HACKETTS PARTNERS WITH MJ FLOOD FOR A CUTTINGEDGE PRODUCTION UPGRADE
Belfast Dublin Board
04 News
A look at what’s happening in the print industry
11 Talking to…
With a new facility in Newbridge, the future is looking bright for Xtreme Signs & Graphics
12 Event
The Power of Print seminar featured presentations that highlighted the potential for the reinvigoration of print
19 Interview
For Gary O’Brien at The Printed Image, 2025 is all about delivering top quality products to the client
22 Training
The Network Manager at DPP Skillnet chats about upskilling in an increasingly competitive environment
Cover Story
MJ Flood supplied and installed the AccurioPress C12000e at Hacketts, an investment that’s paving the way for growth
24 Careers
“Measure twice, cut once” is the mantra Lauren Gallagher took away from her first role
Welcome to issue 6 of Irish Printer for 2024.
This issue of Irish Printer includes news of a recent investment made by Hacketts in an AccurioPress C12000e. Supplied and installed by MJ Flood, the new press will allow the print firm to manage heavier stocks and packaging materials, opening up new markets and revenue streams. Faster speed times mean projects that previously took three hours are now complete in under two, with no compromise on quality. Brian O’Loughlin, Director at Hacketts, says he’s excited to explore the full potential of the new press, while delivering a higherquality, faster turnaround service to clients. For more on the new investment, turn to page 15.
On page 19, Gary O’Brien at The Printed Image talks about what it takes to run a successful print firm for over three decades. Going into 2025, the aim is to move into new sectors while keeping a firm grip on the areas they excel in. Aside from recruitment and increasing costs, another challenge facing the firm is around maintaining a high level of quality amid decreasing client budgets. With budgets being squeezed across the board, balancing the two can be tricky but delivering a high quality product has to remain the priority, says Gary. Also in this issue, we catch up with Roisin Hennessy at Xtreme Signs & Graphics to chat about the trade printer’s new facility in Newbridge and why a career in print is a ticket to anywhere in the world. On page 22 Network Manager at DPP Skillnet, Joe O’Callaghan, talks about the success of the Print Media Technician programme and why upskilling helps print firms differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market. In 2024, AI courses at DPP Skillnet proved popular with participants, as did the Colour Management in Print course. For 2025, Joe would encourage print firms to take a look at the courses available at DPP Skillnet and engage with the platform to upskill and thrive.
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!
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.
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!
Say it with colour, say it with
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UPDATES NEWS 4
METSA BOARD
Metsä Board drives forward with Simpele mill upgrades
Metsä Board is advancing with plans to modernise the Simpele folding boxboard mill, focused on further enhancing product quality, production efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of its operations and products. The Simpele mill will undergo significant upgrades in the second half of 2025, including the modernisation of the
pre-drying section and the installation of a new coating section on the production line. These enhancements will further improve the print quality and visual consistency of the MetsäBoard Classic FBB product, while enabling the company to shift to fossil free alternatives in its paperboard production process.
These enhancements will further improve the print quality and visual consistency of the MetsäBoard Classic FBB product
ALDAR TISSUE
30 new roles at Aldar Tissue Dublin facility
Aldar Tissue, the country’s largest household and commercial tissue paper manufacturer, has officially opened its new €15 million purpose-built manufacturing facility in Rathcoole, Dublin. The company was acquired by Zeus in 2019 and the new 100,000 sq ft facility will create 30 new full-time jobs. Both Aldar Tissue and Zeus said they are
This new facility increases our production capacity and will enable us to fulfil up to 40% of Ireland’s bathroom tissue and kitchen towel needs
committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, actively reducing carbon footprints by prioritising local manufacturing and sustainable raw materials. The new Dublin plant features fully automated, high-speed production lines, robotic packing and wrapping technologies. With these innovations, Aldar Tissue aims to transition from a 24/5 to a 24/7 operation by 2026, further increasing capacity.
Speaking at the facility’s opening, Keith Ockenden, CEO of Zeus, said: “Currently, 80% of the Irish tissue market is supplied from the UK and mainland Europe. This new facility increases our production capacity and will enable us to fulfil up to 40% of Ireland’s bathroom tissue and kitchen towel needs. This will allow us to meet the evolving demands of local markets while driving sustainability within the industry.”
Antalis adds new finishes to Coala range
Antalis has introduced 40 new finishes to its Coala Interior Film range of self-adhesive architectural vinyls. The films, which include the PVC-Free Collection, High-Resistance Collection, Exterior Collection and XL Collection, are ideal for costeffective makeovers and redesigning spaces in offices, homes, hotels, business premises, shops or just about anywhere a surface can be covered for a fresh look. Mike Collins, Product Manager at Antalis, said: “Renovating walls, furniture, desks and spaces, rather than replacing, is a sustainable solution that is both quick to do and relatively cost-effective. These 40 new aesthetic and high-performance films from the Coala Interior Film range can offer solutions for the most demanding interior and exterior design projects.”
Spotlight on… Xerox PrimeLink C9265/C9275/C9281
The new PrimeLink C9265/C9275/C9281 printers from Xerox include advanced features that offer greater flexibility and customisation, adapting to the needs of production and inhouse operations. Featuring a new toner formulation, like that of the Xerox Iridesse Production Press, the new range includes a completely redesigned LED system featuring 10-bit processing and 2400x2400 imaging delivering fine detail, smooth colour transitions and exceptional colour accuracy, with speeds of 65 to 81 pages per minute. Custom media catalogues allow for optimal settings for a wide range of sizes from A6 to SRA3 and weights from 52gsm-400gsm including envelopes, embossed, linen and textured papers, banners up to 1300mm, synthetics and labels. Combined with production-class feeding and finishing features, Xerox says the new series offers versatility and sustainability, reducing material waste through advanced automation.
Ryan Clarke, General Manager Xerox Ireland, said: “This exciting launch of new products reinforces our commitment to the Irish print market. Our customers are looking for quality, versatility and affordability in light production printing. These new Xerox presses punch above their weight in features and capabilities.
“The new Xerox Primelink C92xx Series has been designed to help them cope with a changing market and maximise their return on investment. In today’s competitive environment, businesses need comprehensive
and sustainable printing solutions and our new models meet this need.”
This exciting launch of new products reinforces our commitment to the Irish print market
The PrimeLink C9200 Series supports the latest Fiery FS600 platform and LLC print servers and integrates into Xerox’s end-to-end production printing ecosystem, which includes tools for sustainability and waste reduction. The printers feature a 10-inch touchscreen that simplifies printing, scanning and copying and offers direct access to the Xerox ConnectKey platform’s cloud and productivity apps. By integrating cloud apps and services, ConnectKey offers an intuitive user experience, mobile and cloud connectivity, total security and instant access to value-added services. The new series of printers is available for order now.
A Dress To Impress
At the 2024 Icona d’Or awards, an event that recognises the achievements of visual communication professionals across 13 categories, FESPA France President Julia Nojac wore a dress created using the Mimaki TS330-1600 dye sublimation inkjet printer. The print design was created by Madrid-based visual artist Kinda Youssef and with the expertise of Rosanne Kooijman, Mimaki’s youngest female application specialist, the print was turned into a vibrant, detailed fabric.
P+D
Dining out
P+D recently completed a project at Dundrum Town Centre that involved the brand creation, design and implementation of the Centre’s new food and entertainment destination. ‘The Dining District’ is located outdoors by the mill pond and includes an eclectic offering from food, socialising and entertainment for all ages. To promote the Dining District, P+D produced and installed a range of Efka illuminated and non-illuminated frames throughout the centre. The light boxes are powered by low energy LED lights and all prints are produced on Samba Green, a fabric where the yarn is created from recycled plastic bottles. They were all printed on P+D’s Canon Colorado using low energy UV curing.
Drytac has announced the global availability of Polar Smooth 150 Air. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use on most surfaces including painted walls, melamine, glass and other flat or simple curved surfaces, Polar Smooth 150 Air is the ideal solution for applications spanning interior décor, wall and window graphics, decals and stickers, point of sale and construction hoardings and barriers. At 6 mil (150µ) thick, the film ensures an easier installation compared to thinner alternatives. It’s available in both permanent and removable options and coated with a clear pressure-sensitive aqueous acrylic adhesive paired with an air egress release liner, allowing for easy bubble-free installation. “We are really excited to be able to o er Polar Smooth 150 Air to customers around the world,” said Kieran Blacknall, Operations Manager at Drytac. “The product has been a great success in the North America market, with users praising its easy installation and print quality. We are delighted that even more customers will now have access to the material.”
Polar Smooth 150 Air now available globally
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PACKAGING
We provide Trade Finishing Services such as: Point of sale gluing | Foil Blocking | Handwork and division assembly with 48,000 square feet spread across two warehouses
NORTHSIDE GRAPHICS
Northside Graphics had possibly its cutest visitor ever recently – therapy dog Henry Wee Wheels signing off on his annual charity calendar. Henry was rescued from a slaughter house in China and flown to Belfast for life-saving surgery in 2017. He had been attacked by another dog, resulting in a broken back, legs and paralysed rear end. After being rescued, he was adopted by Sharon Warnock who arranged for him to be fitted with his special custom wheelchair. Since then, Henry has become a therapy dog, visiting local schools, children’s hospitals and care facilities. Today, he’s an internet sensation through Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, with over 1 million likes on TikTok. For the past three years, Northside Graphics has been producing Henry’s annual
Girls
Who
Print awards
Girls Who Print, the largest global network of women in the print and graphic communication industry, presented three awards during the online Girls Who Print Conference in November. The 2024 Rising Star Award was presented to Kiki Heron, Account Manager, Training and Development Leader at Specialty Print Communications. The award recognises women who have stepped up and taken the initiative to proactively help the industry, their company and their colleagues. The inaugural Girls Who Print Ally Award was presented to Ryan LeFebvre, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at Specialty Print Communications,
This is our third year doing the motivational calendars, with all money raised going to rescue efforts in China to help save more dogs from horrific circumstances
calendar along with his range of merchandise. “This is our third year doing the motivational calendars, with all money raised going to rescue efforts in China to help save more dogs from horrific circumstances. We were let down the first year by another printer, however every cloud has a silver lining and it was definitely a blessing in disguise. After contacting several printers, Northside Graphics came highly recommended… and after speaking with David Brown and being assured of great quality with a quick turnaround, we’ve never looked back,” said Sharon.
while the 2024 Girls Who Print Girlie Award for leadership and community service was presented to Christine Hagopian, President of the Printing Industries of New England (PINE). For the past 18 years, she has played a
pivotal role in helping her membership thrive in an evolving marketplace through educational initiatives, networking opportunities and resources that foster growth and innovation.
Henry Wee Wheels at Northside
With a new facility in Newbridge, the future is looking bright for Xtreme Signs & Graphics
Xtreme Signs & Graphics was set up by Pierre Phieffer over 16 years ago and has evolved from a firm that specialised in safety signage to one that today, provides clients with a host of bespoke services. As the business has grown, staff numbers have also increased from four to 15. In 2024, the firm opened its second facility in Newbridge, Co Kildare to cater for an increased workload and provide some badly-needed space. “It’s given us some breathing room in terms of space. As a trade printer, we have to be able to provide our clients with continuous stock when they need it, so our Newbridge facility allows for that. Our two 3.2m dye sub printers are also in the new facility. Anna is the general manager there and she’s doing a great job in getting our name out into the area and making our presence felt,” says Director Roisin Hennessy.
Roisin has been with Xtreme for the past six years. After obtaining a degree in graphic design, she completed a course in traditional signwriting and through that, secured an apprenticeship in Cork in a print signage firm. “I started in production so I was actually on the floor making and installing signs and wrapping cars. After that, I was lucky enough to travel around Australia and New Zealand for a few years. Once you have any experience in the sign industry you’ve got a foot in the door, so I worked in various sign firms over there. Today, I’m in design but everyone at Xtreme does a bit of everything. We all help out – everyone can jump on a machine or a mounting table.”
A print apprenticeship is a ticket to anywhere in the world, says Roisin. “I got the opportunity to travel the world with mine and that’s one thing I would always say to prospective apprentices. If you have any interest in print, it will allow you to travel. It’s also such an artistic, creative industry and I think that sometimes, young people don’t realise that.”
A number of employees at Xtreme have been with the firm for several years, however recruitment is an ongoing challenge. “Finding people with experience in this industry is tough. If someone comes across our path that we feel would be a good fit
CUT ABOVE
It’s also such an artistic, creative industry and I think that sometimes, young people don’t realise that
Awe tend to take them on, even if there isn’t a position available at the time. If we think they will be valuable to the company in the future we’ll create a role, just to retain them. We’re lucky at the moment with staff, but it’s definitely an issue that’s affecting all print businesses out there.”
Going into 2025, the ambition is to broaden the client list and continue to grow. Fabric is an area of growth for the firm, as is large format, vinyl and displays. “Continuous investment in technology is also important; it helps us stay a step ahead, it improves productivity and ensures a quick and reliable turnaround for our customers. That’s something we really pride ourselves on.”
12 POWER EXPLORING THE ofPRINT
Run by Two Sides, the annual Power of Print seminar featured a host of provocative presentations that highlighted the potential for the reinvigoration of print, writes John Blyth
While all the speakers had something interesting to say to the assembled audience drawn from the print and communications industry, I want to focus on just a few of them, those who were especially inspiring, starting with Justin Cairns, Head of Offline Production for Ogilvy UK. His team produces work that you can touch including direct mail, books, press ads, outdoor, promotional merchandise and exhibition stands.
Justin’s core message was that as the internet increasingly takes on the heavy lifting when it comes to marketing information, print is freed up to become more creative; the great seducer as it has been memorably called. And it’s OK to be more expensive than online media because, as Rory Sutherland the advertising guru and vice president of Ogilvy UK said, “messages that are costly to convey we perceive in a different way”.
And furthermore creatives love print, Justin declared – they love new formats, different finishes and working with something physical. Printers, he noted, are the enablers of their creativity and he ran through a series of powerful and eye-catching campaigns with print at their heart, including from Dulux paint, What 3 Words and from JCDecaux, the outdoor media owner, with its astonishing, successful campaign on the Madrid metro featuring an anonymous grandmother. Justin’s conclusion was cheerfully upbeat; he said that, like Woody from Toy Story, the favourite toy that is always there, print can still be the hero.
A change of gear followed as Keshini Dodhia from Tony’s Chocolonely stepped up to give us some insights into the ethical values that drive this increasingly successful chocolate manufacturer. It has become a formidable rival to the seven dominant chocolate manufacturers, driven by a mission to trace all bars, support strong farmers, pay farmers a high price, go for the long term and focus on quality and productivity. Tony’s Chocolonely is committed to bringing down the 1,000,000 plus number of children working in the cocoa production business in the two biggest producing countries of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.
At the same time, the company is a big fan of print, using its paper wrappers to send enlightening messages and offering personalised wrappers for corporate clients and individual consumers alike. And thereby winning new customers, building loyalty, and creating new advocates for its partnership approach to ending exploitation in cocoa.
James Pryor, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Touch, a structural packaging and product innovation agency, gave an insightful presentation into the direction of travel for packaging.
A combination of retailers (who will delist brands and products that do not match their own sustainability goals), consumers (who expect brands and governments to take responsibility for addressing sustainability issues) and legislation, are causing brands to make great strides in the sustainability and recyclability of their brands’ packaging. Europe is leading the way with the most progressive initiatives, but other regions are following.
James foresees by 2030 Europe creating less waste and using resources more responsibly to ensure a functioning circular economy for packaging. Looking further ahead to 2050, he expects three future directions for packaging. Recycling will be moving to regenerating as the need for non-renewable materials declines. Packaging in a thriving circular economy will be a tool with which to renew and regenerate, lowering climate impact and cleaning the environment. PET bottles made from carbon emissions are a great foretaste of this as they are already here.
Secondly, packaging moving from enabling to enhancing. It will no longer just contain and protect a product. Rather, it will play a key
role in the way we interact with it, such as connected vitamin bottles which remind the user to take the next dose and link to an app for automatic reordering. Again this is already here, a glimpse of the future.
Lastly, from individual to collaborative, as reusable packaging becomes a shared asset that multiple brands can use. For example, there is a British nationwide refill scheme that enables customers to bring any empty 70cl bottle to be refilled from a bulk dispensary. James left us with a positive impression of how the packaging industry is set to play a bigger role in safeguarding our planet’s resources.
The stage was therefore perfectly set for Jonathan Porritt CBE, the eminent writer and campaigner on sustainable development. And while the latest evidence on the impact of climate change was sobering, he offered some hope of where respite may come from.
But first Jonathan rightly foreshadowed the recent announcement from COP 29 that 2024 would be the hottest year ever and he highlighted the iron clad laws of physics that are the cause of the manifest impacts we are now seeing – floods, droughts, wildfires and storms.
The cost of these natural disasters is huge and growing. They threaten the financial stability of one of the foundation stones of a stable world’s financial and economic environment, namely the insurance industry.
Europe is leading the way with the most progressive initiatives, but other regions are following
The losses it is incurring in Florida and elsewhere in America for example are unsustainable. But this industry is too important to go bust. Jonathan is hoping for a dawning realisation among policy makers that by tackling climate change more vigorously, the vital insurance industry can be safeguarded and economic chaos prevented. So while the headline statistics may suggest we are entering a “doom loop,” Jonathan is sanguine about a belated concerted response to the issue of climate change.
So, a series of provocative and illuminating presentations that highlighted the rich potential for reinvigoration and reinvention that print enjoys, against of course the backdrop of the immense looming challenges posed by a changing climate.
All presentations and speaker recordings can be found at www.twosides.info/power-of-print-2024
JOHN BLYTH is Marketing and Communications Manager, Ricoh Graphic Communications, Ricoh Europe
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MJ FLOOD recently supplied and installed the ACCURIOPRESS C12000E at HACKETTS, an investment that’s paving the way for growth at the print firm
Charting NEW HORIZONS
In the dynamic landscape of production print, achieving both efficiency and high quality is critical. Hacketts’ recent adoption of the AccurioPress C12000e represents a significant advancement, enhancing productivity and redefining their future capabilities. This upgrade, characterised by increased speed, larger capacity and advanced inline finishing features, is well-equipped to handle the swift pace of the industry while meeting the sophisticated demands of their clientele.
Upon evaluating our new AccurioPress C12000e, it’s clear that we have successfully streamlined our production at Hacketts. The integration of accelerated printing speeds and innovative finishing features, especially in short-run packaging and business card printing, has set a new operational benchmark
“Upon evaluating our new AccurioPress C12000e, it’s clear that we have successfully streamlined our production at Hacketts. The integration of accelerated printing speeds and innovative finishing features, especially in short-run packaging and business card printing, has set a new operational benchmark. Our capacity to manage heavier stocks and packaging materials opens up new market opportunities, enabling us to meet specific client requirements with improved efficiency and environmentally friendly solutions,” said Brian O’Loughlin, Director at Hacketts.
Hacketts’ choice of the AccurioPress was motivated by the clear limitations they faced with their previous system. After five years, it simply could no longer match the pace or versatility that today’s market demands. The AccurioPress C12000e’s impressive speed – 120 pages per minute compared to the previous model’s 100 –provides an immediate edge. Yet, the speed is only part of the story. Its ability to handle heavier paper and packaging board up to 450 g/m2 means Hacketts can expand confidently into short-run packaging, an area with growing demand and untapped potential. This capability not only improves their competitive standing but also allows them to address diverse client needs with a broader range of materials and finishes.
“The smooth installation, completed by the skilled team at MJ Flood in just two days, meant that we could quickly get to work with minimal downtime. Initial reactions from our team highlight the immediate benefits: Projects that previously took three hours can now be completed in under two, demonstrating
how the new AccurioPress C12000e has successfully streamlined our production processes at Hacketts.” The press’s inline finishing capabilities stand out, especially in business card production, where the TU-510 trimming unit enables us to achieve a level of precision and efficiency previously unattainable. The C12000e also allows us to print on heavier cardstock, eliminating the need for lamination, and it aligns well with our goal of providing sustainable, eco-friendly print solutions without sacrificing quality,” said Brian.
Since integrating the AccurioPress and TU-510, the production workflow has become more streamlined and resilient. This automation reduces reliance on manual intervention, minimises bottlenecks and accelerates turnaround times, enabling Hacketts to meet tighter deadlines with consistent results. The production team has observed marked improvements in print quality, particularly on uncoated and silk stocks, where this press brings a newfound clarity and depth that resonates well with their clients’ expectations.
The increased production speed and quality not only enables them to serve their existing customers more effectively, but also creates avenues for new offerings. Although it’s early to assess the full impact on profitability and production costs, Hacketts are already noticing encouraging signs. Their capacity to handle more
In the coming months and years, we are excited to explore the full potential of this advanced setup, using it as a springboard to expand our capabilities and deliver higher-quality, faster turnaround services
complex jobs with tighter deadlines positions them to compete confidently within both the local and wider markets. Beyond these operational benefits, the new system has opened up opportunities for growth in specialised areas, with enhanced trimming and finishing capabilities – a feature they plan to promote actively on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to attract new clients.
Looking ahead, Hacketts anticipate that this installation will be instrumental in driving growth. As they continue to invest in technology, they are setting a strong foundation for long-term sustainability and innovation. The flexibility to add tools like inline creasing and perforation only reinforces their commitment to adapting with the industry’s evolving demands. In embracing this shift, they’re not only boosting their current output but also preparing to meet the next wave of customer needs with precision and agility.
LYNAM MJ FLOOD PRODUCTION PRINT 085 771 2144 | mlynam@mjflood.ie
“In the coming months and years, we are excited to explore the full potential of this advanced setup, using it as a springboard to expand our capabilities and deliver higher-quality, faster turnaround services. Ultimately, our goal remains the same: to elevate Hacketts’ offerings and exceed expectations of our clients, both old and new. As we continue on this path, we welcome any advice from the team in MJ Flood to optimise our approach and maximise the benefits of this upgrade.”
Our clients are increasingly asking us about sustainability, but our e orts to reduce our carbon footprint are something we do as standard. In 2023, we became EcoVadis Gold certified; there are very few companies in Ireland that have achieved that accreditation
For Gary O’Brien at The Printed Image, 2025 is all about delivering sustainable, top quality products to clients
FIRST QUALITY
In 2025, The Printed Image is planning to install solar panels on its production facility. It’s the latest in a long line of steps intended to up the print firm’s already impressive sustainability credentials. “Our clients are increasingly asking us about sustainability, but our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint are something we do as standard. In 2023, we became EcoVadis Gold certified; there are very few companies in Ireland that have achieved that accreditation. It puts us in the top 5% of over 100,000 companies in 175 countries and it’s something we’re really proud of. Our efforts to be as sustainable as possible go beyond what our clients want or expect – it’s something we want to do ourselves,” says Gary O’Brien, Business Development Director at The Printed Image.
Established in 1990, The Printed Image has evolved from a traditional print firm to one that today offers a diverse range of services. An eagerness to adapt is the key to the firm’s longevity, as is a commitment to customer satisfaction. “We have production staff that will come in over the weekend to complete a job. Our team are excellent, they really want to deliver the best possible product to the customer. I know it sounds like a cliché, but this industry is all about relationships. It’s about our clients being able to trust us and knowing we’ll deliver an excellent product, on time. We get a lot of repeat business because we go the extra mile for clients.”
About 50 people are employed at The Printed Image. Recruitment is difficult across certain areas, an issue that’s exacerbated by the housing crisis, cost of living increases and rental pressures. The lack of a State-sponsored apprenticeship scheme is also adding to the skills gap, although the Print Media Technician programme will hopefully go some way towards filling that gap, says Gary. Despite the challenges faced by the firm, business was good in 2024, albeit slow in Q1. A lag in client demand at the start of the year stabilised in Q2 and investment in new technology saw a boost to profits for the remainder of 2024. “We made some significant staff and capital investments in 2024 and hopefully, we’ll see the benefits of those in 2025. We added two new presses and we also increased our small format capacity. We invested in two new CNC cutting machines, along with additional finishing equipment. We also upgraded our design infrastructure. We’re constantly looking at how we can improve our offering to customers, so 2024 was a big year for that.”
Promotional merchandise is an area of growth at The Printed Image. “We’re probably one of the largest suppliers of branded
We’re probably one of the largest suppliers of branded merchandise in the country at the moment. It’s a segment that our clients were constantly asking about and so we investigated what was required and just went for it
merchandise in the country at the moment. It’s a segment that our clients were constantly asking about and so we investigated what was required and just went for it. We’ve developed a huge supplier base, both locally and further afield, that we deal with on the branded merchandise side. It’s a huge area of growth for us and I
expect that growth to continue into 2025.”
Investment in technology has allowed for increased adaptability. Both sheet fed and roll fed are an option on the firm’s new large format presses. “Rather than having a machine specifically set up for sheet fed at a particular time of the year, say during the election, we now have the option of running other jobs on the same machine. That kind of flexibility allows for more capacity.”
In 2025, the ambition is to move into new sectors while still focusing on the firm’s core areas. “We don’t want to be a jack of all trades and a master of none either, so we’ll be selective
We don’t want to be a jack of all trades and a master of none either, so we’ll be selective about our next move
about our next move. One of our mantras is around growth and innovation, but it has to be right. We may look at exports or move further into the signage segment, which is an area we’re already active in, but I think there are more opportunities there.”
Small and medium sized businesses are struggling to cope with additional costs from government, such as statutory sick pay, increases to minimum wage, employer PRSI and extra bank holidays. “Sometimes it feels like it’s all take but you’re not really getting anything back. Those government measures are creating challenges for firms that aren’t necessarily recognised. From a sales perspective, one of the biggest challenges is keeping the quality and the level of offering in line with decreasing budgets from clients. Our service includes artwork design, structural design, production and installation but budgets are being squeezed across the board. Maintaining the same level of innovation and service across all our departments can be very challenging, as you’re trying to get the client to understand and see the value of that particular service. But we’ll always work with our clients to come up with the right solution.”
Going into 2025 and beyond, the ambition is to continue delighting clients.
“Maintaining that level of quality that our clients appreciate is the top priority. We don't sell on price and that’s something we often say to our clients. It’s not that we’re not competitive, but we’re not into penny pinching over a couple of cents. It’s quality products that we provide and that’s what helps us grow our client base. We’re also very much focused on sustainability, our own and our client’s, and on our staff’s wellbeing. The Printed Image is a great place to work and we aim to keep it that way.”
A recently completed project by The Printed Image that included design, production and installation
TRAINING
Joe O’Callaghan, Network Manager at Design, Print & Packaging Skillnet, chats about the power of upskilling in an increasingly competitive environment
What was the take-up like of courses at DPP Skillnet in 2024?
The take-up was very good. We run a range of courses, everything from Excel, InDesign and Packaging Technology, right up to courses at Master’s level. Our AI courses proved particularly popular in 2024; we provided introductory courses to give people a broad understanding and we also ran specialist courses. We probably had the biggest intake of numbers on our AI courses.
Get ahead of the CURVE
Do you think that printers recognise the importance of upskilling and continuous education?
Yes, I think that there’s a better realisation now than there was some years ago. People are very busy and sometimes, it’s not until you actually need something that you say, where can I go to obtain that skill? Training can really help a print firm differentiate itself; I think many print firms don’t realise how important training is until a staff member comes back after completing a course with a whole new set of skills. We’re constantly talking to printers to find out what they’re interested in and providing a course in that area. For example, we developed a colour management course based on feedback from printers. It was particularly relevant for people in the sales field and proved very popular. We’re hoping to run another one next year. Our Print Media Technician Programme, which kicked off in 2023, was also very popular in 2024.
So the industry is engaging with the programme?
Absolutely, yes. When we initially set it up, we conducted research to make sure we were covering most of the topics that were required, as the print industry is changing all
the time. Along with the digital side, we found there was a big requirement for general skills in the likes of print estimating. Over the last two years, approximately 20 students have enrolled in the programme each year. The numbers vary, but it’s been very successful as we’re generally training people who are already in the industry and require new skills.
Will there be any changes made to the scheme in 2025?
The programme will change continuously, in line with how the industry evolves. At the end of each year, I chat to the various print firms that have engaged with the programme and I ask them what worked and what didn’t work. Quite a few people on the course would probably like to see more in-person training, which isn’t always possible. We try and facilitate it when we can; for example, next week Canon is running a digital training session at its facility, with trainers coming over from Germany and the UK. We’re open to change and if something isn’t working, we’re not afraid to make the necessary changes.
How much of an impact is a lack of skills having on the industry?
It’s having a huge impact. Printers tell me that sourcing qualified staff for different roles is very challenging and if they’re lucky enough to have those staff, retaining them is another challenge. One of the advantages of the Print Media Technician programme is that it’s a fully certified, two-year course. I think those two years give print firms an opportunity to showcase the opportunities available and the person engaging in the training is perhaps more likely to stay on and utilise their new skills. Increasing costs are another major issue for print firms across the board. Some printers are also telling me that print runs are dropping in certain areas, falling to around 5,000 in some cases. The industry is changing and evolving all the time, but I think Irish print firms are agile enough to adapt and weather the storms.
The industry is changing and evolving all the time, but I think Irish print firms are agile enough to adapt and weather the storms
COURSES AVAILABLE AT DPP SKILLNET
Print Media Technician programme
In collaboration with the Irish Printing Federation and the Design Print & Packaging Skillnet, we are proud to continue with the pathways programme designed to develop the human talent needed to drive our sector forward. This programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Union, and network companies. By participating in this programme, 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.
Course Modules Include:
• 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
Colour Management in Print
The Colour Management in Print course is designed for those in the printing and design industry who seek to deepen their understanding of colour management and enhance their ability to produce consistent,
high-quality print outputs.
Over eight modules, attendees will explore the principles and practices that ensure colour fidelity, from digital design to final print. This course is ideal for graphic designers, print technicians, sales teams and anyone involved in the print production process.
AI for Beginners
For participants ready to go from beginner to confidently integrating AI tools into everyday work tasks. Absolutely no experience is needed for this course. Specifically tailored for non-technical people and beginners who want to introduce AI. This course explores how tools like ChatGPT can revolutionise the way we work. Learn how to craft prompts. Discover an exciting set of curated AI tools that will change the way you live and work. Consider data privacy, ethics and more while building confidence to integrate AI into your daily workflow.
Diploma In Packaging Technology
In association with the Irish Packaging Society and accredited by TU Dublin, this course is ideal for people responsible for specifying packaging or working in a role as a Packaging Technician. It’s also suited to those buying or selling packaging or those using/packing/ filling in the food, drink and pharmaceutical sectors along with brand/NPD team members, brand owners and FMCG product category managers.
Joe O’Callaghan, Network Manager, DPP Skillnet
“Measure twice, cut once” is the mantra Lauren Gallagher took away from her first role
Where STARTED it all
My career in printing started in the prepress/design department at a printing company that specialised in making scratch cards. I did my apprenticeship there and was with the company for three years. That experience gave me a thorough understanding of the print process including prepress, plate making, printing and finishing. It’s safe to say I’ll never look at a scratch card the same way again! I think the biggest lesson I learned from that role was “measure twice, cut once”. It taught me the value of doublechecking everything and that if something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. Print can make you a bit of a perfectionist, but that’s a good thing.
I wasn’t fond of the limited scope of the role. I wanted to be more client-facing, working directly with customers on their briefs and projects. On the positive side, I enjoyed the design projects I got to contribute to, especially the satisfaction of getting customer approval and seeing the design in stores. That was pretty cool! But I wouldn’t consider myself a designer by any means!
When you’re studying something you’re passionate about, the work doesn’t feel like a chore
I’ve always had a passion for print, really. It runs in the family – my dad, two uncles and aunt all work in the industry. Growing up, I’d listen to my dad speak to clients, guiding and advising on print projects. It inspired me to do the same, but I also wanted to gain technical knowledge along with the sales side so I could truly understand what I was talking about when working with clients. I completed the Print Media Apprenticeship in 2017, then pursued a degree in Print Media Management, both with Technological University Dublin. When you’re studying something you’re passionate about, the work doesn’t feel like a chore. It was also great because I was able to work in print while studying, which made the experience even richer. The print industry is unique and no two days are ever the same. You never really know what’s coming on a Monday morning – it keeps you on your toes!
Lauren Gallagher is a Business Development Representative at McGowans
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