TUESDAY MAY 17, 2005
BRIGHT SPOTS FOR PRINTERS
According to print media specialist, Frank
Romano, wide-format digital machines are the future. Digital
printing and the promise of inkjet technologies are among the
bright spots for commercial printers trying to survive and
thrive in the Internet age. Romano was speaking at a forward
thinking session at International Pulp Week 2005. He noted:
“Inkjet is probably more in our future than toner is in the
digital realm, and over the next decade we will probably see a
movement to using inkjet in packaging.”
Wide-format digital printing
machines, which primarily use inkjet technology, allow printing
on all sorts of material, including canvas, film and plastic.
According to Romano, although these machines appear to be in a
niche market dealing with large format visual material such as
posters and artwork reproductions, they are the future of the
printing industry. Romano cited examples of applications for
small market segments, such as a particular store in a
particular city running a local child’s photograph on its cereal
packages, varying it by month, and by city: “Finding ways to
personalize printing is going to be a major advantage over the
next few years.” Romano, an author, and Rochester Institute of
Technology professor emeritus, also predicted advertising
materials, in particular brochures, will remain the mainstay of
the commercial printing industry, and will continue to grow.
Learn more:
lmoore@thegazette.canwest.com
MINISTER ANNOUNCES CPC APPOINTMENT
Following last week’s approval by an all-party
Parliamentary Committee, the Hon. John McCallum, Minister
Responsible for Canada Post Corporation, announced the
appointment of Moya Greene as President and CEO of Canada Post.
Ms. Greene takes over the role from Anne Joynt, who announced
her intention to retire last year. Read more:
click here.
CANADA POST AND RELIZON RENEW CONTRACT
Relizon Canada and Canada Post Corporation have
renewed a five-year contract, worth an estimated $80 million,
according to the Boucherville based document management firm.
Relizon said it will continue to provide a range of services to
Canada Post, including the design and personalization of paper
and electronic documents, developing products such as electronic
barcode return service labels and courier envelopes, as well as
countrywide document warehousing and distribution.
SEARS CANADA TEAMS UP WITH AMAZON.COM
Sears Canada Inc. announced a multi-year deal
with a division of Amazon.com Inc., allowing the Internet giant
to retool and operate the back end of the Sears.ca website.
“This is a multimillion-dollar
business initiative with long term benefits, and planned with a
substantial return on investment, ” Chief Executive, Brent
Hollister, said at the Sears annual general meeting of
shareholders. Hollister advised the two retailers have also
discussed various cross- merchandising possibilities such as
putting CD’s and books from Amazon on Sears.ca, but no firm
plans have been made.
“They have figured out there
is a better expert in running the back end of things,” said
David Brodie, retail analyst at Research Capital Corp. “I’m sure
it will be to the benefit of both parties.”
TORONTO CHAPTER CHALLENGE 2005
A challenging morning business agenda and then a
fun golf afternoon at the Doon Valley Golf course in Kitchener,
Wednesday June 22. Information and Registration:
click here
SEE YOU AT MAGS UNIVERSITY
Visit NAMMU at booth 113 in the Masthead Trade
Show, June 7-10, The Old Mill. Drop by to say hello, learn about
the NAMMU Publications Mail Council activities, add your ideas
to their list of initiatives! Any NAMMU member is welcome to
display relevant samples and promotion material. Contact:
executive@nammu.org
