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Global News: Get the right focus on drupa 2016

July 13, 2015
3D printing, Basic Topics on Innovation, Digital Transformation, drupa 2016, Value Contributors
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Ying Gutenberg 2009 plus Text

© 2015 by Value Communication AG, Mainz/Germany. Painting: “Gutenberg’s Transformation”, Oil/Canvas, 2009, by Dr. Ying Lin-Sill, Mainz.

Graphic Repro On-line News from 06 July 2015
By Mike Hilton
e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

Welcome to another roundup of news highlights and Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris Blog for Friday 10 July, which this week asks If Interest in Carbon Footprinting is Stalled? You’ll also find a new report from KBA Sheetfed Solutions in Online Features, Chapter 06 as it follows ‘The Internet of Things’ in its digital business transformation’ for its Business Units. Most importantly, we have the announcement in our drupa Newsroom (in both English and German), outlining Messe Düsseldorf’s drupa director, Sabine Geldermann’s plans for next year’s drupa cube, with an innovative Conference Programme designed to bridge the gap between print professionals and their creative agency, marketing and brand owner clients across a variety of vertical markets.

This week’s news headlines began with UPM on Monday listing its latest eco credentials and achievements, followed by a selection of exhibitor announcements for this year’s Labelexpo in Brussels in late September, including Screen Europe, Esko and Chili Publish. Tuesday began with drupa mentioned above, followed by Sappi and Borregaard with their latest joint venture plans in South Africa. Wednesday saw Weiss Druck announce an order for a second 96-page Manroland Web Systems‘ Lithoman press, plus a comprehensive e-Retrofit of its Geoman press in Monschau, Germany; followed by Heidelberg with a se ries of digital successes from its digital printing portfolio based around the latest Linoprint CV/CP systems. On Thursday, Ricoh announced its further expansion into Eastern Europe; while on Friday, Xerox took the lead as it strives to make digital production colour market more colourful and profitable with the debut of its new faster iGen 5 with fifth colour option. Backtracking to Wednesday, EFI announced its latest Fiery Print Server platform which drives CMYK+ colour capabilities and faster processing for the new Xerox iGen 5.

There’s much more if you scroll down carefully, including Bobst’s announcement of its second beta site for its new digital press with Kodak Stream inkjet for corrugated board, at Schumacher Packaging in Ebersdorf, Germany on Wednesday; and Heidelberg UK’s latest Speedmaster successes at Optichrome in Woking, England, and at Gortreagh Printing in Ulster; also KBA making the headlines on Thursday at Meredith-Webb in the United States, as it prepares to install its fourth KBA press in five years, a Rapida 205 VLF press to access new opportunities.

Our tailender and congratulations this week go to Marc Lotter, who has been appointed as the new finance director of Heidelberg Graphic Systems Southern Africa in Johannesburg; and as many of you may know, Marc hails from one of South Africa’s well-known print families in Johannesburg.

That’s it until next time, my best regards,

Mike Hilton

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site. 

Headline News
Over 26,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages 

From Monday 06 July

Mon 06 July…    UPM publishes EMAS 2014 certifications for its mills
UPM pulp and paper mills’ environmental performance reported in EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme 2014 statements…

Screen Europe’s latest Truepress Jet L350UV at Labelexpo
New software, hardware and finishing features deliver new levels of quality, productivity and flexibility for the inkjet label press…

Esko at Labelexpo Europe 2015 in Brussels in September
Esko to demonstrate strong business impact of its powerful, flexible production workflows for all printing technologies…

CHILI Publish set to sizzle at Labelexpo Europe 2015
Real-World 3D View leads the list of features to transform design and production for packaging and labels…

Meech at Labelexpo Europe 2015 in Brussels
Meech’s Hyperion range of static control bars to feature at Labelexpo together with complete range of web cleaning systems…

Tue 07 July…   drupa cube: innovative conference programme at drupa 2016
Bridging the gap between print professionals and their creative agency, marketing and brand owner clients across vertical markets…

Borregaard and Sappi to expand production at LignoTech
Borregaard, Norway and Sappi, South Africa announce 20,000 tonnes capacity expansion at lignin joint venture in South Africa…

UPM introduces its renewed UPM Color range
Salmon, Pink, Yellow and Orange: Part of standard newsprint papers, the grade is suitable for both coldset and heatset Offset…

Reinforcing colour management with PantoneLIVE+ColorCert
The pre-media agency Diadeis integrates X-Rite’s leading colour management solutions to improve services for brand owners…

Cashin beefs up water treatment with Technotrans
Technotrans alpha.r 10 water treatment unit added to cope with higher print output following Speedmaster SX 102-2-P install…

Wed 08 Jul…   Weiss-Druck to add second Manroland 96-page Lithoman
Weiss-Druck invests in second Manroland Lithoman + comprehensive e-Retrofit of its Geoman press in Monschau, Germany…

Heidelberg has growing customer numbers moving to digital
More and more customers move to the Heidelberg digital printing portfolio based around the Linoprint CV/CP systems…

Schumacher Packaging becomes Bobst’ second beta site
Second beta site for Bobst’s digital press with Kodak Stream inkjet for corrugated board is Schumacher in Ebersdorf, Germany…

KBA-Sheetfed on the path to the ‘Internet of Things’
Digital Business Transformation modifies business processes for KBA’s largest business unit: KBA-Sheetfed Solutions…

EFI launches New Fiery FS200 Pro digital front end
New EFI Fiery Print Server platform drives CMYK+ colour capabilities and faster processing for Xerox iGen 5…

Thu 09 Jul…   Ricoh expands to the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Ricoh Europe has announced its acquisition of leading distributor Impromat-CZ spol. and Impromat Slov spol….

Optichrome moves to Heidelberg and Speedmaster XL 75
Optichrome breaks with tradition and switches from Manroland to Heidelberg technology with new B2 five-colour and coater…

Meredith-Webb adds new KBA Rapida 205 VLF press
A fleet of four KBA presses installed in five years affords new opportunities and increases pace of production…

Seven products for Stationers’ Seal of Excellence
The Stationers’ Company launches Warrant Scheme enabling companies to use the Livery’s crest and ‘seal of excellence’…

Xaar announces another senior appointment in the USA
New US director of sales to spearhead Xaar’s drive into North and Latin American markets…

Fri 10 Jul…   Xerox launches the iGen 5 with immediate availability
Thrive with five: Xerox makes digital production colour market even more colourful, profitable with debut of the new iGen 5…

Heidelberg Graphic Systems appoints new finance director
Marc Lotter has been appointed as the new finance director of Heidelberg Graphic Systems Southern Africa…

The Nordic Ecolabel for Fujifilm Uvijet UV inks
Fujifilm’s wide-format Uvijet UV inks gain Nordic Ecolabel certification further reinforcing the company’s green credentials…

Sawgrass and JG Electronics at FESPA Africa
Sawgrass and JG Electronics to showcase the Art of Sublimation at FESPA Africa 2015 in Johannesburg, from 22 to 24 July…

Extensive retrofit on Ecoman by PrintHouseService
Mundschenk Druck plans for the long term with complete electronic end-to-end control system retrofit from PHS…

Gortreagh Printing upgrades its four-colour capability
A Speedmaster SX 52-4-P, a B3 four-colour perfector, has been delivered to Gortreagh Printing in Ulster…

Lead article from Friday 03 July in our previous update… 

Previous…   Manroland Web at Digital Book Printing Forum London
Digital finishing solutions developed and engineered by Manroland Web Systems will help to save the printed book…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

Electronics For Imaging  (EFI) is a world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for the commercial printing market. Its portfolio of integrated solutions span production and superwide format printing, graphic arts, advanced professional printing software, and industrial inkjet systems. Its technologies increase productivity by automating print and business processes To find out more visit the EFI Website.

Kodak Commercial Imaging  (Kodak) is a leading provider of innovative solutions for conventional, digital and hybrid print production environments. With the most expansive portfolio for the graphic communications market,  Kodak features technologies, products and services that help print providers streamline processes, optimise efficiencies, broaden services, and grow businesses. To find out more, visit the Kodak Graphics Website.

drupa 2016 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry, responds to the challenges of the changing market and provides pioneering solutions for the future. This is highlighted by the new marketing and communication strategy where drupa claims its position as ‘No.1 for Print & Crossmedia Solutions’ with the slogan ‘touch the future’. The issues of ‘package printing’, ‘multichannel’, ‘green printing’, ‘3D printing’ and ‘functional printing’ will become increasingly important to the overall communication strategy. To find out more, visit the drupa 2016 Website.

Online Feature articles 2014 – 2015
There were again well over 90 last year, including nine downloads, as well as 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2) on the Website.

July/Aug 2015 Chapter 06

KBA-Sheetfed Solutions on the path to the ‘Internet of Things’
Digital Business Transformation’ for KBA and its Business Units successfully modifies business processes…

Previous…    ValueTalk – Oliver Zünd: ‘Forward thinking is our forte’
It’s a truly impressive success story. Zünd Systemtechnik AG, a family-owned business with operations worldwide, specialises in developing and manufacturing digital cutting systems…

New brand identity underscores Heidelberg’s strategic reorientation
The company is underlining this reorientation with the launch of a new brand identity to be adopted globally in the run-up to drupa 2016…

Technology-related articles Chapter 02

Previous…    Bobst Competence 15: New solutions and inspiring perspectives
‘Competence 15 – Inspiring Business Solutions’ drew close to 300 packaging makers from around the globe to the Bobst Competence Centre in Mex, Switzerland in June…

Heidelberg releases new Prinect Image Control with CIP4-PPF
Print shops use less material and benefit from lower costs thanks to new software from Heidelberg…

LED-UV & Traditional UV Conference at KBA in Radebeul
Practical knowledge transfer on cutting-edge UV sheetfed offset…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blog 2015

Is Interest in Carbon Footprinting Stalled?
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 10 July

Previous…    Water Water Everywhere
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 03 July

Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index, as well as via the special Newsroom button on the right of the Home Page near the top.

drupa 2016 News from Messe Düsseldorf

drupa cube: innovative conference programme at drupa 2016
Bridging the gap between print professionals and their creative agency, marketing and brand owner clients across a variety of vertical markets…

drupa cube: Innovatives Konferenzprogramm zur drupa 2016
Print schlägt die Brücke zwischen Kreativagenturen, Marketiers, Brandownern und vertikalen Märkten…

drupa 2016 Expert Articles series

Previous…    Smarter print to market
Touch the future. drupa expert Article no 1, June 2015, by Gareth Ward, Editor and Publisher of Print Business in the UK…

FESPA Newsroom
The dedicated FESPA Newsroom can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA 2015 and FESPA News

FESPA brand draws growing Asian audience
Increase in Asian visitors to FESPA Global Expo 2015 in Cologne, Germany, and high level of entries to FESPA Awards…

Previous…    FESPA 2015 attracted record numbers from Benelux
Regional interest in FESPA spikes ahead of FESPA Digital 2016 in Amsterdam…

The Graphic Repro On-line Website is supported and sponsored by:

Antalis South Africa, Dainippon Screen,  Drupa 2016,  EFI and EFI Vutek, Esko,  Epson Europe BV,  FESPA. Goss International Inc,  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG,  HP Graphic Solutions,  Kodak,  Koenig + Bauer AG,  Kemtek Imaging Systems,  Krause-Biagosch,  Leonhard Kurz Stiftung,   Manroland Web Systems GmbH,  Muller Martini AG,  POLAR-Mohr, QuadTech Inc,  Quark Inc,  Ricoh Europe,  Sappi Limited, Thunderbolt Solutions, and UPM-Kymmene.

If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at: graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.

Our Website urls are:

http://www.graphicrepro.co.za
http://www.graphicrepro.net

GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and published by Mike Hilton, graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.

CONTACT:
e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

Global News: Inspiring Business Solutions for Print and Publishing

July 6, 2015
3D printing, Digital Transformation, drupa 2016, Multi-Channel Innovation, Trend Analysis (in brief), Trends @ Graphic Communications, Value Contributors
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Value Communication — About us 2014.013
Graphic Repro On-line News from 29 June 2015
By Mike Hilton
graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

Welcome to another roundup of news highlights and Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris Blog for Friday 26 June which looks at capturing rainwater as a source of environmental impact reduction and to benefit local communities.  There are also two additions to Online Features Chapter 06, as Heidelberg underlines its reorientation with the launch of a new brand identity to be adopted globally in the run-up to drupa 2016, which also led the news on Wednesday. Then we have Andreas Weber’s interview with Oliver Zünd which is also among Friday’s news headlines. 

In Chapter 02 (Technology-related articles) you will find the very latest from Bobst as its ‘Competence 15 – Inspiring Business Solutions’ event drew close to 300 packaging experts from around the globe to the Bobst Competence Centre in Mex, Switzerland in June. This is followed by Heidelberg announcing the latest version of its Prinect Image Control with CIP4-PPF for both packaging and commercial printers – without the use of colour control strips, to enable materials savings which can be significant, so don’t skip it please. Finally we have the comprehensive report-back on KBA‘s LED-UV and traditional UV Conference held in Radebeul last month.

On Monday Two Sides took the lead with comment on its latest survey in the UK which posed the following thought provoking question: Reading from paper or reading from screens. What do consumers prefer? Tuesday saw EFI announce the launch of its latest Digital Front End for digital printing systems, to be available from Q3 this year. As mentioned above, Heidelberg took the lead on Wednesday with its new corporate brand update. On Thursday EFI actually took the two top spots yet again as it announced the acquisitions of both Reggiani Macchine in Italy for textiles injet printing; following by the acquisition of Matan Digital Printers product range and technology to boost its presence in superwide-format display graphics.

To round off the week on Friday, Manroland Web Systems‘ participation in the London Book Printing Forum took the lead as it continues to promote the value of its FormerLine in industrial scale digital book production. There were only 21 news articles selected this week as the European holiday season takes hold and incoming news has cooled off, unlike the weather, but you will find a nice cross section of news if you scroll down carefully.

As the tailender this week I felt I had to draw attention to Sappi‘s announcement on Thursday, with the sale of its Enstra Mill recycled containerboard and kraft papers business to Corruseal Group. For Sappi die-hards this must be quite a wrench, as it is here on a farm in Geduld near Springs in the then Eastern Transvaal in 1937, that the fledgling Sappi began life with the construction of its first mill named ‘Enstra’ (short for Enterprise Straw) for its early beginnings in the production of strawboard and later a range of kraft papers. We wish Corruseal every success with the ongoing business and future of the Entra Mill.

That’s it until next time, my best regards,

Mike Hilton

—

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site. 

Headline News
Over 26,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages 

From Monday 22 June

Mon 29 Jun…    Survey of UK consumers undertaken by Two Sides
Two Sides releases results of a new UK survey. Reading from paper or reading from screens. What do consumers prefer?…

Kolbus UK MD Robert Flather is new Picon chairman
Robert Flather has been elected as chairman of Picon and succeeds Bob Usher, managing director of Apex Digital Graphics…

MTEX opening of new central European showroom 7 – 9 July
MTEX to stage grand opening of its new central European showroom for complete digital textile print solutions, in northern France…

SPGPrints to present live demos at Labelexpo 2015
Live demos to highlight business-transforming potential of SPGPrints’ DSI digital UV-curable inkjet workflow at Labelexpo Europe….

Tue 30 Jun…   EFI announces next-generation Fiery DFE
EFI to launch the next-generation of its industry-leading Fiery digital front end platform for digital printing systems in July…

New white paper sponsored by Ricoh Europe for free download
Ricoh Europe encourages printers to expand use of Web to Print: Extend their reach, generate new revenues, and gain new clients…

Heidelberg releases new Prinect Image Control with CIP4-PPF
Print shops use less material and benefit from lower costs thanks to new software from Heidelberg…

LED-UV & Traditional UV Conference at KBA in Radebeul
Practical knowledge transfer on cutting-edge LED-UV and Traditional UV sheetfed offset which drew over 1000 print experts to Radebeul…

Wed 01 Jul…   New brand identity underscores Heidelberg’s reorientation
Heidelberg has undergone extensive strategic development and reorientation and is underlining this with a new brand identity…

SPGPrints DSI raises the bar with digital UV inkjet
Canada’s ’29 février’ maple syrup brand sees cost-efficiency leap thanks to Multi Action Labels’ DSI digital UV-inkjet workflow…

Abacus welcomes latest opportunities of Linoprint CV technology
Abacus Print switched from Xerox to Konica technology, but its third generation digital press will be a Linoprint CV from Heidelberg…

Rufford targets 20% turnover lift with IFS spend
Increase anticipated following investment in Horizon SPF/FC200A stitch/fold/trim line supplied by Intelligent Finishing Systems…

Thu 02 Jul…   EFI enters inkjet textile printing with Reggiani acquisition
EFI establishes industry-leading presence in high-growth textile printing with strategic acquisition of Reggiani Macchine…

EFI also announces acquisition of Matan Digital Printers
Deal solidifies EFI’s leadership in production inkjet for display graphics with addition of Matan product line and technology platform…

Sappi sells Enstra Mill business in Springs to Corruseal
Sappi announces sale of Enstra Mill recycled containerboard and kraft papers business to Corruseal Group…

Competence 15: New solutions and inspiring perspectives
‘Competence 15 – Inspiring Business Solutions’ drew 300 packaging makers from around the globe to Bobst in Mex, Switzerland…

Fri 03 Jul…   Manroland Web at Digital Book Printing Forum London
Digital finishing solutions developed and engineered by Manroland Web Systems will help to save the printed book…

ValueTalk – Oliver Zünd: ‘Forward thinking is our forte’
It’s a truly impressive success story. Zünd Systemtechnik AG, a family-owned business with operations worldwide…

Xaar appoints Director of Advanced Manufacturing
Xaar targets growth in manufacturing applications with the appointment of Keith Smith to the new US-based role…

Pensord looks forward to turn-of-the-year ten-colour
Pensord Press to take delivery of its first ten-colour press and the first Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 102-10P in the UK…

OTT commissions a new Pantera Perfect Binder
Hybrid design clinches decision to invest in the softcover solution from Muller Martini for the French Alsace-based firm…

Lead article from Friday 26 June in previous update… 

Previous…   ‘Surprise. The Art of Print!’: Your support would be welcome!
Now there is the second step and a new Non-Profit project will start, developed in Mainz, Germany by Andreas Weber…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.< /a>

Electronics For Imaging  (EFI) is a world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for the commercial printing market. Its portfolio of integrated solutions span production and superwide format printing, graphic arts, advanced professional printing software, and industrial inkjet systems. Its technologies increase productivity by automating print and business processes To find out more visit the EFI Website.

Kodak Commercial Imaging  (Kodak) is a leading provider of innovative solutions for conventional, digital and hybrid print production environments. With the most expansive portfolio for the graphic communications market,  Kodak features technologies, products and services that help print providers streamline processes, optimise efficiencies, broaden services, and grow businesses. To find out more, visit the Kodak Graphics Website.

drupa 2016 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry, responds to the challenges of the changing market and provides pioneering solutions for the future. This is highlighted by the new marketing and communication strategy where drupa claims its position as ‘No.1 for Print & Crossmedia Solutions’ with the slogan ‘touch the future’. The issues of ‘package printing’, ‘multichannel’, ‘green printing’, ‘3D printing’ and ‘functional printing’ will become increasingly important to the overall communication strategy. To find out more, visit the drupa 2016 Website.

Online Feature articles 2014 – 2015
There were again well over 90 last year, including nine downloads, as well as 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2) on the Website.

July/Aug 2015 Chapter 06

ValueTalk – Oliver Zünd: ‘Forward thinking is our forte’
It’s a truly impressive success story. Zünd Systemtechnik AG, a family-owned business with operations worldwide, specialises in developing and manufacturing digital cutting systems…

New brand identity underscores Heidelberg’s strategic reorientation
The company is underlining this reorientation with the launch of a new brand identity to be adopted globally in the run-up to drupa 2016…

Technology-related articles Chapter 02

Bobst Competence 15 presented new solutions and inspiring perspectives
‘Competence 15 – Inspiring Business Solutions’ drew close to 300 packaging makers from around the globe to the Bobst Competence Centre in Mex, Switzerland in June…

Heidelberg releases new Prinect Image Control with CIP4-PPF
Print shops use less material and benefit from lower costs thanks to new software from Heidelberg…

LED-UV & Traditional UV Conference at KBA in Radebeul
Practical knowledge transfer on cutting-edge UV sheetfed offset…

May/Jun 2015 Chapter 05

Previous…    KBA Rapida LED press a ‘marketing dream’ for Blackmore
Dorset’s premier print house hits new heights with UK’s first B1 LED press…

Neuenstein-based HEPACK undertakes €12 million Heidelberg investment
HEPACK Druck+Verpackung GmbH reorganises production with new large-format equipment, workflow and services from Heidelberg…

Renowned book producer Kösel invests in KBA RotaJET 76
The KBA RotaJET 76 inkjet press from Koenig & Bauer is about to enter the digital book printing market at Kösel in Altusried, Germany…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blog 2015

Water Water Everywhere
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 03 July

Previous…    Invisible Print is a Source of Environmental Impact Reduction
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 26 June

Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index, as well as via the special Newsroom button on the right of the Home Page near the top.

drupa 2016 Expert Articles series

Previous…    Smarter print to market
Touch the future. drupa expert Article no 1, June 2015, by Gareth Ward, Editor and Publisher of Print Business in the UK…

FESPA Newsroom
The dedicated FESPA Newsroom can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA 2015 and FESPA News

Previous…    FESPA 2015 attracted record numbers from Benelux
Regional interest in FESPA spikes ahead of FESPA Digital 2016 in Amsterdam…

The Graphic Repro On-line Website is supported and sponsored by:

Antalis South Africa, Dainippon Screen,  Drupa 2016,  EFI and EFI Vutek, Esko,  Epson Europe BV,  FESPA. Goss International Inc,  Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG,  HP Graphic Solutions,  Kodak,  Koenig + Bauer AG,  Kemtek Imaging Systems,  Krause-Biagosch,  Leonhard Kurz Stiftung,   Manroland Web Systems GmbH,  Muller Martini AG,  POLAR-Mohr, QuadTech Inc,  Quark Inc,  Ricoh Europe,  Sappi Limited, Thunderbolt Solutions, and UPM-Kymmene.

If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at: graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.

Our Website urls are:

http://www.graphicrepro.co.za
http://www.graphicrepro.net

GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and
published by Mike Hilton, graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.
e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

Formel-1-Syndrom — Sebastian Vettel: „Wir müssen über den Schatten springen!“

July 3, 2015
CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Posts in German Language, Value Innovation
3 Comments

Formel-1-Syndrom — Sebastian Vettel: „Wir müssen über den Schatten springen!“.001

Eine Manöverkritik aus aktuellem Anlass.

Von Andreas Weber

Über 200.000 Menschen wurden rund um den Grand Prix in Monaco zur Formel 1 befragt. Das Ergebnis ist eindeutig: Zu teuer, zu technisch, zu langweilig. Sebastian Vettel muss im Interview per ARD Morgenmagazin am 3. Juli 2015 gesendet, unverblümt zugeben, dass man sich im Rennzirkus wohl zu sehr mit sich selbst beschäftige. Und zuwenig mit den Zuschauern. Die Interessen der Veranstalter und Rennställe decken sich nicht mehr mit denen der Zuschauer. Die Fahrer leiden darunter, wie Sebastian Vettel und andere Rennfahrer einräumen. Vettel empfiehlt, zu überdenken, was man da tue. Und fordert auf, über den eigenen Schatten zu springen.

Das ist eine Steilvorlage, um im Rennen um werthaltige Kommunikation seine Position zu überdenken. Und das betrifft uns alle. In den letzten Wochen tun sich geradezu Abgründe auf, da auf breiter Front das Ziel verfehlt wird. Und der Dilettantismus Oberhand gewinnt. Beispiel: Die Messe Nürnberg schafft es mit der CO-REACH als Fachmesse für Dialogmarketing (mit Fokus auf Print, Online, Crossmedia) einen Dialog über das Messegeschehen gar nicht erst stattfinden zu lassen. Fast tragik-komisch: Auf Facebook lässt die Messegesellschaft auf der CO-REACH-Seite Bilder von Vorträgen posten, die Chart-Inhalte zeigen, die sagen, worum es heute geht, wenn man Erfolg haben will: Dialoge über Social Media führen, Bloggen als aktive Form der qualifizierten Kommunikation nutzen, um Dialoge zu initiieren, die Interaktionen in Gang setzen u.v.m. — Doch nichts davon passiert. Es gab bis zum Messeende am 25. Juni 2015 kaum likes oder Re-Tweets. Scheinbar verfolgt auch niemand im Management der Messegesellschaft, was da vor sich geht, ebenso wenig auf Twitter. Hier war die Messe Nürnberg so clever, gleich verschiedene Hashtags zu initiieren, statt nur einen. Folge: Die Resonanz versickert bzw. bleibt aus. Es interessiert kaum jemanden. Dies wird noch übertroffen durch Fachmedienpartner der CO-REACH, die emsig-bemüht, aber ziemlich amateurhaft agieren. Gerade, wenn man mit Kritik aufwartet. So geht es, wenn Printmagazine meinen, Online- und Social-Media-Kommunikation zu beherrschen, indem man klassisch Meldungen pusht und auf Feedback in Echtzeit gar nicht erst vorbereitet ist. Zugleich ist natürlich eine große Angst vorhanden, die Kontrolle zu verlieren.

Kommunikation: Ein Milliarden-Euro-Grab?

Spannend: Die Aussteller, die viel Geld für ihre Messebeteiligung ausgeben, lässt das völlig kalt. Sie bekommen es nicht mit, weil Sie unter dem oben beschriebenen Formel-Eins-Syndrom leiden. Dabei hätte man auf der CO-REACH nur zuhören müssen. Ausreichend qualifizierte Vorträge wurden geboten. Allen voran der von Mr. Media, Thomas Koch, aka @ufomedia. Er verzichtete auf Charts, und las der Branche besonnen, aber zielgenau die Leviten. Sein Thema: „Das Ende der Werbung“. Fazit: Nichts ist mehr, wie es war. Die Medien und die Werber haben nicht im Ansatz verstanden, was heute vor sich geht. Und profitieren davon, dass ihre Kunden es zumeist auch nicht besser wissen. Übrigens: Von der Rede von Thomas Koch konnte man nur Kenntnis erhalten, weil er im Anschluss an seinen Vortrag selbst wirksam darüber kommunizierte. Per Twitter und Facebook teilte er den Link zur Videoaufzeichnung seines Vortrags.

Dazu passt bestens eine weitere Beobachtung von Thomas Koch: Die Rolle von Chefredakteuren der Medien wurde von der Bloggerszene übernommen. News werden über uns alle nicht nur kolportiert, sondern qualifiziert wie auch emotionalisiert bewertet. Das Dilemma aber ist: Es wird soviel Geld für Kommunikation ausgegeben wie nie zu vor. Und noch nie wurde so wenig Wirkung wie heute damit erzielt. Angeblich fehle es an validen Messgrößen, weshalb sich Google und Facebook verbiegen, um mit den Mediaexperten ins Gespräch zu kommen, weil sich die Auftraggeberschar mehrheitlich noch auf deren Rat verlässt. Jeder, der Begriffe wie „Content Marketing“ oder „Targeting“ nur einigermaßen richtig aussprechen kann, erhält einen Auftrag. Unabhängig davon , ob die tatsächlich erreichbaren Möglichkeiten sinnvoll ausgeschöpft werden.  Beispiel: Social Media-Projekte werden in Unternehmen zu gerne über die Werbeabteilung per Outsourcing an „Agenturen“ vergeben, deren Wissen und Können oft nur darin besteht, per neuen Technologien die gleichen alten Push-Inhalte unters Volk zu bringen wie vorher auch schon. So entstehen Facebook-Seiten, die keine Interaktion hervorrufen. Und auch Facebooks Stärke, das beste Targeting zu bieten, gar nicht richtig nutzen. Per Blog-Technik entstehen Corporate Blogs genannte Sub-Websites, die per „Copy and Paste“ Inhalte erfassen, die längst ubiquitär sind und daher vielerorts im Netz schon aufgetaucht sind. So zahlen Kunden für angebliche Blogs, die streng genommen gar nicht der Bloggerkultur entsprechen, weil die Inhalte weder persönlich noch exklusiv sind; und somit zu keiner nutzbringenden Meinungsbildung führen können. Das geht alles bis dato soweit gut, weil der Auftraggeber es nicht bemerkt. Oder, weil kritische Geister, die es bemerken, sich in den Firmen ducken, weil angeblich die konservative Firmenstruktur es nicht anders zulasse. Oh je…

Stats co-reach Christian Kopocz 25062015 1716h

CO-REACH: Ziel verfehlt! Am Ende der Messe in Nürnberg gab es kaum Resonanz per Social Media.

Liebe Leute, ganz ehrlich: Ich bin in meiner Kritik noch zurückhaltend bis zaghaft. Es ist schlimm. Der blanke Irrsinn, was da auf breiter Front geschieht. Hört doch einfach auf Thomas Koch. Und auch auf Sebastian Vettel. Überdenkt, was ihr tut. Stellt es in Frage. Lernt dazu. Und besinnt Euch darauf, worum es geht: Kommunikation werthaltig zu gestalten. 

EMPFEHLENSWERT:
Videoaufzeichnung des Vortrags von Thomas Koch “Das Ende der Werbung”

PS: Rückblick

Die Besucherzahlen der CO-REACH sind übrigens gegenüber 2014 kaum gestiegen: 6.000 Besucher aus 12 Ländern vermeldet die Messe Nürnberg per 26. Juni 2015. 2014 waren es 5.778 Besucher aus 20 Ländern. Und 2009, als die CO-REACH noch Mailingtage hieß, war es 8.150 Besucher. Siehe: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/CO-REACH sowie http://www.marketing-boerse.de/Fachartikel/details/Abschlussbericht-mailingtage-2009-%96-Erfolgreich-am-Puls-der-Zeit/17235

Dies Ausstellerzahl war 2015 mit 266 gegenüber 2014 leicht rückläufig, da waren es noch 269 Aussteller. 2009 wurden noch 400 Aussteller vermeldet.

Smartes Plädoyer für Print: Neues Lösungsheft der Printmanufaktur

July 2, 2015
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Posts in German Language, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice
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Kopocz Lösungsheft image82-780x585

© 2015 by printmanufaktur, Christian Kopocz, Lübeck.

“Klasse. Ein smartes und überzeugendes Plädoyer für Print. Hübsches Design und farbenfroher Druck war gestern. Umsichtig erstellte und stringent inszenierte Inhalte, die im Kommunikationsmix höchste Wirkung entfalten, sind Heute und Morgen das Maß aller Dinge!” —Andreas Weber

Es ist bezeichnend: Die derzeit besten Printprodukte stammen nicht mehr von klassischen Designern, Agenturkreativen oder Druckereien und ihrer Lieferanten. Sie kommen von Unternehmern, die sich vorwärtsgerichtet den Anforderungen des Digitalzeitalters stellen. Und sich klug dafür einsetzen. Wie Christian Kopocz, Inhaber der prindoz-Firmenguppe; er ist gelernter Kaufmann. Nach der überaus erfolgreichen Organisation und Durchführung der 1. Multichannel Innovation-Konferenz #XUG15EU Ende Mai 2015 in Berlin, hat Christian Kopocz sein Wissen und seine Erfahrungen in einem lesenswerten, gedruckten Magazin publiziert. Der Name: “Lösungsheft”. Herausgegeben und produziert im eigenen Unternehmen, der Printmanufaktur. Das Credo: „Mich nervt das ewig gestrige Denken der Kollegen in der Branche. Dabei schließe ich Agenturen nicht aus. Innovatoren waren Sie einst, der Drucker und der Werber. Was ist geblieben? Es ist mühsam sich gegen den Strom der Innovationsverweigerer zu stemmen, doch es lohnt sich wenn man die Erfolge betrachtet.“

Das Ergebnis, das Christian Kopocz liefert, überzeugt. „Nicht belehrend, sondern unterhaltend, kurzweilig, motivierend zum Dialog und nur im Notfall als Unterlegscheibe für wackelnde Möbel zu gebrauchen“, so der Anspruch des printmanufaktur Gründers mit einem Augenzwinkern.

Im Blogpost zum neuen Magazin heisst es weiter: “Flankierend zum gedruckten haptischen Erlebnis kommen die digitalen Kanäle, genauer Twitter, Facebook und Pinterest zum Einsatz. Hier baut die printmanufaktur auf Ideen, Gedanken, Bilder, die den Dialog geradezu einfordern. ’Denn der Kunde entscheidet über den bevorzugten Kanal, nicht der Absender’, spätestens hier kann Christian Kopocz seine Wurzeln in der Multichannel-Kampagnenwelt nicht verbergen.”

Der seit Frühjahr 2015 neue Standort für Christian Kopocz ist übrigens die Hansestadt Lübeck. Der reichen Tradition erfolgreicher Kaufleute fühlt er sich verpflichtet. Denn Print muss sich rechnen und sein Geld verdienen. Nicht mehr. Nicht weniger. Und das geht nur, wenn die Kommunikation stimmt und die gewünschten Wirkungseffekte eintreten. Na dann! Weíter so.

Kopocz Lösungsheft Bildkollektion

© 2015 by printmanufaktur, Christian Kopocz, Lübeck.

ValueTalk! auf der Igepa Select 2015 — Zeit-Reise mit Zeit-Geist

June 29, 2015
CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, drupa 2016, Multi-Channel Innovation, Posts in German Language, Valuable Advice, Value Art & Communication
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Vortrag Kommunikation mit Zeit-Geist FINAL 25062015.001

„Wer heute den Zeitgeist heiratet, ist morgen schon Witwer!“ — Prof. Wilhelm Weber, Mainz

Der Messeauftritt von X-DOC SOLUTION auf der Igepa Select 2015 in Kassel stand unter einem erstklassigen Motto: „Moderne Helden retten vor allem eines: Zeit!“ — Entsprechend stand die Reduktion von Produktionszeit ebenso im Fokus wie die Special Effects per Digitaldruck, wodurch sich die Halbwertzeit von Drucksachen verlängern lässt, weil sie mehr Aufmerksamkeit finden und höhere Relevanz haben.

Insofern rundete der Vortrag von Andreas Weber das Thema bestens ab. Titel: „Kommunikation mit Zeit-Geist: Vollgas oder Vollbremsung?“ Die Kernpunkte, die als Checkliste dienen können, waren:

  • „Zeit trifft Geist“ — Schneller, besser, weiter?
  • Warum und wie muss man Zeit sparen?
  • Warum und wie muss man Zeit gewinnen?
  • Warum und wie schaffen wir eine maximale Halbwert-Zeit
    (für erstklassige Arbeitsresultate)?
  • „Nehmen Sie sich mehr Zeit für mehr Zeit-Geist!“
  • Fragen/Thesen und Beispiele, wie man mit digitalem Print als dem Medium für Zeit-Geist im Digitalzeitalter Erfolg hat, rundeten die Präsentation ab.

Ein Blick zurück nach vorne!

Spannend ist vor allem eines: Das Thema Zeit ist immer mit unserer eigenen Existenz verbunden. Und mit einem Wandel des persönlichen, gesellschaftlichen und wirtschaftlichen Lebens. Der allzu „Geschäftige“ wird verleiren, weil er sich als unsterblich empfindet. Ein schlimmer Irrtum. Nur derjenige, der mit Muße und Umsicht agiert, ist Herr über sein Schicksal und agiert selbstbestimmt. Muße findet, wer in Ruhe nachdenkt, kundig im Vergangenen ist und dadurch stressfrei seine Zukunft gestalten kann.

Insofern ist ein Rückblick auf die Entwicklungen über die Jahrhunderte unabdingbar: Die Gutenberg’sche Erfindung aus dem 15. Jahrhundert benötigte fast 400 Jahre bis sie um das Jahr 1800 durch Innovatoren wie Alois Senefelder mit dem Chemischen Druck (Steindruck) als erstem Flachdruckverfahren eine Neubewertung erfahren konnte. Bis der Steindruck durch den Offsetdruck quasi „industrialiert” wurde, vergingen nochmals über 150 Jahre.

Seit DTP mit dem Motto „Jeder sein eigener Gutenberg“ Ende der 1980er Jahre die Print- und Publishing-Welt revolutionierte und auf den Kopf stellte, haben sich die Produktionsweisen wie auch die Wertschöpfungsmöglichkeiten drastisch verändert. Die klassische Offsetdruck-Produktionskapazitäten wurde vervielfacht und damit die Drucksachenverbreitung inflationär bzw. der Markt übersättigt. Wer im Offsetdruck „geschäftig“ agiert und meint, dass schneller, besser, billiger das non plus ultra sei, macht kein profitables Wachstumsgeschäft mehr, sondern rennt allem hinterher, um seine Kosten zu decken. Daher wurden neue Druckverfahren entwickelt, die nichts mehr mit Offset zu tun haben und auf Besonderheiten und Individualität abzielen, wie X-DOC SOLUTION auf der Igea Select 2015 eindrucksvoll vorführte. Im modernen Digitaldruck-Druck und verschiedensten Verfahren werden heute Druckprodukte in einer nie zuvor dagewesene Vielfalt geschaffen, die wie einst Unikat-Charakter haben können. Gerade der Einsatz von ausgefallenen, hochwertigsten Bedruckstoffen oder das Veredeln mit 3D-Effekten  setzt Maßstäbe. Und dies auch bei Auflage 1…

Vortrag Kommunikation mit Zeit-Geist FINAL 25062015.010

© 2015 by Andreas Weber, Mainz/Germany.

Gute Zeiten — Schlechte Zeiten…

Die weltweite Resonanz und Trauer um den Schrift- wie auch Technik-Pionier Prof. Hermann Zapf (der Anfang Juni 2015 im Alter von 96 Jahren verstarb), macht deutlich, wie wichtig es für die Druckbranche ist, sich auf ihre Ursprünge zu besinnen. Zapf erhob durch die vollendete Schriftgestaltung und -anwendung mit Präzision und Leidenschaft die Inhalte, die gedruckt werden, auf die höchste Stufe. „Drucken ist eine Kunst“ – ebenso wie das Schreiben und Schriftsätzen. Nur so entsteht Nachhaltigkeit. Und damit ein Zeit-Gewinn, weil Drucksachen wie sonst üblich nicht unmittelbar im Papierkorb des Empfängers landen. [Siehe hierzu auch unseren Beitrag zum exklusiven, internationalen Kunst-Ausstellungsprojekt “Surprise. The Art of Print!”.]

Zapf war zeitlebens immer ein Verfechter der neuesten (digitalen) Technologien. Und er half entscheidend weiter, die Kinderkrankheiten des Digitalzeitalters zu überwinden. So konnte Zapf mit seiner Zapfino (Kalligrafie am Computer) den Apple-Gründer Steve Jobs begeistern, im Jahre 2000 die Zapfino für Apple als Systemschrift zu lizenzieren. Zapfs Bücher sind legendär und wichtigste Zierde einer jeden guten Bibliothek. Und er verstand es, die jungen Menschen, gerade die „Digital Natives“, für Schriften und Gedrucktes zu begeistern! Hut ab. Da kann die Branche lernen, wie man Print auf Ewig verankert.

Vortrag Kommunikation mit Zeit-Geist FINAL 25062015.016

Ausblick: Zeit gewinnen, mit Print im Mix

Kommunikation mit Zeit-Geist bedeutet also, in Kenntnis des Gewesenen nicht das Jetzt, sondern die Zukunft innovativ zu gestalten. Für Print bedeutet das, sich noch viel besser als bislang in den Kommunikationsmix zu integrieren, und als Fundament für Wissenstransfer, Bildung und Interaktion seine Bedeutung viel umfassender als bisher üblich unter Beweis zu stellen. Ein Paradebeispiel hierfür sind die im o.g. Vortrag von Andreas Weber vorgestellten Beispiele von Kommunikationsmitteln, die für XUG15EU Konferenz Ende Mai 2015 in Berlin erstellt wurden. Das Thema der Konferenz, „Multichannel Innovation“, wurde mit Hilfe einer von Christian Kopocz, prindoz, Lübeck, auf Basis der XMPie Softwarelösungen perfekt inszeniert. Die Resonanz bei den Teilnehmern wie auch per Social Media war überwältigend und hat ein Millionenpublikum erreicht. Print wirkt eben, vor allem dank Twitter! — Und im Nachgang liefert uns Christian Kopocz ein wunderbares Plädoyer für Print: Sein neues gedrucktes Magazin, “Lösungsheft” genannt, ist Teil einer Multichannel-Kapmpagne, die in einzigartiger Weise belegt, wie moderne Konzepte für Pritnprodukte auszusehen haben.

Global News: Good progress for the Print and Publishing Industries

June 29, 2015
drupa 2016, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Value Contributors, Value Innovation
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Mike Hilton Key Visual 06-2015.001

Graphic Repro On-line News: Review from 29 June 2015

Welcome to another roundup of news highlights, the latest addition to the FESPA Newsroom and Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris Blog for Friday 26 June which looks at invisible print as a source of environmental impact reduction. We also had the first of the drupa 2016 Expert Articles a week ago, from internationally renowned editor and publisher Gareth Ward, of Print Business UK, just in case you missed it in last week’s update. In Online Features Chapter 05 you will find the latest from KBA with a report on LED UV from Blackmore in the UK; and from HEPACK in Germany with a massive investment in Heidelberg sheetfed and finishing for packaging. There’s also a really encouraging and exciting first as a KBA RotaJET 76 inkjet press from Koenig & Bauer is about to enter the digital book printing market at Kösel in Altusried, Germany. A first for KBA in this growth sector which has massive potential for digital print – both toner-based and especially in inkjet.

Monday and Tuesday’s leaders are included in the mentions above, while on Wednesday, QuadTech led the headlines with its Color Control System on Vuye Flexible Packaging’s new DGp Thallo Press in The Netherlands, showcased at open house. DGp or DG press is a company of the DG press GrouP and was founded in 2009 after the bankruptcy of Drent Goebel.

On Thursday Antalis took the lead with its four most recent acquisitions In the packaging and visual communication distribution markets representing annual sales of Euro 130 million, which are enabling Antalis to step-up the pace of its development in the packaging field.

To round off this week’s leaders we chose Andreas Weber’s latest non-profit initiative which really does need your help with crowd-funding and support, in order to achieve its ambitious target. Please read all about it and follow the links in the article which along with the project is entitled ‘Surprise. The Art of Print!’ from Mainz in Germany, home of the founding father of print, Johannes Gutenberg.

Quite a number of new developments and also some very nice sales and installations appear among this week’s selection of 25 news articles, including Heidelberg in the UK, Horizon with IFS also in the UK, KBA-Flexotecnica in China, Muller Martini in the USA, MPS in India, and Rotocontrol in Italy, as we approach the main holiday season in Europe, when industry news is expected to drop even further during the month of July. Always a good time to take a break!

The tailender this week goes to Andrew Jones and Merthyr Tydfil-based Welsh print shop Stephens & George, which next month will switch its final XL 105 for another 18,000sph Speedmaster XL 106-10-P, bringing the total of  XL 106 long-perfectors with InPress Control, Autoplate XL and CutStar to five. You’ll find the full story which highlights the massive savings the company has achieved with this technology shift in Thursday’s headlines.

That’s it until next time, my best regards,

Mike Hilton

—

Our e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative from Digital Dots. Our Drupa and FESPA Newsrooms can be accessed from the Index on our Home Page, as well as News in Review, which provides a weekly overview and listing of all news added to the site. 

Headline News
Over 26,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation news pages 

From Monday 22 June

Mon 22 Jun…    Renowned book producer Kösel invests in KBA RotaJET 76
The KBA RotaJET 76 inkjet press from Koenig & Bauer entering the digital book printing market at Kösel in Altusried, Germany.

UPM closes 130,000 tonnes of newsprint capacity in France
UPM has permanently closed PM 3 at Chapelle Darblay. The decision is part of its profit improvement target announced last November.

Ricoh at Interquest 2015 Forum on 25 June
Ricoh shows off colour trade book production expertise at Interquest 2015 London Digital Book Printing Forum…

FESPA China 2015: Find your key to success
FESPA China returns to Shanghai from 21 – 23 October 2015, with host of top global and local print manufacturers…

Friesens Corporation adds Roland 900 HiPrint XXL
Friesens puts the apex of automation and one of North America’s largest eight-colour perfecting presses from Manroland into action…

Tue 23 Jun…   Neuenstein-based HEPACK undertakes €12 million investment
HEPACK Druck+Verpackung reorganises production with large-format equipment, workflow and services all from Heidelberg…

Dscoop scores a perfect round in Dublin
Dscoop has confirmed that 1250 industry professionals from 47 different countries congregated in Dublin for the largest Dscoop yet…

Fujifilm Flenex FW flexo plate debut at Labelexpo 2015
Fujifilm’s Flenex FW water-washable flexo plate makes its official European debut at Labelexpo 2015 in Brussels in September…

Flint Group finds the easy way to create flat top
Nyloflex FTF Digital, an inherently flat top plate with special, textured surface for flexible packaging…

Top Soft Pinning plate improves flexo productivity
Asahi introduces new medium hard AFP-TSP digital plate for paper, folding carton and corrugated board and flexible packaging…

Wed 24 Jun…   QuadTech technology showcased with new DGp press
QuadTech Color Control System on Vuye Flexible Packaging’s new DGp Thallo Press in The Netherlands showcased at open house…

KBA Rapida LED Press a ‘marketing dream’ for Blackmore
Dorset’s premier print house hits new heights with UK’s first B1 LED press after its first three months of commercial production…

StitchLiner investment supports Whittington Moor’s growth
15 per cent year-on-year increase to continue with ROI in 15 months, following the installation of Horizon StitchLiner from IFS…

Focus on fabric for new investment at Colour Graphics
Colour Graphics adds MTEX 5032Pro direct-to-textile printer…

KBA China ensures comeback in Chinese flexo market
Shanghai Zidan Food Packaging & Printing opts for EVO XD from KBA-Flexotecnica after an intensive selection process…

Thu 25 Jun…   Antalis steps up pace of development through acquisition
In the packaging and visual communication distribution markets Antalis’ four new acquisitions represent sales of Euro 130 million…

pdfToolbox 8.0 focuses on usability and versatility
Callas Software releases major update of its flagship pdfToolbox product family with all-new Object Inspector tool…

Stephens & George completes switch to Speedmaster XL 106
Next month the Merthyr Tydfil-based Welsh print shop will switch its final XL 105 for another 18,000sph Speedmaster XL 106-10-P…

Blitsdruk raises the digital print bar with Xerox
The George-based South African digital print, design and copy shop has invested in a Xerox Versant 2100 digital printer…

Primera Digital saddle stitching at DS Graphics in the USA
Customised travel brochures with runs of 1 are produced automatically with the innovative saddle stitcher from Muller Martini…

Fri 26 Jun…   ‘Surprise. The Art of Print!’: Please give your support!
Now there is the second step and a new Non-Profit project will start, developed in Mainz, Germany by Andreas Weber…

Labelexpo Europe strengthens focus on package printing
Package printing will be a core subject at Labelexpo Europe 2015 as the show prepares to return to Brussels in September…

Mimaki to add sparkle to its stand with eco-solvent silver
Beauty and practicality demos planned for Labelexpo 2015…

A third MPS flexo press for Pragati Pack
Pragati Pack, based in Hyderabad, India, has invested in its third MPS flexo press for printing pressure-sensitive labels….

Italgrafica expands with two Rotocontrol machines
The Italian converter has ordered an RSC-series slitter/rewinder and a custom-built C-series high-quality slitting machine…

Lead articles from Friday 19 June in previous update… 

Previous…    Smarter Print to Market
Touch the future. The first of the drupa Expert Articles in this new series by Gareth Ward, Editor and Publisher of Print Business UK…

50 years of unit-type sheetfed offset presses from Radebeul
Technological milestones from Saxony revolutionised the press engineering industry…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Heidelberg customers enjoy the most comprehensive and extensive sales and service network in the industry for JDF compliant workflow, computer-to-plate, sheetfed offset, Web-to-print, digital printing, digital inkjet for labels and packaging, packaging and finishing, all with complementary consumables. Heidelberg has offices in around 170 countries. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

Electronics For Imaging  (EFI) is a world leader in digital imaging and print management solutions for the commercial printing market. Its portfolio of integrated solutions span production and superwide format printing, graphic arts, advanced professional printing software, and industrial inkjet systems. Its technologies increase productivity by automating print and business processes To find out more visit the EFI Website.

Kodak Commercial Imaging  (Kodak) is a leading provider of innovative solutions for conventional, digital and hybrid print production environments. With the most expansive portfolio for the graphic communications market,  Kodak features technologies, products and services that help print providers streamline processes, optimise efficiencies, broaden services, and grow businesses. To find out more, visit the Kodak Graphics Website.

drupa 2016 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry, responds to the challenges of the changing market and provides pioneering solutions for the future. This is highlighted by the new marketing and communication strategy where drupa claims its position as ‘No.1 for Print & Crossmedia Solutions’ with the slogan ‘touch the future’. The issues of ‘package printing’, ‘multichannel’, ‘green printing’, ‘3D printing’ and ‘functional printing’ will become increasingly important to the overall communication strategy. To find out more, visit the drupa 2016 Website.

Online Feature articles 2014 – 2015
There were again well over 90 last year, including nine downloads, as well as 92 articles in 2013 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page, with prior years’ via Search Archives (option 2) on the Website.

May/June 2015 Chapter 05

KBA Rapida LED press a ‘marketing dream’ for Blackmore
Dorset’s premier print house hits new heights with UK’s first B1 LED press…

Neuenstein-based HEPACK undertakes €12 million Heidelberg investment
HEPACK Druck+Verpackung GmbH reorganises production with new large-format equipment, workflow and services from Heidelberg…

Renowned book producer Kösel invests in KBA RotaJET 76
The KBA RotaJET 76 inkjet press from Koenig & Bauer is about to enter the digital book printing market at Kösel in Altusried, Germany…

Previous…    Walliser Bote becomes first completely digitally printed newspaper
The Manroland digital finishing solution FoldLine for the HP T400 Color Inkjet Web Press at Mengis Druck AG in Switzerland finishes newspapers at high speed…

Technology-related articles Chapter 02

Previous…    50 years of unit-type sheetfed offset presses from Radebeul
Technological milestones from Saxony revolutionised the press engineering industry…

Heidelberg opens its new Commercial PMC in Wiesloch-Walldorf
New Print Media Centre Commercial at Wiesloch-Walldorf site reflects strategic reorientation of Heidelberg with focus on customer benefits…

Production Open Days at KBA in Würzburg Day 1
Koenig & Bauer undertakes large investment in high-performance manufacturing for the future, in parallel to realignment…

Production open-house at KBA in Würzburg for staff Day 2
A resounding success with a turnout of almost 1,000 amazed current and former KBA employees on day two, following 50 VIPs…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blog 2015

Invisible Print is a Source of Environmental Impact Reduction
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 26 June

Previous…    Building Margins
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Fri 19 June

Drupa Newsroom
Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index, as well as via the special Newsroom button on the right of the Home Page near the top.

drupa 2016 Expert Articles series

Smarter print to market
Touch the future. drupa expert Article no 1, June 2015, by Gareth Ward, Editor and Publisher of Print Business in the UK…

FESPA Newsroom
The dedicated FESPA Newsroom can be found in the Index on our Home Page.

FESPA 2015 and FESPA News

FESPA 2015 attracted record numbers from Benelux
Regional interest in FESPA spikes ahead of FESPA Digital 2016 in Amsterdam…

Previous…    FESPA 2015 attracted most international visitor audience to date
The FESPA 2015 Global Expo in Cologne, Germany attracted the most internationally diverse audience yet from 133 countries…

FESPA China 2015: Find your key to success
FESPA China returns to Shanghai from 21 – 23 October 2015, with host of top global and local print manufacturers…

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Print wird persönlich — und verändert das Einkaufserlebnis im Einzelhandel

June 18, 2015
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Value Contributors, Value Innovation
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Bildschirmfoto 2015-06-18 um 16.04.53

© 2015 by Canon Deutschland GmbH

Von Marc Schnierer, Marketing Manager Professional Print & Wide Format, Canon Deutschland GmbH

Die Verbreitung von PCs, Notebooks, Smartphones und Tablets verändert gemeinsam mit dem Aufkommen der sozialen Medien nicht nur die Art und Weise, wie die Menschen kommunizieren, sondern auch ihre Wahrnehmung und generellen Erwartungen. Mit mehr Wahlmöglichkeiten als jemals zuvor entsteht eine Welt, in der wir häufig genau entscheiden können, was wir wollen und wann wir es wollen. 

Mehr als jede andere Branche hat der Einzelhandel die Auswirkungen dieses veränderten Verhaltens zu spüren bekommen. Marken und Einzelhändler müssen darauf reagieren, um die Kunden auf ihrem Weg mit neuen Innovationen weiterhin zu erreichen.

Digitale Innovationen sind ebenfalls hauptsächlich dafür verantwortlich, dass sowohl kleine als auch große Einzelhändler jetzt die notwendigen Daten und Erkenntnisse sammeln können, um Produkte und Dienstleistungen auf jeden Kunden zuzuschneiden. Infolgedessen erkunden Einzelhändler, Designer und Online-Unternehmer zunehmend kreative Ideen und entwickeln neue Geschäftsfelder, die auf der Produktion einer enormen Vielfalt von personalisierten Produkten mit Mehrwert basieren.

Aber die von den Kunden gekauften Produkte und Dienstleistungen sind nur ein Faktor für ein persönliches Kundenerlebnis. Für die letztendliche Kaufentscheidung ist ausschlaggebend, wie ein Käufer mit einer Marke in Beziehung tritt. Die Händler haben erkannt, dass die Art und Weise wie sie die Kunden auf ihrem Weg begleiten – das was die Kunden hören, wie sie angeregt werden und was sie sehen – vielleicht die größere Chance für eine individuelle Anpassung bietet und insbesondere eine großartige Chance für Print darstellt.

Innovation findet am POS statt

Das Gros der Umsätze im Einzelhandel wird heute immer noch über Ladengeschäfte erzielt. Daher sind sich Händler und Markenhersteller darüber bewusst, dass ihre Ladengeschäfte die Kunden auf deren Weg zum Kauf anregen müssen.

Das erste, was ein Käufer von einem Ladengeschäft wahrnimmt, ist die Schaufenstergestaltung und die Innenausstattung. Aufwändige Schaufensterdekorationen, die das Warenangebot in eine kreative und dynamische Gestaltung einbeziehen, wecken zweifellos das Interesse der Passanten. Ebenso wird eine sorgsam durchdachte Innengestaltung mit Displays und aufwändigen PoS-Schildern Kunden dazu animieren, genauer hinzusehen. Es ist jedoch wichtig für Ladengeschäfte, diese Gestaltung regelmäßig zu aktualisieren, um das Interesse der Kunden aufrecht zu erhalten. Mit einer hochwertigen gedruckten Innendekoration steht inzwischen ein einfaches Mittel bereit, um ein Erscheinungsbild aufzufrischen oder neu zu gestalten und ein neues Erlebnis für Kunden zu schaffen, die das Geschäft besuchen. Händler haben die Möglichkeit, Designs und Dekore anzupassen, um einen Bezug auf jahreszeitliche oder lokale Ereignisse herzustellen und damit die Relevanz für Käufer zu erhöhen.

Wenn es darum geht, die Aufmerksamkeit von Kunden zu wecken und die Nachfrage zu erhöhen, haben auch personalisierte Verpackungen unglaublich an Bedeutung gewonnen. Dank eines maßgeschneiderten Konzepts erhöhte Coca-Cola beim Probelauf seiner Share-a-Coke-Kampagne den Absatz in einigen Regionen um bis zu sieben Prozent.

Das Konzept, zunehmend personalisierte Waren und Dienstleistungen anzubieten, hat zu einer Zunahme von Verkaufsplattformen wie NotOnTheHighStreet.com geführt, auf denen kleinere Unternehmen maßgeschneiderte Artikel nach persönlichen Präferenzen produzieren können. Moonpig erzielt großen Erfolg, indem es Kunden die Chance bietet, maßgeschneiderte Grußkarten in professioneller Qualität zu erstellen und zu drucken.

Entscheidend: Multichannel Innovation

Um in dieser Multichannel-Umgebung zu florieren, müssen Einzelhändler jedoch ihr Marketing in andere Formen der Kommunikation einbinden. Hochpersonalisierte gedruckte Kommunikationsmittel wie Coupons, Kleideretiketten, Kataloge und Direktmailings können als Zugangstor zur digitalen Welt dienen. So entsteht ein potenzieller neuer Einkaufsweg oder im Zusammenspiel mit Innovationen wie „Augmented Reality“, Near Field Communicaton (NFC) und QR-Codes ein nahtlos integriertes, anregendes Kundenerlebnis.

Stellen Sie sich ein personalisiertes Hochglanzmagazin vor, in dem jedes Produkt auf jeder Seite von den Lesern mit einer Smartphone-App eingescannt werden kann und sie in eine digitale Umgebung transportiert wo Informationen, Anregungen und die Möglichkeit zum Kauf nur einen Klick entfernt sind. Dabei gewinnen alle Beteiligten: der Kunde, der Verlag und der Lieferant. 

Das Online-Magazin und der Händler für Luxusmode Net-A-Porter hat kürzlich mit Porter ein gedrucktes Modemagazin vorgestellt. Das Hochglanzmagazin richtet sich an Käufer, die ein traditionelles Einkaufserlebnis bevorzugen. Das Unternehmen wollte jedoch nicht seine Kernzielgruppe (im virtuellen Raum) verlieren. Um Synergien markenweit zu erhalten, wurden Magazinseiten mit QR-Codes bedruckt. Damit erhielten Anwender die Möglichkeit, nahezu augenblicklich vom Inhalt zum Einkauf zu wechseln.

Fotos, Kunstwerke und Designs werden nicht länger nur auf Papier, sondern auf einer Vielzahl von Materialien gedruckt. Die Drucksysteme entwickeln sich ständig weiter und es gibt bei den bedruckbaren Materialien heute fast keine Grenzen. Inzwischen lässt sich Metall genauso bedrucken wie Textilien, Tapeten, Holz, Plastik und viele weitere Materialien.

Fazit: Es wird zunehmend deutlich, dass die Personalisierung für die Kundenbindung eine zentrale Rolle spielt. Statt als Zugabe betrachtet zu werden, hat sich ein maßgeschneidertes Kundenerlebnis mehr zu einem Service entwickelt, den Konsumenten inzwischen erwarten. Die heutigen Möglichkeiten von Print bieten Händlern eine großartige Chance, indem sie ihnen die Fähigkeit verleihen, jeden Kontaktpunkt auf dem Weg der Kunden erfolgreich zu personalisieren – von der Kaufüberlegung über den Point-of-Sale bis zur Nachkaufbetreuung.

Weitere Informationen und den „Think Retail“ Report, den Canon auf der Fespa 2015 veröffentlicht hat, erhalten Sie hier: www.canon.de/think-retail

Multi-channel Innovation via #XUG15EU: We practice what we preach!

June 4, 2015
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Valuable Advice, Value Art & Communication
2 Comments
XUG15EU PURL 1

HURRAY! It is all about me! — Perfect individualized Multi-Channel Campagne at #XUG15EU for all attendees and partners. Created ©2015 by Prindoz, Lübeck/Germany via XMPIE Software Solutions.

“HOW TO GAIN MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION VIEWS VIA TWITTER IN A VERY SHORT TIME? WITHOUT ANY ADVERTISING SPENDINGS, JUST BY ORGANIC REACH? — VERY SIMPLE: BY MULTI-CHANNEL INNOVATION AT ITS BEST!” —Andreas Weber

CHAPEAU! — Hats off! The entire organizational team of the XMPie User Group (XUG), especially XUG Board Member Christian Kopocz, have done a sensational job. Almost off the cuff and within less than 10 weeks, a new international conference was created. The sophisticated and unique conference theme: “Multi-channel Innovation”.

More than 130 participants from 17 countries gathered on May 26, 2015 (in spite of Pentecost holidays) in Berlin, the center of the start-up and innovation scene. Well-known partners supported the effort and presented, in technical lectures and demos, how to pull out all stops – whether analog, online or mobile. The event #XUG15EU was preceded by a comprehensive, highly effective multi-channel campaign which Christian Kopocz, with his company Prindoz, Lübeck/Germany, realized through the use of print, Purl, online marketing and especially social media. Even personal contacts were made across the country as well as several continents. On the day of the conference, participants were provided with individualized print materials, among others in the form of an event book printed on premium materials. A personalized website allowed following the program individually and also online and to rate the presentations and sessions through voting, of which about half of all participants took advantage.

The event was prepared, edited and reworked on all flanks through social media. Teaming up with XUG15EU partner, Value Communication AG, Christian Kopocz developed and realized a scenario which bet especially on Twitter, in combination with Facebook, LinkedIn und XING. The result is breathtaking: 

  • In just a little over 48 hours—from the night before the #XUG15EU until the day after —Twitter alone reached a total of more than 1.5 MILLION. On the day of the event itself, one million was almost exceeded. Note: No advertising spendings needed! Just by organic reach!
  • Of those, more than 253,000 were unique reaches.
  • 980 posts were made in order to comment on the conference and to capture and share its most important results and insights.
  • Participation among the conference participants present was very high: More than 30% posted actively, more than 80% shared the posts, thereby including their specific networks. And 100% of the organizers and partners sent posts and re-tweets around the globe.
  • In addition, on the day after the conference, interesting story recaps and blog posts dealt with the results.
  • And journalists took note as well. The 4-color magazine, Wien, a leader in German-speaking countries, sent a personal letter from its editor-in-chief, Martin Schwarz, along with its exclusive Print-Germany edition and presented, prior to the conference, an interview with Christian Kopocz. Live and locally, the London Output Magazine reported  online (via blog post and online newsletter to more than 20,000 subscribers); editor-in-chief, James Matthews-Paul, made a special trip and was able to hand to conference participants his exclusive, digitally printed special edition, Output One. The technical blog ValueTrendRadar by Andreas Weber had published interviews and comments for several weeks, even had discussed presentation subjects and then documented them in real time (to thousands of viewers from more than 40 countries).

“All in all we can say: What we achieved together represents a milestone, not just for us as the XMPie User Group, but for all innovation-oriented professionals in the communications industry“, said Christian Kopocz. And he added: “This was successful only because we practice what we preach. And because we are successful in not only informing, but also in motivating and inspiring on the highest level on sometimes complex themes that make up Multichannel Innovation.“

Panorama CGGxhHYWgAAEX8r

© 2015 by Christian Kopocz, Prindoz, Lübeck/Germany.

Accordingly, the value of all these communication successes lies in the maximum level of interaction of participants, presenters, partners and members of the media who were involved via social media. It is especially evident that B2B subjects can be meaningfully popularized.  

And not only as a fleeting, one-time action, but permanently.  Because all of this content and these messages live on (and recently also as Twitter news indexed by Google) after the conference ended. By the way: The post-game is just a pre-game! From October 25 to 28, 2015, the American XUG Conference takes place in Miami, Florida. Participation is worthwhile. One way or another! Afterthought: The theses and insights of the final presentation and panel discussion at the #XUG15 EU have thoroughly proven themselves.

The pivotal aspects are:

  1. Multichannel Innovation means: “Discover. Watch. Love. Share. Talk about it!”
  2. Multichannel Innovation assumes a mind shift: “It’s a disruptive lifestyle philosophy!”
  3. Multichannel Innovation links and unifies social/smart technologies and “human-to-human” needs. Because: Needs are the heart of all matter.

To the astonishment of participants, the question of who, or which company, is the “global leader” in Multi-channel Innovation, was answered … It‘s Apple! Why? First, because Steve Jobs, in multichannel conformance, coined the paradigm that success is only possible when the digital lifestyle experience gains 100% acceptance in people’s daily lives. And secondly, because Apple offers the best Web services and online shops, as well as the best brick-and-mortar flagship stores. And almost “by the way”, makes possible the best print applications — from AirPrint to digitally printed iPhoto Books and superb packaging. And all of this enhanced by extraordinary marketing orientation and an outstanding “customer experience”.

Multi-Channel Innovation — Bust the silos: convert the virtual into reality!

May 20, 2015
CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Valuable Advice
4 Comments
Bust the Silos: Convert the Virtual into Reality!.001

@ 2015 by Value Communication AG, Mainz/Germany. Illustration: Lidia Lukianova, SF Bay Area.

“My message according to all activities based on our disruptive Value Task: Just do it the smart way. Unify Social & Human-to-Human. Convert the virtual into reality. Never digitize anything which provides much more effectiveness through its analog existence!” –Andreas Weber

I was fascinated when Christian Kopocz informed me about the XMPie Users Group initiative to organize #XUG15EU in Berlin/Germany, the 1st. European Conference to think and talk about Multi-Channel Innovation. I have the honor to became a supporter and partner via my company Value Communication AG. And to be a key note speaker as well. Why? Because in the last years I struggled with all this ”Blablabla“ on „print is dead and for losers“, online resp. cross-media is the winner but has to be converted into omni-channel a.s.o. In most of the cases Old School candidates tried to adopt new buzzwords to demonstrate that they are modern and ahead. But they fail, specially traditional publishers, agencies and media service providers.

But even for me as an communication analyst it was a good learning to get involved via #XUG15EU. It made me rethink my analyst work I’ve done in the last 15 or 20 years. At that time we started to deal with VDP, personalization, individualization. Later on W2P and Online-Printing. But as we know today, none of this innovation tasks created mainstream effects. The Old School world is still there and and dominant.

WANTED: A Mind Shift! Think and act disruptive.

In fact I figured out that is not possible to optimize what we are doing successfully, so far. According to what they call „Innovators Dilemma“ our own success is our biggest enemy. So I created a „Disruptive ValueTask“ concept. Based on three main models:

  1. How to unify Social (Technologies) and Human-to-Human needs? — By three key success factors: 1. Reduce complexity. 2. Skip analog thinking in a digital world. 3. Practice that needs are the measure of all things.
  2. Cultivate and practice the BIG 5-C Value Communication Mechanism. — It is all about to synchronize and harmonize Content, Community, Creativity, Connectivity and Consumer&Brands in a new way.
  3. Understand and learn The Real Value of Communication. — It is beyond Digital Transformation leading us back and forth at the same time by Dialektik, Innovatik and Hermeneutik (which is dedicated to the sense of purpose).

To make all this happening we have to disrupt. So please follow my advice: 

  1. Multi-Channel Innovation depends on technologies but is headed by „Brainware“, not by soft- and hardware.
  2. We need a new philosophy to create a common understanding of how we manage Multi-Channel Innovation successfully. Any kind of innovations only push through if they are communicated effectively — especially in the field of B2B.
  3. Multi-Channel success is driven by interaction and diversity.

My Conclusion: Multi-Channel Innovation is a real challenge. Multi-Channel Innovation has to unify Social Technologies and Human-to-Human needs. Because needs are the measure of all things! And last but not least: Multi-Channel Innovation  leads to a sustainable digital lifestyle experience in a real world! — That’s it!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

LATEST NEWS: 

Benchmark! More than 130 attendees from 16 countries joined #XUG15EU on May 26, 2015 in Berlin.

Best-in-class: First resumee on air by Output Magazine, London

Amazing: Check Twitter as well, Hashtag #XUG15EU.
We created more than ONE MILLION (!) VIEWS in less than 30 hours!

First Comment on XUG15EU

@ 2015 by Output Magazine., London/UK

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Slideshow on Slideshare:

Impressed by Impressions at FESPA2015 in Cologne

May 19, 2015
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice, Value Art & Communication
1 Comment

The dream Team at FESPA2015

By Andreas Weber

It is always good to think and act outside the box! Isn’t it?

My spontaneous trip to Cologne to visit #FESPA2015 was amazing. Many good friends and business partners, a whole bunch of presentations, business talks and news were leading the way. It was the very first time this year to see, that the Print Community is still alive and has a good future. BUT: FESPA2015 stands for a sophisticated form of Print applications. Large Format, Sign and Display, Screen Printing are key element of everything which makes Print BIG!

Most surprising:

  • First of all, and sorry to say: The way, most of the exhibitors presented their stands was not so nice to look at. Old school booth design, always the same key messages like „better“, „faster“, „wider“ (bla bla)…
  • Much better: personal talks and some of the press conferences. Beside efi…
  • Really surprising: the presence of Zünd Systemtechnik AG, http://www.zund.com/, very high-tech, driven by the art of engineering and swiss made precision. And (my personal favorite): Durst Phototechnik AG, http://www.durst.it/en/, introducing Durst Water Technology in a very smart way: intelligent, emotional, interactive. They even organized and hosted a great evening event at Rheinterassen with a big surprise in a lovely atmosphere. Very well done!
  • Impressive as well how HP’s Graphic Solutions Business took the lead. Specially driven by its Latex technology.

Many others, like Canon, Screen, Epson, 3M and Agfa showed a strong approach to innovate this enhanced form of print communication.Good. Excellent. Extraordinary.

Three additional aspects:

  1. It was fascinating to see, how Output One, the first printed magazine of James ‘M-P’ Matthews-Paul, got presented. Good job. Very well done. (The copies were handed out personally, all of them digitally printed on HP Indigo 10000).
  2. All those avant-garde innovators at #FESPA2015 are in a good mood, highly motivated to transform the industry. But there is still a lot to do, according to our latest Value Report on „Print is dead? Long live print!“ — So we have to proceed.
  3. Last but not least: We had many good conversation on how to get the industries messages across in a more effective way. So the XMPie Users Group Initiative, the first european Multi-Channel Innovation conference was selected as a good opportunity to follow up the FESPA2015 trade show on May 26, 2015 in Berlin!

There were many other interesting aspects to talk about. Please check it out on your own via our ValueCommAG Storify report.

Storify on FESPA 2015 by @zeitenwende007