By Cassandra Balentine
We’d like to congratulate this year’s Readers’ Choice Top 30 winners. Each year, products and services surrounding digital print, packaging, and publishing continue to advance further, pushing our own industry—as well as any other market that print touches—into the next era of communications.
Print and finishing products top the list of products that the readers of DPS Magazine are interested in, making up 46 and 31 percent of the Top 30 list—including honorable mentions, respectively. Our readers are also interested in software and media providers serving digital print environments.
To create the Top 30, our editors track the companies that generated the most interest recorded by our reader information service, DPSmagdirect.com throughout the year. All print- and Web-based editorial, as well as print advertisements are assigned an INFO# that enables readers to request information or visit product and company websites.
Top 30 Winners
We’ve asked the vendors honored as Top 30 winners to provide a company overview and highlight up to three products that represent their ongoing commitment to the markets they serve. The products and associated INFO#s are presented chart form for easy viewing. We encourage you to visit DPSmagdirect.com for more information.
Aleyant
Aleyant is an innovative leader in providing robust software services to the graphic communications industry at value-driven prices. Its flagship Web to print software, Aleyant Pressero, is a highly customizable retail and business-to-business storefront interface. Aleyant also offers a Web-based online design and variable data publishing system, Aleyant eDocBuilder, as a separate product. Aleyant PrintJob Manager is MIS/ERP simplified. It uses a new mobile, cloud-based approach to MIS that includes a fast means of generating market-driven pricing, job management, inventory control, real-time job tracking, and estimating. Tucanna tFLOW is now part of the Aleyant family. tFLOW is a powerful digital and large format automation workflow that simplifies difficult file management tasks and processes to optimize efficiency and production throughput.
Avanti
At Avanti, our goal is to help you deliver more jobs in less time with the confidence in knowing that every aspect of your shop is integrated into one powerful platform. Since 1984, the company has been developing innovative print MIS solutions that help print and communication organizations automate all facets of their business and cultivate a more meaningful relationship with their customer. Avanti Slingshot, launched in 2013, is the only JDF-certified, cloud-based print MIS in the market today. It features ease-of-use, business intelligence and analytics, advanced integration and automation, and touchless workflows.
Canon
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is committed to helping our customers grow by providing an integrated array of automated, productive, user friendly, and profitable solutions. With one of the broadest portfolios in the industry, we develop hardware, such as digital presses and wide format printers, workflow software, and professional services to assist a commercial printer in growing their business and profits. Canon U.S.A. is dedicated to its Kyosei philosophy of social and environmental responsibility.
Colordyne Technologies
Headquartered in Brookfield, WI, Colordyne Technologies is a leading manufacturer of efficient, high resolution digital print solutions powered by Memjet technologies. Since 2011, Colordyne has been committed to providing label and tag color on demand inkjet printers for a portfolio of applications and industries at breakthrough speeds and cost effectiveness. Colordyne’s range of digital color platforms—from benchtop industrial color printers to complete, inline finishing production presses—demonstrate its specialization in scalability of the industry’s most versatile products.
Duplo USA Corporation
For over 60 years, Duplo has set the standard with innovative and reliable finishing products in the graphic arts and continues to lead the way with solutions that are automated, productive, and cost-efficient. Today, Duplo manufactures a complete line of print finishing equipment from all-in-one slitter/cutter/creasers, folders, and perfect binders to sheet feeding, booklet making, and saddle stitching systems for offset and digital printers in both high production and small office environments.
EFI
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA, with offices worldwide, EFI is a leader in digital print. Offering value-added combinations of hardware, software, and consumables, the company is driving the print industry’s transformation from analog to digital color.
Epson America, Inc.
Epson America, Inc. offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for business, commercial print, graphic arts, photographic, signage, direct-to-garment, and fabric production markets.
Fujifilm Graphic Systems Division
FUJIFILM Graphic Systems Division is the largest distributor of equipment, consumables, and technical service for the graphic communications industry in the U.S. The company distributes products and services for all areas of the industry including electronic prepress equipment, consumables, and hardware for offset lithography and flexography, pressroom supplies, chemicals, and innovative digital print and wide format inkjet solutions.
GPA
GPA is the market leader in premium specialty substrates engineered for HP Indigo, toner digital, wide format, and narrow web presses. GPA’s comprehensive line of papers, synthetic films, and pressure-sensitive papers guarantee high image resolution, ink adhesion, and exceptional performance. With over 600 different in-stock substrates, GPA offers customized support and products to help you confidently take on any application. GPA is now part of Fedrigoni Group.
HP Inc.
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze.
Kodak
Kodak is a technology company focused on imaging. We provide—directly and through partnerships with other innovative companies—hardware, software, consumables, and services to customers in graphic arts, commercial print, publishing, packaging, electronic displays, entertainment and commercial films, and consumer products markets. With our world-class R&D capabilities, innovative solutions portfolio, and highly trusted brand, Kodak is helping customers around the globe to sustainably grow their own businesses and enjoy their lives.
Konica Minolta Business
Solutions U.S.A., Inc.
Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in information management focused on enterprise content, technology optimization, and cloud services. We are reshaping the “Workplace of the Future.” Our portfolio of offerings deliver solutions to improve our customers’ speed to market, manage technology costs, and facilitate the sharing of information to increase productivity. The AllCovered IT Services division offers a range of IT strategy, support, project, and cloud computing solutions across all verticals. Konica Minolta has won numerous awards and recognition, including placement in the Leaders Quadrant on the Gartner 2014 Magic Quadrant for Managed Print Services and Managed Content Services. Konica Minolta has been recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for nine consecutive years. Konica Minolta, Inc. has also been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for five years in a row.
Magnum Magnetics
Magnum Magnetics is a U.S. manufacturer of flexible magnetic sheeting, strip, and custom profiles. We offer printable magnetic sheeting for multiple printing presses including offset, flexographic, inkjet, and digital. We will take the time to understand your application before recommending a magnetic solution.
MBO America
Established in 1984, MBO America brought the MBO brand to the U.S. The acquisition of Herzog + Heymann, manufacturer of specialty finishing equipment, put MBO on the map as the most comprehensive, single-source provider of postpress finishing technology. MBO America provides the highest quality postpress equipment for folding, mailing, digital and offset web, and die cutting processes via its solutions and partnerships with the most revered brands in postpress.
Melissa Data
Melissa Data is a leading provider of address management and list hygiene solutions. Choose from MAILERS+4—easy desktop mail preparation and presorting software, or ListWare to integrate, move, and cleanse data easily. Activate a free trial today. We also offer NCOALink Move Update processing, phone, and email append. Looking for a mailing list? Create your own list and download in minutes.
MGI
Founded in 1982, the MGI Group is a public company with offices around the world. It is composed of MGI Digital Technology, headquartered in Paris (Fresnes), France; KÖRA-PACKMAT, located in Villingendorf, Germany; and CERADROP, located in Limoges, France. MGI’s digital printing and finishing solutions are placed in a range of industries, including commercial printers, plastic card manufacturers, government agencies, packaging firms, in-plant printers, newspaper printers, photo printers/labs, and book printers. Products include the Meteor Unlimited Colors Series of multi-substrates digital toner-foiling presses that can to print up to 47 inches long and the JETvarnish 3D product family of digital postpress solutions. The MGI JETvarnish 3D digital postpress product family has 2D/3D UV coating, dimensional textures and embossed foiling solutions designed for all print market segments, including commercial printers, trade finishers and package/label converters. The JETvarnish 3D sheet-fed line of digital print embellishment solutions range from 14×40-inch formats up to 29×47-inch B1+ sizes. The JETvarnish 3DW roll-fed digital label enhancement press, like all JETvarnish 3D solutions, can create 2D spot UV coats, 3D raised UV textures and variable, personalized embossed foil without any dies or screens on label rolls up to 16 inches wide.
Muller Martini
Muller Martini is the world’s largest producer of print finishing solutions for commercial and book printers, trade binderies, and newspapers as well as short run and digital book manufacturers.
OKI Data Americas
OKI Data Americas is on the leading-edge of a new generation of production printing, built on exclusive, patented technologies found in both the proColor and ColorPainter product lines. From the five-color (CMYK + white and/or clear) C941e/C942 proColor products to the pioneering wide format ColorPainter line, OKI Data continues to break new ground with unmatched support of media types, sizes, and weights combined with industry-leading image quality, reliability, and affordability. As the need for high-value, on demand output increases, OKI Data continues to expand its comprehensive line of professional printing solutions, delivering real competitive advantages in today’s competitive and price-sensitive marketplace.
Pitney Bowes
Pitney Bowes is a global technology company powering billions of transactions—physical and digital—in the connected and borderless world of commerce. Clients around the world, including 90 percent of the Fortune 500, rely on products, solutions, and services from Pitney Bowes in the areas of customer information management, location intelligence, customer engagement, shipping, mailing, and global ecommerce. And with the Pitney Bowes Commerce Cloud, clients can access the range of Pitney Bowes solutions, analytics, and APIs to drive commerce.
PressWise by SmartSoft
PressWise provides a single, end-to-end Web to print, MIS, and workflow automation system, featuring all of the tools needed to streamline your operation and grow your business. PressWise reduces the amount of touches required to run each job, lowering your costs, and providing faster throughput. It is offered on a Software as a Service business model, with no long-term contracts. We work hard to help you succeed, retain your business, and build a long-term partnership.
RB Sun Enterprises
RB Sun Enterprises manufactures business card slitters and the popular HS-100-Handi-Scor. The company features gutter cut—for full-bleed cards—both automatic and manual along with regular cut, ten- and 12-up formats. Skilled craftsmen build all machines in the U.S. Built to last, the products feature two-inch, high-carbon steel self-sharpening blades that are chain and gear driven and not belt driven.
Ricoh Americas Corp.
Ricoh is a global technology company that has been transforming the way people work for more than 80 years. Under its corporate tagline—imagine.change.—Ricoh continues to empower companies and individuals with services and technologies that inspire innovation, enhance sustainability and boost business growth. These include document management systems, IT services, production print solutions, visual communications systems, digital cameras, and industrial systems. Headquartered in Tokyo, Ricoh Group operates in approximately 200 countries and regions. In the financial year ending March 2016, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,209 billion yen—approximately 19.6 billion USD.
Roland DGA Corp.
Roland DGA offers a lineup of wide format inkjet printers and integrated printer/cutters equipped with eco-solvent, sublimation, and UV inks, including SOLJET, TrueVIS, VersaCAMM, VersaUV, VersaEXPRESS, VersaStudio, and Texart models. All Roland inkjets come bundled with powerful yet easy to use RIP software, and several models offer specialty ink options, including White, Metallic Silver, Fluorescents, and Clear Coat.
Rollem International
Rollem specializes in sheet-fed flexo-magnetic die cutting, slitting, scoring, perforating, and fold/glue machinery for high quality finishing of digital outputs. The company’s finishing equipment will score digital stocks with no cracking and deliver full-bleed slitting, scoring, and perforating, simultaneously or individually. Short run to long run—and everything in between, Rollem has a finishing solution to meet your needs.
Screen Americas
Long known as the graphic art’s dominant player in CTP and workflow, Screen is now a leading manufacturer of production class Inkjet print engines, helping our customers grow revenues, decrease costs, and find new business opportunities in diverse markets with inkjet printing technology for the high speed continuous, wide format, and label and packaging platforms.
Standard Finishing Systems
Standard distributes a broad line of inline, offline, and near-line print finishing products including Horizon perfect binders, collators, folders, saddlestitchers, die cutters, slitters/creasers, and bookletmakers; and Hunkeler unwinders, rewinders, cutters/stackers, perforators, and inspection systems for continuous-feed printers. Standard has applied its knowledge of the conventional offset print finishing industry to engineer effective solutions for the expanding digital and inkjet print markets.
Therm-O-Type
Manufacturer of the Zip line of digital finishing equipment, the NSF series foil stamping/embossing/die cutting presses, foil fusing equipment and supplies, thermography, and business card slitting equipment.
Xeikon
Xeikon is an innovator in digital printing technology. The company designs, develops, and delivers web-fed digital color presses for labels and packaging applications, document printing, as well as commercial printing.
Xerox
Xerox is helping change the way the world works. By applying our expertise in imaging, business process, analytics, automation and user-centric insights, we engineer the flow of work to provide greater productivity, efficiency and personalization. Our employees create meaningful innovations and provide business process services, printing equipment, software and solutions that make a real difference for our clients and their customers in 180 countries. On January 29, 2016, Xerox announced its plans to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies—Xerox Corporation, which will be comprised of the company’s Document Technology and Document Outsourcing businesses, and Conduent Incorporated, a business process services company.
Zünd America, Inc.
Zünd, the leading manufacturer of digital flatbed cutting systems, offers multifunctional, high-productivity cutters/routers with numerous tools and automated material-handling options for processing printed/unprinted materials. Designed for maximum versatility and modularity, G3, S3, and now dual-beam D3 cutters are powered by Zünd Cut Center, an end-to-end workflow suite includes automatic quick response code capture that makes Zünd cutting systems efficient and easy to use.
Honorable Mentions
We also highlight five vendors that have earned honorable mention status in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Durst Image Technology U.S.
Durst Image Technology U.S. is a world class manufacturer of professional wide and grand format digital UV inkjet printers, for today’s imaging industry. Durst products are designed for performance, reliability, and longevity—offering the highest print quality, productivity flexibility, and efficiency. Learn more about Durst product offerings and discover new business opportunities.
Mactac
Mactac applications include labels, PSA sheets, indoor outdoor signage, vehicle wraps, trade show displays, and wall environmental graphics. In fact, for more than 30 years, the company has been at the forefront of product development for digital printing, mounting laminating, screen printing, and cut vinyl needs. You can rely on us for industry leading quality and unmatched service, and trust that we have the next up-and-coming innovation that will transform your business.
MBM Corporation
MBM Corporation provides cutting-edge finishing products for today’s digital printing industries. Our extensive product line includes world-class Triumph cutters, Aerocut digital print finishing systems, folders, creasers, collators, and bookletmakers. All MBM products are backed by a team of factory-trained technicians and one of the best warranty packages in the industry.
RISO, Inc.
RISO, Inc. is a leading supplier of production printers, supplies, and accessories. RISO’s high-speed color printers provide fast, affordable full-color digital printing for everyday communications. RISO’s digital duplicators include one- and two-color systems that reliably produce millions of copies, are environmentally friendly, and are easy and inexpensive to use.
Signs365
Signs365 is a trade-only grand format wholesale printer. It offers 24-hour standard production with overnight, anywhere shipping to trade professionals and graphic artists.
Editor’s Note
Again, congratulations to the 2016 Top 30 Readers’ Choice and honorable mention winners for the 2016 edition. We look forward to seeing innovations from these companies in the coming years. If you’d like to see your favorite companies spotlighted in these awards next year, be sure to cast your vote simply by requesting more information about their products and visiting their websites through DPSmagdirect.com. dps
