Printing Industries of America, Inc.

PITTSBURGH, Pa.—The Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) announced the formation of a Center for Lean Practices to assist members with the implementation of 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

ENCINO, Calif.—Enfocus, the Artwork Systems brand and the leader in PDF and production automation technology, announced that it is donating a full version of its PitStop Automate PDF technology, worth $5,999, to the Graphic Arts industry’s largest association, PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation) based in Sewickley, Pa. PitStop Automate is an advanced and affordable workflow automation solution that allows design studios, ad agencies, printers and publishers to easily and automatically control graphic arts file movement and processing through production. Built to streamline graphic arts processes, PitStop Automate extends the power of Enfocus’ automation-enabling technologies such as PDF preflight and editing, and

Pittsburgh, Pa.—Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) is seeking to honor a dedicated teacher and an industry trainer from the graphic communications field. Nominations for the Education Awards of Excellence are due June 1, 2007. The Education Awards of Excellence were established by PIA/GATF in 1984 as a way to recognize that the success of graphic arts education and training programs depends heavily on the motivation, enthusiasm, and leadership of those dedicated to teaching. Nominations for both academic educators and industry trainers are often merited by the following selection criteria: 1. A distinguished educational service provided as a direct result of

PITTSBURGH, Pa.—PIA/GATF announced that Brad Lena has joined the organization as its primary consultant for digital and variable data printing. In this role, Lena will be responsible for helping member companies compete successfully in the burgeoning digital printing and variable data markets. He will provide assistance on strategy, as well as the specific aspects of client development, data capture and management, measurement and reporting, production and quality control, and print and mailing issues. Lena has more than 25 years of experience in the graphic arts and advertising industries. His expertise includes direct mail program creation and development, creative, copy writing, and database marketing. Prior

SEWICKLEY, Pa.—The Label Printing Industries of America (LPIA) kicks off its 2nd annual Technical Institute, May 6–8, at the PIA/GATF headquarters. With the new applications of technology, the industry finds itself at the forefront of exciting and dynamic change. The LPIA Technical Institute is designed to bring together the industry’s leading technical experts in the areas of label converting, packaging, and box wraps. Attendees will meet face-to-face with experts who will share their knowledge and provide insight into practical, real-world applications, best practices, and solid solutions. Last year’s conference was standing room only, and this year promises the same. Topics include: • Container &

SEWICKLEY, Pa.—The Web Offset Association (WOA) and PIA/GATF have partnered to offer Offset and Beyond 07 management and technical conference—bringing together the coldset, heatset, and sheetfed offset communities. This conference builds on the history of the WOA conference and adds the resources of PIA (Printing Industries of America)/GATF (Graphical Arts Technical Foundation). This showcase event is scheduled for April 29-May 2, 2007 at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto, Canada. Offset & Beyond offers an array of targeted tracks covering business trends and opportunities, production and operations, and it will feature some of the most successful leaders in the industry. It will bring the audience

CHICAGO, Ill.­­—On Feb. 6, the Graphics Arts Show Company (GASC) reported that about 85 percent of GRAPH EXPO’s exhibit space has been sold, positioning this year’s show to exceed the size of its 2006 predecessor. This year’s show will take place September 9-12 in the South Building of the McCormick Place Complex in Chicago, Ill. This is a significant trend since the 2006 show was the largest GRAPH EXPO since 2000. Based on the increasing momentum, GRAPH EXPO is looking to be a sellout, filling the South Building of McCormick Place. While the total number of companies reserving space is slightly fewer compared to

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Managing last minute changes with PDF technology is the focus of a Kodak presentation at the Annual Flexographic Pre-Press Platemakers Association (FPPA) convention. Bob Dalton, product manager, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group (GCG), will present “Save Time and Expedite Orders with Revolutionary PDF Production Tools” on Monday, Feb. 19 at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz. Kodak is a sponsor of the event, which runs Feb. 18-20. Dalton’s presentation will explore the benefits of KODAK PRINERGY PDF Compare and PDF Merge Software. These PDF plug-in production tools provide an automated way for prepress operators to incorporate last minute changes when preparing files for

CHICAGO, Ill.­­—With eight months remaining before opening day, about 85 percent of the exhibit space at GRAPH EXPO has been sold, positioning this year’s show to exceed the size of its 2006 predecessor. This year’s show will take place September 9-12 in the South Building of the McCormick Place Complex in Chicago, Ill. This is a significant trend since the 2006 show was the largest GRAPH EXPO since 2000. Based on the increasing momentum, GRAPH EXPO is looking to be a sellout, filling the South Building of McCormick Place. While the total number of companies reserving space is slightly fewer compared to this same

SEWICKLEY, Pa. & RESTON, Va.—As part of its Digital Print 2007 initiative, the Digital Printing Council, a core service of PIA/GATF (Printing Industries of America, Inc. and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation), today announces that it has formed an alliance with PRIMIR. PRIMIR, the Print Industries Market Information and Research organization formed when GAMIS and NPES Market Research merged in 2005, will provide unique, in-demand content for PIA/GATF DPC members. PRIMIR content based on its unique research will appear as a regular feature in Digital Printing Report. The first PRIMIR content appears in the January issue of Digital Printing Report. The Digital Printing Report