While the graphic-arts industry doesn't have an official motto, it does have an unofficial slogan: "Faster, better, cheaper." But that's not the spirit that will pervade Chicago's McCormick Place South during Graph Expo (Oct 10-13, 2004). All of the 40,000 attendees and the 600 exhibiting companies visiting the 380,000 sq ft of exhibits or participating in the 60 educational sessions will notice are four key themes: integration, automation, differentiation and innovation. On the integration front, both controversy and clarification can be expected. Most people are excited about the potential of end-to-end automation as envisioned by JDF proponents, but few agree on how best to achieve it. Indeed, Jim Harvey, executive director of the CIP4 Organization, and Frank Romano, professor emeritis at RIT (Rochester, NY), have debated this issue in print and online. The discussion will continue live and in person Oct 9 at Executive Outlook, where Harvey and Romano will participate in "The Great Debate: Is JDF Reality or Hype?"

Most people are familiar with the Olympic motto: "Citius, altius, fortius." As classics scholars know, this is Latin for "NBC owns everything." Just kidding. It actually means "swifter, higher, stronger." While the graphic-arts industry doesn't have an official motto, it does have an unofficial slogan: "Faster, better, cheaper."

But that's not the spirit that will pervade Chicago's McCormick Place South during Graph Expo (Oct. 10-13, 2004). All of the 40,000 attendees and the 600 exhibiting companies visiting the 380,000 sq. ft. of exhibits or participating in the 60 educational sessions are likely to be struck by the same thought: Why didn't I wear more comfortable shoes? Actually, what attendees will notice are four key themes: integration, automation, differentiation and innovation. Even if you're not attending the show, you'll find some food for thought in the following highlights.

Integration: clarifying the JDF controversy

On the integration front, we can expect both controversy and clarification. Most people are excited about the potential of end-to-end automation as envisioned by JDF proponents, but few agree on how best to achieve it. Indeed, Jim Harvey, executive director of the CIP4 Organization, and Frank Romano. professor emeritis at RIT (Rochester, NY), have debated this issue in print and online.

Romano calls JDF: "A good idea that is badly presented... You do not need JDF to have computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]-many printers have CIM without JDF. You do not need JDF to be an efficient and profitable printer, although it may help. In the future, JDF may increase the functionality of printing systems and may be integrated into systems so as to be invisible."

Harvey, for his part, concedes that process automation and CIM aren't new but submits that "JDF simply brings the cost of process automation down so that it is affordable for, and achievable by, the majority of printers. Gone is the high cost of training, maintenance, custom programming and custom integration required to get various automated, but proprietary, systems to work together."

The discussion will continue live and in person Oct. 9 at Executive Outlook, where Harvey and Romano will participate in "The Great Debate: Is JDF Reality or Hype?" AMERICAN PRINTER'S Jill Roth will moderate. According to Bill Lamparter, president, PrintCom Consulting (Charlotte, NC), and conference chair, the debate will "provide insight into what JDF really means for printers with a realistic appraisal of the current status and probable future directions of the technology some claim will reshape the printing industry."

Following the verbal sparring, Gareth O'Brien, vice president, Objective Advantage (Houston), will offer a tutorial session: "How to Get Started Implementing JDF-enabled CIM." O'Brien will stress that, technically, printers don't implement JDF-their system vendors do. He suggests that printers use JDF as a tool to integrate and automate their plants into a coherent workflow. "The more you automate the workflow and centralize control of that workflow, the faster and more smoothly your jobs will run through the plant."

When the show opens, those seeking additional clarification will have a wealth of seminars to choose from. On Oct. 10, Howie Fenton, senior consultant, digital technologies, for NAPL (Paramus, NJ), presents "Real Workflows That Really Work." "CTP, computer-to-imposed film and digital printing are unique technologies, but their primary benefit comes from automated workflows," explains Fenton. "PDF/X will play a role, as will CIP4 and JDF."

On Oct. 13, PIA/GATF's Rick Wagner will give a tutorial, "Is JDF for Real?: Beyond the Hype." This seminar promises "a pragmatic session that will prepare you for intelligent JDF

implementations-in whole or in part." Specific topics to be addressed include:

* Levels of equipment that can use JDF successfully

* The relationship between CIP4 and JDF

* JDF workflows vs. CIM

* The ROI in a JDF workflow

* JDF-enabled links to customers

* The importance of the MIS connection.

* "We want to research mailing and fulfillment. We think our new solid colors for our cloth envelopes would work really well with variable-data printing, barcodes and indicias."-Rose Scharmen, Cloth Envelope Co.

Automation revitalizes the pressroom

The automation seen on the presses shown at Drupa was truly impressive. All of the big iron players had new ideas for boosting quality, trimming production costs, streamlining workflows and shortening turnaround times.

At Executive Outlook, consultant Glint Bolte (Chambersburg, PA) will discuss "The Revitalization of the Pressroom," touching on inline finishing and value-enhanced production seen across all formats. Bolte also will address three trends:

* Small-format presses with automated plate loading and specialty packaging options, such as UV drying, foil printing and inline diecutting

* Midsize presses with long perfectors-10, 12 and even 15 print units

* Even larger large-format presses, including fully automated XXL sizes.

On Oct. 10, PIA/GATF's Ray Prince will present "What's hot in Litho?" Prince chose his topics based on observations from more than 1,000 technical plant audits. They include:

* Why stochastic is so hot

* Where the dollar payback is in stochastic printing

* What blankets reduce horizontal streaking

* New inks for reduced drying time and printing on plastic without UV.

PIA/GATF's Bruce Tietz will showcase UV and hybrid inks on Oct. 11. "UV and hybrid printing has been a growth area for the last decade and now it's beginning to change the shape of the industry," says Tietz. "The GATF research department recently has run multiple tests to determine some guidelines and best practices." Tietz will lead a panel featuring a UV equipment manufacturer, an ink supplier and a printer discussing:

* Fundamentals of using UV and hybrid inks

* The effect of UV and hybrid inks on rollers, blankets, lamps, run speed and fountain chemistry

* Tone reproduction data

* Best practices for UV and hybrid inks.

Differentiation/diversification

As Lamparter frequently observes, the printing industry has too many cylinders chasing too little work. Printers looking for new ways to escape the thin margins and pricing pressures of putting ink on paper will enjoy Executive Outlook's session on "Technology, Innovation and Diversification."

Scheduled topics include:

* Management information systems (MIS)-the key to running a business with information rather than instinct

* Direct imaging (DI) presses: the short-run guy in the pressroom

* Mailing & fulfillment: the natural diversification opportunity

* Wide-format opportunities: cashing in on print's most overlooked opportunity

* Converting and packaging opportunities: an ancillary market for sheetfed printers

* Stochastic screening update: a quality opportunity

* 3-D printing: diversify and differentiate.

Graph Expo show Information

Graph Expo's exhibit floor is segmented by product type. About 80 percent of the manufacturers and suppliers will be showcasing new products, technology and services. The show floor will be segmented as follows:

* Pre-publishing: computer publishing, computer technology, electronic pre-publishing, prepress, graphic design products, etc.

* Pressroom: postpress equipment and accessories, printing supplies and accessories, printing machinery and systems, services to the trade, etc.

* Converting: converting accessories and components, converting machinery and equipment, converting materials (raw and process), converting supplies and services, etc.

* Wide Format: large- and grande-format inkjet printers (roll-fed or flat bed), large- and grande-format media, aqueous, solvent and UV curable inks, color management tools, wide-format scanners/digital cameras, hardware and software RIPs, laminating/mounting equipment and supplies, cutters, etc.

* Mailing and fulfillment: addressing, barcoding, certifying, commingling, data processing, folding, franking, ink jetting, inserting, labeling, processing, shipping and trucking, skidding, slitting, sorting, stamping, storing and racking, warehousing and weighing.

Special Events

Executive Outlook Conference

Held the day before the show, this is a valuable way to prepare yourself for making informed decisions about technology trends affecting your business. Orchestrating the program will be William C. Lamparter, president, PrintCom Consulting Group (Charlotte, NC), recognized worldwide with a track record of identifying technical and market trends in advance. Conference registration includes lunch at the conference and a show admission badge.

Must See 'Ems

"Must see 'Ems" are exhibits showcasing the newest technology-those innovations most likely to impact printing and converting as determined by a group of the industry's most respected consultants. The program is overseen by PrintCom's William C. Lamparter, recognized internationally for identifying technical and market trends.

Educational Seminars

Frank Romano, professor emeritis at RIT (Rochester, NY), along with leading industry trade associations, will present over 60 seminars and special brunch sessions.

Mailing and Fulfillment Center

Mailing and fulfillment exhibitors will occupy a special section of the show floor. Free seminars also will be available on the show floor. See the newest products, network with exhibitors, and hear from the experts what it takes to diversify into mailing and fulfillment.

Wide Format Pavilion

The Wide Format Pavilion at this year's show has the latest ink jet information. Visitors will see equipment running live jobs, from image capture to final output and finishing. Equipment will be assembled and linked together in full production mode.

BIA Pavilion

Bindery Industries Association offers you an opportunity to see the binding, finishing and trade publishing solutions.

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