Masterpiece Graphix

With advances in digital printing, photography and scanning technologies, counterfeiters have more tools than ever to mimic a product.  These technologies make it easy to copy a brand and hard to discern a genuine product or document from a counterfeit. As new security printing and packaging technologies emerge, copycats quickly take note and scramble to produce reproductions of the new process. Therefore the brand protection and security market is constantly developing new technologies and processes to stay one step ahead of criminals.

Why do counterfeiters take such extreme measures to produce realistic copies of a product? It’s profitable to copy a successful product, piggybacking on the item’s sales and stealing potential revenue from the original manufacturer. According to the International Authentication Association (IAA), the illegal practice of counterfeiting costs industries anywhere between $200 billion and $600 billion dollars per year (see L&NW article). All industries are susceptible but some face more risks than others: Pharmaceuticals, software, music, automobile/machinery parts, and movies are all markets that currently combat fraudulent reproduction of their products. Even brand-name commodities and licensed products face the risk of counterfeit.

Essentially there are four categories of brand protection strategies that printers and manufacturers can choose to implement individually or as a combination for security printing:

• Overt: This category is obvious to both the customer and the manufacturer, and is classified by the unique packaging or look of the product or brand. One of the most common forms of overt security packaging is tamper-evident labeling. Other examples include complex label graphics that are difficult to replicate, or the use of hard-to-attain holographic or exotic material within the design. This strategy is coincidentally the most complex because in many cases the unique packaging is exactly what the counterfeiter is trying to copy.

• Covert/Forensic: These security features are hard to identify by the customer or even the naked eye. However, covert features are hard to mimic because they are hard to identify without specialized equipment. One application of covert packaging is to incorporate security ink into the printed product so the image fluoresces when placed under ultraviolet (UV) light Kodak Nexpress recently released red florescent ink that is invisible to the naked eye but can be used for security printing applications. A printer may also choose to utilize security paper into the product which when copied, displays a message that deters counterfeiters.

• Numbering/Coding: Digital printers are perfectly poised to utilize variable data as a security feature for their customers. Setting up a system that is unique to each item is a way to be certain that each product is unique and therefore hard to mimic. Utilizing algorithms, sequential numbering or custom barcodes to create a custom label for each product is a way to integrate security as well as information into the product. These forms of variable data can contain useful data such as print date or product origin.

• Information Linkage: Advances in digital technology has allowed manufacturers to use embed “smart” sensors within their products so they can track and identify their items easily. The most common form of information linkage security packaging is radio-frequency identification (RFID). These smart sensors can be embedded in the packaging upon manufacture, which allows for scanning of an item to determine authenticity. RFID tags can even track movement of items within a certain area with the right equipment. RFID technology is an emerging and developing tool which may come to replace conventional barcodes in the future.

Masterpiece Graphix has many substrate options available for security printing applications. Holographic materials, exotic substrates, security paper and tamper-evident polyester and self-destructive labeling materials are all available through MGX, ready to run on your digital press. MGX carries RIT-certified DeterX® Gray Void Security Paper (R1419 as rolls, MGX-1303 as sheets) for the HP Indigo. This unique paper is HP Indigo-certified for the WS6000, WS4050, 5000, 5500, and WS45000. This paper is stocked with a gray/blue pattern that reads “COPY” when duplicated. This digital substrate is perfect for printing checks, coupons, rebates, event tickets and other secure document applications. Custom colors and hidden messages are also available. For more information on DeterX® papers or custom security solutions for your application, please contact your MGX sales rep.

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.

Fenton, MO June 7, 2010 – Masterpiece Graphix has released a new line of value-priced, RIT-Certified digital gloss papers for the HP Indigo and Kodak Nexpress: MGX Digital 80# Text, MGX Digital 100# Text, MGX Digital 80# Cover, and MGX Digital 100# Cover. All stocks are glossy-coated on both sides and digitally optimized for two-sided printing. These paper stocks are available in sheets or as rolls, at competitive prices.

These acid-free, blue-white digital stocks feature high brightness (91% GE), superior gloss, good color reproduction, and excellent ink adhesion. All stocks are RIT-certified for use on many current HP Indigo press models & the Kodak NexPress. Papers are also compatible with dry toner digital presses such as the Xerox iGen. The new MGX Digital C2S gloss paper line was developed as an economical solution for everyday digital printing applications, including brochures, booklets, reports, catalogs, magazines, direct mail and books.

Material samples are available by contacting Masterpiece Graphix at (636) 349-6401 x225, or sales@mgxdigital.com.

Have you recently installed a new HP Indigo sheet press, or are you considering the purchase? MGX wants to provide you with FREE HP Indigo-compatible sheets to trial on your new machine! All you have to do is contact MGX and request our HP Indigo Sheet Press Welcome Kit. We will send you a whopping 2000 sheets of HP Indigo-compatible sheets, including:

• 500 sheets of 100# Gloss Text (MGX-1325)
• 500 sheets of 100# Gloss Cover (MGX-1327)
• 500 sheets of 80# Gloss Text (MGX-1324)
• 500 sheets of 100# Uncoated Text
• And more sample packs of sheet substrates, by request.

In addition, we will include literature on MGX and a material swatchbook. MGX also has other materials we can include to build you a custom welcome kit, tailored to your business needs. Please visit our website to view the other stocked sheet materials we can include in your kit.

To request your free HP Indigo Sheet Press Welcome Kit, please call 636-349-6401 x225 or email sales@mgxdigital.com.

Have you recently installed a new HP Indigo WS6000, or are you considering the purchase? MGX wants to provide you with FREE certified material to run on your new machine! All you have to do is contact MGX and request our WS6000 Welcome Kit. We will send you a whopping 10,000 feet of FREE HP Indigo-Certified material for use on your new 6000, including:

• 2500’ Masterpiece Premium 100# Gloss Calibration Paper (R1341)
• 2500’ 60# Unsupported Setup Paper (R1267)
• 2500’ 2.6 mil White BOPP/Perm/40# (R0440)
• 2500’ 60# Semigloss/Perm/40# (R1332)
• 500’ Acpo Polypropylene Digital Overlaminate (410DIG)
• 2500’ 2 mil Clear BOPP/Perm/40# (if available) (R1126)

All the substrates in our welcome kit have been certified by HP to run on the WS6000. To request your free HP Indigo WS6000 Welcome Kit, please call 636-349-6401 x225 or email sales@mgxdigital.com.

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Printing Applications Laboratory has certified two Masterpiece Graphix materials for use on HP Indigo industrial roll presses: Masterpiece Premium Estate Label #9/Perm/44# PK (R1232) and Masterpiece Premium Estate Label #8/Perm/44# PK (R1233). Both materials are certified for use on the HP Indigo ws4050, ws4500 and the ws6000, and both passed the RIT HP Indigo certification test with high performance ratings.

Masterpiece Premium Estate Label #9/Perm/44# PK is a bright white, 60# wet strength vellum paper. Masterpiece Premium Estate Label #8/Perm/44# PK is a cream, 60# wet strength paper. Both materials share the same permanent emulsion acrylic adhesive, which removes from most substrates in 100° F water. The adhesive adheres well to glass, HDPE, PVC, PET, Lexan®, and stainless steel. The facestock texture and printed appearance of both substrates make them ideal for wine labeling, as well as premium beverage and high-end grocery applications.

Samples of both materials are available by contacting Masterpiece Graphix at (636) 349-6401 x225, or sales@mgxdigital.com.

RIT’s Printing Applications Laboratory Certifies Second DSS Security Paper Product for use on HP Indigo Digital Presses

ROCHESTER, N.Y. and FENTON, Miss., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Document Security Systems, Inc. (NYSE Amex: DMC; “DSS”), a world leader in the development and manufacturing of products and packaging containing optical deterrent and authentication technologies that help prevent counterfeiting and brand fraud from the use of desktop scanners and copiers, is pleased to announce today that it entered into a Distributor Agreement (“Agreement”), with Masterpiece Graphix, Inc. (“MGX”), the largest provider of customized pre-coated, print-enhanced substrates for digital printing, to distribute DSS’s new line of digital press-compatible AuthentiGuard Security Papers to HP Indigo users and other digital press operators.

DSS’s line of AuthentiGuard Security Papers features the most effective patented copy-warning technologies that prevent and deter counterfeiting via copiers and desktop scanners.  Attempted copies or scans of a document printed on this paper will reveal hidden warning words on the copy such as “VOID” or any other warning or graphics the users specify.

On March 4th the Rochester Institute of Technology (“RIT”) Printing Applications Laboratory informed DSS that its new DeterX security paper roll fed stock passed several necessary tests and the paper is now considered an “HP Indigo Certified Substrate” which allows HP Indigo clients to utilize the paper on their HP Indigo ws4050 and ws4500 digital press models.

This is the second of two DSS secure technology papers in the last 6 months that have been certified by RIT for HP Indigo use.  In October 2009, DSS received certification for security sheet fed stock for use in the HP Indigo 5000 and 5500 models.

DSS and MGX plan to distribute the HP Indigo Certified Substrate and other forthcoming digital press compatible papers to world-wide HP Indigo users.

Patrick White, Chief Executive Officer and President of Document Security Systems, Inc., stated:   “With this paper, HP Indigo clients can now manufacture and sell security printing such as coupons, event tickets, personalized prescription forms, gift certificates, school transcripts, government permits, almost any document paper or plastic requiring counterfeit prevention security.  We look forward to working with Masterpiece Graphix and their large client base of HP Indigo owners.”

Doug Watson, CEO, President and Founder of Masterpiece Graphix stated: “We are always looking to enhance and expand our specialty substrate offerings to our clients.  The digital press compatible security papers from Document Security Systems offer new opportunities of growth and gained market share for MGX in the digital substrate supply industry.  Initial HP client demonstrations have been very well received.”

About Masterpiece Graphix

Founded in 1998 by Masterpiece Graphix CEO and President Doug Watson, Masterpiece Graphix (MGX) is a digital coating company, supplying digital-ready materials for liquid toner, dry toner and inkjet press applications. Masterpiece Graphix is the only HP Indigo Certified treatment center for HP Indigo optimized materials in North America. Serving customers with short lead times, certified as well as custom digital material solutions, competitive pricing, and substrate guidance, MGX’s team of coating experts has proven themselves to be the unrivaled competitor in quality and service within the digital materials industry.

With over 20 years of expertise in specialized functional coatings, Masterpiece Graphix excels at sheets and narrow web coating as well as coating plastics, security, hardcoat, pattern, chemical-resistant, static elimination, computer-printable and heat resistant materials.   Masterpiece Graphix is located in Fenton, Missouri which is near St. Louis, Missouri.  www.mgxdigital.com.

About Document Security Systems, Inc

Document Security Systems is a technology company in the security and protection services sector which develops and manufactures products and packaging containing patented and patent pending optical deterrent technologies that help prevent counterfeiting and brand fraud from the use of the most advanced scanners, copiers and imaging systems in the market. The company owns over 30 different patented and patent-pending technologies and products which protect valuable documents and printed products from counterfeiters and identity thieves. The company has 3 manufacturing facilities which produce secure printing, packaging and plastic ID cards.  Document Security Systems’ customers, which include international governments, major corporations and world financial institutions, use its covert and overt technologies to protect a number of applications including, but not limited to, currency, vital records, brand protection, ID Cards, Smart Cards internet commerce, passports, gift certificates and packaging.  Document Security Systems’ strategy is to become the world’s leading producer of cutting-edge security technologies for paper, plastic and electronically generated printed assets.

More information about Document Security Systems, Inc. and its products and services can be found at www.documentsecurity.com , www.plasticprintingprofessionals.com , www.protectedpaper.com , www.dpirochester.com and www.premiercustompkg.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements regarding expectations for future financial performance, which involve uncertainty and risk. It is possible the Company’s future financial performance may differ from expectations due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in economic and business conditions in the world, increased competitive activity, achieving sales levels to fulfill revenue expectations, consolidation among its competitors and customers, technology advancements, unexpected costs and charges, adequate funding for plans, changes in interest and foreign exchange rates, regulatory and other approvals and failure to implement all plans, for whatever reason. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Any forward-looking statements in this report are based on current conditions; expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Prospective investors are cautioned that such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. The Company makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement included herein, or disclose any facts, events or circumstances that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.

View original news release at PRNewswire

Longtime MGX customer Lightning Labels is featured in the February 2010 issue of packagePrinting, as a HP Indigo user and digital printer. An all-digital label printer based in Denver, Colorado, Lightning Labels has found success in producing short-run, high-quality label jobs using HP Indigo technology.

Lightning Labels has been a faithful customer of Masterpiece Graphix for some time, utilizing MGX’s coating technology to optimize their digital substrates.  Peter Renton, company founder and director of business development, had this to say about Lightning Label’s relationship with MGX:

“As with the great majority of substrates printed on HP Indigo presses, the substrates need to be top-coated before printing. ‘We outsource our top-coating to Masterpiece Graphix (www.mgxdigital.com) in St. Louis,’ reports Renton. ‘They order uncoated material from the material vendors, coat it themselves, and then ship to us. It is a system that has worked well for many years.’”

Not all label applications are created equal. Durable goods labeling applications require material that withstands harsh environmental and usage stresses. Some durable labels are imperative to the safe operation of the product, listing important warnings and use instructions. Since many of these labels are used in industrial or hazardous material settings, it is important that the substrates used to construct these labels holds up to the rigorous environment, and are legible for the lifespan of the product.

If you need a durable label to protect your brand identity as well as your product’s users, look no further than Masterpiece Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90# (MGX-1009). This material is HP Indigo-Certified by the Rochester Institute of Technology for use on the HP Indigo 5000/5500, and passed the certification test with three stars, the highest possible rating.

Constructed with a high quality white vinyl face sheet and a superior permanent acrylic adhesive, MGX Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm /90# liner provides a permanent bond to a wide range of surfaces, including low and high surface energy plastics, painted metal, powder coat paint and polycarbonate. The adhesive, developed to provide high tack and medium shear, has good chemical resistance and resists cold flow and ooze. The material is easy to apply, providing superior printability. The substrate is also surprisingly durable, resisting abrasion that occurs during assembly, shipment, and everyday use. Masterpiece Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90# Liner is UV-resistant, suitable for use indoors or outdoors. The base material used in the material is UL recognized under UL-969 UL File NO. PGGU2.MH10170 Marking and Labeling System Materials – Component.

For more information on Masterpiece Premium 3.25 mil White Vinyl/Perm/90#, download the product spec sheet. For additional information about this product as well as other MGX pressure-sensitive film solutions for your durable label needs, please contact your MGX sales rep.

DScoop5 is just around the corner: February 18-20 at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas, TX. Masterpiece Graphix is proud to be a Bronze partner for the 2010 Digital Solutions Cooperative for HP Indigo users. Come visit MGX at booth #900, across from the HP Indigo WS6000 demo machine. While you are there, see MGX’s certified material in action and printing on the 6000. Masterpiece Graphix will be supplying their recently HP Indigo-certified material, Masterpiece Premium 18pt C1S Board Stock (R1275) to demonstrate the superior printablility and performance of MGX HP Indigo- Certified substrates. Witness the excellent quality of Masterpiece Graphix roll products for yourself and register for DScoop5.