Saturday, January 30, 2010

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Oki pro900DP Digital Color Press


Innovative product line includes color cut-sheet printers,
digital envelope press and digital web press, all delivering supreme print
quality, color accuracy and media flexibility at aggressive operating costs

OKI Data Americas, which markets its products
under the OKI® Printing Solutions brand, today announced the launch of the OKI proColor™ Series, an innovative line of products for color-critical applications in graphic arts and production environments. The OKI proColor Series delivers professional-quality color output, consistent color accuracy
powered by embedded EFI Fiery® and PANTONE® calibration on select models, and exceptional media flexibility with variable data capabilities -- all at aggressive operating costs.

The OKI proColor Series includes the pro810 Series, pro910 and pro930 cut-sheet
printers, pro900DP digital envelope press and pro510DW digital web press.

"The OKI proColor Series is a breakthrough in color technology for this market
because it gives customers the power to perform short-run jobs faster and more
cost-effectively than they ever could before -- such as 200 envelopes with
variable data in minutes," said Randy Rickert, Director, Graphic Arts &
Production, OKI Data Americas. "Print shops will now have the ability to compete in new spaces
and in-house production shops will have access to unprecedented quality output
from a more conducive footprint."

The innovative OKI proColor Series includes the following products, each
available with an industry-leading 2-year On Site Warranty1:

pro810 Series (U.S. List pricing starting at $3,248): The pro810 is an affordable complement to costly AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) plotters, delivering fast, professional-quality color proofs. With exceptional color accuracy and high productivity speeds of 30 pages per minute (ppm) color/32 ppm monochrome2, the pro810 fits seamlessly into existing BIM (Building Information Modeling) workflows.

pro910 ($5,960 U.S. List price): Competing at the entry-point of the high-quality, short run color market is possible with the pro910 tabloid/A3 digital color printer. External RIP software enables users to utilize existing color assets, while benefiting from HD (High-Definition) Color output; media flexibility including card stock, magnetic media and static clings; media handling of paper stock up to 330 gsm; and fast, on-demand production printing speeds of 31ppmcolor/36ppm monochrome1, all at aggressive operating costs.

pro930 ($10,230 U.S. List price): The pro930 tabloid/A3 printer delivers exceptional color output and consistently accurate color matching every time, with PANTONE® calibration, embedded EFI Fiery® and SmartRIP® technology for fast, automated color workflow. This new alternative for high-quality, short run color printing has variable data capabilities and is the lowest cost, embedded solution supporting XMPie®. This product, like its entry-level
counterpart, supports a wide range of media substrates, enhancing its print shop
capabilities.

pro900DP ($26,500 U.S. List price): The pro900DP digital envelope color press revolutionizes short-run, on-demand print jobs, with the ability to produce variable data on a wide range of media, including full-color envelopes. Powered by PANTONE® calibration and an embedded EFI Fiery® controller for unmatched color accuracy, the pro900DP's high-capacity lift holds up to 4,000 sheets of 20lb. bond paper for high-productivity printing at attractive running
costs.

pro510DW ($36,200 U.S. List price): With the pro510DW digital color web press, customers can achieve fast, continuous web printing at up to 30 feet/minute (5.1" per second slew rate), handling a 2,500 foot roll of stock. The compact and easy-to-operate pro510DW supports paper, labels and various tag stocks and includes automatic cut and reload between print jobs to eliminate operator intervention. This product is creating new market spaces with its
innovation!


The OKI proColor Series is available exclusively through a select group of partners serving the graphic arts and production market. The pro810 Series, pro910 and pro930 will be available in February, and the pro900DP and pro510DW will be available in March.

All OKI Printing Solutions products are built on parent company OKI Data Corporation's
history of leadership and innovation in color printing, such as digital LED technology and SinglePass Color™. This technology allows OKI Data Americas to manufacture products that require fewer moving parts for increased reliability.

OKI Printing Solutions provides live3, toll-free technical support 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with agents based in North America.

# # #

√OKI, Reg. OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd. ENERGY STAR Reg. T.M.
U.S. EPA, Single Pass Color T.M. and design Reg. T.M. OKI Data Corp., proColor,√
TM, OKI Data Americas, EFI, Fiery, SmartRIP Reg. T.M., Electronics For Imaging,
Inc√., Pantone, Reg. T.M., Pantone, Inc. XMPie Reg. T.M. XMPie.√

1 Available in the U.S. only.
2
Published performance results based on laboratory testing. Individual results
may vary.
3 Available in the U.S. and Canada only.

About Oki Data Americas, Inc.:

OKI Data Americas Inc.,
headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J., and a subsidiary of OKI Data Corporation of Japan,markets PC peripheral equipment and customized document management solutions under the OKI Printing Solutions brand, including digital color and monochrome printers, color and monochrome multifunction products, serial impact dot matrix printers, thermal label
printers
and POS printers, as well as a full line of options, accessories and consumables. OKI Data Americas also serves the Graphic Arts & Production market with the OKI proColor™ Series. OKI Data Americas takes a consultative approach to supporting every customer's needs and delivering individualized print solutions that optimize business performance. The company's innovative technology is backed by Tokyo-based parent company Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., a world leader in information processing systems, telecommunications and electronics; and an approximately $5.7 billion multinational corporation according to its FY 2008 financial
reporting. Keeping its customers' needs top of mind, OKI Data Americas is ISO
9001:2000 certified and offers a selection of ENERGY STAR(r) certified products.

Wow! Killer Products!


-=Cheers=-



Saturday, January 23, 2010

Print Production Weekend Notes


These were recent posts from Print4Pay Hotel members. If you're selling Print Production systems you need to become a member of the largest and fasted growing social site for Imaging Professionals!

- A printshop announced it is installing a wind turbine to generate electricity to drive its production systems. Phoenix Press, of North Haven, CT, hopes to use the turbine to provide one third of the power it needs to run its Kodak DigiMaster 9110, Canon imageRUNNER 7095 and imageRUNNER C5180 units.

- Hewlett Packard announced it sold two Indigo 7000 production color systems to Capitol City Press of Tumwater, Washington.

- Hewlett Packard announced it sold an Indigo 5500 to ProGraphics Communications of Atlanta, GA.

- Hewlett Packard announced it sold an Indigo 5500 production color system to Positive Images of Mitcham, Surrey, England.

- Ricoh launched a new production color system, called the PRO C720 system offering:
- Slowed down, cheaper version of the slow selling C900
- Offers a top speed of 72ppm versus 90ppm of the C900
- Maximum duty cycle of only 320K/month
- Runs at same speed, regardless of paper weight, like the C900, up to 110lb. cover
- Uses same EFI Fiery as C900
- finishing options are limited to saddle stitch booklet maker and standard finisher

- Xerox announced it has sold a Xerox Nuvera 288 production b/w system to CFH Total Document Management of Somerset, England.

- Xerox announced it has sold a Xerox Nuvera 288 production b/w system and an iGen3 production color system to Hamilton Printing Co. of Castleton, NY.


-=Cheers=-

Friday, January 15, 2010

Weekend Print Production Notes


Printshop revenue for month of November in the U.S., was a total of $7.38 billion a decline of 8% compared to last year. It was the first November to be below $8 billion since 2003.

Heidelberg, the large German offset press maker, now supported financially by the German government, is looking to get back into the digital printers market according to Business Week magazine. Apparently, it is even considering partnering with Kodak. As you may recall, Heidelberg sold its digital press business to Kodak, after buying it from Kodak a few years earlier. This division includes the DigiMaster b/w systems and the NexPress color systems.


Memjet, the company that has been promising a high speed color inkjet copier, announced it has hired a new executive. Len Lauer, former COO of Qualcomm, will be the new Memjet President and CEO, working out the San Diego office. (Memjet has 2,600patents related to technology developed by Mr. Kia Silverbrook of Australia)

Direct Color Systems Inc. launched the Millenium 700, which can produce a full color plastic name badge in 25 seconds. Purchase price, and cost per card were not announced.

-=Cheers=-

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Ricoh Launches Pro C720/C720s Color Production System


Ricoh Launches Pro C720/C720s Color Production System

New Light Production Digital System Offers Affordable Alternative for Color Printing, Scanning, Copying and Document Storage
WEST CALDWELL, N.J., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Ricoh Americas Corporation, a leading provider of digital office equipment, announced today the official launch of the RICOH® Pro C720/C720s, a production class multi-functional color system, the latest addition to Ricoh's Pro series of products, designed specifically for the production environment. This flexible system is targeted at corporate and commercial professional print environments with demanding application needs. The Pro C720/C720s has a robust duty cycle of 320,000 images per month, and runs at 72 pages-per-minute (PPM) regardless of paper weight.

The RICOH Pro C720s allows customers to complete a wide range of applications within one system. The Pro C720s offers high-resolution scanning, copying, and automated distribution to multiple destinations, including e-mail, URL, and FTP. It also allows customers to store files on a document server so you can reprint them without re-ripping the files.

Central to the operation of the RICOH Pro C720/C720s is a server-based EFI Fiery® Print controller. The Fiery platform optimizes the Pro C720/C720s with top speed, quality, advanced color management, and integrated work-flow utilities that provide the customer with complete control over digital file processing at every stage of production. The Fiery is an open, flexible solution addressing the demanding requirements of Commercial Printers, In-Plant Print Shops, and Central Reproduction Departments (CRDs). The Fiery controller is a standard component of the Pro C720/C720s and includes a number of value-added workflow and job automation utilities such as Fiery Graphic Arts Package, Standard Edition, EFI Hot Folders, Fiery WebTools, and more.

Additionally, the RICOH Pro C720/C720s offers a wide range of advanced in-line finishing options that can be configured to customers' exact requirements, providing enhanced flexibility and efficiency. Options include a high capacity stacker which enables longer unattended print runs, and an array of document handling and finishing options.

The Pro C720/C720s is engineered to provide maximum uptime and reliability to customers in demanding print environments. It is ideal for print-for-pay shops, CRDs and other environments that need to take on more color jobs, increase revenue, and lower cost. The Pro C720/C720s incorporates Trained Customer Replacement Units (TCRU's) that enable operators to replace key components of the system, providing improved productivity. In addition, Ricoh bundles remote diagnostics, troubleshooting and online consumable ordering through the included @Remote diagnostic solution.

The Pro C720/C720s feature large capacity trays that incorporate air-assist paper feeding for sheets up to 13" x 19.2". The Pro C720/C720s handles media basis weights from 16lb bond to 110lb cover and prints at rated speed regardless of basis weight.

"With the economy still on the rebound we're continuing to develop cost-effective solutions that help our customers improve their bottom lines. We've had very good customer experiences with the C900, and the Pro C720 builds on the reliability and quality of the same platform," said Carl Joachim, vice president of Marketing for PPBG, Ricoh Americas Corporation. "We've made good inroads in the production color market over the past year, not only with the Pro C900, but also with our solutions and professional services that address emerging applications such as Web2Print and VDP."

Order taking for the C720/C720S will be effective immediately, with availability scheduled for February 2010. The product will be available through US channels of distribution that include Ricoh Business Solutions, IKON and authorized independent dealers. Additional distribution within the Ricoh Americas group is planned through Ricoh Canada Limited and Ricoh Latin America.

For more information on the C720/C720s and other PPBG products and solutions, please visit www.ricoh-usa.com/ppbg/.

About Ricoh's Production Printing Business Group:

The Production Printing Business Group (PPBG) of Ricoh Americas Corporation is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art, high-speed production systems that provide efficient document workflows with high-volume production printing and finishing. Incorporating superior engineering, service, reliable technology, and extensive software and finishing options, PPBG helps production centers to cost-effectively modernize and streamline their operations to meet today's rapid turnaround and high-quality demands.

Ricoh Americas Corporation, founded in 1962, is headquartered in West Caldwell, NJ and is a subsidiary of Ricoh Company Ltd., the 73-year-old leading supplier of office automation equipment and electronics, with fiscal year 2008 sales in excess of $20 billion.

Information about Ricoh's Production Printing Business Group can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.ricoh-usa.com/ppbg/.

All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

Ricoh Web Site: www.ricoh-usa.com

-=Cheers=-

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Downtown Print and Copy standardises on Xerox


Downtown Print and Copy, based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, has standardised on Xerox equipment following the purchase of a DocuColor 5000AP to replace an ageing DocuColor 2060 and a wide-format 6204 to replace an Oce plan printer. The new machines were installed in August and operational the same day.

‘The DC5000AP has placed us at the forefront of quality, production and ultimately service,’ says David Scholtz, owner of Downtown Print and Copy. ‘For example,
we are able to produce 500 full colour business cards printed on 300gsm in only 40 seconds. Our customers are now getting the best quality and turnaround time and at the right price.’

Downtown Print and Copy has a 10-year relationship with Xerox equipment, supplied and serviced by local Bytes Document Solutions’ authorised dealer, Digi Copiers.

Prior to its latest acquisitions the Eastern Cape business, with 24 employees between its head office in central Port Elizabeth and branches in Walmer and Lorraine, had four DC12 colour copiers and printers with EFI Fiery and Splash RIPs, two DocuTech 6135 production black and white printers, an 8100 plan printer, a DC3535 colour copier and printer, two WorkCentre Pro 45 copiers and printers, a DigiPath Make Ready pre-press system, and a DC252 colour copier and printer with a Creo RIP.

‘We chose Xerox because they have always looked after us as a business, they are professional, skilled and competent in their field,’ said Scholtz. ‘We have looked at other offerings which were cheaper but, because we are in the print-for-pay market, if the solution does not work we are out of business. Xerox equipment seems to be made to last and from our past experience we know that it does.

‘We standardised on Xerox because we believe that the product and solution are the most powerful at this stage of the game and most important, the after-sales service delivered by Digi Copiers is on par with Bytes Document Solutions standards which is recognised as the best in the industry,’ he said.

Downtown Print and Copy has also seen an uptick in business in its short run operations following its latest acquisitions.

The newest machine, the DocuColor 5000AP, has in addition enabled the business to increase the run lengths of jobs due to the lower running costs of the system.

‘Anyone with a need for colour printing will put the DC5000 to good use, while the 6204 meets the needs of the architecture and design industry,’ said Scholtz. He added that the newest systems are easy to understand and operate and require no specialised training.

‘Downtown Print and Copy has operated in Port Elizabeth for the past 28 years,’ said Paul Haglich (pictured above). ‘They have a huge amount of experience in the industry, long-standing clients because of the service they bring to market, and it’s a huge feather in our cap that they have standardised on our equipment.’

Click here for more Downtown Print and Copy standardises on Xerox

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Printing decreases for first time in U.S.?


Printing decreases for first time in U.S.? According to researcher, Jake Wang, of IDC:

- “Starting with the fourth quarter of 2008, we saw a definite drop in printer page outputs”
- IDC uses computer software to monitor the use of 700,000 printers and MFPs in the U.S.
- “It was like going over a waterfall.”
- Total of 1.5 trillion pages for the year, or 5,000 sheets of printouts per man, woman & child.
- Predicts drop of 10% in 2010.
- “When an economy sheds million of workers, there are that many employees who aren’t
doing the printing”
- “I’m thinking fewer contracts are signed. Fewer documents sent from one person to another”
- Expects increase in 2011 after the recovery.
- Forrester Research predicts that electronic bank statements will start declining in 2010.
- In 2007, the Securities & Exchange Commission stopped requiring corporations to mail out printed annual reports to shareholders.