Standard Register is adding to its brand communications capability and capacity with approximately a $7 million investment in digital color production and color management that will allow the company to offer the highest level of critical color production and distribution available in the marketplace. The new equipment and technology will be integrated with business process, workflow automation, print-on-demand and SMARTworks (R) platform investments made over the past two years. The investments support Standard Register's Marketing Services Suite and its strategy to advance customers' reputations by helping them effectively manage critical communications. Full integration is expected to be completed by year-end.

"The addition of the highest quality digital color equipment on the market is an example of our commitment to invest in technology that supports our core growth products and gives us a competitive advantage as the company transforms from a document management, product-focused company to a market-focused provider of solutions that meet our customers' strategic needs," said Joseph P. Morgan, Jr., president and chief executive officer. "We are leveraging the investments made over the past two years to give our customers the ability to manage their critical communications through secure networks while keeping their logistics costs down."

Demand for digital color is growing at a rapid pace and is expected to double from a baseline in 2009 to 2014. According to data from InfoTrends, the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry, color made up 16.5 percent of all digital printing in 2009; color is expected to grow to 34.5 percent of all digital printing by 2014.

Standard Register's internal analysis finds strong demand for brand standards management, particularly among large company customers. Color execution is vital to avoid compromising brand standards and damaging reputation.

Standard Register's new technology will include color management software and workflow capabilities that save time and increase efficiency for customers, in addition to providing top-quality reproduction. New equipment deployed strategically across the U.S. will provide customers with same-day service across a secure network. This investment will solidify Standard Register as an industry leader in digital color production.