ProPrint February 2023 by The Intermedia Group

2022 ProPrint Awards

Pressroom technology Offset, digital, inkjet -

Kohn explores the products on offer Top stories of 2022 A review of the best industry news stories of the year Cyber installs Aussie first RMGT 970 at People Technology Business www.sprinter.com.au February 2023

Photo gallery of attendees and winners at the night of nights

Peter

Please pass on our thanks to the team for the quality and service for both prints this week. Arrived on time and in good shape which is a pleasant change from some of the jobs we have received from other places.

Kevin

Thank you for having this order completed so promptly, the print quality is faultless and the blind shipping is very much appreciated

Donna

Great job on the books - client is stoked! Thanks again for suggesting the extra laminate -it really made a huge difference! Appreciate it!

James

I just wanted to say thank you for rushing those 2 banners through for me, I really appreciate how quickly you made that happen, pretty amazing service.

Kelly

The postcards were delivered to them this morning and the client is impressed bordering on disbelief. Not sure exactly how you and the team did it all so fast but thank you.

Tom

Loving the magnetic boxes the velvet cards come in, a great way to present the card to the client.

Sarah

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

AUSTRALIA’S BEST TRADE PRINTER

o Queen ^

Colleen Bate

2023 – fresh start, new opportunities

Welcome to the inaugural issue of ProPrint for 2023. Each new year heralds a fresh start, but this one feels particularly restorative as we embrace freedom and movement without the restriction and fear many had become accustomed to since 2020.

The pandemic certainly highlighted the importance of connection, and while most of us made do with video chats and virtual meetups during those trying times, they shrunk in comparison to face-to-face encounters we had previously taken for granted.

ProPrint was fortunate to hold its annual awards live in 2021 as restrictions were beginning to ease, and the solid turnout back then proved that it was the right thing to do. Last year, the event again gained momentum at the Shangri-La hotel, and judging by the images of people present, the joy and delight at being there was infectious.

As always, the team at ProPrint did a sterling job of the Awards, which attributed to previous editor Sheree Young who played a key part in its success over the years, ending her role as editor on a high note last year.

In this issue we feature a bumper section of the awards - a pictorial tour of the night which we hope will provide a resource of wonderful memories for you to reflect on and share. The event again recognised senior print leaders, rising stars, industry suppliers and lifetime achievers through the Power 50, Supplier 50 and Industry Achievement Award categories.

In 2022, we introduced the Printer 50 Award, in recognition of the industry’s outstanding printers, and awarded the Sustainability Prize and Editor’s Choice to Lithocraft and Big Image Australia respectively.

Celebrating industry players is what the ProPrint Awards is all about and the event would not be possible without our generous sponsors, for which we are infinitely grateful.

Also in this issue is Peter’s Kohn’s Focus feature on pressroom technology, which highlights some of the offset, digital and inkjet technology currently on offer.

Other regular contributions come from Media Super, which provides advice on long-term

outcomes as global factors impact short-term returns, the PVCA’s Charles Watson, who expands on an amendment in the Federal Government’s Fair Work Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022, relating to the prohibition on ‘pay secrecy’ in employment relationships, and printIQ’s Mick Rowan who looks at what’s needed to create a successful business plan for 2023 and attract new opportunities.

As can be seen, the early months of a new year often set the tone for the year and as I take up the role of editor for this esteemed publication in 2023, I am hoping to set one that is positive, informative and interactive.

I am looking forward to connecting with industry players, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors and my ever-efficient colleagues while I gather news, compile stories and help arrange another star-spangled and set-to-besuccessful ProPrint Awards event.

Here’s to a prosperous 2023 for all.

Editor Colleen Bate 0434 259 059 cbate@intermedia.com.au

National Sales Manager

Carmen Ciappara 0410 582 450 carmen@proprint.com.au

Design and Production Manager Sarah Vella sarahvelladesigns@gmail.com

Managing Director James Wells james@intermedia.com.au

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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.

www.sprinter.com.au 4 ProPrint February 2023 EDITOR’S LETTER

“As always, the team at ProPrint did a sterling job of the 2022 Awards, which attributed to previous editor Sheree Young who played a key part in its success over the years, ending her role as editor on a high note.”

Contents FEBRUARY

6-8 The 12 most read stories in 2022

Check out last year's most popular stories

10-11 Debrief

A recap of recent headlines featured on sprinter.com.au

12 Superannuation

Media Super gives advice on long-term outcomes as global factors impact short-term returns

14 Comment: Charles Watson

The PVCA’s Charles Watson expands on the prohibition amendment on ‘pay secrecy’ in employment relationships

15 Comment: Mick Rowan

printIQ’s Mick Rowan provides tips on creating a successful business plan for 2023

16-18 Cover Story

Cyber installs Aussie first RMGT 970 eight-colour press at CMYKhub’s Brisbane production centre

PROPRINT AWARDS

20-23 ProPrint Awards Overview

The industry’s night of nights

PROPRINT AWARDS – DOWNTIME

26-37 Award Winners Gallery

The senior print leaders, lifetime achiever, rising star, industry suppliers and printers who shone on the night

PROPRINT AWARDS – GLAMOUR & GLITZ

38-41 Awards Photo Gallery

Fun and frivolity, communication and connection – a pictorial guide of who was there

TECH FOCUS: PRESSROOM

45-51 Press lines and the bottom line

Peter Kohn sparks a conversation on offset, digital and inkjet technology and looks at a range of what’s on offer in the industry

DIARY

44 ProPrint Diary

Keep up to date with this year's industry events

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 5 CONTENTS

Feeling social? Follow us on: @SprinterNews @SprinterNewsAust @news_sprinter www.sprinter.com.au 14 15 23 16 22 38

Debrief

NSW-based print company Print Storm is growing its regional footprint with the recent acquisition of GK Craig Printing in Orange.

The company said its acquisition makes it the largest digital and offset printing operation west of the Blue Mountains. With offices in both Mudgee and Dubbo, Print Storm is owned by Mudgee-based Paul Cavalier, and is part of the Stormlink Group of businesses.

GK Craig Printing, run by Ivan and Justin Littlewood, was previously a family-owned company servicing the Central West and beyond for over 40 years.

Cavalier confirmed with Sprinter that following the acquisition, Ivan joined the Print Storm team as regional sales manager.

When asked why they invested in the Southern Hemisphere’s first highspeed Durst P5 350 HS D4 hybrid press, Cactus Imaging’s Nigel Spicer and Keith Ferrel responded with the same reason: versatility.

Speed (708 square metres per hour in two-pass mode) was the next reason, quickly followed by the super easy way the machine can be switched between a roll-to-roll and flatbed application (10 seconds according to Ferrel).

The other big attraction was the incredibly simple changeover method for adding the flatbed feature. It does not require the removal of the rolls, with the flatbed table simply wheeled up to the machine and attached in a simple process.

HP will be reducing its headcount by 4,000 to 6,000 people by the end of the 2025 financial year as the company rolled out its fiscal year 2023 Future Ready Transformation plan.

The company estimates that these actions will result in annualised gross run rate savings of at least US$1.4 billion by the end of fiscal 2025.

HP declined to disclose any country-specific numbers but a spokesperson told Sprinter, “As part of the actions we are taking, we will be reducing the size of our workforce by 4,000 to 6,000 people over the next three years.”

Durst has received a new ink certification that completes the overall sustainable package of the P5 TEX iSUB printer – the P5 Sublifix sublimation inks now have the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certification.

During a multistep process, each individual ingredient in the chemical product has been analysed to meet the statutory requirements.

Certified products are safe to human and environmental health, can be used for ecologically responsible textile production and are listed on the OEKO-TEX Buying Guide.

Durst said time and production cost reduction as well as energy savings of up to 50 per cent, compared to a traditional process with an external heat press, enable a significant increase in efficiency and reduction in total cost of ownership for the user.

IVE Group completed its $16 million acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Ovato with the deal resulting in the 101-year-old publicly-listed giant being the only large scale heatset web offset print producer in Australia.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approved the acquisition on August 30 and the deal has been finalised. It ensures critical web offset printing capacity remains available to Australia’s largest retailers and publishers, including magazines such as The Economist, Australian Women’s Weekly, Vogue and catalogue producers such as Woolworths and Aldi.

IVE Group said the Ovato assets acquired by IVE would be integrated into IVE’s existing operations over an expected 18 month period.

www.sprinter.com.au 10 ProPrint February 2023

Recapping the major developments since your last issue. Stories are breaking every day at www.sprinter.com.au DECEMBER - JANUARY TIMELINE News happens every day at sprinter.com.au Sign up for our free regular news bulletin. December issue People Technology Business www.sprinter.com.au June 2022 December 2022 www.sprinter.com.au December 22

DECEMBER - Cactus buys Durst P5 350 HS D4 DECEMBER - Durst P5 TEX iSUB becomes more sustainable DECEMBER - IVE completes Ovato acquisition

DEBRIEF

1 DECEMBER - HP to reduce headcount by up to 6,000 by 2025

DECEMBER - NSW’s Print Storm acquires GK Craig Printing

29

A new generation of leaders are stepping into key roles at Currie Group with the promotion of Marcus Robinson to director of operations from his previous role as service manager for A/NZ, while Will Currie will add the role of product category manager – finishing to his sales responsibilities in the Sydney region.

Colin Edwards, who was the national sales manager for ink and consumables, will now take over the full management of consumables previously handled by Bernie Robinson. The announcement follows recent appointment changes – Rob Mesaros taking over the top role from chairman, David Currie, and Bernie who was MD and 24-year veteran of the company, stepping back to enjoy retirement.

Ball & Doggett will be bringing a Colorplan installation to Australia, with the company still working through the details of the installation.

Called Portal: A Journey Through Colour, it will feature over 2,000 coloured boxes forming a series of mini-mazes for people to wander around and through. At the same time, special lighting and a musical soundtrack combine to provide a unique sensory experience for visitors to enjoy. Only Colorplan paper will be used for the installation.

Colorplan, sold locally by Ball & Doggett, is a premium uncoated range of papers available in 55 colours, 25 embossings, and 10 different weights.

Footprint Printing, based in Mandurah in Western Australia, has already produced more than 250,000 labels on its new Epson SurePress L-4533AW printer since it purchased the machine at PacPrint in June 2022.

The company was a lithographic printer offering design, full colour printing and digital printing, and used to outsource most of its labels work before it got the press. Now, the business has filled a growing niche for high-quality label printing, especially within the wine industry.

Resources from all over Australia were pulled in to support Footprint with the install.

The installation, bedding down and commissioning process took two weeks.

The Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) released its latest issue of VoPP Mag, The Renewable Issue, in December 2022 with IVE printing the magazine and Avon Graphics providing the cover embossing.

PVCA members received the publication for the first time. VoPP Mag has been in publication since 2017 and was a campaign run by The Real Media Collective, exploring the effectiveness of print in a multichannel marketing world.

Each issue has a key focus, with the current issue focusing on the sustainability of print – exploring carbon to recycling, solar manufacturing for printers, to green packaging and more.

Opal Australian Paper has set out several initiatives to provide its team members with some aid following the uncertainty resulting from its Maryvale Mill white paper production impact at the end of last year.

Opal said it has been engaging in active discussions with the Victorian Government and union representatives and has reached an agreement ensuring that until mid-February, Opal team members who may be stood down will receive full pay.

In addition to Opal’s own Employee Assistance Program and other support services, a new Worker Support Service has been established by the Victorian Government to support Opal Australian Paper staff affected by potential stand downs and operational changes.

Opal Australian Paper provided an update about its Maryvale Mill supply saying that it is was “seriously considering the potential future closure” of white side operations at the mill as it has been unable to source viable alternative wood supplies to replace the VicForests shortfall.

“We remain focused on securing the future of the Maryvale site which has a key role to play in manufacturing paper for the Opal Packaging Division,” the company said.

Opal said it had reached an agreement with the Victorian Government ensuring that until mid-February, Opal team members who may be stood down would receive full pay.

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 11

DECEMBER - Changes to exec appointments at Currie Group

DEBRIEF

JANUARY - Ball & Doggett to bring Colorplan installation to Australia 19 JANUARY - Footprint: 250k labels since SurePress install 30 JANUARY - Opal Aust Paper considers print paper closure of Maryvale Mill 10 JANUARY - IVE and Avon collaborate on PVCA’s VoPP Mag 17 JANUARY - Opal Australian Paper sets initiatives to aid staff

Remaining focused on the long-term as global factors impact short-term returns

The financial year 2022 saw investment returns across the superannuation industry impacted by a range of global factors. Rising inflation has seen the Reserve Bank of Australia and central banks overseas raise interest rates, the Russia/Ukraine crisis has impacted energy, gas and commodity markets, and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has put further pressure on global supply chains. Combined, these events have increased market volatility and affected short-term investment returns across a wide range of investments and asset classes.

MEDIA SUPER PERFORMANCE

Media Super is the industry super fund for print, media, entertainment and arts, and

broader creative industries. For more than 30 years we’ve been supporting our members, employers and our community of industries.

Our robust investment approach and highly diversified portfolios have enabled Media Super to deliver strong long-term outcomes for our members. This equates to an average annual return of 8.88% p.a.* for the Growth (MySuper) option since its inception 38 years ago.

Our Growth (MySuper) investment option has approximately half its assets invested in listed share markets including Australian shares, global shares and emerging market shares. Movements of share markets tend

to be the largest driver of short-term investment performance. Although share markets can have short-term price volatility, they are expected to deliver strong positive returns over longer time periods which is why they make up a larger allocation of the portfolio.

Despite lower short-term returns, our options have delivered strong long-term outcomes for members, which is what super is designed to deliver.

Read more about Media Super investment performance at https://www.mediasuper. com.au/blog/news/remain-focused-onthe-long-term.

We specialise in helping businesses, not-for-profits, and start-ups create a compelling vision, brand identity, and value proposition so powerful that people can't help but become die-hard fans!

But we don't just provide solutions; we empower people to find them themselves. Our goal is to help organisations see things from a different perspective so they can decide what comes next on the journey towards success!

www.sprinter.com.au 12 ProPrint February 2023 T H I N K L A T E R A L L Y C O M A U A product or service? No, it's an experience!

It takes more than just motivation to succeed; that's why we're here

MEDIA SUPER

*Media Super merged with Cbus on 9 April 2022. The historical performance prior to this relates to Cbus’ investment options and does not incorporate the performance of Media Super investment options before April 2022. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investment performance is based on the crediting rate, which is the return minus investment fees, taxes, and until 31 January 2020, the percentage-based administration fee. Excludes fees and costs that are deducted directly from members’ accounts. The inception date is 1 July 1984. United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 as Trustee for Cbus Super Fund ABN 75 493 363 262 offering Media Super products. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This information is about Media Super and does not take into account your specific needs, so you should look at your own financial position, objectives and requirements before making any financial decisions. Read the relevant Media Super Product Disclosure Statement to decide whether Media Super is right for you. Also read the relevant Target Market Determination.

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Your 2023 business plan and goals for success

Your goals should complement each other so that all business areas work together towards one common goal. Make sure to be realistic when assessing deadlines. If they are too tight, you may run out of time and resources before achieving your desired results.

Also, consider any external factors, such as interest rises, shipping costs, and general economic conditions. These might have changed and could impact your timeline and budget.

The days are longer, the air is warmer, and the holiday lights that twinkled around you are starting to fade. You’re heading back to work (most of you, at least), so it’s time to eliminate the old, and pump energy back into your business. No matter what kind of year you had in 2022, 2023 is an opportunity for fresh starts and renewed growth.

Flexibility is the key in the modern business world, and adjusting quickly has become par for the course. So, tweaks to strategic plans and decisions have become essential for any business trying to stay ahead of the competition and reach its goals.

By the new year, most business plans in our part of the world should have been in play for six to nine months. So, it’s time to ensure you can still hit your targets. But it’s essential to look back and ask yourself what worked well, what didn’t, and why. Take time to analyse your current strengths and weaknesses so that you can make informed decisions moving forward. Doing so will help clarify which areas of your business need improvement and where your team should focus its efforts this upcoming year.

Now that you understand where your business stands, it’s time to assess your goals for 2023. Make sure they are still achievable yet challenging enough that they push you outside of your comfort zone.

The first step to business planning for the new year is to set positive affirmations and reaffirm your goals. By using positive affirmations, you can flip the script on negative thoughts. Don’t laugh; your words have the power to rewire your brain. An article from the National Library of Medicine in 2015 revealed that simply reciting positive affirmations can increase ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) activity. This is the part of the brain responsible for perceiving ourselves and managing emotions.

With affirmations in place, it’s time to reassess your goals. They may be ok as is, or perhaps you need to break them down into smaller milestones to track progress. Once you have a clear idea of your goals for the coming year, create an action plan for how you will reach them, this should include refining budgets and assigning tasks to team members.

Once you have refined and set your goals and objectives, it’s time to define strategies and tactics for achieving them. You’ll want to create an actionable plan with specific steps for reaching each goal. You may already have something in place, but it’s time to check if it still works in the current climate. This is where you’ll determine which activities need to be implemented to meet those targets. This could be launching a marketing campaign or developing a new product/service offering. Defining strategies and tactics also involves identifying potential risks to be addressed in advance if necessary, such as unexpected expenses.

The last step in updating and creating a successful business plan is developing measurement tools to track progress accurately over time. Developing metrics will help ensure that strategies are being implemented correctly and provide insight into whether objectives are being met. This way, adjustments can be made if needed. For example, you may need to bring on additional personnel. Metrics should include both quantitative data, like sales figures and qualitative data, such as customer feedback.

A successful business plan for 2023 doesn’t have to be overwhelming, just break it down into smaller steps. Start with realistic goals and objectives and from there, define strategies and tactics. Lastly, develop measurement tools for tracking progress. And if things don’t go according to plan, remember that adjusting your goals is always possible. Flexibility in the modern world is the key to success.

COMMENT

Mick Rowan has spent the past decade building printIQ into one of the most recognised software brands in the printing industry, and with over four decades of experience, Mick truly has ink in his veins.

14 ProPrint February 2023 ROWAN

This year is an opportunity for a fresh start and the perfect time to reassess your business goals.

Pay Secrecy clauses prohibited

The PVCA’s Charles Watson expands on an amendment in the Federal Government’s Fair Work Bill 2022, relating to the prohibition on ‘pay secrecy’ in employment relationships.

• Ensure any offers of employment to both new and existing workers do not contain any pay secrecy related clauses.

• Review any related workplace policies, bonus scheme arrangements, and employment contract templates for any terms or clauses that require pay and remuneration be kept secret. For example, a Confidentiality policy or contractual term that references pay related issues will need to have such references removed. If such policy and contractual terms exist and are not removed they will be invalid and unenforceable.

After considerable parliamentary review and debate in the final quarter of last year, the Federal Government’s Fair Work Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022 passed through Parliament in early December. The Governments purported aim for these amendments to the Fair Work Act and system are to deliver more secure jobs, better pay, and a fairer workplace relations system for all. The amendments encompass a range of issues including restricting fixedterm contracts, prohibiting pay secrecy and sexual harassment at work to reshaping various components of the enterprise agreement regime. The various changes are complex and lengthy, and will commence at various times through this year.

One particular amendment, and in effect since 7 December 2022, relates to the prohibition on ‘pay secrecy’ in employment relationships. The Government has reasoned these amendments are necessary on the basis that pay secrecy clauses cause disadvantage to minority groups because they are less likely to find out if they are being underpaid. Pay secrecy clauses are also reported to perpetuate the gender pay gap. Whether or not this particular amendment will contribute to its purpose and aim, or cause additional headaches for employers remains to be seen.

Effectively, this amendment creates two new employee workplace rights. Specifically, employees now have a workplace right to disclose to others (or not disclose) their remuneration or terms and conditions of their employment that are reasonably necessary to determine remuneration

outcomes (such as their spread of work hours), and ask other employees about their remuneration information.

The corollary is that employers are now prohibited from including ‘pay secrecy’ related clauses in employment contracts, and pre-existing clauses of that type are deemed invalid. Additionally, employers are prohibited from taking adverse action against employees that exercise these new workplace rights.

Further, employers are banned from advertising job vacancies at less than Award or enterprise agreement rates of pay. It is now a civil penalty offence for employers to advertise employment opportunities at a rate of pay that would contravene the Fair Work Act or other applicable industrial instrument, such as a modern award or enterprise agreement. Although employers have a six-month grace period before the new civil penalties come into force for breaching these amending provisions, the terms and related requirements are now in effect.

This is an interesting amendment as it effectively overrides contracting parties from agreeing to confidentiality over remuneration and related terms. Issues may arise in workplaces where employees decide to discuss their rates of pay and find out they are paid differently to each other (possibly because of experience, individual productivity related reasons) or where an employee does not want to discuss their rates of pay with another employee.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS

To ensure you minimise falling foul of this recent amendment to the Act, we recommend businesses:

• Ensure that when advertising job vacancies within your business, any mentioned rates of pay and related conditions are compliant with the Fair Work Act and any relevant industrial instrument.

• Consider how you may respond to an employee who raises a related issue, particularly if that employee queries why they are paid less than another employee undertaking the same role. Is their concern fair and reasonable, or is there a valid basis to any pay difference between employees? Alternatively, consider how you would respond to an employee who feels they are being pressured by a co-worker to reveal their pay details.

• Remember these amendments created and constitute employee workplace rights. Employers must not engage in adverse action against an employee for choosing to disclose or not disclose their remuneration, or for asking another employee about their own remuneration. Adverse action is a wide ranging term and can include disciplinary action through to termination of employment.

Overall, it is recommended that employers consider possible impacts from these amendments and if your review results in identifiable gaps take compliance related actions as soon as possible, and seek advice if required.

Charles Watson is the GM - IR, Policy and Governance at the PVCA

The content of this article is intended to provide general subject matter guidance only. Specific advice should be sought about your particular circumstances.

COMMENT WATSON February 2023 ProPrint 15

This Fair Work amendment creates two new employee workplace rights.

Cyber installs Aussie first RMGT 970 at CMYKhub

The eight-colour press, with PQS-D and Smart Assist Printing capabilities, has been installed at CMYKhub’s Brisbane production centre, yielding many benefits for the business

Australia’s leading wholesale trade printer CMYKhub is able to bring to market increased productivity and quality control, as well as better colour management and stock compatibility following the installation of a new press by Cyber A/NZ towards the end of last year.

The company now owns a new eight-colour RMGT 970PF-8 LED press, which includes PQS-D and Smart Assist Printing capabilities.

The machine has been installed at CMYKhub’s Brisbane production centre, yielding many benefits for the business. Replacing the site’s older RMGT 920, the RMGT 970PF-8 LED install is an Australian first and builds on the partnership that CMYKhub and Cyber have established over many years.

The companies started their relationship in 2007 when the original owners of CMYKhub bought its first press from the RMGT distributor. Exceptionally happy with the performance of this machine, they have continued to buy more units from Cyber over the years.

Since then, CMYKhub has purchased 15 offset presses from Cyber, with the RMGT 970PF-8 LED being the fifth eight-colour UV/LED machine that it has bought.

CMYKhub CEO Dayne Nankervis said, “The machines that we have purchased from Cyber have always been highly productive and profitable for our business. They have always performed the way we expected them to. So, when it came to making the decision to purchase another new machine, it was an easy decision for us to choose Cyber again”.

“The RMGT 970PF-8 LED delivers on value, and it’s a good quality Japanese machine that suits our business perfectly. It’s the only offset machine in our Brisbane site and it works seamlessly with our other machines.”

Nankervis mentioned that investment into its Brisbane facility has seen increased productivity, and quality from all its sites, and that small to medium size print shops and print resellers across

Australia can continue to depend on CMYKhub to support them in growing their businesses without having to invest in more equipment.

“Our Brisbane site was due for an asset upgrade. Our older RMGT 920 didn’t have any significant issues, but it was starting to age. RMGT’s release of the larger 970 press with improved make ready times and quality management made it an easy decision. We requested many tests from Cyber and the press passed every test we put at it,” Nankervis said.

“We chose the RMGT 970PF-8 LED as it’s a modern machine with some improvements. It is a larger press that allows for a greater use of products produced, better imposition planning, better paper transfer, a better in-feed system as well as a camera system with automation for quality control.

“Our operators and production managers have been noting the ease of use of the machine relative to the older model. There’s a noticeable improvement.”

www.sprinter.com.au 16 ProPrint February 2023 COVER STORY CYBER

(l-r) Greg Knight, GM Cyber and CMYKhub's CEO Dayne Nankervis

Nankervis added that Queensland is a particularly large state geographically, and with a high level of tourism as well as local and international events, trade customers in this region require more support.

The business also has a Melbourne site which services Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, a Sydney site that services NSW and ACT, a site in Cairns servicing the far north Queensland region and another site in Perth that services Western Australia and Northern Territory.

KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY

According to Nankervis, the installation of the press has provided CMYKhub with greater confidence and control over the quality and productivity of the press, allowing CMYKhub to focus on servicing it’s resellers.

“We're expecting this to become one of our highest productive machines in our fleet over the coming year. To do this we need to the best operational business with the latest and best technology,” he said.

“It has already passed our expectations through one of our busiest periods on

record. Since its installation, we’ve produced typical gang, trim and pack work like flyers and brochures, perfect bound books, saddle-stitched books and posters.”

Cyber general manager Greg Knight, who was involved in the sale and installation of the press at CMYKhub, said that since he had dealt with the company for many years, he knew that they were always looking to maintain a competitive edge over their competition.

“CMYKhub is a company that strongly believes in upgrading its equipment on a regular basis ensuring they always gain all the advantages of working with the most up to date technology.

“The company was looking for a machine that delivered on quicker make-ready times and less make-ready sheets, which the 970 – with some new features on it – is able to achieve.”

The RMGT 970PF-8 LED is just one of the machine configurations within new RMGT 970 series, which is an A1-plus size multicolour offset press. The 970 model is based on a blend of RMGT’s R&D emanating from the 920 series and the 10 series presses.

With the offset market seeing rising global demands for presses offering greater productivity and cost performance, RMGT produced this series as it saw a trend towards enhancing production capacity by enabling offset presses to handle a wide range of paper sizes.

The machine is built for a maximum 650mm by 965mm sheet size.

“The 970 size is something that our customers have been asking for, for quite a while. They wanted a machine that could produce a 650mm by 910mm sheet size, which its predecessor the RMGT 920 was not able to do,” Knight said.

ALL ABOUT THE FEATURES

The series now has new features that aim to help print service providers improve business. Some of these features include advanced automation and labour-saving mechanisms to assist the operator, short make-ready times and LED UV technology enabling instant drying for fast turnarounds all adding up to a highly productive and profitable press

It also features improved printing stability from thin to heavy stock, the option of a coating unit enabling special printing for higher value added work.

“RMGT listened to the market’s wants and needs. They then developed this new press, which was built from the ground-up. It has new cylinder configurations, more rollers and bigger rollers, and the operating system on the machine has also been upgraded,” Knight said.

“It’s a very operator-friendly press, which is a welcomed feature in the industry. It’s getting harder and harder finding skilled operators. The machines of today must be easy to operate and be automated.”

The 970 range offers versatility, durability, and advanced automation, according to Cyber A/NZ managing director Bernard Cheong, who added that the range will further improve profitability of users.

“RMGT has been combining the two founding companies’ strengths of energysaving designs that incorporate new ideas with high-precision manufacturing technology and highly durable construction for long-term use,” he said.

“The new RMGT 970 has many advanced features based on the 920/940 presses, known for their superior quality and productivity. The new 970 model incorporates the latest technologies in

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 17 COVER STORY CYBER

Cyber A/NZ managing director Bernard Cheong CMYKhub’s CEO Dayne Nankervis with printer Colin Hopkins The RMGT 970PF-8 LED press was installed at CMYKhub’s Brisbane production centre

addition to many features found on the flagship RMGT 10 series.

“In the face of rising paper and printing supply costs, the RMGT 970 is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of the times by handling the most popular A1-plus paper sizes used around the world.”

ENHANCING PRODUCTION CAPACITY

The series can handle a comprehensive range of print jobs, such as multi-page materials, displays and packaging.

Cheong said the 650mm by 910mm model is a popular format in Australasia, giving print service providers the ability to generate output without the need to trim. It also has a benderless plate clamp, feeder and delivery operation touch panel, along with other automation features.

“Users are moving to the SRA1 format to stay lean and profitable. The SRA1 format can do both shorter runs and long runs at the volume end of the market, so it’s a very versatile solution,” Cheong said.

The Smart Assist Printing capabilities enables advanced automation and autonomous press operation in the 8 UP+ press format.

With the system, the pressman touches one button and the entire printing process – from ink and paper pre-setting, blanket and impression cleaning, and plate changing through verification of test printing, register adjustment, ink density adjustment, and full sheet inspection – are all autonomously processed without the need to pull a sheet.

“Enhanced profitability comes from the incremental cost reductions that Smart Assist Printing provides and the additional time opened up in the production schedule adds to a customer’s ability to grow their business,” Cheong said.

As for the PQS-D system, it uses a highprecision in-press CCD camera to inspect each printed sheet with superior reliability. It lets users perform three key functions in-press with a single camera (per side of

sheet), namely quality inspection, printing density tracking and automatic register adjustment.

The scanning process can be archived to provide back-up quality control data to a printer’s end user.

Suitable for commercial printing and very short-run digital-like runs through to packaging printing, it eliminates the need to pull out sample sheets during the run and defective sheets are automatically sorted out, enhancing quality assurance, and further automating printing.

“This press has a wide marketplace – it can go into your general commercial plants and can find a place in the packaging market. Or as in the case of CMYKhub, it fits in very well into the trade printing market,” Knight said.

FUTURE PLANS

Nankervis said CMYKhub looks forward to adding more kit to its fleet later this year and grow its wide-format business, which it recently invested in. Its relationship with Cyber will also be pivotal in its future plans.

“The last two years were about replacing and upgrading our machinery and expanding our areas of business. We’ve significantly invested in our wide format department and have just relocated our wide format business in Melbourne. So, we’ll be putting an emphasis on that in the early part of the year,” he said.

“Our partnership with Cyber will also continue as a very strong and close relationship. We understand and support each other.

“CMYKhub is continually advancing and growing and Cyber has always supported us along that journey, which has involved many machines and replacements. Cyber has been there for us the whole time and will continue to be there in the coming years as we continue to invest in our offset fleet.”

Knight added that CMYKhub’s close relationship with Cyber over the years is a testament to the quality of RMGT’s presses and the service it provides.

“It's always nice to sell a customer one machine, but they won't buy a second machine from you if the performance of the first press doesn’t meet expectations.“ The fact that CMYKhub has purchased 15 machines from us over the years is the strongest recommendation we could ask for acknowledging the quality and performance of our presses,” he said.

“Having the number one trade printer in Australia buy from us also enhances our reputation in the marketplace. We are now seeing some signs that the market is starting to bounce back, so I am hoping for a very successful year.”

www.sprinter.com.au 18 ProPrint February 2023 COVER STORY CYBER

The eight-colour RMGT 970PF-8 LED press includes PQS-D and Smart Assist Printing capabilities CMYKhub’s CEO Dayne Nankervis with printer Colin Hopkins

2022 ProPrint Awards –the night of night in pictures

The 2022 ProPrint Awards went off with a bang on 27 October 2022 with over 300 guests enjoying an evening of entertainment, recognition and connection at the Shangri-La hotel in Sydney.

The ProPrint Awards celebrate the people of print including senior print leaders, rising stars with the Emerging 50, industry suppliers with the Supplier 50 and industry legends with the Industry Achievement Award. This year ProPrint introduced the Printer 50 Award, in recognition of the industry's printers, and there was a special Sustainability Prize and Editor’s Choice awarded.

Thank you to Durst Oceania as Platinum Sponsor and our valued Gold Sponsors OKI, HP, Media Super, Orafol, and DIC Australia.

Thank you also to the Silver Sponsors: Ball & Doggett, Böttcher Systems, Bright Print Group, Cactus Imaging, Centrum Group, Graph-Pak, Kurz, Lamson Paragon, Pakko, Ricoh and Visual Connections. printIQ is the sponsor of the ProPrint Awards Editor’s Choice award. Ball & Doggett is the sponsor of the Sustainability Prize. The Print & Visual Communication Association is the Mentorship Partner for the Emerging 50 PKF is the Auditing Partner for the Printer 50.

Each of these companies have supported the ProPrint Awards to make it the success it was.

Thank you to all attendees who came out on the night and a special thanks to all those who nominated someone as well as all nominees for taking part by making a submission. It is this combined effort that made the night what it was.

Sponsorship opportunities are now open for 2023. Contact Carmen Ciappara at 0410 582 450, carmen@proprint.com.au.

www.sprinter.com.au 20 ProPrint February 2023

1. Mitch Mulligan, Bottcher, Sarah Moore, Visual Connections, Kirsten Taylor, Taylor'd Press and Mel Ireland, AI Group & LIA 2. Ines and Ben Eaton, Starleaton and Nicola Lynch, Ultracolour Transfers 3. Hafizah Osman, Sheree Young and Carmen Ciappara, Printer Media Group 4. Sam McCool welcoming attendees 5. Sue Waite, Kwik Kopy Australia and Keith Ferrel, Cactus Imaging 6. Dominic Borrello, ImageBox, Daniela Mastroieni, Orafol and David Asker, ImageBox 7. ProPrint 30th Anniversary special was a table gift on the night 8. Dan Mantel, Matt Ashman, Eleni Panayi, Bihiraj Gurung, Ben Templeton and Sean Ashman, Durst Oceania

1 4 2 6 7 8 9 5 3

9. Luke and Kirsty Woodhead, Breen Printing

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1. Clinton Daley, NEO and Andrew Price, Rawson Print 2. Sam McCool showcasing the Sustainability Prize, a miniature table tennis table 3. Carmen Ciappara, Hafizah Osman, Printer Media Group and Eleni Panayi, Durst Oceania 4. Benn Murphy, Clarke Murphy Print, Zaidee Jackson, Ball & Doggett and Paul Bartolo, Ball & Doggett 5. Sue Threlfo, Ines Deciccia, Konica Minolta, Carmen Ciappara, Printer Media Group and Tatajana Ferguson, Konica Minolta 6. Attendees enjoying Sam McCool's comedy 7. Daniel Edwards, Posterboy Printing, Jodi Taylor, Jayden Spiliotis and Charlie Steele, PSI Screen Printing 8. Kirsten Taylor, Taylor'd Press, Debbie Burgess, Bright Print Group and Sarah Moore, Visual Connections 9. Attendees enjoying the awards 10. Abbie Graham, Sue Waite, Phil Pearson, Eloise Penfold, Panteha Jadidi, Sonia Shwabsky, Daniel Scotton, Peter Shoppee and Ashley King, Kwik Kopy 11. Mark Moro, Tina Economou, Ricoh Australia and Matt Aitken, IVE Group 12. Kyla Ambrosi, Grace Albanese, Janette Lodermeier, Marty McCaul, Creative Plastic Cards, Manuela Da Encarnacao, Tom Ralph, Graph-Pak and Cassie Farrugia, Creative Plastic Cards 13. Richard Clark, Sean Thompson, Darryl Meyer, Brett Johnson, IVE Group and Kellie Northwood, Print & Visual Communication Association 14. Attendees enjoying Sam McCool's comedy

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15. Ben Clarke, Adam Crellin, Nigel Spicer, Keith Ferrel, Karen Lawler, Glenn Moffatt, and Sunny Cabrera, Cactus Imaging

1. Matt Ashman, Durst Oceania welcoming guests

2. Attendees networking

3. Emrah Aydin, DIC and Sam McCool

4. James Wells, Printer Media Group, Sandra Duarte, Sandra Duarte Consulting, Carmen Ciappara and Sheree Young, Printer Media Group

5. Romeo Sanuri, Next Printing, Glenn Watson, AFI Branding, Matt Ashman, Durst Oceania and Tom Tjanaria, Next Printing

6. Attendees enjoying the awards

7. Attendees networking

8. Steven Richards, Steve Webb, Michelle Rochford and Tony Grima, OKI

9. Attendees enjoying the awards

10. Sandra Duarte, Sandra Duarte Consulting; Lachlan Finch, Rawson Print & Mark Harrison

11. Emerging 50 attendees

12. Table gift boxes supplied with compliments from Pakko

13. A miniature table tennis table supplied by Ball & Doggett for Sustainability Prize winner, Lithocraft

14. Ben Eaton, Starleaton and Benn Murphy, Clarke Murphy Print

15. Zaf Haq, Yan Ng, Simon Bailey, Rahul Reddy, Geoff Selig, IVE Group and Kellie Northwood, Print & Visual Communication Association

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 23

1 4 6 8 10 13 2 5 7 9 11 12 14 15 3

1. Adam Todd, Michael Tomeh, Yohei Konaka, James Rolland, Tatajana Ferguson, Andrew Cocker, Heath Burgess, Dean Hosking and Devan Nair, Konica Minolta

2. Bill Hessells, Kate Scott and Richard Kemp, DIC

3. Jeremy Brew, HP, Sue Waite, Sonia Shwabsky, Kwik Kopy, Raj Dang and Cialan Shine, Smartech

4. Emmanuel and Colleen Buhagiar, Imagination Graphics

5. Deon and Carlo Capogreco, Big Image Australia and Sheree Young, Printer Media Group

6. Bill Hessells, Sabrina Litolo, Kate Scott and Richard Kemp, DIC

7. Ray Berwick, Zac Warby, Nigina Ubaydullaeva, Raj Dang, Ximena Guzman, Peter Hine, Jagdeep Singh, Harry Singh, Ian Clements, Jimmy Nguyen and Cialan Shine, Smartech

8. Ewen Donaldson, Vivad, Matt Ashman and Ben Templeton, Durst Oceania

9. Attendees enjoying the awards

10. Fiona O'Dea and Robert Elmer, DIC

11. Ashley Playford-Browne, Durst Oceania, Sam McCool and Matt Ashman, Durst Oceania

12. Alistair Rathbone, Andrew Mantilla, Trent Byrnes, Daniela Mastroieni and Mike Smith, Orafol

13. Paul Whitehead, Currie Group, Jonny Rumney, Celmac and Alasdair Wilson, Colourtech

14. Ximena Guzman and Jimmy Nguyen, Smartech

15. Paul Bartolo, Anthony Rossi, Courtney Newman, Zaidee Jackson and Tony Bertrand, Ball & Doggett

www.sprinter.com.au 24 ProPrint February 2023

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2022 ProPrint Awards Printer 50 winners

Cactus Imaging co-founder and general manager – operations, Keith Ferrel, took out the top gong at the 2022 ProPrint Awards in the Printer 50 category.

The Printer 50 is a peer-voted and judged award which forms part of the annual ProPrint Awards. All Printer 50 judging is audited by Auditing Partner, PKF. The Top 20 in the Printer 50 list is as judged by the industry, with the remaining nominees listed in alphabetical order. Congratulations to all winners for your ongoing hard work and deserved recognition.

Printer 50 Top 20 winners:

1. Keith Ferrel, co-founder & general manager – operations, Cactus Imaging

2. Debbie Burgess & John Bright, co-directors, Bright Print Group

3. Matt Aitken, CEO, IVE Group

4. Mitchell Mulligan, recent past president & board member, Visual Connections, & life member, Lithographic Institute of Australia

5. Kirsten Taylor, creative director, Taylor’d Press

6. Rodney Frost, CEO, Lamson Group

7. Mel Ireland, federal president, Lithographic Institute of Australia & member services representative, Ai Group

8. Peter Harper, CEO, Visual Connections

9. Steven Gamble, founder, Man Anchor

10. Tom Eckersley, managing director, Eckersley Print Group & board member, Print & Visual Communication Association

11. Jenny Berry, member services representative, Ai Group & board member Lithographic Institute of Australia (Victoria)

12. Robyn Frampton, marketing & communications manager, Visual Connections, & board member Lithographic Institute of Australia (Victoria)

13. Geoff Selig, executive chairman, IVE Group

14. Kellie Northwood, chief executive officer, Print & Visual Communication Association

15. Nigel Spicer, general manager, Cactus Imaging

16. Simon Carmody, managing director, Spot Productions

17. Gordon Wilson, president, Lithographic Institute of Australia (SA) and national vice president of Lithographic Institute of Australia

18. Leon Wilson, managing director, Revolution Print

19. Dayne Nankervis, chief executive officer, CMYKhub

20. Adam Parnell & Andy Fryer, co-directors, Easy Signs

Printer 50 winners (in alphabetical order):

• Aaron Lusch, managing director, Playtpus Print Packaging

• Aleks Lajovic, managing director, Impact International

• Andrew Reynolds, group training officer ANZ, Multi-Color Corporation, & member of Lithographic Institute of Australia

• Ben Carroll, managing director, Velflex and UltraColour & Mandy Olivier, general manager, Velflex and UltraColour

• Charles Watson, general manager – IR, policy & governance, Print & Visual Communication Association/The Real Media Collective

• Cliff Brigstocke, CEO – production and distribution, IVE Group

• Clinton Daley, general manager, NEO

• Cory Hall, director, Precision Group

• Damian Nielsen, general manager, CV Media and Signage

• Daniel Edwards, founder, Posterboy Printing

• Daniel Scotton, owner/manager, Kwik Kopy Newcastle

• Darren Delaney, general manager, AllKotes

• Elli Zlatanovski, account manager, Charters Paper

• Emmanuel Buhagiar, owner, Imagination Graphics

• Ewen Donaldson, managing director, Vivad

• Fiona Johns, owner, Minuteman Press Springvale

• Frank Mezo, director, Mezographic

• Glenn Coleman & Rod Peter, co-directors, Coleman Group

• Jason Turai, packaging engineer, Visy, & member Lithographic Institute of Australia (SA)

• Jason Smith, managing director, Clark & Mackay

• Jeff Barr, general manager, AFI Branding

• Kenneth Beck-Pederson and Peter Musarra, co-directors, Carbon8

• Kirsty & Luke Woodhead, co-directors, Breen Printing

• Nina Nguyen, founder, Pakko

• Paul Freeman, executive chairman, E-Bisglobal

• Samantha Bailey-Jensen, director, Bailey Print Group

• Simon Pugh, group CEO, QLM Label Makers

• Sonia Shwabsky, chief executive officer, Kwik Kopy Australia

• Stephen Lamont, managing director, Lamont Sustainable Sign Solutions

• Tate Hone, director, Avon Graphics

www.sprinter.com.au 26 ProPrint February 2023

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 27

ProPrint Awards Editor’s Choice Award: Big Image Australia

Big Image Australia's father-and-son team Carlo and Deon Capogreco received the Editor's Choice Award at the 2022 ProPrint Awards.

Sheree Young, past editor of ProPrint said that Capogrecos' story of resilience after bouncing back from a devastating fire which destroyed their entire factory on Boxing Day 2020 was enough to convince her that they deserved some recognition.

“At PacPrint, I by-chance met Deon Capogreco and was struck by his story of

devastation and renewal. The fire took everything, all their equipment right down to desk chairs and the recovery effort would be huge. It came at the end of 2020, a year of exhausting Covid lockdowns and stress,” said Young.

“But the Capogrecos kept going. They found a place to work from and kept servicing their clients. Other printers

pitched in to help them through the hard times and suppliers kept them in stock with product.

“The support they received proved the high regard they are held in,” she added.

Big Image Australia was featured as a Star Business in the August 2022 issue of ProPrint

www.sprinter.com.au 28 ProPrint February 2023

EDITOR’S

CHOICE

Sheree Young, past editor of ProPrint with Big Image Australia’s Carlo Capogreco and Deon Capogreco at the 2022 ProPrint Awards. Big Image Australia's father-and-son team was clearly deserving of the award. printIQ was the sponsor of the 2022 ProPrint Awards Editor’s Choice award.

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2022 ProPrint Awards Industry Achievement Award: Peter Clark (posthumously awarded)

Industry legend Peter Clark was posthumously awarded the 2022 Industry Achievement Award, which was accepted by his son Richard on the night.

Peter is recognised for his lifetime commitment to print. At the time of his passing in July last year, he was serving as the President of the Print & Visual Communication Association and was recognised as being an instrumental force in the successful merger with The Real Media Collective.

Peter was chosen for this award from a pool of high calibre nominees. Last year’s Power 50 Top 10 and Platinum Sponsor Matt Ashman of Durst Oceania were tasked with the difficult job of deciding the winner.

From this voting it was clear that Peter, who served this industry for his entire working life, including learning the trade as a young apprentice, to working in various printing businesses before eventually starting his own successful operation, which would later be acquired by what is now Australia’s largest diversified print conglomerate, was the obvious choice.

Peter is remembered as a well known and loved member of this industry. This was proven again early in 2022 when he was inducted into the PVCA’s Industry Honour Roll at the National Print Awards in June.

Congratulations to Peter Clark and his family from the ProPrint team.

www.sprinter.com.au 30 ProPrint February 2023

Top and above - Peter Clark’s son, Richard Clark received his father’s Industry Achievement Award.

"From this voting it was clear that Peter, who served this industry for his entire working life, was the obvious choice."

ProPrint Awards Ball & Doggett Sustainability Prize: Lithocraft

Lithocraft has taken out the Ball & Doggett Sustainability Prize at the ProPrint Awards.

The company received an exact replica of the Ball & Doggett cardboard table tennis table which wowed crowds at PacPrint.

The prize, which included a miniature table tennis table trophy from Ball & Doggett, was presented by Ball & Doggett’s national marketing manager Tony Bertrand, who said Lithocraft has a strong approach to sustainability in its operations.

Lithocraft is recognised for its principles which are based on People First, a Culture of Innovation, Sustainability, Ethical Sourcing, Measuring and Improving and education.

Bertrand said these principles are at the core but they are more than words on a website – they are practised every day. Lithocraft is recognised for utilising an ethical sourcing policy which ensures

sustainable outcomes for customers. They use vegetable inks, recyclable aqueous coatings, rainwater, solar energy and have a stringent wastepaper recycling program.

Nick O’Sullivan, Lithocraft’s managing director, was unable to attend the awards and the award was presented to Lithocraft NSW general manager Matt Wickham.

www.sprinter.com.au 32 ProPrint February 2023 BALL & DOGGETT SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE

Sustainability Prize Winner Lithocraft with the Ball & Doggett team. Lithocraft received an exact replica of the Ball & Doggett cardboard table tennis table which wowed crowds at PacPrint. The award was presented to Lithocraft NSW general manager Matt Wickham.

Helpline 1800 640 886 mediasuper.com.au Before making any financial decisions, read the relevant Product Disclosure Statements and Target Market Determination. Call 1800 640 886 or visit mediasuper.com.au for a copy. United Super Pty Ltd ABN 46 006 261 623 AFSL 233792 as Trustee for Cbus Super Fund ABN 75 493 363 262 offering Media Super products. Supporting the print industry since 1987 PRINT. MEDIA. ENTERTAINMENT. ARTS. Superannuation. Insurance. Retirement. Financial Planning.

2022 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 winners

The 2022 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 cohort represents a broad and diverse array of print industry talents, proving the industry is in good hands for the future.

Courtney Newman, an up-andcoming graphic designer with Ball & Doggett, won the 2022 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 Mentorship Prize, which is provided in partnership with Kellie Northwood, CEO of the Print & Visual Communication Association.

Congratulations to all the winners. Emerging 50 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 experience working in the industry.

Recipients of the Emerging 50 were judged on the quality and the detail provided within their submission and the supplementary materials provided.

Special thanks to Media Super, the Foundation Partner of the Emerging 50. Special thanks also to all who took the time to nominate someone who they believe shows great promise for the future.

The 2022 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50:

• Abbie Graham, printer & designer, Kwik Kopy Newcastle

• Adam Crellin, sales manager, Cactus Imaging

• Aimee Johnston, graphic designer, Insane Signs & Print

• Alyce Cursio, sales & operations manager, ADS Australia

• Ambrin Begum, software engineer, M-Power Software

• Andrew Mantilla, business

development manager, Orafol Australia

• Ashley King, graphic designer, Kwik Kopy

• Bradley Pow, print apprentice, Multi-Color Corporation

• Cassie Trimarchi, trainee, E-Bisglobal

• Chad Proctor, print apprentice, Platypus Print Packaging

• Charlie Steele, screen printer, PSI Screen Printing

• Charlotte Fountain, printer/designer, Worldwide Online (Hamilton)

• Chloe Rudd, graphic designer, Lithographic Institute of Australia representative (SA)

• Chris Matthews, production assistant, Lamont Sustainable Sign Solutions

• Chris Smith, director, Park Douglas Printing

• Corne Mostert, printer, Norwood Industries

• Courtney Newman, designer, Ball & Doggett (winner of 2022 Emerging 50 mentorship prize)

• David Pham, operations manager, Mediapoint

• Demi Samaras, services team leader, Multi-Color Corporation, & LIA representative

• Ethan Paget, printer, Label Factory

• Filipine Litolo, production supervisor & supply chain, DIC Australia

• Heath Horton, software developer, E-Bisglobal

• Jacinta Allen, graphic designer, Breen Printing

• Jacob Williams, printer, Ultra Labels

• Jamie Dekeyzer, printer, Insane Signs & Print

• Jason Turvill, operations & customer service manager, Easy Signs

• Jayden Spiliotis, screen printer,

PSI Screen Printing

• Jono Pitt, printer, Pope Packaging & LIA representative

• Joshua West, printer, Multi-Color Corporation

• Kaitlyn Bender, graphic designer & prepress operator, Westman Printing

• Karen Lawler, business development manager, Cactus Imaging

• Lachlan Rae, general manager, Ezibrand

• Malcolm King, printer, Scott Print

• Matilda Milligan, graphic prepress technician, Fildes

• Meisha Scott, prepress apprentice, Cairns City Graphics

• Milly Botta, sales estimator, Pakko

• Mitchell Brandes, print apprentice, Colorcorp

• Rahul Reddy, account manager, IVE Group

• Ryan Julleza, procurement & inventory, Ovato

• Sean Ashman, technical & operations support specialist, Durst Oceania

• Sorrell Langford, customer service, Spot Productions

• Steph Talty, chief operating officer, Easy Signs (USA)

• Tiani Noovao, production, IVE Retail Display NSW

• Tony Ong, general manager, Pakko

• Vinita Bingham, apprentice, Cornerstone Press

• Wayne Noyes, service engineer, Graph-Pak

• Yan Ng, print sales, IVE Group

• Yvonne Rae, sales team lead, UltraColour

• Zaf Haq, project manager, IVE Group

• Zoe Goding, business development manager, Velflex

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www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 35

2022 Proprint Awards Supplier 50 winners

The Supplier 50, now in its second year, recognises the people who service and supply the industry. Self-nominations are accepted for this category and recipients are judged on the quality of their submission based on achievements over the last 12 months.

Congratulations to all the winners, which include:

• Alan Didus, Victorian sales manager, Ball & Doggett

• Alex McClelland, managing director, Orafol Australia

• Anthony Jackson, national sales manager ANZ – Commercial HP Indigo, Currie Group

• Anthony Rossi, sales executive –labels & packaging, Ball & Doggett

• Arne Baker, sales & marketing team leader, CPH Group

• Ashley Playford-Browne, sales manager – textile & large format printing, Durst Oceania

• Bill Hessels, warehouse manager, DIC Australia

• Brett Wark, NSW sales & national product manager sign & display, Smartech Business Systems

• Chris Bowden, partner business manager – large format production, HP

• Craig Walmsley, country manager HP Indigo, HP

• Damian Pocock, sales executive, Ball & Doggett

• Dan Mantel, technical sales, Durst Oceania

• Daniel Lamont, production manager, Lamont Sustainable Signs

• Daniela Mastroieni, national strategic relationship manager, Orafol Australia

• David Rusk, sales executive, Spicers

• Doug Robey, CEO, Dflow

• Emerson Earl, technical sales, CPH Group

• George Maniatis, senior innovation specialist, Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia

• Glen Caporn, senior account manager, Ricoh Australia

• Henryk Kraszewski, senior product manager – commercial & industrial print, Ricoh Australia

• Jason Kennedy, account executive – NSW, Fujifilm

• Jeremy Brew, worldwide presales solutions lead – large format, HP

• Jimmy Nguyen, regional channel sales manager, Smartech Business Systems

• Jonny Rumney, NSW sales manager, Celmac

• Julia Van Der Sommen, CEO, Pattern Room

• Kate Scott, head of supply chain & customer service, DIC Australia

• Linton Hornsey, business development manager, CPH Group

• Luke Wooldridge, national sales manager, Fujifilm

• Marina Garces, customer service manager, Centrum Group

• Matt Ashman, managing director, Durst Oceania

• Matt Johnson, managing director, Trimatt Systems

• Matthew McInerney, managing director, Jones Brothers Printechnology

• Matthew Taylor, key account director, Ricoh Australia

• Michael Boyle, managing director, HP

• Paul Lamberti, managing director ANZ, Flint Group

• Paul Swanbury, analyst, Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia, & LIA member

• Peter Hine, application & colour specialist, Smartech Business Systems

• Richard Kemp, chief operating officer, DIC Australia

• Royden Thomas, sales executive, CPH Group

• Skipp Humphreys, national sales specialist, Kyocera

• Sofia Cerros, designline supervisor, Ball & Doggett

• Stephen Pratt, managing director ANZ, Kurz

• Steven Aglio, NSW sales manager, Spicers

• Sue Threlfo, happily retired, formerly Konica Minolta

• Tatjana Ferguson, production & industrial print product marketing manager, Konica Minolta

• Tom Ralph, managing director, Graph-Pak

• Tony Bertrand, national marketing manager, Ball & Doggett

• Troy Neighbour, business manager, Fujifilm

• Yasmin Chong, marketing & administrative assistant, Ball & Doggett

• Zaidee Jackson, national business development manager – sustainable packaging, Ball & Doggett

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www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 37

It’s a wrap!

We hope this pictorial feature will provide lasting memories for all those in attendance and encourage those who weren’t there last year not to miss out in 2023. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks again to our generous sponsors. We look forward to welcoming nominees, sponsors and visitors to attend the awards in the Shangri-La grand ballroom again this year.

www.sprinter.com.au 38 ProPrint February 2023

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We are committed to being the world’s best supplier of inks, coatings, systems and services

www.sprinter.com.au 40 ProPrint February 2023

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 41

www.sprinter.com.au 42 ProPrint February 2023

2023 6.45PM, FRIDAY 3 NOVEMBER, 2023 Shangri-La, Sydney EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE SOON Become a sponsor and receive free tickets Contact Carmen Ciappara | carmen@proprint.com.au | 0410 582 450 www.proprintawards.com.au

EVENT

FESPA Gourmet BBQ

FESPA Sydney Social

Labelexpo Mexico 2023

Durst Beyond, Label Open House

Visual Impact /Label & Packaging Expo

Durst, CEC tour with all printers showcased

FESPA Global Print Expo 2023

EcoPrint Summit: future of sustainable printing

Labelexpo Europe 2023

FESPA Australia Conference

ProPrint Awards

LOCATION

Melbourne

Sydney

Mexico City

Brixen, Italy

Sydney

Brixen, Italy

Munich, Germany

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www.sprinter.com.au 44 ProPrint February 2023

Press lines and the bottom line

Offset, digital or inkjet – whichever way you go, the aim should be cost-effective provision of print services.

By Peter Kohn

Move over, offset? Yeah … nah. The battle cry some years ago, that offset’s best days are behind it, is fading out. It was at its loudest when digital technologies exploded across the marketplace. But offset has been a stalwart, reinventing itself in its new, more defined space.

Look at history. Radio, which was pronounced terminal when TV first appeared, has not only persevered but prospered. Down the decades, broadcasting came up with miniaturisation, automotive variants, the FM band, and more recently DAB+ digital transmission and internet services. It changed its formats and broadened its channels and content. Like broadcasting, offset is an adapter and a stayer.

Don’t count out offset as a technology confined to the premium end of the market either – or believe for a moment it’s a technology limited to repetitive impressions, costed on volume. Savvy five- and six-colour presses, sheetfed and web, taking advantage of the latest in automation, have moved to the front of the pack, taking their place alongside the longer press lines, in B2 and B1 format, straight or perfecting, that generate tens of thousands of impressions per hour in 10 or 12 colours.

Of course, that doesn’t take anything away from the obvious advantages of digital printing – short runs, variable impressions, and database-linked personalisation that opens doors to all sorts of one-on-one, multimedia opportunities in today’s very electronic marketplace.

And then there’s digital inkjet. Speed is inkjet’s great strength, and it is finding a multitude of applications, even as the initial boom in printed transaction mail recedes in the face of electronic alternatives.

ProPrint explores just some of the technologies and products on offer today to boost profitability in the pressroom.

OFFSET

Cyber A/NZ and RMGT

Asked about the relative strengths of various print technologies, Bernard Cheong, Cyber A/NZ managing director, says, “Each has their space. Offset had always been the bread-and-butter technology for the commercial and folding carton packaging printers. It offers print

quality, colour consistency and high-speed production. Per-print cost is low for outputs of 500 sheets and above, and there’s an unlimited amount of paper and substrates to print on.”

of both, he reflects, telling ProPrint the outcome has been “energy saving designs that incorporate new ideas with highprecision manufacturing technology and highly durable construction”.

Cheong reports two key installations in Australia in recent months – an RMGT 970PF-8 LED with PQS-D and Smart Assist Printing is set to go into CMYKhub’s Brisbane production centre, while Spot Productions in Brisbane has expanded its line-up with an RMGT 750PF-8 plus coater and an RMGT 790PF-4 press. Cyber has also locally installed a 920ST-5, a 750PF-8 plus coater, and a 790PF-4 in recent months.

Heidelberg Asia Pacific

Douglas Mooney, regional manager sheetfed/digital, at Heidelberg Asia Pacific, describes the applications formula succinctly. “Offset gives users the opportunity to address most segments efficiently, from short-run commercial print, up to longer runs. For packaging, there’s complete flexibility with substrates and embellishment effects, as well as the use of special or PMS inks. In the label segment, we can produce at a lower-cost wet glue and speciality in-mould label substrates.”

Cheong notes that recent advances in automation, notably in the RMGT range, have sharpened sheetfed offset’s appeal. He offers examples such as a state-of-theart plate supply system, which RMGT showed at IGAS 2022.

RMGT’s range includes the RMGT 7 series (790 size), RMGT 9 series (920 and 970 sizes) – launched at the Cyber Open House in Malaysia last year– and RMGT 10 series (1060 size). RMGT’s offerings span a variety of press configurations, including B2 (the 790), SRA1 (the 970) and B1 (the 1060). He says that with B2, SRA1 and A1 plus (the latter two for packaging, longer-run commercial and book work), “the production cost is competitive when compared with high-speed sheetfed inkjet or toner machines for runs of 500 sheets and above”.

There are more than 150 configurations available for each model. The flexibility is significant, says Cheong, and his message to prospective customers is: “Send us your wish-list of what you hope to print and we will configure the press for the best fit.”

Much of Cyber and RMGT’s new kit is the consequence of the two formerly separate companies’ merger, tapping the strengths

As to the choice between technologies, Mooney notes, “Each application has its individual appeal and is dependent on the cost-per-sheet calculation. Modern offset equipment could be described as digital machines – the only difference is the use of an imaged plate media. All job data is generated digitally and the machines are fully pre-set automatically to create a job queue being sent at the push of a button from the digital control console – in our case the Prinect Press Centre. Even the plates are imaged digitally, so it can be described as a digital process.”

Importantly, the Heidelberg Versafire tonerbased solution also offers full integration into the H+ production workflow (Heidelberg’s cloud package), making it fully compatible for offset printers who wish to address this short-run segment.

Mooney notes that Heidelberg has been one of the earliest adopters of digitalisation and now has more than 10,000 devices connected to the Heidelberg cloud. And with new technologies such as Push-to-Stop autonomous print production and Plateto-Unit, print enterprises can achieve the shortest possible makeready times.

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 45

FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

Spot Productions' Simon Carmody and Cyber Australia's Bernard Cheong

“With press speed capabilities of 18,000 sheets per hour in perfecting mode, with all substrates and a dry-sheet concept with Heidelberg DryStar LE and LED solutions, sheets can be transferred directly into the automated post press,” he says.

Mooney emphasises that personalisation and variable-data printing only represent a very small portion of the overall commercial print segment.

Turning to Heidelberg’s latest offerings, he explains that H+ Prinect Production Manager provides a comprehensive workflow for offset and digital print – job management, scheduling, pre-setting, production KPI and energy consumption reporting. As to presses, the Speedmaster XL 106 offers 18,000 impressions per hour at fully automated industrial production levels, with Push-to-Stop, Cutstar web feed, and Plate-to Unit refinements.

Meanwhile, the Speedmaster SX 102, at 14,000 impressions per hour, and available as a 920 16pp A4 production machine, additionally sports the Push-to-Stop technology. And the Versafire digital press range addresses short-run, personalised products, integrated into the Heidelberg Prinect H+ workflow, allows printers maximum flexibility when combined with Heidelberg offset solutions.

Print & Pack (Komori)

With the increase of e-commerce around the globe, the packaging industry has boomed, finds Miro Williams, sales manager of Print & Pack Australia. “I see a lot of our customers revamping their businesses to cater to the packaging market. Machines are now able to feed thicker gauges and a greater variety of substrate through their machines at very high speeds, with stability.

“Our Komori Advance range of presses offers exactly this– with upgrades to the feeder and delivery to offer customers more variety and stability at high speed throughout the print run. Advancements in press interface, scanning and print inspection decrease makeready times and lower the amount of waste. In the process, quality is increased, and bad sheets can be identified during the press run.”

The Komori Advance range offers some exciting new features, including PQA press inspection, a quality-control system that checks for printing problems such as scumming, ink splashes and colour variations.

PDC-SX auto-register and colour control supports the operator by digitising and automating register and colour matching, and quality-checking work that used to be performed manually. “Changeover time

can be considerably shortened, and paper waste significantly reduced by performing colour control at print start-up, with a Smart Feedback function linked to the KHS-AI Advanced Interface which receives job data from the MIS-linked KP-Connect Pro and integrates control of the entire press.

“Since many of the tasks required for changeover are performed simultaneously, preparation time is greatly reduced,” explains Williams. “Moreover, as the press is also equipped with the high precision pre-set function that optimises pre-set data according to the changes in materials and printing environment, it is possible to significantly reduce paper waste.”

Taking a broad look, he reflects that offset’s strengths will always remain in larger run lengths at the highest quality. Jobs of 10,000-plus sheets are still more efficient to produce offset rather than digital, he points out.

“We see an increase in Pantone colours in the corporate world and the packaging market. With offset giving you the highest quality matching and printing the biggest variety of colour range will aways be an advantage over digital printing. With the big increase in volume the packaging market sees, offset also benefits from this. Printing on a much bigger variety of substrates and thicknesses at high volumes suits this market perfectly. We will see offset printers adapting to this market.”

Williams sees the 40-inch format as the main market in Australia for some time to come, to meet the need for flexibility in the high-volume and packaging industry. “In the past 12 months, Australia has seen a good volume of sales in the B1 market, pointing to a healthy need for this equipment,” he says.

DIGITAL

Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia

“Digital print technology allows you to offer your clients more, with ease,” states Bruce Murphy, head of graphic communication services, marketing and business development at Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia, “whether that is personalisation, unique finishing options or a wider colour gamut, all of which are very important when it comes to being able to stand out from the competition.

“There are also productivity benefits to consider with digital print technology, including time savings due to inline folding and trimming capabilities. However, it’s also important to consider a business’ individual requirements, such as run lengths, the type of jobs they are printing, and what type of jobs they want to print in the future in order to determine what

technology is the right fit for that business,” he adds.

Prompted on the relative merits of various technologies, Murphy sets it out. “Inkjet is the solution for point-of-sale and transactional printing. Inkjet technology has a wide gamut for vibrant colour reproduction. Inkjet technology is also ideal for transaction printing because of its high-speed variable-data capabilities and low running cost.

“For high-volume applications like publication printing, offset is the best solution. The low cost of inks, minimal running costs, and speed all contribute towards offset being the right choice for long runs. However, if you are looking at short-medium run publication printing, inkjet technology can be a more suitable and cost-effective solution.

“Flexographic technology is a no-brainer choice for long-run label and packaging work, as it allows you to print on a wide range of synthetic, flexible substrates at high-volume with speed. However, digital technology can be a more cost-effective solution for short-run work and it allows for greater personalisation,” says Murphy.

One of the main strengths of digital print technology is the lower set-up cost for shorter runs, he says.

Another advantage of digital print technology is VDP capability which can be easily achieved with workflow software.

“Traditionally offset print has been deemed superior in terms of quality, however, in recent years this has changed and is no longer the case with digital print quality now rivalling that of offset. Digital technology can also deliver productivity benefits, including fast production time for finished work with inline folding, trimming, and binding capabilities. This eliminates the need for additional steps of post-processing work from analogue systems,” he says.

In the digital space, Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia offers its Revoria Press PC1120, which has six stations working together for striking colour combinations. “Our flagship Revoria Press PC1120 is backed by AI-powered productivity,” says Murphy, “so you can produce a diverse range of applications, and complicated jobs with ease.”

A package of features places the PC1120 ahead of the pack, he says, noting it has a one-pass, six-colour print engine, with up to two special toners such as gold, silver, clear, white, and pink, in addition to the basic CMYK toners. Artificial Intelligence (AI) image correction enables images to be automatically enhanced, based on the content without operator intervention.

www.sprinter.com.au 46 ProPrint February 2023 FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

Murphy notes that this past June, the Revoria Press PC1120 won the Buyers Lab (BLI) 2022 PRO Award from Keypoint Intelligence for Outstanding High-Volume CMYK+ Production Device. Meanwhile, the Revoria Press E1 Series offers a monochrome solution with high-quality image management and superior fine type capabilities, high print speeds, and a wide array of application possibilities, all blended with high levels of productivity and reliability.

Konica Minolta

Application types and volume requirements will influence the best technology to use as there are pros and cons to each, notes Tatjana Ferguson, Konica Minolta’s product marketing manager, production and industrial print.

“For example, offset suits large print quantities and can produce a higher quality print; however, it can be costly to set up initially, difficult to make last-minute changes, and, due to the amount of paper needed to set up a run, it can affect environmental policies. Digital print is great for smaller print runs and can add a more personalised touch often in very quick time frames. Other important factors to consider include: environmental impacts and the organisation’s environmental policies; the capital and time needed to invest in setting up the technology; ongoing costs including paper, toner requirements, maintenance, and service; and the quality output of the machine.

“At Konica Minolta, we’ve seen a consumer and market demand for shorter, personalised print runs, with VDP driving the growth in digital technology, as it ensures the text, graphics, and image are correct across the run, without having to stop or interrupt it. Digital printers have the added benefit of saving time as they can finish the printed application through cutting, folding, collating, and even binding. Where offset printing can have an edge over digital is the output quality and its capacity to do larger runs more cost-effectively.”

For the toner-based market, Konica Minolta offers its AccurioPress C14000, a production printing press designed with inbuilt technologies for improved productivity and efficiency, with speeds of 140ppm in A4 and 80ppm in A3. It includes Intelligent Quality Optimiser (IQ-501) automation to adjust colour, image position, registration, and inspects print versions to ensure the highest quality output.

The AccurioPress C12000 is another of Konica Minolta’s flagship digital production presses. It can print 120ppm in A4 size with unprecedented print quality due to its exclusive toner, media flexibility, and automated colour correction, print control, and production output with IQ-501.

Ricoh

“COVID-19 has changed demand for print with online and social media marketing reducing print volumes and accelerating the transformation to digital.” That’s the trend identified by Henryk Kraszewski, senior product & marketing manager, at Ricoh Australia.

“Where long runs are required, offset still rules. But those run lengths are shrinking rapidly with declines in key applications. The decline in offset print is also being driven by demands for just-in-time print, lower waste and lower costs. The demand

for faster turnaround is driven by providing information to customers in a timely fashion. Offset is also impacted by the shrinking pool of skilled offset operators.

“The drivers for declining offset print volumes are steering the growth in digital print,” he says.

“As print run lengths shorten, digital is the obvious replacement, with the ability to print exactly the quantity required at the time it is needed. Print quality from digital devices is a given today, matching offset and even bettering offset with a broader gamut.”

A key advantage of digital cut-sheet device is stock flexibility, Kraszewski finds. And Ricoh colour print engines will print on almost any stock type: from uncoated, through the range of coated stocks, heavily textured stock, coloured, synthetic, labels, card stock and envelopes. “The other key advantage of digital is that it only takes seconds to switch from one stock to another with very short set-up times.”

Turnaround times for digital printers is somewhat shorter than offset. With minimum set-up times, the digital devices are in production within seconds of a job being processed and high-speed printing delivers printed work quickly. With automated inline finishing, digital presses can have fully finished, professional documents produced at the press of a button with the operator only needing to load paper and unload finished work ready for distribution, he explains.

The Ricoh Pro C9210 production press has recently been selected by some of Australia’s leading printers to power their digital print divisions, reports Kraszewski. “The combination of print quality, consistency, productivity, flexibility, ease of use and uptime, has seen the Pro C9210 employed to deliver the production requirements of Australia’s largest printers.”

The Pro C9210 is a high-performance digital cut-sheet press with advanced technologies to drive automation to deliver high-quality,

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 47 FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

Ricoh Pro C9210 AccurioPress C14000

FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

predictable output with the ability to reliably print up to a million prints per month. The Auto Color Diagnosis (ACD) and Matte Fuser Unit Option options have recently been launched by Ricoh Australia to further the appeal of the Pro C9210.

Meanwhile, the Ricoh Pro C7200X is a midvolume, five-colour production press. The additional colour capability enables print providers to add value to print jobs, driving revenue higher and improving profitability. The colour complement includes white, clear, neon pink, neon yellow, gold, silver and invisible red.

INKJET Durst

“As a manufacturer whose core competence is the “new digital” (or inkjet), Durst Oceania has been working very hard to bring inkjet up to the quality and speed of traditional analogue and or established digital technologies,” says Durst Oceania's MD Matt Ashman. “It is fair to say we have now exceeded both with the on quality, speed and more.”

“For narrow to medium web fed our star product is the TAU RSCi technology, as an example of this,” he says.

“TAU RSCi technology is suitable for label and general packaging applications and offers up to 51cm web width and speed of 100 liner metres per minute,” he explains.

“For sheetfed applications, Durst offers its ground breaking SPC 130 water based sheetfed high speed printer,” adds Ashman, pointing out that it delivers offset quality at “game changing speeds” of up to 45 linear metres per minute on a 1.3m width.

In the flatbed arena Ashman confirms that Durst is best known for its P5 platform, which offers speeds up to 700 m2/hr, widths up to 3.5m and options for UV and water-based technology.

Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia

Addressing the inkjet market, Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia’s Bruce Murphy details the Acuity Prime 20 and 30, noting Prime “is a true flatbed printer with

Konica Minolta

Inkjet printing has evolved over recent years to be a stable printing process, producing high quality images across a range of substrates, notes Konica Minolta’s Tatjana Ferguson. “It is commonly used for producing personalised and direct mail as it offers a low-cost alternative to offset printing. Although inkjet printing lacked in quality and had limitations as to what materials could be used in the past, these challenges are being overcome through the development of new, improved technology, making it a faster, more cost-effective option compared with offset printing.

“Offset printers certainly have advantages for larger print runs; however, it can become quite costly to do shorter runs with an offset press. Inkjet is a better alternative with a higher productivity, improved running costs, and a larger format size,” she says.

“Traditionally, sheetfed presses have been used to address high image quality requirements as well as short runs, substrate flexibility, larger-format applications like folders or posters, expanded colour gamut, and value-added enhancements. There has been a range of innovation in sheetfed fields, including ink, drying and media compatibility, versatility, and adapting to facilitate larger sheet sizes.

“This has resulted in sheetfed inkjet presses becoming a better solution for many than offset presses.”

Ferguson says that with the new HD technology upgrade, improvements have been made to the quality of production for the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e. These include skin tones, uniformity of solid backgrounds, and the reproduction of textures.

Addressing where inkjet’s strengths lie in a market where litho continues to play a significant role, Ashman says, “We are all aware of the advantages of a ‘digital' workflow, and support that ethos completely. The established digital technology has remained current but more or less unchanged and lacking real innovation for many years. But we now bring solutions to address the established digital technology limitations, and lack of innovation. There is no make ready time, it has low ink usage and offers massively reduced wastage – with Durst, ink jet wastage is slashed so low it is not even considered in the calculations. Add to this the advantage of ink jet being far harder wearing and durable than traditional digital, which in most cases cuts out the complete need to add a costly over lamination.”

In terms of the specific applications of inkjet technologies, Ashman confirms that Durst can cover all areas for narrow to mid format.

outstanding image quality and excellent adhesion to a broad range of rigid and flexible media, materials and objects – all supported by its five dedicated vacuum zones and jettable primer.”

The press features high print speeds of up to 150sq m per hour throughput on media sizes up to 1.27 x 2.54 m. Fujifilm’s Uvijet LED UV curing ink delivers strong, vibrant, lightfast colours with superior colour gamut. It can be configured with either four, five, or six colour channels, including CMYK, white, clear, and a jettable primer.

The Acuity Primes have five dedicated vacuum zones to reduce the amount of bed masking required and enable quick media changeover. Jettable primer allows for superior adhesion to industrial media such as glass, metal, and wood. An automatic printhead maintenance system (APMS), provides hands-free cleaning while increasing print quality consistency, and reliability.

The AccurioJet KM-1e, a next generation B2+ UV inkjet press, incorporates the latest in inkjet printhead design. It uses patented dot freeze technology and provides improved substrate handling and versatility. The KM-1e has been built to combine characteristics of offset presses, including the print materials and stability, as well as the latest digital technology, including VDP.

Print & Pack

Print & Pack’s Miro Williams says that in recent years, the industry has seen digital technology growing in the flexo label market. “This trend in the industry sees run lengths shortening, and more variations in printed products. Digital printing can offer agility and quick set-ups with low waste usage, optimal for shorter runs and boutique work.

With skilled workers being increasingly hard to find, the training aspect of digital

www.sprinter.com.au 48 ProPrint February 2023

Durst TAU RSCi

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equipment takes a lot less time to master, making this ideal for labour hire and training. “We have also seen machine manufacturers perfecting inkjet technology in their digital range. This allows presses to run at high speeds and deliver high quality on varied substrates, increasing the efficiencies of digital presses which in turn increases profitability for end-users at higher run lengths. Recently, we’ve seen the combination of digital and flexo processes utilising ink jet technology giving you a more versatile machine, the best of both worlds.”

To make the most of these developments, the Bobst All In One range from Print & Pack offers the Australian and New Zealand markets a totally modular and upgradable printing machine made to specific needs, all designed and manufactured using Bobst technology. It utilises inkjet and flexographic printing technologies running at high speeds from one to a million labels.

Ricoh

Continuous-feed and cutsheet inkjet plugs the gap between toner-based cutsheet and offset, explains Ricoh Australia’s Henryk Kraszewski. “Whereas toner-based presses are the perfect solution for short-run work and where flexibility is required, the higher page costs don’t work so well for longer runs. The offset cost model and workflow is ideally suited to the longest run lengths. The latest inkjet presses have stepped forward in quality, while inkjet’s lower cost-per-page (than toner-based solutions) makes it a viable alternative for jobs with longer runs.”

Kraszewski argues that cut-sheet electrophotographic presses have provided the bulk of digital print volume to date, but inkjet print volumes have now matched those volumes, and will continue to grow faster into the future. “This is largely due to the lower running costs and availability of B2 inkjet (such as the upcoming Ricoh Pro Z75). B2 inkjet presses enable offset print providers to utilise existing paper sizes, retain existing pre/ post equipment, and easily integrate into existing operations.

“Customers have asked Ricoh for equipment with higher speeds, offset-like print quality on more stock types, a low operating cost, and the ability to operate the device without the need for highly skilled operators,” reports Kraszewski.

“The Ricoh Pro VC60000 and Pro VC70000e continuous-feed inkjet presses have been designed with these needs in mind, enabling print work to be migrated from offset to inkjet.

“A capability that inkjet can provide which offset cannot match is the ability for versioning and personalisation.

“Continuous-feed inkjet presses are best suited to longer runs, and personalised or versioned work, where there is no need to change stock types. The clear advantage of sheetfed inkjet presses is the flexibility with stock types and stock weights, being able to switch stocks easily – or even mix stock types in the one job. The other key difference lies in finishing workflow, with continuous-feed devices requiring finishing equipment geared to handling large paper rolls. Cut-sheet inkjet – like the upcoming Ricoh Pro Z75 – are designed to easily slot into existing operations that already handle B2 offset work.”

Kraszewski notes that Ricoh recently launched its Pro VC70000e, which offers advanced hardware, software and workflow enhancements, including Ricoh's proprietary undercoating technology.

Kraszewski sees the Pro VC70000e as the latest generation of the Pro VC70000 portfolio that features multiple print quality and productivity enhancements, including business intelligence capabilities through Ricoh Supervisor, along with AI and Machine Learning (ML) benefits.

Screen GP Australia

“There is no ‘best’ technology anymore –only the most appropriate and costefficient,” says Peter Scott, managing director of Screen GP Australia. “Sustainability is now also a major factor. Whatever the process, if it creates excessive waste, it’s not the best. Inkjet –particularly water-based, as in our upcoming flexible packaging presses –offers the best all-round sustainability with almost zero waste.

“For labels, UV-cured inkjet inks are still preferable for substrate versatility and vibrancy. Of the conventional processes, I would say flexo can address both speed, productivity and sustainability best. Offset is still highly effective in folding cartons and long-run POS work.”

In a market in which offset still plays a very significant role, Scott sees inkjet offering

many advantages. There is no plate makeready, fewer chemicals are involved, it offers fast design-to-print turnaround, variable data, and the ability to print only what you need, which means almost zero waste, short runs, job changes ‘on the fly', and offset quality on offset stocks with Screen’s SC inks.

The Australian market has particularly taken to web/rollfed inkjet, notes Scott, and this technology has found ample support with sheeting, folding and finishing from the likes of Hunkeler, Technau and others. “Larger format sheetfed inkjet in B2 and B1 formats has struggled to find its place in the market, but in SRA3 it is doing well. This is for several reasons such as speed, width of print swathe or print bar.”

Meanwhile, Screen has rebranded the specific market categories of its Truepress series of inkjet printing systems to meet the requirements of 2023. The Truepress JET addresses commercial printing and publication printing, in mono and colour. The Truepress LABEL targets the selfadhesive sector and other label applications. And the Truepress PAC is Screen’s solution for flexible packaging, paper and film. Scott says the refresh comes with a new set of logos for each category.

“There are now over a dozen variants of our Truepress devices, each with specific target-market benefits,” says Scott. “We saw the need to more clearly delineate the three main categories and have refreshed the branding in order to do this, particularly as new devices roll in from R&D into market. Each category also has specific front-end software requirements, catered for by versions of EQUIOS and other third-party integrated software.”

The changes intend to clarify Screen’s development of products and solutions for each of the commercial/publishing, label and packaging markets. The company plans to begin shipping presses bearing the new branding this year.

www.sprinter.com.au 50 ProPrint February 2023

Screen-TPJ-L350UV-SAI

In Summary

OFFSET

Cyber:

RMGT 7 series (790 size)

RMGT 9 series (920 and 970 sizes)

RMGT 10 series (1060 size)

Heidelberg:

H+ Prinect Production Manager

Speedmaster XL 106

Speedmaster SX 102

Koenig & Bauer:

Rapida 106 X

Komori (Print & Pack):

Komori Advance range, with PDC-SX auto register and colour control

Manrolandgoss:

Roland 700 Evolution Press

DIGITAL

EFI:

EFI Fiery FS500 Pro digital front end

Fujifilm Business Innovation

Australia:

Revoria Press PC1120

Revoria Press E1 Series

HP Indigo LEP presses:

HP Indigo 100K Digital Press (B2)

HP Indigo 15K HD Digital Press (B2)

HP Indigo 7K Digital Press (SRA3+)

Koenig & Bauer

VariJet 106

Konica Minolta:

AccurioPress C14000

AccurioPress C12000

Ricoh:

Ricoh Pro C9210

Ricoh Pro C7200X

INKJET

Canon:

Canon ColorStream series

Canon ProStream series

Canon VarioPrint iX 3200

Durst:

TAU RSCi

Delta SPC 130

P5 Series

HP:

HP PageWide Web Press T240/250 HD presses

Konica Minolta:

Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e.

Bobst (Print & Pack)

Bobst All-In-One range

Ricoh:

Ricoh Pro VC70000e

Ricoh Pro Z75

Screen GP:

Truepress JET series

Truepress LABEL series

Truepress PAC series

HP Indigo 100K, 15K HD and 7K (Currie Group)

HP INDIGO 100K DIGITAL PRESS

HP Indigo’s first Series 5 press, the HP Indigo 100K Digital Press is the “world’s most productive” B2 digital solution with non-stop print capabilities at 6,000 sheets per hour. It produces jobs back-to-back with true non-stop digital print capabilities through advance automation, enabling continuous feeding, continuous stacking, and continuous colour calibration without interrupting production.

It is designed with high predictability with AI driven services that has predictive capabilities for failure prevention and reliable offset paper transport, through offset like gripper-to-gripper architecture. This translates to more short runs, reduces waste, and freeing up more capacity on your offset press –improving operational excellence.

HP INDIGO 15K HD DIGITAL PRESS

The HP Indigo 15K and 15K HD Digital Press is the “world's best-selling” B2 format digital printing press that can print up to 4600 sheets per hour. “It’s the press that lets you say yes to every job with unshakeable confidence and unmatched quality,” says HP. It offers beyond-offset quality with HD imaging option, and allows for G7 master certification to be achieved with a touch of a button using PrintOS Color Beat.

It offers the widest substrate range in the industry, 70-600 micron media and endless substrate types (uncoated, coloured media including black, synthetics, metalised and more). You can say yes to any request, switching between and integrating substrates seamlessly even within a single job.

It is leveraging “world renowned” automation and workflow optimisation tools to get more done, maximising total uptime. It automatically detects print quality defects, and reprints while diverting sheets to scrap. The digital press includes preventive care, AI-based tools and more.

HP INDIGO 7K DIGITAL PRESS

The 13 x 19-inch HP Indigo 7K Digital Press runs at 120 four-colour A4 pages per minute or 240 two-colour A4 pages per minute, offers a broad range of high-value digital applications on thick media up to 550 microns, has more than 20 special inks and can match colours across HP Indigo presses, sites, as well as between HP Indigo and offset with automatic colour calibration algorithms.

It offers a wide substrate range, allows for continuous as well as high-volume print with automatic print queue optimisation, can print and proof in parallel and is able to detect print-quality defects automatically. Thanks to machine learning algorithms, the HP Indigo 7K helps users identify technical issues before they occur.

The HP Indigo 7K Digital Press enables endless applications – and customer satisfaction – with the widest range of media and over 20 specialty inks. Simplify production with smart, automated tools while printing offset-matching quality and high volumes day in, day out with this truly robust press.

Streamline operations with simple, smart, and automated tools that improve press availability and print continuously and easily with automatic print queue optimisation and a press that lets you print and proof in parallel.

www.sprinter.com.au February 2023 ProPrint 51 FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

The new blueprint for wide format

A true flatbed with a unique and exceptional design.

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

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

FUJIFILM Australia1300 650 504

FUJIFILM Business Innovation Australia 13 14 12

For enquiries, please contact: Carmen Ciappara, National Sales Manager Direct: 02 9833 4314 or 0410 582 450 | Email: carmen@proprint.com.au MARKETPLACE Affinity Version 2 Software released Dec 2022 E: ben@allworkcranes.com.au E: ben@allworkcranes.com.au Complete factory relocations: Specialising in a wide range of machinery from Engineering, Metal Work, Printing & Packaging Providing a full rage of services including: 3 Machinery handling 3 General crane hire 3 Forklift hire and transport 3 Packing and unpacking of containers Established 7 years. Serving a wide range of customers we pride ourselves on punctuality, reliability and customer satisfaction. All aspects of printing machinery allwork crane.indd 1 • Heidelberg - Polar - Stahl • Letterpress Accessories • SBL 1050 Die Cutter • Heidelberg GTO-SM52-SM74-SM102 rollers and accessories • Polar complete handling system • Lift - Jogger - Unloader • Stahl T78-4-4-2-R rebuilt with new rollers and belts, has gatefold 2 up with gluing and stacker • SBL 1050SE x inplant like new with auto strip AUCTION SALE COMMENCING 17 February 2023 INSPECTIONS WELCOME, BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Contact | Tim O’Mara | 0414 777 770 | tim@omaras.com.au O’MARAS AUCTIONS www.omaras.com.au

TOPLINE BINDING SUPPLIER FOR TRADE PERFECT BINDING (PUR/EVA) WIRO BINDING (Auto Puncher & closer) Fulfilment ask for more CALENDAR SPECIAL ON NOW 0414 937 789 Justin Dock 6A, 10 Carrington Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204 toplinebinding@gmail.com YOUR PARTNER IN FINISHING BETTERSERVICE &PRICE Freight Charge Per Order Your Printing Partners FREE CALL 1800 666 088 EMAIL: sales@dockets-forms.com AU Wide Delivery with Capped Freight Charge Trade Only www.dockets-forms.com Easy Online Quote & Order We are the Specialist in NCR Paper Printing Trusted by Printers Nationwide for Over 20 Years www.sprinter.com.au 54 ProPrint February 2023

FULL COLOUR TRADE PRINTING Top Quality, Good Service, Lowest Prices! Need a quick turnaround & a reliable trade printer? Call or email us now! OUR SERVICES: • 5 Colour / Full Colour Printing from A3 up to A1 • UV Print / Digital Print • Celloglazing / Die Cutting / Folding / Creasing • Saddle Stitching / Bookbinding • Perfect Binding / Wire Binding OUR PRODUCTS: • Business Cards / Post Cards / DL Cards • Stationery / Brochures / Posters / Magazines • Presentation Folders / Promotion Cards • Docket Books / Pads • Outdoor Vinyl / UV Foil Print / Point Of Sale • Packaging / Boxes • Custom Products P: (02) 9790 9999 | E: info@cticolourprinter.com.au | www.cticolourprinter.com.au 126 Fairfield St, Fairfield East NSW 2165 Contact us today for all service and guillotine requirements JTS Engineering Services Pty Ltd Jim Strounis, Owner Mobile: 0433 100 243 Email: jim@jtsengineering.com.au Scott Mohammed, Service & Account Manager Mobile: 0431 887 501 Email: scottm@jtsengineering.com.au Unit 5, 80-82 Seville Street, Fairfield, NSW, 2165 Web: jtsengineering.com.au JTS Engineering servicing the industry has partnered with Longer Machine Industrial Co Ltd to supply the specialised range of paper guillotines systems featuring high speed, precision and safety. www.sprinter.com.au 56 ProPrint February 2023

Did you know that D&D Mailing Services is one of the largest mailing companies operating in Australia? D&D Mailing Services:  High speed laser printing and print supply services  Cost-effective parcel and postal distribution analysis  Expertise in Australia Post regulations and services  ‘Pick and Pack’ warehousing services  Overseas mail inbound and outbound  Specialised hand-finishing services D&D Mailing Melbourne 16 Elonera Road Noble Park VIC 3174 03 9790 5844 ddmail@ddmail.com.au www.ddmail.com.au D&D Mailing Sydney 1064 Canley Vale Road Wetherill Park NSW 2164 02 9725 2114 ddmail@ddmail.com.au www.ddmail.com.au D&D Mailing Services

www.sprinter.com.au 58 ProPrint February 2023

CREATION OF NEW DIMENSION IN DIGITAL PRINTING

Mark McEwan, Director of Label Concepts, is the proud owner of the Dimense printer.

Said Mark: “From the outset, I’ve enjoyed the candour and engagement with Abe Weiszberger, and the passion both he and Phillip Bouchard have shown towards achieving a successful outcome for our business. This product is an absolute game changer, and I look forward to our respective businesses growing in the surfaces market”.

dimense.com.au

ProPrint February 2023

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

2023 – fresh start, new opportunities

Contents FEBRUARY

Top 12 most read stories in 2022

PAPER SHORTAGE CHAOS: INTERGRAF

CMYKHUB PURCHASES HP INDIGO 6K

QLM GROUP ACQUIRES ELNA PRESS

SAPPI FORESEES PAPER PRICE, SUPPLY CHAIN IMPACTS

MICHAEL SCHULZ JOINS CEO SLEEPOUT TEAM

PLATYPUS PRINT PACKAGING TURNS 40

OVATO ENTERS VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION

IVE OVATO ACQUISITION

IVE SELECTS RICOH AS PREFERRED PRINT PARTNER

FERREL TOPS

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

VICFORESTS RULING CREATES PAPER SUPPLY CHALLENGES

OPAL ANTICIPATES IMPACT ON MARYVALE MILL PAPER PRODUCTION

Debrief

29

Remaining focused on the long-term as global factors impact short-term returns

MEDIA SUPER PERFORMANCE

Your 2023 business plan and goals for success

Pay Secrecy clauses prohibited

The PVCA’s Charles Watson expands on an amendment in the Federal Government’s Fair Work Bill 2022, relating to the prohibition on ‘pay secrecy’ in employment relationships.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS

Cyber installs Aussie first RMGT 970 at CMYKhub

KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY

ALL ABOUT THE FEATURES

ENHANCING PRODUCTION CAPACITY

FUTURE PLANS

2022 ProPrint Awards –the night of night in pictures

PRODUCTION EXCELLENCE

2022 ProPrint Awards Printer 50 winners

ProPrint Awards Editor’s Choice Award: Big Image Australia

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE TO POWER YOUR WORKFLOW

2022 ProPrint Awards Industry Achievement Award: Peter Clark (posthumously awarded)

Industry legend Peter Clark was posthumously awarded the 2022 Industry Achievement Award, which was accepted by his son Richard on the night.

ProPrint Awards Ball & Doggett Sustainability Prize: Lithocraft

2022 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 winners

2022 Proprint Awards Supplier 50 winners

It’s a wrap!

EVENT

LOCATION

DATE

Press lines and the bottom line

Offset, digital or inkjet – whichever way you go, the aim should be cost-effective provision of print services.

OFFSET

Cyber A/NZ and RMGT

Heidelberg Asia Pacific

Print & Pack (Komori)

DIGITAL

Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia

FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

INKJET Durst

Fujifilm Business Innovation Australia

Konica Minolta

Print & Pack

FOCUS PRESSROOM TECHNOLOGY

Screen GP Australia

In Summary

HP Indigo 100K, 15K HD and 7K (Currie Group)

HP INDIGO 7K DIGITAL PRESS

The new blueprint for wide format

CREATION OF NEW DIMENSION IN DIGITAL PRINTING

Articles inside

BALL & DUGGETT SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE: LITHOCRAFT

INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: PETER CLARK

EDITOR'S CHOICE: BIG IMAGE AUSTRALIA

COVER STORY: CYBER