Show Will Be Big For Mailers

Graph Expo 2008, Oct. 26-29, is what you make of it, with print buying, workflow, technology channels galore.

By Bill Esler, Editor in Chief -- Graphic Arts Online, September 1, 2008

This year's Chicago show is like none other, with an expanded focus on new market segments. As always, it will fill McCormick place with the latest technological developments from leading print industry suppliers.
As the largest graphic communications exhibition and conference in the Western Hemisphere, Graph Expo 2008 will feature more than 600 exhibitors showcasing a full range of graphic communications equipment across 450,000 sq.ft. of exhibit space. Show highlights include exhibits featuring the latest trends in digital inkjet printing, an XPS Land Showcase of Microsoft Vista-based technology, a new Future Print focus featuring RFID and Printed Electronics, and an expanded Print Buyers Forum. The official show events begin with the 13th annual Executive Outlook Conference, held October 25, the Saturday before Graph Expo opens, with a focus on technology, markets, economics and critical issues affecting the industry today and in the future.
Because the show is such a big draw, other groups gather around it. For example, NPTA Alliance—the paper merchant organization—opens its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Oct. 21. And the National Assn. of Quick Printers will opens its annual Owners Conference at the InterContinental Hotel Oct. 23.
Reflecting the popularity of mailing, the Graphic Arts Show Co. says this year's Mailing & Fulfillment Center will occupy a record 38,900 sq. ft. of the Graph Expo show floor and feature more than 70 exhibitors showcasing the latest mailing and fulfillment technologies and offerings.
Showcased will be all the facets of mailing and fulfillment, from data processing, addressing and bar coding, to folding, labeling, slitting, sorting and stamping, to storing/racking, warehousing and more. Live demonstrations on the show floor will additionally allow attendees to get a firsthand look at just how they can add value to client projects through mailing and fulfillment.
“As clients increasingly look to their graphic communications provider for a full-range of marketing communications support, it has become essential for graphic arts professionals to be able to provide ancillary non-print services in addition to the traditional print-focused graphic communications services,” said Ralph Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Co. “Mailing and fulfillment is a logical extension of a printer's core services, and the potential for profits is great..”
Off the show floor, attendees will be able to glean yet more tips on mailing and fulfillment through a special seminar series produced by the Mailing & Fulfillment Service Assn. Sessions will cover how to get started in mailing and fulfillment, the latest postal regulations, how best to combine printing and mailing services, and more.

Mailing related exhibitors (Booth)

 
At press time, these firms had revealed plans for mailing-related presentations. Visit graphicartsonline.com/mailing for continuous postings of additional news.

Axode (2280) brings together SAFE, a set of variable data printing controls. SAFE forms a global supervision solution for automated document factories, controlling in real time the entire route of a document throughout its production cycle; guaranteeing letters have been correctly processed, printed and posted.

BCC Software (2486) will present Mail Manager 2010, its flagship product, scalable to any size mailer's needs, and backed by free and unlimited support—helpful for any new mailer. BCC Software also offers an extensive line of list-enhancing data services, BCC Data, and a line of hardware products, including the Mail Verifier Plus barcode quality tool, named “WORTH-A-LOOK” at last year's show

Böwe Bell + Howell (1253) will demonstrate its comprehensive product portfolio for paper-based and digital mail communications, including inserting, cutting, direct mail, sorting, integrity verification, print-on-demand and software solutions.

Buhrs Americas (1859), with more than 4,500 systems installed worldwide and four new installations per week, will feature systems for envelope inserting, film and paper wrapping, and fulfillment .

Business Objects (1694) an SAP company, offers customizable Postalsoft mailing solutions that improve address quality by standardizing, correcting and verifying addresses; assigning ZIP + 4 codes and carrier route numbers; printing delivery-point barcodes; presorting and palletizing mail; and processing mail manifests. Software systems are CASS, PAVE, MAC Batch, and ZAP-certified for accuracy.

Buskro (3080) specializes in inkjet imaging equipment, inline and standalone transport bases, tabbing/labeling systems and controllers. Buskro's controllers coordinate multiple heads to provide up to 24 inches of seamless coverage on its transport bases or web presses.

Cogent Technologies (2188) formerly Research Inc., will be showing its full line of Speed-Dri's, the infrared drying systems especially designed for the mailing industry, along with new UV curing systems for mail bases.

Crawford Technologies (2394) offers document manipulation and re-engineering solutions for transpromo and transaction production: Document Enhancer, Transaction Document Archive, Workflow, Transforms, and Enterprise IMB..

Datatech SmartSoft (2194) SmartAddresser 5 is the all-in-one mailing software that manages the entire process, from address validation to postal presorting. Its AccuMail Frameworks provides a CASS-Certified address correction integrated into existing database-dependent applications. .

Direct EDJE (1585) Direct Response is a customizable Web-based system.

Document Data Solutions (3089) will show its iDataScanmachine vision inspection system; iDataRepair piece level tracking and job reporting module; iDataPrint inkjet printer for 1-to-1 marketing and address printing; and iDataManager Web based reporting and inventory system.

Domino Amjet (2241, 2693) offers variable addressing, sequential numbering, text and graphics on its range of inkjet, laser and control systems.

GBR Systems (3083), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mathias Bauerle GmbH, manufactures automatic set-up document feeding, accumulating, folding, inserting, perforating, slitting, merging, reading and self-mailing systems. The autoSET, a highly automated inserting system and prestigeFOLD automated folding system, will be at the show.

GeoNova Publishing (5658) offers LocatorMapSales.com to makes it easy to print custom maps in VDP direct mail, allowing a different custom map on every piece in a mailing, targeted to each individual recipient.

GMC Software Technology (5258) PrintNet software is an end-to-end solution for full data integration and process automation for highly targeted print and electronic communications.

Gunther International (2493) will be operating one of its convertible mail inserters designed for both folded and flat mail applications, up to 180 pages using 18-lb. Domtar Postal Advantage.

interlinkONE (5627) offers personalized URLs and marketing messages that target prospects with customized text, graphics, lead acquisition, response management, web-to-print and e-mail marketing solutions. A variable data print component lets users create 1-to-1 pieces that pull from marketing databases.

Kern, Inc. (1763, 2063) makes a first showing of the K40, polywrapping Kern's latest Mail Strategies magazine; and the new PageMailer that turns plain paper into transpromo or postcard-rate-eligible one-step mailers. It will demonstrate high-speed inserters and mailFactory software.

Kirk-Rudy, Inc. (1686) will show mail processors engineered and manufactured in its Georgia facility, including NetJet, WideJet and WaveJet Solvent and UV inkjet systems along with KR535 TabMaster, KR497 Card Attacher, MatchMate Vision System and KR QC Barcode Checker.

Lake Image Systems (2070) provides camera and scanner-based integrity verification, matching and inline printing solutions for printing, inserting, bindery and plastic card processing. It will introduce two products at Graph Expo 2008: IntegraVision IMB, which uses PC cams to read and verify new Intelliigent Mail Barcodes from the USPS, as well as its PrintScan system (see p.30).

Longford Intl. (1470) offers feeders, high speed batch counters, high speed tipping and affixing systems, custom high speed collator with a shrink wrapper, the OS700 high speed ECL booklet feeder, multiple card tipping and affixing system, High Speed (40,000 pph) tipping feeder on a Bobst folder gluer, the Piggy Back system for PI collation, print fulfillment systems.

Mailsoft, Inc. (1897) will make live demonstrations of its Production Tracking Software. Written by lettershop owners, the new version 3.0 automatically integrates with QuickBooks Accounting.

MCS (1886) designs, manufactures, sells and supports the most systems for inkjet imaging and inserter matching. It offers stand-alone or inline inkjet systems for inserters and tip-on units, web-mounted inkjets and matching systems using HP technology.

NPI provides systems for presorting letter mail to allow capture of postal discounts, including the compact Omega, measuring 2.5x8´ and able to sort postcards, envelopes, flats, and even handwritten pieces at up to 18,000 per hour.

Printable Technologies (5653) will show its VDP software with fast multi-record typesetting including business logic, variable text and image composition, and multiple output types including PPML, VDX, VIPP, VPS, JLYT, PDF etc. Web-to-print software includes turnkey online stores, inventory fulfillment, online list buys and data merge.

Rena Systems (1682) will display its complete line of inkjet addressing printers, inline and offline tabbers, labelers, conveyors, feeders and other accessories for mailing fulfillment. On hand will be the new EASYInk Aqueous Plus ink formula for hard to print media, and the new XPS-BumpTurn a media transport turn that rotates materials 90°.

Satori Software (2283) simplifies adding mailing services to a print operation with CASS and PAVE certified Bulk Mailer or MailRoom ToolKit to make address cleansing and postal sorting easier.

Secap (2480) mailstream management solutions to be featured at Graph Expo include the Jet 1 addressing and imaging system, SI5400 folder inserter system, and T-2000 tabber along with a new SA5300 PRO addressing printer.

Sefas Innovation (5261) will demonstrate its fully integrated and modular Open Print Production Suite software that it says addresses all document production needs, including composition; post composition and production control. It is based on thin client technology, uses open standard source code and exploits the latest architecture principles to deliver industry leading business capabilities.

Sitma USA (1770) will show its Envelope Inserting Systems and the 1005 Wrapping Systems will be presented.

Software Marketing Associates (1994) pro-mail System is designed for printers, mailers, and fulfillment companies to manage simple to complex mailing projects.

Standard Finishing Systems (2246) will show a range of paper process and finishing equipment, including Hunkeler systems integrated to digital presses and mail production systems, Hunkeler unwinders, rewinders, cutters, folders and stackers for high-speed continuous-feed digital printers, sheet feeders for high-speed cut-sheet digital printers, web finishing for integrated forms/labels. New products at Graph Expo include the Horizon AFC-406T/564A/566A/566F/746D folders, CCD-AFC camera options for AFC folders, BQ-270C perfect binder, and Hunkeler WM6 Web Merger

TrackMyMail (2695) will track mail from drop to delivery and back. with online reports and ability to use the new Intelligent Mail Barcode.

U.S. Postal Service (1883) is the largest distribution network in the world, delivering more than 200 billion pieces of mail to every address and post office box in America—more than 146 million delivery destinations. Its sales force can assist with customer acquisition, fulfillment, and retention programs through package services and international services.

Walco Systems (2396) engineers and manufactures paper-handling equipment for the print, direct mail and packaging industries, with modular design feeders, inkjet and IR drying systems. On display will be its new Evolution VF200 commercial vacuum friction feeder.

Whittier Mailing Products (2096) Barcode Tagger is an on-demand or networkable system to print USPS container tray tags, including the new IMB label. It accepts files in Mail.Dat format, with software translators for popular software programs.

More than mail

In addition to the mailing arena, Graph Expo will incorporate a wide ranging seminar program with more than 70 educational sessions, as well as hands-on computer labs featuring the latest in software solutions.

Workshop topics for commercial printers range from business building and sales to color management and production issues, covering the full gamut of concerns for employees at all levels within the printing plant. Sessions for top management include an assessment of new print-service opportunities, such as signage and wide-format, target marketing and specialty printing; how-to's on building lucrative non-print divisions such creative services; forecasts on hot graphic communications segments of the future; and discussions on the unique challenges of digital and on-demand printing.

Other workshops target sales staff, plant managers and production personnel, including tutorials on the art of selling digital and variable-data printing; the sustainability movement within printing operation; and the nitty-gritty issues surrounding UV printing, color management, and more.

ONLINE: graphicartsonline.com/graphexpo