xpedx Debuts Demo Center
The new xpedx print production center houses an array of prepress and press equipment.
June 2009 By Bob NeubauerDespite the sour economy, xpedx is investing. That was the message the company wanted to send when it showed off its new Cincinnati-area print technology center to graphic arts journalists last month. It is reportedly the only U.S. center demonstrating equipment from a variety of manufacturers.
The 11,000-square-foot print production center houses an array of prepress and press equipment from vendors like Kodak, Epson and Ryobi. Bindery equipment from Morgana, C.P. Bourg and Secap is on the way.
The facility will serve as a customer demo center where printers can test drive equipment from a variety of manufacturers. xpedx expects to host 250 printers a year at the center.
The facility was given a test run for journalists during their recent visit. A job file was imposed, plates were produced on a Kodak Magnus 800 platesetter, and then the job was run on a six-color Ryobi 756 press. CIP4 data was sent from prepress to set up the press.
The 756 was one of three presses at the center. Journalists got the first look at the new five-color, eight-up Ryobi 920. A two-up, five-color Ryobi 525 GX with a coater was also on display. Interestingly, xpedx officials said there were no plans to bring a Ryobi DI press to the center. They stressed that a conventional press, combined with CTP, offered more flexibility than a DI.
The technology center is part of International Paper’s three-building campus in Loveland, Ohio. Enclosed walkways, one spanning a lush river valley, connect the buildings.
xpedx plans to have a very large display at Print 09, which will include several Ryobi presses, as part of its push to show it is serious in its commitment to the large-format press market.
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Customized Communications: Advanced VDP
Digital Paths to Profit
Designer's Prepress Companion
Computer-to-Plate Primer
