Image Reports
Supporting the wide-format digital print sector
Customer demand has prompted Lutterworth-based SRD Print to expand into wide-format with an Agfa Anapurna Mw. The company, managed by Craig and Esther Butterfield, provides a range of print services including chemistry-free litho and digital output for a customer base involving some national retail accounts. These customers are now increasing demands for wide-format display and POS materials.
Sign and Digital UK in April will see the unveiling of the Mimaki JFX-1615plus by exclusive UK and Ireland distributer Hybrid Services. The machine shares the same LED UV-curable ink technology as its big brother, the JFX-1631plus and features a post-curing unit as standard that enables printing of up to 23.6m2/h - a top speed that is nearly twice as fast as its predecessor. Additionally, a roll unit has been developed to boost efficiency and productivity when printing on flexible substrates, and printing capacity is maximised through the UV LED system requiring no warm up time.
When Danny and Richard Frayne of Exeter-based QuickPrint SW accepted an invitation from Avon Graphic Technologies to an open day at Roland DG’s new Creative Centre in Clevedon, they were so impressed with what they saw that they placed an on-the-spot order for a VersaCamm VS-640 print-and-cut solution with metallic and white inks.
Service Graphics (the large-format division of St Ives) has created a biodegradable graphic display for EDF Energy’s customer contact centre. The company was chosen to produce and install a permanent interactive sustainability room at EDF Energy’s Doxford Park site. The room is designed to generate awareness and debate on sustainability and carbon reduction amongst employees and visitors.
Océ has been included in the Top Ten Dutch companies in the annual Transparency Benchmark. The Transparency Benchmark is an initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation to assess companies’ transparency in terms of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The primary sources for this benchmark are the companies’ annual reports and sustainability reports.
After the successful introduction of the Signmakers Workshop at Sign and Digital 2010 the organiser has confirmed it will be back for the 2011 show – only bigger and better.
Eurostand Display is continuing with its new-year campaign to introduce new lines while substantially upgrading its existing range. The latest system to get an overhaul is the Start3 range of entry-level roll-ups. The key improvement is a redesigned support pole locking mechanism that gives the 2000 x 850mm graphic area a much cleaner visual outline. A specially-fabricated clip is housed just behind the top of the graphic support rail, thus enabling users to swiftly erect the graphic hanging system much more easily than before.
The 5m Virtu RR50 roll-to-roll printer from Swiss wide-format digital inkjet manufacturer Polytype (formerly WP Digital) has been selected by the International Forum's (iF) Product Design Awards 2011 as a winner in the Industry and Skilled Trades category. Assessed rigorously against criteria incorporating design quality, workmanship, eco-friendliness, safety and brand value, this accolade provides international, interdisciplinary recognition of the Virtu brand and Polytype's contribution to innovation in printing technology development.
Blueprint Nottingham has bought the UK's first Seiko I Infotech ColorPainter H-104S, as well as a ColorPainter H-74S and a Summa S160-T cutting plotter. All three machines, supplied and installed by Digital Print Innovations (DPI) and supported by master distributor Colourgen, and have dramatically increased production speed and capacity for the display producer in the week since their installation.
The Associates in Print and Paper Technology (APPT) is calling for applicants for a new annual bursary. The first bursary was made in December and now the APPT has decided to make this an annual award to a deserving candidate within print or paper training or apprenticeship. Nominations for 2011 are now being invited. The award consists of a financial payment spread across three course terms, plus an engraved memento, and a scroll.
The Colour Collective is offering a one day, try before you buy, colour management course which will include tuition on X-Rite’s new i1 Profiler software. Aimed at wide-format printers, designers, pre-press professionals and photographers, ‘Colour Guru in One Day’ is delivered by colour management expert and author, Rob Griffith.
Patent-pending Avery MPI 6121 Street Graphics Film brings graphics applied to roads, pavements, and other rough surfaces in exposed outdoor environments to a higher level. With a paint-like finish for graphics printed with digital UV inks, Avery MPI 6121 can withstand the constant pressure of vehicle traffic for up to three months and will last up to six months exposed to pedestrian traffic only.
Agfa’s Apogee 7 workflow management suite announced at Ipex 2010 is now shipping. It includes Apogee Impose, a rules-based imposition software. Apogee 7 also gives printers who operate a variety of wide-format inkjet solutions or use wide-format solutions next to their traditional CTP, a central production management hub.
EskoArtwork shareholder Axcel has entered into a definitive Sales Purchase Agreement with the US industrial company Danaher for the acquisition of 100% of the shares in EskoArtwork for €350 million. The transfer of ownership is expected to be completed within the first half of 2011. Upon closing, the business will become a part of Danaher’s Product Identification platform.