Irish Printer - April 2014

IRISH

PRINTER

April 2014 // The Voice Of The Industry // www.irishprinter.ie

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News

New Passport Wins Prestigious Security Design Award

In Conversation

Dezynamite Talks About Winning Awards and Saving the Planet

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Wide Format

Tony Roe on the Opportunities in this Diverse Market

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Standards

ISO Standards Can Bring Tangible Business Benefits

Don’t fight over Colour anymore

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Contents | IRISH PRINTER News » 4 A round up of some of the latest news from the Irish print industry.

Cover Story » 13 Toby Burnett, Managing Director of GMG Color Ltd, tells Irish Printer about Reprocentre Group’s recent agreement to resell GMG’s colour proofing and colour management software in Ireland.

In Conversation » 16 Maev Martin talks to Seanie Morris of Dezynamite, one of the leading graphic design and print houses in the midlands, about their recent success in the Small Firms Association National Small Business Awards 2014.

Pre-Press » 20 We report on the Agfa Graphics/ Reprocentre one-day training programme and presentation that showed printers how Agfa’s latest workflow software could enhance their business.

Wide Format » 22 •T ony Roe, Managing Director of McGowans Printers, looks at the current and expected trends in this diverse market and at the business opportunities for printers.

• Find out about some of the imminent press launches at InPrint 2014, Sign & Digital UK, and FESPA Digital 2014.

30 Packaging » 26 • F ood Safety and UV-Cured Printing Inks - David Helsby, President of RadTech Europe, a key information provider for brand owners and retailers, looks at packaging barrier performance, ink innovations and regulatory initiatives in the food safety arena.

• Jan de Vooght, Agfa Graphics, discusses inks for manufacturers of UV inkjet label production systems.

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What’s New in Print » 30 Find out about some recent innovations from Mimaki, Soyang Europe, Fujifilm and Agfa.

Standards » 32

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While ISO standards are not obligatory, they offer significant advantages to business owners who embrace them.

Phil Byrne of Mentor Consulting looks at how ISO standards can help to create a Quality Management System (QMS) that brings tangible business benefits to any print organisation.

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IRISH PRINTER | Editor’s Letter

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rish Printer took a trip to Ipex 2014 on March 25th and 26th and we will be featuring a full report on our findings, including new product launches and announcements at the show relating to the Irish print market, in the May issue.

We will also be highlighting some of the key presentations that took place during Ipex, which included a talk by Benny Landa, Chairman and CEO of the Landa Corporation, who spoke on the topic ‘Print: Doomed or on the Verge of a New Digital Renaissance?’

When it comes to this year’s Ipex, there were many naysayers, particularly because of the absence of some of the bigger brands that are synonymous with our trade. Indeed, many visitors to the show, from both Ireland and the UK, commented on the absence of the big stands from the big press manufacturers which would traditionally have taken up considerable floorspace at successive exhibitions.

This year, that space was taken up by other suppliers to the industry and, most noticeably, by companies offering a variety of finishing equipment.

It was a different show to the show that many serial attendees were accustomed to but different isn’t always bad. Our industry is changing and increasingly it is about using new technology to work smarter and more efficiently with what you have rather than striving for continuous and major capital investments. The exhibition, master classes and summit programme were all about helping print companies to future proof print for the digital age. The World Print Summit, with its selection of speakers from the print, marketing and entrepreneurial worlds, and the masterclass seminar programme to help print companies understand how the industry is moving, were a great idea, and their location at the centre of the exhibition hall made for a lively and interactive event.

Apparently, UK paper merchants are shipping 25% less paper than they were in 2008 so that may explain the lack of printing presses at the show and why the place of print in the digital world was a big part of the World Print Summit discussions at Ipex. The print industry in Europe is a developed market and everyone who attended Ipex knows who the big press manufacturers are and what they are about. It was good to see the finishing companies get their day in the sun for a change as this is an oft neglected and, dare I say it, less sexy side of the industry! It was also good to see technologies such as nanography, printed electronics and 3D printing, technologies which have yet to find their way into the mainstream commercial print industry, being vigorously promoted throughout the exhibition and at the World Print Summit.

But back to the topic of Benny Landa’s presentation. Judging by the mood at Ipex and by the content of the presentations from successive speakers, I think it is safe to say that print is far from doomed. But it isn’t on the verge of a new digital renaissance either. It is well and truly in the midst of that renaissance - and the general consensus from most speakers at Ipex was that, while cross media is the way forward, print could and should be the lead piece in any cross media campaign.

Maev Martin Editor Email: maeve.martin@ashvillemediagroup.com Tel: (01) 432 2271

The team Editor: Maev Martin Editorial Manager: Mary Connaughton Art Director: Geraldine Dunne Design: Philip Moyna, Alan McArthur Advertising Designers: Jennifer Reid, Kevin O’Connor Stock Photography & Illustrations: Thinkstock Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Production: Nicole Ennis / Jennifer Reid Advertising Sales Manager: Fiona Larmon

Printed by: Walsh Colour Print This issue of Irish Printer is printed on LumiArt 130gsm paper supplied by PaperlinX Ireland.

Email: editorialdesk@ashville.com or write to Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7

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 2013. 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

Tel: (01) 432 2200 Web: www.irishprinter.ie

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AD PAGE

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Digicom Signs v200K Deal with Mazars P

rint management specialist Digicom announced the implementation of a new Ricoh managed print service for professional services firm Mazars on March 5th.

The overall value of the deal is estimated at e200K over five years, including equipment and managed services. The solution will provide a full return on investment before the lifetime of the deal due to significant cost efficiencies being introduced, including a 25% saving on print costs.

Mazars has more than 250 audit, consultancy, corporate finance, financial outsourcing, business restructuring, insolvency and tax employees in its Dublin and Galway offices. It serves a broad client base in Ireland and internationally, including corporate, government and owner-managed businesses.

Digicom carried out an extensive audit of Mazars Irish business operations as part of a competitive tender process to determine what print resources it needed. They implemented a new solution based on a Ricoh MPS to deliver the best fit and value for money for Mazars. Digicom is also providing remote management of the new print solution to ensure operational

(l-r):Ray Byrne, Channel Manager, Ricoh Ireland, Trevor McCarron, Director of Finance & IT for Mazars Ireland, and Greg Clarke, Managing Director, Digicom.

uptime and to enable employees to be as productive as possible. Mazars’ existing print devices were replaced with Ricoh Multifunction Printers (MFPs) which include management software to control and monitor print activity.

These Ricoh devices are ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive client data as they have incorporated Follow Me printing functionalities. Employees have to swipe individual proximity cards to release any print jobs at Ricoh devices, ensuring documents can only be printed by those authorised to do so. This ensures privacy for client information.

Follow Me printing has also helped

to reduce paper wastage by 15% at Mazars.

"Mazars found itself in a situation that is familiar in many Irish businesses with multiple print devices from multiple vendors that are difficult and costly to manage," says Ricoh Ireland Channel Manager Ray Byrne. "Utilising Ricoh’s secure technology and services, Digicom has delivered much improved print and document management processes for Mazars. It has enabled their IT team to get greater control over the entire print fleet and allows them to concentrate on more value add projects."

Chesapeake Belfast Wins Quality Award C

hesapeake Belfast has just been awarded a prestigious European Foundation Quality Model (EFQM) Award. The site secured the top place among Northern Ireland’s private sector companies to achieve a four-star EFQM Excellence rating. The award is the culmination of a year of audits and assessments. "This coveted award provides recognition of the continued hard work and dedication of the staff in all departments working together as a team," says Chris Dears, General Manager of Chesapeake Cartons Ireland. "It also

The cross-factory Belfast team at the EFQM Awards (back row): Craig McCurley, Alastair White and David Smith. (front row): Michael Quinn, Siobhan McKinney, Elaine McNeill, Ronan McCann and David Trimmings.

provides confirmation of the robustness of our products, systems and processes as well as acknowledging the high skill level of our people."

The EFQM Excellence Award submission process requires verifiable evidence to be presented covering nine categories: Leadership, People, Strategy, Partnerships/Resources, Products/Services as well as Customer, Business, Society and People Results. The two-phase submission process spanned almost six months.

"This is a landmark occasion for us," says Alastair White who led the Belfast EFQM team. "It’s the first time we’ve entered the EFQM Excellence Awards, which measures the level of excellence across private and public sector companies, as well as health, education and charitable/ voluntary organisations. This accolade as the leading private sector company in Northern Ireland is an outstanding achievement, especially at our first attempt, and we are justifiably proud."

In addition, Chesapeake Belfast has also been awarded Investors In People (IIP) Silver rating status after another indepth assessment of staff across every area. The assessment was conducted over a week through probing one-to-one and team-based interview sessions.

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News | IRISH PRINTER

New Passport Wins Prestigious Security Design Award

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LRS Group won the Regional ID Document of the Year 2014 Award at the High Security Printing Conference in Milan on February 18th. The award recognises outstanding achievement in the design and printing of identity documents in Europe. In presenting the award, the conference organisers recognised the pioneering use of many new high security printing technologies and techniques by the Irish consortium, which was led by DLRS. The award was

(l-r): Fiona Penollar of the Irish Passport Office with Joseph O'Callaghan and Wil Byrne of DLRS.

accepted by Fiona Penollar of the Irish Passport Office and Joseph O'Callaghan and Wil Byrne of DLRS. The passport book was designed and produced in Ireland by a consortium led by DLRS of Bray, HID Global Ireland in Galway, Absolute Graphics of Bray and the Central Bank on foot of a competitive tender process.

"DLRS are delighted to have won this award," says Joseph O'Callaghan, Operations Manager, DLRS Group.

"This award illustrates DLRS’ ability to compete on a world stage creatively and competitively.�

Music & Dance

Packaging Toolkit Generates Real Efficiencies at Penninsula C

o Down-based Peninsula Print & Design announced on February 11th that it had significantly improved productivity and job accuracy since introducing RealPro Toolkit, supplied by FFEI, into its packaging prepress cycle.

According to Peninsula Print & Design's General Manager Neil Frazer, the company opted for FFEI's software to help grow its packaging division by automating a series of pre-press tasks that were affecting productivity and accuracy.

"We set up the new packaging division two years ago to address the growing need for shorter packaging print runs," he says. "In the early days we were happy to spend the time manually completing pre-press tasks but as the business grew we needed to automate these tasks - RealPro Toolkit was exactly what we needed." RealPro Toolkit is a software suite of tools designed to overcome the challenges of labelling and packaging pre-press tasks. Consisting of over 12 modules, the software addresses specific pre-press workflow requirements such as nesting, file editing and preparation, colour management, trapping and step and repeat tasks.

Aaron McBride, Pre-press Manager at Peninsula Print & Design, tested the software with a free, 30-day licence. "I

was impressed by how user-friendly the software was," he says. "Following a 15-minute online demonstration, I was able to confidently start using it. As an Adobe Illustrator plug-in it is very user-friendly no training is required and it works seamlessly with our Agfa system. Toolkit also offered great value for money compared to alternative products, as we could pick and choose the modules we needed, such as nesting.

Our operators can now quickly, easily and accurately nest a number of jobs onto a B2 sheet ready to print."

Peninsula Print & Design have also taken on RealVue 3D Packager, which offers a fully interactive, animated 3D visualisation of a packaging design. "Our clients love it!" says Aaron. "We are able to share with them 3D files of their packaging design to review and approve before a physical mock up is commissioned."

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Datapac Wins €11m Consumables Contract

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atapac announced on March 13th that it had been awarded an €11m ICT consumables contract by the Office of Government Procurement. The two-year

contract, with an option of a further 12 months extension, will allow Datapac to grow its business and create 15 new jobs.

The new jobs will be based across all of

Datapac’s locations and 10 of the roles will be created this year, with the additional five positions being created over the following two years. The new positions will include sales, marketing and logistics roles.

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Pictured at the March 13th announcement are (l-r): Patrick Kickham, Director, Datapac, Brian Hayes, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and Clara Quigley, Sales Manager, Datapac.

he Office of Government Procurement (OGP) is part of the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. It has been tasked with centralising public sector procurement arrangements for common goods and services – www.procurement.ie.

Government Chief Procurement Officer, Paul Quinn, says that the Office of Government Procurement is committed to ensuring that SMEs are fully engaged in the new model.

"We will bring consistency to how the public service procures," he says. "There will be greater standardisation of tendering documentation and contractual terms.

These improvements will reduce tendering costs and risks and reduce barriers to public procurement by SMEs." In 2012, Datapac was awarded an €8m contract by the National Procurement Service to provide a similar range of services.

Reprocentre to Demo Mimaki SUV Range F

ollowing the introduction of the Mimaki SUV printer range, UK and Irish distributor Hybrid Services Ltd recently announced the appointment of authorised 'SUV Demo Centres' to enable prospective customers to view the printer and assess its creative and commercial advantages first-hand.

Reprocentre in Dublin and Dennis D Evans in Belfast will have demonstration machines available for customers to view in their showrooms. Granthams, Graphic Printing Technologies, PaperlinX, Signmaster, Xpres and Your Print Specialists will also have demonstration machines available for customers to view in their showrooms in the UK. Hybrid used a well-attended reseller forum event in Cheshire in March to launch the printer to its network, with sessions that included technical training, intensive insights into the product and RIP software, and a talk from Mimaki EMEA’s General Manager of Marketing, Mike Horsten, who had flown in from Amsterdam before heading to the FESPA Summit in Munich.

The new Mimaki printer is available in 1.3m and 1.6m widths and produces an instantly dry, vibrant and robust print onto substrates such as wallpaper, vinyl and banner,

making it suitable for indoor and outdoor jobs that, in a lot of instances, will not require lamination. “Even if an over laminate is deemed necessary, it can be finished immediately after printing as no gassing off is required,” says National Sales Manager at Hybrid, John de la Roche.

“A big feature alongside the glossy print is its incredible durability and scratch resistance - we’d really like customers to see it for themselves to fully appreciate how different it is to anything else out there!”

With prices starting from £17,995, and including a one year, gold warranty along with fully featured RIP software, the Mimaki SUV is expected to find homes with signmakers as well as display print providers looking for something to set themselves apart from the standard fare. “Increasingly, customers are looking for a point of difference and the new Mimaki gives graphics companies a chance to offer them that,” he says.

For more information or to book an appointment at one of the SUV Demo Centres, Hybrid can be contacted on oo 44 1270 501900 or full product information can be found by visiting www.hybridservices.co.uk/suv

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News | IRISH PRINTER

New Equipment & New Appointments at Cube

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imerick-based Cube Printing recently invested in new finishing kit, new press and pre-press systems - and new staff.

On the finishing side, Cube installed a Duplo System 5000 Pro 30 station booklet maker supplied by Neopost Ireland towards the end of last year. "An existing client was producing a new project and they required marketing literature to accompany their packaging," says Managing Director Brendan Ring. "They wanted to upgrade the visuals on their packaging and they wanted that to be applied to their booklets as well. Millions of booklets were required and we needed this machine to saddle stitch the job in a specific format. We have been working with Duplo since 1995 and it is an upgrade to our most recent Duplo – it is faster and more efficient so it meets all our requirements. The old Duplo was capable of running the job but the newer one could do it more efficiently. We already had another 30 station Duplo so we now have dual Duplo systems running side by side."

Cube Printing also upgraded the digital side of its operation late last year with the installation of a new Nuvera press from Xerox. They also installed a new Mohr guillotine, supplied

by Neopost Ireland, and they upgraded their Tharstern MIS

system to Primo. "We spent a week putting the new MIS system in place and we had follow up training until the end of March," says Brendan. "Primo is user-friendly and has some nice drop down screens. It is easy to navigate and has a great reporting facility. Now our accounting package and our personnel package is completely integrated with our MIS and that gives us time to look at the more important aspects of the business. Over time, the upgraded MIS will also be able to provide feedback to me about costs in different aspects of the business which will help me to see which sectors are profitable for us and which aren't."

Cube Printing's Sales Manager TJ Ryan, who is the current Limerick Inter County Senior Hurling Manager, is the company's new General Manager & Sales Director. "TJ was appointed at the beginning of this year and we appointed a Quality Management Representative, Arthur Gough, in late 2013," says Brendan.

"We believe that the market for print is picking up so we want to capitalise on that by employing a dedicated quality management person who is responsible for and committed to maintaining and developing the quality management systems in Cube Printing."

The Nuvera 144 digital press from Xerox which was recently installed.

The Duplo System 500 Pro bookletmaker in Cube Printing.

TJ Ryan, General Manager & Sales Director, and Arthur Gough, Quality Management Representative, Cube Printing.

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Reprocentre Installs First HP FB700 in Northern Ireland

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eprocentre has installed the first HP FB700 in Northern Ireland at Belfast design and production company Minprint.

Minprint, which produces a variety of printed material for customers, including promotional products, signage, exhibition stands and banners, purchased the printer from Reprocentre in February 2014. The machine will enable the company to expand into new markets.

"We decided some months ago that we would expand our product offering and produce more specialist packaging and point of sale material," says Jamie McMinnis, Digital Director at Minprint.

"We needed to purchase a machine that had a high level of productivity and versatility and would provide a longterm solution for our business. The HP FB700 was the one that came out top for us. We can print on a wide variety of rigid or flexible media such as Correx, Forex, composites, banners, vinyls, display films, and even wood. Having worked with Reprocentre over the past few years, purchasing numerous items of finishing equipment from them, we had no hesitation in asking their advice on this new purchase. The HP flatbed was coming pretty high on the list of our options and Reprocentre advised us to go and view the product in the flesh. We went to the HP demonstration

centre in Barcelona and we were overwhelmed by the experience. The team guided us through the whole process and we were able to test the product first hand. We were delighted with the quality and speed of the machine. The support and training we’ve had from Reprocentre has been brilliant too and having their technical expertise on hand is invaluable."

Bill Forde from Reprocentre in Northern Ireland, who worked closely with Minprint on the purchase of the printer, says that hectic work schedules make it difficult to persuade printers that it is worth their while going to see the machines that they are interested in buying to test quality and speed of production capabilities prior to purchase. "We were really pleased with the flexibility and commitment Minprint showed in working around the limited slots that the demonstration centre in Barcelona had available," he says.

"We’re sure the time and investment Minprint have committed to this purchase will pay dividends for them in the long-term. We’ve sold several HP FB700 printers to customers in the Republic of Ireland who are delighted with them and we’re sure this first installation in Northern Ireland will also be a great success."

With several election campaigns coming up in Northern Ireland this

year, the Minprint team are going to be extremely busy producing signs, banners, leaflets and other promotional items. The HP FB700 complements the equipment Minprint already has inhouse and will ensure rapid production of the materials required.

Gordon Morrow, Digital Development Manager at Minprint, is project managing the HP FB700 installation.

Gordon recently managed the installation of Minprint's Xerox Color1000 press.

"We’ve already seen some great results from the new press and look forward to showing our customers the quality and clarity of the print," he says.

Initially, Minprint plans to promote the new products it can now produce with the HP FB700 to its existing customers, who range from multinational blue-chip organisations to small independent companies. Minprint also plans to target specific market sectors, including the retail and security markets.

"We expect the HP FB700 to propel our company forward and help increase sales considerably over the next few years," says Jamie. "The team here are really excited about the new opportunities it opens up for our business."

The HP FB700

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08/04/2014 09:40:09

Discover True WhiTeness! on uPM Finesse PaPers

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Its superior surface provides the best image and text reproduction, ensuring you can make a sharp and lasting impression.

UPM Finesse woodfree coated papers are available in a wide range of sheets and reels. Their runnability and overall performance is proven to be excellent. Close co-operation with technical service and product development ensures that the paper is constantly being developed to meet different printing and market requirements. UPM Finesse is an EU Ecolabel awarded paper.

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Clondalkin Company Opens New Print Facility C

londalkin Group company NYCO Flexible Packaging has celebrated the official opening of its latest generation printing facility. The latest investment, which is one of the company's largest to date, features a new UV Flexo Hybrid machine, a new printing hall and a new slitter. NYCO Flexible Packaging GmbH, based in Kirchberg, Bern, Switzerland is a leading producer of shrink sleeves, printed lids and reel fed material for the dairy, fresh foods, confectionery, beverage and pharmaceutical markets throughout Europe.

Tyrone Courier Goes Multi-Lingual

Taoiseach Launches Print Museum Exhibition

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n Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, launched the National Print Museum's 'What You Maybe Meant to Keep' exhibition of political leaflets, posters and pamphlets on March 24th. The material dates primarily from the 1970s to the early 2010s and it is all designed and printed in Ireland. It is chiefly drawn from a collection begun by Alan Kinsella of the online repository, Irish Election Literature, and includes materials from the Irish Left Archive.

Alan Kinsella started collecting election material during the February 1982 General Election and has since amassed a collection of around 8,000 political leaflets and posters. He is the founder and curator of Irish Election Literature and now works in the area of new media. Dr Ciarán Swan works in the area of political design and identity in Dáil Éireann. He has lectured in Visual Culture at NCAD since 2003 and is a member of the Curatorial Committee of the National Print Museum. Along with Aonghus Storey, he is a co-curator of Irish Left Archive.

Dr Ciarán Swan, Exhibition Curator, with An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny at the launch of the exhibition.

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he Tyrone Courier, based in Dungannon and Cookstown, recently introduced news items and advertisements in four languages – Lithuanian, Polish and Portugese, as well as English.

The Tyrone Courier is the largest weekly title in the Alpha Newspaper Group.

"This investment by Alpha is based upon the fact that 10% of the local population have European languages as their first language," says Managing Director Jonathan Taylor. "Many of them work in the meat and poultry industries and contribute to the economy by their taxes and purchases in our local retail outlets. Alpha, with a circulation of 68,000, is the largest weekly newspaper group in Northern Ireland and we hope that by introducing these languages local people from Eastern Europe will feel more integrated into the community and identify with it."

(l-r): Seán Sills, Chair of the Curatorial Committee of the National Print Museum (NPM), An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, Dr Kevin Byrne, Chair of the NPM Management Committee, Barry Lyons, NPM Chairman, and Carla Marrinan, Museum Manager.

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News | IRISH PRINTER

Forthcoming Fundraising Events for Cliona's Foundation The winning entry for the competition run by the Ray D'Arcy Show on Today FM to design a logo for the 'Half Million Half Marathon' event that is taking place on April 18th in aid of the Laura Lynn Children's Hospice. The logo was designed by Cube Printing graphic designer Peter O'Carroll.

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rint companies in the mid west and, indeed, throughout Ireland are encouraged to support fundraising events for Cliona’s Foundation this month. These include a Buster race night at Limerick Greyhound track on April 19th, an Olde Hollywood Ball on April 26th in the Dunraven Arms Hotel Limerick, and the Great Limerick Run. For more details log onto www. clionasfoundation.com.

Cliona’s Foundation is a registered charity set up by Brendan and Terry Ring following the death of their daughter Cliona from an inoperable brain tumour. As they made the many trips to hospitals all over Ireland with Cliona, the couple were struck by the numerous families that had a critically ill child like themselves and were on the brink of financial meltdown because of the mounting non-medical expenses that were piling up. Brendan and Terry took

action and set up Cliona’s Foundation in honour of their only daughter. To date this charity has remained unique in Ireland in that it provides financial assistance for non-medical expenses to families with critically ill children all over Ireland. Besides being Cliona's dad, Brendan Ring is also Managing Director of Cube Printing Ltd in Limerick.

Cliona’s Foundation receives no state funding whatsoever and relies entirely on fundraisers and events to support the many families who contact them each year for support. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neopost Ireland for their continuing support for the foundation, particularly their Sales Director Duncan Groom," says Brendan.

In recent months the Foundation has shifted its focus from the mid west region and is taking an all-Ireland approach . This was evidenced by the successful fundraiser and Guinness

World Record attempt to have the most people singing Christmas carols together which was held in Croke Park on December 19th 2013. While the World Record wasn't broken, it certainly set a new Irish record and gave Cliona's Foundation an all-Ireland audience.

TV and radio personality Miriam O'Callaghan, who had agreed earlier in the year to be the Foundation's patron, together with Louis Walsh, hosted the evening and, along with a number of well-known musicians, entertained over 11,000 people.

Such was the feedback to Cliona’s Foundation and the overwhelming public support, that a proposal has been submitted to Limerick City Council and Minister Jimmy Deenihan to host the Stars Choirs and Carols Guinness World Record attempt in Limerick to mark Limerick City of Culture. A decision is pending.

Clondalkin Group Appoint New Co-CEOs

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londalkin Group Holdings B.V. recently announced that it had promoted David Lennon and Paddy Mullaney to Co-CEOs of the Group and members of Clondalkin’s Board of Directors.

David Lennon has been with the Group for five years and currently oversees the Group’s specialist packaging operations, which includes the pharmaceutical & healthcare and consumer businesses. David will continue to lead the Specialist Packaging operations on a day-to-day basis. Paddy Mullaney has been with Clondalkin for over 20 years and most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of Clondalkin’s flexible packaging operations.

Paddy will assume day-to-day responsibility for the flexible packaging operations. Mark Burgess will continue as Chairman of Clondalkin, supporting the Group in a non-executive capacity. Clondalkin Group has 35 manufacturing locations in eight countries, 4,000 employees and annual sales of €700m.

David Lennon

Paddy Mullaney

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07/04/2014 11:02:33

IRISH PRINTER | News

System Label Awarded ISO 13485:2012 Certification

UK Printer Installs Europe’s first Truepress Jet L350UV Press

(l-r): Quality Manager Declan Farrell, QA Inspector Gillian Hoare, and Production Director Gordon Trimble with the ISO 13485 Quality Award.

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ystem Label has been awarded the international medical device standard ISO 13485:2012 for its quality management systems by the National Quality Authority. The company is the only label manufacturer in the UK and Ireland to have acquired this award.

System Label is a market leader in medical device label manufacturing and currently works with some of the world’s leading medical device manufacturers. "We have always performed exceptionally well in our quality audits so it is a major boost to do one better and meet the medical device industry’s most recognised international standard," says System Label's Managing Director Niall O'Shea. The company is already certified to ISO 9001. While it isn't a prerequisite for their customers today, System Label's latest ISO 13485 accreditation means the company is more tailored to the requirements of medical device manufacturers. Compliance with ISO 13485 is increasingly becoming a requirement in supporting medical device manufacturers adhere to international regulations. "The ISO 13485 accreditation will help position us to compete with other international companies in the medical device industry," says System Label's Quality Manager Declan Farrell.

System Label specialises in the manufacture and supply of self-adhesive labels, membranes, overlays, gaskets, foams, insulators and control panels for a number of industries, including medical equipment, automotive, electronics, heavy machinery, agricultural equipment and machine manufacturing. Operating from its headquarters in Roscommon, the company also has a sales facility in the UK. System Label currently employs 36 people between its facilities in Ireland and the UK.

(l-r): Brian Filler, President, Screen Europe and Dennis Ebeltoft, Operations Director, Springfield Solutions.

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K label and packaging specialist Springfield Solutions Ltd has invested in Europe’s first Screen Truepress Jet L350UV digital label press. The £570,000 investment in the press doubles the company’s label printing capacity, boosts productivity, and enables it to develop new label applications.

The new single-pass Screen Truepress Jet L350UV, installed last month, is already in production and complements Springfield Solutions’ existing trio of HP Indigo digital label presses. Springfield Solutions is ISO 9001, 14001 and BRC/IoP accredited, along with Fogra 39L proofing certification. It provides its clients with a full design-to-print service, including prepress, asset management, personalised labels and smart interactive label solutions. "The decision to become an ‘all-digital’ label company in 2011 is the reason why Springfield Solutions is successful," says Operations Director Dennis Ebeltoft. Ongoing investment in new technology over the last couple of years led to a 26% growth in print turnover in 2013 alone. "The market for labels is changing rapidly as retailers take advantage of the creative and production benefits of digital printing," he says. "While run lengths are decreasing, the number of label variants is increasing quite significantly. In just a year the number of jobs we handle has jumped from 800 to 1,000 a month to 1,500 a month at an average run length of circa 300m each - although run lengths can go as high as 10,000m. Our clients are constantly requesting faster turnaround times and without digital printing technology we couldn’t meet these tight deadlines."

Springfield started its search for a high-volume digital label press two years ago. The company chose the Truepress Jet L350UV + high-opacity white after testing all the presses on the market using identical files.

"Screen was not the first to market with a digital label press, but the performance of the new Truepress Jet puts it in the premier league," says Dennis. "Our Screen and HP presses complement one another very well. Driven by an Esko Automation front end, the 50m/minute Truepress Jet with in-line finishing will allow us to access new business opportunities."

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Cover Story | IRISH PRINTER Eoin Honan, Sales Director, Reprocentre Group, checking a colour proof.

Partners in Colour Toby Burnett is Managing Director of GMG Color Ltd, a UK subsidiary of the German colour technology giant GMG GmbH and Co. KG. He talks to Maev Martin about Reprocentre Group’s recent agreement to resell GMG’s colour proofing and colour management software in Ireland.

S

ince the recent conclusion of the reseller agreement, Reprocentre Group is now supplying the following GMG products to the Irish market – GMG ColorProof, GMG ColorServer, GMG Ink Optimizer, GMG OpenColor and GMG CoZone. While the ink is barely dry on their new business arrangement with Reprocentre, GMG is a well-known name in the Irish print industry as some of the

key players in our industry have been working with GMG for over a decade.

“Our Irish customers are varied and include printers, repro houses, brand managers and newspaper companies,” says Toby Burnett. While GMG currently services a variety of markets in the Irish print industry – with customers in the flexo, web, sheetfed offset and newspaper sectors – Toby says

they would like to expand their client base in Ireland to include print companies that are using mixed methods, such as offset and digital printing. “This is the type of environment where we know our technology can deliver strong improvements in colour quality and consistency – and fast ROIs,” he says.

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IRISH PRINTER | Cover Story

A Perfect Fit According to Toby, Reprocentre had been in dialogue with GMG for quite a while.

“We were very interested in them as a business,” he says. “When our existing partner in Ireland, Dan Wilson, decided to pursue other business interests we had an opportunity to choose a new partner. It made sense for us to work with Reprocentre – their reputation in the Irish print market is second to none and their profile fits very well with GMG. GMG Color Ltd is a 30-year-old, family-owned business and maintaining long-term relationships is a key part of our philosophy. At GMG we regard our resellers as an important part of the equation - we know a lot of print companies and other businesses that have had long-standing relationships with Reprocentre and they speak very highly of them, they are a professional operation, and we are very pleased to be working with them.”

ColorProof & ColorServer Upgrades GMG recently released V5.5 of its ColorProof application. “This offers great remote proofing features, and the ability to include certifications for spot colours in the proof, showing the delta-e tolerance between the printed spot colour and the target LAB values,” says Toby. “The latest release of ColorServer includes our paper adaptation tool which allows printers to easily compensate for different paper colours with a simple wizard. This is an excellent feature for people that need to print on a range of substrates but still

match to FOGRA standards. It saves a lot of time and reduces colour wastage at the press, ultimately saving money.”

GMG has also released a number of updates to its OpenColor technology that allows users to make multi-channel proofing profiles without fingerprinting for the printing process. “This has the potential to save our users in the packaging sector tens of thousands of euro per year,” says Toby. “It also gives Pantone Live users the ability to create contract proof profiles simply and quickly from the spectral data in the Pantone Live Cloud.”

The main IKEA catalogue, which had a circulation of almost 200 million in 2009, is produced and shipped in the space of just two months (June and July) from up to 25 printing locations around the globe. Inter Ikea Systems, the worldwide franchisor of the IKEA concept, has automated most of its printing standards through colour management in the main IKEA catalogue. And GMG’s ColorServer technology is playing a major role in the global brand’s approach to colour management. In 2007 Inter IKEA Systems switched its colour management to an RGB-based workflow - known as Ikea Color Family at IKEA - with GMG ColorServer at the heart.

Every year the repro departments at IKEA optimise several thousand images to a point where they can be approved by the Creative Director on the master proof. The colour space simulated on the master proof was tailor-made for IKEA by GMG and covers both offset

Reprocentre's Dublin office.

The Reprocentre team are experts in their field and we rely on their expertise to keep us ahead of the curve

and gravure printing. GMG ColorServer is used not only for converting the RGB data into the master proof, but equally for matching the colours to the definitive output standard. According to Michael Farkas, the Technical Manager at Inter IKEA Systems responsible for colour management and process development, the combination of RGB colour correction, approval on the master proof and use of GMG ColorServer has greatly reduced the effort involved in repro work. In fact, the switch to the Ikea Color Family project based on GMG ColorServer technology enabled a 50% reduction in the prepress correction effort at IKEA while the homogeneity of the data separated for printing was greatly improved.

The Printer’s Perspective Most creative companies and brand owners are working to the FOGRA 39L standards for colour separation and proofing and there is an expectation that the printer is able to re-produce their artwork exactly, regardless of the stock or process. “Unfortunately, this is not the case,” says Toby. “Not only are there many different colour management standards that relate to varying processes, in the case of flexographic printing, there are currently no standards to work to. The print industry can, therefore, benefit from solutions that enable them to re-create the designers expected colour standard in the chosen print process as make ready times and wastage can be reduced dramatically, increasing productivity, profitability and client satisfaction.”

Belfast-based Nicholson Bass is a well-known company in the Irish printing industry with a good reputation and a vast array of Irish Print Awards that

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Cover Story | IRISH PRINTER

recognise its ongoing commitment to quality. “Three years ago we were a very traditional family-owned printing company with a strong reputation,” says Operations Director Brian Gillespie.

“However, as the recession began to really bite and the price customers were willing to pay for quality printed material fell, we realised that we had to re-engineer our business model.

A significant part of that centered around the time spent making ready each job. In the past, because we didn’t need to make ready quickly, a culture of subjectivity and ‘tweaking’ had become deeply ingrained in our mind-set throughout the firm. While this led to good printed results, it took a lot of time. We estimated that our average ‘tweaking’ element on every make ready was around eight minutes.

We purchased the GMG Proofing System, the Techkon SpectroDens Premium, the Eye-One I/O Automatic Table, and also the GMG Ink Optimiser.

As a result, we have now reduced the eight minutes to three minutes per average make ready and improved the consistency of our printed result. The printers are delighted, the customer is happy, and we have returned a greater than expected bottom line impact. We assessed GMG and Bodoni but we felt that the local contact with GMG would suit our business best. One word of caution, the journey took longer than expected, but that may have been as a result of our own internal transition. The fact that Reprocentre are now involved with GMG is the icing on the cake for us. Eoin Honan and his team already have an excellent partnership with us so we are looking forward to developing that partnership.”

A Designer’s Perspective Toby points out that the design industry can benefit from solutions to produce artwork to the necessary colour and PDF standards, as the client’s expectation is set very early on in the creative process, increasing client satisfaction and reducing errors. GMG ProofControl ensures that proofs are being produced to a measurable, predefined standard by incorporating target values from international industry standards such as ISO, PSR Gravure, SWOP and GRACol. Equator Design Group, who are based in Citywest Business Campus in Dublin, currently use GMG Dot Proof (RIP) and GMG Proof Control (Proof Verification) supplied by Reprocentre. “GMG software

Reprocentre's Technical Specialist, Alan O'Brien.

supports our two Epsons - Epson 7900 SpectroProofer and the Epson WT7900,” says Director Gary Orr. “The WT7900 printer is the only one of its kind in Ireland and allows us to print onto film and foil substrate backed by white, which is an essential tool for packaging design. The GMG software gives us the ability to provide our clients with a very accurate colour predictive proof of our designs before we get to the press side. Their software gives us the confidence to design as close to the limits of the printers’ abilities and of the printing process. The technical aspects of the GMG software, from Profile/Fingerprint generation to customised spot colours and a certified proof control system, provide us with the tools to manage our clients’ brands from concept to shelf. The Reprocentre team are experts in their field and we rely on their expertise to keep us ahead of the curve.”

Typeform have been using GMG ColorProof for the last five years.

"We use it for all of our ISO proofing standards and we have found it to be very accurate and reliable," says Alan O'Reilly. "The Reprocentre and Typeform have had a long standing relationship over the last twenty

years and we are very happy that the Reprocentre are now able to supply us with consumables and software support."

Colour - Key Design & Print Issues GMG’s design and print customers are increasingly looking for solutions that enable them to collaborate on artwork creation and to produce colour accurate proofs at any location. “This reflects the growing worldwide trend towards remote working and global account management,” says Toby Burnett. Remote proofing is the process of digitally sending a file anywhere in the world and outputting it as a predictable, constant and colour-perfect proof in minutes. It can be at a single location, or multiple locations, in the same city or on the other side of the world. “GMG’s technology allows our users to work remotely via the Internet with simple to use products for artwork approval and remote proofing,” he says. “Our technology’s features will certify the remotely printed contract proof for colour accuracy and record the results, ensuring that all participants in the process are using the same colour profiles and are working within the same tolerances.”

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07/04/2014 12:55:58

IRISH PRINTER | In Conversation With...

Dynamite Designs for Print and Web Maev Martin talks to Seanie Morris who, along with his brother Jesse, is running Dezynamite, one of the leading graphic design and print houses in the midlands. The company was a finalist in the recent Small Firms Association National Small Business Awards 2014.

Receiving the Credit Union Award for Business Innovation at the Offaly County Enterprise Awards 2013 (l-r): Orla Martin, Assistant CEO, Offaly CEB, John Concannon, Business Philanthropist, Denis Duggan, Director, Offaly CEB, Jesse Morris and Seanie Morris, Dezynamite, and Breda Flynn, President of Tullamore Credit Union.

Q

: Dezynamite began trading in 2005 as a web and graphic design team and expanded in 2007 to provide a printing service. Why did you and your brother Jesse decide to set up your own web and graphic design, and then print, business?

A: I think at some stage in every hard working person’s life there is the wish to be one’s own boss, to become an entrepreneur. Jesse and I each wanted to be our own boss but it seemed natural to us to form a partnership and combine our experiences, contacts and skills.

As time passed our client base grew and the demand for printing and other services, such as merchandise branding,

to accompany the graphics and website design side of our business grew in tandem with that. And we haven’t looked back since. We really have become a onestop-shop.

Q

: What are your design and/or print qualifications?

A: Jesse obtained a B.A. in Design (Communications) and a B.A. Hons in Design and Multimedia Studies in Athlone I.T. His work experience saw him manage and work for graphic and print companies. I, on the other hand, learned graphic and website design by myself. I dabbled in website code (HTML) for some years before thinking

about turning it into an actual job. I left in the middle of a B.Sc. degree in NUI Maynooth, which included Computer Science, but the interest in computers and the Internet never left me. Eventually, through trial and error, I got the experience I needed to design websites.

Q

: How many people does Dezynamite employ and in what roles?

A: Including Jesse and I there are five altogether. We have two other qualified graphic designers - Ian Allen and Grainne Waters - who also do printing and finishing for their own work and we also have a bookkeeper who helps with

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In Conversation With... | IRISH PRINTER

our accounts. We can also avail of the services of another freelance designer in Offaly when we need her. We hope to be able to employ another designer during 2014 so watch this space! Each of us on the team would look after our own clients so that the client is comfortable in getting everything from one person. Each designer on any job has their own style. However, having the client continually liaise with the same Dezynamite team member ensures that a consistently high standard of work is produced for that client. We each oversee our designated jobs for our clients, from the meeting and concept through to proofed designs, print and finishing.

Q

: Dezynamite provides a graphic design, corporate identity, printing and finishing, website design, interactive design and promotional products service. Do you outsource any of the print and finishing work? If so, to whom do your outsource it?

A: All of Dezynamite’s design work is in-house and never outsourced, as is our website and interactive design.

We are competent in PHP and HTML and we use Javascript for interactive PDFs and website design. Around 90% of our printing is done in-house but sometimes we need to outsource jobs according to the product (some large formats), or because of a busy spell, or even because of breakdowns. Those on the outside do a terrific job of making sure that Dezynamite’s flow is fluid and uninterrupted and they are all based in Ireland. But naming them would give the

Some work from Dezynamite's design and print portfolio.

game away! Our connections in the promotional products trade include Irish, UK, European and Far Eastern sources and they allow Dezynamite to compete freely and openly in the Irish market when pitted against price and turnaround times.

Q

: You have access to Irish and international suppliers for engraving, pad printing, embroidery, sublimation printing and vinyl applications. Are you finding that there is a growth in demand for these services?

A: We are members of a trade only group of resellers that source products from mostly Ireland and the UK. Ireland does not have a strong presence in the manufacture of certain promotional merchandise, while our neighbours in the UK enjoy a stronger and larger market that can cater to a much broader customer base. We are able to get the best prices from these and compete with other Irish distributors on quality and price. We in turn supply some of our suppliers with printing. Dezynamite has experienced growth in the past year in the area of branded merchandise, especially in clothing (uniforms), giveaway items and pens - everyone wants a branded pen!

Q

: Dezynamite firmly believes that the printing industry “doesn’t have to be toxic”. How is that reflected in how you run your own business?

A: People regard printing as a

The second passion in my working life, outside of Dezynamite, is working as a DJ...

Jesse is an aspiring actor and has had roles on television in Game of Thrones, Moonfleet and Ripper Street, as well as in the movies Leap Year and Dracula Untold. We’re not really your average designers!

necessary evil when they are promoting a business but it doesn’t have to be that way. Dezynamite is playing its part in being environmentally conscious and we practise what we preach. Our Xerox DocuColour series machine uses Xerox toners, which are a kind of semi-organic, mold-based powder. This means a lower fusing temperature is needed compared to wax-based toners, which would have more solvents. This, along with FSC-sourced papers and card, and the lower running costs, earned Dezynamite a place in the final five of the Environmental and Energy Sustainability Category at this year’s Small Firms Association National Business Awards. The waste is also recycled - all card and paper is collected and recycled to cardboard packaging, plastic casings and cartridges are taken for recycling, and even the office waste (organic and recyclables) is managed this way. We also extensively promote the eco side of the promotional products industry for branded items that are from responsible, recycled sources and, in turn, are either recyclable (again) and/or are biodegradable.

Q

: Have you made any prepress, press, or finishing kit investments recently?

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IRISH PRINTER | In Conversation With...

A: We operate a Xerox DocuColor series machine with large capacity feeders and a full professional finishing unit with bookletmaker, a Dumor DigiLam 35 hot laminator, a Dumor Hydrocut 52 guillotine, Dumor CP-650 creaser/ cutter/slitter, Duplo DC-10 collator, and various other stapling, binding and perforating units. We haven’t made any recent investments because we have all the equipment that we need for now. Of course, all of our machines are regularly maintained and any management software is regularly updated (Xerox, EFI, etc). This ensures that not only is the print quality at the top of its game but that the colours and registrations are as they are intended to be.

Q

: You have received a number of awards since you began trading. Have these awards helped you to secure new business?

A: They certainly have. The business awards and nominations that we received helped greatly in increasing our exposure - in some cases they do the advertising for us. When organisations like Offaly County Enterprise Board, the

The business awards and nominations that we received helped greatly in increasing our exposure - in some cases they do the advertising for us.

When organisations like Offaly County Enterprise Board, the Small Firms Association and Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce recognise our efforts, it is a big boost for us.

Dezynamite receiving the Merit Award at the Offaly County Enterprise Awards 2011 (l-r): Pat Gallagher, Offaly CEB Chairman, Jesse Morris & Seanie Morris, Dezynamite, and Entrepreneurial Dragon Sean Gallagher.

Small Firms Association, and Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce recognise our efforts, it is a big boost for us. The win, if it comes, is a bonus, but to just be a finalist among other prestigious companies is a big coup and something that Dezynamite is very proud of. We have also found that prospective clients notice when we highlight our various awards online via social media like LinkedIn and Facebook or e-flyers.

Q

: Your client list includes The Carers Association, Hogan, Rascal Resources, TG4, World of Tiles, Seat, fititout.ie, and Zenith Adhesive Components. What type of work do you produce for these clients?

A: For some of these clients we worked with them from the ground up to build their corporate identity, including design, print and websites. They range from business start-ups to long-established businesses that wanted to rebrand and expand. One example of our design and print getting noticed from afar was the work we did for Irish band, Hogan. We designed sleeve, poster and CD artwork and subsequent printing (of the sleeves and posters) for Hogan, which was sanctioned through their record label’s parent company in Germany. The first piece of artwork that we did for the label was for the single ‘No No No’ and it was used throughout Europe, China and on

iTunes. It was loved so much by the fans and the record label that we were contracted for the artwork and print for the follow-up singles ‘Gimme Love’ and ‘Closer’!

Q

: What does a typical day at Dezynamite involve for you and your brother?

A: Jesse and I begin each morning with a staff meeting. All of us sit down at 9am to discuss the job list for the day, see where everyone and their respective jobs are at (design, proof, production and finishing stages), and what needs to be done that day. We all know what each person is doing and can therefore answer any queries if a customer calls in looking for updates.

Throughout the day, we hammer out ideas between ourselves and get input and critical feedback prior to proofing our respective job to clients. I act as the proofreader in the office so sometimes my virtual inbox can have a lot of PDFs and JPEGs that need to be looked over!

Once we’re happy, it’s proofed to the client. And once they’re happy, we can proceed with the production. There is a constant flow going on. And Jesse and I get along very well!

Q

: Do you have any hobbies or special interests outside of the print industry?

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AD PAGE

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IRISH PRINTER | Pre-Press

Improve Your Workflow With Agfa Agfa Graphics, in conjunction with Reprocentre, hosted a one-day programme of presentations and break-out sessions at Bewleys Hotel on the Naas Road in Dublin to show printers how Agfa’s latest workflow software could enhance their business.

Andy Grant, Head of Software, Agfa Graphics. “We see that more than half of the items ordered in a web store are products that are personalised by the print buyers. Occasionally such customised business cards or posters may contain typos or other mistakes that need to be fixed with minimal overhead. Apogee StoreFront 2.1 makes it easy to do last minute corrections, which will automatically be submitted to the prepress workflow.

Such cost efficiencies are key in today’s competitive market.”

Asanti StoreFront 2.1

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hether your focus was strategy, production or sales, the programme allowed printers to meet the experts from Agfa and network with their peers from the industry. Presentations and break-out sessions ran until 5pm. The main presentations covered Apogee Workflow, including a sneak preview of Apogee 9, Apogee Impose, Web2Print/ Apogee Storefront, and JDF. The breakout sessions looked at Apogee Impose, Preflighting and Colour Management, Versioning, and Driving Digital Presses.

“We were very happy with the customer response and the attendance we had in terms of both Apogee and non-Apogee users who were interested to see what Apogee had to offer,” says Peter Doyle, Sales Director, Agfa Ireland. “There were more than 14 companies represented on the day, including Turner Print Group, KC Print, Typeform and Horizon Graphics, and they came from all over the country - Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Dublin and Longford.”

Business Analytics and Content Correction Aimed at print companies that want

to use Web2Print to extend their service offering and reach new Business2Business (B2B) markets, Apogee StoreFront 2.1 has a series of new features centered around the print buyer experience. Support for personalised stores is one of the main new functions. With Apogee StoreFront you can now customise a store so that individual users only see those products and categories that they need. This is a useful tool for setting up e-commerce stores for dealer or franchise channels as well as for large corporations that operate across various countries or markets. Version 2.1 also features support for Google Analytics, allowing print companies to finetune their stores by monitoring buyer behavior and conversion rates within a store, as well as the effectiveness of promotion campaigns on the web, social media or in print. For print buyers, there is a new order history search which simplifies the reordering, correction and customising process.

“Our focus on the end-user experience goes beyond more refined controls and an easier reordering process,” says

All the features in Apogee StoreFront 2.1 (www.apogeestorefront.com), which was recently honoured as the ‘Best Web-to-Print Solution’ by the European Digital Press Association, are also available in Asanti StoreFront 2.1, allowing sign and display producers access to the same web-to-print interface with their customers. “As cloud-based solutions, both Apogee StoreFront and Asanti StoreFront offer a fast and affordable entry into the web-to-print market,” says Andy Grant. “Tight integration with both the Apogee Prepress and Asanti production workflow systems saves printers time and helps them avoid repetitive data entry.”

Apogee Storefront is an e-commerce solution that enables printers to create Web2Print stores for the B2B market.

These stores are a win-win for the customer and for the printer. For the customer, they offer a 24/7 global self service, allowing them to easily personalise documents. For the printer, the stores allow you to control the purchasing process, streamline order fulfilment, reduce costs and save time.

A 2012 InfoTrends study showed that Web2Print tops the investment list of printers.

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In Conversation With... | IRISH PRINTER

A: The second passion in my working life outside of Dezynamite is working as a DJ. I have my own show three nights a week on Midlands 103 (‘Last Orders’) and I am the Saturday night resident DJ in The Palace Nightclub in Tullamore. It has been something I always wanted to do since I was a kid (in addition to running my own business) so now I am living the dream! I’m into astronomy in a big way and I play soccer and swim when I can. Jesse is an aspiring actor and has had roles on television in Game of Thrones, Moonfleet and Ripper Street, as well as in the movies Leap Year and Dracula Untold. We’re not really your average designers!

Q

: Are you involved in any community or business initiatives in your local area?

A: We have sponsored websites for Midlands Astronomy Club – I’m its Secretary, The Offaly SPCA, Tullamore Life & Community, and Tullamore Lions Club. When charitable work has been done in the community e.g. events to raise money for the Haiti and Japanese Earthquake Reliefs, Child Aid, Oxfam and others, we have waived design charges and even sometimes print charges too, depending on what was needed. We also part-sponsored a football kit for a local soccer team - St. Carthage’s AFC. On the business side, we have been regular attendees and contributors to the Offaly Network of Entrepreneurs since 2005 – a once-a-month event organised by Offaly County Enterprise Board. We are currently working with Tullamore Retailers Association to bring a series of street flags to the shopping streets of the town to brighten up the streets, increase advertising among the businesses, and welcome shoppers to the town centre. These are just some of the initiatives that Dezynamite is involved in.

Q

: What do you believe is the best way for printers to stay successful and competitive in the current environment?

A: Service with a smile and an eyecatching design! Since the recession, price has been a major factor for businesses who are anxious to cut overheads but sometimes quality has suffered as a result. Ireland’s domestic printing market is competing with cheaper, lower priced and lower quality imports. Quality designs by Irish-

employed designers, coupled with quality printing services with a support and knowledge second to none, is what I believe a prospective business is looking for in a design and print partner. This is particularly important if the business is growing - and they need reassurance time and again that they will get the best from their Irish provider.

Q

: Are you optimistic about the future of print in Ireland?

A: Yes and No. I think we will have a need for print for some time to come. There is something tangible about holding a flyer or brochure, or receiving a packed presentation folder, or seeing posters up on walls and in windows. And with a great design, it will still serve its purpose.

However, I just can’t shake this image in my head of a futuristic world where everything is digital! Instead of spam in our mail and email, there’ll be spam on our internet-connected screens, on our mobile phones and tablets, and so on. We need to keep an eye on larger markets in Asia and America to see what might be trending in the near future.

Since the recession, price has been a major factor for businesses who are anxious to cut overheads but sometimes quality has suffered as a result. Ireland’s domestic printing market is competing with cheaper, lower priced and lower quality imports.

Q

: What do you believe the Irish print industry will look like in five years time?

A: It is hard to say. The home printer market has come on in leaps and bounds in the past 15 years. It is now offering everything up to full colour laser A3 printing on your desktop for a fraction of the cost that it would have been in the late 1990s. Likewise, the development of today’s commercial printing presses has also progressed significantly. In Ireland I think print will still be required for advertising, despite the rise of online media, which can obviously do it for a fraction of the print cost. Then again, maybe this could change and printing companies will have to diversify to meet the demands of different media. If TDK stuck to just the cassette tape and didn’t embrace the compact disc, they would have ceased to exist a long time ago. The Irish print industry may have to make a similar change but the onus will be on individual companies.

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07/04/2014 13:02:18

IRISH PRINTER | Wide Format

Trends to Watch Out for in Large Format Tony Roe, Managing Director of McGowans Printers, looks at the current and expected trends in this diverse market and at the business opportunities for printers.

The Fujifilm Jet Press 720.

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hether your company is an exponent of traditional or digital printing, chances are you’re coming across large format in some form or another and probably with ever increasing frequency. At the moment there is an ongoing arms race between the manufacturers of large format presses, be they roll-to-roll or sheetfed.

EFI, for example, have introduced LED curing for their Vutek line, which promises to run at the same rate and quality as UV technology-driven presses but with only a percentage of the power consumption, and the ability to print on thinner and less expensive substrates due to reduced heat. So what the manufacturers are trying to do is to allow you to print on a broader range of substrates so you’re not limited to a handful of stock suppliers, thereby lowering your raw material costs by increasing your flexibility.

Fujifilm Graphic Systems, distributor of Inca Onset presses, have introduced

“The Fujifilm J Press 720, a half-size sheet-fed inkjet press, is designed for commercial print applications but its sheet size and quality also make it suitable for smaller signs and display graphics, especially Point of Purchase (POP) materials.”

a product that could be viewed as a cross-over between commercial printing and the signs and display graphics market. The Fujifilm J Press 720, a halfsize sheet-fed inkjet press, is designed for commercial print applications but its sheet size and quality also make it suitable for smaller signs and display graphics, especially Point of Purchase (POP) materials. This type of approach may be an easier way for commercial printers to enter the signs and display graphics market since the press can also be used to produce traditional short-run commercial print products as well. Digital printers are not new to the sign and display sector but these technologies seem to be enabling large format print companies to compete in otherwise alien markets.

Threats - Digital (Electronic) Display Units The once feared major threat to the display market just hasn’t made the impact expected. In a recent study, only

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Wide Format | IRISH PRINTER

10% of all print buyers have encountered electronic signage, or have even had the need to explore what it offers. Even when they are used, they generally have printed POS supplied with them so, if anything, they have increased the volumes in large format output. I’m sure that this area will grow but maybe not as fast as we once expected. The initial outlay for this type of signage for marketers, retailers and end-users seems like a major hurdle to get past.

InfoTrends is projecting that the retail value of wide format digital print will grow from e11.5bn in 2011 to over e17bn in 2016. I’m sure that most readers would agree that this is a pretty significant jump in just five years.

Fuelling that kind of growth requires a steady development of products and technologies that contribute new capabilities to wide format print producers, as well as new tools to help sell wide format digital printing services more effectively. One of the initiatives that we at McGowans have embraced is the Smart Sign Analytics product.

This is a tool that helps measure the effectiveness of signage and graphics by combining cameras, facial recognition software, and eye-tracking software to measure the number and demographics of people that are seeing signs configured with the Smart Sign analytics tools. It gives the retailers real time feedback as to who is looking at their signage and for how long, enabling them to make the best decision on branding and POP placement.

For example, a company selling a predominantly male sports product needs to get the branding right so as that the demographic that will possibly buy this product will pay attention to the POP piece. It gives the marketer confidence as to what actually works and what doesn’t, hence the name ‘smart sign’. This is a perfect marriage of traditional POP printing without the need for expensive electronic units and new-age technology.

Future Opportunities It seems that we still have a way to go before we can have things like new raised effects, textures, foils and metallics, and bespoke substrate options in mainstream large format printing.

White ink is definitely here. Indeed, most of the new flatbed and roll-to-roll presses being introduced have white ink as standard. We’re paying particular attention to the Durst P10 roll-to-roll,

which promises photographic quality printing with a white ink capacity. This is major news for companies involved in printing things like window displays.

It effectively reduces the need for costly screen set-ups for the spot white ink but allows the transparency the retailer wants in the window, except where the image is required. It’s also clear that we’re now able to print on a much wider spectrum of substrates than was previously possible. The concept that every copy can be different is two decades old but, until now, the print has always been, well, flat. That’s literally flat because print is generally a two-dimensional medium, but visually flat too, as digital processes have previously been limited to coloured inks, mostly on plain white substrates.

However, this is set to change.

The past year or two has seen the introduction of digital special effects for production-scale presses, including raised and textured images that emulate embossing, variable-pattern clear coatings, and metallised effects. These maintain the advantages of digital printing, including personalisation, short lead times, low set-up costs, on-demand single copies or very short runs. Here we chart the options that are now available to let your print projects leap off the page. But, as stated, these are still very much the exception rather than the rule.

Raised effects are created by building up layers of ink or toner.

Often it’s subtle so you first notice it when you brush your fingers across it or it catches the light. But some systems produce print that simulates embossing, a mechanical effect that normally needs expensively tooled metal block dies and special presses.

This can also be used to add realistic textures over parts of images, such as orange peel, canvas, leather, crocodile skin and braille. Digital spot varnishing puts down a clear high gloss, silk or matt image. UV spot/pattern varnishing is long established in conventional printing but going digital opens up the possibilities of small quantities and variable imaging. Metallic effects are often used to catch the light and give a high quality feel to print, especially book covers, and wine and spirits bottle labels. All these effects require high-cost industrial-class printing presses or, in some cases, dedicated production machines. With the possible

“It seems that we still have a way to go before we can have things like new raised effects, textures, foils and metallics, and bespoke substrate options in mainstream large format printing.”

Digital signage technology.

exception of the more compact wide format inkjets, they’re not going to be available to your company any time soon.

The above mentioned innovations are generally digital small format processes for now but we should begin to see a proliferation of all these processes into large format at some stage. So, as far as predicting the future trends for printing goes, the only certainty is that there will be a lot of uncertainty as to the general path that printers will have to take.

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07/04/2014 12:52:38

IRISH PRINTER | Wide Format

Textile Innovations at InPrint M

imaki’s range of textile printing solutions will be the highlight of its stand (H16) at InPrint 2014 (April 8th to 10th in Germany), the trade exhibition dedicated to print technology for industrial manufacturing. These include the TS500-1800 dye sublimation printer, which is capable of printing at 150 square metres per hour on transfer paper. The TS500-1800 uses newlydeveloped printheads that achieve a maximum speed in four- or six-colour mode. Other features include a mist removal filter, the Mimaki degassing module (MDM-20), which eliminates the gasses or bubbles that can occur in inks during the printing process, and Mimaki’s Sb300 dye sublimation ink which is available in six colours - black, blue, magenta, yellow, light blue and light magenta. In addition, the TS500-1800 can accept rolls of media up to 60kg and 300mm in diameter.

Larger orders can be continuously printed without interruption, or batches of smaller orders using the same media can be easily handled. Mimaki will also be showing the Klieverik GTC101/2000, a partner product for transferring vibrant TS5001800 prints from sublimation paper to fabric.

For printing direct to rigid substrates, Mimaki will showcase the UJF-6042 UV flatbed printer with LED curing and multiple ink options. This prints directly on substrates up to 150mm thick and supports six colours and white ink. The UJF-6042 can print up to 1800x1800 dpi. For photo applications, its A2 size means operators can simultaneously print two facing pages of an A2-size photo album. The JFX500-2131 UV printer, which incorporates new head technology and advanced LED curing, will also be on display. According to Mimaki, its advanced head movement control produces an exceptionally high resolution image quality that can produce legible fonts as small as two points. It can print up to 60 square metres per hour with CMYK and 45 square metres per hour with white

New Solutions from Mimaki at Sign & Digital

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imaki’s exclusive UK and Irish distributor, Hybrid Services Ltd will bring a series of new wide format sign and graphics products to Sign & Digital UK. “Sign and Digital UK is the first domestic exhibition for us to show the new Mimaki SUV, so we’re expecting huge amounts of interest,” says Hybrid’s National Sales Manager, John de la Roche. Another first for the exhibition will be the UK launch of the Mimaki UJV500 - a roll-to-roll UV

printer capable of high production volumes that is aimed at the wallcoverings, vehicle wrap and display graphics markets. Hybrid will also show products across Mimaki’s full range, including flatbed UV printers, outdoor durable print and cut machines, latex and textile printers.

The Hybrid stand is situated directly inside the entrance to the exhibition, to be held from 29th April to 1st May 2014.

The Mimaki JV400160 SUV printer.

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07/04/2014 10:23:55

Wide Format | IRISH PRINTER

Fujifilm To Showcase Light Industrial Applications F

ujifilm’s stand at FESPA Digital 2014 (Munich, May 20th to 23rd) will be focused on the high quality applications possible with the company’s range of wide format solutions.

Stand 530, Hall B1 will showcase print in its typical environment.

On show will be a new Inca Onset model in the Q family, which utilises the scaleable architecture announced at the end of 2013, allowing for printhead and ink platform expansion without machine replacement. This model will be shown with full automation for the first time at a FESPA show, allowing visitors to see sheets taken from pallets directly onto the print bed. To extend the application of the Onset platform, Fujifilm will be launching two new inks at FESPA: Uvijet OH, which offers greater adhesion, widening the application possibilities; and Uvijet OL, a low odour corrugated ink aimed at display and secondary packaging.

Fujifilm’s super-wide format printer, the Uvistar Pro8, running with Uvijet QN ink, now boasts a new white ink which allows users to produce super-wide format posters which can be illuminated for either day or night usage. The show will also feature the Acuity Advance HS for POP and signage on rigid and roll materials at production speeds of up to 64m2/hr, alongside the Acuity LED 1600. This LED UV hybrid roll-fed printer features a low-energy LED

Fujifilm’s UvistarPro8.

curing system, is suitable for rigid and very thin flexible materials, and is capable of production speeds of 20m2/hr.

“For the first time at a FESPA Digital show, we will also be able to show how Fujifilm technologies can be used for light industrial applications as well as for more traditional retail jobs,” says Tudor Morgan, Systems Marketing Manager – High End, at Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems.

“This will present exciting opportunities for print service providers to extend their presence and business reach, which can only be a good thing for the industry.”

Screen to Highlight Lenticular Printing at FESPA

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creen Europe will showcase the latest addition to its wide format Truepress Jet range at FESPA 2014 (Hall B2, Stand 171, May 20th to 23rd in Munich). The Truepress JetW3200UV flatbed printer was unveiled at Fespa last year and visitors to the stand this year will not only see it printing a variety of jobs but will also see high speed lenticular and multi-layer applications, demonstrating the printer’s advanced drop control.

A joint development between Screen and its subsidiary company Inca Digital, the six colour + white Truepress Jet W3200UV was developed as a costeffective solution for printers looking to upgrade from legacy high quality, low speed printers to a new generation printer that combines high quality with high productivity. Continuous high speed production up to 85sqm/hr is ensured by the printer’s sophisticated nozzle mapping, ink mist extraction system, and automatic cleaning station technologies.

The Screen TruepressJet W3200UV

With the ability to print onto a wide range of rigid and flexible media up to 3.2m x 1.6m in size and up to a maximum 50mm thickness, the Truepress Jet W3200UV meets the multiple demands of the POS, signage and décor markets.

Using Screen’s Truepress inks, including high-opacity white, light cyan and light magenta, the Truepress Jet W3200UV delivers high definition, wide colour gamut print quality and - because the ink is very flexible and stretchable (up to 200% of its original length) - it will not chip or break when cut or bent.

The multi-layer function enables sophisticated front/back overprinting up to eight layers, to produce quality backlit and variable day/night graphics.

Ricoh to Unveil Latex Printer

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icoh UK will use Sign and Digital UK to unveil its Pro L4100 Series latex largeformat printer, which will be commercially available from April. The Pro L4100 is a roll-toroll machine available as the 130cm (53 inch) Pro L4130 and the 160cm (63 inch) Pro L4160. It supports up to seven colours in various configurations, including CMYK, orange, green and white ink. The printers use Ricoh’s own piezo electric printheads and run Ricoh Pro L4100’s latex ink. The acqueous ink contains a low level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), is odourless and has a curing temperature of 60 degrees Celsius.

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07/04/2014 10:23:58

IRISH PRINTER | Packaging

Inks for Label Production Systems

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Donec urna felis, imperdiet at vulputate at, dictum quis sem.

Jan de Vooght, Agfa Graphics, discusses inks for manufacturers of UV inkjet label production systems.

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t last year’s LabelExpo in Brussels we saw live demos of at least forty different inkjet-based label presses, the majority of them using UV-curing technology. The variety of inkjet label press solutions ranges from basic models to very sophisticated high-speed label presses and also includes hybrid systems that combine flexo printing and inkjet in roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet configurations.

To developers of such modular label production systems Agfa Graphics can provide a total solution that involves workflow technology for colour management and versioning, as well as UV inkjet ink formulations to accommodate multiple label substrates.

While not always visible, the ink forms a key component of a UV inkjet label press. Agfa Graphics’ UV inks technology is based on our extensive chemical and pigment dispersion expertise, as well as on our knowledge of all parts of inkjet systems (printheads, curing systems, software, pre-treatment, etc).

We have also gained a lot of experience from working closely with label press manufacturers.

Agfa Graphics’ UV inks are developed in accordance with the label press system configuration, including ink formulations geared to the piezo printhead, the curing system, the pretreatment and other system parameters, in order to establish a complete match between the ink system and printhead. The resulting ink solutions deliver highly reliable jetting and excellent reproducibility. Agfa Graphics’ UV inks have the best batch-to-batch consistency and a shelf life of minimally 12 months (up to 18 months from production date). UV inks are available for all industrial piezo printheads.

These include normal viscosity-range printheads, such as those from Konica Minolta, Xaar, Ricoh, Seiko and others, but we are also technology leaders in UV inks for high resolution printheads (e.g. Kyocera) whereby the low viscous UV inks extend printhead lifetime as they allow the printhead to be used at a lower jetting temperature.

Agfa Graphics designs UV inks for multi-purpose label printing that use a broad range of substrates, but also for very specific ranges of labels and/

or applications. All important label stock types are covered (paper based, plastic foils, laminates, blister foils and more), and also the most common ways in which labels are used. One example is the laminate tubing application, whereby in a first step the product information is printed on the label (roll-to-roll), and in a second step the tube is formed from the labeled roll. This can happen in two separate process steps or can be combined in one production line.

To address food and pharmaceutical labels Agfa Graphics supplies lowmigration UV-curable inks. The lowmigration inks have proven their performance for food-safe printing in direct print applications (direct printing on the primary food packaging, either a foil or a container), which are much more demanding for food safety.

Agfa Graphics considers label printing to be a key target application for its UV inks and is continuously improving and extending its UV ink label offering. The ink development is mainly driven by the market needs and the technology evolution in printheads, but also in curing systems (with focus on UV LED curing) and new high-speed production label systems. Agfa Graphics focuses on being the ink partner of choice for system integrators developing such digital label printing solutions because the inks are fine-tuned for superior compatibility with the latest developments in digital label printing systems. These include chemistries best suited for LED curing, inter-colour pinning, white ink, varnish and other specialties.

“The low-migration inks have proven their performance for food-safe printing in direct print applications.”

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08/04/2014 09:45:21

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KBA (UK) Ltd. world-beating presses | experienced professionals | first class service

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08/04/2014 09:45:22

IRISH PRINTER | Packaging

Food Safety and UVCured Printing Inks David Helsby, President of RadTech Europe, a key information provider for brand owners and retailers, looks at packaging barrier performance, ink innovations and regulatory initiatives in the food safety arena.

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here is much to be said in favour of radiation-curing inks, as worldleading manufacturers of packaging print equipment - and their users - have already discovered. Because UV inks and their EB equivalents cure faster, work throughput is much faster than with traditional print drying tunnels. Just as importantly, UV inks deliver high-quality, crisp graphics (partly a by-product of their speedy cure, which reduces the ‘dot gain’ flow tendency of liquid inks) at a competitive cost per metre square. And they achieve all this without emitting any VOCs, making them an environmentally-friendly alternative to solvent-based inks. RadTech Europe is the industry association focused on the use of radiation curing in a number of manufacturing arenas and it is proactive in promoting and managing the technology’s future in the field of packaging print.

migration, only two materials - glass and metal - are regarded as absolute barriers. The permeation of possible contaminants through the packaging substrate, including ink migration, may therefore be possible. An additional factor in relation to ink migration is the possibility of ink ‘set-off’. This involves the transfer of ink from the printed side of packaging - when it is stacked for construction or, in the case of printed labels, for automatic application - to its

Learning Lessons Since the first application of UV inks and coatings in the world of packaging print, the industry has reacted swiftly to market issues and worked diligently to increase the performance and suitability of the technology for use in food packaging. One example is the development of low-migration inks to deal with the potential issue of migration of ink components into food.

Regulatory Initiatives

Packaging Barrier Performance It is a notable fact that, although some of today’s advanced packaging structures may effectively act as a barrier against

underside (i.e. the surface which will make contact with the pack contents).

Issues like this, along with questions reflecting wider discussions with respect to human exposure to chemicals, are at the heart of RadTech Europe’s consumer safety agenda with UV inks and varnishes.

RadTech Europe has engaged with the entire packaging print supply chain, from the suppliers of ink raw materials to the end-user brand owners and retailers, and continues to do. A highlyfocused pan-European food packaging seminar is planned for the second half of 2014 as part of the association’s ongoing formal and informal communications programme.

David Helsby, President, RadTech Europe.

There have been ongoing developments to increase the performance of UV inks for food packaging and to ensure their suitability for use. Brand owners such as Nestlé have instituted their own company-specific food packaging production standards. Food safety has also been the driver for a raft of regulatory initiatives across Europe which provide a framework for the

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Packaging | IRISH PRINTER use of inks in food packaging. These initiatives reflect the importance of the issue to all involved in the packaging print supply chain. RadTech Europe and other leading technical associations, including the European Printing Inks Association EuPIA and the European chemical industry council CEFIC, are all actively addressing these concerns in concert with the EU authorities.

Although there is currently no specific EU legislation concerning printing inks in food packaging applications, good manufacturing practice for all materials involved in the production and packaging of food - including inks - are covered by regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. This requires that materials and articles which, in their finished state, are intended to be brought into contact with foodstuffs, or which are brought into contact with foodstuffs, must not transfer any components to the packed foodstuff in quantities which could endanger human health, or bring about an unacceptable change in the composition or deterioration in organoleptic properties.

Additionally, the Swiss Ordinance on materials and articles in contact with food - often used as an industry

Sector Group, have been instrumental in developing REACH dossiers and in compiling migration data for submission under both the Swiss and upcoming German Ordinances. As a direct result, GPOTA and TMPEOTA have been granted higher 50 ppb migration limits, with work on other substances, including a number of commodity photoinitiators, on the way.

Ink Innovation EuPIA has developed its own guidelines for the printing industry on the selection of raw material constituents of food packaging inks, which are today the established standard. There is a standard Statement of Composition which EuPIA members will provide to the food printing and packaging chain to confirm that the inks supplied are fit for purpose. Printers are encouraged to conduct their own practical migration tests, as appropriate for the types of packaging print they undertake, as a ‘fail safe’ mechanism. The industry continues to innovate too, with inks demonstrating lower migration levels associated with radiation curing.

‘RadTech Europe’s prime goal is straightforward - to work with all

There have been ongoing developments to increase the performance of UV inks for food packaging and to ensure their suitability for use.

Brand owners such as Nestlé have instituted their own company-specific food packaging production standards.

stakeholders to ensure that brand owners can safely use radiation-curable inks in food packaging applications, without endangering the consumer, and enjoy the attendant benefits,” says RadTech Europe’s President David Helsby. “Radiation curing has a long and successful history in providing optimal outcomes in many other aspects of manufacturing, including flooring, automotive and electronic components, household appliances, metal cans, and rigid plastics. Food packaging print need not be an exception.”

Further information on RadTech Europe’s ongoing work in the printing inks arena is available via the association’s website: www.radtecheurope.com.

standard - continues to refine a list of permissible substances as knowledge grows; any listed components being subject to specific migration limits.

Germany is also in the development stage of its own Ordinance in this respect. RadTech Europe members are contributing their expertise to help establish the highest possible migration limits for key raw materials and, together with EuPIA and the CEFIC UVEB

About RadTech RadTech Europe (RTE), founded in 1988 in Switzerland and headquartered in The Hague (The Netherlands), is the European industry association that promotes the development, use and benefits of UV/EB curing technology for the markets of Graphic Arts, Adhesives, Electronics, Industrial Coatings, Automotive, Medical, Dental, Cosmetics and an array of new emerging applications. RTE membership provides access to a collaborative platform for knowledge transfer at educational and networking events and achieves effective representation as a body in public affairs initiatives.

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07/04/2014 10:17:49

IRISH PRINTER | What’s New In Print

Mimaki’s JV33 Just Got Faster

Mimaki’s JV-33 160

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imaki has effectively increased the productivity of its JV33 roll-to-roll series of eco-solvent and solvent inkjet printers by adding its Advanced Pass System (MAPS) technology - an approach to discharging ink droplets to minimise, or even eliminate, imperfections in high production mode.

Mimaki said the MAPS system delivers at least a 10% speed increase with the company’s SS21 solvent, ES3 eco solvent and dye sublimation ink sets. A two-year Gold warranty is included with the enhanced JV33 - along with over 3.5 litres of ink, a powered take-up unit and fully featured professional Rip solution. Those ordering before May 30th 2014 will also get free mainland UK delivery and build. Attendees at C! Print in Lyon (February 4th to 6th) were the first to view the new product in action. Machines are now available in the UK and Ireland through Hybrid Services’ reseller network.

High Speed Flatbeds Make Global Debut A

gfa’s Jeti Titan S (speed) and HS (high speed) 2m x 3m flatbed UVinkjet printers made their worldwide debut at C!Print 2014 in Lyon, France.

The printers incorporate the latest generation of Ricoh Gen 5 printheads with 1,280 nozzles. The Jeti Titan S is equipped with one row of printheads, and is field upgradeable to two rows,

thus becoming a Jeti Titan HS and doubling the productivity level. Printing speeds are at up to 160m/hr. The default set-up for both models is six colours plus white (CMYKLcLmWW).

White printing is supported in different modes, including overprint, under-print, spot, under-spot, fill and over-spot for rigids and pre-white

The Acuity LED 1600 printer.

for roll media. The white ink solution features an automated recirculation system. The Jeti Titan S and HS have been designed to deliver the highest accuracy in drop placement. Agfa says the seven picolitre droplet size makes it possible to achieve photorealistic image quality with fine text down to four point positive and negative. Both systems feature a moving table, built on a robust steel frame for seven-day/ three shift endurance. And a ‘flat-toroll’ option gives users the ability to print flexible media up to 3.2m wide with the same quality and resolution as rigid materials. Agfa says that the Jeti Titan S and HS are ideal for higher volume or fast turnaround jobs as well as high-value work like POP viewed at close range or high-level art, fashion and cosmetics markets. The Jeti Titan S and HS, Asanti workflow software and Anuvia UV-curable inks form a matched component system, designed to work together for a predictable income.

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07/04/2014 10:06:15

What’s New In Print | IRISH PRINTER

Fujifilm Highlights Packaging Solutions

Changing the World Beneath Our Feet

G-Floor can marry printed natural effects with low noise and high wear resistance.

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ujifilm partnered with FFEI at Packaging Innovations 2014 (NEC Birmingham, February 26th to 27th) to demonstrate to visitors the strength of the packaging solutions offered by both companies. At the show, label and packaging convertors could see how label artwork can be processed using RealPro Toolkit software, in preparation for printing on the Graphium digital UV inkjet press, and how a complementary package prototype for the same product could be printed on the Acuity LED 1600 large format hybrid inkjet printer. Fujifilm’s Acuity LED 1600 produces packaging prototypes, including solutions distinguished by special varnishing effects or spot colours. It achieves productivity of up to 20m2 per hour and supports substrates up to 1,610mm in width.

It is designed to print on rigid sheet substrates up to 13mm thick (including PET, acrylic, polycarbonate substrates and lightweight boards including mirror and fluted). Another key feature of the Acuity LED 1600 is the inclusion of six ink colours, with the addition of white and clear ink as standard. According to Fujifilm and FFEI, the machine can apply these in a single pass to produce premium matt and high gloss finishes with a much higher efficiency than a conventional printer, where colours in conjunction with white and clear inks are applied in separate passes.

Large areas of continuous runs of flooring can be decorated with Soyang’s G-Floor.

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rinting bespoke graphics and advertising messages on flooring media has historically been fraught with problems. A clever and arresting piece of promotional collateral for a high profile brand won’t be doing much for the brand’s reputation if it becomes scratched, scuffed or discoloured in a short space of time. However, wide format media specialists Soyang Europe recently launched a new high-tech media called G-Floor, which they are confident will completely change traditional perceptions of what is possible in the field of customised flooring. Originally developed in the US, the new product is based on a high density clear, flexible PVC substrate, which is capable of

Soyang Europe’s G-Floor product delivers the ability to brand and decorate public spaces.

being printed to the underside using either UV curable or solvent inks on a grand-format printer. Because the image is printed beneath the media, the thick wear-layer protects the integrity of the graphic. According to Soyang, G-Floor is hygienic, easily installed and repositionable, as well as having excellent load-bearing capability, with low noise and sound absorbing characteristics. G-Floor is available in widths up to 3m and thicknesses to suit virtually any kind of flatbed, roll-to-roll or hybrid grand format printer. There is also an option of a solid white media, which is suitable for surface printing in cases where print suppliers only have four colour process capabilities.

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07/04/2014 10:06:23

IRISH PRINTER | Standards

The Printer and ISO Standards While ISO standards are not obligatory, they offer significant advantages to business owners who embrace them. Phil Byrne of Mentor Consulting looks at how ISO standards can help to create a Quality Management System (QMS) that brings tangible business benefits to any print organisation.

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e are all familiar with standards in business, whether formal or informal. There are many of us whose businesses have regulatory standards imposed upon us, to comply with legislation regarding finance, training, health and safety, child care, and data protection, etc. Compliance with regulation is a must and is, as such, involuntary, and generally for good reason. However, there are many standards that have emerged in various industry sectors which offer guidance on best practice for specific activities. ISO have produced a number of standards over the decades and have become a globally recognised organisation accredited in over 160 countries. The basis for their success has come through the willingness of the ISO certified companies of all shapes and sizes to ‘volunteer’ their commitment to the relevant standard for their industry sector.

ISO Family of Standards The main ISO standard that I am focusing on here is ISO 9001:2008 which is part of the ISO 9000 series of standards. This standard is currently under review by the governing body and a committee draft of the revision is being considered internationally. One main element to be included is the area of risk management. While risk is a focus of management responsibility, and as such will be under continual review, it is good to see that it is going to be specifically addressed when ISO 9001:2015 is launched.

While ISO 9001 measures the effectiveness of your QMS, from a ‘Big

Picture’ perspective, and is applicable to all businesses, there are some sector-specific ISO standards, which are invaluable to companies operating in those fields. These are; n ISO 13485 (Medical Devices) n ISO/TS 16949 (Automotive) n TL 9000 (Telecommunications) n AS 9100 (Aerospace) n cGMP’s (Pharma & Medical Devices).

Print businesses working with companies operating in these sectors will already be familiar with the relevant standards and the need for ‘conformity’ to retain this valuable work. There are some other ISO standards which have a particular relevance for the print sector and I will discuss these further on.

The Scalable Benefits of ISO 9001:2008 I often get asked about the benefits of implementing a QMS. “…My customers aren’t complaining, and I am making a good margin, so why bother?” Well, let’s look at the details before deciding

some large organisations will stipulate ISO certification as a requirement to enter a bid.

whether it’s a worthwhile endeavour.

There are many benefits to opening up your business to assessment by an accredited independent global organisation, with the objective being certified to the ISO 9001 standard. This will shout out loudly to the world that your business does indeed manage its affairs well, with a keen focus on best practice regarding customer satisfaction and continual improvement. Those listed below are some of the main benefits, keeping in mind that every business has different characteristics, and you will find that there are many more.

Increased Profitability – Financial gains are experienced by implementing your QMS through the establishment of a solid, systematic approach to the key processes in your business. This brings real engagement with each function, removing inefficiencies and eliminating waste.

Increased Opportunity – We are seeing a shift in the way large organisations buy their print services. In particular, the prevalence of tendering processes must be considered by the printer, especially with the knock-on effect on pricing. In some instances, buyers will stipulate ISO certification as a requirement to enter a bid.

Enhanced Reputation – Putting a QMS in place to ISO 9001 standards will give you a market advantage, helping you to stand apart from your competitors. Also, it is important to note that companies with ISO certification will seek out suppliers who are also certified.

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Standards | IRISH PRINTER

Increased market share and profitability

Your customers get consistent quality products

Easy market entry for your products

ISO 9001 Benefits

Internal effectiveness and efficiency

Enhance customer satisfaction

Better Processes – Whether you provide a print product or a managed service, ISO 9001 requires you to establish defined processes which are regularly measured against your KPIs. This structured approach enables you to keep a close watch on each element of the delivery of your offering, further reducing costs and reducing defects.

Better Employees – When implementing your QMS, there will be some staff training to make sure that there is buy in throughout your organisations. This will create a greater understanding of each individual’s responsibilities, not only with each

Eliminate process errors and inefficiency

Easy approval on bank loans and business licenses

specific task, but with greater knowledge of the added value that their input has on the end product.

Another resulting benefit is that you will have better informed employees, with continual feedback given on the effectiveness of the very processes they are responsible for.

Continual Improvement – By measuring the performance of each process against your stated KPIs, and establishing mechanisms for preventative and corrective actions, you will create a culture of seeking to improve how you do things at every opportunity.

Happier Customers – ISO requires that you put in place a mechanism which effectively measures the voice of the customer. As business owners, we are all aware that we need to maintain our focus on customer satisfaction.

Bad customer service is acknowledged as a significant reason why we can potentially lose our customers.

Happier Bosses – With a distinct focus on quality throughout our organisations, continual improvement and customer satisfaction, we can have some assurance that our businesses are being managed well. Better performance equals better results, with reduced costs

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IRISH PRINTER | Standards

Attaining certification to ISO 12647 will enhance your business, giving your customers increased confidence in your ability to consistently meet their requirements.

and increased profits.

Once your QMS is up and running, you will quickly see real improvements throughout your organisation. There is, however, one caveat – once you have implemented your Quality Management System you must use it to get the desired results. ISO will require you to manage your QMS with planned internal and external audits to make sure that your organisation is adhering to its commitment to the ISO 9001 standard.

Management Reviews of the QMS are mandatory for recertification. You must also be able to show evidence of your efforts to achieve your KPIs regarding customer satisfaction and continual improvement. Any business owner will understand these benefits for their own company. They are there to be had by companies of all sizes, from global corporations to micro businesses. If you do something, then it’s a process.

Therefore you can control the inputs and outputs of that process, measuring the results against your objectives.

Every business can achieve ISO 9001 certification.

Implementing ISO From your decision to create a Quality Management System to achieving ISO certification, timescales can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of your organisation. Like any project, ISO 9001 requires that there is evidence of the established use of your QMS before a business can be successfully assessed. In general, following the preparation of the documentation, and the adoption of the defined processes throughout your business, a gap analysis can be produced. This is usually done as part of a first stage audit, assessing the conformance or non-conformance of every aspect of your QMS. The audit report produced at this stage will give clear guidance on what needs to be done prior to the certification audit.

At this point, the certification body will be looking for clear evidence that the QMS has been in use and is being managed properly.

Those larger businesses in the print sector may well be in a position to employ a quality manager or to appoint someone internally to manage their ISO QMS. Smaller operations are more likely to engage the services of an ISO consultant like myself to take them through the process. Either way, there are costs to introducing standards into your business. One way to guarantee the failure of your QMS is to under resource it.

While I have spoken largely about processes so far, significant attention is placed on management responsibility as a requirement of ISO 9001 certification. ‘Buy In’ from top management is critical to the success of your QMS. It is important to note here that implementing a Quality Management System does not have to mean unnecessary documentation and complexity. ISO does not require lengthy details of every task within processes. Nor does it require any additional processes. Remember, it’s about improving your business, not hamstringing it!

Print Sector Specific Standards While any business need look no

further than ISO 9001:2008 for a standard that will enhance their QMS, the ISO 12647-2:2013 standard has just been launched, replacing the 2004 version which preceded it. This standard specifies the parameters for processes such as colour separation, proof production, printing forme, print production, etc. Attaining certification to ISO 12647 will enhance your business, giving your customers increased confidence in your ability to consistently meet their requirements.

In addition, there are a number of standards which can be considered as part of your integrated QMS. n ISO 27001 – Information Security Management System. n ISO 31000 – Risk Management. n ISO 22301 – Business Continuity. n ISO 14000 – Environmental Management. n ISO 26000 – Social Responsibility.

Wherever I have seen these additional standards in place it has been done because of a requirement of the market, in some cases because of the demands of customers. You must remember to consider the requirements of your own business as well. For example, ISO 27001 ISMS can complement your work toward compliance with regulations on data protection etc.

Summary We are all looking for a way to get our marketing message across to our current, and prospective, customers, and to stand out from our competitors in a busy market place.

Being accredited with a recognised standard such as ISO 9001 will help us do that. For those of us who have been working with standards we will have an understanding of the benefits and how they provide added value to our business. For those who have little or no experience, it may well be worth your while looking into how ISO 9001 can enhance your business.

Phil Byrne of Mentor Consulting is an experienced independent consultant with extensive experience in the print sector, specialising in management control and ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.

You can contact him directly on 085 775 1452 or by visiting www. mentorconsulting.ie.

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