Digital Printing Innovations Unveiled at ON DEMAND

THIS YEAR’S AIIM/On Demand Conference & Expo certainly had some obstacles to overcome in its first year at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

With the Boston Marathon running on the show’s opening day, hotel rooms were at a premium. Then a storm assaulted the city, discouraging some from driving in. And as if that weren’t enough, the show had to compete with other industry events, such as the Association of College and University Printers conference, taking place at the same time in San Francisco, and the PrintFest trade show, which kicked off later that week in Long Beach, Calif.

Despite all this, On Demand, now in its 14th year, held tough, drawing nearly 25,000 visitors from 50 states and 77 countries, according to Questex Media Group, which organized the event. (Last year in Philadelphia, by comparison, there were 20,000.)

“The conferences and expos succeeded beyond our expectations,” proclaimed an upbeat Christina Condos, Group Show Director with Questex. “The energy of the Expo floor was exhilarating with attendees exploring a variety of technology options.”

Still, there was some speculation among exhibitors that show floor traffic was lighter and more regional than last year.

More than 425 companies exhibited on the combined AIIM/On Demand show floor, with about 200 of them on the On Demand side. The event was the largest one ever held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, with some 180,000 square feet devoted to exhibitors’ booths. Catching wind of this, Boston’s Mayor Thomas M. Menino proclaimed the show’s opening day to be “The AIIM and ON DEMAND Conferences & Expos Day.” (No word yet on how the Boston Marathon is handling this snub.)

Numerous Digital Print Announcements

On the On Demand side of the show, new, or at least now commercialized, color printing systems added up to the largest category of product announcements, though new Web-to-print solutions and coating and finishing options were also prevalent.

Canon USA showed its imagePRESS C7000VP (70 ppm) digital color printing system, which is scheduled to ship later this year. It will print images up to 1,200x1,200 dpi, producing sharp text, smooth gradations and detailed images using new toner and advanced calibration technologies. Gloss Optimization ensures that the gloss of the media will match the imaged area. The press will maintain engine speed regardless of media weight.

On the workflow side, Canon rolled out the ImageWARE Prepress Manager (for job creation with variable data tools and JDF support) and Print Job Manager (for managing multiple jobs and devices) software packages

Kodak introduced a variation of the Canon imagePRESS C7000VP print engine as a new “entry-level” mid-volume solution. The NexPress M700, slated to ship next month, is for users producing 50,000 to 150,000 images per month. The company says its version has been built to Kodak specs, including incorporation of Operator Replaceable Components (OCRs). The M700 has a rated speed of 70 ppm (singled sided) and prints four colors at a maximum 1,200 dpi resolution. It was selected as On Demand’s Best of Show winner in the process color printing category.

Separately, Kodak upped its ante at the high end with the new NexPress S3000, a 100 ppm version of the product line that can be configured with a fifth imaging unit for printing a clear ink or an extended color gamut. This higher speed model is not scheduled to be available until October, but any company purchasing a new NexPress 2500 in the interim will be offered a speed upgrade option.

For the past couple shows, Océ has made it a tradition to add another color to its VarioStream 9000 web-fed product line at On Demand. This year it showcased the VarioStream 9240 model, which produces four-color printing at 172 ppm and features single-pass duplexing. The machine, which earned Best of Show in On Demand’s spot color digital printing category, is positioned as a solution for “Job Appropriate” highlight color (353 or 231 ppm) and black-and-white (852 ppm) printing, as well. A new enhanced speed version of the VarioStream 9000 can print in black only at 1,350 ppm.

Océ also featured its recently introduced CS 620 and CS 650 Pro (65 ppm) four-color, cut sheet production systems, which print at 65 ppm, and released its new PRISMA Accounting software for intelligent information tracking, capture and reporting in print production environments.

Océ and Muller Martini teamed up to show the benefits of in-line digital book manufacturing with an in-line book printing and finishing system. It comprised Océ VarioStream 7000 series continuous-feed duplex printers running into an IBIS Smartbinder saddle stitcher as one delivery option, and also running into a Muller Martini SigmaBinder perfect binder via a Shuttleworth conveyor as another delivery option. The SigmaTower cooling tower and SigmaTrimmer were also part of the line. Muller Martini’s SigmaBinder produces perfect-bound books at up to 1,000 variable-sized copies per hour.

Lots of New Products

Bidding for the title of “exhibitor making most product announcements,” Xerox said it was introducing 15 new or enhanced products. On the color side, the company extended its “light production” line with the addition of the DocuColor 260 copier/printer, which outputs 60 ppm at 2,400 dpi, offers new server options and can be configured with finishing options for signature booklets and complex folds. Xerox also introduced the enhanced DocuColor 242 and 252 models. They feature an improved user interface and expanded finishing options.

At On Demand, Xerox announced that it has extended the EA (Emulsion Aggregation) Toner technology across its Nuvera monochrome printing line, including the now shipping Nuvera 288 tandem engine model, which won On Demand’s Best of Show award in this category.

Among its other introductions were the Xerox 4595 (95 ppm) monochrome copier/printer, finishing and custom color options for DocuTech Highlight Color systems, and three new WorkCentre multifunction devices.

Just prior to the show, Hewlett-Packard introduced its DreamColor Technologies, offered as an option for the HP Indigo press 5000 and ws4500. The software applications are said to ensure consistent color and enable the devices to simulate offset press standards. HP Indigo 5000 digital presses were on hand at the show. They can produce up to 4,000 full-color pages per hour. Also at the HP booth, Agfa Graphics demonstrated its :ApogeeX and :Delano enterprise solutions integrated with HP Indigo products.

Punch Graphix Americas displayed the Xeikon 6000 web-fed digital press, with a 160 ppm maximum rated print speed and new form adapted (FA) toner that is said to provide a smoother finish. One-Pass-Duplex technology allows simultaneous double-sided printing.

Konica Minolta brought its new bizhub C550 multi-function, network-enabled color system to Boston for its first major showing. The device is rated for 45 ppm (55 ppm in black-and-white), and prints with Simitri HD polymerized toner at 1,800x600 dpi. Its built-in Emperon Print System provides integrated print/scan control, with scanning at up to 70 originals per minute.

Making its debut at the expo was Konica Minolta’s new Printgroove workflow designed for small- to mid-size in-plants. Modules are offered for Web-based digital job submission with automated job ticketing, print queue management with device status monitoring, and shop floor management.

Saying it has redefined the MFP (multifunction printer) as a heavy production solution, Sharp Electronics is now shipping the MX-M850 (85 ppm), MX-M950 (95 ppm) and MX-M110 (110 ppm) monochrome devices, collectively known as Hercules. Paper supply and finishing options are being offered to support the demands of volume producers.

Not Hitched Yet

Ricoh and IBM each had booths at On Demand, but that was to be expected given the timeline originally announced for the new InfoPrint Solutions joint venture company. That business will incorporate IBM’s Printing Systems Division.

In preparation, Ricoh has been building its infrastructure with experts from the production printing side of the business and forming alliances with companies like Rochester Software Associates, Elixir and Objectif Lune. At its booth, Ricoh was focusing on production printing technologies, like the 156-ppm black-and-white EMP 156. It can handle anything from 16-page booklets to high-volume transactional documents.

Ricoh also previewed its new Priport DX 4640PD digital duplicator. Scheduled to ship in June, it is optimized for producing two-sided documents at 240 ipm with a specially designed feeding mechanism. The company also launched new software solutions, including two document management solutions—DocumentMall 9.0 Web-based and eCabinet 2100 network software.

Having shown a version of the Screen (USA) ink-jet print engine as a “statement of direction” at Graph Expo 06, IBM brought the technology to On Demand as a product—the InfoPrint 5000 color printing system targeted to digital book production.

Screen (USA) had its version of the press, the Truepress Jet520, running alongside the Truepress 344 digital offset press, which prints a maximum 13.4x18.5˝ sheet size.

DI Offset Technology

DI (Digital Imaging) versions of on-press imaging technology were also on display in the xpedx Printing Technologies and Presstek booths. In conjunction with the press manufacturer, xpedx demonstrated the Ryobi 3404E-DI press, which prints a 13.39x18.11˝ maximum sheet size at up to 7,000 sph. The distributor reportedly is making a bigger push into the in-plant market sector.

In its first appearance at On Demand, Presstek displayed its version of that press, the Presstek 34DI, as well as the larger format Presstek 52 DI. The 52DI is a landscape digital offset press that operates at up to 10,000 impressions per hour with a maximum page size of 20.47x14.76˝. The Presstek 34DI is a portrait-format digital offset press that produces up to 7,000 13.39x18.11˝ sheets per hour. With a “sweet spot” in the 250 to 10,000 impression range, DI presses increase competitiveness in the short-run market.

Presstek had customers in its booth sharing real-world views of the technology. The company highlighted results from Info­Trends’ “U.S. Print On Demand Market Forecast: 2005-2010” study. The research firm found that jobs produced on direct-to-press devices cost about half as much per page, on average, as comparable work run on high-volume, toner-based digital equipment.

Riso was running its new HC5500 high-speed color printer, which uses color ink-jet technology to print 120 ppm (letter size). It prints up to 11x17˝ sheets with volume capabilities of up to 250,000 copies per month. It can handle up to 80-lb. cover stock. Standard features include automatic duplexing, secure printing, job comments, custom print queues, machine clustering and job splitting. Because the HC5500 is a no-heat, non-impact printer, its reliability and up-time is reportedly superior to toner-based devices.

Duplo USA recently entered the copier/MFP market by introducing its Docucate brand. The Multifunction Docucate CD-2501N color copier is a black-and-white MFP that produces low-cost color. It features network scanning and has options that include a Super G3 fax kit, PostScript 3 expansion kit and Internet fax kit. It has a small footprint, yet a speed of 25 ppm for both black-and-white and color output.

Also on hand at the Duplo booth was the DP-S850 digital printing system. The duplicator featured new masters and ink. At speeds of 150 ppm, this 600x600-dpi printer handles stocks up to 110 lb. index and has an 11x17˝ image area, 1,200 sheet feed/receive capacity and optional 75-sheet ADF.

Related Announcements

A couple other On Demand announcements will potentially cut across multiple print engines:

• Though EFI didn’t have its own booth, it’s front ends could still be found in many locations around the show floor. It unveiled (literally) a “next-generation” Fiery platform offering faster processing power and tools to improve operator effectiveness, including a visual workflow for job composition and imposition, spot color system, JDF integration and enhanced VDP capabilities.

• Mohawk Fine Paper has expanded its digital papers portfolio with heavier weights in its Color Copy line and new i-Tone products, including Via Digital and Beckett Expression Digital (just relaunched as a carbon neutral paper brand).

• Also on the paper front, Stora Enso introduced Productolith Pts. Digital, a coated digital paper line, and expanded its Futura Laser grade to include matte finish selections.

• “Square” saddlestitching or stapling capabilities seem to have become a “must offer” finishing option for digital press vendors, with Océ and Ricoh among the companies highlighting the capability in Boston.

Also commonplace now are coating or laminating solutions to enhance and/or protect the appearance of digitally printed pieces. There were several developments of note at the show:

• GBC has started shipping its previously introduced GBC 620os single-sided laminator designed for on-demand applications.

• PAT Technology Systems demonstrated its ink-jet-based Varstar digital UV coater, which is now offered in three configurations for on-demand coating of sheets up to 24x30˝.

• Kompac Technologies has entered the market segment with the introduction of its Kwik Finish system for off-line UV and aqueous coating (spot or flood).

Standard Finishing Systems had a large display at On Demand, as usual. Among the many capabilities it had on display, Standard demonstrated roll-to-self-mailer production capabilities by combining the new Standard Hunkeler UW6 unwinder and high-performance CS6-II cutter with the Standard Horizon AFC-744 signature folder. The CS6-II features chip-out capabilities and operates at speeds up to 600 fpm.

Lasermax Roll Systems introduced the RSF5 folder and Docu­Sheeter VP 6000 roll feed system. The folder is a component of the new RS Fanfold HS system, an in-line fanfolder for high-speed continuous printers.

Sheet finishing solutions were on display in the Duplo exhibit, including its new DC-615 slitter/cutter/creaser, which made its official U.S. debut at the show. IPG

Next year’s AIIM/On Demand Conference & Expo will take place March 3-6 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Get more information at

www.ondemandexpo.com

Web-to-print and VDP

Though Web-to-print and variable data are distinct capabilities, they are becoming increasingly more integrated at the product level. One trend at On Demand was the availability of solutions designed for small- to mid-size operations. This includes ASP offerings from NowDocs (NowPrint ASAP with free 30-day trial) and Press-Sense (which formed a partnership with distributor Bay Digital, called OrderSense LLC, to incorporate the capabilities of iWay software into an Internet-based, automated workflow).

Greater ability for users to customize their implementations and improved VDP capabilities were common themes in several product introductions, including the latest version of Bitstream’s Pageflex Storefront, Version 3.0 of EFI Digital StoreFront and Saepio Technolgoies’ PrintStore 2.0 release.

XMPie showcased the latest version of its extendable Web-to-Print solution, uStore v2.2. It features enhanced job aggregation capabilities, direct connectivity to any SQL database and an expanded plug-in architecture.

Two exhibitors also introduced more specialized solutions. For large enterprise applications, Exstream Software launched Dialogue 6.0, which includes more than 250 enhancements, and Dialogue Live, a platform for editing and managing interactive documents across an organization. PrintSoft introduced a scalable solution for transpromotional applications.

Regardless of how they come in, customer files may still need editing so Enfocus was demonstrating the Neo 1.1 standalone, native PDF editing application that it is now marketing. It is offered in two versions—with or without trapping.

Best of Show Winners

To recognize the hottest technologies at On Demand, show organizer Questex Media Group, along with research firm InfoTrends, assembled a panel of judges to select Best of Show winners in eight categories:

• Monochrome Digital Printing Equipment: Xerox, Nuvera 288
• Process Color Digital Printing Equipment: Kodak, NexPress M700
• Spot Color Digital Printing Equipment: Océ, VarioStream 9240
• Web to Print Solutions: Bitstream, Pageflex Storefront 5
• Document Creation Software: Enfocus, NEO
• Workflow Solutions: Rochester Software Associates, WebCRD 6.06
• Print MIS/ERP: Avanti, Graphic Arts Management System
• Bindery, Finishing and Mailing Equipment: PAT Technology, Varstar Digital UV coater

In addition, the following six companies were awarded honorable mentions:

• Monochrome Digital Printing Equipment: Océ, VarioStream 9240
• Process Color Digital Printing Equipment: Xerox, DocuColor 260
• Web to Print Solutions: Kodak, Web-to-Print Solutions
• Workflow Solutions: Konica Minolta, Printgroove
• Document Creation Software: Bitstream, Pageflex 5
• Bindery, Finishing and Mailing Equipment: ExactBind, PBS6000