In-plant Events

With more than 630 exhibitors covering in excess of 440,000 square feet of show floor space, GRAPH EXPO and CONVERTING EXPO 2006 was the largest national graphic communications and converting trade show held in the U.S. since 2000, according to its sponsors. Vendors reported strong interest among attendees across a wide range of products on display. You can watch two videos from Graph Expo in the video section of our homepage. For coverage of product introductions beyond what was included in the printed edition of In-Plant Graphics, click the appropriate links below. Prepress and Software Digital Printing Presses and Accessories Binding and

To drive home its conference theme, “Digital in Demand,” the National Government Publishing Association held its most recent meeting in Rochester, N.Y., a stronghold of graphic arts technology. As the home of Xerox, Kodak and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester proved an ideal location. Each of those organizations hosted the NGPA group for half a day, providing seminars, tours and a close look at the latest digital equipment. The three-day conference drew 34 government attendees from 14 states. Each morning kicked off with educational sessions covering such topics as CTP, shop management software and marketing. The afternoon tours followed. In

The National Association of Quick Printers/PrintImage, will merge into NAPL, the trade association for excellence in graphic communications management, effective November 1. The move, which formalizes and expands an alliance formed by the two Associations in 2005, was approved by NAQP membership at the NAQP Owners Conference in Chicago on October 14, and by NAPL members the next day at the Association’s Annual Meeting of members. Under terms of the agreement, NAQP becomes part of NAPL, while continuing to serve the quick and small commercial printer sectors and retaining its distinct branding, membership structure, and plan of work. The administration of NAQP will be managed

ROCHESTER, NY—Oct. 6—As part of the celebration marking the 10th anniversary of thermal computer-to-plate (CTP) technology, Kodak demonstrates its commitment to future innovation by investing in education. Kodak is donating a complete thermal CTP solution to Arizona State University’s (ASU) Graphic Information Technology program. The thermal CTP package includes the Kodak Magnus 400 platesetter, a Kodak Prinergy workflow system, Kodak Thermal Direct non process printing plates, Kodak InSite software, and Kodak Staccato screening software. “Kodak’s generosity and its continued commitment to education are instrumental in providing our students with hands on experience with advanced thermal CTP technology,” said Dr. Thomas E. Schildgen, Chairman for

The In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) has appointed six regional coordinators to provide the organization with information on in-plant activities and opportunities in different parts of the country. The coordinators are: • Susan Aschim, supervisor of Graphic Services and Mail Services at Mt. Hood Community College, in Gresham, Ore. • Margaret M. Kling, Graphic and Production supervisor with EMC Insurance Companies, in Des Moines, Iowa. • Debbie Pavletich, manager of Graphic Services at Briggs & Stratton, in Milwaukee, Wis. • Bob Wamsher, printing manager at the Hershey Co., in Hershey, Pa. • Tonya Demerson, manager of Reprographics for the City of Denton, Texas. • Glenda Miley, manager of

I just returned from the Association of College and University Printers (ACUP) conference in Boston, and what a terrific event it was. About 135 managers from all over the world—including Australia, New Zealand and the U.K.—were there, and I enjoyed mingling with them and hearing their stories. What made ACUP so great was not just its interesting sessions—though Steve Dimond and his staff at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology did an excellent job organizing them, along with a nice vendor exhibit and some enjoyable evening activities. What made ACUP stand out was the constant interaction of the attendees. At every opportunity managers from

I’m in Rochester, N.Y., as I write this, attending the National Government Publishing Association conference. This being my 11th NGPA conference, I know most of the government in-plant managers here, and have enjoyed catching up with them and finding out about changes in their operations. (I did so much talking the first evening I lost my voice and have been doing a lot of whispering since then.) By holding the conference in Rochester, the headquarters of Kodak, Xerox and the Rochester Institute of Technology, NGPA is taking advantage of the expertise of the Big Three. The group is visiting one of them each day

A record number of companies plan to exhibit new products at next month’s Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006 in Chicago, according to show organizers. Of the nearly 625 exhibitors at the show, over 275 companies have provided information about new products they plan to bring to the show.  The show will occupy more than 425,000 square feet at the McCormick Place Complex, making it the largest Graph Expo since 2000. More than 80 companies will be exhibiting for the first time. The show runs October 15-18. For more information visit www.graphexpo.com.

Through a digital workflow utilizing JDF (Job Definition Format), combined with the use of print finishing machines equipped with AMRYS (Automatic Make-Ready System), makereadies can be completed 75% faster on saddle stitchers and 90% faster on cutters. These are among the findings in research conducted by PIA/GATF, underscoring the ability of automation to enhance profitability by shortening set-up times, speeding job changeovers, lowering labor costs and reducing expensive mistakes. PIA/GATF will lead a workshop offering proven information about how print production operations can take advantage of JDF-enabled workflow. The workshop, entitled “Implementing a JDF Workflow,” will take place September 28-29, in Pittsburgh.

The U.S. Army’s Deployable Print Production Center (DPPC) will be making a special demonstration appearance this October on the show floor at Graph Expo. The DPPC enables the Army to bring fast, high quality color printing practically to the front lines of military operations around the world, so it can communicate quickly with civilian populations in its areas of action. The DPPC has been deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and other theaters. The print production center is equipped with a high speed PC-based graphics platform, high quality color scanner, color laser printers, a high speed color duplicator, paper cutter, and related systems. It can