June 16, 2008— Last week, we looked at some of the biggest news makers in terms of technologies we'll see in the near—and maybe not so near—future. This week, we'll take a closer look at some of the offerings available now, launched and promoted at drupa 2008 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Workflow and Prepress Systems
Adobe Systems Inc. announced version two of its PDF Print Engine, billed as the next-generation, full-featured printing software that enables end-to-end workflows for graphically rich publishing. Designed for offset and digital printing, the new version enables OEMs and print providers to fulfill the promise of variable-data printing (VDP). Since its introduction in 2006, more than 2,000 systems incorporating PDF Print Engine are in production.

PDF Print Engine 2 addresses the complexity and limitations of VDP workflows that have hampered its adoption so far. With support for PDF/VT, the emerging standard for variable-data printing, the software offers an easy on-ramp to add VDP to existing workflows.

callas software showcased the latest enhancements of its print production suite of products. pdfToolbox 4 is a major upgrade for the company's print production toolset. It offers more than just PDF quality control; with its all-new imposition features, it offers quick and easy preparation for finishing such as booklet creation, N-Up, or double burn. In addition, language or regional versions of existing PDFs can be easily created with the new versioning feature.

Dalim Software unveiled several new products to complement its portfolio of workflow solutions. In version 3.0 of MiSTRAL, its production automation and project management/job tracking system, the highlight is Publisher's Production Flatplan, created for non-technical users for faster approval of pages. It shows PDF images of complete pages that have been produced through a production workflow.

The company also introduced new features to DiALOGUE, a stand-alone SWOP-certified monitor-based proofing application running under the Macintosh OS X operating system. It creates a way to provide remote and collaborative viewing and soft proofing of high-resolution files via the Internet.

The version of Dalim DiALOGUE demonstrated at drupa featured text extraction, the ability to highlight text when viewing a proof on a monitor, and cutting and pasting that text with edits into a comment.

ECRM showcased four new platesetter offerings enhanced with the aim toward developing more eco-friendly CTP prepress workflows. The company provided a technology demonstration of the new chemistry-free digital plate for violet platesetters from Agfa. The Azura V was imaged and then run through a clean-out unit live in the ECRM stand.

"The adoption of green technology is a function of both social and fiscal responsibility. Though we all strive for a cleaner environment, businesses must also protect the financial health of their operations," noted Doug Barr, vice president, Western Hemisphere sales, ECRM. "Offerings that accomplish both are desirable. The future is chem-free violet CTP. Manufacturers, such as Agfa and Fuji, are already showing plates and are prepared for a 2008 launch, and we suspect there will be others."

EskoArtwork assembled a range of design, production, and management products on its stand at the show.

"Efficiency makes the difference in today's packaging and printing business. Companies can only improve operating margins and grow profits when people and processes work together fast and flawlessly. At drupa, EskoArtwork will not only be connecting people, processes, systems, and tools, but will also prove how crucial this is in today's competitive business landscape," said Carsten Knudsen, president and CEO.

For packaging, the company was demonstrating Studio, a new line that revolutionizes the way designers create and communicate. Studio integrates computer aided design (CAD) and graphic design for boxes and flexible packaging within Adobe Illustrator. EskoArtwork also introduced Studio Toolkits, a new line of structural design tools supplying the packaging shapes for Studio.

The company also premiered the new, high-performance Kongsberg XP die-less cutting tables. These heavy-duty tables are optimized for short-run digital converting for the packaging and POP markets. The XP extends the Kongsberg range of tooling for high-performance digital finishing, including static knives, crease tools, and kiss-cutting knives, specially designed for the rigors of digital printing, and finishing for packaging.

Finally, the company had the latest version of the Enfocus PDF pre-flighting, editing, and certification tools. The Switch products (originally from Gradual Software, recently acquired by EskoArtwork) are now integrated within the Enfocus portfolio, making the products more efficient by automating repetitive tasks and connecting with other key graphic arts applications.

Pressing Business
Gandinnovations introduced the NanoJet UV True Flatbed digital printer, the Jeti 3348 Jetstream UV RTR digital printer, and the Jeti 3324 Aquajet Direct-to-Fabric digital printer at the show.

The NanoJet is designed to print photo-realistic quality output using 24 Spectra print heads. Equipped with a silicone nozzle plate, this 15 pico liter head is designed to deliver high-resolution droplets. Printing at speeds of 220 sqft/hr in high-quality mode, the NanoJet has a print area of 4x8-feet, and prints in six colors at 1,200 dpi.

The Jeti 3348 is a three-meter UV RTR digital printer, which prints at speeds of 2,500 sqft/hr in a four-color configuration, and features 48 Spectra print heads. The new unit uses Gandinnovations' inks on a variety of materials including 100-percent PE eco-friendly polyethylene, and is suited for all types of outdoor applications. The Jeti 3348 will also be available with a back-lit camera option, enabling reverse printing of the material.

The Jeti 3324 Aquajet Direct-to-Fabric digital printer uses six colors at 400 dpi, and creates brilliant colors that are fade resistant on a range of fabrics such as flag, banner, and textile materials.

Canon had a variety of announcements at the show. The Buzzword Buster is a booklet of definitions to demystify the jargon that surrounds the industry. It came after a pan-European study found almost nine-out-of-ten (86 percent) print buyers across Europe admitted to being perplexed by some everyday industry terms. Another four-in-ten (43 percent) respondents blame jargon for bad print jobs, making clear communication a top priority for the industry.

In addition, the company was showcasing its first ever 44-inch large-format printers specifically designed for the CAD and geographical information systems (GIS) markets. The imagePROGRAF iPF810 and imagePROGRAF iPF820 are both five-color dye and pigment printers that combine fast output production speeds with efficient ink usage, and a low total cost of ownership, making them two of the most appealing printers in the sector. They are capable of reproducing A1 prints in 24 seconds, and A0 prints in 47 seconds.

Domino presented a range of its latest generation inline inkjet solutions, designed to offer cost-effective, high-speed variable data and traceability print applications. The company demonstrated how fully integrated solutions for mailing and addressing applications offer new opportunities for commercial printers looking to gain a competitive advantage.

At drupa, Domino launched a series of products, including version 4.5 of the Bitjet+ binary printer, offering high print quality and print speeds for inline digital printing; and the K150 variable data, drop on demand printing solution.

New in Postpress
GBC made news at the show when its new laminator was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for fastest time to laminate 102.2 square meters of paper in 40.53 seconds.

The new GBC 8500HS Cyclone Laminating System, and GBC High Bonding Strength (HBS) film—both debuted at the show—were put to the test in this first-ever laminating challenge. The well-attended event took place on June 2nd at GBC's stand. Gareth Deaves, an adjudicator from the Guinness Book of World Records, confirmed the time of the lamination run and presented an award to the GBC team.

Ron Butterman, GBC director of marketing, said, "We are extremely proud of Tony Mertlik, Mark Elman, Glenn Koepke, and all the talented engineers on the team for their efforts to develop this world-class laminator. Thanks to their skills, we have attained this new Guinness Book of World Records milestone—and also provided a convincing demonstration of how printers can finish their own output in record time."

Mertick, Elman, and Koepke now hold the Guinness World Record in their names.

The GBC 8500HS Cyclone is a commercial laminator designed for single-sided lamination of high-volume print runs. Running at speeds up to 500 ft per minute, this system can cut production time by one-half or more without sacrificing accuracy, control, and quality. Its 44-inch width offers versatility, and also lets users run prints landscape-wise, further increasing productivity.

Autobond launched its widest range of new products in its 30-year history, with several models now incorporating a different finishing processes in addition to sheetfed laminating. These include a new laminator/UV coater, a combination laminator/encapsulator, a combination laminator/embossing machine, as well as additional laminators, including new models for the digital print sector.

The Mini 76 TPE-H (Thermal, Perfector, Encapsulator, Heidelberg feeder) can be used for single/double sided laminating or encapsulation, and offers a range of optional features that enable it to be used in the production of floor graphics, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and fridge magnet lamination.

The Mini 105 TPHS UV laminator/UV coater represents a significant 'technology addition' to an Autobond laminator line. Capable of laminating one or both sides in one pass, or applying a UV varnish to one side, it will handle sheets from A3 to AO. The machine can carry out either process at 60 metres per minute, and changing from one to the other takes only about five minutes.

But Wait, There's More
Obviously, this is only a very small sample of the new products launched at this year's show. For more information and to see a more complete range of product releases, visit drupa's main Web site, www.drupa.com, and browse through the hundreds of companies that had products, features, and technology demos on display.

Another year, another drupa, and I think we can decisively say it was a successful one all around. The show fulfilled its promise of a wide and growing range of digital technologies, giving attendees a glimpse into the future of the graphic arts world. There was a lot of talk and interest about environmentally friendly products, which is a growing concern in our industry and throughout the rest of the world. And as always, the range of prepress, press, postpress, and substrates solutions and equipment on display was impressive and awe-inspiring. This is an exciting time to be a printer, and I, for one, can't wait to see what the future holds.