Quick Print Pro, May 2023

The NEW Morgana DigiFold Pro XL

Built with our unique, open design, the suction feeder handles stock sizes from 210 – 1300mm in length, useful for applications, such as covers for landscape booklets, book covers for oversized perfect bound books, multi-panel brochures and many other applications made from these long sheets. An additional static crease option can be installed to enable the full range of crease and perforation options.

Running efficiently to fold up to 6,000 A4 sheets per hours and in crease only mode up to 7,500 sheets per hour, making this is our most productive creaser/ folder to date.

www.plockmaticgroup.com

The NEW Morgana DigiFold Pro XL, with its cost efficient vacuum top feeder, is an easy to use automatic paper creasing and folding system that eliminates unsightly cracking on digital stock.

Quick Print Pro

Quick Print Pro

CONTACT

Quick Print Pro, Colourfast Group Ltd

36 Cheltenham Place, Brighton. BN1 4AB

Tel: 01273 674321

Email: editor@quickprintpro.co.uk

Web: www.quickprintpro.co.uk

EDITORIAL

Marina Peirce

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Nyree Groome

EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER

Maureen Foulkes

CONTRIBUTORS

Lara Groome, Andrew Foulkes, Rebecca Leach and Dan Tester.

FEATURES

Peter Foulkes

DIGITAL IMAGING & PHOTOGRAPHY

Martin Christie

MAGAZINE PRODUCTION

Dean Cook www.magazineproduction.com

DISTRIBUTION

Subscriptions printed at Colourfast plus PYO (Print Your Own) file distribution and eZine available on Issuu

Looking forward to May

For all of us quick print pros, the month of May can’t come soon enough. Long bright spring days replace long dark winter nights. Hooray, I have brightened up already.

Seasonal print shifts into gear with an exciting combination of flyers, posters and banners. Now complimented with an array of new restaurant menus, “we are open” signage and leaflets for new venues and events. Yes, a business boom in print; order more paper, vinyl, canvas, workwear, and personal products now. Together, we, the nation’s print shops, are fresh and eager to do what we love doing — making our customers look great in print.

Fast Print Forward >>> to June and all things DTF. Peter, Perpetual In Print, Foulkes

Quick Print Pro (QPP) — ISSN: 2050-5140 — is published monthly by Colourfast Group Limited, 36 Cheltenham Place, Brighton. BN1 4AB. A company registered in England Number: 2517164.

Sign-up for free to our newsletter and discover all the latest news in print, upcoming events, special offers, new product launches and innovative trade and end-user campaigns. Just visit: www.quickprintpro.co.uk

The law on workplace pensions has changed and every employer in the UK must put certain staff into a pension scheme and contribute towards it.

This is called ‘automatic enrolment’.

It’s important that you understand what you need to do — and when you need to do it. This will depend on your circumstances and those of your employees. To work out what you need to do and when you need to do it contact our auto enrolment scheme advisers on:

0800 132100 or email alan.hudson@meridan.co.uk

Help is on hand from the Printing Industry Pension Scheme which has been running since 1986.

Meridan Financial LLP is the appointed advisers for the Printing Industry Pension Scheme (PIPS) and are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Not all Auto Enrolment services are regulated by the FCA.

FUTUREPRINT EXPANDS WITH HORIZON BOOKLET-MAKING SYSTEM

FuturePrint has expanded its production capacity and service capabilities with investment in a Horizon SPF-200L landscape bookletmaking system from Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS).

The Northampton, third generation family run, general commercial printer produces a wide range of print from leaflets to bespoke packaging. It prints litho on a B2 Sakurai press and digital on Xerox 4100 and Xerox 3100 presses.

It recently acquired nearby Print Projects Ltd and the new bindery addition will support additional work won as a result. The new Horizon system will also enable FuturePrint to manage increased demand for a wider range of services.

Max Bishop, Director, explains the investment: “We

had an older system in place but wanted something faster, easier to set up, that ran smoothly. We also wanted something that would complete landscape work so we could offer that as a service knowing we could complete it in-house. It was important that the new system enable us to support the extra production from Print Projects too.”

He continues: “We did look at other systems and suppliers but liked the Horizon for a number of reasons. It was quick and easy to set up so we can be up and running in minutes. Operation was very smooth ensuring maximum uptime and improved productivity. We also liked the overall package IFS offered and the fact it was supported with a comprehensive service contract.”

IPIA TO STIMULATE PRINT ECONOMY

As part of its wider mission to energise the print industry, the IPIA will host its first physical event of the year; the Spring Networking Lunch, on June 14th, 2023.

The IPIA is committed to stimulating new economic activity for the sector, and that is why it develops a series of events throughout the year to bring together a cross section of printers, print buyers, suppliers, designers, marketing agencies and technology developers.

Matthew Ruff, Chair of the IPIA Events Subcommittee, comments: “Last year’s event was a huge success, largely down to the structure of the event and providing the opportunity to meet new connections and share experiences of the market. Not only are our events great for meeting potential new clients, but they are also perfect for finding future collaborators and maintaining existing relationships.”

The Spring Networking Lunch includes a glass of bubbly or two on arrival, a sumptuous French cuisine three course lunch — wine, beer, and soft drinks — and a networking introduction service.

The venue is the beautiful sky restaurant Orelle in Birmingham, which is just a five minute walk from both Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill stations — situated in the buzz of the city centre. Sitting at the top of the city’s tallest building, it

offers incredible panoramic views.

Charles Rogers, IPIA Chairman, is keen to encourage those who have never attended an IPIA networking event to come along: “We recognise that everyone is busy, and choosing to take a day out of the business to attend networking events means the day must deliver a ROI. We endeavour to ensure that we know who is of interest to those attending in advance of the lunch, and effect as many introductions as possible on the day, creating the opportunity for that ROI to become a reality.

“Everyone who attends an IPIA networking event is made to feel very welcome — so if you are new to us, rest assured you will be well looked after. We aim to make the event a positive investment of

The 4,500 booklets per hour Horizon SPF-200L landscape bookletmaking system combines collating, jogging, stitching, folding and trimming with the ability to handle sheets up to 640mm in length. JDF-ready, it offers instant set-ups via a large icon based colour touchscreen for user friendly operation. The screen can be used for on the run fine tune adjustments as well as for storage and recall of up to 200 jobs from memory.

Max adds: “So far, the jobs we have run on it have been completed quickly and efficiently. We don’t have an expected return on investment. We needed a reliable bookletmaker in the bindery and it is working really well for us.”

www.ifsl.uk.com

your time.”

Welcome drinks commence at 12:00 and guests are seated for lunch at 13:00, and to maximise everyone’s conversations, people move from table to table between courses. Guests will wrap up full, happy, and newly inspired at 16.30 — guests that are not pressed for time will normally continue the day at one of the fantastic venues nearby.

If you want to meet new people and grow your network, or simply catch up with some friendly faces in a great atmosphere, come and enjoy some of the finest networking available in our industry. Tickets are now available online at: www.ipia.org.uk/snl23. Members tickets are £114* and non-members tickets are £176 (*prices include VAT).

RICHFIELD ADDS PRODUCTIVITY WITH MORGANA BOOKLET MAKER

Richfield Print Management, Thatcham, Berkshire, has added a Morgana Systems BM4035 booklet maker, complete with FM module, and hand feed delivery tray. The unit was supplied to Richfield by Morgana Systems dealer, Berkshire based Southern Print Finishing Services.

Morgana Systems BM4000 suite of booklet makers, introduced at The Print Show last year, provide the solution for work with low to mid volume digital production printers. The BM4035 delivers booklets of exceptional quality, and is able to feed long printed sheets to produce a wide variety of applications, including A4 landscape booklets, which are becoming increasingly popular with customers.

“The system replaces the handwork approach that we had previously taken,” said Steve Basterfield, Managing Director of Richfield Print Management. “The numbers of A4 booklets being required by customers had just grown to the point where some automation was definitely needed, and Morgana were there to help us. It’s a very impressive machine.

“The new booklet maker just glides through the work — eating up work in minutes that might have taken us hours to produce by hand with an extended stapler.

“The machine is so easy to set up, which is important when you have inexperienced operators, and the SquareBack finish is a great improvement for the finished document — something that our customers have already commented positively on. The paperback book appearance means that there is a spine that can be printed on, should customers need to do that.

that we can handle them when customer demand requires us to.”

MORGANA SYSTEMS BM4000

The Morgana Systems BM4000 series of booklet makers produce consistently high quality booklets in a wide range of sizes and media types. The basic configuration, with hand feed capability, enables users to make booklets in an offline mode, meaning that one binder can service multiple print engines.

BM4035 can produce corner stapled documents in portrait A4, as well as edge stapled documents in portrait, plus the popular landscape A4, with up to 140-page booklet capacity. The unit can also support

long sheets of up to 660mm, without the Creasing and Side slitting module (CST) or 620mm with CST.

The unit’s heavy duty staple mechanism has been designed for durability, and is maintenance free thanks to a patented solution that eliminates periodic service intervals. Users are able to adjust both the staple and fold positions though the easy initial set-up. The BM4000 series machines have a patented “set positioning mechanism” that allows the operator to adjust the staple position and the direction of travel from the intuitive user interface.

Operators can now also compensate for the skew caused when feeding long sheets with a simple adjustment in the user interface, on the fly. Richfield Print Management can now produce SquareFold booklets in sizes from A6 to A4 Landscape, or in the larger A4-square-format 297 x 297mm.

The optional Finishing Module (FM) includes the new face trimmer and SquareFold mechanism in a single unit. The technology is based on the successful trimmer and SquareFold modules, with added support for longer sheets, while reducing overall size of the package.

This unit was sold through Mike Swain at Southern Print Finishing Services. Southern Print Finishing Services specialises in supplying, installing, servicing, and maintaining print finishing equipment. With three locations based in the south of England, the team is never far away. Contact: 0118 9793211 or see the web site at www.spfs.co.uk

Ful l details of Morgana’s product line-up can be found at: http://plockmaticgroup.com www.berkshireprintstore.co.uk

BUILDING A LASTING LEGACY WITH SUMMA CUTTING TECHNOLOGY

A proven, trusted and reliable brand within the cutting solutions segment, Summa has made a significant impact on the industry since launching in the early 1970s, supplying the market with innovative solutions on a regular basis.

Celebrating 50 years in business this year, Summa’s technology has been rolled out by printers and sign-makers around the world, thanks in part to the manufacturer’s worldwide network of approved partners, including ArtSystems in the UK. But what has driven this success for Summa? What is it that the manufacturer does to ensure that its technology stands out in a busy market, and how is it planning to continue this development in the years ahead?

Quality and durability

While Summa has remained true to its Belgian roots, innovating and manufacturing from a specialist facility in the country, at the same time the company has established new locations to further its development. A site in the US serves as the headquarters for Summa America, while its

laser division is based at a facility in the UK.

What all three of these locations have in common is a commitment to quality and durability, which Summa has become known for over the years. Continuous research and product development has allowed Summa to build on its technology and react to demand by launching new products to help their customers grow.

Creating value

Summa strongly believes that the most effective way to develop new solutions that will create value for users is to listen to what customers are saying. Summa and its partners are constantly in contact to ensure they are supplying the market with the

products they need to address the latest trends in the wider industry.

This approach can be seen in Summa’s current product portfolio. The diverse range of vinyl cutters, flatbed cutters and laser cutters are testament to Summa’s commitment to deliver the solutions that will be most effective for users, and ones that will allow them to grow as a business.

Teamwork

At the heart of Summa’s success is a sense of teamwork, not just among those who work directly for Summa, but also its partners in regions around the world that share the manufacturer’s ongoing desire to evolve its technology to meet changing market demands.

Each member of the Summa family cares about the customer and is committed to assisting them in any way they can. Whether it’s help selecting a product, answering queries during installation, or offering advice on a machine that is already running, Summa is there to support the customer at every step.

www.artsystems.co.uk

Erin Webb (left), Print Finisher and Mandy Basterfield, Accounts and General All Rounder.

THE PEN WAREHOUSE AND SNAP PRODUCTS ANNOUNCE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT

resolution, edge definition, colour gamut and colour gradation. This unique, cutting edge technology provides customers with a stunning and long lasting full colour print finish that surpasses traditional printing methods.

sustainable.

The Pen Warehouse and Snap Products, leading suppliers of promotional products, have announced a £1.2m investment in their business and machinery, which includes the recently launched UltraHD printing system. The major investment is part of the company’s commitment to delivering superior printing services and highquality, innovative products to their customers. The UltraHD printing system was developed in-house over the course of two years and offers unparalleled, high definition print quality. The product line includes writing instruments and drinkware, all available with magazine quality

The investment will include the purchase of new state of the art machinery, as well as upgrading existing machinery, to improve efficiency and capacity. This will enable the company to offer an even wider range of products and services to their distributors, including new and exciting personalisation options.

Managing Director, Neil Cleere, commented on the investment, saying: “We are thrilled to be investing in our business and machinery to enhance our offering to customers. This investment will allow us to continue to deliver high quality products and services while also expanding our capabilities.”

The Pen Warehouse and Snap Products are committed to sustainability and the environment. The company is constantly researching and implementing changes to reduce their carbon footprint and make their production processes more

HOW EPSON IS HELPING STUDENTS BECOME AGENTS FOR CHANGE…

BY PHIL MCMULLIN, PRO GRAPHICS SALES MANAGER, EPSON (UK) LTD

Developing new ideas, exploring fresh perspectives and implementing different ways of working. These are some of the positive experiences fashion design students at De Montfort University, Leicester, have enjoyed following their collaboration with Epson.

We challenged them to bring their imaginations to life on T-shirts using an Epson SureColour F2100 direct to garment printer, complete with heat press, pre-treatment peripherals and t-shirts supplied by value added textile print reseller Xpres.

To help wield textile printing into the University’s fashion curriculum, we created a t-shirt competition whereby fashion students were tasked with bringing their designs to life using direct to garment and direct to film printing.

The competition requires students to base their designs around heritage, culture and activism, printed onto both a new t-shirt and a used/ secondhand t-shirt in order to demonstrate a more circular economy in fashion production.

To celebrate their designs and the sustainable, onsite production process behind it, the students are uploading examples of their work onto Instagram under the hashtag #DMUgetcreative.

The flexibility offered by DTG and DTF printing has encouraged them to experiment with different text and typography as well as unique and personal imagery.

Karen Deacon, Senior Lecturer, Fashion Design, De Montfort University, underpinned

importance of this responsible approach and described the students as agents for change.

That change has been enabled through learning about different ways to transform textiles.

The project is ongoing but initial responses to the versatility of digital print range from “a great way to express yourself artistically” to “it makes it a lot more personal to have your own print on a design”.

One student also commented, “It allows me to explore more and integrate ideas that wouldn’t come across as much if we only had plain fabric” and “especially in this time, making statements through print, whether it be political or environmental, is very important. You can use it on so many fabrics. It is so diverse”.

It is exciting to see how a greater understanding of print technology, and the capabilities it delivers, is enabling aspiring designers to explore new possibilities.

Follow #dmuggetcreative on Instagram.

The investment is a significant step for the company, as it looks to expand its product range and branding methods, as well as streamline its processes. The Pen Warehouse and Snap Products have a reputation for quality and innovation, and this investment will enable them to continue to meet and exceed customer expectations.

Further details will be released over the coming weeks and months, including a brand new drinkware specific printing method and faster printing techniques to ensure lead times remain industry-beating.

www.pens.co.uk • www.snapproducts.co.uk

PROFILE OF THE MONTH: TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS SERVICES

the

www.epson.com

Affordable Xerox printing consumables and printers. All available with flexible running costs. Technology Business Services offer Xerox refurbished printers, service contracts and consumables with nationwide cover. Service contracts include call outs, parts and labour, consumables including toners and drums (excludes paper).

Founded in 2007 Marcus Thilthorpe has grown Technology Business Services into the reputable company it is today. With over 35 years’ experience in the Xerox industry Technology Business Services specialise in Xerox refurbished colour production equipment as well as office workgroup printers.

Service and maintenance includes unlimited call outs: Replacement loan printer if not productive to fix on site; highly trained experienced engineers; remote analyst to connect to your network; includes replacement parts, including toners, drums and fusers; Xerox consumables.

Technology Business Services stock genuine and compatible Xerox consumables and parts for all Xerox copiers and printers.

From stock, toner cartridges and chips, image drums and fusers, as well as all replacement parts available for next day delivery.

SHOP NOW www.techbusserv.co.uk/shop-2/ Technology Business Services Ltd 01474 747575 • 01376 433300

info@techxerox.com

www.techbusserv.co.uk

UK’S FIRST SWISSQPRINT KUDU AT MEDIACO

Large format print, display and graphics manufacturer MediaCo Group has taken delivery of the UK’s first swissQprint Kudu at its state of the art manufacturing site in Trafford Park, Manchester.

The 3.2×2 metre true flatbed Kudu combines high volume production with precision and 10 colour channels print flexibility. Three rows of print heads deliver a print resolution of 1350 dpi and an output of up to 304 square metres per hour.

DELIVERING ON ALL FRONTS

While productivity and quality were key to MediaCo’s decision, the power consumption of the swissQprint Kudu flatbed printer and top in class energy efficiency were also fundamental. swissQprint LED systems are all certified to be highly energy efficient, ensuring owners benefit from low operating costs and conserve valuable resources.

MediaCo selected the Kudu after an extensive review, specifying their machine with 10 colour channels including white, varnish and neon yellow and pink together with a CMYKLcLm ink setup. In addition, the roll to roll and dual roll options mean that films, banner, mesh and other roll stock up to 180 kg, are easily handled, as are boards and sheet materials.

FLEXIBILITY, CREATIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY COMBINED

Stephen Arthur, Managing Director at MediaCo Group, said: “swissQprint’s reputation for quality is second to none. The flexibility, productivity and energy efficiency offered by the Kudu made it the perfect fit in support of our commitment to deliver innovation as part of our net zero, carbon reduction plan.” MediaCo’s team is excited about the possibilities the Kudu’s extensive colour options, from the ability to print 2 pt text sizes to the opportunity to add texture with up to five layers of print, alongside gloss, satin or matt spot clear varnishes. “Installing the UK’s first Kudu is another first for MediaCo and I have no doubt the Kudu will quickly become the go to solution for outstanding and innovative displays,” added Arthur.

display system for the exhibition, retail and live events sectors.

Arthur said: “Outstanding print quality, application of neon inks, and amazing 3D images on acrylic are just some of the innovative options we can now provide for the beMatrix system and will help revolutionise both the impact and sustainability of display graphics.”

PROVIDING A TURNKEY SOLUTION

Ian Maxfield, Sales Manager at swissQprint UK is delighted that MediaCo is installing the UK’s first Kudu: “It will be fascinating to see the print solutions the business provides for customers with its new machine.”

Over the past 20 years MediaCo has built a team of dedicated professionals providing advice and guidance on image and project management from concept to delivery. The Kudu will form a key part of its production site in Manchester as the business focuses on offering a turnkey fulfilment service for innovative concepts for live events, exhibitions, in-store displays, product launches, interior decoration, brand promotion and much more.

Full details of the Kudu at swissQprint’s website www.swissqprint.co.uk or visit: www.swissqprint.com/uk/en/flatbed-printer/kudu

MIMAKI SET TO BRING ‘NEW PERSPECTIVES’ TO FESPA

Mimaki Europe, a leading manufacturer of inkjet printing and cutting technologies, will make its return as a gold sponsor to the FESPA 2023 Global Print Expo (May 23rd– 26th in Munich, Germany — Stand B1-B10). The company will join FESPA and the wider printing industry to look at the sector with a ‘new perspective’ with its latest innovations, technologies and collaborative projects. On its stand, Mimaki will display its flagship printers and cutters for the sign graphic, industrial, and textile markets, including the recently announced TxF150-75 Direct-toFilm (DTF) machine, the high performing 330 Series and the entry level 100 Series.

Mimaki’s first foray into DTF technology, the TxF150-75 will make its international show debut at FESPA. Providing an easy and affordable process for decorating apparel, most commonly T-shirts, the TxF150-75 responds to the market need for a reliable, stable DTF technology. Equipped with Mimaki’s core technologies, it prevents common issues, such as poor ink ejection and white ink clogging, ensuring that processes are carried out efficiently with minimal intervention needed.

Other notable technologies on show include Mimaki’s flagship sign and display technology from the entry level 100 Series and the high performance 330 Series. The print and cut workflow will be demonstrated with Mimaki’s latest cutting plotter, the CG-AR series. For industrial printers, visitors can see the Mimaki’s advanced UV flatbed printers, from the smaller size UJF-6042 MkII e to the large format JFX600-2513. For textile printers, the sublimation printers,

the TS100-1600 and TS330-1600, will also feature.

Embracing FESPA’s theme of ‘New Perspectives’, Mimaki will use this global show to recontextualise the print industry through the lens of sustainability — reinstating the company’s commitment to it, as well as engaging and collaborating with creative eco-conscious minds from across the industry. This year Mimaki will be showcasing the Dutch surrealist Rik Lina’s visually vibrant art inspired by the natural world. The artwork headlining the stand, titled “Fascinated Rainforest”, is based on Lina’s own travels in the rainforests of Saba, in which he seeks to capture the essence of nature and instil the same feeling of awe in the viewer that he had while there. The staple customer gallery will also make a return and is set to include various inspiring applications created by Mimaki’s customers across multiple sectors, from sign graphics and industrial to textile and 3D.

“The environment is a critical concern across all print sectors – including for us here at Mimaki. We are working towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on reducing wastage, water and to encourage and help printers to create sustainable applications, where possible,” comments Danna Drion, General Manager Marketing. “We will return to FESPA to join hands with the industry to collaborate on and hopefully inspire some creative, show-stopping end-products. Like previous shows, visitors can also expect Mimaki to debut something new on our stand.” www.hybridservices.co.uk

From left: Ian Maxfield and Erskine Stewart at swissQprint UK, and Mark Wardle, Vincent Randall, Bryan Carmichael, Stephen Arthur, and Arthur Wardle from MediaCo.

NEW CANON COLORADO M-SERIES ROLL-TO-ROLL PRINTER

Canon has launchef the new Colorado M-series: the first roll-to-roll large format graphics printer platform that is modular in speed configuration and media handling. It’s the fastest and most productive solution in this market segment and offers special effects and white ink printing capabilities. This 1.6m roll-to-roll printer retains the Canon Colorado series’ industrial build quality and can be configured to a graphics provider’s needs and grow with their business, with easy in-field upgrades.

The scalable M-series offers a choice of output speeds, Colorado M3 or M5 (cruising speed of 29m²/hr and 40m²/hr and maximum print speed of 111m²/hr and 159m²/hr respectively), with the option to upgrade from one speed to the other either temporarily for production peaks or permanently — making it a future-proof solution. Both printers can also be easily upgraded with the new white ink option to M3W and M5W models as well as equipped with the proven FLXfinish+ matte/ gloss print technology option for CMYK prints.

The introduction of the new Canon UVgel white ink option substantially expands the range of applications that customers can create. The white UVgel ink maximises the scope for customers to benefit from UVgel’s renowned performance advantages for a full spectrum of premium graphics and décor applications – for example window graphics, labels and wallpaper. With this addition, and with new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling, Colorado M-series users can expand their typical product offering, printing on heavy structured, transparent, coloured, reflective and magnetic materials.

The unique gel formulation of Canon UVgel ink translates to fast build-up of dense and opaque images using white ink in fewer passes than conventional printing technologies, and the printed white output maintains its original whiteness over time. UVgel’s particular properties also eliminate many of the production, nozzle-cleaning and

minimising ink usage and waste, and maximising productivity.

Print service providers can also choose the unique FLXfinish+ option with their Colorado M-series printer, allowing them to add matte, gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same CMYK print, without additional varnish.

High-volume customers can automate the printto-finish process with a UVgel Print Factory or UVgel Wallpaper Factory configuration, which seamlessly integrate the Colorado M-series printer with cutting, rewinding, taping or sheet stacking to manage volumes of at least 50,000m² per year with minimal operator time.

Jennifer Kolloczek, European Planning, Marketing & Innovation Senior Director, Production Print at Canon Europe says: “Ever since they burst onto the market, Colorado printers with UVgel ink have set the highest bar for speed, quality and all-round productivity. On top of these business-critical performance criteria, large format graphics providers today want to make smart, environmentally responsible investments in printing solutions that can evolve with them and help them tap into lucrative creative applications, products and growth markets. With its modularity and the addition of an easy-care white ink option, the new Colorado M-series is the growth engine that businesses can rely on to level up their capabilities and turn ideas into reality.”

properties enable immediate cutting and finishing, and its ultra-durability removes the need for lamination. Like previous Colorado models but with added enhancements, the M-series is designed to handle the workload of multiple legacy roll-to-roll printers with industrial-grade, round-the-clock reliability and unattended printing with minimal operator intervention. The new Colorado M-series printers are supported by PRISMAguide XL, the easy and powerful make-ready software that allows effortless production runs with consistently high quality.

Compared to other ink technologies, such as latex or eco-solvent inks, UVgel technology consumes up to 40% less ink to build up the same image quality and colour intensity. The low-heat, energy-efficient LED curing system and ‘instant-on’ operation results in reduced energy use compared with other technologies and allows printing to high-quality, heat-sensitive materials – important in high value markets such as wallcoverings. Furthermore, with UVgel technology, customers can print on environmentally responsible materials such as PVCfree and paper-based media, even uncoated.

With very strong robustness and dimensional stability, UVgel prints perform exceptionally well in terms of both mechanical and chemical resistance. So prints last longer and most applications printed on a Colorado printer do not require lamination. Apart from the economic benefits from eliminating the time and cost of lamination, the simpler process also takes out the extra plastic layer of laminate from the end application.

The modularity of the M-series makes it a more sustainable solution as customers can scale up the printer’s speed and capabilities with their business without replacing the core print device. It also offers a convenient option to upgrade to a temporary speed licence for times of peak demand.

The Colorado M-series is designed with a low total cost of ownership and a rapid return on investment in mind, thanks to the lowest operating costs in its category, the ability to produce high-value applications, and the unique modular upgrade options.

The Colorado M-series is available via accredited partners as well as Canon’s direct sales organisations.

www.canon.co.uk

PPG LEVERAGES HP TECHNOLOGY

Precision Proco Group (PPG) has announced a new business in publishing, which helps social media influencers bring their celebrated content to life through print. The new venture, Found. us, based on HP’s print on demand capabilities, has published close to 80,000 customised books to date, offering digital content creators an opportunity to monetise their personal content and brand.

HP vision and technology enables PSPs to cultivate new opportunities by integrating creativity and net new business ideas into their value propositions. Collaboration with PPG was born out of an incubation project started in 2021 to conjoin the power of social media with digital print. The customised books developed by the Found.us application reflect current trends in printing that demand high quality results with short runs and fast turnaround times.

“By creating an end to end publishing experience, our technology enables these amazing rockstar content owners to enjoy a greater share of the book revenues, compared to traditional publishing where the author receives only a fraction of the proceeds,” said Nigel Watson, New Business Incubation Director at Found.us. “Personalised books with variable content can be produced quickly and delivered directly to their audiences. We are bringing online

ideas to life and connecting the digital and physical worlds.”

The new content business is currently focusing on food influencers converting their content from the social networks of Instagram or TikTok into published cookbooks — but its forecast goes way beyond the kitchen. The Found.us proof of concept has already generated $1m in six months, therefore Found.us expects to expand thematically, geographically and grow substantially every year. Publicity is further boosted by fans posting selfies upon receiving their books, then writing reviews, and all the while sharing their excitement with their social media networks.

“The idea is to wed the traditional and respected book publishing business with the rapidly growing creator economy that is burgeoning at the seams with content — easy to create and consume — and with eager audiences,” said Jon Bailey, COO, Precision Proco Group.“This is a disruptive business

model, which includes interactive qualities with QR codes that can be scanned to redirect fans to social media or expose them to hidden notes.”

The venture’s cookbook star to date is Kimmy’s Kreations, an up and coming food blogger from Virginia, USA, who sold 7000 books in her first four months. “Publishing a cookbook was always a dream of mine, but it seemed too far out of reach,” said Kimmy, who boasts 4.4 million followers between Instagram and TikTok. “Found.us made this dream come true. I provided the content and Found.us did the rest. My book went live in less than two months, and I sold over 1,000 copies the first day. My following has since doubled, and my next book is coming soon.”

“Companies that want to create meaningful touch points for consumers to engage with their brand are adopting digital print because it inspires creative excellence and enables consumers to be part of the story,” said Haim Levit, Senior VP and General Manager of HP Industrial Print. “The Precision Proco Group’s new business model captures the value in co-creation and is enabling individuals to monetise their branded content and increase the engagement of their audience. We are excited to watch the growth and success of this venture.”

For further information visit www.precisionprocogroup.co.uk

YPS PARTNERS WITH SABUR DIGITAL TO RESELL IECHO

Your Print Specialists Ltd (YPS) has announced a new partnership with Sabur Digital to resell the iEcho range of digital cutting tables in the UK. The relationship will mean that YPS adds a high-quality and great value finishing machine to its comprehensive range of large format printing solutions.

Sabur Digital is the UK distributor for the iEcho range of digital flatbed cutting systems. Georgia Brown, Managing Director of YPS, says, “The iEcho machines are built to very high production standards that compare favourably with other machines in the market but at a considerably lower price point. This very much fits our strategy to deliver quality products at great value for our customers.”

Dan Jeffries, Business Development Manager at Sabur Digital, says, “YPS is an ideal company for us to partner with to help increase the exposure of iEcho in the market, as well as promote additional sales. They have a superb reputation for great products, service and value, and we are very happy to be working with them to bring this exciting range of digital cutting tables to the UK market.”

Earlier this year, YPS visited Sabur to see the iEcho in action and the team was hugely impressed, “We were blown away by the quality of the iEcho and also the infrastructure behind,” adds Georgia. “We could see that the technology and build quality were equal to the more recognised market leaders, but with a significantly reduced cost. We could see the massive benefits in terms of quality and price that we could bring to our customers, particularly

installed in the UK. Together, Sabur Digital and YPS will provide full UK onsite warranty, with parts held in stock in the UK. The two companies are developing a close partnership to help both companies raise awareness of the iEcho brand and further increase sales in the UK. Georgia continues, “Roll-fed cutters still have a strong grasp of the digital roll market. However, the use of flatbed printing is rapidly increasing, and this is driving the demand for good and affordable flatbed digital cutting. We are very confident that with iEcho’s

technology alongside their flatbed printers.”

Georgia Brown concludes, “This deal is similar to our adoption of the EWS flatbed applicator table, which we believe to be as good, if not better, than any similar machine on the market. YPS is here for our customers. We are committed to supporting them by identifying and making available technology that is effective, reliable, well supported and great value.”

www.yourprintspecialists.co.uk

www.sublimationinks.com

Dean Sanger, Managing Director of Sabur Digital with YPS Managing Director, Georgia Brown

PIXEL PROPHET

STILL NOT DEAD YET!

Well, that escalated quickly! I only had to do a piece on stable diffusion and its ability to create artificial images out of pure text alone, and within a few weeks, it became tabloid headlines and debated on news channels worldwide. Martin Christie scribes…

Well, I can’t take full credit for the exposure. It was the IT wizard who cheekily (in his own words) entered an AI image into an international photography competition and won, only to refuse the award to expose the hoax. Of course, the popular media has made a meal of the story as if they had suddenly discovered it. Still, the reality is that we have been taking advantage of artificial intelligence for years. It only becomes an issue when it challenges the comfort zone of what we believe to be real. And that was the intention of the submission in the first place, as the creator explained, if you bothered to read further than the sensational strap lines.

Computer learning has been an integral part of processing over the last decade; the only thing that has changed is the pace of development which is linked to the power and complexity of modern devices. Consider the fact that it took a little over sixty years from the first manned-powered flight to putting a man in a rocket on the moon with the relatively pedestrian learning curve of the last century. A modern computer could probably do the maths in sixty days, and those to come in the same number of seconds.

Attempts to limit AI are pointless; the genie is already a long way out of the bottle. The important thing is to recognise where it is used and how it works so you can identify or even anticipate potential flaws in its logic. At the moment, for example, it’s not very good at replicating some of the more subtle human features such as eyes and fingers — things we use to recognise familiar faces and features. That’s why it’s much better at fantasy creations or ones that don’t have to be specifically accurate.

Something that puzzles me about the competition entry is why the judges didn’t look for the metadata — the smoking gun, as I like to call it — that reveals the authenticity of a digital image. I use it instinctively as a guide to any unknown photo file, and many photography websites won’t publish pictures now unless the camera data is embedded. This tells you when it was shot, the device that shot it, and all the details of how it was originally captured. All of these details help you build an idea of how good or bad the image is likely to be if you have to print it — even if it was ‘taken with a very good camera’.

A few years back, I was somewhat sceptical about a high-profile ad campaign from a phone company that boldly claimed that its latest offering meant the death of photography, with images of cameras and kit being consigned to the scrapheap. Well then, as of now, I am confident that it is not dead yet. Proper photography may return to becoming a respected profession, and its output retains real value.

What AI may do is reduce the vast number of random images snapped on mobiles and rarely saved to see the light of day because the user will just ask the phone to do all the hard work for them and produce something out of an electronic imagination. Stand by for even cuter kittens and more stupid stunts. These will no doubt fill social media

and keep viewers entertained, but what will happen when they want to print from them remains to be seen. The flaws and the fantasy may well be revealed, and the embarrassing absurdities brought into stark relief. If AI learns by the example of what we like to look at, it will most likely create illusions of how we would like to look, like so many dreamily filtered selfies, rather than how we actually look. Because it wants to serve us, it will show us what it thinks we want to see, much like online search engines now direct you to things they think you will like.

The technology is new, but the principle has been around in image reproduction for many years, most famously in history with Holbein’s beauty portrait of Anne of Cleeves

that fooled Henry VIII into a hasty marriage, just as hastily regretted when he viewed the lady in real life. At least she kept her head from the deception. In more recent times, film stars had their face and figure airbrushed to appear in magazines.

As an old photographer who has transitioned from film to digital, I am well-tuned to the positives and negatives of both and have been prepared to adapt and, in fact, embrace the new tools with some enthusiasm because I remember the limitations of solid originals, and the hours spent in the darkroom trying to recover one perfect print. In contrast, I was listening to some young photography students now mentally slashing their wrists over the ‘impending death’ of the camera and having no future after all their hours of study. Having been to several graduate shows, however, I think most of them would already benefit from more than a little intelligent assistance on correctly using composition, exposure and focus. I have never been sure how many would survive in the commercial world anyway.

That brings us conveniently to using the technology available most effectively, and that is a challenge in itself as it is all moving at such a pace. As printers, the illusional images of AI do not concern us; the integrity of digital files do because we have to turn it into something real, and while the actual print process of putting inks onto paper has changed very little, how we manipulate the information sent to the print machine has.

In previous columns, I’ve gone through the basic controls in the Photoshop workspace, most of which have stayed familiar through all the various iterations of Adobe’s flagship and are similar to those in other photo editing programmes. In simple terms, before basic AI was added, most of these affected the whole picture in one way or another. So altering one particular colour would affect the hue of another, as we know with composite colour printing. Likewise, isolating a specific colour was tricky with so many pixels with so many different shades of similar ones. Similarly, isolating a single shape often required laborious cutting paths with the pen tool and, even then, rarely provided a satisfactory selection.

Overall adjustment of exposure or colour is often referred to as global adjustment, and you almost certainly used to tweak an image on the screen to how you know it will look in print. However, AI enables a far more selective approach because it is not distracted by looking at the image and making a subjective judgement. Instead, it can only see the complicated mathematical connections below the surface and can rearrange the algorithms in minute detail as a result. This may be referred to as local adjustment.

Some of this is within the scope of the main selection tools in Photoshop, but the real gems are hidden from main sight under Filter >Camera Raw Filter, often referred to as Adobe Camera Raw or ACR. This opens up an entirely new dialogue box with a host of extra tools, which will look a little daunting at first but is well worth getting familiar with. The reason it is hidden is partly because it would otherwise overload the already busy PS workspace, but it also has a history in the development of digital photography.

Most of the images we receive from customers, however created, are JPGs or PNGs. These have already been preprocessed before they get to you, whether when shot by the device or edited afterwards, so there may be little you can do with them other than the aforementioned global adjustment. Camera RAW files were a game changer for photographers as they were essentially untouched by any electronic imagination and, therefore, could be dramatically modified on the computer afterwards. Of course, you still had to take quite a good picture in the first place, but a good many of the parameters, like exposure, colour balance and the like, could be infinitely corrected to suit. At the same time, Adobe had also introduced an entirely new programme, Lightroom, with identical features but specifically aimed at photographers and camera files in quantity. It is less used for printing as it only works with pixel files, not PDFs or Word documents, for example, and the print dialogue is a little pedestrian and often awkward to manage compared to PS.

Almost all quality cameras and even some good smartphones can now shoot and save RAW, but most users don’t know about it or can’t cope with the complications, so they could have remained a hidden secret until Adobe made it possible to adjust all picture files in ACR. So although they may not have the full range of editing capabilities, preprocessed files can still have some major alterations not only to make them look good but print better. And that’s what will please your customers and keep them coming back and recommending you, even if they do claim most of the credit for the photography or the camera.

ACR now relies heavily on AI and has developed because it has such a wealth of image editing to learn from and because it is aimed at the more patient professional rather than the impatient amateur; it is designed to concentrate on the fine details more than the overall canvas. In particular, in the selection of masks to isolate subjects or colours, which was previously quite tedious and often inaccurate, preset options can perform the actions at a stroke and still have the option for manual adjustment. In addition, where previously the software might just identify the shape of a person, it can now separate the hair, eyes, teeth and even eyebrows, as well as the clothing, to give almost infinite control of the output.

Similar intelligence is used in the newly introduced Neural Filters, which make more automated decisions on colouring or sharpening with limited manual override, but like ACR, these are continually being updated and added to. They may well be a quick fix to improve or restore an image or may be completely the wrong choice. But that is the Achilles heel of machine learning. We learn from customers, for example, and what they ask for. But we also learn with human experience that what they ask for is not always what they need or what they expect. What makes the difference is that little bit of guidance in the right direction.

Next month I will show you some of my favourite and most useful lessons that I and Adobe have learned together.

Selecting people features

Changing the guard Original

MICHAEL GRADE CBE, LORD GRADE OF YARMOUTH, IS THE PRINTING CHARITY’S 2023 PRESIDENT

The Printing Charity has announced that Michael Grade, Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE, Chair of OFCOM, has accepted the charity’s invitation to become its President for 2023.

Lord Grade said: “Having started my career as a print journalist, I am a great believer in the power of print as a communication channel, which is seen in all aspects of our everyday lives. I’m very pleased to be involved with the Printing Charity, and am looking forward to supporting their crucial work providing practical, emotional and financial support to everyone in the

print, packaging, paper, publishing and graphic arts sectors.”

Lord Grade began his career in 1960 as a journalist and sports columnist at the Daily Mirror, and since then has worked across the UK’s major broadcasters, as controller of BBC One, Chief Executive of Channel 4, Chair of the BBC and Executive Chair of ITV. He has also held the positions of Chief

Executive at First Leisure, and Chair of Pinewood Studios.

He has been Chair of the Charity Fundraising Regulator, and of the Media Museum Bradford; and was a Trustee of the Science Museum.

Printing Charity Chair Jon Wright said: “We are delighted that Lord Grade has agreed to support the charity as our 2023 President and the key note speaker at our Annual Luncheon, an event now in its 194th year. He is the latest member of a distinguished line of past charity Presidents, including most recently George Osborne CH.” Please see www.theprintingcharity.org.uk for more information and follow @printingcharity

OKI APPOINTS TAKAAKI HAGIWARA AS NEW MD

OKI Europe has appointed Takaaki Hagiwara as Manging Director to strengthen OKI’s leading position within the professional printing technology market and spearhead growth in the EMEA and India region of additional OKI solutions.

Prior to his new appointment, Hagiwara served as VP Corporate Planning OKI Europe, he was also engaged in the transformation and administration of the business.

Takaaki Hagiwara succeeds Tsukasa Takasawa, who has been appointed into a new business development role in Singapore.

Hagiwara has been with OKI since 1990, originally joining the company in the Overseas Sales and Marketing division. He brings a wealth of experience to his role, having already served in many senior positions within OKI, including as Managing Director of OKI Systems (UK) Ltd. between 2013-2018, where he was responsible for building the company’s position in the business to business printer, document output and management markets, while growing relationships with channel and business partners and core business customers across the UK, Ireland and Nordic region.

In his new role as Managing Director of OKI Europe, Hagiwara’s focus will be on the continued

technology market in the EMEA and India regions, and to explore opportunities for the application of OKI technology that has already been commercialised in other regions.

“I look forward to leading OKI Europe in this

IAN BATES JOINS TWO SIDES AS EUROPEAN MARKETING & PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR

After over 20 years working within the packaging industry, Ian has been at the cutting edge of paper based packaging developments, working with leading brand owners to help them reduce their dependency on single use plastic. He brings with him a wealth of experience about the forest and cellulose value chain and how to collaborate with multiple partners and stakeholders.

He joins Two Sides at an important time when key decisions are being made about optimising materials and packaging design to deliver minimal social, environmental and commercial impacts. Having an independent, well informed viewpoint has never been more important, whilst at the same time tackling misleading environmental product claims (Greenwashing).

www.twosides.info

exciting new phase of the company’s growth. After a period of transformation, OKI Europe will continue its focus on printing technology, expanding its verticals and applications, including labels and packaging, while also exploring the introduction of additional technologies into the EMEA region that are already commercially available in Japan,” said Hagiwara.

OKI Group, of which OKI Europe is a regional HQ, has a broad portfolio of innovative technology solutions that encompass elements such as remote sensing devices (IoT), advanced acoustic technology and edge computing, among others.

“I am very confident handing over my responsibilities to Takaaki Hagiwara. This is an exciting time for OKI Europe, and with the appointment of Hagiwara, OKI Europe is well positioned to capitalise on the many opportunities for OKI technology solutions to be applied for solving real world problems, both within the print technology market and beyond,” commented Tsukasa Takasawa on the new appointment.

Takaaki Hagiwara holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Kyoto Sangyo University, graduating in 1990. He joined OKI in the same year.

www.oki.com

MIMAKI CHANGES THE DIRECT TO FILM PRINTING GAME

New Mimaki TxF150-75 DTF printer revolutionises garment decoration with quality solution

With its European debut held at February’s Printwear & Promotion exhibition, the new TxF150-75 is Mimaki’s first foray into the Direct to Film (DTF) printing sector. However, Mimaki has a peerless heritage in digital textile printing, having supplied the textile industry with wide format direct to textile and dye sublimation printers since the late 1990s.

The new model is priced at £11,495 and is specifically designed for those entering or expanding in the apparel decoration sector and is already proving a popular choice for those looking for a time saving, stable, and productive solution.

Suitable for producing a print onto cotton, polyester and polyester blended materials, the Mimaki TxF150-75 includes a white ink to enable the print to be applied to both light and dark coloured fabrics. Offering

time saving workflow compared to other garment printing methods, the new model removes the labour-intensive process of

WHAT IS DTF PRINTING?

Your quick guide to the direct-to-film printing process

Garment decoration is a popular and expanding market sector and Direct to Film (DTF) printing is having a significant impact on established printing technologies that have been the staple solutions for many years.

Offering considerable advantages, printed output can be heat pressed onto almost any fabric and is best suited to full colour and complex, detailed artwork that otherwise would require expensive and time-consuming printing and post-printing process to deliver through other techniques, such as screen printing or vinyl film application.

Starting with a digitally created design, the artwork is printed on an inkjet printer such as the Mimaki TxF150-75 – an 800mm wide production model specifically engineered to print with dedicated DTF inks. The print is produced onto a special release film, with the artwork output in reverse and typically backed up with an

opaque white layer. This enables the print to be applied to coloured fabrics, retaining the vibrant colours of the artwork thanks to the barrier layer of white ink.

Immediately after printing, a soluble hot melt powder is applied to the wet layer of ink in a dedicated curing / fixation system that in turn,

plate creation in screen printing and the required weeding in traditional vinyl heat transfer. “The new Mimaki TxF150-75 is

dries the ink and powder layer. This powder is the adhesive that when heat pressed onto the garment, activates and adheres the print to the fabric, removing it from the carrier film.

The resulting print is wash fast, soft to handle and contains stretch enabling it to move with the garment.

T-shirt printing has been revolutionised by the latest DTF technology

The new Mimaki TxF150-75 offers a DTF printing solution.

designed to fit with businesses of all sizes. Small companies that have a need to run the machine a few hours a week are catered for as capably as larger organisations that have high volumes of output, with both benefiting from a reliable solution that maximises productivity and reduces waste,” states Hybrid’s Head of Marketing & Business Development, Duncan Jefferies.

With Mimaki’s reputation for reliability, the TxF150-75 includes a built-in ink circulation system and degassed ink pack design to ensure consistent printing is maintained. A nozzle check unit and nozzle recovery system further enable the printing process to be carried out with minimal user intervention and efficiency.

“The Mimaki TxF150-75’s real strengths are its ultimate productivity, unrivalled usability and built-in reliability,” Jefferies continues. “Designed for unattended operation, the new TxF150-75 is packed with Mimaki’s Core Technologies — proprietary features geared to optimise both print quality and ease of use.

“This technology has cascaded down from Mimaki’s industrial specification models and all are geared to maximising uptime through stable operation.”

MIMAKI ECO PASSPORT CERTIFIED INKS

The Mimaki DTF PHT50 water-based pigment inks used for the printing process are OEKO-TEX certified, and available in degassed 500/600ml aluminium packs. These retail at £69.95, and the CMYK colours are supplied in 600ml packs, with the white delivered in a 500ml pack.

Presented to the wider sign and graphics industry at March’s Sign & Digital UK exhibition, response was overwhelmingly positive. “Visitors to both shows expressed genuine excitement at Mimaki entering the DTF arena,” Jefferies recalls. “With the company’s long and trusted textile printing reputation, announcing a DTF technology solution was seen as a real plus.”

Available through Hybrid’s network of authorised reseller partners, the new printer is delivered with Mimaki Rasterlink7 software, which offers ease of use as well as advanced functions for white layer generation and variable data printing. Customers can add their choice of curing unit and heat press to complete the system.

For more details, visit: www.hybridservices.co.uk/dtf

MIMAKI’S NEW DTF PRINTER IN 100 SECONDS

Discover Mimaki’s powerful new textile printer — watch now on YouTube

Mimaki has a long history of supplying the textile printing industry.

Vibrant, detailed designs can be produced onto dark garments with the Mimaki TxF150-75.

UP TIME –TOP RANKING

We have a new telecoms partner to proactively update your communications before technology gets ahead of you. Changes are coming, so plan ahead now.

Talk to Kerry Mayo at Start Communications about telecoms and connectivity.

When printing and distributing your own DRP Disaster Recovery Programme Manual consider if you can do this remotely when your access is blocked.

Taking your phone calls, giving your team the use of a ‘hot desk’. You can count on Start Communications as part of your crisis management plan as well as everyday award winning communication services.

Most print businesses are already benefiting from using the power of the cloud. Storage including file archive and retrieval. Plan to use the newly available high-speed connectivity for voice and data communications, collaboration tools and your security services too. Start communications have won multiple industry awards and developed great customer relationships with SMEs, charities and large enterprises.

When reviewing and wanting to reduce regular outages, unstable video calls and slow artwork downloads, consider how your customers perceive your service. Target your printer connectivity to be the best that technology can deliver now and in the future. A reliable performance that keeps your business running uninterrupted as you and your customers demand. However data hungry your business is, you can rely on Start Communications for resilient, secure connectivity built to keep you at peak performance.

Your published DRP should include utilising the best storage and transportation of customers document artwork, PDF brochures and even their own DRP manuals for when they can’t access them directly.

Helpful facts and figures are published here for your appraisal. Set up a survey.

Telephone: 014447 719305 • Email: kerry.mayo@startcomms.co.uk www.startcomms.co.uk

Are you ready for the next one? Come what may, flood or storm, pandemic, power cut. burglary, bomb (hoax) QPP DRP research is undertaken to help you.

MONDI EXPANDS ONLINE: MYMONDI.NET — A MARKETPLACE FOR PAPER

The website mymondi.net serves as a central access point. Starting from the product pages, articles from the PERGRAPHICA® and Color Copy ranges are linked directly with suitable sources of supply. This service is open to customers in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and Great Britain. The purchasing process is handled by a network of long standing partners and supplemented by a web shop operated by paper merchant Europapier. Bernhard Cantzler, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Mondi Uncoated Fine Paper, explains the reasoning behind this: “For us, digital and analogue go hand in hand. We use digital possibilities and our distributor network so our customers can get Mondi papers for their analogue projects quickly and reliably. We want to make sure that our paper enthusiasts get exactly the paper they want. This digital approach has been well received.”

With the new setup, Mondi completes its range of digital platforms. mymondi.shop has been providing ordering and service options to direct customers for over five years. “mymondi. shop is reserved for customers with larger order quantities. With the latest extension, companies that need smaller quantities can buy them via mymondi.net. mymondi.net is our public website for Mondi brands, which was previously limited to information and inspiration and now also allows you to source our papers,” Bernhard Cantzler explains…

“For us, digital and analogue go hand in hand. We use digital possibilities and our distributor network so our customers can get Mondi papers for their analogue projects quickly and reliably. We want to make sure that our paper enthusiasts get exactly the paper they want

48 HOURS FROM ONE SHEET

Most orders are processed via Mondi’s existing distributor network. In the United Kingdom, the respective web shops of long-standing Mondi partners have been fully integrated. Customers are redirected directly to the specific product page to keep the ordering process short. If specialties from the PERGRAPHICA® and Color Copy range are not offered by

the distributor network, there is a web shop operated by the international paper dealer Europapier.

“This allows us to offer a broad portfolio of specialties. Products that are perhaps bought less often are available in the web shop. As a specialist in fine paper with many years of experience in international logistics, Europapier is a reliable partner who can also process complex orders in a short time,” explains Daniel Richter, Managing Director of Europapier Austria. Interested parties can obtain a comprehensive portfolio via the web shop. Whether extra-long digital formats from Color Copy original, the 31 PERGRAPHICA® Colours or PERGRAPHICA® envelopes, the web shop ships within 48 hours, usually with a minimum order quantity of one sheet. For transport, Europapier relies on special packaging that protects even large formats. “We are delighted to be collaborating on this extraordinary project. The pilot phase has now been successfully completed and the shop is well received,” he adds.

All partners work together along the value chain, which results in optimised coordination. Many years of close cooperation, expertise in their respective areas of responsibility and futureoriented thinking of the partners involved put customer needs in the foreground. “mymondi. net, as a central point of contact, guides paper lovers intuitively through the decision-making and ordering process - quickly and easily to the right paper,” concludes Bernhard Cantzler. www.mymondi.net/ufp/de

NEW MITSUBISHI HITEC PAPER AT INTERPACK 2023

At Interpack 2023, Mitsubishi HiTec Paper will be presenting its full range of barricote® barrier papers for flexible food and non-food packaging, as well as the new PACK 75, a heat sealable paper for primary and secondary packaging.

Barricote barrier papers are purely paper based and fully recyclable in the wastepaper cycle. With combinable barriers against water vapour, grease/oil, oxygen/aroma and mineral oil migration, barricote offers precise protection for the packaged goods. The papers are distinguished by a high proportion of biodegradable ingredients and are at the same time 100% free of plastic films, extruded films, laminates and fluorocarbons. Regardless of whether it is used as a bag, wrapping paper or lining paper - barricote protects packaged goods and buyers sustainably and safely.

New: The optimised barricote BAG WG with 49 g/m². With enhanced barriers against water vapour and grease (KIT level 12) as well as improved heat sealing capabilities, it is the ideal alternative for horizontal and vertical flowpack packaging of dry and greasy goods.

New: PACK 75 for sustainable packaging of toys and other small parts. The 75g paper offers particularly good heat sealability and is therefore especially

suitable for pouch packaging. PACK 75 is available FSC® and PEFC™ certified and is the ideal alternative to previous plastic packaging.

Visit Mitsubishi HiTec Paper at Interpack 2023, 4th and 5th May, Hall 8a, Stand 8a D11. For samples and further information: sales.mpe@ mitsubishi-paper.com www.mitsubishi-paper.com

SPACE CREATORS CAUSE A STORM AT SIGN & DIGITAL UK

of the year. The event hosts hundreds of leading exhibitors from throughout the sign and display industry, each one showcasing their latest display solutions, from machinery to media, as well as educational talks from key industry experts across the three days. This year, Premier teamed up with newly acquired merchant GPMI, to demonstrate another eye-catching display for their third year. Located on stand F30, a 110m² plot situated close to the front of the hall, Premier and GPMI’s exciting and innovative space themed exhibition stand spanned as wide as it did high. The bespoke stand was designed and produced by DCE, a West Midlands based exhibition contractor who installed the overhead hanging display, double sided central shop front and both demonstration zones. The stand included a UFO which was suspended from the ceiling beneath a galactic sized ring banner, making the merchants unmissable from anywhere in the hall. Their presence wasn’t limited to stand F30, as an army of Stormtroopers and Wookies led by Darth Vader, were deployed to respond to any displays of signage unrest around the hall and most importantly to be on standby for picture opportunities with visitors to the show.

Premier’s stand itself was no different for encouraging photo taking, their ‘zerogravity’ zone produced using products like Kernowjet Floorshark, Plexiglas and eTEC WV300 had been designed to look as though visitors were launched into space, floating like an astronaut providing the perfect photo opportunity back drop whilst simultaneously showing the products’ capabilities. “Our stand at last year’s SDUK exhibition was ‘Back to the Future’ themed and incredibly popular with visitors - our 2023 presence had to have just as big a visual impact, if not better.” Marketing Manager, Brad Goldsmith explained. Two competitions were running simultaneously on either side of the stand, the

score holder set to receive a VR headset. Additionally, the Premier Club virtual claw grabber allowed gave visitors the chance to win a selection of prizes and neither activity was without a queue over the three days. “We always aim to create a talking point at the exhibition, before, during and after the event”, Brad continued. “We aim to achieve this with a stand that is both aesthetically and physically engaging, incorporating as much of our product portfolio as possible. Based on our badge scans, this year’s SDUK event was our most visited stand to date.”

Premier’s team of display graphics experts were on hand to showcase much of their wide format, sheet media and thermoplastic portfolio with printed samples of products such as eTEC PVC FREE Self-Adhesive films, ContraVision, Neschen easydot, Oppboga and Foamalux, as well rockets and furniture produced using Ultraboard. These incredible printed samples were on display from Premier’s demonstration zones along with the latest product selectors, wide format swatches and sheet media swatches produced by Midlands based printer PMT Digital.

Premier’s environmental initiative, Carbon Capture®, was another talking point of the event with many visitors stopping to enquire further about how the programme could enhance their environmental business goals. Premier’s Sustainable Business Director, Hussein Ismail was there to discuss the initiative, “The amount of interest in Carbon Capture was great to see. Seeing how many businesses want to elevate their Corporate Social Responsibility objectives and join the journey to net zero with Premier is encouraging.” explained Ismail. To learn more about Premier’s and GPMI’s display graphics product portfolio, visit www.paper.co.uk or contact your local branch for samples, swatches and pricing.

SIGN AND DIGITAL UK REVIEW

Sign & Digital UK, which ran from 21 to 23 March, brought thousands back together to share information, network and, most importantly, do business.

The visitor experience continues to improve, with more features and services introduced to help educate, inform and guide sign-makers attending the event. The Explains Lounge, run in conjunction with the ISA UK trade association, saw more than 30 people presenting or being part of expert panels over the three days, with many interesting and informative sessions standing room only. Alongside the Explains Lounge was the Sign

Surgery, which allowed visitors to spend time with individual members of the panels and the ISA directors to ask questions and receive advice.

The Sign Studio with Paul Hughes ran eight sessions a day demonstrating vinyl application onto walls and vehicles. This was hugely popular, drawing big crowds and very positive comments. Event director, Jenny Matthew concludes, “It

felt like the industry was well and truly back and looking as healthy as ever. It is so encouraging for us to see how people respond to Sign and Digital UK. It is an important part of the industry’s calendar and a great opportunity to get together, reconnect with old friends and do some great business. We spent a lot of time throughout the show talking to visitors and exhibitors about how to keep improving the experience, and we have lots of ideas for 2024. I would like to say a big thank you to all the exhibitors, visitors, partners and media supporters who came to the show, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.”

PRINT NEW PRODUCTS FOR NEW CUSTOMERS

TWO SIDES WELCOME HP AS ITS LATEST MEMBER

Two Sides, the print and paper advocacy group, has announced its newest member, HP Inc, the print, technology and managed print service company.

Formed in 1939, HP continue to develop and improve their products. Since 2016, HP brand paper has been derived from recycled or certified sources, and since 2020 this has also been the case for paper based packaging for home and office printers and supplies, PCs, and displays.

In late 2020, HP MPS was certified CarbonNeutral in accordance with the CarbonNeutral Protocol, and was the world’s most comprehensive carbon neutral Managed Print Service offering. In 2021, HP extended CarbonNeutral product certification to HP Component MPS, which provides partners a mechanism to make their contractual obligations carbon neutral using the same stringent requirements and standards as HP MPS.

“HP is delighted to become a member of Two Sides. We aim to be the world’s most sustainable

and just tech company, taking urgent action to combat climate change, protect human rights, and accelerate digital equity. As sustainability is an important factor for many of our customers and consumers, the library of facts that we have access to by joining Two Sides, will be of great use in our own customer communications, helping to promote our print and paper products.” says Peter Jolly, UK and Ireland HP Industrial Country Manager.

As part of their effort to create a more circular economy, HP has reduced single use plastic packaging by 44% compared to 2018, and increased the use of recycled content plastic across their

personal systems and print products. This is part of their Planet Partners recycling programme, which launched in 1991, where used HP ink and toner cartridges are returned to HP to be recycled so they become new products and don’t end up in oceans or landfill. To date, HP has reached a monumental milestone of one billion cartridges recycled through HP Planet Partners.

“Our partnership with HP will help us communicate the great sustainable story that print and paper has to tell, reaching brands and consumers through their print and paper products. It’s always a pleasure to welcome new members on board and we look forward to working with HP,” says Josh Birch, Campaign Manager of Two Sides UK. By joining Two Sides, HP has access to a large library of co-brandable communications tools, consumer research, industry-leading information, sustainability advice, and events.

www.twosides.info/why-join-two-sides www.hp.com

METSÄ BOARD UPDATES ITS STRATEGIC 2030 SUSTAINABILITYTARGETS

Metsä Board, a supplier of fresh fibre paperboards and part of Metsä Group, has updated its strategic 2030 sustainability targets. The new targets highlight its commitment to safeguarding natural biodiversity, mitigating climate change, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, healthy workplace communities and ethical operations. The sustainability targets are categorised according to the ESG perspectives.

Natural biodiversity is safeguarded in wood sourcing through measures that increase the diversity of tree species and the amount of decaying wood, and by preserving valuable habitats. The 2030 targets are monitored with a comprehensive, more than doubled set of indicators. Also climate positive actions in forests have been increased.

Metsä Board’s target regarding climate change is unchanged. To mitigate climate change Metsä Board is aiming for 100% fossil free production and products by the end of the year 2030. This target includes both emissions from the company’s own energy production (scope 1) as well as purchased energy (scope 2). Currently, 87% of the energy used at Metsä Board mills is fossil free.

For water use, Metsä Board has set an even stricter target of 35% (previously 30%) reduction in process water use per product tonne and continues to aim at a minimum of a 10% energy efficiency improvement by the end of the year 2030 compared to the 2018 level.

Several indicators related to ethical operations and well being at work have been added in target

setting. Metsä Board will monitor job satisfaction, the implementation of anonymous recruitment processes, and the share of women in leadership positions.

Indicators related to society and supply chain sustainability include the share of certified wood, supplier surveys and audits, and shared sustainability targets with key partners.

Metsä Board’s sustainability targets are in line

with the strategic sustainability 2030 objectives of Metsä Group. The sustainability target updates are based on materiality analysis based on discussions with various stakeholder groups. The analysis was carried out in the autumn 2022.

More information about Metsä Board’s sustainability and all new sustainability targets for 2030 can be found at the company’s website.

www.metsagroup.com

TIME OUT

Are we using the latest print technology to offer new personal printed and promotional wares for our customers?

Tried and tested can mean dated and we are proud of being serial print pioneers. Sometimes picking a trend is costly and waiting for proof of a market is easier, a bit like goal hanging. Here we can watch for a re-bound and be close enough to score. Some exhibition breakthroughs have never been seen since, unless you know otherwise, please share.

A few years ago at Printwear and Promotions exhibition we were impressed with a textile tattoo system. A laser was used to burn an image onto fabric by removing the ‘fluffy’ fibres and leaving a shaved area that stood out, or rather, in reverse, left the remaining fabric standing out.

At the same show we witnessed personalised decals being cooked onto chinaware in a halogen oven. I had to check this and the posts seem to run out around 2019. Again if you have continued success with this process and can recommend a supplier, please drop me a line for my summer research.

Fast forward to 2023 and all things DTF. While our own business has held back as busy in other areas, we have missed an opportunity that needs playing catch up. As usual we try to surround ourselves with experts and glean their knowledge to the benefit of our own shop real scenario customers and of course sharing best practice with our other quick print pros.

FOR THE MAGIC TOUCH

bringing new tech to print and talks great football if you need a break from print. AKA The Mad Hatter, Jim has printed and transferred onto more products than anyone else in the industry and DTF was

recommended by him as a ‘game changer’.

The process of adding a fusible screen backing to a print is genius.

To prove this you can use trade suppliers to print you DTF gang sheets and heat press at yours at a rate that will soon justify investing in your own kit.

The lowest entry level requires some hands on application to apply the screen layer that when heated and under the right pressure can apply to a variety of textiles. No more weeding or adding a white background sheet.

With DTF on our mind we now try applying to just about anything not nailed down in our Brighton shop, Colourfast. Strangely with work overlapping at home Maureen ironed on DTF logos on shirts and even some really snazzy A5 coloured notebooks from Just Pads. With a soft feel PU cover, and hot iron, just count to ten and hey presto. Mind you I am not a fan of home production it reminds me of an apprentice grilling thermo business cards in the oven. Also with Just Pads offering a single colour print at only 35 pence more than plain stock I’d rather spend £1.61 on the 100 rate or £1.68 each per 1000, add a pen from the Pen Warehouse, www.pens.co.uk and sell at £5.99. I’ve just been prompted by Maureen that Just Pads actually can supply matching pens too.

Of course proper application with our shop heat presses is best when pre-pressing, transferring and sealing in. As your experience has shown you know what’s best on what media.

‘ELEMENTARY, MY DEAR WATSON’

Visit www.themagictouch.co.uk where you will be able to grasp how Direct-to-Film (DTF) is an innovative transfer technology that garment decorators and promotional product suppliers have been waiting for; eco water-based inks; no pre-treatment required, soft feel, durable and suitable for cotton, polyester, performance fabrics, workwear, pique fabrics, canvas, leather, denim and lots more, all regardless of garment or item colour.

Jim also introduced QPP to branding with Beechfield Brands. Working with Luca Conte to on how best to promote branding on original headwear.

We are currently choosing the Canvas 5 Panel Camper Cap Ref. B654 which is 100% Cotton Canvas, 5 panel design, flat peak, metal ventilation eyelets, snap fastening strap adjuster plus a tearaway label for ease of rebranding as your range or your customers marque. Choice of colours from navy, black, desert sand, natural and olive green. More on this next issue… www.beechfield.co.uk

Discover Just Pads latest product for printers. Watson A5 notebook from only £1.48.

Top Spec: A5 (14 x 21cm), Soft Feel PU Hardback Cover, 80 Sheets/160 Pages — 70gsm, Ivory Lined Pages with Date Marks, Pen Loop, Ribbon Marker and Elastic Closure.

Pantone Reference: Black – Black, Grey - Cool Grey 9c, White – White, Red - 185c, Orange – 1655c, Yellow – 109c, Lime – 376c, Teal – 632c, Blue – 647c, Navy – 2746c, Pink – 7424c, Purple –2587c and Green – 343c.

Top Merch Branding: Spot Colour Printing, Debossing, Foil Blocking and Digital Printing

Packing Spec: Individual Weight – 250g, 50 units to a carton, Carton Size – 43 x 36 x 25c, Carton Weight – 13Kg.

Artwork Templates available as free download PDF. www.justpads.co.uk • 01372 700 290 • sales@justpads.co.uk

EDINBURGH DESIGNER WALLPAPER WITH HP LATEX 2700W

Edinburgh based designer Mairi Helena and leading digitally printed wallpapers manufacturer John Mark recently linked up to produce a bespoke wallpaper featuring a host of special effects, all of which were printed using an HP Latex 2700W Printer.

Mairi has been designing wallpapers, fabrics and various home accessories for more than six years, drawing inspiration from the textures and colours in photographs she has taken of the stunning Scottish landscape.

Having worked with John Mark for a number of years and designing a range of wallpaper products for the brand, Mairi was keen to explore new areas with her latest piece that was inspired by water going in and out on the shoreline of the Scottish coast.

After creating a design with several layers, Mairi approached John Mark to see how they could bring the patterns to life. John Mark recently installed a new HP Latex 2700W Printer which has white ink capability and, working with Mairi, was able to use the machine to achieve the desired effects.

The stand out feature of the design was a “shimmering” effect. When light shines on the wallpaper, parts of the piece glisten in a similar way to the water in the original photograph. Layered printing also helped accent other parts of the design

come to life was just incredible,” Mairi said. “The shimmering effect in particular was really special as never before have we been able to create such a design.

“I was really keen to try out something new with this design and thanks to John Mark and its new HP Latex 2700W, we were able to achieve something

KEEPING IT UNDER WRAPS WITH MINUTEMAN PRESS BATH

Full service print provider Minuteman Press Bath recently used Drytac SpotOn Clear monomeric PVC film to add a privacy screen to glass windows and a door surrounding a meeting room for client AgencyUK.

Based in Bath, AgencyUK is an integrated brand communications agency that works with a range of clients on a host of campaigns, counting Chewits, Wiltshire Farm Foods and Chang among the wellknown brands it has supported in recent years. The client contacted Minuteman Press Bath seeking a solution that would increase privacy inside one of its meeting rooms, without impacting the overall brightness.

Having worked with Drytac products since 2018, Minuteman Press Bath offered AgencyUK a number of options before settling on Drytac SpotOn Clear matte – purchased through approved Drytac distributor Antalis – as the most cost effective solution for the project.

“We’ve used Drytac SpotOn Clear matte as an alternative for frosting a couple of times in the past, but this was the first installation over a large surface area,” Minuteman Press Bath Operations Manager Kieran Blacknall said.

“The film is competitively priced and the ‘dot pattern’ adhesive means we can install quickly and at a fraction of the cost of a traditional etched or opal film. The removability of SpotOn is also reassuring for clients who might want to change or

add to the glass in future.”

SpotOn Clear, Minuteman Press Bath did not need to do any printing, and instead simply applied the film direct to the glass to achieve the required privacy effect without blocking light from outside the meeting room.

“The client was very happy,” Kieran said. “Adding privacy without darkening the meeting room is exactly what they were after. It couldn’t have gone any better.

“We’re always really impressed with the quality and performance of Drytac products, and we like the fact that they are manufactured in the UK.” www.drytac.com

quite special that offers a whole new option to the end customer.”

John Mark is a long term supporter of HP Latex technology and, to date, has an HP Latex 570, an HP Latex 800W, five HP Latex 1500 and two HP Latex 2700 printers. In July 2022, the company was also the first UK businesses to install the new HP Latex 2700W printer, officially launched at the end of last year.

“The addition of the HP Latex 2700W has significantly increased our white ink capabilities, which in turn has opened up all manner of new layers and finishes that we can add to our already expansive range of wallpapers,” says John Mark Watson, Managing Director of John Mark.

“We have been blown away by the results we are getting and have been showing those to designers who have been impressed by the outcome, helping to inspire them to come up with new designs.”

Building on the success of this initial design, Mairi said she is keen to see what else she can achieve with John Mark and the HP Latex 2700W, adding that she has a number of ideas as to how to push the boundaries further.

“This first project has given us food for thought in terms of what else might be possible with the HP Latex 2700W,” Mairi said. “It’s a really exciting time!” www.hp.com

MORE MERCH FOR YOUR DTF GANG

How about some timely coronation promotional goods? The official artwork is licence free and can be celebrated on everything from mugs to umbrellas. Maybe use the King’s new emoji for a modern twist on a regal emblem? Visit: www.alldtf.co.uk/product-page/ DTFtransfers on how to best send your multi view artwork.

All DTF Trade Prices: Buy 1 Metre £15.00, Buy 2-5 Metres £14.00, Buy 6-10 Metres £13.00 Buy 11-25 Metres £12.00, Buy 26+ Metres £11.00 Upload your artwork in PDF, AI, PNG, JPEG, GIF or SVG. Amazingly our ready to go transfer sheet was delivered in 24 hours. Talk to Muntasir Uddin who is MD at All DTF www.alldtf.co.uk • transfers@alldtf.co.uk 0161 791 5299

HOW DOES DTF PRINTING WORK?

John-Paul at the YES Group pointed me to their video by Don Copland to explain how DTF works. Your Embroidery Services Ltd Web: www.yesltd.co.uk, call: 01623 863343, email: sales@yesltd.co.uk

Compatible with a wide range of double-sided tapes up to 22mm in width

More accurate than taping by hand

Positioning is easily editable

Fast and easy set-up

Fully integrated with the latest versions of Zip Core software

Fully automated flatbed cutting, creasing and taping system

Tape on the X and Y axis

Saving you both time and money

Compatible on the Veloblade Volta + range

Watch Our YouTube Video

FIND YOUR SUPPLIER WITH QUICK PRINT PRO’S PREFERRED SUPPLIERS HUB

ABBOT PRINT

T: 01442 867600

E: sales@abbotprint.com

W: www.abbotprint.com

Manufacturers of business stationery, books and pads.

ASHGROVE TRADING

T: 01779 470606

E: info@ashgrovetrading.com

W: www.ashgrovetrading.com

Ashgrove is the UK’s friendly and personal specialist supplier of innovative products and solutions for cutting-edge digital printing and finishing techniques, making printers’ lives easier and making print better.

ATLANTIC TECH

T: +44 (0)1279 638 500

E: sales@atlantic-tech.co.uk

W: www.atlantic-tech.co.uk

Reliable Service & Support. The largest independent printer service and support provider in the UK, supplying an extensive selection of top brands including Azon UV

Flatbed, Mutoh Roll to Roll Solvent and UV

Flatbed printers. Proud to offer a national service and support for Solvent, UV and Latex printers from these leading brands: Mimaki, Ricoh, Azon, Roland, Mutoh and HP.

ART SYSTEMS LTD

T: 0870 224 2612

E: marketing@artsystems.ltd.uk

W: www.artsystems.co.uk

HP Latex, HP DesignJets, Epson SureColor printers, MakerBot 3D printers, Summa Cutters, and Onyx Rips.

BAKER LABELS

T: 01277 281900

E: sales@bakerlabels.co.uk

W: www.bakerlabels.co.uk

Baker Labels can handle exceptionally large or surprisingly short print runs and aim to have your order ready within four days of proof approval. The sales and customer service team can assist you in selecting the most appropriate material, adhesive and finish depending on the end use of the product.

CALF HEY DESIGN

T: 01484 542 795

W: www.calf-hey.com

Label manufacturer, trade-only, plain, printed, laminated, barcodes, numbering, one- to fullcolour, we do it all, total label solutions at trade prices. Call for free sample pack.

CANON (UK)

T: 01895 648 000 • 0844 892 0810

W: www.canon.co.uk/business/ products/production-printers

Enjoy superb image quality and optimised output speeds with the Canon range of digital production printers.

Make light work of demanding print jobs with scalable, modular and innovative commercial printers.

Advanced yet cost-effective, Canon continuous feed printers are perfect for a variety of transactional and graphic arts applications.

CASLON LTD

T: 01727 852211

E: info@caslon.co.uk

W: www.caslon.co.uk

Business card cutters, Digital print finishing,, Finishing products and systems, Foiling equipment, Print finishing equipment and Thermographic equipment & supplies.

CJB PRINTING EQUIPMENT

T: 0116 2600777

W: www.cjbpe.co.uk

E: sales@cjbpe.co.uk

CJB Printing Equipment Ltd was formed in 1994 by two directors with over 40 years of combined experience in the printing industry. We are an independent leading supplier of a large comprehensive range of print finishing equipment. The company is now a substantial two-generation family concern with an evergrowing reputation for supplying quality new and used equipment.

COLOURFAST GROUP

T: 01273 674321

E: sales@colourfast.co.uk

Can print and deliver for you in Brighton.

DURAWELD

T: 01723 584091

E: sales@duraweld.co.uk

W: www.duraweld.co.uk

Manufacturer of presentation products to package, present and protect printed paper and multimedia. Ring Binders, Tabbed Dividers and Indexes, Files and Folders, Wallets, Polypropylene Boxes, Multimedia Packaging, Self Adhesives and Presentation Ring Binders. Customise to your requirements through screen or litho print, pockets and accessories. Quality service, competitive prices and fast turnaround.

ELMSTOK

T: 01945 463434

E: sales@elmstok.co.uk

W: www.elmstok.co.uk

A leading worldwide supplier in document presentation systems and finishing equipment including Binding Machines and Supplies, Manual and Electric Guillotines, Laminating Machines and Supplies, Paper Drills and Punches, Folders, Booklet Makers and Shredding Machines.

FD SOLUTIONS

T: 0118 956 1740

E: sales@fdsolutions.ltd.uk

W: www.fdsolutions.ltd.uk

GBC main UK dealer as well as nationwide distributors of all types of binding, laminating machines and supplies, including guillotines, paper drills, booklet makers, folding machines and cutting and creasing equipment. Nationwide Service cover offered on all finishing equipment.

FLEXPRESS

T: 0116 267 6269

E: admin@flexpress.co.uk

W: www.Flexpress.co.uk

Trust, in any relationship, is paramount so you’ll find Flexpress provide a good, honest trade print service and keep our promises; this is how, since 1989, we’ve grown to become one of the most respected printers in the UK. Everything we do is produced by us right here in our own production facility using the very latest state-of-the-art equipment.

GFSMITH

T: 020 7407 6174

E: london@gfsmith.com

W: www.gfsmith.com

Paper and card suppliers of prestigious printing and presentation media.

IFS INTELLIGENT FINISHING SYSTEMS

T: 020 8997 8053

E: info@ifsl.uk.com

W: www.Ifsl.uk.com

A leading supplier of finishing equipment including the Horizon market-leading automated system range in many of the key finishing disciplines — including folding, perfect binding and saddle stitching. 35 years serving the digital and litho print industry.

LISTAWOOD PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

T: 01553 818818

E: sales@listawood.com

W: www.listawood.com

UK manufacturer of promotional products including mousemats, ceramics, liquid filled products, USB Flashdrives and magnets. 100% trade only.

LISTAWOOD TRADE SUPPLIES

T: 01553 818848

E: tradesupplies@listawood.com

W: www.listawood.com

A one stop shop for consumables and equipment for dye sublimation and chromablast. Authorised distributor of Hix heat presses and parts.

THE MAGAZINE PRODUCTION COMPANY

T: 01273 911730

E: info@magazineproduction.com

W:www.magazineproduction.com

Comprehensive cost-effective white label design, production and print solution for independent publishers. In-house company newsletters, brochures and magazines — we can send print compliant artwork back to you for printing for your customers.

Konica Minolta

Adkins Your Print Speclialist

B2B LED Printers OKI Europe

GFSmith

Bespoke Envelopes

Binder Covers (Printed) Sovereign

Binders Duraweld

Binding �������������������������������������������������������������������FDS Solutions

Binding Machines & Supplies Elmstok

Binding — PVC Coils in 45 colours PDC

Binding — Thermal Strips Renz

Binding — Wires / Plastic Combs / PVC Coils Renz

Binding Wires / Combs / Fastback / Velo and

GBC Magna Punch FDS Solutions

Guillotines CJB Print Equipment

Guillotines — Manual and Electric Elmstok

Heat Press Equipment The Magic Touch

Heat Presses Listawood Trade Supplies

Horizon AFC-566F ��������������������� IFS Intelligent Finishing Systems

Horizon BQ-480 IFS Intelligent Finishing Systems

Horizon StitchLiner Mark 111 IFS Intelligent Finishing Systems

HP Designjets������������������������������������������������������������� Art Systems

HP Indigo and UV inkjet labels Baker Labels

Incentive Marketing PrintOn Indexes Duraweld

Inkjet Consumables for LFP Perfect Colours

Labels Calf Hey

Labels Premier Paper

Labels ����������������������������������������������������������������� Supreme Labels

Labels – digital plain Ashgrove Trading Labels – sheets/rolls Ashgrove Trading Labels (Flat Sheet) ��������������������������������������������������������Sovereign

Laminating Machines and Supplies, all types Elmstok

Laminator Pouches & Supplies Vivid

Labels and stickers Baker Labels

Large Format Printers Stanford Marsh

MORGANA FINISHING SYSTEMS

T: 0800 1381 882

W: www.plockmaticgroup.com

Manufacturer of a comprehensive range of finishing products and systems. Booklet makers & Trimmers, Collators, Business Card Cutters, Creasers.

KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS (UK)

T: 0800 833864

E: info@konicaminolta.co.uk

W: www.konicaminolta.co.uk

NCR PADS LTD

T: 0330 111 5040

E: lets.talk@ncrpads.co.uk

W: www.ncrpads.co.uk

Bespoke printing in the UK for trade NCR pads, sets, books and continuous forms.

OCÉ IMAGING SUPPLIES

Wide format materials: 0800 623 623

Small format materials: 0800 212 943

Renowned supplier of copying and printing equipment to copy shops, carries one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive range of consumables, for both small and wide format machines, from A4 white paper to display graphic materials such as backlit films.

OKI SYSTEMS (UK)

T: 01784 274300

E: ukenquiries@okieurope.co.uk

W: www.oki.co.uk

PEN WAREHOUSE

T: 01252 400270

E: sales@pens.co.uk

W: www.pens.co.uk

Trade pen supplies.

PERFECT COLOURS

T: 0845 680 9000

W: www.perfectcolours.com

E: info@perfectcolours.com

HP Preferred Partner specialising in large and grand format printing and finishing solutions, supplying Durst, Jetix, HP, Canon and Epson LF printers. For more information or to book a free printer demonstration call or E: us.

PDC PRESENTATION

SOLUTIONS

T: 020 8810 5770

E: sales@pdcuk.com

W: www.pdcuk.com

PDC are the UK’s Coil/Spiral experts, we manufacture 45 coil colours in any length up to one metre, in diameters from 6mm up to 50mm and in a range of 45 colours. Call or E: for free samples and pricing.

PREMIER PAPER

T: 0121 313 1115

W: www.paper.co.uk

The Premier Paper Group is the UK’s leading independent paper merchant and through its business divisions and nationwide branch network, offers a great choice of products and services for professional print service suppliers. Premier Paper deliver more than mere paper by providing first class services, sharing knowledge and information, they endeavour to become an integral and valuable part of quick print pros business.

RAFFLE TICKETS DIRECT

T: 01933 411332

E: sales@raffleticketsdirect.co.uk

W:www.raffleticketsdirect.co.uk

One colour to full colour raffle tickets. Fast free express delivery. Cheapest prices in the UK at the best print quality. All tickets are glued within the stub (no metal staples used to fix books).

RENZ UK

T: 01707 270001,

W: www.renz.co.uk

The leading manufacturer of punching and wire binding machines from desktop to fully automated systems. Largest UK supplier of spools and cut length wire.

ROUTE1 PRINT

T: 0114 294 5026

E: sales@route1print.co.uk

W: www.route1print.co.uk

• Free Next Day Delivery • Free 30 Point

Artwork Check • Trade Customers Only • White Label Packaging

Route 1 Print are passionate about helping quick print pros. Offering dedicated account managers and a 10-second proofing tool, to white label packaging and unbranded sample packs, Route 1 Print is committed to making your frontline printing service easier.

SHARP ELECTRONICS (UK)

T: 020 8734 2000

W: www.sharp.co.uk

4 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1EZ

SOVEREIGN (SOV PRINT LTD)

T: 01443 816414

W: www.sovprint.com

Sovereign are industry leading screen and digital print manufacturers of durable and bespoke Labels, Tags & Signage. We supply over 100 expertly produced products to industry, trade and commerce. Ranging from heavy-duty labels and stickers, to point of sale, machine fascia’s and high-quality bespoke signage.

STANFORD MARSH

T: 01905 458000

W: www.stanfordmarsh.co.uk

Official dealer for all main manufacturers, allowing us to supply best fit solutions for all users. Please visit our website.

SUPREME LABELS

T: 01924 402111

W: www.supremelabels.co.uk

Label Suppliers, Roll Labels, Laser Labels, Warning Labels, most formats available.

TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS SERVICES

T: 01474 747575 • 01376 433300

E: info@techxerox.com

W: www.techbusserv.co.uk

Specialists in new and refurbished Xerox digital printers, Xerox consumables including toners and parts and reset chips.

MAGIC TOUCH (THE)

T: 01582 671444

E: sales@themagictouch.co.uk

W: www.themagictouch.co.uk

Supplier of transfer papers, colour laser printers and heat presses to open up exciting opportunities to print on a limitless range of products.

VIVID LAMINATING

TECHNOLOGIES

T: 01530 510946

W: www.vivid-online.com.

Vivid offer a wide range of innovative and exclusive Laminating Systems ranging from Desktop to Wide Format Laminators. Visit the website to view the full range which also includes Binding and Print Finishing solutions.

XERETEC

T: 02380 574100

E: info@xeretec.co.uk

W: www.xeretec.co.uk

Xerox Technology, Document Consulting, Office Supplies

XEROX UK

T: 01895 251133

W: www.xerox.co.uk

Bridge House, Oxford Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 1HS

The Document Company supply a full range of office equipment.

YOUR PRINT SPECIALISTS

T: 0191 256 6889

E: info@yourprintspecialists.co.uk

W: www.YourPrintSpecialists.co.uk

With an impressive portfolio of products to offer and a dedicated service team. Everything you require from wide format printers to the assisting software and finishing solutions. YPS are authorised suppliers of Mimaki, RolandDG, Epson, Flexa, Vivid, Drytac, Metamark and Toyo. YPS also offer training and support through Your Print Institute, a new initiative to help those entering the print industry gain skills and knowledge to help them succeed.

READERS’ SCRIBES SOMETHING TO SHARE?

DOG RESCUE

My son and I were walking our small dog when he took off after a duck and jumped into the river. A nearby German tourist jumped into the river to save our dog.

When he’d climbed out, he said, “Here is ze dog. Dry him off, keep him varm and he vill be fine.”

We thanked him profusely, and my son asked him, “Are you a vet?”

“VET?” he exclaimed. “I am soaking!”

THE LION AND A BULL

A lion was stalking through the jungle one day when he came across a bull. The lion and the bull got into a tremendous battle, but in the end the lion killed the bull and ate him up. The lion was so pleased with himself that he threw back his head and roared and roared. The noise attracted a hunter who followed the sound until he found the lion. The hunter took aim and killed the lion with a single shot.

Moral: When you are full of bull, it’s wise to keep your mouth shut.

STOP FOLLOWING ME

A man was walking home alone one night when he heard a “BUMP....BUMP.... BUMP...” behind him. Walking faster, he looked back, making out an image of an upright coffin banging its way down the middle of the street towards him....”BUMP...BUMP...BUMP...”

The man began to run toward his home, and the coffin bounced after him faster.... faster... BUMP, BUMP, BUMP!

He ran up to his door, fumbled with his keys, opened the door, rushed in, and locked it behind him. The coffin crashed through his door, with the lid of the coffin clapping BUMP... BUMP... BUMP... on the heels of the terrified man. The man rushed upstairs to the bathroom and locked himself in, heart pounding.

With a CRASH, the coffin broke down the door, coming slowly toward him. The man while screaming, reached for something, anything... all he can find was a box of cough drops which he hurled at the coffin.

Suddenly, the coffin stopped.

COLLEGE JOKES

What do you call the ritual of giving honorary college degrees to celebrities? Artificial Intelligence.

WEE COUGH

I phoned my work this morning and said, “Sorry boss, I can’t come in today, I have a wee cough.”

He said, “You have a wee cough?”

I said, “Really? Thanks boss, I could use a week off!”

GOOGLED MY SYMPTOMS

I’ve been feeling a bit moody and run down recently, so I googled my symptoms to see what I have. Kids…I have kids!

COLOUR ME PURPLE

I just found out I’m colour blind. The diagnosis came completely out of the purple.

BAWK BAWK

Chicken 1: “Bawk bawk!”

Chicken 2: “Bawk bawk!”

Chicken 1: “I can’t believe we haven’t come up with a new sound yet.”

Chicken 2: “Perhaps we need to think outside the bawks.”

PERUVIAN OWLS

Peruvian owls are always hunting in pairs. It’s because they’re Inca hoots!

TWICE THE VIEW

IT serviceman “So, what seems to be the problem with your monitor?”

Print shop owner: “Well, it has double images. I hope the two of you can fix it.”

BOSSY BIRDS

How many parrots does it take to screw in a lightbulb? They say, “toucan do it.”

HEART MURMUR

Morris, an 82 year-old man, went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw

Morris walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm.

A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to Morris and said, “You’re really doing great, aren’t you?”

Morris replied, “Just doing what you said, Doc... ‘Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.’’’

The doctor replied, “I didn’t say that. I said, ‘You’ve got a heart murmur, be careful.’’

OH, NOT AGAIN!

Password is incorrect. Password is incorrect. Password is incorrect. Clicks ‘forgot password’. Change password. New password can’t be old password.

FRUSTRATING JOBS

When you have a mad rush business card that is never picked up, keep a few in your car in case you bump into someone in the car park. Just leave one on the windscreen.

NO JOGGING

2020: Didn’t jog. 2021: Didn’t jog. 2022: Didn’t jog. 2023: Still haven’t jogged. This is a running joke.

AI JOKES

What do you call a blonde who dyes her hair brown? Artificial intelligence.

It just occurred to me that the opposite of Artificial Intelligence is …Real Stupid.

I hear they’ve made a new artificially intelligent Oreo? It’s one smart cookie.

Why are artificial intelligences in movies always female? Because they’re never wrong.

What do you get when you cross a wall unit with artificial intelligence? Shelf-awareness.

Humans are being tested against the new AI program. The robot beats the human in every category.

It comes to one of the last ones: hunting. The robot again beats the human. However, someone working there sets the animals free again and tells them to try get them again.

The robot doesn’t move whilst the human wins because Robots can’t reCAPTCHA.

Yesterday I couldn’t believe my eyes. My neighbour was kicking in his own door!

It turns out he’s a cat burglar… …who has just started working from home.