Irish Printer October 2014

OCTOBER 2014 // THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY // WWW.IRISHPRINTER.IE

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NEWS

Bizquip Signs €280K Sherry FitzGerald Deal

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PAPER

Price Increases Hit Printers Hard

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PROFILE

Global Acquisition Boosts Irish Print Managers

... desire

the new

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FUTURE FOCUS

Printers Actively Research Diversification Opportunities

delivers ...

THE PERFECT BLEND OF SPEED, BEAUTY & HERITAGE

@HybridServices

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+353 45 8479 08

facebook.com/HybridServicesLtd www.hybridservices.ie

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in association with

enter now visit www.irishprinter.ie Celebrating excellence in the Irish printing industry for over 30 years, nominations for the Irish Print Awards are now open. The ceremony will be held on the 28th of November in the Crowne Plaza Dublin – Northwood and promises to be an evening to remember, rewarding the creativity and craft of the print industry.

For more information on the awards or if you have any queries, please contact: amy.clarkin@ashvillemediagroup.com or call 01 432 1702.

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

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Cover Story » 14 Dave Rainsford, General Manager in Ireland for Mimaki Distributor, Hybrid Services Ltd, provides Irish Printer readers with an exclusive insight into what is driving demand for wide format print services and how print companies can benefit from new technology.

Awards Preview » 17 We continue our profiles of this year’s Irish Print Award sponsors.

feature » 18 Paper merchants recently increased their prices and, as usual, print companies are being forced to absorb the extra cost in an already difficult trading environment. Maev Martin talks to some printers about the likely impact on their operations and on the industry.

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wide format » 22 •M ovies Made Easy with The Printed Image

•M imaki Joins F1 Team as Technical Partner

• C aldera RIP Proves Popular on New Truepress Jet

profile » 27 Maev Martin talks to Niamh Higgins, Sales Manager with Co Kildare-based print management company XM Solutions, about the impact of their acquisition by InnerWorking Inc. (NASDAQ:INWK) on their operation in Ireland and the outlook for the Irish print industry.

Packaging » 30 •M BO Solutions Certified for Canon Digital Web Presses

• Get The No Label Look • Cost Effective Proofing from Oris • N ew Flexo System for Corrugated Packaging

What’s New in Print » 32 • N ew Flexible Packaging & Label Print Technology

• I nk Cartridge for Spot Colour Printing

•M itsubishi Introduces Security Paper

• New Duplicators Spark a Gold Rush Future Focus » 34

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We report on the findings of a recent ‘Future Focus’ survey by Neopost UK which highlights three major challenges facing the print industry.

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IRISH PRINTER | Editor’s Letter

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ikipedia defines Augmented Reality (AR) as “a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data”.

When this technology first came into vogue its relevance to the print world may not have been obvious but it is has since become an increasingly popular marketing tool. A recent study

by InfoTrends shows that, despite some of the barriers to the adoption of augmented reality, it remains an important vehicle for any enterprise or marketer looking to make an impact with end users. ‘An Introduction to Augmented Reality’ is based on interviews with six major players in the AR space, as well as primary research previously conducted

by InfoTrends on augmented reality adoption.

“According to our research on media trends in 2013, 41.5% of consumers interacted with augmented reality two to five times within the previous year,” said Arianna Valentini, Senior Research Analyst for InfoTrends’ digital marketing and media service. “As hardware technology has advanced and mobile software has become more sophisticated, augmented reality now has its place in today’s consumer global marketplace.”

AR gives users the opportunity to interact with printed media in a new and exciting way. In addition, the future of AR looks very promising. With the advent of AR glasses such as Google Glass or Meta AR, it won’t be long before AR will be taken from our smart phones and put directly into our field of vision.

So how are Irish print companies embracing the benefits that this technology can bring to their businesses? Well, one Dublin-based printer, Russell Altman, has become the first person in Ireland to offer customers an AR experience which can then be viewed by their customers using large wall graphics and/or customised wallpaper. The wall graphics and/ or customised wallpaper is supplied and created by Russell’s large format printing operation, WallMural.ie (see Page 16).

THE TEAM

Editor: Maev Martin Editorial Manager: Mary Connaughton Art Director: Jane Matthews Design & Layout: Jennifer Reid Advertising Designers: Colm McDermott & Jennifer Reid Stock Photography & Illustrations: Thinkstock

The reason this technology works so well with printed media is that in order for AR to work it needs targets to project the virtual object onto. As the producer of the printed media, integrating this technology is a logical step for printers and print companies.

Some print companies are exploring and benefiting from the interaction between digital and print but most have been slow to embrace the opportunities posed by technologies such as AR. While AR is suitable for any print company, provided they have the resources and the market, the most obvious candidates are large format printers. This is because they are producing an array of marketing and promotional material (including internal POS, various forms of external signage, and exhibition graphics) and these are an ideal fit for AR. And it isn’t just about securing new customers and new revenue streams, it is about building on your existing customer base by adding value. AR allows you to enhance the printed offering that you are already producing and puts the printer on the road to becoming a complete marketing communications solutions provider. What better way to ensure that your customers stay with print and move away from, or are slower to move towards, the embrace of the digital marketer.

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

Cover Image: thinkstockphotos.com Contact: Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7 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 2014. 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

Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Production: Niamh Burke Printed by: Walsh Colour Print

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Ricoh Europe Opens New Customer Experience Centre

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Bizquip Signs €280K Sherry FitzGerald Deal

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izquip recently announced the implementation of a new managed print and document service for Sherry FitzGerald. The overall value of the deal is €280,000 over five years and includes equipment, software and managed services.

Bizquip was awarded a competitive tender to provide the new print service and a suite of Ricoh Multifunction Devices (MFDs) to support business needs at Sherry FitzGerald. The new technologies have been implemented in the head office in Ballsbridge, Dublin and in 21 branches of Sherry FitzGerald’s residential and commercial sales operations across Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

As a result of this implementation, Bizquip’s managed service will generate 15% print and energy cost savings for Sherry FitzGerald due to increased control of print and document outputs. It will also enable a 20% reduction in paper wastage. With the new solution Sherry FitzGerald will also have greater reporting capabilities on device usage, as well as a fixed cost per copy so it can accurately forecast costs over the next five years.

Pictured at the announcement of the deal are (l-r): Brian Dooley, IT Director, Sherry FitzGerald and Stephen McCarthy, Senior Account Consultant, Bizquip.

Additionally, Bizquip has provided further software technology and services that are improving productivity throughout Sherry FitzGerald’s team of estate agents, which includes the Ricoh Smart Device ‘Print&Scan Apps’. The agents can now easily and securely print or scan photos, finance information or property brochures directly from their mobile phones or tablets, saving time and improving service for customers. In Sherry FitzGerald’s head office, the new ‘Follow Me Print’ capability has assigned individual PIN numbers for each employee so costs can be allocated accurately across the business. This facility is having the added benefit of reducing print volumes as employees become more conscious of their printing levels. The devices supplied by Bizquip also include the Ricoh ‘@ Remote’ software, which generates sustainability reports on CO2 emissions and power usage.

The new system also has inbuilt intelligence that will routinely log any service requirements with Bizquip and automatically order new consumables, such as toner, when needed.

icoh Europe announced on August 29th that it will be opening a new Customer Experience Centre for production print clients. The centre will be a working print production centre of excellence and feature integrated solutions from Ricoh and its partners that will allow visitors to see a variety of end-to-end workflows and production processes first-hand as they might exist in their own facilities. The Ricoh Customer Experience Centre will be built within the existing Ricoh Products Ltd. factory in Telford, UK and will officially open on November 4th.

In a dynamic production printing environment, every print service provider has a unique set of challenges that must be addressed to future-proof their businesses.

Ricoh’s entire production printing portfolio reflects a lean manufacturing ‘smart factory’ concept that assures maximum productivity and efficiency from prepress to the bindery. The new Customer Experience Centre will help clients identify business and production improvements, allowing them to walk through every process as they explore, test and confirm optimum solutions for their businesses.

It will also demonstrate how those improvements can be implemented seamlessly with Ricoh continuous feed, cut sheet and wide format printers, combined with Ricoh and third-party finishing equipment and software solutions.

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News | IRISH PRINTER

On the Road Again with Neopost

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eopost kicked off this year’s series of print and finishing roadshows in Dublin’s Red Cow Hotel during the week of September 16th. The company’s ‘Branch Out’ initiative once again proved to be extremely popular with the print and sign industry. “It was fantastic to see so many local print and sign companies turn out for the event,” says Neopost Marketing Executive Yvonne Maguire. “Neopost teamed up with Xeretec, a leading integrator of digital print hardware, software, solutions and services, who, together with Xerox, brought reliable modern printers to the exhibition showcasing the outstanding image quality and performance of the Xerox technology.

Some Neopost solutions that excited our visitors were the new Multigraf Touchline CP365 creaser perforator.

The Touchline is the new dimension in perforating, creasing and folding.

The machine allows for perforating in both directions as well as professional creasing. Another range on show and

now available to the market is Neolt, whose products trim and cut large format prints. Visitors got to see just how easily large posters can be cut, potentially saving them hours of work per day.”

An extensive range of wide format equipment, including the Roland VS540i, XR640, LEJ640 and BN20, were also on display. New products showcased by Neopost on the day included the Duplo DC616 cutter/ creaser, a short-run on-demand digital printer. The Duplo 616 creases, cuts and perforates printed sheets, cutting 20 to 25 sheets in one pass. “The DC-616 has been designed for higher return on investment by reducing production times,” says Yvonne. “This new piece of equipment allows your business to finish greeting cards, business cards, photobooks, brochures, information packs, tickets and vouchers. We also highlighted the UniBinder 8.2 desktop binder which allows you to bind, crimp and cool your documents in a matter of seconds to produce high-quality

documents. On the core side of the business, our folder/inserter range showed visitors just how quickly they can process their outgoing mail.”

Apart from the range of equipment on display, Neopost also teamed up with some leading experts in webto-print, diversification, and digital marketing who offered personalised advice and support to visitors who were keen to discover new ways to grow and develop their businesses. The experts included Peter Markovic from EFI, who provided some advice on the web to print landscape, Anthony Paul, head of marketing programmes with Neopost UK, who gave advice on best practice diversification and direct mail to enhance your product offering, and social media and digital marketing expert Ken Kennedy who gave printers an insight into how they can best sell and increase their business through online channels.

KPW Boosts Cutting Capacity with Polar 92

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PW Design and Print has taken delivery of a fourth Polar guillotine, an additional machine which will mainly handle the digital work that now represents 10% of the company’s turnover.

Managing Director Brendan Kelly says the installation went smoothly and the training was excellent. “The Polar 92 Pro was selected because of the reliability of the brand,” he says.

“The Optiknife knife changing is fantastic. The operators are very happy with this new cutter which we will run on a single day shift. Having the extra capacity will make us even more efficient.” The commercial printing house, which is based in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, offers

B1 and B3 litho and colour and black and white digital services and has a very strong base of life science sector customers. “They represent 70% of our business and we are involved in a lot of export work for this sector,” says Brendan. “That means that with a lot of hard work we have rode out the recession without suffering a dip in turnover. We provide consistency across all aspects - quality, pricing and on time deliveries. This guillotine will help us sustain that reputation.”

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Print the Legend – On A Netflix Near You

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rom printing guns and human organs to dismantling the world’s industrial infrastructure by enabling home manufacturing, 3D printing is changing the world. With unprecedented access to the visionaries building this industry, Print The Legend is a recently released film that follows the people and companies racing to bring 3D printing to people’s desktops and into their lives. The film is a fascinating look into what many believe will be the next ‘Industrial Revolution’. It is being billed as both the definitive 3D printing documentary - capturing a technology in the midst of its ‘Macintosh Moment’ - and a compelling tale about what it takes to live the American Dream in any field.

The film roots its core story in the rise and challenges of startups MakerBot and Formlabs as they vie to release consumer models and control the narrative of their market to compete with

established industrial players Stratasys and 3D Systems. It also asks tough questions about the industry’s creative drive to enable consumers to produce anything from trinkets to handguns, including being there with provocateur Cody Wilson as he uploads his printable-gun files to the internet, setting off a worldwide media firestorm.

Print The Legend is produced and directed by an awardwinning documentary team whose members have produced Freakonomics, The King of Kong, Make Believe, and the 2012 Oscar-winner Undefeated.

The film premiered this year at SXSW where it was the recipient of the Special Jury Recognition Award for Editing & Storytelling in the Documentary Feature Competition.

The film opened in cinemas in New York and Los Angeles and premiered on Netflix in all territories where Netflix is available on Friday, September 26th.

Shuttleworth Showcases MIS Solutions

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huttleworth Business Systems is joining major suppliers at the Print Efficiently event at Hemel Hempstead on October 7th, 8th, 9th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd. Visitors to Print Efficiently will see Shuttleworth’s MIS business management package in action, covering all the key operations of a modern print company, including e-commerce, native support for the latest versions of JDF/JMF capabilities, cost estimating and CRM. Other developments on display will include a fully integrated CRM package, which includes a mobile app enabling anyone working remotely to access and update vital information, job tracking functionality ‘Milestones’ for viewing the status of any job as it progresses through the business, the latest Production Scheduling module, including the new option for automating the whole production planning process, and a new ‘Mobile Stock app’ that allows users to update stock transactions using a mobile device with bar code scanning if required.

New Broom at Neopost

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eopost recently announced the appointment of Duncan Groom as Managing Director, effective since September 1st. Duncan joined Neopost as Sales Director in April 2012, taking responsibility for the core franking machine business as well as for growing the print and sign business within Neopost. “I am very excited and delighted at the prospect of leading Neopost Ireland as it continues to grow,” says Duncan.

“There is a great team here in Neopost and our aim will be to continue to provide a highquality service to our Irish customers.”

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News | IRISH PRINTER

MacMonagle An Appreciation Paddy Photographer, Printer & Publisher

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ell-known Killarney author, photographer, printer and publisher Paddy MacMonagle passed away on August 20th last. Paddy, who had recently celebrated his 94th birthday, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home at Countess Road, Killarney.

Paddy and his beloved wife Lil, who passed away on September 29th, would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 4th.

Born on April 20th, 1920, Paddy was the eldest of seven children and he was reared in the grounds of the Old Glebe Hotel in Killarney. His father Daniel was a master printer and photographer who founded the Killarney Printing Works in 1913. This was followed by the launch of The Kingdom newspaper in 1923. Paddy was educated at Presentation Monastery National School, St. Brendan’s College and Salesian College, Pallaskenry, Limerick. After completing his Leaving Cert, Paddy joined his father Daniel in Killarney Printing Works in 1938.

With his father Daniel and brother Sean they soon became one of Ireland’s leading printing houses with customers from all over Ireland and some international clients. After the difficult war years, tourism was the new economy and the MacMonagles were perfectly positioned to capitalise on that. Orders for hotel brochures, letterheads, advertising and especially the postcard business poured in as the fledgling industry started to boom. Paddy started the ‘Mac’ series of postcards which advertised Killarney and Kerry all over the world at a time when tourism was in its infancy. The quality of the photography and the printing played a major part in promoting Killarney to a worldwide audience long before television and the Internet. They specialised in colour postcards, brochures, calendars, letterheads, invoice books, calling cards etc. and won many accolades at the annual Irish Print Awards in Dublin. A hat-trick of awards at the

Irish Print Awards in 1980 was a particular highlight.

Paddy MacMonagle was the author of several books and publications, including a 256 page book called Paddy Mac’s Collection of Vintage Postcards in 2006, Louis Anthony’s Killarney in 2009 and Paddy Mac’s Shreds & Patches in 2010. Paddy and his late brother Sean retired from Killarney Printing Works in 2001. A founder member of Killarney Chamber of Commerce, he was the first Chamber President from 1975 until 1980 and was an honourary life member. He was a Trustee of Muckross House since 1976 and a former Chairman and Vice President.

He was widely known as the doyen of Ireland’s print industry and he spent four terms as President of the Irish Master Printers Association. His portrait hangs in the National Print Museum’s Hall of Fame in Dublin.

A highlight of the Irish Print Awards banquet each year was the ‘Grace Before Meals’ and for well over 30 successive years this was written and delivered by Paddy MacMonagle in Irish, English and Latin. The carefully worded and colourful graces became collectors items and were kept as souvenirs by many printers. Paddy featured on the front cover of Irish Printer and in a three page feature in January 2001. He was also featured in the magazine on his 90th birthday in April 2010.

Paddy was honoured by Killarney Town Council in 2007 with a civic reception to recognise his outstanding contribution to the community. Just recently, on May 15th last, Paddy joined family members and former work colleagues at another civic reception hosted by Killarney Town Council to honour 100 years of MacMonagle Photography and Killarney Printing Works. It was the last civic reception granted by the outgoing council and Paddy spoke in Irish and English to mark the historic occasion.

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IRISH PRINTER | News

INTERNET-ENABLED TOOLS WILL IMPACT MOST PRINT AREAS

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he first results of the ‘drupa Global Insights’ report on ‘The Impact of the Internet on Print – The Digital Flood’ were published this month.

They illustrate how many Internet-enabled tools (such as web-toprint), variable data printing, interactive print (such as Augmented Reality and QR codes), and smart technologies (such as printed electronics), will impact on most areas of the printing industry. Print service providers and the supplier industry on the one hand, and their customers on the other are being compelled to deal with new challenges and opportunities.

“With its detailed analysis of the global markets and the overview of current trends, the ‘drupa Global Insights’ report is an important contribution to strategic decisions that need to be taken by printers and suppliers alike,” says Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. In spring 2014, about 1,100 key executives from the global printing industry took part in the online survey and many participants provided very informative examples from their business environment.

THE RISE AND RISE OF ECOMMERCE E-commerce is growing at rapid rates in most global regions and printers are playing catch-up.

While 51% of the survey panel had web-to-print services, only 14% reported that it accounted for more than 25% of their orders.

Nevertheless, in the catalogue market, publishers understand that print catalogues drive online sales and a majority of 60% of catalogue printers reported growth in on-demand digital production.

THE SHIFT TO MASS CUSTOMISATION Whether it is photo books, calendars, stationery, marketing articles or T-shirts, in small or large volumes, the customised large-scale production of digital print articles is catching on.

Already, 72% of all commercial printers that were questioned worldwide offer variable data printing services; in the US its proportion is even higher (87%).

While the proportion of variable pages remains small, 56% of participants reported moderate or fast growth. Increasing numbers of commercial printers offer a wide range of print products that can be both sold on the web and personalised.

These trends are confirmed by the ‘drupa Global Trends’ report published in spring 2014 where 38% of commercial printers and 32% of publishing printers said they intended to invest in digital electrophotographic colour sheet printers.

INTERACTIVE PRINTING ON THE INCREASE Interactivity is the watchword as print customers are realising the power of communicating via the Internet and mobile technologies directly with their target audiences on a one-to-one basis. Cross-media campaigns, with data acquisition/analysis and the use of several channels (e.g. PURLs, email, SMS), are increasingly demanded by customers. The range of applied technologies includes QR codes, other smart-print options, augmented reality and near-field communication.

One third of the drupa panel of experts already offers interactive print of one form or another, i.e. interactive response elements in publications, business communications, advertisements, packaging and outdoor advertisements. As was to be expected, there are major regional differences - in the US 44% of printing companies

which took part in the survey offer interactive printing but only three per cent of providers in the Middle East. A substantial proportion of drupa panel members from the packaging sector also use Internet-based tools. A total of 50% use QR codes, 43% use variable content, and 41% of all packaging printers that took part in the survey offer personalised print.

This first drupa Global Insight report is based on a very detailed survey covering a wide range of topics assessing the impact of the Internet on print. The survey dealt with many other issues such as CRM, Digital Asset Management and ‘Big Data’, as well as the automation of workflows and the need for companies to have better IT skills. It investigated how the increasing digitisation of communications is affecting the demand for conventional print and the demand for different print substrates (paper, board, film, metal or glass). The report concludes that printers need to accept the reality of an Internetdriven multi-channel digital future, change their approach and invest accordingly.

The English version of the report will be released in midOctober.

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IRISH PRINTER | News

71% of Businesses to Reach ‘Digital Maturity’ by 2019

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David Mills, Chief Executive Officer, Ricoh Europe.

LED UV Technology Wins

Must See ‘Em Award

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BA technology partner Air Motion Systems, has received Must See’Em recognition at this year’s Graph Expo. The world leader in UV and LED technologies for the printing sector has been nominated as a winner for pressroom - analogue presses in the competition that identifies the most exciting new products at Graph Expo, North America’s largest annual graphic arts trade show.

“As well as all the operational, quality and environmental benefits of Highly Reactive UV (as in HR-UV, H-UV, LE-UV etc), LED UV also offers significant cost advantages through lower energy consumption,” says KBA (UK) Ltd’s Sales Director Chris Scully. “Another critical factor which will also come into play as new legislation comes into force is that, unlike H-UV and LE-UV, the LED process does not involve the use of mercury.”

AMS recently announced an exclusive partnership with KBA Group Ltd to supply its systems as an option for all new Rapida press models and, in the UK and Ireland, as a retro-fit to existing presses of all makes via KBA UK Ltd.

he majority (71%) of business leaders are confident they can transition from a state of digital transformation to digital maturity within just five years. That’s according to research from Coleman Parkes, commissioned by Ricoh Europe. A total of 2,200 managers from businesses across Europe, including Ireland, were interviewed in May and June 2014.

The findings reveal that digital maturity - where an organisation uses sophisticated tools to drive performance and demonstrates an on-going commitment to technology, technology-led initiatives and digitally managed processes - is now a priority for 77% of European businesses.

Although the main obstacle to achieving digital maturity is seen as cost (cited by 68% of respondents), business leaders acknowledge the financial rewards.

Almost three quarters (73%) believe that achieving digital maturity will directly lead to an increase in profits and 62% say that maturity increases a business’s appeal to potential investors and new owners.

Yet, despite the agreement over the positive implications of digital maturity, with commonly cited responses including faster business processes (80%), a stronger competitive advantage (70%) and faster decision-making (69%), the research also offers a warning. There seems to be a degree of over-confidence among business leaders in their readiness and ability to become digitally mature.

“With the pace of technology-led change and associated expectations stronger than ever, digital maturity is set to become the ‘new normal’,” says David Mills, Chief Executive Officer at Ricoh Europe.

“However, business leaders must address the obstacles to ensure they have the infrastructure in place to support it and unlock the many benefits of becoming digitally mature. Having a robust framework and partner support is essential. With technology constantly evolving, businesses will need to remain committed in order to achieve and maintain their digitally mature status. Regularly reviewing processes, enhancing ways of working, and integrating new technologies will be central to realising this goal. For many businesses, digital maturity could soon become an essential strategic asset, as well as a key driver to boost organisational appeal, reputation and long term profits.”

The insights highlight widespread optimism, which contrasts sharply with attitudes towards digital transformation from just one year ago, where research found that 63% of business leaders felt their organisations were far from ready for digital transformation. This extensive shift in perception could stem from the rapid pace of technological change, together with increasing recognition of leveraging technology and technology-led processes for commercial benefit.

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News | IRISH PRINTER

PIONEERING A DIGITAL LED UV Rewrites the TRANSFORMATION IN THE CORRUGATED MARKET Litho Rulebook

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announced on August 27th last that Obaly Morava, a privatelyowned corrugated board producer based in the Czech Republic, installed the world’s first HP high-speed inkjet corrugated packaging solution to digitally pre-print high-quality corrugated liners and meet demand for faster time to market.

The company provides a broad range of corrugated products to the Czech Republic and surrounding markets, including up to nine-layer corrugated board and boxes. They installed the HP T410 Color Inkjet Web Press in June, becoming the first user of the new solution, which is based on the HP T400 Simplex Color Inkjet Web Press.

The press prints on uncoated and coated corrugated substrates, premium offset media, and recycled and thin liners with speeds of up to 183 metres (600 feet) per minute. The solution also includes new HP Priming Agent technology with four-colour HP A50 aqueous pigmented CMYK inks.

With the HP high-speed inkjet corrugated packaging solution, Obaly Morava digitally produces pre-printed corrugated top-liners in back-to-back runs on the same substrate rolls for maximum efficiency. It then transfers the pre-printed rolls to its corrugator to produce corrugated board for packaging applications. The corrugated packaging solution enables Obaly Morava to transition high-value jobs from analogue litho-lamination and flexographic processes to digital. This allows the company to take advantage of faster time to market, short and medium runs, versioning and reduced environmental footprint.

“Market demands and the technology available are changing dramatically and we are taking a fresh look at how to best meet our customers’ needs, such as individualisation and differentiation from the competition,” says Martin Rehorik, President, Obaly Morava. “I had a vision of what digital pre-print could potentially do for our business

Obaly Morava’s HP T410 Color Inkjet Web Press.

and I reached out to HP to discuss the possibilities of its high-speed production inkjet technology for printing corrugated liners. HP helped turn that vision into a reality.”

Obaly Morava is optimising its finishing processes with a Harris & Bruno International near-line coater, ideal for aqueous priming and overcoating printed substrates. The company plans to eventually move this coater inline for priming and add a second coater for inline overcoating.

“By adopting the HP high-speed inkjet corrugated packaging solution, Obaly Morava is helping usher in a digital transformation in the corrugated market,” says Aurelio Maruggi, Vice President and General Manager, Inkjet High-Speed Production Solutions Division, HP. “This innovative solution brings game-changing productivity, greater versatility, value-chain optimisation and more efficient production workflow to corrugators and it represents the first of a series of production inkjet innovations from HP.”

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IRISH PRINTER | News

Global Graphics Launches Harlequin Partner Network

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lobal Graphics recently launched its first ever formal partner programme last month to bring together the ecosystem of software developers whose products are designed to work with the Harlequin RIP. The Harlequin Partner Network formally recognises the growing community of third-party software developers whose products are used in the same print workflow as

the Harlequin RIP or alongside it inside a Digital Front End. There are hundreds of thousands of Harlequin RIP installations worldwide and the partner programme is designed to maximise the value of the Harlequin RIP to those users. It creates a framework for third-party vendors to develop and integrate their products more efficiently, giving print shops access to a broad workflow of products from multiple vendors.

Initial members include Pageflex, Color-Logic, Ultimate TechnoGraphics, Hamillroad Software, Bodoni Systems, Dynagram and Alwan.

Global Graphics expects the network to expand steadily over time to include vendors of products used in newsprint and publishing, direct mail, packaging and wide format graphics.

Network members can request copies of the Harlequin RIP for use in their test labs, together with extensive documentation, and will receive alerts about upcoming releases and enhancements so that they can accelerate development of

their own products. They will also have a limited amount of access to Global Graphics support teams and product management and the opportunity to influence and take part in co-marketing programmes.

Members are permitted to display the Harlequin Partner Network logo on their websites to indicate that they are a member of the programme and a new section on the Global Graphics website is dedicated to listing member products and news.

Companies who wish to join the Harlequin Partner Network can do so by visiting the website at www. globalgraphics.com or by contacting Martin Bailey at martin.bailey@ globalgraphics.com.

Print shops using Harlequin technology (there are estimated to be hundreds of thousands of active installations worldwide) will be able to look up which technology is complementary to their RIP from the list of partners and their products on the Global Graphics website.

Italian Printer Installs MGI JETvarnish 3D

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talian publishing and commercial print supplier Rotolito Lombarda has completed the installation of the inkjet technology-based finishing system, the MGI JETvarnish 3D with I-foil. The MGI system allows Rotolito Lombarda’s customers to include special effects on the preprinted sheets, such as spot varnish, hot foiling, embossing, or 3D effects with three different levels of thickness, ranging from eight to 100 microns.

Rotolito Lombarda has also begun installing its new manroland Lithoman IV press. The manroland Lithoman IV press will be dedicated to the production of magazines, books and commercial flyers and will be in operation by the end of October.

This new press will be the seventh web press in operation at the Cernusco sul Naviglio plant of Rotolito Lombarda. Other presses include a second manroland Lithoman (48 pages), two manroland Lithoman (72 pages), two KBA 618 (48 pages) and a Mitsubishi (48 pages). Rotolito Lombarda’s offset fleet now includes 10 sheetfed and 14 web presses.

Rotolito Lombarda’s manroland LITHOMAN IV press.

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03/10/2014 15:08:10

Commercial Profile | IRISH PRINTER

Financing the Future of Print As they prepare to recognise the best of what the industry has to offer at the 2014 Irish Print Awards, Close Brothers Commercial Finance look at how they are supporting continued growth in the print trade.

Pictured: Close Brothers Commercial Finance Team (l-r): Robert Keane, Tony Neill, Gavin Smith, Cecil Doherty, Mike Twomey, Trevor Collier, Ronan Kelly, Jennifer Meagher, Paul Stephens, Emma Blair, Helen Wall, Managing Director Harry Parkinson, Jane McDaid, Adrian Madden, Frank Byrne, Ger Reddy, Chris Guilfoyle, Patrick Barry, Gary Coburn, and Cathal Ryan.

“W

e understand that the Irish print sector has experienced significant change in recent years in order to survive in an extremely competitive landscape,” says Adrian Madden, Head of Sales, Asset Finance, Close Brothers Commercial Finance. “We’ve started to see many of the businesses we work with take a more holistic approach, offering value added services in addition to their core print activity. Digital print is in a massive growth phase and it is likely that the technology will continue to evolve in the next few years. Therefore, continued investment in capital assets is vital for print firms that want to stay ahead of the game.

Investing in the future might require a fresh approach, as accessing finance for growth remains difficult.”

The vast majority of print companies in Ireland are private and run by owner/managers - people who are understandably more focused on the day-to-day running of the business than on their financial strategy. “However, it is important that print firms take the time to evaluate their financial situation to ensure that they have the most appropriate funding in place,” says Adrian Madden. “We suggest that companies use a blend of financial products that best suit their individual requirements and we are seeing an increasing number move away from

relying on one funding provider for all of their financial needs. Asset finance is an increasingly popular solution for the print industry. Many businesses utilise this type of funding because it is a more flexible option than traditional bank lending, enabling a business to purchase assets with a low capital outlay and repayment schedules that match the income the asset generates. Our products include straightforward hire purchase and leasing, and we can also offer asset refinance, which releases cash from existing, unencumbered assets, thus providing an immediate improvement to cash flow. Each of these options can be strategically used to allow print firms to adapt and move forward with their plans, with the ability to invest money in the area of the business that really needs it. One of the main advantages of our approach is that we view each business as unique. We understand that one print firm’s needs may be totally different to the next. That is why we take a common sense approach to lending, looking at the viability of a business and applying our industry knowledge to the situation before creating a tailor made funding solution.”

Close Brothers Commercial Finance has a growing team of experts who operate throughout the country, and in response to increased demand, they recently expanded by opening new

offices in Galway and Cork. Earlier this year they hired a new team member who is already playing a key role in assessing the value of assets in order to allow Close Brothers to build detailed and bespoke finance packages. “In addition to asset finance, our team can support businesses with a wider offering, introducing the invoice finance side of Close Brothers to our customers when appropriate,” says Adrian. “Our market-leading product IDeal™ provides confidential invoice discounting, which is perfect for businesses that struggle to manage their cash flow. It gives instant access to cash from invoices, 24/7 from anywhere in the world. We can also now offer a blended asset based lending solution that is invoice finance led, taking into consideration the value of assets, stock and property. This gives a boost to working capital, ensuring firms have the financial capacity to adapt and reposition for success in a changing economic environment. As we move forward and more opportunities for growth within the print sector become apparent, particularly on the digital side, securing appropriate funding will continue to be the key to success.”

For more information visit www.closecommercialfinance.ie or call 01 901 5264.

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7/10/14 13:42:20

IRISH PRINTER | Cover Story

Get in Gear for the

Wide Format Revival Dave Rainsford, General Manager in Ireland for Mimaki distributor, Hybrid Services Ltd, provides Irish Printer readers with an exclusive insight into what is driving demand for wide format print services and how print companies can benefit from new technology.

A

s Ireland emerges from recession, there are encouraging signs for the Irish wide format printing industry, with increasing demand for print services and super-fast new products to enable business growth across the spectrum.

“In my 15 years in the sign and graphics market I’ve seen incredible changes - from the highs of the mid 2000s to the lows of the recession so it it is refreshing to feel like we’re on the up again,” says Dave. “There is now a genuine ‘buzz’ in the printing industry, with companies that have endured the economic downturn of recent years experiencing increased workloads once again and looking for ways to increase their productivity and turnover. Printers need to future proof their businesses in order to handle this increased demand.”

Hybrid’s General Manager – Ireland, Dave Rainsford.

Shoots of Recovery With a lack of work in recent years, print providers have been reluctant to commit their limited funds to new equipment. However, the new levels of demand for print services are making the need to replace outdated equipment more relevant. Fortunately for printers, the upgrade options available to them now are far greater than they were five years ago. “While print providers may not have been able to afford investment

in equipment a couple of years ago, ‘making do’ through the economic downturn has actually worked to their advantage because the quality and speed of the latest printers and printer/ cutters is phenomenal, but with a really attractive price tag,” says Dave. “The new Mimaki JV300 series printer and CJV300 series printer/cutter incorporate new technology, delivering impressive top speeds and stunning print quality with newly developed, staggered print heads,”

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3/10/14 14:15:17

Cover Story | IRISH PRINTER

Mimaki’s new flagship sign and graphics printer – the JV300.

he says. “Rather than adopting the oftseen approach of making incremental changes to products, Mimaki has created a completely re-engineered piece of machinery. Thanks to its affordable pricetag, even small printing companies can now compete with much bigger players and offer incredible productivity and creativity to a wider variety of customers.”

Building Blocks A more buoyant construction industry is an acknowledged indicator of economic recovery, creating more printing work - banners, vinyl signage, promotional posters and the like - and the new JV300 solvent printer delivers the ability to respond quickly to large orders. A headline top speed of over 105 metres square per hour places the Mimaki in the realms of the huge, high end (and high price-tagged) industrial machines but even at its mid-range banner speed of circa 60 metres square per hour, the quality it produces is worlds apart. “Mimaki has always been synonymous with high output quality but, at a starting price of

“A more buoyant construction industry is an acknowledged indicator of economic recovery, creating more printing work, and the new JV300 solvent printer delivers the ability to respond quickly to large orders.”

just €21,995, the new JV300 challenges traditional perceptions of outdoor durable printers, with its unique combination of high speed and high quality at a really attainable price point,” says Dave.

Local Support and Skills Based on the outskirts of Dublin, Dave Rainsford has been General Manager – Ireland for Hybrid since 2010 and manages the company’s reseller network, which spans the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. “Regular and supportive contact, not only with our specialist resellers, but with our customer base, is central to my role,” he says. “The feedback I’ve received from the first wave of JV300 customers has been extremely encouraging, with reports of a threefold increase in productivity, confirming what a great addition the new machine is to printing setups and demonstrating the returning demand for print services.”

With products like the JV300 sporting a two-year, comprehensive warranty, solid technical backup is a must-have for companies investing in new printers.

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3/10/14 14:15:32

IRISH PRINTER | Cover Story

“Hybrid has been Mimaki’s exclusive distributor in Ireland since 1996 and supporting customers old and new with a team who have unparalleled technical expertise and a confident understanding of the market is vitally important,” he says.

Continuing the Textile Story Ireland has established itself as a pioneer in digitally produced sportswear. “We’ve shown other countries the way when it comes to bringing manufacturing home,” says Dave. “Highly sought after GAA licenses mean production has to take place in Ireland and we’ve worked with many companies in recent years to install substantial digital production setups both north and south of the border. Available as a dye sublimation printer, the Mimaki JV300 presents the perfect upgrade path for existing systems. Historically, the attraction of Mimaki’s digital production solutions has been to install multiple units rather than one, superfast, and usually very expensive, machine. This not only provides contingency but allows multiple jobs to be produced simultaneously. With its competitive price tag, the JV300 fits this model perfectly but changes the game with its incredible production speeds.”

Quoted figures from Mimaki suggest that the production of sufficient fabric for a team kit of, for example, 15 players can be printed on transfer paper in around half an hour, making the move away from screen printing to the production of individual garments, with zero startup costs or lead time, a compelling commercial reality. Mimaki’s vibrant and durable Sb53 dye sublimation inkset includes blue and a composite black, ensuring that the typical high density coverage required for sportswear is achieved, even at high speeds. “The JV300 brings volume sportswear and apparel production to every kit manufacturer,” says Dave. “With the addition of a heat press, it becomes a really strong revenue stream with remarkably low barriers to entry.”

Mimaki’s Manufacturing Machines He is also keen to stress that dye sublimated jerseys aren’t the only way that print companies can be part of a revival in home-based manufacturing.

Mimaki’s burgeoning range of industrial printers spans seven models that range

Producing teams’ sportswear is child’s play with Mimaki’s new JV300 dye sub printer.

in size from small format A3 right up to grand format 10 foot x 5 foot beds. But it is the smallest of these that arguably offers the most potential for companies to break into new markets. “The A3, UJF3042 Series is an eye opener for anyone with an entrepreneurial mind,” says Dave.

“I’m constantly inspired by the variety of applications that Mimaki’s industrial products range can produce but the relatively low cost of the smallest machine means it can be easily integrated into most companies’ equipment portfolios.”

Capable of printing onto almost any item, with its eco-friendly, cold-cure LED UV ink, the UJF Series includes three models which are available in A3 or A2 bed sizes. With a head gap of up to 150mm, solid objects can be printed in order to brand, add value or decorate. White ink, clear varnish and vibrant process colours combine with photo-quality reproduction to deliver limitless opportunities for printers to add new revenue streams.

“Pens, phone covers, acrylic photo blocks - you name it, a UJF can print on it,” Dave enthuses. “Our customers are creating beautiful bespoke items, in any quantity, with no set-up costs or creative limitations. It is the ultimate promotional product or giftware tool but it is not just limited to that market. Ireland has a strong history of manufacturing so being able to bring print, with variable data, into the manufacturing arena and onto metal, glass, plastic, wood or almost any other substrate, eliminates processes, reduces costs, adds value and delivers something different.”

Promotional items such as iPad covers can be created using the UJF series.

Expanding Your Reach Mimaki’s three product ranges - Sign & Graphics, Industrial Products and Textiles & Apparel - seem to be ensuring a steady flow of cutting edge products for almost every application. “New technologies from Mimaki provide an opportunity for print companies to expand their reach beyond the ‘print for pay’ market and to gain lucrative work outsourced by manufacturing companies, which complements existing work from the walk in or web based clients,” Dave concludes.

“There has never been a better time to invest in any of the Mimaki machines, all of which have the capability to really maximise the opportunities that are starting to present themselves in the industry.”

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3/10/14 14:15:50

Awards Preview | IRISH PRINTER

Preview

37th Irish Print Awards in association with ibs, a xerox company

Our Sponsors The 37th Irish Print Awards will take place on Friday, November 28th in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. As we edge closer to the big night, we profile two of our new sponsors for 2014 – Close Brothers Commercial Finance and McGivern Flynn & Co. Ltd. Lifetime Achievement Award

Irish Printer is delighted that Close Brothers Commercial Finance are sponsoring the Lifetime Achievement Award in the Irish Print Awards.

“Close Brothers has supported the print industry for more than 25 years so there was a natural synergy in sponsoring this category, “ says Adrian Madden, Regional Sales Director, Close Brothers Commercial Finance. “There are a number of print businesses that have also stood the test of time and it is a tough category but we are looking forward to finding out which one will walk away with the award. The print sector in Ireland has experienced significant change and restructuring in recent years in order to survive in a competitive landscape. This makes it even more important to support the industry and reward it for its successes.”

Close Brothers Commercial Finance

specialises in providing funding solutions to companies throughout Ireland. They are a leading independent provider of invoice and asset finance and asset based lending (ABL) to both SMEs and corporates. Their unique ability to refinance a firm’s existing assets is increasingly popular as this releases vital working capital back into a business.

Best Supplier Customer Service Team Voted by Printers

This year Irish Printer is welcoming McGivern Flynn & Co Ltd to the Irish Print Awards as sponsor of one of our new categories - Best Supplier Customer Service Team Voted by Printers. “We believe that this new category is an excellent fit for McGivern Flynn & Co Ltd because we recently launched a new commercial insurance product that is tailored specifically to meet the needs of the Irish printing

industry,” says Eimear Lane, Senior Corporate Broker with McGivern Flynn & Co Ltd. “The Irish Print Awards continue to be an important event in the Irish print industry calendar because they recognise excellence and that is crucial to ensuring continued high standards in the print sector.”

McGivern Flynn & Co Ltd are Corporate Insurance Brokers who offer independent advice and insurance solutions for commercial clients. The company has been in operation since 1982. “Our clients stay with us because we provide a professional service at all times and we work hard at building lasting relationships,” says Eimear. “We have a dedicated professional team of employees who are fully qualified and up-to-date with the latest market developments. This allows us to create tailored insurance solutions for our clients with the leading insurers offering competitive rates.”

McGivern Flynn & Co Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and are a member of the Irish Brokers Association.

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03/10/2014 12:43:29

IRISH PRINTER | Paper

PRICE INCREASES HIT PRINTERS

HARD

PAPER MERCHANTS RECENTLY INCREASED THEIR PRICES AND, AS USUAL, PRINT COMPANIES ARE BEING FORCED TO ABSORB THE EXTRA COST IN AN ALREADY DIFFICULT TRADING ENVIRONMENT. MAEV MARTIN TALKS TO SOME PRINTERS ABOUT THE LIKELY IMPACT ON THEIR OPERATIONS AND ON THE INDUSTRY.

“W

e are completely opposed to coated paper price increases as it is quite clear that the print industry in Ireland is not in any position to sustain an increase,” says Padraic Kierans, Managing Director, Anglo Printers. “I urge all Irish paper merchants to advise the mills that 46 print companies closed in a 12 month period and hundreds of companies have been lost in the last five years. We are not a sexy industry.

We are not in a commanding place where we can add value and it is not like we are all raking in the profits so there is no justification within the market for increasing paper prices at this time. My view is that if you keep pushing people away from print, and they go, it is very hard to get them back.”

Antalis issued a circular to its print customers on August 18th saying their increases were effective from September 15th. Paperlinx issued their communication on September 12th, telling customers that they would be passing on the increases from October 1st, while Swan Paper told its customers that the increase would also be effective from October 1st. So what is the mills’ justification for the price increases? They cite the cost of manufacturing and distributing paper and the cost of raw materials, coupled with the fact that market prices have ‘remained stable’, and conclude that they have no choice but to pass on increases on the price of woodfree coated papers.

“The three main players have decided to up their prices, each of them by between six and eight per cent,” says Padraic. “I find it incredible that when one mill increases prices they all do, regardless of what their individual costs may be and they seem to be allowed to fix the price that printers are charged for paper and that needs to be addressed at a political level,” says Padraic. “It would be difficult to imagine any other industry where the price is set across the board by the remaining five or six mills that exist in Europe. Then you have the EU adding taxes on any Asian paper that hits the European market, so you can’t have control of the pricing structure and of the supply from outside the jurisdiction. It sends a very negative message in relation to the industry and the product. Print is in the mobile and digital advertising market and print

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03/10/2014 12:53:30

Paper | IRISH PRINTER

We are not a sexy industry. We are not in a commanding place where we can add value and it is not like we are all raking in the profits so there is no justification within the market for increasing paper prices at this time. My view is that if you keep pushing people away from print, and they go, it is very hard to get them back.

is now just one of a variety of largely digital communication channels. If we push up the price of our product we are pushing customers away from us and into the hands of the digital marketer who is more than happy to accept the revenue.”

While the government and the national media is making very positive noises about the economy, Padraic points out that this isn’t reflected in the print industry no more than it is in the retail sector.

“If there is an uplift in the economy, it is certainly not coming from indigenous industry,” he says. “When the government is talking about a three per cent growth figure for this year, they must be talking about that growth coming purely from exports.

The price of print remains stagnant and there is no let up in that despite the widespread closure of so many print businesses. You would think that a reduced industry would create improved trading conditions for those who remain but the industry is still in a bad place and an increase is too much for it to bear. Given the knowledge they have of

the rate of collapse of print companies and the loss of jobs in the industry, I don’t believe that the merchants in Ireland have put up enough resistance to the increases from the mills and I have communicated that to them. If there is resistance in a market, the mills will stand off. How can an increase in price be justified? How will it do anything other than put more pressure on an already ailing industry? I’ve posted my thoughts on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook because I’m hoping to get a reaction from other printers in Ireland.”

Frank Quinn, National Sales Manager with Turners Printing, points out that print companies can’t pass on these paper price increases to their customers because they simply won’t pay. “As it stands, we end up discounting everything that we quote for in order to secure the business,” he says. “At Turner Print Group we are dropping our prices every year in order to compete.

The reason we drop them is because there is too much capacity out there and that is the main reason that a number of large companies have gone bust in the last few years. Northern Irish and UK print companies are successfully competing for contract work and that is also putting pressure on the market.

But we are very busy with the school book business and we have a large number of customers in the financial sector and they are all good paying customers.”

Swan Paper, Réalt Paper and Antalis are the main merchants that Turners deal with. “The entire process is a joke because there is no discussion between the print companies and the merchants – they are apologetic but that is it,” says Frank. “The mills tell the merchants what they are doing.

Ireland is not a big buying power compared to the likes of the UK so the mills are shoving the increases down the merchants’ necks.”

Like Padraic, he points out that the marketing trend is for everything to move increasingly online. “These price increases will drive marketing and promotional activity further online and that isn’t good for us,” he says. Turner Print Group has two B1 presses that require large print runs so they go through a lot of paper. “We produce promotional and financial material as well as school books on those presses,” he says. “We have a lot of loyal customers that we built

up over the years but they are being approached left, right and centre by our competitors because they are desperate for work. They cut down to the bone and we get asked, or are given the opportunity, to try and meet that but it is a crazy cycle.

Printers, collectively, will have to call a halt to this. We shouldn’t be killing each other. We should be getting a mark up that is able to contribute to investment for the future.”

Tony Roe, Managing Director of McGowans Printers, says these paper price increases are chipping away at a decreasing margin. “All of our large contracts have to be tendered for every year and, while our costs are going up, our clients are looking to pay less and less,” he says. “Clients don’t want to know about our paper or raw material costs. I understand that merchants costs are rising, but we can’t send our clients a memo to that effect. We are doing a couple of tenders at the moment and these are fourth generation tenders and our clients are looking for further cost reductions and they don’t understand about paper price increases and their impact on us. Ultimately, these price increases mean that print and printers won’t be as competitive against certain technologies or against people who buy direct from mills. It will drive printers towards eliminating having to deal with merchants and they will go direct to the mills. I know that some

The mills tell the merchants what they are doing. Ireland is not a big buying power compared to the likes of the UK so the mills are shoving the increases down the merchants’ necks.

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06/10/2014 17:36:20

IRISH PRINTER | Paper

One way around this would be for print companies to come together to form buying consortiums for paper in the way that some printers have done in bidding for public sector contracts.

printers are looking at going direct to the mills to buy paper and it would suit printers with a lot of storage capacity but, of course, that brings its own problems. They may end up with more paper than they need.”

Does he believe there is any way that the merchants could have avoided passing on these increases?

“It is hard to know, but from our end I know that fighting is futile when there is a blanket increase like that,” he says. “When the country was in meltdown back in 2008 we were still getting these periodic price increases

so there is nothing unusual about this. It is hard to see how these paper price increases can be avoided, unless you have huge facilities and huge buying power that allows you to go directly to the mill. One way around this would be for print companies to come together to form buying consortiums for paper in the way that some printers have done in bidding for public sector contracts. However, we have contacted mills before and we have found that they are reluctant to deal directly with print companies.”

Tony says that the price increases

on cardboard will impact hugely on McGowans. “That is because it is such a competitive market and it is expensive enough as it is - our large format POS/retail work will be impacted most. It is hard to put value back on the sheet. With small format work you can incorporate finishes and personalisation to bring value back to the printer but it isn’t as easy to do that in large format.

The first thing we calculate when doing a quote for large format is the cost of the stock so it is the single biggest factor.”

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03/10/2014 12:54:31

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4/9/14 10:12:50 05/09/2014 16:35:27

IRISH PRINTER | Wide Format

Project Profile Movies Made Easy with The Printed Image Aisle Ownership in Tesco Bloomfields

T

he objective of this project was for Coca Cola Hellenic Ireland to take ownership of the DVD entertainment category in Tesco by activating the home entertainment category. This was done by installing engaging category signage and audiovisual stimulus, creating a crosscategory proposition focused on the home entertainment occasion (DVDs, Gaming and Music). It was adjacent to soft drinks, confectionery and snacks in order to make this more of a one-stopshop destination in-store.

The Printed Image (TPI) were tasked

by Coca Cola Hellenic Ireland to take a concept for the DVD aisle signage in Tesco’s flagship store in Bloomfields, Dun Laoghaire and translate it into physical signage and Point of Sale while incorporating electrical hardware into the shelving area. The dedicated TPI structural and installation teams undertook a thorough site survey to examine the feasibility of bringing this

concept to practical reality.

The challenge that the teams faced was firstly to adapt the current shelving structure to accommodate a beverage refrigerated unit along with a 42” flat screen and secondly to create a system that would hold header board signage over the current shelving configuration.

Through a full examination of the existing site structures, the team of structural engineers developed a system to hold signage in place over the shelving systems and then around this, developed header prototypes to reflect, as closely as possible, the concept ideas. The most suitable materials to make up the headers was then decided upon. These were a combination of EB flute, E flute and 5mm Foamcore to create the desired effect required by the design teams.

3mm Foamex was the most appropriate material to make up the aisle fins to ensure more durability and longevity on the aisle. The floor graphic was

printed on a hard wearing Avery DOL vinyl - the material that is used in most Tesco stores.

To ensure optimal graphic visualisation and print quality, all headers, attachments, arches, aisle fins and attachments were digitally printed in-house on The Printed Image’s HP Scitex 7500. The finishing for these was carried out on the company’s Esko Kongsberg digital cutting table.

TPI’s team of finishers then glued and assembled parts to make up the header boards and arches. The floor vinyl was printed on their SEIKO 64 machine and finished out on their laminator. An initial test of four MODS were rolled out to the full aisle with a streamlined installation successfully incorporating the flat screen and the beverage refrigerated units. The visual appeal of this area was clearly eyecatching with the high printing quality and standard of finishing apparent on the category signage.

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03/10/2014 14:13:47

Wide Format | IRISH PRINTER

Mimaki Joins F1 Team as Technical Partner Mimaki has formed an exciting new technical partnership with the Caterham F1 Team, making Mimaki the team’s official technical graphics supplier. The result of this partnership is that all Formula One communication, vehicle graphics and visuals for the Caterham F1 Team will now be printed and cut with Mimaki’s range of solutions. In the fast-paced world of Formula One racing, teams need graphics that stand out from the rest of the field and give them a commercial and competitive edge. “Formula One is all about precision, flexibility, quality and success - characteristics we also associate with every print and cut solution Mimaki develops and puts into the market,” says Mike Horsten, General Manager, Marketing EMEA for Mimaki Europe.

“This close cooperation allows us to demonstrate the sheer breadth of what Mimaki can deliver. Our solutions are as flexible, creative and qualitative

as a highly demanding race team management requires them to be. We consider it an honour and a privilege to supply the team with the latest printing and cutting solutions, the results of which will be highly visible in the

pits and paddock areas of race tracks around the world.” The green flag on the partnership was waved on the first day of Viscom Paris, which took place from September 9th to 11th in the Porte de Versailles in Paris, France.

Caldera RIP Proves Popular on New Truepress Jet

Five print companies placed orders for Screen’s Truepress Jet 3200UV HS press following the machine’s début at Fespa Digital in Munich in May – and each specified Caldera as the RIP to drive it. The Truepress Jet 3200UV HS, featuring six colours plus white, is manufactured by Screen subsidiary Inca Digital. This High Speed (HS) model uses original Truepress inks to guarantee a broad colour gamut - even on heat-sensitive and other tricky

media - and it operates at a top print speed of 150sq m/hour.

The part played by the front-end RIP software is critical in today’s increasingly complex, multi-faceted print production environment. Not only must the RIP generate the precise colour information, job tracking, imposition and finishing control required by the modern print house, but it must do so for a multitude of devices and across an abundance of media types. Although

Screen supports all mainstream front-end software options, Caldera scores consistently highly among its users with ease of use and powerful functionality being cited as reasons for choosing the Screen/Caldera combination. In addition, the ability of GrandRIP+ to process one file while another is printing maximises the Truepress’ blistering output speed as well as making the most of the operator’s time.

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03/10/2014 13:01:22

IRISH PRINTER | Profile

Global Acquisition Boosts Irish Print Managers “T

he acquisition has had a positive impact on many levels for our business,” says Niamh. “A number of key areas that spring to mind in terms of impact on the service we provide are - VALO, our proprietary technology platform, which will be rolled out in Ireland in early 2015, the consolidation of our service offering to be so much more than just print management, and also our reputation as a destination employer.

VALO is a truly innovative Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology solution developed by InnerWorkings in response to the complexities of managing a marketing supply chain.

Not only will this elevate how we source and procure products and services, it will have a fundamental role to play in the management of our supply chain partners. Furthermore, it contains a range of customer facing portals that add value to our clients.

For instance, through the Collaborate function, clients will have pivotal visibility into what InnerWorkings has produced for them historically between brands, departments and regions. VALO Commerce allows clients to select and order materials they need to drive their brands forward, be it print-on-demand, branded merchandise, or displays and signage. All in all, it is something we are very excited about as VALO will enable us to deliver a data driven, transparent and accountable approach

Co. Kildare-based print management company XM Solutions was bought by InnerWorking Inc. (NASDAQ:INWK), a leading global print management and marketing supply chain company, in July 2013.

Maev Martin talks to their Sales Manager Niamh Higgins about the impact of the acquisition on their operation in Ireland and the outlook for the Irish print industry.

to marketing production.”

An increasing number of people who are interested in working for InnerWorkings, from both within and outside the print industry, is another positive impact that the acquisition has made on the company. “This is important to us because, as a servicebased business, people are key to our success so it is vital that we can attract and nurture top talent,” says Niamh.

“This in turn has a direct impact on the customer experience that we deliver. We are an organisation that is very proud of our team of talented individuals.” print management - one of many elements Prior to the acquisition, XM Solutions had a long-established reputation for providing a comprehensive range of print management services in the Irish market. However, Niamh says that being part of a global firm which is focused on marketing execution means they can now readily avail of extensive expertise across the Group. “This strengthens our service offering to our current client base and widens the scope for new client acquisition,” she says.

“When I look at our service wheel, print management is one of many elements of our offering, albeit one that remains core. More and more of the conversations we have today with our clients are about retail experiences, e-Commerce portals, digital design and

Niamh Higgins

publishing projects, as well as about how we can use technology to make communicating their brand messages more efficient, with print a component of these conversations.”

Client Base InnerWorkings has a strong client base in the retail sector but their expertise also spans FMCG, healthcare, tourism and leisure, utilities and the public sector. “Our current client base is a mix of top local and global brands, many of which are leaders in their areas and well-known household names,”

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03/10/2014 12:49:02

Profile | IRISH PRINTER

InnerWorkings print managed and project managed this graphic installation for Lifestyle Dundrum.

They also produced plinths with neon lighted tubes to display football boots.

New Contracts InnerWorkings has secured several new clients this year, including two major contracts that were signed recently. “Both of these contracts were secured through a competitive tender process,” says Niamh. “One of them is a second generation contract servicing the needs of the Irish arm of a British multinational, with a strong focus on creative and design services combined with a vast array of print requirements.

The second is a print and logistics contract for a leading Irish organisation within the retail sector. In securing both contracts we found that our ability to provide a range of services from a single source, coupled with our added value technology solutions, enhanced our proposition.”

Left: A Jack Daniels free standing display unit that InnerWorkings concepted, designed and print managed – this is the first iteration produced last year and in situ in Musgrave Marketplace. The truck was produced in Ireland for the Irish, UK and Swiss markets.

says Niamh. “While the majority of our clients are print management focused, we do have a number of clients that are primarily design or digital-led, whereby print is a by-product of what we do for them.

When the acquisition was announced last year, XM Solutions said they would be “exploring opportunities to work closely with InnerWorkings Global, Pan European and UK contracts. We will also be looking to leveraging their buying power and global supply chain to enhance our value, service, technology and innovative capabilities.”

InnerWorkings client roster has over 7,000 active clients, including Unilever, InterContinental Hotels, MoneyGram, Kroger, William Grant & Sons, Pernod Ricard, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Nestlé, Reckitt Benckiser, Proctor & Gamble, Novartis and Pfizer. Most of these companies have a strong presence in Ireland. Has the acquisition led to XM Solutions securing print management contracts from any of these clients in the Irish market or from

other InnerWorkings’ clients in the UK, Europe or further afield? “Being part of InnerWorkings certainly opens the door for us to global, pan European and UK contracts,” says Niamh. “We are currently servicing the needs of MoneyGram locally and have an on-site Account Manager in William Grant & Sons’ global marketing offices in Harcourt Road, Dublin 2. While the majority of projects for William Grant & Sons managed out of the Dublin office are for bespoke high end promotional items for their global markets, we have print managed a number of premium print projects that were produced in Ireland and distributed to other geographies.

We also work collaboratively with some of our business units in the UK, who offer specialist services, to fulfil the print requirements locally, managing the execution of projects on their behalf. 2015 will see the implementation of a number of our other global contracts in the Irish market.”

Print Service Providers Panel Like most print management companies, InnerWorkings has a panel of print service providers that they work with on a regular basis. Has the acquisition by InnerWorkings led to XM working with overseas print providers as well as Irish print companies? “We currently have a robust supply panel of in excess of 120 vendors operating across all the print categories, with 85% of what we manage sourced and procured locally,” says Niamh.

“As XM we have always maintained a strong commitment to collaborating with, and supporting, our local supply partners and continue to do so as we have evolved to become part of InnerWorkings. VALO will naturally enable us access print providers in other markets and while there is scope for us to leverage this, the local supply chain is inherently fundamental to the service we provide. Cost optimisation prevails in the print management model but it is not always about cost. Increasingly shorter turnaround times plus a greater focus on brand and quality management, along with clients’ expectations in supporting local, are deciding factors in where work is placed.”

So what is the best way for an Irish print company to go about getting on the InnerWorkings panel of printers?

“We have invested in developing a vendor management programme because we see the partnership approach as being central to building and managing long-term sustainable supplier relationships,” says Niamh.

“This year saw Roger Humphries, a long

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IRISH PRINTER | Profile

standing member of our team, progress into a key role within our business.

He now has responsibility for quality and supply chain management and is the key point of contact for any printer wishing to participate on our supply panel.”

Quality Accreditations InnerWorkings is ISO 9001, PEFC and FSC-accredited and the company is in the process of being audited for the retention of ISO 9001 (Quality Management), first awarded in 2012, and for the achievement of two new standards – ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and ISO 18001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management). “In August, we completed the Stage 1 audit for all three accreditations which means we have been assessed and approved to progress to Stage 2 which is the main audit,” says Niamh. “This is scheduled to take place on September 25th and 26th and, pending a successful assessment, we will be the first company in our competitive set in Ireland to receive the ISO 18001 standard. This follows another first for us - our investment in the Enfocus suite of software products in 2013, which automates the quality inspection of all customer artwork files.”

Industry Perspective The Irish print industry has experienced a tough few years with a lot of print companies closing. “It is a real shame to witness such regression which resulted in the closure of a highly revered stalwart within our sector, Hudson Killeen,” says Niamh. “I would like to think that we have seen the last of the big casualties and I feel we may have done, as far as litho printing is concerned. However, no different to any other manufacturing industry in Ireland, there are companies making money and there are easily an equivalent number, if not more, that struggle. Our industry is a victim of low margins and there is a feeling that closures could still occur for those with weak balance sheets and little or no reserves. In addition, some of the smaller sized entities continue to be under threat because of increasing competition from digital houses and digital media. Despite the recent uplift, I hear it is still proving difficult to get approval for borrowings to enable investment in equipment and resources within our sector.”

More and more of the conversations we have today with our clients are about retail experiences, e-Commerce portals, digital design and publishing projects, as well as about how we can use technology to make communicating their brand messages more efficient, with print a component of these conversations.

Over Capacity Does Niamh believe that there is still significant excess capacity in the industry? “Talking to a number of my colleagues, many of whom are ‘lifers’ within the industry and therefore know it well, our collective opinion is that the litho market is not over-saturated,” she says. “However, on the digital side the market is at risk of saturation with an increase in the amount of (relatively inexpensive) digital equipment entering the market in recent times and litho printers moving into this area to enhance their offering. If you take it that over 90% of print companies employ less than 20 people and if print is their only offering then, yes, they are in a shrinking market leading to excess capacity. At the other end of the scale, for the 10% that employ over 20 staff and are in a niche market segment there is a scarcity of supply. With the cost of entry to the market and the low margins leading to a very low return on investment, the situation is only going to get worse. I read a post from Dr. Kevin Byrne on LinkedIn recently stating that ‘recent commentary has suggested the need for high-quality Trade Print

InnerWorkings print managed the branding of the diving boards and the ‘rock’ effect panels for the plinths for the camera crew at the Red Bull Cliff Diving Event 2014.

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Profile | IRISH PRINTER

Finishers in the greater Dublin area,’ which led on to the suggestion of a co-operative. Some thought-provoking reactions in resulting posts from representatives within our industry ensued. Nonetheless, it supports the theory of there being a scarcity among the 10% with a niche offering!”

Barriers to Competitiveness What is the single biggest barrier to competitiveness for print companies in Ireland? “The cost of materials, weak quality management resulting in costly reprints, and knowledge and skills deficits leading to high labour costs all impact on operational overheads which in turn can impede competitiveness,” says Niamh. “Even so, I believe the low margin profile presents a huge challenge for our industry. The print industry is no different to any other traditional service industry. Take the airline business. Back in the 1980s, it was felt that it was not possible to make money. Looking at Air France, Alitalia and even British Airways, unless you were a niche player such as Virgin you were losing your shirt. Along came the low cost airlines offering a two star service aligned with two star costs, which was made possible by large volume and low margin. Unfortunately, in the print industry, and not just in Ireland, in order to secure the volumes needed you have to offer a four star service with two star prices. So until someone comes up with a Ryanair model - high volume, low cost - and the ability to service debt, it will remain a hurdle to be confronted for most.”

Evolving Roles The role of a traditional print management company has changed across the globe as well as in the Irish market in recent years. “No longer are we solely procuring and managing print requirements. For many of us, print management has become more about marketing services and a value added offering,” says Niamh. “In order to deliver that coveted value added service from a single source, our offering is now underpinned by a wide variety of technology solutions that help our clients do it better. From print-ondemand, online ordering and stock management, store profiling, digital publishing, online proofing, campaign

Design and print projects for SuperValu.

Our collective opinion is that the litho market is not over-saturated. However, on the digital side the market is at risk of saturation with an increase in the amount of (relatively inexpensive) digital equipment entering the market in recent times and litho printers moving into this area to enhance their offering.

collaboration and management to personalised printing and marketing automation, it is all part of the evolved print management model. In addition, transparency and accountability are also expected. Clients want to be able to measure – performance, spend, savings, quality, lost opportunities. Reporting is a key part of the service we provide and fuels data-driven decision making.

The print service provider has been challenged in a similar way to those of us in print management. Clients are continually seeking innovative solutions and services, and a solutions-oriented mindset, along with an ability to adapt, will differentiate print companies

as the industry evolves in the digital age. Despite the onslaught of digital media, I believe that print remains a key part of the marketing mix for many. Print and digital can co-exist and complement each other. In fact, print is often a driver for online, mobile and social communication channels. Print companies should focus on areas that can add value and extend the lifecycle of the printed product, enabling it to play an important role in modern communications. Be it QR codes, personalised URLs or augmented reality, print can be made interactive and can be blended seamlessly with digital communication strategies.”

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IRISH PRINTER | Commercial Profile

McGivern Flynn Launch Insurance facility for Commercial Printers McGivern Flynn is launching a new, superior insurance product tailored for the requirements of the printing industry, which will provide print companies with specialised covers and rapid solutions.

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he team at McGivern Flynn understand that, as printers embrace technological change, they also face new risks, and require industry-specific expertise and customised insurance solutions to cater for the evolving real-world risks that printers are faced with on a daily basis.

The following are typical covers that are included within our product: Property Damage Goods in Transit Money and Personal Accident (assault) Computer and Telecommunication Equipment Business Interruption Employers Liability Public and Products Liability Legal Expenses Cover Extensions available include: Printers Errors and Omissions, including Correction of Work Unavoidable Betterment of Machinery Undamaged Property Insured Case Study A long standing client who produced wrapping and labels designed for the food industry suffered damage to their storage building, which was covered under the property damage section as standard. They also required cover for stock of food wrappings that were condemned by the national food standards regulator, even though the stock was undamaged. This is not a standard cover. However, the customer benefited from the Undamaged Stock Extension, which is included within our product as one of the many essential

components for protecting printers.

Without this extension they would have had no cover for the stock of food wrappings.

Risk Control McGivern Flynn can offer advice on and access to a collection of safety and risk management resources for our clients within the printing industry.

These resources will assist them in identifying some of the key risks that have the potential to contribute to crucial downtime and loss and will help them to reduce the likelihood of accidents through safety and loss prevention strategies. The risk of a fire loss is very real in the printing industry.

Process operations and the ‘tools of the trade’ help make this particularly true. Everyday hazards include combustible materials (paper, plastic, boxes, packaging materials, rags) and flammable and/or combustible liquids (solvents, washes, inks and darkroom chemicals). Faulty electrical wiring, outlets or extension cords, equipment that overheats or generates static electricity (such as paper dryers and presses) can provide ignition sources and should be checked regularly.

Additionally, unprotected metal halide lights can cause fire and injury if the arc tube fails, causing an explosive burst of the tube with hot fragments dispersing on people and property. Flammable fumes, vapours from heated dryers, and dust from paper, powder and starch can also cause fire or explosion if ignited.

Equipment, raw materials, moulds, dies, patterns and finished products are also vulnerable to smoke and water damage. Many businesses never reopen after a major fire. Even if they

do, the downtime alone could mean loss of customers who may never return, particularly if no alternative contingency plans or arrangements are in place.

A well designed property management loss prevention programme can help you address a number of potential hazards, including, but not limited to: Electrical Management • Ensure electrical supply and wiring is appropriate for the installed equipment.

• Do not use temporary wiring.

• Do not overload electrical circuits/ outlets. Each piece of equipment should be run on its own circuit.

• Do not allow dust to build up on equipment and electrical devices.

• Have professionals check electrical systems annually. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) should be maintained in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions.

Equipment • Use only qualified machine operators that are trained to operate, inspect, test and maintain equipment.

• Inspect, clean, test and maintain equipment and components daily, according to manufacturers’ instructions.

• Verify that all controls and safety devices are installed and tested, such as trips for multiple sheet feed, high motor amperage, high lubricating oil temperature and low lubricating oil pressure, according to manufacturers’ requirements.

• Use static eliminators and humidity control.

• Use a dust collection system to help

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Commercial Profile | IRISH PRINTER

we believe in establishing personal relationships with our clients and obtaining the most appropriate insurance at the best price.

Eimear Lane, McGivern Flynn Insurance

eliminate dust accumulations created by paper, powder and cornstarch to reduce the explosion potential.

• Inspect and properly maintain boilers and pressure vessels according to legal requirements.

• Have a business continuity plan, including advance arrangements with another printer or facility to run continuous operations.

Flammable and Combustible Management • Solvents and inks produce vapours which can be explosive and should therefore be kept in a special storage room separated from the press room by a fire wall. If this is not possible they should be kept in flammable liquid cabinets.

• Substitute with less flammable liquids where possible, including water and plant/bio based inks.

• Never store combustible materials near heat sources or chemicals.

• Provide adequate ventilation around hot melt glue pots due to flammability of vapours.

Health and Safety From the press, mail and circulation rooms to the distribution centre, loading dock and delivery, the printing industry poses health and safety hazards to employees from a number of sources.

Noise from running machines; bending, lifting, lowering, reaching, twisting, turning and repetitive motion; setting up, cleaning and operating machines and equipment with nip points and moving parts; and exposures to sharp tools, chemicals, mists, dusts, hot processes and equipment are among the hazards. Occupational illness data for the printing industry shows that employees suffer hearing loss, skin diseases and respiratory disorders.

Occupation injury data shows that the majority of injuries are related to sprains and strains; slips, trips and falls; cuts, bruises and punctures; chemical and heat burns; struck by and caught in, including amputations; and auto accidents. To help reduce the hazards and risks to health and safety, companies should implement, communicate and train on their written safety programme. The programme should include employee participation and feedback, as well as management commitment and accountability. Loss control considerations should include, but are not limited to, induction training for new employees and refresher training for existing employees on emergency evacuation, good housekeeping, personal protective equipment, and ergonomic principles.

Training should be interactive and not just ‘read the sign’.

Professional Liability Printers must not only be ‘on time’, they also must be accurate and exact in producing the printed word and communication. Any misprint, omission, incorrect colour, poor quality print, or ‘not on time’ delivery could result in financial damage to your customer and you. Errors and Omissions can run the gamut from blurry type on a page to misprinted pharmaceutical or product warning labels, tickets, cheques, architectural plans, instructional manuals, and advertisements to a page missing in a publication. Missed deadlines on time-sensitive materials, such as advertisements, can be a very serious problem. Customers may refuse to pay for the work and hold you liable as well. Loss control strategies include, but are not limited to: • Require written specifications from customers, including for changes made during the process. (Where customers provide their own design specifications, have written hold

harmless agreements.).

•R equire customers to approve ink colours before the job is run. This is especially important when managing company logos and branding.

• Conduct QA inspections on set up and production runs.

• Conduct QA inspections before releasing proofs for customer approval.

• Have a recall/reprint policy.

• Have a complaint handling programme.

• If production involves other contractors or subcontractors, have a risk transfer programme, including requiring Certificates of Insurance.

About McGivern Flynn corporate broker McGivern Flynn & Co Ltd are corporate brokers located in Dublin 2 with over 30 years experience in the industry. Our approach to business is straightforward - we believe in establishing personal relationships with our clients and obtaining the most appropriate insurance at the best price. Our clients stay with us because we provide a professional service at all times and we work hard at building lasting relationships. We have a dedicated professional team of employees who are fully qualified and up-to-date with the latest market developments, which allows us to create tailored solutions for our clients with the leading insurers.

When you select McGivern Flynn as your broker, you will benefit from: • Excellent claims handling, from notification to settlement, ensuring rapid recovery and the best possible settlement in the case of a major loss.

• Financial strength of a leading insurer with a strong reputation and financial credentials to match.

• Competitive rates.

• Competitive finance options.

To arrange a professional review of your current insurance arrangements, and a non-obligatory quotation in advance of your next renewal, please contact Eimear Lane ACII, BBS, Senior Corporate Broker, McGivern Flynn & Co. Ltd. DD: +353 (0) 1 632 1314 T: +353 (0) 1 632 1321 E: eimear@mcgivernflynn.com W: www.mcgivernflynn.com McGivern Flynn & Co. Ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and registered with the Irish Brokers Association

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IRISH PRINTER | Packaging

MBO Solutions Certified for Canon Digital Web Presses

The MBO Digital 30 inch signature line is certified for the Océ JetStream 5500 press.

MBO Digital has announced that two of its digital book signature lines have been certified as Canon partner products. The first line is a 20 inch signature line that runs in-line with the Océ ColorStream 3000 press series. The line is composed of a dancer module, an RBF 520 web buffer station, SVC 521C digital sheeter, and DFT 560 digital buckle folder. The Océ ColorStream series includes the 3200, 3500, 3700, and 3900 models, which offer printing speeds of between 48 to 127 m/min (158 to 417 ft/min), and a paper width of 540mm (21.26 inches). Different paper varieties with weights of between 49 and 160gm were used in the certification. The sheet lengths after the digital sheeter were between 12 inches and 60 inches, depending on the signature desired. Additionally, a 30 inch signature line from MBO Digital was certified for in-line connection to the Océ JetStream 5500. This line comprises the following MBO units: WT 770 web tensioning module, SVC 775C digital sheeter, EM 770 ejection module, DFT 780 buckle folding module I, DFT 780 buckle folding module II, and FA 66-ME delivery.

In combination with the Océ JetStream 5500 press, the MBO line runs with a production speed of 150 m/min (492 ft/min). Different paper varieties with weights of between 80 and 90gm were used in the certification. The sheet lengths after the digital sheeter were between 12 inches and 54 inches, depending on the signature desired.

Get the No Label Look Self adhesive technology specialist Herma is applying multi-layer adhesive 62Gpt to a transparent film to create an adhesive that it claims offers outstanding initial tack even in difficult conditions. Forming part of the HermaperfectTack range, the adhesive is being applied to the Herma PP 50 transparent film (grade 885) which Herma says delivers good print quality with all conventional printing techniques, thanks to its special surface treatment. In combination, the two constituents produce glossy labels. The release liner is a 30 µm PET film. Using this new transparent stock, label printers can now cover a very broad range of applications and reduce their inventories of special materials.

Herma claims that the film’s outstanding transparent quality makes it especially suitable for toiletries and personal hygiene product containers. According to trials conducted by the German test institute ISEGA, the 62Gpt adhesive is suitable for direct contact with dry, moist and fatty foodstuffs (correction factor 2).

Herma’s multi-layer adhesive 62Gpt enables transparent film to cover a broad range of applications.

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IRISH PRINTER | What’s New in Print

Agfa Wins Gold Ink Awards

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gfa Graphics has been honoured with two Gold Ink Awards from Printing Impressions magazine, which runs what is considered to be one of the global print industry’s most prestigious print competitions. The Azura video card won a gold award in the Direct Mail category and the Agfa Graphics 2014 VIP Calendar won a silver award in the Calendar category.

The video card was developed to promote Azura, the company’s chemistry-free printing plate. The creative strategy was to showcase the product in a piece that integrates print and video technologies. When the video card is opened, an embedded screen starts playing an educational video about Azura plates. It was created using several Agfa Graphics technologies, including Apogee workflow and Sublima screening, and it was processed through an Avalon N8 platesetter on Energy Elite Pro plates.

The Agfa Graphics 2014 VIP Calendar is a testimony to the power of print and was based on the theme Connect/ Create/Care. A joint effort of the Agfa Graphics community, the VIP Calendar showcased the 13 best images submitted by employees during a photo contest. It was created using several of Agfa Graphics’ technologies and materials, including Energy Elite Pro digital thermal printing plates, the Avalon platesetter with Apogee workflow software, and Sublima screening technology. Specific offset printing techniques were used to produce the calendar.

For more information, visit www.goldink.com.

AGFA Calendar 2014 front

HIGH-SPEED INKJET PAPER FROM MITSUBISHI Mitsubishi HiTec Paper is introducing two new eco inkjet papers for highspeed printing: Jetscript DT 8002 and DT 9002, which are suitable for transactional and transpromo communications. The new inkjet papers have matte eco top-surfaces and are printable on both sides.They are available in 80gsm and 90gsm. The lighter 80gsm version, DT 8002, saves postage costs and is therefore particularly suitable for mailings. Both products are specially developed and designed for use with pigment inks but are also suitable for dye inks. They are FSC® Mix certified products. With DT 8002 and DT 9002 Mitsubishi completes the Jetscript range.

High Speed Inkjet Paper from Mitsubishi

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Packaging | IRISH PRINTER

COST EFFECTIVE PROOFING FROM ORIS RIS Packaging Innovations, the UK partner for CGS Publishing Technologies’ packaging products, is launching the ORIS Flex Pack//Web software for contractquality packaging proofing and mock up production.

“This solution now offers packaging repro/design/ printing companies the opportunity to create contractquality proofs on original stock or special proofing media that were only achievable with legacy, proprietary proofing systems such as Kodak Approval,” says Judd Perring, Director, ORIS Packaging Innovations. The colour management software, combined with a specially designed custom interface for Roland VersaCAMM VS series printers, delivers production flexibility for halftone and continuous tone proofing. All printer features, such as multi-pass and print-and-cut, are supported and Pantone colour libraries are included to enable proofing or special colours, with the possibility of defining custom colours. In addition to a white and metallic ink, it features orange and green, with the specially developed high-pigmented XG Inks. It allows the production of contract-quality proofs and prototypes on media specifically designed to match original stock used in flexible packaging, ranging from aluminium foil to shrink film. The ORIS Flex Pack//Web software also offers integrated soft proofing, proof certification and halftone support with any kind of 1-bit file format. A connection to the Esko Color Engine spot colour database is available as an option.

NEW FLEXO SYSTEM FOR CORRUGATED PACKAGING Kodak has commercially released new extensions to its Kodak Flexcel NX flexographic system for customers in the post-print and pre-print corrugated markets - the Kodak Flexcel NX Wide 5080 System and a new range of Kodak Flexcel NX plates.

The Flexcel NX Wide 5080 System includes a newlydesigned imaging platform and laminator that enables plate making in formats up to 50” x 80” and features the Kodak Squarespot Imaging Technology for precise, repeatable, high-resolution imaging. “Through continued innovation and investment in technologies such as Kodak Squarespot Imaging Technology and Kodak Digicap NX Patterning, corrugated producers will now be able to take advantage of these benefits with a solution that enables expanded tonal range, higher line screens, more efficient ink transfer, and improved print quality on lower grade boards,” says Doug Edwards, President, Digital Printing & Enterprise. “Whether customers want to achieve high-quality results in pre-print and post-print or impactful, cost-effective post-print results on lower grade liners, we are confident that Kodak now has an innovative solution to meet those needs. Commercial print trials have already yielded an overwhelmingly positive response from printers and their brand clients.”

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What’s New in Print | IRISH PRINTER

Digiline Booklet also processes short print runs efficiently, typically when producing booklet labels for clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry.

Audit-Proof Coding of Thick Booklet Labels

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tlantic Zeiser has introduced the world’s first integrated system for coding up to 4mm thick booklet labels in an auditproof process verified by an inspection camera.

According to Atlantic Zeiser, simple and fast job changes ensure economic efficiency even with the shortest print runs and radically different booklet formats. Digiline Booklet is for coding labels that are to be used in clinical drug trials. Digiline Booklet is based on contactless drop-on-demand inkjet technology and Atlantic Zeiser claims that it achieves ‘supreme print quality and consistency’, even with small font sizes, while incurring low operating costs in the absence of ink ribbons and print bars. Thanks to a patented, sensor-controlled transport system, the first incoming label of the roll is printed without any additional splicing of blank ribbon.

As a consequence, no blank labels can enter circulation, auxiliary tapes and working time are avoided, and expensive label waste is ruled out.

The built-in camera seamlessly inspects all of the processed labels. It identifies misprinted, unprinted and missing labels.

Gentle feed over large guide rollers tailored to the label format prevents accidental detachment of the booklet labels during the production process. Thanks to a special ultrasound sensor, Digiline Booklet can process fully or semi-transparent labels as well, unlike most thermal transfer printers.

The integral Omega inkjet printer with UV-A LED dryer covers a range of print widths from 36mm to 210mm. Suitable label stock includes PE, PET and PVC films, as well as paper.

Built by Atlantic Zeiser, Digiline Booklet is the world’s first integrated system for coding up to 4mm thick booklet labels in an audit-proof process validated by an inspection camera.

GLOBAL DEBUT FOR CARTON WORKFLOW SOLUTION

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he world premiere of an entire workflow solution for folding carton production - from a white sheet of cardboard to the finished folding carton box - will be the highlight of an Open House event being held at KAMA’s Demonstration Centre in Dresden, Germany from November 11th to 14th.

This first-time production process is the result of a partnership between KAMA and HP which will involve digital printing and include primer + in-line varnishing, and will feature a HP Indigo 30000 digital printer, a KAMA DC 76 foil diecutter with AutoRegister and SBU

blanking unit, and the newlylaunched KAMA FlexFold 52 folder gluer. Elsewhere in the KAMA Demonstration Centre, a separate production process will demonstrate a commercial application featuring a KAMA DC 58 die-cutter and ProFold 74 folder gluer.

A KAMA DC76 foil die-cutter with AutoRegister and SBU blanking unit.

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IRISH PRINTER | What’s New in Print

New Duplicators Spark

a Gold Rush

RISO, the specialist manufacturer of digital duplicators, has struck gold with the introduction of its latest models and the launch of a new metallic gold ink. The company has launched the RISO SE9380 digital duplicator, which the manufacturer claims offers exceptional print quality at an unrivalled and industry record-breaking maximum print speed of 185ppm. The new RISO ME9350 digital duplicator comes with dual drums. Compared to using single-colour digital duplicators for two-colour output, this greatly reduces production time and eliminates the need to reinsert paper and change drums. The ME9350 also boasts the option of a new HG double layer master that enables finer print resolution and detailed reproduction. And the introduction of metallic gold ink really does give RISO’s users the ability to add that luxurious extra finishing touch. “Producing this level of gold finish is not possible on digital printers, copiers or MFPs and is normally the product of specialised equipment or companies, but with the new gold ink from RISO, printing in gold is now accessible to all on-demand,” says Tatsuo Murakami, Managing Director at RISO UK. “Whether it’s a school, university print room or a commercial printer wanting to open up new lines of business, we’re confident that the gold ink will prove to be a success.”

New Flexible Packaging & Label Print Technology nyloflex NEF Digital shows outstanding print quality in flexible packaging and label printing.

Flint Group Flexographic Products recently introduced nyloflex NEF Digital, a new high durometer plate that is specially designed for the nyloflex NExT exposure technology for printing flexible packaging and labels.

Developed for the efficient creation of flat top dots and an excellent reproduction of surface screenings, Flint claims that the new plate shows an outstanding quality in highlight areas due to a stable reproduction of the finest highlights and smooth vignettes. It allows for a reduced bump-up, while reaching the first tonal

values of e.g. 0.8 to 1.2% at 60 L/cm (152 lpi), hence increasing the image contrast. The ink lay-down can be significantly improved and a high solid ink density achieved when surface screens are applied. The result is a brilliant print performance on film, foil and coated paper substrates. The short exposure and quick washout times enhance the productivity of plate processing. Flint Group says that the new printing plate enables users to exploit the full potential of the nyloflex NExT exposure technology. Flat top dots are less impression sensitive, enabling less dot gain variances on press. With the nyloflex NExT exposure technology, no additional processing steps, such as lamination, or additional auxiliaries (like nitrogen supply or film materials) are required, making it a more cost effective option. The new photopolymer printing plate, nyloflex NEF Digital, has been available to the market in the thicknesses of 114 (.045”) and 170 (.067”) since the beginning of August.

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What’s New in Print | IRISH PRINTER

Mitsubishi Introduces Security Paper

Ink Cartridge for Spot Colour Printing

Soma Engineering has announced the development of a new ink cartridge system for spot colour printing on CI flexographic printing presses. Developed in conjunction with the launch of its new 800mm wide Optima printing press, the system offers printers a means of reducing ink costs on printing jobs where expensive spot colours, special effect and metallic formulations are required. On a typical seven colour job using solvent-based inks, for example, the pumps are primed with CMYK and spot colours. The minimum volume of ink per colour in the system, including doctor blade, ink hoses and ink bucket, is six litres per colour, plus ink to print, for example, 400,000 labels. When the print run is complete the six litres of ink per colour is returned to the ink bucket. This is feasible for the CMYK inks but for Pantone spot colours and expensive metallic formulations that cover less than one per cent of the print area, it is not practical. Soma says that using the ink cartridge system for the spot colours reduces ink waste and provides considerable savings. The ink cartridge system operates at a minimum level of one litre and at a maximum of three. Based on current experience, Soma claims to have seen an average of 17.9% in ink savings.

The Soma ink cartridge is patent pending.

Mitsubishi HiTec Paper recently introduced a coated inkjet paper which is equipped at the factory with a distinctive and anti-counterfeit security feature – a coloured inlay. By simply tearing the paper, the blue inlay is visible. Thus, an on-the-spot test of authenticity is possible, even under unfavourable testing conditions, without any extra equipment. MH 1484 CCB is produced using Mitsubishi HiTec Paper’s coating technology and is designed for use with dye and pigment inks. It is suitable for high-speed inkjet printing as well as for classic large format printing. Mitsubishi says that MH 1484 CCB is the ideal inkjet paper for tickets to sporting and other events and also for lotteries and gaming tickets, coupons, vouchers, and VIP passes.

Faster Lamination Bagel Systems’ new DIGIFAV B2 PRO from Terry Cooper Services (TCS) claims to deliver faster lamination production thanks to its XEHT heat transfer technology. The XEHT technology (X-tream Efficient Heat Transfer), developed by Bagel Systems in collaboration with Omron, reduces average working temperatures to 88C at mid-speed and 98C at high-speed. This prevents film temperature hyper saturation allowing greater performance of the film as well as the printed sheets, particularly if it is digital. The DIGIFAV series is capable of speeds of up to 30 metres per minute or 4,000 sheets an hour.

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IRISH PRINTER | Future Focus

PRINTERS ACTIVELY RESEARCH

DIVERSIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

I

n terms of the future direction of the industry, the big message coming from the survey was the need for print companies to diversify the service proposition, particularly to expand into variable data printing, multi-channel services, and mailing and fulfilment.

“The survey showed that about 70% of respondents were either in the process of diversifying into those key areas or they had recently done it,” says Antony Paul, Marketing Manager with Neopost UK. “One very interesting finding was that about 50% of printers’ customers are talking to them about getting more services from them. There seems to be a lack of engagement with potential vendors to get more inside knowledge about services they would like so we want to help our customers with that.

Another interesting statistics was that 44% of respondents predicted growth in the industry over the next three years but 44% also predicted a decline in demand for print over the same period.

What also came out of the survey was that the future of print is about being more engaged with other media – nonprint digital communications – and using print as a portal to access digital services online.” The survey showed that reduced print runs (58%) and changing customer demands (54%) were the most dominant effects on printers of multichannel marketing, although these were not considered to be negative effects by all printers. Notable positive effects of the rise of digital media were stimulation of innovation (27%), encouragement of customer engagement (24%), efficiency gains (16%) and revenue growth (12%).

52% of those surveyed were planning to maintain investment levels, while 21% were planning to increase investment and 22% were planning a decrease. The

investment priorities were variable data digital presses (34%), web-to-print (30%), mailing and fulfilment (30%) and database management (28%). Many companies have recently invested in MIS and in bringing binding and finishing services in-house. Notable growth areas in the last three years were multi-channel production (six per cent to 22%) and inkjet systems (five per cent to 14%). When it comes to some of the new/emerging technologies, printed electronics and 3D printing did register interest.

The survey revealed that sheetfed litho is still the main printing process, with 51% market share, but it is predicted to shrink to 42% in the next three years.

Digital printing has 18% market share but that is predicted to grow to 25% by 2017 so the survey reveals a significant shift from litho to digital.

Neopost UK canvassed the British Printing Industry Federation’s 3,500 members and customers of some key vendors to the industry via an online survey and they had around 200 respondents.

Future Focus was published in March to coincide with Ipex and re-released in June.

“From conversations with my colleagues in Ireland and views elsewhere, we believe

THE PRINT INDUSTRY FACES THREE MAJOR CHALLENGES – COMPETITION FROM OTHER MEDIA, TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, AND OVER CAPACITY. THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT ‘FUTURE FOCUS’ SURVEY

BY NEOPOST UK. that the findings of this survey are reflected in the Irish market,” says Antony.

“One of the clear messages that came through was a visible reduction in run lengths, which is a major trend in Ireland.

We plan to take this research on the road to transmit the findings to the industry and get their views. We will be running a series of events around the UK between now and the end of the year which we may transition to the Irish market. The first event will be in conjunction with Duplo International at the London Calling exhibition on October 15th and 16th.”

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Stafford Engineering Stafford Engineering provides a turnkey operation for all printers • We can now service and repair all printing and finishing machines • Rollers refurbished or replaced. Specialist coatings for Anilox and Chroming • Blade grinding, new blades and cutting sticks • Two print engineers available for onsite repair • 24 hour service, 7days a week.

If you want to hIre the best staff ContaCt aPB.ie

The print recruitment specialists Tel: 01 204 2800 • Email: mail@apb.ie Visit our website: www.apb.ie

Unit 12 Parkmore Industrial Estate, Long Mile Road, Dublin 12, Ireland Tel: +353 (0)1 460 0055 • Email: sales@staffordengineering.ie

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TRINITY BOOKBINDING

LTD.

TRINITY 18/9/14 16:07:12 BOOKBINDING

LTD.

Specialists in hardback binding and the production of high quality ring binders, slipcases, presentation boxes\ folders, showcard mounting and foil blocking.

Unit 18A Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Baldoyle, Dublin 13.

Email: trinitybookbinding@gmail.com Phone: 01 5540198 • 085 8081663 TRINITY BOOKBINDING

ALAN FERNS LTD.

TRINITY BOOKBINDING LTD. UNIT 18, BALDOYLE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE BALDOYLE, DUBLIN 13 TELEPHONE: 01-5540198

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TRINITY BOOKBINDING LTD. UNIT 18, BALDOYLE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, BALDOYLE, DUBLIN 13 TELEPHONE: 01-5540198

K600i versatile inkjet printer for Variable Data Printing

Stand S5F391

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www.codico-distributors.com Cleaboy Business Park, Old Kilmeaden Road, Waterford • Tel (051) 379933 Unit 4,W.I.N Business Pk, Canal Quay, Newry, BT35 6PH • Tel (028302 ) 61066

30/04/2014 17:11:29

07/10/2014 10:58

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Walsh Colour Print offer you the advantages of using PUR binding at No Extra Cost.

You might be hearing a lot about PUR binding and you may be wondering whether it makes sense for your printing.

Listed below are some advantages of using PUR binding over Perfect binding: 1. Increased binding strength Pull test reports show 60% stronger results with PUR binding.

HOT MELT

2. Lie-flat qualities PUR is considerably more flexible than standard EVA hot melts and can lie flat when open – allowing hands-free reading.

3. Less wrinkling of backbone Binding paper with standard EVA adhesives causes considerable wrinkling in the book’s gutter area.

PUR, as it cures, allows paper to return to its original orientation.

4. Less “chip-out” Since PUR is applied at half the standard thickness, there is less chipping of the cover material during trimming.

PUR

5. Square backbone PUR allows the tiniest of books to maintain a square and rigid spine.

6. NO EXTRA COST With Walsh Colour Print PUR binding, you get a quality and professional finish at no extra cost.

Please contact us for a free quotation Freephone: 1800 613 111 For asales@walshcolourprint.com superb finish on all books, annual reports, brochures and magazines, Email: give us a call and we will give you a price that you will not believe!

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