LOVELAND, Ohio, March 28, 2007 -- For a compelling example of state-of-the-art printing today, check out the cover of Graphic Arts Monthly’s March 2007 issue. Until recently, this caliber of print work was not within reach of most U.S. commercial and in-plant printers, but new and affordable advances in print technology have changed that. The project was produced on a Ryobi printing press and sponsored by xpedx, North America’s largest marketer and distributor of printing papers and graphics supplies and equipment. The image—of shadowed, dew-dropped leaves that are textured and lifelike—was printed in one pass on a six-up RYOBI 755 UV press with interdeck dryer and a pair each of infrared dryers and UV curing units. It was produced at Designer Graphics, Tyler, TX, which bought the 23x31-inch sheet size press from xpedx Printing Technologies last year. xpedx is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Ryobi presses. The project was executed in consultation with Graphic Arts Monthly’s editorial team, xpedx, premedia experts at Stevenson, Inc., Cincinnati, and the marketing strategy firm of Kucia And Associates, also of Cincinnati. The paper used for the project is an 80-lb Camelot gloss cover, a No. 2 grade private label sheet from xpedx. Graphic Arts Monthly, published by Reed Elsevier, circulates to more than 70,000 graphics professionals in the U.S. “The ability to execute a high-end, value-added print project using readily available production platforms is within reach of printers everywhere,” said Bill Esler, Editor-in-Chief of Graphic Arts Monthly. “Printers today have a new and critical role in preparing and adapting the customer’s creative design and translating that into very high-impact printed pieces. They should be sure to tap expert pre-press support and advice from their print services provider.” GAM senior editor Mark Vruno, in the magazine’s “How’d We Print This” column, wrote that “spot UV dull, reticulating varnish, which Ryobi calls ‘chemical embossing’ can make already vibrant images spring from the page.” Ryobi Graphic Systems, Hiroshima, Japan, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of offset printing presses. Many commercial and in-plant printers are turning to Ryobi for world-class print quality, ease of use, reduced total operating cost and strong local service. “Printers who have installed Ryobi’s six-up 750 or 780 series presses—and have run presses from the world’s other top manufacturers—say Ryobi unequivocally offers the best mix of quality and value,” said Don Harvey, vice president and general manager of xpedx Printing Technologies, Lenexa, KS. “The five-color 750 or eight-color 780 press offers superior print quality, speed and makeready times.” On the environmental front, Ryobi Graphic Systems said it is spearheading efforts to prevent VOC emissions, reduce ink and paper waste and reduce energy consumption on its presses. For more information about Ryobi, visit ryobi.xpedx.com, or phone 800-553-4980.