Presstek announced the appointment of Rolf Schmidt KG as an additional new dealer in Germany. The Ronnenberg-based company distributes prepress, digital printers, related media and customer services and will focus on the distribution of the Presstek 52DI and 34DI digital offset presses in Germany’s northern regions.

Presstek DI digital offset presses are the ideal printing solution for Germany’s print communications providers as they continue the quality benefits of traditional offset presses with the digital workflow efficiencies of toner-based devices. Multiple studies indicate that over 80% of the four-color printing market requires quantities of 5,000 or less. This makes the Presstek DI the most profitable, high-quality solution to bridge the gap between the conventional offset presses and digital toner-based devices. The DI presses are also easy to integrate into existing printing environments.

Presstek’s highly automated sheetfed, four-color digital offset presses offer one of the most profitable solutions for quick turnaround, short-run high quality color printing. The DI presses do not require separate prepress systems since the chemistry-free plates are imaged directly on the press. The Presstek DI offers one of the lowest costs per sheet at run lengths of 500 to 10,000, a plus since 80% of the color printing market is 5,000 impressions or less.

Oce, an international leader in digital document management and delivery, has a PRISMA software suite that is being targeted to the demands of emerging hybrid digital and offset production workflows. As offset and digital printing converge in commercial print operations, Oce PRISMA software can support both printing methods and benefit graphic arts customers who are building a digital print operation to complement their classic offset business.

Oce’s software is ideal for every process step in modern print production workflow: document creation, scan and make-ready using Oce Document Designer and Oce DocSetter software; and web-to-print and soft-proofing solutions using Oce PRISMAweb and Oce TrueProof. Central output management solutions can be customized to fit the challenges of any environment. Maximizing efficiency and minimizing costs require that a traditional offset-print operation running concurrently with digital print infrastructure be managed by one efficient, comprehensive workflow.

Oce PRISMA software helps graphic arts customers use all their printing devices with maximum efficiency. The software configures hybrid workflows to drive different printing systems via a common platform and process, even across multiple sites.

With the addition of Asahi Kosoku Printing Co., Ltd., from Osaka City, Japan, Xerox Corporation’s Graphic Arts Premier Partners Program has reached 700 members. Dedicated to developing new business opportunities with digital technologies, this global network of leading print providers increased its membership 32% in 2007 with 164 graphic communications companies worldwide joining the program. The membership consists of companies in 48 countries on six continents. The growth in the Xerox Premier Partners membership was led by North America with 87 additional new members for a total of 328. There are 210 members in Europe, 89 in the Asia-Pacific region and 75 in other areas.

The latest addition to the program is Asahi Kosoku which provides digital and offset printing and expensive finishing and binding services. Fourteen Xerox Premier Partners from around the world have come together to provide an energy-saving, distribute and print-on-demand network to fulfill production of about 300,000 call-to-entry posters and flyers for 3,000 design schools in 36 countries. Graphic communications companies are invited to join the Partners Program based on their commitment to meeting their customers needs through Xerox digital printing systems and services.

Bsquared design and printing has improved its ability to surpass customer expectations for high-end, fast-turnaround printing with a Hewlett Packard Indigo Press 5000 and an HP Indigo Press 5500. This New York-based print service provider can now expand its business into new markets (including the government sector, magazines and booklets) profitably and confidently with the HP digital presses.

Bsquared picked and installed the HP Indigo Press 5000 over other competitive offering based on its small footprint, ease of use, and offset-quality printing available only with HP. After a few months of installing the Indigo Press, Bsquared experienced a 100% return on its investment through additional business opportunities and the removal of subcontracting to digitally equipped trade printers. Their success with the 5000 model led to the purchase of an HP Indigo Press 5500.

The HP Indigo Press 5000 allows Bsquared to efficiently produce a wide range of products like booklets, magazines, and variable-data market applications thereby allowing for larger clients in different market segments, like the government sector, producing badges and inserts.

In recent years, the choice between having something printed digitally and offset has taken on greater significance. For years, offset printing was dominant in the marketplace, but recently digital has begun to make inroads thanks to advances in technology. The cost of owning a digital pres is becoming more affordable while the engines are increasing in speed and personalization software is getting better.

Many in the print industry agree that digital quality is improving but offset printing continues to dominate the high-volume market. The crucial difference is run lengths. After 1,000 sheets, litho becomes a better option in terms of cost. Offset presses are specifically designed to handle large prints runs at a cheaper rate for a big project. However, digital allows for personalization and this is something that marketers are interested in because it delivers solid response rate in a direct mail campaign.

One-to-one marketing is something that offset requires assistance. For example, a pre-laser printed document with personalization information is needed first while with digital time is saved when a white sheet of paper is put through one digital press. Digital has made a real impression on the market as it can produce highly personalized, short-run pieces but offset is still the clear choice for high-volume work.