Graph Expo Re-Done

If there is an overriding descriptor of Graph Expo 2007 it is everything print and in a big, big way. Show space, over 460,000 sq.ft. for this year's event, sold at a remarkable clip. The area exceeds last year's total. Every step of the print process is on display at the largest graphic communications exhibition in the Western Hemisphere. Exhibit space for some categories—in the Mailing & Fulfilment Pavilion, and in digital printing systems around the floor—even exceed the size at other trade shows devoted to those areas of interest.

Of this year's total exhibitor count is 640, with over 120 of them are new. Some of the edgiest or most active technology segments at the show—a mere representative sampling of which is provided in this article, include digital coating, six-up sheetfed offset presses, packaging, mid-range and larger digital color production printers, press automation, Web-to-print (including virtual proofing), premedia automation, and environmental sustainability. “The dynamic environment created by the growth of this year's Graph Expo offers even more opportunities for show-goers to connect with industry vendors to learn about the latest technologies and explore new business opportunities,” says Ralph Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Co. (GASC), organizers of Graph Expo. He says the presence of so many new exhibitors underscores the depth and breadth of the cutting-edge technologies on display

Like the show, widening product breadth is a theme echoing throughout the industry. Some major suppliers have extended their offerings via acquisitions in the months and weeks leading up to the show. Among deals that occurred since last year: ink maker Flint acquired blanket firm Day; IBM and Ricoh created the spinoff InfoPrint Solutions, X-Rite announced it would acquire Pantone, and Esko Graphics acquired Stone Cube and then merged with Artwork Systems to form EskoArtwork.

This year's show features two new special theme days focused on rapidly expanding print market segments.

Books & Bound Documents Day, Sunday, Sept. 9, showcases applications aimed at nearly all types of print providers, demonstrating how digitally printed books and bound documents—from manuals and directories to training materials and consumer titles—can deliver lucrative new opportunities for printers.

Digital printing and related technologies occupy some 130,000 net sq.ft—which GASC says is two and a half times more exhibit space than the next largest digital print show in the U.S.

On Tuesday, September 11, Customer & Marketing Communications Day will feature technologies that combine direct marketing with transactional mail. In demonstrations across the show floor, attendees will learn how to create and produce powerful bills, statements, direct mail postcards and customer communications that can shift printing from cost center to profit center.

Three special-interest pavilion exhibits focus on wide-format, mailing and fulfillment and the new Microsoft XML paper specification (XPS). The Mailing and Fulfillment Center exceeds the size of the mailing industry's own dedicated trade show, reports GASC.

Something new is the XPS Land Showcase. It is designed to inform visitors on what exactly the new document standard is (XPS is a bit like PDF, but created by Microsoft), why it matters, technology required to implement it and how XPS tools fit in the graphic arts workflow. In this new interest area, show attendees explore XPS, from document creation through CTP to print, and see live XPS-driven applications printing on both offset and digital equipment.

Like Adobe PDF, the XPS format touts portability and fixed-page features. The XML-based format also features its own internal print ticket. Because XPS comes bundled with Microsoft's new Vista operating system, many predict it will become ubiquitous in the corporate office environment and graphic communications market.

On the educational front, the event will host close to 70 expert-led seminars and sessions offering practical tips and insights on subjects ranging from taming fonts in OSX, analyzing workflow hiccups and maximizing postage discounts, to understanding soft proofing and color management and designing for digital.

Rounding out the numerous educational offerings at Graph Expo is the brand-new Print Buyers Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 11, moderated by Margie Dana, a former print buyer who is founder of Print Buyers International. The event will include a panel of print specifiers from different industries and three industry pros who've worked as—or with—print buyers for years.

The show floor is offering a hot bed of innovation on display. In the heavy iron area, pressmakers are showing souped-up versions of 6-up presses.

Heidelberg USA (Booth 1200) is demonstrating the 29´´ Speedmaster CD 74 with its optional Peak Performance Package, allowing the press to run high-end commercial work, label or packaging jobs at production speeds of up to 18,000 sph. Heidelberg says its 23.8×29.1´´ maximum format perfectly fits 12-page signatures in commercial printing, but also maximizes the number of ups per sheet in packaging and label production.

Komori America (Booth 629) is debuting the newest addition to the Lithrone S series, the LSX29. The largest half-size press it offers, the LSX29 accepts a 24×29½´´ sheet optimization, with space for gripper margins on both edges.

The 18,000-sph press, says Komori, is well-suited for the Web-to-print market with features like a suction tape feeder, skeleton transfers, a high-speed start function at 12,000 sph and fully automatic console driven makeready, which includes Komori's KHS pre-inking and de-inking software. It is available with automatic plate-changing technology.

Sakurai USA (Booth 642) is introducing the SI/SIP Multicolor offset presses. The SI (straight perfecting models) and SIP (perfecting models) were designed to unify Sakurai's 52 Series (14×20´´), the 58 Series (18-1/8×22 ¾´´) and the 66 Series (19×26´´). Sakurai says all three machines are built using identical features, which provide short makeready times for profitable operation. With its heavy duty design, the 19×26´´ is the most popular size. Standard features include autoplate changers, auto roller washers, sheet size resets (feeder & delivery), auto perfector changeover (SIP models) and CIP 3/4 compatibility.

xpedx Printing Technologies (Booth 3808) will debut its largest press, the Ryobi eight-up 4- and 5-color 24×36´´ 16,000-sph 920 series.

Press automation is another sweet spot, as technology in this area seeks to squeeze out unproductive time. Mitsubishi Lithographic Presses (Booth 617), is showcasing its SimulChanger, an automated, simultaneous plate-changing option on its Diamond series presses. The company reports that the SimulChanger can complete a plate change on all units in approximately one minute, regardless of the number of units involved.

Sheet transfer through the press is accomplished by a series of impression cylinder and transfer cylinder grippers.

SimulChanger's simultaneous plate cylinder phasing system makes use of the uppermost and lowermost adjustment settings for registration. Plate cylinders at each unit automatically turn and stop at the optimum positions for changing plates. This arrangement enables the plates at all units to be changed at the same time. Once the plate change is completed, the cylinders return to their proper phase for printing.

MAN Roland (Booth 646) is showcasing DirectDrive technology for its Roland 700 sheetfed presses. DirectDrive powers a printing unit's plate cylinder with its own high-torque motor, controlled by printnet press operating system.

Isolating the plate cylinder from the press's main drive, says the company, allows a number of makeready chores to be completed simultaneously. For example, all of the plates can be changed on the Roland 700 DirectDrive at the same time, while wash-up takes place, resulting in zero plate-changing time.

On long perfectors, with 8, 10 and 12 printing units, the company says DirectDrive can reduce makeready time by as much as 60%.

The big focus in digital presses is speed and wider substrate acceptance. Océ North America (Booth 655) is introducing the Océ ColorStream 10000 continuous feed, full-color digital press. The system, which delivers full process color at 172 ipm, 3/3 at 231 ipm, 2/2 at 353 ipm and 1/1 at 852 ipm, can print on almost any stock, from onionskin to newspaper to heavy and glossy stock. The printer has the ability to change speeds and costs automatically, on demand, per application, as well as within an application. The black-to-full-color digital printing system automatically charges users based on what is printed.

InfoPrint Solutions (Booth 2276) is debuting the InfoPrint 5000, a color printing system that uses piezo-electric, drop-on-demand inkjet technology with water-based pigment inks that are resistant to fading and smearing, even on commonly used digital papers. A tight paper web also contributes to the excellent inkjet print quality, the company claims. The system includes an extendable IPS multi-computer printer controller technology that drives multiple Adobe PostScript RIPs and delivers high-speed printing to expedite job completion and enable consolidation of footprints.

Third-party offline coating systems are targeting both offset and digital print output, offering multiple coating and substrate choices and focusing on cost reduction. Kompac Technologies (Booth 671) is debuting the Kwik Finish coating and curing system, an offline solution that Kompac says offers offset and digital printers a quick and easy method to apply and cure UV and aqueous coatings and primers to a variety of substrates.

The system is designed to flood or spot coat, easily control coating thickness and feed a variety of stock thicknesses from onionskin to board stock. In addition to enhanced colors, the coating provides durability and protection for repeated handling and mailing of the printed product.

The Kwik Finish can be purchased with the following options: Kompac Kwik IR (ifrared dryer), Kwik Stack (automated receding stacker), Heat Shield (for toner-based inks) and the Kompac Vac cleaning system.

Also on view in this area are the latest digital coating solutions from Varstar, and from OLEC (exhibiting with Nicoat).

MGI USA (Booth 3463) is introducing the UVarnish offline, high-speed, UV-infrared liquid coater unit to complement its line of 4-color digital presses and finishers. The UVarnish coater complements digital and offset printed paper or plastic substrates (paper coated and sealed plastic surfaces like PVC, PET, etc.) without requiring a full-time operator or a large amount of floor space. The coater offers an “Automated Recovery System” that ensures personalized VDP sheets are not at risk and are ozone-free UV-cured.

In the popular wide-format arena. Fujifilm Graphic Systems (Booths 4381, 4480) is showcasing the Inca Spyder 320 digital flatbed printer. The Spyder 320 offers a compact footprint, moving print cartridge up to 600-dpi resolution and a full-size 126×63´´ static bed. It prints at up to 500-sq.ft. per hour with optimum performance at 350 sq.ft.

The company says the Spyder 320's flatbed design makes handling rigid materials easy, while the vacuum table securely anchors a wide range of substrates, which can be up to 1.2´´ thick. Pinpoint registration makes it well-suited for double-sided or lenticular work, as well as POP display. The Spyder 320 uses new Fujifilm Sericol technology from Sericol's UVjet family, which Fujifilm says offers better flexibility and adhesion, as well as a vibrant matte print finish at the machine's high resolution.

In what many industry experts describe as the “killer app.” Web-to-print systems are moving to the next level with enhanced workflow management features.

Kodak (Booth 400) is introducing the InSite Creative Workflow System, a Web-based solution for managing content creation and approval cycles for ad agencies, publishers and creatives. It enables users to assign, review and approve tasks to specific stakeholders and then track their progress. The software can operate as a standalone solution or with other Kodak Portal Products to form a seamless idea to prepress solution, with the InSite Creative Workflow System focusing on work in progress, offering content proofing and collaboration.

The company is also launching the Kodak Web-to-print Solution, a suite of software that offers traditional Web-to-print functionality via a Web-based storefront application. Web-to-print introduces variable-data print capabilities and integrates seamlessly with Kodak Workflow Systems for production automation for both conventional and digital printing. Use of JDF ensures, says Kodak, that the workflow can drive third-party digital presses in addition to Kodak digital presses.

The core infrastructure supports three types of orders: static orders from online catalogs of finished pieces; print-ready orders from catalogs of templates; and variable-data orders. A flexible pricing engine supports sophisticated value-based pricing.

EFI (Booth 3000) is releasing PrinterSite Fulfillment version 3.5, for Web-based fulfillment ordering that integrates to EFI Hagen, EFI Logic and EFI PSI print management systems. Version 3.5 provides more visually appealing customer-facing Websites for ordering pull-from-inventory, print-on-demand and VDP items, as well as non-print items. The new shopping experience helps printers sell with compelling new merchandising features, like rotating banner ads and category graphics, as well as much-requested features such as real-time shipping and taxes, and new payment methods such as spending accounts, gift cards and coupons.

In addition to the upgraded interface graphics and merchandising opportunities, the software offers new XMPie features that allow users to manipulate databases through the Web interface. Auto-Fills enable users to store frequently used information in an online database. With the new image picker, users can compose VDP items in the web interface using a library of pre-stored images and graphics. New product matrix functionality allows items like apparel and logo merchandise to be seamlessly marketed on the site, just like on business-to-consumer sites.

On the front end, vendors are debuting software and hardware to even further automate premedia workflows.

Kodak (Booth 400) is showcasing its Automatic Pallet Loader, which provides a loading option for high-volume, industrial printing shops. Kodak's Automatic Pallet Loader allows bulk loading of plates for imaging by the Kodak Magnus VLF Platesetter. The loader can handle up to 600 plates, which are loaded into the Automatic Pallet Loader by pallet jack. The loader picks single or dual plates for imaging by the platesetter. The loader has a large-capacity slip sheet storage system that allows for easy disposal or reuse of interleaf paper. It can hold up to six pallets (3,600 plates) and is available in one, two or three segments, holding up to two pallets each.

The automatic pallet loader also contains intelligent automation that reduces user intervention. It senses when a pallet is running out of plates, warning the operator and offering the option to continue picking plates from another pallet with plates of the same size and type.

Pantone Inc. (Booth 4758) is releasing its new Goe system (see p.14) and also the hueyPRO, the newest addition to the huey family of display calibration products. hueyPRO is designed for photographers and creative professionals to improve color clarity and consistency across multiple CRT, laptop and LCD displays. The original huey made the complicated task of monitor calibration simple and approachable.

An area that continues to offer commercial printers a lucrative revenue stream is packaging. (See relateed story on p.57)Systems debuting at the show offer dazzling effects, don't sacrifice productivity and make packaging more accessible to smaller shops. Heidelberg (Booth 1200) is premiering the Varimatrix 105 CS Die-Cutter, a diecutting and embossing solution for small- to medium-size packaging businesses that demand high-end quality and productivity. The Varimatrix cuts and embosses paper weighing 80 gsm and over board and solid board up to 1,400 gsm and corrugated board up to 4 mm thick at speeds to 7,500 sph with a maximum cutting force of 331 tons. Formats range from 15×6´´ to 30×41´´.

Brandtjen & Kluge (Booth 2219) is showing the EHG Series half-sheet foil stamping and diecutting press. With a platen size of 22×30´´, the EHG Series half-sheet press can accommodate a sheet size of up to 23×31´´ and is available as an automatic diecutter or with foil stamping and embossing capabilities.

The EHG is running a “trophy” 20×28´´ preprinted tropical fish scene. The fish is stamped using combination dies supplied by H&M, foil from Kurz Transfer, on stock courtesy of xpedx. Multi-level dies are being used to provide various embossing depths highlighting details in the fish with five different colors in a single pass.

Technology that supports green printing are also being represented in full force.

Pamarco Global Graphics (Booth 4208) is exhibiting the GTP-1 GreenTrac performance pumping system, which traverses continuously across the ink fountain and dispenses a small bead of ink onto the fountain roller. The device uses an electronic sensor to read low areas in the ink and dispenses ink only when and where it is needed. It maintains a constant level of ink to prevent color variations caused by additions of ink or ink running low. The ink can be dispensed from a 5-gallon pail, a 55-gallon drum or a 2,000 pound tote. Pumping from a 55-gallon drum eliminates the disposal of approximately 100 5-lb. empty ink tins and the repetitive motion associated with filling the fountains with an ink knife. The GTP-1 is designed to fit into tight areas, such as the lower units on the Komori Super Perfector press, but will work on most other presses where pumping is desirable.

Procam Controls (Booth 3726) is introducing its Fount-N-Kleer XL fountain solution recycling system that uses patented side-stream filtration technology to provide a higher level of filtration for individual recirculation units, such as the Royse Space Saver 5 & 10.

The compact fountain recycling system is retrofitted to virtually all individual chiller/recirculator units designed for small presses or individual printing units and incorporates a high pressure, high flow pump that recirculates the fountain solution at least once every 2-4 minutes through two stages of filtration, independent of the circulator pump. The first stage is an absorbent ink grabbing pre-filter that removes large particles and attracts ink. The second is an electropositive filter media that uses adsorption (electro-adhesion) as the filtering mechanism. The Fount-N-Kleer XL filter media has exceptional dirt holding capacity along with high particle removal efficiency. The filter media removes the colloidal matter and very small contaminants typically found in working fountain solution.

The Fount-N-Kleer XL provides a level of filtration and filter life unattainable by ordinary filters that utilize circulator pumps, says the company. The system is typically installed in the cabinet area previously used for storage near the press.