Irish Printer Issue 2 2018

I S S U E 2 2 0 1 8 | | T H E V O I C E O F T H E I N D U S T R Y | | W W W. I R I S H P R I N T E R . I E

3,2,1. .

ARE YOU GDPR READY?

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THE MERITS OF MIS

PLUS PRINT - AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME 23/03/2018 10:06

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ISSUE 2 2018

CONTENTS 19 Investment

Craigavon-based firm JMK Textiles recently purchased a Roland RT640 sublimation printer to help improve its workflow and keep up with customer demand

20 Management Information Systems

04 News

A look at some of the latest news from the printing industry

09 Print Media Services

The harshest weather conditions in over 30 years didn’t stop the team at Print Media Services from meeting a deadline

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Esmark Finch

Emergency services vehicles customised by Esmark Finch were put to the test during Storm Emma

12 In Focus

Michael McMullin, head of IT Development at McGowans, talks to Irish Printer about the unlimited possibilities associated with the software

24 Packaging

Sustainability is key at Packaging Innovations 2018

27 What’s new in print ● ● ● ●

3D printing creates human skeleton in Guadalajara Agfa Graphics expands Anapurna LED series with 1.65 m-wide hybrid printer CMYUK opens premises for Material Sample Binders US construction company unveils habitable 3D-printed house

An innovative approach to ever-changing industry demands has put Plus Print at the top of its game

15 Q&A

Peter Smith, Heidelberg’s new Prinect and Consumables Representative in Ireland, talks to Irish Printer about his new role

16 Are you GDPR ready?

The Design, Print and Packaging Skillnet outlines how design, print and packing firms can get on top of the incoming data protection regulation

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23/03/2018 15:13

WELCOME Welcome to Issue 2 of Irish Printer for 2018.

This issue of Irish Printer includes a look at some of the great work that printing firms managed to complete during some of the worst weather we’ve seen in decades. Despite the snow, ice and Storm Emma, Print Media Services worked over the weekend to complete the Kingspan annual report and managed to finish it on time and to an extremely high standard. Emergency vehicles customised by Esmark Finch also came into their own during the harsh weather and provided emergency services with added protection during the severe conditions.

Following their double win at the Irish Print Awards late last year, we also chat to Plus Print about what they attribute their success to. Ciaran and the team spoke to Irish Printer about the impact that social media continues to have on the industry and why apprentices are vital to the industry. Plus Print’s workload includes a large amount of bespoke, unique work which has, says Ciaran, allowed the firm to diversify and produce interesting projects which often end up on the Irish Print Awards shortlist.

Management Information Systems (MIS) continue to transform how firms secure work, how that work is processed through the print shop and how data is managed. Some firms, like McGowans, are pushing the capabilities of these systems and developing their own innovative software which further enhances MIS. Michael McMullin, head of IT Development at McGowans, spoke to Irish Printer about the firm’s MIS and the unlimited possibilities associated with the software. He said that as well as making firms more efficient, MIS has removed much of the error-prone donkey work that reduces efficiency and has a negative effect on time management.

In this issue, we also take a look at The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a requirement that’s fast coming down the tracks. Impacting on every business and organisation in the EU, the GDPR will put a stop to unsolicited mail and unlawful sharing of data.

According to a recent report, three-quarters of Irish businesses aren’t ready for the Directive. In our special report, the Design, Print and Packaging Skillnet outlines how design, print and packing firms can get on top of the all-important data protection regulation.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and opinions on this issue or on anything else that’s going on in the industry. I hope you enjoy it!

Denise

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Editor: Denise Maguire Email: editor@irishprinter.ie Editorial Manager: Mary Connaughton Creative Director: Jane Matthews Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Production: Claire Kiernan Contact: Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Unit 55, Park West Road, Park West, Dublin 12, D12 X9F Tel: (01) 432 2200 Web: www.irishprinter.ie 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 2018. 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

23/03/2018 10:17

New B2 digital press New business model Super fast job turnaround & amazing uptime

Variable data, versioning & collated printing

Ultra consistent & exceptional high quality

New business model & ROI

Jet Press 720S Redefining the dynamics of digital printing The Jet Press 720S is our next generation B2 inkjet press. It comes with a raft of technical enhancements that make short run printing a breeze. Astounding quality, amazing uptime and true variable data printing mean this press is a production work-horse. But most significantly, we’ve redefined the business model and ROI, making it an ideal fit for the growing market for high value, short run print. So get in touch to find out why the Jet Press 720S is redefining the dynamics of digital printing.

Jet Press 720S - built from the business up.

For more information contact Richard Styles, Litho Supplies 087 2342881

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26/03/2018 12:25

NEWS Hot topics tackled at label forum Brexit, diversification and intelligent labelling are just some of the industry challenges to be discussed at FINAT’s European Label Forum, to be held in Dublin from 6 - 8 June. In addition to expectations about the European label industry after Brexit, other topics up for discussion will include diversification of the labels and narrow web industry into short run packaging, intelligent labels and packaging and a look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) of different label printing technologies.

Sessions will also cover branding via online marketing and innovation in brand protection. Details are available at www. europeanlabelforum.com

Ricoh

Get creative with Pro C7200X Series

The new Ricoh Pro C7200X series of digital sheet fed colour presses is due to hit the Irish market in March. The five colour Pro C7200X (Graphic Arts Edition) series has been designed and engineered for graphic arts applications while the four colour Pro C7200 series has been developed to help enterprise print rooms to reduce their operational costs.

Compared to the Pro C7100X platform, improvements include better colour stability and improved registration with an auto adjustment function. Its fifth station can also print white plus CMYK in a single pass, enhancing impact, for example on coloured media. Ricoh says the new presses allow for increased productivity with models printing at up to either 95ppm or 85ppm plus auto duplex long sheet production up to 700mm. Impressive image quality at 2,400 x 4,800 dpi also adds to the new presses’ credentials.

New appointment at Komori UK John Harrison has been appointed the new Digital and Finishing Equipment Sales Manager at Komori UK. Previous positions include roles at HP, Friedheim and Heidelberg. John joins Komori UK as its first Digital and Finishing Equipment Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland.

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Flint

New options for rotec Compressible Sleeve

Flint Group is now offering an Extra Firm rotec Compressible Sleeve with a hardness level of 70 Shore A to its customers, in addition to the Medium (50 Shore A) and Firm (60 Shore A) hardness levels. The company decided to increase the hardness levels following demands from customers for ever-increasing quality standards.

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23/03/2018 10:24

NEWS

McGowans

Two new Durst systems for McGowans

McGowans recently invested in two new Durst systems as part of a plan to expand its presence in the UK and further afield.

Durst, a leatherhead-based company, supplied a Durst Rho 512R along with a Durst Rho P10 160 as part of a €850,000 agreement with the printer. McGowans Managing Director, Mal McGowan, said that the investments are additional instances of Durst constantly being “weapons of choice” in both roll-to-roll and flatbed technologies. “Both the reliability and quality of Durst systems is exceptional and the machines are practically maintenance free,” he said. The Durst P10 160 hybrid six-colour with white machine has been placed at McGowan’s site in Belfast where the turnover has been increasingly growing at 25% a year. A Durst Rho 512 Plus 5 meter wide 12 picolitre UV dual and triple roll printers has been placed at the Dublin headquarters.

CMYUK sole distributor for EFI VUTEk FabriVU CMYUK has been appointed as sole UK and Ireland distributor for EFI VUTEk FabriVU dye sublimation printers. The digital fabric printer delivers ultra-high resolution of 2,400 dpi in 4 to 18 picoliter drop sizes at ultra-fast speeds of up to 500 sqm per hour. With four-colour printing, wide colour gamut and deep colour saturation, it is, says CMYUK, perfect for soft signage printing such as banners, backlit displays, flags, wall coverings and other high-end display graphics. The VUTEk FabriVU printer is available in 1.8m, 3.4m and 5.2m widths.

Zechini launches Roby Zero Distributed in Ireland by Friedheim International, Zechini has launched a new short run casemaker that can change size in just 12 seconds. The Zechini Roby Zero is easy to use and features an integrated gluing unit for hot glue, which can also be used with PVA glue

The end of an era

After 66 years, the NME is to end its weekly print edition. The publication, which was printed

by Wyndeham, went from being a paid-for title with a 15,000 readership in 2015 to a free, ad-backed title with a circulation of 300,000 in an effort to boost sales. Amid increasing production costs and a tough print advertising market, publisher Time Inc UK has decided to cease publication of the print title and instead focus on NME.com. The website attracts more than 13 million unique global users every month while its social media platforms enjoy a following of more than 200 million. A new weekly indepth feature on the website will replace the print version’s cover star interview and two new music channels are also set to launch under the brand NME Audio. Digital director of NME, Keith Walker, said: “With these new developments, we are giving consumers even more of what they want from us. By making the digital platforms our core focus we can accelerate the amazing growth we’ve seen and reach more people than ever before on the devices they’re most naturally using.”

for lining, board positioning device with automated set-up and for the combined turning-in and pressing unit. Depending on the job, the Roby Zero has a maximum mechanical speed of 150 cases per hour, making it ideal for the production of book cases in very short runs.

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NEWS

Canon

Canon improves imagePRESS C850 series

Happy Birthday Delta The Irish branch of The Delta Group is celebrating 13 years of business in Dublin. The company has expanded from a team of two in 2005 to 30 in 2018.

Peter Mahon, Managing Director of Delta Ireland, said: “One of our core strengths is the fantastic team that has helped us grow and our clients who trust us with their campaigns on a daily basis. Being part of The Delta Group has opened many doors for us, allowing us to mirror their service offering to provide our clients with a fully-fledged retail marketing solution.

We very much look forward to the next phase of our growth.”

Canon has extended the capabilities of its imagePRESS C850 series of cutsheet toner presses with an automated duplex feeder for banner sheets. According to Canon, this addition enables customers to promote the advantages of this media format and differentiate their product offering. Designed to offer printers flexibility, the imagePRESS C850 series also features a front-loading media tray to help operators switch between standard formats and long sheets.

Other features include R-VCSEL red laser technology which delivers 2,400 x 2,400 dpi resolution and the Compact Registration Module for precise front-toback registration with automatic skew correction and precision image placement.

A winning year for Northside Northside Graphics rounded off an excellent year in 2017 with another prestigious award. The run of wins started with ‘SME of the Year’, followed by an award for ‘Best SME Initiative’ and an Irish Print Award for ‘Best Trade Supplier’. The year ended with ‘Best Online Company of the Year’ at the UTV Business Eye Awards 2017 for the company’s Digital Printing websites. The award was based on ease of use and onsite user experience. Gary White, MD of Northside, said: “I think this award proves that any company which dedicates itself to ‘customer first’ service in an online arena can achieve great things.”

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Goss and manroland combine Goss International’s printing press business and manroland web systems are planning to merge. Subject to regulatory approval, it is expected that the deal will be completed by the middle of 2018. The Contiweb business of Goss International is set to become a separate company under the ownership of American Industrial Partners, with operations headquartered in The Netherlands. Contiweb MD Bert Schoonderbeek, said: “We will continue to build upon our successful relationship with both Goss and manroland and are looking forward to continuing the cooperation as a strong partner of the combined company as we pursue other diversification opportunities.”

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23/03/2018 10:25

Amber

3D printing lab opens at AMBER

A world-class 3D printing lab has opened at AMBER, Trinity’s Advanced Materials and Bio-engineering Research centre. Containing world class, custom-made machinery, the purpose of the new €4.3 million laboratory is to support research into new materials and printing methods. It will also investigate the capability of 2D and 3D printing to enable new medical, electronic, mechanical, optical, acoustic, heat transfer and sensing devices. The laboratory will consist of 3D printing equipment from Ireland and abroad, hopefully allowing the centre to benefit from international partnerships. In a press statement, Director of AMBER Prof Michael Morris said that the new laboratory would “be a pivotal component of AMBER’s research.” Explaining that they have invested in a customised suite of 3D printing technology which spans the full spectrum of materials from ceramics, metals to polymers and biomaterials, he said that it will allow AMBER to “play a leading role” in the industry. “It will enable AMBER to build on our foundation of innovative excellence in materials science and become leaders in this emerging technology which is critical to the manufacturing industries that support the Irish economy,” he said.

IDI launches #WhyDesign gender balance initiative The Institute of Designers in Ireland has announced that it is working on a gender balance initiative for the Irish design sector. The first of its kind in Ireland and aimed at second level female designers, their parents, teachers and guidance councillors, the site will inform what design actually is, cover the design careers available and include all the creative design courses in the country. The IDI says that a large element of the project will showcase practicing female designers from all disciplines based in Ireland and allow these inspiring role models to share their journey and insights into the industry.

Horizon awarded ISO Quality and Environmental Certificates Horizon Digital Print has been awarded the latest ISO Quality Management System and Environmental Management System certificates. The company says this is a massive stamp of approval for any business, as the awarding body EQA (Ireland) systematically assesses every part of your organisation and holds it to a high level of standard before approving the cert.

Commenting on the award, a spokesperson for the company said: “We are delighted that not only did we pass, but no recommendations for better management processes were included, meaning that we have fulfilled the criteria and more.”

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23/03/2018 10:26

SET PRINT FREE Océ Colorado 1640

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23/03/2018 20/02/2018 15:02 15:42

Packaging

Snow problem!

The harshest weather conditions in over 30 years didn’t stop the team at Print Media Services from meeting a deadline During the week of the snow and right in the middle of Storm Emma, staff at Print Media Services pulled out all the stops to finish work on the latest Kingspan Annual Report. Bound by Printglaze who also worked round the clock to ensure the job met its deadline, the Report was delivered to the client the following Monday by 9am. Print Media Services also recently completed a project for CI Studio Dublin. The booklet for the newly opened Museum of Literature Ireland at the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade is Singer-sewn along the spine with black thread. The cover was printed on Old Mill Bianco and the text on Arcoprint Milk; both papers were supplied by Paper Assist. The creative in CI Studio was Rachel Kerr and thanks to meticulous attention to detail on the part of Print Media Services, the booklet has been praised across the board.

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23/03/2018 10:29

SAVE THE DATE WHEN: 30th NOVEMBER 2018 WHERE: CROWNE PLAZA NORTHWOOD, DUBLIN 9

For details on the Irish Print Awards, please contact Jacinta O'Rourke at JACINTA.OROURKE@ASHVILLE.COM ph 01 4322201

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23/03/2018 15:20

Brewing up a storm Emergency services vehicles customised

by Esmark Finch were put to the test during Storm Emma Esmark Finch, a digital packaging specialist firm that has diversified into the automotive industry, has worked closely with different arms of the emergency services, customising and converting a vast array of vehicles to ensure they are fully equipped to face any emergency. During extreme conditions like Storm Emma, vehicles that stand out are vital. Esmark Finch used 3M Diamond Grade materials specially cut and sealed on its Zund with an ultrasonic head and covered as much of the vehicle as possible to add safety and impact. By using the highest quality LEDs, light bars and sirens, Esmark Finch ensured the vehicles stood out in extreme conditions. The High Visibility team, which is the department that deals with vehicle graphics and vehicle conversions, completed a fleet of 10 Ford Ranger Utility 4×4 vehicles which were in force during Storm Emma.

The distinctive roads policing markings made sure that they could be seen and clearly identified during hazardous conditions. The team also converted a fleet of Mitsubishi L200’s and Outlanders for Dublin Airport. All vehicles were equipped with state-ofthe-art communications equipment, transponders (to allow air traffic control ‘see’ them on radar) as well as more conventional high quality light bars, spotlights and LEDs. A generous covering of 3M Diamond Grade material in distinctive black and yellow battenburg patterns was the final safety net. Commenting on all the vehicles used during Storm Emma, Esmark Finch said: “The vehicles we worked hard on to ensure they met the highest standards were certainly challenged as they took on the beast from the east. We are thrilled with the feedback from the emergency services about their performance.”

Most of us stayed indoors when Storm Emma raged across the country but for the emergency services, the severe weather meant extra work in potentially dangerous conditions.

News

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An innovative approach to everchanging industry demands has put Plus Print at the top of its game

In Focus

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The team at Plus Print at the 2017 Irish Print Awards

Plus Print is no stranger to the winner’s stage at the Irish Print Awards. In 2017, the firm was named Irish Printer of the Year for the third year in a row and the fourth time in the past five years. Last year also saw the firm scoop the Small Printer of the Year award for the sixth time in the past seven years. These wins have helped secure the firm not just additional work, but more diverse, engaging projects that coincidentally, often end up on the Print Awards shortlist.

Ciaran Smith, director and owner of Plus Print, attributes the firm’s success to meticulous attention to detail. “In addition to that, we don’t have a high staff turnover so our employees have invaluable experience between them. When we have our initial discussion with customers, we can foresee potential problems and so we adjust our approach to ensure these issues don’t impede the project. Each job is unique and it’s always approached in that vein,” says Ciaran.

Social media’s impact on print has been well documented, often acting as a catalyst for change in printing firms.

“People now use the internet to design and print invites and they set up event pages on social media. Mailouts aren’t being printed as much anymore, it’s easier just to use an app. There’s certainly less print being done in these areas.

The industry has completely changed and firms have had to adapt to survive.” Maintaining a steady workflow has meant going down a more niche, bespoke route. “We’re extremely diverse. We work across a range of sectors but we also do a lot of one-off bespoke jobs. That approach keeps the job fresh for us and means we’re always working on interesting projects and trying new things.”

Plus Print was established in 1985 by Ciaran’s father Dan Smith and Tom Sneyd. After gaining valuable experience in Guinness’ in-house printing plant, Dan and Tom bought the required machinery and set up in Glasnevin where the firm still operates. “In the 1990s, John Kenny came in as a sales rep and helped us break into sectors like music and cosmetics.” After spending his summer holidays working at

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In Focus

the company, Ciaran completed a printing management course in Bolton Street and joined Plus Print 17 years ago. Today he’s an owner of the firm and a director along with John Kenny and Brian Sneyd.

To keep up with the ever-changing industry, modifications have been made to the offices in Glasnevin. Three years ago, the space was redesigned and reconfigured to include a digital hub. “When we redesigned the premises, we invested in a new digital press, a Ricoh Pro C7100X. We were able to migrate previously outsourced jobs to the new digital press which helped us cut down on unnecessary costs. The digital side of the business is doing extremely well but in saying that, the litho side is also very busy.”

The firm has nine members of staff and has just taken on an apprentice. “We were lucky, the right person came along at the right time. We have always trained in our own guys; Mark, who’s currently training in our new apprentice, was trained by my dad so there’s a nice continuity there.” The lack of apprentices in the sector runs the risk of leaving print firms open to a lack of skilled professionals. “It’s worrying as training is

vital. We could be looking at a drop in the overall quality of print if people aren’t entering the industry.”

Ciaran and the team are currently monitoring several different technologies before making an investment in a new machine. “We’re waiting for the right machine at the right price that will suit the volume of work we have. We’re keeping an eye on HUV inks which is a technology that’s at an early stage but we’ll be ready to invest when the time is right. We’re also looking at finishing machines which are getting less expensive and easier to use. The plan is to keep as much work as possible in-house on the finishing side of things.” In the meantime, Plus Print will continue to produce highend print jobs so that, come awards season, there’ll be plenty of innovative, unusual projects to choose from.

“Mailouts aren’t being printed as much anymore, it’s easier just to use an app”

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We are pleased to announce the opening of our first Irish Sales Office. Peak are a long established family run business with over 44 years’ worth of experience in producing and supplying an extensive product range with flexible production capabilities. We are widely recognised as the UK’s no.1 supplier of envelopes and associated postal packaging solutions. We hope to extend our excellent service to the Irish Market. We are proud to produce on site and have a dedicated team to ensure that your product is made to the highest quality whilst meeting your delivery requirements. Our team in Kilkenny are on hand to ensure an efficient service to the Irish Market and to assist with all aspects of the customer’s requirements.

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23/03/2018 27/02/2018 15:03 14:57

Q&A

Congratulations on your new role Peter. What does it involve?

I’m the first person to take on this new position at Heidelberg which highlights how much the Irish market has grown over the past few years. I’ll be responsible for consumables and digital sales.

I have over 20 years’ experience on the consumables side; the digital side of things will be somewhat of a learning curve but it’s an exciting area to be involved with and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.

How does your new role in Heidelberg differ from positions you’ve held in other companies?

The level of support I have is phenomenal. Obviously Heidelberg is a large company but the back-up I have is great and I know that if I have a problem, there are several people on hand to offer their advice. I’ll be working closely with Frontline Representative Declan Martin and Finishing Representative Chris Bann. I’ll also have the support of the consumables technical team which includes a chemist and press demonstrators to help with product trials, colour management and application support. Dave Naylor, Prinect Specialist for Heidelberg and product managers Chris Matthews (digital products) and Paul Chamberlain (Prinect products) will also be on hand to offer advice.

What areas are you covering?

I have responsibility for the whole country. For the last month and a half, I’ve been to the UK about four times so it involves quite a bit of travelling and training. It’s a huge role but I’m thoroughly enjoying it.

How did you get into the print industry?

When I left school, I worked in a printing company. I decided to do an apprenticeship and worked my way up to production manager. I was in my previous job for 20 years so I’m extremely familiar with the sector.

What’s the biggest change you’ve seen over the past 20 years?

Definitely digital. From what I’m seeing, digital presses are now on a par with litho. Quality has improved enormously. It’s hard to tell the difference between litho and digital.

What’s your ambition in your new role?

My aim is to grow the business while retaining the existing client portfolio. I also intend to support the two frontline sales reps who have an extremely important job themselves. I think the bundled deal concept from Heidelberg is very exciting and I’m looking forward to getting involved with that. I also like the concept of dry sheet technology and the fact we offer a retrofit service with the various UV options. It’s a great role and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds!

Talking to…

PETER SMITH

Heidelberg’s new Prinect and Consumables Rep in Ireland talks to Irish Printer about getting to grips with his new role and ambitions for the future

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23/03/2018 10:39

GDPR

Get ready for

GD PR

From changing opt-ins and sign-ups to deciding if you’re a data controller or data protector, the Design, Print and Packaging Skillnet outlines ho esign rint an acking r s can get on top of the incoming data protection regulation.

Get your ducks in a row

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European Union directive that will come into force in May 2018 and will impact on every business and organisation in the EU. In a nutshell, the GDPR will put a stop to unsolicited mail and unlawful sharing of data. It also safeguards against information theft or abuse. So for every piece of personal data you must have sought explicit consent to store, use or share this data or have legitimate business reasons to store and use it. GDPR also brings in hefty (potentially bankrupting) fines and mandatory reporting.

Three-quarters of Irish businesses say they’re not ready for this May’s GDPR, according to a survey by McCann FitzGerald and Mazars, although 75% believe their existing data protection and privacy notices and methods of consent “will require significant changes”.

The design, print and packing industry has its own specific challenges. Here are some key actions you can take right away to start preparing your business.

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23/03/2018 10:42

GDPR Understand the difference between ‘data controller’ and ‘data processor’

A data controller is one who dictates how and why data is used. A data processer merely processes (prints, designs, etc) that information on behalf of a client or third party. Most design, print and packing companies will be data controllers. You may, however, also be a data controller if you have your own mailing lists for marketing purposes or if you are responsible for gathering personal information for any other purpose.

Review your data storage policy

Most design, print and packing companies will personalise posters, mailshots, newsletters and more on behalf of clients. This means you may have huge volumes of personal information – emails or home addresses in particular. Consider the data you have stored. Where do you store these addresses and how long are they kept for? Are there any spreadsheets left over from old projects sitting around on shared drives? Unsecured printing is a particular area for concern.

Audit your data You need to document what personal data you hold throughout your organisation, where it came from and who you currently share it with.

Pay particular attention to marketing data – how do you store client emails? Do you issue newsletters or other marketing materials to lists of clients and potential clients? Do you send unsolicited mail about offers or new services? How long do you store information belonging to a specific project? Do you have old files with potentially sensitive information on the company’s server?

This audit will take time and will require input from all departments, so start as soon as possible.

Audit Understand Review Train Appoint

Review your data sharing and processing policy

Think about how you share and send large files. If information is shared internally or externally, ensure it is done so securely and with good business reason. As data processors, you must keep a record of data processing activity.

You’ll also need to implement GDPR clauses into contracts with any thirdparty suppliers.

Understand consent for use Consent is going to be front and centre in all data sharing and data usage from now on. Pre-checked boxes and implied consent ill no longer be s fficient o st ha e ritten olicies which are strictly adhered to around how you obtain and document consent along with a process for consent withdrawal.

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GDPR Train all staff Add data protection as a line item on team meetings so you are all a are of the signi cance of the iss es raises taff at all levels should be aware of the new legislation and understand how it will impact on their role.

Appoint a data protection officer

Even small organisations need to appoint a data protection officer (DPO). The DPO for your business should be monitoring compliance with GDPR, advising and informing the organisation and its employees about their obligations, and acting as the point of contact for supervisory authorities and individuals whose data is processed. In addition, there is a responsibility under GDPR to report a data breach within 72 hours and the DPO should be responsible for this.

Use GDPR to add business value

In many ways, GDPR provides an opportunity for your company to add business value by helping other companies be more mindful of correct storing, sharing and use of data. Website designers, for example, can help ensure sign-up pages are compliant.

Taking GDPR seriously will be a business imperative for all SMEs in Ireland over the next couple of months. Once GDPR is in place, there will be little room for trial and error, so get your ducks in a row now and test your systems. Seek out advice if you need to and don’t take any risks when it comes to gathering, storing, sharing and using data of any kind.

Audit Understand Review Train Appoint

The content of this article is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice or opinions. When it comes to GDPR, the penalties are severe.

All business owners should seek out specific legal advice if their business has complex data processing or controlling needs. The Design, Print and Packaging Skillnet is running training programmes to help your business get ready. Email maureen@dppskillnet.ie for more information or go to www.dppskillnet.ie

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Investment

Roland RT640 sublimation printer

The overall print output of the new machine compared to the printer the firm was previously using is up considerably, says Keelan McKeown at JMK. “The increasing volume of work we have here at JMK required a faster, more efficient machine. Now, we can run two or three kits off in one day whereas before, we could only do one. The new printer also allows us to be a bit more competitive in our pricing as well as it uses less ink and paper. It’s working out really well for us.”

Featuring a user-friendly interface, the Roland RT640 prompts the user when they’ve forgotten a step in the printing process. “We’ve found it great in that regard. Deciding to make the investment in the new machine was really a no-brainer. The two older machines we were using required a huge amount of maintenance; we were throwing money at them just to keep them going. We expect the new machine to save us money in the long-term.”

Neopost supplied JMK with the Roland RT-640. According to Neopost, more and more textile companies are switching to digital printing methods. “After meeting with JMK, it was obvious that the Roland RT640 would be a perfect fit for their business. Speed and running costs are second to none.” Neopost says that speciality inks such as Flourescent Pink and Yellow open up new opportunities for soft signage and interior décor products as a well as fashion and apparel items, all adding to the profitability of the Texart printers.

The right fit Craigavon-based JMK Textiles recently purchased a Roland RT640 sublimation printer to help improve its workflow and keep up with customer demand

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Technology

The merits of MIS Over the past few years, Management Information Systems (MIS) have become the printer’s best friend. Michael McMullin, head of IT Development at McGowans, talks to Irish Printer about the unlimited possibilities associated with the software 20

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Technology Management Information Systems (MIS) have really come into their own over the past few years. They aid a printer’s production workflow and spot glitches before they become an issue, all while highlighting potential new business and areas of growth.

Printers need to know precisely how a job moves through the shop, from estimation and quoting to shipping. Any breakdown in information can mean the difference between making a profit or taking a loss and this is where MIS software comes into its own.

Pushing the capabilities of these systems has allowed McGowans to increase workflow and to complete jobs faster and more efficiently. Like a lot of printers, the firm uses Tharstern and has also implemented Switch, In Focus and XMPie. Between them, these systems cover MIS, workflow automation and on-line ordering, along with a plethora of slightly less significant tasks. Unusually for a print firm, McGowans has two in-house software developers which allows it to carry out a large amount of customised work based on customers’ needs.

One of these developers is Michael McMullin. His expertise in all things IT-related has allowed the firm exploit the software’s capabilities. “Before we implemented Switch, we had been doing a bit of in-house ad hoc automation, writing little scripts for InDesign etc, but it wasn’t really enough. We investigated a few different solutions but found that Switch was very extensible. We could write a programme that had for example the ability to crosscheck a production file against something else and quickly integrate it into an existing workflow that we would all be using. It might save a few seconds or minutes but over time, it

means we’ve been able to produce a greater number of jobs more accurately and in a shorter timeframe,” says Michael.

Last year McGowans invested in a new Nozomi C18000, a single-pass inkjet press that’s capable of print speeds of 75 linear metres per minute, producing up to 7,224 square metres per hour, on substrates up to 1.8 metres wide. This is the biggest investment the firm has ever made in a new machine and has allowed it to enter and compete in new markets, most notably packaging. McGowans has made huge inroads into the cardboard market over the past few years, producing huge volumes of in-store POS material, including some award winning FSDUs. “The new printer is going so fast that getting jobs to press quickly is really essential. We need flexibility and that’s what our customers are looking for, we’re constantly trying to push the envelope in that regard.”

Once the new software systems were implemented, Michael and the team at McGowans started off with some very basic tasks. After this, they decided to take a closer look at the area of machine learning. “I think machine learning is a great use of business intelligence. Everyone talks about business intelligence in terms of sales and marketing but it’s also extremely helpful with production. In addition, it can give you a lot of insights into your existing data.” Machine learning has allowed Michael to view historical records that the firm has captured directly from PDF files in a different

The lesson is that business intelligence isn’t just in the database; it’s also in the people

Michael McMullin, IT Development, McGowans

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Next Day Delivery Trade Print • Short run digital booklets (including 6pp A4s and landscape A4s) • Flatbed digital cutting • Short run die cut folders • 126” Latex wide format printing (including vinyl) • SEG Lightbox printing • High volume automated poster cutting • Full in-house finishing • Case binding • Data processing & direct mail • Polybagging

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Technology

We’re basically taking these off the shelf products and enhancing them to a much higher level. The possibilities are endless.

light. “If a new file comes in and we want to capture a simple instruction like for example it needs to be printed double sided, the question is how do we automatically find that out when the instructions have been written by a human being? People use different terms for different things and that’s not to mention all the misspellings you get in this industry.” The IT department at McGowans has developed software that can identify this information.

“We have about 98% accuracy with it. Once we develop it, we can plug it into something like Switch. We’re basically taking these off the shelf products and enhancing them to a much higher level. The possibilities are endless. The systems we use aren’t locking us into a very fixed workflow. We can take it wherever we want it to go.”

When MIS started to gain in popularity in the print industry, some firms worried that it would mean less jobs for people who had worked hard to become proficient in their trade. That hasn’t been the case says Michael.

“Far from putting people out of work, it increased our capacity. We actually have more people working here now than ever before.”

Working more intelligently doesn’t always mean having to invest in costly software.

Even a simple conversation with the right people can, says Michael, reveal a solution to a tricky problem. “For example, a few years ago we automated one of our processes and we spoke to the press operator involved. He casually asked if it was possible to send him the files in reverse order. It was something that nobody had ever thought of, the kind of simple change that can save two or three hours in a day depending on the workload.” The lesson is that business intelligence isn’t just in the database; it’s also in the people. “Their experience counts for a lot. The small decisions they make every hour without even really thinking about it are crucial.”

There’s no doubt that technological advances and the move towards automation have changed the face of the industry. Cloud-based solutions have become part of this transformation but must be used correctly to be effective.

“We use XMPie for our online ordering, it’s extremely important to us. We’ve had a few false starts over the years, but the current solution is working out really well.” Michael says cloud systems are set to increase in popularity but if you’re not careful, it can also brush a lot of problems under the carpet. “You can’t lose control and let customers upload ad hoc files. You still need the traditional expertise behind the scenes to maintain the kind of service levels that are required. I don’t think we’re at the stage where it can be completely automated from start to finish but it will get there.”

The benefits associated with MIS are endless.

McGowans intends to continue developing its own software and pushing the boundaries of its systems to further increase workflow and efficiency. “As well as making firms more efficient, MIS has removed a lot of the annoying error-prone donkey work that no-one wanted to do anyway. We’re benefitting from the advantages of the systems we’ve implemented and we see that continuing into the future.”

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Packaging Attendees at Packaging Innovations 2018

Sustainability is key at Packaging Innovations 2018

Packaging and print professionals battled adverse weather conditions to attend Packaging Innovations, Empack and Label&Print 2018 Attendees at the event, which was held at Birmingham’s NEC at the end of February, heard from over 300 industry leading suppliers and from speakers who participated in the country’s most hotly anticipated plastics debate. Sustainability was top of the agenda, with Coca Cola, Co-Op, Marks & Spencer and Iceland forming an expert panel as part of a new feature – The Big Plastics Debate. The discussion posed the industry’s most pertinent plastic questions to the UK’s leading retailers with innovation, collaboration and ambition coming up as key themes.

The panel agreed that more needs to be done to battle the use of plastics and said that litter plays a major role in bringing the subject of packaging to the public’s attention.They also felt that as leading retailers, they should be doing more to combat the issue, using their influence to change the way the industry works with plastic. Exhibitors at the event included Zünd UK Ltd who demonstrated a Zünd G3 L3200 digital cutting table, configured for sample-making and production applications for packaging businesses. Visitors were able to see how the system processed foams up to 50mm thick, corrugated sheets up to 10’ x 5’ and smaller sheets of carton, boxboard and polypropylene materials.

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Packaging

HP C500 press for corrugated packaging hits Europe Set to advance packing print for the corrugated sector, HP has announced the worldwide commercial launch of the HP PageWide C500 press. A direct-toboard digital corrugated solution, the C500 also prints on 1.3m-wide boards using a corrugated media handling solution with a virtual belt. It can achieve speeds of 75m per minute and provides post print flexibility with offset print quality.

The press can also produce a wide range of food applications using water-based inks which meet stringent food standards. The first commercial units of the C500 press were shipped to Europe and the US in March.

Digital corrugated area highlight of Fespa 2018 This year’s hotly anticipated Fespa event will include the ‘Digital Corrugated Experience’, an educational and experiential area that will showcase the commercial and production advantages of digital print for corrugated packaging and retail display applications.

According to Fespa, digital print on corrugated represents a strong opportunity for small to medium converters and box-makers as well as large format print service providers. Visitors to the experiential area will get the chance to view the entire corrugated process, from workflow and finishing to substrates and inks. Set to take place from 15-18 May at Messe Berlin, this year’s event which covers wide-format, screen printing and textile printing will be co-located once again with the European Sign Expo, Fespa’s event for non-printed signage. An entire hall will be dedicated to substrates and this year’s show will also feature the largest textile zone of any Fespa event to date, reflecting the market’s growing interest in soft signage, fashion and decorative textiles. More than 20,000 visitors are expected to attend Fespa 2018. Over 507 exhibitors have signed up so far and Fespa divisional director Roz Guarnori said the show is “virtually sold out”.

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 || THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY || WWW.IRISHPRINTER.IE

I S S U E 1 2 0 1 8 | | T H E V O I C E O F T H E I N D U S T R Y | | W W W. I R I S H P R I N T E R . I E

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MJ Flood and Konica Minolta because not everything is black and white

Discover the Konica Minolta advantage with MJ Flood Ireland

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ADVERTISE

To advertise in IRISH PRINTER contact Trish Murphy, Sales Manager on 01 432 2231 or email trish.murphy@ashvillemediagroup.com Advertise IP_1C_JM_IP.indd 1

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What’s New in Print Moti

3D printing creates human skeleton Mexico-based print service provider, Moti Digital 3D has printed a towering, head-turning skeleton for the Mexican Festival of Light celebrations in Guadalajara.

The company used its Massivit 1800 3D Printing Solution to create a model that would ‘wow’ visitors to the event and demonstrate the capabilities of large format 3D printing technology. Measuring at 8.40m (27.52ft) long and 3.60m (11.8ft) tall, the skeleton was produced in just four days.

CMYUK The ultimate reference tool CMYUK has opened a dedicated premises to facilitate production of its Material Sample Binders. Showcasing 80 application materials, the binders contain materials relevant to a wide range of industries and include laminate and adhesives, décor and design, flooring, soft image and textiles.

The binders showcase finishes achieved from multiple ink technologies including UV, solvent, latex and dye sublimation. With CMYUK handling the printing, cutting and collating, the production process allows the freedom to introduce new materials and, says the company, keeps the binder up to date and consistently moving forward to reflect current trends.

Agfa

Small but perfectly formed

Agfa Graphics has expanded its wide-format hybrid Anapurna LED series for sign and display professionals with a new 1.65 m-wide hybrid printer – the Anapurna H1650i LED. A smaller version of the Anapurna H2050i LED printer, the new Anapurna also prints on rigid and flexible media by means of LED curing, resulting in a lower cost of ownership. It combines this with Agfa’s award-winning imaging quality yet requires a smaller financial investment than other Anapurna engines. “The hybrid Anapurna H1650i LED printer was designed as a robust, qualitative and versatile entry-level option for wide-format print service providers,” said Philip Van der Auwera, Product Manager at Agfa Graphics. “Although smaller, it is equipped with features normally reserved for higher-end printers, such as automatic head height measurement, crash prevention and an antistatic bar, thus offering the very best at a reasonable price.” The Anapurna H1650i LED was launched at C!Print Lyon in France in February.

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What’s New in Print

What if you could download and print a home in 24 hours for half the cost?

Home sweet 3D home A robotics construction company in Austin, Texas has unveiled what’s believed to be the first habitable 3D-printed house. Along with a charity that builds houses for people in developing nations, construction firm Icon built the house using its Vulcan printer which excretes a custom blend of concrete that hardens as it’s printed. The concrete is laid in 100 roughly one-inch-thick strands that hold their shape as they harden. Icon cofounder Evan Loomis said that the strength of the printed walls is stronger than cinderblocks after a few days of hardening, although the house is entirely habitable after it’s been set up. After the walls are printed, workers install windows, a wooden roof, basic plumbing and electrical wiring which can be drilled right into the walls. The entire setup, including the finishing, takes under a day. Icon said it would like to explore the possibility of printing roofs as well, but the technology for suspending concrete as it prints isn’t feasible just yet. The two organisations plan to start producing small houses for families in countries like Haiti and El Salvador. The 800 sq ft house costs around $10,000 to build using the massive but portable Vulcan printer, but the company plans to eventually bring that price down to $4,000.

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EXCLUSIVE TO NEOPOST

ID-64

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The NEW Roland RF-640 with ID-64 uses the latest UV print technology allowing for instant finishing. Save up to 65% per print over a latex system. The machine also reduces other overheads by using less power due to its low heat media cycle.

Available exclusively through Neopost Ireland.

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