A Genius Is Crowned
- Published: April 11, 2008, By By Claudia Hine, Managing Editor
GENT, BELGIUM (March 20, 2008) | Day Four of Duomedia Drupa Discovery Tour began with a lively roundtable moderated by Laurel Brunner of UK-based Spindrift, and Andy Tribute, Attributes Assoc., Cornwall, UK. Panelists included René Delbar, senior VP of business development at EskoArtwork; Richard Barham, VP R&D at Agfa Graphics; Lode Deprez, R&D inkjet for Xeikon at Punch Graphix; David Prekett, European marketing director, professional print at Canon; Peter Camps, senior VP of Enfocus at Esko; and Francois Martin, EMEA graphic arts marketing director at HP.
Participants tackled the hot topics of sustainability, automation, and emerging applications, and debated inkjet versus toner and digital versus conventional print. On the subject of sustainability, HP was quick to point out that on-demand digital printing has environmental advantages because it reduces waste when you print only what you need when you need it. In addition, it’s greener to print locally rather than ship printed pieces over long distances.
Web-to-print strategies also were discussed. Canon reports that results of a study the company conducted showed 25% of respondents don’t know what web-to-print is. Also mentioned was the fact that user interfaces are not easy for inexperienced print buyers.
Show News
Monika Kissing of Messe Dusseldorf, organizers of the Drupa show, presented highlights of what she called the “XXL version” of Drupa, which will cover 170,000 sq m in 19 halls. New this year is the “Drupacube,” a cube-shaped construction in the Congress Ctr. So. parking of the Dusseldorf fairgrounds that will be the site of workshops and symposia.
The 1,250-sq-m Drupacube is expected to be a hot spot for print buyers. Each day, including an after-hours party, will be dedicated to a specific theme, such as direct advertising day (May 29), newspaper day (May 30), magazine day (June 2), packaging/brand protection day (June 10), etc.
On June 9–10, the 4th Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Global Paper Forum will be staged in tandem with Drupa. At this international forum, members from the worldwide paper and pulp sectors gather to examine market opportunities. Forum discussions, workshops, and information on all the latest developments in the FSC paper sector form part of the event.
It’s a Wrap
During the weeklong event, journalists competed in a “Graphic Arts Genius Competition” by testing their knowledge of color in a series of questionnaires created with the expertise of the Flemish Inst. for Graphical Communication. Paul Lindstrom of UK-based Spindrift, earned the title and a gift at the close of the tour. Did you know that if you are checking the colors of a proof, you have to take into account both the light source and the color of your clothing?
