BELGIUM – March 3, 2005 -- The Ghent PDF Workgroup (GWG), an international assembly of graphic arts professionals established to create, test and disseminate best practices and specifications for publishing workflows, today announces that its next major North American Packaging Subcommittee will convene on April 19, in concert with the CMM International Conference, in Chicago. In addition to the meeting, CMM attendees will learn more about the GWG efforts at booth #3355. Packaging Industry Notables Are Members The committee has members representing more than 30 companies all over Europe and the USA - from Prepress/Printing/Converter/Repro and industry associations to brand owners, vendors, consultants, and educational institutions. Among its members are: Nestle, Kraft, L’Oreal, Brachs Candies, Sara Lee, AGI, Curwood North America, Fort Dearborn Company, Graphic Packaging, Bemis Graphics, Southern Graphics Systems, Schawk, Vertis, Phototype, FTA, IPA, CalPoly Tech, R.I.T., Adobe Systems, Agfa, Artwork Systems, Creo, Enfocus Software, Esko-Graphics, and Global Graphics Software. The subcommittee’s goals include definition of “best practices” to include settings, rules, guidelines, workflows and a framework to define PDF as the ultimate exchangeable file format for the packaging industry, based on industry standards and market demands. Guidelines and settings that will be suitable for the entire process, from design through print, and covering all printing processes (flexo, offset, gravure, etc.). Says Steven Carter, co-chairperson of the GWG Packaging Subcommittee and Director of Technology with the St. Louis Division of Alcoa’s Southern Graphic Systems, “As PDF adoption in Packaging Workflows increases, the ability to effectively manage and determine quality standards for its creation and production becomes an important issue. “The GWG’s purposely disparate workgroups are made up of brand owners, package designers, prepress, print producers and technology vendors,” Carter says. As a result of this mix, the groups possess the unique ability to set common specifications and best practices so that PDF users in packaging production can avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that typically arise when adopting new technologies. April 19 Meeting Agenda/New Members and Observers Welcome At the April 19 meeting the GWG NA Packaging Subcommittee will discuss current progress and initiatives including specification test results. New members and observers are also invited to attend the meeting at 8:30 am, Room S401BC (Level 4), McCormick Place, Chicago. If you are interested in attending please contact: Steve Carter at [email protected] Learn More at CMM Conference Session: Digital Prepress Technology In addition to the meeting and booth, attend the CMM “Digital Prepress Technology” conference session on Wednesday, April 20th, 8:30 am, moderated by Kevin Karstedt, GWG Packaging Subcommittee member and president of Karstedt & Associates, where Steven Carter will speak about the GWG efforts. Visit GWG at Booth # 3355 Take PDF Survey More information on the GWG activities is available at CMM booth #3355. Visitors have the opportunity to participate in the GWG Packaging PDF Usage Survey, the results of which will be used to help formulate future GWG initiatives.