Breathing new life into A1-plus size printing
Introducing the RMGT 970
New Zealand Printer
December 2021/January 2022
Looking back on 2021 Supply chain weak links The future of mail 2021: tougher than 2020
1987-2021
with
WIDE FORMAT
years in print
+Plus
Keeping it local, let the world know
PNZORG0000 Keeping print in New Zealand is more important than ever. Use this logo so both you and your customers can demonstrate the part you are playing. Apply to PrintNZ on info@printnz.co.nz or phone 0800 654 455
W O R K I N G
F O R
O U R
I N D U S T R Y
A N D
O U R
M E M B E R S
E V E R Y
D A Y
December 2021/January 2022 Cover Story p16-18
Cyber/RMGT: After receiving its largest order in history for its 9-series range of presses, RMGT’s growth continues as a result of the profitability of its users Features p9-38
9 Rowan: Supply networks’ vulnerability is a production and distribution nightmare 14 Fujifilm Business Innovation: A new Revoria PC1120 Press has rounded out Inkwise’s comprehensive print offering 20 Printerverse: For print sales, it’s time to drop the ‘me’ and replace it with ‘we’ 22 HP Indigo: The HP Indigo 100K Digital Press raises the bar for digital printing - high quality and productivity 24 HP Hololens: HP and Microsoft have teamed up to deliver a virtual and real world combination for service and support
PrintNZ p10-13
10-12 Helping Hand: Iain MacIntyre reports in PrintNZ’s fresh initiatives and advocacy for the industry 13 Comment: Yes, 2021 was a lot tougher than 2020, says Ruth Cobb Labels & Packaging p40-47
40 Cardy: Signature Press has grown its capabilities with an Oki Pro 1050 label press and Virgo finishing unit from Cardy 43 Koenig & Bauer Durst: The new VariJET 106 press offers the best of both world’s, digital and offset 42-45 Corrugated: Online shopping deliveries rely on corrugated board 46-47 Sustainability: AIP has made award winning examples of innovative and sustainable packaging available
25 Letterpress: Inkiana Press has taken a page out of Gutenberg’s bible
CONTENTS Advertiser’s index
Aarque 7, 29 APM 7 Cardy 41 Contact Labels 7 Currie Group 7, 23 Cyber OFC, 19, OBC Eamar Plastics 50 FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand 15 Graphic Lamination & Coating 5 Graphic Machinery NZ 7 Konica Minolta 21 NZSDA 31 Pride In Print IBC PrintNZ IFC RICOH 6 Think Laterally 50 VPR 50 Wholesale Print 36-37
26 Graph-Pak: Rollem Insignia rotary die-cutters offer high quality and improve productivity 33 Gamble: Depression: it’s more than just the blues, says Steven Gamble 34-35 Real Media Collective: See how supply chain drivers impact pricing 38-39 Mail: David Allen discusses the future of mail, with postal charges rising Wide Format Plus p19-25
24 NZSDA President: Andy Lowe looks back on 2021, a crazy year for signees 26 NZSDA Signee: We visit ‘The greatest little sign shop in town’
NEW ZEALAND PRINTER
PO Box 32-395, Devonport, Auckland 0744 EDITORIAL: 021 631 559 Bruce Craig, Editor: bruce@newzealandprinter.co.nz CONTRIBUTORS: David Allen, Deb Corn, Ruth Cobb, Steven Gamble, Graham Judd, Nerida Kelton, Peter Kohn, Andy Lowe, Iain MacIntyre, Kellie Northwood, Mick Rowan CIRCULATION: subscriptions@intermedia.com.au
Revoria at Inkwise: Christina Tudor, digital print operator with Brent Goldsmid, general manager - sales and business development with the Revoria PC1120
ISSN 1171 7912
DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES & SERVICE: Brian Moore – brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz +61 410 578 876 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Brian Moore – brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Carrie Tong – carrie@i-grafix.com
New Zealand Printer is mailed to members of the printing, packaging and graphic communications industry in New Zealand 11 times a year, February-December.
2021
Official Media Sponsor
New Zealand Printer is a member of the
Printer Media Group New Zealand: New Zealand Printer, ProPack.pro Asia Pacific: ProPack.pro Australia: Australian Printer, ProPrint MANAGING DIRECTOR: James Wells – james@intermedia.com.au GROUP PUBLISHER: Brian Moore – brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz © Copyright 2021: Contents of this magazine are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
DISCLAIMER This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2021 — Charted Media Group Pty Ltd
newzealandprinter.co.nz
December 2021/January 2022
3
NEWS IN BRIEF THE COMMERCE COMMISSION has received applications from New Zealand media companies seeking authorisation to negotiate with Facebook and Google about how their news appears on each platform. The News Publishers’ Association of New Zealand is seeking authorisation on behalf of itself and its membership to collectively negotiate with the tech giants for a period of 10 years. It has filed the application, on behalf of New Zealand’s independent media, to seek approval for an initiative that should assist in achieving fairer remuneration for them to support their sustainability and viability. BOBST has continued its acquisition strategy, buying gravure press manufacturer Cerutti. Davide Garavaglia, general manager and head of gravure, vacuum, coating, and laminating product lines at Bobst Italia says, “We are pleased that the proceedings have finally come to a completion, ending a period of uncertainty for the Cerutti stakeholders locally and worldwide. As a company, Bobst Italia is characterised by financial and social sustainability and, as such, is able to create value in the long term with a broad range of technologies in printing and converting.” VISTA, rebranded from VistaPrint, has acquired Depositphotos and its subsidiary Crello, a do it yourself digital design company, which will also rebrand to become VistaCreate. Robert Keane, chief executive at Vista, says, “We’re excited to announce our new parent brand Vista, which reflects our ongoing transformation into expert design and marketing partner for small businesses around the world. This provides access to a world class social media creative design solution.”
PrintNZ busy supporting print As the Pride In Print Awards puts out a call for entries, PrintNZ continues to promote print through campaigns and initiatives. Ruth Cobb, chief executive at PrintNZ, says, “This year we are encouraging all Pride In Print entry details to be entered on line to ensure that we can read the data correctly and to save time for both parties.” PrintNZ is also supporting the People in Print & Rising Stars of Print Awards with New Zealand Printer Magazine. Cobb adds, “This is a great chance to acknowledge the talent in print businesses across the country. The recent Printed In New Zealand logo launch forms part of the push to keep things
The team from Wakefields Digital, this year’s Pride In Print Supreme Award winners local. Printers can feature the logo on their work, promoting and celebrating the print industry to the domestic market as well as championing New Zealand’s print exports. Cobb says, “This is about being proud of the work our industry produces. Also,
we can let people know the work was produced in New Zealand by a member of PrintNZ.” PrintNZ will supply the logo in a number of formats for print. The logo carries a member identification number to avoid unauthorised use.
Press giant sees orders rise Heidelberg has reported a 44 per cent increase in orders, compared to last year, driven by booming demand in China. Locally, Savas Mystakidis, managing director for Heidelberg ANZ, says the company has sold 11 offset presses in Australia and New Zealand this year. He says, “We are pleased to see the resurgence in print businesses, and while the packaging industry is leading the charge, the commercial print industry is doing its fair share as well.
“Commercial is still strong in certain areas and during Covid-19. We have hardly seen anyone fall over. Businesses have hung in there and now things are looking steady and times are improved. The results have been very good overall and especially in Australia and New Zealand which has had a huge resurgence so that is very positive and pleasing to see.” However, he describes the global supply chain freight situation as abysmal. He says, “We are like everyone else. New
machinery is taking an extra two months on the water. The factory is still on target so we have that set but the shipping targets have blown out to double the normal shipping time.” Heidelberg has placed advanced orders for multiple container loads of consumables. He adds, “Most people are understanding as everyone is having to put up their freight costs, whether it is for paper or consumables, and I think all customers are in the same boat as freight costs rise.”
NEWS for New Zealand – all the latest print industry news from home and overseas, delivered to your inbox Go to the news website
newzealandprinter.co.nz Join the rest of the local print industry and sign up for your free newsletter
4
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
NEWS
Bay print deal: Kale acquires Advocate Two leading Bay of Plenty print companies have sealed a deal that sees Kale Print, based in Tauranga, buying Rotorua-based Advocate Print. Peter Lloyd, general manager of Kale Print, says, “We are absolutely delighted. This significant milestone for the company will better enable us to service our existing customers in Rotorua, and we can expand our offering there. We take this opportunity to welcome the team at Advocate Print to Kale Print.” The Merrick family founded Advocate Print in the early 1980s. Noel Merrick, managing director of Advocate Print, will continue as a consultant over the summer and the company retains its name. Merrick credits the success of the business to the management and staff members’ hard work and commitment. He adds that Kale Print’s strategy in staying abreast of technology and industry trends made the decision to sell Advocate Print an easier one.
Advocate Print will retain its name after the acquisition He says, “For us, Kale Print was a really nice fit in terms of its family ownership, environmental drive and the overall culture of the business. “Kale Print has a young team with a real passion for print. “Purchasing new print technology is a challenge for print companies like ours so it has become harder to keep reinvesting in plant. However, in terms of investing in new technology, Kale Print is an industry leader. “This can only be good for Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty community. For our customers, it is business as usual. Not much will change apart from offering more print capabilities.”
Brent Kale, operations manager for Kale Print, appreciates the smooth transition in the acquisition. He says, “It’s been an easy journey and Noel has been great to deal with. “Kale Print has enjoyed a great relationship with Advocate Print for a few years now. We work as Advocate Print’s trade partner for large volume print work. Both companies use the same management information system and there are other synergies. “We are anticipating a straight forward full integration. They have a great team too, multi-skilled across all departments.”
IN BRIEF EPSON has earned its second successive platinum rating for sustainability from EcoVadis, placing Epson among the top one per cent of companies in the industry. Epson received high scores for the environment, sustainable procurement, labour and human rights and ethics. Yasunori Ogawa, president of Epson, says, “We have placed solving issues in society, and especially achieving sustainability, at the heart of Epson’s corporate vision and business strategy. It’s a tremendous honour to receive this Platinum rating for the second successive year.” RR DONNOLLEY, the largest US printing company, is set for acquisition by private equity fund, Atlas Holdings, which also own the third largest US printing company, LSC. Dan Knotts, president and chief executive at RR Donnolley says, “This represents an exciting next phase of RRD’s journey. This transaction is a testament to our talented employees, whose passion for and dedication to serving our clients has helped build our company into the industry leading marketing and business communications company we are today.”
Hunkeler postpones to 2023 Ongoing Covid uncertainty around international travel and shipping has caused Hunkeler to postpone its multi-vendor Innovationdays week. Slated for February, 2022, the show will now take place a year later. Stefan Hunkeler, president of the board of directors and responsible for Innovationdays, says, “The decision was made in close consultation with our largest exhibitors and business partners. “Our goal is to hold a successful event. The unclear Covid-19 developments in various countries continue to restrict travel. The rules and regulations around the pandemic are dynamic and, in some cases, locally regulated. They continue to make international newzealandprinter.co.nz
passenger travel difficult. Unfortunately, exhibitors face the globally known supply chain problems, which makes it even more difficult to hold such an event”. The show is already almost fully booked in terms of exhibitor places. The Innovationdays traditionally see new digital printing systems, sheetfed and especially webfed, married with inline finishing systems, and on integrated workflows. Hunkeler Innovationdays will now take place in Lucerne, Switzerland, from February 27 to March 2, 2023. The next edition of the show will focus on the topic of automation. The company says, as usual, there will be many innovations and premieres for visitors to see.
THERMAL LAMINATING • MATT & GLOSS • SPECIALTY FILMS • ADHESIVE LAMINATING • HOT FOIL STAMPING & EMBOSSING • ENCAPSULATION & WIDE FORMAT • METALLISED FILMS • SCRATCH OFF INKS SPOT & OVERALL UV FINISHES • SPECIALISED COATINGS • INDEX TABBING • NEW LAMINATES • SCRATCH RESISTANT MATT • VELVET FEEL • SLURPEX SOFT CLOTH & CHAMOIS PRODUCTS
ALBANY • PENROSE • PETONE Unit 3, 343 Church St, PO BOX 12797, Penrose Auckland 1642, New Zealand, +64 9 636 8354 reception@glc.co.nz www.glc.co.nz
December 2021/January 2022
5
Ricoh New Zealand Meet the Team
Fred Chan Commercial & Industrial Print Business Operations Manager
For this month’s ‘Meet the Team’ series we have Fred Chan. Fred is a lynch-pin in the team and works with the industry to develop commercial offerings for the team to deliver.
Industry Background I have taken many roles during my 24 years in the industry, including professional sales, product marketing and operations. I have been with Ricoh for 16 years and transferred to NZ in 2016. I enjoy being active in the HK and NZ Print Industry. I was vice chairman and committee member of the Hong Kong Digital Print Association & Hong Kong Graphic Art Association respectively, and sat on the Pride in Print Judging Panel in 2019.
Areas of specific interest I have worked across a wide range of applications in commercial printing such as barcode and manifest printing for retail, and on-demand printing and workflow for publishing and marketing. I have recently taken a big interest in the specialist printing that Ricoh offers such as Direct-toGarment, 3D Printing and large-scale flatbed printing.
What others say about Fred Freddy is a great supporter of the industry and has been involved in many industry events from exhibitions through to
Achieve Graphic Greatness
Pride In Print Awards judging. He is an advocate for the printed product and his enthusiasm for the industry is contagious. Ruth Cobb, PrintNZ
Fred and I have shared a partnership for more then 15 years. His focus on customer education and events help our mutual customers to get the best out of their equipment and business. Anthony Parnemann, EFI Business Partners
In my spare time Participating in church service, watching movies, fishing, travelling, wine tasting, playing bridge & boardgames, life-long studying.
Fred is one of a team of seven vastly experienced commercial print specialists at Ricoh New Zealand that boast over 180 combined years of experience across the industry. All are available to assist with equipment, workflow or software applications for your business, and can be contacted regardless where you are in New Zealand
Combining people, process and technology to deliver outstanding outcomes
You can get in touch with us at contact@ricoh.co.nz
Ricoh New Zealand www.ricoh.co.nz
www.ricoh.co.nz/cip
m
NEW ZEALAND PRINTER DIRECTORY & CALENDAR People in Print Awards February 17, 2022 We are proud to present The People In Print Awards & Rising Stars of Print Awards, which give us the opportunity to celebrate excellence across a range of sectors in the industry.
newzealandprinter.co.nz Enter now Online entries have opened for the country’s premier print awards, recognising the best in visual print communication products produced in New Zealand. Watch this space for dates and details about the Pride In Print Awards Gala night in 2022.
prideinprint.co.nz
Auspack May 17-20, 2022 Melbourne The southern hemisphere’s largest event for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical processing and packaging sectors brings together thousands of leaders to experience world-class equipment, technology and solutions. The show also features educational and networking opportunities.
Labels Foil Stamping Embossing Creasing Die Cutting Perforating
(09) 274-7370
admin@contactlabels.co.nz
Kiss Cutting
www.contactlabels.co.nz
4A/157 Stoddard Road, Mount Roskill, Auckland 1041. - PMS 308
- PMS BLACK
auspack.com.au
Please respect legend colours integrity
PacPrint 2022
m
June 28-July 1, 2022 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre Covid-19 has led to the further postponement of the region’s largest print show. Organisers remain keen to welcome New Zealand visitors to the event that helps generate business opportunities through the latest technologies, solutions and trends.
m
Pride In Print Awards
Craig Paul 027 655 4267 sales@curriegroup.co.nz
- PMS 308 - PMS BLACK Please respect legend colours integrity
pacprint.com.au
NZSDA Conference & Awards
nzsda.org.nz
m
July, 2022 Queenstown ‘Innovate – Integrate – Motivate’ is the motto for next year’s New Zealand Sign & Display Association’s Conference & Awards. Apart from the NZSDA AGM, the event includes a trip to the historic Walter Peak Station; a look at how local wineries innovate their businesses, and the annual awards dinner. Registrations open at the end of November.
Y MACHINEERD WANT
• Consulting and Machine Recommendations Sourcing • Export/Import Sales • Machinery Inspections & Valuations • Plant Relocation OFFICE: 09 8367577, ALEX MOB. 021 975 477 sales@apm.co.nz www.apm.co.nz
Craig Paul 027 655 4267 sales@curriegroup.co.nz
Foodtech Packtech September 20-22 Auckland The country’s largest food manufacturing, packaging and processing technology trade show brings industry professionals and decision makers together providing a forum for education, discussion and sharing knowledge and expertise.
foodtech.packtech.co.nz
newzealandprinter.co.nz
Graphic Machinery NZ Ltd l Printing & Packaging Equipment l Machinery Sourcing & Relocation l Import / Export Sales - New / Used l Policart Die Cutting Anvil Covers l Solema Graphic & Board Machines l Plant Valuations & Inspections
Machinery Wanted
Considering Cashing up Surplus Equipment?
Craig Paul 027 655 4267 sales@curriegroup.co.nz
Contact: John Lunt Ph: +64 21 817 455 E: sales@gmnz.co.nz W: www.gmnz.co.nz December 2021/January 2022
7
NEWS
Michael Yarrell Memorial Trophy goes to Desmond Su’a Brebner Print has awarded the Michael Yarrell memorial trophy to apprentice Desmond Su’a. The award returns to the Napier-based print company after a seven-year break. Ricky Howes, general manager at Brebner Print, explains, “The Michael Yarrell Memorial Trophy was first awarded in 1989 to the top Brebner Print apprentice, rewarding excellence in their training. In its heyday, as the company grew it became a nationwide award. After seven years on the shelf with few apprentices to choose from, we now find ourselves in a growth phase. This has allowed us to bring the trophy back. The trophy honours Michael Yarrell, a 19-year old apprentice printer at Brebner Print, tragically killed in a motorcycle crash in 1989. Howes says, “It is a proud moment in our history to be able to bring this award back. It is for apprenticeship excellence and reinforces
Ricky Howes and Desmond Su’a at Brebner Print in Napier our commitment as part of the wider Blue Star Group to fully support the apprenticeship programme within our industry.” Desmond Su’a began at Brebner Print at the start
of this year as a Digital/ Design Apprentice. Howes says, “In the short time that Desmond has been with us, he has learned to operate the digital press, wide format printer, CTP
platesetter, and he is now knuckling down to specialise in graphic design and structural packaging. “Desmond has a caring, considerate nature and a strong work ethic, he gets on well with the entire team and his personality aligns well with our core values.” Like other print companies, Brebner Print has faced some stiff challenges over the past two years of Covid-19. He says. “The last couple of years has certainly been challenging on the staff and the business. Although we have said goodbye to some long serving staff over this time, it has given us the opportunity to employ new talent. With those fresh ideas and energy, the challenges that we have faced together over this time have galvanised us into a tighter and stronger team. “With Christmas around the corner, we are certainly looking forward to recharging the batteries and spending some quality time with family and friends.”
Hubergroup boxers raise funds The team at Hubergroup’s Auckland headquarters has had a busy year at work and in the gym. In 2019, Hubergroup established a fitness club in its warehouse with a single boxing bag. It gave staff members an opportunity to train and get fit. The successful initiative has grown and the gym now has more equipment and regular training programmes. Arthur Lenssen, general manager at Hubergroup New Zealand, says, “Concurrent to this, we made a commitment to the wider community through mentorship programmes via our boxing and fitness club. Separately, the Hubergroup team members made a separate commitment that for every kilogram lost, they would make a $10 donation. He says, “Our participants collectively have lost a hundred kilograms to date 8
Sharing their fitness: Hubergroup’s training team raises funds for people in the wider community and with this, a $1000 donation was made to BBM. “The team has raised funds and become involved in causes that need some assistance. In 2021, these have included Unicef and Ray Avery’s food in schools programme. Among other things, the BBM programme
provides free boot camps for people battling obesity, helping them improve their lives. BBM and its founder Dave Letele are an inspiration in the way they selflessly look after those in need. We are in awe of what they do and are more than ready to put in some mahi to
raise funds and contribute in any way we can. “Frankly we are glad to see the back of 2021. Like most, this year required us to navigate some challenges however these are nothing compared to what some have to go through to feed their families.”
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
THINK LATERALLY
The vulnerability of our supply networks: a production and distribution nightmare Creative director at Think Laterally Mick Rowan, begins a monthly column sharing his insights with New Zealand Printer readers
S
uppose in early 2019, you’d been given the job of investigating the optimum supply chains for your company. It would seem like a relatively simple task. But who could have imagined the months of disrupted production and distribution that the Covid-19 pandemic would reap? Over past 18 months, we have seen the world’s supply chains ground to a near halt as the global economy shut down, affecting production cycles in companies the world over and quickly exposing the vulnerability of our supply networks. According to Fred Soar, managing director at Soar Print, the initial hit to business confidence was brutal. He says, “When Covid hit, I was hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. We faced supply chain issues associated with forced stock substitutions and heavily increased freight pricing, as well as a significant drop-off in short-run work, hospitality, events, and of course, travel. The saving grace was our label production which continued largely unhindered.” A shining light for Soar Print was that Asia no longer appeared to be such a viable print destination due to the supply chain disruption, and many New Zealand companies brought their work back to the domestic market. Soar explains, “After the initial lockdown ended, the demand for print was still there, plus we had the return of work from the international market, which allowed us to ramp up reasonably quickly.” According to Craig Walmsley, industrial country manager at HP, the last 18 months have been challenging, newzealandprinter.co.nz
MICK ROWAN THINK LATERALLY
The availability of sea freight services has been a major driver of supply chain issues but the team has focused on the positive. He says, “We, like every industry, had to change and adapt quickly. We managed our supply chain and worked closely with our customers to minimise impact and mitigate constraints. “We’ve had strong growth in the Labels and Packaging space and in Commercial, where our partners and customers that pivoted fast and diversified their businesses were in solid positions to navigate through the Covid-19 lockdowns.” The unique set of circumstances brought about by Covid-19, and the associated disruptions to global production will force businesses to reassess and analyse their business processes looking for potential points of failure within the workflow. “By mapping the complete life cycle, it will be easier to find and minimise steps that don’t add value. The unusual economic times will be an opportunity to find ways to do things better, potentially improving resilience whilst reducing the chance of disruption. The availability of sea freight services has been a major driver of supply chain issues and the difficulties of sourcing products when factories are either shut down or operating at reduced capacity. However, this is something that we might have to factor into future considerations. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, the average
company can expect significant supply chain disruptions to occur roughly every three and a half years due to anything from extreme weather to financial crisis or future pandemics. To this end, the dependence on international supply chains for raw materials will not diminish but can be better managed. Many products are no longer produced in-country, so strategies will need to be adjusted so that delayed inventory deliveries don’t risk job opportunities. With the genuine risk of disruption ahead, companies might have to consider holding ‘safety stock’ in the future. This idea goes against just in time and lean manufacturing methodologies as it will tie up cash. However, the risk of delays, price increases and unhappy customers should go some way to negating this risk. There’s no doubt that business leaders will have to look for intuitive ways to give their company an advantage in this new age, utilising global supply chains whilst reducing the risks involved. This won’t be an easy task, but the agile and adaptable will stay ahead of the game, as they always do, adopting a new vision that aligns with the realities of the new era. Mick has spent the past decade building printIQ into one of the most recognised software brands in the printing industry, and with over four decades of experience, Mick truly has ink in his veins.
December 2021/January 2022
9
helping hand
Another year naviga
The team from Wakefields Digital with the Pride In Print Supreme Award
Despite the turmoil from Covid-19, PrintNZ has pressed on with fresh initiatives and advocacy for the industry
D
IAIN MACINTYRE
uring 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic has continued to cause huge disruption to business and everyday life. Despite the turmoil, New Zealand’s print industry has again showed its resilience and celebrated a number of positive events during the course of 2021. Ruth Cobb, chief executive officer at PrintNZ, says, “2020 was touted as the year of ‘unprecedented challenge’ and by Christmas, we felt we had survived the storm. “Business had made an unexpected recovery from 10
December 2021/January 2022
the disruptions brought about by Covid-19 and we entered 2021 with feelings of strong confidence. “As I commented in this column last December, the optimistic outlook was for a progressive return to business as usual alongside appreciation of the need to operate within some measure of pandemic-managing requirements.”
Calm before the storm This year, spirits and workloads remained upbeat despite two snap lockdowns in Auckland in February and one in Wellington in June. Cobb says, “Even with the necessary restrictions in place, New Zealanders were living a freedom of life like no other country was able to do. “We also experienced just a glimmer of life lived before the pandemic, as quarantine free travel bubbles opened up
between Australia and New Zealand, as well as Rarotonga and New Zealand. “The Australian pipeline provided some much needed relief for the tourism industry, particularly in the South Island, and this additionally contributed to the return of some events. These developments also provided some stimulation for local print businesses, print being associated with everything, tourism and events included. “However, little did we know what was in store for us. In August everything changed again with the arrival of the Delta strain in our community, and we are still working through this major setback as we head into the Festive Season. Auckland has had to deal with so many days of lockdown that many gave up trying to keep count.” Aside from the setbacks, she emphasises a number of notable newzealandprinter.co.nz
helping hand
ating the new normal achievements to celebrate within the print sector during the year. These include the return to Training Graduation Ceremonies in Christchurch during March and Auckland during May. She says, “About 150 attendees joined in celebrating the notable achievements of our training graduates for both this year and 2020, given we were unable to hold those ceremonies last year. “Gold medal winning Paralympian Liam Malone did a fine job as guest speaker in providing additional inspiration for our trainees and graduates.” The pre-eminent event on the print industry calendar, the Pride In Print Awards Evening, also returned as an in person event in June, the first time under PrintNZ’s management umbrella. She says, “Alas, another Covid-19 hiccup meant we lost out on 50 expected travellers from Wellington and Sydney, but the over 500 people in attendance from the rest of New Zealand and Australia enjoyed a fabulous night of celebration.” Notable winners included: • Supreme Award – Wakefields Digital • 2020 BJ Ball Papers Print Industry Apprentice of the Year – Travis Jordan, Soar Print • Training Company of the Year – Labelmakers • Trainer of the Year – Alex Huynh, Soar Print “The annual PrintNZ Management Advisory Group meeting and PrintNZ AGM were once again hosted in person, this time during June at the Auckland facilities of Fujifilm Business Innovation. “The Management Advisory Group provides key grass roots membership input, which helps shape the strategy and services of PrintNZ as well as providing sign off to new initiatives. “It was valuable to once again have the opportunity to get together with those representatives from both the regions and the niche sectors of our industry to discuss the effects of 2020 and the pathway forwards for 2021.” newzealandprinter.co.nz
Apprentice of the Year: Travis Jordan from Soar Print
Appointments A number of notable new developments took place during the year, including the appointments of Fred Soar as the new PrintNZ president and Linden Hoverd as the new PrintNZ membership co-ordinator for the northern region. Cobb says, “A well known figure in our industry, Fred has been on the Board of PrintNZ since 2017. Also a past chair of Melanoma New Zealand and current chair of Play It Strange, Fred’s family owned business Soar Print has become a leading light in the areas of sustainability and lean manufacturing, a crucial forward focus for our organisation and industry. “Fred succeeds Tony Sayle, who stepped down after four years as president, during which time he drove the organisation through substantial periods of change, not least of which being the challenges presented by the pandemic. Fortunately, Tony will be continuing to provide
Training Company of the Year: Tracy Hislop and Rachel Wymer from Labelmakers his valuable contribution on the Board, to which he was first elected in 2014. “We also welcome Linden, who has a background in account management and has worked in both the event and packaging industries, as our new membership co-ordinator. While Linden has had to rely on phone introductions during the recent lockdown, she is looking forward to soon meeting the upper North Island membership in person.”
Fresh momentum New initiatives included the presentation of the first Pride In Print Company Awards for Wellness, Sustainability and Innovation; PrintNZ assuming executive management functions for Packaging NZ; and the launch of the Printed In New Zealand campaign. Cobb says, “The new Company Awards reflect the overall development and evolution of our industry, specifically recognising those Continued on page 12 December 2021/January 2022
11
helping hand
Continued from page 11
At the Pride In Print Awards, from left Richard Hislop, from sponsor BJ Ball Papers; Alex Huynh, Trainer of the Year; and Tony Sayle, former president PrintNZ factors which will be integral to the ongoing and future success of both individual businesses and the sector overall. A number of awards were presented across the three categories for the first time this year, with Blue Star Group named the inaugural overall Company Category Winner. “As well as strengthening the relationship between our two organisations, PrintNZ’s facilitation of the back office functions of Packaging NZ has allowed that association to redeploy its resources and engage a specialist Government relations manager. That is expected to greatly increase Packaging NZ’s interactions with Government and provide input to ensure the role that packaging plays in a future, sustainable New Zealand is understood by key stakeholders. “Additionally, we have recently launched the Printed In New Zealand campaign and logo, which will also be the theme of next year’s Pride In Print Awards. Initiated as part of the push to keep production local and support New Zealand businesses, this campaign aims to further encourage our members to take great pride in the work they produce and to broadcast this fact to print buyers and consumers alike.” Ongoing political engagement has also been a feature of PrintNZ activities this year along with membership updates. Cobb says the team took great pride in ensuring the membership was provided with clarity on evolving Covid-19 developments through a regular 12
December 2021/January 2022
At the Training Graduations, gold medal winning Paralympian Liam Malone did a fine job as guest speaker in providing additional inspiration for trainees and graduates
stream of updates during the year. “Again, during the latest lockdown, our team has trawled diligently through the various Government agency releases to clearly establish for our members who could operate, when they could operate, what assistance was available and how to apply for it. “This year there was the added layer of vaccinations and all of the rules, regulations and requirements that came along with that. It has been a balancing act between protecting a person’s right to choose, alongside a requirement to provide a safe workplace. “Delta has brought with it added risk and additional pressure for businesses and so we have worked with our member companies to understand the risks and how these might be mitigated to minimise its presence and transmission in the workplace. “All of the work in the Covid-19 space requires substantial government interaction as well as alignment with similar groups campaigning for sensible outcomes.” PrintNZ made submissions to the government on a broad range of topics during the year, most notably: • Covid-19 • Employment-related legislation, including additional sick leave, the Holidays Act, Parent Teacher Interview leave and Fair Pay agreements • Review of Vocational Education • Waste strategy
Cobb adds that PrintNZ has undertaken substantial engagement on the Review of Vocational Education process across multiple agencies. She says, “It is vital that the voice of print, packaging and signage is heard and that our position is not diluted as the training functions evolve from Competenz to oversight within two much larger organisations. “So it was pleasing to see that, as part of this process, PrintNZ Board member Mark O’Grady of Excel Digital was appointed to one of those organisations: The Establishment Board of the Hanga-Aro-Rau Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics Workforce Development Council. “Lobbying on a broad range of Covid-19 issues has been extensive and, at times, frustrating. However, a key win for this lobbying initiative, which began in 2020 and came to fruition this year, was to not only ensure that our community newspaper members could continue to operate during lockdowns but to also secure them significant government print advertising. “Initially, the government was only placing advertising with the major dailies, but this lobbying, undertaken in partnership with the Community Newspapers Association, saw the net widened and resulted in over $180,000 worth of advertising being placed in those papers.” She concludes, “PrintNZ remains fully committed to continuing to provide this vital function, as well as our wide range of other services, again in 2022.” newzealandprinter.co.nz
Rinse and repeat, but apply another layer Farewell 2021, you were a tough challenge
W
e all started 2021 with a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism. 2020 had been a year like no other and we were sure the disruptions of Covid-19 were behind us. New Zealand was the envy of many around the world as controls around our borders meant we remained relatively Covid free. It was great to be able to confidently make plans for the year ahead, re-establishing the events that had been missed the previous year and looking forward to being able to visit members, host events and to mix and mingle again. It was business as usual in New Zealand and for the first half of the year (aside from a couple of minor setbacks in Auckland) that is exactly how we went about our business. We even had a ‘bubble’ with some of our closest neighbours that meant we were able to travel overseas again. In June, it was an absolute pleasure to be able to hold the Pride In Print and Apprentice of the Year Awards in Auckland. The evening was everything that was expected of a gala celebration, (although we did miss our Wellington colleagues who were caught in another short lockdown). It felt heart-warming to see such a large number of the industry participating in the event; the pleasure they took in being there; and the celebration of the amazing work that our industry produces and the amazing people that do it. Now as we look back at 2021, with the wisdom of hindsight, we recognise how fortunate we were to be able to hold those events. Not long after that the wheels fell off again and the date of August 17 is well etched in the memory of every Aucklander, at least. We were thrown back into lockdown and with it the insecurity and confusion it created once again. Our buzz words moved from ‘pivot’ and ‘virtual’ to ‘just two more weeks’. newzealandprinter.co.nz
Covid-19 morphed and we had to change our response - rinse and repeat
RUTH COBB
On the positive side, we had been here before in 2020 and we knew what to do. But, just as Covid-19 had morphed, so too had the response plan and so rules changed, businesses were curtailed and people again faced uncertainty. Fast forward 108 days, and I think we can all agree that while 2020 was tough, 2021 was tougher, particularly for those in Auckland. And this year we had to add in another layer: vaccinations. I acknowledge that this is a personal choice, but they appear to be an essential tool in the fight against Covid-19. New Zealand was slow to start vaccinating, and consequently many have felt undue pressure to comply quickly and this has created some polarising situations that we hope will be resolved as we develop our herd immunity. Once again our industry has shown both how important it is to the New Zealand economy, and how agile and resourceful we are. There are visual reminders everywhere of the important role that print has played in managing the pandemic from very recognisable black and yellow signage through to the vast array of printing required to manage the vaccination process. We are thankful to both the employers and employees who have adapted to different ways of working to ensure that the job gets done. It has taken collaboration and compromise
to ensure that as many jobs as possible have been retained and that we don’t lose access to our talent pool as a result of the pandemic. PrintNZ is proud to have worked with the industry this year. We once again have chosen to engage with the whole industry, whether they were our members or not, to ensure that all businesses were informed and represented, and had access to everything that was available. With the compounding factors of supply chain issues, pricing pressures and the extended Auckland lockdown, there has been even more of a requirement to lobby government to have our collective voices heard. Whilst it isn’t always successful, it at least is ensuring that they are hearing about the impact their decisions (or lack of them) are having on the businesses that are responsible for keeping our economy ticking over. I want to particularly acknowledge and thank our PrintNZ members, sponsors and the Board for their continued support during a time which has been challenging for many. You are the people and businesses that ensure there is an industry association when you need one. Have a safe and happy holiday season, watch out for traffic lights, and fingers crossed that 2022 takes a more direct route to the finish line. Season’s greetings from the team at PrintNZ.
December 2021/January 2022
13
DIGITAL
Revoria proves a smart choice for Inkwise
R
ecently, Inkwise installed a Revoria PC1120 Press, supplied through Fujifilm Business Innovation. Brent Goldsmid, general manager sales and business development, for Inkwise, explains the rationale behind the Revoria purchase, “Inkwise was born out of The Ashburton Guardian newspaper and as such, it was a coldset and heatset web printer that outsourced any offset and digital work.” The company has demonstrated its intentions to take control of its own destiny. It bought a six-colour offset press last year but still needed to address its lack of digital firepower. Goldsmid says, “We could see that no one has all-round press power. While we are still a web printer, printing The Ashburton Guardian and several community newspapers, catalogues, and magazines, we needed to develop a broader business offering. Everyone knows how web print faces challenges right now, especially in the coldset space. In order to offer our existing clientele a bigger offering and to expand our business, we looked for an exceptional digital capability. “We knew that we could get a choice of two good digital presses, but then we would pretty much have what everyone else had. What we wanted is to have something that nobody else had. “The Revoria appeared at the right time. After we looked at it seriously, we realised we could really attack the digital market.
Revoria at Inkwise: Christina Tudor, digital print operator with Brent Goldsmid, general manager - sales and business development with the Revoria PC1120
Leading print company brings greater versatility to its game with the Revoria PC1120
We signed up for one of the first machines in the country.” Since the installation, the 30-year plus industry veteran has had an opportunity to see the new machine in action. He says, “The Revoria is magnificent. The quality of the work we are getting is phenomenal. The colour management and RIP system is better than anything I have seen in digital printing. It also uses a new air feed system and the makeready backup and registration are so much quicker. The enhanced ink technologies are quite amazing.” The Revoria PC1120 machine fits well with Inkwise’s strategy. He says, “We have bought this press to enhance our complete offering. The Revoria is next
level technology, just in the colour management technology alone. With the Revoria, we get the versatility that we don’t get in our other press options such as shorter runs finished at the end of the press, as well as proofing and mock ups.” Out of the box thinking has seen Inkwise dive into offset and, in quick time, move into digital with the Revoria PC1120. He says, “Two years ago, that was not on the radar but our directors and shareholdes are innovative and will do what is required to keep Inkwise relevant. “We have all heard the cliché of the one stop print shop. With our ability to offer coldset, heatset, offset, and digital printing under one roof, it is now a reality.”
Revoria brings fresh thinking to digital printing The Revoria PC1120 innovations include: Air suction feeder and static removal device provide highly stable paper feeding for a wide variety of paper. Feeder system handles paper from 52gsm to 400gsm. Paper trays offer compatibility with paper sizes from 98mm X 148mm to 330mm x 1200mm in simplex mode and up to 330mm x 729mm for duplex printing. Static eliminator enables printing on a variety of substrates such as films, metallic, and transparent media without them 14
sticking together. Prints at 120 pages per minute High definition, high resolution prints of 2400 dpi. Super EA-Eco toner boasts the smallest toner particle size in the industry. Print server performs RIP processing at 1200 × 1200 dpi and 10 bits per colour (1024 gradations). The one-pass, six-colour print engine, can use up to two special toners such as gold, silver, clear, white, pink, and custom red, in addition to the basic CMYK toners.
Effects include a super sleek varnish effect with gloss; multiple metallic prints using white, gold, and silver plus CMYK overlay; smoother gradients with pink; and rich printouts with depth on coloured media with white, gold, and silver. AI enables automatic image corrections for photo images, enhancing each photo image automatically. Inline post processing line up offers finishing options including folding, three way trimming, and saddle stitching with square back finishing.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
We live in a magnificent world. Bring the sublime to life in breathtaking detail from Specialty Dry Ink in the revolutionary Revoria Press PC1120. Make neons and pastels pop with electrifying Pink Dry Ink that reproduces the colour gamut in crisp, vivid dimensions.
Discover a wondrous realm of possiblities. www.fujifilm.com/fbnz
COVER STORY
The RMGT 9-series: the mos
R
yobi MHI Graphic Technology (RMGT) is on a growth trajectory stemming from its strong distributorship deals in Asia, which have contributed to the company’s recent success and popularity. RMGT is going from strength to strength, and more printing and packaging companies are seeing the value of its presses, especially for its 9-series. In China, for example, RMGT recently received its largest order to date for printing presses, probably one of the most extensive orders placed with any press manufacturer in the last 30 years. Its Chinese distributor, Beijing Jia He Ding Xin Technology & Business Co. (DINGA), secured a deal with one of the biggest online printing groups in China, Yintong Corporation, where 56 RMGT 9-series machines were procured. DINGA succeeded in finalising the massive order and held the signing ceremony at China Print 2021, which took place in June this year. The company has been running its business with presses from other manufacturers, but with the 9-series proving to be the most profitable press, Yintong Corporation decided to be brand loyal and replace all its existing machinery with the RMGT 9-series. According to RMGT, the order of 56 presses, comprising of 338 printing units, will aid Yintong Corporation dominate the web to print market in China, in both the books and packaging sectors. Specifically, Yintong Corporation bought a set of the RMGT 920PF-8 with LED-UV+PQS-D+ Smart Assist Printing; 24 sets of the RMGT 920PF-8 with LED-UV; 10 sets of the RMGT 920ST-4; 10 sets of the RMGT 970ST-4; 10 sets of the RMGT 970ST5+IR+CC+SLD; and one set of the RMGT 970PF-8 with LED-UV. The most sophisticated press in the Yintong Corporation package is the eight-unit perfecting machine with LED UV curing. It features the full, closed loop colour control suite
16
RMGT recently received its largest order in history, in China, for its 9-series range of presses and the company’s growth continues as a result of the profitability of its users
(PQS) and smart assist printing (SAP). According to RMGT, this set is its most reliable, fully automated production press that copes with ultra short runs. Yintong Corporation is planning to complete the installations of all 56 presses across the next three years as it involves an overhaul of its current presses. RMGT says, “DINGA participated in China Print 2021 and exhibited the RMGT 1050TP-8+LED-UV, RMGT 920PF-8+LED-UV and RMGT 790ST-5XL. Ultimately, DINGA was able to achieve great success in this exhibition. “Following the installation, Yintong Corporation will be able to easily ramp up its production at short notice to cope with the sudden surge in orders by drawing on the group agility to react to market demands. With this boost to its business, it can still ensure that other customers’ orders are not delayed. “We are making the best efforts to minimise the lead time impact of these big orders for the other markets, by setting the limited maximum monthly production quantities
for Yintong Corporation. We believe that the market impact from this big order will contribute not only to the future spill over effect to other printing companies but also to the improvement of our brand power in the Chinese market. “The prevalence of LED-UV in this order also indicates that the Chinese market is now one where speed of turnaround is becoming the determining factor for business. The Chinese market’s sentiments related to web to print business is expected to grow exponentially.” Cyber distributes RMGT in New Zealand and Australia. Bernard Cheong, managing director for Cyber Australia and New Zealand, says many profitable printers run the RMGT 9-series presses in both countries and local companies can learn about the value of the 9-series from its uptake. He says, “Yintong Corporation’s recent acquisition of 56 machines of the RMGT 9-series is testimony to its high print quality and productivity. “The demand for RMGT’s 9-series presses has grown locally as well. We have recently done installations at Greenridge Press, a 920PF-8 with LED-UV
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
COVER STORY
ost profitable press range
The RMGT 970 model is based on combining the best know how of the 920 series and 1050 series presses eight-colour (4/4) convertible perfector; at Spot Production, a 920PF-10 with LED-UV 10-colour (5/5) convertible perfector; as well as CMYKhub, with three sets of 920PF-8 with LED-UV machines. “They’re just a few of our many users. Cyber’s team of factory trained contract engineers are stationed across Australia and New Zealand to ensure that these presses keep on running with minimum downtime.”
Taking a closer look at the RMGT 9-series The RMGT 9-series includes the latest A1-plus size offset press (the 970 model), as well as its best seller, the popular SRA1 offset press, the 920 model. The presses can be configured further to meet specific business needs. The new 970 model is based on combining the best know how of the 920 series and 1050 series presses. With the combined technology, the series offers versatility, durability, a high-level of automation and aims to further improve the profitability of its users. Cheong says, “Ryobi MHI Graphic Technology has further expanded our product range with this launch. In line with its lean manufacturing strategy, the company has studied the newzealandprinter.co.nz
needs of our users. In addition, the new RMGT 970 was introduced to maximise profits by reducing production cost and increasing efficiencies.” The RMGT 970 is an A1-plus size offset press range that can handle a maximum sheet size of 650mm by 965mm. The range can perform a wide range of printing work, including printing of multipage materials, posters, and packaging. RMGT says, “The 970 series can provide maximum versatility for printing companies. “Firstly, the maximum paper size of 970 series is 650 x 965mm which can be most suitable for several countries.” “With 650 x 910mm being a very popular paper size in New Zealand and Australia, users can now print on this size without trimming.” Some of its other features also include a benderless plate clamp, feeder and delivery operation touch panel, and other automated functionalities. The 920 model is a SRA1 offset press for sheet width up to 920mm (900mm printing area). This model enables printing of international A1 size posters as well as eight up printing for international A4 size. Some of the other benefits it delivers include significantly lowered printing plate costs,
power consumption, and space requirements than a B1-size press, an inline coating system that adds value to printed work, as well as many of the same features as the flagship RMGT 10, including state of the art sheet transfer technology and a function for quickly and easily checking the roller nip. With various superior features such as high speed printing of 16,000 sheets per hour, one pass perfecting printing, and in line coating capabilities, the press is said to meet the diversified needs of printing companies. Plus, the LED-UV dry to dry printing system with one module over the perfecting device and another over the delivery section enables one pass four-over-four, or fiveover-five, instant dry duplex production. Like all RMGT presses, the 920 model is available with an optional newly developed press information display with a large 55-inch screen and tablet, which enables an operator to easily monitor printing quality and operating status in real-time – both from the PCS-G console and within the vicinity of the press through the portable tablet. Sales of the RMGT 9-series offset presses are also gaining traction in China. In the year 2020 alone, DINGA experienced a 400 per cent increase in orders.
Proven popularity of the RMGT 9-series Since its introduction over a decade ago, the RMGT 9-series has become popular in New Zealand and Australia with a number of presses in the region. Most recently, NSW-based trade printer Industrial Printing Co. (IPC) installed a refurbished Ryobi 924 LED-UV press, which it purchased from Cyber Australia. A first-time customer of Cyber Australia, IPC business owner David Scott says he decided to purchase the press to boost the 55-yearold company’s position in the sheetfed offset space. Continued on page 18 December 2021/January 2022
17
COVER STORY Continued from page 17 He says, “The printing industry has changed dramatically over the past few years. The need for manufacturing forms has decreased to the point where there may have been 30 forms printers before, but now, we are one of three remaining forms printers in Australia. “The heart of our business had been manufacturing forms on roll fed presses. “A few years ago, we decided that we needed to diversify into other areas of printing, such as eyeleting and stringing, wide format signage and barcoding, in addition to developing our digital printing facilities and building further into our conventional sheetfed products like magazines, presentation folders, flyers and letterheads. “We looked at various new markets and technologies, including packaging and labels and using roll fed and sheetfed inkjet technologies. “After many sales offerings and samplings, we concluded that it was more viable to strengthen our sheetfed offset operations. “But we knew that if we were going to be able to compete in the printing industry, we would need to upgrade to more efficient equipment.” Not long after, Scott came across the Ryobi printing press with LED-UV curing at Cyber Australia’s stand at PacPrint 2017 in Melbourne. The Ryobi 924 LED UV press forms part of its 920 series of SRA1 size high speed multi-colour offset machines. The model features a maximum printing speed of 16,200 sheets per hour and includes enhancements such as varnish coating capability for added value and higher productivity. Cheong says, “At that time, IPC visited the trade show in search of a new digital press. But when they walked past our booth, they got attracted to the Ryobi press with LED-UV. “They then sat in on several of our live machine demos and were keen on the capabilities of the machine. From then, they started realigning their business towards the new Ryobi 920ST-4 with fully automatic plate changer and LED-UV.” Scott says the capabilities of the press excited him, as he could see the advantages to the business. He explains, “I 18
Industrial Printing Co.’s business owner David Scott (l) and general manager Steve Scott recently purchased a refurbished Ryobi 924 LED-UV press had decided that it could be a big part of the way forward for our business and started investigating LED-UV presses. We decided on the LED-UV offset press as conventional offset presses have a minimum of 20 years’ life span, while digital presses usually max out at about five years. “We also believed that there would only be a small learning curve to move towards LED-UV curing ink. “Digital inkjet presses are not only more expensive to buy but also to run, when considering the cost of consumables and power required. “Also, the environment, temperature and humidity requirements for digital presses are much more stringent, as compared to LED-UV offset presses. The Ryobi LED-UV press ticked all the boxes of our requirements.” Scott says he picked a refurbished unit instead of a
The benefits of LED-UV • • • • • • • • • • • • •
No odor No Ozone No spray powder No set-off No loss time Instant dry Instant ON/OFF irradiation Reduce CO2 emission No large peripheral equipment No need for overprint varnishing Reduce electrical consumption Up to 91 per cent No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Reduce heat generation Longer life span – up to 15 times that of conventional Printing on film and cardboard Just like your conventional offset press... without the cons.
new one because of the price difference between them, but also because the refurbished Ryobi press had all the latest automated technologies that the business required. He points out that the Cyber Australia team guided him in his decision-making of choosing the best LED-UV press, having gone through the needs of IPC. He says, “At first, we were thinking of a five-colour A2 (four-up) press with perfecting technology, but then, Bernard explained the benefits of having a four-colour A1 (eight-up) press instead for less money. “It meant that perfecting work could be done just as efficiently by printing ‘work and turn’ and with LED-UV curing; even short runs could be perfected immediately. In addition, the Ryobi A1 press was the only one that would fit in the space we had next to our existing press with coater. “We have been operating the Ryobi 924 LED-UV press for a few weeks now and we have noticed that it draws less power than our B2 press with coater, as the LED-UV (10amp) curing requires much less power than IR drying.” The Ryobi press has also tripled IPC’s capacity, enabling the company to now work on expanding its finishing section in order to help cope with the increased printing capacity. Scott adds, “We are doing short-runs more efficiently, in addition to doing longer runs as eight-ups instead of four-ups. “Our operators are happy with their new press and it will play a big part in taking us forward into the future, and help us better in supplying the needs of those in the printing industry.”
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
ON/OFF instant light source switching
* 91％
lower power consumption
15,000hr long life
Ozone free
Low heat
Mercury free
920ST-4+LED-UV
A1-Size Four-Colour Offset Press with LED-UV
Why?
STRENGTHENING SHEETFED with the Ryobi 924 LED-UV
Industrial Printing Co. (IPC) has taken a significant step that will bring its business forward in a big way. It has installed a refurbished Ryobi 924 LED-UV press, which it recently purchased from Cyber Australia. The Ryobi 924 LED-UV, their first SRA1 press with its lean 8-up A4 format as well as the dry-to-dry LED-UV printing system, has breathed new life into IPC’s sheetfed • Instant dry department, boosting the 55-year-old company’s play in the sheet-fed offset • Instant ON/OFF irradiation space. With the low cost of ownership, low consumable cost, low power No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) consumption and ease of operation as compared to any high-speed digital No Ozone press, the new capabilities and advantages of the Ryobi 924 LED-UV positions No large peripheral equipment IPC to emerge stronger No need for overprint varnishing when the effects of Reduce electrical consumption COVID-19 fades away. No odor No spray powder No set-off No loss time
• Up to 91%
Reduce CO2 emission Reduce heat generation Long life span • Up to 15 times
Printing on film and cardboard Just like your conventional offset press ...without the cons.
New Zealand - Paul Hilleard (64) 21 191 6548 Sydney - Rob Crough (61) 423 337 788 Melbourne - Greg Knight (61) 411 338 855 Brisbane - Peter Erskine (61) 432 663 322 Perth - Alan Strugnell (61) 418 955 512 Malaysia - Tel: (60) 3 7955 1668 (Kuala Lumpur) Indonesia - Tel: (62) 21 2555 8924 Tel: (60) 7 598 0771/2 (Senai, Johor) Vietnam - Tel: (84) 9 0938 9468
New Zealand : Unit 22, Ground Floor, 6 Ken Browne Drive, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand Tel: (64) 7 949 7722 Sydney : 38 Victoria Street, Beaconsfield, NSW 2015 Australia Tel: (61) 2 9318 0099 Fax: (61) 2 9318 0399 sales@cyber1976.com
www.cyber1976.com www.c yber1976.com
Singapore - Tel: (65) 6272 8936 Thailand - Tel: (66) 2 682 3411-4
TALES FROM THE PRINTERVERSE
It’s time to say goodbye to ‘me’ and hello to ‘we’
T
he only thing I am more over hearing about than Covid-19 is you, service providers. Sure, we had two years of lockdowns and then getting populations vaccinated. Yes, all of that caused issues with supply chains, workforce and knowing where remote working customers were. And, in the absence of business being conducted the way it has in the past, staying in mailboxes and inboxes and voicemail boxes was critical to keep connection. Out of sight is out of mind during a global pandemic, and especially after. Now, as we move toward a post-Covid light in the tunnel, a focus on maintaining customers is even more important than finding new ones. As we change the calendar this year, I’d like to suggest that the underlying subtext for all your customer communications in 2022 is ‘we’ focused, and not ‘me’ focused.
Covid ‘me’ and ‘we’ Your company may have spent the last two years sharing how it can help customers amidst the evolving Covid obstacles. Your company may have spent time communicating about new or updated processes and procedures for placing orders, and products and services developed during Covid such as safety graphics. Your company may have been sharing how it helped the community and gave back to first-line workers. That is critical and positive communication no doubt, but with the common theme of being about you. It’s now time to flip the script and make your customer communications and mission about ‘we’ and plant your messaging stake in the ground. Who is that subject line about? Better question, who will your customers and prospects think that subject line is about? Help, don’t sell, and start booking strategic planning meetings to understand the 2022 business goals of customers and prospects. 20
DEBORAH CORN
It’s now time make your customer comms and mission about ‘we’ and plant your messaging stake in the ground
As we change the calendar at thee end of 2021, our underlying subtext for all customer communications in 2022 should have a ‘we’ focus insteda of continuing with the ‘me’ focus Take notes, meet with your team to devise a strategy, and then book a meeting to reveal all the ways you can help with a menu of services and options. ‘We’ applies to file creation. Find a designer to help you help your customers and prospects create custom artwork. Find a designer to help create templates that can be repurposed again and again. ‘We’ applies to ease and installation. Think about creating user friendly online portals for customers to order materials. If there is an opportunity for signage switch outs (think seasons and florists) create a subscription program that includes new graphics each quarter and hanging them. ‘We’ applies to ordering preferences. More people online buying things in oneclick, whenever they want from wherever they are. Make as much of your offering that easy to purchase. ‘We’ applies to timely communications. You may want to share the latest testimonial about ‘you knowing you’ and hope that your email list doesn’t opt-out, or you may want to rethink your strategy and focus on information your customers and prospects need to keep them opening your emails. Think about setting turn around expectations to avoid missing dates due to supply chain issues. Help them prepare for any postal increases
and service interruptions like we have going on in the US by using the strategic planning meeting to map out mailings for the year. ‘We’ applies to anything and everything that makes you part of the customer’s ‘us’. Please take the concept, tweak it, and apply it as needed. As you learn, adjust. Which verticals generate the best business results for you? How can you make your success repeatable in additional verticals that share similar printing needs? What products and services are most popular? How much of that can be automated from ordering to delivery? Making it about ‘we’ just may be the best thing you do for your business in 2022. Meanwhile, Happy New Year and until ‘we’ meet again, whether in person or in AP’s pages. Print long and prosper. Deborah Corn is the Intergalactic Ambassador to The Printerverse at Print Media Centr, a Print Buyerologist, international speaker and blogger, host of Podcasts From The Printerverse, cultivator of Print Production Professionals, Head Girl in Charge at Girls Who Print, host of #PrintChat, the founder of International Print Day and the founder of #ProjectPeacock.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
RETHINK EFFICIENCY WITH THE ALL NEW ACCURIOPRESS C14000 SERIES
The digital revolution continues with the highly evolved, all NEW AccurioPress C14000 series designed to ensure you never stop printing. These high speed digital colour presses offer next level automation for ultra-efficient, high volume colour printing. Packed with an array of impressive features, powerful inline finishing options for high productivity and with in-built technology, they offer unparalleled quality and consistency print after print.
To rethink efficiency, simply visit konicaminolta.co.nz/AccurioPressC14000series www.konicaminolta.co.nz/AccurioPressc14000series
DIGITAL
HP Indigo 100K Digital Press raises the bar
C
Gold standard: The HP Indigo 100K Digital Press is engineered for high quality and unsurpassed digital productivity
ommercial printers looking to bring in new revenue and profit streams should take advantage of the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press, according to Currie Group, which supplies HP Indigo solutions in New Zealand. Craig Paul, country manager at Currie Group New Zealand, says, “There are any number of reasons to bring an HP Indigo 100K Digital Press into your production workflow. To start, you can produce short runs more economically due to elimination of makeready and plate costs. It makes economic sense to transition jobs to digital where they are more cost-effective. “HP Indigo Digital Presses open up numerous new business opportunities for commercial printers, for example, using data-driven programmes with variable data and personalisation applications. “With the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press, you will also optimise your existing digital work by leveraging larger sheet sizes and reducing the number of sheets and impressions required per job, making the most of imposition efficiencies.” The HP Indigo 100K Digital Press offers uninterrupted duplex digital printing. It enables print service providers to deliver more than one million B2 duplex sheets per month. With a print speed of some 6000 sheets per hour, the four-colour HP Indigo 100K press delivers significantly higher productivity than its predecessors. Engineered for uninterrupted printing, it is HP
22
Flagship press delivers high productivity with no compromise in HP Indigo quality
Indigo’s first Series 5 press. Paul adds, “For commercial printers, the HP Indigo 100K boosts margins on short run digital production and introduces new calculations that confirm a lower total cost of ownership. It is a high performance machine offering advanced paper handling and offset-like gripper to gripper design for precision registration, and boasts increased digital capabilities including a five-input source feeder, colour automation calibration, and fast switchover between jobs and media. “The combination of HP Indigo ElectroInk, Thermal Offset Transfer and Direct Contact Transfer work together to produce an extraordinary level of print quality that looks and feels like offset. It possesses unmatched colour and ink capabilities delivering superior HP Indigo print quality on the broadest media gamut.” Through workflow solutions like HP PrintOS, the print production operating system with web and mobile apps, print companies can easily manage customers’ jobs from submission to shipment while simplifying and automating production. Paul adds, “As part of the HP Indigo ecosystem, commercial printers can produce high-value applications such as personalised marketing collateral, photobooks, and sophisticated direct mail. “It solves your customers’ requirements using the industry’s widest range of certified media compatibility printing on the likes of dark, transparent and recycled paper, as well as other environmentally accredited
substrates, synthetics and paperboard.” He concludes, “As the world’s most productive digital B2 solution, the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press delivers the high productivity required by offset players to transition more work to digital and boost sustainability with on demand printing.” HP Indigo 100K benefits include: • Non-stop stacking. Robust delivery with an advanced depositing unit to assure perfect stacking. • Colour calibrating while printing. An innovative spectrophotometer design results in uncompromised colour throughout a continuous print. • Predictive Services. Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven services with predictive capabilities for failure prevention. • Productivity. Its print speed of 6000 sheets per hour delivers one million duplex B2 sheets per month. • Exceptional reliability. This highly predictable press uses offset paper handling architecture to drive operational excellence. • Non-stop feeding. The five input sources feeder enables fast switchover between jobs and paper types. • Continuous stacking with Auto Pallet Replacement architecture. • Faster makeready time so you can offer same day service without having to waste time waiting for the right gang. • Reduced plate volume and aluminium consumption through short run volumes migration.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
https://www.hp.
com/au-en/indu strial-printers/i
ndigo-digital-pr esses.html?jum pid=va_vkhg9n
fm7t
© Copyright 2020 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
DIGITAL
Mixed reality comes to print services
H
P has launched HP xRServices, the first print industry mixed reality service. HP xRServices and Microsoft Hololens 2 have collaborated to create a virtual/ real world combination in which customers can connect with HP engineers in a split second through mixed reality, advising them on any issue, at any point of their print production. Wearing the Microsoft Hololens 2 headset and supported by HP xRServices solution, users have the feeling of being physically present with a virtual coach on hand to guide them through the process, meaning no time wasted on long service calls, resolutions are swift and press downtime is kept minimal. It offers fast repair time, simplified support, and a single point of contact. Haim Levit, general manager HP Indigo and worldwide industrial go to market, says, “With the exponential rise in digital printing fuelling the industry, customers have less time for service calls and higher production runs to meet. “The way we deliver services in this ever evolving business and work environment is changing fast, and working with Microsoft on this project provided a common sense solution. We are redefining services for the industry, by providing our customers with a solution which not only saves them time, but optimises their revenue opportunities.” Compatible with all HP industrial printers’ hardware, users whether digital native or novice, can be trained and adapt to doing tasks, guided step-by-step with their virtual HP engineer. The instructions move with the employees to direct them to the parts or problems they need to solve. Leveraging HP’s Print OSx, managers can see how to combine the data generated from doing the work, with transactional data to drive optimisation and smoother productivity for the future. Tracy Galloway, corporate vice president and chief operating officer at Microsoft, says, “HP has a strong record of reinvention, always
24
The new service offers fast repair time, simplified support, and a single point of contact
HP and Microsoft deliver a virtual and real world combination for service and support
propelling customer needs as the key driver for technology advancement. “Microsoft’s mixed reality solutions offer a tangible mechanism that helps drive the changing landscape of human interaction. HP and Microsoft working together on reinventing services was a clear winning formula. “We are confident HP’s xRServices, and Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 and Remote Assist applications, will bring simplicity and ease to HP’s support operations and will be a catalyst for positive change in customer support throughout the industry.”
Beta testing Having invested in a HP Indigo 12K Digital Press, US-based Benson Integrated Marketing Solutions has trialled the new service. Chief executive Brian Benson, says, “I am so proud that HP Selected our operations team for this beta. We pride ourselves in being innovative and first to market on new technologies. This is an example of our commitment to embracing the newest technologies. It will streamline maintenance and repairs which will minimise our downtime for clients.” Another firm trialling the new service, Japan’s Fujiplus, also uses an HP Indigo 12K Digital Press. Tadashi Ido, chief executive at Fujiplus, says, “Thanks to HoloLens and
remote support from HP, we are now able to get to the root cause of issues quickly and resolve them effectively. We already see using xRServices for self maintenance and replacing parts on our own, giving us great confidence about the predictability of our print operations.” HP says the new service has solved several issues and provide the following benefits for companies during the beta launch: • Less face to face meetings or travel needed. The on press tool set provides everything you need with the step by step guidance on hand. • More support, customers now have a second and virtual in-person route to guide them through any problems, issues or advice to keep things moving around the clock. • Faster onboarding. The service guides new employees through processes using a step by step ‘as live’ simulation Levit concludes, “This industry-first collaboration between two technology pioneers, HP and Microsoft, enables smoother print operation capabilities at the touch of a virtual button. We continue to drive the most innovative solutions in the industry as we listen to and work with our customers as their own production needs change in the virtual and physical worlds.”
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
PRESS
Inkiana scores a Gutenberg 42-line bible page, almost
T
he Alexander Turnbull Library recently purchased an original page of the Gutenberg Bible for $200,000. It is in Wellington and can be viewed by arrangement. Inkiana Press has its own page, printed and rubricated more recently. It can also be viewed by appointment. In 2013, I travelled with friends to the Printers Fair in Los Angeles where visitors had the opportunity to print a page of the Gutenberg Bible on a big wooden press, just the black text. They had a block made, it wasn’t individual types. I obtained two prints. Since setting up my mobile print shop I have assembled items for use as ‘Show and Tell’ objects. I decided to add one of the Gutenberg pages to these items. The Albion is a later press than the one Gutenberg used, but it serves to show the work that went into the original. Many hours were spent casting enough type to compose and print a bunch of pages, which would be distributed back to the type case, and reset to print more pages. There are over 1,200 pages to set and then print, around 200 copies of each page. If printed two-up, we are looking at something like 120,000 impressions, each individually inked and printed. They would then have gone to the rubricators, who would add all the colourful caps and illustrative work on most pages. I decided to get one of my prints fancied up, to show people how a page would look, and explain the amount of
GRAHAM JUDD
Graham Judd explains how he obtained a copy of a page from the Gutenberg bible
Inkiana Press’s ‘Gutenberg bible page’ serves to show the work that went into Gutenberg’s bible work in the detail of a page. I approached Dave Gunson, a local illustrator whom I have known for a long time, and he was willing to accept the challenge. Ideas and visuals went back and forth and then Dave got to work on the final. With only one original to work on, he couldn’t afford to make mistakes. And he didn’t; the final is wonderfully illustrated, with fine detail brush work. None of it was done on computer, so no chance to press the ‘undo’ button. I feel really delighted with the final result, and I am keen to show it off
when Covid-19 allows. If you look at Dave’s website www. davegunson.com you will see how talented this man is, and his great body of work. Dave has also done illustrative work for a smaller black and white page of my own design, which uses metal type and blocks of the rubrications. The type and image work is still in the Gutenberg size, and includes a brief explanation of how Gutenberg’s bible came to be. These will be printed on the Albion press to show the process of inking and printing, and can be hand coloured later as a keepsake.
Adding a Kiwi perspective to rubricating a Gutenberg page Artist Dave Gunson’s comments on his rubrication work: “Adding all the ‘frou-frou’, as I call it, to Graham’s Gutenberg page was an interesting challenge and certainly not something I’d done before. “He told me to “have fun” with it, and to add a Kiwi slant to things. When I checked newzealandprinter.co.nz
many of the original pages, I could see that there was a lot of fun, and some naughtiness, going on, with the addition of animals such as birds and monkeys, and plenty of simple geometric whimsy. “So I followed suit, and inserted some New Zealand wildlife into the foliage and decorations, and a minor bit of fun at the top.
“It was a little bit scary, painting a page that allowed for no errors whatsoever. Also, it was a long job in designing the layout and then transferring it carefully to the printed page, and then the colouration with fine brushes. But it helped to have loud rock’n’roll on the studio stereo to help calm the nerves. “A very satisfactory result, I think.” December 2021/January 2022
25
FINISHING
Rollem Insignia popularity grows
G
raph-Pak says companies on both sides of the Tasman have good reason to invest in Rollem Insignia rotary die-cutters from Graph-Pak. The latest to nab one is leading Australian trade printer CMYKhub. Dayne Nankervis, chief executive at CMYKhub, says the purchase will help the company improve its service to its customers with better quality and faster turnarounds. He says, “Matching capacity to order volumes is a constant challenge. We are running up to seven cylinders to keep up. Our customers require fast turnaround, and the old cylinders did not provide the required scalability to meet this requirement. “The Rollem rotary die cutter will allow CMYKhub to move highly skilled operators to more critical areas in the business, and at the same time improve our turnaround times for our customers. “We will start adding and expanding our die-cut offering to our customers. If our customers want a particular product, we will certainly look to add it to our offering with this machine. There won’t be much hesitation with a machine with this quality.” CMYKhub has purchased machines from Graph-Pak since its early days. It has several Graph-Pak installations including small and large laminators; digital inkjet spot UV machines; and the Rollem Insignia rotary die cutter. Nankervis adds that the Rollem Insignia allows the company to maintain a competitive price point when it only needs one flexible die. He says, “We knew of its strengths and the hybrid model clinched it for us. It provides the right amount of flexibility.”
Makeready in minutes The Rollem Insignia IS7 hybrid machine offers the ability to use a single cutting tool, or a paired set of dies when looking to produce packaging products or other scored work. When running a single cutting die, it wraps a blank lower jacket around the lower cylinder. This acts as the cutting surface for the upper die. This setup allows for 26
Supplied through Graph–Pak, Rollem Insignia rotary diecutters improve productivity and quality
CMYKhub is now the new owner of a hybrid Rollem Insignia, having bought the machine from Graph-Pak cost savings on tooling when producing straight die cut product and or die-cut or kiss cut decal work. When producing boxes or the like, a paired set of dies means zero makeready. In addition, it enables embossing and debossing of substrates in a single pass. Tom Ralph, managing director of Graph-Pak, says, “Operators can also use the twin drum as a single counting drum. It offers the capability to turn it off and on based on demand. The machine offers die-cutting, kiss-cutting, embossing, perforating, and scoring on a huge range of stocks up to 30pt/650 gsm. “The Rollem Insignia also has an inline stripping system, which means you get a finished product out the end. It takes only minutes to set up compared to large flatbed cutters, which can take a couple of hours. “The tooling for this type of machine is a flexible plate that is held on through high power magnetic drums. As a result, makeready for the operator is in minutes and maintenance is minimal.”
Solid build Insignia machines weigh between two and five tonnes depending on the size of machine (die cutting section only). These machines are built strong with thick solid sideframes measuring between 38mm to 64mm to house the cylinder section and support the cutting station.
“With dense material, you require tremendous forces to withstand the pressures needed to die-cut all the way through the substrate. The Insignia machines can apply up to 1500kg of downward force directly to the cutting station, ensuring the flexible dies can cut through the substrate.” Rollem offers the Insignia machines in two delivery configurations. Firstly, with a StackMaster receding stacking unit, designed to accept either full sheets of kiss cut labels or die cut product. Second, with a single conveyor table that delivers cut pieces out for continuous offloading. Designed for high volume runs, the StackMaster delivery system needs less operator offloading. This delivery system becomes significant when running die cut product in many lanes as the offloading labour becomes intensive. Ralph says, “CMYKhub has identified that the investment will give them a roughly 400 per cent uptake on previous die cutting technology. The company sees a huge future with Graph-Pak and the Rollem Insignia machines. And having used this they said they could do with another one at their premises. “We have sold a number of these Rollem Insignia machines. We are excited because everyone has been through quite a tough period with the pandemic. A company like CMYKhub needs the best technology and it shows everything else in its strategy is first class.”
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
WIDE FORMAT +Plus
Roland DG enhances productivity with Connect 1.1 :
Signs and Stripes: small and great • Andy Lowe looks back on 2021 • Films get a boost
WIDE FORMAT NEWS
Connect updates enhance Roland DG productivity Roland DG has announced the release of Roland DG Connect version 1.1, which includes new features to enhance printer operation status visibility and increase profitability for an expanded range of products. Aarque supplies Roland DG in New Zealand. With this update, Roland DG has included a new printer monitoring function enabling you to check the operational status of multiple printers in real time. This makes it possible to operate printers more efficiently and productively. It also features a ‘business dashboard’ that allows you to perform simple profit and cost calculations by entering the unit selling price of ink and media. Tony Miller, president of Roland DG’s global sales and marketing division, says, “Roland DG Connect
Roland DG says the latest version of Connect expands the creative possibilities for wide format is a valuable free service that greatly expands the creative possibilities of our customers by connecting them to a wide range of people and resources online. “Customers tell us that being able to observe the operating status of their printers easily has led to
the implementation of appropriate maintenance for stable product operation and the realisation of increased efficiency and profitability. “Roland DG Connect helps improve workflow efficiency. It also increases profitability and
opportunities for business development and enables people with different skills and requirements to collaborate and share creative ideas.” Roland DG Connect is currently available for all TrueVIS and VersaUV models.
Polar media goes global for Drytac Drytac has announced the global availability of its seven-year durable permanent polymeric PVC ink-jet media, Polar Premium Clear, and its seven-year durable polymeric PVC overlaminating film, Weathershield. Stark Digital supplies Drytac solutions in New Zealand. Polar Premium Clear, an 80-micron phthalate-free printable polymeric solvent
self-adhesive PVC film, has a high quality, clear adhesive and performs on a variety of substrates. Compatible with Solvent, Eco-Solvent, UV and Latex technologies, it has application for both long-term indoor and outdoor applications such as general signage, window graphics, exhibition and event graphics, and POS displays. It can also be used for applying vehicle graphics onto flat or slightly curved surfaces.
Drytac says it offers a stable long-term solution that can be removed after many years without leaving any residue. Drytac Weathershield UV overlaminates comprise 80-micron clear polymeric gloss or matte PVC laminating films that cover a range of applications including general signage, window graphics, exhibition and event graphics, and POS displays. The company says Weathershield has
minimal shrinkage and odour due to plasticiser migration resistance and is recommended for outdoor signage or high-end indoor graphic applications where the highest UV protection is needed. The vinyl has UV stabilisers in the face film. Drytac adds the adhesive provides UV protection, ensuring the solution provides the best protection for vibrant coloured inks and media stability.
Presto Max prints direct to fabric Kornit Digital has released the Kornit Presto Max system for sustainable on demand production of apparel and other textile goods. Ronen Samuel, chief executive officer for Kornit Digital, says, “Presto Max will change the textile industry forever, transforming digital into the catalyst for modernising the business, breaking the barriers between 28
imagination and physical applications, connecting consumers and fulfillers on a global scale, and truly capitalising on digital’s promise for delivering both sustainability and profitability, free of waste.” Kornit says Presto Max is the first digital print system to offer white printing on coloured fabrics, and the only single-step solution for direct to fabric printing, offering high quality with
brilliant whites and brighter neon colours. Samuel adds, “Whether your business is finished goods or ready to use custom fabrics, growing your own brand or supplying the world’s retailers and entrepreneurs, this technology represents the cutting edge of on demand, unconstrained textile production, in terms of both capability, accessibility and
sustainability. Kornit empowers producers to create more with less, shrink their carbon footprint, and deliver unlimited expression while creating new opportunities and growth.” Kornit Presto Max is compatible with natural fabrics, synthetics, and blends, and includes advanced algorithms for smart autonomous calibration.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
Modular cutting systems for maximum efficiency • Fully automated operation • Maximum productivity • Module-based - highly versatile • Proven across many cutting applications
Contact us for your individual consultation Aarque Group are New Zealand’s leading supplier of Zünd digital cutters
www.aarque.co.nz
•
focus@aarque.co.nz
•
Freephone 0508 22 77 83
2021 in review – what a crazy time
W
ell it’s that time of year again, the pre-Xmas rush to get the jobs out the door; the planning of holidays; and the annual staff Christmas do. After 30 years in this industry I am still not sure why all customers must have their sign before Christmas. It must be something to do with all the customers they are going to get over the Christmas period, right? Not. Wow, what a crazy year it’s been. Things that contributed to an unreal time included lockdowns, Covid sharing its joy around the world, governments making crazy decisions and then changing their minds. Well, that is not so unusual. One thing that has surprised me and made me personally feel good about the future is just how most members of our sign industry have more than just weathered the storm. So many have excelled over this crazy period in history. It just goes to show the strength of our industry and how bright its future really is. As I guess most of you know, I am travelling in Australia with my lovely wife in a 14 foot caravan, and have been on the road since March last year. While our travels have been a bit hit and miss, with lockdowns and blown engines amongst other things, we have had a great time and met many great people. A number of the people we have met have been affected by the craziness of Covid and lockdowns. Some have lost jobs and others have taken time out to travel and smell the roses, like us. There is one thing I have really noticed both here and at home in New Zealand is how all this upheaval has made so many take stock of their lives and look at life in a new light, a positive one. The lack of overseas travel seems to also have boosted the local industries like sign writing, building, the auto 30
Andy Lowe reminds us how important it is to look back before moving on industry and many others. This boost has also made us more aware of spending locally on New Zealand made products and services, rather than sending our money overseas quite so much. All good things. ANDY LOWE, PRESIDENT NZSDA
We weathered the storm, so let’s face 2022 with confidence
Backing the Board The NZSDA has had another good year with the Board working on furthering our Signee Programme; having another very successful and fun Awards evening in Auckland; working with our industry suppliers on sustainability for our industry; and liaising with bylaw makers in local councils. We regretfully have said goodbye to our training coordinator also this year, with Carol moving on to work with Te Pukanga, the new government training scheme. I personally would like to thank Carol for all her efforts and great talent in the assisting in the Signee programme development, a process that would have been impossible without her. The NZSDA wises her all the best in her endeavours.
The NZSDA Board is made up of a group of passionate volunteers. These individuals give their time and a great deal of effort to assist in the development and implementation of industry improving initiatives such as Signee, MSM and Sustainability programs. They are all business owners themselves with all the same issues and busy schedules. So I would like to thank my fellow board members for all their efforts this year, as well as thanking past board members who still assist as needed. Without their efforts, we would not be here as an association. There is also an individual who stands out from the crowd, well actually usually she is somewhere under the crowd. Of course, the wee dynamo I speak of... is Melissa Coutts. She is the glue that binds us, the force that keeps us centred and the best organiser of.... well everything I know. Thanks M. On behalf of the NZSDA team, and from me personally, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fellow signees and suppliers.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
! w o N t u O s n o ati r t s i g e R & e mm
Progra
NZ Sign & Display Association Sign Makers Conference
Innovate · Integrate · Motivate 6 - 8 J U LY 2 0 2 2 Q U E E N S T O W N
The greatest little sign shop in Hamilton
S
ince they teamed up together in the industry almost 20 years ago, owners Mark Wright and Nicola (Nic) Ross have given Hamilton Stripes and Signs a reputation for awesome signs and high quality workmanship. Mark says, “I started with the previous owner in 1990, we worked out of a van servicing car yards and dealers in the peak of the Japanese vehicle import era, offering mobile pin striping, graphics, basic signage and window tinting. “We could see the advantages of progressing further into the sign industry so we bought a computer and a plotter and started a workshop in the garage. Nic came on board in 2003 and the business continued to expand, moving to a small shop in town to where our large shop is located today.” Four and a half years ago, Mark and Nic purchased the company, which they have continued to grow with the main focus on high quality workmanship. Mark says, “We see a lot of substandard work out there but here, nothing leaves the shop until we are 100 per cent happy it is perfect. We only use proven materials and quality equipment.” As a general signage, computer cut and digital print shop, Hamilton Stripes and Signs offers a diverse range of services. Mark says, “We specialise in vehicle signage, wraps and semi wraps and we complete a fair amount of fleet work, along with the supply and installation of decals and livery for several different emergency services.” Starting on the shop floor has enabled Mark and Nic to develop the myriad skills and expertise required to run a productive, competitive and profitable business. Nic says, “To this day, Mark and I are still very much hands on with the production and installation side of the business. We have seven awesome staff and one part-timer, we all work together as a dynamic team.” Mark adds, “Since becoming owners, we have 32
Hamilton Stripes and Signs, long standing and moving with the times
The team at Hamilton Signs and Stripes, from left: Mark Wright, Shelly Smith, Steve Ward, Nic Ross, and Tana Stewart taken the opportunity to offer the company’s first ever apprenticeship. Training has a feel good factor and we want to provide the opportunity for the next generation of young sign writers. We have always taken pride in the fact that we have good retention of staff by providing a structured and enjoyable work environment. “We wear the NZSDA logo proudly for our customers to see. NZSDA provides amazing advice and it is great to have the support of the Association. Our NZSDA membership means we get to network with other sign makers throughout the country. “Keeping up with technology is vital. It expands our options and keeps the door open to the future. We are looking at further upgrades of various equipment and looking forward to new technology as it continually develops. “The main challenges in this industry at the moment are acquiring new staff and dealing with the continuous price increases from our suppliers. To remain competitive, we can only absorb so much before we have to pass it on. We know this problem is across the board in the industry, fortunately most customers understand and accept it to a point. Then there are the Covid-19 restrictions and how to adjust the business to work with the restrictions.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, we engaged a business mentor and focused on business survival, forecasting a range of scenarios and plans to make it through. A structured strategy has enabled us to move forward, retain staff and clientele. We are positive and optimistic about our future.” They clearly enjoy what they do. Nic says, “The best thing about this job is being hands on and dealing with customers on a personal level. No job is too small. Amongst our values we are very customer-centric. Good old fashioned customer satisfaction means everything to us. It feels great to see our customers are enjoying a great experience with us. “Another fulfilling part of owning the business is the ability to re-invest in teaching the next generation the skills of the trade and seeing them complete wonderful work they can be proud of. “We have always had a philosophy that we don’t need to take over the world by being the biggest sign shop in Hamilton. Our motto is ‘The greatest little sign shop in Hamilton’ and we all love working in this cool little sign shop in Frankton. We are realistic and just want to keep improving and refining our systems and our workmanship. We feel quite humble about what we do.”
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
MENTAL HEALTH
Depression — it’s more than just the blues
I
have long been a believer that the key to generational change in the way we address mental health as a community and our own personal health is education. You don’t need to have a degree in clinical psychology or psychiatry to support positive mental wellbeing. Let’s take a basic look at a few of the mental illnesses and the disorders, the risk factors and treatments. One thing we all have in common is that at some point in our life we have all felt flat, down or some would say depressed to varied degrees from a relationship breakdown, loss of a loved one or that overwhelming feeling or thought of ‘I’m just over it’. The common signs of a depressed mood are negative thoughts, loss of energy, loss of appetite and isolating from others. While most depressive feelings go once you have faced the problem, built a strategy or passed through a mood-altering lived experience, many feelings can linger and persist for extended periods which start to impact an individual’s ability function and carry out tasks or affect their relationships. This indicates the individual may be living with a mood disorder or depression. The signs and symptoms vary between individuals and disorders but commonly they affect a person’s thinking, feelings, behaviours and physical wellbeing. Thinking: Self-criticism, self-blame, worry, pessimism, reduced concentration and memory, indecisiveness, confusion, a tendency to believe that others see you in a negative light, thoughts of suicide. Feelings: Sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, mood swings, lack of emotion, helpless or hopeless, irritability, impatience, anger, edgy or nervousness. Behaviours: Avoidance of situations, withdrawn, distress in social situations, change in sleep patterns, loss of motivation, loss of passion, reduced interest in personal appearance, non-suicidal self injury and increased use of alcohol and drugs. Physical: Fatigue, lack of energy, loss or increase of newzealandprinter.co.nz
The common signs of a depressed mood are negative thoughts, loss of energy, loss of appetite and isolating from others.
STEVEN GAMBLE
This issue Man Anchor founder Steven Gamble delves into depression – the second most common mental illness affecting Australians.
appetite, weight gain or loss, headaches and muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems, irregular menstrual cycle, loss in sexual desire. When we run our educational programs on depression, we use a simple guide to understand whether an individual may be living with depression. If the person is living with five of the below signs (this must include at least one of the first two highlighted) it is time to reach out to give or get support. • A depressed mood that does not go away • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities • Lack of energy and tiredness • Feeling worthless or guilty when not really at fault • Thinking about death a lot or wishing they were dead • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions • Moving slowly or, sometimes becoming agitated and unable to settle • Having sleeping difficulties or, sometimes sleeping too much • Loss of interest in food, or, sometimes eating too much. Mood disorders is a common category. Across the type of mood disorders, we find major depressive mood disorders are most common, followed by disorder (previously known as manic depressive disorder). There are several factors both biological, social and environmental that can increase the risk of an individual developing a mood disorder, including those that have a more sensitive emotional nature, have had previous episodes of other
disorders such as anxiety, are female, misuse of alcohol, long term illness, lack of close relationships, direct effect of other illness and medication, pregnancy and experiencing a traumatic event. So where can we seek support? The easiest place to start is your local GP, from there you can get a referral to either a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You can bypass the GP and go direct to a clinical professional. Mood disorders have a variety of treatments depending on the diagnosis. Psychological therapies include the following: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is where a therapist works with the patient on the thinking and thought process and associated behaviours. Behaviour therapy (Exposure therapy, is a gradual exposure to the phobia, supporting and reducing the fear as well as the anxiety associated. Self-help books and technology can also support the development of personal strategies for wellness. Interpersonal psychotherapy – re-solving conflict with others, dealing with grief or change in relationships. There are a number of different medications that can support mood disorders; however, they vary from person to person and should be used with the support of a clinician. Other treatments include complementary and lifestyle such as relaxation techniques; a healthy diet; exercise, and family support Like any illness, physical or mental, the key to supporting positive health is prevention and early intervention. If we can acknowledge subtle changes in our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and our physical signs and symptoms early and seek clinical support, we can reduce the severity of the illness, reduce the recovery time and the risk of becoming unwell again. We all have the right to be healthy and would not hesitate to reach out for support if physically unwell so it’s important we do the same for our mental health because in the end Health is Health. If you need support Lifeline is there 24/7, 365 days a year, call 0800 543 354.
December 2021/January 2022
33
REAL MEDIA COLLECTTIVE
Paper Planes: global p
Over the past six months international shipping costs have increased exponentially from all regions, resulting in higher paper prices globally
What are some of the underlying drivers impacting pricing and will they assist the messaging through the supply chain?
G
lobal paper prices have continued to increase in recent months aligning with many post-Covid factors and cost of production, shortage of supply, freight energy and more. Energy, and in particular gas prices, is emerging as a significant factor impacting pricing of imported product into Australia and New Zealand. Together with the global supply chain continuing to increase in cost and decrease in reliability, we are in the perfect storm. It is worth delving deeper into some of the underlying drivers impacting pricing and to assist the
34
messaging through the supply chain.
Natural gas prices soar
KELLIE NORTHWOOD
Europe’s energy crisis is affecting all manufacturers and the exponential increase in costs is being passed down the supply chain to the rest of the world. Millions of people around the globe will feel the impact of soaring natural gas prices this European winter. According to Bloomberg, nations are more reliant than ever on natural gas to heat homes and power industries amid efforts to quit coal and increase the use of cleaner energy sources. But there isn’t enough gas to fuel the post-pandemic recovery and refill depleted stocks before the cold months. Countries are trying to outbid one another for supplies as exporters such as Russia move to keep more natural gas home. The crunch will get a lot worse
when temperatures drop. The crisis in Europe presages trouble for the rest of the planet as the continent’s energy shortage has governments warning of blackouts and factories being forced to shut. Inventories at European storage facilities are at historically low levels for this time of year. Pipeline flows from Russia and Norway have been limited. That’s worrying as calmer weather has reduced output from wind turbines while Europe’s ageing nuclear plants are being phased out or are more prone to outages – making gas even more necessary. European gas prices surged by almost 500 per cent in the past year and are trading near record. Additionally, a report by Stephen Bartholomeusz from the Sydney Morning Herald says: “Oil and natural gas prices are their highest since 2014 and energy coal prices are at record
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
REAL MEDIA COLLECTTIVE
paper pricing impacts blank sailings (cancellations or skipping of schedule port stops). Note: Schedule reliability is the measure of a shipping lines ability to deliver within specified dates (DIFOT).
The US dollar
This graph shows the stark increase in European natural gas prices in 2021, compared to 2005 levels as the UK, Europe and China experience dire energy shortages and scramble to secure supplies of gas and coal to keep the lights and heating on and factories operating. Put an increasingly global energy crisis together with the severe supply chain disruption (in the lead up to Christmas, the peak period for demand) and already-elevated inflation rates and the prospect that the recovery from the pandemic will be choked off, the fear that inflation will become entrenched and force interest.”
International shipping Over the past six months, international shipping costs have increased exponentially from all regions. These increases impact all imported product from around the world arriving into Australia and New Zealand. Prices stabilised for a short period between February and May but we have seen another spike over the past four to six weeks. It is the view of all of the freight forwarders that prices will remain high well into 2022. The factors driving this include: • Massive upswing in global volumes following the huge Covid related downturn from March to May, 2020 • Oil, and therefore Bunker Fuel prices rebounding and up by 25 to 30 per cent by year end over Covid slump levels hit in Q1, 2020 • Massive global container newzealandprinter.co.nz
equipment imbalances and main port congestion adding to difficulty matching supply with demand • Increases to local landing charges.
Pulp pricing Since January pulp pricing has increased by approximately 35 per cent as a result of: • High demand for fibrebased packaging due to the pandemic • Strong demand from the building and textile industries as economies rebound from COVID • Shift from plastic to fibrebased packaging due to environmental concerns • Increases in ocean freight to transport from pulp mill to paper mill • Unsustainable low historic pricing from all pulp manufacturers globally • The consolidation of major pulp producers who are controlling supply and demand. Although a slight improvement in global pulp prices, pulp production is one of the most energy intensive industries. Recent energy increases continue to increase overall costs.
Hardwood pulp trends Along with this, schedule reliability is at its worst ever level. This is due to a number of reasons including transshipment, port congestion and
Have exchange rates mitigated some increases? Up until recently the Australian exchange rate has done just that. However since the middle of June, Aussie dollar has declined by about four per cent against itss US counterpart. The Neew Zealand dollar is doing all right but, given ocean freight and pulp is traded in US dollars, exchange rate fluctuations can compound the issue further.
Price drivers In conclusion, we are witnessing seven major factors driving paper prices higher: 1. Significant increases in pulp pricing over the past six months 2. Supply chain and logistics disruptions arising from the pandemic 3. Massive spike in freight costs, especially to the A/NZ region 4. Capacity reduction by paper mills globally rebalancing supply and demand 5. Solid global demand as economies rebound from Covid 6. Recent declines in the Australian dollar against the US dollar 7. Soaring Natural Gas prices in Europe that effect global manufacturers with increased costs. Kellie Northwood is the CEO of The Real Media Collective, an industry Association representing the paper, print, mail, publishing and distribution companies across Australia and New Zealand. Northwood also holds the executive director position for the Australasian Paper Industry Association (APIA). For more information contact: 03 9421 2206 or hello@thermc.com.au. www. therealmediacollective.com.au December 2021/January 2022
35
TRADE ONLY
GET YOUR CUSTOMERS PREPARED TO GO BACK TO BUSINESS Chat to us today, about how we can help you and your customers with all their Offset, Digital, and High Speed Inkjet printing needs!
BUS INE SS CA R
FLA T&
FO LD
S D ED
S LET AF LE
H C U M O S & E N I L N O E MOR IN V
KS OO EB IC O
Call us or register with New Zealand’s largest & most reliable wholesale print company for trade print prices 0800 289 774 | www.wholesaleprint.co.nz
The time has come to di
I
n this, the first of two articles, David Allen examines what’s happening to the mail market in New Zealand; international trends, growth segments and competitive forces. This follows the recent up rating by New Zealand Post and what’s being seen as an increased burden on printers and mail houses to conform to new zone-based sorting requirements. Mail is now viewed as expensive and from a production perspective, an operationally demanding channel, but there is still a bright future for mail. This article examines current issues and why some companies are continuing to invest in support of their mail-based businesses.
DAVID ALLEN
Printers and mail houses face an increased burden with changes to postal requirements
New Zealand Post As of July 1, 2021 it costs $1.50 to send a standard letter through the postal network and VolumePost mail has gone up by 15 per cent with a standard item (DLE) which meets volume, addressing quality, envelope layout and Zone A requirements now costing just under 50 cents. But it is the onerous compliance requirements that have many voicing their frustration. NZ Post has been able to successfully navigate around their ‘Deed of Understanding’ established in 1989, which mandated “universal pricing” for full rate mail, and which also defined service levels. For Bulk Mail, a new rate card has been introduced based on a ‘Zone’ pricing structure. This sees Zone D delivery areas paying close to 70 per cent more in postage than a Zone A address. Whilst NZ Post will claim this reflects higher network costs when delivering to outlying areas, it is also a clear signal that NZ Post want to deal head-on with Freightways, which has been steadily building market share in higher density areas with its DX Mail delivery offering. A universal increase would have allowed DX Mail to have an even greater level of competitiveness in the metropolitan areas. 38
Mail is now viewed as expensive but there is still a bright future for mail. NZ Post is one of the few postal operations in the world that operates in a fully deregulated postal delivery market. It has been the case since deregulation in 1997 and since that time, NZ Post has existed in a competitive market with alternative delivery operators. But they have also been forced to accept some of that mail from their competitors under the ‘Access Agreement’ that was established at the time of deregulation
Competitive forces Other independent parties like NZ Mail have certainly benefited from the growing complexity in pricing structures, competitive forces and mail address data preparation compliance. NZ Mail spokesperson Dave Allan says, “As one of the largest customers of NZ Post and Freightways mail network provider DX Mail, we will continue to stay independent and deliver the most optimal value and service quality mix for our customers, who prefer to deal directly with us because of that independent view on all things mail.” Ben Fitzpatrick, general manager DX Mail, says
mail delivery business was growing year on year and that customers see the benefit of healthy competition. He says, “DX Mail is working hard to present a differentiated service to the market, with next day metro delivery targets in many locations, especially in the larger cities. We also sort mail locally at our 14 branches, so mail stays within a region, which has a very positive sustainability upside. “Strong local presence and next day delivery targets are resulting in some market segments like the health sector throwing their support behind the DX Mail service. We aim to stay lean and will continue to operate a premium and highly competitive service.”
Mail houses challenges There is a growing compliance requirement and fewer delivery days. Alan Hard, managing director of Marketing Impact, a business that handles both DM and transactional mail, says customers have adapted to a three-day delivery cycle. Marketing Impact plans mail production and lodgment to best fit NZ Post network operations. He advises that they are okay with the new approach
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
discuss the future of mail
from NZ Post, although some rural address mailers have been hit hard. Marketing Impact see this new complexity as an opportunity to work even closer with their clients, ensuring that their client data is accurate, so they could maximise postal discounts, as the gap between the available discount and full rate has grown even wider. Like all service providers, Marketing Impact has seen a decline in volumes at an individual client level, with one major client totally withdrawing from using mail as a channel. Marketing Impact has been developing digital services to supplement their print and mail business, but they remain big supporters of the letterbox channel. “There is legislation that expressly stops organisations sending addressed digital messages to prospects or customers that have not given permission, yet there is no such limitation on sending physical mail to a prospect or an existing customer that has opted out of digital messages,” advised Alan Hard. Katharine Williams, general manager for services and operations at Blue Star Wellington, says the new postal sorting requirements had the newzealandprinter.co.nz
potential to place added burden on the business, but they had made investments in software that now allowed them to automate sorting processes upstream. She “totally understood” the pressure NZ Post were now under with declining mail volumes. She says, “Someone has to do the last mile delivery. With postal price increases, our customers are being squeezed, and as a consequence they put pressure on us for pricing concessions.” The Blue Star offer includes traditional large offset and nonvariable business and she says its customers were engaging with them around a “total service offering” where Blue Star provides offset, print-mail and digital services under one contract. She adds, “It’s part of what customers are doing around supplier simplification.” As one of the larger print and communications providers in New Zealand, Blue Star Group is a large publisher of printed magazines, and the new zone based pricing has resulted in some delivery regions being priced as high as equivalent courier costs. This could have a knock-on effect on subscriptions. A pertinent fact to note is that the DX Mail model, with delivery using small motorcycles, is not suited to bulky and heavy magazines, so there is no real competitive influence in the magazine market segment.
Postal networks The mail market in New Zealand is suffering a decline at rates similar to other Western countries. We all know that transactional mail, such as bills and statements are shifting very quickly to electronic alternatives, mainly email. Other business mail has simply been turned off in favour of self-service on customer portals, for example, internet banking sites and My IRD. New Zealand Post appears to have government on side, as it looks to avoid falling into the huge deficit like the United States Postal Service, which posted a US$9.2bn loss in 2020. Closer to home, the letters side of Australia Post
lost A$192m in 2019 and even more in 2020. Australia Post increased prices on September 6 2021, with some bulk mail categories going up by five per cent, even though the CPI in Australia to March 2021 was just 1.1 per cent. When asked for a comment in relation to this article, NZ Post spokesperson Matt Geor, general manager for mail, advised that it was inappropriate. He says, “The government is providing NZ Post funding to cover projected financial losses from mail over a three-year period. During this time, MBIE is leading a programme (with the assistance of NZ Post) to determine what they want from NZ Post to support the future of mail in NZ.” In the NZ Post Half Year report to 31st December 2020, it was reported that in the 2020 Budget, NZ Post were provided with $130m in funding, to allow NZ Post to maintain service levels in the mail operation. In the full year report, chief executive officer David Walsh is quoted as saying: “We have confidence in our strategy for growth and are pleased that our owners are backing this with a financial package enabling us to shore up our balance sheet so we can consider how to tackle the challenge of maintaining a sustainable mail service.” In our February issue, in the second part of this series, David Allen discusses how other countries are handling the changes to mail and what the future holds for all of us involved. David Allen, general manager of leading customer communication service provider Cumulo9 is an active member of PrintNZ and the Marketing Association. One of Datam’s founders, he was head of Enterprise Solutions at NZ Post, prior to being owner of Kinetic Digital. Cumulo9 provides a range of email and campaign management solutions and represents Quadient, the leading provider of omni-channel document formatting software, which is used to generate many of the variable documents being printed and mailed today.
December 2021/January 2022
39
LABELS & PACKAGING
Cardy brings label printing to Signature Press
M
oving into label manufacturing has given Auckland-based Signature Press an opportunity to create fresh revenue, attract new customers and expand its offering to existing customers. The company installed an Oki Pro 1050 digital label press and a Virgo finishing unit in April, supplied through Cardy. James Duffy, owner at Signature Press, says the machines have proved ideal and is more than pleased with their performance. He says, “I knew Steve Monkhouse from Cardy and he contacted us to talk about the Pro 1050. He said it could be a good entry level machine for us, so we did a demo and crunched the numbers. It wasn’t a big outlay and we felt it was an investment worth making. “The Pro 1050 has impressed us. One of the benefits is the fact it has the opaque white. It is a five-colour machine and can print the white first with CMYK on top, all on top of clear or coloured adhesive substrates. It is very easy to set up and run so no real experience needed to get the Oki performing well. “We are impressed with the print quality and although we are still in that learning curve of what it can do and its boundaries we have already printed over 80,000 labels on it. “It also comes with a software package that calculates the usage of the components, toner usage and drum and belt times and toner waste. We can calculate each job with all the respective running costs built into each quote. This is very assuring that we don’t get hit with costs that may not have been anticipated in initial quotes. It’s a very compact digital printer that can simply be set up on a desktop or similar in an office environment and is quiet to operate. The compact Virgo finishing system unwinds, laminates labels for durability, digitally cuts and removes excess label material around each cut shape, it can slit for multiple up and rewinds back onto 76mm cores. Duffy says, “The Virgo unit is manufactured in Italy, well designed and robust. Registration is very accurate and the fact it doesn’t require
40
James Duffy, owner at Signature Press, with the Oki Pro 1050 label press
Affordable in house label printing is now a reality with the Oki Pro 1050 CMYK + White
a rotary die means that short run labels are now very cost effective. The gloss laminate can be applied to labels that require better resistance to scuffing or wear and tear and where UV protection may be required for better longevity from colour fading in outdoor environments as the laminate has a UV protection built in.” Steve Monkhouse, senior business development manager at Cardy, says, “The Oki Pro 1050 is ideal for short run printing of a high mix of different labels. When combined with the Virgo unit, it delivers a complete label solution. “Although we talk about how ideal it is for short runs, it offers a duty cycle rated at up to 160,000 pages per month, which means it is tough enough to handle longer runs. “It provides high quality colour labels on demand, without the need to purchase pre-printed label stock. You have numerous media options including metallic, synthetics, paper, uncoated craft paper – all different types. Its white toner capability lets you do what most short run print devices can’t. You can broaden your printed offerings by producing stunning white on transparency and white on colour, plus brilliant colour on transparent media and dark media.” Signature Press’s fourperson team produces a diverse
range of printed material and works closely with its customers. Duffy says, “This industry is about quality, service, meeting deadlines and keeping the client happy. We enjoy that side of maintaining those relationships and giving great service.” In his 30 years plus in the industry, Duffy has seen pretty much everything but nothing like Covid-19. He says, “We have come through Covid okay, but it would have been perhaps a different story without the wage subsides and business resurgence packages. Even with that though we felt the option to purchase the label machinery was a no brainer. “Covid has made a lot of companies re-think their business strategies and an obvious one is: ‘How can we become more profitable with what we currently have’. We felt bringing back some of the label work we were out sourcing was an easy way to control our costs and at the same time offer a type of work we were not previously promoting to our existing clients and at the same time pick up new work as well. “The Pro 1050 is costeffective for anything from 100 labels to 10,000 + run lengths, depending on the size of the label. It has opened up doors for us for new clients and allowed us to re connect with previous clients that were unaware we could supply roll labels.”
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
STEP INTO LABELS With our complete label print solution
OKI Pro 1050 + Rewinder + Virgo LABEL REWINDER
/ww
OKI Pro 1050 and Label Rewinder – A New Colour Dimension to Label Design and Printing CMYK + White enabling greater flexibility in label design.
VIRGO – Desktop Digital Label Finishing System
Cuts, strips and laminates virtually any shaped label up to 130 mm.
OKI PRO 1050 5 COLOUR LED LABEL PRINTER
Scan the QR code to watch our demo http s:/
Profitable, in-house label printing is a reality with our on-demand, short-run CMYK+White label printing solution.
w.y out ube .c
om /w
atch ?v
=PP IKJ
_Lh
3L4
Contact us for a demonstration and quote: Steve Monkhouse | 027 257 9806 | steve@cardy.nz
VIRGO LABEL FINISHING SYSTEM
We provide a full service solution - Hardware, Consumables, Media & Laminate, Installation, Support & Service. 0800 TONERS (866 377) | (09) 448 5404 | 9G Airborne Rd, Albany, Auckland l PO Box 303313 North Harbour 7627CARDY
LABELS & PACKAGING NEWS
Spicers NZ expands its packaging footprint Spicers NZ has acquired Universal Packaging Limited (UPL). Established in 1985, UPL supplies pallet wrapping film, machinery, application and optimisation based in Palmerston North covering New Zealand. Owners Matthew and Jed Goudie, and Matthew Goddin, will remain in the business, which will continue to operate independently. Morgan John, general manager of Spicers NZ, says, “We are delighted to announce this news as UPL joins our wider New Zealand business including Spicers NZ and Total Supply. The investment makes good on our plans to invest in our paper, sign and display and industrial packaging businesses.
Morgan John, general manager Spicers NZ “Alongside our historical position in paper, we have grown our sign and display business to be a market leader via Total Supply including the Sign Technology and Blueprint
acquisitions over the last seven years.” Industrial Packaging is a key focus and has been a growth area for Spicers NZ in recent years. John says, “With UPL joining us we
collectively have a greater offering of packaging products for our customers. Furthermore, we now have a footprint in Palmerston North to offer our customers in the wider region all products in our NZ stable. “It is simply business as usual for our customers and suppliers. We expect Spicers NZ and UPL can bring operational benefits to our customers in the short term as well as broadening each other’s product offering by sharing portfolios for our customers’ benefit. Over the next six months, we will forge further plans on how the businesses work closer together.” John concludes, “We welcome Matthew, Jed and Matthew and the entire team at UPL to Spicers.”
Corrugated enhancements target productivity HP has upgraded its PageWide C500 press for better digital corrugated printing, higher productivity and lower costs. The system comes with an enhanced sheet-feeding system designed to reduce waste, offering smooth feeding process and fast job changeovers. It supports a range of sheets including thin and micro-flutes.
Enhancements include stack topography alignment technology to automatically compensate for uneven or warped stacks; dynamic stack alignment technology to overcome vertically unaligned stacks; and smart auto recovery technology to identify and overcome feeding problems related to bad stacking or damaged sheets, avoiding manual intervention.
David Tomer, HP PageWide corrugated and post-print general manager, says, “HP has invested substantially in the feeder as part of its ongoing commitment to the corrugated market and will continue to develop this industry technology.” He adds that the thermal inkjet-based HP PageWide C500 delivers offset print quality for a range of
corrugated packaging and display applications on coated and uncoated sheets. It prints at 75 metres per minute with 1200 dpi using a million nozzles. He says, “The HP C500 reduces the cost of manufacturing boxes and opens new business opportunities with digital flexibility and direct to board printing at scaled volume production.”
Rustler follows father as interpack president The advisory committee for interpack 2023 has elected Markus Rustler as president and chairman. Chief executive and president of Theegarten Pactec, Rustler follows in his father’s footsteps. Erhard Rustler was also president of interpack in 2008 and 2011. Markus Rustler says, “I’m so happy that everyone has placed their trust in me to hold the office of interpack president. “The upcoming edition of the trade fair will be a really special one. Ultimately, the companies in the 42
Markus Rustler, president and chairman for interpack
international packaging industry and related process industry had to do without the last edition of this significant trade fair due to the pandemic. Right now, these companies are chomping at the bit to see their customers live and inperson and to generate new leads.” With interpack already 85 per cent booked, organisers expect its big themes to foreshadow future industry trends and developments, particularly those involving the sustainability complex.
Roland Strassburger, vice president for interpack says, “The packaging industry is under heightened observation from the public in terms of sustainability, but does have effective tools to make a significant contribution to improving the situation, namely circular economy approaches, constantly increasing resource efficiency and intelligent usage of materials.” The show takes place from May 4-10, 2023 at the Düsseldorf Trade Fair Centre.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
LABELS & PACKAGING
VariJet 106 offers best of both worlds
K
oenig & Bauer Durst unveiled the VariJET 106 in a world premiere with exclusive live demonstrations for customers and stakeholders recently in Germany. The modular single pass sheetfed digital printing press targets the folding carton market. Beta testing has started and the companies will install the first VariJET 106 units at customer sites in Europe and America in the second half of 2022. Target groups include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, tobacco and food industries, as well as folding carton converters. The launch included presentations where the company delivered insights into Koenig & Bauer’s packaging strategy. They also provided updates on the progress of the digitalisation of business processes for new products and services.
Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman says, “It’s great for Robert Stabler and his team to be able to share the fruits of the joint venture between two great companies, Durst and Koenig & Bauer. “The combination of the Durst Water Ink Jet Technology and the Koenig & Bauer technology to realise real options and real solutions for high-speed packaging production. “With its use of the already successful Delta print platform from Durst with food safe ink jet technology, it will empower business to embrace all volumes and markets for packaging.”
The VariJet 106 targets the folding carton market
Digital and offset combine
Joint venture In 2019, Koenig & Bauer and Durst announced they had partnered to set up an independent joint venture company. Along with the VariJET 106, the companies have the Delta SPC 130 Series and the CorruJET 170 Series, aimed at corrugated packaging. The VariJET 106, Delta SPC 130 and CorruJET 170 are designed with core technologies to provide automated, productive, food safe printing systems. They deliver shorter response times, more variants, shorter run lengths, individualisation and enable more and more small value orders. They also answer the increasing customer demand for brand security, sustainability and the ability to meet brand owners’ requirements for multichannel communication including e-commerce. Robert Stabler, managing director, Koenig & Bauer Durst, says, “The VariJet 106 world premiere marks a proud moment, and what a journey it has been. We are really excited by the progress we have made and the opportunities with our VariJET 106, despite these testing times. newzealandprinter.co.nz
Matt Ashman, managing director of Durst Oceania
New press combines digital inkjet and offset printing with inline finishing
“We have beta sites at an advanced stage of planning. These potential customers already have a vision for mass customisation and they will be working with us in partnership. “Feedback from our customers is that shorter run lengths, mass customisation and the need to be more agile are the compelling reasons for moving to digital production. “Successful companies need to be able to embrace the trends that are occurring and offer solutions.” Brand owners continually want their products to stand out, require shorter lead times, while at the same time eliminate waste and conform to sustainability and track and trace requirements. “Without a doubt, brand owners are also looking to ensure the new production methods are reliable, compliant and cost effective. Another point is that converters need to have the capabilities and competencies to mass customise without any compromise on quality. We deliver on this.”
The company says the VariJET 106 B1 press combines the best of both worlds, digital inkjet and classic offset printing. The companies have based it on Koenig & Bauer’s standard high performance Rapida 106 platform and Durst printhead electronics, inkjet expertise and Durst workflow and RIP technology, including Durst Analytics, Smartshop and Workflow. Using seven-colour, waterbased food compliant inkjet technology (CMYK plus orange, green and violet), the VariJET 106 suits food applications that must meet the requirements for food safe primary packaging using proprietary water-based ink technology. The VariJET 106 can produce personalised and individualised print products or alternate between short and medium runs. The company says the new press offers: • Modular integration of upstream and downstream processes • Combination of digital print with proven modules of the Rapida platform • Perfect register accuracy thanks to inline production • Highly competitive total cost of ownership, efficient production of ultra-short to medium runs • Reduced resource consumption, storage costs and waste • Absolute flexibility for test packaging and new campaigns • Fastest possible response to market demands
December 2021/January 2022
43
LABELS & PACKAGING
Corrugated fuelling the box-drop bonanza Online shopping, the new mainstream way to shop in the pandemic era, needs corrugated board, literally the package that delivers the goods, says Peter Kohn
C
orrugated packaging is enjoying a boom. The global folding carton market is expected to exceed $220 billion by 2026, according to research by consulting firm Smithers. While Covid-19 has caused some bumps along the way and there remain challenges ahead, corrugated has benefited from the pandemic too. The industry has been a beneficiary of a huge uptick in demand for home delivered goods bought online. Beyond obvious limitations such as deformation under extreme stacking pressure, ability to withstand extreme weather conditions, and considerations about the weight of items packaged in corrugated containers, corrugated has proven itself to be a broadly and consistently reliable substrate for the folding cartons industry. It is lightweight, safe, strong, offers protection from most attacks of moisture and bacteria, cost-effective, and offers great potential for promotional embellishment through printed graphics. A very significant advantage is corrugated’s eco-friendliness. The material almost always contains recycled content and is recyclable and reusable. And a high degree of flexibility means it can be manufactured in an endless array of shapes and sizes to suit the shipping of almost any product. We asked several vendors to go into detail about their product offerings and share their outlook for the corrugated box market.
Agfa Shipping costs have risen rapidly since mid-2020, a serious problem that continues to impact not just the packaging 44
Agfa’s Arkana smart processor offers consistent, highquality plate processing with minimal chemistry usage and maintenance and printing sector, but all kinds of businesses in Australia, according to Agfa Oceania managing director Mark Brindley. He says, “Vessel shortages and a shortage of large containers continues to be difficult and is predicted to get worse before it gets better. “Our packaging customer base has remained consistent with demand through the Covid crisis. This is due to increased demand for packaging created by increased online shopping.” Agfa’s newest software solution, Amfortis, is a dedicated all in one PDF workflow solution for packaging converters and printers, covering all prepress production tasks from pre flighting, stepping and repeating, and proofing to rendering. It is a single system with one interface to smoothly manage the entire prepress production and drive all output devices. Amfortis uses Agfa’s Digital Quick Strip mechanism to render a single artwork, which then gets stepped to fill a complete print sheet. He says, “This has two great advantages. Unlike other software solutions – which step-and-repeat artwork before rendering it – Amfortis keeps file sizes and therefore hardware requirements low, which speeds up your production process. It ensures a perfectly consistent print quality. As the box is rendered before it is placed, it will always retain its characteristics, no matter its position or orientation. The single rendered artwork can also be used for soft and hard proofing, and for remote approval.”
Brindley adds that Agfa offers complete and robust offset printing solutions for packaging printers. These include thermal digital plates which are durable on press, compatible with UV and metallic inks, and have run lengths up to 150 million copies. Agfa also offers complete CTP systems to image and process offset printing plates. Agfa’s Arkana smart processor offers consistent, high-quality plate processing with minimal chemistry usage and maintenance, allowing printers to further reduce their CO2 footprint. Brindley adds, “Arkana features a small developer tank, drastically lowering replenishment rates and considerably reducing chemical consumption. Thanks to Agfa’s patented gum cascade system in which the gum both cleans the plate and protects it with a finishing layer, Arkana no longer requires water for plate rinsing. All in all, it produces up to 50 per cent less collectable waste compared to other systems on the market.”
Böttcher Böttcher Australia managing director Mitch Mulligan says the company, which offers rollers and other press consumables, sees packaging, together with its rising opportunities for printing on packaging material, as a trend accelerated significantly by the online shopping boom during the Covid era. He predicts that virtual store transactions will only keep increasing. He says, “It will continue to grow as transition to the online shopping model becomes more and more the new normal,” Mulligan mentioned. And with that new normal in which packaging material is in strong demand has come an increased demand for the ancillary products and consumables that keep carton manufacturing and printing lines ticking along at optimal levels. For example, these include specialised rubber coverings to enhance, assist and maintain a high-quality carton product, he explained. A key component of Bottcher’s rollout to the
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
LABELS & PACKAGING corrugated packaging sector is its BottcherTec corrugated cardboard feed rollers. Mulligan says the function of a feed roller is to ensure uniform, non-destructive sheet transport at high machine speeds and cycle frequencies. Frequent format changes and high workloads with small formats contribute to uneven roller covering wear and tear, which has a negative impact on sheet transport and rubber covering service life. Equally important is non-destructive material transport with minimal shaft compression and resulting loss of mechanical properties. BöttcherTec offers several solutions that meet this requirement, from proven, economical single layer constructions to dual layer systems designed to provide enhanced wear protection.
Durst Corrugated and fluted card particularly lend themselves to short-run boutique packaging, Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman says. The company offers wide format digital printers, such as the Durst P5 350 and 350 HS. Ashman sees two main challenges in the local corrugated packaging sector. He says, “The Covid situation has massively increased home shopping and the click and collect paradigm. “All of this needs more packaging, but also requires shorter runs and more diverse SKUs. This challenges the standard setup of high volume, limited SKUs, so the answer is digital packaging. These scenarios are not a challenge to a digital workflow; they are what a digital workflow is designed for.” For manufacturers, converters and downstream companies, there is now the opportunity to embrace digital manufacturing, according to Ashman.
The EFI Nozomi C18000 Plus press is a leading digital technology in corrugated packaging He says, “Businesses that embrace change and adopt digital print and finishing can reap the rewards. The forecast is good, especially as more and more primary packaging is going co-curated. This is for many reasons. “One main reason is the quality of printing onto co curated digital can give a much more superior result than traditional direct to corrugated solutions. Traditionally this type of packaging was very much secondary. If it was to be primary, it would be a two step litho-lam (litho printed paper, laminated to low quality corrugated). But with digital and the advent of clay-coated digital media, this can be transformed into a high quality one step process.” Ashman sees two ink technologies for corrugated, and many options for production. Firstly, there is UV ink, which he described as “tried and trusted” and giving high print quality and performance in the non-food packaging arena. Secondly, there is Durst Water technology, a water-based ink technology for packaging and corrugated, which is suitable for all the areas that UV applies to as well. But with the addition of food packaging, water-based ink’s high quality, high speed odourless ink film makes it ideal for sensitive primary packaging.protection.
Corrugated and fluted card lend themselves to short run boutique packaging, which Durst’s P5 350 does exceptionally well newzealandprinter.co.nz
EFI Nozomi Both the corrugated packaging space and the various brands supplied by corrugators are intently focused on sustainability nowadays, says EFI Asia-Pacific vice president of sales Rodd Harrison. He says, “As an equipment supplier, there has been an important focus within EFI on making sure corrugated board printed on EFI Nozomi presses is both recyclable and re-pulpable. And any digital solution in the market today must print well on recycled board. The Nozomi performs exceptionally well in that regard.” EFI Nozomi users saw global double-digit increases in volumes throughout the last year, in a time when many other segments of print have been challenged. He says, “The pandemic has brought forth a boom in online activities, and as a result, many types of fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) product brands are looking to improve their packaging. And digital print has been an important solution for brand presence, both in traditional retail and e-commerce. “Sustainability has also made corrugated packaging more important than ever, as brands look to create corrugated packaging solutions that can replace plastic packaging. “Take for instance, one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading corrugated producers, Opal. It uses our EFI Nozomi printer to help customers innovate by optimising designs through digital printing in ways that enhance consumer appeal, especially in retail furniture promotional displays. Continued on page 46 December 2021/January 2022
45
LABELS & PACKAGING Continued from page 45 “EFI is focused on growing its packaging footprint in AsiaPacific and we value-add to our customers with our digital solutions.” The EFI Nozomi C18000 press is a leading digital technology in corrugated packaging. Late last year, EFI launched the Nozomi C18000 Plus, a new version of the singlepass digital inkjet corrugated printer. Job processing for the Nozomi C18000 Plus is five per cent faster, thanks to the latest version of the EFI Fiery NZ 1000 DFE used to control the printer. It additionally features Smart Ink Estimator, which can accurately analyse image data for more-precise control of ink costs, as well as Fiery Edge, to deliver colour and quality enhancements. In addition, EFI’s MarketDirect Pack Central solution enables packaging and corrugated providers to raise value for their customers with features like the SmartBox Designer, a web-based tool that enables packaging providers to host their product library online and allows their customers to create 3D visual mock-ups before placing an order. The company says that its EFI Corrugated Packaging Suite is a comprehensive ERP and manufacturing execution system for corrugated, which offers versatile, modular software solutions. EFI adds that these target premium corrugator efficiency and converting performance, while minimising paper waste throughout the manufacturing workflow for maximum performance.
One of Graph-Pak’s offerings through APR is the Maxi Box Plus 2
Graffica Graffica director Neil Southerington says packaging, in the form of carton board and decorative boxes, as well as corrugated for shipping carton and outers has been on the rise for at least seven years. He says, “With online shopping, more corrugated boxes are circulating everywhere. Early on, the product was packed in the cheapest generic box available, often way too big for the product, full of void fill. Now, this method is unacceptable; a cheap box is not a cheap box when you lose a full layer on a pallet or on a smaller scale, the size of the oversize box adds a couple of dollars to the courier cost. “We have found acceptance with our range of fullyautomated corrugated box machines in A/NZ, both in traditional sheet plants and in warehouse situations. “A box can be set up in the office in a minute or two, sent to the machine, which sets itself in under a minute, and then produces fully formed, industry-standard slotted boxes, glued inline with a single-colour print – at more than 500 pieces per hour. “Carton board folded box production is also currently
Graffica’s Century die cutters, such as the Century 1650Q semi-auto, offer professional die cutting machines at realistic prices 46
enjoying greater sales. The ANZ market has always been lower in run lengths but high in quality. Many printers don’t have the equipment or expertise to take on packaging jobs that require a crash lock carton or one with a window, so they go to a finishing specialist.” “However, there are options. For higher volume carton manufacturing, Century has recently released several alternatives to double handling and reduced human operation. Our Century die cutters, such as the Century 1650Q semi-auto with or without stripping, offer professional die cutting machines at realistic price levels. These semi-auto machines will produce five times as much as a handfed clamshell machine, in a safe way – carton board or corrugated.”
Graph-Pak Grap-Pak managing director Tom Ralph identifies one of the largest challenges to the corrugated packaging sector as the demand for volume, with Covid-19 pushing more and more goods online amid increased urgency about getting corrugated packaging to the market. He is upbeat about opportunities in the sector. He says, “The opportunities that have come from the pandemic are driven by demand and hopes for a more prosperous future. Other drivers include the need for more environmentally responsible packaging, with plastic being replaced as a packaging material, and greater demand for cardboard and corrugated. “Our offering to customers is along these lines. We can offer die cutters and folder box gluers, as well as carton erecting machines and window patching or pasting machines to the corrugated sector. “We can also offer both flatbed die cutting machines platen style, as well as short, compact, robust rotary die cutting systems which are becoming more and more popular due to the capabilities of handling shorter runs with limited space.” Ralph notes that carton erecting machinery is becoming more popular, and said he has seen an upsurge in requests for solutions that are economical, reliable and user-friendly.
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
LABELS & PACKAGING During the Covid era, Graph Pak acquired a new blue chip partner, APR Solutions, a converting and finishing specialist in Italy, with a focus on folder-gluers, applicators of double-sided tape, and envelope making machines. APR offers a solution for short run, complicated, time consuming box manufacturing. One of Graph-Pak’s offerings through APR is the Maxi Box Plus 220, designed to automatically apply a wide range of silicone tape and adhesive tape, such as mono-adhesive tape, double sided tape, tear tape and magnetic tape. It features a continuous-friction and suction ‘Feeder Plus’, for continuous production. The machine handles various formats of different die-cut, creased and slotted materials, from 200grams and up to 15mm. All tape applications are controlled by PLC and touch screen, using dedicated software. Through the high-precision applicator placement with the new linear makeready system, a very fast changeover is achievable.
HP PageWide HP PWI South Pacific sales and marketing manager Bruce Caldwell identifies digital print as a key driver in supporting e-Commerce time to market needs and varied production volumes, together with critical supply-chain benefits. He says, “The packaging segment is indeed a growing inkjet segment; therefore, we see a growing interest and demand for HP’s PageWide corrugated presses. This opens up opportunities for HP and our customers, as corrugated packaging is definitely a growth engine to produce corrugated boxes at a lower cost, faster and better, as part of the increased requirements in supply chain efficiency,” he said. Caldwell sees the scalable portfolio of HP PageWide digital corrugated presses as delivering speed, quality and variability to produce high volumes with high versatility through pre-print liners for corrugation or ready to go post print boards. The format of each platform delivers benefits for different applications and operating models. HP’s preprint presses, including the T1100 and T400 series, have changed the dynamic in corrugated newzealandprinter.co.nz
HP offers a complete digital print portfolio with its range of HP PageWide corrugated presses production, offering high speed, high quality output with incredible flexibility and unique advantages in time to market, he said. The HP C500 corrugated press, similarly, is a highly evolved innovative single-pass, digital postprint solution that helps converters to reduce the cost of making boxes at scaled volume production, creating new opportunities. HP’s PageWide digital corrugated presses use true water-based inks and are the only field-proven corrugated digital presses to deliver offset-like print quality, states Caldwell. The HP PageWide T1190 web presses enable pre-printing the top liner before corrugation, while the HP PageWide C500 Press is a direct-to-board postprint solution for printing on corrugated sheets. The HP PageWide T470 six-colour press is also a web-based solution designed for digital lamination production. He says, “Our PageWide corrugated customers see an increase in the demand for e-Commerce workflows for small business and consumer needs, and with the advantage of HP’s true water-based inks, they can offer a sustainable packaging solution. “Corrugated packaging produced with the HP PageWide corrugated presses is the right solution for those who consider the environment and the consumer demands for sustainability.”
Print & Pack Print & Pack Australia sales manager Miro Williams sees opportunities for corrugated packaging. He says, “An increase in online purchasing activity during the lockdown periods around Australia has seen an increase in demand for corrugated and packaging products. This has seen a significant amount of Bobst machinery installed in Oceania in the past 12 months, which is truly a great result. “We’ve seen a diverse range of machines installed, capable of producing a wide variety of products for the corrugated board market. “Some include flatbed die cutters and full FFG (Flexo Folder Gluer) as well as rotary die cutting lines, which seem to indicate healthy growth in the industry. Bobst folder-gluers are designed to deliver versatile performance, high product quality, as well as excellent reliability.” In flatbed die cutting, the Expertcut 1.6 provides accuracy and consistency in die-cutting. It features a highly productive workflow, allowing job changeovers to take less than eight minutes, delivering good speeds on long runs and quick changeover on short runs. The Visioncut 1.6 is also available in a PR (Power Register) ve rsionBobst’s system that delivers print-to-cut accuracy, even on litho-laminated board.
The inline configuration of Print & Pack’s FFG 924 NT RS means that precision printing is an integral part of the production process December 2021/January 2022
47
LABELS & PACKAGING
AIP releases sustainable packaging The AIP has developed a series of best practice and award winning examples of innovative and sustainable packaging design from Australia and New Zealand
Detpak
he AIP has developed a series of best practice and awardwinning examples of innovative sustainable packaging design from Australia and New Zealand. All of the case studies have received Australian Packaging Innovation and Design (PIDA) Awards and over 95 per cent have gone on to receive global recognition for their innovative sustainable packaging designs through the WorldStar Packaging Awards. Some of the A/NZ winners have also received WorldStar Sustainable Packaging Special Awards, which is the most prestigious award in the world. The AIP encourages everyone to use these case studies as best practice examples from across A/NZ and an opportunity to take some of the learnings for your own sustainable packaging design projects.
Earthwise/Pact Group
RecycleMe cups have a mineral based lining that can be easily removed in existing recycling infrastructure. The RecycleMe System provides an end to end solution beyond the actual packaging product to guarantee takeaway cup recycling into high quality paper products as part of a circular economy.
T
Earthwise offers 75 per cent recycled HDPE bottles across its household cleaning range. Committed to reducing virgin resin in its product lines, the Earthwise partnership with Pact Group took the 2020 PIDA Silver Award for Sustainable Packaging Design - Retail Pack.
ICEE Containers Brownes offers an innovative take on dairy packaging
BioPak BioPak’s winning design consists of a range of moulded bagasse pulp packaging that is sturdy and provides moisture and grease resistance. Bagasse material is the pulp byproduct left behind after sugar is extracted from cane. Bagasse suits moulded pulp products such as trays for retail packaging of fresh produce and single use disposable containers used in food service.
Brownes Dairy Brownes Dairy is regularly named as one of the most innovative companies around and is the only dairy company to make the list. It is a company that is deeply conscious of its environmental impact. 48
Punchbowl Packaging now replaces its plastic clamshell with a renewable, wheat straw punnet
Coca-Cola
NERIDA KELTON, AIP
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia Pacific Indonesia has 10 public Sustainability Goals. One was to reduce virgin PET resin used in containers by 50 per cent by using postconsumer recycled PET resin (rPET). By 2019, CCEP API delivered a world first by converting all single serve PET bottles from largely petroleumbased PET resin to 100 per cent rPET. CCEP API is the first to achieve this on carbonated soft drink bottles, sensitive warm filled bottles and aseptic dairy bottles.
ICEE began life with an idea to create fold flat insulated boxes by putting hinges in expanded polystyrene (EPS). The team developed a globally patented process to create an integrated hinge during the moulding cycle, removing unwanted bulk and reducing storage costs. The winning entry builds on its original EPS design, popular for perishables such as fish, produce and pharmaceuticals, and upgrades the material to a bio-based, expanded polylactic acid (EPLA) foam to make an industrially compostable fold flat insulated box.
Impact International Impact International’s won with three tube designs: Margorie, containing between 20 per cent and 90 per cent recycled low density polyethylene; Craig, contains between 25 per cent and 85 per cent sugarcane derived PE resin; and Sarah, contains 41 per cent sugar cane PE; 41 per cent recycled LDPE, and 18 per cent virgin LDPE resins.
Omni Group Omni Group’s award winning PerformX 1 Stretch Wrap is guaranteed to reduce plastic usage by over 50 per cent. Reinforcement strips through the film make the PerformX tear resistant, eliminating all
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
LABELS & PACKAGING
g design case studies for the industry Sealed Air
breakages and reducing plastic wastage. With regular stretch film, any small puncture will tear through the entire width of the film causing wrapping downtime and film wastage. Three reinforcement strips restrict splitting the width of the film if punctured, providing superior load containment.
Sealed Air Brand TempGuard is a fully curbside recyclable solution designed for the shipping and protection of pre-packaged, temperature sensitive goods. Comprising 100 per cent paper, TempGuard provides excellent insulating properties.
Pact Group The winning entry, rPET Moisturelock Meat Tray comprises 50 per cent recycled, clear material accepted by every kerbside recycling scheme. The tray captures fluid in the base using dimples that hold the fluid even when tilted or turned upside down.
UPM Raflatac/Kiwi Labels
Kiwi Labels recently launched its new UPM Raflatac RW85C PET wash-off solution at PIDA
Planet Protector Planet Protector Packaging’s flagship product, Woolpack aims to reduce fossil fuel based packaging through waste wool based thermal insulation. This winning entry provides cold chains with scientifically proven environmental performance to deliver temperature sensitive goods.
Woolworths
Plantic Technologies Plantic Technologies has successfully developed and commercialised ultra-high barrier bio-plastic materials including the award-winning Plantic R, which is renewably sourced, has high clarity and is certified. It combines Plantic bio-based high barrier material with PET.
Plantic/Neat Meat Plantic RV high skin barrier Skin Pack won the 2020 WorldStar Packaging President’s Bronze Special Award for Materials. The winning entry was developed with Neat Meat from New Zealand. The Plantic RV Skin Pack replaces the previous black high-impact polystyrene tray that was non-recyclable.
Punchbowl Packaging Its Kaituna Blueberries fibre punnet entry shows how to rethink fruit and vegetable packaging. This product replaces the plastic clamshell newzealandprinter.co.nz
Kiwi Labels recently launched its new UPM Raflatac RW85C PET wash-off solution at the 2020 Australasian PIDA. Forming part of the UPM Raflatac SmartCircle sustainable product offering, this sustainable label solution took home Bronze in the 2020 PIDA Awards for Sustainable Packaging Design, recognising printing excellence and leadership in sustainable packaging.
Woolworths took action in reducing plastic with this winning entry – the renewable pulp and fibre bakery tray with a renewable, unbleached wheat straw punnet.
Ranpak The PIDA winning WrapPak Protector product creates waved paper pads to solve challenges across many different packaging environments and applications. Ranpak solutions are proving much more sustainable than plastic-based alternatives, delivering packaging that is renewable, biodegradable, and in many locations, curbside recyclable. The product can replace a wide range of existing packaging materials and is dispensed using a custom converter, which is highly programmable to match evolving needs but at the same time small enough to use at a pack table, in-line or as a standalone unit.
Woolworths took action in reducing plastic with this winning entry – the renewable pulp and fibre bakery tray. Woolworths worked with a number of like-minded suppliers who were looking to progress in the same direction to develop the tray. The award winning tray replaces a previous polymer based black tray using non renewable resources with the new plant-based tray, made from a combination of renewable materials, including unbleached bamboo and unbleached sugarcane. The AIP is currently working on the next series of case studies which will include all of the 2021 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design (PDIA) Award winners. More information about the AIP Sustainable Packaging Design Case Studies is available from http://aipack.com.au/ pida-awards-sustainablepackaging-case-studies/ Nerida Kelton is the executive director of the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP) and vice-president – sustainability and save food of the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).
December 2021/January 2022
49
NZP CLASSIFIEDS
To advertise please email brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz
Employment Help Needed? Whether you are an Employer or an Employee Viv can help as we offer a full recruitment service across all positions for the print, label, packaging, signage and related industries.
Call: Viv Poppelwell 0274974997 Email: viv@vpr.co.nz www.vpr.co.nz
Eamar is a leading producer of customised PVC and polypropylene packaging and stationery products. We have more than 30 years experience tailoring our products to the specific needs of our customers. Our skilled staff and 'can do' attitude mean you are limited only by your imagination. If we do not already manufacture the product you seek, we will find a way to do so. With our sister company, Tabbing Services, we provide a complete solution for all your packaging and stationery requirements.
So come and see us first! PRINTNZ REGISTERED MEMBER
11b Culperry Rd, Glendene, Auckland 0602 Ph: 09 836 9069 www.eamar.co.nz
When it comes to business, the only constant thing is change. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you need to start thinking laterally.
Logo details; PMS 3258 Aqua, PMS 431 grey hello@thinklaterally.com.au I www.thinklaterally.com.au
50
December 2021/January 2022 newzealandprinter.co.nz
ENTER ONLINE TODAY PRINTED IN NZ
Patron 2022
Media Sponsor 2022
Sponsors 2022
Save time & enter online: www.prideinprintawards.co.nz Early bird entries close: 11/02/2022 Entries close: 11/03/2022
Friends of the Awards: Sealed Air (Hamilton), Wholesale Print, PhilStic Labels Blue Star Group (New Zealand) Limited, Soar Print, Contact Labels & Print Finishers
www.cyber1976.com