Digital Image Magazine June 2023

INSIDE

COVER STORY

Pushing the limits of performance with Red Bull Ampol Racing and Avery Dennison.

Visual

All About Graphics A behind the scenes look at the project that won “Best in Show” at the FESPA Global Print Awards.

Mezographic

Tips for managing salary expectations

Charles Watson gives us insights into managing unrealistic candidate salary expectations.

publisher Image Publications Pty Ltd

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editor Stephanie Gaddin

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Welcome to the June Issue of Digital Image Magazine.

As we hit the mid-year, we take a look back at Visual Impact, and bring you news from the FESPA Munich Global Print Expo.

This year’s Visual Impact Sydney was a huge success with attendances up more than 10% on the 2018 show. In this issue we bring you some of the highlights including Australian firsts, new technologies and advancements in sustainable media.

A large group of school children came through on day one, bringing an excitement and positivity to the show that remained for the full three days. And what better place to showcase the diversity of opportunities, than with a large swathe of high-end technology running at full tilt? Giving them a chance to “Try a Trade”, or the thrill of watching expert wrappers compete at the HEXIS Wrap Battle.

We go behind the scenes of the Daniel Johns immersive exhibition, for which Melbourne based, All About Graphics has won the “Printeriors” and “Best in Show” awards, at the 2023 FESPA Global Print Awards. We recognise Mezographic for their three decades of family business, growing from strength to strength, and finally we bring you our new feature article, an apprentice profile, focusing on the future of our industry.

As always, we love hearing your stories, so keep in touch and tell us about your interesting and challenging projects. You can also follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news in signage, wide format and textile printing.

Stephanie Gaddin  Editor Digital Image Magazine

Pozitive’s Andrea Trumble Appointed to Visual Connections Board

Andrea Trumble, Marketing Manager for Pozitive Sign & Graphics Supplies, has been appointed to the Visual Connections Board.

Trumble, who was voted onto the Board at its last meeting, replaces Jeremy Brew from HP, who has stepped down.

Announcing the appointment, Visual Connections President John Wall said the appointment was a positive one, “Andrea’s appointment adds someone with an impressive depth of knowledge and helps maintain the balance between print, sign and display suppliers, as well as between global players and the smaller, family-owned businesses who make up such an important part of our industry.”

Trumble, who has a long connection with Visual Connections through her role in events like PacPrint and Visual Impact for Pozitive and others, says she is delighted to join the supplier association in this capacity.

“I have always believed that having a strong, representative voice at association level is vitally important, for both industry businesses and suppliers,” she says.

“As someone who has been involved in this

diverse sector for many years, I have seen and appreciated the work Visual Connections has done with expos, events and education – a subject which I consider particularly important – and the way they cooperate so closely with other industry associations to drive benefits for both suppliers and consumers.”

“I look forward to working with the Board and the operational team to continue that united front, in the strong belief that working together on projects which benefit all is the best way to build a strong and successful industry into the future.”

Wall added that the evolution of the Board continued to ensure fair and diverse representation, and new members were always welcomed for their new ideas and perspectives.

“We are fortunate to be able to attract such a high calibre of people to our Board, and to benefit from their expertise and insights. We thank Jeremy most sincerely for his contribution to the Board and to Visual Connections over his term, and are very much looking forward to Andrea’s input at this strategic level,” concluded Wall.

Allprint Graphics buys swissQprint Kudu in an Australian first

Sydney-based Allprint Graphics has purchased a swissQprint Kudu from Pozitive Sign and Graphic Supplies, making it the first SwissQprint Kudu in the Australian market.

A second-generation, family-owned business founded in 1960, Allprint Graphics produces everything from wobblers to freestanding displays, corrugated displays, self-adhesive vinyls and indoor and outdoor advertising. With origins in screen printing, they have continued to increase their investment in digital equipment, including two swissQprint printers, an EFI roll-to-roll, and a range of conventional die-cutting equipment.

Grant

Cunningham,

Managing Director

of Allprint Graphics, says, “Our previous experience with swissQprint over the last nine years has been excellent. We’ve had great backup and support from Phil and the Pozitive team.  We are looking to reduce our screen printing capacity, and the swissQprint Kudu will help take some of the load.”

“The Kudu is the latest machine to be released by swissQprint, so it’s a brand new technology, with a new chassis, new carriage and running the latest software. Productivity is important to us, and the Kudu is a good combination of quality and speed. In addition, it has a flexible layout that will suit us with our range of materials that we print”, concludes Cunningham.

“This is a relatively new machine with only thirty machines in production worldwide”, says Philip Trumble, Pozitive Sign and Graphic Supplies. The swissQprint Kudu brings the same DNA of quality and versatility found in all swissQprint machines but also adds more speed to the mix. In addition, it has several options that can be specified upfront or added at a later date. We have been working with Grant for many years and are excited to partner with the AllPrint Graphics team to bring the first SwissQprint Kudu to Australia”, concludes Trumble.

Roland DG launches new VersaOBJECT range for direct printing onto 3D objects

Roland DG has launched a new VersaOBJECT brand of products capable of printing brilliant colours directly on a wide variety of three-dimensional objects. The lineup adds six CO models to its series of large-format UVLED flatbed inkjet printers, four with fixed flatbed tables and two with belt systems, providing users with many options.

“The VersaOBJECT line is our direct printing solution that enables easy and efficient high-precision printing on three-dimensional objects without using conventional methods such as pad printing or screen printing that require specialised skill and know-how,” says Tony Miller, President of Global Sales and Marketing Division. “We were quick to recognise the value of direct printing by digital technology, and in 2011 we launched our first UV flatbed printer capable of printing on materials such as resin, leather, and wood. Since then, we have added numerous UV direct-to-object inkjet products that have become very popular.”

The new CO inkjet series is equipped with UV inks that cure via ultraviolet irradiation and can print directly on various materials such as plastic, leather, wood, and cloth. Based on their material and application, customers can choose the best solution for their needs from six different models in 64-inch and 30-inch widths, including four flatbeds with three different fixed table sizes for the 64-inch versions, and two printers with belt systems.

The CO series is ideal for personalisation of a variety of consumer products, and customisation of industrial products and parts, interior decoration, sign graphics, POP displays, packaging, and other high-mix, low-volume production. In addition, the belt system allows printing on items with longer shapes, as well as on unique, thicker roll media like natural or synthetic leather, felt, and rubber mats.

Precision ink firing and powerful LED lamps cure the ink fast. This combination delivers stunning images and high colour saturation and reproduces the finest details, from small text to elaborately textured patterns and gradations. CO series printers support CMYKOrRe and special inks of Clear, White, and Primer. The use of Clear ink produces finishing effects such as gloss, matte, textures and simulated embossing. Highopacity White ink is often used as a base coat when printing on transparent film or dark objects, while Primer ink makes it possible to print on materials that were previously difficult to print on, such as metal.

FESPA Australia appoints Bianca Martin, from IVE, as Public Relations Director

FESPA Australia confirmed the re-appointment of its existing board members at its Annual General Meeting this April, and has announced the appointment of Bianca Martin, Commercial Manager, IVE Brand Activations in a new board role of Public Relations Director. Martin brings a wealth of experience in the printing industry, the associations says her communications and media relations expertise will be a valuable asset to FESPA Australia as it continues to promote the industry and its members.

Re-appointed Board members are Nigel Davies remaining as President; David Asker as Vice President; Mark Brooks as Treasurer; Keith Ferrel as Honorary Secretary; and Matt Ashman as Supplier Director.

“I am excited to have Bianca on board,” said Davies. “As well as her commercial skills and relationships, as a FESPA Future Leaders program graduate, she has the unique insights which will drive success in our Mentoring, Training and the 2023 Future Leaders Program.”

FESPA Australia says the rich industry experience on the board and leadership will be essential in guiding FESPA Australia towards achieving its goals for 2023.

Additionally it says it will build on the success of its inaugural Future Leaders program and Conference with a stronger emphasis on networking and facilitation. Working with the Future Leaders cohort and FESPA global associations, it will focus on attracting and retaining new people in the industry with a new training initiative.

The association says its strong leadership team and a clear vision for the future, demonstrate its commitment to advancing the industry through collaboration between suppliers and print service providers on the issues that matter to the industry.

Mutoh appoints Brayden Kean to a newly created technical specialist role

Mutoh Australia has appointed Brayden Kean in the role of Technical Applications Specialist.

Kean, who was previously a sign writer with CT Signs in Cromer, NSW, for eight years, comes to Mutoh with a broad range of experience across print operations.

Kean says “I’ve been really impressed by the warm and welcoming culture of the Mutoh Australia team and moving into the supply side of the business is a great opportunity to learn even more about the industry, from a different perspective”.

Russell Cavanagh, Managing Director of Mutoh Australia, said that “the role was necessitated by a growth in demand, and that Brayden’s technical experience is a great addition to the Mutoh team”.

Metamark now available in Western Australia

Ball & Doggett announced the availability of Metamark in Western Australia.

Metamark is a premium quality, highperformance self-adhesive sign vinyl that is widely used in the signage and graphics industry. The brand is known for its durability, colour consistency, and ease of use, making it a favourite among sign makers and graphic designers around the world.

Shaun Dowling, Area Manager WA – Sign Display & Digital, Ball & Doggett, says “I am thrilled to be introducing Metamark to our customers, it is a game-changer for us. We are delighted to be able to offer such a highperformance product that we know will exceed our customers’ expectations. With Metamark, we can help our customers achieve outstanding results in their signage and graphics projects, and we’re excited to see the amazing things they’ll create with this premium quality selfadhesive sign vinyl.”

“We are excited to be partnering with Metamark to bring their exceptional range of self-adhesive vinyl to our customers in Western Australia,” says Steve Warn, National Manager –self-adhesive and heat transfer, Ball & Doggett. “We believe that Metamark’s superior quality and performance will be a great addition to our product range and will help our customers achieve the best possible results in their signage and graphics projects.”

Customers in Western Australia can now access Metamark’s range of high-quality sign vinyl through Ball & Doggett’s distribution network, which includes a comprehensive range of delivery options to ensure quick and reliable service.

Colorado M-series Roll-to-Roll Printer with White Ink Option launched by Canon

Canon Production Printing launched the new Colorado M-series, a modular 1.6m roll-toroll printer with two speed configurations and with Canon UVgel white ink, boosting the printer’s productivity and expanding the range of applications that customers can create.

The new M-series design is based on a single platform that can be configured to customers’ needs and grow with their business, with easy in-field upgrades. The scalable series includes two base models (M3 and M5) offering a choice of output speeds (cruising speed of 29sqm/hr and 40sqm/ hr and maximum print speed of 111sqm/hr and 159sqm/hr respectively), with the option to upgrade from one model to the other. Both printers can be easily upgraded to ‘W’ versions for white ink (M3W and M5W).

“Ever since they burst onto the market, Colorado printers with UVgel ink have set the highest bar for speed, quality and all-round productivity. On top of these business-critical performance criteria, customers today want to make smart, environmentally-responsible investments in large format graphics printing solutions that can evolve with them and help them tap into lucrative creative applications, products and markets. With the addition of an easy-care white ink option, the new modular Colorado M-series is the growth engine that businesses need to level up their capabilities and turn ideas into reality,” says Craig Nethercott, Managing Director, Canon Production Printing Oceania.

The introduction of a white UVgel ink maximizes the scope for customers to benefit from UVgel’s renowned performance advantages for a full spectrum of premium graphics and décor applications – for example window graphics, labels and wallpaper. With this addition, and with new media detection sensor technology for easy media handling, Colorado M-series customers can expand their typical product offering using heavy structured, transparent, colored, reflective and magnetic materials.

The unique gel formulation of Canon UVgel ink translates to fast build-up of dense and opaque white images in fewer passes than with conventional printing technologies, and printed output maintains its original whiteness over time. UVgel’s particular properties also eliminate many production, nozzlecleaning and maintenance issues commonly associated with white ink, offering smooth, error-free printing, minimising ink usage and waste, and maximising productivity.

Customers can also choose the popular FLXfinish+ option with their Colorado M-series printer, allowing them to add matte, gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print, without additional varnish. Highvolume customers can automate the printto-finish process with a UVgel Print Factory or UVgel Wallpaper Factory configuration, which seamlessly integrates the Colorado M-series printer with cutting, rewinding, taping or sheet stacking to manage volumes of at least 50,000sqm (500,000ft²) per year with minimal operator time.

Canon UVgel ink delivers pin-sharp image quality and consistent color, while its instant drying properties enable immediate cutting and finishing, and its ultra-durability removes the need for lamination. Like previous Colorado models, the M-series is designed to handle the workload of multiple legacy rollto-roll printers, with industrial-grade roundthe-clock reliability and unattended printing with minimal operator intervention. The new M-series Colorado printers are supported by PRISMAguide XL, the easy and powerful make-ready software which results in effortless production runs with consistently high quality.

Canon says the Colorado M-series is designed with low total cost of ownership and rapid return on investment in mind, attributing this to the lowest operating costs in its category, the ability to produce highvalue applications, and the unique modular upgrade options.

80+ ASGA Golfers Hit the Greens in WA

The recent ASGA WA Golf Day had more than 80 participants attend from across the local sign, graphics and print industries.

The day provided a valuable opportunity to network with industry peers and colleagues.

Teams took to the greens for an afternoon session, enjoying a full round of Ambrose-style golf that focuses on fun and friendly competition for various prizes. After the game, guests enjoyed the drinks, BBQ buffet dinner, and prize presentations.

Before making the presentations to the various team and individual members, Michael Punch, Event Manager for ASGA, said, “Events like this come about through a team effort and play an important role in building and maintaining the connection and strength of our industry. In one sense, that makes everyone here a winner.”

“We acknowledge the sponsors who not only invest in the event but bring along their signage clients to form teams who provide such great competition and fun on the day.

“Seeing so many of you willing to come out of your offices and workplaces, set aside healthy business rivalry, and join together in such an enjoyable event, proves that industry camaraderie here in the West is alive and well.”

Peter Oliver from ORAFOL organised two competitive teams, finishing first and second in the Ambrose event.  The Mulford and Spandex teams closely followed them. Mark Simmonds of Signs & Lines won the $250 gift voucher provided by Mulford on its par three hole, and Francois du Toit from Image Signs won the $500 ORAFOL voucher for nearest the pin on the 18th hole.  The other nine novelty prizes were spread amongst other players.

This year’s WA Golf Day was sponsored by Graphic Art Mart, Spandex, Mulford, ORAFOL, Signarama, Complete Projects, Kingman Group, ARLON, Roland DG, and Sign Manufacturers Insurance Brokers (SMIB). Other industry businesses participated in the day, including Lift Off Solutions, Ball & Doggett, ARTREF, Western Australia Sign & Print Management (WASP) and KwikKopy Perth.

Further Golf Days are planned for Brisbane on 22 August and Melbourne on 4 October. To learn more about these and other events, go to the events page on the ASGA website. To discuss sponsorship opportunities or register your team, 0448 274 211, michael_punch@signs.org.au

Zünd expands Q-Line with BHS180 Board handling system

Zünd is expanding its machine portfolio in pallet-to-pallet production with the new Q-Line with BHS180 Board Handling System and UNDERCAM. The Q-Line with BHS180 has smart machine-control technology and a high level of automation.

The new Q-Line with BHS180 board handling system is an integrated solution intended to meet the demands of highly automated, industrial finishing of printed boards for displays and packaging. The individual components – the board feeder with UNDERCAM, the new Q-Line cutter generation, and the off-load unit – are coordinated to provide high productivity levels.

Working together, the new machine components can get to speeds of 2.8 m/s. The new substructure for Q-Line cutters is made from extremely stable concrete, ensuring a smooth operation and optimum cutting precision, even at extremely high speeds. The beams are made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic, which makes them very light and exceedingly strong. The new linear drive system enables acceleration of up to 2.1g. Therefore, jobs can be processed at even greater speeds and shorter cycle times per job.

The Q-Line with BHS180 comes with the latest generation of modules and tools such as AUTOMO L, AUTOMO E, UNITO, and the fixed INCAM sensor module.

Q-Line cutters come standard with an automatic tool-changing system, the TOMAC Tool Management Client handles tool management and digitally links the tools with presets, saving time in setup and tool changes.

The integrated UNDERCAM and board feeder captures the precise location of the image printed on the board. It reliably identifies any distortions in the print, compensates for them, and perfectly matches the cut to the print every time. The software adjusts the cut paths with each scan in real time, reducing the cycle time for each job.

During the feeding process, sensors capture the edges of the material, and the board is correctly aligned. If the board is not within tolerance, the board feeder grabs it once more and realigns it so it can be fed onto the cutter without interruption. This allows even imperfectly stacked materials to be processed, further streamlining the production workflow. In addition, to ensure reliable board and sheet separation, redeveloped suction cups can be individually adjusted for different materials via Zünd Cut Center – ZCC.

The new Q-Line with BHS180 is initially available as a dual-beam system in three sizes. Users select the appropriate machine size for their specific requirements, no matter whether their production involves one-offs, small batches, or high-volume orders. The Zünd Cutter Q 3232 D has a working width of 3.2 m, the Q 22-32 D has a working width of 2.2 m, and the Q 18-32 D has a working width of 1.8 m.

HEXIS acquires Stickittome

HEXIS SAS has announced the acquisition of Australian distributor Stickittome, with the company saying the move “intensifies its growth strategy”.

Stickittome, started in 2001 by Scott Niven, specialises in the supply of vinyl films for printing and cutting; it also offers a wide range of accessories for the application of adhesive films.

“We are extremely happy to be able to take this step in strengthening our team and the HEXIS brand here in Australia. We will look to focus on our customer relationships and site visits to work closely with clients on projects and their daily needs. Keeping on the Stickittome staff and adding more experience to our sales force will add to our overall Hex’pertise, and we look forward to new conversations in the near future”, said Ian Parsonson, Managing Director of HEXIS Australia.

Parsonson also noted that the HEXIS company philosophy is based on similar values to those of the co-founder of Stickittome, saying, “It is a family-run business built from the ground up, with owners and partners who have a passion for the industry. Moreover, they strive to remain as close as possible to the endusers and their needs enabling them to provide them with the best solutions and products.”

Emphasising the importance of the new operation, Clément Mateu, CEO of HEXIS SAS, said, “HEXIS has experienced continuous growth for several years on the Australian continent thanks to the involvement and market knowledge of our teams as well as our distributor Stickittome. The decision to invest locally a few years ago proved to be wise and has led us today, thanks to a particularly dynamic sign industry in Australia, to opt for this takeover operation.”

Building the Future –Focus on Training Paying Dividends

Since our last edition, ASGA’s focus has been very strong on this area, with the first stage of our education initiative launched at Visual Impact Sydney. In partnership with Visual Connections and Australian Schools Industry Partnership (AusSIP), TAFEs and other RTOs, we aim to engage young people and connect them with our exciting and dynamic sector.

Over 15 years, this program has successfully driven apprenticeship numbers and supported hundreds of young people into industry careers. The 2023 iteration – our most ambitious yet – has been a massive success with a ‘Try-A-Trade’ program held at the recent Visual Impact Sydney in partnership with AusSIP and TAFE NSW.

Well over 100 students, together with teachers and parents, visited the show to explore the diversity of opportunities available and try their hand at skills including lettering, garment printing, laser engraving and traditional brushwork under the guiding hand of apprentices from Ultimo TAFE, and find out about training and career options from experts and apprentices during “speeddating style” conversations at an Industry Round Table lunch.

These opportunities were complemented by the opportunity to tour the show, taking part in everything from the ASGA / Hexis Wrap Battle to channel lettering and photography workshops – creating an experience that students and teachers found valuable, informative and ‘lots of fun’.

A good number of the Year 10 students who visited from local schools went away keen to find out more. In contrast, groups of more

senior students who had already expressed interest in industry careers, participated in more focused and specific discussions about qualifications and training. Strong interest was also reported from people already working in the industry interested in achieving a new qualification or upskilling.

Stage Two of the program is now underway, with AusSIP attending careers expos in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane, with a Sydney show to follow in June and one in Perth in July (all the details are in the events calendar at www.signs.org.au). Already, the team has connected with hundreds of students and, in partnership with local TAFEs, has connected many directly with trainers. Many more enquiries will be followed through in the coming weeks.

In related news, our team continues to work behind the scenes to lobby for reinstating the Sign & Graphics qualifications onto the Federal Government’s Skills Priority List after dropping off earlier this year during a review. We are working with many partners in this arena, including advisory groups and State government bodies, and have also started a dialogue at the Federal level to correct this oversight. We’ll keep you updated as discussions progress.

Meanwhile, if you know of any young people interested in careers in sign, display, wide-format print or other related areas, you can find out more about careers, training, apprenticeships and jobs at the ASGA website www.signs.org.au

There is no more vital issue to the future of our industry than attracting, training and retaining good talent. ASGA is committed to supporting the future of our industry by engaging young people with the opportunities available in our industry and directing them to appropriate training and apprenticeships.

Visual Impact Sydney

If you didn’t see everything at Visual Impact in Sydney, or didn’t make it to the show, we’ve got you covered in our wrap up. With all the Australian firsts making their debuts from new printers, European made laser cutters and sustainable media the show had a positive, forward-looking feel. So, grab a coffee, sit back and relax and read about the stands, the people, the new technology and the events that made an impression at the show.

The show organisers, declared the show the biggest and best since the mid-2010s, with representatives of 3,000 industry businesses attending and millions of dollars of business transacted over the three-day event. Attendance was up 10 % on the last Sydney show in 2018 , and more than 20% on the 2017 show.

Some exhibitors, including Wilenco and Mutoh, reported selling all the machines on their stands. Jeremy Brew from HP noted that in terms of ROI, the show had outperformed even the highly successful PacPrint 2022.

Cheltenham, Victoria based Printflex bought a new HP R2000 from Ball & Doggett. Printflex already has a HP Latex 360 and Latex 570, and decided to invest in the new R2000 to extend their business to the next level.

Printflex Managing Director, Mark Brock said “There is a great environmental message with the new HP Latex printers, and we want to send that message to our customers. The R2000 has the print quality and substrates we need to confidently sell to our clients.”

Brock also noted that the machine running costs are not as high as UV, with parts easily replaceable, another point in the decision to buy the printer. “Ball & Doggett were the final choice of supplier for us because they have techs on the ground for support, we also have a history of being client for both Ball & Doggett and Conect, so we were very comfortable knowing how their support works and that we would have access to the tech support,” said Brock.

Mike Callander, Hardware Sales Manager for Ball & Doggett said, “Mark has been a valued client for over ten years. We are delighted to help him future proof his business with this new acquisition, broadening the sales opportunities into other media and applications.”

Other sales reported at the show include Storm Signage from Queensland, who purchased a RollsRoller Flatbed applicator 340 from Spicers and the first Canon Colorado M in Australia being snapped up by Sydney Kwik Kopy, who purchased the printer from Starleaton.

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY TRAIN

While the show’s theme was “Envision your success”, the overarching zeitgeist was clearly sustainability in action, with several exhibitors showcasing not only what their printers could do, or the long list of environmentally friendly attributes of their media, but also demonstrating a commitment to sustainability in their stand builds. The market forces driving the push for sustainable product output are not pulling back, if anything, the push is gaining momentum across the sector.

HP repurposed signage from PacPrint for its stand, and printed the new collateral with water-based inks, no solvent or eco-solvent inks were used; the company showcased not only its commitment to supply sustainable solutions but also its goal of reducing its own footprint.

The Spicers stand was constructed entirely from ReBoard Print, a fully recyclable rigid paperboard with an engineered flute core and a white surface that can be printed on or finished with a range of laminates. Spicers finished their “shelving”, on which they displayed multiple sample packs and product information brochures with a wood finish laminate.

Ball & Doggett constructed its stand from the Envirocore Board, an Australian-made rigid board made from recycled paper with an expanding honeycomb core that is laminated between the facing papers.

In a break from its usual corporate branding, Epson showcased its theme “Relax, you’re in good hands” with a bright, colourful stand filled with multiple samples of the applications that are possible across the range of printers.

SAS constructed a bar from their Ai panels – showcasing the concept of functionality and design , you can read more about the concept and success of the show for SAS on Page 16.

Several new printers, machines, and products made their Australian debut at the show, in addition to the new innovations and updated versions of reliable favourites.

Roland DG’s new VersaOBJECT CO Series flatbeds were showcased for the first time in Australia. Aimed at businesses interested in object customisation. The range is capable of printing brilliant colours directly on a wide variety of three-dimensional objects. The line-up adds six CO models to its series of large-format UV-LED flatbed inkjet printers, four with fixed flatbed tables and two with belt systems, providing users with many options. The new CO inkjet series is equipped with UV inks that cure via ultraviolet irradiation and can print directly on various materials such as plastic, leather, wood, and cloth. Objects can be up to 200mm in height and the 100kg/sqm in weight. The printer also allows for gently curved or uneven surfaces. Visitors to the show were treated to demonstrations on the VersaOBJECT directly opposite the show entrance.

The new HP Latex 2700 Printer, 3.2m wide roll-to-roll, including white ink, took centre stage at the HP stand. Even at 3.2m, it is more compact than previous similar models and is designed to fit into the smaller factory spaces of modern sign and display businesses. It can print across a wide range of media, including banners, self-adhesive vinyls, films, papers, wall coverings, canvas, synthetics, fabrics, mesh and textiles. The printer can also produce vivid colours at up to 89 sqm/h (3-passes).

A BRM Laser engraver and cutter was showcased on the Graphic Art Mart stand. The range is new to the Graphic Art Mart portfolio, and new to Australia. The machines can engrave or cut a variety of substrates and are European designed and made. The range includes the Slim 600 and 900 for smaller factory spaces, and a range of larger Pro models for busy production as well as an Open Bed flatbed model.

Starleaton showcased the brand-new Canon Colorado M5W large-format (1.6m) roll-to-roll UVgel printer for its first showing to the market in Australia since launching in Feb. Miller Street-based Kwik Kopy franchise purchased the new printer, becoming the first purchaser of the large-format with white ink option in Australia.

The new M-series design is based on a single platform that can be configured to customers’ needs and grow with their business, with easy in-field upgrades. The scalable series includes two base models (M3 and M5) offering a choice of output speeds (cruising speed of 29sqm/hr and 40sqm/hr and maximum print speed of 111sqm/hr and 159sqm/hr, respectively), with the option to upgrade from one model to the other. Both printers can be easily upgraded to ‘W’ versions for white ink (M3W and M5W).

Epson launched the updated F2260, a direct to garment (DTG) printer which now includes Direct-to-film (DTF). This update allows for the transfer of designs onto polyester fabrics that are not suited to the DTG process. Gordon Kerr, Business Marketing Manager, Epson Australia said, “Direct to Film is the biggest, fastest growing aspect of this market. The F2260 was designed specifically to do both DTG and DTF, the software has a DTF mode, and the printer works with a wide range of films and powders.”

New in Australia at the Stick on Signs stand was the upgrades to the Dimense system giving owners of the printer the ability to print on canvas instead of wallpaper. The canvas prints can be framed, allowing for multiple creative installations and applications beyond the wallpaper and tactile marketing applications the machine is known for.

Pozitive had the newest Nyala 4 printing in neon inks front and centre. The latest version of the best-selling printer in Europe for several consecutive years comes with increased energy efficiency, is FOGRA certified, and holds GREENGUARD GOLD certification. The printer has excellent energy efficiency according to ISO 20690:2018. Phil Trumble, Managing Director of Pozitive, said at the show, “This is an exceptionally versatile flatbed printer. Including both roll-to-roll printing as well as flatbed capability. It offers our clients unmatched print quality and is the first flatbed printer in Australia that can print in neon inks.”

with enhanced repositionability and high adhesive strength. “Ball & Doggett are delighted to bring this innovative product to the Australian market,” said Rob Brussolo, General Manager – Sign Display & Digital, Ball & Doggett, adding, “The extreme conformability of the MCX films give complete confidence when fitting into 3D channels and deep recesses.”

The showstopper on the Spandex stand was the Colour change PPF (Paint Protection Films) from STEK Automotive, showcased on a wrapped BMW in the centre of the stand. The films are exclusive to Spandex and come in various colours and patterns. Ben Clarke, National Sales Manager Spandex Asia Pacific, commented, “The PPF will last seven to ten years and gives car owners something that allows for a unique colour change but comes with the added benefit of protection.”

An expanded Premium Colour Change range from Arlon was displayed on the GAMART stand, now available in 30 colours. Attendees at the show watched the Arlon team wrap a customer’s McLaren daily to complete a full colour change by the end of the show.

Making its Australian debut on the Spicers stand was the new Evolution in Grip series, the series groups media into wall, floor and window installations, with branded sample packs available that assist signage companies when choosing media with clients. The packs also guide signage companies in making the most approprate recommendation to their client based on the job requirements. The samples in the packs include General Formulations and 3M products, as well as other suppliers.

The centrepiece of the HEXIS stand was the BodyFence PPF adhesive vehicle protection Films demonstrations, taking place daily, and running alongside the HEXIS Wrap Masters contest.

“Developed by HEXIS R&D, the BodyFence range is designed to protect against scratches, stone chips, abrasion and UV rays while making vehicles easier to clean by preventing dirt from sticking to the paintwork,” said Ian Parsonson, Managing Director of HEXIS Australia.

The MetaCast MCX range of premium cast automotive colour change films made its Australian debut on the Ball & Doggett stand. The range includes contemporary and brand colours and comes with a microchannel air release system giving an optimal performance

FUTURE-PROOFING THE INDUSTRY

Over 100 school children came through on day one of the show, with students actively participating in the “Try A Trade”, stands manned by NSW TAFE. The HEXIS Wrap Battle fascinated and enthralled the youngsters. Adding to the energy at the show numerous product and technical experts from overseas manufacturers and local dealers took the opportunity to share their knowledge and provide additional options to visitors, on stands and at the seminars.

And that’s a wrap for Visual Impact Sydney, the next Visual Impact is scheduled for Brisbane in May 2024, we’ll see you there.

Diversity and Sustainability at the Spicers Workshop

Spicers also emphasised it’s product diversity and sustainability focus through its Environs range. In addition, it recently launched a new promotion called Evolution in Grip for its wall, floor, and window media range.

“Spicers is known for having many different brands, such as 3M, General Formulations, and Re-board, to name a few. We work with these brands, support their products and warranties, and collaborate on products and applications where required,” says Spicers Visual Communications Portfolio Manager Wayne Hood.

At Visual Impact, Spicers was joined by their international suppliers. General Formulations, RollsRoller and 3M, giving visitors the opportunity to talk to product specialists giving them the surety of product performance.

Diversity and sustainability are key to Spicers’ product range and offering. Over the years, Spicers has seen rapid growth, from self-adhesive products to papers, banners, meshes and boards. “Recently, we saw a push and demand for more sustainable products and last year; we launched Environs, the Spicers Sustainability Pack, an incredible asset to our range of products. As a result, many of our customers, printers and brand owners, including advertising agencies, approach us for more sustainable solutions,” adds Hood.

The Spicers Visual Impact stand was constructed from Re-Board, a rigid paper core board with a unique engineered fluted core. This strong, rigid, lightweight board is easy to transport, assemble, and disassemble. Fully recyclable and FSC® certified, Re-board was used for many different applications at the Spicers Workshop Visual Impact stand. From a storage wall unit, shelving display units, point-of-sale brochure stands and corner wall displays. Spicers was awarded ‘Best Custom Stand’ at Visual Impact Sydney 2023.

Spicers launched Evolution in Grip, a range of products for walls, windows and floors. The three-part series includes a range of products suitable for many applications and environments and displays the versatility of the Spicers product range.

The packs include printed samples for testing and product information to consider the proper stock selection for your application.

Environs is a group of products from the Spicers range of sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for your printing requirements. Environs includes a range of sustainable fibre-based, polypropylene and non-PVC products. With industry-leading brands, Spicers tested and approved substrates are sure to perform both technically and aesthetically during all processes.

“Wide format and Visual Communications is a growing market and key focus area for our business,” continues Hood. “We have seen new market entrances, including large commercial printers, small franchise businesses, and single owner/operator businesses are, transitioning into the Visual Communication space with new hardware. This is a key focus for Spicers not just in Australia but in New Zealand and across Asia and Europe. In addition, we collaborate with our customers giving them an opportunity to expand their business and offer more solutions to their customers.”

For your copy of Evolution in Grip, contact your local Spicers representative on 1300 132 644 or explore the range spicers.com.au

Spicers Workshop at Visual Impact Sydney 2023.

Promoting the benefits of partnering with leading media brands at Visual Impact Sydney 2023, Spicers and the brands offer nationwide support, technical expertise, and a proven track record.

Displays were printed and constructed from Re-Board Print and Kraft.

Spicers exhibited their whole product range on sustainable display units made from Re-Board.

SAS showcasing the Power of Integrated Signage, Fit-out and Architectural products at Visual Impact

Business and marketing tools and channels have evolved considerably in recent times. Although it seemed digital marketing would overtake traditional channels, businesses have realised that branding should be displayed and advertised via multiple channels and media.

The best marketing strategies include multichannel campaigns with physical, digital, and emotional presence.

SAS Supplier Group believes that excellent integration of signage, fit-outs and architectural products can generate powerful differentiation for a contemporary business.

Inspiring and clever use of physical space creates an activation that resonates with the visitors; it creates emotional reactions that can result in the brand being tagged in user-generated content on social media as visitors share their photographs through various channels. Promoting a business with specialty, kindness, and positive impact becomes paramount as the world becomes more inclusive and respectful.

With careful planning, alignment of brand and purpose, the right timing and execution, and a little luck, campaigns can go viral for the right reason.

The company describes this alignment of brand purpose and values as follows:

“Provide market best and most ranges of signage, fit-out and architectural products, materials and services compliant, practical, innovative and inspiring, aligned with customer needs, wants and interests.”

SAS endeavours to assist you in developing your unique set of strengths with their products, materials and services, specialising in the Signage, Fit-out and Architectural industries.

The company, despite its wholesale background, sees itself as an integral part of its customers’ competitive advantage and a partner in growing a profitable and sustainable business for them.

And while many suppliers will say, “We do it all”, SAS has the experience, skills and know-how to deliver. From designing to planning, budgeting to construction, packing

to transport, and installation – the business works to understand your jobs and clients, to serve you and your market better.

To display this knowledge, SAS constructed a Commercial Shop and Commercial Bar for display at Visual Impact in Sydney with its products and materials.

The company chose these concepts to showcase two familiar places where people interact through the shared experiences of food, drink, music, and a little indulging. Places where spontaneity exists and where your signage and fit-out business can make an emotional impact on behalf of your clients and the brands you serve.

The ACP, acrylics, LEDs, boards, digital media, display equipment, complementary products, and the NCC-fire-rated NonCombustible Group 1 pre-finished solid aluminium – Ai Panel – used to construct the display have all the attributes you need to create unique, integrated, inspiring and compliant signs, fit-outs and facades. Ai Panel has inbuilt fire prevention that is also waterproof, mould-free, cleanable and reusable. In addition, they have many applications besides non-combustible signage, such as wall lining, ceiling, splashbacks, bench-tops, battens, and screens.

After proving that integrated signs, fitouts and architectural attachments can be beautiful, functional and emotionally powerful, at Visual Impact, the company stands ready to help you do better for your clients.

For more information, contact the national customer service line on 1300 727 118 or visit the SAS website at www.sassignage.com.au

Cutting to the chase, with the Trident Hybrid at Visual Impact Sydney

There was much excitement from Multicam Systems ahead of Visual Impact Sydney. Expectations were high for this event, given that events have been on hiatus for the last three years.

The company had two machines on display which generated much interest from visitors in various industries, including point-of-sale display companies, sign and display companies and composite cladding companies. These were the Trident Hybrid CNC Cutter and Routing machine and the small format M1212 CNC router.

Companies with large format printers looking to complete their digital print finishing in-house were able to see the Trident CNC cutting machine, with a 3000mm x 1500mm cutting area, with demonstrations on the stand on a variety of media. The Trident is an innovative hybrid CNC production system combining heavy-duty routing with fast knife cutting for processing the broadest range of materials in all print finishing, sign-making, foam and graphics applications. Processing a wide range of materials requires more than one cutting head. The CNC machine combines three cutting technologies to provide maximum versatility by offering a choice of routing spindle and two knives that can be tangential, oscillating, or a combination of both.

Also demonstrated by the Multicam team were the Trident CNC cutter’s high-speed knifing ability and the integrated camera recognition system by cutting sheets of printed magnetic stock.

The small format M1212, with a cutting area of 1200mm x 12000mm, is aimed at companies with limited space or who do not need a larger machine. Available in numerous configurations, the M1212 is popular with smaller sign shops and educational institutions. Whilst small, the M1212 CNC router is big on features and includes the same control system and options as any of its larger siblings.

And finally, generating much interest was the Raise3D Pro2 3D Printer. This professional quality 3D printer is available with a print envelope of either 300mm x 300mm x 300mm or a large 300mm x 300mm x 600mm.

Multicam says it enjoyed meeting with new visitors, promoting the benefits of CNC cutting with the Trident, and catching up with many familiar faces and existing Multicam machine owners.

To see the full range of Multicam CNC machines and applications, visit www.multicam.com.au or call your nearest Multicam office. NSW: 02 4964 1900, VIC: 03 9558 8022, QLD 07 3348 7866.

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Fujifilm unveils new printer and expanded Acuity range at FESPA 2023

Fujifilm has presented developments to its existing Acuity models and unveiled the new Acuity Prime Hybrid at FESPA 2023.

This ground-breaking new printer brings additional versatility due to its ability to handle rigid and flexible media, such as Dibond, foamboard, acrylic, and polyester for a variety of applications.

This latest model in the Acuity range is designed from the ground up as part of Fujifilm’s new ‘blueprint for wide format’. All machines in the range are purposely developed to strike the perfect balance between output speed, print quality and price while incorporating intuitive design features for the operator.

When used as a flatbed machine, the Acuity Prime Hybrid can print on substrates up to 2m in width. It can print on up to four pieces of rigid media simultaneously and features registration pins for highly precise edge-toedge printing. The Acuity Prime Hybrid prints at production quality from 92m2 per hour.

There are also front and back handling tables to support all media types while facilitating easy media positioning. The roll-fed configuration can be loaded with two rolls, each up to 0.9m wide, and its Greenguard Gold-certified ink makes it suitable for wallpaper production.

“In response to our customers and, building on the success of the Acuity Prime flatbed series, we developed the Acuity Prime Hybrid – a cost effective and robust printer that will maximise productivity across a wide variety of applications. We were delighted to showcase its capabilities at FESPA 2023, and we look forward to seeing how it will positively impact our customers’ businesses,” says David Burton, Business Director, Fujifilm Wide Format Inkjet.

The machine is available with four colours (CMYK) as standard and uses the same highly pigmented inks used in the Acuity Prime. Small ink droplet sizes and pinpoint placement ensure exceptional quality, with no loss of colour, even when printing at high speeds.

With a beta site installed in the UK, the commercial is availability scheduled for the end of the year.

Additionally, Fujifilm presented more details on its partnership with industrial manufacturer Barberán to bring single-pass inkjet to the sign and display market.

Fujifilm’s 500m2 stand had six display bays. Four of these bays showcased the printers first displayed at FESPA 2022, allowing Fujifilm to highlight technological developments and enhancements made since then, as well as early market success. The fifth bay focussed on Fujifilm’s partnership with Barberán, while the sixth bay housed the brand-new Acuity printer. Additional Featured Printers at the show were:

ACUITY PRIME L

The new Acuity Prime flatbed is a larger version of the Acuity Prime 20 and 30 models and has a 3200mm x 2000mm flatbed. It prints at speeds of 202 sqm/hr, is easy to operate and produces high-quality results at high speed. It features six vacuum zones and 16 media location pins and allows tandem printing – printing on one side of the bed whilst setting up on the other.

ACUITY ULTRA HYBRID LED

The Acuity Ultra Hybrid LED was first unveiled at FESPA 2022. The 3.3m high-end printer offers exceptional print quality and performance on rigid and flexible substrates. It prints at speeds of up to 218 sqm/hr (RTR) and delivers a print resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dpi. The printer is unique in combining ultrahigh quality and a competitive return on investment for both rigid and flexible applications, all in one platform.

ACUITY ULTRA R2 (5m and 3.2m configurations)

Announced in mid-2021, the Acuity Ultra R2 is available in 5m or 3.2m versions. On-stand, Fujifilm exhibited its 5m, fourchannel conventional UV curing HighSpeed model, which was developed in the last twelve months and prints up to 65% faster than the standard 5m machine.

Demonstrations also highlighted the substantial speed increase – of up to 39% – that it has achieved for the 3.2m HighSpeed model.

The Acuity Ultra R2 is now being shipped as a modular system, and existing models can be upgraded on-site to add light colours, white or High-Speed modes, depending on the requirements of the print business.

“We were delighted, once again, to showcase our Acuity wide format printers, which offer value for money, reliability and stability,” concluded Burton.

Acuity Ultra Hybrid

Acuity-Prime HiRes

The new blueprint for wide format

A true flatbed with a unique and exceptional design.

The IF Design Award winning Acuity Prime offers high quality printing on a range of rigid and flexible media across five dedicated vacuum zones. Using our Uvijet HM LED UV inks and jettable primer, bold graphics and fine text can be reproduced with variable drop sizes from 7 to 21 picolitres for near photographic quality.

Visit acuityprimeseries.com for more information or contact your local FUJIFILM representative to request print samples and organise a demonstration.

FUJIFILM Australia1300 650 504

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia 13 14 12

CMYKhub expands trade printing services with first EFI VUTEk h5

CMYKhub is Australia’s largest trade printer dedicated to providing small to medium size print shops and print resellers with access to a well-run printing hub to support trade customers wanting to grow their business without investing in more equipment. With facilities in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth, they offer a range of products from offset printing and labels to wide format digital printing and a range of signage products, including banners, A-frames, adhesive graphics and rigid signage.

“The business was founded in 2007 to provide dependable ondemand offset printing combined with a freely available and easyto-use online instant quote and ordering system. The strength of CMYKhub is in its transparent and dependable print schedule. Clients know our print schedule and can rely on it. Over the years, we’ve continued to add more product offerings whilst maintaining this core system,” explains Dayne Nankervis, CEO CMYKhub.

“As the market evolved, so has CMYKhub, from a purely offset business to the addition of digital printing eight years ago, wide format printing seven years ago, and rolled labels in 2022”, says Dayne.

“Our core expertise is in small run jobs; we do a large volume of small jobs and are very good at grouping and scheduling jobs for maximum productivity,” explains Dayne. “With the growth in the wide format category, we had reached our capacity with our current equipment and needed to invest. We reviewed several brands but chose the EFI VUTEk h5 3.2m hybrid flatbed/Roll-fed printer for its quality and versatility. As an LED hybrid inkjet printer, it also aligned with our values around sustainability as we strive to establish a name as an innovative ‘Green’ printer. Another important part of our decision was the service and technical support offered by Currie Group. We have partnered with Currie Group for over eight years on various printing and finishing equipment ranging from our nine HP Indigos to our first EFI printer, so we know from experience the level of service support on offer”.

“One of the biggest factors in our decision was the impact on our productivity. With a print resolution of 1200 dpi, it can produce up to 109 boards per hour, ten times faster than our current equipment and twenty times faster when it comes to rolled labels. The printer is currently being installed in Melbourne, and with productivity increases, it will also contribute to reducing our turn around time which is important to the small to medium size resellers customer base”, says Dayne.

“Our goal is to help our customers grow, and we are continually looking at new ways to support them. In addition to investing in production capacity, we have launched CMYKhub Design Desk, a new subscriptionbased design and prepress service exclusively for the printing industry. This service helps our customers manage their graphic design capacity and offers a seamless collaborative workflow with complete transparency to resources and costs. With this end-to-end view, we seek to establish long-term partnerships with our trade customers, much like the relationship that we have with Currie Group”, concludes Dayne.

Paul Whitehead, Business Unit Manager – Sign & Display at Currie Group, said, “We are thrilled to extend our longstanding partnership with CMYKhub and incorporate our proven service and support to the sign and display division.  The EFI VUTEk h5, thanks to its productivity and efficiencies, will combine to allow jobs to be turned around faster for CMYKhub’s customers and an extension of high-value applications.  We’re looking forward to the journey ahead.”

Paul Whitehead (Currie Group), Shannon Nankervis, Dayne Nankervis (CMYKhub).

Dayne Nankervis (CMYKhub).

The Evolution of Roland DG’s TrueVIS Range

Almost seven years later, with over 28,000 users worldwide, the TrueVIS brand embodies Roland DG’s long legacy of premium, high-quality print products.

In January this year, Roland DG introduced six new models to the TrueVIS Series, expanding the lineup to ten inkjet devices and three ink types – UV, resin and ECO-SOL – each with different capabilities. The six new models join the professional flagship VG3-640/540 and the value-packed SG3-540/300 ecosolvent printer cutters released in March 2022. These have become synonymous with creating stunning graphics with vivid, unsurpassed colour reproduction.

ROLAND DG’S FIRST RESIN PRINTER

As part of the new TrueVIS lineup, Roland DG’s first resin printer, the AP-640, redefines traditional resin printing. Traditionally, resin ink technology has been associated with flat, uninspiring colour. However, with the AP-640, dual, staggered printheads with variable dot printing and True Rich Colour presets offer natural, vibrant print results with higher colour saturation to optimise colour reproduction.

New water-based TrueVIS resin ink provides quick-drying, scratch-resistant, safe and environmentally-friendly results on a wide range of media, including vinyl, paper, film, and specially formulated fabrics so that customers can expand their graphics to include flags, roll-up screens,

textiles, wallpapers, and more. With very low VOC emissions, Roland DG resin inks are GREENGUARD Gold certified, making them ideal for use in even the most sensitive indoor environments, including schools, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

PREMIUM-QUALITY UV PRINTING

Combining the flexibility of print and cut, the benefits of premium-quality UV-LED printing technology and TrueVIS heritage, the TrueVIS LG Series and MG Series come in various models to suit any business and add a new dimension to their graphics printing.   With high-definition output, special printing capabilities for textures and effects, broad media compatibility and fast-drying prints for quick turnaround and finishing, businesses can create window displays, signs, PoS materials, stickers, labels, and so much more.

Every TrueVIS printer is backed by Roland DG’s unmatched customer service and technical support, industry-leading two to five Year Heads N’ All Warranties, and a host of value-added services such as Fixed Price Scheduled Servicing and Roland Academy training.

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE TRUEVIS SERIES

To learn more about the TrueVIS Series of large-format inkjet printers and printer cutters, visit https://www.rolanddg.com.au/ products/printers/truevis-brand-family

Since the first model was released in 2016, the best-selling TrueVIS Series of large format inkjet printers and printer cutters from Roland DG has won worldwide acclaim from graphics production professionals for its ability to produce durable graphics with the extraordinary power to bring creative visions to life.

Next Generation Printers, for the Next Generation of Print

Your Next Choice is Here rolanddg.com.au/truevis

With over 28.000 users worldwide, TrueVIS perfectly embodies Roland DG's long legacy of premium, high-quality printers

Pushing the limits of performance with Red Bull Ampol Racing and Avery Dennison

Each week, under extreme race conditions in the demanding and intensely competitive 2023 Supercars Championship, the Red Bull Ampol Racing team relies on Avery Dennison high-performance wraps to protect the racing cars from intense weather conditions and dangerous road debris. As a result, the new livery is exceeding expectations in the 2023 racing season.

When the new livery was installed in March 2023, the team’s Gen3 Chevrolet Camaro racing cars were wrapped with the Avery Dennison MPI 1105 digital print wrapping film, a premium highgloss cast film with printability, durability and 3D conformability, for complex surfaces with curves and recesses. In addition, the MPI 1105 uses Easy Apply RS technology to ensure the same application speed and convenience as Avery Dennison’s Supreme Wrapping Film.

“Our new Gen3 Camaros feature more complex curves and deep recesses that require careful attention during the wrapping process,” says Jamie Whincup, Managing Director of Triple Eight Race Engineering. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Avery Dennison again for this season. Incredibly durable, the overall look is flawless and spectacular.”

Triple Eight Race Engineering, the team behind Red Bull Ampol Racing, has been a valued partner of Avery Dennison for over 12 years. Working in close collaboration, Avery Dennison continually improves its wrap films, pushing the boundaries of quality, performance, durability and ease of application every season.

The digitally-printed images are protected by the Avery Dennison DOL 1480Z Matte overlaminate, a premium quality, flexible cast vinyl protective overlaminate film with extreme conformability that supports highly demanding graphics applications.

These cars are subject to extreme environmental conditions, but thanks to the Avery Dennison Supreme PPF Xtreme series, the highest wear sections of the cars are protected. In addition, the paint protection film’s nextgeneration technology delivers impact, scratch and stain resistance with enhanced selfhealing. It comes with the benefits of optimised installation and an extended warranty.

Jordan Leach, Business Director, Graphics Solutions, Australia and New Zealand and ASEAN for Avery Dennison, comments, “We are excited about the new livery. The high-quality matte finish is striking, lightweight, and more advanced than before. Avery Dennison is leveraging our expertise in materials science to push the limits and ultimately give the Red Bull Ampol Racing team a winning advantage.”

Learn more about the Avery Dennison products for Red Bull Racing’s 2023 livery at https://graphicsap.averydennison.com/ en/home/promotions/red-bull-ampolracing-2023.html and get an exclusive look behind the scenes at our collaboration in the high-performance world of racing at https://avydn.co/3FR32Bp

“Straight roads are for fast cars; turns are for fast drivers.” Colin McRae, British Rally Driver

Coming soon Supreme Wrapping Film™ Gloss

Obsidian Black

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Unleash your dark side with Avery Dennison Gloss Obsidian Black Supreme Wrapping Film.

Already available in Sa n, Obsidian is our deepest darkest black yet, it makes a powerful but sophis cated statement, and is des ned to  make waves.

Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping™ Film features excellent conformability around curves and recesses, faster installa on and higher-quality results thanks to Easy Apply™ RS adhesive  technology.

All About Graphics wins “Best in Show” at FESPA Global Print Awards

The ‘Daniel Johns: Past, Present & FutureNever’ exhibition, conceived by the iconic Australian musician, was created primarily to promote the release of his album ‘FutureNever’. It also provided Johns with a personal way to engage with his audience after his hiatus from traditional touring. The opportunity also sought to reinvigorate Melbourne as the city emerged from the world’s most prolonged lockdown due to Covid-19. Located on a prime corner of Collins St, Melbourne, the large-vacated space had sat idle during the pandemic and was subsequently chosen to house the exhibition.

The space was transformed into a multi-level immersive experience that invited viewers to journey through time, surrounding themselves in Daniel Johns’ creative world of art, memorabilia and music. The project involved collaborating with a wide range of creatives, including artists, designers, lighting specialists, photographers and projectionists. All forms of print media, combined with custom-built displays and sets, created a truly opulent experience that was both emotionally driven and visually impactful. The team worked to overcome the many challenges presented by the vacated space, often adapting and redesigning elements to ensure the best visual result. The ground-breaking exhibition surpassed all expectations, and the album ‘FutureNever’, became Australia’s highest-selling album in 2022.

Chris Duke and Mark Burley, owners of All About Graphics, take us behind the scenes of this phenomenal immersive experience.

“We are immensely proud of what the team achieved; the project incorporated approximately 1620m2 of printed media on various stocks, including art, vinyl, and fabric. Approximately 750m2 of this total was fine art printing which did not require any installation. The production time frame was initially set for three months, but the actual time frame for the team to produce and complete this installation after delays (out of our control) was three weeks,” says Chris.

“AAG has worked on many projects with award-winning Art Director Eddie Zammit and has a lot of experience translating his artistic vision into high visual impact exhibitions, balancing site

constraints, production techniques, and managing the budget. Given the size and time constraints of the project, we were also supported by Rob Tennant and the team from Abacus Visual, who are long-time collaborators on various projects who assisted with some of the production & installation”.

“One of the biggest challenges when we started this project, was that not a single screw could be placed anywhere. The venue had to be returned to the identical condition as it was when we started”, says Chris. “Not being able to fix anything to the walls or floor meant that everything had to be designed to be freestanding & removable so that it could be assembled inside the space and disassembled after the exhibition. It also had to meet the highest safety standards with thousands of visitors passing through the exhibition.”

“To give you an example of the complexities, almost every surface had to be wrapped in removable self-adhesive vinyl. We had to use a special silicon adhesive for the bottom plates of wall partitions on

Straight Lines and more for Melbourne-based signage company All About Graphics in their ground-breaking Daniel Johns immersive experience.

Rob Tennant - Abacus Visual (L) and Mark Burley - Co-owner All About Graphics (R)

the concrete floors so they could be removed without damaging the floor. Freestanding screens were built to cover areas of the venue that were not to be seen. Regarding window graphics, external access was an issue, so we opted to construct doublesided panels, printed on both sides, which were inserted into the oversized window frames. They even built a freestanding “Laundrette” on the mezzanine level, “it was like creating a film set that needed to cope with an audience passing through on a daily basis”, they explain.

“There were many highlights of the project, including travelling to Newcastle to meet Daniel Johns and his family and going through some of the amazing memorabilia his mum has painstakingly catalogued. As Daniel no longer plays live music, one of the most rewarding things for me was seeing the exhibition’s impact on those who visited, including myself”, says Mark.

The exhibition has now been disassembled and is in storage, with possible plans to repurpose it as a new exhibition, but these details cannot be disclosed at this time. With the exhibition attracting attention globally, there now may be an opportunity for the team to work on projects in Europe and the USA on brand activations and exhibitions for a well-known film studio, “this is exciting for the team as they get to spend more time doing something they are passionate about”, concludes Mark.

Project credits:

• Presented by BMG

• Concept by Daniel Johns

• Art Directed & Curated by Eddie Zammit

• Photography by Holly Hawkins & Ben King

• Printed/fabricated and Installed by All About Graphics (special mention to Abacus Visual for assistance)

From a technical perspective:

• Printing and production were highly varied due to the nature and size of the exhibition. Works incorporated fine art printing, wall/floor/window vinyl graphics, wallpaper printing, signage printing/ manufacture, display & set production.

• Fine art - printed onto SIHL IvoryColor 210 using Canon PROGRAF PRO-4000 with Lucia Pro pigment ink.

• Printed Wall Vinyl (and various surfaces)

- Utopia removable grey back easy apply mono SAV printed via HP Latex 700 W.

• Printed Mounted Graphics - Arlon 510 mounted onto 10mm Evirocore (hexacomb board) or 3mm composite panel, printed via HP Latex 700 W & mounted onto board via Bobbis Multi Applicator.

• Printed Window Graphics - Fluro pink vinyl printed on Canon Colorado 1650 – Orafal 7510 - 046 pink fluorescent & Silver chrome vinyl – Aslan CA30 Silver mirror printed on Epson S80660L & mounted onto 5mm Kapa mount.

• Printed Floor Graphics - Avery MPI 6021 removable anti-slip floor vinyl printed via HP Latex 700 W.

• Acrylic display manufacture - a combination of 3mm & 4.5mm acrylic display manufacture, CAD design, Multicam CNC Router cut & hand assembly of displays.

• Display Stands and set/stage manufacture - Printed graphics via HP Latex 700 W onto Arlon 510 and mounted onto various panels via Bobbis Multi Applicator, display stands designed in Autocad, panels CNC router cut to shape and assembly completed on-site.

Production equipment:

• Design Software - Adobe Illustrator/ Photoshop, Autocad,

• Printers - Canon PROGRAF PRO-4000, HP Latex 700 W, Epson S80660L & Canon Colorado 1650.

• RIP - Colorgate

• Inks - Canon Lucia Pro water-based pigment ink, HP Latex 832, Epson UV Eco-Sol

• Laminator - ezyRoller Sahara

• Flatbed Applicator - Bobbis Multi Applicator.

• Cutter - Summa F1612

• CNC Router - Multicam M-24

Print Volume

• Fine Art printing (Sihl IvoryColor 210)250m2 for the exhibition opening and an additional 500m2 since opening.

• Printed Floor graphics - 160m2

• Printed wall / door / column / mounted graphics - 390m2

• Printed window graphics - 270m2 (double-sided mounted)

• Printed Fabric display stands/screen50m2

• Matt Black removable Adhesive vinyl for ceiling & shelving - 200m2

Total amount of printed materials:

Approximately 1620m2 of printed media on various stocks, i.e., art, vinyl, fabric, was completed for this exhibition; approximately 750m2 of this total was fine art printing which did not require any installation.

Time frame:

The production time frame was initially set for three months, but the actual time frame to produce and complete installation after delays (out of our control) was three weeks.

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CREATE IMPACTFUL SPACES WITH BILD

Add impact to spaces with BILD! Easily customisable, this printable floor covering is ideal for use in business and school environments or for events that require a little more WOW.

BILD G-Floor Graphic printable media allows you to create custom floor graphics with unmatched durability. Manufactured by Better Life Technology, USA, their knowledgeable team uses only the best materials to ensure this printable flooring product will last in high-traffic environments.

Made from 100% polyvinyl, BILD G-Floor Graphic won’t scratch, dent, peel, or deteriorate. It can be installed free floating using carpet-edge trimmers or set wallto-wall, allowing you to place your floor graphics wherever you want, however, you want, without committing to a permanent layout.

Available in Australia from Ricky Richards, this clear product is printed on the underside of the polyvinyl for ultimate print protection. With that said, BILD has the capability of covering most surfaces, no matter the size, shape, or location.

FIVE FACTS ABOUT BILD G-FLOOR GRAPHIC PRINTABLE MEDIA

• Waterproof

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• Slip-resistant

THINKING ABOUT THE PLANET?

Better Life Technology has created a durable vinyl flooring product that outperforms and outlasts competitor products. Its polyvinyl construction does not include any fillers, papers, foams, laminates, or thin top layers. In addition to these features, water can’t penetrate the product, so it lasts longer than most other products on the market.

As a result, replacing your flooring isn’t a frequent investment which saves on resources and ultimately benefits the environment. This product is designed with insulating characteristics, which can help in saving energy and reducing utility costs.

If you would like to know more about BILD G-Floor or other printable media products from Ricky, contact the team today on 02 9735 3333 or sales@rickyrichards.com.au

Technical Advice from HEXIS Team of Experts on Lamination

HOW TO LAMINATE PROPERLY

Before lamination, let your print dry and outgas for at least 24 hours! This applies to all ink types.

TIP: Are you laminating 2 different materials?

When laminating two different materials, and especially with polyester lamination, pay particular attention to the 5 criteria. Unlike PVC film, polyester is not conformable and the risk of tunneling is thus higher.

It is therefore essential that the films be well aligned. Do not release all the tension. It is important for both films to have equivalent tension, do not hesitate to use the brake a little, depending on your laminator.

TIP: Are you laminating two PVC materials?

√ PVC Film with Polyester Lamination

√ Monomeric Film with Monomeric Laminate

√ Polymeric Film with Polymeric Laminate

√ Cast Film with Cast Laminate

TIP: Never Laminate the following together:

× Cast Film with Polymeric Laminate. The film will lose all its conformability.

FIVE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA WHEN LAMINATING

1. Tension: Put the laminate & the film to be laminated at the same tension. It should not be too high, but it may be necessary to have some tension to remove possible creases.

2. Alignment: The laminate and the film must be perfectly aligned, particularly for long prints, so as to prevent tunneling on the edges.

3. Speed: The lower the lamination speed, the less risk you have of creating creases!

4. Heating: Heating runs the risk of deforming the film & subsequently creating creases. However our PVC laminates can be heated up to a maximum of 35 - 400C.

5. Pressure: Depending on the quality of your laminator, the pressure will be more or less difficult to exert between your film and the laminate.

PROTECTION AGAINST VANDALISM (APPLIES TO AG800, AG700, PG836 ANTI-GRAFFITI LAMINATES ONLY)

DID YOU KNOW?

• Too High Pressure Can Produce Creases. What to do? In this case, do not increase the brake, but instead lower the pressure and speed of your laminator.

• Pressure that is Not High Enough Can Produce Micro-Bubbles. What to do? In this case, do not increase the heating temperature. The micro-bubbles will generally disappear within 48 hours. A great example of increased durability of prints was demonstrated on HEXIS Certified Trainer Ben Schliebs’ Ford Ranger wrapped in 2018 with HEXIS Take Heat Easy THE190EVO Print Media with PC500 Laminate. Due to an accident and having to replace the wrap, Schliebs mentioned: “The removal left no residues and the paintwork is still brand new underneath. In the 4 full years I had the wrap on, there was no fading, colour and print had stayed mint throughout with regular maintenance and washing even without being garaged. This is why I only use quality HEXIS materials”.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LAMINATING YOUR PRINTED FILM?

LOUHANS

AMSTERDAM

ELBA

ZURICH

HEXIS HEX'PERIENCE SWATCH WALL SHOWROOM KIT INCLUDES:

36x Acrylic Tiles (20cm by 20cm)

65 printed patterns on various textured laminates

High res HEXIS & Hex'perience logos for use

High res wall print file for use as backdrop with space for your branding

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HEXIS HEX'PERIENCE RANGE

Visit the HEX'PERIENCE Dedicated Website at

https://www.hexis-graphics.com/en/hexperience/ https://bit ly/hexishexperience

ADD HEXIS HEX'PERIENCE SWATCH WALL TO ENHANCE YOUR SHOWROOM TODAY!

HEXIS is the first supplier of self-adhesive films to provide a library of large-format textures, indefinitely adaptable and in high definition, as a free service

With over 65 different print files and 13 different textured laminates to suit any of your interior and exterior decoration projects!

Bring the HEXIS HEX'PERIENCE to life for your customers today!

HEX'PERIENCE SWATCH WALL

MYKONOS TOKYO GARRIGA

x 1800 Wall

Inspiring Colours. Ultimate Performance.

The company distributes an extensive list of press consumables, wide-format printing equipment and printable materials on top of the comprehensive suite of self-adhesive materials from manufacturing supplier Metamark. With a reputation for quality, service, and innovation, Ball & Doggett are committed to providing their customers with the highest quality products, so including the Metamark MCX range is a natural extension of this dedication to quality and service.

Metamark is known as a leading brand in the field of coloured and digital self-adhesive vinyls, providing high-quality products designed to meet the needs of sign-makers, vehicle wrappers, and other graphics professionals. The MCX is one of their most anticipated colour vinyl offerings and for good reason.

MetaCast MCX is a premium cast automotive colour change film, offering wrap professionals the ultimate performance for full vehicle wraps. MetaCast MCX has a range specified to include contemporary and brand colours, as well as several Metamark Inspire Colours developed to reproduce some of the most desirable OEM paint colours in a wrap film.

It is an advanced 100-micron premium cast film combined with MetaGlide air release technology. This micro air channel release system gives an optimal performance with enhanced repositionability and high adhesive strength. Giving total confidence when fitting into 3D channels and recesses, all backed by Metamark’s MetaSure warranty. The film is engineered to deliver high performance and versatility for a range

of applications, such as signage, vehicle graphics, and promotional displays.

“We are delighted to introduce the MCX range to the market, the standout feature of the MCX range is its high-quality construction. A highly conformable dual-layer premium cast 100micron film, for superior handling and durability. They are resistant to UV light, water, and other environmental factors that can cause other vinyls to deteriorate over time,” says Steve Warn, National Manager - Self Adhesive and Heat Transfer at Ball & Doggett.

The MCX range also includes Metamark Inspire Colours, which in addition to reproducing OEM colours, also includes gloss, matte, and metallic options. This allows users to create eye-catching designs that are sure to stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re creating vehicle graphics, storefront signage, or promotional displays, the MCX range offers a wide range of options to help you achieve the look and feel your client has envisioned.

In addition to its high-quality construction and wide range of colours and finishes, the MCX range also offers excellent ease of use. These vinyls are designed to be easy to cut, weed, and apply, which saves time and increases productivity for graphics professionals. The adhesive is also designed to provide excellent bonding strength, ensuring that your graphics will stay in place for as long as you need them to.

Deliver your best work with Metamark.

For more information about Metamark and MetaCast MCX range contact your nearest Ball & Doggett office or call 1300 024 749.

As a trusted distributor of Metamark products, Ball & Doggett plays an important role in helping sign and graphics professionals access the materials they need to create high-quality, eye-catching graphics that meet the needs of their clients.

MetaGlide, MetaCast, MetaMark Inspire Colours and MetaSure are Trademarks of MetaMark

MetaCast® MCX is a premium cast automotive colour change lm, o ering wrap professionals the ultimate per formance for full vehicle wraps MetaCast® MCX has a range speci ed to include contemporar y and brand colours, as well as a number of Metamark Inspire Colours™ developed to reproduce some of the most desirable OEM paint colours

MetaCast® MCX is an advanced premium cast lm, combined with MetaGlide® air release technology MetaGlide® has a micro channel air release system giving an optimal per formance with enhanced repositionability and high adhesive strength. This gives total con dence when tting into 3D channels and recesses I t is backed by our MetaSure™ warranty, o ering up to 12 years

durability1.

Per formance you can trust

For more information contact your local Ball & Doggett representative on 1300 713 567 or sdd@ballanddoggett.com.au ballanddoggett.com.au

The ORAFOL Australia Warranty

Uniquely Australian and suited to local conditions

A warranty guarantees that the product will work as intended, and if there are any defects or problems, they will be fixed or replaced by the manufacturer. This is an essential aspect of any purchase, as it offers peace of mind.

While signs marred by spelling mistakes make us laugh, the unsightly bubbling, peeling, or flaking on recently installed items are a more severe issue. Without a warranty, if these issues occur in your installations, you are left unprotected regarding labour expenses or the need for re-application.

At ORAFOL Australia, we understand the importance of offering a best-in-class warranty to our customers. We have a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality products that are durable and reliable. To back up our products, we offer a comprehensive warranty that differentiates us from our competitors in the industry.

Our warranty program is divided into three tiers, each with a warranty you can trust that also offers benefits for the use type of our products.

Our Performance Warranty assures that our products perform exactly how they were meant to perform from production to the end-use application.

Our Select Warranty goes that extra mile providing additional support for authorised customers with the overall project from manufacturing to installation.

Our Project Warranty is engineered and tailored to the specific needs of projects where total support travels from delivery of ORAFOL products to the end of life for the project’s construction.

LOCAL WARRANTY, FOR LOCAL CONDITIONS

Our Warranty program has been built explicitly for our Australian customers based on Australian conditions, considers all aspects, including climatic zones, angle of exposure and external longevity requirements. Our Warranty program also provides recommended combinations of compatible products ensuring the right product selection.

Our warranty covers vertical, non-vertical and horizontal exposure, covering from 10° to 90° exposure angle applications. A vertical exposure is anything up to 10° from the vertical. A non-vertical exposure is anything from 10° to 45° from the vertical, with everything else at 45° to 90° from the vertical considered as a horizontal exposure.

Additionally, we cover Zone 1 and Zone 2 climate zones. The dividing line stretches from Perth to Brisbane withZone 1 covering Tasmania, Victoria, parts of Western Australia, New South Wales and South Australia. Everything 100km north of the line and elevations above 1000m in Zone 1 are all considered Zone 2.

We understand that our customers invest a lot of time and money into their projects, and they need products that they can rely on. That’s why we offer the most comprehensive warranty program in the industry, ensuring that our products will work as intended and continue to do so for an extended period of time.

When you purchase from ORAFOL, our uniquely Australian warranty is an essential aspect of any purchase, providing you, and your clients with peace of mind and protection.

When buying products, businesses look for the best value for money. One of the things that people consider when making a purchase is the warranty that comes with the product.

How to go from 0 to wrapped, faster

Learn

It takes a special kind of wrap to boost your confidence and installation speed, with less fear of rework. That’s where 3M’s newest and most advanced vehicle wrap comes in. 3M Print Wrap Film IJ280 has been engineered to boost your productivity, with installs up to 20% faster^ and is proven to lift 2x less*.

Read on to learn more about how quickly it can transform commercial vehicles into head turners, and get some tips on how to further turbocharge your installs.

WRAP FAST WRAP FEARLESSLY

So you think you’re the fastest wrapper in town? Unless you’re using 3M Print Wrap Film IJ280, think again.

Designed by 3M’s engineers to cater to the very unique needs and challenges faced by vehicle wrap installers, IJ280 promises shorter installs and longer stares. Its features include cuttingedge conformability; a new, proprietary

adhesive with optimised initial tack, slide and superior repositionability; and 3M Comply v4 Air Release for maximum airflow and smooth results.

EPIC CONFORMABILITY

Holster your heat gun and install faster. IJ280 is a custom vinyl wrap with superior conformability that allows you to apply it into deep corners and around compound curves with ease. A key feature is its

improved cold stretch over other films. Its softer characteristics compared to other wraps provide it with the ability to conform to intense curves, recesses and channels with less heat*. IJ280 is the most workable wrap for installers to keep in their arsenals, for faster and more effective applications.

TACK & STICK + SLIP & SLIDE

Featuring a new, proprietary adhesive with optimised initial tack, slide and

about the new printable vinyl wrap that is quickly becoming the preferred choice of installers globally*

Fellows

Tips to turbocharge your installs

repositionability, IJ280 is designed to help installers achieve flawless results. The tack is high enough that it can be trusted to stay down on the surface. Even if mistakes are made along the way, the adhesive tack is low enough that you can easily slide or reposition the film. No-more worrying about getting out of sticky situations.

Additionally, you can say ‘bye-bye’ to bubbles thanks to IJ280’s 3M Comply v4 Air Release technology. It enables maximum airflow for applications that are free from air pockets. As a result, installation mistakes are less frequent and can be rectified with total ease. If you want to pop some bubbles, get a bubble wrap.

PERFECT PHOTO FINISH

IJ280 is compatible with eco-friendly solvent, latex, and UV printer types. What makes it extra special is its market-first, unique solvent resistance layer that protects the adhesive and significantly reduces curing time. This first-of-its-kind solvent resistance layer provides installers with the added benefit of a quicker turnaround. Print quality is not a feature you have to worry about.

WORD ON THE STREET

So far, 3M Print Wrap Film IJ280 looks good on paper. But does it talk the talk, and walk the walk?

*when compared to Avery Dennison 1105EZRS/1460Z, Arlon SLX/3210, & 3M IJ180Cv3/mC/8518 ^when compared to Avery Dennison 1105EZRS/1460Z, Arlon SLX/3210, & 3M IJ180Cv3/mC/8518 with experienced installers applying 3M IJ280/8428G for the first time.

MAKE IT YIELD WITH LESS HEAT

IJ280 conforms more at room temperature, which means you can stretch and conform the graphic further with less heat. If you do need to apply heat for trickier areas, you won’t have to employ as much heat as compared to other wraps. You can even install around compound curves and deep recesses without relief cuts!

TIP #1: When using your heat gun, a little goes a long way. When you first try the film, experiment using less heat than you normally do. This is how you ‘unlock’ the true benefits of IJ280 and start to install faster.

TIP #2: The less you pick up your heat gun, the faster you can install. Fight the urge to overheat the film. Once you see the film relax, you’ll know you’ve reached the optimal temperature to conform the film.

TIP #3: We recommend heating the film to about 50-55°C.

WHAT STICKS DOWN STAYS DOWN

With proper installation methods, IJ280 is proven to have amazing lifting resistance. It simply stays down in deep recesses without lifting. If you can get it into the recess, you can trust it will stay there.

TIP #1: Let go of the fear of rework. You don’t need to use any ‘hacks’, special tricks, or even relief cuts.

TIP #2: If you’re really not convinced, experiment with a small piece of film and wrap it around a bumper or into a deep channel and experience IJ280’s best-inclass lifting resistance.

CROSS THE CHECKERED FLAG WITH POST-HEAT

Post-heating is an important step to ensure a film will stay down when stretched.

TIP #1: Use a heat gun to post-heat the film in applications where the film was stretched.

TIP #2: We recommended a minimum post-heat temperature of 93°C to ensure adequate adhesion; but do not exceed 107°C.

TIP #3: Use an IR Temperature Gauge to ensure the film has been post-heated above the required temperature.

STRIPPING OFF THE RACING STRIPES Need to remove the IJ280 wrap?

TIP #1: All you need to do, is apply some heat, and the film should remove easily. No adhesive will be left behind at the end of life.

For more information visit: 3M.com.au/IJ280

“IJ280 has decreased our team’s installation time for vehicle wraps and longer term signage. It has no colour variation from jobs printed on other films. The thinner laminate provides us with confidence that IJ280 will stay in place on those tricky internal curves that other wraps are typically challenged with.”

Nathan

Managing Director, Freestyle FX Signs

ARLON’S FLITE CASHBACK OFFER

Get up to $510 cashback when you buy any Arlon product from the Premium Colour Change and FLITE Family.

Learn more at info.arlon.com/FliteCashback

NEW!

PREMIUM COLOUR CHANGE

The newest addition to the FLITE family. The specially adapted protective film on gloss colours ensures the highest gloss level. Guaranteed to stay down in deep channels, curves and recesses, this is your number one choice for automotive restyling and fleet applications

EARN $30 CASHBACK FOR A FULL ROLL OR EARN $6 PER 5M PURCHASED

MIX AND MATCH ACROSS THE ENTIRE FLITE FAMILY SLX+®

An all-season cast film packed with improved outstanding features to make every part of your fleet and vehicle look amazing. Experience enhanced cutting & weeding to make even the smallest letters stand out on your vehicle graphics.

COMPATIBLE OVERLAMINATES

Series 3270, Series 3210, & Series 3310

KITS WITH FULL 45M OF SLX+ AND OVERLAMINATE, EARN $30 CASHBACK

FUSION WRAP

A polymeric film specifically designed to take your vehicle wraps to the next level. Fusion Wrap features a low-profile air egress liner and has a tinted, permanent pressure sensitive adhesive that creates enough opacity to ensure superior print vibrancy.

COMPATIBLE OVERLAMINATES

Series 3170

KITS WITH FULL 45M OF FUSION WRAP AND OVERLAMINATE, EARN $30 CASHBACK

ILLUMINITE WRAP®

Add a night shift to the visibility of your graphics and never miss another impression with IllumiNITE Wrap®. As a premium digitally printable reflective film you will experience an effortless installation when wrapping gentle curves and complex corners. The exceptional repositionability alleviates bruising, resulting in optimal reflectivity.

COMPATIBLE OVERLAMINATES

Series 3210

FOR EVERY 5M OF ILLUMINITE WRAP, EARN $3 CASHBACK

LEARN MORE & GET YOUR CASHBACK AT INFO.ARLON.COM/FLITECASHBACK

Mezographic growing from strength to strength

Like many family-owned, well-established businesses in this industry, Mezographic was born from a vision, passion, calculated risk-taking, dogged determination, and a commitment to excellence.

Digital Image Magazine sits down with founder Frank Mezo, who shares his lessons from the last three decades and his plans for growth in the future.

“My journey in the industry started in 1989; I was studying design at university and looked at screen printing to make money on the side. I ended up leaving university and pursuing screen printing. I went to the screen printing school in North Melbourne, where the teachers directed me to two businesses in my area, Nova Print and APG Displays. While speaking to John Featherstone at APG Displays (later acquired by Active Display), Paul Inman walked past and asked what I was doing, and I explained that I was looking for an apprenticeship. He gave me a job, and I started as a mature age apprentice, which was my starting point” explains Frank.

“Whilst working as an apprentice, I started printing t-shirts in my dad’s garage. I still had ambitions of screen printing for myself; I always did, even when I was a student. My wife and I purchased our first factory in Hampton Park in the early 90s, when Australia was in a recession with unemployment and interest rates at 17%. We lived with my parents for six years and bought second-hand machinery. The first piece of machinery I ever purchased was

an Australian made Ruth printing machine, which I bought at an auction in Geelong for $150. After I finished my apprenticeship, I left APG and started working out of the Hampton Park factory full-time. The first couple of years of any new business is always challenging, and we were fortunate enough to have my wife’s wage as a chartered accountant to support us”.

“We built the screen-printing business by doing many different things, including bicycle helmets which included a lot of licensed work for Warner Brothers and Disney. We won many printing industry awards for the quality of the screen-printing work we were doing in what was a challenging production environment. Eventually, we outgrew the Hampton Park factory and, in 2004, bought a larger factory in Hallam. Shortly after we did this, both of our helmet clients closed down their operations and moved their production offshore, and 80% of our business disappeared overnight. In order to survive, we had two options, to get into multicolour screen printing to remain competitive or to move towards digital printing technology, which was emerging at the

time. We went to Pac Print that year, and I borrowed money to buy our first digital flatbed machine. It was the scariest money I had ever borrowed as we didn’t have the base for it, but as it turned out, it was the best thing that has ever happened to us as within a year, we bought our second digital flatbed, sold off all of our screen printing machines, and we haven’t looked back.”

Fast forward almost 20 years, and these days Mezographic has grown to employ a team of 52 full-time and casual staff, focussing on trade printing and working with print management companies. “In terms of technologies, we have LED, UV and latex and have a portfolio of brands and equipment; we always buy what we think is the best available equipment in a particular segment. We use GMG colour management to profile all of our equipment, so not only is the colour matched for the media, the machines are profiled for each other, so we have colour consistency throughout,” explains Frank. “We also have an installation team, making us a one-stop shop.”

“The focus of the first half of 2023 for us is moving into our new factory. We’ve wanted to expand for a while, but the cost of moving can be more than $1m by the time you move the equipment, install the power and set up the clean room environments required for printing, so when the factory next door came up, we jumped at it. The combined footprint will be approximately 2700 sqm, and the original factory will remain as printing only, whilst the new premise will focus on finishing, packing and dispatch.”

“When it comes to recruitment and training, like most companies these days, we train in-house. We’ll start people in the packing area; if they show promise, we’ll move them into a cutting area and then into the print room, where we train people how to print. We are fortunate to have a number of people who used to work with me at APG Displays. I am lucky enough to get out of bed in the morning and come to work with a group of people I call friends and consider family, including some of the guys that taught me screen printing. It creates a fantastic culture and environment for the team, and we have more exciting plans for the future,” concludes Frank.

Solving the Challenge of Unrealistic Candidate Salary Expectations

by Charles Watson

Speaking with companies daily reveals several common issues. One of those common issues revolves around attracting talented employees without breaking the bank. As the job market remains competitive, some candidates can have high expectations regarding their desired salary. These unrealistic salary expectations can challenge candidates and employers during the hiring process. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind unrealistic salary expectations, the challenges they pose, and potential solutions to address this issue.

There are numerous reasons why candidates may have unrealistic salary expectations. A common factor is a lack of accurate information about market salaries. Candidates may not be aware of the current market rates for the position or may have outdated information. Additionally, some candidates may not consider other factors, such as job responsibilities, industry, and location.

Another reason for unrealistic salary expectations is the tendency of some job seekers to overestimate their worth. Candidates may believe that their skills and experience are worth more than what the market dictates. Some appear to have drunk the recent media-fuelled Kool-Aid and believe the shortage of employees in some industries entitles them to the corner office with minimal skills and experience.

The challenges posed by unrealistic salary expectations are multifaceted. For candidates, unrealistic salary expectations may result in prolonged job searches, as candidates hold out for higher salaries, which can delay their ability to secure gainful employment. Conversely, for employers, a candidate’s unrealistic salary expectations may lead to increased negotiation efforts, which can be time-consuming and cause hiring delays. It may also result in employers losing out on qualified candidates who may not be willing to lower their salary expectations.

To address the issue of unrealistic salary expectations, employers and candidates can take certain steps to reach a happy medium, including the following.

1. Research and Realistic Expectations: Candidates should thoroughly research the

current market rates for the position they are applying for, considering factors such as the industry, location, and responsibilities. It’s essential to have a realistic understanding of what the market can offer and align expectations accordingly.

2. Transparent Communication: Employers should communicate early, clearly and transparently about the salary range for the position during the hiring process. Providing candidates with accurate information upfront can help manage expectations and avoid time wasting.

3. Overall Compensation: Employers can also educate candidates about the total compensation package, including benefits, bonuses, and other benefits, which may make up for a lower base salary. By considering the overall compensation package, candidates may be more willing to accept a slightly lower base salary if they see the value in the comprehensive package. Employers can also consider offering performance-based compensation, where a candidate’s pay is tied to performance and achievements. This can incentivise candidates to work hard and contribute positively to the organisation.

4. Negotiation and Flexibility: Both candidates and employers should be open to flexibility during the salary negotiation process. Candidates should be prepared to justify their salary expectations based on their skills, experience, and qualifications, and employers should be willing to consider reasonable requests. Finding a mutually beneficial middle ground can

help bridge the gap between unrealistic expectations and realistic offers. Consider putting creative options on the table, such as ‘early Friday finishing’, the ability for employees to purchase additional annual leave, and periodic days off to volunteer at a charity. Not everything will necessarily come down to the monetary component.

5. Training and Development: Employers can also highlight possible training and development opportunities available within the organisation. Candidates may be willing to accept a lower salary if they see the potential for upskilling and related advancement in their careers. This is particularly relevant to candidates with limited skills or experience. As with negotiations of all kinds, each party should do its homework, be prepared, be collaborative, be realistic and flexible. There is usually always a zone of possible agreement when trying to iron out the details, but know the walk away point if expectations remain unrealistic.

Charles Watson GM – IR, Policy and Governance Printing and

Photo Credit: Joshua Hoehne (Unsplash)

Trade

NZ SIGN AND DISPLAY AWARDS

https://nzsda.org.nz

8 July 2023

Due Drop Event Centre, Auckland, New Zealand

INTEGRATE: DIGITAL SIGN AND ENGAGEMENT EXPO

https://integrate-expo.com

30 August - 1 September 2023

ICC Sydney, NSW

APPA PROMO SHOW 2023

https://appa.com.au

31 August - 1 September 2023

Sydney Olympic Park, NSW

IMPRESSIONS EXPO: FORTH WORTH

https://impressionsexpo.com

14 - 16 September 2023

Forth Worth Convention Center, Forth Worth, Texas, USA

NZ PROMO SHOW

https://appa.com.au

20 September 2023

Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand

LETTERHEADS NEW ZEALAND

www.letterheads.co.nz

29 September - 1 October 2023

Christchurch, New Zealand

PRINTING UNITED

www.printingunited.com

18 - 20 October 2023

Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Photo Credit: Jonny Gios (Unsplash)

Hard learned lessons in life and business often come from mistakes

The universe is very clever in forcing us to learn life lessons, the things we discover from a very young age. Don’t stand too close to the heater; check the water temperature before you burn yourself. Don’t run your finger down the length of a sharp knife. We’ve all learnt from those early mistakes, so we know those lessons well. Knives can be very sharp if you run your finger down the length, and I have the scar to prove it.

Business is much the same; we’ve all learned from previous mistakes. But it’s hard to watch someone on your production team making a mistake you have made before. How else can they learn unless you allow them the space to make mistakes without constantly overseeing what they’re doing?

No one likes making mistakes, and no employer is happy when a team member makes a mistake, especially if it’s a significant mistake. However, the reality is that errors cost us money. The art of employment is allowing people to make some mistakes but ensuring a lesson is learned in the process. I don’t mean watching someone doing something wrong and watching the train wreck unfold in front of your eyes. But, acknowledging a mistake and then running through the process of how the error occurred and what your team member has learnt from the process is a powerful tool in growing your team into a decision-making contributor to your business.

Recently I was painting the ceiling in my home and used our Dyson cordless vacuum to clean up my mess. However, I forgot to put it away and recharge it, so when my wife went to use the Dyson today, she found it elsewhere with a flat battery.

Lesson one: Put your tools away and recharge them when finished.

Lesson two: Don’t make your wife cranky.

Lessons continue to teach us to improve everything we do in life and business, no matter your stage of life.

The biggest lesson I learned in business was during one of the significant economic downturns when things got very tight, and business was hard to win—a time when every client looked at price over relationship, quality and service. Every sign business was after the same jobs, and we all cut back on hourly rates and markups on purchases. We were forced to examine our buying process and realised we had wonderful relationships with our suppliers.

We had been using the same suppliers for many years and were very friendly with all the sales reps and managers. However, for the first time in years, we checked what the opposition suppliers were offering, and we found out we could buy and save up to ten per cent. Ten per cent when times are tough is a huge difference. We went on to examine every aspect of our business. We quickly found we could save a significant amount of money by purchasing smarter, cutting back on waste and improving basic efficiencies.

Being a Western Australian-based business, not all distributors carried as much stock as east coast suppliers. So we had to pay the air freight if we needed a vinyl colour or type that wasn’t in stock. In comparing suppliers, we found a company that promised

Photo

Credit: Santa Barbara (Unsplash)

they would have the stock we needed on hand, and if they didn’t, they would pay the air freight. That was a good enough offer for me to leave a long-standing supplier.

When your business has many staff, it’s easy for an unsupervised team member to grab a new, full-sized sheet of material to cut up for the next job. Team members with an eye for cost-saving will check the off-cut bins first. Why cut into a full sheet if there are offcuts available? Sounds basic and straightforward. But how often have you heard someone say, “Common sense isn’t that common.”?

Keeping control of overtime is another cost saver. Check with your departments that overtime is managed. I had a sign installer working for me once who loved his overtime, and we often took advantage of his willingness when it was prudent to do so. But on this one job, it was very tight on the margin, so there was no room for overtime or errors. My installer asked if he could stay back that day for an extra 2-3 hours to complete the installation, but I said no, there wasn’t room for the overtime, and it was close by, so there were no cost savings in travel. He was annoyed at losing some overtime, stayed late, and finished the job anyway, against my direct instruction. I was furious and refused to pay him the overtime. He complained and went to Fair Work, who supported my point of view. He was given an instruction and ignored it. He left a few weeks later, but principles exist for a reason. Not all your team members will understand or appreciate your decisions, but we make them for a reason.

The most recent widespread financial crunch was the Global Financial Crisis in 2007 and 2008. Ironically, or perhaps poor timing, we had just purchased a new building of some 2,600 square metres and faced the same challenges I outlined above.

But. And this is a big but, but we had learned from the early 1990s recession and other less severe downturns in business. We had learned the most crucial lesson in my business life:

Trade in the good times like you are forced to trade in the bad times.

Those early learned lessons meant we traded through the GFC with growth in our turnover. Our Net Profit was down due to margin reduction, but we remained strong and profitable at a time when most businesses were retrenching staff faster than trees shed leaves in Autumn. We grew through careful and robust management of the overall business. We did not retrench a single person during that time and picked some very good people that had been retrenched.

I believe there is no greater lesson in business to learn than the one mentioned above.

Trade in the good times like you are forced to trade in the bad times.

Nicole Henderson, TAFE NSW Maitland

Henderson, 21, found her true calling after her mum commented on her natural ability to apply boat decals to the family’s boat. After graduating from high school, she landed an apprenticeship with EM Signs and enrolled in a Certificate III in Signs and Graphics at TAFE NSW Maitland.

“It’s such a unique and rewarding career. I love the variety of work I do. Every day is different, and you aren’t stuck in an office in front of a computer all day,” says Henderson, adding, “I love that I can drive past a piece of work that I’ve done and realise that I created something, doing the sign from start to finish is incredibly rewarding.”

Henderson says TAFE NSW has armed her with a range of practical skills and realworld experience to succeed in her career and that she has learned invaluable skills and techniques from her mentors at EM Signs. “Cherie, the 2IC for vinyl at EM Signs, inspires me. She has such skill and incredible

technique. She’s the person who is called to fix things like vinyl folding on itself; she’s just so quick and talented, and with the depth of her experience, I enjoyed learning from her.”

“I’ve learnt useful skills that can be applied outside of work. For example, I know how to use many tools now, which means I can build or fix something around the house or on our boat.”

“Signwriting is a great industry. Whenever someone asks me what I do for work, they always follow with more questions because they would never have thought of signwriting. Yet there are so many signage businesses all around. Signage is a trade that will not die because, as humans, we always will need signs,” says Henderson.

“Coming into a male-dominated workforce, I was a bit intimidated. Even during the interview stage, I was the only female of eight applicants. But since then, I’ve become

much more confident. I think women can do the job just as well.”

After 2.5 years at EM Signs, Ms Henderson fast-tracked her career, getting an early sign-off on the apprenticeship, and is currently pursuing her next opportunity.

TAFE NSW Maitland Painting and Decorating teacher, Chanelle Vincent, says TAFE NSW plays a critical role in growing the industry by providing a skilled workforce.

“We always try to encourage and support women in trades at TAFE NSW, and Nicole is a great example of the high calibre of graduates produced.”

“Signwriting is still a relatively unknown trade, but many career pathways exist, such as sign manufacturer, sign writer, and sign installer. What’s also great is that employers are constantly enquiring about new apprentices,” concludes Vincent.

TAFE NSW graduate and Mannering Park local Nicole Henderson has kickstarted her career in signage and urges her peers to consider a career in the industry.

Why we shouldn’t judge plastics too harshly

Considering waste and recycling options as a whole, rather than demonising one type of media leads to better outcomes, for business, for people and for the environment. Considering the Waste Hierarchy can help to reduce the impact of our work on the environment.

We are a highly consumerist society. Our ever-increasing demand for goods, along with our desire for convenience, has had a considerable impact not only from a social and economic perspective, we are now experiencing the environmental impact of our excessive consumption. We are depleting natural resources and contributing to increasing levels of CO2 at rates not seen before. Disposing of the products we use and waste has also become a massive problem.

While plastics are front of mind when discussing waste and environmental impact, it may be surprising to know that plastic is not the most significant waste generator. It may be the most visible because of the proliferation of single-use plastic litter and the negative attention plastic is given in the media. Still, there

Photo

Credit: Nareeta Martin (Unsplash)

Photo Credit: Lenka Dzurendova (Unsplash)

Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to landfill in Australia and New Zealand.

are other materials that create much more waste. Construction materials and food are the leading contributors to rubbish in Australia and New Zealand. Even paper and cardboard rank higher than plastics. The problem with plastic is not so much about volume but its longevity and toxicity when released into the environment or disposed of in a landfill.

As we look for alternative materials to plastic, especially PVC, we need to consider what will happen end of life. Replacing plastic may seem to be a sustainable move, but this may not be the case if the waste outcomes aren’t better. Paper or board that ends up in landfill creates methane which is 23 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide. Substrates that can be reused or recycled may represent better environmental outcomes than a “greener” product going to landfill. What matters as much as the materials we use is how we get rid of them end-of-life.

When considering sustainability, the best place to start is during the design process. Designing sustainability in the job is better than trying to figure it out at the end of life. Considering how the products will be disposed of is a big part of the evaluation process.

The Waste Hierarchy can be a helpful support framework for assessing different end-of-life solutions from the most desirable to least preferred based on the impact on the environment and human health.

PREVENTION AND MINIMISATION - prevention is the ideal outcome for zero waste. In our industry, prevention isn’t efficient as we provide material goods. Still, there are many areas where we can minimise the use of some materials that end of life go straight to landfill and cause ecological harm. An example is reducing PVC use where possible. There are many PVC-free selfadhesive films, banners, textiles and rigid substrates on offer in our market that are less impactful in the waste hierarchy but still

deliver on performance. Waste minimisation can also be as simple as improving efficiencies in job management to reduce reprints, optimising the use of materials to minimise offcuts or better stock management.

REUSING AND RECYCLING substrates will reduce material and natural resources waste and keep products out of the waste stream longer. Reusing rigid boards and replacing the graphics is a great way to use less material, and even better if the graphics are on recyclable stock. Frames and textiles are another way systems can be reused. Consider where else your business generates waste. Many packaging materials can be recycled if you sort and separate them into different streams.

ENERGY RECOVERY - currently, there are limited solutions for waste to energy with the products we use. Incinerating is lower down the hierarchy because, while it can be used for energy, it doesn’t eliminate waste. It merely reduces its volume to ash which still needs to be disposed of. Compostable products could also be considered in this tier, as compostable material has residual nutrient value.

DISPOSAL – sending material to a landfill is the last resort and least desirable outcome. Non-renewable resources are wasted, and many of our products are not biodegradable. Some materials, particularly PVC, not only take 100s of years to break down, they release additives and toxins, becoming a problem for future generations.

While there can be a number of factors to consider when evaluating the sustainability of a product, considering The Waste Hierarchy can be simple and useful tool. Being mindful of the end-of-life impact the products we use have can help to make better decisions in the design process and contribute to better environmental outcomes.

DENISE KIRBY has over 27 years’ experience supplying self-adhesive media to the sign and print industry. Initially starting out in the family business as a distributor, she went on to work for leading self-adhesive manufacturers in marketing, business development and product management roles across Australia and New Zealand. She now has her own business, Kirbyco, which develops and supplies eco-friendly, recyclable and sustainable print media, and created ZERO, a product stewardship scheme which recycles end of life printed media. Denise is highly passionate about the industry and enjoys writing about applications, opportunities and new developments in print and signage. Her goal is to inspire people to explore new creative, functional and sustainable opportunities in print as well as educating the industry on products, trends and innovations.

The Secret to Understanding Your Business Numbers and Accurately Predicting Your Financial Future

A ‘Financial Roadmap’ will help improve profit and cash flow by ensuring funds will be available to spend on developing new products and services, marketing, sales, operations, customer service and human resources. To grow a business, you must have funds available at the right time.

The easiest way to develop a financial roadmap is to have a Budget and a Cash Flow Forecast. Here’s the difference between the two:

A Budget is a financial plan - what you are going to sell - what it is going to cost, and what overheads you are likely to incur. It also includes finance costs such as interest. The budget sets out how much profit or loss the business is planning to make, usually on a monthly basis.

A Cash Flow Forecast is a plan of when the cash will flow into and out of the business. It’s essential to have both because a budget may show that you’re going to make a profit, but customers take time to pay, and suppliers require payment, often before customers have paid you. It’s vital to plot this all out in black and white to see where the ‘peaks and troughs’ are likely to occur and plan how you will manage them.

Lenders may require a budget for that purpose, but do a budget for yourself. As a business owner, it provides you with a fantastic financial roadmap to help clarify what everyone needs to work towards.

People often say, “I can’t do a budget because I don’t know exactly how much I will sell”. This statement is reasonable, but it shouldn’t put you off developing a budget with the best estimates.

Photo Credit: Scott Rodgerson (Unsplash)

‘End of financial year’ is a great time to understand how well your business has performed for the past year and your targets for next year.

The best way to start a budget is to work out your ‘break-even point’. The break-even point helps you determine how much you need to sell to make neither a profit nor a loss, i.e. a zero result. This isn’t what you’re in business for, clearly, but it will give you targets to work towards and to avoid losses. To work out your ‘break-even point’, begin with your overheads, i.e. the fixed expenses you incur whether you sell anything or not, such as rent, permanent staff wages, equipment leases etc.

You then need to know what your gross margin is on sales. Gross margin is the percentage you make on sales after direct costs of your product or service, such as the cost of the actual product or labour and materials on jobs. For example, if you know that products or jobs cost you 40% (on average) of your sale price, you have a 60% gross margin left to cover your fixed expenses. If your yearly fixed expenses are $600,000, you will need to sell $1,000,000 to break-even.

Example Calculation:

Monthly Fixed Expenses = $50,000

Cost of Goods percentage = 40%

Gross margin = 60%

Formula = Monthly Fixed Expenses / Gross Profit Margin = 50,000 divided by 60% = $83,333.33

$83,333.33 is the monthly break-even sales figure in this example.

Once you know your ‘break-even’ sales figure, you can use this as a basis for your budget by entering the monthly figures into a spreadsheet and playing around with increasing and decreasing the monthly sales to see the impact of changes.

The Cash Flow Forecast is similar to the budget but looks at the situation from a cash perspective rather than a profit one. You begin with your opening bank balance, then plot in monthly what income you expect to receive, based on when and how much customers pay, against what you expect to pay out, based on fixed monthly expenses and amounts owed to suppliers.

The Cash Flow also includes items such as tax, repayment of loans and dividends, which aren’t included in the Budget. By doing this forecast, you can see your projected closing bank balance for each month and where you might experience ‘peaks and troughs’.

Once you know the amount of the ‘peaks and troughs’ you can play around with a spreadsheet, to work out how to retain a positive bank balance or when you may need funds to cover a shortfall.

By doing this at the beginning of the year, you can approach lenders with a clear picture of your requirements, rather than rushing in ‘cap in hand’ begging for help to cover an unexpected shortfall.

Both of these financial tools will help you to sleep easier at night and be able to plan for the best or worst in your business.

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You could also work it backwards to calculate what profit you desire and therefore, what you need to sell to achieve the result, or if you can find ways to reduce your direct costs, how much impact that could have on your profit.