NorQuest College's Centre for Excellence in Print Media Principal Josh Ramsbottom is interviewed by CBC Radio One in Calgary regarding the Executive Forum. Click here to listen to the interview.
Executives to share vision for changing print industry
A group of international executives will gather in Banff this week to discuss the future - and fate - of the print media industry. And despite the rapid advances of technology impacting the industry, the talk will be about opportunity, not doom and gloom.
Please click here to view the full article from the Calgary Herald.
In the News - PrintAction
Staff and students were recently featured in the April 2011 issue of PrintAction Magazine, a publication distributed to members of the print industry throughout Canada.
Please click here to view the full article from PrintAction.
Ink Optimization - More than Grey Component Replacement?
"It is so exciting to be sharing results of our research with printers in Edmonton," exclaimed Dr. Abhay Sharma, Ink Optimization workshop presenter. Hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Print Media at NorQuest College, the Ink Optimization - More than just Grey Component Replacement? (GCR) workshop was held at NorQuest College on March 16, on the heels of another successful event: a two and a half-day hands-on Colour Management workshop. [ + more ]
This is Dr. Sharma's second workshop designed to help the print industry become more efficient and effective.
Ink optimization software is similar to Under Colour Removal (UCR/GCR) and works by reducing the amount of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow (CMY) inks that are required to produce a colour, replacing them with black ink. Dr. Sharma's studies evaluated a range of solutions from different leading manufacturers and found that the systems are able to process files in real time. The new optimized files have lower CMY values, reduce ink consumption and are more stable on press, while retaining visual similarity to the original.
"It's a technology the industry should be learning about and utilizing," says attendee Don Yez, Heidelberg Canada Press Technician. "With sustainability being a challenge, this technology will improve productivity and better utilize resources." Thirteen print professionals, students and instructors participated in the workshop that consisted of a 40-minute presentation followed by a hands-on opportunity to view a large display of press sheets.
This workshop was made possible by the support of Productivity Alberta and Western Economic Diversification. Look for the Centre for Excellence in Print Media's next industry event, a Print Automation Seminar taking place June 8 and 9 which is followed by North America's first Heidelberg Print Media Academy Executive Forum taking place September 28 - October 1, 2011. For more information go to http://www.norquest.ca/cfe/printmedia/events.asp or call 780-644-6480.
Colour Management Education Helps Western Canada Printers
"What a great kick off!" exclaimed Joe Suffoletto, ITS colour management consultant. Joe's not talking about a home opening football game but rather the sold out Colour Management: Proof to Press workshop hosted by NorQuest College's Centre for Excellence in Print Media which ran from February 23 to 25. [ + more ]
Seventeen pre-press workers from Edmonton, Calgary and Winnipeg participated in the workshop, the first of its kind in Western Canada, and explored the latest processes, procedures and measurement tools for colour management for offset printers. Participants were able to colour manage files from pre-press all the way through the production cycle using the Centre's Heidelberg 4-colour offset press and HP inkjet proofers. Participants also studied a number of colour management best practices such as process control on press, GRACoL, G7 and the new X-Rite i1Profiler software.
Workshop presenter Joe Suffoletto found the facilities and staff at the College's Centre for Excellence in Print Media to be state-of-the-art. "Companies in Western Canada are so lucky to have this educational resource. I don't know many places in the United States that can offer the programming that is available to printers here."
The workshop was organized to help offset commercial printers in Western Canada learn about up-to-date colour production standards and improve the skills of people currently working in the industry. The participants will be able to make an immediate impact in improving their colour reproduction processes.
Mike Lesyshen, Technical Manager at Prolific Graphics in Winnipeg said, "Joe Suffoletto and Dr. Abhay Sharma shared a wealth of colour management knowledge, which will provide a firm foundation to build colour management in our company." Tyson Stanton from the McCallum Printing Group also found the Centre's facilities and the workshop delivery to be first rate. "It's rare that we, in the Canadian print market, have the opportunity to gain knowledge from industry heavyweights in a modern facility. It was great to be with other print geeks and learn."
This workshop was made possible with the support of Heidelberg Canada, X-Rite, Productivity Alberta and Western Economic Diversification. Look for the Centre for Excellence in Print Media's next industry event, a Print Automation Seminar on June 8 and 9, followed by North America's first Heidelberg Print Media Academy Executive Forum on September 28 - October 1. For more information go to http://www.norquest.ca/cfe/printmedia/events.asp or call 780-644-6480.
World-class expertise coming to Western Canada
The Centre for Excellence in Print Media at NorQuest College in Edmonton is breaking new ground to help printers in Western Canada compete in the world marketplace. Centre coordinator Josh Ramsbottom is happy to announce that Dr. Abhay Sharma, a world-class expert in colour management, has accepted a position as visiting professor at NorQuest College for three months starting January 2011. Working with centre faculty and equipment, Dr. Sharma will be engaging in applied research projects on digital colour printing. He will also use this opportunity to work one-on-one with small- and medium-sized print companies in Alberta to help them manage and expand their colour systems to world-class benchmarks.
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Dr. Sharma is a recognized leader in colour management. He has published numerous research papers, and authored and co-authored a number of books for the printing industry. Dr. Sharma's position is supported by Western Economic Diversification and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Regional Opportunities Fund. "The centre's purpose is to help printers in Western Canada become more competitive in the global marketplace," says Ramsbottom. "Dr. Sharma will be able to use all the equipment that's located in our facilities to help him with his applied research. This will give companies in Western Canada the opportunity to work directly with Dr. Sharma to manage and expand their colour systems to world-class benchmarks." Dr. Sharma will also participate in the Colour Management Essentials: Proof to Press Workshop in February 2011 at the centre in Edmonton.
Not only will Dr. Sharma be engaging with industry, he will work with faculty to develop colour curriculum, and participate as a guest speaker in NorQuest College's Digital Graphics Communications (DGC) Program. "This is a rare opportunity for someone of this stature and expertise to work with our students and faculty and for a university and community college to work together on so many high-level projects," says DGC instructor Mike Yez. It will not only diversify what we are able to do here at the centre but also enhance the students' education about colour management."
For more information about this initiative or other ongoing projects and workshops held at the centre, please call 780-644-6480 or contact cepm@norquest.ca.
Centre for Excellence continues growth & NorQuest prepares for global forum
As published in Printaction November 2010
The printing industry continues to gain strength in Western Canada with more government and private funding being made in the Centre for Excellence in Print Media (CEPM) at NorQuest College located in Edmonton, Alberta. CEPM is the only facility of its kind in Western Canada, providing businesses with the ability to test new equipment and software, train staff, improve production standards, and receive support to adopt and integrate new technologies.
Please click here to read the full article from Printaction.
Centre for Excellence in Print Media attracts international speaker
NorQuest print media students had the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business. International speaker Martina-Maria Brand, from the Print Media Academy (PMA) of Heidelberg Drukmaschinen, met with first and second-year Digital Graphics Communications students on September 27 to talk about growing industry trends, how to remain competitive and what to expect once they enter the workforce.
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“Our diploma students and faculty really benefit from having a world-class speaker like Martina come and share with them her insights about the industry,” says NorQuest’s Centre for Excellence in Print Media Coordinator Josh Ramsbottom. “It is because of the Centre's involvement with vendors, government and other post-secondary institutions that we are able to attract experts like Martina.”
Brand is head of International Business Training at the PMA. After majoring in economics and international marketing in Germany and Switzerland, she completed courses and internships in international marketing in the software and manufacturing industry in both the United States and Europe. In 1999, Brand joined the PMA as head of marketing and later, head of international customer business training. She has since established herself as a respected, international industry speaker.
Brand and Ramsbottom also met to discuss the Heidelberg Executive Forum planned for September 2011 at the Banff Centre. Heidelberg and NorQuest are partnering to host the global forum for the first time in North America.
Government of Canada Supports Leading-Edge
Centre for Excellence in Print Media
EDMONTON – Small and medium-sized print companies in Western Canada will now have access to state-of-the-art technology for improving productivity and enhancing their competitiveness thanks to federal support. (...)
Centre for Excellence in Print Media named one of decade’s top 101 events that shaped Canadian printing PrintAction Magazine recognizes NorQuest for its vital impact on Western Canadian printers
EDMONTON – PrintAction Magazine, one of Canada’s top graphics communications publications, has named the Centre for Excellence in Print Media at NorQuest College among its picks of the top 101 events that helped shape Canadian printing since the start of the century. (...)
Avanti donates $185,000 in Print MIS software to NorQuest College Print media graduates benefit with enhanced workforce skills and industry-leading technology expertise
EDMONTON and TORONTO – Avanti Computer Systems Limited is donating its entire suite of management information software (MIS) tools, valued at $185,000, to the Centre for Excellence in Print Media at NorQuest College in Edmonton, Alberta. This software will increase the technical and business skills of students graduating from NorQuest’s Digital Graphics Communications Diploma program. In addition, Avanti’s contribution will expand the Centre’s training resources available to the Western Canadian printing industry. (...)
The Centre for Excellence in Print Media is proud to announce it has been selected as an approved service provider under the new Innovation Voucher Pilot Program funded by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. [ + more ]
This program allows small and medium sized-businesses in Alberta the opportunity to apply for vouchers between $10,000 and $50,000 that can be used to fund access to NorQuest College’s state of the art educational printing facilities, professional expertise and consulting services.
As a leading resource for print industry owners and managers in Western Canada, the Centre for Excellence in Print Media at NorQuest College in Edmonton continually monitors trends, lends expertise and shares knowledge to help industry leaders improve competitiveness within their organizations. One way the Centre is reaching out is through one of Canada’s leading print and graphic communication publications, PRINTACTION Magazine.
An expert in his field, Centre coordinator Josh Ramsbottom contributes a column in PRINTACTION Magazine. Join Josh as he explores the latest industry trends and identifies meaningful business opportunities in Western Canada’s fast-moving print industry.
The Centre for Excellence in Print Media is putting together a highly informative JDF event in cooperation with Ryerson University and CIP4 (international association put together to determine and define standards for JDF)
The Centre for Excellence in Print Media at NorQuest College in Edmonton is breaking new ground to help printers in Western Canada compete in the world marketplace. Centre coordinator Josh Ramsbottom is happy to announce that Dr. Abhay Sharma, a world-class expert in colour management, has accepted a position as visiting professor at NorQuest College for three months starting January 2011. Working with centre faculty and equipment, Dr. Sharma will be engaging in applied research projects on digital colour printing. He will also use this opportunity to work one-on-one with small- and medium-sized print companies in Alberta to help them manage and expand their colour systems to world-class benchmarks. 
