A Golden Secret

The secret is in the workflow.

The Gravure Association of America awarded a Golden Cylinder Award in the "Publication — Lightweight Coated Under 40#" category to Quad/Graphics Inc. for its gravure work on Victoria's Secret Christmas Dreams and Fantasies 2002 catalog.

The judges said the fully digital workflow system Quad/Graphics used to produce the piece help set it apart from its competitors in the category.

"This catalog should become the poster child for 100 percent digital workflow," the editors of Gravure magazine said. "Not only was the execution flawless with good, clean fine type, color uniformity across multiple presses, and great detail, but the customer also gained extra time from the digital workflow to set price points, review product mix, and tweak the book's design."

Quad/Graphics also credited its ability to record ink-blending ratios from previous print runs for the catalogue's success. The process allowed Quad/Graphics to recall and reuse those colors from press to press and print run to print run.

Quad/Graphics started using gravure printing in 1986 and has added gravure capacity to its Lomira, Wis., and Martinsburg, Va., plants. Quad/Graphics plans to install two new presses at its Oklahoma City plant in 2004.

The Gravure Association of America sponsors the Golden Cylinder Awards each year. The competition recognizes the best-printed pieces in the gravure industry for technical achievement in the gravure process.