UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS CLAIMS FIRST DIGITAL PRINTING SYSTEM OF ITS KIND IN THE REGION

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - University of Arkansas Printing Services has added a new digital printing system to its arsenal, becoming the first higher education institution in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas to utilize the technology, according to Melissa Warren, production solution executive at the Xerox Corporation.

"The University of Arkansas is the first in the tri-state region and one of the first groups in higher education in the nation to implement this solution," Warren said. "The educational marketplace is a marketplace we are pursuing, and right now we are the only maker of this type of system."

The Xerox 6180 Book Factory system is now set up for use at Copy Central, Printing Services' new, more convenient location in the parking deck facility. Consisting of a digital printer and binding units, the digital printing system was chosen by Rich Bundsgaard, director of Printing Services, after looking into a variety of book printing systems at several trade shows and on-site visits.

"We went to New York, where we attended ON DEMAND, the biggest trade show in the copying world, which concentrates on digital printing and publishing," Bundsgaard said.

ON DEMAND is an annual exposition and strategy conference showcasing digital solutions. Over 250 exhibitors and 50 conference sessions make up the event, where print services providers learn about new products to improve customer communications.

The printing process for the 6180 Book Factory is simple. The information on file arrives at Printing Services in either Macintosh or PC format and then takes the information from disk, digitally prints the item and then is glued and bound, all in one system. The 6180 Book Factory is ideal for those on campus wanting to produce a short run of books in low quantity or a reorder in a cost-effective manner, reducing the need for inventories. The digital printing system is also ideal for medium or high quantity runs, sorority or fraternity directories, etc. The 6180 Book Factory is not only used for presenting purposes; it can also be used for preservation purposes.

Once the production run is completed, Printing Services will then deliver the order to the appropriate location on campus.

Printing Services now can supply the book binding service to the campus community at low cost since it is now done in-house opposed to outsourcing to another printing service.

Even though the new 6180 Book Factory is the latest addition to the multi-function facility, Printing Services provides other high-quality, digital printing at Copy Central, where customers can utilize the 6180 Book Factory, copy machines and color printer for the same low cost; now in the new, more convenient location.

"It is exciting to be back where the students, faculty and staff have access to us so we can provide the many services we have to offer," said Betty Harp, assistant director of Copying Services, a 17-year veteran of Printing Services.

Printing Services prints high-resolution images up to 600 dots per inch, and a wide-variety of jobs can be printed in black and white or full-color process. Since it makes at least one campus-wide run per day, Printing Services will be glad to pick up or drop off your order.

The equipment in Printing Services has the capability of printing a wide variety of materials up to 12" x 18" in size. This includes posters, brochures or flyers on several substrates up to 140 pound, including card stock and foamcore.

If the customer doesn't have access to a Macintosh or PC computer and scanner to produce the artwork for the job on file, Printing Services has these systems at its new location for the customer's use. Usage is free for the first 15 minutes and then only $1 for each 15-minute increment. The user then can send the file to the appropriate printing devise for no additional charge. All jobs can be paid for with cash or by using Razorbucks.

With all the amenities Copy Central provides to its University community, its hours make it very accessible, operating from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday.

"We are very excited about providing this service to the University community," Bundsgaard said. "We are confident it'll be a great value to our customers and bring them back satisfied."