Heidelberg to Showcase Full Network Integration, Cross-Platform Color Management at GRAPH EXPO 2011

Heidelberg, the world’s largest supplier of print media solutions and services, will demonstrate “HEI Flexibility” in Booth 1200 at GRAPH EXPO 2011. HEI Flexibility refers to an intelligent combination of offset and digital printing, as well as Web-to-print offerings, designed to produce top quality print products in the most profitable way, regardless of run length or variable content. Heidelberg’s Prinect brings HEI Flexibility to every phase of print manufacturing by routing jobs quickly and efficiently to production equipment for optimized throughput and higher profitability.

GRAPH EXPO 2011 is the first North American show at which Heidelberg will present its new digital and conventional production equipment alongside its Speedmaster presses. GRAPH EXPO will see the U.S. launch of the Ricoh Pro C901 Graphic Arts Edition high-speed color digital press. Running at 90 ppm, this high-output press is the offset printer’s answer to short runs, variable data printing and fast turnarounds on a range of substrates. Heidelberg also will launch its own Web-to-print solution, giving commercial shops affordable access to this promising market. The company also will exhibit, for the first time, the VUTEk GS3200 grand-format hybrid UV inkjet printer for rigid and roll-to-roll printing.

“Optimized production comes not just from acquiring the right solutions, but from making them work together at the highest level,” said Jim Dunn, president of Heidelberg USA. “GRAPH EXPO presents an ideal opportunity for us to show attendees how this can work in their shops.”

Visitors to Booth 1200 will see a bright red 18-wheeler forming almost one entire wall of the booth. The big rig is courtesy of Unisource, Heidelberg’s partner in Printers Advantage, a new national partnership that makes it easy for printers to obtain the paper and consumable supplies they need, together with world-class technical support, from a single team dedicated to their success.

Digital Production

Booth 1200 will be a fully networked print shop running live work throughout the show. It offers examples of everything a printing company needs to optimize its production and grow its business in one seamless example of efficient, automated print manufacturing.

In live demonstrations, Heidelberg will showcase its cross-platform expertise in integrated production and color consistency. The VUTEk GS3200, the Ricoh Pro C901 and the Speedmasters all will be linked in a color-managed workflow as they print materials for a simulated advertising campaign. Prinect workflow will drive color management and all other integrated functions from a bank of workstations at the center of the booth.

Offset Lithography and Prepress

Representing conventional production will be a pair of Speedmaster presses: a five-color Speedmaster SM 74 featuring Prinect Axis Control and 40-inch Wallscreen display, and a five-color Speedmaster SM 52 with Anicolor zoneless inking system. A Suprasetter A75 thermal CtP unit and inkjet proofers from Epson and HP support the presses.

Postpress

The finishing area of the booth will present Heidelberg solutions for flexible, automated commercial and packaging postpress: the KAMA ProCut 74 multi-function automatic diecutter, a KAMA ProFold 74 folder-gluer, a POLAR 92 XT high-speed cutter with Compucut job programming software and a Stahlfolder TH 56 folder with accessories for extra productivity.

Workflow Solutions

Visitors will learn how to “Get Prinected” from order intake to job completion as they view Prinect solutions for integrated production, color management, MIS and Web-to-print in live action in Booth 1200. Of special interest will be the preview of the new Prinect Business Manager print management system, the next generation of Prinect Image Control spectrophotometric color management system and Heidelberg’s new Web-to-print solution, a fully functional electronic storefront that provides better brand control, business growth opportunities and the ability to streamline internal processes.

Paper and Consumables

The big red truck will be a vivid reminder that among the benefits offered by the Printers Advantage program are simplified ordering, consolidated delivery, improved inventory management and world-class technical support from a single team. An overview can be seen in “The Search for Happiness” at http://www.youtube.com/HeidelGuy.

Service, Training, and Consulting

For Heidelberg, managing a post-sale relationship means taking an active interest in the customer’s progress on all fronts—a theme that will inform its presentation of business support services. Heidelberg Systemservice is the industry’s most comprehensive support program for new equipment. Heidelberg’s Print Media Academy offers customized training for continuous improvement in graphic production. Finally, through its expanding portfolio of Business Consulting services, Heidelberg is opening new paths to profitability in color management, process optimization, sustainable production and more.

Press Conference/Special Events

Heidelberg will conduct a press conference on Sunday, September 11 at 10:30 a.m. in Booth 1200. Heidelberg chairman Bernhard Schreier and Heidelberg USA president Jim Dunn will update the media on Heidelberg’s business, future strategy and GRAPH EXPO presence. Ricoh Company CEO Shiro Kondo also will attend.

Also on Sunday, September 11 at 12:15 p.m. in Booth 1200, Andy Paparozzi, chief economist for NAPL, will deliver his annual “State of Our Industry” report.

On Monday, September 12, also in Booth 1200, Heidelberg will sponsor a “Pink Party” from 5-6 p.m. celebrating Women in Print. Look for more details on the “Pink Party” in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit Heidelberg’s GRAPH EXPO microsite (http://sso.us.heidelberg.com/graphexpo) and its social media portal (www.us.heidelberg.com/followus).