Sewickley, PA – January 3, 2006 – As of January 1, PIA/GATF’s Digital Printing Council (DPC) becomes a core member service bringing a host of value-added benefits to members of the Printing Industries of America (PIA)/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (GATF), the world's largest graphic arts trade association. PIA/GATF announces today that, beginning immediately, PIA/GATF members have two ways of getting involved with the DPC: Members may choose to opt-in for Complimentary Level membership, or Join as a Premier Member at a significant discount to take advantage of the full 2006 Year of Digital Print Program. Long-regarded as a jewel in PIA/GATF’s array of services, DPC provides its members with tools and publications that are designed to help firms become more productive and efficient, and to generate more sales with digital technologies. As part of the core service announcement, PIA/GATF has declared 2006 to be “The Year of Digital Print” and is planning a full year of activities, events, publications and educational efforts to encourage printers to explore digital print, expand their current levels of involvement, or embrace the full potential of digital print for their companies. Two Options for DPC Membership Depending on where members are on the digital printing spectrum, they have two levels of opportunity in joining the DPC: Complimentary Level—Opt-in: PIA/GATF members are given an opportunity to opt-in to the basic core service package at any time—at no charge. This level includes: Digital Printing Report—the monthly newsletter, edited by Frank Romano, with industry trends, research, and data. Digital Impact Newsletter—the quarterly newsletter, with each issue printed on a different digital press. Articles focus on business and management issues, case studies, and other relevant industry information. Designing 4 Digital Online—a monthly article on digital design, database, and applications. One executive summary of the brand-new Marketing 4 Digital market research study. October 2006 GATFWorld— the issue dedicated to all aspects of digital printing. Premier Level: PIA/GATF members may join as a Premier member of the DPC and receive all the products found in the Complimentary Level membership, plus in-depth research and case studies for a full year. A special discounted price of $175 for a full year (the regular price for a full membership is $295) will be offered for a limited time of 90 days (through March 31, 2006). The Premier membership includes: The Very Last Designer’s Guide to Digital, On-Demand, and Variable-Data Printing by Frank Romano (currently in its fourth printing). Two Case Studies per year written exclusively for DPC members, and which detail how companies deal with everyday aspects of digital printing. White Papers—in-depth research into specific digital printing topics, including Sales Compensation, Incentive, and Bonus Plans—Guidelines for Design, Implementation, and Evaluation—a just-released study that includes actual compensation and incentive plans as well as job descriptions. Designing 4 Digital (D4D) Package—a multi-media kit for educating your customers about the benefits and techniques of digital printing. Marketing 4 Digital (M4D)—market research into 24 industry verticals. Each report describes a specific industry, its trends, major companies, marketing budget, industry-specific terminology, print requirements and purchases, including digital printing opportunities. M4D helps your sales staff “speak the specific language” of vertical customers and will give them a deep understanding of each segment’s respective environments and unique requirements. M4D will be published in 3 sets of 8 vertical industry reports each. “The Year of Digital Print” Special Activities PIA/GATF, the Digital Printing Council and DPC sponsors are planning special activities throughout the year in celebration of “The Year of Digital Print.” Activities will include a series of unique publications, reports, workshops and conferences all focused on the impact of Digital Print. In 2006 PIA/GATF members and the industry can look forward to the following and more: Marketing 4 Digital Studies Digital Color and Direct Imaging Printing, Protective Coatings, and the U.S. Postal System On-Demand and Digital Printing Primer, Second Edition The Handbook for Digital Printing and Variable Data Printing Report on Environmental Issues Related to Digital Printing Report: Management Metrics for Digital Printers Report: Quarterly Tracking of Digital Printing Shipments Managing Data Workshop Executive Leadership Conference Box Lunch Briefings Wrestling with the Digital Printing Bonanza Reducing Cycle Time with Soft Proofing and JDF Workflow Digital Printing: If it Makes Cents, It Makes Sense Sales and Marketing Conference – In-depth session on Marketing 4 Digital research Offset and Digital Integration Seminar at Web Offset Association Conference Variable Data Printing Boot Camp PIA/GATF Variable Data and Personalization Conference 18 Marketing 4 Digital Seminars co-sponsored by PIA/GATF Affiliates For more information, visit www.digitalprintingcouncil.com or contact Joanne Vinyard at [email protected].