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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

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
1 Comment
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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„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…

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© 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.

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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.

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

June 4, 2015
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Valuable Advice, Value Art & Communication
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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”.

Print is dead? Long live print! — Great ValueReport Results

May 16, 2015
CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, drupa 2016, Multi-Channel Innovation, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice, Value Innovation
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© 2015 by Value Communication AG, Mainz. | Photo: Our Value Communication Fellows Şükran Ceren Salalı and Sudarsha Rambaran, created an amazing video documentation to present their results!

By Andreas Weber, innovation expert and print analyst from the Gutenberg City of Mainz

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Key issues:

  • The medium print does not have any problem today and in the future. Moreover, it is not in any crisis caused by others. 
  • There is nearly no other sector that presents itself in the public eye so awkwardly and badly as the printing sector.
  • Print buyers highly appreciate good counseling and contemporary, proactive market communication specifically on the topic of how printed materials can be designed particularly effective, appealing and interactive. However, this type of service is in short supply.

The good old Johannes Gutenberg has tossed and turned in his grave for ages. While in 2000, the American business elite elected him “Man of the Millennium” and Silicon Valley called him the innovator of modern times (digital pope, Jeff Jarvis, dedicated the book “Gutenberg the Geek” to him), the printer guilt has denied and practically mothballed him. 

Printing has nearly joined the rank of “non-words”. Despite the fact that worldwide hundreds of thousands of companies still make their money by producing printed materials. Many in the commercial printing business are looking to describe their work and what they offer new: whether it is media production respective marketing service provider or cross-media service provider, they increasingly try to avoid being associated with the term “print”. 

Is this necessary? No! — Therefore, it is the goal to deal with the subject matter of “print” in any form other than it has been dealt with for the past 15 years.

  1. The (alleged) end of the Gutenberg galaxy marks the new beginning of “limitless print communication” — for hundreds of years, printed materials were the measure of all things, firmly in the hand of professional printers and publishers. Beginning in the 1980s, desktop publishing and the motto “Everyone his own Gutenberg” cracked their monopoly. Since, totally new players have taken the lead. Key points: a) Apple and Google developed the first e-print functions as new standards, so millions of new smartphone and tablet users can print their digital contents as needed. b) Specialists among others for Facebook and Wikipedia, who come from the development sector for intelligent search engines and algorithms, have created solutions to configure social media data by mouse click and print them automatically (first and foremost pediapress.com from Mainz). In addition, smart online photo print solutions are used by millions of any age groups!
  2. Reality contra misbelief: The thesis “Internet kills print” is false — this is what publishers and print professionals believe and they convey this message to their customers by having debated about the “print crisis”, of which Google supposed to be the culprit, for years.  The following are arguments against this belief: 1. Print publishers caused their crisis themselves and they did not even use innovations in print, and 2. “digital natives” are positive toward print if the contents and the communication offers are relevant, personal, and useful. (See the following reports: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/09/09/valuecheck-the-internet-is-not-the-death-of-print/ und http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/10/03/valuecheck-newspaper-publishers-theyre-left-crying-in-the-corner/)
  3. Communication deficits paralyze the printing industry — the attitude “our products speak for themselves” has an effect as numb feet. Printing companies are ossified in their routines. Even the most innovative products and solutions, which many can offer, are marketed in accordance with the “Old School” principle: using sample maps and machine demonstrations for children and other interesting parties. There is nearly no printing firm that knows how to use professional online and social media communication such as targeting marketing campaigns as shown in an exemplary fashion in England moo.com or snapajack.com . (See YouTube video “How to innovative print business”). — In this context, not only the art of self-portrayal is what counts but also networking such as the example of Print Three from Canada shows. 
  4. Innovation often takes place in print shops while the interfaces to the customers are mostly rather “retro”! — For more than 10 years, print shops have been under a significant cost pressure; however, they are primarily concerned with themselves to optimize their internal processes in order to produce efficiently. Only few of them focus on communicating the effectiveness of their print products, which they (can) produce for customers, offensively and attractively. Social media monitoring shows how much customers, who order printed matters online, have to criticize (they are unhappy about usability, multiple debits, a lack of color reliability, etc. see “printing research results: The Beauty and The Beast”).
  5. There is nearly no other sector that presents itself in the public eye so awkwardly and badly as the printing sector. This must change drastically! — For hundreds of years, print shops have not needed lobby efforts and industry communication. There were monopolists and there was no way around them. Moreover, they could sail on the lee side of machine suppliers. Just like IBM and computing, particularly the label “Technology by Heidelberg” guaranteed high customer confidence. This changed drastically no later than drupa 2012, which brought the breakthrough in digital printing. Many new players are no relevant. Nearly of them come from the imaging and IT sector. However, these companies are so large and different that individual print shops can hardly create any image transfer. This is not really terrible because with today’s media print shops can position themselves easily and effectively. Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus/YouTube and LinkedIn are the best aids, which provide the use of their infrastructure for free. It just requires a bit of training of how to handle it! — By the way, it is a bit embarrassing as well as inspiring that the world’s largest print buyer, IKEA, campaigns for print by imitating the Apple communication expertly. So far, more than 17 million people watched this video! Benchmark!

Conclusion — our take: “Something old needs something new!”

The printing sector should refocus on its old strength and the Gutenberg value system to be able to handle innovation in communication. This is the only way to survive structural change or structural break.  The medium print does not have any problem today and in the future. Moreover, it is not in any crisis caused by others. This is a homemade crisis. It is the outgrowth of business goals, user promises and communication that is no longer appropriate for customers and no longer up-to-date. No one has to do without the expertise, the passion, the flexibility of competent printing experts. Print buyers highly appreciate good counseling and contemporary, proactive market communication specifically on the topic of how printed materials can be designed particularly effective, appealing and interactive. However, this type of service is in short supply. This can easily be changed. Right? — Please check as well pour Value Guidelines for innovation marketing communications via Social Media.

NOTE: Please join #xug15eu conference. And experience the real value of print via innovative #multichannel solutions.

Print ist tot? Es lebe Print! — Erstklassige ValueReport Ergebnisse

May 16, 2015
CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, drupa 2016, Multi-Channel Innovation, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Value Innovation
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© 2015 by Value Communication AG, Mainz. | Im Bild: Die Value Communication Fellows Şükran Ceren Salalı und Sudarsha Rambaran, die aufrüttelnde Analyse-Ergebnisse gefunden haben und per Videorapport vorstellen.

Andreas Weber, Innovationsexperte und Print-Analyst aus der Gutenberg-Stadt Mainz, zieht ein Jahr vor der drupa 2016 Bilanz.
Lesezeit: 5 Minuten. Halbwertzeit: (fast) unbegrenzt!

Kernpunkte:

  • Das Medium Print hat heute und in Zukunft kein Problem und steckt auch nicht in einer von anderen verschuldeten Krise. 
  • Kaum eine Branche stellt sich so ungeschickt und schlecht in der Öffentlichkeit dar, wie die Printbranche.
  • Gute Beratung und eine zeitgemäße, pro-aktive Marktkommunikation, vor allem zum Thema, wie man Drucksachen besonders effektvoll, wirkungsstark und interaktiv gestalten kann, wird bei Print Buyern hoch geschätzt, ist aber Mangelware.

Der gute alte Johannes Gutenberg rotiert seit Jahren in seinem Grab. Während ihn im Jahr 2000 die Wirtschaftseliten der USA zum „Man of the Millennium“ kürten und das Silicon Valley ihn als Innovator der Neuzeit verehrt (Digital-Papst Jeff Jarvis widmete ihm das Buch „Gutenberg the Geek“) hat die Drucker-Zunft ihn verleugnet und quasi eingemottet. 

Drucken ist nahezu zum Unwort geworden. Obgleich hunderttausende Firmen in aller Welt nach wie vor mit dem Herstellen von Drucksachen ihr Geld verdienen. Viele im Commercial Printing-Geschäft suchen nach neuen Bezeichnungen dessen, was sie tun und anbieten: Ob Media Production respektive Marketing Service Provider oder Cross-Media-Dienstleister — es wird zusehends vermieden, mit dem Begriff „Print“ in Verbindung zu kommen. 

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Quellen: drupa Insight Report; Canon Insight Report; SAPPI & YOU.

Muss das sein? Nein! — Zeit also, sich mit dem Thema „Print“ in anderer Form auseinander zusetzen, als das die letzten 15 Jahre geschieht.

  1. Das (vermeintliche) Ende der Gutenberg-Galaxis markiert den Neubeginn von „grenzenloser Print-Kommunikation“ — Über Jahrhunderte waren Drucksachen das Maß aller Dinge, in festen Händen der Profi-Drucker und Verleger. Mit Desktop Publishing und dem Motto „Jeder sein eigener Gutenberg“ wurde deren Monopol ab den 1980er Jahren gebrochen. Seitdem haben ganz neue Player das Zepter in die Hand genommen. Gipfelpunkte: a) Apple und Google entwickelten die ersten E-Print-Funktionen als neue Standards, damit Millionen neuer Smart Phone- und Tablet-Nutzer ihre digitalen Inhalte bei Bedarf drucken können. b) Spezialisten u. a. für Facebook und Wikipedia, die aus der Entwicklung von intelligenten Suchmaschinen und Algorithmen kommen, haben Lösungen geschaffen, um Social Media-Daten per Mausklick konfigurieren und automatisiert drucken zu können (allen voran pediapress.com aus Mainz). Zudem werden smarte Online-Fotodruck-Lösungen millionenfach genutzt, von allen Altersgruppen!
  2. Realität contra Irrglaube: Die These „Das Internet bringt den Tod von Print“ stimmt nicht — Das Denken nur Verleger und Druckerei-Profis, die das auch noch ihren Kunden gegenüber äußern, in dem seit Jahren über die „Print-Krise“ debattiert wird, die vor allem Google ausgelöst habe. Dagegen spricht: 1. Print-Verlage haben ihre Krise selbstverschuldet und Innovationen im Print gar nicht genutzt; und 2. „Digital Natives“ stehen Print positiv gegenüber, wenn die Inhalte und Kommunikationsangebote relevant, persönlich und nutzbringend sind. (Siehe die Reports: “The Internet is not the Death of Print” und “Newspaper Publishers: They’re left crying in the corner”).
  3. Kommunikationsdefizite lähmen die Printbranche — Die Attitüde „Unsere Produkte sprechen doch für sich“ wirkt wie eingeschlafene Füsse. Druckereien sind in Routinen erstarrt. Selbst die innovativsten Produkte und Lösungen, die viele aufbieten können, werden nach dem „Old School“-Prinzip vermarktet: Per Mustermappen und Maschinendemos für Kunden und Interessenten. Kaum eine Druckerei versteht, professionell Online- und Social Media-Kommunikation einzusetzen, etwa mit Targeting-Marketing-Kampagnen, wie das in England moo.com oder snapajack.com vorbildlich machen. (Siehe YouTube-Video „How to innovative print business“) — Dabei zählt nicht nur die Kunst der Selbstdarstellung sondern auch die des Netzwerkens, wie das Beispiel von Print Three aus Kanada zeigt.
  4. Innovationen finden oft nur Druckerei-intern statt, die Schnittstellen zum Kunden sind derweil zumeist ziemlich „retro“! — Da die Druckereien seit über 10 Jahren unter erheblichem Kostendruck stehen, sind sie vorwiegend mit sich selbst beschäftigt, um ihre internen Abläufe zu perfektionieren, um effizient produzieren zu können. Zuwenige fokussieren sich darauf, die Effektivität der Printprodukte, die sie für Kunden herstellen (können) offensiv und attraktiv zu kommunizieren. Per Social Media-Monitorings zeigt sich, wie groß die Kritik von Online-Drucksachenbestellern ist (bezüglich Usability, Mehrfach-Abbuchungen, fehlender Farbverbindlichkeit etc., siehe „Printing Research Results: The Beauty and The Beast“).
  5. Kaum eine Branche stellt sich so ungeschickt und schlecht in der Öffentlichkeit dar, wie die Printbranche. Das muss sich radikal ändern! — Über Jahrhunderte brauchten Druckereien keine Lobbyarbeit und auch keine Branchenkommunikation. Als Monopolisten führte kein Weg an ihnen vorbei. Zudem konnte man im Windschatten der Maschinenlieferanten segeln. Vor allem das Label „Technology by Heidelberg“ garantierte wie seinerzeit IBM beim Computing, dass Kunden hohes Zutrauen hatten. Mit dem Durchbruch des Digitaldrucks spätestens seit der drupa 2012 hat sich das radikal verändert. Viele neue Player sind relevant, fast allesamt aus dem Imaging- und IT-Sektor. Diese Firmen sind aber so riesig und andersartig, dass die einzelne Druckerei kaum einen Imagetransfer herstellen kann. Was auch nicht schlimm ist, da man sich selbst heutzutage sehr einfach und wirkungsvoll medial in Szene setzen kann. Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus/YouTube und LinkedIn sind die besten Helfer, die in ihrer Infrastruktur zudem kostenfrei nutzbar sind. Man muss nur lernen, wie es geht! — Übrigens ist es sowohl beschämend als auch inspirierend, dass einer der größten Print-Buyer der Welt, IKEA, sich per YouTube-Video für Print stark macht, indem es die Apple-Kommunikation gekonnt imitiert. Bis dato haben mehr als 17 Millionen Menschen das Video angeschaut! Benchmark!

Fazit — Our Take: „Etwas Altes wird etwas Neues!“

Die Printbranche sollte sich wieder auf ihre alten Stärken und das Gutenberg’sche Wertesystem berufen, um Innovationen in der Kommunikation leisten zu können. Nur so kann der Strukturwandel resp. Strukturbruch überstanden werden. Das Medium Print hat heute und in Zukunft kein Problem und steckt auch nicht in einer von anderen verschuldeten Krise. Die Krise ist hausgemacht und ergibt sich nur, wenn die Geschäftsziele, das Nutzerversprechen und die Kommunikation nicht mehr kundengerecht und zeitgemäß sind. Auf die Erfahrung, auf das Fachwissen, auf die Leidenschaft, auf die Flexibilität von kompetenten Print-Fachleuten muss nicht verzichtet werden. Gute Beratung und eine zeitgemäße, pro-aktive Marktkommunikation, vor allem zum Thema, wie man Drucksachen besonders effektvoll, wirkungsstark und interaktiv gestalten kann, wird bei Print Buyern hoch geschätzt, ist aber Mangelware. Das lässt sich einfach ändern. Oder? Die ersten wichtige Schritte zeigt unser Leitfaden für erfolgreiche Kommunikations-Aktivitäten pro Print und via Social Media! 

TIPP: Perspektiven für Print zeigt übrigens die #XUG15EU Konferenz auf, die erstmals am 26. Mai 2015 in Berlin stattfindet.

ValueCheck! — Steve Jobs’ spirit hits our reality. We love it!

July 18, 2014
Valuable Advice, Value Art & Communication, Value Contributors, Value Innovation
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© 2014 by Value Communication AG, Mainz/Germany

 

 

IN HONOR TO THE MAN WHO TURNED THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT INTO A SUCCESSFUL BRAND

Almost everyone in the technology sector says that they admire Steve Jobs. However, when it comes to applying what he led already, many of them fail. —Andreas Weber, Value CEO, Mainz/Germany

 

By Şükran Ceren Salalı, Value Communication Fellow

 

Based on the text with a good analysis from to Rod Bauer from Bauer group, there are several lessons we should take into consideration in order to be more successful in the business world. Especially, those who admire Jobs and think he was the most effective CEO, should rethink about their working strategies regarding these facts:

Lesson #1 — Creating great products requires patience

Lesson #2 — Think big

Lesson #3 — Focus on your strengths

Lesson #4 — Think different

Lesson #5 — Technology by itself is not enough

 

Apparently, many people in Silicon Valley give all their attention on writing code or learning how to run a company, but not on “learning how to learn”. What made Steve Job very successful was the way he gave value on learning culture, music, film, calligraphy, design and architecture. So, we have many things to learn from him, other than remaining as so-called admirers.

 

Our Take: Learn how to use the ValueCheck! to create value — Invented in Mainz/Germany

In regards to Steve Jobs, we are working with many talented artist and innovators, organizing outstanding art&culture events. Value Communication AG created ValueCheck! to enable a strategy that considers human to human aspects as important energizers for successful business strategies.

So, at least, not only direct business relations, but also art and culture experiences are focused by Value Communication AG. Being established in a 2000-year-old city, Mainz, that is surrounded by fascinating specialties of art, history and culture, the ValueCheck! practices what it preaches and emphasizes its practices regarding with the understanding of connecting innovation to profit.

ValueCheck! have already taken those principles into consideration which are highlighted by Steve Jobs such as patience, thinking big, focusing on strengths, thinking different and knowing that technology is solely not enough. ValueCheck! also guides businesses  to take these principles in order to become more successful and keep up with the times of digital transformation and the age of consumer by using ValueCheck Audits and Coachings by analyzing them in a professional, smart and effective way.

 

 

 

ValueCheck! — Check out in a minute what is relevant for profitable growth

July 15, 2014
Basic Topics on Innovation, Trend Analysis (in brief), Value Contributors, Value Innovation
1 Comment
ValueCheck Analysis: Communication, Art and Culture.010

© 2014 by Value Communication AG, Mainz/Germany

 

NOTE: ValueCheck! delivers recently the most comprehensive and effective way to update your business management&communication knowledge. Our Focus: Identify relevant topics to be discussed, put them into the right context and be able to create your own opinion and expertise.

 

Why its worth reading this Blog post:

• Summary of the most relevant ValueCheck! Blog post
• Train your Brain on-the-fly
• Get a very useful access to update your knowledge via ValueLinks and ValueTips

 

+++ ValueCheck! — What is the Value of Value Communication AG?

We deliver a unique method and way by answering two main questions:

  1. How to “Connect Innovation to Profit”!
  2. How to unify “Communication, Art and Culture”!
  3. We call it “ValueCheck!” and cover three areas: Analysis, Audits, Coachings.

Startings point is always a written ValueCheck! Blog post to define the Status quo!

ValueCheck Audits orientates businesses to generate profit and to enjoy outcomes of disruptive innovation and communication.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/06/value-check-what-is-the-value-of-value-communication-ag/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — The Secrets of the Age of Digital Transformation

In other words, human side of business transformation should be taken more into consideration as the age of digital transformation puts consumer in the center. This is why Value Communication keeps focusing on using digital technologies based on H2H and a disruptive approach to understand the relationship between technologies and consumer behavior.

ValueCheck! emphasizes the relationship between H2H aspects and the use of digital technologies while analyzing consumer behavior and the company’s approach.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/02/valuecheck-the-secrets-of-the-age-of-digital-transformation/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — ’Rent a Brain’ is the perfect way to succeed in Social Biz

What we at Value Communication aim by „ValueCheck!“ is to help business people to become far more successful in their sectors. By answering the questions of „ValueCheck! Audits“, a company can become aware of its abilities and inadequacies in a more detailed way. The important thing is we treat our customers as (best) friends.

Our ValueCheck! method equals to friendly attitude towards our customers and a detailed way to guide them to see their capabilities.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/10/valuecheck-
rent-a-brain-is-the-perfect-way-to-succeed-in-social-biz/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Connect Innovation to Profit!

The performance promise: “connect innovation to profit”. Your benefits:

  • ValueCheck! is something like a fitness check-up to be prepared for The Age of the Customer.
  • ValueCheck! delivers orientation how to optimize all dimensions of your internal and external business communication success.
  • ValueCheck! guides you through the digital world to accelerate your profitable growth.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/06/11/value-check-connect-innovation-to-profit/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Train Your Brain!

We proudly present: World’s first Train Your Brain Fitness Check-up to be ready for profitable growth in “The Age of the Customer”!
We are happy and proud to share some thoughts. Based in Johannes Gutenberg‘s hometown, Mainz/Germany, we are dedicated to the rich culture of Art = Innovation = Communication = Human-to-Human!

Value Communication analyses and supports approaches of customers to H2H aspects and then finds the best method to guide them on track of becoming a successful and profit-making companies.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/06/19/value-check-train-your-brain/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Disruptive Task: “Bust the Silos — Convert the VIRTUAL to REALITY”

But nevertheless we live in a digital world. Social Media and all our Social Activities will never be able to create relatedness. It enables connections. That’s it! — Kill stupidity in business driven by executives who still use their analog thinking in a digital world.

Our message according to all activities based on our disruptive Value Task:
Just do it the smart way. Unify Social & Human-to-Human. ValueCheck! has a disruptive approach that combines advisory, publishing and community.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/value-communications-manifesto/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — The disruptive “Value Eco-System”

The strategic analysis is done via ValueCheck! and ValueProfile, which supplies the design of a new communication architecture as a result.

ValueCheck! strategizes a new approach to innovative communication techniques for companies in order to guide them to have more benefits from the market.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2012/07/24/the-value-eco-system/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Philosophy and Principles of Value Communication

The effectiveness of communication and the efficiency of communication processes are developed with innovative tools and methods by Value Communication such as Value Academy and ValueCheck!.

ValueCheck! is one of the important tools and methods in Value Communication’s principles and philosophy. Via ValueCheck, the development of effective communication processes is very easy.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/philosophy-and-principles-of-value-communication/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Disruptive and/or Destructive Innovation?

Disruptive innovation is not a threat as it would be perceived by the university management of Harvard Business School based on last debates about whether entering to the business of online education or not. What makes innovation disruptive is the way it makes a product, a service or an idea remarkable with an unusual approach to renew our consumption patterns and lifestyles.

Since ValueCheck! contains a disruptive strategy, it checks H2H and B2B aspects with an unusual way to renew the company strategies.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/09/valuecheck-disruptive-andor-destructive-innovation/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — ’Rent a Brain’ is the perfect way to succeed in Social Biz

Very successful business owners, emphasize the effectiveness of having help from a mentor or a colleague in order to accomplish their goals.

ValueCheck! acts as a mentor for companies in order to achieve their goals and change their company strategies into more innovative communication techniques.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/10/valuecheck-rent-a-brain-is-the-perfect-way-to-succeed-in-social-biz/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — How Social Media leads to Social Business

It is apparent that those B2B service companies require important innovation and transformation in order to satisfy the expectations of their potential customers. Therefore, the importance of „ValueCheck! Audits“are apparent as a solution to check the weaknesses of businesses in Social Selling and Social Businesses. „ValueCheck!“ questions include many related topics so as to strengthen the strategies of companies.

Even many successful companies fail to satisfy customers. ValueCheck Audits provides better perspective to see what is missing on track of keeping good connections with the market and customers.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/10/valuecheck-how-social-media-leeds-to-social-business/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — HBS: The Professor’s Innovation Dilemma

Our Take: You can’t do value education without disruptive Value Innovation.

I think, in the age of digital transformation, education needs to get some disruptive innovation as well. Maybe, we can call it “digital education”. Digital Education allows many applicants around the world to benefit from online education platforms via several tools such as iPhone, iPad and other portable instruments. Considering all of these, I am pretty surprised that how as one of the top ranked and most successful universities, Harvard Business School, has a dilemma about entering online education.

ValueCheck! follows the latest trends in order to guide companies in the best way so as to adapt itself and its customers to the age of digital transformation.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/09/valuecheck-the-professors-innovation-dilemma/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Beyond Design: Technology enables H2H interaction

In the future it is more about Interaction & H2H and less about Designers…

The core meaning of the tweet is design matters, nevertheless; it is not solely enough to become very successful. Besides design, key enablers of PARC include other systems such as intelligent manufacturing, model-based reasoning, integrated planning and control, and printed electronics. Moreover, without effective human-to-human interaction and innovative approaches to satisfy customer, a superior design only leads to empty promises, or let’s say “all fur coat and no knickers”!

ValueCheck! emphasizes human-to-human interaction and innovative approaches that guide companies for a better strategy to adapt in future technologies and the market system.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/02/beyond-design-technology-enables-h2h-interaction/

 

+++ ValueCheck! — Print in the Digital Age!

In the age of digital transformation, it is a big mistake to limit advertising and marketing based only on printing like we already know it. There are many platforms and social networks to work on in order to advertise a product or a system by drawing attentions. The age of the so called „digital transformation“ needs better rethinking over analogue approaches in order to satisfy consumer needs in a best way.

ValueCheck! also focuses on the importance of social networks and various platforms in order to catch the spirit of the age of digital transformation and distribute it to companies as applicants of ValueCheck! Audits.

READ MORE: http://valuetrendradar.com/2014/07/07/valuecheck-print-in-the-digital-age/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ValueCheck! — How Social Media leeds to Social Business

July 10, 2014
Valuable Advice, Value Contributors
1 Comment

ValueCheck! Social Selling Social Enterprise 2014 Kopie.001

 

Paradigm Shift: Social Media became Social Business. Social Business is driven bei Social Selling. Social Selling has the biggest impact on all of us in the history of mankind. Because Communication and Transaction get almost unified. “ —Andreas Weber, Founder and CEO of Value Communication AG

 

Social Business enables Social Selling in Innovative and Transformative Senses

By Şükran Ceren Salalı, Value Communication Fellow

 

Welcome to The Age of the Paradigm Shift: We are already arrived in the age of innovation and transformation in many sectors. Accordingly, several agents and companies are making different researches and trying to develop solutions in order to let companies and businesses to adapt themselves into changing market system.

McKinsey made a recent research regarding the relationship between B2B service providers and Brand Owners and their relationship between their customers by examining publicly available documents of Fortune 500 and DAX 30 companies for information and data. Based on the research, there is a huge gap between the brand messages and what the customers really want to know.

While B2B service companies focusing themes such as social responsibility, sustainability, and global research, customers give more importance on effective supply chain management and specialist market knowledge. Surprisingly, these two themes were least mentioned ones by B2B suppliers.

It is apparent that those B2B service companies require important innovation and transformation in order to satisfy the expectations of their potential customers. Therefore, the importance of „ValueCheck! Audits“ are apparent as a solution to check the weaknesses of businesses in Social Selling and Social Businesses. „ValueCheck!“ questions include many related topics so as to strengthen the strategies of companies.

 

Beyond McKinsey: We need a new Social Selling Approach

Greg Hyer, the author of the text Social Selling is About Opening, Not Closing, refers to the method of Social Selling as an effective provider for contacts between the company and the customer. In this respect, opening and creating relationships built on trust and value rather than being close is very important. Social Selling is also about opening new relationships by offering various principles to guide sales people so as to keep buyers well informed about services and products.

There are some steps to follow in order to open up a relationship such as initializing contact and greeting, asking discovery questions, recommending solutions, and closing the sale.

Using social media networks and tools is very effective in the process of Social Selling. In fact, it doesn’t mean that you will suddenly close a deal on LinkedIn, however; you will be able to contact with the right person to open up a relationship to initiate the process.

 

Not only Social Selling, but also building the social enterprise is crucial in the process of transformation and innovation. Based on an article published by McKinsey, using social technologies are effective in order to build the social enterprise. Moreover, four principles are counted as a guidance of the implementation of social technologies such as

  • adding value but not complexity,
  • experimenting and learning,
  • tracking impact and
  • evolving metrics.

 

Our Take:  

Adapting these principles will help a lot to create the new type of social enterprises as a deep understanding of social media and social communication is crucial in the market system and business relations.

We arrived already in The Age of the Customer. Digital transformation became reality. Which means every entrepreneur and business person should be able to understand the importance of Human-to-Human (H2H) aspects. Social Media Networks and Social Selling are not a „nice to have“  but crucial for the sake of opening new relationships and building new social businesses. At least the challenge is to be able to connect innovation to profit!

 

Please read more if you want to learn how to Connect Innovation to Profit via „ValueCheck! Audits“.

 

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You want to get in touch for further insights? — Just send us an email!

a.weber(at)value-communication.com

Or contact us via Facebook!

@ValueCommAG