PFFC - September 2007 - (Page 29)

PREPRESS WORKFLOW Meyers Printing says it slashed platemaking times with Kodak’s Thermoflex platemaking system. Meeting a Digital Challenge The Kodak technology allows Meyers to serve one of the world’s largest and most qualityconscious companies: Microsoft. One of the innovations Meyers developed specifically for the software giant was a digitally produced, flexoprinted activation card that allows X-Box computer game users to sign for a free 30-day trial. The cards previously were produced using offset lithography. “We couldn’t have done it without digital plate technology and the workflows it offers,” notes Moffett. “If we had to go back and do it the old way, the print quality wouldn’t be there.” Ironically, when Meyers entered the digital printing market with the purchase of the Indigo press, it was to be used primarily to produce Microsoft security labels as a subcontractor, supplying 10 million labels each month that were applied to the back of every piece of software Microsoft shipped worldwide. Just months later, the primary supplier lost the order. A full 80% of production on the HP was dedicated to Microsoft; 20% went to Hewlett-Packard. Ultimately, however, Meyers began printing the labels directly for Microsoft. Meyers quickly incorporated the Indigo press into its innovative security label production. “It’s WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM been a bit of a challenge for us, because I don’t view the Indigo as primarily a short-run, primelabel press,” notes Moffett. “You can do that for sure, but we think there’s more value using its flexible technology to be able to use variable data and deliver value-added product. We’ve been educating ourselves on how to do it better, as well as looking at the marketplace and what fits our customers.” Meyers also was an early entrant in e-commerce, establishing a separate division called Desktop Labels (www.desktoplabels.com) that offers a range of EDP labels and products that can be shipped on demand. They include laser and inkjet labels; white, clear and color polyester labels; repositionable and thermal labels; cardstock; and ribbons. “Our strength,” says Moffett, “is innovation, looking at opportunities, and building out the process. Especially for our security customers, we don’t just produce a standard item; we look at what their needs are and build a process that fits the need.” Contributing editor Edward Boyle, based in Reading, PA, has covered the converting industry for more than 23 years. Contact him at EJB Communications; 610-670-4680; ejbcomm@aol.com. uSupplier Infot uKodak Graphic Communications Group | http://graphics.kodak.com PFFC-ASAP 305 uGallus Inc. | www.gallus.org PFFC-ASAP 306 uMark Andy | www.markandy.com PFFC-ASAP 307 uComco | www.comcointl.com PFFC-ASAP 308 uDelta Industrial Services | www.deltaind.com PFFC-ASAP 309 uHP Indigo | www.hp.com PFFC-ASAP 310 uDuPont Packaging Graphics | www.cyrel.com PFFC-ASAP 311 u3M | www.3m.com/security PFFC-ASAP 312 SEPTEMBER 2007 | 29 http://graphics.kodak.com http://www.gallus.org http://www.markandy.com http://www.desktoplabels.com http://www.comcointl.com http://www.deltaind.com http://www.hp.com http://www.cyrel.com http://www.3m.com/security http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - September 2007

Table of Contents First Glance From the Editor Calendar of Events Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Narrow Web Sustainability: Going Green? What's the Score with Wal-Mart's Scorecard? Straight Talk From Your Trade Associations Learn 5 Key Elements to Creating Cost-Effective and Eco-Conscious Packaging Install Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures and Reap the Environmental Benefits People, Profit, Planet: How to Balance the Impact of a Triple-bottom-line Philosophy Show Preview What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - September 2007

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