Quick Print Pro, September 2023

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

C omment

Print Plans

Looking ahead to profitable print opportunities. As summer is put to bed, we turn to, and it’s never too early to use the ‘C’ word — a colourful Christmas in print. Also, it is time to get geared up for garments, including 2024 leavers.

Remember that old printer’s saying, “No one plans to fail; they just fail to plan.”

So now that schooltime is back get your next year timetabled. Fast Print Forward >>>

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.

4EDGE INVESTS IN CANON’S VARIOPRINT IX

4edge, a leader in high quality, digital short-run book printing, has recently invested in Canon’s varioPRINT iX technology to keep pace with high customer demands. Over the years, 4edge has invested in a VarioPRINT C8000 colour toner as well as three VarioPRINT mono devices — 6200 Ultra, 6250 Ultra and the recently acquired 6220 TITAN to drive additional colour capacity and for the continuous use of its existing Canon TITAN systems for mono production.

Established in 2003 in Hockley, Essex, 4edge works with publishers of all sizes across the UK. It has built a reputation for providing superior production services at competitive rates, priding itself in its flexibility to meet customers’ preferred specifications. With a perfect binding system, 4edge’s expertise spans across all types of book printing; paperback, hardback books, as well as journals.

As a Canon customer for 16 years, 4edge already enjoyed the high quality and unmatched reliability of Canon’s technology and was looking to further

strengthen its printing fleet through the purchase of the varioPRINT iX. The move by 4edge was significant in the company’s desire to be seen as a pioneer within the book publishing industry. Cost efficiency remained a crucial consideration throughout the decision making process. The device appealed because it offered an attractive total cost of operation and high automation capabilities, meaning minimal operator intervention was needed. Since using the varioPRINT iX, 4edge has been able to save approximately 5% on cost of consumables and quadrupled the colour production capacity with no additional staff requirements. Speed was another key consideration. It needed a device that could keep up with customer demand for short runs and on-demand printing, while also maintaining high quality precision and performance. With the ability to deliver more than 9,000 SRA3

David Button, Managing Director at 4edge said:

“We’re already seeing major business benefits from the varioPRINT iX device, including reduced costs and more efficient productivity. Canon’s advanced technology will be crucial for our future, enabling us to keep on top of the ever evolving needs and demands of our customers. The team has been extremely helpful throughout the instalment process, and we’re excited to see our already solid relationship with them grow even stronger.”

Stuart Rising, Head of Commercial Print at Canon UK & Ireland, commented: “We’re very pleased to continue supporting 4edge as their business needs evolve. As one of our valued customers in the book production space, we know their business well and are delighted they’re getting the most out of our latest technology. The varioPRINT iX will be an invaluable addition to its printing ecosystem,

CANON’S COLORSTREAM 8000 SUPPORTS TJ BOOKS

TJ Books, an award winning book publisher, based in Cornwall, has recently upgraded its ColorStream 6000 continuous feed inkjet printers with two new ColorStream 8000 devices.

TJ Book’s existing fleet, helping it to achieve an automated production line and drive further business growth through bespoke services.

TJ Books was founded over 50 years ago and has since solidified its reputation for printing the highest quality books, catalogues and brochures for its customers. Acquired in 2018 by co-owners, Andy Watts and Andy Adams, the business now employs 146 people and offers a wealth of services, from printing and binding and self-

low operational costs, are enabling TJ Books to migrate more work to inkjet, freeing up resources to support its litho print operations.

Andy Watts, Managing Director at TJ Books, said: “With the new ColorStream devices we’re minimising the need for hands-on support and moving closer and closer to an automated production line. We’re thrilled about this new

and we’re excited to be supporting their objective with our inkjet devices. Leveraging the heritage of the existing ColorStream family, the ColorStream 8000 series takes businesses to the next level of productivity, print quality and efficiency through automation. It’s the ideal set of devices for those looking to move from offset to digital.” www.canon.co.uk

POUCHES.CO.UK INSTALLS HP INDIGO 20000

Pouches.co.uk has installed the HP Indigo 20000, with 25k upgrades, digital press to improve capacity and flexibility in its offerings, while providing high quality products manufactured on demand. Based in Wolverhampton, Pouches.co.uk, Asteria Group (formerly CS Pouches) is a digitally printed label manufacturer with five years of pouch making experience, and a wealth of knowledge of printing and forming pouches with other digital technologies.

Pouches.co.uk’s latest investment into HP Indigo is an example of how HP is continuing to serve brands across the word with premium digital printing. With the digital flexible market continuing to grow at a rapid pace, this installation will help the company continue to keep up with demand while still providing packaging of the highest quality to their customers.

The company opted to purchase the HP Indigo 20000 with 25k upgrades Digital Press due to its width of 760mm, which makes it the ideal option for the majority of the pouch sizes manufactured across all market sectors. In addition, HP’s combination of CMYKW + OVG has enabled the company to utilise this extended colour gamut and provide an offering of fantastic, vivid colours in their product.

In terms of sustainability credentials, Pouches. co.uk explain that this new HP product fits in with their sustainability goals, as it uses little heat during the print process, allowing them to offer a Mono Film to market, which is ideal for recyclability.

Speaking on this investment announcement, Paul Humpage, Sales Director / Co Managing Director at Pouches.co.uk says that this installation will, “add additional capacity and flexibility to our current digital pouch solution. We have seen some fantastic

PRINTWORKS INVESTS IN A HORIZON SPF-200L

Printworks has enhanced its production capabilities and capacity with investment in a Horizon SPF-200L bookletmaker from Intelligent Finishing Systems (IFS).

The Wolverhampton general commercial printer supplies local and national organisations including the NHS. Established in 1982 it runs Heidelberg MO litho presses and Konica Minolta Bizhub digital presses.

Jim Monks, Managing Director, explains the investment: “We had a Horizon bookletmaker that we had been running for around 20 years. It had always worked well and was very reliable. It was time to replace it and so we talked to IFS about finding the right system to suit our needs. Because we knew how good Horizon bookletmakers are the SPF-200L bookletmaker was the natural choice.”

He continues: “When considering the options we decided twin collating towers would be the best choice because of the number of repeat jobs we have and the fact that they would be made faster by the extra collating capability. We also liked the programmability via the touchscreen set up. We can store our regular jobs which saves us time on make readies. This makes us more productive and has expanded our capacity.”

Printwork’s 4,500bph Horizon SPF-200L landscape feed bookletmaker includes two tower collators for increased productivity. The system combines stitching and folding 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 the storage and recall of up to 200 jobs.

As for the impact the bookletmaker has made so far Jim says: “It produces jobs quicker which means we can take on more work. As a result, we can look for new opportunities knowing that we have the capacity.”

Image shows: Jim Monks, Printworks Managing Director, with the Horizon SPF-200L landscape feed bookletmaker www.ifsl.uk.com

results from the HP already, it really complements the other printing, laminating and conversion machinery we have also invested in.” www.hp.com

PROFILE OF THE MONTH: SOVEREIGN PRINT

Discover Sovereign Print Today. Trade Screen and Digital Print Manufacturers. Choose from standard labels, tags or signs that your customers require, or specialist Supa Tuff Labelling, Sovereign has the facilities and expertise to help!

Order your sample pack with a wide range of popular trade products, please feel free to leave a comment with any specific products you would like

Order your FREE trade sample pack. www.sovprint.com/sample_pack

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SOVEREIGN PRINT

Friendly Expert Service —please pick up the phone or email the experienced Sovereign team with a specification of the product and quantity you require. The team is ready to assist you every step of the way.

Tailor Made Products — Team Sovereign can help put together an artwork proof and create a specification for a product that precisely meets your requirements. The goal is to produce a product that is both suitable for its intended purpose and durable in its specific environment.

Trade Specialists — Throughout the process, Sovereign will collaborate closely with you to ensure that ordering is as easy as possible. In addition to offering competitive trade pricing, they can provide a prompt service or dispatch products with plain labels directly to your customers.

Sovereign are happy to accommodate your specific requirements from manufacturing through to dispatch.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOVEREIGN PRINT

SOS, GMG Color and Vivid are teaming up for an Open House Event to be held on 6th and 7th September at Vivid’s showroom in Ashby De La Zouch, Leicestershire.

“THE 3 CARD TRICK” event will produce a range of wide format print on some of the latest Roland TrueVIS print/cut machines supplied by SOS, driven by GMG’s colour control and workflow software. Samples will then be cut, folded and laminated on Vivid’s VeloBlade range of equipment, enabling visitors to take away a finished product, including a souvenir boxed deck of laminate playing cards.

SOS Director Ashley Fleming: “The inkjet large format print market is projected to grow significantly over the course of the next few years, and we want our customers to be best positioned to take advantage of this growth. We are pleased to be joining forces with our friends from GMG Color and Vivid to show a full large format workflow and using the latest hand picked Roland machines. It’s a great opportunity for any printer to investigate the latest wide format technology and future proof their business, whether they are experienced or thinking of taking this market on for the first time.”

SOS will be showing a range of newly launched Roland machines. The Roland TrueVIS LG-540 UV-LED integrated print/cut machine offers the ultimate in UV versatility along with Roland’s renowned quality. The Roland TrueVIS AP-540 is a brand new 54 inch printer utilising environment friendly resin based inks. The line up is completed by the TrueVIS VG3-540 all purpose eco solvent printer.

This comprehensive line up will enable a huge range of work to be produced, from packaging mockups to backlit prints, posters, banners, even wallpaper. Customers may request specific demonstrations when registering for the event, and potentially produce their own work at the show by prior arrangement.

The event will showcase GMG Color’s software solutions for colour management and proofing, which enable accurate and reproducible proofs on packaging production substrates, incorporating white ink — particularly useful for printing on transparent and metallic materials. Thanks to reliable calibration and profiling, users can easily create specific media profiles for any media used with the printer. GMG OpenColor creates a consistent CMYK and multicolour press simulation with GMG ColorProof.

The event will be showcasing the wide range of cutting edge print finishing equipment at Vivid’s showroom covering the latest in automated packaging technology and software solutions ranging from lamination, digital foiling, packaging software, digital die-cutting and patented taper systems.

Those interested should register for the event at https://3cardtrick.live/

Opening times are 10am to 5.30pm 6th Sept, and 10am to 5pm on 7th Sept. www.gmgcolor.com • www.serviceoffsetsupplies.co.uk • www.vivid-online.com

The refreshed Conqueror collection, incorporating Laid, Wove and CX22 finishes, promises the same unique qualities, with no difference in touch. The well known white and off white shades have been meticulously analysed and scrupulously matched to ensure absolute continuity of the world renowned range.

The prestigious Conqueror watermark remains a symbol of distinction, with watermarked options available within the new range in A4 and SRA2 sizes, from 90gsm to 120gsm.

Non-watermarked options are available in B1 and SRA2 sheet sizes, from 100gsm to 400gsm, and the collection also includes digital options and multiple envelope choices. Paper shades include the reputable Diamond White, Brilliant White, High White, Oyster, Cream and Vellum.

FSC and EU Ecolabel certified, Conqueror is awarded a rating of four on the Antalis Green Star System and, together with all Antalis creative paper ranges, it is carbon balanced as standard via World Land Trust. www.antalis.co.uk

HYBRID SERVICES UNVEILS NEW MIMAKI SHOWROOM

Hybrid Services, Mimaki’s exclusive UK and Ireland distributor, has opened its newly upgraded showroom. Strategically located in Crewe, Cheshire, the revamped facility provides a space to showcase Mimaki’s extensive range of industrial printing and cutting solutions and is designed to meet the diverse needs of print businesses across a wide array of industries.

The official opening, conducted by Cllr Rob Fletcher, Mayor of Cheshire East Council, marked an important moment in the longstanding partnership between Hybrid Services and Mimaki Engineering, with senior representatives from Mimaki EMEA’s Amsterdam offices, including Mr Takahiro Hiraki, CEO of Mimaki EMEA also playing a key part in the opening ceremony.

With over a quarter of a century of distributing Mimaki’s cutting-edge solutions, Hybrid Services works with an established network of reseller partners to bring Mimaki’s products to market.

“The original idea to greatly improve our showroom stemmed from a shared belief, that

capabilities, provides a fantastic resource for our reseller partners and offers an industry-leading experience for our customers,” stated Hybrid Services’ Managing Director, Brett Newman. From viewing Mimaki’s desktop cutting plotters to grand format flatbed printers, visitors to Hybrid’s showroom will have the opportunity to experience Mimaki’s line-up first-hand, along with numerous examples of applications created on the equipment by Hybrid’s showroom team.

“Hybrid can bring its potential customers here to walk them through the process of seeing the possibilities and determining the right machinery for them.” stated Arjen Evertse, General Manager Sales at Mimaki EMEA, “Hybrid’s 27 years of loyalty are very important to Mimaki so we would like to thank them for their support over this time,” he concluded, acknowledging the enduring partnership.

The new space serves as both a showcase of Mimaki’s technological innovation and a hub for education and collaboration. Regular training sessions and workshops will empower reseller partners and end users, ensuring they fully harness the potential of Mimaki’s technology, with this focus on knowledge-sharing aligning with Hybrid’s commitment to informed decision-making within the industry.

Companies wishing to visit Hybrid to explore Mimaki’s range of solutions can contact them on 01270 501900 or enquire via its website: www.hybridservices.co.uk

AWARD WINNING KUDU ARRIVES AT SWISSQPRINT UK

swissQprint is giving customers the chance to see first hand the productivity and versatility of its award winning Kudu flatbed printer, with the arrival of a demonstration machine at its UK headquarters in Bracknell.

Clients can now book a demonstration with swissQprint UK to see the impressive 3.2×2 metre true flatbed, with roll to roll option, combining high volume production with precision.

The Kudu was recently crowned ‘Best flatbed/hybrid printer > 250 m²/h’ at the EDP (European Digital

Press) Association Awards and is already proving popular in the UK. Following the first UK installation of a Kudu at MediaCo in March, swissQprint has already received an additional three orders for the Kudu to be installed by the end of October.

With productivity of up to 304 square metres per hour and 10 colour channels with CMYKLcLm, white, varnish, neon yellow and neon pink, the demonstration Kudu will allow clients to experience the speed and versatility of its high-impact 1350 dpi print resolution.

As with all swissQprint’s flatbed

NEW RICOH PRO™ C9500

Ricoh is empowering commercial printers to expand revenue streams and enhance operational efficiency with the next generation

RICOH Pro C9500 digital colour sheet fed press.

The evolution of the highly popular RICOH Pro™ C9200 has been enhanced with performance improving technologies designed to elevate productivity and quality, while simplifying operations and expanding application opportunities. It has improved efficiency and automation while developing greater labour savings throughout the entire workflow. Collectively they support cost control, business expansion, and free up time for other tasks.

The flagship toner based press has also been developed to enable commercial specialists to further accelerate their analogue to digital transition or confidently upgrade their Print on Demand oriented digital capabilities.

The newly developed RICOH GC OS (Graphic Communications Operating System) engine controller has introduced operational and maintenance management improvements. It includes a larger screen with an intuitive and easy to use user interface and is compatible with external diagnostic systems and maintenance programmes. Users can access the printer from a PC or tablet, and settings can be remotely managed, saving time, even in a multi-skilled environment where printing operators perform numerous tasks.

printers, the Kudu is certified first class energy efficient, consuming 2.2 kilowatt hours of electricity, the same as an average kettle. This, combined with swissQprint’s renowned reliability, ensures users benefit from the Kudu’s low operating costs.

Erskine Stewart, Managing Director of swissQprint UK, said: “We are delighted with the interest in the

award winning Kudu. The fact that we can now show its many benefits to our clients at our Bracknell demonstration centre is great news and will ensure that the Kudu continues to meet the demand for high-volume, high-quality print production.”

The new demonstration Kudu joins a Nyala 4 and will be a focus for its Open Days on September 13-14th, with more details on these to follow soon. In the meantime, businesses and users interested in booking a demonstration of the Kudu are invited to contact swissQprint.

www.swissqprint.co.uk

Greater automation and operational efficiency are powered by the new Auto Color Diagnosis Unit that automates the three critical inspections in commercial printing: quality, registration, and colour fluctuation. It delivers improved inspection accuracy; while there is now greater efficiency post inspection with automatic reprinting and purging functions, and the setting procedure is now easier to operate with seven detection levels to choose from. Other features and enhancements include:

• Improved media handling of paper between 40gsm and 470gsm with extended input and output options for media up to 1260mm.

• A newly developed fusing system that allows media to pass smoothly through the fusing process whilst applying heat and pressure evenly to achieve high image quality on a wide range of substrates.

• New paper transfer unit to enable improved front to back registration.

• Improved 21.5 inch operator panel enabling the operation of applications in one place.

• New powerful DFE (Digital Front End) options developed in collaboration with Fiery to support operational efficiency and effectiveness.

• Speed upgrade up to 135ppm via a productivity module that can be fitted post installation.

• Improved productivity with fast setup times delivering maximum uptime.

• New finishing options with the GBC StreamPunch Plus for inline creasing and perforating and the Plockmatic Crease Trimmer unit for top and bottom trimming and creasing. The new Pro C9500 will be fully demonstrated during the exclusive Ricoh Print Evolution Live event in Telford on 3rd and 4th of October. By invitation only, print service providers will be able to experience a range of new technology offerings from Ricoh to help them innovate and stay ahead. www.ricoh.com

NEW ITALIAN IPURTEC BINDER FROM GLENDALE PRESENTATION SOLUTIONS

For approaching 30 years their customers have trusted them with providing solutions for their print finishing needs, and now a new partnership means Glendale Presentation Solutions can provide a time and cost effective new binding option.

Utilising their experience in the world of perfect binding machines, Glendale saw there was a huge gap in both capacity and price in the entry and advanced levels of the UK’s binding market - so they set themselves the challenge of finding a quality and high functioning machine to fill that void.

Now Glendale can announce that they have found it: The Italian manufactured iPurtec IP-400A Perfect Binder. The machine brings new levels of efficiency to low mid large range print runs and impressive finish standards that the Sunderland based firm is keen to shout about - and much to their delight, Glendale has become the UK’s authorised seller.

Sealing the deal with Italian manufacturers iPurtec Print Finishing Solutions means: “Operators are guaranteed a streamlined experience with a boost in speed, capacity and automation thanks to the iPurtec IP-400A,” according to Mark Wilson, Director at Glendale Presentation Solutions.

Mark explained how he was impressed with the machine’s touch screen user interface, making the binder “super easy to navigate” for operators who are becoming more and more time conscious.

According to Mark the game changer is the automated cover feeding which is “not found on any other binder at this price point”. He added: “When

talking to our customers, we picked up on their need for a higher capacity machine, but one that also met their price expectations. Automation is the key, our research found that customers wanted something that requires less manual operation. That is where the iPurtec IP-400A Perfect Binder comes in. We knew it was a machine to bring to our UK customers.

“The IP-400A manufacturer is based in Northern Italy. Like many other products made in the country, the IP-400A is a big step up in quality. We wanted a product that our customers can have faith in, that was of paramount importance to us.”

This new perfect binder is equipped with an air fed cover feeder and

automatic book throw-out. A particular benefit is the easy and intuitive touch screen user interface. Side gluing is imperative on any perfect binder and as expected, comes as standard on the IP-400A. Operators can expect a cycle speed of 320 books per hour. The IP-400A sits perfectly between smaller desktop and fully automated high production binders.

EVA glue has evolved greatly over recent years and when used with the IP-400A the bind strength is extremely good, not just on litho printed stocks but digitally printed sheets too.

Family run Glendale Presentation Solutions was established in 1994 in Sunderland and has evolved into one of the UK’s largest providers of print

NEW GIBSON HYBRID PRINTER GT1600H

Repro Sales & Repairs has announced this new printer with and introductory price of £39,000 + VAT. The GT 1600H will: print on full size boards up to 3M x 1.5M x 50mm thick; print on rolls up to 1.6m wide x 200m long with special soft media handling; and prints CMYK +white. Features include super high quality Ricoh GEN6 printheads and Panasonic linear drive system, compact space-saving design, super-low running cost. For information on their full range of LED UV printers and cutting tables available from Repro Sales & Repairs. www.reprosales.co.uk

finishing equipment, consumable and servicing. Staff pride themselves for supplying quality products at competitive prices while providing the very best in customer support.

Glendale will be showcasing the iPurtec IP-400A Perfect Binder at The Print Show 2023 at Birmingham’s NEC between September 19-21 on stand D05.

They welcome visitors to watch demonstrations of the binder and collect samples of the finished products’ quality.

Download iPurtec IP-400A Perfect Binder Brochure by clicking or scanning the QR code.

www.glendalepresentation.co.uk 0191 567 4410

NEW CONTACT FREE CONTEX LARGE FORMAT ART SCANNER

Museums, art galleries, copy shops and others have a powerful new way to boost the quality of scanned artwork. The HD Apeiron/42 scanner from Contex delivers contact free digitisation of detailed and delicate originals with unprecedented accuracy.

Meeting the highest FADGI image quality level with four stars as the first of its kind, and also reaching CRI levels above 98 makes it clear that this scanner is head and shoulders above the rest.

Featuring a clearance height of 10 inches (254 mm) and a focal plane of up to 5.1 inches (130 mm), it also enables scanning of thicker media, such as framed artwork.

“When you’re working with what could be priceless originals, only the best is good enough,” says Jacob Bendix, CCO and VP of Global Sales & Marketing. “HD Apeiron/42 beats the competition on all parameters, which means our entry into the art scanner space will open up new opportunities for our customers. The technology we have put behind digitising art and other media is simply better and more effective.”

UNPARALLELED TECHNOLOGY AND LIGHT CONTROL

Six quad-linear Fujifilm lenses with Toshiba colour CCDs capture all details in up to 1200 dpi optical resolution — twice the competition’s image quality.

Patent-pending laser-controlled camera adjustment and motorised focus adjustment make focusing easy as well.

“The way we integrated the precision timing belt for the table transmission makes HD Apeiron/42 equally as precise as our other scanners which we have further developed and improved over the last 20+ years,” says Søren Thuun Jensen, CTO and VP of R&D. “Together with the lighting in the scan module which is uniformly illuminated in all three dimensions, it is, simply put, a superior scanner.”

The lamps in HD Apeiron/42 recreate the natural daylight spectrum using cutting edge LEDs with TRI-RTM technology. This, plus the clever design of LED strips mounted in elliptical reflectors, results in correct and uniform colours — and no distance fading.

Preserving the unique surface sensations of an original in the scanned image is also easy. HD Apeiron/42 offers four different lamp positions, and depending on their position, the lamps provide different types of highlights and shadow effects — especially if paired with the 3D option. In comparison the competition has only one lamp position.

Museum correct light with no UV/IR radiation conserves the art.

FAST, FLEXIBLE, AND FITTED

HD Apeiron/42 is the fastest contact free large format scanner on the market. A flexible solution; it improves workflows while ensuring superior image quality. The hardware is designed to support correct ergonomics; this includes an adjustable arm with the touchscreen, so the operator doesn’t have to hunch over.

SIMPLE SCANNING

Award winning Nextimage software forms the operational foundation of the scanner. While the Nextimage Apeiron software (included) itself is complex, using it is as simple as: choosing between presets (or making and saving your own); positioning the table and the focal plan; and scanning. All required parameters are readily accessible on the touchscreen rather than hidden behind tabs or dropdown menus. A variety of postscanning options also allow the user to adjust parameters and effects, if desired. https://contex.com/hdapeiron

KYOCERA LAUNCH NEW CUT-SHEET INKJET PRODUCTION PRINTER

Kyocera Document Solutions UK has unveiled the TASKalfa Pro 15000c/B mono inkjet production printer, the latest addition to its TASKalfa Pro family and a sister device to the colour TASKalfa Pro 15000c. It offers exceptional capabilities for high speed continuous printing without image quality deterioration.

As a digital press it’s highly efficient and economical. Kyocera’s proprietary inkjet technology and large print heads enable fast single pass printing. Plus it plugs into a 13amp socket and uses up to 70% less power than laser based counterparts.

The TASKalfa Pro 15000c/B is one of the most eco-friendly production printers on the market. The device comes carbon neutral as standard and every page printed is reforested through Kyocera’s Document Solutions UK’s MyClimate and PrintReleaf programmes to further boost eco-credentials alongside its energy saving prowess and eco-friendly water based inks.

It offers green productivity and economy for every print environment, especially enterprises wanting to benefit from the trend of moving from multiple high volume devices to a single inkjet production printer.

Key features of TASKalfa Pro 15000c/B include: up to 150 A4 pages per minute print capability; 1,000,000 print volume per month; digital, variable data printing; wide range of media handling; water-based, eco-friendly ink; carbon

neutral as standard; and reforestation of every page printed.

Martin Fairman, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Kyocera UK, said: “The TASKalfa Pro 15000c/B is a robust addition to our production print portfolio and will ensure more customers with high volume print requirements can get their work done efficiently and at the lowest possible cost. Sustainability is a crucial consideration for us at Kyocera, and we always want to ensure this philosophy shines through in our products.”

www.kyocera.com

PIXEL PROPHET

A LITTLE LEARNING…

A few years back, probably more than a few years back, I remember a print industry spokesperson proclaiming that in the modern world, we were no longer just printers and should aim to be considered as print facilitators. Martin Christie scribes…

Iremember it because I found it amusing that he hadn’t already noticed we needed to be so much more; mind readers, in particular, to second guess what customers actually wanted — translators of incomprehensible messages, anticipators of impossible deadlines, and general magicians.

Facilitate, being from the French, ‘to enable things to happen’, is one of those simple descriptions that completely fails to properly describe the complex problems of getting from point A to point B, let alone C or D.

We actually have a client that uses the word in their title, and I always marvel at how they ever manage to produce anything for their clients without the exceptional experience and patience of suppliers like us. What would they do without a clipboard and a mobile phone?

I do think that if Napoleon had the assistance of a modern facilitator on his campaigns, he would have never made it from Toulon to Paris, let alone Moscow.

But there’s a big difference between selling a service to management within big companies who don’t know better when dealing with printon-demand to customers over the counter whose expectations and available budget are quite different. I can speak with some experience, having walked away from a big company that preferred to pay big bucks to people who couldn’t tie their own shoelaces without having a meeting to just hiring people who could do the job.

Working for a small company that appreciates the skills needed is much more rewarding, even if it won’t make me rich!

And this is at the heart of the facilitator conundrum — the people using your service have to recognise you are the facilitator: the organ grinder, not the monkey, to use an old analogy.

Once the position of an expert advisor was just accepted, now it is in doubt because the opinions of so many social media’s supposed experts have already been swallowed and will be regurgitated over the counter. They know what it should cost, how long it should take, and how to complain if it doesn’t meet their expectations. Don’t worry, we are not alone because the same people will be going to professionals like their doctors with their symptoms already diagnosed by Google and telling them what they need — and the GP secretly hoping that it is as terminal as they fear.

The internet revolution that gives us facts at our fingertips, of course, is both good and bad at the same time because you need to balance those facts with more facts that are outside your immediate search criteria.

If you search for tomato for example, the internet will tell you it’s a fruit; however, you need to search a lot deeper to discover it’s not great included in a fruit cocktail! That is the danger of the instant expert who only reads the headline facts, not the body of reality with the full story. ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing,’ the poet Alexander Pope warned — and he was writing over two hundred years ago when learning was a fairly exclusive luxury.

Of course, the misinformation revolution has been creeping up on us gradually over a number

of years. What has accelerated it is the App, that once innocuous little button that turns every user into a creative genius. It used to be called a program and was a piece of software that had to be understood in order to use it. But in the customerled environment where people expect things to be done quicker and easier, it is inevitable that the one big saving of time is that spent actually thinking. It’s so much easier to press a button and bypass all that difficult stuff. This brings us back to where I left off in the last issue, with machine learning and the infinite number of monkeys.

AI being very topical in the media, I’ve been trying to ignore all the speculative treatise from those who know very little about it and listening to those who probably do. One of the more interesting facts I picked up on is that given it draws upon all of the collective cloud resources, this electronic wealth of wisdom is not, in fact, unlike the monkeys, infinite. Incredible as it may seem, the very expansion of AI may consume all the available original resources within a very few years, so it will, in effect, start to eat its own produce.

It has been noticed already that while generative imaging is very good at some things — obviously landscapes and fantasy visas where there is no actual reality to compare — it fails spectacularly on others. It’s pretty good with people’s faces, for example, even if some do tend to end up looking more like Barbie and Ken than a living being. But hands seem to be a challenge as fingers look more like pink bananas. The reason is simple: if you apply a bit of purely human intelligence, compared to the billions of library pictures of people’s faces

in all shapes and sizes, there are proportionally much fewer choices of hands.

It struck me as obvious when I tried to edit a skincare picture supplied by a customer in which hands were an ugly shade of red, not really appropriate for the subject of the poster. I’ve been using Photoshop’s AIdriven masking tools with some success in recognising people and individual parts of them, as well as sky, background, etc., for some time. So, I assumed hands would be an easy spot for an intelligent machine as they were perfectly obvious to me. Wrong. Because the only human parts in view were the hands — no head, no eyes — it couldn’t see them because it had no reference.

This is just a simple example of how computer logic can be faulty and the risk of relying on it alone.

When it failed in this case, other smart tools were available to rectify the problem, as I will describe shortly. But it underlines the danger of reliance on one-click solutions. The software will undoubtedly get smarter, but it will still need experienced or at least sceptical humans to guide it. Of course, I’m not expecting customers to be in this select group anytime soon, hence this cautionary tale.

So, to go back to basics, why do we need selection tools for digital printing in Photoshop? Well, in an ideal world, we wouldn’t. Everything would come in perfectly exposed, crisp, composed and ready to print. But as you can count those on one finger, almost all customers’ offerings need some help — the degree of help being related to how valuable the job is.

Modern cameras are very good, but they do need a little bit of human assistance regardless of their advertised abilities. The human eye can take several minutes to adjust properly to lighting conditions. Still, people expect a camera to do it in a sixtieth of a second, as well as process all the captured colours accurately. Our brains know what colours familiar items are; a camera processor only makes a calculated guess.

the point of capture, the only option is to adjust at the point of print, on the assumption that the customer is never going to believe their expensive phone was a waste of money.

The most common tasks are simply adjusting overall exposure to compensate for printing on paper rather than projected on a bright backlit screen. There is no reason the customer can judge that without a prior example. Even experienced photographers may not know what their images look like outside the web.

There have always been selection tools in Photoshop. They have just got a lot, lot smarter, saving you time if you know which ones to use — or which combinations to choose. Often, no single action does the complete trick.

But you can start in the basic PS workspace with a choice of select subject, background or sky. If there are bits the marching ants have missed or added, you can add or subtract by holding down the Alt button (on a PC) and using the lasso to capture and remove them. Then, you should be able to separate one from the other and edit accordingly.

For more advanced selection, you need to go into Filter>Camera RAW filter. This opens a whole new dialogue panel with a whole new box of tricks. There’s a lot of them, and at first, they may look a bit daunting, but essentially, they are much more precise tools than those in the standard settings.

They are almost identical to those available in the Develop module in Lightroom. Still,

Photoshop as it’s probably more familiar to most of you, and I keep mentioning Camera Raw because that’s where most of the new gems are found. If you really want to take image manipulation to a new level, that’s where you need to be.

As usual, I can always rely on customers for a regular supply of working examples, in this case, not the usual happy, snappy phone stuff, but some professionally shot high-resolution files — just not prepared for print.

I could have printed as presented, but as the job was several hundred pounds, and I could see the originals were of good photographic quality,

It was worth indulging the customer with a little bit of careful correction.

The images were obviously of a theatrical type of event and needed to retain that dark and slightly menacing look rather than be brightened and end up looking too cheerful.

In darkroom days with film, this would be done with classic dodge and burn techniques, but it would take hours, so if a customer asked, ‘can you do anything with it?‘ the answer would be a rolling of the eyes

magic of digital is that when you have a nice big file with lots of pixels, you’ve got lots of detail that helps Photoshop dissect colour and shape. In this case, each of the eight individuals can be isolated from the background while still keeping shadow in the foreground below waist level as they are all being lit from above. The central figure gets a little more adjustment so he stands out from the group, but the individual faces of the others are also just lifted enough so they can be recognised.

This is where the human eye scores over than just pressing ‘Auto’ and applying an average tone or contrast across the whole picture. It still looks as if it’s meant to, just now transformed into print.

Result: one happy customer and one likely to come back and/or recommend our services to others, especially as the prints are going to be on display for lots of others to view and comment on.

Always remember your product is the best advert you can produce. You may not always get the credit you deserve for a job well done, but you will certainly get it for a bad one!

Final Print Output

Using masks in Camera RAW

Original photo file

AKIHISA OGAWA APPOINTED AS MUTOH MD, CHAIRMAN

Mutoh Europe, EMEA business unit of Mutoh Industries Co. Ltd., Japan, has announced the appointment of Mr. Akihisa Ogawa as Managing Director, Chairman of the company. This strategic decision is driven by Mutoh’s strong commitment to accelerating its growth in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) business area.

Akihisa Ogawa will combine this new role with

his existing role as Managing Director in charge of overseas sales at Mutoh Industries Co. Ltd, Japan. While Mr. Mitsuo Takatsu as Mutoh Europe’s Managing Director will continue to oversee Mutoh Europe’s daily operations and the execution of the company strategy, Ogawa will be determining — in direct sync with the board of directors of Mutoh Industries in Japan — the long term business objectives of Mutoh in the EMEA business area and the overall strategy and direction of the company towards achieving sustainable growth and

expanding its footprint as a trusted and preferred provider of innovative digital printing solutions. Aged 64 and holding a Master Degree in Economics obtained in 1982 at Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, Akihisa Ogawa joined Mutoh Industries in February 2019. Before joining Mutoh, he built up a proven track record of success and experience in overseas sales at the company Panasonic, with executive missions of in total 16.5 years in the US and nearly three years in China.

www.mutoh.eu

ARTSYSTEMS’ LORNA BRINDLEY SHORTLISTED FOR 2023 CRN WOMEN & DIVERSITY AWARD

ArtSystems, the Nottingham based specialist systems distributor and service provider has announced that its Technical Service Manager, Lorna Brindley, has been shortlisted for a major honour at the 2023 CRN Women & Diversity in Channel Awards.

Now in their sixth year, the CRN Women & Diversity in Channel Awards champion, recognise and celebrate women and diversity in business. The annual awards pay tribute to companies and individuals that are tackling gender issues and

making diversity a priority.

Lorna has been shortlisted as one of 14 nominees in the Manager of the Year – Vendor/Distributor category at this year’s awards. Shortlists have been announced for a total of 26 categories.

A panel of specialist judges will now consider all entries and decide on a winner for each category. All winners will be announced at a live awards ceremony on 12th October 2023 at The Brewery in London.

In her role at ArtSystems, Lorna heads up all Technical Services, leading a team of 16 field engineers and an internal service team of nine.

Her team is the largest at ArtSystems and provides warranty and contract support on behalf of its manufacturer partners for solutions including HP Latex and Epson SureColor S printers, as well as Summa Cutters.

“I’m absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. My team mean the world to me, and knowing they nominated me is the greatest reward I could ask for. I’m very much looking forward to the event in October and wish all the nominees the best of luck!”

www.artsystems.co.uk

SOLOPRESS APPOINTS PAUL O’CONNOR AS HEAD OF COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Snap Products and The Pen Warehouse have welcomed Anthony Mills as the new Marketing Manager. Anthony will be leading the dynamic team of six talented individuals, spearheading marketing strategies and initiatives to drive business and brand growth.

Originally from New Zealand, Anthony has been residing in London for the past 15 years, and more recently in Surrey. With a wealth of experience in marketing leadership, he brings a strong track record of success in guiding teams and implementing effective strategies to achieve business objectives.

Anthony’s diverse background includes holding senior marketing and commercial roles in renowned corporations such as Heinz, Kellogg’s, and Heineken, as well as working with smaller SMEs, both in B2C and B2B sectors. His comprehensive expertise covers various industries, enabling him to adapt to the unique challenges and opportunities of different market segments.

As the new Marketing Manager, Anthony will leverage his experience to enhance Snap Products and The Pen Warehouse’s market presence, driving innovation and developing impactful marketing initiatives. His strategic vision and ability to align marketing efforts with overall business goals will be instrumental in driving the company’s growth trajectory.

Outside of his professional achievements, Anthony is an active member of the community. He resides in Woking with his wife and three children. As a passionate rugby enthusiast, he proudly supports the All Blacks, and whenever time permits, he enjoys indulging in his favourite pastime – golf.

Snap Products and The Pen Warehouse are excited to have Anthony Mills join their team. His extensive marketing experience and leadership skills will undoubtedly contribute to the company’s continued success and growth. www.pens.co.uk • www.snapproducts.co.uk

Solopress has announced that Paul O’Connor has been appointed to the role of Head of Commercial Development, working alongside Head of Business Development, Phil Foster, and reporting directly to MD Simon Cooper.

During his two decades of managerial experience within the print industry, Paul has held various roles at Printing.com, Grafenia PLC, and most recently Helloprint, where he was UK Country Director.

Paul will operate primarily from his base in Liverpool, with a remit that’s focused on, but not exclusive to, the market in the North of the UK. He will be on-boarding, developing and maintaining client relationships alongside a broader role in developing Solopress’ position and offering within the UK Print trade.

Solopress MD Simon Cooper commented, “Paul’s immense knowledge and experience will be valuable assets as Solopress continues to grow. The fact that leading lights in our industry like Paul are seeing Solopress as a great place to develop their careers is really encouraging. I think that’s a reflection of our ambition, our vision and our values.”

Paul O’Connor commented: “I’m thrilled to be starting a new chapter in my career with Solopress as Head of Commercial Development. It’s a fantastic time to be joining the company, with so much on-going investment and some major projects in development. Personally, it’s exciting for me to be joining a business with such comprehensive production facilities. It gives my role the agility to respond to customer demand with a great degree of speed and confidence.”

www.solopress.com

ANTHONY MILLS NEW MARKETING MANAGER AT SNAP PRODUCTS AND THE PEN WAREHOUSE

Simon Cooper, Paul O’Connor and Phil Foster

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Interview

with

Tim Painter, Founder & Finance Director of Presco

After supplying the print trade for over 40 years, Presco has a lot of experience and has seen a lot of changes. We ask Tim Painter for his view on the future of the industry.

What’s happening to print?

At Presco we are really positive about the future of the print industry. There is lots of change and the print companies that are succeeding are the ones that are changing with the market.

Invoice pads, magazines, photocopy services, and so many things that printers once depended on, will never come back. But we are seeing so many new opportunities emerging.

For example, the move away from plastic packaging is massive for the print industry. Printed and die-cut packaging looks great and is, most importantly, completely sustainable and recyclable.

New products like this bring challenges; with food packaging we get lots of questions about adhesive tapes that are safe to use and can withstand the temperature variations. This is an area we excel in as our Guarantape range of finishing tapes is fully supported by the needed technical advice and certifications.

We are also seeing a revival of demand for quality printed marketing materials and even catalogues. Print has an impact that can never be replicated digitally. Technology also gives opportunities to offer personalised print, large format graphics and signage work that was once limited to specialists.

We believe that print has a great future - that is why we are making significant investments in products, technology and high stocks to support Presco’s trusted reputation for reliable next-day delivery of print finishing supplies and double-sided tapes.

3D PRINTED BUILDING CONSTRUCTED IN HEIDELBERG

Europe’s largest 3D printed building is initiated by KRAUSGRUPPE, a project developer, builder, investor, real estate manager, and broker in the Heidelberg area. The city has always been at the forefront of innovation as it is a city of science. Now, that the Campbell Barracks have been renovated, the city will have a ground-breaking testament of 3D construction printing technology that will revolutionise the building sector. This groundbreaking project is being built for Heidelberg IT Management GmbH & Co. KG, a cloud and data centre provider.

The building is approximately 54m long, 11m wide and 9m high. The construction process started 31st of March and was completed by the end of July. It will serve as an IT server hotel and is set to become one of the most technologically advanced and innovative buildings in the region.

Hans-Jörg Kraus, managing partner of the KRAUSGRUPPE, said: “As an independent family business with a long tradition and a future ahead, we want to promote innovative construction

methods in Heidelberg and make a positive contribution to sustainable building methods”.

PERI 3D Construction, a pioneer in 3D construction printing industry, is providing the know-how for the 3D printing process, and is using COBOD’s BOD2 3D construction printer to print the walls of the building. PERI is taking advantage of the high printing speeds of the printer and plans to complete the printing of the walls of this large-scale project in just 140 hours, equivalent to printing four square

ROYAL ENFIELD BUILDS SPEED WITH ROLAND DG PRINTERS

metre of building per hour.

The architects from SSV Architekten and Mense Korte, who collaborated on the project, devoted a lot of attention to the design of the walls, which is very unique as seen in the renderings of the server hotel. Dr. Fabian Meyer-Brötz, Managing Director of PERI 3D Construction GmbH, commented: “. Based on parametric design, the special wall design used in the building documents the immense design freedom, that the COBOD BOD2 3D printer enables. We are very proud to be able to realise our largest building to date with this project”.

Henrik Lund-Nielsen, Founder & General Manager of COBOD added: “In this unique project PERI is emphasising two of the key benefits of 3D construction printing; speed of execution and design freedom. Because of this our technology is capable of carrying out everything from materials savings windmill towers over low-cost residential housing in Africa to architectural office type buildings in Germany.”

www.cobod.com

The automotive industry is one of the most competitive in the world, with brands in a constant tussle to be innovative and remain relevant. But within this tussle, Royal Enfield stands out as an ever present name in the space, having the longest lived motorcycle design in history - and they aren’t just stopping there!

As Royal Enfield continues to innovate, they have found the need to develop high quality prototypes that aid them in their testing and trialling phases. And this is where they enlisted the help of Roland DG to facilitate high quality printing output into their trial and development phase.

OPENING OPPORTUNITIES

The motorbiking mammoth is now making use of Roland DG’s premier UV-led print and cut machine, the TrueVIS MG-640. With the machine, Royal Enfield has been able to utilise available ink configurations to meet their development needs - producing brand accurate colours and expanding into different gloss and texture effects.

Speaking on the expanded colour gamut that Roland DG has brought to Royal Enfield, Darline Vogel, Creative Lead at Royal Enfield said: “The MG-640 series has opened a world of opportunities for us. Utilising the UV printer, we have been able to expand our colour remit whilst exploring different textures and increasing our special effects capabilities. What we have been most pleased with is the ability of the printer to replicate Pantone colours perfectly.”

NEED FOR SPEED

The demand for Royal Enfield’s bikes globally is never ending, and with this omnipresent demand comes the need to fulfil it. The business needs to

develop models in a timely manner, and this means that any printer they use needs to have a quick turnaround time.

The MG-640 has a high level of output, with a quick turnaround, and a reasonable cost of operation, giving Royal Enfield the option to facilitate high speed printing that can be monitored at will. The staggered formation of the printheads, new UV-LED lamps and the instantly cured UV ink, mean businesses like Royal Enfield can increase their print frequency - saving them time and money.

Darline pinpoints this as the key differentiator in Royal Enfield’s present printing process to their previous one, saying that: “the UV-LED lamps within the machine give it a faster drying capability, which means that we can keep momentum in our development process. This is key for us if we want to keep efficient in getting products to market in a timely manner.”

Keeping an eye on the printing process was essential for Royal Enfield, as they tend to run shorter runs in bursts. This is where they have been able to utilise Roland DG Connect—giving them real time access to important data about print jobs as well as their business. The on-demand data has enabled them to save on print runs and alter the structure of their runs to fit them.

Discussing the printing needs of Royal Enfield, Darline explained that “Roland DG Connect has been a game changer for us. We have been able to monitor efficiency and report on our cycles - understanding where we can make changes to our design process.”

Looking to the future, Darline sees the partnership with Roland DG being a long term one, sharing how “she is looking forward to experimenting further with the MG-640 and seeing just how far it can go.”

www.rolanddg.eu • www.royalenfield.com/uk/en/home

PREMIER ADDS NEW RANGE OF ACM TO PORTFOLIO

Premier has launched a new brand of aluminium composite material. eTEC ACM, which has been produced to the highest standards and tightest tolerances for best-in-class, uncompromised quality.

eTEC ACM is available from Premier in standard sheet sizes of 1220mm x 2440mm and 1500mm x 3050mm across a choice of three grades. eTEC ACM 1D is a great value-oriented option and combines a matt white digital paint surface for excellent ink adhesion and colour reproduction with an off-white primer reverse for superior stability and improved appearance compared to standard mill finishes.

eTEC ACM 2D, embraces the same properties as the 1D but as a two-sided product. eTEC ACM 2D is available in a choice of high-quality matt and gloss white digital paint surfaces and is perfect for a variety of end uses and applications. Both the 1D and 2D grades can withstand essential finishing processes such as drilling, sawing, cutting, and routing.

In comparison, eTEC ACM 3D is the most premium product within the new range and is available in a range of colours, including a standard white digital paint, a deep jet black with high gloss and smooth matt finish or a textured brushed silver with primer reverse to facilitate the production of eye-catching displays, signage and much more. In addition to

adhering to the standard drilling, sawing, cutting, and routing, eTEC ACM 3D’s 0.3mm skins allow It to be v-cut and folded with no paint cracking. 3D elevates the possibilities capable beyond typical aluminum panelling without wavering on quality and value.

“Premier Display Graphics has consistently grown in reputation as a first class supplier to the signage and display market, backed up by a service that is second to none, and a fantastic range of high quality

products. By adding eTEC ACM, our own branded range of Aluminium Composite sheets, we have further enhanced that quality offering to market.” Steve Jones, Display Sheets and Thermoplastics Director.

The full eTEC ACM range is available throughout the UK from Premier’s network of stockholding branches. For more information or samples you can contact your local Premier branch or visit www.paper.co.uk

PREMIER, NOW STOCKISTS OF DRYTAC

Premier Paper Group has been announced as new stockists of the Drytac range of wide format media.

Whether you are applying graphics to windows, walls or floors, indoors or outdoors, you will find a Drytac product for every job.

Whatever the surface, whatever the job, there is a Drytac solution. Drytac is used everywhere to brand and customise surfaces. Stocked by Premier, the award-winning, UK manufactured Drytac range is now available next day from branches across the UK and through GPMI in Ireland.

Drytac’s CEO Hayden Kelley commented “Here at Drytac, we want our products to be easy to print, easy to install and easily available. We are so excited to announce that the Drytac range will be stocked and distributed by Premier from their branches across the UK and Ireland, making it even easier and quicker to get the Drytac product that you are looking for.

Also, we are constantly adding to the thousands of colour profiles that we have already made available for all kinds of devices and applications. Working closely with the major printer manufacturers and software developers to assure consistent colour and print quality is aichieved on Drytac products, every time. From custom profiling, to fire rating, slip rating and FDA certification, through to specialist coatings and bespoke product development, the UK based Drytac Technical Team are here to help. Whatever your needs, we’ve got you covered.”

Brad West, Premier’s Wide Format Media Sales Director added “Drytac is trusted by display printers, sign makers and installers alike and we are delighted to be able to now offer this market leading brand to our customers across the UK and Ireland.

This is a significant move for us and a great opportunity to further grow our wide format sales. The Drytac range will be stocked throughout our branch network and in-depth at our display graphics centre in Wellingborough. We have a fleet of over 130 vehicles and many are specially adapted for the secure and efficient transport of display materials.

FLINT GROUP TO EXHIBIT AT LABELEXPO EUROPE 2023

At this year’s Labelexpo Europe, Flint Group’s Narrow Web business and Digital team (Xeikon) will showcase solutions and services that contribute to the seamless and sustainable growth of label converters.

The stand will highlight how the company’s products and services enable a thriving label business environment while prioritising environmental consciousness.

Xeikon, Flint Group’s Digital business, will exhibit a range of new solutions including:

• Cheetah 3.0 technology for label printing, which incorporates Xeikon’s brand new environmentally and food-safe ECO Toner technology, as well as a new Quality Measurement Module (QMM) which can be fitted on all Cheetah 3.0 CX Series presses.

• The latest Panther digital press technology configured with Xeikon’s new PantherCure LED inks in its first public demonstration in Europe.

• The Xeikon TX-500 digital press running live and using Xeikon’s new TITON toner technology, designed to meet industry demands for paper

based flexible packaging applications and consumer’s concern for the environment.

• Flint Group’s Narrow Web business is looking forward to discussing its next generation ink and coating technologies including:

• EkoCure® UV LED inks and coatings for all narrow web applications with dual cure capabilities supporting converters seeking to transition to UV LED curing technology

• EkoCure® ANCORA F2 inks and coatings specifically designed for food packaging and labelling

TROTEC TO PRESENT HIGH SPEED LASER CUTTING AT THE PRINT SHOW

Print businesses visiting The Print Show taking place on 19-21st September at the NEC, Birmingham will have the opportunity to find out how laser cutting technology could transform their print finishing workflow. Leading manufacturer Trotec will demonstrate the latest in laser cutting and engraving technology for the print, signs and display sector. On stand A40, the laser manufacturer will carry out live demonstrations on a range of laser systems to suit different business budgets throughout the three day event.

The 2023 show marks the return of the market leading Speedy 400 flatbed laser. With 120 watts of CO2 laser power, the Speedy 400 is eight times faster than comparative laser systems, offering a highly productive tool for laser cutting and engraving. Also at the show, the smaller Speedy 300 flexx, equipped with dual CO2 and fibre laser sources, offers diverse processing capabilities, allowing for business diversification and additional products, namely those made of metal, to be laser etched without the extra cost of an additional machine.

The 2023 show also marks the debut of the Q400 mid-range laser cutter. A budget friendly solution, the Q400 offers 100 watt CO2 laser power, perfect for cutting acrylics and woods up to 15mm thick. The added Vision Print and Cut camera will be particularly interesting to businesses in the print industry who are looking to combine print with laser processing, making it even more appealing to

print businesses who are looking to invest in their first laser cutter.

Alongside the range of laser cutters and engravers, Trotec will display their range of proprietary engraving materials during the three day event. Featuring laser optimised acrylics, two ply plastic laminates, woods and metals, many products are suitable for printing, allowing for perfect synergy between print, material and laser. www.troteclaser.com

applications.

• Evolution Primers and Varnishes – new sustainable solutions focused entirely on improving printed label recycling performance.

Notably, Flint Group is eager to debut and register customers onto its customised and customer bespoke B2B platform – FlintLink. This personalised environment gives Flint Group customers timely access to support and information which makes collaboration, communication, and doing business easy.

Furthermore, both the Narrow Web and Xeikon business teams will participate in additional features of the Labelexpo event, including the Automation Arena, Sustainability Trail and the Flex Pack Trail.

Labelexpo Europe is the world’s largest event for the label and package printing industry and will be held September 11-14 at the Brussels Expo, in Belgium.

www.labelexpo-europe.com

www.flintgroup.com

www.xeikon.com

PICON MAKES PLANS FOR THE PRINT SHOW

Suppliers trade organisation

Picon has announced that it will attend The Print Show at the NEC which runs from 19-21 September. Many Picon members have already booked stands, including Fujifilm which has taken a 250 sq m space, the biggest area the organisers have seen booked since the show’s inception in 2015.

Bettine Pellant, CEO of Picon, says: “Picon believes that although Covid did increase the amount of digital marketing there remains a genuine thirst for face to face meetings. Exhibitions offer customers an invaluable place to get up to date on technological developments, to compare and contrast suppliers and to network with others in the industry.

“We will have a lounge which will serve coffee and other refreshments to members and their guests throughout the show. Supporting members at exhibitions like this is an important part of our service alongside industry information and data, training grants, lobbying, business forums and networking events.

“There will be meeting spaces as well and we anticipate it being a welcome space to rest, recuperate and network. The Print Show comes less than a year ahead of drupa 2024 and may well signpost the trends that will be talked about in Dusseldorf next year (20 May to 7 June 2024).”

Bettine Pellant and her colleague Cathy Haywood will be manning the lounge and welcome industry leaders wanting to find out more about Picon. www.picon.com

OF PRINT THE

Stand shoulder to shoulder with the greats this September at Labelexpo Europe 2023 - the world’s largest array of technology in label history.

Every hall, stand and aisle will represent the future of print. Witness hundreds of live demonstrations of pioneering machinery and experience ground breaking product launches from the world’s leading manufacturers.

Innovation, accuracy, speed and creativity - explore them all at Labelexpo Europe 2023, the show that sets the standard worldwide.

FEATURING:

HORIZON’S VANGUARD INVESTMENT IN GREEN AWARD WIN

Horizon Digital Print’s investment in a Vanguard Europe digital machine — the first in Ireland — is the central focus of its sustainability drive that has resulted in scooping Ireland’s national Green Manufacturer Award ahead of the likes of global brands such as Coca-Cola.

Described as a fabulous user friendly machine printing excellent quality products 10 times faster than previously at a fraction of the cost, Dublin based Horizon Digital Print has also announced a major investment in Vanguard Europe’s parent company Durst’s LIFT ERP software as it continues its growth and transformation into one of Europe’s most sustainable and innovative printing companies.

Coca-Cola, HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland were also among the 10 finalists in the Green Business and Sustainability Green Awards 2023 in which Horizon triumphed in The Green Manufacturer category. The robust Vanguard VKR3200-HS roll to roll UV-LED printer running at speeds of up to 3,000 sq ft per hour. Horizon Digital Print, which employs 100 people, has an €11m turnover and is based across two sites in Navan Road, Dublin. Its primary markets outside of Ireland are the UK and France.

“The Vanguard is a fabulous, versatile and user friendly machine — uncomplicated and the

quality of print is excellent,” said Declan Kelly, Print Manager at Horizon Digital Print. “It has super fast turnaround time, and the cost of the power consumption is predicted to be a 10th of the power of our previous system, thanks to the LED functionality. The Vanguard is so versatile — fabrics, PE, paper, mesh PVC and vinyl are among many of the materials we print on. It is an ideal product for our needs, with perfect image quality, and is extremely reliable. From one of our clients in Dublin, JCDecaux, we have received many positive comments about the quality of the lightbox skins that are all produced on the Vanguard. We had a painless installation that only took two days followed by a couple of days training.”

Derek Gillen, Managing Director of Horizon Digital Print, said: “As an already established Durst production house, investing in yet more state of the art technology — this time from Vanguard — is

SOLOPRESS INTRODUCES NEW CARBON OFFSETTING AT CHECKOUT

Online print company, Solopress, has announced an exciting new initiative that’s enabling customers to order carbon neutral print on its most popular products. This new scheme follows the lead of the eco-friendly Solopress Green range, and makes carbon offsetting accessible at checkout.

Simon Cooper, Managing Director of Solopress, comments on this new initiative: “We believe in providing our customers with the ability to make a positive impact on the environment. This feature empowers them to engage in carbon offsetting when purchasing our products, furthering our collective efforts in the fight against climate change.”

Available on a selection of best selling products like flat and folded flyers and leaflets, business cards, brochures, and books, customers can now choose to offset the carbon footprint of their orders. Their contribution supports environmental sustainability by aiding projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses.

At checkout, customers can opt to ‘Make this order Carbon Neutral’, pledging their support for projects such as Woodland protection and tree planting in the UK, facilitating clean drinking water in Eritrea, or contributing to projects that address the problem of Ocean plastic. The contribution quoted with each eligible order from Solopress is calculated to balance the amount of carbon dioxide put into the atmosphere during production.

Solopress has already offset a staggering 150,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide through the Solopress Green range. That’s equivalent to the weight of the Statue of Liberty or an average Blue Whale. With offsetting now extending across a greater spread of products, Solopress aims to increase this figure dramatically.

In Simon Cooper’s words, “The significant amount of work that’s gone into this project underscores our commitment to sustainable business practices and the environment. Since soft launching the scheme, we’ve been delighted with the levels of uptake we’ve seen. It’s an encouraging vindication of our customers’ willingness to support worldwide efforts to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.” www.solopress.com

Award this year, in the process beating the likes of household names such as Coca-Cola and others. The decision to purchase the Vanguard was at the centre of our sustainability drive — it’s because of its green credentials.”

Fabian Sottsas, Managing Director of Vanguard Europe, said: “We are delighted with this first installation in Ireland and to have played our part in the Horizon sustainability and wider company success story. It is all part of the Vanguard growing your business strategy where we work in partnership to help deliver new opportunities through our technology. The Vanguard VK3200 roll to roll machine sets new standards with high print quality and performance that is available at a competitive price point.”

www.horizondigitalprint.com

GROW YOUR BRAND WITH THE POPPY PENCIL — THE PEN WAREHOUSE

The Poppy Pencil isn’t just a pencil, it’s a symbol of environmental responsibility and a step towards a more sustainable future. Made from wood, this unique product features a biodegradable pod filled with poppy seeds. Available from 250 units with a spot colour print to a large branding area of 60 x 16mm. Order today and they will despatch in just five working days. Write, plant, bloom. Contact the team sales@pens.co.uk for your quote and free sample.

WTTB GETS ALL DRESSED UP… PRINT ON BALLS

One of the UK’s top print platforms is now offering a side order of dressing — as it unveils its new apparel range.

WTTB (Where The Trade Buys) has been extending its merchandise range over the past year and is now offering personalised clothing as part of that service.

A range of T shirts — including budget, everday and organic — are now on offer, as are bespoke hoodies, tote bags and aprons which can all be printed with a unique image or logo.

The expansion into apparel was a logical step for WTTB, which has constantly grown its merchandise offering and which now includes everything from branded chocolate bars to mugs.

The company has also built on its seasonal ranges and as well as favourites such as bespoke advent calendars and wrapping paper now has among its extensive products items such as personalised baubles and snow globes.

WTTB prides itself on constantly innovating and is now actively looking at other items to add to its product list, to ensure it is a one stop shop for anyone wanting promotional or marketing materials.

Louise Stephenson, Managing Director of WTTB, said that introducing the range was in response to customer demand.

“We are constantly asked about T shirts and other clothing items so it’s something that has been on our radar for quite a while,” she said.

“We have had a very good response so far to the new products and will be adding to our offering on a regular basis.”

To see all the products offered by WTTB, or more info, visit www.wttb.co.uk

PROFITABLE PRINT IN THE WIND

Great trade-only prices on Portable Flags, Fencing Systems and Barrier Jackets. Printed in the UK to supply your end user customers a choice of outdoor promotional print. Fencing Systems and Barrier Jackets.

The dual-purpose Heras Fencing Covers are particularly well liked by contractors and tradespeople. The printed mesh simultaneously promotes a business while helping to keep construction sites hidden from view.

The printed mesh fence material reduces wind stress by allowing air to travel through the surface. Any worries about bad weather are eliminated by the enhanced airflow.

high quality, incredibly lightweight fabric called Fabric AirMesh fence cover fabric to lessen wind loading. Dye-sublimation printing in full colour provides bright, durable, and weatherproof

Hotronix Auto Open Sports Ball Heat Press. Get an Extra £150 heat transfer credit at checkout when you purchase the Hotronix Auto Open Sports Ball Heat Press. For a limited time only so kick off your new bouncing product range now. Designed to easily customise or personalise inflatable sports balls. Balls can be customised for use as trophies, to commemorate a special event, or as a promotional giveaway. Get the Hotronix Ball Press for your heat printing business with FREE £150 Custom Heat Transfer

The Auto Clam Ball Press opens automatically when time is up, preventing over-application and scorching, and allowing you to focus on more than one job at

Add Sports Balls into your product offering: Print team logos, school names, sponsor graphics, player names or numbers and more!

www.targettransfers.com

BRANDED HATS AND CAPS

performance. Strongly stitched hems and eyelets are included, allowing for simple attaching with cable ties or bungee clips.

PORTABLE FLAGS

Not just a flag but your own personal flag. With the help of Graphic Warehouse portable flags, you can quickly, easily, and affordably make your own full colour printed portable flag in just a few seconds. This is because all you need to do is five steps — choose your shape, size, fabric, sides, and hardware.

Available in Feather, Blade, Teardrop and Rectangular shapes in Standard or Premium finish. Standard finish turnaround is two to three working days, Premium finish turnaround is four to five working days.

Bespoke Flags, Feather Flags, Blade Flags, Teardrop Flags, Wind Dancer Flags, Beach Ovals and Tablecloths

www.graphicwarehouse.co.uk

Branded Hats are a stylish fashion statement that boosts your brand awareness. Perfect for trade shows, colleague uniforms, and connecting with your audience. These new options offer greater versatility, more affordable prices, and faster turnaround times.

EXPLORE

BRANDED HATS AND CAPS

Branded Hats place you in the eye line of the world. Boost the recognition of your business and raise awareness for your brand with this stylish accessory. Shielded from winter snow or sheltered from the summer sun, this range offers a solution for every season. Each branded Cap order comes with free UK delivery.

Baseball Caps come in a wide selection of colours and are perfect for active brands. Trucker Caps have a white front panel with a coloured peak and matching mesh panels. Sun Visors are great for sports brands and provide a breathable open headband. Bucket Hats offer the fusion of fashion and functionality with a brim that offers 360° protection. Beanie Hats come with embroidered print and are great for outdoor brands.

Shop now with free UK next-day delivery. Quality assured, white label services and low prices. Chat live www.solopress.com, 01702 460047

BLOG OF THE WEEK — FC BARCELONA AND STAHLS’ TEAMING UP

numbers on club jerseys around the world. As such, as part of the agreement Tex Print Technologies will develop an exclusive line of products related to the printing and personalisation of fabrics that includes the name, letter and number placed on match jerseys, as well as other customisable products in the future.

experience via their products.

Tex Print Technologies, Iberian subsidiary of the North American group STAHLS’ who has its headquarters in Michigan, USA, is a leading company in the fabric printing and personalisation industry.

FC Bareclona kit personalised by Stahls’: As part of the collaboration an exclusive line of products related to the printing and personalisation of fabrics will be developed that includes the names, letter and numbers placed on match shirts.

FC Barcelona has signed an agreement with the leading fabric printing brand Tex Print Technologies, Iberian subsidiary of the North American group STAHLS’, for the personalisation with names and

The association between FC Barcelona and Tex Print Technologies will not only allow fans and followers of the club to enjoy high quality products that reflect their passion for sport and their love for FC Barcelona, but also generate new opportunities for growth and expansion for both brands internationally.

The new licencing agreement is expected to be a successful, long term association. FC Barcelona and Tex Print Technologies will work together to offer innovative products that reflect the passion and spirit of the Club, allowing fans to have a unique

MAD COLOUR BRINGS PROFITABLE WORK IN WITH HP STITCH S1000

Dedicated to providing innovative and high quality solutions for the printing industry with a wide range of products and services, Tex Print Technologies is one of the leading businesses in the sector.

Some of STAHLS’ partners are: MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL in their many events and activities such as NFL Combine, NFL Draft and NFL Superbowl Experience and the NFL Store amongst others.

Target Transfers is the UK subsidiary or STAHLS’. For any help with printing and personalisation

significantly grow its business.

Having begun life in 1977 as commercial printing outfit Minprint, the company has evolved over the years to become a hugely diversified business, offering a wide range of services to customers across a number of markets.

A large part of MAD Colour’s offering is large format print, with the company having several machines in place to deliver this work to clients. The business already had an HP Latex 800W, an HP Latex 360 and an HP DesignJet Z6200, as well as an EFi Vutek GS3200 printer, but was still having to outsource some work to a third party.

To fill this gap in production, MAD Colour once again turned to HP and opted to invest in an HP Stitch S1000 in April 2023 from approved HP

production as a result.

“We are using the machine to create products such as flags, air mesh banners, tablecloths, fabric frames and event backdrops,” MAD Colour Managing Director Jamie McMinnis said. “We already offered these products via a third party supplier, but the purchase means we can now do it all in house.

“The printer means that we have better control of the supply chain, have reduced the risk of logistical complications and are better in tune with the very time sensitive event and hospitality markets.”

Jamie said these expanded capabilities and the ability to respond quicker to customer demands will give the business a significant advantage over its competitors in Northern Ireland.

“We now offer the most advanced dye

WIP: WORK IN PROGRESS

Looking

meaning we can remove carriage costs and reduce lead times by the time taken to ship products from mainland UK or Europe to the local market,” Jamie said. “We can now offer customers in Northern Ireland the best quality fabric prints without compromise.”

Jamie also spoke about the benefits of combining HP’s hardware and software solutions, explaining that — as was the case with its HP Latex and HP DesignJet printers — the HP Stitch S1000 was connected with HP Print OS and Onyx Thrive to ensure maximum productivity and performance.

“As second and third generation HP Latex users, and having previously run an HP UV flatbed printer, we know that when combined with Onyx Thrive and HP Print OS, HP’s solutions are hard to beat,” Jamie said.

“HP’s entry into the world of dye sublimation to offer a solution for the growing large format fabric market offers a high quality, simplified, yet versatile solution to this sector, and this really appealed to our large format team.”

www.hp.com

forward to our next issue in October. NPC New Profit Centre when our research and best practice will be shared. PRINT ON DECKCHAIRS: A resellers package you will want to take advantage of with a choice of special personalised start up kits. PERSONALISED CHRISTMAS: never to early to show your printed Christmas range. Our own shop is already printing cards and calendars.

Boxing clever...

SC6000. A new type of automated cutting, kiss cutting and creasing for lightweight card packaging. The SC6000 is an extremely productive machine, loaded with professional production features and with a very small footprint.

FB775. The premium ColorCut FB775 digital die flatbed cutter is our mid range model producing outstanding speed and accuracy. Incorporating a B2+ cutting table for large format sheet cutting.

FB9000. Ultra-fast performance, automatic flatbed cutter with class-leading forces for both die-cutting & creasing. User friendly, delivering high speed performance and unparalleled media control, with dual tools to cut and crease any shape.

The ColorCut Pro Server Station and ColorCut Pro Production Studio software seriously enhances productivity on all models. QR codes and SmartMarks are generated as part of the ColorCut Pro software plugin which integrates with vector based artwork. The job Library retrieves associated cut files - even for mixed job batch sessions or rotated sheets, while the SmartMark registration delivers incredible accuracy.

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

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?

DIY AUTOPSY CLUB

I’m really excited for the amateur autopsy club I just joined. Wednesday is open Mike night!

A MAN WALKS INTO THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE...

A man walks into the sheriff’s office... “I want to become a deputy!”

“Good, I want to you to catch this man,” says the sheriff handling the man a wanted poster. The poster reads: ‘Last seen wearing a brown paper hat, brown paper shirt, brown paper pants, and brown paper boots.’

“What’s he wanted for?” asked the hopeful young man.

“Rustling”.

OBSESSION

My cousin is obsessed with football. When I entered his bedroom, I saw that it was covered in posters of a famous Argentinian player, I thought to myself, that’s a Messi room.

ONION TEARS

I remember the time when I was reminiscing about my love life while cutting up an onion. The onion cried.

WRONG ANSWER

My wife asked me what my favourite time to have sex was? Apparently, ‘when you’re at work’, was the wrong answer.

TOP DOG

I took a stuffed dog to the Antiques Roadshow and was told, “This is extremely rare. Do you know what it would fetch in good condition?”

“Don’t know,” I said. “A stick?”

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

My boss arrived at work in a brand-new Rolls Royce. “Wow,” I said. “That’s an amazing car.”

He replied, “If you work hard, put all your hours in, and strive for excellence, I’ll get another one next year!”

EXCUSE MY FRENCH

When I was a child, my parents used to always say “Pardon my French” after a swear word.

I’ll never forget the first day of French, when my teacher asked us if any of us knew any French.

UBER DRIVER

My Uber driver really cares about my mental health. Just this morning I got a message from him saying: “I’m here for you.”

AMAZON CUSTOMER SERVICE

I ordered a deck of cards from Amazon and two weeks later it hasn’t arrived. Customer service told me they’re dealing with it.

COOKIES

Subway is launching a new full online ordering service today. All customers will be forced to accept cookies.

NEW TECH

A scientist invented a machine that could combine anything to make a hybrid of the objects. He has a demonstration launch to present the machine. For his presentations he decided to combine himself with two objects. He stands in front of the crowd and brings out a Xerox machine and kitten. He walked into the invention and clicked the button to combine himself with the two objects.

As the smoke clears and the man walks out, no one is impressed. It is understandable though; the man was a copycat.

LUCKY CURRICULUM VITAE

First, I was working at a potato farm, but then I was sacked.

Next it was the tuna factory, but then I was canned. Next, I tried being a lumberjack, but then I got axed.

Next, I found an opening at the crematorium, but then I was fired.

Next, I screwed up at the gun manufacturers, so I was quickly discharged.

Finally, I am now printing thesauruses, I hope my job won’t become extinct.

SPOLLING TEST

Spell the word ‘cow’ in 13 letters – a question asked in a competitive interview.

Highly reputed technical specialists were stumped thinking what could be the answer. Analysts debated that the question itself was wrong, maybe there was a printing mistake. But a copy proofer that had seen everything in print gave the correct answer; “SEE O DOUBLE YOU”.

HOLD THE FRONT PAGE

Did you hear about the guy who was run over in a freak steamroller incident in a printing shop? He made quite a splash across the headlines but left a good impression on paper.

LATE SUMMER SHORTS

I used to think that sticks and stones could break my bones, but words could never hurt me. Then I fell into a printing press.

Why did the salesman sit on a Xerox? His doctor told him he needed a colon ass copy.

Xerox and Wurlitzer are going to merge. They’re going to market reproductive organs.

I once spent five minutes trying to remove a photocopied image of a staple from a document.

What do you call a number that can’t keep still? A roaming’ numeral.

You must be careful on social media these days. I mean, just today I accepted a friend request from Xerox. Turns out it was a scan.

Who came after Augustus? Septembrus.

How should you hunt deer in September? With an autumn-atic rifle.

What did the leaf say to September? I’m falling for you.

Why do birds fly south in September? Because it’s quicker than walking.

Why did Humpty Dumpty love September? Because Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

How many seconds are there in one year? 12 of them: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd, April 2nd, May 2nd, June 2nd, July 2nd, August 2nd, September 2nd, October 2nd, November 2nd, and December 2nd.

I need to re-home a dog. It’s a small terrier and tends to bark a lot.

If you’re interested, let me know…

… I’ll jump over my neighbour’s fence and get it for you.