News

Mid November is always the time of year when yuletide business starts rolling in at CEWE. Considering that the seasonal trade accounts for a quarter of annual sales, Europe’s largest photo finisher has tooled up accordingly: yet another swissQprint inkjet printer went into operation at the end of October 2013, making a total of five identical Impala large format printers at the company’s two production plants in Germany.

Building a brand that stands out from the crowd is some achievement but with its signature pink hippopotamus, Wakefield based Hippoprint has an identity that's as strong as its product. When that product is an absolute guarantee of next day delivery on its ever expanding range of printed materials, it's important to keep to it, so company owner Anthony Wood is totally committed to investing in the right systems and technology.

Epson UK has appointed Adelco, DTG Solutions, i-Sub and RA Smart as authorised resellers for its new SureColor SC-F2000 direct-to-garment (DTG) desktop printer designed to print directly onto t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, bags etc.

Spandex Asia-Pacific has acquired two Australian suppliers to the wide format signage and display industry: Plas Image, a Sydney-based distributor of rigid materials and digital media; and Qualsign, a Perth-based distributor of aluminium composite sheets, cut vinyl and digital media. Both will continue trading under their own names for the next 12-18 months while full integration takes place.

InkTec has introduced a premium solvent textured lightblock film. It is a 9.5mil, satin matte finish with anti-reflective surface for optimum ink adhesion and scratch resistance. It also has a bright white front but light blocking antistatic black back for almost 100% opacity against rear lights. It is compatible with solvent, eco-solvent and latex printers.

The new Color-Logic Design Suite is suite of plug-ins and palettes for graphic designers that permits gradating multiple metallic colours, one into another. The Gradation-FX technique available in the upgraded Color-Logic Design Suite enables graphic designers to create special effects that are impossible with spot metallic inks.

The first speakers have been announced for the World Print Summit that will take place at Ipex 2014. Featuring insights on new markets, technologies and advice on how to grow your business in this tough economic climate, The World Print Summit will include 60 talks from business forerunners.

94% of businesses have seen an overall increase in their business costs during 2013 according to the Forum of Private Business’ latest ‘Cost of Doing Business’ survey of its members. 87% reported an increase in energy costs, 83% in transport costs, 78% a rise in marketing costs, and 69% a rise in the cost of raw materials/stock.

As a company that only opened its doors for business four years ago, Impression (Bolton) is flourishing as a large-format display, event and signage company. Producing a range of graphics and digitally printed products from A4 leaflets to vehicle wraps, building branding and exhibition stands, the company has invested heavily in the latest equipment to meet the demands of these diverse marketplaces.

Durst has stated that by spring next year it will inaugurate a new building at its Lienz site in Austria that will be devoted to making printing systems for the graphic arts market. The confirmation comes as the company hits the accelerator in terms of investment into ceramics printing machines. Since January 2013, 25 people have increased the Brixen staff, 15 of them wholly devoted to the ceramics sector.

Antalis has completed the acquisition of Xerox’s Western European office paper distribution business. The deal sees Antalis take ownership of Xerox’s Document Supplies Europe business, as well as gain exclusive licensing rights to market and distribute Xerox branded paper and digital print media across 16 Western European countries including the UK.

EFI has announced that the Federal Patent Court of Germany has invalidated substantial parts of a patent held by Durst Phototechnik Digital Technology related to white ink printing that Durst had previously asserted in an infringement action against EFI.

A new range of textile products for UV, solvent and latex wide-format printers is now available from All Print Supplies.

25-27 March 2014 will see new event Cross Media Production co-located alongside Ipex at the ExCeL in London. Cross Media Production promises to 'look under the hood' of the technologies and solutions that design and execute cross media campaigns, and has been put together after the organiser, Informa Group, canvassed a cross-section of the multi-channel marketing spectrum.