NEWS IN PRINT

In 2021, the Independent Print Industry Association (IPIA) became a pioneering gateway for its members to benefit from the Government’s Kickstart scheme; it even shaped the way the programme was administered. It helped place 33 young people with 25 members and today, more than 80% of them have permanent positions in the printing sector.

“Our industry has a skilled but ageing workforce and often struggles to recruit young people at a roots level. Through Kickstart, we feel very proud to have not just contributed tangibly to the sector but also helped transform the lives of some bright young people who otherwise were facing long term unemployment,” says Brendan Perring, General Manager of the IPIA.

The IPIA itself created two Kickstart roles, taken up by young women called Kaci Cole and Bidhya Rai, who are being trained in graphic design and having their eyes opened to the scope of print.

“They’ve loved it, got a real buzz from it, which tells me that the industry is an exciting prospect for young people, it just needs more work by us, other trade associations and the industry in general to sell it to the next generation,” suggests Brendan.

Kaci’s already convinced about print and describes it as ‘flamboyant and exciting and a lot bigger than she first thought’. Both she and Bidyha agree that their time with the IPIA is giving them confidence, and a supportive and understanding environment in which to progress their skills. “It’s been a very good overall experience for me, and I feel lucky to have found such a good organisation,” says Bidyha.

Lucy Swanston created a marketing assistant role for a Kickstarter at her agency Nutshell Creative. She says: “I feel very passionate about getting young people into our industry and upskilling them and think the IPIA did an amazing thing acting as a collective gateway to enable small businesses like mine to benefit from this national initiative; we couldn’t have done it without them.”

Dan Bristow, Director of Clear As Day echoes Lucy’s thoughts, reporting it had been a great scheme and super beneficial at enabling him to grow his company when times were hard during the pandemic. He says it’s also proved a good opportunity for young people like Hugo Mercer, who started at his firm in April 2021 and who is now permanent, and also for George Bennett, who was still on his six month Kickstart placement.

Stockport based IPIA member, Spectrum Print and Plastics, signed up to the scheme in Spring 2021 with Michael and Daryl Dalrymple-Owen. Managing Director, Kath Doran, is always exploring what else they can do in addition to work experience and apprenticeships to get young people into the industry. Kickstart came at a difficult time during Covid-19 and was not a big financial commitment. “It’s overall been a good thing. Our Jobcentre was marvellous at vetting candidates and full marks to Brendan and the IPIA for shielding us from some of the administrative challenges of being an early adopter,” she says.

The IPIA member that initially proposed the idea of an IPIA Kickstarter consortium was Lance Hill, Managing Director of Eight Days a Week Print Solutions (EDWPS). When the scheme came out, his firm was getting busier and it seemed the perfect opportunity to give someone the chance to come off universal credit. He says they have struck gold in the two individuals he took on in April 2021. He claims Callum Draycott and Sam Riley have made massive differences to his business, they’ve given him the additional capacity he needed and two extra pairs of hands.

Lance says: “Kickstart was one of the few positive things to come out of Covid. It was a good idea and well incentivised. It was always my intention to create a career path for a young person and we’ve done it for two people. At interview, both lads saw print as a dull and dying media form but now see it as slick and clever, using data and technology to drive customer communications.” www.ipia.org.uk

STRATEGIC MAILING PARTNERSHIP AWARDS WINNERS 2022

The winners of the 2022 Strategic Mail Performance Awards, sponsored by Canon, have been revealed, with some of the leading lights in the UK’s print and mailing industry recognised for the outstanding results they have achieved for their clients. The winners were announced at the SMP Awards evening held at the Mail Rail Museum in London.

Selected as best in the industry and picking up Golden Envelope Awards were, The Lettershop Group, APS Group and Join the Dots, with The Dragonfly Agency lucky enough to scoop up two. Precision was crowned overall Platinum Envelope Winner for the demonstrable innovation and results the print and mailing house achieved across a number of client campaigns.

This year’s judging panel included Lucy Swanston, SMP chair and Managing Director of Nutshell Creative Marketing; Amanda Griffiths, Head of Communications Planning and Insight at Royal Mail; Philip Ricketts, Wholesale Commercial Director at Royal Mail; Jack Gallon, the Creative Director of MBAstack; Rik Moore, Strategy Director for the Kite Factory; and Kevin Green, the Partnering Director at Read Group.

SMP Chair, Lucy Swanston said: “We were delighted with the level of interest this year’s awards attracted, with entries from the print industry nationwide. Without exception, the 2022 entrants evidenced real results from genuine innovation — demonstrating that printers, mailing houses, agencies and printer managers can originate award winning campaigns as well as deliver them. We asked entrants to show us outstanding mail performance and our expectations were well and truly surpassed.”

“It has been an amazing night and a big thank you must go out to Canon as the official main sponsor of the Awards, and to all our other networking sponsors — Blake, BlueCrest, Bowe Systec, eProductivity Software, HP, JICMAIL, The Software Bureau, Quadient, Vivid, and Xerox — without which this recognition of excellence in the industry would not be possible.”

Awards judge, Rik Moore, Managing Partner Strategy at The Kite Factory, said: “I found the SMP Awards judging day really inspiring. It was great to see how best in class practitioners are helping unlock the potential of mail through many different tactics, be that advancing sustainability best practice, using broader campaign flighting and QR codes to drive connectivity across the consumer journey, through to the way certain brands have used the medium consistently over time to great effect, to name but a few. You come away brimming with ideas about what is possible.”

The winning campaigns for the SMP Strategic Mail Performance Awards were: Platinum envelope winner; Precision for Subway; Golden Envelope Winners; The Lettershop Group for Group Sky Winback; The Dragonfly Agency for Knight Frank; The Dragonfly Agency for People’s Postcode Lottery; The APS Group for Isle of Harris Gin Gift Pack; Join the Dots for RSPCA www.thestrategicmailingpartnership.co.uk

Large format print and installation expert MacroArt is shining a light on career opportunities in the print and events industry, directly targeting local schools and colleges with detailed information about apprenticeship vacancies across its business.

Working in partnership with Learn2print, a prominent training provider to the printing and graphic communications industry, MacroArt’s new brochure sets out the range of apprenticeships within the business, from pre-press and press roles to print finishing.

Courses are expected to run for 26 months, with a six month end point assessment by GQA, giving apprentices the chance to gain experience across several departments, potentially culminating in a rewarding future career.

One of MacroArt’s recent graduates, Callum Thorne, is already working to become a fully trained Project Manager within the business, demonstrating the true value of a genuine apprenticeship pathway to permanent employment.

Ben Sullivan, a Technician Apprentice, is also experiencing the benefits of MacroArt’s strong, supportive programme.

“My apprenticeship experience at MacroArt has been a great journey,” said Ben.

“When I first started at MacroArt, I was very anxious and lacking in confidence. However, over the duration of my apprenticeship, I have received brilliant support from all staff and great training from my manager and other mentors and gained so much confidence, together with great knowledge and skills”

Lee Garnett, MacroArt’s Continuous Improvement Manager, is keen to emphasise the great opportunities that these apprenticeships can provide; “What we offer is a bespoke training package tailored to enhance skills quickly, to build confidence in new starters. We have a strong skillset in-house and a friendly, inclusive environment to help anyone settle in well and feel part of a team. All we look for, and all applicants need, is a can do, will do attitude from any walk of life.”

This new initiative seeks to provide an array of new options for school leavers amongst others who have not perhaps considered a career in the print industry, while helping MacroArt to discover new talent. In addition to the full apprenticeships, MacroArt are collaborating with Learn2print to produce a range of short courses, developed to meet personal and industry needs.

Michael Green, MacroArt’s Managing Director, is clear on the many benefits of the apprenticeship scheme; “The future of any business lies in the constant supply of keen, enthusiastic new starters, and we are fortunate to be able to find such a rich source of talent within our local catchment area.

“We are committed to developing talented people from the local community and beyond and look forward to welcoming our next apprentices through this drive and seeing how they can help continue to develop the Art of MacroArt.” www.macroart.co.uk • apprenticeships@macroart.co.uk

DISCARD YOUR SCALPEL

Ashgrove are pleased to announce that they have recently been made a Keencut Gold Partner! Keencut’s premium range of UK-made manual wide format cutters are quite simply the best in the world. Ashgrove tested several other cutters with Keencut performing best for performance and value.

Choose Keencut when you need to cut a large variety of large format materials, from paper to foamex board and even some Dibond. Keencut’s Evolution 3 Range is a cut above the rest. Highly accurate and reliable. Cut length options between 1.1m and 5.1m. Smartfold, Benchtop and Freehand versions. Standard head ideal for multiple materials from paper to foamboard. Optional rocker head for occasional cutting of Dibond. Optional fabric head for delicate materials. Ultra-high precision 0.2mm accuracy. Optional bench also available.

In-house large format finishing: Banner Vinyl, Film, Honeycomb and Corrugated Plastic, Foamboard, Paper, Tissue, Woven Material, Cardboard, and Polystyrene.

When the going gets tough and you need to cut rigid boards including Dibond and Steel Composite panels, it’s time for the Keencut’s Steeltrak Range: Heavy-duty, accurate equipment; 1.65m, 2.1m and 2.5m cut heights; can be wall mounted or freestanding; will cut and/or V-groove 4mm aluminium composite panel; and wasy to set up and install using step-by-step instructions.

How To Best Cut Poster Papers And Films: Choose From The Ashgrove Keencut Technic Range; Cut lengths between 1m and 3m; Quality rotary cutting action; Table edge and table top versions; Stand option.

View The Full Cutter Range And Technical Specs. www.ashgrovetrading.com • 01779 470606 • email info@ashgrovetrading.com

PROFILE OF THE MONTH: ELMSTOCK

Elmstok, a quick print pro favourite digital print finishing supplier offers a vast range of print finishing products for binding, laminating, Xyron Pro adhesive applicators, guillotine paper cutting, stapling, folding, creasing, booklet-making, duplicating machines and much more.

Elmstok also specialise in pre-owned and refurbished equipment. All are fully inspected and stored in their warehouse available for immediate dispatch, or viewing can be arranged before a purchase is made. Buying pre-owned can save you up to 50%, sometimes more! Trade in offers are also available for customers wanting to upgrade their equipment, with new stock arriving on a daily basis.

Ordering online is simple. Select your product, add to your cart and choose how you want to pay. Cards and BACs payments can be accepted, or if you prefer to speak to the team at Elmstok in person then please phone or email. www.elmstok.co.uk • 01945 463434 sales@elmstok.co.uk

Pinnacle InterTechPRINTING United Alliance, the member based printing and graphic arts association in the U.S., has announced the recipients of the prestigious Pinnacle InterTech Awards Program. Award recipients from across industry segments are being showcased in the online gallery, which can be found at www.intertechentry.printing.org/gallery .

BEST-IN-CLASS PRINTING INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY

The PRINTING United Alliance Pinnacle InterTech Awards Program recognises best in class products created for and by the printing industry. The Pinnacle InterTech Awards are open exclusively to PRINTING United Alliance supplier members and, this year, judges selected seven award recipients.

The Pinnacle InterTech Awards exemplify new technology that is deemed by veteran industry judges to be truly innovative and likely to have a significant impact on printing and graphics companies. The seven technologies selected to receive a 2022 Pinnacle InterTech Award are as follows (listed alphabetically by company, with the technology named first): Barbieri Electronic for Barbieri Spectro LFP qb textile edition; Canon Production Printing for Canon FLXfinish+; Design ‘N’ Buy for DesignO; Kodak for MAGNUS Q4800 Platesetter; Vivid Laminating Technologies for VeloTaper; W+D North America for W+D BB1000; and X-Rite Pantone for Mantis Video Targeting Technology.

“The Pinnacle InterTech Award program celebrates the inventiveness of suppliers and recognises technology advancing our industry,” says Dawn Nye, programme manager, PRINTING United Alliance. “The judges had the tough task of singling out breakthrough innovations from many excellent entries. We congratulate all who participated and those who were designated with this award.” www.intertechentry.printing.org www.printing.org/join

HAMPSHIRE PRINT FIRM HELPS ARTIST SELL ‘HELLO AGAIN LILIABET’ SKETCH FOR NSPCC

The British artist behind a touching sketch of Queen Elizabeth II reunited with Prince Philip that went viral on social media is now selling the print to raise money for children’s charity the NSPCC.

Kerri Cunningham, 34, who lives near Preston, Lancashire, usually creates poems and sketches based on her life as a busy mum of three under the business and pen name Murphys Sketches.

But as the news was breaking of the Queen’s death, she thought back to a photograph released when Prince Philip died, showing the Queen and Prince Philip sitting on a picnic rug.

Kerri said: “They were just two people who loved each other, in their happy place. It really moved me at the time. When it became clear the Queen was very poorly, I knew what was coming and I imagined them together again on that picnic rug. I shared my sketch on Instagram as a tribute and thought that would be the end of it.

“But so many people liked and shared it that it became impossible to keep up with. I kept getting lovely emails from people asking if they could have the sketch. The volume of emails was huge but it didn’t feel right to make a profit from something I only ever intended as a mark of respect.

“Then a family member mentioned the Queen had been a patron of the NSPCC till she was 90 and seeing as my husband and I have three young children, it felt right to raise money for such a good cause.

“The next hurdle was how to manage the process. I do everything manually so there was no way I could manage hundreds of orders. I put a message out on Instagram to see if I could find a printer who would help me do this, so all profit went straight to the NSPCC.

“Emma from THEMPC got in touch and we had a crazy Facetime call on Saturday evening with all our kids roaming around. I got a good feeling and within a few short days Emma, her husband Paul and their team had set up a website, sent me print samples and we were off. We’ve had over 1,100 orders in the first 48 hours.

“This might be my only opportunity to do something really good for charity and raise a serious amount of money to help children having the toughest time. And I’m sure the Queen would approve.”

Emma and Paul Marsh own promotional print firm THEMPC, based in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Emma said: “When I saw Kerri’s plea for help, I knew we had the business capabilities she needed. Plus, we have three young children and already support local children’s charities through our business so it felt like we were perfectly aligned.

“Paul’s worked so hard to turn this around. He’s been up till midnight most evenings this week agreeing the products for sale, printing samples and working with the developer to get the website up and running, and now the orders are flying in. The comments we’re getting show people are buying the prints for family as well as themselves. We’re just excited and honoured to be part of something good during such a sad time.”

Kerri’s sketch, which was created using black pen and coloured pencils, shows the back of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philp and one of their beloved corgis. Prince Philip has his arm around the Queen and the image is captioned ‘Hello again Lilibet’ — the Queen’s childhood nickname that Prince Philip often used.

A second sketch is also available, showing the Queen with one of her corgis and two rainbows. Many people saw two rainbows in the sky the day the Queen died.

All proceeds are going to the NSPCC. Neither Kerri nor THEMPC are making any money from this endeavour. To purchase Kerri’s sketches of Queen Elizabeth II, visit www.print.thempc.co.uk