Pandigital Personal Photo Scanner/Converter

Anybody who has tried scanning a photo knows that it isn't as easy as you would assume. The process generally entails taking your photo and putting it on a scanning device, downloading some type of photo scanning software, waiting, and waiting and some more waiting, then cropping the picture and then taking the remaining bits and sticking them into a folder somewhere.

Well the smart minds over at Pandigital have just developed a new photo scanner that will help to cut down on the painful process of photo scanning. The new Personal Photo Scanner/Converter allows you to feed documents up to 8.5 inches by 11 inches in size through the scanner and then have them written straight to a memory card at a 600dpi resolution.

By doing this you can certainly speed up the photo scanning process by letting you run streams of photos without dragging the old family album to your computer. You no longer have to connect via miniUSB and do it the old fashioned way, but you still can if you want to. This thing is completely wireless except for one thing. In the specs there is no mention of a battery which would make this device truly portable.

The Personal Scanner/Converter is definitely a step in the right direction for home photo scanning. With being able to scan photos of up to 8.5 inches by 11 inches directly to an SD card or any other type of memory card via the 5-in-1 card reader and saving them as 600dpi jpeg images, you can make home photo scanning much easier. Full specs are out now on Pandigital's Personal Scanner/Converter and you can pick it up for a retail price of $149.99.

Source: Office Product News

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The New HP Photosmart e-All-in-One D110a

When it comes to printers, they start to all look alike at some point. They all perform the same functions and are really an afterthought when it comes to hardware. But the new HP Photosmart e-All-in-One D110a goes the extra mile and could change the way we look at printers forever.

The HP Photosmart e-All-in-One D110a comes with its own specific email address. What does this mean? It means that no only can print documents, but you can email them as well...you can even add attachments! You can email information to smartphones or tablet PCs with the new printer. In addition, the Scheduled Delivery service will allow you to schedule printings at certain times on a specific day.

The new printers start at just $99 and max out at $299. The higher-level printers will include other features such as printing directly from the internet or a USB drive, and one even has an integrated fax machine.

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Choosing the Right Copier for your Business

The copier has been an office staple for several decades and has made some big strides since Xerox first introduced the fully automated plain-paper photocopier in 1959. Today's photocopiers tend to have more in common with computers than the first Xerox 914 as most modern copiers combine copying, laser printing, faxing, scanning, and more into a fully functional and well-oiled business machines. With so many copiers on the market that can do pretty much about anything, its hard to make the smart decision for your business. Here is a short list on what to consider when shopping for a business copier.

Analog vs. digital

One of the most frequently asked questions when evaluating a copier machine is whether you should buy a digital or analog. Older analog copiers have an advantage in simplicity over newer digital models as they allow users to make copies by pressing a single button. However, most companies tend to choose digital black and white copiers or digital color copiers that come with variety of features which older analog copiers do not have. Digital copiers, also called multifunction printers (MFPs), produce less noise than analog copiers, have fewer moving parts meaning fewer maintenance problems, and can produce more detailed photocopies.

It just makes very little sense to buy analog these days. The majority of copier manufacturers have stopped introducing new analog models and there is little price difference between analog and digital copiers with similar features. The only reason to buy analog is if the prospect of dealing with futuristic equipment is daunting to you and your staff. Even with minimal training you and your employees will find that a digital copier isn't as complicated as it looks. With that said, here are a few options your business should consider depending on your copying needs.

Multifunction printers: Digital black and white printers now use modules to combine the functions of copiers, network printers, scanners, fax machines, and even e-mail devices all into a single piece of equipment. MFPs are designed in many shapes and sizes and range from home and small business capabilities to enterprise and commercial use. Naturally the cost, output quality, and other included features will all vary greatly from model to model, but generally they all perform the same functions - Print, Scan, Fax, and Photocopy. In the commercial/enterprise area, most MFPs utilize laser printing technology while in the personal and home environments, Inkjet Printer technology is more widely used. Typically Inkjet printers have struggled with delivering the performance and color saturation demanded by enterprise and large business use but HP has recently launched an enterprise grade MFP using Inkjet technology.

Digital Color Copiers: Color copiers support color printing and work much like a computer scanner connected to a laser printer. The color copier simply scans an original document and transfers the information via laser to a charged image drum. The color toner adheres to the drum while the copier heats the toner and permanently fuses the image onto paper. High-end color copiers will apply all four colors in a single pass while low-end color copiers take four passes of the same image. Low-end color copiers cost less than high-end color copiers, but have slower copying speeds. Color copiers will typically cost 20 or 30% more than black and white copiers of similar speeds and volume ratings. Then there are dedicated graphic color copiers which cost more due to very accurate print-quality color specifications and faster processors which may not be very practical in a corporate environment.

Hybrid Copiers: These are great for small and medium businesses that only need the occasional color printing or copying. Hybrids typically operate in black and white reproduction mode the majority of the time and can switch to color mode when necessary. Much of the expense of color copying comes from the consumables like special color toners, fuser oil and paper. Hybrid copiers allow you to keeps your operating costs down while still giving you the benefits of a color copier.

Lease a Copier: Copier leases are a fantastic way to avoid blowing a large portion of your capital while also evening out the payments. Some businesses also find that their printing demands come with the seasons and only need a high-end copier for relatively short periods of increased workloads. In addition, due to the rapid rates at which technology advances, copier leases often include provisions that allow you trade up to a newer model giving you the ability to upgrade without buying brand new. Other leases allow you to walk away from a machine, increasing your financial flexibility if you can not afford ongoing monthly payments.

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Copier Tips

Whether you've purchased a copier or have a copier rental in your office, chances are you have one. And chances are you've run into a problem with your copier, from a paper jam to wasting money to something more extensive. In the event you do have a problem there are a few things to keep in mind before calling in a technician. Here are some tips on fixing those problems, preventing those problems, and getting the most from your copier.

1. Keep moisture out of your paper. Moisture can cause your paper to jam, so you'll always want to reseal a package when you don't use the entire thing. If you're unable to reseal, keep the paper in a ziplock bag.

2. Paper left in your copier over the weekend and holidays will gather moisture. Replace it on Monday and put old stuff in your printer.

3. If you do get a paper jam, make sure you fix it completely. If you don't fix it properly and completely, chances are you're going to have another paper jam on your hands very soon.

4. Leave your copier on 24/7. In today's "green" world, most technology has a power-saving mode and when left alone for a certain period of time, the machine will power down into that mode. Warming the machine up is quicker when brought out of the energy-saving mode and the continuous warmth may be enough to save your paper from excess moisture.

5. Use high-quality paper. The cheaper the paper, the more likely it is to jam and the worse the finished product will look.

6. When you load paper, don't bend or tear the edges. If you do this, you're setting yourself up for a paper jam.

7. Make sure you are using the right toner for the model of copier you have. Using the wrong kind can cause mechanical problems and make your warranty obsolete.

8. Order multiple toner cartridges at one time. You'll save money on shipping, as well as always have extra around when you run out.

9. Never use anything but your hands to remove a paper jam. If you scratch the wrong parts, it will show up on your copied documents.

10. When you remove jammed paper, make sure you recover all pieces, even tiny fragments.

11. Try to keep at least one employee knowledgeable and up-to-date on your copier. Have him or her trained in operation and maintenance of the copier and let removing jams, changing paper and toner be their job.

12. Only make one copy at a time until you've found the perfect settings. So much paper and toner is wasted because someone assumes they've put in the right settings and doesn't test it by making just one copy of a document, instead of 100.

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The Security Risk of Copier Machines

As if individuals and businesses didn't already have their plates full concerning security and safety, they must now add digital copiers to the list of potential security risks which could leak sensitive and personal data. While it’s common knowledge that leaving sensitive information in trash bins or on computers raises the risk of identity theft, many consumers and even IT professionals may not be aware that copy machines themselves also put them at risk. If you didn't know, most modern copiers, or multifunction printers, use hard drives just like the one found in your computer to store every single document copied, scanned, or emailed by the machine. A single machine could have years worth of data and thousands of documents which could give away client records, birth certificates, tax forms, financial records, or even employee social security numbers making these copiers a proverbial pot of gold for criminals.

Even if the copier deletes the image, once it has been printed, the file remains on the hard drive until fully overwritten. Off lease and out of service copiers that are no longer needed will often depart without the previous owner even giving a second thought to the nature of the documents the machine previously handled. Businesses that don’t scrub this data before disposing of the machines are handing over vast amounts of potentially sensitive data to the next owner and possibly a criminal. Copier hard drives should be completely overwritten and reformatted with the original copier software reinstalled. However, the best method to absolutely ensure your data never falls into the wrong hands would be to purchase and install a brand new copier hard drive and then physically destroy the previous hard drive.

A recent investigation conducted by the CBS News proved just how dangerous of a problem this is. CBS purchased four used copiers from a warehouse in New Jersey and quickly went about gleaning all the data from the hard drives. The results were worse than anticipated. Two were once leased to the Buffalo police and the copiers were found to have very sensitive information including reports of domestic violence, a list of wanted sex offenders and even information about suspects from a drug investigation. The third machine contained copies of pay stubs that revealed names, addresses, and social security numbers while the fourth machine came from a New York insurance company with over 300 pages of medical records.

As a result, the Federal Trade Commission is tackling the problem and "now reaching out to copier manufacturers, resellers and retail copy and office supply stores to ensure that they are aware of the privacy risks associated with digital copiers and to determine whether they are warning their customers about the risks." Currently there are no known crimes involving information being stolen from copier machines. But now that the potential security flaw has been brought to the public's attention, there will no doubt be criminals who will try this method of identity theft.

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What is Flexographic Printing?

Originally flexographic printing was called aniline printing and was considered rudimentary at best to the majority of the printing world. Labels that required a higher quality print job have generally used the offset printing process. However, in recent years, great strides and advancements have been made in the field of flexographic printing presses, flexographic printing plates and even the inks used in the process. However, the greatest advancement in flexographic printing has, without a doubt, been in the improvement of photopolymer printing plates and laser-etched ceramic anilox rolls. These breakthroughs have not only allow for full color picture printing, but finer etched presses as well. In the hands of a skilled operator, flexographic printing can rival that of a lithographic printing process.

Flexographic Printing Overview
Flexographic printing is frequently used for printing on plastic, metalic films, foil, cardboard, acetate film, brown paper, white paper, and several other materials commonly used in packaging. The flexo printing process itself is similar to rotary printing in that it employs the same basic principles. In general terms, flexo printing utilizes a flexographic plate commonly made out of rubber or plastic with a raised image or text that is attached to a roller. A second roller applies a specific amount of ink while a third roller keeps the substrate (the material to be printed on) pressed firmly against the flexographic plate while it passes between the two.

Platemaking
There are a varying number of methods which can be used to create the printing plates used in flexography. The first method of plate development uses a light-sensitive polymer in conjunction with a light negating film placed over the polymer. Both are then exposed to ultra-violet light and the polymer hardens where the light passes through creating the imprint on the plate. This process is not very popular as the remaining polymer does not harden but instead has the consistency of chewed bubble gum. The plate will then need to be washed away in a tank of solvent while brushes scrub the plate to help facilitate the process.

The second and simplest method uses a computer guided laser to burn the image onto a printing plate. This direct laser engraving process is simply called digital platemaking. The third and rather more complex method is to go through a series of molding processes. The first step of the molding process is to create a metal plate out of the negative of the image or text we wish to print. This metal plate is placed in an acid bath and then used in a second step to create a mold out of bakelite board, glass, or even plastic. Once this second mold has cooled it will be considered a master mold and will be used to press a rubber or plastic compound to create the final printing plate.

Printing
As mentioned above, a flexographic print is made by creating a mirrored 3D master of the required image in a rubber or polymer material. This 3D image is then put onto what is called the anilox roll which holds a specific amount of ink since it is covered with thousands of small dimples. This anilox roll will feed the printing plate ink in a uniform and controlled thickness. The ink itself is transferred from the ink roll which has been partially submerged in an ink tank. A substrate is then compressed between the plate and the impression cylinder and the printing job takes place. In order to avoid a final product with a smudgy or bumpy texture, there needs to be insurance that there will never be an excessive amount of ink on the printing plate. To achieve this a scraper is used called a doctor blade. The blade simply scrapes any excess ink from the anilox roller before it can ever be applied to the printing plate.

Flexographic Inks
Currently there are five types of inks that can be used in flexography. Solvent-based inks, water-based inks, electron beam curing inks, ultraviolet curing inks, and two-part chemical-curing inks. Formulation of these inks requires a detailed knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the raw materials composing the inks which I won't go into. The most important factors when determining which ink to use is how the ink will react with the substrate as well as the environment. Flexographic printing inks are primarily formulated to remain compatible with a wide variety of printing substrates.

In recent years, flexo printing has been steadily improving in number of users, quality, and price. Flexographic printing is preferred over other methods as the ink dries quickly which allows for the machine to run at high speeds and the final product has a smooth finish with crisp detail. Water based inks in flexo printing has also increased in popularity due to the reduced emissions of volatile compounds which benefits the environment and the overall health of everyone in the printing industry. If these trends continue, one day flexographic printing may ultimately replace more expensive printing processes.

Xerox Lean Document Production Services Reduces Production Costs

In today's economy many print service providers are turning towards business development services in order to remain competitive in their respective markets. A business production service is designed to give a business or company an outside professional perspective about the methods and equipment that are employed to do business. One of these business production services that are being taken advantage of by print service providers is known as Lean Document Production (LDP) from the Xerox Corporations' Business Development Services department. The Lean Document Production service offers solutions for a business to reduce production costs and maximize equipment, technology, and software investments.

“Staying competitive is a full-time job for graphic communications providers,” said Gina Testa, vice president, Worldwide Graphic Communications, Xerox Corporation. “Xerox’s business development support, particularly the LDP consulting service, offers easy and effective ways to keep ahead of the curve in terms of new revenue opportunities and overall productivity.”

Lean Document Production Service – Productivity Up; Costs Down
You may be asking yourself exactly how would Xerox and the LDP service increase productivity while lowering costs. These gains can be achieved when printing environments are designed and tweaked for maximum throughput which allows the environment to run at optimal efficiency. However, understanding how to achieve these benefits can be challenging in the work environment, which is where the Xerox LDP service comes into play.

The Xerox LDP service compiles a comprehensive assessment of the key operational matters in your printing environment including but not limited to: printer and copier equipment, software, number of employees, usage and peak hours, job cycle times, number of steps and touches, run lengths, print windows, etc. The LDP service is even viable in a number of manufacturing environments including transaction, digital printing, offest, or any combination of the three. Afterwards a specially trained consultant will work closely with you to turn your LDP assessment into a money saving reality by helping you make the necessary adjustments to maximize your printing setup.

“Xerox’s LDP approach and results cannot be matched in the industry,” said Dr. Sudhendu Rai, principal scientist, Xerox Innovation Group. “It allows us to completely understand a production manufacturing environment and tailor the adjustments accordingly. And with our proven and patented solution, outcomes are practical and achievable.”

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Canon Expands imageRUNNER ADVANCE Line With Two New Monochrome Series

Continuing to build upon their full-service imageRUNNER ADVANCE platform which was unveiled last year, Canon U.S.A. announced last week the monochrome imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 Series and 6000 Series of multifunction systems. Offering a seamless blend of hardware, software and services initially seen in their award-winning imageRUNNER color models, the new black-and-white models deliver improved image quality with exceptional output speeds for a more enhanced workplace efficiency needed in today's competitive business environment.

"The new Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE Series are advanced document management systems that increase workplace efficiency for organizations seeking to contain costs and increase profitability," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. "Featuring innovative hardware and carefully engineered software applications that target light production and high-volume office environments, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE lineup allows businesses to increase office productivity while managing costs across a broad range of document-related activities."

imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 Series

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8105/8095/8085 models deliver exceptional output quality, speed, flexible paper handling options, and robust finishing solutions that many businesses desire. By utilizing the capabilities of the Advanced imageCHIP system architecture the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 Series models offer functionality and flexibility necessary to meet the constantly evolving demands of production environments of central reproduction departments and in-house facilities. Print service providers requiring monochrome letter-sized output speeds of up to 105 pages per minute (ppm)/ 95 ppm/ 85ppm will want to look at the 8105/8095/8085 models respectively.

Also notable about these new models are their exceptionally fast scan speeds in both black-and-white and color. The printers are equipped with a standard, single-pass duplex scanning unit which enables these devices to capture both sides of a two-sided original in a single pass. The series are capable of delivering scan speeds of up to 200 images-per-minute (ipm) black-and-white and 100 ipm in color at 300 dots-per-inch (dpi) in letter format.

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8105/8095/8085 models feature a maximum paper capacity of up to 7,700 sheets and are equipped to carry up to 80 pound cover media and paper sizes up to 13 x 19.25-inches. Coupled this with its flexible media capabilities and its easy to see why the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 Series delivers improved productivity by performing functions previously reserved for dedicated production equipment. High-volume capabilities including multiple folding options, professional punching, post-process document insertion and face-trimming booklets can now be retained in-house without the need for a separate machinery which provides more cost efficiencies.

In addition to its production capabilities the series offers a revolutionary 120-volt power requirement and a space-saving footprint to offer greater device placement flexibility. All these features make the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 Series an ideal choice for high-volume offices seeking greater speed and productivity.

imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6000 Series

With output speeds of up to 75ppm, 65ppm, and 55ppm (Letter), respectively, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6075/6065/6055 models allow for high-volume corporate environments to harness the capabilities of an advanced Multifunction Printer solution to address their particular workflow requirements. The compact imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6075/6065/6055 models deliver enhanced performance including rapid print, copy, and color scan capabilities as well as the ability to manage documents and produce finished outputs. As with the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 Series, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6000 Series models include a powerful high-speed single pass duplex scanning unit which boosts productivity and reduces costs.

The imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6075/6065/6055 models also feature a maximum paper capacity of up to 7,700 sheets and can support up to 80 lb. Cover media, while handling paper sizes up to 11 x 17-inches. Medium-volume office environments utilizing the imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6000 Series can enjoy flexible in-line finishing capabilities such as multi-position stapling, booklet-making, post-process document insertion and C/Z- folding capabilities.

Newly Advanced Technology

The new imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8000 and 6000 Series monochrome models employ a host of new technologies designed to improve the user experience while also streamlining workplace efficiency. In addition to the space-saving design, the new models incorporate a Full Color SVGA Control Panel which utilizes a customizable user interface with Main Menu keys for easy access to popular functions as well as a Quick Menu key to help simplify your workflow and share frequently used job functions via one-touch buttons. Also included with all models is remote notification of low-supply inventory and an "on-the-fly" paper or toner replacement which ensures that your high-volume jobs can run without interruption.

The new imageRUNNER ADVANCE models also utilize "pO" toner in conjunction with the twin-sleeve technology employed in Canon's black-and-white imagePRESS line. This allows the models to reproduce detailed images and text with smooth gradations and ensure the toner is evenly distributed throughout the entire print run. When precise detail is needed the new models can provide a true 1,200 x 1,200 dpi resolution and Auto Gradation Adjustment for a smooth, accurate and consistent output. Additionally, all new models support Canon's MEAP technology, allowing for greater integration with customer's business processes and other third-party software applications.

The new imageRUNNER ADVANCE models are expected to be available for customer delivery in the second quarter of 2010 through Canon Authorized Dealers and Canon Business Solutions. The manufacturer's suggested retail prices will be:

• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8105 – $50,000
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8095 – $39,000
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 8085 – $33,000
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6075 – $28,000
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6065 – $21,500
• imageRUNNER ADVANCE 6055 – $17,000

Source: usa.canon.com

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HP's New Plug & Print Laser Jet Printers

Last week, HP announced three new laser jet printers, aimed specifically at small businesses. Each one features "Smart Install," the company's new feature that makes installation easier. The need for a driver installation CD is gone with Smart Install, allowing you to install by simply plugging in an USB cable (the drivers are in the printer's memory).

The HP LaserJet Pro P1606dn is a single-function later printer. It features USB 2.0 and ethernet connectivity, auto-on/auto-off technology, and automatic double-sided printing. It's currently available for anywhere from $230 to $290.

The HP LaserJet Pro P1102w is also a single-function printer, but it offers Wifi 802.11 b/g in addition to USB 2.0. It has manual double-side printing and auto-on/auto-off technology. You can currently purchase it for about $150 to $190 at various online retailers.

Finally, the HP LaserJet Pro M1212nf MFP is a single-function laser printer that also offers USB 2.0 and Wifi 802.11 b/g. Double-sided printing is manual and it also features auto-on/auto-off technology. It's the printer pictured above and pricing details aren't yet available.

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Change Your Font. Save Money.

Here's a tip for saving money: change your fonts. Changing the font in documents you print and copy can save you about, well, $20 a year. Basically, different fonts require different amounts of ink and printing in one verses the other could have you changing your ink cartridges less often.

At the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the coordinator of information-technology user support, Diane Blohowiak asked faculty and stuff to use Century Gothic font as much as possible, and the school is even going to change its email system so it defaults to the font. Blohowiak tells the AP that she has received positive feedback about the move. The school goes through about $100,000 worth of ink cartridges each year and she expects they can save anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 just by making the switch.

The data comes from Printer.com, who tested various fonts to figure out which ones were the most budget-friendly. Century Gothic and Times New Roman were the the best (Century Gothic uses about 30% less ink than Arial, which is what many products use), followed by Calibri, Verdana, Arial, Sans Serif, Trebuchet, Tahoma and Franklin Gothic Medium.

In general, any font with "narrow" or "light" in its name, is gonna be better than than anything that says "bold" or "black." The thickness of the lines make all the difference. Seif fonts tend to use less ink than a "sans serif" font.

However, the AP reports that just because this practice is budget-friendly, doesn't mean it's environment-friendly. Centurgy Gothic happens to be wider than Arial, and therefore, uses more paper to print a document. Allan Haley of Monotype Imaging Inc., which developed Century Gothic fonts says the print was not designed for full text documents, but instead for small blocks or titles and headlines. Haley said he would suggest people use Arial or Times New Roman despite the possibility of saving money.

But if you'd rather save the Earth instead of your wallet, the best way to do that is to not print at all. Microsoft is working to encourage that with the fonts it uses in Outlook and Word. Simon Daniels, the program manager for Microsoft's typography group, told the AP that fonts that look more appealing on screen will make it less tempting for users to print a document. As a matter of fact, according to Daniels, that's why Microsoft changed its default fonts in Office 2007; Arial and Times New Roman became Calibri and Cambria.

Another Great Article:

Canon Adds Six New LCD Projectors

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