New Products & Services November 2007

A new security solution, Kodak’s “Traceless,” helps combat wine fraud via digital or traditional printing.

Kodak, Rochester, N.Y., introduced anti-counterfeiting technology that uses invisible markers added to inks, paper and other packaging elements. They can also be screenprinted directly onto bottles. These marks are detectable only by proprietary handheld readers that are leased to customers. The system prevents counterfeiters from duplicating product packaging, and was recently used by several Napa Valley vineyards to combat wine fraud. Wine industry experts estimate counterfeit wine could affect as much as 5 percent of merchandise.

Colgin Cellars, HL Vineyards, Vineyard 29 and Staglin Family Vineyard recently employed the solution to protect their products. Ann Colgin, owner of Colgin Cellars, decided to find an anti-counterfeit solution before fraud marred sales of her vintages, many of which sell at auction for hundreds of dollars per bottle. “Within 45 days,” she says, “they conducted a pilot test, delivered a proposal and implemented the solution.”

Software that renders the marks can be used with conventional and digital equipment, or the odorless, colorless powder can be applied during production. Visit www.kodak.com/go/security.

*Wisco Envelope introduced a free tool that helps users determine the correct classification of mail pieces under the USPS shape-based pricing guidelines that went into effect recently. The Wisco Rate Tester allows a user to lay the mail piece directly on the grid and determine which classification it falls into. Clear directions for use and postal guidelines are drawn to scale directly on the piece. Wisco has a limited number of generic rate testers that distributors can personalize and give to customers. Distributors can receive up to 25 free rate testers by contacting customer service at (800) 777-9677.
Visit www.wiscoenv.com.

*Avery Dennison Corp.’s Fasson Roll North American division introduced the Fasson Trans-Therm CX substrate, which is designed for flexographic and thermal transfer printing. The product has a bright white, ultra-smooth coating that is smudge- and scratch-resistant for high bar code readability, the company says. It is offered with S9010 adhesive in Fasson EXACT and Splice-Free.
Visit www.na.fasson.com.

SERVICES
*Victor Printing, Sharon, Pa., installed a 6-color Komori Lithrone S 29 offset press with an inline aqueous coater. The press allows the company to offer a 5- to 7-day job turnaround, 24-hour proofs, higher print quality, and more competitive pricing, the company says. The new press is suited to shorter runs and has shorter make-ready.
Visit www.victorprinting.com.

*FormStore Incorporated, Fenton, Mo., installed digital Kodak equipment to supplement its quick turnaround digital printing business. The new presses, including a 5-color Kodak NexPress 2100, a DirectPress 5634 DI digital offset press, a glossing unit and a DigiMaster E125 production system, expand the company’s service options.
Visit www.formstore.com.

*Prodigital Printing, Edison, N.J., installed a 4-color Hamada digital offset press to provide competitive pricing on runs from 1,000 to 30,000. The new press has a 10-minute make-ready time and features a “near-line” plate maker that mounts the plates on the press automatically.
Visit www.e-consortium.com.

*All Barcode Systems, Garden Grove, Calif., installed a Mark Andy 2200-XL label press, which will allow the company to produce successive runs at higher speeds. The 13-inch press, which is equipped with a UV coating system, a pinfed/fanfold unit, laser sheeting capability and large roll lamination tower, will deliver efficiency and savings, the company said in a press release.
Visit www.allbarcodesystems.com.

Total Printing Co., Richmond, Va., now offers UV printing. The company installed a 5-color, 40-inch Mitsubishi Diamond 3000S equipped with ultraviolet capabilities. Most of the company’s large customers are interested in UV printing, owner Gary Williams said in a press release. The company expects to be the only UV printer in the area, which gives it a market advantage.
Visit www.total-printing.com.

Freedom Graphic Systems, Milton, Wis., installed two Xerox iGen3 presses to meet a growing demand for customized direct mail campaigns. The company, which primarily serves clients in the retail and financial industries, provides 1-to-1 marketing and expects to complete at least 3 billion impressions this year. The iGen3 presses are equipped with a Creo Spire color server.
Visit www.fgs.com.

Fong Brothers Printing, Brisbane, Calif., installed a Mitsubishi Diamond 3000LX wide stock range press to add carton printing to the company’s range of options. Primarily, Fong Brothers offers short-run brochures, flyers and other commercial printing materials. The new 6-color, 40-inch press handles stock from .002 inches to .04 inches, including board and synthetic substrates. The printer currently has no plans to incorporate corrugated boxes and package converting.

Tony Fong, president of Fong Brothers Printing, adds carton printing to the company’s repertoire with a Diamond 3000LX press.