This installment of What’s Happening August – September 2020 covers a new photo ID/passport system from DNP. It also includes new templates in Canon’s PosterArtist software to print Covid-19-related signage. We also take a look at HP’s budget-friendly Envy printers for families working and learning remotely.
What’s Happening August – September 2020
DNP IDW520 Passport & ID All-in-One Photo Solution
DNP’s IDW520 produces passport and ID photos that comply with strict federal regulations. The all-in-one solution contains DNP’s smallest, lightest passport printer, weighing 13 pounds; a Panasonic Lumix FZ80 camera; a FlashAir card; and a touch-screen monitor. The system also simplifies the ID photo process, from taking the photo and making adjustments to meet federal regulations to printing the image.
“Offering ID photo printing is one of the most profitable services a retail store or photo business can offer,” said Shinichi Yamashita, president, DNP IAM.
“One of the hardest parts about offering passport and ID photo services is ensuring your customers walk away with a photo that meets all of the requirements. With the IDW520, businesses have everything they need to deploy a new ID photo printing service right away; including the software that helps make adjustments to photos based on these regulations.”
The solution produces IDs for 17 countries. It has a faster processor as well as six built-in image checks that adjust the head, size, position, tilt and crop. Its software also creates a gallery of the past six photos taken, enabling easy reprints or template changes.
Canon PosterArtist Software for Covid-19 Signage
Canon’s imagePrograf customers can download and customize templates to print signage and posters highlighting Covid-19 safety guidelines. These are guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Customers can produce prints and informational materials for their businesses through a combination of Canon’s PosterArtist/PosterArtist Lite software, Lucia Pro/TD pigment ink and water-resistant media.
Businesses may use the designs within the PosterArtist software or personalize templates with their brand name and messaging. The software includes templates for wall and floor displays. It also integrates signs for various venues and applications to provide safety information; these include signage for hand washing, wearing face coverings and social distancing. Retailers can use the signs to promote details specific to their businesses; e.g., curbside pickup.
With templates, photos and clip art, Canon’s PosterArtist Lite software is a free download. It provides the tools to create and print images, posters and documents—from letter-size flyers to large-scale banners. 
The full version, PosterArtist (PC), is $395. The software also supports select imageRunner Advance, imageClass, imagePress/imagePress Lite C165 and Pixma printers.
Forever AutoBooks in New Size & Tabletop Panels
A permanent memory–keeping company, Forever launched two additional print products. Joining its offerings are 11x8.5-inch Forever AutoBooks and Forever tabletop panels. The products were introduced during the annual Forever Live! Convention, where 1,000+ Forever community members celebrated family memories.
Forever AutoBooks first launched in March of this year, enabling clients to click a button and have their online albums turned into photo books. They may also individually select a series of photos from anywhere in their Forever accounts and have them added to an AutoBook.
In addition, Forever tabletop panels are offered in 5x7– and 8x10-inch sizes (portrait and landscape). They are created using a high-gloss Chromoluxe finish on a ¼–inch thick panel. The panels come with a kickstand for tabletop display of photos.
The two new products complement Forever’s lineup of photo gifts and printed keepsakes, including wall décor, mugs, cards and calendars.
HP Envy 6000 Printers for Families
HP unveiled its intuitive series of Envy 6000 printers for families who lead busy lives. “As families continue to not only work from home but also look for fun ways to keep their kids learning at home over the summer, we wanted to make their printing experience effortless,” said Xavier Garcia, global head and general manager, Print Hardware Solutions, HP Inc. “Our new printers were designed for those adapting to remote working and learning.”
Sporting a contemporary industrial design, the printers are made with more than 20% recycled plastic by weight. Their intuitive interface makes device interactions seamless with guided edge lighting that indicates printer status; buttons appear only when needed. They also offer self-healing dual-band Wi-Fi to prevent interruptions.
In addition, families can control the printers via the HP Smart app. They can print, scan, copy and fax from mobile devices. The app also offers access to hundreds of free learning printables.
HP also launched Print, Play, & Learn in April to support families who transitioned to remote learning. HP continues to provide free printable content for families to help kids learn. In collaboration with education creators, it introduced more than 50 additional hours of free printable content on the platform. Moreover, the printables make STEM-related topics available.
Mitsubishi Imaging EP Pearl Dual 200 Paper
Mitsubishi Paper Mill added EP Pearl Dual 200 to its acid-free silver halide replacement digital media for inkjet and liquid toner technology. The paper is coated with a special receiving layer to ensure strong toner adhesion and trouble-free runnability in electrophotographic (EP) digital presses.
Now available in 13×19-inch sheets, Mitsubishi will introduce a longer format sheet to accommodate premium panoramic layflat photo books. 
The paper’s surface has a smooth pearl sheen. Subsequently, it is an option for high-end photo book, photo cards and traditional portrait photography. In addition, it produces realistic skin tones, bright highlights and rich color densities for full color or black-and-white imagery.
In addition, the 200 gsm 8mil dual-sided paper can be loaded in digital press cassettes for high production applications. It can run simplex or duplex at high speeds without jamming. Also, after printing, EP Pearl Dual 200 can be finished without cracking when folded in the appropriate converting equipment.
