Frame Today was founded by Michael and Lucy Tarrant in 2005 with a vision to help its customers capture the important moments in their lives. Since then, the company has helped thousands of people produce stunning wall decor through inspirational picture framing design and quality workmanship. After a comprehensive evaluation process, they decided their main photo printer of choice would be the Epson SureColor P5070.

Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer in use at Frame Today

Lucy Tarrant explained, “We have fourteen stores across NSW and QLD, each with qualified picture framing consultants and each with an Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer. All work is done in-store with staff providing the expertise to guide your framing choice that enhances your valued photo, artwork, or object. Our framers undertake our framing training program and are also members of the Picture Framers Association. Thus, with these standards the photo printer we use is absolutely critical to our success and levels of service and quality.”

Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer in use at Frame Today

With one of the largest ranges of picture frame finishes, colours and timber materials to choose from, Frame Today’s professional picture framers are trained to help customers select the best framing option to suit their work and hanging location.

Tarrant continued, “At Frame Today we have strived to be the number one choice for custom framing. As a customer forward business we are always looking for ways to innovate and be a complete solution for our customers. We were on the lookout for a printer than can deliver the quality and output of the best large format printers but be compact enough that we could have them in every store. Ease of use was a must as we wanted all our staff for be able to use the printers without any issues. After considering all available options, our choice had to be the Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer.” 

Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer in use at Frame Today

Frame Today are so confident in their quality of service, materials and craftsmanship that they provide every customer with a lifetime guarantee.

Tarrant continued, “The Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer has fulfilled all our requirements allowing us to print on various media, fine art and photo paper so we can offer our customers a range of options. We’re able to print up to a decent size and due to the performance of the Epson, we can offer this service to our customers with a very quick turnaround.”

According to Tarrant, Frame Today’s staff and customers are often giving them positive feedback about the results achieved with the Epson printers.

She added, “Ease of use and the high quality of prints have been the most reported feedback, even during the rollout phase. Our staff picked up the operation very quickly as you don’t need to be tech savvy to operate these printers and we still get the amazing quality output you would want from a large format high performance printer.”

Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer

Frame Today use their Epson SureColor P5070 photo printers daily in all of their stores. As a further development, with the launch of their own Print Studio brand they also successfully created a one stop shop for printing and framing in house.

Tarrant said, “We offer high quality photo and fine art printing paper finishes ensuring only the best quality prints for our customers. This way there is no need to go anywhere else as, with Print Studio and Frame Today, you can have it all, print and frame all under one roof with exceptional results guaranteed.”Customers can come in person or email a copy of their images with the size requirements to their chosen Frame Today store. A staff member sets the images up and makes them print ready, then the Epson SureColor P5070 photo printer and paper are checked, and the image is then sent to print. If the image is bring framed it will undergo an additional curing process and then it will be custom framed.

Lucy Tarrant concluded, “We are still relatively new to the printing game, but so far, we have been very impressed with the ease of use of and quality of output from the Epson SureColor P5070 photo printers and these clever printers now allow us to set the standard for the print and frame industry. We aspired to the be industry leaders and having professional high-quality printing in every store has given us a competitive edge. When you enter any of our stores you know that the person serving you is the same person trained in printing your photo or artwork and the one custom framing it. We deliver on every expectation because your cherished memories are not changing through multiple hands. We take our jobs very seriously and the Epson SureColor P5070 photo printers are a critical part of our service and success.”

Roland DG Australia, a leading manufacturer of wide format inkjet printers and printer cutters launched a nation-wide promotion offering significant discounts on TrueVIS UV print and cut devices today.

Through the promotion Roland DG customers can save over $3,500 on the professional TrueVIS MG-640 UV printer cutter, and over $5,000 on the high-performance TrueVIS LG-640 UV printer cutter. This limited time offer includes a set of ink, and take-up unit.

The compact and affordable MG-640 features an optional extension table for semi-rigid card, while the LG-640 offers high-speed printing, touch screen control and simple media calibration. Both printers come with 8-colour ink support, and a 3-Year Heads N’ All Warranty. For further detail on the outstanding colour accuracy, print speed and versatility, characteristic to each model, visit https://www.rolanddg.com.au/products/printers/truevis-lg-mg-series-uv-printer-cutter

Customers are advised to take advantage of these savings without delay as the promotion ends on December 22, 2023 or while stocks last.

For more information on the Roland DG UV Print and Cut promotion, including terms and conditions, visit https://www.rolanddg.com.au/promo/lgmgpromo

To understand the fantastic business opportunities digital UV printing offers, customers can download the FREE UV Print and Cut Guide at https://www.rolanddg.com.au/sites/uv-print-and-cut-guide-sign

To maximise their savings, customers can leverage this UV Print & Cut promotion in conjunction with the Roland Rental Christmas promotion launched on November 2, and not pay a cent until 2024*. Details on the Roland Rental Christmas Promotion, including *terms and conditions are available at https://www.rolanddg.com.au/promo/rentalxmas23

A Paint Jam Christmas party will be held in December for those who still practice traditional signwriting in any capacity.

There will be easels / space to work at, with paint and substrates supplied. Just bring your brushes / signkit and drinks ... and we will try to handle the rest.

Sydney Paint Jam/Xmas Party.

Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th December. 10am-6pm both days.

Free to attend.

Held at Studio Mielo

Unit 4, 2c Gladstone St, Enmore 2042

Hosted by Ryan Donnelly

ryandonnelly@hotmail.com

0431 410 355

(Please let me know if you wish to attend, to try handle numbers!)

https://sydneypaintjamxmas.eventbrite.com.au

Melbourne’s Tiger Corp needed to improve competitiveness and production – particularly for Braille and wayfinding signage – they turned to Total Image Supplies who had previously installed there smaller Mutoh XpertJet 661UF UV-LED Flatbed device. Upon the release of Mutoh’s new XpertJet 1462UF UV-LED Flatbed Printer, the company could see it would be perfect for its growth plans, and ordered it immediately, becoming Australia’s first user of the technology.

Located in the tiger territory of Richmond, Tiger Corp is a provider of a broad array of retail, business, building, construction & architectural signage solutions. With over 130-year history in Melbourne, Australia Tiger Corp have always been ahead of the curve and innovation by investing in the latest and best technology available.

We live in a digital world, custom signage with a quick turnaround a main growth area. Flatbed UV with high media printability is the best way to achieve this, printing objects, braille signage and more with inks that cure hard and are durable. Tiger Corp invested in Mutoh XpertJet 661UF A2 UV-LED Flatbed Printer from Total Image Supplies a few years ago to focus on small format Braille tactile signs. The experience with this device was only positive and demand for higher productivity meant either considering a second machine or looking for a larger format more versatile solution.

When Mutoh announced the XpertJet 1462UF at FESPA Global Print Expo, Munich in May 2023, it immediately caught Tiger Corp’s attention. Here was a unique UV-LED production printer based off already successful technology capable of printing at double the speed and up to 150mm in height on an extended print area of 1420mm x 700mm. Additionally, it featured white & varnish ink for printing specialty finishes and full blockout on coloured and clear media.

Larry Sbisa, Tiger Corp Director says: “As per the smaller Mutoh printer, we were attracted to the quality of its output but also the ease of operation. Also, the ability to print raised text was vital for our Braille Tactile sign production.”

When Total Image Supplies were able to deliver the new XpertJet 1462UF in September, Tiger Corp placed an order immediately and became the first such installation in Australia – and indeed the Southern hemisphere. “We had operated other machines for many years before discovering Mutoh and it has proven to be an excellent choice. We have found Total Image Supplies and Mutoh Australia excellent to deal with, both are very responsive and knowledgeable,” says Sbisa, adding: “We are gradually moving into other markets such as retail, medical etc. Without the new Mutoh 1462UF, we have been uncompetitive for quick-short-run retail signs and expect to be able to secure more work in that space now that it is up and running, producing beautiful work.

“Based on our experience to date, we would definitely recommend these Mutoh printers and the services we get from Total Image Supplies.” 

Tyson Buechler, Director Total Image Supplies comments, the Mutoh 1462UF came to market at the perfect time with many existing clients needing faster production speeds, larger bed size, all with the same reliability and unique features the Mutoh 661UF offered. 

With the 1462UF now featuring dual print heads, a larger bed, and the ability to print up to 150mm thickness in CMYK plus white & varnish. We have found the Mutoh 1462UF to be a hot-ticket item and very in-demand printer for various markets such as braille and tactile signage, bespoke & niche signage, promotional print, homeware & display.”

Buechler adds: “We have already seen further sales of the device and are very excited about bringing this unique award-winning printer to the wider Australian print markets.

About the award-winning Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF

Immediately after being released the Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF UV-LED Flatbed Printer won the USA Pinnacle Product award in the UV / Latex Flatbed (under USD$70K category).

Based on the extraordinary success of the smaller format XpertJet 461UF (A3+) and 661UF(A2+) printers, the new 1462UF is a B1++ printer with extra width to enable more ‘n-up’ printing of media and objects. It features:

• 1420mm x 700mm Print Area
• 0-150mm Print Thickness
• Braille and raised data capability.
• Staggered Piezo Printheads with Automated Nozzle Checking
• Local Dimming Control of UV lamps for Matte, Semi-Gloss and Gloss effects in one pass
• 4-Zone Vacuum Table
• Six channels: CMYK, White, Varnish
• Advanced VerteLith Rip software for total control
• 800ml UH-21 Ink (500ml for white)

The Mutoh XpertJet 1462UF UV-LED Flatbed Printer is available through Total Image Supplies.

www.tigercorp.com.au

www.totalimagesupplies.com.au 

Kodak is proud to announce Mercury Print Productions as its first customer for the KODAK PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press. Mercury, based in Rochester, NY, USA, has chosen the fastest inkjet web press currently available on the market to significantly expand its high-volume digital printing capacity.

Mercury has been a user of KODAK PROSPER Technology Solutions since 2011, printing up to 10 million pages per day. The renowned print service provider will use the new PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press for a wide range of print jobs, including educational, trade and children’s books, personalised direct mail, marketing collateral, transactional documents as well as short to medium-run packaging requiring variable print.

A future-proof investment for the benefit of Mercury’s customersCommenting on the company’s decision to add the PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press, John Place, CEO of Mercury Print Productions, explained: “Our primary goal with this investment is to enhance our production capabilities, improve efficiency, and offer our customers a broader range of printing options. We aim to provide faster turnaround times, greater substrate flexibility and capabilities, and consistent print quality across various substrates. We needed another press as we have experienced a significant increase in demand for digitally printed products as our customers continue to look for solutions that offer offset quality while allowing for the flexibility that inkjet provides. It enables our customers to order what they need, when they need it.”

“Our experience with Kodak's technology has been highly satisfactory. Kodak has a reputation for delivering reliable and innovative printing solutions, and we have a strong working relationship with their service & support teams,” said Christian Schamberger, President, explaining Mercury’s renewed decision in favor of Kodak. “The PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press stood out for its exceptional speed, high-resolution capabilities, and versatile substrate compatibility. It aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing our customers with the best possible print quality and options. What’s more, Kodak's commitment to continuous improvement and investment in inkjet technology aligns with our long-term growth strategy.”

Utilising KODAK Stream Inkjet Technology and KODAK EKTACOLOR Inks, the PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press takes high-speed inkjet printing to a whole new level. Designed for monthly print volumes of up to 239 million A4 pages, the press offers unmatched printing speeds of up to 410 mpm (1,345 fpm) and a throughput of up to 5,523 A4 or U.S. letter pages per minute. The PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press has three optimized print modes – Quality, Performance and Turbo – which allow easy adjustment of print speed and quality to the requirements of each job, always ensuring maximum production efficiency.

A major boost to Mercury’s inkjet firepowerWith its exceptional speed and productivity, the PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press will increase Mercury’s inkjet capacity by approximately 40-50%.

“We thank our long-standing customer Mercury Print Productions for their continued confidence in Kodak's technology and our commitment to innovation. With this latest investment, Mercury takes a major leap forward in digital capacity, production versatility and business opportunities,” said Jim Continenza, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kodak. “The PROSPER 7000 Turbo Press, with its unmatched speed and incredible application range, enables users in wide areas of the commercial and publishing printing markets to print a wide variety of jobs more productively and profitably than ever before.”

The Xante F-24 direct-to-film printer will begin shipping in January 2024 at an MSRP of $26,995 for the complete system. The F-24 DTF debuted at Printing United in October with a lot of excitement and interest from show attendees. This latest launch accentuates Xante’s continued commitment to deliver ever-adapting solutions for the modern business landscape.

The new F-24 prints 24″ wide film to allow a varitey of detailed designs to be ganged up for maximum effiency and cost per print.

Some specs of the F-24 include:

1. Space-Saving Design: The F-24 is specially engineered to fit through a standard-sized door, offering unrivaled convenience in terms of installation and location. This compact design ensures that businesses can seamlessly integrate the F-24 into their existing workspaces without the need for extensive renovations,
2. Cost-Effective: DTF printing reduces the need for expensive screens or plates, significantly lowering setup costs. With film, powder, and ink it costs you pennies for a standard 13″x18″ T-shirt logo. A perfect choice for both established businesses and startups looking to print on fabric.

1. Quick Turnaround: The Xante F-24 offers rapid printing capabilities, enabling businesses to meet tight deadlines and customer demands efficiently. This product also allows you to print full sheets of designs to then cut and apply on demand. 
2. Versatile and Vibrant: DTF printing is vibrant, does not crack, and washer/dryer durable making it ideal for creating eye-catching promotional materials, customized apparel, and more. The F-24 comes with two Epson i3200 printheads CMYK+WWWW.

Webinar on 13.11.23 will outline features and functions to boost connectivity and reduce waste 

Esko has developed its latest software version specifically to improve the efficiency of packaging production while offering businesses even more opportunity to contribute towards a sustainable future. 

Released today (31 October), the latest Esko software version 23.11 underlines the company’s commitment to developing products that help accelerate the go-to-market of perfectly packaged goods, empowering businesses to connect systems and workflows, automate processes, and accelerate innovation. 

“We are dedicated to bringing to market innovative new ways for customers to unlock tangible value in their businesses, through improved ways of working, eradicating waste and optimising operational processes to overcome the challenges they face in today’s market,” said Jan De Roeck, Esko Director of Marketing, Industry Relations and Strategy. 

“We look forward to presenting these newest features and showcasing the additional functionality of our software at a live webinar, where Esko product experts will demonstrate the advantages these latest developments deliver,” he said. “This is an opportunity to discover how Esko innovations are helping make the packaging design and development process more connected and seamless than ever.” 

Esko will make software version 23.11 available for all customers from Tuesday, 31 October, with a live webinar planned for 13 November providing a detailed look at each of the new tools and additional functions. These include: 

• Safe plate output in Automation Engine allowing for faster quality control, and new labels and warnings for classic workflow tasks 

• Even stronger Automation Engine integration with Share & Approve, the cloud native service that enables users to seamlessly connect their prepress to customers and stakeholders from their artwork editor applications 

• Greater efficiency with Cape Pack pallet optimization for folding cartons, and easy sharing with Share & Approve 

• New tools in ArtiosCAD to automatically recognize copy-free areas of designs when folded in 3D, and predefined folders to promote consistency and reduce errors 

• Further improvements to prepress task automation in ArtPro+, making processing faster, simpler and safer, plus additional new features such as including non-active fonts when recognising text 

“The industry is having to fundamentally change how it operates in order to meet the dual demands of sustainability and digitalisation,” said Jan. “With this latest release, we are delivering on our promise of developing technology that enables customers to boost efficiency, reduce costs, minimize the risk of errors and improve their overall productivity, empowering them to overcome the challenges they face today, and preparing them for those they will face in the future.” 

The new Esko Release 23.11 will be formally launched at a live webinar event on Thursday, 13 November. To register for the free event, just click here

For more information about the new features in Esko Release 23.11 and the full range of Esko software solutions, visit www.esko.com.

Empowering photographers to produce the finest exhibition quality prints, Epson today launched the new 17-inch SureColorP5360 professional printer designed to meet the demanding needs of professional and production photographic markets.

The new Epson 17-inch SureColor P5360 professional printer 

Incorporating technological breakthroughs and enhanced reliability to produce prints as the artist intended, the new printer has an improved printhead, new ink set with an extended colour gamut in dark blue hues, plus an advanced print engine for productivity boasting a higher resolution of up to 5760 x 1440 dpi and including sheet and roll capability.

Boasting a refined design, the SureColor P5360 combines an improved advanced Micro Piezo printhead with Epson’s Variable Sized Droplet Technology (VSDT). This pairing ensures the consistent production of prints with smooth tonal transitions, allowing it to reproduce intricate details captured by today’s modern high-resolution cameras.

Featuring a new 10-colour UltraChrome PRO10 ink set in high-capacity 200 ml cartridges (costing just RRP AUD$169 and NZ$189 including tax), including Violet Ink, the printer delivers an extended range of blue hues. With dedicated channels for photo and matte black inks, there’s no ink switching, helping to save time and reduce ink waste. 

The printer’s built-in Carbon Black Mode increases Dmax, allowing for rich blacks and exceptional contrast on glossy paper.

Offering flexibility and increased productivity, the printer includes a built-in roll feeder, auto cutter and a high-capacity cassette that accommodates up to 100 cut sheets ranging from 8" x 10" (203 x 254 mm) to A2+ (432 x 610 mm) sheets.

In addition, to further support today’s workflows that leverage both Epson and third-party media, the SureColor P5360 includes Epson Media Installer, a software application designed to help control parameters for successful printing with a variety of media, including thick fine art papers.

By listening to market needs and incorporating customer feedback, Epson has integrated the latest printhead and ink technologies that are optimised for photography into this new printer so professional photographers can maximise productivity, reliability and consistently produce the finest exhibition-quality prints.

Designed to meet demanding needs, the SureColor P5360 is an evolution to the hugely popular SureColor P5070, adding improved reliability, deeper black density and wider colour gamut in blue hues.

Additional SureColor P5360 features include:

• Intuitive operation – a new large 4.3-inch colour LCD touchscreen and interface allows for easy setup, control and maintenance

• Expanded connectivity – Ethernet, USB and now included, Wi-Fi connectivity

• Advanced software support for enhanced productivity – includes Epson Cloud Solution PORT1 for fleet management and Epson Print Layout software for simple print production

AvailabilityThe Epson SureColor P5360 is expected to start shipping in Australia in December 2023, with a price tag of $3,495.00 (including tax) in Australia and $3,895 (including tax) in New Zealand maintaining the same price point as its predecessor, the SureColor P5070.

Known for its innovative digital die-cutting solutions, Intec Printing Solutions Limited, releases the ColorCut FB1180-T Tangential Flatbed Cutter.

ColorCut FB1180-T. Large format digital flatbed cutter for prototype and light production work.

The FB1180-T offers 2 working modes; DIRECT – using Intec’s industry acclaimed ColorCut Pro software direct from a PC or HELD mode (standalone operation) where jobs can be stored internally on the cutter or from a USB stick, so anyone can cut sheets placed on the flatbed! Simply place the flatbed at any point of a production environment, click SCAN on the 7" touch screen and run!

All Intec cutters offer instant job processing when reading a QR code and page marks printed on a sheet. However, this is no longer necessary with a fantastic new feature now included on the FB1180-T; page edge detection. Page edge detection enables processing of printed jobs, from the rear of the sheet where there are no QR codes or page merks printed - producing accurate cutting and creasing every time.

Terri Winstanley, Intec marketing manager, “The FB1180-T is a very exciting leap forward for our digital cutter range. This model is the first of a series of cutters to offer a new 4 tool head that includes tangential tools, for deeper cutting and creasing of thicker substrates. It also hosts the new high-powered controller and expanded graphics interface that will be seen on all our digital die- cutters.”

Amazing performance, ease of operation, and an affordable price make the NEW FB1180-T the leader of the pack.

Introducing the new FB1180-T B1+ tangential digital die cutter. It is precise enough for kiss cut labels yet powerful enough for flutedboards, and a diverse range of media in-between!

Sporting a new 4 tool head, the digital flatbed cutter is perfect for on demand prototype pieces and light production runs, cutting and creasing up to 3mm thick media. The new quad tool head includes 2 passive contour/drag cut and crease tools PLUS 2 active tangential tools using a new deep cutting tangential blade and tangential crease wheel. The operator just needs to select the right tools for the job in hand.

Further information

Product video: https://youtu.be/QqqgmH9qucs?feature=shared

Link to brochure: https://intecprinters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FB1180-T-EN-LANDSCAPE-web.pdf

Website page: https://intecprinters.com/products/digital-cutting-devices-for-print-work/digital-flatbed-cutters/colorcut-fb1180t-b1-flatbed-cutter/ 

Roland DG Corporation (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan; President, Representative Director: Kohei Tanabe), a global manufacturer and distributor of wide-format inkjet printers for advertising and signage and 3D tools for manufacturing, announced today that it officially commenced operations at its new head office on November 1, 2023. The relocation involved consolidating its previous head office and Miyakoda office, both located in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.

The new head office enables employees to choose their workspace from four distinct areas: “Concentration,” “Share,” “Communication,” and “Creation.” These areas are designed to foster idea generation and enhance communication among employees. Additionally, the office features private booths suitable for remote meetings and promoting diverse work styles tailored to specific needs. It also includes training rooms and shower facilities, supporting employees in achieving a healthy work-life balance.

Environmentally-Conscious Office

The new office is equipped with solar power generation facilities on the rooftop and high-efficiency air conditioning units, earning it a “Nearly ZEB” certification. Aligned with global efforts for carbon neutrality, the office achieved a 75% reduction in primary energy consumption through a combination of energy conservation and creation. In consideration of the high seismic risk of the region during a Nankai Trough earthquake, the building’s seismic resilience exceeds the national standard by 1.5 times. Emergency generators are also installed, ensuring employee safety and business continuity during a crisis.

Comment by Kohei Tanabe, President, Representative Director of Roland DG Corporation

“As we celebrate our 42nd anniversary and the completion of our new office building, we extend our gratitude to our customers, employees, their families, and all those associated with our company. The completion of our new office fills us with great excitement. The division of workspaces allows for efficient work in environments tailored to specific purposes. With changes in work styles and environments, sparked in part by COVID-19, employee mindsets have also evolved. Our new office not only serves as a place for work but also brings to life our company’s purpose of ‘Empowering Creativity and Excitement Worldwide.’ We look forward to integrating diverse perspectives and sharing this excitement from Hamamatsu to the world.”

Roland DG will continue to provide innovative digital solutions from its new head office, offering people around the world the amazement and joy of creation, as well as the wow and excitement that result from it.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Steven Badger as Canon Production Printing new Head of Sales & Professional Services across both the Large Format Graphics and Technical Document Systems Sector within Oceania, effective Monday 30th October. Steven takes on this position after spending 7 years overseas in various positions within the Canon Production Printing Group. 

As the international Product Manager, Steven spent the first half of his assignment  supporting the launch of the newly developed Colorado UVgel technology, based at Canon Production Printing’s HQ in Venlo, the Netherlands. In his final years abroad, Steven was appointed Business Development Director of Large Format Graphics, for the APAC region based in Singapore.

Steven returns to Australia with over 30 years of international and local printing industry experience within the Large Format Digital printing sector, having started his career in Product Marketing, moving to Pre and Post-sales support before heading off on his International assignment. I am confident that Steven will have a positive impact on the Oceania Print industry while supporting Canon’s growth strategy.

Craig Nethercott

Managing Director | Canon Production Printing Oceania

For the third time, swissQprint invited all users around the globe to join the Creative Challenge. Now the winners of this community competition have been announced.

swissQprint organised a worldwide competition within the swissQprint user community in spring 2023. Customers from all five continents took up the challenge and submitted 60 works. Judging was done by an internal swissQprint jury and two external experts: together they were looking for originality, while also including process and print-related considerations. The public, too, had three weeks in which to cast their votes online. Now the winners are known:

1st place: Haas Werbetechnik of Austria with “Symphony of creation”, a unique composition of highly varied materials and printing techniques: metallic effects, droptix, white, UV varnish and 3D relief printing. Having already won the previous swissQprint Creative Challenge in 2019, Haas Werbetechnik successfully defended its pole position.

2nd place: CMP Enseigne of France with “Woodstar”, a truly spectacular work of art. Transparent areas, droptix and lenticular printing, relief and metallic effects, plus clever use of varnish together create a stunning display.

3rd place: Gcolor Company Ltd. of Taiwan with “Alice Immersiveland”. Lenticular printing is the secret to fairytale-like transformation of the image; additional printed relief completes the magic.

4th place: Signaletik Diffusion of France with «Le couteau swissQprint», a detailed replica of a Swiss Army knife, ornamented with relief elements. Various designs impart a distinctive look to each one of the tools.

5th place: Take Corporation of Japan with “Funny Moving Poster”, a test piece for an engaging shop window display. Rotating patterns draw attention to the product.

The winners – a delegation from Haas Werbetechnik – will be travelling to swissQprint’s factory in Kriessern, Switzerland. Second to fifth placed winners are being rewarded with generous prizes.

This is the third time swissQprint has held the competition: first in 2016, then in 2019 and now this year. Adriano Gut, Key Account Manager at swissQprint, says about the Challenge: “Again, we marvelled at our customers’ ingenuity, creativity and skill; they make the seemingly impossible happen.” A gallery displaying all the works will shortly go live on www.swissqprint.com. 

Epson has won several 2023 Good Design Awards for its products. The awards are presented for designs that benefit and enrich people's lives and society in general.

Epson’s award-winning products include the following:

Business Inkjet Printers: WorkForce Enterprise LM-C4000, 5000 and 6000 (known as WorkForce AM-C4000, 5000 and 6000 in A/NZ).

These high-speed A3 inkjet printers are intended for medium-sized to large offices. These inkjets don't use heat to fire ink* and therefore consume less power than laser equivalents.

WorkForce AM-C4000

Together with a simple structure that saves resources, these printers are designed to minimise environmental impact. The exterior is white, clean, rounded and unimposing.Reasons given for the awardThe multifunction printers in this class are sophisticated products that can be equipped with various options. They earned high marks for their graceful body design, including gentle form and rounded corners that suggest the smaller environmental footprint of the inkjet system. We felt that the ink cartridge window may play a supporting role in printer operation rather than being a differentiator with competitive products. We hope that in future the design of optional units such as finishers and paper feeding units will be harmonised with the body design.

Compact Photo Printers for Business: SL-D500 SeriesThese compact photo printers for commercial use can be installed efficiently in stores. They feature a lightweight and compact body size and frontal operation allowing them to be installed on narrow shelves or counters. They also have a box design that allows up to three units to be installed on top of each other. In addition to the compactness of the body, the large-capacity ink tank model contributes to lowering environmental impact by reducing consumables and waste.

SL-D550 (known as the D560 in A/NZ)

Reasons given for the awardThese are special printers designed for shops around town offering photo printing services. All necessary operations can be completed entirely from the front panel, and multiple units can be combined side by side in compact configurations inside stores. These printers look like simple, ordinary cubes at first glance, but space is at a premium in tiny, specialised shops offering photo printing services and designs like this can be expected to save a considerable amount of space.

Garment Printers: SureColor SC-F2200 SeriesThese garment printers can directly print onto t-shirts and other clothes. The compact design of these printers makes them easier to install, expand and transport. Epson has also changed the design of the operating unit, which contributes to reduced downtime and improved productivity. Epson hopes that the product helps contribute to the digitalisation of the textile printing industry.

SC-F2250 (known as the SC-F2260 in A/NZ)

Reasons given for the awardEpson revamped the design of its previous garment printer in response to feedback from its users. They reduced the depth of the unit and made installation space more compact. The SC-F2250 (known as the SC-F2260 in A/NZ)is now the standard model in the garment printer series. 

The high performance and roundness give a sense of intelligence combined with the beautifully arranged details to produce an attractive appearance. Furthermore, the easily operable controls, movable parts, and top transparent cover are uniformly black on a white-tone background. This fully expresses a brand identity rooted in usability and gives the impression of reliability and advanced technology over the entire series. In addition, we also appreciated that the software is provided with well-organised graphics that are easy to use, with no PC knowledge required.

At Kala, we know that finishing is an essential step in graphics’ production and a way to generate more profit for the shop owners. Teaching and training is crucial in a more and more competitive environment. 

"We are proud to have entered into this partnership with HP, as we are convinced that our large-format laminator is a valuable asset for any wrap shops and all distributors. Mistral 1650 is compatible with this latest range of printers, enabling latex to be laminated straight off the press. This means no bubbles, orange peel effect or blisters. At room temperature and with no lag time, the result is optimal," says Patrick Marillier, Managing Director of Kala 

A concept shared by Johan Spies, Product Manager, Mid Volume Printing, at HP EMEA, who says:  “ In the HP Graphics Experience Centre in Barcelona, we strive to bring the best out of our HP Latex printers and combining it with the best finishing solutions.  We are very pleased to have the Kala Mistral 1650 laminator next to our HP Latex printers to be able to show and demonstrate the total solution to our customers. By showcasing possible workflows in our HP Graphics Experience Centre, we are now able to advise them the best possible solutions for their applications.”

A promising commercial development for Kala's "waste free laminator". A guarantee of quality and functionality, the French brand's flagship product has made all the difference. Johan Spies says: “The reason for choosing the Kala Mistral 1650 for our HP Graphics Experience Centre, is due to the ease of operation and the short time needed to set it up. This adds perfectly to the way we work and design our HP Latex products. On top, it has a small footprint, consistence quality and versatility of laminating rigid and flexible materials for a large range of applications. Overall, we are very pleased of having the great addition of the Kala Mistral 1650 laminator for our HP Latex printers in our HP Graphics Experience Centre in Barcelona.

For the short term we have multiple demos per week where customers come to Barcelona to see and work with the wide range of technologies, we have available. On the medium term we are scheduling seminars and events where we also show the laminating process with the Kala Mistral 1650 as being part of one of the many workflow solutions we are covering today in our HP Graphics Experience Centre in Barcelona.”

In Australia, Celmac sell the Kala range of finishing equipment including laminators, XY cutters, and mounting tables. 

The global leader in label and package printing equipment has partnered with Domino to further extend its Digital Series iQ product line.

As the digital printing market continues to grow, Mark Andy has partnered with Domino to bring another solution to converters looking to expand their print portfolio.

DSiQ-R is a retrofit digital inkjet module designed to seamlessly integrate with Mark Andy Evolution and Performance Series press platforms to create a fully hybrid, single-pass production solution. The 600dpi engine, powered by Domino technology, can accommodate web widths up to 13.4 inch (340mm) and in production mode can run up to 230 fpm (70m/min), bringing higher productivity to versioning and multi-SKU jobs. The module is available with four (CMYK) or five (WW+CMYK) color modes, and mounts directly to the press, making high-end label enhancements including cold foil, lamination or diecutting a reality in single-pass production.

The DSiQ-R is equipped with iTech features including ActiFlow2, CleanCap2 and SetAlign, resulting in consistent density and quality across the printed web. Software integration is seamless, with the Digital Front End (DFE) included, and a single user interface makes job set-up and management intuitive. And all equipment is compatible with Mark Andy’s sMArt link technology, a cloud-based job management system that monitors real-time press data to optimize pressroom workflows from job to job and shift-to-shift, ensuring most efficient and effective print production.

For more information or to schedule a discussion with a specialist, contact Mark Andy.   Mark Andy Marketing Team

When Dayne Nankervis, CEO of leading trade printer CMYKhub, surveys the new Horizon binding line at his company’s West Heidelberg premises, it’s not only with a sense of professional excitement at its potential but also the feeling that it is symbolic of a ‘full circle’ moment.

Dayne, his siblings and cousins, spent many childhood hours sorting and collating book sections in the bindery at Impact Printing, a pioneering Melbourne print shop owned and run by Dayne’s father, Garry, and Garry’s brothers Greg and Ray.

“In particular, when school yearbooks started to come in around October each year, it was all hands on deck,” Dayne recalls.

Fast forward to November 2022, and Dayne – together with family members and most of his executive team – found themselves once again in the bindery hand collating yearbooks, “and not doing it very efficiently,” he says wryly.

“When a job comes in over a Web2Print service like ours, it’s difficult to say no, but the truth is that we were not really geared up to do book work efficiently or profitably. 

“Occasionally, we would turn down a job at quoting stage because it simply wasn’t feasible, or we’d outsource the finishing – but that added time and cost to the job. More often, we would say yes, then find ourselves on the factory floor at nights and on weekend to meet the commitment.”

It’s the kind of dilemma, ironically, that CMYKhub exists to solve. 

“Print is a very diverse sector, but not every print business is equipped to produce every printed product,” Dayne points out. “That’s where CMYKhub comes in – we invest so our resellers can offer the widest possible range of solutions to their customers.”

This ethos had seen CMYKhub grow into a diverse operation which offers everything from business cards and flyers, to commercial digital and offset jobs, wide-format sign and display solutions, and most recently labels. As a trade supplier, all must be supplied to the highest standards, in the shortest deadlines and at the best possible price to allow print service providers to add their own margin.

“We are continually monitoring trends to identify new ways for our resellers to grow their markets,” Dayne says. “We have grown and diversified organically over the years in response to their evolving needs, and we’ll continue to invest to support their success.”

Earlier this year, CMYKhub introduced a now-growing range of label products. Now, their sights have turned to book production, driven by a significant resurgence in demand for conventional books.

“It may seem strange in the era of the iPad and Kindle, but while there are always ebbs and flows in the annual publishing cycle we are absolutely seeing an increase in demand, particularly for short run books,” Dayne says, attributing this to the growth of self-publishing and the trend for larger publishers to print local runs of even global best-sellers on demand.

“Consumers today better understand the inherent sustainability of paper products today and appreciate that the experience of reading a physical book has real benefits. There has also been a huge resurgence of book-like products including notepads and diaries during COVID – the pandemic reminded people that print has the ability to make a powerful physical connection with absent staff and customers,” he says. “We see no sign of demand slowing.” 

While CMYKhub has always technically been able to produce digital or offset books, the margins – as with most print – were tight and what little profit there may have been was quickly eaten up by the need for manual processing.

“If there’s one thing I hate, it’s inefficiency,” Dayne says grimly. “Going down to the bindery to see people hand-collating frustrated me no end.”

Eventually, with the busy end-of-year school book season looming, the company decided it was time to ‘gear up, or get out’. That’s when supplier Currie Group came up with an option too good to refuse – a hybrid Horizon binding line straight out of the showroom in Japan.

Installed in September by Currie Group engineers supported by Horizon technical specialists flown in from Japan, the new Horizon CABS4000 binding line comprises a 12-station gatherer which can handle A1 or A2 folded offset sections and a digital inserting station for pre-collated book blocks. 

Once collated, sections are conveyed to a nine-clamp perfect binder which can handle both PUR and EVA glues, although CMYKhub opts for the stronger PUR finish as a default for customers. The binder can process books individually, or accumulate multiple products up to 60mm in height, before moving on to a HT-1000 variable three-knife trimming station. 

Integrated weighing stations sit between sections to check for discrepancies in the collation, and a sophisticated optical inspection system with ‘auto-stop’ error detection ensures the right cover goes on the right book. In short, the system is designed to guarantee only ‘perfectly-bound books with perfectly-matched covers’ ever reach the in-built conveyor-stacker at the end of the line.

A high speed of 4000 units per hour makes this line a productive workhorse, however it’s the computer-aided binding (CAB) features which really make the difference for short-run book batches, with barcode-driven automated programming of all stations optimising set-up and job changeover times.

The new line is currently operating from a former storage area in one of the company’s West Heidelberg factories. Next year, it will be relocated with two offset presses to a brand-new factory currently under construction, forming a book production hub to service the company’s national customer base.

To ensure print capacity keeps pace with the new system, CMYKhub has lifted offset and digital production to 24 hours a day, six days a week. The intention is to streamline the system further by batch producing ‘like’ products.

“The Horizon is incredibly versatile, giving us the flexibility to choose the most efficient and profitable production method for each book project without being hampered by binding constraints,” Dayne points out. 

“It will allow our resellers to support the growth of small brands and also look after larger customers by offering print-on-demand efficiencies. While the sweet spot will probably be runs between 2 – 4,000 copies, we anticipate being able to handle much shorter and much longer run lengths. Basically, we’d consider doing a single book if we can do it profitably and keep the price reasonable for our resellers.”

With the new line now in full flight producing the first of the 2023 School Yearbooks, Dayne says the company couldn’t be happier

“The addition of the Horizon binding line was very much a case of the right opportunity, at the right time, and from the right people,” says Dayne, who rates the company’s partnership with Currie Group as pivotal to their success.

“Like us, Currie Group are problem-solvers. Just as we try to support our customers success, they are always looking for ways to help us grow and diversify. Up until now, we’ve really been hampered in growing book printing, but the new Horizon from Currie Group has taken the brakes off…and given us our weekends back this summer.

“Books are back, and we are going full steam ahead!”

Muller Martini, a pioneer in print finishing solutions, is proud to unveil the Antaro perfect binder, available in two versions. This groundbreaking new binder platform redefines efficiency and versatility within a smaller footprint.

A Perfect Binder for Every NeedMuller Martini's Antaro binder is designed to meet the evolving demands of the print industry for both on-demand and conventional, offset applications:

· Antaro Digital: For digital finishing applications, the Antaro Digital stands in a class of its own, producing print-on-demand books at an unparalleled rate of up to 2,000 cycles per hour – an industry-leading achievement, while requiring minimal staffing.

· Antaro: For offset print applications, the Antaro delivers at an impressive rate of up to 4,000 cycles per hour. Its robust performance makes it the perfect choice for short-run offset production in small spaces.

Unparalleled Flexibility and Investment Protection

The Antaro platform brings flexibility and investment protection to the forefront. Its modular, expandable design caters to both digital nearline/inline production and conventional production environments:

· Antaro Digital: This version takes single book production to a new level, offering automation with manual feed or inline connection to the SigmaLine Compact digital book production system. With six clamps, it achieves an impressive output of 2,000 books per hour. Plus, its compact design delivers the same output with fewer than half the operators required by current single-book production solutions.

· Antaro: When combined with a gatherer and equipped with 12 clamps, the Antaro shines in offset runs, delivering an output of 4,000 cycles per hour.

Efficiency through Automation

Both Antaro models feature a continuously running swing clamp system, ensuring the smooth horizontal transport of book blocks through the machine. The Antaro Digital's unique clamp design enables the continuous production of brochures with varying block thicknesses of up to 20 mm, all at the highest performance level. These thickness variations are changed automatically, ensuring an unsurpassed productivity rate of up to 2,000 copies per hour for digitally printed products.

Exceptional Quality Guaranteed

The Antaro is equipped with two spine preparation stations, guaranteeing the highest quality book binding. The system utilizes EVA and PUR adhesives, backed by a glue monitoring system in the PUR nozzle for precise glue application. Replacing the gluing units is straightforward, enhancing maintenance efficiency.

The Antaro Digital features a newly designed drum coverfeeder coupled with a cover buffer wheel for reliable separation of covers and uninterrupted production through continuous feeding. Its barcode reader ensures a exact 100% match between book blocks and covers. The system's buffer wheel creates sufficient distance for barcode reading, enabling automatic responses in case of mismatches without interrupting the binding process. Together with the standard cover reject feature positioned in front of the scoring device, this system achieves a new level of productivity through waste reduction.

Unrivaled Versatility

The Antaro platform flawlessly combines trusted technology from Muller Martini with innovative features. It accommodates all conventional types of book blocks, including signature stacks, pre-glued or thread-sewn book blocks, as well as single-sheet stacks. Even without an inline connection, manual feeding is ergonomic and efficient. The platform surpasses other systems available today with its exceptional end-product delivery capabilities, spanning softcover brochures, hardcover book blocks, flex brochures, glued book blocks, and layflat brochures. Set to redefine the print finishing landscape, it offers unmatched efficiency, quality, and adaptability.

Scodix, the leading provider of digital print solutions for the graphic arts industry, is pleased to announce that Ricoh USA, Inc., a digital information services provider and major print industry player, has become a distributor for Scodix in the United States. This strategic partnership will strengthen and support Scodix in its goal of expanding market presence and providing economic and sustainable embellishment solutions to a larger network of print providers.

“This partnership is a deliberate step forward in providing maximum value to our customers, empowering them to increase the worth of their printed products,” says Gavin Jordan-Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Head of Global Sales Strategy Division & RICOH Graphic Communications North America Sales, RICOH Graphic Communications. “Including Scodix embellishment solutions within our portfolio supports our competitive approach, delivering applications to the market that can catapult printers in their quest for competitive differentiation and heightened brand awareness.”

Scodix offers a variety of tools that enable brands to achieve a high level of luxury and customization in their print products and packaging. With an extensive range of top-tier embellishment options, including Smart High Definition (SHD) quality, and independently verified sustainability practices, Scodix has the capability to enhance the consumer experience, while also providing measurable economic and environmental benefits.

“Ricoh has a stellar reputation of understanding market needs in the graphic communications space, making them a perfect partner for Scodix,” said Mark Nixon, EVP Global Sales & Marketing at Scodix. “This collaboration allows us to work together to meet customer needs and create a portfolio that stands out with the goal of increasing profits through embellishment. Scodix has an easy go-to-market solution that supports the graphic arts community in providing printed products that effectively engage their audiences. With the wide range of embellishment effects achieved on a single Scodix press, we are able to offer businesses an opportunity for embellishment that was once considered too expensive. With Scodix, production costs and waste are minimized through the most sustainable methodology in the market.”

With an impressive 90%[1] of commercial printers anticipating that embellishment will play a vital role in their digital print growth strategies, Scodix' Ultra series of digital presses presents an opportunity for both in-plant and commercial print operations including book publishers, direct mail printers, prototypers, trade finishers, packaging, and folding carton printers.

The Scodix range of digital enhancement solutions seamlessly aligns with Ricoh's award-winning sheet-fed digital press portfolio. This ensures that adding Scodix to a Ricoh digital press delivers top-quality embellishments for high-end luxury prints designed to captivate attention, bolster commercial print profits, and rival both the economics and quality of conventional methods.

A global leader in pressure sensitive adhesive films, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, is partnering with Siser®, a leader in the world of personalisation and customisation through their premium heat-transfer products, to empower crafters across Australia and New Zealand with cutting-edge pressure-sensitive film products designed to expand crafting possibilities. 

“The partnership between Avery Dennison and Siser is an exciting collaboration,” said Jordan Leach, Business Director, Graphics Solutions, Australia and New Zealand and ASEAN, Avery Dennison. “The combination of Siser’s consumer-focused expertise and our leadership in innovation and material science has created a new set of best-in-class products for the vibrant crafting community. We are proud to see Siser introduce these innovative, high-quality and industry-leading products to creative professionals and crafters across ANZ for the first time.” 

This partnership is Avery Dennison's inaugural foray into the crafting industry. The Australia and New Zealand region is the first in Asia Pacific to offer the new Siser® by Avery Dennison brand, which leverages Avery Dennison’s technology leadership in pressure sensitive vinyl (PSV) and Siser's expertise in consumer crafting and heat-transfer vinyl. Crafters can harness its potential to create unique gifts and execute DIY projects suitable for indoor and outdoor environments. 

Product lines under the Siser® by Avery Dennison brand include the remarkable EasyPSV® Starling™ range and the dazzling EasyPSV® Glitter collection. Crafted with precision, the EasyPSV® Starling™ range features 57 solid colours in both gloss and matte finishes, while the EasyPSV® Glitter range boasts 17 stunning glitter colours. These offerings give crafters and creative professionals an expansive pallet to manifest their artistic visions. 

Some of the remarkable features that set EasyPSV® apart are its ease of use, versatility and durability. The range offers industry-leading ease of weeding1 and precise conversion on plotters. It will adhere strongly to a wide range of materials, as well as being dishwasher safe for up to 80 washes2. This sets an industry standard for resilience even in the face of frequent use. 

Crafting professionals can learn where to procure these groundbreaking crafting solutions by visiting the following website: https://siseranz.com/