Mohawk Fine Papers recently acquired LabPrints, which provides software that links labs and photographers with lab orders through online storefronts and the fulfillment of printed products.

According to Thomas O’Connor, Jr., chairman and CEO, Mohawk Fine Papers, “It’s no secret that the world of print communications is changing, as digital technology drives convergence in the worlds of print, photography and design. In the past 18 months we’ve seen dramatic structural and cyclical shifts in the demand for premium papers. Digital printing is one bright spot in an otherwise challenging market, and Mohawk is fortunate to have established an early leadership position in this space. Our acquisition of LabPrints will bring a very talented, innovative team of software developers into the mix and allow us to create new products and services that add value for all of our partners in the new print economy.”

In 2009, Mohawk began expanding its footprint beyond paper – embarking on a number of initiatives like the company’s strategic investment in liveBooks, the launch of Felt & Wire Shop and mohawkpaperstore.com.

Designed for photographers as both a color resource center and online community, X-Rite’s new Web site XritePhoto.com, offers anyone involved in digital photography a robust and interactive learning resource, as well as a fun place to learn, explore and exchange ideas as they relate to color.

A virtual showcase for every level of photographer and interest, XritePhoto.com is designed to provide easy access to tips, tricks, tools and technology about color management and the impact color has on the digital workflow.

A good example is the online color IQ test, an easy way for photographers to learn how well they see color by dragging and dropping color chips into order according to hue. The site offers an instant test score, and is easy to share and pass along to colleagues and friends.

“We created XritePhoto.com as a true community resource where every photographer can access all things color. Visitors can participate in our blog, test their color vision, sign up for a Webinar, access our color experts, view educational videos, learn from our Coloratti pro community or enter on-going contests, ” said X-Rite’s Strategic Marketing Director, Photo Liz Quinlisk.

The Binding Industries Association (BIA), the world’s largest association for trade binderies, graphic finishers, custom loose-leaf manufacturers and suppliers to those industries, announced the call for entries for the 2010 Feingold Award. Entries for this competition are due April 23, 2010.

The Feingold Award began in 1992 as a tribute to Bill Feingold of Charles Leonard Inc., to honor products and processes that break new ground in the graphic finishing and custom loose-leaf manufacturing industries.

Those eligible for entry include suppliers, domestic or international, for technology that helps advance trade binderies, graphic finishers and custom loose-leaf manufacturers. The award is given to the company whose product or process is deemed most unique or innovative by a panel of experts.

The top supplier winners will be honored at the 2010 BIA Mid-Management Conference, being held May 17-19 at the Baltimore Hilton in Maryland.

As disposal of electronic waste moves further forward into our consciousness (or you’ve recently “recycled” an old printer or computer not knowing where the old one actually ends up), it’s interesting to note the companies formulating policies that deal with the issue.

Originally published in 2004, HP’s vendor requirements for hardware reuse and recycling includes a ban on the export of hazardous or regulated materials from developed to developing countries.

HP’s e-waste export policy contains the company’s commitment to responsibly dispose of all e-waste generated by HP’s global operations and take-back programs.

E-waste processed by HP and its authorized vendors is tracked and documented throughout the entire chain of custody until final disposition. HP audits its recycling, refurbishment and processing vendors annually to ensure they conform to its vendor requirements for hardware reuse and recycling and supply chain social and environmental responsibility (SER) policies.

HP defines e-waste as nonworking parts or devices; this does not include:

• Materials defined as nonhazardous under the Basel Convention;
• Working equipment and parts that are not intended for disposal or recycling, but are for donation, reuse or resale;
• Components being returned to the original equipment manufacturer that are under warranty; and
• Materials to be used in manufacturing that do not require further processing or preparation.

One of Wausau Paper’s latest sample books, Go Wild, can be described as a “field guide” to the unique possibilities for those with unique visions.

It invites these highly creative folks among us (the ones that go so far outside the box, they don’t have a box) to let their imaginations run free on the Royal Astro, Exact and Intrigue brands and specialty papers.

The Intrigue Crinkles Box Wrap for example has a soft, rippled texture and feel of crinkles – creped to rival the look and feel of handmade paper.

The engaging, safari-themed promotion reviews the full breadth of Wausau Paper’s offering, service and environmental certifications. It also includes handy product charts showing at a glance the features and benefits of each brand.

As a special offer for PaperSpecs members, please log in and select “Mill Promotions” to request your copy of “Go Wild.”

You’re invited to join HOW magazine in Denver, Colorado for the 2010 HOW Design Conference. And if you register by the March 12 (the Early Bird deadline), you’ll save $200 off the full-conference rate.

This year marks the conference’s 20th anniversary, so they’re bringing together the whole design community for one exceptional gathering: the HOW Design Conference (June 6-9), In-HOWse Designer Conference (June 6-8) and Creative Freelancer Conference (June 5-6) will all take place in Denver during the same week.

HOW’s four days are packed with creativity boosters, software instruction and expert advice on growing your career. There’s no better opportunity to build your business skills, learn the latest software and fuel your creative energy.

Register at www.HOWconference.com to receive those early bird savings (Don’t delay. March 12 is fast approaching!) You’ll also find the complete rundown on sessions, speakers and special opportunities to network with a vast community of designers.

With the thrill of the sights and feats of the Vancouver Winter Olympics fresh in our minds, Unisource’s Whitehall Offset Snow promotion seems so appropriate to mention this week.

And what better way to garner a good score from all you judges out there than throwing down some impressive printed samples. This promo shows off the paper’s different weights with snow-white inspired images.

Whitehall Offset has a 94 brightness, is a SFI Fiber Sourcing Certified paper that is also available with 10 percent postconsumer recycled content. The line offers both smooth and vellum finishes. Weights range from 50 lb. through 80 lb. text along with the lighter options of 40 lb. and 45 lb. text. Whitehall Offset has a blue-white shade, features enhanced opacity and an improved surface for better reproduction.

As a special offer for PaperSpecs members, please log in and select “Mill Promotions” to request your copy of the Whitehall Offset Snow promotion.

March 2, 2010
2:00 p.m. Eastern (11:00 a.m. Pacific)

Back by popular demand, Daniel Dejan, North American ETC Print and Creative Manager for Sappi Fine Paper, will return to share his valuable knowledge on how to print color with more predictability in an encore presentation of the “Mind Your Color” Webinar.

He’ll help you to better understand and manage color-related issues as only this entertaining expert can. Dejan will provide advice and tips on:
- proper conditions for viewing color
- paper’s effect on color
- how to read a press sheet
- achieving critical color match going from RGB to CMYK
- the basics of color theory

This Webinar, created for the intermediate level graphic designer, art director, production manager, print buyer and project manager, will take you to the next level in color theory and practice.

“Mind Your Color” is free thanks to the generous support of Sappi Fine Paper. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today for this special event at www.paperspecs.com/webinar.

NewPage Corporation introduced its new HP Indigo-certified OptiPrime Digital label paper at Dscoop5, an annual conference for Hewlett-Packard (HP) users.

“As demand and new applications grow for digitally printed pressure-sensitive labels, our customers are looking for ways to be more productive,” says David Diekelman, executive director of sales and business development for specialty papers. “OptiPrime Digital allows converters to focus equipment time on higher return projects, and deliver the exceptional digital label results their customers expect.”

OptiPrime Digital label paper features a smooth semi-gloss finish, premium brightness and high strength for diecutting and matrix stripping during pressure sensitive label converting.

The stock is available as a NewPage tri-certified grade, indicating chain-of-custody certification by three third-party organizations including the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (BV-COC-953662), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) schemes.

Mark Rushton, editor, Pulp & Paper International Magazine, RISI interviewed Aida Greenbury, director of sustainability and stakeholder engagement at APP Indonesia about the company’s bad environmental reputation and how it plans to address it.

Some highlights from Greenbury’s comments during the interview include:

- APP Indonesia has made mistakes because of their relative inexperience in the paper industry compared to the North American and European mills, which also likely made mistakes when they first started.

- APP Indonesia is continually improving its environmental practices by way of certification and supply chain management.

- Around 30 percent of its wood comes from certified sources (Eco Labeling Institute of Indonesia and PEFC), 40 percent comes from legal origin and 30 percent is in the form of recycled paper.

To read the complete article covering more about when APP Indonesia plans on becoming fully certified, why it uses tropical wood and how it feels about the criticism received from various NGOs, visit RISI.