As part of its ongoing commitment to relentless innovation and product development, Quad acquired North Carolina-based DART Innovation, an in-store digital media solutions provider. The strategic investment expands and seamlessly integrates into Quad’s full suite of products and services, enabling brands and marketers to more effectively offer consumers an integrated purchasing journey, whether they are at home, online or in a physical store. Combining digital media with brick-and-mortar locations has been heralded as the next iteration for the online marketplaces that have exploded in recent years[1]. The strategic intersection of physical and digital expands the brand-to-shopper experience beyond e-commerce to innovative on-screen engagement at the store shelf. With DART’s capabilities and technology Quad strengthens its place as a leader in revolutionizing the shopping experience for retailers, consumer packaged goods (CPGs) and consumers.

The installation of new presses at two of Sheridan’s book printing locations this summer are the latest in a series of continued equipment investments made by parent company CJK Group. Sheridan’s Chelsea, MI facility installed a new Heidelberg XL106-8 P press which began producing live work in June. With speeds up to 18,000 impressions per hour, this press features 8 units that print 4-color over 4-color in a single pass along with auto-color scanning and ink control to improve color consistency throughout the print run. Notably, the Prinect Workflow technology used with this press enables it to move automatically from job to job – changing plates and washing blankets on the fly, which significantly shortens make-ready times and increases productivity. An increase in productivity and color consistency was also brought to Sheridan’s Wisconsin facility with the July arrival of a HP Indigo 12000 digital press. The high throughput of the Indigo press for both single-and double-sided printing will provide needed capacity for quick turnarounds for short-run perfect bind and mechanical bind customers served by Sheridan Wisconsin.

Forty years in business is something to be celebrated. For Sussex, Wisconsin-based Color Ink, which is a third-generation family business, its 40th anniversary marked an opportunity for the company to celebrate its history and the people who helped the company grow, including past and present employees, clients, and vendors. We reached out to company president Todd Meissner to find out more about its 40-year celebration — called "The Reunion" — and why it's important to acknowledge and celebrate important milestones in a company's history. Printing Impressions (PI): Can you give a brief history of Color Ink? Meissner: Founded in 1984 by visionary Jim Meissner, Color Ink Printing Company has left an indelible mark on the Wisconsin printing landscape. What began as a modest venture has blossomed into a distinguished company known for its commitment to innovation, precision, and creative expression.