HP (NYSE:HPQ) today unveiled “Print 2.0,” the company’s strategy for making printing relevant and empowering as both personal and professional content increasingly moves from the desktop to the web.

At HP’s annual Imaging and Printing Conference this morning, Vyomesh Joshi, executive vice president of the company’s Imaging and Printing Group, described how HP will seek to capture a significant share of the 53 trillion digital pages estimated to be printed in 2010 alone — an opportunity valued at more than $296 billion.

Joshi identified three key areas of focus of the Print 2.0 strategy:

• Make it easier to print from websites, such as blogs and travel sites, and bring new printing capabilities to online properties;
• Extend the company’s digital content creation and publishing platforms — for example, Snapfish and Logoworks — across customer segments spanning from consumers to enterprises; and
• Deliver a digital printing platform that increases print speeds and lowers the cost of printing for high-volume commercial markets.

In its enterprise imaging and printing portfolio, HP also announced new applications, services and an enhanced solution partner program to help businesses improve their imaging and printing workflow, management and infrastructure. Read more

Neenah Paper has released the first revision of its two-year old EAMES™ Paper Collection — the first complete line of papers from a major mill in more than a decade.

“After launching the EAMES™ Paper Collection in Spring 2005, reaction was enthusiastic and feedback extremely positive,” added Tom Wright, Director of Advertising and Design for Neenah Paper, “but we soon wondered why were not seeing the collection in more everyday use, the kind of day-to-day work that is the lifeblood of the design and paper industry.  Designers told us why.”

The revisions are in direct response to changes suggested by designers from across the nation.  Changes include the addition of Neenah’s popular Solar White, double thick cover weights and the addition of a technologically sophisticated vellum sheet.  All additions were a direct result of designer feedback.

Conversations with designers nationwide revealed they were holding the paper for “special” occasions, events and announcements — the kind of “high end” applications that invite the finest grades, finishes and print techniques.  The rare.  The rich.  The perception of the Eames line as a high-end line was growing.  The folks at Neenah Paper and the Eames Office saw the irony in this growing perception — and it stung.

“First of all, when we say the paper is ‘inspired’ by my grandparents’ life and work, this means more than a nod to Eames-like colors, finishes, architecture, painting or furniture,” says Eames Demetrios, Charles and Ray’s grandson and director of the Eames Office.  “It means a product that offers functionality, beauty and affordability — all in one.  My grandparents never designed for ‘high-end’ users — they designed for everyone.”

“We wanted designers to use the paper, not hang it on the wall like artwork,” added Wright.  “So we knew changes were needed so that people would not get stuck in the notion that the EAMES Collection was for the exceptional need rather than the everyday use.”

More conversations led to concrete suggestions from designers.  They asked for important additions to the collection that would help them sell it to their clients or marketing colleagues.  Among them, a consistently dependable vellum finish, in a variety of whites, in writing, text and cover weights.  “In the spirit of Charles and Ray Eames,” said Wright, “we listened, learned and applied those lessons, as design is a never-ending journey.”

The revised EAMESTM Paper Collection features changes that will excite and inspire designers to use the collection liberally, whether for the rarest communication — or — the most commonplace:  uses such as the monthly newsletter, the silkscreen band poster, a two-color promo postcard, or your neighborhood flier.

EAMESTM Paper Collection from Neenah is here to stay.  And the people who created it at Neenah and the Eames Office will always remain open to fresh ideas, improvements, and technical innovations.

Charles and Ray Eames would want it no other way.

For further information about the EAMESTM Paper Collection, please contact your local authorized Neenah Paper merchant or call 1-800-558-5061 and press “5.”  You can also email finepaper@neenahpaper.com or visit www.neenahpaper.com/eames to learn more.  A listing of local authorized Neenah Paper merchants is available at www.neenahpaper.com/findadistributor.

Printer eliminates hassles and gains marketing edge with pro environment position

Cottonwood Printing Co. in Albuquerque, N.M., has always believed in using technology to enhance quality and help protect the environment. Chief Executive Officer Blake Thies says Cottonwood was the first printer in the state to install computer to plate (CTP) digital technology when it became available to eliminate the need for film. Now the company has added KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates and a KODAK MAGNUS 400 F Speed CTP Device in its quest to become even more environmentally friendly.

“The imaging on the KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plate is a step up from what we had in terms of sharpness. It also gives us the chance to use a true process free plate, which reduces our waste stream considerably. Cottonwood wants to be the greenest printer in New Mexico and this is a major step in advancing our environmental philosophy,” Thies said. “We’re doing the right thing by going with the KODAK Non Process Plates, but it also streamlines our prepress operation. We don’t have to use as much space, the area is cleaner, and we don’t have to worry about storing and changing the chemistry.”

The KODAK THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plate develops on press, eliminating the costs associated with standalone processors, including maintenance, chemistry and chemistry handling, and floor space requirements. Customers save time and reduce variability by decreasing the number of steps in prepress. In addition, THERMAL DIRECT Non Process Plates are compatible with all popular thermal CTP imagers and a wide range of inks and fountain solutions. Read more