PARAMUS, N.J., JULY 8, 2004 – The 2004 edition of Budgeted Hourly Cost Studies on Digital Prepress Operations, released this month by the National Association for Printing Leadership (NAPL), contains the latest information from 45 manufacturers. Included are hourly cost rates, specifications, and prices for 230 prepress devices in 15 equipment categories, and a bonus section on software, providing costing information and systems requirements for 50 prepress software tools. The detailed information provided in the new Blue Book enables users to calculate exact hourly cost rates, which are critical to achieving profitability in the graphic communications industry. Based on a Spring-Summer 2004 survey of equipment manufacturers and distributors, the 287-page book also features important data that can be used to support equipment and software acquisition decisions. The Blue Book shows how hourly cost rates are constructed, and how they differ for various equipment configurations, one-to-three shift operations, and various productivity levels. Easy-to-follow instructions explain how to adjust the rates, in minutes, for actual investment costs and employee wages. Labor and equipment hourly cost rates are calculated on separate pages to allow the user to add the hourly cost rates for labor and equipment in any combination. NAPL’s Budgeted Hourly Cost Studies on Digital Prepress Operations lists for $179.95 on CD-ROM and $199.95 in book form. NAPL corporate members receive one copy of the Blue Book on CD or in printed form at no charge as a benefit of membership. NAPL individual professional members may purchase the Blue Book for $149.95 each (CD) or $169.95 each (print version). Corporate and individual members may purchase additional copies for $35 each. To order, call NAPL at (800) 642-6275, Option 3; fax (201) 634-0328; email [email protected]; or visit www.napl.org/store. For fax, Web, or email orders, mention NAPL Product Code ND113 (CD) or NB111 (book).