DIGITAL DOMAIN
HP 2009 Digital Printing Awards
PALO ALTO, Calif.—HP announced the winners of its third annual HP Indigo Digital Labels and Packaging Contest, which recognizes customers from around the world for their commitment to excellence and innovation in digital printing. The contest witnessed significant growth in 2009 with more than 270 entries submitted—a 48 percent jump compared to last year.
"Product brand owners, designers, and label and packaging converters are growing in creative directions based on the outstanding quality and production flexibility HP Indigo offers," says Alon Bar-Shany, vice president and general manager, Indigo division, HP. "The end result is that the industry is seeing more and more top-quality labels and packaging work produced with digital."
Innovative Labeling Solutions, based in Hamilton, Ohio, took home three best-of-category prizes, plus four additional honors. Best-of-category winners are:
• DB TECH, Korea (industrial, pharmaceutical);
• FORLABELS Ltd., Greece (food product labels);
• Gold Coast Graphics, USA (wine labels);
• Innovative Labeling Solutions (ILS), USA (household products, nutraceuticals, self-promotional work);
• Kalfany Süße Werbung GmbH & Co. KG, Germany (flexible packaging);
• Setprint Centro Tecnológico Digital Ltda., Brazil (health and beauty labels);
• Supa Stik Labels & Labeling Systems Pty. Ltd., Australia (alcoholic beverage labels); and,
• Traco Manufacturing, USA (shrink sleeve packaging).
PIA Offers Digital Accreditation Program
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—Printing Industries of America's (PIA) Center for Technology and Research announced the development of the Digital Production Excellence Accreditation (DPEA) auditing program. The program is designed to determine if a digital printer has implemented and maintained an effective management and control system.
The key issues that the DPEA audit is intended to determine are the current state of business operations, methods, and procedures; process performance; and quality control. The program also evaluates whether standard operating procedures and tasks are effectively being completed, and if specified frequencies are being followed using proper equipment calibration and process controls.
Upon passing the audit, PIA will issue a dated DPEA Certificate (which includes a letter verifying compliance). The DPEA audit provides customers the assurance that the digital printer has met requirements of a major industry accreditation and is capable of providing consistent digital print quality and services.
VIM Offers Inkjet Plate Imaging
CHICAGO—VIM Technologies, a supplier of digital plate technology, launched a new CTP system at PRINT 09 that images VIM polyester and aluminum plates on a standard Epson inkjet printer. Called VIM-JT Direct Plate, the unique technology provides small- and medium-sized printers with an affordable CTP solution that streamlines their offset printing workflows.
The advancement allows printers to benefit from the cost- and time-saving advantages of CTP technology, without having to invest in an expensive dedicated platesetter and without employing any chemical processing or special solvent-based inks or liquids.
The JT Direct Plate system is composed of the customer's choice of an Epson Stylus Pro printer, a VIM RIP, a curing unit, and a starting kit of JT Direct Plates. No modifications to the inkjet systems are required. The plates are imaged using Epson's Ultrachrome K3 or HDR aqueous pigmented ink and then heated in a simple curing unit before going to press. pP
