Academics can debate the history of screen printing but which ever way you look at it the timeline will be measured in centuries or millennia rather than decades or years. The screen process has benefited from an extremely long development period which is one reason why news of technical innovations and sector growth can seem in short supply.

When international charity, Mercy Ships, wanted to fit out its latest hospital ship, it faced a tough challenge with regard to wall mounting items.

Created to offer 24/7 support in the UK, the Adphos Group has launched a new service company to support its accelerated drying systems.

When over 40,000 scouts from all over the world attended the World Scout Jamboree in the UK this summer, The Scout Association needed to source a variety of eco-friendly PA scrims and large branded banners.

Manufacturer of all-British CNC routing and engraving machines, Pacer Systems, has updated its K Series system to enhance production capabilities.

The newly formed Association of Imaging Professionals (AIM) is set to host its first formal gathering bringing together a variety of professionals involved in printed image production.

Designed to meet the needs of the large format screen printing industry, G Bopp has introduced a new, thinner mesh developed by Swiss specialists Sefar.

At a time when direct-to-garment printing is growing in popularity, The Magic Touch has introduced a new transfer paper designed to produce vibrant colours on a variety of substrates using a laser printer instead of traditional screen or litho techniques.

The roads of Scotland are set to receive a colour boost as UK vehicle wrapping company, Totally Dynamic, opens its first Scottish centre in Cumbernauld.

Following interest in its digital signage technology, 3M has announced a series of training workshops for existing and potential UK or Ireland resellers at the 3M centre in Berkshire.

Large format printer reseller, City and West End Solutions (CWES), has appointed Andy Fraser as colour management specialist.

Quality of finish was the prime consideration when Nuneaton Signs decided to purchase a RollsRoller flatbed applicator.

For the fourth year running, Sign-A-Rama has given its Supplier of the Year award to Metamark. Sign-A-Rama's president, Ray Titus, handed the award to Metamark's national sales manager, Karen Marshall and territory manager, Mark Hollinsworth at the company's recent Euro Expo and awards night in Coventry.

Less than a year ago Vision Supplies Ltd the Leeds based consumable supplier launched a new range of Multi Substrate UV process inks, the first product launched was THINK - Type 01 a unique formula of screen printing ink designed to appeal to a broad sector of point of sale printers.

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

Exhibitions continue to provide a good way to showcase products but with costs increasing and the environmental argument gathering pace,

more and more companies are opting for a re-usable system to meet their needs by Tracey Rushton-Thorpe

Digital Print World 2007 promises a grand display of digital print hardware and software, plus a range of topical tutorials and seminars under one roof.

Wide format lamination solutions will be presented by D & K in the form of the SuperStick Pro 62 wide format laminator. Supplied complete with its own stand, it features variable speed, heated rollers and a release liner rewind.

Visitors to Pacer Systems stand will see the revised K series CNC routing and engraving system, which builds on the the K series format to provide a heavier, more robust system with more features as standard.

A new range of wide format products will be launched by digital paper specialists, Premier Paper, under the Essential banner. This will be complemented by a host of Creazy pre-creased SRA3 media, suitable for most digital printing machines.

In its role as a Xerox platinum partner, Xeretec, is set to showcase a range of Xerox equipment, including the Xerox 8265 wide format colour printer and the DocuColour 260 and 252 digital printers.

Suitable for finishing large format documents and calendars up to A2, Simply Print Finishing will be demonstrating the James Burn EB5000 electric wire-o closer with optional inserter for calendar hangers.

As well as highlighting its latest large format offering, in the form of the imagePrograf printer, Canon UK invites visitors to see its imagePRESS C1 and recently launched C7000VP products, as well as CLC colour, high-volume monochrome products and software solutions.

Ricoh is set to bolster its wide format family with the addition of two new devices said to offer high-performance in a small footprint. The Aficio MP W2400 and MP W3600 have been developed to help copy shops, CRDs and drawing rooms enhance the production and distribution of wide format jobs.

Specialising in solar cells for renewable energy applications, Switzerland-based VHF Technologies is proving the importance of rotary screen printing for industrial applications.

An addition has been made to the Uniform family of wide-format ink-jet printers in the form of the Uniform Grenadier UV, a flat-bed and roll-fed system available from B&P Graphics Systems with a maximum resolution of 720dpi and a price tag of less than £40,000.

Weighing in at just 11.2kg, Eurostand Display has launched a new space frame counter constructed from laminated wood effect shelving and robust aluminium.

Owners of AXYZ routers can now add a cut-to-print facility to their equipment using the latest intelligent cutting system (ICS) developed by AXYZ Automation.

Avery Dennison Graphics and Reflective Products have expanded their toolbox, with a range of new products designed to aid the quality application and removal of Avery Graphics Films.

Standard proofing paper is now available from Epson for use with its UltraChrome K3 ink with vivid magenta technology. Designed for contract proofing, the paper is Fogra approved and meets the ISO 12647-2:2004 standard.

Bridging the gap between foam board and rigid foam PVC sheets, Alcan Composites’ Forex Smart lightweight rigid foam sheet is now available in five millimetre thickness as well as the existing 10mm sheet.

Sponsored by Fespa and available through your local Association, this is what you have been waiting for after months of research: the UK Market Report. Available free to DSPA members and incredibly good value at £250 to non DSPA members