Things I Hear Refreshing Reality Check for Students
Poll: CtP Ubiquitous Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
Quick Hits DATA Group Closing 4 Plants
Abitibi Mill Put On Hold
St. Joseph among Canada's 50 Best Managed
Newspaper Outsourcing Stateside
Helvetica The Movie
Recent Sightings JDF Education Ryerson University hosts JDF Forum Colour Control Via Gracol DIA hosts colour expert Soft Proofing For Real
Magazines Canada holds proofing conference
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Things I Hear
Refreshing Reality Check for Students
Annually the third-year students of Ryerson University's Graphic Communications Management program organize a meeting of the minds to explore the state of the industry. This year's group, with a sense of nervous enthusiasm, labeled its colloquium, The Future of the Print Industry: Are we Screwed?
The invited speakers (an educator, a printer, a software executive and a press manufacturer) all addressed the topic with a refreshing sense of realism.
"Yes," said Patrick Bolan of Avanti Computer Systems in answer to the question. Bolan cited overcapacity, consolidation, pricing pressure, do-it-yourself desktop printing, online alternatives and offshore competition as reasons why today's printers are in rough shape, suggesting only top 25 percent of the industry will do well.
"I think the future is bright," said Patricia Sorce, chair of the print school at RIT. Her optimism stemming from the fact there are still more employers than grads available, however she too acknowledges the skill sets of today's graduates need to include information technology (IT) along with marketing and sales ability.
Tony Di'Iorio, with St. Joseph Communications' document services division, positioned the changing industry as an opportunity. "Every day is a new adventure," said Di'Iorio, emphasizing how the business is transforming from print-centric to project management oriented, whereby communications companies are delivering customer content through multiple channels, including print, Internet and wireless.
Even the press manufacturer, Richard Armstrong, president of Heidelberg Canada, admits the printing industry is not going to be like it was in the past. Emerging global markets (Asia, South America) represent huge growth areas for print, while growth in North America will not be significant. Printers here are seeing their growth from non-print services.
Overall the industry has a future, but it requires bright people with new ideas and strategies. The underlying message: this is not your father's printing industry. Students have to recognize the skills they'll need to advance in this industry.
"Are you going to be among the top 25 percent?" asks Bolan.
Are you, as someone working in the industry today, taking notes?
Tony Di'Iorio, Patricia Sorce, Richard Armstrong and
Patrick Bolan.
DATA Group Closing 4 Plants
The DATA Group will be closing four plants, eliminating 121 jobs and transfering another 99 jobs to other facilities. The restructuring plan comes as a result of the integration of Relizon Canada which DATA acquired last August. Facilities being closed include three former Relizon plants in Hemmingford, Quebec, Orangeville, Ontario and Medicine Hat, Alberta. The fourth in Dorval, Quebec has been part of DATA Group. The closures are scheduled to be completed in Q3.
Thunder Bay Mill Put On Hold While Abitibi-Consolidated and Bowater await approvals on their proposed merger, Abitibi announced that effective February 25 its Fort William paper mill in Thunder Bay, Ontario will be idled for an indefinite period. The mill has an annual production capacity of around 145,000 tonnes of commercial printing papers. The idling affects 265 employees at the mill. This mill has experienced frequent shutdowns over the past six months. Bowater also has a mill in Thunder Bay.
Friesens and St. Joseph among Canada's 50 Best Managed The 2006 edition of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies, (sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC Commercial Banking, National Post, and Queen's School of Business) recognized Friesens and St. Joseph Communications, two of Canada's largest printers. St. Joseph also won the Best Managed award in 2003. http://www.canadas50best.com
Newspaper Outsourcing Stateside On the heels of its 15-year, US$1 billion, deal to print the San Francisco Chronicle, Transcontinental has set up a division for developing and managing its newspaper printing outsourcing model across North America. Ted Markle, vice president of development in the Newspaper Group, has been appointed senior vice president of the new division.
Helvetica The Movie A new feature-length independent film by Gary Hustwit, Helvetica, celebrates the common Helvetica typeface and its place in graphic design and global culture. The font also happens to be celebrating its 50th birthday in 2007. The Canadian debut of the film will be at the Hot Docs Documentary Film Festival in Toronto, April 19-29. The director will be on hand for Q&A.
More information and movie clips, http://www.helveticafilm.com
It was Valentine's Day when Phipps Dickson and Integria made the announcement they were joining forces to form the largest independent commercial sheetfed printing company in the area.
The combined operations, Phipps Dickson Integria, will boast sales in excess of $40 million and employ over 200. Jeff Mahar and Gaetano DiTrapani, co-presidents of Phipps Dickson are enthusiastic about the amalgamation.
"This integration will allow us to fully maximize the complementary strengths of each organization and result in the whole being much stronger than the sum of its parts" said DiTrapani.
Jeff Mahar believes the agreement provides much needed consolidation in the industry.
Komunik Corp., a privately-held relationship marketing/communications company in Montreal, is taking steps to acquire Datamark Systems Group Inc., a publicly-listed printer specializing in forms/labels, direct mail and commercial work with annual sales of $112 million in 2005.
The deal will include cash and an exchange of shares.
Already established within the online marketing industry, Komunik made its entry into digital printing through its acquisition of DDM Technologies in 2005. Alain Paquin, president and CEO of Komunik, told Canadian Printer the company wants to vertically integrate its relationship marketing offering across Canada. "Our goal is to manage all the different media, the different channels, to send relationship marketing communication to clients."
Datamark provides the company access to 3,000 clients, a presence in major Canadian cities for production and distribution and access to capital through going public. The executive team at Datamark has endorsed the takeover. A large Fund manager is backing the merger, with more details to come out upon closing. The new company will file under the name Komunik Corporation.
Minnesota-based Deluxe Corporate, parent company of NEBS, has acquired All Trade Computer Forms, Inc., a business forms printer based in Mississauga, Ontario. All Trade, a privately owned company with 50 employees, has been in the printing business for more than 20 years.
"We have been doing business with All Trade for more than 17 years, so this was a natural fit," said Luann Widener, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Deluxe small business and financial institutions. "The expertise and competencies All Trade brings to the table will help us expand our printing capabilities and improve our on-time delivery in the Canadian market."
All Trade, with sales around $5 million in 2006, will continue to operate out of its Mississauga plant.
Transcontinental Closing One of its three Winnipeg Plants
by Myron Love
Transcontinental Inc. is closing its Coronet sheetfed printing location, one of its three Winnipeg plants, and consolidating the operation under the roof of its LGM plant. David Bell, general manager of the Coronet plant as well as the company's LGM operation, cites Coronet's loss of a major client—representing 20 percent of the business—as one of the principle factors in the decision to close the location. The client moved its work to Transcontinental's other Winnipeg operation, Spot Graphics, where its work could be done digitally.
Most of Coronet's staff will be reassigned to the LGM plant where they will continue under the Coronet banner. Bell reports that most of Coronet's equipment will also be moved to the LGM plant. "The move will also cut down on our expenses because we were leasing the Coronet building while we own the LGM building and land outright," he says.
The LGM building, home to web offset presses, will be expanded by some 3,500 feet. The relocation and expansion is projected to cost about $1.6 million with the consolidation expected to be complete by the end of August. Transcontinental has owned LGM and Spot Graphics since 1998. It purchased Coronet in 2003.
JDF Education While students were off enjoying a reading week break, Ryerson University's Graphic Communications Management program opened its doors to the industry to host a JDF Forum. The event attracted about 80 people and provided printers with an education on the development of the Job Definition Format along with advice on taking the small steps required to automating their own workflows: begin by assigning a project leader, then identify the most beneficial process to automate first, and then approach vendors to find the best solution for your operation. Implementation is not plug-and-play yet.
The line-up of presenters at the day-long event included
(l-r): Tim Hassan, Agfa; Patick Bolan, Avanti; James Harvey,
CIP4; Mark Wilton, Kodak and Manfred Breede, Ryerson.
Colour Control Via Gracol The Toronto-based Digital Imaging Association treated guests to a colourful explanation of the recent developments in colour specifications delivered by Gracol chairman and colour expert Don Hutcheson. Over 30 people visited Apple Canada's headquarters to hear about the latest G7 process for standardizing colour on a sheetfed press. The process is shifting from a specification that measures only dot gain, to a system for taking into consideration grey balance as well http://www.gracol.org.
Attendees gathered to speak with Hutcheson (centre)
following his presentation.
Soft Proofing For Real "Press side soft proofing will become standard," suggests Don Hutcheson, while speaking at Magazines Canada conference, A Hard Look at Soft Proofing on February 22, held at Ryerson University. Kin Wah Lam, director of digital development with Time Inc. shared how the company moved to all virtual proofing for its weekly titles, eliminating some 1,620 hard copy proofs per week. Lam shared photos of press side set ups of two 24-inch Apple Cinema displays stacked inside a light booth. "We bluntly said, 'No', to press operators who wanted to use hard proofs," said Lam.
Most presenters agreed the move to virtual proofing will happen, "It's a process change issue now, it's not a technology issue," said Matt Pugliese of Transcontinental Printing at the closing panel discussion.
Soft proofing perspectives panel (l-r): Don Hutcheson, Hutchcolor.com; Abhay Sharma, Ryerson; Joe Cordeiro,
BBDO; Kim Wah Lam, Time Inc; and Matt Pugliese, Transcontinental.
Xanté is in the process of acquiring, RIPit Imaging Systems, Inc. and Exxtra Imaging Systems, Inc. to step up its CtP offerings.
Pitney Bowes Danka Canada has been named a reseller of the Kodak DigiMaster monochrome digital printing systems.
Technology Watch a firm dedicated to monitoring and reporting on digital printing technology, has developed the Resometer, a software tool to evaluate the resolution of both a RIP and image output device. The Resometer is priced at US$374. For information visit www.myresometer.com
DuPont Packaging Graphics has announced that Williamson Printing Materials Limited, based in Grimsby, Ontario, will distribute its full line of flexographic products in Canada.
Gallus Inc. has restructured its service support in Canada with the expansion coming via Heidelberg Canada Graphic Equipment Limited. In an agreement signed by Richard Armstrong, President of Heidelberg Canada, Heidelberg will now assist in providing 1st line service support for Gallus customers in Canada.
Prism Instruments is the new Canadian representative for Datacolor. Makers of portable spectrophotometers and bench top spectrophotometers. Datacolor also has light booths. www.prism.to
Neenah Paper, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the Fox Valley Corporation, which owns Fox River Paper Company.
HP announced over 10 billion impressions were printed on HP Indigo presses world wide in 2006, including a single-month record of over 1 billion impressions printed in November alone; HP Indigo year-over-year impressions grew by 40 percent, in Canada the growth was 78 per cent year-over-year.
Xeikon launched two new entry and mid-level digital colour printing presses, the Xeikon 4000 and 5000 plus.
technotrans AG acquired rotoclean GmbHm manufacturers of cleaning systems for newspaper web presses.
Toronto-based MIS developer, Avanti Computer Systems, has announced that the Washington, DC-based Government Printing Office (GPO) will implement Avanti's Print MIS software to manage its printing operation
Printable Technologies has acquired certain assets of Prospect Smarter Inc., developer of cross-media tools and workflow.
Agfa Graphics launched the :Dotrix TransColor, an inkjet colour printer targeting transactional and transpromotional documents and direct mail pieces.
HP is releasing version 1.1 of the HP Indigo Production Stream Server, powered by Creo. including support for five-, six-, and seven-colours.
Domtar's has launched its Designer Corner (http://www.domtardesignercorner.com) offering industry news and events, designer profiles, eco-smart design options, and tips for selecting paper.
Inca Digital Printers will launch the Spyder 320-8 Series, its new Spyder 320 flatbed printer capable of printing eight colours, at ISA International Sign Expo '07, April 11-14, in Las Vegas.
Tips from Print Profit Leaders The PIA/GATFPress has released a new edition of Keys to Profitability: Strategic and Operational Characteristics of Printing Industry Profit Leaders based on research compiled by Ronnie H. Davis, Chief Economist with PIA/GATF and Ed Gleeson PIA/GATF's manager of Market Research. The study takes a look behind the numbers and identifies six characteristics that give profit leaders their competitive advantage. The report is available for US$150; the discounted PIA/GATF member rate is US$75. http://www.gain.net
New Studies on Markets and Technologies PRIMIR, the Print Industries Market Information and Research Organization, has released a number of studies focusing on a variety of market segments: Benchmarking Non-Print Revenues of Printing Companies provides an overview of the non-print services printers currently offer, identifying successes and failures as well as the growth opportunities and trends through 2010; Small Commercial and Quick Printer: 2006-2011 investigates the nature of quick printers (franchise and independent) and small commercial printers (less than 20 employees) in today's marketplace and identifies selling opportunities and strategies for serving this industry segment; Digital Printing Outlook in a Production Environment contains quantitative analysis of the installed base of black-and-white and colour production digital presses in North America for 2005 and a forecast for 2006-2011 while also examining the drivers and barriers for the adoption of digital printing. For more information on PRIMIR membership and studies visit http://www.primir.org
Budgeted Hourly Rates for Prepress NAPL has published the latest edition of its Digital Prepress Operations cost studies providing hourly cost rates, specifications, and prices from 35 manufacturers for 136 new prepress devices in 13 equipment categories.
NAPL corporate members receive a copy free. Non-members may purchase the book for US$199.95. Visit NAPL's online bookstore at http://www.napl.org/store
Status Report On Printing in Europe INTERGRAF has released its annual statistical report "The evolution of the European Graphic Industry", a trilingual study (English, French and German) with information on the latest trends in the European printing industry. It also provides information on related sectors including book binding and finishing. The study can be ordered from www.intergraf.eu
PDF File Exchange Specs for Screen and Wide Format The Ghent PDF Workgroup (GWG), developing improved exchange reliable digital documents for use throughout the publishing workflow, today announces 4 new GWG Specifications addressing 2 additional markets: Large Format Digital Printing and Screen Printing. The Specifications answer the growing need for PDF best practices in these markets, which are rapidly moving to PDF workflows.
The 4 New specifications are additions to the GWG 2005 v3 specifications offering best practices for PDF file exchange in graphic arts and publishing applications. To download the free specifications visit: www.gwg.org
OPIA Excellence in Print The deadline to enter the Ontario Printing and Imaging Association's Excellence in Print awards is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 27th. The competition is open to OPIA members only, with prizes awarded in four sections: sheetfed, web, specialty and packaging, for work printed between April 2, 2006 and March 15th, 2007. The entry fee is $45 per entry, plus GST. For more information call 905-602-4441 ext 221 or e-mail: sbryant.opia@on.aibn.com
Mohawk Show 8 Mohawk Paper is holding accepting entries for Mohawk Show 8. The program invites designs produced in whole or in part on Mohawk papers. The entry deadline is May 31, 2007. There is no entry fee, and the prizes include US$500 cash for finalists and US$5,000 cash for the five Best of Show winners. For details visit http://www.mohawkpaper.com
The NAPL Top Management Conference is being held at the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara, California from March 7-11. The Keynote presentation will be hosted by Brad Smart, (Topgrading: How to Recruit and Hire the Best People). Visit http://www.napl.org/events/TMC/TMC%2007/TMC_07.htm
Gallus is holding a seminar on flexo sleeve workflows, being held March 21-22 in its German manufacturing site close to Frankfurt, Germany. Topics include: How to grow your business profitably with a wide range of applications, How to optimize the digital work flow, job preparation and 100% inspection, and Reducing cost drivers within the label printing process. For more information on the seminar, contact Gallus at info@gallus.org
PRINT OUTLOOK 2007, hosted by the NPES, will be held March 27-28 in Chicago. This annual marketing and economic conference features top-level presentations specific to the future of the printing industry in North America. For information visit http://www.npes.org
ISA International Sign Expo '07, the trade show serving the sign industry is being held April 11-14 at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas. http://www.signexpo.org
The Association for Graphic Arts Training (AGAT) in partnership with the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation will co-present the 2007 PIA/GATF Continuous Improvement Network Conference. The event is scheduled for April 15–18 in Jacksonville, Florida. The theme is increase your productivity through efficient education and training. http://www.gain.net
ON DEMAND 2007 moves to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center for the dates of April 16-19. This annual expo and conference features the latest in digital printing technology and software solutions. http://www.ondemandexpo.com
The Grafik Art trade show returns to Montreal,April 19- 21, being hosted at Place Bonaventure. For more information visit www.grafikart.ca
North America's largest newspaper conference and trade show, NEXPO 07, will be held April 21-24 in Orlando, Florida. http://www.nexpo.com
The Web Offset Association annual conference will be held in conjunction with the annual Sheetfed Conference in Toronto April 29-May 1. Contact http://www.gain.net for more information.
NAPL is partnering with the Mailing & Fulfillment Service Association
(MFSA), to present The Fulfillment Conference. Scheduled for April 25-28 in Louisville, Kentucky, this year's conference will show attendees "How to Win the Race with Fulfillment Services" through a comprehensive program that includes sessions on all aspects of running a successful and profitable fulfillment operation. http://www.napl.org
ITWorld Expo Canada will be holding the IT360° Conference & Expo from April 30 to May 2 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This event provides business professionals a complete view of the changing information technology arena. For information visit http://www.it360.ca
Presstek, Inc. will be hosting an open house event in Vancouver May 1-3 featuring technology demonstrations. The event is part of a North America-wide series of open house events the company is holding. www.presstek.com/events
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 at the Midwest Airlines Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information visit www.iadd.org/odyssey.
Canada's national packaging, food process, material handling and logistic show, PACex International, will be held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto from May 8 to 10. For information visit: http://www.pacexinternational.com
The Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) National Convention will be held in conjunction with the Canadian Newspapers Association (CNA) Convention in Winnipeg, from May 9 - 11. The events are being be co-hosted by the Manitoba Community Newspapers Association (MCNA). http://www.ccna.ca/convention/2007
PIA/GATF is taking its Mission: Possible Seminar on the road this spring helping designers and printers work better together. Mission: Possible—A Mutual Strategy for Creatives and Printers covers topics including considerations for print and colour communication to soft proofing. The tour stops in Vancouver on June 21. More information is available at http://www.missionpossible07.com
The Supply Side, a marketplace for the latest in packaging products for the stationery, giftware and graphics arts industries, will run from May 22-23 at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The event is sponsored by the Greeting Card Association (GCA). http://www.thesupplyside.com
The key technology suppliers and players in the ink jet industry will converge in Barcelona, Spain at the Hotel Fira Palace for IMI Europe's Ink Jet Technology Suppliers Showcase 2007 on May 30 - June 1. This conference is open to anyone who wants to learn more about ink jet technology and its growing applications. Attendees will see, hear and meet the leading printhead manufacturers, ink jet ink manufacturers, chemical & materials suppliers, technology integrators and other specialists who will be exhibiting and presenting at the conference. www.imieurope.com
For those interested in the book business, check out BookExpo America being held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from June 1- 3. For more information visit: http://bookexpo.reedexpo.com
CMM International 2007, a showcase and educational forum for the converting and package printing industries, will take place June 4th - 7th in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information contact Andrea Flaherty at (603) 891-9477 or andreaf@pennwell.com.
IPA, The Association of Graphic Solutions Providers, announced details of its 2007 Technical Conference, June 5 - 7 at the Westin O ' Hare Hotel, in Rosemount, Illinois. As the industry ' s leading premedia workflow conference, attendees will gain the skills and knowledge to integrate their physical and digital workflows.
FESPA, the European-based show for screen and digital sign printers, is being held June 5-9 in Berlin, Germany. The theme for FESPA 2007 is The Power Of Imaging. www.fespa2007.com
The trade event for the Canadian book business is BookExpo Canada held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, with a conference: June 8 & 9, and the tradeshow on June 10 & 11. For details visit http://reedexpo.ca/bookexpo
The Digital Imaging Association is holding its annual golf tournament Tuesday, June 12 at the St. Andrews Golf Club in Aurora.
Graph Expo will be located at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 9-12. Visit www.gasc.org for more info.
IGAS (International Graphic Arts Show) is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo, Japan from September 21 to 27. Held every four years, last time this week-long expo attracted over 120,000 visitors. For information www.igas-tokyo.jp
The Specialty Printing and Imaging Association Technology Expo will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida from October 24–27. This show will feature the latest in digital wide format printing, screen printing and more.
Visit http://www.sgia.org
Strategy 07 - Expanding Print Opportunities, Canada's conference for the printing industry, will be held November 6-8 at the newly converted Westin Bristol Place Hotel near Pearson International in Toronto. The conference will feature two seminar streams, an owner/CEO track and a technical/operations track. The conference will wrap up with a final session the morning of November 8th, ending just prior to the opening of Graphics Canada. The conference is open to all in the graphic communications world. For more information contact CPIA at belliott@cpia-aci.ca
Graphics Canada will be held at the International Centre in Toronto from November 8-10. For details visit http://www.graphicscanada.com
2008
Drupa 2008 will be held from May 29 to June 11, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf Germany. There will be over 2.4 million square feet of exhibition space with an expected attendance of over 300,000. www.drupa.com
Stay tuned for information on travel packages to DRUPA offered exclusively through Canadian Printer.
For more events in your area, here are links to regional associations:
Keep up to date on the big picture of the printing industry in Canada with a voice you can trust in Canadian Printer magazine. The national business publication for printers since 1892, Canadian Printer is recognized for leadership on business issues and editorial integrity.
For more information get in touch with editor Doug Picklyk (phone: (416) 764-1530, email: doug.picklyk@printer.rogers.com).
For advertising and marketing opportunities, contact Susan Ritcey (phone: (416) 764-1509, email: susan.ritcey@printer.rogers.com).
Refreshing Reality Check for Students
New Studies on Markets and Technologies 
The Grafik Art trade show returns to Montreal, April 19- 21, being hosted at Place Bonaventure. For more information visit 
Drupa 2008 will be held from May 29 to June 11, 2008 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf Germany. There will be over 2.4 million square feet of exhibition space with an expected attendance of over 300,000.