70 Years of Print History

Print technology is changing every day, and with Navitor celebrating 70 years in the print industry, we wanted to take a moment to explore the many ways that it has changed since we first put ink on paper. We’ve seen new terminology come onto the scene, new file formats and print tools, and many digital developments. Here are just a few of the big changes that we’ve seen over the 70 years we’ve been in business.

1948      The first of the companies that came together to become Navitor was founded.

1949      Phototypesetting was developed.

1950s    Term “prepress” replaced “pre-makeready” used in commercial letterpress, particularly in regard to printing photoengravings.

1951      Inkjet printing was developed.

1957      Helvetica typeface was introduced. Helvetica remains one of the most popular typefaces.

1957      Dye-sublimation printing was developed. We still use sublimation to create vibrant badges and other specialty products.

1959      Xerographic office photocopying was introduced.

1963      Pantone Color Matching System was introduced. It’s still the premiere color matching system to this day.

1969      Laser printer was invented at Xerox.

1970      Water-based ink was introduced.

1974      American Printing History Association was founded.

1975      ISO standard for paper sizes was introduced (ISO 216).

1981      The Internet was developed. If you’re reading this, you probably have a good idea of how much that development has opened up possibilities for print businesses.

1983      Desktop publishing was developed.

1987      Soy-based ink was developed.

1988      Adobe Photoshop raster graphics editor was introduced. Photoshop and other Adobe programs are still some of the most popular for creating print documents.

1991      TrueType scalable computer fonts were introduced.

1993      The Indigo digital color printer was introduced.

1993      Portable Document Format (PDF) files were introduced.

1996      OpenType scalable computer fonts were introduced.

2003      Hewlett Packard wi-fi laser printers were introduced.

2006      The G7 method for color management was introduced.

2008      Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical foundation was rebranded under a new logo and the name Printing Industries of America (PIA).

As you can see, there have been a lot of advances since Navitor got its start. We’re proud to have stood with you through the rise of digital technology, the development of new file formats, and the evolution of new print processes, and we look forward to the advances that the future brings!

What bits of print history have made the biggest impact on your work? We’d love to hear more from you in the comments below.

Navitor Receives G7 Qualification Renewal

Navitor has received a renewal of our G7 qualification for exceptional quality. This confirms our intentions of being a quality printer who you can rely on for consistency, while producing a product that meets and exceeds  your customers expectations.

What is G7?
The G7 master printer qualification mark means that Navitor conforms and uses the most modern technology, techniques, proofing and press controls required to produce a close visual match from proof to print! To retain our G7 qualification year after year Navitor submits press sheets for verification to IDEAlliance along with our curve corrections that indicate our G7 Calibration is being maintained.

In 2011 prior to implementing G7 methodology and achieving our G7 Master qualification we recorded 482 jobs that had some type of a color issue. As of December 2012 we have had 73 jobs with a color issue to date which is an improvement of 84%. The G7 method has also provided our company with improved press stability which has decreased our make press prep time and waste.

We will continue to invest in the G7 qualification year after year because when ordering full color Stationery and Presentation Folder products we want you to have the best quality product that you can be proud of.

Additional information on G7 Qualifications is available at the IDEAlliance website.

 

The History of Navitor

Every company has its unique story and history that shapes who they are, how they operate, and what they value. Navitor is no exception. As a recognized leader in wholesale printing, we are often asked:

  • Who is Navitor?
  • Where does the name “Navitor” come from?
  • How long have you been in business?

The purpose of this article is to share our story and offer a closer look at how our company — today known as Navitor — evolved into one of the largest personalized print providers in the country.

Who is Navitor?

Navitor, a subsidiary of the Taylor Corporation, is a trade-only commercial printer that provides personalized business products to a network of print reseller members throughout North America. From business cards, stamps and signs to banners and presentation folders, we supply our network of members with a wide range of customized business stationery and office products. A G7® Master Printer, we support our members with high-quality, sustainable, convenient and dependable production facilities across the country.

Where does the name “Navitor” come from?

With roots in the word “navigation,” our company name implies guidance and the role of pathfinder. We strive to help our member customers thrive as marketing and creative businesses that provide their clients with unique and valuable personalized business products. We feel the Navitor name also makes a strong connection to innovation and technology, two strong attributes of our business.

How long has Navitor been in business?

Navitor was formed in 2008, when Carlson Craft Business Solutions, Regency, Cosco and Label Works — all independent entities of Taylor that specialized in personalized business printing solutions — merged to create one unified brand.

While our company name and structure is fairly new, the history of Navitor dates much further back — more than 60 years. To truly appreciate the history and breadth of printing experience we bring to the industry, we must first tell the stories of the four companies who merged to create Navitor.
[Read more…]

Label Works Receives Premier Print Award, Certificate of Merit

Label Works PIA Award

Recently, The Premier Print Awards, presented by Printing Industries of America (PIA), were announced with Label Works winning a Premier Print Award – Certificate of Merit in the Special Innovations category for our Warehouse Winery label.

Creating eye-catching labels for customers is a source of pride for Label Works. When Warehouse Winery requested a distinctive look for their labels, the Label Works team knew that full color printing using Color-Logic’s Process Metallic Color System was the perfect combination. With Label Works being one of only three certified label printers in the United States to offer Color-Logic, Warehouse Winery’s labels would truly stand out as Color-Logic label printing is extremely limited in today’s market.

Color-Logic Partner

The Color-Logic system allows printers to create up to 250 different metallic colors in a single print run along with different effects such as gradations, watermarks and dimension; when applied to labels, the system allows customers to have a unique looking label printed without the expensive costs for foils, embossing or dies for different shapes. Traditionally, printing with metallic inks or trying to create a metallic effect with two or more colors is difficult; with Color-Logic, the Label Works’ designer manipulated portions of Warehouse Winery’s design to incorporate metallic effects while allowing the rest of the label to print as a traditional full color label. During this process, Label Works created several different designs for the customer to review using a variety of the effects offered through Color-Logic so the customer could choose the appearance that most appropriately displayed their ideas.

The label was printed digitally on an HP Indigo 4500 with the Color-Logic Enhancements; the final printing included four color process plus white ink and a matte UV Varnish on silver stock.

Label Works - Wine Warehouse

Against the matte finish, the Color-Logic effects pop: the metallic red of the “No. 10”, the metallic blue for “Warehouse Winery”, the green and purple seal on the lower right side and the raven holding a cluster of grapes to the left of the “10.” With Color-Logic, Warehouse Winery could add the effect of having the bottom of the “10” appear with a metallic effect while not interfering with the wine type “Frontenac Merlot” in dark blue below it.

For more information on how Color-Logic can help create eye-catching labels for you, contact Label Works today!

G7 Master Printer Qualification

We wanted to take a closer look at G7 and why Navitor chose to achieve the G7 Master Printer Qualification.

Dave Spangenberg, Process Manager for Navitor, describes the process that is managed to achieve the printing to gray balance.  With this gray balance we are able to achieve alignment between proofs, offset, digital and other full-color devices across Navitor’s manufacturing process. G7 brings the goal of “printing to the numbers” one step closer to reality.

Our G7 certification means better on time delivery, reduced color concerns and regional production capability.

For more information on G7 or any of our products, please visit Navitor.com

Navitor G7 Master Printer Qualification

After substantial investment in training and technology, Navitor has been awarded the prestigious G7 Master Printer Qualification following a rigorous quality review process through IDEAlliance.

Color is subjective. But with Navitor’s new color management system, reproduction is controlled through printing to gray balance. This allows impeccable color alignment between proofs, offset, digital and other full-color devices across Navitor’s manufacturing process.

Navitor is awarded G7 certification

“Navitor is committed more than ever toward advancing our technology to provide our resellers the quality they expect and demand for their customers,” says  Dave Spangenberg, Navitor Process Manager. “G7 Qualification raises the bar to the next level for our partners to ensure their continuing competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

 

The G7 Master Printer qualification mark means that we use the most modern technology, techniques, proofing and press controls, and standards requited to produce a close visual match from proof to print.