Showcasing New Technologies
Sponsors discussed their latest products and technologies at the conference's two Tech Symposium forums on May 17 and 18.
Ivan Verheye, president and CEO of Itasca, Ill.-based supplier Xeikon America Inc. and president of Strobbe Inc., introduced GapFinder™, software to be released this month. The software offers rotary forms printers an automated workflow to address specific press plate cylinder gap demands. It analyzes each job for gap requirements and assures press compatibility without operator intervention. The software automatically processes a file through step and repeat assembly, gap repositioning or split gap imaging, then the final imaging for register, scan marks and plate identification.
Tom Jay, vice president of Springfield, Va.-based supplier SICPA Securink Corporation, said easy access to inexpensive color scanners, printers, and copiers, has increased counterfeiting of "value documents," which he defined "as any security document, other than bank notes, printed by various printing processes available today." At the same time, the growth of desktop technology in producing proprietary value documents for legitimate purposes has presented an extraordinary opportunity for manufacturers and distributors to help secure these documents, Jay added. A single feature can't secure a document, but an integrated approach involving design, printing technique, security ink and paper can discourage counterfeiting, he said.
Jay spoke on the latest state-of-the-art integrated security features and new technologies such as void pantographs, "smart" paper with embedded taggants (DNA markers in the stock) and unique machine-readable identifiers, inks that color shift with temperature gradients (thermochromic), fugitive inks that react to solvents and water, and toner-adhesion ink coating spot applied to areas such as signature lines or MICR lines on checks or gift certificates. Security features on valuable documents such as checks and money orders should be changed as often as every three to four years, Jay said.
Harry Gersey, president of Rochester, N.Y.-based supplier Secured Document Systems, described his firm's document security offerings such as multi-frequency void pantograph images, offset thermochromic inks, and digitally generated fine-line borders and backgrounds. Printers can license the firm's patented products and system, which are ideal for small volume applications.
Industry pros have favored securing documents with watermarks, but custom watermarks are expensive because of large minimum order quantities. Bill Powers, marketing manager of Appleton, Wis.-based supplier Appleton, introduced five "limited watermark" papers that can be purchased in quantities as low as 2,000 pounds. One of the papers, CBSI Cheque Papers, is certified by the Association for Payment Clearing Services (APACS), which allows the printer to compete for APACS jobs. "Our security products are only released to authorized printers who must show proof of orders," he said. "They are also required to follow strict guidelines in storing and handling raw materials and finished goods."
Guy Spinelli, president of Huntley, Ill.-based supplier e.Paper Company, predicted that 50 percent of carbonless forms will be printed on a digital press within five years. e.Paper Company has an annual capacity of only 28,000 tons of digital carbonless paper. The firm guarantees that its stock won't damage toner-based digital print engines. "No other product can make this claim," Spinelli said.
Aaron Godnai, marketing manager for Stamford, Conn.-based supplier MeadWestvaco's Papers Group, described the features of his company's digital press-compatible MeadWare product line, which is not sapphire treated (chemical coating). He discussed the drawbacks of sapphire-treated papers, including a limited shelf life of six to eight months, yellowing due to chemical treatment and a tendency to easily scuff during finishing. MeadWestvaco will custom print swatch books for clients, he said.
Laser printing, direct mail, and the use of database management for marketing purposes are driving the demand for creative design, and integrated labels and cards. David Steidinger, president of Wauconda, Ill.-based equipment supplier Tamarack Products Inc., and Tom Yeager, sales and marketing executive for Batavia, Ill.-based Strata-Tac Inc., a supplier of film for use on affixing machines, showcased magnets, window decals and drug-testing forms with bottle labels.
Frank Garner, president of Kansas City-based software supplier AMGRAF Inc., said the firm's mission has been to convert paper forms to electronic forms. AMGRAF's offerings include OneForm™ Designer, MECCA 2000 for prepress composition and online ordering.
Eric Short, president of RDP Marathon Inc., a press supplier in Quebec, discussed how manufacturers are using custom-engineered presses to add pressure sensitive labels, prime labels, folding cartons, flexible packaging, forms, direct mail and commercial printing to their product mixes. RDP's specialty in custom engineering can work with many print technologies including lithography, flexography, gravure, waterless and screenprinting, he said.
Wolfgang Hanzl, vice president of sales at Muller Martini Corp., Hauppage, N.Y., showed automation technologies on print equipment and discussed how functions such as ink settings, wash-up and memory recall for exact repeats can save printers time and money. Hanzl also discussed how advances in servo drives for shaftless presses and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) are changing presses. The goal of CIM in production equipment is to make separate pieces of equipment work seamlessly like "plug-and-play" does for the computer industry, he said.
Didde Press Systems, Englewood, Colo., presented new technologies available on the latest presses. "Buying an old, used press versus buying a new one is like stepping over a dollar to pick up a quarter," said Frank Roberts, the firm's vice president of sales. He also spoke about cost savings associated with new production equipment designed to minimize printers' makeready costs.
Erich Midlik, vice president of sales for Prime UV Systems, a supplier of ultraviolet (UV) drying systems in Carol Stream, Ill., showed examples of energy savings and waste reductions achieved by using proper UV calibration and UV light bulbs.
Tackling Issues Facing Plant Managers
Participants at the Plant Managers' Roundtable, moderated by J. Buster Weinzierl, CDC, president of Belknap Business Forms Inc., Mayville, N.Y. and DMIA's manufacturing vice president in 2000-2001, raised concern over increasing Workers' Compensation insurance costs. Premium fees are based upon rates for each job and experience factors for each job rating. Attendees said managers should rate clerical positions carefully. To better market products to distributors, the group suggested manufacturers attend conferences such as Xplor 2003 and the Business Forms Management Association conference, which are well attended by distributors. The participants also discussed several prepress issues, including the use of PDF/X 1a, a new PDF format that almost preflights files for manufacturers.
Leadership Skills and Successful Management
Charlie Farrell of The Farrell Group highlighted the importance of leadership and teamwork at a high-energy session entitled "Results-Oriented Leadership." "You will be promoted and fired by the people who work for you," said Farrell, a public speaker who specializes in leadership training, teamwork, personal productivity and business training. "Your boss simply brings you the news."
Graphic arts industry veteran Jeff Hayzlett of Hayzlett & Associates discussed skills needed to handle difficult clients. He said managers should ask sales employees how they can help the sales employees better perform their jobs, search for potential rainmakers, measure progress, share corporate financial results with all employees, reward good behavior and confront bad behavior, fire people when necessary, and treat suppliers as customers.
Steve Wakefield, president and CEO of Sword Microsystems Inc., Huntsville, Ala., discussed the DMIA member consortium that's working with his firm to utilize PrintTalk, a standard being used to develop best practices for adopting electronic business processes among suppliers, printers and distributors. Launched in April, the project's first phase will be delivered this month. The first phase focuses on exact repeat orders, order acknowledgements, shipping acknowledgements and invoicing.
Attendees wrapped up the conference with a visit to Heidelberg USA's North American Demonstration Center to view the company's latest equipment, including its NexPress Digital Press, Quickmaster, Speedmaster DI presses and 2-color Printmaster.
C. Clint Bolte is president of C. Clint Bolte Associates, a consulting firm in Chambersburg, Pa. Email him your comments at cbolte3@comcast.net. Dennis McGarry, CDC, is vice president of manufacturer and technical programs at DMIA. Email him your comments at dmcgarry@PSDA.org.
