A Year in Review
Our annual report marks the close of a momentous year. Revolutionary product announcements, environmental intiatives, digital color, transpromo, and the development of inkjet helped define 2008.
By DPS Staff
Digital document providers of all shapes and sizes experienced an interesting year. From capture and creation to output and finishing—and workflow and management in between—the industry continues to grow. This year we witnessed a developing trend of environmentally friendly solutions; eliminating paper processes with document management solutions; reducing wasted output with print on demand (POD) technologies; and improving carbon footprints with efficient solutions, it is clear the health of the environment is at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
Next year, Digital Publishing Solutions will re-appear as DPS magazine, still maintaining—if not accentuating—our core functionality, to highlight all aspects of the digital document lifecycle in three major categories—digital print, transactional printing, and document strategies.
We’ve asked industry leaders from these three segments to discuss the trends of the past year, highlight recent innovations, and share their insight on 2009.
Böwe Bell + Howell
John Lombard, president of field operations
Integrity, quality, productivity, and postal compliance are among the primary drivers of 2008 innovations. Trends such as TransPromo technology and color grew in popularity as these enabling technologies supported the creation of personalized and impactful communication for mailers. As mailers seek to improve the quality of dynamic communications, technologies play an increasingly important role. In addition to increased focus on quality, mailers must adopt the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) in 2009 and the USPS will hold high standards for data accuracy and system integrity. However, mailers can leverage benefits of the IMB—including increased efficiency, less waste, and reduced returned mail fees—by implementing technologies, data cleansing, and tracking systems.
Businesses have a great opportunity to leverage the benefits afforded by regulatory requirements and technological advances. The key is to view the document production cycle as a strategy that can drive revenues and customer loyalty.
Featured Innovations
COMBO Inserter - Change from letters to flats in minutes with the Every Application Setup Easily (EASE) system. JETVision Platinum Web and JETVision Envelope Transport Systems - Reading technology that provides unparalleled quality analysis. Criterion APEX and NetSort - Combines sorting speeds up to 70,000 envelopes per hour with the ability to merge mailings from multiple sites to maximize postal discounts.
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Tod Pike, senior VP/GM, imaging systems group
In 2008, Canon witnessed several trends or market dynamics take hold, and expects them to continue and accelerate the market in the coming year. They include the continued conversion to and adoption of color from small and medium business up to the enterprise and into the commercial print market, the transition to digital print, as a cost-effective alternative to offset print and the need for integrated document solutions and services. We also see the digital production and large format printing market segments continuing their growth.
Featured Innovations
imagePRESS C6000 Digital Color Press - Entry-level production device. imagePROGRAF iPF 810/820 - New large format printers. uniFLOW Output Manager - A scalable software suite designed to deliver print management functionality to a wide range of businesses.
EFI, Inc.
Frank Mallozzi, senior VP, worldwide sales and marketing
Our customers have benefited from their investment in digital, even given 2008’s economic challenges. We can’t exactly predict the 2009 economic environment, but we believe that the print industry will increasingly move from analog to digital. EFI drives this transition with digital printing innovation that increases our customers’ operational efficiency and profit potential. We will continue to be entirely focused on providing the solutions our customers need to be part of the print market areas that are growing, such as digital printing, point of purchase, outdoor advertising, proofing, and Web-to-print.
We don’t believe that paper is going away any time soon, but we do see the profit potential for our customers in the ability to print on a wide variety of substrates—you may see even more from EFI in this regard in 2009.
Featured Innovations
Next-Generation Fiery Innovation - Includes integration with the Adobe PDF Print Engine and Microsoft XPS support. EFI VUTEK DS Series – A new category of digital flatbed UV printers. EFI Pace – Browser-based technology providing end-to-end business management.
Epson America, Inc.
Mark Radogna, group product manager, professional imaging
Despite the growth of soft proofing on a computer screen, hardcopy proofing continues to be the method of choice for mission critical print jobs. Inkjet proofing solutions play an important role in assuring color accuracy, especially for users involved in color critical work or where precise color is an essential part of branding.
The good news is that over the past year, inkjet technology expanded its color gamut to such a degree that inkjet proofing is now a contender in markets requiring higher standards of digital proofing, such as the flexo and packaging markets. Color consistency from machine to machine also makes inkjet printers ideal for remote proofing, an even greater force in the future.
Featured Innovations
Epson Stylus Pro 7900/9900 - 24 and 44-inch devices featuring Epson’s MicroPiezo TFP printhead and new Epson UltraChrome HDR ink technology.
Exstream Software by Hewlett-Packard (HP)
Richard Troksa, VP, enterprise software group
Interactive document creation platforms allow companies to expand beyond their traditional high-volume and on demand applications to develop comprehensive communication strategies that were not thought possible five years ago. While the creation of high-volume and on demand documents is controlled by automated processes, interactive documents are completed and managed by multiple people within different departments across the enterprise. Further complicating matters, enterprises typically have many point solutions and processes with thousands of different templates for a variety of interactive document applications.
Without a common platform seamlessly supporting high-volume, on demand, and interactive document applications, organizations can become trapped in a manual, error-prone, and inefficient environment that results in great expense—both in terms of customer retention and the bottom line.
Featured Innovation
HP Exstream enterprise document automation platform - Robust functionality for designing and producing high-volume, on demand, and interactive document applications.
Hewlett-Packard
Jan Riecher, VP/GM, Americas graphics solutions business
The focus for many print service providers (PSPs) is profitable growth. Meanwhile, customers of PSPs seek lower costs and a better return on their marketing investment. HP, based on its commitment to customer success, offers technologies, features, and programs that drive growth—such as increased productivity, enhanced workflow, and an HP Graphic Arts Capture business development program.
At drupa, the debut of HP digital solutions addressed important requirements of PSPs and their customers. The solutions demonstrated represented advancements in production printing—including both inkjet and electro-
photographic platforms—as well as advancements in large format signage printers that present an opportunity for PSPs to broaden their offerings.
One specific area of interest for PSPs is color production printing solutions offering high-volume productivity. HP Indigo digital presses with higher break-even points than analog technologies—the HP Indigo 7000; the HP Indigo WS6000 for label and packaging converting; and a web-fed HP Indigo W7200, which is scheduled to be released in the second half of 2009—make this a reality.
At drupa, many observed that inkjet would become an important player in color production printing. Since its debut, the HP Inkjet Web Press received an overwhelming response. Released in late 2009, the HP Inkjet Web Press prints as many as 2,600 pages per minute (ppm) and will feature a 30-inch size format that enables digital printing of everything from direct mail and transactional/TransPromo statements to books on demand and full-broadsheet newspapers.
HP helps its customers by offering advanced technology through comprehensive business development with the HP Graphic Arts Capture Business Success Program. This offering gives customers a full range of tools, training, and programs designed to spur profitable growth.
Featured Innovations
HP Indigo 7000 Digital Press - Four-color digital printing at 120 ppm. HP Inkjet Web Press - A 30-inch wide four-color digital printing platform. HP Designjet L65500 - The first in a new category of large format signage printers using HP Latex Inks.
InfoPrint Solutions Company
Sandra Zoratti, VP of global marketing solutions
2008 generated trends that significantly shaped the digital publishing industry. One key trend is the move to digital color.
Key application areas driving this adoption include TransPromo and print on demand (POD). TransPromo gains momentum within the marketing community as executives realize the business benefits of multi-channel personalized communications that cut through the clutter of irrelevant direct mail via targeted content, while increasing customer retention. POD adoption of digital technologies is on the rise in an effort to enable applications requiring shorter runs, faster response times, and personalized communications.
Eco-friendly printing was also hot in 2008. TransPromo provides real results in both cost and quantifiable savings, reducing paper consumption and waste.
Featured Innovations
InfoPrint’s Suite of TransPromo Solutions - A combination of the latest in output and personalization technology with customers’ existing IT infrastructure. InfoPrint 75/100 - Continuous form digital output laser printers designed for companies who print invoices and direct mailings InfoPrint ProC900 - A high-speed digital color cut-sheet solution that prints from 50,000 up to 240,000 pages using high-quality color.
Kodak’s GCG
Kevin Joyce, CMO
This past year brought the graphic arts incremental enhancements in workflow and business processes, allowing service providers to focus less on production and concentrate more on the business of partnering with customers. With a clear understanding of customer business objectives, printers offer new solutions such as cross-media marketing, mass customization, and other unique applications that increase response and improve overall ROI.
Digital printers need solutions that deliver offset-class output, which means providing the same reliability, productivity, total cost of operation, and quality as offset. Together with an emphasis on sustainable business and manufacturing practices, offset quality helps printers strengthen their position by providing maximum impact and results for every job. Advances such as Web-to-print technology and zero-touch automation increases efficiencies and ties providers closer to customers while boosting both bottom lines.
Featured Innovations
KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology - Continuous inkjet technology enabling offset-class quality, reliability, productivity, and cost of ownership with the benefits associated with digital printing for high volume applications. KODAK PRINERGY Workflow System Version 5 - Process static and variable data jobs through the same workflow, manage end-to-end color on multiple devices, and automate complex workflows. KODAK NexPress S3600 - Producing 7,200 sheets per hour (A4), the digital production press allows print providers to achieve a higher level of productivity by producing more jobs per hour.
Mohawk Fine Papers
Chris Harrold, VP, market development, emerging print technologies
Mohawk Fine Papers continues to sustain double digit market growth in all digital paper categories. Recent increases include heavier base weights, new sheet sizes, and textured papers for digital
applications—driven by the growing need for product diversity on all digital printing platforms. For instance, Mohawk added over a dozen items to the Options 100 percent post-consumer recycled line and saw immediate interest from customers around the world. Based on customer enthusiasm, we look forward to continued digital product expansions in 2009.
Featured Innovations
Renewal Folding Board - FSC-certified 80 percent PC white renewal folding board. Mohawk Color Copy Premium with i-Tone - 100 bright, Neon White, FSC-certified paper for all types of digital presses. Mohawk Options with i-Tone Formulated for HP Indigo Printing - New Mohawk Options 100 percent PC white with i-Tone are formulated for HP Indigo Presses.
Muller Martini
Andrew J. Fetherman, manager, on demand solutions division
We see a change from the digital production of one-off book runs that initially started the push towards digital book manufacturing. In 2008, increasing numbers of traditional book manufacturers turned to digital solutions as a way of helping their publisher customers manage inventories better and more cost efficiently. We anticipate the trend for 2009 to be the further evolution of toner-based equipment and the continuing emergence of inkjet technologies, first in B&W and eventually color. Both toner and especially inkjet capabilities will provide higher speed and wider width. As a result, there will be greater productivity in digital book production. Concurrently, the increased volume provided by these new technologies will create the need for digital book manufacturers to be able to migrate from near-line/off-line book finishing to inline finishing.
Featured Innovations
SigmaLine Digital Book Manufacturing System - Engineered to handle widths up to 29.125 inch and speeds in excess of 500 feet per minute. SigmaBinder - Produces up to 1,000 fully-variable length, width, and thickness perfect-bound books per hour. SigmaTrimmer - Automatically trims books of varying sizes and thickness.
Océ North America
Guy Broadhurst, VP of new technology and client development, production printing systems
Océ continued extending its leadership in the continuous feed category and is positioned as a serious player in the ultra high-speed color inkjet market. Océ’s strength in the color arena is solidified with a full complement of products to meet all color printing requirements, from CustomTone to full color applications.
Looking ahead, customers will require more productivity for high-speed printing, MICR, and simple CustomTone printing as well as ultra high speed digital color.
Featured Innovations
VarioStream 8000 - Continuous feed printer series offering unmatched combinations of print width, CustomTone color, MICR, controller power, and upgradeability. New JetStream Models - Three new models in the full-color Océ JetStream inkjet line offer speeds from 714 to 2,865 ipm with easy upgradeability. ColorWave 600 - A large format color toner printer with Océ CrystalPoint combining the best of toner and inkjet printing.
Pitney Bowes, Inc.
Patrick Brand, president, document messaging technologies
If you are standing still, you are falling behind. That is especially true in our industry, where economic uncertainty, new mandates, and rising costs add to the already challenging task of high-quality, cost-effective mail production.
The great challenges and opportunities our industry faces drive us into action—searching for breakthrough innovations that deliver new levels of performance. In a tight economy, Pitney Bowes’ two-day open house drew a record-breaking number of participants—hundreds of mailstream leaders invested valuable time to learn about the new technologies and workflows that could propel them forward. Successful mailers never stop driving toward increased efficiency.
Many Pitney Bowes customers continue to take steps in redefining what non-stop performance really means, creating efficiencies and cost-savings that far exceed rising costs. From ultra high-speed mail finishing systems and more intelligent output management to paper-saving pinless feeders and more aggressive postal sorts—market leaders take action, search for solutions, achieve more with fewer resources, and consistently deliver no-compromise service.
Featured Innovations
Mailstream Productivity Series - Ultra high-speed mail finishing systems deliver up to 26,000 mail pieces per hour, process a greater range of materials, and are field upgradeable for application flexibility and throughput. Pitney Bowes Envelope Messaging System - Print four-color, high-resolution variable messaging, graphics, logos, and return addresses onto standardized envelopes to create new opportunities for expanded revenues and improved operating efficiencies. Pitney Bowes P/I Wizard - Simplify print job preparation for complex applications including digital color migration, TransPromo communications, automated reprint, and integrity processing.
Presstek, Inc.
Kathleen McHugh, VP/CMO
The printing industry is under significant pressure and the trend, according to industry leaders, is expected to continue through 2009. This pressure is largely due to the shifting role of print within cross-media campaigns, and the current economic climate. Yet there are many printing firms that appear to be holding their ground better than most. In fact, some are still growing revenue and profits in a difficult economic climate. These firms adjusted and stayed ahead of the curve. They streamlined production workflow from order entry through invoicing, including installing efficient presses such as Presstek DI digital offset presses, adding Web-to-print capabilities, and repositioning their businesses to economically produce more color, in shorter run lengths, within a tight turnaround time.
A recent study by research firm InfoTrends revealed that DI printing is gaining recognition as a bridge strategy for many printers to address print volumes in the 500 to 20,000 range that may not be economically feasible to produce using either toner-based digital color printing or conventional offset. This hybrid production model is expected to continue delivering results into the future. DI press owners leverage this technology in their sales and marketing activities; promoting fast turnaround high-quality color printing, while reducing production costs and improving efficiency. As a result, DI presses are contributing both revenue and profits.
Finally, there is growing awareness for printers to reduce environmental footprints. As they do so, they learn that this enables them to acquire and retain customers, it also typically reduces overall operating costs. DI presses provide waterless printing, eliminate platemaking, ovens, and chemical processing—offering an economical and environmentally friendly alternative.
Featured Innovations
Presstek 52DI and 34DI Digital Offset Presses - These highly automated four-color sheetfed digital offset printing presses are ideally suited for fast turnaround, cost-effective short run high-quality color printing. Presstek DI Press UV Option - A breakthrough UV printing option that converts the DI press into a waterless UV printing press, expanding productivity and flexibility of the press. Presstek PathWay - This affordable, highly scalable Web-to-print solution, powered by Press-sense, is a complete Web-based end-to-end POD workflow and management solution enabling a streamlined, integrated operation.
Ricoh PPBG
Greg Cholmondeley, in-plant segment marketing manager
The environment and economy drove the biggest trends of 2008. In 2007 the market talked about the environment and sustainability—in 2008 it started moving to action. This action occurred in three ways in the print production marketplace. First, organizations implement "green" programs such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification. Second, they reduce printing, paper, and fuel waste by through practices such as variable data print, TransPromo, and Web-to-print. And third, they demand environmentally sound products and business behaviors from their vendors.
The economy was the other major driver in 2008. Slumping business levels and the global financial meltdown mean that operations must be more effective. Fortunately, these same environmental initiatives also bring greater efficiencies and improved business results. The impact of color and personalized direct mailings dramatically increase retention and response rates—thus improving business results.
To meet these challenges, production facilities fundamentally change their business focus from printing to communications. In this new world, printing is the easy part. Investments are needed in digital color printing along with sophisticated software systems. Training is required for databases, programming, and mailing techniques. Changes in pricing and sales approaches from cost-plus sell sheets to value-based solutions selling are necessary.
2009’s challenges include the ability to make these investments, finance them, and master the leadership necessary to drive them to fruition.
Featured Innovations
Ricoh Pro C900 - An affordable, high-speed color digital production printer , which is positioned as a reliable alternative for production facilities with growing color print volumes. RB5000 - A ring binding system that punches and ring binds documents inline. Ricoh Professional Workflow Services (RPWS) - Delivers software, hardware, and professional services from a select group of certified workflow partners.
RISO, Inc.
David Murphy, VP, marketing
The increase of color printing on business communications, the introduction of TransPromo messaging, and the heightened awareness and push to more environmentally friendly initiatives are the three major trends in the high-speed, low cost color segment. These trends will continue into the upcoming year. With more inkjet devices entering the market, organizations will be able to introduce color affordably with less environmental impact. Given the current economic climate, organizations will need to assess printing needs, evaluate current devices, and make decisions that enable smarter printing. Using TransPromo messages on existing communications are critical for organizations. With budget cuts, more creative strategies are needed to communicate with customers. Through advanced variable data printing (VDP) capabilities, organizations have an opportunity to personalize communications to increase revenue through cross-sell and up-sell opportunities.
Featured Innovations
RISO MZ990 - A two-color, one-step digital duplicator with 600 dpi imaging designed for in-plants and PSPs, providing spot color static data applications at lower costs and high speeds. AF1000 - A high-capacity, card feeding system exclusively for the RISO RZ990 digital duplicator. The RISO AF1000 air feeder allows users to increase productivity by aiding in the delivery of hard-to-feed media, including embossed cards and carbonless forms. Strategic Partnership with Objectif Lune - A value-added partnership offering the market an affordable hardware/software solution enabling easy creation and printing of transactional, TransPromo, and promotional variable content documents.
Rochester Software Associates, Inc. (RSA)
Tim Kelly, Senior VP
In today’s economy, print centers look to eliminate cost and increase volume to justify their existence. The best way for a print center to do both is to minimize touches and automate production. We expect this trend to continue in 2009 and beyond, and Rochester Software Associates focuses our product development on automation.
Featured Innovations
WebCRD Dynamics - Enables sophisticated VDP without operator intervention. End users select pre-approved templates and upload their data. The job is personalized automatically, with images and text. Users can review each record and approve the proof before the job is submitted. With AutoFlow, the job can route to the appropriate printer without an operator.
Standard Finishing Systems
David Reny, executive VP
It was a challenging year for printers in all segments, as they contend with intense competition, margin pressure, hard-to-find qualified labor, and a relentless need to lower costs. Standard is traditionally known as a leading supplier of state-of-the-art paper handling and bindery products, but now we view ourselves as being in the business of saving our customers time and money in post-press operations.
We do so by equipping Standard Horizon folders, binders, and saddlestitchers with intelligent automation that drives as much labor and set-up cost from the finished product as possible. By adopting common touchscreen controls across our complete product range we make it faster, easier, and less expensive to train operating staff. Standard Hunkeler unwinders, rewinders, and cutters are field-upgradable, so investments are protected when moved to faster or color digital print platforms.
Featured Innovations
Standard Horizon BQ-270C Perfect Binder - Featuring a 10.4-inch intelligent color touchscreen and an integrated digital caliper that measures book thickness and automatically transfers the data to the binder for immediate, automated set-up. Standard Horizon AFC-566FG Folder - A fully-automated six-buckle floor-model folder that accepts sheets up to 21.9 x 33.4 inches and has 17 pre-set fold patterns on the color touchscreen for fast automated set-up. Standard Hunkeler CS6-II Rotary Cutter with Chip-Out - Double-cut at operating speeds up to 600 feet-per-minute with variable chip-out for full-bleed trimmed color direct mail, Trans-Promo or other applications.
Xeikon, a Punch Graphix Brand
Mike Ring, CMO/VP of American sales
2008 proved to be an exciting year for the printing industry. From drupa to Labelexpo Americas to Graph Expo, there was no shortage of events showcasing new and robust technologies.
It’s no secret that digital printing is now fully accepted as a mature technology, particularly as more printers see the robust benefits and multitude of applications. Many major innovations and technology announcements stemmed from the digital printing arena.
Inkjet continues to show promise in production printing for some focused applications, recyclability is becoming a center stage topic in our industry.
As the economy shifts, we see printers keeping a closer eye on strategy and technology decisions. The notion of recyclability gained great importance with the explosion of green labels, awards, and standards. In addition, we see the need for printers and businesses alike to align strategies and decisions with eco-friendly initiatives. Aside from the paper recycling and the volatile organic compound aspect, the printing industry is truly starting to realize the importance of the environment.
Featured Innovations
Xeikon 8000 - Xeikon’s flagship digital color press offers a printing speed of 244 letter-size ppm and true 1,200 dpi imaging quality. Xeikon 6000 - The Xeikon 6000 offers a printing speed of 170 letter-size ppm and now comes standard with a 1,200 dpi resolution. Xeikon 3300 and 3000 - With a top speed of 63 feet per minute and a monthly duty cycle of 2.3 million feet, the Xeikon 3300 is a fast and productive digital label press.
Xerox Corporation
Tom Wetjen, VP, worldwide graphic communication industry
Progressive print providers explore innovative applications to create profitable new revenue streams, break into new markets, and succeed in the competitive marketplace. Burgeoning digital segments include TransPromo, packaging, and photo specialty products. Xerox continues to innovate along with our customers, turning those innovations into products—earning more than 900 patents last year. Xerox innovation created entirely new segments in the industry and will continue to fuel our customers’ growth in the future. Our current focus is the overwhelming glut of information that society deals with every day.
During the past 12 months, 281 exabytes of information were created. Or five million times the information in all the books ever written. We believe this massive sea of will continue to be a pain point in 2009.
We’re focused on helping print providers create materials that cut through the clutter and make information relevant again. Print providers can enable clients to drive messages home with meaningful marketing materials, collateral, and TransPromo documents that stand out and generate results the first time they’re sent. Creating better documents and strategies that get better returns make print providers more valuable to their customers, especially in tough economic times.
Featured Innovations
Xerox iGen4 Press - The highest-quality and most productive cut-sheet digital press in the printing industry. The iGen4 offers high-definition image quality, and 25 to 35 percent more productivity. Xerox 700 Digital Color Press - Prints at 70 ppm in color or B&W and offers coated paper handling, heavyweight media support, and feeding and finishing options at an entry-level price. Xerox 650/1300 Continuous Feed Printing System - Combines speed, ease-of-use, excellent image quality and workflow productivity into a powerful device for service bureaus, data centers, and commercial print providers.
XMPie, Inc.
Jacob Aizikowitz, president
The graphic communications industry continues to evolve from a print- to a communications-centric business. Many savvy providers seek cross-media marketing solutions to boost top and bottom lines and increase the value delivered to customers. These providers are looking for one solution to produce, deploy, and track personalized communications for every media channel. They want to streamline processes with a solution allowing them to write business rules once and then apply those rules to every media channel, ensuring consistency of information, messages, and offers. Providers also invest in solutions that include tracking capabilities for every component and event in a cross-media campaign to allow for campaign adjustments on-the-fly for maximum ROI. Lastly, the solutions they acquire today must meet their current needs now and grow with their business into the future.
Moving forward we see communication streams that transcend media boundaries and represent a much deeper integration of interactive e-media and digital print media. One-to-one cross-media marketing presents numerous opportunities for visionary service providers that dare to venture into this new and promising land.
Featured Innovations
PersonalEffect 4.5 with Marketing Console - Allows users to create highly effective, targeted print and e-media campaigns that incorporate real-time tracking and analysis, allowing for on-the-fly campaign adjustments that maximize ROI. uStore - A marketing portal solution allowing users to easily offer customized and personalized printed documents and emails through e-commerce-enabled online stores. Marketplace - An online resource providing XMPie customers a library of creatively designed uImage templates ready for personalization.
Until Next Year
2008 included many important and meaningful events. In the midst of a struggling economy we see growth in digital print as businesses realize the need to hit specific groups in a targeted manner. A drupa year, an olympic year, and a presidential election year—2008 is one for the record books.
Dec2008, Digital Publishing Solutions
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