Aug. 27, 2007—Graph Expo, one of the largest shows for the print industry held in the United States, is just around the corner again. The annual event, held at McCormick Place South in Chicago, will run Sept. 9-12. This year's exhibit space is sold out, with a total of 640 exhibitors, 120 of which are new. Total, there will be 460,984 sq. ft. of space dedicated to the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.

"The dynamic environment created by the growth of this year's Graph Expo offers even more opportunities for show goers to connect with industry vendors to learn about the latest technologies and explore new business opportunities," noted Ralph Nappi, president of the Graphic Arts Show Company. "The presence of so many new exhibitors on the sold-out show floor underscores the depth and breadth of the cutting-edge technologies and ideas that will be on display at the show."

Here is an overview of some of the products and services you will be able to find on the floor.

Prepress Power
Böwe Bell + Howell's (www.bowebellhowell.com) booth 600 will feature a Connectivity Showcase with what is expected to be the largest multi-vendor online connectivity ever displayed at a print trade show. This environment will feature Web-based tracking of vendors' equipment on the show floor in real time, illustrating open architecture and integration capabilities.

Some of the products the company will feature include: Document Fingerprinting, which provides full document integrity without the need for barcodes; Turbo Premium, a high-speed inserting system with automatic changeover capability and a new intelligent material-handling design; Infinity WF, a wide-format scanner utilizing SharpShooter Trilinear CCD cameras; BÖwe One, a scalable software suite for the automated document factory environment; ReCompose, a flexible solution for enhancing existing print streams with graphics, color, barcodes, reformatted text, and targeted messages; Plastic Card System, a card inserting system that can affix up to 8,000 customized cards per hour; Phillipsburg Mark II with Printegrity, an inserter paired with an inkjet solution for high-speed personalization of mail pieces; Marathon16, a multimedia inserter; and Enduro, an inserting system with pneumatic gripper arms and Smart Grip intelligent learning technology.

Global Vision (www.globalvisioninc.com) will be exhibiting its graphical inspection capabilities at booth 5435. It plans to demonstrate how Digital-Page can prevent copy and artwork related errors on all graphic files. Digital-Page automatically compares graphic files in seconds instead of hours. It detects and identifies graphical and textual changes between two documents, such as incorrect fonts, broken type, color deviations, registration errors, and missing or added text.

XMPie's (www.xmpie.com) flagship variable-data printing software, PersonalEffect 4.0, will be showing the latest enhancements and capabilities in booth 4863, including: Enhanced tracking and reporting; a real-time, interactive, marketing dashboard that ensures that each successive touch point produces more relevant targeting than the previous component; and the ability for service providers, ad agencies, and their corporate clients to track, analyze, and measure the response of every type of media and variable component of a complex, one-to-one marketing program.

The company will also have uImage v. 3.0, with new features including: integration with uDirect Standard; streamlined creative process for incorporating personalized photos and illustrations into VDP layouts; and improved production time.

Global Graphics (www.globalgraphics.com), booth 5451, will unveil the Harlequin+ Server RIP (8.0) at the show. The Harlequin+ Server RIP is based on a re-engineered RIP kernel that offers more power, more productivity, and more flexibility in prepress, digital printing, and workflow applications. Highlights of the new RIP include: native processing of XPS files; native processing of PDF 1.7; native PDF/X-4 support; HD Photo support; JDF 1.3 compatible; font emulation; and in-RIP simple imposition, color management, trapping, color separation, screening, proofing, and OPI and DCS support.

Fujifilm Graphic Systems U.S.A. Inc. (www.fujifilmgs.com) will be showcasing Taskero Universe at booths 4381 and 4480. Taskero Universe is a suite of performance analysis tools designed to give printers ultimate quality control, from the prepress stage all the way through to the pressroom.

Currently consisting of three components—ColorPath Verified, Server Performance Management, and Hardware Performance Management—Taskero Universe provides quality control and color management, and delivers real-time information on the status of prepress devices and their performance.

Press Time
At the show, Kodak (www.kodak.com) will engage printers in conversations about new applications and strategies for building stronger relationships with their customers.

Numerous product introductions and solutions in workflow, digital printing, inkjet printing, thermal CTP, and color proofing technologies will be highlighted in booth 1246.

One thing to watch for will be the Nexpress S3000, the new high-end production press the company will demonstrate at the show. It produces 3,000 A3 sheets per hour, or 100 A4 pages per minute, for the full range of supported substrates and weights. It is scheduled for availability in October.

In addition, the company will unveil the "Print is…" center and campaign, which promotes the power and vitality of print while illustrating how Kodak solutions can be used to provide business results. The Print is… center focuses on four aspects of how print affects users: "Print is powerful," "Print is personal," "Print is profitable," and "Print is transforming."

Xpedx (www.xpedx.com) and Ryobi (www.ryobi.com) will exhibit together in booth 3808. Highlights include the U.S. debut and demo of the 24x36" Ryobi 924 offset press, as well as demos of Ryobi's half- and quarter-size presses with dryers, coaters, and UV systems.

Xpedx, exclusive U.S. marketer and distributor of Ryobi-branded presses, will discuss details on its new Metro Kansas City demonstration and learning center, as well.

Also in the booth, Xpedx will demo its new 3D/special effects lenticular printing system for color copiers, its new bindery/finishing equipment offerings, and new proofing technologies. The company will spotlight a new program to help printers profitably enter variable-data short-run markets, and will discuss its program to help U.S. printers obtain SFI and FSC chain-of-custody certification.

Muller Martini (www.mullermartini.com) will have the new Alprinta-V continuously size-variable web offset press at booth 3863, as well as samples created in a single pass with this technology. The Alprinta-V series utilizes an infinitely size-variable insert system. The insert remains in the press during a size change, since only the actual size parts—the blanket cylinder and plate cylinder—are exchanged. At the show, the company will display samples produced by the Alprinta-V on various substrates popular in the packaging market. The samples will range from a 38 micron plastic transparent film printed with stochastic screening, to a direct-mail job with heavy coverage produced on 10-pt. coated stock. Included in this range are label samples printed on both paper and shrink sleeve materials.

Heidelberg (www.heidelberg.com) will showcase numerous innovations, covering the entire supply chain in sheetfed offset printing. The company will present integrated solutions for commercial and packaging printing at booth 1200. This year's show is also the first industry event where Heidelberg will unveil its new HEI Tech image campaign to the public.

Key innovations for the company include: A Speedmaster XL 105 six-color press with coating unit and extended delivery; a Speedmaster SM 102 8-P+LX with Preset Plus technology equipped with CutStar CAN; a Speedmaster SM 52 4+L with Anicolor technology; the new Prinect Inpress Control inline color measuring and control system; and Foil Star for cold application of foil. They will also have the new Varimatrix 105 CS die cutter and the ECO 105 folder gluer, as well as the integrated Prinect workflow.

Canon U.S.A. (www.usa.canon.com), booth 2400, will demonstrate its latest document workflow solutions, recently announced imagePrograf large-format printers, and the company's imagePress C7000VP digital press, which began shipping in July.

Xaar (www.xaar.com) will present its piezoelectric inkjet technology and applications for the label printing, packaging, commercial print, and industrial markets at booth 5484. Xaar 1001, the company's latest variable drop printhead, will be demonstrated in a web application using the latest UV ink technology. Designed for high-speed, single-pass applications, the new printhead is based on Xaar's Hybrid Side-Shooter platform with TF Technology. Xaar's greyscale printing uses variable drops to deliver high-quality four-color results without downtime.

The company will also show a range of other printheads designed to meet a broad range of applications, including the Xaar 760 GS8 capable of operating in greyscale or binary mode with a wide range of inks. This head delivers drop sizes ranging from 8 picolitres (pl) up to 40 pl, and is ideal for applications such as high-quality POP graphics, packaging, and large-format print applications.

Presstek (www.presstek.com) is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a manufacturer and marketer of digital offset printing solutions at Graph Expo in booth 2839, and plans to demonstrate how its portfolio of solutions helps printers be more capable, profitable, and competitive.

Under new leadership, the company will showcase a variety of products, including: the 52 DI, an automated, 52 cm, landscape, sheetfed, four-color digital offset press engineered to deliver up to 20,000 letter-size pages per hour; the 34DI, an automated, 34 cm, sheetfed, four-color digital offset press engineered to deliver up to 14,000 letter-size color pages per hour; and two of the company's chemistry-free, CTP solutions, Dimension Excel CTP, and the Vector TX52.

The big news in booth 655 will be the Océ (www.oceusa.com) ColorStream 10000 continuous feed, digital, full-color press, making its official debut in the United States. The system delivers full process color at 172 ipm, and can print on almost any stock, from onion skin, to newspaper, to heavy and glossy paper. The company will also run the 65-PPM Océ CS650 Pro system printing full-color, perfect-bound books UV-coated on-site.

After Effects
Domino Amjet (www.dominoamjet.com) will unveil the global launch of its new L-Series mailing base package at booth 3852. The L400 is the first product in the new range. Capable of delivering fast, high-resolution print, the L-Series can print to all USPS standards, including its Intelligent Mail Barcode. Domino will also launch its BaseLine mail table, a handling solution specifically designed for inkjet printing applications.

Spiral Binding (www.spiralbinding.com) will showcase several products in booth 3788. Among them are the Sterling Digibinder Perfect Binding Machine, a new offering in the world of finishing equipment. This semi-automated perfect binder self adjusts the pneumatic clamp, nipper, and book size. Also on display will be the Wire-O Semi-Automatic Binder. The automatic functions cut, feed, and position the wire for insertion; then send the document to a patented closing unit that accurately positions it.

Spiel Associates (www.spielassociates.com) invented the first automatic plastic coil inserter 10 years ago. All Coilmaster owners are invited to booth 3661 for champagne cocktails Sept. 9-11, 3 p.m.-5 p.m.

Also being showcased is the Rilecart B599 automatic double loop wire binder that binds up to 4,000 bph; the Punchmaster automatic punch, both Coilmasters and the Sterling Digibinder automatic table top perfect binder.

Draabe (www.draabe.com) will display its full line of air humidification systems for all printing applications, and discus how its systems can provide higher press and plant performances, lower operating costs, and enhanced health protection at booth 1663. The products to be displayed and fully functional include: three versions of the high-pressure TurboFog; PerPur water treatment system for humidifiers and process water; and the HighPur high-pressure pulsation system.

Media and Consumables
Van Son Holland Ink Corp. (www.vansonink.com) will introduce its new SonaCure UV-curable ink line at the show in booth 3470. SonaCure inks are available in three series: paper, hybrid, and foil/plastic. The inks are recommended for adding a high-quality look to any UV-cured job, including booklet and publication covers, marketing materials, self-adhesive labels, credit cards, and all types of consumer packaging. SonaCure takes seconds to dry, delivers a faster turnaround, and produces lower emissions than conventional inks.

SonaCure is available in formulations for use on coated or uncoated paper, board stock, foil and plastic substrates, and on lacquered or corona-treated surfaces. Process colors, Opaque White, and the full range of Pantone standard and mixed colors will be available.

Responding to customer inquiries for a lighter weight, magnetic sheet that can be printed, cut, and bound-in like paper, Magnetic Attractions (www.magneticattractions.com) expanded its breadth of magnetic products with MagneCote. The company will display the new product at the show in booth 1994.

Graph Expo—More Than Just a Show Floor
Sidebar By Toni McQuilken

In addition to the products and technologies to be found on the show floor, Graph Expo offers a wide range of seminars with useful information on almost every aspect of the industry. If you are looking to grow in this market, taking time off to attend one or more of these educational offerings is well worth it.

Sunday
8:15 a.m.- 10 a.m.
Building Practical Workflows that Work
Howie Fenton, NAPL, will cover various problems in production and solutions such as procedures, staff changes, target training, and new technologies.

10:15 a.m.- noon
Ready To Merge? Forewarned is Forearmed
John Hyde, NAPL, will walk attendees through the current climate for mergers and acquisitions; trends in business valuation; what is going on with used equipment; key factors in locating and assessing a good strategic fit; how to assess timing of when to merge; and autopsies of transactions that failed.

12:15 p.m.-1:45 p.m.
The State of Printing Today
Andy Paparozzi, NAPL's chief economist will provide targeted information on economic performance, and teach practical applications for guiding your business through the coming year.

2:15 p.m.- 4 p.m
Unwrap New Profits-Diversifying into Packaging
For those looking to hear about new market opportunities, Malcolm Keif, Cal Poly, will cover the different market segments for packaging, the challenges of entering this market, where to find customers, and how to develop the business.

Monday
8:15 a.m.-10 a.m
Increasing Productivity Without Spending Money
Ray Prince, NAPL, will look at options such as: organization of materials; increasing press speed; enhancements for older equipment; new ways to improve productivity; makeready reduction tips; and how to make a plant cleaner.

10:15 a.m.- noon
Production Technology Forecast
Industry consultants, Joe Suffoletto and Ken Rizzo, NAPL, predict how the production technologies of our industry will evolve. They will examine trends in premedia, automation, digital output, presses, and finishing.

2:15 p.m.- 4 p.m.
Realistic Options for Going Green
Don Carli, The Institute for Sustainable Communication, will cover how advertisers and printers are addressing energy conservation; why being a green printer means more than using recycled paper and soy-based ink; how regulations and incentives will change the way printers manage energy; and five steps to reduce dependence on imported oil and fossil fuels.

Tuesday
8:15 a.m.-10 a.m
Hybrid Approaches that Work
Frank Kanonik, Digital Print Info LLC, will discuss how a project today can be offset, digital, or a combination of both. This session will show you how to integrate the two for top performance and efficiency.

Wednesday
10:15 a.m.- noon
How Not to Sell the New Print Buyer
Dave Fellman, Dave Fellman and Associates, will tell you how to sell to a print buyer who does not know much about printing and how to get face-to-face with a buyer who wants to do business over the Internet.