I recently attended a software conference in Amsterdam. As expected the receptionist was friendly and welcoming as I registered, grabbed my badge, gathered up the paper work and made my way to the first presentation.

In conjunction with UK Canon distributor Velmex, SPDI is offering readers the chance to win one of two Canon large format printers.

Madico Graphic Films has launched a website to promote its pressure sensitive coated film products including UV and eco-solvent inkjet and thermal transfer printable window films.

The Howard Smith Group (HSPG), in partnership with The Print Circle, has launched a free, web-based tool to assist organisations secure Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

Boosted by the success of its first ever Digital Textile Conference, Fespa is planning to host a UK-focussed textile conference this autumn, in conjunction with Prism, its UK member association.

Visitors to The Sign Show this September are encouraged to go to the pub where they can get stuck in and help themselves. Delegates will be able to have a go at creating pub signage in a demonstration area hosted by Peter Millichamp of PKM signs. The area will feature at a 45m2 pub exterior mock-up, split into two sections, one of which will be created using traditional sign making methods, while the other will be designed using modern disciplines.

Static Electricity: Causes and Cures is a  free, 24-page page colour booklet now available in the downloads section of the Meech website. Written to answer the most commonly asked questions about static electricity, the booklet includes information on what static is, how it occurs and the methods available for its control in industrial applications.

The PBIF web site is now active as a microsite at www.spdi-online.com. The Products and Services Directory is also up and running, where suppliers can upload their company details under the appropriate classified headings.

Robert Horne Group has strengthened its presence in the UK plastics market with the acquisition of Vink Plastics UK, a national distributor with a presence in the sign, graphics and construction industry.

Combining the best of toner and inkjet printing, Océ has introduced a new wide format printing technology called Océ CrystalPoint. The process works by converting colour Océ TonerPearls into a gel, which is then jetted and crystallized onto any type of paper, producing crisp, waterfast images with accurate dot placement.

A month after its formal launch, prism feels like a different animal to the DSPA. With its fresh, vibrant image, people perceive it as an Association with potential. Prism plans to make sure the print community maximises its potential, by inspiring best practice and helping guide businesses to a profitable, successful future.

Five months after a massive fire destroyed its factory on Christmas Day, Kromex is back in business manufacturing screen inks. The company is now running at full capacity to fulfil current orders and build up stocks.

Palram Europe Limited confirms that its recent Palight advertisement, which stated it was the only supplier of foamed PVC board who can manufacture in the UK, was incorrect. The company confirms it is one of two UK manufacturers of foamed PVC board. Palram Europe Limited apologises for the error and any confusion it may have caused. The company confirms this was down to an error on the advertising copy which is regrettable.

James McNaughton Group's logistics subsidiary, gm2 logistics, has taken delivery of its first zero emission electric truck. The truck will deliver genuine reductions in the environmental impact of paper deliveries, saving over 4,250 litres of fuel and around 12 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, compared with the diesel truck it replaced.

Robert Horne Group is synonymous with offering printing substrates to the commercial print sector. Building on this experience the Group has invested in developing what is claimed to be the largest, most comprehensive range of wide format digital print hardware, software and consumables.

The starting point for printing onto ceramics and glass is the range of inks that can be used. Inks fall into categories: inks or enamels containing finely powdered glass or frit, inorganic pigments and fired in a lehr at a temperature exceeding 600°C; inks containing organic pigments and resins heated to 200°C; and inks containing organic pigments and resins cured by UV radiation.

The large format print market has opened up massive opportunities for printers in terms of increased applications, production and profit. But that isn't all, it has also opened up opportunities for other professions who are using new technology to produce better results and retain business.

Point of sale displays manufactured by Belgian screen printing company, Now Screen Printing, utilise the latest Autotype Capillex CP photostencil film from MacDermid Autotype to produce high definition, 150lpi images, with no need for lacquers.

ITL has introduced two new inkjet ink solutions for wide-format solvent-based digital printers.

Designed to help printing houses and corrugated converters to enter the short run corrugated display market, the Rhopac 160 is an entry level digital press for corrugated displays.

Users of the Roland Soljet Pro III series wide format inkjet printers can now download free profiles for five different self-adhesive digital media from Kay Premium Marking Films. Profiles for the XC-540, XJ-640 and XJ-740 are available via the Roland website, by selecting Media Profiles from the download section.

‘We need to outperform and out-innovate our competitors'. So said Gordon Brown. We all know how valuable good people are and how important we feel both as employers and employees about being valued. It pays off in terms of motivation, loyalty and growing and developing personally in a career.