Vision Asia Magazine Issue 21- Jan 2015

Permit MCI (P) 090/03/2014

EFI’S GUY GECHT TALKS • PAge 8

a s i a • d i g i ta l p r i n t i n t e l l i g e n c e

ISSUE

inside

jan 15

• interview with efi’s guy gecht • new 3d technology • efi entry level led machine • trends in business • events and awards

HP 3D PRINTER • PAGE 10 HP’s Multi Jet fusion Technology, the architecture behind the company’s latest product concept is set to be a ground breaking new system that can print just about anything in any media 3D Systems CocoJet • PAGE 11 A 3D printer that prints chocolate!

This may very well be the greatest invention ever conceived by humanity Now you can print your plate and eat off it too

Did you know The Benny Landa interview in the December 2014 issue of Vision Asia online had the highest readership of any article we have ever published

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When captains of industry speak people want to know what they have to say

THE LANDA INTERVIEW Page 12

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ISSUE

jan 15

COVER

3D PRINtiNG HP is set to take on all comers with its new technology read the thinking behind the machine as we look at

the white paper that started it all

interview with GUY GECHT EFI boss talks about how the company fits into Asia

VISIONasia

new products news

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product showcase

interview with guy gecht

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3D printing

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CONT ENT S software

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13 21

trends

media

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inks

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packaging & labelling

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awards

events

VISION asia magazine

Disclaimer:

the changing face of print in asia

Published by Vision Asia Media Pte Ltd 7 Shenton Way, #01-02 Singapore Conference Hall Singapore 068810

publisher ed boyes m +61 414 288 148 sales t +61 8 9455 4498 editorial t +61 8 9455 4498 circulation

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The publisher makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this magazine however technical specifications, information, performance data, corporate legal obligations, warranties and guarantees may vary from country to country and are subject to change without notice. The publisher accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors, omissions, inconsistencies, technical or typographical errors. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. The publisher reserves the right to publish materialwww.visionmagazine.asia at its discretion.

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new Products

Ricoh Pro C9100 and C9110 high volume digital presses

Features:

Ricoh Singapore has announced the Ricoh Pro C9100 series high volume digital presses for the heavy production segment. The new presses are suited for larger commercial printers and PSPs seeking personalised print runs with fast turn around times or expand existing hybrid digital and offset workflow.

The new models deliver productivity through quality digital colour production, wide media handling and high speed capabilities as PSPs can take advantage of the C9100 series’ ability to print onto uncoated, textured and coated media from 52gsm to 400gsm, duplex banner sheet printing up to 700mm and speciality media such as super-gloss, magnet, metallic, transparent or synthetic substrates. This flexibility allows printers to

easily handle light packaging, direct mail, books, promotional materials, brochures and business cards.

Print quality is maintained with the inclusion of Ricoh’s enhanced Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology, delivering image quality up to 1200 x 4800 dpi.

Regardless of paper weights, the Pro C9100 series prints at rated speed, and productivity is further increased for A3, enabling 75ppm for A3 or 150ppm for A4 or equivalent.

Suitable for light packaging, direct mail, books, promotional materials, brochures and business cards.

• Print speeds (based on A4 size or 150ppm A4 equivalent running A3): C9100 up to 110ppm C9110 up to 130ppm • Media up to 400gsm in both simplex and duplex at rated engine speed • Optimal image quality to 1200 x 4800 dpi with Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) technology • Maximum standard sheet size SRA3 • Air assisted duplex banner printing up to 700mm • Duty cycle of 1.75 million A4 sheets • Feedback system in real time • Precise sheet-to-sheet and front-toback mechanical registration system • Durable and reliable throughput of the wide range of supported coated, uncoated and textured media from 52gsm to 400gsm from Ricoh’s new vacuum feed technology • Duplex Banner sheet prints to 700mm

SPGPrints ‘Pike’ single-pass digital textile printer min. The modular construction will allow models with up to 9 colours.

Wider versions of the Pike, up to 3200mm, are also planned.

Netherlands headquartered SPGPrints gave international customers a two week preview of the prototype of their new Pike, singlepass digital textile prototype printer.

from the surface of the substrate, compared with the typical 1.5mm of other print heads – so greatly reducing the risk of head strike, which can damage expensive components.

Scheduled for launch at ITMA 2015 in Milan next November, the Pike is based on a fullwidth array of Fujifilm Samba print heads, specially modified for optimum performance in textile printing. The heads are incorporated in a highly accurate but user-friendly printbar technology, called Archer.

SPGPrints has also developed Pike Reactive inks, with a formula that eliminates the mist problem which might have arisen with this greater firing distance.

One essential advantage of Archer Technology is that it can jet accurately across a distance much greater than can other heads widely used in current digitaltextile applications. The head plates in the Archer array will typically be 4mm away www.visionmagazine.asia

The first Pike printer is a 6 colour machine in which each colour is represented by an Archer print bar containing 43 print heads, giving a printing width of 1850mm. The print bar has a native resolution of 1200 x 1200dpi, variable drop sizes from 2-10pl and a jetting frequency of 32 kHz, which together deliver typical productivity of 40 linear metres a minute, with a maximum of around 75 m/

The Archer print bar has been designed to retract fully for easy maintenance. Heads can be purged in narrow segments and a faulty head can be replaced by users in less than an hour, with no need for manual alignment – simply software-based registration.

The heads are manufactured by a MEMS process, which means they are less liable to degradation and can be refurbished.

With the cost of head replacement identified as a major concern for investors in fixedarray machines, SPGPrints proposes a unique arrangement in conjunction with Pike inks, in which the customer will initially receive a number of spare heads and any faulty heads returned will be replaced free of charge.

The Pike’s fabric-infeed system is by Erhardt + Leimer and the transport blanket has been built by Habaasit. The in-line dryer has the extra capacity to handle disperse inks, which – along with acid inks – are in development and scheduled for launch in 2016.

new products

VISION

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HP Indigo 30000 options + Kama Flexfold 52 carton finishing system live demonstration to showcase new features of the Indigo 30000 Digital Press which was fully equipped with inline primer and inline coating (TRESU Icoat 30000).

The ‘Finishing Days’ event featured the latest solutions for true-to-register finishing, inline stripping and blanking without tools, as well as seminars with Esko and Marbach.

Kama used its “Kama Finishing Days 2014” event held at the company’s Dresden, Germany headquarters in mid November, as the world premier of the Flexfold 52, its latest, on demand, end-to-end workflow solution for folding cartons. The folding carton and commercial print industry

equipment manufacturer said the Flexfold 52 has a huge advantage through its automatic set-up for fast changeovers from one job to the next, making it suitable for short runs of folding cartons.

Simultaneously, as a world’s first, HP held a

The show also celebrated Kama’s 120th anniversary - recognising the 1894 founding of Scamag, the predecessor of Kama, the company that revolutionised the production of cardboard boxes by inventing the creasing line.

Arioli ArioPrint-8 and ArioPrint-16 textile printerS with four rows of 16 heads. Both machines have 16 printer head slots, allowing the ArioPrint-8 model to be upgraded if required.

Technical Specifications

Arioli, Italian based textile machinery builder, launched two printer models the ArioPrint-8 and ArioPrint-16 at the recent Fespa Eurasia Istanbul.

The ArioPrint 8 and 16 are direct to textile printing machines for fabrics up to a maximum 2,000mm wide.

With a precision inlet tensioning system

consisting of expander and guide rollers, the Aramidic fibre belt ensures stability and a correct fabric positioning while the inbuilt electronics, with its optical fibre wiring, guarantee high volume data transmission and excellent performance.

Both the ArioPrint-8 and ArioPrint-16 use Kyocera Kj403T Bi-Colour printing heads the ArioPrint-8 is built with two rows of eight print heads while the ArioPrint-16 is built

• Print resolutions in dpi - (1) 300x300 (2) 600x600, (3) 900x900 (4) 1200x1200 • Productivity in sqm/hr - (1) 692 (2) 284 (3) 142 (4) 90 • Mono-directional, bi-directional and multipass print modes • Can be loaded with all commercial inks • Accepts textile from rolls with centering and tensioning unit • Open drive solution interfaces with all RIP software • Can be configured with 8 spot colours or double CMYK

AnaJet mPower Printer gets new ink and software Spectrum

mPower updates

AnaJet has launched Spectrum - a new lower cost ink which is available now from the AnaJet website.The company says that Spectrum ink is compatible with existing mPower printers and operators currently using PowerBright Ink can switch, with no flushing before change over, as both use the same size cartridge. PowerBright Ink will continue to remain available.

AnaJet recently released a firmware 3.0 and AnaRIP 3.0 software update for mPower printers.

Updates include new networking features as well as an updated ICC profile for improved ink saturation and smoother gradients. Details are available from the Anajet website. www.visionmagazine.asia

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newS

Impika expands distribution in Asian print market

Impika, originally a French company founded in 2003 and owned by Xerox since 2013, has announced it is building a network of resellers to market its production inkjet printers.

The company says their aqueous inkjet solutions offer significant flexibility and scalability, allowing for print onto a variety of paper and substrates at a range of speeds and using different image quality, to suit specific page volume and print requirements.

According to research from trade association NPES, China will be the largest print market in the world by 2017, growing five times faster than any other region.

Impika management says the maturing Asia Pacific print market is growing rapidly in

both low to high volume print jobs. There is also a demand for commercial printing such as high end books, personalised direct mail, transpromo jobs, catalogues, brochures, invoices, financial documents and statements as well as in new markets such as industrial, newspaper and security printing.

The new distribution partners are located throughout Asia and include the Infotech Group, Loxley Public Company, Syntax Technology plus JCI Applications and will immediately market, sell and service the full portfolio of Impika’s inkjet printing solutions.

Fuji Xerox will remain Xerox’s channel of distribution for all other document products in Asia.

Industry the prints of Denmark: a Shakespearean tragedy?

In early 2015 the Danish parliament will vote on draft laws that impose a heavy tax burden on commercial print which industry analysts indicate may drive up local print prices from anywhere between 25 to 50% and could cost over 600 jobs in the industry directly or in the print supply chain.

Fespa has reported that Denmark is considering the implementation of a new tax levee on printed material, an action that may set a dangerous precedent for other countries that could follow suit. www.visionmagazine.asia

The laws are being considered as print has been seen as environmentally unsound - a result in part, observers say, of the Danish printers support associations lack of success in educating the public through the dissemination of accurate information on the true environmental impact of print.

Fespa transforms classic American school bus

Fespa is launching Print Inspiration Rally, designed to connect interior designers, architects and creative professionals with innovative, inspirational and surprising examples of wide format print.

Spanish interior design agency Egue y Seta will design artwork and decorations for a classic American style school bus, which will be a visual illustration of decorative materials and effects.

Applications shown will include printing on glass, wood and metal, textiles, soft furnishings, ceramics and many other surfaces designers may not have considered to transform environments by using print.

Many manufacturers have contributed to the project including: EFI, Epson, Roland, Agfa and CMA imaging, as well as printers such as ARC. The Print Inspiration Rally’s first stop will be ESMA’s Printed Interior Decoration event, from 26-27 November 2014 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Sean Holt, Fespa General Secretary, will host a presentation to launch the initiative at the event, setting out the rationale behind it and how interior decoration is a growth area for printers.

Visitors to the event will be able to tour the bus and explore different printed applications.

After Printed Interior Decoration, Fespa’s Print Inspiration Rally bus will visit various interior and creative events before finishing the tour in Cologne, Germany at Fespa 2015, from 18-22 May 2015.

Print Inspiration Rally is made possible

by Fespa’s Profit for Purpose programme, which reinvests profits from Fespa events to support its global print community.

w w w.pa c k-print.de

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Keeping it Cool with LED With the launch of the entry-level EFI H1625 LED printer, there has never been a cooler time to invest.

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aving recognized the demand for new technology that can print with less heat, less energy and on a wider range of substrates early on, EFI has steadily been leading the LED charge.

With the release the entry-level EFI H1625 LED, EFI has extended the reach of their LED cool curing technology to their Wide Format line of production printers.

Launched in April of 2014 at the at the ISA International Sign Expo in Orlando, the EFI H1625 LED comes standard with four-colour plus white ink and single-pass, multilayer print capability. It is designed to produce saturated colours and smooth gradations with true eight-level variable-drop grayscale print capability. The hybrid printer can easily convert from roll-to-roll to flatbed, and utilizes an extended range of flexible and rigid substrates.

By incorporating their industry leading LED technology, the EFI H1625 LED provides printers with access to more materials and dramatically expands the range of applications they can offer to customers.

In addition to offering a wider range of applications, the H1625 LED allows printers www.visionmagazine.asia

to reduce running costs and improve margins by taking advantage of lower cost substrates thanks to the cool curing technology.

The printer comes standard with the Fiery XF RIP, providing some unique benefits. The bidirectional communication between Fiery XF and printer allows back communication of audit information on print jobs, and native JDF connectivity allows the integration of EFI Web-to-Print and MIS solutions.

The printer is designed with simple, automated operational and maintenance features, allows. users to RIP and print on demand, or print pre-ripped files right at the printer.

The introduction of the EFI H1625 LED makes it ideal for point-of-purchase, sign, banner and graphics printers, and commercial printers who require a printer capable of producing high quality images across the widest variety of substrates in widths up to 1.6 meters. The H1625 LED may also be particularly attractive to printers looking to invest in an alternative to traditional UV, ecosolvent and latex printers, while capturing the greener benefits achievable with LED curing.

In addition to the green advantages and extended range of substrates, the EFI H1625 LED also makes a convincing case for those looking to reduce their energy consumption.

LED devices, such as the EFI H1625 LED, generally consume less energy than latex devices and mercury arc lamp curing printers. In a recent study conduced by Fogra (the German Graphic Technology Research Association) entitled, “Energy Efficiency for digital printing environments,” they determined printers with EFI LED technology use 82% less energy.

Key Features • Standard: CMYK plus 2 White channels • Dynamic curing LED UV lamps • Up to 42.3 m2/hr • Up to 1200x600 dpi • Up to 8 levels of variable-drop grayscale • Ships with the EFI Fiery XF RIP • Ships with EFI H1625 LED 3M Ink supplied in 1.0 liter bottles

COOLER ENGINES BOOST PROFITS

EFI’s “cool cure” technology lowers temperatures across our full line of roll-to-roll, hybrid and narrow web LED printers, enabling you to print on thinner and specialty substrates. Plus, you’ll lower energy and consumable parts costs. Pretty cool, right?

Fuel your success at http://vutek.efi.com or call +61 411 681 600. ©2014 EFI. All rights reserved.

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FEATURE INTERVIEW

Interview with EFI CEO Guy Gecht There are several ideas that have come out of Asia which have inspired us to create new technology

Guy Gecht, Chief Executive Officer of EFI, directs the company’s worldwide strategy as it leads the transformation from analogue to digital imaging with scalable, digital, award-winning products.

With a focus on helping family-owned businesses around the globe, Guy’s key initiatives include increasing EFI’s market penetration, diversifying the company’s product offerings, and introducing new services that will drive demand for digital printing worldwide.

Guy joined EFI in 1995 and served in a variety of management and engineering roles before being named EFI’s CEO in January 2000.

He spearheaded the launch of EFI’s first suite of print workflow software which leverages the company’s colour printing technology, and he has guided EFI through many acquisitions, including the acquisition of VUTEk, the world leader in superwide digital inkjet printing.

Previously as Vice President, General Manager of EFI’s Fiery Servers Division, he led his team to expand the server product line, and today, Fiery servers can process more than 4,000 full colour variable data pages per minute, making it the industry’s fastest digital server. www.visionmagazine.asia

VA: EFI is famous for its acquisitions and appears to buy up software companies every few months - is there a grand plan that can be revealed?

GG: On acquisitions in general, our overall strategy is to make printing much more competitive by making the process more efficient and taking the waste out.

We’re market leaders in industrial printing and workflow applications, and to maintain this leadership, we invest 15-20% of our revenue in R&D and complement this by adding acquired technology, particularly MIS, so EFI can innovate faster. Actually, in the last year, most of EFI’s growth was organic, not from acquisitions. This is part of what we do, grow organically, then add people and technology.

If you stay where you are, a lot of the things will just go away, so one of the best ways for us to maintain our creative edge is to acquire MIS companies and give the employees of the companies we acquire the tools they need to grow our business. Currently, we have about 300 engineers working on MIS, while our nearest competitor has only 10.

Still, every customer has their own requirements. Sometimes they don’t want to replace their own software, so we focus on every part of the print process, and we have a different MIS for packaging than for normal commercial print. When you’re selling to a printer in Germany or Japan or China or Singapore or Spain, no two are the same – there are different regulations, and we have local people who know the market.

VA: The eternal question - is the company planning to introduce any new or innovative technology in the next 12 months.

GG: If you come to Connect, you’ll get a glimpse! We’ve decided to come up with a lower cost, mini VUTEk type of device, and the demand is really, really strong. The price is less than half of what you would normally need to get into the business, it’s LED based, and, when we came out with it, our success was a lot faster and bigger than we anticipated.

Decorations are a huge market. We can personalise a lot of things, and personalised decorator items are a tremendous opportunity.

Inkjet can print onto many materials. Once, we printed the Google logo onto a conference table. You can print on wood, glass, metal – anything you like.

Feature INTERVIEW

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We are market leaders in many areas, so our competitors are working really hard to find a way to beat us, but this just makes us deliver greater products to our customers When I’m visiting printers, they tell me that one day, their business is going to go away, so we’ve got to get into new things. The window of opportunity is shifting, and people who have made the shift are very happy because they have better margins and growth.

People will pay more to print one than printing 100, if they can get what they want, so people are willing to look at customisation.

We’re looking at growth in the inkjet market of nearly 20% per year over the last four years, and that’s because their business is growing.

VA: An interesting part of your equipment lineup is Cretaprint - is it attractive to all countries or just Europe or US? GG: Cretaprint is part of our inkjet business, a wonderful technology where you can put images onto material without touching it. This makes the output attractive to all countries. Surprisingly, one of the big outcomes of inkjet and ceramics is the ability to imitate wood.

China has 40% of the world’s manufacturing capacity and, since we’re one of the largest industrial providers in the inkjet business, there’s a natural harmony there, which is why we have over 100 Cretaprint installs in China. There are many other installs in Malaysia, Indonesia, and India – South East Asia has been very good for us.

VUTEk is also going very well in China because customers want faster, high quality production, so they gravitate to machines with reliability. China is now our second largest market for Fiery products, surpassing both Japan and Germany. Subsequently, the China US business alliance is very strong as we have great trust and a strong strategic relationship.

VA: What are the big selling EFI products in Asia and are they a reflection of future directions - are you developing any new products specifically for the Asia market.

GG: On the printing side, the Asian market is quickly getting to the same level of demand as the Western market.

On the software side, we do need to invest in recruiting people locally who understand the different requirements, so we’ve hired a lot of people in Asia, and if we look at our head count, it’s been growing tremendously in the past few years. We have over 500 people in India who do a lot of our software quality assurance work and come up with many concepts.

There are several ideas that have come out of Asia which have inspired us to create new technology. For example, the low-end VUTEk was created because people who wanted to get into the market could not afford it. For this machine, we are manufacturing many of the printer parts in China and then bringing the components to America for assembly. You have to really work closely with your Chinese partners, and you need the right partners and the right quality inspections to make it all work.

All of the EFI products are made in the US other than this one lowend printer. Apart from this, and the Cretaprint in Spain, we have no production facilities outside of the US.

VA: How does EFI view the general Asian market and what does the company see as its major growth sectors in the region - are there similarities between Asian countries like there would be, for instance, between the US and Canada.

GG: Most of the printers, say in the US, are family-owned businesses and that seems to be common throughout the world.

These are real families who sometimes mortgage their business to buy our equipment. The US and Europe are much the same with regards to family participation.

Our business is not geared to large deals. If you look outside of our Fiery partners, we have a lot of small- to medium-sized enterprises – most of them are family owned where the parents want to have a business they can hand on to their children. We work with companies that have been around before EFI was even started, and that’s the beauty of the market: you work with SME operations and build the trust.

VA: What are some of the purchase differences between US/European markets and the Asian area.

GG: There are differences; for example, in the US, everything is well defined by the law, and it is a relatively efficient system. But in some of the countries, the code system is not very efficient, but it helps you to work based on trust. If you don’t take care of the customers, they’re not going to buy from you, and their handshake is a pretty strong way of working – which I like personally.

VA: EFI is already a well-known brand in Asia but what are the challenges ahead for EFI’s business.

GG: There’s no issue of recognition for EFI. In the last four years, we have been growing on average 13.5% while most companies in our industry have declined. People expect more from us and that the company will do better every year, which is very challenging, especially when our competitors go after us.

We are market leaders in many areas, so our competitors are working really had to find a way to beat us, but this just makes us deliver greater products to our customers. Competition makes us better, and EFI would not be the company today without this level of competition.

In some areas, people sell more because there’s more customers.

Our goal is to work with existing customers to make them richer and deeper businesses.

VA: How are you going with the patent trolls?

GG: We’ve never lost. Our philosophy is to fight because if you settle, you’re finished, and we sue them as a way to prove to the courts that are we validating our patents. So far so good: we have an awesome legal team, and we take these things very seriously and go hard after the offenders.

A lot of people pay patent trolls who have built an industry around it because there is no downside to suing – you’ll always get some money. It’s still a bad industry in the US, and I hope that they will fix it up as no one should make a business from suing other people. www.visionmagazine.asia

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TECHNOLOGY

Intel to Power new HP Multi Jet Fusion technology HP technology can offer new levels of part quality, 10 times faster and at breakthrough economics relative to similar systems in the marketplace

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P will use the Intel Core i7 suite of processors to power its latest 3D print technology - the HP Multi Jet Fusion. HP said Intel will be the choice of the silicon architecture for the system, a new technology engineered to resolve critical gaps in the combination of speed, quality and cost, and to deliver on the potential of 3D printing.

HP recently unveiled HP Multi Jet Fusion as part of its Blended Reality ecosystem, designed to break down the barriers between the digital and physical worlds.

Leveraging unique 3D print intellectual property, including HP Thermal Inkjet assets, HP Multi Jet Fusion is built to transform manufacturing across industries by delivering systems that are 10x faster than the best technology on the market today, with better quality, increased productivity, and break-through economics.

The partnership underscores the companies’ commitment to delivering transformative technologies for the future and driving market categories forward. Together, the technology engineered by HP and powered

by Intel has the potential to revolutionise production and offer businesses a new way to prototype and produce goods for customers.

Intel Core i7 processors will be integrated into HP Multi Jet Fusion technology and used in agile product testing with customers as part of HP’s Open Customer Collaboration Program throughout 2015. Wider distribution of the HP 3D Print system will begin in 2016.

Intel Core i7 Processors already power other facets of HP’s Blended Reality ecosystem, including Sprout by HP, an immersive computing platform that combines multiple devices - a scanner, hi-resolution camera, www.visionmagazine.asia

Intel RealSense 3D Camera, projector - into a single device, allowing users to take physical items and seamlessly merge them into a digital workspace.

Multi Jet Fusion is for a new era of manufacturing which offers the ability to produce - both rapidly and inexpensively - short runs or one-of-a-kind parts with local, on-demand production. HP says its technology can offer new levels of part quality, 10 times faster and at breakthrough economics relative to similar systems in the marketplace today.

Extract: HP’s technical white paper HP’s vision for 3D printing is the revolution of part manufacturing (how parts are made) and the part distribution supply chain (where and when parts are made). In the near term, affecting the creative process by making far more useful parts available to a much broader audience. And in the longer term, disrupting supply chains with 3D printing technology. In order for that disruption to occur, there must be significant changes in the economics of 3D printing and in the standards for maintaining quality.

Technologies Current 3D printers could be categorised in two groups, machines that produce smooth parts with good detail, and machines that produce parts with good strength.

Because of the materials that are currently used to produce smooth parts with good detail, this group of machines does not make parts with good strength. In contrast, because of point energy needed to produce parts with good strength, this group of machines does not produce smooth parts with detail.

Further, many existing processes fuse or cure the materials together at a focused point, for example using a focused laser beam to fuse, or using a single nozzle to extrude. This point processing limits the build speed of these technologies.

In the end, adoption of current technologies may be limited by imperfect parts, and slow productivity.

Fusing and detailing agents High productivity can lead to challenges in making quality parts and for parts to work, it’s important to ensure the material has been properly fused and that part edges are smooth and defined. To achieve quality at speed, HP invented a proprietary multi-agent printing process where agents are applied

by HP Thermal Inkjet arrays. The general process for HP’s multi-agent printing process is described in detail in the white paper.

Transforming agents The technology can enable the full potential of 3D printing through the production of highly functional parts. Using HP Thermal Inkjet arrays and HP’s technical core competency of rapidly and accurately placing precise (and minute) quantities of multiple types of fluids this gives HP’s technology a versatility and potential not found in other 3D printing technologies.

In addition to fusing and detailing agents, HP Multi Jet Fusion technology can employ additional agents to transform properties at each volumetric pixel (or voxel). These agents, transforming agents, deposited point-by-point across each cross-section, allow HP Multi Jet Fusion technology to produce parts that cannot be made by other methods.

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Read the white paper in full http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/4AA5-5472ENW.pdf

Scalable solutions Stacking HP Thermal Inkjet arrays across the width of the scan axis allows HP to build 3D printing solutions with working areas ranging from 4.25” to more than 40” wide.

Stacking HP Thermal Inkjet arrays along the scan direction provides more nozzles for increased writing speed and/or additional functionality from adding different types of liquid agents.

Summary

For example, the Jet Fusion printers could selectively print a different colour at each voxel with agents containing cyan, magenta, yellow, or black (CMYK) colourants and in the future, millions of colours could be available to the user.

Materials collaboration HP’s first commercial product using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology plans to build parts using production thermoplastic materials.

Ultimately, ceramics and metals may be processed and these materials are under investigation by HP research engineers and scientists.

And because our technology has the advantages that come with discretion of drops, by controlling the properties of each individual volumetric pixel (or voxel) through chemical agents and their interaction with build materials, HP’s Multi Jet Fusion technology can enable parts production of designs that can’t be made by other methods.

To realize this full potential of 3D printing, HP’s vision is to develop a 3D printing platform designed to become an industry standard, and HP is inviting creative collaboration in materials for 3D printing.

3D design and print collaboration The STL file format, first developed in 1989, is still the de-facto data exchange standard for 3D printing processes in 2014. Most, if not all, of the major 3D CAD software packages provide tools for STL file conversion.

Shortcomings of the STL format in terms of processing time and object dimensional precision are a barrier for the production of complex, high-precision parts by new technologies such as HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. Furthermore, this format only

allows geometric representation, so it does not allow voxel-by-voxel information to be carried from the CAD software to the printer.

To realise the full potential of 3D printing, the roadmaps of 3D printers and 3D CAD software must be aligned, and the roadmaps must be accompanied by a change to a more information-rich file format.

HP is inviting collaboration in software solutions so that, by engaging the innovation potential of others, HP looks to lead the proliferation of full system solutions that can allow inventors to design and build assemblies that have form and function surpassing what can be imagined and manufactured today.

Based on HP’s core competencies in precision, low-cost mechanics, precision metering and placement of liquid agents, high-volume manufacturing, and material science, HP is poised to introduce a disruptive 3D printing technology.

Comparison to commercially available 3D printing technologies has demonstrated clear advantages to HP Multi Jet Fusion technology and its material set to define new levels of part quality, high part functionality, at 10 times the build speed and at breakthrough economics.

A key feature of HP Multi Jet Fusion technology is the potential to modify material properties to produce controlled-variability in mechanical and physical characteristics within a part. This can enable a host of new possibilities in the design and performance of parts built by 3D printing.

3D Systems previews CocoJet a new 3D chocolate printer US based 3D printing company 3D Systems has previewed the CocoJet, a chocolate 3D printer developed in collaboration with the Hershey Company, at the 2015 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) technology trade show Las Vegas held from 6-9th January.

The company says this will suit the baker or chocolatier, as the CocoJet prints custom, personalised designs in dark, milk or white chocolate and is the latest result of the 3DS partnership with the US based Hershey’s chocolate confectionery company.

3DS used the CES to showcase its ChefJet series the first, professional-grade food 3D printers including the soon to be food certified, full colour ChefJet Pro capable of producing edible 3D printed candies and decor. Built from 3DS’ ColorJet Printing (CJP) technology, the ChefJet Pro creates intricate candies and sweets with a variety of flavour options. It is expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2015. www.visionmagazine.asia

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trends

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InfoTrends: China digital production printing forecast indicates 14.9% PA growth

InfoTrends has released its China Digital Production Printing Application Forecast: 2013-2018. The report tracks and forecasts application volumes for digital production printing and looks at 28 applications in 7 application groups and 7 hardware segments.

impacted by factors such as growth in usage, electronic replacement and moves to shorter runs.

Infotrends say print applications drive the demand for print, and digital production printing is no exception. Demand can be

InfoTrends research indicated production printing in China is expected to grow at an average rate of 14.9% per year.

Other changes in demand for digital printing can also be affected by competition with other processes and product groups.

Print volume will increase in all of the seven types of applications, with published and promotional applications showing very high growth rates.

Their report contains an analysis of 28 applications with qualitative explanations and definitions of the application trends as well as a complementing Excel file containing detailed data sets from the InfoTrends website.

InfoTrends: study on who buys wide format printing InfoTrends, the US based market analyst in the digital media industries, have undertaken a study that identifies digital wide format printing as a growth area in the printing industry which will both PSPs and digital wide format equipment and product suppliers, the opportunity to understand new and interesting innovative applications, trends and demands.

The study will uncover strategies and actions to improve competitive operations such as: • Market forces driving demand for wide format graphic applications • Wide format pricing trends

InfoTrends says their study “Who Buys Wide Format Printing?” will uncover key market trends driving demand for digital wide format printing, application growth, and technology investment information, that includes advertising and marketing agencies, amusement and entertainment, education, events, financial services, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, non-profits, retail, and real estate.

• Wide format buyers criteria for selecting providers

InfoTrends methodology is to identify market trends through analyses, structured surveys and interviews with wide format print buyers.

• Wide format graphics role in a cross-media world and the implications of digital signage

The research will evaluate the purchasing activities of each part of the industry including buyer selection, order frequency and key influencers and decision-makers in the buying process - especially commercial printers, sign shops, in house printing operations, screen printers, reprographic shops, and copy shops.

• Analysis and Project Deliverables

• Online ordering’s impact on wide format applications • Top purchasing criteria such as turnaround times, run lengths, applications, sizes, substrates -for purchasing devices and selecting wide format providers

• Products and services that wide format providers require from equipment and supplies manufacturers to grow their wide format businesses www.visionmagazine.asia

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VISION

packaging & lABELLING

EU packaging new print and packaging regulations in December John Bambery, Chairman of the BPIF’s (British Printing Industries Federation) Labels Group, said: “Countless artwork has to be changed to meet the deadline in December. Morrison’s is one supermarket chain that went on record more than a year ago to confirm that it will need to change 10,000 details on product labels alone.

My take is that the only way of doing it cost effectively is digitally, which creates a massive business opportunity for those with digital equipment.”

UK based Industrial Inkjet Ltd (IIJ) have warned that the print and packaging industries across Europe may be “in for a nasty shock” when European Commission regulations come into force in December that are designed to help consumers understand more about the food they eat.

Many printers and packers are not aware of the regulations that will impact on brand owners, end users and supermarkets and change the face of packaging across Europe.

For many, it may involve upgrading standard business procedures to cope with the Euro directives.

The strict new rules for food packaging cover requirements from font size, ingredient lists, nutrition information, contact details and food source. Printers can expect run lengths to decrease and set-up costs for traditional flexo or litho printing to increase, making digital print an attractive option.

The relevant documentation comes under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, and becomes effective from 13 December 2014 and will supersede current foodstuff labeling requirements of Directive 2000/13/EC and nutrition labelling requirements of Directive 90/496/EEC.

HB Fuller Advantra True packaging adhesive released in Europe across the production line through to end-oflife recycling.

The launch of Advantra True follows an extensive period of trials that demonstrated the advantages of this new hot melt adhesive range across a wide range of carton types, including recycled carton grades.

Advantra True characteristics: • Delivers bonding power • Production line efficiencies

He continued “While many printers will be supplied with customer artwork, some will be asked to produce designs and their designers have to be aware of what is acceptable and what is not. I’ve raised the question relating to the liability printers face and it has been confirmed that the name and address of the producer of the product has the legal responsibility for ensuring the information on the label or packaging is correct. As I understand it, the UK has a voluntary code that complies with EC rules.

So if they don’t comply they are not actually breaking the regulations as they haven’t been enshrined into UK law.”

Epson acquires K-Sun Corporation for industrial labeling solutions market Seiko Epson Tokyo have confirmed that the company has acquired the Somerset, Wisconsin-based K-Sun Corporation, supplier of portable and desktop electronic label printers.

The company says the acquisition will provide Epson with broader access to labelling customers and influencers, as well as expand the company’s presence in the industrial labelling market.

• Low odour Swiss headquartered packaging adhesive developer HB Fuller, has announced the European launch of its renewable raw material hot melt adhesive - Advantra True.

Fuller says Advantra True is a next generation end-of-line adhesive is specially designed to help packaging manufacturers deliver a more sustainable product as it contains 40% ‘forest sourced’ renewable resources and material and delivers results www.visionmagazine.asia

• Good thermal stability • Positive aging • Adhesive separates well in re-pulping process

HB Fuller certifies that the Advantra True adhesive grade is compliant with European food safety regulations.

Specialising in industrial and safety marking/ identification, pipe marking, and wire/ cable labeling, K-Sun will begin sales of Epsonbranded lineup of LabelWorks label printers for industrial applications in North America from January 2015. Epson America will focus on promoting LabelWorks label printers to the consumer and office markets.

Expansion of the product line offerings will follow.

awards

VISION

15

Viscom Frankfurt Best of 2014 Award substrates - with borderless printing function.

The jury noted the temperature reduction from 90 to 60 degrees, reproduction detail, ink formulation and scratch resistance.

The second - Mimaki Deutschland received a community award for their UV-LED printers JFX200-2513 and UJV500-160. The jury noted that the LED flatbed printer JFX200-2513 and the 3M certified roll printer UJV500-160 are exceptional machines at a good price and both can be used with various substrates and several sets of ink, including white and clear varnish.

The Best of 2014 Awards were announced for the eighth time in Frankfurt on the first day, the 5th of November, at the Viscom international trade fair for Visual Communication.

security system and price/performance ratio impressive and a worthy supplement to screen printing.

Selected winners were:

Three prizes were awarded this year in the Large Format Printing Category.

Large Format Printing Category

Fabric Finishing Category Epson Deutschland – for their SureColor SC-F2000 for direct printing of T-shirts and bags. The judges found the reliability,

The first - Hewlett-Packard GmbH for their HP Latex 360 printer designed to produce quality, durable prints for indoor and outdoor applications on a multitude of signing

Ikea “Bookbook” Campaign – Wins Positively Print Award

Ralph Nappi, GASC President said “The goal of the Positively Print program is to highlight examples of creative and effective print advocacy campaigns,” when he presented the award in Chicago at the close of the 2014 Executive Outlook conference, which took place immediately prior to the opening of Graph Expo 14 and the co-located CPP Expo, September 28 - October 1, 2014. He continued, “The Ikea spot is not only funny, but also a great promotion for the power of print in today’s media mix,”

Ikea’s clever video, promoting the power of a good print catalogue generated more than 7.7 million online views in less than a week. The campaign caught the attention of the Graphic Arts Show Company (GASC) ‘Positively Print’ judges and it won the 2014 award. This is the fifth year the Positively Print award has acknowledged an organisation that promotes print.

The video, viewable on YouTube, has its narrator parody the tone and language Apple uses to market its products and invites us to: “Experience the power of a ‘bookbook’ which is a device that will change the way we live. It is not a digital book or an e-book but a bookbook with eternal battery life and preinstalled content. This ‘simple and intuitive’ device has no cables and no loading lag time, just 328 high-definition full colour pages and navigation based on ‘tactile touch technology that you can actually feel’.”

The third - ColorPainter M-64s from Seiko Instruments. The jury made note of the inkjet printer’s suitability for indoor and outdoor applications, speed and easy to use “unattended printing” via social networks, such as Twitter and best sales status and customer satisfaction Software Category Roland DG for their Roland DisplayStudio digital signage system which is an innovative addition to Roland’s portfolio of products designed to enhance digital signage presentations.

MGI ‘Packaging Innovation Award’ with the JETvarnish 3D and iFOIL MGI Digital Graphic Technology’s iFOIL picked up the Pack Experts Committee “Innovation Award” at 2014 Emballage Packaging Exhibition.

The packaging and handling exhibition, held from 17-20 November in Paris-Villepinte, received over 100,000 visitors to see the industry’s best.

1,500 exhibitors submitted over 208 products to the Pack Experts Committee, many from large international companies such as L’Oréal, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé. The top 8 entries were given the “Innovation Award,” including the MGI iFOIL module.

MGI says the iFOIL and JETvarnish 3D are the first 100% digital inkjet technology solutions available for this industry worldwide.

Embossed hot foil effects can be used on magazine covers, books, brochures, labels, invitations, packaging and more. www.visionmagazine.asia

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awards & EVENTS

HP, Canon and Konica Minolta get BLI awards

Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI) Asia have confirmed that wide format devices from Canon and HP have received Pick and Outstanding Achievement awards, while Konica Minolta’s Bizhub Press 1052, 2250P and C1100 printers have been named best in class and picked up three BLI 2015 Production PRO Picks.

The 2015 Wide Format Pick and Outstanding Achievement Award winners are:

Drupa 2016 already 80% pre-sold Messe Düsseldorf, organisers of Drupa 2016, the world’s largest print equipment exhibition and the leading international trade fair for print and crossmedia applications, say that 80% of the show space has already been booked and confirmed 17 months in advance of the 31 May 2016 start date and, if this trend continues, the event will again be a sell out performance. The previous show in 2012 attracted over 314,000 visitors to see 1844 exhibitors from 52 countries who occupied over 165,000 sqm of floor space.

and laminated surfaces, ceramics, vehicle parts, promotional items or electronic products, has risen annually by 13.4% and in 2013 achieved a volume of US$ 43.7 billion.

InfoTrends (USA/UK) currently value the market at US$ 100 billion. Drupa recognised the growth potential of these markets early on and set in motion the “PEPSO” (Printed Electronics Products and Solutions) exhibition at Drupa 2012. At drupa 2016 this will de covered with additional events in a specialised programme.

The exhibition is being marketed under the “touch the future” headline indicating the 2016 event will focus more heavily on future oriented technologies such as printed electronics, 3D printing and inkjet printing with its industrial applications.

These technologies are driving the market and are opening up opportunities for growth potential worldwide, primarily in the field of packaging, functional and industrial printing.

The market for 3D printing is developing even more dynamically. The global market volume is currently estimated at around US$ 2.2 billion. The Association of German Machine and System Engineers (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau) that recently founded the company Additive Manufacturing, is anticipating an annual growth rates of 25 percent.

According to Smithers Pira (UK), sales in the packaging print sector will rise annually by four percentage points to US$ 970 billion by 2018. There are also indications of growth in the industrial and functional printing sector.

Since 2008 this market, that includes printing processes for the production of decorative

Drupa’s 19 trade fair halls will be structured according to individual industry areas and topics including specialised programmes such as the Drupa innovation park, the Drupa cube and the “touch points” theme parks – an initial exhibitor list will be published in September 2015.

Canon imagePROGRAF iPF680/685 (iPF680 sold as iPF681 in some markets) Outstanding 24” Colour Wide Format Technical Printer imagePROGRAF iPF780/785 (sold as iPF781/786 in some markets) Outstanding 36” Colour Wide Format Technical Printer imagePROGRAF iPF785 MFP M40 (sold as iPF786 with M40 Scanner in some markets) Outstanding 36” Colour Wide Format Technical MFP Hewlett-Packard HP Designjet Z5400 PS ePrinter Outstanding 44” 6-Colour Wide Format Graphic Arts Printer HP Rear Stacker Design Outstanding Achievement in Innovation Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS 1052 Outstanding Monochrome Light to MidVolume Production Device bizhub PRESS 2250P Outstanding Monochrome Mid to High Volume Production Device bizhub PRESS C1100 Outstanding Colour Mid Volume Production Device www.visionmagazine.asia

Labelexpo South China wraps with over 5,000 visitors Guangzhou’s Pazhou Exhibition Center was the venue for the biggest Labelexpo South China to date with the 2014 event reporting a 4% increase through the gate.

Held from 3 - 5 December 2014, the three day trade exhibition saw 5,297 visitors, up from 5,098 in 2012.

Nearly 150 exhibitors showcased their latest products and services with new product launches including presses from Nuova GIDUE, Venture Electronics and WeiFang DongHang Precision Machine Co. The exhibition was supported by a two day conference with keynote presentations conducted by Jari Haavisto and Heini Lehti of UPM Raflatac along with John Li, senior packaging development manager at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Group AsiaPacific. Both companies have collaborated to find labeling solutions and presented a practical insight into sustainable, profitable business practise.

An overview of the latest smart products being used to engage consumer interaction and spending, were presented by Top Print Labels, Peng Cheng Li Cultural Technology and Sun Chemical.

The debut, two hour Interactive Live Technology Clinic sessions permitted one to one discussions on all aspects of label and package printing technology with a panel of experts in the field, including Kinglabel Adhesives, YUPO and the Printing and Printing Equipment Industries Association of China (PEIAC).

The Chinese market is currently experiencing a boom in production of all types of short-run labels, especially variable data information, barcoding, QR coding and brand security features like microprint.

Labelexpo South China reports that they have attained their highest ever onsite rebook rate in South China to date, with 31% space already committed for 2016.

events

VISION

17

Heimtextil 2015 Xeikon 3D wall covering

Xeikon

have announced showcased a swathe of digital solutions for the first time at Heimtextil 2015 being held at Messe Frankfurt, Germany from January 14 to 17, 2015.

Their product range included an all-in-one Xeikon 3500 Digital Press equipped with a Jumbo unwinder, a Weko humidifier for non-woven substrates and Web Varnishing unit with dedicated workflows and software, application-specific toners and process optimisation tools plus pre- and post-press equipment.

The company also showcased wallpaper production and visitors saw a wallpaper depicting images with a 3D illusion that Xeikon says can only be put to the test by touching the flat surface - all part of Xeikon’s Wall-Covering Suite launched recently, to allow high quality, cost-efficient, customised, short and large run production wall decorations designed for commercial, retail and residential purposes.

The ability of the 3500 to print full-rotary and endless patterns without any breaks makes it ideal for producing any kind of

M-Tex DtG printers

wall-coverings, from short-run wallpapers of standard lengths to large murals. With an output speed of 600 m²/hr, that Xeikon says is the fastest digital printing press on the market. The Alpine fuser drum guarantees the “matte” finish required for wall-covering applications.

Xeikon toners are odour-free and print work complies with EN15102 standards, while the inline finishing systems available with the Wall-Covering Suite ensure accurate cutting in both process and cross directions and output a finished roll ready to be wrapped and sent out.

An alternative to the Xeikon 3500 Press is the Xeikon 8000-Series duplex press, which allows print of not only wall-coverings but also sheets that can be combined as sample books.

Xeikon showcased their SuperBlack toner, its latest development in toner technology, which is a spot colour that can be applied using the fifth color station and provides a density of 2.2-2.4, than can be applied using the fifth colour station of a Xeikon digital press.

M-Tex Solutions showed off their DtG digital printers and treatment machines as a total textile solution at the Heimtextil event.

On show were the recently launched M-Tex Vision (pictured) aimed at the transfer print market with direct print onto stretch fabrics, the M-Tex Blue – an entry level DtG printer with in-built fixation targeted at the graphic display and apparel market, and the M-Tex 5032Pro, originally launched in 2014 as a second-generation version of the M-Tex 5032 3.2m wide textile printer, now with: • integrated platform • compressed feed and take up system • print speeds of up to 58sqm per hour • new continuous ink feeding system

Kornit with Gideon Oberson

Epson bespoke digital décor design creation on-screen, proofing and printing of digital direct to textile print of a cushion cover by designer Briony Benge on a table-top SureColor SC-F2000 direct-to textile printer.

Epson Europe participated in Hemtextil and showcased the flexibility of their inkjet inks and printers on decor applications including glass, metal and plastic and other creative applications such as a customised entertainment system.

Visitors saw a demonstration of the entire production workflow from contemporary

Epson was partnered by German specialist colour trend interior and fashion design forecasters the Deutsches Mode-Institut’s and used their DMix digital source on an Epson Stylus Pro 4900, output on a variety of hard surfaces, SureColor SC-F7100 dyesublimation printer and heat transfer to soft furnishing textiles as well as hard surfaces in bright vibrant colours. Textile specialist For.Tex displayed silk, cotton and polyester textiles printed on the industrial Epson SurePress FP-30160.

Other bespoke items displayed included curtains, lampshades, cushions, upholstery, tables and chairs and wallpaper that can be produced in small to large print runs.

Kornit Digital and international designer Gideon Oberson collaborated to highlight digital textile printing onto a variety of limitless length fabrics on Kornit’s roll-to-roll Allegro at Heimtextil. Oberson’s Costa Rica inspired tropical environment designs will be brought to life through the detail, colour gamut and versatility of Kornit’s Allegro rollto-roll NeoPigment process printer. Oberson is an example of the transition being made by designers to include green values, along with cost-effective production methods into the fabric design workflow. The Allegro requires no pre and post treatment and makes textile production available in an economical, single step finished fabric process in the shortest cycle time. www.visionmagazine.asia

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events

Fespa 2014

Esko Café Pack Expo 2014

Fespa China Textile Printing Global Forum keynote speaker Mark Gervais - Director of Screen Print at Ningbo Shenzhou Knitting Co Ltd held the first seminar (12:30 – 13:30) on day one entitled Digital Print Fabric – Investigations and Experiences.

Fespa China & CSGIA 2014 focussed on the latest trends and applications of textile printing across screen and digital technologies at Guangzhou Pazhou Poly World Trade Centre, Guangzhou, China from 19-21 November 2014.

Neil Felton, Fespa CEO, commented: “As an organiser of speciality print events, textile printing is a natural area of focus for Fespa all over the world. The industry is rooted in the screen printing process, but digital technology is making a significant impact across all textile printing applications – soft signage, garments and fashion textiles and interior decoration.”

He continued “Textile printing has always been a focus of the CSGIA event, and Fespa is building on this by bringing the latest insights into how digital is transforming textile print production, supporting Chinese textile printers with the analogue to digital transition.”

Following Mark on day one in the Global Forum, was Mr Song Haiyang, Manager of Large Format Printer, Epson (China) Co Ltd (13:30 – 14:30) who will highlight the application of micro jet textile printing.

Mr Rong Hua, Marketing Manager at Shanghai HK Digital Tech Co Ltd followed (14:30 – 15:30) presenting cut-parts digital printing development. The day concluded with Mr. Xin Guohua, CEO of Human Digital Tech Co Ltd (15:40 – 16:30) who examined the application of digital ceramic printing.

Internationally renowned screen printer Charlie Taublieb conducted interactive t-shirt screen printing workshops throughout the event, allowing textile printers an opportunity to master a variety of garment screen printing techniques and special effects as well as permitting visitors an opportunity to print their own design.

Textile print exhibitors included: Cham Group, Chemica, J-Teck, Kiian, Kornit Digital, MHM, Monti Antonio, MS Srl, Prodecran, Reggiani and Siser.

Esko used Pack Expo, held in Chicago from November 2-5, to demonstrate design and production tools by letting visitors brew their own coffee and the have their favourite pre-printed K-cup box designed, created and cut with Esko tools and equipment being showcased at the Esko Café. The company used the Café concept to show how Esko tools let brand owners design and create better packaging and actively participate in the packaging supply chain.

Esko also featured Suite 14 software A pre-production and workflow tool that supports and manages packaging, signage and display production for brand owners, retailers, designers PSPs and manufacturers.

Studio Provides an accurate, technically correct 3D image package on the screen and conventional mock ups if required, are easy, faster and cheaper to produce.

Studio Store Visualizer

Fespa Eurasia 2014 success view a range of products and services across wide format digital printing, screen printing, signage, textile printing and garment decoration sectors and that almost half of the audience indicated they will commit to an equipment purchase within 6 months of the show.

Fespa has announced that the 2014 edition of FESPA Eurasia, held in Istanbul from 4-7 December, had over 8,600 attendees - an almost 30% increase on last years’ event.

The many regional and international brands on offer contributed to the event being 20% larger than 2013 with 80% of the exhibition audience coming from Turkish cities and 20% from 78 other countries including Iran, Greece, Bulgaria, Tunisia and Russia.

Fespa said the event gave PSPs a chance to www.visionmagazine.asia

Representatives from Fespa and their exhibition partner ARED said the 8,625 visitor figure excludes exhibitors or revisiting attendees. They also said that this is a non profit event and the objective - to provide a community service and help grow and improve the industry, has been realised.

Exhibitors expressed their satisfaction with reported international sales from informed buyers and decision makers and that the event is seen as an affirmation of industry prospects for 2015.

Permits users to view and interact with packaging in a virtual retail environment.

ArtiosCAD A structural software with dedicated tools designed for packaging professionals, product development, virtual prototyping and manufacturing., WebCenter A centralised management and communication system connecting the process.

Cape Pack A modular palletisation software suite to determine product size, case count, case size and pallet load.

INK

VISION

19

Fuji Xerox gold and silver toners for Color 1000i Press

Features • Gold and silver toners have increased the range of colours over the clear dry ink available for the previous model Fuji Xerox Tokyo has developed Gold and Silver Toners for use by the company’s new production colour printer, the Color 1000i Press, directed toward the high-end professional printing market.

The company says the Color 1000i Press becomes the industry’s first xerographic production printer to offer both metallic gold and silver colours and were developed from Fuji Xerox’s Emulsion Aggregation (EA) technology of ellipsoid shaped inks with the flat reflective pigments completely covered by toner particles.

This single production printer orients the reflective pigment particles in parallel to

• Print productivity – 100 prints per minute with media as thick as 350gsm (same as previous model)

the print media and allows the reflective pigments to reflect light, rather than pass through. Many metallic effects can be achieved after the image is fused onto various and even dark coloured media, although metallic reproduction can vary, and is dependent on the type of paper used.

• Reduced workload and increased efficiency - as it is equipped with Full Width Array (which was optional on previous model) to automate printing adjustments, such as measured special colour chart colour calibration and front and back alignment

The Color 1000i Press is suitable to print catalogues, direct mail, flyers, postcards and business cards that are typically created on digital printers using only cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) colours.

• Faster processing of high volume and variable data using the PX 1000 Printer Server (only available in Japan, other markets may use different servers) with redesigned hardware and software enabling digital data to be processed at higher speeds than the previous model

Sales will begin February 6, 2015 in Japan, and sequentially in Asia-Pacific regions including China.

DuPont microcircuit stretchable inks DuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM) has introduced a suite of stretchable electronic ink materials for use in smart clothing, fitness, outerwear and other wearable applications.

The company says this is a manufacturing ready alternative to many traditional methods of embedding electronics in clothing. The materials have been used to create thin, form-fitting circuits that are comfortable and can be bonded seamlessly to deliver stretchable, stable performance electronic inks. A third party evaluation of fabrics that incorporate these DuPont materials to create thin electronic circuits, have shown them

to be washable, durable and capable of withstanding up to 100 wash cycles.

DuPont exhibited smart clothing stretchable ink prototypes at Printed Electronics USA 2014, Nov. 19 – 20 in Santa Clara, California, USA and plans to offer a full material suite of conductors, encapsulants, and sensors for use in wearable electronics applications, including: • •

DuPont PE872 stretchable conductor, which is washable with encapsulation DuPont PE772 stretchable, washable dielectric encapsulant.s

Magic Ink ink cartridges for HP and Mimaki Coveris Advanced Coatings has added cartridges for HP Designjet Z6200 and Mimaki JV5 to their Magic Ink line.

HP and Mimaki compatibility: Description • Compatible Printer • Capacity

As well as HP and Mimaki, Magic Inks also have ink cartridges suitable for Canon, Epson, Mutoh, Roland and Seiko printers.

Made in the USA, the company says their high performance Magic Inks are formulated for print longevity, accurate colour and image reproduction and compatibility with all brands of inkjet media.

For HP91J - HP Designjet Z6100 - 775 ml For HP771 - HP Designjet Z6200 - 775 ml For Mimaki HS SPC0473 - Mimaki JV5 - 220 ml For Mimaki HS SPC0473 - Mimaki JV5 - 440 ml

The company claims that cost effective Magic Ink has a demonstrated equivalent OEM performance, making them an ideal alternative solution for inkjet users. www.visionmagazine.asia

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VISION

INK & media

DuPont Artistri Brite digital textile inks DuPont Digital Printing has introduced new fully tested Artistri Brite digital textile inks, designed to deliver a step change in colour saturation and speed for advanced direct to garment (DTG) printing.

The company says that all Artistri Brite ink batches are manufactured in a Dupont iSO 9001 certified facility to ensure repeatable colour saturation. Dupont says Brite inks have a 40 percent colour improvement compared to previous generation direct to garment inks.

Specially designed for textile printers and print shops using next generation DtG digital print systems or silk screen users looking to move to digital printing but need a faster more sustainable process.

Avery Dennison new Red Conform Chrome

Characteristics include: • Streamlined workflow compared to current DTG digital printing methods • The first inks that provide support for new generation printers that print up to three times faster than current technology • Can be cured in automated gas convection ovens, eliminating the need for manual hand presses for improved operator time and productivity • Ease of use and jetability that results in fewer mechanical defects - pH balanced formulation minimises print head clogging

Aslan Premium BB 910 Film

Characteristics include: • Conformable – applied easily to slightly curved features including side view mirrors, striping and door handles • Patented Easy Apply RS Technology – permits reposition and slide, reducing air bubbles and installation time with long term removability Avery Dennison has added Conform Chrome Red to the Conform Chrome film series. The Chrome series allow a mirror-like result to accents and finish for a high-end look on any vehicle with the Chrome Red colour joining Silver, Gold, Blue and Black in the suite of products.

• No overlaminate required before installation

With the addition of this new colour, the Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film line now includes 87 opaque cast films in gloss, matte and brushed metallic, matte, pearlescent, carbon fiber, conform chrome and satin finishes.

• Adheres to paints and other substrates but removes as required

• Special effect accents can be applied on or around existing wrapping materials • Up to 3-year durability on vertical applications providing good UV, temperature, humidity and salt-spray resistance

Samples of the new film are available via your local sales representative.

Avery Dennison increases film lamination capacity with Gotha Germany Avery Dennison has made a multi-million euro investment in its German Gotha plant, significantly increasing capacity for European film operations.

The Gotha plant specialises in acrylic emulsion adhesives, using Avery Dennison developed technologies and is complemented by their www.visionmagazine.asia

Pilot Coater in Leiden, The Netherlands.

The new tandem silicone adhesive laminating inline process offers more flexibility and together with a dedicated slitting and distribution shipping hall has increased top coating capacity by 50 million m² with operations space enlarged by one third.

Aslan has announced another reusable acrylic pressure blackboard self adhesive PVC polymeric film product in their range: the Premium Blackboard Aslan BB 910.

The company says that the media is suitable for long term application for schools, nurseries, offices, bars, cafes, restaurants or even homes and restoration to worn blackboard surfaces: • Easy permanent application on smooth indoor/outdoor surfaces • Writable with liquid chalk pens and school chalk • Writing easily removed with organic solvents • After permanent use no shadow or ghosting when writing is removed • Scratch/solvent resistant surface • 130 µm thickness E so easily cut to size or shape • Dimensions: 50 m x 1,25 m | 25 m x 1,25 m • Release liner: silicon cardboard 140g/ sqm • White reverse side offers good optic on glass

media

Agfa Synaps XM certified for Kodak NexPress digital

VISION

21

Orafol Oralite Vc 612 Flexibright for vehicles

Synaps XM135 is certified qualified for use on the Kodak NexPress 2100 Classic through SX platforms with appropriate corresponding NexStation DFE software.

Characteristics: • Polyester based synthetic paper for use in dry toner electrophotographic and laser printing • White opaque film • Double sided antistatic Agfa Specialty Products - provider of functional foils, has announced that it’s synthetic paper Synaps Xerographic Matt (XM) has been certified by the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), as a qualified substrate for use on Kodak NexPress digital production colour presses.

The RIT Print Applications Lab conducted evaluations for Synaps XM135 using benchmarks based on dry ink adhesion, colour density, overall image quality, sufficient discharging, and no artifacts such as excessive curl or blistering.

• Toner adhesion • Suitable for digital and offset printing • Weatherproof • Tear resistant • Available as sheets of 135, 230, 300 and 450gsm weights or rolls The company says the product is an alternative to lamination and suits varied applications including entrance tickets, invitations, vouchers, gift cards, plant labels, outdoor documentation, technical brochures and manuals, POS and signage.

Orafol’s Oralite VC 612 Flexibright Chevron is an upgraded, more flexible version of the company’s existing fluorescent lime/red chevron film and is a flexible marking film suitable for emergency service vehicles.

The company says the new microprismatic reflective material used in Oralite VC 612 Flexibright provides outstanding visibility in both day and night scenarios due to its reflective fluorescent properties.

Features include: • High visibility and composed of microprismatic retroreflective elements • No edge sealing required

Perception PhotoFab ECO-Ultra 100% recycled repositionable wall graphic fabric

• Conforms to slightly curved vehicle shapes • Easy to handle and apply to smooth painted and unpainted vehicle surfaces • UV stabilized polymeric film • Sturdy and weatherproof • Potential removability • TPESC B 13233 fire fighting vehicle approved - complies with NIT 273: 200

Features:

US based Perception Wide Format Media has released PhotoFAB Eco-Ultra, a 100% recycled polyester woven fabric with a water based ultra-removable/repositionable adhesive. Perception say that ECO-Ultra is the first repositionable wall graphic fabric made of 100% recycled post consumer recycled (PCR) water bottles, coated to accept latex, eco solvent and UV curable inks.

engineered to provide stability throughout print production, installation, repositioning and removal of the printed graphic.

The woven fabric is laminated with a water based removable repositionable adhesive which, along with its stay flat liner, is

The 6 mil bright white and opaque matte media is available in custom sizes, minimum order and lead-time required.

This makes it suitable for indoor applications for in-home graphics, sealed walls, decals, metal and stainless steel, glass and plastic and POP retail graphics. Outdoor applications includes vehicles, bus shelters, sandwich boards, doors and windows.

• Opacity for hiding power • Anti-fray edge cuts with friction feed and razor knife • Dimensionally stable, allowing stretch free removal and re-applying without image distortion • Large colour gamut • Fine dot and line definition • Full print to edge silhouette capabilities • Manufactured in USA with no heavy metals or phthalates • Certifiably sustainable under ISO9001:2008 quality system • Easy installation and removal www.visionmagazine.asia

22

VISION

software

Enfocus Connect 13 Enfocus has a major upgrade in Connect 13, available for purchase late February 2015.

Connect 13 concentrates on expanding file delivery controls and delivers an all new Connector that streamlines remote installation, while providing a single point of access for designers to create and verify print quality PDFs and automatically deliver them to their print service provider.

SAi PixelBlaster developed for Dip-Tech’s glass printer

Fujifilm XMF Workflow V6 first with Adobe Mercury RIP

r The company says this is a solution to remove technical barriers from consistent PDF creation and total job delivery to remote servers. All the settings are encapsulated in a custom application or an easy to access “Connector”, which provides consistency and comes in three versions: • Connect YOU for individual designers and production artists • Connect ALL/SEND for PSPs and other graphics organisations distributing Connectors to remote users Connect 13 is focused on flexible PDF creation, workflow and delivery enhancements with new easy to install, manage, customise and access Connector structure.

Key new workflow functions can be tailored to perform just one, or several, functions with the ability to restrict or allow delivery of files based on file type so PSPs can limit what types of files are delivered to their servers and communicate any issues before the file leaves the designer’s workstation.

Users can select what type of Enfocus PitStop Report is created and delivered with files, and apply PitStop Action Lists to locally saved PDF files processed by a Connector to apply watermarks, reduce image resolution with simplified entry points to their existing web HTTP server to send custom web page URL or trigger a job file delivery based on preflight results to print and workflow system.

Connect 13 will be released late February 2015. Connect YOU will be available online and through authorised resellers.

Connect ALL and Connect SEND will be available through Enfocus authorised resellers. Customers with a contract or who purchased any Connect 12 product after December 1, 2014 (until release date) will receive the Connect 13 upgrade at no charge. Customers who bought Connect 12 earlier or using older versions of Connect should contact Enfocus or their authorised Enfocus reseller for upgrade pricing. www.visionmagazine.asia

SA International (SAi) has developed a version of its PixelBlaster print-to-finish production software and bundled it with the world’s largest digital flatbed printer, the Dip-Tech AR18000 digital ceramic in-glass printer.

Dip-Tech, was awarded a Guinness world record for printer size for the Dip-Tech AR18000 as “largest digital flatbed printer”.

Measuring at an incredible 18m in length – more than double the length of DipTech’s next-longest printer – it can print a single pane of glass with a total area of up to 64sqm. Applications of digital ceramic printing include colour printed exterior architectural glass projects, interior usage and transportation glass.

PDF based PixelBlaster Dip-Tech Edition was developed with Dip-Tech to address the unique characteristic and challenges of glass printers and is bundled with Dip-Tech ARseries in-glass printers, with PixelBlaster RIP, colour management, full colour workflow support in six colour plus spot colour printing and specially controlled opacity ceramic ink control.

Dip-Tech’s technology uses naturally pigmented ink and doesn’t use the CMYK colour set (instead using orange, red, blue, green, black and white, as well as any required special spot colour), PixelBlaster is used to match the designer or architect’s CMYK files into language the Dip-Tech printers understand. In addition to handling the non-standard color set, SAi PixelBlaster Dip-Tech Edition carries out the more standard jobs of SAi PixelBlaster software including tiling, step-and-repeat, and colour library functions.

When bundled with the Dip-Tech AR printers, the solution is called the Dip-Tech Xpert Pack XL (or, DXP XL), is available now and will be supplied with Dip-Tech AR-series printers worldwide.

Fujifilm Australia has announced major upgrades to its XMF workflow in version 6 including the first deployment of Adobe’s new Mercury Rip Architecture. Additionally, XMF Remote R10 will allow remote previewing and proofing over the internet using HTML 5.

XMF V6 includes the Adobe PDF Print Engine 3 (APPE3) which together with Mercury RIP Architecture achieves improvements in file processing times.

Fujifilm management said that a significant advantage of XMF V6 is that the system can conduct load balancing by processing each page of a single job simultaneously during rendering. This results in higher processing speeds which in turn delivers significant productivity improvements when outputting pages to a digital press or when producing variable output.

V6 also uses the Mercury RIP Architecture to allow parallel processing of multiple jobs and achieve a processing capability up to ten times greater than previous systems, although the exact ratio depends on the operating environment. Different orders of priority can be assigned to different processes and it is possible to actively adjust the resource allocation for each respective process. In the event where the output to a platesetter, proofer or digital printer overlaps, the system can reduce processing ‘standby time’ to a minimum, ensuring that each output device is used efficiently.

The XMF Remote R10 module is equipped with HTML 5 compatibility which means that, even when the use of Java is not possible for security or other reasons, complete XMF Remote functionality is available.

A simple procedure allows online data submission, proofing and approval services, which means that XMF Remote can now be used for a wide range of applications. iPads can be used for proofing, allowing customers to issue instructions for proofing and confirm changes on-the-go.

SOFTWARE

VISION

23

Four Pees to distribute IC3D 3D software in Europe hi-resolution images, PDF proofs for markup or movies can shared by exporting it to colleagues and customers. IC3D Suite model can also be exported and printed on 3D printers for prototyping.

Software developer Four Pees will distribute IC3D Suite and IC3D Carton Edition in Europe.

Developed by US headquartered Creative Edge Software, IC3D Suite is the world’s first 3D real-time packaging simulation and design application that combines multiple packaging disciplines in one product.

IC3D Suite can be used for all types of packaging designs such as cartons, flexibles, bottles and store visuals and allows 2D artwork to be directly imported from Adobe Illustrator and mapped onto 3D models as a base artwork or label. When completed,

C3D Suite arrives with an ever-expanding model library of common packaging models.

Supporting all major 3D applications and other packaging models can be added to the library.

In addition to the model library, IC3D Suite ships with a template library allowing users to create custom models for bottles, cartons and many common flexible types, like gusseted bags, pillow bags, sachets, pouches and more making model creation and recreation faster. A library model can be dragged from the library and dropped into the scene. If a model is not available it can be created using Creative Edge Software’s Model Generation Service.

Roland DG DisplayStudio Roland DG Australia management said the package is a natural complement to wideformat printed graphics as DisplayStudio system includes everything sign shops need to design, implement and manage digital signage displays. It is ideal for POS displays, event graphics, restaurant and bar menu boards, retail signage, shops, hotel lobbies, events and corporate news broadcasts.

Features: • Can be installed on a media player

Roland DG Australia, has entered the digital signage market with the new Roland DisplayStudio digital sign system - a complete, digital signage package that can even be managed remotely.

• Accessed remotely from PC or Mac with an internet connection • Supports an extensive list of file formats: mov, wmv jpg, ppt, swf, pdf and mp4 • Quick content updates • Build and program playlists

The company says this is a turnkey solution designed specifically for sign makers and includes management software that makes it easy to combine images, text, logos, video clips and playlists with a digital media player and mounting hardware and backed up with Roland service and support.

• Real time review before publishing

Another package with just the software, media player and mounting hardware is also available for users who already have a monitor.

• Optional Samsung LC display screen

• Planning tools • Live streaming from websites, webcams and web TVs Hardware package: • Media player • Streamilned, lightweight design • Mounting hardware

Material Creation When creating 3D models in a 3D application that supports exporting of materials, those materials and the associated bitmaps can be loaded into IC3D Suite. To create sophisticated materials like refracting glass or metallic effects like gold foil, holographic or even lenticular effects, the IC3D material editor simplifies the process.

Once the surface materials for the model is created it can be applied by dragging and dropping onto the correct parts of the model or by using the Object Editor.

3D Rendering With the “Smart Wrap” mapping technology, labels, artwork and textures can be placed accurately onto complex models without the need for coordinate based mapping. The 3D rendering model works with Image

Matchmycolor/PACKZ colour for packaging Matchmycolor and PACKZ have announced a partnership agreement to offer a way to specify and manage brand colours within PACKZ packaging tools for making designs print ready.

Packz Software offers editing and workflow tools, based on native PDFs, that increase efficiency and communication in prepress for labels and packaging, brand service companies, trade shops and printers while Matchmycolor provides software tools for the colour supply chain from design to supply of finished product. .

Matchmycolor tools are suitable for a wide range of applications from graphic arts, packaging, inks, cosmetics, paints, plastics, fibers and ceramics. Matchmycolor has also developed plugins for high-end colour management software solutions for packaging proofing and colour separations, allowing seamless communication of color data.

The companies say their objective is to offer a way to connect and integrate the packaging supply chain to provide secure and scalable productivity from the design desk to the final product. Beyond seamlessly working between each other, the companies will be providing the tools to integrate to other systems, such as, order entry, ERP, and MIS. www.visionmagazine.asia

24

VISION

software

Enfocus Switch 12 update 3Mercury RIP Enfocus has announced the latest release of its automation solution, Enfocus Switch 12 update 3. Included in this release are new flow documentation and improved communication features that enable users to share knowledge on flows, work with greater efficiency, improved file sharing and support for Apple’s latest Yosemite OS X 10.10 operating system.

The company says these features build on the position of the Enfocus Switch solution as an automated document management system that integrates with a company’s existing systems. The new tools connects different applications with the steps needed to process, share and distribute files for businesses of all types, sizes, markets and budgets.

Flow Documentation The new Flow Documentation feature allows users to document the why, when, and how Switch flows were built. Users can then share knowledge and capture the actual status of a flow, making the process easier.

With one click, an operator can generate an HTML page which includes all information about their flow, including flow name, description, and creation date; the flow image as shown on the canvas; and the properties of all elements in the flow.

Beta tester feedback is that this new feature saves time and makes errors easier to locate and resolve.

Web connectivity A new communication tool enables users to communicate with an HTTP or an HTTPS server in both directions permitting connection with more third-party

Wasatch Softrip 7.2

applications, such as Dropbox so users can download and upload files, and retrieve or update information from a website.

Improved communications • Enhancements to the mail server and mail receive tool • User can now connect Switch to their mail server using the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol. In addition, the “Mail Receive” tool has been improved and is now called “Convert to plain text”.

This option allows users to save the email message either as HTML or as text.

• Better support for sorting output files • Release includes an extra property “width” for send, archive hierarchy and output folders. This lets users specify the length of the version number of duplicate output files. Leading zeros are added as required.

• New authentication method for SFTP • A new authentication method for logging on to an (S)FTP server through FTP send and FTP receive has been implemented in this release. Users can now use either user name and password or a “public key” to log on to the server.

New variables Two new variables have been added Job. UserFullName and Job.UserEmail.

In addition, the Hold Job properties “Unit” and “Delay” have been renamed to “Retry After” and “Retry Unit” to avoid confusion.

Logging preferences have also been improved, giving users the option to have log messages stored in CSV files, instead of comma-separated text files. Users can also indicate which delimiter to use and where to store the files.

Wasatch has released Softrip V 7.2 with new features and enhancements, which offer more speed, control, flexibility and workflow options as well a number of new printer drivers. 7.2 has expanded and improved on SoftRIP TX textile printing features including: • RIP speed up to 550mb per second (speed will improve even on slower computers ) • Easy customisation • Advanced drop and slide options • Stretch control to help adjust for fabric shrinkage • Spool data in real time Other advancements include Halftoning algorithms produce quality colour, gradients and fast RIP speed. This version provides smoother, better quality image highlights, even when dye sublimating to hard substrates.

Wasatch has made updates and improved capability with CHROMix Curve3 and the G7 calibration method plus updates to the Fotoba Option has provided more control over registration marks that can now be combined in new ways to support more workflows and offer additional combinations.

This release has new printer drivers including the HP Latex 310/330/360, Mutoh VJ-426UF, HP Designjet Z6600/Z6800, DGI FD-1908 and more.

Wasatch s available in Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region including Japan.

Enfocus partner with IQ Enfocus has partnered with Australian print MIS provider IQ, a 100% web based management system, to fill a gap in the automation between prepress production and MIS. IQ provides its customers with an out-of-the-box solution that streamlines print production workflows to integrate seamlessly with Enfocus Switch, PitStop Server using IQconnect – Enfocus Switch Module and various other PDF solutions. www.visionmagazine.asia

IQconnect uses Enfocus Switch to automate repetitive tasks and reduce the number of touch points, while using PitStop Server to automatically verify PDF files and correct them when needed.

Preflight reports are generated and available within printIQ to inform staff about any issues which impact the quality of the printed result, or which will cause production issues

downstream.

IQconnect

also

automates

the delivery of proofs, the imposition, and management of print queues.

The job management tools within printIQ are designed for digital space, paperless workflow working off real time data as well as delivery of proofs, print queues and PDF file corrections.

SOFTWARE

VISION

25

Axaio MadeToPrint Server now compatible with Adobe CC 2014 Server Following from the update for MadeToPrint Standard and Auto that created compatibility with InDesign & Illustrator CC 2014, Axaio have announced that the Server version of MadeToPrint has been added. In parallel for all MadeToPrint automation levels – Standard, Auto and Server – the new version (2.6290) was shipped, which includes a number of new features, improvements and bug fixes.

MadeToPrint is a plug-in for Adobe InDesign, Illustrator or InCopy and an XTension for QuarkXPress. Depending on the automation version (Standard, Auto or Server), MadeToPrint allows either manual, hot folder or fully automated print and export from a design document to one or more output targets. MadeToPrint integrates with editorial systems from Quark, Van Gennep, vjoon and WoodWing.

Prices and availability vary depending on product purchase configurations.

Quark Author smart content tool

New features and improvements: • When using “Auto” mode, MadeToPrint saves unprocessed files when it shuts down. Upon the next start, it gives priority to those files. Overall execution using “auto” mode is much faster in the new version.

• Preprocess scripts called during export can have their scope set to “job”, “page” or “layer” which gives more flexibility.

• Parameter overrides (the ability to make MadeToPrint output settings variable) are now also available for export of interactive PDF files.

• The functionality of the layer combination feature has been extended: you can now combine one special layer with all other layers, in one go. Before it was necessary to define a fixed layer list.

• When using callas pdfToolbox preflight profiles containing variables, the value for those variables can be specified in output settings.

• Export of InDesign book files is possible with separate pages too.

• New tokens “UPPER” and “LOWER” allow changing the capitalization of strings.

• The MadeToPrint log file format has been changed to UTF8 for better compatibility with complex encodings.

Bugfixes: • JPG export in Server version does now work with user settings • “Auto” mode does not hang anymore • The Preflight message window does not remain empty anymore, if a language other than English is defined • French quotes can be used in tokens

Quark has launched Quark Author, the company’s new web based content creation software that, together with Quark Publishing Platform, enables business and IT users to create structured content within a word processor-like environment that keeps XML behind the scenes.

Using Quark Author, writers can preview, create and organise content in components using standard content types such as sections, paragraphs, lists, tables, charts and figures. When created as structured components – or Smart Content – content can be assembled and reused for output across mobile, digital and print channels and

is Quarks’s next generation of automated XML driven publishing.

Designed as an intuitive tool it not only suits technical writers it will suit marketing, financial research, policies and procedures and other documents. Quark Publishing Platform software has the ability to manage graphical, interactive and brand components and combine content and graphics to assemble the output for all digital channels.

Information is available on the Quark website together with downloadable free eBook “The Beginner’s Guide to Smart Content”.

Color-Logic File Format Supported by CGS The Color-Logic file format necessary to print the widely used Process Metallic Color System is now supported by CGS 3D visualisation software.

The company says this is the world’s first 3D real-time packaging simulation and design application to combine multiple packaging disciplines in one product. It has been developed to take a product package from concept to shelf quickly without special equipment.

Color-Logic says it reduces package creation

time spent on 3D mockups and prototypes by at least half.

It permits brand and product managers, corporations, advertising agencies and designers using the CGS system to see special effects and metallic colours on their monitor and visualise package prototypes and other materials as they will appear on the finished product.

It suits packaging, pouches, direct mail, POP material, signage, postcards, booklets, labels, shrink sleeves and calendars.

Features include: • Simplified design, production and print processes • Can incorporate decorative effects • Compatible with offset, inkjet, flexography, digital presses, screen printing, and gravure processes

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