Nov. 6, 2006—Graph Expo and Converting Expo, held in Chicago, Oct. 15–18, lived up to its reputation as the annual place to go for the latest and greatest products and information. With almost 40,000 registered attendees and more than 500 exhibitors, there was something for everyone in the graphic arts industry.

One outstanding trend this year was a focus on the customer instead of the technology. Even companies that had new machines or software were concentrating not on those, but on how customers could use them to better service their own clients.

Eastman Kodak Co. was one such firm, with its new MarketMover Network. Designed to connect printers with one another, the service is being billed as a way for them to more easily outsource work and find partners to supplement their own product offerings.

"The Kodak MarketMover Network will generate demand for printing services by facilitating a seamless connection between companies that require print services and those that deliver such services," said Jeff Hayzlett, chief marketing officer, Kodak Graphic Communications Group (GCG). "We are using the latest technology to make it easier for marketers to leverage new applications, such as Web-to-print to maximize their return on investment. Their growth in one-to-one marketing and variable-data printing is being fueled by savvy marketers who recognize that digital printing's flexibility in customizing messages really drives sales."

Powered by Four51 technology, all Kodak solutions providers can eventually join the MarketMover Network. The first phase is open to Nexpress owners; over the next year, it will be fully implemented.

Xerox Corp. added new customer-centered services, as well, with an expansion of its ProfitAccelerator Digital Business Resources Collection of tools.

The new tools expand the possibilities open to printers, with updated information kits, digital print samples, case studies, and guides for different market segments. By focusing on projects and markets printers can cater to, Xerox is offering the tools they need to customize their businesses and successfully sell digital print in their particular region.

The new programs focus on: the agency and design services market; a booklet exploring the urban myths of digital color print; a look at the new opportunities in digital printing; a case study kit highlighting the best practices of customers around the country; and the Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging (PIXI) award winners book, showcasing the designs and production notes of award-winning projects.

Hewlett-Packard (HP) has a slightly different approach to the customer experience. The firm announced the launch of a new sales and marketing organization; its focus is on a consultative approach to the market. The organization will look to provide advice and information to customers on industry issues, business development, workflow, and implementing new technology, among other things.

"The future of the digital printing industry hangs on the ability of print shops to offer a wider variety of high-value applications," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, graphics and imaging business, HP. "Because of our unique heritage in IT and printing, HP is best positioned to help commercial printers target new applications that will grow their business. With our comprehensive services portfolio, we can help them with everything from front-end tools and small- to super-wide format printers, to IT and networking solutions that protect their data and business."

The Softer Side of Graph Expo
Still, customer experience will only get your print shop so far. At the end of the day, there still must be technology to back up the promises, and this year's show had a large variety of products to suit any need or niche.

Here is a comprehensive look at the prepress and software releases from the show. Watch this space next week for a look at the press, postpress, and media that were new and noteworthy.

HumanEyes Technologies showcased PrintPro 2.0, a 2D to 3D conversion tool. Unlike previous 3D tools, which required complex technical knowledge and a series of successive photos, the new version allows printers, designers, and photographers to take a standard photograph and convert it to a three-dimensional image.

New features include an interactive timeline for precise control of the depth and movement of the image; the 2D-to-3D conversion tool; advanced animation and flip abilities; and enhanced output, with additional export abilities and CMYK support.

Dalim Software, in conjunction with Hell Gravure Systems, released HelioFlow, an interface that provides the first intuitive, automatic gravure imposition tool. HelioFlow is the result of a joint technical venture between the two firms.

The product provides greater automation and precision with the needs of the gravure printer specifically in mind. In addition, it interfaces with the Hell FormManager system, as well as with third-party MIS systems and production databases. By using the Dalim Twist premedia engine, it automatically creates a cylinder imposition without manual intervention.

"Dalim Software is very happy to work with a company as prestigious as Hell Gravure Systems. [Its] engraving systems are noted as the best in the world," noted Carol Werlé, CEO of Dalim. "Yet, as a company that has many gravure customers, as well—including many we share, we believed that we could provide Hell Gravure customers the benefit of increased productivity through remote file submission, advanced JDF-driven file preflighting, job status tracking, and, of course, automated cylinder imposition."

Printable Technologies Inc. demonstrated FusionPro Live and FusionPro Direct. FusionPro Live brings template design directly to the Web browser; FusionPro Desktop templates can be uploaded to the server with settings to allow or prevent editing of selected variable frames by the end user. FusionPro Live provides a point-and-click template editing capability as an add-on to the FusionPro Server application.

FusionPro Direct automates high-volume variable-data printing (VDP) document composition workflow. Installed in a centralized location on the service provider's network, it accepts VDP composition requests submitted directly from FusionPro Desktop, and routes, schedules, and executes the document composition on a separate server.

EFI introduced Fiery System 8, a print server software that delivers precision color; consistent output; workflow innovation; variable-data printing capabilities; integration with EFI's Web-to-print, proofing, workflow and MIS solutions; and connectivity to popular prepress applications.

Among the features that enhance performance and productivity are: EFI's new RIP architecture; continuous print, which enables processed pages to be stored in memory before printing; RIP-While-Print, which allows one page to be printed while subsequent pages are processed; two-job execution; and next generation software and video hardware that delivers great image quality and high performance.

The new EFI Color Profiler Suite, color management tools that deliver color quality control in the color printing workflow, features integration with EFI servers and controllers, and flexibility to fit into any color management workflow. It consists of Profile Creation Modules, Profile Evaluation Modules, and a Quality Assurance Module, which contribute to color quality, a high return on investment, increased productivity, and heightened color accuracy.

On Oct. 18, the company previewed a new solution that automatically collects, tracks, and reports workstation productivity, and integrates to EFI print MIS systems. Named Auto-Count OpForma, it provides the data needed for managers to make decisions that increase productivity. The software will be available for beta during the fourth quarter, and general availability is planned for the first quarter of 2007.

EFI also announced, along with Canon USA, the Fiery-driven ImagePress A3000 and ImagePress A2000 servers, designed for the new 70-pages-per-minute ImagePress C7000VP digital color press.

Artwork Systems Group launched Equinox, software that employs color-conversion technology for expanded gamut printing. It enables the standardization of five, six, or seven inks of the professional's choice. It is unique in that it bases the technical aspects of color conversion on standard ICC profiles, but permits editorial control to allow the user to choose how images should be separated and spot colors converted.

ECRM launched WorkMates, a PDF-based workflow solution for small- to mid-sized commercial printers. Included in WorkMates are four production tools—ImposeMate, TrapMate, ProofMate, and PrintMate. Users are able to capture the file in a PDF format, then impose, trap, and proof, as well as preview the file prior to imaging. This enables files on the RIP to be repurposed at a later date.

Press-sense worked with Creo PODS and XMPie to incorporate their variable-data printing engines inside its iWay solution. Users can produce the complex variable-data documents online as part of their direct marketing efforts. IWay is a Web-based, end-to-end, print-on-demand workflow and management solution. Designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of business models, it offers different starting points and growth directions to match specific needs. IWay integrates into any existing printing environment, for increased job efficiency and volume, and reduced costs.

Additional reporting by Rachel Frank.