The PrintCity Alliance brought leading journalists from around the world to Germany to announce seven competence centres for drupa 2008, where printers will be able to see the benefits of multi-vendor networking in action, Wayne Robinson reports from the freezing Bavarian winter
Since its inception ten years ago the PrintCity Alliance of more than 40 graphic arts solutions providers has developed into much more than a collection of vendors who book a hall together at drupa and Ipex. PrintCity is in fact a strategic alliance that shares worldwide expertise from independent companies in the graphic arts industry.
work together in partnerships within a complete workflow - from pre-press to press to post-press - across the packaging, commercial and publishing sectors.
PrintCity was founded in 1998 and is an established long-term alliance, representing businesses active in all global markets. In 2008 the PrintCity Alliance celebrates its 10th anniversary and its third joint drupa fair. At its 2008 Media Event the PrintCity Alliance announced seven Competence Centres, plus other significant new visitor attractions for drupa:
• At drupa 2008 the focus will be on the 'Connection of Competence' PrintCity Alliance core networking customer benefit. Networking internally and externally is the reason that this alliance has grown in global success and importance over the last ten years, and will be highlighted in the seven competence centres (see below)
• New PrintCity theme for drupa 2008 - communicating the 'Connection of Competence' networking advantages of the Alliance, together with other visitor benefits:
• Seven market-leading PrintCity Alliance Competence Centres in Hall 6 - where visitors can see the latest technologies explained and get comprehensive information that covers the whole value and process chain - all from a grouping of knowledgeable suppliers working together. These seven Competence Centres focus on:
• Brand Protection
• Food Packaging
• Value Added UV Printing
• Value Added Web Offset
• Workflow Integration and Networking
• Digital TransPromo
• Print Meets Electronic Media
• New PrintCity Alliance project 'Print+X' focused on showing the latest capabilities of print - The PrintCity Alliance and the f:mp. (Fachverband Medienproduktioner) introduce at drupa a joint project called Print+X, which presents the capability and benefits of value-added printing
• New Print4Life Lounge in the central PrintCity Alliance Plaza area - aimed at showing brand owners, designers, advertising agencies and print buyers the opportunities available through the technologies and knowledge of its members
PrintCity Competence Centres at drupa 2008
Ongoing projects from PrintCity activity groups will be the heart of seven world-leading Competence Centres, focused on some of most topical subjects in printing, packaging and publishing this year. From workflow to sheetfed printing to web printing, packaging, brand protection, print & electronic media, and digital transpromo.
• Brand Protection
Effective security comes from a multi-layered approach to the challenge of counterfeiting. The PrintCity Brand Protection Centre brings together companies whose technologies are complementary and can be integrated into a full security solution. A new pharma box has been created by the PrintCity project team to demonstrate the combination of a variety of techniques on one package. Samples and information will be available at the centre that also provides an invaluable opportunity to access the wealth of knowledge and experience of the contributing companies.
PrintCity Members:
Jura / Kurz / MAN Roland / Merck / Sun Chemical / Weilburger Graphics
• Food Packaging
The food industry requires packaging that does not impact the contents during their life cycle, and which remains inert to the environment and the food packaged inside. Safe packaging for sensitive goods requires compatible raw materials that comply with legal directives and consumers' demands - both on their own and in combination; hygiene that respects the production process and application; and understanding of the chemical and physical requirements to be met. Specialists from PrintCity members will be available to help visitors address the complex challenge for food packaging printing and converting.
PrintCity Members:
Adphos Eltosch / Kurz / M-Real / MAN Roland / Merck / Sun Chemical / Weilburger Graphics
• Value Added UV Printing
UV printing and coating is the core technique for Value Added Printing because it provides the widest range of techniques and substrates to increase product differentiation in the packaging, publishing and promotional sectors. The fully revised second edition of PrintCity's best practice guide “Optimised Sheetfed UV Printing & Coating” is the industry's integrated guide to ensure maximum quality and productivity of the complete production process. The UV Expert Point ensures that existing and interested new users are fully informed on the process and its opportunities.
PrintCity Members:
Adphos Eltosch / MAN Roland / Merck / Sappi / Sun Chemical / UPM
• Value Added Web Offset
The meeting centre for web offset printers, publishers and print buyers to update on new trends and technologies from leaders in the industry. Expert PrintCity members will be on hand to explain cross-process projects that can add value and improve productivity. Value Added Printing on Newspaper Presses reviews the multiple process choices available and their respective performance. Energy Efficiency is a systematic approach to improved performance of the complete production line, consumables and its environment. Ultra Wide Web Offset reviews the key process elements required for high volume offset.
PrintCity Members & Partners:
Axima / Macdermid / MAN Roland / Megtec / Sun Chemical / UPM / Web
Offset Champion Group
• Workflow Integration & Net-working
The graphic industry is becoming a fully integrated and automated business and manufacturing process. The ultimate goal is the smart printing factory in which each production step responds automatically to the outcome of the preceding one. The digital workflow order cycle starts and ends with the client and encompasses the entire business transaction and production operation. Digital integration brings together customers, designers, printers, suppliers and service providers into a virtual production chain. Appropriate software systems that deliver rapid and reliable data are the basis for effective automation and Lean Manufacturing.
PrintCity Members & Partners:
MAN Roland / Fujifilm / Optimus
• Digital TransPromo
The arrival of cost-effective digital colour printing now enables companies to transform transaction documents from cost drivers to value-adding promotional tools. This enables companies to leverage their transaction documents into effective, marketing tools that promote dialogue with customers. The benefits include differentiation, reinforced branding, greater customer loyalty, and one-to-one communication to make offers matched to the customer's needs, higher response rates, and cross-selling opportunities. A group of experts will explain how Digital TransPromotion works and the keys for successful implementation to create new business opportunities.
PrintCity Members & Partners:
OCÉ / Bowe Group / Lasermax Roll Systems / UPM
• Print Meets Electronic Media
Print and Electronic technologies work alongside each other as complementary choices in the media mix. The next development step will be the convergence of these currently parallel technologies into new hybrid devices that potentially combine the best attributes of both worlds. Already most electronic devices are manufactured with printing technologies (printed circuit boards, chips, antennae, etc.). Future applications can include intelligent packaging, smart inks on printed publications, interactive communication links, RFID identi-fication and E-Paper. Print Meets Electronic Media looks at these products,
applications and technologies to provide drupa visitors with a better understanding of what is available now and future trends.
PrintCity Members & Partners:
Epyxs / Kurz / MAN Roland / Sappi / Sun Chemical / Upcode / UPM / VTT / Welsh Centre for Printing & Coating
These Competence Centres are all located in Hall 6 and manned by dedicated teams of PrintCity Alliance member personnel. They are there to share their knowledge and explain to visitors how networking companies work together, to give them major customer benefits and added value.
