NEXT YEAR is likely to be the year that sorts the wheat from the chaff with challenging times ahead. That said, it is often easier to make more profit on a reduced turnover. Hard times make printers concentrate on being better at what they do, with the time to make improvements in systems and methods. It is also an opportunity to reassess sales and marketing by talking to existing customers, making sure, in the process, that they are financially secure.

PROVIDING CUSTOMERS with both product range and service flexibility is no mean feat. It relies on combining the right stock in the warehouse with appropriate technical expertise and equipment.

So the UK was going to be a service based economy with banking and insurance leading the way to future prosperity. Our vibrant economy riding on a wave of surging house prices was going to carry the nation forward. Small fortunes lent to people who would never be able to repay the debt. Millions in bonuses being made by sharp-witted dealers.

Choosing between flatbed or cylinder configurations is often a case of company tradition rather than analysis. Some prefer to use higher-priced cylinder screen printing systems for all applications, while others consider this overkill. Whatever the rationale for choosing between flatbed or cylinder configurations in the past, innovation in both systems mean it is timely to re-evaluate the choices.

All too often screen printing is considered the poor performer of print technologies. This is often the case in graphics applications, particularly point of sale (POS), however, operating a culture of excellence could change the perception of this process. The aim has to be to delight the client with a product offering that exceeds their expectations.

This family run firm operates successfully in the POS market, competing on quality, delivery and price, using screen printing technology. How is this achieved? Managing director, Dieter Jernej, believes it is down to investment in the best equipment, backed by sound research and regular upgrades, at least every five years.

As small business people we are being subsumed in a torrent of regulations, guidance and opportunities to become criminals in the blink of a camera or missed signature. There are some advantages in this bureaucratic onslaught: one is they all need print. In our sector it takes the form of safety signs, warning labels and illuminated displays. Think of the number of ‘No Smoking' signs printed for 1 October 2007.

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.

When preparing to write a feature, it's amazing how white an empty page or screen can be to a dyslexic like me. It's difficult to believe how liberating the keyboard is. When writing by hand the pen just won't go where the brain wants it to, while reading is sometimes like a slow motion landslide of words. So why the revelations?

In recent months I have travelled the world working with a range of printers and printing companies. East, west, north, south the problems are the same. Low margins, competition and the environment. There are some advantages as printers in some of the more welcoming nations provide excellent cultural exchanges, as can be seen on this page, where the new PDS Consulting representative for Asia is seen demonstrating our new company uniform. Notice the wool swatches for testing light fastness of colours and the excellent textile printing.

It seems like I have been writing these articles since Noah's dad was a lad. In truth it's probably ten years. Haven't things changed in that time? Back then the squeeze and squirt process was in its infancy and many companies saw multicolour screen printing lines as the way forward. Then came the digital technology revolution. However, in the PoS industry (superwide format and large flatbed) this revolution is turning into more of a small disturbance, with some equipment even appearing on E-Bay. There is the Onset but that is for the deep-pocketed few.

For a process that was supposed to be dead and buried in PoS applications, there are an awful lot of machines producing vast amounts of printed materials. One of the reasons has to be that the industry has realised that digital printing technology is simply not up to the mark. With the exception of Inca's Onset machine (which costs a stonking £1.5m), flatbed and many roll fed digital machines are just too slow.

We are in a world where buying decisions are lifestyle choices. Customers purchase because it makes them feel good. A product’s looks and perceived value are crucial factors. Just look at a supermarket’s ‘bargain’ shelf to see bottles of wine reduced because the label is torn or twisted. This demonstrates how fickle customers can be.

In his final article for 2007, Peter Kiddell acknowledges the decline of screen printing in the point-of-sale sector, while highlighting the process’ bright and profitable future in a vast range of emerging, high value markets

Simply running a print facility at its most efficient can have a significant impact on lowering its environmental impact. This article looks at new-build innovations, plus a range of simple steps existing facilities can take Guilt, fear and threat are the tools governments use to control their populace.

Dek has announced a strategic partnership with BTU International, an alliance which will see the two technology companies deliver complete in-line metallisation process solutions for solar cell manufacturers

To those who only know swot as the sudden death for flies, SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. In this article Peter Kiddell applies a SWOT analysis to the screen process. Use the findings to help you build new business

With too many years trouble shooting screen printing behind me (and probably many in front) there are certain recurring critical issues which I face. These being the summer months, whilst you watch the weather you may wish to divert your mind to screen printing improvements by Peter Kiddell

As demand for second user pad printing machines outstrips supply, Peter Kiddell explores the process and looks at a range of manufacturers’ entry level options

Just when many observers thought screen ink development was being forced to a halt by digital technology, in steps nanotechnology to revolutionise the industry and breathe new life into the screen process

by Peter Kiddell

‘Doctor’ Kiddell explores the subconscious to prove that large, still images are what the human brain craves. Excellent news for producers of vibrant screen printed images.

So television is no good for our children. It disturbs their sleep, affects their hormone balance, could be a contributory factor in the development of autism, creates socially inept people etc etc.

If we are not careful we will be crushed by the mountain of paperwork created in the name of Health and safety. Certification, risk assessments, acres of legislation, awards, initiatives. So what is all this for? by Peter Kiddell

The screen mesh is a model of engineering excellence whose purpose is to accurately meter ink onto the substrate. To achieve this, mesh manufacturers use sophisticated weaving machines that produce a woven material to tolerances of plus or minus 2µm. When you consider the threads are an elastic organic material, such tolerances are remarkable.

Recently I have been involved extensively in digital printing technology and I am concerned with what I see. Potential users do not understand their options and consequently can make uneducated buying decisions. Once installed machines become prey to a ‘push-button’ culture where the electronics will ‘sort it out’.

Cucumbers and deep frozen inorganic materials are probably the most unusual substrates I have printed on in my career. Don’t ask about the cucumbers and I am sworn to secrecy regarding the inorganic materials.

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!