28 ■ October 4, 2010 • GRAPH EXPO
Official Show Daily • Cygnus Graphics Media
means the printer can serve customers without worrying about geographic barriers. Workflow management solutions
available from EFI, Xerox, Kodak, Agfa, HP, Oce, and others offer turn- key solutions that can interface with a Web-based customer portal. The order entry system can allow an order to flow directly into a workflow system that simplifies file handing by correcting files and preparing them for output. As the number of vendors offering this type of system grows, the services become more economical for even the smallest printers.
The push for printers to reinvent themselves as Market Service Provid- ers (MSPs) continues. A number of vendors are showcasing their MSP online services that make the transi- tion from being a printer to marketing company much easier.
Practical solutions Companies such as PageFlex, Mind- Fire, Printable, interlinkONE, GMC, EasyPurl and others continue to make adding complicated software solutions practical. In addition to now standard online ordering systems for template type of work, printers are now able to provide sophisticated marketing applications where users can measure results.
The software companies are offering printers cross media programs includ- ing personal URLs (PURL) programs. Several have integrated QR (quick response) codes into their offerings so printers can take advantage of the new mobile marketing technology. Printers can now provide additional services including search engine marketing, social media management, customer landing pages, manage and measure email campaigns as well help custom- ers generate sales leads.
Almost all of the major digital press manufacturers are featuring their vari-
able data printing (VDP) capabilities. Printers now have the option to com- plete the VDP projects in-house or inte- grate the project with an online solution to merge form data, database files, and images online. No matter how simple or complex, printers now have the ability to sell personalization services and one- to-one messaging that can be delivered either online or on paper. Even with the rise of Web-to-print services, a number of printers will be investigating using an Internet pres- ence for the first time. Turnkey Web solutions such as
Printerpresence.com and
Printsites.com are also on dis- play. Even as Web commerce grows, a number of commercial printers still don’t have a Web presence. The special websites for printing companies can provide printers with an e-commerce solution. Most software site vendors offer customer portals, automatic PDF file creation tools, online design capa- bilities, and online ordering. Even the smallest printer can project a large presence with the right combination of online services.
Prepress is becoming more impor-
tant in most printing companies espe- cially as many prepress functions now integrate into Web-based services. Pre- press has moved closer to the custom- ers through Web-based order entry. It has moved closer to production because of automation. It has become the bridge that ties all the printing functions together, including sales and customer service. Print owners need to evaluate how they communicate with their customers and what services their customers need to exchange infor- mation with their customers. Print- ing communication is changing and is being integrated with other media. This year’s GRAPH EXPO shows you how the future can be handled today. John Giles is a consultant with CPrint International and a regular col- umnist for Quick Printing magazine.
Today’s Prepress/Design Seminars FREE SESSION
PAID SESSIONS
8:30 am - 10:00 am Room S504 Creative Services & Marketing Pros DESIGNing the Americas Trends, ‘Best Practices’ and the Future of Design from Impressive Publishers Covering Print, Online, Mobile and Packaging Sponsored by: Graphic Design USA REDiseño, Mexico DesignEdge, Canada Presenters: Gordon Kaye, Graphic Design USA Luis Reynoso Vilches, REDiseño, Mexico
Doug Bennet, DesignEdge Canada
8:30 am - 11:30 am Room S404a Computer Lab: InDesign CS5 for Prepress Why is My Print Provider Afraid of My Files? Lorraine Donegan, Professor, Cal Poly Graphic Communication Department
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Room S404a Computer Lab: “Color Management Mastering the Essentials” Joseph Suffoletto, President, Independent Technical Services
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