Digital Press Certifications; Konica Minolta, Xerox, Canon - Interesting Developments...

Now here we are a month and a half later and we find that the Konica Minolta is not the only Digital Press that is certified by IDEAlliance. Even thought Konica Minolta was the first to be certified.

Konica Minolta’s Flagship Color Digital Press becomes First in the Industry to Meet Production Requirements of GRACoL Color Specifications

The press release was issued August 15th, which was about 2 weeks behind the official date that IDEAlliance issued the actual certification. IDEAlliance issued Konica Minolta's Digital Press Certification on August 1st, 2011.

Digital Press Certification Results Sheet

The Digital Press Certification program is broken into two parts: Part 1 is for Commercial Production (xerographic & ink jet) Devices. Part 2 is for Wide Format and Grand Format Ink Jet Devices. The program consists of testing and certification in areas of color, press sheet properties and print production.

In the certification process, a series of test forms are provided, suppliers print these forms according to a given criteria, the forms are sent to the IDEAlliance designated Evaluation Contractor where they are measured and compared against pre-determined tolerances. Systems that pass all tests are awarded certification, the supplier system details are published on an IDEAlliance web site and the supplier is able to display the certification logo on their product collateral.

This is great news for potential digital press buyers as they will be able to immediately recognize the logo and know that they are considering a product that is already certified. There has been a lot of press surrounding these certifications. The framework for the digital press certification is based on upcoming international standards ISO 12647-8, 15311, and 15339.

Now customers have a way to find their way through an always growing field of Digital Press Products. As of 9/15/2011 The following presses have been certified under the following conditions.

8/1/2011 Konica Minolta Business Solutions got the Bizhub PRESS C8000 with the Creo IC-307/Version 1.0 using the GRACol Print Condition on Sterling Ultra Digital 80# Gloss Cover
 
8/26/2011 EFI got the Canon imagePRESS C7010VP/C6010VP/C6010 with the Fiery A1200/A2200/A3200 using the GRACol Print Condition on EFI Laser Proof XF130 Semi matt 130 gsm
 
9/1/2011 Xerox got the iGen4 Matte Dry Ink Press with the FreeFlow Print Server V8 using the GRACol Print Condition on Xerox Digital Color Elite Silk 140gsm
 
9/6/2011 EFI got the Konica Minolta bizhub PRESS C8000 with the Fiery IC-306/IC-3600 using the GRACol Print Condition on EFI Laser Proof Paper XF130 Semi matt 130gsm
 
Konica Minolta not only has their equipment being certified a quick look at IDEAlliance's website and you will find that 17 Konica Minolta employees are now certified G7 Experts!
 
Konica Minolta has put a tremendous effort in not only producing top of the line affordable digital presses but also in investing in having color experts to help commercial printers and in plant printing operations get their shop certified as a G7 Master Printer using the G7 methodology. Originally when I looked Xerox had like 8 and Kodak had like 7 G7 Experts worldwide. HP did not have 1 certified G7 Expert and neither did Canon, IKON or Ricoh. I have been informed that the first batch of RiKON professionals have now been certified.
 
It is not enough to just make good equipment, but to have the support structure to enable those that purchase the equipment to be successful. The race is on!
 
Pirate Mike
 
For those that would like to keep up with the lastest certifications go to IDEAlliance's Website!

Konica Minolta's Flagship Color Digital Press becomes First in the Industry to Meet Production Requirements of GRACoL Color Specifications

Ramsey, N.J. - August 15, 2011 - Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced that the bizhub® PRESS C8000 is the first digital press to receive the IDEAlliance® Digital Press Certification.


The IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification program validates that digital presses can consistently meet the production requirements of IDEAlliance's GRACoL® color reproduction specifications. Other aspects validated in the certification process include uniformity, rub resistance, color gradations, text quality and color registration. Additionally, designated Konica Minolta production print technicians earned G7 Expert status, thereby permitting the bizhub PRESS C8000 to earn Digital Press Certification. Due to the overall successful efforts, the Customer Engagement Center at the Konica Minolta Headquarters in Ramsey, N.J. has earned G7 Master Status.



"Our industry benefits greatly from independent system verification and certification. Digital press technologies that meet industry specifications and standards have crossed a new milestone and we thank Konica Minolta for their leadership in supporting this exciting program," said David Steinhardt, President and CEO, IDEAlliance. "Konica Minolta's participation in obtaining a Digital Press System Certification will go a long way in helping the industry enhance its understanding and application of digital printing."



"By being the first in the industry to earn Digital Press Certification from IDEAlliance, the bizhub PRESS C8000 is setting the standard for excellence that will come to be expected by customers looking for the highest quality and superior performance from their digital presses," said Kevin Kern, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "Having G7 Experts in house and certifying our industry-leading digital presses is just another reason print professionals can count on Konica Minolta to ensure that our technology is not only innovative, but also leading the industry in superior performance certification."



IDEAlliance certifies that Digital Press Certified systems meet or exceed established industry tolerances for excellence in the areas of Colorimetric Accuracy, Uniformity, Repeatability, Durability, and Registration. The certification program is similar to what GRACoL and SWOP is for inkjet proofing, and the framework is based on upcoming international standards ISO 12647-8, 15311, and 15339.



Witness firsthand the bizhub PRESS C8000 at GRAPH EXPO 2011, the year's largest graphic communications exhibition and educational conference, which runs September 11-14 at McCormick Place South in Chicago. To schedule a personal tour of the Konica Minolta Booth (#2227) and/or an executive interview, please contact James Norberto at JNorberto@kmbs.konicaminolta.us.



ABOUT IDEAlliance

IDEAlliance® (International Digital Enterprise Alliance) is a global community of content and media creators, and their service providers, material suppliers, and technology partners. Our association identifies best practices for efficient end-to-end digital media workflows - from content creation through distribution. Through our active committees, educational conferences, webinars, training and certification programs, we provide members the forum for the exchange of information that results in the creation of our industry's most valued standards. More information at www.idealliance.org.



About the IDEAlliance Digital Press Certification Program

IDEAlliance® Digital Press Certification Program certifies the capabilities of commercial production xerographic and inkjet devices to meet specific print standards. The program consists of testing and certification in areas of color, print properties and print production. The program considers the entire press system, including the digital front-end, print engine, and paper. Program details can be found at www.idealliance.org/certifications/digital-press or by contacting Joe Fazzi at jfazzi@idealliance.org or calling 913.839.9623.



About Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop. Konica Minolta has been named Supplier of the Year by both the Allegra Network and the National Association of Quick Printers (NAQP), as well as received the Sales Support Award from Mail Boxes Etc., Inc. For more information, please visit www.CountOnKonicaMinolta.com and follow Konica Minolta on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.



IDEAlliance Contact

Steve Bonoff

IDEAlliance

+1 952.500.8889

sbonoff@idealliance.org



Konica Minolta Contact

James Norberto

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

+1 201.825.4000

PR@kmbs.konicaminolta.us


Konica Minolta is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. bizhub is a registered trademark of Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.

Konica Minolta Wins an Award from Better Buys for Business for the bizhub PRESS C8000 Color Digital Press!

Konica Minolta Wins Multiple Awards from Better Buys for Business


Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Inc. has announced that Better Buys for Business has recognized the bizhub PRESS C8000 Color Digital Press and bizhub 423/363/283/223 Series of Monochrome MFPs for 2010 "Innovative Product of the Year" awards in the high-volume printer and office copier categories respectively. These awards are given to exceptional models and are based on rigorous analysis of all current competitive models.
Better Buys for Business also recognized Konica Minolta with the following awards:

• bizhub C280 as Editor's Choice in the 2011 Color Copier Guide
• bizhub C360 as Editor's Choice in the 2011 Color Copier Guide
• bizhub C452 as Editor's Choice in the 2011 Color Copier Guide
• bizhub C552DS as Editor's Choice in the 2011 Color Copier Guide
• bizhub C652DS as Editor's Choice in the 2011 Color Copier Guide
In addition to featuring award winners, each of the ten annual product guides from Better Buys for Business includes product features and technology; vendor profiles; full specifications; and pricing information.

"Konica Minolta keeps adding new features that make their machines ever more viable for high-end users who want to produce offset-quality print runs using sophisticated tools to produce very good color pages inexpensively," said Steve Hannaford, editor-in-chief, Better Buys for Business. "The bizhub PRESS C8000 looks to be an impressive new addition to its line."

"We are extremely excited to receive the 2010 Innovative Product of the Year Awards as it further validates our ability to deliver cutting edge technology, superior performance, and affordability," said Kevin Kern, senior vice president, marketing, Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA. "Our customers can count on Konica Minolta to continue providing them with award-winning solutions that meet all of their demanding digital printing requirements."

Konica Minolta, the bizhub PRESS® C8000; coming out serving CREO out of the gates…

Konica Minolta has always partnered with Creo for controllers but many times the Creo Controller wouldn't be available at launch. The new Konica Minolta, the bizhub PRESS® C8000 will be shown at On Demand with the The IC-307 Print Controller. This new Creo Controller will be JDF compliant as to fit into the most predominant workflows like KODAK Printergy and Agfa Apogee and many other top level systems. Anymore not being able to maximize your investment with your production printing means extra steps and wasted resources. By tying your systems together and maximizing your capital investments your getting closer to a LEAN environment. This is one way to PRINT LEAN!

The new Konica Minolta, the bizhub PRESS® C8000 will boast a twin fusing system like the Canon imagePRESS to allow rated speed up to 300 GSM.


With true 1200 X 1200 Dpi and the Konica Minolta standard 8 bit color you are surely going to have world class color. I have not seen the device but everyone that has been privileged to work on it seems to think this "clean sheet" design will revolutionize how production color is produced. With the ability to run 300 GSM at rated speed you will have the opportunity to maximize your production. Running up to 300GSM duplexed or 350GSM simplex will allow for more options in the shop. Especially since 14pt and 16pt business cards are becoming so prominent now days.

For those that are serious about investing in a production color device this year take some time and go to On Demand starting tomorrow and get a glimpse of history in the making. From exacting color management tools to the production level inline finishing options this new digital press is surely going to make some IGEN, NexPRESS and Indigo owners take notice with a price tag of half to 2/3rds Less and an operating cost that rivals cheap color copiers there are going to be some changed buying decisions over the next few years by these big iron owners.

I am excited to see the technology deliver the promise that was offered some fifteen years ago that never materialized. The next time you think Digital Press Don't Forget toThink Bizhub!



Pirate Mike