New Zealand Printer November-December 2024 by The Intermedia Group

Heidelberg drupa 2024: Innovations in printing and packaging machinery

Heidelberg’s new generation of machines feature many innovative functions that contribute to cost reduction, alleviate skill shortages, enhance the sustainability of printing companies, and improve their speed to market

The demand for packaging is increasing worldwide.

Simultaneously, consumers are seeking sustainable packaging that minimises environmental and climate impact. Legal requirements related to the environmental aspects of packaging are also on the rise.

In a survey conducted in 2022 involving 5,000 consumers from five European countries, Pro Carton: Choosing Cartons for a Sustainable Future, participants identified climate change as one of the most urgent issues of our time.

Consumers place the most trust in paper and cardboard packaging from an environmental compliance perspective.

This is partly because effective recycling systems are already well-established at a high level.

For example, in Germany, the recycling rate for wastepaper exceeds 95 per cent of total paper consumption. Across Europe, 82.5 per cent of paper and cardboard are recycled.

It is estimated that the added value in global folding carton production will increase from the current €68 billion ($110.27 billion) to €76 billion ($123.24 billion) by 2027, showing an annual growth rate of approximately 2.3 per cent.

Packaging and labels are increasingly important to the strategic future of the

printing industry, with annual sales now worth more than half a trillion dollars, according to research firm Smithers.

In its The Future of Package Printing to 2029 study, Smithers showed that in 2024, the total global value in the sector will reach US$504.9 billion ($750.7 billion). This will see 14.31 trillion A4 print equivalents of labels, corrugated board, folding cartons, flexible paper and plastics, rigid plastic and metal packaging printed this year, consuming 1.54 million tons of ink.

In the printing market, there are several significant challenges, including rising material and energy costs, and a shortage of skilled labour. Print shops worldwide must

The new Peak Performance generation of the Speedmaster XL 106 can print up to 21,000 sheets per hour

COVER STORY

address these issues while meeting demand and maintaining their competitiveness.

Heidelberg’s new generation of machines feature many innovative functions that contribute to cost reduction, alleviate skill shortages, and enhance the sustainability of printing companies.

Autonomous printing in folding carton production

Today, more than half of the sheetfed offset presses that Heidelberg sells and installs worldwide are for packaging customers. This underlines the company’s market leadership in this crucial growth segment.

At drupa 2024, Heidelberg introduced the new Peak Performance generation of the Speedmaster XL 106, featuring numerous innovations specifically for packaging production.

This new press generation, which incorporates autonomous Push to Stop

operations in packaging printing, increases net output by up to 20 per cent compared to the previous generation and reduces drying energy consumption by up to 30 per cent with the new DryStar Combination Eco.

With a production capacity of up to 21,000 sheets per hour, the new generation of machines addresses major challenges in the folding carton segment, particularly cost pressure, sustainable production, and the shortage of skilled labour.

The new generation of machines also introduces autonomous Push to Stop production in packaging printing, reducing the cost per printed sheet. The main levers are increased digitisation and automation, as well as the expanded use of artificial intelligence in many assistance systems.

Another standout feature is the new Push to Stop coating unit, which integrates highly automated control systems into the Prinect Press Center XL 4.

The changeover process for coating plates, anilox rollers and coating is automatically initiated at the control station via Intellistart 3 software. The necessary information is provided by the job parameters in the job queue.

Reaching a new benchmark of 100 million sheets annually

The new Peak Performance generation of the Speedmaster XL 106 can print up to 21,000 sheets per hour. With enhanced Push to Stop concepts, autonomous printing is now possible even in packaging production.

“Further automated processes promote high overall system efficiency,” Heidelberg chief technology and sales officer Dr. David Schmedding said.

“We expect to quickly reach a benchmark of 100 million sheets per year for a packaging printer with high production volumes. That means up to 20 per cent more than the current industry leaders with 85 million sheets.”

Mike Günther, managing director of German print shop colordruck Baiersbronn, a pilot customer for the new Speedmaster XL 106, said, “We expect a significant reduction in makeready, setup and general downtimes in order to improve cost-effectiveness in printing thanks to lower costs per job”.

Reducing setup waste and increasing net output

The Speedmaster XL 106 offers the optional AI-supported Hycolor Assistant. Combined with the new Hycolor XL ink/ dampening unit, this system is particularly effective for demanding print forms.

Before the first sheet enters the press, the Hycolor Assistant fully automates the optimisation of ink/dampening unit settings, including ink distribution and the Vario function. The Hycolor XL ink/ dampening unit achieves excellent results in print forms with reverse text elements in solid areas, conditions that are difficult to control with manual adjustments.

Production output is achieved much faster, and waste is reduced by up to 25 per cent, compared to using the Hycolor Assistant and Hycolor XL ink/dampening unit.

“Folding carton producers benefit, in particular, from the combination of our innovations in mechanics on the one hand and AI-supported software on the other,” Dr. Schmedding said.

“They make huge savings in material, personnel, energy and machine time. The new Peak Performance generation of the Speedmaster XL 106 is a huge step forward in terms of increasing competitiveness.”

The Diana Pharma 85 folding carton gluing machine shown at drupa was specifically developed to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry

The Diana folding carton gluing machine is engineered to transform printed sheets into perfect folding cartons

New DryStar Combination Eco –Saving up to 30 per cent energy

For the new generation of the Speedmaster XL 106, Heidelberg offers a new dryer technology, the DryStar Combination Eco, available on request. Cantilever insulation, crossflow heat exchangers, and an improved dryer cassette design enable up to 30 per cent energy savings compared to the previous generation. This energyefficient dryer is particularly interesting for markets with high energy prices.

In Europe, where energy prices are very high, investments in the DryStar Combination Eco typically pay off within about two years. Furthermore, the faster the printing speed, the lower the energy usage per 1,000 sheets.

For example, increasing the printing speed from 18,000 to 21,000 sheets reduces energy consumption by approximately 4.5 per cent. This energy saving feature is expected to bring print shops cost savings in A/NZ as well.

“Given the rising energy prices, we expect this new drying technology to help reduce energy consumption pressures,” said Stefan Leonhardt, president of WEIG Packaging, a pilot customer of the new generation.

“The new press also automates key processes in folding carton production, resulting in improved efficiency, reduced make-ready times, and increased uptime.”

Special configurations for packaging printing

Heidelberg has long been a leader in special configurations of Speedmaster presses, and this expertise is in high demand in the market. Users of these systems are primarily folding carton and label printers, who particularly value the extensive finishing options and flexibility for producing high-quality packaging.

For example, last year, a major international packaging printing company with locations worldwide installed the longest Speedmaster XL 106 sheetfed offset press to date, featuring 20 units and a total length of 42 metres. This world-record press is operating at a facility in Poland. Another 19-unit press was delivered to a site in Germany.

“The high investment willingness of our customers in Heidelberg’s packaging technology underscores the trust our company enjoys among market players, especially in this demanding market segment. Through our global sales and service network, we strive daily to remain the partner of choice now and in the future,” Dr. Schmedding added.

Efficient printing demands efficient post-press processes

In today’s fast-paced packaging industry, the importance of efficiency extends beyond just the printing process. As we continue to push the boundaries of speed and precision in printing, it’s critical to ensure that our postpress processes evolve in tandem.

This end-to-end approach to production is what enables Heidelberg to deliver exceptional results to its customers, from start to finish.

Together with its trusted partner, MK Masterwork, they stand as ’Your Partner in Packaging’, ensuring the highest productivity throughout the entire production chain.

At the heart of Heidelberg’s post-press solutions are the Mastermatrix die-cutting and Diana folding carton gluing machines, engineered to transform printed sheets into perfect folding cartons.

These machines represent the pinnacle of post-press technology, where innovation meets reliability to meet the highest standards in the packaging industry.

Both the Mastermatrix and Diana machines follow a shared philosophy: automation that empowers operators, optimises production efficiency, and

COVER STORY

reduces manual touchpoints. This philosophy is embedded in every aspect of the design, from shortening make-ready times to ensuring seamless operation.

By streamlining these critical processes, Heidelberg helps its customers enhance productivity, reduce downtime, and maintain consistent quality across every job.

Its Diana Pharma 85 folding carton gluing machine shown at drupa was especially developed to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to its compact design, the machine is characterised by exact folding and gluing, precise and powerful embossing and fast and uncomplicated changeovers.

At just 12 metres, the Diana Pharma achieves a running speed of up to 250m/ min and, with the integrated Diana Braille module, provides up to 60,000 packages and more per hour with Braille.

With Heidelberg’s post-press equipment, the company takes pride in not only meeting the demands of today’s packaging market but in setting new benchmarks for efficiency and automation.

“When choosing Heidelberg, you choose a partner that is as committed to your success and driving the future of packaging forward, one perfectly folded carton at a time,” Dr. David Schmedding said.

Cover Story p3-5

3-5 Heidelberg: The company’s new generation of machines feature innovative functions that contribute to cost reduction, alleviate skill shortages, enhance the sustainability of printing companies, and improve their speed to market.

Features p18-35

18 & 20 Fujifilm Business Innovation: Fivestar Print has installed a new Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, supplied through FBNZ.

21 PacPrint: The major regional print trade show for 2025 has announced its sponsors and major theme.

22 Currie Group: PrintLounge has doubled down on its ABG converter technology, supplied through Currie Group.

24 Konica Minolta: We hear from Toshimitsu Taiko, president and chief executive officer of Konica Minolta, and Eric Holtsmark, managing director for Konica Minolta New Zealand.

28 Think Laterally: Mental health matters, so learn how to look after your team at work, says Mick Rowan.

35 People In Print Awards: Nominations have opened for the People In Print Awards and the Rising Stars of Print Awards.

November/December 2024

Wide Format Plus p29-40

30 Aarque: Multi-award winning APC Innovate has installed an HP Latex 2700 wide format printer, supplied through Aarque Group.

32 & 34: Durst: The newly launched P5 X flatbed roll to roll printer is a testament of Durst’s commitment to continuous growth in the large-format printing sector

38 NZSDA President: Shae Goom discusses the increasing influence of women who are making their mark in the industry.

39 Open Day: Recently, Jeremy Hunt’s Big Brown Industries held an open day that exceeded all expectations.

PrintNZ p10-15

12-13 Comment: Ruth Cobb explains why your PrintNZ membership is so much more than a ‘nice to have’.

14-16 Helping Hand: Canterbury’s Leading Label is growing its business in a competitive market, reports Iain MacIntyre.

Labels & Packaging p26

26 Spicers & Universal Packaging: A one-stop-shop approach opens new possibilities for paper and packaging.

EDITORIAL: 021 631 559

Bruce Craig, Editor - bruce@newzealandprinter.co.nz

CONTRIBUTORS: Ruth Cobb, Shae Goom, Mikayla Hopkins, Iain MacIntyre, Mick Rowan

CIRCULATION: brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz

DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES & SERVICE:

Brian Moore - brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz +61 410 578 876

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Brian Moore - brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz

DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Sarah Vella - sarahvelladesigns@gmail.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.

New Zealand Printer is a member of the Printer Media Group

New Zealand: New Zealand Printer Asia Pacific: ProPack.pro Australia: Australian Printer, ProPrint

MANAGING DIRECTOR: James Wells - james@intermedia.com.au GROUP PUBLISHER: Brian Moore - brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz

We visit the team at Fivestar Print, page

and self-adhesive materials. www.labelexpo-americas.com

Wayzgoose 2022

Wayzgoose

September 17, 2022

Napier

Heimtextil

APPEX and Auspack

January 14-17, 2025 | Frankfurt

www.inkianapress.co.nz

Foodtech Packtech

September 20-22, 2022

Auckland

NZ PRINTER CALENDAR & DIRECTORY

Labels Foil Stamping Embossing

Labelexpo Americas

March 12-15, 2024 | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

September 13-15, 2022

Chicago, USA

The global event for interior textiles, interior design and interior trends will play host to a range of industry professionals and will feature new products and trends for textiles and their applications. www.heimtextilmessefrankfurt.com

Fespa Global Print Expo 2025

The Association of Handcraft Printers has a full day programme including visits to Imprimo in Havelock North and Neighbour’s Press in Hastings; a swap meet; as well as a barbecue dinner at the Napier RSA. This is a must attend event for all interested in letterpress and the craft. www.inkianapress.co.nz

The Association of Handcraft Printers has a full day programme including visits to Havelock Neighbour’s Press in Hastings; a swap meet; as well as a barbecue dinner at the Napier RSA. This is a must attend event for all interested in letterpress and the craft. www.inkianapress.co.nz

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, as well as sharing knowledge and expertise.

Auspack has transitioned into APPEX, the Australasian Processing and Packaging Expo. Organisers aim to truly represent all sectors of the industry: machinery, ancillary equipment, materials and packaging, food processing, and industry services. It will provide a comprehensive range of all processing and packaging equipment and services under one roof. www.appex.com.au

People in Print Awards

May 6-9, 2025 | Berlin

www.foodtech.packtech.co.nz

All in Print China

October 11-15, 2022

Shanghai

March, 2023 | Auckland

Foodtech Packtech

Apart from the latest technology and solutions, Labelexpo Americas this year features a full two-day conference programme and two masterclasses organised by the Label Academy on digital embellishment and self-adhesive materials. www.labelexpo-americas.com

September 20-22, 2022

The giant show brings hundreds of exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations and product launches across graphics, décor, packaging, industrial and textile applications. www.fespa.com/en

Auckland

Wayzgoose 2022

Nominations will soon open for the People in Print Awards and Rising Stars of Print Awards. Do you know someone who is consistently achieving excellence in their work in this industry? Of course you do, so when the time comes, put their name forward for these awards so they can receive recognition for their efforts.

PacPrint 2025

www.newzealandprinter.co.nz

May 20-23, 2025 | Olympic Park, Sydney

Fespa Global Print Expo

March 19-22, 2024 | Amsterdam

September 17, 2022

Napier

More than 1300 exhibitors will demonstrate their solutions across the 120,000 square metres of show space at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Organisers expect more than 160,000 visitors from all over the globe as they open the “Oriental Window of the World Printing Industry”.

www.allinprint.com

NZ PRINTER DIRECTORY & Labels

Letterheads

The show has moved from Melbourne to Sydney but still serves the print, sign, and graphics industries in Australia, New Zealand and across the Asia-Pacific region. PacPrint will see around one hundred leading suppliers highlighting their latest products and services. www.pacprint.com.au

All Print

NZSDA Conference and Awards

All in Print China

October 21-23, 2022

Covering digital printing, screen printing, textile printing, garment decoration and signage, Fespa Global Print Expo will mix all the latest technology and solutions with events like the World Wrap Masters and Fespa Party Night alongside features such as its Sustainability Spotlight; Personalisation Experience, and Sportswear Pro. www.fespaglobalprintexpo.com

October 11-15, 2022

June 12-14, 2025 | Nelson

Shanghai

Printopia

www.inkianapress.co.nz

Sign Foundry, Welling

Foodtech Packtech

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, NZSDA will combine its awards and conference under the theme: Tradition Meets Tomorrow. The theme honours the industry’s history and supports future innovation. www.nzsda.org.nz

Pride In Print Awards

May 3-5, 2024 | Corbans Estate, Henderson

Craig Paul 027 655 4267

027 655 4267

September 20-22, 2022

Auckland

Now into its third year, the Printopia Festival of Original Print promises a fun, inspiring, print-filled weekend of artist talks, demos, workshops, live printing and of course our print fair. International artist Jenny Robinson will give the keynote presentation on May 4 and a masterclass the following day. www.printopia.nz

drupa

The call has gone out for all signees to grab their brushes and head to Lower Hutt for the annual Letterheads event. This year’s theme is ‘Red and Blue’. Your hosts this year are Lydia Reeve and Duncan Rourke.

www.letterheads.co.nz

Interpack

May 28-June 7, 2024 | Dusseldorf, Germany

July 4, 2025 | Cordis Hotel, Auckland Entries have opened, so start getting those entries ready to send in so that you can take advantage of the early bird rate. Mark the date for the gala dinner in your diary. www.prideinprintawards.co.nz

May 4-10, 2023

www.foodtech.packtech.co.nz

Düsseldorf, Germany

Letterheads

Foodtech Packtech

• Consulting and Machine Recommendations Sourcing

September 2-4, 2025 | Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

October 21-23, 2022

All in Print China

• Export/Import Sales

The world’s leading trade fair for printing technologies has opened registrations to again welcome the industry’s main players, and quite a few minor ones. All will show their latest solutions. Visitors can stay on trend with the technology and seminars featuring topics from sustainability to digitisation. www.drupa.com

Sign Foundry, Welling

Visual Impact Brisbane Expo

July 17-19, 2023 | Brisbane

Labelexpo Europe 2025

• Machinery Inspections & Valuations

October 11-15, 2022

New Zealand’s largest food manufacturing, packaging, and processing technology trade show brings industry professionals and decision makers together. www.foodtechpacktech.co.nz

Shanghai

• Plant Relocation OFFICE: 09 8367577, ALEX MOB. 021 975 477 sales@apm.co.nz www.apm.co.nz

The global packaging industry will meet in Düsseldorf with a focus on packaging materials, packaging machines and related process technology for the food, beverage, confectionery, bakery, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, non-food and industrial goods sectors.

www.interpack.com

September 16-19, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain

www.letterheads.co.nz

Visual Connections Australia will host visitors and exhibitors at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Exhibition hopes to attract over 2,500 visitors interested in the signage, print, graphic and engraving industries and featuring digital printing, personalisation, signage, sublimation, design, routing, display solutions, and vinyl applications. www.visualimpact.org.au

Interpack

The world’s biggest event for the label and package printing industry offers demonstrations of the latest machinery and materials; seminars and on the latest global label trends and technologies; and time with the world’s leading suppliers. www.labelexpo-europe.com

newzealandprinter.co.nz

May 4-10, 2023

Printing United

www.allinprint.com

Las Vegas, USA | September 10-12, 2024

Düsseldorf, Germany

Letterheads

October 21-23, 2022

Sign Foundry, Welling

Showcasing the latest innovations and applications in specialised printing, the event attracts thousands of visitors from across the printing industry, serving as an exhibition and as a knowledge hub, where experts share their expertise and stimulate discussions about the future of the industry. www.printingunited.com

Craig Paul 027 655 4267 sales@curriegroup.co.nz

www.letterheads.co.nz

newzealandprinter.co.nz

Interpack

May 4-10, 2023

Düsseldorf, Germany

Heimtextil features new products and trends for textiles and their applications

www.interpack.com

Napier

IN BRIEF

SIEGWERK has launched a Business Partner Code of Conduct, which emphasises risk acknowledgment, knowledge seeking, collaboration, stakeholder focus, and continuous improvement. It sets expectations for suppliers and business partners, encouraging transparency and proactive engagement to address human rights and environmental risks. Cathleen Hansohm, global supplier sustainability manager at Siegwerk, says, “We value transparency and support our business partners in addressing human and environmental issues in our shared supply chain.”

FUJIFILM has received Zero to Landfill certification from Valpak, a provider of environmental compliance and recycling solutions. The company’s UK-based Broadstairs ink manufacturing site earned the certification. It manufactures high-performance inks for various markets, including Uvijet wide-format UV inkjet inks and Sericol screen inks. The company has implemented systems, technologies, and processes at the site to monitor and measure its progress and take steps to reduce its environmental impact.

COLOR-LOGIC has announced a software update and can now offer full compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud 2025 for both Macintosh and Windows platforms. Color-Logic software offers designers access to 924 metallic colours and effects for Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Other key features of the update include GradationFX, Dimension-FX, WatermarkFX, and Watermark-FX Plus for any of the 924 metallic colours; Image-FX Plugin; Seven Pattern-FX Volumes; and Print Embellishment Expertise..

Expat Kiwi, Keith Ferrel, general manager of operations at Sydney-based grand format production company Cactus Imaging, has taken out the top spot in the major Aussie industry awards competition, the Printer 50 at the ProPrint Awards.

Held at the Shangri-La in Sydney, the ProPrint Awards attracted more than 365 guests. This year’s award received a record number of nominations. Ferrel said, “Congratulations to all the winners. It’s a tremendous honour and I just want to say that none of this would be possible without the staff of Cactus Imaging.

“The ProPrint Awards is the go-to event for the

Kiwi connection wins major Aussie award Murray Newman joins Competenz

Competenz has appointed Murray Newman as general manager, Corporate Services. With a background in finance and corporate governance, he brings over 20 years of executive experience across diverse industries. Most

Keith Ferrel, co-founder and general manager of operations at Cactus Imaging

industry, and I’m proud to be part of it. There’s no way in hell I’m retiring and I’m coming back to get it again next year.”

Ferrel co-founded Cactus Imaging in New Zealand in 1992, and it has since become known worldwide as a leading grand format production company. After a year in Auckland, he relocated to Sydney and established the sales arm of Cactus Imaging Australia. This endeavour was so successful that in 1996, Cactus Imaging established a full-scale production plant in Sydney. In 2000, he was

recently, his senior roles at NTT New Zealand and Intergen, included positions as chief financial officer and general manager, Corporate Services.

In his new role, he will lead Competenz’s corporate services teams, leveraging his financial acumen and deep expertise in building strategy and organisational culture. His key priorities in the first 100 days include implementing a technology roadmap and getting handson insights by joining

appointed as the group sales director and later as general manager. He played a pivotal role in establishing Cactus Imaging India in Chennai. He has also served on the HP Customer Advisory Board and is the Asia Pacific and Japan past chairman of the board of directors for Dscoop Asia Pacific and Japan board and the Fespa Australia board. Widely recognised in the Asia Pacific region as one of the most influential people in the print industry, he has been inducted into the Fespa Hall of Fame. In 2014, he received the Fespa World Printer of the Year Award and in 2021 he received the Media Super Lifetime Achievement Award.

Christoph Gamper, chief executive and co-owner of Durst Group, platinum sponsor of the 2024 ProPrint Awards, said, “These awards celebrated the best in print and highlighted young talent and outstanding suppliers. I’m incredibly proud that my team earned three awards – a testament to their dedication and hard work.”

training advisors in the field. He acknowledges that the sector faces uncertainty due to pending government announcements, but he’s focused on preparing Competenz for future growth and resilience.

He says, “Competenz is full of people passionate about our learners’ outcomes. I am excited to transition into the work-based learning industry, building relationships across the organisation and supporting Kiwis as they work toward their trades.”

Blue Star has begun a $30m investment to consolidate several of its Auckland locations into a single 25,000 square metre site, which will open early next year.

Jill Cowling, chief executive officer at Blue Star Group, says, “Bringing together our business units from the existing Constellation and Collard sites makes sense on so many levels. It will be a gamechanger for our people to be so close but more importantly it’s going to drive even better outcomes for our clients.”

The new site will triple the company’s manufacturing capacity, notably in its folding carton packaging capability which continues to be a key strategic focus for Blue Star. It also delivers integration benefits with Blue Star Group’s web division, Webstar New Zealand and is conveniently located next door to its existing Display and Distribution business.

As well as driving significant productivity gains and efficiencies across the business, this change will also include major upgrades to Blue Star Group’s print

Blue Star Group’s $30m investment brings Auckland teams together Epson

achieves platinum EcoVadis rating

Business sustainability ratings provider EcoVadis has awarded Epson a platinum rating. The rating recognises Epson’s global efforts to uphold the highest standards on the environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. It also highlights Epson’s commitment and actions on sustainability.

The platinum rating ranks Epson in the top one per cent of companies in its industry, particularly excelling in the

Two Sides says greenwashing claims hurt the industry

Two Sides says it has confronted misleading environmental claims, challenging over 2,650 organisations globally, with more than 1,180 companies, including many in Australia and New Zealand, removing or amending

equipment including some of the latest packaging technology in the market.

New offset kit includes a Koenig & Bauer Rapida 106 X packaging press with full logistics automation and hybrid coating features, along with a top of the line Heidelberg MK Master Matrix diecutter, also with full logistics features. Sitting alongside that, a fully featured MK glue line will offer four and six corner fold and HSS bar code reading. These additions will complement the company’s existing packaging platform to help it extend its service offering to current and new clients.

This year, Blue Star Group achieved Toitū enviromark diamond certification across all sites and this new Auckland site will see several initiatives support

fields of the environment as well as labour and human rights.

EcoVadis, a recognised business sustainability ratings organisation, covers more than 220 industry categories, and 13,000 companies of all sizes worldwide across 180 countries and regions.

Epson says its latest platinum rating reflects its ongoing commitment and notable improvements towards sustainable growth in the past year. The company has a commitment to becoming carbon negative and undergroundresource free by 2050. In addition, Epson has made a number of measurable commitments related to sustainability and community impact. Focused on solving societal issues, it publishes details

misleading anti-paper statements.

Economic pressures continue to drive many cases of greenwashing with numerous organisations that have previously relied on paper for customer communication shifting their customers from traditional paper-based services to digital platforms to cut costs.

They often accompany the transition with misleading and unsubstantiated environmental marketing claims like ‘Go Green – Go Paperless’ or ‘Choose e-billing and help save a tree’.

As corporate sustainability gains attention, other sectors like tissue

the next stage of the company’s sustainability journey.

Innovations include:

• Refit considerations for water.

• Lighting and energy efficiency.

• A new extraction system to service two waste streams, providing clean uncontaminated waste for recycle to pulp and reuse.

• New press technologies offering reduced raw material waste.

• Consumable reductions.

• Energy efficiencies.

• A new pumped ink system vastly reducing landfill waste.

• New software technology and reporting to monitor energy use across machines and departments.

• Reduction in transportation and fuel usage.

Jill adds, “We are proud of the progress we have made in terms of our Blue Skies sustainability programme and this new site will make a significant differencefrom environmental benefits right through to our people in terms of workflows, employee safety and future proofing the business to ensure job security.”

Work on the new site is now well underway and Blue Star Group’s Auckland teams recently had their first look at what is planned. Overwhelming positive feedback sees the company looking forward to the opening in early 2025.

about its environmental initiatives, the creation of social value, corporate governance, and other CSR activities in its website and Integrated Report.

Epson Australia recently released its inaugural Sustainability Impact Report, the first-ever documented step that truly highlights and details the company’s continued commitment to driving sustainable progress across Australia and New Zealand.

The report showcases and details the company’s dedication to operating responsibly within the earth’s limits, whilst simultaneously fostering positive relationships with people and communities and striving for continuous improvement across industries.

and paper-based packaging also face greenwashing, with products misleadingly marketed as more sustainable.

Kellie Northwood, Two Sides administrator, says, “Misleading environmental claims are harming the paper and printing sectors.

“These greenwashing claims not only ignore paper’s recyclability and sustainable tree farms but also risk eroding public trust in an essential industry.

“A healthy market for paper products promotes sustainable forestry, a renewable resource and a reforestation industry.”

Watch this space: Blue Star Group team members got a preview of the new site

Spicers NZ holds Sustainability Tree Planting Days

Spicers NZ, including Total Supply and Universal Packaging, recently held its Sustainability Tree Planting Days along the shoreline around its Auckland site.

The Spicers NZ team spent an afternoon engaging in vital eco-friendly activities, including planting native trees, removing weeds, and collecting rubbish. The company says its initiative serves both immediate and long-term benefits. In the short term, rubbish collection reduces pollution and protects local wildlife. The removal of invasive weeds helps native plant species thrive, restoring biodiversity in the area. Over the long term, the native trees planted will contribute to carbon absorption, improve soil health, and foster a healthier ecosystem along the shoreline.

The tree planting initiative strengthens Spicers NZ’s commitment to sustainability and sets the stage for continued environmental stewardship. As these trees grow, they will create habitats

Kinleith Mill to cease paper processing

Oji Fibre Solutions plans to halt paper processing at Kinleith Mill next year, with 230 jobs set to disappear.

This follows the company’s September announcement that it would close its operation at Penrose, Auckland. Jon Ryder, chief executive at Oji, said in a statement: “After extensive work and considering a variety of options, we are proposing to simplify Kinleith Mill’s operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing loss making paper production. Therefore, we are consulting on a plan to permanently shut the Kinleith PM6 paper machine and move to a paper import model for our packaging operations.

“Manufacturing paper has become unprofitable. Paper production at Kinleith Mill has suffered significant losses for several years and we see no prospect of the situation improving.

“Due to the complexities of operational changes required at the mill for this proposal, the exact number of potential job losses is unknown at this stage. The wider impacts will become clearer as we work through the consultation period, to final decision and into next year.

for native wildlife and promote cleaner air and water for future generations. The newly restored shoreline borders a walking track that will now flourish and can be enjoyed by our team. Spicers NZ says it remains dedicated to projects that enhance local ecosystems and promote a more sustainable future.

The company held its Sustainability Tree Planting Days a month apart.

Morgan John, general manager Spicers NZ, says, “The first event set a solid foundation, where our team came together with a shared commitment to improving the local ecosystem. Building on this, the second day allowed us to

“We propose to continue producing paper at Kinleith Mill through to the end of June 2025, to ensure we meet our packaging customer obligations and provide a smooth transition to new paper supply arrangements.

“This is a difficult change to propose because of the impact on our hard working team. We acknowledge the history and importance of Kinleith Mill in the local community and region and have made every effort to ensure we continue operating at the site.

“Our need for change is in no way a reflection of the experience, skills, and dedication of all the team and leadership at Kinleith Mill.”

Kinleith workers say they feel hugely disappointed. Head union delegate Ian Farall says, “I think it’s been a long time in the making, but the company has known it was going to get to this point and have mismanaged the whole process. They can’t control what the market does, but they could have been much better prepared for this point in the cycle.

“There have been many problems at the mill, they have not kept up with maintenance, and they have not made the right investments to secure a future for paper production.”

He says all members feel let down. He adds, “There were a lot of angry people in the meeting. People spoke from the heart about how disappointed they are. Union members had a near unanimous

expand our efforts and increase the positive impact on the area. These continued efforts not only improve the immediate surroundings but also contribute to a more sustainable future for the community.

“By investing in multiple sustainability days, we reaffirm Spicers’ dedication to ongoing environmental action. Our collective efforts to plant trees, remove waste, and restore natural habitats highlight the power of consistent environmental stewardship. As we look ahead, we remain committed to championing sustainability in all aspects of our business and community engagement.”

vote of no confidence in the management, to show how frustrated we are. Many chose to simply walk out.

“It’s not just the directly impacted workers who are angry. We’re in unity here, and we know the downstream effects will harm the whole community. It’s the truck drivers, the local cafes and other businesses – many people locally rely on the mill as the heartbeat of South Waikato.”

Joe Gallagher, negotiation specialist at E tū, says, “Oji have got themselves into this situation, and they can’t just hang the workers out to dry. We don’t believe the company has done everything they can to avoid this outcome. It’s a hell of a thing to tell people with Christmas just around the corner, and we need a longer period of consultation to really understand the potential alternatives to stopping paper production completely.

“The crisis in manufacturing is not simply about unstoppable global market forces. It’s the result of an ineffective energy market, a lack of planning for a Just Transition, and a government asleep at the wheel.

“We will not become a high-skill, high-wage economy while our political leadership continues with such a hands off approach to our industries. Now is the time for both businesses and the government to get real about the crisis before us and work to reverse it. That is the leadership communities like Tokoroa deserve.”

Spicers NZ says its tree planting initiative sets the stage for continued environmental stewardship

Pride In Print Awards invites industry entries for 2025

Pride In Print Awards 2025 has opened for entries. Early bird entries close on January 31, 2025, and the final date for entries is March 21, 2025.

The Pride In Print Gala Awards evening will take place at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on July 4, 2025.

Established in 1993 to promote print excellence in New Zealand, the Pride in Print Awards remain the pinnacle of recognition for the best visual print communication products produced in the country. Tania McDougall, manager for the Pride In Print Awards, says, “The Pride In Print Awards embody a culture of excellence aimed at meeting and exceeding the customer’s needs and continuously pushing boundaries.

“Pride in Print delivers its greatest tangible reward in the commercial marketplace. The awards cover each

Durst welcomes Schowalter as sales director

Durst Oceania has welcomed the appointment of Chris Schowalter as global sales director of Software after 14 years with Fiery.

Schowalter brings more than 20 years of print experience to Durst, primarily in inkjet. For the last four years he was global sales director – large format and specialty production at Fiery and prior to this, held several product and marketing roles at Fiery for almost 10 years.

Matt Ashman, managing director, Durst Oceania, says Schowalter’s appointment will reinforce the company’s strategic focus on expanding software solutions for printers globally.

He says, “It is great to have Chris on board with Durst. His role is a new addition and has been required as the software team needs to expand to grow alongside

industry sector with expert panels of judges analysing every entry.

“Based on technical excellence in all facets of the production process, typography and good design, the judging process allows specialists to make judgement calls based on the potential and the limits of processes and the materials and equipment used.”

“Year on year the quality of entries continues to impress our judges, often sparking detailed conversation and debate.”

The Pride In Print Awards receives invaluable support from the patron, Fujifilm, as well as sponsors: B&F Papers, BJ Ball Group, Currie Group (NZ), DIC New Zealand, Kurz New Zealand, Nekkorb Solutions, Paper Source, Reproflex3, Ricoh New Zealand, Spicers NZ and UPM Raflatac. The media sponsor is New Zealand Printer Magazine.

our increasing sales in the market. Chris’ experience in the software industry with other vendors will be invaluable to the Durst business and will assist us to implement further expansion soon.

Chris Schowalter says, “Durst not only delivers the highest quality printer hardware, but truly provides customers with an end to end solution that leverages software to increase productivity and reduce touch points is impressive to say the least.

“I am honoured to join the Durst team and share my 25 years of software and colour expertise to help our customers boost productivity and increase process efficiency through advanced software solutions.”

In his new role, Schowalter will lead the development and execution of Durst’s global sales strategy for the software division, while supporting the company’s international sales teams. He will also play a key role in strengthening customer relationships, identifying customer needs, and driving efficiencies throughout the process following the ‘Pixel to Output’ strategy.

P (09) 444 5523

MCC Albany’s Red Mill Rum label won this year’s Pride In Print Supreme Award

PrintNZ is working for our industry – every day

Your membership is so much more than a ‘nice to have’.

There is no doubt 2024 has been a challenging year for our industry and for the New Zealand economy in general. At PrintNZ, those more difficult times are when we do our best work. Having a strong membership provides a collective strength that we can use to confidently speak and act on behalf of the industry and we need to make sure that the investment that our members make in us represents good value for them as every dollar counts.

While not all the benefits of membership can be measured in dollars and cents, they do provide value to your business and to the industry which we are all part of.

This article is not long enough to list them all, but I have included a few of them here to show how collectively they are good for all of us:

Education and training

Good for your business: Even if you don’t undertake training yourself, you will have benefited from having access to skilled staff to work in your business. PrintNZ works closely with our industry training partners to ensure that businesses have access to up to date training programmes

that provide the qualifications our industry needs.

Good for the industry: Having a skilled workforce helps promote the industry as a viable career option. There are real career pathways that someone coming into our industry can see, and an opportunity to achieve national qualifications, not just in the printing trade but across many other skill-sets as well.

Our work in 2024: We have actively targeted schools and other organisations, such as Cadetmax, to highlight the opportunities that a career in print provides and have linked interested parties to print businesses, developing a talent pool for the industry.

In addition, we have done extensive work in the background on the current Reforms to Vocational Education that the new government has introduced in order to make sure our qualifications remain accessible and affordable.

Access to advice

Good for your business: Every day, we provide assistance to member businesses, giving them advice that potentially saves them a substantial amount of money. Health and safety fines are on the increase and the cost of hurt and humiliation payments for employment disputes are rapidly rising with some heading over the $100,000 mark. The average cost of losing a personal grievance is around $70,000 and the average cost to the employer, even if you win, is around $25,000. The best way to

avoid these costs is to have good systems in place and access to processes and ready advice. Membership of PrintNZ gives you exactly that.

Good for the industry: Acting as fair, compliant employers helps enhance our industry’s reputation.

Our work in 2024: We have worked with a large number of members guiding them through individual situations in the workplace as well as helping manage a number of restructures as businesses rightsized themselves in the current climate. In the Health and Safety space, we continue to help members implement and improve systems to ensure they are compliant, but more importantly, providing a safe place of work for their employees.

Promoting the industry

Good for your business: The more people that understand the important role that print plays in the economy, and how effective and sustainable it is, the better that is for your business. We give our members the tools to promote print to their customers and provide them with data that will support the choice of print. Collectively, we can provide consistent messaging to a broad cross-section of businesses and consumers to tell the good story of print.

Good for the industry: Getting the positive message of print in front of as many people as possible helps create an understanding of the importance of print and that it is here to stay. We can’t live in a world without print.

RUTH COBB

Strength in numbers: PrintNZ membership helps everyone in across the industry

PRINTNZ COMMENT

Our work in 2024: We continue to work with the VOPP and Two Sides campaigns curated through the Visual Media Association in Australia, and this provides a broad range of collateral that our members can utilise at no charge.

We have also completed the pre-launch work for a marketing campaign to kick off in 2025 that will focus on promoting print to marketing/brand managers, corporate print buyers, advertising agencies and government agencies.

Lobbying

Good for your Business: A big part of the role of an industry association is to lobby

on behalf of its members to ensure their interests are protected.

While we lobby collectively, hoping to influence change, the outcome is nearly always felt at the individual business level. Good examples of this are ACC Levies, Employment relations legislation and training. The more effective the lobbying, the better it is for your business.

Good for the industry: Associations such as PrintNZ are seen as the go-to point for an industry. We have the ability to rapidly seek feedback from members and put forward their viewpoints to bring balance to issues that could impact our members and the industry as a whole.

Our work in 2024: With a new government comes change, and as a result we have done substantial work in this space over the course of the year. We have attended multiple briefings with ministers; meetings with officials; prepared submissions; and collaborated with other organisations to provide a pathway for our voice.

Particular areas of focus for 2024 have been Reforms to Vocational Education, Immigration, Energy and New Zealand Post’s ever increasing postage rates and proposed changes to their delivery networks.

Strength in numbers

As an industry association, we want to see our members succeed, ensure that our industry has a good reputation, and that there is a secure pathway to the future.

There is strength in numbers, and we all have a role to play so please be part of that strength. You can help your business and help the community of print as well –something we should all be striving for.

As an industry association, PrintNZ is here to work for our members, end of story.

While some see membership organisation as a ‘nice to have’, during good times and bad, it really is a ‘must have’.

Having well-trained staff goes a long way to helping your business succeed

PrintNZ assists member businesses with compliance in a number of areas

Enjoyment a major factor in Leading Label’s expansion

South Island label printer succeeds in a competitive market.

Ahandsome medal haul at this year’s Pride In Print Awards, alongside ongoing sales growth boosted by strategic expansion into new markets provides ample evidence that Christchurch-headquartered Leading Label is navigating a positive business trajectory.

Established in Canterbury in 1989, Leading Label was bought by long-term employee Mark Sullivan in 2005 before then being acquired by Bryce Coulbeck in 2017.

He says, “We employed 18 people at the time and in the seven years since, the business has grown four-fold in sales volume and now has 23 staff.

“In that time, we have acquired two other local labels businesses and recently moved into a modern large building that will accommodate the businesses growth and future proof it for further growth.”

Food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products provide Leading Label’s core business. Bryce says, “We are a soughtafter provider of wine, beer, and spirit bottle labels to vineyards and breweries across the South Island and offer services across the country. Almost half the work our team does is in this space.

“We can do the full range of effects modern label design demands – foiling, hyper varnish, and embossing – with cost options to fit our clients’ needs.

“Leading Label has seen New Zealand’s wine and alcohol-making community rise to the place it is today in our economy, and we feel proud to be travelling that journey with our customers.

“We also work closely with local food producers to create food product packaging labels for products like honey and baking, and even individualised tags and sales signs needed for promotions.

“Additionally, Leading Label provides specialised pharmacy label services that streamline the dispensing process for our many pharmacist clients as well as niche thermal labels that clients print on themselves. The company operates in a way that will work for our customer, whatever their business, wherever they are.

“At Leading Label, we love what we do, but more than that, we love helping our

Some of the Leading Label team at Pride In Print, from left: Shelley Tullet, sales manager; Corin Dufffy, prepress; Blake Walesby, sales manager, and Bryce Coulbeck, owner

customers’ businesses succeed too. We provide a personal service, keeping in touch with our customers’ needs and often managing requirements for them. We try to take the hassle away from our customers so they can concentrate on their core business.

“Our goal is to make their lives easier with high-quality labels for their businesses and products. We have a results-driven team who have helped Canterbury companies thrive since 1989 – we are proud of delivering a quick and efficient service that is now nationwide.”

Ethics and values

Bryce says that Leading Label focuses on five key service ethics:

1. All businesses are treated equally, regardless of their size or spend.

2. Doing everything humanly possible to meet customers’ needs and being about going the extra mile.

3. Always being honest and upfront when communicating with customers so there are no unpleasant surprises with work.

4. Easy is the company mantra: easy to deal with, easy systems, easy and fast service, and easy labels. Keep it simple.

5. Providing the personal touch needed to complete a customer’s label or printing project. Bryce says, “When choosing Leading Label for their project, our customers have direct access to our management and design team, so no having to explain their project over and over. We know what our clients need, and we’ll help them achieve it.”

He adds that the company prides itself on these values:

• Enjoyment – “We are happy in our work.”

• Efficiency – “We strive for the best way possible.”

• Expertise – “We deliver a product that exceeds expectations.”

Bryce explains, “We celebrate these values together at weekly meetings involving all staff. “I have worked in and managed a number of businesses where the culture lead from upper management was poor. I believe we have created a business where our employees feel valued and can contribute to its overall success.

“I am open about sharing information both good and bad. We involve all employees in both celebrating success and working through problems so we collectively come up with solutions on how we can do things better.”

Leading Label is a sought-after provider of wine, beer and spirit bottle labels to vineyards and breweries across the South Island

The business has a strong community focus. He says, “We love Christchurch. It is where we work, live, and play. We are passionate about seeing our city, region, communities, and our local businesses succeed. Therefore, at Leading Label we feel it is important to support our community, while also searching out new opportunities to give back.”

Leading Label actively supports:

• Ronald McDonald House

• Cancer Society of New Zealand

• Christchurch Women’s Refuge

• Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Society of New Zealand

The company also champions

environmentally-friendly practices. Bryce says, “We have only got one planet, and we all have to live on it. We recycle all plastics and cardboard and only use Forest Stewardship Council-accredited papers. We produce labels that are recyclable and use water-based adhesives as a preference.”

High quality and awards

Leading Label operates the latest print technology, whether analogue or digital. Bryce says, “HP is a key supplier for us, and we work closely with them and support their sustainability programmes. All metal ink canisters and machinery parts are recycled through their programmes.

“We recycle and dispose of other waste thoughtfully, and always seek new and improved ways to care for our planet.

“Our HP Indigo 6r Digital Press, the only one in operation in the South Island, provides exceptional print quality. It is ideal for short runs and offers a range of stunning embellishments and effects.

“We can also run a top-notch conventional print job if that’s right for the label volume a client needs.”

The company’s pursuit for quality saw it rewarded with five gold medals at the 2024 Pride In Print Awards. Bryce says, “Our highly-skilled team continues to be recognised for excellence at the annual Pride in Print Awards.

“Designs are becoming more and more technical, and we have seen a lot of new development in artwork designs particularly in the craft beer market where there are many small players.”

Looking at the wider New Zealand print industry, he notes a number of overseas players entering the market. He remarks, “I feel proud that Leading Label is locally owned. It is an offering that I believe customers and employees alike find appealing. The key of course is ensuring that we remain competitive with the latest technology and offerings to the market.”

He says the recent purchase of Label X has opened exciting, new opportunities. He explains, “This acquisition has launched the business into the commodity label space. Specialised blank label diecutting machinery and inkjet digital have given us access into markets we haven’t previously competed in.

“I am excited for the future of Leading Label; we have created a business that can continue to grow and diversify as markets change and I look forward the road ahead.”

Leading Label works closely with local food producers to create food product packaging labels

www.printnz.co.nz

LABELS & PACKAGING

Fivestar Print upgrades to an Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press

Growing digital print company partners with FBNZ for success.

Since taking the helm at Fivestar Print in 2012, Rajesh Mudundi has steadily built the company into a diverse company offering a range of services including design, marketing, printing, and installations.

The company’s team of 10 staff produces a range of print from small format and large format digital to digital labels and packaging solutions.

Recently, Fivestar Print installed an Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, supplied through Fujifilm Business Innovation (FBNZ) Rajesh says, “This installation is the next logical step in our label printing journey. We had begun with a second hand machine, also an Epson, the SurePress L4033 digital label press and it served us well.

“While we have been patient in growing the business, we needed to step up our labels production and the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press is proving the ideal solution. Our production

has increased, and it is great to have this label press that has the capability to handle short, medium, and long runs.

“With the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, we can be more creative. It offers us a white ink option that really changes our label production, for example, we can now complete a greater variety of jobs. So, it means more work, especially for jobs like specialty labels, wine labels and labels with metallic stocks.

“The speed has also increased but our ink volumes have shrunk compared to the previous machine. Epson has changed the ink system. I think we are the first company in the country using this new ink system and it is making a substantial difference.

“Another benefit is the greatly improved colour gamut. The Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press gives us 10 colours. Epson quality is well known across the industry. We can achieve over 90 per cent of Pantone colours.

“Maintenance is easier with cleaning more automated. It performs a threeminute self-clean and that saves production time and ink.

“The new RIP is excellent. We changed out our old third party RIP for the Epson software, which is bundled with the machine. It has made a significant difference and is delivering excellent results.”

Long-term relationships

Rajesh appreciates his partnership with FBNZ. He says, “I have known Paul Thomas since 2011 and Fivestar’s relationship with FBNZ goes back to 2012. We have shared our journey with them.

“Our relationship with FBNZ has helped changed the dynamics of this business and boosted the company to reach the next level tier of clients. As we have installed progressively superior technology and solutions, we have been able to successfully compete for higher

Rajesh Mudundi, owner of Fivestar Print and Paul Thomas, graphic arts account manager for FBNZ with the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press

SurePress L-4533AW Digital Press

Versatile printing Consistent quality

Revolutionising digital label printing.

The SurePress L-4533AW is the ideal solution for label converters looking to expand their operations. Deliver consistent, high-quality products while ensuring reliability, flexibility and performance, with minimal downtime.

For more info, scan the QR code to talk to your local sales manager or visit fujifilm.com/fbnz

LABELS & PACKAGING

jobs. Each investment we have made has given me the confidence to make these steps in our business.

“We installed an Iridesse in 2019 and with FBNZ support, we have grown the company through smart digital printing and their excellent technology and support. FBNZ has always had our best interests at heart.

“From our Iridesse and our large format to our labels and packaging production, we have developed our capability to complete niche work, and we proudly call ourselves a digital printing company.

“We can renew our contracts with our customers because of the quality of jobs we are doing. We are growing but without the label press we would not be able to retain those contracts.”

Paul Thomas, graphic arts account manager at FBNZ, says, “Fivestar invested in its business through the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been impressive to see Rajesh and his team grow Fivestar from the small shop in Dominion Road to these large premises.”

Rajesh adds, “If we had not taken those steps during Covid, we would not be where we are today. At the same time, we were not overly aggressive. It was a balanced and calculated approach, increasing incrementally. Having access to the latest technology is important and made easier with FBNZ.

“But just getting the machine is not enough of course. You need to go out and get customers and you have to remember: the staff is the key to the business succeeding. Over the 18 years we have done this, we have never laid any staff members off.”

Ongoing growth

Fivestar Print focuses on continuous improvement, always customer-based. Khushboo Mehta, head of creative and business development at Fivestar Print, says, “We have changed our logo and branding because we changed what we are. We now have capabilities that people did not really know about, so it made sense to rebrand. We are also a design studio, and we have enhanced our portfolio with corporate clients.

“People don’t know what you have until you actually show them. We are now more of a marketing and communications company than just a print shop that you might drop your job off to. We constantly look for new ways we can help our customers.”

Rajesh adds, “There are a lot of companies that can print but they can’t

help their customers with marketing and design. We can deliver initial value to them with the speed and quality of our work, and we can add even more value to them by showing them how they can stand out, for example, we offer them extra concepts to boost their marketing campaigns. To make that happen, we need to do more than sell labels; we need to make a difference to their business.

“One of the great parts of being in business is seeing our growth, especially with our clients and the technology.

“Diversifying our business, not sticking to the same thing, means we will do jobs of all sizes. With labels, we sit in a niche market, especially in terms of volume. With the Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press, we can do small runs and for timeline efficiency, we can do fast turnaround.”

Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press

The Epson SurePress L-4533AW digital label press possesses a raft of innovations to make label printing more profitable. Paul Thomas lists its key features:

• Exceptional print quality Epson MicroPiezo print head array with 720dpi x 1440dpi max resolution and VSDT.

• Outstanding colour with a quality finish

Six-colour pigment aqueous ink set with an enhanced gamut + white, selectable black ink for coated and uncoated stocks, selectable over-print, optional integrated colour management.

• Up to 91 per cent Pantone coverage

Pantone has evaluated the Epson SurePress L-4533AW printer as being capable of achieving 91 per cent of the Pantone solid coated colours when used in conjunction with the Avery Primax substrate system and Epson ink.

• Fast job turnaround

Fast media loading, rapid configuration, digital image

processing, supports production speeds up to 8.2 metres per minute with dual drying systems.

• High production flexibility

Variable frame lengths, variable print lengths (including support for ultra-short), fully adjustable label sizing, compatible with industry standard substrates from 80mm to 334mm wide; optional rewinder, X-Rite spectrophotometer, variable label content, and clear on clear support.

• Easy operation

Dual high capacity cartridge loading with on-the-fly exchange, digital touch-screen display with user-adjustable pre-sets, supplied with a choice of RIP software.

• Low running costs

Low power consumption, costeffective aqueous ink, minimum substrate waste, single operator management with minimum job oversight, automated head maintenance, minimum cleaning, mechanical maintenance, and system downtime.

• Easy installation

Compact design, supplied and installed by Epson in conjunction with authorised dealers.

• Simplified handling with reduced environmental impact

Requires no film or plates, uses low toxicity water based ink that dries to be moisture and abrasion resistant.

The team at Fivestar Print handles everything from design and marketing to printing and installations

PacPrint preparations on target for Sydney show next May

Major print trade show announces sponsors and major theme.

Next year’s PacPrint show has named Roland DG as its platinum sponsor.

The show has also locked in the likes of Epson, Fujifilm, HP, Mimaki, Mutoh and Aussie suppliers Celmac, Pozitive, and Graphic Art Mart as industry sponsors. Organisers say these sponsors will lead a diverse field of exhibitors, showcasing their latest innovations and offering attendees the opportunity to engage with products and services that will drive the industry forward.

The four-day event, at the Sydney Showgrounds runs from May 20-23, 2025. Highlights will include product launches and demonstrations; educational seminars and workshops; networking opportunities; and special focus areas

Kirsten Taylor, PacPrint 2025 chair, says, “PacPrint 2025 will provide industry businesses with ideas, intelligence, information and inspiration to grow, innovate and thrive in our industry.

“It offers ideas to those who are looking to diversify and showcases current technology with state of the art equipment. It is a show where suppliers, customers and visitors come together to collaborate and share the incredible industry we work in. It is also an opportunity to introduce our industry to new talent with leading education and networking programmes.

“Businesses will have the opportunity to see new trends, experience the latest

innovations, and gather the information and inspiration they need to build business success.”

Six months out from opening its doors, PacPrint reports its exhibition space filling fast. Organisers say exhibitors can make direct sales, generate leads, build their databases, engage with their target audiences and build brand awareness.

Australian industry bodies Visual Connections and VMA, the Visual Media Association, co-host the event, which will co-locate with Visual Impact Sydney and the Label and Packaging Expo. They say this partnership ensures the event will cater to current market demands and set the stage for future trends and developments in print, sign, and graphics.

Theme time

PacPrint has announced its official theme for next year’s show: Innovation. Collaboration. Transformation. Kirsten says, “This powerful trio of concepts encapsulates the evolving landscape of the print and graphics industry, offering a platform for industry leaders, innovators, and professionals to connect, inspire, and shape the future.”

The show will highlight the rapid technological advances and collaborative efforts driving significant transformations within the industry. From print and signage to graphics, packaging, software and beyond; the show will explore how businesses are leveraging innovation to remain competitive and sustainable in a fast changing market.

Kirsten adds, “Bringing buyers and suppliers together, PacPrint 2025 is inspired by our three pillars: collaboration, innovation and transformation. With leading technology, guest forums, career opportunities, and more, we aim to build on these values for our show.

“Collaboration sits at the heart of PacPrint 2025. The expo will offer numerous opportunities for businesses to network, exchange ideas, and develop partnerships that will drive collective success. By bringing together key industry players, suppliers, and experts, PacPrint 2025 will foster collaboration that strengthens the entire industry.

“As the industry undergoes a period of rapid transformation, PacPrint 2025 will be a crucial platform for exploring the future of print, including advancements in automation, sustainability, and digital integration. Visitors will gain insights into emerging technologies and business strategies that are reshaping the industry, helping them navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

New seminar series

Complementing the PacPrint Forum Series, a popular feature of PacPrint trade shows, new label and packaging seminars will have a dedicated theatre area at the show.

The theatre will be a central focus of the Label & Packaging Expo. Organisers are working “on a varied programme, which will include informative sessions on new equipment, systems, software and consumables, handy tips and tricks for label and packaging production, and ideas and insights from the experts”.

The more widely-based PacPrint Forum Series will cover a broad range of topics across the entire print, graphics and visual communications sector.

What: PacPrint 2025

Where: Sydney Showground, Olympic Park

When: May 20-23 Online: www.pacprint.com.au

PacPrint provides a crucial platform for exploring the future of print

PrintLounge doubles down on ABG converter technology

PrintLounge has ordered a second A B Graphic International (ABG) digital converting machine: the Digicon Lite 3 Series.

Supplied through Currie Group, ABG is a global leader in innovative labels and packaging solutions.

Steve Sheppard, director at PrintLounge, says, “PrintLounge is extremely excited about the acquisition of our second ABG machine. We have been so impressed with our first one that it seemed the only logical step.

“Although I have investigated other options, I feel that the ABG is exactly the right fit for our needs, fulfilling our current requirements as well as being future proofed for further endeavours in the label and packaging markets. Currie Group have been excellent to deal with

ABG hosts open house event LABELS & PACKAGING

In celebration of its 70th anniversary and to showcase its recently opened manufacturing facility, A B Graphic International (ABG), hosted a three-day open house event in the UK.

Over the duration, the company welcomed more than 150 customers from 16 different countries, conducted 294 exclusive machine demonstrations and laid on 42 factory tours.

Guests visited ABG’s new manufacturing facility at Kelleythorpe. There, a factory tour highlighted a variety of machinery in its world-class machine shop, as well as a range of never before seen innovations.

ABG also demonstrated recently launched solutions such as its fourth generation Converter and Vectra AutoSet Turret Rewinder, as well as the SRI3 and ABG’s own camera inspection system, fleyeVision.

The tour continued at ABG’s Carnaby headquarters, where visitors took in the latest developments in Digicon Series 3 technology, featuring the new Automatic Matrix Stripping, Fast Track Die and Flexo technology.

Other solutions on display included ABG’s DigiLase digital laser diecutting solution and DigiJet for digital

and provide us with all the service and support we need.”

Mark Daws, director – Labels & Packaging ANZ for Currie Group, says, “We are thrilled to see PrintLounge invest in their second ABG digital converting line. This decision reflects their commitment to innovation and quality in the ever-growing digital labels and packaging market.

“Our partnership with PrintLounge continues to strengthen, and their investment is a testament to the value they see in our technology.

“It was clear from their time spent at Labelexpo Americas in September that they thoroughly explored the best solutions to drive their business forward.

“We look forward to supporting their ongoing success in the future.”

The Digicon Lite 3, a compact digital finishing system built to the same exacting standards as the larger, market leading Digicon Series 3, can run at 64 metres per minute in semi rotary.

Craig Paul, country manager Currie Group New Zealand, adds, “It provides an excellent solution for day to day applications, and can provide additional capacity at busy times. The Digicon Lite 3 is easy to use and can be specified with a wide range of options.”

Other features include:

• Cold foiling – produces a great, foil finish with a standard, flexo plate.

• Super varnish – produces a premium, high gloss finish.

• Autoslit with label gap sensor – saves time by automatically setting knives.

• Iscore – saves time by automatically setting back scoring knives.

• Sheeter – enables you to finish sheets as well as web.

embellishment, which, alongside other advanced machines, highlight ABG’s ongoing commitment to improving productivity and efficiency for its customers, especially through automation.

The event also featured a special dinner and networking opportunity, celebrating ABG’s rich history from 1954 to the present.

Zenna Parfaniuk, managing director of The Label Makers, a long-time ABG customer, said, “ABG and The Label Makers share a long history, and it was fantastic to be part of both ABG’s 70th anniversary celebrations and witness

their latest innovations. The new Kelleythorpe site is impressive and in true ABG style, they made sure we were looked after from start to finish. It is clear that their commitment to advancing technology continues to shape the future of the industry.”

Steve Sheppard, director – PrintLounge

ABG conducted 294 machine demonstrations at its open house event

ABG is celebrating 70 years in business

Konica Minolta invests in the future of print

Future technology platform brings digitilisation closer.

Recently, New Zealand Printer spoke to Toshimitsu Taiko, president and chief executive officer of Konica Minolta, and Eric Holtsmark, managing director for Konica Minolta New Zealand.

Taiko San discussed the challenges facing the industry and Konica Minolta’s investments in new areas of technology.

He said, “One of the biggest challenges facing the print industry, and especially the area of commercial production printing, is digitisation. After the pandemic, we saw an increase in digitalisation but not enough from my point of view. Analogue has been the dominant technology but there is much environmental waste through things like paper and water. Digital and inkjet technology minimises the waste.

“The transition from analogue to digital offers a big opportunity for everyone in the industry and it will happen. In April 2022, we set three-year, mid-term plans to invest in production print (PP) and industrial print (IP).”

Established just 21 years ago, PPIP now generates some ¥200bn ($2.1bn) in revenue, representing almost 20 per cent of the entire Konica Minolta business, and is growing at between five and eight per cent a year.

He continued, “In the beginning, with digital printing, Konica Minolta was one of the leading companies and we have retained that status. We have expanded from light production to medium and heavier production.

“Another challenge is to make supply chains more stable. Our customers rely on us to provide the latest technology and other solutions so they can have steady business.

“When I talk about the customers, I am not just talking about the printing companies, but also the end users who will place the order to the printing company. Their business is also important. We must ask, ‘How can we help?’

“Each investment in the commercial printing area is relatively large and it takes time to develop stable technology.

Toshimitsu Taiko, president and chief executive officer of Konica Minolta with Eric Holtsmark, managing director for Konica Minolta New Zealand

We believe that using the experiences we have had with our customers makes an important difference.”

Developing technology

Konica Minolta toner and inkjet technologies continue to make significant advances. Taiko San explained the place of artificial intelligence (AI) in the company’s processes. He said, “We use AI in our research and development as well as in manufacturing processes and we also use it in the field.

“We have noticed there are already fewer errors happening in our research and development areas through the use of AI. Previously in software development, the higher the number of lines in the software, the higher the number of mistakes that could happen. But now with AI – the number of lines doesn’t matter, as AI will programme the software itself, reducing development time.

“Technology like ChatGPT can also be used for both images and words. We can use this technology for our user service manual – so that if something happens to the machine the customer can more easily detect what is wrong in both images and

in text instead of waiting for a technician to arrive on site.

“We receive a lot of information and data from our machines but to date, this has not been fully utilised to minimise downtime. Moving forward, we will analyse that data and use AI to support our customers.

“With a product like the IQ-501, which is standard on our AccurioPress C14000, is a smart closed-loop system that automates image position, registration, and colour control. This eliminates the need for skilful operators to constantly adjust paper within the machines that can shrink or lengthen depending on temperature and humidity.”

“We are also minimising our customer’s downtime. For example, in service areas we use remote diagnostics to solve issues with customers instead of every time visiting the customer site.”

Konica Minolta in New Zealand

Four years ago, Konica Minolta found itself without a reseller in New Zealand. Konica Minolta looked at the situation and made the decision to set up a direct operation.

Eric Holtsmark said, “That was probably one of the most difficult times, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns were happening. So, to invest in New Zealand at that time really demonstrated a huge commitment from Konica Minolta to our country.

“Since starting up, we have grown quickly and are proud to have been successfully implementing our technology with some of the most prestigious printers in New Zealand.

“It has been through the investment from Konica Minolta International that has enabled us to go into New Zealand and set up our direct business.”

Taiko San added, “The size of the local market may not be big but for Konica Minolta, everybody is necessary. All the Konica Minolta businesses countries are different sizes, but it is our combined power that helps our dominance. We will continue to invest in New Zealand.”

MINOLTA

BEYOND EVOLUTION

More profitable business through a press that works smarter, not harder, with the AccurioPress C7100 series. You serve more customers and complete more jobs with innovative technologies that power your success.

Find out more at k konicaminolta.co.nz/C7100

Giving Shape to Ideas

l<ONICA

PAPER & PACKAGING

Spicers partners with Universal Packaging

One-stop-shop approach streamlines customers’ procurement processes.

Since they began their partnership in 2021, Spicers’ paper expertise and Universal Packaging’s innovative packaging solutions have delivered numerous benefits to their respective customers. And these industry leaders have much more to offer through their collaboration, dubbed a ‘relationshipment’.

Nathan Pene, general manager of Spicers Paper, says, “Our paper customers now have the fantastic opportunity to source their packaging products directly from Universal Packaging. This one-stop-shop approach streamlines procurement processes and ensures you get top quality products backed by our combined expertise.”

Sustainable solutions

The companies’ comprehensive ranges of paper and packaging products carry FSC and PEFC accreditations. Kylie Taylor, general manager of Universal Packaging, says, “Our alignment with Spicers gives us a distinctive advantage, particularly with our FSC accreditations. This ensures that our customers can trust not only the quality of our products but also their environmental credentials.

“Spicers and Universal Packaging deliver a complete paper and packaging solution, backed by innovation and sustainability. Whether you are an existing Spicers paper customer; a business looking for outstanding industrial packaging solutions; an environmentally-conscious company wanting superior sustainable packaging options; or all three of these, Spicers and Universal Packaging have the solutions to help.”

Get the Spinny

Universal Packaging offers an array of innovative packaging solutions including the Spinny stretch wrapper range. Made in Italy and available exclusively in New Zealand from Universal Packaging, the Spinny machines offer the backing of a three-year warranty alongside Universal’s dedication to training, maintenance, and service support.

Kylie says, “Spinny delivers increased precision, maximum efficiency, and ongoing cost-effectiveness to the

packaging operation. With each spin of the turntable, the Spinny pallet wrapping machinery protects goods, frees up time and cuts down on costs.

“Bulky or awkward pallets are bound with just the right amount of wrap, the machine applying exactly the right amount of film at the right tension. There is less damage to film rolls and far less plastic waste on every pallet wrapped. It reduces labour costs and increases throughput significantly with semi-automation too. In addition, there are significant health and safety gains: the reduction in bending, twisting, and pulling, helping to prevent overuse and strain injuries.”

Spinny S140 Advance

Ideal for medium-sized distribution or storage centres and for frequent or concentrated dispatch cycles, the Spinny S140 secures fragile loads such as wine, beer and other breakables as well as wrapping heavy goods like liquids, chemicals, and resins.

Kylie says, “The Spinny S140 Advance semi-automatic stretch wrapper enables you to significantly boost pallet wrapping throughput and productivity without stretching the budget. It simplifies packaging solutions for distribution centres with specific containment requirements. When wrapping pallet loads that vary in shape, weight, or configuration, it applies exactly the right amount of film at a consistent tension, saving wrap costs and reducing the chance of damage to products in shipping.”

Using the Spinny S140 Advance, operators can programme four different wrap cycles to deal with diverse loads. Its ability to vary the tension, speed, number of wrap layers and top/bottom reinforcements ensures each pallet load is secured, no matter the mix of products.

Spinny S500

Removing the need for an operator to start and finish the wrap cycle, the Spinny S500 pallet wrapping machine allows wrapping on a large scale. It automatically clamps, cuts, and seals the wrap, also removing the need for manual intervention when wrapping pallets. The forklift driver simply has to deliver a pallet to the turntable and set it in place.

In addition, the S500’s power pre-stretch carriage saves on plastic film, cutting costs and reducing plastic use. The strength of pre-stretched film enables you to firmly wrap light and unsteady loads for safe dispatch. It virtually eliminates the safety risks associated with manual store keeping. The S500 is ideal for flow optimisation, and food or perishables storage.

Kylie concludes, “To learn how our partnership can streamline your paper and packaging needs while supporting your sustainability goals, please contact us.”

The Spinny S140 Advance Nathan Pene, general manager of Spicers Paper

Kylie Taylor, general manager of Universal Packaging

THINK LATERALLY Creating a culture of care

Mental health initiatives can work wonders for print businesses.

The hum of printing presses and the whir of digital equipment fill print shops across the country, but beneath this familiar symphony of production lies a growing challenge: the mental wellbeing of our workforce. While we’ve mastered the art of colour calibration and perfected our finishing techniques, many print businesses are only now beginning to understand that caring for our people’s mental health is as crucial as maintaining our equipment.

Let’s face it, our industry isn’t for the faint hearted. Just last week, I spoke with a shop floor manager who described juggling three rush jobs while training a new operator on their latest digital press. Sound familiar? Between colour matching headaches, client revisions landing in inboxes at all hours, and the constant push to master new technology, it’s no wonder stress levels are climbing.

But here’s the good news: print businesses are waking up to this reality transforming break rooms into ‘Recharge Rooms’, complete with comfortable seating and natural light; a stark contrast to the fluorescent-lit production floor. These small changes make a big difference in a team’s daily stress levels.

Communication matters

The key to creating real change starts with talking about it, and not just during formal meetings. Some shops have found success with casual morning catch-ups over coffee before the day’s production begins. Others have adopted a buddy system, pairing experienced staff with newcomers to share not just technical knowledge but also strategies for handling the pressures of tight deadlines and demanding clients.

Mental health support in print businesses doesn’t have to be complicated. You can start simply with a ‘quiet zone’ where team members can take short breaks away from the constant noise of machinery. Or how about flexible

Create a culture that genuinely cares for mental well-being to support your staff and investing in your future success.

start times, recognising that only some perform their best on the traditional schedule. These aren’t revolutionary changes, but they show staff that their wellbeing matters.

Professional support is also proving its worth. More print businesses are partnering with counselling services that understand our industry’s unique pressures. Instead of generic workplace stress management, these programs address specific challenges, like the anxiety of learning new systems or the pressure of maintaining colour consistency across different media.

A better workplace

The return on investment for these initiatives? It shows up in ways both big and small. Print shops report fewer errors, better staff retention, and improved customer relationships. When people aren’t stressed to their limits, they are more likely to spot potential issues before they become problems and communicate more effectively with clients.

Training has evolved too. Beyond the technical aspects of printing, staff are learning stress management techniques specific to our industry. At one shop I recently visited, they’ve started running what the staff jokingly call ‘chaos training’, deliberate practice sessions where the team tackles those nightmare scenarios, we all dread. It helps everyone stay sharp and surprisingly calm when real disasters strike.

Building a better workplace isn’t a one and done deal. We need to keep checking in with our people. Some of the best ideas for supporting staff mental health have come from Friday morning tea

discussions at print shops across the country. These include simple stuff, like flexible lunch breaks during big jobs or making sure someone is always available to help troubleshoot those mysterious digital press errors that pop up at the worst possible moment.

You can have the flashiest equipment in town, but if your team is struggling, those machines might as well be paperweights. The print shops that are really killing it these days aren’t just the ones with the latest kit, they’re the ones where people actually want to work because they feel valued and supported.

Remember, just as we wouldn’t run a press without regular maintenance, we can’t expect our teams to perform at their best without proper support. By creating a culture that genuinely cares for mental wellbeing, print businesses aren’t just supporting their staff, they are investing in their future success.

Ultimately, a great print job is only as good as the team behind it. By building a workplace where people feel genuinely valued and supported, you’re not just growing a business, you are creating something that people are proud to be part of. And when your team feels that way, it shines through in every project, every deadline met, and every customer relationship.

Make your business a place where people want to stay because, in the print world, just like the real world, the best results come when people are all in.

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.

MICK ROWAN

APC Innovate updates to an HP Latex 2700 W printer

Multi-award winning company goes for speed, volume and high print quality.

From its East Tamaki Auckland base, retail display manufacturer

APC Innovate produces a range of award winning work. The company has been around for 50 years and now employs around 100 staff members.

APC Innovate also has a reputation in the industry as a technology leader. Tim Houlden, chief executive at APC Innovate, says, “We take pride in ensuring that where new technology can add value to the business that we take a leadership position.”

Recently, the company installed a new HP Latex 2700 W printer, supplied through Aarque Group. Tim, says, “This new piece of equipment will mainly service our large and increasing volumes of self-adhesive work. We have been running several HP L800 printers and this installation enables us to retire a couple of those machines, but also to increase capacity, capability and quality.

“Over the last two weeks, since it was installed, we have only had a couple of minor tweaks but nothing that wasn’t well looked after by the team from Aarque.”

Volume and quality

When HP introduced the Latex 2700 W printer to the market, the company wanted to offer signage and print companies a solution that could deliver high volumes

of large-format signage and decorative applications at speed, while also providing high quality printing at speed.

Tim says, “The HP Latex 2700 W printer gives us higher productivity. which really helps to even out the peaks and affords us more scope to take on extra work. While it is definitely a step up in terms of operation over the older technology, it is also relatively easy to use and initial and ongoing training from Aarque Group ensures we have no issues.”

The HP Latex 2700 W prints on a wide range of signage and décor applications, including thin films, vinyl, and papers. Achieving print speeds of up 21 square metres per hour, this 3.2m wide printer delivers increased efficiency with features like its automatic printhead cleaning and an intuitive interface.

Steve Wilton-Jones, national equipment sales consultant at Aarque Group, says, “In addition to its speed, print quality and versatility, the HP Latex 2700 W printer carries the same sustainability certifications as HP’s other Latex solutions. These include UL Ecologo, UL Greenguard Gold, and Energy Star. Signage and print companies share the environmental concerns of their customers, which HP has successfully addressed. From indoor air quality to ink chemistry, the company has covered both print production and display as well as lifecycle considerations. It means you

can align your business to provide more environmentally products.

“We adopt a meticulous approach to business, insisting on measurable solutions that will improve results for both the team and their clients. We take great pride in meeting this challenge and facilitating this enhancement for APC Innovate.”

Industry support

APC Innovate is a long-time supporter of PrintNZ. Tim says, “It is important to support industry associations in that it ensures that smaller operations are well supported as well as providing APC with an easy to access source of relevant regulatory information that is important to our industry.

The company is also a member of the exclusive Pride In Print Awards 100 club. The company boasts a phenomenal record of over 120 Gold medals, over 50 Highly Commended and seven category wins. Tim comments, “Our success at Pride In Print reinforces to the market (clients, staff and suppliers) our position and as innovators and market leaders in quality and design.

“At APC Innovate, we love taking a customer’s concept and turning it into something that makes a wow impact out in the market. As lead times become shorter, having the additional speed and capacity that the HP Latex 2700 W printer brings us is a major plus.”

In front of the new HP Latex 2700 W printer, from left: Duncan Brown, account manager, Aarque Group with Praneel Bali, print manager and Tim Houlden, chief executive, APC Innovate

DURST P5 X LAUNCH

Durst introduces P5 X ‘true flatbed’ with global launch at Brixen headquarters in Italy

The newly launched P5 X flatbed roll-to-roll printer is a testament of Durst’s commitment to continuous growth in the large-format printing sector

Durst has launched the P5 X, a ‘true flatbed’ with roll to roll capability to fill a mid-market position in the company’s P5 large format printing portfolio of products.

Speaking at a media launch at the company’s head office in Brixen, Italy, Durst chief executive and co-owner, Christoph Gamper said the P5 X is a long-awaited and important addition to the P5 range of products that will allow the Durst brand to compete specifically within the ‘true flatbed’ category.

He said “The P5 X is a testament to our commitment to continuous growth in the large-format printing (LFP) sector.

“We continue to push boundaries with the new technologies, expanding our capabilities to meet our customers’ evolving needs. The P5 X, proudly ‘Made in Durst’, reflects our dedication to innovation, quality, and reliability showcasing the best of what Durst stands for.”

Durst head of product development, Andrea Riccardi, said he believes the P5 X will be of interest to small, medium, and high-end customers.

He said, “I am proud and excited about the P5 X because this is the first time we have presented a true flatbed printer manufactured by Durst. The launch of the P5 X gives Durst a complete 360 portfolio for hybrid printing.

“The market for P5 X sales is not about

the size of the customer, as we know many of our customers have flatbed printers to satisfy certain types of production as well as special applications.

“Since 2018, we have scaled up the P5 range from the P5 350 up to the P5 Super Multi-Pass (SMP) in order to have faster and faster machines. The SMP is the fastest machine in our portfolio and we see this as the alternative to single pass UV at the top end of the market.

“Now with the P5 X, we can almost complete the P5 portfolio. This product will be targeted at the mid-market,” said Riccardi, who openly identified swissQprint as a direct competitor for the new P5 X.

Gamper also addressed the expected direct competition in the market with swissQprint and provided more clarity on the positioning of the newly launched product, which will represent the entrylevel of the P5 category. He said, “The P5 range is an ecosystem. It is not a single product. Many of our customers in the printing community will need this ‘entrylevel’ flatbed. We will obviously cross paths with companies like swissQprint and other companies, but I don’t care about the competition as we have our spot [in the market].

“This will allow customers, who are not currently Durst customers, to enter into the Durst world, allowing them to scale up like a lot of other companies that have grown with us after starting off with just one machine.”

Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman said he is looking forward to being able to offer customers this product and has already started to receive interest from Australian printers.

“The P5 X complements the other products in the P5 portfolio and is the true flatbed machine that everyone has been asking for from Durst for some time,” Ashman said.

“The market needs a machine like this with the flexibility, reliability, and functionality that Durst customers have come to expect.”

The P5 X will continue to utilise Ricoh Gen 5 printheads like the other products in the P5 range, and is designed for highend applications such as bespoke visual communications, large scale decoration and speciality packaging.

“The P5 X is built to meet the highest standards while also being accessible to those wanting to enter the ‘Champions League’ of printing,” the company said.

Riccardi said the P5 X was a passion project of his and represents the perfect blend of advanced features and accessibility.

He said, “The P5 platform integrates high-end systems, hybrid solutions, and comprehensive software, service, and ink solutions. With the P5 X, Durst introduces a true flatbed printer with roll options, sharing the benefits of the entire P5 platform.

“The P5 X is built with operator convenience in mind. Its ergonomic design minimises outer edges, allowing boards to be loaded and unloaded comfortably in an upright position. Safety features include a light curtain on the print carriage that slows down the printing in case of interruption, ensuring maximum safety. The P5 X also includes user-friendly LED indicators that show the correct positioning for boards and identify which vacuum rows should be activated. Magnetic pins are easy to mount, streamlining the entire setup process.”

The Durst P5 X aims to meet the demands of mid-range large-format printing with exceptional quality and efficiency

DURST P5 X LAUNCH

Samples printed on the Durst P5 X confirmed the versatility of the ‘true flatbed’ with roll-to-roll capabilities during the global media event

Samples from the Durst P5 X show a variety

unique effects and raised printing techniques available

Andrea Riccardi with the new Durst P5 X

(l-r) Durst’s Wolfgang Knotz, Christoph Gamper, Christian Harder and Andrea Riccardi with the media at the P5 X launch in Brixen

Andrea Riccardi (left) and Matt Ashman (second from left) at the first public viewing of the P5 X at the Durst demonstration centre at its Brixen headquarters

Durst welcomed journalists from all over the world for the launch of the P5 X at its head office at Brixen in Italy

The Durst P5 X combines the best of ‘true flatbed’ and roll to roll printing

Andrea Riccardi examines the key factors for a flatbed

Durst Oceania’s Matt Ashman at the launch of the P5 X

Durst expands into mid-range, large format printing with the newly launched P5 X

(l-r) Christian Harder, Christoph Gamper, and Andrea Riccardi address the press at the launch

People In Print Awards returns to kickstart industry events in 2025

Industry

professionals will gather at Sorrento in the Park in Auckland for next year’s People in Print Awards and Rising Stars of Print Awards.

Over

one hundred industry professionals attended this year’s People In Print Awards and Rising Stars of Print Awards

Nominations have opened for the People In Print Awards and Rising Stars of Print Awards.

The evening will kick off the major events in next year’s New Zealand print, signage, and packaging calendar.

New Zealand Printer Magazine will again run the awards in conjunction with PrintNZ. Bruce Craig, editor of New Zealand Printer Magazine, says, “This year, we had the privilege of welcoming over one hundred industry professionals to Sorrento in the Park for the People in Print Awards and rising Stars of Print Awards. Everyone took the opportunity to start the year with an evening of awards and fun.

“At the start of what promises to be a challenging year, the 2025 event provides

guests with the chance to catch up with fellow industry members and enjoy some yarns.

“The focus is on the people in the industry and how they make it a great place to work in. So, we look forward to receiving nominations from across the printing, signage, labels and packaging industries and related sectors.”

New Zealand Printer Magazine is grateful to receive the support of PrintNZ in running the awards. Ruth Cobb, chief executive at PrintNZ, says, “Once again, we are pleased to support the People In Print Awards and Rising Star Awards.

“Recognising members of our industry that make a contribution during the year gives us a chance to appreciate those who

go above and beyond. We look forward to celebrating their achievements as we take the time to acknowledge them.”

The People in Print Awards celebrate people across the industry sectors who have achieved excellence over the past 12 months.

As in previous years, you can nominate someone in the industry for achieving excellence over the past 12 months, in any number of areas. These might include their work in a particular field of the industry, such as prepress, offset, digital, finishing, design and so on. It can also be about their service to and work in the community or perhaps their contribution to sustainability and the environment. Or you can suggest other areas where they have achieved as part of your nomination.

Encouraging newcomers, and those who are beginning to make their mark, the Rising Stars of Print Awards remind us that the industry grows stronger and more resilient with a continuous injection of new blood and fresh ideas. Rising Star Awards’ recipients from previous years are carving their own path through their respective industry sectors with enthusiasm and energy.

Bruce adds, “Every year, we see businesses across the industry succeeding through harnessing the talent and energy from their Rising Stars. Whether that means taking the business in a new direction or adding momentum to already successful initiatives, emerging talent helps power success.

“We also see Rising Stars branching out to follow their own passions and challenging themselves to bring something new to the industry. That takes courage and deserves recognition.”

Brian Moore, publisher at New Zealand Printer Magazine, adds, “Suppliers and customers can also make nominations. We also welcome further sponsorship, so anyone interested, please contact me at email brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz.”

The nominations portal will open soon but, if you simply can’t wait, then please contact Bruce Craig at email: bruce@newzealandprinter.co.nz or phone 021 631 559.

Nominate someone for the People In Print Awards and the Rising Stars of Print Awards

TOGETHER

JUST WHAT IS NETTL?

Thanks for asking. Nettl is a business system. It’s a bolt-on partnership. Made for graphics businesses like yours. Keep your existing brand. And add Nettl. To extend the range of things you can do for your clients.

Use your existing team’s skillset to do more. Take advantage of Nettl’s suite of marketing to engage new clients and keep in touch with existing ones.

Nettl is the largest network of neighbourhood web, print and design studios in the NZ. We have hundreds of Nettl locations worldwide, including Australia, United States, Belgium, England, France, Ireland, Scotland, The Netherlands, Wales, and of course, right here in New Zealand.

Nettl helped these businesses diversify to become the go-to place for all the things their clients now need. Websites. SEO. Print. Signage and exhibitions. We’d like you to be a part of it too.

WHY DOES THE WORLD NEED NETTL?

It all starts with the client.

We always think that’s a very wise place to begin. In the old days, clients invested their marketing spend on print-based advertising.

Nowadays, the first thing a start-up business wants is their website. So that’s where Nettl starts too.

But it’s certainly not where it ends.

You’ve probably noticed that business cards aren’t first on anyone’s shopping list anymore. You might still sell lots of them. So do we. It’s just that clients are putting their energy into other marketing channels first.

After their website, they need help with email marketing, social and search engine optimisation. Signage, exhibition graphics and then, probably a heap of print and promo too.

Nettl does all of those things. And a bit more too.

HOW DID THE NETTL STORY BEGIN?

A long time ago, we had hundreds of print shops. We began opening and licensing print shops worldwide, twenty years ago. We franchised them all over the place. Then the world started to change.

It’s not that clients don’t buy print anymore - of course they do.

It’s just that the creative relationship starts with the person who designs the first thing. Since that thing is often a website, nowadays that’s often the web designer.

Admit it. You’ve probably cursed the web guy who sent you a 72 dpi RGB logo to print. Well, now files that might have gone to a print shop are being uploaded every day to online printers. Hurts, doesn’t it?

We know. Because, we were once the print shop. Of course, we delivered clever creative. And magical marketing. But print was our DNA and we had a network of print stores, sprinkled all around the globe.

Gradually, clients stopped coming in. Things got harder. Our margins eroded. And so we changed.

We became Nettl.

WHAT DO CLIENTS WANT NOW?

They want it all. And there’s been a convergence. Clients don’t want multiple creative relationships.

They hate explaining their brand to a sign guy, a web girl, some expo dude and then a printer.

They want one person to take care of it all. Someone local, who can do their website, then their SEO, then all the printing they need. Could that be you?

Once upon a time, a website was just a homepage, about us and a contact form. Then clients started wanting to do more. To take payments. To sell things online. On the move. On mobile devices. With stock synced to their back office system. Put up online appointment booking forms. With live availability of time slots.

And that’s when this stuff got real.

Design isn’t just design any more. You’re being asked to work with ecommerce or booking systems. To design for stretchy fabric displays or signs. To keep up with new tech and SEO.

Nettl makes it easy for clients to navigate. We simplify. We cut out the jargon. We don’t patronise people.

Interested to learn how a Nettl partnership can help grow your business and keep your customers sticky? Visit partner.nettl.com/nz to learn more.

NZSDA PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Women are making their mark in the local signage industry

Increasing influence of women is good news for the industry.

With the arrival of daylight savings, we have welcomed the opportunity to return to enjoying long evenings, with the promise of longer, warmer evenings to follow. Throw in some spring weather as seen with the recent high rainfall in Dunedin, and we are well into the transition from winter to summer, and the countdown to Christmas. I hope everyone has their end of year function planned as this is fast approaching.

One large transition we are seeing within the industry is the increasing influence of women, from representation on the NZSDA board, to two of the top three apprentices at this year’s awards: Amanda Cookson, from Positive Signs + Print in Mosgiel and Teigan Mennell from Vital Signs in Invercargill.

Women now hold positions at every level, including company ownership, and we love to see the amazing impact and support that our Melissa Coutts and Mikayla Hopkins provide when planning functions and getting our message out

there to the industry. As a father of two daughters (unfortunately, neither of whom have any interest in getting into signwriting), I have witnessed this transition as it has gathered momentum over the last three or four years. It is a transition that I feel particularly proud to be a part of.

Support in the industry

I am hearing more comments from women asking for support as they navigate what has traditionally, or historically, been a male dominated industry. We really want to change this perception and smash out the old tag line of the old boys’ network. I want to make it clear that we, as an industry, have really moved on.

Here at Wise Studios in Wellington, we recently hosted a NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) event, where we had 27 participants attend.

We instructed and assisted the women to sign write some panels and offered more information about the industry. This was a huge success, given there was a wait list that we could not accommodate, and we are looking at hosting more events like this in Auckland and Wellington in the near future.

All women within the NZSDA membership are welcome to come along

as we organise these events. NAWIC is a networking group for women in construction, and signage falls into this realm. Membership fee is minimal, and you can network with lots of women from the wider construction industry. Please feel free to reach out if you require more information about this networking group.

Auckland meetings

We recently held two fantastic regional meetings in Auckland where we heard from several guest speakers and handed out recognition certificates to those who have been a part of the association for more than 10 years.

It was great to meet so many Auckland based members, and I thank you all for attending. To those that did not make it, I am planning on getting out to see you all over the next four to eight weeks as my schedule permits. I will pop in to say hi, chat with you about the NZSDA’s plans for the future, and pass on your recognition certificates. This is one of my favourite parts of this role.

I hope everyone out there is as busy as they want to be and are ensuring margins are kept where they need to be in this tricky business environment.

Please look after yourselves, and I will touch base again next month.

SHAE GOOM President NZSDA

From left: Shae Goom, NZSDA; Apprentice of the Year runner-up Amanda Cookson; and Janene Ford, Computaleta

From left: Apprentice of the Year runner-up Teigan Mennell (top) of Vital Signs with the company’s principals Mike and Tania White

NZSDA PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Big Brown Industries goes public for a day of fun

Social day morphs into a marketing event for Auckland sign maker.

Jeremy Hunt from Big Brown Industries recently hosted an open day at his Auckland premises. He says, “As most people know, I am quite sociable and I’m always happy to show anyone through my shop. So, the basis for the gathering was to have fun with friends old, new, and soon to be; to have some eats; and to show off some of our work.

“My good friend and customer Shane (known as ‘Corner Hunter’ on YouTube and other social media) stepped in and mentioned how he wanted to organise a car meet and cruise. His problem was in finding a location, so I suggested that we do it together, at our shop. And that is when things snowballed.”

Big Brown Industries has won a swag of awards at the Sign Display Awards of Excellence over the last few years and Jeremy wanted to make the most of the opportunity to show off his work. He says, “An open day provided the perfect opportunity for people to see the work, to chat about how and why we do what we do, and to outline the work many people didn’t realise we do.

“The Big Brown workshop is very much an eclectic mix of signs that we have modified and recycled for our own purposes.”

While Shane organised 20 cars to show, Jeremy called on a couple of food truck vendors that he works with and sourced

Jeremy says, “Despite covering a large amount of people, we predicted numbers to be low and had no real expectation of attendance other than close friends.

“We held the event on a Saturday. In the morning, we set up, parked up our cars, and made the place look inviting. After the food trucks arrived, a few punters started rolling in and I got busy gas bagging with people. When I looked up, to my amazement, there were close to 500 people walking around the carpark and the shop. This continued for the rest of the afternoon, in between downpours thanks to the unpredictable weather.”

“All the vendors had good turnovers, and our simulator guy received a ton of enquiries. I talked to about 8-10 people with genuine customer enquiries.

“In addition to this, I spoke to several people about how to get into our industry and educated many people who had no idea what our industry is about. The amount of exposure we have received has been massive with so many more genuine enquiries well exceeding expectations.”

Jeremy says over 2,000 people came through the shop on the day. He says, “The exposure has been massive, with many genuine enquiries well exceeding expectations. We are already planning the next event, and we have many other companies wanting to be involved.

“We are in a lucky position as I have always been involved in the car scene. I am a racer at heart. A large chunk of the work we do appeals to the everyday public. I’m always happy to share and let people experience life in my shop.

“Everyone who was involved could see the benefit of what we were doing and the recognition it created for our brand. That’s how advertising works. We don’t need to spend big dollars, just be targeted about what we do spend.

“Doing something like this is not for everyone, but collaboration with similar minded individuals is what helped make ours a success. Now, time to keep pushing boundaries and keep showcasing our unique work.”

couple of race car simulators via another friend. They promoted the event with local flyers and through their social media accounts.

Around 2000 people attended the big Brown Industries open day

Jeremy Hunt, Big Brown Industries

The race car simulators proved popular

WIDE FORMAT NEWS

Summa appoints Computaleta as exclusive New Zealand distributor

Signage and graphic solutions supplier Computaleta is now the exclusive distributor for Summa roll and flatbed cutters in New Zealand.

Arlette Farland, director of Computaleta, says, “We are incredibly excited to become the exclusive distributor of Summa in New Zealand. Our partnership with Summa has always been strong, and this new development allows us to provide an even higher level of service and support to our customers.

“Summa cutting solutions are renowned for their precision, versatility, and reliability. This exclusive distribution agreement will enable New Zealand signage and print companies to benefit from Computaleta’s extensive experience and dedicated customer support, further enhancing their

JCDecaux changes management at the top

Chief commercial officer Max Eburne and chief financial officer David Watkins will become co-chief executive officers at the company, following Steve O’Connors decision to step down as chief executive officer at JCDecaux Australia and New Zealand after 20 years with the company.

Jean-François Decaux, co-chief executive officer of JCDecaux global, says, “Steve’s leadership over the past 20 years has been integral to JCDecaux’s growth

Drytac releases PVC-free wall covering

Self-adhesive materials manufacturer Drytac has announced the global availability of Paper Fleece Smooth, a PVC-free printable non-woven paper fleece wallcovering.

Stark Digital supplies Drytac solutions in New Zealand. Dennis Leblanc, senior business development manager at Drytac, says, “Paper Fleece Smooth is an effective,

workflows and productivity. The Summa flatbed cutter range is an innovative solution that combines precision, versatility, and adaptability to meet the diverse needs of modern businesses.

“Designed to handle a wide range of materials, from rigid substrates like acrylic and wood to flexible media such as vinyl and fabric, these advanced cutters deliver clean, detailed cuts with unmatched accuracy. With multiple tool options and intelligent software

in Australia and New Zealand. His role in integrating APN Outdoor into our business was pivotal, and we are grateful for his

environmentally

décor work in settings such as homes, retail

integration, the Summa Flatbed Cutter Series enhances workflow efficiency, reduces waste, and offers a strategic advantage for businesses looking to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market.

“The range also includes roll cutters, including the newly introduced S3 Series, offering unparalleled precision and highspeed operation, making them an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. The S3 Series introduces enhanced features such as increased cutting speed, improved accuracy, and a more intuitive user interface.

“These cutting solutions are designed to handle various materials such as vinyl, paper, and cardboard, providing New Zealand businesses with the versatility they need to meet diverse customer demands.”

Christof Van Driessche, chief executive officer at Summa, says, “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Computaleta in New Zealand. Their reputation for excellence and dedication to customer service makes them the perfect partner for Summa.

“We look forward to continuing our successful collaboration and providing New Zealand companies with the cutting solutions they need to thrive.”

contribution. He leaves behind a business well-positioned for the future.”

Steve O’Connor says, “It has been an incredible journey building JCDecaux in Australia and New Zealand over the past two decades. I am proud of what we have achieved, and I thank everyone who has supported me and the company. Max and David are well-prepared to lead the business into the future.”

The changes will take effect on January 1, 2025. Jean-François Decaux adds, “Max and David are natural successors to Steve as co-CEOs. Their combined experience and deep understanding of our business will ensure continued growth. The dual CEO structure has been successfully implemented in several JCDecaux subsidiaries and will position the business well for continued success.”

stores, hotels, and offices. Its photorealistic print quality produces sharp, detailed graphics with quick drying times and is ideal for creating stunning, vivid designs.

“Its dimensional stability allows for double-cut seams versus the traditional overlapping required with PVC materials. This makes installation faster, neater, and reduces material waste, while ensuring a flawless finish.

“Compatible with eco-solvent, latex, and UV printers, Paper Fleece Smooth has a smooth satin finish, and a repositionable, permanent adhesive backed by an air egress release paper, allowing for bubblefree application and repositioning.”

friendly solution for interior

Partners: Ann GC Ng (l), sales director for Summa APJ with Arlette Farland, director Computaleta

David Watkins (l) and Max Eburne

PVC-free: Drytac Paper Fleece Smooth

JUST RING-BINDERS

Mounting/Case

Recycled

Why 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%

No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

Reduce heat generation

Long life span

• Up to 15 times

Printing on film and cardboard

Just like your conventional offset press ...without the cons.

The New Gold Standard in Perfecting Printing

The RMGT 1060TP series is the Gold Standard for perfecting printing. This innovative tandem perfector on which the reverse-side printing units are connected to a straight printing press via a special translink unit. After printing the reverse side, the front side is printed without the need to reverse the printed sheets, eliminating various limitations typically associated with perfecting. This also makes it possible to perform perfecting on folding cartons, such as for blister packaging. LED-UV perfecting printing is also possible by equipping both the translink unit and delivery with a LED-UV dry-to-dry printing system, providing an instantly dry, high-quality printing solution. Achieving printing quality equivalent to that of a straight press with highly accurate front to back registration. In addition, the translink unit does not flip the sheets thus perfecting printing can be done with only 1 grip edge. Eliminating the need to make plates differently for front side and back side printing units and can handle pallets of sheets with irregular length just like a straight press.