INDUSTRY / NEWS 8 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 344 - September / October 2023 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Ivor Jacobs first cut his tooth in the print industry back in 1974 after starting his working life in brand management, systems analysis, and computer sales. A marketing manager of a progressive litho printer, Jacobs suggested opening a retail print store in Hampstead and Kwik-Kopy was born. The company developed well and became a franchise. Jacobs became UK managing director for PIP, the US franchise five years later, opening 40 stores. In 1997, Jacobs set up Ivor Solution as a web-to-print software developer trading as Card Corporation – said to be the UK’s first service of its kind concentrating on cloudbased technical development and sales with print being outsourced. Almost a decade later the white labelled software used mainly by larger print managers became the only UK print company combining its own IP with print. Branded as Cognitu, the hybrid offer was sold internationally with Ivor Solution often handling over 1,000 small orders a day in addition to web transactions outsourced to other suppliers. Ten years ago, Spencer Slee a corporate customer, bought into the business and became managing director and majority shareholder. The company rebranded to Print Evolved in 2016 and Jacobs retained shares in the business and is only retiring a decade later aged 78. With an extensive history in print, Jacobs was challenged by the company's financial controller to write a book on his adventures which is nearing completion – he shouldn’t find it difficult to find a printer! Print veteran Ivor Jacobs to retire after 50 years Ivor Jacobs is retiring after almost 50 years in the print industry Scottish print industry apprentices honoured [L to R] Fraser Galloway; Nathan Burns; Laura Macdonald; and Becky Young Print industry apprentices in Scotland have been honoured in the eighth annual Scottish Print Apprentice of the Year Awards. The Awards are organised by Print Scotland which provides training for Modern Apprentices through the Scottish Training Scheme. Nathan Burns of CCL Design won the Overall Apprentice of the Year Award; Becky Young of J Thomson Colour Printers won the Pre-Press Apprentice of the Year Award; Fraser Galloway of NSD Labels won the Press Apprentice of the Year Award; and Laura Macdonald of Bell and Bain won the Post-Press Apprentice of the Year Award. According to Garry Richmond, director of Print Scotland, the number of young people seeking life opportunities is growing all the time, and he predicts 2023 could be a record year for apprentices. The UK Graphic Awards is preparing for its fourth award ceremony which will take place in Birmingham on October 4th, 2023. In its latest update, the awards ceremony has revealed the finalists for its 14 categories including Branded Interiors, Retail, Events & Exhibitions, and more. Also at the ceremony is the Rising Star award which recognises an individual in the industry under 30 who has shown exceptional understanding and growth. The UK Graphic Awards says this category has seen the greatest increase in entries, demonstrating a hopeful change for the next generation of printers. Finalists include Hollywood Monster, MacroArt, Signbox, FaberExposize UK, Imageco, Grapefruit Graphics, and more. UK Graphic Awards announce 2023 shortlist Colin Sinclair McDermott AKA The Online Print Coach has launched ‘The Printerviews’, a podcast focusing on real discussions with professionals in the worlds of print, graphics, and signage. Having recently released its second episode, the podcast has been received extremely well by others in the industry and has already ranked highly in listening charts. The first episode features founder of Make it Happen Sam Armstrong and the second episode features Gareth Robertson from Print Pit who speaks about the trials and tribulations of running a print business and the advantages of selling print online. The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast. The podcast is available on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Google Podcast The event will take place at a Gala Dinner at Birmingham Town Hall on October 4th The Online Print Coach releases new podcast Textile print-on-demand company, Prinfab, has launched an online service to create repeating patterns from a simple text description using artificial intelligence (AI). The solution is free to use and has generated over 10,000 images since its launch with the person generating the image retaining the copyright. AI has had several effects on the print industry, with a lot of automated technology already implemented into machines and software. Prinfab says customers on social media reacted to its new service with comments ranging from “fabulous” to “sad and surprised to see this from you”. Graphic designers and content creators have been amongst those who have criticised the use of AI over the past year. AI solution gets mixed response from customers Pattern generated by Prinfab AI using the prompt, "jungle print mixed with tiger texture" By Carys Evans
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