Newly Updated Digital Printing Handbook, Popular and Easy-to-Read, Now Available From SMART Papers

Business Wire, May 16, 2005

PHILADELPHIA -- --Fifth-Edition "Today's Digital Imaging" Is Updated Cover to Cover; Features New Details On All Top Equipment, Papers

--140-Page Book Has New Sections On Color Management, Prepress Workflow, Inkjet Supplies And Post-Press Finishing

Commercial and in-house printers, designers, publishers and other industry professionals involved in digital printing can get the newest edition of "Today's Digital Imaging, 5.0" free from SMART Papers.

The book will be available at the On Demand Expo 2005 in Philadelphia. It is also available to qualified graphics industry professionals via the company's website, www.smartpapers.com.

The newest edition of the free handbook provides a big-picture overview of digital printing and zeros in on the most important details. Major trends relating to printing, color, speed and equipment are examined first.

The book then explores specific technology and equipment--desktop, office and production rated copiers and printers. It also examines inks and toners, plus new topics including color management, pre-press workflow and equipment and post-press finishing. SMART Digital papers and the specific equipment they print on are also detailed.

SMART Papers publishes the sought-after handbook and updates it annually to provide the latest information on this rapidly changing field. Version 5.0 of the book again includes an introductory digital printing industry forecast by respected consultant Merilyn Dunn of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is a producer of the On Demand Conference & Expo.

"Whether they're experts in digital printing or relative newcomers to the field, print industry professionals will like having this easy-to-use guide at their fingertips," said Dunn, who is Director, Communications Supplies Consulting Service at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures.

"Digital printing technology is changing so quickly that graphics professionals need a complete and updated picture of digital printing all in one source," adds Laurie Marchetti, SMART Papers Product Manager, Digital Media. "This is the fifth anniversary of producing this book--and it continues to be a very complete, user-friendly guide."

Among the highlights of "Today's Digital Imaging, v. 5.0":

--An overview of digital imaging and its advantages;

--Overview of inkjet technology including desktop, liquid inkjet production devices and wide format;

--Overview of laser technology including color copying and printing as well as monochrome copying and printing;

--Updated discussions on dye sublimation, wide format, HP Indigo and extended SMART Papers digital offerings,

--Details on the latest equipment from Canon, Epson, Heidelberg, HP Indigo, Hewlett-Packard, Kodak Versamark, Konica Minolta, Mutoh, NexPress, Oce, Xerox, Vutek and Xeikon.

New sections include:

--Color management information from PANTONE,

--Prepress workflow information from Creo,

--Inkjet consumables from Nu-kote International, Inc,

--A section on post-press finishing by Bowe Bell Howell and

--A comprehensive index and glossary of digital printing and digital paper terms.

The book provides complete details on SMART Papers' new premium, cast coated, matte coated and uncoated digital paper products. For easy reference, SMART has also included a newly updated stocking chart listing the entire SMART Digital(TM) papers line. These include all digital gradelines acquired from its recent purchase of Fraser Papers' Midwest U.S. operations.

Dunn has more than 17 years of experience advising paper manufacturers and distributors and working closely with industry OEMs. In updating the book with the major OEMs, Marchetti and Dunn bring new sources and market information to readers.

Weymouth, Mass.-based InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is a leading consulting firm specializing in electronic imaging processes.

SMART Papers of Hamilton, Ohio is one of the nation's largest independent manufacturers of premium, cast coated, matte coated and uncoated printing papers. Its SMART Digital brands include Kromekote(R) Inkjet, Kromekote(R) Laser High Gloss, Kromekote(R) Tuffkote, Knightkote(R) Matte, Carnival(R), Benefit(R), IN-fusion, Pegasus(R), Passport(R), Synergy(R), Torchglow(R). Magna Carta(R), Genesis(R) and SMART Brights(R).

The SMART Digital(TM) Papers line features more than 1,000 SKUs of premium specialty papers for digital printing. A growing number contain post-consumer waste fibers, with a maximum of 30% PCW. SMART Papers are distributed worldwide.

To receive a free copy of "Today's Digital Imaging," visit SMART Papers representatives at Booth #2737 during the On Demand 2005 Expo. The guide is also available by visiting the SMART website at www.smartpapers.com or contacting your North American paper distributor.

Note to Editors: There should be a bullet instead of a hyphen in the word "IN-fusion" above. The hyphen was used for transmission purposes only.