ProPrint August 2021

People Technology Business

www.sprinter.com.au August 2021

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Tennyson Group

Signs of the times

Emerging 50 mentorship

Brisbane familyowned printer celebrates 60 years in business

You don’t have to look far to see the boom in wide format & signage

Kelsey Wade on how mentoring has expanded her idea of what’s possible

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‘CUSTOMER IS ^ KING AT HERO PRINT’ ...AND IT SHOWS o Queen

AUSTRALIA’S BEST TRADE PRINTER

EDITOR’S LETTER SHEREE YOUNG

Print does its best to stand up to COVID Welcome to the August issue of ProPrint which comes at yet another challenging time for the printing industry and business in general.

The ongoing Greater Sydney and Queensland lockdowns are impacting businesses across the nation, but the vaccine rollout is slowly gaining some sort of momentum, which is a good sign for recovery and hope for the future.

But there is no doubt this has certainly been an unsettled time with the rules about what is and isn’t permissible from an essential work point of view constantly changing throughout the industry.

The federal and various state governments have announced funding to help businesses through and we hope it is helpful in sustaining those who are eligible.

On the upside, there is a sense out there that this period is not as bleak as what took place last year, mainly because many businesses have ‘been there done that’ and now know what to do.

We wish you all well as you go through this uncertainty and look forward to it coming to an end.

In other more positive news, nominations for the ProPrint Awards are now open. What started as the Power 50 has now grown to include the Emerging 50 for the industry’s rising stars, the Supplier 50 for those who service the industry and an exclusive Industry Achievement Award for a notable industry veteran.

Nominations can be made through www.proprintawards.com.au and we strongly encourage you to make your nominations. You can nominate yourself or as many people as you like. The ProPrint Awards will be held on November 26 at the Shangri-la Hotel, and we look forward to seeing you there.

In this issue we have a collection of interesting industry stories to tell.

Starting off with a look at what you can expect to see at PacPrint at the rescheduled dates of June 28 to July 1, 2022, in Melbourne.

There is also an indepth look at

4 ProPrint August 2021

Editor Sheree Young (02) 8586 6131 SYoung@intermedia.com.au National Sales Manager Carmen Ciappara 0410 582 450 carmen@proprint.com.au Design and Production Manager Carrie Tong carrie@i-grafix.com Managing Director James Wells james@intermedia.com.au Subscriptions (02) 9660 2113 subscriptions@intermedia.com.au Subscription rate (6 issues) Australia $69.95

Printed by Hero Print Alexandria, NSW, 2015

Who do you think deserves recognition?

There is so much to celebrate in this industry, so get your nominations in for the ProPrint Awards.

Categories include the Power 50, Emerging 50, Supplier 50 and Industry Achievement Award.

Nominate at www. proprintawards. com.au.

Brisbane print business, Tennyson Group, which recently turned 60 including interviews with owner Mitchell Simpson.

Kelsey Wade, the 2020 Emerging 50 mentorship prize winner, is our guest in this issue’s Q&A. Despite COVID getting in the way, Kelsey and The Real Media Collective’s CEO Kellie Northwood have managed to catch up regularly as part of the mentorship program. Kelsey has appeared on a Women in Print webinar panel and also created a fantastic new LinkedIn profile under Kellie’s leadership. Nominations for the 2021 Emerging 50 mentorship prize are also now open at the above link. Steven Gamble is also featured in this issue with a look at anxiety and its prevalence in Australia, whilst IR expert Charles Watson from The Real Media Collective provides a guide on what to do if you have a COVID case in your workplace.

ProPrint’s technology writer, Peter Kohn, has also written a Technology Focus on the wide format and signage sector. This sector is no doubt booming with a host of new technologies now available to make this an even more successful venture for printers.

We hope you enjoy the read, and don’t forget to put in your ProPrint Awards nominations!

Go well and stay safe, Sheree

Mailed by D&D Mailing Services Wetherill Park, NSW, 2164

ProPrint is published bi-monthly by Printer Media Group, registered in Australia ABN 47 628 473 334. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, it is a condition of distribution that the publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in the publication.

DISCLAIMER This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees.

Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information.

The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

Copyright © 2021 — Charted Media Group Pty Ltd

www.sprinter.com.au

CONTENTS

32

34 42

12

8

28

Contents August 6-14 Update

DOWNTIME

STAR BUSINESS

Check out the big issues impacting the Australian printing sector

28 Queensland PICAs

38-39 Tennyson Group

16-17 Debrief

Check out the photos from Qld’s Printing Industry Creativity Awards

This family-owned Queensland print business has just turned 60.

A recap of what’s been happening on sprinter.com.au

PROPRINT AWARDS

WIDE FORMAT & SIGNAGE

20 Comment: Gamble

30 Nominations now open

42-43 Signs of the times

Man Anchor founder Steven Gamble on identifying and dealing with anxiety

Nominations for the ProPrint Awards are open - who deserves to be recognised?

20 Comment: Northwood

Q&A

Find out what’s new in wide format and signage printing and finishing in this special feature by Peter Kohn

Kellie Northwood says most Aussies would prefer to choose how they get their bills

32-33 Kelsey Wade, Emerging 50

24 Comment: Watson

Read how The Real Media Collective mentorship is helping this young designer

Charles Watson on what to do if you have a positive COVID case in the workplace

COVER STORY

26 Vybrant install at AB Media

34-36 PacPrint set for 2022

Sydney printer broadens horizons with new flatbed from Fujifilm Business Innovation

PacPrint has been postponed until June 2022 and plenty is planned

www.sprinter.com.au

DIARY 21 ProPrint Diary Keep up to date with industry events Feeling social?

Follow us on: @SprinterNews @SprinterNewsAust @news_sprinter www.sprinter.com.au

August 2021 ProPrint 5

UPDATE

NSW business support now at up to $100k a week

by Sheree Young

NSW businesses hit hard by COVID lockdowns can now receive payments of up to $100,000 a week after the federal and state government increased its business support package.

When the first business support package of up to $10,000 a week was originally announced in early July, many printers said whilst grateful for any support, they didn’t think the amount on offer would make a significant amount of difference.

The July 28 announcement of the expanded JobSaver package, which is accessible through Service NSW, coincided with the extension of the Greater Sydney lockdown until August 28.

The increased support was greeted by printers favourably, although many were still digesting the details.

Under the arrangement, businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $250 million, up from $50 million, which have experienced a 30 per cent or more revenue decline – compared to the same period in July 2019 – are able to receive between $1500 and $100,000 per week to help cover overheads and staff costs.

It is also required that July 13 staff levels are retained. The payment will continue to be calculated on 40 per cent of payroll for businesses.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said as the lockdown in Greater Sydney continues, steps have been taken to support NSW businesses.

“These businesses are the ones we all need still standing to drive the recovery on the other side,” Morrison said.

The support is in addition to the NSW Government’s Business Grants Program which

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

provides $7,500 to $15,000 grants for eligible businesses with annual wages of up to $10 million. Small businesses with turnovers between $30,000 and $75,000 can also access microbusiness grants.

Individuals who have lost 20 hours or more work a week can also access $750 a week, an increase on the previous $650. Those who are down between eight hours, but less than 20 hours will receive $450.

Imagination Graphics owner Emmanuel Buhagiar said the increased offer was a substantial increase and would significantly help eligible businesses.

He added business has certainly been slow, but COVID screen orders for hospitals have

been increasing. At the time of going to press the lockdown was in its sixth week and Buhagiar said he feared for how businesses would fare after six weeks of lockdown.

“The first package wasn’t really enough but this one might be now,” Buhagiar said.

Sandra Duarte, CEO at Centrum Group, said the increased amount was a big improvement on the earlier package.

“Everyone I talk to, every business, is in the same storm right now. We are all just in different boats and some boats are a little bit bigger than others. It is also tough keeping up with all the changes and making sure we are compliant,” Duarte said.

“But we will get through this, it is temporary.”

Duarte was still examining the eligibility criteria but said the increased support was definitely a positive.

“This will definitely be a much better help for us right now. We definitely qualify in terms of eligibility and any assistance we can get right now is helpful as what was offered earlier wasn’t going to cover a quarter of our wages and other fixed costs,” she said.

Extra support has also been announced for Victorian small and medium sized businesses hit by their lockdown.

This includes business continuity grants of $5,000 for businesses and grants of up to $20,000 to support licensed venues.

The extension comes as the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson, reported that CreditorWatch data shows a 75 per cent increase in businesses entering administration in the last week of June.

Aust Post set to increase business mail price by Sept 6

by Sheree Young

Australia Post is proposing increases to its business mail pricing from September 6 with the Print Post category that is used for sending magazines and periodicals set to increase by between 0.9 per cent to 4.9 per cent.

Unaddressed Mail is set for an even steeper rise between 4.8-8.8 per cent, with Charity Mail also facing increases from 2-3.9 per cent.

The Australia Post proposal comes as the temporary every second day letter delivery model, that was introduced last year during COVID to help Australia Post deal with the booming demand for parcel delivery, draws to an end.

The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood told ProPrint the announcement of the Business Mail price increase is disappointing with a submission being prepared on for submission to Australia Post.

The Real Media Collective has a close working relationship with Australia Post with Mark Roberts, Australia Post’s Head of Mail Channel & Product, a current member of the TRMC board. The Real Media Collective is also a 6 ProPrint August 2021

Business mail prices will rise between 0.9 to 4.9 per cent.

long-standing member of the Australia Post Mail Industry Working Group.

“The announcement of Business Mail price increases across all products from Australia Post is disappointing and this has been communicated directly to the senior executive levels within Australia Post,” Northwood said.

“These price increases arrive in a year that industry has supported a temporary service delivery reduction and other measures, however, Australia Post has not steadied the approach to pricing as our industry recovers from 2020.

“The Collective has commenced discussions with Australia Post and key industry stakeholders across our mail sector members to determine our best approach.

“A price increase in September is incredibly difficult in an already challenging recovery year, a new Postmaster General arriving and mail initiatives all in review.”

Northwood said TRMC has asked for additional information from Australia Post so the justifications for the price increases can be better understood.

“TRMC has called for additional material and data from Australia Post to understand the justifications of these price increases, we continue to call for a group review, given the Mail sector subsidises the Parcels business, which is highly profitable for the organisation,” she said.

“Despite some years calling for this from both Australia Post and seeking support from Minister Fletcher’s Office this information remains unavailable. We continue to petition for this as it is critical to understand all cost imposts to Australia Post so we as an industry can understand and predict pricing levers.” www.sprinter.com.au

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UPDATE

TRMC Schedule X win and Power of Print

by Hafizah Osman & Sheree Young

The Real Media Collective (TRMC) has secured the reinstatement of Schedule X in the Graphic Arts Printing and Publishing Award (GAPPA), providing greater support for businesses in the print and visual communications industry.

The push to have the schedule reinstated began in July as a spate of fresh COVID lockdowns broke out across the country.

Schedule X was originally inserted into most industry and professional Awards, including the industry’s Graphic Arts, Printing and Publishing Award, in April 2020.

It was installed as a temporary provision to navigate the COVID-19 period until June 30 last year, but was reinstated until March 29 this year following a push from TRMC and now it has been returned until December 31.

“This is a much-needed option for many of our members, and broader industry, currently impacted across Australia,” TRMC CEO Kellie Northwood said.

“I want to thank our members who participated in not only this matter specifically, but also in our Industry Metrics Survey – the metrics we were able to include in our submission was significant in arguing the matter.

“I also want to thank and welcome our new members who joined in the previous quarter and immediately provided additional data to assist this process.”

The Fair Work Commission has reinstated Schedule X in the Award in the same terms as previously applied and it is effective from the first full pay period that starts on or after July 23, 2021 until December 31 2021.

The Schedule in the Award covers: • Providing for unpaid pandemic leave of up to two weeks for an employee required by government or a medical authority to self-isolate

The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood

for COVID related reasons; and • Permitting an employer and employee to agree to an employee taking double the period of annual leave at the half-pay.

“In ma king our submissions to the Commission, TRMC and the various members we consulted with agreed Schedule X continued to be a reasonable measure to assist employees through the COVID-19 period and there was merit in its reinstatement,” TRMC general manager of IR, policy and governance Charles Watson said.

“Given the recent lockdowns across Australia, and particularly the increased cases of COVID in the greater Sydney region there is a clear need for supportive options to ensure businesses and their employees get through the current difficult times.

“The reinstated Schedule X provisions provide businesses in the industry, along with their employees, additional options to assist businesses and employees who have been impacted by the recent lockdowns and should an employee be ordered into a period of isolation.

“Members are reminded that if those provisions of the Award are used, appropriate records be kept of any such agreement.”

The development is the latest step the TRMC has made this year in helping business navigate the onslaught of COVID lockdowns.

In addition to providing open-access COVID updates relating to restrictions and business support, the TRMC has also been facilitating weekly Power of Print webinars.

The webinars are held each Wednesday at 11am until August 25. Guests have so far included the Collective’s IR expert Charles Watson, who reviewed the A/NZ budgets, and Leon Wilson, owner of Revolution Print, who shared his journey in print.

Tasmania’s Sam Dobie, who organises the Diemen Awards and is the co-director of creative agency, Inclusive Creatives, used her webinar to explain why printers should have a seat at the table when it comes to producing impactful and thought provoking creative products.

“Printers need to be rediscovered as part of the creative journey,” Dobie said.

“It needs to be brought to the fore and showed like the paper companies do with their samples, so please come, tell us, we want to know what you know.”

For more info contact hello@thermc.com.au.

LIA NSW Graduate of the Year named

by Sheree Young

Abbie Graham, a design and communications apprentice at Spatial Services in Bathurst, has won the 2021 Heidelberg/LIA NSW Graduate of the Year.

The 20-year-old joined Spatial Services during her final year of high school after doing work experience there in 2016 and last year completed her Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Graphic PrePress) at Ultimo TAFE in Sydney where she topped her class.

This year’s runners up in the Heidelberg/LIA NSW Graduate of the Year program was Matthew Zunic of Sydney’s Imagination Graphics and Hisham Hamdan of Ligare.

NSW Lithographic Institute of Australia vice president, Peter Munro, said all candidates put in strong applications and it was a very close race in the end.

“The judging this year was very close, and 8 ProPrint August 2021

2021 NSW LIA/Heidelberg Graduate of the Year Abbie Miller

the graduates had all made great submissions,” Munro told ProPrint.

“Abbie stood out in the end with her interview as she was very confident in how she explained where she wants to go in the industry. We thought she would be an outstanding candidate to send to the National Awards.”

Munro said the Heidelberg/LIA trophies would be formally awarded to Abbie and her employer, Spatial Services, at the 2021 NSW Printing Industry Creativity Awards now due to be held on Friday September 17 in Sydney.

Abbie was to have attended the biennial Lithographic Institute of Australia National Awards at PacPrint in Melbourne in September where the Visual Connections/LIA National Scholarship Prize would be named. Due to COVID uncertainty PacPrint has now been postponed to June 2022 with a date still to be set for the National Print Awards. www.sprinter.com.au

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UPDATE

Larger than life Adrian ‘Aido’ McManis honoured

Adrian McManis with his wife Jaimi and sons, Oscar, 2 and Toby, 3. Adrian started working in the print industry when he was 14 at Lindsay Yates before moving to Rawson Print Co.

by Sheree Young

Adrian ‘Aido’ McManis, who passed away on July 21 aged just 35 after a 12-month battle with cancer, lived every aspect of life to the fullest.

Aido leaves behind his loving wife, Jaimi, and two young sons, Oscar, two, and threeyear-old Toby.

Wild and amazing is how Jaimi described him while his colleagues at Rawson Print Co., where he worked as a senior account manager, said he was a “big man in every sense of the word, he had a big stature with a big personality and a big moustache to match”.

Last year was a big year for Aido. The country was in lockdown, he and Jaimi had just had their second baby boy and he was diagnosed with cancer.

Surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy followed but unfortunately the cancer took hold and he passed away peacefully at Royal North Shore Private Hospital on Wednesday July 21 at 10am. Incredibly he was still emailing clients the day before from his hospital bed.

“Adrian was wild. I met him when I was 21 so we had been together for 10 years and he really was the life of the party, once he walked into the room, he captivated it and he was never shy to have a drink with everyone,” Jaimi told ProPrint.

“He always made everyone feel so welcome. I have had over 200 plus people contact me who he met over the years. We did quite a lot of travelling together before children.

“I’ve had people that we met for two days in Thailand who have contacted me and 10 ProPrint August 2021

reminisced about the time they spent with us.

He definitely lived every day to its fullest.

“Unfortunately, the cancer was quite aggressive. He fought such a big battle but unfortunately it took him away from us, which is incredibly sad, but also there is some relief because watching someone go through multiple rounds of chemo and still have to keep fighting is very hard.”

Lachlan Finch, a co-director at Rawson Print Co., said Aido oozed generosity.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Aido and have received so many heartfelt messages from clients and suppliers alike which is a testament to the person he was. Aido was big man in every sense of the word, he had a big stature with a big personality and a big moustache to match. He had a big infectious laugh, big humorous thoughts, and most importantly a very big heart which oozed generosity,” he told ProPrint.

“Anyone who knew Aido knew that he was fun to be around and would add the Aido “spice” to anything he did.

“He loved looking after his clients and never let on how really ill he was as he continued working until the end.

“At Rawsons we smile when we think about him as we know how much he enjoyed a good laugh, having fun and being a pest just because it was fun… we will miss him.”

Jaimi, who works as a hairdresser and a baby swim teacher, had to put her work on hold while she cared for Aido and her family.

To help the family, Linda D’Arcy, a former

colleague of Aido’s from Lindsay Yates, set up a Go Fund Me page and put out the call for the industry to help this family out.

The results have been astounding with nearly $45,000 collected at the time this magazine went to print.

Jaimi said the support has been overwhelming, adding there are not enough words to express her thanks.

“The Go Fund Me has blown up, Linda D’Arcy is just amazing for setting this up for us.

She contacted me and said she was setting it up and I just can’t believe it. Thank you just isn’t enough,” Jaimi said.

“I am so grateful for all the people that loved him. We weren’t able to have a funeral for Adrian due to COVID so when we can have over 100 people, we are planning a ‘Festival of Aido’.”

Aido first started in the industry on the finishing tables after school at Lindsay Yates when he was 14.

Linda D’Arcy worked with Aido for 12 years dating back to the early days at Lindsay Yates.

“He was like everybody’s younger brother, we watched him grow up into a lovely young man, get married and have children,” she said.

“It is just so sad but the response from everyone has been unbelievable.

“People that lost their jobs last year and are not working have still put in money and sent messages. It has just been incredible.”

Donations ca n be made at https:// au.gofundme.com/f/help-aido-with-thefight-of-his-life. www.sprinter.com.au

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UPDATE

Express Envelopes boosts automation with next gen CRON CtP installation

by Sheree Young

Boosting production efficiencies, enhancing CMYK image quality and reducing waste were why Melbourne envelope manufacturer, Express Envelopes, upgraded to a new CRON 2616H CtP, sourced through Currie Group.

Express Envelopes is one of the last Australian envelope manufacturers and produces around 20 million envelopes each month at its plant in Melbourne, with another site in Sydney. It also overprints envelopes for trade and wholesale clients with offset print runs of between 500 to five million envelopes per run.

Express Envelopes general manager David Patmore said the company has long used Mako CtP technology.

“There are a number of reasons why we made the change. The Mako was old technology and the quality of the CMYK work that we have to do these days means a good quality plate is required,” Patmore told ProPrint.

“The expectation of the market is everything is wanted instantly and at the best quality so that was one reason why we had to do it.”

Patmore added increased automation was another factor. The unit can produce 22 plates per hour at 2400 dpi resolution. The maximum plate size is 670 x 570 mm, with the minimum 240 x 240mm. It also offers fully automatic plate loading and paper removal features for up to 50 x 0.3mm plates or 100 x 0.15mm plates.

“The CRON is automated, whereas with the old Mako we had to hand feed individual plates through. This meant we had to have an

Express Envelopes’ Trevor Franklin, general manager David Patmore, Currie Group’s Vince Pignataro and Express Envelopes’ Frank Gauci.

operator standing next to the machine to feed the plates, but with this one we can put a pile of plates into the machine, press a button and it runs them all by itself,” he said. “It is far more efficient and less labour intensive.”

Express Envelopes national sales manager Trevor Franklin said the environmental credentials of the unit, which complies with internationa l env ironment a l ma na gement standards, were also attractive.

“In line with our continuous improvement program we are always looking for additional efficiencies and environmental benefits,” Franklin said.

It was crucial for Express Envelopes to keep printing during the changeover, adding this was achieved with the help from Currie Group.

“Like anything there were minor teething

problems but for the most part we were able to take out our existing system one day and have the new system up and running the next,” Patmore said. “In terms of interruption to our business it was fairly minimal.

“Currie Group was very helpful in that regard and enabled us get the installation completed in such a short timeframe.”

Currie Group Victorian account manager Vince Pignataro handled the sale.

“Currie Group has a long-standing relationship with Express Envelopes, supplying consumables over the duration. I have known Trevor for over 15 years and when he reached out to upgrade their system, it made perfect sense to introduce the CRON series of plate making systems,” Pignataro said.

“Express Envelopes produce a large volume of UV Printing, and with this in mind the configuration proposed was an automated system with less touch points, with the auto plate loader, auto slip sheet remover and auto plate stacker. This gives the operators additional time to attend to other tasks and return to the CRON CtP with the plates awaiting to be printed.

“Another factor was the high quality and run lengths required to be achieved by the plate.

The system configuration allowed Express Envelopes to complete the job run without replacing the plate midstream, as the plate has a longer-lasting run length.

“I look forward to working with the Express Envelopes team for many years to come.”

Sign and graphics get NSW training boost

by Hafizah Osman

The NSW Department of Education has approved f unding for Regiona l Trade Assessments to deliver the new Trade Pathways P rog ra m, wh ich is ava ilable for t he Qualification of Cert III in Signs and Graphics.

The program is a fully funded trade recognition and gap training opportunity for people over the age of 21, who have at least two years’ experience in their industry.

The sign and graphics industry is one of 36 trades which is now eligible for funding, with a total of 750 training places to be provided over the next 12 months.

All training will be subsidised by the NSW government and is fully ‘fee-free’ for successful applicants.

Visual Connections CEO Peter Harper welcomed the program which will boost the number of skilled workers in the construction industry, which sign and graphics is a part of.

Visual Connections has a long history supporting trade apprenticeships and training in the print, sign and graphic communications 12 ProPrint August 2021

Visual Connections CEO Peter Harper

sector, and Harper said the announcement was a welcome boost for many who are working in the industry but have no formal qualification to their name.

“The Trade Pathways Program gives many of our brightest and best workers the opportunity to have their skills and previous work experience recognised and assessed towards the achievement of a trade certificate, as well as receive any training needed to close the gaps in their knowledge and skills,” he said.

“With the ongoing issue of skills shortages in all manufacturing sectors, including our own, this is a wonderful opportunity to increase the number of qualified and job-ready trades people in NSW, as well as give those already working in our industry the opportunity to further their career with a trade qualification.

“With limited places available, we’d encourage employers to move quickly to identify staff members who could benefit, and also urge anyone who is working in the industry but is not yet formally qualified, to contact RTA to explore the possibilities for themselves.” www.sprinter.com.au

UPDATE

Ovato residential distribution closed, further sales

by Sheree Young

After going through a comprehensive restructure and recapitalisation plan at the end of 2020, which included closing its Melbourne print site and making 300 jobs redundant, Ovato has announced further changes.

The latest announcement from the company, which is 43 per cent owned by the Hannan family, was the decision to close the Ovato Residential Distribution business on July 30, amid a continued decline in letterbox volumes.

In announcing the decision to the Australian Securities Exchange, Ovato CEO James Hannan, who replaced Kevin Slaven as CEO in June, said the decision was driven by a continued downward slide in volumes across the residential distribution network.

He added the costs from redundancy and leasing will be recovered well within the current financial year as the company avoids ongoing trading losses in a business where volumes have continued to steeply decline.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has seen volumes across our Australian residential distribution network fall sharply since early in 2020,” Hannan said.

“While the business is committed to covering this impact, it is now clear that the volume the network requires is some way off and the business can no longer offer this support.”

Hannan said the company continues to offer unparalleled national reach and speed to market via print sites in NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia.

The Real Media Collective, an industry association for the paper, print, publishing and distribution sectors, offered its support to Ovato.

“TRMC is aware Ovato has released an announcement that as at the end of July they

Right sizing continues: Ovato CEO James Hannan

will no longer offer Residential Distribution services across their business,” The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood said.

“This is part of a committed focus of Ovato which was communicated by their new CEO and Managing Director, James Hannan, last month. Ovato is right sizing its business and maintaining a laser focus across all operations to build a strong and profitable print group.

“We provide all the support we can on this journey, our industry needs healthy and performing companies to offer stability. Whatever

support the industry association can offer through this process we will provide.”

Ovato shareholders have also voted to sell the company’s retail distribution businesses in Australia and New Zealand to magazine publisher Are Media, itself a client of Ovato and a 16.4 per cent shareholder in the company, for $15 million. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has also approved the sale of the Australian entity.

The ACCC ruled the deal could proceed finding the sale would not give Are Media a significant competitive advantage.

ACCC chair Rod Sims said a key concern was the impact the sale may have on competing magazine publishers and whether they would be effected by not having access to competitive distribution services.

“Consistent with the ACCC’s findings when it considered Bauer acquiring Pacific Magazines in 2020, circulation and revenue of most magazines continue to decline significantly, and many titles have closed over recent years,” Sims said.

“Historical data showed that consumers that still buy magazines have a high level of loyalty to particular titles, meaning that very few consumers would switch to an Are Media publication if it favoured distribution of its own magazines over its rivals’ publications.

“The ACCC concluded that Are Media would have insufficient incentive to favour distribution of its own publications over those of other publishers.”

In other changes, Ovato Creative Services, Ovato Technology, Ovato Communications and a related entity in India have also been sold to Hannan family business, Ballygriffin Holdings, for $9 million.

Southern Impact to bring Peak Digital under its banner

by Hafizah Osman

Southern Impact has acquired wide format specialist Peak Digital in a major move that will see the company increase its play in the wide format point of sale space.

Both businesses came together on August 2 but under the terms of the acquisition, Peak Digital will retain its current brand and will continue to operate and manufacture at its current premises in Seaford, Victoria.

Peak Digital was established in 2006 and is currently owned by Andrew and Mel Robertson.

Since then the company has established itself as a high-quality manufacturer that delivers on outcomes for a varied customer base.

Southern Impact confirmed that the Robertsons and the entire Peak Digital team will continue to operate as they have, providing both customers and suppliers with complete continuity and high levels of service.

Southern Impact managing director Rod Dawson said the company commenced its wide format manufacturing in August 2019 and 14 ProPrint August 2021

Wide format covered: The Southern Impact team

since that time has seen significant growth in this area which resulted in its investment of several pieces of new equipment.

Dawson said the acquisition of Peak Digital further enables Southern Impact to continue its expansion plans into the sector.

“The opportunity to add the capabilities, diverse product offering, and manufacturing

expertise of Peak Digital provides us with everything required to continue our expansion plans in this sector,” Dawson said.

“The way that Andrew and the team at Peak Digital deal with their customers is strongly aligned to the business approach held by Southern Impact.

“We couldn’t be happier to welcome them into the fold.”

Southern Impact also recently launched its new website, bringing together the capabilities of the previously standalone sites of Southern Colour and Impact Digital.

The new webiste has been developed in the wake of three of Australia’s most successful print companies – Southern Colour, Impact Digital and Intelligent Media – rebranding as Southern Impact in September 2020 following their merger in March that year.

The features of the revamped website include simple and easy to use Request for Quote forms, the ability to upload large files quickly and easily, a full list of departments and services, and product and service information. www.sprinter.com.au

The new blueprint for wide format

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BELIEVING IN PRINT

UPDATE MAY - JULY TIMELINE

Debrief Recapping the major developments since your last issue. Stories are breaking every day at www.sprinter.com.au

June issue

23 may

3 june

24 june

CANON’s NEW COLORADO Canon Production Printing (CPP) Australia has released a 64” UVgel roll-to-roll Colorado 1630. The printer, designed for large format printers and in-house providers producing small volumes, makes UVgel technology accessible at a lower investment. CPP Australia MD Craig Nethercott said whilst Australia has experienced high utilisation rates and volumes per machine, there had also been strong demand from those with lower volume needs. “We hope that with the introduction of the Colorado 1630, more print service providers can benefit from a highly automated, robust and stable printer with a modular architecture that offers remarkable flexibility,” he said.

Starleaton is also distributing the printer.

PLOCKMATIC’S NEW MORGANA Morgana Systems, which is owned by Plockmatic Group and distributed in Australia by Renz, has released the Morgana Digifold Pro XL, a creasing and folding machine for long sheet applications. The device handles 210mm to 1,300mm-long stock and is suitable for making landscape booklet covers, oversized perfect-bound book covers and multi-panel brochures. Plockmatic VP sales & marketing, Ray Hillhouse, Plockmatic worked closely with print engine manufacturers to develop the machine. He said all were pushing into longer sheet applications with their latest print engines, adding the new device is easy operate and automated.

MATT ASHMAN JOINS FESPA AUST BOARD Durst Oceania MD Matt Ashman has been appointed to the FESPA Australia board and says he looks forward to continuing to develop FESPA’s work in A/NZ, with the global body also supported by Durst.

President Nigel Davies said Ashman brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board and that his support of FESPA Australia’s vision is second to none.

News happens every day at

sprinter.com.au

25 may

6 june

MUTOH SIGNS TEK CAD AS WA DISTRIBUTOR Perth’s Tek Cad and Cam Systems is the new distributor of Mutoh printers in Western Australia. Mutoh Australia managing director Russell Cavenagh (pictured) said the move widens Mutoh’s reach across the country. “We have been looking for the right partner to service our growing WA customer base and Tek Cad provides that unique blend of a strong customer focus, technical background and market knowledge that made them an ideal fit with our own key business goals,” he said. Tek Cad partner Tim Loader said Mutoh Australia and Tek Cad have similar business alignments. “Mutoh manufactures a broad range of award-winning printers that are an ideal fit for our business and client base,” he said. “We have long been impressed with the quality and reliability of their Japanese manufacturing. We were particularly impressed with their new XpertJet range.”

AMAZON BOOK PRINTING Amazon has opened its first Print on Demand centre in the Southern Hemisphere in western Sydney. The move means the online giant can print a select catalogue of titles on demand.

The books included on the catalogue are those published through Amazon’s self-publishing service, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Amazon says this allows authors to publish their work in print and digital formats, retain copyright, get to market faster, distribute globally and earn royalties. It also means surplus stock does not need to be stored.

Amazon Australia category lead for media and books Matt Benham said, “We are continuously growing the delivery experience for Australian customers and our new Print on Demand facility means that we will be able to get millions of paperback titles to customers.”

Sign up for our free regular news bulletin.

16 ProPrint August 2021

www.sprinter.com.au

UPDATE

13 july

20 july

23 july

OOH NET REVENUE UP 125% IN Q2 OOH second quarter net revenue rose 125% to $203.3m, from $90m on the pcp, but the sector remains 17% down on prepandemic revenue. Year to date revenue increased 22% to $375m, up from $307m in 2020. Digital OOH was 61% of total net media revenue YTD, up from 58% on the pcp. Outdoor Media Association CEO Charmaine Moldrich says the explosive 125% increase shows the difficulties the sector faced at the height of COVID lockdowns last year. “A better indication of our recovery is that we are only down by 17% on pre-pandemic revenue from Q2 2019. Each month this year has been better than the previous month,” she said. Moldrich said it’s expected to return to pre-COVID levels by December 2021.

ASGA, FESPA DELAY HP AWARDS The Australian Sign and Graphics Association (ASGA) and FESPA Australia have delayed the HP Awards for Excellence with a date yet to be set. The awards were to take place on September 28 in Melbourne, what should have been the opening night of PacPrint. “It is unfortunate we are in the position again of being at the mercy of COVID-19 developments. Acknowledging the Award winners and supporting sponsors is of paramount importance. We are working with our key stakeholders to find a solution,” ASGA president Julie Rochester said. FESPA Australia president Nigel Davies said the decision while disappointing is not unexpected given the situation.

KURZ GROUP ACQUISITION Kurz has acquired German company tesa scribos as it moves to deepen into digital brand protection.

Kurz Group president Walter Kurz says the buy enables the company to expand beyond thinfilm technology and security elements for banknotes and documents. Kurz said tesa scribos has developed into a marketleading digital platform for brand protection. “In 2021, tesa scribos counts among the German top 100 innovators and is a leading provider of brand protection,” he said. “Kurz offers a unique process and application expertise in thin-film technology as the basis for complex security solutions for product and brand protection.” Once the deal is completed, tesa scribos sites will operate unchanged.

5 july

20 july

21 july

FREE PICK UP OF OLD PRINTERS ABC Copier Solutions’ Jaxon Crocker has a solution for ageing, redundant digital printers and copiers – he will pay for them and take them off your hands. Crocker has built a business out of removing old copiers and dismantling them for no cost. Once collected, the equipment is packed up and shipped to Singapore, where the parts are sold and forwarded on to other countries, where they are then potentially reused for years. Crocker has already picked up redundant machines from Kwik Kopy Australia, Snap, Worldwide Print, CMYK Colour Online, as well as CMYKhub, and is looking for more customers.

“We pick up larger production copiers and smaller machines; we recycle them in an environmentally-friendly way,” Crocker said. “The process of dismantling and removing old machines also means less redundant equipment is sent to landfill.”

PVCA BACK TO LOSSES IN 2020 Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) reported a $583,344 loss for the 2020 financial year, ending 31 December 2020 after a $94,000 profit in 2019. Subscription revenue for the year fell to $495,841, from $759,204 in 2019 and $993,000 in 2018 with member numbers at 573 in 2020, from 733 in 2019. PCVCA said the specialty services, advice, support and representation provided to members during the pandemic attributed to the loss. “As a result of these activities, the PVCA generated a loss of $583,344 during the year. There were no significant changes in the nature of the activities of the PVCA during the year,” it said. Theo Pettaras resigned from the board as at March 1, 2020 with Stuart Fysh appointed on January 1, 2020. Andrew Macaulay stepped down as CEO in March with PVCA president Walter Kuhn taking over his responsibilities whilst the search continues for a “hands-on GM”.

COVID-19 HITS PRINT EQUIPMENT MARKET Research firm, Smithers, says the global print equipment market will be worth $US15.75b by 2026, despite suffering a 24% dip in 2020. The Future of Print Equipment Markets to 2026 report predicts the market will be worth $US15.86 by the end of 2021, up nearly 20% on last year. “COVID-19 has had a major effect on the print machinery market, with an accelerating effect on trends that were already being established.

The crisis has brought about enduring socio-economic changes to consumer behaviours that will directly affect buying patterns,” the report found. It also found the move to online and the rise of social media will favour digital print due to its ability to print short run, variable content efficiently. Sales of analogue printing equipment have also been negatively impacted as the volume of print falls and an increasing portion of remaining volume is printed by digital processes.

www.sprinter.com.au

August 2021 ProPrint 17

UPDATE JULY TIMELINE 22 july

24 july

27 july

AGFA’S OFFSET PLATES RISE Agfa is set to increase the price of its offset printing plates by 10% from August 1 as contracts permit. The company cites ongoing increases in raw materials, energy and packaging materials, in combination with high freight rates as the cause.

“This is in addition to the previously announced and implemented increase and will likely be followed by subsequent increases as the trend continues,” the company said.

“The price for aluminium, the key component of an offset printing plate, peaked in June at more than US$2,500 per tonne. Prices for packaging materials almost doubled in a couple of months.

Freight and transportation services remain under severe pressure.”

T-SHIRT MAGIC’s BROTHER DTG GJS has sold Australia’s first Brother GTXpro Bulk garment printer to Sydney-based printing business, T-Shirt Magic with the move set to increase production volumes. The business’ owners, Andrew Sprason and Lily Yang, bought their first Brother DTG in 2011 and since then have installed multiple units including the GT-3 series, and the GTX. Sprason said the new Brother GTXpro Bulk will allow T-Shirt Magic to scale up production capabilities. “The Brother GTXpro Bulk will allow us to offer even better quality and faster turnarounds, and at a lower cost for bulk printing,” Sprason said. Features include a proprietary bulk-feed system for specially formulated inks.

PENRITH MUSEUM OF PRINTING TURNS 20 The Penrith Museum of Printing is one of Australia’s only working print museums and it has now turned 20. The museum is set up like a typical 1940s print house and holds a collection of printing machinery and equipment dating from the mid 1840s to the 1970s.

Run by a team of volunteers (pictured), including Bob Lockley, former group director of print and distribution at Fairfax, the museum was borne out of the closure of a local newspaper, The Nepean Times, founded in the 1880s. The museum was founded

by Alan Connell who in 1987 wanted to to develop a working museum of letterpress printing machinery and equipment. To do so he began collecting machinery to build the collection.

18 ProPrint August 2021

23 july

24 july

29 july

MCC ACQUIRED Days after it bought A/NZ label producer, Hexagon, Multi-Color Corporation (MCC) has itself been acquired. MCC owner, Platinum Equity, which acquired MCC in 2019, has now agreed to sell it to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). CD&R intends to acquire Fort Dearborn from Advent International and combine the two to create a global label solutions company for consumerpackaged goods companies worldwide. The transactions are expected to close by the end of 2021, subject to regulatory approvals. MCC is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality, pressure sensitive, in-mold and heat transfer labels and a major manufacturer of cut and stack, roll fed, aluminium and shrink sleeve labels. It services prominent food and beverage, wine and spirits, home and personal care and hardware brands. In addition to buying Hexagon, MCC also has bought another local company, Herrods.

PAKKO GOES INTERACTIVE Australian packaging company, Pakko, has unveiled an Interactive Design Platform which allows customers to design their own packaging and view it in 3D before ordering.

Pakko was founded in 2017 and has steadily grown by adding new technology, including Australia’s first four colour MTEX digital box printer. In 2019, it merged with folding and gluing specialist, Glue4U. This new design platform marks another important step in Pakko’s journey. Pakko founder and CEO, Nina Nguyen, says the Interactive Design Platform simplifies the process of requesting a custom packaging design, receiving a quote and placing an order. “Developed in Australia the Interactive Design Platform (IDP) allows users to design, customise and order custom packaging online directly through the Pakko website with efficiency and ease,” Nguyen said.

FPLMA AWARDS POSTPONED TO FEB 2022 The Flexible Packaging & Label Manufacturers Association has postponed its technical forum and awards until February 24 and 25 due to ongoing COVID uncertainties. The event was to planned for September 2 to 3 in Melbourne but general manager, Anthony Dalleore (pictured), says the COVID-19 situation forced the decision to postpone. “It raises a doubt to the viability of the conference as planned,” Dalleore said. “The new date will allow us to give recognition to the winners of the highly acclaimed FPLMA Print Awards and announcement of the Apprentice of the Year, and maximise recognition of our sponsors support. “The website and booking system will be updated to reflect the new dates and will remain active so that prospective delegates can register early.

Existing bookings will be carried over, but should you require a refund please contact me.”

www.sprinter.com.au

COMMENT

Let’s talk about anxiety Man Anchor founder Steven Gamble delves into anxiety - the most common mental illness affecting Australians.

I

STEVEN GAMBLE

have long been a believer that the key to generational change in the way we address mental health is education.

You don’t need a degree in clinical psychology or psychiatry to support positive mental wellbeing so I thought we could take a look at a few of the mental illnesses that commonly affect Australians. Anxiety is the most common so that seems like a good place to start.

One thing we all have in common is that at some point we have all felt anxious to varied degrees, from our first day at school to our first date, public speaking or sitting an exam. We all know those common signs of a racing mind or going blank, sweaty palms, churning stomach or feeling jittery which is completely normal. In fact, a positive part of life is the fight or flight mechanism which since primitive times has been part of our biological and psychogenic make-up to keep us safe.

For most, the anxious feeling will come and go once you have faced or passed that anxiety-provoking experience, but for others it will persist for extended periods and start to impact an individual’s ability to function and carry out tasks. It could also affect their relationships.

The signs and symptoms vary between individuals and disorders, but they commonly affect a person’s thinking, feeling, behaviours and physical wellbeing.

Thinking: Mind racing or going blank, reduced concentration and memory, indecisiveness or confusion.

Feelings: Unrealistic or excessive fear or worry which can be from past or future events, irritability, impatience, anger, edgy or nervousness.

Behaviours: Avoidance of situations, obsessive and compulsive behaviours, distress in social situations, reduced sleep and increased use of alcohol and drugs.

Physical: Heart racing, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches and muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses among Australians with over 14.4% of those aged 16-85 living with an anxiety disorder over a 12-month period.

The median age of onset of an anxiety disorder is 15 with 17.9% of females and 10.8% of males aged 16-85 living with an anxiety disorder in any one year.

Across the anxiety disorder types, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the most 20 ProPrint August 2021

common at 6.4%, followed by Social Anxiety Disorder 4.7%, Agoraphobia 2.8% and Generalised Anxiety Disorder 2.7%.

Several biological, social and environmental factors increase the risk of an individual developing an anxiety disorder.

These include having a more sensitive nature, having experienced anxiety as a child, being female, misusing alcohol and experiencing a traumatic event. Factors like having a family history of anxiety, abuse, poverty, separation and divorce can also increase the risk.

So where can we seek support?

The easiest place to start is your local GP. From there you can receive a mental health plan, which is a subsidised referral to a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. This allows you to receive between six to 20 bulkbilled or subsidised therapy sessions.

Alternatively, you can go direct to a clinical professional.

Anxiety has a variety of treatments depending on the diagnosis including:

Psychological Therapies • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) - this is where a therapist works with the patient on thinking and thought process and associated behaviours.

• Behaviour Therapy (Exposure therapy) – this is a gradual exposure to the phobia, supporting and reducing the fear as well as the anxiety associated.

• Self-help books and technology can also support the development of personal strategies for wellness.

Medication • There are a number of different medications that can support the range of anxiety disorders; however, they vary from person to person and should be used with the support of a clinician.

Complementary and lifestyle • Relaxation techniques – e.g. meditation and yoga • Healthy diet • Exercise • Family support Like any illness, physical or mental, the key to supporting positive health is prevention and early intervention. If we can acknowledge subtle changes in our thoughts, feelings, behaviours and our physical signs and symptoms early and seek clinical support, we can reduce the severity of the illness, cut recovery time, and decrease the chance of becoming unwell again. We all have the right to be healthy and we would not hesitate to reach out for help if physically unwell, so it’s important that we do the same for our mental health because in the end Health is Health.

If you need support Lifeline is there 24/7, 365 days a year call 13 11 14.

This table of anxiety disorder signs and symptoms of Australians aged 16-85 with an anxiety disorder in any one year was collated by Mental Health First Aid Australia.

Type of Anxiety Disorder

Males

Females

All

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

4.6%

8.3%

6.4%

Social Anxiety Disorder

3.8%

5.7%

2.8%

Agoraphobia

2.0%

3.5%

2.8%

Generalised Anxiety Disorder

2.0%

3.5%

2.7%

Panic Disorder

2.3%

2.9%

2.6%

Obsessive– Compulsive Disorder

1.6%

2.2%

1.9%

Any anxiety disorder

10.8%

17.9%

14.4%

www.sprinter.com.au

PRINT DIARY

EVENT

LOCATION

DATE

TRMC ‘Power of Print’ webinar series

Online

June 23 – August 25

SA Printing Industry Creativity Awards

Adelaide

August 26

WA Printing Industry Creativity Awards

Perth

September 4

NSW Printing Industry Creativity Awards

Sydney

September 17

ProPrint Awards 2021

Sydney

November 26

Hosting an event? Send an email to the editor - Sheree Young - syoung@intermedia.com.au with the details

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August 2021 ProPrint 21

COMMENT

Research shows Australians prefer choice for bills and statements Greenwashing is still alive and well and research shows Australian consumers overwhelmingly want the right to choose how they receive their communications from organisations, new research shows.

KELLIE NORTHWOOD

The Impact of Greenwashing

T

here is a worrying trend from organisations who increasingly want to move their customer communications online, particularly bills and statements.

Typically, this decision is made for cost reasons but too often, misleading claims are used that it is better for the environment and this is commonly referred to as ‘greenwashing’.

A recent study, conducted by The Real Media Collective within the Two Sides campaign and independent research company Toluna, wanted to understand changing consumer perceptions towards print and paper. The study found that consumers overwhelmingly want the right to choose how they receive their communications (digitally or printed) from organisations. Importantly, it showed 78 per cent of Australian consumers want this choice.

The right to choose Defaulting people online without a choice to save cost will impact those most vulnerable and at risk in our communities. In 2020, 2.5 million Australians were not online because of affordability issues, location or lack of digital literacy, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. Often, it is the most vulnerable members of society that depend on traditional posted transactional mail.

The move to an ‘online only’ society risks leaving older people, those with a disability, rural dwellers and people on low incomes disconnected.

Alongside the right to choose, consumers are also demanding that they are not penalised for choosing to receive paper communication. The study found 61 per cent of Australian consumers agree that they should not be charged more for choosing a paper bill or statement. Furthermore, organisations must be careful when forcing their customers online. If an Australian consumer was forced to move to digital by their current service providers, 34 per cent would consider switching to an alternative provider.

Digital corporate communication isn’t always preferred by consumers In a society where everything happens online, organisations are in danger of

22 ProPrint August 2021

Research shows 78 per cent of Australians want to choose how they receive their bills.

thinking that digital is always the preferred option. However, this isn’t always the case with 64 per cent of Australian consumers increasingly concerned that their personal information held electronically is at risk of being hacked, stolen, lost or damaged.

Furthermore, even if a consumer is moved to digital bills and statements, it rarely stays ‘paperless’ as 62 per cent of Australian consumers regularly print out hard copies at home if they want a hard copy.

It cannot be denied that digital is having an impact on how we communicate but the growing dependence on digital brings its own challenges. The survey reveals that getting away from digital devices is more important than ever with 54 per cent of Australian consumers concerned about how digital devices may be damaging their health and 50 per cent agreeing they spend too much time on their devices.

Which is best: Print or Digital?

Print and digital are often compared in a bid to decide which is best. However, the debate shouldn’t centre around ‘print vs digital’, as both channels are important and complement each other. Ultimately, consumers must be given the right to decide how they would like to receive communications; ensuring that consumer choice is maintained and those unwilling or unable to access digital information are not disadvantaged.

Organisations should steer clear from claiming that digital communications are better for the environment than paper communications. This practice is known as ‘greenwashing’, where broad statements of the environmental benefit of switching to digital communications from paper are not substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence.

Statements such as ‘Go Green, Go Paperless’ also damage an industry that employs 268,000 people in more than 8,400 businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

Half of consumers are not fooled by an organisation that wants them to switch from paper to digital communication based on environmental grounds with 56 per cent recognising this is down to cost saving.

Kellie Northwood is the Chief Executive Officer of The Real Media Collective, an industry association representing paper, print, mail, publishing and distribution companies in Australia and New Zealand. To find out more contact hello@thermc.com.au or visit www.twosides.org.au.

About the Two Sides Trend Tracker Survey In February 2021, a study of 8,800 consumers was commissioned by Two Sides and conducted online by independent research company, Toluna. Surveys were undertaken in Australia (1000), Brazil (1000), the US (1000) and 10 countries in Europe, including Austria (500), Belgium (600), Denmark (500), Finland (350), France (1,000), Germany (1000), Italy (1000), Norway (350), Sweden (500).

What the research shows: • 78% of Australians want to choose how they receive their bills • 61% of Australians agree they shouldn’t be charged for a paper bill • 62% of Australian consumers regularly print out hard copies of bills at home • 64% of Australian consumers are increasingly concerned that their personal information held electronically is at risk of being hacked, stolen, lost or damaged • 2.5 million Australians were not online in 2020 because of affordability issues, location or lack of digital literacy

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COMMENT

COVID workplace incidents and responses The Real Media Collective’s Charles Watson offers some guidance on what to do if you have a positive COVID case at your workplace.

CHARLES WATSON

A

n incident of an employee contracting COVID and having been present at the workplace initially results in an employer having a wide course to navigate.

The focus of your specific response as an employer will depend upon the exact circumstances of the incident, as well as the particular state or territory in which the business operates.

Numerous actions will need to be undertaken consecutively and its primarily about managing and minimising possible risks and fulfilling your duty of care toward all employees. This article seeks to provide some practical guidance and considerations for your business if such an incident occurs.

Immediate steps If an employee has been at the workplace while infectious, all the relevant workplace protocols you have, including the requirements of your COVID Safe Plan and risk management steps, will need to be put into effect. These will ensure the likelihood of minimising the spreading of the virus to others. These include: • Clear communication with all impacted workers is required. This will help to minimise possible anxieties.

• Isolate the worker and ensure they can be transported to a medical facility or their home and advise them to follow medical directions.

• Contact your public health department (discussed below).

• Identify who the worker has had contact with at the workplace and advise those workers that they may have been exposed and will need to be tested and follow quarantine guidelines until cleared to return to work.

• Undertake appropriate cleaning requirements.

• Follow up with all impacted workers.

Contact from a Public Health agency If the infected worker has been at a workplace, you will likely receive contact from your state or territory public health agency. If you have not yet received the call, then make the call to them. The greater the detail that you can provide to a public health agency will have a significant impact on the decisions and directions they make relating to your business.

The public health agency will discuss with you the specific situation, undertake a risk assessment, and direct you with the required actions and infection controls to be 24 ProPrint August 2021

If you have a positive COVID case at work there are certain steps you must follow.

undertaken by the business. This may include a range of issues and required actions: • What COVID Safe protocols are in place within the business as this will affect their decisions.

• The actual physical layout of the workplace.

• The identification of other workers who may have been exposed (close or casual contact) to the infected worker.

• Whether there is a need for any or all workers to self-isolate and undertake testing.

• Informing those impacted workers.

• The necessary cleaning/disinfection protocols that will be required - in a particular area/s, or the whole business.

• Whether the business (or parts of the business) can stay open or the requirement to close until cleaning occurs.

Given their legal authority, an employer and their workers are generally required to follow any public health unit directions.

Some additional considerations Businesses should also consider making the following points part of an overall approach: • Plan and create a flowchart or run sheet for possible scenarios associated with an infectious employee at the workplace and the required actions.

• Although not always the case, the business may need to fully close until the required level of cleaning has occurred.

• Consider whether your current cleaning service provider can provide a COVID related deep clean if required.

• Even if a business is able to reopen immediately after cleaning, there may be staffing issues if numerous workers are required to isolate for 14 days and undertake testing.

• Regular communication with workers is critical when an incident occurs.

• Ensure any infected worker is not treated adversely or in a retaliatory way upon their return.

• Your business may need to make alternative arrangements for production or contact clients to advise them of the situation/delay in production times.

• Whether you should encourage employees to get vaccinated.

WHS regulator reporting requirements After dealing with the immediate issues, your business may also be required to contact your state or territory WHS regulator, such as WorkSafe or WorkCover. Each jurisdiction has its own specific obligations for reporting COVID related incidents in the workplace. Generally, in most jurisdictions there is a requirement to notify your state or territory WHS regulator where a person requires immediate treatment as an in-patient and or where carrying out their work is a significant contributing factor to any confirmed COVID infection.

Based on what we have seen over the past 16 months, preparation is the key for dealing with any incident. Hopefully the information in this article will provide some considerations for how your business would deal with a COVID related incident in the workplace. www.sprinter.com.au

THAT PAYS

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PRINT

PROMOTION

AB Media boosts revenue with new Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10 flatbed It seemed risky installing new hardware during COVID-19, but the decision to complement an existing roll-to-roll printer with a new Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10 flatbed is now reaping huge financial benefits for this Sydney printer.

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ydney wide format and POS specialists, AB Media, formed eight years ago to meet growing demands for media walls and other printed display materials for weddings and retail events within Chinese communities in Sydney, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

The business has traditionally relied on roll-to-roll printing to self-adhesive vinyl which requires a two-step production process with the printed material also needing to be applied to the substrate.

This workflow was beginning to cause issues for the business – mostly around the time and number of employees required to get the job done and the risk of bubbling, dust capture and other errors in the application process.

Booming demand for 2.4m x 4.8m media walls and other large format print used in pop-up stores and displays also meant AB Media were under pressure to produce jobs faster and with higher quality standards to meet the needs of clients.

These factors led AB Media’s owner, Ting Du, and his production manager, Jasper Tan, to look at investing in a flatbed printer, but until the launch of the Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10 printer last year they hadn’t been able to find one to suit their needs and budget.

AB Media already utilises a A3 production device from Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia (Fujifilm BI) so with this relationship already built, discussions began with Fujifilm Business Innovation Production Specialist Gavin Bennett, Area Sales Manager Blake Hooper and Account Executive Tony Bartolotta.

The installation took place during a difficult time for AB Media with COVID-19 restrictions impacting weddings and other events. This meant the Fujifilm BI team worked with Mr Du to find the right pricing solution to enable AB Media to expand their production with flatbed hardware.

“Over the last year the business has been impacted with COVID-19, so Gavin, Blake 26 ProPrint August 2021

and Tony were able to help me with the rental. They also helped me find the best way to make use of this opportunity so I can produce other products and increase my revenue,” Mr Du told ProPrint during a recent visit to his factory in Alexandria, Sydney.

Mr Du said with business now returning to normal, he is very happy now the Vybrant UF-10 is fully operational as it has allowed his business to take advantage of opportunities and offer a broader range of products to customers.

“We are the biggest supplier of backdrop media walls, pop up stores as well as exhibition and events display signage for the Chinese community,” he said.

“This machine is more efficient for our jobs. We used to print to adhesive vinyl and then mount that onto the board, but now we have gone from two steps to one, so it is much easier and much faster.

“Before printing direct to media, as we do now with the Vybrant UF-10, the previous process meant we couldn’t adhere the vinyl to the boards without bubbles or dust getting caught under the media. Now the resolution is very clear, and the final product looks so much better.”

Accessible price point

The Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10 sits at an accessible entry level price point making it an ideal first step into the flatbed market. In production mode it prints at 16 square metres per hour and has the versatility of 6 channel CMYK with 2 white channels as standard.

The Vybrant UF-10 utilises Fujifilm’s Uvijet UV cured inks to print a matte or gloss finish with a variable drop size from 7 to 21 picolitres with LED curing for printing on thin film media to keep energy costs to a minimum. It can also handle flexible and rigid media up to 51mm thick, including corflute, foam board, aluminium, timber and

even ceramic tiles.

The Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10 has four dedicated vacuum zones to minimise the use of masking which ensures the media is held firmly in position to maximise quality and reduce make-ready time – features that were applauded by both Mr Tan and Mr Du during ProPrint’s visit.

An anti-crash sensor also means damage to the printheads can be avoided.

The new flatbed has also allowed AB Media to expand into supplying bespoke decorations for children’s birthday parties and other events, plus specialised signage – which in turn is offering opportunities to add higher value items into its offer and thereby boost revenue.

Chris Lynch, General Manager, Graphic Communication Services said he was pleased to see the Fujifilm BI team be a part of the process that has helped AB Media become more profitable through offering a more efficient and higher quality service with an expanded product range.

“This is a great example of working directly with our customers to understand their exact needs to provide the right solution in unique and important times,” Lynch said.

“The decision to invest in the Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10 came from an understanding of the job profile and the go-to-market strategies here at AB Media. It was also about understanding how we could help make the business more efficient.

“There are obvious cost savings, with speed to market and the ability to increase the range of products AB Media has to offer. I think the Vybrant UF-10 has more than satisfied all of AB Media and Mr Du’s requirements.”

For more information about the Fujifilm Vybrant UF-10, please contact Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia or visit www-fbau.fujifilm. com/en/Products/AU-Wide-Format.

Fujifilm Business Innovation’s Blake Hooper and Tony Bartolotta with AB Media’s Ting Du and Jasper Tan

www.sprinter.com.au

https://ww w

-fbau.fujifi

lm.com

UPDATE DOWNTIME

Queensland Printing Industry Creativity Awards The Queensland Printing Industry Creativity Awards were held on July 23 at the Tattersalls Club in Brisbane. Around 90 members of the industry turned out on the night. The Queensland branch of the Lithographic Institute of Australia also announced their graduate winners for the last two years.

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1. Brisbane’s Kuhn Corp were big winners at the Queensland PICAs 2. Tom Eckersley, PVCA; Emma Wilson, Buzz Print; Andrew Warboys, Ultra Labels; Caren Campbell; Ashley Bennett and 2021 Heidelberg/LIA Graduate of the Year winner Joshua West, Multi-Color Corporation; acting LIA Qld President Brendan Pearce 3. Tom Eckersley, PVCA, finalists Tyler-Jay Schmidt, Go Transit Media Group; Renee McInnes, Digital Synergy and 2020 Heidelberg/LIA Graduate of the Year winner Ashleigh Jones from Digital Synergy; Charlotte Fountain, Kuhn Corp; acting LIA President Brendan Pearce 4. Ashleigh Jones, Queensland 2020 Heidelberg/ LIA Graduate of the Year, right, with her employer Renee McInnes from Digital Synergy 5. PVCA President Kuhn Corp owner, Walter Kuhn 6. Tom Eckersley, PVCA with Andrew Elms from Multi-Color Corporation Queensland with a Gold Award 7. Tom Eckersley, PVCA presents a Gold Award to Paul Brown from ColorChiefs 8. Stephen Hall, Sunprint with Tom Eckersley of PVCA 9. Steven Gardner, Media Super; Susan Heaney and John Stangeland, Heaneys Perfomers in Print; Paul Brown, ColorChiefs 10. The team from Eckersley Print Group 11. Renee McInnes, Digital Synergy; David Loxton, Pencraft Office National with PVCA President Walter Kuhn 12. Mel Ireland, Lithographic Institute of Australia; John Scott and Sorrell Eaglesham, Spot Productions; Anthony Parnemann, EFI

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28 ProPrint August 2021

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www.sprinter.com.au

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August 2021 ProPrint 29

PROPRINT AWARDS

Nominations now open for 2021 ProPrint Awards

What started as the Power 50 has evolved into an awards event recognising not only the industry’s leaders, but also its rising stars, suppliers and veterans.

By Sheree Young

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ominations are now open for the 2021 ProPrint Awards with each of the four categories – Power 50, Emerging 50, Supplier 50 and Industry Achievement Award – designed to celebrate achievement at all levels.

Over the years, ProPrint’s Power 50 has charted the successes of industry leaders and innovators while also itself evolving to better serve this industry.

The awards are now known as the ProPrint Awards and a new nomination and judging portal has been created. We invite you to visit www.proprintawards.com.au to register your nominations – and if you are a nominee – make your award submission.

The ProPrint Awards event will be held at the Shangri-la Hotel in Sydney on Friday November 26 at 6.45pm.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.proprintawards.com.au.

In response to industry feedback, we have tweaked the Power 50 so now only the top 20

nominated industry leaders will be ranked in this 100% peer-voted award – everyone else will be acknowledged in alphabetical order at the ProPrint Awards and in the December issue of ProPrint magazine.

You can nominate more than one person and it is also possible to have more than one Power 50 nominee from the same company.

Self-nominations are also accepted. This is a peer-voted award so all nominees will have the opportunity to judge. The results will be verified by an external auditor.

The Emerging 50 was launched two years ago to recognise the industry’s rising stars.

Nominees include graphic designers, prepress operators, production assistants, postpress supervisors and finishing specialists as well as employees responsible for distribution, sales, administration and account management with approximately five years or less industry experience.

Emerging 50 nominees also have the opportunity to submit an application for the The Real Media Collective’s mentorship program. The successful applicant will be awarded a 12-month mentorship prize with 2020 Power 50 winner, Kellie Northwood, chief executive officer of The Real Media Collective plus a $1000 short course voucher for with the Australian Institute of Management (AIM), complimentary entry to the Real Media Awards ‘Best Emerging Talent’ category and access to TRMC events, awards and industry sessions. The prize is judged by an industry panel.

The Supplier 50 is a new set of awards added this year. Over the years we have been asked if those working for suppliers could be

included in the Power 50, so we created the Supplier 50 for those that service the industry.

Supplier 50 recipients will be judged on the quality of their submission based on achievements over the last 12 months. There is no overall winner of the Supplier 50 – all recipients will be acknowledged in alphabetical order at the ProPrint Awards in Sydney in November and in the December issue of ProPrint magazine.

This year also represents the launch of the inaugural Industry Achievement Award – an exclusive award honouring the work of an Outstanding Achiever in Print, someone who has dedicated their life to the industry. The Top 10 Power 50 2020 representatives and our platinum sponsor, Durst, will decide who deserves this exclusive honour.

Nominations are now open for each of these categories. We urge you to nominate who you think deserves to be recognised and honoured in 2021. This year’s ProPrint Awards would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors. Our platinum sponsor is Durst with DIC, HP and Orafol providing gold sponsor support.

Emerging 50 Foundation Partner, Media Super, is again supporting the Emerging 50 with gold level support.

Our silver sponsors are Ball & Doggett, Bright Print Group, Cactus Imaging, Centrum Printing, EFI, Foxcil, Graph-Pak, Lamson Paragon, printIQ and Visual Connections.

We thank all of our valued sponsors and supporters as without them the ProPrint Awards would not be possible.

The 2020 Power 50 and Emerging 50 were celebrated last year at Sydney’s Shangri-la Hotel with the ProPrint Awards to be held on Friday November 26, 2021 at the same venue.

30 ProPrint August 2021

www.sprinter.com.au

2021

AWARDS Nominations are now open for all awards!

It’s time to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of the people in print here in Australia at the 2021 ProPrint Awards.

ProPrint Awards Event: Friday 26 November, Shangri-la Hotel, Sydney Tickets: Early bird tickets on sale now for $99+gst or $990+gst for a table of ten Tickets include a 3 course meal, and a premium drinks package of beer, wine and spirits

Sponsors Platinum Thursday May 14

Gold

Silver

How can I get involved?

To enquire about nominations contact Sheree Young, syoung@intermedia.com.au, 0402 759 893 To become a valued sponsor contact Carmen Ciappara, carmen@proprint.com.au, 0410 582 450

www.proprintawards.com.au

Thursday May 14

Q&A

The life and times of Kelsey Wade Kelsey Wade, a graphic designer from PrintDNA in regional South Australia won last year’s ProPrint Emerging 50 Mentorship Prize in partnership with The Real Media Collective.

We thought we'd check in and see how it is going.

some fantastic people, including Sandy Aspinall, the SA Patron for Women in Print.

Kellie has such a profound knowledge and passion for the industry, and I feel I have inherited fragments of her purposeful and powerful identity. My whole vision has shifted from seeing my individual potential through a narrow lens, to a real projection of passion and motivation that has been sculpted and finetuned through discussions, practice, reflection and feedback – my ideal brain food for success.

Q: The mentorship program is now at the half-way mark, how has it been going?

A: I’m not usually one for improv public speaking, and especially in front of an already highly capable audience when I am so young and still learning the ways of the trade. But it was certainly quite an experience and a great initiative to be a part of, collaborating with such powerful voices of some truly admirable women.

There were such fierce, passionate discussions about our topic of ‘Bridging the Gender Communication Gap’ that truly inspired me and made me feel so privileged to share my perspective on the panel. The topic certainly gave me a lot of room to consider my values and position my conversation to reflect that.

That mixed with what I had learned through my co-panellists on the topics being discussed was enough to make me realise, and since adjust, my own language styles and tonality in my everyday work and personal life to include more inclusivity and integrity. I feel more accepting of my language now because of it.

A: Well, let’s just say COVID has forced Kellie Northwood and I to think outside the box. We have had to communicate through Zoom, over the phone and email predominately, and we are yet to meet face-to-face. Nonetheless, the restrictions and distance between us has not put a dampener on our progress and we have together been able to tick off our goals.

This mentorship has enabled me to grasp a cultivated understanding of my personal development and consider my future aspirations with much more clarity and wisdom. I simply think back to the start of the year and what I have since learned and flourished into. It’s the small things that make the biggest differences, and I think being under Kellie’s guiding wing has encouraged that immensely. Through her mentoring, I’ve been inducted into the broader printing world and have had the opportunity to network with

Kelsey's new look LinkedIn profile.

32 ProPrint August 2021

Q: You recently featured on a Women in Print panel discussing the gender gap in communications.

How was that?

Q: What feedback did you receive after your appearance on the panel?

A: I received many positive and appreciative comments from my co-panellists and viewers, and it certainly did help to have the guidance from an incredibly supportive, erudite panel selection and by having Kellie on side to provide her expertise in preparation for the webinar. In general, it was simply great to have had this opportunity. I even received comments through LinkedIn on my contribution to the discussion, which was quite a nice surprise and all the same very comforting to know that I could provide value to the topic with my younger voice.

Q: What have you gained so far from the mentorship program and what do you hope to achieve?

A: So far, I feel I’ve gained a rich interpersonal insight through Kellie’s mentoring, and I hope that throughout the rest of the programme and beyond I can better develop my skillsets and expand my network and repertoire of resources. My ideal self-outlook is to become a useful example of young success within such a broad-scoped, dynamic and generationally spanned industry. It’s my primary motive and wish to serve as inspiration for younger creatives out there, taking on the knowledge that I’m just a young girl from the country working at a micro business and I have struck gold many times with only three years in the industry.

Q: How has the program helped you already?

A: COVID has made us consider different

Another highight this year was Kelsey's appearance on a Women in Print panel with industry leaders. www.sprinter.com.au

modes for this mentorship journey, with most of it having been undertaken online thus far.

And so, we have utilised that to my advantage.

Kellie has endowed me with hot tips and feedback while we’ve been forming and finetuning my LinkedIn profile. Prior to that I had never considered creating a profile, but now that Kellie has helped me to set up this platform, I’m now mingling with this new network in which I can share my progress and achievements, and it has allowed me to begin establishing connections with like-minded groups and individuals and even higher-level personalities.

Q: What made you enter the Emerging 50 Mentorship Prize?

A: Well, all thanks goes to the LIA SA President, Gordon Wilson, who put me up for nomination. After some research I discovered how well-regarded the awards were within the print industry and was simply blown away by what it meant to be nominated. I knew then I had to use this chance to put myself out there.

Having already accomplished and partaken in many awards and experiences beforehand, I simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity such as this.

Q: Where do you see your career progressing?

A: I’ll keep coming back to COVID, because that, as we all know, has changed our world forever. Same could be said for my career future. At this stage, the future is unpredictable and the goals we have in place can easily be interrupted. Had there been no worry of this, I would have loved to travel around the world for the mere pleasure of doing so and to visit other print and design establishments to engage my passion. But at this stage, my focus is purely on skill-building.

While I’m still young and fresh in the industry, my future outline is to better my current trade skillsets and develop newer skills in management, marketing and

TRMC CEO Kellie Northwood announces Kelsey as the 2021 Emerging 50 Mentorship Prize winner last year.

communications. The print industry is a vast and diverse playground of knowledge, so there will always be new tools and tips to learn, new technologies to master and new ideas to imagine.

My goal is to simply see how much I can soak up and use to better myself, the industry and future creative generations.

This mentorship has been a great starting point for that.

own imagination and expertise, and then to see it in mass production and eventually in the hands of the client. I get a buzz every day doing this, because every day I am part of the chain that creates these products.

I’m sure many others will nod their head in agreeance with me when I say there’s no greater satisfaction in the world than hearing of a happy customer and knowing you had a part in it.

Q: What interests you about print?

Q: What are you looking forward to for the rest of the programme?

A: This is as hard as answering what do I love about food. Okay, maybe not to that extent, but you get the point.

Ever since I first set foot in little ol’ Print DNA in Renmark I have been amazed about what we do and how we do it.

I’ve always been a creative soul, even from a very young age, and never really knew how I could express or harness my creativity in a job.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect when the apprenticeship opportunity came up after I completed Year 12, as I originally had half a goal to get a graphic design qualification somewhere, somehow.

Print was never a consideration. In fact, I had never even considered it as part of a graphic design pathway at all. It’s funny how naive we are when we’re young and inexperienced.

That’s to say, print has become one of my joys of life. It is the true art of all things, to be able to create something on a screen using my

A: The biggest thrill I’m waiting for is the chance to attend PacPrint. Having been exposed to PrintEx in 2019, I’m excited to return and participate in the Women in Print Breakfast event with Kellie. Beyond that, I’m excited for every opportunity and challenge that Kellie throws at me.

I thrive on the provision of knowledge and skill-building, as anyone who knows me well enough would know.

Q: Will we see you in Sydney for the 2021 ProPrint Awards?

A: I’m very eager to attend. Having been an awards recipient almost every time I’ve been to a presentation night, it would be such a rewarding experience to be a part of this year’s event as the first winner of the ProPrint Emerging 50 Mentorship program. Let’s just hope COVID behaves itself between now and then!

The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood on what the program has meant to her: “The program has been an exploration of what Kelsey needs in the short-term and what we can continue to build on,” The Real Media Collective CEO Kellie Northwood said.

“We immediately identified Kelsey’s intelligence and ability, however the opportunity to build a profile and gain industry networking skills has become a unique offering of the program. Creating LinkedIn profiles, developing a professional brand and building communication skills across the industry have been the most significant development I’ve witnessed for Kelsey.

“Many of us who have worked in the industry for several years and have built networks of colleagues, peers and stakeholders. As a young entrant into the industry this network is limited, so assisting in accelerating that network development through opening my own was an obvious mentoring opportunity. www.sprinter.com.au

“The next biggest program will run across PacPrint with the opportunity for Women in Print Breakfast networking, introductions and one-on-one time with TRMC Board Executives and Industry Leader workshops to help Kelsey further develop her interpersonal skills at an executive level and with key stakeholders she can continue working with in the future.

“I personally have thoroughly enjoyed the mentoring experience. Kelsey is a wonderful young talent and building a program that suits her needs is delivering wonderful outcomes. I want to thank Ian and PrintDNA for their continued support of Kelsey and the program, they have a reputation of nurturing incredible young talent across their organisation, and I congratulate them for that.

“To Kelsey, this journey has only just begun. I look forward to watching your career continue to evolve and grow.”

August 2021 ProPrint 33

COVER STORY

Diverse PacPrint Planned for 2022 PacPrint 2021 was perhaps the most eagerly anticipated in the event’s 50+ year history, but businesses will now have to wait a little longer for the show, which promises to help businesses review, rebuild and reconnect in the post-pandemic world.

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ue to COVID outbreaks around the country, organisers made the difficult decision in July to postpone PacPrint from the end of September until mid-next year, with the show now locked in for June 28 until July 1, 2022 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Exhibitors are reported to be supportive of the move, with most existing stand holders already reconfirming their commitment to the show and others who were yet to put pen to paper reportedly positive about pushing the show back until vaccination numbers deliver a much more stable travel, event and business environment.

With pent up demand for business equipment running strong across all manufacturing sectors, a suite of government

stimulus measures like the instant asset write-off and continuing low interest rates, the new EOFY dates may also prove a bonus to those looking to take advantage of special show deals, allowing them to structure their expo investments to maximise their tax position.

In this issue, we take a brief look at the 60-plus exhibitors who will take to the floor next year to showcase everything from software and MIS to cut-sheet and wideformat devices, finishing and embellishment, sign and display systems, textile printing, labels and packaging, as we look forward to a delayed – but excitingly diverse – show in 2022.

Tailored for the times

“PacPrint and its co-located shows will still be among the very first opportunities anywhere in the world for industry businesses to see the latest innovations in person – and demonstrated live – and to connect with the experts who can help them plan and build their future success,” says Peter Harper, CEO of Visual Connections, which organises the show and co-hosts it with the Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA).

“The showcase at the MCEC next June will give business owners and key decision makers the chance to get a better handle on the trends and developments over the past couple of years, and gather the information they need to make important business and investment decisions,” he explains, adding that a number of ‘world firsts’ are expected at the show, thanks to the dearth of trade shows

Displays featuring Shann’s ReTac 150 Smooth as used by ICatchers at this library in Queensland will be on display.

34 ProPrint August 2021

PacPrint and the co-located Visual Impact and Label and Packaging Expo are set to offer print business owners solutions aplenty from June 28 to July 1 next year.

internationally over the past two years.

“There’s no question the landscape has changed dramatically over the past couple of years and PacPrint will be a great opportunity to be among the first to see just how that’s translated into new technologies and services – and how those innovations can help businesses capitalise on new opportunities.”

What we know about the 60 exhibitors confirmed to attend

At the time of going to press, over 60 companies had already signed on to exhibit at PacPrint, with more expected to join them on on the list over the coming months. As well as some of the industry’s biggest names, this includes a host of smaller and niche exhibitors who always add such interest and variety to the show.

“The exhibitor list and floor plan is still evolving and, of course, we’re expecting some changes and additions over the coming months, as exhibitors recalibrate their plans according to revised equipment availability, new product release dates and expanded shipping opportunities,” Harper said.

Even just looking at the top tier of exhibitors, the diversity is clear, aided further by the co-location of the Visual Impact Expo, which will bring in more of the signage, display, wide-format, textile printing, routing, engraving and laser-cutting technologies, and the Label & Packaging Expo which – obviously – is set to expand the range of label printing, converting and packaging options which will be on show at the MCEC. Taking a walk through the show as it was at the date of publication, visitors will be able to visit PHE, Wilenco, Sign to Badge Solutions and Eventec, who will be located just to the left of the main entrance, close to the Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA) and FESPA Australia.

A row across, Shann plans to showcase its Drytac range of ReTac wall graphics with smooth, canvas, linen, woodgrain and sand www.sprinter.com.au

COVER STORY

finishes, window films including Viziprint Deco SR scratch-resistant optically clear and illuminate for front- or back-lit shop front displays, writeable films including Retac Chalkmate and ‘wipe-erase’ options, floor graphics and ‘spot on dot’ adhesive films, as well as a range of textiles.

In the same aisle, visitors will find names like Allkotes, Aeronaut Automation, BPG Australia and Soltect.

Also in this section, Quote and Print is promising ‘something for everyone’ with a focus on the new Cloud Print ERP software, and the launch of new modules developed specifically for Label & Carton Packaging Print joining its existing ERP modules for sheet-fed, digital and digital wide-format print in the company’s expansive range.

In Row C, Roland DG has earmarked their stand, which is set to feature a variety of applications, from wide-format digital to textile printing, laser engraving, labels and packaging, with the company hinting at some Australian premieres.

Already confirmed is the IU-1000F UV-LED flatbed printer, the flexible VersaUV LEC2-330 and LEC2-640 print-and-cut solutions, compact LV laser engraving machines and the cost-effective VersaSTUDIO BT-12 desktop direct-togarment printer.

Mutoh Australia will be close by, with a diverse display of award-winning eco-solvent and roll-to-roll, rigid and direct-to-object UV printers from its highly-rated XpertJet and ValueJet ranges, and the VC2-1300 vinyl cutter.

The display will provide solutions for everything from personalised products and promotional items to soft signage and banners, corflute and composite panel products, package prototyping and more.

Other big names, like Mimaki, Velflex, Sublimation Systems, Trimatt and SAled, as well as business intelligence and consulting company Ascent Partners, will also feature in this area of the expo. www.sprinter.com.au

For those more focused on sign, display and wide-format print, there’s no stand that packs more of a visual punch than Euro Poles, which is inked-in for the front of Row D with an exciting showcase of its digitally printed textile products and display systems.

New additions to the Vario range, including a sanitiser dispenser, and the impressive connectable Quickframe Lightboxes are among expected highlights.

They’ll be neighbours to Graph-Pak, Multicam and Elizabeth Machines, with Minipack International and PrintIQ among others further up the aisle.

Front and centre, with the largest stand by a country mile, will be Currie Group. The company had not released detailed plans by the time this issue went to press, but promises their display will include the very latest technology solutions and applications from around the globe with live demonstrations in commercial printing, finishing, labels & packaging, wide format and 3D printing.

HP has reserved the stand next door to display a suite of innovations including the versatile and durable HP Latex printer range with both flexible and rigid media printing

options for flexible sign and display graphics, decorative applications, and even packaging.

They’re promising to include the newlyreleased HP Latex 700/800 series for highvalue applications, the versatile and sustainable Latex R Series for rigid and flexible media, the latest HP DesignJet Z Series Photo printers, and the HP PageWide XL series for high-volume production of technical prints and posters.

Other big names including Konica Minolta, Xeikon, Hilton Laminating and Screen are also in this area, as is Hexis, which plans to feature solutions for digital printing, signage, visual communication, vehicle wrapping and textile marking, as well as reprising the exciting ‘World Wrap Battle’ competition.

Highlights are expected to include over 15 new colours in the Skintac vehicle wrap series, the latest polymeric THE200EVO time and labour-saving kit, paint production films like Bodyfence PPF, Skyfall and Majestik, new textured laminates from the Hex’perience decoration range and the new range of high-stretch, ultra-thin Cutflex Continued on page 36

Mutoh Australia will be demonstrating its range of eco-solvent and roll-to-roll, rigid and direct-to-object UV printers including the highly-rated XpertJet.

The HP Latex R2000 will be running on HP’s stand which will also feature a suite of innovations.

August 2021 ProPrint 35

Back by popular demand: The Hexis ‘World Wrap Battle’ will also be taking place at PacPrint 2022 after enjoying great success at PrintEx19.

Continued from page 35

textile marking films.

Moving further through the show, visitors will find the newly named Fujifilm Business Innovation, sitting with other industry leaders including Starleaton, Pozitive and Colour Graphic Services.

Coming back down row G, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, Kyocera, Esko Graphics and Kodak will join other big names Epson, SmartTech and Spicers.

The Alfex Laser stand will be a highlight of this area, showcasing its popular range of laser systems for cutting, marking and engraving including solutions from Epilog,

Alfex Laser will showcase its popular range of laser systems for cutting, marking and engraving.

KERN and Vision Engraving and Routing.

Alfex is planning to run live demonstrations throughout the four-day event to show how signage, display and wideformat businesses can convert a wide range of materials from acrylic and plastics to wood, metal and more.

Label and packaging businesses will find plenty of interest on stands including Rodden Graphics in row H, who will be neighbours to a host of exhibitors including Acco Brands, Stick On Signs, CMIX / GEXIN, CERRM Ferag, Hybrid Software and GMS. Perennial favourites Böttcher Systems also have a stand booked down this end of the

show, with innovative solutions for carton packaging, HUV-LED printing, flexible packaging and commercial print.

This will include Böttcher’s ECS Easy Cleaning System, the CAMBIUM sleeve for flexo and rotogravure plate mounting and elastomer sleeves and plates for direct laser engraving, converting products, impression and inking rollers, washing and press care products.

PacPrint, Visual Impact and the Label & Packaging Expo will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 28 June – 1 July 2022. More information and registration details can be found at www.pacprint.com.au. PP

Forums Provide Knowledge & Insight Complementing the comprehensive exhibition, the popular PacPrint Forum Series of seminars will return in 2022, with a packed program of daily presentations designed to provide information, insight and inspiration.

While the final program was still being finalised as this issue went to press – and may change slightly as speakers reconfirm for the new dates – highlights will include a small business session from The Real Media Collective’s (TRMC) Charles Watson and The Unforgettable Agency’s Meqa Smith sharing her staff acquisition and

engagement wisdom. Rowena Curlewis from drinks designer Denomination is set to address the demand for sustainability in packaging, Ascent Partners’ Richard Rasmussen will update visitors on industry performance and business planning, while TRMC’s Kellie Northwood will invite visitors to join her for ‘fireside chats’ with some of the industry’s most prominent leaders.

Long-time industry supporter Media Super will present a session on superannuation, The Sales Coach Greg Donlan is set to de-mystify the sales process and show business owners how

the process can be a reliable, repeatable element of their business success, and well-known industry identity and head of Man Anchor, Steven Gamble, will present a must-see session on mental health.

Panel sessions are also planned on the impact of changes to the National Construction Code on signage, business recovery from challenges and disasters, top tips for business success and the latest trends in labels and packaging.

To stay up to date with the latest on the PacPrint Forum Series, go to www. pacprint.com.au

Glittering National Print Awards Celebration Planned As the Printing Industry Creativity Awards kick off during August and September, planning is underway for the 38th National Print Awards which will be celebrated later in the year.

The gala dinner will mark the culmination of this year’s print industry awards, with PICA Gold Medal winners from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia vying for national honours in Australia’s ‘best of the best’ competition.

National Print Awards Gold, Silver and 36 ProPrint August 2021

Bronze awards will be presented, together with the prestigious Judges Awards and special recognition Awards including the Media Super Lifetime Achievement Award, the Media Super Young Executive Award, the Outstanding Women in Print Award, the Cultural Workplace Award and the Environmental Sustainability Award.

The black-tie event will feature popular comedian Dave Thornton as Master of Ceremonies.

Well known for his television, acting and radio gigs, Thornton is recognised as one of

Australia’s funniest. The event will be a much-anticipated chance for the industry to get together after months of lockdowns, travel restrictions and uncertainty, which will make it one of the most welcome and well-attended in the modern era.

Details of the National Print Awards Presentation Dinner will be confirmed shortly. To stay up to date with the latest, or to nominate industry leaders and outstanding businesses for special recognition awards please visit www. printingawards.com.au www.sprinter.com.au

PRESENTED BY

// June 28th – July 1st 2022 NEW DATES! // Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

NEW DATES!

Review.

2022

Rebuild.

DATES // Tuesday 28 June 2022 // Wednesday 29 June 2022

Reconnect.

// Thursday 30 June 2022 // Friday 1st July 2022

2021

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

PLATINUM

www.pacprint.com.au

GOLD

SILVER

Family ties: Tennyson Group is well and truly in the Simpson family with (L-R) Lachlan, Karen, Mitchell, Chloe and Ali taking care of business.

Tennyson Group 60 years on Collaboration, adaptation and innovation are why Brisbane’s family-owned Tennyson Group is still a print powerhouse six decades on.

By Sheree Young

T

he smell of ink and the clacketyclack of the linotype in the garage of Mitchell Simpson’s childhood home in the Brisbane suburb of Tennyson still rings clear today 60 years later.

And yes, whilst much has changed since Mitchell’s father, Ran Simpson, started what is now Tennyson Group in 1961, there is so much that hasn’t.

The old linotypes have been swapped with a comprehensive digital, offset and wide format printing kit. It has also entered the digital realm through the acquisition of a technology business which has enabled it to offer print and digital services to new and existing clients.

But the business which started as a modest ‘mum and dad print shop’ and now employs 40 people is still very much in the family with 38 ProPrint August 2021

Mitchell, a director, and his wife, Karen, the company’s CEO. Mitchell and Karen’s three children are also heavily involved in the day-to-day running.

Eldest daughter, Chloe, is in charge of operations whilst youngest daughter, Ali, is responsible for marketing. Their son, Lachlan, helps run the recently acquired business, Compact Systems Australia, which supplies electronic administrative and clinical solutions to the health, education and other government sectors.

But for all the change and diversification, Tennyson Group’s core pillar of creativity and collaboration remain, and this is the magic formula Mitchell attributes to its ongoing success.

“We started off as a letterpress printer before we moved into offset and then digital. I actually did my trade in linotype and hand-set compositing, so yes you could say everything has changed,” Mitchell told ProPrint.

“But what has remained constant for us is that our clientele generally looks to us to provide a service which offers an alternative to what they, the client, thinks is possible.

“We work with them to provide a total print solution and we give them a range of ideas about different types of stocks to print on and different ways of presenting a product – we offer a creative alternative to standard print jobs.”

Tennyson Group works with clients in the health, retail, manufacturing and government sectors nationally and locally.

It also works with many smaller customers and Mitchell says this is often where the most innovative ideas spring from which in turn helps Tennyson Group move forward.

But no matter the size of the customer, the trademark approach to creative collaboration is applied.

An example of this flexible thinking was a recent job Tennyson Group did for the Queensland Ambulance Service.

At first the job involved reproducing a range of books for Queensland Ambulance Service.

But as consultations continued, the scope of the project evolved into a full redesign with the stock changed from the usual raw paper to a water-proof and tear-proof paper.

“This new style of book was an example of the product alternatives we like to offer,” Mitchell said.

“We were asked to quote on one style of print that has been the same for 30 years, but we ended up redesigning the book to make it more user friendly and a better overall solution for their needs.

“We are not about how we can make something look prettier, we are about how we can make it work better, and that includes looking at the materials used to produce it and the design elements of it.” www.sprinter.com.au

STAR BUSINESS PROFILE

Karen and Mitchell Simpson have ensured Tennyson Group is ready for the next generation.

We are not about how we can make something look prettier, we are about how we can make it work better and that includes looking at the materials used to produce it and the design elements of it.

Mitchell Simpson, Tennyson Group

Working with print managers

Many printers moan when discussing working with print managers. Invariably the conversation ends up being about a ‘race to the bottom on price’ and why this is increasingly making it difficult for printers to survive.

The opposite was found in ProPrint’s discussions with Mitchell.

He says print managers have helped his business thrive – aided by the Queensland Government procuring print through a print management company.

“For us working with print managers has been fantastic,” Mitchell said.

“Not a lot of people feel that way but working with print managers has really helped us grow our business. We collaborate with print managers on projects that they are struggling with.

“We noticed we were offering alternatives which were better than what was being put into the quotation and this is where our innovation and solution finding expertise comes into play.”

Tennyson Group works primarily with two key print managers, but also deals with five smaller print managers. The company also works with regional printers in Queensland and Victoria to assist them meet their customers’ needs.

“Normally the print manager would send out five quotes and the lowest gets the reward, but we have always looked to provide a different solution to that,” Mitchell said.

“We won’t win all the work, but we will win work based on a service rather than based on a price.”

Business diversification

Tennyson Group has long provided printed sign-in books and patient record charts to Queensland Health and the clubs sector. But as technology has rapidly advanced, so has the

Early days: Ran Simpson back in the day. www.sprinter.com.au

shift from using physical sign-in books and patient charts to digital formats.

This shift, which has also been evidenced across the pubs and clubs industries, prompted some strategic thinking from Tennyson Group and resulted in the purchase of a business which specialised in these types of technologies.

The new business, Compact Systems Australia, supplies electronic sign-in systems and also offers Emma, electronic medication management software for the aged care and disability sector.

“We have exposure to hospitals, and they are going from paper charts to digital charts. Some major hospitals have already gone completely digital, so it is impacting us, and it is not going to change,” Mitchell said.

“We could see where it was going so the strategy was to work how we keep these customers.”

Technology upgrades

Digital printing now takes up 30 per cent of Tennyson Group’s workload with offset sitting at 45 per cent, large format at 15 per cent and PVC stationery manufacturing at 10 per cent.

To drive innovations and opportunities, Tennyson Group has now got all sectors of print covered including roll labels using a Konica Minolta AccurioLabel press and wide

Ran Simpson with the old presses.

format with an Océ Arizona and a HP Latex printer.

The company’s digital printing is currently handled by a Kodak Nexpress, Konica C1100 and 1052e with a B2 solution on the cards for “sometime” next year, while a Ryobi five colour handles the offset side of things.

All wide format print is handled by an Océ Arizona press, a HP Latex and a Zünd cutter.

“The Arizona is marvellous and is working really well for us. We worked very closely with Océ to get that going and we have a Zünd cutter so we can do reel-to-reel and flatbed and we also run a HP Latex,” Mitchell said.

Its finishing department is also well taken care of with Horizon equipment in the bindery, however there is also scope to add some embellishing technology to the equation.

Another key change for the business has been the implementation of an Accura MIS system after 25 years of running a Quote and Print system.

“Changing over to the Accura system has been a dramatic change for everyone but we had to look to the future. We were all very used to Quote and Print but still we needed to go to the next step to modernise our workflow and online offering,” he said.

Tennyson Group has come a long way in its 60 years and with all these changes in place it seems well set up to handle another 60. PP

On the move to larger digs at Acacia Ridge.

Tennyson Printery as it was in the 1960s.

August 2021 ProPrint 39

PROMOTION

Epson’s SureColor R5000 delivers unlimited possibilities Epson has launched into the resin print market with two new printers that offer everything that is possible with latex, but without many of the traditional limitations.

E

pson has built on its reputation for image quality and hardware reliability with the release of the SureColor R5000 and SureColor R5000L resin ink printers which are designed to produce durable signage, décor and promotional materials in quick turnarounds.

Both devices can handle a maximum media width of 64” and support production speeds up to 27.3 square metres per hour.

They also utilise Epson’s dual PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads which carry a 4.9 picolitre minimum drop size and are designed to provide durable operation without the need for regular replacement.

It is the combination of the Epson print engine, specialised printheads and Epson’s new water based UltraChrome RS resin inks which allows the devices to produce incredibly high-quality and durable imagery that dries quickly eliminating the time needed for outgassing.

Epson Australia business marketing manager Gordon Kerr says the SC-R5000 and SC-R5000L were designed to address the limitations often found in latex devices with the new UltraChrome RS inks delivering a broad colour gamut to ensure greater repeatability and consistency.

“One key benefit of latex as a technology is

This wall covering sample is an example of what is possible on the Epson SureColor R5000.

40 ProPrint August 2021

The Epson SureColor R5000 utilises UltraChrome RS inks to deliver scratch-resistant prints.

that it gives you fast job turnaround so when the prints come off the printer, they exit dry and you don’t need to wait for outgassing,” Kerr said.

“But one of the main drawbacks of traditional latex is it has a relatively small colour gamut, and the colour is not always very accurate. It has poor gradation so when you blend colours you tend to get stepping.

You can get poor repeatability and consistency in the colour.”

The other issue with traditional latex is the heat required to cure a job can limit the type of materials that can be printed on. For example, plastic films tend to melt and deform in the drying process.

The Epson SureColor R-Series has sought to address these limitations, while also reducing set-up and running costs. They ship complete with RIP software and ink valued at between $2,800 and $3,000. The printers are designed to be largely self-maintaining with minimum labour, and printheads are fully covered under warranty as well as Epson’s CoverPlus program that can be extended out to five years.

“As with any Epson printer, we have built our name on colour and print accuracy. We have also built our name on durability and reliability. If we don’t have those things, the factory won’t let the machine out the door,” Kerr said.

“So, what these machines bring is a high precision engine, which has been proven over many years with our highly successful S-Series, incorporated with our very latest PrecisionCore printheads and the all-new UltraChrome RS resin ink.”

In addition to speeding up the production process resin ink also provides the opportunity for a cleaner environment from an OH&S perspective.

“Traditional signage printers need to outgas before it is possible to work with the product or give it to customers and during that time there is an odour, so the benefits are that you can print and hand the print to the customer quickly as they come out dry.

There is no waiting and no OH&S issues as it is generally cleaner,” Kerr added.

Then there is the quality and durability of the prints.

“The printhead and the print engine work together to enable high precision imaging which is accurate and consistent in the quality and the sizing – print after print after print. The UltraChrome RS ink enables a broad colour gamut and makes it possible to produce images with higher colour density but less ink consumption,” Kerr said.

“So, you get better images with less ink and also it cures at a lower temperature so with Epson resin ink we can use it on a much wider range of media types.”

Remote servicing is also another feature of Epson products with the new Epson Cloud Solution PORT real-time monitoring tool, which can be used by both operators and Epson engineers to actively monitor the machines.

“This way if they see something wrong and if the machine has bigger problems, they can interrogate the machine to find out what is wrong and why, so they can send an engineer out who knows exactly what the problem is,” Kerr said.

“The traditional situation with a breakdown is someone has to go out and find out what is wrong with it first, but we skip that step as it is all about having the machine operating at its maximum capacity.”

For more information about the new SureColor R5000 range, please visit www. epson.com.au/resin. www.sprinter.com.au

Break through the latex barrier

HIGH - PERFORMANCE RESIN SIGNAGE PRINTERS The new Epson R-series offers all the benefits of latex without the limitations. Enjoy rapid job turnaround of durable prints on more media with less odour, less maintenance, more colour and the superior accuracy of resin ink and PrecisionCore head technology.

• Wider colour gamut • Better prints with more consistent output • Less maintenance, less waste and less hassle • Superior durability without constant head replacement • All backed with comprehensive service extendable up to 5 years

Learn more visit: www.epson.com.au/resin

FOCUS WIDE FORMAT & SIGNAGE

Signs of the times In today’s world where the printed document occupies a more limited bandwidth, the industry is pivoting from printing on paper to new opportunities which involve adorning infrastructure.

By Peter Kohn

L

ook around and you will see built spaces populated by signage that conveys information. You will also see surfaces that have been enhanced by technologically dazzling wide-format and grand-format printers.

Beyond the cloud cover of COVID, the horizons for printers look sunny. You just need to know where to look. To help with this, ProPrint spoke to key vendors to learn more.

Print technology

Currie Group and EFI

“Do your homework” when choosing your optimal wide-format hardware setup is the key piece of advice from Currie Group business unit manager for sign and display, Paul Whitehead.

“The wide-format application gamut is

broad as well as the technology capable of producing them. Depending on volumes, turnaround times, substrates, longevity of print, indoor or outdoor installation, all these and more will impact your decision making,” Whitehead said.

But where should printers be looking in a sector that has become so attractive that it too is becoming highly competitive?

“Start with your existing customer base,” counsels Whitehead. “There’s a good chance they already have a wide-format printing requirement, and you already have an established relationship.”

Whitehead sees soft signage continuing to grow and offer advantages when it comes to a premium-looking product that can be easily folded, shipped and installed.

“Equipment is a key element but having the right partner or partners when it comes to choosing the right technology, as well as providing technical advice and support, is critical,” he emphasises.

“The EFI portfolio that Currie Group supplies and supports is broad, so depending on your targeted customer base, this will determine the right platform for you.”

Whitehead points to the EFI Pro 30h Hybrid UV LED printer which expands on the extensive EFI portfolio and was recently unveiled at virtual.drupa. The new EFI Pro 30h brings 3.2m hybrid printing capability to the broader industry. With its ability to print on flexible (including digital textile), as well as rigid materials, it enables the production of the majority of wide-format application requests from end-customers.

At 3.2m, EFI says the Pro 30h is ideal for commercial print shops, sign shops and in-plant print departments looking to start,

EFI’s Pro 30h offers the ability to print on both rigid and flexible materials.

42 ProPrint August 2021

upgrade or add board and roll-to-roll print jobs to their wide-format capabilities. It comes standard with two channels of white and optional clear ink for unique, high-value prints with high gloss images, special effects and multilayer printing.

EFI says that one of the Pro 30h’s key differentiators is its continuous board printing capability, a standard feature that allows users to maximise the printer’s full production speeds with large boards or multiple small boards simultaneously.

The Pro 30h features dual-roll printing for even more throughput and is designed to make alternating between rigid and flexible substrates fast and easy.

With speeds of up to 230 square metres per hour, customers will be able to take on more jobs and meet customer demand, adds EFI. It can print on flat media up to 5cm thick and features an EFI Fiery proServer Core digital front-end with FAST (Fiery Accelerated System Technology) RIP acceleration technology for quick file processing.

Durst Oceania

Asked for his most important tip to printers looking to enter or expand within the wideformat sector, Matt Ashman, managing

Epson has now entered the UV flatbed realm with the SureColor V7000. www.sprinter.com.au

thick and 50 kg/m2. It also features integrated layout pins and a head carriage height sensor which enables easy media setting while an ioniser ensures reliable and consistent output. The printheads are mounted in a staggered array which means up to three layers can be applied in a single pass (White + Colour + Varnish) for fast and efficient production.

Fulcher says the SureColor V7000 is costeffective to install and efficient to run. It is supplied with Epson Edge Print RIP software and Flatbed Controller software. It can be managed from the desktop using Epson Edge Dashboard and supports Epson’s new Cloud Solution PORT service. Installation is included in the purchase price and it ships with on-site CoverPlus that can be extended to five years complete with periodic maintenance at no additional cost.

Printing is increasingly becoming a solution in the home décor space. This custom cabinetry job was completed on the new Epson SureColor V7000 UV flatbed.

director of Durst Oceania, says, “The best advice is to invest in equipment that can be multi-use, a device that can do wider-format sheet, small-format sheet, roll and fabric.

Choose a technology with built-in security, in terms of build and also of vendor reliability, and don’t unnecessarily limit your options.”

On the increasing competitiveness in Australian wide-format, Ashman is philosophical.

“A crowded room is a room full of opportunity. Look at what the market needs – and offer that with a difference or an enhancement,” he said.

“The big growth is in customised short-run packaging on corrugated card or fluted paper.

“There are more and more artisan businesses that need customised, niche, almost micro-run length packaging – high value, low volume.”

When investing in the best print hardware, Ashman says the emphasis should be on hybrid equipment as it can meet the market’s changing demands and insistence on quality while still pushing out high volumes. The Durst P5 350 wide-format printer, which is a hybrid solution for roll and board printing up to 3.5 metres, meets all these requirements, Ashman says.

He adds that the high-speed (HS) version, can print 650 square metres per hour and features fast media change, easy maintenance and handling and a full safety render.

“The Durst P5 350 and 350 HS are the first really versatile true hybrid printers ever manufactured,” states Ashman. “With classdefining quality on both flat sheet and roll media, and options for automation and unattended printing, these devices are the true versatile workhorse every business should be seeking.”

of the company’s core strengths in imaging – the PrecisionCore micro Piezo printhead, advanced ink formulation and precision manufacturing.

“It is an advanced print system with a large 1.25m x 2.5m bed with multi-zone vacuum that uses 10 UV inks to produce durable images on a wide range of substrates with superior colour and print quality,” Fulcher explains.

“The SureColor V7000 will print on many types of media including paper, film, board, corflute, vinyl, canvas, aluminium, timber and acrylic. It suits applications including signage, POS/POP, packaging, décor, custom cabinetry and fine art.”

The model incorporates eight Epson PrecisionCore printheads, each featuring 1,440 microfine nozzles with variable dots as small as four picolitres. Working in conjunction with a new 10 colour UltraChrome UV ink set, the V7000 can produce images with a very wide gamut and fine gradation. White and Varnish can also be applied as spot colours for enhanced detail.

The SC-V7000 supports media up to 80mm

Fujifilm Business Innovation

Outdoor and indoor signage has grown significantly in the past 18 months due to the retail sector requiring safety signage to communicate social distancing and venue admittance directives, says Matt Ritson, solutions marketing manager at Fujifilm Business Innovation.

“Retailers are also looking to create new applications to promote special offers or increase brand awareness, so signage can serve as a marketing tool as opposed to just being considered a regulatory or generic way of communicating,” Ritson said.

“Printers should look to evolve into providing other applications by expanding their business and production capabilities with something different. Like any other product or service, if there is oversaturation of vendors providing the same solutions, the conversation will usually revolve around price. When commercial printers decide to expand their offering to include applications and solutions that are niche or bespoke, alongside their regular print production, the conversation quickly moves toward what’s possible, rather than a purely price-driven decision.”

Continued on page 44

Epson

Epson entered the UV flatbed realm last year with the release of the SureColor V7000 which marketing communications manager Nathan Fulcher says represents a culmination www.sprinter.com.au

The Durst P5 350 offers hybrid functionality to help printers meet increasing demands for flexibility, speed and quality.

August 2021 ProPrint 43

Acuity Prime from Fujifilm Business Innovation.

Continued from page 43

Applications that are innovative or customised and produced on a variety of substrates like corflute, foam core, aluminium, canvas, polycarbonate and even glass are creating new opportunities.

“Printers are also connecting with interior designers and decorators to offer solutions for their customers’ workplace or meeting rooms,” Ritson said.

“The ability to print direct to wallpaper for board rooms is becoming sought after, as are branded floor skins for elevators and foyers, or even printing directly to glass for front entry or meeting rooms.”

With an industry-leading range of highperformance flatbed and roll-to-roll superwide-format inkjet printing systems, combined with high-performance inks manufactured in Fujifilm’s award-winning UK factory, Ritson says the company leads the way in innovative wide-format print solutions.

The Vybrant UF-10 flatbed can be used to print on a variety of rigid and flexible media up to 51mm thick. In addition, the highly efficient dedicated four zone vacuum system ensures the media is held firmly in position to maximise quality when printing on a variety of media.

The Acuity Prime 20 and 30 Series flatbed printer can be configured with either four, five, six or seven colour channels. The channels are populated with ink sets that best suit your application needs, including CMYK, white, clear and a jettable primer for excellent adhesion to more industrial media types up to 51mm thick, including aluminum, glass and even ceramic tiles.

“With the development of this machine, Fujifilm also took a strong environmental position,” Ritson notes.

He adds the Acuity Ultra R2 is a highquality, high-productivity superwide platform, available in UV and LED configurations and in 3.2 or five metre widths.

The Ultra R2 has the option of CMYK Lc Lm + WW specialist inks to support the printing of near-photographic interior graphics and high-speed printing for banners and PVC signage.

Fujifilm Uvijet Inks offer Greenguard certification and are AgBB certified. They are also free from ozone-depleting chemicals, aromatic hydrocarbons and harmful volatile solvents.

Mimaki Australia

Brad Creighton, national marketing manager of Mimaki Australia, says wide-format and 44 ProPrint August 2021

Acuity Ultra R2 takes the Acuity Ultra to a new level and comes in 3.2m or 5m widths.

signage-related markets are the most obvious expansion opportunities in the COVID era.

But how do you implement and move forward?

“It is always best to see how this technology could improve your existing print business before looking at new markets,” Creighton suggests, adding printers should consider what their business may be lacking as well as examining inefficiencies.

“Have you taken the time to interview your staff to solicit input about bottlenecks and areas that need change, as well as their ideas for fixing them? More than likely, this feedback may align to improvements to the original business that wide-format solutions could assist, without the immediate need to chase new markets.”

He adds process automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) are widely recognised as powerful tools that manufacturers can leverage to boost efficiency in production and increase revenue.

“This IoT-based R&D strategy has brought Mimaki to develop advanced printing systems able to communicate with robots, as well as with a wide range of hardware, including belt conveyors, inspection devices and cutting machines,” Creighton says.

“The objective is to make it possible for print service providers to incorporate inkjet printers in fully connected industry production lines, ultimately enabling unattended on-demand production and mass customisation.”

Creighton says Mimaki printers can deliver various solutions and although some are not new, they may be new for many printers.

“We have three market categories: sign graphics, industrial printing, and textiles and apparel. With these we can create a vast array of printing application solutions, such as glass plates and bottles, plastic products, stationery, and various fabric solutions, including cotton, polyester, silk and more.”

Substrates

New robotic technology from Mimaki has taken automation in the print room to a new level.

Embracing the Internet of Things and technology is crucial for printing operations.

Ball & Doggett

Aligning to market trends is integral for any print business regardless of whether they are well established or just starting out, Ball & Doggett general manager display and visual Leigh Hooper says. “As a key supplier to the signage market, this is where Ball & Doggett can add real value and share our experiences,” he says.

“Environmentally sustainable signage applications are at the forefront of almost every corporate company and organisation across Australia. We have researched and developed a range of media and substrates that fit these requirements.”

Hooper says increasing competition means it is vital to identify a nice offering for your targeted audience.

This includes interior décor incorporating wall paper, fabric and textile, as well as photography and fine art prints on canvas.

Another area of potential is the exhibition and events sector, which is expected to return to full swing towards the end of 2021 with environmentally sustainable substrates expected to dominate.

Hooper expects the supply of wide-format media and substrates will be challenged for the rest of this year and into early 2022 due to COVID-19. Raw material allocation, production closures and restrictions, freight capacities and port congestion are all leading to extended lead-times.

These factors are also significantly impacting the cost of goods and, in some cases, are causing products to no longer be viable for the Australian market.

Hooper says Ball & Doggett is fortunate to have established supply agreements with local manufacturers which ensures sufficient supply and access to substrates including Onyx PP Flute, Corrugated Claycote and Whitelined Flute, D Board Plus and Envirocore Board.

www.sprinter.com.au

WIDE FORMAT & SIGNAGE FOCUS greater flexibility to create unique bespoke decoration displays and home décor. This is one huge potential growth sector with good margin – and possibly this sector in decoration will be the major growth area for digital prints.”

Hexis has been in full production during COVID with Pure Zone and other health products being produced for French and European markets.

“This has enabled us in Australia to maintain stock levels over the past year, even with increased growth,” Parsonson says.

Cutting and finishing

HVG Graphics and Gerber

Australian-made Envirocore Board is among the locally made products sourced by Ball & Doggett.

“Envirocore Board is our latest exciting addition. It’s an Australian made and fully recyclable rigid substrate, manufactured from reusable, renewable and 100% recyclable paper. It’s incredibly stable and robust due to its hexagonal core and thick outer facing surfaces,” Hooper said.

Envirocore Board is available in both 10mm and 20mm thicknesses, with either a white or kraft print surface and is suitable for applications such as displays, hanging signage, exhibitions and furniture builds.

Hexis Australia

COVID-19 has hit many global industries and Hexis Australia managing director Ian Parsonson says increasing spend with existing customers is the way to grow business back.

“It’s the old ‘do-you-want-fries-with-that’ approach,” Parsonson says.

To this end, Hexis Australia supplies unique products including anti-microbial film, Hexis Pure Zone, and floor graphics for protection, distancing and directional signage for regulation compliance.

Parsonson says Pure Zone, a Hexispatented technology, is certified in line with the ISO 21702 standard to eliminate 97% of the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19, 99.8% of the viral load on HCov-229E, and a 99.9% bacterial reduction on the most common strains.

“One sector not deeply touched would definitely be in the area of decoration for shop fit-outs, and even for various aesthetic purposes in home settings,” Parsonson says.

He adds Hexis is the first self-adhesive films supplier to provide a free library of infinitely adaptable large-format textures.

“With new patterns regularly added to our HEX’PERIENCE decoration range, we’ve got design and fit-out professionals covered, whether it’s a Mexican vibe they’re after, a minimalistic feel or even an industrial, modernised brick design – the options are almost endless,” Parsonson says.

“HEX’PERIENCE textured laminates open a whole new way to lower cost, yet with www.sprinter.com.au

HVG business manager Adrian Morris says the Gerber MCT Cutter, which comes in widths of 1.6m, 2.2m and 3.2m and various lengths, is the most versatile digital cutting table on the market. “Whilst most other digital cutting tables force you to make a compromise on finishing capabilities somewhere, the Gerber MCT Cutter tackles it all with ease, thanks to its innovative design and tooling options available,” Morris said.

“You can also choose a quality tooling selection which delivers accurate knife cutting, creasing, v-cutting, oscillating and more, all at incredible speeds.”

Morris says the cutter harnesses the power of a heavy-duty 5kw router with waste extraction system, auto bit changer and inbuilt chiller which allows it to cut through thick substrates day in day out.

Another feature is an optional CO2 laser tool head combined with a patented multilayer conveyor belt system which transports printed rolls through the cutting process.

“Laser cutting of printed fabric is fast, clean and incredibly efficient compared to driven wheel cutting. Apart from the customisable tooling selection, there are many other advancements,” Morris said.

These include a dynamic vacuum zone system with up to six zones on the 1.6m table and 12 zones on the 3.2m table; a dependable, accurate vision camera registration system, complete with vision-guided software and an automated, upgradable workflow.

Kongsberg PCS

Esko recently sold Kongsberg to US private equity firm OpenGate Capital with the business, which has a R&D facility in Norway and a production site in the Czech Republic, now known as Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (PCS).

Kongsberg PCS president Stuart Fox says the global wide-format, sign and display markets are continuing to grow with manufacturers and converters under increasing pressure to produce faster, safer, and more efficiently without imaginationlimiting restrictions.

“That’s why Kongsberg has underlined its commitment to fusing technology and creativity to deliver the most robust and reliable digital cutting solutions,” Fox said.

Fox says the company’s VariAngle tool enables cutting at any angle from zero-to-60 degrees at high speeds, delivering total freedom in the design of 3D creative displays.

“It also completely removes the need to stop production when changing tools, drastically reducing setup times and increasing cutting speeds,” Fox adds.

“Fitting the VariAngle tool makes existing Kongsberg C and XP tables completely selfsufficient and capable of delivering almost any creative design.”

Fox says the VariAngle tool is a breakthrough innovation for the industry.

“For the first time, converters can make 60-degree V-notch cuts, enabling the making of triangular pillars, something which has been impossible until now as no machine on the market can cut at an angle greater than 45 degrees. It can also cut angled curves dependent on radius size,” Fox said.

The company has also released a compact C20 model which at 1.6m x 1.4m is the smallest high-speed production table on the market.

“The high cost of owning or renting space is a serious problem for many in the sign and display market. With the new Kongsberg C20, there is no longer any need for those businesses to compromise on production and quality due to a lack of space,” Fox said.

Continued on page 46

Kongsberg PCS’s VariAngle tool can cut straight lines at any angle in half degree increments.

August 2021 ProPrint 45

FOCUS WIDE FORMAT & SIGNAGE Continued from page 45

Starleaton

This family-owned supplier of printing hardware and consumables is also the Australian distributor of what is often referred to as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of digital cutters – the Swiss-built Zünd range.

It includes semi and fully automated options which are designed to increase automation and efficiencies.

New robotic features and automation additions which use metadata from ERP and MIS systems to smooth out print and cut workflows were unveiled at virtual.drupa.

The metadata automation is based on Caldera’s Prime Center prepress automation software, which was developed last year in cooperation with Zünd.

The Zünd range is also built tough to cut through any substrate, with the exception of glass and solid steel. It can also be fitted with different blades as required for specific work.

Modular tooling offers flexibility and means the set-up can be changed, expanded and upgraded at any time. This means customers can start with a smaller investment and add extra tooling or other features as demand grows.

Starleaton CEO Ben Eaton says automation is crucial for increasing productivity.

“The Zünd range brings next level automation so manpower can be redirected to other parts of the business. The value of this cannot be underestimated,” Eaton said.

Starleaton recently installed two Zünd D3 2XL-3200 systems at Billboard Media, one of Australia’s biggest large format specialists.

Starleaton also stocks print options including the Epson V7000 flatbed.

Starleaton was recently appointed the Australian reseller for the Canon Colorado 1630 and 1650 large format printers. The Colorado series prints onto roll lengths of up to 1625mm utilising Canon’s UVgel technology. The print is scratch-resistant, odourless and requires no drying time. The

Zund D3 with double beam and board handling automation (BHS150) provides increased productivity.

Starleaton was recently appointed the Australian reseller for the Canon Colorado 1630 & 1650 wide format printers.

Colorado produces rich, colourful, razorsharp images and delivers unprecedented levels of automation including media loading and daily maintenance. The Colorados can print gloss and matte from the same machine (using the same ink) allowing printers to produce a broader range of products for a wider range of customers.

Starleaton also stocks the Neschen range of

laminating systems which increase automation and efficiencies.

“The Neschen lamination systems are fast, and they guarantee reliability. This is very important for printers because if you have a failure at the lamination point, this means re-printing is required so it is very important to have reliable equipment in use at the end of the production process,” Eaton said. PP

Printed signage holds firm against the challenge from digital signage Electronic digital signage in markets traditionally held by print is a constant talking point. But just what impact are digital displays making and how are printers responding to the challenge?

“We still see static signs as the backbone of outdoor and interior signage,” Mimaki Australia’s Brad Creighton says, adding static displays serve two key functions – to inform and decorate.

Creighton says static signage’s advantage is the consistency and elegance it brings to traditional OOH products including exterior and interior building signage, branding, illuminated signs, vehicle wraps, billboards, banners, street furniture, welcome signs, canvas prints, decorative stands, vinyl lettering and stickers.

“Digital signage has its place and there will be consistent growth but to counter that we are consistently growing our textile markets and industrial print where digital will not impact,” 46 ProPrint August 2021

Creighton said.

“Textile printing on fabrics, cotton, silk and polyester with various ink solutions for fashion, sport apparel or display markets is growing. Then there’s industrial printing where branding promotional items or printing onto metal and glass and so on at various thicknesses, achieves application solutions outside the digital display market.”

Matt Ritson of Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia says printed indoor and outdoor signage, particularly in the commercial retail space, is holding strong.

“Digital signage has seen an uplift in recent years, however customised print signage and display excels in areas where digital signage is impractical or has low impact. Vehicle wraps, transport hubs, construction safety signage, customised packaging and short-run special events signage have all achieved double-digit growth over the past five years,” Ritson said.

Durst Oceania’s Matt Ashman urges printers not to become negative about perceived inroads made by electronic digital signage.

“It has already been proven by industry heavyweights such as Brendon Cook, the former CEO at oOh!media, that digital signage is here but will never replace all signage.

“In fact, Cook has stated on many occasions that the growth of digital signage is actually forcing the static ‘traditional’ signage to be refreshed more often to keep up.”

Currie Group’s Paul Whitehead is particularly interested in print opportunities that counter the challenge of electronic signage, such as retail pop-ups and in-store events.

“Accessibility to more printed applications and the importance of creating an experience for in-store visitors will drive more volume in this segment,” he predicts. www.sprinter.com.au

For enquiries, please contact: Carmen Ciappara, National Sales Manager Direct: 02 9833 4314 or 0410 582 450 | Email: carmen@proprint.com.au

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August 2021 ProPrint 47

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SERIESDIE DIECUTTER CUTTER SERIES SERIES DIE CUTTER SERIES DIE See us at PacPrint in 2022 CUTTER TheInsignia Insigniaisisaasheet-fed, sheet-fed,rotary, rotary, The The Insignia is a sheet-fed, rotary, flexo magnetic die cutter designed The magnetic Insignia isdie a sheet-fed, rotary, flexo cutter designed flexo magnetic die cutter designed SHEETFED CONVERTING for production-driven operation at flexo magnetic die cutter designed forDie-Cut, production-driven operation at Kiss-Cut, Strip and Deliver at for production-driven operation an affordable price point. production-driven operation at anforaffordable price point. an affordable price point. an affordable price point.

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A TRUE GUIDE & GRIP REGISTER A TRUE GUIDE & GRIPSHEET-TO-SHEET REGISTER SYSTEM ENSURE SYSTEM ENSURE SHEET-TO-SHEET AACCURACY. TRUE GUIDE GRIPGUIDE REGISTER SIDE&PULL IS ACCURACY. PULL GUIDE IS SYSTEM ENSURE OF PULLING EITHER ACAPABLE TRUE SIDE GUIDE & SHEET-TO-SHEET GRIP REGISTER CAPABLE OF ENSURE PULLING EITHER ACCURACY. SIDETOPULL GUIDE IS LEFT OR RIGHT MATCH PRESS SYSTEM SHEET-TO-SHEET LEFTCAPABLE OR RIGHT TO MATCH PRESS IS PULLING REGISTEROFEDGES. ACCURACY. SIDE PULL EITHER GUIDE REGISTER LEFT OREDGES. RIGHT TO MATCH PRESS CAPABLE OF PULLING EITHER REGISTER EDGES.TO MATCH PRESS LEFT OR RIGHT REGISTER EDGES. A TOP SUCTION AIR FEEDER A TOP SUCTION AIR IS POWERED VIAFEEDER A BUILT IS POWERED VIA A BUILT AINTOP SUCTION AIRINFEEDER BLOWER PUMP THE IN BLOWER PUMP INAIR IS POWERED ATHE BUILT ANVIA OPERATOR CAN AMACHINE. TOP SUCTION FEEDER MACHINE. AN OPERATOR CAN IN BLOWER PUMP THE INDEPENDENTLY IS POWERED VIA ADJUST AINBUILT INDEPENDENTLY ADJUST MACHINE. ANPUMP OPERATOR VOLUMES BOTH & IN BLOWEROF INBLOW THECAN VOLUMES OF BOTH BLOW & CAN INDEPENDENTLY ADJUST SUCTION TOANADJUST FOR THE MACHINE. OPERATOR SUCTION TORANGE ADJUST FOR THE & VOLUMES OF BOTH BLOW WIDEST OFADJUST MATERIALS INDEPENDENTLY WIDEST RANGE OF MATERIALS SUCTION ADJUST FOR THE POSSIBLE.TOOF INDEPENDENT VOLUMES BOTH BLOW & POSSIBLE. WIDEST RANGE OF SUCKERINDEPENDENT HEADS CANMATERIALS BE SUCTION TO ADJUST FOR THE SUCKER HEADS CAN POSSIBLE. INDEPENDENT ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE. WIDEST RANGE OFBEMATERIALS ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE.BE SUCKER CAN POSSIBLE.HEADS INDEPENDENT ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE. SUCKER HEADS CAN BE ADJUSTED TO SHEET SIZE. A RECESSED SCRIBE LINE ON A RECESSED SCRIBE LINE ON SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES AALLOW RECESSED SCRIBE LINE ON FOR FAST, CONSISTENT ALLOW FOR FAST, CONSISTENT SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES MOUNTING & ENSURES ADIERECESSED SCRIBE LINE ONDIE DIE ALLOW MOUNTING &FAST, ENSURES DIE & FOR CONSISTENT TOOLS ARE HUNG PARALLEL SINGLE MAGNETIC MACHINES TOOLS ARE HUNG PARALLEL & DIE DIE MOUNTING & ENSURES CENTERED. ALLOW FOR FAST, CONSISTENT CENTERED. TOOLS ARE HUNG PARALLEL & DIE MOUNTING & ENSURES DIE

INSIGNIAS W/ RECEDING STACKER INSIGNIAS W/ RECEDING STACKER INSIGNIAS W/ RECEDING STACKER

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A PIN MOUNT machines SYSTEM ON DUAL This labour saving machine can withstand materials of density and tremendous forces, theA PIN Insignia MOUNT SYSTEM ON ENSURE DUAL MAGNETIC MACHINES are capable of applying up to 1,360kg of downward force directly to the cutting station to MAGNETIC ensureMACHINES the flexible ENSURE ATHEPINALIGNMENT MOUNT SYSTEM DUAL OF THEONPAIRED dies can cut through whatever it is being asked to do.

THE ALIGNMENT OF THE PAIRED CENTERED.

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See us at on stand D08 Scan to watch the Insignia6

ENSURE MATING. ADJUSTMENT CAPABILITIES TO ENSURE MATING. HYDRAULIC PRESSURE HYDRAULIC PRESSURE ASSEMBLIES ARE ADJUSTED EASILY ASSEMBLIES AREPRESSURE ADJUSTED EASILY HYDRAULIC VIA THE BLACK WHEEL. INFINITELY VIA ASSEMBLIES THE BLACK WHEEL. INFINITELY ARETOADJUSTED ADJUSTABLEPRESSURE UP 3,000 PSIEASILY OF HYDRAULIC ADJUSTABLE UP TO 3,000 OFEASILY VIA THE BLACK INFINITELY CUTTING PRESSURE IS PSI AVAILABLE. ASSEMBLIES AREWHEEL. ADJUSTED CUTTING PRESSURE ISOPERATOR AVAILABLE. ADJUSTABLE UPWHEEL. TO 3,000 PSITOOF GAUGES ENABLE VIA THE BLACK INFINITELY GAUGES ENABLE OPERATOR TOPSI OF CUTTING PRESSURE IS AVAILABLE. DETERMINE MINIMUM PRESSURES ADJUSTABLE UP TO 3,000 MINIMUM PRESSURES Available in DETERMINE single and GAUGES ENABLE OPERATOR TO TO EXTEND DIEdual LIFE. CUTTING PRESSURE IS AVAILABLE. TO EXTEND DIE LIFE. magnetic cylinder drums also all in TO DETERMINE MINIMUM PRESSURES GAUGES ENABLE OPERATOR

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