This blog was adapted from “The Evolution of Color in High-Speed Production Inkjet” by Mike Herold, and Nick Fiore of RICOH Company Limited. You can read the full article in the November 2014 issue of Printing Industries of America: The Magazine. Mike is a featured speaker at the 2014 Color Conference, December 6–9, in Scottsdale, AZ. Where is digital inkjet now, where is it going, and how is it impacting you? The fast-growing market of High-speed production inkjet has transformed color printing in recent years. Today the opportunities are virtually limitless, affording greater capabilities and higher-coverage applications, such as direct mail, marketing collateral, books, and more. Digital inkjet now offers users the capabilities to produce rich color, completely variable, and full dynamic printing. As digital color consistency improves, much of this progress can be traced to new processes, inks, heads, coatings, and substrate options. Let’s take a look at these sources of progress and the exciting new applications of high-speed production inkjet! 1. Paper In high-speed production inkjet’s infancy, paper options were limited to say the least. Not optimized for high-volume piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet technologies, papers either absorbed too much ink or not enough. The result was less-then-desirable color output. Over the past five years, and especially during the last two, this challenge has changed dramatically. New paper types, including recycled, inkjet coated, inkjet treated, and others have enabled customers to receive enticing output at a price appropriate for their markets. The paper industry is also designing papers with specific ink types in mind, which is a huge step forward! Soon it may no longer be necessary to use coated papers, and users will have more choices without having to worry that their substrate is at odds with the color. 2. Ink Developments and Advancements Inks are evolving as well with most high-speed inkjet vendors providing—and customers leveraging—a variety of dye, pigment, MICR, and other inks to meet the changing and growing demands for new applications. This diversity is enhancing color output and opening up a new world of applications for inkjet. These new inks are higher density, more vibrant, and contain a lower water content to speed drying time and reduce the power needed to produce higher ink amount applications. But they’re not easy to formulate. Energy consumption, characteristics of the paper, color gamut, and finishing processes all need to be taken into consideration. 3. Advances in Color and Ink Management Tools Next-generation controllers and workflows offer enhanced color management by size and object type, which lays the groundwork for more accurate color and consistent reproduction. Spot color dictionaries from Pantone and other color leaders enable spot color mapping, custom curves, and linked and unlinked advanced color management....

This blog was adapted from “The Evolution of Color in High-Speed Production Inkjet” by Mike Herold, and Nick Fiore of RICOH Company Limited. You can read the full article in the November 2014 issue of Printing Industries of America: The Magazine. Mike is a featured speaker at the 2014 Color Conference, December 6–9, in Scottsdale, AZ. Where is digital inkjet now, where is it going, and how is it impacting you? The fast-growing market of High-speed production inkjet has transformed color printing in recent years. Today the opportunities are virtually limitless, affording greater capabilities and higher-coverage applications, such as direct mail, marketing collateral, books, and more. Digital inkjet now offers users the capabilities to produce rich color, completely variable, and full dynamic printing. As digital color consistency improves, much of this progress can be traced to new processes, inks, heads, coatings, and substrate options. Let’s take a look at these sources of progress and the exciting new applications of high-speed production inkjet! 1. Paper In high-speed production inkjet’s infancy, paper options were limited to say the least. Not optimized for high-volume piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet technologies, papers either absorbed too much ink or not enough. The result was less-then-desirable color output. Over the past five years, and especially during the last two, this challenge has changed dramatically. New paper types, including recycled, inkjet coated, inkjet treated, and others have enabled customers to receive enticing output at a price appropriate for their markets. The paper industry is also designing papers with specific ink types in mind, which is a huge step forward! Soon it may no longer be necessary to use coated papers, and users will have more choices without having to worry that their substrate is at odds with the color. 2. Ink Developments and Advancements Inks are evolving as well with most high-speed inkjet vendors providing—and customers leveraging—a variety of dye, pigment, MICR, and other inks to meet the changing and growing demands for new applications. This diversity is enhancing color output and opening up a new world of applications for inkjet. These new inks are higher density, more vibrant, and contain a lower water content to speed drying time and reduce the power needed to produce higher ink amount applications. But they’re not easy to formulate. Energy consumption, characteristics of the paper, color gamut, and finishing processes all need to be taken into consideration. 3. Advances in Color and Ink Management Tools Next-generation controllers and workflows offer enhanced color management by size and object type, which lays the groundwork for more accurate color and consistent reproduction. Spot color dictionaries from Pantone and other color leaders enable spot color mapping, custom curves, and linked and unlinked advanced color management....

This blog was adapted from “The Evolution of Color in High-Speed Production Inkjet” by Mike Herold, and Nick Fiore of RICOH Company Limited. You can read the full article in the November 2014 issue of Printing Industries of America: The Magazine. Mike is a featured speaker at the 2014 Color Conference, December 6–9, in Scottsdale, AZ. Where is digital inkjet now, where is it going, and how is it impacting you? The fast-growing market of High-speed production inkjet has transformed color printing in recent years. Today the opportunities are virtually limitless, affording greater capabilities and higher-coverage applications, such as direct mail, marketing collateral, books, and more. Digital inkjet now offers users the capabilities to produce rich color, completely variable, and full dynamic printing. As digital color consistency improves, much of this progress can be traced to new processes, inks, heads, coatings, and substrate options. Let’s take a look at these sources of progress and the exciting new applications of high-speed production inkjet! 1. Paper In high-speed production inkjet’s infancy, paper options were limited to say the least. Not optimized for high-volume piezoelectric drop-on-demand inkjet technologies, papers either absorbed too much ink or not enough. The result was less-then-desirable color output. Over the past five years, and especially during the last two, this challenge has changed dramatically. New paper types, including recycled, inkjet coated, inkjet treated, and others have enabled customers to receive enticing output at a price appropriate for their markets. The paper industry is also designing papers with specific ink types in mind, which is a huge step forward! Soon it may no longer be necessary to use coated papers, and users will have more choices without having to worry that their substrate is at odds with the color. 2. Ink Developments and Advancements Inks are evolving as well with most high-speed inkjet vendors providing—and customers leveraging—a variety of dye, pigment, MICR, and other inks to meet the changing and growing demands for new applications. This diversity is enhancing color output and opening up a new world of applications for inkjet. These new inks are higher density, more vibrant, and contain a lower water content to speed drying time and reduce the power needed to produce higher ink amount applications. But they’re not easy to formulate. Energy consumption, characteristics of the paper, color gamut, and finishing processes all need to be taken into consideration. 3. Advances in Color and Ink Management Tools Next-generation controllers and workflows offer enhanced color management by size and object type, which lays the groundwork for more accurate color and consistent reproduction. Spot color dictionaries from Pantone and other color leaders enable spot color mapping, custom curves, and linked and unlinked advanced color management....

It’s a bright July morning, and a gathering of leaders in education, graphic arts, history, and environmentalism are convening in the beautiful, treasured venue of the Melbert B. Cary Collection housed at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), home of the School of Media Sciences, to recognize a true visionary, Dr. Laura Thompson. Bridging time-honored tradition and innovative environmental stewardship, this is a significant event for the printing industry; not only because of the proud, highly deserving award recipient standing here today, but also because of her pioneering work to make the paper industry, and thus the printing industry, more environmentally friendly. Due Recognition Laura Thompson, Ph.D , Director, Technical Marketing and Sustainable Development, Sappi Fine Paper North America,  is the recipient of the 2013 William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award. Unable to attend the official ceremony during Printing Industries of America’s Spring Administrative Meetings, May 31–June 1, 2014, in Dallas, TX, Stephen Whittaker, the 2011 Schaeffer Award winner and collegue of Dr. Thompson, personally offered to present her with the award. At the alternate presentation, held at RIT, Dr. Thompson commented, “It is truly an honor to be recognized by PIA with this award. I was disappointed to not be able to attend the ceremony in Dallas, but Steve Whittaker was able to arrange for a very special presentation at one of the most respected graphic communication education centers in the world.” Also on hand to join the celebration were the Dean of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Program Coordinator for the School of Media Sciences (Print), two company representatives from the new Veritiv (formerly Xpedx), and the Curator and Assistant Curator of the RIT collection. “Surrounded by the treasures of the Cary Collection, members of RIT faculty and staff, along with fellow paper industry members,” said Dr. Thompson, “it was truly a special moment to receive the award.” Dr. Thompson’s Impact Dr. Thompson’s extensive work shows how one person can make a significant impact on environmental issues. The 2013 judges were searching for an individual who excelled in every area, including education, public relations, continuous improvement, compliance assistance, regulatory issue involvement, and pioneering efforts. “She freely shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainable practices,” said one of the Schaeffer Award Judges. This enthusiasm helps to advance the environmental performance of the entire printing industry. The Board of Directors of the national Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, many of whom are past recipients of this award, also added their congratulations on her many accomplishments. In her role at Sappi Fine Paper, Dr. Thompson is responsible for working with the company’s leadership to set strategy, establish long-term goals, and drive key initiatives. She also serves as the thought leader...

It’s a bright July morning, and a gathering of leaders in education, graphic arts, history, and environmentalism are convening in the beautiful, treasured venue of the Melbert B. Cary Collection housed at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), home of the School of Media Sciences, to recognize a true visionary, Dr. Laura Thompson. Bridging time-honored tradition and innovative environmental stewardship, this is a significant event for the printing industry; not only because of the proud, highly deserving award recipient standing here today, but also because of her pioneering work to make the paper industry, and thus the printing industry, more environmentally friendly. Due Recognition Laura Thompson, Ph.D , Director, Technical Marketing and Sustainable Development, Sappi Fine Paper North America,  is the recipient of the 2013 William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award. Unable to attend the official ceremony during Printing Industries of America’s Spring Administrative Meetings, May 31–June 1, 2014, in Dallas, TX, Stephen Whittaker, the 2011 Schaeffer Award winner and collegue of Dr. Thompson, personally offered to present her with the award. At the alternate presentation, held at RIT, Dr. Thompson commented, “It is truly an honor to be recognized by PIA with this award. I was disappointed to not be able to attend the ceremony in Dallas, but Steve Whittaker was able to arrange for a very special presentation at one of the most respected graphic communication education centers in the world.” Also on hand to join the celebration were the Dean of the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Program Coordinator for the School of Media Sciences (Print), two company representatives from the new Veritiv (formerly Xpedx), and the Curator and Assistant Curator of the RIT collection. “Surrounded by the treasures of the Cary Collection, members of RIT faculty and staff, along with fellow paper industry members,” said Dr. Thompson, “it was truly a special moment to receive the award.” Dr. Thompson’s Impact Dr. Thompson’s extensive work shows how one person can make a significant impact on environmental issues. The 2013 judges were searching for an individual who excelled in every area, including education, public relations, continuous improvement, compliance assistance, regulatory issue involvement, and pioneering efforts. “She freely shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainable practices,” said one of the Schaeffer Award Judges. This enthusiasm helps to advance the environmental performance of the entire printing industry. The Board of Directors of the national Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, many of whom are past recipients of this award, also added their congratulations on her many accomplishments. In her role at Sappi Fine Paper, Dr. Thompson is responsible for working with the company’s leadership to set strategy, establish long-term goals, and drive key initiatives. She also serves as the thought leader...