ProPrint February 2024

Making the future easier.

At the touch of a button.

People Technology Business

www.sprinter.com.au FEBRUARY 2024

Gallus celebrates 100th anniversary and unveils new solutions Easy and fast use of our products. Easy to efficient powercontrol digital transformation and of your processes and applications. All integrated in one clever system. We call it: Simply Smart. › heidelberg.com

The Power of New all-in-one solution for efficient and profitable label production Heidelberg Graphic Equipment Ltd 2 Acacia Place Notting Hill, Vic 3168 1300 135 135

2023 ProPrint Awards Photo gallery of attendees and winners at the gala event

160216_AZ-HD-Nachrichten_drupa_Hauptmotiv_216x292_IsoCV2_300_EN.indd 1

Star Business

A profile on Creative Plastic Cards as it grows and thrives

FESPA Global Expo

Preview of the 2024 show, to run 19-22 March in Amsterdam

Great work, reliability and quality really help us look good to our customers, meaning you get more work.

Thanks for everything.

The book is fantastic and is the cumulation of great graphic design and excellent printing!

Thank you for helping.

Thanks to you for all your help which has been more than just doing the basic job.

Ian - 12/12/23

Thanks also for all the hard work on the split delivery this week.

They look great and I know you guys worked so hard to make that happen at your end.

Daniel - 22/11/23

Jeff - 4/12/23

Wow! Thank you for the amazing service!

Got my order and the customer service and updates etc. Were all very much appreciated Love them.

Sophie - 21/11/23

Just wanted to send a huge thank you for all your quoting, recommendations, advice and assistance always – I know I throw you a few curve balls sometimes!

Thanks for the quick turnaround, high quality print and professional service.

Leeanne - 21/11/23

Calendars arrived safely yesterday.

I wanted to just say thank you for such a seamless process.

The quality of the product is fantastic.

I will definitely be recommending hero print!

Tim - 17/11/23

OF OUR NEW CLIENTS ARE REFERRALS YOU CAN SEE WHY...

AUSTRALIA’S BEST TRADE PRINTER

EDITOR’S NOTE

A sharper focus in the now

Colleen Bate

By the time you read this issue of ProPrint, we will be well into the new year, feeling as if the holiday break was just a distant memory and looking forward to what’s ahead. As past experiences live on in us as memories, and the future is only an illusion, the present is really all we have.

Yet, even this is ever changing – once you read this sentence, ‘now’ is no longer happening!

Our February issue of ProPrint is filled with industry players who seem to be doing just that – from Print Logistics, as it enhances its hard case bookmaking capabilities, to Sydney-based Creative Plastic Cards, which has opened a paper production facility in Brisbane. We also feature Lamont Print and Signs’ recent Open Day event and Gallus Group’s product launch and new industry hub opening during its 100th anniversary.

of all the category winners.

This is why the Carpe Diem mantra to ‘seize the day’ seems to make sense – it allows one to appreciate the importance of life as it unfolds, and to focus on the things that matter.

Not to be forgotten is the success of the 2023 ProPrint Awards, thanks to the tremendous preparation of the hard-working events team, as we feature the highlights of this important event, along with a photo gallery

Here’s hoping that the plans you make in 2024 will come to fruition, that you will create wonderful memories in the making, and importantly, that you will embrace each present moment as it arises.

And lastly, current preparations for FESPA Global Expo, set to be held in Amsterdam from 19 - 22 March, are also underway, and on pages 44 to 50, you can discover what to expect at this not-to-be-missed international industry event.

Contents FEBRUARY 6 - 11 Update

Current news stories at the time of press.

12 Comment: Mick Rowan

NEW INSTALLATIONS 42 Print Logistics / RENZ Australia

Think Laterally’s Mick Rowan discusses the benefits of innovative thinking.

Print Logistics installs the Müller Martini Inventa 11 with the support of RENZ Australia.

14 Comment: Charles Watson

DOWNTIME

The VMA’s Charles Watson outlines amendments to the new fixed term contract laws.

52 ProPrint Diary

Fun and frivolity, communication, and connection – a pictorial guide of those in attendance at the 2023 ProPrint Awards.

STAR BUSINESS 40-41 Creative Plastic Cards

Picture gallery of attendees at the event held on 19 January.

PROPRINT AWARDS

COVER STORY

20 ProPrint Awards Overview

Gallus introduces three new products and opens new industry hub to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Gatefold – Awards Photo Gallery

38-39 Lamont Open House Event

Keep up to date with upcoming industry events.

16 Gallus

PROPRINT AWARDS – GLAMOUR & GLITZ

Business profile of Sydney-based Creative Plastic Cards, which recently expanded with the opening of a paper production facility in Brisbane.

A synopsis of the industry’s night of nights.

SHOW PREVIEW

PROPRINT AWARDS – DOWNTIME

44-50 FESPA Global Expo 2024

22-36 Award Winners Gallery

Picture gallery of senior print leaders, lifetime achiever, rising star, industry suppliers and printers who shone on the night.

Editor Colleen Bate, 0434 259 059, cbate@intermedia.com.au Design and Production Manager Sarah Vella, sarahv@intermedia.com.au Managing Director James Wells, james@intermedia.com.au Subscriptions (02) 9660 2113, subscriptions@intermedia.com.au Printed by Hero Print Alexandria, NSW, 2015 Mailed by D&D Mailing Services Wetherill Park, NSW, 2164

Highlights of what you can expect to see at FESPA Global Expo, set to be held in Amsterdam from 19–22 March 2024.

ProPrint Magazine National Sales Manager Carmen Ciappara +61 2 410 582 450 carmen@proprint.com.au

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

DISCLAIMER This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2024 — Charted Media Group Pty Ltd

4 ProPrint February 2024

www.sprinter.com.au

The drupa trend forum

ready to

START UP? May 28 – June 7, 2024 Düsseldorf

Program and information: www.drupa.com/dna_en

Discover the drupa trend forum The dna (drupa next age) forum is the place to learn about new technologies that will help evolve and transform your business, get strategic insights through daily presentations, panels and forums, and connect with industry innovators – from start-ups, through SMEs, to global players. The future of your business starts in hall 7.0. Be part of it!

#drupa2024 www.drupa.com

drupa.com/blog

For further information and assistance with travel and accommodation planning Robert Laing _ Messe Reps. Pty. Ltd Tel. +61 427 353536 robert@messereps.com

www.messereps.com

UPDATE

Starleaton enters voluntary administration

By James Wells

Hardware and consumables supplier, Starleaton entered voluntary administration on Friday 19 January.

Companies contacted by ProPrint who supply Starleaton said they were surprised by the news and were unaware that the business was facing any financial difficulties.

In an advertisement, the administrators for Starleaton requested ‘urgent expressions of interest’ ahead of the creditors meeting held on 31 January.

“The business offers the following highlights: physical presence in NSW, QLD, VIC, WA and NZ; approximately 15 full time employees; average annual turnover of $21 million; assets including plant & equipment including converting machines, stock, motor vehicles, forklifts, website, select IP and office equipment,” the advertisement said.

The joint administrator for Starleaton, Andrew Blundell of Cathro & Partners, told ProPrint that he is open to any offer from the market.

“We can accept an offer for the business prior to the first creditors meeting or anytime thereafter and this requires a

Ben Eaton steps down from Visual Connections board

By James Wells

Visual Connections vice-president Ben Eaton has resigned from the board of the supplier-based association following the announcement that Starleaton had entered voluntary administration.

“The Visual Connections Board, like the rest of the industry, was dismayed to hear the announcement that Starleaton had entered voluntary administration,” acting president of Visual Connections Mitch Mulligan said in a statement.

“Although we had no prior knowledge of

6 ProPrint February 2024

Josh Eaton, Melissa Eaton, Peter Eaton and Ben Eaton

commercial determination based on the ongoing trading position of the company at the time of the offer,” he told ProPrint.

“We have received a lot of interest to purchase the business in its entirety or in parts and this has just been from word of mouth,” Blundell said.

“We want to achieve the best result for creditors. It is now a matter of working through the process.”

Starleaton locally represented companies including Canon, Zund, Epson and Neschen.

Following the collapse of the business, Starleaton’s competitor Spicers confirmed it would also become a distributor of Neschen consumables and also become a distributor of Brett Martin plastic products for the sign and display category.

Spicers Visual Communications Portfolio Manager, Wayne Hood, said that the Neschen and Brett Martin distribution deals were officially signed in 2023, however orders made in December only

Ben Eaton is no longer on the board of Visual Connections.

the situation, our colleague Ben Eaton, CEO of Starleaton, had resigned from the Board this year to focus on business challenges. The Board will meet in February for a strategic planning session and will reassign roles at that time.

“Starleaton has been a strong and dynamic force in the Australian print and sign supply industry, with a product range and expertise spanning everything from wide-format print and signage, to display

arrived in January 2024.

Spicers and Starleaton both share five brands in the local market – Neschen, Hahnemuhle and Breathing Colour fine art papers as well as Epson and Roland hardware.

Starleaton was established in 1978 and describes itself on its website as one of the industry’s leading suppliers of technology and consumables to the graphic imaging market including outdoor and indoor signage, display, point of purchase, window and floor-mounted graphics.

Since its 2016 acquisition of DES, the company’s reach has extended into packaging, commercial printing, photographic, fine art, CAD/GIS, high-end colour management, and soft proofing.

“With six locations across the ANZ region from Perth to Auckland we have grown to be Australia and New Zealand’s largest family-run supplier to the Sign, Display and Photo/Fine Art sectors,” the company said on its website.

and graphics products. They have always been a strong supporter of Visual Connections, and a loyal exhibitor in the PacPrint, PrintEx and Visual Impact exhibitions.

“More than that, Ben Eaton has made an enormous and positive contribution to the Visual Connections Board over many years, alongside his involvement with many other industry initiatives. We thank him most sincerely for his ongoing commitment to the industry and his willingness to give back to our sector in such a generous way.

“The challenges for businesses over the past few years cannot be overstated, and we are still seeing the flow-on impacts from that today. Visual Connections will always stand with its members and assist in any way possible to ensure that our industry remains strong, vibrant and well-served by innovative and committed suppliers.

“We send our best wishes to the Eaton family and to all Starleaton staff, and stand ready to support them in any way possible as they navigate this challenging chapter,” Mulligan concluded.

www.sprinter.com.au

UPDATE

All Flags Signs and Banners emerges from liquidation A series of companies including WA-based Euro Poles and All Flags Signs and Banners owned by former Visual Connections board member Peter Wagener that entered liquidation have re-emerged under new ownership. longer under external administration or in liquidation and is back in full swing, ready to continue providing exceptional print solutions, as it has been for the past 30+ years.”

Wagener said he was disappointed that he was unable to keep his initial promise that all creditors would be paid in full.

A series of companies including WA-based Euro Poles and All Flags Signs and Banners have re-emerged under new ownership.

A

fter the company went into voluntary administration in late September, a ‘Notice of Deemed Special Resolution to Wind Up a Company’ was issued in late November for the following businesses: Wagener Holdings (trading as All-Signs, All Flags Signs and Banners, Pennant House, Photos on Glass, Dot Imagery, All Flags); All Signs WA; Double Trouble WA (trading as Euro Poles Textile Displays, Euro Poles and Flag Displays, LF Media; Pennant House; Vuteks WA (trading as Vuteks WA and Flexible Signage Solutions).

At the time of the company entering voluntary administration Wagener told ProPrint: “This is not a ‘phoenix’ operation.

Every creditor will receive 100 cents in the dollar.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we share this news regarding the recent developments at All Flags Signs and Banners, All Signs, Euro Poles, and Pennant House,” Wagener said in November.

“Despite our initial optimism surrounding a potential solution and restructure, an unexpected turn of events late last night has compelled us to transition from voluntary administration to liquidation.

“Following our previous announcement detailing the challenges imposed by the

www.sprinter.com.au

WA border closure and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our management team was actively pursuing solutions to secure the future of all companies, However, we received notification that the landlord of our commercial lease has terminated the agreement, leaving us with no choice but to take this regrettable step.

“Despite this setback, I want to assure our very loyal customers, and the Australian events and sports industry whom we have served for three decades, that we have re grouped and are starting again in early December. We are very conscious to make sure everything is legal, ethical and above board. We are committed to the industry, supporting it fully and working to developing new products also in the years ahead. Our staff are excited to be able to continue to serve our clients into the future.”

Following the purchase of the business by a Perth based ‘consortium’ in midDecember, the business was relaunched as All Flags Signs & Banners using the previous logo of the company.

“Through the collective efforts of our dedicated team and the support of our stakeholders, we have navigated the challenges that led us to the brink of extinction. Today I am thrilled to inform you that All Flags Signs & Banners is no

“While we were able to preserve the majority of employees’ jobs through the buyout by the consortium from the liquidators, it does mean our original intention to pay all suppliers in full under the Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) is impossible. Finance on all machines has been cleared by the new consortium and all secured suppliers have been repaid in full. Unfortunately, due to the costs of the administrators which totalled over $360,000, we were unable to repay unsecured creditors under the liquidation scenario.

“There were a number of undertakings that we made in good faith that we are not going to be able to make and this is very disappointing as I am one of those people that likes to do what you say you are going to do. It does affect your credibility unfortunately.”

Wagener has confirmed he and his wife Rhonda “have no financial interest in the relaunched business of any description”, however, they will continue to work for the new organisation.

“I have been asked to stay on as general manager and Rhonda is operations manager. My two boys have also continued with the business – one will be floor manager and the other is a full trained installer,” Wagener said.

“The liquidation of the businesses has cost us personally everything. We need to rebuild the business from the ground up – and we will do it – one flag at a time,” Wagener said.

“What is more important is the retention of the jobs of the employees. They have worked so hard and been so loyal, we had to see them looked after.”

February 2024 ProPrint 7

UPDATE

Industry pays tribute to print pioneer Tom Lusch

By Sprinter Team

The industry has paid tribute to print stalwart and pioneer, Tom Lusch, founder of Queensland-based Platypus Print Packaging, following his passing on January 3, aged 68.

Tom’s son Tim Lusch told the Courier Mail his dad had been “battling away” with cancer for some years after diagnosis in late 2021. But just after Christmas on December 27, Tom tested positive to Covid-19. He died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family.

Walter Kuhn, managing director of Kuhn Corp Print & Packaging, told Sprinter, “Tom was a stalwart of the industry, a pioneer, and overall, an amazingly generous person”.

“Since the late 1980s and early 1990s when I owned Panther Print – before Kuhn Corp – he worked for us, and we worked for him over many years. Tom would do a lot of embossing foiling for our business.

“He has amazing business ethics and he

Tom Lusch, Aaron Lusch, and Tim Lusch

also had great foresight into the world of packaging. He saw the writing on the wall with the growth of cardboard packaging more than 20 years ago.

“You cannot say a bad word about Tom as there is not a bad word to say.

“There are certain people that you would trust implicitly – and Tom is one of those people.”

Kellie Northwood, CEO, Visual Media Association, said Tom has a “reputation of generosity”.

“I, like so many across the industry, have a story about Tom’s generosity and

Lusch legacy to live on

By Cameron Cooper

The motto of “there’s always a way” will continue to drive the culture at Platypus Print Packaging as the next generation seeks to build on the legacy of the late Tom Lusch.

Speaking after the funeral for Tom – a Brisbane business identity who died aged 68 on 3 January 3 – eldest son Aaron Lusch vowed to maintain the success of the award-winning Queensland business with the help of his brother, Tim. Aaron, general manager, and Tim, operations manager, have both worked at Platypus Print Packaging for many years and are company directors. Their father started the business, then known as Platypus Graphics, in 1982 and turned it into one of the most respected printing and print packaging enterprises in Australia.

About 600 mourners, including many luminaries in Brisbane’s printing and advertising industries, attended Tom Lusch’s funeral on January 12 at the Victory

8 ProPrint February 2024

Aaron and Tim Lusch

Centre in Bridgeman Downs to farewell a man who was variously hailed as “inspirational,” a “great bloke” and a man who always honoured a handshake deal and “worked hard and played even harder”.

During his eulogy, Aaron noted how a “say ‘yes’ to everything policy” and an ability to turn around challenging print jobs faster than competitors proved the

support. Mine, as a 26-year-old walking into a meeting looking to secure my first print partner in Queensland. I had no idea what I was doing – clueless.

“He spent three hours with me, called other printers to get on board, gave support to an idea that still stands today.

He didn’t have to help a junior print rep, he didn’t have to give so many of our now industry leaders their first jobs, he didn’t have to help printers print over-capacity nor turn up to any event we needed support across.

“He has a reputation of generosity, passionate support of the industry and an eye-twinkling wit that will be missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and Platypus team, vale Luschy.”

Simon Carmody, managing director at Spot Productions, knew Tom the longest of anyone in the industry and was one of the speakers at the funeral held in Brisbane on 12 January.

“Tom and I have been very close for over 40 years. I first met Tom as a 12-year-old, and we worked together in the 1990s and remained friends ever since,” Carmody told Sprinter.

“We were good friends, old work colleagues, and close mates. Tom has always been an inspiration to me and a hero throughout my working life.

“He was always there for advice and support on many levels. I will miss him dearly. Gone but never forgotten.

“Rest In peace mate.”

key to his father’s success.

The funeral also shone the light on Tom’s passion for people and printing, with his partner Jo Bradford commenting that he had a “unique ability to touch so many people’s lives”, while daughter Rhiannon drew laughs in saying “Tom had seven children – three girls, three boys and Platypus Graphics, his pride and joy”.

On the back of uncanny business instincts and an innovative mindset, he succeeded in a tough industry, with retired Imprint co-founder Earl Baskerville remarking that Tom’s drive was unmistakable. “He was like a sponge, Tommy, he knew what he needed to do.”

Printing industry veteran Ron Jackson praised Tom for his generosity, while friend, printer and fellow petrolhead Michael Rowe added that Tom proved that “business is about people, more (so) than machines and equipment”.

After the service, family members and close friends took Tom’s body on a final drive in one of his much-loved Holden FJs. Tom Lusch was diagnosed with cancer in late 2021 and contracted COVID-19 in the days before his death. He is survived by his partner Jo and six children, Aaron, Naomi, Rhiannon, Jacob, Tim and Hollie, as well as 10 grandchildren.

www.sprinter.com.au

UPDATE

EFI and Agfa enter global strategic partnership

By Claire Hibbit

Agfa and EFI have entered into a global strategic partnership aimed at “leveraging each other’s cutting-edge technologies.

Local executives Phillip Burns, Paul Whitehead, and Brett Addison have shared their thoughts on the new global Agfa and EFI partnership that will be officially launched at the FESPA exhibition in Amsterdam in March.

Phillip Burns, Agfa sales manager – inkjet for Oceania, said: “The strategic alliance announced between Agfa and EFI is an important supply agreement for our industry and will strengthen the portfolios of both companies with best-in-class devices added to their equipment portfolio. The agreement will further accelerate the development of new technology for both organisations. Each company is recognised as a market leader

Phillip Burns (Agfa), Paul Whitehead (Currie Group) and Brett Addison (EFI)

and this focus and combined intellectual knowledge will further strengthen these segments ahead of the market.”

Brett Addison, EFI sales and business development manager, said the feedback from the local industry since the announcement has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I am already loving my job – but this partnership means it is now even more exciting. EFI and AGFA now leveraging technology from each other’s portfolios is great news. It strengthens our go-tomarket in Australia and New Zealand with a unique offering with market-leading technology, support and sales.

“I have worked for organisations before where you can visit a small business with one or two people or a large company with 100 or 200 staff and have a solution for their company. Everyone has a hole in their portfolio and with this new partnership, we will have the ability to sell something to a business just getting started in wide format or display graphics as well as business at the top tier of our industry such as an IVE, Cactus Imaging, or Style Print.

“With the service and support we receive from the Currie Group there is no one we can’t work with now in this industry. Our work with Currie Group is a great relationship for EFI, but it is also a great arrangement that helps our clients be successful as well.”

Paul Whitehead, business unit manager – sign & display, Currie Group, said: “Currie Group is excited by this announcement as it further enhances the product portfolio, we offer the sign and display market.

Agfa’s hybrid portfolio has a strong reputation and allows us to further target the commercial space, leveraging our long-standing customer relationships and renowned service and support.”

A joint statement issued simultaneously in Belgium and USA described the collaboration as a significant milestone in the wide-format inkjet printing arena.

CMYKhub prepares to build huge new head office

By Sprinter team

Melbourne-based printer CMYKhub has commenced construction of a new 7000sqm head office in Keilor Park near Tullamarine Airport.

According to CMYKhub national communications manager, Glen Francis, the new premises will represent twice the space of the current offices in Heidelberg that are spread out over six separate locations.

“These new premises will provide us with the opportunity for new departments and new divisions for the future, such as the roll labels business that we have recently started and has been progressing strongly,” Francis said.

“We have also recently received delivery of ABG label finishing equipment which is the first to feature DigiLase and DigiJet and this is currently being installed.”

The new Keilor Park headquarters on Wright Road will also feature 500sqm of

www.sprinter.com.au

CMYKhub has started construction of a new 7000sqm head office in Keilor Park

office space across two levels.

“Our wide format division was recently moved to Bell Street in Preston, and that has been challenging as there is a lot of duplication in multiple departments in multiple locations. We look forward to having everything under one roof,” Francis said.

“We have council approval; builders have been appointed and the site sheds are up. We hope to move over three months with a final date scheduled for August.

“The construction of the new premises will also represent the 50-year anniversary when Garry Nankervis purchased his first Heidelberg GTO offset printing press and this was his block of land, so internally the site is being called ‘Garry’s Print Shed’.

“It is going to be great to have a stateof-the-art facility that is befitting of our

brand. This will be a sustainable building with the roof covered in solar panels and tanks for recycling water. It will also be a great place for our customers to visit, as we currently don’t have a dedicated reception area at Heidelberg. We are hoping to have a coffee machine for our customers and a co-working space for customers and mobile resellers to use while they are waiting to pick up a job.

“I am excited, I have been with the business for 10 years and I am looking forward to having a nice new facility that we can enjoy. Staff have known about this for a while, and we know that we may have to be creative with our shift patterns to help with the transition. We send a lot of work through freight forwarding companies, so being close to Tullamarine Airport will also be advantageous.”

February 2024 ProPrint 9

UPDATE

Durst Oceania announces new team for the new year

By Sprinter team

Durst Oceania has confirmed the appointment of new employees for 2024 as it chases another record year of sales.

Durst Oceania has confirmed the appointment of Graham Blackall as newly appointed head of sales for labels and packaging.

Blackall has over three decades of experiences in the printing industry and joins the business from Durst’s NZ distributor Aarque.

Blackall will be based in Auckland and travel to Australia frequently to meet with new and existing Durst customers.

“After 34 years with the industry, this is an exciting progression in my career. I have previously worked as a Trans-Tasman business development manager, so I am very familiar with the challenges of both markets,” Blackall said.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Australian and New Zealand companies

(l-r-) Darcy Ellerton, Graham Blackall, Matt Ashman, Dan Mantel, and Julian Lowe

in my new role and sharing the knowledge that I have gained over many years.

Matt Ashman, managing director, Durst Oceania, was looking forward to having Graham join his team.

“Graham brings significant experience across several print disciplines as well as representing the trans-Tasman footprint for Durst Oceania,” Ashman said.

“His expertise and knowledge in the label production category specifically is unparalleled and this is why he has been appointed as labels and flexible packaging sales manager responsible for sales of the Durst Tau product range

Paper executive Gordon Anthonisz passes away

By Colleen Bate

Well-known and respected paper executive Gordon Anthonisz passed away in January after several years of difficult health issues.

Anthonisz started in the paper merchanting industry in the 1980s with Spicers Australia and held many senior roles within the company, ultimately becoming general manager in 1997.

After Spicers Australia became a founding player in Paperlinx, Anthonisz continued in senior roles, before moving to Edwards Dunlop Paper as GM and eventually into the CPI Group.

Anthonisz had extensive management skills and specialist knowledge in the Sheet Fed and Heat Set Web markets.

In 2009 he moved into the role of Mill Agent representing many overseas paper

10 ProPrint February 2024

Gordon Anthonisz

mills. After working with Darren Allard in Dagaz, he forged out on his own. Known

in Australia and New Zealand.

“Durst is looking forward to commencing a new year with a new team including Dan Mantel in a technical sales role and Darcy Ellerton who has joined the business as field service engineer,” Ashman said.

“We will also be looking to strengthen our team further in 2024 as the growth of the Durst Oceania business continues following a record sales year in 2023.

“In a drupa year, we are looking forward to meeting everyone at Düsseldorf in May and June to experience the next chapter of product innovation for Durst.”

for his infectious laugh and smiling face, Gordon loved his family, tennis and cars.

He knew most people who worked in the paper and print industry.

Brian Longmore, who worked for Spicers Australia over a period of 22 years in various senior roles, met Gordon when he joined Spicers Australia in 1990 as national sales and marketing manager.

“Gordon made significant contribution to our industry,” said Longmore.

“I watched him grow to become general manager of Spicers Australia, and other senior appointments in the paper merchanting industry.

“They were fun days working with Gordon and a great bunch of people at Spicers — his sense of humour never deserted him even while the industry was experiencing some serious realignments in both print and paper.

“He is remembered for his loud laugh, positive outlook on life, caring nature for family and colleagues, plus a genuine interest and investment in customers and in the mills he represented.

“He was fully engaged, and never complained about the hand he was dealt with – his motto became ‘It is what it is’.

“RIP Gordon.”

Anthonisz is survived by his wife Larissa, and the couple’s four daughters.

www.sprinter.com.au

UPDATE

IVE confirms end of Warwick Farm production at former Ovato site

By Claire Hibbit

IVE has confirmed it has finished production at the Warwick Farm

Local Konica Minolta team confirms plans for drupa

By Claire Hibbit

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia, general manager Andrew Cocker has shared the company’s plans for drupa 2024 – the world’s leading trade fair for print technologies, which takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 28 May to 7 June.

Cocker told Sprinter there will be a team

HP global head Mike Boyle shares professional goals for 2024

By Sprinter team

HP global head of large format go-tomarket, Mike Boyle has shared his professional goals and new year’s resolutions as the industry approaches drupa in May. “I am a big believer in goal setting,” Boyle said. “I also believe that there is a great

www.sprinter.com.au

IVE CEO Matt Aitken

production facility owned by the Hannan family following the Ovato acquisition.

“We finished production at Warwick Farm producing catalogues and magazines just prior to Christmas,” Matt Aitken told Sprinter.

“We have been very open throughout the

Andrew Cocker, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia

from Australia and New Zealand at drupa, showcasing the company’s latest product innovations for the local market, which will include a particular focus on labels, packaging, and embellishment, as well as the unveiling of multiple premieres.

“The new year has well and truly begun, and we are excited to have kept the success and momentum achieved in 2023 rolling

HP global head of large format go-to-market, Mike Boyle

power in physically writing down goals on paper. This process converts idle thoughts and ideas into tangible, physical matter.

“My new year goals have evolved over the last few years, less about check boxes and more about where I am heading directionally and what I want to focus on. I find writing goals this way is more memorable and actionable over a longer period.

“So, here you have my top three professional goals for 2024: Be more creative and inspire creativity in others;

whole process and the original plan was always to move this work to IVE production facilities at Silverwater and Huntingwood in Sydney and Sunshine in Melbourne,” he said.

“We have employed a lot of Ovato staff since the acquisition, and whilst unfortunately some staff have been made redundant many have also been retained and redeployed” IVE completed its $16 million acquisition of Ovato in September 2022 two months after Ovato entered voluntary administration.

At the time, IVE confirmed there would be an 18-month integration process.

In 2019, Ovato unveiled a $20 million investment at its Warwick Farm ’supersite’ where it employed 450 people and operating 24 hours a day.

with a fast start to the year,” said Cocker.

“We have also turned our focus to drupa 2024. Our plans are well underway at Konica Minolta, and we will have a team of experts from Australia and New Zealand ready and waiting to show customers new innovations in print that will help shape their businesses for the future.”

Jon Hiscock, head of production and industrial print at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK), who will also be in attendance at drupa2024, said Konica Minolta is committed to helping customers ignite new print possibilities.

“With one of the biggest stands at drupa, it is also an opportunity for Konica Minolta to underline its total commitment to mid/ high volume digital production printing, whilst strengthening our presence within the industrial printing sector,” he said.

have the courage to take more risks; and learn more about the opportunities Artificial Intelligence will bring in the future.

In a recent interview with Sprinter, Boyle predicted indoor graphics and textiles as two key trends to watch as we approach drupa in May. “We are using three words to describe the business at the moment – firstly Stunning… in terms of stunning applications and working to broaden our versatility around applications. Secondly, we are looking to Streamline… and not only look at what printers do in terms of printing time but how do we improve efficiency. And lastly Sustainability… and what does it mean from an end user environment as well as our PSPs and partners – we are looking to get them to dial in and look for ways they can contribute in a positive way to sustainability for all of us.

February 2024 ProPrint 11

COMMENT ROWAN

Navigating the dynamics of SMB entrepreneurship with innovative thinking Think Laterally’s Mick Rowan points out the benefits of innovative thinking as opportunities for growth. Their ability to adapt swiftly becomes a cornerstone, enabling them to pivot in response to evolving circumstances and capitalise on emerging trends in the market.

U

nleashing success in the dynamic realm of small business entrepreneurship necessitates a profound understanding of the transformative power that innovative thinking holds.

In an era where adaptability and creativity are paramount virtues, entrepreneurs realise that embracing innovation is not merely a strategic option; it has become an indispensable necessity in the journey towards success.

The foundation of innovative thinking signifies a paradigm shift from the days when entrepreneurship relied solely on tried and tested methods. Today, it involves a departure from the conventional to the extraordinary. Those interested in running small businesses increasingly recognise that staying ahead in the competitive landscape requires more than just offering a good product or service; it demands cultivating a mindset that welcomes change and thrives on ingenuity.

CULTURE IS CRUCIAL

Adapting to change emerges as a cornerstone of entrepreneurial success, particularly for small businesses facing a myriad of challenges, from resource constraints to intense competition.

However, those with an innovative mindset don’t perceive challenges as insurmountable roadblocks but rather

12 ProPrint February 2024

Crucial to this paradigm shift is fostering a culture of innovation within the business.

Recognising that entrepreneurial success extends beyond the leader, organisations must adopt transformative strategies to encourage innovation at all levels. This includes creating an environment where employees are empowered to share ideas freely, promoting experimentation with new approaches, and instilling a mindset that views failure not as a setback but as a valuable stepping stone to success.

This culture of innovation becomes an essential component, shaping the ethos of the entire business.

The marriage of innovation and technology provides enormous benefits for small businesses navigating the intricacies of the modern market. Entrepreneurs increasingly leverage the power of digital advancements, from embracing e-commerce solutions to adopting data analytics for informed decision-making.

Technology becomes a tool for efficiency, market insight, and enhanced customer experiences, underlining the symbiotic relationship between innovation and technological integration.

Innovative thinking and risk-taking become inseparable companions on the entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneurs willing to step out of their comfort zones and take calculated risks often find themselves at the forefront of industry transformation.

CONNECT TO COLLABORATE

Collaboration and networking emerge as potent catalysts for innovation in the small business landscape. Recognising the power of shared insights and experiences, entrepreneurs actively engage with their peers, industry experts, and even competitors.

Collaborative networks open doors to fresh perspectives and opportunities, creating a melting pot of ideas that fuel innovation and benefit all parties involved.

It’s a recognition that innovation often thrives in interconnected ecosystems.

Educational initiatives that nurture entrepreneurial skills and promote innovative thinking play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of small businesses.

Workshops on design thinking, courses on emerging technologies, and initiatives that provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools to think innovatively contribute significantly to the overall growth of the small business ecosystem. It’s an investment in the future, sowing the seeds of innovation early on.

Looking ahead, the future of small business entrepreneurship will undoubtedly be shaped by continual innovation. Adapting to change, thinking creatively, and embracing a culture of innovation will remain pivotal for success. Small businesses that seamlessly integrate innovative thinking into their DNA will survive and thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. The ability to foresee trends, adapt swiftly, and consistently innovate becomes the bedrock upon which sustained growth is built.

As we celebrate the success stories of innovative small businesses, it becomes evident that the entrepreneurial journey is not just about navigating challenges but turning them into stepping stones for a brighter, more innovative future. It’s a journey where resilience, adaptability, and the constant pursuit of innovative solutions become the hallmarks of enduring success.

Are you ready to take the first step toward innovation-driven success by embracing change, fostering a culture of creativity, and leveraging collaborative networks?

The time has come to join the ranks of visionary entrepreneurs shaping the future. Your success story awaits. Start innovating today.

Think Laterally’s Mick Rowan 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, he truly has ink in his veins.

www.sprinter.com.au

When great, gets better

Join Your Competition.

Introducing the Pro C9500.

Discover more

COMMENT WATSON

Amendments to fixed term contract laws now in place Businesses in our industry will utilise fixed term employment contracts for a variety of reasons. However, since 6 December 2023, new legislative regulations and requirements relating to fixed term contract came into effect within the Fair Work Act and related legislative scheme. consecutive contracts limitation for a new fixed term contract that is entered into on or after 6 December 2023.

If a related dispute arises, and that can’t be resolved at the workplace, the Fair Work Commission may deal with the dispute. Either the employee or the employer may lodge a dispute with the Commission. Further, the Fair Work Ombudsman has the power to commence proceedings for alleged breaches of these provisions.

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULES

I

n keeping with the federal government’s policy position, these amendments limit the use of fixed-term contracts in order to move more employees into permanent employment. These provisions not only limit an employer’s ability to offer fixed term contracts but may also result in the automatic conversion of employees from fixed-term to permanent in certain circumstances. In this article I review the amendments and the related requirements.

THE AMENDMENTS

Essentially the amendments create three new rules that need to be followed by businesses.

1. A fixed term contract can’t be for longer than two years, including extensions and renewals.

2. A fixed term contract can’t have an option to extend or renew the contract so that employment period (including the extension or renewal period) is longer than two years or extend or renew the contract more than once.

3. An employer can’t employ someone on a new fixed term contract if the contract is for mainly the same work as a previous fixed term contract, there isn’t a substantial break in the employment relationship between the previous and new contracts, and any of the following apply: > the total period of employment for the previous contract and the new fixed term contract is

14 ProPrint February 2024

>

>

>

more than two years, or the new fixed term contract can be renewed or extended, or the previous fixed term contract was extended, or there was an initial fixed term contract in place (before the previous contract) that was for mainly the same work, and there was continuity of the employment relationship from the period of time (if any) between the initial contract and the previous contract.

If a contract doesn’t meet these new requirements, the contract’s end date will no longer apply. Although other terms and conditions contained within that contract, including entitlements from any relevant legislation, award, or agreement, will still continue to apply.

Additionally, employers must provide employees they’re engaging on new fixed term contracts with a copy of the Fixed Term Contract Information Statement (FTCIS). This new requirement is in addition to providing the Fair Work Information Statement, and or the Casual Employment information Statement.

For fixed term contracts entered into prior to 6 December 2023, the limitations don’t apply, however that contract will need to be considered when applying the

There are exceptions to these amendments that may apply. Relevantly these exceptions include where: •

•

• • •

•

in the year the contract is entered into, the amount of the employee’s earnings is above the high-income threshold (currently $167,500) for that year, including pro-rata for a part-time employee. the employee is engaged under the contract to perform only a distinct and identifiable task involving specialised skills. the employee is employed under a training contract such as an apprenticeship. the employee is engaged under the contract to undertake essential work during a peak demand period. the employee is engaged under the contract to undertake work during emergency circumstances or during a temporary absence of another employee.

An Award permits the use of fixedterm contracts.

KEY TAKEAWAY

Affected businesses need to ensure they understand and comply with these amendments. Employers should review any fixed-term contracts to ensure compliance with, or exception from, the new regulations and requirements.

Charles Watson GM – IR, Policy and Governance Visual Media Association

www.sprinter.com.au

Labels, Flexible Packaging High Volume Digital

ComputerTo-Plate Automated Workflow

SCREEN Truepress Jet 520HD with SC inks – the digital inkjet press that prints superb colour on standard offset stocks.

SCREEN Truepress Pac 830F Digital flexible packaging using aqueous inks across 830mm web.

SCREEN Truepress Jet L350UV SAI digital label press. Up to 7 colours inc. White & High Opacity White.

60 m/min across 350mm web.

SCREEN PlateRite 8600NII New generation 8-page thermal CtP with fiber laser diodes.

Up to 32 B1 plates/hour.

SCREEN GP Australia Pty Ltd Tel: +61-(0)2-9016 -3400 • Toll Free: 1300 305 118 • sales@screenaust.com.au • www.screenaust.com.au

COVER STORY

Gallus introduces three new products and opens new industry hub to celebrate 100th anniversary Gallus Group opened the Gallus Experience Center in June last year, designed to drive market transformation, and launched three new products to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Gallus celebrated its 100th anniversary by opening its doors to the Gallus Experience Center, a new industry hub in St. Gallen, Switzerland

T

he new Gallus Experience Center is designed to serve as an industry touchpoint for customers, industry experts, stakeholders and public members to drive market transformation as part of the company’s ‘Gallus Experience Days’.

Dedicated to the digital transformation of the label and narrow-web industry, the centre aims to foster collaboration to drive innovation and sustainability.

In addition, Gallus is using the facility to showcase conventional, hybrid, and digital Gallus products, software, and

16 ProPrint February 2024

cloud-based solutions, next-generation machines being produced, and supplier partner technologies.

Heidelberg CEO Dr. Ludwin Monz said at the opening, “As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gallus, Heidelberg is delighted to stand alongside the Gallus team to unite as one group. Together, we are even stronger and have a robust growth plan looking ahead.

“With labels and packaging now representing 50 per cent of the group’s total sales, the new digital and automated solutions we see introduced by Gallus play

an important role in the future of Heidelberg. As a result, Gallus is an important pillar within the company’s growth strategy, and we’re more committed than ever to its long-term future.”

“ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY, DIGITAL PRINTING USED IN LABEL PRODUCTION, FOR EXAMPLE, OFFERS SOME OF THE GREATEST GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY.” Packaging and label printing is an important core area for the company.

In line with its dual-track strategy,

www.sprinter.com.au

COVER STORY

The new Gallus One inkjet system offers a competitive total cost of ownership (TCO) in digital label printing

Heidelberg also focuses on growth in digital printing.

According to the company, digital printing used in label production, for example, offers some of the greatest growth opportunities in the printing industry.

One-third of all labels worldwide are already printed digitally today.

“CLAIMED AS AN INDUSTRY FIRST, FUTURE ITERATIONS OF THE NEW HEIDELBERG CUSTOMER PORTAL (HCP) SOLUTION WILL ALSO PROVIDE PREDICTIVE CAPABILITIES UTILISING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, REDUCE MAINTENANCE, AND BOOST PROFITABILITY.” Digital printing is thus driving change in this market segment, with an annual inkjet growth of around six per cent. Heidelberg intends to expand its position here with the Gallus One. Gallus Group CEO Dario Urbinati said, “We are committed to being in touch with

www.sprinter.com.au

The official opening of the Gallus Experience Center – (L-R) Ferdinand Rüesch, key account manager, anchor investor and member of the Supervisory Board of Heidelberg; Dr Ludwin Monz, CEO of Heidelberg; Dario Urbinati, CEO of Gallus Group

February 2024 ProPrint 17

COVER STORY

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

Gallus ECS 340 flexo press with a digital printing unit (DPU) has been transformed into a Gallus Labelfire 340 hybrid press, but without the additional platform investment

the market and forecasting, and then responding to likely trends that could impact our customers and brands.

“As a result, Gallus and Heidelberg are committed to leading the new digital transformation – driving ‘smart, connected printing’ to unlock revolutionary levels of production automation and manufacturing efficiencies. Key to solving the labour issues of today, this will enable customers to reduce costs and increase both profitability and sustainability.

“What’s more, utilising our new Gallus Experience Center, we have a team devoted to exploring new technologies/ processes – such as artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0 – that could be integrated into labels and packaging to better inspire and engage future generations.”

artificial intelligence (AI) to provide recommendations to increase productivity, reduce maintenance, and boost profitability.

The new platform is expected to save customers, on average, up to 35 per cent in both time and money.

“THE NEW GALLUS ONE WITH CONVERTING FEATURES A DIGITAL PRINTER WITH AN IN-LINE FLEXO STATION AND A SEMI-ROTARY DIECUTTER THAT CAN CHANGE A JOB WITHIN ONE MINUTE AND PROCESS UP TO 70 METRES PER MINUTE.”

At the opening Gallus also unveiled a new Heidelberg Customer Portal (HCP) that automates customer touchpoints.

The company also presented its new Gallus One with Converting at the event.

It features a digital printer with an in-line flexo station and a semi-rotary die-cutter that can change a job within one minute and process up to 70 metres per minute.

It also includes vision inspection systems to ensure quality and minimise waste.

Claimed as an industry first, future iterations of the solution will also provide predictive capabilities utilising

Moreover, Gallus announced the option to upgrade an existing Gallus ECS 340 flexo press with a digital printing unit (DPU),

18 ProPrint February 2024

transforming it into a Gallus Labelfire 340 hybrid press, but without the additional platform investment.

Customers can now access the flexibility and versatility of digital printing, with the reliability and precision of conventional printing and further processing technology.

At the opening, Urbinati added, “We are thrilled to welcome so many friends and colleagues this week to help celebrate our centenary in business and to have the opportunity to share our exciting new products and thank the many amazing people within our business who have worked so hard to support us, as well as our incredible portfolio of customers.

“But this week is as much about the next 100 years and what we do next. This is why we’re excited to look beyond the graphic arts toward other industries – learning from how they’ve leveraged new technologies to welcome in the new digital age and cater to the next generation – so that we can modernise the labels and packaging industry and further increase our future success.”

www.sprinter.com.au

CMY

K

2023 ProPrint Awards – where industry stars shine The ProPrint Awards on 3 November saw over 350 guests enjoying an evening of entertainment, recognition and connection at Shangri-La Sydney, with comedian Sam McCool delivering another night of hilarity.

T

he ProPrint Awards celebrate the people of print with the Printer 50, rising stars with the Emerging 50, industry suppliers with the Supplier 50 and industry legends with the Industry Achievement Award. This year the Sustainability Prize, introduced last year, was upgraded as the Outstanding Achievement Sustainability Award.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Huge thanks to our sponsors – without them the awards would not be possible!

20 ProPrint February 2024

Platinum Sponsor – Durst Oceania Gold Sponsors – Ball & Doggett, FUJIFILM Australia, HP, IVE Group, Kwik Kopy Australia, Pozitive and Visual Connections Silver Sponsors – Böttcher Systems, Bright Print Group, Cactus Imaging, Canon Production Printing Australia, Graph-Pak, Konica Minolta, KURZ, Lamson Paragon, OKI, PAKKO, Ricoh, and Spicers Auditing Partner – PKF

Also special thanks to all those who nominated someone and to those nominees who took part by making a submission. It is this combined effort that made the night the success that it was.

Sponsorship opportunities are now open for the 2024 ProPrint Awards. Contact Carmen Ciappara on 0410 582 450 or carmen@proprint.com.au.

Note: Images at the 2023 ProPrint Awards were taken by Shane Oneill from Oneill Photographics.

www.sprinter.com.au

Offset & Digital Papers Sign, Display & Digital Labels & Packaging Print & Packaging Consumables

Australia's one-stop destination for printable materials, press consumables, and printing equipment.

Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation sets us apart.

Explore ecoporium, our online platform for eco-friendly packing solutions, and experience i_Consignment for efficient stock management.

Our Print & Packaging Consumables team boast technical mastery, cutting-edge ink lab blending and converting facilities.

We take pride in sponsoring the 2023 ProPrint Awards, celebrating excellence in our industry.

We're not just products, we're your partner in bringing big ideas to life.

1300 024 749 ballanddoggett.com.au

2023 ProPrint Awards Printer 50 winners Easy Signs directors Adam Parnell and Andy Fryer won the Printer 50 category in the 2024 ProPrint Awards, held on 3 November at Shangri-La Sydney with over 350 guests in attendance.

F

ormerly known as the Power 50, this peer-voted award was run for the first-time last year and recognises senior print leaders. All Printer 50 judging is audited by Auditing Partner PKF. The Power 50 Top 20 is judged by the industry, and the remaining nominees listed in alphabetical order.

The duo has been recognised outside of print, notably in the Australian Financial Review’s Fast100, Smart Company Smart50 and the AFR’s Most Innovative Australian Manufacturing Award in 2019.

4. Abbie Graham, Designer/Printer, KWIK KOPY NEWCASTLE 5. Andrew Hall, Managing Director, FACTORY ONE 6. Aaron Lusch, General Manager, PLATYPUS PRINT PACKAGING 7. Angelo Varnakulasingham, Senior Overseer, CORRECTIVE SERVICES INDUSTRIES 8. Adam Middleton, Director, MINT IMAGING 9. Dayne Nankervis, CEO, CMYKHUB 10. Nigel Spicer, General Manager, CACTUS IMAGING 11. Frank Mezo, Managing Director, MEZOGRAPHIC 12. Andrew Reynolds, Specialist Technical Trainer, NOTE PRINTING AUSTRALIA 13. Baden Kirgan, Managing Director, PLANET PRESS 14. Aleisha Gill, Owner, KWIK KOPY EAGLE FARM 15. Cliff Brigstocke, CEO – Production and Distribution, IVE GROUP 16. Bianca Martin, Commercial Manager, IVE GROUP 17. Jamie & Jason Xuereb, Founders, MEDIAPOINT 18. Nina Nguyen, Founder, PAKKO 19. Rodney Frost, CEO LAMSON GROUP 20. Leon Wilson, Director/Passionate Print Geek, REVOLUTION PRINT 21. Kirsten Taylor, Creative Print Director & Owner, TAYLOR’D PRESS 22. Yianni Moratidis, Director, GENR8 PRINTING 23. Debbie Burgess & John Bright, Joint Managing Directors, BRIGHT PRINT GROUP 24. Kenneth Beck-Pedersen & Peter Musarra, Founders and Directors, CARBON8 25. Romeo Sanuri, Managing Director, NEXT PRINTING

Adam Parnell accepted the trophy from Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman, explaining that business partner Andy Fryer was away at that time.

All Printer 50 winners were announced by Sam McCool, with those in the one to five winning slots receiving trophies from Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman.

Printer 50 winners 1 – 25 1. Easy Signs directors Adam Parnell and Andy Fryer 2. Keith Ferrel, General Manager – Operations, CACTUS IMAGING 3. Matt Aitken, CEO, IVE GROUP

FUJIFILM Australia division manager, graphics systems Troy Neighbour handed out trophies to the winners of slots six to 15, while winners of slots 16 to 25 received trophies from Ball & Doggett’s head of marketing Tony Bertrand.

MC Sam McCool, who confirmed Parnell and Fryer as winners in the Printer 50, said the duo were recognised for their commitment to efficiency and innovation; and for delivering a repeatable and exceptional experience for their clients.

Printing and signage company Easy Signs was launched in Sydney in 2006 and since adopting an online sales model, has been transformed from a humble start-up into a thriving industry leader. Under their visionary leadership, dedication to quality, and customer-centric approach, the company operates out of an impressive facility in Sydney and has expanded to the Philippines and more recently to Pennsylvania, USA, which has celebrated its first year in business.

With a strong technical background, they continually invest in the latest state-of -the-art machinery to ensure that Easy Signs supplies consistent, high-quality products to its customers at the lowest cost. Their aim is to reduce the cost of local manufacturing to return work to Australian shores.

22 ProPrint February 2024

Printer 50 winners (in alphabetical order) • Ben Browning, Managing Director, 1800 FOR PROMO • Ben Carroll & Mandy Oliver, Director & General Manager, VELFLEX AND VICON TRANSFERS • Calli McCool, QLD State Sales Manager, MMT PRINT • Christian Middleton, Managing Director, CLOUDPRINT GROUP • Christopher Dean, Group Training Officer, MULTI-COLOR CORPORATION • Clinton Daley, Managing Director, VALIANT PRESS • Cory Hall, Group CEO, PRECISION GROUP • Dan Bodey, Operations Manager, BOOM STUDIOS • Daniel Edwards, Founder, POSTERBOY PRINTING • Darren Delaney, General Manager, ALLKOTES • Darryl Meyer, CEO, Print Web Offset, IVE GROUP • David Walton, CEO, OMNIGRAPHICS AUSTRALIA AND MMTB • Dean Langford, General Manager – Brand Activations, IVE GROUP • Dominic Borrello, Co-Founder, IMAGEBOX GROUP • Ewen Donaldson, Director, VIVAD • Glenn Moffatt, Production Manager, CACTUS IMAGING • Jason Turvill, Operations Manager, EASY SIGNS • Kirsty & Luke Woodhead, Directors, BREEN PRINTING • Marcus Marchant, CEO, VISTAPRINT • Paul Wilcockson, Production Director, JCDECAUX GROUP • Samantha Bailey-Jensen, Director, BAILEY GROUP • Samantha Faye Rogers, Director and Co-Owner, DRIVE CREATIVE • Simon Carmody, Managing Director, SPOT PRODUCTIONS • Sonia Shwabsky, CEO, KWIK KOPY AUSTRALIA • Stephen Lamont, Managing Director, LAMONT SUSTAINABLE SIGN SOLUTIONS These winners received their trophies from HP Large Format Print Australasia’s head of marketing Jehan Tabet.

www.sprinter.com.au

The Acuity Ultra R2 is a modular system with scalable architecture, meaning it can grow and change as your business evolves.

Our Acuity Range is known for its excellent high quality, productivity and reliability on a massive industrial scale.

Engineered with the operator in mind, LED configurations work in harmony with specialist inks to support the printing of exceptional near-photographic interior graphics and the high speed printing of banners and PVC signage.

Multi-roll capability maximises productivity for smaller jobs

Auto media thickness and position measurement

With a throughput of over 600 m² per hour, the machine has the potential to produce huge volumes of work when printing on three rolls simultaneously, as well as printing superwide format graphics up to five metres in width.

The Acuity Ultra R2 is equipped with a media detector mounted on the carriage. This is used to determine the position and thickness of the media.

To discover more, scan below:

FUJIFILM and FUJIFILM Value for Innovation are trademarks of FUJIFILM Corporation. ©2023 FUJIFILM Corporation. All rights reserved.

24 ProPrint February 2024

www.sprinter.com.au

2023 ProPrint Awards Industry Achievement Award IVE Group chairman Geoff Selig won the 2023 Industry Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the industry. an extraordinary achievement for Selig and the entire IVE team.

“2021 marked 100 years since Geoff Selig’s grandfather started what is now IVE Group. Selig’s strength as a successful business leader was again on display that year with IVE reporting a $100.2m EBITDA in a pandemic year. As a token of appreciation to staff, IVE gifted every employee with 500 shares while also buying back 5.4m shares for $7.4m.

“For Selig, whose family has been involved in the business for three generations, this marked a real sense of satisfaction.

“Selig has also always combined his outstanding career with his philanthropic interests and involvement with the notfor-profit sector – a powerful combination.”

IVE Group chairman Geoff Selig won the 2023 Industry Achievement Award for his significant contributions to the industry

N

ow in its second year, this exclusive award honours someone with over 25 years’ experience, who has made a significant contribution to the industry beyond their own business.

The winner is judged by the 2023 Printer 50 Top Ten and Platinum Sponsor Durst Oceania.

The 2024 Industry Achievement Award was announced at Shangri-La Sydney on 3 November by MC Sam McCool, citing Selig’s biography as follows: “Selig proudly carries on the tradition of his grandfather, Oscar Selig, who started what is now IVE Group in 1921, as he continues to successfully lead Australia’s largest diversified marketing and print communications company.

“Selig is recognised for his vision in driving IVE’s strategy and the way he highlights IVE’s value proposition within the industry to both customers and

26 ProPrint February 2024

investors, a practice which ensures the company’s strong position is maintained.

“Selig believes that the investment and diversification over the last 20 years has been, and continues to be, core to IVE’s ongoing growth and sustainability.

“The last year for IVE has seen the acquisition of primary web offset competitor Ovato in September 2022 following ACCC approval, and the launch of its e-commerce marketplace Lasoo in August of last year, amongst other initiatives including the acquisition of Active Display Group and AFI Branding.

Pozitive managing director Philip Trumble handed out the trophy to the beaming and surprised Selig.

Gorman Solutions founder Lee Gorman who sadly passed away on 23 July 2024, was also mentioned by McCool.

Nominated for the 2024 Industry Achievement Award, Gorman had an outstanding career in the label market segment. He offered 27 years of incredible service, dedication, innovation, and true craftsmanship which saw him become one of the leading lights of the narrow web industry in Australia. Gorman’s passion for all things print was unrivalled and his drive to innovate and aspirations to be the best was truly inspirational.

“With revenues of just under $1b for the last year and the highest earnings ever, IVE continues to drive hard to grow and diversify the business further in the everevolving communications sector.

“Currently employing circa 2000 staff, IVE has both doubled in revenue and earnings since listing on the ASX in December 2015,

Gorman Solutions founder Lee Gorman who sadly passed away on 23 July 2023

www.sprinter.com.au

Cactus Imaging wins Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award Cactus Imaging took out the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award at the 2024 ProPrint Awards, held on 3 November at Shangri-La Sydney.

M

C Sam McCool presented the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award, which was sponsored by Durst Oceania, to general manager – operations, Nigel Spicer.

Spicer, who played an integral part in Cactus Imaging’s development of Ecobanner, in conjunction with oOh!media and Gale Pacific, accepted the award and modestly

28 ProPrint February 2024

attributed it to the Cactus Imaging team who he said make him “look good”.

Monomer (VCM), making it a cleaner alternative to PVC.

Ecobanner is a fully recyclable fabric which is being used on Australia’s largest Out of Home billboard at the Glebe Island Silos in Sydney. It is manufactured using cleaner and more sustainable processes than PVC – its production doesn’t generate hazardous residue like Vinyl Chloride

Made and manufactured in Australia, Ecobanner offers both strength and durability.

It offers a 100 per cent closed loop recycling solution – once it has been displayed, it can be brought back to the Cactus Imaging warehouse and sent to a recycling plant where it’s recycled in Victoria.

www.sprinter.com.au

www .cact usim agin g

.com

.au

2023 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 winners Winners in the Emerging 50 category of the 2023 ProPrint Awards were announced at the gala event at Shangri-La Sydney on 3 November – the cohort represented a broad and diverse array of print industry talents.

T

his award recognises rising stars from all parts of print with up to five years of experience.

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

In this category it is possible to nominate more than one person and to have more than one Emerging 50 recipient from the same company. Self-nominations were accepted.

Trophies for 25 of the Emerging 50 winners were handed out by Kwik Kopy Australia CEO Sonia Shwabsky and the remaining 25 winners received their trophies from Starleaton CEO and Visual Connections vice president Ben Eaton. All winners were announced by MC Sam McCool.

A special mention was given by McCool to honour deceased rising star Harry Nicholls, with his parents Dean and Lisa Nicholls accepting the trophy.

Harry Nicholls was acknowledged for his unwavering dedication, vibrant spirit, and the lasting effect he left on the printing industry.

A print apprentice at Velflex who came from a printing family, he possessed an

30 ProPrint February 2024

exceptional enthusiasm for learning and an innate talent for mastering printing processes and techniques.

Emerging 50 winners: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Adam Crellin, CACTUS IMAGING Amy Abdilla, EASY SIGNS Amy Vernon, VELFLEX Angus McGrath, NOTE PRINTING AUSTRALIA Anna Lobashkova, DURST OCEANIA Ben Clarke, CACTUS IMAGING Bihiraj Gurung, DURST OCEANIA Bradley Pow, MULTI-COLOR BRISBANE Cassandra Farrugia, CREATIVE PLASTIC CARDS Celine Cook, KWIK KOPY CANNING VALE Chris Williams, CACTUS IMAGING Christine Louise Gardiner, STUDIO LABELS Christopher La Greca, IVE GROUP Christopher Thompson, VELFLEX Corey Fry, PAKKO Courtney Newman, BALL & DOGGETT Eleni Panayi, DURST OCEANIA Emily Waterson, CACTUS IMAGING Evan Gill, KWIK KOPY EAGLE FARM Felicia Parigi, VELFLEX Jacinta Allen, BREEN PRINTING Jack McAullay, NOTE PRINTING AUSTRALIA Jaden Perumal, DURST OCEANIA

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jazz Jurgensen, ULTRA LABELS Jervis Tsui, SBM MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Justin Tout, BREEN PRINTING Kyle Wagner, PAKKO Kyle Wallwork, KWIK KOPY KAWANA WATERS Luke Parisella, IMAGEBOX GROUP Marcus Gehling, KWIK KOPY DANDENONG Marilyn Li, CACTUS IMAGING Milly Botta, PAKKO Nicole Jesenko, FREELANCER Nicole Todino , IVE GROUP Niki Glastras-Pokia, KWIK KOPY SURRY HILLS Paul Plunkett, PAKAFLEX Pranav Patel, KWIK KOPY AUBURN Rahul Reddy, IVE GROUP Robert Smithers, KWIK KOPY CIRCULAR QUAY Sean Ashman, DURST OCEANIA Stella Lim, HEXIS AUST Steve Morrison, KWIK KOPY CANBERRA Tammie-Lee Pickles, LAMONT SUSTAINABLE SIGN SOLUTIONS Taya Davey, VELFLEX Taylor O’Neill, SPICERS Thomas Anderson, STARLEATON Tien Watson, IMAGEBOX GROUP Yan Ng, IVE GROUP Zaf Haq, IVE GROUP Zurina Bryant, KWIK KOPY FRENCHS FOREST

www.sprinter.com.au

/kw

hl= u/? y_a op ikk

en

ia-

-ltd

pty

py ko

ral

wik /k

ust y-a kop

ik-

.com ok

com

bo ce

/kw any

Cj

mp /co

fa

ww.

m. gra sta .in ww

/w

om

n.c

edi ink

s:/

//w ps: htt

tp ht

u.l //a

ps: htt

rO

bd

e/ .d co qr ://

s tp ht

www.kwikkopy.com.au

32 ProPrint February 2024

www.sprinter.com.au

Welcome to Visual Connections – your supplier association leading the way in supporting a sustainable future for print, sign, display and graphics.

We support you through… ●

recruiting new talent and providing valuable training input and support;

●

sponsoring a wide range of industry initiatives;

●

presenting the PacPrint, Visual Impact and Label & Packaging exhibitions;

●

●

Progressive.

Connected.

Inspired.

keeping you informed through our publications, websites and social channels; providing networking, connection and vital support in times of need.

Whatever happens in our exciting and dynamic sector, you can be sure we’ll be here to support your success – today, tomorrow and into the future.

www.visualconnections.org.au

2023 ProPrint Awards Supplier 50 winners The Supplier 50 category winners were announced at the start of the 2023 ProPrint Awards on 3 November where Platinum sponsor Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman welcomed guests to the event.

R

unning for the third consecutive year, the Supplier 50 recognises those who service and supply the industry and people committed to providing quality service and advice.

They are collaborative in their work ethic to find the best solution and must have proven to have gone above and beyond to get the job done. Recipients are judged on the quality of their submissions based over the last 12 months.

Supplier 50 winners There is no overall winner of the Supplier 50 – all recipients were announced in alphabetical order at the ProPrint Awards

by MC Sam McCool, where IVE CEO Matt Aitken handed out the trophies to the following winners: • • • • •

Alfred David, POZITIVE Andrew Bloomfield, SPICERS Anthony Jackson, CURRIE GROUP Anthony Rossi, BALL & DOGGETT Ben Templeton, DURST OCEANIA

34 ProPrint February 2024

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Brett Addison, EFI AUSTRALIA Brett Wark, SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS Chris Bowden, HP AUSTRALIA Craig Hardman, HP AUSTRALIA Craig Walmsley, HP AUSTRALIA Cyndi Setia, SPICERS David Rusk, SPICERS Dean Wright, ADS AUSTRALIA Enda Kavanagh, XMPIE Geoffrey Earl, SPICERS George Maniatis, KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA Glenn Conyers, FUJIFILM AUSTRALIA Gordon Wilson, LITHOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA Henryk Kraszewski, RICOH AUSTRALIA Ian Parsonson, HEXIS AUST James Merhab, BALL & DOGGETT James Rolland, KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS AUSTRALIA Jason Kennedy, ORAFOL AUSTRALIA Jeremy Brew, HP AUSTRALIA Jimmy Nguyen, SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS Jonny Rumney, CELMAC Kathryn Brown, CANON PRODUCTION

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

PRINTING AUSTRALIA Liam Fish, BALL & DOGGETT Luke Wooldridge Matt Ashman, DURST OCEANIA Mel Ireland, LITHOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE OF AUSTRALIA Melissa Donnelly, SPICERS Que Nhi Makar, BALL & DOGGETT Robyn Frampton, VISUAL CONNECTIONS Rod Cumberland, BALL & DOGGETT Ryan Julleza, FUJIFILM AUSTRALIA Sandra Camargo Sarah McMillan, SPICERS Sarah Moore, VISUAL CONNECTIONS Scott Chong, BALL & DOGGETT Stephen Pratt, LEONHARD KURZ AUSTRALIA Tim Hawes, SMARTECH BUSINESS SYSTEMS Tom Ralph, GRAPH-PAK Tony Bertrand, BALL & DOGGETT Trent Byrnes, ORAFOL AUSTRALIA Wayne McIntyre, CELMAC Wayne Noyes, GRAPH-PAK Yasmin Chong, BALL & DOGGETT Zaidee Jackson, BALL & DOGGETT

www.sprinter.com.au

With an unmatched breadth and depth of offering, we guide our clients through the marketing maze from idea to execution.

idea

execution

Proudly supporting the 2023 ProPrint Awards IVE is pleased to be the Gold Sponsor of the ProPrint Supplier 50 Award which recognises the people who service and supply the print industry. ivegroup.com.au

36 ProPrint February 2024

www.sprinter.com.au

2023 ProPrint Awards Trophy awards after the event There were several award winners who weren’t able to collect their trophies in person at the 2023 ProPrint Awards on 3 November. The ProPrint team tracked them down before the Christmas break, and as can be seen from these images, they received their much-deserved awards with pride.

1. The ProPrint team along with platinum sponsor Matt Ashman, Durst Oceania (right), took the opportunity to personally present Andy Fryer’s trophy. Andy (left), together with Adam Parnell (centre) of Easy Signs, the duo winners, secured the top spot in the peer-voted category of Printer 50 for the 2023 ProPrint Awards.

1

2

2. Anthony Rossi recently celebrated his 10-year anniversary at Ball & Doggett. As the sales executive for labels and packaging, he is enthusiastic about the new sustainable label substrates recently introduced for his customers. This year marks his second as a sales executive, and as can be seen in the image above, he was pleased to receive his Supplier 50 award.

3. EFI sales development manager ANZ Brett Addison proudly received his Supplier 50 trophy from ProPrint’s Carmen Ciappara.

4. Dan Bodey from Boom Studios in Melbourne, was in Japan enjoying a quiet beer when Thomas Anderson from Starleaton called him to share the exciting news that he had been recognised in the Printer 50 category. As you can see, he was rapt to receive the trophy from the ProPrint team.

3

4

5

5. Omnigraphics, CEO, David Walton accepted the peervoted Printer 50 award on behalf of Calli McCool (McCall) from MMT Print in Brisbane. Calli, who is no relation to ProPrint Awards MC Sam McCool, started working with MMT Print 21 years ago as a receptionist and has worked her way up to Queensland state sales manager.

Calli is recognised for her consistent positivity and excellent customer service.

6. The ProPrint team visited Durst Oceania where they handed out trophies to beaming field service engineer Eleni Panayi and technical support Sean Ashman, who were recognised in the 2023 ProPrint Awards Emerging 50 category, which acknowledges the rising talent emerging within our industry.

6

7

7. Mediapoint was so busy following its recent Durst Tau RSC E label installation that Jamie and Jason Xuereb couldn’t make it to the 2023 ProPrint Awards to accept their win in the top 25 Printer 50 Awards. Jamie accepted the trophy from the ProPrint team but his brother, Jason was unable to join him, as he was flat out with work commitments at the time.

8. Canon Production Printing customer service team leader, Kathryn Brown is so humble that she didn’t want anyone to know she was being presented with her Supplier 50 award at the company’s office in Clayton, Melbourne – but the secret got out. When ProPrint visited, the entire office joined Kathryn to congratulate her and acknowledge over 13 and a half years of service.

8

www.sprinter.com.au

9

9. You know your event was a success when the runner-up in the Printer 50 award category – Keith Ferrel from Cactus Imaging – didn’t have time to take his trophy home because rumour has it that he was still networking in the early hours of Saturday morning.

February 2024 ProPrint 37

LAMONT PRINT + SIGNS OPEN HOUSE

Lamont Print + Signs celebrates expansion with Open House event Townsville-based printer, Lamont Print + Signs, welcomed over 100 people to an Open House event in January to celebrate its recently expanded premises.

Stephen Lamont was thrilled at the fantastic turnout at the Open House event

A

ccording to Stephen Lamont, the event not only showed off the company’s vast array of printing equipment but was also a thank-you to the local community for supporting their business.

The business has recently expanded to include a new banner factory building housing the company’s HP Latex 2700 as well as its Plastgrommet eyelet machine and Miller T400 Weldmaster.

Also within the other part of the premises are two HP Latex 800 machines, one HP Latex 1500, one HP Latex R1000, one HP Latex R2000, one HP Latex 3600 with Mesh Kit and an Esko Kongsberg C65 table.

The reason for this event is to showcase where Lamont is today as a company and the journey we have taken to get to this point,” Stephen said as he addressed the crowd. “We would also like to acknowledge our partners who constantly support us in our endeavours

38 ProPrint February 2024

whether they are a supplier, a reseller or retail client.

“We started this journey in a little office 50 metres from here 18 years ago – when Julie, Daniel and I had a printer, a laminator, and a table – and we decided to start our own business.

“Our over-arching goal was to leverage the latest and the best signage machinery we could afford to become the best business we could be, and we wanted to get the best technology and we wanted to bring that technology to Townsville which as a city has always punched well above its weight.

“We have always believed that Townsville deserved a production facility like this, so that we can look after the local community and keep the money here rather than Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane,” he said.

The Townsville-based printer invited local politicians including State Minister Hon

Les Walker and Federal Member for Herbert Hon. Phillip Thompson OAM as well as a number of suppliers including Spicers, resellers and end customers from the local business community.

“What a fantastic turnout at our Open House event,” Lamont said.

“Our resellers and clients are a team of true professionals, and it was incredibly inspiring to gather with them. We were thrilled to showcase our brand-new banner printing and finishing facility, and it was an enjoyable experience for all.

“We were honoured to have the support of our local Federal and State members, who came out to show their encouragement for our efforts. It truly means a lot to have such support from our community.”

Stephen Lamont and Tammie-Lee Pickles from Lamont Print + Signs were recognised in the Printer 50 and Emerging 50 categories respectively at the 2023 ProPrint Awards.

www.sprinter.com.au

LAMONT PRINT + SIGNS OPEN HOUSE

Daniel Lamont addresses the crowd at the event

Stephen Lamont acknowleged the support from his business partners including retailers, resellers and suppliers

Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson OAM with his cut-out produced at the Lamont Print + Sign Open House event

(L-r) Stephen Lamont, Lamont Print + Sign; Rodney Shephard and Jade Trueman, Spicers; Craig Davies, Reef City Signs; and Todd Hinschen, Advantage Signs

The doorway to the new banner factory building

Lamont Print + Signs welcomed over 100 people to its Open House event to celebrate its recently expanded premises

The event was also a thank-you to the local community for supporting the business

Kombi Keg was onsite serving beverages

www.sprinter.com.au

February 2024 ProPrint 39

STAR BUSINESS

Creative Plastic Cards thrives and grows in Sydney and Brisbane Creative Plastic Cards, a supplier of custom-designed plastic cards, card holders and marketing material, was created in 2009. Based in Caringbah in Sydney’s south, it was founded by Christina Farrugia, who identified a gap in the market for supplying businesses with gift cards and loyalty cards. With the contacts she gained through her beauty business, she started Creative Plastic Cards from her home.

Over the years, the family run business has grown to a team of 13 (including Christina’s daughter Cassie), and expanded with the opening of a paper production facility in Brisbane. In this Q&A session with Colleen Bate, Cassie Farrugia shares the company’s history, growth, and plans for the future.

Entrance to the Creative Plastic Cards paper production facility in Brisbane

Q.

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND?

Since completing my tertiary studies in accounting and business management, I spent over 10 years working in wholesale distribution for various companies. I also worked for businesses including Dateline Imports and Professional Beauty Solutions before I eventually joined Creative Plastic Cards in a full-time capacity in 2020.

Over the years, I’ve specialised in sales, marketing – particularly events, having organised many conferences, roadshows, and gala events ­– and operations, with a focus on facilitating imports and exports and implementing strategic business planning and analytics into day-to-day operations.

40 ProPrint February 2024

Christina and Cassie Farrugia

Evolis Avansia short-run card printer

Q. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO WORK AT CREATIVE PLASTIC CARDS?

now operate as Creative Print Group Pty Ltd trading as Creative Plastic Cards.

My mum Christina is a born entrepreneur and has always been an inspiration to me.

It was always my intention and hope to work alongside her and in 2020 we made the decision to work together and haven’t looked back since. As Creative Plastic Cards continued to go from strength to strength, the opportunity presented itself to further grow the team. Together we decided the business would benefit from the skills I’d gained in previous roles and planned to continue driving its growth by tackling new areas and improving our existing operating areas.

Last year Christina and I restructured the business into a company structure and

Q. WHAT EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN PURCHASED SINCE THE BUSINESS BEGAN?

We’ve been fortunate to maintain longstanding relationships with some very reputable offshore partners, and over the years we’ve also invested in a range of equipment. Our facilities include a Ricoh digital press, a digital die-cutting machine, a Thermotype NSF Elite, a foil stamping, embossing and die cutting machine (which has increased our productivity and output capabilities, and enabled us to provide high quality embellishments and bespoke packaging to our customers), an APR automatic folder and gluing machine

www.sprinter.com.au

STAR BUSINESS We are also able to print a large variety of paper products, which complement our cards including card holders and carriers, key card sleeves and marketing materials.

Q. WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR CREATIVE PLASTIC CARDS IN THE FUTURE?

While Creative Plastic Cards may once have been all about the plastic card, we’re now continuing to expand our product offering so that we’re able to better service our customers. Over the next 6-12 months we have big plans to drive business growth through technology and innovation with a focus on web-to-print software.

Sydney team members Sheron de Andrade, Christina Farrugia, Cassandra Farrugia, Kyla Ambrosi, Kylie Ginty-Wise, Sarah Preuss and Grace Albanese

Q. WHAT ADVICE DOES CHRISTINA HAVE TO SHARE WITH OTHER LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT MAY BE STARTING OUT?

Christina believes that while it is important to prepare to work hard, it is equally important not to bury your head in the sand! She understands that when you’re running a small business it’s easy to get caught up in the work and forget to take note of what’s happening around you.

Of course, it is important to work extremely hard at times, she cautions that it should not prevent you from being able to keep an eye out for any opportunities that may unexpectedly come your way.

Brisbane team members Cindy-Lee Redding, Marty McCaul and Paul Clinen with Ricoh digital press

(including a double-sided tape applicator suitable for straight-line boxes, sleeves, folders and large envelopes), laminator, guillotine, and plastic card printers suitable for short-runs (and last minute emergency orders). We also have a variety of small pieces of equipment to finish jobs.

Investing into this equipment illustrates how committed we are in delivering the best printing outcomes for our customers.

Q. HOW DID THE BUSINESS EXPAND TO A STAFF OF 13 AND WHAT KEY SERVICES DOES IT PROVIDE?

We’re very proud to say that Creative Plastic Cards has grown every year, year-on-year, which has required continuous expansion – particularly for our sales and design team. And as we’ve grown so have our key services. Today, Creative Plastic Cards offers premium, custom-designed and printed plastic cards such as gift, ID, member, bar tab and much more, including: •

Card holders, accessories and marketing materials to local and international markets;

www.sprinter.com.au

• • • •

Her important word of advice is to keep up to date with what’s happening in your industry, to be prepared to grasp an opportunity when it presents itself, and to take a risk.

Print on alternative materials such as paper, recycled plastic, metal and wood; In-house creative design services; Mailing and fulfilment; and Assembly and packing.

We also focus strongly on sustainability right across our organisation. That’s why we have various eco-initiatives, including our plastic card recycling program, a treeplanting initiative for plastic card orders, and each of our full-time employees are carbon offset thanks to our collaboration with Ecologi.

Sydney team members Sarah Preuss and Sheron de Andrade

Q. WHEN DID THE PAPER PRODUCTION FACILITY OPEN IN BRISBANE, AND WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT SERVE?

Creative Plastic Cards’ paper production facility opened in May 2021, which allows us to offer a wider range of paper printing services that complement our plastic card products and marketing materials. We provide faster turnarounds and better service to our customers and can easily colour match paper to plastic substrate.

Paul Clinen and Cindy-Lee Redding with Thermotype and Folder Gluer at the Brisbane facility

February 2024 ProPrint 41

INSTALLATION

Print Logistics enhances hard case bookmaking kit for trade customers Broadmeadows-based Print Logistics was featured in ProPrint almost a year ago, and since then, has been continuing to thrive with the support of specialist finishing equipment supplier RENZ Australia, as it enhances its hard case bookmaking capabilities with new kit.

Ramona Pascal and Geoff Montgomery alongside the Muller Martini Inventa 11

Michael Shubert, Nej Dumanli, Tim Killen and Jason Gray

T

he most recent puchase for end-toend printing and binding service, Print Logistics, is a hardcover book section sewing machine, the Muller Martini Inventa 11, which owner Nej Dumanli explains was necessary due to increasing customer demand.

“Around 60 per cent of our trade customers have been demanding hardcase books that have a high-quality look and feel. Since there is only one other company in Melbourne providing machine section sewn books Australia-wide, we identified the gap in the market and forged ahead,” he said.

RENZ Australia, which has a long-standing relationship with Dumanli and his team, was able to provide on the ground assistance when it came to sourcing the hardcover book sewing machine secondhand from Germany.

“In conjunction with RENZ Germany, we arranged for one of our technicians to inspect the equipment, make recommendations on what Print Logistics should do prior to buying it, and help arrange for its transportation to Australia,” said RENZ sales director, Tim Killen.

He explains that section sewing has numerous benefits compared to other

42 ProPrint February 2024

Schmedt PraLeg and GP2 Tech SC-3 Autocase

binding styles. “As the pages are folded in sections then stitched together, they can withstand years of wear and tear, have a higher quality look and feel, and allow for pages to lay flat,” he said.

Dumanli is impressed with the process involved in obtaining the Muller Martini Inventa 11, which took four months from purchase to installation.

“It was recently installed and is easy to operate as Geoff Montgomery had previously worked on the machine for many years,” he said.

The Muller Martini Inventa 11 sewing machine complements the company’s recently purchased range of equipment for hardcover book production, supplied

by RENZ Australia: The GP² Tech SC3 Autocase Case Maker, G2 PC Controlled Hot Gluer, Schmedt PraLeg Casing-in Machine, PraForm Joint Setting machine, PraziBand headbanding machine and Sumbel edge gluer, which provides Print Logistics with the capacity to produce repeatable high-quality hardcover books with the precision, efficiency and speed required to remain competitive in the expanding hardcover book market.

The GP² Tech SC3 Autocase Case Maker stands out for its advanced technology, streamlining the case-making process and ensuring a consistent, professional finish.

Paired with the G2 Gluer, which takes the guess work out of hot gluing due to the programmable controllability, providing reliable and consistent adhesive application, Print Logistics can now achieve superior results in hardcover book production that are a cinch to replicate book after book.

The Schmedt PraLeg and PraForm equipment add ease of use and automation to the binding process, allowing for meticulous control over the quality while enabling Print Logistics to increase productivity. The German made Schmedt equipment is the gold standard in the bookbinding industry and aligns seamlessly with Print Logistics’ commitment to delivering top-notch products to its clients.

Completing the suite of equipment is the Schmedt PraziBand Headbanding machine which quickly and easily applies a headband to book blocks and the Sumbel edge gluer which takes care of the normally tedious task of end sheet gluing.

This equipment, installed by RENZ Australia, marks another page in the longstanding partnership between the two companies, which have a history that spans well over a decade, and several previous successful installations, particularly with RENZ Automated Ring Wire Binding equipment.

“It is this sustained relationship, built on trust and proven outcomes, that speaks volumes about the synergy between us.

Print Logistics’ reliance on RENZ Australia and the equipment it supplies underscores not just the quality of the machinery but also the reliability of the partnership,” said Killen.

“The support we receive from RENZ is amazing! They have top-quality professional staff who look after us very well. I feel like I am one of their team as we work so closely together,” concluded Dumanli.

www.sprinter.com.au

FESPA GLOBAL EXPO 2024

Unlimited possibilities to be explored at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 FESPA Global Print Expo 2024, which will be held at the Amsterdam RAI, The Netherlands from 19 – 22 March 2024, will co-locate with European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience and Sportswear Pro. This year’s strapline – ‘Opportunities, Revealed’ – encourages visitors to look at the limitless opportunities in their reach and explore how to capitalise on changing customer demands.

By FESPA head of global print expo Michael Ryan

The Sustainability Spotlight will feature a range of environmentally conscious materials and substrate alternatives

I

n recent months, as we prepare for the event, we have garnered valuable insights into the trends and developments driving the print industry from conversations with community members as well as analysis of the FESPA Print Census results. We’ve spoken to printers who’ve attributed a large portion of their success to being adaptable, offering a wider breadth of applications and serving multiple verticals to stay abreast of the ever-changing market conditions. From that, we know that the key to business growth and adaptability is

44 ProPrint February 2024

ongoing awareness of new opportunities and recognising that if one vertical slows down, another may be growing.

offering. But they remain just as valuable and the opportunities for our speciality print community continue to grow.

After all, our market is shaped by customer demand and, in response, printers are looking for creative solutions and technologies to keep up. Here, I reflect on a few customer demands and the opportunities that could be revealed at the event. As you will see below, these trends are no secret to the market, we’ve seen them evolve in recent years and how they’ve impacted our events and educational

Customer demands for sustainable products and manufacturing, for example, are continuing to rise and the FESPA Print Census found that 72 per cent of print buyers request environmentally friendly products and practices. As a result of this, we’re seeing a continued shift in printers investing in more environmentally conscious consumables, such as UV

SUSTAINABILITY

www.sprinter.com.au

FESPA GLOBAL EXPO 2024 curable, latex, and sublimation inks, and technology to support this shift.

The interest in sustainable media is also on the rise which is why we’re investing in our Sustainability Spotlight feature again at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024.

The showcase will feature a range of environmentally conscious materials and substrate alternatives. By providing actionable advice and highlighting new materials, we’re opening printers up to the opportunities that come with improving their sustainability.

Quite often, perceived cost increases are a barrier to sustainable production, however, the FESPA Print Census highlighted that of the 1,778 printers and signmakers sharing their input, 70 per cent could address sustainability demands without raising their prices and a large portion advised that they already raised pricing without impact on sales.

With a view to highlighting these real-life success stories and the steps printers can take, our Personalisation Experience and Sportswear Pro conferences will also heavily feature sustainability.

QUICKER TURNAROUND TIMES AND SHORTER PRINT RUNS

More and more customers are demanding improved turnaround times and shorter print runs. This puts printers under pressure to deliver products faster and in a cost-efficient way.

Whereas it’s easy to see this as a challenge to overcome, why not look at it as an opportunity to implement the automation solutions, print-on-demand business models, online ordering systems and streamlined, end-to-end processes you might already be thinking about?

Efficient workflow tools are a crucial element for enhanced productivity and output quality, but they can also play a key role in connecting buyers with printers, for example through an online ordering system which provides automated job tracking updates for the customer.

To meet consumer demands, we’re seeing a big interest in solutions for quality control, tracking, and automation software, cloud-based content management, advanced colour management, and web-to-print. And, as more solutions come to market, printers can create a tailored approach to meet their business and customer needs without incurring excessive costs.

At our March events, delegates will see a range of these solutions, aimed at helping printers streamline production, become more profitable and meet

www.sprinter.com.au

The Personalisation Experience and Sportswear Pro conferences will also heavily feature sustainability

customer demands, no matter how tight the turnaround!

success stories so keep your eyes peeled for the agenda of expert speakers.

PERSONALISATION AND VERSIONING

And with an array of AI-powered solutions making personalisation easier than ever on show at Personalisation Experience next March, there’s a multitude of opportunities to be re-imagined, from customised gifts to interior décor, garments and more!

In line with software investment opportunities for increased productivity and flexibility, we’re also seeing a rising focus on software solutions for customisation. Customer demand for personalised products has steadily increased for some time now, so what better time to start exploring the products enabling customised production?

From our own experiences, we all know that a personalised product adds value and improves customer loyalty, so there’s a big opportunity to support print buyers in meeting those expectations.

As part of our co-located Personalisation Experience, we’re hosting an educational conference programme covering the value-add of customisation, personalisation enabling technologies and

Whether you’re a FESPA regular or visiting for the first time, there’s always something new to uncover and fresh opportunities to explore in every corner at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024.

FESPA is inviting the readers of ProPrint to discover a whole new world of opportunities to find out how you can capitalise on trends at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024. For more information and to register, visit: https://www. fespaglobalprintexpo.com/. Use code FESM436 before 19 February to save €30 ($49) on your entry. I look forward to seeing you there!

February 2024 ProPrint 45

FESPA GLOBAL EXPO 2024

Opportunities revealed at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 Preparations are well underway for the opening of FESPA Global Print Expo 2024, European Sign Expo, Personalisation Experience and the all-new Sportswear Pro. The co-located events offer visitors the exciting opportunity to discover the latest technologies, solutions, media and consumables in print, signage, sportswear and related vertical markets; uncover key trends; connect with industry experts; and to leave the event with inspiration and connections for what’s next for my business?

by FESPA head of global print expo Michael Ryan

At FESPA visitors can see digital printing, screen printing and many different forms of printing

W

ith less than a month to go until the event, I am delighted that we already have over 425 confirmed exhibitors including Agfa, Brother, Caldera, Canon Production Printing (on partner stand of Fotoba International Srl), EFI, Epson, HanGlory, Hexis SAS, Kongsberg, Kornit, Liyu International,

46 ProPrint February 2024

Metamark, MHM, Mimaki, Neschen, Onyx, Optimus MIS, OROFOL, Precision Cutting Systems, Summa, swissQprint, Roland, Vanguard and XMPIE and Zund.

Located in Hall 5, European Sign Expo is the meeting point for sign-makers to exchange knowledge and experiences

with like-minded professionals. The event will support sign makers with capitalising on new technologies and products in channel lettering, digital signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching, LED and sign solutions, and advise them on how to convert these into business growth opportunities. We are

www.sprinter.com.au

FESPA GLOBAL EXPO 2024

Europe’s leading print and signage exhibition attracts industry leaders to showcase their latest technology and developments

certain that, with the support of our industry experts, as well as the opportunity to discover the extensive solutions on offer, visitors will be able to expand their knowledge and enhance their businesses.

Personalisation Experience will offer educational advice on the growth potential of customised products and services.

Visitors can explore an exhibition dedicated to solutions designed purely for personalisation and a comprehensive one-day conference programme, delving into personalised products, the future of the industry and digitisation. The conference will feature industry experts, who will share and exchange their own real-life experiences.

artificial intelligence, providing delegates with the opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the current trends within the sportswear market.

Complementing the strong exhibitor presence is our popular educational and inspirational feature programme.

Returning to this year’s event is our Sustainability Spotlight feature, providing visitors with informative and educational advice on sustainable manufacturing, graphics and textiles. Delegates can also discover environmentally conscious substrate alternatives by visiting the comprehensive material showcase.

FESPA is delighted to introduce the Sportswear Pro launch event in 2024.

The event will enable visitors to discover the latest technologies, for both on-demand and customised production of sportswear, including design, production and decoration.

World Wrap Masters will also be back in 2024, incorporating the live action competition and a series of training workshops. On days one and two, regional competitors will go head to head, wrapping vehicles and surprise objects in the hopes of progressing to the World Wrap Masters 2024 final on days three and four.

Alongside the exhibition is an in-depth one-day conference, covering effective material selection, sustainability and

Delegates can also visit the new Personalise Make Wear educational microfactory feature where they can

48 ProPrint February 2024

participate in expert-guided end-to-end production tours from brands including Kornit, Brother, Coldenhove, Inkcups, Caldera, MS, Antigro, Tajima, Klieverik and GreenTex, and attend a series of expertled discussions.

As we look ahead to 2024, we believe that it is set to be filled with countless opportunities for speciality printers and sign-makers across the globe, whether it’s new technologies or business expansion.

We’re inviting the readers of ProPrint to join us to discover these opportunities across all four of our events.

Over 425 exhibitors have been confirmed for the event

www.sprinter.com.au

FESPA GLOBAL EXPO 2024

FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 Q&A FESPA head of global business development and global print expo Michael Ryan joined FESPA in 2003 after graduating from university with an honours degree in languages. He quickly established a successful career specialising in sales and marketing for leading exhibition venues across the world. He has since become a respected key member of the team and organised more than 40 global exhibitions with FESPA. Through a dedication and passion for print and the people involved, Ryan has been instrumental at the inception and execution of FESPA activities in Mexico, Brazil, Eurasia and South Africa. He works closely with the events teams to recognise market trends and launch new products and feature areas throughout the FESPA portfolio. In this Q&A he tells us more about what we can expect from FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 to be held in Amsterdam from 19 - 22 March.

Make Wear, the returning Sustainability Spotlight and World Wrap Masters, and a two day conference programme.

Q. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE CO-LOCATED EVENTS?

FESPA head of global business development and global print expo Michael Ryan

Q.

WHAT CAN VISITORS EXPECT FROM FESPA GLOBAL PRINT EXPO 2024?

FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 will provide a pivotal platform for speciality printers and sign makers to discover new opportunities for business growth, network with industry experts and exchange ideas and experiences with like-minded business professionals.

The exhibition will showcase the latest developments and innovations in wide format, digital, screen and textile printing, as well as interior décor, signage, personalisation, and sportswear manufacturing.

Co-located with FESPA Global Print Expo is European Sign Expo, highlighting a range

www.sprinter.com.au

of solutions and materials for the signage and visual communications industries; Personalisation Experience, giving visitors insight into the business growth opportunities made possible with personalisation; and Sportswear Pro, where delegates can explore the latest products and solutions in textile and sportswear manufacturing and decoration.

With a few weeks to go, we already have a strong line up of technology, consumable and media providers, including Agfa, Brother, Colorjet India, HanGlory, Liyu International, MHM, Mimaki, Roland, swissQprint and many more.

Setting FESPA apart from other industry events is our feature programme which, this year, includes the brand-new Personalised

European Sign Expo 2024 will highlight the latest trends and solutions in signage and visual communications. The event will help sign makers discover how they can capitalise on new technologies and products in channel lettering, digital signage, dimensional signage, engraving and etching, LED and sign solutions, and advise them on how to convert these into business growth opportunities. Due to increased demand for recycled, recyclable and reusable substrates for more sustainable signage applications, delegates can also expect exhibitors to showcase opportunities to capitalise on these trends.

Personalisation Experience will offer actionable advice and inspiration to visitors on the value of integrating personalised products into their offering.

The extensive exhibition space and conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to exchange knowledge with garment manufacturers, designers, personalised software companies, packaging solution providers, embroidery printers and more.

It’s always exciting when we have a new addition to the exhibition, and we can’t wait to welcome you all to Sportswear Pro 2024. The event comprises an exhibition area showcasing sportswear, smart wearables, footwear, the significance of sustainability in production processes and more. Visitors can also join a one-day conference, delving into material selection, on-demand production,

February 2024 ProPrint 49

FESPA GLOBAL EXPO 2024 product life extension, AI and the future of sportswear manufacturing.

Q. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THIS YEAR’S STRAPLINES MEAN FOR OUR READERS?

This year’s straplines acknowledge the wealth of opportunities to be discovered at FESPA events. Our strapline for FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 is ‘Opportunities, Revealed’ which highlights that there are always new opportunities waiting to be unveiled. Whether you’re looking to delve into new markets and technologies, switch up your business strategy or experiment with new applications, we’re encouraging delegates to discover fresh opportunities.

The European Sign Expo 2024 strapline, ‘Opportunities, Illuminated’, explains how the event will shine a light on the range of solutions for signage and visual communications.

The Personalisation Experience strapline, ‘Opportunities, Reimagined’, encourages delegates to reconsider the production opportunities within customisation and learn how to capitalise on this trend. The scope of personalisation is much broader than people think, and we will highlight the value behind it by showing real-life business cases from industry experts and new customisation-enabling products and solutions from global suppliers.

Finally, the strapline for Sportswear Pro is ‘Opportunities, Created’. This looks at the manufacturing capabilities within the fashion and sportswear industries, and how visitors can seize opportunities in the production and decoration of sportswear.

Q. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE FEATURES AT THE 2024 EXHIBITION?

I’m pleased to share that our popular Sustainability Spotlight feature will return in 2024. The feature will provide informative advice on sustainable manufacturing and materials, while also highlighting an array of eco-conscious graphics and textiles. Each substrate on display will feature an information card so you can learn more about its sustainable attributes, too.

Also returning for 2024 is the highadrenaline World Wrap Masters

competition. Competing in a series of timed events, on days one and two, our regional champions will go head-tohead in hopes of progressing to the World Wrap Masters 2024 final held on days three and four. Alongside the competition, our World Wrap Masters feature will also incorporate live demonstrations and training workshops hosted by the Wrap Institute, accessible to all visitors. I’d recommend swinging by and watching some of the competition!

Alongside the comprehensive exhibitions, both Sportswear Pro and Personalisation Experience will host in-depth conference programmes. Our Personalisation Experience event includes confirmed speakers from Selfridges, Adidas, Printful, ZipCon and more, and will cover topics such as the latest innovations in and the future of personalisation. The SportswearPro conference will delve into automation, customisation, sustainable sportswear alternatives, on-demand production and provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the future of the industry.

New for 2024 is Personalise Make Wear.

The feature, hosted by FESPA’s Textile Ambassador, Debbie McKeegan, will showcase an array of products. Visitors will also be able to participate in expertguided end-to-end production tours of the latest technologies for personalised products. Alongside this, delegates can also attend fireside chats focused on cutting edge technologies and processes.

Q. WHAT ARE THE TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR? HOW WILL THESE BE REFLECTED AT THE 2024 EVENTS?

As always, we expect key industry trends to surface at our exhibitions. Over recent years, print businesses have diverted their focus on areas including sustainability, personalisation, and sportswear manufacturing. We expect these trends will be front of mind at the event in March.

Sustainability remains at the forefront for the majority of print and signage companies, as the pressure for sustainable processes and products continues to increase. Visitors to the Amsterdam events will see environmentally conscious technologies and solutions, as well as recyclable/recycled and environmentally

Co-located with FESPA Global Print Expo is European Sign Expo

50 ProPrint February 2024

Also returning for 2024 is the high-adrenaline World Wrap Masters competition

conscious materials not just within our Sustainability Spotlight, but throughout the exhibition halls.

Due to a shift towards digital production, many printers have now been able to capitalise on a wealth of new opportunities, one of which is personalisation. The high demand for mass customisation continues to rise due to the commercial value its individualised experience delivers. Based on these demands, personalisation will be pertinent across all four events in 2024.

We’re seeing more and more brands incorporating smart wearables, custom sportswear, and footwear into their product lines. With advancements in technology, there are a multitude of opportunities for businesses to implement digital processes into their garment production. Across FESPA Global Print Expo and Sportswear Pro, we will highlight the latest solutions in sportswear manufacturing, creating a roadmap for visitors delving into digital fashion.

Q. WHAT ASPECTS EXCITE YOU THE MOST?

FESPA is a community-led organisation so, for me, FESPA events are all about exchanging knowledge and experiences with fellow professionals and colleagues and hearing new ideas about the future of the speciality print industry. The real-life conversations. Witnessing technology launches first-hand. Networking with our exhibitors. Being in the presence of visitors experiencing the opportunities our events uncover for the first time, in awe of the possibilities in front of them, I just can’t get enough of it.

Our live events never fail to incorporate elements of the unknown - you are never able to predict what you will take away.

Will it be new technologies that help streamline your production processes?

Or a new application to expand your business offering? All will be revealed at FESPA Global Print Expo 2024 and I can’t wait to see what opportunities emerge in Amsterdam.

All information in this feature is accurate at the time of publishing.

www.sprinter.com.au

SAVE THE DATE

25 October Shangri-La Sydney

Co-located with

PRINT DIARY

FESPA GOURMET BBQ Richmond Rowing Club - Melbourne | 15 February 2024 FESPA SYDNEY SOCIAL Sydney Rowing Club - Sydney | 29 February 2024 FESPA GLOBAL PRINT EXPO Amsterdam | 19 - 22 March 2024 DRUPA Düsseldorf, Germany | 28 May - 7 June 2024 VISUAL IMPACT Brisbane | 17 - 19 July 2024 FESPA AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE Sydney | 25 October 2024 PROPRINT AWARDS Sydney | 25 October 2024 Hosting an event? Send an email to Carmen Ciappara carmen@proprint.com.au with the details

Systems  Printing

THE SMART WAY TO SAVE ON ROLLERS Böttcher Australia: the experts in new rollers and replacements

• Near total coverage of roller requirements for the graphic arts sector • Wide range of rollers for printing and packaging, laminating, gluing, transport and nip • Specialised services for non-standard applications • In-house expertise to help you achieve your production goals

Talk to us about the range of services we offer for all your roller maintenance needs.

WWW.BOTTCHERSYSTEMS.COM.AU National Free Call 1800 204 102

52 ProPrint February 2024

www.sprinter.com.au

MARKETPLACE

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

JTS Engineering servicing the industry for all machinery and engineering requirements, has partnered with Longer Machine Industrial Co Ltd to supply a specialised range of paper guillotines systems featuring high speed, precision and safety.

Established 7 years. Serving a wide range of customers we pride ourselves on punctuality, reliability and customer satisfaction.

Providing a full rage of services including:

Contact us anytime for all service and guillotine requirements JTS Engineering Services Pty Ltd E: ben@allworkcranes.com.au 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

3 Machinery handling 3 General crane hire 3 Forklift hire and transport 3 Packing and unpacking of containers

Complete factory relocations:

Specialising in a wide range of machinery from Engineering, Metal Work, Printing & Packaging All aspects of printing machinery

E: ben@allworkcranes.com.au

allwork crane.indd 1

www.sprinter.com.au

February 2024 ProPrint 53

MARKETPLACE Your Printing FREE CALL 1800 666 088

EMAIL: sales@dockets-forms.com

We are the Specialist in NCR Paper Printing Trusted by Printers Nationwide for Over 20 Years Business books, Pads, Set Forms, Tickets ...

Partners

Trade Only

www.dockets-forms.com

Easy Online Quote & Order Freight Charge

AU Wide Delivery

Per Order

with Capped Freight Charge

54 ProPrint February 2024

www.sprinter.com.au

CUSTOM LABEL SPECIALISTS 24-48 HOUR PRODUCTION

           ­

GET YOUR RESELLER SAMPLE PACK TODAY

D&D Mailing Services 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

D&D Mailing Sydney

16 Elonera Road Noble Park VIC 3174

1064 Canley Vale Road Wetherill Park NSW 2164

03 9790 5844 ddmail@ddmail.com.au www.ddmail.com.au

02 9725 2114 ddmail@ddmail.com.au www.ddmail.com.au

MARKETPLACE

The world’s largest selection of A4 self adhesive blank labels P +61 3 9729 9511 Toll free 1800 000 612 E info@labelline.com

INTED BLANK & PR

Penrith

MUSEUM of

PRINTING

Volunteer or Sponsor help us grow!

Come and see the extensive expansion and renovations.

Need a venue for a function?

Talk to us we can help.

Visit https://www.printingmuseum.org.au/

58 ProPrint February 2024

A4 Sheets of Labels Labels on Rolls • Over 21,000 options • Custom blank labels • Custom printed

• Blank & Printed • Over 320 sizes/shapes

A3 / SRA3 Sheet Label Range • Gloss • Matt • Wine Stock • Fluoros • Synthetic • Blockout

www.labelline.com.au www.sprinter.com.au

Supplier Profile Specialising in capital equipment sales, service, engineering solutions and consumables 72 Grady Crescent, Erskine Park, NSW, 2759 Call us toll free: 1300 885 550 | www.graph-pak.com.au

See Graph-Pak and BoxWay on stand F094 We offer a diverse selection of pre-owned equipment that is available for purchase. We also buy used equipment.

Hall 16, Stand E11

ON/OFF instant light source switching

* 91％

lower power consumption

15,000hr long life

Ozone free

RMGT 970PF-8 LED-UV

No odor No Ozone No spray powder No set-off No loss time

• Instant dry • Instant ON/OFF irradiation

Mercury free

1060LX-6+CC+LD LED-UV

A1-Plus Size 8-Colour Offset Press with LED-UV and Perfecting Device

Why LED-UV ?

Low heat

1,060mm Format 6-Colour Offset Press with LED and Chamber Coater

Assist your potential We continue to undertake new challenges in response to the tremendous changes facing the printing market.

In 2024, to assist printing and packaging companies in dealing with digitizing information, rising cost of materials, and the shortage of skill workforce. At Drupa 2024, RMGT will be exhibiting solutions for greater automation by introducing various automated systems, improving efficiency through visualisation utilizing cloud, and reducing labour requirements.

We look forward to being able to meet all of you at Drupa 2024.

Reduce CO2 emission No large peripheral equipment No need for overprint varnishing Reduce electrical consumption

• Up to 91%

No VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Reduce heat generation Long life span

• Up to 15 times

Printing on film and cardboard Just like your conventional offset press ...without the cons.

Sydney

Sydney - Rob Crough 0423 337 788 Melbourne - Greg Knight 0411 338 855 Brisbane - Peter Erskine 0432 663 322 Perth - Alan Strugnell 0418 955 512 New Zealand - Paul Hilleard (64) 21 191 6548 Malaysia - Tel: (60) 3 7955 1668 (Kuala Lumpur) Indonesia - Tel: (62) 21 2555 8924 Tel: (60) 7 598 0771/2 (Senai, Johor) Vietnam - Tel: (84) 9 0938 9468

: 38 Victoria Street, Beaconsfield, NSW 2015 Australia Tel: (61) 2 9318 0099 Fax: (61) 2 9318 0399 New Zealand : Unit 22, Ground Floor, 6 Ken Browne Drive, Te Rapa, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand Tel: (64) 7 949 7722 sales@cyber1976.com www.cyber1976.com

Singapore - Tel: (65) 6272 8936 Thailand - Tel: (66) 2 682 3411-4

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsors

Spirits Partner

www.proprintawards.com.au

Silver Sponsors

Auditing Partner

TAU RSCi INNOVATES YOUR BUSINESS

REACH & SVHC COMPLIANT HEAVY METAL FREE VOC FREE BS5609 SECTION 3 COMPLIANT

BEST IN CLASS

COMPETITIVE EDGE

SCALABILITY

Print quality

Flexo-like productivity

Industrial scalability

1200 x 1200 dpi @ 2 pl Up to 95 % Pantone coverage

Competitive ink pricing Low ink consumption

330 / 420 / 510 mm print width Jumbo winders

For more information, please visit durst-group.com/label

P5 TM

VOC FREE HEAVY METAL FREE REACH COMPLIANT

PRODUCTION EXCELLENCE

P5 350 HSR High speed 3.5 m roll to roll LED printing system.

Up to 670 sqm/h

Automated mesh printing system

For more information, please visit durst-group.com/p5350hsr

Vertical and horizontal cutting system

Multiroll features

IS BACK This will be BIGGER and BETTER than 2023!

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER, 2024 6.45 pm, Shangri-La Sydney