MAY 2015 || THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY || WWW.IRISHPRINTER.IE
09
NEWS
Can Tullis Russell Be Brought Back from the Brink?
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18
FESPA 2015
Get the Wide Angle View Ahead of Fespa 2015.
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PACKAGING
Big Delivery for Belfast-based Multi Packaging Solutions.
30
INTERVIEW
World’s largest HP Scitex FB7600 user grows its Irish operation.
06/05/2015 16:44
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06/05/2015 11:47
Contents | IRISH PRINTER
8 14 NEWS » 3 A round up of some of the latest news from the Irish print industry.
AWARDS PREVIEW » 10 The 38th Irish Print Awards will take place on Friday, November 27th in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. Irish Printer is gearing up for another showcase of print excellence and is looking forward to building on the success of last year’s event.
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COVER STORY » 14 MJ Flood is celebrating 80 years in business in 2015 but they are also celebrating their success in the commercial print market. Michael Power and Phil Schueler talk about why the Konica Minolta brand has been giving MJ Flood the edge over its competitors.
36 WHAT’S NEW IN PRINT » 24
INTERVIEW » 30
As another Fespa rolls around, Irish Printer looks at some of the innovations that are likely to appear in the Irish market over the coming months.
n Permanently Peelable Films from Drytac n Highcon Highlights Benefits of Digital Finishing n Zero Speed Splicer Eliminates Downtime n Pink Comes to Europe in 2015 n Updated Colour Management Tools n New High Productivity Inca Onset
TALKING TECHNICAL » 21
INK » 27
Global visual communications specialist the Delta Group is the largest privatelyowned printer and the biggest buyer of screen ink in Europe. It is also the world’s largest user of the HP Scitex FB7600 model. Maev Martin talks to Delta Ireland Managing Director Peter Mahon about growing the group’s Irish print and creative operation.
Web Cleaning More Important as Inkjet Evolves - Iain Cameron, Marketing Director with Meech International, talks to Irish Printer about the company’s web cleaning technology and its benefits in the digital printing sector.
Designed for wide and superwide format printers, including Epson, Vutek, Roland, Mutoh, Mimaki and Seiko, Sun Chemical’s Streamline range is formulated to have matching colour and physical properties to those of OEM inks.
PACKAGING » 22
PROFILE » 28
DESIGN » 36
Belfast-based pharmaceutical cartons specialist Multi Packaging Solutions has taken delivery of its first Diana X 115, a highly specified folder gluer supplied by Heidelberg.
Maev Martin talks to Peter Smith, Branch Manager, Ultrachem Ireland, and to Ultrachem Director Janet Brinton, about their plans to further develop their customer base in Ireland.
Quark Software Inc. announced on April 28th the official availability of QuarkXPress 2015, the new major release of Quark’s graphic design and page layout software.
FESPA 2015 » 18
EXHIBITION UPDATE » 34 Stand space at The Print Show is filling up fast as major exhibitors pledge their support for this year’s debut event.
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IRISH PRINTER | Editor’s Letter
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ust when we were hoping that company closures were a thing of the past, we heard the sad news that yet another high profile printer has gone into liquidation. Brunswick Press has been put into liquidation by its owners the Allman family and will be sold off. At the time of writing, a provisional liquidator, Michael Butler of Butler & Co, is trying to sell the business as a going concern. If the business cannot be sold as a going concern, the liquidator intends to sell its assets. Brunswick’s credits include printing the citation for a Trinity College doctorate presented to former US President John F Kennedy in 1963. The company had print contracts with government agencies and academic institutions and employed about 60 people at its peak. It had invested heavily in new technology just before the recession. In 2008, the company’s revenues were just under €7m but that collapsed to just over €2m in 2009. While owner Peter Allman managed to grow those revenues slightly in the following years, they never got anywhere near 2008 levels again. The company was on the verge of closure in 2010 and had to make some staff redundant at that time. Brunswick Press suffered a number of serious losses over the years, including the lucrative contract to print state exam papers in 2003. This loss was exacerbated when the economic collapse came in 2008 and the government cut back substantially on its expenditure on printing contracts. Latest accounts show that Brunswick Press had losses of €3.2m at the end of August 2012 and owed about €3m in bank loans. The closure of the company and its struggles in recent years is representative of the difficulties that many print companies have been battling since the recession hit in 2008. As I stated in my Editor’s Letter last month, what has happened in the Irish print industry over the last decade is quite incredible - there is no Mount Salus Press, no Future Print, no Woodprintcraft and now there is
no Brunswick Press. Although the country has officially emerged from recession, the economic uplift isn’t yet being felt by many operators in the Irish print industry. Few printers are making money, a lot of print businesses are hugely leveraged, and some are predicting that more printers will go bust this year. Unfortunately, the negative predictions appear to be coming true. A number of well documented factors have conspired to create major difficulties for print companies in recent years. However, the absence of partnership and regular networking in the Irish print world is something that is rarely discussed but has, I believe, stopped the industry from expanding and moving forward. In the March issue I made the point that if Irish print companies continue to isolate themselves from other operators in the industry it is unlikely that they will be able to benefit fully from an economic recovery. With a more open approach to exchanging knowledge and skills, Irish printers could be in a position to capitalise on the technological developments that are happening in their own industry and online. If printers don’t join forces to present a strong bid for work, nothing will change and companies will continue to struggle for work and for margins. How many more print companies have to go to the wall and how low do prices have to go before the industry takes a serious look at how it does business?
Maev Martin, Editor Email: maeve.martin@ashvillemediagroup.com Tel: (01) 432 2271
THE TEAM Editor: Maev Martin Editorial Manager: Mary Connaughton
Printed by: Walsh Colour Print Cover Image: Courtesy of MJ Flood.
Creative Director: Jane Matthews Design & Layout: Jennifer Reid Stock Photography & Illustrations: Thinkstock Production Manager: Mary Connaughton Production: Nicole Ennis
Contact: Irish Printer, Ashville Media Group, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7 Tel: (01) 432 2200 Web: www.irishprinter.ie
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 2015. 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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News | IRISH PRINTER
THE PRINTED IMAGE BRINGS D-BOARD TO IRELAND
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he Printed Image recently announced the introduction of the structural cardboard material, D-Board into their operations. They have been appointed as the exclusive agents in Ireland and are a reseller to the trade. The material, which is 100% recyclable and has not previously been available in the Irish market, will be offered exclusively through the organisation’s Font House headquarters. It will be made available in a range of sizes and callipers, with price competiveness and adaptability being the key components behind the introduction. “D-Board is an innovative yet practical material that is ideal for Point of Sale and exhibition purposes,” says TPI’s Managing Director Conor Callinan. “It is also optimal for the creation of furniture and 3D characters. D-Board’s light but strong properties enable a rigid structure which can also be cut and bent to preference. A splash proof and flat exterior permits an optimal printing surface, which lends itself to the number of services offered throughout TPI. I believe that this new material will provide clients with an inexpensive alternative that is also environmentally friendly, something that is not currently available on the Irish market. The launch of D-Board marks TPI’s progression in the market, with a focus on value and sustainability. The use of D-Board will ensure that innovative yet cost-effective solutions are provided to clients of The Printed Image.”
Image shows UV spot varnish applied with Xaar 1002 GS12U.
XAAR LAUNCHES
LARGER DROP PRINTHEAD FOR UV APPLICATIONS
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important. nkjet technology specialist “Like the GS6, the GS12 delivers Xaar recently announced the exceptional print quality and launch of the Xaar 1002 GS12U reliability to manufacturers of UV printhead, its first larger drop printers worldwide,” says Richard printhead for UV applications. Barham, Sales and Marketing The new printhead extends the Director, Xaar. “It is a highly Xaar 1002 family of printheads versatile printhead and enables and gives the UV inkjet printing a choice of speed, depending market a choice of printheads on the application, without to suit specific applications. The compromising on quality e.g. greyscale Xaar 1002 GS12 jets drop high ink volume at high speed volumes from 12 to 84pL, enabling or lower ink volume at supera range of drop sizes to be printed with a single printhead. The large- fast production speeds. We have worked closely with our OEM drop capability of the printhead, partners to develop the Xaar 1002 combined with Xaar’s patented GS12 to meet growing market TF Technology ink recirculation, demands for a flexible printhead makes it ideal for printing highthat can deliver high build varnish build spot varnishes and extraand the ultimate in opaque opaque whites onto labels and direct-to-shape packaging (in both whites quickly and consistently. Although new to the UV market, horizontal and vertical printing this printhead is based on our modes). highly-successful Xaar 1002 GS12 Xaar claims that no other ceramics printhead which is well printhead on the market can The Suprasetter A 75 CtP device. proven and now used by the match the high level of opacity majority of the ceramic tile digital and production reliability decoration industry today.” achieved by the Xaar 1002 GS12 in Systems featuring the new a single pass without resorting to Xaar 1002 GS12 printhead for UV multiple print bars. applications are now available The Xaar 1002 GS12 from a number of Original complements the Xaar 1002 Equipment Manufacturers, GS6 (6-42pL) variant for UV including Autobond (digital spot applications, launched last year, which is designed for applications varnish applications) and Till (high opacity white for direct-towhere high-resolution text and shape applications). images with smooth tones are
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IRISH PRINTER | News
SPECIAL PROMOTION ON SOLVENT PRINTER/CUTTER
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ybrid Services Ltd recently announced that the new Mimaki CJV150-75 integrated solvent printer/cutter is to be offered at a promotional price of just £6,995 through its authorised reseller network. The 810mm wide machine will also benefit from a two-year Gold warranty and a free starter pack comprising over 3.5 litres of ink as part of a promotion due to run until the end of July 2015. “The CJV150-75 is ‘entry level’ in size only,” says National Sales Manager, Sign & Graphics at Hybrid, John de la Roche. “A combination of unparalleled speed and print quality set it apart from alternative printer/cutters,
delivering vastly greater productivity, with easier usability and powerful features. Companies looking to take their first step into wide format printing, or to upgrade their old ecosolvent machine, will find the Mimaki a breath of fresh air. The CJV150-75 is equally geared to providing a versatile and inexpensive to run printer for the start-up company as it is to acting as a hugely capable workhorse for more experienced print operations.” Offering significant performance gains over its predecessors, the Mimaki is ideal for producing signage, vehicle graphics, banners and point of sale materials, as well as stickers, decals and labels with its integrated die cut
feature. In addition, Mimaki says that the marginally greater media width sets it apart from other similarly sized units in its sector as it is able to accept material to deliver industry standard sized pull-up banners. “The ability to run 800mm wide material through the Mimaki means that customers can add more revenue streams to their business,” says John de la Roche. “A printer at this price that delivers so many different applications is an invaluable asset for any signmaker or print business. The two-year warranty ensures complete peace of mind, and the starter ink pack enables customers to effectively print hundreds of metres of jobs for the cost of the media alone.”
MGI Announces World wide Exhibition Tour
M
GI Digital Graphic Technology will be exhibiting its newest line of print and finishing equipment around the world. The JETvarnish 3D and its in-line iFOIL module is the only solution in the world that is able to deliver 2D or 3D spot UV coating along with digital hot foil stamping. This solution has already been adopted by a number of commercial printers as an alternative to costly offset or screen spot UV coating, where the long runs are no longer required to turn a profit. The JETvarnish 3D and iFOIL, utilising MGI’s patented inkjet technology, is providing digital spot UV coating in plain 2D and/or 3D (up to 200μ in one pass), digital hot foil, and embossing in line with the new iFOIL, up to 52mm x 1050mm sheets (from 135 to 600gsm). This digital spot UV coating process is 100% variable data capable, enabling the production of custom spot varnished prints with unique graphics, text and barcodes. The JETvarnish 3D and its iFOIL will be performing live production sets at the following events:
MEXICO
Expo Grafica (May 12-15) in Mexico City
AUSTRALIA
Printex Australia (May 13-15) in Sydney
FRANCE
Graphitec (June 9-11) in Paris
GERMANY
UV Days, IST (June 15-18) in Nürtingen
BELGIUM
Label Expo (September 29 - October 2) in Brussels
USA
Graph Expo (September 13-16) in Chicago, IL
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News | IRISH PRINTER
LED light for energy curing.
Will You Make the Transition to UV-LED Ink?
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n EU ban that prohibits the use of mercury in lighting came into force on April 13th, causing concern among some in the wideformat print industry that printers using mercury vapour for ink curing will also be affected. While it seems that this is not on the cards just yet, the EU’s focus on the metal suggests that it may be worthwhile looking at the alternatives when choosing new equipment. Also, apart from avoiding potential legal penalties, LED curing technology offers other benefits. It is less energy intensive than mercury vapour, as lamps not only need less power to run but also need much less warm-up and cool-down time and therefore can be switched on when needed, rather than left on stand-by throughout working hours. Most machines can be plugged into standard electrical sockets, making installation easier and cheaper, while the cooler LED light source does not produce ozone, a by-product of mercury lamps that required ventilation. LEDs last significantly longer than mercury lamps too - lifetimes can be ten times greater – again, saving money, time and maintenance. Additionally, print companies report shorter drying times for LEDcured output compared to prints completed on mercury vapour machines, and many are finding
that they can use thinner and more heat-sensitive substrates thanks to lower temperatures, thus reducing material costs. To businesses and customers looking for cheaper, more environmentally-friendly products, there are plenty of advantages. Nazdar has developed a wide range of inks for use with LED-curing technology for digital, screen and narrow web printers. Each are designed as plugand-play, colour-matched alternatives to OEM inks for specific printer models or series, enabling users to convert to lower-priced, high-quality Nazdar ink with no flushing or other downtime. For digital printers, Nazdar 260 Series inks are ideal for POS applications using substrates such as reinforced vinyl banner, pressure-sensitive vinyl, styrene, foamboard, coated paper, fluted polypropylene and digital-grade polycarbonate. They are designed for use on LED-curing printers at normal conditioned room temperatures. UV-LED can also be used with screen printing, as Wisconsin’s Empire Screen Printing demonstrated in 2011 with the world’s first UV-LED curing screen press, utilising Phoseon and Kammann equipment and Nazdar inks. The process does not emit harmful ozone nor as much heat as mercury lamps, resulting in a cleaner, cooler environment, and prints on thinner materials. According to Empire Screen
Printing, it is also possible to retrofit UV-LED kit onto small-format screen presses. Nazdar 2600 Series, 2300 Series, 2400 Series and UV-LED Air Texture Clear inks are designed to work with LED-curing printers to produce POS and graphics, packaging and textured items. There is an even wider range of UV-LED flexo inks for narrow web printing, formulated for tag, label and packaging applications. Nazdar is also happy to work alongside OEM manufacturers who are developing LED-equipped printing systems, taking complete responsibility for the ink aspect of the development to create ink formulations engineered precisely for the system and its complementary substrates and applications. Print businesses considering a move to UV-LED inks can avail of Nazdar’s Ink Answers support service. Users can send the company their queries via the email address InkAnswers@nazdar.com and will receive an answer from the person on Nazdar’s technical team who is best equipped to deal with that particular question. Around 3,000 emails are sent to Ink Answers per year, covering topics including the best inks for specific applications, local ink suppliers, and regulations on safety and disposal.
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IRISH PRINTER | News
M-PRESS PLAYS CRUCIAL ROLE
IN EASTER CAMPAIGN
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orizon Digital Print’s Agfa M-Press Leopard recently produced the materials to create a giant Easter egg for client Mondelez. The job was project managed by Total Marketing Support (TMS). “Mondelez wanted to create an impact at the launch of their Cadbury Easter Egg Trails campaign and they decided that the production of a giant Easter egg was the best way to do that,” says Horizon Digital Print’s Marketing Manager Siobhan Sacker. “Horizon built an eye-catching structure that also facilitated people sampling the Mondelez product. The Giant Egg worked so well that Mondolez
were asked to take it into RTE by 2FM and they have used it at their promotional event in Tesco in Cork. As a grand finale, it made an appearance at the company’s main event in Dublin’s Merrion Square on Easter Saturday. It was a simple idea that made a big impact! The feedback from the Tesco event was that the giant egg had huge appeal. There was a constant stream of customers all day.” Horizon employed an MDF structure on castors and a cabinet to hold the product. The entire structure was clad in Stadur board 10mm, which is a foamboard with a PVC laminate on each side. This was then screwed onto the structure.
Image Transfer Technology Has The Magic Touch
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mage transfer paper supplier TheMagicTouch won the prestigious ‘Best Innovation’ accolade for the second successive year at the recent Trophex exhibition, which was held at the NEC in Birmingham. This year’s successful entry introduced the unique full colour direct image transfer process for the decoration of glass bottles and jars, offering a premium ‘no label’ look and feel. Using the unique Oki 711 ‘white toner’ LED digital printer and TheMagicTouch CPM transfer paper, the company has developed a quick and simple method to produce full colour images onto various shaped bottles or jars, regardless of glass colour. The success of personalised labels on selected drinks brands, including Famous Grouse and several Champagne brands in 2014, together with the global success of the personalised Coca-Cola bottles, means there is now an opportunity to print and personalise ‘directly to the surface’ a vast range of glass products. Potential applications include limited edition bottles, personalised gifts, promotional and recognition products, together with the obvious applications in the wine, beer, cider and spirits markets. The CPM toner-based transfers are applied using a traditional mug press in less than two minutes, costing as little as 15p per full colour transfer. “We introduced the white toner technology over a year ago and we continue to find new and innovative applications using the same technology and heat press equipment,” says Managing Director Jim Nicol. “The ability to print to the quality we are achieving on the bottles is truly astounding and it is great to be recognised by the visitors to the show and their online voting audience.” The process involves glass products with no special coating, enabling the user to source empty bottles or jars from a variety of sources, including online wholesalers and even retailers such as Wilkinson, Aldi and Ikea. TheMagicTouch also supplies heat presses, laser printers, plotter/cutters, materials and equipment. The company not only produces and supplies the products enabling entry into this market but also supports the applications with training, marketing and a commitment to research and development for the future.
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06/05/2015 15:59
News | IRISH PRINTER
WHAT’S NEW
IN SOCIAL MEDIA?
T
he social media landscape is changing and yesterday’s social media tactics may not yield the same ROI that they once did. That is why print companies need to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest changes and see what tweaks are required to enhance their current social media strategy. The Design, Print and Packaging Skillnet’s ‘What’s New in Social Media?’ course will take place on May 12th at SureSkills Ltd on 14 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2. The course will cover the following area: Is Organic Reach
on Facebook Really Dead?; The Age of Advocacy – Employee and Brand Advocates; The Rise of Private Social Networks; New(ish) Kids on the Block – A Look at Instagram, Tumblr, SnapChat and Pinterest; How to Leverage the Social Media Video Revolution - a look at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine and YouTube; ReMarketing with Social Ads – a Look at Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Ads; Live Streaming – Why it is Becoming a Big Deal; Google+ Hangouts, Meerkat and Persiscope; Why LinkedIn is Becoming an Important Content
Marketing Platform; What is Next? This course is for anyone who wishes to keep up-to-date with this fast paced, ever-changing environment or for anyone who completed the Professional Diploma in Social Media and is interested in keeping up to date with trends etc. A small number of free places will be available to job seekers. For further information email maureen@dppskillnet.ie to book or with questions. The course costs €45 for members and €75 for nonmembers.
CUSTOMER SERVICES / INTERNAL SALES EXECUTIVE UniBoard is an Independent Stockist & Distributor of Packaging and Graphical Boards offering an unrivalled stock range. We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual with experience in the print or packaging industry to join our team in a busy working environment. The ideal person will manage customer relationships,
deal with queries and orders and promote new products. We would also hope that the successful candidate would have the ability to introduce our products to new customers by means of circulars, e-mails, distribution of samples and promotional material. This is a full-time permanent position and salary package will reflect experience.
CV’S BY POST OR E-MAIL TO: myles@uniboard.ie UNIBOARD – IRELAND’S LEADING BOARD DISTRIBUTOR
Units L15-20 Grants Road, Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin www.uniboard.ie | Tel: +353 (0) 1 4010008
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IRISH PRINTER | News
MOUNTING DIGITAL PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO ACRYLIC
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rytac launched a new educational resource on April 28th for those seeking information on how to adhere the printed side of a digital graphic to acrylic, a process known as face mounting, second surface mounting, acrylic mounting, or Plexiglas mounting. In its newly-introduced Facemount video series, Drytac walks viewers through the process with step-by-step instructions from start to finish. Divided into four videos, the series covers the following topics: Chapter 1: Materials Required for Face Mounting; Chapter 2: Preparing Acrylic for Face Mounting; Chapter 3: Applying Facemount to Images; Chapter 4: Adhering Facemount Images to Acrylic.
The benefits of Facemount, Drytac’s optically clear, pressure-sensitive mounting adhesive used in the face mounting process, are also highlighted so that viewers take note of how effective the material is when mounting to any clear substrate. “If you want to better understand how to face mount a digital print or photograph, this video series can show you how to effectively do it,” says Drytac’s Product
Manager Nate Goodman. “It also offers several new tricks of the trade that seasoned mounting professionals may not have considered.” To watch the full video series, visit the Facemount video page at www.drytac.com/videos Drytac’s entire range of films and adhesives is exclusively distributed throughout the UK and Ireland by Antalis.
RECORD NUMBERS ATTEND NEOPOST ROADSHOWS
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ho says there is still a recession in the Irish print industry? Well, I did last month in my Editor’s Letter, but there was certainly no evidence of it at the recent Neopost roadshows, with no less than 78 companies attending the Dublin event and 34 companies turning up for the Cork show. “We are delighted to have kicked off our first phase of roadshows for 2015 on such a successful note,” says Neopost Ireland Marketing Executive Yvonne Maguire. “Our ‘Change Gear’ roadshows give print and sign companies across the country the opportunity to see the latest innovations in wide format printing, including promotional material and vehicle graphics, sign making, print finishing, and direct mail fulfilment. Our first stop was the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin, where we were joined by our partners The Magic Touch and Xeretec. It was great to see such a great turnout and interest from many companies on the day.”
Neopost brought a range of equipment to each event, including technology from Duplo, Roland, Multigraf, Neolt and Drytac. “Wide format printers were still a key product of interest for our visitors, including the Roland VSI540 and the LEF-12 and LEF 20 promotional printers,” says Yvonne. “We were also delighted to launch the new Duplo 150CR Booklet System, which was on display at our Dublin and Cork shows. In addition, our Simulator competition proved very popular with visitors to the shows. Top of the leader board after our Dublin show is Ken McGrath of You Choose with a time of 1:31:726, while Finbarr Kenneally from a Touch of Print was in poll position after the Cork show with a time of 1:32:655.” The next Neopost Ireland roadshow takes place in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Limerick on May 12th when Neopost will be joined by The Magic Touch and National Business Machines.
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06/05/2015 16:49
News | IRISH PRINTER
CAN TULLIS RUSSELL BE BROUGHT BACK FROM THE BRINK?
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t was reported in the UK national media on April 29th that a potential white knight had emerged to save Tullis Russell, one of the last survivors of Scotland’s formerly expansive paper-making industry. Employee-owned Tullis collapsed into administration earlier that week with the immediate loss of 325 jobs after failing to find a new owner among more than 70 possible buyers. However, a husband-and-wife team from Kilmacolm in Scotland has now expressed an interest in the business. PG Paper, owned by Puneet and Poonam Gupta, approached administrators at KPMG on April 29th about a possible deal to rescue the business. The couple specialise in trading redundant and surplus stock in 24 countries, with paper and stationery forming the ‘backbone’ of the business. A total of 149 workers remain at the Markinch plant in Fife,
where they are completing a number of orders. PG Paper is on target for sales of £30m this year, with more than 90% of its total volume exported to the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and the Far East. During the last few years it has started developing a presence in other major markets such as North Africa, Turkey and South America. PG Paper is also considering overseas acquisitions, having recently held discussions with potential targets in northern Europe, North Africa and North America. Tullis Russell was founded 206 years ago. However, the paper manufacturing and supply sector has been under pressure for decades from rising wood pulp prices, cheaper competition from abroad, and an inability to pass on increased costs to customers. Tullis Russell specialised in higher-quality paper and card but this has not been immune from the
pressures of online publishing. During the past five years, the company racked up losses totalling £18.5m. The announcement from PG Paper follows moves by Alex Stewart-Clark, the UK’s Conservative party candidate for Glenrothes, to find a buyer for Tullis Russell. A veteran of the timber industry, he has given KPMG details of a potential unnamed buyer but it is not known if that is PG Paper. Speaking after his meeting with KPMG, the Conservative candidate called on the Scottish Government to do more for Tullis Russell, one of the larger employers in his constituency. If these last-ditch rescue attempts fail, Tullis Russell will join a long list of Scottish-based paper companies that have been forced out of business over the years. Names include International Paper of Inverurie, the Inveresk mills in Denny and Inverkeithing, the Davidson Mill in Aberdeen, and the Corpach Paper Mill near Fort William.
Non-contact and contact web cleaning systems for paper, plastic, foil and film Call +44(0)1993 706700 or visit www.meech.com
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IRISH PRINTER | Awards Preview
CELEBRATING
EXCELLENCE IN PRINT THE 38TH IRISH PRINT AWARDS WILL TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH IN THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL IN SANTRY, DUBLIN. IRISH PRINTER IS GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER SHOWCASE OF PRINT EXCELLENCE AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING ON THE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR’S EVENT.
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articipating in the Irish Print Awards 2015 is the perfect opportunity to promote your business nationally and to gain recognition as an outstanding print business that operates to the highest standards of service and print excellence. Entries for the 2015 awards will open on June 26th and will close on September 17th so make sure that you submit your entry to the Ashville events team! Celebrating excellence in the printing industry for over 35 years, the Irish Print Awards recognise the best of the country’s print sector and are the only independent awards event for the Irish print industry. All the nominees produce world-class printed matter and the standard of entries received exceeds expectations year-on-year. Judged by a select team of industry experts, the 2014 Irish Print Awards attracted the highest number of entries to date and nearly 400 people attended the 37th annual ceremony.
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LumiArt LumiSilk LumiDigital LumiForte YoUr NEW lUmI DIstrIBUtors aND stocKIsts E: salEs@rEalt-papEr.com • t: 01 8323099
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IRISH PRINTER | Awards Preview
TV3’s Sybil Mulcahy, who compered last year’s awards.
Tony Swan, Managing Director of Swan Paper and winner of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Print Awards 2014.
SWAN PAPER IS SPONSORING THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: • Report & Accounts Printer of the Year • Brochure Printer of the Year • Luxury Packaging Printer of the Year Irish Printer is delighted that one of our longest-standing sponsors and one of the most respected companies in our industry, Swan Paper, is once again sponsoring the Report & Accounts category in 2015 and is continuing its sponsorship of the Brochure Printer of the Year and Luxury Packaging Printer of the Year categories which made their debut in the awards last year. Swan Paper was founded in 1977 and, in terms of tonnage and revenue sales, is the largest independent wholly Irish-owned paper merchant on the island of Ireland today. “We are a full service graphic paper and packaging board stockist merchant providing a just-in-time delivery service
nationwide from our vast stock holdings at Baldoyle in Dublin, plus an indent service for direct deliveries,” says Managing Director, Tony Swan. “Our stock/indent includes products from the major paper and board manufacturers in Europe and throughout the world such as UPM, Lecta Group, Stora Enso, OP Papirna, International Paper, Iggesund and Metsa Serla. We operate from an office and warehouse complex of 50,000 square feet in Baldoyle Industrial Estate, Dublin, and we are on call 24/7.” Swan Paper has sponsored the Report & Accounts category for many years. “We are delighted to do so again this year,” says Tony. “We enjoy the largest market share in coated and uncoated folio sheets, substrates which are primarily printed on in this category, and our involvement in the Irish Print Awards helps support that position. We decided to sponsor the Brochure Printer of the Year category when it was introduced last year and to continue our sponsorship this year because we believe that, going forward, promotional print, of which brochures will be a major part, will play an increasing role in the advertising/promotional mix,
along with digital and social media. We are also pleased to continue sponsoring the Luxury Packaging Printer of the Year category. Luxury print packaging is a growth market and over the last three years Swan Paper has become a major part of that growth as a stockist board merchant specialising in Solid Bleached Board and GC1 and GC2 folding boxboard grades, replicating the ex-stock just-in-time service that we operate on the paper side of our operation. The Irish Print Awards are important to us as the major print awards event on this island. They enable us to support the industry through award sponsorship and our paper/board substrates are profiled on many of the submitted and winning entries.”
THE MANROLAND IRELAND AWARD FOR NATIONAL NEWSPAPERS Manroland Ireland provides sales and service in Ireland for manroland sheetfed and web offset printing products and is the official agent for a comprehensive range of world class print finishing equipment, including GUK, Baumann and Wohlenberg. Manroland Ireland also offers a portfolio of certified consumable products under its Printcom brand and is the only authorised dealer for Westland rollers and Trelleborg blankets in Ireland. “We have continued to sponsor the
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Awards Preview | IRISH PRINTER
“THE IRISH PRINT AWARDS...ENABLE US TO SUPPORT THE INDUSTRY THROUGH AWARD SPONSORSHIP AND OUR PAPER/BOARD SUBSTRATES ARE PROFILED ON MANY OF THE SUBMITTED AND WINNING ENTRIES.”
National Newspapers category in the Irish Print Awards because Manroland is the leading supplier of newspaper presses in Ireland and approximately 70% of all Irish newspapers are printed on manroland presses,” says Martin Lockley, Managing Director of Manroland Ireland. “It is therefore with great pleasure that we continue to sponsor the National Newspaper Award. The Irish Print Awards acknowledge the gargantuan efforts of those involved in the Irish printing industry in the presence of their peers. Manroland recognises the importance of seeking out and nurturing new and existing talent in order to maintain the exceptional standards which have become synonymous with the Irish printing industry.”
MILLER GRAPHICS FMCG PACKAGING PRINTER OF THE YEAR Multinational pre-press and brand management company Miller Graphics is continuing its sponsorship of the FMCG Packaging Printer of the Year award, which was one of the 10 new award categories introduced last year. Miller Graphics are a pan-European provider of packaging graphics services to brand owners, retailers and printers. “We manage the
Maev Martin, Editor, Irish Printer, Adrian Madden of Close Brothers Commercial Finance, sponsors of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2014 event, and Fiona Larmon, Commercial Manager, Irish Printer.
artwork and reprographics process and provide colour control and brand implementation services for new packaging graphics development,” says David Little, Sales Manager Ireland, Miller Graphics Ltd. “We also manufacture the latest high definition flexographic plates and sleeves and assist our customer in achieving consistent, process-specific, high quality print results. Miller Graphics are leaders in FMCG packaging graphics and we work with many of the largest brand owners across Europe. Packaging is a growing sector across the world and in Ireland, where we see great opportunity. We are pleased that packaging is taking a higher profile at the Irish Print Awards and we are delighted to again
Tony Swan, Managing Director, Swan Paper
sponsor this important sector because the FMCG Packaging Printer of the Year award acknowledges the great quality of Irish food and packaging producers. The Irish Print Awards continue to be an important event in the Irish print industry calendar. The event is a unique opportunity in the year to meet colleagues and friends from the sector, to entertain customers, and to see positive outcomes from the sector’s hard work.” Full details on all of the award categories and on how to enter the awards will be available on the magazine’s website. We will be continuing our sponsor profiles in forthcoming issues of Irish Printer.
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IRISH PRINTER | Cover Story
ADVANTAGE
MJ FLOOD IS CELEBRATING 80 YEARS IN BUSINESS IN 2015 BUT THEY ARE ALSO CELEBRATING THEIR SUCCESS IN THE COMMERCIAL PRINT MARKET. MICHAEL POWER AND PHIL SCHUELER TALK ABOUT WHY THE KONICA MINOLTA BRAND HAS BEEN GIVING MJ FLOOD THE EDGE OVER ITS COMPETITORS.
T
he commercial print market has been a major focus for MJ Flood since 2010. It was in that year that the company devised a strategy to build its market share in the sector, with the aim of becoming the number one supplier of digital colour production print machines in Ireland. And in five short years the company has achieved its objective. “In 2002 Konica launched the CPP 8050, which was the fastest colour digital printer in the world at that time,” says Michael Power. “Konica planned to use this machine to make its first foray into the commercial print market. After the merger of Konica and Minolta in 2003, one of the big goals of the new enlarged entity was to become the number one supplier of digital colour machines to the commercial print market worldwide. There was concern that volumes in the office market were declining
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Cover Story | IRISH PRINTER
and Konica Minolta identified the commercial print sector as an area that was going to grow. In Ireland, the global ambition was reflected in MJ Flood’s goal of transforming itself from a supplier of office equipment into a supplier of high-end colour laser devices to a very demanding customer – the commercial printer. This did not happen overnight. One of the first things we learned was that the margins in this sector were much lower than in the office sector. However, we knew that the higher volumes would make up for these lower margins.”
A STRATEGY FOR GROWTH
In 2010, MJ Flood was awarded the distribution rights to the Konica Minolta brand in Ireland after IBS was sold to Xerox. “We had a clear strategy to develop our market share in the digital colour production print market,” says Michael. “Our first job was to hire someone to promote the brand who had a good working knowledge of this industry. Xerox staff were the obvious target as Xerox enjoyed a virtual monopoly in this market in Ireland. Phil Scheuler joined us from Xerox in 2010. Phil had a background with Konica Minolta in the US and then spent three years with Xerox concentrating on the commercial print market. He brought valuable expertise with him. From a field service perspective, we decided to bring three of our own engineers
“PRINTERS KNOW THEIR MACHINES AND THEY CARRY OUT A HUGE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH BEFORE THEY PURCHASE SO IF YOU DON’T HAVE THE BEST MACHINE ON THE MARKET IT BECOMES EVIDENT VERY QUICKLY AND YOU LOSE MARKET SHARE.” who had already specialised in colour devices into our new print production division. These engineers had worked with Konica Minolta in Germany for seven years so they were able to pass on the knowledge and expertise that they had acquired to the rest of our field engineers.We knew that if anything let us down it would be poor service so those specialists then trained the rest of our engineers and now if a machine is in trouble in any part of the country and the local engineer can’t sort it then one of our three production colour specialists will get involved.” MJ Flood’s strategy to become the number one supplier of colour devices to the commercial print sector proved successful. They have held the poll position since 2012. In 2011 MJ Flood sold 16 units in the Irish market, that figure climbed to 20 in 2012, 24 in 2013, and to 35 units in 2014, giving them 47% of the digital colour production print market in Ireland. “However, we are well aware
that this market is product rather than sales driven,” says Michael. “By this I mean that without a premium product we could not compete. Konica Minolta have 50% of the world market for digital colour production print devices and that is because they are phenomenal machines. We aren’t enjoying this success because MJ Flood is great (well, not just for that reason!) but because the equipment has a clear advantage over its rivals.”
COMPETITIVE EDGE
So what gives the product that advantage? “There are a number of factors,” he says. “Value for money is one - we estimate that an equivalent model from Canon or Xerox is costing 25% to 30% more than the Konica Minolta machine. Also, the Konica Minolta presses have excellent paper handling capabilities, and productivity as well as quality of output are other features that put us ahead of the
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IRISH PRINTER | Cover Story
other suppliers in the market. You can have an average product in the office sector and still be one of the market leaders if you have a good sales team but that doesn’t apply in the commercial print sector. Printers know their machines and they carry out a huge amount of research before they purchase so if you don’t have the best machine on the market it becomes evident very quickly and you lose market share. Of course, apart from service and quality, another reason for our success, was our ability to make finance available to printers. In 2010, 2011 and 2012 there was virtually no credit being made available to commercial printers in Ireland but MJ Flood was cash rich at the time and we have our own leasing company so we were able to help print companies finance capital investments.”
A ‘CAN-DO’ ATTITUDE TO CUSTOMERS
With a total of 14 production presses, the Snap franchise in Ireland is MJ Flood’s biggest customer in the commercial print market. “They were mainly Xerox operators with a few Canon devices but now most of what they print on is Konica Minolta,” says Michael. “Sprint Print is another major customer of ours. They do huge volumes. They operate two mono machines and one high end colour machineandtheylovetheKonicaMinolta brand.” Other key customers include Digital Print Dynamics, who have two high-volume colour devices, the bizhub Press C7000 and C1100, as well as three 100+ppm mono production machines. Portobello Print operate two of our colour machines,whilePenninsulaPrintinBelfast operate a bizhub Press C1070 as well as a C1085,andMallowPrintingWorksinCork have a high-volume colour C8000 press. PhilScheuler,ProductionPrintManager with MJ Flood, points out that when they set up the production print department in 2010 they only had a handful of customers. After five years of steady growththeyarenowworkingwithnearly 150 largely commercial print/digital print companies across the island. “Our sales volumes have gone up consistently year-on-year and we are now selling more machines than ever,” he says. “The Northern Ireland market is very strong. We set up an office there three years ago and it has been strong since then and the Dublin and Cork markets have also been good for us. I think a huge part of our continued success stems from our
“KONICA MINOLTA’S KM-1, A HIGH-END B2 CUT-SHEET INKJET PRESS, WILL BE COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR... AND WILL BRING US INTO A SECTOR OF THE INDUSTRY THAT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE B2 INKJET.”
excellent service department, which is headed by Jimmy Lynch. We have a lot of ‘can-do’ guys in the field who keep our demanding customer base up and running and I think that goes an extremely long way in this industry. Coupled with that is what I consider to be the best digital production print equipment in the industry. Of course, you’dexpectmetosaythat!However,Isay thishavingworkedforKonicaintheearly 2000s before the merger with Minolta. Konica Minolta has really changed the game and made a huge impact on the market in a very short space of time. We now have mono and colour devices
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Cover Story | IRISH PRINTER
Michael Power (left), Sales Director, MJ Flood, with MJ Flood’s Production Print Manager, Phil Schueler.
€80m a year so commercial print is still a big chunk of our business,” he says. “We have close to 50% of the production print market and if we can continue to hold that we will be happy. Our production print operation will be expanded over the next few months. We will be recruiting someone to support Phil in fulfilling our customer training requirements. Looking at the global picture, Konica Minolta’s KM-1, a
1935
B2 INKJET PRESS – THE NEXT FRONTIER?
Production print constitutes 10% of MJ Flood’s overall business in Ireland in terms of turnover. “We turnover about
MAJOR MJ FLOOD
which offer distinct advantages over our competition, with technologies such as vacuum-belt paper feeding, automated front-back registration correction, and precision fully-automated colour correction systems, even on essentially entry-level machines.We have a lot more instoreandIreallythinktheprintmarket in Ireland is looking for a new partner as well so I’m very excited!”
milestones
1963 1971 1973 1984 1988
1995
2003 2010 2012
high-end B2 cut-sheet inkjet press, will be commercially available worldwide by the end of this year. It will retail for about €1m and will bring us into a sector of the industry that we have never been in before - B2 inkjet. We will be researching the market among our key customers to see if there is demand for a machine on this scale in Ireland. We need to find out if the volumes exist to justify launching it here.”
he company is founded by Michael James Flood and T is based around the sales and servicing of typewriters. Michael John Power, grandson of MJ Flood, joins the business aged 18. The company decides to enter the photocopier market selling a few different brands. MJ Flood is awarded the distribution rights for U-Bix copiers which then become Konica. The company appoints Brian Whiteside to spearhead a move into the office furniture industry. Herman Miller appoints MJ Flood as its Irish dealer. MJ Flood enters the UK office furniture market selling the Herman Miller brand. Within five years MJ Flood is the largest Herman Miller dealer in the UK with sales turnover of stg£25m in the UK alone. The company acquires a World War 2 bunker just outside London and converts it into a document storage facility. Over the next 20 years this business grows to hold in excess of one million boxes between three locations. Konica and Minolta merge to create one of the biggest companies in the photocopier market. MJ Flood is awarded the right to distribute the Konica Minolta brand in Ireland after IBS is sold to Xerox. MJ Flood achieves the number one position in Ireland for the sale of digital colour production printers with the Konica Minolta brand.
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IRISH PRINTER | Fespa 2015
WIDE VIEW PRINTERS NEED TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE, WHETHER THAT IS BY OFFERING A MORE DIVERSE RANGE OF PRINTED APPLICATIONS OR BY HELPING THEIR CUSTOMERS TO LOOK AT HOW WIDE FORMAT PRINT CAN SEAMLESSLY SUPPORT OTHER COMMUNICATIONS PLATFORMS SUCH AS ONLINE AND DIGITAL.
ANGLE
The
W
ide format print is pushing the boundaries of creativity for printers and designers. This includes looking beyond print as a powerful enabler for ‘static’ display graphics and demonstrating how this medium can even add value to digital and online platforms and transform printers into strategic communications partners. As another Fespa rolls around, wide format printing continues to be the sexy and busy end of our industry, not just in Ireland but around the world. Irish Printer looks at some of the innovations that are likely to appear in the Irish market over the coming months. Two new inkjet systems from Agfa, which made their entrance on the global stage at the International Sign Association’s Sign Expo in Las Vegas in April, will make their European début at Fespa 2015 in Cologne (May 18th to 22nd). The new products announced in Las Vegas included the 2.5 metre (98 inch) Jeti Tauro and the six-colour and white UV inkjet flatbed printer, Jeti Mira. The new Jeti Tauro and Jeti Mira are both aimed at the higher-
end segment of the sign and display market. The Jeti Tauro is a highend hybrid UV inkjet press with 32 heads for six colours, and optional white or primer, designed for high productivity printing on both rigid and flexible material. The system offers optional semi or full media load/unload automation. It prints up to 2.5 metre-wide rolls or rigid material completely operated from the Asanti workflow software. The Jeti Mira has an optional varnish or primer and features a moving-gantry architecture with a split-vacuum table that features six vacuum zones with automatic and independent control of the front and back zones. The Jeti Mira is available in two table versions: 2.7 metre x 1.6 metre and 2.7 metre x 3.2 metre sizes (8’ 9” x 5’2”/10’5”). The ‘Print and Prepare’ mode allows non-stop printing so printers can load one side of the table while the other is printing. Agfa also announced new automation and more feature integration in the wide-format workflow Asanti 2.0 and new UV inks for specific inkjet print applications requiring flexibility (RTR) or for dealing with challenging
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Fespa 2015 | IRISH PRINTER
Above: The Jeti Mira, one of two new inkjet systems from Agfa. Left: The Anapurna M3200i RTR is one of the most successful models in Agfa Graphics’ enhanced Anapurna i-series.
outdoor conditions. The new inks for Jeti and Anapurna systems target flexible applications, special substrates, and outdoor signage printed on polypropylene or styrene-based media types. At Fespa, Agfa’s two new inkjet systems will also be on display next to the new Anapurna M3200i RTR white and new automation options for the Anapurna M2500i. The mid-end wide-format Anapurna M3200i RTR is one of the most successful models in Agfa Graphics’ enhanced Anapurna i-series. At the Las Vegas show it was displayed with a high-density white option. “White ink comes in extremely handy on coloured self-adhesive vinyl, PVC banners or backlit film,” says Deborah Hutcheson, Director of Marketing, Agfa Graphics North America. “It is also great for printing on decals because the colours look brighter and more vibrant when printed on white. It blocks the background from seeing through, which is a typical problem on shop windows.
And on darkened car wind shields it becomes even more attractive.” Anapurna M3200i W can print white underneath colour, white on top of colour or colour/white/colour, supporting various applications. Next to these extended white print options, the system allows for highdensity colour printing (colour on colour) without the need to print in ‘double strike’ mode. The Anapurna M3200i RTR comes optionally with support for printing on mesh without liner and simultaneous dual rolls printing up to 1.52cm (60 inches). WATCH OUT FOR DOMINATORS & PREDATORS Gandy Digital, the Canadian manufacturer of digital inkjet large format printers, will premier its new Pred8tor+ high adhesion UV ink at Fespa. Ideal for flat and rollable signage and graphics printed onto acrylic and coroplast or corrugated plastic, the new Gandy Digital Pred8tor+ high adhesion inks minimise print cracking caused by graphic transportation. Gandy will also showcase its roll-toroll and UV flatbed printers, including
The Domin8tor
the flagship Domin8tor, Sl8te and the fabric roll-to-roll sublimation printer, SoftJet. The Domin8tor UV flatbed has a 2 metre x 3.05 metre (78” X 120”) print area, providing ultra-high resolution photographic print quality and eight blade colour configurations. Colours include CMYK, LtC, LtM, white, clear/ (white,white). Domin8tor printers use Ricoh Gen 4 printheads. Gandy Digital Sl8te is an entry level, roll-to-roll and flatbed UV printer. Available in 1.6m (5’3”), 2.2m (7’2”), 2.6m (8’6”) and 3.2m (10’5”) print widths, Sl8te uses Ricoh Gen 4, 6 picolitre printheads. The Softjet is a direct to fabric roll-to-roll sublimation printer that uses waterbased inks and features Ricoh Gen 5 print heads. Softjet is available in 3.3 metre (10’10”), 2.54 metre (8’4”), 1.88 metre (6’2”) print widths. CANON TO TAKE VISITORS ON AN ‘EXPERIENTIAL JOURNEY’ Canon Europe will present a completely integrated wide format graphic arts line up at Fespa. Divided into three themed zones, the Canon stand will depict the wide format application possibilities and examine key trends in the areas of retail, packaging, promotion, design and manufacture. Each zone will demonstrate how Canon’s wide format portfolio can help customers from the world of print, design or manufacture to become more profitable. Visitors will see a large range of applications being produced on-stand, each supporting one of the three themes, and will be able to browse through the updated Arizona ‘Look Book’, which explores the breadth of applications possible with this technology. A new ‘Look
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IRISH PRINTER | Fespa 2015
Left: Canon’s iPF 9400 Below: The Arizona 6170 XTS Bottom: Soyang Europe’s G-Floor
Book’ dedicated to the application areas of the Océ ColorWave range will also be available for the first time. The Océ Arizona 480GT is a UV flatbed printer that can produce near-photographic image quality on rigid or flexible media. It features eight independent ink channels and the ability to print a decorative varnish or a white layer on a variety of substrates. Possible applications range from Point-of-Sale (POS), signage and backlit signs, to fine art, speciality and industrial applications. At Fespa, the Arizona 480 GT will be used to demonstrate a new UV curable ink, named IJC257, developed for all Océ Arizona 300, 400 and 600-series printers. The Océ Arizona 6170XTS is a seven colour, high-volume flatbed printer designed for sign and display printers who produce over 30,000m² of printed rigid media per year. It features an extra-large 2.5 metre x 3.05 metre vacuum table to keep media and objects stationary during printing and offers print speeds up to 155 m2/h. The print speed in the production print mode is 100 m2/h. The Océ ColorWave 900 is a 42 inch roll-based printer with speeds of up to 1,000 square metres per hour and a production potential of around 430 A0 prints per hour. It is ideal for a vast range of display graphics applications, including POS posters, exhibition and trade show materials, counter and floor displays, and technical drawings and maps. The OcéColorWave 700, launched in February 2015 and making
its European début at FESPA this year, utilises the latest version of Océ CrystalPoint technology. This model caters for printing on uncoated, coated and speciality substrates and supports media up to 0.8mm in thickness, making it suitable for a range of indoor and short-term outdoor graphics applications, including posters, canvas, wallpaper and banner printing. The Canon imagePrograf iPF9400, incorporating Canon’s LUCIA EX, 12-colour pigment ink system, is Canon’s photographic, fine art and colour critical print production system. Canon Europe will also be featuring the DreamLabo 5000 production inkjet photo printer at Fespa. Canon Europe’s spokespeople will be on-site to demonstrate its photo book printing service, hdbook, powered by Canon, as well as to discuss the latest trends and developments in the growing photo book market.
counterpart, Soyang Technologies, showcasing its core product range as well as its printable flooring, G-Floor. At Fespa, Soyang will show visitors its substantial array of printable media, such as its textile products, SoFlat non-curling banner material, and SoFlex frontlit PVC banner. Its printable flooring materials, including G-Floor, will be the focal point of its stand.
SOYANG EUROPE GOES CONTINENTAL WITH G-FLOOR Leading printable materials supplier, Soyang Europe will exhibit alongside its Chinese
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Talking Technical | IRISH PRINTER
WEB CLEANING MORE IMPORTANT
AS INKJET EVOLVES IAIN CAMERON, MARKETING DIRECTOR WITH MEECH INTERNATIONAL, TALKS TO IRISH PRINTER ABOUT THE COMPANY’S WEB CLEANING TECHNOLOGY AND ITS BENEFITS IN THE DIGITAL PRINTING SECTOR.
Q
What kind of web cleaning technology does Meech provide for use on digital inkjet presses? A: When it comes to web cleaning, we employ both contact and non-contact systems for digital inkjet presses. The TakClean features specially formulated TransTak elastomer contact cleaning rollers and perforated adhesive rolls, which make it ideal for narrower and slower presses. The CyClean, with an optimised cleaning efficiency that allows it to remove and extract contamination to below 1 micron, is perfect for the newer, high speed presses. CyClean can handle virtually any substrate so, with new inkjet printable webs becoming available, the system provides a future proof solution.
Q
What are Meech’s views on the evolution of inkjet and how its technology can meet the challenges? A: Inkjet is evolving at a remarkable pace and its potential for increased speed and ever higher print quality is almost certain to continue. However, with greater speeds come more static charges on filmic materials, which in turn will attract a higher degree of contamination to the web’s surface. This means that product cleanliness will become an even bigger concern and thorough web cleaning solutions
will be a necessity. Meech is very well placed to provide the print industry and end users with the required amount of expertise as they embark on new ventures with new presses and technologies.
Q
How much of Meech’s sustained growth is driven by digital inkjet applications? A: Despite not yet enjoying the same prevalence in the market as the other digital web printing systems, inkjet is on the rise and our customer base and technical discussions within the press manufacturers’ development sectors remains significant. This leads us to believe that the advancement of our technologies will go hand in hand with that of the print industry and our input will only continue to grow alongside it.
Q
What is Meech’s involvement in the Irish market? A: This is the first time that Meech has sold directly into the Irish market. Over the past 18 months we have seen a greater number of enquiries coming from Ireland and we have recognised first-hand a number of sales opportunities. In light of this, it seemed logical to increase our sales and marketing activities in the region. We feel there is plenty of potential,
especially in the country’s print sector, which is why we are approaching local businesses that can significantly benefit from our web cleaning and static control technologies. ABOUT MEECH: Headquartered in Oxfordshire in the UK, Meech International is a specialist developer and manufacturer of electrostatic controls and related solutions. The Meech product range is organised into three key groupings: static control, air technology plus contact, and non-contact web cleaning systems. These are used extensively within a wide range of industries, including printing, packaging, converting, plastics, automotive, pharmaceutical and food production.
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IRISH PRINTER | Packaging
FLEXO CHALLENGES
CONFERENCE 2015
BELFAST PHARMA CARTON SPECIALIST
TAKES DELIVERY OF DIANA
MULTI PACKAGING SOLUTIONS IN BELFAST HAS TAKEN DELIVERY OF ITS FIRST DIANA X 115, A HIGHLY SPECIFIED FOLDER GLUER SUPPLIED BY HEIDELBERG.
T
he Belfast site produces over half a billion cartons a year so it required a machine that could deliver both high productivity and quick makeready. The Diana X 115 is expected to be 20% more efficient than the folder gluer it replaces. The site specialises in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector and supplies several of the world’s leading companies in this sector. In addition to work in the UK and Ireland, Multi Packaging Solutions also exports, with the main markets being Greece, Denmark, Norway and the US. “This is our first Heidelberg/ Masterwork model and it was chosen because of its excellent technical features and its abilities which were proven during testing,” says Operations Director Alan Porter. “The fact that it was supplied by Heidelberg was reassuring. Making a significant change with a lesser known brand would have been difficult and probably would not have happened. The machine will allow us to satisfy existing customer needs and to attract new business. As the supply chain increasingly drifts towards a lean mentality we need to be able to effectively produce shorter run lengths while coping with shorter lead times. The Heidelberg machine, with its operatorfriendly design, flexibility, and Auto
Set function, gives us the opportunity to dedicate machine parts to our most challenging constructions, standardising makeready and delivering high quality product at a competitive speed.” The Diana X 115 has been supplied in a CC version that produces some very complex carton designs because it features a double module system. The combination fold module handles four and six corner boxes and complex cartons and the other module features a lockbottom/crashlock device. In combination with the 3.5 metre prefold section, the two additional modules facilitate configuration flexibility with no compromise on the degree or location of the prefold. The basic machine and the additional modules each use a separate servo drive for quick and easy integration. It means additional modules can easily be added at a later stage. The Diana X 115 operates at speeds of 650 metres a minute to output 200,000 cartons an hour. The flexibility of the carriage configurations and folding modules makes it extremely versatile across a range of stocks and cartons. Dedicated folding attachments, belt foldings, and operator-friendly components ensure that set up times are kept to a minimum. The open design of the Diana X series also means that operators have very easy access to all of the machine components.
Printing and converting machines manufacturer Soma recently announced details of its third annual Flexo Challenges Conference on June 1st and 2nd in the Corinthia Hotel in Prague, the Hotel Filipinum near Soma’s offices and in the Soma Globe Training and Technology Centre in Lanksroun in the Czech Republic. The conference will include presentations from key industry personnel linked to live printing and converting demonstrations on its Optima press and new Venus III Turret rewind system. The conference will also hear from a panel of speakers who will share their expertise on a variety of topics, including Petr Blasko of Soma who will talk about ‘Flexo – Efficiency in Variety of Applications, Nick Harvey of Apex, who will present ‘Waitrose & Tesco Case Studies,’ Dan Pulling of Esko, who will talk on ‘Equinox – Extended Gamut Printing,’ Dave Kershaw of PPP on ‘Achieving Fixed Palette with Fusion’ and David Stevens of Soma who will present a ‘Retort Pouch Case Study’. Delegates will also get the brand owner’s perspective courtesy of a presentation by TBA, and Carlo Zanol will look at trends in solventfree lamination of flexible materials in food packaging. Tomasz Sonta of Flint Group will talk about the latest polyurethane inks for retort and food. The full programme can be found at: http:// www.soma-eng.com/flexochallenges-conference-2015 Soma Engineering’s portfolio encompasses CI flexographic presses, slitter rewinders, laminators, mounter-proofers, die cutters and special purpose machines for a variety of industries.
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Packaging | IRISH PRINTER
CONVERFLEX 2015 DEBUT FOR PINNING TOP DOT TECHNOLOGY
any compromise in quality. Excellent results have been achieved by working collaboratively with creative agencies, brand owners and printers to take advantage of these unique capabilities, and show attendees will be able to see the results first hand.”
FLEXOGRAPHIC PHOTOPOLYMER PLATE COMPANY ASAHI PHOTOPRODUCTS WILL BE PROMOTING ITS PINNING TOP DOT PLATE TECHNOLOGY AT THE CONVERFLEX 2015 EXHIBITION, WHICH TAKES PLACE FROM MAY 19TH TO 23RD IN MILAN.
A
ccording to Asahi, its Pinning Top Dot plate technology enables a broad colour gamut, vibrant colour reproductions, soft tonal shades and improved productivity. “Initial feedback on our Pinning Top Dot technology, which was announced last year, has been extremely positive and we are looking forward to sharing its benefits with attendees at the show,” says Andrea Belloli, Italian Branch Manager for Asahi. David Galton, UK Sales Director for Asahi Photoproducts, says that the
CONTACT ANGLE NOT PINNED INK IS ABLE TO TRAVEL DOWN THE SHOULDER
print quality achieved by combining their plate technology with fixed colour palette printing techniques brings “outstanding” shelf appeal to packaging. “Print consistency is crucial to brands’ ability to drive sales volumes by increasing visibility, reinforcing identity and ensuring volume turnover,” says David. “Pinning Top Dot was designed to improve the quality of the emerging fixed colour palette printing technique, which delivers cost benefits to the brand owner without
NON PRODUCTIVE WASTE
PRINTING
NON PRODUCTIVE WASTE
PRINTING
PINNING TOP DOT: THE DETAILS A feature of both Asahi’s solventwashable TOP and water-washable AWP plates, Pinning Top Dot technology (PDT) enables a clean ink transfer and prevents ink accumulating on the plate surfaces and shoulders in screen areas. This leads to fewer cleaning intervals and reduced downtime, as well as significant quality improvements. Pinning Dot Technology allows a kiss-touch printing pressure setting. It makes use of low plate surface tension, made possible by a specially engineered Asahi polymer chemistry, to inhibit liquid flow. The ink forms a globule, with a large contact angle and high pinning point. This results in a cleaner and homogeneous ink transfer from plate to substrate, helping flexographic printers meet the quality demands of their customers. GLOBAL DEBUT OF HYBRIDA RESIN In addition to its Pinning Top Dot plate lines, Asahi will also debut its new HybridA liquid polymer resin. HybridA resin features higher viscosity for the post-printed corrugated printing market. The resin is a hybrid solution that combines the advantages of liquid resin with the technical properties of a solid plate. “Asahi first brought innovative liquid resin technology to market more than 40 years ago, and we are proud that the innovation continues today,” says Andrea Belloli. “This latest liquid resin offering will help customers to maintain a leadership position in the highly competitive corrugated market.”
CONTACT ANGLE PINNED INK DOES NOT TRAVEL DOWN THE SHOULDER SMALL CONTACT ANGLE
CLASSIC POLYMER
PINNING POLYMER
CLASSIC POLYMER
LARGE CONTACT ANGLE
PINNING POLYMER
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year’s Hunkeler Innovation Days.
IRISH PRINTER | What’s New in Print?
PERMANENTLY PEELABLE FILMS FROM DRYTAC
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rytac Europe recently announced the expansion of its ReTac range of permanently peelable films for wall graphics applications. The new additions to the line include ReTac75 Matte and ReTac150 Gloss. They sit alongside the existing ReTac75 Gloss film which was announced in 2014. ReTac75 Matte is a 75µ white polymeric PVC film, coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive, permanently peelable adhesive. Specifically designed for high vibrant print quality graphics, the film is easy to apply and easy to remove or move. With its newly-awarded Class 0 Fire Rating, ReTac75 Matte is ideal for numerous applications, including public areas – such as airports, hotels and hospitals – requiring compliance with strict fire regulations. Suitable for use on most indoor surfaces, painted walls, melamine, glass and low surface energy substrates, ReTac75 Matte is printable by solvent, eco-solvent, HP Latex and UV inkjet techniques. ReTac150 is a 150µ matte white polymeric PVC film, coated on one side with a pressure-sensitive
permanently peelable adhesive. It benefits from all the same qualities as ReTac75, including Class 0 Fire Rating, but the increased thickness of the material makes it very easy to handle. It is also great for wall installations as the film hides any imperfections on the surface onto which it is mounted. Drytac also recently launched Polar HiGrab for medium-term indoor and outdoor graphics applications. Polar HiGrab is a printable 100µ (4 mil) white monomeric PVC film coated on one side with a high-tack pressure sensitive, solvent grey opaque acrylic adhesive which is protected with a Kraft release paper. Its adhesion properties enable it to adhere to a
wide variety of surfaces, including indoor and outdoor painted walls and machine equipment. The film is printable by solvent, eco-solvent, latex and UV inkjet technologies and has an outdoor durability of four years, based on average European exposure conditions on a vertical substrate. As well as having a Class 0 fire rating, the product’s longevity can be further enhanced with the fully-compatible Class 0 fire rating Drytac Interlam and Drytac Protac over-laminating films. Drytac’s entire range of films and adhesives is exclusively distributed throughout the UK and Ireland by Antalis.
ZERO SPEED SPLICER ELIMINATES DOWNTIME
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anon Europe and Tecnau announced last month the availability of the new Tecnau Zero Speed Splicer u40 in combination with the Océ ColorStream 3000 series of digital production printers. The Splicer u40 eliminates printer stoppages due to roll changeover. These stoppages can last from five to fifteen minutes. With today’s fast printers having the ability to process a roll within an hour, downtime percentages due to roll changes can accumulate up
to 25%. With the Zero Speed Splicer u40, this downtime is virtually eliminated. Tecnau and Canon have collaborated to ensure that the total line is highly integrated to minimise operator intervention, paper waste and printer downtime. When the roll is about to run out, the u40 automatically splices the old roll to the leading edge of the new roll, while the printer automatically raises the inkjet heads into a safe position to eliminate any risk of head damage. As soon as the
splice exits the printer, the Océ ColorStream 3000 automatically restarts printing, ramping to maximum speed. The intelligence developed between the Splicer u40 and the Océ ColorStream 3000 reduces operator intervention to a minimum for both roll loading and printer splice accommodation. The first successful installations of the Zero Speed Splicer u40 have been completed at two of Canon’s major customers.
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n Days.
What’s New in Print? | IRISH PRINTER
Highcon Highlights Benefits of Digital Finishing
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he Highcon Euclid digital cutting and creasing machine made its first public appearance in Asia at Print China 2015 in Guangdong, China, April 7th to 12th. Highcon held live demonstrations of the Euclid machine as well as showing off a wide variety of commercial and packaging applications produced by customers worldwide. Visitors to the show were also able to see extreme examples of the capabilities of the Euclid, produced on microflute substrate. The Highcon Euclid II+ is a second generation digital cutting
and creasing machine for converting paper, labels, folding carton and microflute. The Euclid machines incorporate Highcon’s patented ‘DART’ (Digital Adhesive Rule Technology) to produce creases and high-speed laser optics for cutting and etching, all in one pass.
PINK
BENEFITS OF DIGITAL FINISHING • BUSINESS GROWTH
• NEW MARKETS
• NEW CUSTOMERS
• CUSTOMER RETENTION
• EXISTING CUSTOMERS
• PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
• DIFFERENTIATION
• SAVING MONEY
• NEW PRODUCTS
• TIME TO MARKET
COMES TO P EUROPE IN 2015
ink, the new creasing matrix from C&T Matrix, was launched in 2014. Initially, C&T concentrated on the launch of the matrix in emerging global markets, where run lengths are still long and operators require a matrix that is tough, durable and of high quality. China, Mexico, India, South East Asia, Russia, the UK and Germany have been key markets so far. “We have converted very large international customers such as DS Smith, Smurfit Kappa and Schumacher to Pink and they have been delighted with the increased performance on press,” says C&T Matrix Managing Director Simon Shenton. “2015 will see the launch of Pink in the rest of the world, with a particular focus on Europe. C&T is now seen as the leading matrix manufacturer worldwide, especially when it comes to launching new innovations that actually solve our customers’ problems.”
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IRISH PRINTER | What’s New in Print?
Updated Colour Management Tools
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MG recently released GMG OpenColor 2.0, the latest version of its colour management software for package printers. The updated version comes with a completely redesigned user-centered interface. A projectbased view allows more flexibility in handling measurement data and creating profiles, while providing more safety in terms of data control and transparency. Each packaging product can be managed via a project folder which holds all related
information in one place. The centralised data management ensures accurate and consistent results even across multiple sites. In addition, GMG OpenColor 2.0 offers more control in terms of a publishing functionality so that only approved data and profiles proceed into production. The software comes with extensive correction tools for determining potential sources of error, optimising measurement data and editing profiles. All corrections are visualised in a live preview. The GMG OpenColor
multichannel testchart generator creates individual testcharts for all packaging applications.Virtually any number of patches can be defined in various overprinting combinations and with full control of the separations. All test charts created with GMG OpenColor can be measured within the application. GMG OpenColor supports the most commonly used measuring devices in the industry. GMG OpenColor 2.0 is available from GMG and GMG resellers.
NEW HIGH PRODUCTIVITY INCA ONSET
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nca Digital launched the Inca Onset R50i wide-format flatbed UV printer last month. This printer features fine-drop 14 picolitre Fujifilm Dimatix Spectra printheads and an eight-channel, dual CMYK configuration to deliver 600m2 per hour productivity with automation. Positioned between the 400m2 per hour, six-colour Onset R40i and the 720m2 per hour Onset S50i, the new Onset R50i meets the needs of firms who produce a mix of graphics for long and short-distance viewing. “This new Onset ticks all the boxes for many companies because
it extends the range of jobs they can handle,” says Heather Kendle, Inca Digital’s Director of Marketing and Product Management. “Plus, its ability to produce both sharp text and smooth block colours with all the added advantages of digital print flexibility will appeal to companies with XXL offset presses. Early reaction from the market has been extremely positive with installations already underway.” The full-width array flatbed Onset R501 is supplied with a choice of Caldera or Colorgate RIPs and prints an apparent resolution of 1000dpi
onto substrate sizes up to 3.14 x 1.6m (123.6in x 63in) and 50mm (2in) thick at a rate of up to 120 full-bed sheets an hour. Depending on specific job requirements, users can choose between unidirectional, bi-directional and high-quality or high-productivity modes. The Onset R50i is equipped with a 15-zone vacuum table, a UV sensor system and mechanical substrate height detectors. The Onset R50i printer is available immediately from Fujifilm, Inca’s exclusive global distribution partner.
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Ink | IRISH PRINTER
NEW STREAMLINE FROM SUN CHEMICALS SUN CHEMICAL WILL SHOWCASE THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO ITS STREAMLINE RANGE OF SOLVENT-BASED INKJET INKS AT FESPA 2015. DESIGNED FOR WIDE AND SUPERWIDE FORMAT PRINTERS, INCLUDING EPSON, VUTEK, ROLAND, MUTOH, MIMAKI AND SEIKO, SUN CHEMICAL’S STREAMLINE RANGE IS FORMULATED TO HAVE MATCHING COLOUR AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES TO THOSE OF OEM INKS. 2014, Streamline TX is an aqueousbased CMYK dye sublimation ink for the soft signage market. The ink offers a vivid colour gamut combined with high density black colour for direct printed polyester textiles. According to Sun Chemical, it offers excellent printthrough, a key attribute for printers producing double sided banners such as flags.
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he new additions to the Streamline range include Streamline Ultima HPQ LO, Streamline SGX, Streamline TX and Streamline TBJ. Streamline Ultima HPQ LO is an upgrade of the existing Ultima HPQ product, now benefitting from Sun Chemical’s low odour chemistry. The ink is designed for Mimaki eco solvent printers. Also new this year are Streamline SGX eco solvent inks. The series has been designed specifically to work with the high performance thin film piezo print heads for the new Epson SureColor 70600 printer. The series also benefits from Sun Chemical’s
low odour chemistry. Streamline TBJ demonstrates Sun Chemical’s commitment to the superwide format solvent print market. The product is formulated for the HP Turbojet and offers printers significantly reduced energy consumption through improved drying performance, improved overall ink consumption, and reduced overspray which removes the need for cleaning between print jobs. Sun Chemical’s first range for the digital textile market, Streamline TX, will also be highlighted at Fespa. Introduced last year at Fespa Digital
SCREEN & INDUSTRIAL Sun Chemical will launch new additions to its SunPromo range of solvent and UV curing inks for screen printers producing graphic display applications. The VioGraph VGF Series is a range of UV curing screen printing inks specifically formulated to meet the needs of point of purchase advertising material producers. The series is suitable for multi-purpose use in graphic screen printing applications such as point of purchase, advertising, signs, self-adhesive decals and window displays. The UV curing screen ink series, VioFlash VFC, is for high speed in-line printing on a variety of plastic substrates, papers and boards. The inks are suitable for the production of instore advertising, displays and visual packaging. VioFlash VFC inks can be used on a variety of semi rigid and self-adhesive PVC, papers and boards, as well as a selection of print treated polyesters. The VioFlex VFX range of UV curing screen inks is for high speed printing onto semi-rigid and self-adhesive PVC substrates. Applications include selfadhesive window stickers, labels, instore advertising, displays and visual packaging. Sun Chemical will also launch a new screen ink - Monocure Universal Container UCI – which is formulated for high speed screen printing on a variety of plastic containers.
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IRISH PRINTER | Profile
BUILDING AN IRISH SUPPORT BASE COATINGS AND PRESS ROOM CONSUMABLES COMPANY ULTRACHEM SUPPLIES THE UK’S OFFSET, HEATSET, COLDSET AND FLEXO PRINT BUSINESSES AND HAS OPERATIONS IN OVER 100 COUNTRIES. MAEV MARTIN TALKS TO PETER SMITH, BRANCH MANAGER, ULTRACHEM IRELAND, AND TO ULTRACHEM DIRECTOR JANET BRINTON, ABOUT THEIR PLANS TO FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR CUSTOMER BASE IN IRELAND.
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ltrachem specialise in the manufacture of water-based coatings, UV lacquers, UV inks, founts, washes, and pre-press chemistry, of which over 55 are Fogra-approved. Products that are available to print companies in Ireland include the Sava blankets and Van Son inks, as well as wide format inks, Baldwin washcloths, Sontara washcloths, Kinyo blankets, KSL spray powders and Actega flexo inks. “We find that our own coatings and washes are the most popular products, “ says Peter Smith. “We have an extensive portfolio, including our Ultrachem branded products, many of which have been tried, tested and developed for over 30 years. They are recognised around the world for their high quality and consistency.” SAFE TO TOUCH PRINT An interesting technology launched by the company earlier this year is their Safe to Touch Print emulsion (water-based) coatings. Safe to
Ultrachem Director Janet Brinton
Touch Print is an antibacterial print coating that works by deactivating all current common pathogens. Features of the coating, which is available in matt, gloss, double-sided silk, soft-touch matt and low-migration finishes, include a kill rate of 99.99% of bacteria, viruses and fungi, which makes all printed surfaces coated with the product effective within four minutes. Ultrachem claims that this protection lasts for the entire lifetime of the print. The coatings are suitable for medical and hospital documents, pharmaceutical printing, non-food packaging, menus and stationery, or for applications such as airline magazines, which are likely to be handled by hundreds of people. “Feedback from recent print trials has shown that the product does not affect the runnability, drying characteristics, appearance, consistency and final printed result,” says Ultrachem Director Janet Brinton. “Safe to Touch
Print coatings are a unique way for a printer to add value to their finished items and to differentiate them from their competitors. Customers can even add the logo indicating Safe to Touch Print has been used on a particular piece of work.” Has there been much take up of this technology in Ireland? According to Peter Smith, a number of Ultrachem’s existing customers have been trialling the Safe to Touch range, including Atlas Packaging and Business Print. Ultrachem has a range of customers in the Irish market across the litho print, packaging, label and flexo sectors, including Printrun, Westside Press, Castle Print, and Delta Packaging. The company moved into its 3,500 square foot premises in Cherry Orchard Industrial Estate in Dublin 10 in January 2014. “We had outgrown the previous unit,” says Peter. “And the premises are centrally located, minutes from the M50 motorway. The
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Profile | IRISH PRINTER
unit is specifically designed to hold our range of chemicals and coatings. This has helped to improve distribution and has enabled us to give our customers faster deliveries and quicker response times. Has Peter noticed an upturn in print activity and demand in the Irish market? “There is more stability in the market - there seems to be a small upturn with customers and we are ideally positioned to support whatever requirements they may need,” he says. “The message is simple – Ultrachem is evolving into a stronger, leaner operation. We are proud to have maintained our family philosophy which puts good customer service and quality products first and we and are excited to now be in a position to further develop Ultrachem as a prominent industry supplier.” Established in 1981 to provide press room consumables for commercial printers in the UK, Ultrachem continues to be run by Managing Director Tony Brinton
and his family directors Janet Brinton, Laura Brinton and Tony Brinton Jnr. It employs 60 staff and enjoys an annual turnover of £14m. Ultrachem provides global distribution and has a 1,500 UK customer base. It exports to over 100 countries from Ireland, Eastern Europe, the US, the Middle East, India, Central and South America and Australia. In September 2014, Ultrachem took the strategic decision to move from two existing London sites into one main distribution and office site based in Enfield. This site supports Ultrachem’s existing manufacturing bases in Bristol and Leeds and its distribution hubs in Nottingham and Dublin. EXPANDING CONSUMABLES RANGE Ultrachem has grown strategically since the 1980s by acquiring other businesses, including Keane Graphics in 2003 and RW Coatings in 2010, as well as Solvo, GB Graphics, NEGS and Russell Webb Coatings. “These acquisitions have extended our offering into blanket conversion, commercial inks, plates, and sundries and strengthened our product range for the packaging and flexo industries,” says Janet Brinton. “We are currently adding to our team of Business Development Managers in various areas in the UK to ensure that we remain at the forefront of customer service and product innovation. Ultrachem has a strong reputation for product innovation and for manufacturing consistently high
quality products, while recognising the diversity of customer needs. Because of the scale of our independent UK operation, we are able to develop customer bespoke products, as well as maintaining stocks of products that are less popular, but are still the life-blood for many print businesses.“ PRODUCT TESTING & INNOVATION Ultrachem customers are not buying from a middleman who may have little product control. “At Ultrachem, we develop and test all our own products before they are released to the market.,” says Janet. “If there is a problem, the buck, quite simply, stops with us.” Ultrachem has two R&D laboratories - one in Leeds for press room and ink chemistry and the other is an ISO 9000-accredited facility in Bristol that develops and produces coatings and inks. “We have made a considerable financial outlay to ensure that all of our testing equipment is state-of-theart,” says Janet. “Prime examples of Ultrachem’s prominent pioneering portfolio are the recent additions of low migration adhesives, speciality chemicals, and the ‘Safe to Touch’ print coatings which contain an antimicrobial agent. Ultrachem also provides a vast range of services, including solvent blending and blanket conversion. We are constantly developing bespoke products for customers and this continues to grow. Ultrachem is strengthening its position as the first choice manufacturer and supplier for quality coatings and press room consumables and services.”
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IRISH PRINTER | Interview
The Delta Force GLOBAL VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST, THE DELTA GROUP, IS THE LARGEST PRIVATELYOWNED PRINTER AND THE BIGGEST BUYER OF SCREEN INK IN EUROPE. IT IS ALSO THE WORLD’S LARGEST USER OF THE HP SCITEX FB7600 MODEL. MAEV MARTIN TALKS TO DELTA IRELAND MANAGING DIRECTOR PETER MAHON ABOUT GROWING THE GROUP’S IRISH PRINT AND CREATIVE OPERATION.
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elta was set up in the UK as a screen printing business in 1991 by Jason Auluk and Mike Phillips. The co-founders had worked in various print businesses before establishing Delta and they are still involved in the business. Jason is Group Commercial Director while Phillip is Group CEO. The Irish business, which was 10 years old last month, was the first global office for Delta outside of London. “Disney was and is a big customer of Delta and they wanted us to service their business in Ireland,” says Peter. “We started moving their film reels into the cinemas and we picked up more film business on the back of that. The production of POS materials for film companies was a key part of Delta’s output in the UK and those clients wanted to set up an Irish operation. Ten years ago Delta in Ireland was moving film reels around and producing POS material to promote films in cinemas. The business was based in Tallaght. We then invested in staff and print equipment and five and a half years ago we moved to this premises in Ballycoolin, which gave us a bigger footprint to set up a print capability and grow the business.The Delta Ireland office currently offers the full range of marketing services – creative, printing, fulfillment and installation – of its parent group.” Delta Ireland got involved in the digital print business five years ago. “Until then, all of our printed materials were coming from the screen facility and the digital operation in the UK,” says Peter. “At that time we installed a HP Scitex FB7600 and two HP Z6200 models. Today, we have another FB 7600, which was installed in November 2014, and two Esko Kongsberg cutting tables, as well as finishing equipment. We installed the first cutting table a few years ago and the second one went in last November.”
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Interview | IRISH PRINTER
Last summer, Delta installed a Durst Rho 312 roll to roll printer and a Rhotex 322 soft signage printer in its UK operation. “The Durst Rho 312R is a cloth-based machine that allows us to produce hanging banners and flags and it operates at 240 square metres per hour,” says Peter. “The Durst technology has proven to be phenomenally successful in meeting the Delta Group’s soft signage market requirements and the quality is exceptional. The skin tones are excellent and there is no extra work required by the designer. The Chanel POS advertisement that we produced is a good example of the quality that can be achieved with the Durst technology.” Delta Group has a strong customer base among retailers, FMCG brands and entertainment companies. Clients in Europe include fashion brands such as H&M, Penneys and New Look, as well as high profile retailers such as Asda, B&Q and the Dixons Store Group. “They are all progressive brands that want to be at the cutting edge of visual merchandising and retail displays,” says Peter. “We still work with Disney on producing their POS material, including the recent work that we did for the Cinderella film. The retail sector is very important to us – we do a lot of work for Musgraves, SuperValu and Centra. Other key clients include 3 Mobile, Pernod Ricard, Largo Foods and Coca Cola Hellenic. We also service a number of the UK operation’s clients here in Ballycoolin, such as B&Q, Burger King, Asda in Northern Ireland, and the Disney store on Grafton Street, which is one of the top three retail performing stores for Disney in Europe.”
Clockwise from top: Delta’s award-winning Halloween display for Asda; a creative and seasonal die-cut streetscape for 3 Mobile; striking ‘masks’ for River Island’s retail display; a shopping centre promotion combining print and digital for Disney’s ‘Frozen’.
KEY PROJECTS Recent key projects include the compilation of a variety of display and promotional materials for 3 Mobile for their ‘Reveal Weekend’ at the end of February. Delta re-branded the internal areas of 60 stores, as well as providing exterior vinyls, over two and a half days. “We were working to extremely tight artwork, production
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IRISH PRINTER | Interview
and project delivery timelines,” says Peter. “We had to adapt the artwork to suit the different size of each premises. With our Christmas campaign for 3, we created a Dublin streetscape which was installed in their stores in the capital and we produced a city streetscape for each city in Ireland. We also did store takeovers using the die cut shape of the buildings in-store as well. This project is entered in the Institute of Creative Advertising and Design Awards, which take place at the end of May.” Pernod Ricard is another big client of Delta Ireland. They produce mini pallets for their Christmas campaign in retail outlets. “We also produce in-store displays for a variety of their brands, including Absolut, Jameson, Jacobs Creek and Sandyman,” says Peter. “The mini pallets that we produce are sturdy – they can carry 160 kilos of product - and they stand the test of time.” Another successful Christmas campaign was for Largo Foods. Delta created sleighs out of re-board, which acted as containers for products. They also managed the re-brand from Superquinn to Supervalu for 12 of the 24 stores that were involved. “We produced 2,500 different pieces of artwork for non-promotional POS, from category management and exterior lit signs, to branding in-store on billboards and window vinyls. It was a phenomenally successful campaign and we got excellent feedback from Musgraves.” Delta Group’s Halloween display for the Asda stores won the Best Retail Display award in the POPAI UK & Ireland Awards, which represent the best that the retail marketing industry has to offer in all areas of in-store communication. “We are sole supplier of all of Asda’s print in the UK and Northern Ireland, which we won through a competitive tender a few years ago and we have a dedicated team in Leeds serving that account.” NOT JUST A PRINTER The Delta Group has a number of strings to its bow – there is Delta Display, the print operation, MPD, which looks after the movement, dispatch and installation of the materials produced by Delta Display (last year it dispatched 2.5 million packages in the UK and Ireland) and Lick, which is the company’s creative agency. “Print is still the biggest part of our business, of our turnover, and it is where our founders are from, but we set up Lick a
few years ago to broaden our service out beyond print,” says Peter. “Lick employs 45 graphic designers but it goes beyond graphic design - it is a full creative agency that can deliver very impactful campaigns, whether it is in-store, out-of-home or on the street. Most big print management companies have strong creative design and asset management capabilities and they see this as crucial to growing market share. Delta has adopted the same approach. We have 14 people working on site in Dublin and they are split between print manufacturing, finishing, warehousing, account management, sales, installation and creative work. We employ 17 structural engineers between Ireland and the UK so, from a corrugated point of view, we have one of the largest structural engineering teams in the British Isles. Our endto-end online campaign management system, Workstream, comprises web to print, asset management, artwork approval, library management of POS, store reviews, campaign builders and tracking of PODs. Some of our clients upload a campaign into Workstream which triggers an order in our system and the artwork can be created via an Excel file.” CROSS MEDIA COMMUNICATION Technology and innovation are constantly evolving to assist both the retailer and the shopper. “Delta has a dedicated technology and innovation unit in the UK and we are training
“PRINTERS ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO HOW THEY CAN GET THEIR POS MATERIAL TO WORK HARDER IN-STORE AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIFIC DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IS A WAY OF DOING THAT. IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT PRINT, PAPER OR CORRUGATED, BUT ABOUT COMING UP WITH THE BEST COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING SOLUTION FOR THE CLIENT.”
people in Ireland,” says Peter. “We can provide services that integrate with mobile devices which, when used correctly, can provide engaging content for the consumer and act as an important point of contact for the retailer. We have experience with all manner of digital screens, kinetic technology, and sound cones. For example, Lick supported the launch
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Interview | IRISH PRINTER
of the Ironman film with an experiential event that was hosted in a number of shopping centres in the UK and Ireland, including Dundrum Shopping Centre. Participants were invited to ‘become Ironman’ via augmented reality and to immerse themselves in an interactive movie experience. This was done by working with the latest kinetic interactive technologies and one of the world’s largest plasma screens. We are also working with clients on Near Field Communcations (NFC) technology, Point of Sale tracking, and basic QR codes. For example, with the Tesco ‘Firework’ campaign for Halloween, we created a
technology but those that are trialling it are making it work for them, as are shopping centres. Printers are paying more attention to how they can get their POS material to work harder instore and the employment of specific digital technologies is a way of doing that. It is not always about print, paper or corrugated, but about coming up with the best communications and marketing solution for the client. Print will survive, but in different formats. Whether it is McGowans or 3: rock investing in Durst technology, or a company like The Printed Image setting up its own creative agency, it
“PRINT WILL SURVIVE, BUT IN DIFFERENT FORMATS. WHETHER IT IS MCGOWANS OR 3: ROCK INVESTING IN DURST TECHNOLOGY, OR A COMPANY LIKE THE PRINTED IMAGE SETTING UP ITS OWN CREATIVE AGENCY, IT IS ABOUT EXPANDING WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER, AND ONCE COMPANIES DO THIS, THE IRISH PRINT INDUSTRY’S SURVIVAL IS GUARANTEED.” POS suite detailing good, better and best fireworks. QR codes integrated into the POS allowed customers to see the actual fireworks in action on a website that we created via their mobile device while they were in the store.” The retail POS market is very crowded and brands want unique activity that shoppers can only experience in their store. “Our retail clients are investing heavily in NFC technology,” says Peter. “Not every retailer can use this
is about expanding what you have to offer, and once companies do this, the Irish print industry’s survival is guaranteed. We are seeing an increase in demand for our services and I think the future is bright for the print industry, especially for those who have been able to invest in new equipment. I don’t think there will be any more print company closures – the industry has lost enough businesses and doesn’t need to lose any more.”
PETER MAHON has held a wide variety of senior level marketing services and ad agency positions with Direction Marketing, JWT Communications, Grey Advertising, Publicis and Cawley Nea TWA. He has also worked with print companies such as Print & Display and Hobson Morris (now The Printed Image). In 2008 he moved back to his native Naas to work for XM Solutions. “Emerson Palmer was looking to rebrand the business and expand it so I worked there until 2011, firstly as New Business Director and then as Sales Director,” he says. “It was a time when so many print companies and suppliers came and went. However, I got a great insight into print manufacturing and print management. I then moved to Dialogue Marketing where I was approached by Delta who wanted someone with an agency background, who had worked with brands, had led creative teams, and who understood the print environment.”
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IRISH PRINTER | Exhibition Update
MANROLAND SHEETFED SIGNS UP TO
PRINT SHOW STAND SPACE AT THE PRINT SHOW IS FILLING UP FAST AS MAJOR EXHIBITORS PLEDGE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS YEAR’S DEBUT EVENT.
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TP Associates has become the latest company to sign up to the debut edition of The Print Show shortly after organisers revealed the event’s first floorplan. The map clearly details the companies which have already signed binding contracts to exhibit at the event, as distinct from those who have reserved stands prior to contracts. Print manufacturing giant Manroland Sheetfed is among those companies that have signed up to the show. The company has taken one of the larger stands, while the likes of digital print technology specialist RISO, Premier Paper, D&K Europe, B&R Moll International, Signmaster Systems, and Grafityp UK will also have stands at the event. Scheduled to take place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham from October 13th to 15th, The Print Show has been designed for printers in the UK and Ireland. The event will pay tribute to all aspects of print and celebrate the work done by talented printers in the British Isles. Since its launch in November last year, The Print Show has attracted major interest, not only from those wishing to exhibit but also from companies that are planning to attend the event this autumn. DTP Associates is a key player in the digital printer manufacturing and distribution market with its awardwinning XPress On Demand systems. “We feel that the industry is looking for a UK and Irelandfocused show for the small- and medium-sized businesses,” says
Luke Stoneham, Sales Manager for The Print Show. “They are, of course, the future of the industry and our extensive research shows that this is the type of show that they will support, visit, and exhibit at. We are now starting to get manufacturers on the floor plan and many more are following. Any first-year project is challenging. However, we are pleased to announce that we are well ahead of schedule and we are grateful for the support that we have had from the industry so far. With Drupa moving to every three years, and having the international scale that it does, we are creating a UK and Ireland print show for the UK and Ireland industry - something that is missing from that market and something that is desperately needed. We are confident that we will get between 6,000 and 8,000 visitors to the NEC in October. Our database is 15,000-strong and we speak to them on a fortnightly basis. This will be an event that will educate the visitor and deliver a platform to sell for the exhibitor.” The Print Show is an annual exhibition that is designed to provide the key tools that everyone from the smallest high-street print shop to the biggest conglomerate needs to remain competitive. Rather than just being another corporate orientated event, The Print Show will also work to provide a fun and entertaining celebration of the industry’s culture and history and will include a series of on-going live demonstrations of traditional print and finishing techniques, from letterpress, to intaglio, relief, and stone litho printing. “If the industry is to thrive and prosper into the future, today’s brand managers, marketers, and media buyers from across the UK and Ireland need to understand print’s legacy and thus the value of printed products in a modern context,” says Luke. “As it celebrates the history and culture of our wonderful industry, The Print Show’s mission is also to provide UK printers with a clear blueprint for the future.” For more information: tel: 00 44 117 980 5049, email: Page@theprintshow.co.uk or visitwww.theprintshow.co.uk
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APRIL 2015 || THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY || WWW.IRISHPRINTER.IE
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3D Design Reaches 100,000th 3D Models Milestone
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WHAT’S NEW IN PRINT
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MARCH 2015 || THE VOICE OF THE INDUSTRY || WWW.IRISHPRINTER.IE
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TECHNOLOGY
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IRISH PRINTER | Design
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QUARKXPRESS 2015 TOP MOST REQUESTED FEATURES
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QUARK SOFTWARE INC. ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 28TH THE OFFICIAL AVAILABILITY OF QUARKXPRESS 2015, THE NEW MAJOR RELEASE OF QUARK’S GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PAGE LAYOUT SOFTWARE.
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n version 2015, users will find fast 64-bit architecture, industryverified PDF/X-4 output, and fixed layout interactive (app-like) eBook production, as well as an array of the most user-requested features. Quark surveyed thousands of QuarkXPress users around the world to discover which features would be most valuable to include in QuarkXPress 2015. The survey, plus a focus on increasing performance, quality and stability, helped Quark develop a new version of QuarkXPress that includes the following features. 64-BIT ARCHITECTURE QuarkXPress 2015 can now use all the RAM available on a user’s computer to deliver performance improvements across the board, from file handling and layout rendering to PDF export. Quark has also added multi-threading to the QuarkXPress text engine to further increase performance. PDF/X-4 OUTPUT By using this latest standard, designers can maintain transparency to enable smaller files, faster output and higher quality print output. The exported PDF/X-4 files are certified by the same technology used inside Adobe Acrobat.
DESIGNER-CONTROLLED AUTOMATION From the early days of style sheets, master pages, indexes and tables of content to more recent additions such as shared content, conditional styles and callouts, Quark has always focused on automation. QuarkXPress 2015 builds on this with automatic footnotes and endnotes, a new, faster table tool for Excel integration with table styles, and text variables for automatically populating reoccurring fields – such as running headers. FIXED LAYOUT EBOOKS WITH APPLIKE INTERACTIVITY QuarkXPress 2015 combines the best of reflowable eBooks (ePub) with interactive apps for a new digital output format. Users can create HTML5 fixed layout eBooks without any additional software or costs. The fixed layout eBook format (ePub3 or Amazon’s KF8) displays pixel-perfect layouts without the complexity and cost of creating native apps. Features and functionality for working faster and smarter include an Orthogonal Line Tool, Custom Page Sizes, Relink Any Picture in the Usage Dialog, User-definable Shortcut Keys (Mac only), Collect for Output and Usage
for Complete Project, Table Styles, Format Painter, Drag Installer for fast and easy activation (Mac only), Yosemite OS X Support, Tool Palette, Measurement Palette, Palette Group docking on Windows, and Open PDF after Export. QuarkXPress 2015 is available as a free test drive and everyone who test drives the new version will receive a free design template to help them get started. Quark offers a variety of free training resources for QuarkXPress 2015: YouTube: www.youtube.com/ quarkxpresstv, Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/officialQuarkXPress and Forums: forums.quark.com. With the release of QuarkXPress 2015, Quark is now allowing upgrades from versions of QuarkXPress dating back to the 1990s (versions three to 10). QuarkXPress offers dual activation, meaning it can be installed on up to two machines and across Mac and Windows platforms. In addition to upgrades and new licenses, Quark now has new support options for six and 12 month technical support plans, plus new 12 and 24 month upgrade plans that include upgrades to new versions during the course of a user’s plan.
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NEW TRADE PRICE OFFER 130gsm & 170gsm gloss QUANTITY 1,000 2,500 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000
A4 FLAT € 60 80 130 225 335 430
DL € 40 50 60 90 130 160
– printed full colour both-sides A5 € 40 55 80 130 190 240
A6 € 40 50 60 80 120 130
A3 TO A4 € 105 160 255 465 650 835
* As of April 13th 2015, all orders received before 12 noon, relating to the130gsm & 170gsm gloss price list, will be dispatched in two working days, regardless of the day of receipt. Please allow an extra €2/1000 to fold A4 to DL or A5. All prices exclude VAT & Delivery.
Please contact us with any queries! Freephone: 1800 613 111 Email: sales@walshcolourprint.com
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