LATEST NEWS



  • + Visual Connections & ASGA Expand Successful Education Program

    March 21 2023

    Training is a hot topic in the sign, display and wider graphic communications space right now, and supplier association Visual Connections, together with the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA), is leaping ahead of the market to expand its successful student recruitment and education program.

    The two associations’ commitment to the future of the industry has long been demonstrated through programs designed to introduce young people to the print, sign and display market and assist them into appropriate training.

    The purpose of this latest, expanded program, is to educate Years 9 and 10 students and their parents about the career opportunities available in the visual communication space, and to work closely with teachers and careers advisors to identify and resource interested students.

    Visual Connections CEO, Peter Harper, says initiatives in recent years, including a pilot program conducted just prior to COVID in 2020 in partnership with the Australian Skills & Industry Partnership (AusSIP), had been successful in lifting apprentice numbers, but argues that more needs to be done to meet demand.

    “Like many industries, the graphic communications sector is facing challenges in finding and recruiting young people into careers,” he explains. “Addressing this is vital for the future of our industry and has long been a priority for both Visual Connections and the ASGA.”

    The first step, he says, is to create awareness of, and interest in, careers in signage, display, wide-format print and the wider graphics sector, not only with students but, just as critically, with their parents and careers counsellors.

    “This program is specifically designed to showcase the exciting possibilities available in the industry, and to support those young people who are interested to identify training and apprenticeship opportunities,” Harper explains.

    “When young people see what our industry does, they are invariably blown away by the possibilities, but we also know that parents and advisors play a vital role in helping young people evaluate their careers options. It is vitally important that any program to increase apprentice numbers addresses all stakeholders in what is a huge decision for these students.”

    Already, with the help of AusSIP and industry sponsors, Visual Connections has booked Careers expos in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth running from May to July this year.

    “We also have a ‘Try-a-Trade’ program locked in for Visual Impact Sydney in May, which will provide up to 100 students with the opportunity to try out skills in various aspects of the industry,” he reports.

    “With the help of TAFE NSW, students can try skills in sublimation and direct-to-garment printing, laser engraving, print and fine art printing and channel lettering, as well as vinyl application, and see the ‘best of the best’ in action at an exciting wrap challenge planned by ASGA and Hexis. 

    “Students will also get a chance to try traditional hand lettering and brushwork, and the Penrith Print Museum will be there to let students see how printing on paper was done with traditional letterpress technologies.

    “Following these introductory sessions, ‘Taster Days’ will be held with TAFEs in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth, to take interested students from a number of schools on a tour of different manufacturers, as well as providing the opportunity for more focused ‘hands-on’ experience.”

    The ambitious program, which comes at a particularly vital time for the industry, has received wide support from across the sector, with a host of sponsors signing on to sponsor the 2023 program.

    “Programs like this require a significant investment, so we reached out to industry colleagues for their support, and are proud to announce that a number of leading organisations have already pledged their sponsorship,” Harper says.

    “These include Amari Visual Solutions, Ball & Doggett, Cactus Imaging, Fujifilm Graphic Systems, Graphic Art Mart, Mulford Plastics, Orofol, Pozitive Sign & Graphic Supplies, Sign-a-Rama, Starleaton and Visual Connections.”

    For more information about the program, contact Peter Harper on 0418 267 952 or email peterh@visualconnections.org.au 




  • + CET Color and Gandy Digital Partner

    March 14 2023

    CET Color and Gandy Digital, two of the most innovative and reputable names in the printing industry, are proud to announce a new partnership that will take both companies to new heights. Gandy Digital has long been recognized for its cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities and expertise in developing top-of-the-line printers. Now, they will be working together with CET Color to bring a new production marvel to life: the Dynasty UV printer specifically designed to meet CET Color specifications. This printer will be manufactured in Canada and feature American-made parts, ensuring the highest level of quality and reliability.

    With a focus on speed, quality, and performance, this high-end upgradeable printer is sure to exceed the expectations of even the most demanding customers in the graphics industry. From experienced printers to those just starting out, the printer’s intuitive design and ease of use make it an ideal choice for all. And with CET Color’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service, customers can rest assured that they will always receive the support they need to succeed.

    “We are thrilled to partner with CET Color, a company with an impressive and long-standing history,” said Hary Gandy, of Gandy Digital. “Our focus on providing great products and service to the graphics industry aligns perfectly with CET Color’s mission, and we are excited to develop and manufacture a high-end printer specific to their customer needs.”

    Ernie Chin, owner of CET Color, echoed Gandy’s sentiments. “Gandy Digital’s manufacturing expertise allows us to provide customers with an excellent high-end printer option,” he said. “We are also pleased to offer printers that support American manufacturers, further strengthening our commitment to quality and reliability.”

    With a portfolio that includes flatbed, hybrid, roll-to-roll, and now this new printer, CET Color is well-positioned to continue leading the way in innovation and customer satisfaction. The partnership with Gandy Digital represents a significant step forward for both companies, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

    cetcolor.com





  • + Meteor expands product portfolio with Ricoh TH6310F printhead

    March 14 2023

    Meteor Inkjet Ltd, leading supplier of electronics, software, tools and services for industrial inkjet, further expands its product portfolio with drive electronics and software for Ricoh’s TH6310F industrial inkjet printhead.

    The TH6310F is Ricoh’s latest printhead to use highly-integrated MEMS technology, enabling precise jetting even with a large gap. Compatible with aqueous, UV and solvent inks, and incorporating a unique ink recirculation system, the TH6310F is ideal for single-pass packaging and textile applications, as well as high-end scanning systems requiring many printheads.

    Meteor’s HDC-2R26 drive electronics for the TH6310F are easily scalable to systems of any size and, coupled with Meteor’s comprehensive software, OEMs can significantly reduce the effort and risk associated with the design and delivery of industrial inkjet printers. The HDC-2R26 fully supports the new Dual VCOM capability offered by the TH6310F printhead, allowing the selection of two different printhead drive waveforms per nozzle. This feature delivers superior jetting frequency and print productivity by shortening the drive cycle. Also available for the TH6310F are Meteor’s DropWatching System and printhead waveform development services, essential tools to accelerate time to market for new inkjet applications.

    Jonathan Wilson, Meteor’s Vice President of Business Development comments, “Meteor electronics and software have been driving Ricoh printheads since 2011 and we are proud to add the TH6310F to our line-up. Among many benefits, our ability to manage multiple printhead waveforms per nozzle means that Meteor solutions allow OEMs to take advantage of all that the TH6310F printheads have to offer.”

    Graham Kennedy, Ricoh’s Director of Industrial Print Solutions adds, “Ricoh is delighted that Meteor is supporting the TH6310F. Meteor drive electronics provide the easiest and most reliable way for OEMs to unlock the potential of these printheads.”

    Meet with Meteor to discuss solutions to drive the Ricoh TH6310F at InPrint in Munich, 14-16 March (Meteor stand 2420).




  • + FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp today are announcing their acquisition of Australian IT services company MicroChannel Services Pty. Limited and its affiliates.

    FUJIFILM Business Innov...

    February 28 2023

    FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. will acquire*1 Australian IT services company MicroChannel Services Pty. Limited (hereafter, MicroChannel) and its affiliates. From March 1, MicroChannel will change its name to FUJIFILM MicroChannel Services Pty Ltd and Brett Matthews, current managing director of FUJIFILM Data Management Solutions Pty Ltd, will serve as the new CEO of the acquired companies.

    Founded in 1995 and recipient of over 100 awards*2, MicroChannel is a leading business solutions and technology provider with customers across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. MicroChannel is regarded by global technology leaders such as Microsoft, SAP and Sage as a top ERP and IT solutions provider in the region. MicroChannel specialises in small to mid-sized businesses and corporate divisions, and has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, and Singapore.

    “This is an exciting step on our path to growing our ERP systems and services as one of our core business offerings,” said Naoki Hama, president and CEO, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp. “MicroChannel has an outstanding team of committed and knowledgeable professionals. Their expertise aligns perfectly with our long-term ambition of providing customers with as much value as possible through a combination of solutions and services.

    “We look forward to working with MicroChannel’s team and well-established customer base to leverage our combined expertise for all customers across the region and to further enhance digital transformations alongside our existing operations.”

    “This acquisition marks a historic and exciting milestone for MicroChannel,” said Harach Lucas, Founder and Managing Director of MicroChannel, who will serve as Senior Executive Advisor for FUJIFILM MicroChannel Services Pty Ltd. “We are very excited to become part of a highly respected global organisation with a similar customer-centric culture and a rich history of providing innovative products and solutions.”

    FUJIFILM Business Innovation began marketing and supporting the implementation of ERP systems with the creation of its subsidiary, FUJIFILM Digital Solutions Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, in January 2022. The acquisition of MicroChannel is an important step for FUJIFILM Business Innovation’s full-scale global expansion in this space.




  • + Opal Australia closes Maryvale paper producing plant

    February 21 2023

    Australia’s last white paper manufacturer will permanently close with a suspected 200 workers to be made redundant.

    After months of speculation about the company’s future, documents seen by the ABC show Opal Australia is set to withdraw from the graphic paper business.

    A lack of timber supply is being blamed for the decision following a court verdict in November last year where the government-owned timber business VicForests lost a Supreme Court case for not amply protecting endangered wildlife, including two possum species.

    As a result, the company was ordered to scale back its timber harvesting in parts of rural Victoria.

    The mill previously produced up to 200,000 tonnes of white paper per year, with 300 reams of paper created a minute. At this point, the mill’s brown paper production is not affected.




  • + AFI Branding rebrands to IVE as part of new full-service market offering

    February 14 2023

    IVE Group Limited (ASX:IGL) (IVE) announced that AFI Branding (AFI) will rebrand to IVE following its acquisition in November 2021. As part of the rebrand, AFI will form part of a new market offering – Brand Activations.

     

    IVE’s Brand Activations will bring together a full-service display, signage and activation offering to the retail, events and exhibition industries. Brand Activations sees IVE’s Retail Display, AFI and Active Display Group (ADG) combine to offer the most comprehensive onshore capabilities in Australia with extensive production facilities across NSW and VIC. The newly formed Brand Activations offers a full-service design team, large scale print production including wide format and fabric, hardware manufacturing and fabrication, alongside a national installation network. With an end-to-end service offering, it brings unparalleled on-shore production and cost efficiencies to the Australian market.

     

    From idea to execution, Brand Activations will specialise in creating temporary, semi-permanent, permanent display solutions, and physical activations, for a client base of global and Australian brands. 

     

    IVE’s Production and Distribution CEO, Cliff Brigstocke said, “The acquisition of AFI and ADG is aligned with IVE’s growth strategy in the retail, events and exhibition space. Consolidating these complementary services into one offering provides a compelling value proposition, further strengthening IVE’s position as an industry leader in this space.”  

     

    AFI Branding was founded in 1992 and over its 30 years has grown to become Australia’s largest fabric printer. In November 2021, AFI was acquired by IVE Group and in December 2022 AFI moved sites to a state-of-the-art facility in Victoria’s Braeside, sitting alongside many of IVE’s other production and distribution services including print, premiums and merchandising and integrated logistics.

     

    AFI’s Founder and Strategic Director, Glenn Watson said of the rebrand, “Becoming part of IVE Group last year has propelled AFI into its next chapter, opening up a host of opportunities for AFI and our clients. The rebrand and integration into IVE allows us to offer a broader range of products and a larger capacity to our clients, not to mention the wider expertise it brings through collaboration with IVE’s teams.” 

     

    For further information on IVE’s Brand Activations see https://www.ivegroup.com.au/our-services/production-distribution/brand-activations/

     




  • + Epson Print Academy YouTube Channel Expands Content Across Professional Imaging Markets

    February 14 2023

    Epson has announced the expansion of the Epson Print Academy™ YouTube channel to include content for additional Epson Professional Imaging markets. Initially created for professional photographers, the expanded YouTube channel now includes videos featuring content for additional markets including promotional goods, signage & point of purchase, print production & commercial labs, t-shirts & garments, and CAD & technical.

    “The Epson Print Academy YouTube Channel is designed to serve as a resource across the printing ecosystem, including our channel partners and customers,” said Dan (Dano) Steinhardt, marketing manager, Epson America, Inc. “The content is intended to assist and provide inspiration to our customers, and channel partners showcasing a variety of applications overviews, step-by-step tutorials and success stories with Epson Professional Imaging solutions.”

    The Epson Print Academy YouTube channel features video content in both short overviews and step-by-step video formats. Ongoing video uploads will cover topics for SureColor® product lines and accessories including SureColor D-Series, SureColor P-Series, SureColor R-Series, SureColor S-Series, SureColor T-Series, and SureColor V-Series along with relevant printing techniques and events. The updated YouTube channel aims to be a central resource for the whole Epson Professional Imaging community.

    The Epson Print Academy was first established in 2001 to help professional photographers better understand what was then the new world of digital photography and inkjet printing. Now, two decades later, the Epson Print Academy aims to be a resource for technical information and insight into advanced techniques for the many industries served by Epson’s Professional Imaging products. The Epson Print Academy YouTube channel can be found at www.epson.com/EpsonPrintAcademy




  • + Memjet manufacturing in Australia

    January 17 2023

    Memjet has brought manufacturing back to Australia with advanced robotics. The company has also committed to backing local supply chains and Australian innovation.

    ‘There are big benefits to vertical integration in Australia,’ says Jason Thelander, Chief Technology Officer, Memjet. ‘We have a stable economy, great scientific and engineering capability, as well as a highly-skilled workforce. With new robotics and ultra-smart software, our manufacturing is competitive with Asia.’

    Memjet’s new factory in North Ryde, Sydney, started producing the cores for commercial printing machines in December 2022.

    ‘Local manufacturing means a US$15–20 million increase in Australian value adds per year,’ says Thelander. ‘And 100% of our output will be exported.’

    Memjet is a pioneer of advanced digital ink-jet printing technologies. Memjet print engines are used by some of the world’s best-known printing machine brands. This includes Canon, Konica Minolta, PCMC, MGI and Gallus.

    Most of the company’s design and research and development (R&D) work is executed in Australia. Over the past seven years, the company has registered 183 patents, most held in Australia and the United States. Until recently, however, most print engine assembly was done overseas, particularly in northeast Asia.

    ‘A typical print engine might have print heads from Australia, inks from Japan, and other subsystems from Singapore and Malaysia,’ says Thelander. ‘The print engine would be assembled overseas and then exported to assembly plants around the world. For most models, about 70—80% of the value-add happened in Asia.’

    In July 2021, Memjet finished the design of its latest print engine, and several factors made executives consider investing in Asia. Memjet wanted to consolidate its global supply chains. ‘Every country has been hit by supply chain issues over the past few years,’ says Thelander. ‘Like all companies, we want to reduce risk.

    ‘The advantage of bringing manufacturing back to Australia and vertically integrating is you get more control. We are more in control of our supply chains and our margins.’

    Thelander says the new Australia-made strategy includes sourcing most components from suppliers in Australia.

    ‘When we reach full production, about 80% of the parts for our Australia-built print engines will come from Australia,’ he says. ‘For example, we used to get most of our dye inks from international suppliers. Now, all of them will be sourced from Australia.

    Thelander believes strongly in the future of advanced manufacturing in Australia. ‘Advanced manufacturing can deliver a big reduction in factory head-counts,’ says Thelander. ‘The combination of new robotics and smart software means we can reduce manual labour by a factor of between 4 and 7.

    ‘So, a printhead production line in Asia that used to require 106 people now needs just 28 here in Australia.

    ‘Advanced manufacturing makes Australia competitive with Asia. It is not that we are “taking jobs” with automation: these jobs would have never existed in Australia — they would have gone overseas along with the supply chain.’

    The North Ryde factory will include a collaborative manufacturing centre and house 140 engineers and scientists.

    The key is agility. With new AI robotics, Memjet can quickly reconfigure its manufacturing spaces to execute small production runs for external organisations – such as MedTech and electronic-product developers. This helps innovators, start-ups and university spinoffs to make and test prototypes. Adaptable manufacturing spaces also enable innovators to refine their manufacturing processes.

    ‘This is a revolution in manufacturing,’ says Thelander. ‘It will take us just 90 minutes to reconfigure a production cell from manufacturing one product to another.’

    This approach could deliver substantial potential benefits to entrepreneurs, he explains. They can quickly assess their prototypes' commercial potential without investing in a manufacturing line. Entrepreneurs only need to configure “workstations” for their products and design the grippers. All other systems are already in the cell.

    ‘If you want to be competitive, you need the ability to effectively assemble parts with the lowest possible headcount,’ says Thelander.

    ‘Our new robots and ultra-smart software enable us to quickly manufacture high-tech, low-run components for other innovators,’ he adds. ‘We can also assemble parts with minimum human input. This is high-efficiency collaborative manufacturing and has a great future in Australia.’




  • + SCREEN launches new branding to sectorise its growing digital inkjet press portfolio

    January 17 2023

    SCREEN has refreshed product logos for its Truepress series brand of inkjet digital printing systems. The range, which began in 2006 with the release of the highly successful Truepress Jet 520 series of document, transactional, book and direct marketing presses with EQUIOS software, has now expanded to include offset-quality full colour machines, high speed label presses and the upcoming Pac520P and Pac830F flexible packaging presses for sustainable paper and plastics respectively.

     

    “There are now over a dozen variants of our Truepress devices, each with specific traget market benefits,” says Screen GP Australia Managing Director Peter Scott. “We saw the need to more clearly to delineate the three main categories and have refreshed the branding in order to do this, particularly as new devices roll in from R&D into market. Each category also has specific front-end  software requirements, catered for by versions of EQUIOS and other third-party integrated software.”

     

    The changes intend to clarify Screen’s development of products and solutions for each of the commercial/publishing, label and packaging markets. The company plans to begin shipping presses bearing the new branding from March 2023.

     

    Screen has been working to better differentiate its development of products and solutions for individual fields and to increase its ability to deliver new value to its customers. The three categories are:

     

    Commercial/Publishing, mono & colour:Truepress JET

    Self-adhesive and other Labels:Truepress LABEL

    Flexible packaging, paper & film:Truepress PAC

     

    www.screenaust.com.au






  • + Bongiorno takes healthy approach to new Epson printing solutions

    November 29 2022

    Established in 1964, Bongiorno & Partners was the first organisation in Australia to offer complete coordination of the financial affairs of medical and dental professionals. As a result, Bongiorno has become a market leader by concentrating solely on the medical and dental fields for over 50 years. Recently the company decided to upgrade their in-house business printing solutions and for that they turned to Epson and their Epson Premium Partner, Orion Print Management.

    Stephen Boyce with Epson inkjet business printers at Bongiorno HQ


    Bongiorno business systems manager, Stephen Boyce, explained, “We had a four-year contract with Orion Print for 17 business printers that was due to expire so, we decided to trial some new machines and manufacturers – one of which was Epson. While some of the other printers were okay, we found the Epson printers to be faster, quieter and far more efficient. These attributes sealed the deal for a complete shift to Epson business printers and printing solutions.”

    Epson WorkForce Enterprise WF-C21000

     


    At that time Bongiorno were printing an average of 110,000 pages per month, which meant they needed a high performance and robust printing solution.


    Stephen continued, “We needed a solution that would be reliable and low maintenance. We also needed a solution that would replace the 17 laser machines we had with better products and without changing the workflows already in place. The Epson inkjet printers ticked all of those boxes.”


    Epson inkjet business printers at Bongiorno HQ

     

    Orion Print Management sales executive, Arthur Ghelis, said, “Bongiorno has been our customer for over 15 years, so when we discussed Epson’s state of the art inkjet technology and the benefits that come with it, they were very interested. Bongiorno has high volume printing and scanning requirements and thus could only accept the best possible enterprise units. As their trusted supplier we have always found the most suitable solution for their printing and imaging needs. Epson solutions also give them high yield inks, reliability, cost savings and, critically, much lower energy usage than laser alternatives.”

    As an added challenge Bongiorno also needed to find a new location for their HQ as the existing lease on their office was not going to be extended.

     

    Stephen added, “With the new office it was decided that we would have a printing hub with all machines in one location rather than machines all over the building. Therefore, we needed fast, compact and cool running machines and it really was a no-brainer that we chose Epson.”

     

    In total Bongiorno purchased a multi-model Epson solution that included their WorkForce Pro WF-C579R network MFP, WorkForce Enterprise WF-M20590 and WorkForce Enterprise WF-C21000 business devices.

     

    Stephen explained, “The requirements for the printer in our reception area were around its need to be compact in size as it was just the reception using it, plus anyone in a nearby meeting room. We chose the WF-C21000 it is very fast at both printing and scanning in both colour and mono and the WF-M20590 was chosen for similar reasons and the fact that a fast mono printer is always a good idea.”

    Bongiorno use PaperCut for their Follow Me Print solution which works seamlessly with the new Epson printers and solutions, as Stephen commented, “Our main focus for workflows is scanning to two different applications and scanning to email. The two applications involve scanning to our DMS, Virtual Cabinet and scanning to pdfDocs. Both applications also utilise ‘hot folders’ to pick up scans.”


    According to Stephen there are several, tangible reasons and benefits as to why Bongiorno and other companies have and will switch to Epson business printers. He said, “The fact that the Epson inkjet printers have fewer moving parts, are far more reliable and require far less upkeep than laser printers makes them the best option. The print quality is great and they use much less power, plus they generate no heat, which means we can have several machines in a room without worrying about creating a stifling room temperature.”

    It's clear that Stephen Boyce and the Bongiorno team see the switch to Epson business inkjet printing and the move away from laser printers as a good, clear and obvious choice as he concluded, “The reliability and low cost of running of the Epson solutions means we are not wasting time or money with less efficient printers. Our management and employees are under enormous pressure to deliver services to our clients with as few ‘write-offs’ as possible. Fast and reliable printing and scanning means there are no interruptions to our workflows due to printer failures. We have found Epson to be the most reliable, cost-effective solution we have had so far. I would give them 9.5 out of 10.”





  • + Konica Minolta Australia committed to helping customers grow in 2023

    November 29 2022

    Konica Minolta Australia is committed to helping its production print (PP) and industrial print (IP) customers grow their businesses through new opportunities in 2023 with additional investments, products, and solutions, backed by a committed leadership team and wealth of expertise.

     

    The PP/IP market continues to play a key part of Konica Minolta’s strategy in Australia, with the company focused on continuing to build on what it does best. This includes its commitment to customers through innovation, consulting, and service and support backed by its local leadership team, which includes Yohei Konaka, managing director, Andrew Cocker, general manager, production and industrial print, and recently appointed chief sales officer, Dean Hosking.

     

    Yohei Konaka, managing director, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Konica Minolta, Inc. (KMI) has a huge commitment to the PP/IP industry going forward. In the next 12 months, there is a lot in the pipeline for this space, which will filter through to customers in Australia to benefit from. In the commercial print space, customers are requesting more complex and customised demands that require short run production and personalisation, which means commercial printers need to transform to survive. Konica Minolta continues to bring solutions to the market to address these challenges as well as ensuring its staff are trained, resourced, and visible through key partnerships, industry support, and trade shows.”

     

    Andrew Cocker, general manager, production and industrial print, Konica Minolta Australia, said, “Konica Minolta has seen a post-COVID boom in PP/IP as it helped customers navigate through the pandemic and open new revenue streams and opportunities for diversification. This has seen customers adopt short run and personalised offerings, embellishment, wide format, packaging, and label options.”

     

    Andrew Cocker

     Despite the opportunities, there are still challenges, particularly with skills shortages across the industry. This means that innovations that improve productivity and efficiency are critical. Automation is a key way that commercial printers can counter the talent shortage and ensure that its people are working on the right tasks.

     

    One solution offered by Konica Minolta is the revolutionary Intelligent Quality Optimiser (IQ-501), available on several devices, that automates print jobs to ensure the highest print quality, optimal image position, registration, and colour control for every job. With its high productivity and versatile automation, the IQ-501 is tailored to suit the demands of short run production and fast turnaround times. This technology equips customers to reallocate their employees to more valuable tasks while the IQ-501 ensures quality finishes.

     

    The breadth and depth of experience and knowledge Konica Minolta has in the PP/IP space, backed by the new leadership team and strong sales force, represents a combined 300 plus years of experience in the industry.

     

    Dean Hosking said, “Konica Minolta Australia’s goal is to help customers diversify from and recognise new revenue stream opportunities in the space. PP/IP can be transformative for businesses, so for the Konica Minolta team it’s about helping customers find success in new areas.”

     

    Dean Hosking

     

    Andrew Cocker said, “The team is committed to putting this expertise to great use in 2023, providing customers with strategic consultation to identify areas for growth and diversification in their businesses.

     

    “As always, this will be backed by the exceptional service and support Konica Minolta customers have come to expect. This is an area we will continue to invest in, looking at ways that we can offer even better service to further improve customer satisfaction. The PP and IP industry will play an important role in Konica Minolta’s success in 2023 and we look forward to our customer’s success being a key driver.”




  • + Videopro saves time, money and energy by switching to Epson inkjet printing solutions

    November 29 2022

    Since its inception in 1980, Queensland based audio visual and communication solution specialist Videopro has grown to be one of Australia's leading technology companies. Australian owned and operated, one of their key core values is ‘We Care’ and it’s this customer commitment that has seen their business continue to expand year on year. A leading Epson partner for visual display solutions, Videopro recently saved significant operating costs by switching all their in-house laser printers to lower energy consumption and more sustainable Epson inkjet solutions.



    Epson WorkForce Enterprise WF-C20600 with Finisher Stapler and High-Capacity Feeder

     

    Videopro CEO, Cameron Douglas, explained, “Videopro’s in-house copiers and laser printers were previously supplied under a cost per page plan and service agreement. The equipment was old, becoming increasingly unreliable and the finance contract was about to end. After hearing about the savings that were to be had by switching to Epson’s document solutions range of business copiers and printers, we investigated how this could benefit our business.”



    Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C579R


    The result of this investigation would lead to Videopro upgrading to a faster, better featured and more reliable fleet of devices. It was also projected that, conservatively, the company would save many thousands of dollars on service costs. The icing on the cake was that by using Epson’s Heat-Free print technology they would reduce copier-related CO2 emissions by over 1,600 kg.

     

    Douglas continued, “With our business servicing a wide range of sectors and locations, the goal was to find a technology partner that could provide products that could support our requirements while also maintaining value and consistency with a maintenance and support program. That partner was Epson.”
     
     When starting to look at different options, it quickly became evident to the Videopro team that there were a lot of different stakeholders in the decision-making process and each person brought their own focus points to the process. 



    The new Epson printers in use at Videopro

     

    Douglas said, “With this in mind we came up with the assessment criteria that best fitted the requirements across the business. These included initial costs, ongoing costs, suitability of product range and the technology used. There were initially some questions about moving from laser printers to an inkjet solution in a corporate environment, but by experiencing the Epson range of printers we quickly saw the significant benefits of using inkjet over laser.” 

     Having completed a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of all the laser and inkjet solutions available on the market Videopro decided to consolidate their printer fleet and standardise it with all Epson Heat-Free Technology inkjet solutions.


    The new Epson printers in use at Videopro

     

    Douglas said, “The Epson WF-C20600 was chosen as the main print device at our head office as this allows for additional finishing options such as the stapler and booklet finisher. A combination of Epson WF-C579RTC, Epson WF-M5799 and Epson WF-M5299 units are used in our other locations that don’t have access to the main printer.”

     
     As Douglas mentioned earlier, there were initially some questions concerning the move from all laser to all inkjet printing solutions and how Epson’s inkjet technology would compare and compete. This is a point and outcome that Douglas clearly wants to emphasise.

     

    He explained, “The technology that the Epson print range uses dispels any issues about inkjet technology. The Epson inkjet prints are fast and high quality, the printers are quiet and consumable support is quick and efficient. Another positive aspect is the reduction in energy usage you get by using Epson inkjet printers. 

     

    According to Cameron Douglas the benefits of Epson’s inkjet printing solutions over any laser solutions are not just obvious but immediate.

     

    He concluded, “By switching to Epson inkjet printing solutions there were immediate savings as the initial costs were less than all other laser options. Ongoing support and consumables are well priced, have a fast turnaround time and there were savings from the reliability of the Epson printers, which have not had any real downtime. Energy savings are certainly a big part of the overall savings too. Overall, we have found the Epson document solutions inkjet range to be beneficial to the business and our users, while also offering a positive environmental impact by reducing energy and CO2 emissions.”

     

    For more information go to: https://www.epson.com.au/products/printers_for_business/ 




  • + COLEX FINISHING SOLUTIONS JOINS BRETT MARTIN’S APPROVED PARTNER PROGRAMME AFTER SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION AT PRINTING UNITED 2022

    November 08 2022

    Brett Martin is pleased to announce that Colex Finishing Solutions has become its latest Approved Partner following a successful collaboration at PRINTING United 2022 in Las Vegas. Paying homage to the casinos that surround the Las Vegas Convention Center, Colex used Brett Martin’s Foamalux Xtra foam PVC in 6mm to create a dice design on its Sharpcut Pro cutting and routing equipment at the show.

     

    Colex specializes in wide format cutting equipment for Graphic Sign, Display, P.O.P. and Packaging. During the PRINTING United show, the Sharpcut Pro range of cutters were put through their paces, with the Router performing outstanding with the Foamalux Xtra, first routing a design into the foam PVC and then routing the through cut to complete the final piece. 

     

    Keith Verkem, Colex Finishing Solution’s Senior Product Manager, explains the importance of the collaboration, “When we demonstrate our equipment at exhibitions or to potential customers at Colex’s Demo Facility in Elmwood Park, NJ.   It is important that the substrate used is consistent in order to produce the same quality of cut on every sheet. That consistency is achieved from Brett Martin media. Colex Finishing is now able to share cut profiles for the Brett Martin range of products which ensures the cut will be right the first time and every time.”

     

    The companies’ collaboration is part of Brett Martin’s Approved Partner Programme. The Northern Ireland based plastics manufacturer works closely with cutting, printing and thermoforming machine manufacturers to test and showcase the processing capabilities of its semi-finished product portfolio. 

     

    Mark Robinson, Brett Martin’s Sales Manager for the USA and Canada, explains, “It is important for us to work alongside companies such as Colex. We need to ensure that our products can be successfully processed on the equipment which our customers use. Through these collaborations, we can ensure that our products are continuously evolving and performing to the highest standards and kept up to date with the latest technology advances.”

    For more information about Brett Martin’s products visit www.brettmartin.com. For more information about Colex Finishing Solutions’ range of cutters visit www.colex.com.






  • + Canon Colorado 1650 UVgel ink approved for 3M™ MCS™ Warranty program

    October 25 2022



    Canon Production Printing announces that 3M has recognized the exceptional quality of the Colorado 1650 and its UVgel 460 ink for approval in their 3M™ MCS™ Warranty program. This approval provides assurance that applications printed on the Colorado 1650 in combination with the UVgel 460 and 3M’s approved media will achieve the highest quality standards. Applications covered by the 3M MCS Warranty include vehicle graphics, signs and displays, floor graphics and many others.

     

    To qualify for the approval, the Colorado 1650 and its UVgel 460 inks, in combination with a variety of 3M media, successfully passed a series of rigorous tests carried out under 3M’s stringent assessment conditions. Underpinned by the thorough testing of ink, printer and media combinations, including also 3M’s elaborate weathering technology, the 3M MCS Warranty gives both print service providers and their customers peace of mind and confidence that their images will perform as expected for the intended lifetime of the printed graphic.

     

    Widely recognized as a de facto industry standard and representing the most comprehensive, all-inclusive warranty for finished graphics, the 3M MCS Warranty provides non-prorated protection for the graphic’s intended lifespan, including protection against fading, cracking, peeling, blistering, discolouration and many other aspects of graphic performance.

     

    The industry’s most productive 64 inch printer, the Canon Colorado 1650 uses the unique UVgel ink technology, which incorporates all the best aspects of alternative ink technologies, such as the colour gamut and light fastness of eco-solvent, the fit-for-indoor use and quick drying time of latex and the productivity and low-temperature printing process of UV. UVgel technology also enables unique options, such as the production of output with a matt or gloss finish or even the two combined in one print.

     

    UVgel inks produce odourless, ultra-robust output fully certified for indoor use, as well as being very durable for outdoor use. And with customers benefitting from zero VOC emissions, zero hazardous air pollutants and a low average ink usage of 6.4ml/m2 across the more than 2,500 UVgel engines installed worldwide, UVgel has already proved itself to be a sustainable and cost-efficient alternative for latex and eco-solvent technology.

     

    Woonsik Shim, Vice President, Graphics and Personal Auto Business, 3M Commercial Solutions Division, says, “At 3M we take pride in the ability to provide graphics manufacturers the widest selection of premier printing solutions. Extending the warranty through our partnership with Canon reinforces our commitment to quality and to our customers' success, which in turn inspires confidence in the printed graphics.”

     

    Dirk Brouns, Vice President Large Format Graphics at Canon Production Printing, comments, “UVgel is a breakthrough technology that is transforming the way wide format graphics and other applications are being produced. By securing the 3M MCS Warranty, we have passed yet another milestone in our long-term strategy to encourage adoption of the technology. By working together with key industry partners such as 3M, we will continue our mission to offer print service providers in this exciting market a wider choice of print technologies and demonstrate the significant difference UVgel could make to their business.”

     

    Canon is seeing a rapid growth in the take-up of its Colorado platform and patented UVgel technology and, in 2020, invested in a new, state-of-the-art ink factory at its HQ in Venlo, Netherlands, which is now fully operational and increasing its production capacity continuously to keep up with demand.

     

    Canon is currently setting up new labels and packaging so that the Colorado 1650 and its UVgel 460 ink will be available for the 3M MCS Warranty starting 1st January, 2023. At this time, customers will be able to register to apply for the 3M MCS Warranty Certificate for the Colorado 1650 and UVgel 460 ink.




  • + Fujifilm Announces Joint Development with Barberán

    October 25 2022

    Following extensive and successful talks over two years, Fujifilm has agreed terms for a joint development with Spanish industrial print manufacturer Barberán, to bring a high-speed, single pass inkjet press to the sign and display market.

    Barberán has established itself as a world leader in high-end, high productivity industrial presses for the corrugated market over the last ten years – with 30 customers in North America alone. Now this new partnership combines Barberán’s manufacturing expertise with Fujifilm’s unrivalled knowledge of inkjet integration, ink chemistry and its extensive experience in the sign and display market. The new press will print with a bespoke new Fujifilm ink and primer, developed at its multi-award-winning factory in Broadstairs, UK, making it suitable for printing on a range of substrates, including plastic and particleboard.

    At 30 meters in length and with an excellent built-in print engine, the machine will be able to print on all typical sign and display substrates, up to a width of 1.6 meters, at breath-taking speeds of 6,000 square meters per hour. A number of major sign and display print businesses in North America and Europe are already impressed enough with the technology to sign an agreement to take the first machines when it is available in late 2023.

    David Burton, Business and Commercial Director at Fujifilm WFIJ HQ, says: “We choose our partners carefully and Barberán is no exception. We’ve been in close talks with them for more than two years because they have a huge amount of expertise in industrial print manufacturing and we saw an opportunity for a mutually beneficial relationship. They already have a single pass product that is proven in the corrugated sector, and we have the expertise to help them adapt it for the very different requirements of the sign and display market.

    “Fujifilm has a huge market presence across the whole graphics sector, from analog to digital,” Burton continues. “It’s a market presence that spans commercial print and packaging, as well as sign and display which, of all the graphics sectors, has digitized most rapidly in the last two decades. We’ve played a key role in that transformation and, with this project, we can take that process a step further – supporting digitization for some of the highest volume sign and display production businesses in the world. We will be able to provide a path to digital transformation for businesses printing such massive volumes that (for now) offset processes often still make more economic sense.

    “That breadth of experience, and our unrivalled expertise in ink development, combined with Barberán’s skill in heavy engineering, also makes us the perfect partnership to provide a business development opportunity for high-end flat sheet sign and display printers.”

    Eladio Lerga, Technical Director of Barberán adds: “We’re really excited to be bringing our technology to a whole new market. Fujifilm’s breadth of experience in print for sign and display will be crucial to this – as well as its expertise in inkjet ink chemistry and inkjet systems. Working together we can maintain our print speeds and quality, and adapt our systems to accommodate a much wider range of substrates and to meet the very different market requirements of this sector.”

    fujifilm.com




  • + POWERED EXHAUST ON SMALLEST DRYERS

    Models 

    October 25 2022

    Models D-100 and D-1000, the smallest conveyor dryers produced by Vastex International, are now available with Powered Exhaust to remove excess moisture and fumes from the infrared heating chamber. Available as an option on new units or as a retrofit kit on existing units, the exhaust hood vents from the top of the dryer for maximum flexibility in ducting to the shop's exterior, while reducing noise significantly.

    "The powered exhaust hood pulls fumes and hot air away from the operator’s environment, making these compact dryers ideal for working in confined spaces, especially when curing direct-to-film adhesives," says Mark Vasilantone, president.


    These entry-level dryers can cure up to 110 plastisol-printed garments/h, or 50 garments/h printed with water-based ink or discharge, as well as DTF adhesives at high rates. Variable controls for both heat intensity and conveyor speed allow fine-tuning of the drying process according to ink type, ink coverage, desired cure temperature, and rate at which items are being screen printed, or coated with DTF adhesives.


    The D-100 is equipped with a 46 x 117 cm conveyor belt and a 41 cm square, 1,625 watt infrared heater. The D-1000 comes with a 66 x 142 cm conveyor belt and a 51 x 41 cm, 2,050 watt heater. The heaters can be raised, lowered or angled to accommodate bulky garments or irregularly shaped items, and carry the same 15-year warranty as the company's larger dryers.  


    Available in 120V or 240V models, the dryers can be placed on a tabletop or on utility carts for in-shop mobility. Their compact size and light weight also make them portable for onsite printing at fairs, concerts, trade shows and other events using a small generator or other power source.


    Vastex also manufacture 16 larger models of conveyor dryers with capacities as high as 2,700 plastisol-printed garments/h, 900 garments/h printed with water-based inks or discharge, and 576 garments/h printed with DTG/digital white ink. DTF adhesives can be cured at correspondingly high rates.


    All floor-standing units can be expanded by adding modular heating chambers and extending the conveyor belt, multiplying capacity (belt speed) in direction proportion to the number of chambers added.

    The company are also a leading producer of manual screen printing presses, flash cure units, screen exposing units, screen drying cabinets, washout booths and complete screen printing shop systems, and offer a comprehensive range of training classes for entry level, intermediate and advanced screen printers.


    For information contact Vastex International, Inc.,+1 610 625 2702, www.vastex.com 




  • + Memjet Selects Xitron as Exclusive Digital Front End Developer for New Print Engine Systems

    October 18 2022

    Xitron, a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group and the developer of Harlequin-based Navigator RIP and workflow products for commercial, flexo, screen, digital, and high-speed inkjet printing has been selected as Memjet’s sole developer for the Digital Front End (DFE) of two soon-to-be-announced digital print engines.

    According to Memjet, the first print engine assemblies will support full-color, high-quality output at speeds approaching 500 feet per minute. In monochrome mode, the print engine will reach speeds close to 1,000 feet per minute. Xitron’s scalable DFE technology supports these speeds and beyond, with or without variable data.

    “Aside from the performance needed to drive these print engines at speed, which is impressive, what really stands out about the DFE is the level of integration,” said Eric Nelsen, Xitron’s VP of Product Development. ”Navigator doesn’t just provide print data; it fully controls all press functionality.” Everything from feeders, vacuums, dryers, dehumidifiers, and web tensions are addressed in the DFE dashboard and maintained through configurable MODBUS control.

    “This new approach delivers flexibility to machine builders and simplicity for the end users of these systems,” said Scott Desoto, Memjet’s VP of Sales. “In today’s world where labor is tight, this highly integrated approach is critical to asset utilization and company profits,” he added.

    “By incorporating MODBUS connectivity, we’ve eliminated the external synchronization issues presented by separate hardware and software subsystems, which can be a major hurdle in getting a press to market,” said Karen Crews, President of Xitron. “This means Memjet’s OEMs will get to the commercialization stage much faster, and with an intuitive, single-interface product.”

    The first shipments of Memjet’s newly integrated print engine technologies are happening now, through the end of the year, and Memjet expects to accelerate deployments to their customers starting in Q1 of 2023.




  • + Videopro saves time, money and energy by switching to Epson inkjet printing solutions

    Since its inception in 1980, Queensland based audio visual and communication solut...

    October 18 2022

    Since its inception in 1980, Queensland based audio visual and communication solution specialist Videopro has grown to be one of Australia's leading technology companies. Australian owned and operated, one of their key core values is ‘We Care’ and it’s this customer commitment that has seen their business continue to expand year on year. A leading Epson partner for visual display solutions, Videopro recently saved significant operating costs by switching all their in-house laser printers to lower energy consumption and more sustainable Epson inkjet solutions.

     

    Epson WorkForce Enterprise WF-C20600 with Finisher Stapler and High-Capacity Feeder

     

    Videopro CEO, Cameron Douglas, explained, “Videopro’s in-house copiers and laser printers were previously supplied under a cost per page plan and service agreement. The equipment was old, becoming increasingly unreliable and the finance contract was about to end. After hearing about the savings that were to be had by switching to Epson’s document solutions range of business copiers and printers, we investigated how this could benefit our business.”


     

    Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C579R


    The result of this investigation would lead to Videopro upgrading to a faster, better featured and more reliable fleet of devices. It was also projected that, conservatively, the company would save many thousands of dollars on service costs. The icing on the cake was that by using Epson’s Heat-Free print technology they would reduce copier-related CO2 emissions by over 1,600 kg.

     

    Douglas continued, “With our business servicing a wide range of sectors and locations, the goal was to find a technology partner that could provide products that could support our requirements while also maintaining value and consistency with a maintenance and support program. That partner was Epson.”
     
     When starting to look at different options, it quickly became evident to the Videopro team that there were a lot of different stakeholders in the decision-making process and each person brought their own focus points to the process.


      


    Douglas said, “With this in mind we came up with the assessment criteria that best fitted the requirements across the business. These included initial costs, ongoing costs, suitability of product range and the technology used. There were initially some questions about moving from laser printers to an inkjet solution in a corporate environment, but by experiencing the Epson range of printers we quickly saw the significant benefits of using inkjet over laser.” 

     Having completed a rigorous and comprehensive assessment of all the laser and inkjet solutions available on the market Videopro decided to consolidate their printer fleet and standardise it with all Epson Heat-Free Technology inkjet solutions.


     

     

    Douglas said, “The Epson WF-C20600 was chosen as the main print device at our head office as this allows for additional finishing options such as the stapler and booklet finisher. A combination of Epson WF-C579RTC, Epson WF-M5799 and Epson WF-M5299 units are used in our other locations that don’t have access to the main printer.”

     
     As Douglas mentioned earlier, there were initially some questions concerning the move from all laser to all inkjet printing solutions and how Epson’s inkjet technology would compare and compete. This is a point and outcome that Douglas clearly wants to emphasise.

     

    He explained, “The technology that the Epson print range uses dispels any issues about inkjet technology. The Epson inkjet prints are fast and high quality, the printers are quiet and consumable support is quick and efficient. Another positive aspect is the reduction in energy usage you get by using Epson inkjet printers.

     

    According to Cameron Douglas the benefits of Epson’s inkjet printing solutions over any laser solutions are not just obvious but immediate.

     

    He concluded, “By switching to Epson inkjet printing solutions there were immediate savings as the initial costs were less than all other laser options. Ongoing support and consumables are well priced, have a fast turnaround time and there were savings from the reliability of the Epson printers, which have not had any real downtime. Energy savings are certainly a big part of the overall savings too. Overall, we have found the Epson document solutions inkjet range to be beneficial to the business and our users, while also offering a positive environmental impact by reducing energy and CO2 emissions.”

     

    For more information go to: https://www.epson.com.au/products/printers_for_business/




  • + ePac Flexible Packaging purchases 50 HP Indigo presses

    October 11 2022

    HP and ePac Flexible Packaging, the all-HP Indigo converter in digital flexible packaging, has purchased 50 new HP Indigo digital presses to be deployed in existing and new sites around the world, as part of the company’s continued global expansion plan in the largest deal ever for HP Indigo.

    Industry-leading ePac Flexible Packaging is a digitally based, flexible packaging company driven by its mission to help brands and businesses of all sizes remain competitive with a variety of flexible packaging systems. ePac leverages the latest in digital print technology, providing its customers with a quick and easy way to purchase custom printed flexible packaging.

    According to HP, ePac has been a principal adopter of HP Indigo digital presses since the company’s inception in 2016 and has since upheld a strong and deeply rooted collaboration with HP. Over the past six years, the company’s fleet of HP Indigo digital presses has grown enormously, overseeing large-scale investments of HP Indigo 20000 and HP Indigo 25K digital presses.

    The new wave of 50 HP Indigo digital presses, the largest single order in HP Indigo’s history, will accelerate ePac’s record-breaking production capacity as it continues to disrupt the global flexible packaging market.

    Focusing on global expansion, this new fleet will be distributed within 36 new and existing sites across five continents. These presses, which incorporate HP Indigo’s latest technologies, will also support ePac’s strategy to expand its share and business in existing markets

    'As we recently announced, ePac aims to accelerate its growth and expand its global footprint.  Our 50-press acquisition will enhance ePac’s record breaking flexible packaging production on HP Indigo Digital Presses, further rooting our longstanding collaboration with HP. This transition will leverage ePac’s vast market experience together with HP’s unique digital printing technology,' said Virag Patel, COO, ePac.

    'ePac Flexible Packaging is leading the global digital flexible packaging movement as it continues to replicate its HP Indigo-based business model in new locations around the world. ePac’s vision to utilize digital print to give a voice to small and medium brands and revitalize local communities exemplifies our joint values and demonstrates the power of digital to have a meaningful global impact,' said Haim Levit, GM of HP’s Industrial Print Business.

    ePac Flexible Packaging’s latest investment into HP Indigo is an example of how HP is continuing to disseminate the advantages of digital printing and serving even more brands and communities around the world.




  • + Epson to Construct New Factory at Akita Epson to Manufacture Inkjet Printheads

    October 11 2022

    Akita Epson, a group company of Seiko Epson, will invest a total of approximately $3.5 billion yen ($24 million USD) on the construction of a new factory on the Akita Epson lot to increase production capacity of printheads for inkjet printers. Construction work on the new factory will begin in November 2022 and is scheduled for completion in December 2023. This investment will approximately triple Akita Epson's current printhead production capacity.

    Epson's printing solutions business provides products and services based on original Micro Piezo inkjet technology to customers in the office, home, commercial, and industrial markets. Global demand for inkjet printers in the office and home inkjet printer markets is forecast to continue growing over the medium and long terms. The need for distributed printing that arose with COVID-19 is helping to fuel this demand, as is the strong demand for high-capacity ink tank printers in North America and other developed economies.

    The new factory will be used to manufacture and assemble inkjet printheads, the core devices used in inkjet printers. The investment plan will ensure that Epson has enough production space to meet the predicted future growth in demand. It will also enable Epson to strengthen its product lineup and expand printhead sales to third parties, with a view to increasing the supply of inkjet printers equipped with cutting-edge PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads*.

    The plan is to construct the new factory adjacent to the existing factory. By consolidating PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead production at Akita Epson, the company aims to maximise efficiency. In addition, production equipment and processes will be arranged to further increase human productivity and space productivity.

    As a production site with high technological capabilities, Akita Epson works closely with other Epson R&D sites. It shares the advanced production technology and know-how it gains through the production of core devices with Epson's worldwide production sites to help maximise manufacturing capabilities across the Group.

    • * PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads are critical components that determine the image quality and speed of an inkjet printer. Equipped with an array of individually controlled nozzles, they are capable of ejecting 50,000 tiny ink droplets per second, with droplet sizes as small as several picolitres (a picoliter is one trillionth of a litre).




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