large format printing : All About Printing Services
Want to know more about printing services? Then, learn more about it from this article. If you don't know yet, printing services include printing of flyers, brochures, pamphlets, envelopes, postcards, stationeries, name cards, business cards, greeting cards, invitation cards, Christmas cards, New Year cards, company letterheads; silk-screen printing; promotional materials such as T-shirts, sweat-shirts, sports shirts, logo designs, guide maps, and directional map signs; finishing, retouching of old maps, and large format printing; and binding and finishing. Printing services have been widely utilized for printing business materials.
You can locate for various printing services online. This is so much easier than you think. The best thing about these services is that you don't have to make preliminary phone calls to get the fundamental information about it. Websites of printing companies always contain all the necessary details to convey their service spectrum. You must go over these sites to know if they handle small and large orders, and if they print inexpensively. Log on to the Internet now to get your first order started.
At present, digital printing services has become the latest trend. Its cost is surprisingly reasonable. Printing establishments see that digital printing is a thing of the present, not just the future. By offering good prices to clients, they hope to build long-term relationships with a bevy of happy clients. Just place one order for digital printing and you'll know the difference. In fact, clients are wowed by quality representations of your business. Friends and families will surely be impressed at your professional grade invitations on a budget.
However, once you have a clean copy of your materials, it is important that you do your homework to find the best printing services available. These days, the best thing to do is to browse the Internet in search of online printing options. With all this latest technology, it is really easy to upload documents for publishing and printing. One clear advantage of this is that you are not limited to the printers in your area. Rather, you can make sure that your materials are worked on by the people best-equipped to do your job in a quick turnaround time.
The printing industry constantly undergoes changes resulting in more advanced techniques and higher quality printing. It has never been more affordable to get professional printing than ever before. Once you start looking for printing services, you'll likely find that there are endless start-up companies out there. Most often, you are better off sending your job to a reputable printing company with experience in handling a variety of printing jobs.
by Mart Gil Abareta
You can locate for various printing services online. This is so much easier than you think. The best thing about these services is that you don't have to make preliminary phone calls to get the fundamental information about it. Websites of printing companies always contain all the necessary details to convey their service spectrum. You must go over these sites to know if they handle small and large orders, and if they print inexpensively. Log on to the Internet now to get your first order started.
At present, digital printing services has become the latest trend. Its cost is surprisingly reasonable. Printing establishments see that digital printing is a thing of the present, not just the future. By offering good prices to clients, they hope to build long-term relationships with a bevy of happy clients. Just place one order for digital printing and you'll know the difference. In fact, clients are wowed by quality representations of your business. Friends and families will surely be impressed at your professional grade invitations on a budget.
However, once you have a clean copy of your materials, it is important that you do your homework to find the best printing services available. These days, the best thing to do is to browse the Internet in search of online printing options. With all this latest technology, it is really easy to upload documents for publishing and printing. One clear advantage of this is that you are not limited to the printers in your area. Rather, you can make sure that your materials are worked on by the people best-equipped to do your job in a quick turnaround time.
The printing industry constantly undergoes changes resulting in more advanced techniques and higher quality printing. It has never been more affordable to get professional printing than ever before. Once you start looking for printing services, you'll likely find that there are endless start-up companies out there. Most often, you are better off sending your job to a reputable printing company with experience in handling a variety of printing jobs.
by Mart Gil Abareta
large format printing : PopUp Displays
PopUp Displays are currently the most common form of low priced trade show and event display. A popup normally has only two main components, with two or three other popup display accessories. The most substantial part of a popup display is the folding frame which is normally made of either fibreglass or alumnimum tubes. The frame serves as a skeleton that you cover with display panels — either velcro-ready fabric panels, or graphic panels made of a material like Duralex which are lexan panels that have already been printed, normally using an high resolution large format printing process.
Before the frame is made to "popup" it comes folded down to a unit approximately 8" square by 30" wide. When it is unfolded, the frame "pops up" to a skeleton approximately 8' (or 10') wide by (usually) about 8' high. This frame normally weighs about 15 lbs. and is stable enough to just sit on the floor without any anchoring or external support. For exact specifications and measurements, see our popup design specifications pages.
The panels (either fabric panels or graphic panels) are normally about 30" wide by 8' high. There are usually either 4 or 8 panels required to cover the frame, with extra "end cap" panels made of the same material to wrap around the ends of the frame. These panels are flexible enough to be rolled up so they fit in the lightweight carrying case. They are normally adhered to the frame by means of magentic strips applied to their back surface. These are attracted to the magnetized bars that are part of the skeleton frame. Once the panels are applied to the frame it gains even greater stability.
If your popup display has duralex graphic panels, then the display is complete once the panels are applied to the frame. If you use the more generic fabric panels, then you will probably have a number of graphics that are adhered to the fabric with velcro strips. These graphics can be duralex (as above), flexible vinyl — essentially indoor vinyl banners — or posters (display prints) printed on paper and laminated so they are both flexible and durable.
Often the display is finished off with two or three halogen lights that attach to the top of the frame and illuminate your graphics.
The entire display — frame, magnetic bars, fabric and graphic panels, and lights can be packaged up in a sturdy, lightweight carrying case with wheels. The carrying case often doubles as a display counter or podium with its own special top (normally an optional accessory) and wrap around graphics (also optional).
A normal case for an 8' or 10' display is small enough to fit in the trunk or back seat of most cars, and normally weighs around 40 lbs., depending on the type of graphics and accessories included. This makes it light enough to be easily moved around by most people.
A normal popup display can be assembled by one person of average height in about 20 minutes. If you are shorter than about 5'6" you may need a small ladder to reach the top. Normally a chair works too.
If a popup display seems like overkill, or if you think you will be in situations where setting up a popup display will be difficult or impractical, you may want to consider an alternative like a Banner Stand or retractable Jiffy Roll. These units come in their own lightweight "over the shoulder" carrying cases and can normally be set up in less than one or two minutes.
by Rick Hendershot
Before the frame is made to "popup" it comes folded down to a unit approximately 8" square by 30" wide. When it is unfolded, the frame "pops up" to a skeleton approximately 8' (or 10') wide by (usually) about 8' high. This frame normally weighs about 15 lbs. and is stable enough to just sit on the floor without any anchoring or external support. For exact specifications and measurements, see our popup design specifications pages.
The panels (either fabric panels or graphic panels) are normally about 30" wide by 8' high. There are usually either 4 or 8 panels required to cover the frame, with extra "end cap" panels made of the same material to wrap around the ends of the frame. These panels are flexible enough to be rolled up so they fit in the lightweight carrying case. They are normally adhered to the frame by means of magentic strips applied to their back surface. These are attracted to the magnetized bars that are part of the skeleton frame. Once the panels are applied to the frame it gains even greater stability.
If your popup display has duralex graphic panels, then the display is complete once the panels are applied to the frame. If you use the more generic fabric panels, then you will probably have a number of graphics that are adhered to the fabric with velcro strips. These graphics can be duralex (as above), flexible vinyl — essentially indoor vinyl banners — or posters (display prints) printed on paper and laminated so they are both flexible and durable.
Often the display is finished off with two or three halogen lights that attach to the top of the frame and illuminate your graphics.
The entire display — frame, magnetic bars, fabric and graphic panels, and lights can be packaged up in a sturdy, lightweight carrying case with wheels. The carrying case often doubles as a display counter or podium with its own special top (normally an optional accessory) and wrap around graphics (also optional).
A normal case for an 8' or 10' display is small enough to fit in the trunk or back seat of most cars, and normally weighs around 40 lbs., depending on the type of graphics and accessories included. This makes it light enough to be easily moved around by most people.
A normal popup display can be assembled by one person of average height in about 20 minutes. If you are shorter than about 5'6" you may need a small ladder to reach the top. Normally a chair works too.
If a popup display seems like overkill, or if you think you will be in situations where setting up a popup display will be difficult or impractical, you may want to consider an alternative like a Banner Stand or retractable Jiffy Roll. These units come in their own lightweight "over the shoulder" carrying cases and can normally be set up in less than one or two minutes.
by Rick Hendershot
large format printing : New solutions from HP
HP presented its range of digital printing solutions, including the latest offerings from recently acquired Scitex Vision.
HP’s presence at the show was aimed to demonstrate how its digital printing solutions help screen printers evolve their businesses, embracing exciting new opportunities for variable data printing, cost-effective shorter runs and greater scope for customer creativity. This portfolio is HP’s most comprehensive ever, spanning the large-format, speciality and wide- to superwide-format markets.
Live applications from HP Indigo’s speciality printing solutions and the ever-increasing range of HP Designjet large-format printers were demonstrated.
HP has also supported the launch of FESPA’s Digital Print Awards. The awards will showcase digital print achievements and promote opportunities in both commercial and industrial sectors, from the sign industry to flexible packaging and textiles. It is an open-entry competition with no restriction on printer, substrate or ink used by print service providers who are being called upon to participate. Entries will be sought throughout 2006 while the results, involving a high-level independent jury, will be announced in the Spring of 2007.
HP’s Indigo Division demonstrated the HP Indigo press s2000, a speciality 6-colour press designed to print on a wide range of substrates up to 600 microns thick. The HP Indigo press s2000 uses standard artwork file formats to produce static and variable printing, enabling the production of personalised products including plastic cards, mouse mats, fridge magnets, and industrial products that have previously been screen printed, such as membrane switches. In addition to personalisation, the variable data capability can be used for numbering and bar code printing, and is able to incorporate security features such as micro-text and invisible (UV) ink.
The HP Indigo 3-D Application for lenticular printing was also demonstrated, along with the digital cutting system from i-cut, providing an end-to-end solution for cost-effective specialty printing and finishing:
• The HP Indigo 3-D Lenticular Application is designed for industry specialty converters, commercial printers and digital service providers who want to produce short runs of specialty applications such as panoramic 3-D printing, layered 3-D, flip, morph and zoom on HP Indigo press s2000 presses.
• i-cut is a software solution that drives a flatbed cutter to finish printed products. It has a camera that finds guide marks and then orients the cutter to cut accurately. It can be completely customised to meet the requirements of any industry-related application such as blade-cutting, laser-cutting or creasing.
© Graphic Repro On-line
HP’s presence at the show was aimed to demonstrate how its digital printing solutions help screen printers evolve their businesses, embracing exciting new opportunities for variable data printing, cost-effective shorter runs and greater scope for customer creativity. This portfolio is HP’s most comprehensive ever, spanning the large-format, speciality and wide- to superwide-format markets.
Live applications from HP Indigo’s speciality printing solutions and the ever-increasing range of HP Designjet large-format printers were demonstrated.
HP has also supported the launch of FESPA’s Digital Print Awards. The awards will showcase digital print achievements and promote opportunities in both commercial and industrial sectors, from the sign industry to flexible packaging and textiles. It is an open-entry competition with no restriction on printer, substrate or ink used by print service providers who are being called upon to participate. Entries will be sought throughout 2006 while the results, involving a high-level independent jury, will be announced in the Spring of 2007.
HP’s Indigo Division demonstrated the HP Indigo press s2000, a speciality 6-colour press designed to print on a wide range of substrates up to 600 microns thick. The HP Indigo press s2000 uses standard artwork file formats to produce static and variable printing, enabling the production of personalised products including plastic cards, mouse mats, fridge magnets, and industrial products that have previously been screen printed, such as membrane switches. In addition to personalisation, the variable data capability can be used for numbering and bar code printing, and is able to incorporate security features such as micro-text and invisible (UV) ink.
The HP Indigo 3-D Application for lenticular printing was also demonstrated, along with the digital cutting system from i-cut, providing an end-to-end solution for cost-effective specialty printing and finishing:
• The HP Indigo 3-D Lenticular Application is designed for industry specialty converters, commercial printers and digital service providers who want to produce short runs of specialty applications such as panoramic 3-D printing, layered 3-D, flip, morph and zoom on HP Indigo press s2000 presses.
• i-cut is a software solution that drives a flatbed cutter to finish printed products. It has a camera that finds guide marks and then orients the cutter to cut accurately. It can be completely customised to meet the requirements of any industry-related application such as blade-cutting, laser-cutting or creasing.
© Graphic Repro On-line
large format printing : The Delta Group
The Delta Group, a 300-employee London company specialising in the design and production of point-of-purchase (POP) and large format print has chosen to work with DiMS. According to the company, after a long and thorough evaluation process beginning at Drupa in 2004 it is currently configuring the DiMS print management system and proving its business benefits in its multi-plant environment. The continuing partnership is geared towards assessing how best the system will help in the company's international business expansion plans.
Mike Phillips, managing director of The Delta Group, said: 'We've been working closely with the DiMS consultants for the past three months.
As we grow further, we need to invest in bigger and better kit.
We're heading for a turnover of GBP33m this year and there are all sorts of things in the pipeline, including the investment in DiMS.' Chris Wood, vice president of sales and marketing at DiMS, commented: 'Clearly we are excited to be partnering with Delta and look forward to bringing the company the benefits it needs to achieve.
Delta is an ambitious and forward-thinking company and, therefore, a perfect match for the DiMS approach.'
Copyright © 2000-2006 Pro-Talk Ltd,
Mike Phillips, managing director of The Delta Group, said: 'We've been working closely with the DiMS consultants for the past three months.
As we grow further, we need to invest in bigger and better kit.
We're heading for a turnover of GBP33m this year and there are all sorts of things in the pipeline, including the investment in DiMS.' Chris Wood, vice president of sales and marketing at DiMS, commented: 'Clearly we are excited to be partnering with Delta and look forward to bringing the company the benefits it needs to achieve.
Delta is an ambitious and forward-thinking company and, therefore, a perfect match for the DiMS approach.'
Copyright © 2000-2006 Pro-Talk Ltd,
large format printing : HP Launches New Printers
HP has launched two new printer models: the HP Designjet 820 MFP, a new multifunction solution which offers efficient, quality wide-format copying and scanning; and the HP Designjet 500 Mono, targetting offices engaged in architectural, engineering, construction and mechanical design
Designed for AEC and GIS users, as well as reproduction houses, the HP Designjet 820 MFP is a versatile, wide-format colour printing solution with a space-saving design. It prints one A1 printout in 90 seconds, at 2400 x 1200 dpi, leveraging HP's R&D expertise for customers requiring reliability and excellent colour quality.
"With the new HP Designjet 820 MFP, we are able to bring many of the technology improvements present on the heavy-duty HP Designjet 4500 MFP to users who need the same quality and reliability, but with a lower print volume and a smaller footprint," said Michael Phoon, director, large format printing, HP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
The HP Designjet 500 Mono prints large-format technical drawings with fine black-and-white line quality, a high degree of accuracy and superior resolution.
Aimed at technical office, the HP Designjet 500 Mono brings a competitive-edge to technical designers by giving them immediate access to their CAD drawings, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing operations.
© Copyright 2006 – EFY Enterprises Pvt Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
Designed for AEC and GIS users, as well as reproduction houses, the HP Designjet 820 MFP is a versatile, wide-format colour printing solution with a space-saving design. It prints one A1 printout in 90 seconds, at 2400 x 1200 dpi, leveraging HP's R&D expertise for customers requiring reliability and excellent colour quality.
"With the new HP Designjet 820 MFP, we are able to bring many of the technology improvements present on the heavy-duty HP Designjet 4500 MFP to users who need the same quality and reliability, but with a lower print volume and a smaller footprint," said Michael Phoon, director, large format printing, HP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
The HP Designjet 500 Mono prints large-format technical drawings with fine black-and-white line quality, a high degree of accuracy and superior resolution.
Aimed at technical office, the HP Designjet 500 Mono brings a competitive-edge to technical designers by giving them immediate access to their CAD drawings, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing operations.
© Copyright 2006 – EFY Enterprises Pvt Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
large format printing ; Graphic Arts report
This TrendWatch Graphic Arts report is a reference work that provides the clearest and most comprehensive picture to date of the wide-format market.
Wide-format printing is nearly a decade old, and in that time we've seen the market progress from the first electrostatic wide-format plotters used primarily for engineering and architectural drawings, to the current spate of inkjet devices used for signage, trade show graphics, and fine-art prints (among many other uses). Speed, resolution, print quality, color accuracy, and price have all improved almost exponentially.
How far have we come? The TWGA Installed Base/Market Share Benchmark Study of Wide-Format Printers is a landmark work that not only tracks the latest trends in the wide-format printing market, but also the number of wide-format devices currently installed in graphic arts firms industry-wide, as well as estimated market share by vendor. This study, undertaken in Summer 2002, breaks the market down into three classifications: by size - 24-36-inch, 37-50-inch, and 50+-inch devices - and details:
the current installed base (gleaned from proprietary analysis of Graphic Arts Blue Book data);
market share by vendor (obtained via extensive TWGA surveying of commercial print, prepress, inplant, newspaper, and creative establishments);
current trends in the wide-format market (based on extensive TWGA surveying as well as voluminous secondary research);
projected installed base five years out (determined via proprietary TWGA economic modeling).
A better understanding of your markets will save you significant dollars in defined and data-supported Research & Development, sales territory planning, and marketing campaigns. The TWGA Installed Base/Market Share Benchmark Study of Wide-Format Printers is a reference work that provides the clearest and most comprehensive picture to date of the wide-format market.
Methodology
As with all TWGA reports and studies, the "Installed Base/Market Share Benchmark Study of Wide-Format Printers" will employ established and statistically reliable methodology to ensure that survey responses are representative of markets researched. The approach will be enhanced by a larger sample size and multiple research techniques to ensure proper coverage of each segment. To analyze and verify data collected from the research, TWGA analysts will compare secondary market trending data previously gathered from the TrendWatch Graphic Arts print, publishing and creative market surveys and the Graphic Arts Blue Book database.
http://www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com/reports_2003/introwideformat.html
Wide-format printing is nearly a decade old, and in that time we've seen the market progress from the first electrostatic wide-format plotters used primarily for engineering and architectural drawings, to the current spate of inkjet devices used for signage, trade show graphics, and fine-art prints (among many other uses). Speed, resolution, print quality, color accuracy, and price have all improved almost exponentially.
How far have we come? The TWGA Installed Base/Market Share Benchmark Study of Wide-Format Printers is a landmark work that not only tracks the latest trends in the wide-format printing market, but also the number of wide-format devices currently installed in graphic arts firms industry-wide, as well as estimated market share by vendor. This study, undertaken in Summer 2002, breaks the market down into three classifications: by size - 24-36-inch, 37-50-inch, and 50+-inch devices - and details:
the current installed base (gleaned from proprietary analysis of Graphic Arts Blue Book data);
market share by vendor (obtained via extensive TWGA surveying of commercial print, prepress, inplant, newspaper, and creative establishments);
current trends in the wide-format market (based on extensive TWGA surveying as well as voluminous secondary research);
projected installed base five years out (determined via proprietary TWGA economic modeling).
A better understanding of your markets will save you significant dollars in defined and data-supported Research & Development, sales territory planning, and marketing campaigns. The TWGA Installed Base/Market Share Benchmark Study of Wide-Format Printers is a reference work that provides the clearest and most comprehensive picture to date of the wide-format market.
Methodology
As with all TWGA reports and studies, the "Installed Base/Market Share Benchmark Study of Wide-Format Printers" will employ established and statistically reliable methodology to ensure that survey responses are representative of markets researched. The approach will be enhanced by a larger sample size and multiple research techniques to ensure proper coverage of each segment. To analyze and verify data collected from the research, TWGA analysts will compare secondary market trending data previously gathered from the TrendWatch Graphic Arts print, publishing and creative market surveys and the Graphic Arts Blue Book database.
http://www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com/reports_2003/introwideformat.html
large format printing : Giclee Fine Art Print Reproduction Supplies
BullDog Products® is the premier supplier of large format printer supplies in the giclee reproduction and digital printing industry. In this website you will find a wide variety of high-performance giclee canvas, watercolor papers, giclee ink, coatings, embellishment products, wide-format digital printers and any other printing equipment such as scanners and RIP software for top notch giclee printing.
We are licensed distributors who carry products for major manufacturers such as Epson, Roland, VUTEk, Mimaki, Mutoh, Hewlett-Packard, Legion, Hahnemuhle, Creo and Onyx. In addition, we have a unique product line of third-party consumables for large and grand format printing, giclee ink and bulk ink systems to help meet the needs of niche market applications.
Our giclee fine art print background allows us to offer Integrated Printing Systems complete with training and technical support. It is always a good idea to get your giclee printing supplies in one place. This includes your printer, scanner, RIP, inks, and media. That way one tech support system is responsible for assisting you with everything.
We have multiple packages available in various price ranges for giclee reproduction printers with varying needs and differing skill levels. As a proud sponsor of the Giclée Printers Association, we have the capabilities to teach a beginner how to print at the level of a Tru Giclée-Certified Master Printer. Our large format printer supplies can help you begin, or continue, a successful digital printing business.
©2004 BullDog Products®
We are licensed distributors who carry products for major manufacturers such as Epson, Roland, VUTEk, Mimaki, Mutoh, Hewlett-Packard, Legion, Hahnemuhle, Creo and Onyx. In addition, we have a unique product line of third-party consumables for large and grand format printing, giclee ink and bulk ink systems to help meet the needs of niche market applications.
Our giclee fine art print background allows us to offer Integrated Printing Systems complete with training and technical support. It is always a good idea to get your giclee printing supplies in one place. This includes your printer, scanner, RIP, inks, and media. That way one tech support system is responsible for assisting you with everything.
We have multiple packages available in various price ranges for giclee reproduction printers with varying needs and differing skill levels. As a proud sponsor of the Giclée Printers Association, we have the capabilities to teach a beginner how to print at the level of a Tru Giclée-Certified Master Printer. Our large format printer supplies can help you begin, or continue, a successful digital printing business.
©2004 BullDog Products®
large format printing : HP for large-format printing
Office products company Staples has added colour printing services featuring HP large-format printers to its Copy & Printer Centers (CPCs) located in more than 1,250 stores across the United States.
Equipped with HP Designjet 130nr printers, every Staples CPC can now provide photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners for consumers and businesses.
The HP Designjet 130 printer series is designed for professional graphic design, photography, fine art reproduction, and proofing applications. Its six-colour, multi-format printing produces fade-resistant images. The printers installed at Staples locations feature an automatic roll feed and cutter capability and can print on media up to 24 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
by John Tilak
Equipped with HP Designjet 130nr printers, every Staples CPC can now provide photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners for consumers and businesses.
The HP Designjet 130 printer series is designed for professional graphic design, photography, fine art reproduction, and proofing applications. Its six-colour, multi-format printing produces fade-resistant images. The printers installed at Staples locations feature an automatic roll feed and cutter capability and can print on media up to 24 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
by John Tilak
large format printing : Staples selects HP for nationwide large-format printing services
Staples Inc. (www.staples.com), an office products company, has added color printing services featuring HP (www.hp.com) large-format printers to its Copy & Printer Centers (CPCs) located in more than 1,250 stores across the United States.
Equipped with HP Designjet 130nr printers, every Staples CPC can now provide high-quality photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners for consumers and businesses.
"Staples has long been a critical retailer for HP," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Graphics and Imaging Business, HP. "Now, in addition to selling HP computers and printers, Staples is using HP technology to produce a variety of high-quality photo and wide-format applications for its customers."
The HP Designjet 130 printer series is designed for professional graphic design, photography, fine art reproduction, and proofing applications. Its six-color, multi-format printing produces high-quality, fade-resistant images with stunning results. The printers installed at Staples locations also feature an automatic roll feed and cutter capability and can print on media up to 24 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
Designed as larger scale, full-service printing and copying facilities that support the 1,250 CPCs, 16 Staples Hub locations also have installed the 42-inch version of the HP Designjet 5500 UV Printer. The HP Designjet 5500 produces high-quality banners, signs and a variety of other large-format applications on demand using HP 83 UV inks for durable, long-lasting prints. Staples is featuring the 60-inch version of the HP Designjet 5550 UV printer in its Digital Copy Services production facilities.
Copyright ©2003-2006 by Publications & Communications Inc. (PCI)
All rights reserved.
Equipped with HP Designjet 130nr printers, every Staples CPC can now provide high-quality photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners for consumers and businesses.
"Staples has long been a critical retailer for HP," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Graphics and Imaging Business, HP. "Now, in addition to selling HP computers and printers, Staples is using HP technology to produce a variety of high-quality photo and wide-format applications for its customers."
The HP Designjet 130 printer series is designed for professional graphic design, photography, fine art reproduction, and proofing applications. Its six-color, multi-format printing produces high-quality, fade-resistant images with stunning results. The printers installed at Staples locations also feature an automatic roll feed and cutter capability and can print on media up to 24 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
Designed as larger scale, full-service printing and copying facilities that support the 1,250 CPCs, 16 Staples Hub locations also have installed the 42-inch version of the HP Designjet 5500 UV Printer. The HP Designjet 5500 produces high-quality banners, signs and a variety of other large-format applications on demand using HP 83 UV inks for durable, long-lasting prints. Staples is featuring the 60-inch version of the HP Designjet 5550 UV printer in its Digital Copy Services production facilities.
Copyright ©2003-2006 by Publications & Communications Inc. (PCI)
All rights reserved.
large format printing : Wide Format Business Success Requires a Mixed Bag of Tools
One of the earliest adopters of wide format printing was Fred Dietsch of Media Works, Inc. of Jacksonville, FL. In 1986, Dietsch started his company doing graphic design and presentation services for local companies and built
his reputation on attention to detail and tremendous customer service. Nearly ten years ago he brought in one of the first ColorSpan (www.colorspan.com), Eden Prairie, MN, DisplayMaker Professional 36" printers so that he could offer his clients additional products and services that no one else could. As the technology advanced, Media Works was growing right along with it. With their focus on quality output, they purchased the first eight color printers introduced by ColorSpan in 1996. They now run three of those same 62" printers around the clock. They have a full graphic design department able to produce stunning presentation pieces, trade show and event themes,as well as multi-media and Web design. The company also can handle professional photography, high resolution drum and flatbed scanning as well as complete production of finished graphic products mounted and laminated for a wide variety of purposes. Media Works has a devoted customer base in most of the major corporations in the area and is able to maintain premium pricing because customers know they will always get consistently high quality and total service. Dietsch would "Rather throw away garbage cans full of bad prints than let one go out to a customer." And this is a critical distinction.
Factors to Consider
Wide format printing is viewed by some to be only slightly more complicated than desktop printing it is a terribly complicated technical morass to be feared. The truth, of course, lies somewhere in between. Wide format printers are much more complicated than desktop printers, even though the basic technology concept
is very similar. Digital files are converted to microscopic ink droplets on media. The complications come in the plumbing and software necessary to deliver large quantities of ink onto a very large surface. With the efficiency and reliability of wide format printers finally reaching affordable levels, a relatively novice user can begin printing for under $5,000. But this doesn't take into account other necessary success factors. Many customers desire output on various types of media, which requires inventory. Only a small portion of customers want prints on plain paper as posters. Most want fully finished products like banners, which are hemmed and grommeted, laminated prints on rigid boards, backlit light boxes, contour-cut decals, framed fine art canvases, specially made lenticular (3-D and/or motion images) displays, and much more.
By Kenneth Sandlin
his reputation on attention to detail and tremendous customer service. Nearly ten years ago he brought in one of the first ColorSpan (www.colorspan.com), Eden Prairie, MN, DisplayMaker Professional 36" printers so that he could offer his clients additional products and services that no one else could. As the technology advanced, Media Works was growing right along with it. With their focus on quality output, they purchased the first eight color printers introduced by ColorSpan in 1996. They now run three of those same 62" printers around the clock. They have a full graphic design department able to produce stunning presentation pieces, trade show and event themes,as well as multi-media and Web design. The company also can handle professional photography, high resolution drum and flatbed scanning as well as complete production of finished graphic products mounted and laminated for a wide variety of purposes. Media Works has a devoted customer base in most of the major corporations in the area and is able to maintain premium pricing because customers know they will always get consistently high quality and total service. Dietsch would "Rather throw away garbage cans full of bad prints than let one go out to a customer." And this is a critical distinction.
Factors to Consider
Wide format printing is viewed by some to be only slightly more complicated than desktop printing it is a terribly complicated technical morass to be feared. The truth, of course, lies somewhere in between. Wide format printers are much more complicated than desktop printers, even though the basic technology concept
is very similar. Digital files are converted to microscopic ink droplets on media. The complications come in the plumbing and software necessary to deliver large quantities of ink onto a very large surface. With the efficiency and reliability of wide format printers finally reaching affordable levels, a relatively novice user can begin printing for under $5,000. But this doesn't take into account other necessary success factors. Many customers desire output on various types of media, which requires inventory. Only a small portion of customers want prints on plain paper as posters. Most want fully finished products like banners, which are hemmed and grommeted, laminated prints on rigid boards, backlit light boxes, contour-cut decals, framed fine art canvases, specially made lenticular (3-D and/or motion images) displays, and much more.
By Kenneth Sandlin
large format printing : First Look: HP Designjet 4000
The HP Designjet 4000 large-format printer offers high-speed color and black-and-white printing up to 42" wide, as well as a wealth of beneficial features. Perhaps one of the most useful features is the HP Embedded Print Server. Using a standard Web browser on a network computer, users can simply enter the numeric IP address for the embedded server for driverless file submission, queue management, preview, error notification and supplies and printer status. Images that have been processed for printing can be stored on the Designjet 4000's 40GB hard disk for additional printing later without having to set up the print job again and wait for rasterization. This innovation is extremely useful and saves time, energy and money by letting anyone on the network access essential printing information. The printer also comes with an embedded processor for simultaneous printing and processing.
The HP Designjet 4000 uses a pair of staggered print heads (HP Double Swath technology) for a wider print swath and a higher firing frequency, producing faster printing times. I tested two vector drawings at D-size plots (24"x36"). A 3D line-art image of the Discovery spacecraft from the movie 2001, a file 2,583KB in size, printed using HPGL/2 in 1 minute, 35 seconds, including RIP time and drying. The Tasei Detail Plan, a sample 2D AutoCAD drawing (309KB), printed using HPGL/2 in 1 minute, 50 seconds, again including RIP time and drying. Finally, I printed a TIFF image (3008x2000 pixels) from a Nikon D70 6MP camera at D-size (24"x36"), which required 10 minutes total in normal mode—6 minutes, 45 seconds just to RIP the file to the printer, and then 3 minutes, 15 seconds to print. The rated print speed for the HP Designjet 4000 is 93 square meters or 1,000 square feet per hour. The speeds for our tests were quite good.
Speed is but part of the equation for large-format printers, with output quality being the balance. All the prints we ran produced very high-quality output for both lines and text, and excellent shadow detail and coverage for the bit-mapped TIFF image. We also looked at prints from large-format scans in both draft and normal modes, all of which were crisp and excellent. Output is impressive.
Two versions of the HP Designjet 4000 are available—a standard version ($9,995), and the HP Designjet 4000ps ($12,495), which includes an additional embedded RIP for Adobe PostScript Level 3 and Adobe PDF 1.5. We looked at and ran tests with the 4000ps. Various service and support options are available for both models, as are optional accessories such as the HP Jetdirect 40d Gigabit Print server, a high-speed USB 2.0 card, a 256MB memory upgrade (standard included memory is 256MB), and the HP Jetdirect 620n LAN card.
I tested the HP Designjet 4000ps onsite at the Dunwoody, Georgia, office of GeorgiaBlue Imaging, which is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia (770.619.1231). GeorgiaBlue kindly made its facilities and expertise available to us for this review. The HP Designjet 4000ps is designed to be a dependable workhorse—indeed, the printer I tested was embarking on a week-long printing job for the government. This ruggedness and dependability, coupled with features that are designed to make the printer easy to manage, fast to operate and flexible in its output options, make the HP Designjet 4000ps an outstanding wide-format printer for the professional environment.
Ron LaFon, a contributing editor for Cadalyst, is a writer, editor and computer graphics and electronic publishing specialist from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a principal at 3Bear Productions in Atlanta.
© 2006 Questex Media Group, Inc.. All rights reserved.
The HP Designjet 4000 uses a pair of staggered print heads (HP Double Swath technology) for a wider print swath and a higher firing frequency, producing faster printing times. I tested two vector drawings at D-size plots (24"x36"). A 3D line-art image of the Discovery spacecraft from the movie 2001, a file 2,583KB in size, printed using HPGL/2 in 1 minute, 35 seconds, including RIP time and drying. The Tasei Detail Plan, a sample 2D AutoCAD drawing (309KB), printed using HPGL/2 in 1 minute, 50 seconds, again including RIP time and drying. Finally, I printed a TIFF image (3008x2000 pixels) from a Nikon D70 6MP camera at D-size (24"x36"), which required 10 minutes total in normal mode—6 minutes, 45 seconds just to RIP the file to the printer, and then 3 minutes, 15 seconds to print. The rated print speed for the HP Designjet 4000 is 93 square meters or 1,000 square feet per hour. The speeds for our tests were quite good.
Speed is but part of the equation for large-format printers, with output quality being the balance. All the prints we ran produced very high-quality output for both lines and text, and excellent shadow detail and coverage for the bit-mapped TIFF image. We also looked at prints from large-format scans in both draft and normal modes, all of which were crisp and excellent. Output is impressive.
Two versions of the HP Designjet 4000 are available—a standard version ($9,995), and the HP Designjet 4000ps ($12,495), which includes an additional embedded RIP for Adobe PostScript Level 3 and Adobe PDF 1.5. We looked at and ran tests with the 4000ps. Various service and support options are available for both models, as are optional accessories such as the HP Jetdirect 40d Gigabit Print server, a high-speed USB 2.0 card, a 256MB memory upgrade (standard included memory is 256MB), and the HP Jetdirect 620n LAN card.
I tested the HP Designjet 4000ps onsite at the Dunwoody, Georgia, office of GeorgiaBlue Imaging, which is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia (770.619.1231). GeorgiaBlue kindly made its facilities and expertise available to us for this review. The HP Designjet 4000ps is designed to be a dependable workhorse—indeed, the printer I tested was embarking on a week-long printing job for the government. This ruggedness and dependability, coupled with features that are designed to make the printer easy to manage, fast to operate and flexible in its output options, make the HP Designjet 4000ps an outstanding wide-format printer for the professional environment.
Ron LaFon, a contributing editor for Cadalyst, is a writer, editor and computer graphics and electronic publishing specialist from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a principal at 3Bear Productions in Atlanta.
© 2006 Questex Media Group, Inc.. All rights reserved.
large format printing :REDFISH CUP
The REDFISH CUP is an exciting and highly-competitive fishing tournament series which takes place at many different venues. Their need for portable, quality backdrops and banners is fulfilled by Magic Vinyl Printing. Shown above is the podium with a Magic Vinyl Backdrop in the background. Its large size and non-seamed surface provide a crisp, clean background for photographers and TV cameramen to include in their shots of the leading fishermen. There are a variety of banners and backdrops used on location at the shore featuring sponsors and following the RedFish Cup art theme. Freshwater, saltwater and intense sunlight do not effect our banners because we only use waterproof, U.V. protected inks
Copyright © 2006
Copyright © 2006
large format printing: Staples Selects HP for Large-format Printing Services
Today announced that Staples, Inc., the world's largest office products company, has added color printing services featuring HP large-format printers to its Copy & Printer Centers (CPCs) located in more than 1,250 stores across the United States.
Equipped with HP Designjet 130nr printers, every Staples CPC can now provide high-quality photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners for consumers and businesses.
"Staples has long been a critical retailer for HP," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Graphics and Imaging Business, HP. "Now, in addition to selling HP computers and printers, Staples is using HP technology to produce a variety of high-quality photo and wide-format applications for its customers."
The HP Designjet 130 printer series is designed for professional graphic design, photography, fine art reproduction, and proofing applications. Its six-color, multi-format printing produces high-quality, fade-resistant images with stunning results. The printers installed at Staples locations also feature an automatic roll feed and cutter capability and can print on media up to 24 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
"Getting high-quality, color, wide-format print jobs is now as easy as visiting your local Staples store," said Robert Schlacter, vice president, Business Services, Staples. "Making it easy for the customer is also about investing in the right resources, like arming every CPC associate with industry-leading solutions from HP."
Designed as larger scale, full-service printing and copying facilities that support the 1,250 CPCs, 16 Staples Hub locations also have installed the 42-inch version of the HP Designjet 5500 UV Printer. The HP Designjet 5500 produces high-quality banners, signs and a variety of other large-format applications on demand using HP 83 UV inks for durable, long-lasting prints. Staples is featuring the 60-inch version of the HP Designjet 5550 UV printer in its Digital Copy Services production facilities.
Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved. Cygnus Interactive, a Division of Cygnus Business Media.
Equipped with HP Designjet 130nr printers, every Staples CPC can now provide high-quality photo enlargements, posters, signs and banners for consumers and businesses.
"Staples has long been a critical retailer for HP," said Stephen Nigro, senior vice president, Graphics and Imaging Business, HP. "Now, in addition to selling HP computers and printers, Staples is using HP technology to produce a variety of high-quality photo and wide-format applications for its customers."
The HP Designjet 130 printer series is designed for professional graphic design, photography, fine art reproduction, and proofing applications. Its six-color, multi-format printing produces high-quality, fade-resistant images with stunning results. The printers installed at Staples locations also feature an automatic roll feed and cutter capability and can print on media up to 24 inches wide and up to 50 feet long.
"Getting high-quality, color, wide-format print jobs is now as easy as visiting your local Staples store," said Robert Schlacter, vice president, Business Services, Staples. "Making it easy for the customer is also about investing in the right resources, like arming every CPC associate with industry-leading solutions from HP."
Designed as larger scale, full-service printing and copying facilities that support the 1,250 CPCs, 16 Staples Hub locations also have installed the 42-inch version of the HP Designjet 5500 UV Printer. The HP Designjet 5500 produces high-quality banners, signs and a variety of other large-format applications on demand using HP 83 UV inks for durable, long-lasting prints. Staples is featuring the 60-inch version of the HP Designjet 5550 UV printer in its Digital Copy Services production facilities.
Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved. Cygnus Interactive, a Division of Cygnus Business Media.
large format printing ; Canon imageRunner and imagePrograf printers
Raising the curtain on a new era of color, Canon USA, Inc, the nation's market share brand leader in black-and-white and color laser printer/copier solutions, today will showcase a number of new corporate Color imageRunner models, and large-format imagePrograf devices, as well as imagePress technology and new imageWare software solutions at AIIM On Demand. At the show, Canon debuts the Color imageRunner C5180 for corporate environments. In addition, Canon will demonstrate four new large format printers - the imagePrograf iPF9000, Canon's first 60-inch large format printer, and the imagePrograf iPF700 / iPF600 / iPF500 - for the graphics arts, corporate and computer-aided design markets.
Hardware & Software solutions
"Canon is uniquely positioned to offer a broad range of solutions, both hardware and software, to fit any organization and help to solve real document handling, management and workflow challenges," said Tod Pike, senior vice president, Imaging Systems Group, Canon USA, Inc. "Today's announcements further demonstrate Canon's commitment to delivering devices, solutions and techno-logies that help shape our industry and herald in new eras of innovation."
by Ilse Jurriën
Hardware & Software solutions
"Canon is uniquely positioned to offer a broad range of solutions, both hardware and software, to fit any organization and help to solve real document handling, management and workflow challenges," said Tod Pike, senior vice president, Imaging Systems Group, Canon USA, Inc. "Today's announcements further demonstrate Canon's commitment to delivering devices, solutions and techno-logies that help shape our industry and herald in new eras of innovation."
by Ilse Jurriën
large format printing: Solvent Digital Printers
UK large format printing systems provider, Perfect Colours, has secured a zero per cent finance package for purchasers of its large format printers and imaging systems. The interest free finance package is available over three years on HP Designjet products, including the new low-solvent Designjet 9000s and the Designjet 5500 series. The company described the finance package as a simple option for those HP printers to give users the freedom to choose the right system at the right price and added that the deal is exclusive to Perfect Colours.
Jason Burroughs, the managing director of Perfect Colours, said: 'Our customers needs drive us to deliver the highest quality products from leading manufacturers at competitive pricing with a service and support that is second to none.
With the addition of an interest free finance option, our customers can get the system they actually need without settling for a lesser option because they have to pay spiralling interest fees.'
Copyright © 2000-2006 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK.
Jason Burroughs, the managing director of Perfect Colours, said: 'Our customers needs drive us to deliver the highest quality products from leading manufacturers at competitive pricing with a service and support that is second to none.
With the addition of an interest free finance option, our customers can get the system they actually need without settling for a lesser option because they have to pay spiralling interest fees.'
Copyright © 2000-2006 Pro-Talk Ltd, UK.
large format printing: HP Launches New Printers For AEC
HP has launched two new printer models: the HP Designjet 820 MFP, a new multifunction solution which offers efficient, quality wide-format copying and scanning; and the HP Designjet 500 Mono, targetting offices engaged in architectural, engineering, construction and mechanical design. Designed for AEC and GIS users, as well as reproduction houses, the HP Designjet 820 MFP is a versatile, wide-format colour printing solution with a space-saving design. It prints one A1 printout in 90 seconds, at 2400 x 1200 dpi, leveraging HP's R&D expertise for customers requiring reliability and excellent colour quality.
"With the new HP Designjet 820 MFP, we are able to bring many of the technology improvements present on the heavy-duty HP Designjet 4500 MFP to users who need the same quality and reliability, but with a lower print volume and a smaller footprint," said Michael Phoon, director, large format printing, HP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
The HP Designjet 500 Mono prints large-format technical drawings with fine black-and-white line quality, a high degree of accuracy and superior resolution.
Aimed at technical office, the HP Designjet 500 Mono brings a competitive-edge to technical designers by giving them immediate access to their CAD drawings, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing operations.
© Copyright 2006 – EFY Enterprises Pvt Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
"With the new HP Designjet 820 MFP, we are able to bring many of the technology improvements present on the heavy-duty HP Designjet 4500 MFP to users who need the same quality and reliability, but with a lower print volume and a smaller footprint," said Michael Phoon, director, large format printing, HP Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.
The HP Designjet 500 Mono prints large-format technical drawings with fine black-and-white line quality, a high degree of accuracy and superior resolution.
Aimed at technical office, the HP Designjet 500 Mono brings a competitive-edge to technical designers by giving them immediate access to their CAD drawings, thereby increasing productivity and enhancing operations.
© Copyright 2006 – EFY Enterprises Pvt Ltd, All Rights Reserved.
large format printing: Wide-Format Printers
Wide-format printing (also known as large-format printing) usually refers to devices that can handle sheets of paper 24 inches and wider. These aren't commonly purchased printers; according to a study by CAP Ventures, nearly 76 percent of those who own a wide-format printer are print-for-pay businesses -- print shops, copy shops, etc.
That being said, if your company prints a great many posters, blueprints, maps, or other large-format documents, a wide-format printer is a useful device to have, especially if the alternative is sending your jobs out to print shops.
Wide-format printers can use a variety of printing processes, including inkjet, laser/LED, copy press (which literally presses the image into the paper), thermal transfer (which melts color "crayons" onto the sheets), and electrostatic (where negatively charged toner is attracted to a positively charged drum). They are usually freestanding systems
©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.
That being said, if your company prints a great many posters, blueprints, maps, or other large-format documents, a wide-format printer is a useful device to have, especially if the alternative is sending your jobs out to print shops.
Wide-format printers can use a variety of printing processes, including inkjet, laser/LED, copy press (which literally presses the image into the paper), thermal transfer (which melts color "crayons" onto the sheets), and electrostatic (where negatively charged toner is attracted to a positively charged drum). They are usually freestanding systems
©2006 About, Inc., A part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.
large format printing: Canon to introduce the fastest proofing quality wide format digital printer in the world
Canon, the global leader in business imaging solutions, today announced the forthcoming release of the W8200 large-format ink jet colour graphics printer. The device is designed to deliver industry-leading productivity and high image resolution through revolutionary new wide print head technology.
Aimed at the print for pay market, the new Canon W8200 printer accommodates print media of up to 44" and incorporates Canon's revolutionary one-inch-wide, high-density print head.
Steve Brown, National Product Manager - Production and Graphic Arts, Canon Australia said that there will be both dye-based and pigment-based versions of the W8200 upon its release in September 2003.
"Pigment ink-based large format printers are new to the Canon product line-up and provide sustained colour in UV environments delivering increased durability and life span of the printed output. We are very pleased to be able to offer customers the flexibility to choose either a dye or the pigment version of the W8200.
"In addition, the W8200 is a highly sophisticated device while retaining a user-friendliness which ensures that any user will be able to produce stunning prints with the device," said Mr Brown.
Based on Canon's exclusive Bubble Jet technology, the print head in the W8200 incorporates 7680 tiny ink nozzles (1280 for each of the six colours where most competitive models only offer 96 to 512 nozzles for each of the six colours), capable of delivering industry-leading print speeds of 2 minutes per A0 size page (in fast mode).
Bi-directional printing further increases the speed, which means that whenever the print head moves from side to side it continually prints, rather than lifting and starting again.
Canon's new large-format printer also employs a six-colour printing process, incorporating: cyan, magenta, yellow, black plus one-sixth density photo cyan and photo magenta, for improved colour precision, greater depth and finer tone diffusion. The system also ensures the precise delivery of microscopic droplets of ink that are consistent in shape, size and density, making photo-quality high-resolution printouts possible and making it the fastest proofing quality wide format digital printer, in its class, on the market today.
High-capacity 330 ml ink cartridges for each colour are continuously monitored and measure remaining ink levels. Its life-long ink head also means lower operational costs and improved colour consistency. Users can better manage their ink usage and eliminate costly interruptions to large print jobs.
The W8200 is flexible, functional and designed to save space. Operating controls and handling positions for cut and roll media are located at the front of the machine. The devices connect to networks easily through their standard 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet ports. They are also compatible with Canon's NetSpot Suite-series of network management and utility software.
"The W8200 sets a new standard in wide format printing and demonstrates Canon's commitment to this market by providing technologies previously unavailable to it," said Mr Brown.
"Other companies have an ongoing challenge to deliver a full solution to customers - some have provided improved resolution but sacrificed speed. The remainder have chosen to provide speed but have lost print quality in the process. Canon has set new benchmarks by finding the balance between the two and with this product we are able to offer both speed and quality.
"We believe the new Canon W8200 will challenge even the most loyal customer of other vendors when they see that it produces extremely high quality output in much less time, offers greater flexibility with a choice of dye or pigment ink process, and all with a very low long-term running cost.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading speed and quality
- 1-inch print head has 7680 nozzles - 1280 for each colour
- Print coverage of up to 30 square metres an hour
- Up to 1200x1200 dpi print resolution
- Ability to print in UV resistant (pigment) inks for the first time
- Capable of handling heavy print media up to 0.5mm thick
The Canon W8200 will be available in September 2003 through Canon authorised strategic partners including: Anitech, Cyrachrome, DES, Graphics Plus, Imedia, LCMA, PT Store and Designwise
© Copyright 2006 Canon Australia Pty Ltd
Aimed at the print for pay market, the new Canon W8200 printer accommodates print media of up to 44" and incorporates Canon's revolutionary one-inch-wide, high-density print head.
Steve Brown, National Product Manager - Production and Graphic Arts, Canon Australia said that there will be both dye-based and pigment-based versions of the W8200 upon its release in September 2003.
"Pigment ink-based large format printers are new to the Canon product line-up and provide sustained colour in UV environments delivering increased durability and life span of the printed output. We are very pleased to be able to offer customers the flexibility to choose either a dye or the pigment version of the W8200.
"In addition, the W8200 is a highly sophisticated device while retaining a user-friendliness which ensures that any user will be able to produce stunning prints with the device," said Mr Brown.
Based on Canon's exclusive Bubble Jet technology, the print head in the W8200 incorporates 7680 tiny ink nozzles (1280 for each of the six colours where most competitive models only offer 96 to 512 nozzles for each of the six colours), capable of delivering industry-leading print speeds of 2 minutes per A0 size page (in fast mode).
Bi-directional printing further increases the speed, which means that whenever the print head moves from side to side it continually prints, rather than lifting and starting again.
Canon's new large-format printer also employs a six-colour printing process, incorporating: cyan, magenta, yellow, black plus one-sixth density photo cyan and photo magenta, for improved colour precision, greater depth and finer tone diffusion. The system also ensures the precise delivery of microscopic droplets of ink that are consistent in shape, size and density, making photo-quality high-resolution printouts possible and making it the fastest proofing quality wide format digital printer, in its class, on the market today.
High-capacity 330 ml ink cartridges for each colour are continuously monitored and measure remaining ink levels. Its life-long ink head also means lower operational costs and improved colour consistency. Users can better manage their ink usage and eliminate costly interruptions to large print jobs.
The W8200 is flexible, functional and designed to save space. Operating controls and handling positions for cut and roll media are located at the front of the machine. The devices connect to networks easily through their standard 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet ports. They are also compatible with Canon's NetSpot Suite-series of network management and utility software.
"The W8200 sets a new standard in wide format printing and demonstrates Canon's commitment to this market by providing technologies previously unavailable to it," said Mr Brown.
"Other companies have an ongoing challenge to deliver a full solution to customers - some have provided improved resolution but sacrificed speed. The remainder have chosen to provide speed but have lost print quality in the process. Canon has set new benchmarks by finding the balance between the two and with this product we are able to offer both speed and quality.
"We believe the new Canon W8200 will challenge even the most loyal customer of other vendors when they see that it produces extremely high quality output in much less time, offers greater flexibility with a choice of dye or pigment ink process, and all with a very low long-term running cost.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading speed and quality
- 1-inch print head has 7680 nozzles - 1280 for each colour
- Print coverage of up to 30 square metres an hour
- Up to 1200x1200 dpi print resolution
- Ability to print in UV resistant (pigment) inks for the first time
- Capable of handling heavy print media up to 0.5mm thick
The Canon W8200 will be available in September 2003 through Canon authorised strategic partners including: Anitech, Cyrachrome, DES, Graphics Plus, Imedia, LCMA, PT Store and Designwise
© Copyright 2006 Canon Australia Pty Ltd
Large format printing; Wide Format Case Studies
LightJet 5000 prompts massive client conversion at triangle reprographics
Customers who usually have their wide format images produced on inkjet and electrostatic printers are lining up to get their work done on a Cymbolic Sciences LightJet® 5000 wide format photo printer at Triangle Reprographics. Little more than a year after purchasing the LightJet 5000 printer, the digital imaging lab is outputting half of its clients' wide format requests on the device.
"The bulk of our wide format work used to be done on inkjet, electrostatic and Iris printers. But the superior image quality and speed of the LightJet 5000 photo printer has led to a massive client conversion," says Reg Garner, general manager of Triangle Reprographics. He notes any work done on the LightJet 5000 is completed in 24 hours or less, even complex files.
The LightJet 5000 photo printer uses laser technology to image large prints directly from digital files on backlit and reflective photographic media. With the Long Length Option, the printer produces images up to 49x97" / 124x246cm at 305 dpi / Res 12. These continuous-tone images have the apparent resolution of a 4,000 dpi half-tone image produced on an inkjet printer.
Triangle expects its recent acquisition of the Long Length Option to prompt even more clients to want their work produced on the LightJet 5000 instead of an inkjet. Notes Garner, "One of our most prominent clients, Lockheed Martin Electronics and Missiles, already gets all of its work up to 50x50" / 127x127cm done on the LightJet 5000. With the Long Length Option, we'll now be able to shift production of Lockheed Martin's super wide graphics over to the LightJet 5000 printer from the inkjet."
Lockheed Martin relies heavily on the power of super wide graphics to draw prospective clients into its trade show booths. The company often butts together several 9x15' / 2.7x4.5 meters panels which become an integral, visual backdrop to its interactive multi-media productions. Says a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, "We want the crispness and high quality resolution of a digital photo printer to produce these images, but up until now we've had to compromise that quality by relying on an inkjet to get length. We're very excited about getting length and quality."
And, for Lockheed, speed has become an added bonus with the LightJet 5000. While it could take up to four hours to produce a super wide graphic on an inkjet, it's done in 19 minutes on a Cymbolic Sciences wide format printer.
Triangle Reprographics is a leader in producing high-end presentation and display images for advertising and corporate agencies and the film industry. In business for 26 years, the company pioneered the use of large format color work in the reprographics industry in 1991.
http://www.cymbolic.com/casestudieswf.html
Customers who usually have their wide format images produced on inkjet and electrostatic printers are lining up to get their work done on a Cymbolic Sciences LightJet® 5000 wide format photo printer at Triangle Reprographics. Little more than a year after purchasing the LightJet 5000 printer, the digital imaging lab is outputting half of its clients' wide format requests on the device.
"The bulk of our wide format work used to be done on inkjet, electrostatic and Iris printers. But the superior image quality and speed of the LightJet 5000 photo printer has led to a massive client conversion," says Reg Garner, general manager of Triangle Reprographics. He notes any work done on the LightJet 5000 is completed in 24 hours or less, even complex files.
The LightJet 5000 photo printer uses laser technology to image large prints directly from digital files on backlit and reflective photographic media. With the Long Length Option, the printer produces images up to 49x97" / 124x246cm at 305 dpi / Res 12. These continuous-tone images have the apparent resolution of a 4,000 dpi half-tone image produced on an inkjet printer.
Triangle expects its recent acquisition of the Long Length Option to prompt even more clients to want their work produced on the LightJet 5000 instead of an inkjet. Notes Garner, "One of our most prominent clients, Lockheed Martin Electronics and Missiles, already gets all of its work up to 50x50" / 127x127cm done on the LightJet 5000. With the Long Length Option, we'll now be able to shift production of Lockheed Martin's super wide graphics over to the LightJet 5000 printer from the inkjet."
Lockheed Martin relies heavily on the power of super wide graphics to draw prospective clients into its trade show booths. The company often butts together several 9x15' / 2.7x4.5 meters panels which become an integral, visual backdrop to its interactive multi-media productions. Says a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin, "We want the crispness and high quality resolution of a digital photo printer to produce these images, but up until now we've had to compromise that quality by relying on an inkjet to get length. We're very excited about getting length and quality."
And, for Lockheed, speed has become an added bonus with the LightJet 5000. While it could take up to four hours to produce a super wide graphic on an inkjet, it's done in 19 minutes on a Cymbolic Sciences wide format printer.
Triangle Reprographics is a leader in producing high-end presentation and display images for advertising and corporate agencies and the film industry. In business for 26 years, the company pioneered the use of large format color work in the reprographics industry in 1991.
http://www.cymbolic.com/casestudieswf.html
Large format printing: Canon imagePROGRAF IPF5000 large format printer
Canon Europe, world leader in digital imaging technology, has today launched the newest addition to its large format printer (LFP) range, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF5000, aimed at the Graphic Arts market. In order to achieve its goal of becoming a dominant force within the large format arena, the launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is the first of a raft of newly developed products designed to deliver the market requirement of colour accuracy and consistency at speed, whilst remaining reliable and user-friendly.
“We see LFP as an integral part of our Professional Print offering. Having launched a new product every year for the last five years, Canon’s presence within the LFP market has grown across Europe to achieve almost 10% MaSh, whilst our LFP business has grown by almost 45% in the last year alone. The launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 marks Canon’s assertiveness within this sector and drive to increase our product range further in order to become a leading voice in the LFP industry,” commented Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 utilises new, unique technology that induces productivity and high-quality output that delivers accurate and consistent results. This 17” (A2) desktop device amalgamates an industry-first, high-density twin print head and FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology to produce industry best image quality. Furthermore, a high-speed controller, as well as functions that automatically detect corresponding media and ink, means that output speed does not compromise quality.
The twin, high-density print head, a key feature of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000, enhances the speed of printing as well as the durability of the device as it crams over 30,000 nozzles into two 1” print heads. Moreover, by incorporating FINE technology, 4-pl (picolitre) ink droplets ensure delicate colour graduation, high-definition expression and accuracy. Canon’s revolutionary 12-colour pigment ink system not only improves print quality but also media compatibility and colour range. The broad colour gamut is realised with the addition of red, green and blue inks, as well as two varieties of grey, photo grey and grey, that enable smooth colour graduation whilst realising a neutral and constant monochrome. In addition, the use of two types of black ink, photo black and matte black guarantees extended media compatibility. By achieving the widest colour gamut in its class, the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 answers the market’s strong demand for accurate colour reproduction on a variety of media, especially in the art and photographic arenas.
Efficiency is further increased thanks to a newly developed high speed controller that processes images quickly and executes three types of processing: high-speed print processing, image processing and high quality print processing with glossy/ art paper. Furthermore, the flexibility of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is enhanced due to a four-way media feeder: via a cassette, roll and manual feed from the front and top of the device. This means that at any one time, two types of media are always available and so the device is as productive as possible.
“This device signifies our continued foray into the LFP market. By considering every possible function and use of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 – and not compromising speed or image quality – we have produced a device that is a cost-efficient answer to market needs. The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 unites market-leading technology with user-friendliness that will pave the way for Canon to further establish its presence to the large format sector,” concluded Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 comes with Canon’s PosterArtist and Digital Photo Print Professional as standard, as well as a print plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Canon’s own Digital Photo Professional software, which is supplied with its EOS range of cameras. It can be configured to an existing network and has been designed to ensure ease-of-use and effective print management
Canon Europe, world leader in digital imaging technology, has today launched the newest addition to its large format printer (LFP) range, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF5000, aimed at the Graphic Arts market. In order to achieve its goal of becoming a dominant force within the large format arena, the launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is the first of a raft of newly developed products designed to deliver the market requirement of colour accuracy and consistency at speed, whilst remaining reliable and user-friendly.
“We see LFP as an integral part of our Professional Print offering. Having launched a new product every year for the last five years, Canon’s presence within the LFP market has grown across Europe to achieve almost 10% MaSh, whilst our LFP business has grown by almost 45% in the last year alone. The launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 marks Canon’s assertiveness within this sector and drive to increase our product range further in order to become a leading voice in the LFP industry,” commented Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 utilises new, unique technology that induces productivity and high-quality output that delivers accurate and consistent results. This 17” (A2) desktop device amalgamates an industry-first, high-density twin print head and FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology to produce industry best image quality. Furthermore, a high-speed controller, as well as functions that automatically detect corresponding media and ink, means that output speed does not compromise quality.
The twin, high-density print head, a key feature of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000, enhances the speed of printing as well as the durability of the device as it crams over 30,000 nozzles into two 1” print heads. Moreover, by incorporating FINE technology, 4-pl (picolitre) ink droplets ensure delicate colour graduation, high-definition expression and accuracy. Canon’s revolutionary 12-colour pigment ink system not only improves print quality but also media compatibility and colour range. The broad colour gamut is realised with the addition of red, green and blue inks, as well as two varieties of grey, photo grey and grey, that enable smooth colour graduation whilst realising a neutral and constant monochrome. In addition, the use of two types of black ink, photo black and matte black guarantees extended media compatibility. By achieving the widest colour gamut in its class, the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 answers the market’s strong demand for accurate colour reproduction on a variety of media, especially in the art and photographic arenas.
Efficiency is further increased thanks to a newly developed high speed controller that processes images quickly and executes three types of processing: high-speed print processing, image processing and high quality print processing with glossy/ art paper. Furthermore, the flexibility of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is enhanced due to a four-way media feeder: via a cassette, roll and manual feed from the front and top of the device. This means that at any one time, two types of media are always available and so the device is as productive as possible.
“This device signifies our continued foray into the LFP market. By considering every possible function and use of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 – and not compromising speed or image quality – we have produced a device that is a cost-efficient answer to market needs. The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 unites market-leading technology with user-friendliness that will pave the way for Canon to further establish its presence to the large format sector,” concluded Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 comes with Canon’s PosterArtist and Digital Photo Print Professional as standard, as well as a print plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Canon’s own Digital Photo Professional software, which is supplied with its EOS range of cameras. It can be configured to an existing network and has been designed to ensure ease-of-use and effective print management
Press Release
“We see LFP as an integral part of our Professional Print offering. Having launched a new product every year for the last five years, Canon’s presence within the LFP market has grown across Europe to achieve almost 10% MaSh, whilst our LFP business has grown by almost 45% in the last year alone. The launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 marks Canon’s assertiveness within this sector and drive to increase our product range further in order to become a leading voice in the LFP industry,” commented Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 utilises new, unique technology that induces productivity and high-quality output that delivers accurate and consistent results. This 17” (A2) desktop device amalgamates an industry-first, high-density twin print head and FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology to produce industry best image quality. Furthermore, a high-speed controller, as well as functions that automatically detect corresponding media and ink, means that output speed does not compromise quality.
The twin, high-density print head, a key feature of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000, enhances the speed of printing as well as the durability of the device as it crams over 30,000 nozzles into two 1” print heads. Moreover, by incorporating FINE technology, 4-pl (picolitre) ink droplets ensure delicate colour graduation, high-definition expression and accuracy. Canon’s revolutionary 12-colour pigment ink system not only improves print quality but also media compatibility and colour range. The broad colour gamut is realised with the addition of red, green and blue inks, as well as two varieties of grey, photo grey and grey, that enable smooth colour graduation whilst realising a neutral and constant monochrome. In addition, the use of two types of black ink, photo black and matte black guarantees extended media compatibility. By achieving the widest colour gamut in its class, the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 answers the market’s strong demand for accurate colour reproduction on a variety of media, especially in the art and photographic arenas.
Efficiency is further increased thanks to a newly developed high speed controller that processes images quickly and executes three types of processing: high-speed print processing, image processing and high quality print processing with glossy/ art paper. Furthermore, the flexibility of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is enhanced due to a four-way media feeder: via a cassette, roll and manual feed from the front and top of the device. This means that at any one time, two types of media are always available and so the device is as productive as possible.
“This device signifies our continued foray into the LFP market. By considering every possible function and use of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 – and not compromising speed or image quality – we have produced a device that is a cost-efficient answer to market needs. The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 unites market-leading technology with user-friendliness that will pave the way for Canon to further establish its presence to the large format sector,” concluded Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 comes with Canon’s PosterArtist and Digital Photo Print Professional as standard, as well as a print plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Canon’s own Digital Photo Professional software, which is supplied with its EOS range of cameras. It can be configured to an existing network and has been designed to ensure ease-of-use and effective print management
Canon Europe, world leader in digital imaging technology, has today launched the newest addition to its large format printer (LFP) range, the Canon imagePROGRAF iPF5000, aimed at the Graphic Arts market. In order to achieve its goal of becoming a dominant force within the large format arena, the launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is the first of a raft of newly developed products designed to deliver the market requirement of colour accuracy and consistency at speed, whilst remaining reliable and user-friendly.
“We see LFP as an integral part of our Professional Print offering. Having launched a new product every year for the last five years, Canon’s presence within the LFP market has grown across Europe to achieve almost 10% MaSh, whilst our LFP business has grown by almost 45% in the last year alone. The launch of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 marks Canon’s assertiveness within this sector and drive to increase our product range further in order to become a leading voice in the LFP industry,” commented Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 utilises new, unique technology that induces productivity and high-quality output that delivers accurate and consistent results. This 17” (A2) desktop device amalgamates an industry-first, high-density twin print head and FINE (Full Photolithography Inkjet Nozzle Engineering) technology to produce industry best image quality. Furthermore, a high-speed controller, as well as functions that automatically detect corresponding media and ink, means that output speed does not compromise quality.
The twin, high-density print head, a key feature of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000, enhances the speed of printing as well as the durability of the device as it crams over 30,000 nozzles into two 1” print heads. Moreover, by incorporating FINE technology, 4-pl (picolitre) ink droplets ensure delicate colour graduation, high-definition expression and accuracy. Canon’s revolutionary 12-colour pigment ink system not only improves print quality but also media compatibility and colour range. The broad colour gamut is realised with the addition of red, green and blue inks, as well as two varieties of grey, photo grey and grey, that enable smooth colour graduation whilst realising a neutral and constant monochrome. In addition, the use of two types of black ink, photo black and matte black guarantees extended media compatibility. By achieving the widest colour gamut in its class, the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 answers the market’s strong demand for accurate colour reproduction on a variety of media, especially in the art and photographic arenas.
Efficiency is further increased thanks to a newly developed high speed controller that processes images quickly and executes three types of processing: high-speed print processing, image processing and high quality print processing with glossy/ art paper. Furthermore, the flexibility of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 is enhanced due to a four-way media feeder: via a cassette, roll and manual feed from the front and top of the device. This means that at any one time, two types of media are always available and so the device is as productive as possible.
“This device signifies our continued foray into the LFP market. By considering every possible function and use of the imagePROGRAF iPF5000 – and not compromising speed or image quality – we have produced a device that is a cost-efficient answer to market needs. The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 unites market-leading technology with user-friendliness that will pave the way for Canon to further establish its presence to the large format sector,” concluded Paul Hinkins, LFP European Product Marketing Manager, Canon Europe.
The imagePROGRAF iPF5000 comes with Canon’s PosterArtist and Digital Photo Print Professional as standard, as well as a print plug-ins for Adobe Photoshop and Canon’s own Digital Photo Professional software, which is supplied with its EOS range of cameras. It can be configured to an existing network and has been designed to ensure ease-of-use and effective print management
Press Release
Large format printing: Large Format Poster Printing
At Large Format Posters, you can rely on our professional staff and our state-of-the-art poster printing technology for the best quality poster printing, fast and affordable. Our extensive large format poster printing capabilities includes offset poster printing and digital poster printing for both volume printing and short runs.
• Print posters as few as one up to thousands.
• Print posters from standard sizes up to 58’ wide and 120’ high.
• Print posters on more than 5 different materials.
• Print posters fast in 2, 3, or 5 business days.
We have set up an efficient workflow to make our poster printing service even better. You will find our site easy and simple to use to make your print buying a truly convenient experience. Your poster printing project will be handled personally by one of our poster print experts to guarantee we meet your requirements in all aspects – quality, time and budget.
Copyright © 2005 Large Format Printing. All Rights Reserved.
• Print posters as few as one up to thousands.
• Print posters from standard sizes up to 58’ wide and 120’ high.
• Print posters on more than 5 different materials.
• Print posters fast in 2, 3, or 5 business days.
We have set up an efficient workflow to make our poster printing service even better. You will find our site easy and simple to use to make your print buying a truly convenient experience. Your poster printing project will be handled personally by one of our poster print experts to guarantee we meet your requirements in all aspects – quality, time and budget.
Copyright © 2005 Large Format Printing. All Rights Reserved.
Large format printing: Poster Printing
Large format printing is all we do. We are deep in experience in this highly specialized field, and have knowledgeable people you can talk to about your job. We take pride in our New Hampshire craftsmanship, and guarantee your satisfaction. When you want it done on time, on budget, and beautifully, talk to us!
Our state of the art facility includes a complete prepress shop, twelve wide format printers of up to 60" width, and a complete finishing shop for laminating and mounting on board. We have the skill, and the capacity, to turn your job around quickly and affordably.
We are large enough to have the right people and equipment to do your job well. We are small enough to give your job the personal attention to be sure it's done right.
© 2003 MegaPrint, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Our state of the art facility includes a complete prepress shop, twelve wide format printers of up to 60" width, and a complete finishing shop for laminating and mounting on board. We have the skill, and the capacity, to turn your job around quickly and affordably.
We are large enough to have the right people and equipment to do your job well. We are small enough to give your job the personal attention to be sure it's done right.
© 2003 MegaPrint, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Ronald Reagan's Hamburger Soup
There's been speculation that this first made news after President Reagan innocently announced his liking for fancy French soups...and was immediately accused of being elitist. Whatever. It's definitely a homespun, plain soup, and not as bad as you might think when you see that there's hominy in it. This corn product--with an Algonquin Native American name--was an important food to early U.S. pioneers. It's a nice firm little ball in the soup--almost dumpling like. Serve the soup as a lunch meal to 4-6 people with lots of cornbread, cold milk, and maybe a big American pie for dessert. Here's the recipe verbatim--note the non-elitist allowance for canned foods and bouillon cubes.
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 Tablespoons butter
2 cups diced onions
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 and 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 ounces [canned] hominy
1 cup diced green peppers
3 quarts [12 cups] beef broth or water with bouillon cubes
16 ounces chopped tomato (canned or fresh)
2 cups sliced celery
Step 1: Brown meat in butter in six-quart sauce pan. Add onions, garlic, carrots, celery and green pepper. Simmer 10 minutes with the pan covered.
Step 2: Add beef broth or water with bouillon cubes. Add chopped tomato and pepper. Simmer soup on low heat for 35 minutes. Add hominy. Boil hamburger soup for 10 minutes more. Makes 4 quarts.
as sent out over the PR Newswire
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 Tablespoons butter
2 cups diced onions
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 and 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 ounces [canned] hominy
1 cup diced green peppers
3 quarts [12 cups] beef broth or water with bouillon cubes
16 ounces chopped tomato (canned or fresh)
2 cups sliced celery
Step 1: Brown meat in butter in six-quart sauce pan. Add onions, garlic, carrots, celery and green pepper. Simmer 10 minutes with the pan covered.
Step 2: Add beef broth or water with bouillon cubes. Add chopped tomato and pepper. Simmer soup on low heat for 35 minutes. Add hominy. Boil hamburger soup for 10 minutes more. Makes 4 quarts.
as sent out over the PR Newswire
Welcome to Crutchfield
I came up with the idea for the Crutchfield catalog while pursuing a hobby, the restoration of classic sports cars. In 1974, while preparing an old Porsche 356 coupe for sale, I decided to add a modern audio system. But I was unable to find a car stereo specialist in Charlottesville or even a mail order company in popular automobile and "do-it-yourself" magazines. I knew that I couldn't be the only person interested in car stereo. The need for a national business to serve this niche seemed obvious.
How I learned to listen to you
Sales my first year were terrible, and I didn't know exactly what the problem was. So, I decided to ask my customers and catalog readers. In early 1975, I mailed a questionnaire to several hundred of them. I asked what was wrong with the catalog and the business. What I learned was intriguing.
My customers told me they didn't know much about car stereos and were intimidated by the thought of installing one themselves.
Listening to my customers, I decided to fill the Crutchfield catalog with information so readers would be comfortable with car stereo. And I decided to take good services and make them even better.
Emphasizing complete information and exceptional customer service were what it took to get this company off and running, and these values continue to define our company culture today. Now we're a thriving organization located in Charlottesville. Virginia, with satellite facilities in Norton, Virginia as well.
Copyright 1996-2006, Crutchfield New Media, LLC
How I learned to listen to you
Sales my first year were terrible, and I didn't know exactly what the problem was. So, I decided to ask my customers and catalog readers. In early 1975, I mailed a questionnaire to several hundred of them. I asked what was wrong with the catalog and the business. What I learned was intriguing.
My customers told me they didn't know much about car stereos and were intimidated by the thought of installing one themselves.
Listening to my customers, I decided to fill the Crutchfield catalog with information so readers would be comfortable with car stereo. And I decided to take good services and make them even better.
Emphasizing complete information and exceptional customer service were what it took to get this company off and running, and these values continue to define our company culture today. Now we're a thriving organization located in Charlottesville. Virginia, with satellite facilities in Norton, Virginia as well.
Copyright 1996-2006, Crutchfield New Media, LLC
Betting Strategies and Tactics
Albert Einstein is reputed to have stated, "You cannot beat a roulette table unless you steal money from it."
And yet, the numerous even money bets in roulette have inspired many players over the years to attempt to beat the game by using one or more variations of a Martingale betting strategy, wherein the gamer doubles the bet after every loss, so that the first win would recover all previous losses, plus win a profit equal to the original bet. As the referenced article on Martingales points out, this betting strategy is fundamentally flawed in practice and the inevitable long-term consequence is a large financial loss. There is no way such a betting strategy can work over the long term. Another strategy is the Fibonacci system, where bets are calculated according to the Fibonacci sequence. Regardless of the specific progression, no such strategy can ever overcome the casino's advantage; players trying them will inevitably lose sooner or later.
While not a strategy to win money, New York Times editor Andres Martinez described an enjoyable roulette betting method in his book on Las Vegas entitled "24/7". He called it the "dopey experiment". The idea is to divide your roulette session bankroll into 35 units. This unit is bet on a particular number for 35 consecutive spins. Thus, if the number hits in that time, you've won back your original bankroll and can play subsequent spins with house money. If your number never hits - well, it can take a great deal of time to spin the wheel 35 times; think of the fun you'll have in that time! In practice, this dopey experiment often results in funny looks from the dealer at first; soon, however, every gambler at the table will be putting money on your number. This turns roulette into a group activity that can rival craps for cheers when the number hits. However, there is only a (1 − (37 / 38)35) * 100% = 60.68% probability of winning within 35 spins (assuming a double zero wheel with 38 pockets).
There is a common misconception that the green numbers are "house numbers" and that by betting on them one "gains the house edge." In fact, it is true that the house's advantage comes from the existence of the green numbers (a game without them would be statistically fair) however they are no more or less likely to come up than any other number.
Various attempts have been made by engineers to overcome the house edge through predicting the mechanical performance of the wheel, most notably by Joseph Jagger, the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo in 1873. These schemes work by determining that the ball is more likely to fall at certain numbers. Claude Shannon, a mathematician and computer scientist best known for his contributions to information theory, built arguably the first wearable computer to do so in 1961 [1].
To try to prevent exploits like this, the casinos monitor the performance of their wheels, and rebalance and realign them regularly to try to keep the result of the spins as random as possible.
More recently Thomas Bass, in his book The Newtonian Casino 1991, has claimed to be able to predict wheel performance in real time. He is also the author of The Eudaemonic Pie, which describes the exploits of a group of computer hackers, who called themselves the Eudaemons, who in the late 1970s used computers in their shoes to win at roulette by predicting where the ball would fall.
In the early 1990's, Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo, realizing that most roulette wheels are not "perfect", used a computer to model the tendencies of the roulette wheels at the Casino de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. Betting the most likely numbers, along with members of his family, he was able to win over one million dollars over a period of several years. A court ruled in his favor when the legality of his strategy was challenged by the casino.
In 2004, it was reported that a group in London had used mobile cameraphones to predict the path of the ball, a cheating technique called sector targeting. [2] In December 2004 court adjudged that they didn't cheat because their special laser cameraphone and microchip weren't influencing the ball - they kept all £1.3m. [3]
[edit]
Betting Only on Red
One conceivable strategy would be to bet on the ball landing in a red space for a certain number of spins, for example, 38.
There are 18 red spaces on a roulette table with 38 total spaces. Dividing 18 by 38 yields a probability of landing on red of 47.37%. This probability can be used in a binomial distribution and made into an approximate standard normal distribution.
Doing so indicates that, if one were to spin the wheel 38 times, there is a 99% probability that the ball would land on red at least 10 times. There is an 83% probability that in 38 spins, the ball will land on red at least 15 times. Out of 38 spins, there's a 50% chance that 18 will be red.
However, the break-even point is 19 spins, since the bet on red is 2:1, and the probability of 19 red spins in 38 is only 37%. This indicates the difficulty of winning by only betting on red.
The results occur because, as indicated by the 18 divided by 38 equals 47.37% figure, the ball will land on red less than half the time. This percentage applied in the binomial and standard normal distributions creates the vast divide in probability from 18 red spins to 19 red spins out of 38 spins. Basically, it is very unlikely for anyone to spin much more than 18 red spins out of 38 spins.
[edit]
Famous Bets
In 2004, Ashley Revell of London sold all of his possessions, clothing included, and brought US$135,300 to the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas and put it all on "Red" at the roulette table in a double-or-nothing bet. The ball landed on "Red 7" and Revell walked away with his net-worth doubled to $270,600.
In the 1942 film Casablanca, Rick's Café Americain has a trick roulette wheel. The croupier can cause it to land on 22 at will. Rick (Humphrey Bogart) urges a Bulgarian refugee with whose case he becomes sympathetic to put his last three chips on 22 and motions to the croupier to let him win. After the man's number dramatically comes up, Rick tells him to let it all ride on 22 and lets him win again. Although the details are not mentioned in the film (the croupier only notes that they are "a couple of thousand" down), it appears that Rick has given the man 3675 (3*35*35) francs.
In the music video for Palace & Main by Kent, guitarist Harri Mänty goes to Las Vegas and bets the entire video budget on black. He wins, and the profits were donated to charity.
In the third part of the 1998 film Run, Lola, Run, Lola uses all her money to buy a 100-mark chip. (She is actually just short of 100 marks, but gains the sympathy of a casino employee who gives her the chip for what money she has.) She bets her single chip on 20 and wins. She lets her winnings ride on 20 and wins again, making her total winnings 100,000 marks.
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
And yet, the numerous even money bets in roulette have inspired many players over the years to attempt to beat the game by using one or more variations of a Martingale betting strategy, wherein the gamer doubles the bet after every loss, so that the first win would recover all previous losses, plus win a profit equal to the original bet. As the referenced article on Martingales points out, this betting strategy is fundamentally flawed in practice and the inevitable long-term consequence is a large financial loss. There is no way such a betting strategy can work over the long term. Another strategy is the Fibonacci system, where bets are calculated according to the Fibonacci sequence. Regardless of the specific progression, no such strategy can ever overcome the casino's advantage; players trying them will inevitably lose sooner or later.
While not a strategy to win money, New York Times editor Andres Martinez described an enjoyable roulette betting method in his book on Las Vegas entitled "24/7". He called it the "dopey experiment". The idea is to divide your roulette session bankroll into 35 units. This unit is bet on a particular number for 35 consecutive spins. Thus, if the number hits in that time, you've won back your original bankroll and can play subsequent spins with house money. If your number never hits - well, it can take a great deal of time to spin the wheel 35 times; think of the fun you'll have in that time! In practice, this dopey experiment often results in funny looks from the dealer at first; soon, however, every gambler at the table will be putting money on your number. This turns roulette into a group activity that can rival craps for cheers when the number hits. However, there is only a (1 − (37 / 38)35) * 100% = 60.68% probability of winning within 35 spins (assuming a double zero wheel with 38 pockets).
There is a common misconception that the green numbers are "house numbers" and that by betting on them one "gains the house edge." In fact, it is true that the house's advantage comes from the existence of the green numbers (a game without them would be statistically fair) however they are no more or less likely to come up than any other number.
Various attempts have been made by engineers to overcome the house edge through predicting the mechanical performance of the wheel, most notably by Joseph Jagger, the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo in 1873. These schemes work by determining that the ball is more likely to fall at certain numbers. Claude Shannon, a mathematician and computer scientist best known for his contributions to information theory, built arguably the first wearable computer to do so in 1961 [1].
To try to prevent exploits like this, the casinos monitor the performance of their wheels, and rebalance and realign them regularly to try to keep the result of the spins as random as possible.
More recently Thomas Bass, in his book The Newtonian Casino 1991, has claimed to be able to predict wheel performance in real time. He is also the author of The Eudaemonic Pie, which describes the exploits of a group of computer hackers, who called themselves the Eudaemons, who in the late 1970s used computers in their shoes to win at roulette by predicting where the ball would fall.
In the early 1990's, Gonzalo Garcia-Pelayo, realizing that most roulette wheels are not "perfect", used a computer to model the tendencies of the roulette wheels at the Casino de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. Betting the most likely numbers, along with members of his family, he was able to win over one million dollars over a period of several years. A court ruled in his favor when the legality of his strategy was challenged by the casino.
In 2004, it was reported that a group in London had used mobile cameraphones to predict the path of the ball, a cheating technique called sector targeting. [2] In December 2004 court adjudged that they didn't cheat because their special laser cameraphone and microchip weren't influencing the ball - they kept all £1.3m. [3]
[edit]
Betting Only on Red
One conceivable strategy would be to bet on the ball landing in a red space for a certain number of spins, for example, 38.
There are 18 red spaces on a roulette table with 38 total spaces. Dividing 18 by 38 yields a probability of landing on red of 47.37%. This probability can be used in a binomial distribution and made into an approximate standard normal distribution.
Doing so indicates that, if one were to spin the wheel 38 times, there is a 99% probability that the ball would land on red at least 10 times. There is an 83% probability that in 38 spins, the ball will land on red at least 15 times. Out of 38 spins, there's a 50% chance that 18 will be red.
However, the break-even point is 19 spins, since the bet on red is 2:1, and the probability of 19 red spins in 38 is only 37%. This indicates the difficulty of winning by only betting on red.
The results occur because, as indicated by the 18 divided by 38 equals 47.37% figure, the ball will land on red less than half the time. This percentage applied in the binomial and standard normal distributions creates the vast divide in probability from 18 red spins to 19 red spins out of 38 spins. Basically, it is very unlikely for anyone to spin much more than 18 red spins out of 38 spins.
[edit]
Famous Bets
In 2004, Ashley Revell of London sold all of his possessions, clothing included, and brought US$135,300 to the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas and put it all on "Red" at the roulette table in a double-or-nothing bet. The ball landed on "Red 7" and Revell walked away with his net-worth doubled to $270,600.
In the 1942 film Casablanca, Rick's Café Americain has a trick roulette wheel. The croupier can cause it to land on 22 at will. Rick (Humphrey Bogart) urges a Bulgarian refugee with whose case he becomes sympathetic to put his last three chips on 22 and motions to the croupier to let him win. After the man's number dramatically comes up, Rick tells him to let it all ride on 22 and lets him win again. Although the details are not mentioned in the film (the croupier only notes that they are "a couple of thousand" down), it appears that Rick has given the man 3675 (3*35*35) francs.
In the music video for Palace & Main by Kent, guitarist Harri Mänty goes to Las Vegas and bets the entire video budget on black. He wins, and the profits were donated to charity.
In the third part of the 1998 film Run, Lola, Run, Lola uses all her money to buy a 100-mark chip. (She is actually just short of 100 marks, but gains the sympathy of a casino employee who gives her the chip for what money she has.) She bets her single chip on 20 and wins. She lets her winnings ride on 20 and wins again, making her total winnings 100,000 marks.
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
Makansutra
The Makansutra Food Safari Tour is about the Singapore Food Culture Experience. It seeks to reveal and share with visitors and locals alike the great colour and taste of our food culture that exist organically on our island. Food, to Singaporeans, is a passion which explains why we are mad about food.
The food safari takes the participants on a whirlwind whiz around Singapore to taste, sample and eat some of the best eateries and dishes around here. All the eateries are rated by Makansutra via its popular neutral public polling method. There will be about 3 to 4 stops. Besides the popular local hawker fare, like chicken rice, laksa, bak kut teh or rojak, they can also have a dining experience that incorporates the top and award winning local restaurants serving both Asian and modern international cuisine. A Food Host will be at hand to regale the colourful story of our food and its culture to the visitors
Makansutra Food Safari tours are conducted by a food host and guide and will last approximately 4 hours with a minimum of 3 stops. Prices of these tours start from $100. It will include a Food Host & Guide, transportation to all designated stops, specially Makansutra designed menu and the cost of food. There will be a little souvenir for you to bring back
http://www.makansutra.com/foodtours.html
The food safari takes the participants on a whirlwind whiz around Singapore to taste, sample and eat some of the best eateries and dishes around here. All the eateries are rated by Makansutra via its popular neutral public polling method. There will be about 3 to 4 stops. Besides the popular local hawker fare, like chicken rice, laksa, bak kut teh or rojak, they can also have a dining experience that incorporates the top and award winning local restaurants serving both Asian and modern international cuisine. A Food Host will be at hand to regale the colourful story of our food and its culture to the visitors
Makansutra Food Safari tours are conducted by a food host and guide and will last approximately 4 hours with a minimum of 3 stops. Prices of these tours start from $100. It will include a Food Host & Guide, transportation to all designated stops, specially Makansutra designed menu and the cost of food. There will be a little souvenir for you to bring back
http://www.makansutra.com/foodtours.html
Paved Over and Pushed Out
A NARROW GAME TRAIL coursed through saw palmetto, hugging the edge of a swamp deep in Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve. I followed the faint path, eyes on the ground. Shin-high cypress knees snagged my boots. Mosquitoes buzzed my ears. The trail skirted a hammock of soaring cabbage palms, their fronds rattling in a dry November breeze.
Just a few hours earlier, a Florida panther had walked this path. I'd seen its tracks from a jeep traversing this muck of pine flatwoods and cypress stands. Scrambling off the vehicle, two biologists and I plunged into the dense woods, picked up the panther's trail through towering live oaks, and tracked it back to the trail crossing.
At the edge of the trail, in a thicket of wax myrtle and red bay, the big predator had stopped, sinking its front paws deep into black mud. Something had caught the cat's eye-the left edges of the tracks were pushed slightly deeper into the soil, as if it had leaned in that direction, raising a tawny muzzle. Perhaps the panther had caught wind of a deer, a primary prey animal, or glimpsed an armadillo scuffling through the briars. I couldn't tell. But this much I did know: There are roughly 60 adult Florida panthers remaining in the world, and one of these magnificent felines had been standing right here, sifting the air for scent, pondering its next move.
In the three-quarter-million-acre Big Cypress preserve, that panther had plenty of options. Not so its kin in the surrounding region. Rich upland forests to the north and west are ideal habitat for the big cats, but they also are home to one of the nation's fastest-growing human populations. Kneeling beside the fist-sized panther tracks we'd discovered, Kris Thoemke, a biologist for the National Wildlife Federation's Everglades Project Office, sounded a rueful note. "This is wild country," he said, "but it's also the front line for the battle over urban sprawl and wildlife habitat."
Long cited for its pernicious effects on the quality of human life, from increased traffic to air and water pollution, urban sprawl is also putting the squeeze on wildlife as diverse as panthers, bears, birds, fish and mussels. From the outskirts of Naples here in Florida to the growing footprints of major cities in Georgia, California, Arizona and beyond, ever-expanding suburbs are gobbling up millions of acres of wildlife habitat every year. Local officials have begun to grapple with solutions to the problem, but it's still too soon to predict whether relief will come in time for the most vulnerable species.
Sprawl's impact on wildlife goes beyond the obvious. More roads and cars spawn air and even water pollution (when gas and oil run off roadways into streams). Land clearing also loads streams with sediment, which smothers fish eggs and bottom-dwelling invertebrates and chokes out streamside food and cover plants. And simplified suburban landscapes give exotic and weedy competitors an edge over natives. Even if patches of land are left undeveloped, sprawling growth often swallows up niche habitats, taking away the homes of species that depend on specialized ecosystems. Wide-ranging animals, meanwhile, which need large, contiguous blocks of wild or semi-wild landscape, find themselves hemmed in by roads, golf courses and new neighborhoods.
That's the case with Felis concolor coryi, the Florida panther. A subspecies of North American mountain lion, Florida panthers can be identified by three distinctive physical features: a right-angle crook near the end of the tail; irregular white speckling on the head, neck and shoulders; and a cowlick in the middle of the back. The cats are impressive creatures, with mature males growing some seven feet long from nose to the black tip of the tail.
Preying mostly on white-tailed deer, Florida panthers are solitary hunters, and the cats need space. The home range of male panthers averages about 185 square miles, and an individual might roam 20 miles during a single day. In the past, the animals ranged from the southern tip of Florida north to South Carolina and west to Texas, but-after being overhunted until 1958-they are being crowded out by human development. Today the only remaining population is in southwest Florida, where new highways, condominium complexes and golf-course communities threaten the cat's survival.
by Eddie Nickens
Just a few hours earlier, a Florida panther had walked this path. I'd seen its tracks from a jeep traversing this muck of pine flatwoods and cypress stands. Scrambling off the vehicle, two biologists and I plunged into the dense woods, picked up the panther's trail through towering live oaks, and tracked it back to the trail crossing.
At the edge of the trail, in a thicket of wax myrtle and red bay, the big predator had stopped, sinking its front paws deep into black mud. Something had caught the cat's eye-the left edges of the tracks were pushed slightly deeper into the soil, as if it had leaned in that direction, raising a tawny muzzle. Perhaps the panther had caught wind of a deer, a primary prey animal, or glimpsed an armadillo scuffling through the briars. I couldn't tell. But this much I did know: There are roughly 60 adult Florida panthers remaining in the world, and one of these magnificent felines had been standing right here, sifting the air for scent, pondering its next move.
In the three-quarter-million-acre Big Cypress preserve, that panther had plenty of options. Not so its kin in the surrounding region. Rich upland forests to the north and west are ideal habitat for the big cats, but they also are home to one of the nation's fastest-growing human populations. Kneeling beside the fist-sized panther tracks we'd discovered, Kris Thoemke, a biologist for the National Wildlife Federation's Everglades Project Office, sounded a rueful note. "This is wild country," he said, "but it's also the front line for the battle over urban sprawl and wildlife habitat."
Long cited for its pernicious effects on the quality of human life, from increased traffic to air and water pollution, urban sprawl is also putting the squeeze on wildlife as diverse as panthers, bears, birds, fish and mussels. From the outskirts of Naples here in Florida to the growing footprints of major cities in Georgia, California, Arizona and beyond, ever-expanding suburbs are gobbling up millions of acres of wildlife habitat every year. Local officials have begun to grapple with solutions to the problem, but it's still too soon to predict whether relief will come in time for the most vulnerable species.
Sprawl's impact on wildlife goes beyond the obvious. More roads and cars spawn air and even water pollution (when gas and oil run off roadways into streams). Land clearing also loads streams with sediment, which smothers fish eggs and bottom-dwelling invertebrates and chokes out streamside food and cover plants. And simplified suburban landscapes give exotic and weedy competitors an edge over natives. Even if patches of land are left undeveloped, sprawling growth often swallows up niche habitats, taking away the homes of species that depend on specialized ecosystems. Wide-ranging animals, meanwhile, which need large, contiguous blocks of wild or semi-wild landscape, find themselves hemmed in by roads, golf courses and new neighborhoods.
That's the case with Felis concolor coryi, the Florida panther. A subspecies of North American mountain lion, Florida panthers can be identified by three distinctive physical features: a right-angle crook near the end of the tail; irregular white speckling on the head, neck and shoulders; and a cowlick in the middle of the back. The cats are impressive creatures, with mature males growing some seven feet long from nose to the black tip of the tail.
Preying mostly on white-tailed deer, Florida panthers are solitary hunters, and the cats need space. The home range of male panthers averages about 185 square miles, and an individual might roam 20 miles during a single day. In the past, the animals ranged from the southern tip of Florida north to South Carolina and west to Texas, but-after being overhunted until 1958-they are being crowded out by human development. Today the only remaining population is in southwest Florida, where new highways, condominium complexes and golf-course communities threaten the cat's survival.
by Eddie Nickens
