Image Reports February March 2021

Actively investigating and supporting the wide-format print sector

ISSUE 1 • VOLUME 29 • FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021

EFI ON TODAY’S MARKET The importance of total cost of ownership

First Person Raccoon’s owner kicks off a new series on evolving business Manufacturers Are they meeting your current demands?

Gen Z How to attract this key group

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Editorial

TIME TO GET GARDENING Editor: Lesley Simpson lesley.simpson@imagereportsmag.co.uk

“One must cultivate one’s own garden.� Yes, I’m channelling Voltaire and his ‘look after your own plot of land’ philosophy as so

Production / Design: Alex Gold

many of us have become scared, jaded, exasperated over what’s

Publisher: Wayne Darroch wayned@sjpbusinessmedia.com

happening around the globe right now. “Control what you can control� - that’s my motto now, and perhaps always should have

Advertising Manager: Carl Archer carl.archer@imagereportsmag.co.uk Tel: 07723 079928

been. I reckon it’s a healthy ethos anyway, and one many of you are obviously following as you evolve your businesses.

SJP Business Media, 2nd Floor, 123 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 5AU www.imagereportsmag.co.uk

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5LFKDUG &ODUN RI 5DFFRRQ LV Ă°UVW XS UHDG XS RQ KLV H[SHULHQFHV and plans on p13.

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Investment being core to growth, I would normally be carrying trade show previews at this time of year, but given the current

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circumstances I’m obviously not doing that. Instead I’ve asked 363V ZKDW WKH\ ZRXOG OLNH WR VHH LQ WHUPV RI WHFKQRORJLFDO

Printed in Great Britain.

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developments and have asked manufacturers how their R&D is meeting the sector’s demands - have a look at the ‘What to Watch’ features.

We also take a look at what you need to do to attract the much sought-after Generation Z, bring you up to speed with changes in employment and business law, focus on environmental must-do’s, DQG FKDW ZLWK 0DUFXV &OLĎƒRUG DW WKH %3,) RQ VHWWLQJ XS D QHZ group for large-format, and for which your input is sought.

Hope we’ve planted some seeds worth growing.

From Top: Lesley Simpson Alex Gold Wayne Darroch Carl Archer

Editor LESLEY SIMPSON LESLEY.SIMPSON@IMAGEREPORTSMAG.CO.UK TEL: 01932 707173

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 3

Contents

CONTENTS FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021

REGULARS: p7 News Keeping you abreast of all the latest news in relation to digital wide-format print.

p10 Cover Story Advertorial EFI and the critical cost of ownership.

p27 Think Bigger Gallery showing off the creativity and complexity of largeformat inkjet print.

p28 Forum Vital stats to help you run your business; Digging below the surface with Industry Mole; Out and About - events diary; Over to You with Jack Murphy of The Big Display Company.

p30 Zeitgeist How to reach the much sought after Gen Z.

14 SECTIONS: Business p13 First Person A new series of first-hand comment from PSPs on evolving their business.

p14 Talking Point …with BPIF director Marcus Clifford on putting together a wide-format interest group.

p16 Top Tips Update on employment and industrial relations law.

27

Technical p19 What to Watch I What technical developments do PSPs want?

NEWS AND VIEWS ONLINE Go to www.imagereportsmag.co.uk for all the wideformat sector’s industry news, updated regularly online. Image Reports can also send a twice weekly enews bulletin straight to your inbox – register at: www.imagereportsmag.co.uk/ newsletter

p20 What to Watch II Are manufacturers meeting your demands?

Environment p25 Judgement is nigh Green-up now or face the consequences.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 5

News

Two substrate ‘help desks’ launched An online Substrate Bank has been launched by Dutch-based digital marketing agency Dipa Global.

Those currently involved are Contra Vision, Xanita, Desardi, Digital Magnetics, Neenah, Dreamscape wallcovering and Re-board Technology. More are expected to join.

“We see the lines between industry verticals blurring as a result of technological developments and the typical entry barriers to digital print disappearing. This requires a modern strategy to connect with potential customers,” said Marco Stevens, sales and marketing director of Dipa Global.

Users of the platform can use industry-specific search criteria. After registration, users are able to connect with manufacturers directly - to request samples, ask for directions to the nearest distributor, ask about print settings, technical datasheets, etc.

Meanwhile, retail strategist and POPAI’s head of sustainability, Steve Lister, has launched a sustainable materials advisory website.

“If you’re looking for PVC-free, fibre-based or bioplastics alternatives but struggling, go to my new website - asksteve.co.uk - drop me a line and I will help,” said Lister, who was interviewed recently

by Image Reports for a Talking Point feature that looked at sustainable print within the retail sector: http://bit.ly/347rvjw

GO TO WWW.IMAGEREPORTSMAG.CO.UK FOR THE FULL STORY… ] swissQprint gets new CEO ] Durst unveils P5 350 HS ] SDUK and Fespa Global 2021 dates moved ] FuturePrint CEO Virtual Summit to run 23-24 March ] Roland’s Jerry Davies steps down ] Mutoh offers new heavyweight feed/take-up system ] AXYZ Innovator replaces Z-Series ] Tradeprint announces API Integration with Print Logic ] Version 5 of EFI PrintSmith Vision released ] Epson opens European Industrial Solutions Centre

Esko sells off Kongsberg Esko is selling off its Kongsberg digital finishing business to US-based private equity firm OpenGate Capital. The planned sale includes the R&D facility in Kongsberg, Norway and the production facility in Brno, Czech Republic.

“Esko is concentrating efforts on delivering endto-end workflow solutions for customers across the packaging supply chain. With a sharpened focus, we can accelerate our delivery of integrated software and hardware technologies to help our customers digitise, automate, and connect their operations so they can realise the growth and efficiency that digital transformation offers,” said Mattias Bystrom, president of packaging and colour management companies Pantone, Esko,

X-Rite and AVT. “I am confident that OpenGate will be a strong, strategic home for Kongsberg, and that the employees who will transfer with the business will thrive in their new home.”

Kongsberg was founded in in 1965, with Esko (then Barco) buying it in 1998. The new stand-alone Kongsberg PCS (Precision Cutting Systems) company will be led by Stuart Fox as president, who moves from Esko.

Kongsberg reseller relationships will be transferred to the new stand-alone business, where OpenGate Capital sees opportunities beyond packaging applications, expanding the product offering and growing the tooling and consumables offering

Global Graphics finals Hybrid takeover Global Graphics has completed its acquisition of Hybrid Software from Congra Software.

Hybrid Software becomes the fourth subsidiary company in the Global Graphics group and sits alongside Global Graphics Software, Meteor Inkjet and Xitron.

The acquisition roughly doubles the size of the Global Graphics group of companies in terms of headcount, expanding the global workforce to around 250 people. It also adds several more operating locations to the group through Hybrid Software’s offices in Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and the USA. Global Graphics typically invests about one third of its revenues into R&D each financial year. Its software development team now comprises more than 75 engineers with the addition of Hybrid Software.

Guido Van der Schueren, chairman of Global Graphics, said: “This acquisition is a great fit. It’s good news for our customers, our employees and our shareholders. We will continue to grow the value of the company by supporting all our stakeholders and reaffirm our intention to remain a listed company. As the packaging industry continues its migration to digital printing, there are tremendous opportunities for Global Graphics’ hardware and software solutions, so bringing

Hybrid Software into the group will help us grow our share in labels and packaging. Exciting times lie ahead as we launch new initiatives in response to customer demands, ranging from innovative new products to subscription-based licensing models.”

Global Graphics’ CEO Mike Rottenborn added: “This acquisition makes Global Graphics stronger than the sum of its parts. Customers are asking for more functionality and we are well placed to offer a broader solution starting with a powerful new digital front end for the labels and packaging segment. Expect to see new product development for the industrial inkjet market too, which, as it evolves and matures, requires a new generation of software and hardware capabilities. We’ll be able to take Hybrid Software’s expertise in file preparation and enterprise production workflow gained in the labels and packaging segments and expand this out across all the industry segments we serve.”

Hybrid Software has been an integrator of Global Graphics’ Harlequin Rip for many years inside its Cloudflow workflow product, and in recent times has been working with the company on the Fundamentals digital front end.

Consideration for the acquisition of Hybrid Software was 80m Euro.

] Durst partners PrintFactory ] Intec upgrades ColorCut FB750 mkll ] Banbury Litho adds to wide-format arsenal ] William Smith halves electricity costs with solar panels ] Touchshield anti-microbial film now available from Premier ] Zund UK partners with Dennison at northern demo centre ] Hybrid Services takes on 3D business development manager ] Drytac adds PVC-free graphics films to its range ] Epson publishes ‘Green Choice’ report ] Key new appointments at Screen ] Graphtec brings out 24in Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro ] Precision Proco acquires WKG Print ] Vpress launches Dynamic Editor 4.0 ] MIS developer Dataline on acquisition trail ] Management changes at Enfocus

ImageCo becomes first Drytac Health Science partner in the UK Leeds-based ImageCo has been appointed the first Drytac Health Science partner in the UK, supplying and installing Drytac Protac AMP antimicrobial film across a wide-range of sectors, including hospitals.

Scott Buckler, head of sustainable business development at Imageco - which has a longstanding relationship with the NHS - said: “We are amid the biggest global pandemic we have ever lived through, and hygiene must be a priority.

Infection prevention has never been so critical.

When Drytac introduced us to Protac AMP we intuitively knew it was a must for any building,

surface or area that serves the public.”

He added: “We want to start with the most obvious places: hospitals. Applications such as doors, handles and signage will be the main aim initially, but we know we can use the film for many other surfaces.”

Launched in September last year, Drytac Protac AMP is a 6mil self-adhesive polyester film that incorporates Microban technology at the manufacturing stage, and which becomes part of the material’s intrinsic physical structure at a molecular level and will not wash away, even after cleaning.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 7

News

UK personalised gift market to reach £1bn in 2021 The UK personalised gift market is anticipated to reach £1bn over the next 12 months according to the findings of a European study by Roland DG. According to the data from more than 5,000 shoppers across Europe, the average UK shopper is prepared to spend an extra 7% on gifts that have an element of personalisation. The most popular categories for those who anticipate purchasing personalised gifts are books (29%), clothing and babywear (24%), and calendars (also 24%).

The number one driving force behind purchases is how shoppers consider personalised gifts to be more thoughtful (chosen by 21%), closely followed by the fact that they are unique and can’t be bought straight off-the-shelf (20%).

Online retailers including Notonthehighstreet and Etsy are by far and away the most popular places to buy personalised gifts, and is the most likely place for nearly a quarter of respondents (24%). High street businesses with in-store personalisation offers was a likely place for nearly a tenth of respondents (8%).

Stephen Davis, EMEA marketing director at Roland DG UK, said: “Make no mistake: the market for gift personalisation is vast, and only set to grow as it becomes easier and faster to source gifts with that personal touch. It represents a lucrative source of revenue for manufacturers and retailers.”

The online survey was undertaken 18-23 November 2020, and polled 5,014 18+ year old consumers in the following markets: UK (1000 respondents), Spain (1002), Italy (1002), Germany (1008) and France (1002).

GO TO WWW.IMAGEREPORTSMAG.CO.UK FOR THE FULL STORY… ] Canon sets up graphiPlaza online hub ] Sabur extends offering to textile printers ] KDM POP Solutions becomes G7 qualified ] ICE Europe, CCE International and InPrint Munich 2021 postponed ] Ricoh in Vpress partnership ] Nazdar publishes paper on weathering of outdoor graphics ] Minuteman Press delivers Covid-19 testing clinic signage

RA Smart specialist large-format division now trading RA Smart has appointed Adam Booth to head a new Large Format Solutions division. The move extends the company’s product offering - to include more printers, Summa cutters, Onyx Rip software - and aims to reach new customers in different areas of the industry.

RA Smart (Large Format) is now trading now and a southern-based application centre will open later this year. Whilst this division will remain an independent entity, a new equipment focused website will automatically direct

enquiries to RA Smart to the correct department.

“I believe this is a very exciting time for the Smart’s collective business,” said Booth. “The reputation, heritage and customer service focus of the RA Smart business perfectly fits into a diverse and expanding large-format channel.

I believe that RA Smart now offers a unique portfolio of hardware, ink technology and media.

This allows our clients to benefit from an unrivalled approach to delivering a total solution and application sale.”

Folex seeks partners for ‘split-and-recycle’ concept roll-out Folex is looking for partners to help it roll-out a new ‘split-and-recycle’ concept, in which 65% of a roll-up film becomes recyclable plastic by simply pulling off the print graphics together with the coating.

The first product in this series is the Regu Pure Active Release 200. It is based on a polypropylene film, the coating of which can be removed without residue after the end of its service life. The amount of residual waste that can only be incinerated or dumped of 100 roll-up graphics drops significantly - from around 40kg

to less than 15kg according to Folex.

The company said sustainability will play a central role in the choice of distribution channels for the new ‘split-and-recycle’ products, and is seeking companies that can train PSPs in the recycling method.

Folex has also brought out a backlit film, called Dialux R-50, for water-based inks and latex inks, based on a 0.175 mm PET film which consists of at least 50% recycled material, mainly from plastic bottles.

Four more PSPs gain carbon balanced certification Jump Design and Print, Deltor Communications, St Austell Printing, and Simply Cartons have become certified carbon balanced printers, having their annual carbon emissions offset by World Land Trust (WLT). The addition of these companies boosts the total amount of UK carbon balanced print-certified organisations to 16.

The scheme calculates the annual emissions of a company, which is used to generate funds to protect some of the world’s most endangered habitats through international conservation charity World Land Trust.

By offsetting their annual operational

emissions, the four newly certified companies have balanced over 850 tonnes of carbon, resulting in the preservation of over 150 acres of endangered land - equivalent to 85 football pitches.

“As part of our continuing effort to be a leader in sustainable printing, we are thrilled to become a certified Carbon Balanced Printer in the UK,” said Tony Napodano, MD of Jump Design and Print. “Despite a challenging year, sustainability remains paramount for us as a business, and we know this commitment will be shared by many of our clients.”

Printing Charity rebrands Print Futures Awards The Printing Charity has rebranded its Print Futures Awards as the Rising Star Awards. Entry is now open for the annual awards programme, which champions young talent in print, paper, publishing, and packaging.

To be named a 2021 Rising Star and receive up to £1,500 towards the cost of training, professional accreditation or equipment to support career development, applicants need to be aged 18 to 30, resident in the UK, working in the sector, and be clear on how the award will advance their career.

Neil Lovell, The Printing Charity’s chief executive, said of the awards rebrand: “Refreshing the name and branding makes it clear that the awards are not just about print but all the many aspects of our multifaceted sector.

“We’ve had nearly 500 winners since the awards began and, let’s face it, after 2020 we need as much positivity about the sector and its future stars that we can get. We are excited to see who applies this year and are asking businesses to encourage their rising stars to apply.”

The charity is encouraging prospective

applicants to talk to their manager, mentor or HR department about their proposed training to be sure it is right for them and their career.

Training can also cover personal development such as presentation, leadership, management, and persuasion skills.

Applications close 7 March. Video interviews with shortlisted applicants and industry judges will be held late March, and winners will be announced in April.

Go to: www.theprintingcharity.org.uk/risingstar-awards/

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 9

Cover Story

IN AN EVOLVING SIGN & DISPLAY GRAPHICS MARKET, TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP IS CRITICAL

EFI Nozomi single-pass printer

By: Ken Hanulec, EFI Vice President Wordlwide Marketing As the sign and display graphics market is reshaped by rapidly evolving political, economic, health and socioeconomic dynamics around the globe, neither print service providers (PSPs) nor manufacturers are standing still. PSPs are finding new ways to continue business growth despite the pandemic, and manufacturers are inventing new ways for them to do so.

One of the key drivers for growth in signs and display graphics is the overall analogue-to-digital transformation that is underway, with nearly two-thirds of production already migrated to digital. One important factor that has driven this migration is the realisation that with digital technologies, combined with the market demand for smaller lot sizes and more variability, total cost of ownership (TCO) for digital has significantly declined as technology has improved, and price/performance for equipment and ink has adjusted.

One of the advantages many analogue manufacturing processes have over digital equivalents is speed, especially when producing very long runs, but a clear disadvantage is the cost model – most analogue processes require long set-up times and are not costefficient for the lower-volume production that PSPs increasingly demand.

With digital production of signs and display graphics, providers can profitably produce smaller runs, even down to a quantity of one. While analogue production technologies have also improved, enabling shorter runs, providers of sign and display graphics services and their customers must look at the total life cycle of the product being manufactured. If a customer truly needs 100,000 units of a product, and needs those units now, analogue technologies are most likely the best way to go. And analogue technologies will be in our future for some time to come. But what if you order 100,000

10 | February / March 2021

units and end up only using 25,000 because of lack of demand or required changes in content? Then the total cost of ownership skyrockets and sustainability tanks, with 75,000 units heading for the landfill!

One way that manufacturers like EFI™ are addressing customer demands is to keep a sharp eye on total cost of ownership, but also to continue bringing new and innovative services to the market, such as recently announced portfolio of super-high-speed digital printing devices that can deliver equivalent or better quality than analogue at speeds and costs that change the cross-over point between analogue and digital from a price/performance perspective. At the same time, these digital devices allow operators to also cost effectively produce the shorter runs and versioned content that brands increasingly are demanding, all on one device for the ultimate in production flexibility.

The key to acceleration of this transformation is bringing the TCO of digital production in line with that of analogue production. But in considering TCO, it is not enough to simply consider the printing device, consumables and waste. It is also important to look at the entire workflow from a platform perspective. By that we mean, what are the steps required to get from file to finished product, how much labour is involved, what type of waste is created during makeready or rework due to errors, and what needs to be done to change over from one job to the next. And last but not least, how can digital technologies optimise – or even eliminate – inventory risk for the buyer.

We’ve been having these discussions for years now, but what has changed as we move into 2021 is the imminent availability of a new generation of digital printing devices combined with streamlined workflows and automation that position them competitively with

Cover Story

traditional analogue production processes from a TCO perspective, even for quite long runs.

According to recent data from I.T. Strategies, the global total signage and display market produces 6.4 billion square metres of product per year. Of that, 61% is already digital, but that still leaves 39% currently produced using screen printing or other analogue technologies. That would equate to some 2.5 billion square metres of production that is in the crosshairs for conversion to digital. And an acceptable TCO is critical to their conversion.

With that in mind, there are several emerging technological improvements in the digital printing arena for signs and display graphics that are being driven by customer demand and market changes, and which are set to accelerate this transition by ensuring a competitive TCO, including: • Smaller drop sizes for inks, delivering near-litho quality with a 5 pl drop size. This not only improves quality, but it reduces the amount of ink required to achieve a high-quality image.

• New vacuum systems that hold substrates in place, even if they are not completely flat, such as corrugated. Stronger vacuum pressure means the substrate stays locked in place during printing without the need for material edge guides. This improved holddown enables the printer to handle a wide range of material, including BC corrugate with up to a half inch edge or centre warp.

• The ability of a pallet-to-pallet system to handle a wide range of materials with super short make readies.

• Up to three lanes of printing enabling the printing of more finished boards per hour, with the same image, or different images.

• The option to use one very large roll of media, or two rolls at the same time totally more than 1000kgs to keep the press printing.

• Improved ink circulation technologies that significantly reduce ink wastage and provide greater ink yield with up to 30% to 50% increase over previous technologies.

• Automation options, including pallet-to-pallet automated material handling that can result in the production of more than +375 boards per hour with minimal manual labour.

These are all machine improvements that are coming online now with new digital printers. But to achieve the best performance and lowest total cost of ownership requires more than just placing a printer in your establishment. Both manufacturers and producers are also understanding that achieving the best possible TCO – and optimum productivity and profitability – requires an examination of the entire file-to-finished-product workflow to look for bottlenecks and other areas of potential improvement. Here are some examples that are important to consider.

In the analogue world, makeready can be extended due to the need to prepare screens and make sure colour is accurate. With digital printing, this work can be done in the digital front end (DFE) before even

one drop of ink is placed on substrate. For example, with EFI’s Fiery® DFE, integrated colour management software gives digital print producers the ability to get colour right every time. EFI Fiery Edge™ colour profiling technology delivers out-of-the-box print quality and colour improvements in new Fiery DFEs. Plus, a host of new controls within Fiery Color Profiler Suite tune colour to meet customer preferences, such as features to intelligently boost colour and adjust shadow detail levels.

In an analogue workflow, operations often occur in siloes, meaning work must be manually moved from one operation to another. With EFI’s roll-to-roll printers, it is possible to implement an inline finishing workflow that includes X/Y slit and cut, labeling, collecting units in groups according to the order, and rolling and taping, ready for shipment. Automatic blockout and backlit printing also add to overall productivity and reduced time to market. Just a couple of weeks ago, EFI launched the new VUTEk® Q series roll-to-roll printers at their virtual user’s conference, EFI Engage 2021. The VUTEk Q3r and Q5r printers take users beyond printing in many aspects, including productivity and application reach and moreso in its full system solution from file submission to finished print, which is already cut to size and rolled and marked for the designated display location. Users benefit from throughput that can be up to a few times faster than existing models in the market.

EFI printers feature full integration with EFI software solutions, such as storefronts for job submission and MIS/ERP solutions for business and production management. In addition, EFI IQ, a suite of free and paid cloud-based applications provides real-time data about the print operation that enable better and faster fact-based decision making. This includes a dashboard for monitoring printer status, access to historical data in an interactive environment to transform print production data into actionable analytics, and robust notifications so nothing falls through the cracks in a fast-paced digital environment.

All of this adds up to a new generation of digital printing that has been designed to meet emerging customer and market demands and is poised to move an increased amount of volume from analogue to digital, with the lowest digital TCO on the market, and the benefits of shorter cycle times, less waste and labour cost, and a more sustainable production footprint.

EFI VUTEk super high-speed multi-pass printer

EFI VUTEk Q5r superwide roll-to-roll printer

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Business | First Person

REFLECT, PLAN, ACT IN THE FIRST OF A NEW SERIES OF ‘FIRST PERSON’ ARTICLES BY LEADERS OF LARGE-FORMAT PSPS EXPLAINING HOW THEY’RE EVOLVING THEIR BUSINESS, RICHARD CLARK OF RACCOON EXPLAINS HOW HIS COMPANY IS WEATHERING THE COVID-19 STORM. I’m writing this on 13 January 2021, which is one year to the day since the first person outside of China was diagnosed with Covid-19 and there had still only been two confirmed deaths from the disease.

That one sentence reminds me of how much we have all had to deal with over the past 12 months! I think in many ways I would compare it to a tsunami. In late January 2020 we started to hear about this new virus originating in China and nobody was concerned.

If anything, we all made jokes about it, as if it was somebody else’s problem. It was like the moment when the tide rushes out and everybody just watches with interest and slight amazement.

A few weeks later we all watched as the sea came rushing back in at us! Orders were cancelled and projects planned for spring and early summer were put on hold.

Suddenly, blind panic raged among those within the events industry, of which Raccoon is part.

Over the past few years, we have been providing large-format printing and promotional vehicle services to brands and agencies. The spring and summer each year is the time we make our money, but it was clear that 2020 would be a complete write-off for us and we were already in a battle to survive. As we entered lockdown and the furlough scheme was announced, for the first time in weeks, I was able to relax as I could see a path opening up ahead of me. I wasn’t the only one.

Leaning on the tsunami comparison once again, this is when I became a surfer dude. As most of my staff were furloughed and spending sunny days with their families or watching Netflix, like most business owners I had no choice but to run towards the incoming waves and try to ride out things out.

Unlike the credit crisis of 2008, this time around I had good support from my bank, which quickly agreed to a payment holiday on our business loans for the next six months. In addition to this we had the furlough scheme which enabled us to get through the next few months without too many sleepless nights and to make the medium-term changes to staffing levels and business structure that was now clearly needed.

The luxury of time has enabled me to take a deep look at all that is good and bad within my business. When you are constantly running at 100 miles per hour you never get the chance to be truly strategic in your thinking, no matter how much you try. We all love the phrase “work on your business, not in it” and try to take a step back at times to try to achieve that, but it only ever lasts a few

I HAD ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO CREATE A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT I COULDN’T AFFORD TO WASTE

weeks at best before we’re back at the coalface.

With two months of near zero business activity, I had all the time in the world to create a strategic plan for the future.

It was an opportunity that I couldn’t afford to waste. The one positive that I could take from this wretched situation.

Six to nine months of planning and scheming, clearing out, re-building and adding structure to a business that is normally organised chaos has been quite cathartic at times. I believe that having reached January 2021 with my business intact means I can now get through the next year, no doubts about that.

When it came to reducing head count in the business, this became a process of natural selection. I reached out to six members of staff that were a part of the marketing and customer service teams. They were all furloughed and I offered them the chance to complete a series of online courses so that they could update their skills and come back into the business aligned to our new sales, marketing and management strategies. It was interesting to find out which ones were ‘on the bus’ for the long journey ahead, getting stuck into their online training courses, and those that enjoyed baking cakes just a little too much. When it came to letting people go, it made the selection process just a little bit easier. Only two of them embraced the opportunity and they are both still with the business.

Where are we now? Well, we had nine members of staff leave, but in the past few months wehave recruited three new ones that are 100% engaged with our future and who are definitely on the Raccoon bus. We are busy implementing the newly formed business strategy [which will be covered in the next First Person update] as we eventually move into the ‘upwave’ that must surely follow. The plan is to make our business more scalable and more automated.

We want to be able to say ‘no’ more often to inbound enquiries and to ‘stay in our lane’ wherever possible.

Are we over the worst? I don’t think so. Will we get through to the other side? One way or another, yes.

Strength through adversity springs to mind as I write this.

Be strong everyone!

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 13

Business | Talking Point

talks to...

Marcus Clifford The BPIF is looking into the formation of a special interest group for the large-format digital print community. The thinking is that there are gaps in sector information and services that the federation could help fill.

Investigating the situation is Marcus Clifford, regional director for the East and South East. I asked him to expand upon the idea, and how wide-format PSPs could help - and benefit.

Firstly, could you clarify what BPIF Communities of Interest are?

The BPIF’s membership is broad and diverse, spanning a huge range of capabilities, which is a strength, especially in ensuring that the print industry is understood and listened to by Government - the BPIF is proud to be able to represent such a strong sector. Complementing this sector-wide approach, we are also aware that we need to play a role in supporting the development of more specialised parts of the industry by introducing more communities of interest. These communities aim to provide a bespoke and personalised opportunity to be part of network that aligns with the specialism of your company or your job role.

The communities will be defined by print industry sectors, or interest. We currently have two successful communities - BPIF Labels and BPIF Cartons - which provide companies operating in particular sectors with a sector specific network and a platform that drives initiatives, training and technology. They also provide companies with the opportunity to strengthen relationships throughout the supply chain, share, develop knowledge and industry understanding, to help business succeed and to promote and develop the sector.

So now you’re considering a community for the largeformat sector?

The BPIF is creating a community for wide-format and POS, to provide the sector with a network for likeminded people in the industry to discuss sector focused topics, standards and set best practice for the industry - along with being a platform to promote and develop the sector whilst ensuring it remains sustainable.

In 2021 the group aims to focus on environmental issues that affect the sector and ensure a sustainable circular economy: ‘An economy where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained for as long as possible and the generation of waste minimised.’

(European Commission Emmanuele Maire 2020).

14 | February / March 2021

We are currently arranging discussions with manufacturers and the supply chain to establish key topics and areas of focus as part of creating the right agenda. We would welcome PSP input and participation to make it meaningful for the sector.

You have said you don’t want to tread on toes, but offer services/information not currently available to the wide-format community. What gaps have you identified so far?

The 2020 Image Reports Widthwise survey highlighted a desire for environmental credibility in the supply chain but did it identify a sufficient drive towards environmental sustainability across the supply chain.

The Sustainable Green Partnership (http:// sgppartnership.org/) sets a standard and goal, and its mantra is: ‘Responsibility by all means, prosperity for all’, linking sustainability with process improvement. I like that.

Those in the UK who are in a position to, and whose function is to ‘enable’ sectors best practice and compliance, set the bar. The BPIF thinks it’s the right time for a coming together on key areas such as sustainability and the environment. Other associations and bodies representing component parts of the large-format and POS sector, consumable suppliers and manufacturers need to work together.

We don’t have the time, money or resources to champion and drive such important agendas forward individually, and so collaboration and defined participation and the safeguarding of boundaries seems a sensible way forward.

So this is a call to arms as it were?

It is certainly the time for unity, for collaboration, and for stakeholders to come together as the tide of sustainability and circular waste management will become part of legislation.

Net Zero by 2050 has wide implications for all within the UK print and graphics sectors. The UK packaging

Business | Talking Point

regional director, BPIF sector and all stakeholders are reviewing regulatory reform around the disposal of packaging. Whilst this drives process improvement and efficiencies there will be costs involved and the issue here is who will shoulder the costs? There are major questions to be asked in other sectors too. This is a massive issue and will have a transformational effect on the whole supply chain so we need a coordinated, cohesive and collaborative approach.

Training, lobbying, statistics gathering are all key areas of the BPIF’s offering. Do you think sector specific developments in these areas are pertinent to wideformat?

The BPIF has the largest sector specific training team and is developing further training and development avenues. Skills and training are recognised as key areas to also provide a sustainable future for our sector businesses. There is certainly an opportunity to collaborate and work together here across other sector associations and trade bodies.

Another key issue is for the print industry to have a cohesive voice and lobby at the highest levels. We have a great resource and a parliamentary desk, which gives us such access. We work with other organisations to maximise this lobbying power and make sure we represent as many as possible. Again, we see a great opportunity to work together and collaborate in the wideformat and POS sector. Resources and money are always on short supply so why not come together on key areas to support the whole of print in the best way possible. We have just heard we have been approved as a Kickstart provider for employers. And again this is very relevant for the large-format and point-of-sale sector.

Is there as yet any kind of roadmap for this prospective large-format community?

We are still mapping it. We’re trying to establish dialogue with other bodies, but have had great feedback from many suppliers to the sector and companies within it.

We are focussing on environmental initiatives first, to open up dialogue with the community and with the aim of developing an agenda. I see POPAI has launched an initiative on substrates and the environment and also has an ‘Eco calculator’ to review environmental impact. We too have such tools - there are many benefits to share and focus on in terms of best practice and the most effective tools. Reaching common agreement and simplifying the issues and processes should be our aim.

We will develop the roadmap and include other relevant issues as we gain momentum and input from the wideformat sector.

What would you say to readers who think this is just a membership boosting exercise?

We have many, many members who operate solely in the large-format sector now, and also those who have diversified their business models to include this segment. Our aim is to give them greater support and yes, ensures we are delivering relevance to them in an increasingly complex world. This is what we do across our membership now, and greater segmentation of needs is always ongoing.

Only company owners decide what provides value and relevance to their business. If we don’t provide pertinent support we lose members. Some Fespa members are also BPIF members, as is the same with POPAI. Members want relevancy and access to value and together we can create greater value for our respective members.

WE NEED A COORDINATED, COHESIVE AND COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

To what extent are the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit impacting your plans/offering?

We seem to have adapted very well and are thriving in the new delivery environment. Our training team have repositioned itself to a full online offering and apprentice uptake has grown during these times. Our HR and H&S team are delivering integrated support and have developed new tools and services as a result.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 15

Business | Top Tips

Considerations beyond Covid-19 With what seems like the whole of life changing at the speed of light it’s hard to keep abreast of everything that’s impacting your business right now, but here are some key issues that need your attention.

COVID AND BREXIT ASIDE, THERE’S A LOT FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO THINK ABOUT IN WHAT LOOKS LIKE BEING ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR. ALEC COLSON, A PARTNER AT TAYLOR WALTON AND WHO SPECIALISES IN EMPLOYMENT AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS LAW, PROVIDES TIMELY ADVICE ON ISSUES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED DURING LOCKDOWN.

1.

A SPRING BREAK?

The Chancellor has confirmed that the next Budget will be on 3 March, 2021, and that it will “set out the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs”. At the moment the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is in place until 30 April 2021, but that may again be extended so it’s worth holding on if you can.

3.

THE ICO HAS RECENTLY UPDATED ITS GUIDANCE ON DEALING WITH DSARS

TRIBUNAL TRIBULATIONS

Before we even reach the end of the furlough period, the effects of Covid-19 on the Employment Tribunal service has been catastrophic, with a backlog of over 40,000 cases. It is unlikely that many claims submitted during the last six months will be heard before the end of 2021, and maybe 2022, but if a claim is made against you do not delay in responding. (See ‘Legal Eagle’ in the ‘Forum’ section)

DSAR CHANGES

Data Subject Access Requests (DSAR) from employees or former employees can often be nothing more than a ‘fishing expedition’ to establish if the individual can claim against their employer. But you need to be careful, as refusing or ignoring to respond to a DSAR could result in a fine.

The ICO has recently updated its guidance on dealing with DSARs, firstly by extending the one month time limit to respond, by a further two months for complex enquiries. Also, if an employer requests clarification about the scope of their DSAR, the time limit for responding is paused until the individual has responded.

Where an employer deems a DSAR to be ‘manifestly excessive’, the employer could charge a reasonable fee or refuse to respond. Dealing with a DSAR requires balancing the right of the employee to personal information against the time and cost to deal with it, making legal advice a sensible path to choose when you face any tricky such requests.

4.

NEW NATIONAL LIVING WAGE

A reminder that the National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will increase from 1 April 2021. The NLW will increase by 2.2% from £8.72 to £8.91 and will be extended to 23 and 24 year olds for the first time.

For workers under 23, the Low Pay commission recommended a smaller increase in recognition of the risk to youth employment in the current economic climate.

16 | February / March 2021

2.

5.

CONTRACT CONSULTATION

The Government has recently issued a consultation on measures to reform post-termination non-compete clauses in contracts of employment, as it seeks to boost innovation, create new jobs and increase competition to support the UK economic recovery.

Most director service agreements and contracts for senior staff include some form of restrictive covenants which prevent departing employees from working for a competitor for up to 12 months, therefore it will be interesting to see if the Government takes this issue further.

Business | Top Tips

THERE IS A CLEAR WARNING FOR BUSINESSES TO ENSURE THEIR FM CLAUSES ARE DRAFTED VERY CAREFULLY

6.

REVIEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Global supply chains have been impacted hugely, not just by the outbreak of Covid-19 and the resulting pandemic lockdowns, but by the confusion concerning where responsibility lies for delayed, missed and incomplete deliveries.

The problems again illustrate the underestimated importance of contract clauses, like ‘force majeure (FM)’, designed to address issues arising from unexpected future events beyond the reasonable control of the contracted parties.

Due to the time to reach court, we are yet to see significant judgments in large FM claims arising from the pandemic, but the courts have already handed down judgments on injunctions related to FM clauses and actions for breach of contract, stating each FM clause should be considered on its own words and in within context of the specific circumstances.

This is a clear warning for businesses to ensure their FM clauses are drafted very carefully, especially if they hope to rely on them to defend a breach of contract, whether it is caused by natural disasters, wars or compliance with government restrictions during a pandemic.

7.

CHECK ‘FORCE MAJEURE’ CLAUSES

When including an FM clause, it should enable the business to invoke a rights of suspension and/or termination of its duties and obligations under the contract.

The inclusion of the words ‘epidemic’ and/or ‘pandemic’ in the clause may be sufficient to trigger FM. Where these terms have not been included, the emergency measures to address or contain any outbreak, like a travel ban or quarantine zones, may be sufficient to trigger FM. If a business seeks to invoke an FM clause, it must show that any failure to perform its contractual obligations cannot be attributed to other factors, such as any additional cost of performance.

Any FM clause cannot be taken in isolation, but interact appropriately with the other terms of the contract, such as any obligation to mitigate loss, and the procedure to notify the other party.

8.

KEY ACTIONS FOR 2021

The first step is for every business to review existing standard terms and conditions of supply and/or purchase, carefully scrutinising all proposed new contract terms, especially to see if FM is expressly included within the contract.

Consider what is included as an FM event and what procedural steps are involved in relying upon FM, such as the obligations to notify the other party. You should also consider what effort to perform/minimise loss will be required on the part of your business or your supplier.

Finally, consider the overall impact on the contract as a consequence of FM being triggered, like termination rights. Then check your insurance position regarding a supplier invoking an FM clause or you having to, hoping to protect your business.

Remember, if a contract does not include an FM clause, it may in limited circumstances be possible to seek redress on the basis of frustration, but this is a complex legal matter with very strict requirements to be met.

9.

NO MAGIC BULLET

In order to minimise potential loss in FM scenarios, it is vital to give a prompt, contractually compliant notice to the other party of possible or actual disruptions to performance, to allow them to prepare and to act appropriately to mitigate loss or damage.

It will also be prudent for businesses to consider if there is any alternative way of performing the contractual obligations, rather than leaving the client with the problem, which could help protect the long-term relationship.

Retaining written evidence of any disruption is essential, as either party may wish to take matters further, once the contract to supply has been terminated or suspended.

Whilst we await the outcome of Covid-19 FM claims, there is plenty for businesses to consider, from checking contract clauses cover all possible eventualities to checking they have adequate insurance cover, but a review of standard contract terms and conditions is a crucial first step.

10.

AND FINALLY…

This is not a complete list and many issues, most notably business immigration in a post-Brexit UK will require greater consideration. Seek advice where you are at all unsure.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 17

Technology | What to Watch

PLEASE SIR IN THESE SHAPE-SHIFTING DAYS YOU NEED TECHNOLOGY TO HELP YOU ADAPT. SO WHAT EXACTLY IS IT THAT YOU’RE ASKING FOR?

Hands up if you want more versatile, cost effective, reliable print solutions. OK then - now, what else do you want? We asked four PSPs for their take on how technology needs to move forward to meet their requirements in an evolving marketplace.

RICHARD COURTNEY, GARDNERS “2020 was the year many businesses had to rely heavily on technology to speed up processes and reduce faceto-face contact. Some in the manufacturing sector have turned to automation for the solution. I think by now we’ve all heard the term ‘Industry 4.0’ - it isn’t really new - but, at Gardners, the pandemic gave us the opportunity to think about it.

“From the moment an initial enquiry is made to the final invoicing stage, we’re looking to streamline the process for our customers. This is something we’ve talked about for a while but now is the time to make this a reality. It will mean digitising systems from office operations to the printing and finishing machinery, as well as the packaging aspect. We’ve already started and have recruited consultants and software companies to support us on our journey towards automation. We see this as a real focus over the next few years for our team.

“I think most PSPs will acknowledge that the industry as a whole hasn’t yet seen automation become the norm, but we’re working on it. There’s space for innovation as we move away from analogue processes thanks to the Covid effect, which has increased the speed of change. But one thing I think we need to all remember is that technological advances, including automation, must work hand-in-hand with the expertise within our labour-intensive industry if we’re to really reach our goals.”

RAY LINFORD, RMC DIGITAL PRINT “When it comes to setting a baseline for company growth, operating costs need to be kept to a minimum, that goes without saying, and I have a wishlist for technical developments.

“I think print quality has reached its peak, and speed is now king - which means more printheads, which means more costs and ever-increasing service support requirements that need to be addressed by the manufacturer. It also means they need to adopt a more individual customer-based approach to systems to suit individual in-house needs.

“When it comes to new printers, my focus is on ease of use for semi-skilled operators, robust build, reliable and durable printheads, advanced print options (extra laying etc.), an easy maintenance schedule for semi-skilled operators, and low power usage when in sleep mode.

Bundled Rip software (like Fiery or Caldera), needs to have a clean interface and colour editing options.

“My expectations of a printer manufacturer are for total service support at a realistic price, with fast on-site diagnostics and speedy repairs. I want a support desk available before 9am and beyond 5pm.

“I want software bug fixes or upgrades to be rolled out at regular intervals, and documented updates outlining what is in the pipeline for future printer upgrades and software upgrades so in-house technical support can plan ahead for the downtime in production.

“If a manufacturer fails in any of the above it becomes a talking point that then taints the relationship and is reflected in future purchases.”

Richard Courtney, Gardners

Ray Linford, RMC Digital Print

Anthony Rowell, Tradeprint

Nathan Swinson-Bullough, ImageCo

ANTHONY ROWELL, TRADEPRINT “Tradeprint.co.uk was the first ‘upload and print’ business in the UK and we’ve always leveraged technology to drive efficiencies and to bring about mass customisation.

“Large-format is now an established part of our mix and we are having more and more requests for ‘environmentally credible’ solutions to customers’ problems. We are on a steep learning curve and I’d like to know how the machine manufacturers are using technology to deliver more sustainable kit - low energy, low emissions and reduced footprints - as well as how technology is helping them open up large-format to more sustainable substrate options.

“I would also like to know how the equipment manufacturers are leveraging technology to improve efficiency via automation of prepress workflows, nesting, cutting table efficiencies and overall improvements in press utilisation. How is software driving this and what’s the next ‘Big’ thing?”

NATHAN SWINSON-BULLOUGH, IMAGECO In my opinion we have seen great advances in technology over the last few years - some of the print kit on the market is really up there in terms of speed and quality, and Rip software is enabling us faster file processing and nesting capabilities. This will continue to improve year on year and automation will play a bigger part in the not so distant future also.

“At ImageCo though, we are now really focused on the environmental impact of our operations, and this will form a large part of future decision making when it comes to buying large-format printers and print media. I think the most frequent question I was asked in 2020 was, ‘can the media be recycled with ink on it?’.

“Although we have seen advances here, we’re still nowhere near where we need to be in terms of ink technology as we see a shift towards a more sustainable industry in 2021. This is where would like to see the biggest change, and I believe we will see this develop over the coming years.”

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 19

Technology | What to Watch

ARE MANUFACTURERS MEETING YOUR DEMANDS? YOU KNOW WHAT TECHNICAL ADVANCES YOU NEED TO SEE IF YOU’RE TO CONTINUE RUNNING A COMPETITIVE LARGE-FORMAT PRINT BUSINESS. SO, ARE YOUR SUPPLIERS DELIVERING? In ye olden times - like 2020 - we’d have been running print trade show previews in this February/March issue, highlighting new solutions in response to what the manufacturers understood to be the large-format market’s clarion calls. With 2021 events cancelled/ postponed, we instead asked a broad swath of the sector’s hardware and software manufacturers what technical demands they were receiving from PSPs - and what they were doing in response.

There was collective recognition of key issues such as the need for solutions that provide greater flexibility, versatility, help shorten turnaround times and reduce printed product unit costs - for those that enable PSPs to differentiate their offering, maximise new markets like personalisation and online ordering, that help meet customer demand for project traceability and instant updates, and that improve the ability to work remotely, do more than just make a nod to sustainability, and that are part of a secure ongoing supply chain. Reducing ink consumption, improving Rip times, better colour control, more systems integration, automation, remote servicing, greening-up the kit manufacturing process - all of these things, and more, are being addressed. So what can you expect from which manufacturers? Here’s what the individual companies had to say…

Agfa’s Bobby Grauf: We have exciting plans to expand our software suite in 2021.

production printing products, Canon UK and Ireland.

“More than 60% of LFG print jobs need to be turned around within 24-hours, so technologies that accelerate efficiency and productivity will be in demand. One example of this is Web-to-print, which taps into new e-commerce opportunities. Time savings are now essential in this highly competitive market. Innovations such as automated workflows and increased robotisation are helping companies to meet ever-increasing time demands, with the additional benefit of driving down costs.

Joys adds: “Sustainability has also become a business imperative for all companies and PSPs are looking to ensure that it is woven into every aspect of the printing production process - including the inks and materials used, emissions released during the printing process, as well as the energy consumed by the device.

Manufacturers are also looking for ways to maximise their continuous use of resources by implementing remanufacturing processes.”

COLOR-LOGIC “Large-format PSPs are seeing the need to help clients differentiate themselves from their competition. Many printer manufacturers have introduced white ink, and now

AGFA “Efficiency gains and cost control will remain prevalent demands,” says Bobby Grauf at Agfa. “So, we have exciting plans to expand our software suite in 2021, which we strongly believe will be another milestone in the company’s history of integrated workflow solutions.

“Also, we are continuously researching different ways to reduce ink consumption without loss of quality, whilst aiming to expand the media scope without the need of additional chemicals. We are very excited that our new ink development came to the UK in January 2021 as part of our global field test programme.

“On the system side, we grew our product families in 2020 and introduced new peripherals, such as the semiautomatic board feeder and integrated roll-to-roll options for the Jeti Tauro H3300 LED series. 2021 will see a continuation of our strategy to address all wide-format market segments.”

CANON “The increase in online shopping has meant PSPs are competing for the fastest delivery times and looking to eke out any possible timesaving,” stresses Derek Joys, product marketing manager for large-format graphics,

20 | February / March 2021

Durst’s new P5 350 high-speed version builds on its ‘Pixel to Output’ strategy.

Technology | What to Watch

Esko’s Digital Maturity Model

many are adding extended colour gamut (ECG) inks to help with this differentiation,” says Mark Geeves, director of sales and marketing.

“Touch7 Photo ECG by Color-Logic is a Photoshop Plug-in that enables the same inks to be added into images with just one mouse click. Color-Logic and Touch7 continues to develop design software enabling creatives and prepress personal to utilise the new inks being developed by the printer manufacturers.

DURST According to Peter Bray, MD of Durst UK and Ireland, the company has noted three key areas of interest - versatility, sustainability and functionality.

“Some of the demands and challenges we are seeing from the large-format print sector cover JIT orders and deliveries, short-run orders, 24x7 service and the ability to work from everywhere. Customers also want to know what the final product looks like (WYSIWYG), plus expect traceability and instant update capabilities,” he says.

Bray points out “customers are increasingly looking to invest in a hybrid solutions.” In response Durst developed its P5 technology platform, “which we believe is the Swiss army knife of printing because it has so many uses. The introduction of the new Durst P5 350 High Speed version in the first quarter of 2021 will become a key pillar in our ‘Pixel to Output’ strategy. It comes with Automat, a new automatic system, enhanced Durst software and a full LED ink portfolio. We provide Durst Smart Shop, workflow and analytics software, the latter being the basis for future sales and profitably.

“In our mission to become a complete solutions provider, we have also worked extensively on the Smart Factory. We are convinced it should be a 360-degree business solution covering customer experience, process automation and production line automation.”

EPSON “I would say that the requirements from PSPs on signage

during the last year haven’t really changed that much, but with textile and promotional goods the trend towards personalisation has accelerated, says Phil McMullin, sales manager, prographics, Epson (UK), suggesting that in 2021 that’s where its focus will be.

He adds that, “sustainability is still a big topic.

Signmakers want to print onto non-PVC media so this means more environmentally friendly products. Our new resin ink printer has water-based ink and low temperature curing. Likewise the fashion industry is also focusing on sustainability. Our dye-sub and DTF inks enable consistent, vibrant prints on many of the new man made textiles that copy nature products.”

ESKO “Today’s large-format PSPs operate in a highly competitive market, with an ever-growing demand for increased accuracy, consistency and efficiency as a direct consequence. Without a doubt, the innovation delivering the clearest tangible benefit to businesses in meeting this challenge lies in the integration of hardware and software and automating workflows, systems and processes,” stresses Russell Weller, product manager, digital finishing.

“Acceleration in digital transformation means automation, for example, will go far beyond individual machine or process step automation, but will necessarily have to be considered at site, business and multigeography level.

“Doing more with less is a key value proposition of Esko solutions, and the Esko Digital Maturity Model provides inspiration and vision, and most importantly, a strategy for businesses to solve some of the issues highlighted by the Covid-19 crisis. For example, Kongsberg finishing equipment integrates with Esko workflow automation software to enable maximum productivity and efficiency, even in the face of a reduced workforce.”

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 21

Technology | What to Watch

FUJIFILM “Looking at future demands or needs, we need to distinguish between high-volume PSPs and small-mid size PSPs, says Nils Gottfried, product marketing manager EMEA WFIJ and packaging at Fujifilm Europe.

“The high-volume PSP will continue to focus on automation, faster job turnarounds and economic production at the highest quality. Smaller and mid-size PSP without in-house sales staff and strong networks to agency and brands are going to focus very strongly on the lowest cost of production, without loss in speed and quality. Automation is not a very strong focus for these companies due to the higher investment cost and lower print volumes. For both customer groups, Fujifilm can provide print solutions that serve the need to be competitive both now and in the future.”

GLOBAL GRAPHICS According to Justin Bailey, “a major technical demand is for improved inkjet output quality,” and he points out that

Global Graphics’ PrintFlat before and after shots

20 | February / March 2021

GMG’s Paul Williams: Two key trends are driving R&D in colour control.

“banding due to non-uniformity is a key factor in why some jobs are unable to be printed digitally.” He adds: “The solution is PrintFlat which can be used in any workflow with any existing software solution - with it a PSP can achieve higher quality in faster print modes.”

Bailey reminds us that in 2020 Mutoh and Mimaki adopted the company’s Harlequin Rip - already used by Roland to drive its wide-format devices. “OEMs tell us that it is important their customers see shorter Rip processing times for PDFs and improvements in PDF processing quality.

They also want their customers to be ready to receive PDF 2.0 files so that there is no disruption to their workflow.”

GMG At GMG, sales manager Paul Williams says that when it comes to colour control there are two main trends driving technical developments and thus impacting its R&D. “Firstly, it’s becoming more common for brand customers to supply LFP printers with colour references to match, such as CxF data or L*a*b* references. And secondly, brands are increasingly asking PSPs to produce to particular standards - mainly Fogra 39L in the LFP area, as well as Fogra 51 and 52.

“Where brands are giving work to several different companies, they’re expecting the same results from each.

We have clients using certified GMG contract proofs in conjunction with GMG ProofControl. A Fogra media wedge is included within the print run, read using GMG ProofControl and compared to the required standards, i.e. Fogra, GRACoL, or a brand’s own bespoke colour standard.

INKTEC For InkTec’ Europe’s Peter Davidson, head of IP consumable sales, reduced staffing levels due to Covid-19 and a subsequent loss of technical skill is something the company is focussing on.

“Sadly we have seen a number of people disappearing from the sector as companies consolidate their workforce.

As a result, we have seen an increase in enquiries asking for InkTec to fill a void with technical support.”

He adds: “The loss of technical knowledge will become a much bigger challenge for many companies.

To address this, InkTec Europe are already considering how to make this type of information more accessible and user friendly.”

KORNIT According to Phil Oakley, UK&I country manager, the desire by large-format PSPs to build upon opportunities within the direct-to-garment market means it’s seeing a number of technical demands, particularly in terms of workflow management.

“How can PSPs enter the market in an efficient manner to make order taking, entry, production, and pack-and-ship as automated as possible? A PSP’s ability to understand the printing technology and managing Rips, colour management, and operating the equipment is actually the easy part. How to acquire and manage workload in the most efficient and fastest manner is the speciality they will need to succeed.

“DTG is a very fast-moving market where the management of orders through to fulfilment is dynamic and often chaotic. Combining technology to load balance jobs across platforms and then automate the production

Technology | What to Watch

and fulfilment is where they should be looking to invest to tame the workflow and make it efficient.”

Oakley says Kornit is looking into new capabilities that will enable PSPs to increase their workloads, streamline the end-to-end production workflow, adapt to evolving and sudden changes in consumer demand, increase production efficiency and sustainability, deliver new applications in both popular and niche fabrics, establish more beneficial business models, and ensure long-term profitability while producing only what is sold.

MIMAKI “Companies are asking for solutions that enable them to diversify and turn work around quickly,” reiterates Brett Newman, MD of Mimaki’s exclusive UK/Ireland distributor Hybrid, pointing to the resultant introduction of the UJV100-160 early this year.

“This is a much requested iteration of Mimaki’s LED UV technology. Since the launch of the UCJV300 Series LED UV printer/cutter in 2017, we have sensed the opportunity that a print only version could offer, and the UJV100-160, with its choice of higher capacity 4-colour output or quick process-plus-white configuration has whetted a lot of appetites. The beauty of the new UV printer is its combination of price, performance, creative potential and ease of use in response to demand for an entry-level solution with all the breadth of application of pricier machines.”

ONYX “PSPs are asking for tools that provide integrated solutions aimed at reducing manual error and increasing automation from design file to printed product,” says Jonathan Rogers, international marketing manager at Onyx.

“From a technology standpoint, software providers have responded by offering end-to-end solutions with increased speed and performance, such as utilising multithreading to send more data to printers faster; improved core Rip technology that instantly recognises design file settings; digital cutting automation for print-and-cut workflows; data management tools to help reduce waste and manage print production costs; and easy-to-use automation controls that can be applied from pre-press through to finished prints.

“What 2020 has taught us is that digital PSPs can adapt, seeking out new opportunities. Software vendors have

responded with technology to support them, something we expect to continue as we look into 2021 and beyond.

Kornit’s Phil Oakley: DTG printing workflow developments are key.

ROLAND DG Rob Goleniowski, head of sales UK and Ireland, points out that it has become vital for PSPs to strengthen their online presence to capture the increasing online market and that in response Roland DG launched PersBiz, a digital webshop that enables companies to start selling online and provide personalisation options. “But the work shouldn’t just stop once an online presence is established. PSPs need to stay on top of important algorithm updates in an ever changing wide-format sector,” he stresses.

SAI At SAi the focus in on two things - flexibility and integration. On the first point SAi says the uncertainty that Covid-19 has had on trade is prompting more PSPs to consider the software on subscription model. On the other point, the company points out that it is integrating across its Flexi signmaking and EnRoute CNC CAD/CAM software to help streamline processes.

Onyx’s Jonathan Rogers: PSPs want tools that provide integrated solutions.

SUMMA “Modularity is now more important than ever, allowing PSPs to expand their applications range without high risk to the health of their business,” says Daphne Mertens, marketing and communications. “The digitisation in the textile industry pushes for shorter runs, more personalised products, faster delivery times and zero finished product stock. Summa professional laser cutters such as the L1810 and L3214 allow PSP’s to follow demand while the market is in full ramp-up.”

She adds: “The uniformity of the Summa cutting workflows is also a great perk - and the intuitive software includes automated presets, allowing less skilled operators to use quite complex large-format cutting machines.

SWISSQPRINT “The pandemic has created a dynamic trading environment. A versatile printer, as well as application and technical know-how, is needed to capitalise on a new opportunity,” sums up swissQprint, pointing out that in terms of technical demand and development, versatility, reliability and performance continue to be ubiquitous in large-format in the UK at this time.

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Environment

JUDGEMENT IS NIGH WE ARE SEEING ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS OF NEAR BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, WHICH IS WHY CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN. IF YOU DON’T MAKE SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS TO BECOME GREENER EXPECT TO ALIENATE CUSTOMERS AND INVESTORS - AS WELL AS HELP DESTROY THE PLANET. Name the three greatest environmental dangers facing the world today. If you said oil, coal, deforestation or anything like that, you’re wrong. Abigael Kima, a Kenyan environmental campaigner, says the three greatest threats are “selfishness, greed and apathy”. She has a point. Climate change is a problem we have created and therefore we can solve - if we want to.

Kima’s argument is compelling because too often, managing climate change - by, for example, limiting the average rise in global temperatures to between 1.5C and 2C, as agreed in the 2015 Paris accord - is presented as a technical problem. There are indeed a host of technologies that are already making a difference - and others that look very likely to help us in the years ahead - but at present, according to a recent analysis of 6,000 companies by Swiss bank J Safra Sarasin, business emissions are on track to double that level, increasing temperatures by 3.54C. That level of emissions is untenable - for the planet, for humanity and for the businesses themselves.

At this point, you’re probably thinking you have read all this before, repeatedly, in the past decade or so, and you almost certainly have. Yet there comes a point when - as the folktale of the boy who cried wolf too often reminds us - the bad stuff actually happens. By last October, the US had already suffered 16 natural disasters that caused damage costing $1bn or more, equalling the previous full-year record reached in 2011 and 2017. The Australian wildfires, which burned an area as large as Scotland and Wales combined, were the most expensive natural disaster in the country’s history, with immediate costs estimated at more than £50bn.

These catastrophes are no longer exceptional, they are increasingly becoming the norm. In 2020 alone, floods devastated India and Indonesia, a cyclone struck Bangladesh, a volcano erupted in the Philippines, earthquakes rocked the Caribbean, China, India, Iran, Philippines, Russia and Turkey, algaes turned the coastal snow in Antarctica green and, just to add to the sense that the world is being beset by Biblical plagues, great swarms of locusts filled the skies in parts of Asia, East Africa, India and the Middle East.

WHAT GETS MEASURED ALSO GETS JUDGED

The scale of the damage, although overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic, is finally convincing governments, investors and large companies that there is no such thing as business as usual. In the UK, perhaps driven by a need to deflect attention from its mishandling of the Covid crisis, the government has announced ambitious new environmental goals, yet the most significant driver of change is probably the announcement in November 2020 by the chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, that from 2025, disclosure of climate threats will be mandatory for publicly listed companies and large private firms. That will force managers to go beyond such measures as quantifying current carbon emissions and share data that will enable investors to assess the risks climate change poses for a business and its business model and decide whether the company has a strategy to cope with what could be existential threats.

What gets measured gets managed, as the old cliché has it, but what gets measured also gets judged - by environmental groups, consumers, regulators and investors. It is no exaggeration to say that, by the end of this decade, companies that have not acted decisively to make their business greener could alienate consumers, customers and investors.

Every digital or wide-format printer providing a service to a large business needs to start thinking about how they can reduce their carbon footprint - and keep reducing it. Every aspect of the operation will come under scrutiny. Buying electric vehicles is an easy win, switching to more recyclable materials and consumables is already achievable, but what about the emissions from your offices or premises? Do you, for example, recycle heat? If you’re building new premises could you use hempcrete (made from hemp and lime) instead of concrete, which is a huge driver of global warming? Just one thought.

You might feel, understandably, that you have more than enough on your plate at the moment, but you cannot afford to ignore these issues for too much longer. As the wide-format sector’s customers come under pressure to measure and reduce their environmental impact, they are going to pass that pressure on to all of their suppliers. And being able to demonstrate that you are doing your utmost won’t be a boxticking exercise, it will be table stakes.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 25

Think Bigger | Gallery

a. 7KLV &RYLG ZDU A modified version of Pablo Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ painting has been digitally printed full-size for the first time. Estudios Durero used Durst technology for the 3.5 x 7.8m print on a hand-woven linen material with white coating supplied by the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Reworked by Spanish photographer and artist José Manuel Ballester, ‘Around Guernica, 2009/2020’ is the centerpiece at an exhibition at the museum, showing the city during the lockdown. The ‘event’, which includes a selection of largeformat photographs, runs to 21 February 2021.

a.

b. All embracing Embrace Building Wraps has installed the UK’s first PVC-free printed scaffold wrap. The job was at Newson’s Yard in London’s Belgravia for client Grosvenor Estate. The company digitally printed and installed the scaffold banner at the refurbishment site using Kavalan Sunlight Weldable PVC-free banner from CMYUK. Measuring 26m x 4.5m, the wrap features an image of a Robanna print on cotton supplied by Fermoie, a local creator of original fabrics.

b.

c. $ IRRWLH À UVW DIS Graphics delivered a landmark first with this giant ‘Get Well Soon’ banner back in December, paid for

by Wolves fans after striker Raul Jimenez sustained a head injury during a recent win at Arsenal. It is the first installation of Kavalan Spiderweb PVC-free mesh banner at a football stadium anywhere in the world.

d. Play time Still Creek Press in Vancouver used Drytac SpotOn Floor 200 to help students from the University of British Colombia (UBC) in Canada stage a virtual opera. Still Creek produced floor graphics resembling a dirt road for the opera stage, filmed from several levels meaning the graphics had to look realistic from all angles.

c.

d.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 27

Forum

DIGGING BELOW THE SURFACE WITH INDUSTRY MOLE Comments please to industrymole@imagereportsmag.co.uk

This ‘new normal’ has me reminiscing. Fifty years ago this month, I spent a day at my uncle’s old school printing company. As I was trying to look inconspicuous in the corner of his office, a bloke came in and said they needed a new plate-bending machine. To my ten-year-old self, the very idea of such a machine sounded exotic, intriguing and, ultimately, baffling. What, I wondered, was this plate exactly? Why did it need a machine to bend it? And why didn’t they make it in the right shape in the first place?

These were not the kind of questions I could ask my uncle who, to use an old fashioned phrase, did not suffer fools gladly. To be honest, he didn’t suffer anyone gladly. Even customers were regarded, at best, with brittle tolerance. Luckily, my dad was a bit more amenable and explained the whole thing in terms I understood - up to a point. That was my first insight into the fascinating, intricate and complex process called printing - and it set me thinking about a career.

My careers teacher was dismissive. At that

time, he was only recommending four careers – girls were advised to become nurses, boys were urged to become electricians or miners. (There was a large pit nearby where my best mate’s dad worked). When I mentioned printing, he snorted, wished me the best of luck and told me that “printers are worse than the bloody masons”. He did concede, though, that having an uncle in the trade might open the door into a profession he described as a closed shop.

It didn’t turn out that way. One of the many things my uncle didn’t suffer gladly were Labour governments and in 1979, ironically the very year Margaret Thatcher got elected, he sold the business and moved to Spain. He got out at the right time - the commercial printing industry in Britain was about to be savaged by accountants - but it made my career path a little more meandering than I had hoped. Yet eventually, Mole Graphics was born and whenever I’m asked how I got into this ‘racket’ - to use my uncle’s term, I always blame the plates and the plate blenders.

SIGN AND DIGITAL 2021

THE PRINT SHOW

FESPA GLOBAL 2021

When?

20 – 28 April, 2021

When?

16-18 May, 2021

When?

28 - 30 September, 2021

When?

12-15 October, 2021

Where?

Online

Where?

NEC, Birmingham

Where?

NEC, Birmingham

Where?

RAI, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Cost?

Free

Cost?

Free to trade visitors

Cost?

TBA

Cost?

TBA

Who will be there?

Who knows who’ll log-in to this virtual version of what has been Europe’s key print trade show for so long. There will certainly be fewer exhibitors than in at previous physical shows - the next of which will not take place until 28 May - 7 June 2024.

Who will be there?

This year’s event has been shunted back from March to May due to the coronavirus situation. At the time of going to press a ‘reimagined’ event was on the cards for hall 5 at the NEC on 16-18 May 2021. Traditionally, this show brings together those wanting to come and see developments in the sign and digital print market, but we’ll have to see how things evolve.

Who will be there?

Given the moves in the trade exhibition space at the minute, it’s hard to call yet. Will need to revisit

Who will be there?

Initially scheduled for October 2020 (in Madrid), then moved to March 2021 (to replace the originally scheduled May 2021 event in Munich), this event, for obvious reasons is now due to take place in October (in Amsterdam) this year.

Again, it’s a waiting game to see how things pan out.

Should you go?

Worth a look-see certainly

Should you go?

Worth checking out the exhibitor list online beforehand.

Should you go?

Need to wait and see….

Should you go?

This would normally be a resounding ‘yes’, but Covid-19 may make it a more difficult decision this time around.

EVENTS

VIRTUAL.DRUPA

28 | February / March 2021

Rating

8/10

Rating

7/10

Rating

5/10

Rating

10/10

Forum

OVER TO YOU...

JACK MURPHY, MARKETING DIRECTOR, THE BIG DISPLAY COMPANY WWW.THEBIGDISPLAYCOMPANY.CO.UK What’s having the greatest impact on your business at the moment?

The changing tiers/last minute lockdown. It is really affecting the day-to-day workload, so one day we’re flooded with orders and other days there’s only a few orders dropping in. It can make planning quite challenging but it is entirely out of our control!

Where do you see the greatest wide-format opportunities?

We’re just scratching the surface of wallcoverings and interior graphics. Having seen how quickly we can transform spaces in our office, I think that wallpaper is definitely a strong route for us in the coming months.

What would make your day-to-day operations easier?

More automation. We put a lot of effort into automating artwork and other parts of business in the last year (and it has massively paid off!)

but there are always areas at different stages in our workflow to improve.

Your favourite bit of kit is..?

Our HP Latex 3600. It has the easy operability of the smaller latex machines with a few clever features to help with nesting/double side printing, and it is a true workhorse. The speed and quality we get out of it is unparalleled with anything we’ve worked with before.

What’s the best bit of business advice you’ve been given?

Every decision doesn’t need to be made immediately. A deep breath and a cup of tea can provide a moment of clarity and stop you regretting a snap decision.

What are you most proud of achieving?

Keeping our production going during the first lockdown. It wasn’t easy but I’m proud of how well everyone in the company pulled together to support each other, our customers and suppliers during this time.

Our production team did an amazing job of making the production space safe and secure for everyone, and our rapid move to remote working has gone so much smoother than I could have expected!

What lesson does the wide-format sector need to learn?

Flexibility. It’s a fast paced industry in many regards, but there can still be an attitude of sticking to what you know. The pandemic has pushed all of us out of our comfort zones and made us more innovative/creative, and that needs to continue.

LEGAL EAGLE LEGAL EAGLE

ET1 CLAIMS - HOW TO HANDLE THEM

BY ANNE-MARIE BOYLE OF MENZIES LAW

Employment Tribunal (ET) claims were rising before Covid-19 hit the UK but now the risk of finding an ET1 claim form on your desk is a real possibility. So, what should you do if, or when, you receive one?

- Immediately put a note and reminders in your calendar of the deadline for submitting your response to the Tribunal. You have 28 days from when the ET1 is sent to you to submit your ET3 response form. Tribunals are unforgiving about late responses. Missing the deadline will prevent you defending the claim.

You may (but not always) get the ‘heads up’ that a claim is coming if you receive a call from the ACAS Early Conciliation service.

- Check if you have an insurance policy that covers Tribunal claims by employees. You may have cover through a trade association or similar.

- If you find you do have Tribunal claims cover, look at what you’re covered for and quiz your insurer carefully, especially about the lawyers they use and your eligibility.

- Gather and preserve all paperwork. Find the employee’s personnel file and make sure it is up to date. Scan and safely save all hard copy documents, such as letters and signed contracts of employment.

- Find and secure all electronic documents too. Do a search of your server, including your HR team emails, the employee’s emails and their manager’s emails, for all relevant documents and correspondence. Ensure they are preserved and cannot be deleted.

- Speak to everyone named in the claim and get their response, in writing, to the allegations made against them. Doing so while it is fresh in their minds is advantageous. If they later leave your organisation, you may struggle to contact them or convince them to appear as a witness.

It could be a long wait to get to the ET hearing so preserving evidence is critical.

- If any important witnesses do leave, try to secure their agreement and co-operation to act as a witness for you. Bear this in mind when negotiating any exit package for them!

- Get good legal advice from the start.

Modern ET claims and the rules of claims procedure are complex. We don’t recommend defending an ET claim without an employment lawyer.

- Look at each element of the claim and start working out your responses. What facts do you agree with (or not)? This will really help your lawyer advise you and draft the response.

- Claimants are often seeking compensation for loss of earnings. Start to gather evidence to help with arguments over how much that should be if you don’t win the case. Any new earnings by the claimant will be off-set against what you might owe.

Finally, you may have heard that the Tribunal system is experiencing rising demand with restricted capacity and that some claimants are abandoning their claims due to delays. Whilst this is true, if you do receive an ET1 you will need to respond. The good news is there is lots you can do to avoid getting an ET1 and our next column looks at these.

www.imagereportsmag.co.uk | 29

Zeitgeist

Getting your Z’s?

DREAMING ABOUT REACHING GEN Z - AS STAFF OR CUSTOMERS? THEN PERSONALISATION NEEDS TO TAKE ON A WHOLE NEW MEANING AS WALTER HALE EXPLAINS.

Eight seconds. That is the estimated attention span of a member of Gen Z. It only takes a quick Google to unearth that statistic. It makes for a great headline (especially if you are one of those who are convinced that the world is going to hell in a hand-basket) but there is, as one British government study concluded, not much evidence to support it.

As the first digitally native demographic, Gen Z have become extremely adept at ruthlessly filtering out messages that are irrelevant to them - whether they be traditional adverts, online news, blogs, social media posts, emails or YouTube videos. In other words, they don’t want to be sold to, even though selling to them is vital for the many businesses hoping to engage them as customers, or as employees.

Who are Gen Z exactly? In one respect, that’s easy to answer: the consensus is that this demographic group was born between 1997 and 2010. Yet one of the world’s leading marketing agencies refers to them as “identity shifters”. This cohort has acquired an impressive variety of nicknames. In the UK, they are ‘Generation Sensible’. In America, they are ‘iGen’ or ‘Zoomers’. In Russia, they are ‘Centennials’. In India, they are ‘Digizens’. In Japan, they are the ‘satori generation’ who live for the moment. In many other countries they are wrongly lumped together with Millennials as if they are merely younger identikit versions of that generation.

The uncertain state of the world at the moment makes Gen Z even harder to read. Most of the milestone life events that were predictable for Gen X, Baby Boomers and, to a considerable extent, Millennials, have been comprehensively disrupted for Gen Z. Where they live, how they make friends, if they enter higher education, where, whether and how they work - none of these

30 | February / March 2021

THE KEY TO FORGING A STRONG BOND WITH GEN Z IS TO CONVINCE THEM THEY ARE BEING TREATED AS INDIVIDUALS

issues can be taken for granted.

Organisations cannot afford to ignore Gen Z. Estimated to account for four out of ten of the world’s consumers, they have a global buying power of US$150bn and influence $600bn of consumer spend. Yet Covid-19 and related uncertainties have left more than half of them worried about whether they can pay the bills. Gen Z shares other traits across the globe: their sense of vulnerability and worry about their lack of control; their experience (and expectations) as digital natives, their fascination with new technology, their quest for empathy (and authenticity) and their alarm about climate change.

Gen Z has turned to social media to express their individualism, to create - and share - content that reflects their exact values and passions and make their voice heard in protests such as #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo. They have been described as ‘mainstream but exiled’ because they are less focused on fashion, music and entertainment trends than on family, friends, work and their mental and physical wellbeing. They want to be empathised with - and empathy does not necessarily mean the equivalent of a consolatory ‘there there’ pat on the head - it could equally mean making their lives easier (and more affordable) by offering such services as meal delivery, ride hailing and music streaming.

It’s hard to decide whether Gen Z’s present mindset is a short-term reaction to the present extreme circumstances or a long-term shift in behaviour. As Mark Twain observed, history may not repeat itself but it does often rhyme. The events shaping Gen Z’s worldview war, epidemic, recession - are not dissimilar to those experienced by their great-grandparents in the 1920s and 1930s. A century ago, the most potent expression of personal freedom was buying a first car. For Gen Z, it’s probably owning a first smartphone. The way individuals express their personal identity has changed - their need to do so remains the same.

Whether you want to hire them or sell to them, the key to forging a strong bond with Gen Z is to convince them they are being treated as individuals, not ‘AN Other’ customer or employee. You also need to recognise that they regard their main job, according to a survey by music streaming service Spotify, as “rebuilding the world from the ground up”. This attitude is reflected in their distrust of large institutions (be they government, business, political and religious organisations) and the desire, shared by nine out of ten Gen Zs, to run their own business.

This ‘DIY mentality’ - the sense that if the world is going to change it is up to them to organise it - certainly differs from the egocentricity of Millennials, who were effectively brought up to believe that the world revolved around them. In short, Gen Z’s motto is not that dissimilar to the French writer Andre Gide’s maxim: “Please do not understand me too quickly.” But for many a business it’s imperative that the process begins with some urgency.

Weblook | Inks / Hardware

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