Select
4
8
Unique
EFI’s Inkjet
one-stop
Strategy
shop
6
12
From Vehicle
Graphics
Economies
to the
Milan
of scale
Expo
8
19
Seeking
Partnering
New
Opportunities
at its best
Magazine
ISSUE 15. 2015
Applications
for profitability
EDITORIAL
Welcome to the final issue of Select for 2015. What better way to end
the year than to focus on profitability? As you read through the pages of
Select, you will find many Applications for Profitability—from producing
textiles for the fashion industry (page 8) to selling labels online
(page 16). Staying profitable also requires maintaining a lean operation.
Read how you can do that on page 3.
The amazing casino façade shown on the cover is another example of
a profitable application. Using an innovative “day and night” technique,
M2 Printing (the Netherlands) produced and mounted over 300 m2
of foil on the 60 metre tower of the Van Der Valk Hotel.
Visit http://efi.com/select if you want to learn more.
There is something else you can do within your organisation to boost
the bottom line. What I have in mind is less obvious than the traditional
practices, such as cutting costs. It involves motivating your employees,
but not just to be more productive or less wasteful. It incentivises them
to participate in the development of profit-generating practices.
The idea is to reward employees for ideas about how to work differently
(production staff) or find high-margin applications (sales). For every
suggestion that becomes a reality the employee or team of workers is
rewarded. Beyond the visible incentives, involvement imparts a sense of
competence and mastery. So not only will you find innovative ideas for
improving profits; you’ll also have happier employees.
This issue of Select also includes some really great tips for working
with EFI™ Fiery® XF and the Fiery proServer (page 14). And I highly
recommend reading how Nutshell Creative
uses cross-media marketing to
generate not just growth, but
profitable growth (page 18).
In this issue
2
3
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
How to Increase
Profitability
Editorial
How to Increase Profitability
EFI’s Inkjet Strategy
From Vehicule Graphics to the Milan Expo
Seeking New Opportunities
The Perfect Combination
Redefining Cork-tile Manufacturing
Tips and Tricks
Online Label Enterprise
Nutshell Creative
News
Personalised Postage Stamps
Colophon
Stop working in circles and create a straight line
If you read the research, anywhere from the London School of Business to the Harvard Business Review, you will find the
same advice. To be profitable you must examine, tighten and monitor two main factors: costs and productivity.
53520-1505-1004
Editor-in Chief: Adriana Puccio /
Editorial Consultants: Rosemarie
Monaco, Frank Tueckmantel, Marc
Verbiest / With special thanks to:
Boyana Menu , Kerry Moloney /
Layout, Production & Printing:
Artoos Communicatiegroep for
Lesley Waters.
For different industries the configuration of these factors vary.
Some costs, for example, are similar, such as warehousing and
inventory management, the cost of materials and the cost of
operation. However, in the business of printing, some costs
are unique. For example, printing companies say that faulty
estimating is extremely costly. It is, in fact, where they lose the
most money. Waste is another cost factor. Poor imposition, bad
colour control, and tired equipment generate waste material and
loss of time.
53520-1505-1004
Many companies hire additional staff to fix these problems.
More costs.
Nothing herein should be construed as a warranty in
addition to the express warranty statements provided
with EFI products and services.
Write to me: [email protected].
The APPS logo, AutoCal, Auto-Count, Balance, Best, the Best logo, BESTColor, BioVu, BioWare,
ColorPASS, Colorproof, ColorWise, Command WorkStation, CopyNet, Cretachrom, Cretaprint, the
Cretaprint logo, Cretaprinter, Cretaroller, DockNet, Digital StoreFront, DocBuilder, DocBuilder
Pro, DocStream, DSFdesign Studio, Dynamic Wedge, EDOX, EFI, the EFI logo, Electronics For
Imaging, Entrac, EPCount, EPPhoto, EPRegister, EPStatus, Estimate, ExpressPay, Fabrivu, Fast-4,
Fiery, the Fiery logo, Fiery Driven, the Fiery Driven logo, Fiery JobFlow, Fiery JobMaster, Fiery
Link, Fiery Prints, the Fiery Prints logo, Fiery Spark, FreeForm, Hagen, Inktensity, Inkware,
Jetrion, the Jetrion logo, LapNet, Logic, MiniNet, Monarch, MicroPress, OneFlow, Pace,
PhotoXposure, Printcafe, PressVu, PrinterSite, PrintFlow, PrintMe, the PrintMe logo, PrintSmith,
PrintSmith Site, Printstream, Print to Win, Prograph, PSI, PSI Flexo, Radius, Rastek, the Rastek
logo, Remoteproof, RIPChips, RIP-While-Print, Screenproof, SendMe, Sincrolor, Splash, Spot-On,
TrackNet, UltraPress, UltraTex, UltraVu, UV Series 50, VisualCal, VUTEk, the VUTEk logo, and
WebTools are trademarks of Electronics For Imaging, Inc. and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries in
the U.S. and/or certain other countries. All other terms and product names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby acknowledged.
© 2015 ELECTRONICS FOR IMAGING | WWW.EFI.COM
EDITORIAL
FEATURE
Going straight
The reason cost and productivity go out of control is because
most businesses follow a circuitous path, when what they need
to do is create a straight line. The solution to this is investing in
intelligent productivity software. This shortens the production
cycle, generates efficiencies, reduces labour, eliminates waste and
ensures accurate estimating.
It does these things by understanding every aspect of every
project—from order entry to final delivery. It remembers what was
required for the completion of every job so it becomes virtually
impossible to misquote future jobs. It eliminates touchpoints.
Fewer hands not only means faster throughput, it also means fewer
errors. The software decides which is the best engine on which to
print each job. It knows how to conserve material, consume less ink
and make sure the colour matches on every output device.
Satisfying customers
There is a third profitability factor that modern-day marketers
emphasise: customer satisfaction. Without it, there is not much
point to doing anything else. So, they say, if you invest in a
customer relationship programme, that cost will not negatively
affect the bottom line. In fact it will attract new customers, making
it a revenue generator.
That’s exactly what das druckhaus digital & crossmedia (Düsseldorf,
Germany) considered when the company installed DirectSmile
cross-media marketing software. Managing director Thorsten
Senkel has been able to successfully position his
company as a cross-media marketing partner offering
customers and prospects both print and electronic media
for multi-channel campaigns.
EFI Digital StoreFront® is another product that turns ordering
a print job into an enjoyable experience. Integrated into any
print shop’s production software, it enables a seamless flow of
data directly from the customer, through production to the final
product. And because storefronts are customisable, they can be
personalised for specific customers and can entice them to buy a
variety of high-margin items such as labels, placemats, banners,
murals, decorated mirrors—whatever you can produce.
If you want to ensure profitability as you continue to grow, it’s time
to eliminate the turns and go straight to the bottom line.
By Rosemarie Monaco
You can even get productivity software that is configured
specifically for your business. Just ask EFI. Their Productivity Suite
provides custom solutions. And they teach you how to iron out
every last wrinkle.
The Perfect Combination Xerox Versant 2100
and EFI Fiery DFE
2
10
Redefining cork-tile manufacturing
12
Asia’s leading producer says digital
printing has revolutionised the industry
Nutshell Creative differentiates with
cross-media marketing
18
EFI DirectSmile allows creatives to set up
sophisticated personalised campaigns
with real-time response and analysis.
Personalised postage stamps
22
U.S. Postal Service gets creative
with the help of Endicia
3
textile printing gives EFI a base of strength
to quickly build from, in a market rapidly
adopting digital. Working with Reggiani’s
highly skilled development team, EFI’s
inkjet and software prowess will give us a
big advantage to create a printer, ink, DFE
and MIS eco-system tuned to the unique
workflow requirements of industrial textile.
EFI’S INKJET STRATEGY
An interview with Scott Schinlever
SELECT: WHAT WAS EFI’S STRATEGY
BEHIND THE ACQUISITION OF THESE
TWO COMPANIES?
SCHINLEVER
With a line-up of roll-to-roll printers that
complement the VUTEk range quite nicely,
the Matan acquisition strengthens our leading
position in Display Graphics. The Matan range
squarely addresses the sector of the market
that focuses on roll-to-roll production of display
graphics, such as billboards and banners that do
not require the highest resolution. This range
gives them a lower-cost alternative. Together,
the Matan and VUTEk line-up will be the broadest
and most powerful in the market. In addition, we
have a great team in Israel joining us, to drive
future collaborative developments in roll-to-roll
and beyond.
4
SELECT: WHAT IS YOUR
OVERALL STRATEGY FOR
THE INKJET MARKET?
SCHINLEVER
It seems that when it comes to inkjet technology, EFI is always on the move—looking for the means to establish itself as a leader and—according to EFI
SVP/GM Scott Schinlever—the ability to provide customers with new options to grow into profitable growth segments. Schinlever is responsible for
EFI’s Inkjet business, which serves the gamut of inkjet applications from wide format display graphics, labels and packaging, to industrial ceramics and
textile. He has been on both sides of an EFI acquisition, coming to EFI by way of the VUTEk® acquisition in 2005. Schinlever talks to Select about the
company’s most recent acquisition of Matan Digital Printers and Reggiani Macchine.
Scan to view Schinlever’s video!
Also, Reggiani’s technology will give us a
fast start in the display graphics segment
of soft signage, which is growing rapidly.
The addition of a highly-skilled team in Italy
will enable powerful collaboration with other
parts of EFI Inkjet to reach new markets.
Most importantly, from both companies,
we get deeply skilled, passionate team
members that will help drive EFI inkjet to
new heights.
The Reggiani acquisition gives us an entirely
new line of business in the fastest-growing
segment of digital industrial print – Textiles. The
leading market position of Reggiani in industrial
To capture new, sizeable markets
transitioning to digital, where the
advantages of inkjet and EFI’s colour
management can be leveraged by
customers to transform and grow
their businesses.
When we talk about the “imaging of things,”
we refer specifically to growth markets.
These acquisitions further this vision by
deepening our reach in display graphics
while getting us into a new large segment
of textile. At the same time, the foundation
of these companies’ inkjet expertise will
bring new perspectives and approaches
to all segments of our inkjet business, and
lead to powerful technical and business
collaboration across the entire inkjet team
in the future.
LED curing applies
most closely to the Matan products.
Our strength in ink chemistry and curing
methodologies will drive us beyond LED into
new ink and curing technologies across all
of the markets we serve.
SELECT: WHAT MAKES
A PURCHASE OF EFI’S
TECHNOLOGY PREFERABLE
OVER ANY OTHER?
SELECT: EFI ADAPTED FIERY FOR
CRETAPRINT. CAN WE EXPECT
THE SAME FOR THESE TWO?
SCHINLEVER
SCHINLEVER
SCHINLEVER
Absolutely, work is already underway. What
we will focus on with Reggiani in particular
is the unique aspects of industrial textile
workflow, and how the speed and colour
management capability of Fiery can become
a key differentiator for EFI, much like we
have done with Fiery for Cretaprint.
LED curing applies most closely to the
Matan products. Matan just announced LED
for one of its products so is the only other
high-end player to have LED. However, there
are industrial textile segments that could
utilise UV ink, so LED could apply in some of
the segments Reggiani serves as well.
For Matan as well as Reggiani, when
combined with EFI ink, Fiery’s superior
colour management helps us bring a
powerful offering to markets that
often struggle with consistency of
high-quality colour.
SELECT: HOW DO THESE
ACQUISITIONS FIT INTO EFI’S
STRATEGY TO MOVE TO LED
TECHNOLOGY?
We provide a full end-to-end eco-system
by market segment of printers, ink, DFE
and workflow software to help customers
maximise revenue opportunities and
reduce cost. EFI’s critical mass of inkjet
printers and ink, along with breadth of
printing solutions, give customers the most
choices to grow their business.
Add to this the strong colour management
and workflow advantages of Fiery and
our software offerings, it lets customers
fine-tune a workflow that is optimised to
their business.
To view the full video, follow this link
http://bcove.me/5y08kqft
5
From Vehicle Graphics
to the Milan Expo
replaced an older VUTEk solvent printer.
Today, Printing Solutions’ business is spread over
various sectors: advertising, banners, exhibition
displays, posters of every kind and type,
customised decoration of any vehicle, large set
designs, point-of-purchase displays and murals
for international luxury brands.
VUTEk helps Printing Solutions enter new markets
Samba fabric printed on the
VUTEk GS3250LX Pro and
stretched onto a backlit frame.
“Out of a turnover of about 3 million euro per
year – and 15 employees – 15-20% is generated
by the decoration of corporate vehicles, which
still represents an important business area for
us,” explains Albieri. “Our core business is to be
of service to small companies and to agencies
Just a year after he opened the doors to Printing
Solutions, Paolo Albieri was no longer satisfied
printing just vehicle graphics. He knew he
needed to do more to grow the business. So in
2009 he purchased his first VUTEk and entered
the exhibition and display arena. And that was
only the beginning.
“For the Expo, we printed around 8,000 sqm
of material in three weeks,” says Stefano
Benedini, sales manager. “We like special jobs,
which we follow from the creative phase right to
installation. Thanks to the printing solutions that
we have in-house, we can print on almost any
substrate, from rough wood panels to flexible,
transparent materials, just like we did for the
Expo. Our VUTEk 3.2m LED printer allowed us to
print directly on special materials for outfitting
cruise ships. For point-of-purchase materials
for major brands in the restaurant industry, we
created prints directly on glass and much more.
We love having new challenges every day.”
Wood panel printed directly on the VUTEk LED printer.
two-sided mesh printed on the VUTEk GS5000r.
“We like special jobs, which we follow
from the creative phase right to
installation. Thanks to the printing
solutions that we have in-house, we
can print on almost any substrate,
from rough wood panels to flexible,
transparent materials, just like we
did for the Expo.”
Based in Castiglione delle Stiviere, Italy, the
company initially specialised in decorating
vehicles for high-profile Italian brands such as
Sterilgarda, Spesa Intelligente, Pata and others.
Within a short period of time the company
invested in technology to meet every need, from
small to large format. In 2014 Printing Solutions
purchased the EFI™ VUTEk® GS3250 LX Pro, the
first of its kind in Italy, and the second in all of
Europe. The machine, an 8 colour, 3.2m,
roll-to-roll/flatbed UV printer, equipped with
UltraDrop™ Technology was chosen by the
company because of its printing quality and the
versatility of the UV LED on a vast range of rigid
and flexible substrates.
PVC fabric printed on
the VUTEk GS5000r.
6
The investment was so successful that within
one year another EFI machine arrived at the
company, this time an EFI VUTEk GS5000r, which
that serve various industries. In addition, our
latest investment, the EFI VUTEk GS5000r,
allows us to create a series of important works
for the Milan Expo. We have, for example, created
signs for the stands dedicated to fruit, spices and
coffee and for the Chinese pavilion.
“Once again, we chose EFI solutions because
we were looking for systems that combine
considerable production power with high-quality
output,” adds Albieri.
The EFI VUTEk GS5000r is a UV roll-to-roll
machine with a 5-metre printing width, which
prints from 88 sqm/hour in 8 colours to a
maximum of 260 sqm/hour in Fast-4 mode.
Wood panel printed
directly on
VUTEk GS3250LX .
Glass printed
directly on the
VUTEk GS3250LX .
7
Seeking
New Opportunities
Reggiani’s ReNOIR 1500 compact fabric printer.
EFI and Reggiani’s technologies combine to innovate digital textile
The world of digital textile production is one
which has been growing at a steady rate, albeit
not as fast as originally predicted by many
forecasters. They believed fabric production
would become an overnight success and be
adopted easily by sign-makers and display
producers. But, unlike other printing processes
where ink simply is placed onto the end
substrate and dried, there is more that meets
the eye in today’s fabric arena.
knowledge since its acquisition of Cretaprint
and its move into the ceramic tiles’ sector
that, clearly, was going to shift away from
analogue to digital methodology. Thus, some
parallels can now be drawn with its acquisition
of Reggiani and, while it’s a strong bet that
combined technologies will be utilised within
the soft signage market-place, the world-wide
trends facing the textile arena can now be
addressed using the merging of two skill sets.
One of the critical areas where digital
production is coming to the fore lies in the
manufacture of textiles that comes under
the umbrella of industrial print. In EFI’s
existing position in the industrial segment,
the company already has gained valuable
Printing onto textiles also concerns industrial
production that envelopes a host of end uses
including decor, furnishings and fashion.
Traditionally this has meant high volumes
produced using analogue equipment with
countries in the Far East being responsible
Reggiani printers are suitable for
printing fashion apparel, home
furnishing applications and
technical textiles.
for serving the burgeoning market for end
product. The advantages of digital started
to manifest itself when customers, such as
fashion houses, wanted to reduce lead times,
introduce mass customisation, improve
logistics and deliveries, reduce waste and
enable more realistic inventory controls. From
samples and small test batches, industrial
ink-jet processes can now be used to supply
versioned goods on-demand. This, in turn,
returns manufacture from an offshore
environment to localised production. This also
has the benefit of reducing delivery schedules
with faster turnaround and a significantly
shorter route from design to end production.
Financially, with transportation costs and
logistics factored in, the benefits also affect
price as well as a reduction of waste and
easier quality control.
For EFI, the addition of a high quality textile
line to its existing portfolio was only ever
going to be a question of time and it made
perfect sense to work with an established
manufacturer. Thus, Reggiani was a perfect
match enabling EFI to take advantage of the
Italian company’s high level of skills while
being able to integrate its own technology and
productivity into the mix.
The quest to add a true aqueous-based textile
production portfolio to its existing products
has been an important one for EFI whose
awareness of the need for greener and more
environmentally-friendly methods applies
across growing numbers of its technologies.
Additionally, with innovation always being vital
to the company, the inclusion of Reggiani’s
industrial digital printing machines will see
growth world-wide as the transition from
analogue to digital production continues.
Ever eager to capture trends in digital printing
technology, EFI’s acquisition of the Bergamo,
Italy, based manufacturer now gives it the
opportunity to encapsulate Reggiani’s brand
presence within its own families of products.
And, while Reggiani is known for its industrial
machines, no-one would be surprised to see
the logical move to combine expertise and
8
textile knowledge into a series of printers that
are targeted at the soft sign and display sectors.
With regard to world-wide trends, EFI
acknowledges that the industrial textile market
in digital terms holds a very high value, with
the graphics and display space representing
a far lower amount in overall fabric volume.
Nonetheless, this does nothing to detract from
the importance and the growth potential within
the soft signage market and its related areas,
and the drivers within the two arenas carry the
same principles.
As a result, the role played by Reggiani within
the EFI portfolio makes it a good one because
the company still only has a relatively small
percentage of its products being taken up by
digital print businesses, with analogue still
representing easily the majority.
The textile industry currently is topical across
all segments, as continues to be driven by
innovation as well as by economic and logistical
criteria. This makes it an ideal addition for a
business with an existing strong international
involvement in spurring digital growth. Once
again, this marriage of
two major players in
their own right is certain
to prove to be exactly
where the combination of
talents can been honed
to address successfully
current and future
market needs.
Online Version
of Select
You’ll “Flip” over it!
That’s right. Select is available as a FlipBook. You’ll be able to navigate easily between pages.
Just click on a cover story link or move to any article from the table of contents. You’ll find live
links throughout the magazine—no cutting and pasting needed. Our goal is to enhance your
experience with EFI Select.
Still, if you would rather download Select as a PDF, just click the download icon at the top of the
FlipBook (in full-screen mode). To download the entire publication click on the icon from the
cover page. You can also share Select via Facebook, Twitter or by copying a link into an email.
From the Select Resource Centre efi.com/select you can download case studies, tips and tricks
or white papers.
We recommend getting a subscription to Select. Just follow this link: efi.com/subscribe-select
and fill in the short form. If you subscribe right now you won’t have to worry about missing the
next online issue. You’ll get an email with a link to the Select FlipBook.
You’ll find the Q3 issue here: flipsnack.com/EFIPrintTech
Let us know what you think. Write to [email protected].
By Sophie Matthews-Paul
9
The Perfect Combination
Xerox Versant 2100 and EFI Fiery DFE
MISSION:
CONTROL
The Xerox Versant 2100 Press.
Initially established as a copy shop over
25 years ago, Digitaldruck Pirrot has
evolved into a digital print provider offering
everything from flyers, brochures, manuals,
books through to direct mail. Managing
directors Björn Frey and Christian Weirich
work alongside their 15 employees in
Saarbrücken, Germany.
The company uses the high-speed
Xerox iGen4 EXP driven by the Xerox FreeFlow
print server for high-quality colour printing.
To meet their growing needs, Frey and Weirich
took the advice of X-Printsolutions’
Michael Soeth and purchased the new
Xerox Versant 2100 press. They also chose the
Xerox EX-P 2100 Print Server Powered by Fiery.
As a result, Pirrot has a faster, more flexible and
easier-to-use system.
FIERY GETS THE MOST
FROM THE VERSANT 2100
Depending on the job requirements, files are
sent via FreeFlow to the iGen or the Fiery Print
Server to the Versant 2100. “You can clearly see
that Xerox and EFI have gone to great lengths
to develop the Fiery in such a way that makes
it the perfect companion for the Versant to get
the best from this machine,” said Weirich after
just three months’ experience.
According to Weirich the main benefits are
ease of use, high speed, fast colour profiling,
reliable file processing and the ability to
enhance images.
The Fiery server’s Command WorkStation
is easy to use.
10
“The queue on the Command WorkStation is
clearer and much easier to use,” he says. “Our
employees were already familiar with this from
our previous colour copiers with integrated
Fiery DFEs (digital front end) so the learning
curve was extremely short. As soon as a job
begins to rip, the press starts running while
RIPping continues. The bitmap files are stored
so after proof printing, the job doesn’t need to
be re-RIPped.
Björn Frey (l) and Christian Weirich
are very happy with their choice.
“The built-in Full Width Array photo inline
sensor enables rapid profiling of new papers as
well as regular review of standard papers,” adds
Weirich. “The Fiery DFE renders colour spaces
and transparencies in any combination with the
same precision. Incorrect PostScript proofs on
the iGen are simply re-RIPped and reprinted on
the Versant without any errors.
“With the new integrated version of Fiery Image
Enhance Visual Editor, you can enhance image
sharpness, smooth skin tones and optimise
natural colours in photos on the fly.”
Weirich also appreciates how “open” the
Fiery is. The Fiery Server is the only
JDF-certified DFE. This means it provides the
best interoperability with many third-party
solutions such as Kodak Prinergy, Agfa: Apogee
and Heidelberg Prinect and with EFI Web-toPrint and Print MIS solutions. Plus EFI FreeForm
has built-in variable-data capabilities.
“More and more, our customers require
increasingly detailed jobs, which constantly
intensifies the pressure on prices,” says Frey.
“That’s why it is all the more important that
we not only have good equipment and advisers,
but that we also get from them solutions that
will strengthen our performance amongst
the competition.”
MONARCH
PACE™
PRINTSMITH™
VISION
RADIUS®
EFI™ MIS/ERP software gives you better visibility into your operation, enabling you to
reduce costs and boost productivity. Get the unmatched automation and optimisation
of EFI, the industry leader in MIS/ERP software. We have ignition. Call 0808 101 3484
or +44 (0)1246 298000 or visit products.efi.com/MIS for more information.
© 2015 Electronics For Imaging, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
11
3D Wall Image Application on Cork.
“The application of personalised printing
technology in cork-tile flooring means that every
customer can participate in the floor design
process. Consumers can obtain a design that
meets their aesthetic preference with a product
that is not only good looking but comfortable.”
Redefining
Cork-Tile Manufacturing
Asia’s leading producer says digital printing
has revolutionised the industry
It is always exciting to see a truly remarkable
innovation become a reality. Laucork, a
cork-tile producer, located in Qufu, China,
fulfilled the dream. It was able to achieve its
ideal of sustainable, environmentally friendly
development by adopting a green printing
technology. The company’s products are the
result of an eco-friendly life cycle that starts with
the collection of raw materials, goes through the
production process and personalised printing
and extends to the final application.
By combining personalised printing technology
with a green flooring manufacturing process
that virtually eliminates VOC emissions,
Laucork is on track to become one of the top
cork-tile providers. Its comfortable, thermal
insulating and soundproof flooring products
range from plain, undecorated tiles to flooring
designed to look like ceramic tile, marble tile
or even carpet. The company also produces
wall decorations out of cork.
“Consumers can obtain a design
that meets their aesthetic preference
with a product that is not only good
looking but comfortable.”
UPDATING PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY
skin-friendly product that commands a premium
price in international consumer markets.
CUSTOM-MADE CORK TILES
Laucork’s unique digital printing technology
represents a major breakthrough in cork-tile
manufacturing, as it provides the means to
create custom surfaces. Now, Laucork can
apply decoration trends common in the rest of
the international flooring industry, producing
the types of designs that are commonly used on
wood, marble, ceramic tile and carpet flooring.
As the biggest cork product manufacturing
location in Asia, Laucork demonstrates
how families can live more in harmony with
nature. The company has calculated that its
manufacturing policy equates to one tree saved
for every square metre of cork tile the company
manufactures. With its six designers, Laucork
can satisfy different personalised demands. The
company offers thousands of patterns in
12 different product series, for more than
40,000 design offerings overall.
“As one of the many steps we perform in
manufacturing high-quality cork tiles, the
stability of our digital printing technology is
essential to making our production operations
as efficient as possible,” Liu says. “Currently, the
EFI™ VUTEk® GS3250 LX Pro printer’s high speed
and stable output quality can totally satisfy
industrial manufacturing demands. And as
our business grows and we need to add more
capacity, EFI’s VUTEk digital LED UV inkjet
printers will be our first choice.”
Confucius’s remark, “Be not afraid of growing
slowly, be afraid of standing still,“ was once cited
by Guy Gecht, EFI’s CEO, as a sound strategy
for the many enterprises EFI serves. Laucork,
which is based in Confucius’s hometown of Qufu,
definitely heeds the advice.
The company now has more than 40 sales shops
and has ambitions to expand to 300 shops in the
next three years. Laucork has also set up its first
online sales centre for consumers who wish to
customise their orders by working directly with
the factory. It is all a way to help more ordinary
families get more enjoyment out of cork tile, the
so-called “soft gold in the floor.”
SUSTAINABLE APPLICATIONS
Cork is a sustainable material because it is not
made from timber. Rather, it comes from the bark
of cork oak trees. Laucork makes cork flooring
tiles using cork oaks grown in the Qinling area in
China. Cork is a renewable substance with many
important uses. Its honeycomb fibre structure
makes it durable, plus it is nearly impermeable.
Mr. Ma Dao Chang, President of Laucork.
12
Cork flooring is moisture-proof and sound-proof,
plus it is an excellent thermal insulator. Marketed
as “the soft gold in the floor” for the luxurious feel
and remarkable comfort users experience when
walking on it, Laucork’s flooring is a breathable,
“Digital printing technology has led to great
innovation in custom-made cork floor industry
today,” says Liu Baoxuan, general manager of
Laucork who has been in the industry over 15
years. “EFI’s environmentally friendly LED coolcure technology, which does not overheat the
substrate, has satisfied the technology demand
for personalised print. Plus, it uses less energy,
which reduces production costs compared
to other printing technologies. With digital
printing, we can meet the very real demand
for this type of offering among a large base of
consumers,” Liu adds.
Marble Texture & Wood Flooring Printing Application on Cork.
13
TIPS
&
TRICKS
SETUP, OPERATION
AND ADMINISTRATION
5. Too many clicks in a day? Workspaces could be the answer.
Workspaces are custom views of the Fiery XF client that
display only the necessary options or functions that a
user or specific task needs. For example, if an operator
just performs cutting functions, a “Cutting” Workspace
can be saved to display only related options for this task.
Choose Workspace>Workspace Manager to create or edit
custom Workspaces. Tip: administrative rights are required
to create, edit and manage Workspaces, user rights only
allow editing of the current user assigned Workspace.
7. Need to free up some disk space? Fiery XF creates and
stores various system files during processing, some remain
even after printing. Over time this could fill your hard
drive, but it may also be slowing you down. Resolving this
is quick and easy in Fiery XF, choose System>Clean Up to
remove all or selected system files from the hard drive, no
need to restart, the files are deleted straight away.
Tip: for additional performance for Fiery XF standalone,
system folders can be placed on a separate hard drive.
Fiery XF & Fiery proServer
Fiery XF and Fiery proServer are now at version 6.2. This latest release
brought a wealth of new features, but it’s never a bad idea to revisit
some of the great functionalities that have been with Fiery XF and
Fiery proServer for some time. Whether you are production printing
or producing contract proofs, take a look at some of the less well-known
capabilities for setup, operation and administration of your Fiery XF
or Fiery proServer.
3. Are you a fan of foolproof systems? It may sound basic but
colour-coding of Users, Workflows and Output Devices can
reduce errors by guiding operators to the correct location
more easily for Fiery XF operation and administration.
Right click on a User, Workflow or Output Device and
select Color Indicator from the menu, choose a colour
from one of the libraries, or mix your own to code the
selected item. Tip: Users, Workflows and Output Devices
can be reordered within the System Manager after setup
by dragging and dropping.
1. So you have the perfect setup? Then it’s probably the right
time to make a backup. Backing up and Restoring couldn’t
be simpler with Fiery XF. In the System Manager choose
File>Backup, select the components you wish to save, and
a suitable location. To Restore, reinstall Fiery XF including
your licenses, choose File>Restore and select the desired
Backup file. Tip: backups should be stored to an external
location in case of hardware failure, or if you plan to
reformat your hard drive before a Fiery XF Restore.
2. Need to reinstall your Fiery XF licenses?
Since Fiery XF 5 this became much simpler,
no need to find your original certificates,
old records or call support. Simply select
Download previously created licenses
within the Activation Assistant during the
activation process. All EACs associated with
the connected dongle will be loaded.
Tip: to use this feature you need to be
connected to the Internet.
4. Wish to use
PANTONE® PLUS colours?
This extended library
needs to be activated,
choose Tools>System
Information and check the
box to use the PANTONE
PLUS colour definitions.
Tip: you need to be logged
in with administrative
rights and be viewing the
System Manager to make
this change, the PANTONE
PLUS library will be
available immediately;
there is no need to
perform a restart.
6. Printer load balancing a requirement? Then why not use
the built-in load-balancing feature of Fiery XF. A single
hot folder can be watched by multiple Fiery XF Workflows,
jobs that are placed into the watched hot folder are
automatically diverted to the first idle workflow, this
results in printer load-balancing when multiple printers
are in use. To enable, highlight the first relevant workflow
within the System Manager, expand the Job Detection
pane under the File tab, select the hot folder to be
watched and check Enable load balancing, repeat for the
other workflows that will be sharing this hot folder. Tip:
identical printer and Workflow configurations will result in
consistent output across multiple devices.
8. Want to rely on your monitor more? Fiery XF has the
ability to use a monitor profile for Fiery XF job previews
for superior onscreen accuracy, choose Edit>Monitor
Profile within the Job Explorer and select the required
profile. Tip: if you have the Color Profiler Option, you can
also calibrate and profile your own monitor and completely
close the colour management loop.
9. Need variable elements in your jobs? Fiery XF has a
built-in feature called Job Merge where a Master job,
(static data), and a Content job, (variable data), can be
merged together to create variable-data output. Master
job pages are automatically repeated for the number of
pages in the Content job. To use Job Merge, choose the
static data in the Job Explorer>File Tab by checking the
Master job option with your master file highlighted, then
click Save. Then, connect this with the variable data by
file selecting the Content job option with your second file
highlighted, then assign the correct Master job and click
Save. The two jobs will be merged for print, and on the
print preview. Tip: Fiery proServer and Fiery XF 6 and
above accept level 1-3 PDF-VT files out of the box.
PDF-VT is an industry standard variable-data format
producible from Adobe InDesign or professional grade
variable-data applications.
All the subjects covered in this article can be reviewed in more detail by visiting the Fiery XF or Fiery proServer
online help resource within the Fiery XF client. Tip: press F1 on your keyboard to view Fiery XF online help.
14
15
NEWS
Online Label Enterprise
Uses newest digital technology to respond to growing customer base
GRAPHITEC
INNOVATION
AWARD
EVENTS
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Integration of GamSys MIS
and Metrix planning software
VISCOM ITALIA
At the latest Graphitec Expo in Paris an expert committee of industry
leaders and technical experts announced the winners of the 15th
Graphitec Innovation Awards. Graphitec is the largest print show in
France and this year’s event focused on new technology and workflow
optimisation. The Graphitec Innovation Awards are reserved for those
products that demonstrate technical innovation and deliver significant
customer value. EFI™ took top position in the category of MIS, ERP
and Web to Print Software Solutions for the integration of its
EFI GamSys MIS and EFI Metrix production automation software.
Today with 14 employees, TLCG serves
27,000 customers; and that number grows
daily by 30-50 new customers. And while
most customers are Europe-wide, some are
as far away as Singapore, Australia, and
United Arab Emirates.
FROM PLAIN TO PRINTED
The story behind the Netherlands-based
TLCG (The Label Collective Group) is
unique. In 2006, owner Richard Rensen
and his wife started a pawnshop. Instead
of selling at retail, they sold the items
they purchased on eBay. Soon they were
sending items to more than 40 countries
around the world with everyone needing
a label.
But label prices were high. After
researching, they determined that it was
best to purchase them in bulk. Whatever
they didn’t use they resold on eBay. This
gave birth to labeldiscounter.com. By 2011,
Rensen was producing his own labels.
16
Through labeldiscounter.com TLCG still
sells unprinted labels along with the Dymo,
Brother and other brand printers for
which they are designed. But if you go to
etiketXL.nl you’ll find a storefront that offers
printed labels. All you have to do is pick the
material, type of adhesive, calculate your
pricing, upload your file and in 24 hours
your labels will be shipped.
To ease production Rensen purchased a
Jetrion® 4900M (210 mm width) in 2012.
“We started moving more and more jobs
to the Jetrion,” says Rensen. “Which is
why we decided to purchase another, larger
press – a Jetrion 4900M-330 – towards the
end of 2014.
“The installation of the second press went
much faster and we were able to start
printing labels after just three days.
EFI provided us with invaluable help during
that time: we received on-site training, and
we co-created a really valuable system of
mutual contacts which ensures that the
manufacturer quickly responds to our
doubts and queries.” Rensen continues,
“We are one of the first label printers in
the world to have digital printing and inline
finishing in one machine.
The new laser uses 95% of its power for
die cutting and only 5% ends up in the
substrate—this used to be 25%. The benefit
is that our labels come off the roll much
more easily and are more suitable for
further processing using automatic
labelling machines.
“With a 330mm print width, we can print
label sizes up to 250 x 470mm, as needed,
for nutritional supplements, for example.
Or we can print two side by side, or if a
label is 80mm we can print four side by side
rather than two as before,” adds Rensen.
Rensen also says the new digital press
allows TLCG to meet its growing capacity
needs and gives customers many more
possibilities while ensuring the same
speed and service that they have become
accustomed to.
“We are seriously considering investing in
another Jetrion press. We aim to broaden
our offering to include printing on pens,
T-shirts, lighters and other items which may
be enriched by interesting, colourful printed
designs,” he says.
15th October – 17th October
Milan, Italy
http://www.viscomitalia.it
ISPRINT
20th October – 22nd October
Tel Aviv, Israel
http://10times.com/isprint-expo
GamSys MIS, developed for small and medium businesses in France,
UK and BeNeLux optimises the production process by creating
visibility on the production floor, managing order and production
information efficiently, while controlling costs.
2015 SGIA EXPO
4th November – 6th November
Atlanta, USA
https://www.sgia.org
Metrix is an automated planning and imposition solution that brings a
unique blend of features to create cost-driven layouts.
The integration of the two solutions allows users to combine different
jobs from one customer in one imposition layout, enabling time and
material savings and delivering cost-effective production. In addition,
jobs with the same characteristics can be combined in one layout and
the output intention can be communicated though JDF to prepress
and the production flow, eliminating the need for manual data entry
so short-run jobs can be produced profitably.
VISCOM GERMANY
düsseldorf 2015
4th November – 6th November
Düsseldorf, Germany
http://www.viscom-messe.com
Graphitec also highlighted EFI’s newest innovation to the integrated
solution, which will be available December 2015. By taking the
‘ganging opportunity’ into account, this will provide the ability
to combine jobs coming from different orders and customers on
the same imposed production sheet. The user’s workflow will be
automated and optimised as the software will show if files are
available and approved by the customer, if jobs are to be produced
on the same paper, if colour schemes and finishing are the same and
if delivery dates match. With this information checked directly by
the software while still providing the option to review and adapt if
changes are needed, users will be able to improve margins on a wide
range of smaller jobs.
EFI webinars:
GamSys and Metrix integration lets users drive their Fiery® driven
output devices in a more efficient manner.
Recipe for VDP:
A Primer for Creating Successful Campaigns
7th October
CONNECT 2016
19th January – 22nd January
Las Vegas, USA
http://www.efi.com/connect
Register here: efi.com/wofwebinars
17
From left to right: Lucy Swanston, Karen Hardicker,
Ian Swanston, Tony Marks and Natasha Green.
Nutshell Creative
Differentiates with
Cross-Media Marketing
Partners with leading print and mailing operation, Anton Group
PRINT PARTNER
Nutshell has been working with Anton Group, one of the
largest print and direct marketing service providers in Europe.
“They wanted to move into marketing services, so they asked
us to work with them. They wanted to be able to deliver crossmedia services as well as print. We collaborate on new clients,
coupled with their huge infrastructure.”
DirectSmile can drive the website, email and mobile device
campaigns and run analytics on the responses, says Nutshell
senior designer Tony Marks. “We can run it as a sub-domain
to a customer’s website, and that’s where the campaign sits,
or we can add elements of DirectSmile into the website. For
instance even if it’s just a form element on the website that
captures all the data into DirectSmile and that data drives the
further campaign. It’s very simple and very intuitive.”
EFI DirectSmile Cross Media is an all-in-one solution for cross-media marketing and
monitoring, allowing creatives to set up sophisticated personalised campaigns with real-time
response and analysis. Working entirely through a browser interface, users can create and
personalise printed and digital media campaigns with minimal programming skills.
Technology Saves the Day is the theme of this year’s LabelExpo
taking place from 29 September to 2 October at the Brussels Expo.
In keeping with the theme EFI (stand 9C40) is showing the first fully
inline LED inkjet digital printing system with, in-line laser cutting and
finishing for lean label production. The production line features the
330-mm wide EFI Jetrion® 4950 LX LED narrow web press with a new
white-ink module.
The latest Radius® release allows an even tighter integration and
greater optimisation between the administrative MIS flow and
production. To demonstrate this EFI is showing Esko’s Automation
Engine, a modular workflow server with dynamic workflows,
integrated with EFI’s Radius-based Productivity Suite.
The Cross Media system then manages campaigns, launches websites, sends e-mails and SMS
texts and generates personalised print files. The Data Relations support allows data to read
from databases and CRM systems, which can then automatically be updated with the results
as the recipients respond.
Also featured on the EFI stand is the EFI H1625 LED printer, a
162 cm wide hybrid printer suitable for high-quality label proofing
and packaging prototyping applications. GamSys MIS, winner of
2015 Graphitec Award for Innovation, will be fully integrated with
Digital StoreFront® web-to-print solution and Metrix imposition
software. Developed for small and medium-sized businesses,
GamSys optimises the production process by creating visibility on
the production floor, managing order and production information
efficiently, while controlling costs.
DIFFERENTIATION
Adopting EFI DirectSmile Cross Media has allowed Nutshell to stand out in a crowded market,
says Swanston. “In the UK there are in excess of 20,000 design agencies of all shapes and
sizes. For us it’s key to have a differentiator.“
18
Come see technology
that saves the day!
To complement its high-productivity press, EFI is demonstrating a
new Enterprise Packaging Productivity Suite configured to address
the needs of three segments: label, flexible packaging and folding
carton converting.
Nutshell Creative is a lively design and marketing services agency based in Stony Stratford
in the UK. The agency was founded by Lucy Swanston in 2005. Its clients include well-known
brand names in retail, sports, food and drink.
“We wanted to focus on two key things for marketing: personalisation and customisation; and
measurability for marketers. After extensive research when we looked at several cross media
system suppliers and also at extending our web-to-print platform we chose DirectSmile, as it
gives us flexibility,” says Swanston.
JOIN US AT
LABELEXPO
Nutshell Creative of Stratford (UK) uses EFI DirectSmile Cross Media for
highly personalised, automated campaigns for its big brand client base.
The stand will also feature DirectSmile cross-media marketing
software which gives printers an easy-to-use means of expanding
their reach by selling multi-channel marketing.
19
CUSTOMER-DRIVEN
INNOVATIONS
NEWS
Comprehensive, small business
end-to-end workflow drives profitability
PrintSmith™ Vision is a flexible, browser-based
MIS software product for print shops including franchises and in-plant facilities
- that features powerful estimating, pointof-sale, account management, production
management, receivables and sales
analysis tools within a single, easy-to-use
application. The software was developed
with the goal of driving print shop
profitability and efficiency at an affordable
price point using features that extend
the PrintSmith™ platform’s longstanding
presence as the leading MIS technology for
small commercial businesses in the graphic
arts industry.
The new version of EFI PrintSmith Vision
helps users focus on winning more jobs
and managing them more efficiently. New
mobile views in the software give users
more power to check work-in-process, view
job status or check arriving shipments
remotely. Plus, new dashboards in the
software provide users with faster access
to the information they need. Users can
view even more critical information,
including information specific to the
logged-in user, such as orders entered by
that user and a list of pending estimates
that can be opened from the dashboard
and converted into orders.
The new advancements available with the
software provide distinct advantages for
Gaithersburg, Maryand, US-based Herron
Printing & Graphics. Randy Herron, the
company’s owner, said, “PrintSmith Vision’s
new features have helped us save time
and money, starting with the software’s
dashboard. It is the first thing our staff
looks at, and everyone can quickly see
which jobs are due, and we are all better
prepared as we head into to our morning
meeting each day.”
The software is now ideally suited for
mobile access, as users can view a
complete range of customer and estimate
history details using an HTML5 mobile
interface. Data security is another key
improvement, with new tools to schedule
automatic backups of the MIS
software’s database.
Users can effectively manage and
automate their complete printing workflow
thanks to integrated connectivity with
EFI Fiery® Central and Fiery digital print
servers with Command WorkStation®,
as well as with EFI Digital StoreFront®
eCommerce and web-to-print software.
The Digital StoreFront integration provides
real-time, bidirectional status updates for
immediate communication to operators and
customers alike. Users also gain superior
job submission and customisable storefront
options, which are key advantages for
print businesses seeking to enhance client
relationships and boost customer loyalty.
MARK CONWAY:
“THEY CALL ME MR. 3000”
Another milestone for EFI
On August 17, 2015 Mark Conway reported for his first day as Senior Controls Engineer at
EFI. He says that the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, a sense of strong team effort.
But unbeknownst to Conway, that first day marked a Milestone for EFI and came with a
surprise for the new employee.
Mark received an email from CEO Guy Gecht welcoming him to the company. “What an
awesome milestone for our company, which started 25 years ago with just 18 employees in
one office in San Francisco and yesterday crossed the 3000 mark,” wrote Gecht.
In 25 years EFI has evolved from a provider of Fiery Digital Front Ends to a leader in
productivity software and inkjet printing serving commercial, large format, package and
label converting and other industrial markets.
Gecht would attribute the company’s success to keeping a constant eye on the needs of
EFI’s customers and developing innovative technology that leads to growth.
NEWS
NEW DIGITAL FRONT END
Faster, greater connectivity
and expanded colour capabilities
The new Fiery DFE platform, which is being
incorporated in several new digital presses
from EFI partners features innovative tools
for higher-speed processing and expansion
to CMYK+ colours. It also provides robust
capabilities for shop automation and
connectivity. As the industry’s only
CIP4-certified JDF DFE, the Fiery platform
can seamlessly connect with other
JDF-based devices. Plus, users can establish
fully automated, bi-directional communication
and integration with EFI’s market-leading
MIS/ERP and web-to-print products.
IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY WITH 55%
FASTER RIPING
Fiery FS200 Pro also expands EFI’s
breakthrough Fiery HyperRIP offering,
which is powered by EFI’s proprietary ASIC
(application specific integrated circuit) with
RIPChip™ technology. As a result, Fiery DFEs
can process print files significantly faster than
alternative DFEs.
HyperRIP now has a mode optimised for
multiple jobs, as well as the previous, single-job
mode, boosting processing performance up to
55% compared to the performance without
HyperRIP. Now, the Fiery FS200 Pro platform
can RIP up to four jobs simultaneously, giving
users the ability to print more jobs in the
shortest possible time.
The new Fiery platform also includes a
Rush RIP mode that opens up a fifth RIP to
process rush jobs when all four main parallel
processors are busy. Rush RIP allows printing
operations to accommodate last-minute
rush jobs without interrupting the on-going
workflow or cancelling jobs that are already
being processed. It also gives users the ability
to preview jobs quickly while other jobs are
processing, further speeding up the production
process and increasing overall throughput.
“With the new Fiery FS200 Pro platform,
EFI has brought a new level of productivity
to the market,” says Kaspar Roos, director of
analyst firm InfoTrends’ Production Workflow
Service. “Improvements in ripping speed,
colour management, and tighter integration of
workflow components make this new
Fiery platform a very attractive proposition.”
BETTER BRAND-COLOUR MATCHING,
AND CUSTOMISABLE API INTEGRATION
The EFI Fiery FS200 Pro system
also takes colour management
to brand-new heights with
the introduction of a CMYK+
feature set for incorporating
expanded-gamut process-colour
imaging beyond standard fourcolor imaging. CMYK+ opens the
door to a range of inkjet press
technologies that may be capable
of incorporating five-, six-,
or eight-colour process imaging.
Print businesses can more precisely
match a wider range of brand colours
on digital presses offering expanded
toner imaging capabilities.
EFI has also released colour
correction and process
control improvements to the
Fiery Graphic Arts Package,
Premium Edition.
Welcome Mr. 3000 to an “awesome” team!
20
21
and easy to use, it allows developers to
create custom tools or applications built on
modern,
web-based technologies that enable live,
bi-directional interaction with Fiery DFEs.
Endicia processes 3,000 postage requests
a day during the holiday season. Farry says,
“Automation is the key. We can process the
volume quickly by eliminating the manual
steps. We also use the new application to
query the Fiery server about status and run
some reports.”
PERSONALISED
POSTAGE STAMPS
“ This deal had the potential to scale
our custom postage volumes by
several orders of magnitude.
We had to automate to process
that volume.”
Based in Mountain View, California (U.S.A.),
today, Endicia is the leading provider
of shipping technologies and services
for e-commerce businesses. Endicia’s
PictureItPostage™ allows consumers to
create personalised U.S. postage with family
photos, company logos or custom designs.
This was a niche product for the company
until it contracted with a leading online
photo merchandise provider. According
to Patrick Farry, application architect at
Endicia, “This deal had the potential to scale
our custom postage volumes by several
orders of magnitude. We had to automate
to process that volume.”
Endicia has to review all images to ensure
they meet U.S. Postal guidelines and then
add security barcodes. Next, Endicia prints
the stamps on a digital press driven by EFI
Fiery® digital front end (DFE) and mails
22
them out. To efficiently handle the higher
volume of work, Endicia also needed to
integrate its systems with its new partner’s
ordering system.
unique security barcode. The barcode and
images are placed in the correct template
and the system creates the stamp sheet as
a PDF file. At that point, the Fiery API sends
the print job to the DFE.
FIERY API AUTOMATES PRODUCTION
As Farry describes it, “Once the reviewer
hits ‘approve’ on the screen we built, the
whole process takes place automatically.
The stamps are submitted to the Fiery print
queue in a 100% non-manual process.
So we went from 11 steps to one.”
Endicia used the Fiery application
programming interface (API) to create a
custom software application that builds
the postage stamps and sets up custom
integration between its partner’s ordering
system and the Fiery DFE. When an order
comes in through the partner website, it
goes to the Endicia system to create the
CUSTOM
APPLICATIONS
FOR DIGITAL PRINT
MANAGEMENT
Print service providers can develop customised solutions to
automate and streamline their digital print production operations
using the new EFI™ Fiery® API (application programming
interface). They can use the Fiery API to tightly integrate their
digital print operations with their existing IT framework to share
data and eliminate job-prep process steps.
U.S. Postal Service gets creative with the help of Endicia
Hired by the U.S. Postal Service® in the
1990s to develop a solution that would
print the barcode used to sort and process
mail directly on an envelope, executives at
Endicia soon realised they could do more.
NEWS
Print service providers with in-house or contract developers
can solve their unique challenges with an API that leverages
the industry-leading Fiery digital front end (DFE) platform for
the creation of web and native client applications. The Fiery API
includes a modern Web app framework, provides session and user
management tools and robust access security.
FLEXIBLE CONTROL FOR A MULTITUDE OF FEATURES
The Fiery API allows EFI customers to interact with their Fiery
servers from their own applications for Windows, Mac, iOS,
Android and other platforms using familiar programming
languages and development tools of their choice. Built on modern
web-based technologies such as WebSockets that enable live,
bi-directional interaction, the Fiery API adheres to the popular
REST (Representational State Transfer) architectural style,
allowing developers to conduct API commands with simple
HTTP methods. Retrieving job log data from the Fiery DFE,
for example, requires just a single line of code.
The web-based API is available for a variety
of desktop and mobile platforms. Simple
In-house applications connected through the Fiery API can
incorporate EFI Fiery data, such as number of sheets, media size,
media type, and user name. The integrated applications also can
control job submissions, job action and print queue management,
as well as retrieve live status of the DFE, printer consumables,
and processed jobs with raster image previewing.
FIERY API AUTOMATES FULFILMENT
Endicia used the Fiery API to create a
workflow that integrates printing the stamps
with a shipping label and invoice. Everything
is submitted as a single job. The Fiery server
splits the stamps and the invoice/shipping
label into different trays on the printer and
both come out at the same time, but in their
respective output trays. Farry says, “That
was key to keeping the error rate down at
the kind of volumes we now have.”
The Fiery API is licensed for free to print service providers for
their own non-commercial use. Developers can verify their
Fiery DFE is supported at http://bit.ly/1J4GmdT then go to
http://developer.efi.com and sign up to get a free Fiery API
evaluation license. From there, users can jump start their
development with sample code and Fiery API documentation.
23
THE PRINTER THAT
TAKES YOU TO THE
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
EFI™ VUTEk® HS100 Pro
This revolutionary digital inkjet press delivers print quality approaching offset at the speed of
screen—with lower operating costs than screen. It prints in white and has a full suite of automation
and material handling options. Take off with EFI. Call 0808 101 3484 or +44 (0)1246 298000 or
visit vutek.efi.com/HS100Pro for more information.
© 2015 Electronics For Imaging, Inc. All rights reserved.