It’s hardly surprising that a magazine dedicated to the large format screen, digital and litho printing sector is obsessed by colour: in particularly repeatability. However, it’s only recently that I’ve started to study colour selection.

Following its acquisition of marketing communications agency, Poulters, and permanent POP provider, Pointer, Bezier is celebrating a raft of awards received by members of the newly consolidated group.

First up, Poulters was awarded gold at the Roses Design Awards for its standing/outstanding book, as well as winning the category for best use of ambient poster advertising at the Campaign Press and Poster Advertising Awards. This was received for its work with Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

NCS has signed a distribution agreement to support the full range Rho large format inkjet printers in the UK, including the new Rho Pictor compact UV flatbed. This compact version of the Rho 600 incorporates Quadro Array printhead technology and can be upgraded with additional printing features such as white ink printing and selective varnish.

Consolidation in the label industry is expected to shape the market over the next two years — that's the verdict of BPIF McInnes following a survey of label companies regarding their strategic intentions for the future. The results were announced by BPIF managing director, Marcus Clifford, at BPIF Labels' special interest group meeting, hosted by ink jet print head specialist, Xaar.

In a move set to expand its PMMA portfolio, Yorkshire plastics stockist and distributor, Century Plastics, has formed an alliance with the acrylic manufacturer, Altuglas International.

Investment in new machinery is expected to extend capacity and improve quality at the Delta Group as it enhances it abilities in printing point-of-purchase and large format materials. In all, the company has installed a second Roland 905-8-LV XXL press, a HP Scitex CORjet flatbed inkjet press and a Thieme 5070 two-colour press at its six-acre London headquarters.

Avery Dennison has created a new worldwide graphics and reflective products division, in response to the increasing globalisation of the market for self-adhesive graphics and signage.

I recently attended a conference focussed on live media and how it is predicted to revolutionise the POP market, replacing static media before too long. The overriding message from the speakers was that digital display technology is the most effective way to market a product, thanks to its ability to catch the eye with moving images and change at the touch of a button to convey varying messages.

Highlighting its commitment to the future of the sign making industry, Roland DG has established a new educational resource in the form of the Roland Academy at Walsall College.

Developed in conjunction with vocational education establishment, Walsall College, the Roland Academy represents an integrated partnership between industry and training as well as offering improved support to the sign and digital print markets via formal industry accredited training.

Retail display specialist, Bartuf Systems, has acquired AGD Signs, a digital print company with facilities for large format screen printing. This will extend Bartuf's service offering into signage design, production and installation, plus corporate vehicle livery manufacture using digital and screen print technology.

Colourgen has announced a permanent price reduction of 13 per cent on the Kodak 1200i 60in large format printer, taking the price from £10,450 to £8,995, excluding VAT. Available from authorised Colourgen resellers, the wide-format system incorporates aqueous inkjet technology and is capable of producing both indoor and outdoor prints on a variety of media substrates.

Paper manufacturer, Fedrigoni UK, has achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification just two months after the launch of its mixed content virgin fibre and recycled Freelife range. The new FSC approval gives full chain of custody certification for Fedrigoni products, including Freelife triple blade coated, recycled and FSC; Splendorgel extra smooth, Indigo and FSC; Arcolaser HP wove offset and FSC; and Woodstock coloured and recycled paper.

Océ UK has appointed existing senior account manager, Craig Nethercott, as the new sector manager for graphic arts. The former professional rugby player, who has been with the company for a number of years, has a track record of scoring new accounts, particularly in the financial services and utilities sector, where he has initiated work with EDF Energy, Northern Trust and JP Morgan Chase.

Inkjet ink manufacturer, ITL is now an associate member of the British Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA). Managing director of ITL, Robin Titterington, said: “We are delighted to have become part of the BSGA, which strives to protect and support members from across the sign and graphics industry, while promoting a high standard of quality throughout.”

Underlining its commitment to the large format printer (LFP) market, Canon UK has introduced a new initiative to share the cost of upgrading to new technology. Selected resellers in the Canon partner channel will be able to offer up to £800 towards new Canon printers in the CAD/GIS range, when customers trade in healthy old LFP equipment, regardless of manufacturer.

Set to support its pre-press workflow and colour proofing solutions in the UK and Ireland, Compose System has appointed Kevin Caughtry to the position of sales manager in this region. His remit will be to expand the sales channel and dealer network in this area.

A series of weekend training courses is being laid on by Europoint Display for budding vehicle wrappers in Scotland and the Borders.

The courses will provide hands-on tuition in all-over wrapping with specific instruction on applying graphic wrap components which have been digitally printed on Orajet 3951 cast vinyl and protected with Oraguard 290f cast over-laminate. Each course will be limited to five two-person teams to ensure everyone benefits from the one-to-one tutelage provided by applicator, James Jones.

An on-line service is now available to UK Point of Sale customers, giving them 24-hour access to the company's full range of frames, banner systems and cable and rod displays. Launched as part of a major website overhaul, the site is designed to provide more choice and convenience with new product information and a special offers section to highlight any discounted promotions.

In a move set to enhance its digital offering to customers, St Ives has acquired Service Graphics for an initial consideration of £18 million.

Potential winners of this year's McNaughton Review are all set to showcase their talents during a weekend of celebration in the city of Andalucia, Marbella.

The 2006 awards, which were open to printers and designers, are judged in 14 categories including brochures, recycled work, POS, calendars, cards and screen and display, looking for the best work produced on a McNaughton substrate in 2006.

Students at Middlesex University using DuPont's Cromalin Largo wide-format proofers to print art projects and photographic coursework are more likely to hand their work in on time, thanks to the high print speed of the two models installed on site.

Aimed at improving print-related working practices, point of purchase (POP) specialist, the Simpson Group has launched a new course for retail marketers and print buyers.

As the first of four units, the foundation course offered delegates from companies such as Procter and Gamble, Umbro, Matalan and Xerox first hand experience on design and print tricks of the trade.

As we forge ahead with the planning of FESPA 2007 and several other major FESPA projects, the notion of ‘looking to the future’ is rapidly becoming the theme of the year. Indeed, the buzzwords ‘short run’, ‘fast turnaround’, ‘reduced downtime’ and ‘maximising productivity’ have been around for while, with many printers claiming they now need to deliver twice as much work in half the time. There is no doubt the pressure is on for print service providers to remain competitive.

So what has The New Angel Restaurant in Dartmouth got to do with screen printing? I have to say it is becoming one of my haunts, fabulous food, excellent service, superb wine and situated in one of the most beautiful parts of this sceptered isle. No, I am not getting a free meal!

New Year, new technology, isn’t that how the story goes? Well technically yes it is, but in the digital world it would also be fair to say new month, new technology because that’s how fast things change.

The quality of digitally printed media is determined by the position of the ink droplets on the media surface.

A remote proofing nirvana requires support for two hallmarks of good proofing: accuracy and consistency. The requirement for accuracy is clear: the proof must match the press. However, accuracy becomes more complex in remote proofing. The whole system is only as accurate as the combination of all its parts. Real standardisation of colour becomes critical.

The dedicated premises at the College’s Green Lane Campus brings together a combination of cutting edge industrial technology and leading training provision. The Academy has taken delivery of equipment including an AJ-1000 which prints at up to 90m2/h.

The show, taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 1 to 3 May, is not only an excellent place to see what’s new, it also has an important educational focus. Visitors can gather information, undergo training and catch up with the latest advances in software at the free Adobe Workshop sessions running throughout the show.

Fespa Berlin takes place 5 to 9 June 2007 in Berlin: you should be there. Had you thought of visiting or perhaps even exhibiting? Exhibitions work and Fespa’s success is clear proof of return on investment. Why? Because Fespa attracts the people you need to meet: buyers.