2015 Quick Printing Top Product Awards

The 3rd annual Quick Printing Readers’ Choice Top Products Awards competition was conducted in mid-2015. The goal was to gather opinions from print service providers about what they consider to be the most significant products introduced to the commercial printing industry over the last 15 months.

To be considered for these awards, a product had to be released, commercially available, and shipping between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015. Voting was open to all print service providers worldwide from June 1 through July 9th, 2015.

Prepress & Premedia

Color Management (Software & Hardware)

EFI Fiery ImageViewer version 2.0

EFI’s Fiery ImageViewer 2.0, part of the Fiery Graphic Arts Package, Premium Edition, is a powerful tool for troubleshooting and color editing files at the DFE. Fully integrated with Fiery Command WorkStation 5.6, ImageViewer 2.0 lets users visually review the final processed job (raster output) before printing and apply color adjustments. Because users can inspect even the smallest details at full print engine resolution before printing, they save on a variety of costs: there’s no need to go back to prepress for edits, saving on click charges and streamlining operational efficiency by minimizing rework.

Design Software

QuarkXPress 10.1

QuarkXPress 10.1 was a major update to QuarkXPress 10 that delivers a new and improved features based on customer feedback including 8000 percent zoom and dynamic guides. The new update adds HTML5 animation capabilities to App Studio layouts within QuarkXPress and provides version 10 support for Quark Publishing Platform.

Available as a perpetual license, customers can rely on ongoing value from their investment in QuarkXPress 10. No subscriptions are necessary and users can take advantage of affordable support programs and dual activation, plus free upgrades throughout each version cycle.

PDF Software

Callas Software pdfToolbox 7 Update

callas software’s pdfToolbox 7 update makes the new customizable—and HTML-based—preflight report available in pdfToolbox Desktop as well as Server and adjusts a number of new features in pdfToolbox 7 based on customer requests.

pdfToolbox 7 introduces a completely new preflight report format. Based on an HTML template, it allows easy and thorough customization of the complete report. The new report starts from a template consisting of an HTML file, CSS and JavaScript and can be easily adjusted using common HTML tools. That template is converted to a good, printable PDF file on the fly by callas pdfToolbox whenever a PDF document is preflighted and a preflight report is generated. Starting with this pdfToolbox update, the options of the new report format are further extended and it can now be used in pdfToolbox Desktop.

VDP Software

PersonalEffect Version 7.0 from XMPie

XMPie PersonalEffect software solutions offer high volume VDP, personalized cross media communications and Web-to-print storefronts. With version 7.0, XMPie has announced a new level of efficiency and connectivity between the design and VDP production workflow.

Design professionals using the XMPie uCreate Print desktop plug-in to Adobe InDesign can now interact with the uProduce production/collaboration server hub, access document templates on the server repository, review/update/change, and even production composition, all from their desktop workflow with InDesign and uCreate Print. With this enhanced workflow and direct connectivity of uCreate and uProduce, PersonalEffect facilitates smoother collaboration between PSPs and their in-house or external design teams and potentially expands the creative community to embrace personalization.

In addition to its ease-of-use, PersonalEffect 7.0 also includes significant print performance enhancements that take full advantage of all the server’s computing resources.

The solution introduces new and much improved processes for print composition. Resulting composition speeds and, not less important, quality and size of output streams – especially PDF/VT – are setting new standards. Moreover, PersonalEffect 7.0 brings new levels of concurrent processing for speedy composition that require no intervention or explicit decision by the operator (user) of the system.

Web-to-Print Software

EFI Digital StoreFront Direct Mail Automation

EFI Digital StoreFront Direct Mail Automation is a module in the Digital StoreFront web-to-print/eCommerce platform that allows users to automatically clean lists, price postage and perform bulk-mail processing. The module includes a streamlined integration with AccuZIP software.

Digital StoreFront Direct Mail Automation supports targeted EDDM (every door direct mail) from AccuZip, list purchasing through a direct integration with AccuZip, as well as the use of existing address books or .csv files as the data source.

Additionally, Digital StoreFront Direct Mail Automation performs full CASS certification, NCOA (change of address registry) and address duplication cleanup to ensure that buyers only create (and pay for) valid records.

For printing companies, the module provides hands-off automation for direct-mail work that would otherwise require manual file management, mail list integration, and USPS bulk processing. Service providers can process direct-mail jobs with little to no direct intervention during the creation process, which reduces labor and, as a result, increases profitability, on direct-mail work.

Workflow Software

EFI Fiery Color Profiler Suite v4.6 – Express Profiler

EFI Fiery Color Profiler Suite v4.6 includes a new Express Profiler module that streamlines the workflow from calibration to profiling by reducing the number of steps required to produce an accurate color print configuration. Express Profiler creates a Fiery Virtual Printer or preset that contains a new calibration, an ICC profile, and the imaging settings. This allows any server operator to easily select the right profile. The ICC profile created uses advanced profiling settings from the factory default approved by the print engine manufacturer. This enables even a novice operator to create an output profile with expert settings.

Fiery Color Profiler Suite v4.6 is a complete color management solution that allows users to create ICC output profiles, optimize spot colors, perform color quality assurance and match color across multiple presses in a digital production environment. Express Profiler is the latest addition to this suite.

Consumables

Digital Print Media (Tie)

Invercote G from Iggesund Paperboard

Invercote G is certified for a variety of digital print technologies and is recognized as the market leader by digital printers when they need a thicker or stiffer material than usual. The upgraded Invercote G gives customers who want a clear difference between the paperboard’s two sides but who still want to be able to print on both sides using their digital presses precisely what they’re looking for.

The secret lies in the new coating on the reverse side of the upgraded Invercote G. Iggesund’s engineers created a reverse side with improved printing properties – in both offset and digital – but without compromising on the natural feel that has been the product’s hallmark for many years.

Transalloy P-300 Multi-Polymer from Transilwrap

Transilwrap Company, Inc. is helping leading retailers save time and reduce costs associated with display signage using the newly re-released Transalloy P-300 multi-polymer alloy—the top engineered alloy film alternative to vinyl and styrene for marketing and advertising print applications.

Transilwrap’s Transalloy P-300 Multipolymer Alloy delivers a more versatile product than vinyl or styrene and is capable of accepting brilliant graphics through offset litho, UV litho, flexo and digital printing. P-300 has proven to weather and age better than PVC or regular HIPS products. In addition, the specially formulated film carries high tear resistance and excellent impact strength to handle the most demanding applications. P-300 can be die-cut, punched and stapled to meet customer’s unique needs—and is a non-PVC product, recyclable under Code 6.

Fine Papers

ASTROBRIGHTS Papers Collection from Neenah

Neenah has announced an expansion to its ASTROBRIGHTS Papers collection which now includes 25 attention getting colors in a wider range of basis weights and digital sizes to meet the needs of marketers and digital printers alike. A new 135 lb. duplex cover, available in three color combinations, is also available; the perfect choice for that distinctive business card or presentation folder.

ASTROBRIGHTS Papers, complete with matching envelopes in all 25 colors and in 33 styles, are perfect for direct mail because they grab attention, make a bold statement and deliver bottom line results. ASTROBRIGHTS Papers can also be used for flyers, menus, packaging applications, newsletters, corporate identity programs, announcements, brochures and marketing materials; just about anywhere attention is sought. The ASTROBRIGHTS Papers line is the first and remains the largest collection of brightly colored papers in the industry.

Ink & Toner

Metallic Gold and Silver Specialty Dry Inks for Xerox Color 800/1000 Presses

The new metallic gold and silver specialty dry inks for the Xerox Color 800/1000 Presses extend the fifth-color capability of the presses beyond the optional clear dry ink station. Similar to clear dry ink, the gold and silver dry inks will feature the same Ultra Low-Melt EA Eco toner formula as the cyan, magenta, yellow and black dry inks and are chemically grown, enabling a uniform particle size.

Gold and silver specialty dry inks will add unique value to applications and expand creative services, offerings and capabilities. Invitations, direct marketing pieces, business identity items and applications can be completed with ease on a vast array of specialty substrates and are a cost-effective alternative to offline foil stamping. The new metallic dry ink technology is unique to the Xerox Color 1000 Press and Xerox’s full production portfolio.

Pressroom Supplies

AccuBlend-LV Ink Dispensing System from GFI Innovations (flexo)

GFI Innovations has announced the new AccuBlend-LV Ink Dispensing System for low viscous flexo inks. The user-friendly AccuBlend-LV system offers a host of benefits to improve control over the process, schedules and workflow of ink dispensing. The robust, fully self-contained machine combines an attractive design and compact footprint to make the dispensing of spot ink colors simpler and more time effective.

With a proven two-stage dispense valve design, AccuBlend-LV features a dozen integrated 5-gallon vessels. Fully configurable so source containers such as drums can be added to satisfy demand, the AccuBlend-LV’s design makes refilling simple. Since the design is fully modular, it can even be configured to accommodate 55-gallon drum batch sizes.

New COLORBOOK dispenser software with touch screen controls drives this machine. Nearly all dispenser and data management functions are contained on one screen, and navigation, the tracking of lot numbers, and batch color correction are functions made easier to maintain, especially when using work-off inks.

Output Devices

Color Digital Devices (non-inkjet) (tie)

Ricoh Pro C7110x

The RICOH Pro C7110x is a high speed, five color production class laser printer. This new edition to the Ricoh production print portfolio can print at speeds up to 90ppm based upon A4. The RICOH Pro C7110x has a maximum sheet size of 13x19.2; a maximum monthly volume of 240,000 based on A4 and a duty cycle of 700k.

The RICOH Pro C7110x prints at 1200x4800dpi and delivers VCSEL image quality on a wide variety of media, from tree-based to synthetics and envelopes. This model has the ability to add either clear or white as a fifth color option. It has a unique ac-transfer system and elastic fusing belt to highlight output on a large variety of heavily textured media which are fed by Ricoh’s new Vacuum feed LCT with Banner Printing option. The RICOH Pro C7110x supports paper weights of up to 360gsm in both simplex and duplex.

Ricoh’s media library allows users to adjust and associate 99 different parameters per substrate to ensure IQ and reliability, including different ICC profiles for front and back of a sheet. Precise sheet-to-sheet and front-to-back registration based on a 12x18-inch sheet is achieved with mechanical registration. In addition to product features, the Ricoh TCRU program (Trained Customer Replaceable Units) trains customers on how to replace more than a dozen parts key to reliability and image quality to help increase uptime and performance.

Xerox iGen 150 with Automated In-Line C.P. Bourg PUR Perfect Bind Solution

The Xerox iGen 150 Press with the C.P. Bourg BB3202 Perfect Binder and new PUR-C is the industry’s first fully automatic in-line/near-line PUR binder, designed to produce softcover books on demand – from single or multiple digital, analog or mixed workflows. The BB3202 comprises a modified Bourg BB3002 single-clamp binder and Bourg BBC transfer module to compile sheets or single-fold signatures and transfer stacks and covers into the binder.

Xerox Document Finishing Architecture seamlessly connects the finishing modules to the iGen 150. Options include the Bourg dual-mode BSFEx Sheet Feeder to produce books from both the in-line iGen press, as well as off-line from the other print devices; the Bourg Perf Rotate and Fold to create signatures from larger format printed sheets; and an in-line 3 Knife Trimmer from Challenge – ready to pack for shipment.

Combined with the iGen 150, the BB3202 automatically gauges spine thickness and sets jogging, power milling and notching, gluing, scoring and suction cover-feeding. The solution can produce 350 unique books per hour with finished books sizes from 3.9 x 3.9 inches to 15.15 x 12.6 inches, and spine thicknesses up to 2.36 inches stacked for trimming off-line, or automatically routed to optional three-sided trimming.

Label Printers

Xeikon Cheetah

Xeikon has announced the most important advancement for the digital label market in 15 years, the Xeikon Cheetah digital color press. The press is a staggering 60% faster than any other model in its current press portfolio. The new digital press is dedicated solely to self-adhesive/pressure sensitive label production and can output high quality labels at 98 ft/min (30 m/min), making it the fastest five-color digital label press in the world.

The Xeikon Cheetah can handle substrate widths of up to 13 inches (330 mm) with a true print resolution of 1,200 x 3,600 dpi. It utilizes full rotary printing where the press speeds are independent of the number of colors used and/or the repeat length of the job. Full rotary printing also makes step-and-repeat and subsequent finishing operations straightforward. Furthermore, the Xeikon Cheetah offers all the renowned benefits that make the Xeikon 3000 Series unique, including the use of dry toners that meet FDA regulations for food contact and the ability to print opaque white toner in one pass.

In addition to the standard CMYK + White, the fifth station on the Xeikon Cheetah can be used to print gamut expansion colors or security toner. The press also includes automatic in-line register and density controls. The imaging width is up to 12.7 inches (322 mm) while the repeat length is variable from 0 - 180 ft (0 - 55 m). Media weights range from 40 gsm to 350 gsm.

Packaging / Corrugated Printers

HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press

The HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press simplifies and streamlines corrugated printing on an industrial scale. With the new large-format digital press, converters and display makers can print direct to corrugated media as well as add short-run and versioning capabilities to their existing flexographic or lithographic-lamination operations. The press features HP Scitex High Dynamic Range (HDR) Printing Technology that enables a unique combination of high-quality output at industrial volumes.

Helping packaging converters and manufacturers take advantage of the $11 billion packaging market opportunity, the HP Scitex 15000 Corrugated Press brings the benefits of digital to the production of corrugated displays and short-run packaging. With this HP Scitex press, HP is helping converters and manufacturers achieve shorter product life cycles, meet demand for faster time to market and offer the versioning, short runs and reduced environmental impact only available with digital printing technology.

Inkjet

Xerox Rialto 900

The Xerox Rialto 900 Inkjet Press offers first-of-its kind features and carves out a new space within the booming production color inkjet segment. The world’s only fully-integrated roll-to-cut sheet, narrow web inkjet press is designed for print providers who produce 1.5 to 5 million impressions per month. It has the smallest footprint of any inkjet press on the market – 11.9 x 5.1 feet/ 3.58 x 1.55 meters (including the press tower) – a cost-effective option for various production environments.

To help lower the entry point into production inkjet technology, the Rialto 900 prints duplex jobs, one-up on the smallest, narrow web (9.84 inches/250 millimeters) on the market.

The device offers the speed and image quality required to take on full-color, personalized direct-mail, statements and book production. Its all-in-one design means the front-end controller, paper roll and finishing components are housed within the machine – a space saver and service convenience.

Automating and simplifying production is seamless with a range of workflow offerings, including XMPie PersonalEffect StoreFlow, Xerox FreeFlow Core, and VI Suite and solutions from GMC and Solimar – all driving the press at rated speed for maximum productivity.

Wide-Format Inkjet Printers (24-inches +) (tie)

HP Latex 360 Printer

The higher-volume, 64-inch HP Latex 360 Printer prints up to 978 sqft/hr (91 sqm/hr) and increases application versatility with an ink collector for porous textiles. The printer also features automatic front-to-back registration for printing double-sided banners, a larger front panel display, and support for HP Custom Substrate Profiling via the embedded spectrophotometer.

Water-based HP Latex Inks combine the best characteristics of solvent inks and water-based inks. With HP Latex Inks, you can obtain outdoor durability and versatility across all common media types used in sign and display applications.

VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology from EFI

The EFI (Booth 1902) VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology offers LED UV-curing technology and continuous board productivity at true 1,000 dpi. It is designed to offer more applications with the ability to print on thinner and specialty substrates. The range of supported substrates is extended with innovative ink curing technology that delivers photorealistic quality and high adhesion. It handles flexible or rigid substrates up to 80 inches and up to two inches in thickness.

The VUTEk GS2000LX Pro with UltraDrop Technology features eight-colors plus white and in-line multilayer printing for outstanding image quality. It can output at speeds up to 2,000 square feet per hour or 45 4’x8’ sheets per hour. Changeover to print on flexible from rigid substrates occurs in less than one minute, and dual resolution also is available: True 600 dpi (24pL) or 1,000 dpi (12pL). Printing directly to substrate eliminates mounting and lamination of flexible materials for rigid applications.

Finishing & Mailing

Binders & Bookletmakers

DigiBook 200 PUR Binder from Morgana Systems

The Morgana Systems DigiBook 200 PUR Binder is equipped with a patented closed gluing system where the spine and side gluing is accurately applied by a slot applicator. The DigiBook 200 provides up to 200 books per hour, and up to two inches thick, with automatic block measuring, clamp setting and nozzle adjustment.

The DigiBook 200 perfect binder is suited to traditional and digital printers who require short to medium runs of PUR perfect bound books to a professional standard. The product is the fourth Morgana machine in the PUR perfect binding range.

Cutters, Trimmers, Creasers, Routers, Folders, Diecutters, Foilers, Laminators, and Other Postpress Equipment

Matrix MX-530DP Duplex Laminating System from Vivid

The Matrix MX-530DP Duplex from Vivid Laminating Technologies is a roll film laminating machine that will laminate 1200 12 x 18-inch prints in less than an hour, on both sides of the print at the same time. Ideal for a range of short run prints, it can save both time and money by laminating in-house, meaning the customer gets the printed job finished and delivered back faster.

Inserters

FlexLiner Inserting System from Muller Martini

Featuring selectable feeding of product, the 30,000 cycles per hour FlexLiner enables commercial printers to quickly produce a wide variety of direct mailers with ultra-large print runs. In addition, this innovative inserting system delivers an excellent price/performance ratio making it an ideal inserting system for newspaper printers as well.

The FlexLiner features a modular system design which allows it to be easily expanded to contain up to 30 feeders, and it can be easily set up for individual runs. Insert stations can be fed manually or using stream feeders as required. The pocket wheel accommodates jackets with different sizes, formats and spine dimensions—with on-the-fly format changes. Additional product possibilities can be created with individual addressing in the delivery transporter and the integration of a labeling system or a card gluer.

Mailing Software & Hardware

Postal Optimization Solution from Ricoh

Ricoh’s Postal Optimization Solutions address mail integrity and enablement for print shops, commercial printers, data centers, in-plants and others to automate mail workflow processes - enabling efficient management of the entire mail process. It includes:

• Ricoh’s Mail Integrity Suite – A portfolio of Ricoh and third-party partners for mailers that includes RICOH Processor Director and RICOH ProcessDirector Express workflow software to automate print, insertion and Full Service mailing production processes, along with third-party partners to standardize and validate addresses to comply with USPS Full Service standards. It enables address processing (CASS, NCOA, address suppression), First Class and Standard Mail Presorting (PAVE), and integrated USPS PostalOne! (mail.dat). Ricoh Mail Integrity leverages Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) and PDF workflow environments and fully integrates and automates integrated third-party USPS Full Service software requirements without the customer needing to integrate it themselves.
• Ricoh’s Postal Enablement feature automates the process of identifying address information within the job, extracting that data and presenting it to third-party postal optimization software for address cleansing, suppression and sorting to minimize incorrect mailings. This flexible feature can be used with fully composed files (including PDF) by leveraging a unique Acrobat Professional plug-in for indexing jobs. The solution is designed to be compatible with postal tools of all types worldwide. As an add-on feature to RICOH ProcessDirector, RICOH ProcessDirector Express and TotalFlow DocEnhancer; users can start small by connecting it to postal-certified third-party software or as part an end-to-end implementation of Ricoh workflow solutions.