PIA announces the InterTech technology awards

Since 1978, the InterTech technology awards have honoured the development of technologies which are predicted to have a major impact on the graphic arts and related industries.

The independent panel of judges have deliberated over many technology nominations ranging from digital presses and related enhancements to a variety of mobile and web-based software. 

Twelve innovative technologies were selected to receive the award.

Technology: Kodak Nexpress Red Fluorescing Solution
Company: Eastman Kodak Company
The red fluorescing dry ink solution, which is a part of Kodak Nexpress fifth imaging unit solutions portfolio, enables printers to provide increased security and fraud protection on documents, packaging, promotional, and direct mail materials. It can be printed inline on a wide range of substrates and is invisible to the naked eye until it is illuminated with an ultraviolet light source.

Technology: Enterworks Enable
Company: Enterworks
Enterworks Enable is a multi-channel publishing and product information management tool. It delivers persuasive selling content through e-commerce, web, mobile and print channels by furnishing a company’s product information, associated images and videos, brands and other marketing assets.

Technology: i-cut Suite
Company: EskoArtwork
i-cut suite is a collection of pre-production software targeted specifically for large format digital printers and digital finishing systems. It provides a streamline workflow for pre-flighting PDF files, preparing graphics, creating layouts, printing, and finishing in perfect registration.

Technology: Fujifilm J Press 720
Company: Fujifilm North America Corporation
Fujifilm’s J Press 720 is an inkjet press which prints a 20inch by 29inch sheet in a single pass, resulting in production speeds of 2,700 sheets per hour. It uses Dimatix’s Samba single pass piezo drop-on-demand inkjet head technology to achieve a 1,200dpi x 1,200dpi resolution with four-level gray scale.

Technology: Prinect Performance Benchmarking
Company: Heidelberg USA
Prinect Performance Benchmarking is an internet-based solution which enables print firms to compare the productivity of their Speedmaster presses anonymously with those of their competitors. The print performance of the connected machines is also recorded automatically online and evaluated centrally by Heidelberg.

Technology: Keen MIS and Web-to-Print
Company: Keen Systems, Inc.
Keen MIS and web-to-print is a print-shop management tool which implements Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and utilises cloud-based software to broaden the market-place for users.

Technology: Color Control and Web Inspection System with AccuCam
Company: QuadTech
QuadTech’s AccuCam system controls colour and provides an automatic water control to minimise scumming in newspapers. It uses the pre-press image files to create Lab* target aim point values and calculates the Lab* values of the entire image. Then the system brings the printed image to the specified target values and automatically maintains the colour quality throughout the production run.

Technology: SunPak LMQ
Company: Sun Chemical
Sun Chemical’s SunPak LMQ inks exhibit very low odour, off-flavour and migration levels. It helps the brand-owners to eliminate the risk of migration issues in food, pharmaceutical and tobacco applications.

Technology: iTechnique
Company: Technique Business Systems
iTechnique is a mobile management information system (MIS) and executive reporting tool running on iPhone and iPad as a native application. It enables the printers to access company’s information as well as perform estimation and pricing over a mobile phone or an iPad.

Technology: Avatrex Transportable Imaging
Company: Utopia Digital Technologies
Avatrex Transportable Imaging technology which comprises of nano chemically modified coatings, release on demand technology and fractal matte technology which allows the inkjet created image to be transferred to the desired substrate.

Technology: Xeikon X-800 VariLane
Company: Xeikon
Xeikon X-800 VariLane allows label printers to combine labels of different sizes and different designs within the same print job, reducing setup times and lowering costs. It is specifically designed for the Xeikon 3000 series of digital label presses.

Technology: i1Pro 2
Company: X-Rite
 X-rite’s i1Pro2 spectrophotometer allows profiling for today’s enhanced range of substrates. It enables the users to predict the appearance of colours printed on optically brightened paper under both standard and specific light conditions using a single hand-held device.

The InterTech stars, recognised as a symbol of technological innovation and excellence, will be presented before an audience of industry leaders during the 2012 Premier Print Awards Gala featuring the InterTech technology awards on seven October in Chicago.