PITTSBURGH—The Board of Directors of the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) passed a major key initiative concerning sustainability during its last board meeting. As a result, PIA/GATF has joined with the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) to establish the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP Partnership). Recently within the printing industry, the importance placed on companies’ “environmental friendliness” has increased dramatically. Many printers are facing a growing number of inquires regarding sustainable printing practices, and according to a recent survey conducted by PIA/GATF, more than 90 percent of printers believe that their customers will require “green”
Printing Industries of America, Inc.
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Board of Directors of the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) passed a major Key Initiative concerning sustainability during its last board meeting. As a result, PIA/GATF has joined with the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) to establish the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP Partnership). Recently within the printing industry, the importance placed on companies’ “environmental friendliness” has increased dramatically. Many printers are facing a growing number of inquires regarding sustainable printing practices, and according to a recent survey conducted by PIA/GATF, more than 90 percent of printers believe that their customers will require
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—Steven S. Little, consultant and writer on the subject of business growth, and John Moore, marketing guru that helped Starbucks and Whole Foods create their brand, lead off the 2008 Presidents Conference, March 2–6, 2008 at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Hotel in Cancun, Mexico. The three-and-a-half-day conference gathers industry notables, experts, practitioners, and profit leaders to share their Action Plans for Success, the theme of this year’s program. Little will identify the macro-changes taking place in our world, while Moore highlights the need to capture business through exceptional brand marketing. Patrick Sweeney, executive vice president of Caliper Corporation in New Jersey,
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Label Printing Industries of America’s (LPIA) Fall Management Conference, “Adapt to Survive & Thrive,” is scheduled for Nov. 4-7, at The Palms in South Beach Miami, Fla. The Conference will provide attendees with access to leading industry experts, pertinent topics, and networking opportunities. “Adapt to Survive & Thrive” will help attendees gain competitive advantage and will provide insight into the latest trends and issues affecting the industry. A myriad of topics will cover where packaging is heading, the state of paper, the six-sigma trends you need to know now, private label trends in North America, trucking and transportation issues, a survival guide
Pittsburgh, Pa.—Markzware has donated to The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) a 30-seat license of Flightcheck Professional––a preflight tool for professional designers and prepress production departments within the print and publishing industries. Joseph Marin, senior prepress technologist at PIA/GATF, said, “Flightcheck Professional is an important component to both PIA/GATF production and training programs. Flightcheck Professional is a tool used to efficiently preflight both native application files and PDF files. The software’s user-friendly interface and short learning curve is a perfect fit for our training programs.” PIA/GATF expects that this latest donation from Markzware will continue to keep the graphic arts trade
SEWICKLEY, Pa.—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) recently announced the recipients of the 2007 InterTech Technology Awards. For over a quarter of a century, recipients of this prestigious award have not only had a major impact on the graphic communications industry, but they also consistently prove to be successful in the commercial marketplace. The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from printing presses to software solutions to ancillary services. A recurring theme with 2007 InterTech nominations was green printing, and numerous submissions contained solutions to minimize the environmental impact of printing. Great strides in technology were also demonstrated in
SEWICKLEY, Pa.—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) named Ron and Katherine Harper the winners of its 2007 Education Award of Excellence for industry representatives. The awards are presented annually to an academic representative and an industry representative in recognition of outstanding contributions to education and training in the graphic arts. Ron and Katherine Harper are the husband and wife team who founded Harper Corporation of America, a global anilox roll supplier with two locations in the United States and licensees in Bangkok, Thailand (Harper Asia/Pacific) and Herford, Germany (Harper Graphics). An innovator in laser-engraved anilox roll production and restoration for corrugated wide
SEWICKLEY, Pa.—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) announced the recipients of the 2007 InterTech Technology Awards. The independent panel of judges deliberated over technology submissions ranging from printing presses to software solutions to ancillary services. A recurring theme with 2007 InterTech nominations was green printing, and numerous submissions contained solutions to minimize the environmental impact of printing. Great strides in technology were also demonstrated in the form of innovative press design, touchless workflow systems to automate production steps, anti-fraud measures, and new materials and systems that increase productivity. Recipients were recognized from across the entire production workflow. Thirty-one nominations were submitted, and
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) has formed a Center for Lean Practices to help members implement lean manufacturing practices. The center will provide consulting, training, publications, and a speaker’s bureau. The association reports that printers are increasingly recognizing the power of applying quality systems to their operations in an effort to reduce defects, expose wasted resources, and improve throughput. Lean manufacturing is one way for members to meet client demands for faster turnaround, and stay cost competitive while protecting profit margins, according to PIA/GATF. Lean’s focus on driving out waste is also seen as critical for companies competing globally.
PITTSBURGH, Pa.—Responding to the fast-paced electronic environment of today’s students, PIA/GATF, its educational services office, and the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation (PGSF) have created a Student’s Guide to Careers in Graphic Communications page on the association’s Web site (www.gain.net). Students interested in careers in the industry, those who want information on colleges with graphic communications programs, and those searching for scholarship information can click on the word Students in the Quick Links section of GAIN. The student landing page opens to a quick-paced, two-minute video, Introduction to Graphic Communications. PIA/GATF worked with Printing Industry of Minnesota (PIM) to bring this video
