News

Lax security and payment complexity leaves small firms stung by online payment fraud

Insufficient security checks and the complexity involved in taking online payments are leaving small firms exposed to payment processing fraud, the Forum of Private Business is warning. In order to prevent losses by spotting potential fraudulent activities early the Forum’s adviser on merchant services, Richard Bradley of Accept Cards, is urging businesses offering online payment services to put in place regular processes scrutinising orders using statistical information provided by online payment providers.

Metrix ganging software improved

LithoTechnics Metrix 2010 is now available. A number of new features have been added to the ganging software which dynamically determines the most efficient, cost-effective job imposition by applying its logic of optimum print practices to a database of your printers, finishing equipment and stocks.

Lean times ahead for skills funding from Government but Proskills UK close to winning the lion’s share

Proskills, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Process and Manufacturing sector, has reached the final stage of the Joint Investment Programme and is close to securing £3.7m in skills funding for its industries which includes print. Over 80 companies involving potentially 12,000 learners in the process and manufacturing sector responded to Proskills’ request for interest in the Joint Investment Programme, and have been included in the bid.

Sign and Digital to sell Roland printers in Ireland

Roland UK has appointed Sign and Digital as a premium partner to distribute its full range of LFP printers in Ireland. The development also sees Albert Quealy move from Roland DG to Sign and Digital to head up this new division which will offer sales, service, training and installation across the entire Roland range of machines.

24 percent growth in Colortrac SmartLF large format scanner sales

Colortrac has achieved record unit sales, revenue and profit in the financial year ending 30 April 2010. Not including new business from OEM agreements, worldwide unit sales of Colortrac brand SmartLF large format scanners increased by 24% over the previous year.  Colortrac’s consolidated result (unaudited) shows that group revenues increased by 42% to £7.3 million, with a corresponding increase in pre-tax profits of 66%.

BAPC announces special guest speaker for 2010 conference

A key speaker at the 2010 BAPC conference will be Geoff Burch, often described as the alternative business guru. Burch is a regular contributor and presenter on TV and radio and was also the star of the hit BBC business show All Over the Shop which focussed on helping small businesses survive and thrive.

HP sponsors Brighton Photo Biennial

HP has become a partner and sponsor of the Brighton Photo Biennial 2010 (2 October - 14 November) and as such will provide use of HP Designjet Z3200 printers, inks and media, and an HP DreamColor monitor and advanced profiling solution for the production of this year’s festival exhibits.

Fujifilm to showcase creative media applications at Viscom Paris

Visitors to Fujifilm’s stand at Viscom Paris will be able to get hands-on with various media from the Euromedia range via a 'test-drive' wall that will feature samples of indoor and outdoor surfaces commonly used for posters and signage, including brick, plaster, plastic, glass and a car door.

A second Anapurna M2 for Revolution Signs

Revolution Signs has installed a second Agfa Anapurna M2 to cope with the increased demand in rigid substrate display printing less that a year after installing its first unit. 

Free mergers and acquisition evaluations

Richmond Capital Partners is offering free evaluations for prospective print industry mergers and acquisitions clients. Chief executive Paul Holohan said: “We know from our extensive experience in print that a considerable number of print owners would like to sell their companies. At the same time, and because of the current state of the country and our industry, they tend to believe a company sale would be most unlikely. However, this is an incorrect assumption and we have a large number of clients on our books that are actually seeking to acquire print businesses. Of course the key to a successful sale is to be realistic in valuing the business.”

Sihl poster papers for HP latex inks

Sihl has developed wet-strength poster papers that can be used with the HP Designjet latex printer series (L65500, L25500, LX 600 and LX800). The company said its multi-purpose Post-2-Cure Papers (125, 180 and blueback 125) used in conjunction with HP’s latex technology offer weather and water resistant prints compatible with results from solvent inks.

Save with Mimaki SS21 inks in two-litre sacks

Hybrid Services, Mimaki’s exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, can now supply two-litre ink sacks for the Mimaki SS21 outdoor inks. The sacks, which run with Mimaki’s MBIS (Mimaki Bulk Ink System) - an option for use with Mimaki’s JV33 and JV5 printer range – bring an 18% saving over the currently available 440cc cartridges and provide 16 litres of onboard ink for ultra long print runs.

Pira retreat focuses on need for print business reinvention

The autumn will see the first Pira Executive Print Retreat. Taking place at the Hotel Royal, Geneva, Switzerland on 29 – 30 September the retreat is designed to shape and reinvent a business model for print, set in the context of the changing worldwide landscape.

New marketing manager for Colortrac