Miamisburg, OH – Esko starts off a busy 2013, exhibiting concurrently, from February 21-23, at two events: Graphics of the Americas and Dscoop8. 

“Because of Esko’s wide range of hardware and software, we can assist digital and package printers, as well as commercial printers who want to explore opportunities in new business areas,” comments Mark Quinlan, President, Esko Americas. “At Dscoop8, we look forward to meeting with managers who concentrate on digital print. Meanwhile at Graphics of the Americas, we anticipate productive meetings with people – from the US and Latin America – who focus on a wide range of print challenges.”

Esko shows off its new Suite 12 packaging, sign & display and commercial print applications, at Graphics of the Americas 2012 

During Graphics of the Americas in Orlando, at booth 1135, Esko will demonstrate a wide array of software solutions addressing artwork, management, design and prepress, color management, workflow automation and process integration  – for commercial print, digital and packaging. Esko Suite 12 adds value for the user by introducing new productivity and efficiency benefits. This is done by closely integrating all flagship tools and engines, by adding rich 3D functionality for a holistic experience, and by enabling mobile collaboration and web-based packaging management.

Featuring WebCenter 12, Automation Engine 12, Color Engine 12, Studio 12 and the version 12 editions of flagship editors ArtiosCAD, PackEdge, ArtPro and DeskPack, Suite 12 raises the bar for process integration from design to press, involving all players in the supply chain. It provides a complete answer to the challenges of a modern label preproduction workflow. 

The Digital Finishing highlight of Esko’s booth at Graphics of the Americas will be the new Kongsberg XN: a highly versatile and productive digital finishing system that can be configured easily for the widest range of applications from kiss-cutting to packaging mockups, heavy-duty milling and simple to complex flexo plate cutting with ID marking. This new system comes equipped with the impressive milling spindle MultiCUT-HP, potentially tripling boosting overall milling productivity.

Visitors can also learn about PantoneLIVE™ support within Esko’s workflows. PantoneLIVE™ delivers an end-to-end color management and color communication solution that, for the first time, addresses the needs and requirements of every single discipline within the print supply chain. The brand manager will see an accurate representation of on-press color early in the design process, while converters can be assured of first-time-right color proofing and easy-to-match color on press. 

At booth 749, Esko reseller The Intermarket Group, will provide its support for Esko products. The Intermarket Group's headquarters is located in Miami, Florida with warehousing facilities that offer efficient and fast delivery service to its customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. All products represented are fully supported by Intermarket's own technical and sales staff.

Esko and PriscoDigital to team up to demonstrate a complete production workflow at Dscoop8

At Dscoop8, for the second straight year, visitors can see a live demonstration of a complete, practical production workflow, from design to print to cut in adjoining Platinum Sponsor booths, Esko (#819) and PriscoDigital (#815). PriscoDigital is both an HP Scitex ‘Graphic Specialist’ top tier dealer to commercial printers as well as an Esko reseller, enabling PriscoDigital, the digital division of the Prisco Group of Companies, to sell Esko’s Kongsberg finishing systems and software solutions to commercial printers in the U.S. and Canada.

Esko and PriscoDigital will create, print and finish 3D POP/POS displays as well as 2D samples. The digital inkjet workflow will feature an Esko i-cut Suite front-end workflow, preparing files for print while creating cutting instructions for the finishing system. PDF print files will travel to a Caldera RIP before rigid materials is printed on a hybrid UV HP Scitex FB 700 Printer. Printed sheets will be cut on an Esko Kongsberg XP 24 finishing system. The complete solution is perfect for anyone who needs to create printed material requiring multiple shapes and cutouts. The booth will also showcase roll to roll printing on a hybrid UV inkjet HP Scitex FB 500 printer and the complete Esko Suite 12 portfolio of packaging workflow solutions. 

And, on booth 519, Esko partner xpedx will be running a Kongsberg i-XE10 finishing system, specifically designed for finishing small-format, prototype, sample and short-run digital printed materials – rolls or sheets can be processed. The Kongsberg i-XE10 can handle a maximum sheet size of 35” x 47” at a maximum speed of 52.5 ips.

“Many companies forget that finishing is required to get a job out the door. Esko’s finishing hardware and structural and graphic workflow software cover all aspects of a job. Print providers can expand capabilities to new applications making the world less rectangular with creative 3D packaging and display projects,” remarks Eric A. Gutwillig, VP of Marketing for PriscoDigital. “Meanwhile, you still need a good digital press. What makes the FB series digital presses special is that as hybrid printers they are geared to anyone who needs to expand their capabilities and create a wide range printed materials that require multiple shapes and cutouts  – from packaging comps to displays.”

i-cut Suite, a 2012 InterTech Technology Award recipient, offers sign & display shops a complete, integrated solution to streamline workflows. i-cut Suite components include: i-cut Preflight to handle efficient preflighting and editing of incoming PDF files; i-cut Layout, a module for interactively building and editing sheet layouts; and i-cut Vision Pro, to ensure that die-less cutting contours match printed images perfectly. With i-cut Automate, all of these functions can be automated in a single workflow, with less operator intervention required and fewer potential manual errors. 

The Kongsberg XP 24 is the world’s fastest digital finishing system, helping turn short-run POP/POS display work into profitable, value added jobs, allowing sign and display shops to offer their customers on-demand production with just-in-time delivery. With a maximum working area of 87”x126” and a maximum speed of 66” inches per second, the XP series can convert a wide range of board, sheet and roll materials. 

“There are very few shows offering live demonstrations where people can see a complete, practical production workflow,” comments Bill Hartman, Esko Vice President Business Development, Digital Finishing. “Esko, working together with Prisco and its expertise with HP Scitex digital inkjet systems, has built a complete design to print to cut demonstration at Dscoop that offers time savings and cost solutions to HP Scitex digital printer owners. The best part is that this is a real, profitable solution.”