Digital Image Magazine April 2023

publisher Image Publications Pty Ltd

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editor Stephanie Gaddin

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Welcome to the April Issue of Digital Image Magazine. 2023 has brought with it a flurry of industry events, from the unveiling of vehicles wrapped by incredibly talented specialists, to new product launches, and the official opening of a state-of-the-art onshore training facility.

The world is well and truly out and about and doing business at pace, gearing up for Visual Impact Sydney in early May, and FESPA Global in Munich later in the month.

If you missed any of the events, the launches and the industry shindigs, we have you covered, with details from Brisbane, to Melbourne, to Sydney.

We also preview what you can expect at Visual Impact, with several exhibitors lining up to showcase all new developments in water-based inks, sustainable solutions, improved technology and new training programs.

May also brings with it the Women in Print breakfast series, now broadening into Sign & Display through a partnership with ASGA, and into Tasmania with the appointment of a new Patron for the state. The speaker this year is Danielle Dobson, who will explore “Breaking the Gender Code” , her book that analyses the inherent gender biases that maintain outdated stereotypes.

As always, we love hearing your stories, so keep in touch and tell us about your interesting and challenging projects. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news in signage and wideformat printing.

I look forward to catching up with you at Visual Impact.

Stephanie Gaddin  Editor Digital Image Magazine

Epson launches two new printheads

Epson has announced that it will launch two new models of inkjet printheads that support solvent inks from April 2023. The new I3200(8)-S1HD and S800-S1 are compatible with various inks used for industrial applications. In addition to aqueous, UV-cured, and eco-solvent inks, they support oil-based, solvent, and other types of inks for digital printing applications in production printing.

Aussie companies CI Group and Entwined Signage win at the Global Digital Signage Awards in Barcelona

The I3200(8)-S1HD can handle up to eight colours of ink and deliver resolutions up to 1200 dpi, enabling the rendering of high-resolution images in various situations.

The S800-S1 is equipped with only one chip. Its compact design helps to improve productivity in printing environments with limited space.

These new products will expand Epson’s offerings in the PrecisionCore printhead series and enable the company to support an even broader range of industrial and other digital printing environments for applications such as marking/coding, signage, and printed electronics.

The two new products will enable the implementation of inkjet printing technology in new fields, particularly in industrial printing applications.

Product features I3200(8)-S1HD

• Solvent Compatibility: Compatibility with solvents with high solubility gives this printhead the ability to meet the

requirements for printing items such as displays and photovoltaic cells.

• Up to Eight Colours: Up to eight different ink colours can be used in addition to CMYK colour inks. Liquids of different types can also be jetted, enabling this printhead to adapt to industrial printing applications flexibly. It also delivers 1200 dpi high-definition image quality, making it ideal for high-speed singlepass and multi-pass printing.

S800-S1

• Compact Design: The S800-S1 is compatible with the same inks as the I3200(8)-S1HD, the single-chip design enables it to print where space is limited and in close proximity to substrates with a 3D surface.

Two Australian Sign companies have won awards in the Global Digital Signage Awards for 2023, held in Barcelona.

The CI Group won in the category Creative Execution: Creative for visual experience, including public art, and was a finalist in the Sector Public Spaces category for their entry Spacesuit & Co Heritage Lanes, Brisbane Australia.

While Entwined Signage received a High Commendation for their entry Rebel rCX Rundle Mall in the category Creative Execution: Technical Achievement. The same project placed as a finalist in Innovation: Excellence in engineering design for installed projects, Museums and historic sites and won the Retail (including restaurants) category.

The Global Digital Signage awards are an annual international search for the best creative executions, technical innovations and outstanding campaigns featuring placement solutions in the field of digital signage, DOOH advertising and the digital visual experience. The awards are independent and have been running for twelve years.

Larger in size, it enables businesses to increase their productivity without compromising on speed or quality,” says Anda Baboi, Marketing Manager, Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet Systems.

Offering a maximum print area of 3200mm x 2000mm and a headline print speed of 202 sqm/hr, the Acuity Prime L is easy to operate, and produces high quality results at high speed. It features six vacuum zones and 16 media location pins, as well as the ability to print side by side jobs with its dual zone function, for maximum flexibility.

The ink system formulated specifically for the Acuity Prime series, Uvijet HM, provides excellent adhesion to a broad range of substrates while also producing a wide colour gamut. The new ink range is optimised to produce high quality, vibrant images day-in, day-out.

A new jettable primer improves adhesion still further for particularly challenging substrates. This removes the need for the offline pretreatment of substrates before printing, saving time and money.

Fujifilm has announced that the Acuity Prime L flatbed printer is now commercially available. The printer, unveiled at FESPA 2022, is a larger version of the award-winning Acuity Prime 20 and 30 models.

“Following the success of the Acuity Prime 20 and 30 printers, we are pleased to announce the commercial availability of the Acuity Prime L.

Available with up to seven ink channels (CMYK, plus white, clear and primer) the Acuity Prime L with Uvijet HM inks offers the ultimate versatility and value by providing the flexibility for print businesses to customise it to their own needs.

Acuity Prime L Flatbed is now available

ASGA appoints Lisa Michalanney as South Australian Chair

Playford-Browne joins Currie Group

Ashley Playford-Browne has joined Currie Group as Business Development Manager for Sign & Display products in NSW and Queensland, strengthening the company’s already impressive Sign & Display team.

Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) held its 2023 AGM and a Special General Meeting in Perth, with members from across the country attending online. West Australian members who attended in person had the opportunity to network, and meet the ASGA Directors in person.

The 2023 Executive Committee and regional state committees were confirmed, with Lisa Michalanney voted in as the new South Australian Chair, while other committee members remain unchanged from 2022: Mick Harrold (President, Victoria Chair), Damian Nielsen (Vice President, Queensland Chair), Marc Martello (Treasurer, New South Wales Chair) and Wade French (Western Australia Chair).

The AGM included a review of 2022 and upcoming plans for 2023 across the finance, membership, marketing and communications areas, and presentations were given by ASGA Advisors, Warwick Ryan and Glenn Hain on employment law and building code changes.

While presenting a review of 2002, Harrold commented that while the activities of the past year had resulted in a net loss for the year, the activities were necessary, saying “2022 was about continuing to build foundations to enable the ASGA to move forward and effect change.”

“ASGA is gaining momentum, with a lot of the back end items now done,” he concluded.

Harrold thanked ASGA sponsors and outgoing South Australian Chair Julie Rochester for their contributions, noting that the ASGA was in a better position for Rochester being involved.

A Special General Meeting followed the AGM where changes to ASGA’s constitution was passed by members.

“Updating ASGA’s constitution was one of the back end items that was important for us to address,” Harrold said as he addressed those in attendance at the Special General Meeting.

“This will now be in line with other model constitutions. We cleaned up ambiguous clauses and increased the range of membership classes, both important for management of the association for current and future Directors.”

The new constitution is registered with NSW Fair Work.

The industry veteran, who started his career as a qualified prepress operator, has worked across technologies from prepress to offset, digital, direct mail, textiles and wide-format, moving from operational roles in recent years to sales and senior management roles with several leading supply companies.

Currie Group moved into the sign and display market in 2021 when it became a channel partner for EFI, marketing its roll-to-roll, flatbed, and hybrid inkjet printers to the Australian market. It has become a strong performer for the company, and the addition of Playford-Browne’s expertise and experience is set to drive that success further.

“I’m certainly excited to be joining such a great team in a company which delivers such a broad offering to the print and graphics sector,” Playford-Browne says.

“Sign and display is a rich and varied market which encompasses a wide range of businesses, from dedicated signage professionals, to print service providers who want the opportunity to grow their business into new and complementary markets, to innovative businesses across areas as diverse as fashion, industrial products and promotional items.

“My background has given me an understanding of this diverse landscape and how to help businesses capitalise on the mix of opportunities. The chance to work with a multi-disciplinary team to offer customised solutions for businesses is very exciting.

“Just as important for me is Currie Group’s outstanding reputation for customer support. They have a professional and well-run service operation with a huge network of technicians and engineers across the country, supported by significant in-house infrastructure. I know it gives customers confidence, and it demonstrates to me just how highly they prioritise customer experience,” concluded Playford-Brown.

Paul Whitehead, Business Unit Manager – Sign & Display for Currie Group, says the appointment demonstrates the company’s commitment to this vertical and customers in NSW and Queensland.

“Ashley brings vast expertise and an outstanding knowledge of all facets of print production to his new role, as well as many years of experience in the wide-format and digital inkjet sector,” Whitehead says. “We are delighted to have him on the team and look forward to introducing him to customers in those regions over the coming weeks.”

Mimaki launches first direct-to-film (DTF) inkjet printer

Mimaki announced its fi rst ‘direct to fi lm’ (DTF) inkjet printer, the TxF150-75, at its Global Innovation Days event. Utilising a heat-based transfer method, the printer is ideal for creating premium, customised merchandising, sportswear and various other promotional textile applications. This is the latest entry from Mimaki for the decorated apparel segment and made its debut at Printwear & Promotion Live! in the UK before sales commence from April 2023.

DTF printing provides an easy and affordable process for decorating apparel, most commonly T-shirts. The design is initially printed directly onto a special transfer fi lm, which is then sprinkled with hotmelt powder. Once heated and dried, the transfer sheet is ready to be applied to the fabric using a heat press.

Based on Mimaki’s existing 150 Series, one of its best-selling

Poolegrave Signs & Engraving installs Roland DG’s New TrueVIS AP-640 Resin Printer

Sydney Print installs third HP Latex from Celmac

Poolegrave Signs & Engraving from Perth have become one of the first in Australia to install the new Roland DG TrueVIS AP-640.

Poolegrave Signs & Engraving was established in 1966 in Western Australia and specialises in working with its clients to offer a complete signage solution, with a guarantee of “Perth’s fastest turn-around times for custom products.”

In January 2023, Poolegrave Signs & Engraving placed an order with Roland DG Dealer Graphic Art Mart within days of the new TrueVIS AP-640 Resin Printer release. As owners of six Roland DG machines already, the decision was an easy one, explains Dane Rose, owner of Poolgrave Signs & Engraving, saying, “For us, everything for our clients seems to be required urgently, and therefore, it is vital that we have a machine that produces prints that can be laminated immediately after printing. Now that Roland DG has released a product that achieves this, the decision for us to purchase the AP-640 was simple.”

Since using the AP-640, Rose believes the results speak for themselves: “So far so good... faster printing speed than our previous printer, with superior print quality. Very impressed with the vibrant colours.”

After such a long and fruitful relationship with Roland DG and Graphic Art Mart, Rose speaks highly of the Roland DG team and the company’s products, “We find them to be extremely reliable. Sales and technical support [teams] are great, as are the dedicated servicing technicians,” concludes Rose.

models, the new TxF150-75 responds to the market, providing a reliable, stable DTF technology. Built-in ink circulation system and degassed ink pack design prevent common DTF issues, such as poor ink ejection and white ink clogging. These core technologies, which also include the nozzle check unit and nozzle recovery system, all ensure that processes are carried out ef fi ciently with minimal intervention needed.

“Apparel decoration is a hugely popular and dynamic sector, one which we are already operating in with our other textile technologies. However, we could see the impact DTF technology has had on the industry in recent years, with its signi fi cant advantages over existing technologies. Namely, DTF avoids the time intensive process of plate creation in screen printing and the required weeding in traditional vinyl heat transfer. The technology can also create vibrant designs with its full colour printing capabilities. We’re excited to bring a solution to the market that is designed for those already active in the

Sydney Print Media has installed its third HP Latex R Series printer, the R2000. The flatbed has been installed at the company’s Granville site, which boasts a wide array of printing machinery, as an Industry Trade, Sign & Display supplier. The company owns a wide variety of printers; their products include banners, posters, POS displays, and everything from vehicle graphics to floor decals.

Speaking to Digital Image Magazine, SPM owner, Karl Sun said “The printer produces great high quality results, which is always good to take the service of the business to the next level. We are excited for the future.”

The R2000 prints on rigid and flexible media at widths up to 2.5m and 5cm in thickness. The printer can also print in HP Latex White Ink and features reliable unattended printing with automatic alignment and a drop-in roll option.

“We have a long term partnership with Celmac who are always good to deal with, and we are always happy with the installations,” concluded Sun.

decorated apparel sector and those looking to enter it, which excels in usability, reliability and quality,” says Mark Sollman, Sr. Product Manager EMEA, Mimaki Europe.

As the company’s first entry into a new segment, Mimaki has created its own range of water-based pigment inks (PHT50) especially for this solution. These inks are OEKO-TEX ECO PASSPORT certified, guaranteeing safety and environmental standards are met, in line with Mimaki’s sustainability pledges. Unlike sublimation heat transfer printing, DTF is much more versatile when it comes to materials, able to work with more than just polyester and TC blended materials, and on light or dark coloured fabrics.

The printer also comes with Mimaki’s RasterLink7 RIP software, allowing users to have full oversight and the ability to streamline the process from the design to the fi nal product. Like with all Mimaki technologies, buyers can expect extensive in-house support from Mimaki throughout the initial set-up and use.

The Personalisation Experience – FESPA Global Expo

“The Personalisation Experience represents the most exciting, potentially most profitable, and indeed most important innovation direction our industry has encountered in a very long time. This is the next print revolution. And no better place to discover what it

In 2009, my business manufactured personalised alcohol gift products, with a key focus on champagne. I had spent 30 years in the wine business, and for some time we created customised labels for our clients who were in the hospitality industry. In 2009, I was asked by a corporate client to create a wine label that individually featured all his customers’ names. At the time, I could not find a supplier who could do this for me so I created a business to sell personalised wine on the Internet and called it Intervino. Just like that, personalised wine labels were born!

At the time, my goal was to offer these products to as many online retailers as I could. I received a lot of interest, all the major pureplay online retailers in the UK expressed their interest. They were eager to expand their business to include gifts and personalised wine, champagne, beer, and spirits. Spirits quickly became everyone’s best seller. Within a short period of time, I had to rent a bigger warehouse, hire more staff and began to sell large amounts of products. However, I struggled to gain the interest of the major legacy retailers such as major department stores and supermarkets. They all liked the idea of owning their own bottle of Champagne with their name on it. But they all made the same comment, “Our website can’t handle personalised messages.” Their technology kept proving to be the issue.

In 2012, one well-known department store group did attempt this, but all they could offer was the following customer journey:

1. Select Product to be personalised

2. Buy Product

3. Receive confirmation of purchase

4. Send us an email with your personalised message

5. Receive confirmation that we have received your personalised message

6. Email sent to supplier (me) to be matched manually to product order

7. Give up and start rocking gently in a dark room

Unsurprisingly, this was not feasible for customers, and unfortunately, in 2023, not much has changed.

One of the largest supermarket groups in the UK has 0 results when you type personalised gifts into their website. The Department store I mentioned is still “re-platforming” so they can accept personalised messages.

The opportunity that exists for the print industry does not rest with print businesses all increasing the many ways you can create personalised products. It actually rests with you, helping the legacy retailers to solve their own tech issues so that consumers (in their millions) can start to place orders that you can supply. Solve that, and

the market for personalised products will go through the roof and I will be a happy man….

Discover the Personalisation Experience taking place alongside FESPA Global Print Expo 2023 and European Sign Expo 2023 from 23rd May – 26th May 2023 at Messe Munich. The Personalisation Experience will bring together 3,500 stakeholders from retailers, brands, agencies to printers and fulfilment houses, connecting them with software providers and OEMs to explore the potential of personalisation in sportswear, packaging, product, loyalty and custom interiors. For more information please visit:  www.personalisationexperience.com

This article originally appeared on FESPA Global Personalisation experience and was written by Richard Askam, FESPA Personalisation Ambassador.

can mean to you than at Personalisation Experience.”

Richard Askam - ShareaCoke creator, TEDx Speaker, Broadcaster, Ballpix NED and the newly appointed Personalisation Experience Ambassador.

The new blueprint for super-wide format

The new blueprint for wide format

Discover the perfect balance between quality, speed and cost.

A true flatbed with a unique and exceptional design.

Streamline your print processes from start to finish with our new blueprint for super-wide format, the Acuity Ultra R2. Our industrial printheads with a 3.5 picolitre drop size ensures consistent and high quality work, ideal for all applications from billboards and signage to indoor displays.

The IF Design Award winning Acuity Prime offers high quality printing on a range of rigid and flexible media across five dedicated vacuum zones. Using our Uvijet HM LED UV inks and jettable primer, bold graphics and fine text can be reproduced with variable drop sizes from 7 to 21 picolitres for near photographic quality.

The R2 is an iF design award winner (2022) with endless features such as a unique chilled vacuum table, capable of handling heat sensitive substrates. Paired with board backlighting for live print monitoring and an automatic nozzle spitting system for easy maintenance, transform your business with our state of the art R2.

Visit acuityprimeseries.com for more information or contact your local FUJIFILM representative to request print samples and organise a demonstration.

Visit fujifilm.com/au/en, scan the QR code or contact your local FUJIFILM representation to request print samples and organise a demonstration.

FUJIFILM Australia1300 650 504

FUJIFILM Australia 1300 650 504

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia 13 14 12

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia 13 14 12

Channel Letter Bending

ASGA’s Channel Letter Bending webinar in February showcased how channel letter bending machines and laser welding technology could increase a business’s profitability by significantly reducing fabrication lead times.

Accompanied by Tom Fitzpatrick and Cam Smith, Peter Fitzpatrick from LetterTech Australia provided the background on the technology, its capabilities and the training required. Mick Harrold, ASGA President and owner of Visual Exposure, outlined his experience in channel letter bending and how the technology had improved his business. Vernon Kingman of Kingman Strategies moderated the webinar, guiding the discussion with questions.

The webinar opened with a video demonstrating how channel letter bending could be used to make an intricate Coca-Cola logo sign. Peter explained how whereas it could take at least a couple of days to fabricate it with traditional techniques, with the use of a channel letter bending machine, it could be made as quickly as 30 minutes from start to finish. This included fitting the LEDs, the backs and the laser-cut lettering on the front of the sign.

Kingman questioned whether this meant that fabricators would no longer be needed for sign making; Fitzpatrick and Harrold agreed that where someone without any fabrication experience could produce smaller letter sets, there would always be a place for fabricators. They were necessary for the bigger jobs and for taking letter sets further along to output the type of signs that win ASGA awards. This technology helps skilled fabricators produce work of higher quality and creativity in much less time.

Kingman then prompted discussion from the LetterTech Australia team and Harrold on the benefits of adopting the technology of channel letter benders and laser welders and the pros and cons of importing machines directly versus purchasing the machines from an Australian distributor. Harrold, who had brought his machine in directly from China, said he could not be without the machines now. Importing the machines directly may have saved his business money, but he said it was not for the faint-hearted, as it could take months to understand a machine’s full capabilities. Fitzpatrick confirmed the technology had turned businesses around due to the efficiency in getting work done and warned that anyone looking to import machines directly should consider what their time was worth on an hourly basis to learn how to use the machines and the risks involved in dealing with unknown companies. He outlined the various devices LetterTech Australia supplies to the Australian market and their ballpark prices.

Fitzpatrick added that bringing manufacturing back to Australia was a significant factor in LetterTech Australia’s choice to become an Australian distributor of channel letter bending and laser welding machines. Harrold agreed that these machines are a game-changer for the industry, for bringing manufacturing back to Australia, with low volume, specialised letter sets are now possible to produce at a cheaper cost-base locally.

The webinar unpacked much more detail regarding the benefits of the technology and included step-by-step video footage of how various machines operated. It concluded with an eleven-minute video demonstrating a channel letter-bending machine making the letter B in real time.

This webinar will be followed up with the next in the series covering the latest innovations in glues.

ASGA members can access the webinar recording and Q&A transcript in the member portal of the ASGA website: www.signs.org.au

The latest sign fabrication technology showcased as a game changer in ASGA’s latest webinar.

Peter Fitzpatrick with Coca-Cola sign made using a channel letter bender.

L to R: The team from LetterTech Australia: Tom Fitzpatrick, Peter Fitzpatrick, Cam Smith.

Mick Harrold explains how handheld laser welders work.

Art, Automobiles & Leading with Kindness

There are many people in the industry who are good at what they do and some who are excellent. But it’s a rare and notable combination when you find someone outstanding at their work, creatively passionate, and uncompromisingly kind.

Sam Rogers of Drive Creative exudes a genuine joy for what she does, and this energy is evident as she talks about how intensely she and the team have been working over the last couple of weeks towards a fast-approaching launch day with BMW. She seems to ride the momentum of the impending deadline – their biggest marketing event of the year – and thrive on the challenge of getting it done.

Rogers started as a sole trader five years ago and then took on a business partner Daniel Sharples, as the business took off. Drive Creative is now an industry leader in vehicle wrapping and signage, from design to installation, working in partnership with companies such as BMW and KYB. Rogers says, “We really just want to offer a premium service to our clients. We want to show people what we’re capable of doing and what can be done with wrap.”

In the beginning, with a relatively small pool of clients, Rogers was able to be exceptionally flexible and deliver a rapid turnaround. This, combined with her artistic talents and technical skill, soon got her noticed and earned her a reputation as someone who does things differently. She could often devote her full attention to clients right when they needed her. Even as Drive Creative has grown into the prominent industry name that it is today, she has maintained this personal, relational way of working and her clear-eyed devotion to the job at hand.

A MARRIAGE OF ART & AUTO

Automotive and motorsports have been a part of Rogers’ life since she was a child – in fact, her very first ‘client’ was the family race team. Her father and brother would drive the cars, and she would wrap them, as well as help on track. She says, “I see parts of my dad in myself, which I’m really grateful for – he has an amazing work ethic, which I think I have inherited from him.” Motorsports was an important way for her to connect with her dad, but it also gave her an outlet for one of her other heartfelt passions – visual art.

“A lot of people in the industry don’t know this side of me,” Rogers says. Still, artistic expression has always been a strength and an outlet for her – she has won awards for her illustrations and exhibited both visual art and textile work. So, car wrapping brings together her love of both art and cars, as well as her inherent work ethic, and showcases her skill and creativity. She says, “The thing I love about this place is that it still allows me to have a creative platform while also being commercially viable.”

PARTNERING WITH BMW – SOMETHING DIFFERENT

The thriving partnership that exists today between Drive Creative and BMW has grown and strengthened over the years, thanks to Sam’s unique skills and the quality of her work, but also because of the way that she has built up trust with her clients from day one.

Having trialled some other wrap shops, BMW were blown away when Rogers showed them what she could do for them – beginning with templating. Many of the cars coming into the Australian head

Sam Rogers, Director of Drive Creative, shares how it started and how it’s going.

office were pre-production models, so templates for wrapping these cars did not yet exist.

Drive Creative now have contacts across the whole of BMW, with its many and various divisions. As Rogers says, “So much trust has been built up over that time,” which makes the difference.

DISCOVERING ORAFOL –NO COMPROMISE

Of course, to achieve real creative freedom and technical finesse in her work, Rogers needs the right tools for the job. She had heard about ORAFOL car wraps but only began to adopt them as integral to her process after a member of the ORAFOL Australia team reached out to her. They started to build a professional relationship around shared values. She says, “There are many visionaries in both ORAFOL and Drive, and I think that’s why we’ve been able to work together – we always want to see what we can do together.”

Rogers is a particular fan of the ORACAL 970RA range from ORAFOL because it has an extensive colour gamut, so she doesn’t ever have to feel limited in her designs when it comes to colour selection. It’s also printable, so they can create stunning effects, and it’s non-directional (unlike the film products from most other manufacturers), which means she can use less material when nesting pieces around the car – ultimately saving the client money.

Similarly, she found that the advanced ORAJET film was exactly what was needed for a project with KYB, where Drive Creative had to wrap a Yamaha Wolverine. They fully templated the buggy and populated the digital template with the design, which was then printed and cut into a ‘decal kit’. “We know that’s a really unique offering we can give to our clients,” she says. “That was a really special job.”

A GAME-CHANGING APPROACH

When you talk to Rogers and her business partner Daniel Sharples, you get the sense that their values and their spirit infused the culture at Drive Creative and made the business what it is today. Rogers says that one of the things that she loves about being a director of a business is that she has been able to instil her values through the way that she leads with kindness: “I don’t feel like I have an overtly dominant personality, but I think the way that I lead is kind and sustainable.”

Sharples puts it more emphatically as he reflects on how his time at Drive Creative so far has impacted him: “Just working with Sam and watching Sam operate has naturally been different and has been such an education for me. She’s very humble about it, but she’s an absolute beast in her own way.” He credits Sam for the longterm, personal, and mutually supportive relationships they have with people like BMW: “She really does lead with kindness, and you can see that in the way that people champion her.”

The team at Drive Creative is beautifully eclectic, yet they are all united around the same values. Sharples says, “Our workshop is different as a collective. We have shared values, but everyone here is unique, and we offer a safe space where people can explore, at times fail, and really work out what’s possible.”

Drive Creative certainly have an ethos of pushing and challenging themselves, and there’s no danger of the company standing still. They know what they’re doing, they know what they’re about, they stand for what they believe in, and they know where they’re going. “We’re not afraid to try new things. Even though we’re a little shop, we’re quite capable of doing a lot,” concludes Rogers.

Arlon launches new Premium Colour Change fi lm in style

Arlon launched its new Premium Colour Change film at a series of upmarket events in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney. Guests at each event were treated to the finest hospitality and entertainment, with a special soundscape to kick-off the unveiling of the official Premium Colour Change wrapped vehicle, an Audi A7.

Cal James, Arlon’s Senior Technical Solutions Specialist wrapped the Audi A7 using all twenty colours in the range, in a mix of Satin, Matte and Gloss. The design, also by James, incorporated several different sections, from a jet fighter plane to a racing car. The concept was to showcase the quality and benefits of Premium Colour Change, while encouraging guests to spend time uncovering the secret embossed layers and continuing to return to the vehicle wrap, learning something new from each angle they looked at it.

The Premium Colour Range is a soft conformable cast film available in twenty colours, with further colour releases planned for 2023. The range includes eye-catching colours available in

gloss, matte and satin finishes. Gloss products include a special “cap sheet” that ensures an ultra-gloss finish.

Premium Colour Change has FLITE Technology, an adhesive and liner system with invisible air channels giving fast and bubble-free application resulting in an ultra-smooth finish for full and partial vehicle wraps. The repositionable nature of FLITE Technology assists installers in wrapping faster. FLITE Technology also guarantees rapid, clean removability, helping wrap shops achieve more in less time.

Adrian Marcelino, Director of All Stuck Up in Sydney, commented, “At All Stuck Up we have been through a wide

Melbourne Premium Colour Change Event.

Sydney Premium Colour Change Event.

variety of Wrap Material Brands, each has its positives and negatives. However, after using the Arlon Premium Colour Change vinyl we are having a hard time finding any negatives about it! Application, Colour, Price is all perfect and we can’t actually fault this film at all. We are really looking forward to introducing it as our flagship colour change film.”

“We’re pleased to say these launch events across the country were a huge success. The response from the attendees was overwhelmingly positive and full of excitement as Arlon moves into the colour change space,” says Neil Gomez, Director of Sales ANZ, Arlon. “Arlon Graphics are committed to creating quality products as they continue to fiercely grow. We are excited to see the next 10 colours in the Premium Colour Change range which are being released this winter,” concludes Gomez.

Supporting the launch of Premium Colour Change, Arlon is offering a Cashback rebate of up to $510 across the entire FLITE family of products, including favourites SLX+, printable reflective IllumiNITE and Fusion kits. To learn more about this cashback offer please visit pcc. arlon.com for all the details.

If you missed the launch events, contact your nearest Graphic Art Mart office or visit pcc.arlon.com for more information on Arlon’s newest graphic film, Premium Colour Change.

Cal James, Arlon’s Senior Technical Solutions Specialist demonstrating at the Melbourne Premium Colour Change Event.

Brisbane Premium Colour Change Event.

Sydney Premium Colour Change Event.

State of the Art Training and Innovation Centre opens in Queensland

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions officially opened its new Training and Innovation Centre in Berrinba, Queensland, for graphics solutions professionals to learn new skills, explore cuttingedge technologies, and access state-of-the-art facilities as they bring their creativity to life.

This is the first Avery Dennison Training and Innovation Centre in the Asia Pacific region, located close to Red Bull Ampol Racing headquarters, with materials science capabilities to explore creative uses and applications for Avery Dennison’s portfolio of cutting-edge vinyl film and wrapping solutions, for the demands of supercar racing.

“As a global materials science leader, we are excited to empower partners, installers and graphics solutions professionals with the knowledge, technologies, and resources they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving graphics solutions industry,” says Chris Kilgour, General Manager and Senior Director, Graphics Solutions, Asia Pacific, Avery Dennison.

This centre has services designed to help graphics solutions industry professionals in producing and installing Avery Dennison products across key segments such as auto aftermarket, architectural, window films, and corporate branding. This centre also supports the ongoing development of the company’s highly valued technical services team across more than ten markets in the region.

“As an innovator, Avery Dennison looks forward to accelerating deeper collaborations with customers by offering them access to the same facilities and resources that we use with one of Australia’s

finest racing teams, empowering them to develop their skills and push the boundaries of what is possible,” says Jordan Leach, Business Director, Graphics Solutions, Australia and New Zealand and ASEAN, Avery Dennison. “We believe that by investing in the next generation of graphics solutions professionals, we can continue to inspire, innovate, and contribute to the industry we love.”

In developing its market-leading technical services, Avery Dennison has continually consulted with customers in ANZ and recently transformed its training courses to meet their growing needs. At the core of Avery Dennison’s training program is the Certified Installer network program, completely rewritten recently by the ANZ team to reward graphics solutions professionals with specialist benefits, recognition, and certification. In addition, all innovation capabilities and training sessions at this new centre are open to the company’s customers and partners in Asia Pacific.

Learn more about our incoming training program at https:// graphicsap.averydennison.com/en/home/services/traininginnovation-centre.html Sign up now to receive priority news and alerts directly at https://graphicsap.averydennison.com/en/home/ news/subscribe.html

Chris Kilgour (right) and Jordan Leach (left) at the official opening ceremony on March 14, 2023.

The new Avery Dennison Training and Innovation Centre has two wet and two dry vehicle wrapping bays and a fully-operational imaging room with printers and a laminating system, all within a 300 sqm environment. Its 150 sqm main floor space easily accommodates four large vehicles with ample working space for trainers and trainees.

Expanded Industry education program to run at Visual Impact

Training is a hot topic in the sign, display and wider graphic communications space, Visual Connections together with the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA), is moving to expand its successful student recruitment and education program, and will feature a “Try a trade” day at Visual Impact in Sydney.

The two associations’ commitment to the future of the industry has long been demonstrated through programs designed to introduce young people to the print, sign and display market and assist them into appropriate training.

The purpose of this latest, expanded program, is to educate Year 9 and 10 students and their parents about the career opportunities available in the visual communication space, and to work closely with teachers and careers advisors to identify interested students.

Visual Connections CEO, Peter Harper, says initiatives in recent years, including a pilot program conducted early in 2020 in partnership with the Australian Skills & Industry Partnership (AusSIP), had been successful in lifting apprentice numbers, but argues that more needs to be done to meet demand.

“Like many industries, the graphic communications sector is facing challenges in finding and recruiting young people into careers,” he explains. “Addressing this is vital for the future of our industry and has long been a priority for both Visual Connections and the ASGA.”

The first step, he says, is to create awareness of, and interest in, careers in signage, display, wide-format print and the wider graphics sector, not only with students but, just as critically, with their parents and careers counsellors.

“This program is specifically designed to showcase the exciting possibilities available in the industry, and to support those young people who are interested to identify training and apprenticeship opportunities,” Harper explains.

“When young people see what our industry does, they are invariably blown away by the possibilities, but we also know that parents and advisors play a vital role in helping young people evaluate their careers options. It is vitally important that any program to increase apprentice numbers

addresses all stakeholders in what is a huge decision for these students.”

Already, with the help of AusSIP and industry sponsors, Visual Connections has booked Careers expos in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth running from May to July this year.

“We also have a ‘Try-a-Trade’ program locked in for Visual Impact Sydney in May, which will provide up to 100 students with the opportunity to try out skills in various aspects of the industry,” he reports.

“With the help of TAFE NSW, students can try skills in sublimation and direct-togarment printing, laser engraving, print and fine art printing and channel lettering, as well as vinyl application, and see the ‘best of the best’ in action at an exciting wrap challenge planned by ASGA and HEXIS.

“Students will also get a chance to try traditional hand lettering and brushwork, and the Penrith Museum of Print will be there to let students see how printing on paper was done with traditional letterpress technologies.

“Following these introductory sessions, ‘Taster Days’ will be held with TAFEs in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, to take interested students from a number of schools on a tour of different manufacturers, as well as providing the opportunity for more focused ‘hands-on’ experience.”

The ambitious program, which comes at a particularly vital time for the industry, has received wide support from across the sector, with a host of sponsors signing on to sponsor the 2023 program.

“Programs like this require a significant investment, so we reached out to industry colleagues for their support, and are proud to announce that a number of leading organisations have already pledged their sponsorship.”

“These include Amari Visual Solutions, Ball & Doggett, Cactus Imaging, Fujifilm Graphic Systems, Graphic Art Mart, Mulford Plastics, ORAFOL, Pozitive Sign & Graphic Supplies, Sign-a-Rama, Starleaton and Visual Connections,”concludes Harper.

Visual Impact Sydney Preview

ALFEX CNC AUSTRALIA will display a range of brands of laser cutting and engraving systems and 3D Printing. Alfex distributes multiple brands, including Epilog Laser (USA), Lotus Laser (UK), Kern Lasers (USA), Vision Engraving Systems (USA), ACSYS Lasertechnik (Germany) and Bofa Fume Extractors (UK), and will display a number of these brands on its stand at Visual Impact.

CMYKHub will showcase its Design Desk and online Subscription, Graphic Design & Prepress Platform. Attendees are encouraged to pre-book a demo with the company.

EPSON will show a wide range of printing solutions that reduce the user’s footprint in a smaller space, demonstrating the ultimate flexibility in product print and minimising waste.

These solutions include the Epson SureColor T7760D, SureColor

S80660L, SureColor R5000L, SureColor

V7000, SureColor F6460 and SureColor

F2260. Epson will also show its latest direct-to-garment (DTG) and direct-tofilm (DTF) solutions.

The Epson SureColor Resin 5000L is designed to produce signage, décor and promotional material. It uses aqueous (water-based) ink that is similar to Latex but formulated for enhanced scratch resistance and a lower curing temperature.

The Epson SC-S80660L features Epson’s latest PrecisionCore print head and UltraChrome EcoSolvent ink technology.

HP will be demonstrating an entirely water-based, safe and sustainable printer portfolio with a theme of “Beyond Expectations” the company will showcase a suite of Latex Printers from the Latex 365 Print & Cut through to the Latex 2700W, a 3.2m wide roll-to-roll printer, and the Latex R1000 Plus Hybrid.

From posters to signage to billboards, HP will showcase how to deliver each application with odourless, water-based ink. The stand will also feature the fastest production poster printer in the market – the PageWide XL Pro 10000.

The HP Latex 335 Printer features HP 831 775ml Latex Ink Cartridges, Optical Media Advance Sensor (OMAS), and an X-axis cutter.

The HP PageWide XL Pro 10000 ; for highspeed, cost-effective production printing of short-term posters on rolls, sheets, and rigid boards. A 5 litre ink capacity yields unattended sustained production capacity.

IMPRESSION TECHNOLOGY will have Inkjet, DTG flatbed UV and DTF print systems, demonstrating the main differences between DTF and DTG and which design types best suit each technology. The company will also feature UV printing, texture and braille print applications focusing on the automation of texture channels. In addition, engineers will be in stand to answer in-depth technical questions.

MIMAKI AUSTRALIA will be showcasing their best selling LED UV technology. Focusing on the three core benefits, Low Power - No Drying - More Choice! The company will also have a range of rollto-roll and flatbed equipment on display. Plus a whole lot more, make sure to visit the Mimaki stand for all the latest updates from Mimaki.

MULTICAM ’s stand theme is “Providing Solutions Through Integration” and will display a range of machines from small format compact machines to full-size Trident CNC cutters. The company will also showcase software solutions. In addition, the stand will have engineers and service technicians available to answer technical questions.

Trident is an innovative hybrid CNC production system combining heavy-duty routing with fast knife cutting for processing the broadest range of materials in all print finishing, signmaking, foam and graphics applications.

Introducing Arlon’s brand new range of Premium Colour Change

Offering 20 new cast wrapping film colours exlusive to Graphic Art Mart.

Premium Colour Change is your ideal choice for automotive restyling and fleet applications. The conformable cast film features FLITE Technology® for fast, easy installation, excellent repositioning and clean removability. The engineered liner with invisible air channels gives bubble-free application resulting in an ultra-smooth finish for full and partial vehicle wraps. The specially adapted protective film on gloss colours ensures the highest gloss level. Guaranteed to stay down in deep channels, curves, recesses and the most demanding shapes. Premium Colour Change eye-catching colours are available in gloss, matte and satin finishes.

Unique Features:

• PET protective film on gloss colours offering the highest gloss level

• Invisible Air Channel Liner for a super smooth finish

• Excellent repositionability and softness for fast and easy installation

• Guaranteed to stay down in deep channels, curves, recesses and the most demanding shapes

• FLITE Technology® provides clean removal

SUITABLE APPLICATIONS:

Car, utes, vans, buses, trucks, trains and trams

Colour RANGE

#413 ARPCC4131520 Satin White #452 ARPCC4521520 Satin Black #453 ARPCC4531520 Satin Charcoal #454 ARPCC4541520

Satin Pearl White #455 ARPCC4551520

Matte Black #503 ARPCC5031520

Matte Grey #505 ARPCC5051520

Matte Red #551 ARPCC5511520

Matte Rose Black #554 ARPCC5541520

Matte Blue #555 ARPCC5551520 Matte Purple #557 ARPCC5571520

Matte Grey #558 ARPCC5581520

QUOTE & PRINT will showcase its ERP solution, which covers everything from large format to commercial print. In addition, the company says its solution is now available as a cloud print ERP. Visitors to the stand will have access to demonstrations of its wide-format quoting capabilities and the newly added labels and packaging module. The Wide format module supports both roll-fed and flatbed printers.

ROLAND DG - Visual Impact will be Roland DG’s first opportunity to showcase its expanded TrueVIS lineup, which now includes resin, UV, and eco-solvent models. Adding to the SG3 and VG3 Series eco-solvent printer cutters launched in 2022, Roland DG recently introduced the LG and MG Series UV printer cutters alongside its first water-based resin ink printer, the AP-640.

In addition to the new TrueVIS models, Roland DG will also showcase several other popular products, including the VersaUV LEF2 Series benchtop UV printers, the XT640S-DTG multi-station direct-to-garment printer, and the VersaSTUDIO BN-20 Series printer cutters.

SAS will showcase the Ai Panel with CodeMark. They are showcasing a range of colours and complementary products and services, including trims, joiners, foam cleaner and spray paint. The pre-finished colour-coated solid aluminium Ai Panel is designed to transform products and services for signage, building and fit-out companies.

SPICERS will launch the second edition of its Environs Sustainability Pack and will feature training workshops at Visual Impact. Read more about Spicer’s stand on Page 26

VELFLEX is billing itself as the “One Stop Transfer Shop” –demonstrations of end-to-end transfer production, showcasing the new DTF transfer consumables. In addition, the company will print t-shirts on the stand using their UltraColour readyto-press transfers and Hotronix heat presses.

WILENCO will demonstrate their range of cutting and trimming tools and equipment at the show, the Rollover tool, both Classic and Flexi models, and the KeenCut trimmer table.

The TrueVis 640 Resin printer has dual, staggered printheads with variable dot printing, and its waterbased TrueVIS Resin Ink provides a quick-drying and scratch-resistant result on a wide range of media.

Be the first to see the TrueVis range at Visual Impact Sydney, where Roland DG will showcase the extended lineup for the first time.

Spicers Workshop

A workshop that has it all

The Spicers Visual Communications range has become an invaluable resource to the wide format print industry, encompassing consumables, hardware, inks, accessories training and support. From point-of-sale, vehicle graphics right through to exhibition stand construction and shop fit out, Spicers has a product to get you noticed, and the hardware to print and finish.

“We are excited to showcase new products and brands at Visual Impact, our portfolio has expanded offering more solutions and adding more opportunities for our customers to increase their sales for new and different applications,” says Wayne Hood, Spicers Visual Communications Portfolio Manager.

Spicers will launch two new exciting promotions at Visual Impact Sydney 2023.

Following on from the success of Environs, the Spicers Sustainability Pack, Spicers will release a second edition of the pack featuring fibrebased papers and boards from its comprehensive range of solutions for commercial printing requirements. Coated, Uncoated and Specialty products that are FSC or PEFC certified, Carbon Neutral, Manufactured with Recycled content and is Recyclable.

“The Environs series is a resourceful and educational guide for our designers, specifiers and printers. Environmental and production requirements are key factors when selecting the right stock. Spicers offers a range of sustainable options with green credentials which help our customers and their clients achieve their sustainability goals”, says Cyndi Setia, Spicers Marketing & Design Manager.

3M DI-NOC Architectural Finishes and 3M Glass Finishes will be on stand showing different applications. A range of highly specialised selfadhesive films that can be easily applied to most surfaces. Spicers offer seventy-four finishes stocked in Australia, a carefully selected collection that embodies the essence of the full range to inspire your masterpiece.

General Formulations has been added to the Spicers portfolio, a recognised brand which has always supplied quality self-adhesive

products across several applications. The Spicers stand will have a display of General Formulations products on wall, window and floor applications. Enhance spaces and create experiences through a range of textured wall coverings.

Spicers will showcase hardware with the new Roland AP-640 Resin printer, a premium 4-colour Resin printer with fast drying inks, excellent durability and optimum usability.

Also on stand will be the versatile Mimaki UCJV300-160 inkjet printer which has a combined function of both printing and cutting mounted with UV-curable ink.

To finished off the workflow, the RollsRoller 340/170R Flatbed Applicator is the fully equipped multipurpose work table that gives you access to the superior production method provided by the Flatbed Applicator technique.

Spicers will also launch the second edition of Evolution in Grip, a range of versatile adhesive and film-based visual communication products- perfectly adapted for every surface. The three-part series of Evolution in Grip offers printed samples of solutions for window, wall and floor applications featuring durability, ink compatibility and sustainable options. The promotion includes product inserts with reference guide on the versatility within the Spicers portfolio and all conveniently assembled in a presentation folder.

‘The Evolution in Grip series is a great tool to sample products and brands across our print media self-adhesive range, it includes alternatives for long-term and short-term applications or production and sustainability requirements,’ says Wayne.

The Spicers Workshop will showcase all these new and exciting products, live demos and giveaways at stand E10.

Live demos on the Mimaki UCJV300-160 inkjet printer.

The NEW Roland AP-640 Resin printer.

Beyond the break- fi x model: Currie Group rede fi nes client service in a post-pandemic world

Like many businesses, Currie Group delivered services through the pandemic in alternative ways. As a business with 65% customer-facing staff, it is unsurprising that Currie Group found ways to deliver its services through state and border closures.

With over 73 years of experience across the gamut of commercial and industrial printing, whether installing and servicing a digital printing press, the latest in guillotine technology, or now a highly successful expansion into sign and display with EFI, the company thrives on delivering best-in-class service and embraces the cross-skilling of its staff. Staff are also empowered to flex wherever necessary to find solutions and provide an outcome.

The company will consider implementing anything across the board if it works well in one area and has the potential to be useful in other areas – it genuinely believes in taking on the best practice and is constantly learning what its clients need. The company sees itself as occupying the middle ground between global direct-to-market manufacturers and other local resellers that do not have the same scale and presence as the Currie Group. It is large enough to have its own warehouses and service resources, but is not constrained by the usual layers of a large corporate structure. They cite their speed to market and almost instant service response for clients as something the entire team is quite proud of.

Marcus Robinson, Director – Operations, explains that the pandemic forced the company to accelerate its cross-skilling program; with specialists spread across the country and restricted to their state and sometimes their suburbs, it became imperative that they rapidly share knowledge and transfer skills. The first test came in Queensland when Currie Group used a newly

implemented HP xRServices mixed reality goggles to train two highly qualified Indigo specialist engineers in Brisbane on an EFI printer. Robinson says there was “seamless cross-training across the services for EFI”.

“The customer comes first” is not just a mantra at Currie Group, as Paul Whitehead, Business Unit Manager – Sign & Display, explains that we will do whatever is necessary to provide the best possible outcome for the client and cites an example of an installation in a CBD location, which required the dedicated installation team to arrange traffic management, permits and cranes, and two engineers to work on a Saturday to accomplish the installation. And while he stresses that this is not the norm, it does highlight that Currie Group’s team lives and breathes the customer-centric ethos. Whitehead says staff are encouraged to be creative in finding solutions.

Looking to the future – Robinson speaks about the graduate engineer program, which is long-running at Currie Group. Engineers are recruited after graduation, mentored, and buddied with experienced senior engineers. “We run a vigorous cadet engineer program. We’ve expanded that into the Sign and Display market. We target electrical, mechanical, robotics and mechatronics engineers straight out of university,” he says, adding, “we introduce factory training, and there is a pathway for them to become a fully-fledged engineer themselves and follow a career path into a senior engineer and then a specialist.”

There will be two dedicated placements for sign and display, likely along the eastern seaboard. Robinson says there is a shortage of engineers and that Currie Group has worked hard at creating this pipeline of specialist talent. And with cross-skilling now an embedded part of the company training program post-pandemic, the company is playing its role in creating, nurturing and retaining a wide range of talent in the industry.

EFI was the “toe-in-water” for wide format for the company; a moment it considers quite successful, and it will be expanding into other opportunities with manufacturers that complement its portfolio.

Robinson and Whitehead also talk about moving beyond the break-fix model, currently so entrenched in the market. Whitehead says, “There’s a lot of good kit out there, but a broken machine is not delivering anything for anyone, and yes, we provide the tech, but Currie Group’s value lies in the end-to-end care and communication for our clients. From the time an order is placed, through to the servicing of that machine post-installation”. Robinson adds that Currie Group’s “Health Check”, something Whitehead calls a differentiator, is highly strategic in moving clients away from a “break-fix” model. The check encompasses a regular pre-emptive assessment and service of machines on-site, preventing and mitigating breakages and failures. He notes it’s not dissimilar to the notion that a car is regularly serviced to avoid breakdowns. However, both Robinson and Whitehead agree that the “break-fix” model, so prevalent in the industry, really does need to be turned on its head.

L-R: Molly Mathers - Customer Relations Manager – Southern Region (VIC,SA,WA), Marcus Robinson – Director – Operations, Paul Whitehead - Business Unit Manager – Sign & Display.

Super Signs gets supercharged with HP Latex R2000

In November 2022, Super Signs installed a HP Latex R2000 from Conect (Ball & Doggett); the company says that it has improved its ability to deliver for clients faster than before.

Super Signs Australia are a full-service sign business in Seaford, Victoria. The experienced team provide signage and print services to clients ranging from small one-person operations to some of Australia’s largest corporate businesses.

The business was started 30 years ago with a dream, not a lot of money, and a desire to be innovative and successful. The small team packed all their sign gear and set up at the weekend markets. The long days, early starts, and hard work paid off. The experience of taking their sign-making capabilities direct to the clients gave them control and immediate input over their jobs, leading to successful outcomes. From these humble beginnings, they introduced a mobile sign van. Still used today, the on-site sign vans allow the clients greater convenience, the ability to have immediate input, reduce production time and increase flexibility.

Paul Taylor, Managing Director of Super Signs, says, “We are very mindful of everyone we deal with in the industry, from our customers to our suppliers to our staff, to the people who deliver stuff to us. We are big on relationship building, so that’s really important for us, not just with our customers but with our suppliers. That follows through with my staff. And it’s also the way we treat other people’s staff.”

Taylor adds, “Price is important, quality is important, relationships are important. If you use those as the key foundations of the way you buy, the way you sell, and the way you behave, you’ll grow from one person to 30. Relationships are gold.”

The sign and print industry has dramatically changed since Super Signs was started, and the team have embraced and invested in new technologies that deliver better results, broaden their product range and increase capabilities to deliver their customer’s needs. Thousands of people and businesses have entrusted Super Signs with the task of producing their signs.

Super Signs Australia services. now include Building signs, Shop Signs, Reception Signs, Warehouse Signs, Fence Mesh, Window Graphics, School Signs, Light-boxes, Safety Signs,

Vehicles, Stickers, Print, Earthmoving, Special Products, Digital Printing, Banner Printing, Hoardings, Fleet Decals, A-frames, Large Posters, Bumper Stickers, Brochures, Gift Certificates and more.

The business runs a full suite of HP wide-format printers to support their indoor and outdoor print requirements. For flexible media, they have the Latex 365, Latex 570 and the Latex 800 and the recently installed Latex R2000 Plus hybrid printer is used for rigid and flexible applications.

Taylor adds, “We are HP converts. The Latex water-based ink across our HP printers is cleaner. It means we don’t need things to gas off the prints or have sets of rubber gloves all around the place; we don’t have people wearing safety glasses. These were all challenges with our old technology.”

The company had an existing UV-cured flatbed and found they needed to grow capability without sacrificing quality. Space was also a consideration, and owning multiple devices to achieve throughput was not an option. They needed a printer that could deliver on quality, be able to keep up with current demand, and accommodate business growth.

‘‘A flatbed printer fills a gap in a sign business. We buy the best equipment and get the best deal on the best equipment. Because there’s no point having the best people in the world working in your business and giving them average equipment, you’ll lose,” comments Taylor.

Super Signs say their customers understand the differences in print quality and have higher expectations from the print output.

“Even our walk-in customers are becoming very savvy. The level of the artwork we get now is incredible, and we want to be able to take this artwork and do it justice,’ adds Taylor.

The HP Latex R2000 Plus has a maximum media width of 2.5m in both rigid and flexible materials, and supports thicknesses of up to 50mm allowing the team to deliver faster and gives the company growth capability for years to come.

“Speed is important. It’s not everything. I know that with speed, you sometimes sacrifice quality. It’s that quality and speed, that the HP flatbed has that we really like. In our business, we can’t go back on quality. The R2000 technology has allowed us to improve quality and improve speed and also, wherever possible, improve pricing. The bulk ink system was a big factor that improved our cost of printing,” says Taylor.

He adds, “The R2000 prints incredible quality, even the surface of the print, comparing it to our previous, UV cured ink, is smooth, it’s not rough. The ink durability, the water-based ink, the speed, and the ability to have white were all reasons we chose the R2000”.

Taylor speaks highly of the Conect Team, saying, “Mike and team at Conect, gave me a whole host of information and didn’t make unrealistic promises like ‘we are going to cut your print cost by half’. They gave me the right information to allow us to make informed decisions. We’ve checked the figures, and they were conservative!”

“We don’t just make signs; we just do what we say. Mike and the team help me keep my promises. He is always there. If I have a problem, I pick up the phone. And I’m not ringing because I’m angry or the machines have broken down. It’s because I can’t do what I say.”

Mike Callander, Hardware Manager Victoria at B&D (Conect) adds, “Paul and the team at Super Signs have been longterm Conect customers, and the support and service that we are known for will only improve with the resources of Ball & Doggett. Our ability to offer best-in-class wide-format equipment, consumables, service and knowledge of the market and products will help us to better support our customer growth and long-term success.”

Taylor continues, “I am very happy with the response I get from the service team across my HP printers. They understand the importance of having my HP equipment running at optimum levels and are proactive.”

Rob Brussolo, General Manager of Sign, Display and Digital at Ball & Doggett, adds, “We are excited about the addition of Conect Enterprises to our business. The experienced team and comprehensive product solutions that now include a range of wide-format equipment mean we can better support our customers. The strong partnerships with wide-format equipment OEMs, HP and Roland, means that we can now support our customers with best-in-class options for their wide-format print needs.”

The Ball & Doggett team will exhibit their strengthened Sign, Display and Digital product solutions at Visual Impact in Homebush in early May.

Tips for setting up a wrapping workshop

Often in business, it’s the small changes that have the biggest impact on efficiency and productivity. Matthew

and Founder of Tradie

and Installer, Signwise New Zealand, and Damian Corney, Founder and Creative Director, Grafico Group, give us their insights, advice and tips for setting up a wrapping workshop.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SPACE

Allocate as much space as is feasible to the workshop space. The more space you allow for movement around the vehicles, the better. Where space is at a premium, Corney, who operates from an innercity workshop, says considering the placement of benches and workspaces for specific tasks becomes crucial.

Madsen says it’s critical for a successful workshop to ensure “the area is spacious, clean and free of contamination and accessible for clients.” A sentiment that is echoed by Adams, who adds that a common mistake for new workshops is not creating enough space for growth. “Whether it be in your design hub, print room or workshop, you need to be thinking about the future and what space you will need when you are two or three times larger,” he notes.

PLANNING THE FLOW

All three speak to pre-planning, not just individual jobs, but the overall flow of tasks through the workshop. Adams says, “Workflow areas need to be thought through so that there is a smooth process from customer service at the front to design, print and installation at the rear. Ideally, stations need to be in the same order as the workflow through the factory.” Corney agrees, adding, “You have to take a ‘step back’ and think about every step in the job process and how long each step takes.”

Thinking through the workflow seems an obvious thing to do when first setting up the workshop. However, all three experts agree that it pays to revisit your flow periodically. Consider bottlenecks that you’ve experienced and think about how you could improve or remove that bottleneck, making adjustments over time to improve your efficiency and productivity.

TIDY UP (OFTEN)

Another tip all three agree on is the effect a messy workshop has on the business. In terms of the workflow, the quality of work, and the view and credibility of the business when clients walk in.

Madsen says a clean draft-free space is a must, advising, “Vehicle wraps are temperature sensitive and will fail if contaminated by dust

Adams, CEO

Wraps, Sam Madsen, Senior Signwriter

Photo credit: Signwise New Zealand

Tradie Wraps Team.

or dirt, so ensure that the floor is smooth and can be kept clean easily. Avoid carpets or cracked floors that capture dust and debris, and release it at inopportune moments.”

Reflecting on how a busy workshop might look to a client that walks in mid-install, Corney says, “The untidiness of a job needs to be contained. We all get busy, and signage often creates an unavoidable mess, but simple false walls or even curtains that can block the view of a customer can be a great way to always present your company as professional.”

SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPROVEMENTS

Proper lighting is essential, with Adams noting that dark spots in a factory make it difficult to wrap, saying, “A small investment in extra lighting is worth it,” when he speaks of easy changes that workshops can make to improve their setup without needing to sink cash into large investments or changes.

Madsen suggests removing all potential contaminants from the workshop space and anything that creates fibre; he suggests making a good a concrete floor or covering the floor surface in resin or paint to keep the area as clean as possible.

Corney suggests rearranging furniture as a low-cost way to make immediate and lasting improvements, saying, “Rearranging tables and machinery can make a huge difference to output and productivity. You might move one bench closer to the rubbish bin and save one minute by doing that. It sounds trivial, however, multiply that minute by how many times per day you do the task, and then multiply that by the weeks and months of a year, and the saving in time might surprise you.”

We ask our experts the final question, what does a “dream workshop” look like? A laundry list of wishes appears, from temperature-controlled bays for multiple vehicles, hoists and car lifts to a high-tech internal car washing bay.

All three speak of additional space, though, more space internally to work, space for a private car park to store fleet vehicles for clients, an open plan workshop that can be adapted to the job requirements, and a higher ceiling. It seems the most effective investment in a workshop would be ensuring you have enough space to start with and, as Adams noted earlier in the conversation, to grow.

The suggestion from Madsen – a “cheeky bar”; to celebrate a job well done or head into the weekend on a celebratory note focuses the end of the conversation on the lighter side of work. All our experts agree that celebrating the wins, in whichever way suits the culture of your business, is important for morale and motivation.

Sam Madsen, Signwise, New Zealand.

Damian Corney receiving his City of Melbourne Award from Lord Mayor Sally Capp.

HEXIS Super Chrome Scooters a sensation in Airlie Beach

If you’ve been up to Airlie Beach this summer, you may have noticed a relatively new tourism experience – tourists scooting around on chrome-finish Vespas in rainbow colours glistening in the sunlight!

Owner of Scoot in Style Mohammad ‘Mosey’ Nahas said that the business idea came about when Whitsunday locals asked him where he got his chrome scooter wrapped in HEXIS Super Chrome Turquoise Gloss. Little did they know that Nahas also owns Pro Paintworks, an auto repair shop specialising in top-quality paintwork wraps and repairs and paint protection films. A professional wrapper himself, Nahas wrapped his own scooter after going through the HEXIS Wrap Training Courses!

“Everywhere I went on my scooter, there would be a person asking. I’d be driving down the middle of Airlie Beach, and someone would shout out: Where’d you get that scooter from! ” says Nahas.

“And I thought about it when you go to Thailand or Bali; you’d have to get a scooter. In Airlie Beach, I thought, there’s all boat tours, everything on the water, but nothing here on the mainland. So that’s where the idea came from.”

The custom, one-of-a-kind scooters were soon coined Scoot In Style and were fitted with white, crocodile skin seats and whitewall tires. Each scooter has a unique

name; for example, the scooter wrapped in HEXIS Super Chrome Arabica Copper Gloss is nicknamed Chewbacca, while the silver bad-boy is named Silver Surfer.

“We wanted something funny, fun, and cool. That makes you smile while driving down the esplanade on these uniquely coloured bikes. That’s nothing like it in Airlie Beach,” Nahas says.

But the highlight of the scooters is their vibrant chrome finish in almost every colour of the rainbow! The fleet has been wrapped in every colour of the HEXIS Super Chrome Gloss series by Ben Schliebs from Graphic Applications, a HEXIS Certified Trainer & Installer. Nahas engaged Schliebs to assist him in this unique project.

“You ride these scooters; people look at you; they point at you. And when you’re in a gang with others on their pink, green, white, and silver, you’re having an absolute blast. You can’t help but smile, and people are smiling at you when you ride past them,” adds Nahas.

Launched in Nov 2022, Nahas has been chartering his fleet of coloured scooters from various Airlie Beach locations, hoping to get the most out of the town’s party and paradise atmospheres. The business targets the party crowd of any variety, whether it be bucks, weddings, or birthdays.

But, Nahas says the primary audience the

scooters appeal to is tourists.

As for the choice of media, HEXIS Super Chrome vinyl is a premium high-performance range of multi-layered cast wrap film with fifteen colours in the gloss range. The mirror effect gloss finish has made the fleet of scooters stand out on sunny Airlie beach.

“I absolutely love using HEXIS media. I’ve been using them for years doing livery for race teams and various wrap jobs. The finish on the mirror chromes is just mint! This opportunity to wrap over 30 bikes with Mosey was definitely not a breeze, but using a quality vinyl - HEXIS Super Chrome - certainly made wrapping a whole lot easier!” says Schliebs.

Since the launch in Nov 2022, Nahas says the scooters have attracted tons of attention, and everyone wants a ride or a photo with their favourite coloured scooters.

Nahas wants to expand into the Gold Coast in April with another series of wrapped scooters. Whether HEXIS Super Chrome or fresh Hexis colours are used to wrap the scooters, Nahas is keen to continue using HEXIS vinyl due to its premium quality and ease of use. So Scoot In Style Vespas in the Gold Coast will surely be another hit!

Don’t forget to check out the rainbowcoloured Scoot In Style vespas wrapped in the HEXIS Premium Super Chrome Gloss Series the next time you are in Airlie Beach!

Scoot In Style bringing the rainbow to Airlie Beach.

PPF tint for

grey

BODYFENCE Range is recommended for protecting vehicles' paintwork, car interiors & any surfaces worth preserving!

thick

widths

DreamScape Flash! The hint of glamour your project needs….

Mirrored metallics, perfectly pearlescent finishes and flashes of glitter that inspire, the DreamScape Special effects collection will add a touch of glamour to any commercial or residential project.

This collection offers a premium range of reflective printable wall coverings ideal for wall graphics, wide-format murals and interior décor. From mirror shine with seriously smooth surfaces to deeply textured and incredibly unique, this specialised range of textures and coatings is finished with eye-catching sparkles in core colours for effortless design application.

Let’s breakdown the range:

Flash is highly reflective, which adds dimension and emphasis to your design. Ideal for use in flashy venues that are looking for a little more “WOW”, such as nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels.

Silver Odyssey is reflective and deeply textured, which enhances image impact, colour, depth, dimension, and durability.

Satara features a brushed metal look combining a unique embossed surface and effortless pearl coating. A subdued yet sophisticated and luxurious sheen will ensure a premium, polished look.

Dare to be different with Bling! This substrate features a metallic sparkle on a heavy bead texture, giving printed tones a touch of metallic dazzle.

Prisma features multicoloured glitter with a scrim-style texture. This eye-catching prismatic sparkle maintains optimal white point for ease of printing. It’s sure to grab attention.

This collection of wall coverings is fire retardant, mould, mildew and fungal resistant. DreamScape Special Effects are all exclusive to Ricky and are available to order now. If you would like further information or a digital version of the Ricky printable product catalogue, contact your Print Media experts today at  www.rickyrichards.com.au

Ricky Richards would like to thank the wonderful team at DreamScape Wall Coverings and Print Tech Group for allowing us to share the PF Changs imagery.

Paint Protection for the Pros

Our new Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series 200 Gloss is made with you in mind. The new installer friendly paint protection film comes with optimised adhesive for repositioning, minimising lift lines and adhesive marks. Also available in 72 inch (1830mm) width for a seamless installation on larger panel areas on vehicles, like full bonnet coverage. The new 3M Paint Protection Film Series 100 Gloss has the same optimised adhesive.

Our Paint Protection Films are designed to protect automotive paint and other vulnerable surfaces from stone chips, scratches, bug damage, road tar, stains, automotive fluid stains and punishing outdoor weathering including harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

DESIGNED TO DEFEND

With over 50 years of innovation backing them up, 3M Paint Protection Films are specifically designed to protect automotive paint and vulnerable areas of vehicles. As a professional installer, you understand the importance of offering your clients the best possible protection for their vehicles.

SCOTCHGARD PAINT PROTECTION FILM PRO SERIES 200 GLOSS

Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series 200 Gloss exceeds your need for an improved installation experience.

• High gloss, excellent clarity, and smooth top surface with hydrophobic features for easy maintenance

• Low orange peel

• Simple release liner removal

• Cap sheet layer helps protect the film’s quality and is easily removed

• Optimized adhesive for repositioning, minimizing lift lines and adhesive marks

• Ability to stretch for bulk installations

• Available in 72” (1830mm) width

• Self-healing technology to remove minor scratches or marks with heat applied to the film surface

• 10-year consumer warranty

3M

PAINT PROTECTION FILM SERIES 100 GLOSS

3M WARRANTY PROVIDES PEACE OF MIND

Scotchgard Paint Protection Film Pro Series or our 3M Paint Protection Film Series are backed by the industry’s most comprehensive warranty and support.

PROTECTION THAT GOES BEYOND THE SURFACE

When you choose 3M Paint Protection Film, you’re getting a multi-layered system that provides comprehensive protection. The first layer is a clear coat that offers highgloss retention and resists weathering, staining, harmful UV rays, and yellowing. The second line of defense is bulk urethane, which offers strong impact resistance. Finally, the adhesive layer securely bonds the film to the application surface.

The 3M Paint Protection Film Series 100 Gloss offers an easy installation experience for you, at a great value that will meet your customer’s specific needs.

• High gloss finish

• Simple release liner removal

• Cap sheet layer helps protect the film’s quality and is easily removed

• Optimized adhesive for repositioning, minimizing lift lines and adhesive marks

• Ability to stretch for bulk installations

• Self-healing technology to remove minor scratches or marks with heat applied to the film surface

• 7-year consumer warranty

3M INSTALLER TRAINING

3M Paint Protection Films are the ultimate solution for defending your clients’ vehicles against the hazards of the road. With its multi-layered protection system, it provides comprehensive coverage that goes beyond the surface. And with 3M Installer Training, you can level up your skills and become an expert in installing this high-quality film. So why wait? Contact your 3M sales representative today to register for our training program and start offering your clients the ultimate in vehicle protection.

For more information, visit: 3M.com.au/PPF

SCAN TO REGISTER

Networking and Leadership in 2023 with Women in Print

Women in Print, the industry inclusion and diversity program, has formed a partnership with the Australian Sign and Graphics Association (ASGA), broadening the program into Sign & Display.

Over fifteen years since the first breakfast was held, the organisation has grown into a registered community organisation with a program of webinars, lobbying efforts and education resources in addition to the iconic breakfast series.

“The signage and graphics industry is very proud of the women across our membership. However, we recognise that the industry remains male-dominated, and we can offer greater support through programs like Women in Print for our current and future female leaders and talent. ASGA is proud to be part of the Women in Print program and encourages all our members across Australia to get involved in the breakfast series event and the broader Women in Print community,” commented Mick Harrold, President ASGA.

“Our industry is far-reaching, and women across the signage sector can also benefit from the inclusivity, learning, knowledge sharing and network Women in Print offers. We welcome all women from the sign and graphics industry to the Women in Print community, an opportunity to broaden the support and development pathways for all of the industry,” commented Kellie Northwood, Chief Executive Officer, Print & Visual Communication Association, Hon. Secretary, Women in Print Board.

The Women in Print Breakfast Series 2023 will also expand into Tasmania, with the appointment of Sam Dobie, Creative Director of Inclusive Creatives in Hobart, as the State Patron for the island state. Dobie is most well known in the industry for her involvement with the Dieman Awards, the state printing and design awards unique to Tasmania.

The breakfast series is known to sell out quickly on the Eastern seaboard, offering women of the industry a rare opportunity for networking and featuring speakers that address the systemic issues that hold women back from leadership and growth.

“Women in Print is an established community, and the networking and knowledge from previous Breakfast events have been impressive. This year will be no different, and I am excited to have new skills and insights passed onto our Women in Print community in May,” commented Northwood.

The keynote for the 2023 Breakfast Series will be delivered by Danielle Dobson, a speaker, author and facilitator with extensive corporate experience, who will explore her book, Breaking The Gender Code. Danielle will explore inherent gender biases that maintain outdated stereotypes and prevent women from achieving their dreams and success in work and life.

Digital Image Magazine and Textile Image Magazine are proud to be a sponsor of these events. We look forward to seeing you there.

Women in Print Breakfast 2022 - Melbourne.

Women in Print Breakfast 2022 - Adelaide.

Dif ficult Workplace Conversations

by Charles Watson

Having difficult workplace conversations is an inevitable part of working life. Whether it is a performance review, conflict resolution, or delivering bad news, these conversations can be stressful. However, avoiding or putting off these conversations can lead to bigger problems later on. It is essential to have the skills to handle difficult workplace conversations professionally and productively. The following points may assist you in the process.

PREPARATION

Before having a difficult conversation, it is crucial to prepare. Gather and review all the relevant information and facts about the situation. Identify the purpose of the discussion and what you hope to achieve. Write down any questions or concerns you have and practice how you will approach the conversation. Preparing an agenda for the meeting is an excellent way to stay on track.

It is also essential to anticipate the other person’s possible responses. Think about their perspective and how they might react, and how you might best handle those reactions. Be prepared to listen and understand their point of view. Finally, identify the appropriate time and place for the conversation. Choose a setting where you can both speak openly and without distractions.

SPECIFIC IS TERRIFIC

It is essential to be clear and specific about the issue you are discussing. Avoid general or vague language, provide specific examples of the behaviour or the situation that is causing the problem, and avoid blaming or accusing language. For example, instead of saying a broad statement such as “You are always late to start work,” consider saying, “I have noticed you are regularly late to commence work. This negatively affects our productivity and strains the rest of the team.”

ACTIVE LISTENING

This is an essential skill in all conversations. It involves paying attention to the other

person’s words, body language, and tone of voice. Avoid interrupting or dismissing the other person’s perspective. Instead, demonstrate empathy and try to understand their point of view. After speaking, stay silent until the other person has offered as much information as possible. Asking openended questions will encourage the other person to share their thoughts and feelings. Reflect back on what they say to ensure that you have understood their perspective. Finally, summarise the conversation back to the other person to provide clarity.

BE SOLUTIONS DRIVEN

Difficult conversations are not just about identifying problems. They are also about finding solutions to overcome the issues. Collaborate with the other person to find a resolution and evaluate each one. For example, if you are discussing a performance issue with a worker, identify areas for improvement and create an action plan to address them. Set specific goals and deadlines. This will require you to follow up on progress and provide regular feedback.

KEEP EMOTIONS IN CHECK

Respect is crucial in difficult conversations. If the conversation has been avoided for some time, what started as a simple problem can result in emotion coming out during the conversation. Even if you disagree with the other person’s perspective, avoid being dismissive or inflaming emotions. Focus on the behaviour or situation that needs to be addressed.

DECOMPRESS

Difficult conversations can be emotionally draining and stressful, so when it is over, take some time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. I always recommend writing a brief synopsis of the discussion and the outcomes for future reference, particularly if the issue is of a serious nature. Additionally, you could consider seeking feedback from a manager or mentor over the conversation and the outcomes.

Difficult workplace conversations are never easy, but are an essential part of working life particularly if you are a manager. By preparing for the conversation, not putting it off, being specific, listening actively, and being solutions focussed, you can handle these conversations in a productive way. Remember these conversations are an opportunity to build stronger workplace relationships, resolve conflicts, and achieve common goals.

Charles Watson GM – IR, Policy and Governance Printing and Visual Communications Association

Photo Credit: charlesdeluvio (Unsplash)

Trade Shows Events

Seminars

Exhibitions

Open Days Conferences Training

WRAPFEST 2023

www.fespa.com/en/events

26 – 27 April 2023

Silverstone Racecourse, Northamptonshire, UK

VISUAL IMPACT – SYDNEY

www.visualimpact.org.au

3-5 May 2023

Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park

PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION printdigitalconvention.de

16-17 May 2023

Messe Dusseldorf, Germany

WOMEN IN PRINT BREAKFAST SERIES – SYDNEY www.womeninprint.com.au

16 May 2023

Waterview in Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW

WOMEN IN PRINT BREAKFAST SERIES – MELBOURNE www.womeninprint.com.au

17 May 2023

Leonda by The Yarra, Hawthorn, VIC

WOMEN IN PRINT BREAKFAST SERIES – BRISBANE www.womeninprint.com.au

18 May 2023

The Incholm by Ovolo, Spring Hill, QLD

FESPA GLOBAL PRINT EXPO 2023

www.fespa.com/en/events

23-25 May 2023

Messe Munich, Germany

WOMEN IN PRINT BREAKFAST SERIES – ADELAIDE www.womeninprint.com.au

23 May 2023

Adelaide Pavilion, Adelaide, SA

WOMEN IN PRINT BREAKFAST SERIES – PERTH www.womeninprint.com.au

24 May 2023

The Studio, Crown Perth , Perth, WA

WOMEN IN PRINT – TASMANIA www.womeninprint.com.au

30 May 2023

Hobart, Tasmania

ECOPRINT SUMMIT: THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE PRINTING https://www.ecoprint.events/

6-7 June 2023

Geneva, Switzerland

Photo Credit: Jonny Gios (Unsplash)

Expansion, but at what cost?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) defines a small business as having less than 20 staff. This is the most common size of a sign business in Australia, and most people I speak with, are in this size range. I often get questions about how Kingman grew into a larger company of 60 staff plus contractors.

To answer that truthfully, we must reflect on our origins of working from home in a large shed on four acres in the Perth hills. An idyllic setting for a workshop and the balance of being “home” for kids after school. As the business grew organically, so did our staffing needs until we got four or five full-time staff and an apprentice signwriter. Delivery drivers liked that we were a home-based business as they would always make us the last drop of the day, knowing someone would be there to take delivery. The fact that we might be, and often were, halfway through dinner caused no angst with the drivers. However, it finally became a situation of we were no longer working from home but living at work.

Plus, the temptation to go down after dinner, run the router for a couple of hours, and get tomorrow’s workload ready for the guys was too tempting for me. But, eventually, common sense prevailed, and we bought some land and built a 500-square-metre factory and showroom.

Once we were in this high-profile corner location, the business proliferated by walk-in-the-door business, and we paid our mortgage within six months. Think about that if you are looking to relocate your business. Not only did the cash sales expand rapidly, but the high-profile location meant much larger business owners drove past our premises on their way to work or whilst out and about. Cheap marketing if you have 32,000 cars driving past your front door daily.

Within 18 months, we had over 12 staff and needed more. We were winning some major clients simply because of our location. In today’s world, not having such a great location can be overcome by clever use of social media and SEO manipulation. Within five years, we built another factory on the remaining space on our block of land and

enjoyed 1,000 m2 of manufacturing space. We built an impressive showroom, and to this day, that showroom enjoys great patronage and showcases Kingman’s current and previous works.

It was during the expansion stage that I, as the only salesperson/ production manager/ graphic designer, estimator, and general cleaning hand, realised that to continue to expand the business, we had to expand our thinking. Our first step was to advance our exapprentice into a production management role; whilst young, he had a fire in his belly and truly loved the industry. Secondly, we advertised for a salesperson and selected someone with considerable experience in the UK and Europe in non-signage roles; he was keen to look for opportunities in Australia. He turned our business on its head. One of his favourite sayings was, be careful what you wish for. This was prophetic as we had to manufacture in a strict and demanding time frame. But that challenge is what drove me and motivated the team.

We often worked weekends to meet time-critical orders and would have the music on nice and loud and order pizzas for lunches, all trying to keep everyone positive. Then, long days and many weekends later, we employed another person in sales who had spent his life as a signwriter but was now ready to “get off the tools.” That person is still working at Kingman today and is one of their top sales team.

Eventually, we outgrew our purpose-built facility and purchased another building with over 2,500 m2 of work and office space. This space gave us so much room that our efficiencies grew rapidly; we eliminated double handling of deliveries and had dedicated manufacturing assembly stations. It’s incredible how efficient your business can be with a well-planned manufacturing process.

Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder (Unsplash)

All of the above is a long-winded way of illuminating how Kingman grew. Would I do the same today? No, I would change a few things. Firstly, today’s world enjoys a vast array of electronic means of promotion, which brings work to you far more efficiently than going and chasing it. It doesn’t mean you don’t require salespeople, far from it, but it means the enquiry level is much higher today thanks to web enquiries and effective social media.

If you’re marketing yourself well, the biggest challenge today is managing the enquiry level and your quoting and tendering process. Instead of pure ‘salespeople,’ today’s modern business requires estimators and capable graphic designers. And I don’t mean a signwriter who designs; I mean a qualified and skilled designer.

Another effective way of gaining instant and effective growth is by acquisition. This is a way I highly recommend. Interest rates are

VERNON KINGMAN has been in the sign industry for over 50 years, owning one of the country’s most respected companies. He now writes, coaches and mentors businesses to reach their goals. Vernon can be contacted on vernonjkingman@gmail.com

still low when comparing historically, so borrowing money to buy a business will give you an instant turnover increase and, hopefully, if you purchase well… profit. Most of your overheads are pretty much fixed. Your rent or mortgage, power, gas insurance etc. Bringing another business under your roof won’t necessarily increase your overheads exponentially, only the labour and related costs. So, it’s often a quicker way of building your business and taking it to the next level.

I called the period where my business needed to grow more, but it wasn’t growing the “Glass Ceiling”, and I was always looking at how I could break through the glass ceiling. So we employed more salespeople and had a graphic design team, which meant the workshop enjoyed excellent production drawings. Eventually, the business broke through that glass ceiling to where it is today, with over 60 people and countless contractors.

There are many ways to grow your business, but you must have your “ducks in a row.” Do you have the print or build ability, or are you outsourcing? I found outsourcing my most significant deterrent to growth and efficiency. On the other hand, acquisitional growth can often bring equipment and staff you don’t currently have, which can solve many of your current problems.

Look at your business; look at what works and what doesn’t. Then, work out where you want to go and how you will get there. Because if you don’t have a destination or plan, then every road will get you there.

Photo Credit: Adrian Sulyok (Unsplash)

Photo Credit: Logan Jeffrey (Unsplash)

Prices determined using a range of sources including:

• Results of the most recent Sign Price Benchmarking Survey (100+ sign companies participated)

• Using a commercial quoting system to apply latest labour and material costs with profitable margins

• Comparing supply prices from trade suppliers for commonly outsourced products

Transparency in Recycling

Consumer buying habits are increasingly influenced by sustainability. Environmental claims have become a powerful marketing tool. Companies use these claims to add value to their products and services and differentiate themselves from competitors. One of these claims relates to the recyclability of products and the use of the recycling symbol and term “recyclable”.

When you see this recycling symbol on a product or a brand that states their product is recyclable, what do you think?

Like many consumers, I understood this to mean that the product would end up going to a recycling facility and being recycled.

I was surprised to find out that this was not the case at all. The recycling symbol is just an indicator that the product or material has the potential to be recycled based on its composition. It doesn’t mean that it will be, or even can be, recycled. The recycling symbol only represents possibility.

The recycling symbol originated in 1970, when the environmental movement was gaining momentum. A manufacturer of corrugated paperboard held a student contest to design a new label for recyclable paper and to raise awareness about recycling in general. The winning symbol that we recognize today, was quickly adopted by other companies and rather than being trademarked, it fell into the public domain. As such no one had the exclusive rights to this symbol and no one could enforce a standard. Today it can be used by anyone.

Photo Credit: Julio Lopez (Unsplash)

In 1988 The Society of Plastics developed the Resin Identification Code (RIC) as a way to identify different plastics, predominantly to aid workers in recycling facilities to sort and separate plastics according to their resin type. The symbol has the same 3 arrows as the recycling symbol with the addition of numbers from 1 to 7 to represent the plastic resin category from which the product is made.

These symbols can be confusing, giving consumers the impression that the item can be recycled. In reality it’s a way to shift accountability on to the consumer, making them responsible for identifying which products can be accepted for recycling in their area.

Beyond the fact that recycling is reliant on consumer education and knowledge, the other issue is that local infrastructure varies between countries, even cities. There may be no method for collection or processing in the area where the product is sold. Some plastics are harder to recycle, not in demand or just too expensive to collect and process. Therefore, despite the product being labelled or promoted as recyclable, that value is completely redundant if there is no where for the material to go end of life.

In Australia and NZ some have adopted ARL (Australian Recycling Label) symbols that help consumers to correctly recycle their household packaging as this label contains additional information on what components can be recycled and how.

This is a trademarked logo and accessible to members only. To display this logo, products must meet certain criteria, which includes an assessment to back up disposal claims. While helpful for packaging we do not have anything that really serves our industry.

We are seeing more PVC-Free products enter the market promoting recyclability through marketing literature or on product

material data sheets. With these products being made overseas it can be the material is recyclable there but not necessarily in Australia or New Zealand. It’s important that recyclability is substantiated locally and it should be the manufacturers or suppliers’ responsibility to determine if appropriate recycling facilities are available. If products are being promoted as recyclable in the absence of any possibility for the customer to do so, it is at best misleading and irresponsible. At worst it is greenwashing.

When selecting materials, if recyclability is an important feature, it is advisable to first verify what the process is to ensure it meets your expectations. Ask the supplier for details and find out what steps you need to take to ensure the product can be recycled end of life. Can the material be disposed of in kerbside recycling, is there a take back program, or is recycling even possible or affordable in your area? Can the whole product be recycled, or only part of it and is recycling dependent on certain processes being followed, for example; using a certain type of ink for printing.

In today’s world, materials that can be recycled represent an attractive value proposition. The universal symbol on its own or claims of “recyclable” are not a hard and fast guarantee of what will happen end of life. These symbols are not connected to the recycling waste systems available and so it always pays to check before you purchase any product.

DENISE KIRBY has over 27 years’ experience supplying self-adhesive media to the sign and print industry. Initially starting out in the family business as a distributor, she went on to work for leading selfadhesive manufacturers in marketing, business development and product management roles across Australia and New Zealand. She now has her own business, Kirbyco, which develops and supplies ecofriendly, recyclable and sustainable print media, and created ZERO, a product stewardship scheme which recycles end of life printed media. Denise is highly passionate about the industry and enjoys writing about applications, opportunities and new developments in print and signage. Her goal is to inspire people to explore new creative, functional and sustainable opportunities in print as well as educating the industry on products, trends and innovations.

Seven Common Financial Mistakes Small Businesses Make… And How to Avoid Them

Business finances may seem simple… buy things and then make things, and sell them for more than you paid. The trouble with this approach is it ignores all the other business that occurs. If you’re not experienced in business financial management, you can get into trouble ignoring some basic business financial mistakes.

Here are the top seven business financial mistakes:

1. NOT SETTING DETAILED GOALS

Business owners often state they want an amount of turnover. It helps if youbreak it down, so you end up with the ‘big picture’ goal and many smaller goals or milestones, so you avoid business financial mistakes.

The best way to do this, is to set KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for different aspects of business. For example; if you rely upon internet sales and you know your conversion rate of enquiries to sales, then two KPIs are ‘Number of enquiries received’ and ‘Enquiry Conversion Rate’. These KPIs can be measured and monitored daily, weekly or monthly. If you reach these, your financial goals will be achieved.

2. NOT BUDGETING

It’s common to think sales will cover costs and overheads. Unfortunately this often isn’t right. When a business starts it’s tempting to spend on things like a fit out and marketing. If not considered, these expenses get out of hand and cash runs out.

A way to overcome this is to produce a Budget. Some say “I can’t do a budget, because I don’t know how much I will sell” This shouldn’t be used as an excuse not to Budget. What most owners do know is the overheads and costs. Use your overheads to work out your ‘break even’ sales figure, aim for that figure, and use that as a starting point for budgeting.

3. NOT PLANNING CASH FLOW

A budget is a tool to achieve profitability, however it doesn’t handle or describe cash flow. Cash flow is about keeping an eye on when sales are made and costs paid… and noting when the timing doesn’t match. Costs often need to be settled before you get paid, more so, if you offer terms to customers. This causes issues if your ‘working capital’ hasn’t been considered, leading to cash flow problems.

A tool for managing cash flow is a ‘Cash Flow Forecast’. Like the Budget, you plot out the timing of cash coming in and out. Include everything, such as when customers pay, when you pay suppliers, wages and other expenses, and make sure to includes taxes, and loan repayments.

4.

NOT MANAGING CUSTOMER AND SUPPLIER PAYMENTS EFFECTIVELY

Customers don’t always pay at the same rate as suppliers get paid, causing cash flow problems. If customers get 30 days to pay, but suppliers demand payment within 7 days, this causes a gap that needs to be funded. Even though customers get 30 days to pay, some won’t pay on time, exacerbating the issue!

Your Cash Flow Forecast helps to determine the best mix of terms with customers and suppliers, ensuring you need to fund less of the gap. Never pay ‘Cash on Demand’, seek terms to pay and negotiate the longest terms possible. Keep customer payment terms as short as possible and have a system for ensuring timely payment, and following up on late payments.

5. BUSINESS OWNERS NOT PAYING THEMSELVES PROPERLY

Ambiguity between business and personal expenses causes cash flow headaches. It’s tempting when the business has a high bank balance to buy something personal. The problem with this is, personal expenses

Photo Credit: Scott Graham (Unsplash)

are not tax deductible and making them from the business makes it difficult to see profitability clearly.

Pay yourself a proper wage, through a payroll. It doesn’t have to be a fortune at the start, but sets good habits. As time goes on you can adjust your wage and perhaps even pay dividends as your profit goes up.

6. NOT HAVING A FINANCIAL BUFFER OR ACCESS TO EMERGENCY FUNDS

When everything goes to plan, life is great! When there’s a hiccup, such as an unexpected tax bill or a big customer that defaults, it’s very uncomfortable. There’s nothing worse than having to explain to staff why you can’t pay wages and having to delay supplier payments.

Having a few months of overheads available, will give you time to resolve issues without the additional worry of how the immediate expenses will be paid. It could be money saved and set aside, or invested in an easy to liquidate account, or a prearranged line of credit. Either way you’ll sleep better at night, knowing you’ve got it available.

7. NOT SEEKING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Business seems like a simple proposition, but as we know it’s never that straightforward and it’s easy to fall prey to financial pitfalls. Business owners can do spreadsheets to try and work it out, but the challenge is they sometimes don’t have financial education and may ignore potential financial pitfalls.

A finance professional helps to avoid these financial pitfalls and save headaches and money in the long run. An investment with a professional is vital in avoiding mistakes business owners make in financial planning.

CFO-ON-CALL is a team of Financial and Business Advisors who work with open-minded people committed to business growth and achieving success. For a no obligation FREE chat about your profit growth opportunities please call us on 1300 36 24 36 or visit www.CFOonCall.com.au

The EASY way to make your business Financially Fit

eBook for Business Owners …

Packed with pages of helpful – easy to read financial tips – all in plain English.

The Financial Fitness Plan – An amazing resource for businesses who want to boost in-house financial performance – no expensive accountants fees.

You’ll learn small ‘tweaks’ that make a BIG Difference to Sales, Profit and Cash-flow.

This book explains – Profit & Cash-flow tips, Budgeting & Costing, Pricing, Overheads management, Stock & Supplier issues, Quoting-Tendering, Staff Productivity, Smart Systems, KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), Growth, Business and Exit Planning.

It’s a 1 hour read – but could be the most valuable time you’ll ever spend on your business!

Photo Credit: Austin Distel (Unsplash)