The new EyeC ProofBook scans and examines up to 20 pages a minute at 300 dpi and is suitable for inspecting documents like brochures, prospectuses, books and catalogues. The system compares the front and back of each page against the approved PDF template and shows the operator the suspicious pages for more precise examination of the deviations, explains the company. The user interface helps perform a full inspection with several clicks and is available in all major languages. The print image quality can be checked at any time and the inspection results traced with the inspection report generated at the end of the inspection.

The EyeC ProofBook has a duplex scanner with an automatic feeder that can take up to 200 pages. The system scans and inspects size A6 to A3 documents at up to 600 dpi and can pull in paper from 35 to 128 g/m². Moreover, regular operation as a flatbed scanner allows random sample inspection of folding boxes, labels and flexible packaging. With additional software options, the system also reads 1D and 2D codes.

From its warehouse in Burnaby, British Columbia, Hemlock manages a range of fulfillment programs for clients built around both print and non-print collateral materials. Hemlock also manages magazine subscription fulfillment programs for several of its publishing clients. As such, the printing company focused on installing a fulfillment system for managing warehouse operations and inventory accuracy.

The VeraCore Warehouse Management System includes both barcode technology and rules-based processing for increasing fulfillment throughput. “Fulfillment is definitely a growth area for us, so investing in this technology made sense,” said Richard Kouwenhoven, President, Hemlock. “VeraCore provides our team with the tools to run a highly efficient warehouse operation which meets the expanding needs of our customers.”

The VeraCore Fulfillment Solution has been integrated with several of the systems in use at Hemlock, including ecommerce, Web-to-print and shipping. VeraCore explains its API will also enable Hemlock’s development team to build its own integrations as needed.

The US$99 report breaks down print products and services into three different categories: 1. Print intended to communicate factual information (like magazines, newspapers and books); 2. Print providing product logistics to manufactured products (like packaging, labels, and wrappers); and 3. Print intended to promote or sell products or services (like catalogues, direct mail and brochures).


Of the three functions, the PIA states that only “Print logistics” is not subject to competition and substitution by digital media. Conversely, the “Print inform or communicate” categories are subject to the highest risk of substitution from digital media, while “Print marketing” is somewhere in the middle.

“The key conclusion from this analysis is that there can be a very positive future for print and printers. Today’s printers that are aware of the emerging industry environment and crucial business strategies and tactics have a very bright future,” stated Ron Davis. “Even if a pessimistic scenario were to unfold, on a per-plant basis, the surviving firms would still experience sales growth in two of the three major functional categories.

“The graphic communications industry is facing very serious challenges at this time, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of life and opportunity in our future. Printers can create their own positive future by understanding and taking advantage of the emerging changes.”

More on the report can be found on PIA’s website

In November last year, The Star proposed a reduction of 70 full-time jobs which would’ve also seen the company outsource some of its page production to a subsidiary of The Canadian Press. The savings would have been $4 million annually.

The new agreement would see page production remain at The Star, but 35 jobs will still be cut from editorial. The editorial department of the paper is comprised of 380 people out of a total 1,300 people at the newspaper in total.

“Regretfully, this alternative to contracting out will still result in a number of layoffs in the newsroom, with details on specific numbers to be communicated as soon as possible,” said Publisher John Cruickshank in a statement to the staff.