Kodak to sell Flexographic Packaging Division to Montagu

Eastman Kodak Company has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Flexographic Packaging Division to Montagu Private Equity LLP, a leading private equity firm.  After closing, the business will operate as a new standalone company which will develop, manufacture and sell flexographic products, including the flagship KODAK FLEXCEL NX System, to the packaging print segment.

Under its new ownership, the business will have the same organizational structure, management team and growth culture that has served Kodak’s Flexographic Packaging Division well in recent years. Chris Payne, who has served as President of the Flexographic Packaging Division for the last three years, will lead the new company as CEO.

Kodak says its Flexographic Packaging Division is an example of Kodak incubating and bringing disruptive innovation to the marketplace. Over the past five years, the Flexographic Packaging business has grown and thrived within Kodak, and has become a significant player in the packaging print industry. The business will be well-positioned to continue delivering solutions to maintain profitable growth for printers in the packaging sector and remain at the leading edge of flexographic print production.

Kodak expects to receive total value of up to $390 million, comprised of the following components: (1) base purchase price of $340 million, subject to purchase price adjustments; (2) potential earn-out payments of up to $35 million over the period through 2020 based on achievement by the business of agreed-upon performance metrics; and (3) $15 million payable by Montagu to Kodak at the closing as a prepayment for various services and products to be provided by Kodak to the business post-closing pursuant to commercial agreements, subject to completion of certain pledge and collateral arrangements. 

The net proceeds from the transaction will be used by Kodak to reduce outstanding term debt. The company expects that the remaining outstanding term debt will be refinanced and/or repaid using cash proceeds from additional asset monetizations. 

“This transaction is an important turning point in our transformation and is a significant, positive development for Kodak,” said Jeff Clarke, CEO, Kodak. “The sale of the Flexographic Packaging Division unlocks value for shareholders and strengthens our financial position by providing a meaningful infusion of cash which allows us to reduce debt, improving the capital structure of the Company and enabling greater flexibility to invest in our growth engines.”

Kodak remains committed to the print industry and delivering products and services which meet the evolving needs of printers. Following this transaction, Kodak will continue to focus on the demonstrated growth areas of SONORA environmental plates, enterprise inkjet, workflow software and brand licensing. The company is well-positioned for the future by leveraging these growth engines and continuing to maximize value in commercial printing, film and advanced materials.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2019, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals and satisfaction of closing conditions.

UBS Investment Bank acted as exclusive financial advisor and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP acted as legal advisor to Kodak for the transaction.  Ernst & Young acted as financial advisor, Bain & Co. acted as commercial advisor and Linklaters LLP acted as legal advisor to Montagu for the transaction.

Mutoh appoints Sign Supplies, New Zealand as national dealer

Mutoh Australia has appointed Sign Supplies New Zealand as a national dealer for sales and service across the full range of Mutoh printers for New Zealand.

Mutoh General Manager, Russell Cavenagh, commented “Sign Supplies provides a high level of professionalism and commitment to the industry across New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. With offices in four key centres they have excellent market coverage and are well respected within the industry.”

Sign Supplies Managing Director, Charles Schnauer, added, “We had been looking to partner with a major printer supplier for some time but equally important was ensuring quality and value throughout the wide range of products that Mutoh offers.”

Mutoh manufactures highly productive, cost-effective printers in EcoSolvent and UV, plus offering solutions for emerging markets such as Dye Sub and Soft Signage (Textile).

Schnauer says, “We believe Mutoh is the ideal partner for Sign Supplies, to better service our new and existing customers plus offer growth and productivity opportunities now, and in the future, to their businesses.”

Sign Supplies have in stock the range of Mutoh inks and a range of printers available for demonstration.

Ricoh to buy printing software company ColorGATE Digital

Ricoh Company, Ltd. today announced that the company has reached an agreement to buy ColorGATE Digital Output Solutions GmbH (hereafter “ColorGATE”), a leading software provider in the printing industry with a specific competence in colour management.

This acquisition is designed to strengthen Ricoh’s growing industrial printing business. The transfer of shares is scheduled to complete on November 30, 2018.

Founded in 1997, ColorGATE based in Hannover, Germany, has been supporting the printing industry for over 20 years by providing software for the wide format and industrial printing sectors. With its extensive customer base ColorGATE is the European leader in industrial printing software. It has unique colour management technology to support printing and decorating a wide variety of materials used for packaging, floor and wall coverings as well as textiles and signage. It is a leading provider of performance-optimised colour management and workflow software to standardise and automate growing digital print markets including décor and textiles.

In February this year, Ricoh announced its growth strategy plan, “RICOH Ignite,” which sets out its intention to reinforce its value offering by expanding its printing technology portfolio. The investment in ColorGATE is the latest part of this plan. 

To enhance its industrial printing business, Ricoh recently established a “Global IP Technology Center” and a “Global IP Marketing Center”. Significantly, both are located in Europe, which is increasingly the centre of incubation for industrial printing markets. This allows access to cutting-edge technology and enables increased responsiveness to market needs. The centres aim to drive marketing, strategic planning and development of business and products with Ricoh’s alliance partners worldwide.

Peter Williams, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Commercial and Industrial Printing Business Group, Ricoh, says: “By combining ColorGATE’s proprietary software technology with our own industrial printers, Ricoh will provide solutions covering the whole printing workflow from Pre-Press to Post-Press. This acquisition will enable ColorGATE to expand its industrial printing business and global presence as together we become better able to support our customers to accelerate their transition from analogue to digital based production.”

Thomas Kirschner, Co-founder of ColorGATE who will continue to serve as CEO, comments: “We are delighted to have been selected by Ricoh to contribute to this strong future growth strategy whilst we continue to serve our established customer base, OEM partners and reseller channel.”

GJS CELEBRATES 40 SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF BUSINESS

GJS this month celebrates 40 successful years in business, having grown to become Australia’s premier provider of solutions and services for the textile, promotional products, custom photo gift, sign and display industries. GJS plans to celebrate the milestone birthday in style with surprise and delight activities for both customers and staff.
 
GJS was founded by Graham John Stone in 1978 after he returned from active service in the Vietnam war. During his deployment, Graham utilised his printing skills for the creation and dissemination of strategic allied communications as well as aerial photography. Upon returning to Australia he continued with his passion for print and began reconditioning and selling used screen printing equipment.
 
The business took off quickly and Graham was soon manufacturing his own screen printing equipment to keep up with demand. Production continued at an exponential pace and in 1987 GJS was manufacturing some of the world’s largest screen printing machinery, including the AUSJET 5000 jumbo dryer.
 
After two decades of dominance in the screen printing space, in 1999 GJS went online with the Australian print industry’s first website and e-commerce platform and has continued to lead the way in digital and social innovation ever since, with more engaged online audiences than all its competitors.
 
“Digital is in our DNA and always will be,” said Greg Stone, who took over from his father as managing director of GJS in 2012. “Very early in its introduction to the market we identified digital decoration and customisation as the way forward and have strived to bring the best innovations and technologies to market for our customers.
 
“From identifying dye sublimation as an emerging trend and growing to become the country’s largest supplier of the technology, to helping Brother Australia bring to market its first direct-to-garment printer, GJS has always had a measure of what the next big thing will be in digital decoration,” added Greg.
 
GJS has developed a business model that fuses together modern technology and solutions whilst still maintaining a focus on old-school customer service and support. It is a model that resonates with its customers with literally hundreds of positive reviews and testimonials online.
 
In 2015 it launched its first national series of Roadshow events, steering away from the traditional trade-show model with the goal of getting closer to its customers and add extra value to their businesses.
 
Just this year, GJS launched its very own knowledge base and ‘Creator Community’ to bring together digital decorators and share best practice. Now featuring more than 800 articles, how-to guides and instructional videos, the GJS knowledge base and Creator Community has become the go-to place for digital decorators Australia-wide.
 
In the last five years GJS has doubled its headcount with the appointment of additional team members in New South Wales and new teams in Queensland and Victoria and has set a strategic goal of doubling this headcount again in the next three to five years.
 
“There’s no other organisation better placed to lead the digital decoration and customisation revolution than GJS.
 
“Our focus remains firmly on being our customers’ trusted partner by providing them with innovative solutions that help them reach their potential. These symbiotic relationships that we continue to build are not only securing the future of our customers’ businesses and our own, but the digital decoration industry itself,” Greg concluded.

Mimaki Australia partners with Sign Essentials

Mimaki Australia Pty Ltd is pleased to announce the appointment of Sign Essentials Pty Ltd as its newest dealer.  The dealership covers all products in the Mimaki range in the regions of Queensland, Northern New South Wales and the Northern Territory.  

“We are delighted with our Mimaki appointment” says Sean Strange, General Manager of Sign Essentials.  “Mimaki has some fantastic products that fill a few gaps in our existing offerings.  We’re particularly excited with the new UCJV300-160 and UCJV150-160.  These innovative printer/cutters with UV-cured inks offer the ability to output high quality graphics in excellent time without the need to out-gas.   This decreases production times significantly which is great because we all know deadlines are getting shorter and shorter!”

Sign Essentials will be a one-stop-shop for Mimaki, offering sales, training, support and service as they do with their existing range of products.  “The way we do it now works well” says Solomon Ferreira, Service Manager at Sign Essentials.  “Customers like being able to contact our team with any enquiry, knowing we can help them sort it out.  We regularly visit most parts of Queensland and Northern NSW already, so it will be easy for us to add our new Mimaki customers to the trips.”   

Sign Essentials and Mimaki representatives have met several times over the last few weeks and have quickly developed an excellent working relationship.  “We’ve been very impressed with the professionalism of the team at Mimaki” says Sean Strange.  “It was a big decision for us and Mimaki have respected the process we had to go through.  We’re definitely not replacing what we had, for us it was very important we add to our offerings and are able to offer more choice to our customers.  We feel we can achieve these objectives with the Mimaki range.”  

“Mimaki Australia is proud to have Sign Essentials on board with the brand” explains Jason Hay – National Sales Manager Mimaki Australia. “The excitement with the opening of our new showroom at Murarrie and partnering with Sign Essentials shows the commitment from Mimaki moving forward in Queensland.  Sign Essentials has great experience in the Queensland market, especially in sales and service in Brisbane and far north Queensland. The respect that Sign Essentials has in the Queensland market, was a clear factor in adding this partnership to join our existing network. This has certainly strengthened the Mimaki model and presence for sure.”

Mimaki products are available from Sign Essentials now.  Their showroom is located at 20 Prosperity Place, Geebung.  Sign Essentials has been selling to, supporting and servicing the Queensland sign and graphics industries since 1991.

For further information please contact Sign Essentials on 1300 363 464 or email sales@signessentials.com.

Mimaki Queensland showroom is located 4a/20 Smallwood Place Murarrie QLD.

Congratulations to the monthly prize draw winner of Graphic Art Mart’s “Work Hard, Play Hard” Trade Promotion.

Graphic Art Mart wants to congratulate to their second monthly prize winner of the Work Hard Play Hard promotion:

Ray Ebel from Get Displays

In September Graphic Art Mart announced the “Work Hard / Play Hard” Trade Promotion in conjunction with Avery Dennison and Mactac. 
To enter, customers simply spend $50.00 (exclusive of GST) or more on Avery Dennison or Mactac products in a single invoice to go into the draw.
There are some fantastic prizes on offer:

First Prize – Choose between a Nissan Navara RX 4X4 Dual Cab Pick Up or 1 x Harley Davidson motorcycle to the value of $35,000.00 RRP

Second Prize – 1 x Flight Centre travel voucher to the value of $5,000.00 RRP

Third Prize – 1 x RedBalloon gift voucher to the value of $2,500.00 RRP

Monthly Prizes – 1 x RedBalloon gift voucher to the value of $1,000 RRP per month
The draw for the second monthly prize was drawn 12.00pm (AEST) on Friday, 2nd November 2018 at the Graphic Art Mart North Rocks site.

Thank you to everyone that has entered over the last month, the competition is still in full force, closing 11pm (AEST) Friday, 30th November 2018. The remaining Monthly Prize Draw and Major Prize Draw winners to be announced Friday, 7th December 2018.

For more information about the competition, including full terms and conditions, please visit: www.gamart.com.au/WorkHardPlayHard.aspx 

METROWRAPZ WINS 2018 “KING OF THE WRAP WORLD” CROWN IN AVERY DENNISON “WRAP LIKE A KING™” CHALLENGE


Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions announces today that MetroWrapz of Hollywood, Florida earned the title of “King of the Wrap World” for its Mission Flyer 2.0 vehicle wrap. The crowning of the new champ of the “Wrap Like A King” Challenge took place in the Avery Dennison booth at the 2018 SEMA Show.

“The attention to detail on this project has raised the bar of any vehicle wrap we have ever created,” said Bruno Dede, president of MetroWrapz. “Chrome film with a matte lamination set this one of a kind wrap apart, and Avery Dennison film helped us stay true to the Air Force plane that inspired this project.”

MetroWrapz used Avery Dennison® Supreme Wrapping™ Film, MPI 1105™ with digital overlaminates and Conform Chrome™ to create a warplane-inspired vehicle wrap. The 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat used for the wrap belongs to Technical Sergeant Romeo Peart, and the design was based on the WWII-era P51 Mustang aircrafts used by the Tuskegee Airmen. The full car wrap included doors, door jambs, under the hood, inside the engine compartment and under the trunk lid.

A panel of industry experts judged each submission to choose Regional Wrap Kings, Continent Wrap Kings and the final “King of the Wrap World.” The 2018 Challenge judges include Justin Pate, Myles Kovacs, Jun Kinoshita, Mark Richardson, Alain Carcat, Molly Waters, Peter Wright and Marco Kimme.

“Weathered effects were a big trend among entries in 2018, with three of the four continent winners using printing and lamination to create rusted, worn looks,” said Justin Pate, co-owner of The Wrap Institute. “MetroWrapz came through with the most impressive project that took Conform Chrome and Supreme Wrapping Film to unconventional places.”

The eight professional judges evaluated submissions based on the following criteria: visual transformation (difference between the before and after pictures submitted), quality and skill level of installation, overall public look and appeal and uniqueness of the design.

“MetroWrapz earned the global wrap king title against an extremely competitive field, and we’re proud to have the shop represent the incredible installers that use our films,” said Jeff Losch, marketing director, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions. “With new products just released at SEMA, including Supreme Protection Film and new colors of Supreme Wrapping Film, there is even more people can accomplish with our products.”

The ultimate prize package for MetroWrapz includes a personalized Wrap Like a King trophy, $1,000 in gift vouchers, a Race Ramp product, a variety of promotional and marketing tools and exposure via the Avery Dennison website and social media.

The entire “King of the Wrap World” extended prize package is valued at almost $5,000.

Click here for product details Avery Dennison

HP picks Label Impressions for global launch of Smirnoff sleeves made with SmartStream D4D

Label Impressions was chosen by HP to provide the shrink sleeves for HP’s Adobe MAX worldwide launch of HP SmartStream Designer for Designers (D4D). The software was used to create stunning individualized Yarza Twins designs for Smirnoff.

Printing on Label Impressions’ newly installed HP Indigo WS6800 Digital Press, has commenced digital printing services to offer innovative and cost-effective solutions to its customers for labels, shrink sleeves and flexible packaging.

“The added capabilities of HP Indigo including one-of-a kind prints with HP SmartStream Designer and Mosaic make it possible to do big exciting campaigns,” said Jeff Salisbury, CEO, Label Impressions.

HP SmartStream Designer for Designers (D4D), a new plug-in for Adobe Illustrator® CC2019, is a suite of “light” design solutions that enables designers to easily create an unlimited number of variations on any design.

HP Indigo Digital – chosen for quality that matches LI's flexo
An established, high quality flexo provider in business for 30 years, Label Impressions selected HP Indigo technology for its ability to match the converter’s high print quality, after comparing Indigo with inkjet during an extensive vetting of the available digital technologies on the market.

“Only HP Indigo has the print quality that matched our high-quality flexo standard and can be interchangeable for customer runs,” said Salisbury said.

Label Impressions sharp print quality has earned World Label Awards in both 2016 and 2017 as well as numerous innovation and quality awards in 2018.

As a leader in cosmetic and personal care packaging color consistency is a critical company value for Label Impressions, where tight color standards are maintained in production. “Our clients are very particular about color. The WS6800 inline spectrophotometer for color consistency on press was the deciding factor for us since it allowed us to maintain our stringent color standards and commitment to our clients,” Salisbury added.

Label Impressions clientele is more than half personal care, in addition to food and beverage, and pharma. The Indigo press is running a large volume of shrinks, flexible films for small sachets and sample pouches for customers who want to do short runs or to get samples to a trade show, in as few as 1000 to 5000 pieces.

Additionally, the converter is getting great results running high-end wine label stocks including its own FiberStone stone paper.

The HP Indigo acquisition was also in line with the sustainability program at Label Impressions, a carbon-neutral facility since 2007, delivering big savings on waste with the first image a sellable print.

Salisbury said he had already sold off one flexo press since launching the HP Indigo digital printing.

Ricky partners with Goldberg Aberline Studios for Sculpture by the Sea.

In August this year, Ricky Richards was asked to partner with the talented artists from Goldberg Aberline Studios for Sculpture by the Sea and there was no hesitation by General Manager, Kathryn Polgar to jump onboard.

On October 18 Sculpture by the Sea returned to the Bondi Beach to Tamarama Beach coastal walk for the 22nd year. On display are 100 sculptures designed by artists from Australia and around the world. 

The boys from Goldberg Aberline Studios have turned Ricky printable backlit textile Samba and Nylon 420 fabric into a very special inflatable installation for Sculpture by the Sea! They have created a gigantic coral reef called: Microcosm. 

Microcosm is Latin for little world. Taking a small piece of coral reef and exploding its scale to giant proportions, the work is a playful take on positive environmental change.
 “It never ceases to amaze us what our clever customers can do with Ricky products.” Kathryn says. “This sculpture is truly amazing, and we are proud to have our fabrics on show in such a beautiful piece of art.“

If you would like to know more about these fabrics and how you can use them, contact one of the team experts today: www.rickyrichards.com.au  

Epson Wins 2018 Good Design Awards for Projectors, Printers & Scanners

Epson has won a 2018 Good Design Award for a total of eight designs, including three for projectors, four for printers, and one for a scanner. Good Design Awards are presented annually for designs that benefit and enrich people's lifestyles and society in general. Three representative design-winners are described below along with the judges' comments.



Projector: Used for LightScene EV-100/EV-105
This design is for projectors to be used for lighting or video performances of products or exhibits in shopping centres and museums. To better show off the appeal of the product or exhibit, we focused on a simple design that melts into the surroundings. To achieve a clean design, we removed all the holes and wiring, which customers notice, from the unit sides. The vents, which are necessary in any projector, were hidden in the design as slits with identical patterns on the unit's front and rear. The cylindrical design, made to resemble a spotlight, enables you to install it on the ceiling without ruining the atmosphere.

Judges' comments
These projectors, with their rounded design, are both distinctive and attractive. In a setting like a shopping centre, they look more like track lights than projectors. We liked the thorough simplicity of the form. Projectors often have a functional feel, but these products have an elegant design that leaves a very different, fresh impression.

Printer: Used for PX-S170UT/PX-S170T
These A4-sized monochrome inkjet devices feature a design of unprecedented compactness that was achieved by directly embedding high-capacity ink tanks in the carriage. The all-new ink tank design puts a single slit through a simple and clean exterior. You can intuitively check the ink level or open and close the tank cover. A unique shape was used for the bottle tip and inlet to prevent filling mistakes. Just insert the bottle in a tank-refilling starts and stops automatically - for a quick, easy, spill-free experience. The low cost per print relieves you of worries over cost and allows you to print as much as you need to get the job done.
 
Judges' comments
Spills. Messes. Ink end messages at critical moments. Printer toner and ink cartridge replacements are a source of frustration and stress. These printers squarely address these issues. The ink bottles have a leak-free design and allow one-touch replacements. Equipped with ink tanks, which can use up ink to the very last drop, these printers also relieve users concerns about any ink leftover during refills. These products offer strong support for your everyday printing needs.
 
Scanner: Used for ES-50/ES-55R/DS-70/ES-60W/ES-60WW/ES-60WB/ES-65WR/DS-80W
These are A4-sized sheet-feed scanners. With more companies embracing digital technologies, demand is increasing for mobile scanners that can easily digitalise photos, receipts, and documents of all types, both inside and outside the office. With that in mind, we worked with engineers to improve portability, aiming for the lightest weight and smallest size in the class to bring more customers a satisfying experience. The final products were designed to prevent operating errors during transport and offer outstanding portability, easy use, and simple functionality. They also have an attractive design.
 
Judges' comments
These are evolved versions of the sheet-feed scanner. We gave them high marks for portability: their light weight and small size allow them to fit easily into a carrying bag, with room to spare. The convenient portability of these scanners will make you want to take them with you, increasing your work efficiency and productivity outside the office.
 
Epson designs recognised with 2018 Good Design Awards, and products using the award-winning designs include:
 
·         Projector: LightScene EV-100/EV-105
·         Projector: EB-L610U/EB-L615U
·         Projector: EB-L20000U/EB-L12000Q
·         Inkjet printer:PX-S170UT/PX-S170T
·         Business inkjet printer: PX-M884F/PX-M886FL/PX-S884/PX-M380F/PX-M381FL/PX-S380/PX-S381L/PX-M880FX/PX-S880X
·         Large-format printer: SC-T5150/SC-T5150N/SC-T3150/SC-T3150N
·         Large-format printer:SC-T5450/SC-T3450/SC-T3450N
·         Scanner:ES-50/ES-55R/DS-70/ES-60W/ES-60WW/ES-60WB/ES-65WR/DS-80W
 
About the Good Design Award  
The Good Design Award was established in 1957 as the Good Design Selection System (or G Mark System). Today, it is a leading design evaluation and commendation system and has become world renowned, attracting a large number of entries from companies and groups around the world. Awards are presented annually as a way to promote quality of life and the use of design in solving social issues. The symbol of the award, the G Mark, is widely recognised as a symbol of excellence in design.
 
For more information go to: www.g-mark.org/
 

Pozitive Demonstrate New swissQprint Nyala 3S at Clarke Murphy Print

It was a proud moment for both the teams at Pozitive Sign and Graphic Supplies and Clarke Murphy Print, as they launched the latest in flatbed technology ... the swissQprint Nyala 3S high-speed flatbed printer.

On hand to greet guests and talk about the newest masterpiece from swissQprint were Phil Trumble, Pozitive, Adriano Gut, swissQprint and Benn Murphy, Clarke Murphy Print. 



To start proceedings, Phil Trumble welcomed guests before handing over to Benn Murphy who detailed the company’s long association with Pozitive and the swissQprint flatbed printers. Benn said they had purchased their first Impala flatbed printer after seeing an ad in Visual Impact magazine, then decided to take a trip to Visual Impact Brisbane 2012 trade show to see the machine in action, at which point they signed the deal. 

The new Nyala 3S is Clarke Murphy’s 5th swissQprint flatbed printer. They have seen a lot of growth in the wide format sector and know that the performance capabilities of the Nyala 3S are what they need to meet tighter deadlines whilst still being able to deliver exceptional print quality. 

Adriano Gut from swissQprint, came all the way from Switzerland for this very special occasion, and detailed the printer’s incredible performance capabilities. 



The Nyala 3S is a speed machine. Capable of printing up to 370 m² per hour, the printer has been designed specifically for very busy production environments that deal with high volume, fast turnaround work but without sacrificing on print quality. Its highest productivity level is fine for billboards, banners, building warps and similar large-scale promotions designed to be viewed from certain distances. The high-performance Nyala 3S uses a special eight-colour configuration with a ninth channel free for either a white or varnish effect.



Clarke Murphy have had the new Nyala 3S for 10 days now and it has already proven it’s worth as the company has been running the printer close to 24/7 along with their other swissQprint flatbeds. But that’s not where the story ends, their capability is set to expand even further when they take delivery of their 6th machine in 2019, in a move designed to strengthen their digital presence whilst complimenting the company’s successful commercial print operations. 



For more information about the superfast Nayala 3S faltbed printer, please visit www. pozitive.com.au/product/swissqprint-nyala-3s/

Imagination Graphics triumphs as the winner of the 2018 Konica Minolta National Specialised Print Awards!


Well done to Imagination Graphics who won first place as the winner of the 2018 National Specialised Print awards for their entry, 'The Hamptons'. Emmanuel Buhagiar and his team get to go on a trip to Tokyo, Japan, visiting some of the amazing sites and Konika Minolta's amazing CEC.

The National Specialised Print awards were established to celebrate the craft of digital printing on Konica Minolta print systems and this year, the quality of the entries was exceptional. Konika Minolta thanked all of their customers who entered the awards. This year, they received a record, 245 entries, from 57 print companies across Australia. The finalists, and overall winner, were judged on quality, design concept, typography, and colour reproduction, and the quality of work was very impressive across the country.



The winning entry from Imagination Graphics, The Hamptons, is a beautifully saddle stitched booklet that combined a number of creative elements in the design concept including superb Imagery and a combination of die cut and hand-crafted components. Produced on an AccurioPress C6100 with IQ-501 and Splendorgel media, including a long sheet for the cover, the quality of the colour and registration was impeccable.

The awards were hosted by GM Production Print and Industrial Print, Sue Threlfo and attended by the State Finalists, many Sydney customers, industry VIPs, trade media, our Managing Director, Dr David Cooke, and Konica Minolta Directors Shane Blandford and David Procter as well as many of our sales managers, account managers and other support staff.

Learn All About Brush Lettering From The Best

Roland DG’s TrueVIS Printer Cutters Awarded Top Honours from Buyers Lab 

n a comprehensive laboratory evaluation, Roland DG’s TrueVIS VG series wide format printer cutters won two prestigious Buyers Lab awards, including Outstanding Enhanced CMYK Eco Solvent/Latex 54″/64″ Printer (7-Colour) and Outstanding High Production CMYK Eco-Solvent/Latex 54”/64” Printer (Dual CMYK). Keypoint Intelligence’s Buyers Lab (BLI) is the world’s leading independent provider of testing and analysis for the document imaging industry. 

To determine the results, BLI analysts evaluated a variety of inkjets from contenders globally in a number of key performance categories, including Image Quality, Usability and Speed. In earning the Outstanding Enhanced CMYK Eco-Solvent/Latex 54”/64” Printer (7-Colour) award, Roland DG’s TrueVIS VG series (VG-640, VG-540) demonstrated “very high quality output even when printing at the most productive speed settings.”　VG series printer cutters were also cited for producing “the widest gamut of bright, saturated colours, as well as smooth skin tones with very good highlight details and contrast.” In addition, the tests showed that the TrueVIS VG yielded “extremely accurate dimensional stability and colour consistency.”
 
Roland DG’s TrueVIS series printer cutters earned their second BLI Award in the “Outstanding High Production CMYK Eco-Solvent/Latex 54”/64” Printer (Dual CMYK)” category. The BLI analysts reported, “At the high-speed print quality setting, this 64-inch unit excelled at producing bright halftone images with very good details and saturation, as well as neutral grays and smooth skin tones while the highest quality print setting was significantly faster than that of the next fastest device. Pair that with the accurate PANTONE^® colour-matching capabilities, as well as above-average print speeds, and this large-format device will undoubtedly satisfy the strictest quality and colour demands of any print shop.”
 
When evaluating “usability,” BLI noted that the VersaWorks Dual RIP software bundled with both the VG-640 and VG-540 provided intuitive operation for diverse tasks such as job tiling and nesting, job queue and ink consumption monitoring, and the ability to readily modify process and PANTONE colours. Also impressing the BLI analysts were other advanced VG series features, including the standard take-up reel for unattended printing, an ink pouch replacement system that reduces overall waste, and remote printer monitoring via iOS and Android devices.
 
In a presentation ceremony at the SGIA Expo in Las Vegas that took place this morning in the booth of Roland DGA, Roland DG’s US-based sales and marketing subsidiary, David Sweetnam, Director of Research and Lab Services for Keypoint Intelligence, congratulated Roland DG and cited how the VG stood out among the competition. “This printer cutter is all about fast turnaround without sacrificing quality, as many of our test images exhibited neutral grays, fine details, and smooth skin tones even at the high-speed print setting. We were also impressed by the VG with 7-colour plus White ink, which produced the largest colour gamut we have tested to date and delivered excellent colour matching in our tests with an average of only 3.45 Delta E00. Both the VG-640 and VG-540 earned very good marks across the board for image quality, speed, and the functionality and user-friendliness of their included Roland VersaWorks Dual RIP software.”

Canon announces new imagePROGRAF-TM series of large-format inkjet printers for the low-mid CAD and poster printing market.

Canon Australia announced today the launch in Australia of 4 models and 4 MFP solutions in the new imagePROGRAF series of large-format inkjet printers. Designed for the CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and poster printing markets, we have lavished many of the same features introduced in high-end TX printers for the TM series--new core technologies, fully pigment 5-color LUCIA TD ink, a print head with six integrated 1.07-inch wide tips, and the L-COA PRO image processor.

The TM series takes the acclaimed Canon print-quality and speed into a mid-market offering. Sharp line drawings and vibrant posters are possible even on economical uncoated paper or inkjet plain paper. To expand the potential huge midrange/entry-level user base, the printers are also designed with specifications and performance that encourage deployment by smaller offices and companies.

To increase deployment in smaller offices and open-plan studios, the printers are designed to be more convenient in these environments. TM printers are quieter by up to 60% in comparison to the imagePROGRAF iPF series and compact, with fully front-accessible operations and flush wall installation, making them easier to set up where space is limited. Now that offices are not as noisy, demand for less distracting office equipment is driving a trend towards quieter MFPs, printers, projectors, air conditioners and other equipment. In response to this change in office environments, we have made the TM series quieter and eliminated distracting noises. By maintain a peaceful, comfortable working environment, the printers have a direct impact on work, which is a highly-valued feature of the TM series.

Each of the imagePROGRAF TM models employ newly-developed LUCIA TD 5-colour pigment ink capable of reproducing fine lines and clear text required for printing CAD drawings, even when using plain paper that lacks ink-absorbing layers. For poster print jobs, these models achieve high colouring on plain inkjet paper, enabling the output of vivid, low-cost posters on plain paper, contributing to economical and efficient in-house printing. 

For continuous printing of drawings on A1 landscape plain paper in the fastest mode, the imagePROGRAF TM-300/305 can produce 144 prints per hour, which represents an increase in speed of up to 23% compared to its predecessor, the imagePROGRAF iPF series, thanks to improved print head scanning and reduced time between processing each print.

There is also the option to add one of Global Scanning’s fast, high quality scanners, including the T36/T25 scanner with a user-friendly touchscreen display, to the imagePROGRAF TM series creating the perfect multifunctional office companion.

Alongside these models, Canon will release 4 types of waterproof poster media with adhesive backing that achieves excellent weather resistance, enabling users to create outdoor signage suitable for a variety of scenarios.

The imagePROGRAF TM range consists of the following models:

• Standard 24” and 36” models 
• imagePROGRAF TM-200
• imagePROGRAF TM-205 (includes HDD)
• imagePROGRAF TM-300
• imagePROGRAF TM-305 (includes HDD)
• 24” and 36” MFP Solutions 
• imagePROGRAF TM-200 MFP L24ei
• imagePROGRAF TM-205 MFP T25(with touch-screen scanner)
• imagePROGRAF TM-300 MFP L36ei
• imagePROGRAF TM-305 MFP T36(with touch-screen scanner)

EFI to Premiere the new Pro 32r Wide Format Printer

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. and Nazdar SourceOne are pleased to jointly announce the worldwide premiere of the EFI™ Pro 32r, an entry-level, 126-inch (3.2-meter) wide roll-to-roll LED printer. 


Entry-level roll-to-roll with EFI’s proven LED and UltraDrop Technology 


The new EFI Pro 32r is an economical, production-level roll-to-roll printer that can make users more competitive and profitable. Designed for high-quality print with mid-level production, the Pro 32r prints up to 2,227 square feet (207 square meters) per hour, and features a built-in EFI Fiery digital front end (DFE) with FAST RIP acceleration technology. 


The printer, which is available from EFI and Nazdar, uses four colours plus optional white ink and 7-picoliter EFI UltraDrop™ Technology for high-end imaging. Its proven, “cool cure” LED imaging technology drives down operating costs with less energy use and waste while delivering superior results on an extended range of supported substrates. A host of value-added options are available as well, including slitters, automatic blockout printing, manual backlit printing, an iPhone® printer management application and a software productivity pack featuring enhanced tools to reduce media waste. 

Fujifilm to unveil new CTP system and new Elara 5 workflow features at IFRA World Publishing Expo 2018

Fujifilm today announces that in Hall 21a, Stand E.01, at the IFRA World Publishing Expo 2018 it will introduce two new solutions to its newspaper portfolio, both reinforcing the company's commitment to making newspaper production more profitable as part of its Superia initiative.

Superia has seen considerable success in the commercial print market since its introduction, with its simple aim of reducing the resources used in offset printing in the form of materials, labour, water, energy and waste.  Fujifilm has now applied these ideals to newspaper production, with a particular focus on improving automation and reducing material usage and waste.

Fujifilm will therefore be showcasing two new modules as part of its Elara 5 Workflow, Elara Production Planner and Elara PDF, and will also unveil a new addition to its Luxel VMAX range, the Luxel VMAX 600, shown at Ifra in concept form and set to be the fastest CTP device on the market.

Elara Production Planner 
Elara Production Planner is a unique new workflow tool that allows Elara users to plan newspaper editions based upon press configurations that can be created from inside the Elara 5 system. Software-to-press interfaces are often extremely expensive (sometimes the interface costs even more than the entire workflow software) but such expensive systems are no longer needed. Elara Production Planner takes care of press configuration and template setup directly, from which the workflow gets all the information it needs. It also automates the process of page pairing, press cylinder correction and plate-stacking and sorting.

Elara PDF 
Elara PDF is a new tool (available for all major platforms: Windows, Apple Mac and Linux) that can check, repair and normalise PDF files before production. Many newspaper printers get PDF files from external parties and these can have a range of specific issues that need to be addressed, such as RGB format images, thin lines, incorrect versions, missing fonts, low resolution images or overprinted text. Elara PDF finds and fixes these issues where possible and notifies the user via the user interface or by email. This versatile system also offers pre-flighting, picture enhancement, ink-saving, PDF flattening, anti-aliasing and more. A version that includes the high speed and comprehensive Elara Rip is also available.

Luxel VMAX 600 CTP
Having introduced an innovative trolley-based pallet loading option for its Luxel VMAX 400 CTP at last year's IFRA exhibition, Fujifilm this year is demonstrating its leadership in newspaper systems by showcasing how even greater levels of speed and efficiency could be achieved with the technology showcase of the Luxel VMAX 600, set to be the fastest CTP device available. Thanks to its cutting-edge laser technology and optimal plate-loading functionality, it can operate at unrivalled speeds.

Whilst punch bender manufacturers and processors still struggle to keep up with these types of speeds, the Luxel VMAX 600 showcases what is possible in terms of raw plate imaging speeds.  Fujifilm will therefore be reviewing customer interest with a view to introducing it as a commercial system at a later date.

Ricoh Debuts Flatbed, Latex Printers


RICOH USA is debuting both a pair of roll-to-roll latex printers and a wide-format flatbed printer targeted at the sign, graphics and décor markets.

The two latex printers — the RICOH Pro L5130 and L5160 — will print up to 473.6 sqft/hr in outdoor standard mode and 270 sqft/hr in indoor standard mode, using curing technology that leaves output ready for finishing as soon as it comes off the printer. Boasting automated maintenance features and a durable design, the printers leverage Ricoh’s GREENGUARD-certified latex inks and industry-leading printheads.

The RICOH Pro TF6250 flatbed printer can print on substrates up to 4.3 inches thick at up to 1,391 sqft/hr. It has true flatbed architecture, with a moving carriage and gantry over a 98.8-by-51.5-inch bed.

“In wide-format, the difference between an application that stands out and one that does not often comes down to the inks that deliver the highest quality with adherence to a wide variety of substrates,” said John Fulena, VP Commercial & Industrial Printing Business Group, Ricoh USA, Inc. “With the RICOH Pro TF6250, we developed a technology platform that can handle the wide range of applications our customers’ customers are seeking.”

The TF6250 uses ink sets available specifically for improved high adhesion to difficult and uncoated media. LED technology keeps power consumption down and cures at lower temperatures, allowing for use of thinner substrates without the risk of melting or warping them. Additional ink sets, including one focused on high colour gamuts for sign and graphic applications, are also available.

Meanwhile, the RICOH Pro L5130 and L5160 latex printers can support 2- and 3-inch roll cores up to 122 lbs. and media up to 64 inches wide. High ink opacity and adhesion enable the production of crisp, clear prints for a variety of applications on substrates that range from wall coverings to window graphics to backlit day/night signage.

Roland DG Announces New VersaWorks 6 RIP Software for Enhanced Efficiency and Performance

Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide-format inkjet printers and 3D devices worldwide, today announced the release of VersaWorks 6 RIP and print management software for inkjet printers and printer cutters.

VersaWorks includes a broad range of functions to streamline the entire printing process by generating high-quality print data that optimises the features of the printer, ink and media being used. “Our new VersaWorks 6 comes with an extensive range of features that makes the printing process more accurate and reliable for users, while also building upon the superb core functionality and ease of use of the previous popular VersaWorks software,” explains Yohei Shinomura, manager of Digital Printing Product Management.
 
VersaWorks 6 provides 64-bit native support to maximise performance from the latest 64-bit operating systems and to improve the processing capability of complicated data including complex vectors and multiple layers with ease and precision. It also provides support for processing PDF files natively to render transparencies, drop shadows and other special effects the way they are intended to look in the design, eliminating the hassle of reworking data.
 
Shinomura said the user interface has been redesigned consistent with the latest design trends for a high level of visibility, with more intuitive visual icons to enhance usability. An easy-to-use colour matching function ensures consistent colour between multiple printers of the same model, providing accurate colour control when using more than one printer for volume production or jobs involving large, combined graphics. Users now have up to five separate queues with unlimited saved settings available for each queue to suit specific customer requirements and media, as well as to immediately reload past job settings for recurring jobs.
 
VersaWorks 6 will be bundled with the following Roland DG inkjet printer and printer cutter models beginning in November 2018 and is also available immediately on the website below as a free upgrade for users with the following models.
 
Eco-Solvent Printers and Printer Cutters
BN-20
EJ-640
RF-640
SG-540/300
SP-540i/300i
VG-640/540
VS-640i/540i/300i
XR-640
UV Printers and Printer Cutters
LEC-540/330
LEF-12/12i
LEF-300/200/20
LEJ-640
Dye Sublimation Printer
RT-640*
* Please note: Those using ErgoSoft Roland Edition are excluded from the upgrade.
 
Website: www.rolanddg.com.au/products/software/versaworks-6