Irish Printer - February 2014

IRISH

PRINTER

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

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News Updates

Printers Ramp Up Wide Format Capabilities

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Inside Print 2014

Ireland’s First & Only Dedicated Print Industry Conference

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Recruitment

Digital & Packaging Lead The Way in 2014

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Business Matters

Are There Any Real Support Services for Printers?

• Social Media • Big Data • Mobile Apps

Is There A Place for Print

in the Digital World?

Contents | IRISH PRINTER

News » 4

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A round up of some of the latest news from the Irish print industry.

Cover Story» 12 Repositioning Print in a Digital World John Charnock, Director and Owner of Print Research International Ltd, and a former Group Technical Director of St Ives Plc, talks to Maev Martin about the prospects for print in 2014 and beyond.

INSIDE PRINT » 14 Inside Print – Ireland’s First & Only Dedicated Print Conference.

This half-day conference, organised by Irish Printer magazine, will take place on March 11th in the Crowne Plaza Dublin Northwood Hotel. Celtic Media Group, Google, the National Procurement Agency, and the Irish Printing Federation are among the organisations that will address the conference.

RECRUITMENT» 16 APB Recruitment Managing Director David Fitzsimons looks at the recent growth in demand for skilled print professionals in a number of industry sectors.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS» 18 From the creation of the custom job ticket, an integrated Management Information System gives print companies an automated production route to control and manage jobs right through to fulfillment. Irish Printer talks to two of the biggest players in this market about recent upgrades and installations.

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BUSINESS MATTERS» 21 Are There Any Real Support Services for Printers? - Phil Byrne of Mentor Consulting looks at some of the services available in the market to help SMEs in the printing industry achieve their business objectives.

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WIDE FORMAT» 24 •R icoh Announces Availability of Large Format Series • HP Expands Wall Décor Solutions Suite • Printers Get Hands On With Promotional Products • Canon is Wide Format Printer Line of the Year • Flatbed with White Added to Inca Onset Range • Epson Supports Sea Rescue Exhibition

WHAT’S NEW IN PRINT» 28 • • • •

ew UV Ink Series N Fujifilm Markets Future Proof Printer First UK Outing for Horizon Technology Mitsubishi Papers Approved by HP Indigo • ‘Natural’ Inks for Flexo & Screen Printers • Audion Increases Shrink Wrapper Productivity

PACKAGING» 32 Multiprint Labels is celebrating 50 years in business this year. Maev Martin looks at how they are pioneering some of the very latest substrate and press technologies.

TALKING TECHNICAL» 34 As the ‘green’ environmental movement gains momentum among businesses, consumers and governments, printing companies are implementing green strategies, including waterless printing, across their value chains.

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IRISH PRINTER | Editor’s Letter

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n 2009 Gerry Andrews, former director of the Print & Packaging Forum, had numerous meetings with the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance regarding the anomalies that exist in relation to the application of VAT on printing in Ireland. He pointed out that the Irish Exchequer was being deprived of significant revenues due to the systematic tax avoidance practices of VAT exempt organisations. Following Gerry’s representations, the Revenue Commissioners issued a document which set out the circumstances in which exempt organisations are to be charged VAT by a supplier and how they must account for VAT on goods or services procured by them. The document produced by the Revenue Commissioners was very detailed and unambiguous. It was believed that it would go a significant way towards clarifying the circumstances in which an exempt body must pay VAT and be a big help to Irish printing firms who are competing against foreign suppliers in Ireland. Unfortunately, this hasn’t proven to be the case in recent years.

A separate but related issue is that of the different VAT rates that are applied to different types of printed products in the North of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the UK. Items with varying rates applied include accounts books, albums, annual reports, booklets, books, brochures, calendars, business cards, catalogues, circulars, company reports and accounts, computer manuals, compliment slips, diaries, directories, envelopes, examination papers, folders, football programmes, forms, greeting cards, handbills, holiday and tourist guides, invitation cards, journals, leaflets, loose leaf books, magazines, mail order catalogues, manuals, maps, missal leaflets, newspapers, note books/pads, pamphlets, periodicals, postcards, posters, price lists, programmes, prospectuses, questionnaires, reply paid cards and envelopes, sports programmes, text books, timetables, trade catalogues, travel brochures, trade directories and wall charts. Apart from the obvious unfairness of diffferent VAT rates being applied to different types of printed materials in different but neighbouring jurisdictions, the Revenue Commissioner’s definition of what constitutes a book, for example, causes further confusion, as does the requirement to look at the use or purpose of the book to determine the appropriate rate of VAT. According to Tom Clements, Vice President of the Irish Printing Federation, the IPF are in the process of hiring a firm of accountants to advise them on a submission to the Revenue Commissioners on a number of issues relating to VAT on printing, including some of the issues that I’ve highlighted in this column. Hopefully, this will prove to be a vital first step on the road to achieving some sort of resolution to this complex issue. Our industry has been decimated by the ongoing recession, it is losing market share to continuing developments online, and many SMEs are struggling to secure funding to either stay afloat or grow their businesses. In such a tough environment it is vital that the Government moves to seriously address the VAT issue by removing any anomalies that exist and by striving to create a level playing field for Irish print companies.

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

The team Editor: Maev Martin Editorial Manager: Mary Connaughton

Advertising Sales Manager: Fiona Larmon Printed by: Walsh Colour Print

Art Director: Geraldine Dunne Design: Philip Moyna, Alan McArthur Advertising Designers: Jennifer Reid, Kevin O’Connor

This issue of Irish Printer is printed on LumiArt 130gsm paper supplied by PaperlinX Ireland.

Stock Photography & Illustrations: Thinkstock

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

Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Production: Nicole Ennis / Jennifer Reid

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

Cover Image: iStock/Thinkstock.com

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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

IRISH PRINTER | News

Printers Ramp Up Wide Format Capabilities B

ased in Glenrock Business Park in Ballybane, Co Galway, iSupply installed a second-hand HP60100 wide format printer in its new dedicated display and outdoor print facility in November 2013. Supplied by Reprocentre, the new press brings to 10 the number of wide format printing devices that they are now operating, including a HPZ6100, HPZ6200, a HP L25500 latex printer, the new Epson 70500, as well as an Epson 9800 and 9880, and an Agfa :Anapurna flatbed device.

“This is the biggest wide format printer that we have installed to date and it is a lot faster than our :Anapurna model so it has increased our wide format capacity significantly,” says Louis Donnellan. “We are moving a lot more into the wide format area and we have opened a new premises dedicated to display and outdoor print.

It is located across the road from our existing facility in a separate business park. We produce a lot of material for the fast food sector and we are getting queries about producing material for the European and local elections. We are now producing a lot of shop fitting type work such as wall displays and canvasses, as well as the roll-up and pull-up banners which we have been doing for a number of years. We have been doing trade work for years now in the litho/digital end but now we are open to a lot more trade work in the large format end. We have a dedicated account manager in place for this type of work and all requests are welcome.

Offset is at stagnation point, digital is growing slightly, but wide format is booming and I don’t see that abating.

A lot of companies, mainly signage companies, are producing wide format materials in this part of the country but there isn’t anyone in the west of Ireland with the capacity to produce wide format materials on the scale that we are producing it.”

Sooner Than Later also recently bought a second-hand HP60100 model from Reprocentre. “We will use it for printing directly onto rigid substrates or display boards, says Mark Finney.

“We were printing onto self adhesive vinyl with our Roland Pro4 device and

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iSupply’s recently installed second-hand HP60100 wide format printer.

then mounting onto boards. With this HP investment we are taking the labour intensive aspect out of the operation but we are still using the RolandPro4 device for posters. We have been producing quite a bit of large format display work over the last couple of years but we haven’t advertised it that much. We have been offering it as a trade service to both litho and digital printers and it has been very successful for us.”

Indoor and outdoor signage printer Cover Up has invested in two HP wide format machines in the past 12 months – the HP Scitex XP5100 which they bought new and the HP Scitex FB6100 which is a secondhand machine. “We purchased both models from Reprocentre – we installed the XP5100 in January 2013 and the FB6100 was installed towards the end of October,” says Anthony Byrne. “We have an FB700 which is slower than this model - the bed is only 2.5 metres wide but this is a three metre bed so it has really speeded up production.

We are producing dibond, corriboard and foamex materials on the new press, as well as roll-to-

roll with PVC material. We viewed the press in the company that operated it in the UK and we decided to invest.”

Is equipment finance still an issue?

“We went through HP Finance when we were buying the HP Scitex XP5100 so that really helped,” says Anthony. “We are thinking about buying a 3.2 metre die sublimation machine from a UK company and we are confident that we will get funding for that. We are finding that financial institutions are becoming more outgoing with their lending. We hope to have the dye sublimation press installed over the next two to three months. Our business was flying in 2013 and we have noticed a steady upturn in demand over the last couple of years.”

News | IRISH PRINTER

Reprocentre Standard Products Hosts Agfa Expands Services Open Day R

eprocentre Group is hosting an Agfa Apogee Open Day on February 26th for its existing Apogee customers to showcase the manufacturer’s latest software workflow offering. The company is also inviting users of competing workflows to the event, which will be held at Bewley’s Hotel, Newlands Cross, Naas Road, Dublin 22.

The main presentations will look at the Apogee workflow, including a sneak preview of Apogee 9, Apogee Impose, Web2Print/ Apogee Storefront and JDF. The breakout sessions will cover Apogee Impose, Preflighting and Colour Management, Versioning and Driving Digital Presses.

The day will begin with coffee and registration at 10am followed by presentations from 10.30am. Presentations and break-out sessions will run until 5pm with breaks for coffee and a buffet lunch. After the business programme, participants are welcome to join Reprocentre for an informal dinner at the hotel and special rates are available on accommodation if required.

To register, email Eoin Honan – eoin@ reprocentre.ie – or call 087 250 5765 or email Alan O’Brien – aob@reprocentre.ie.

Tel: 086 823 0770 or (01) 409 3100. The programme is free to attend.

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tandard Products is expanding its portfolio of services following the reestablishment of the company as part of the Business Print operation. This includes digital perfect binding on its newly acquired Duplo DB 280 and gloss/matt lamination with its Komfi 52 device.

The Standard Products operation has been well underway at Business Print since November. ‘”We incorporated the operation into a building next door to our facilities at Unit 3B in Ballymount Industrial Estate as the entire Standard Products operation moved from 60 Holly Avenue in Stillorgan Industrial Park following Liam Muldowney of Standard Products our purchase of the trading with the Komfi 52 laminator name and machinery out of liquidation last August,” says Managing Director Paul O’Rourke. “Liam Muldowney has been employed to ensure continuity of the same superb level of service that Standard Products customers have come to expect. It is Business Print’s intention to further increase Standard Products’ services to the print trade, which currently include digital perfect binding and gloss/ matt lamination, as well as wire binding, short run perfect binding, high speed tab cutting, Mylar laminated tabbing, high speed two and four hole punching, short run digital lamination (matt and gloss), short run calendars, drilling and round cornering.”

Flatbed First for Reprographic Systems C

o Armagh-based Reprographic Systems installed its first wide format flatbed printer in December – an Océ Arizona 480 XT – supplied by Canon UK and Ireland.

“We are confident that the market is growing for flatbed printing and we have found that demand in the packaging, interior design and sign and display markets is increasing,” says Paul Vaughan. “Last year we did a lot of interior decoration work for construction and shop fitting companies and the new Océ Arizona 480 XT handles that work so much more efficiently than we were in a position to do previously. We have taken on an extra 4,500 square feet of premises to accommodate the Océ machine.

Graphic reproduction for flexo printing remains our core business and accounts for 90% of our output but we moved into the wide format space a couple of years ago and we are planning to grow that business. Our flexo business is growing steadily too and we are continuing to invest in it. We have a good research and development plan in place for the flexo market in conjunction with our Dublin operation. What we are doing with the digital printing side is to capitalise on what we have already invested in, for example, our Kongsberg finishing kit which allows us to cut material to shape for customers that request sample packaging. We also operate an Epson 90800 device which is used mainly for high end proofing.”

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Win Free Tickets to RIAC National Classic Car Show

Owner: Jim O’Sullivan for 20 years. The Sport Prinz body shape was originally designed for NSU by the design company Bertone.

The early cars were built by Bertone around the Prinz 2 engine and running gear. Later cars featured Prinz 4 equipment and were made by NSU. This car is a later model - 1968 - and has a 598cc twin cylinder Prinz 4 engine and gearbox unit. Extensive rebuilding of the car took place in recent years including painting. The seats were remade in leather.

Supplied by Frank Cavey & Sons of Camden Street, Dublin, who were Jaguar Agents and Assemblers since 1937, to a jeweller in August 1946. The car was lovingly restored in the 1990s by a longstanding member of the Irish Jaguar and Daimler Club when the original Gun Metal Grey colour was changed to a more attractive maroon over black two tone scheme to better show off its very attractive styling.

This very attractive TR3 was assembled in early 1956 at StandTriumph (Eire) Ltd’s assembly plant at Cashel Road, Dublin, from a CKD kit supplied from Coventry. It is an excellent example of a very original, all numbers matching TR3 and will be displayed on the TR Register’s stand at the 2014 RIAC National Classic Car Show.

1930 Vauxhall T80 Coupe - Produced from 1930 to 1932. Only 1,796 Vauxhall T80 Coupes were manufactured, only a handful survive and even fewer of those have the Golfers Coupe Coachwork that is fitted to this example. The T80 featured a 3.3 litre engine - the ‘80’ refers to the bore size.

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he Royal Irish Automobile Club recently announced that the prestigious RIAC National Classic Car Show, which is supported by AXA insurance, will return to the Simmonscourt Hall at the Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds in Dublin on March 1st and 2nd 2014. And Irish Printer will provide ten pairs of tickets (20 in total) to the first 10 readers to email Maev Martin at maeve.martin@ashvillemediagroup.com with the words ‘I would like to visit the RIAC National Classic Car Show’. The tickets will entitle the lucky readers to attend on their day of choice and enjoy the atmosphere at the show.

The inaugural show last February saw huge numbers attend the RDS to see the finest collection of classic, veteran and vintage cars ever gathered together in Ireland. Vehicles on display included some of the rarest examples of their marque

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and exit polls showed one of the highest satisfaction ratings ever recorded at an event in the RDS. This prompted the RIAC to proceed with an all new show in 2014 and thereafter every two years. The RIAC have indicated that the show will be much bigger in 2014 and have taken over the whole of the RDS Simmonscourt to accommodate the increase in space requirements. Anyone visiting this year’s show can expect a completely new selection of vehicles on display in March. The space allocated to clubs has been doubled and as a result no less than 36 clubs will be featured, up from the 18 clubs at the 2013 show. As a result visitors, whether an avid collector or someone looking for information on how to get started, will have the best opportunity to meet with enthusiasts from all over the country to share their passion or ask for help.

News | IRISH PRINTER

Heidelberg Offers Printers 2020 Vision H

eidelberg will hold its Spring open house on March 27th and 28th at its national showroom in Brentford in London. The manufacturer says that the event, which is titled ‘2020 Vision’, aims to bring ‘greater clarity’ to some ‘contentious issues’ and will look at the outlook for the industry as print competes in a multi-media environment.

“The timing of the 2020 Vision Open House during Ipex (March 24th to 29th at the ExCel Centre in London) will enable visitors to attend both events and maximise their visit to London,” says Heidelberg UK Managing Director Gerard Heanue. “Heidelberg’s landmark event at our national showroom in March will provide a forum where UK printers Heidelberg UK Managing Director Gerard Heanue in the can look at some of the challenges and finishing area of Heidelberg’s Brentford showroom. opportunities they will face as we head towards the next decade. The economy is improving but competition from alternative media is evolving of seminars to add value to the visit. Heidelberg will outline so what will printing look like by 2020? Will it retain the its take on LE-UV, as well as developments in its Prinect same shape and structure? How can printers make choices workflow portfolio, and there will be a spotlight on the that improve efficiency and appeal to ensure they are part of power of Polar PACE automation. A full list of machines that future? Printers can find out at the 2020 Vision event at and more information on the demonstration and seminar Heidelberg UK.” agenda will be revealed in the next few weeks.

2020 Vision opening times are 10am to 5pm on March Other companies involved in open days include Two Sides, 27th and 9am to 4pm on March 28th. Visitors should register HHS, IST, Morgana, Sappi, technotrans, Gallus, Tharstern, with Nicky Higgins by calling 00 44 20 8490 6030 or they Santander, Print Financial Services, and Winters. In addition can e-mail nicky.higgins@heidelberg.com. to demonstrations and exhibits, there will also be a series

Consultants Forecast Continued Decline in Print Advertising P

rint advertising will continue to decline as clients follow the audience to digital media products. That’s according to forecasts by consultancy firm Accenture and media buyers GroupM. However, both companies expect that the Irish advertising market will emerge from recession in 2014 and grow for the first time in five years.

Accenture Media Management Ireland predicts three per cent growth overall in the market this year, while GroupM, the umbrella group for WPP media agencies, including Maxus, Mindshare, MediaCom and MEC, expects a more modest one per cent increase in business. Accenture places the decline in the market last year at one

per cent, which itself is a substantial improvement on the six per cent drop the previous year. Out-of-home advertising, which had a poor 2012, was the only medium apart from digital to show growth last year. The fastestgrowing medium this year will once more be digital. Accenture is slightly more bullish than GroupM, forecasting growth rates of up to 15%, with mobile the clear growth platform.

Despite expected improvements in property and motor advertising, print advertising revenues will decline by seven per cent, according to Accenture.

The firm points out that no medium has felt the impact of digital as deeply as print and says that both suppliers

of print inventory and advertisers need to move faster to take advantage of increased mobile penetration.

GroupM says that digital will grow by 10% this year, giving it a 21% share of the overall market, or revenues of about a153m. It also says that print advertising spending will continue to retreat despite the fact that most of the main titles now offer combined print and online deals to advertisers. While Ireland’s expected advertising growth is close to the two per cent predicted by GroupM for Western Europe, and ahead of forecasts for Germany, Spain and France, it lags the six per cent increase forecast for the UK market, where digital now commands almost 50% of the total market.

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Plastic or Paper Banknotes?

What Does the British Public Think?

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or the past three years the Bank of England has been conducting a research project looking at the materials on which banknotes are printed. In particular, the Bank has reviewed the relative merits of printing banknotes on polymer rather than on the cotton paper that they are currently printed on. The Two Sides initiative commissioned a quick survey, conducted by independent research company Toluna, surveying 1,000 UK consumers on their attitude towards the proposed switch from paper bank notes to polymer bank notes.

Two Sides asked the following question: ‘The Bank of England is proposing to replace paper banknotes with plastic banknotes. Do you support this change?’ The key results of the survey were that consumers are overall supportive of the change but women are less willing to change, with 51% saying no or being undecided. The younger age group, 18 to 34, is less willing to change, with 58% saying no or being undecided. The survey raises interesting questions which Two Sides recommends are considered during the Bank of England’s period of public consultation.

Does the apparent reduced support from younger generations for the change indicate an increased awareness of the sustainability of paper and concerns over the use of plastic or synthetic materials?

Do practical arguments outweigh environmental considerations for an older generation? Are woman more

conservative about change or do they, for some reason, have an affinity for paper, a natural and renewable material, over plastic or synthetic materials?

• Out of the 1,000 respondents that were surveyed, 60% were female and 40% male. Consumers were spread across the UK. Out of the 1,000 consumers surveyed, 29% were in the age group 18 to 34, 42% in the age group 35 to 54 and 29% in the age group 55+.

Other results from the Two Sides survey are as follows: • Out of the 40% of male respondents, 64% support the change to polymer.

21% do not support the switch and 15% of males do not have a preference.

•O ut of the 60% of female respondents, 49% support the change to polymer, 32% do not support the switch and 19% of females do not have a preference.

•O lder age groups are more willing to accept the change from paper to polymer banknotes.

•O ut of the 55+ age range, 69% of respondents support the change, 16% do not and 16% do not have a preference.

World Print Summit S

peakers for the World Print Summit that will take place at Ipex 2014 include Clive Humby, Chairman and Founder, dunnhumby; Richard Watson, Author of ‘What’s Next’; Barry Hibbert, Chief Executive, Polestar; Ellis Watson, CEO, DC Thomson; Benny Landa, CEO, Landa Corporation; Patrick Martell, Chief Executive, St Ives; Simon Biltcliffe, Managing Director, Webmart; Frank Romano, Researcher and Author; Rory Sutherland, Executive Creative Director and Vice-Chairman, OgilvyOne London and Amanda Lovelock, Honda Print Management, Honda. Ipex 2014 will include Future Innovations zones that showcase examples of printed products and technologies that are set for rapid expansion over the next few years – photo products, digital

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print on packaging, 3D printing and printable electronics have been earmarked. Consultancy group Printfuture will run a series of master classes at Ipex 2014 for SME printers.

The interactive sessions have been designed to provide participants with at least three proven practical actions that will make a positive difference to their business. A daily Ask the Expert lunchtime panel debate will explore a range of topics including colour management, the environment, business management, workflow, web to print, selling ‘new’ print, market intelligence, finance and wide format (covering how to plan for wide format implementation and where to make money in the wide format market). To attend the free master classes pre-register at www.ipex.org.

News | IRISH PRINTER

Digital Printing Meets Craft Bookmaking U

K-based Hurtwood Press’ Artisan Books service combines digital printing with craft bookmaking techniques. The new service has been established to provide creatives, artists, architects and corporates with “affordable high-end” books, utilising the B2-format (75cm) HP Indigo 10000 digital press.

Artisan Books was founded by Francis Atterbury, partner in book printing consultancy, Hurtwood Press, who uses HP Indigo technology almost exclusively to produce the fine art, photography and other bespoke books supplied by Hurtwood Press.

The company launched itself on the market with its first customers’ books complete and with the orders for these first publications already exceeding Artisan Books’ annual target.

“I wanted to start a business that would offer traditional, high-quality book production, complete with cloth covers and hand-bound pages, but I wanted to offer these books in the larger-size formats that are favoured by the creative industry,” says Francis Atterbury. “I also wanted them to benefit from the same bespoke consultancy and production typical of Hurtwood Press and all at an affordable price. For years now, I have favoured HP Indigo digital printing technology due to its ability to deliver consistently high quality print and cost-effective short-runs and so, to start this business, I needed HP Indigo to develop a press that could print on B2 size sheets. Once I heard about HP Indigo 10000 digital press, I knew that it would be the solution with which I could launch Artisan Books.”

Although Artisan Books can be produced to order, Atterbury decided to create three standard book sizes large: 330mm x 330mm, photographers’ landscape: 230mm x 340mm and standard: 235mm x 210mm. Keen to get started, Francis Atterbury worked closely with HP Indigo 10000 beta customers to ensure that the B2 sheets would print these standard sizes

efficiently, and that the system’s print quality met his high standards. He soon confirmed that the B2 sheet size enabled high productivity when printing books of these sizes and that the quality achievable was every bit as good as previous HP Indigo press models.

Prior to the launch of Artisan Books, renowned contemporary painter, Humphrey Ocean, and one of the biggest names in British photography, John Swannell, approached Atterbury to produce high-end books that would collate their work in a unique and visually impressive way.

Despite the challenges the book printing industry faces as a result of alternative digital media, Francis Atterbury is in no doubt that now is

a good time to be making books. “In the same way that radio survived the development of television, books will remain in demand for the foreseeable future,” he says. “HP’s latest innovations in digital printing are helping the publishing market to adapt, create new revenue, or even entire business opportunities and stay profitable, continuing the development of this important industry.”

The books are printed on Mohawk Superfine paper using HP Indigo digital presses, with hand-binding, custom foil blocking and a choice of nine cloth colours.

The key production partners are Precision Printing in Barking and J Muir Bookbinders in London.

Smurfit Kappa CEO is New CEPI Chairman

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murfit Kappa CEO Gary McGann has been appointed Chairman of The Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi). Cepi is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation representing the European pulp and paper industry. As Cepi CEO Gary McGann succeeds Jussi Pessonen, the CEO of UPM. The role of Chairman has a term of two years, during which time the Chairman is responsible for representing the European pulp and paper industry at an EU and international level.

Gary McGann has been a member of the CEPI Board since 2010.

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Direct Mail is Essential Part of Marketing Mix esearch into consumers’ attitudes to brands’ printed marketing reveals that 79% of consumers act on direct mail immediately, demonstrating the continuing power of print. Supporting that finding was a 10% greater percentage who visited a brand’s website in response to direct mail than responded to an email.

Similarly, nearly half those surveyed said they had retained printed items, with 17% saying they did so regularly.

The findings were part of ‘From Letterbox to Inbox 2013’, an attitudinal print tracking study of 1,232 UK adults conducted by the UK’s Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and fast.

MAP, and sponsored by HP. According to the findings, consumers regard direct mail and other printed communications as being essential to their overall experience of brands of which they’re customers or in which they’re interested. Respondents also highlighted the essential role direct mail plays within their lives as consumers, with 56% saying they found printed marketing to be the ‘most trustworthy’ of media channels.

In other findings, 90% say that they ‘could not imagine living without a letterbox’, compared to 94% who said they could not live without home internet access and 86% who could not live without a mobile. One in five (20%) believe that printed communications will never be replaced entirely by digital, compared to just one in 10 (nine per cent) of people aged 55 or older.

iStock/Thinkstock.com

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“There are numerous channels by which a brand can communicate its message, but demonstrating to marketers how print plays a critical role within this, has always been a challenge,” says Julia Cole, UK & Ireland Marketing Manager, HP. “HP regularly supports local marketing industry associations, and contributes to events and other projects and initiatives in order to communicate the profit-enhancing and creative benefits of digital printing to marketing professionals. Increasing awareness of the advantages of digital printing for marketing collateral starts the dialogue between the brands and HP’s customers and ultimately helps

print service providers (PSPs) win new business. Working with associations like the IDM, DMA and the BPIF, provides HP with the opportunity to address marketing professionals directly and discuss the benefits of digital printing technology. This is not just in terms of special printing effects, personalisation and high-quality colour reproduction, but also with respect to quicker response times, meeting short deadlines and adding value to a campaign in a way that is unique to the printed product. Communicating this message to brands and marketers is very important to the industry as a whole, and this is why HP continues to support these initiatives.”

Ricoh Confirms InPrint Show Sponsorship R

icoh confirmed in December its participation at InPrint (April 8th to 10th, Hannover, Germany) as a founding and headline sponsor.

InPrint, the tradeshow for print technlogy for industrial manufacturing, now boasts sponsorship from brands within the field of industrial print technology including: Agfa, Canon, Caldera, Hymmen, Kiian, Lumejet, Mimaki, Neschen, Ricoh, Stratasys, Thieme, Xaar and Xennia. “Having as many as 12 headline sponsors of the highest calibre indicates that demand for industrial print technology is increasing and that

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InPrint is the place to connect with new technology that will drive new business,” says Marcus Timson, Co-Director, InPrint.

“InPrint will feature companies from speciality, screen, digital, inkjet and 3D printing.” ESMA (European Speciality Print and Manufacturers Association) and IMI, Europe’s leading inkjet technology conference organiser, will collaborate to create a functional and decorative industrial print conference programme at InPrint 2014. The two-day conference will run from April 8th to 9th and will focus on ‘smart’ screen printing and digital inkjet within the industrial print production sector.

heievents.co.uk

The Heidelberg 20/20 Open House on 27th & 28th March 2014 promises to be our biggest and most impressive ever. Featuring our latest products together with presentations from our business partners and some superb German catering, it's an event you won't want to miss. So make it a date.

It'll focus your mind on your business.

Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Ltd • 69–76 High Street • Brentford • Middx TW8 OAA Tel: 0844 892 2010 • Fax: 020 8490 3589 • www.uk.heidelberg.com

IRISH PRINTER | Cover Story

Repositioning Print in a Digital World John Charnock, Director and Owner of Print Research International Ltd, and a former Group Technical Director of St Ives Plc, talks to Maev Martin about the prospects for print in 2014 and beyond.

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: In your opinion, what were the big trends in the print industry, or in other industries that impact on print, that made their presence felt in 2013?

A: Data and the use of data for driving communications. The data explosion that brands are having to deal with today has its challenges and opportunities.

Printers can help their customers to utilise the information that this data provides. Printed electronics are coming of age and can be integrated into traditional printed products. Social networks have moved from being an exceptional item in company budgets into the mainstream marketing budget.

This means that companies’ priorities will be based on true ROI rather than a knee-jerk reaction. I don’t believe that print should be apprehensive about this as print has a good story to tell and offers a reliable and predictable ROI.

Q

: Where do you think the business opportunities for printers will come from in 2014 and why?

A: Company confidence is returning and printers do have an opportunity to engage with their customers to take advantage of the consolidation that has happened in the industry. The printing industry is changing and the companies that are prepared to adapt will be able to take most advantage of that by understanding how the printed product fits within the greater communication mix. There are still many opportunities out there, from newspapers and community communication to oneto-one digital products. Brands need to engage with communities, be they online or offline, so understanding how you can help them do this is critical.

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Printers will have two basic choices be the best, fastest and cheapest at producing specific products for specific markets or they can understand the value proposition of their products and, by engaging at a more strategic level with their customer, develop solutions that add additional value and help their customer deliver more effective communication.

Q

: What are the biggest threats to growth that printers are likely to face in 2014?

A: Although there are some green shoots of recovery we still have to recognise that the volumes that we once enjoyed will never return, and neither will the appetite for lending on expensive capital equipment. Printers have to be much more strategic, with better planning, and decisions will need to be based on research and business intelligence.

Historically we have bought equipment

John Charnock

and made business decisions based on ‘hunch and feeling’ but we could only do this because margins were higher. In the future, business decisions will have to be much better analysed and considered - there will not be enough margin to absorb expensive mistakes.

There is a great debate about whether 3D printing is relevant to printers. Images courtesy of Mcor Technologies.

Cover Story | IRISH PRINTER

Q

: What’s the one thing that the industry should do more of, or do better, in 2014?

A: It still amazes me that printers can tell me about machine utilisation, running speeds, make-ready times and every aspect of machinery performance.

However, they are often unable to report on the people within their business, and are even less able to talk about their customers and their customers’ future plans. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and understanding every interaction that your business has with your customer is a requirement in every other industry sector and it is essential in printing too. I believe we need to invest more in customer systems than we do in machine systems.

Q

: What does the industry need to do differently in 2014?

Q

: What was your highlight of 2013?

A: Bring on new talent. If you look at any printing event or meeting we are all middle aged and male! And yet most marketeers are the opposite - under 35 and female. We need to encourage more youngsters (male and female) to come into the industry and we need to invest in them. I have had the honour of mentoring a number of post graduate students over the last three years and have been incredibly impressed with their ability. We need to give them opportunities to be involved in our businesses.

A: Mentoring the students, of course, working with Enterprise Ireland and Skillnet, and developing some world class businesses over here in Ireland.

And, finally, developing some printed electronic products that demonstrate really ground breaking technology. 2013 was a tough year with most businesses in survival mode - I hope that 2014 is more of an invest and develop year.

Q

: What are your hopes for 2014?

A: I’m hoping that confidence returns and that printers recognise the benefit of running their businesses professionally and with a strategy for growth. I’m also hoping that Ipex 2014 in London will be a success so that the UK and Ireland maintains its international reputation within the graphic arts industry.

Q

: What are the big technological trends that are likely to change the face of printing in 2014 and beyond?

A: Inkjet is certainly becoming the future of digital technology - be that large format, industrial applications, publications or commercial printing. I believe that some new players will enter that market as well. I think that finishing, especially for digital, will develop to catch up with the digital presses. I see many of the digital finishing companies like Duplo, Horizon and Hunkeler developing very sophisticated new products. 3D printing, printed electronics, and industrial applications will give some printers opportunities to diversify their product offering beyond the traditional graphic arts market. It may be possible to offer brands that manufacture products the opportunity to integrate that product into the printer’s own manufacturing facilities.

Q

: Will 2014 be the year when 3D printing moves into the commercial print space?

A: There is a great debate about whether 3D printing is relevant to printers. I have worked with a couple of 3D companies.

3D printing will not be for everyone and we all need to be cautious about the hype surrounding this technology.

However, I do believe that some printing companies are in effect a bureaux that shares high capital cost equipment between a customer base and there are some parallels between the way that printers invest in high cost equipment, receive files, preflight them, schedule production, batch items, produce the product and ship out the product, all in a very short period of time. These are skills that are unique to our industry and they are the skills that are needed when offering 3D printing as a bureaux service.

I know that some service providers in big cities are seriously considering it as an opportunity. However, there are many other businesses in the engineering and rapid prototyping sector who are also considering this. Note: I do not mean the little domestic a1000 devices. I think this is only appropriate for the high capital cost industrial devices like Objet and Stratasys.

John Charnock will be addressing a Design, Print & Packaging Skillnet event in February on the subject of ‘What Printers Should be Thinking About in 2014’.

The event, which is organised in conjunction with the Irish Printing Federation, will take place in The Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club in Dublin and will be the first in a series of Skillnet/IPF breakfast briefings during the year which will cover topics such as employment law, finance, sales and marketing and customer service. Print Research International’s customers include HP, Landa, Kodak, FFEI, Color Logic, and Label Traxx, as well as printers and service providers across many market segments. John Charnock sits on a number of advisory panels, including The Digital Ad Lab, the IPEX 360 Advisory Group, the Stationers Digital Media Group, and he is a convenor of working group 12 for ISO TC130. He is also a regular speaker at events like Fespa, DSCOOP, and Ipex World summit, and he is involved in the market development of 3D printing and printed electronics.

13

IRISH PRINTER | Print Conference

Inside Print – Ireland’s First & Only Dedicated Print Conference Inside Print 2014 is the industry’s first and only conference to address the key issues affecting the Irish printing sector.

T

he half-day event, which will take place on March 11th in the Crowne Plaza Dublin Northwood Hotel, will be attended by business owners, print managers and sales managers from all sectors of the industry. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from a range of industry and non-industry experts from organisations including Celtic Media Group, Google, the National Procurement Agency, and the Irish Printing Federation.

The conference is the ideal platform for the industry’s key decision makers and print managers to debate some of the major challenges facing the sector, including the impact of global trends on the Irish market, generating new business, effective marketing strategies, competing for public contracts, new technology trends, and the ongoing difficulties presented by different VAT rates in the print sector. Participants will come away with new and innovative ways of working which will help them to grow their business and respond effectively to a constantly evolving communications market.

newspapers, including four non-group).

•C hanging the focus from mainly publishing to securing a greater market share in printing.

• The challenge to develop a strategy for customer intimacy rather than commodity selling.

•B uilding a brand in local newspapers that will grow into a sustainable digital publishing model.

Sector Overview – Tom Clements, Vice-President, Irish Printing Federation

Online Marketing Speaker: Stephen Murphy, Senior Account Manager, Performance Markets, Google

•G lobal trends in the printing industry and their impact at national level.

• The future prospects for the Irish printing industry.

• Dealing with overcapacity.

• Finding opportunities for growth in new sectors.

Case Study – Celtic Media Group Speaker: Frank Mulrennan, Chief Executive Officer, Celtic Media Group •S truggling to survive under legacy debts and a treacherous economy (2007-2011).

• The perils of leading a management buy-out in June 2012.

• Building a new revenue stream (centralised pre-press for 10 local

14

The Importance of Developing Management Capacity and Investing in Learning Speaker: Dr. Lorcán Ó hÓbáin, Senior Programme Manager, ManagementWorks (an initiative of Skillnets Ltd) •M anagement matters! There is a strong positive link between better management practice and improved business performance.

• If managers do not assess their level of management capability, then why do they assume it is good and cannot be improved?

• Practical steps to take.

• Analysing the digital landscape in Ireland – how is it changing?

• Search trends for the printing industry in Ireland – what you need to be aware of. How do you come out on top?

• Engaging with the connected consumer.

• Is your website mobile and tablet friendly?

• 5 actionable take-aways to improve your digital presence.

Public Procurement and the VAT Issue – Not Going Away?

Speaker – The National Procurement Agency •C ompeting for public contracts and how printing firms can access opportunities in the market.

•W hat are the key procurement rules and legislation that impact most on the operation and activities of those responsible for public procurement?

• The tendering process – what are you doing wrong? The most common problems encountered by printing firms and practices to be avoided.

• Are abnormally low tenders an issue in printing?

• The VAT issue in the print sector.

• Circular 10/10 – good news for the industry?

Technology Speaker – Dan Wilson, Pressroom Colour •N ew Technology Trends - Overview - Publishing - Offset - Digital - Wide Format - Flexo • Workflows in a Digital World • Colour Control in the Analogue/ Digital World.

• Have ISO Standards Kept Up With Change?

• Web-2-Print – Is it Real World?

• Sales & Account Executive Training for the ‘Digital World’.

Panel Discussion Topics to include: • Becoming a Market Services Provider – where are the opportunities for printing companies and what sort of

Print Conferencel | IRISH PRINTER

investment is needed?

• Adding a Large Format Revenue Stream – how do you decide which technology to use? Will it bring you new business?

• Building a Sustainable Business – how do you make a print business sustainable? What are the business benefits of sustainability?

• Optimising Production – laying the groundwork and analysing the impact.

How do you continue to improve?

Please Note: Conference Content is Subject to Change.

About the Speakers Frank Mulrennan, Chief Executive Officer, Celtic Media Group Frank Mulrennan is Chief Executive Officer of Celtic Media Group, one of the leading regional newspaper publishing and printing companies, employing 125 people across five centres in the midlands and northeast. Frank led a management buyout of the company during the summer of 2012 and the team is now working to reposition CMG as a key player in the printing and pre-press service provision industry and in terms of enhanced digital publishing platforms.

He is a former Business Editor with the Irish Independent and Editor of Farming Independent. He began his media career with RTE Radio, having qualified from UCD in 1982 with an honours degree in Agricultural Economics. He was awarded an M.Sc. in Management Practice from TCD/Irish Management Institute in 2004.

Frank has just concluded a four-year term on the inaugural Press Council of Ireland.

Stephen Murphy, Senior Account Manager, Performance Markets, Google Originally from Carlow, Stephen studied at Dublin Institute of Technology, graduating in 2003 with a degree in Printing Management. After graduating he worked as an Account Manager with Future Print in Baldoyle Industrial Estate before joining Google in 2006 where he currently advises a number of UK and Irish advertisers on their online marketing strategy.

Tom Clements, Vice-President of the Irish Printing Federation Tom Clements is Managing Director of RPD Ltd, a small printing company which specialises in providing fund raising products for not-for-profits. The company was founded in the 1960s by Tom’s

Frank Mulrennan, Chief Executive Officer, Celtic Media Group

Stephen Murphy, Senior Account Manager, Performance Markets, Google

Dr Lorcán Ó hÓbáin, Senior Programme Manager, ManagementWorks

Dan Wilson, Pressroom Colour

parents and currently employs 18 staff.

Tom has a degree in Communications Studies from Dublin City University and he is currently studying for a Masters in Professional Print and Design Management in Dublin Institute of Technology. He is on the Board of Directors of the Lord’s Taverners Ireland, a charity which helps support groups working with children with special needs. Tom is Vice-President of the Irish Printing Federation.

Dr Lorcán Ó hÓbáin Dr Lorcán Ó hÓbáin is Senior Programme Manager with ManagementWorks, an initiative of Skillnets Ltd, which provides training and mentoring services for Irish SMEs. The programmes work with the owners and senior managers of businesses to develop their managerial capability as an aid to improving business performance. Over the past 25 years in business, Lorcan has been CEO of a number of manufacturing print businesses and, over the last 12 years, he

has worked with a wide range of SMEs in the area of management development and learning. He completed his PhD in DCU Business School, examining how small firms can develop their capabilities.

Dan Wilson Dan Wilson’s company, Pressroom Colour, is Ireland’s dealer for GMG products and many other products focused on high quality colour printing. As well as being Chair of the Irish ISO TC130 Committee, which looks after all print industry standards, Dan is a qualified PSA (Print Standards Audit) Consultant, G7 Print Process Control Expert, UGRA PSO (Process Standard Offset) Expert Consultant, and FTA Flexo Colour Implementation Specialist.

Pressroom Colour helps companies comply with the most profitable best practices found in ISO standards.

To book a place at Inside Print 2014, email: denise.maguire@ashville.com or Tel: 01 432 2238.

15

IRISH PRINTER | Recruitment

Digital & Packaging Lead the Way in 2014 APB Recruitment, incorporating the Print Recruitment and Travel Recruitment agencies, was founded in 1988. Managing Director David Fitzsimons talks to maev martin about the recent growth in demand for skilled print professionals in a number of industry sectors.

Q

: Based on your experience as a recruitment specialist for the print industry, what sectors of the business are experiencing a return to growth?

A: The years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 have been virtually dead in the printing industry and it is only in the last six months that things have started to wake up again. We have seen some return to growth across the board within the industry but the digital printing and pharmaceutical packaging areas seem to be gaining more ground than other areas. If this continues, the printing industry might return to something resembling normality.

Q

: What positions in the print industry is APB currently recruiting people for?

A: APB recruit across the board within the Irish print and packaging industry, including graphic design, prepress, printers, customer service roles, sales executives, account managers and senior management roles. A total of 493 print companies are registered with the APB and they range from commercial printers and packaging firms to print brokers, digital printers, label printers, and design houses and even some advertising agencies.

successful business growth and not just part of an effort to prop up a failing business. In addition, we have seen a growing demand for print account managers, customer service executives, and artworkers for pharmaceutical packaging. Artworkers and customer service people are most in demand in the pharmaceutical packaging sector and, on the digital print side, the predominant demand would be for customer service roles. If someone advertises for a customer service executive they invariably get lots of applications from people with irrelevant experience so they are looking for someone with experience in their specific sector and that is why they come to APB. In addition, we have openings for a general manager/ business development manager with a multinational print and display firm. We are also seeking a production manager for a sign and label manufacturing firm, a

variable data operator for a reprographics firm and an experienced print finisher for a Galway-based commercial printing firm, to mention but a few.

Digital printing is still an evolving area and something that has been a feature of the market in recent times is the employer who isn’t just looking for a general digital printer but for a printer who has experience operating their particular brand of press. That can make recruitment even harder. But it is driven by employers not wanting to have any downtime whatsoever while they train in a new digital printer on a specific manufacturer’s machine. They want someone who will slot right in immediately. In the past, if an employer was looking for a litho printer they didn’t necessarily have to have experience on their particular machine but employers’ requirements are becoming more and more specific as the technology evolves.

Q

: What type of print professionals are most in demand at the moment?

A: There has always been a strong demand for print sales executives and this has been one area of constant demand through the recession years.

However, the well-established print sales people have been reluctant to move unless the prospective employer could show that their needs were a result of

16

There is a market for skills that can produce bespoke print for mailing and it is something new that has been made possible with digital technology.

Recruitmentl | IRISH PRINTER

Q

: What are the roles within the print industry that you are experiencing least demand for and that you believe may become obsolete?

A: Over the past four to five years, we have registered hundreds of lithographic printers with little or no opportunities for them. The small offset printing sector is being challenged by the ever growing and developing digital print sector.

Unfortunately, it is most likely that the majority of litho printers who have lost their jobs during the recession will not return to the printing industry.

Q

: Has the significant and continuous decline of litho printing in recent years created new opportunities for print businesses and consequently a requirement for a new skillset?

A: Technology will continue to affect the printing industry in many ways and any print firm that does not have a vision for the future will find themselves left out in the cold. Many companies offering the traditional range of printing services are now looking to add on extra services such as web design, digital signage, personalised mailing and fulfilment services. For instance, I’ve had one particular company telling me that they are adding to their range of services. They are no longer just offering print, they are offering clients a web design service and they are recruiting graphic designers who would have designed for print but who can also design for the internet so that is a trend that is growing and it will continue to grow. There is a market for skills that can produce bespoke print for mailing and it is something new that has been made possible with digital technology.

Q

: What advice would you give to print professionals who are looking to enhance their prospects of promotion or of securing a new position within the industry?

A: Further training will always prove to be an added benefit and, in particular, keeping up with the latest technology within the printing industry has to be a no brainer.

Q

: What do you believe are the most important attributes for a print manager in a modern print environment?

A: The modern print manager should be sharply focused on providing a high quality service at a competitive price

A feature of the market in recent times is the employer who isn’t just looking for a general digital printer but for a printer who has experience operating their particular brand of press.

many companies are now looking to add on extra services such as web design, digital signage, personalised mailing and fulfilment services. They are recruiting graphic designers who would have designed for print but who can also design for the internet

within stated deadlines. It’s all about teamwork so everybody involved should have the same vision and dedication. : Based on feedback that you get from employers, what are the attributes in an employee that are most valued within the print industry?

A: The right experience for the job, a proven track record with good employer references, and a flexible approach with the right attitude.

but technology will move forward regardless so the message has to be ‘Get with the Programme!’ When we started in 1988 there would have been a requirement for darkroom technicians, planners to plan out print jobs and platemakers but all of those trades are gone, along with typesetters and compositors, and at some stage in the future we are going to see lots of the current trades gone from the scene but I’d be reluctant to predict which ones! Technology knows no bounds and it will roll on regardless.

Q

Q

Q

: Do you believe that the print industry in Ireland is responding well to the technological changes that continue to impact on print globally?

A: Some have and some have not

: Are you optimistic about the prospects for growth in the print industry in 2014?

A: Yes, I am optimistic for the future and if current trends continue then we will see further growth in 2014 – please God!

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IRISH PRINTER | Management Information Systems

Streamline production & cut costs From the creation of the custom job ticket, an integrated Management Information System gives print companies an automated production route to control and manage jobs right through to fulfilment. Irish Printer talks to two of the biggest players in this market about recent upgrades and installations.

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harstern’s Primo MIS provides printers with the tools to control and manage jobs electronically throughout the entire workflow and allows print companies to compare estimated costs against actual costs. Features include proof tracking, automatic capture of production extras, a despatch system, and invoice production. The incorporation of JDF enhances and automates the production process even further by enabling Primo to integrate directly with a printer’s production workflow, providing real time feedback and instant tracking of jobs. Primo can also be used to gang multiple jobs on one or many larger format sheets. Typically low value jobs, for example, digital web2print, can be ganged together or mixed with existing jobs, making use of spare printing capacity. Filters based on due date, artwork availability, substrate, colours, post press requirements and similar quantities can be used to identify these gang ‘candidates’.

New Features for 2014 According to Lee Ward, Sales Manager with Tharstern, the software provider is adding some new pieces of functionality to its MIS product this year. “The first is CAD integration - printers doing packaging work using CAD drawings in a product such as Esko can now transfer that information into our MIS system,” he says. “Also, we will be adding a number of new features to our CRM module - one of the first releases is a facility to get more information and file more information on the customer. This will help our print customers to record more data for marketing purposes. In addition, we are extending our web services module and we are looking to introduce a proof of delivery system. Primo Live,

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Tharstern’s Primo MIS allows print companies to compare actual sales, profits, and other aspects of a business’s financial performance against targeted performance

an iPad app for print company staff, particularly sales staff who are in the field, is being launched this year. Primo Live gives your sales team the edge by providing mobile CRM tools that are fully integrated with your on-premises MIS. The key benefits of this app for sales personnel include the ability to manage tasks and to-do lists with CRM tools while they are on the move and the facility to pinpoint customers and prospects around locations to maximise the business opportunity. It also gives sales representatives the ability to view real-time management information to allow them to make business decisions without being tied to a desk.”

Lee says that Tharstern installed a number of systems in Ireland last year and there are a few planned for 2014. “In my experience the main reason that print companies are installing MIS systems is to create administrative efficiencies,” he says. “Companies want to do more with less staff or they have a vision

We find that the Management Information System and the new features that we have added to the initial MIS over the years have really improved the efficiency of our operation. for growth but don’t want to increase their headcount so they are investing in the technology that will help them to achieve growth. There are still massive

Management Information Systems | IRISH PRINTER

opportunities to sell MIS systems in Ireland and in the UK because only a small percentage of print companies have decent MIS systems. A lot of customers that we might visit have what they call an MIS but it is usually made up of a lot of disparate components, including Excel and the Outlook Express email package but it isn’t a real joined-up MIS system.”

Co Galway-based Castle Print have been using the Shuttleworth MIS since 2002. “We had initial on-site training with Shuttleworth, followed by ongoing training at regular intervals and we also attend user meetings which are very informative,” says Castle Print’s Joe O’Flaherty. “We have installed Shuttleworth’s PageFront Storefront Links, Estimating Wizard, CRM and Enquiry Manager and we find that the MIS and the new features that we have added to the initial MIS over the years have really improved the efficiency of our operation.

Shuttleworth’s MIS is a locked in system, from estimating and job creation through to delivery dockets and invoicing. This gives us access to all the records that we require from the one source.”

Ipex Announcements Shuttleworth will be showing the latest developments to its MIS package at Ipex 2014 (March 24th to 29th in the ExCel centre, London). The stand (HallS3, Stand E292) will be used to demonstrate how their MIS tool works. “Shuttleworth’s MIS package ensures that the production planning system has real time feedback from the shop floor, giving crucial control for the modern manufacturing environment,” says Shuttleworth’s Rachel Bosworth. “Furthermore, an exciting new addition to the Shuttleworth MIS portfolio will be announced during IPEX which will give even further benefits to users. We are aiming to use this occasion to educate and inspire the print and packaging industry by providing new developments and solutions that can be used to help customers add value to their business, increasing their business levels and profitability.”

On October 30th last, Shuttleworth launched new software which automates the production planning processes.

Historically planning systems rely heavily on the ‘planner’ to interact with the system to put together an achievable work schedule. However, as lead times reduce, work is often in and out before it can be scheduled. As a result, it is very difficult for the company to understand what available capacity they have.

Henry Fernandes (left), Managing Director, Solitaire Press (Pty) Ltd and Andy King, Managing Director, Shuttleworth Business Systems at the announcement that the Namibia-based print company had invested in the Shuttleworth MIS. The decision to invest was made while visiting Shuttleworth at Labelexpo in Brussels in September 2013. Solitaire Press employs 50 staff and specialises in printing, publishing, security printing and mailing.

Shuttleworth has automated the process where, as jobs are created, amended or deleted, they are automatically prioritised according to sophisticated rules. ‘Due Date’ is often used to prioritise the sequence of jobs. However, this does not take account of capacity and the amount of process time on the job. The new rules can do this, which ensures the best possible fit for the current workload. The whole planning process can be completely automated by setting a timer at intervals determined by the planner. As the planning system automatically updates, jobs are updated and prioritised using the new rules. Real time bookings from the data capture system are continually fed into the schedule and the whole MIS is updated with progress against plan.

Companies want to do more with less staff or they have a vision for growth but don’t want to increase their headcount so they are investing in the technology that will help them to achieve growth.

Mobile Apps Developments on display at Ipex 2014 will include the iPhone and iPad mobile CRM App to help print companies’ sales teams or anyone working remotely. “The app is designed to give instant access to essential information, including company, contact and enquiry details while working away from the office,” says Rachel.

“Enquiries can be viewed and updated in real time and addresses can be linked to iPhone satellite navigation systems; Google Maps, TomTom and Navfree. We will also be showcasing the new job tracking functionality ‘Milestones’ which automatically updates jobs, making it quick and easy to view the status of any job as it progresses through the business.

Also on display will be the ‘Supply Chain

Management’ software, a first for the print and packaging industry. Supply Chain Management is a web-based tool designed to enable manufacturers to quickly get prices from their suppliers so they can respond immediately to their customers’ needs. Hosted by Shuttleworth, it requires no infrastructure investment to take advantage of the functionality. It is all delivered over the web. In addition to this, visitors will also be able to see the ‘Business Intelligence Suite’; a set of tools which includes enhanced dashboards, customer specific KPI’s, user definable reporting, executive analysis, and web-based reporting, together with mobile apps, providing a set of tools enabling real time analysis.”

19

ghosted figure butted himself up against the printing plant.

The

Spine perforated, his uncoated body bled into the sharp contrast to the stretched

face. With

of the spot

of the gutter in

UV light that masked his

he decided it was do or

from

the area quick and layout low in the margins until he found him Almost foiled again! What a bind! There was no

self-cover.

glossing over this, he wanted

to press on, FORMAT a plan, size it up to scale, offset errors. And he

needed proof he wasn’t going to Stepping over the Stepping

over cracks. All this overprint!

laminate floor it registered with him.

Call Tharstern, understanding print is what they do best!

+44 (0) 1282 860 660 www.tharstern.com GOLD STANDARD IN MIS

So Much more than MIS...

Big Data, Cross Media, Social Media Integration QR Codes, Mobile Apps, Web Applications & Cloud Solutions

Automate & Integrate with Shuttleworth Visit Shuttleworth at IPEX 2014 to see how we can become your technology partner for the future by providing ‘Bespoke Software Solutions’ to help you build a better business

Visit us at IPEX, Hall S3 Stand E292

ExCel London, UK 24th - 29th March 2014

Tel. +44 (0)1536 316316 sales@shuttleworth-uk.co.uk www.shuttleworth-uk.co.uk

...helping you build a better business

Business Matters | IRISH PRINTER

iStock/Thinkstock.com

Are There Any Real Support Services for Printers?

Phil Byrne of Mentor Consulting looks at some of the supports available in the market which can help SMEs in the printing industry achieve their business objectives.

A

s business owners, we are aware of the government agencies set up to support SMEs in Ireland, regardless of the type of business we operate.

However, how many of us have ever used these services? In addition, there are many services through professional service providers which we don’t avail of. This article looks at some of the supports available from various sources, so that you can seek out the supports most relevant to your business.

State Resources Every business needs help from time to time, for start up funding, SME business expansion, or when growing a business through internationally traded services.

To meet these needs, government agencies have developed a range of services, including the provision of advice, training and employee supports and, where appropriate, grants and funding. Since these resources are numerous and varied in their focus,

we can only look at some of the key ones, which have a broad appeal. It is worth noting that eligibility for these resources is dependent on the specific requirements of each scheme.

Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Having the right information is key to making good decisions for our business.

When considering the resources provided by the State, the Department’s

21

IRISH PRINTER | Business Matters

iStock/Thinkstock.com

greatly through a programme set up with Limerick University to bring the project from prototype to a commercially viable product. Print sector businesses, particularly those involved in the development and production of recyclable packaging materials, may be able to benefit here. Enterprise Ireland can provide funding and advice to companies of all sizes, from High Potential Start Up’s (HPSU) and SMEs, to large operations with 250+ employees.

City and County Enterprise Boards

website is as good a place as any to start. I provide some detail on Enterprise Ireland and the Enterprise Boards below but I would also like to mention their other agencies – the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) and Forfás.

The NSAI have a long relationship with Irish business, developing Irish standards, working on behalf of Irish businesses, and promoting our needs with the development of international standards.

Forfás was set up in 1994 to provide appropriate advice to government to aid policy decisions regarding trade and enterprise. Their website provides a full guide to all of their functions and is a very useful resource for information. One of the most notable initiatives from this department is the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme, which addresses specific shortfalls in the provision of conventional financial products by the banks.

Enterprise Ireland For companies who have targeted international markets, Enterprise Ireland

has a comprehensive suite of resources available. From advice and training on management, productivity and research & development, to funding and other financial supports, it can be very worthwhile for businesses to engage with their local Enterprise Ireland office when developing an international business plan. Their website provides a good guide to all Enterprise Ireland offerings but my experience is that the best first step is to make contact with them to arrange an appointment with one of their business advisors. I have found that their people are very knowledgeable and will be able to identify the best solutions. Their ‘Innovation Partnership’ initiative is particularly useful for businesses who are involved in the development of new products where collaboration with a research institute is necessary to commercialise a project.

My own experience in this area is with a client who has re-engineered existing technology and benefitted

Useful Websites http://www.enterprise.gov.ie/en/Who-We-Are/What-We-Do/ http://www.nsai.ie/ http://www.forfas.ie/

The Enterprise Boards also provide a broad range of business supports, from the provision of financial and training programmes, to mentoring and business networking. Businesses can apply for priming, business expansion and feasibility grants, with a microfinance option also available. For start ups and SMEs looking to grow their businesses, the Enterprise Boards’ ‘First Stop Shop’ programme is an excellent resource, giving good guidance on how to proceed with planning your business.

Department of Social Protection When you visit their website, you will see that the Department of Social Protection provides a range of resources which are of great benefit to all businesses. They have changed how they deliver their services recently, with their Intreo service designed to be a single point of contact for all employment supports. I encourage all readers to download their brochure which covers all of their services.

Below, I have outlined some details of two key initiatives which can provide essential supports, particularly when looking to grow your business. It is worth mentioning that there is a Wage Subsidy Scheme available to support the employment of people with disabilities, which I have found to be useful.

http://www.djei.ie/enterprise/smes/creditguarantee.htm

Job Bridge

https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/

The Job Bridge programme has been spoken about a lot in the media and, while it has been maligned as a mechanism for abuse, I have had positive experiences with it, particularly in the print sector. One client found that it was hard to focus on developing their business because of the time needed to process their workload, thus restricting growth. We were able to show a need for support through the Job

http://www.mentorconsulting.ie/erin-energy-ltd/ http://www.enterpriseboards.ie/index.aspx http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/employers_home.aspx http://www.welfare.ie/en/pages/intreo_home.aspx http://www.mentorconsulting.ie/fdp-finishers-ltd/ http://www.jobbridge.ie/ http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Jobs-Plus.aspx

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Business Matters | IRISH PRINTER

Bridge initiative, allowing the business to focus on more strategic issues, growing the business, and enabling the full time employment of the Intern provided through the scheme. The Job Bridge website gives all of the relevant information to guide you on the process. From registering as an eligible employer, through to managing the internship, I have found the engagement very positive, with great results for my clients.

Jobs Plus This service was launched on July 1st 2013 to replace the Revenue Job Assist and Employer Job (PRSI) Exemption Schemes. An employer can benefit when taking on somebody from long term unemployment. Being accepted for this financial aid depends on your business meeting the necessary criteria as outlined on their website. Payments of a7,500 for a new employee, who has been unemployed for between 12 and 24 months, or a10,000 for somebody unemployed for over 24 months, are scheduled over two years.

This is to ensure that you employ and retain the individual in order to achieve the maximum benefit. I have found the process easy to use, with good information available, including excellent phone and online support.

Professional Services Business owners occasionally require the services of other professionals, particularly to provide skills that are not available in-house. We are used

For start ups and SMEs looking to grow their businesses, the Enterprise Boards’ ‘First Stop Shop’ programme is an excellent resource, giving good guidance on how to proceed with planning your business.

to dealing with our accountants but otherwise most businesses will not be used to hiring consultants when they need further assistance, particularly when cash flow is tight. Here I look at some of the services available to businesses so that you can get the advice you need, when you need it.

Tip of the Month Make time for the ‘Big Picture’. Set aside an hour per week to consider the overview of your business. This strategic perspective is neglected by many business owners and, if so, needs to be addressed!

Your Accountant So we have a bookkeeper who keeps our systems up-to-date. We see our accountant once or twice a year, who prepares our end of year accounts.

But are we really benefiting from the skills that our accountant can provide?

Generally the answer is no! My advice to any business is to engage more with your accountant. Talk to them about providing monthly management accounts with forecasts on working capital requirements. Involve them more in the running of your financial functions; including debtors control meetings.

Embracing your accountant as your outsourced financial controller could be a very good move. This will enable you to put a management system in place to provide you with first class reporting to support essential decision making.

Business Mentors and Advisors Sometimes we need some help on nonfinancial issues, which is not available from our current competencies. There are many examples which can be given, from technical expertise to set up computer systems through to a range of areas, including marketing and strategic planning. I outline below a brief guide to making the decision to hire an independent consultant.

When to Hire a Consultant There are many reasons to hire a consultant, from start-up to build-up to crisis management, productivity, training, etc. While you, as the owner of your business, have been running it for years and you know it inside out, the benefits of an outside perspective cannot be ignored.

• E xpertise When you decide to engage a consultant you are looking to their experience and expertise to bring additional solutions to particular issues in your business. We all have to understand our own limitations; bringing in someone else can enable us to make the right decisions when they need to be made.

• L eadership A consultant will usually bring the necessary vision to our organisation to enable swift decision making and give direction. Leadership is a key element of the implementation of any business plan, whether we are working on short or long-term issues.

•O bjectivity This is probably the most important reason to hire a consultant. We are constantly under pressure from all angles as we look after the day-to-day operation of our business. A consultant will look at the ‘Bigger Picture’ without the difficulties of these pressures.

Our consultant will also offer a sounding board for our own ideas about how to deal with the issues our business is facing.

• T ime We may feel that we are very capable in dealing with all aspects of our business, but we just don’t have the time to do everything. When we have a clear picture of what needs to be done, and how to do it, but we know that our time is required to deal with normal day-to-day issues, retaining a consultant can be the best way to achieve all of our objectives.

Just like we use our mechanic to fix and service our car, it is essential that we source the right type of advice when we need it. There are numerous independent professionals like myself who are available to talk to you about your specific requirements.

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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IRISH PRINTER | Wide Format

Ricoh Announces Availability of Large Format Series R

icoh announced the European availability of its new Ricoh Pro L4100 latex large format printer series, which features the Ricoh ProTM L4160 and L4130, on January 7th last. The new roll-to-roll printer, officially available in the Irish market from March 2014, comes in 130cm (53 inch) or 160cm (63 inch) widths and supports up to seven colours in various configurations. In addition to CMYK, orange, green and white inks are also available.

The Ricoh Pro L4100 series features the latest generation Ricoh piezo variable drop print head with drops as small as four picolitres, printing up to 18.2 square metres per hour, and an optional ColorGATE menu-driven RIP for exact feature set specification. Media includes PVC, tarpaulin, synthetic paper, coatedpaper, uncoated paper, film and textiles.

In addition, it allows the use of lighter weight substrates.

The Ricoh Pro L4100’s latex ink is an aqueous (water-based) ink which

Ricoh Pro L4100 Large Format Printer Series

contains a low level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It has no odour and a low curing temperature of 60°C. “Ricoh latex inks offer outdoor durability of one to two years, or two to three years with lamination,” says Stephen Palmer, Director,

Production Print, Ricoh UK & Ireland. The Ricoh Pro L4100’s Uninterrupted Ink Supply System (UISS) means that when one CMYK ink cartridge runs out of ink, the system switches automatically to the second cartridge of the same colour for unattended printing.

HP Expands Wall Décor Solutions Suite

A digital wall décor showroom created by industrial and interior designer Markus Benesch illustrated what is possible with digital printing and the complete HP solution.

H

P demonstrated its expanded digital printing suite for wall decorations, including new content, design and mobility features for HP WallArt, as well as updated finishing and media options, at Heimtextil 2014 in Frankfurt, Germany on January 7th.

New HP WallArt features include an alliance with global stock photography

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company Fotolia, giving users easy access to a wide variety of high quality, professional images, designs and artwork. HP WallArt also offers integration with customers’ online storefronts for a customised and branded web-to-print solution that streamlines quotations, billing and managed information systems, and a

free HP WallArt application for iPad, available through Apple’s App Store, which provides real-time, interactive design and accurate previews of the finished wall layout, and easier production of canvas prints.

Additional new components for the HP digital printing solution for wall décor include HP PVC-free Durable Suede Wall Paper, a sustainable wallcovering substrate for high-traffic commercial areas that meets American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) F793-Type II certification when printed using HP Latex Inks and is expected to be available from BMG in spring 2014.

HP WallArt is a cloud-based web service that helps simplify the design, visualisation and production of customised wallcoverings. Introduced at Heimtextil 2013, the tool is already in use by more than 1,100 customers in 66 countries. HP WallArt is free for new and existing HP latex printing technology customers.

more applications with more media

Realise your GREATEST ideas!

Just when you thought promotional items couldn’t get more creative, Mimaki added the new UJF-6042. With a larger flatbed size and more accurate print quality, the Mimaki UJF-6042 helps you turn your most creative ideas into reality.

The world imagines ‌ Mimaki delivers Reprocentre Group, Graphic House, Nangor Road Business Park, Dublin 12. t: 00353 1 4093100 f: 00353 1 4093160 m: 00353 87 2505765 Reprocentre NI, 51 Mallusk Rd, Newtownabbey, BT36 4FE, United Kingdom. t: +44 28 9083 9835 Mimaki is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Hybrid Services Ltd. www.hybridservices.co.uk

IRISH PRINTER | Wide Format

Printers Get Hands On With Promotional Products

A

ttendees at promotional products trade show PSI Dusseldorf had a hands-on opportunity to produce their own work on Mimaki printers during the event (January 8th to 10th).

“Attendees at PSI had the opportunity to see how their businesses can be augmented by on-demand printing

of promotional products,” said Mike Horsten, General Manager Marketing EMEA, Mimaki Europe B.V. “We also conducted live demos showing how to print on canvas. We believe we are on the start of an analog-to-digital transformation of the promotional products industry, and attendees at

the show were able to experience this first-hand.”

Mimaki featured its latest technology for the promotional products industry at the show, including the UJF-3042 and UJF-6042. The UJF family of flatbed printers reaches 1800x1800 dpi resolution and features a variable dot with a minimum size of 4 picolitres. Quality can also be enhanced with the application of glossy or matte finish clear ink, and multi-layered print can be achieved by overprinting an area several times. The UJF-3042 desktop flatbed printer has a print area of 300x420mm, while the larger UFJ-6042 handles sizes up to A2.

Both offer environmentally friendly LED curing, six-colour process colour, multiple ink options, and the ability to print on substrates up to 150mm thick.

The company also demonstrated its JV33 series roll-to-roll printers, which feature output at up to 1,440 dpi with four or six-colour printing. The series supports multiple ink types, including two solvent inks. Users may also choose to use aqueous pigment ink or dye sublimation ink at the time of installation.

Flatbed with White Added to Inca Onset Range F

ollowing Fujifilm and Inca Digital Printers launch of the Onset S40i (CMYK LtcLtm) last year, their new Onset S40i large format flatbed UV inkjet printer now includes a double white ink capability. Fujifilm says the new Onset S40i with white is the ideal solution for businesses that produce high-value backlit/frontlit and double-sided day/night POS display graphics where the ability to print high-opacity white as a base, spot colour or top layer quickly and cost effectively is important.

The new Inca Onset S40i with white was shown publicly for the first time worldwide on the Fujifilm stand at FESPA Eurasia (October 3rd to 5th, Istanbul, Turkey).

The Inca Onset S40i with white incorporates 168 Fujifilm Dimatix printheads (56 for white) on a full width print array.

As a result, the printer produces POS-quality display graphics at throughput speeds of up to 560 sqm/hr (CMYK only) equivalent to 112 full bed sheets/hr (3.14 x 1.6m), and onto substrates up to 50mm (2 in) thick. A choice of uni-directional, bi-directional and super high quality print modes can be selected depending on the specific job requirements.

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The Fujifilm OnsetS40i + white ink

Wide Format | IRISH PRINTER

Canon is Wide Format Printer Line of the Year B

uyers Laboratory selected Canon as the winner of its 2014 Wide Format Graphic Arts Printer Line of the Year award. The Line of the Year is awarded to the vendors whose product lines are determined to be the best overall in their respective categories based on their cumulative test results in BLI’s rigorous two-month evaluation. For wide format devices, factors considered include reliability, image quality, ease of use, colour management, and productivity and connectivity attributes. Also considered are the breadth of the manufacturer’s line and its ability to produce quality products suitable for a broad spectrum of customer needs.

In the past year Canon has updated its 8- and 12-colour wide format printers, adding an optional spectrophotometer and Canon’s Direct Print & Share cloud portal solution. Most notable among the devices’ triumphs is the facility for users to readily manage colour output using the Colour Calibration Management Control (CCMC) software and for the devices to consistently deliver precise colour output across multiple compatible models that employ the same number of inks - even an entire fleet - as

long as just one of them is equipped with the company’s SU-21 spectrophotometer. (The SU-21 is optionally available for the two 24-inch models containing a hard drive - the imagePrograf iPF6400S and the 12-colour iPF6450.) In evaluating Canon’s claim of being able to achieve tight colour control between multiple compatible devices, with a Delta E value of 2.0 or less, BLI’s testing proved that the Canon units were up to the task.

In fact, the recent lab evaluation of the iPF6400S and iPF8400S showed low Delta E values of 0.92 and 0.79 in output on two non-Canon media types. “This kind of colour consistency is indispensable for proof printing applications,” said Joe Tischner, BLI wide format printer analyst. “Canon builds colour tables directly into these printers for each Canon-branded media, so consistency is the expected result. However, with non-Canon media, users of these Canon devices have the tools to readily achieve extremely stable colour output.” He added that the CCMC utility is invaluable for keeping track of the calibration status of most media and performing the calibrations when needed across all of Canon’s 8- and 12-colour printers.

Epson Supports Sea Rescue Exhibition E

pson has produced more than 50 64-inch wide large format prints for a major RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) sea rescue photography exhibition titled The Lifeboat: Courage on our Coasts. The exhibition began in September 2013 and visited major cities in the UK and Ireland for a five-month period.

Illustrating the lifesaving work of the RNLI, the touring exhibition showcases the photographs captured by RNLI lifeboat crew member and award-winning professional photographer Nigel Millard.

The images on Image courtesy of Nigel Millard, RNLI. display include dramatic shots of lifeboats in action large format printer. The images and portraits of the charity’s dedicated were printed on Ilford’s Nanosolvent volunteer crew members, lifeguards Satin 255gsm media which is ideal for and fundraisers. The exhibition is free outdoor applications in all weathers. and accessible 24 hours a day, whatever The SureColor SC-S70600 uses the weather, just like the services of the Epson’s UltraChrome GSX ink set which RNLI, and will visit London, Manchester, is perfect for outdoor exhibitions as it is Edinburgh, Cardiff, Dublin, and lightfast for up to three years without Birmingham. lamination. Available as an eight or Epson has had a long-standing 10-colour model, the printer ensures relationship with the RNLI and with exceptional high quality prints, which Nigel Millard. The large 1750mm x is essential for picking out the fine 1170mm outdoor exhibition prints details in Nigel’s close-up portraits. The were produced by Epson at its vivid colours and the smooth tonal UK headquarters using the Epson gradations help to bring the dramatic SureColor SC-S70600, 64-inch (162.6cm), sea rescue images to life.

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IRISH PRINTER | What’s New in Print

Fujifilm Markets Future Proof Printer I

nca Digital Printers and Fujifilm recently launched the Inca Onset S50i a CMYK flatbed UV inkjet printer.

Delivering up to 725 square metres per hour (7,803 square feet per hour), equivalent to 144 full beds per hour, the S50i uses Fujifilm Uvijet OB or OZ inks to print onto a wide variety of rigid and flexible media up to 3.14m x 1.6m (123.6in x 63in) and up to 50mm (2in) thick. A choice of print modes can be selected, alongside satin and gloss finishes, depending on the specific job requirements.

Hardware and software technologies include a 15-zone vacuum table to reduce bed masking requirements and, consequently, set-up time for thin substrates, a UV sensor system that monitors printer condition, and substrate height detectors to prevent contact with, and damage to, printheads. The S50i is compatible with Inca’s flexible automation system, which allows users to operate manually or to use semi or three-quarter modes from the same configuration.

The Onset S50i is the first printer developed around Inca’s newgeneration Onset Scaleable Architecture.

This is a modular design that gives users the ability to choose the best printer for their initial requirements, but with the flexibility to change its productivity levels and ink options as their business evolves. This enables Inca Digital to convert the customer’s Onset on-site for the very first time, as and when needed. For example, an Onset S40i with CMYK LtmLtc can be converted to an eight-colour model with dual CMYK, or with the addition of white if required, to suit a change in the type of work a company prints.

The Onset S50i printer has successfully completed beta testing and is now in full production at four companies, three in the USA and one in the UK. The Onset S50i is commercially available now.

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A

s an alternative to printing with oil based inks, more and more printing presses are being equipped with iron doped UV lamp systems for ozone free commercial and packaging UV-printing. The hubergroup has developed a new UV offset ink series for this particular use, marked with the code HS and KHS. Immediately available are NewV set inks for absorbent substrates and NewV poly inks for nonabsorbent substrates (e.g. for in-mould labels). The new UV offset ink series has been designed for presses from the major press manufacturers, equipped with the actual available iron doped mercury lamp systems. For perfect performance on Komori presses with a H-UV dryer system, the KHS series have been specially formulated and tested in close cooperation with Komori.

more and more printing presses are being equipped with iron doped uv lamp systems.

Mitsubishi Papers Approved

by HP Indigo A wide range of thermal papers from Mitsubishi HiTec Paper has now been approved by HP Indigo.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper is the first thermal paper manufacturer to offer a comprehensive range of approved products for use on HP Indigo digital presses from 57gsm to 233 gsm, with or without a protective top coat, and for front side or reverse side printing with the HP Indigo technology.

According to Mitsubishi, the new

New UV Ink Series

thermoscript ‘I-series’, a non top coated thermal paper, is perfectly pre-printable on the thermal front side on HP Indigo presses. The thermoscript ‘E-Series’, a top coated thermal paper, offers excellent reverse-side printing features, while the ‘IE-Series’ is printable on both sides on HP Indigo presses. The use of a primer is not necessary. Applications such as short runs of personalised event tickets or labels are now possible with HP Indigo pre-printed thermal paper.

According to hubergroup, compared to conventional oil-based offset inks, prints from the new UV ink series are showing improved mechanical resistance, less carboning and much faster drying on coated and uncoated paper/board. The group also claims that the series for non-absorbent substrates has excellent adhesion properties on various plastic materials, such as PE, PS, PVC and PP. Post print treatment like lamination and foil block stamping is possible without restrictions. In addition to process inks, the NewV HS/KHS range includes high lightfast versions, basic Pantone colours, spot colour inks, metallic inks and fluorescent inks.

What’s New in Print | IRISH PRINTER

First UK Outing for Horizon Technology Z

ero makeready on book trimming is one of the production gains delivered

by Horizon’s new HT-1000V variable three-knife trimmer that is being shown

by Intelligent Finishing Systems for the first time in the UK at IPEX 2014 (March 24th to 29th). Visitors to the stand will see how the Horizon HT-1000V delivers variable short-run and book of one production, of both untrimmed and trimmed sizes, up to 65mm thick.

The Horizon HT-1000V is setup automatically on the fly via a barcode at the entrance of the trimmer. The system is also capable of automatic set-up from the interface. 200 jobs can be memorised for repeat orders or special applications.

IFS says that high speed production of 1,000 books per hour is assured, dependent on book condition and preparation of untrimmed books, while the Horizon HT-1000V can be connected with the Horizon pXnet JDF workflow. It can also be placed in-line with

Horizon perfect binders.

The trimmer features book positioning, whereby each book is accurately delivered to the fore-edge trim (first trim) section by a servomotor driven pusher. Book clamp press

plate replacement is not required for format changes or book thickness as precise servo-motor driven book clamps automatically position and press each book. Single books or trimming of piled books can be performed without any manual operation.

‘Natural’ Inks for Flexo and Screen Printers S

olar Inks, specialist supplier of inks for flexographic and screen printing, recently launched Earthinks, a range of environmentally friendly water-based flexographic and screen printing inks that it considers to be the most natural solution on the market today.

The company claims that the inks offer sustainability benefits as well as highperformance and are a cost-effective alternative to standard inks. Earthinks are made from natural ingredients including soy, starch, sugars, dextrin, tree resin, cellulose and other polysaccharides.

Natural waxes are used to replace standard petroleum-based synthetics, and natural oils are used to defoam instead of mineral oils. Earthinks are glycol and

silicone-free, contain no heavy metals and have near-zero VOC levels.

Solar Inks say that Earthinks have been developed with a low viscosity and low foaming levels to deliver sharp images with lower dot gain than standard inks. This is done while offering stability over long runs due to a ‘unique pHindependent technology’. In-house colour mixing is also an option, providing printers and converters with the ability to facilitate special colour production ondemand. Earthinks can be used on a wide variety of substrates to print corrugated and flexible packaging, labels, envelopes and a full range of papers, from till rolls and paper cups to paper bags and gift wrap, including recycled stocks.

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IRISH PRINTER | What’s New in Print

New Web to Print Solution F

ujifilm recently announced the latest version of its cloud-based web-to-print solution, XMF PrintCentre V5. XMF Print Centre allows print companies to create multiple e-commerce web stores for selling print and manages the whole print buying process, from online purchasing through to delivering print-ready PDF files into any PDF print production system, including Fujifilm’s XMF Workflow.

An auto fit capability included within the online job editor has now been introduced to intelligently adjust variable data text in order to fit into the space allocated. Consequently, users can save time as they no longer need to redesign the template, or use alternative text when the text supplied is ‘too long’. Another additional feature related to VDP that has been incorporated into XMF PrintCentre V5 is auto format. This allows the variable data sets to be automatically reformatted to omit any gaps in the event that not all data fields have been completed. A business card where not all the contact information is available, for instance, would be automatically adapted according to the details provided so that it looks consistent with all other entries.

New updates have also been applied to the back office of XMF PrintCentre to improve the ease of use of many administration tasks. XMF PrintCentre V5 is commercially available immediately.

Get Into the Grooove with Kolbus K

olbus recently launched the Kolbus NM 100 scoring machine for board sections to meet the luxury packaging market’s requirements for high quality, accurate boxes, with crisp corners and a solid finish. The machine cuts grooves into board blanks to produce sturdy and versatile box components. The special scoring blades can be set to score angles between 90 and 130 degrees and can produce up to 65 components/minute. Smooth scoring cuts through to a minimal last board/ paper layer, combined with precision, ultra-thin application of glue for lining and counter-lining.

Not only do products look and feel attractive, but they can also sound special as an invisible-magnet closure can be added to shut with a firm, soft click. The combination is especially effective in luxury packaging. While they are well established in the bookbinding and finishing industries, Kolbus are relatively new to this packaging market. They exhibited for the first time at the recent London Packaging Innovations show.

Audion Increases Shrink Wrapper Productivity F

ollowing the product launches of the CS Matic, Audionpack H20/ H25 and LT470/LT670 models, Audion Elektro has announced the upgrading of its Audionpack H22SA stand-alone shrink wrapper to improve operator efficiency and provide greater productivity. Among the upgraded features are a new PCB with the capability of being able to store 10 programmes instead of the current six, the use of a larger fan in place of the existing two smaller ones, thereby allowing a greater circulation of air, an ‘opening delay’ in the raising of the hood in order to prevent hot air escaping and blowing against the operator, and the placing of the electrical panel at the front of the machine to enable better access during service and maintenance. The electric panel, as well as the body of the machine, will also now be air cooled to prevent overheating of the frame. Further details of the Audionpack H22SA and the rest of the Audion range of shrink wrapping equipment are available from the UK and Ireland agent Friedheim International.

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ExCeL London, UK 24th -29th March 2014

Insp irat ion

Ne t

g n i rk o w

Opportunities eas d I w e N

Start planning your journey now

Ipex the largest international print show in 2014 brings you exciting new ideas and solutions to take your business forward.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ATTEND IPEX 2014?

• Over 500 manufacturers and suppliers will showcase the latest technologies • New inspiring panel discussions at the World Print Summit on the challenges facing the print industry • 1HZ XQPLVVDEOH SUDFWLFDO ZRUNVKRSV DW WKH ,SH[ 0DVWHU FODVVHV WR KHOS \RX LPSURYH SURƩWV DQG HƫFLHQFLHV • New unrivalled features to inspire and generate ideas for your business, with practical takeaways • Exciting networking and business opportunities not to be missed

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IRISH PRINTER | Packaging

Multiprint Showcases New Label Printing Technologies Multiprint Labels, based in Swords, Co Dublin, is celebrating 50 years in business this year. Maev Martin looks at how they are pioneering some of the very latest substrate and press technologies.

T

he UK-based Trooper beer label is owned by Bruce Dickinson, the lead guitarist in British heavy metal band Iron Maiden. Robinson’s Brewery fill the label and supply the beer and Multiprint supply the labels to Robinson’s Brewery.

The Iron Maiden beer label was printed by Multiprint Ltd using multicombination print technology (UV offset/flexo/screen and hotfoil) on Avery Dennison’s ClearCut PP50 Top White S7000 PET23. “The label wasn’t expected to be a big seller but it has really taken off and a big part of its success is the attributes of the Avery Dennison ClearCut S7000 substrate combined with the unique capabilities of the Gallus RCS 430 four-colour UV offset, silkscreen (Trooper logo) and hot foil press,” says Multiprint’s Technical Manager Bill Smyth. “Initially, the Trooper (Iron Maiden) label was expected to be a small run and the labels were printed digitally. However, the product took off and we had to change to conventional printing. Litho was able to match the digital print quality. The thinner liner on the PP50, combined with the S7000 adhesive, impressed Robinsons, particularly when they were under pressure to get the product out. The Avery Dennison substrate is a new adhesive and a new weight. These labels go on high speed lines. Glue bleeding out at high

speeds can be an issue but with these labels you don’t get bleeding off of the adhesive and it is a lighter weight, which is important. Also, Robinsons get more labels per roll with this substrate so there are less changeovers and that increases their efficiencies. Those are the main advantages of the Avery Dennison label technology for the end user.”

Multiprint has already won a global award for its printing of the label - the Flint Inks Award for Narrow-Web UV Offset – and, more recently, the Trooper label was a finalist in the Self-Adhesive Roll Labels category in the Irish Print Awards 2013. In fact, Multiprint has won numerous awards for the quality of their work over the year, including awards from TLMI (USA), EFTA (UK) and FlexoTech.

Multiprint supplies mainly into the UK, with some labels being produced for the French, German and Italian markets. Apart from the Robinson’s Brewery contract, the company has a number of high profile clients in the food industry and is on the list of approved suppliers for Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer, the Co-operative and Waitrose.

In fact, the longest serving customer has been with Multiprint for more than 25 years. The company has also been very successful in the wine sector, especially the Australian market.

However, in recent years food and drink companies have moved from

holding stocks of regular labels to Just In Time (JIT) logistics, which means that label jobs must be turned around in about three days so suppliers no longer have the luxury of calling off stock. In addition, Multiprint Labels decided to further expand into the spirits, wine and other high value markets in a more focused fashion. Following extensive research, the decision was made to buy a Gallus RCS 430 flexo press with the potential for printing ten colours.

The new press was installed in March 2012. “The Gallus press is unique in Ireland as it is a UV offset, flexo and screen combination press,” says Bill.

“It is the only litho press in Ireland for self adhesive labels – all the rest are UV flexo or digital. It was a big a2.5m to a3m investment but this new press immediately gave the company much more flexibility. With the option for adding screen heads, cold foil and embossing, if required, the RCS 430 was printing high quality labels within a few days of installation. One of the very useful features of the new RCS 430 press is the ability to change printing heads without breaking the web which saves so much time compared to the old days of 15 minutes on the EM 410 press and up to an hour on the AFM. With our excellent pre-press department we are able to make the best use of the consistency, speed, flexibility and economics of the

With the option for adding screen heads, cold foil and embossing, if required, the Gallus RCS 430 was printing high quality labels within a few days of installation.

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Packaging | IRISH PRINTER

430. To be competitive you have to keep up with technology. A really nice feature, apart from being easy to use, is the new foil separator which automatically separates the hot foiling unit when the press is stopped. This saves us so much time on the press. The RCS 430 saves valuable make ready time and material with impressive colour consistency, and gear marking is a thing of the past thanks to the servo drive motors.”

Quality Assurance Multiprint Label’s Quality Control Manager Ruth O’Hanlon points out that, from a quality assurance perspective, it is important that instant decisions are made regarding quality. “This is a lot easier with our new RCS 430 press,” she says. “Consistency of quality is much more dependable, even compared to our older presses. HD flexo technology has facilitated a major step change in the quality of output that can be achieved with UV flexo. The new offset units offer extremely good, consistent results, especially in the vignettes and small typefaces. The gold foil unit is giving high level results and a degree of finish is being achieved which can prepare the way forward for emerging markets in the whiskey, healthcare and cosmetics segments. All this allows the RCS 430 to give Multiprint Labels the edge over its competitors.”

Innovation Timeline •M ultiprint Labels started by supplying printed products for the food industry using letterpress printing in flatbed form in 1964. Multiprint would produce a few labels as a side job when wet glue applications were at their height.

• In order to keep up with the ever increasing demand for self adhesive labels it soon became evident that something would have to change. It

was at this point that Multiprint made the decision to invest in a Kopack roll label press.

• In 1985 the company bought a Gallus 250 press which was the first to be installed in Ireland followed by two 300 presses, all of which were being used to supply the food industry.

It wasn’t until 2001 that Multiprint bought an EM 410 ten colour press to enter the health and beauty market and supply Procter and Gamble.

• I n March 2010 Multiprint bought another ten colour EM 410 press to create even greater flexibility and capacity.

• In November/December 2011, they purchased two presses – the Gallus RCS 430 and a HP 6600. “The seven colour HP 6600 was the first to be installed in Europe, it is the only one in the country with an inline primer, and the quality is second to none,” says Bill Smyth. “The Gallus matches the quality output of the HP model for longer runs.”

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IRISH PRINTER | Talking Technical

Waterless Printing and The Environment As the ‘green’ environmental movement gains momentum among businesses, consumers and governments around the world, printing companies are adopting and implementing green strategies across their value chains.

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actics that many print companies are employing include aggressive print recycling schemes, reduced CO2 emissions for printing plants, a reduction of electricity use at offices and printing plants, and a reduction in the use of office paper. All of these initiatives are designed to help print companies and their suppliers save energy and create cleaner environments for the communities they serve.

The Toray Waterless Offset Plate System, which is designed and manufactured by Toray Industries Inc, is based on a printing plate which eliminates the need for a dampening system and the associated fluid used in the traditional printing process.

Toray claims that in an increasingly challenging market environment, printing plants applying Toray waterless technology have been able to maintain a competitive edge due to the productivity, quality and versatility advantages of the

Examples of waterless printed magazines and newspapers.

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waterless printing process. According to Toray, the ability of the waterless offset plate system to produce exceptional high quality on a wide variety of paper stocks helps expand the printer’s semicommercial product offering. And the waterless process also enables quick and efficient changes between coldset and heatset products without the need to change the ink.

Environmental & Health Benefits More than any other printing process, waterless offset meets the current demand for environmental friendliness and optimum working conditions, claims Toray. This is because the waterless offset plate system comprises an emission-free working environment and stress-free work procedures. Anyone investing in waterless printing is also investing in the high motivation of personnel. It is a logical step further in pursuit of press

ecology that the EWPA (the European Waterless Printing Association) and the BG ETEM (Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse) are now working together to attain promotion and certification of these environmental aspects.

Six Arguments in Favour of Waterless These days, sound bites like resource conservation, emission reduction and waste prevention dominate discussions on all aspects of environmental policy and the printing industry is no exception.

Ecologically sound print production is no longer regarded as an unnecessary luxury but as a profitable process optimisation.

‘Eco-presses’ provide the critical technical conditions that enable the more effective use of materials and resources, thus enabling a significant reduction in costs and considerably enhancing the viability of the print process. Investment in environmentally-friendly technology also ensures that systems are more future-proof. Printers who are already investing in reduced-emission printing presses when replacing or expanding existing equipment do not have to worry about being forced to comply with environmental legislation at a later date when it may be more costly and less convenient to do so. From the standpoint of environmental and health protection, the waterless version of offset printing is positively exemplary, as the following six arguments will demonstrate.

1. T his starts with pre-press where the environmental impact is already relatively low. This is thanks to the very small chemical consumption required to process the Toray Waterless plates.

Talking Technical | IRISH PRINTER

The Eco Print Centre at Lokeren, Belgium.

Eco-presses provide the critical technical conditions that enable the more effective use of materials and resources, thus enabling a significant reduction in costs and considerably enhancing the viability of the print process.

2. The elimination of fount solutions also means that waterless offset is free of the fount solution emissions which are typical in wet offset. In wet offset, the isopropyl alcohol added to the fount solution enhances process stabilisation because it ensures better plate wetting, lowers the interfacial tension of the water and limits temperature rises in the inking unit to some extent through evaporative air cooling. IPA vapours contribute towards groundlevel ozone (summer smog) and the depletion of the ozone layer. While IPA substitutes can reduce these problems in wet offset, they cannot match the positive effects of waterless offset.

3. T he elimination of fount solution to dampen the printing plates also means that no costs are incurred for preparation of the fount solution.

The various savings that can be made include consumption of tap water and gum Arabic, chemical

water preparation - i.e. by means of additives, such as softener, IPA, pH value stabiliser or biocide against bacterial contamination of the water supply system - and disposal of the used waste water. Although the fact that temperature control increases energy consumption is often regarded as a drawback, in many cases it can be offset by the savings gained for controlling the pressroom climate as the heat generated can be recovered via a heat exchanger and used to heat water and space. Temperature control systems are also being increasingly used in wet offset, either to stabilise the printing process during long runs or for IPA reduced print production.

4. Another positive side effect of the elimination of fount solution is the drastic reduction in production waste.

Because printers no longer need to adjust the ink/fount solution balance during make ready, inking up is

achieved much faster than in wet offset.

Because higher quality substrates are generally used for waterless offset, the low rate of production waste also means even greater cost savings.

5. W aterless offset also consumes less washing agent than wet offset as there is only an oily substance to be washed from the rollers and cylinders, rather than a difficult waterin-oil emulsion. It stands to reason that shorter ink trains are the most cost-efficient of all as they store less ink. As there are no special washing agents for waterless inks, printers can feel free to use any manufacturer recommended washing agent suitable for oxidative drying or UV-curable wet offset inks. Because waterless presses are generally newer, their roller and cylinder washing equipment tends to be more highly automated and optimised for low-emission washing oils with a flash point significantly higher than 550C. These so-called A-III washing agents evaporate slowly so that they do not form toxic or explosive air mixtures. The approved washing agents also include VOC-free and vegetable oil-based products.

6. S ome manufacturers have developed water-washable inks, which can be removed using water, a truly natural VOC-free washing agent. These types of inks were hitherto only known in flexo printing.

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