Things I Hear To DI or Not To DI (by Doug Picklyk) Poll What Print Buyers Want Globe Makes Top 50 List Again Fourth time Globe & Mail named to International Newspaper Color Quality Club Phantom Printer Gets Three Years for GST Fraud Winnipeg man posed as printing company owner. Canadian Recognized for Lifetime Contribution Willy Wilkins receives PIA/GATF Lifetime Achievement Award MAN Group Spinning Off MAN Roland New joint venture to make press manufacturer independent Supplier News Agfa, Fuji, more ... Resources In-house Sheetfed press training, UV curing test... Events Get out there...

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Things I Hear

To DI or Not To DI

While preparing for my trip over to the U.K. for the IPEX show next week (April 4-11, Birmingham) it seems to me the big question to be answered at this year's show is: Does direct imaging (computer-to-plate-on-press) have a future?

Last month Heidelberg stated it will discontinue development of direct imaging (DI) presses, less than two weeks after announcing it will be showing a new quick-make-ready inking system ( Anicolor zoneless inking unit http://www.heidelberg.com/www/html/en/content/articles/
press_lounge/products/direct_imaging/060306_direct_imaging) for its 20-inch format Speedmaster SM52 press at IPEX. (Heidelberg has since made efforts to ensure existing DI customers that it will continue to support the technology and will keep it in mind during future software updates).

According to Heidelberg, its own analysis of customer surveys show a trend towards offline CtP solutions combined with offset presses, not direct imaging. This flies in the face of Heidelberg's longtime DI partner, Presstek, who will be using IPEX to introduce a new Presstek-branded DI machine, the Presstek 52DI [ http://www.presstek.com/news/news.asp ]. (coincidence?)

Thinking back six years to Drupa 2000, there was a lot of chatter suggesting DI was the way of the future. No less than 11 imaging-on-press technologies were shown and more alliances were announced at that show. Manufacturing companies including Akiyama, Didde, Komori, Sakurai and even Xerox were getting on board the DI express.

That excitement died down fast, and as it turned out the demand never materialized, and/or the technology didn't meet the requirements.

Direct imaging on press has found a niche in some markets (fast turnaround, short-run) but there are many competing technologies (digital colour presses, low-cost offline ctp, to name two) that are keeping it at bay.

I'll be looking for answers to the future of imaging-on-press at IPEX, and I look forward to your feedback to our Poll question below.

Cheers,

Doug Picklyk
Editor, Canadian Printer

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Poll

What Print Buyers Want

Last time we asked: "What do you believe is a print buyer's primary criteria when selecting a printer?" The choices offered were: Price, Service, Quality, Location or Relationship.

A third of our respondents selected Relationship as the number one criteria for buyers—followed by Service (28%) and Price (26%). Quality was perceived as the deciding factor by only 11% of our readers. This is somewhat contrary to results of a survey Canadian Printer carried out with media buyers, where Reliability, Quality and Service (in that order) were judged the most important factors when selecting a printer. (see more survey results in the March issue of Canadian Printer):

One of our e-news readers (Richard) writes: "I truly believe that the price is foremost on the print buyer's objective. ...The truth is that these days we are trying to bid for the client's work primarily based on price. Where has the quality of print gone? Where has the relationship between the client and the printer gone? Is it the "bean counters" that qualify the end result from the client's side? If so, then this is a grave conclusion.

"We have to believe [in our quality and service] and not ... cut our throats to get the job for a commission. If that [continues to be] the case we will all be out of business. Eventually."

This time we want to know:

Canadian Printer Webpoll

Would your company ever purchase a press with on-press plate imaging? Yes, we already have one Yes, our company would consider a DI press No, offline CtP makes more sense (If you have another answer, let us know by starting a topic! ) Current Results

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Quick hit:

TV Ads Losing Favour
A recent study involving 133 national advertisers in the U.S. found over three-quarters (78%) indicated they have less confidence in the effectiveness of TV advertising than they did two years ago. Almost 70% believe digital video recorders and video on demand negatively affect traditional 30-second commercials, and these advertisers are investigating alternatives. 80% will be spending more on Web advertising and 68% are looking into search engine marketing.

(AdAge Online "MARKETERS LOSE CONFIDENCE IN TV ADVERTISING": http://adage.com/news.cms?newsId=48381)

Printing Revolution?
Quantum Paper Inc. of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan announced it is close to bringing mass production of electronic paper to reality. With a technology the company claims will "revolutionize" the printing and electronic display industry, Quantum Paper is looking to license printers to mass produce paper-based electronics—following its claim to have produced a working high-quality electronic display printed on a paper substrate. "It is no exaggeration to call Quantum Paper's electronic paper as one of the most important developments in the printing industry in more than 100 years," says Dr. William J. Ray, the principal inventor and Quantum Paper's Chief Technology Officer.
www.quantumpaper.com

 

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Globe Makes Top 50 List Again

For the fourth time The Globe and Mail, one of Canada's two national daily newspapers, has been named to the International Newspaper Color Quality Club. This is an exclusive group of the top 50 newspapers from around the world, and the Globe finished in first place among newspapers from North America with circulations exceeding 100,000. "We're very pleased to get this kind of recognition," says Phillip Crawley publisher of The Globe and Mail. "It's very demanding standards that they set."
This newspaper printing quality competition, held every two years since 1994, judges sample copies evaluated by a 14-member international jury, plus requests the newspapers to submit common test targets to be measured against a standard colour gamut.
The Globe outsources all of its printing to six separate plants across Canada (Transcontinental Halifax, Nova Scotia; Transcontinental Interweb Boucherville, Quebec; Transcontinental Interweb Toronto, Ontario; Brandon Sun in Manitoba; North Hill Web Printers in Calgary; and College Press, a CanWest Media company in Vancouver). This year's winning entries were submitted from the Transcontinental Boucherville location, says Crawley.
The Globe made the prestigious Top 50 from among 181 newspapers entered. The Toronto Star has made the list four times in the past, but the Globe is the only Canadian representative this time.
http://www.colorqualityclub.org

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Phantom Printer Gets Three Years for GST Fraud
by Myron Love

A phantom printing company created by one Gordon Cooper of Winnipeg managed to collect a GST refund of $338,250.50 from the Federal Government for the claimed purchase of a $4.8 million printing press that was never ordered. On February 27, Cooper pleaded guilty to the largest GST fraud in Manitoba history, and he has since been handed a three-year sentence (with the possibility of being out early with good behaviour).
Cooper registered the non-existent company - Design Printing - for GST credits in 1999. He then filed for a GST refund and submitted a phony sales receipt for the machine. While the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency personnel were suspicious and began investigating the claim, the decision was made to send him a cheque nonetheless while the investigation was ongoing. When the Agency pressed Cooper for more information, he first stalled with a number of excuses, then sent a fake delivery and shipping notice and a fake letter from the supposed supplier saying that he (Cooper) had defaulted on his payment and that the press had been reposessed.
The CCRA's special investigation unit took over the case in September, 2001. The investigators interviewed Cooper's landlords and learned that the printing press didn't exist. They also searched in vain for any record of the supplier or shipping company. When they confronted Cooper with their findings, he admitted the scam.
The CCRA has received back $60,000 from Cooper and has a lien on his house.
Crown prosecutor Clyde Bond says there is no evidence that Cooper had any previous connection to the printing industry. "Documents we found indicate that Cooper did buy a cutter and returned it immediately," Bond says, "but that's all."

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Canadian Recognized for Lifetime Contribution

Willy Wilkins

Willy Wilkins, former President of Graphic Arts Industries Association (GAIA) (the precurser to the Canadian Printing Industries Association—CPIA) and former chairman of the board for book printer WebCom Limited in Toronto, where she remains an advisor to the board, has been awarded the 2005 Lewis Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award by the PIA/GATF.
The award honours business leaders who go beyond the norm to become a force in shaping the printing industry. Wilkins first became regional manager for GAIA in 1981, and three years later she became president of the Association. Although she retired in 1992, Wilkins continued to work on international trade issues, including an appointment to the sectoral advisory committee for International Trade, working directly with the Ministry of International Trade and Foreign Affairs, Government of Canada. She organized talks with the PIA creating stronger trade relations between Canada and the U.S. Willy is married to Warren Wilkins, founder of WebCom and former Chairman of the PIA (2000).

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MAN Group Spinning Off MAN Roland

Gerd Finkbeiner

The MAN Group, the parent company of press manufacturer MAN Roland, has signed a letter of intent to form a new joint venture with a subsidiary of German-based financial services organization, the Allianz Group, to purchase MAN Roland and run the company as an independent entity.
The MAN Group (listed on the German Stock Exchange) will retain 35% of the joint venture, with Allianz Capital Partners funding the rest. According to the announcement the new ownership will consider taking the press maker public within a couple years.
MAN Group's primary business interests include the manufacture of commercial vehicles (trucks, buses), industrial services, diesel engines and turbo machinery. Gerd Finkbeiner, CEO of MAN Roland says, "Continuity in the management, corporate structure and MAN Roland brand names will ensure that the company retains its credibility and reliability for customers and employees."
The printing machinery company dates back to 1845. MAN Roland reported improved financial numbers in 2005 (sales of $2.4 billion (€1,7 billion), up 7% from 2004, with an operating profit of $89.7 million (€ 65 million) up substantially from $4.1 milion (€3 million) in 2004). The company's North American division saw a 41% rise in sheetfed press orders and a record year in web press sales. The company set itself up nicely for a willing buyer.
"An independent MAN Roland will be a more responsive MAN Roland for North American printers," said Yves Rogivue, CEO of MAN Roland Inc. "We've always put our customers' needs first. Our new independent structure will allow us to further focus our dedication to the printer in terms of advanced technology and support."

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TOP

Events

NEXPO 06, largest annual newspaper exhibition and conference, is being held April 1- 4 at McCormick Place in Chicago. http://www.nexpo.com

IPEX 2006 is taking place from April 4-11th at the NEC in Birmingham, UK. It will mark the largest international print show for 2006. Pre-register online for free, otherwise admission on the door is €30 ($53). http://www.ipex.org

The annual Vue/Point Conference is being held this year from April 10 to 12, once again at the Hilton in the Walt Disney Resort, Orlando. This conference is a great opportunity to learn from other real-world experiences. http://www.gasc.org

The Digital Imaging Association in Toronto is holding an event on screening technology, computer-integrated-manufacturing and new automation on press technology. The event is being held Wednesday, April 19 at Heidelberg Canada headquarters in Mississauga. For more information contact Marg Macleod at marg@digitalimagingassoc.ca

The Specialty Graphics Imaging Association has set the dates for its 2006 SGIA Imaging Symposiums, with the topic, "Maximizing Profitability in Wide-Format Digital Imaging." The two Canadian stops include Vancouver, April 24–25 and Toronto April 26–27. For more details visit http://www.SGIA.org/sis06.

Xerox's traveling seminar series "Innovate 06" will be making a stop in Montreal on April 27th at the Palais de Congrés. For more information on this day-long event, visit www.innovate06.com

The inaugural Conference of the Digital Solutions Cooperative, a group of HP Indigo users, is being held April 27-30 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa, in Ft. Myers, Florida. Registration information is available at www.Dscoop.org.

Connect 2006, the 7th annual EFI users' conference takes place April 30th through May 3rd at the Venetian Resort, Las Vegas. The conference theme is "Expand Your Opportunities," offering sessions on topics ranging from MIS tools to growing a business with super-wide format digital inkjet printing. www.efi.com/connect06

The 48th Annual Binding, Finishing and Distribution Seminar, hosted by the NAPL, will be held May 2-4 at the Marriott O'Hare Hotel, Chicago. This event is developed for bindery managers, manufacturing/operations executives and warehouse supervisors. http://www.napl.org

OPIA Spring Gala will be held on Friday May 5th at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto . The evening includes the presentation of the Excellence in Print Awards along with dinner and dancing. For more information contact the OPIA at (905) 602-4441 or sbryant.opia@on.aibn.com

ON DEMAND Expo 2006 will be held May 16-18 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia. The trade show and conference about all things related to digital printing, is co-hosted with AIIM, an IT focused show about content management. For more information http://www.ondemandexpo.com

Web Offset Association Conference, labeled Decision Points 2006 , is being held at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida from May 22 to 24. Earlybird registration before April 17 is US$725 for PIA/GATF members (US$975 for non-members) $825 and $1,075 repectively after April 17. For more information visit http://www.gain.net.

Package Printing for the Commercial Printer is the name of a three-day workshop being held at PIA/GATF headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from May 22 – 24. Registration cost is US $895 for members and US $1095 for non members. For more info visit http://www.gain.net

The Toronto Club of Printing House Craftsmen is holding its annual golf tournament Wednesday, May 24 at the Cardinal Golf Club. Registration is $150, and it includes cart, bucket of balls at the range, lunch and dinner. Tee-off is 10 a.m. Contact Karen Evans at toronto.craftsmen@rogers.com or call 905 804-0924

IPA, The Association of Graphic Solutions Providers, announces its 2006 IPA Technical Conference program will take place June 6 – 8 at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. Conference co-chairs are Tony Myrie, general manager, premedia technologies, RR Donnelley and Thad McIlroy, president, Arcadia House. Conference details can be found at http://www.ipa.org/tech2006

The Vancouver Chapter of International Craftsmen Club is holding its annual Golf Tournament Thursday, June 8 , at the Newlands Golf and Country Club in Langley. Contact Norm or Rob Varnel (604) 436-0466 for more information.

Don't miss the NAPL & PIA/GATF Sheetfed Pressroom Conference running from June 11-13 at the Marriott O'Hare Hotel, Chicago. These sessions cover numerous technical and managerial issues through seminars and general sessions. http://www.gain.net, http://www.napl.org

The All In Print China 2006 is scheduled for June 14-16 in Shanghai . Exhibit categories include printing equipment, pre-media equipment and software, electronic and database publishing equipment, computer to plate technology, book binding and print finishing equipment as well as paper converting equipment and package production technology. www.mdna.com

The five-day intensive NAPL & PIA/GATF Management and Leadership Institute is scheduled to run from June 19 to 23 at the Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. This program is designed for developing skills in financial management, production management, sales management, and graphic communications management. http://www.napl.org

VDP Boot Camp is a three-day workshop held July 19 – 21 at the PIA/GATF headquarters is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This intensive session has limited seating. Registration is US$895 for PIA/GATF members and US$1,095 for non-members. For more information visit http://www.gain.net

VARIABLES, a variable-data/digital printing conference will run July 24 – 25 at The Drake in Chicago, Illinois. This year features a pre-conference workshop on Monday, July 24 on "How to Sell Variable Data Printing" presented by Kate Dunn, of Digital Innovations Group (DIG). For information contact http://www.variables.americanprinter.com/

The 2006 Canadian Printing Industries Association (CPIA) Convention will be held in Vancouver, BC, September 14-16. For more information contact www.cpia-aci.com

The 87th annual IAPHC Convention (International Association of Printing House Craftsmen) will be held August 18-23 at the Melia Turquesa all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico. For more information visit www.iaphc.org

Xerox's "Innovate 06" seminar series will be in Edmonton on Sept 12th. For more info, visit www.innovate06.com

CMM International is launching a new business conference, the Converting Summit 2006, to the held September 12 – 14 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. Registration is US$695 for "early bird" registration and US$795 thereafter. For more information contact Andrea Flaherty andreaf@pennwell.com.

SGIA '06 will be held in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Convention Center) from September 26 to 29. www.sgia.org

The International Card Manufacturers Association (ICMA), is holding its annual ICMA EXPO October 8-11 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hote in Athens, Greece. For full details visit www.icma.com.

The annual Graph Expo and Converting Expo, held at McCormick Place in Chicago will run from October 15 to 18. For more details visit http://www.gasc.org

The 5th annual PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference will be held November 5–7, in Phoenix, Arizona. This is a don't miss event if your company is in the VDP business. Visit http://www.gain.net for more details.

Print World, formerly called Print Ontario, will happen November 18 to 20 at the National Trade Centre, Exhibition Place in Toronto. For information on the Web visit: http://www.printontario.com

2007

The 2007 PIA/GATF Executive Leadership Conference will be held at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Chandler, Arizona, March 4–8. For more information, contact Diane Koch at 412-259-1803.

CMM International 2007, a showcase and educational forum for the converting and package printing industries, will take place June 4th - 7th, 2007 in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information contact Andrea Flaherty at (603) 891-9477 or andreaf@pennwell.com

The International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD) and the Foil Stamping and Embossing Association (FSEA) will host 2007 IADD/FSEA Odyssey - May 2-4, 2007, at the Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information visit www.iadd.org/odyssey.

2008

Drupa 2008 will be held from May 29 to June 11, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf Germany. There will be over 2,400,000 square feet of exhibition space with an expected attendance of over 300,000. www.drupa.com

For more events in your area, here are links to regional associations:
B.C. http://www.bcpia.org; http://www.vcphc.org/
Southern Alberta http://www.pgia.ca
Saskatchewan http://www.sgaia.org
Ontario http://www.opia.on.ca, www.digital-imaging-assoc.org
Quebec http://www.aagq.qc.ca
New Brunswick http://www.nbpia.org