I am wondering what kind of printing technology I would need to use to
create offset printed full color printing with dynamic content.  I
want to send my clients a greeting card with their name inlaid into a
color graphic and then I want to includes a simulated signature of the
account rep that they deal with so that it looks like the account rep
actually signed the card.

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 20 Mar 2006 11:19 PST

webseeker964...

I used to work in a printshop. 1-color printing, inlays, embossing
and stamping that lookes like a signature can all be done on card
stock with an old-fashioned Heidelberg letterpress like this one:
http://www.dauphinepress.com/other-images/letterpress-printing-press.jpg

Many printers still use these versatile presses. Each task would
require a separate 'run' of the card stock, with a separate metal
die for each process. For presses like this, most printers charge
a set fee for setup (inking, alignment, etc), and then charge a
certain amount per impression (if I recall correctly, it USED to
be about 25 cents per pass. My friend once made me a set of foiled,
embossed business cards that cost about $1 apiece, due to multiple
passes.

Die-making is farmed out to a professional die maker, who charge
by the size and complexity of the die. If you get the job printed
by a professional printer, remember to insist on receipt of the
dies after the job is done. Printers tend to assume you'll come
back to them, and keep them in storage for you. If that's how
you want to do it, that's fine, but if they go out of business,
or if you opt for another printer next time, you may lose out on
the die, which is technically your property.

In order to get full-color graphics, you would want to have the 
graphics printed first, with a full-color offset printer. Then
the inlay (do you mean reverse-embossing, or just printing?)
can be done in one pass on a letterpress, and the signature can
be done in a second run. If, by inlay, you simply mean printing,
it might be possible to do both the client name and the signature
in one pass.

The way your question is worded, it almost sounds like you're
looking to buy some equipment to do this yourself. I'm not sure
that's feasible if you want high-quality results, unless you're
an aspiring printer, and major purchases are not a problem.
Heidelberg presses aren't exactly cheap.

Since I'm unclear on the last part, I won't post a formal Answer
until you post a Clarification telling me that I've addressed
your needs satisfactorily. If not, please clarify.

A user's guide on this topic is on skermit-ga's site, here: 
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html#how_clarify 
 
sublime1-ga

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Clarification of Question by webseeker964-ga on 20 Mar 2006 15:03 PST

I am not looking to buy the technology, but I am looking for companies
that offer dynamic printing technology (which would bypass film) which
can allow full color offset printing where each pass can be unique (as
it is not plate based) and then a system that can create a mechanical
"hand signing" of the card based on the signature that is scanned into
the system and held in a database (so each card could dynamically have
a different signature depending on what the database required).

I am not looking for the traditional plate based offset printing
technology that you are referring to.

Thanks,

Dan

You can't get a true variable data capability on an offset press --
your job doesn't sound too complicated but you could really do
something amazing if you get your designer to produce something to
exploit the seven-colour and variable data capability of a digital
press. (I'm familiar with the HP Indigo 3050 digital press and its
output is simply stunning -- and I'm a very fussy editor!)

There are some excellent digital presses these days, with a very high
quality output that is hard to distinguish from offset, even to the
trained eye. Digital Presses are amazing because they can vary the
content while incorporating that information (e.g. a name, address,
market segment) as part of the page design -- as opposed to a mere
overprint). Let me tell you, it is extremely attention-grabbing to
have your name as the cover headline on a magazine!

High tech digital presses (like the HP Indigo -- I promise I'm *not* a
sales rep!!!) are quite commonplace these days -- just ask your print
rep -- and the new inks mean that most Pantone® colours can be matched
as can any mandatory colours for corporate logos. Plus they can print
on a variety of substrates -- up to 350gsm card, matte or gloss. When
compared to offset, they're also cost competitive, particularly for
shorter runs. This site has lots of information about digital
printing.
http://www.digiwedoo.com.au/personal.htm

Hope this helps you.

serach strat: hp indigo digital

I have just completed print tests from all the leading digital print
machine manufactures. The "control" sheets was printed on a Heidelberg
Quickmaster DI Pro a litho press.

Digital machines tested were

Xerorx Igen3
Kodak Nexpress
Xeikon 5000
HP Indigo 5000

The HP Indigo 5000 comes out as a clear winner if you are looking for
an offset print look and feel.