The Graph Expo in Chicago: A Feast for Print Technology Freaks
The Graph Expo, held yearly in Chicago, is an event which brings together companies and prospective buyers from the graphic communications industry. This 'Print Trade Show' provides a comprehensive display of the latest equipment, services and technology for wide format and package printing, digital pre-publishing, mailing, fulfillment, binding, converting, finishing, digital output, and workflow software.
This year, the Graph Expo was held in North America's prime convention facility-McCormick Place, and though sales were less than expected, it was truly a success. With over 500 exhibitors and more than 60 educational seminars, the show was a feast for print technology freaks. The expo lasted four days (September 9 to 12) and allowed buyers the opportunity to see and sample the latest marketing trends and growth opportunities in the print industry.
The spotlight of the trade show was occupied by Heidelberg. This year they gave an impressive demonstration of their NexPress technology and also exhibited a model of a die stamping press. Xerox, Canon, Eastman Kodak and Hewlett Packard all had put up impressive booths as well. Eastman Kodak's booth was declared a ''Must See'' of the show, presenting a brilliantly new Web-to-Print solution.
One of the highlights of this year's Graph Expo was an exhibit of unconventional halftone printing techniques. The chief contributors of this exhibit included Heidelberg, Kodak Polychrome, Creo and Agfa. Stochastic screening is one such technique which was widely showcased at the expo through the display of striking posters. With this type of screening, one can potentially achieve tonality and more noticeable detail.
Other highlights of the show included the following displays:
Large wide-format inkjet printers
Super-sized presses (MAN Roland displayed a 72 inch press)
The largest existing photographic umbrella, by Sinar Bron
Innovations in mailing and fulfillment technology and services
Remote-soft-proofing systems
This year, the Graph Expo was held in North America's prime convention facility-McCormick Place, and though sales were less than expected, it was truly a success. With over 500 exhibitors and more than 60 educational seminars, the show was a feast for print technology freaks. The expo lasted four days (September 9 to 12) and allowed buyers the opportunity to see and sample the latest marketing trends and growth opportunities in the print industry.
The spotlight of the trade show was occupied by Heidelberg. This year they gave an impressive demonstration of their NexPress technology and also exhibited a model of a die stamping press. Xerox, Canon, Eastman Kodak and Hewlett Packard all had put up impressive booths as well. Eastman Kodak's booth was declared a ''Must See'' of the show, presenting a brilliantly new Web-to-Print solution.
One of the highlights of this year's Graph Expo was an exhibit of unconventional halftone printing techniques. The chief contributors of this exhibit included Heidelberg, Kodak Polychrome, Creo and Agfa. Stochastic screening is one such technique which was widely showcased at the expo through the display of striking posters. With this type of screening, one can potentially achieve tonality and more noticeable detail.
Other highlights of the show included the following displays:
posted by JJ BENDER at 7:17 PM
