PaperlinX wins Silver for Most Environmentally Progressive Printing Technology, Software

Toronto, ON -  On April 8th, 2010 the Fifth Annual Environmental Printing Awards took place at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto.  The event’s feature speech was delivered by David Suzuki Foundation CEO Peter Robinson and was hosted by CBC News anchor Diana Swain.

The Environmental Printing Awards were established in 2006 in order to recognize environmental leaders within the graphic art industry. The event recognizes the most innovative and socially responsible printers and vendors, who made the commitment to reduce the footprint of print production processes. Each year, the Environmental Printing Awards have grown in size and support as they featured many top names in the Canadian print and environmental sustainability.

Jason Hamilton, Director of PreMedia Solutions and Technical Services for PaperlinX, accepted the Silver for the UpLinX PreMedia team for RealVue3D under the category Most Environmentally Progressive Printing Technology, Software. This new category, added this year, was to award the printing-industry supplier for the development, introduction, or growth of a software-based technology that reduces environmental impact.

RealVue3D is a PreMedia tool that converts 2D multi-page PDF files (e.g. books, magazines, brochures) into interactive 3D visualizations. Designed for printers, publishers and creative designers, this software helps to save time and costs during the conceptual and approval process. RealVue3D applies innovative technology with the goal of creating efficiency and added value - for instance, a streamlined workflow, as well as helping printers upsell special effects by demonstrating them more effectively. Its environmental benefits are intrinsic, not overt, and are a natural function and result of an efficient system.

Environmental impact savings come from how RealVue3D is able to streamline the entire creative and print production process. By simulating many final product features with a high degree of accuracy as well as providing a digital environment for collaboration, commenting and approving, RealVue3D can reduce material consumption and associated energy emissions in print design and production.

Simulation capabilities include: paper properties (thickness, texture, finish, colour), special printing effects (spot varnishes, metallic foils, embossing & debossing, iridescent inks, cut-outs and cut-ins), complex folds (including bi-, tri-, and gate)

Examples of resulting environmental impact savings include:

• reduction or elimination of extra paper usage (e.g. paper mockups, makeready sheets for special printing effects, proofs and approvals)

• reduction of landfill associated with the above materials consumed (e.g. paper, ink, related VOCs from production process)

• reduced emissions footprint from press tests now rendered unnecessary by accurate simulations (e.g. special inks, energy used in production and for special processes)

• reduced emissions footprint from couriers or transportation of physical proofs, as well as transportation of mockups (e.g. if a resource centre service is used) and actual product (e.g. paper for making mockups in house)

RealVue3D can also serve online distribution, with the 3D simulation being the final product. For publishers, this virtual 3D reality can support the environmental life cycle of their publications, eliminating waste and emissions from production, transportation, and disposal (e.g. printed pieces going into landfills). This is also a further benefit that printers and creative professionals can deliver as communications solutions providers through RealVue3D.

Visit www.realvue3d.com for more information and your free 14 day trial.