23 Dec 2024

Fujifilm announces XMF PrintCentre V3

Fujifilm has launched the latest version of its cloud-based web-to-print solution, XMF PrintCentre V3.  XMF PrintCentre is a hosted web-to-print system that allows print companies to create multiple e-commerce web sites for selling print, and manages the whole print buying process from online purchasing through to delivering print-ready PDF files into a print production system such as Fujifilm’s XMF Workflow.

Many new capabilities have been added including a new text editor module for managing variable text within the existing WYSIWYG template editor, enhanced PDF pre-flight control for ad hoc print jobs, and a new, larger preview of jobs being ordered. In addition, the system now includes many features designed for printers specialising in wide format printing. These include new front and back office capabilities that allow wide format printed products to be easily and quickly added to the XMF PrintCentre web store, and additional flexibility in how the products are priced.

“XMF PrintCentre V3 contains enhancements that make the processes of buying print for the web store, and managing the products that are sold on the web store, quicker and easier. We have also introduced different elements to the system to suit the requirements of wide format printers, reflecting the need for the customised sizing of specific printed items and for flexibility in how these types of printed products are priced,” comments John Davies, business strategy manager for FUJFILM Europe. “Ensuring printers can easily add any new printed product to their web store is one of the critical factors of a successful web-to-print system, as printers need to take advantage of sales opportunities as quickly as possible,“ he concludes.

XMF PrintCentre V3 is commercially available in Q2 2012.

For more information, please visit www.fujifilm.com

X-Rite Announces New i1Pro 2 Professional Colour Management Solutions

Xrite i1Pro2

X-Rite Announces New i1Pro 2 Professional Color Management Solutions for Photo, Pre-press, Publishing and Digital Printing Markets

New solutions include all-new second-generation i1Pro spectrophotometer delivering increased accuracy, ease of use and expanded professional level feature set

X-Rite, Incorporated, the world leader in color management, measurement and communication technologies, today announces its new portfolio of i1 Professional Color Management Solutions which now include a newly redesigned i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer.

Built upon the success of X-Rite’s i1Pro spectrophotometer as the de facto industry standard for more than a decade, the newly enhanced i1Pro 2 device has been redesigned to provide an even higher level of accuracy, versatility, ergonomics, functionality and value. Combined with the recently released i1Profiler software v1.3, which accommodates all levels of proficiency and expertise, the new i1Pro 2 portfolio of four different products is specifically targeted to meet the unique needs of photo, pre-press, digital print and publishing professionals, providing exceptional value at very attractive price points.

This new portfolio, comprised of X-Rite’s i1Basic Pro 2, i1Photo Pro 2, i1Publish Pro 2 and i1Publish products feature groundbreaking new technology and applications. Each Pro solution includes the new i1Pro 2 second generation spectrophotometer – the most accurate and forward thinking profiling device available today accommodating three measurement conditions in one single device. These conditions include the most commonly used M0 (Standard Illuminant A), the emerging M1 (illuminant D50) and M2 (known as UV-cut). Also included are i1Profiler, X-Rite’s entirely new next generation color profiling software, PANTONE Color Manager color swatch bridging software and ColorChecker Camera Calibration software.

“Exceptionally accurate color measurement and calibration remain basic building blocks for professional-level workflow,” commented Vic Stalam, X-Rite’s Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing.  “Nowhere is repeatable, predictive color management more critical than in the prepress, digital printing and photography markets that make up the core imaging market customer base for X-Rite. With the introduction of these new products, X-Rite once again delivers to color professionals around the world the products they need that incorporate important emerging color standards.”


About Next Generation i1Pro 2 Spectrophotometer
The i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer introduces a new level of color accuracy, delivering increased ease of use and an expanded professional level feature set, including supporting the latest developments in industry measurement standards. i1Pro 2 solutions are sure to maximize profitability and minimize wasted time, ink and paper, while delivering the confidence that the user’s digital workflow is perfectly and professionally calibrated and profiled.

New i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer highlights:
New illuminant design allows for 3 standard measurement conditions  (ISO 13655 M0: Tungsten; ISO 13655 M1: D50; ISO 13655 M2: UV Cut) plus Optical Brightener Compensation (OBC) without changing filters or needing a second instrument.

Enhanced Optical Brightener Compensation allows for the most accurate profiling for today’s enhanced range of substrates. Now users can predict what colors printed on optically brightened paper will look like under different light conditions using a single hand-held device.

Positioning Detection Sensor provides a more robust scanning experience even on special substrates and low-resolution printers. It allows for the measurement of smaller patch sizes (as low as 7mm) in manual mode and enables dual measurement workflows for OBC, M1 and M2.

New Status LED guides users through the measurement process and provides feedback on device status, improving the user experience.

New Design Ergonomics throughout allows for greater usability, flexibility, cleaning, protection, and storage of the precision i1Pro 2 device.

Better temperature stability and higher brightness levels improves emissive measurement, resulting in the best possible calibration and profiling of monitors and projectors.

All new diagnostics and self-correction features
Built-in wavelength calibration technology allows for self-diagnosis of optical grating in relation to sensor during white calibration (with automatic correction and notifications).

Maintaining and protecting the device (and investment) is easier than ever
Self-cleanable aperture protection glass and calibration white tile cover provides additional built-in protection from dust and dirt.

About i1Profiler Software
With the latest release of i1Profiler software v1.3, X-Rite has further enhanced this next generation professional color management software. i1Profiler offers an unprecedented level of flexibility and features a number of unique color management capabilities such as optimizing profiles, creating profiles with ambient light measurements, compensating for optical brighteners in papers, and utilizing simple yet advanced controls for black separation and providing significant ink savings, adding to users’ power and control in creating professional quality profiles. Users can choose between a ‘basic’, wizard-driven interface; or an ‘advanced’, user-driven interface to create high quality, precise, custom color profiles for monitors, projectors, printers, and presses.

New i1Profiler Software v1.3 highlights:
•    i1Pro 2 spectrophotometer support added for monitor, projector and printer profiling
•    M1 measurement condition support added
•    White point editing added – from current measurement, saved measurement, ICC profile, or custom
•    Improved CGATS reading module
•    Improved handling for printer test chart measurement
•    Default patch size reduced to 7mm
•    Two new measurement workflows added:
o    Measure Chart – specify number of rows and columns
o    Measure Reference Chart – import CGATS reference from ProfileMaker 5
•    Improved CMYK+n profile generation
•    Russian language support added

Clarity Software Wows Visitors with its New Deliveries Module at Sign & Digital UK

Clarity CRM MIS Software

Clarity Software, the sign, print and graphic industry’s leading CRM and MIS provider, launched its new ‘wow factor’ Deliveries Module to stunned visitors at this year’s Sign & Digital UK exhibition.

Working in tandem with the Clarity Proof of Delivery iPhone App, the game-changing Clarity Professional Deliveries Module saves hours in manual administration for on-site work such as fittings, installations, maintenance, equipment drop-offs and surveys.

Now you can work smarter

The Deliveries Module creates and displays all on-site jobs in an Outlook-style diary view on the office-based Clarity system, with their real-time status such as Work In Progress or On Hold clearly highlighted using simple colour codes.

Users can enjoy total visibility of their jobs from the office as their fittings team or third party contractors carry out and complete them, and deliver an exceptional service promise to their customers.

“The response we are getting to Deliveries is phenomenal” Clarity MD Richard Gamlin elates. “The immediate returns on investment are plain to see. And it’s not just for sign and print companies – all businesses that carry out site visits or site work can see a huge benefit from using it. Video producers, POS fitters, surveyors and office equipment installers have already expressed an interest. There is no doubt that this new functionality will directly increase bottom line profitability.”

Huge savings in paper and time

Site teams often arrive back at the office with a mountain of accumulated job paperwork. Using the Deliveries Module, job information is recorded and sent back to the office via 3G or Wi-Fi as soon as it is completed using the Clarity Proof of Delivery iPhone App.

They can take pictures, add notes and track locations using geo-mapping, as well as the superb ability to take an electronic sign-off signature from customers directly onto the device, giving traceable evidence of job completion, when it was completed and the customer’s satisfaction to sign off.

Get cash into the business quicker


Gone are the days when office-based employees are waiting on paperwork to raise invoices. Now Clarity users receive immediate job completion and sign-off directly from site and raise an invoice instantly, accelerating their cash flow and optimising their business profitability.

Deliveries is the final piece of a streamlined, cost reductive electronic business workflow, saving hours in needless paper-based administration and improving customer service across the industry.

CWES appointed sole UK HP reseller of GMG ProductionSuite

GMG UK has appointed City & West End Solutions (CWES) as the sole UK HP reseller for its new wide-format colour management and workflow solution, the GMG ProductionSuite.  The alliance between GMG and CWES was sealed at Sign & Digital 2012 and is effective immediately.

“City & West End Solutions has vast experience in the wide format sector and a tremendous reputation for delivering first rate products and service nationwide. This is a strong and symbiotic partnership that unites GMG’s new workflow which is designed to streamline wide format production with the UK’s largest HP sales and support operation,” says Ian Scott, MD, GMG GMbH. “It’s great for CWES, great for GMG and, most importantly, great for the industry.”

The 30-strong CWES team sells and supports the full range of HP Designjet printers from 42in–3.2m width.  The agreement with GMG comes soon after CWES’ move to bigger premises just south of London to accommodate the company’s growth, in addition to its established Sheffield office.

“Having our own experienced nationwide technical support team, not only to provide the best support for our customers, but also to assist our ever growing sales force, has ensured our growth is driven by delivering the very best tools and technology in an ever demanding market sector,” says Doug Gilbertson, CWES Managing Director. This serves to confirm the reason the company has received the largest HP reseller award for Signage & Display in UK for the second year in a row."

He continues, “GMG ProductionSuite is a very powerful workflow management tool. It takes the headache out of managing production to deliver consistent and comparable colour across multiple printers and media mix, while saving time, saving ink and increasing capacity. What’s not to love!”

With ProductionSuite, GMG enters the wide-format sector with the market’s most complete solution for automated, standardised, colour-consistent production of indoor and outdoor advertising, sign and super wide-format printing.  It combines GMG’s renowned colour management technology with new job automation and file preparation capabilities in a single system for wide-format pre-press, print and finishing.  Target applications range from inkjet-based wide-format production of banners, POS material, displays and vehicle wraps, to industrial wide-format production in very large-format production environments, such as billboards, POS-material, large-format lettering.

Druckerei Hanemann Advances Operation from Alphagraph Prinance MIS to EFI Pace System

EFI announced today that printing company Druckerei Hanemann in Weil am Rhein-Ötlingen (Germany) has decided to replace its Alphagraph Prinance system with the EFI Pace management system. The full-service, twelve employee-strong printing company has been supplying printed goods and promotional items of all kinds to its customers for more than 25 years.

"I decided in favour of EFI Pace because it is an integrated system. You only need to enter data once from price quote all the way through to delivery note and invoice, and it functions quickly and reliably," said managing director Fabian Berger."I am looking forward to improved integration of our Fiery® controllers and web-to-print shop with EFI Pace. Eliminating manual input and direct digital transfer of data minimises errors and streamlines the work process.As print runs are becoming ever shorter, quote requests are increasing, and delivery times are getting ever shorter, we need to work faster and faster and avoid sources of error. Pace was an easy decision because as a leading player in the workflow arena, EFI have a strong offering that we will be able to work with for many years, and which benefits from EFI's established support organisation in Germany."

An important advantage is the browser-based nature of EFI Pace. Every employee can access Pace from his or her PC or Mac workstation without needing any other software.Berger values being able to work from anywhere and at any time, from any computer with an internet connection.EFI Pace makes access considerably faster and easier. For example, during conversations with customers he can easily call up his calculations on the iPad and see exactly how much room there is for negotiation.

EFI Pace can also be installed on hosted servers at an internet provider, saving expensive server and IT systems.

Solutions from Alphagraph such as Prinance will still be developed, supported and sold to existing customers by EFI. Alphagraph customers on maintenance are eligible for special price discounts on new EFI systems.

For more information on EFI Pace, visit www.efi.com

Special offers and live demos of Corel X6 at Sign & Digital 2012

Following the successful launch of CorelDRAW®Graphics Suite X6 earlier this week, Corel has announced it is now planning to attend Sign & Digital UK 2012 (stand C38.)

Sign & Digital UK celebrates its 25th anniversary providing Corel with the perfect platform to demonstrate the latest version of its flagship product. The show offers exclusive access to the sign making and digital printing industries' latest innovative products, technologies, services and applications and is seen as the leading event of its type in the UK.

James Phillips, Corel's marketing manager - who will be attending the event - comments, “The sign industry is a very important market for CorelDRAW and we look forward to demonstrating the significantly improved workflow, performance and raft of new features in our latest version. CorelDRAW continues to be the leading graphics solution for those in production-related businesses. We will be offering exclusive demonstrations and tutorials to visitors showing how they can achieve their goals in their daily work as quickly and easily as possible.”

Visitors can meet the Corel team at stand C38 in Hall 3, where the company will be showcasing CorelDRAW X6 for the first time, running live demos every day in the Corel theatre. Visitors are also invited to speak with Corel’s experts and take part in free tutorials tailored to the requirements of the sign making and embroidery industry.

Exclusive special offer at the show – Free Corel AfterShot Pro worth £79.99

Visitors to the show who purchase the full version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X6 will also be given a free boxed copy of Corel® AfterShot Pro, a fast and flexible photo workflow solution that combines robust photo management, advanced non-destructive editing and complete RAW processing for more professional photos, worth £79.99. This exclusive offer will only be available from registered resellers exhibiting at Sign & Digital UK: Radecal Signs on stand H30, and Signmaster Systems Ltd on stand N20.