Fespa UK to form Next Generation youth committee

Fespa UK is forming a Next Generation youth committee to help formulate a training/ networking programme for 2023 and beyond. The move comes on the back of two Next Generation print training days held on 19 and 26 January, where the association aimed to find initial committee members.

The new youth group of 18-30-year-olds will be headed by Fespa UK’s creative coordinator Jay Burfield, and will aim to ensure that the next generation of print workers are represented fairly and able to bring new ideas to the businesses they work in.

Compass Business Finance, Vivid Laminating Technologies, HP UK and All Print Supplies have committed to supporting the youth scheme with various events and webinars throughout this year - schedule to be confirmed following the Next Generation committee members’ input.

“Having created many networking events for the industry over the years it stands to reason that most events are aimed at the more advanced members of a business, who have the most influence within a company. This got the team at Fespa UK thinking - when the people at the top retire will the next generation see the value of sharing information to develop their own careers and to help grow and support the industry as a community? With this in mind, we want to support the next generation in print to grow their confidence, develop their networking skills and be inspired,” said Fespa UK MD Suzie Ward.

“Following the two Next Generation training days, we will be forming a Next Generation committee, which will be small group of 18-30 year old’s working in print who want to contribute and make lasting changes for like-minded people in the same age group.”

Plastic tops new Roland Substrate Index Report

Roland DG has published its annual ‘Substrate Index Report’, based on a survey of 140+ PSPs across the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain printing with UV technology. It shows that 68% of PSPs polled continue to print on plastic, having used it at least once in 2022.

64% said they print on metals, 60% onto PVC, and 58% onto wood. These same four materials came out top overall in last year’s report, with a small drop in popularity of plastic (-7%) and wood (-6%), while metal (+10%) appears to have gained in popularity.

Compass Business Finance to fraud check would-be customers

Compass Business Finance has joined UK fraud prevention service Cifas, which manages the National Fraud Database (NFD). Compass will use the database to run checks on those seeking funding and will now provide data to Cifas for the NFD.

Compass director of Compass Mark Nelson said of the move: “Fraud is becoming increasingly prevalent, and we believe, as does Cifas, that effective communication and collaboration is the way to push back against the perpetrators of this type of crime.

“Our customers will be checked against the NFD,

PressOn uses new HP Latex R2000 to strengthen its eco stance

PressOn has installed a second HP Latex R2000 printer to enable it to take on more work in profitable markets, including transport livery, whilst helping it reduce its environmental impact and strengthen its eco print solutions offering.

The company - which has specialised in largeformat digital printing for indoor and outdoor advertising, with clients including Harrods, Dior, and Fendi - has worked with HP for more than 15 years. PressOn MD Andy Wilson has been an advocate of the eco benefits of HP technology for many years and the company uses solely UL Ecologo and Greenguard-certified HP latex water-based inks. HP also influenced PressOn’s decision to move away from PVC as a primary substrate and switch to PVCfree vinyl and polyester PET materials.

PressOn has recently used the HP Latex R2000 printer to wrap six electric London cabs in Metamark recyclable, self-adhesive vinyl as part of an ongoing sustainability project to showcase an eco-friendly printing practice. With the project continuing into 2023, PressOn aims to explore further recycling however, this is an entirely internal process and will not impact the ease or speed of delivery that we are known for providing. Having open and honest relationships with our customers is vital to us, and we’re confident that joining Cifas will help give further protection to everyone.” possibilities across future projects

Similarly, in terms of frequency of use, these materials are leading the pack, with almost a quarter (24%) of all respondents saying they print on both plastic and PVC at least once a week, 18% print on metals once a week, and 26% print on wood at least once a month.

Acrylic is also still very popular, with 53% of PSPs in the UK reporting using it at least once. Other geographical markets, such as Italy and France, saw glass and tiles rising in the ranks. Less than 3% of respondents claimed to have printed anything on concrete in the last year.

Wilson explained: “Our focus is to continue educating our customers on new and best printing practices with minimal environmental impact. We continue to invest in HP’s portfolio of latex printers as the devices have an incredible colour gamut and environmental credentials, helping us support our customers’ demand for environmentally sound supply chain without compromising on print quality.”

PressOn is signed up to HP’s Planet Partners recycling programme too.