Leeds-based large format display company, Digital Plus have been appointed to print and fit internal graphics and signage for npower’s new office in the North East.

Refined papers and films manufacturer Sihl have developed new media for HP latex inks – which both companies claim reduces the adverse health and environmental impact of printing with solvent inks. The new wet-strength poster papers can be used with eco-friendlier latex inks and the HP Design-Jet Latex printer series ( L65500, L25500, LX 600 and LX800).

Colortrac, an important innovator in the field of wide format scanning technology, has achieved record unit sales, revenue and profit in their financial year ending April 30, 2010. Not including new business from OEM agreements, worldwide unit sales of Colortrac brand SmartLF large format scanners increased by 24% over the previous year. Colortrac's consolidated result (unaudited) shows that group revenues increased by 42% to GBP £7.3 million, with a corresponding increase in pre-tax profits of 66%. In comparison, during 2009, revenue from sales of large format scanners at a major competitor is known to have reduced by 33%, resulting in their pre-tax profits being reduced to a break-even level.
Recent independent market research has indicated that Colortrac SmartLF is now the leading brand of stand-alone large format scanner in Western Europe with a 31% share of the market in 2009. This survey indicates a shift in market focus to Colortrac SmartLF large format scanners and software applications as the products of choice in a value conscious world, and has been achieved with the assistance of Colortrac's ever-growing sales channels.
Expanding on the implications of these extraordinary results, Colortrac Managing Director Graham Tinn noted that: "Clearly the worldwide economic downturn has had an impact on the performance of many markets over the past two years.  However, our long term investments, both in competitive manufacturing at our factory at Suzhou, China and in our technology developments, are now providing us with greater capacity to react to our customers' requirements in product quality, performance, functionality and value. These financial results and the growth in market share are a strong validation of our strategic product and business direction. It is providing a profitable base from which to continue our market expansion."
Furthermore, Graham said: "I am also delighted that our customers have seen the long term benefits of the quality, innovation and creative thinking we put into the SmartLF wide format scanners that we produce. Customers understand how these technical initiatives produce features that can increase their business productivity and performance. We have a rapidly increasing order book which, combined with planned new product introductions, should provide us with continuing profitable growth in our business when others are clearly losing market share."
For more information visit www.colortrac.com

The British Printing Industries Federation, Unite the Union and The Printing Charity have announced the five young winners of this year’s Print Futures Awards. The winners impressed the judging panel with their enthusiasm and commitment to train for a career in the UK printing and graphic arts industries. The Print Futures Awards, which are now in their seventh year, offer awards of up to £2,500 each.

Grapo Technologies, a manufacturer of wide format printers based in the Czech Republic has installed the Manta, its large format UV flatbed printer at Georgiadis Colorsign, a leading Greek signage company.

Printers seeking the speed and capabilities of rotary die cutters without the lifetime costs for dies (and also seeking ways to quickly and painlessly switch to short run jobs with the limitless cut configurations now in greater demand), can now use the Spartanics Finecut-Plus-Rotary combination laser die cutting and rotary die cutting system.

William Smith is now offering two new latex printer models from HP – the HP Scitex LX600 and HP Scitex LX800. In addition, the new super-output HP Scitex FB500 UV ink printer has also been added to William Smith’s hardware portfolio.

City & West End Solutions have scooped yet another HP Award, this time at FESPA 2010. The award took the novel form of a Vespa scooter, which was part of the theme on the HP exhibition stand and CWE Solutions were awarded the title of Top Sales of Designjet Products across the EMEA region for April – May 2010.

Barbieri Electronic has appointed IGS UK as distributor for its automatic spectrophotometers. Concentrating on the Series 3 and Swing systems for digital imaging, the addition of these essential peripherals simplifies profiling, saves time and costs, and enables wide-format printer users to achieve consistently accurate results.
The Barbieri Electronic Spectro LFP Series 3 and Spectro Swing make it easy and efficient to linearise and profile different types of display materials, including options for reflectives and clear films. In addition, savings are made by enabling users to optimise colour management and reduce ink consumption whilst maintaining accurate, strong colours across all media.
The Barbieri Spectro LFP Series 3 is  designed for today’s wide-format arena and enables users to create ICC profiles on most roll-fed and rigid media, including textiles and traditionally difficult surfaces, from ultra-thin materials up to a maximum substrate thickness of 20 mm. The unit can also be used as a densitometer to determine the relevant values for films and papers.
The cost-effective Barbieri Spectro Swing has been developed as a measuring device for flexible materials and is suitable for papers, banner materials, canvases, back-lits and other products commonly used on roll-fed printers using any ink technology. It is available in three versions, either for transparent or reflective media or for both.
Barbieri is also instrumental in bringing users greater efficiencies with colour management options that save on ink costs, and full details are available by downloading the explanatory white paper from www.igsuk.net

The new BlueWave LED adhesive cure system from Intertronics is seen as a major advance toward the “holy grail” of an invariable and long-life process in UV curing.

Digital Print Innovations (DPI) is a new provider of printers, inks, consumables, software and service to wide-format producers in the UK and Ireland. The company will take over existing supply contracts as it becomes the exclusive distributor for MTL and WP Digital UV-curable printing solutions.

Young people looking to fund their training for a career in the UK printing and graphic arts industries are invited to apply for a Print Futures Award. Funds of £2,500 each are available to people aged 16 to30 years who are resident in the UK.

Now in their seventh year, the awards are sponsored by the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF), Unite the Union and the Printers’ Charitable Corporation, which is soon to be known as The Printing Charity.

Existing Epson Stylus Pro owners could be eligible for a discount of up to £900 when purchasing selected models from the Stylus Pro range of large format inkjet printers. This offer is valid until the end of March.

Fespa’s second economy survey shows that the wide format printing community is replacing the defensive survival tactics of 2009 with innovative and proactive sales and operational strategies to improve business in 2010. Over 70 per cent had used new products or processes to help them through the downturn, with 61 per cent adding products to their portfolio and 60 per cent entering new markets.

Océ has received two 2009 BERTL’s Best awards: the Arizona 350 XT UV flatbed printer was named best innovative technology for wide format and the PlotWave 300 was named best eco-friendly wide format printer.

BERTL’s Best covers the entire digital imaging and document management arena, with analysts looking at how well products perform in various real-world settings, as well as highlighting specific aspects of the device.

Developed to offer new prototyping capabilities to the packaging market, Roland DG's 30in UV-curable VersaUV LEC-330 will be showcased at Packaging Innovations 2010.

With its ability to print onto almost any substrate and a white ink facility, this integrated inkjet printer/cutter is said to offer cost-effective proofing for specialist packaging mock-ups. Not only is it able to print CMYK, cut and crease onto a variety of materials, but it also uses both gloss and matte spot UV varnish to produce doming and embossing for use in effects like faux animal skin and Braille.

Vocational training offers a great framework to undertake new or changed roles and provides a means of continual professional development, so as part of its commitment to Apprenticeship Week, Proskills announces its 2010 apprenticeship and training awards.

A new website covering Clear Focus One Way Vision perforated window graphics films and overlaminates has been launched into the European marketplace.

Manager of Clear Focus Europe, Stéphane Moreau, said: “As Clear Focus continues to expand its operations in the EU, we felt the time was right to launch a website tailored to the needs of our distributors and their customers in Europe.”

As well as the usual feast of exhibitors and networking opportunities, visitors to the Sign and Digital UK 2010 exhibition could also win a pair of VIP tickets to a match at Old Trafford.

Readers who register to attend the free event are eligible to enter the competition, which is sponsored by Hybrid Services. The winner will receive overnight accommodation, food and refreshments, entertainment, the chance to meet a famous face and utilise on-site parking.

Graphic arts companies seeking information on the pros and cons of laser die cutting technology can now obtain the expanded 2010 edition of the Spartanics technical guide: How to match today’s laser cutting technology to application requirements. It includes reports on laser die cutting improvements since the guide was first released in 2008 and enables readers to make a more informed assessment of how laser die cutters can be used to replace or augment rotary die cutters and other tool-based cutting technology.

Vista System International has launched a Beta version of its technical site, created to help clients and end users better understand its modular curved frame technology (MCFT). It is designed to provide the tools needed to quote, order and install Vista-based products.

Vista System International has launched a Beta version of its technical site, created to help clients and end users better understand its modular curved frame technology (MCFT). It is designed to provide the tools needed to quote, order and install Vista-based products.

Self-adhesive label numbering systems from Sportstiks will now be available from Bright Promotions in Ireland, following the company's appointment as Sportstiks' main distributor in the region.

Imaging solutions specialist, Canon UK, reveals that its print permanence was rated highly when tested against Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) standards. Permanence analysis for the Canon imagePrograf iPF6100 large format printer (LFP), Lucia pigment inks and Canon media demonstrated Canon’s durability.

Contra Vision has produced a free guide for anyone keen to design, produce or sell see-through graphics.

With sections on each of the above topics, the guide offers tips on choosing appropriate materials and explains how to produce see-through graphics that can be applied to the inside of a window, or backlit at night. It also explains about levels of transparency and how to produce see-through graphics using non-perforated, non-PVC materials.

Event production specialist, GTMS, and large-scale prop maker, Model-Tec Studio, are combining expertise to offer a new concept and build service accessed via a one-stop-shop website.

Here clients can source everything from one-off bespoke props and themed displays to large European experiential touring kits. Both GTMS and Model-Tec Studio boast experience across a range of industries from fine art and interior, technology and international motorsport to experiential and architectural.

A larger demonstration area and improved facilities for the company's Print Academy courses will be available at Epson's new Westside premises in Apsley, which will be home to over 250 Epson UK and Epson Europe staff.

Conservative MEP, Marina Yannakoudakis, called for EU support to help fund economically viable and more environmentally friendly alternatives to inkjet printing following a visit to MBA Group Printers in London, where she learned that inkjet printed media cannot be properly recycled.

Madico Graphic Films has re-launched the dedicated on-line portal for its environmentally-friendly, UV and eco-solvent inkjet and thermal transfer printable window films.

HP has launched a new on-line service - the PSP Network - designed to help print buyers find local print service providers (PSPs). The directory, which lists 15 different digital applications, is intended to help those who have either not used digital print, or those who have only used it for one type of application.

Dates for Victory Design's 2010 vehicle wrap course have been announced as 3 February and 7 April, to be held at the company's Derbyshire premises.

After instruction on the basics of applying digital media, delegates can get stuck in themselves. They will receive instructions on the latest wrapping techniques and tips to tackle tricky indents and rivets. Victory Design provides all digital media and equipment with instructors available to give one-to-one advice and demonstrations throughout the day.

Ipex 2010 promises an impressive line up of new wide format products with a number of wide format suppliers already committed to launching new technology at the show, running 18 to 25 May at the NEC. Confirmed suppliers include Agfa, Canon, Durst, EFI, Epson, Fotoba, Fujifilm, HP, Kodak, Mimaki Engineering, Océ, Roland, Screen, Vivid Laminating and Xerox.

The market for digital print for textiles is forecast to grow from €114.6m in 2009 to just under €1bn by 2014, according to a new study by Pira International published in association with Fespa.

Agfa Graphics is to grow its large format offering with the acquisition of Gandi Innovations' assets. Gandi's portfolio of mid-range large format printers is complementary to Agfa's entry-level and high-end inkjet offering and the proposed transaction will therefore allow Agfa to serve a large installed base.

A helpful new tool has been added to Avery Dennison's Graphics and Reflective Products website. The on-line colour selector shows what is available in each of the self-coloured ranges of Avery Graphics self-adhesive films.

Wide format scanner manufacturer, Colortrac, has received, Business Equipment Research and Test Laboratories (BERTL) four and a half star 'outstanding' ratings for both its CCD and CIS SmartLF graphics and technical document scanners.

Korean supplier of UV direct to media printers and cutter/router tables, Dae Young Systems, (DYSS) has appointed B&P Graphic Supplies as its distributor for UK and Ireland. B&P, which has appointed Sun Chemical as a sub-distributor, will distribute the Apollo range of UV combination and flatbed printers and the X7 range of cutter/routers.

Colourgen is offering up to 20 per cent off the recommended retail price (RRP) on all cut sheet and roll-fed media in the new Hahnemuhle Baryta FB range of fine art media. The latest addition includes quality archival photo paper, available from authorised Colourgen resellers with this exclusive discount. Prices start from £18 for a pack of 20 A4 sheets and under £70 for a 17in by 12m roll.

Canon and Océ have agreed to combine their printing activities through a self-funded cash offer by Canon for all the shares of Océ.

Printed entirely on Revive stocks ranging from 25 to 100 per cent recycled content and using an assortment of gloss, silk and coated finishes, the Robert Horne Group 2010 calendar features a Lilliputian world of printing and office life.

Yorkshire-based ImageData Group is developing its large and medium format digital print capabilities with the installation of an Agfa Graphics :M-Press Tiger. The new press is supplied by Thieme KPX.

A re-structured website is helping potential visitors get the most from their visit to Sign and Digital UK, set to run on 13, 14 and 15 April at Birmingham’s NEC.

Colour management and proofing specialist, GMG, has revealed that its contone and halftone proofing solutions now support the Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 printer, which is said to facilitate top-quality contract-level packaging proofs, even on transparent or metallic foils.

A merger of two PaperlinX UK businesses, Europoint and Robert Horne Sign & Display, is set to create one business unit to service the UK sign and display market. The business will operate under the Robert Horne Group banner and is believed to be the UK’s largest supplier to this sector.

A new showroom has been opened up by Velmex Distribution to house almost the entire Canon LFP range.

As Europe’s largest distributor of Canon large format printers, Velmex’s Surrey premises will now house a 700ft_ showroom area dedicated to the Canon family of printers including the imagePrograf range of LFPs, Canon’s Colortrac scanner range and imagePress C1+ printer, equipped with clear toner units for gloss, matt and metallic finishing effects.

Agfa Graphics has installed its first :M-Press Tiger, now in use at the SMP group in London. As an existing :M-Press user, the company was keen to work with the upgraded kit, said to offer higher print speeds and better output quality.

Eleven practical videos have been released on-line by large format scanner specialist, Colortrac, covering the fundamental aspects of day-to-day large format scanning and copying.

Speed and quality have been enhanced at Sutton Coldfield based Andesign, following the installation of one of the first EFI Vutek GS3200 wide-format UV-curable ink-jet printers.

Andesign already operated a six-colour EFI Vutek PressVu 200-600, however the demand for higher speeds at finer resolutions led to the upgrade. The eight-colour plus white GS3200 is ideal for the company's display products, which include point-of-sale, exhibition graphics, vehicle liveries and wraps.

Graphic display professionals are invited to visit Drytac Europe's new website, which boasts a fresh, modern look and extensive features. These include an on-line store, educational videos on a range of Drytac equipment such as the VersaCoater XL UV coater, DES-4 foam edger and JetMounter roller laminators, plus access to product news, events and downloadable information.

Targeted at retailers, shopfitting controllers, visual merchandisers and designers, EasyFairs Retail is a new exhibition, set to take place five and six May 2010 at London's ExCeL. The show will cover shopfittings, display systems, technology and visual merchandising and will be co-located with EasyFairs Interior Fit-Out, dedicated to commercial interior refurbishment.

Further enhancing its green policy, Durst now provides free collection and disposal of all waste Rho ink. To help control ink stocks and minimise waste, the company is also able to supply all inks in five litre single packs. Depending on the volume of ink usage, Durst can offer a recycle credit of the waste ink up to a maximum of five per cent of the total purchase.

Butchers Printed Products, a manufacturer of decals, facias, stickers and transfers carrying the Royal Coat of Arms, has moved to new premises in Redditch. The new factory will house facilities including design, planning, manufacturing and customer care.

HP has expanded its latex printing technology portfolio with new products designed to help users in digital print and sign shops, as well as copy shops and photo labs, reduce their environmental impact. The HP Designjet L25500 printer provides a cost effective alternative to eco-solvent printing for a range of applications from indoor point-of-purchase displays, to outdoor banners and vehicle wraps.

Irish company, Sigma Print and Media Group, has become thefirst customer for the new Roland DG XC-540MT wide format metallic inkjet printer. The equipment, which can print silver in addition to the regular CMYK plus white, will help the company's wedding book division provide enhanced print options in its personalised wedding and photo books.

A new downloadable brochure is now available from Spandex, bringing the company's range of start-to-finish solutions for signmakers and digital printers into one convenient PDF. Designed to be both vibrant and easy-to-read, this product guide offers a one-stop shop for software, printers, laminators and cutters and routers.

Inca Digital introduces two new options designed to boost the flexibility and productivity of its Onset UV flatbed printer.

Two new laminates have been added to Neschen's Solvoclear range.

Solvoclear Easy Protect is an anti-graffiti product, designed to keep its gloss properties even after graffiti removal. It is a 40micron polypropylene high gloss film with a permanent solvent acrylic adhesive system said to offer good UV protection for outdoor and indoor applications.

Printed RFID, OLED displays and printed photovoltaics offer the greatest long-term opportunity for print equipment manufacturers, raw material suppliers and printers, according to a new study by Pira International.

Cheltenham-based large format print company, Grafix Direct, has re-launch as The Bigger Printing Company. The move includes a new name, image and equipment.

Business partner, Sebastian Stanley, said: "In these tough times you can do one of two things. You can retreat into your shell in the face of it all or you can do as we are doing, facing up to the challenges of what is a highly testing financial environment for small businesses and use your energy and professionalism to get you through providing a bigger, better more professional service to your clients."

Graphic Printing Technologies has added the Zund G3 range of digital flatbed cutters to its portfolio.

Zund Plotting Systems UK's sales director, Peter Giddins, said: "We are delighted to welcome GPT into our select family of resellers in the UK. The company's reputation for delivering and supporting high quality solutions that meet customers' real demands fits very closely with Zund's own business philosophy."

Canon has announced a two-day showcase of professional photo, video and printing products on 27 and 28 October 2009 at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London. The event, Canon Pro Photo Solutions is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of Canon Consumer Imaging products ever staged in the UK.

Ceram has announced CCSII Mini Colour Standards. The company's colour standards are internationally recognised as the leading set of standards for use in colour measurement and calibration. Produced using ceramic technology, they are stable, durable, non-fluorescent and easy to use.

Nottingham-based exhibition and display companies, John E Wright and Viva Imaging, have merged, creating what is claimed to be the largest display graphics company in the East Midlands. The merger will see Viva's flat bed and roll-to-roll UV printers working alongside John E Wrights' HP Scitex flatbed printers, Zund cutter/router and fleet of HP Designjet Z6100s.

Josero has formed a new reseller agreement with Sems UK in Scotland, covering the resale of Triangle inkjet products. Inks are available for Mimaki, Roland, Seiko and many other printers. Edinburgh-based Sems UK supplies and supports the sign manufacturing and garment decoration industry.

Seven young people have been successful in this year's Print Futures Awards, which is sponsored by the British Printing Industries Federation, Unite the Union and the Printers' Charitable Corporation. The scholarship scheme, now in its sixth year, will help fund the winners' education and training for a career in the UK printing and graphic arts industries. Awards are for £2,500 each, or £1,250 where an applicant is receiving company funded training support.

In an effort to underline its green credentials, NEC display services provider, Melville Graphics,  has enlisted ALD Industry to dispose of its reinforced and unreinforced PVC banner material.

Signs and graphics manufacturer, Signs Express, has opened a new production centre in Mullingar, Ireland to service companies large and small across Roscommon, Longford, Athlone and the surrounding areas.

Laminators in Kala's wide format portfolio are now available from UK distributor, Colourgen. From the entry level 30in Bunny Plus through to the 83in Mistral, products work with all types of lamination and encapsulation supplies to create durable prints suitable for use in or outdoors.

Stencils and accessories produced by Christian Koenen are now available from Essemtec Benelux with a 24-hour, six-hour or overnight service available.

Vinyl manufacturer, Hexis, has achieved renewed ISO 9001:2000 certification for quality management systems across its four sites in France. Bureau Veritas granted the certification until 2011 after auditing the company's processes regarding the design, manufacture, distribution and trading of visual communication media and protective films.

Pre-registration for Ipex 2010 not only saves time, it also results in a saving of £30 on the entrance fee. Fast track entry will be available for all pre-registered visitors attending the event, which runs 18 to 25 May 2010 at the NEC in Birmingham UK.

Kodak has opened a new showroom at its UK headquarters in Hemel Hempstead. This customer-focused facility replaces the demonstration centre at Axis One in Watford, providing a venue for customer demonstrations, in-house training and visitor hospitality.

A new qualification has been introduced for 14 to 19 year olds, enabling them to study vocational courses in print and graphic design while still in school and college. The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design (MPD) will offer accredited qualifications in print and graphic printmaking as an alternative to studying GCSEs or A-Levels. These Additional or Specialist Learning (ASL) qualifications will provide clear progression routes into the industry.

Sun Chemical and parent company, DIC, have announced a single, coordinated global structure for the inkjet market under the name SunJet. The new structure will offer a unified product range for graphics and industrial inkjet applications using both organisations' technical expertise in pigments, dispersions, polymers and formulation chemistry.

Following a battle with a rare blood cancer, Professor John Davison has passed away. John leaves his wife Judith and daughter Sarah. John was a quiet, unassuming person of immense intellect, always referring to himself as an ‘inky'.  His expertise in ink technology and colour chemistry was unsurpassed. His office was bursting with carefully notated ink and coating formulations, along with minutely detailed experiments. John was the ‘experts expert'. Tens of thousands of people are leading full lives today thanks to John's fundamental research regarding printed bio-sensors.

Digital imaging specialist, Epson, announces that 3M Commercial Graphics and Avery Dennison Graphics Division are guaranteeing the quality, durability and longevity of their products when used with Epson Stylus Pro GS6000 and UltraChrome GS inks.

Inkjet consumable specialist, Josero, has signed a new reseller agreement with Your Printing Supplies, covering the complete range of Triangle Inx inkjet products for the North of England. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, the team at Your Printing Supplies will focus on the digital sector with a number of conversions to Triangle Inx already in place.

Independent software provider, StudioRIP UK, has introduced a variant of its Version 3.0 StudioRIP product, designed specifi­cally for the screen printing sector and available throughout Europe from Italian firm, Grafco. The product will be branded Xerio RIP.

Billed as its first printer to utilise latex printing technology, HP announces that it has installed 85 Designjet L65500 printers in EMEA since its launch in May last year.

Strong growth in the Irish market has prompted manufacturer of eco-solvent wide-format inkjet printers, engravers and 3D prototyping products, Roland DG (UK), to integrate Roland DG Ireland into its operations.

This prominent building wrap covering the Tower of London was printed on mesh supplied by Soyang Europe. The print and fabrication of material was undertaken by Vertical Vision for this 500m2 building wrap, the second of its kind in the past six months.

Screen wash solvents can be recirculated and filtered using a new system from CPS, designed to minimise both the cost and environmental impact of screen printing applications. Two-in-one functionality also means the Green Screen Combeasy SW can clean with either water or solvents, eliminating the need for two stand alone booths.

DPLenticular has been working closely with Bergman Media Group to develop 3Dynamick: a plastic lens material that allows images to be printed in both three-dimensional and ani­mated form. Bergman is using the technique for applications such as packaging, book covers, CD covers and point-of-sale items.

SignUp Auto is a new automatic nesting solution from EskoArtwork, designed to help sign and display companies utilize their raw substrates more efficiently. It is said to eliminate costly operator time in Adobe Illustrator or other desktop publishing packages and provides the mechanism as a dedicated workflow tool to accept files from a digital storefront.

A total of five Mimaki UJV-160 UV-curable roll and flat sheet printers have been sold by Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT), with the first going to Pure Leisure Marketing.

The Practice of Ink Jet Technology is an intensive course aimed at chemists and scientists who want to improve their ink jet practical expertise. Organised by IMI Europe, the course will be hosted at Xennia Technology's Letchworth laboratories, 15 to 18 June.

A new type of coating process has been developed by Neschen to provide better colour properties on digital printed media. The company claims significantly less ink is required to produce the same colour density. Alternatively, when using the same amount of ink, colours will look even more brilliant with more depth and intensity. Suitable for a range of display systems, Neschen Easy Panels are the first to have the new coating.

Total Print has purchased the print trade side of former B&P Lightbrigade, to form a new company, Lightbrigade Graphics. The purchase ensures continuity of trade print and services to existing Lightbrigade customers as well as expanding print capabilities at Total Print's 7,500m2 Chertsey premises.

Large format lamination specialist, Print Finishing Solutions (PFS) has launched a new range of wide format, hot and cold laminators for the signage and graphics markets.

Following last year's inaugural event, exhibitors are signing up fast for The Sign Show 2009, which will run 22 to 24 September at Coventry's Ricoh Arena.

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.

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, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

EFI's Colorproof XF RIP has gained Fogra certification for end users of Epson's new 7900 printer with embedded SpectroProofer measuring device.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.