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Growing green
THE NEW 2009 Planet Friendly Guide is designed to tell printers all they need to know about process relevant environmental legislation from Brussels and Westminster. More importantly, it explains how to maximise the business advantage of these developments.
Making the point for quality
The argument for and against using third party inks in wide format inkjet printers is not a new one. But, with inks being so crucial to output quality and durability and the lifecycle of machinery, it's an important topic.
Finding hidden treasure
THE CAR is in a treasure trove of printing applications. The speedometer dials, the indicator arms, the air conditioning controls, the windscreen, most of the front facia and the side windows all feature printing of some kind. Open the bonnet and printed electronic circuits are a major feature with dozens of printed sensors sending signals to help the suspension, for example, sense mistimed braking on a corner. Printing is present in almost every modern environment and it allows our technological world to operate.
Screen and digital unite for success
Printers face a range of challenges: adapting continual technological developments; the decline of traditional sectors; fighting off competition (foreign and domestic); all while keeping demanding customers happy. Add the difficult economic climate and it's easy to see how adapting and enhancing one's service offering is critical to long-term survival.
The power of two
When I first started editing Screen Process and Digital Imaging, some five years ago, I landed headfirst in one of the print industry's greatest debates: when would the new generation of digital print technology unseat analogue processes, namely screen?
Agreement streamlines UV workflow
Image and print finishing specialist, Seal Graphics, has formed a strategic alliance with WP Digital to work together in the field of large format UV-printing and UV-coating to provide end users with innovative, high quality solutions.
Green print solutions
Retail print specialist, Kolorcraft, has achieved ISO 14001 status along with accreditation from the Forestry Stewardship Council and PEFC. ISO 14001 certification recognises the company's environmental management systems, while FSC accreditation was achieved by switching to paper and wood-based products sourced from responsibly managed sources.
One for the favourites list
A new on-line tool from Neschen is set to help printers find the right combination of printer, media, RIP and ink for every job. The ColorBase database is the result of Neschen's collaboration with a number of manufacturers, with the aim of maintaining appropriate colour profiles for Neschen media users and to update these profiles as new printers come to market.
Capacity up, ink consumption down
Digital capacity is up and ink consumption down following the installation of two HP Scitex XP2300 printers at Welsh firm, Gardners. Designed for high-speed production, the HP Scitex XP2300 is HP's first 3.2m-wide UV outdoor signage production printer. As a specialist producing high volume banners, posters and billboards, Gardners claims the equipment has reduced ink consumption by 30 per cent due to its ability to print in a single pass. This makes it possible to quote competitively on volume jobs.
Flying the flag for education
Young people from a special needs school in Hampshire saw their own flag in production while visiting the Hampshire Flag manufacturing unit in Waterlooville. The group of 11 pupils from Oak Lodge School toured the site, enabling students to see skills learnt about in school applied in the workplace.
Stepping out in style
Many of the decorations used during the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, were produced using EskoArtwork's Kongsberg i-XL die-less cutting and creasing table. At the Neighborhood Ball, for example, President and Mrs Obama had their first dance on a custom-built circular stage with a faux finish design cut using the Kongsberg equipment.
Achievable quality for end users
EFI's Colorproof XF RIP has gained Fogra certification for end users of Epson's new 7900 printer with embedded SpectroProofer measuring device.
Clean sweep for chemicals supplier
Screen printing chemistry developed by CPS is helping Hungarian screen printer, Cut Art Print and Dekor, to increase the productivity of its large format screen print systems. Cleaning and reclamation chemicals have also helped the company improve print quality, resolution and consistency from its automated production equipment.
Visible savings on lamination
A promotion on Colourgen's Seal Ultra Plus family of laminators could save users £1,600 on a Seal 62 Ultra Plus and £1,300 on a Seal 44 Ultra Plus. Laminators in the initiative are said to provide an ideal finishing solution for floor graphics, back-lit, pop-up and other flexible indoor displays.
Standing the test of time
Mida Sign Services UK is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Managing director, Mike Smith, said: "We don't just install signs. Our work has now become extremely varied, especially with digital print and graphics which we install onto glazing, floors, walls and vehicles. We also install banners from large one offs, to promotional roll out programs, all nationwide."
Ready to embroider or print
Now in its thirtieth year, Cardiff-based Golden Finishes has worked with the promotion industry finishing badges and pennants and manufacturing a range of products.
Garment offering grows by 25 per cent
BTC activewear has increased its 2009 garment range by nearly 25 per cent, offering 38 brands including the entire Fruit of the Loom and Gildan collections. The company is also offering increased ranges from most of their other brands, including Dickies and Denny's.
