When the going gets tough the tough turn to screenDifficult times make us concentrate on being better at what we do, rather than assuming things are great because the print shop is bursting with work. So what have we learnt from 2008 and what's in store for 2009? by Peter KiddellPublished: 18 November, 2008NEXT 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.
Made to measure serviceIn-house converting facilities and next day delivery on stock items ensure that SilverScreen, the new UK distributor for Intercoat vinyls, is able to supply exactly what customers need, just when they need itPublished: 18 November, 2008PROVIDING 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.
Textile printing wear it with prideThe credit crunch is driving textile printing back to its original homeland, with digital imaging providing a quick turn and screen adding further value - by Peter KiddellPublished: 30 October, 2008So 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.
Cylinder or flatbed: re-evaluate your choicesInnovation in both flatbed and cylinder screen printing suggest it is time to revisit the choices between the two technologies. General manager of Systec, Reinhard Zimmermann, presents some factors to considerPublished: 30 October, 2008Choosing 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.
Screen printing cleans upScreen printing is a controllable, measurable and predictable printing process. Applying engineering accuracy standards eliminates unnecessary flaws in the process. The result: a highly profitable image creation system.Published: 03 October, 2008All 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.
A positive investment in screenScreen printing in point of sale (POS) is buoyant, effective and profitable. That's the evidence presented by Signum Siebdruck, an Austrian printer using screen to produce high volumes and large prints that are unsuitable for both digital and wide format lithoPublished: 28 August, 2008This 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.
Safety sign bonanzaSafety signs call for accurate colour control and tough, stable images. Perfect for screen printing processes - by Peter KiddellPublished: 26 July, 2008As 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.
You're fired: printing on glassThis month's screen feature focuses on printing onto ceramics and glass so prepare yourself for some unusual terms including frit, lehr, radiation cure, flux, reducing, fire and mediumPublished: 26 June, 2008The 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.
Using real-time verification faulty prints can be automatically identified
Billions of squeegee strokes into the futureScreen printing remains the process of choice for manufacturing some of today's most advanced electronic products. This article explores the present and future, by Peter KiddellPublished: 29 May, 2008When 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?
Thailand holds its royalty in high esteem
Screen printing, Thai styleIn this article, Peter Kiddell explores the Thai screen printing industry and details the structure and operation of one of the country's leading playersPublished: 01 May, 2008In 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.
Output from a Rolt machine
Screen printing for the massesBy Peter KiddellPublished: 03 April, 2008It 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.
Some retail environments are driven by volume, some by quality, some by both. PoS printing processes must deliver the right balance at the right price
Screen stands its ground in PoSLitho and digital innovations have been battering screen in the PoS market. Fear not. Recent stencil production innovations, coupled with the process' extreme versatility, herald a healthy future; By Peter KiddellPublished: 01 March, 2008For 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.
Plasma arc blown onto the surface with compressed air
Stuck on the idea of direct-to-glassIn the first of a new series of articles looking at the unique benefits of screen printing, Peter Kiddell explores the process of printing containersPublished: 13 December, 2007We 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.
- Making print make moneyPublished: 21 November, 2007
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
Carbon neutral or carbon numbPublished: 01 November, 2007Simply 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.
Sun shines on screen innovationPublished: 01 November, 2007Dek 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
- Screen: swot’s it all aboutPublished: 01 October, 2007
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
- Improving the screen processPublished: 01 September, 2007
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
Kaye Dee’s TPE100 has to be the ideal start-up machine.
Pad printing bounces into lifePublished: 01 August, 2007As demand for second user pad printing machines outstrips supply, Peter Kiddell explores the process and looks at a range of manufacturers’ entry level options
Nanotubes and Buckyballs are two examples of nanotechnology structures being applied to the development of new generations of screen printing inks and substrates
Small developments make a big impactPublished: 01 July, 2007Just 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
Fespa’s Sensations special effects portfolio shows screen’s ability to provide an added value premium to every other printing process
Stop the world, I want to watchPublished: 01 June, 2007‘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.
Do not use solvents to clean your skin
Have a long and healthy lifePublished: 01 May, 2007If 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
A pin registration system is a simple device used throughout the printing industry
Mesh and Frames : Don’t mess with the meshThe fact people still call screen printing ‘silk screen’ is an indication of a lack of understanding of this precision process. Peter Kiddell reportsPublished: 01 April, 2007The 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.
DLP technology contains a rectangular array of up to two million hinge-mounted microscopic mirrors
Automated Screen Production : Embracing new production methodsIn this article, Peter Kiddell explores the new screen production technologies that are opening the door for digital workflows in traditional screen printing applicationsPublished: 01 March, 2007Recently 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’.
Keep swatches of every substrate you can print and show them to clients
Substrates : Exploiting valuable surfacesIn this article, Peter Kiddell suggests that by exploiting the ink friendly screen process with novel substrates, printers can forge ahead with premium productsPublished: 01 February, 2007Cucumbers 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.
Automotive components call for a quality audit to end all quality audits
Industrial : Automotive drives screen to the limitIn this article, Peter Kiddell illustrates how one of the most demanding manufacturing sectors, automotive, continues to rely on the screen process for the production of key vehicle componentsPublished: 01 January, 2007So 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!
- Fire Ratings : What does fire resistan...
- You're fired: printing on glass
- Join the computer-to-screen revolution
- Textile printing wear it with pride
- Screen printing for the masses
- Screen printing cleans up
- Screen printing, Thai style
- Mesh and Frames : Don’t mess with the...
- Automated Screen Production : Embracin...
- Cylinder or flatbed: re-evaluate your...
How many of your customers have asked about the carbon footprint of your printing service?
- 28 - 29 January, 2009
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