So hot right now ... picks the winners at PrintEx
In what could be described as a means of separating the sheep from the goats, these awards developed by Print 21 are a way of rewarding excellence within the industry. "The Print 21 Hot Pick technology awards recognise the most innovative and creative responses to industry challenges," explained publisher, Patrick Howard. "The awarded technologies represent the cutting-edge of the graphic arts; this is something everyone should pay attention to."
The full list of winners and their products include:
Though it's only a demonstration that is not yet available, this technology will have an undeniable influence amongst the industry. A violet photopolymer chemistry-free plate, the Brillia HD PRO-V is Fuji's plate solution for both the main CTP imaging technologies and continues the company's strategy of giving users a choice according to their specific requirements. The Brillia HD PRO-V plate includes new technologies such as: sensitive polymerisation technology for high productivity, new MultiGrain technology for excellent ink/water balance and new emulsion technology for FM capability.
Pictured: Peter Carrigan (left), who was very excited to receive the first Hot Pick award of the day from Print 21 publisher, Patrick Howard.
Released two weeks ago in Rome, this is the first showing within the Asia Pacific region and is a huge triumph for the Currie Group. The HP Indigo 5500 and its sister, the 3500 feature 7-colour printing, producing offset quality with a photo look and feel.
The HP Indigo pres 5500 includes recently unveiled HP DreamColour Technologies, which ensure colour accuracy at all times. The HP Indigo 3500 and 5500 presses deliver up to 68 pages per minute in full colour.
Pictured above: more happy recipients, Rob West and Phil Rennell
The Xerox Nuvera 288 Digital Perfecting System prints at 288 impressions per minute, 15 per cent faster than any other cut sheet printer available on the market.
The digital duplex production system has an unparalleled resolution of 4800 x 600 dots per inch - partly attributed to its pioneering Emulsion Aggregate (EA) toner technology and fusing. The Nuvera 288 was designed for maximum productivity and uptime, with Pass Through Programming that keeps the system running even if one of the engines needs service or a soft shutdown.
Pictured above: Nick Nugenthiran and Wendy K Apton being presented with their award by Patrick Howard.
Using this clever software results not only in huge savings but also in positive environmental outcomes; for example, it is possible to obtain the same image but use less ink. In a one-step, automatic process, ORIS Ink Saver significantly reduces the CMY components for all printed elements, and optimises the black separation - while maintaining visual and colorimetric integrity.
Below: Christophe Thommessen, Scott Barry and Sarah Weightman.
The long-awaited final production model is here, and the results are most impressive. The imagePRESS is a brand new technology engine with a rated speed of 70 ppm. It can hold neutral colour across wide areas and produce stapled and folded A4 sized brochures from A3-size stock to name but a few of its many features. The largest and best colour gamut for digital workflow, it offers consistency and a wide range of colour and the Digital press preserves this through sophisticated RGB through CMYK conversions within the print controller.
Pictured: Christophe Lambert with Patrick Howard
Impossible to ignore, this is the new generation of Fiery Rip. The industry's preferred driver continues to set new benchmarks of efficiency and compatibility; the new Pro series Fiery are targeted at a variety of industry levels, with more than 14 million Fiery technology users worldwide, EFI is renowned for consistently precise colour, advanced connectivity, high quality, sophisticated workflow, and ease of use. The new Fiery puts EFI's more than 17 years' experience in print management solutions to work and adds tremendous value for customers in this highly competitive, dynamic industry.
Pictured above: Kathy Wilson and Eric Holtsmark
The Heidelberg Anicolor is the offset fight-back against the perceived advantage of digital printing
with very short runs. Part of the problem with traditional offset is the amount of waste sheets
required before the job gets to acceptable colour. In a time when ecological values are becoming
ever more important, apart from the issues of cost, the 'run-up' of offset seemed a deterministic
factor that could not be overcome. The revolutionary inking unit on the Speedmaster SM 52 can get a print run up to colour in a very
short time. On the Heidelberg stand at PrintEx07 full-colour job changes were up and running
within five or six sheets before an enthusiastic audience removed
any doubt that the technology, on its first Australian and New Zealand outing, will redraw
the lines of battle between offset and digital in the short-run market.
Among the many exciting debuts at this year's PrintEx, Eizo treated audiences to an exclusive Australia-first release of the largest and cleverest graphic arts screen around. As the world moves increasingly closer towards soft proofing, it is technology like the FlexScan SX3031W that becomes even more important than ever.
Pictured below: Penny Swinfield and Matthew Bauer.
The name says everything - to make soft proofing in the press room a reality requires scientifically-calibrated lighting conditions. This innovative American company, GTI has combined hi-tech software, Eizo monitors and its own developed lights to produce an effective solution which is even used in the US by Time publications.
Pictured above: Bob McCurdy (left), GTI and Fred McCurdy (centre), GTI with Robert Gatto (Kayell).
In a move towards the democratization of the digital printing world, Ricoh takes a step forward by creating open access workflow. RDO (Roster Document Objects) has a number of advantages such as capturing job ticket specifications so that files are printed with little or no operator intervention. PDF can also be created for viewing and archival.
Pictured (right): Garry Murratore, Agfa.
The flexibility and ease-of-use of Agfa's :Avalon makes it a stand-out piece. The :Avalon can handle plate sizes from 380 x 310 mm to 1130 x 820 mm. The PlateManager automates plate handling and provides loading of up to four cassettes at one time. The CtP system can work with a number of screening technologies, including Agfa's :Sublima XM cross-modulation screening or :Cristal Raster stoachastic screening. These options allow delivery of higher resolutions - up to 340 lpi.
A unique solution for digital printers, able to make photographs into books. The Powis Photopress proved to be a major hit at the show; Derek Lane reported people queuing up to buy it.
Pictured: Derek Lane with his Hot Pick.
The bizhub PRO C6500 Production builds on the success of the existing bizhub PRO 1050 and supports the same finishing options. Customers can choose from a folding unit, staple finisher, booklet maker / saddle stitch unit or trolley stacker. It can be configured in nine different ways according to the needs of nearly any business, to produce a wide variety of output such as brochures, promotional materials or any kind of documents for inline finishing.
Purpose-built to withstand the rigors of production print environments, the bizhub PRO C6500 Production provides high-speed output of 65 ppm in both colour and B&W to stay ahead of heavy workloads and tight deadlines. Robust internal components handle a monthly duty cycle of 300,000 pages and a sophisticated air-assist paper feed system with internal heating unit keeps even heavy coated stock running smoothly.
Next-generation Simitri HD Colour Polymerized Toner enhances fine detail, sharpens text and improves colour halftone reproduction. And precise registration accuracy aligns front and back images to give colour booklets and brochures a crisp, professional look.
Konica Minolta has partnered with both EFI and CREO to provide a powerful range of controllers for these models. With the options of either Fiery or Creo controllers and the introduction of the Micropress cluster printing system, Konica Minolta can now provide a true alternative.
Pictured below: David Rocter receives a Hot Pick from Patrick Howard
Pictured below: Tim Saleeba and Herbert Kieleithner
This lightning-fast printer is capable of printing 250 digital prints-per-minute duplex. Targeted at high-end commercial and corporate printing markets and customers with production volumes of between 750,000 and 8,000,000 prints per month, examples of the 6250’s work includes: office documents; flyers; manuals; books-on-demand and direct mail. A spanner in the works won’t interrupt the flow of the 6250. If a ‘rush job” comes along with must be completed, the machine is still able to commence work on this without holding up other jobs which are already coming through.
Pictured below: All smiles as Judy Bell with Kodak's Mark Wilton (centre) and Dave Bell (right)receive their Hot Pick.
Always one step ahead of the rest, Quote & Print's latest release, Version 8, has truly pushed the boundaries and beyond. Some of its special features include JDF connectivity, new workflow solutions and new navigation.
Pictured: Ian Martin (left) and David Griffin (right)
An economical technology that satisfies a price-sensitive market.
The new version of workflow that can justifiably claim to be the industry standard.
Pictured: Nick Nataras, Sue McQuate and Gustavo Oviedo
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