Graph
Expo, the major North American printing trade show in Chicago,
has come and gone, and now for Canadians, particularly those in
the Greater Toronto Area, Print Ontario will be here before you
know it (Nov. 20-22, www.printontario.com).
I had the opportunity to sit in at the well-attended Executive
Outlook conference at Graph Expo this year, and the most interesting
session was an acronym-filled debate between Jim Harvey, executive
director of CIP4 and proponent of the Job Definition Format (JDF)
and Frank Romano, professor emeritus of the Rochester Institute
of Technology and well-known industry spokesman/comedian.
The debate hinged on Romano's dislike with all the hype surrounding
the JDF "standard" (the intelligent, electronic job-ticket
schema).
"Why are we marketing JDF?" replies Harvey, "…to
raise awareness. [For printers] making it part of their buying
policy now will set them up for the future."
"There's an assumption out there that printers are bumpkins,
that they're not savvy. It's not the case," says Harvey.
He believes the industry does understand the importance of JDF
and what it means.
He received support from members of the audience, including George
Kallas of Metropolitan Fine Printing in Vancouver. Kallas insists
his shop is seeing the benefits of JDF links among his technology.
Romano still questions how many people really understand JDF,
and his concerns include: who looks after the entry of job data?
(The designer? The same person who can't make a proper PDF?);
will there be compatibility with legacy equipment; will all multi-vendor-equipment
environments truly speak with each other; is there a quantifiable
ROI for JDF?; and will future versions of JDF be backwards compatible
(JDF: jobs don't fit)?
Harvey contends that Frank's concerns are again perpetuating unnecessary
diversions and of course future editions will be backwards compatible.
He did allow, "It's not a magic bullet that'll work for everything,"
but he added, "It's out there, and it's time to get past
the myths."
Romano does believe in JDF. He just wants to see it in action
and saving printers money, not adding to their costs.
The reality is, wide-spread implementation of front-to-back computer-assisted
print shops is not going to happen overnight. It's still a long-term
proposition. Do your homework and keep your eyes open.
Best regards, Doug Picklyk
Editor, Canadian Printer
Kicking off its 25th Global Electronic Document Systems Conference
in Dallas (Oct 24-28), Xplor International announced that William
Broddy has been honoured with the Xplor Association's most prestigious
Xplorer of the Year Award. The honour recognizes an Xplor member
for contributions to the association during the past year. Broddy,
an occasional contributer to Canadian Printer, is vice
president of business development with Prinova in Toronto, and
has been active in the industry for 27 years. He has been a member
of Xplor, the association for the electronic document systems
industry, since 1986 and has been a speaker at the Global Conference
for last 10 years. Congratulations Bill.
William (Bill) Broddy (left) receives award from
Cheryl Simerson,
chair of the Xplor board.
Graph Expo Highlights
Searching
for new industry trends in Chicago this year led to three key
observations: the industry is upbeat, metal CtP is reaching downstream
and variable data printing is going mainstream.
On the up side, vendors were happy with the show and the state
of printing. In the words of Heidelberg CEO Bernhard Schreier,
"This year Heidelberg will be profitable again." This
marks good news, as the health of the worldwide market leader
in press sales is seen by many as a barometer for the entire industry.
After significant restructuring in the past year (selling off
its digital and web press divisions) Heidelberg is expecting five
per cent growth in top-line revenues.
KBA North America, according to president and CEO Ralf Sammeck,
is anticipating growth of 40% this year, following an increase
of 23% last year. Other press manufacturers were very positive
as well. MAN Roland and its Graph Expo CIMcity partners (Creo,
EFI, MBO and Müller Martini) were showing the "good
news" message of vendor integration and automation in action
at the show. Mitsubishi America was celebrating the 25th anniversary
of its first press sold into America. And on the first day Komori
celebrated the sale of a System 38S commercial web press (the
first in North America) to Brampton, Ontario's Prodigy Graphics
Group.
Prodigy
Orders Web Press
Yoshiharu Komori, CEO of Komori Japan, was on hand for the announcement
of Prodigy Graphics of Brampton, Ontario signing for the first
System 38S web press in North America. Pictured here: Kosh Miyao
vice president Komori America, Yoshiharu Komori, CEO Komori Japan;
Andy Patel, CEO Prodigy Graphics; Najib Jamal, COO Prodigy Graphics
and Steve Ranson, vice president sales with K-North, Komori dealer
for Ontario and Western Canada.
On the computer-to-plate
front, there were unique metal plate options on the floor for
the smallest of printers (not all ready for prime time). Xante
was showing a desktop unit called Impressia, JetPlate Systems
was back with its inkjet imaged systems, and Glunz&Jensen
was showing its iCtP PlateWriter, another inkjet plate-making
device. These are all lower cost, lower-end, options.
Xanté's tabletop platesetter, Impressia
This show
also revealed a commitment to variable data printing/publishing
from major software vendors Adobe and Quark. Adobe announced the
launch of an online resource at www.adobe.com/vdp promoting vdp
concepts and its partners (EFI, Creo, Xerox, XMPie, Sansui, Datalogics,
Em Software and Nexpress). XMPie has developed a plug-in for Adobe
InDesign, called uDirect, making high-end variable data design
features accessible for designers without the need for specialized
programming or technical skills. The product is also being supported
by Xerox. Quark's new QuarkXPress 6.5 will include an upgrade
to QuarkXClusive, an XTension for variable data publishing announced
at DRUPA in cooperation with HP Indigo.
The commitment being shown by these major page layout software
developers will surely broaden the network of vdp-capable designers.
Look for more Graph Expo highlights in the December issue of Canadian
Printer.
Canadian
Tops Xerox Printing Awards
Impressions
Numéricart, a digital printing company in Montreal, claimed
the Best of Show award this year at the Printing Innovation with
Xerox Imaging (PIXI) Awards, handed out during Graph Expo in Chicago.
This is the third year Xerox has hosted these awards, drawing
entries from across North and Latin America.
The winning entry from Impressions Numéricart was a self-promotion
marketing binder "Voir La Couleur Autrement".
Other noteable Canadian entries included: Hume Imaging of Toronto,
receiving the top Gold award in the short-run digital colour category;
Pur Design Marketing of Quebec City received honourable mention
in the short-run category; Symcor, Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario
received honourable mention for an HBC Statement in the variable
print/1:1 marketing category; Page Print in Altona, Manitoba received
honourable mention for a Wedding Invitations Catalog in the Digital
Books and Manuals category; and R. P. Graphics Group of Mississauga
also garnered an honourable mention in this category. A full list
can be viewed at www.xerox.com/pixi.
Impressions Numéricart's "Best of Show"
winning entry.
Compensation
Clues
In this tight market printing companies need new models for compensating
sales people in order to remain competitive. That was the message
delivered by Andrew Paparozzi, chief economist with the National
Association for Printing Leadership, at Graph Expo '04. Paparozzi
unveiled findings from NAPL's recent sales and customer service
representatives compensation study, carried out this past July/August.
The study reported on 306 companies, gathering information on
more than 1,700 individual sales reps and CSRs. More companies
are offering a blended compensation package with salary, commission
and bonus incentives tied to value-added and profitability of
sales. Nearly half of the survey respondents offer a bonus option
in the compensation.
"The printing industry is redefining itself, and, as part
of that, its approach to human resources is being redefined,"
notes Paparozzi. He revealed that 80 per cent of respondents,
when asked where they recruit their sales people from, said they
look to other companies-pirating. This is forcing companies to
re-evaluate their own payment structures to remain competitive
in the market.
Supplier News
Creo
has made headlines in the business news since Graph Expo as
a group of shareholders announced it would like to see changes
in top management. The proposed change would see Robert Burton,
who turned around the fortunes of Moore Corp., take over as
CEO. Prior to Graph Expo, on Oct. 6th Creo announced a program
to streamline operations with the elimination of over 200
positions worldwide (5 per cent of the workforce). The company
also announced at Graph Expo it will expand and more than
double the capacity of its West Virginia plate manufacturing
facility (acquired from Spectratech in February). Creo anticipates
consumables revenue will grow by more than 50 per cent in
2005. The company will report its fourth-quarter and year-end
earnings on November 17.
On
Aug. 26 Creo announced the U.S. District Court for
the District of Massachusetts ruled that six Agfa patents
for CtP technology were unenforceable due to acts of inequitable
conduct. Creo is entitled to recover a portion of the attorneys'
fees and expenditures.
Agfa
is centralizing its North American plate manufacturing in
Branchburg, New Jersey, closing the Lastra plant in Jacksonville,
TX by the end of Q2 2005.
Iin
mid-September Esko-Graphics announced it will primarily
focus on the packaging market and its commitment to commercial
printing will concentrate on workflow software and small-format
CtP devices for polyester and violet plates, and its 4-up
computer-to-UV-plate system (Espresso).
Xeikon
has achieved its target of 60 Xeikon 5000 press sales only
seven months after the product launch in February.
CVC
Capital Partners, a European-based private equity firm,
has acquired the printing ink and printing plates operations
of BASF and Swedish printing inks manufacturer ANI
Printing Inks.
Several
industry leaders (Eastman Chemical, Flint Ink, Flipsigns,
Heidelberg, KBA, Komori, MAN Roland, Pacur, Photo Illusion,
Presstek and Sun Chemical) have co-operated in
the development of http://www.Lenstar.org
an interactive resource for information on the lenticular
process (printing behind a prismatic lens that creates the
illusion of 3D and animated images on a 2D surface).
Vancouver-based
Printing e-Procurement (http://www.printinge-procurement.net)
has launched an online ordering software solution for standard
printed products (business cards, letterhead, envelopes, labels,
forms, price tags and brochures).
Kodak
Polychrome Graphics (KPG) will now sell NexPress and Digimaster
products.
Montreal's
Polkadots Software is integrating Lucid Dream Software's
I-Trap Solution into its new automated trapping module.
Videojet
Technologies and Hewlett-Packard are working together
to develop variable printing solutions for the graphics market
using HP thermal inkjet technology.
Making
Business Cards Speak
Not yet in release, but soon to hit the market, is a new source
book bringing together the best of business card design. Help
your customers deliver their messages with help from authors
Mike Dorrian and Liz Farrelly, who provide examples of cards
by and for designers and creative companies from around the
world.
Published by HarperCollins, Business Cards: The Art of Saying
Hello (ISBN: 1856693864) can be pre-ordered at www.indigo.ca
or www.amazon.ca
Getting
Into Cross-Media
Businesses are employing multiple media to deliver their messages
today-print, e-mail and websites. Digitally-savvy printers are
in a prime position to capitalize on this trend. The second
book in a three part series, Cross-Media Cookbook: A Start-Up
Primer, shows printers how begin offering cross-media services.
Published by the National Association for Printing Leadership
(NAPL), this new book is a management guide to launching a cross-media
program. The 176-page volume discusses how to leverage the managing
of clients' digital information into new cross-media services
and products.
Cross-Media Cookbook: A Start-Up Primer (NP 355) is US$29.95
for NAPL members; US$34.95, non-members. For more information
visit www.napl.org/store/.
A
Tool for Sales Managers
The role of today's printing sales manager is becoming increasingly
important and complex. The latest edition of Strategic Sales
Management, released by the NAPL, offers a guide to maximizing
the performance of a sales staff.
The book includes insights into hiring and training sales reps;
holding motivational meetings; successfully working with challenging
salespeople; building an effective compensation program, and
more.
Strategic Sales Management (NP 379) is US$29.95 for NAPL members;
US$34.95, non-members. Visit www.napl.org/store/.
PIA/GATF's
Variable Data Printing Conference, November 7-10, Scottsdale,
Arizona is designed for companies thinking about variable
data printing, as well as cutting-edge providers already in the
personalization marketplace. Registration is US$795 for PIA members
and US$995 for non-members. For more info visit www.gain.org
The
British Columbia Printing and Imaging Assciation's (BCPIA)
Education Task Force and the British Columbia Institute of
Technology (BCIT) are holding a Gala Reception and Fundraising
event at the Shadbolt Centre in Burnaby on Wednesday, Nov.
17th from 5:30-8:30. The event is to promote the launch of
a new Graphic Communications Technology Program, an industry-driven
post-secondary education program in partnership with BCIT. Funding
from suppliers have been secured, but the project's leaders are
now turning to printers, prepress and finishing operations in
the area to gain further commitment and added support for the
program. For more information contact BCPIA at mknoch@bcpia.org
or call (604) 542-0992.
Print,
Craft or Commodity? This is the question being posed for a
lively "Town Hall" session being planned by the Digital
Imaging Association for Wednesday, November 17th at the
Toronto Congress Centre. The reception and meeting will
begin at 6 pm. For more information visit www.digital-imaging-assoc.org
This
year marks the 18th anniversary of the Ryerson/OPIA Student
Awards Night, being held Thursday, November 18th at
the Heidelberg Centre on the campus of Ryerson University,
Toronto. Students will receive awards and scholarships contributed
by the industry. The evening will include a reception, awards
presentation and a buffet dinner. Cost for attendance is $57.
For more information contact OPIA at sbryant.opia@on.aibn.com
or call (905) 602-4441.
Print
Ontario, the Canadian trade show and conference for the "not
so big" printer, is being held November 20-22. Once
again the event will be at the National Trade Centre, Exhibition
Place, Toronto and will run from 10 am to 6 pm each day.
Visit Canadian Printer at booth 1108, opposite Hewlett-Packard.
For more information visit www.printontario.com
Demystifying
digital print communications solutions is the goal of a breakfast
seminar being co-hosted by the Ontario Association of Quick
Printers and the Toronto Club of Printing House Craftsmen on Monday,
November 22 beginning at 7:30 am and running to 10:15 am.
The event is being held in conjunction with Print Ontario at the
Toronto Convention Centre. More info, contact Dean at d.baxendale@firstimpressionsgraphics.com
PRINT
OUTLOOK 05, the annual economic forecasting conference, will
be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center December 9-10
in Alexandria, Virginia (just outside of Washington, DC).
Further details visit www.npes.org.
The Future
of Secure Documents 2004 is being held December 9-10
at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida.
The 3rd annual conference highlights the latest innovations and
applications in document security-including a presentation by
the Bank of Canada on the introduction of new bank notes. For
more information visit http://www.piranet.com
(search under Events and Training).
2005 marks
the 30th "pearl anniversary" of Graphics of the Americas,
hosted by the Printing Association of Florida, to be held February
4-6, 2005 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach,
Florida. For more information visit www.graphicsoftheamericas.com
Top Management
Conference '05, put on by the National Association of Printing
Leadership will be held February 16-20, 2005 at the JW
Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Arizona.
For more info visit www.napl.org
NEXPO
2005, the largest annual newspaper exhibition and conference,
takes place March 19 - 22, 2005 at the Dallas Convention
Center, in Dallas, Texas. For more information visit www.nexpo.com
Vue-Point
2005, the event featuring panels of actual printers speaking
about their experiences, is being held April 11 - 13 at
Wyndham Palace in the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida.
For more info visit www.gasc.org.
ON DEMAND
2005 will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in
Philadelphia, May 17-19. For more information about
the ON DEMAND trade show and conference visit www.ondemandexpo.com
The Toronto
Club of Printing House Craftsmen's Golf Tournament will be
held May 25, 2005. For more information call the hotline
at (905) 804-0924.
Print, the
largest printing industry trade show in North America, is held
every four years as part of a rotation with other international
events including Ipex in the UK and DRUPA. The week-long Print
05 will happen at McCormick Place, Chicago on September
9-15. It's anticipated the show will be more than double the
size of the recent Graph Expo in Chicago. For more information
visit: www.print05.com
The next
Canadian Printing Industries Association Annual Convention
will be held in Montreal, Thursday, September 29th through
Saturday, October 1st. Co-hosted by the CPIA and the Association
des Arts Graphiqueus du Quebec, the business theme will be Print:
Trends and Realities, and the entertainment will feature a Spotlight
on Montreal. Earlybird registration for the event, before May
15, is $625 ($750 after May 15). There are companion rates as
well. For more information call CPIA at 1 800 267-7280.
Graphics
Canada, the national printing trade show, will be held November
10-12, 2005 at the International Centre in Toronto.
Visit www.graphicscanada.com
Exploring
The Myth
Getting
Into Cross-Media
A
Tool for Sales Managers