA has been a terrific partner in these installations; they were keenly interested in our success."
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page:
WTT: How important are research and development to the future of Cedar Graphics?
HI: We think that research and development is critical for survival because it allows us to specialize and react quickly to or even anticipate our customers? needs. We feel strongly about developing our processes and products. Sometimes customers are the impetus to get you to provide them with products that will help them grow their business ? say, something they?ve seen at a competitor. Today, database management and information technology are critical. If a customer says, I want to give you this project but I need reports this certain way, online and in real time, you need to know that you can provide that for them. If you look at them and say, we have to do some research and it?s going to take us three months because we don?t have the infrastructure to get the job done, they?re going to move on to somebody else. The trick is to do the research, anticipate the market and stay one step ahead of the customer.
WTT: Can you offer any advice to your industry peers?
HI: The owners and upper management of successful printing companies I know remain accessible to their customers and in touch with their needs. Management can?t just turn over customer relations wholly to sales. They have to stay intimately involved. I can?t emphasize that enough. Internally, stay in touch with your employees. They are the ones who will make new technology work for you. Treat your vendors like customers. Cherish the partnerships they offer you. KBA has been a terrific partner in these installations; they were keenly interested in our success."
WhatTheyThink.com - Print's Home Page:
Friday, February 09, 2007
ASPT Seeks Submissions for Student Competition
PrintPlanet.com | Learn - Teach - Debate : on the forefront of prepress, print production, post press, personalization printing, print buyer, consulting: "ASPT Seeks Submissions for Student Competition
Fairfax, Virginia ? The Academy of Screen Printing Technology is accepting submissions for the Student Screen Printing Awards Competition, which selects the best prints produced during the 2006-2007 school year.
'This contest is an excellent opportunity for students who want a career in the specialty imaging industry. They'll have the chance of showing their work to industry leaders,' said Dawn Hohl, SPTF Technical Training Manager.
The competition is open to secondary and post-secondary schools ? including high schools, vocational schools, technical schools, colleges and universities ? holding membership(s) for SGIA, FESPA or the Asia-Pacific Screen Printing & Graphic Imaging Association.
Students may enter samples within any category as individual work or within a team. Categories include:
- Textile ? single-color, multicolor, spot color, index and simulated process, and four-color process.
- Paper ? single-color, multicolor and four-color process
- Plastic, glass, metal or wood ? single-color, multicolor and four-color process.
- Original serigraphs on any substrate
All submitted work will be judged and displayed at SGIA '07 (Orlando, Florida; October 24-27, 2007). For more information on the contest, visit SGIA.org/aspt"
Fairfax, Virginia ? The Academy of Screen Printing Technology is accepting submissions for the Student Screen Printing Awards Competition, which selects the best prints produced during the 2006-2007 school year.
'This contest is an excellent opportunity for students who want a career in the specialty imaging industry. They'll have the chance of showing their work to industry leaders,' said Dawn Hohl, SPTF Technical Training Manager.
The competition is open to secondary and post-secondary schools ? including high schools, vocational schools, technical schools, colleges and universities ? holding membership(s) for SGIA, FESPA or the Asia-Pacific Screen Printing & Graphic Imaging Association.
Students may enter samples within any category as individual work or within a team. Categories include:
- Textile ? single-color, multicolor, spot color, index and simulated process, and four-color process.
- Paper ? single-color, multicolor and four-color process
- Plastic, glass, metal or wood ? single-color, multicolor and four-color process.
- Original serigraphs on any substrate
All submitted work will be judged and displayed at SGIA '07 (Orlando, Florida; October 24-27, 2007). For more information on the contest, visit SGIA.org/aspt"
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Newspapers Outsourcing Production: Is This an Escalating Trend?
WhatTheyThink.com - "Newspapers Outsourcing Production: Is This an Escalating Trend?:
By Cary Sherburne, Senior WTT Editor
February 8, 2007 -- Recently, more stories have been appearing about newspapers outsourcing various types of production, from ad production to printing and distribution, including a recent column by Andy Tribute about newspaper trends that touched on the outsourcing issue. WhatTheyThink spoke with Michael Brady, Director of Production Operations, Technology Department, for the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) to gain an understanding of whether this is an escalating trend in the face of increasing pressure on the newspaper industry or merely choices made by a few newspaper companies.
Background
A major deal that caught our attention was the announcement in November of last year by Canada?s Transcontinental, Inc., and the venerable San Francisco Chronicle of an exclusive 15-year contract for Transcontinental to print the daily newspaper and its related products, as well as to provide complete post-press services. Transcontinental, North America's seventh-largest printer and Canada's leading newspaper printer, is slated to begin production of the Chronicle in spring 2009 in a new plant it will equip with state-of-the-art technology in the San Francisco Bay Area. Transcontinental is already printing Canadian newspapers The Globe and Mail and La Presse, as well as, in its plant in Toronto, The New York Times for the Ontario and Upstate New York markets. The San Francisco Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Corporation, which publishes some 200 magazines around the world, including Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine, and owns 29 television stations which reach a combined 18% of U.S. viewers. Transcontinental has a network of Canadian 12 plants that extends from St. John?s, in Newfoundland, to Vancouver BC and prints about 200 newspapers, including some 20 dailies."
By Cary Sherburne, Senior WTT Editor
February 8, 2007 -- Recently, more stories have been appearing about newspapers outsourcing various types of production, from ad production to printing and distribution, including a recent column by Andy Tribute about newspaper trends that touched on the outsourcing issue. WhatTheyThink spoke with Michael Brady, Director of Production Operations, Technology Department, for the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) to gain an understanding of whether this is an escalating trend in the face of increasing pressure on the newspaper industry or merely choices made by a few newspaper companies.
Background
A major deal that caught our attention was the announcement in November of last year by Canada?s Transcontinental, Inc., and the venerable San Francisco Chronicle of an exclusive 15-year contract for Transcontinental to print the daily newspaper and its related products, as well as to provide complete post-press services. Transcontinental, North America's seventh-largest printer and Canada's leading newspaper printer, is slated to begin production of the Chronicle in spring 2009 in a new plant it will equip with state-of-the-art technology in the San Francisco Bay Area. Transcontinental is already printing Canadian newspapers The Globe and Mail and La Presse, as well as, in its plant in Toronto, The New York Times for the Ontario and Upstate New York markets. The San Francisco Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Corporation, which publishes some 200 magazines around the world, including Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine, and owns 29 television stations which reach a combined 18% of U.S. viewers. Transcontinental has a network of Canadian 12 plants that extends from St. John?s, in Newfoundland, to Vancouver BC and prints about 200 newspapers, including some 20 dailies."
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Kodak's Strategy For First Printer -- Cheaper Cartridges - WSJ.com
Kodak's Strategy For First Printer -- Cheaper Cartridges - WSJ.com:
By WILLIAM M. BULKELEY
February 6, 2007; Page B1
"Kodak, which is led by several veterans of H-P's printer group, plans to modify that model by making more money from hardware and accepting lower profits from the ink. It says it will use a combination of new technology and alternative pricing to slash ink prices by about 50% per page. On Tuesday, it unveiled new inkjet-based multifunction devices that print, scan and copy documents, Web pages and photos. The printers, primarily intended for home rather than business use, will be priced at $150 to $300, depending on whether they have color displays and slots for camera memory cards. Analysts said the prices are each about $50 more than comparable multifunction devices now on the market.
Each of the Kodak printers will use a $10 black-ink cartridge and a $15 color-ink cartridge -- about half the prevailing ink prices. Kodak says consumers who buy high-volume paper packages will be able to print 4-inch-by-6-inch snapshots for as little as 10 cents apiece -- compared with 29 cents on typical home printers and well under common retail-store prices of 19 cents each."
By WILLIAM M. BULKELEY
February 6, 2007; Page B1
"Kodak, which is led by several veterans of H-P's printer group, plans to modify that model by making more money from hardware and accepting lower profits from the ink. It says it will use a combination of new technology and alternative pricing to slash ink prices by about 50% per page. On Tuesday, it unveiled new inkjet-based multifunction devices that print, scan and copy documents, Web pages and photos. The printers, primarily intended for home rather than business use, will be priced at $150 to $300, depending on whether they have color displays and slots for camera memory cards. Analysts said the prices are each about $50 more than comparable multifunction devices now on the market.
Each of the Kodak printers will use a $10 black-ink cartridge and a $15 color-ink cartridge -- about half the prevailing ink prices. Kodak says consumers who buy high-volume paper packages will be able to print 4-inch-by-6-inch snapshots for as little as 10 cents apiece -- compared with 29 cents on typical home printers and well under common retail-store prices of 19 cents each."
A Better Way to Preview Complex Print, Commentary by Andrew Tribute
WhatTheyThink.com - A Better Way to Preview Complex Print:
Andy Tribute wrote:
"As a part of this event on day one there was a mini exhibition of all Esko?s systems to update the sales and support people on what all the products and systems could do. At this exhibition I came across an interesting company I had heard about but not seen before who were negotiating an exclusive distribution agreement for Esko to sell their product into the worldwide pre-production packaging market.
The potential for the use of PrintDevizor in packaging is very obvious and having seen how well it integrates in the Esko Scope applications I can envisage it will become used by a large number of Esko?s customers and their clients.
The company is Stonecube from the UK, and their product was PrintyDevizor, a dynamic print visualizer. This product will be tightly integrated into the Esko Scope solution to allow creative staff and packaging print purchasers to visualize how a print job would look on the package. This is not just visualizing how the normal printed inks will appear but will allow in real-time the package to be viewed while different effects like embossing, special inks, varnishes, etc using different substrates are seen under different lighting conditions.
PrintDevizer is not new and the version I saw was version 2.2. It is already used in job creation and production by many companies, perhaps the best known of which is Hallmark Cards. What I saw was very unique piece of software that does things no other program I know of can do. The program is a unique software tool for both Mac and PC that allows on-screen viewing of moving 3D views of print designs under real-world lighting conditions. It allows the user to see the effects of different substrates, inks and finishes, even metallic and fluorescent inks, foils and embossing. The program is available at two levels, the first being PrintDevizer standard edition that is targeted at everyone in design and print. The second is PrintDevizer Pro that has extra features essential for packaging, labels, greeting cards and print finishing. The software supports special finish libraries for Adobe Creative Suite and Quark XPress. It also supports the Pantone Matching System including metallic and high intensity inks. Other special ink approaches such as MetalFX are also supported and other special inks can be added into the system. In the Pro mode it also supports viewing of die cutting and transparent materials."
The full article in on www.whattheythink.com
Attributes Associates is an internationally oriented consulting company specializing in marketing and technology issues for the printing, publishing and media markets. The Managing Partner of Attributes Associates is Andrew Tribute, who is recognized internationally as one of the world's leading authorities on these industries and subjects.
Andy Tribute wrote:
"As a part of this event on day one there was a mini exhibition of all Esko?s systems to update the sales and support people on what all the products and systems could do. At this exhibition I came across an interesting company I had heard about but not seen before who were negotiating an exclusive distribution agreement for Esko to sell their product into the worldwide pre-production packaging market.
The potential for the use of PrintDevizor in packaging is very obvious and having seen how well it integrates in the Esko Scope applications I can envisage it will become used by a large number of Esko?s customers and their clients.
The company is Stonecube from the UK, and their product was PrintyDevizor, a dynamic print visualizer. This product will be tightly integrated into the Esko Scope solution to allow creative staff and packaging print purchasers to visualize how a print job would look on the package. This is not just visualizing how the normal printed inks will appear but will allow in real-time the package to be viewed while different effects like embossing, special inks, varnishes, etc using different substrates are seen under different lighting conditions.
PrintDevizer is not new and the version I saw was version 2.2. It is already used in job creation and production by many companies, perhaps the best known of which is Hallmark Cards. What I saw was very unique piece of software that does things no other program I know of can do. The program is a unique software tool for both Mac and PC that allows on-screen viewing of moving 3D views of print designs under real-world lighting conditions. It allows the user to see the effects of different substrates, inks and finishes, even metallic and fluorescent inks, foils and embossing. The program is available at two levels, the first being PrintDevizer standard edition that is targeted at everyone in design and print. The second is PrintDevizer Pro that has extra features essential for packaging, labels, greeting cards and print finishing. The software supports special finish libraries for Adobe Creative Suite and Quark XPress. It also supports the Pantone Matching System including metallic and high intensity inks. Other special ink approaches such as MetalFX are also supported and other special inks can be added into the system. In the Pro mode it also supports viewing of die cutting and transparent materials."
The full article in on www.whattheythink.com
Attributes Associates is an internationally oriented consulting company specializing in marketing and technology issues for the printing, publishing and media markets. The Managing Partner of Attributes Associates is Andrew Tribute, who is recognized internationally as one of the world's leading authorities on these industries and subjects.
Monday, February 05, 2007
WHERE DO ENVELOPES COME FROM? Print Tip for 2.5.07
Margie Dana shares her "Print Tips Column" with the PrintPlanet forums.
Take a moment to read. Then discuss and debate the content on the
printbuyer discussion forum on printplanet.com.
Margie writes:
If you're in business, you handle envelopes. Long and lean or short
and squat, the envelope is in your face with every mail delivery. It
would take time and tens of thousands of words to cover all there is
to know about envelopes - from manufacturing to printing to paper
issues, plus design tips and postal concerns. I dare not attempt that
here and now.
But for new print-buying professionals, envelopes present a bit of
mystery. Where do they come from, anyway? I remember starting out in
print production at Boston University's Office of Publications
Production. It was way back in the '80s (and I had the hairstyle to
match). I assumed that envelopes came from the print shop. Well, they
do and they don't.
Printers don't make envelopes. They print them.
Envelope manufacturers make envelopes, by converting paper into
envelopes. I had a conversation about this with Paul Raymond of Bruen
Printing & Envelope in Ashland, MA. He was quite enlightening.
WORCESTER, MA, A MECCA
In New England alone, there are three very large envelope
manufacturers: Worcester Envelope and National Envelope, both in
Worcester, along with Mead/Westvaco Envelope in Enfield, CT. I
learned there are several smaller ones, too. Raymond tells me that
National is the largest privately owned envelope manufacturer in the
country. It also owns Old Colony Envelope near Springfield, among others.
It turns out that Worcester, MA, is quite the Mecca of envelope
manufacturing. The first successful envelope machine was patented by
Dr. Russell Hawes in Worcester back in 1853. Also, the first
mechanical self-gumming envelope folding machine was developed by
Henry and David Swift, also of Worcester. Raymond thinks that at one
time, the Worcester area had more envelope manufacturers than the
rest of New England combined (doesn't it still?). In addition to the
two mentioned above, Sheppard Envelope and Classic Envelope are in or
near this central MA city.
WORK WITH YOUR PRINTER
Typically, customers (end users, that is) don't deal with envelope
manufacturers. They leave this to their printers. Most printers buy
their envelopes from paper merchants as they do most of their other
paper supplies. Others simply outsource the entire envelope project
to envelope specialty printers, who have equipment specifically
designed for printing nearly any variety or style of envelope.
If you're designing a job that will require a custom envelope, that's
a different issue. You want to learn about standard sizes (among
other things), which will keep your costs down. Printers who do a lot
of envelope printing can guide you, so talk with them early to avoid
costly problems.
OPTIONS GALORE
Envelopes have their own terminology. There are Baronial envelopes
(pointy flaps) and A-size envelopes (square or straight flaps), for
example. Catalog envelopes have the flap on the short dimension,
while booklet envelopes have them on the long side.
When you're measuring an envelope, always quote the smaller dimension
first and then the larger one. The same applies when measuring a
custom window, advised Raymond: height first, length, position from
the left and from the bottom. When measuring for a custom window,
always position the envelope with the flap at the top to ensure
accuracy. Ask for a mockup proof of the envelope.
There are many different flap styles, seam styles, and sealing
methods for envelopes. Don't get me started on window options - there are tons.
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
There's a major US trade association devoted to the manufacture of
envelopes, at http://mdana.c.topica.com/maafG15abwkcLa6dwTObaeQyjU/ ,
the site of the Envelope Manufacturers Association. I found some
interesting statistics on this site, including annual US envelope
shipments and sales.
At the end of 2005, there were about 195 billion envelopes
manufactured in the US. Compare that to 1995, when there were 168
billion envelopes manufactured, or to 1985, when 150 billion were made.
I've been to many printing facilities, but never to an envelope
manufacturer. I guess a road trip out to Worcester, MA, is in order.
Let me thank Paul Raymond of Bruen Printing & Envelope for his
enlightenment on the envelope. Bruen's web address is
http://mdana.c.topica.com/maafG15abwkcMa6dwTObaeQyjU/ , and their
phone is 800.852.2226. Yes, they do envelopes. They PRINT them, that
is, on something called a Jet press (not to be confused with an
ink-jet press), manufactured by Halm Industries (
http://mdana.c.topica.com/maafG15abwkcNa6dwTObaeQyjU/ ).
Standard or custom, printed from stock or printed and converted,
envelopes deserve close attention when you produce them, or else you
could overspend. And they don't grow on trees. Technically speaking.
==
About Margie Dana had a career as a corporate print buyer. She was
never a printer and never worked for a printer. However she
"Parlez-Vous Printing" in plain English. Margie Dana is the founder
of the Boston-area Print Buyers Club. Located in Newton, Ma, she can
be found at http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/ and reached privately
by email at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com
"Is Personalization Cracking the Foundations of Society?
WhatTheyThink.com - "Is Personalization Cracking the Foundations of Society?:
One might get that impression from an article in Advertising Age. While many points the author attempts to make are needlessly alarmist or wrong, it reminded me of the book from 2000 titled Bowling Alone. The book's website is still active. The author, Robert Putnam of Harvard, as the site states, ?draws on evidence including nearly 500,000 interviews over the last quarter century to show that we sign fewer petitions, belong to fewer organizations that meet, know our neighbors less, meet with friends less frequently, and even socialize with our families less often.? The point to me is that geography is no longer a factor in determining with whom we socialize. Time is less of an issue as people adjust work schedules and leisure time to meet their needs. Using tools like Skype and instant messaging, we can meet with friends and acquaintances who share deep interests, and not be limited by where we live. We may bowl alone, but we may also compare scores with people around the world.
At the core of this for personalization is data: narrow market segmentation cannot be executed without it. But as the Advertising Age article states, any individual should be able to ?watch a dog-food commercial even if she doesn't currently have a dog.? This goes to a bigger marketing point: what good is branding if you only target people who use your products at only this very moment? You can't build brand equity without a consistent program that increases familiarity among people who may become your customers tomorrow. Personalized marketing is based on historical patterns, not future ones, and is likely to miss significant future opportunity."
While personalization technologies do offer significant benefits, it is important that communicators and marketers realize that they need a blend of approaches in their media mix. This even applies to trade shows. I know that there are companies who are seriously considering skipping shows, and replacing that budget line item with customer events, even if they have to fly customers great distances and put them up in hotels. This is understandable in light of the high costs of shows, in both dollars and time. Yet, trade events serve a larger branding purpose that is underestimated in situations where quarter-to-quarter becomes paramount. Any business that cannot engage in long-term brand development because the next quarter is looming is reducing its capacity for long-term growth. The all-too-often-heard comment, ?unless we have sales now there won't be a company five years from now? may seem insightful, but it is defeatist. All that is really being said is that there is a preference to live from quarter to quarter, and that brand building and marketing are useless. If that were the case, sales reps would not have to explain what their companies stand for and how they differ from competitors. Few people realize that a sales call is the ultimate in personalization and that you can't make a credible sales call without good market-wide branding behind it. This marketing stuff actually works."
Full report http://members.whattheythink.com/drjoewebb/drjoe173.cfm
Mondays with Dr. Joe Web, 5Feb2007
One might get that impression from an article in Advertising Age. While many points the author attempts to make are needlessly alarmist or wrong, it reminded me of the book from 2000 titled Bowling Alone. The book's website is still active. The author, Robert Putnam of Harvard, as the site states, ?draws on evidence including nearly 500,000 interviews over the last quarter century to show that we sign fewer petitions, belong to fewer organizations that meet, know our neighbors less, meet with friends less frequently, and even socialize with our families less often.? The point to me is that geography is no longer a factor in determining with whom we socialize. Time is less of an issue as people adjust work schedules and leisure time to meet their needs. Using tools like Skype and instant messaging, we can meet with friends and acquaintances who share deep interests, and not be limited by where we live. We may bowl alone, but we may also compare scores with people around the world.
At the core of this for personalization is data: narrow market segmentation cannot be executed without it. But as the Advertising Age article states, any individual should be able to ?watch a dog-food commercial even if she doesn't currently have a dog.? This goes to a bigger marketing point: what good is branding if you only target people who use your products at only this very moment? You can't build brand equity without a consistent program that increases familiarity among people who may become your customers tomorrow. Personalized marketing is based on historical patterns, not future ones, and is likely to miss significant future opportunity."
While personalization technologies do offer significant benefits, it is important that communicators and marketers realize that they need a blend of approaches in their media mix. This even applies to trade shows. I know that there are companies who are seriously considering skipping shows, and replacing that budget line item with customer events, even if they have to fly customers great distances and put them up in hotels. This is understandable in light of the high costs of shows, in both dollars and time. Yet, trade events serve a larger branding purpose that is underestimated in situations where quarter-to-quarter becomes paramount. Any business that cannot engage in long-term brand development because the next quarter is looming is reducing its capacity for long-term growth. The all-too-often-heard comment, ?unless we have sales now there won't be a company five years from now? may seem insightful, but it is defeatist. All that is really being said is that there is a preference to live from quarter to quarter, and that brand building and marketing are useless. If that were the case, sales reps would not have to explain what their companies stand for and how they differ from competitors. Few people realize that a sales call is the ultimate in personalization and that you can't make a credible sales call without good market-wide branding behind it. This marketing stuff actually works."
Full report http://members.whattheythink.com/drjoewebb/drjoe173.cfm
Mondays with Dr. Joe Web, 5Feb2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
Boston Print Buyers - Margie's Print Tips,
What Lies Ahead for the US Print Market?
Boston Print Buyers - Margie's Print Tips What Lies Ahead for the US Print Market?
Part 1:
Davis and Ed Gleeson (an economic and market research analyst for PIA/GATF) authored a market overview report entitled, "Navigating Print Markets in 2007-2008."* This report was the basis of Davis' recent presentation.
"Halt, Who Grows There
The most popular form of printing - ink-on-paper - is experiencing slow growth, which will continue. Digital printing is experiencing strong growth. Davis predicts it will grow at twice the rate of ink-on-paper.
Go back and read this last sentence again. Are any of you surprised? You shouldn't be. In all of the surveys I've conducted, digital color printing is the one type of printing that every print buyer purchases.
The print industry tracks the US economy, so if our economy enters a period of slow growth, so will printing. A slowdown in the growth rate of both is expected over the next 12-24 months, and Davis advised printers to plan their businesses accordingly.
He then listed four different reasons for recovery in the industry:
1. Strong economic growth
2. Presidential elections
3. The rebound of advertising
4. Stable postage rates
Key Market Segments
Davis highlighted specific print market segments in terms of economic projections. The four top segments in terms of 2007 growth potential, according to PIA/GATF, are as follows:
1. Direct Marketing (1.5% - 2.5%)
2. Labels/Wrappers Printing (1.5% - 2%)
3. Packaging (1.5% - 2%)
4. Catalog Printing (1% - 1.5%)
General Commercial Printing, Periodicals/Magazines, and Book printing all weighed in at a projected 1% growth this year, while the last two categories show negative growth (Directories at 0% to -0.5% and Business Forms at -3% to -4%).
The US print industry loses about 1000 printing companies each year. From a high of 54,000 in 1994, we are now down to 40,000 US printing plants. Interestingly, the average plant size is growing, because the companies that cease operating tend to be the smaller ones. Today, said Davis, the average US print facility employs 27 people.
Davis predicts that the overall sales in printing for 2006 will be up 2.5%, as compared to the GDP growth of 3.3%."
This snippet from: http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/printtips/07-01-22.html
--
About Margie Dana had a career as a corporate print buyer. She was never a printer and never worked for a printer. However she "Parlez-Vous Printing" in plain English. Margie Dana is the founder of the Boston-area Print Buyers Club. Located in Newton, Ma, she can be found at http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/ and reached privately by email at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com
Part 1:
Davis and Ed Gleeson (an economic and market research analyst for PIA/GATF) authored a market overview report entitled, "Navigating Print Markets in 2007-2008."* This report was the basis of Davis' recent presentation.
"Halt, Who Grows There
The most popular form of printing - ink-on-paper - is experiencing slow growth, which will continue. Digital printing is experiencing strong growth. Davis predicts it will grow at twice the rate of ink-on-paper.
Go back and read this last sentence again. Are any of you surprised? You shouldn't be. In all of the surveys I've conducted, digital color printing is the one type of printing that every print buyer purchases.
The print industry tracks the US economy, so if our economy enters a period of slow growth, so will printing. A slowdown in the growth rate of both is expected over the next 12-24 months, and Davis advised printers to plan their businesses accordingly.
He then listed four different reasons for recovery in the industry:
1. Strong economic growth
2. Presidential elections
3. The rebound of advertising
4. Stable postage rates
Key Market Segments
Davis highlighted specific print market segments in terms of economic projections. The four top segments in terms of 2007 growth potential, according to PIA/GATF, are as follows:
1. Direct Marketing (1.5% - 2.5%)
2. Labels/Wrappers Printing (1.5% - 2%)
3. Packaging (1.5% - 2%)
4. Catalog Printing (1% - 1.5%)
General Commercial Printing, Periodicals/Magazines, and Book printing all weighed in at a projected 1% growth this year, while the last two categories show negative growth (Directories at 0% to -0.5% and Business Forms at -3% to -4%).
The US print industry loses about 1000 printing companies each year. From a high of 54,000 in 1994, we are now down to 40,000 US printing plants. Interestingly, the average plant size is growing, because the companies that cease operating tend to be the smaller ones. Today, said Davis, the average US print facility employs 27 people.
Davis predicts that the overall sales in printing for 2006 will be up 2.5%, as compared to the GDP growth of 3.3%."
This snippet from: http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/printtips/07-01-22.html
--
About Margie Dana had a career as a corporate print buyer. She was never a printer and never worked for a printer. However she "Parlez-Vous Printing" in plain English. Margie Dana is the founder of the Boston-area Print Buyers Club. Located in Newton, Ma, she can be found at http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/ and reached privately by email at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com
Boston Print Buyers - Margie's Print Tips,
What Lies Ahead for the US Print Market? part2
Boston Print Buyers - Margie's Print Tips:
" What Lies Ahead for the US Print Market? by Margie Dana
"... key findings about the print industry market, based on a recent presentation by Ron Davis. Davis is the Chief Economist for PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation).
Economist Davis prefaced his predictions with, 'I hope I'm wrong.' He predicts an economic slowdown for 2007-08 like so:
2006: 3.3%
2007: 1.5%
2008: 2.5%
5 Opportunities, 3 Threats
Davis went on to list the major opportunities and threats to today's printers for the next few years.
The 5 major opportunities are:
1. Survival of the fittest - the companies with strong balance sheets, well-trained employees, strong customer relationships, and strategic vision will survive.
2. Digital printing - even though digital/toner-based printing is only about 10% of total print shipments right now, it's been growing twice as fast as ink-on-paper shipments. This will continue.
3. Ancillary services - such sales have grown faster than ink-on-paper sales for a few years already. Included in this category are mailing and fulfillment services.
4. Market segments - printers in certain segments are predicted to show the most growth. These segments are direct marketing, labels/wrappers, packaging, and catalogs.
5. Improved management performance - according to PIA/GATF, print industry profit leaders consistently outperform other printers in good times AND in bad. An interesting aside: these leaders outspend other printers in one category: education and training. Today's print profit leaders develop strategic positioning.
The 3 threats to US printers are:
1. Slowing economy and print market growth - Davis noted that recessions come about every 10 years, and we're entering the 7th year in this cycle. If the US economy enters a recession, 'print markets will be more seriously impacted in a negative direction than the economy as a whole,' according to Davis' report, 'Navigating Print Markets in 2007-2008: An Environmental Scan of the Economy and Printing Markets for 2007-2008.'*
2. Cost pressures - particularly in wages/salaries, paper prices, health care, and energy costs.
3. Continued intense competition and pricing pressure - there are 40,000 printers in this country. That's competition."
--
Full story on http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/printtips/index.html
About Margie Dana was never a printer and never worked for a printer. However she "Parlez-Vous Printing" in plain English. Margie Dana is the founder of the Boston-area Print Buyers Club. Located in Newton, Ma, she can be found at http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/ and reached privately by email at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com
" What Lies Ahead for the US Print Market? by Margie Dana
"... key findings about the print industry market, based on a recent presentation by Ron Davis. Davis is the Chief Economist for PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation).
Economist Davis prefaced his predictions with, 'I hope I'm wrong.' He predicts an economic slowdown for 2007-08 like so:
2006: 3.3%
2007: 1.5%
2008: 2.5%
5 Opportunities, 3 Threats
Davis went on to list the major opportunities and threats to today's printers for the next few years.
The 5 major opportunities are:
1. Survival of the fittest - the companies with strong balance sheets, well-trained employees, strong customer relationships, and strategic vision will survive.
2. Digital printing - even though digital/toner-based printing is only about 10% of total print shipments right now, it's been growing twice as fast as ink-on-paper shipments. This will continue.
3. Ancillary services - such sales have grown faster than ink-on-paper sales for a few years already. Included in this category are mailing and fulfillment services.
4. Market segments - printers in certain segments are predicted to show the most growth. These segments are direct marketing, labels/wrappers, packaging, and catalogs.
5. Improved management performance - according to PIA/GATF, print industry profit leaders consistently outperform other printers in good times AND in bad. An interesting aside: these leaders outspend other printers in one category: education and training. Today's print profit leaders develop strategic positioning.
The 3 threats to US printers are:
1. Slowing economy and print market growth - Davis noted that recessions come about every 10 years, and we're entering the 7th year in this cycle. If the US economy enters a recession, 'print markets will be more seriously impacted in a negative direction than the economy as a whole,' according to Davis' report, 'Navigating Print Markets in 2007-2008: An Environmental Scan of the Economy and Printing Markets for 2007-2008.'*
2. Cost pressures - particularly in wages/salaries, paper prices, health care, and energy costs.
3. Continued intense competition and pricing pressure - there are 40,000 printers in this country. That's competition."
--
Full story on http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/printtips/index.html
About Margie Dana was never a printer and never worked for a printer. However she "Parlez-Vous Printing" in plain English. Margie Dana is the founder of the Boston-area Print Buyers Club. Located in Newton, Ma, she can be found at http://www.bostonprintbuyers.com/ and reached privately by email at mdana@bostonprintbuyers.com
CIP4 and Ryerson announce JDF 101 Education Event : packagePrinting
CIP4 and Ryerson announce JDF 101 Education Event : packagePrinting: "CIP4 and Ryerson announce JDF 101 Education Event
January 05, 2007
TORONTO, Ontario?The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and Ryerson University announced a free ?JDF Education Event? to be held at Ryerson University in Toronto on Tuesday, 20 February 2007.
This one-day program will cover all aspects of print process automation, CIP4 and the Job Definition Format (JDF), and is hosted by Ryerson University?s School of Graphic Communications Management. This JDF 101 Education Event is the first of its kind in Canada. Speakers will identify the benefits of JDF-enabled process automation experienced by small and medium-sized commercial offset and digital printers, and will provide an introduction to how JDF works, and its function in the modern printing plant. Speakers include:
? Mark Wilton, CIP4 Education and Marketing & Global Initiative Manager at Kodak Graphic Communications
? James Harvey, Executive Director of CIP4 Organization
? Patrick Bolan, President and CEO of Avanti Computer Systems
? Tim Hassan, National Digital Solutions Systems Specialist at AGFA Graphics Canada
? Dr Abhay Sharma, Chair of Ryerson University?s School of Graphic Communications Management
The JDF specification is intended to enable the entire industry, including designers, publishers, printing and graphic arts companies, and others to work with software and systems from different manufacturers in an integrated workflow facilitated by a common data interchange syntax."
January 05, 2007
TORONTO, Ontario?The International Cooperation for the Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and Ryerson University announced a free ?JDF Education Event? to be held at Ryerson University in Toronto on Tuesday, 20 February 2007.
This one-day program will cover all aspects of print process automation, CIP4 and the Job Definition Format (JDF), and is hosted by Ryerson University?s School of Graphic Communications Management. This JDF 101 Education Event is the first of its kind in Canada. Speakers will identify the benefits of JDF-enabled process automation experienced by small and medium-sized commercial offset and digital printers, and will provide an introduction to how JDF works, and its function in the modern printing plant. Speakers include:
? Mark Wilton, CIP4 Education and Marketing & Global Initiative Manager at Kodak Graphic Communications
? James Harvey, Executive Director of CIP4 Organization
? Patrick Bolan, President and CEO of Avanti Computer Systems
? Tim Hassan, National Digital Solutions Systems Specialist at AGFA Graphics Canada
? Dr Abhay Sharma, Chair of Ryerson University?s School of Graphic Communications Management
The JDF specification is intended to enable the entire industry, including designers, publishers, printing and graphic arts companies, and others to work with software and systems from different manufacturers in an integrated workflow facilitated by a common data interchange syntax."
CIP4 - What does CIP4 stand for? Acronyms and abbreviations by the Free Online Dictionary.
CIP4 - What does CIP4 stand for? Acronyms and abbreviations by the Free Online Dictionary.: "Acronym Definition
CIP4 International Cooperation for Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and Postpress (formerly CIP3)"
CIP4 International Cooperation for Integration of Processes in Prepress, Press, and Postpress (formerly CIP3)"
Personalization Printing has moved way beyond direct mail.
Our thanks to whattheythink.com -
Getting personal By Frank Romano, February 2, 2007 -- - For Premium Access Members
The world of 1:1 has moved way beyond direct mail. You can now get your name or other personal text on just about anything from baked goods (scone to scone printing?), labels, candy, and more. Here are a few new approaches to personalization:
Chocolate candies
Print your photo or any other artwork on chocolate candies.
http://www.chocolographyboutique.com
Ketchup and mustard bottle labels
Put your own words on a Heinz ketchup and mustard bottle label.
http://myheinz.com
Wine
Select a wine and design your own label from a palette of choices.
http://www.personalwine.com
Soda pop
Select a flavor of Jones Soda and upload a digital photo for the label. You can also write a message for the label on the back of the bottle.
http://http://myjones.com
Branded steak
Pick the letters you want and they come pre-branded on each steak so guests know that you grilled their meat.
logo on a brand.
http://www.texasirons.com
M&Ms
One side is yours to customize. You get two lines, 8 characters maximum per line. You can even get your logo printed instead of the text. The other side will have the famous "m." They say you can have your company colors but don't expect the Pantone set.
http://www.mymms.com/business22
Wheaties box
Send in a photo and have it printed on a box of Wheaties. I have one and it is pretty neat.
http://www.wheatiestrophy.com
Postage stamps
Upload a digital picture and it is printed onto stamps acceptable to the U.S. postal service. They are pressure sensitive and no licking is needed.
http://photostamps.com
Custom labels
Put your name on elegant custom-designed labels, favor tags and coasters to create beautiful personalized wedding and party favors, food or craft gifts, bath creations, wedding CDs and DVDs, baby announcement CDs and more. Create book plates or serve your personal coasters to guests at dinner parties.
http://www.myownlabels.com
Personalized Halloween cookies
Gingerbread jack-o'-lantern cookies for your favorite little ghosts. The treats are then individually decorated and personalized with up to eight characters, including spaces.
Personalized whirly pops
Each sucker is 3 or 4 inches in diameter and are personalized with your choice of any design from the website and tied off with coordinating curled ribbons.
You can even add a photograph or logo.
http://www.personalizedsweets.com/
Personalized perambulator
Graco unveiled a limited edition Graco Mosaic stroller custom printed by First2Print, a large-format fabric printing service.
http://www.first2print.com/textile_printing_news/Graco.php
And the winner for the most personalized product goes to art created from your DNA:
DNA 11 creates unique, high-end abstract art from DNA. Each individual piece of art is a one-of-a-kind stylized artistic representation of a person's genetic fingerprint. With a wide selection of colors and styles from which to choose, customers can customize the piece to reflect their personalities and best suit their home or office décor. Creating your own DNA Portrait is simple:
Step 1: Select your color and size options from online store.
Step 2: DNA 11 sends you a collection kit with instructions.
Step 3: Follow the step-by-step directions and send your DNA sample back to DNA labs using pre-addressed envelope.
Step 4: Your DNA sample is processed in a secure lab: DNA is extracted and run it on a "gel," then the gel is photographed using a special camera.
Step 5: DNA digitally enhances and customizes your DNA fingerprint. They then print your art piece on the highest quality canvas using our in house Giclee printer.
Step 6: Each art piece is visually inspected. Your art is then hand varnished and signed on the back by the founders of DNA 11.
Step 7: Your art piece is shipped rolled in a protective tube.
Step 8: You are accused of murdering Jimmy Hoffa in Michigan in 1975 (only kidding).
http://www.dna11.com
Lost in translation: The dark center of personalized food printing
Aunt Elsa was supposed to receive a customized cake from Wegmans Supermarket to celebrate her birthday. The part-English, part-Italian message was e-mailed into Wegmans and their digital cake printer (flatbread inkjet?). But the system had a disconnect with non-English glyphs. Why no one actually looked at the cake before sending it out is beyond us; although, cake proofreading is not a common occupation. Nevertheless, Aunt Elsa had a cake with a strange birthday message, and we presume even the 'supportEmptyParas' was tasty if not tasteful.
What font goes best with bakery products? Butter Scotch Bold.
http://members.whattheythink.com/images/frank012.jpg
--
What do you think? Please send feedback to Frank by e-mailing him at fxrppr@rit.edu
Frank Romano has spent over 40 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him best as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal or from the hundreds of articles he has written for publications from North America and Europe to the Middle East to Asia and Australia.
He is the author of over 44 books, including the 10,000-term Encyclopedia of Graphic Communications (with Richard Romano), the standard reference in the field. His books on QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, and PDF workflow were among the first in their fields. He has authored most of the books on digital printing. His latest book is the 800-page textbook for Moscow State University.
He has founded eight publications, serving as publisher or editor for TypeWorld/Electronic Publishing (which ended in its 30th year of publication), Computer Artist, Color Publishing, The Typographer, EP&P, and both the NCPA and PrintRIT Journals. His columns appear monthly in the Digital Printing Report. He is the editor of the EDSF Report.
Romano lectures extensively, having addressed virtually every club, association, group, and professional organization at one time or another. He is one of the industry's foremost keynote speakers.
He has consulted for major corporations, publishers, government, and other users of digital printing and publishing technology. He wrote the first report on on-demand digital printing in 1980 and ran the first conference on the subject in 1985. He has conceptualized many of the workflow and applications techniques of the industry and was the principal researcher on the landmark EDSF study, Printing in the Age of the Web and Beyond.
He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Times of London, USA Today, Business Week, Forbes, and many other newspapers and publications, as well as on TV and radio. He has partnered with InfoTrends on strategic information for the printing industry.
He continues to teach courses at RIT and other universities and works with students on unique research projects.
Getting personal By Frank Romano, February 2, 2007 -- - For Premium Access Members
The world of 1:1 has moved way beyond direct mail. You can now get your name or other personal text on just about anything from baked goods (scone to scone printing?), labels, candy, and more. Here are a few new approaches to personalization:
Chocolate candies
Print your photo or any other artwork on chocolate candies.
http://www.chocolographyboutique.com
Ketchup and mustard bottle labels
Put your own words on a Heinz ketchup and mustard bottle label.
http://myheinz.com
Wine
Select a wine and design your own label from a palette of choices.
http://www.personalwine.com
Soda pop
Select a flavor of Jones Soda and upload a digital photo for the label. You can also write a message for the label on the back of the bottle.
http://http://myjones.com
Branded steak
Pick the letters you want and they come pre-branded on each steak so guests know that you grilled their meat.
logo on a brand.
http://www.texasirons.com
M&Ms
One side is yours to customize. You get two lines, 8 characters maximum per line. You can even get your logo printed instead of the text. The other side will have the famous "m." They say you can have your company colors but don't expect the Pantone set.
http://www.mymms.com/business22
Wheaties box
Send in a photo and have it printed on a box of Wheaties. I have one and it is pretty neat.
http://www.wheatiestrophy.com
Postage stamps
Upload a digital picture and it is printed onto stamps acceptable to the U.S. postal service. They are pressure sensitive and no licking is needed.
http://photostamps.com
Custom labels
Put your name on elegant custom-designed labels, favor tags and coasters to create beautiful personalized wedding and party favors, food or craft gifts, bath creations, wedding CDs and DVDs, baby announcement CDs and more. Create book plates or serve your personal coasters to guests at dinner parties.
http://www.myownlabels.com
Personalized Halloween cookies
Gingerbread jack-o'-lantern cookies for your favorite little ghosts. The treats are then individually decorated and personalized with up to eight characters, including spaces.
Personalized whirly pops
Each sucker is 3 or 4 inches in diameter and are personalized with your choice of any design from the website and tied off with coordinating curled ribbons.
You can even add a photograph or logo.
http://www.personalizedsweets.com/
Personalized perambulator
Graco unveiled a limited edition Graco Mosaic stroller custom printed by First2Print, a large-format fabric printing service.
http://www.first2print.com/textile_printing_news/Graco.php
And the winner for the most personalized product goes to art created from your DNA:
DNA 11 creates unique, high-end abstract art from DNA. Each individual piece of art is a one-of-a-kind stylized artistic representation of a person's genetic fingerprint. With a wide selection of colors and styles from which to choose, customers can customize the piece to reflect their personalities and best suit their home or office décor. Creating your own DNA Portrait is simple:
Step 1: Select your color and size options from online store.
Step 2: DNA 11 sends you a collection kit with instructions.
Step 3: Follow the step-by-step directions and send your DNA sample back to DNA labs using pre-addressed envelope.
Step 4: Your DNA sample is processed in a secure lab: DNA is extracted and run it on a "gel," then the gel is photographed using a special camera.
Step 5: DNA digitally enhances and customizes your DNA fingerprint. They then print your art piece on the highest quality canvas using our in house Giclee printer.
Step 6: Each art piece is visually inspected. Your art is then hand varnished and signed on the back by the founders of DNA 11.
Step 7: Your art piece is shipped rolled in a protective tube.
Step 8: You are accused of murdering Jimmy Hoffa in Michigan in 1975 (only kidding).
http://www.dna11.com
Lost in translation: The dark center of personalized food printing
Aunt Elsa was supposed to receive a customized cake from Wegmans Supermarket to celebrate her birthday. The part-English, part-Italian message was e-mailed into Wegmans and their digital cake printer (flatbread inkjet?). But the system had a disconnect with non-English glyphs. Why no one actually looked at the cake before sending it out is beyond us; although, cake proofreading is not a common occupation. Nevertheless, Aunt Elsa had a cake with a strange birthday message, and we presume even the 'supportEmptyParas' was tasty if not tasteful.
What font goes best with bakery products? Butter Scotch Bold.
http://members.whattheythink.com/images/frank012.jpg
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What do you think? Please send feedback to Frank by e-mailing him at fxrppr@rit.edu
Frank Romano has spent over 40 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him best as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal or from the hundreds of articles he has written for publications from North America and Europe to the Middle East to Asia and Australia.
He is the author of over 44 books, including the 10,000-term Encyclopedia of Graphic Communications (with Richard Romano), the standard reference in the field. His books on QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, and PDF workflow were among the first in their fields. He has authored most of the books on digital printing. His latest book is the 800-page textbook for Moscow State University.
He has founded eight publications, serving as publisher or editor for TypeWorld/Electronic Publishing (which ended in its 30th year of publication), Computer Artist, Color Publishing, The Typographer, EP&P, and both the NCPA and PrintRIT Journals. His columns appear monthly in the Digital Printing Report. He is the editor of the EDSF Report.
Romano lectures extensively, having addressed virtually every club, association, group, and professional organization at one time or another. He is one of the industry's foremost keynote speakers.
He has consulted for major corporations, publishers, government, and other users of digital printing and publishing technology. He wrote the first report on on-demand digital printing in 1980 and ran the first conference on the subject in 1985. He has conceptualized many of the workflow and applications techniques of the industry and was the principal researcher on the landmark EDSF study, Printing in the Age of the Web and Beyond.
He has been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Times of London, USA Today, Business Week, Forbes, and many other newspapers and publications, as well as on TV and radio. He has partnered with InfoTrends on strategic information for the printing industry.
He continues to teach courses at RIT and other universities and works with students on unique research projects.