Graphic Arts Magazine news

MET Fine Printers acquires Larsen’s Bookbinding

Wed, 23 May 2012 18:28:51 +0000

MET Fine Printers (Vancouver, BC), a family-owned international award-winning printing company serving the Vancouver, Calgary, Victoria, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle and Honolulu markets, has purchased Larsen's Bookbinding (Richmond, BC).

This acquisition expands MET's in-house binding capabilities with perfect binding, saddle stitching, traditional and custom case binding.

"This move adds an unparalleled depth of expertise to our group," says MET COO Mike Winteringham. "Larsen's is a multi-generation bookbinder in the classic sense of the word, having been awarded a Master Book Binders Medal by the King of Denmark, Frederik IV. This level of craft will immediately benefit MET Fine Printers and MET Resource's clients by adding further technical expertise, speeding up project turnaround and enhancing our client's experience," he added.

MET Fine Printers is one of Canada's premier environmental print communications companies. MET Resource is its web-based print management division providing brand fulfillment and custom web-based production.

"This also serves to reduce our carbon footprint with less demand for couriers and transporting goods between trades" says Nikos Kallas, MET President. "We see the changing face of print communications and in order to grow our relationships we must recognize what our clients are asking for and act accordingly."

The carbon-neutral company intends to remain at the forefront of brand-based corporate communications, headed by V.P. of Branding Scott Gray, and continue to lead the way as one of Canada's most environmentally progressive communications and print providers.

More information: www.metprinters.com.

Laycon signs creates new Channel Letter technology

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:25:41 +0000

Laycon Signs (Fergus, Ontario) has created groundbreaking technology that enables Channel Letters with common daytime colours such as red, blue and even black to light up bright white at night, says the company.

"We wanted to create an idea and turn it into something that made people's heads turn," said Laycon owner Theo Stork (pictured previously), who had been working on a signage solution to make all colours of Channel Letters visible during the night as well as during the day. He and his wife Pia van Rees, immigrants from Holland, have been running their custom sign manufacturing shop in Fergus for 12 years.

"With some darker daytime colours, you have a big challenge to make them highly visible at night. However, we found a solution," added Stork. "This technology is actually quite simple, but, I believe, will have a huge affect throughout the sign industry. Black or any coloured letters stand out more than white on a building during the daylight – but white is the most readable when it's dark. We have developed a system that can do both – colour during the day and glowing white at night."

His company created the first working samples (shown here) made from 100% acrylic and installed them over HWY 24 close to Guelph, Ontario for the Meadowville Landscape Depot.

"The owner was wildly enthusiastic and told me that he'd never seen anything like this before," says Stork. "We're currently working on other signage technology for the future." Another part of Laycon's business is producing environmentally friendly banners, canvas products and poster printing using quick-drying odourless ink.

The company manufactures most of its signage on-site including channel letters, light boxes, pole signs and more. One of its more popular products is imported – Rotopanel signs that use high-quality LED displays designed to quickly capture a viewer's attention.

The displays, that can project everything from video clips and flash cartoons to RSS feeds and live events, offer superior resolution and image quality not found in lower-grade diode displays. Stork had worked as a sign manufacturer for more than 15 years in Holland before coming to Canada.

More information: www.layconsigns.ca.

Norprint adds roll label technology

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:20:38 +0000

Norprint Corp. (Oakville, Ontario), Canada's leading magnetic and plastic marketing promotional product supplier, has added full-colour roll label solutions via an automated roll-to-roll line, from printing to finishing.

This now provides the award-winning company with the ability to offer roll label products on an array of substrates that includes paper, vinyl, metal, clear media and more.

"We can now offer high-quality printing in just about any imaginable shape and size without the need of dies thanks to our automated converter capabilities," said Norprint's President Cesar Cabrera. "Automation and the ability to manage the whole production process from printing to finishing allows us to offer the very best pricing for roll labels, including free lamination, to our trade clients nationally."

For over a decade the company has offered a wide range of promotional products and marketing services to qualified trade partners, including marketing and advertising agencies, brokers, resellers, and distributors of printed materials.

Its Specialty Products Division manufacturers customized (variable data) products such as promotional magnets, plastic card products, plastic parking permits, composite magnetic cards, magnetic calendars, magnetic notepads and dry erase boards.

Its SnapNwin® Solutions Division manufactures the award-winning product SnapNwin® that features a promotional message with an instant-win prize. Its Professional Services Group is comprised of marketing, pre-press and information technology on-site resources supporting all of its projects.

More information: www.norprint.com.

EPG launches new website

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:06:48 +0000

EPG (Centerbrook, Connecticut), a global leader in the manufacture of integrated ink control, presetting and closed-loop systems for commercial, packaging, metal decorating and newspaper printers, has launched a completely revamped website aimed at helping printers cut costs.

The site is designed to enhance a printers' knowledge of the cost-saving benefits of the company's KeyColor Systems (part of system pictured previously). KeyColor Systems are integrated into original equipment by leading press manufacturers and installed worldwide as press retrofits. For more than 20 years, EPG's products have delivered consistent colour, reduced costs and minimized make-ready time and waste.

An important addition to the redesigned, user-friendly site is a selection of brief questionnaires. Printers are able to connect easily with EPG to obtain quotes on the KeyColor Adelphi presetting and closed-loop applications for non-EPG ink control systems. They can also get an accurate quotation for an EPG KeyColor ink control system.

In addition, ROI is easily calculated using the EPG confidential CostCalc program featured in the "Support" section of the site. With CostCalc, printers can review a variety of "what if" scenarios by changing cost numbers. Visitors to the new EPG website will also find a complete product list, from ink desks and controllers to smart fountains and segmented ink blades, as well as presetting and closed-loop software.

"EPG is all about helping printers save time and money and our new website is a reflection of that mission," says Peter Griffin, President, EPG (pictured here). "It's easy to navigate and filled with downloadable information about how printers can operate more efficiently with ink control, presetting and closed looping, among other technologies. In addition, our new questionnaires make it even easier for customers and prospects to receive quotes. We know people are busy, and we think they'll appreciate the fresh, common-sense approach of our design."

More information:www.epg-inc.com.

EDSF releases new web-to-print book to help printers build their online business

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:00:51 +0000

The Electronic Document Scholarship Foundation (EDSF) headquartered in Hurst, Texas has released a new book titled Web2Print written by industry expert Jennifer Matt, President of Web2Print Experts, Inc.

The comprehensive how-to book suggests a common language for discussing the various components of web-to-print so printers can first define their online strategy and then choose the enabling web technology that best supports this strategy.

Web2Print Experts, Inc. is an international strategic consulting and software development company that specializes in large-scale web2print solutions, implementation, software customizations and integrations.

Author Jennifer Matt (pictured previously), one of the industry's leading experts in web-to-print strategies, also serves on the Board of Directors for EDSF and is donating all proceeds from her book to the EDSF Scholarship Program.

HP, also represented on the EDSF Board, printed the book on HP Indigo digital presses and distributed it for free during drupa 2012.

"The best investment we can make in the long-term viability of our industry is to keep print relevant in the bright young minds of students," added Matt.

"We are thrilled to be part of this collaborative project with Jennifer and HP, and we can't thank them enough," said Brenda Kai, EDSF's Executive Director.

"Their generous contributions to the scholarship program will help many students realize their dreams of a college education and provide them with the opportunity to become future industry leaders."

More information: brenda.kai@edsf.org and www.edsf.org.

Agfa Graphics launches two new high-speed platesetters

Mon, 21 May 2012 20:00:58 +0000

The new platesetters for the high-volume newspaper market – the :Advantage N PL HS (Pallet Load, High-Speed) and the :Advantage N TR HS (Trolley Load, High-Speed) – both run at speeds up to 350 plates per hour, 50 plates more than the :Advantage N.

The :Advantage N PL HS (pictured here), a completely new design, can hold up to 6,000 plates in a fully-automatic setting – two pallets of 3,000 plates each. The system uses a unique process that pre-separates the plates and slip sheets in the plate stack before plate loading. Regardless of temperature fluctuations, RH issues or long storage periods, the pre-separation process avoids plate and paper jams due to plates or slip sheets sticking together in a plate stack. Agfa's patented auto slip sheet removal process offers less downtime with no paper jams and an efficient procedure for emptying the slip sheet into the "dump area."

Thanks to the increased speed, both systems can extend newspaper publishers' editorial and advertising deadlines, giving them the ability to deliver the latest news and last-minute offers to their readers. The increased speed will also help newspaper publishers replace multiple, slower CtP engines with fewer, faster ones. This would result in savings on new CtP investments and other costs, such as processing equipment or punch and bending machines. Fewer CtP engines also results in increased floor space.

The :Advantage N TR HS features a trolley to transport plates from a safelight environment to the CtP imager. This gives customers who cannot switch to yellow safelight in the room where the CtP device is installed, the flexibility to load the plates easily and more efficiently in a separate yellow safelight environment.

"With these new systems, Agfa Graphics again shows its commitment to the newspaper industry by offering state-of-the-art CtP technology that meets the requirements of the premium level newspaper market segment," said Emiel Sweevers, worldwide Marketing Manager for Newspaper Engines, Agfa Graphics.

"Like all segments in the newspaper industry, the high-volume segment is also looking for improved production efficiency, cost savings and automation. With Agfa Graphics, newspaper publishers have a company with expertise in hardware, complete workflow solutions and consumables, covering the entire pre-press production area. Our goal is to continue to develop solutions that enable our customers to effectively meet the current market challenges head-on and win."

The :Advantage N PL HS and the :Advantage N TR HS will be shipping at the end of the third quarter.

More information: www.agfagraphics.com.

Quebecor Media establishes new ebook partnership with ReadBooks

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:43:35 +0000

Quebecor Media Inc. (Montreal) has a new partnership with ReadBooks SAS, a France and Quebec-based company specializing in multi-language ebook libraries, software and consulting services.

The partnership, that includes a minority participation in ReadBooks, will foster the development of new software for Archambault and Paragraph that will allow them to increase their offering and enhance the reading experience.

"Quebecor is happy to partner with an entrepreneurial team involved in such a growing and well positioned sector of today's digital and virtual economy," said Pierre Karl Peladeau (right), President and CEO of Quebecor, Quebecor Media and Sun Media Corporation. "The entire ReadBooks team will be able to rely on the expertise of our various divisions that are already successful in this environment. We are particularly glad to gain access to ReadBooks management's specific know-how in the book industry where Quebecor Media already assumes a leadership role in Quebec and which has been at the heart of our concerns and historical role in cultural industries," he added.

"Through the worldwide sale of ebook bestsellers, ReadBooks has become a leader of the ebook revolution," said Yannick Lacoste, President of ReadBooks.

We have put together a unique, playful and user-friendly offering aimed at putting our ebook apps in the hands of every ebook reader on every continent and Quebecor Media's investment will bring us closer to reaching this objective."

With 15 employees in Paris and 15 in Montreal, ReadBooks is planning to double its Canadian staff before the end of the year, mainly in research and development. Some of ReadBooks' partners, clients and friends include Random House, MacMillan, Penguin Group, Simon & Schuster, Harlequin Books, McGraw Hill, Wiley and Taylor & Francis and over 5,000 other publishers worldwide from over 70 e-distributing sources. ReadBooks also works with Intel Corporation and Microsoft on the technology side, as well as with Vivendi Mobile and Entertainment and Canal BD (85 bookstores) on the retail side.

More information: www.quebecor.com.

Dell introduces first multi-user workstation for virtualized 3D

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:38:06 +0000

Dell (Round Rock, Texas) has expanded its client virtualization solutions with the introduction of the first virtualized rack workstation that enables up to four concurrent users to work from a single workstation from virtually anywhere.

The Dell Precision R5500 Rack Workstation is the first four-GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) configuration to be certified by Citrix with GPU pass-through (on Citrix XenServer 6 using Citrix XenDesktop HDX 3D Pro). The technology brings additional security, IT resource optimization and end-user flexibility to high-performance computing.

The new model was created for designers running 3D workloads looking to support additional users on a single workstation and to improve ROI through increased access and better utilization of workstation assets.

Additional benefits include the ability to centralize, secure and manage data, leverage worldwide talent pools, share resources for improved cost effectiveness and run performance-critical applications that require the host system and data to be in close proximity.

Users can connect via both Dell and non-Dell computing devices including thin clients, laptops, desktops or other mobile devices that have a loaded Citrix Receiver.

"We are working closely with Citrix and NVIDIA to enable new usage models to address the needs of our workstation customers," said Efrain Rovira, Executive Director of Dell Precision workstations. "This industry-first four-GPU XenServer certification delivers increased productivity and flexibility to our customers and it adds to the list of innovations we've introduced to the workstation industry."

More information: www.dell.com.

Transcontinental Media President Natalie Larivière resigns after six years

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:30:12 +0000

Natalie Larivière, President of TC Media, is leaving to pursue new professional challenges and will officially end her duties on June 29, 2012.

Over the summer she will work with the TC Media team periodically to ensure the smooth transition of certain projects. François Olivier, President and CEO of Transcontinental Inc., will take over as the interim head of TC Media.

"I wish to thank Natalie Larivière for her significant contribution to the development of TC Media," said Olivier. "Over the past six years, Natalie has piloted numerous projects that have enhanced the TC Media offering by creating magazines, integrating digital platforms, producing TV content and developing interactive marketing solutions for advertisers and consumers. Natalie leaves us with a solid team with whom we will continue to pursue our growth. On behalf of the other members of senior management, I thank her for her support and wish her every success in her future endeavours."

Larivière (right) expressed her gratitude to the TC Media team. "It has been a privilege to work with experts and seasoned professionals who are creative, passionate about media and marketing, and eager to provide top-of-the-line communication products. I thank them for their support over the past six years. Together we have made a vital contribution to the growth and success of TC Media, and I am very proud of this. I am leaving a fine organization and have many good memories. It is now time for me to turn to other career challenges."

Larivière became president of the Transcontinental Inc. Media Sector on August 7, 2006. TC Media has 3,800 employees and is one of Canada's largest media groups, reaching 22 million consumers through its multi-platform offerings. TC Media owns a number of major consumer and business media brands. It is also the leading distributor of door-to-door advertising in Canada, and of local and regional information in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

As well, TC Media is a leader in the digital industry in Canada through its extensive network of more than 1,000 websites that reach 13.7 million unique visitors per month. TC Media also offers interactive marketing solutions and is the largest publisher of French-language educational resources in Canada.

More information: www.tc.tc.

Newsday selects Goss International for major multi-press reconfiguration

Fri, 18 May 2012 15:48:08 +0000

Newsday, Inc. has selected Goss International to complete a highly specialized, multi-press reconfiguration project that will improve print quality while doubling colour capacity and press speeds.

The enhanced press systems will go into production next month at Newsday's facility in Melville, New York. The publisher operates multiple press lines to print its flagship Newsday daily newspaper, which reaches nearly 1.4 million readers weekly on Long Island and in New York City, as well as other products.

Working closely with Newsday, Goss International is combining components from existing Goss Metro presses at the site to create three enhanced press systems with the capacity to print 96 tabloid pages, including 64 full-colour pages, at up to 60,000 impressions per hour. The project includes relocation of units and folders, modification of drive lines, repositioning of motors, and installation of customized stacking frames and platforming. Goss International will also add motorized registration capabilities to the presses and convert the web width of one press to 48 inches.

Edward Bushey, V.P., Operations & Distribution at Newsday, says the size, complexity and tight timeframe of the reconfiguration plan led to the selection of Goss International. "We needed a partner with far-ranging expertise in engineering, project management, manufacturing, installation and start-up, and the ability to coordinate all those elements," he explains. "The Goss team also meshed very well with our own team from day one. That collaborative approach and the scale of their aftermarket resources in North America are vital."

Goss International and Newsday teamed up to conceptualize and engineer the press reconfiguration. Work began on site in Melville in January. Goss International is responsible for project management, installation and commissioning, with a technical team and press operators from Newsday assisting. Specialized structural components for the project will be produced at the Goss machining and manufacturing facility in Kennedale, Texas.

"We appreciate this opportunity to work with a publisher that is taking such a creative, proactive approach to extend the competitive life of existing presses," according to Wesley Clements, V.P. of Sales for Goss newspaper products in North America. "This project goes far beyond a standard press expansion and it gives us a chance to showcase how comprehensive, professional and competitive our resources are."

More information: www.gossinternational.com.