IFRA

IFRA Expo 2009 Report

“Expecting the worst, but hoping for the best – that was the state of mind as people got here and it seems they have been happy with the results,” so says Michael Heipel, WAN-IFRA’s executive director of supplier services and event management.

The Expo in figures: Expo strikes a balance
Advertising: Cross-media solutions take the spotlight
Editorial: Editorial solutions head for the clouds
Systems: CMS aims to boost efficiency
Workflow integration: Optimise your operation
Newspaper printing: Automation still steals the spotlight
Computer-to-plate: Low-cost, flexible, ­preferably chemical-free
Mailroom: Flexibility wins in the mailroom
Digital printing: Progress picks up
Mobile trends: Mobility as a business model
Search potential: Manage and research your digital information
Social networks: Gazing into social space

Free software opens up alternatives

The interrelationship between constant new hardware releases, high-performance operating systems and sophisticated software functionalities has caused a positive upwards spiral of efficiency and functionality in the production of print objects. As a result, it has become almost a matter of course today to provide an allowance for software updates in annual budget plans. Despite this, it is worthwhile taking a closer look at the interesting market in free Open Source software.

New colour gamuts

Almost everybody in the mass markets of consumer elec­tronics uses displays that centre on the sRGB colour space standard. sRGB is the single most successful colour standard ever. Now new colour standards are here, and it is worth taking a closer look at them to find out how they can be useful.