OVER
THE INDUSTRY GIVES ITS TAKE ON THE YEAR AHEAD
A Cut Above
P+D’S CIARAN BOWE ON STAYING COMPETITIVE ONE to WATCH
Meet Muirne Clarke , the 2024 Print Graduate of the Year
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A look at what’s happening in the
07 Obituary
Remembering GPS Colour Graphics founder Derek Bell, who passed away in February
Tapley Signs boosts production with first Irish installation of new HP Latex R530
Quadient has expanded its Irish operations with a larger warehouse
SCREEN on why high-quality inkjet drives cost efficient digital printing
Muirne Clarke on being named Print Graduate of the Year at the 2024 Irish Print Awards
The industry gives its take on the year ahead
P+D’s Sales Director, Ciaran Bowe, on entering new markets and staying competitive
Sue Norton on where it all started
Welcome to
issue
1 of Irish Printer for 2026.
GPS Colour Graphics founder Derek Bell passed away at the start of February. Derek led GPS Colour Graphics to become one of the most respected commercial printing companies in Northern Ireland and today, the business is headed up by his daughters Lorraine and Helen, son David and son-in-law Bryan. In 2017, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Print Awards.
Sharing the news of his sad passing, the British Printing Industries Federation said: “The BPIF would like to express our thanks to Derek for his involvement in shaping and supporting the printing industry, and the BPIF, over many years.” All of us at Irish Printer would like to extend our sympathies to Derek’s family, friends and colleagues.
In this issue of Irish Printer, we chat with Print Graduate of the Year award winner Muirne Clarke, about the project that earned her the accolade. We also speak with Ciaran Bowe, Sales Director at P+D, about the Delta Group acquisition and the print firm’s expansion into the specialist signage segment. The acquisition has, says Ciaran, opened up new opportunities for the firm. Industry pressures such as rising costs remain a challenge, he says, adding that it’s those onerous costs that have made it increasingly difficult for companies to manufacture in Ireland. For more on his take on the industry, turn to page 17. Also in this issue, we get the industry’s view on the year ahead. Many are optimistic, some cautiously so, while others cite cost pressures and a lack of skilled staff as ongoing challenges. Finally, on page 24 Sue Norton at McGowans chats about her love for the print industry and where it all started.
As always, we’d love to hear from you. If you have any thoughts on this issue, please drop us a line at editor@irishprinter.ie. Enjoy!
Editor: Denise Maguire
Email: editor@irishprinter.ie
Creative Director: Jane Matthews
Designer: Lenny Rooney
Production: Nicole Ennis
Contact: Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Unit 55, Park West Road, Park West, Dublin 12, D12 X9F Tel: (01) 432 2200 Web: www.irishprinter.ie
Printed by: McGowans Print
Printed on: HP Indigo 10000 using Novatech paper supplied by Antalis.
All rights reserved. Every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is accurate. The publishers cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions. Reproduction by any means in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. © Ashville Media Group 2026. All discounts, promotions and competitions contained in this magazine are run independently of Irish Printer. The promoter/advertiser is responsible for honouring the prize. ISSN 0790-2026
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Zeus partners with SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Zeus Group has announced a new long-term sustainable partnership with SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the home of Cork Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Through the collaboration, Zeus will support SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with a sustainability programme focused on operational improvements across the stadium. Key initiatives include the introduction of locally made recyclable cup systems; a full hygiene product upgrade; enhanced waste management solutions and improved signage to support responsible waste segregation. The partnership also incorporates innovative technology, including AI Smart Bin solutions to improve segregation and reduce contamination, alongside upgraded tunnel wall and pitch perimeter signage to reinforce sustainability messaging throughout the stadium environment.
ANTALIS
Antalis launches SINTREX PET Printing Sheets
Antalis has announced the launch of SINTREX, a new lightweight expanded rigid PET sheet developed using innovative manufacturing technology from 3A Composites. The new product has been designed for the needs of the sign and display, large-format print and exhibition markets. It features natural white surfaces that deliver strong colour reproduction across printing technologies, including digital and screen printing. Antalis says it offers excellent printability, outstanding fire performance and high versatility. It can be cut, milled, folded, bent and thermoformed and is suitable for laminating, painting and gluing. SINTREX is available in 5 and 10mm thicknesses, with 1220 x 2440mm and 2030 x 3050mm sheet sizes. “SINTREX has been developed with the needs of printers and signmakers in mind,” said Paul Neale, Product Manager at Antalis. “It offers an excellent balance of print quality, lightweight handling and fire performance, giving our customers a versatile new option for indoor and outdoor signage, display and exhibition applications.”
Appointment
Smurfit Westrock Security Concepts (SWSC) has announced the promotion of Eddie Ingram to the position of Finance Manager. Eddie joined SWSC in 2010 and has played a key role in supporting the company’s financial operations and growth over the past 14 years. In his new position, he will assume direct day-to-day responsibility for the finance function, overseeing financial planning, reporting and operational excellence across the business. Peter Thomas, Managing Director at SWSC, said: “Eddie’s depth of experience and commitment to the organisation have been invaluable and we are delighted to see him step into this leadership role. We’re confident he will continue to strengthen our financial performance and strategic capabilities.”
Pictured (l to r): Brian O’Sullivan, Founder and Owner of Zeus Group with Kevin O’Donovan, CEO, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
The extended colour range – now totalling 11 different inks – provides improved vibrancy and colour saturation, ideal for high-impact branding
MIMAKI
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Mimaki has announced enhancements to its dye sublimation TS330 Series, including the introduction of the TS330-1800. The entire TS330 Series is now compatible with Mimaki’s Sb411 inks in Orange, Violet, Fluorescent Pink and Fluorescent Yellow. The new TS330-1800 is also equipped with a larger print width to cater for a broader array of textile applications. Mimaki says the extended colour range – now totalling 11 different inks –provides improved vibrancy and colour saturation, ideal for high-impact branding on sportswear, fabric signage and promotional merchandise. Opening up extensive ink configurations, applications can be produced with improved colour accuracy, fulfilling production needs for sectors where high colour fidelity is required. Exclusively distributed in Ireland by Hybrid Services, the TS330-1800 will be available through its network of authorised reseller partners from spring 2026.
New arrival at JR Labels
Following a visit to LabelExpo 2025, JR Labels has invested in a new press from long-term supplier Mark Andy. Ireland’s first Mark Andy Digital Pro Max is now up and running at the print firm’s Clondalkin facility and has already improved productivity. “A huge thank you to both our Production and Operations Managers David Duffy and Robbie Carson for all their work and preparation in arranging the purchase of the new press. We look forward to many years working with the new press and continuing our long and valued partnership with Mark Andy Inc,” commented the firm.
At two recent global events, Xaar launched a whitepaper detailing how the latest digital inkjet technology and the Xaar Versatex Printbar are enabling braille printing. Xaar says the technology, which is available in two modes, solves the challenge of producing braille that’s both highly readable and fast to print. In High-Build mode, it delivers dot heights of 200µm, rated most comfortable by blind readers, at 12m/min, ensuring well-shaped cells with precise spacing for optimal fingertip recognition. For higher throughput, High-Speed Mode prints at 25m/min while maintaining compliance with Marburg Medium standards and ISO 17351. “Accessible packaging is moving from a niche requirement to an essential part of the brand experience. High build varnish delivered through inkjet provides the accuracy and consistency needed for tactile features while still supporting variable data,” said Neil Cook, Xaar Business Development Manager. “It allows converters to meet both creative and regulatory demands in a single process and demonstrates how digital print can have a meaningful impact on the everyday lives of consumers.”
Braille inkjet printing from Xaar
Nobody knew print better and he set very high standards for himself and those around him
GPS COLOUR GRAPHICS
founder
Derek Bell passed away peacefully on the 3rd of February 2026 in the Ulster Hospital.
Beloved husband of Irene, cherished father of Lorraine, Helen and David and dear fatherin-law to Bryan and Jenny. A devoted Gramps, immensely proud of his grandchildren Chloe, Max, Sienna, Grace, Emily and Henry.
Derek led GPS Colour Graphics to become one of the largest and most respected commercial printing companies in Northern Ireland. In 2017, his expertise in the industry was recognised at the Irish Print Awards when he received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
A true family business, Derek is survived at GPS Colour Graphics by daughters Lorraine and Helen, son David and son-in-law Bryan.
Talking about the impact Derek had on the print industry, Wesley Moody, Managing Director at Alphagraphics, said:
“I think the attendance at the service of thanksgiving for Derek spoke for itself. Not only was the church packed, but the congregation included people from all sections of his life in the printing industry – employees past and present, suppliers, competitors and others whose involvement in printing had long since passed.
“That demonstrates the level of respect in which Derek was held and for what he achieved. Nobody knew print better and he set very high standards for himself
Derek BELL Remembering
and those around him.
“That includes those of us for whom he was a valued customer. Did he demand the same high standards from us as well? Absolutely! But he was never less than approachable, fair and loyal. He’ll be sadly missed.”
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Tapley Signs boosts production with first installation of new HP Latex R530 in Ireland
LANDS AT HP LATEX R530 TAPLEY
DUBLIN-BASED
diversified signage business
Tapley Signs has taken delivery of a new HP Latex R530 all-in-one printer. The press will, says the print firm, strengthen production and improve its overall service offering to customers across a range of markets. It’s believed to be the first installation of the new HP Latex R530 printer in Ireland.
Founded in 2004, Tapley Signs is a family-run business with experience across the manufacturing and installation of graphics and signage. While its core offering is in-store graphics including window, floor and counter applications, it also provides large- and small-scale banners, lightboxes, vinyl wraps, selfadhesive stickers, construction site signage and more. The company had been running much of its printbased work on an HP Scitex FB550, which was in place at its specialist Dublin production facility for nearly 10 years. However, earlier in 2025, the business made the decision to upgrade its equipment and replace the older machine with a brand-new solution from the diverse HP Latex range.
The print firm opted for the HP Latex R530, a machine that only launched in March 2025, purchasing the printer from approved HP partner NTI Diatec in July 2025. This was the company’s first HP Latex investment and only its second from HP, with the HP Scitex FB550 having left a lasting positive impression on the Tapley Signs team.
“We had the HP Scitex FB550 for nearly 10 years and loved it,” Tapley Signs Joint Managing Director Anthony Tapley said. “We had been looking for the past few years for a similar alternative and couldn’t find anything until the HP Latex R530 was launched. It was a no-brainer to change over.”
Running at a maximum speed of 24sq m/hr in indoor mode, the new HP Latex R530 can print on a wide range of materials up to 1.6m wide and 5cm thick, opening up all manner of opportunities to users. Additional features include the ability to print in white and also up to 5 layers of colours simultaneously, using HP Latex Inks. Latex ink offers environmental benefits – as it’s water-based, it has far less impact on the planet than UV, solvent and eco-solvent inks. In addition, all customers have access to HP’s Sustainability Amplifier software, granting them further insight into environmental performance and potential enhancements.
In its first few months of operation at Tapley Signs, the new HP Latex R530 has proven its versatility, tackling everything from printed boards and in-store point-of-sale magnets to double-sided card and illuminated lightboxes. In addition, the firm has completed projects printed directly onto carpet. The results highlight the machine’s ability to deliver highquality output across a wide range of both rigid and flexible substrates.
“We do not know what HP Latex technology will bring us in terms of new opportunities, but we are very open to future possibilities,” Anthony said. “At the minute, we are happy with the machines we have but are open to purchasing more HP Latex machines in the future.”
OF A
Message
Quadient has expanded its Irish operations with a larger warehouse amid continued strong demand for Roland print technologies in Ireland
Confidence
AS THE IRISH
print and graphics sector continues to evolve, investment in local infrastructure and customer support remains a key indicator of long-term confidence. Recent developments from Quadient Ireland underline a clear commitment to supporting Irish print businesses with faster access, stronger engagement and futurefocused capability.
Quadient Ireland recently announced the opening of a new warehouse facility, a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing investment in the Irish market. The new warehouse is designed to enhance operational efficiency by increasing stock capacity, improving logistics and reducing lead times across Quadient’s product portfolio. For companies providing printing services where uptime and responsiveness are critical, faster access to equipment, consumables and parts can make a meaningful difference to day-to-day operations. Beyond logistics, the new facility reflects a broader strategy focused on proximity to customers and improved service delivery. By strengthening its local infrastructure, Quadient Ireland is positioning itself to better support customers as it adapts to changing market demands, tighter turnaround times and increasing expectations around reliability and performance. Complementing the warehouse expansion, Quadient Ireland also confirmed plans for a brand-new showroom, currently under development. Once completed, the showroom will offer Irish customers a dedicated environment to see the latest print and finishing technologies in action. Live demonstrations, application-led discussions and handson engagement will allow businesses
to explore new opportunities and make informed investment decisions based on real-world output rather than specifications alone.
The development of a dedicated showroom reflects the growing importance of in-person engagement within the print sector. As businesses look to diversify services, expand into new applications or upgrade existing equipment, the ability to evaluate technology in person, supported by local expertise, has become increasingly valuable. This focus on infrastructure and customer engagement aligns with broader trends across the print industry, where confidence is being demonstrated through targeted investment rather than caution. Demand for proven production technology remains strong, particularly for platforms that deliver productivity, consistency and commercial return.
A recent example of this can be seen in the continued popularity of the XP-640 and the XG-640 eco-solvent printers from Roland DG, which are currently out of stock due to sustained demand. The strong uptake of the platform reflects a market that is actively investing in reliable, high-performance solutions – a trend Quadient Ireland continues to support through local availability, expertise, and service.
Taken together, Quadient Ireland’s warehouse expansion, forthcoming showroom and alignment with highdemand production technologies, point to a business firmly invested in the future of Irish print. At a time when the sector faces both challenges and opportunity, Quadient’ s focus on local presence, infrastructure and customer support sends a clear message of confidence in the Irish market and the businesses it serves.
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When evaluating ink costs, it's essential to look beyond just the cost per litre of ink and instead focus on the cost per final approved, consumer ready print. Some ink sets may appear more cost-effective upfront, but their lower ratio of pigments and dyes to water often results in higher ink consumption to achieve the same optical density and consistent coverage of a more densely formulated ink set.
Not only does high-quality ink minimise waste and defects as energy costs continue to rise, but reducing power consumption is becoming an increasingly critical factor in managing costs. Water-based inkjet inks with higher pigment concentration reduce the amount of water that must be evaporated with more energy intensive drying and as drying water requires roughly twice as much energy as drying dye or pigment, inks with a lower water content translate directly into energy savings. Additionally, using a higher amount of digital ink is not only wasteful but can cause a variety of printing defects due to ink oversaturation like bleeding, oversaturation or setoff that results in entire
SCREEN on why high-quality inkjet drives cost efficient digital printing
WIN
SCREEN’s technology shows that digital inkjet is no longer about compromise, it’s about reliable high-quality results with profitable production efficiency
runs needed to be discard and reprinted. While more affordable inks might offer shortterm savings, they often lead to higher overall production costs due to increased ink usage, greater energy consumption and a higher likelihood of print defects and substrate damage.
Understanding this, leading digital printing press providers like SCREEN understand that ink is not just a consumable, but an essential component of their Truepress JET inkjet presses for commercial printing. A component that must be formulated in conjunction with each step of the printing process in mind to ensure vibrant colours, precise drop placement and quick drying times that empowers businesses to achieve outstanding results and gain the competitive edge in a price-sensitive market.
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Ireland, Litho Supplies works closely with Irish printers to introduce advanced Japanese inkjet technology that delivers both quality and efficiency in demanding production environments. Solutions such as SCREEN’s Truepress JET series demonstrate how ink formulation, press engineering and workflow design are developed as a complete system enabling offset-level quality results with the agility of digital. Through its partnership, Litho Supplies supports customers in successfully integrating digital inkjet alongside offset workflows or entirely new digital production lines. “SCREEN’s technology shows that digital inkjet is no longer about compromise, it’s about reliable high-quality results with profitable production efficiency,” says Richard Styles, Managing Director at Litho Supplies.
I used a lot of cascading type, chaotic, almost oppressive typography and striking colours to portray it. I wanted it to feel like a newspaper
MUIRNE CLARKE, named Print Graduate of the Year at the 2024 Irish Print Awards, chats about the project that earned her the accolade
ONE WATCH TO
How did you approach it?
I timelined the online events that led up to the riots and that painted an overall picture on how an event like this can be incited and how insidious it can be. I used a lot of cascading type, chaotic, almost oppressive typography and striking colours to portray it. I wanted it to feel like a newspaper.
Congratulations on your win! How did it feel?
Thank you! It was a huge surprise. I’ve never been involved in anything like that before or attended an industry event like the Irish Print Awards, so it was great.
Can you tell me about the project you submitted?
It was a 36-page print publication called “Water Under Ground”, inspired by the Dublin riots in 2023. I used the riots as a case study to talk about the broader issues of misinformation, online discourse and discrimination in Ireland. I examined the fear that exists around the rise of a far right in Ireland. It’s a topical subject and one I’m really passionate about. I had 12 weeks to work on it, which gave me time to really focus on the issues and create a strong brief.
Did you use newsprint to print your project?
Initially, I wanted to print it myself. I had a lot of fun learning how to use the publication station in college, but in the end I felt like a newspaper-feel paper would honour the subject matter more. I sent it to get printed at Newspaper Club in the UK, opting for a tabloid size, white recycled paper and was delighted with the end result. They used 80gsm paper, it really felt like a traditional newspaper.
Why do you think you won the Print Graduate award?
I think it was down to timing. It was such a topical subject and unfortunately, it still is. I’ve thought about creating a “Volume 2” because there’s still so much content around the issue. Also, I think it was probably the best project I completed in college; I
had so much time to concentrate on it and really create something of value. It was such a privilege to have that time.
When did you finish your studies?
I graduated in 2024, completing my Bachelor of Honours Graphic Design Communication course at The Limerick School of Art and Design. Since finishing college, I’ve been freelancing and at the moment, I’m finishing up a contract for Trinity College Dublin. I’m also doing some other contract work. I’m finding that employers are looking for people with experience, but how can you get the
I’d like to work at an agency and be around other creative people, that’s something I really miss about college. The studio environment was so inspiring and encouraging
experience when you can’t get the work in the first place! In saying that there is work out there, although a proportion of it is either in Dublin or abroad. I’m in Mallow so maybe at a slight disadvantage.
Are the projects you’re working on now print-based or digital?
They’re mostly digital. I miss print and I’d love to go back to it. I like working across a variety of mediums, I don’t like to pigeonhole myself. I started my graphic design journey during Covid and everything I was doing was digital. When I worked on a project, I remember feeling like I didn’t really have any physical proof of it. Print is great for that – being able to physically hold something and feeling the satisfaction of having made it. I was so proud of my project. There’s something very rewarding about being able to hold your work in your hands.
What are your ambitions?
I’d like to work at an agency and be around other creative people, that’s something I really miss about college. The studio environment was so inspiring and encouraging. You also feel like you have less security when you’re a freelancer as opposed to working in-house. So working within a team again is one of my main goals and really just pursuing a career in this field – it’s an exciting space to be in.
The P+D Sales Director on entering new markets and staying competitive
In August last year, P+D announced it had acquired Delta Display Ireland, a move that combined two leaders in the retail POS and large format printing sectors. The acquisition has grown P+D’s client base, particularly in small format. “Delta had quite a large small format client list, so that’s made our small format department much busier. Investment into that side of the business is resulting in higher quality, higher output. Since the acquisition, our business grew by about 2530% overnight,” says P+D Sales Director Ciaran Bowe.
To allow for the expansion, two Fuji Revoria Ec2100s printers along with a new TPS digital cutter completely refreshed P+D’s small format division last year. Investment has also gone into a new Elitron Kombo TAV. Following the acquisition, P+D refurbished its office space and extended its mezzanine to make extra space for its kitting and fulfilment divisions. An EFI hybrid, acquired from Delta Display, was also installed, along with a third Canon Colorado. This year will see the
Paula Moore, Senior Account Manager, P+D; Ciaran Bowe, Sales Director, P+D
It’s not an industry where the day ever drags. We get to work with a lot of big brands that give us the freedom to be creative and present di erent concepts
installation of P+D’s second Aquajet printer, specifically for the out-of-home and poster market, a machine that uses environmentally friendly water-based inks and a low power curing system.
With the acquisition of Delta, P+D is also seizing the opportunity to move into the specialist signage segment. “Delta’s expertise in that market has opened up a completely new sector for us. Our own clients have requirements in that space so we’re in a position now to meet all of their needs. We’ve also taken a huge step into digital design; we’re doing a lot of design for digital media such as motion and 3D graphics.” With expansion into new areas, staff training is a priority. “It’s always been a priority, but even more so since the acquisition. Significant investment has gone into enhancing skills so we can meet our client’s requirements. We’ve an excellent team at P+D; some staff members have been with us for over 30 years, which I think is a great reflection of the business and the culture we have here. In saying that, recruiting skilled labour can be a challenge.” Alongside recruitment, costs continue to rise. “With 80 staff members, we’ve got a very large wage bill to meet every month. We want to pay people fairly for their work, while trying to control costs. We’re also contending with overhead costs such as energy and IT – they’re still skyrocketing. It’s very difficult to keep the cost of your product at a competitive price when you’re absorbing so many overheads.” Irish manufacturers need additional support from government to remain operational, says Ciaran. “It has become increasingly difficult for companies to manufacture in Ireland because of the cost of doing business here. We’re dealing with the increase in minimum wage, auto-enrolment, statuary sick days and another bank holiday thrown in over the past couple of years. Although
it’s great to have something to look forward to at the end of January, we’re still losing a day’s manufacturing. The government is pushing all these costs back onto the employer and I think it’s time we got a bit of support.”
Ciaran has been with P+D for almost 17 years. It’s a fast-paced environment that fosters creativity, he says. “It’s not an industry
where the day ever drags. We get to work with a lot of big brands that give us the freedom to be creative and present different concepts. Following an idea from initial concept to design and then to manufacturing, that’s the best part. Seeing your work in everyday life, whether you’re in the supermarket or on the street, is very rewarding.”
We were also finalists in the Pet Mania Awards as Pet
Friendly workplace, with our resident o ice dog Digger!
At the 2025 POPAI Awards, P+D took gold in the ‘Grocery - Theatrical Display’ category for its Moretti Wow Display. The team also took home silver in the Large Format Digital Printer of the Year category at the 2024 Irish Print Awards, Bronze in the Graphic Design and Print Collaboration category, along with Gold for Printed Wrap and Gold for Textile Printer of the Year. “We were also finalists in the Pet Mania Awards as Pet Friendly workplace, with our resident office dog Digger! We’ve been successful over the past few years and I think that’s down to the quality of work we produce. We’re very creative with our design and we work with clients that allow and encourage that creativity. They come along with us on the journey and so when we win, we make sure we share it with them. Creating those entries is something the whole team gets involved with, but the important part is that we’ve got that high quality work to enter in the first place. That’s what we work at every day.”
20
COVER STORY
Printers
share their hopes for
2026 and what they’ve got planned for the year ahead
RICHARD CAMPBELL Managing Director, Northside Graphics
Are you optimistic about the year ahead?
Yes, very! We are seeing good customer and revenue growth in all areas of the business. We have a clear strategy for continued growth across Ireland and the UK for the year ahead, both in our online and direct sales.
What
kind of work do you specialise in?
We are entirely digital print production and we’re the only production site in Ireland running four HP Indigo presses on a 24-hour basis, as well as a comprehensive large format department. Our product range is vast, with millions of possible specifications, as can be seen on our e-commerce website www.DigitalPrintingIreland.ie
Are you looking to expand into any new sectors this year?
Yes, we intend to strategically expand our product range this year and introduce new products with particular customer sectors in mind. We’re working on expanding our direct sales outreach to directly engage with sectors of customers we know we have success with.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
Trying to keep ahead of technology, the market and the ongoing challenge of cost increases, particularly labour costs due to national minimum wage increases.
Have you embraced automation? Are you using AI?
Very much so and it will help us address the increase in costs highlighted above as the business grows. We’re already using AI and will continue to find ways to utilise it further to drive efficiency and improve our offering to customers.
OVERYOU to
BRENDAN DOOLEY Managing Director, The FACTORY
Are you optimistic about 2026?
Yes, we are expanding our range of circular-economy products to meet a growing demand from government agencies and larger private organisations looking to source sustainable products and services.
What kind of work do you do?
We keep a wide range of recycled paper in stock, in a variety of grades, colours and weights. We also manufacture and produce a range of sign products. The most popular of those are our award-winning cube towers, made using just cardboard and wood.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
The labour element of production. We’re gradually introducing more automation and more modern equipment to automate processes. However, we’re thankful for Leader, through Offaly Local Development Company OLDC, for providing us with significant grant aid to pursue our ‘Circular Economy - Zero Carbon Initiative’, along with funding from the SBCI (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) Sustainability scheme. Nevertheless, the company needs to grow production significantly to meet repayments and remain financially sustainable.
Have you embraced automation?
While we are gradually introducing more automation, there is still a significant amount of manual labour required in the production of bespoke wooden signage. We find our Duplo auto creaser and cutter and our more recent installation of a Summa F1612 to be significant time savers.
Any other plans?
The FACTORY expects to be fully carbon neutral this year, selling excess electricity back to the grid. We’re looking forward to the release of a circular-economy replacement to the pull-up banner when testing is complete. Details are top secret for now!
AARON KLEWCHUK Director, Ballyprint
How are you feeling about 2026?
I’m optimistic – as a business owner, I feel you have to be! While cost pressures remain, there are clear opportunities in automation, innovation and customer-led growth. Businesses that stay agile and invest smartly should be well positioned in the year ahead.
Are you looking to expand into new sectors?
Yes. We’ve been actively tendering throughout the year and have successfully secured work that will see us expand into new sectors, helping to diversify the
business and create new growth opportunities.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
The ongoing shortage of skilled labour. To address this, we are rolling out an apprenticeship scheme designed to attract younger people into the trade and build a sustainable skills pipeline for the future.
Have you automated your processes?
Yes we have embraced automation within
our production processes, including the use of Enfocus Switch. We are also actively exploring how AI can be implemented to create intelligent workflows that help our sales team work more efficiently and add greater value for customers
Any other plans you’d like to share?
We have a number of new investments planned, including a Duplo bookletmaker system, JMD perfect binding line, Horizon automatic folder and the Razar spot UV and cutting machine, all scheduled for installation in the first quarter of the year.
Lisa Dooley, Creative Director and Brendan Dooley, Managing Director, The FACTORY
PATRICK MOFFETT Managing Director, W&G Baird
Are you optimistic about the year ahead?
Cautiously!
Any plans to expand into new sectors this year?
We have no plans to move into any new sectors but we would like to move into different regions.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
There are a few – recruitment and selection remain difficult. Capital asset inflation is challenging, while energy price inflation continues to make for a difficult trading environment.
Have you embraced automation?
Yes, we have. Automation is working hard for us across various parts of the business to leverage the potential of AI. We’re using AI to drive our automation requirements.
DERMOT
DOWNER Managing Director, Westside Press Ltd
How are you feeling about the year ahead?
Good. I think it’s very important to always try and remain positive. As the trade changes, you have to adapt.
Are you planning on moving into new sectors this year?
No we just want to concentrate on continuing to improve our services to all our valued customers. We’re a trade litho/digital print and finishing company, so our main goal is to support the print trade in every possible way.
What are the main challenges affecting the business?
Quantities are coming down and some products have been dropped all together. We need to be able to replace those products with new customers.
Have you embraced automation?
Yes, we’ve always embraced the latest technology. It has really improved the efficiency of our company. We’re looking into AI – it’s very impressive.
Pictured (l to r): Alan Shortt, Mark Southgate and Patrick Moffett
PADRAIC KIERANS
Managing Director, Anglo Printers
Are you optimistic about 2026?
Absolutely. We’re finding opportunities developing all the time, some for super-exciting export markets which is fantastic. Obviously we expect some significant headwinds, given the geopolitical uncertainty worldwide which impacts on confidence, markets and of course, people. The government has done everything possible to damage SME’s in the last 12 months and only the most resilient and innovative will survive. I really hope government policy changes to support SME’s and reflect the value they deliver to the Irish economy, accounting for almost 95% of employment here.
NICK LITTLE
Managing Director, Trimwel
Are you optimistic about the year ahead?
Absolutely. We’ve had a great start to the year – many printers are looking at new equipment.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
Our main challenges are around credit control and courier costs.
Any plans you’d like to share?
We’re planning on introducing some new ranges towards Q2, but these are still in negotiation.
Are you looking to expand into any new sectors this year?
We are looking to expand the sectors we currently supply and add more customers. We have a suite of all types of printed products across digital, wide format and litho. Our quality bespoke packaging sets us apart; we’re producing some really interesting, intricate and deluxe print products right now.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
The government, who seem hell bent on only supporting FDI rather than indigenous SME’s. Through my involvement with Drogheda Chamber and The Mill Enterprise Centre, I’m witnessing this first hand and it’s not pretty.
Have you embraced automation? Are you using AI?
AI has been in use at Anglo Printers since 2016. Our Komori presses use AI to build up knowledge of ink patterns on repeat jobs. I see it coming more into pla y on the admin side. My two sons have embraced it in Excel and for Presentations. I can see it becoming increasingly relevant for our business as we move forward in areas such as accounting and estimating. However, there’s a lot of noise around it too, so it’s a matter of weeding out the nonsense from the impactful functionality.
Pictured (l to r): Martin Hewitt, Product Manager and Nick Little, Managing Director, Trimwel
CAREERS
At Grafotone, SUE NORTON discovered her love for print
MY FIRST JOB
was on 4 Parker Hill, Rathmines, at a company called Grafotone. Tony Bradfield was the owner and what a diamond he was. He took me on in September 1984. I had just completed my Junior Cert and my Dad had passed away that June. I don’t even think there was a job vacancy there but by September, my brother John and I were full-time employees. My Dad had also worked for Tony. So here I am, 42 years later and still working away in the trade.
The building we worked in was like an old shanty garage. Covered with ivy on the outside and climbing the walls on the inside. Hal Roache, the comedian, came in one day, took a look around and said, “You’re gonna have to do this place up before they condem it”. Our main customers came from the music industry, so record covers and posters covered every inch of the factory, from The Dubliners to Johnny Logan. Paul Hewson used to come in to get his leaflets printed for The Dandelion Market in 1979.
All the posters were printed on a Manroland one colour machine. Full colour posters needed 4 plates and four separate runs through the machine. I always remember Amby Tarpey with his eye glass looking for perfect registration.
Record sleeves and cassette covers were printed on a Heidelberg KOR, then die-cut on a Heidelberg Platen. These machines dated back to 1914. I actually remember perfing and numbering Billy Connollly tickets on the Platen. The record sleeves would then be glued; we basically had a plastic jug hanging from the ceiling and the glue would travel down a tube. Very high tech piece of equipment!
I used to love designing and pasting up artworks and making bromides and negatives, then creating the plates for print. Many’s the time I would open the big heavy orange curtain of the dark room by mistake, exposing the film. This is where I learned my finest swear words. Spraymount and cow gum were used to paste artworks
WHERE IT ALL
STARTED
The laughs were endless in Grafotone, they were like a second family to me. I found my love for printing there and learned so much.
Thank you Tony Bradfield x
down and very regularly used in Stuart Bradfield’s and John’s hair – adding texture to their dreadlocks! There was no health and safety then. Me own Da would be washing up his machine with everything covered in white spirits and a cigarette balancing on the machine. Any problems with our machines and Cyril Lee was your man. There was no machine he couldn’t fix. And then you would have Joe Murphy from Portman Graphics. If there was a gold medal for talking, Joe would win every time. Then you had Charlie Bailey from Acme Inks and Barbara from Swan Papers coming in, giving their sales pitch and joining in the craic. The laughs were endless in Grafotone, they were like a second family to me. I found my love for printing there and learned so much.
Thank you Tony Bradfield x Sue Norton, Highcon Operator, McGowans
Sue at Grafotone
Sue’s Da
Grafotone
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