Kodak takes workflow suite virtual with VMware tie-up

The company has teamed up with VMware for the new version which enables multiple instances of software environments to be run simultaneously on the same server hardware.
This can be used for example to set up multiple workflows to add redundancy so that should one fail, the system can fall back to a stable instance, ensuring optimal uptime.

The system also makes more efficient use of hardware meaning that users can either cut down on the physical amount of hardware used or run a lot

Matt Whipp, 20 June 2011

EFI targets SME packaging firms with Radius business edition

EFI has launched a small business version of its Radius MIS/ERP aimed at small- to medium-sized packaging firms.

Radius small business edition is an entry-level, fully integrated software package aimed at single-site label, flexible packaging, converting and folding carton companies.

The cut-down version of EFI's Radius enterprise edition comes with a standard suite of modules and a streamlined user interface that will allow smaller packaging firms to improve efficiencies and simplify

Simon Nias, 01 June 2011

KSA based media house invests in favour of violet technology

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia based MediaCompany;AlYamamah Establishment has gone for CTP system from FFEI.

The company has invested in two FFEI V-8 High Speed PRO-V violet computer to plate systems, an online NELA bending and punching, an XMF colour management and a newspaper workflow management from Infralogic with the intention to process daily over 5 different sizes of plates for its commercial, magazine and newspaper production.

The CTP system will be used with Fujifilm PRO-V low chemical technology

Pratik Sardesai, 01 May 2011

Quark reveals new publishing capabilities with QuarkXPress

Quark has unveiled the latest version of its desktop publishing software QuarkXPress 9, which includes new features to boost productivity and enable designers to produce content for mobile devices.

According to US-based Quark, the new features in QuarkXPress 9 fall into three categories: digital publishing, design-driven automation and productivity production improvements.

Gavin Drake, vice president of marketing at Quark, said that the software was aimed at businesses looking to add value-added

Simon Nias, 01 April 2011

Esko launches tool that places mock-up packs in virtual store

EskoArtwork has teamed with VTales Graphics to launch Esko Store Visualizer, a software tool that allows users to place virtual packaging mock-ups in photographed store environments.

The software, which is aimed at, among others, POS printers, enables 3D packaging mock-ups created in Esko's ArtiosCAD or Studio to be placed on shelves or displays in photorealistic store environments.

According to EskoArtwork 3D and visualisation product manager Kris Van Bael, the collaboration with VTales came

Simon Nias, 01 March 2011

Heidelberg partners with Red Tie & Tharsten for integrated launch

Heidelberg has partnered with Red Tie and Tharstern to launch a web-to-print production system that can generate, process and route jobs ordered online.

The new software is the result of a partnership between the three companies. Red Tie's online portal captures and submits order information to Tharsten's MIS system, which then calculates both practicality and the cost benefits of bunching orders together. These are then submitted to the production area of the system.

Heidelberg's Prinect

Pratik Sardesai, 01 February 2011

Adobe posts record-breaking first billion-dollar quarter

Adobe Systems Incorporated reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Dec. 3, 2010.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, Adobe achieved record revenue of $1.008bn, compared to $757.3m reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and $990.3m reported in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

This represents 33 percent year-over-year revenue growth. Adobe's fourth quarter revenue target range was $950m to $1bn.

The company also reported record revenue of $3.800bn in

Staff Writer, 01 January 2011

X-Rite bundles i1Pro & iProfiler colour tools into latest i1 range

X-Rite has launched its i1 range of professional colour management software aimed at photo, pre-press and publishing professionals.

The portfolio comprises the i1 Basic Pro, i1 Photo Pro and i1 Publish Pro, all of which include an i1Prospectrophotometer, and the standalone software package i1 Publish.

All four packages feature X-Rite's next-generation colour profiling software, i1Profiler, which combines the best features of its i1-Match, ProfileMaker and MonacoProfiler software.

X-Rite's

Simon Nias, 01 December 2010

Latest ISO standard will boost take-up of variable data techs

The full power of variable data print (VDP) is set to be unleashed over the next 12 months following the publication of the new ISO 16612-2 exchange standard (PDF/VT).

PDF/VT defines a PDF-based VDP job exchange format and will enable high-performance rendering of graphically rich content for printing on high-speed digital presses by caching repeated text and graphics.

Its publication marks the next major step on the road to realising the full potential of VDP and is expected to simplify and

Staff Writer, 01 November 2010

Flexo printing gets fillip with trio of platemaking innovations

Three firms have revealed new flexo platemaking technology, offering improved speed and quality.

Fujifilm, a newcomer to the flexo market, revealed its direct laser engraving (DLE) plate, Flint announced a new UV CTP system and Esko-Artwork unveiled an update to its HD Flexo system.

Fujifilm's DLE plate works by the laser in the platesetter ablating non-image areas. The processing step is a water rinse to remove any remaining non-image areas. The firm claimed that this is a faster and more

Barney Cox, 01 October 2010

Esko agrees to EFI and HP workflow deal

EskoArtwork has signed partnership deals with both EFI and HP to integrate its workflow into the printer vendors' product portfolios.

Both will co-market the firm's i-cut Suite software, which was launched at Fespa 2010, alongside their machines.

"As the industry evolves, printing and workflow technology must become faster, less costly and more efficient," said EskoArtwork sign & display business development manager Bryan Stringer. "It's crucial suppliers are able to offer an end-to-end automated

Barney Cox, 01 September 2010

VIGC launches new version of its preflight profiles for InDesign

VIGC has released into the market version 2 of its live preflight profiles for Adobe InDesign which is CS5 compatible.

The update addresses user feedback, integrates new features from InDesign CS5 and adds profiles for the packaging industry according to information received. The full package is available free of charge.

"When we launched our VIGC Live Preflight Profiles for Adobe InDesign CS4, just over a year ago, it generated a lot of attention and we received some very positive feedback

Staff Writer, 01 August 2010

Fujifilm secures record Ipex sales as JetPress attracts the crowds

Fujifilm has deemed Ipex 2010 a "resounding success", after it secured a record number of sales and leads at the show.

Ryutu Masui, senior vice-president, graphic systems business domain, said: "We are delighted with the results that the Ipex exhibition has brought us. Despite volcanic ash and airline strikes, we saw a record number of visitors to our stand."

The Jet Press 720 proved to be the most popular machine on the company's booth, drawing in large crowds during presentations.

Fuji also

Simon Nias, 01 July 2010

Kodak in pricing shake-up with launch of Insite Storefront

In addition to introducing extra functionality to the product, Kodak has torn up its historical pricing policy, which required customers to buy the software outright, and launched Storefront 6 on a subscription model.

Under the new pricing policy, customers can choose either a Kodak-hosted,customer-hosted or full-purchase option.

Nick Gilmore, category sales director of unified workflow solutions, said the switch to a subscription model would make Storefront a stand-alone solution, capable of

Simon Nias, 01 June 2010

FFEI on look out for new partners at Ipex 2010

FFEI hopes to "attract new development partners" at this year's Ipex exhibition,in addition to connecting with sales prospects.

The Hemel Hempstead-based high-tech developer has set out its stall for the Birmingham NEC show, where it will unveil new products and applications.

FFEI managing director Andy Cook said that the company would also use the show to "attract new development partners" as it did at Drupa 2008, which led to the development of its latest inkjet application.

FFEI's Ipex line-up

Simon Nias, 01 May 2010

Adobe says productivity gains are central to Creative Suite 5

Adobe has launched the latest version of its Creative Suite software, CS5, which includes enhanced support for the graphic arts industry.

Adobe said that the upgrade, which is expected to begin shipping within 30 days, would allow creative professionals to "work faster and with greater precision".

The US-based developer added that the software upgrade incorporates more than 250 new features, including more than three dozen that were based specifically on user requests.

One key productivity gain

Simon Nias, 01 May 2010

Enfocus creates PitStop Connect to reduce'headaches for creatives'

Enfocus has launched PitStop Connect - a software tool that printers can supply to clients to ensure files are produced to their specification so that there are "no more headaches" for creatives.

"PDF has become the standard for file delivery, but still one in four files fail pre-flight, which is a huge proportion," said Enfocus's director of product development, Elli Cloots.

"They fail for the same reasons as always, low-res images, fonts not embedded, RGB images, transparency, spot colours and

Barney Cox, 01 April 2010

Screen offers new generation platesetter with 8000N series.

Screen has unveiled its next- generation B1 thermal platesetter range, the PlateRite 8000N series, which has been designed to consume less electricity and to be more environmentally friendly.

According to Screen, the latest addition to its platesetter line-up boasts superior reliability and quality compared to its predecessor, the PlateRite 8800S, as well as flexibility to meet a variety of different requirements.

"This new generation is better for the environment, better for

Simon Nias, 01 March 2010

Centurfax joins with Ripware to launch new plate reader

Centurfax and Ripware, the companies that launched the CCDot plate-reading device, have rekindled their partnership with the introduction of EasyDot, a next-generation handheld plate reader.

According to the two companies, dotmeters are still an essential piece of equipment, despite the increased stability and reliability of CTP hardware and consumables, as problems can still occur in the plate creation process.

Paul Foster, managing director of Ripware, said: "The regular use of a dotmeter

Simon Nias, 01 February 2010

Screen unveils first Equiosnet component

Screen has unveiled the first component of its new Equiosnet workflow, which is intended to integrate CTP and digital print environments, with the launch of version seven of its Trueflow SE workflow software.

The pre-press manufacturer described Trueflow SE v7.0, which has incorporated the Adobe PDF Print Engine 2 (APPE2) RIP as part of
its upgrade, as the “first bridging step into the Equiosnet environment”.

Trueflow SE v7.0 features a new optimised job ticket and imposition

Simon Nias, 01 January 2010

Kuhnert takes One2Edit global with aid of Jones and Bristow

Kuhnert, a German systems developer, has launched its brand collateral management system One2Edit to the global market.

One2Edit is a web-based system for producing branded marketing collateral. It is based on Adobe InDesign Server and uses Adobe Flex for browser-based working or Air for the desktop client.

US entrepreneur Frank Devin has joined the firm to head its American operation and to spearhead global sales. UK industry veterans Harvey Jones, who was involved at 4Sight and Wam!Net

Barney Cox, 01 December 2009

Harlequin founder announces ‘breakthrough’ technology

Harlequin founder Andy Cave has announced a “major breakthrough” in screening technology, which he claims has the potential to greatly enhance the output quality of today’s platesetters.

Cave said the new technology, which he describes as Digitally Modulated (DM) screening, draws on techniques from both AM and FM screening, but also does something “fundamentally different”.

Now chief executive of Hamillroad Software, Cave said this fundamental difference is

Simon Nias, 01 November 2009

First water-based white ink printer is launched in Europe

Presstek has launched its first processed plate, the Presstek Aeon, in a bid to break out of its chemistry-free niche and achieve greater mass market appeal.

Guy Sasson, president of Presstek for the EMEA region, said: “We’ve entered the processed plate market with Aeon to become a mass market player. We need to build our supply chain in Europe.”

The Aeon plate, which was launched at September’s Print 09 trade show in Chicago, is a long-run, high-resolution

Barney Cox, 01 October 2009

Fuji lauches ‘next generation’ processless Pro-T thermal plate

Fujifilm Europe has launched an improved version of its Pro-T processless thermal plate featuring a “second-generation” coating, which the firm said would improve on-press performance.

The Brillia HD Pro-T2, which has the same specifications as its predecessor in terms of sensitivity, resolution and run length, features an improved coating that allows for better performance across a wider range of press conditions.

Technical manager for plates at Fujifilm Europe, Sean Lane

Staff Writer, 01 September 2009

Company wants patent for its ‘technology breakthrough’

A company set up by two former Agfa and Kodak R&D directors has applied for patent protection for what it is calling “the most important technology breakthrough since the introduction of thermal CTP”.

The company, JP Imaging (JPI), claims to have developed a method of laser exposure on uncoated standard grained and anodised aluminium that will switch it from its normal (oxidised) hydrophobic state to a hydrophilic state.

JPI founders Dr Rod Potts and Dr Peter Bennett, former

Staff Writer, 01 July 2009

EskoArtwork and Strata launch Enfold 3D CX software package

EskoArtwork has formed a strategic partnership with 3D design tools developer Strata that will combine the power of their respective design software programmes.

Under the terms of the agreement, Strata will market a new product, Strata Enfold 3D CX, which has been developed using technology under licence from EskoArtwork.

Strata Enfold 3D CX is a plug-in for Adobe Illustrator that allows designers to create professional folded 3D designs within the programme.

The software, which includes two

Staff Writer, 01 June 2009

Xinet’s Seebass claim DAM and cross-media capability are key

Xinet chief executive Scott Seebass has stressed the importance of Digital Asset Management (DAM) to running a profitable business, ahead of the company’s next major software release.

Seebass, who founded Xinet in 1991, said: “Right now, if you’re a printer and you don’t do asset management, you’d have a hard time being competitive because you can’t do things as cheaply as your competitors. It’s something that’s so common now in most of the

Staff Writer, 01 May 2009

Callas claims PDF/X-4 first with layers capability in pdfToolbox

Callas Software has released an update for its Adobe Acrobat plug-in pdfToolbox, which it hopes could speed up the packaging industry’s transition to PDF/X-4.

Berlin-based Callas , which launched version 4.2 of the software at the start of March, said that new features enabling the generation and management of layers within pdfToolbox could have a significant impact on industry.

Callas said the support for layer views made the low-cost software the “first industry tool to

Staff Writer, 01 April 2009

PPI Media to install Printnet OM at printer

The Dubai-based, publisher of Khaleej Times, Galadari Printing and Publishing has commissioned Manroland subsidiary, ppi Media, to install its output management system, Printnet OM.

According to it’s technical director, Heinz Anneler: “The Printnet workflow from Manroland and ppi Media will integrate our pre-press workflow with standard technology and automate plate production from end to end through intelligent production planning.
For our company this means maximum up-to-the

Staff Writer, 01 March 2009

Free digital asset management module launched for printers 2009-02-01 19

Web-to-print software developer Vpress has announced the launch of a free Digital Asset Management (DAM) module for clients of its Core range of print management systems.
As of this month, users of CorePrint, CoreDirect, CoreImpact and CoreQuick will gain access to CoreAssetManager.
This allows for the storage and management of digital assets, including spreadsheets and images.
Kelvin Bell, Vpress eCommerce manager, said that the company was trying to “break down the cost barrier

Staff Writer, 01 February 2009