Heidelberg

RIGHT NOW, somewhere in the world, a teacher is admonishing students: "Don't copy!" But within the Bethel School District, in Spanaway, Wash., educators and staff are applauding Diane Karl for nearly 26 years of consistent, finely executed copying (and printing). As the district's print shop manager, Karl oversees graphic design, production, reproduction and print distribution services for 17 elementary schools, six junior high schools, three high schools, an alternative school for grades eight through 12, an online academy and district administration.

Little new information has emerged over the past week about rumors that Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and manroland AG may be holding merger talks.

To improve the quality of its brochures, booklets, post cards and color statements, the 23-employee printing and mailing operation at Western & Southern Financial Group recently became one of the first in-plants to install the new Xerox iGen4 digital press. Dan Cowan, Print/Volume Document Production Manager, feels the quality of the iGen4’s output is even better than that of the iGen3. “It’s much closer to offset,” he contends.

Dale Zipkin knew his shop needed a better color printer. The 10-employee in-plant for the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) union was using older color devices from Canon and Konica Minolta, but maintenance problems were hindering productivity. Splitting jobs between the two printers wasn't working out either.

WE RECEIVED 420 entries this year for In-Print 2009, the only printing contest exclusively for in-plants. Sponsored by both IPG and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA), In-Print was judged again this year in the Salt Lake City offices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Printing Division.

Ten months ago, the aging, largely analog Central Printing Division at the Oklahoma Department of Central Services (DCS), struggled to produce high-value color print and finishing work. “It was more than a challenge to be competitive and meet production deadlines,” recalls Mark Dame, director of Central Printing. Because it conducts its business as a self-funded government program, Central Printing often competes with some of Oklahoma City’s best commercial printers. For this reason, Central Printing’s team of 24 employees knew the time had come for

Printing Services at the University of Victoria, in British Columbia, is keeping a lot more printing in-house these days thanks to the recent installation of a Presstek 34DI press. “We looked at what was being outsourced, and the Presstek DI press was the best match to bring that work back in house,” says Manager Peter Klit. “We have been able to keep a great deal more printing work on campus.”

EVEN AFTER installing an HP Indigo 1050 digital color press four years ago, San Diego State University ReproGraphic Services still found it challenging to reach portions of the four-color market. Longer-run jobs were not cost effective on the 1050, so the in-plant was using its aging computer-to-plate (CTP) system and two-color presses to produce them. It was not the most efficient setup. So in 2006, Leslie Rutledge, manager of the nine-employee in-plant, made the decision to install a Presstek 34DI direct imaging press. Life has not been the same since. The chemistry-free, waterless offset press images plates directly on the press, saving time, improving quality and decreasing costs.

To help you pick the perfect binder for your in-plant, and get the best performance out of it, we consulted the folks who know this technology the best.

AS JASON James Seto sees it, he was born to be a craftsman.  Following in a long line of family members that have learned a trade, Seto chose printing as his profession at an early age. He now serves as the administrator at the in-plant for the Hawaii State Department of Education (HDE) in Honolulu, and holds the title of Reprographics Specialist III.