Thank you!
As we begin preparing for 2017, we need to reflect on the many contributions that allowed us to have success in 2016. First, thank you to all the members that supported the organization this past year, as well as those that attended the 2016 Annual Technical Conference in Memphis. We cannot put on a conference of this caliber without your support, whether you come to discover or present the latest research.
We are also grateful to the eight university student chapters who attended and look forward to equally superb journal submissions next year. Furthermore, we salute the conference sponsors that committed resources and assistance: Dow Jones & Company, Inc., FUJIFILM North America Corporation, GMG Color, Heidelberg USA, Inc., Konica Minolta, and Sappi North America.
Moving forward, next year’s Annual Technical Conference will be held March 20-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas at the Marriott West Loop by the Galleria. Visit http://tagaatc.printing.org over the course of the next few months for updates and information on the conference.
2017 Call for Papers
The Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA) is pleased to announce the call for Scientific Papers and Technical Innovation Papers for the 2017 conference. This conference allows industry leaders, innovators, researchers, and scientists to highlight their latest research and developments within the graphic arts field.
Scientific Papers are based on emerging science, technology, and the application of all forms of graphic technology and printing processes, including offset lithography, flexo, gravure, digital, inkjet, pad, and screen printing.
Technical Innovation Papers will cover topics where a broad technology perspective needs to be provided. They will focus on issues that are current to the industry and critical to its development, but will additionally include ideas and solutions relevant to the wider range of the graphic arts industry, including technical reviews.
Paper submissions and speaker presentations center on graphic arts systems, software, and computer technology developments, as well as the more traditional areas of press, ink, and paper engineering applications. The scope of the conference encompasses such diverse topics as color management, materials, packaging, curing, process control, data management, workflow, security, nanotechnology, MEMS, printed electronics, and fundamental science.
Papers will be selected on the basis of submitted abstracts of 500–1,500 words and may include figures. Prospective authors should indicate Scientific Paper or Technical Innovation Paper.
Papers accepted and presented at TAGA’s 69th Annual Technical Conference in Houston, Texas, will be published in the 2017 TAGA Proceedings. TAGA is recognized worldwide as the most prestigious and comprehensive literature resource for graphic arts sciences and technologies.
The deadline for submissions is September 2, 2016.
Professional Award Recipients at the 2016 Annual Technical Conference
Among the highlights of the 68th TAGA Annual Technical Conference each year is the closing banquet, at which the Board of Directors recognizes industry innovators and educators for their contributions to the print industry. This year’s award recipients have had a remarkable record of achievement over the course of their careers.
The first awards of the evening went to educators. Michael DeAcosta received the Education Award of Excellence for his work at Milton Hershey School, which provides cost-free private education to children from low-income families. Michael spoke movingly of his love of print and his commitment to serving under-privileged children.
The Frederick D. Kagy Award was presented next to the Applied Digital Media and Printing program at Riverside Community College. The Kagy Award recognizes outstanding graphics communications educational programs at the middle school, high school, and junior college. Everett Long accepted the award in recognition of the efforts of he and his colleagues to broaden the scope of this remarkable academic program.
The next awards presented were the prestigious Michael H. Bruno Awards, a 40-year tradition to recognize individuals whose contributions have advanced our industry. The first of these awards was presented to Paul Cousineau of Dow Jones. In Paul’s 30-year career with Dow Jones he has been instrumental in its quality control efforts and continuous improvement programs; he is a past President of TAGA and helped to establish TAGA’s non-profit incorporation with Printing Industries of America, securing the future of TAGA for many years to come.
The second Michael H. Bruno Award was presented to Tony Bean of Sun Chemical, recognizing his groundbreaking work in the development of UV/EB curing inks. Tony has had a prestigious career that began 50 years ago with Sun. He co-authored one of the first books on UV/EB curing and has presented his research at industry forums and associations that span the breadth of the print industry.
The final award of the evening was the Robert F. Reed Technology Medal, which was awarded to Dr. Stephen J. Simske, who began his career in digital and 3D printing. He has applied his programming expertise to hybrid solutions for electronic documents and secure VDP applications. He has had a key role in the development of “meta-algorithmics” science, which has enhanced the accuracy, speed and robustness of intelligent systems that have impacted many industries beyond print. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Simske ended the Awards Banquet with an inspiring vision of how print can be used to advance social justice.
Student Award Recipients at the 2016 Annual Technical Conference
Since 1987, the Technical Association of Graphic Arts (TAGA) has recognized the research achievements of TAGA Student Members and Chapters by bestowing several awards for exceptional work in technical research writing, design, and production. This year, eight university student chapters – Appalachian State University, Ball State University, Cal Poly State University, Clemson University, Grenoble Institute of technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Ryerson University, and Western Michigan University – had participated in the student competition.
The TAGA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2016 Student Competition Awards:
- Helmut Kipphan Student Publication Grand Prize – Ryerson University
- 2016 Harvey Levenson Undergraduate Student Paper Award – Diondra Filicetti from Ryerson University
- 2016 Dusty Rhodes Graduate Student Paper Award – Michael J. Joyce from Western Michigan University
- Special Recognition – Student Publication, Technical Writing – Rochester Institute of Technology
- Special Recognition – Student Publication, Design Quality – Clemson University
- Special Recognition – Student Publication, Production Quality – Clemson University
- Special Recognition – Best Electronic Publication – Rochester Institute of Technology
- Attendee’s Choice – Student Publication – Ryerson University
The winners were announced during the TAGA 2016 Annual conference in Memphis. For more information about the TAGA Student Competitions, please visit http://www.printing.org/page/3700.
TAGA Board Welcomes Chris Swita
Chris Swita, senior account director for SGS International, has joined the 20-person TAGA Board of Directors. SGS is a global supplier of premedia and graphics services to leading companies in consumer packaged goods, life science, and printing. In his role at SGS, Chris manages some of SGS’s top clients and leading consumer brands, overseeing everything from design, prepress, image carriers, asset management, onsite services, print quality, sales samples, pricing/contract negotiations, and client and printer relationships.
Chris was involved in TAGA as a student while attending the University of Wisconsin–Stout. He led the production of the student journal and attended the Annual Technical Conference in Quebec City. In addition to graduating summa cum laude he was a two-time recipient of the Foundation for Flexographic Technical Association’s (FFTA) annual scholarship. Following graduation, Chris worked at Fort Dearborn Flexible Packaging as the quality assurance manager and then in customer service for Colorbrite before joining SGS and assuming increasingly higher levels of job responsibility.
Chris lives in San Francisco where his key clients reside. He enjoys photography, programming, downhill skiing, waterskiing, travelling, and exploring all the wine and culinary offerings California has to offer.
TAGA is fortunate to add Chris and his knowledge of the graphics and packaging needs of major consumer brands to our leadership group.