The international trade press assembled in London Jan. 24-26 for the International Media Week event in advance of the IPEX trade show in Birmingham, U.K. next month (April 4-11). UK-based AD Communications orchestrated the intensive, three-day briefing, during which 11 industry vendors unveiled their IPEX strategies. To no one’s surprise, capitalizing on the “digital opportunity” proved a dominant theme; however, several motifs also emerged, among them, the integration of offset and digital print technologies, the prominence of digital finishing, digital book printing and the application of inkjet and superwide inkjet format technologies. Amid partnership announcements and product launches, the syncopated drumbeat of integration and automation could be heard and felt throughout. Below, a summary of the highlights:

Artwork Systems will release the newest version of its Odystar 2.5 automated PDF 1.6 native workflow. Enhancements include extensive versioning technology, ICC-based color management, automated imposition and improved JDF-based MIS control. The company is promoting its Neo PDF editing and correction tool to commercial printers, trade shops and publishers faced with eleventh-hour type-editing and multi-page PDF file corrections. An updated version of the company’s WebWay Internet collaboration tool also will have its debut. Finally, the company announced that it would take steps to integrate Enfocus more tightly within its research and development, marketing and operations. Both brands will continue to co-exist, with Artwork Systems focusing on packaging and high-end workflow systems, while the Enfocus concentrates on PDF and automation tools.

Baldwin Technology views IPEX as the “launch pad” for several new technology solutions in offset press accessory and control equipment. At IPEX the company will announce its FLEX and CleanLiner technology for automatic blanket cleaning systems. In addition, Baldwin will launch its Maxima spray dampening system, designed for both heatset commercial and high performance newspaper printing applications. Finally, the company will introduce its PREPAC, DRYPAC and JUMBODRY cleaning consumables for UV and textured cylinder applications.