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GraphExpo_ShowDaily_September_26_2016

Commercial Printer Creates New Category for Making Information Come Alive The Graphic Partners, of Zion, IL, knows differentiation is crucial for marketing service providers like them. But in a market where long runs, short runs, quick turns, color consistency, variable data, offset, and digital are all expected to be within an MSP’s capabilities, standing out can be hard. But Graphic Partners has been in business for more than 100 years, and you don’t stick around that long without knowing how to adapt, survive, and thrive—or, where possible, innovate, and get out in front of the pack. Challenge Graphic Partners had been on the cutting edge before, pioneering digital print applications starting in 1988. They were ready for their next big innovation: a digital VDP long-sheet solution. No one else was doing that, but Graphic Partners’ Kirk Larsen saw potential there: “Many times customers don’t know what options they have until it’s presented to them. We wanted long-sheet technology that would give our sales people something new and exciting to talk about with our customers.” “Simply” put, Larsen wanted to be able to print six pages duplex with variable data with exact color, creating applications customers—and their audiences— had never seen before. Solution Larsen knew the list of vendors who could provide that kind of equipment was short. He began vetting the list of three potential partners, including Ricoh (Booth 2035), to see which technology was the best fi t. While the other two vendors had longstanding relationships with Graphic Partners, Ricoh had recently joined the shop, providing a cutter/plotter used to produce prototypes, short-run labels and other marketing products. The three offerings varied widely. One was much higher priced than the other two; another, much larger. The RICOH Pro C9100, however, was a perfect fi t—literally and fi guratively. Affordably priced and relatively compact, the color digital production platform is built for heavy production and prints up to 13x27.5" sheets with auto duplex functionality. The system Optimal networking and automation based on comprehensive experience: manroland web systems has pioneered complex integration solutions with PECOM-X for many years. PECOM-X integrates newspaper, commercial, and digital printing applications, and links printing presses with prepress and finishing systams. The future of pressroom automation has arrived, and it is PECOM-X. manroland web systems Inc., Lisle/IL. www.manroland-web.com PECOM-X Cross-over into the Future. Visit us at Graph Expo 2016 in Orlando Booth 1119 maintains its 110 ppm speed on virtually any type of media, in simplex or duplex operation. Additionally, it enables VDP on uncoated, textured and coated stocks, along with specialty media, meaning it could cost-effectively produce Graphic Partners’ cutting-edge collateral, and at high volumes, to boot. Results Beyond being capable of printing in the format Graphic Partners wanted to, the RICOH Pro C9100 was also producing very high quality applications. “This Ricoh technology made us rethink toner-based digital devices and how far they have come in color quality and consistency,” says Larsen. Also helping drive ROI for Graphic Partners was Ricoh’s sales team, which proved exceptionally committed to finding a deal that would work for the shop. The Ricoh team worked as any true partner would, evaluating and identifying ways to provide Graphic Partners the best opportunity to purchase its long-sheet digital technology at a comfortable price point that would, in turn, allow the service provider to offer aggressive pricing to its own customers. Xerox and In-Plant Graphics Breakfast Customer Panel Join Xerox and In-Plant Graphics tomorrow from 9:00 to 10:00 am for an exclusive breakfast and customer panel discussion about The In-Plant Transformation: From Print Provider to Communications Hub. With so many different departments in your enterprise, you have a unique opportunity to support each one in a valuable way. Join us for an intimate discussion during this year’s GRAPH EXPO 16 in Room N310AB. Offi cial Show Daily | PrintingNews.com GRAPH EXPO 16 | September 26, 2016 | 41


GraphExpo_ShowDaily_September_26_2016
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