Océ now can deliver MICR printing at a speed of 1,273 images per minute by using its Quick Change Developer Station (QCDS) on the VarioStream 7650. (QCDS enables documents to be printed with standard black toner and either highlight color or MICR toner. Users can swap within minutes the black developer station for a MICR or spot color developer station.)
Broadhurst says the VarioStream 7650 also offers a triplex system. When a user requires black printing on both sides of a page with spot color or MICR check printing on one side, the VarioStream 7650 can combine three printers for 2-sided, black-and-white printing with spot color or MICR.
In May, Océ launched its VarioPrint 5115 MICR and VarioPrint 5160 MICR digital, cut sheet printers. They print at speeds of up to 115 images per minute and 160 images per minute, respectively, and are ideal for traditional black-and-white payroll applications, explanations of benefits and other negotiable document applications. They support a variety of substrates such as plain white paper stock, custom sized paper, coated stock, colored paper, card stock, recycled paper and more.
In October 2003, the company launched the 750II MICR cut sheet printer that can handle medium to high volumes of MICR documents. The printer supports monthly print volumes of 500,000 impressions at a rate of 75 images per minute. It's ideal for printing payroll checks, explanation of benefits checks, balance-transfer checks, coupon payment books and preauthorized drafts in the insurance, manufacturing, transportation and financial industries. Because security is critical, the printer includes built-in features such as MICR-specific toner bottles that interlock with a matching cover to prevent loading on non-MICR toner. Also, only authorized users can access set-up menus.
Broadhurst says Océ is able to gain customers because "our important attributes are quality and flexibility."
--Preeti Vasishtha
To strengthen its position in the MICR products market, Océ Digital Document Solutions has introduced several products. The Boca Raton, Fla., division of Océ North America Inc., Chicago, recently launched its VarioStream™ 7650 printing system, VarioPrint™ 5115 MICR and VarioPrint™ 5160 MICR printers, and 750II MICR cut sheet printer.
MICR characters, the magnetized numbers printed across the bottom of checks and other valuable documents, must be read reliably at high speeds by banks, financial services firms, insurers and the telecommunications and health care industries--markets that Océ wants to penetrate. Product reliability is key in the MICR market because check rejection rates prove costly for users. "We have a long track of MICR products--at least 15 years," says Guy Broadhurst, director of product marketing, Océ North America. "Océ offers written guarantees to customers because check reject rates can get expensive very quickly." The rejection rate for Océ MICR products is less than 0.5 percent, he says.
SUPPLIER NEWS
Formax®, Dover, N.H., a division of BESCORP Inc., introduced FD 2092 and FD 2082 AutoSeal® models. The FD 2092 cut sheet model uses a bottom-air feed system to load forms, and the FD 2082 continuous form model can separate, fold and seal continuous pressure seal forms in-line, according to the company. Both systems have high-capacity, 3-inch outfeed conveyors, 8-ball paper transportation decks and combination folder rollers. They're ideal for automating and processing checks, invoices, pin numbers, tax forms marketing materials and mid-volume production mailings produced on 1-piece pressure sensitive mailers, the company said. Call (800) 232-5535.
MeadWestvaco Corp., Stamford, Conn., introduced a tool kit on its upgraded No. 3 and No. 4 grade web papers. The kit contains information on enhanced grades, product specifications, competitive sheets and applications. The company increased the brightness of Focus®, Vision®, Escanaba™ and Dependoweb® web papers and gave gradelines a cleaner, whiter styling. Call (800) 638-3313.
Relyco Sales Inc., Dover, N. H., signed an agreement with NeoMedia Technologies Inc., Fort Myers, Fla., to resell products and systems utilizing NeoMedia Technologies' PaperClick™. PaperClick allows bar codes and other machine-readable identifiers to link directly to web pages and other sources, according to the company. It also can be used to track and evaluate products and train employees, it said. Call (603) 516-3630.
Boise® Office Solutions, Boise, Idaho, announced a new arrangement with Esselte Corporation, Melville, N.Y., to offer medical filing systems through its regular office supply channels. Previously, hospitals and clinics had to go through a separate supplier and wait seven to 10 days before receiving filing system supplies such as radiology and X-ray file jackets and color-coded folder labels. Now, Boise stocks more than 50 of the most popular items, and customers will receive them the next day. Additionally, Boise Cascade Corp. announced a first-quarter profit of $63.5 million, or 66 cents per share. Its acquisition of Cleveland-based OfficeMax Inc. more than doubled the company's sales to $3.5 billion. Call (208) 384-6161.
Nipson America Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., introduced its VaryPress 200 and VaryPress 400 high-speed digital presses. The presses offer greater flexibility, higher speeds and crisp print quality for applications such as books on demand and security documents, according to the company. The VaryPress 200 can produce more than 500 sharp 600-d.p.i. images per minute in 2-up simplex mode, it said. Ideal for large volumes of variable data products, the VaryPress 400 offers 600-d.p.i. output at speeds of up to 125 meters per minute, it said. The presses can print on light and heavyweight papers, synthetics, foils, labels, car materials and more. Call (847) 357-9210 or (847) 357-9206 (fax).
Heidelberg USA, based in Kennesaw, Ga., launched several products, including the Speedmaster XL 105, Speedmaster CD 74-P and SupraSetter thermal external drum CTP system. The Speedmaster XL 105 sheet-fed press can print at a speed of 18,000 sheets per hour and offers greater productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness, according to the company. The Speedmaster CD 74-P has a sheet reversing system that offers high-quality perfecting with short changeover times. It's ideal for commercial printers handling a variety of printing stocks, packaging and label printers, and print shops producing greeting cards or book jackets, the company said. The SupraSetter supports Heidelberg sheet-fed and web offset plate formats. Available in 4-page and 8-page formats, it has five speeds and various automation settings. Call (888) 472-9655.
Neenah Paper, Roswell, Ga., introduced its Ample Sample promotion featuring six paper brands. The promotion shows the applications, production, assembly techniques and industries in which the papers can be used. It features the ENVIRONMENT®, CLASSIC® Laid, CLASSIC® Linen, CLASSIC CREST® and CLASSIC COLUMNS® Text and Cover papers, as well as an insert of UV/ULTRA® II Translucent Printing Papers. Call (800) 558-5061.
Nazdar, Shawnee, Kan., announced an agreement with Roland DGA to distribute Roland's SC540EX and VersaCAMM (SP-300) printer/plotters. The SC540EX prints signs, banners, point-of-purchase displays and vehicle wraps at speeds of up to 300 square feet per hour at 450 d.p.i. It can print up to 1,440 x 1,440 d.p.i. with variable droplet technology. The 30-inch VersaCAMM uses an integrated media heating system and advanced Eco-SOL INK to print a wide range of outdoor, durable, full-color graphics without ventilation. Call (800) 767-9942 or (913) 422-2296 (fax).
International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., launched a point-of-purchase display on its Springhill® papers. The Springhill Digital Color Selector display shows print quality, grades, weights, sizes and finishes of each stock. The Springhill Digital Opaque Offset Colors and Cover is ideal for brochures, fliers, letterhead, direct mail, newsletters and posters, according to the company. The Springhill Digital Index and Vellum Bristol Cover is ideal for announcements, file cards, menus, case records and charts, it said. Call (901) 419-7909.
