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Valuing talented printers
I recently found myself sitting in a hotel coffee bar waiting for a colleague to arrive and my eyes drifted to various menus and price lists on the table. One caught my eye. Rather than a tatty card, corners folded and laminate peeling, this was a rigid, black, textured polymer sheet (I'm guessing polypropylene or the like). The most striking aspect of the design was the contrast of the delicate bright white lettering against the black substrate. The text shone off the sheet and, because the lettering sat probably a millimetre deep, it was easily readable from any angle.
Super saver helps printers stay solvent
A second solvent ink manufactured by Indian company, Aqua Tint, has been approved by Xaar. The Super Saver ink, which has been approved for use with Xaar 128 printheads, is ideal for low cost and less demanding lightfast applications.
Stars of the screen
Screen printing specialist, Dave Renton, has added two new lines to its portfolio: Inpro's automatic screen reclaiming and stencil developing units for point of sale and textile screen printers and Ser.Tec's semi automatic screen printing presses for point of sale and glass screen printing. Ser.Tec also manufactures a range of heat presses, gas and electric dryers and a t-shirt folding machine.
Single source for signage
Single source signage and display supplier, ThyssenKrupp Materials (UK) Plastics Division, has been appointed as a UK distributor of Avery Graphics self-adhesive films and ancillary products for the signage, screen process and digital print markets.
Innovation backed by experience
Available in the UK from distributor, Planet Digital, the Oryx is a new UV inkjet system launched by SwissQPrint. Drawing on the strengths of Zund Systemtechnic, SwissQPrint is a new company established by the former Zund development and manufacturing team.
Hot ideas on cold mounting
Drytac's cold lamination training school will he held at its new Bristiol training facility
Drytac is to host a series of free training schools focussed on cold mounting and laminating with the JetMounter range, including the new JM63. The events, which will be held at the company's dedicated training facility in Bristol, will also offer the opportunity to tour the factory and see the adhesives and laminates being manufactured.
Cutting edge manufacturing facility
EskoArtwork's new Czech manufacturing facility will maintain quality and boost production capacity of the Kongsberg cutting table
Production capacity at EskoArtwork has doubled with the introduction of a new manufacturing facility in Brno, Czech Republic. The new site is dedicated to producing the company's Kongsberg dieless cutting and creasing tables and has been established to keep pace with demand from both the packaging and sign and display industries.
Website flies the flag
Event solutions company, Piggotts, has launched a new website featuring its branding capabilities
Marquee, festive illumination and branding solutions are all featured on Piggotts' new website. As well as highlighting the products and services offered by the three separate divisions, the site provides an improved on-line shop. Visitors to the site will also see a taster of the company's work, which last year included Regent and Oxford Street Christmas lights, marquees for the World Scout Jamboree, as well as Cartier Polo, branding for the FA Cup Final and replacement flagstaffs along the Mall.
PBiF
The first issue of Plastics and Board has been a great success and we are looking forward to the June issue. Please don't forget to send press releases to pbifnewsdesk@datateam.co.uk so we can reflect the industry's thoughts and aspirations. Advertisement enquiries should go to Kelly on kbyne@datateam.co.uk or 01622 699170.
Flushed with success
Kippax glass screen printing equipment will be used to produce 10,000 water closet enclosures for installation in Las Vegas
A semi automatic glass screen printing machine manufactured by Yorkshire company, Kippax, will be used to produce around 10,000 water closet enclosures installed in MGM Grand's $7bn City Centre development in Las Vegas.
Consultancy highlights green signage solutions
Business development director, Steve Lister, will head up RHSD's new green consultancy service
Robert Horne Sign and Display (RHSD) has launched a new environmental consultancy service, along with an expanded environmental product range.
Fespa flags up innovation
Garment and apparel decoration solutions from Kornit Digital were recognised for their innovation and planet-friendly status at Fespa Digital Printing Europe 2008, where it was selected as one of the top exhibiting companies.
Green packaging growing strong
Stromsdal
Packaging and graphic board producer, Stromsdal, has been certified for the endorsement of forest certification (PEFC) and forest stewardship council (FSC) schemes. This means it has achieved chain of custody (CoC) for all fibre sourced by its Juankoski mill in Finland, ensuring the wood used originates from certified and sustainable managed sources.
New look for lenticular supplier
DPLenticular will support Lenstar products with customised on-site training and technical support
DPLenticular is the new name for Irish company, LPC-Europe, the specialist in lenticular products for 3D and multiple changing animation applications.
Headlining customer service
Screen Process & Digital Imaging magazine presented customer service winners with an award
Outstanding customer service was recognised by Screen Process & Digital Imaging magazine when it sponsored a customer service award at the Printwear and Promotion 2008 awards ceremony.
Supporting static control
Meech's new international product manager, David Rogers, will support both Series 900 and Series 200 static control products
Meech International has appointed David Rogers as international product manager for its industrial static control range. David has been working at Meech for 13 years in a technical sales support role and the new position will see him use this application expertise and product knowledge to support Meech's static control systems throughout the world. Products within David's portfolio comprise both Series 900 and Series 200 products, which are used to increase productivity and profitability in the printing industry.
North East digital printer makes quality signing
Digiset's XJ-640 is producing work for blue-chip clients
In 1995 Minto established Digiset, which operates from 300m2 premises in Gateshead, as a specialist pre-press bureau providing reprographics services to local print companies. However, the late 1990s saw a fundamental market shift. Computer-to-plate systems let an increasing number of printers take pre-press in-house, drastically reducing demand for film and reprographic services.
Screen printing, Thai style
Thailand holds its royalty in high esteem
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.
All surfaces covered
Digital wallpapers offer new revenue opportunities
There is an increasing number of companies in the market. One of the best known is Robert Horne Sign & Display, offering customers a comprehensive range of digital substrates from a single supplier. Perhaps even more important than the product range itself, the company's staff can provide in-depth advice on the suitability of individual substrates, thus ensuring customers can confidently select the optimum product regarding practical, aesthetic and budgetary considerations.
Planning for the future
The show is designed to blends all aspects of the UK sign and digital industry, including suppliers of sign systems, vinyl and substrates, printers, inks, moving image displays, software, fixings and fittings, installation services, maintenance and servicing, to name a few. A comprehensive conference and seminar programme is designed to deal with the biggest issues facing the industry, both now and in the future
Sheet innovation on display
Forexprint is just one of the new sheet materials Alcan Composites will showcase at Sign and Digital UK. On show for the first time in the UK, the substrate is said to feature a super-bright white surface and print-friendly features at a mid-range price.
Stand up and be counted
Strong, durable and easy to transport, Tecna UK's new Tbeam is designed to create small plinths, pods and light boxes. The equipment is available off-the-shelf and comes with everything required in a bag.
Focus on large format growth
With new owner, Michael Bolton, at the helm, Printmax is set to extend its range of large format print and imaging products and services. To kick start the changes, the company has moved to purpose built offices in Hampshire, equipped with a demonstration area for large format print and finishing equipment and a meeting room with conference facilities.
See it, touch it, feel it
Interactive displays will take centre stage on William Smith's stand including regular vehicle wrapping demonstrations using 3M's IJ380 wrapping film and five year durable IJ40C ink jet printing film.
New image for trade body
A new name, new logo and new business initiatives will be unveiled by the DSPA at Sign and Digital UK. The trade association for print specialists and manufacturers will be re-launching its services in a bid to better reflect the needs of today's imaging specialists and the changes will be heralded by a presentation on the first day of Sign and Digital UK.
Participate in knowledge transfer
Image transfer specialist, TheMagicTouch, is set to introduce a new A4/A3 toner based printer with firmware and drivers compatible with all TMT transfer papers. The printer also performs on normal paper at 20 colour copies per minute.
New range has lift off
Designed to offer pin sharp edge definition and high resolution at production speeds, the Apollo range is the latest in a new generation of high resolution hybrid UV printers from Planet Digital.
Partners show labour-saving innovation
Labour-saving innovations designed to reduce waste and increase productivity will be the focus of the Océ stand as it showcases its display graphics products and technologies.
Double the fun
Visitors to the Robert Horne stand at Sign and Display will find two adjacent exhibits, one highlighting the company's materials offering, while the other is devoted to its digital hardware and ancillary products.
Cutting a dash to the finish
Designed to deliver a finishing solution for a wide range of materials, EskoArtwork's Kongsberg i-XL series will be available for demonstration at Sign and Digital UK. The equipment can be used with plywood, acrylics, polycarbonates, Dibond, rigid PVC, wood, corrugated cardboard and high pressure laminates and is said to complement the growth of digital sign and display printing by providing an automated and precise finishing solution.
Routers team up for signage solutions
Suppliers of standard and bespoke routing and engraving solutions, AXYZ Automation and Pacer Systems will exhibit as a joint enterprise, demonstrating the capability of both companies to meet contrasting routing and engraving requirements and to process complex signage concepts.
Benefits of direct to substrate
In this Q&A article, Quarmby Colour Studio's managing director, Damian Quarmby, illustrates the benefits of direct to substrate printing with an EFI Vutek QS2000
Going greener
Robert Horne Sign & Display has launched an ambitious new recycling initiative, designed to help customers implement more environmentally friendly waste management policies. Editor Jon Barrett asked business development director, Steve Lister, to explain the R3 programme
New RIP offers fastrack flexibility
Revised PosterPrint v.2008 software allows on the fly changes of print parameters
Following a period of development and beta trials, ErgoSoft has introduced its revised RIP software: PosterPrint v.2008. Designed for applications such as LFP, sublimation, flags and banners and sign making, the new RIP software is said to combine an intuitive user interface with new functions which increase productivity and flexibility.
Get inspired for interior design
Pantone's forecasting tool for homes and interiors features eight separate colour palettes
Colour and trend inspiration is at hand with Pantone's latest palettes for home furnishings and interior design: Pantone View Home and Interiors 2009.
Track and solve static issues
Meech's new 983v2 Static Locator can be used on any material where static is an issue
Meech has launched a new a pocket-sized device designed to measure static electrical charges over a range of voltages. The 983v2 Static Locator is ideal for production, maintenance, inspection and quality engineers and can be used on any material where static is an issue. Benefits are said to include fast response time, low drift and intuitive operation.
Film approved for digital fascia printing
Autotex DP polyester film has been approved by Hewlett Packard for use with its Indigo digital printing presses
MacDermid Autotype has added to its Autotex range of textured, screen printable films with Autotex DP, a polyester film designed to combine an attractive appearance with resistance to abrasion and chemicals. Both the DP F150 and F200 have been approved by Hewlett Packard for use with its S2000, WS2000, WS4050 Indigo digital printing presses.
Positive signs for print
Today, and for the sake of argument, let's take a different view and look at our UK businesses from a market-served, rather than a production process led perspective. What does it look like? I think it looks rather good, with growth being the operative word.
