Irish Printer - Issue 4 2024 by Ashville Media Group

Power The to

CANON ON ITS MOST SUCCESSFUL DRUPA TO DATE

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Padraic Kierans at Anglo Printers talks about navigating choppy waters and diversifying into new areas

ED’S LETTER

Welcome to issue 4 of Irish Printer for 2024.

At this year’s drupa Canon launched ‘Power to Move’, a campaign that demonstrates the power of print to move people emotionally to achieve positive change and to move businesses forward through Canon’s wide-ranging technologies. Over the duration of the event, Canon showcased its latest solutions to great success; sales of both its web-fed and sheetfed presses for commercial print and promotional communications were strong while the company’s new inkjet presses (varioPRINT iX1700 and the B2-format varioPRESS iV7) drew lots of curious attendees to the Canon stand, despite the presses not being commercially available until 2025. For more on Canon’s success at drupa, turn to page 11.

Padraic Kierans and the team at Anglo Printers had cause for celebration this summer after winning the ‘Print of the Year’ accolade at the Irish Print Awards. The team won for its work on the Roisin Murphy Hit Parade (Deluxe Edition) vinyl sleeve which was, says Padraic, an extremely complex job featuring different materials, print processes and finishes. Production Manager at Anglo, Donnach Callan, headed up the project and from the start, knew he was working on something unique. As with every job undertaken at the print firm, the aim was to deliver excellence for the client. That excellence was recognised and honoured at this year’s awards, where Anglo also took home the gold award for Best Use of Print, gold in the Graphic Design and Print Collaboration category and silver in the Sheetfed Colour Offset category. For more on Anglo’s big win and Padraic’s take on the current state of the industry, turn to page 16.

Elsewhere in this issue, we take a look at the Print Media Technician Programme which is set to kick off once again in September. This year, Canon Ireland is offering a special bursary to support the education and professional development of students enrolled in the course. Finally, on page 9 McGowans pays tribute to their beloved colleague Tom McIntyre, who sadly passed away earlier this summer.

Editor: Denise Maguire

Email: editor@irishprinter.ie

Creative Director: Jane Matthews

Designer: Lenny Rooney

Production: Nicole Ennis

Contact: Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Unit 55, Park West Road, Park West, Dublin 12, D12 X9F Tel: (01) 432 2200

Web: www.irishprinter.ie

Printed by: McGowans Print

Printed on: HP Indigo 10000 using Novatech paper supplied by Antalis.

All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate. The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Ashville Media Group 2024. All discounts, promotions and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Irish Printer. The promoter/advertiser is responsible for honouring the prize. ISSN 0790-2026

As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any thoughts on this issue, please drop us a line at editor@irishprinter.ie. Enjoy!

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UPDATES NEWS

FUJIFILM

New face at Fujifilm

Fujifilm has appointed Tony Lock as Head of Packaging for UK and Ireland. He joins Fujifilm after a distinguished career in the printing sector, where he has held various leadership positions in technical, sales, marketing and general management roles. In recent years, Tony has focused on the packaging industry, making significant

contributions and gaining deep insights into the market dynamics. His appointment marks a strategic step for Fujifilm as the company continues to invest in and expand its packaging solutions. “I’ve been in print for over 30 years and the packaging world is an incredibly exciting part of the industry. Fujifilm’s investment in packaging

I’ve been in print for over 30 years and the packaging world is an incredibly exciting part of the industry”

Tony Lock, Head of Packaging for UK and Ireland

solutions and its vision to lead in this sector are what attracted me to this role. I’m excited to be part of this journey and look forward to contributing to Fujifilm’s success in the packaging market,” he said.

RICOH

Spotlight on… RICOH Ri 1000X

Ricoh has launched its latest innovation in Direct to Garment printing technology, the RICOH Ri 1000X. The new machine which is available now is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small custom apparel operations to large scale production facilities, to create high quality and durable prints on a wide range of materials such as cotton, blends and canvas to wood. It’s also equipped with the latest ColorGATE Textile Productionserver software that enables user friendly colour matching and streamlined production for colour rich graphics in under 27 seconds.

JH Label Solutions rebrands to Zeus Labels

Northern Ireland print and packaging firm, JH Label Solutions, has rebranded to ‘Zeus Labels – Complete Label Solutions’ following the firm’s acquisition by Zeus in 2023. Established in 2008 under the James Hamilton Group, JH Label Solutions has grown significantly. The James Hamilton Group, founded in the 1920s, evolved from selling wrapping papers to diversifying into commercial printing and food packaging, eventually establishing JH Label Solutions to meet market demands. As part of Zeus Packaging Group, Zeus Labels will offer label solutions through 58 locations in 38 countries. Keith Ockenden, Chief Executive Officer of Zeus Labels, said: “As we transition to Zeus Labels, we are excited about the opportunities this rebranding presents. Our integration into

FEATURES OF THE RI 1000X INCLUDE:

» White ink – the new ink enables the production of brighter, more vibrant colours and delivers a softer hand feel

» Dark garment capabilities – a new single input to print media type setting enables smooth switch overs between white and dark garments

» Optimised print modes – a new print mode supports Direct to Film (DTF) printing

» “Extra Fine Mode” added – the new feature uses 9-pass bidirectional printing to maintain high image quality without sacrificing productivity

» Improved performance – the quick to change magnetic platen now features lower limit detection for peace of mind. It ensures consistent results by alerting the user when the platen height is not set within the correct range following manual adjustment when swapping between thicker and thinner materials

» Safe and sustainable products – Ricoh’s inks meet ECO PASSPORT safety standards, ensuring they are suited to sustainable production and are safe for adults, children and babies to wear.

the Zeus Packaging Group allows us to leverage a wealth of resources and expertise, ensuring we continue to deliver top-tier solutions to our clients. This alignment

enhances our ability to offer competitive advantages in the marketplace, driven by our commitment to excellence in manufacturing, design, and service.”

Iain Cunningham joins Antalis Ireland

Antalis has announced the appointment of Iain Cunningham as the new Head of Packaging in Ireland. With over 20 years of experience at Antalis, Iain brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this new role. He will, says the company, be instrumental in expanding the company’s market share across Ireland’s packaging sector. Since joining Antalis, Iain has held several key positions including Sales Operation Manager, Operations Manager and Office Papers Sales Manager. “Antalis Packaging already supports customers across the UK and Ireland; we can work with anyone who wants help packing, protecting, storing, dispatching, or transporting goods,” said Iain.

Publishers split on use of AI

According to a recent study by publishing tech firm ePublishing, publishers around the world are divided in their approach to AI adoption, with many worried about what the technology means for their copyrighted content. The study shows that few publishers are using AI to create their editorial content, however a third are using AI to write promotional and marketing copy, headlines or social media content. Around a fifth said they were using AI to draft articles, with interview transcription (32%) and image creation (27%) among the popular uses.

According to a piece on Printweek.com, Press Gazette recently reported that many UK publishers are taking a combative stance against AI companies hoping to improve their language models by feeding them high-quality copyrighted material. In autumn 2023, DMG Media said that it was “actively seeking advice” for legal action, particularly over the use of its headline, bullet point and article text structure being used without permission to train AI.

Several other UK publishers have either taken a stand against AI or have encouraged others to withhold access to their material, despite lucrative cash offers from AI firms.

The study shows that few publishers are using AI to create their editorial content, however a third are using AI to write promotional and marketing copy, headlines or social media content”

The Printweek article also states some UK publishers have taken cash deals. The Financial Times was the UK’s first major paper to make a deal, joining newsbrands and publishers like Time, Der Spiegel, The Atlantic, Informa, Le Monde, Reuters and the Associated Press.

In collaboration with the Irish Printing Federation and the Design Print & Packaging Skillnet, the Print Media Technician Programme will commence in September. The pathways programme has been designed to develop the human talent needed to drive the print sector forward. This programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Union and network companies.

Canon Ireland Bursary

Canon Ireland is oﬀering a special bursary aimed at supporting the education and professional development of students enrolled in the Print Media Technician course. This initiative underscores Canon’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation within the industry. The bursary programme includes three grants, each worth €1000, available to companies that enrol students on this course. The three grants will be selected and awarded after all candidates have enrolled in the Programme. By participating, companies can not only support the next generation of print media technicians in Ireland, but also enhance their own workforce with skilled and well-trained professionals.

Assessment

To obtain the qualiﬁcation, candidates will undergo competence assessments including workbooks, written and verbal Q&A sessions and demonstrate learning in their speciﬁc roles. Access to the Skills Hub, an online learning platform available 24/7, will support their success.

Programme Highlights

» Start date – training commences in September

» Duration – the course runs over two years

» Delivery mode – predominantly online, tutor-led classes

» Collaboration – working closely with trainees and their companies

» Expert involvement – requires participation from an expert witness from each company

» Industry coverage – suitable for participants from all sectors (litho, digital, ﬁnishing, large format, packaging, labels, services)

» Accreditation – provided upon course completion.

Course Modules

» Understanding workplace practices in the print environment

» Understanding pre-press, print & digital artwork

» Managing print & digital printing machines

» Managing print & digital ﬁnishing machines

» Improving effectiveness in the print company

» Health and Safety in the print working environment

» Good manufacturing practice

» Masterclasses for real-life experience and insights.

Programme Goals

SKILL

With the Print Media Technician Programme due to kick o again in September, Canon Ireland has announced a bursary to support students enrolled in the course

The programme’s main aim is to provide specialised training for speciﬁc jobs or machines at each company’s location, equipping trainees with the knowledge, context and approaches to contribute eﬀectively in the production environment. This foundational programme is designed to pave the way for future advanced training, ensuring the

print industry has the skilled talent needed for ongoing success.

If this programme isn’t a ﬁt for your company but you know someone who might beneﬁt, please pass on this email to them. Let’s work together to build a stronger future for the print and packaging industry.

Training will commence in September. For more information, go to https:// dppskillnet.ie/custom/pmt-programme/

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but never forgotten Missed,

Earlier this summer, Tom McIntyre passed away. A veteran of the print industry, Tom had honed his craft at Reprocentre, Andrews Graphics, Walsh Graphics and Universal. His most recent role was in New Product Development at McGowans.

Speaking about their friend, McGowans said the following:

“This day last week our dear colleague and friend, Tom McIntyre, sadly passed. Tom joined our sales team at McGowans Print only a short time ago, but he had been a trusted and integral supply partner for many years prior.

“Tom’s commitment, integrity, calmness and warm personality made a lasting impact on everyone who had the pleasure of working with him. His expertise and dedication

to excellence were unparalleled and he consistently went above and beyond to support our procurement team.

“More than a colleague, Tom was a true friend. His sense of humour, kindness and positive spirit will be deeply missed. He was a valued member of our community and his legacy will continue to inspire us.

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to Tom’s wife and daughter, Grainne and Shauna, and the rest of his family and friends during this diﬃcult time. We are grateful for the time we had with him and will honour his memory by striving to uphold the values he embodied.

“Rest in peace, Tom. You will be missed but never forgotten.”

Rest in peace, Tom. You will be missed but never forgotten”

Power MOVE Power MOVE The to

Canon demonstrates ‘The Power to Move’ with its most successful drupa to date

Canon, a leading global provider of end-to-end, digital production print solutions and services, recognises drupa 2024 as its most successful to date in terms of customer engagement, investment and visitor interest. Despite visitor numbers being down on the last show in 2016, current and potential customers ﬂocked to the Canon stand to ﬁnd out how the latest printing solutions and support services from Canon and its technology partners could help to transform their businesses in a sustainable way.

It was a special privilege for me to host several key Irish printers at our stand and inspire them with more than 20 end-to-end digital printing solutions running live”

Cathy Bittner, Strategic Business Development Manager at Canon EMEA

As a result, Canon signiﬁcantly exceeded the number of sales leads it had hoped for and achieved sales revenue that far outstripped projections for the event. There was also great interest in and inspiration from Canon’s vision of print’s “Power to Move”. This was seen, for example, in the constant interaction of visitors with the hands-on print application showcases and the over 6,000 visitors exploring the multi-sensory, immersive experience in The Core that featured “World Unseen”, an inclusive photography initiative brought to life by extraordinary, elevated prints.

We spoke with Cathy Bittner, Strategic Business Development Manager at Canon EMEA, to get a little more insight into the mood at Canon following a hugely successful drupa.

“I was on our stand for the duration of the exhibition and got to experience first-hand the excitement and energy, especially as this was the first drupa since 2016. It was a special privilege for me to host several key Irish printers at our stand and inspire them with more than 20 end-to-end digital printing solutions running live, as well as numerous examples of how our customers use our technology to drive digital transformation for their businesses. I believe we were able to give them great ideas and confidence for planning their next investment steps, not just from a technology perspective but also the business innovation that goes with it.”

“As we’d anticipated, sales of both our web-fed and sheetfed presses for commercial print and promotional communications were very strong, particularly those of the ProStream 2133 web-fed inkjet press and varioPRINT iX3200 sheetfed inkjet press. The increasing trend of investment in inkjet presses also meant that our newly announced varioPRINT iX1700 and the B2-format varioPRESS iV7 drew substantial interest, despite these presses not being commercially available until 2025. We expect the varioPRINT iX1700 to resonate strongly with printers here in Ireland.”

Launching its campaign “The Power To Move” at drupa 2024, Canon sought to demonstrate the power of print to move people emotionally to achieve positive change and to move businesses forward through the deployment of Canon’s transformative technologies, expertise and support. Through curated workﬂows, Canon showcased its latest enabling technologies with partners, demonstrating real-life customer solutions and inspiring visitors.

Cathy Bittner, Strategic Business Development Manager, Canon EMEA

Canon further displayed its dedication to developing market opportunities for its customers with two exciting collaborations”

The Power of Partnerships

Across the stand, visitors were able to see many of Canon’s key collaboration activities. The elevated prints – printed on the Canon Arizona – from the World Unseen project, proved to be very popular and left a lasting impression on countless visitors to the stand. This exhibition is now on an EMEA tour, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience across the region.

Canon further displayed its dedication to developing market opportunities for its customers with two exciting collaboration examples. Showcasing the latest from its industry collaboration project Creative Futures, B-Corp brand Bower Collective demonstrated how it embraced premium direct mail to win new customers. Also on show was the Publishing 2030 Accelerator, focused on bringing about meaningful progress on sustainability in publishing globally and born out of the Future Book Forum, a Canonled industry community initiative.

Indicating that toner remains the digital printing technology of choice for many print service providers, customer investment in Canon’s imagePRESS V series colour and varioPRINT mono toner devices also beat projected numbers. Recognising also the growth opportunities oﬀered by wide format printing, including in interior décor, wallpaper, packaging and ﬁne art, Canon showcased its full portfolio, with sales of the Arizona, Colorado and imagePROGRAF far surpassing expectations, as did sales of the new generation of colorWAVE and plotWAVE printers for CAD applications.

Many visitors were surprised to be able to sit in a fully furnished living room on the Canon stand. This unique showcase was the result of a collaboration with German furniture retailer POCO, a brand with a strong vision for print in the future. This case delivered strong evidence of the power of programmatic print to reach its target customers and attract them into POCO stores. Its on-stand exhibit pulled out all the stops with regard to creativity on how digital print can then enhance that instore experience. This was particularly insightful for print service providers in oﬀering large format applications, gaining brand new ideas for personalised wallpaper, printed window and ﬂoor graphics, table tops and furniture liners.

Sustainability was at the heart of Canon’s drupa concept from the outset and it set priority on ensuring what was printed at the show could be donated for a better cause. Thanks to a number of charitable partnerships like UN SDG Book Club African Chapter and Topic Heroes, UK, it was able to print and donate around 10,000 books to diﬀerent organisations around the world and around 10,000 postcards, posters and brochures were donated to German non-governmental organisations. Demonstrating its support for diversity within the industry, Canon also hosted a successful ‘Girls Who Print’ networking event on its stand.

Canon’s sustainable initiatives for a strong print industry into the future go far beyond drupa as Canon Ireland continues its partnership with DPP Skillnet by oﬀering a bursary to support three applicants taking part in the Print Technician Course in 2025. Having launched this initiative at the Irish Print Awards this year, Canon is keen to continue its investment in future-prooﬁng native print industry by investing in new and exciting talent.

Donnan Cullen, Key Account Manager at Canon Ireland, said: “drupa is an important industry event for us and it was great to return to the show after

Canon is keen to continue its investment in future-proofing native print industry by investing in new and exciting talent”

nearly a decade. Not only did the 2024 event allow us to showcase our market-leading portfolio of technologies, both those available currently and those coming soon, but it also allowed us to connect with the wider print community and for those wishing to accelerate their digital print journey, share a glimpse into the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.”

By showcasing real-life cases and through collaborations with forwardthinking businesses and numerous technology partners, Canon demonstrated print’s power to captivate and drive change in a number of ways. Together with its customers and partners, Canon will continue to innovate and shape the future of the industry with innovative business models and new technologies and services – from on-demand production concepts, automated and scalable solutions, to diverse applications and high-volume personalisation for ultra eﬀective, multi-channel consumer experiences.

“Yet again, drupa showed itself to be an important meeting point and a wonderful showcase of the versatility of print. We saw visitors not only from Ireland, but indeed from all over the globe coming to the Canon stand to harness the value our technology and business innovation can deliver – and how it enables people and businesses to grow and prosper. For Canon, drupa 2024 exceeded our expectations. We’re thankful for the trust that our customers and partners set in our services and technology for their business and are excited about discussing new opportunities with the numerous connections made. Through ongoing investment and powerful innovation, we’ll continue to provide and expand the expertise we oﬀer across the digital printing spectrum.”

To learn more, visit canon.ie

ANGLO PRINTERS ROISIN MURPHY HIT PARADE (DELUXE EDITION)

GOLD 17 ANGLO STRIKES

Following their win at the Irish Print Awards, Padraic Kierans at Anglo Printers talks to Denise Maguire about navigating choppy waters and diversifying into new areas

Congratulations on your big win for the Roisin Murphy Hit Parade project. Why do you think you won for that particular job?

I think it was down to the diversity of the product. There were so many different elements to it, so many different materials, print processes and finishes. Ultimately, it was a really tricky job to complete. There’s a sense of nostalgia around vinyl record sleeves, they’re also regarded as an art form. I think it was one of the Gallagher brothers from Oasis that said, rich people’s art is on the walls while poor people’s art is on the floor in record sleeves. A huge amount of work went into this product – our production manager Donnach Callan has carried out a lot of research and development in the area of record sleeve production. He managed the project from start to finish and did a brilliant job.

When you ﬁnished the project, did you know straightaway that it was special?

It was ﬂagged from the start that this was a unique project. Donnach recognised how special it was, as did my brother Peter and all the sales guys.

I think it was one of the Gallagher brothers from Oasis that said, rich people’s art is on the walls while poor people’s art is on the floor in record sleeves”

I didn’t really recognise how amazing it was until I saw all the combined elements. Like with every project we undertake, the push was to deliver excellence for the client and artist and that’s what we achieved.

How is business?

Business is good, although it has been challenging since last November. We had two boom years post-Covid which were very strong across the board and I think that was the case for most people. We noticed a slow down in November and December and it has for the most part stayed that way. We’re down on last year in terms of revenue, but that was expected. In addition, I don’t think the indigenous economy is doing as well as perhaps we’re led to believe. I think GDP is a crazy number which cannot be trusted. If you look at GNP, it tells us the economy is growing but from my experience through the Chamber of Commerce and from talking to other business people, there has been a slowdown across a number of industries. But that’s probably to be expected and I think it’s reﬂected in recent numbers that show unemployment is slightly increasing. It’s a natural adjustment to where we are post-Covid. From speaking with friends in the trade, we would all say that the commercial sector has been weaker this year. It’s not something we haven’t seen before and chances are, we’ll see it again. It’s just a matter of navigating those waters.

How do you navigate those waters?

The ﬁrst thing you do is monitor and control your costs and then identify a pattern for sales growth. It’s important not to be afraid to accelerate into new areas and just give it a shot. All the reports tell us that growth is in digital and packaging. In terms of digital, growth is probably coming on the back of reduced order quantities; people are ordering less but more frequently. That’s not

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When the sun comes out, there are days when we’re operating completely off solar power, which is remarkable. The print industry, which was always considered a ‘dirty’ industry, is actually one of the leaders in this area”

always a winner though as in digital, you don’t always have the full range of options that you would have with litho. For us, litho remains strongest for us and that’s why we have invested in a new Komori press. For us, we believe the future is across packaging and commercial and in digital and litho.

Did you go to drupa this year?

I did and it was an eye opener. It was brilliant to see our suppliers and to see so many people being optimistic about the industry. For me, it was the inkjet show – some of the solutions we saw were mind-blowing. However impressed I was by inkjet though, I still don’t think it’s the same as litho. There are restrictions there around substrates and finishes. We have just invested in a new Komori H-UV which will open up more markets for us on the packaging side. It’ll give us options around high gloss finishes, lots of different embellishments and sensory finishes using UV inks. We probably will invest in digital this year, but I don’t foresee it being an inkjet. It’s not for us right now, but I wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

What steps have you taken to be more sustainable?

I think we’ve really led in that area over the last six or seven years. Recently, we installed 610 panels on the factory which will deliver 250 megawatt hours this year. That will reduce grid intake by approximately 30%, which is phenomenal. When the sun comes out, there are days when we’re operating completely off solar power, which is remarkable. The print industry, which was always considered a ‘dirty’ industry, is actually one of the leaders in this area. We’re a carbon balanced printer and we’re able to able to offer that service to our clients so that their paper and board is carbon balanced on their project. All our carbon is offset annually, we supply FSC products and we’re a member of the Two Sides campaign.

Is it difficult to find skilled staff?

Yes it is and we’re currently looking for sales personnel. Last year we would have found it extremely difficult to find printers or print finishers. So many people have left the industry and I think it’s something that needs to be

We’re hoping that work will come to fruition as an option so that people are trained in managing and understanding colour. For us, that’s a key skill set that’s maybe not considered in our industry as much as it should be”

addressed by government. There are lots of people across the world who are qualiﬁed in this area and who would love to come to Ireland, but this isn’t a trade that’s considered critical. It’s also diﬃcult for people outside the EU to get a Visa, so that remains a challenge.

Will you be participating in the new Print Media Technician programme?

We have one person that’s going for it and we’ll hopefully have a second. It may not be 100% what we want, but we’re keen to support it, as is the wider industry. We’ve been working with Joe O’Callaghan at DPP Skillnet on developing a colour management training programme. We’re hoping that will come to fruition as an option so that people are trained in managing and understanding colour. For us, that’s a key skill set that’s maybe not considered in our industry as much as it should be.

What are some of the other challenges facing the industry?

Energy costs are obviously a huge challenge. The price of paper and board is another. In recent times we’ve seen some changes in the Irish market, with the last independent supplier gone. There’s a concern that the three main suppliers to Irish print firms are now UK-based, while people are also worried about the price of paper. In addition labour costs are huge, in comparison with Northern Ireland where they are significantly less. Input costs for NI-based print firms around raw materials are also less; the paper suppliers will say otherwise but that’s just not the case. The British government supports print firms in Northern Ireland which again, contrasts with the lack of support we get from the government here. I’m only about 25 miles from the border and we’re operating against a marketplace that has distinct advantages. A lot of work still goes up the North from the Republic, which is challenging. It needs to be considered by government. Our industry is well worth supporting. The knowledge base and the talent that we have in this industry is amazing.

In 2023, past and present workers gathered for lunch to celebrate 40 years since the late John H Kierans founded Elite Print/Anglo Printers Ltd back in 1983

SIGNAGE

22 OPPORTUNITIES FRESH

As the signage market evolves, it will surprise no-one that printed signage faces increased competition from digital technologies. This challenging environment and market factors such as post-Covid recovery have contributed to the global market for printed signage experiencing contractions, says Smithers’ The Future of Signage in a Digital World to 2028.

However, analyst data indicates a positive future. Printed signage will see growth between now and 2028, with the market still worth as much as $41.4 billion and representing 10.4 billion square metres. Europe continues to have a healthy share, with 19% of the global value and nearly 15% of printed area.

These are among the reasons many innovative operations can see the fresh opportunities this market presents that could help them successfully expand their service oﬀering. Among the performance beneﬁts that ensures printed signage remains widely used for indoor and outdoor advertising, as well as Point of Purchase, are its:

This is your sign to explore opportunities in digitally printed signage, writes Angelo Mandelli

Printed signage is a powerful marketing tool that engages e ectively with target audiences”

Among the opportunities continuing to contribute to this positive outlook are:

Customisation for printed signage in retail increasing Today’s competitive retail landscape drives the development of new ways to attract customers and enhance brand recognition. Printed signage is a powerful marketing tool that engages effectively with target audiences and drives footfall to physical stores. Vibrant and eyecatching, it can create immersive instore experiences to differentiate, convey promotional messages, highlight product features and guide visitors to specific areas of interest. Digital print enables offers to be cost effectively and quickly updated and adapted in response to customer demand and seasonal promotions. It can integrate with omnichannel campaigns to reinforce storytelling and branding, too.

Post pandemic return to shows and events

Earlier this year UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, reported in its Global Exhibition

» Cost e ectiveness and speed – This is particularly when compared to advertising channels such as television and radio advertising

» Durability – Making it ideal for locations where vandalism is more likely to occur. A damaged poster is easier, faster and cheaper to replace than a digital display

» Ease of dismantling and disposal – In Europe, cardboard and paper are recycled with wastepaper and there are many ways to recover textile and foil printed signage

» Enablement of e icient mounting – Especially if there are frames already installed on site. Also, there is no requirement for power or internet connections or specialist sta

» Familiarity – That can be reassuring. People with special needs, such as the visually impaired, or passersby with attention deficit disorders, prefer static content

» Interactivity – Printed QR codes o er easy access to websites.

Barometer research that in most markets, in 2023, the exhibition industry fully recovered from the pandemic slump and was set to record the highest ever revenue levels in 2024. Smithers concurred. It said a huge 1,865 million metres sq output of corporate graphics, exhibitions and trade show materials in 2022 would grow to 1,958 million metres sq by 2028. This buoyant sector is perfectly poised to beneﬁt from the sustainable, customisable and interactive elements printed signage can deliver.

Embracing embellishments

The pandemic inspired innovation and many businesses diversified into new technologies and revenue streams. Specialists in display graphics and signage were often at the forefront of this transformation. When attention returned to the retail e-commerce sector, the need for standout signage increased, as did interest in the role of digital embellishments in capturing consumer attention. A study conducted by Taktiful found digital embellishment technology accelerated in adoption across various sectors, while WhattheyThink! reported 90% of users expressed a positive outlook on their digital embellishment business. The addition of 3D varnishes, textured finishes and metallics can create multisensory experiences that attract attention and invite physical interaction – especially as much of the work is one-off, bespoke projects.

Supporting creative signage specialists in their exploration of delivering diﬀerentiation, cost eﬀectively

This buoyant sector is perfectly poised to benefit from the sustainable, customisable and interactive elements printed signage can deliver” and sustainably, is Ricoh’s portfolio of large format systems that include the roll to roll RICOH Pro L5160e Latex extended gamut system with its option of orange and green inks and the RICOH Pro TF6251 UV flatbed printer plus roll to roll, with fast drying Greenguard certified inks. There is also the Flora X20 UV flatbed hybrid system that can print both rigid and flexible materials.

New systems are in development as Ricoh continues to expand its large format and flatbed product portfolio with innovative technologies and applications to support this booming market, as well as other fields such as industrial and CAD, while offering viable alternatives to screen printing.

In addition, versatile software that ensures smooth high quality production includes the modular and scalable workflow solution ColorGATE Productionserver. It manages accurate processing of graphically rich PDF content and reproduction of complex design files. There is also Color-Logic that provides access to 250 accurate metallic colours and simplifies the design and print production process in a fraction of the time and cost compared to traditional print embellishments.

Angelo Mandelli is the Senior Product & Business Development Manager, Large Format & Flatbed EMEA Product Marketing at Ricoh Europe

OPEN THE Archives

interesting array of print materials has been unearthed from the archives at the National Print Museum

IN OTHER NEWS…

A second edition of ‘Strange Types and Odd Sorts’, a book documenting stories from the print industry, is set to be published in November to coincide with the Dublin Book Festival. A handful of ﬁrst edition copies are still available and can be purchased from the National Print Museum website.

Over the last few months, MPhil student Margaret Aimar has carefully selected and researched a number of items from the archive at the National Print Museum. Her focus was on ‘Irish Leisure through the Decades’, leading to a diverse selection of print materials including the three items showcased here along with a Louth Parochial carnival programme from 1950, details on greyhound racing from the Evening Herald from 1947 and an advertisement sheet announcing the opening of the new computer centre in Mosney from 1984.

Earlier this year, the Museum also collaborated with Imelda May to create a print celebrating the Yeats Sisters and the Cuala Press; a small number of prints are still available on the website.

www.nationalprintmuseum.ie