Respected printing industry authority and consultant Ray Prince has extensive experience in plant assessment, operations training, and troubleshooting. In addition to his work with individual printing companies, he has conducted hundreds of seminars, lectures and training sessions and is a prolific author of industry articles.

Among the many honors and awards Prince has received are the TAGA (Technical Assn. of the Graphic Arts) Honors Award for lifetime achievement, the NAPL Craftsman of the Year Award, the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation’s Industry Education Award, and the NAPL Soderstrom Award.

He holds A.A.S. and B.S. degrees in printing management from the Rochester Institute of Technology and an M.S. in printing management from South Dakota State University.

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Recent Posts

Why do faster makereadies command higher press prices?

July 17, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Question: I read so many reports touting fast makeready times on sheetfed presses and higher speeds—but with run lengths going down and new equipment prices going up! What gives? 

Answer: Makeready (MR) times for sheetfed presses have been going down for years and, with recent servo-motor advances on the plate cylinder, they have really dropped. Having a 6-color press with a 4.5-hour MR is ju...Read More
Industries: New Products, Press

Recent Posts

Is press test certified?

July 15, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Question: I purchased a press recently that had a PIA/GATF press test done on it. Is this a certification?

Answer: There are no certified press tests. If the seller had a full PIA/GATF press test done, ask for a copy. A proper press test will consist of six tests: Breakaway Dry Solids, Wet Solids, Ghosting, Fit, Streaking and Print Quality. Sometimes there's a seventh run for Digital Register Analysis, if deemed necessary.

Tests for More Th...Read More
Industries: New Products, Press

Recent Posts

Making ready on job stock?

July 10, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Question: I am told that, in many portions of Europe, that pressrooms do not run gray (sheets previously printed) waste and only run the job stock. Why?

Answer: This is done for several reasons. Keep in mind that for folding carton work in the U.S., we do not run gray waste either. The reasons: 

1. Faster color O.K.
2. Less blanket smashes
3. Obtain fit fast if you have automatic adjustment
4. No color contamination
5. No gray was...Read More
Industries: New Products, Paper, Press, Print Management

Recent Posts

Should student "go digital?"

July 8, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

Question: I am graduating from a Graphic Arts program next year. Should I be considering a firm that specializes in digital printing?

Answer: Absolutely. The future is bright, very bright for many types of digital prining. Black-and-white as well as full-color digital is gaining a significant part of the industry. Is it better, worse, faster, slower, cheaper, more expensive? Yes to all of those. The key is the application. My advice to you at this point is to learn the applicati...Read More
Industries: Digital Printing, New Products, Press, Print Management

Recent Posts

Buy full UV or hybrid?

July 3, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

Question: I am buying a new press for printing covers for heatset web, short-run publications and want the know the advantages/disadvantages of going full UV or hybrid UV. The manufacturer has recommended full UV.

Answer: After learning your need for covers on coated and uncoated stocks—and that you rarely print on any plastic or synthetic stock—the answer becomes easier. Hybrid UV would be my choice for the following reasons: 

1. It is less expensive....Read More
Industries: New Products, Press