Print Week articles from February 2006

Print Week archives from February 2006

Quebecor wants Corby savings before committing to UK refit.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Quebecor World is seeking pounds 6m worth of cost savings at its Corby site before it will commit any investment from its pounds 140m (dollars 250m) European re-equip. The global print group confirmed some of its European plans, but...

48 jobs lost as Drapkin folds.(Louis Drapkin)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... After over 100 years, one of Birmingham's longest established printers has collapsed with the loss of 48 jobs. According to administrator KPMG, Louis Drapkin, which printed brochures and leaflets, owed unsecured creditors around pounds...

TTB's assets are likely to be sold.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Trade finisher TTB Hickeys has ceased trading. Mark Newman and Ian Vickers of Vantis were appointed joint administrators last Friday (27 January), after the last employees of the 120-staff Tonbridge firm were made redundant. It is now...

NJP focused on super site, winning new clients.(New Jarrold Printing)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... New Jarrold Printing (NJP) has hit back at rumours that its new pounds 40m printing plant will never be built. 'People can speculate as much as they want, but this will happen,' said sales and marketing director Ian Thorpe. NJP was...

Press.(Harris Associates L.P. increases its holdings)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... US value investor Harris Associates declared increased holdings of almost 5% in Johnston Press and 9% in Trinity Mirror, boosting the news groups' shares to 474p and 604p respectively... Charterhouse has won a pounds 3.5m per year print...

OFT probes 'excessive' business bank charges.(Office of Fair Trading)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Small- and medium-sized print firms could be affected by an OFT review into the relationship between businesses and banks. Britain's main four banks - HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds and the Royal Bank of Scotland - will be assessed as to whether...

Crisis at Arrowsmith as 18 jobs go.(JW Arrowsmith )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... JW Arrowsmith has been placed into administration with the loss of 18 jobs, after the firm was faced with a crippling pension fund levy. Arrowsmith managing director Philip Cave said that, following a difficult autumn trading period, the...

Cradley loses unfair dismissal case.(Cradley Heath loses against Karen Sketchley )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Midlands web printer Cradley has been ordered to pay a pounds 45,000 compensation payout to a former worker for unfair dismissal. The Cradley Heath-based printer lost its case against Karen Sketchley at a tribunal that was heard in...

In brief: Bezier produces floor stickers for Asda.
February 2, 2006... Bezier has produced a unique way for Asda shoppers to pop the question on Valentine's Day, with floor stickers showing four steps to a successful marriage proposal. The stickers were produced for the supermarket chain by bezier's Wakefield...

In brief: Friary Press one of first to install Connect.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Friary Press will be one of the first firms in the UK to install the new Connect data collection system, launched by MIS supplier Optimus last year. The Dorchester printer has also placed an order for a complete suite of Optimus 2020 management...

In brief: Closing date for BPIF Educational Scholarships awards.
February 2, 2006... The closing date for entries for the 2006 BPIF Educational Scholarships awards is 15 March. The programme, which is administered by the BPIF and the Printers' Charitable Corporation, will award 12 bursaries to the value of pounds 2,500 each to...

In brief: AlphaGraphics to double in size.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... AlphaGraphics North East has kicked off 2006 by announcing that it is to almost double in size, with the firm increasing its capacity to 1,997m2. With the expansion, turnover for the company is also expected to grow by more than 20% with at...

In brief: New printer could give doctors control says New Scientist.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... According to New Scientist magazine, a printer that produces ultra-fine droplets of cells instead of ink has been used to print live brain cells, a technique that could give doctors control over the tissue they graft. A powerful electric field...

In brief: HSW Print sponsors exhibition.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... HSW Print, the Tonypandy printing company, has sponsored an exhibition to commemorate the life and legacy of Welsh football legend John Charles, known as the gentle giant. HSW Print produced the posters, full-colour book and leaflets that are...

In brief: TripleArc chooses group sales director.(David Palmer appointed)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... TripleArc has made David Palmer-Jeffery group sales director. He will co-ordinate sales and marketing of the TripleArc group companies, Access Plus, Stream and TripleArc Technology Solutions. He will also develop a new sales team to sell all...

Screen homes in on high-speed colour ink-jet with Ipex launch.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Screen will be entering the high-speed colour ink-jet market with the launch of its Truepress Jet520 at Ipex. The continuous-feed single-pass printer was shown as a technology demonstration at Print 05 in Chicago last September, but will...

Sale talks over at Communisis.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Communisis has announced that preliminary discussions over a possible offer for the company have now ended. But there are no further details as to whether the potential purchaser has walked away from negotiations or if it is set to follow...

Ipex debut for Kodak Magnus 800 B1 CTP.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Kodak has completed its Magnus family of platesetters with a B1 version. The Magnus 800, due to be shown at Ipex, is available in four speeds of up to 40 plates per hour and is a fully automated system with autoloader with either a single-...

No new presses for West Ferry.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... An upgrade to West Ferry's ageing presses looks unlikely after joint proprietor and outspoken Express Newspapers owner Richard Desmond told The Observer that the plant was 'comparatively new'. Some of the 18 Goss presses at the Docklands...

XL training brings sales sense to digital print.(financing vocational guidance programs)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... In response to recent research, XL Training & Recruitment is launching a two-day training course subsidised by Xerox called Selling Digital Print Solutions. 'There is a real lack of quality digital sales staff,' said XL managing director...

X-Rite to buy rival GretagMacbeth.(X-Rite plans to acquire GretagMacbeth AG)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... X-Rite has made a shock move by entering into a definitive deal to buy rival colour management and process control firm GretagMacbeth. If the move does lead to an offer and is accepted by shareholders of GretagMacbeth parent firm Amazys...

Packaging Gala.(awards)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... This year's Packaging News awards will take place on 26 September in Birmingham. It will showcase the best in the industry with the categories divided into six sections - solutions, materials, machinery, company, people and marketing....

In brief: Odystar workflor being used for fortnightly publication.
February 2, 2006... Artwork Systems' Odystar workflow is being used to produce a fortnightly publication, The Lord of the Rings Collector's Models. The 35-edition series is published by Eaglemoss. The Odystar system will allow Eaglemoss to hold raw job data and...

In brief: Statext buys Heidelberg Sppedmaster.(Printing machinery introduced)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Statex, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, has bought a Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74-10P. The press can print four colours and seal on both sides of the paper in one pass. 'It gives us the flexibility, faster turnaround and high-quality work we...

In brief: Punch Graphix to exhibit basysPrint at Ipex.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Punch Graphix is to exhibit its basysPrint brand of CTP kit at Ipex. Visitors will be 'urged to do the calculations' on the costs of installing and running a CTP system. BasysPrint will show products from its UV-Setter range, which is capable...

In brief: Hallmark Cards manager in training for charity climb.
February 2, 2006... Hallmark Cards UK digital technology manager Vanessa Redshaw is in training for a charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. The climb takes place in October and is in aid of Cancer Research UK. Contact: vredshaw@f2s.com or...

In brief: Komori UK appoints sales exec.
February 2, 2006... Komori UK has appointed Rob Thorn as sales executive for the south east of England. He has 10 years' experience in the industry and will be responsible for servicing existing Komori customers and generating new business.

In brief: Checkprint reaches final round of judging.
February 2, 2006... Checkprint has reached the final round of judging for two categories in this year's Leicestershire Business Awards. The Hinckley-based firm is up for an award in the Contribution to the Community category while managing director Martin Ruda...

In brief: TSO joins 'dedicate a tree scheme'.
February 2, 2006... TSO has joined a 'dedicate a tree scheme' following its successful BSI assessment for ISO 14001. 'We are very pleased to have successfully updated our standard,' said TSO head of compliance Mike Linsdell. The trees are located in Donkleywood,...

In brief: WRH Marketing opens satellite office.
February 2, 2006... WRH Marketing UK has opened a satellite office at Delph in Greater Manchester. The additional office has been set up to 'further enhance the level of service the company can offer to its northern customers'. The company has also appointed Chris...

24/7 London to up circulation.(24/7 Media Inc)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... A new free paper dedicated to the 'alternative' side of London, including the adult entertainment scene, is beginning to outgrow its print slot at Northcliffe's Bristol site. The first 24/7 London was published in January with a fortnightly...

Coup for MBO team as it takes control at Horner.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Stationery printer Horner Brothers Print Group (HBPG) has been bought in an MBO led by managing director Judith Fox. The other members of the buyout team include operations director Kevin McGowan and sales and commercial director Jon Marsh....

Lobby demands paper cutbacks.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... A coalition of some 50 non-governmental organisations has launched a 10-year agenda to get the European paper industry to reduce production by 50%. The organisations come from 21 countries and include Greenpeace, WWF and Friends of the...

Reader Reaction: What advice would you give a first-time exhibitor at Ipex?
February 2, 2006... LARGE-FORMAT PRINTER David Carey, head of sales and marketing, Capital Print & Display 'My advice would be to ensure there are plenty of staff to man your stand in shifts. My first experience as an exhibitor was one of total fatigue,...

Cooper Clegg cuts loss and makes Cook CEO.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Cooper Clegg has revealed that losses for the year to the end of March 2005 narrowed, and that it has promoted Majbritt Cook to the role of chief executive. Turnover rose slightly to pounds 31.3m (2004:pounds 31m), while operating loss was...

Ink Shop hits the expansion trail.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Ink Shop has invested in new equipment, and intends to open three new outlets in Scotland during this year. The firm, which recently won the British Association for Print and Communication's (BAPC) Business of the Year Award, has installed...

Printjob, Print MIS combine tools.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Printjob and Print MIS have combined their respective knowledge of e-procurement and print management to launch Epro Plus. The program cuts out the need to build e-procurement software into an MIS. Printjob has been developing...

Legal Notices.
February 2, 2006... This information is extracted from the print- and publishing-related notices that appear in the London Gazette. Further Information is available from its website at www.london-gazette.co.uk WINDING UP PETITIONS Bizarre Print Ltd RO: 1...

UK debut for Ryobi's B2 long perfector at Ipex.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Ryobi's B2 long perfector, the eight-colour 758P, will make its UK debut at Ipex, with further additions to the series not being ruled out. A longer B3 machine, the six-colour Ryobi 526GX will be launched at Ipex, as a result of customer...

Wood Richardson upgrades kit.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Wood Richardson has marked its centenary year with further investment in Heidelberg equipment. The company has bought a Speedmaster CD 74-6L six-colour with coater and a Printmaster QM 46-2 two-colour press. Both machines will be up...

Media Square sales, profits soar.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Media Square has reported significant increases in both sales and profit in its unaudited end-of-year results. The firm has also appointed Kelvin MacKenzie as non-executive chairman, following his recent tenure as chairman of publisher...

In brief: Classic Printers invests in press.
February 2, 2006... Classic Printers in Peterborough has invested in a used two-colour Komori Sprint 28 perfector press, supplied by DDJ Graphic Machinery. It is fitted with Print Quality Control (PQC), one of only a handful of Sprints in the country to have the...

In brief: Inca Digital Printers promotes Des Ablitt.
February 2, 2006... Inca Digital Printers has promoted Des Ablitt as customer support director. Ablitt will be the contact for Inca distributors worldwide, and will oversee the installation, servicing and repair of machines.

In brief: Appointment at MAN Roland GB.
February 2, 2006... MAN Roland GB has appointed Linda Ruane to the position of consumables business development manager for the North of England. Also Morag Johnson has been appointed roller service manager, based at Westland Rollers in Corby.

In brief: Linx Printing launches updated version of LogoJet.
February 2, 2006... Linx Printing Technologies has launched an updated version of LogoJet for use with all current Linx Continuous Ink Jet (CIJ) printers. It creates, edits and stores messages and logos on a Windows-based PC.

In brief: Taylor Bloxham gains accreditation.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Taylor Bloxham has gained FSC Chain-of-Custody accreditation. It means the Leicester-based printer will be able to represent paper used on work as certified and can now print the FSC logo on its products. It will also now be subject to annual...

In brief: Snap conducts survey.
February 2, 2006... Snap, the specialist design and print company, has conducted a survey that has found that everyone receives direct mail but only 5% is ever read. The survey also found that if senders had personalised the mail, the figure rose to 70%.

In brief: Close Print Finance appoints divisional sales director.
February 2, 2006... Close Print Finance has appointed Bill Watson as divisional sales director. Watson has worked at Close since 1989 and will take responsibility for sales in the mid west, North and Scotland.

GAE to show full JDF-integrated workflow through 10 suppliers.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... GAE will be hosting 10 manufacturers across 2,000m2 of Hall 4 at Ipex, showing a total workflow from pre-press to finishing networked with JDF. 'The big message, but especially for smaller commercial printers is that JDF is practical, but...

Prism develops WIN for SMEs.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Prism is launching the Small Business Edition of its WIN software at Ipex. The firm has introduced wizards, new workflow functionality and a flexible interface to the MIS that enables live task-specific data to be put in the hands of the...

Xeikon adds data stream interface to DFE for billing and DM markets.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Xeikon will mark the European debut of products targeted at the full-colour direct mail and transactional print markets at Ipex. A new digital front-end (DFE), the X-800 IPDS, enables the firm's 5000 press to handle data centre data streams...

Ipex Info.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... IPEX 2006 - 8 WEEKS TO GO IPEX 2006 When: 4-11 April 2006 Where: NEC, Birmingham Price: Free with pre-registration, or pounds 30 on the door for an eight-day pass Contact: www.ipex.org PRINTWEEK IPEX PREVIEWS FEBRUARY 9...

Screen to premiere CTP product family at Ipex.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Screen is launching a new PlateRite CTP range at Ipex, which includes two new VLF models and its first offering for the newspaper market. The Japanese manufacturer is planning to capitalise on growth in the large-format press market - with...

K&F buy expands Glunz's range.(Glunz & Jensen acquires K&F International)(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Danish pre-press manufacturer Glunz & Jensen has acquired US-based plate automation specialist K&F International. Glunz & Jensen, which manufactures processing equipment for offset printing plates, has expanded its product range with K&F's...

Artwork, Enfocus reveal Ipex plan.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Artwork Systems is to integrate the operations of its workflow validation and automation division Enfocus more closely, while both firms are launching a range of new products. At Ipex, Enfocus will launch a new version of PitStop...

In brief: XChange International releases FontIncluder2 XT.
February 2, 2006... XChange International has released FontIncluder2 XT. The XTension compensates for missing fonts in EPS, PostScript and DCS files. FontIncluder2 XT tackles font embedding problems and enables users to define font folders more flexibly. The...

In brief: Global Graphics and Software Imaging announces compatibility.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Global Graphics and Software Imaging have announced compatibility between their XPS products. This is in time for the launch of operating system Windows Vista, of which XPS (previously known as Metro) is the underlying graphics technology....

In brief: White Horse Press installs wide-format proofers.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... White Horse Press has installed three wide-format Kodak Matchprint proofers to move towards the ISO 12647-2 colour standard. The systems bring together Epson UltraChrome drop-on-demand ink-jet printers and Kodak workflow and colour control....

In brief: Falkirk Council installs Presstek platesetter.
February 2, 2006... Falkirk Council has installed a Presstek Dimension 225 Excel platesetter. The council hopes the savings made will boost its services budget. The CTP installation, which joins a Ryobi 522 HX offset press, means it can now produce 80% of its...

In brief: Scribus step closer to 1.4 version.
February 2, 2006... Scribus, the open source page layout software, is one step closer to its 1.4 version with the launch of 1.3.2 Egalite, as well as the first Windows edition of the program. Visit http://windows.scribus.net for downloading details. For OS X...

In brief: Index Builder available for Quark-XPress users.
February 2, 2006... Index Builder is now available for Quark-XPress users. The index software for catalogue publishers turns 'hours into minutes', according to Meadows Publishing Solutions vice president Noel Williams. 'MPS Index Builder replaces a tedious and...

In brief: Global Graphics launches latest release of Harlequin RIP.
February 2, 2006... Global Graphics launched the latest release of Harlequin RIP today (2 February). Version 7 offers new features in PDF and imposition and is compliant with CIP4's Layout Creation to Imposition Interoperability Conformance Specification (ICS).

Domino goes for colour with drop-on-demand.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Domino Printing Sciences is to venture into high-resolution colour, drop-on-demand ink-jet technology for the first time. The company will demonstrate a prototype of the technology, which is designed for integration into existing commercial...

Xerox B&W and colour sales up.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Xerox's Q4 2005 results show installations of monochrome and colour production printing kit have increased. Colour installs, which were led by increases in the sales of its DocuColor 240/250 multifunction printer and the flagship iGen3,...

Canon reveals further specs for ImagePress.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Canon has revealed more about its ImagePress products, which are due to be launched onto the market this summer. The ImagePress Y and X products will both be on Canon's stand at Ipex. The machines will be driven by a new DFE...

In brief: Horizon Graphics installs Xeikon DCP500.
February 2, 2006... Horizon Graphics has installed a Xeikon DCP500 with the latest X-800 high-speed front end. Dublin-based Horizon will utilise the digital colour press by launching a digital service. 'We can see a growing market for personalised print...

In brief: XMPie launches updated version of PersonalEffect.
February 2, 2006... XMPie has launched an updated version of PersonalEffect incorporating XLIM technology, which allows graphically uncomplicated products to be produced at increased speed. The cross-media, variable data tool is distributed by Positive Focus....

In brief: AFP Colour Consortium to publish new open standard.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... The AFP Colour Consortium, created by IBM, is to publish a new open standard as part of an effort to 'spur innovation in the high-end colour print arena'. IBM printing systems division general manager Keenie McDonald said: 'By addressing the...

In brief: Printwells buys Kodak NexPress 2100.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Printwells has bought a five-colour Kodak NexPress 2100 in a bid to enter the high-quality digital colour print market. The Tunbridge Wells-based firm will launch a range of services including print and fulfilment, marketing design and variable...

In brief: Appointments at Colourgen.
February 2, 2006... Colourgen has appointed Kimberley Coutts as after-sales support coordinator and Barbara Howlett as technical administrator. Coutts has previously worked with Daly International and Intact Networks while Howlett had spells with Jarvis Hotels and...

In brief: Tetenal becomes approved ink partner of Xaar.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Tetenal has become an approved ink partner of Xaar. The agreement covers Tetenal's range of curable inks for high-performance ink-jet printing and expands Xaar's offering into niche applications, particularly in the industrial sector. 'We will...

Biddles installs UK's 1st SRS integrated binder.(using Short Run Solutions binding machinery from Friedheim International )(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Academic book and journal printer Biddles has installed the UK's first Short Run Solutions binding line. 'It's the only short-run binder on the market that has end papering facility, and it's also a completely integrated line,' said...

Duplo planning two Ipex releases.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Duplo has unveiled details of its first high-production perfect binder, which will be shown at Ipex in April. The single-clamp DuBinder 'fills a gap in our own product range for a mid- to high-end binder', according to Duplo head of...

In brief: Romax installs colour finisher.
February 2, 2006... Romax has installed a Duplo DC-645 production colour finisher as part of its expansion programme. This scheme will include the introduction of a digital colour printing department and finishing facility at the Greenwich-based marketing and...

In brief: Celloglas Nottingham launches 24-hour cutting and creasing service.
February 2, 2006... Celloglas Nottingham, part of the Celloglas group of companies, has launched a 24-hour cutting and creasing service. The firm has installed three cutting and creasing machines, two Heidelberg cylinders and one flatbed auto platen, capable of...

In brief: CRP Print becomes first to install Cyklop TwinPack.
February 2, 2006... CRP Print has become the first company in the UK to install the Cyklop TwinPack, a dual-stretch wrapping and strapping machine. The versatility of the TwinPack has provided the Corby-based firm with improved productivity and better...

In brief: Loudwater gets high-speed self-adhesive label applicators.
February 2, 2006... Greetings card company Loudwater is now able to label its flow wrapped packs of greetings cards at a rate of 60 packs per minute, with the aid of two high-speed Etipack 'Original' 1.3 automatic self-adhesive label applicators.

In brief: Seal Graphics relocates to new European HQ.
February 2, 2006... Seal Graphics has relocated to its new European headquarters in Raalte, Holland. The firm expanded the showroom and demonstration area at the heart of its Seal Academy, with 400m2 of floor space housing its complete range of graphics...

In brief: MAN Roland appoints Dave Charlton.
February 2, 2006... MAN Roland has appointed Dave Charlton as its technical adviser for specialist finishing products. Charlton's main area of responsibility will be with the GUK range of folders, for which MAN Roland GB is the UK distributor. He was previously...

In brief: Scunthorpe Instant Print installs digital creaser.
February 2, 2006... Scunthorpe Instant Print has installed a KAS Crease Matic 150 digital creaser, finalising its programme of re-equipping its finishing department. The latest installation, supplied by Ashgate Automation, includes a Kasfold Sprint 3000...

In brief: Light Impressions to invest in laser studio facility.
February 2, 2006... Light Impressions International is to invest pounds 57,000 (dollars 100,000) in a laser studio facility at its UK headquarters in Leatherhead, Surrey. It has also hired the services of a holographer skilled in making 'true' analogue holograms.

Historic mill revamps its handmade grades.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Wookey Hole is to relaunch its handmade paper grades, as the mill looks to expand into the commercial market sector. The mill at Wells in Somerset, once owned by paper producer Inveresk, has a papermaking history that dates back to 1610....

M-real raises price of carbonless.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... M-real has become the latest carbonless paper producer to announce a price increase. The Finnish paper manufacturer is to increase the prices for its carbonless paper copy grade, Zanders Autocopy, with immediate effect. 'The move...

Paper Pricewatch: Woodfree, February 2005.(Brief Article)
February 2, 2006... Price increases for both coated and uncoated woodfree grades are starting to filter through, writes Andy Scott. The price increases threatened by producers prior to the end of last year are now starting to come to fruition. M-real's...