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| Banding may be caused my misdirected or clogged nozzles. In this case running a cleaning cycle on your printer should resolve the problem. You may have to adjust printer transport and feeding setting for different types and thicknesses of media. |
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"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country."
- Anais Nin - |
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Once you file something there is a 98% chance you will never look at it again.
Approximately 7.5% of all office documents get lost.
On average a business document is copied 19 times.
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| This week at Printers Post: |
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Cappuccino with an out-of-print book, please
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In the time that it takes to order and drink a cup of coffee, patrons at Angus & Robertson’s store in Bourke Street, Melbourne can now have a book printed on demand. The Espresso Book Machine takes around 12 minutes to print a 200-page paperback at a cost of around $30.
While print-on-demand services have
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 | been available at universities and libraries previously, this is a world first for direct customer use in a retail store. Angus & Robertson plans to introduce a further 50 machines into its Australia-wide chain over the next year.
Managing director David Fenlon said several thousand titles could already be printed using the machine, however the book retailer hopes to grow that figure to 100,000 books, including rare and out-of-print copies. "There are more Australian books out of print than currently in print, and using the Espresso Book Machine will offer opportunities for authors to have their books back in production," he noted.
Produced by UK company On Demand Books, the Espresso Book Machine automatically prints, binds and trims quality books with four-colour covers that are indistinguishable from the factory made original. Books can be produced from digital or scanned files retrieved and transmitted via the internet by the company’s web based software to an Espresso Book Machine for retrieval in matter of minutes by the customer at point of sale.
As well as time and cost-saving advantages for customers, the system has benefits for book retailers and publishers. Angus & Robertson, for example, currently stocks an average of 20,000 titles in each store. The Espresso Book Machine can now print over 300,000 digital files through its relationship with the Open Content Alliance and content is expected to increase substantially as more systems are adopted by bookstores and libraries. This not only frees up shelf space for the retailer, but also is more cost effective for publishers than a short print run of a rare title. In addition, it represents a more environmentally friendly option as there is a reduction in the number of unsold copies to be pulped.
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3-D document visualisation for ‘no surprises’ printing
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Preparing detailed brochures and flyers with special folds can be a time-consuming and costly process for printers. Until now. Scientists at Xerox Corporation have created a technology that uses 3-D software to help printers view the entire layout of a piece before it goes to print.
Aimed at eliminating one of the most costly bottlenecks in printing, the new technology will speed document preparation and approval – a process that costs six dollars for every one dollar spent on the print job itself, according to InfoTrends. With Xerox's 3-D visualisation software, users can see what prints will look like – texture, gloss, folds, binding and all – before any ink or toner is put to paper.
"3-D visualisation helps prevent costly
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 | mistakes and re-work," said Rob Rolleston, a research manager at Xerox's Research Center Webster (pictured above). "Seeing the finished piece before it is printed can cut out many possible errors – orientation, cutting, or even how a certain image sits on the page – and result in a great print the first time."
3-D document visualisation delivers a virtual tour of each customer's desired print job. Customers watch as the program flips through a colour flip book, or opens and folds their greeting card, demonstrating exactly what it will look like upon completion. Rolleston says, "The software allows users to produce new and interesting documents without having to learn the technology and vocabulary of the printing industry. As we prototype this idea, like all others, we'll engage with the customers to test concepts and determine the most valuable options."
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Customers have more options and better integration when it comes to connecting third party systems to Kodak workflow.
Solutions offer 124 product links and integration with 56 vendors
By connecting the print workflow system with the business management system, print service providers are able to increase their production efficiency while reducing errors and waste. Kodak makes this process easy, offering connectivity between its Kodak Unified Workflow Solutions and 28 leading MIS suppliers. Kodak also offers 124 individual JDF interfaces and support for 56 vendors.
“We are committed to expanding and enhancing our support for JDF throughout the Unified Workflow, providing a flexible and powerful set of solutions that enable our customers to maximise productivity and efficiency through integration,” said Judi Hess, general manager, Enterprise Solutions, Kodak Graphic Communications Group, and vice president, Eastman Kodak Company.
True workflow integration is the goal of all print service providers, and being able to bridge each of the components is critical. For example, Kodak’s JDF MIS to Prepress certification specifies the information to be exchanged between an MIS and a workflow system, including the way to describe the information and the method of communication. This means that two certified systems – even from different vendors – will have a level of interoperability when installed, allowing for job creation, specification of impositions and tracking of materials.
Full connectivity is standard with all Kodak Unified Workflow Solutions, and Kodak remains committed to the CIP4 organisation’s vision of computer based integration of all graphic arts processes. More than 20 third party vendors were using Kodak equipment at drupa, and Kodak will again demonstrate this interoperability at Graph Expo later this month.
“We have a very clear strategy when it comes to workflow interoperability, and it’s centered around open standards and working through the CIP4 organisation to ensure we have certified products,” explained Nick Benkovich, product manager, Enterprise Solutions, Kodak Graphic Communications Group. “Today we have connectivity with 56 industry vendors. At the end of the day, that means our customers have more options and better integration when it comes to connecting third party systems to Kodak workflow.”
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Low price, high speed, great accuracy ideal for the CAD/GIS market
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Canon has launched its first ever 44” large format printers, the image PROGRAF iPF810 and imagePROGRAF iPF820. Both are five-ink dye and pigment printers that combine fast output production speeds with efficient ink usage and a low total cost of ownership, making them two of the most appealing printers in the sector.
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 | The imagePROGRAF iPF810 and iPF820 are capable of reproducing A1 prints in 24 seconds and A0 prints in 47 seconds, significantly faster than some of their market-leading rivals. In addition, they can reproduce fine line widths down to 0.02mm, with a range accuracy of 0.1%, a factor that is crucial in the CAD/GIS markets where precision in building plans, maps and technical designs is critical.
Steve Brown, production printing systems marketing manager, Business Imaging Solutions Group, Canon Australia, says: “The iPF810 and iPF820 series can compete at the top end of the market on speed, accuracy and price, all of which are vital components in the CAD/GIS production market. We have made serious inroads into the market share of some of the traditionally established players in the last five years.
“The latest worldwide research shows that we have increased total market share in the technical large format segment between 24” and 59” sizes by a significant amount. That is largely due to our aggressive product rollout over the last two years. We are excited by this launch because of the potential these machines offer.”
The major difference between the printers is the iPF820 is equipped with a dual roll capability with auto switching, enabling it to handle large print runs with different types and sizes of media. The iPF810, on the other hand, has an optional take-up unit for fast consecutive printing and enabling unmanned printing. Both printers are capable of borderless printing – a feature unique to Canon – saving time in finishing by removing the need for edge trimming. ‘Hot swap’ ink tanks in 330ml and 700ml capacity enable the user to switch ink cartridge units on the fly, without interrupting the print run.
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Guests at Positive Camtec's Open House watch the Tekcel CNC Router with OptiCAM cut the pre-printed graphics easily and accurately.
Portfolio at successful Open House bolsters Australian sign industry
An invitation from Positive Camtec attracted just under 70 visitors to the company’s NSW premises to see innovative equipment on show. A highlight of the Open House was the demonstration of the latest print-to-cut technology, a marrying of print technologies from Teckwin and router cutting technology from Tekcel.
Graphics printed by the TeckStorm UV printer were placed onto the Tekcel Verso router and the cutting path was automatically aligned and adjusted to suit the graphics by the OptiCAM Auto Registration system. “The OptiCAM represents a huge leap forward in technology,” said Positive Camtec’s MD Ray Clarke, “offering a true CNC Router with unmatched print-to-cut alignment – even automatically adjusting for distortion or size discrepancies.”
“The TeckStorm UV printer opens many new avenues by printing onto a wide variety of materials, not only typical lightweight materials like corflute and foam board, but products like timber, composite aluminium, acrylic even laminated chipboard and Colorbond, ” said technical director Philip Trumble. “To cut these heavy-duty materials after printing, you need an industrial router like the Verso and the accuracy of the OptiCAM system. To print onto special materials like glass, clear acrylic and dark materials, you need white ink which is standard on the TeckStorm.”
Also highlighted was the new eight-colour Epson GS6000 Eco Solvent printer powered by Ergosoft RIP software. The print quality and colour reproduction impressed the Open House visitors who were the first in NSW to see the machine in action. “Ergosoft has long been acclaimed for its exceptional colour management system and handling of multicolour devices, which made it the perfect choice to drive our range of extended colour gamut printers for sign making and dye sublimation,” commented Scott Donkin, Positive Camtec’s colour engineer. “The workflow is powerful and the colour results are second to none.”
Supporting the efforts of Positive Camtec to educate the industry on international trends and the latest technology were John Hadfield of Knowledge Information Management (KiM), Don McCallum from XAAR, Greg Sharan of Finance@Work, Tim Loader from Tekcel CNC Machinery, Jeff Kline from Ergosoft, Andreas Johanssen from Epson and Mark O’Rourke from Megawood.
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New standard for precision, productivity and performance
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Roland DG Corporation’s new Versa Art RS series of four-colour CMYK wide-format inkjet printers feature the latest in Roland eco-solvent inkjet technology.
"Today, eco-solvent inkjet printers are widely used in a variety of graphics businesses," said Marc Margetts, Roland DG managing director. "The
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 | VersaArt RS series offers these businesses advanced digital printing capabilities, allowing them to enjoy both a distinct competitive advantage and quick return on investment. The VersaArt delivers the exceptional productivity and print quality required for successful in-house production, eliminating the need to outsource wide-format graphics."
Claiming to offer image quality, productivity and performance beyond that of any other printer line in their class, VersaArt printers come with VersaWorks professional RIP software for precision colour management in the 1620mm RS-640. Built on the latest Adobe PostScript Engine, Roland VersaWorks professional RIP software supports Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology for flawless image quality at the highest print speeds.
Among its many features, VersaWorks includes the Roland Color System for precision spot colour matching and offers advanced cropping, tiling and nesting options. VersaWorks also includes Variable Data Printing, the Max Impact Preset for richer colour contrast, embedded ICC profile support, ink level adjustment tools and software proofing capabilities. VersaWorks allows control of up to four Roland printers from one personal computer, while the Roland@NET auto update feature ensures ongoing access to the latest VersaWorks version and profiles available.
VersaArt is a flexible production tool for a wide range of applications from precision design comps and posters to large, durable outdoor signs and banners. It also supports new environmentally friendly paper media and fabrics for profitable specialty applications and can handle banner media as heavy as 470 gsm x 50 metres at print speeds of up to 21.4m²/hr at resolutions of 1440 x 1440 dpi. Automated maintenance minimises ink, labour and downtime.
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Esquire editor-in-chief David Granger displays the anniversary issue which sold at a premium price.
E-paper technology ushers magazines into the 21st century
In celebration of its 75th Anniversary, Esquire Magazine made publishing history with the first-ever electronic digital cover. The ground-breaking cover of 100,000 copies of the October issue of the magazine and the double-page advertisement for the Ford Flex inside the front cover gives the illusion of moving words and images on an electronic screen that looks and feels like paper. The displays were developed by E Ink Corp which also supplied the electronic paper technology for the screen of Amazon's Kindle e-book reader. The technology uses micro-capsules of ink that are controlled by an electric charge.
"For the last couple of years I've been in search of ways to do something that shows that print is a particularly vital product," said Esquire magazine's editor-in-chief, David Granger. "I really do think that print is the most exciting and rewarding medium there is. This cover is both a breakthrough for magazines and an expression of the theme of our anniversary issue. The entire issue of the magazine is devoted to exploring the ideas, people and issues that will be the foundation of the 21st century."
Esquire first approached E Ink about a collaboration more than seven years ago, but the technology was not yet ready for magazines. In the summer of 2007, Esquire and parent Hearst Corp. again contacted E Ink about creating a display for the anniversary issue. The biggest hurdle, Granger said, was packing the six batteries and two computer chips needed for the displays into the magazine's cover.
Granger believes e-paper is the technology to finally usher magazines into the 21st century. “E-paper can incorporate digital technology into magazines without making them unrecognisable. It preserves that experience but then it adds a little something else," he said, "a little incentive to spend even more time with your magazine."
He predicted that Esquire will someday include e-paper displays linked to a cellular network or radio frequency, which will allow the magazine to add updates to stories during the month an issue is on sale. "It could be a year away, it could be three years away, but it will happen soon."
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Next generation light production printing bizhub PRO series
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Following the success of the Konica Minolta bizhub PRO colour digital presses, the next generation series provide customers with enhanced colour capabilities and improved image quality. With print speeds 55 A4 colour impressions per minute the bizhub PRO C5501 offers a large through-put and heavy duty cycle.
To better meet customers’ needs, the bizhub PRO C5501 digital press now
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 | also supports three print controllers: the external controllers IC-304 Plus powered by Creo, the IC-305 EFI Fiery and the internal IC-408 EFI Fiery controller.
Impressive media flexibility ensures commercial printers, inplants and graphic design environments can meet the most diverse requests in terms of print jobs: All systems can process paper formats from A5 to A3+ (330 x 487 mm) and weights ranging from 64 to 300 gsm via the regular paper feeders and the bypass tray.
Advanced image and colour quality ensure that colour is precise and consistent in larger print runs: Simitri HD high definition polymerised toner is used with all four newly launched colour digital presses. The environmentally friendly toner ensures fine lines and superb image quality. Another integral part of the bizhub PRO colour digital presses is Konica Minolta’s own screen-enhancing active digital (S.E.A.D.) processing technology. Originally developed for the bizhub PRO C6500 series this technology improves image quality, colour consistency and sharpness of text.
The sturdy compact build of the C5501 PROfessional together with improvements to the advanced finishing qualities make room for continued growth in meeting customers’ demands and, in turn, boosting their business opportunities. The new series C5501 PROfessional can be equipped with finishing features for stapling, punching, folding and booklet making.
“We are confident that the C5501 PROfessional Series will top its predecessors in terms of success,” says Brett Palmer, national product manager at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia. “The new bizhub PRO Series provide our customers with the three essential elements of high quality colour production printing, which are outstanding colour, superior image quality and high production speed which amounts to continued growth for our customers’ business.”
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Inkjet proofing media earn Gold Standard certifications
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Standards organisation IDEAlliance has awarded SWOP Grade 3 certifications to EFI Validation 155 and 190 Offset Premium inkjet proofing substrates when used with EFI Colorproof XF inkjet RIP and Canon’s iPF series. IDEAlliance SWOP (Speci-fications for Web Offset Publications) certification of EFI’s Colorproof XF and Validation 155 and 190 proofing media assures graphics, publishing, packaging and production professionals that their colour output represents consistent and accurate
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 | colour to match the appearance of certified press proofs used in print production.
IDEAlliance has previously awarded SWOP and GRACoL certifications to EFI Validation 250 Premium Satin ink jet proofing media for the graphic arts and design markets. All grades of EFI Validation media offer customers an unprecedented price/performance combination. While being priced competitively with stock media, EFI Validation meets the industry’s most stringent quality and consistency requirements.
EFI Validation 155 Offset features a true paper-base stock that gives the user the same look and feel as offset and board stock. With a 155 gsm weight, it is thin enough to use for packaging and large catalogue mock-ups. The paper base provides superb opacity to prevent show-through and has a wide gamut with very little optical brighteners.
EFI Validation 190 Offset Premium Proofing Media is a 190 gsm premium offset proofing media that utilises the same coating as Validation 155. The Validation 155 and 190 media sets are interchangeable, providing users with flexibility through two basis weights. Both grades use a paper base manufactured with renewable resources.
"Our customers greatly benefit from interoperability among the solutions they use, so EFI is a driving force for industry standards adoption," said Stefan Spiegel, general manager, Graphic Arts Solutions, EFI. "EFI Validation proofing media earning SWOP and GRACoL certifications affirms its high calibre and underscores the fact that EFI consistently delivers state-of-the-art solutions."
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New Innovation Award confirms quantum leap in label print quality
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The innovative spirit of Xeikon is reflected in the launch of two new digital colour label presses in 2008: the Xeikon 3300 at drupa and the Xeikon 3000 at Labelexpo Americas. Both products represent a quantum leap in label print quality, offering true 1200 dpi at four bits per spot, which saw Xeikon take out the prestigious New Innovation Award at the fifth Label Industry Global Awards announced during Labelexpo Americas 2008.
With a top speed of 63 feet per minute and a monthly duty cycle of 2,300,000
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 | feet, the Xeikon 3300 is particularly suited for short to medium print runs and just-in-time jobs. Its entry-level counterpart – the Xeikon 3300 operating at a top speed of 31.5 feet per minute with a monthly duty cycle of 1,500,000 feet – is a perfect fit for label converters who are eager to enter digital printing but do not need the high speed and productivity of the Xeikon 3300 just yet. It is also an ideal press for label converters wanting to focus on niche applications such as paperboard packaging or textile transfer printing.
Both models can print four process colours plus a range of standard or custom spot colours for perfect reproduction of brand image on an unmatched range of substrates from various self adhesive films including co-extruded film, to unsupported film, paper, transparent and opaque foils, and paperboard. The environmentally-friendly dry toner electrophotography imaging process enables the use of conventional substrates without coating or pre-treatment.
The award announcement coincides with the launch of Xeikon’s ‘Do-the-benchmark’ initiative for label converters. Under this initiative, label converters can choose from certain selected label stocks and upload some of their own files to be printed on the Xeikon 3300.
Click here to participate in this unique initiative
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