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There’s a common refrain that printing and finishing specialists use when they describe a posters process that takes a pedestrian piece of output and transforms it into a masterpiece befitting your local art museum. It just jumps out at you. Regardless of how one classifies the reaction that’s produced – the wow factor, pizzazz, bling – the results achieved from using foiling, spot coating or digital enhancement presses all say the same thing.

Money in the back. And last we checked, that’s not a terrible thing.

But perhaps it’s necessary to set the record straight in terms of who in interested in these finishing enhancements and why. When one thinks of a foil or spot UV enhancement, high-end product packaging almost immediately comes to mind, such as cosmetics, fashion and automotive. In that case, it may be necessary to re-educate the masses.

Just ask Jay Mandarino, president and CEO of Toronto-based C.J. Graphics Printers & Lithographers, which is part of the C.J. Group of Companies. Mandarino doubled his pleasure with the twin installations of a Highcon Euclid II digital cutter and·a Scodix Ultra digital enhancement press. In a buying atmosphere dictated by lowest cost provider, these machines have enabled Mandarino to push his way to the front of the line. Mandarino is a man who follows his own beat, which is another point of differentiation.

“When I saw the [Euclid] at Graph Expo, it had our name written all over it,” he says. “We’re always trying to do new things.”

The Euclid II series bills itself as a digital cutting and creasing machine, but Mandarino sees it as a Suessian-esque machine of wonderment, a tool that lets designers run amok. As it is the only machine of its kind in Canada, Manarino has been given a great running start on the competition.

“Not only does it do the typical creasing and scoring for the folding carton industry, it also scores and laser diets, and then it automatically strips,” he says. “We used it to create an invitation for our annual open house, and the invitation was a big hit. Everyone is still talking about it.”

The invitation to the open house – which doubled as a fundraiser for a local food bank and their not-for-profit C.J. Skateboard Park & School – was printed black with metallic good on Neenah Stardream Crystal 10.5-lb cover. It was then finished with the Euclid and inserted into a matching envelope. The results speak for themselves.

The invitation, of course, serves as a de facto marketing piece to the 3,500 recipients to showcase C.J. Graphic’s capabilities. In a world where it’s getting increasingly difficult to sit down in front of new clients, the Highcon serves as a point of differentiation that helps printers get their foot in the door.

“The technology is really at the forefront, and there is no technology that is even close to this,” he says. “There are things to be ironed out with it, but it’s really going to revolutionize and change the way things are done in the future.”

The return on such an investment is hard to pinpoint but, in hard dollars, Mandarino sees it as a three- to five-year ROI proposition. But when factoring in the printing jobs C.J. Graphics has garnered from clients seeking one-stop shopping, the road to profit becomes much shorter.

Another company that benefitted from a jaw-dropping sample is Sipe Inc. of Fort Wayne, Ind., a finishing house that caters to printers and marketing firms. The company has a service mark for its Touch Me 3D-UV application, courtesy of the JETvarnish 3D from MGI USA, which has enabled the firm to garner distinction among its client base.

The capability garnered Sipe recognition in the form of a Gold Leaf award at last year’s IADD/FSEA Odyssey conference. The award was for the cover treatment of the Foil and Specialty Affects Association’s (FSEA) annual sourcebook. The sourcebook carried a “Sweet Finishes” theme that incorporated a cupcake smothered in chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles and topped off with cherries.

The cover was offset printed in four-color process on 15-pt Carolina Cover. The cherries and chocolate sauce are enhanced with 100-level micron UV, , with the sprinkles set at 200 micron to provide a higher, layered impression. The cupcake wrapper was treated via a textured feel, according to Lisa Hill, Sipe’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Rounding out the finishing touches: a clear polymer was used to create a design that spells out “yum,” plus red foil stamping of the FSEA logo and both foil stamping and embossing on the Sweet Finishes title.

“We’re adding value to what printers create for their clients,” Hill remarks. “This is a newer technology that helps them differentiate themselves in the marketplace. We can help them close print business deals by pairing this new technology with our in-house design team to create live samples on their client’s piece.

“Whether we’re raising their logo off the page or giving texture to an image, when the client sees this embellishment on their piece, they want to have it,” she adds. “They respond in all caps – wow, amazing, awesome. It’s really about capturing and holding attention and conveying the impression of higher quality.”

The award-winning piece did provide some challenges, according to Steve Hatlem, Sipe’s owner. It was difficult getting the foil on the digitally printed piece to release, a problem generally not encountered with four-color offset. But after a little trial and error, the operation was a success.

“This opens doors because it captures people’s attention so much,” he says of the Touch Me 3D-UV. “When we bought it, we were able to expand our market. Northern Indiana was pretty much our territory, but now we’re starting to reach out considerably further, working with customers in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.”

“We’re really creating the market for this and it’s evolving to the point where it’s not viewed as embellishment for only high-end pieces or clients,” Hill adds. “We’re seeing very ordinary applications that can add value to any piece.”

One of the more esoteric examples came from a small, local business that specializes in soil sample analysis. The company wanted its business cards to have the look and feel of…dirt. One of Sipe’s designers created a 3D-UV layer mask that enabled it to get the dirt texture on the printed card. It was a simple application, Hill remarks, with “very explosive results.”

Print embellishments are the go-to for the packaging industry, which relies on quality accoutrements to help nudge past fellow products in the eyes of the buying public. For years, Walter Marrs, of Marrs Printing in the City of Industry, Calif., had to farm out that type of work, which was frustrating. That meant giving up control of the job, with potential quality and scheduling issues.

Not wanting to continue down that path, Marrs obtained the MGI JETvarnish 3D with iFoil. He was intrigued by the raised foil and UV options and the special patterns that were possible.

“This provides a lot of options for designers to incorporate into the packaging product, something to enhance the product we’re printing,” Marrs says. “These days it’s critically important to control schedules when you have so many customers. If you have to send a job out to another supplier, and then if they run into production problems… our customers don’t understand that. They’re not very tolerant about that kind of problem.”

Like Sipe, some of the more common bumps along the way for Marrs entail the release of the foil. Mars is working on getting the full gamut of color for the foils. On the whole, however, he has been thrilled with the results, and the ramping up process has been satisfactory.

aMarrs Printing has been enticing its current customers with the capability by sampling their print jobs with the effects. The shop has off-line UV coater it relies on for spot or full coverage, but adding the JETvarnish 3D with iFoil gave the company, and its customers more options. The raised effect, in Marrs’ eyes, takes it to another level.

“You need to have the work in the pipeline to justify it,” he concludes. “We had just enough [existing] work to justify adding the machine. The ‘build it and they will come’ mentality works in some cases, but it takes a long time and it’s not practical to do it that way.”

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As seen in WhatTheyThink.com

Steve Hatlem, President of Sipe Steel Rule Die

MELBOURNE, FL – MGI Digital Graphic Technology is pleased to announce another successful year for MGI JETvarnish 3D users, bringing in over 8 esteemed awards worldwide.

From Thailand to Germany; from Cleveland to Fort Wayne, JETvarnish 3D users are turning heads with their stunning, tactile pieces. Utilizing the unique capabilities of the JETvarnish 3D, users can vary the drop size from 3 to 200 microns (with the “T2” option), allowing for maximum creative control.

MGI user Steve Hatlem, President of Sipe Steel Rile Die located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, brought home two 2014 FSEA Gold Leaf Awards. “The JETvarnish 3D provides a unique finish that very few printers are able to offer,” states Hatlem. “The additional enhancement of the UV varnish gave the piece the ‘wow’ factor that helped us win the award, but more importantly the piece can be used to generate new and unique sales opportunities.”

In December 2012, Sipe committed to purchasing an MGI JETvarnish 3D digital spot UV coater from their long time supplier Graphco, which at the time made Sipe Steel Rule Die the second sale of a JETvarnish 3D by Graphco during that quarter. With this new technology, Sipe would be able to offer a broad range of special effects, including foil, flood and spot coating and 3D raised effects.

Coming soon to Sipe will be the first availability of MGI JETvatnish 3D “T2” special effect including the 200 micron high gloss UV coating application. “This new capability will let us take our clients’ projects even further,” states Steve Hatlem.

Another 2014 award-winner, Mark Resnick, owner of The Printer’s Edge located in Orlando, Florida, brought home multiple awards from the 2014 FSEA Gold Leaf Awards and a Flamingo Award from the Print Association of Florida for ‘Best Special Treatment’ with his JETvarnish 3D.  “Beyond the many awards received, our first sample set printed on the JETvarnish 3D has proven to be a strong business development tool for both us and our customers. This capability has already opened doors for The Printer’s Edge,” states Resnick.

From Thailand, TRINTY owner Samak Chiratananan wins a Gold Certificate Award at the Asian Print Awards. “For the first time we can offer our customers something completely different in 2D and 3D effects within the same artwork in a single pass,” states Chiratananan, the veteran Thai printer. “The visual effects of the unique finish made possible by this truly revolutionary piece of equipment are really exciting.”

In Europe, Point44, a large offset printer in France, won the Digital Added Value award and Dürmeyer of Germany won the coveted 2014 Gold PrintStars award in the Direct Mail category for their “Black Box” marketing kit finished on their JETvarnish 3D.

The JETvarnish 3D can produce up to 5,200 A3 pages or 3,000 B2 pages per hour (2D effects) with an input/output capacity of about 4,000 sheets. Now the JETvarnish 3D comes with new, flexible upgrade options- the “T2” option, a second row of print heads, to improve spot coating quality and productivity, and the new iFoil option, for inline hot foil done 100% digitally for flat or embossed-like effects with variable data capabilities. Both options are field upgradeable at any time.

The post 2014 in Review: A 'Golden Year'for MGI JETvarnish 3D Users appeared first on Graphco.

Versatile, Multi-Substrate XL Digital Press for Paper, Plastics & Envelopes

From L to R: Allan Kremer, owner; Tyler Moeller, operator; Mitch Kremer, owner; Jared Hess, lead operator

July 15, 2014–CLEVE, OH; Chris Manley, President and CEO of Graphco, is proud to announce an agreement between his organization and a leading customer, The Messenger Press of Carthagena, Ohio, for the sale, installation and technical service of what is believed by many to be one of the most versatile digital presses in the industry today, the MGI DP8700XL.

Strong, lasting relationships are a significant component of Messenger Press’s business philosophy and core values and the long standing business partnership between Allan and Mitch Kremer of The Messenger Press and Diana Griffith and Chris Manley of Graphco is a true testament to the premise.

For more than 100 years, The Messenger Press has been a leading provider of print solutions and today continues on that success-driven path along with cross media marketing services to a broad range of customers in the region and nationally.

For years, Graphco has been one of the leading providers of digital and offset printing equipment and accessories to The Messenger Press and in 2010 they installed the MGI Meteor DP60Pro, with its variable data component and larger sheet size capacity, which opened the doors to pursuing the tremendous cross media marketing  potential.

Today, the MGI DP8700XL with its wide range of substrates and the largest cut sheet size available (40” length in production), The Messenger Press will be able to make substantial improvements in productivity.

According to Mitch Kremer, “With the DP8700XL overall economic cost of operation and return on investment, coupled with it’s incredible ‘offset-like’ output, we’re convinced this new system is going to do great things for us and our customer base. And, having Diana Griffith and the whole Graphco technical team always by our side, makes it a win:win for everyone.”

About Graphco
Graphco is the industry’s leading provider of digital, offset and print finishing solutions.  Besides MGI, we proudly represent the finest brands of equipment including Standard Horizon, RYOBI MHI, OKI Data, MBM, Graphic Whizard, Petratto, and many more. But these brands are only as good as the technical support team that stands behind them and Graphco’s reputation for top-notch service is second to none.

About MGI DP8700XL

• Multi-substrate (papers, plastic and envelopes)
• Largest cut-sheet size available, XL to 40” length in production
• Laser-safe prints
• No click charge and economical total cost of operation
• Offset-comparable output quality

The post Graphco Team Installs MGI Meteor DP8700XL For The Messenger Press appeared first on Graphco.

L to R: Allison Harrold (Graphco) with Tom Taylor, Gary Friedman – President, Gary Smarsh, Joe Horn, Lou Petrone (Trust Franklin Press)

Generations of Traditions in Quality

Cleveland, OH – June 3, 2014 – Chris W. Manley, President and CEO of Graphco is proud to announce the firm has worked closely and successfully over the last year with printing industry leader Trust Franklin Press, Pittsburgh, PA., in expanding their state-of-the industry art print production facility with the sale and installation of the first MGI Meteor digital press in the tri-state area. The MGI Meteor is positioned as the most versatile in the global graphics market today with cut sheets up to 40” and offset-comparable output.  Graphco, long known for its broad line of high-quality digital and offset printing equipment, is also an industry trendsetter in technical support. Consequently, they have an integral hand in the installation and technical training of the new press for the Trust Franklin Press team.

MGI Meteor DP8700XL is a multi-substrate digital press that excels in challenging digital print files (3,600 DPI) on paper, envelopes and plastic substrates.  Tom Taylor, (COO) Trust Franklin Press was “impressed with the ongoing demonstrations that Graphco sales and technical team Allie Harold and John Arnold focused on to show the Meteor’s consistent, performance capabilities.”  Trust Franklin Press’ goal was to expand their offerings and improve overall digital print capabilities while maintaining control in total cost of operations. “We really put the MGI and Graphco through the paces during our sessions at the Graphco Demonstration Center and they convinced us that the MGI would meet our needs, reflects Tom. “Our trust in Graphco and the relationship that we’ve built over the years is certainly an important part of the trust factor and decision-making process.”

The 106-year old Trust Franklin Press continues its mission to offer the latest technology to a quality-driven, demanding customer base of graphic arts functions in advertising and design firms where precision color and alignment are critical. The MGI Meteor joins a Sakurai 475SD-C 6-up offset press, Horizon StitchLiner 5500 saddle-stitcher, Horizon 566 automated paper folder, among others, that enhance and compliment this ultra-sophisticated print production facility.

About MGI METEOR DP8700XL

https://graphco.com/product/meteor-dp8700xl

-Outstanding Versatility – up to 40” cut sheet

-Multitude of Substrate Options (Paper, Envelope, Plastic)

-3,600 DPI/270 LPI – Offset comparable output

-Laser safe prints & no click changes

The post Trust Franklin Press – First Area MGI Meteor Digital Press in Pittsburgh appeared first on Graphco.

Third Generation Printing Company, Moeller Printing, installs MGI Meteor DP8700XL to provide unique, value-added products to their growing client base.

From left to right: Dave Moeller, Sr., Chuck Moeller, & Dave Moeller, Jr.

MELBOURNE, FL, USA (March 20, 2014) – Moeller Printing, a family-owned commercial printer, has recently announced its investment in a MGI Meteor DP8700XL digital press.

Moeller Printing, located in Indianapolis, IN is an 83 year young commercial printer that has been in business since 1931. For Moeller Printing providing customers with the best printing solutions and customer service available is not just an occupation, but a way of life. With two generations of Moellers still active in day-to-day operations, Moeller Printing is a true jack-of-all-trades.

Focused on providing only the very best printing services, Moeller Printing began researching digital press options that would offer them the versatility to differentiate their customer’s digital projects. With the assistance of Graphco, a MGI certified Elite dealer, Moeller Printing elected to invest in a MGI Meteor DP8700XL to expand their printing capabilities.

“The Meteor DP8700XL sets our business apart from others in the industry,” said David Moeller. “At first we were struggling with what digital press would best serve our customers, Graphco stepped in and helped make the process easy.”

“After seeing the versatility of the Meteor, we were beyond impressed. We were excited that we could do long format, letterhead, envelopes, plastics and magnets in addition to all our other commercial printing applications, with one single machine,” continued Moeller. “Since installing our Meteor we have continually increased our ability to print specialty and extra-large items. The unique features of the Meteor, paired with its quality, sets us apart from everybody else. Our customers are absolutely thrilled with the consistent, high quality of their prints and fast turn-times. We thrive off having the ability to do specialty jobs overnight. We love print- it’s in our blood. The Meteor was the perfect fit.”

For more information, please visit http://www.moelerprinting.com.

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Innovative iFoil Samples Will Be Unveiled

MELBOURNE, FL, USA (February 12, 2014)
As a major actor  in the UV printing industry, MGI will be at Print UV to promote some of the most innovative applications in the UV printing industry. Bringing together the best UV printers and key vendors in the UV industry once a year, the Print UV Conference supports the growing UV printing industry.

MGI will be showcasing samples from the JETvarnish 3D inkjet spot UV coater, along with its newest innovation, the iFoil. The JETvarnish 3D inkjet spot UV coater, recent winner of the 2013 InterTech™ Technology Award from the Printing Industries of America, takes digital spot UV coating to the next dimension. Known for its stunning tactile effects, the JETvarnish 3D provides value-added service by having both 3D and traditional flat spot UV coating together in one production unit – giving graphics professionals a dual set of tools to increase profitability. The JETvarnish 3D produces visually striking pieces that will allow customers to have unique customization options that traditional and analog spot UV coating methods cannot provide.

2014: The year embossing and hot foil stamping went digital. The newest upgrade to the JETvarnish 3D inkjet spot UV coater in the iFoil module – the first production solution in the world capable of  doing both embossing and hot foil stamping in a fully digital process. The iFoil won the “Best New Production Equipment” award at the 58th Annual Packaging Oscar ceremony in Paris, proving to be a widely successful addition to the JETvarnish 3D system. IFoil’s new 100% digital process streamlines production by allowing variable data creation of embossed and hot foil stamped effects, with each sheet being different from the previous. The iFoil module also allows for a large scope of colors, including metallic and holographic films making it one-of-a-kind in the foil and embossing industry.

Jetvarnish 3D and iFoil samples will be handed out at the MGI tabletop display on the perimeter of the conference at Print UV 14.

The post MGI to Sponsor 7th Print UV Conference in Las Vegas appeared first on Graphco.

Kevin Abergel, VP of Sales and Marketing for MGI USA, to be on a panel of experts discussing coating options for digital prints

MELBOURNE, FL, USA (February 21, 2014)
MGI Digital Graphic Technology, a world leader in digital printing and finishing equipment, is pleased to announce they will be a member of an expert panel at the Print UV 14 Conference held March 2nd-4th at the Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As an actor in the UV printing Zindustry, MGI will be at Print UV to discuss the common issue faced when printers turn their eyes to coating digitally printed materials.

Many printers are seeing a growing need to varnish onto digital prints and to be able to deliver the same results as on their UV offset press. However, due to the difference between dry toners, liquid toners, substrates and differences in digital printing registration tolerances, many have found this to be more challenging than originally thought.

The Panel will discuss some of the current options that exist in the market today as well as how emerging technologies and new coatings can make the transition easier.

The panel discussion will take place Tuesday morning, March 4th in the Margeaux 2 conference room at the Wynn Resorts.

The post When Worlds Collide: MGI to Discuss Matching Offset Quality Coatings on Digitally Printed Output on Discussion Panel at Print UV 2014 appeared first on Graphco.

GOA Game Changer Awarded for Innovative, Future-Oriented Technology

 
MENBOURNE, FL, USA (February 18, 2014)
MGI Digital Graphic Technology, a world leader in digital printing and finishing equipment, has been selected to receive the “Game Changer” award at the 2014 Graphics of the Americas Expo and Conference (GOA).

“It’s a true honor for MGI to be recognized for our game changing technology as a “Game Changer” by Graphics of the Americas and the Printing Industries of Florida,” stated Michael Abergel, Executive Vice President of MGI.

The post MGI Wins Game Changer Award at GOA 2014 appeared first on Graphco.

By: Edmond Abergel, CEO of MGI

MGI announced the acquisition of a 100% stake in another French company called CERADROP.

This company is based in Limoges, France, and is the French leader of printed electronics and the printing of 3D components. It was created in 2006 by researchers from the CNRS and develops futuristic inkjet printers to print very exciting things that you probably only ever seen in Star Trek and Harry Potter movies.

Things like the next generation of solar cells or Printed OLED flexible television and cell phone screens, even down to printing antennas and bio-medical sensors that can be implanted into someone’s body.

There is a clear synergy between all of the companies that now make up our Group. Between MGI, Kora-Packmat and now CERADROP, there will be many beautiful and world changing applications that will be developed in the near future.

The fusion of CERADROP’s advanced technologies and MGI’s innovative core expertise in hardware, software & ink / coating formulation will provide in a mutually rewarding fashion a multi-material, high precision and scalable equipment to fit and anticipate the needs of our graphic industry as well as a new industry that is primed for massive growth. This technological expertise will be enhanced by the experience and innovation demonstrated by MGI in the field of inkjet printing.

We at MGI have made this decision in order to strengthen our research and development and to ensure that MGI has very bright days ahead of us by setting our sights on the future.

We thank you for your time and trust that you will extend your warmest reception to our 15 newest family members at CERADROP. We encourage you to visit CERADROP’s website for more information.

Click here to read the full press release.

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