Welcome to the FLAAR resource for variable data printing and short-run digital presses. As a leader in large format printing, scanning and digital photography, we are expanding our resources to provide you with the necessary information on variable data and short-run presses. FLAAR is a non-profit organization, whose mandate is to provide un-biased reviews and suggestions to organizations preparing to invest in print and digital imaging technology. We have found that our format is unique, and has effectively guided major corporations, universities, and museums in making effective decisions. Our involvement in Latin American anthropology is a driving factor for our entry into variable data printing. We are developing process guides that will allow museums and research facilities to acquire hard copy images of artifacts and other historical items. Through our in-depth research, we are able to suggest how to avoid certain pitfalls that will ultimately yield a profit to your organization. Editor, Ryan Crist and Nicholas Hellmuth reviewing a panoramic print with Xeikon Technical Sales Support Manager, John Kaufman. What is Variable Data Printing? Personalized print communication has been proven to increase response rates as well as profits. Producing personalized print material has been made possible by variable data digital presses. Never before has speaking directly to a customer with print been so inexpensive. This data driven process allows companies to apply the data they currently have in their database and develop timely and relevant messages to their customers. In addition to personalized print, variable data printing, also known as VDP allows for on-demand printing such as versioning, archival printing, and on-demand book publishing. Variable data digital printing is the fastest growing part of the printing industry. Although it is the quickest, it is important to remember that it will not replace traditional lithography. Instead, VDP serves as a compliment to offset printing and in many ways yields a profitable union with the benefits distributed to the customer and vendor. Many traditional printing companies are making the dive into variable data printing, with several of them developing separate response marketing divisions. In many ways, VDP is marketing driven, due to the fact that the primary use for this is personalized print and one-to-one marketing. The tools of VDP and one-to-one marketing are becoming an essential part of the print and marketing industries. The ultimate goal of this new technology is providing the right information to the right customer at the most relevant time. Typical response rates for static communication (traditional print) range from .5%-2%. Overall, this can be an extremely disappointing rate. With VDP and one-to-one marketing, businesses have the advantage of generating a much higher response rate, typically ranging from 10%-15%. FLAAR's Intiative with Universities and Archival Printing One of FLAAR’s main focuses with variable data printing is the concept of archival printing and the advantage it brings to museums and archeologists. It is no secret that archaeologists have long been seeking access to hard copies of archived artifact images. Until now, this had been an arduous process involving several hurdles to overcome. The recent development in variable data printing and the digital press has opened several doors allowing for the potential of on-demand photo archives. For example, the capabilities of the Xeikon digital press allow for the production of not only 11x17 variable prints, but also variable panoramic prints. This allows museums and researchers alike to potentially access a wealth of photos, select the ones they want, and have them printed in the form of a book or individual sheets. Universities also benefit from VDP. Recruiting students for a university can many times be a daunting process. Many universities receive a relatively low response rate from their static mailers even though they may be targeted to a particular region. One-to-one marketing provides the ability to completely personalize printed communication and drive high response rates. Many times there is a 400-500% increase in the response rate. The two elements that make this process work are sufficient data and a variable data press. More importantly, is the benefits to the students. Many of the initiatives used to teach them depend heavily on the technology that is available to them. With VDP being implemented at a university, it presents a significant opportunity to teach students cutting edge technology and procedures that could lead to rewarding careers. Update from Graphics of the Americas and Xplor Variable Data Printing Conference The Graphics of the Americas Conference in Miami Florida presented many concepts and technologies that are essential to variable data printing. Xeikon had a very impressive display of their Xeikon 5000, along with HP and their Indigo series. New for this year, were the Xplor sessions on variable data printing. These sessions provided a useful insight to variable data printing and one-to-one marketing. This was a great opportunity for vendors exploring variable data printing to get a step ahead on the forefront of the technology. FLAAR had the opportunity to print several of their Mayan archive images on the Xeikon 5000. The results were very impressive and drew a crowd to the Xeikon booth. These Mayan images will be a part of our developing project on archival on-demand printing. FLAAR will release a report on the Xplor sessions shortly.   FLAAR+BGSU visits Xerox in Rochester NY Recently, FLAAR+BGSU was invited to the Gil Hatch Center for Digital Innovation at Xerox in Rochester, NY. During this meeting, FLAAR gained extensive knowledge on the digital printing industry and how it can be adapted to a university. During this trip, FLAAR learned the technology of the iGen3, as well as the multi-faceted roles it can play in the marketing and printing industry. Furthermore, Xerox also provided FLAAR with helpful insight to the on-demand FLAAR archive. For more information and photos, please click here.