(August 22, 2008) Edison Litho & Printing, one of the leading large-format litho printers in the Northeast and the only printer in North America to operate two of the largest presses in the world in the same facility, will be holding a unique seminar on the many new developments in large format printing. The half-day seminar on Tuesday September 16 begins at Edison's 80,000 sq ft facility in North Bergen, New Jersey where the firm houses its two 81-inch sheetfed presses and continues at the nearby Secaucus (NJ) Hilton where industry experts will present their take on the growth of large format printing, its new and potential applications, and new substrates.
 
"Our company is unique in that we have two of the largest printing presses in the world in our facility," says Joe Ostreicher, Edison's vice president. "Our new KBA Rapida 205 81-inch sheetfed press gives us the additional capability of printing on substrates like plastic, vinyl, and styrene and allows us to service our customers with their entire large format printing needs. We've found that there are very few printers who have this ability, thus making us unique in the market."
 
The seminar begins with a demonstration of Edison's unique facility and its trio of large format presses: its newest KBA Rapida 205 81-inch six-color sheetfed press with coater and custom plastics package; an 18-month-old KBA Rapida 162 64-inch six-color sheetfed press with aqueous coater; and a second KBA Rapida 205 81-inch six-color press, installed in late 2005.
 
The award-winning KBA Rapida 205 81-inch six-color press, which received the prestigious PIA/GATF InterTech Award, features a maximum sheet size of 59.5 x 81-inches running at a speed of 9,000 sph. It gives Edison the ability to run paper and board stock ranging from 80 lb to 48 pt. Plus, it is the first press of this size to offer a wide range of features such as a fully-automatic plate changer, automatic blanket and impression cylinder washing systems, inline anilox coating system and drying options such as IR, UV, or hybrid. New technology and automation also includes KBA's Densitronic quality control system, and inline perforating and slitting to the press. An automatic camera register control system provides an extremely efficient system for fast color registration on a press of this size.
 
Slate of renowned speakers
Once attendees have seen the largest presses in the world at Edison's facility, they will hear from dynamic industry personalities. Speakers include Frank Romano, Professor Emeritus, School of Print Media at Rochester Institute of Technology. Respected and well-known, Frank Romano's career has spanned over 40 years in the printing and publishing industries. Many know him as the editor of the International Paper Pocket Pal, or have read one of the hundreds of articles he has written. He is the author of over 42 books, including the 10,000-term Encyclopedia of Graphic Communications (with Richard Romano), the standard reference in the field. He lectures extensively and was the principal researcher on the landmark EDSF study, Printing in the Age of the Web and Beyond. He has been quoted in many newspapers and publications, as well as on TV and radio.
Chris Travis is director of technology at KBA North America. He oversees live demonstrations at the Customer Demonstration Center at KBA's headquarters in Williston, Vt. and partners with KBA customers to help provide the best possible solutions to their printing needs. Chris is extremely knowledgeable in all facets of printing production and will talk about the Rapida's ability to print on different substrates in an efficient and professional manner. His experience also includes working for Flint Ink as an Experimental Printing Manager of global research and development; an apprenticeship with a British printing company after graduating from college; and a printing instructor in Europe for a printing press manufacturer.
 
Greg Kestler, printable films product manager for GPA, will be addressing the seminar attendees about the growing use of specialty substrates for large format printing. GPA has grown to become the largest independent provider of specialty printable substrate solutions in North America. The company focuses on developing innovative solutions for label and specialty applications. Kestler has developed one of the most comprehensive printable pressure sensitive and non-adhesive film product lines in the industry (Ultra Film) at GPA.
 
Founded in 1958 in New York City, Edison Litho & Printing Corporation has grown to become a leading large format printer specializing in point-of-purchase displays and retail signage. The firm has an extensive client list of leading corporations and retailers who require point-of-purchase displays, in-store signage, brand marketing products, and custom, permanent retail displays and fixtures. The firm's name has become synonymous with excellence in printing.
 
The large-format seminar will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To make a reservation or for more information, please call Nini Rubin at 718-431-0100.