We tested Near Infrared inkjet dryers vs. standard infrared dryers using our Buskro Atlas inkjet addressing system. The results were amazing. Simply put, the Near Infrared dryer worked better. Using the Near Infrared Dryer even though we were using less power, we were able to increase our speed by about 30% - 50%.

Whether you need an inkjet addressing system or an inkjet for other variable or static printing, the Buskro Atlas inkjet system and Near Infrared dryer combination offers high speed and high quality, inkjetting. Visit our website or call us anytime for more information: 800-398-5786.

When you are reviewing a camera system to purchase, the reading capabilities should be at the top of your list of considerations.

The print industry has been using unique identifiers or symbologies for personalized mailing for a long time. Until recently, this technology was mainly used by statement processors. Utility companies for instance use unique identifiers to accumulate and insert your utility bills. They need to make sure that John Doe receives John Doe's statement, and that he received the entire statement.

There are many different types of identifiers that are used in the print industry. The most popular are: OMR (Optical Mark Recognition), Linear Barcodes, 2D Barcodes, or simple account numbers, which are read and decoded using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology.

OMR: Optical Mark Recognition has been popular in the mailing industry for a long time. The devices used to read and translate OMR are inexpensive and accurate. Basically, you have a sensor which looks for color contrast. Marks -normally solid black lines- are placed on a specific spot on the document. The system is programmed to read the marks to determine if it's the first page of a set, how many pages there should be, the last page, etc... This works great for statement processing, like what utility companies send out. Again, it's cheap and accurate. This isn't ideal for marketing however. The marks on the side of the document are intrusive and this doesn't work well with read-print systems.

Linear Barcodes: Also known as 1-dimensional barcodes, linear barcodes are used in many of the same applications as OMR, but also in many others. Most 1-dimensional barcodes represent 1 - 15 characters. Some statement processing companies use both OMR and barcodes. If you look at statements you receive, you'll notice that many have the black lines on the side of the page, as well as a -or even- several barcodes. OMR will normally be used to accumulate the statement packages, and then barcodes might be used for output verification, internal tracking, or even return tracking (meaning that sometimes the barcodes you see on your bills aren't actually used until after you send them back). There are lots of different types of Linear Barcodes: Code 39, Code 128, UPC, etc...

2D Barcodes: Also known as 2-dimensional barcodes, 2D barcodes could be used in just about every application that 1D codes can be used; this doesn't mean 2D is always better though. 2D barcodes can be advantageous in several ways. Some 2D barcodes, mainly the Data Matrix Code, are popular amongst marketers because you can, as is true with all 2D barcodes, fit a lot of data in a small amount of space (currently, Data Matrix is best for these type of applications). Obviously, this is a benefit because you won't have those large linear barcodes interfering with your message. Linear barcodes however, do and will probably always have a place in the print industry. The hardware and software to read and translate linear barcodes is less costly than with 2D (although that gap is closing). And for every bit of height you add to linear barcodes, you're adding redundancy. The scanners only need a slice horizontally across the barcode to get a good reading.

OCR: Even with the smaller and more inconspicuous Data Matrix code, marketers are always striving to make their message more presentable. This is why for personalized marketing, it is becoming essential to have OCR reading capabilities to offer to your customers. With OCR, rather than having an ugly, intrusive barcode you simply have an account number, or even with our Lake Image Camera System, a name! Now to don my salesman's hat: most camera systems available for the mailing / printing industry have LIMITED OCR reading capabilities. Lake Image however, has very unlimited OCR reading capabilities. With most systems on the market, you are limited to reading just a few specific fonts and sizes. With Lake Image however, you're able to read any font with separated characters, and at just about any size - down to even 6pt font. With most systems, you're also limited to just numeric codes. Again, with Lake Image, you can match using alphanumeric codes or even the recipient's name; completely eliminating the need for barcodes, marks, account numbers.

Feel free to comment or call with questions about reading symbologies or anything related to the mailing industry: 800-398-5786. You can also check out our website to see some of the equipment and services that we have to offer: www.addresserbasedsystems.com

As is pointed out in the article, the type of direct mail campaign utilized is also very important. One paragraph in the article reads:

Costs are still taken into account. Many entrepreneurs find that the boiler-plate methods of the past—such as purchasing mailing lists and sending fliers or coupons to a mass audience—often aren't cost-effective. Instead, business owners are creating personalized mailings, which may include special offers or other valuable information, and sending them to a hand-picked list of current and prospective customers.

This is exactly, in tune with some of my past blogs about personalized mail, e.g. What is Read-Print Inserting.

The utilization of innovative production equipment like Lake Image Vision Systems, is essential for mailers to be able to offer competitive, personalized marketing services. Feel free to call us here at Addresser Based Systems, for more information on the hardware and software needed to offer personalized direct marketing: 800-398-5786.

A read-print system normally consists of an envelope inserter, an inkjet system mounted on an in-line -or an open ended- transport, and some kind of camera or scanner system, e.g. a Lake Image Vision System. Many mailers already have some or most of what is needed for read-print inserting.

Most envelope inserters and some inkjet addressing machines can be upgraded to work as a read-print system. The vision system, after installed on your current inserter or on a new one, will capture a unique identifier on a personalized insert, and then send that data to the inkjet. Using a series of encoders and photo eyes the inkjet or the vision system, will track that piece through the rest of the inserter, and then the inkjet will spray the proper address on the outside of the envelope. Many if not all, letter shops are already doing this work, but some are doing it manually by spot checking every few envelops to make sure the names match. This is a very costly process compared to an automated read-print system.

When investing to add read-print capability to your shop, the most important decision is deciding on which vision system to purchase. You will need to know what type of identifier or symbology that you can use on the personalized insert that you are using, and you'll also want to keep in mind that your needs will change. Most shops use either a barcode and -or- a human readable number (the number is read and translated using OCR technology). Some vision systems have limited reading capabilities; I'll write a separate blog on the different symbologies used for read-print applications.

Other vision system features to consider include multi-tasking and upgradeability. A lot of your jobs will call for multiple document inspections. For instance, you might have multiple personalized pieces going into one envelope. This will require your vision system to have matching capabilities. Or you might need to compare every read to a database and produce an audit report to show any missing or duplicate pieces. These are just a few examples of the many tools you can use with a good vision system. Give us a call at Addresser Based Systems for more information on specific applications: 800-398-5786.

Several noteworthy pieces of equipment were debuted at Print 09’.

We highlighted a few in our monthly email blast. I’ll reiterate some of them here:

•Full Color Envelope & Postcard Printing: This is a new generation laser printer that can print in full color without the envelope-jamming problems of most small lasers. It also comes with a high capacity feeder that can hold hundreds envelopes or postcards, and print at speeds of up to 4,000 per hour. This allows you to offer high quality, variable color printing at a reasonably low price. Print at up to 1200x600dpi, with graphics, or variable addressing on a variety of stocks.

•New Booklet Tabber: Up till now, most of our focus has been on the floor model machines, but Accufast has just developed a table-top unit that can apply all three 1.5" tabs simultaneously! Most mailers have smaller booklet volumes that only account for 5%-10% of total volume. Instead of buying a second floor model and tying up all of your tabbing equipment for one job, why not run the volume on a table-top unit? This machine will apply the tabs on both the head and foot of a booklet in a single pass, quickly and easily!

•Front & Back Inkjet Printing: This solution has been available from Buskro for several years, but new advancements have allowed them to drastically decrease the cost, making the solution much more affordable. Print matching variable data on both sides of your document or mailing piece with Atlas, UV or HP technology.

•L- Series Inkjet Printer: The Domino L- Series, featuring Lexmark Printing technology, received a lot of attention from mailers looking to add additional inkjet capacity. This is due to several features including speeds that are almost double that of the nearest competition, and a lower cost of consumables, plus higher overall quality then other inkjets within the same class. Cartridge-based inkjetting taken to the next level!

•Lake Image introduced Print Quality Check software. This allows you to take action when running high speed documents on a web press or digital printer. The PQ Print Quality system will keep you from making costly printing mistakes by identifying streaks, voids, blemishes, broken characters, etc.

•Tabber Upgrades for booklet tabbing: Many customers had the chance to see large tabbers with upgrades for the 1.5" tabs. If you have an existing tabber, please don't' forget to call us to find out the necessary upgrades for keeping your equipment compatible with USPS specifications.

As always, give us a call or visit our website for information on some of the mailing equipment we have to offer! www.addresserbasedsystems.com

• This is still the biggest mailing, fulfillment, and imaging show in America. In fact, the “Print 09” is one of the larger shows in the world and it’s right there in Chicago, IL
• Although the economy has been down this year, all the major manufacturers are coming to this show and will be offering special pricing! Some manufacturers were “notably absent” from earlier shows this year, but they are coming to Print 09.
• Tax Incentives: If you’ve been holding off on new equipment this year, remember that there is still a write off for capital expenditures of up to $250,000 by the end of 2009. Check with your tax consultant for details on the Section 179 Deduction.
• Some new products, including the Domino L-Series high speed inkjet, New PQ Print Quality inspection software on Lake Image Cameras, and solutions for the new Tabbing Regulations. The PQ Software allows you to monitor the quality of each image throughout a print run.
• And last but certainly not least, Win A Free iPOD Touch! If you are an Addresser Based Systems Customer or in this region, register to meet with us at the show, simply give us a business card and you’ll be registered to win an iPod Touch. Call 800-398-5786 for participation details.

IntegraVision PQ provides roll mapping of defects and can trigger devices (tabber, inkjet marker, stop circuit, etc) when user definable defects are identified. IntegraVision's real time ability to identify errors reduces waste, returns and spoilage by identifying all print quality defects as they occur.

Print 09' will be a great opportunity to see the IntegraVisionPQ in action! Click Here to read more about Lake Image Systems!

With the continued increases in Postage rates, each mailing piece is becoming more valuable. Add the fact that every address has to go through National Change of Address Service (NCOA or MOVE updates) and it becomes more and more important that your advertising is directed at the right person. As a result, there has been a strong push in the market for personalized mail. This includes the idea of discarding window envelopes in exchange for a personally addressed “closed face” envelope. This address is often matched to a personalized letter on the inside.

For this type of personalization, there are a number of options that can be added to your existing envelope inserter. This includes Vision Camera systems, which can ensure that two or more pre-printed items match each other. For instance, you can install a camera near the insert pocket of your inserter and on the output for the purpose of ensuring that the letter and envelope match each other. Every document is verified and in the event of a mismatch, your machine will stop.

A more advanced option includes in-line inkjet addressing with document tracking. This involves reading a document in the pocket of your inserter and sending the data to a downstream inkjet system. The progress of the document is tracked throughout the inserter, and when the completed envelope reaches the inkjet, the correct name is released and printed on the outside of the envelope. This method saves will save you a lot in the way of time and labor, because you don’t have to pre-print your envelopes and you don’t have to keep them in any kind of order. You can read more details about all of these methods at: http://www.addresserbasedsystems.com/vision-print-integrity-systems