News

Inkjet Consumable Specialist Josero has announced a master distribution agreement with world alternative inks leader Triangle Inx, covering the distribution of its entire range of inkjet products for the UK and Ireland.
In close collaboration with Anteprima Srl (the European base of Triangle Inx), Josero will now roll out the advanced range of Triangle Inx products in the UK market. “We were looking to associate our name to a well known brand in order to develop our home market sales,” says Loic Delor, Josero’s md. “Triangle Inx has by far the best alternative ink solutions both in term of print quality and reliability.
The combination of our experience and the solutions provided by Triangle Inx will provide excellent opportunities for printing companies looking to reduce production costs, as well as improving their current print quality”. Triangle Inx has a wide range of wide and grand format inks, and has been recognized as an excellent ink solution for a number of years.
The inks will cover the whole spectrum of solvent, eco solvent, and UV machines on the market and the wide format bulk feed solutions are also the most reliable and easiest to operate currently available on the market. Wide format bulk feed and cartridge solutions are available off the shelf for all Roland, Mimaki, Seiko, HP, Mutoh, Uniform, and Grenadier machines. “Josero is located in the heart of the UK Inkjet industry and brings good industry experience,” says Paolo Campano, md for Triangle Inx Europe, “Focused on quality and service, we are pleased with this agreement, and are confident in penetrating the UK market in accordance with the Triangle Inx group strategy and expectations”.
Created in 2005, Josero is the collaborative result of a network of former colleagues who are all specialised in the inkjet industry. Its team is comprised of individuals, each one an expert in their own field, and who are not afraid to compete with the market leaders to offer the best possible service to their customers.
Josero has operating offices in the UK and France. The stock and technical support services is located in Cambridge, UK. Although based in Europe, Josero is pursuing collaborations worldwide, with customers in South America and Asia.
Josero says that being independent allows it to support many different brands and the OEM background has resulted in it being able to access products that traditional dealers might struggle to obtain.

Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) has worked with Amari Digital Supplies to deliver a 2.2x4m Apollo 2216WW flatbed printer to graphic display producer Key2 Group.
The GBP90,000 investment marks one of the firms’ first joint implementations – the two announced their partnership earlier this year – with GPT delivering hardware solutions and Amari providing a comprehensive range of printing consumables.
The system is the first to be delivered in the UK and means that Key2 can now offer printing on many substrates including wood, glass, metal, plastics, paper, composites and corrugated materials. ‘The machine is not
only equipped with 12 colour
print heads for six-colour print technology but also has four white print heads to print a denser white than most systems could produce,’ says Mike Keating, md at Key2. ‘This is a very exciting development for us as it means that the white and the colour are printed in one step, which is unique to this type
of printer. We can therefore print white in-house, which makes us totally self-sufficient.’

The exclusive rights to ink products previously sold under the Uniform umbrella have been assigned to Digidist – a specialist large format distributor.
The ink lines for Uniform, a brand previously owned by B&P Lightbrigade Group Limited which ceased trading in March, was made under license by a European ink manufacturer.
Digidist, the Maidenhead based distributor, had already been selling the original ink under its Colorific ink brand, with supply going out to the market through the reseller channel that had previously supported the Uniform range of systems and supplies. This includes respected sign and large format print system suppliers Granthams, printMAX, Signmaster Systems, and in Ireland, Dennis D Evans.
Additionally the Colorific ink is also now available from established wide format reseller Perfect Colours, with the channel completed by ink and media specialist Selectech UK.
Nick Wintle, md of Digidist says: “This is great news for us, and for our resellers, it will really help all of us to cut through the confusion that has existed in the market over recent months.”
Users of ink previously labelled as Uniform Activasol will now be sold Colorific Elite by their resellers, and users of Uniform Citrosol will now have to purchase Colorific Fresh. “The support of the existing Uniform reseller channel has been key for the success of Colorific,” says Wintle. “They are all credible suppliers with an existing base of Uniform users,
so to have them standing so firmly behind the Colorific brand is a real benefit in terms of us getting the right message to users.”
The resellers themselves have validated Wintle’s claim, with Michael Bolton, md of printMAX confirming “We are very happy to see Digidist appointed as the sole UK supplier for the inks. Already they have added genuine value to the product for us, creating a strong brand in Colorific, assisting us with the marketing of the product, raising customer awareness and, most importantly, allowing us to offer continued support to our customers.”
Malcolm Evans of Signmaster Systems added “Since Colorific have started supplying us with the original Uniform ink formula, our supply problems have gone away. We get delivery from stock, we know the inks are identical, so
we are happier, and far more importantly our customers are again happier."
Jason Burroughes at Perfect Colours also confirmed: “Stock availability has been good, and the marketing assistance we have had from Colorific has helped us to win new business.”
Preston-based Granthams, which has installed and supported Uniform products for many years, is also happy to have access to the Colorific Uniform inks, saying that it is important that customers have the option to stay with the same ink formula.
Stuart Lee and Dave Foster of Selectech were equally keen to express their satisfaction with the Digidist appointment, “Myself and Dave were both at B&P up until recently, and through Digidist we have had significant help in both establishing our business, marketing it, and having continuity of supply on the most important products, not least ink. It has been a refreshing change, we have stock, we can deliver, and it is all backed up by a great level of after-sales service.”
In terms of the service provision mentioned by Stuart above, Digidist are also pleased to report that they have tied up a deal to provide ongoing warranty and on-site support to the Uniform customer base.
Wintle explains “We have agreed a deal with a respected service provider, who has a fleet of 16 fully trained engineers providing nationwide next-day coverage. This deal means a comprehensive and rapid response service is now available to all Uniform users”.

Totally Dynamic, a UK market leader in vehicle wrapping, has created a blaze of colour on Britain’s streets with head-turning designs and a bold, bright, eye-catching palette. But its latest innovation concentrates on just one shade – green.
In a move which leads the environmental pack, DDI has invested a significant sum in a revolutionary new printing machine – the first of its kind in the UK – which rewrites the rules on vehicles wrapping’s impact on the planet.
The HP L65500 print system is able for the first time to use special latex inks in the printing process, at last getting rid of the harmful solvent-based technology used by other printers.
Not only is the new printing machine made from recycled and re-usable materials, the benefits to the environment include: no ozone or solvent emissions; non polluting water-based inks; low levels of volatile organic compound emissions; odourless prints with HP latex inks; ink cartridges made from recycled cardboard and plastic, and lower electricity usage per printed square metre.
Totally Dynamic’s md Adrian Rope says: “The really great thing about this fantastic new print system is that there is no extra cost to our customer – and the end product is even better than with older, polluting print methods”.
The introduction of the print system is part of Totally Dynamic’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. It commissioned the machine after extensive research on the best envinonmental technologies.
Rope expects the machine’s high quality durable product to generate significant new business. It will also help firms meet green specifications required by environmentally conscious clients and businesses: “We have always been an environmentally responsible business, but this raises the bar. It demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality products with the lowest possible impact on the environment.”

Agfa Graphics is to distribute Canon’s imagePRESS digital colour presses to its UK client base, enabling both companies to offer a range
of services to both traditional and digital printing houses.
Agfa Graphics UK will market the Canon presses alongside its own inkjet solutions, prepress systems and :Apogee Suite workflow software. The alliance also covers the wide range of the Canon imagePRESS family including the Canon imagePRESS C6000VP, the Canon imagePRESS C7000VP and the newly launched Canon imagePRESS C1+.
Agfa Graphics UK md Laurence Roberts says the deal, “means we are in an even better position to help the British printing industry make the right strategic choices for their continued business success. Drupa was a confirmation of the success of Agfa Graphics’ inkjet solutions. Adding Canon’s toner based document presses to our portfolio will further boost our customers’ effectiveness. To maximise their profit they can choose between conventional and digital print in-house. Here Agfa Graphics demonstrates a leading role in the integration of digital print within traditional printing business.”
Agfa Graphics’ Apogee Prepress has been enhanced to also drive the Canon imagePRESS within a hybrid workflow. Irrespective of whether it is a print job, a re-run or a pre-series for approval, :Apogee Prepress will manage the data to create the proofs, the plates and the digital print. It sets parameters for media selection and the various finishing features using the CIP4 digital print standard JDF/JMF.
Andy Vickers, md of Canon UK and Ireland, says: “Digital print is a growth opportunity for commercial printers that can help deliver increased profitability. Canon is very pleased that Agfa Graphics, a leading prepress supplier, has chosen the Canon imagePRESS range for its pilot programme for digital press sales. The Canon Insight Report, published at Drupa, clearly demonstrated that running litho and digital technology side by side is a route to increased profitability. There is a strong synergy between Canon’s print technology and Agfa's prepress knowledge that will ensure commercial printers have strong partners to support their business growth. It will help to take printers along the Path to Profit, which is the focus of everything we do to provide printers with the business tools they need to prosper.”

Avery Dennison has added its 1000th ICC profile for Avery Digital Print Media to its web database which, it says, now offers the largest selection
of free media profiles in the graphics industry.
At the same time it has made its database easier for signmakers to access by creating a separate, dedicated support portal: http://avery.color-base.com.
Customers can access and download all existing settings and media profiles for a broad range of printer-ink-RIP combinations, and request new ones, once they have registered with the site. As a bonus, they can also benefit from regular updates from digital print experts, and tips and tricks for downloaded media profiles and registered equipment.
Avery Digital Print Media, and all other Avery Graphics-brand self-adhesive graphic arts products, are available from the extensive network of Avery Graphics distributors throughout Europe.

A new company – B&P Graphics Supplies – has emerged from the dissolution of large fomat specialist B&P Lightbrigade.
The business says it will offer the same high quality and professional service as before, but its focus is now wholly upon consumables, hardware and engineering services.
Former owners Andrew Wilson and Lorraine Whitburn, plus eight of the original team, are already working from new premises in Basingstoke.
The firm says it will shortly announce the launch of a new ink – ActivaSOL Premium.
Sales director Whitburn says: “We understand our customers may be concerned about existing warranties and we’re happy to confirm that these will still be honoured”.
Over 5,500ft2 of warehouse space is housed in the new premises which holds stocks of inks, media, vinyls, PVC banner and paper stock for next day delivery service.
The remainder of the company, serving the grand format production sector, is continuing from its original base in Chertsey under the name Lightbrigade Graphics.

Canon UK has launched a dedicated Professional Print Channel to enhance its sales and support structure to the professional print market.
Previously managed through existing sales channels responsible for SMEs and larger corporates in any sector, professional print will now benefit from a dedicated and experienced sales team led by Wayne Barlow, says Canon UK.
He will be supported by Ben Milford, who has moved from his role as Head of Professional Print Marketing to the new position of sales manager for Commercial Print. Ben Milford’s position will be filled by Trevor Dodsworth.
Mike Budd changes position from Head of South West Canon Business Centre to sales manager for Corporate Reprographic Departments, overseeing all activities and sales to in-house print departments. Richard Thomas moves from Head of Eastern Canon Business Centre to sales manager for Graphic Industries, covering instant printers, franchises and creative and design agencies.
Altan Fadil will continue to manage the professional print consultants and lead the development of production partners who will sell the imagePRESS Colour and ImagePRESS Mono range of digital presses into the market.

SEAL Graphics launches water-based liquid laminate for eco-solvent and UV ink projects

In what it claims is a world-first, image and print finishing systems specialist SEAL Graphics has released AquaSEAL 610 – a water-based gloss liquid laminate specially developed for eco-solvent and UV-ink printed graphic projects.
SEAL says the AS 610 solution provides a durable coating that enhances and protects both indoor and outdoor displays produced on a variety of substrates. The single component formulation offers protection against abrasion, UV, water and chemical damage for up to five years.
As such, it is considered to be ideal for a range of applications including fleet graphics, truck-side curtains, outdoor signage, vinyl banners, billboards and backlit displays that are all subject to harsh environmental and physical conditions.
In addition to eco-solvent and UV-curable inks, AS610 is also suitable for use with full solvent and some dye-based inks.
Marketing manager Veronique Rossieau says “After four years in development, we are thrilled to be able to bring AS610 to market. It will answer the clamour for a gloss liquid laminate that provides a high standard of finish with these increasingly popular types of ink. A matte finish is also under development.”

Major digital print innovator EFI has released two new models into its VUTEk family of superwide format UV printers – a 3.2m hybrid VUTEk GS3200 with speeds up to 2,400ft2 (222.9m2) per hour, and the 5m roll-to-roll VUTEk GS5000r which, EFI says, combines Point of Purchase (POP) quality capability with billboard production speeds up to 3,100ft2 (288m2) per hour.
“For 20 years, VUTEk has been the leader in superwide format digital inkjet printers, and the new superwide UV printers represent unprecedented industry leading capabilities in speed, print quality and value,” says EFI VUTEk’s Chuck Dourlet. “The GS3200 revolutionises superwide format printing with superior photorealistic image quality at speeds previously unattainable from a superwide UV digital printer. The GS5000r redefines the 5m roll-to-roll segment, providing exceptional POP-quality graphics and billboard speed, without compromise. These printers extend the range of applications that can be produced with superwide format and enable our customers to be more competitive as they further differentiate themselves. In this economic landscape, businesses are looking for new opportunities, and EFI continues to provide the tools that help our customers profitably expand into new premium-margin markets that will grow their businesses.”
The GS3200 delivers category-defining, photorealistic quality and expands the reach of superwide printing into new industries and applications. VUTEk’s Dual-Resolution Capability enables true 600 dpi and true 1000 dpi output with selectable 24pl or 12pl drop sizes. The GS3200 is ideal for beautiful fine art replication, detailed photography, and stunning high-definition POP displays, as well as traditional 3.2m banner and signage applications. Reach higher profit margins and set new quality standards with the GS3200.
The GS3200 produces eye-catching, photorealistic graphics in 8-colour (plus white) mode at speeds up to 1200ft (111.5m) per hour. In its exclusive, 4-colour plus white, Fast-5 mode, with incredible speeds up to 2400ft2 (222.9m2) per hour, the GS3200 easily competes with high-volume commercial production printers. With such impressive throughput, same day Order-to-Delivery is a reality. Unlike wide-format printers that sacrifice speed for high-quality imagery, or grand-format printers that compromise quality to deliver speed, the GS3200 delivers exceptional photographic quality at high-production speeds.
The GS3200 hybrid UV printer exemplifies flexible, versatile production with its ability to transition from rigid to roll-to-roll under one minute, and its capacity to print on a broad range of substrates. It delivers true, in-line, three-layer white-printing capability, allowing access to a whole new range of creative, high-value applications. The printer is the perfect replacement for a wide range of wide-format and superwide printers in one shop, and has a much smaller footprint. With easy switching from 8-colour (plus white) to Fast-5 colour mode, increased media handling capabilities, and Dual Resolution (600 or 1000dpi selectable), the GS3200 is perfect for long runs or short runs in high quality and high speeds, says EFI.
The GS5000r has VUTEk Dual-Resolution Capability enabling true 600dpi and true 1000dpi output with selectable 24pl or 12pl drop sizes. The GS5000r enables users to differentiate on quality, beat the competition and expand profitability by tapping into those premium-margin applications that demand POP-quality graphics. With 1000dpi, 8-colour printing,
it produces backlit and display graphics with good image detail and crisp four-point text in addition to applications such
as billboards and building wraps.
The GS5000r prints an extensive range of high-quality applications in 8-colour mode at speeds of 1600ft2 (148.6m2) per hour, and also produces billboard and signage-quality four-colour graphics at 3100ft2 (288m2) per hour in Fast-4 mode. With unparalleled quick-turn capability that reduces inventory, increases customer satisfaction by eliminating lengthy lead-times, and accommodates last-minute changes, the GS5000r meets
the needs of every business. Unlike traditional, low-resolution, 5m printers that focus only on speed, the GS5000r system offers high-quality modes that address POP and display markets without compromising the speeds necessary for traditional billboard markets, says EFI.
The printer was specifically designed for mid- to high-volume print service providers and commercial printers wishing to grow their businesses and differentiate themselves from the competition by extending their applications and capabilities. This is the only 5m printer that not only meets the speed requirements to produce high-quality billboards, building wraps and large banners, but also the precision output necessary for POP, exhibition and display graphics. Dual Resolution modes, eight-colour to Fast-4 switchable, and media handling that can accommodate a single 5m roll or 3-up 60” rolls are some of the features that extend the versatility of the GS5000r beyond that of typical 5m printers.

Leading UK vehicle wrapping specialist Raccoon recently transformed one of the world’s most luxurious saloon cars into an eye-catching advert to help promote the Comic Relief fund-raising initiative.
Theo Paphitis, celebrity tycoon and owner of the Ryman stationery chain challenged his team of 2,500 employees to help raise over £500,000 in aid of the charity. In addition to raising funds by making donations to the from the sale of special Red Nose Day-themed products, the staff raised more money through other sponsored events.
Not to be outdone by his colleagues, Theo arranged for his prized gunmetal grey Maybach 62 luxury car to be transformed into a red and white splattered automobile to raise public awareness of the charity. The vehicle’s transformation was executed by Raccoon using 3M’s latest Series 85 car wrapping film. Described as the ideal paint replacement system, the film has a number of distinctive characteristics. Comprising a choice of 23 self-coloured films (including gloss, matte and metallic formats), the film features either a single or double layer of cast film (contingent upon the opacity of the colour) and an additional transparent film to provide further protection against road traffic damage, environmental degradation and the effects of high-pressure washing cycles. A customised colour-matching facility is also available from 3M to accommodate additional special colour requirements.
Due to the multi-layer cast construction and grey-pigmented adhesive that is resistant to petrol spillage and other pollutants, the film provides outstanding opacity/hiding power when used on high-contrast surfaces. The excellent conformability of the film and the fact that no application tape is required during the wrapping process also help speed up production. This is further enhanced by the initial low-tack ‘grab’ capability of the adhesive that allows the film to be repositioned until the desired result has been achieved prior
to activation of the final bond.
Raccoon md Richard Clark says: ‘Series 85 is another classic example of 3M’s propensity for developing highly innovative and totally reliable graphic solutions. The film performed brilliantly in transforming the Maybach 62.’
An equally impressed Paphitis added: ‘The film is clearly a winning formula and the Raccoon team did an amazing job in transforming my car into a fantastic rolling advertisement.
Series 85 is available from 3M’s primary UK distributor William Smith.

Enterprising Dutch design agency Boost Products and technology company 3M recently introduced a new concept in in-store marketing at a grocer’s
in the Netherlands.
By using a Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen from 3M cut in the shape of a human body and projecting 2D characters on to its surface, Boost has created a virtual shop assistant capable of communicating promotions to passing shoppers. ‘Boost works a lot with supermarket sales promotion teams to translate media campaigns to the retail floor,’ says Raymond Lentz, managing director of Boost Products. ‘In this particular case, we brought virtual promotion teams to the floor by projecting them on to Vikuiti Screens, something we believe helps to increase sales and convey strong, compelling brands.’
‘This is a fantastic new application for Vikuiti Rear Projection Screen,’ says Lloyd Cole at 3M Optical Systems. ‘The ability to cut it to any shape or size is the key to the whole solution and the creative possibilities are endless. Media agencies interested in point-of-sale now have an opportunity to create something novel and to consider how they can put together a total package that includes screen, projector and content and promote the idea to end users.’

Océ has expanded its Arizona family of digital flatbed printers with the introduction of the Arizona 350 XT.
This latest model can, says Océ, produce rigid prints up to 2.50 x 3.05m (98.4 x 120”). This extra width enables the printer to be used in a continuous imaging mode for rigid media up to 125 x 250cm (a standard 4’ x 8’ board). Two rigid boards of this size can be mounted on separate vacuum areas of the flatbed table. While one board is being printed, the other can be changed by the operator. Since the printer never has to stop printing for a media change, users can significantly increase their net print production on boards this size.
With the Roll Media Option installed, users can print onto flexible media up to 2.2m (87”) wide. The media roll can be unloaded at any time without interrupting rigid printing, and there is no down time to reconfigure the system to change from one print mode to the other. The 350 XT features production print speeds up to 23m2 (248ft2) per hour on rigid media and up to 17.5m2 (188ft2) per hour using the Roll Media Option. This enables users to print nearly sixty 125 x 250cm (4 x 8’) boards in a single eight-hour shift, or more than 150m2 (1615ft2) of flexible media.

Robert Horne is partnering with solid state LED backlighting systems specialist Bright Green Technology for projects in the signage and outdoor advertising industries.
Bright Green Technology develops and markets proprietary backlighting systems built on its own patent-protected technology. Its mission is to dramatically improve the environmental performance and ROI of all backlit advertising and signage by replacing fluorescent tube displays. The deal adds to Robert Horne Group’s offering – it has an existing range of LED products which includes the Philips Affinium LED string system
This new partnership will see the addition to Robert Horne’s comprehensive LED portfolio of Bright Green Matrix, an LED backlight system designed to illuminate large format signs, light boxes and displays. Bright Green Matrix is a patented suspended array of LEDs used to increase or decrease the light output, in line with the performance and budget requirements of the project.
With global warming continuing to sit at the top of the public agenda, retailers and corporate organisations have begun to recognise the many benefits associated with LED in comparison to traditional lighting of cost savings, lower energy usage and improved performance. Bright Green Matrix offers a real alternative to fluorescent tubes by reducing energy consumption by up to 80%, eliminating maintenance costs and producing evenly lit graphics without the ‘zebra’ striping associated with tubes.
The economic case is compelling. A typical multiple retailer with 100 large illuminated display sites, each containing 40 fluorescent tubes could save more than GBP600,000 over the lifetime of the signs and reduce carbon output by 4000T.
Bright Green Matrix is supplied in standard lengths, each pre-installed with LEDs spaced at 125mm intervals. The LEDs are housed in robust aluminum sections which protect the lighting components, help dissipate heat and provide a rigid profile which can be easily fitted into existing or new light box housings. Each length is supplied with connection cables and the LEDs are coated for external use.
Bright Green Matrix is ideally suited to signs, displays and light boxes in corporate and retail environments. It is equally suited to retro-fitting into existing boxes or incorporating into new designs.
Bright Green Matrix allows full flexibility when designing and installing. By adjusting the spacing between the Matrix lengths and hence the density of the LED array, the light output and power requirement can be pre-determined. Bright Green Matrix is supplied pre-drilled for simple fixing to the base of the light box or to an internal bracket. It can be fitted vertically or horizontally within a light box. There is no limit to the size.
Steve Lister, Business Development director at Robert Horne Sign & Display says: “There has been a lot of initial interest in the new product from end users and sign makers and Robert Horne is delighted to offer this new Bright Green Matrix LED System from Bright Green Technology. In today’s market place signmakers certainly need to be advising and informing their customers about the many benefits of modern LED lighting; by doing so they are ensuring they are adding value to their service offering. Recommending ‘greener’ alternatives and saving clients costs are certainly two of the most important considerations and Robert Horne is proud to be able to offer a comprehensive LED product portfolio plus support and advice to their customers on this important topic. Bright Green Technology is an emerging force in this market and Robert Horne looks forward to introducing more of their products in the future”.

Arctic Paper is the latest business to pledge its support to the National Association of Paper Merchants’ (NAPM) Two Sides initiative.
The Two Sides initiative was launched last October to address common misconceptions surrounding paper and the environment. As a leading producer in the graphic fine papers market, Arctic Paper has a high environmental profile, and is committed to sustainable development. “We’re delighted to lend our support to this initiative, which reflects our business philosophy for sustainable development and the protection of our environment,” says Arctic Paper md Garry Colyer.
“Its great news to know that Arctic Paper is behind Two Sides,” says Martyn Eustace, Two Sides’ director. ‘We’ve achieved a widespread level of support from right across the industry including other supply sectors such as inks, chemicals, machinery, pre-press and printing. Two Sides will soon be seen to be getting the message across that the industry has a first class environment record.”
Arctic Paper’s Munkedals mill is now one of the most environmentally friendly paper mills in the world. It has an on-site environmental centre and utilises the water that comes out of the mill which is so clean visitors
can drink it.
Arctic has been working since 2003 to FSC certify its coated and uncoated products, and so far all its standard qualities of Amber, Arctic, Munken, and Pamo are available as FSC certified.

Grand format digital printer innovator Gandinnovations
has launched two enhanced support programs for its service portfolio.
The company already provides its customers with on-site technical support and training during the installation of Jeti printers, but has added these new programs, JETiWORX and JETI EDGE to add greater insight and make the most of the printers’ capabilities.
“We developed these programs to help our customers grow their skill sets and business,” says Hary Gandy, president of Gandinnovations. ‘Our customers make a significant investment in grand format inkjet systems and we want to protect their investments by ensuring that their printers are running at maximum potential.
“By understanding the operation and maintenance of their new printer, they are more likely to avoid production delays that could result in significant downtime and ineffective use.
Our goal is to keep our customers in production and avoid costly delays due to improper maintenance.”
An annual discounted full service maintenance agreement and a two-day preventive maintenance visit along with unlimited telephone support and a 50% discount on print heads are some of the benefits of these new product offerings.

Printers and end users are already benefiting from the quality and faster turnrounds Coatings Direct can offer as a result of its investment in an SPS Vitessa XP1 UV screen printing line from Thieme KPX.
The company is a specialist trade house providing coatings, which includes spot UV varnishing on book covers, jackets and promotional material as well as lamination and cutting and creasing from two East Anglian sites, one in Harleston, south of Norwich, and the other in Bury St Edmunds.
The SPS automatic cylinder press has been installed at Harleston to replace a rival machine after research into the market and a visit to the German factory convinced Coatings Direct that SPS Screen Printing Systems was a company which remained committed to developing screen equipment, enhancing its productivity and ease of use.
Chairman Jon Olley says: “This investment enables us to cap manning and achieve a 50% greater output than before, safeguarding our competitiveness and enabling us to justify the capital cost. We have found the quality faultless; it’s as perfect as it can be and we have applied spot varnishes with it to 130gsm book jackets through to 400gsm point of sale materials in a variety of formats. Our customers have already noticed the improvement in delivery times.”
Coatings Direct has offered a spot varnish service to its customers for 15 years and has seen a steady increase in demand over that time as print buyers seek to have greatest shelf appeal or optimum reader response. The company hopes demand will remain despite the recession and it says in future if it bought a new system for its sister plant in Bury St Edmunds
it would definitely consider SPS again.
“Staff have found the SPS an easier machine to operate although they have to work harder with the more frequent job changes resulting from the higher productivity,” says Olley. “They see this investment as a progressive move by the company and it is running 24 hours a day, five days a week.”
The company is pleased at the level of the THIEME KPX support and back up and was impressed that a full three years parts and labour warranty was included in the price of the package.
The SPS Vitessa XP1 press handles sheets from 250 x 300mm to 520 x 720mm at a speed of 4,400sph.
The system is manufactured by specialist screen printing press manufacturer SPS Screen Printing Systems at its precision engineering plant in Seevetal near Hamburg in Germany. Thieme KPX in Huddersfield in the UK agent for these products.

London-based City & West End Solutions (CWES) has launched a promotion that enables potential purchasers to get a ‘free’ HP large-format printer through the inclusion of a free ink and media bundle.
‘Our promotion is intended to work on two levels,’ says CWES md Doug Gilbertson. ‘We’re hoping to generate interest on both the Designjet Z6100 printer and on HP’s current range of large-format media. The current range of media available from HP is far more price competitive than many users may realise and, because it is naturally matched to the printer and ink, it offers exceptional print quality. It’s a viable and cost-effective alternative for the display print professional.’
The user buys a Designjet Z6100 printer from CWES, who then provide a selection of HP media and ink free of charge.
‘By providing this free ink and media bundle from HP the user can print the provided supplies,’ says Gilbertson. ‘When sold at typical commercial rates, the sales of the printed output will cover the purchase cost of the HP Z6100. In most cases you will not only get your new HP Designjet Z6100 free but you will also make an impressive profit on top.’
The bundle includes HP media that is most commonly used on a daily basis so those who take CWES up on its offer can turn these products into saleable output that will give them a rapid return on their initial investment.

Digital printing and signmaking industry solutions business Spandex has extended its ImagePerfect materials portfolio with the new PerfectApply range.
ImagePerfect PerfectApply is a range of cast and polymeric films suitable for large-format inkjet printing using solvent, eco-solvent and UV-cured inks. The products correspond to existing ‘standard’ ImagePerfect equivalents, but incorporate an innovative air-egress adhesive system that utilises embossing patterns on the release liner. This delivers an ultra-smooth print surface that eradicates bubbles and wrinkles during vinyl applications, ensuring vibrant, high-quality graphics at any viewing distance, says Spandex.
Sign and printed graphics providers are also set to benefit from faster and easier application thanks to the user-friendliness of PerfectApply. This reduces the time spent on rework, while significantly increasing overall workflow efficiency and productivity. Further quality and efficiency benefits are afforded by PerfectApply’s air-egress adhesive, which makes wet application redundant and allows for easy removal and reapplication of vinyl graphics.
“In the world of vinyl application, alongside superior visual quality, sign and large format print providers are constantly looking for efficiencies,”,says Roland Keller at Spandex. “In particular, these include speed and application process security, which together equate to more installations and increased profits for the signmaker. As a high quality, easy-apply and repositionable media, the PerfectApply range delivers on these fundamental user requirements and significantly extends the options available to sign and graphics businesses when fulfilling customer needs.”
While the new products incorporate a different release liner to their standard ImagePerfect equivalents, the face film and adhesive system are exactly the same. This means that fire-rating certificates and print profiles applicable to standard ImagePerfect products also relate to the PerfectApply film variants.

Roland DG has launched its 2009 Free Value Up Campaign for existing customers of the company's VersaCAMM VP series printer/cutters and grand-format AdvancedJET AJ series printers.
The 30” VersaCAMM VP-300 and 54” VP-540 are among the best selling inkjets in the company’s history. The AdvancedJET series includes the 104” AJ-1000 and 74” AJ-740.
The initiative seeks to reward loyal customers with upgrades including revolutionary Roland Intelligent Pass Control, and is designed to enhance the productivity of creative professionals, says Roland DG.
The upgrade for the AdvancedJET AJ-1000/AJ-740 printers is designed for high-volume printing and rush jobs including billboards, banners,
fleet and vehicle graphics.

A new inflatable billboard, the Airframe, adds a new dimension to outdoor advertising by giving the opportunity to quickly reach people in a multitude of applications and settings.
Airframe is an inflatable PVC framework onto which a megaprint carrying visuals and messages can be attached on both sides of the frame.
It is available in various sizes from 8x4m to 24x12m says its manufacturer and is constructed from heavy duty PVC, with high frequency welding and strong attachment points. All components are tested and fabricated for perfect performance under extraordinary conditions.
A unique feature of the product is that it can be easily transported and used anywhere. When deflated it is very lightweight and can be taken into any location. To inflate the Airframe a special blower is necessary and, to deflate, openable zippers and plug valves are utilised.
Airframe is ideal for outdoor as well as indoor advertising, says its owner. It is a mobile, easy to use, comes in various sizes and is suitable for varied locations as it does not require construction support of any kind. One of the key selling points of the product is that installation is possible nearly everywhere – even at sensitive historical places. Advertisers can use the flexible solution as an integral part of their campaign requirements and can target their customers at the POS.
The product is already being used for outdoor advertising in several countries, including the United States and Germany. Airframe is ideal for use at exhibitions, fairs, events, sport venues and even in everyday streets.
Users can place their advertising message right where people are and attention is pretty much guaranteed on account of the system’s size. The operation time to inflate and deflate the Airframe depends upon its size but, generally, it takes an hour to install and 30 minutes to remove. The stability of the frame is guaranteed by a special low-noise fan, which continuously supports the high pressure inside. A system of tensioning ropes and counter weights secures the Airframe so it can withstand varied weather conditions, including wind speeds of 30-40km/h and temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Airframe comes in two models, Classic and Plus. The advantage of Airframe Plus is that it requires no permanent blowing, which means no cables and no noise, making it perfect for indoor use such as exhibitions.

Signage specialist Signs Express (Plymouth) has helped out in the campaign to launch two new radio stations in Plymouth and South Hams in conjunction with the Heart roll-out currently taking place across the country.
The launch involved replacing a number of existing signs and vehicle graphics to tight deadlines this spring. A 10 day period was set aside to achieve the change of identity. The team first set to work removing existing livery from seven branded vehicles plus two Ford Galaxy promotional vehicles which were then branded as radio group Heart. With the various selection of vehicles it was important that the design could be manipulated to adapt to all of the cars in its fleet, especially when dealing with full vehicle wraps for the Galaxy vehicles.
Chris Reilly, centre owner at Signs Express (Plymouth) says: “Vehicle graphics are one of the best forms of advertising. We take great pride in the application of all our products as it requires much care and precision to ensure the overall appearance is flawless. We have some of the best technology in the printing industry so we’re able to recreate the vibrancy of any image and apply it for a great effect.”
Vicky Ford, md at Heart Plymouth & South Hams says: “The project was managed in an efficient and professional manner, and it was quite evident that a lot of care and attention to detail was necessary, particularly for the Galaxy wrap. I am very pleased with the result. We have a fantastic new look.”

Hollanders Printing Systems (HPS), a specialist digital textile printer based near Eindhoven in the Netherlands, will introduce three new products at Fespa Digital in Amsterdam: the ColorBooster XL 320s, the ColorFix XL 320, and the ColorBooster MP 230.
The ColorBooster XL 320s is equipped with the SII variable drop industrial head with 508 nozzles and combined with the newly developed water-based ink set of six colors (CMYK, violet and a), HPS enables high speed superior quality printing on textile media.
This model also includes modules for on-line service and maintenance enabling owners, operators and support engineers to remotely connect to the system and be notified when needed. A built-in webcam allows remote assistance.
The new ‘PowerPurge’ system allows easy head cleaning. Within a minute, it is possible to clean the heads, meaning less down-time and higher print quality, says HPS.
The new ColorFix XL 320 provides high speed non-contact infra-red fixation in 3.2m media width. HPS prides itself on being sensitive to the environment and this is reflected in all its product development. Compared to other fixation and sublimation systems, the Colorfix system uses less energy as it doesn’t produce waste paper or water. Within a few minutes it can be heated up and the automatic switch-off sensor ensures that only as much electricity as required is used.
With its newly-developed water based inkset of six colours (CMYK, Violet, Red), HPS enables high speed superior quality printing on textile media, it says.
At FESPA Digital, the company will be demonstrating its product portfolio in Hall 7, stand M30.

To further strengthen its UK-based central support team, DYSS/Planet digital has made two significant new operational appointments.
They follow the earlier appointment of Gary Dare and will provide increased back up for the DYSS range of products now being marketed in the UK and throughout the EMEA region. All three bring a wealth of knowledge and market experience to Planet Digital in its developing partnership with Korea-based DYSS, a specialist manufacturer of screen-printing, direct-to-media UV digital printing and cutting/routing solutions.
Formerly service manager at AIT and technical director of the UK agent for ARISTO cutters, Julian Mildner will lend considerable new support in particular to the DYSS X7 range of digital die-cutting systems that are now arriving in the UK. Formerly business manager for Océ UK, Peter Barton has been appointed international channel manager with a special responsibility for increasing the DYSS/Planet Digital network of distributors and business partners.
A joint venture company offering truly affordable but high-end print-and-cut solutions, DYSS/Planet Digital is now set to take a healthy share of what the industry experts predict will be a 22% growth in this sector of the digital graphics market.

Founded in 1909, Harrisons has become a leading player within the UK’s signage, exhibition, display and point of purchase sectors.
Since investing in a QS200 last June, the firm has received increased demand for direct to substrate jobs. This not only saves their client money but it also benefits the environment. With the ability to print directly there is less waste generated. Since the products are not being laminated this also helps make the job recyclable at the end of its life.
Harrisons has now started to segregate the waste it generates to enable it to be collected by Robert Horne’s new waste recycling scheme. This way it is recycled in the UK instead of being skipped and sent to landfill. To oversee this, Harrisons has appointed one of its staff as ‘recycling champion’. His job is to encourage the other staff to segregate and he then audits the waste to make sure it is being distributed correctly. Robert Horne’s scheme is simple with five main waste product types, one cages size and one price per waste cage collected. The new scheme has been designed so that any size customer can join and they can take as little as one waste cage. Harrisons waste products are collected by Robert Horne’s appointed waste partners. Each individual waste cage has a nominal collection and recycling charge of GBP65.00 plus VAT – saving of around 25% based on current landfill and collection charges.
June Robinson, Harrisons Business Director, believes that by using one of the workshop staff to drive the initiative the company is getting more buy-in than if it was being led by the management.
“If the team see that it’s easy to segregate and are being encouraged by their peers it soon becomes second nature and we have faced very little resistance. The only problem has been breaking old habits but that is starting to happen and we are recycling much more than previously.”

VW’s Autostadt museum in Wolfsburg, Germany, recently underwent a transformation brought about in large measure by the careful selection of printable textiles from Neschen.
The ZeitHaus is now surrounded by images from the Austrian artist Peter Kogler and the museum is now displaying its ‘Milestones of the automobile’ in a completely new backdrop.
Neschen, the foil and coating specialist, provided the jumbo size media for large format printing. Procedes in Lemwerder near Bremen carried out the printing and mounting elements.
Of course, the right artwork was required, but above all it was the quality of the printed textiles that played a key role in their selection for the ZeitHaus.
As Autostadt is both a marketing tool and a calling card for VW – only top quality materials with an extremely good print quality were considered.
Elsewhere in the digital printing industry, 10 textile faults per 100 metres are within accepted tolerance levels but ZeitHaus set an entirely different benchmark and expected a zero fault tolerance.
As a result, they chose Solvotex artist premium heavy S - at 300g/m2 one of Neschen’s relatively heavy jumbo textiles and suitable both for solvent and eco- solvent as well as UV-curing inks. As the latter is free of solvents, Autostadt chose UV-curing inks for the printing process.
“Quality comes at a price and a discerning customer like VW was prepared to pay for it,” says Thomas Michaelsen, project manager at Procedes. “If they had chosen cheaper textiles offered by another supplier, faults had to be expected. We couldn’t afford this risk because the quality VW Autostadt expects is extremely high. With cheaper textiles you end up using more of everything – textiles, inks and adhesive tape – to achieve the same high quality results and in the end you save nothing.
“Due to its bending properties, the Neschen textile we selected is particularly user-friendly and produces extremely consistent reproductions of the prints.
In some cases the media were stuck to whole walls in the museum, over all levels of the showrooms and into other rooms, so applying the textiles was a very skilled manual job.”
While irregularities are present in woven textiles, faults can also occur in digital printing processes due to the huge volume of data being processed and damage can be caused when applying the sheets with a squeegee to the wall.
“During mounting, or where they are finally used, our media offer excellent handling qualities and durability,” says Frank Seemann, head of marketing
and communications at Neschen. “You can also roll up and unroll the sheets evenly and the printing quality and brilliancy of the colours is unparalleled.”
By using premium inkjet coating, the Neschen medium produces maximum brilliancy: a deep shade of black and glossy colours which particularly impressed the artist, Peter Kogler, himself. He was particularly taken with the
shades of black.
Solvotex artist premium heavy S is virtually scratch-proof as well as being flame retardant and, particularly important during printing, it lies very flat, with
no folds and creases.

Organisers of Sign & Digital UK, the event formerly known as Sign UK, say they have just about sold all of its available floor space, with firms committed to the April show including Roland DG, Hewlett Packard, Robert Horne Group, Europoint Display, William Smith, Hybrid/Mimaki, Fujifilm Sericol, Grafityp, Durst and Hexis UK.
Sign & Digital UK’s 2008 ABC-audited attendance figure was 9,048, made up of 7,645 registered visitors and 1,403 others, including VIPs, press and others, says organiser Faversham House Group.
Marketing manager Alan Caddick has also confirmed that the popular Adobe Theatre workshops will form a part of the 2009 offering – an Adobe expert will present the full capabilities and features of the software giant’s new Creative Suite 4.
The workshops will be repeated on each day of the three-day show next April, in a bid to reach the maximum number of visitors possible. Terry Steeley of Iridius will also be hosting workshops on the various Adobe CS4 packages available, including Adobe Bridge, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Acrobat 9.0.
The newest incarnation of Adobe’s Photoshop application will also be examined, with sessions covering a variety of topics that will inspire designers, printers and photographers. Digital-imaging techniques will also be explored, with Adobe Colour Management covering key issues, such as choice of colour space, profiling of input and output devices. Steeley will also be giving a presentation on Adobe Acrobat 9.0. With native Flash support, enhanced PDF pre-flighting, new PDFx standards, collaborative workflows and PDF portfolios. Acrobat 9.0 Professional is aimed at creative professionals designing for web and print.
Also at the show will be Alcan Composites. The firm’s Simon Philpott says: ‘We will be showcasing our lightweight sheet materials with high quality surfaces for display and signage applications. We offer a broad range of products and services including DIBOND aluminium composite panels, FOREX rigid foam plastic sheets, KAPA and FOAM-X lightweight foam boards. Applications include signs and displays, graphic arts materials, direct-to-substrate digital printing, fabrication and mounting.’

www.signanddigitaluk.com

Working with The CarbonNeutral Company, the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has launched the BPIF Carbon Calculator – the first such system focused on the print and packaging industry.
The calculator is aligned with the principles of the BSI British Standard PAS2050. The federation represents the UK print, packaging and graphic communication industry and its members’ collective turnover accounts for 60% of the print and packaging industry.
Each will now be able to measure the carbon emissions produced by their site and also from individual print contracts. Members will receive advice on how to reduce their emissions including to the point of net zero. For offset based programmes and CarbonNeutral certification, members will be referred to The CarbonNeutral Company.
“Clients are demanding carbon responsibility from their suppliers – and it is being felt by our members,’ said Michael Johnson, the BPIF’s ceo. ‘We know that carbon footprinting and reduction programmes can help businesses realise big cost savings and win business.
The calculator will help print and packaging companies to ‘carbon cost’ their jobs, and provide clients with a clear method to compare products and services across the industry.”
The Calculator has taken a year to develop, says the BPIF, and the federation has consulted widely with The CarbonNeutral Company, its members, associates, and trade bodies nationally and internationally.
Carbon management specialist Bill Sneyd, Director of Advisory Services, The CarbonNeutral Company, says: ‘We were the first company to create on-line calculators to enable companies to measure their emissions and to take action.
“We are pleased to be working with the leading trade federation to endorse and launch the first and most comprehensive calculator focused exclusively on the print industry.
“Our experience has shown that printers who implement a carbon management policy realise a broad range of benefits – from maximising operational efficiencies, differentiating their service, and building reputation. Printers will be able to measure in detail the impact of specific print jobs, enabling them to respond to requests for information about carbon emissions from their customers in a proactive manner.
“The use of the BPIF Carbon Calculator will enable the UK print industry to get ‘on the front foot’ on this critical environmental issue,” says Sneyd.

DigitalPrintMarket.co.uk has been devised as an online marketplace where sign makers, print houses, resellers and traders can buy and sell used digital printing equipment and consumables on a platform specially designed for the industry.
The site’s owners say that existing auction-type online marketplaces and forums require extensive scrolling and searching before interesting and relevant products are located. DigitalPrintMarket, they say, offers a specialised alternative with extensive search possibilities to meet the needs of companies who would like to sell their ageing equipment, or who would like to buy an affordable used printer.
The website could potentially provide a very useful service – particularly in these difficult economic times when the demand for affordable used equipment is growing, and hardware finds itself without an owner as businesses fail.
Print houses can benefit by getting more in return for their used equipment, and resellers and traders can widen their business opportunities greatly by using the site as an extra sales channel. This, says the company, can be done in an organised and structured way and free of charge. Searching products can be done through detailed categories and other search tools, such as selecting relevant applications, effective width, specific brands, and searches by key word.
DigitalPrintMarket also assists traders by being an intermediate in the payment and delivery process – especially when traders are shipping or buying large volume or big sized equipment. When using this service the buyer can be certain the product will be shipped and the seller can be certain that the agreed payment will be made.
Searching for products can be done without signing up, though sign-up is required to enable bidding, contacting of sellers and buying of equipment. This is also done to enhance fair trading.
With these fair trading safeguards, the system is designed for easy acquisition of any product in the field of digital printing, including large format printers, CTP systems, proofers, presses, cutting plotters and machines, engravers and routers, laminators, heat presses and calendars, inks, media and spare parts, such as print heads.

www.digitalprintmarket.com

With the government’s recent announcement that by 2020 approximately 40% of cars in city centres will need to be electric, Gloucester City Council has started its own promotional campaign for energy efficient travel.
Statistics show that on average a busy vehicle can be seen by more than 3,000 people every hour, providing the perfect medium to advertise. Signs Express in Gloucester was contacted by the Local Authority to produce vehicle graphics for its electric Smart car. The vehicle, which will be used by council staff, reduces both air pollution and the carbon footprint, and is capable of travelling 70 miles before the battery needs to be re-charged – ideal for short car journeys in and around the city.
Having worked with the council over the past 10 years, the Gloucester-based signage specialist produced cut vinyl graphics to apply to the doors and front panels of the vehicle, including an ‘It’s electric’ slogan above the back wheel arch.
‘Environmental issues in this day and age are everyone’s responsibility, so it’s great that our local Council are spreading the message in the community,’ says Jon Hill, centre owner.
Says Stephen McDonnell of Gloucester City Council: ‘We are very pleased with the livery which helps raise the profile of our electric Smart car. Signs Express has done a really professional job and we plan to continue to use their services for any further vehicles in the future.’

This year organisers of Ipex 2010 are hosting international roadshows to promote the major print industry event.
The marketing initiative kicked off in Utrecht, the Netherlands, on March 11, and will be followed by visits to Italy (in March during Grafitalia), Germany (April), Japan (May), China (May during China Print 09), France (June during Graphitec), USA (September during Print 09) and India (October during Ipex South Asia).
Exhibitors can learn more about visitor and event initiatives as well as free marketing tools to help attract visitors to their stands. Presentations being made include a case study from an existing exhibitor addressing logistics questions around travel and accommodation as well as sponsorship and promotion opportunities.
‘The tours are free to attend and will provide networking opportunities and hopefully stimulate the imagination of exhibitors,’ says event director Nick Craig Waller. Ricoh has become the latest business to sign up for the 2010 event, having secured over 1,400m2 of floor space.

Specialist pressure sensitive coated film business Madico Graphic Films has appointed Karl Cooper as Marketing and Design manager. The role will see Cooper further develop the company’s marketing communications programme.
Based at Madico’s headquarters in Maidenhead, UK, Cooper will manage various strategic and promotional activities, including expansion of the company’s website, emarketing activities and digital asset library, and provide additional marketing support to the company’s sales teams and agents. He is also set to oversee the production of technical specification and product collaterals.
Cooper will report to Andy Voss, Madico Graphic Films’ md, who says,“I am delighted to welcome Karl to the team. Having spent a great deal of time and service with Madico whilst running his own marketing and design company, he already has a thorough understanding of our business, our customers and the market. Madico’s products are aimed at a diverse range of applications, which has significantly enhanced revenues and our service offering to our customers. This appointment allows us to improve the speed at which new marketing communications information can be created, thereby facilitating our overall proposition to both current and prospective customers.”

Mimaki Engineering, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and cutting machines for the industrial sign and graphics markets has announced its new white solvent ink to be used in its popular JV33 series of wide format solvent inkjet printers.
The whiteness of the ink has been decisively improved, to significantly widen the design possibilities for both outdoor and indoor graphics, says Mimaki. When printing white ink as an under layer for full color on transparent media the media has to be re-fed in order to print the color on top of the white layer. This often leads to registration problems. To eliminate such effects, Mimaki has developed what it calls ‘white ink overlay printing’ which allows simultaneous white and full color printing. Mimaki’s new feature for the JV33 enables accurate output of vivid full color graphics with white under layer.
While the new white ink retains the advantageous features of SS21 inks such as fast drying and a wide color gamut, the whiteness and opacity are decisively improved. This new white ink enables simultaneous high speed printing of white and color thereby facilitating many more design effects. In addition the pigments in the white ink have been improved in order to prevent a shift of whiteness due to sedimentation. White ink, which uses heavy inorganic pigments such as sand, is liable to sedimentation. When this occurs only the upper part of the fluid is extracted, resulting in colour shift. The new white SS21 ink reduces this undesired effect considerably and enables stable and dense white printing.
“Our new enhanced white SS21 ink enables designers to produce highly creative graphics on various materials such as transparent film or coloured media. Now they can produce the same vivid images with white under and overlay which was previously available only on flatbed printers”, says Mr. Isao Tabayashi, gm of the Ink and Media Division. “We are pleased that this innovation offers our customers further capabilities to distinguish themselves from their competition.”

www.mimaki-europe.com

Fosco Hayes & Hurdley has produced a 75m2 banner featuring supporters of Aston Villa Football Club.
The graphic was part of a promotion of the club’s new shirt design – supporters purchasing a shirt had a picture taken for inclusion in ‘the world’s biggest team photo.’ Some 1,500 fans of all ages participated in the initiative which resulted in the composite, right. The individual images of fans were montaged along with pictures of the football team to form a long image resembling a giant school photo with 12 tiers of fans.
Working with Daniel Meredith, senior marketing executive, Aston Villa Football Club, Fosco had the job of printing the 3 x 25m banner and carried out the work on its two new super-wide format HP Scitex XL1500 3m printers. Since the actual width of the printers is 3.2m, they proved more than capable of handling the job in a single pass.
“We installed the printers in September and the banner was one of the first jobs we produced on them,” says Fosco md David Nicholas. ‘There were a number of challenges to the job. The first criterion was that the fans had to be able to recognise themselves, and since the banner is mounted at ground level, image quality had to be able to stand that level of examination.’
Using the high quality mode, Fosco says its XL1500 delivered sharp images at 370 x740dpi at a speed of 60m2/hr. This means that the actual printing time for the football club banner was about an hour and a quarter. For distant viewing applications, Fosco’s printer can operate at speeds of 118m/hr.
The banner stretches along the edge of the football club’s car park entrance, which presented another challenge: ‘It’s a very windy site,’ Nicholas says. ‘We printed the job on a mesh banner material so that it could withstand the wind. Image durability was also a consideration as the banner is scheduled to remain on display for the entire season, so in addition to wind, it has to resist weather and direct sunlight.’
HP says that substrate versatility is a feature of the XL1500 printers, handling paper, self-adhesive vinyl, and other synthetic materials for banner, murals, vehicle graphics, posters, wraps and textile applications.
Established in 1936, Fosco has kept up with changes in imaging technology and today carries out a range of large format screen and digital printing services including flexible and rigid substrate printing, die cutting, finishing and installation work. ‘Our two printers replace an Idanit printer which had served us well for many years,’ says Nicholas. ‘We liked the speed and print quality that the HP printer offers and saw the opportunity to expand our business with two of them.’

William Smith’s Flexfast back-lit box system is chosen again by Rainbow Signs & Maintenance for its clear image and ease of installation and maintenance, when providing signage for stores, shopping malls and car parks.
‘We like the Flexfast boxes because the tensioning system can be adjusted to individual requirements,’ says Rainbow Signs & Maintenance’s Kevin Robinson. ‘They give a brighter, sharper image and are also simpler to fit than acrylic panels.’
‘Size is now a big issue with shopping malls and car parks often requiring larger signage and this is where Flexfast really comes into its own,’ continues Robinson. ‘It requires minimal maintenance compared to other systems, especially where a large format is needed in exposed and high level positions. The boxes are very easy to access for cleaning, changing lamps and electrical maintenance.’
William Smith says Flexfast is a flexible faced back-lit box system, featuring one of the most accurate face tensioning systems currently available to provide a wrinkle-free finish. It can be easily assembled using standard power tools, enabling up to 50% savings on installation times.
Removable cover plates on all sides of the box provide access to all electrical components, allowing fast and easy maintenance without disturbance to the face. Robust and capable of withstanding severe weather conditions, Flexfast boxes can be stove-enamelled to any RAL or BS colour.
Boxes can be supplied as a finished unit, in ready-to-assemble kit form, or in full lengths of extrusion. All elements of the backlit box can also be supplied as individual components.

Northprint organisers say they are responding to the downturn in the industry by providing a value-rich experience for visitors to the Harrogate show at the end of April.
The ‘Building Value in Print’ initiative this year will see suppliers demonstrating how print firms can create and produce value-added products that boost business. Seminars will provide guidance on topics including: Adding value through innovation and The business opportunities of web to print; and companies who have introduced innovative online print services will talk about their route to success. The BPIF is also partnering with Print Yorkshire to give advice on a range of management issues such as finance, cost efficiency; carbon footprints and training.
“Not only will we showcase the latest equipment, but we will demonstrate smart techniques to help companies grow their business and, through a series of free seminars, experts will give practical advice on important issues,” says event director Gordon Kirk.
Northprint’s visitors network and evaluate new print production and management technologies, discover added value print ideas, practical business advice and techniques. Aimed at a wide spectrum of printers, the show will feature the latest MIS, web to print, workflow, printing and finishing systems for commercial, packaging and large format applications. Key suppliers including Apex, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and Presstek will also be demonstrating the power of digital printing.
“Northprint will focus on showing visitors how they can compete effectively by offering creative and quality products and services backed by streamlined production and management techniques,” says Kirk. “We aim to be the best place to update your technology and business knowledge, and competitiveness.”

www.northprintexpo.co.uk

Exhibit designer and fabricator Splash!Events has expanded its sustainable event signage production capability with a new HP Designjet L65500 printer featuring latex printing technology.
By integrating the new printer system into its workflow, Splash intends to offer green solutions across all three disciplines that it services – trade show exhibits, corporate and retail environments, and the branding of larger-scale corporate events.
‘With the new printer, Splash will be able to grow its business by offering customers an environmentally sustainable option for printing indoor and outdoor signage,’ says Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager, Large Format Printing, Imaging and Printing Group, HP. ‘At HP, we are dedicated to continued innovation to provide solutions that help our customers expand their offerings and, ultimately, grow their bottom line.’
Recently, Splash used the L65500 to produce marketing collateral and signage for the Nike women's marathon in San Francisco. In 2008, Nike began a multi-year process to make its events greener and the Nike women's marathon was the first event to incorporate better printing and recycling methodologies for race course signage, marketing collateral and expo tents.
Splash also plans to use its new L65500 to produce signs and banners for corporate event projects with its other customers who include Cisco Systems, IBM and Charles Schwab.

Ink specialist Sun Chemical has joined the ‘Two Sides’ initiative, created to address environmental issues within the print and paper industry.
‘The initiative matches our sustainability policy and our commitment to the environment,’ says David Meldram, Sun Chemical Europe’s president. ‘Sun Chemical leads the industry in developing and producing products which minimise our impact – and our customers’ impact – on the environment, and strives to maximise the use of renewable resources.’
Martyn Eustace, heading ‘Two Sides’ says the firm’s involvement: ‘demonstrates that we are meeting our objective of uniting all companies involved in the graphic communication sector to raise the profile of print and paper as an environmentally sustainable communication medium.’

Premier Paper Group has opened a new stock holding branch in Langley, Berkshire.
The sales office and warehouse accommodates the new West London branch of Premier Beswick, the paper merchanting division of the group.
From Langley the firm serves customers throughout West London and the western home counties running down to the Sussex coast. Over 1,000 tonnes of local stock is held, says the company, backed by a national stock holding of over 15,000 tonnes. Premier Beswick says its range includes 5,500 items, and customer reaction to the opening was hailed as ‘brilliant’ by regional director Michael Beever:‘We are able to provide an excellent level of service from Langley with local stocks in place, supported by a central stockholding hub and a nationwide network of branches. The extensive choice of products that we have available locally is seen as a real benefit by many of our customers.’
The sales office of Premier Hedsorboard, Premier Paper Group’s packaging board division, has also relocated to the Langley site. Premier Beswick has also opened new sales offices in Leicester and in Birmingham. These newly-formed sales teams are focusing the company’s sales and distribution activity in the east and west Midlands.

Customised presentation, packaging and printed products specialist Duraweld has achieved ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation.
Assessors from the Quality Assurance Registrar for the manufacturing industry said: ‘The successful outcome of this assessment is the result of a significant team effort and this was clearly demonstrated by the enthusiastic commitment to the system from all personnel.’
‘We are delighted to gain external recognition for something which we’ve been doing internally for a long time,’ says Victoria Pitts, leader of Duraweld’s Green Team. ‘Duraweld is well known for its commitment to the protection
of our ecosystem and environmentally responsible business practices, and this accreditation demonstrates that we are achieving our goal to be as green as possible.’
Duraweld has also launched another industry first with its 100%-recycled white polypropylene – the eighth recycled material in Duraweld’s portfolio. The material is made from manufacturing off cuts, waste and recycled used products. It offers exactly the same properties as virgin material, can be used to manufacture files, folders and boxes and is priced the same as conventional polypropylene.

Large format digital printer Macro Art has broadened its green credentials by teaming up with ALD Industry for the disposal of its reinforced PVC banner and mesh materials.
The company grew by 20% last year and used 1,100,000m2 of materials weighing close to 500,000 tons. Without action, all this material, whether production waste or creative images, would have ultimately been landfilled.
‘No more’, says John Walker md of Macro Art. ‘All our production waste is now bagged or baled, pelletized and recycled in a process that is guaranteed to be completed within the UK. Even the new end products are themselves recyclable’.
And Macro Art is selling the concept onto its customers. After the creative image is taken down, Macro Art offers to collect these printed products, remove any metal eyelets and put the used prints through the same process as its own production waste. Customers have to contribute towards these costs which rarely exceed 30p per square metre.
Walker says that ‘this represents about a 4% environmental charge to what it says on the tin – to dispose of in landfill costs almost as much without the benefits of a greener image for the printing industry.’

Sappi Limited, producer of coated fine paper and chemical cellulose, has acquired the coated graphic paper business of M-real, a Finnish board and paper manufacturer, for Euro750m.
M-real’s coated graphic paper business, including brands and know-how, as well as four coated graphic paper mills - at Kirkniemi and Kangas in Finland, Stockstadt in Germany and Biberist in Switzerland, has now become part of the Sappi Fine Paper Europe operations. The acquisition enhances Sappi’s position in the European coated fine paper sector and expands its woodfree coated product offering and customer base, as well as the addition of the strong brands and market strength of M-real’s magazine paper. It will also increase Sappi’s European graphic paper capacity from 2.6m tons/
annum to 4.5m tons/annum.
‘Sappi is now even better positioned to serve the European and global markets,’ says Sappi’s ceo Ralph Boëttger. ‘We have a comprehensive range of leading products and brands, an expanded sales force, increased capacity and the benefits of scale, allowing Sappi to use its global strength to be the local supplier of choice to each and every customer.’

Image and print finishing solutions firm Seal Graphics has launched the SEAL 600 MD, a bi-directional, fully-featured machine that is a mounter, laminator and encapsulator.
Seal says the system has a maximum output speed of 4.5m per minute on substrates up to1550mm wide and 38mm thick. Being bi-directional, the 600 MD can switch easily between hot and cold applications by lifting the heated rollers and running the machine in the opposite direction, thus reducing downtimes and improving operator efficiency.
Other features include a lightweight drop-down in-feed table incorporating a V-channel print feeder for easy webbing, and improved nip access for set-up and facilitating easy image feeding. It also has an integrated braking system for precise tension adjustment. Capable of producing a wide range of output types including rigid and flexible indoor displays, floor graphics, backlit, roll-up and rigid outdoor displays, the SEAL 600 MD is a workhorse and will find favour with both specialist finishing houses as well as inhouse print departments with a variety of output applications.

Robert Horne recently held a Digital Printing Open Day at its Northampton headquarters to focus on the ‘future of wide format digital printing’.
The event was for sign and display printers and was specifically aimed at helping them increase turnover and more importantly help demonstrate how they can make more money from relatively small investments.
Industry experts were on hand to work with the printers, making them more aware of the opportunities available to them. Speakers included David Gray of EFI and Tony Winterbottom from Robert Horne who looked at digital printing technology trends including inkjet printing, the future of UV printing and other, emerging printing technologies. Customers were also able to see around the show room which houses wide format systems, enabling them to experience the differing wide format print technologies and application techniques, first hand.
‘In today’s market we must all strive for greater efficiency, be closer to customers and suppliers, be able to differentiate and offer meaningful added value,’ says Kevin Wheeler, business director for Digital Solutions at Robert Horne. ‘These are not just marketing words but are demonstrated by Robert Horne’s ongoing commitment to show our sign and display customers that they have the potential, skill, and knowledge to invest in wide format technology, providing service benefits and adding profit to both existing and new customers.’

Graphic Printing Technologies Ltd (GPT) has added the new Mimaki UV-curable inkjet printer, the UJV-160, to its portfolio of printing systems.
The new model can print directly onto PVC and vinyl media and is designed for a range of display, outdoor signage and vehicle-wrapping applications.
‘The Mimaki UJV-160 uses breakthrough UV LED curing technology to deliver excellent quality printing directly onto PVC and vinyl,’ says Stuart Cole, managing director of GPT Ltd. ‘This significantly broadens the range of solutions that print providers can offer to their customers. We have carried out extensive testing on this product and are very excited about the potential it has in the market.’
Drying time has a direct effect on the productivity of an inkjet printer, but the new Mimaki enables instant drying, which increases productivity potential. Media is ready for finishing immediately after printing and this makes the job turnaround time from printing to processing much faster than many other printing methods.
The new printer uses Mimaki’s flexible UV LED curable ink set, which employs a formula to enable expansion by up to 200%. This eliminates cracking during the printing process, even when the surface is bent or curved.
The technology makes it ideal for printing onto thin, flexible PVC substrates used for vehicle wrapping, shutters and other similar applications.

Display board and signs producer Grippit is targeting Ireland as a key franchise region through its new franchising company, Grippit International.
The GRIPPIT product range incorporates a revolutionary paper grip slat system which completely removes the need for drawing pins, magnetised strips or tack adhesives.
With a blue chip client base including such high profile organisations as St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London and United Biscuits, Grippit is proving a popular choice of visual display board in many public and private sector markets, including education, pharmaceutical, retail, food manufacturing, marketing and healthcare, says the company.
“Increasingly stringent regulations regarding health and safety and food hygiene have caused a huge increase in demand for superior quality visual display boards”, says Adrian Fletcher md of Grippit International.
“We provide our customers with a cost-effective solution that essentially eliminates all of the contamination and safety issues commonly associated with traditional display boards.
“Having decided to expand the organisation through franchising, we are now looking for the right individual who can capitalise and build on the success of the brand and establish it as a leading name
in visual display boards throughout Ireland.”
On offer to potential franchise candidates is the exclusive right to both use the Grippit trademark and logo and sell the product range throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with an excellent business start up and marketing support package.

Signs Express (Leeds) has recreated the magic of the much loved Mr Men and Little Miss characters to commemorate children’s author Roger Hargreaves.
Contacted by Arriva Yorkshire, the signage specialist was asked to produce graphics to be applied to 14 buses which would pass through Cleckheaton, Roger Hargreaves’ birth place. The buses which include Little Miss Sunshine, Mr Happy, Mr Tickle and Little Miss Chatterbox, commemorate Hargreaves’ successful book series which was inspired when his son asked what a ‘tickle’ looked like. The books became a household name and years later are still rated high on our list of favourites.
Having worked for Arriva in the past, Signs Express (Leeds) produced the graphics using full colour digital print vinyl and with fitting in with both the arrival of the new buses from Scotland and their timetables when in use.
‘The buses were originally in Scotland when we were first asked to produce the graphics,’ says Sign Express’ Rick Nurse. ‘But due to the distance we needed to call in the help of Signs Express (Falkirk) to provide initial measurements and photographs prior to the buses arriving.’
The new vehicles represent an investment of £2.3 million for Arriva. Chloe Leach, marketing and communications manager for Arriva Yorkshire says: ‘We had worked with Signs Express in Leeds on various smaller projects before and were impressed with their willingness to meet tight deadlines. I was delighted with the outcome and the local community loves the buses!’

Screenprint Productions has installed an EskoArtwork Kongsberg i-XL44 cutting table at its factory in Yorkshire.
The Elland-based company specialises in large format POS and POP material for retail outlets and large grocery stores as well as sign and displays for exhibitions and events.
The company recently moved into digital production whilst maintaining screen printing, its core competency, to maximise business opportunities and manage the growing demand for short run creative work. Screenprint has reduced its overheads on outsourcing contract work – previously it had used die-cutting to produce free standing displays.
The new table has enabled shorter run work to be produced more economically. Screenprint boss Chris White says: ‘Digital printing is a growing part of our business and the new table fits our needs perfectly. The tool functions offer numerous milling and creasing possibilities on a range of substrates such as corrugated board, plastics, acrylics and wood.’

Robert Horne has installed a new Saval machine at its Northampton Conversion Department, enabling the firm to provide a much improved and faster sheeting facility for bespoke material sizes and quantities for its customers.
This system complements the existing conversion facilities provided by the company, which includes an existing Saval sheeter, a backslitting machine for label papers, and Mayer and Schelling saws for converting solid sheet products such as plastics and ACM.
This latest Saval Model TTL8 Sheeter can handle reels up to a maximum width of 2100mm, a maximum weight of 2000kg with a maximum diameter of 1200mm. The maximum sheet length that can be produced is 3500mm.
Robert Horne has worked closely with Saval to specify a machine that is easier to set up and use – the new unit is 15% quicker than the previous model in its auto cut cycle and at the full sheet length possible produces eight sheets per minute
(a throughput of 28m per minute).
‘Having the second machine which doubles our capacity, enables Robert Horne to be better placed to respond to the demands of our key accounts and other large format material users,’ says Alistair Gough, md at Robert Horne. ‘Lead times on delivery will be reduced for customers and the presentation of finished goods is also improved.’

HP will present the first public UK showing of the HP Designjet L65500, HP Scitex FB950 and HP Scitex XP2750 Printers at Sign & Digital UK (Stand H20) in April.
HP’s sizeable portfolio provides a wealth of choice in size, speed and ink type for all commercial printers looking to expand their customer offering. Representatives from HP Financial Services (HPFS) will also be on the stand to help customers find the best solution for financing their investment.
Stand highlights include the HP Scitex XP2750 printer, a 3.2m wide-format UV ink printer with a new integrated flatbed module that delivers high-quality output up to 635 x 800dpi (1270 x 1600dpi apparent) on both flexible and rigid media. With a maximum speed of 110m2/hr, the printer is ideal for high-volume environments looking for flexibility of output, says HP.
Also available to see on the stand is HP’s Designjet L65500 Printer – the first of a new category of large-format signage printers with HP Latex Inks that reduce the impact of printing on the environment and offer broad outdoor and indoor application versatility, while delivering quality and high productivity with no drying time needed and at print speeds of up to 70m2/hr (for outdoor) and 35m2/hr (for indoor).
HP’s Scitex FB950 printer will also feature at Birmingham. The manufacturer says the 2.5m hybrid UV printer provides consistent high-quality POP/POS, trade show and event signage on a wide range of rigid or flexible media at speeds of up to 80m2/hr in billboard mode.
The entry level HP Designjet H45500 1.3m hybrid UV printer providing a versatile solution using UV-curable ink with the ability to print on both flexible and rigid substrates will also make an appearance at the show, while the HP Designjet low solvent printers will be represented by the HP Designjet 8000s. This range also includes the HP Designjet 9000s and the 100” HP Designjet 10000s printers.
HP’s acqueous offering is represented by the Designjet Z6100 printer series – machines with an embedded spectrophotometer available in 42” and 60” models delivering vivid, high-impact prints at high print speeds. The series is ideal for indoor and short-term outdoor banners and large format applications such as posters, photos and fine art prints, drawings and maps , says HP.
HP says its FB950 flatbed UV printer delivers high-quality prints and high productivity on virtually any rigid or flexible media up to 6.4cm thick for the production of durable outdoor and indoor applications, including POP/POS signage, tradeshow graphics, interior decorations and banners.
For those seeking an entry level UV hybrid printer, there will be an opportunity to view the HP Designjet H45500. This system has high-quality output for commercial print service providers (PSPs) who want to effectively produce durable outdoor and indoor signs, banners, POP displays and posters with vivid colours on flexible and rigid media.
Both hybrid UV printers convert easily from a roll-fed to a flatbed printer for printing directly on rigid display boards or flexible media, with print speeds up to 36m2/hour on the HP Designjet H45500 and 80m2/hr on the HP Scitex FB950. Designed to increase productivity and profitability with efficient media loading and the ability to print multiple sheets at the same time, the HP hybrid UV printers enable PSPs to accommodate a greater range of customer requests and grow their businesses.
The new 2.5m HP Designjet L65500 printer uses the latest innovative ink technology for printing with the environment in mind and to offer an alternative to solvent and even UV when printing indoor and outdoor signage.
The HP Latex Inks contain no toxic air pollutants or sensitisers, are odour free and leave no hazardous waste, says the firm – which is not only better for the planet, but creates a far more pleasant environment for staff and customers.
The HP Designjet L65500 also benefits from some impressive time saving features. It has a print run speed of up to 70m2/hr, ‘Precision to Printer Calibration’ and the HP Optical Media Advance Sensor – all designed to provide businesses with faster results. With the new HP Latex Inks, print is dry and ready for shipping direct from the printer. PSPs and end-users will get high standards of print finish – rich saturated colours and a high resolution of up to 1200dpi.
The high-productivity HP Designjet 8000s, 9000s and 10000s printers use HP low-solvent inks developed by HP especially for each printer series. They produce vividly coloured, durable prints that resist fading and are scratch, smear, and crack resistant. Small and medium-size digital print shops, sign shops and screen businesses can enter new markets by choosing these versatile digital printers with an excellent price/performance combination.
The HP Designjet Z6100 Printer series (42” and 60” models) with HP Vivera pigment inks delivers accurate colour and outstanding image quality at maximum print speeds of up
to 105m2/hr. Delivering assured accurate, consistent colours across the HP Designjet Z6100 series printers thanks to the embedded spectrophotometer, they are ideal for printing on a range of applications, from technical maps to high-quality fine art.
As well as the extensive commercial product range that will be demonstrated on the stand and the new HP Scitex XP2750 Printer, HP will have areas dedicated to the full HP Scitex portfolio including an innovative ROI station to help businesses fully understand the Return on Investment or Financial Services offers from HP.
With HP, printers moving into digital production aren’t taking the step alone, HP Financial Services offer a range of plans to make investment in an HP technology a viable reality. HPFS works with PSPs and channel partners to tailor leasing programmes that conserve a company’s capital while enabling them to invest in new equipment – even during economic downturns. These options are not about quick fixes, but take a long-term view of a company’s requirements and equipment lifecycle management, with options for purchase or upgrades.

A specialist in the supply and fitting of glazing enhancement films, Madico Graphic Films was approached by BAF Graphics to supply view control film for a promotional retail campaign.
The client specified Madico’s Lumisty window film because of its ability to control what can and cannot be seen by changing from translucent to transparent, depending on the viewing angle. In this case, the requirement was to create the maximum attention among passing shoppers by using Lumisty as a window screen, thereby drawing attention to a retail display in which live models were wearing the latest Armani Exchange underwear lines.
BAF Graphics installed the film at the client company’s outlets in Birmingham, Liverpool, London and Manchester. “View control film was used because of its ability to create invisible viewing angles, which works perfectly for grabbing people’s attention and training their focus towards a product or promotional display”, says Antony Baglioni, at BAF Graphics. “Lumisty delivered exactly what was required by remaining as a translucent strip of film and disguising the underwear display until passing shoppers were at right angles to it. At this point it acted as a clear film and allowed the products to be seen. The objective was to create the maximum attention in a short space of time”, says Baglioni. “The result was fantastic and the changing visual effect worked by causing people to physically stop and take a closer look at the underwear on display.”
Madico’s Steve Bird says, “Lumisty has captured the imagination of leading interior designers, architects and retail branding specialists. It is perfectly suited to promotional retail and product display applications, but also to other uses in creative, architectural and security projects where there might be a need to block unsightly views or create unique privacy effects.”

When ZSL Whipsnade Zoo needed to replace temporary signs on its approach road with more permanent fixtures, the facility got in touch with William Smith.
‘We were looking for a supplier with specific experience in producing signage suitable for
use on the highway,’ explains ZSL graphic designer, Andrea Mant. ‘We did some research using the External Works compendium and William Smith seemed to fit the bill. It helped that we already had some experience with them as a supplier of other products and services.’
The three full colour graphics, featuring the legend ‘Welcome to Whipsnade Zoo’ were each applied onto an aluminium backing and were delivered complete with mounting posts. ‘The signs, posts and fixings were supplied exactly to specification – they look very good and will certainly be a great improvement in directing visitors,’ says Mant.

Ink specialist Sun Chemical has joined the ‘Two Sides’ initiative, created to address environmental issues within the print and paper industry.
‘The initiative matches our sustainability policy and our commitment to the environment,’ says David Meldram, Sun Chemical Europe’s president. ‘Sun Chemical leads the industry in developing and producing products which minimise our impact – and our customers’ impact – on the environment, and strives to maximise the use of renewable resources.’
Martyn Eustace, heading ‘Two Sides’ says the firm’s involvement: ‘demonstrates that we are meeting our objective of uniting all companies involved in the graphic communication
sector to raise the profile of print and paper as an environmentally sustainable communication medium.’

Exhibition and event display specialist Splash!Events has expanded its signage production capability with a new HP Designjet L65500 printer featuring Latex printing technology.
By integrating the printer into its workflow, Splash intends to offer ‘green’ solutions across the three disciplines it services – trade show exhibits, corporate and retail environments, and branding of large, corporate events. The firm aims to grow business ‘by offering customers an environmentally sustainable option for printing indoor and outdoor signage,’ says HP’s Santiago Morera. ‘At HP, we are dedicated to continued innovation to help our customers expand their offerings and, ultimately, grow their bottom line.’
Splash has used the L65500 to produce marketing collateral and signage for the Nike women’s marathon in San Francisco.
In 2008, Nike began to make its events greener and the event was the first to incorporate better printing and recycling methodologies for race course signage, marketing collateral and expo tents.

Graphic Printing Technologies Ltd (GPT) and selected divisions of Amari Plastics plc. will work together to deliver complete printer and consumables solutions to key customers in a joint marketing agreement.
Shaun Thompson, sales director of GPT, comments, 'GPT has been working closely with Amari Digital Supplies, a division of Amari Plastics plc, for several months. This relationship has proven to be very successful with several joint customers already benefiting from the comprehensive solutions our companies can provide. We are delighted that the agreement is being extended to further divisions of the Amari Plastics group and we look forward to developing a long and mutually successful partnership.’
GPT and Amari will both be at the Sign and Digital UK show where the companies will share a stand. ‘Visitors to the show will be able see why GPT and Amari are such a good fit,’ adds Thompson. ‘GPT markets and supports a broad range of the industry’s leading printers and Amari is one of the world’s leading suppliers of rigid and roll-fed media. Together we can demonstrate an unrivalled portfolio of solutions to the professional sign making and graphic printing trades.’
Jamie Manifold, Product & Market Development Manager, for Amari Plastics plc, says, ‘GPT has demonstrated itself to be an excellent partner for Amari plc. The relationship broadens the scope of our own sales capabilities and allows us to approach a much broader cross-section of the market.’

With the installation of a Durst Rho 161 TS printer, County Durham sign business William Smith has revolutionised the way in which it produces traffic signs.
“This machine represents a significant investment of some GBP250,000, but it means that we can produce sign faces digitally for the first time,” says William Smith’s Chris Bradley.
“We are able to ensure consistent quality, consistent colour and high gloss levels for
all sign faces. Individual sign faces and large production runs can be processed faster, so that we can work to much shorter lead times. This means we can respond even faster to customer requirements. An added bonus is that we have less wastage, which is a significant benefit both economically and environmentally.”
The Durst printer is a large format 62” roll-to-roll UV-curable inkjet printer, designed to print long-lasting traffic signs. It was specifically developed for printing directly onto 3M HIP, DG3 and engineer grade traffic sign materials, with a durability of up to 12 years MCS warranty.

Event branding and signage specialist Sunbaba says it is continually engaged in research and development to make the industry ‘greener’ and find suitable replacements for PVC.
The Suffolk-based firm has worked within the event industry for over 10 years and been closely-involved with some high profile contracts. Key projects in recent months have included the provision of branded signage and stage scrims for The Lovebox London Weekender, all the event signage at the Red Bull Flugtag event in Hyde Park, and branding for the Innocent Village Fete in Regents Park. The company was also commissioned to create branding solutions for Brit Oval cricket stadium and for MTV UK.
More recently, Sunbaba provided branded signage for two of the UK’s most prestigious celebrations; Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, and the London New Year’s Eve.
At the Scottish event, the business supplied its specialist Digisound fabric for PA scrims on the main stage, the gardens and safety PA scrims, which were used to fence off the small stages. Digisound is ideal for PA scrims, says Sunbaba, because it is an air-permeable fabric which allows sound to pass through it with minimal degradation, ensuring perfect reproduction. Sunbaba also supplied two Austronet 203 FR plain scrims and 1,000 bungee hooks.
In London, Sunbaba provided 150 full-colour PVC Heras panels consisting of seven different artwork designs for sponsors, LG. They were displayed in prime locations around Nelsons Column and Trafalgar Square and around the 24 temporary electronic signs located near the main entrance points to the spectator areas.

Leeds-based graphic display specialist Electronic Print Services (EPS) has produced a life-sized banner of The Great East Window at York Minster.
The Great East Window is among the world’s largest medieval windows and is being removed from York Minister for conservation work, which may take up to 15 years. The 378m2 banner was printed using an HP Designjet 10000 printer, capable of printing on a wide range of media including paper, self-adhesive vinyl, banner scrim, films and fabrics. The window was printed on epiflex, a non-mesh substrate.
“Producing a high-quality banner of the Great East Window was a challenge that we believe could only have been completed using HP’s digital printing technology,” says EPS md Steve Farley.
“Due to the size of the project, the optimum quality of print needed to accurately reproduce the window and the difficulty of getting the ink to adhere to the substrate, we were told that it couldn’t be done. However, our Designjet coped brilliantly and the final product far exceeded our customer’s expectations.”
The HP printer can print up to 264.2cm wide format graphics.
In order to produce a banner that exactly matched the size of the window, which was printed at a high resolution, EPS split the artwork into 18 files for production. Each of the 18 images were then fabric moulded together to produce a single high-quality replica of the window.
The banner was produced using HP low-solvent pigmented inks, combining the quality and productivity benefits of solvent printing and high durability, with a more environmentally-responsible printing process.
“The Great East Window is an instantly recognisable feature of the Minster and attracts a lot of visitors, therefore accurate colour reproduction was a crucial part of the project,” says Farley. “Using HP’s low-solvent inks allowed us to successfully replicate the wide range of colours on the window, which has received a large amount of positive feedback.”
EPS has been an HP customer for six years and operates its Designjet 10000 alongside
two Designjet 5500 printers to produce a range of signage, posters, banners, backdrops, curtains and point of sale (POS) collateral for its customers and has been using its HP Designjet technology to move into the fine art market.

Specialist suppliers of large format lamination products, Print Finishing Solutions (PFS) has appointed Damon Piall as its southern area sales manager.
Piall has been in the large format industry for more than 10 years. His knowledge and practical skills on both printers and laminators alike, combined with his sales track record, will be employed to increase PFS’ business going forward.
PFS director Mark Dale says, ‘We have spent the last 10 years building a successful distribution business but now is not the time for us to rest on our laurels. Damon brings experience and knowledge to the role. We aim to be the number one choice in lamination solutions in the UK but a lot of that depends on having the right people. I’m confident of our team now.’
Piall will be responsible for the PFS business in the southern region of the UK. He will be based in its Midlands office in Nottingham where demonstration units will also
be available for client ease of accessibility.

Specialist digital printing and sign making business Spandex has supplied and installed a Gerber Solara ionx UV wide-format digital inkjet printer to screenprinter and sign manufacturer Signet Signs.
Bristol-based Signet Signs made the decision to purchase the system after witnessing the benefits afforded by combining a direct-to-substrate print capability with Cold Fire Cure technology and GerberCAT cationic UV inks. This allows the company to print onto a wide range of substrates while reducing turnaround time and material costs.
“The Cold Fire Cure technology, which cures the ink at room temperature, allows us to successfully print onto a wide variety of heat sensitive materials including PVC fluted board brands, HIPS (high impact plastic) and polypropylene”, says Mike Rawlings, Signet Signs’ director. “In addition, the superior print quality, ability to print large blocks of solid vibrant colours without banding, and high scratch resistance, were key factors
that influenced our decision.
“Its price tag of under £60,000 was another welcome surprise”, he adds. “We looked closely at five different machines on the market, but it was quickly apparent that the ionx provided everything we needed, and at the right price. The closest machine from another supplier was a few times more expensive – it made our decision easy.” In addition, as a Spandex customer since 1981, Signet Signs was confident that both pre- and after-sales support would be, according to Rawlings, “second to none. The impact of the ionx is huge – we have reduced production turnaround time by 50% and materials by 30%, which gives us great competitive advantage. Since its installation, we have saved thousands of pounds each month in materials.”
The Solara has quickly opened new business opportunities, says Rawlings: “The bank that financed the purchase of the machine even placed an order for some signage, which we produced entirely on the printer.”
Since purchasing the system, Signet Signs says it has hardly used its screenprinting facilities. “Traditionally, a screenprinting job has about eight steps. With the ionx we have reduced it to three,” says Rawlings. “We cut the board, print and pack. With the new process, the use of materials including application tape, vinyls and foils has disappeared and waste has been reduced.”
Signet Signs previously found that, when screenprinting, extra signs had to be produced in case one of them became damaged. Thanks to low set-up costs and prints that are scratch resistant, the company produces exactly the quantity needed. Rawlings says the new system also allows Signet to serve its core market – the construction industry – more efficiently and effectively: “We are about to launch three new speciality products to the construction industry, which would simply be impossible to produce with another machine”.
Signet now produces all its digital printing in-house and has consequently achieved lower costs and high quality control. It is also doing more trade work as other sign companies subcontract its services.

The Paper Company (PaperCo) is to distribute all 10 machines in Gandinnovations’ range of solvent, aqueous and UV grand format systems.
PaperCo’s digital inkjet portfolio already includes solvent wide format manufacturer, Roland DG, for the outdoor signage market and Canon’s aqueous machines for indoor graphics. PaperCo’s Phil Tomlinson says the move extends his firm’s presence in the high volume, grand format sector to provide printers with technologies that can produce large POP and POS graphics. This business will be developed by UV inkjet specialist Steve Peet. Gandinnovations’ portfolio includes 3.3m and 5.1m wide solvent roll-to-roll printers, UV roll- to-roll machines, aqueous-based fabric roll-to-roll systems, and UV flatbed printers, including the 3x2m JETi 2030 X-2 with 48 Spectra print heads. Grand format is attractive to commercial printers as it allows them to build on existing skills and develop lucrative revenue streams,” says Peet. “It’s a complementary technology to litho and opens the potential for traditional printers to provide high value signage, POS and POP graphics alongside litho work. Grand format margins can be eight times the cost of production – a compelling business case for litho printers who would struggle to get a fraction of that in their traditional sector,” Peet says.

Prepress software specialist TranseoMedia has secured Objectif Lune, a world leader in variable data and web-to-print workflow solutions, as a reseller for DirectSmile in the UK.
Under the terms of the agreement, Objectif Lune has integrated DirectSmile’s Creator Pro image personalisation software into its PrintShop Mail variable data printing (VDP) solution. The move provides TranseoMedia, which has exclusive distribution rights for DirectSmile in the UK, with access to new sales channels for all its products and will enable Objectif Lune to offer its customers a DirectSmile Creator Pro plug-in for Version 6 of itsPrintShop Mail and PlanetPress products.
‘Image and data personalisation have had a major impact on the printing and direct marketing sectors,’ says Neil Bather, product manager at TranseoMedia. ‘Their influence is spreading rapidly into new markets as the technology becomes more and more sophisticated.
‘Objectif Lune is a world leader in variable data printing technologies and is very well-established in key UK graphic arts market channels. We see this agreement as the next step in our strategy to take a strong portfolio of best-in- class, integrated prepress technologies to a wider market and help our client base to offer a broader range of innovative products and services to their customers.’

FESPA’s Digital Print Awards 2009, supported by HP, is now open for entries at www.fespadpa.com. Now in their third year, the awards recognise outstanding examples of innovation in digital wide-format printing across a broad spectrum of applications.
The competition is open to all printers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, regardless of their choice of printer or substrate. FESPA ceo Nigel Steffens says the number of entries has increased hugely each year: ‘This increase is a measure of how digital technology is penetrating the market, and the extent to which printers are now using digital daily to deliver creative solutions to their clients’ briefs.

The 2009 categories are:

Entries can be submitted online at www.fespadpa.com

Entry is free of charge and the deadline for entries is Friday, February 13, 2009. The winners’ work will be displayed at the third FESPA Digital exhibition taking place at the RAI exhibition centre in Amsterdam between May 12-14 2009. Winners will be recognised at a VIP dinner event during the exhibition.

FESPA’s growing international events programme has suffered a double blow in Thailand and India.
Terror attacks in Mumbai meant that FESPA’s Digital India show had to be cancelled at very short notice. With the support of all involved, says FESPA, it has now been rescheduled to take place between February 28 and March 2 next year, at the same venue in Mumbai.
The federation’s inaugral World Expo Asia-Pacific show in the Thai capital Bangkok did go ahead in November despite the high-profile political demonstrations that resulted in the closure of the city’s main airport only days before.
The event still attracted 5,247 visitors from 35 countries with 94% of visitors coming from the host nation. Over 2000 pre-registered international visitors were unable to travel to Bangkok, having an inevitable impact on the international visitor profile.
Event director Marcus Timson says: “We had a positive experience despite the dramatic events and visitors and exhibitors were very understanding and supportive. The event delivered significant value for the 140 exhibitors. The feedback that we received from them was that the show was worthwhile from a sales perspective, with a strong turnout from the Thai printing community. We know that a number of exhibitors sold machines and generated business opportunities.”

The Paper Company (PaperCo) is to distribute all 10 machines in Gandinnovations' range of solvent, aqueous and UV grand format technologies.
The agreement extends PaperCo's digital inkjet portfolio, which also includes solvent wide format manufacturer, Roland DG, for the outdoor signage market and Canon's aqueous machines for indoor graphics.
PaperCo's Phil Tomlinson, says the move: ‘Gives us the ability to extend our presence in the high volume, grand format sector and provide printers with leading technologies that can produce large, stunning POP and POS graphics.”
This business will be overseen and developed by UV inkjet specialist, Steve Peet. Gandinnovations’ portfolio includes 3.3m and 5.1m wide solvent roll-to-roll printers, UV roll- to-roll machines, aqueous-based fabric roll-to-roll systems, and UV flatbed printers, including the 3m x 2m JETi 2030 X-2 with 48 Spectra print heads. Gandinnovations’ European showroom is located in Brussels.

Vista System International, a specialist in modular curved frame technology (MCFT), has supplied its double sided pylons to StockSignes, for installation at the Red Cross Therapeutic Center for children at Val D'oise, France.
The client was in need of a prominent sign system to help people find their way in the big park and building complex. Vista System's double sided pylon was chosen for its stylish and easy to modify design. An aluminium sheet covered with a digitally printed leaf was added to the right side of each pylon, fixed in place between the two Vista extrusions. Each building received the same leaf with a different colour. Vista System says its double sided pylon allows for the use of most standard signage substrates.

European fine paper manufacturer Arctic Paper has gained approval from the German Bundeskartellamt for the acquisition of Mochenwangen Papier GmbH.
”Our strategy is to grow organically and through acquisition. The purchase of Mochenwangen Papier is a strategic move aimed at fortifying and developing our position in the market”, says Olle Grundberg, CEO of Arctic Paper.
Arctic Paper already operates the Swedish paper mills of Arctic Paper Munkedals AB and Arctic Paper Håfrestöms AB, as well as Arctic Paper Kostrzyn S.A. in Poland.

The Specialty Graphic Imaging Assocation (SGIA) has reported 19,201 registered visitors and 487 exhibitors occupying 225,686 square feet at its recently held annual show at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta.
Visitors were mostly from the US, Canada, Mexico and South Korea but also came from 90 other countries. Next year’s SGIA Expo will be held in New Orleans between October 7-9 at the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. Its platimun sponsors are confirmed as being EFI VUTEk, Gandinnovations and Hewlett Packard. More information is available at www.sgia.org

Printing ink and pigment producer Sun Chemical has named Felipe Mellado chief marketing officer and Bradley Schrader vice president of strategy and business development.
From his Madrid base, Mellado will oversee all of Sun Chemical’s corporate marketing activities and product management including global branding activities, trade show participation, and all other marketing communications.
“Felipe has led our marketing efforts in Europe and knows how to clearly communicate our messages and value propositions to customers,” says Rudi Lenz, Sun Chemical’s CEO.
Schrader becomes vp of strategy and business development having been the company’s cmo for the past two years. “Brad has played a key role in Sun Chemical’s growth, and this new role capitalizes on his strengths in global business strategy,” Lenz says. “Brad will spearhead our strategy for growth, both in our core ink and pigments business, and in new adjacent businesses. He will also lead all merger and acquisitions.”

Digital signage business HYPERLINK "http://www.minicom.com/index.htm?turkeypr"Minicom Advanced Systems has named Saben as its exclusive representative in Turkey.
Saben’s digital signage company, Digiboard, has worked on projects for advertisement and information in many Turkish locations including airports and shopping malls and delivered projects to third parties companies.
“We have seen some impressive installations of our products by Digiboard and decided to deepen our relationship with them,” says Minicom Europe president Ronni Guggenheim. “This is thanks to their established track record in sales, integration, client service and retention. Their understanding of the Turkish market is excellent and commitment levels are very high.”
“Saben’s belief is that the future of communication will be internet and digital signage,” says Bahar Erduran at Digiboard.

WIFAG Polytype Group has acquired Spuhl`s (Switzerland) Digital Printing activities and L&P Digital Technologies (USA) from Leggett & Platt.
The Swiss-based global graphics group will integrate the businesses as a new division of the WIFAG Polytype Group under the name of WP Digital AG in Switzerland. WP Digital AG will continue the development, sales and service of the former Spuhl digital printers and distribute these products via WP Digital AG worldwide.
With their engineering, process and manufacturing expertise WIFAG and Polytype SA says it will continue to innovate within the graphics and printing industries. WP Digital's Virtu UV large format printer has a hybrid roll and flatbed system enabling it to print on materials up to 3.5m wide. This includes flexible roll goods such as adhesive foil or textiles, and sheet materials such as Dibond, metal or wood. It is an ideal solution for mass production, low-cost small print runs and promotional applications, says the company.

Following clearance from the European Commission at the end of October, Sappi shareholders have approved the acquisition of the coated graphic paper business of M-real – paving the way for consolidation in the European fine paper sector.
Sappi CEO Ralph Boëttger says the move is a “Strong endorsement of our decision to enter into this transaction which should transform the economics of our European paper business. We are confident that the transaction will create significant value for Sappi and our shareholders and is in line with our commitment to improving profitability, returns and cash flow for the group, while strengthening our position as a global market leader in coated fine paper and chemical cellulose.”

Robert Horne is now a UK dealer for the new Mimaki CJV30 solvent inkjet printer/cutter. The system is the first Mimaki machine to combine print and cut in a single machine.
The CJV series enables contour cutting straight after printing, and can carry out print and cut unattended using UISS (uninterrupted ink supply system). It is available in several sizes: 610mm/24”, 1020mm/40.1", 1361mm/53.5", and 1610mm/63.3".
Robert Horne specialises in providing digital hardware and ancillary products and advising customers how a relatively low investment in digital presses can increase print business opportunities. Kevin Wheeler at Robert Horne says his company: “can remain completely independent as a supplier, offer a balanced view of today’s technology,” and help develop “new added-value services and maximise the return on their investment.”

At the recent SGIA Expo event in America, Roland DG’s new VersaUV LEC-300 30" UV inkjet printer/cutter was named DPI product of the year in the output device poster category.
The 30”-wide unit is the industry's first wide-format UV inkjet printer/cutter and uses low-heat LED lamps, says Roland. It prints CMYK, white and clear gloss on a wide range of substrates including foils, metallic and synthetic papers, BOPP, PE, and PET film. The system can be used for both short production runs and pre-press applications such as proofs and prototypes. It generated good interest at the event, says Yohei Shinomura, Roland DG’s Colour Product manager, reflecting strong potential within the digital and screen printing markets: ‘The VersaUV LEC-300 combines a new generation of LED-curable inks with Roland’s print and cut technology for unmatched quality and versatility.’

3M and branding solutions business Creative Graphics International (CGI) have collabotrated to install Volkswagen UK with dynamic wide screen and interactive digital displays using Vikuiti Rear Projection technology.
Located at two of the car company’s retail locations, Volkswagen is using the displays to play vibrant video that captures customer attention and maximises brand assets. A 96-inch 16:9 screen was hung at one of the dealerships, while a ceiling-mounted projector beamed content-rich video designed to educate, entertain and inform customers of the latest Volkswagen offers and information. Positioned above an open atrium on the ground floor, the giant screen is intended to catch the customer’s eye and drive traffic upstairs to peruse cars for sale.
At a separate showroom, a second screen has been installed. Combined with an interactive touch foil, the 40” 4:3 screen allows customers to access and navigate the Volkswagen website to view or configure cars stocked locally and nationally, simply by touching the screen.

Screen Events has updated its website for Europe’s biggest digital signage event next year – Screen Media Expo Europe 2009.
The site contains a comprehensive event overview, exhibitor listings, visitor information, show sponsors and supporters, testimonials and a multi-language press section. New features include an interactive online gallery and a conferences and workshops section linking to joint venture micro sites. The website will be continuously updated with the latest news and downloads in the months approaching the show dates – 7-8 April. The show brochure, floor plan, logos and digital banners are also downloadable.
HYPERLINK "http://www.screenevents.co.uk/"www.screenevents.co.uk

October’s Viscom event in Frankfurt, Germany attracted 60% more exhibitors, enlarged its exhibition area by 70% and grew visitor numbers by 25% to 9,090, says Reed Exhibitions Deutschland.
A total of 275 exhibitors from 26 countries attended the three-day event. “The new orientation of viscom as the central marketing trade fair in the visual communication sector is increasingly showing results,” said Hans-Joachim Erbel, md at Reed Exhibitions Deutschland who saw: “A significantly higher number of marketing decision-makers and users from advertising agencies, industry and the retail sector”.
The next viscom is set for October 1-3, 2009 at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre.

Specialist digital textile printing solutions provider Multi-Plot introduced two new d.gen textile printing machines at Viscom Germany.
Both the Heracle and S systems were demonstrated on the Multi-Plot booth. They are equipped with dual carriage print technology and printed colorful designs directly on to many different kinds of textiles. The Heracle prints with eight colours. It has a double print head configuration and a maximum 187cm printing width. Its maximum printing speed, says Multi-Plot, is approximately 57m2/per hour. Compared to single print technology, the Heracle prints at twice the speed and is equipped with an adhesive belt for elastic fabrics.
The S printer also offers many creative opportunities. It can print on both-sides of materials simultaneously, with the same, or different designs.

A Vista System sign system was recently installed at Rotulos Gavalda new office complex at Alicante, Spain.
The client requested a good-looking, easy to update and vandal-proof sign system. Four types of signage were required: a central double sided pylon for the main lobby; directory signs for specifying office locations on each floor and events taking place in the events hall; wall and table signs for each office, and suspended signs for general wayfinding.
Ease of updating was especially important for the client as the event hall’s directory sign requires updating on a daily basis. Vista System’s sign frames allow for the use of standard signage substrates such as plastics, metals, and paper. Users simply remove inserts with a Vista Key suction cup, and position new inserts when needed.

Europe’s biggest international visual communication event Viscom Italia attracted 21,038 visitors to Milan in November.
The success coincided with the Milan event’s 20th birthday and Reed Exhibitions Italia was very pleased with the result. Emerging trends and technologies were a big part of the event. A total of 598 exhibitors attended, along with over 21,000 visitors from 76 countries.

Digital ink developer and manufacturer Bordeaux Digital Printink is embarking on a new partnership program, directed at UK distributors and wholesalers of digital ink, industrial printers and consumables for the wide format industry.
The company is looking to form partnerships and alliances with UK-based businesses to provide customer-oriented solutions. Moshe Zachordeaux, CEO at Digital Printink, says the firm is very proud of its recent expansion in the European market and growing exposure to the European signage industry. Its products are used by printing houses in more than sixty countries, reached by a network of dealers and distributors.

Tracey Cook is the new director of education and training at the International Sign Association (ISA).
Cook is already an association professional specialising in developing and managing adult education, training and outreach programs, and has: ‘A strong track record and a deep passion for working with trade associations to develop relevant, engaging education programs,” according to ISA vp of Education and Technical Initiatives, Rich Gottwald. “Her insight and expertise will enhance our team as we continue to re-position ISA as a preeminent provider of educational and training programs for the modern on-premise sign industry.”

French software specialist Caldera took the DPI Best Product of the Year Award at SGIA for its RIP product line and new FLOW+ business automation and control workflow solution for the wide format printing market.
This award identifies the pre-eminent products in the digital graphics field, those that clearly provide new definition of the industry technology and recognizes outstanding products that have impacted 2008 and will impact 2009.
From quote to invoice, while managing the production process (printing and finishing), inventory analysis and planning, automation of the RIP, outsourcing, delivery notes, financial statistics and accounting synchronization, FLOW+ is a complete solution.
The product is a combination of an MIS (Management Information System), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and a CRM (Customer Relation Management), and is the first workflow software to interact directly with the RIP spooler, says Caldera.

Roland DG (UK), a leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, has appointed Martin Phillips, to the newly-created position of director of sales.
Phillips, who has over 20 years’ channel experience in the technology sector, will focus on developing the company’s reseller partnerships. Roland DG (UK) md Jerry Davies is delighted to welcome Phillips to the firm: ‘He has a wealth of experience working for some of the largest technology brands and takes control of a very talented sales team. From a strategic perspective, these are exciting times for us, with the recent launch of the world’s first UV print and cut machine, the VersaUV LEC-300, which is aimed at both core and new, adjacent markets. Our principal route to market is via our network of authorised dealers, which means that much of Martin’s role will be spent developing and adding value to existing channel partnerships, as well as identifying and converting new opportunities.’
Phillips says: ‘Roland DG (UK) has some truly innovative technologies, is a recognised leader in its field and has a gifted management team. I believe in developing mutually beneficial, long-term channel partnerships with companies who understand the importance that end user satisfaction has on Roland DG maintaining its position. I will also work to target and grow new niche markets and help our partners exploit these opportunities.’
Phillips was previously European sales and marketing director at Samsung Electronics. At Roland DG, he will lead the sales team including divisional sales manager, Signs & Graphics, Adam Wyles; national accounts manager Steve Chappell; business development managers Laura Mallott and Marc Busby.

FUJIFILM Sericol has launched its large format printing business in the UK, bringing together a complete range of hardware, ink, media, software and tools from a single-source supplier, with many of the products carrying the company’s newly-acquired euromedia brand.
Designed specifically for large format print providers, the euromedia range includes hand-picked, best-in-class products which are all evaluated and qualified by industry experts before being integrated into end-to-end print solutions. Field technical support, including engineering, application and colour management, will be provided by FUJIFILM and FUJIFILM Sericol technical staff based in the UK and in Europe.
Over time, FUJIFILM Sericol intends to develop a programme of customer support that draws on the example of Colormy’s backing for the euromedia brand in mainland Europe which comprises both technical support and business advice. For example, when customers call to order, they are invited to explain the job they are planning so euromedia experts can advise solutions that will add value and improve results. In addition, business management, co-operative marketing and technical support training programmes will be available, along with external sales training to help customers win more business.
David Burton, FUJIFILM Sericol’s large format business development director for Europe, says: ‘This is a really exciting development for UK-based large format printers. Based on the combined expertise of FUJIFILM Sericol and Colormy, we have put together best-in-class solutions and support to provide a unique single-source supplier for large format printers.

The euromedia offering includes:

Roland DG has launched the VersaArt RS series of colour large format printers and the world’s first UV inkjet printer/cutter.
The VersaArt series features the latest in Roland eco-solvent inkjet technology, comes with VersaWorks professional RIP software and is available in two models: the 64” RS-640 and the 54” RS-540. VersaArt is a flexible production tool for a wide range of applications such as design comps, posters and large, durable outdoor signs and banners. The printers support new environment-friendly paper and fabrics, used for profitable specialty applications.
The printers feature fast-drying ECO-SOL MAX ink which produces vivid colours and is virtually odourless, Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology, and unmatched image quality at print speeds of up to 21.4m2/h.
Roland has also launched the VersaUV LEC-300, the world’s first UV inkjet printer/cutter. This versatile production tool brings form, texture and dimension to printed graphics. The 30” LEC-300 prints CMYK+White and clear coat, a combination which can be used to create special effects or a finishing touch for luxurious, customised graphics.
The VersaUV can produce unique, realistic textures and patterns such as fake leather and crocodile skin. The machine can also layer clear coat for glossy area highlights, 3D doming and even Braille – all in one seamless workflow. The VersaUV provides a quick turn-around and on-demand printing for applications ranging from high-end, small-lot production to packaging comps, press proofs and product prototypes.

Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) has begun its assault on the large format digital solutions market having opened new showroom and office facilities in Slough.
The new venture, established by md Stuart Cole and sales director Shaun Thompson, provides graphic display production companies with service and support for the industry’s leading printers, media and software. Both Cole and Thompson are well known industry figures from their roles at Colourgen and Applied Image Technology respectively.
Cole says: ‘The current market for large format printing certainly offers choice – there are printers and related products from scores of manufacturers and suppliers. A lot of resellers sell on price alone as the market has got more and more competitive. However, end users are now recognising that a cheap solution isn’t necessarily the right one and are turning to companies which add value in terms of advice based on current and future requirements. We want customers to see options side by side and assess what is best for them. We want them to stick with us because they get good, honest service and quality technical consultancy and support. Our business plan is built on providing added value services which help customers profit from the solutions we provide. This includes ensuring their systems are up and running when they need to be, that consumables are ready and available, tried and tested and that we can deliver additional services as their businesses grow such as colour management, and profiling.’
Cole believes a key to success is having the type of relationship with suppliers that you would have with customers. Colourgen is a leading UK distributor of large format digital colour printing solutions, consumables, bespoke software, engineering and support services. ‘It’s the sort of company we want to work with. Colourgen has the same ethos and long term commitment to customers that we aspire to. It has been very supportive and we certainly appreciate the faith they have in us.’
Colourgen md Jeff Biggs endorses the move: ‘Too many companies simply compete on price and this is bad news for the end users who really need the help and support of quality resellers to ensure they maximise the investment they make in large format printing solutions. I have no doubt that GPT’s enthusiasm, commitment and industry knowledge will see them build a successful business.’
The GPT showroom includes several printers supplied by Colourgen, including the Epson Stylus Pro range, dominated by the 11880, of which GPT has already sold three.
Cole says, ‘With the support of key suppliers like Colourgen and Epson and our own commitment to delivering the latest and best technology, coupled with first class support, we hope to soon become a major force in the industry.’

GBC Commercial Laminating Solutions will present its range of cost-effective laminating systems for the on-demand market at Total Print Expo.
The company will showcase its new high productivity laminating system – the GBC 620os. It will also demonstrate the Titan 110 and its Catena series along with its latest range of high quality films – scuff-free gloss/matt, silk, linen, metallised matte and gloss and GBC Digital Lay Flat plus the new OPP Digital Film.
‘As the demand for shorter print runs continues to increase, so has the need for printers and finishing houses to consider the effectiveness of in-house quality lamination solutions that allow for cost savings, efficiency and fast turn-around times,’ says Giel Klinkers at GBC. In an industry where the appearance of printed matter is so important, GBC’s extensive range of laminating systems is there to focus on the customer’s specific needs and requests. In the past, lamination was traditionally used to protect outdoor prints against moisture and to offer UV-protection but nowadays, the inks have taken on this role,’ says Klinkers. ‘As lamination continues to enhance the print value by adding gloss and matte non-reflective finishes to the product as well as offering a higher level of protection, GBC expects solid growth potential in this market segment.’

Leading UK corporate signage manufacturer Active Signs is expanding into continental Europe. Having previously carried out an extensive external signage programme on behalf of Value Retail at its La Vallee retail outlet near Paris, the firm was awarded a similar re-branding contract for the company’s Ingolstadt Retail Park near Munich.
The project was a complete design and build, encompassing initial conceptualisation, production of all of the signage, transportation and installation by the company’s own engineers.
The 18-month development included main identification and individual signs for all of the 150 retail units, and directional, information and ancillary signs. Special decorative lamppost signs and architectural lighting features were also supplied. Ornate projecting sign brackets were constructed from extruded, powder coated aluminium.

The Robert Horne Group is offering training in how to wrap vehicles and apply vinyl. A series of one-day courses is demonstrating vinyl application techniques, and offering practical, hands-on experience using test panels and actual vehicles.
The demonstrations use Avery 900SC and MPI 1005RS vinyls. The Avery900 Super Cast New Generation has been upgraded to improve conformability in applications using heavy corrugated surfaces, both convex and concave. The 1005 RS vinyl is a premium quality gloss opaque cast film designed for use in fleet marking and corporate identification applications. Avery Dennison says the technology provides reduced wrinkling and air entrapment often encountered in the application of decals and graphics.

At the recent Viscom event at Paris HP unveiled the HP Scitex XP2300 – the latest addition to its broad portfolio of large-format solutions.
The system is the first 3.2m UV roll-to-roll press designed specifically for the outdoor signage market where reducing variable cost is key to business success.
Along with the XP2300 was the HP Designjet L65500 and HP Scitex TJ8500. Together, these printers offer choices of flexible and rigid output with high quality, high speed, low production costs and environmental innovation.
With a low ink consumption of 180m2 print out of one litre of ink realised at a top speed of up to 233m2/hr at a resolution of up to 360dpi, the HP Scitex XP2300 Printer is ideal for billboards, building wraps and other high volume outdoor signage applications, says HP.

Chessington-based digital printing solutions provider Digital People has hired Bill Holmes to drive the next phase of its business development.
Holmes joins the firm from HP where he was responsible for sales and account management within its Indigo division. Based in Manchester, his key focus has been in the north east working with clients to develop digital press solutions and grow profitability while expanding new markets.
Previously Holmes has held several senior management roles within HP and was an original member of the UK Indigo team (prior to the acquisition by HP) and was instrumental in developing the UK business.
Digital People’s chairman Jerry Widdowson says, ‘Having built a fantastic relationship with Bill whilst he developed the indirect channel for HP, it was clear he would add significant experience to the team. His understanding of the industry is second to none and the directors feel his appointment will strengthen our business as it grows’.

ASLAN, a supplier of self-adhesive speciality film products, has added to its range of metal effect films. The six colours in the ASLAN CA 23 line, all have a stainless steel look. The self-adhesive films have a double-sided matt finish, have an exterior durability of at least two years and can be used for a variety of creative applications.
With the same surface effect on both sides, the polyester films in the range produce an eye-catching metallic look for letterings, graphics and emblems.
The range is available in 25m rolls with a maximum width of 1.25 m.

Signforce, the Norwich based trade supplier of sign products and materials, has joined a new Dibond recycling scheme run by UK distributor ThyssenKrupp Materials in partnership with manufacturer Alcan Composites.
The new scheme, which complies with Alcan’s ISO 14001 certification, will result in as much as 99.9% of material being re-used. The scheme is only open to users of genuine Dibond and Dilite ACM panels, as these materials only use high grade AIMg1 alloy and are therefore free of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium used in other ACM panels. Dibond and Dilite panels also feature single-material polyethylene cores, which can be recycled.
‘We use a lot of Dibond to fabricate all kinds of items from sign boxes, to shop fronts, fascias and display systems,’ says Justin Watts of Signforce. ‘Before the recycling scheme, we were filling three or four 1,100 litre bins per week with scrap Dibond from our CNC machines.’
Watts and his colleagues were concerned that this was all going into landfill, so he was delighted when he heard that the recycling scheme that he’d enquired about on a recent visit to Alcan’s German plant was now available in the UK. ‘We are committed to employing sustainable working practices and many of our customers are prioritising environmental criteria in their specifications.’ He said. ‘We are also making a significant cost saving, as the collection of material for recycling is free, so we no longer have Dibond waste collection costs. It’s a win-win situation, for us, our suppliers, our customers and ultimately for the environment,’ he says.
Steve Cleave at ThyssenKrupp Materials, says: ‘We’re delighted to play a part in another Alcan innovation. The scheme is attracting a lot of interest from customers, many of whom are keen to be ‘more green’, but until now have had no way of acting on their good intentions. The cost saving is an added incentive, so we’re expecting rapid growth of the scheme.’

Adhesives and laminates distributor Drytac has launched a new range of magnetic graphic systems. The magnetic substrates, magnet-receptive primers and printable magnet-compatible materials reflect the latest trend for displaying graphics in retail outlets, exhibitions and other short-term graphic applications. They can be combined to create changeable graphic environments or simply used as individual components in a wide range of display applications.
The system works by first preparing the wall with FerroCoat paint, a commercial grade latex that creates a metallic, magnetised surface to which suitable materials will fix. Alternatively, a self-adhesive magnetic sheeting can be applied to a wall, again creating a permanent magnetic surface to which magnet-receptive materials can be applied. Stage two is preparation of the graphic using a range of solutions including magnetic tape, printable magnetic sheeting, or FerroJet, a magnetic compatible printable media.

Increased efficiency and space saving were the two key criteria for a UK customer who has purchased a RollsRoller flatbed applicator from William Smith.
‘Surprisingly, for such a large machine, it takes up less space than our two previous laminators,’ says client Chris Rumney, at Denbighshire County Council’s signage production department. Their new system is now used a variety of applications including road traffic and commercial signage.
‘We have seen significant benefits in productivity and efficiency,’ says Rumney. ‘The RollsRoller has increased the volume of signs we can produce, we can now manufacture larger signs, and less fabrication time is needed. We predicted the system would self-finance within 18 months but we have already recouped half the cost in just six months.’

UK trade sign and graphics solutions supplier SignTec has installed a Zund UVjet 215-C four-colour digital printer.
The move follows an earlier installation of a Mimaki JV3-160 SP inkjet printer and Mimaki CG-160FX cutting plotter as a combined print-and-cut solution, and more recently the RollsRoller Flatbed Applicator. The Zund solution will enable SignTec to accommodate a wider range of indoor and outdoor sign and display applications, including general signage, advertising hoardings, posters, banners, commercial decoration, exhibition and stage graphics and point-of-sale material.
The machine is capable of four-colour printing onto a wide range of both rigid and flexible substrates, including those with uneven or perforated surfaces, in widths of up to 2.150m with unlimited length and thicknesses up to 40mm.

Fisher Offshore has modernised the exterior signage of its offices in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, using the Flexfast back-lit box system from William Smith.
‘We use Flexfast for such projects as this,’ explains Henry Clark at Lofthus Signs & Engraving, the company which recommended the system to the building architect. ‘In this case because of the size of the two signs required and the height at which they were to be installed on the building. The Flexfast system is significantly better than acrylic faces in terms of both appearance and safety,’ says Clark. ‘It doesn’t expand and there are no joins where wind can get in and blow the face out. The illumination is very good and the quality of graphics from William Smith is excellent.’
Flexfast is a full-face box system, featuring one of the most accurate face tensioning systems currently available to provide a wrinkle-free finish. It can be assembled quickly using standard power tools. Flexfast boxes can be supplied as a finished unit, in ready-to-assemble kit form, or in full lengths of extrusion.

Surrey-based company Digital Factory has installed an Axyz 6010 CNC machine to help create new business opportunities and increase profitability.
Digital Factory provides a range of sign and graphics solutions, primarily to the point-of-sale, exhibition and special event markets, using various production processes, including digital printing, vinyl cutting, lamination and cardboard engineering.
‘We can process much of our work on our digital cutting table,’ explains DF’s Cyrus Norton. ‘Increasingly we’ve been asked to manufacture products involving acrylic, aluminium composite materials like Dibond, medium-density fibreboard, and laminates. We purchased the router incorporating the machine’s optional Automatic Tool Change (ATC) facility to enable us to handle these materials in-house. This also to allows us to switch seamlessly between cutting, V-grooving, bevelling and drilling to precise tolerances.’

Wide-format inkjet printer manufacturer Mutoh Europe has launched a bulk ink system and a new set of CMYK mild solvent inks for its Blizzard series printers. The new inks, called Mild Solvent Plus (MS Plus), are designed to improve performance and cost for print figures.
The new MS Plus inks are available in 1 litre bottles and 440 ml ink cassettes, for use in combination with Mutoh’s continuous ink supply system, or Bulk Ink System (BIS).
The inks have the same colour gamut and UV resistance (up to three years without lamination) as Mutoh’s existing mild solvent inks.
Printing speed on previously compatible media is now up to three times faster thanks to optimized drying characteristics and dot gain control in combination with Mutoh’s new HD 360 Intelligent Interweaving print modes.

Mimaki Engineering has acquired nbn-Electronic, its former distributor in Germany. Based in Herrsching, Germany, nbn focuses on innovative products and offers a complete range of products for the digital printing market.
‘We felt that the time was right for another step in the development of Mimaki Engineering as Germany is one of our main markets,’ says Akira Ikeda, Mimaki’s president. Through the acquisition, ‘we can work directly with the existing dealer network and look forward to long and fruitful relationships. Mimaki will continue its focus on innovation not only in the sign and graphics markets but also in industrial markets. We will also supply German print service providers with unparalleled service and equipment through Mimaki-nbn GmbH.’

Blackburns Metals has installed a large format Tekcel CNC router to enhance its offering to sign and display customers.
The firm has been supplying sheet metals and ancillary products to the sign trade for many years and recently launched a sign and display division to manage this area of its business. In addition to its range of sheet metals, Blackburns also supplies aluminium composite materials (ACM). BM’s Guy Hammond says: ‘We have been supplying composite sheet to the sign industry over the last couple of years and are looking to complement them with products that are more than just sheet, such as boxes and flat panels. Therefore we needed a machine that would cut not only aluminium but also stainless steel and our new line of aluminium composite materials.’
This Tekcel E Series CNC router can handle sheet sizes in excess of 3x2m, has a heavy duty 10hp spindle motor with fully automated tool change for up to 18 tools.

William Smith has added to its production machinery portfolio by becoming a re-seller of both the Mutoh Blizzard and Spitfire ink jet printers.
Following close collaboration between Mutoh and 3M, these printers can incorporate a specially developed inkjet system that makes 3M’s renowned MCS (Matched Component System) warranty an affordable option for a much wider range of users. The five-year warranty means that any graphics produced using the 3M system are covered against UV light fade, shrinking, peeling or cracking.
Both the Blizzard and Spitfire feature Mutoh’s Intelligent Weaving i2 technology, which provides a superior print quality and clarity of image for both photo and sign printing. Because the ink is applied in wave forms, instead of straight lines, banding, mottling and the problems generally associated with spot colour are all eliminated, and a more intense density of image can be achieved.
The machines print at 720dpi and provide the same colour and quality output. The Blizzard, prints at a speed of up to 36m2/hour, whilst the Spitfire prints at up to 22m2/hour. Both are available in 65” and 90” formats.

Bay Area Imaging (BAI), a digital print provider in Houston, USA, has produced banners for STS-120, a space shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Italian Space Agency ordered the banners for the European-built Harmony module.
‘NASA was very specific about the type of fabrics that were allowed on the shuttle and eventually approved Country Cotton FR, a 3P InkJet Textiles product,’ says Walter Bernard, the BAI’S owner. ‘It was helpful for the approval process that 3P publishes detailed specification and test reports.’
The production process of the 100% cotton fabric is environmentally friendly, and the fabric is also biodegradable. ‘The product is flame retardant, and coated to meet international standards for indoor advertising banners and the point of sale market,’ says 3P’s Thomas Pötz.
Country Cotton FR is ideal for use in public buildings such as airports, museums, exhibition centres and theatres. The cotton material produces good printing results with any large format printer using dye or pigmented aqueous inks.

DCP Systems, an independent provider of wide format digital colour printing solutions, recently teamed up with Epson and Colourgen to create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for fine art and photography printing solutions.
As a value-added reseller for the north of England for Colourgen, DCP Systems provides a range of wide format printers, software, consumables and support solutions to the photographic and fine markets. More recently, DCP has become the UK’s largest local reseller for Epson printers.

Colourgen has appointed Julie Mitchell as its new internal sales manager. Mitchell will be responsible for recruiting, training and managing Colourgen’s internal sales team as well as maximising and measuring sales performance to meet the company’s sales objectives. She will also oversee and participate in the co-ordination of sales promotion activities.
‘Julie has extensive experience of managing and working within fast moving and dynamic sales teams,’ says Print Solutions manager Peter Davidson. ‘We believe she be a real asset to our team as we look forward to an exciting period of time for Colourgen. Julie will mainly be working with our reseller accounts sales team to help them support and manage these important relationships.’

Fletcher-Terry, a designer and manufacturer of equipment and hand cutting tools for the sign and graphics markets, is 140 years old.
The firm was founded in 1868 by engineer Samuel Monce. His nephew, Fred S. Fletcher, partnered Monce in his business, and aided by his father-in-law, Franklin Terry, founded the company.
By 2007 the company held over 90 patent grants and expanded into the sign and graphic markets with a variety of leading-edge substrate cutting devices. The Fletcher-Terry Company has remained a family-owned business since its inception and is based in Connecticut, USA. For the last 51 years, the company has been headed by Terry Fletcher, the grandson of Fred Fletcher.

London-based large format printing solutions provider Perfect Colours’ demonstration suite now houses two new flatbed UV printers from HP’s Commercial and Industrial product lines.
The first is the new HP Designjet H45000 printer (formerly the ColorSpan 5400uv series). This printer is for commercial print service providers who want to produce durable outdoor and indoor signs, banners, point-of-purchase (POP) displays and posters with vivid colours on flexible and rigid media. Designed to convert easily from a roll-fed to a flatbed printer, the devices print directly on rigid display boards or flexible media. Available in 4 and 6-colour versions, the system offers print speeds up to 36m2 per hour.
The second machine, the HP Scitex FB910, is aimed at the established printer looking to increase productivity and functionality with higher print volumes across multiple applications. This is a robust flatbed printer for the production of durable outdoor and indoor based applications, such as signs, banners, POP displays, posters, billboards, building wraps, lawn signs and street furniture. Featuring HP Scitex FB240 UV inks, it will print at up to 74.3m2 per hour.

Italian colour measuring innovator Barbieri electronic, has updated its Spectro Swing spectrophotometer. The new system is available in two models: the Spectro Swing R, which measures reflective media only and Spectro Swing RT which is able to measure both reflective and transparent media.
The Spectro Swing R can easily be upgraded to a Spectro Swing RT using software. ‘The Swing R is an entry level model,’ says Barbieri’s Wolfgang Passler. ‘It allows users to upgrade to transparent measurements too, enabling them to get the right colours on transparent media such as backlit, which is becoming increasingly important in the digital imaging marketplace.’
The latest version of the software, Profile-Xpert Gateway, is also available and allows use of the Spectro Swing on Apple Macs. This links the measuring devices with almost every third-party RIP and other profiling software.

Outdoor media contractor Vision Media Group has launched Iconic Pods, creating the UK’s largest portrait-style digital screen shopping mall network.
The new double-sided Iconic Pods will add an extra 200 portrait advertising screens to VMG’s shopping mall network, and bring the total of installed screens to 240. These screens will reach a monthly audience in excess of 50 million consumers at the point-of-purchase.
Deployment of the Iconic Pods will begin in late September 2008 with the first 100 units in shopping malls across the UK ahead of the Christmas period, traditionally one of the biggest spending quarters in the advertising year. The Iconic Pods have touch-screen and video and incorporate incentives such as the dispensing of coupons, loyalty cards recruitment and way-finder services.

Junkers & Müllers has developed a material specifically to meet the demands made of printed images used in backlit applications.
The fabric has a special coating. While conventional fabrics let the light shine through the material, causing colours to fade, the micro-porous coating of Mediatex Lightbox intensifies them. When light is absorbed and then diffused through the other side, resulting in more brilliant colours, and very dark blacks. The fabric is particularly suitable for department store systems and exhibition stands. The robust, flexible material is easy to process and is available in widths of up to 2m. It can be printed with all solvent and uv inks.

The spectacular opening ceremony at the recent Beijing Olympics owed much to the shining lights of thousands of ancient Chinese musical instruments, and the colourful lights studded around the Olympic circles rising into the night sky. These were provided by Honglitronic LED.

Roland DG has updated its RIP and colour management software VersaWorks. The latest version features a new single-pass white print mode for the XC-540W printer/cutter. VersaWorks 2.7 is available free for Roland users at www.rolanddg.com/download.html.
The white ink printer/cutter can be used for a wide variety of applications, including vehicle wraps, graphics, signs, POP displays, banners, labels, decals and window graphics.

Océ, has acquired Scandinavian reseller Epcot to further expand its distribution power. Epcot, with operations in Sweden and Denmark, focuses on the engineering sector and the graphic arts market. The company supplies professional printing, scanning and copying solutions and employs 35 staff, all of whom are expected to transfer to Océ.
Océ employs 425 people in its Nordic organisation in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. The company is building its position in northern Europe, particularly in wide format printing systems. The acquisition boosts Océ’s position in digital wide format printing, which focuses on banners, signage and posters for different media carriers.

Europoint Display, a subsidiary of The Paper Company (PaperCo), has launched a range of initiatives to encourage high street retailers and supermarkets to print their signage, packaging and displays on more environmentally friendly substrates.
The company has developed a boxed swatch of alternative, greener media, The EnviroBox, supported by the industry’s first PC-based calculator, to assess the overall environmental impact of substrates, and complementary environmental report. Europoint will use the materials to encourage debate among retailers, designers and printers regarding which substrates are most appropriate to help them lower their environmental impact. The initiative is in response to rising demand from blue chip companies for greener materials, says the firm.
The EnviroBox will be presented to designers, corporate print buyers and printers to foster debate throughout the procurement and production chain. Each box contains a raft of products for banners, self-adhesives for windows, rigid sheets and films that are viable replacements for PVC-based products but are less harmful to the environment. It also contains new, less harmful versions of existing products, such as a foam PVC substrate that is made almost entirely from recycled polymer. Each box also includes an environmental report Plastics in the Environment produced by Europoint’s Environmental Solutions Director, Vic Adie.
Europoint’s environmental impact calculator, based on a spreadsheet format, ranks materials on the impact that they have throughout their lifecycle (ie how much energy is needed to produce them, their biodegradability and recyclability) and gives users an overall rating for each one. The company believes that the calculator, the first of its kind, will help dispel much of the confusion surrounding the range of materials and help retailers identify suitable alternatives.
‘This initiative follows online research that we undertook to assess the interest from high street retailers into less harmful signage and display products,’ says Adie. ‘There’s a huge demand from retailers keen to reduce their impact on the environment. However, there often seems to be confusion regarding relative environmental merits of new types of substrates available. It’s an incredibly complex area, which is why we want to encourage debate.’

www.envirorange.co.uk

A ‘Brighter White’ substrate, engineered for use with the new breed of high definition wide format digital printers, is the latest innovation in the Foamalux range of foamed PVC flat sheet from market leaders Brett Martin. Extensive research into colour pigmentation has led to the development of a brighter white colour formulation throughout the Foamalux range which optimises reproduction capabilities to achieve outstanding print clarity and quality – for a white that makes your print look mint.
Advanced image processing delivered in the latest digital technology demands high performance substrates for the quality output of dazzling images and pin sharp text for the highest quality signs, point of purchase displays and exhibition backdrops. To ensure maximum compatibility with evolving digital technologies, Brett Martin have developed Foamalux ‘Bright’ White, in consultation with digital equipment manufacturers and ink producers to create a substrate for high quality digital imaging and excellent colour reproduction.
The pigment formulation in Foamalux ‘Bright’ White has been innovated to provide the maximum levels of UV stability in the ink curing process to produce outstanding image quality and the highest standards of digital reproduction for demanding six and seven colour imaging requirements.
Manufactured to exacting tolerances, the ultra smooth, semi matt surface finish of Foamalux ‘Bright’ White provides a consistently even, reliable surface for digital printing. The uniform, expanded closed cell structure gives Foamalux ‘Bright’ White a hard, flat surface, providing exceptional rigidity and mechanical properties for intricate die cutting and routering. The hard surface is also more durable providing excellent resistance to knocks and scratches at the point of display.
Foamalux ‘Bright’ White is available in a wide range of sheet sizes, lengths 2440-3050mm, widths 1220 -2050mm and thicknesses 1-13mm for a variety of print and display applications.
Duncan Smith, Sales Director of Brett Martin’s Semi-Finished Products Division, commented, “The innovation of Foamalux ‘Bright’ White illustrates how we constantly strive to improve and develop our products to provide the best range for our customers. Foamalux ‘Bright’ White presents the optimum surface for print clarity to achieve maximum stand out for signage and in-store point of sale. Companies who have trialed the product are delighted with the results and we think that our customers will find that it is a very useful addition to the Foamalux colour portfolio.”
Brett Martin’s Foamalux Foam PVC range is one of the most extensive in the world: Foamalux - white plus 12 colours, satin finish; Foamalux Ultra - white plus 6 colours: gloss finish, weatherable and Foamalux Xtra - recycled core and co-extruded white surface.

3M has expanded its range of digital printing films with the introduction of 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series IJ70.
The material has been developed for general sign and graphics and commercial vehicle livery applications and for use with solvent-based piezo inkjet printers. The 50 micron-thick cast vinyl film is available in a white and transparent format and features either a permanent acrylic pigmented (IJ70-10) or permanent acrylic clear (IJ70-114) adhesive.
The film can be applied to a wide range of commonly used sign and graphics substrates, including glass, acrylic, various metals, polycarbonates, fibreglass and painted surfaces. Where graphics are likely to be exposed to the more severe environmental conditions or frequent power washing involving harsh and potentially damaging chemicals, the use of an appropriate 3M-specified protective laminate is recommended. 3M IJ70 will, however, resist mild acids, alkalis and salts.
When manufactured, applied and maintained in accordance with 3M’s recommended procedures, graphics produced on the new IJ70 and protected with a selected 3M Scotchcal over laminate film will be covered by a performance warranty founded on 3M’s renowned Matched Component System (MCS) warranty. 3M IJ70 is available from 3M’s primary distributors William Smith and Spandex.

Belgium-based wide-format inkjet printer and vinyl cutting plotter manufacturer Mutoh Europe has launched the SC-PRO 1400, a 63” (1600mm) wide vinyl cutter targeted at the sign, screen and digital print markets.
SC-PRO 1400 offers a range of features enhancing productivity and ease of use for applications including signage, vehicle decoration and window graphics. The system’s maximum cutting width is 1,385mm (54.50”) and it is equipped with four repositionable pressure rollers, allowing the use of different media widths. The two middle pressure rollers have reduced pressure and can be disabled to eliminate roller marks on sensitive or pre-printed media. Off-cuts down to 200 mm (7.87”) can be accommodated. Long-length tracking is guaranteed thanks to matching of grid roller sets per individual machine. Cutting force is adjustable from 20- 450g to guarantee optimum cutting results on a wide range of materials. Cutting speed is adjustable up to 1000mm/s at a maximum acceleration of 2.75G.
Equipped with a solid drag knife cutting head enabling cutting/plotting and automatic sheet-off, the SC-PRO can cut a broad range of sign making materials ranging from self-adhesive PVC to sandblast, up to a maximum thickness of 1mm. The automatic sheet-off feature will allow slicing of media up to at width of 1,400 mm (55.10”) at the end of a job. This feature is particularly useful when making multiple copies of signs. The head also integrates a laser tool for accurately measuring automatic contour cutting data.
The SC-PRO 1400 cutter is equipped with a USB and an RS-232 serial interface. It is also the world’s first cutting plotter standard equipped with an Ethernet network connection. Mutoh’s says the SC-PRO 1400 comes as a total solution, including a robust stand with caster wheels, a roll support system, a media basket and an EasySIGN Power Pack Mutoh Edition cutting/contour cutting software.
Built for maximum productivity, the SC-PRO 1400 is suited to volume cutting of repetitive jobs, corporate signs and in-house sign making.
The teamwork of the in-the-box Mutoh Cut Server, EasySIGN Power Pack Mutoh edition software and the cutting head’s integrated laser tool will allow single and multi-frame laser alignment and job identity recognition for effortless contour cutting of pre-printed stickers and signs.
Mutoh’s new SC-PRO 1400 has been engineered and developed at Mutoh Europe’s R&D Centre in Belgium. The product will be distributed by Mutoh Europe all over Europe, the Middle-East and Africa through a network of dedicated authorised resellers.

Visual comunications equipment specialist GCC has won the 2008 Outstanding Photonics Product Award, presented by the Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association (PIDA) for its advanced large working table metal marking system, the GCC LaserPro S290.
GCC continues to enjoy great success globally. It successfully developed and produced the S290 system which, it says, can be used in a wide range of applications. Whether it is a graphic on metallic surfaces, plastic surfaces, or simply barcodes on metal tools, the S290 produces excellent marking results and excellent output quality, according to GCC.

www.ism.gccworld.com

Online digital print production specialist Ultimate is opening an office in Gent, Belgium, to better serve European dealers. The move aims to enhance channel development and provide technical support training and integration assistance to dealers and their customers.
The office will be shared with sales and marketing services outsourcing firm Four Pees who, under boss Tom Peire will lead European channel development for Ultimate.
'With more focus on consultancy the European graphic arts sales channel has changed,' says Peire. 'Even local vendor sales organizations are increasingly looking for software solutions that add value to their customers and help them drive equipment sales'.

Eddie Tucker has joined Durst in the UK as a senior service engineer. Eddie, who will be based in the north of England, brings the number of factory trained technicians covering the UK and Ireland, to eight.
Eddie joins Durst with a background of 18 years experience in a service role and is a very technical and highly qualified sales engineer. His experience includes working for some of the largest names in the industry as well as running a successful independent servicing organisation.

www.durst-online.co.uk

Print finishing equipment and consumables company GBC Commercial Laminating Solutions has installed the first GBC 620os on-demand laminating system at Jackson Media Services in High Wycombe, UK.
The machine provides the company with in-house finishing for products printed on its new HP Indigo 3500 Digital Press.
With high productivity speeds of 15m/minute and a maximum sheet size of 53cm x 76cm, the unit was considered ideal for short runs and fast turnarounds.

Drytac has acquired Advanced Finishing Solutions (AFS), an OEM provider and distributor of aqueous/UV-curable coating machines and liquid coatings. This strategic move will position Drytac to leverage the growing demand for liquid laminating among users of flatbed inkjet printers, digital print-on-demand presses and photo printers, as well as operators of gicleé and fine art studios.
Advanced Finishing Solutions offers aqueous and UV coating equipment, with formats ranging from 3.2m down to models the size of a copy machine. The company markets its products under trade names including VERSA-Coater, PhotoMate, PressMate and DocuMate UV, Cyclone UV, AFC Liquid Coaters, ENDURACoat and INSTACure liquid coatings
As a leading manufacturer of dry mounting tissues and Heatset overlaminating films, Drytac is well positioned to increase the visibility of the AFS brand in Europe, North America and Asia. 'The liquid coater line enhances our position as a one stop post print finishing resource for the graphics and display markets,' says Marc Oosterhuis, president of the Drytac Group. 'It will also allow us to expand into markets such as screen printing and on-demand printing.'

Leading lenticular 3D software developer, HumanEyes Technologies, will be introducing its latest software solution at DRUPA.
Producer3D offers an array of new lenticular tools and 'industry first' prepress features that aim to simplify the preprint process, greatly improve lenticular productivity and provide superior lenticular print quality. Producer3D, which will replace HumanEyes 1.3 currently embedded in the PrintPro 2.0 product family, has been chosen for live lenticular printing demonstrations by five partners on their stands throughout the event.

The UK's Hampshire Flag Company is amongst the first manufacturers to offer recyclable banners made from DuPont Tyvek.
Md Graham Wilkinson says: 'Our customers receive a high-quality product at no additional cost and the environment doesn't suffer.'
The DuPont Tyvek banner is very hard-wearing and almost impossible to tear thanks to its construction of a random pattern of polyethylene fibres, making it ideal for external use.
DuPont's Ian Davis says the banner is a strong competitor within the PVC banner market. 'The recyclable material meets all three 'R's recommended by the Government - it is reusable, recyclable and reduces carbon footprint.
The material is available in large format sizes up to two metres in height and in widths up to 40m. Hampshire Flag offers full colour UV printing, single or double sided, on the 110gsm material.

www.hampshireflag.co.uk

The International Sign Association (ISA) has called its 2008 International Sign Expo 'the biggest sign show ever.' Held March 26-29, 2008 in Orlando, the event attracted 20,000 attendees and showcased 1,952 exhibit booths, representing 563 companies demonstrating the newest technologies in the electronic sign, printing and graphics industries.
Over 75% of next year's Las Vegas show (April 15-18) has been reserved.

DPLenticular, supplier of Lenstar lenticular plastic sheets and rolls for the graphic arts industry is the new name of the former LPC-Europe (The Lenticular Plastic Company of Europe).
Lenstar is exclusively distributed in Europe by DPLenticular to creative agencies as well as commercial offset and digital printers for use in applications such as POP designs, packaging, direct mail, promotional and various card formats.

www.dplenticular.com

Wide-format inkjet printer manufacturer Mutoh Europe has added new models to its popular line of ValueJet Eco-Solvent Ultra roll-to-roll printers. Two new printers are now available - the ValueJet 1304 54” four colour printer and the ValueJet 1614 64” four colour printer. Both incorporate Mutoh's award-winning Intelligent Interweaving print technology.
Application possibilities encompass production of outdoor posters & signs, banners, long-term backlit signage, building and construction announcements, POS displays, as well as durable prints for indoor use.
The 54” ValueJet 1304 printer complements the ValueJet 1204 at entry level position in the ValueJet range. It has a media width of 1371.5mm and a print width of 1336.5mm. The printer is specifically targeted at starting-out sign makers as well as commercial printers looking to replace existing water-based inkjet printers.
The 64” ValueJet 1614 printer model replaces Mutoh's existing ValueJet 1604 model. The machine has a media width up to 1625mm and a print width up to 1615mm. The printer is specifically targeted at the sign and display market.

Retail designer Ignite Retail Design International has used 3M's Vikuiti Rear Projection Film in its work for Hidden Hearing, a leading provider of hearing healthcare.
Elliptical Vikuiti displays measuring 1.2m x 0.9m are being installed in six branches of Hidden Hearing at a time when merchandising means more than simply showing a product. 'We are now able to communicate sophisticated and complex offers at the point of sale,' says Paula Dowie at Ignite.
Allied with multimedia, the film attract and hold people's attention sufficiently to convey numerous offers and branded messages. The film is attached directly to the insides of shop windows without the need for mounting brackets or electrical supply.

Robert Horne Group has strengthened its presence in the UK plastics market with the acquisition of Vink Plastics UK, a national distributor with a key presence in the sign and graphics industry.
Dave Allen at Robert Horne Group says the move: 'Signals our commitment to sustained growth within the plastics market which compliments our position as market leader in the graphic display industry. We will continue to develop this market both by organic growth and possible future acquisitions.'
For Vink customers, this means business as usual, but with the added benefit of access to a wider range of specialist brands and added value services.

www.roberthorne.co.uk

Colourgen reseller Image2Output has supplied a ColorSpan 5460uv (now known as the HP DesignJet H35500) UV-curable flatbed printer to Resource Print Management (RPM) in High Wycombe, UK.
Since the installation, RPM has carried out a number of projects, printing on a range of substrates, including Foamex, rigid PVC, banner vinyl, mesh, display boards and even MDF. 'Our customers have shown a real interest,' says RPM's Darren Britnell.
RPM is also gaining business from some of the printers it usually gives business to. 'Not many companies have the capability to deliver what we can with the DesignJet H35500 and this has not gone unnoticed by our own suppliers. The incremental business that the printer has given us has been considerable. It's well on the way to paying for itself,' he adds.

FESPA's second Digital Printing Europe exhibition - which took place at Geneva's Palexpo in April - attracted similar visitor numbers to the inaugural event in 2006, with 12,817 visits recorded over three days.
With just under 8,000 individual visitors, more than 50% devoted two or more days to the show. The exhibition space also enlarged by 40% on the previous event in Amsterdam.
Exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the international spectrum of visitors, and their decision-making authority, says the organiser.
'FESPA events have a special resonance for the wide format community, and our events provide a unique environment in which suppliers and print service providers can connect with one another', says FESPA's Frazer Chesterman. 'Our research shows that this sector is buoyant and willing to invest, seeing digital production as a major opportunity for growth, to complement traditional processes for existing applications, and to help them evaluate new applications and revenue streams.'
Many exhibitors have already committed to next year's event in Amsterdam (May 13-15).

The merger of Antalis Visual Communications and McNaughton Printall has prompted new appointments.
New divisional director for Antalis Printall Tony Marshall has significant sales and management experience within the sign and display market.
New product manager Chris Green is responsible for ensuring a range of leading brands are available to customers in the sign and display market. And new sales director Colin Palazzo has spent the last three years as the national sales manager in the Visual Communications division.

Andrew Wilson is the new md at UK-based B&P Graphic Systems , taking over from David Burton who has moved on to Fujifilm Sericol as its European sales director.
Wilson, who has been with B&P for over a decade, was previously sales director. 'We're going to concentrate on what we do best,' he says. 'Our strong relationships with manufacturers such as Agfa and Mutoh give B&P a very strong advantage with entry-level and mid-range systems which use UV-curable and solvent-based ink technologies. Additionally, we're going to boost the potential available with digital textiles, a market sector which is growing in the UK.'
Wilson plans to develop what he describes as a fresher and more friendly approach.

www.bplightbrigade.com

Wide-format printer manufacturer Mutoh Deutschland has inaugurated its new office in Düsseldorf. As well as larger office space, the facility has an extensive demonstration centre staging all latest Mutoh wide-format printer and cutter equipment.
'Germany is one of our key countries,' says Arthur Vanhoutte, md of Mutoh Deutschland and Mutoh Europe. The facility, he says, 'Will better accommodate the needs of our successful Mutoh Certified Partner program in Germany. We also installed a technical service department for after-sales support and hands-on service training of our local partners.'
'Partners from all over Germany will be able to book demos for interested customers. The premises will also enable us to organise dedicated dealer events, product launches and application training for the German-speaking market. With Düsseldorf airport only 15 minutes away, the office will also be convenient for resellers within neighbouring countries.'

Océ's CS9000 series of high quality display graphics printers were shown for the first time at the Sign & Digital UK event.
The CS9160, CS9265 and CS9050 were all designed to suit customers' varying needs, says Océ. The 64” CS9160 provides reliability, superior print quality and increased productivity, says the firm. Environmentally safe, it can produce both indoor and outdoor durable prints, making it ideal for those just starting in digital print.
The CS9265 is ideal for companies wishing to expand production capacity for both indoor and outdoor jobs. It offers print speeds of up to 40m2 per hour in production print mode, with top print speeds of up to 80m2 per hour. The CS9050 is ideal for commercial shops that want to offer outdoor printing, and for corporate customers, who want to produce graphics in-house.
Derek Joys, Programme Manager, Display Graphics Systems, Océ UK, said: 'These customers need an affordable, high quality, environmentally safe and easy-to-use system that offers indoor and outdoor versatility. All these printers in the CS9000 series suit these needs.'

Leading design and pre-press solutions provider EskoArtwork, has installed a CDI Spark 4835 digital flexo platemaker at Creation Repro, UK - a supplier of prepress origination for the packaging sector in Europe.
The investment is underpinned by a full EskoArtwork workflow solution, including FlexProof and FlexRip.
'Continuous strategic investment is the only way to improve and streamline our production process in order to remain competitive,' says Matt Francklow, Creation Repro's md. 'The installation of the CDI Spark 4835 is a key building block. Its high speed and reliability gives us a leading edge and the quality of the plates and sleeves cannot be faulted.'

Last autumn, Swiss manufacturer Zünd Systemtechnik withdraw from the digital printer market in order to exploit opportunities arising from the synergies of digital printing and finishing.
With over 13,000 flatbed cutters installed worldwide, Zünd is widely recognized as a leader in digital cutting and finishing. As a result of this refocusing of their engineering resources, Zünd have since rapidly developed their next generation cutter line, the G3 Series, which was given its world debut at drupa.
The new machines have been developed for greater accuracy and performance, and will include new features such as ‘Hot Pluggable’ cutting tools, this automatic tool recognition allows swapping of different tools on-the-fly, without need of system recalibration. The customer can then freely add additional modules without loss of the initial investment.
There are further improvements in all key functions, including cutting, routing and creasing, that will allow for even better quality of finished product.
All told, the latest G3 series looks set to cement Zünds position as the outright market leader in automated cutting and finishing.
The new G3 will be installed at the Zünd UK premises in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, shortly after drupa, with a series of soon-to-be-announced open days planned to formally launch the product into the UK market.

SEAL Graphics has released two new models – the 44 Ultra Plus and 62 Ultra Plus which the company says are aimed at printers and finishing houses seeking to introduce, update or enhance their laminating equipment.
Due to their ease-of-use, both are described as entry-level machines suitable for first-time users but the level of specification and sophistication means they will be equally at home in more volume oriented environments.
The SEAL 44 Ultra Plus is capable of mounting, laminating and encapsulating digitally and photographically produced graphics up to 1115mm (44”) wide; while the 62 Ultra Plus will take widths up to 1550mm (61”).
The inclusion of a powered rewind station means the Ultra Plus machines now handle pressure sensitive materials with ease, says SEAL Graphics. Both are capable of handling substrates up to 12.5mm thick at speeds of 2.13m/minute. Each unit incorporates top and bottom heated rollers (switchable to top-heat only if required) with three temperature settings to suit different films and adhesives.
The new models also incorporate a foot control for hands-free operation and precise media/substrate feed and, due to its ability to handle wider, heavier materials, the 62 Ultra Plus also has a roll capture mechanism for ease of consumable handling. With their compact design, these laminators will find favour in even the most restricted spaces and provide a solution to an almost infinite range of finished applications, says SEAL Graphics.

Confirming its position at the forefront of display innovation, Essex-based graphics display specialist eurostand display has announced the launch of its new Mini POP-UP space frame counters into the UK marketplace.
The Mini POP-UP system complements the already highly popular 2x2 POP-UP counter launched by the company at the end of 2006. This latest development, the first of many new product releases planned by eurostand display this year, marks the continuation of a highly successful period for the firm as its name becomes more and more familiar with successful dealers throughout the UK.
Though the counter system is constructed from laminated wood effect shelving and robust aluminium, it’s overall weight is just 11.2kg. In addition, the system's footprint of 685mm x 365mm, and height of 1035mm mean the Mini POP-UP counter is swiftly and easily assembled. And using its specially-designed, snap-in-place magnetic tape system, attaching or changing graphics could not be simpler.
As with all eurostand display products the POP-UP counter comes with a comprehensive 12 month guarantee. And excepting the actual graphics, each unit includes everything users will need to get going straight away: laminated counter top and shelves, zippered carry bag and magnetic tape are all supplied.
The product range will suit a wide range of applications says eurostand display, including exhibitions, seminars, product roadshows and demonstrations; anywhere, in fact, where lightweight, portable, and professional looking counters will enhance a customer's corporate look.
Says eurostand display’s Gordon Neile: ‘Yet again, we are delivering high-quality solutions in response to our customers’ needs. We have focussed our resources on building strong dealer relationships at the quality end of the market – those who do not simply buy on price with scant regard for quality and end user satisfaction. Our ethos is, and always will be, built on the swift delivery of high quality products using extremely competitive pricing structures, and backed by the best dealer support there is.’
Eurostand display’s innovation is unsurpassed - visit the company online
to see its huge range of high quality, great value display products.

www.eurostanddisplay.com

Myriad graphic display applications with Océ Arizona 250GT’s increased functionality

At Sign and Digital UK, Océ showed the roll media option that expands the functionality of its Arizona 250 GT and increases opportunities for users by enabling roll-based printing of flexible media to create banners, point-of-sale displays, backlit graphics, paper-based posters and fabric panels.
The ability to exactly match print quality across a wide range of media gives users an edge in the competitive pay-for-print market when bidding on complex print campaigns. The Océ roll media option can be shipped with new orders or it can be added in the field
– all existing Océ Arizona 250 GT units can be upgraded without hardware modification. The award-winning image quality of the Océ Arizona 250 GT printer is now extended to a vast array of flexible, roll-based media.
Unlike most systems, the rigid and the roll printing areas do not interfere with each other. The two printing surfaces can be used sequentially: while one is printing, the other can be handled without disrupting the printing process. Once a rigid print is finished, the print head assembly is positioned over the roll media option and begins printing on flexible media. Meanwhile, the rigid material is swapped out and a new board is placed on the vacuum table and prepared for printing. Once the flexible media printing is completed, the print head assembly moves back to the table to resume printing on the rigid media. The roll media can then be unloaded without disturbing the rigid printing function. There is no down time to reconfigure the system to change from one print mode to the other.
As an added benefit of this architectural approach, the patent-pending system used to move the gantry assembly over rigid media can also be used to make micro-corrections in position when printing on flexible media. This enables the printer to actively correct for any media advance errors encountered as the flexible media is advanced through the printing path. Unique to the Océ Arizona 250 GT, this technology results in the highest quality roll media printing yet seen in a UV curable inkjet system.
It greatly reduces the amount of wasted prints when media advance errors occur because of anomalies in the roll stock.
The Océ roll media option is a ‘touch-free’ system – at no point does any part of the printer or the transport contact the printing surface of the media. Unlike roll-based systems that use pinch rollers, this feature enables customers to print on media sensitive to mechanical marking without marring the printing surface.
The Océ roll media option can support roll-based stock from 35.4” to 86.6” wide. Maximum print width is 86.2”.
A cutting guide slot is included to enable the user to cut media in a perfectly straight manner while viewing the finished print. A wind/rewind foot panel to control roll-to-roll movement is included. This feature is used to advance and rewind media during loading and unloading and also enables the operator to view any part of the roll before cutting and dismounting.
The Océ Arizona 250 GT is based on a new Océ-developed platform that combines a true flatbed design and a separate, dedicated roll-to-roll capability.
It can print onto rigid media up to 49” wide by 98” long and 1.89” thick. With the Océ roll media option, users can print onto flexible media up to
87” wide. It uses four-color (CMYK) UV curable inks and Océ VariaDot imaging technology with near-photographic image resolution and delivers a true production print speed (sellable prints) of 172ft2 per hour.

In contrast to printed wallpaper, wall coverings can offer many advantages, in particular where digitally printable fabric works well with the tenter frame.
Lokai Design has been working successfully with a tenter frame system that can be mounted across any walls and ceilings to create an individual look. The frame is as good as invisible after installation. The frame constructions are printed and covered with Mediatex Presto, a fabric by Junkers & Müllers with all the characteristics to make it ideal for this type of application.
The wall covering systems evens out any imperfections on the wall’s surface while seams, such as those created by wallpaper, are no issue. The frame system is installed just once while the motif can be changed as often as desired. A further advantage is the provision of additional insulation from heat and cold.
Mediatex Presto, like all other textiles from this range, was designed and developed in conjunction with the graphics industry for the graphics industry.
It therefore possesses all the required characteristics for application in this area, such as high print brilliance, no white brittle, flame retardancy in accordance with the B1 standard, high tear resistance and a fabric widths of up to 3m.
These characteristics make the Wall Covering System outstandingly useful in the styling of changing wall surfaces in restaurants, cafes or public buildings.

Imaging and print finishing solutions provider SEAL Graphics has expanded its range of water-based laminates and launched a new range of dye-sublimation banner textiles.
The company has both re-engineered and expanded its popular range of water-based Print Shield (PS) laminates for use in cold, pressure-sensitive applications. Typically, these are for short-run, quick turnaround items such as Point Of Sale and other promotional uses but the range extends to offer an extended warranty solution and additional durability outdoors.
Print Shield Base is an affordable film newly available in a PVC Lustre finish, as well as Matte and Gloss, which will provide long-term indoor protection and short-term outdoor durability and is ideal for everyday high volume usage where cost needs to be kept to a minimum.
Print Shield Plus is a new film in Matte, Gloss and Lustre finishes that can be offered to end-users as part of a warranted solution for up to one year. It is ideal for everyday outdoor situations where the finished graphic requires additional protection from dirt and abrasion and greater longevity.
The improved Print Shield Premium now offers end users a warranty of up to two years in combination with solvent printable vinyls available in the Seal range. It, too, is available in a choice of three finishes and delivers outstanding protection for graphics required at the application site for some time.
SEAL Graphics’ new range of textiles is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and designed for marketers to extend the gamut of applications possible from today’s photo-quality dye-sublimation printers.
Five different fabrics have been specifically designed for use with both transfer and direct dye-sub print technologies, and are suitable for printing with solvent-, water- and oil-based dye sub inks in applications such as banners, exhibition graphics and POP displays.
One textile – which SEAL Graphics calls its ‘Mirror Flag’ – is particularly useful for transparent applications such as indoor and outdoor flags and room or stand dividers. It is a 100% knitted, 110g/m2 polyester fabric with excellent bleed-through qualities.
Another, the ‘Poplin Banner’ is also 100% polyester and offers excellent durability and crease-resistant qualities; whilst the ‘3D Banner’ textile has been designed for three dimensional advertising and therefore offers great stretchability properties.
The remaining two textiles are the ‘Double Print’ and ‘Light Banner’ fabrics. The former is a 280g/m2 polyester with two different finishes: satin on one side and matt on the other. Both sides are equally printable and this material offers good long-term outdoor durability. The latter fabric also offers good long-term outdoor durability but is lighter at 200g/m2 and has a greater degree of stretch for better use in display systems.
All fabrics have the B1 and NFPA 701 fire rating. When used with dye-sublimation printers, these textiles are ready to handle immediately they exit the printer and deliver outstanding UV- and scratch-resistance.

With the sign and print market in its sights, Vivid has expanded its Easymount range. The new 1600mm Easymount double hot wrap wide format laminator is designed to laminate, mount and encapsulate with the unique feature of 130° heated rollers.
The rollers can be independently heated meaning that the operator can select heat to be applied to the top or bottom roller, or both if needed (depending on the application). This increased heat makes the laminating film more pliable and is ideal for vehicle wrapping.
The DHW allows users to run different applications on one system, rather than have a stand alone laminator or mounter. This maximises productivity and increases the range of services that a printer or sign maker can offer.
As well as giving great flexibility, the DHW boasts all of the features that make the Easymount range so popular including a speedy production time of up to 4m per minute, large sized rollers for even pressure and a swing out feed tray for easy loading.
The DHW is suitable for pressure sensitive adhesives, mount films, hot melt laminates and encapsulating films.

www.wideformatlaminators.com

The UK distributor of imaging products and services Atech has added two new types of banner materials to its range of versatile large format media.
Under the mediaTech brand, the EasiRoll and BannerStrong brands serve the large format industry. mediaTech EasiRoll is designed for use in pop-up and roll-up banner systems and is suitable for solvent based printers. Competitively priced, mediaTech EasiRoll shares properties with high end media that do not require lamination, a light-blocker backing and an output finish that lays flat on the banner-stand.
520gsm BannerStrong is a premium quality reinforced material suitable for indoor and outdoor applications. It also lays flat on the printed surface and is uniquely Fire Rated to B1. It joins an existing family of materials including BannerStrong Budget (500gsm) and BannerLight – a lightweight, 350gsm material suitable for solvent and eco-solvent printers and ideal for situations where there is no need for the weight and strength of 500gsm.

3M says graphic reliability is enhanced with its new Scotchcal Graphic Film with Comply adhesive Series IJ40C. Developed for solvent-based piezo ink-jet and electrostatic printing processes and for application to flat surfaces, the new film offers a number of visible advantages to both graphics converters and end users.
Of special significance is the inclusion of 3M’s patented Comply adhesive performance feature that assists bubble-free application without affecting the smooth appearance of the face film. With Comply, special channels in the pressure-activated adhesive allow trapped air to escape to guarantee fast and easy application every time. 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series IJ40C is a white calendered 75-micron film featuring a grey pigmented and pressure-sensitive solvent-based acrylic adhesive and polycoated paper liner. It is available in a choice of white gloss and white matte formats incorporating either a permanent or removable adhesive and provides excellent hiding power for opaque films. 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series IJ40C also carries 3M’s MCS (Matched Component System) warranty of up to three years for intermediate applications. Developed for both interior and exterior locations, typical applications include signs and displays (including back-illuminated manifestations) and fleet and window interior graphics.
For graphics that are likely to be exposed to abrasive washing cycles (typically, commercial vehicle fleets) and harsh environmental conditions, the performance of 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series IJ40C can be further enhanced by the use of an appropriate overlaminate film (also available in the range) and to thus ensure compliance with the 3M MCS warranty requirements.