The following post was written by Chuck Gehman of Mimeo.com. It’s hard to say “there’s something for everything” about the TAGA Annual Technical Conference, the global graphics arts industries’ most elite technical conference. It’s specifically NOT for everyone—unless you are an academic, engineer, scientist, or technical practitioner of printing. But if that happens to be the case, you will certainly find things that you need to know being discussed at this year’s 64th annual event, to be held in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 18–21. If you are a CEO, COO, or owner of a printing company or industry equipment or software manufacturer, I would strongly advise that you send a couple of your key technical people. I’ll explain why. My personal involvement in the industry is in the creation of software for printing applications, and there are always a few great talks on this topic. But for me, what I find incredibly invigorating about TAGA is the fact that there are so many topics discussed that I am not directly engaged in as a professional. These topics are as far ranging as ink, paper, mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics, photography, light—but not limited to these. In fact, there are almost no limits. The result for me has been broadened horizons—I learn what I don’t know, and approach problems I face in my work with a new perspective.  The keynotes this year include some of the most interesting leaders from some of the most exciting companies in the graphic communications business today. They start with Marc Olin of EFI, who has been travelling the world buying up printing-related software companies while other former industry leaders are suffering, and move on to Mike Puyot from Memjet, a company which is finally shipping product via OEMs and is poised to dramatically change everyone’s business, after existing as a virtual “urban legend” for almost 10 years! These are followed by the most complete, robust technical program available this year at any conference in the industry. One of the coolest things about TAGA is the questions from the audience after the presentations. As you can imagine with a group of this makeup, there are many opinions, and TAGA encourages an intellectually charged environment. There are no assumptions, and this is not a love-in where PR rules—people are often challenged on the statements they make from the dais. It’s exciting! Another really important aspect of the event is the student chapter participation, and the annual student competitions. To the printing company owner: here is the most important reason for you to send your top technical stakeholder or two to TAGA: recruiting. Plug your company into the top printing schools in the WORLD—Cal Poly SLO, Clemson, RIT,...

Register for the Continuous Improvement Conference April 1- April 4, 2012. The success that printing companies have in using Lean manufacturing concepts depends, largely, on the effectiveness of their managers.  Here are six steps your managers can take to speed the pace of your company’s improvement:    Key 1.  Understand what is meant by improvement.  Most managers seek competitive advantage through operational improvement when the better approach is to seek Lean improvement. Lean improvement is not about the work, but, rather, about eliminating wastes—things that get in the way of efficient work. These wastes—such as waiting—add time and cost and no customer value. You should become familiar with the eight common wastes. Over 95% of the elapsed time between paying and getting paid is attributable to these wastes. Unless managers are trained in what to look for, these wastes may be invisible.  Managers should first  visit the work area with an open mind to identify improvement opportunities.  It is also a good idea to visit a few organizations that have well-developed improvement systems, speak to your peers,  and  learn from their experiences.   Key 2.  Demonstrate Passionate Commitment. Passion for your work will not only drive you forward, but it is also conveyed to your employees.  For managers who see and understand the opportunity for improvement, it’s easy to be passionate. Employees respond to your example of passionate commitment.  Remember—your passion can’t be delegated. If you are a no-show on the floor, don’t expect a commitment from employees.     Key 3.  Learn the Tools. When both managers and employees understand the meaning of  improvement, it creates an opportunity to apply the “how-to” or the tools of Lean Manufacturing.  These are the means to improvement that will work in any organization. Before attempting the know-how, be sure you know and can articulate why these tools are needed.  An employee may initially respond to a tool like 5S with objections. Most objections are just cautionary—that is, employees need to know more before accepting a new idea.    As management is learning the tools, they  are creating a favorable environment for learning and practice and keeping everyone practiced. Provide training at the point of need and allocate time as part of the training for practice with a real, if small, project. Don’t penalize for mistakes but do praise small victories. Lean is learned by doing—and, the best learning occurs in small increments; twenty minutes per day is better than a day once per month.   Key 4.  Make the job easier, better, faster and then cheaper. Use the above order for successful improvement. Open the issue by addressing job strain as the main reason for change, which shows respect for employees while...

Printing Consistent Color More and more printers are implementing the G7® specification and color management while profiling their monitors, proofing devices, and printing presses. There is no doubt that this process works, providing accurate, predictable color from proof to press. What should not be overlooked, however, is the notion of maintaining consistent color balance throughout the pressrun. Have you ever had a customer fan out a job, revealing that the colors don’t match from sheet to sheet (as close as possible) to the last sheet of a pressrun? Maintaining consistent color throughout a pressrun is a difficult task. The press operator must maintain a multitude of print variables at any given time; things like ink density, dot gain, gray balance, and print contrast, to name just a few. More often than not, these jobs are being printed on less-than-desirable paper stock, further complicating the process. The ability to maintain consistent color of images during the pressrun begins with the color separation process. Image conversion, that is, changing images from an RGB of LAB to a CMYK color space, is not as simple as a mode change in Photoshop. Considerations must be made for ink, paper, and the condition of the press, to name just a few. To read the complete Tech Talk Paper, download the PDF by clicking on the following link: DPC Tech Talk/February 2012. You can also learn more about achieving consistent color through Printing Industries of America’s Training Programs. Click on the links below to learn more. G7 Digital Operator Training ProgramApril 17–18, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PAPresented by Printing Industries of America, a training program endorsed by IDEAlliance Optimizing Color from Your Digital PressApril 24–25, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PAPresented by Printing Industries of America G7 Offset Operator Training ProgramJune 14–15, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PAPresented by Printing Industries of America, a training program endorsed by IDEAlliance G7 Expert/Professional TrainingJune 11–13 in Pittsburgh, PAHosted by Printing Industries of America and Presented by IDEAlliancePlease call 800-910-4283, ext. 731 for more information and to register for this program. PIA Blog Opt-Out: ...

The LPIA Technical Institute has one mission—to provide a world-class experience that surpasses any other like it in the label converting, packaging, top-sheet, and product decoration industry. This year, we will feature two state-of-the art venues that will expertly cover the latest technological advances and end-to-end production and workflow solutions. This is not your typical “stand and deliver” program, but a mixture of industry-related experts who will deliver content that is then supported by application showcases and innovative technology demonstrations firsthand.  The HP Experience Center is “your center, your success!” This center is tailored to ensure a truly world-class experience that’s all about you. The HP Experience Center is focused on providing valuable insight on digital printing technologies and workflows that provide higher-impact solutions for their customer needs. The Heidelberg North American Print and Packaging Technology Center  will delve into traditional methods from prepress through finishing, as well as new technology and tactics. Andy Thomas, Editor, Label & Labeling magazine, will give a global perspective on the market and give insight on the new technology that will be featured in the first-ever packaging printer zone at Labelexpo America. Join us and experience the LPIA Technical Institute for yourself! For more information, visit...

Since the establishment of the TAGA Student Chapters in 1985, student chapters have produced technical publications to showcase their student research, and starting in 1993, the TAGA Board of Directors has awarded a Grand Prize Award to recognize their efforts in producing their TAGA Student Publications. Renamed in 2006 as the Helmut Kipphan Cup (after Dr. Helmut Kipphan—for his time, support, and advocacy of the TAGA Student Chapters), the award is now a traveling trophy that is presented to the school that has produced a Student Publication that excels in technical content, print quality, and design. In addition, several Special Recognition Awards will be presented to schools that have proven their abilities in these individual areas. An additional “Attendees’ Choice” award will be given to the school that receives the most votes from all conference attendees. The student publication is intended to be a collection of student research in the associated areas of graphic technology. Any institution with an active TAGA student chapter is encouraged to participate. 2013 Award Winner Grenoble Institute of Technology Student Publication Special Recognition Best in Technical Writing – Clemson University Best in Publication Design – Ryerson University Best in Production Quality – Clemson University Best in Overall Quality – Clemson University Attendee’s Choice – Appalachian State University Previous Winners For more information on on the Helmut Kipphan Student Publication Award, Click Here. *Active student membership is required for submission in competitions or exhibition.If there are any questions, please contact TAGA@printing.org or...

Since the establishment of the TAGA Student Chapters in 1985, student chapters have produced technical publications to showcase their student research, and starting in 1993, the TAGA Board of Directors has awarded a Grand Prize Award to recognize their efforts in producing their TAGA Student Publications. Renamed in 2006 as the Helmut Kipphan Cup (after Dr. Helmut Kipphan—for his time, support, and advocacy of the TAGA Student Chapters), the award is now a traveling trophy that is presented to the school that has produced a Student Publication that excels in technical content, print quality, and design. In addition, several Special Recognition Awards will be presented to schools that have proven their abilities in these individual areas. An additional “Attendees’ Choice” award will be given to the school that receives the most votes from all conference attendees. The student publication is intended to be a collection of student research in the associated areas of graphic technology. Any institution with an active TAGA student chapter is encouraged to participate. 2013 Award Winner Grenoble Institute of Technology Student Publication Special Recognition Best in Technical Writing – Clemson University Best in Publication Design – Ryerson University Best in Production Quality – Clemson University Best in Overall Quality – Clemson University Attendee’s Choice – Appalachian State University Previous Winners For more information on on the Helmut Kipphan Student Publication Award, Click Here. *Active student membership is required for submission in competitions or exhibition.If there are any questions, please contact TAGA@printing.org or...