June 29, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

One of our Forums Readers is looking into setting up an in-house print facility and is looking for advice from GraphicArtsOnline Readers and vendors. It's a wide open question: they are looking for advice on "everything!"

I work for University of California at Santa Barbara in the Associated Students department. We are looking at what it would take for us to open a print shop where we could print business card, brochures, posters, etc. We have used other vendors for this and would like to find out *everything* needed to do this ourselves (equipment, inks, space, etc). We need to know the full scope so we can get the budget together. Does using soy ink change anything about how we would look at the process? Where would I go to get all of this information?
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JudyAnn Dutcher
UCSB Associated Students

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June 29, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

The folks at Helios had this to say in their last newsletter:

"This year's WWDC also had a strong developer presence around the iPhone, which builds a second platform for the Apple business. Some customers say that Apple shifts too much into the consumer business. However we see this differently. The iPhone based on Mac OS X offers a tremendous platform for applications. Of course the first wave of Apps are daily utilities and games, but many business applications will follow. New capabilities like the iPhone push notifications allow server applications to inform mobile users within seconds without polling. We are confident that many businesses will benefit from future iPhone Apps in a big way."

It's true many folks will resist being able to monitor print production from their phones. Being available anytime anywhere has its negative points and ma...Read More

June 23, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Pundits are currently debating whether the worst of the economic downturn is over. My own guess is: probably not. But it also seems to be the general consensus that it won’t get as bad as some feared and that a general recovery will arrive before the year is out.

The problem is, a lot (too many) of printers and print service providers will not be able to hold out that long. There is not enough cash flow or borrowing power to survive. With the competition operating at a loss just to keep the cash flow going, it gets harder and harder for companies on the verge of collapse to keep going.

Whether the Federal government will be able to induce banks to make reasonable financing available to these companies may not matter. Any relief that comes may come too late. There will certainly be more consolidation and fewer mom and pop printers.

Still,...Read More

June 15, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

The News Releases are starting to come fast and furious as equipment and software suppliers gear up for Print '09 in Chicago Setpember 11-16th. One of the first e-mails to hit was concerning discounted hotel rooms in the Windy City, indicating show staff is concerned about the effect of the economic downturn on travel.

I love attending the Chicago Print show, but I have to wonder how many folks will be springing for the travel and housing expense this year. I'd like to know how our readers are coping with this. Are you cutting the number of attendees, scratching Print '09 off your calendar, doubling up on hotel rooms, travelling by other means (train or car vs. plane?)

But I guess the key question is whether folks are using alternative methods of researching new products: web forums, sites like graphicartsonline, webinars, webex demos etc. How are you gettin...Read More

June 13, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

One of our forums readers needs help with a printer that is jamming.  Can you offer some advice?

Here's the post: "I have xerox DC 252 printer with high capacity feeder, and what happens are paper jams every 10 to 20 SR-A3 size sheets. I doesn't depend of paper thickness and I am using UPM paper for digital printing.  Can anyone help me with some ideas?"

The Forums provide a great place to interact with folks who are confronting the same problems you encounter every day. Let's see if we can't help each other out. Post your questions and offer your answers.

To get to the forums click the Resources tab on any page and select Forums. Signing up is easy and spam free.

Stephen Beals
GAO Forums Manager