Masterpiece Graphix

HP Indigo digital printing technology is well-suited to digital photo production, and is gaining popularity in the digital photofinishing industry. Photo-specialty printing is one of HP Indigo’s fastest growing markets, with a 30% year-over-year increase for new HP Indigo press placements in photo specialty applications in 2009. In addition, HP Indio saw a 40% year-over-year increase in photo specialty page output during the photo industry’s peak-production season, October 1 to December 31.  Applications for photo specialty products are endless, and more products are hitting the marketplace all the time. Some possibilities include photo books, accordion folders, high-end cards, photo prints, and wall graphics.

Digital technology has “caught up” with traditional silver halide photo production: the HP Indigo can now offer archival-quality printing options, small runs, and inline finishing options. A print permanence study by Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR), the respected industry authority on digital print longevity, gave HP Indigo pages printed on a gloss stock a WIR Permanence Rating of approximately 45 years, which outperforms the best silver halide paper on the market. The study also shows that HP Indigo photo book prints received a WIR Album/Dark storage rating of greater than 100 years.

To meet this exploding demand, HP has developed several flagship solutions specifically for the photo production industry. Many HP Indigo users are currently utilizing the HP Indigo WS6000, 5000, 5500, 7000 and 7500 to produce photo-specialty products. In addition, the HP Indigo 7200 offers improved color management and consistency specifically for high-volume printing of photo-specialty products like photo books. This digital sheet press offers blazing-fast production speeds of 240 four-color letter-size pages per minute, and volumes of up to 7.5 million pages per month. Other features include linked color management utilities and optional finishing systems for inline cutting; offset stacking of book blocks, and lamination.  Dry toner presses like the Xerox iGen and Kodak Nexpress also are capable of producing photo specialty products like books, prints, and cards.

If you are looking to integrate photographic products into your press offerings, Masterpiece Graphix can help with substrate selection, production consulting, and product development. Digital printers that desire a traditional high-gloss paper or cardstock product can achieve this by applying a UV or high-gloss laminate over the printed stock. These finishing options also add longevity to the print. If you are looking for a unique, luxurious look, MGX can also supply textured roll or sheet substrates that mimic the look of canvas, cloth, linen, metal, or vellum. Any substrate can be varnished or laminated to add durability and permanence to the printed product, or printed without a finishing solution to create more cost-effective option.

The possibilities for photo production are anything but limited to card and paper substrates. Emerging technologies include fabrics and pressure-sensitive stickers and wall graphics. Your Masterpiece Graphix sales rep can help you source and treat the digital materials you need for your specific photo application, whether it’s a traditional or off-the-wall product. For more information on all of our photo production substrate solution, please contact your MGX sales rep or email the sales team.

High-quality, customizable photo books is one of the fastest growing segment of commercial printing on the HP Indigo press. The HP Indigo is an excellent choice for photo book applications. Digital book printing is also a lucrative market utilizing dry toner presses technologies like the Xerox iGen and the Kodak Nexpress, due to short run and personalization options.

The applications for on-demand photo books are endless; books can be customized to record important milestones like a wedding, high school graduation, or a new baby. Photo books can also be utilized to create school yearbooks, company reports, church registers, universities publications, family reunion albums, sports team books, artist portfolios, or even a small publishing run. With innovations in design technology and digital photography, many diverse business segments are requesting customized books. Professional photographers, businesses, and schools are all buyers in this growing market. Photo book order quantities can be very diverse, ranging from one printed copy to several thousand. Digital printing and variable data technology make small run prints profitable while still offering many options to the consumer.

The most profitable and prolific digital book printers utilize online software as a front engine so customers can order their custom photo books quickly and easily without professional design programs. One of the most popular software packages is SoftWorks Systems Inc.’s Remote Order Entry System (ROES), which is primarily used by digital photography labs and professional photographers. There are many business models out there: visit sites like Shutterfly, Snapfish, Zookbinders, and Couture Book for inspiration.

High-quality substrates from Masterpiece Graphix are perfect for photo book applications. MGX substrates are specially formulated for heavy ink coverage, with no picking or pinholes. This allows printers to print the richest, most vibrant colors for beautiful image quality. MGX substrates consistently perform better than our competitors’ in tape tests, with zero ink lift-off.

MGX’s new line of superior digital gloss and cover stocks offer superior ink adhesion and excellent color reproduction for beautiful image quality. MGX digital gloss stocks are printable on both sides and are available in 80# and 100# weights, in text or cover stocks.

MGX digital gloss paper and cover stocks are very competitively priced for all digital book applications and are certified for use on the HP Indigo 5000 and 5500 as well as the Kodak Nexpress. These stocks are compatible with many other dry toner digital presses like the Xerox iGen, Xerox Docucolor, Canon ImagePRESS and the Konica Minolta Bizhub.

No matter the type of cover requested, be it hardcover, soft cover or paperback, MGX has material options and recommendations for your specific photo book application. For more information, please check out our stocked sheet substrates or call your MGX sales rep for custom substrate options for your specific photo book application.