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THERM-O-TYPE sheet-fed Watermarking Equipment consists of an attachment for
chute delivery offset presses. After initial installation, this attachment can be easily
mounted or removed from the press. With the attachment in place, the press can be used to
print, watermark or both. This capability allows most stationery orders to be printed and
watermarked in a single pass. If the watermark and print areas overlap, the watermark must
be applied first, then overprinted when the watermark chemistry has dried. Normal
production speed and operation of the press is not affected by the Aegis attachment. |
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Aegis Conversion for the
AB Dick 360 & 8800 |
Watermarks are
traditionally produced in a paper mill. The image to be watermarked on the paper is
affixed to a special roller called a "dandy" roll. Because of the dandy roll
expense and the high cost of setting up and running a custom watermark, paper mills
normally will only produce them with a large minimum paper order. Some mills will produce
smaller quantities, however this paper is typically very expensive. Either way, it often
takes several months for a mill to produce a custom watermark order. With mill produced
custom watermarks , no sample of the finished product can be shown to the customer, so
printers taking a watermark order have to accept the risk that their customer will be
satisfied with the end result.
A new watermark process called "Aegis" has been
introduced by THERM-O-TYPE to overcome the delays and expense of buying custom watermarked
paper. The Aegis process consists of special equipment and chemicals that create a
simulated watermark on paper. In fact, the chemical created watermark process is so good
that it is considered indistinguishable from an original, mill generated watermark.
Advantages of the Aegis Watermark process:
1. Suitable for short and long run.
2. Very cost effective as the chemicals and dies are inexpensive.
3. The watermark is immediately visible on the sheet, simplifying quality control.
4. A sample of the watermark can be provided within few days for customer approval.
If changes are required, a new die can be produced quickly and inexpensively.
5. Mills can take months to complete an order. The new process takes only days.
6. Added advantage to corporate customers: Why advertise the paper manufacturer? Why
not advertise the customer?
7. With mill made watermarked paper, the customer or the printer may have to hold
large stocks of paper due to the minimum order quantity and the long lead time. With
the Aegis process, paper can be purchased and watermarked as required, reducing inventory
and improving cash flow.
8. Custom watermarks can be used to enhance document security.
9. Often, the watermark can be applied as the paper is being printed.
Security
Banks and businesses are defrauded of BILLIONS of
dollars each year, in the United States alone, by counterfeiting and document fraud. This
huge financial loss has created a strong demand for effective and affordable security
features.
Illustrating the high demand for "passive" security
features on checks and forms can be seen in the form of holographic foil imprinting.
However, holographic foil is expensive to purchase and apply, making it unsuitable for
many security applications.
The introduction of custom watermark technology from THERM-O-TYPE
provides an excellent passive security feature which can be economically applied to a wide
variety of cut-sheet checks, continuous checks and other documents. Original contracts and
legal papers are another area where watermarked paper can provide security from fraudulent
page or entire document substitution.
Marketing Aegis
Aegis is a new technology which provides a
marketable and profitable capability in many different areas of the graphic arts industry.
Used as a security feature on documents, or as a visual enhancement on a business or
personal letterhead, an Aegis watermark adds a unique and powerful design element.
Experience has shown that marketing Aegis watermarks requires a
commitment to customer education. Samples are the key to showing customers the impact that
can be created with a custom watermark.
While Aegis is relatively new, our customers seem to agree that,
with the introduction of Aegis technology, the market for custom watermarking will grow
quickly and offers exceptional profit potential.
Stationery
At one time, letterheads were a dominant source of
profit for thermographers. The introduction of laser printers had a devastating effect on
this market as traditional thermography melted in high speed copiers and laser printers.
In spite of the fact that "laser proof" thermography powders have been
introduced many customers continue to shy away from thermography.
Even some foil stamping can be affected by the heat generated in
laser printers. Blind embossing was another "added value" feature offered as a
substitute for thermography or foil, but embossed sheets may "nest" in the paper
tray, creating feeding problems.
As a result, many customers have gone back to flat printed
letterheads. As any print shop can produce flat letterheads, competitive pricing has cut
profits to practically non-existent levels.
THERM-O-TYPE took the view that the market for "high
end" letterhead work was still out there. What was needed was a letterhead process
that would provide an enhanced image for the customer, and would be compatible with laser
printers.
The new watermark process, produced by THERM-O-TYPE, allows
custom watermarks to be created easily, even in small quantities, with relatively low cost
equipment and materials. This process is 100% compatible with laser printers and high
speed copiers and can be combined with flat printing, thermography, foil stamping, blind
and foil embossing.
Security Banks and businesses are defrauded of BILLIONS of
dollars each year, in the United States alone, by counterfeiting and document fraud. This
huge financial loss has created a strong demand for effective and affordable security
features.
Illustrating the high demand for "passive" security
features on checks and forms can be seen in the form of holographic foil imprinting.
However, holographic foil is expensive to purchase and apply, making it unsuitable for
many security applications.
The introduction of custom watermark technology from THERM-O-TYPE
provides an excellent passive security feature which can be economically applied to a wide
variety of cut-sheet checks, continuous checks and other documents. Original contracts and
legal papers are another area where watermarked paper can provide security from fraudulent
page or entire document substitution. |
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Contact Us
E-Mail:thermotype@aol.com
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