Issue 345 - November / December 2023 www.printmonthly.co.uk
3 CONTENTS Issue 345 November / December 2023 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 ISSN 2976-9213 Industry The latest ‘must-know’ news from across the world of print Business The lowdown on the latest deals, ventures, and growth in business Kit & Media The latest in cutting-edge machines, materials, and installations News Specials Q&A Spencer Green, Fujifilm UK We catch up with Spencer Green, head of Print-on-Demand for Fujifilm UK about the company’s phased roll-out of print-on-demand solutions Under the Hood Duplo DDC-8000 B2 Brian Sims looks at how this range of machines can make embellishment easy regardless of the size of the operation Company Spotlight We speak to Jake Adams, founder and managing director of Trade Embroidery about growing a successful business from scratch, from a young age Under the Hood Durst P5 TEX iSUB Brian Sims explores this machine’s ability to print direct-to-fabric or to transfer paper, making it a flexible option Market Trends Wide-format Print Kit Pt.2 From ever-increasing dpi, to faster print speeds and extended substrate capabilities, what are some of the developments in wide-format print kit? Taste for Success Trade Printers We speak to trade printers to find out how partnering with these companies as part of your business model can enable you to succeed Focus On Creasing, Collating, and Folding All key parts of the finishing process, what options are there for printers to ensure they have the right creasing, collating, and folding equipment in place? Back to Basics Ink Technology With a range of OEM and third party options available on the market, what do you need to consider when choosing the right ink? Need to Know Recycling We look at some of the schemes and programmes that can help a print business to improve its environmental and sustainable credentials Environment Coverage of environmentally friendly print solutions and initiatives Events All the details on recent and upcoming shows and conferences Future-proofing Print We take a look at FESPA UK Association’s Next Generation initiative and what the industry can do to make print more attractive to young people Q&A Mark Blackhurst, Digital Next We pick the brains of Mark Blackhurst, co-founder and chief of operations at Digital Next to find out how printers can optimise their online reach Event Spotlight The Print Show Review We look back at the 2023 edition of The Print Show and highlight some of the product launches and collaborations that took place 06 10 20 22 26 47 55 65 30 37 40 33 44 69 61 06Industry Webmart responds to Sycamore Gap felling Events EcoPrint goes virtual 38 16 Business Systematic supports Summit 53 47 Event Spotlight The Print Show 2023 Review Back to Basics Ink Technology 69 73 42 Features Future-proofing Print FESPA UK's Next Generation Initiative 42
ISSUE 345November / December 2023 DATES FOR your Diary IPIA Recognising Excellence Expo & Gala November 29th at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Centre, Hinkley Island Sign & Digital UK / Printwear & Promotion LIVE! February 25th to 27th at the NEC, Birmingham FESPA Global Print Expo March 19th to 22nd at the RAI Exhibition Centre, Amsterdam Drupa May 28th to June 7th at Messe Düsseldorf, Germany Publishing director Page Tuck Sales director Chris Davies Lead contributor Rob Fletcher Contributors Brian Sims, Colin Sinclair McDermott Contact Editorial: 0117 980 5040 Sales: 0117 960 3255 Production: 0117 980 5041 Accounts: 0117 980 5042 Find us online www.printmonthly.co.uk Socials All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors to Print Monthly magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial team and Link Publishing Ltd. takes no responsibility for any errors that may have occurred. The publisher also accepts no responsibility for the advertising content, including any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Link Publishing Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Link Publishing Ltd, Unit G, Link House, Britton Gardens, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1TF Editor Carys Evans carys@linkpublishing.co.uk Online editor David Osgar david@linkpublishing.co.uk Production Shaun Edwards shaun@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Tim Hall tim@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Luke Stoneham luke@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn kat@linkpublishing.co.uk Office therapist Skye MEET THE Team PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP00015512002182040 Issue 345 - November / December 2023 4 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine t: 0117 980 5040 e: carys@linkpublishing.co.uk @printmonthlyed The nights are drawing in, the temperature is dropping, and preparations for seasonal print, packaging, and graphics are well underway. Would you believe it, but our wet and wild British summer has also meant a 25% increase in demand for DS Smith's Octabin pumpkin packaging as ‘monster pumpkins’ have been harvested this year. With current affairs causing a feeling of despair and helplessness amongst many, community, collaboration, and partnership have never been more important in knowing you are not alone. This was seen at the recent Print Growth Roadshow which took place in Central London in October and hosted a range of finishing, software, ink, trade printing and embroidery, and recruitment companies, as well as FESPA UK and ISA UK representatives. The day also featured a full schedule of talks and breakout workshops to gain knowledge and skills from a range of topics including email marketing, telling your business’ story to the press, building strong processes, and more. Attendees commented during the day on how valuable events like these are in feeling that you are not alone in your business challenges, and also as a reminder that there are always collaboration and partnership opportunities. This is something I predict we will see continue as we enter a new year and companies diversify and evolve further. In this issue, we highlight the findings of FESPA’s most recent Census report which looks at the long-term trends from the past five years, as well as revenue and industry outlook (P06). We also hear about a number of business moves from acquisitions and software partnerships, to achieving B Corp certification and a £2.4m investment from Lloyds Bank (P10, 12 & 16). There have been a number of new machines launched from the likes of Canon, Xeikon, Inkcups, and Ricoh (P20), and we, along with the rest of the industry, are bracing ourselves for many more to come with the approach of drupa next summer. As we round off the final magazine of 2023, I would like to thank you for your continued support, for sharing your news with us, and for allowing us to continue to share your stories with the industry. On behalf of the whole Print Monthly team, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Carys EDITOR'S Note
INDUSTRY / NEWS 6 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Rising sustainability demands and changing requirements FESPA has revealed the headline findings of its 2023 Print Census which highlights the impact of rising sustainability demands and evolving customer requirements on business models and investment plans. With the last Print Census conducted in 2018, this year’s study explored the longterm trends that have emerged over the past five years such as revenue and industry outlook as well as future investment and purchasing plans, and business models and strategies. The Census was conducted in partnership with InfoTrends, a division of Keypoint Intelligence, and saw 1,778 printers and sign-makers from across 120 countries take part. Since 2018, the survey reveals market outlook to be positive with 71% of respondents stating they are optimistic about the future of their business. Despite the economic challenges that have taken place across the past five years, respondents are adapting to the changing landscape and finding new opportunities for growth with 7% of respondents reporting a 7% average revenue increase since 2018. When the last Census was published, the mean annual revenue was reported as €4.4m (£3.81m), compared with a mean annual revenue of €4.7m (£4.1m) which shows a €330k (£286k) increase. Another area highlighted by the 2023 Census is the growing demand for sustainability with 72% of print buyers requesting environmentally friendly products and practices. Although perceived cost increases can be a barrier to sustainable production, 70% of respondents said that they can address sustainability demands without increasing prices, with an additional 22% saying they have already raised their prices without feeling an impact on sales. Customer demand in general is said to be shaping the industry at present with expectations such as quicker turnaround times, more personalisation and versioning options, and shorter print runs all having an impact. Also analysed in the Census were wide-format purchasing plans and with multiple responses allowed for this question, 55% of respondents want to enter new markets, 53% are focused on enhancing print quality, and 52% want to reduce the unit cost. The 2023 Census by FESPA looks at the issues affecting and the trends shaping the print and graphics industry Webmart responds to Sycamore Gap felling The famous Sycamore Gap tree, a 300-year-old tree which stood beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was callously cut down on the night of Wednesday, September 27th. In response to the act, Webmart, which offers a range of services including letterbox marketing and print services, took action to try and inspire others in the wake of the bad news. The company took immediate action by planting ten Sycamore trees at its eco-asset Grange Wood. With an office based in South Yorkshire and the company having many roots in the North of England, the felling of Sycamore Gap felt particularly impactful to employees of the company especially as the famous tree was situated between Webmart’s Yorkshire office and its eco base in Scotland. Chief executive officer at Webmart, Richard Boon, commented on LinkedIn: “After waking up to the news and reading posts of high despair from my network, family, and friends, sometimes you have got to just act. “I’m personally very proud of the ability we have to divert profits for good at Webmart, so here we are with what we can do today to provide some optimism in a time where bad news dominates the news cycle.” By planting the ten sycamore trees, the company said that it ‘tried to right a wrong’ by creating what it has dubbed “Hadrian’s Corner” which will grow over time north of the historic wall in the Grange Wood eco asset. Speaking to Print Monthly about the project, Boon says: “We are looking to create an area at our eco site which will have a dedicated sign along with wildflowers and the new trees to pay tribute to Sycamore Gap. We’ve already spoken to the forestry manager who helped us clear an area near our Lodge and the entrance.” Based in Oxfordshire, Barnsley, and London, Webmart describes itself as a sustainable marketing agency. The company achieved B Corp status in 2021 and has raised over £700,000 for charitable causes. Webmart says it has planted the trees due to its “Do Good, Be Kind” ethos By Carys Evans By David Osgar
INDUSTRY / NEWS 8 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine The Printing Charity has announced David Phillips as the new chair of the Printing Charity and Julia Cole as vice chair. Phillips and Cole moved into their new positions following the Charity’s 2023 annual general meeting after previous chair Jon Wright and vice chair James Povey stepped down after completing their maximum tenure. Phillips is chief operating officer of Paragon Customer Communications and Cole is non-exec strategy consultant for the BPIF having worked in the printing industry since the 1980s. New appointments at The Printing Charity Kite Packaging expands label offering UK packaging supplier, Kite Packaging, has recently expanded its labelling range to include integrated labels. Integrated labels comprise the combination of one or more self-adhesive labels onto a section of a sheet whilst the rest is printed with useful information, removing the need for multiple documents. Produced using 90gsm paper, the labels offer a premium feel along with hotmelt adhesive for rapid bonding and clean applications. The label solution is available in common Royal Mail sizes. UK-based paper, packaging, and pulp distributor PG Paper has partnered with European specialty paper manufacturer Mosaico Specialty Papers to relaunch its Trucard brand back into the UK market. The partnership will introduce an exciting new range of products under the Trucard brand and combines PG Paper’s extensive distribution network with Mosaico’s product innovation and manufacturing capabilities. Together, the two companies are committed to developing and introducing future products to enhance the Trucard portfolio. PG Paper relaunches Trucard brand to UK The Printing Charity has announced the sponsors for its upcoming Annual Luncheon. HP and ePS have been announced as sponsors for the 194th Annual Luncheon which takes place on November 23rd at the Stationers’ Hall in London. Recently ePS acquired Tharstern, a business that benefitted greatly from The Printing Charity’s helpline. Despite the acquisition, The Printing Charity remains a big part of ePS’ plans to support employees and the industry. Gary Best, ePS HR business partner for UK and EMEA, says: “ePS believes in putting our team and people first and being there in good and bad times to help our employees and all those in the print industry in any way we can. “By sponsoring the Luncheon, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to empower and enable the charity to continue the good work they are already doing.” Jane Rixon, HP’s large-format UKI business development manager, echoes ePS’ sentiments, adding: “We are honoured to support this year’s Luncheon because we want to play our part in raising awareness about this support amongst other businesses in the print sector who may not realise that the charity exists.” HP and ePS to support The Printing Charity luncheon The Printing Charity’s Annual Luncheon brings together guests from across the print, packaging, publishing, and graphics industries Terenzi Group, a product industrialisation service provider, has bolstered its environmental credentials and its production of vinyl records thanks to the Ricoh Pro TF6251. With the increased demand for the production of vinyl records, Terenzi has been seeking a more environmentally friendly alternative to PVC, one of the most damaging plastics to the environment. By collaborating with music label and publisher Rude Records, Terenzi produced an innovative green solution called Greenyl. The new product is made from recycled plastics which are created using an industrial press before Terenzi prints the artist, songs, album information, and graphics directly onto both sides of the record. In order to expand production and create high-quality prints, Terenzi partnered with Ricoh due to its eco-friendly UV inks and ColourGATE Productionserver software. Ricoh and Terenzi Group put a new spin on vinyl records The Ricoh Pro TF6251 has enabled Terenzi to produce precise, detailed, and multilayered prints Media supplier Innotech Digital has partnered with wide-format hardware and cutting equipment manufacturer, Liyu UK, to launch a media swatch book. The book will be used to demonstrate the capabilities of Liyu UK’s superwide printers and Innotech’s range of media. Included in the swatch book is a range of environmental solutions such as Envirotech BIO300, a PVC-free biodegradable print media greyback; Envirotech PP400G PVC-free flex banner greyback; and Envirotech EF150 PVC-free frontlit banner. Also in the swatch book is the Kinetix FS260 ferrous sheet white matt PP media; Max-Flat R420 light-stop roll-up media; and the Vistaflex BL750 premium PVC blockout double-sided banner. Kieran Dallow, marketing manager for Innotech Digital, says: “Liyu’s range of superwide printers is perfect for producing large banners and other wide-format output with great image quality, and the media range in the swatch book fully supports these applications.” Innotech Digital launches swatch book with Liyu UK Innotech Digital and Liyu UK have partnered to launch a new media swatch book By David Osgar
BUSINESS / NEWS 10 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine UK-based software company Infigo has connected its web-to-print software with the Zaikio data platform. This partnership will enable Infigo customers to easily connect to a range of industry software and Zaikio customers can easily leverage Infigo’s web-toprint solutions. Due to a standardised data model for compatibility, all systems that integrate with Zaikio’s data platform can automatically be used with each other. An early version of the Infigo integration was demonstrated at The Print Show 2023 with the company showcasing a seamless twoway data flow between the Infigo web-to-print solution and the Imprint MIS. For this, both Infigo and Imprint talk directly to the Zaikio platform without the need for any direct communication between themselves. “Through our partnership with Zaikio, Infigo reaffirms its commitment not merely to sell web-to-print software, but to provide our customers with superior workflow solutions,” says Chris Minn, head of global marketing at Infigo. Print Evolved acquires Colourgraphic Arts Web-to-print provider, Print Evolved, has acquired family-run 40-year-old Vinton Reprographics, trading as Colourgraphic Arts. Colourgraphic Arts has been trading for over four decades in Hampshire and is described as having built an “enviable reputation for producing quality with a formidable team”. Having acquired 100% of the issued share capital in September, Print Evolved has revealed the company will retain its brand identity and will be run alongside Mayfield Press in Oxford. Spencer Slee, managing director of Print Evolved describes the acquisition as “a perfect addition to our group which has taken a long time to find”. The business move will extend Print Evolved’s geographical footprint as well as its scale and expertise. “Over the coming months we intend to migrate Colourgraphic Arts onto our PrintIQ workflow and management systems to provide seamless access to extended production capabilities,” Slee says, adding: “We will also be refreshing and extending the on-site digital capacity to support our growth plans.” Vince Scardarella, managing director of Colourgraphic Arts, adds: “We had significant interest in the company and I am delighted to be handing over the reins to a company that can offer the best future to all our stakeholders. “Everything that is important to me and the way I have run Colourgraphic Arts is embodied in Print Evolved and I am excited to be part of a larger team that can provide our customers considerably more.” Colourgraphic Arts will retain its brand identity after Print Evolved acquired 100% of its issued share capital Zaikio and Infigo have partnered to improve the automation process Infigo partners with the Zaikio data platform PDS celebrates record turnover Wellingborough-based print management company PDS has reported a record annual turnover as it celebrates its 25th year in business. Founded in 1998, PDS has expanded significantly over the years and most recently has achieved annual turnover in excess of £22m. The company operates across two sites at the Park Farm Industrial Estate and has added a design studio, warehouse, and digital development capability as it has grown. With 60 employees, PDS offers print management, specialist procurement, creative design, agile storage, fulfilment, and website and online system designs for clients, at its 50,000sq ft warehouse. In response to increased demand for storage capacity and to enable the business to scale its client stock and fulfilment operations with greater pace and flexibility, PDS launched its warehouse facility at Sinclair Drive last year. Nick Shelton, founder and managing director of PDS, comments: “This is a significant milestone for PDS, and I am really proud of what we have achieved over the last quarter of a century.” PDS is celebrating 25 years in business with record annual turnover EDWPS announces its B Corp Certification Nottingham-based Eight Days A Week Print Solutions (EDWPS) has achieved B Corp Certification. Being a B Corp in the direct mail and digital print industry, the company says it is counted amongst businesses leading a global movement for an “inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy”. Having begun the process in February 2022, EDWPS underwent a substantial and rigorous assessment and review period with its already established ISO accreditations and being carbon neutral making the process simpler. EDWPS holds ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, and 45001 for quality, environmental, information security, and health and safety respectively. The B Corp Certification was confirmed on October 2nd, 2023, with the company now amongst 1,500 UK businesses to have the certification. This certification also includes EDWPS’ subsidiary business Eight Plus which was launched in March this year. Lance Hill, managing director of EDWPS and Eight Plus, says going for B Corp Certification was the next logical step on the company’s journey around social, environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. EDWPS achieved B Corp certification in October after a rigorous testing process By Carys Evans By Carys Evans
BUSINESS / NEWS 14 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Following the acquisition of Middleton Paper’s fine paper and conversion business this year, Denmaur has launched its Reel Fast express sheeting service. This is a service for customers in commercial print, publishing, and packaging sectors which delivers customised sheet sizes from Denmaur’s range of sustainably certified cutter reel stock within five days of receipt of order. Located centrally in the West Midlands, the Reel Fast plant delivers mill standard quality for all conversion jobs such as newsprint paper weights and high-caliper packaging boards across the UK. Described as building on Denmaur’s value-added service as well as its expanding sustainability programme, the new service is said to deliver credible cost savings and can also quantify the waste and carbon saved over an equivalent standard sheet size. This is something marketing and sustainability director Danny Doogan says customers are increasingly demanding. Target Transfers rebrands as Stahls’ UK After being part of the Stahls’ Group since 2000, Target Transfers has rebranded to Stahls’ UK. Stahls’ Group manufactures custom heat transfer materials as well as the well-known Hotronix range of heat press equipment. In line with the announcement, the Stahls’ UK team has been quick to reassure its customers that whilst its websites and social media have now transitioned to the new branding, it’s business as usual. Also recently announced is that Martin Borley, formerly managing director of Target Transfers has now stepped into the role of executive managing director of Stahls’ UK and Stahls’ Europe. Commenting on his new role, Borley says: “I am absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to support and nurture the exceptional talent within our Stahls’ divisions across the UK and Europe. “Our team is the heartbeat of our success, and I am committed to fostering an environment that encourages growth, innovation, and collaboration. Together, we will continue to set new benchmarks for excellence in our industry.” Stahls' has also recently acquired software technology company, Fulfill Engine, which will elevate operation efficiency of sellers and custom garment production through utilising on-demand fufilment. Martin Borley, formerly MD of Target Transfers is now the executive managing director of Stahls’ UK and Stahls’ Europe The Reel Fast express sheeting service offers customised sheet sizes from Denmaur’s range of sustainable cutter reel stock Reel Fast service launches New site for Kall Kwik City Design and print company Kall Kwik City is settling into its new larger premises in the city of London. The larger site gives the business space for bigger machines such as a new Xerox Iridesse 6-colour digital production press. This new technology enables the team to print in enhanced colours such as gold, silver, clear, white, and fluorescent pink. Kall Kwik City was founded by George Rumball in January 2019 making him the franchise’s youngest owner at 28 years old. Clients include LADBible, The Barbican, and Mastercard. The company’s new premises Fenchurch Street Offices were previously occupied by competitor The Colour Company but had been empty since early 2021 and had only had one other viewing during this time. Commenting on the new premises, Rumball, who has been in the print industry since leaving school at the age of 15, says: “We are so excited to be in such a central location. We look out of our window and can see the Gherkin – we’re so handy for the thousands of businesses in the city.” Kall Kwik City has moved into new, bigger premises in central London Infigo partners with Fujifilm for web-to-print Fujifilm has announced a new partnership with cloudbased web-to-print and marketing automation company, Infigo. The partnership will allow Fujifilm to offer its customers an extensive web-to-print offering alongside the Jet Press FP790 inkjet press for flexible packaging. Launched back in 2021, the Jet Press FP790 is the first digital flexible packaging press from Fujifilm and is said to enable packaging printers and converters the ability to adapt to changing market dynamics. Fujifilm and Infigo officially announced the new partnership at Labelexpo Europe 2023, one of the largest global label and packaging exhibitions. Said by Paul Bromley, head of Global Sales at Infigo to represent a “bold step towards redefining the future of print and marketing technology”, the partnership was born from an increasing need from Infigo customers for ‘micro print runs’ with digitally printed solutions able to meet this demand. With this demand looking set to continue, the collaboration combines the two companies’ respective strengths and provides a tailored range of solutions. [L to R] Ralf Petersen, Fujifilm Europe; Paul Bromley, Infigo; and Raynald Barillot of Fujifilm Europe By Carys Evans By Carys Evans
BUSINESS / NEWS 16 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Lincolnshire-based design, print, mailing, and marketing services provider Systematic recently supported the Summit 53 challenge with team member Jill Bell taking part to raise funds for mental health charity Andy’s Man Club. Reflecting the feeling that struggling with mental health issues feels like climbing a mountain, the challenge involved running a marathon distance to an elevation equivalent to running up and down Snowdon from sea level. The Systematic team personally appreciates the impact mental health struggles can have as managing director Chris Robey tragically lost the battle with his own mental health in September 2022. Joined by friend Kate Brown, Bell ran 53 ‘Round Robey’ circuits around the market town of Caistor – a training circuit devised by Robey himself having founded the Caistor Running club in 2011 to help people run for fun and for free. The ‘Round Robey’ halfmile, undulating loop around the town is still a firm fixture in the training plan of the popular running club. The challenge itself was poignant with Robey aged 53 when he passed away and Summit 53 culminating on October 1st, Robey’s birthday and Lincolnshire Day. In completing Summit 53, Brown and Bell have supporred the work of Andy’s Man Club, a national suicide prevention charity which helps men to get on top of their feelings through conversation. The aim was to raise at least £5,300 for the charity to help fund peer-to-peer support groups and awareness events. At the time of writing, the challenge has hugely surpassed this goal with the total having hit £15,718. Systematic supports Summit 53 Runners Jill Bell and Kate Brown wearing their Caistor Running Club vests Manchester-based printer receives £2.4m investment Browns Print has invested in 444 solar panels as well as a voltage optimiser to help with efficiency Browns Print has received £2.42m of asset financing from Lloyds Bank. The company was in the market for a replacement printing press in order to increase its capacity within the business as well as lower its energy use. Browns approached Lloyds Bank and secured a £2.42m hire purchase loan that was used to acquire a stateof-the-art printing machine. Tim Guest, chairman at Browns Print, says: “When our business was in need of a new printing press we knew we wanted to purchase a machine that would help us to stay competitive and operate more sustainably.” Investing in the new equipment has meant the business has been able to hire ten new employees which brings the total amount of employees to 80. By Carys Evans Technology company Artworker has announced a new collaboration with print e-commerce platform VB Media in order to further develop automation in the industry. Earlier in the year Artworker unveiled its free file-sharing service created specifically for the printing industry. The solution means that customers and businesses can send artwork files with more ease as it hasn’t got the same limitations and restrictions as other file-sharing services. In order to continue building new integrations and partnerships with businesses, Artworker has collaborated with VB Media in order to continue empowering businesses to streamline operations and production times. Artworker and VB Media have promised to release further updates and developments in the future. New partnership for Artworker and VB Media Ricoh has announced the opening of a new Digital Experience Centre in Birmingham City Centre. The new space will be located in Rum Runner Works which Ricoh signed an agreement to occupy from October 2023. The building is the former location of the 1970’s Rum Runner Nightclub which is based near Broad Street and overlooking Gas Street Canal Basin. Ricoh will now relocate 60 staff members to a new office and will also create a new Digital Experience Centre to showcase its digital software and workplace products to customers from across Europe. The new office will be occupied by data scientists and developers from the Ricoh digital experience team (RDx). The new experience centre is located in Rum Runner works in central Birmingham Artworker provides a quick and easy-to-use filesharing website for businesses in print production Ricoh opens new Experience Centre in central Birmingham Celebrating a significant milestone of 85 years in the print and packaging industry, FACER. Progressive Printed Packaging is described as “a business which embraces its heritage and innovation in equal measure”. A member of the British Print Industries Federation (BPIF), the company services a number of well-known brands such as Boots, Halfords, Tesco, Next, BarryM, John Lewis & Partners, Superdrug, and Sellotape. An independent UK manufacturer, FACER has recently launched the first UK plastic-free blister pack. Combining innovative packaging solutions with impactful print and finishing techniques, the company says brands have already begun making the swap from plastic-based alternatives. FACER. Progressive Printed Packaging celebrates 85 years FACER has launched the UK’s first plastic-free blister pack
KIT & MEDIA / NEWS 20 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Issue 345 - November / December 2023 First B2 perfecting aqueous-based inkjet press launches Described as a ‘world-first’, Ricoh has launched the RICOH Pro Z75 B2 perfecting (auto-duplexing) sheetfed inkjet press using aqueous ink. According to the manufacturer, in-market testing has demonstrated higher print quality, faster turnaround times, and fewer demands on employees. Said to accelerate the shift from offset to digital, the RICOH Pro Z75 offers low running costs and high inkjet productivity with print speeds of up to 4,500 sheets per hour in straight printing or 2,250 in duplex/perfecting printing. The digital press offers 1,200dpi resolution at all speeds with four colour (CMYK) pigment-based inks and a proprietary drying system enables immediate finishing. Substrate flexibility is also expanded with the ability to handle uncoated, inkjet-treated, and offset-coated media up to 400gsm with a maximum sheet size of 585mm x 750mm. In June 2022, US-based Heeter Printing was the official beta site for the new technology with Kirk Schlecker, president of Heeter Printing describing the machine as a “multitool for our operation”. The RICOH Pro Z75 is a B2 perfecting sheetfed inkjet press using aqueous inks Xeikon reveals the LION LX3000 Xeikon, a division of Flint Group, has unveiled its new automated dry toner press aimed at high-quality label printing. The Xeikon LX3000, nicknamed the LION, was showcased to the public for the first time at Labelexpo Europe 2023 in Brussels between September 11th and 14th. The machine is built for a web width of 330mm and has been developed as a 42m/min press to answer the demand for higher productivity and more cost-effective solutions for the mass production of digital labels. Xeikon’s Cruise Control System utilises advanced vision technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to continuously monitor and automatically adjust print production settings. Cruise Control also checks, adjusts, and reports on five key settings to ensure precise colour registration, print station densities, and consistency with the set colour reference. If the quality does not meet customer expectations, an automatic notification is generated and printed alongside the print. The new press is a response to customer requests for a more competitive and high-quality solution Inkcups launches new direct-to-bag UV printer Inkcups has announced the global launch of the XJET Switch direct-to-bag digital printer. Designed for direct-to-bag and hard goods applications, the machine is the first UV flatbed printing machine from Inkcups for bag decoration. Features include flexible capabilities for both pliable and hard goods, manual load and automated load and index, either 180 or 90 degrees if pretreatment is required. Described by the manufacturer as setting a new standard in swift and high-quality UV flatbed printing, the XJET Switch produces full CMYKWW (highly opaque white) images directly onto bags and hard goods. The system also provides customisation options which enable the configuration of platens to meet specific requirements. One example of this is to have three-up, four-up, or more within the printable area. Being paired with the flexible XFLEXX UV ink series, the XJET Switch eliminates the risk of cracking or distorting as the bag moves with use. The XJET Switch made its trade show debut at PRINTING United 2022 and is now available globally C&T Channel Matrix has announced it has now extended its offering of technology by Italian manufacturer Mito to the UK and Ireland. Since C&T began selling the PlayMatrix 4.0, over 50 machines have been sold offering time savings and accuracy to box makers and large users of creasing matrix. The new offering from C&T is the T-Rex stripping machine. Automating the stripping process, the waste stripping machine with a chain offers faster, more efficient, and less labour-intensive production. C&T extends range of stripping machinery kit Baker Labels invests in new HP Indigo 6k Baker Labels has invested in a new HP Indigo 6k for its digital department which has used HP technology since 2006. The digital area underwent a major reshuffle to make room for the larger press which replaces Baker Label’s old HP Indigo WS6800 which was acquired in 2014. The digital department uses three HP Indigo presses and two Screen Inkjets while the company's flexible packaging division BakPac uses a HP Indigo 20k press. TheMagicTouch has introduced a new range of HTV (heat transfer vinyl) transfer products. The range includes a 3D Puff flex transfer which offers a raised textured effect; the Reflective HTV transfer for garments and textiles; and the new Rainbow Spectrum HTV which provides a shimmering colour-changing prism effect. 3D ‘Puff’ is available in 500mm-wide rolls in white, black, gold, silver, and is sold by the linear metre. Reflective and Rainbow Spectrum are also available in 500mm-wide rolls and the latter is available in clear, yellow, red, royal blue, green, and white, and is also sold by the linear metre. TheMagicTouch launches new HTV
KIT & MEDIA / NEWS Canon has announced the expansion of its label printing portfolio along with a new B3 sheetfed inkjet press. The new LabelStream LS2000 is based on a new blend of innovative and proven Canon technologies and is the company’s first water-based inkjet label press. The LS2000 prints CMYK plus white on self-adhesive substrates with a new ink set designed to comply with food safety standards. Canon has developed the press as a solution for label converters looking for a reliable, productive, and flexible digital press that fulfils the demand for shorter print runs. The press has also come about due to the need for businesses to respond quickly to different products such as packaging, new sustainable developments, and ever-changing supply chains. Canon has also given details about the press’ high-density, water-based polymer inks that have been specifically designed for Canon’s new printhead. White ink comes as standard with the machine meaning high-opacity white can be used for the undercoating of other inks. Also announced by Canon is the varioPRINT iX1700, an expansion of its series of successful B3 sheetfed inkjet presses. Capable of printing 170 A4 images per minute, the press brings together Canon’s expertise in inkjet and sheetfed printing from its research and development centres in Japan, Germany, and The Netherlands. Printhead maintenance and quality control have been automated in order to maximise productivity, while the printheads have been specifically engineered to ensure stable print operation. Both the iX1700 and LabelStream LS2000 will be on display at next year’s drupa in Dusseldorf. New label and B3 solutions from Canon The Canon LabelStream LS2000 digital label press prints on substrates of up to 340mm wide and is Canon's first water-based inkjet label press AMS Mailing Systems launches the Firejet 4C The Firejet 4C all-in-one printing solution is said to offer an alternative to traditional offset technologies UK supplier of postal mail preparation equipment and inkjet systems, AMS Mailing Systems, has launched the new Firejet 4C all-in-one printing solution. The new system combines KirkRudy’s heavy-duty transport capabilities with the quality and reliability of Memjet technology. Credited for its operational accessibility, the Firejet 4C is said to reduce the need for skilled press operators due to its “user-friendly design”. Accelerating production, the machine features swift PDF imports and specialised feeders. The latter enables challenging products such as coin envelopes, napkins, paper bags, and coffee cup sleeves to be processed quickly and precisely. Other features include envelope opener and closing units, as well as simultaneous front and back flat printing, enabling twosided print jobs in a single pass. 21 Issue 345 - November / December 2023 www.printmonthly.co.uk By David Osgar Oldham-based Reel Appeal has invested in a Tau RSCi single-pass label press from Durst. The news was announced at this year’s Labelexpo Europe along with plans to double the size of its digital setup at its headquarters in North-West England in the UK. This investment will see the first Durst Tau RSCi press installed in the UK and Ireland and will give Reel Appeal added capabilities and the ability to print at twice the speed as it moves jobs from flexo to digital. The machine’s ability to print at 1200dpi was a key selling point with Reel Appeal traditionally a major player in agro-chemical labels looking to move into new markets. Reel Appeal announces Durst investment at Labelexpo Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives has revealed two new acrylic coating machines will be added to its San Gregori and Barberà del Valles plants in Spain. This signals continued investment in innovation from the company, which is a division of the Fedrigoni Group. Over the next year, Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives says the two new machines will be installed at the production facilities with the first installation being at the San Gregori plant in the first half of 2024, and the second being at the Barberà del Valles plant in the second half of 2024. The continued investment is the result of the company’s goal to increase its production capacity in Europe to better meet market demands. Fedrigoni SelfAdhesives has invested in new acrylic coating machines at two of its Spanish plants [L to R] Simon Cosh, Durst UK & Ireland business development manager; Barry Lewis managing director of Reel Appeal; and Ron Lewis Fedrigoni Self-Adhesives continues investment Supplied by SOS, PDS Print has installed two new machines: a Xenons X-180 hybrid flatbed/ roll-fed wide-format printer and an Almedia B8-2513 digital cutter. With roots in litho production the investment represents expansion in the wide-format sector. The company first entered the wide-format sphere by investing in a solvent-based Roland roll-to-roll machine from SOS five years ago which it used to produce posters and banners. This was a success with the machine running 24 hours a day. In need of extra capacity, PDS Print decided it needed a hybrid machine to enable it to produce direct to materials such as correx, but also to meet demand for rollfed work. PDS Print invests in two machines from SOS PDS Print director Gordon Bryan has described the Xenons X-180 hybrid wideformat printer as able to handle whatever the company throws at it
22 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 DTM Print highlights resourcefriendly label printing solutions DTM Print has highlighted ways for users to produce more sustainable products through the use of resourcefriendly label solutions. The company has highlighted the benefits of using mono-packaging – where the same materials are used for all aspects of a product such as a PET label, PET bottle, and a PET cap. To help its customers offer greener products, DTM Print has bundled its eco-friendly recycled or natural labels under the new brand ‘DTM EcoTec. Included in the range is the DTM EcoTec Hemp Paper which consists of 100% hemp fibre; DTM EcoTec Grass Paper, which offers a natural look and reduces the amount of process water needed; DTM EcoTec Paper Matte Nature which is made from 100% recycled backing from used label rolls; and finally DTM EcoTec Poly Clear Gloss R90 which is a glossy clear poly label made of 90% post-consumer recycled PET material. DTM also manufactures a range of colour label printers including the LX610e colour label printer. German-made Kodak plates for improved sustainability Kodak has highlighted its SONORA XTRA process-free plates as a suitable option for printers amidst increasing demand for sustainability. Being manufactured in Osterode, Germany means the plates are subject to some of the strictest environmental regulations globally and some of the most extensive availability of clean energy sources. Central production also enables a close-knit supply chain and logistics infrastructure with the plates being shipped quickly throughout Europe. Kodak has also highlighted that the procurement of plates from local manufacturing reduces the carbon footprint due to shorter and more efficient routes than sourcing from places like China for example. The SONORA XTRA process-free plates also remove the electricity, water, developer, replenisher, gumming solution, and clean-out finisher required for traditional plate processing. Kodak has also implemented automation within production which results in fewer defects and less waste. Kodak has highlighted some of the eco benefits of its SONORA XTRA process-free plates DTM Print has highlighted its eco-friendly range of label materials ENVIRONMENT / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine The fight for green materials Not-for-profit initiative, Two Sides UK, has drawn attention to new statistics showing consumers' preferences towards sustainable packaging and materials. The Trend Tracker Survey 2023 is the latest consumer research undertaken by Two Sides Europe to look at environmental awareness, reading habits, packaging preferences, and attitudes towards tissue products. The survey was a global study of 10,250 consumers and conducted online by independent research company, Toluna. Research found that consumers are demanding that retailers do more to ensure packaging is widely recyclable, with 49% of respondents believing that paper-based packaging is easier to recycle than other materials. Less than half of respondents (46%) believe that retailers are doing enough to inform consumers of their commitments to sustainability with 55% saying they would buy more from retailers who remove plastic from their packaging. Recently the Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) joined Two Sides as a formal member in order to better collaborate and tell the story of paper products. To date, Two Sides UK has removed over 1,075 misleading anti-paper statements since 2010, when its Global Anti-greenwash Campaign began. The Trend Tracker Survey also revealed that 55% of European consumers believe that environmental arguments from companies to switch to digital communications are misleading and are simply about reducing costs. Research in 2021 by Two Sides and Censuswide found that greenwashing in Europe threatens the loss of €337m (£291m) of value annually to the paper, print, and mailing industry. Two Sides Europe managing director, Jonathan Tame, says: “Not only are these greenwash claims in breach of established environmental marketing rules, but they are hugely damaging to an industry which has a solid environmental record.” Businesses accussed of ‘greenhushing’ Kyocera Document Solutions (UK) has encouraged businesses to be transparent about their sustainability efforts after research has found medium and large businesses have been guilty of ‘greenhushing’. The term refers to the act of deliberately downplaying sustainability credentials for fear of public backlash. Research from environmental charity Earthwatch shows that almost 25% of businesses have engaged in greenhushing, potentially due to the fear that celebrating sustainability initiatives will lead to criticism or accusations of hypocrisy or greenwashing. Kyocera is currently offsetting to carbon neutral while continually striving towards a net zero target. The company has also launched a series of printers in the ECOSYS and TASKalfa suite of devices which include a range of environmental credentials including its first carbon-neutral printers. In regard to preventing greenhushing, Kyocera recommends honesty, transparency, and practicing what you preach, internally as well as externally. Kyocera has suggested three key areas to focus on to prevent greenhushing Two Sides conducts its trends survey every two years to explore consumer preferences By David Osgar
26 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 345 - November / December 2023 EVENTS / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine UK GRAPHIC AWARDS CELEBRATES INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY On Wednesday, October 4th, companies from the UK wide-format industry donned their glad rags for a black tie celebration of innovation, creativity, and skill at the UK Graphic Awards 2023. Held in the magnificent Birmingham Town Hall and hosted by ITV weather presenter, Emma Jesson, the evening saw 14 awards handed out across various categories such as Branded Interiors, Exhibitions, Live Events, and Retail. The Gold Award for Branded Interiors went to Vision Sign and Digital for the Arc Project which the company overcame many obstacles over the course of a month to produce. The Gold Award for Construction went to Octink for its Battersea Power Station project with the judges particularly fond of the use of black and white images across the interior and exterior. The Graphical Tree took home Gold in the Exhibitions category for its Felipe Pantone project at the Saatchi Gallery. The judges said they have “never seen creativity like it”. For the Leisure and Hospitality Award, it was Envision Media which took home gold for it’s Jockey Club Race Days project which involved a combination of different printing and installations across various elements. The Gold Award for Live Events went to Service Graphics for its production of graphics for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. The judges were particularly impressed by the use of colour throughout all elements. For the Museums and Galleries category, Wild Visual Communications took home Gold for its Talisker Distillery Experience project due to the use of lighting, the complex installation, and the variety of surfaces incorporated. Kolorcraft was awarded the Retail: In-store Gold Award for its Waitrose Summer Food Festival project which used a variety of colours and print materials throughout. The Gold winner of the Retail: Windows category was The Graphical Tree for its Harvey Nichols – Christmas Windows 2022 project with judges impressed by the effective use of multiple materials and layering. With competition described as being incredibly close, the 2023 winner of the Rising Star Award was Reece Talbot of Signbox with judges describing Talbot as “a fantastic example of what the industry can provide to young people in terms of a career and innovation opportunities”. Taking home the Highly Commended Award for the Rising Star category was Lauren Raftery of FaberExposize UK with the judges saying “Lauren’s success demonstrates how building relationships can be rewarding personally and financially”. Raftery was one of two FaberExposize UK employees shortlisted for this award with Mychael Bottomley also in the running. For the Roll-out Award, Semaphore took home Gold for its Transport For Wales – Placemaking Campaign and Metro Branding launch. Judges said the scale and scope of this entry across multiple surfaces gave it the edge over other entries. Taking home Gold for the 2023 Green Award was MacroArt for its ICE – Sustainability In The Real World Of Exhibitions with judges pleased to see the way data was collected and results reported. MacroArt was also the recipient of the Wide-format Printer of the Year: 30+ Employees Award with judges describing this as a “hotly contested category”. However, it was the company’s dedication to bringing young people into the industry and sustainable focus that gave it a slight edge. The winner of the Wide-format Printer of the Year: Under 30 Employees Award was Imageco with judges also praising its commitment to sustainability and the way this is embedded within its operational values and employee culture. Finally, the Best In Show Award went to The Graphical Tree for its Felipe Pantone At The Saatchi Gallery project with the judges saying the unusual design and creativity coupled with flawless execution gave the entry a slight edge. Taking place each year entries for the UK Graphic Awards are free and judging is carried out by an international jury of experts from the wide-format industry. ▲ITV weather presenter Emma Jesson hosted the evening of awards ►Imageco was awarded The Wide-format Printer of The Year: Under 30 Employees Award
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==