An Inside Look at the Experts Driving the BIG Ideas for Print
Each year we search the globe to find outstanding keynote speakers for the Technical Association of the Graphics Art (TAGA) Annual Technical Conference. After all, the conference has a reputation of highlighting some of the most dynamic thought leaders in our industry. The print professionals, scientists, and researchers coming to the 67th TAGA Conference, March 22–25, 2015, in Albuquerque, NM, will hear thought-provoking keynote discussions on new print applications; print-centric, omni-channel marketing; national security innovations; and printed electronic opportunities. The headlining speakers bring a wide range of experience and expertise that drives the BIG ideas for the printing industry. Chris Travis, Director of Technology, KBA Chris Travis has been involved in the printing industry since he was 15 years old. From an apprentice at a U.K. printing company, Chris went full-steam ahead, landing high-profile positions, including Experimental Printing Manager of Global Research and Development for Flint Ink before he began with KBA as Director of Technology. Chris is a major player in the company’s new and future technologies as well as sales, marketing, and product management. He draws on this broad experience in his TAGA keynote session “Ink on Substrate—New Printing Processes and Applications that Can Expand the Positioning of Today’s Printer” where he explains how traditional printers can expand their portfolio by offering ancillary services to build new revenue streams using existing internal knowledge and processes. KBA, headquartered in Dallas, TX, is the oldest and second largest press manufacturer in the world and has a history of influence in the technology market. The company earned multiple InterTech™ Technology Awards, the latest for its Flying JobChange in 2011. Michael Van Haren, Postal Solutions Sales Manager, Quad/Graphics Mike Van Haren is a big believer in the power of print—especially when it is strategically linked and aligned with all other channels of marketing. For more than 25 years, he has dedicated his career to the print and media technology industry in a number of technical, marketing, business development, and operational management positions. He’s managed a variety of teams and worked with customers from around the globe. With more than seven years at one of the largest magazine, catalog, and direct marketing printers in the Western Hemisphere, Quad/Graphics’ Postal Solutions Sales Manager is all about marketing solutions. Mike leads a team of sales consultants who guide customers in strategy and development of targeted, measurable, multichannel marketing solutions and assists them with postal optimization through innovative data management and analytics. This evolving technology is the topic of Mike’s keynote session at the Annual TAGA Conference in March. He’ll present “Using Data and a Print-centric Strategy to Manage Relevant, Timely Omni-channel Marketing” and show how to successfully use customer and mail delivery data to make print the driver of timely, targeted and relevant omni-channel messaging that will help retain and grow market share. Patrick Younk, Staff Scientist, Los Alamos National Lab Before Dr. Younk’s research led him to astro-particle physics at Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico (where he has published over 40 research articles), he worked for eight years as a research/design engineer in the printing industry. This experience in the printing industry, he says, has benefitted his work in experimental physics. A graduate of Michigan Technological University, Dr. Younk specializes in a broad range of machine (experiment) design, data analysis, and...
read moreThe 3 New High-Speed Production Inkjet Applications to Take Your Color from Ho-Hum to Wow
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. If you want to run high-color applications on production inkjet systems, inkjet tools have made it more feasible and less costly. You can even estimate ink usage before a job is printed because of tools that simulate printing! An inkjet system’s controller can track ink usage easily while the job is printing, and some can determine how to reduce ink usage while preserving the desired look and feel of the output. Want to increase efficiencies and open up new revenue streams? High-speed production inkjet will continue to be an important platform for companies looking to expand their capabilities. Get up...
read moreThe 3 New High-Speed Production Inkjet Applications to Take Your Color from Ho-Hum to Wow
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. If you want to run high-color applications on production inkjet systems, inkjet tools have made it more feasible and less costly. You can even estimate ink usage before a job is printed because of tools that simulate printing! An inkjet system’s controller can track ink usage easily while the job is printing, and some can determine how to reduce ink usage while preserving the desired look and feel of the output. Want to increase efficiencies and open up new revenue streams? High-speed production inkjet will continue to be an important platform for companies looking to expand their capabilities. Get up...
read moreThe 3 New High-Speed Production Inkjet Applications to Take Your Color from Ho-Hum to Wow!
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. If you want to run high-color applications on production inkjet systems, inkjet tools have made it more feasible and less costly. You can even estimate ink usage before a job is printed because of tools that simulate printing! An inkjet system’s controller can track ink usage easily while the job is printing, and some can determine how to reduce ink usage while preserving the desired look and feel of the output. Want to increase efficiencies and open up new revenue streams? High-speed production inkjet will continue to be an important platform for companies looking to expand their capabilities. Get up...
read moreE-Learning ROI: Tips for Implementing a Successful Online Learning Program
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Ben Franklin understood that in-depth learning happens when a student is engaged in the learning process. For managers who want to improve their competitive stance, implementing an eLearning program for their employees can not only save them substantially when compared to traditional learning methods, it creates a richer, more engaging learning environment. (Find out more about the benefits of online learning for both managers and employees here.) However, many online learning initiatives fail due to an inefficient plan or not having a plan at all. Your organization may already be using an online training platform like the Integrated Learning Center. To get the highest success—and ROI—out of your program, we recommend you first develop an online learning implementation strategy. To help get you started, here are a few tips for launching your online training program: Identify training needs—Is your operation facing declining sales volumes or profit losses due to incorrect or late jobs? Do you have new employees without much prior knowledge of the printing industry? Pinpoint your most immediate issues and ask yourself if training will lead to a solution. Match business needs with the appropriate type of training. (ICS Learning Group) Choose the right online learning platform—Look at your online learning platform as a long-term investment for your company. Some of the criteria managers use to evaluate platforms are 1) ease of access from multiple devices (including mobile), 2) benefits of each course, and 3) how the courses meet your specific business needs. (Syberworks) Gauge your employees—Many managers find that, to get maximum results, they need to “sell” online learning to their staff. Talking to them about 1) the equipment they use, 2) the certificates they hope to attain, 3) what time of day they prefer to learn, etc., gets employees more involved and can increase the overall success rate of your program. (Brandon Hall Research) Measure performance—Keep tabs on employee improvements by developing benchmarks and evaluating training programs. Collect feedback (Syberworks) and evaluate and refine your training regularly (ICS Learning Group). Create incentives—Research shows that accountability can drive employees to stick to their online learning goals. Managers who tie eLearning to performance reviews and require certifications have found that employees are more motivated and, in turn, less likely to fall off the online training wagon. (Brandon Hall Research) Help make learning easier—Most of us learn better in an environment free of disruptions, i.e., phones ringing, emails chiming, or coworkers coming in and out. As a manager it is your choice of whether online courses are completed at the employee’s home or during work hours, but the bottom line is that they need a place where they can concentrate. By setting up a “classroom” in a separate area of your building or forwarding communications to the employee’s home, you can ensure your employee is getting the maximum learning benefit for their time. (Brandon Hall Research) There are many ways to engage employees and get the highest return for your company’s online learning platform investment. Hopefully you will use these tips as a starting point to implement a successful online learning program. Do you have any tips to share for other managers who are launching online learning programs? Share your thoughts...
read moreE-Learning ROI: Tips for Implementing a Successful Online Learning Program
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Ben Franklin understood that in-depth learning happens when a student is engaged in the learning process. For managers who want to improve their competitive stance, implementing an eLearning program for their employees can not only save them substantially when compared to traditional learning methods, it creates a richer, more engaging learning environment. (Find out more about the benefits of online learning for both managers and employees here.) However, many online learning initiatives fail due to an inefficient plan or not having a plan at all. Your organization may already be using an online training platform like the Integrated Learning Center. To get the highest success—and ROI—out of your program, we recommend you first develop an online learning implementation strategy. To help get you started, here are a few tips for launching your online training program: Identify training needs—Is your operation facing declining sales volumes or profit losses due to incorrect or late jobs? Do you have new employees without much prior knowledge of the printing industry? Pinpoint your most immediate issues and ask yourself if training will lead to a solution. Match business needs with the appropriate type of training. (ICS Learning Group) Choose the right online learning platform—Look at your online learning platform as a long-term investment for your company. Some of the criteria managers use to evaluate platforms are 1) ease of access from multiple devices (including mobile), 2) benefits of each course, and 3) how the courses meet your specific business needs. (Syberworks) Gauge your employees—Many managers find that, to get maximum results, they need to “sell” online learning to their staff. Talking to them about 1) the equipment they use, 2) the certificates they hope to attain, 3) what time of day they prefer to learn, etc., gets employees more involved and can increase the overall success rate of your program. (Brandon Hall Research) Measure performance—Keep tabs on employee improvements by developing benchmarks and evaluating training programs. Collect feedback (Syberworks) and evaluate and refine your training regularly (ICS Learning Group). Create incentives—Research shows that accountability can drive employees to stick to their online learning goals. Managers who tie eLearning to performance reviews and require certifications have found that employees are more motivated and, in turn, less likely to fall off the online training wagon. (Brandon Hall Research) Help make learning easier—Most of us learn better in an environment free of disruptions, i.e., phones ringing, emails chiming, or coworkers coming in and out. As a manager it is your choice of whether online courses are completed at the employee’s home or during work hours, but the bottom line is that they need a place where they can concentrate. By setting up a “classroom” in a separate area of your building or forwarding communications to the employee’s home, you can ensure your employee is getting the maximum learning benefit for their time. (Brandon Hall Research) There are many ways to engage employees and get the highest return for your company’s online learning platform investment. Hopefully you will use these tips as a starting point to implement a successful online learning program. Do you have any tips to share for other managers who are launching online learning programs? Share your thoughts...
read moreFive Things You Could Do to Improve Your Color Consistency
Helping companies produce accurate, consistent color is a full-time job for Dillon Mooney. As our Technical Consultant for the Center for Technology and Research, Dillon, a 30-plus-year industry veteran, has encountered many of the challenges your company faces each day. Here Dillon dishes five key improvements you can make today to get the consistent color your customers demand. (Psssst! If you’ve ever called our Technical Hotline, you probably already know Dillon—he answers more than 1,500 inquiries a year!) The success of color management depends on consistency of the output devices. Once color management is implemented, it must be managed through process controls to maintain its repeatability. Run color bars on all jobs and include solid ink density patches, gray balance patches, 50% tint patches, and overprint patches to measure wet trapping. If you don’t measure it, you cannot control it! Consider using under some Gray Component Replacement (GCR). These techniques remove some of the CMY that makes up the grays and add weight to the K separation. This makes it easier to control the color on press. To ensure your presses are printing consistently, first check that the solid ink densities are running at you shop’s standards. Additionally the tonal value increase (TVI or dot gain) values should be in an acceptable range. Once you’ve created a color profile, it will only work if the press is printing with the same attributes. To monitor this, make sure to regularly measure the solid ink densities, TVI, gray balance, and wet trapping values. If different solid ink densities are run on different jobs, the ink film thickness differences can affect TVI, gray balance and wet trapping. Slurring creates differences in TVI and will cause a shift in the color of a process image. Random slurring can cause the appearance of the color to change from sheet to sheet. A good slur indicator is the Ladder Bars on Printing Industries Test Forms. Star Targets included in our color bars will also detect slurring. Maintaining the consistency of the output of the press also involves standardizing consumables, including ink, plates, and fountain solution. Use process inks that are ISO 2846-1 compliant. ISO 2844-1 inks are going to have very similar hue and saturation levels, and are specified in the G-7 methodology. Any time a different plate, blanket, fountain solution, or ink is used, check your process control aim points to ensure the press is printing the same way it was when the color management profile was created. Implement a preventive maintenance program that includes a good roller wash-up, deglazing, and roller setting procedure. For color management profiles to match your output, you need to address maintenance issues or face a gradual decline of press quality. Use ISO 3664 viewing standards. Colors can appear different under various lighting conditions—this is referred to as a “metamerism effect.” ISO 3664 specifies a light source of D50, which is a 5,000 Kelvin spectrum, but has an expanded UV spectrum not available in standard 5,000 K bulbs. Perform critical color evolutions in a three-sided light booth (to block ambient room light) equipped with ISO 3664-compliant bulbs from a graphic arts viewing booth manufacturer. (Even a press console equipped with an overhead viewing light with ISO 3664 bulbs is probably not compliant due to ambient room light contamination.) Printing...
read moreFive Things You Could Do to Improve Your Color Consistency
Helping companies produce accurate, consistent color is a full-time job for Dillon Mooney. As our Technical Consultant for the Center for Technology and Research, Dillon, a 30-plus-year industry veteran, has encountered many of the challenges your company faces each day. Here Dillon dishes five key improvements you can make today to get the consistent color your customers demand. (Psssst! If you’ve ever called our Technical Hotline, you probably already know Dillon—he answers more than 1,500 inquiries a year!) The success of color management depends on consistency of the output devices. Once color management is implemented, it must be managed through process controls to maintain its repeatability. Run color bars on all jobs and include solid ink density patches, gray balance patches, 50% tint patches, and overprint patches to measure wet trapping. If you don’t measure it, you cannot control it! Consider using under some Gray Component Replacement (GCR). These techniques remove some of the CMY that makes up the grays and add weight to the K separation. This makes it easier to control the color on press. To ensure your presses are printing consistently, first check that the solid ink densities are running at you shop’s standards. Additionally the tonal value increase (TVI or dot gain) values should be in an acceptable range. Once you’ve created a color profile, it will only work if the press is printing with the same attributes. To monitor this, make sure to regularly measure the solid ink densities, TVI, gray balance, and wet trapping values. If different solid ink densities are run on different jobs, the ink film thickness differences can affect TVI, gray balance and wet trapping. Slurring creates differences in TVI and will cause a shift in the color of a process image. Random slurring can cause the appearance of the color to change from sheet to sheet. A good slur indicator is the Ladder Bars on Printing Industries Test Forms. Star Targets included in our color bars will also detect slurring. Maintaining the consistency of the output of the press also involves standardizing consumables, including ink, plates, and fountain solution. Use process inks that are ISO 2846-1 compliant. ISO 2844-1 inks are going to have very similar hue and saturation levels, and are specified in the G-7 methodology. Any time a different plate, blanket, fountain solution, or ink is used, check your process control aim points to ensure the press is printing the same way it was when the color management profile was created. Implement a preventive maintenance program that includes a good roller wash-up, deglazing, and roller setting procedure. For color management profiles to match your output, you need to address maintenance issues or face a gradual decline of press quality. Use ISO 3664 viewing standards. Colors can appear different under various lighting conditions—this is referred to as a “metamerism effect.” ISO 3664 specifies a light source of D50, which is a 5,000 Kelvin spectrum, but has an expanded UV spectrum not available in standard 5,000 K bulbs. Perform critical color evolutions in a three-sided light booth (to block ambient room light) equipped with ISO 3664-compliant bulbs from a graphic arts viewing booth manufacturer. (Even a press console equipped with an overhead viewing light with ISO 3664 bulbs is probably not compliant due to ambient room light contamination.) Printing...
read moreEnvironmental Sustainability in the Printing Industry: How one Pioneer’s Efforts are Recognized
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 behind Sappi’s eQ Brand, a multi-dimensional communication platform featuring videos, white papers, The eQ Journal (also available in print), and a blog, The Environmental Quotient. One of Sappi’s recent environmental initiatives was to bring natural gas many miles to reach the Somerset, Maine, papermaking mill. Along the way, many small towns will take advantage of this fuel source as both the mill and individual households replace fuel oil as a primary source of energy! From One Pioneer to Another Whittaker understands what it takes to lead successful environmental initiatives. With nearly 29 years of organizing dozens of effective third-party quality...
read moreEnvironmental Sustainability in the Printing Industry: How one Pioneer’s Efforts are Recognized
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 behind Sappi’s eQ Brand, a multi-dimensional communication platform featuring videos, white papers, The eQ Journal (also available in print), and a blog, The Environmental Quotient. One of Sappi’s recent environmental initiatives was to bring natural gas many miles to reach the Somerset, Maine, papermaking mill. Along the way, many small towns will take advantage of this fuel source as both the mill and individual households replace fuel oil as a primary source of energy! From One Pioneer to Another Whittaker understands what it takes to lead successful environmental initiatives. With nearly 29 years of organizing dozens of effective third-party quality...
read more