Where would we be today without technology and innovation? We’ve seen new technologies in areas like workflow automation, high-speed inkjet, and intelligent mail that provide industry members with expanded opportunities. Printing Industries of America has a dedicated team that stays on top of advancing technologies and how they will likely impact the future of our industry. What began with the Lithographic Technical Foundation (LTF), which became the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), has grown into the Center for Technology and Research. Members of the printing and graphic arts community recognize us as the trusted source for technical information, testing services, publications, expert training, and consultation. So what can the Center for Technology and Research do for you? Take a look at some of the benefits we offer that make your organization more profitable and efficient. Contract Research, Consulting, and Custom Training We have solutions for your unique issues. When your company needs testing to solve a production issue, we create a customized research plan. Consultation services provide an unbiased assessment of your company’s performance. Our custom training programs give your employees the training they need when and where they need it. Lab Services, Process Controls, and Product Testing Do you need to implement materials quality control? Do you have a print problem leaving you stumped? We’re one of the few places in the world with the expertise and equipment to diagnose and analyze it for you. We also design and sell devices such color bars, test forms, and light indicators to improve your control of print production. Finally, we routinely test paper, ink, and other materials on press to help suppliers improve their products. Technical Hotline Speaking of “calling upon” experts, with our Tech Hotline, just pick up the phone and dial a technical expert! This is a free member service. We’ve helped with thousands of issues, so call our Technical Consultant, Dillon Mooney, at 1-800-910-4283, ext 786. Simulators This one-of-a-kind press training simulation software recreates press operations which schools and companies can use as a practice press. It exposes trainees to a variety of printing conditions and problems, provides a “hands on” component to a training class, and can also be used to assess an individual’s skill level. InterTech Technology Award Has your company developed an innovation that you expect to have a significant impact on the industry? The InterTech™ Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. More than 80% of technologies that receive an award experience continued commercial success in the marketplace. Automation and JDF We have solutions and best practices for implementing automation in your facility, regardless of its size. Our JDF...

Where would we be today without technology and innovation? We’ve seen new technologies in areas like workflow automation, high-speed inkjet, and intelligent mail that provide industry members with expanded opportunities. Printing Industries of America has a dedicated team that stays on top of advancing technologies and how they will likely impact the future of our industry. What began with the Lithographic Technical Foundation (LTF), which became the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), has grown into the Center for Technology and Research. Members of the printing and graphic arts community recognize us as the trusted source for technical information, testing services, publications, expert training, and consultation. So what can the Center for Technology and Research do for you? Take a look at some of the benefits we offer that make your organization more profitable and efficient. Contract Research, Consulting, and Custom Training We have solutions for your unique issues. When your company needs testing to solve a production issue, we create a customized research plan. Consultation services provide an unbiased assessment of your company’s performance. Our custom training programs give your employees the training they need when and where they need it. Lab Services, Process Controls, and Product Testing Do you need to implement materials quality control? Do you have a print problem leaving you stumped? We’re one of the few places in the world with the expertise and equipment to diagnose and analyze it for you. We also design and sell devices such color bars, test forms, and light indicators to improve your control of print production. Finally, we routinely test paper, ink, and other materials on press to help suppliers improve their products. Technical Hotline Speaking of “calling upon” experts, with our Tech Hotline, just pick up the phone and dial a technical expert! This is a free member service. We’ve helped with thousands of issues, so call our Technical Consultant, Dillon Mooney, at 1-800-910-4283, ext 786. Simulators This one-of-a-kind press training simulation software recreates press operations which schools and companies can use as a practice press. It exposes trainees to a variety of printing conditions and problems, provides a “hands on” component to a training class, and can also be used to assess an individual’s skill level. InterTech Technology Award Has your company developed an innovation that you expect to have a significant impact on the industry? The InterTech™ Technology Awards have honored the development of technologies predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries. More than 80% of technologies that receive an award experience continued commercial success in the marketplace. Automation and JDF We have solutions and best practices for implementing automation in your facility, regardless of its size. Our JDF...

This is a guest blog post from John Conley, Vice President Commercial Print and Publishing at Xerox Corporation. For more information about the National Buying Programs available to members through Printing Industries of America affiliates, visit www.printing.org/buyingpower. We are all faced with having to deal with the fast pace of change brought about by advances in technology.  This is particularly true in the graphic arts, where we see content providers, equipment vendors, and service suppliers making changes to their product lines and service offerings and developing or using new technology.  In the past only large companies had the scale and bandwidth to take advantage of these changes, but organizations like Printing Industries of America have helped to bring the  economic advantages of a large printer to small- and medium-size print service providers through programs like the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. The Xerox Buying Program is one of the tools that Printing Industries of America provides to its members which allow print service providers (PSPs) and marketing service providers (MSPs) to compete with any size organization when it comes to acquiring equipment and services at highly competitive prices. The power of Xerox comes to your doorstep at equipment pricing levels that allow you to compete effectively anywhere in the market. This is extremely important as PSPs and MSPs are able to compete outside of their geographies thanks to the expanded branding opportunities that are created by strong Web-to-print solutions. In addition to competitive equipment prices that members through Printing Industries of America receive with the program, users also gain access to all of the tools and services that are a part of the Xerox Go to Market Value proposition—which is focused on creating more value, productivity, and profitability for PSPs and MSPs. Your Xerox sales and service teams can help you with all elements of your business from new equipment, to workflow, to unique materials, to fresh ideas for new capabilities working with valued partners and subsidiaries like XMpie. Xerox and Printing Industries of America have been working together successfully for more than 10 years. The Xerox Buying Program is a key value-added service that is focused on keeping you competitive in the market while at the same time helping to strengthen the programs and services that Printing Industries of America and its Affiliates bring to its members.  It is a win-win for everyone. Talk to your affiliate director, Xerox sales representative, or your peers in your affiliate who are already Xerox customers. Start benefiting from the power of the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. Learn more at...

This is a guest blog post from John Conley, Vice President Commercial Print and Publishing at Xerox Corporation. For more information about the National Buying Programs available to members through Printing Industries of America affiliates, visit www.printing.org/buyingpower. We are all faced with having to deal with the fast pace of change brought about by advances in technology.  This is particularly true in the graphic arts, where we see content providers, equipment vendors, and service suppliers making changes to their product lines and service offerings and developing or using new technology.  In the past only large companies had the scale and bandwidth to take advantage of these changes, but organizations like Printing Industries of America have helped to bring the  economic advantages of a large printer to small- and medium-size print service providers through programs like the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. The Xerox Buying Program is one of the tools that Printing Industries of America provides to its members which allow print service providers (PSPs) and marketing service providers (MSPs) to compete with any size organization when it comes to acquiring equipment and services at highly competitive prices. The power of Xerox comes to your doorstep at equipment pricing levels that allow you to compete effectively anywhere in the market. This is extremely important as PSPs and MSPs are able to compete outside of their geographies thanks to the expanded branding opportunities that are created by strong Web-to-print solutions. In addition to competitive equipment prices that members through Printing Industries of America receive with the program, users also gain access to all of the tools and services that are a part of the Xerox Go to Market Value proposition—which is focused on creating more value, productivity, and profitability for PSPs and MSPs. Your Xerox sales and service teams can help you with all elements of your business from new equipment, to workflow, to unique materials, to fresh ideas for new capabilities working with valued partners and subsidiaries like XMpie. Xerox and Printing Industries of America have been working together successfully for more than 10 years. The Xerox Buying Program is a key value-added service that is focused on keeping you competitive in the market while at the same time helping to strengthen the programs and services that Printing Industries of America and its Affiliates bring to its members.  It is a win-win for everyone. Talk to your affiliate director, Xerox sales representative, or your peers in your affiliate who are already Xerox customers. Start benefiting from the power of the Printing Industries of America National Buying Program with Xerox. Learn more at...

TAGA’s Annual Technical Conference is where the latest in global technological research and development for the printing and graphic arts industry is presented. The environment here is alive with active discussion on what’s new, innovative, and has the most impact in our industry. If you want to be the first to know what technologies will be emerging and changing the way we operate, this is the forum to attend. Attendees experience technical presentations from business leaders, scientists, academics, and professionals, and all are full of excitement as new ideas and solutions are revealed after months or even years of development. Some of the brightest minds in the industry, including students, research scientists, engineers, and the world of academia converge here for three days of dissertations, learning, and some serious networking. Take a look at what you can expect from the 66th TAGA Annual Technical Conference, happening March 23–26, 2014, in Fort Worth, Texas. Innovations That Rock the Industry Conference presentations provide insight into the future of the industry, making them highly valuable if you want to be an early adopter of the technologies. Presenting companies highlight their research and technology to their peers. Keynotes gather from leading companies around the world. In 2013 the conference welcomed top minds from Heidelberg, Landa Digital Printing, Kodak, and many other organizations and universities. Two types of papers are presented. Scientific Papers are based on emerging science, technology, and the application of all forms of graphic technology and printing processes. Technical Innovation Papers cover topics where a broad technology perspective is needed, focusing on issues that are current to the industry and critical to its development. Abstracts are submitted, and the top papers are chosen for presentation. More information can be found in the 2014 Call for Papers (PDF download). Intelligent Idea Swapping It’s impossible not to learn something in a room concentrated with intense intellect. This conference attracts a diverse group of professionals and students who come together from around the world to discuss industry innovations. Attendees have the opportunity for unparalleled networking. At next year’s event in Fort Worth, Texas, expect to make connections in both quality and quantity. Student Involvement Few other technology-centered events promote such strong student participation. Eager college students conduct research and can present the results of those projects during the student portion of the conference. These student papers and journals add great value to their future careers and can even earn them awards, as the TAGA Board of Directors judges all student papers. TAGA Past President Paul Cousineau described student members as, “The best and brightest students in our industry and our up-and-coming stars.” Find out more about TAGA Student membership. Learn more about TAGA and...