A Charming Array of New Products

As exhibitors descend on Charm City, their new products and services shine.

What's hot about Matik's presses? Why is Alcom making baseball cards featuring bus drivers? And why is Digital Dimensions3 sending piranhas in the mail?

If you can't wait until the Print Solutions Conference and Expo to get these questions answered--and learn about unique and savvy new products--don't worry! Check out this sneak peek at some of the products you'll see in Baltimore next month.

Piranhas Could Bite Into Direct Mail Market
Digital Dimensions3 will be revealing its new direct marketing package, which prints variable data on a three-dimensional piece of direct mail.

One of the products of this new technology--the Deluxe Piranha Box--was versioned to approach different clients with topics of importance that they would respond to. Digital Dimensions' customers were able to generate a 25 percent appointment rate. Once the package is created, clients can order as few as 25 units and track the ROI of their database, their sales reps' appointment-setting skills and closing rates through an online portal.

"Traditionally, if you wanted a 3-dimensional product, you'd have to print up about 1,000 pieces and then die cut them and assemble them. That's probably a three-week turnaround time, and you can lose up to 20 percent in the manufacturing process," says Harvey Hirsch, president and creative director. Hirsch says Digital Dimensions3 provides a template for customers. The company die cuts first, and then prints the mailers on modified digital presses. "We're able to get it in the mail in about three hours," he says.

The products have been used in all industries, from medical products to sales trainers to restaurants to financial institutions "with some amazing success," Hirsch says. "We have tested these products with one- and two-person businesses and with international pharmaceutical firms."

Hirsch explains, "In today's marketplace, a marketing person has only four mail options: flat mail (a brochure in an envelope), dimensional mail (a bag, a box or a tube), non-personalized mail (ink-jetted delivery information or a label affixed) and personalized mail (which is digitally produced).
Flat non-personalized mail generates the lowest (.5 percent) response because it is a static message. Dimensional mail gets opened 40 percent more often because customers are curious to see what's inside. Personalized mail increases the sale by addressing salient points relevant to the segmented market if versioned correctly.

"We have developed the 5th mailer--personalized 3-dimensional mailers, printed on-demand. It is essentially getting immediate interest and personalizing a message in short runs so clients can test their control packages."

He adds, "Running a full-service marketing company with in-house digital capabilities allows me to think differently from other marketing companies. Every month we invent at least one new product."

Expiring Badges Make Keeping Out Unwanted Guests a Breeze
Data Management will be showing its One Day Visitor Pass, a time-expiring security badge with a design improvement to make the badges less expensive and easier to activate.

The badges use a patented fold-over tab to initiate a chemical reaction, causing them to change color over a 24-hour period. A red "VOID" shows the badge is no longer valid, preventing visitors from re-entering facilities without registering each day.

Previously, activating the color-changing process of expiring badges required assembling two or more pieces, which costs more and discourages proper use. But the One Day Visitor Pass requires no assembly. In addition, the badges are tamper-proof--once activated, the voiding process cannot be stopped--and no longer must be collected after use.

Buyers Are Fans of Baseball Cards
Alcom Printing will be displaying calling cards, employee profiles and company mission statements made to look like baseball cards. "We're getting some pretty good response to that," says Sal Caimano, director of business development.

Caimano says the company is currently making the baseball cards for a company that recruits bus drivers, "so when they're recruiting somebody, they can tell them they're going to get baseball cards to list their favorite stop, their favorite diner, etc. ... It's just a little different."

Alcom Printing has also formed a group within the company called the "business development group." It is a marketing and sales advisory group that acts as a consultancy to investigate lists, test different offers and, in some cases, advises whether to do a test before a complete campaign.

Web Presses Will Impress Showgoers
Matik will showcase the new generation of Edelmann web presses, including high-quality color machines. The Edelmann presses are aimed at direct mail, commercial print, packing, labels, security and half-web heat set applications. They provide customized solutions for the transactional and promotional printer with in-line systems.

The Shaftless Color Print series is available in web widths of 201/2 in., 281/3 in. and 30 in. with print repeats of 16 in. to 48 in. Hybrid presses are available with flexo/offset being the most common marriage; flexo allows varnishes, adhesives and other coatings to be applied to the web. A host of converting options add value to the 'one pass' advantage of a web press. All variants of drying systems are available depending on the need, regulation and application; such as UV, EB, IR and hot air.

One-Stop Communication Station
Totus, an e-commerce site developed by an IT service provider, combines print-on-demand, email, electronic greeting cards and direct mail in one interface. The program allows the company to quickly and efficiently communicate with prospects and customers, says Jim Van de Vuurst, principal of Vanick Group, which developed the portal.

"Our service isn't just the software," he says. "What is unique is the multi-channel solution." The program includes credit card software and allows users to purchase prospect lists for direct mail.

No Eavesdropping! This Credit Card Sleeve Keeps Secrets Safe
Information Packaging Corp.'s Secure Sleeve RFID shielding card sleeve has expanded its use with U.S. passports and state-issued Enhanced Drivers Licenses. Made from ArmorShield, a Tyvek-based material resistant to tears, punctures, moisture and chemicals, the Secure Sleeve is designed to shield unauthorized access to information stored on contactless card applications like passport cards. So far, nearly three million sleeves have been produced and the company says the sleeve is gaining interest in the financial market for contactless credit cards and international transit cards to prevent relaying, eavesdropping and cloning.

"This product is an ideal fit for us," says Brenda Fitzsimons, marketing manager for Information Packaging Corp. "By blending new technology with our unique material and manufacturing capabilities we are able to provide durable RFID shielding sleeves for a variety of card applications.

Recycled Plastics Are The Future
B.C. Lucas Packaging is introducing a new line of recycled poly-products--poly folders, binders and packaging--all made out of post-consumer recycled material.

"We're going to do a whole bunch of green this year; it seems like everyone's asking for it," says Mike Stevenson, B.C.'s vice president of sales. "We've gotten calls from all of our buyers asking for it ... A lot of high-end users have been asking for the post-consumer material."

Check Out the Security of These Programs
At the show, Ennis Inc., Midlothian, Texas, will relaunch its "Uncompromised Check Solutions" program. The new program will offer three tiers of secure checks, says Lu Bean-Slade, product marketing manager. "We're giving a facelift to the lower tiers and adding security features to really bring checks up to speed with today's security standards," she said. For example, the first tier of checks, Uncompromised, will feature a thermochromatic icon unavailable in standard check offerings. Uncompromised Plus and Uncompromised Premiere will also feature more check selection features and better security, says Bean-Slade.

Calibrated, a division of Ennis based in Columbus, Kan., now offers the Enfusion integrated products line, Bean-Slade said. In July, Calibrated doubled its long run cut sheet capacity with the installation of an additional 3-wide sheeter--a long run cut sheet press. This new addition is expected to enhance efficiency and provide faster turnaround times and competitive prices for 11 in. and 14 in. repeat lengths on long run cut sheets.