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It's show time
So the show season is upon us. In this issue alone we are previewing two exhibitions, Sign and Digital UK and Fespa Digital Europe. In today's internet dominated world, it's fascinating to see how trade magazines and exhibitions have held their own. Magazines thanks to their proactive nature, delivering new ideas to readers' desks in a way an internet search never can. Likewise, shows provide the hands-on, face-to-face environment that builds confidence between suppliers and buyers.
Uniform results guaranteed once more
Ink that was previously sold under the Uniform ActivaSol and Uniform Citrosol brand names will now be available from specialist large format distributor, Digidist. Users of Uniform Activasol will now purchase Colorific Elite, while users of Uniform Citrosol will purchase Colorific Fresh.
Help with carbon calculations
In association with the CarbonNeutral Company, the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has launched what is claimed to be the first carbon calculator focused exclusively on the print and packaging industry and aligned with the principles of BSI PAS2050.
Label printer grows its capability
Label printer, Baker Self Adhesive Labels, has increased its digital printing and converting capability with a Roland Soljet XC-540 ink jet printer/cutter. The 1,371mm wide-format installation will be used to print a range of products from posters, signs and point of purchase displays, to banners and decals on paper, films and plastics.
PM congratulates inspired students
Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, sent his congratulations to all the winners of PrintIT! 2008/9 as they gathered with industry to celebrate the fourth PrintIT! competition. Gordon Brown also praised PrintIT! for its engagement of young people and industry.
Putting coating performance on the spot
Printers and end users are benefiting from enhanced quality and faster turnrounds from Coatings Direct as a result of its investment in an SPS Vitessa XP1 UV screen printing line from Thieme KPX. The equipment plays a vital role in Coatings Direct's work, which includes spot UV varnishing on book covers, jackets and promotional material as well as lamination and cutting and creasing.
Partnership pays dividends
Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) has worked with Amari Digital Supplies to deliver an Apollo 2216WW flatbed printer to UK graphic display specialist, Key2 Group. The £90,000 installation marks one of the first joint implementations arising from the GPT and Amari Digital partnership, with GPT delivering hardware and Amari Digital providing printing consumables.
Large print, fine detail
To mark the launch of his latest book, Equus, photographer, Tim Flach, has teamed up with Epson to produce a 60in print of one of the images now available in the collectors' carbro edition of his work. The print will be mounted on aluminium and hung in the New Bond Street outlet of Asprey's store to highlight the fine leather case designed and made by Asprey specifically to house the 300 page special edition of Equus.
Refine your skills at finishing school
A new one day finishing course has been added to the Roland DG Academy portfolio of digital print courses. The new module, Basic Application Finishing, is designed to provide sign makers and printers with skills in the basic preparation, application and finishing of a range of vinyl, digital and lamination media.
Trust in supplier expertise
Users of direct to product inkjet printing equipment will be interested to learn that Impression Technology Europe (ITE), the main distributor of DTG printing machines, has established a new website to support its portfolio.
Cars on film
Graphic vinyl specialist, Hexis, has released a new DVD on vehicle wrapping. The film features the latest techniques with a full vehicle wrap demonstration, from tool preparation to the finishing touches. In just over 30 minutes viewers will learn which points need particular care, with valuable advice on the latest advances, tips and tricks to achieve high-quality wrap projects.
Wage war on waste
One of the main reasons why screen printing is under pressure is that waste has become part of the culture. Waste can be defined as rejects, both on-line and off-line, unused materials, inefficient use of materials and consumables, wasted manpower, machine downtime and excessive set up time. Any reduction in waste goes straight to profits.
Toeing the green line
Neschen is one company which has worked hard to ensure its substrate range keeps up with customers' green requirements. Head of marketing and communications, Frank Seemann, says the company consistently uses green production processes and materials as the Pro Nature product line demonstrates.
Education in action
With an exhibitor list claiming to bring together one of the largest ranges of leading suppliers, Sign and Digital UK 2009 promises to showcase some stunning products this year. The line-up will, of course, complement the educational content, with seminars available throughout the event, which runs 28 to 30 April at the NEC Birmingham.
Sign and Digital 2009 - LED displays lead the way
Applelec Sign Components will showcase a number of innovative illuminated sign solutions. Products will include the new Soled range of LED edge lit profiles from Co Sign of Belgium. Soled displays feature an aluminium centre piece with various screw fixing slots, allowing side pieces to be adjusted to fit either a five or 10mm thick acrylic panel. Profiles are interchangeable to overcome fixing constraints, making the edge kits ideal for lighting decorative acrylic panels, hanging signs, wall mounted signs and projecting signs.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Opportunities are popping up
Perfect for companies who have booked a big exhibition stand but lack the budget for a custom display, the Expand 2000 pop-up from Expand International is designed to provide a cost effective and flexible solution.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Go direct to substrate solutions
Having decided to exhibit at Sign and Digital UK for the first time in over twenty years, Amari Plastics is set to launch a new Direct to Substrate (DTS) media range. Changes in the sign making industry have prompted the company to refine its range of foam PVC, aluminium composites and acrylic sheets, making the line-up more compatible with flat bed UV digital printing. The new DTS range has been designed to offer quality at competitive prices while ensuring products are more environmentally friendly than their predecessors.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Invest in opportunities for growth
Productivity and reliability, combined with a flexible design, ensure the Durst Rho 320 roll-to-roll and Rho 700 flatbed UV inkjet printers can help create new opportunities. Both print on a variety of media with an upgradable design which should grow with the business.
Sign and Digital 2009 - White print highlights
Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT) has teamed up with Amari Plastics to show a range of large format UV, solvent and aqueous printing solutions including the latest products from Dyss Apollo, Mimaki, Epson, GBC, Seal and Shiraz.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Dedicated to large format
Visitors interested in solvent-based or UV hardware, media, or finishing should visit Fujifilm Sericol to learn what the company's Euromedia range has to offer. This dedicated large format printing range provides hundreds of media products for water-based, solvent-based and laminating applications.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Get stuck into new media
Claimed to offer value for money, Neschen's digital wallpapers are available in four finishes: smooth, sand, linen and stucco. They use standard Solvite adhesives and are available in paper-backed form for low-to-medium human traffic areas as well as linen-backed for areas of medium-to-high traffic. All come on 50m rolls of 1300mm width.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Clear colour performance
Perspex Distribution will use Sign and Digital UK to highlight its Alupanel aluminium composite sheet. The flagship Alupanel white sheet which can be cut, folded and formed has been enhanced with dedicated products for digital print and economical options for flat and single-sided sign applications.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Race to see innovation in action
A remote car rally circuit, with mini cars wrapped in Avery Vinyl, will form the basis of the Robert Horne Group stand. Visitors can try their hand at racing with a competition for the fastest lap. The circuit will be made from Foamalux Xtra which contains recycled foam PVC and represents Robert Horne's commitment to closed loop recycling.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Inspiring ideas on display
Taking centre stage on the Roland DG (UK) stand will be the VersaCAMM print and cut wide format machine. The new Roland workhorse, the VersaART RS-640, and the VersaUV LEC-300 will also be on display. This will be supported by a selection of engravers as well as a range of applications on display, providing users with ideas and inspiration.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Sign up for perfection
One-stop supplier, Spandex, is to exhibit key products from its hardware, materials and sign systems ranges, including the new PerfectApply cast and polymeric films for vehicle wrap, glazing enhancement and graphics applications. These cast and polymeric films are designed to facilitate a bubble-free application.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Identify the lasting laser value
Backed by a long history with lasers, Identify offers a range of materials and substrates for the benefit of all kinds of signmakers and engravers. Epilog lasers are a major part of the company's portfolio, with sublimation representing a key part of the company's line-up.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Build it bigger, lighter and faster
Capitalising on advances in fabric printing, Tecna Display is launching a new display system said to combine low cost, image quality, easy transportation, light weight and washability for repeated use.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Print with confidence
J-Teck3, together with the UK dealer and subsidiary, Llannelli-based J-Teck3 UK, will be using Sign and Digital to showcase products including disperse dye inks and pigmented dyes.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Cutting the cost of productivity
HP will debut a number of wide format solutions including the Designjet L65500, Scitex FB950 and Scitex XP2750 printers.
Sign and Digital 2009 - Say yes to boost productivity
Your Embroidery Services (YES) is to showcase a new direct to product ink jet printer from DTG. Targeted at volume production, the Viper is designed to increase the output of table-top equipment by taking numerous printing pallets at one time.
Learn something new every day
Learning opportunities abound at Fespa Digital 2009. The event, which runs 12 to 14 May in Amsterdam, aims to provide visitors with a programme of knowledge-sharing initiatives to inspire and help printers reach their business goals in challenging economic conditions.
Fespa Digital 2009 - Find inner strength
Cgate has added to its range of rigid panels with CbondF, a light weight rigid panel featuring a corrugated core between two finished aluminium sheets. It has a strong and durable surface finish for exterior wall surfaces. Unlike Cbond, which can be shaped and used for fabrication, rigid CbondF is ideal for temporary construction.
Fespa Digital 2009 - Get fast and furious
Fujifilm Sericol will show its latest line-up of wide format printers and business solutions. The Inca Onset S20 will be launched at the show. This UV cure inkjet flatbed printer boasts production speeds of 250m2/h and 50 full bed sheets, with the ability to process substrates as thick as 50mm. The higher productivity Onset S70 will also feature on a big screen.
Fespa Digital 2009 - See the new line-up
With vehicle wrap demonstrations throughout the show, Hexis is to show an all-new cast film with Hex'Press adhesive technology specially designed for full vehicle wraps.
Fespa Digital 2009 - Embark on a digital journey
A selection of digital printing solutions will be presented by HP, including a range of imaging technologies, workflow solutions and partner applications to provide end-to-end systems for print service providers.
Fespa Digital 2009 - Roll up for liquid laminates
Image and print finishing specialist, Seal Graphics, will underline the importance of its strategic alliance with WP Digital by demonstrating new UV-curable liquid laminates with its AquaSeal 60 UV Pro laminator.
Fespa Digital 2009 - Grand choice for wide format
With over one million metres squared of stocks held in its UK warehouse for next day delivery, Soyang Group offers a range of grand format digital printing media produced by parent company, Soyang Technologies China. Media for solvent, UV and dye sublimation printing techniques are all avaiable, with material from 0.76 to 5m wide for the outdoor banner, billboard, backdrop and retail graphic markets.
Strength in numbers
Meeting with peers and colleagues to discuss the issues everyone is currently facing ensures you are not alone in these uncertain times. The Prism AGM, which is running at Robert Horne in Northampton on 7 May, also provides the opportunity to improve your company's performance with advice from industry specialists.
