Printingtalk newsletter issue 196

Expanding print capacity and momo printers launch

Written by the Printingtalk editor May 2, 2008

It all began with books. Or, more to the point, one book. The Bible.

I refer to the industry in which we work when Johann Gutenberg set to work and created the original mass communications revolution with his press.

Things marched on, of course, to today's position where we have a multiplicity of ways of applying ink - or now toner - to paper and a whole array of other substrates as a way of conveying the word, the message.

Whilst long ago Gutenberg's startling use of metal type provided one of the bedrocks of modern civilisation, we now have digital printing, which does not involve any contact at all with the substrate, which increasingly keeps people and companies in touch with each other.

One thing has not changed though and that is the importance of reading, in whatever form. That is why books remain so popular and the variety of printed books is now wider than ever, although the methods of access to them and their distribution has undergone its own revolution since the internet took a hold of modern living.

Which brings me on to the main point of this week's column. What does it really mean when a book seller, in this case, Amazon, decides that any books sold through its operation must be printed by Amazon itself?

We are, of course, talking about printing books on demand. I can see one piece of definite business logic. If it costs less to produce books in small volumes geared to customer orders, rather than the expense of maintaining adequate stocks, it seems hard to argue against it. Similarly, in terms of the environment (and the great conundrum that is carbon footprint) it surely makes sense to at least eradicate a lorry trip to deliver to Amazon another small load of the A-Z Book of Drawing Pins.

Of course, Amazon is now much more than a book seller. Like many businesses chanting the 'diversify or die' mantra, it has evolved, so its printing needs are now very diverse. But given Amazon's reported cash in hand of USD3,000,000,000, even if it fails at printing, given that its liquidity is considerable, the price of that failure in context will be as a minor irritation.

I really do not see a great deal of point in complaining about Amazon's plans. It is all part of life. Things move on.

But, there are organisations in the printing industry that know how to distribute products and logistics could become a logical lead in to securing some very useful added value opportunities.

Amazon are thinking laterally about how best to serve the markets they serve. Perhaps more printers could do so as well. After all, if on demand printing is about small volumes and even personalisation and making printed products more individualistic, there is no reason why a whole variety of printing firms cannot find a niche by also distributing products as well.

Top Products featured this issue

[1] COLOR PRESS LINE EXPANDS DANISH PRINTER'S CAPACITY

(KBA, 01 May 2008)

To expand production capacity a KBA 4/2 Colora press line is to be installed by Danish printer Hornslet Bogtrykkeri. The 75,000 copies per hour floor-mounted machine has a cylinder circumference of 1,120mm (44") and is claimed to be able to handle a maximum web width of 1,590mm (62.5").

[2] RICOH USES DRUPA FOR MONO PRINTERS LAUNCH

(Ricoh UK, 02 May 2008)

Ricoh will use the Drupa 2008 exhibition to launch three mono printing systems for the production printing market under the company's new Pro branding. The Pro 9006ex, Pro 1106ex and Pro 1356ex are claimed to operate at speeds of 90, 110 and 135 pages per minute (ppm) respectively.

[3] INCA'S LATEST DIGITAL UV INKJET PRINTERS AT DRUPA

(Inca Digital Printers, 02 May 2008)

The flexibility of three different digital UV inkjet printing systems, including what is said to be the world's fastest UV flatbed printer, will be exhibited by Inca Digital Printers at Drupa. Inca will also display inkjet printers developed for high-volume wide format display and corrugated packaging applications.

[4] UV PRINTING AND FLEXIBLE PACKAGING INKS AT DRUPA

(Sun Chemical Europe, 02 May 2008)

What are claimed will be world firsts in UV curing printing inks and flexible packaging, as well as advances in water-based printing will be introduced by Sun Chemical at Drupa. Visitors will see products, ranging from generic entry-level items up to very high security proprietary technologies.

[5] PAPER FIRM SELLS CANON LARGE FORMAT PRINTERS

(Canon Europe, 02 May 2008)

Paper merchant The Paper Company has joined Canon's partner programme as it enters the aqueous large format printer (LFP) market. Paperco will sell the Imageprograf range of Canon LFPs and substrates, of which there are 40 in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.

[6] DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT INTEGRATES WITH CRM SYSTEM

(Version One Limited, 02 May 2008)

Version One is in partnership with Microsoft re-seller VAR One to provide VAR One's Microsoft CRM system users with Version One's integrated document management and imaging software for the electronic creation, delivery, storage, management and authorisation of business documents.

[7] MORE EFFICIENT COLOUR PERSONALISED PRINT WORKFLOWS

(GMC Software Technology, 02 May 2008)

GMC Software Technology's Printnet software now supports JDF for Creo Color Servers, providing faster, easier, more efficient and cost-effective management of workflows for colour digital printing. Printnet is for designing, composing and producing personalised print and electronic customer communications.

[8] IMPOSITION SYSTEMS INTEGRATE WITH RIP AND WORKFLOW

(Dynagram, 02 May 2008)

An OEM distribution deal with Lucid Dream Software will see Dynagram's InpO2 imposition products offered by Lucid Dream, along with its Taskforce RIP and workflow system. InpO2 Standard Edition and InpO2 ATOM will be available immediately from Lucid Dream.

[9] PUNCHING, PERFORATING FOR DIGITAL PRESSES AT DRUPA

(Lasermax Roll Systems, 02 May 2008)

The 300 Processor series punching and perforating systems for digital printers will be introduced by Lasermax Roll Systems at Drupa. The series includes models that operate before or after the printer to punch tractor holes, cross perforations, vertical perforations, or custom punching patterns.

[10] PAPER HAS UPGRADED WHITENESS

(Arctic Paper UK, 30 Apr 2008)

With higher whiteness and opacity Arctic Paper's Amber Preprint is to be introduced on May 1. According to Arctic Paper, Amber Preprint is suitable for personalised direct mail, invoices and letterheads. Arctic Paper said it has upgraded the whiteness of the paper from 160CIE to 167CIE.

This week's industry news

KBA SUBSIDIARY SIGNS SUB-ASSEMBLIES DEAL
(KBA, 01 May 2008)
KBA's subsidiary in the Czech Republic, KBA-Grafitec, is to enter an alliance with Adast in that country, which will supply the press manufacturer with parts and sub-assemblies.

RAPID INDUSTRY CHANGE PROMPTS SALESFORCE RESHUFFLE
(Fujifilm Graphic Systems, 30 Apr 2008)
Fujifilm Graphic Systems has reorganised its national sales team in the USA to provide better serve in terms of new technology and equipment.

DIRECT MAIL FIRM UPGRADES ENVELOPING SYSTEMS
(Howard Hunt Group, 30 Apr 2008)
Two BB700 envelope inserting systems worth GBP300,000 have been ordered from Buhrs by the Howard Hunt Group, the UK marketing communications services company.

DIGITAL PRINTING FIRM BECOMES ADOBE PARTNER
(Repropoint Ltd, 01 May 2008)
UK digital printing services company, Repropoint has become an authorised Adobe partner.

SHEFFIELD PRINT FIRM SUPPORTS DESIGN TALENT
(Pinders, 30 Apr 2008)
Pinders has provided 96 architecture students from Sheffield, Huddersfield and Leeds (UK) with art materials as part of its support for a Yorkshire initiative to promote young design talent.

POLESTAR PETTY ENHANCES POST-PRESS EFFICIENCY
(Polestar, 01 May 2008)
Twelve Jobfeed hopper loader and stream feeders have been installed by Polestar Petty to enhance the efficiency of its post-press department.

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Ian Mayor

Printingtalk editor

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