Print Week articles from November 2005

Print Week archives from November 2005

Communisis admits it's in early stage talks over potential sale.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Communisis has confirmed that it is in very early-stage talks over a potential sale of all of part of the business. City sources say that the print and print management group, which recently posted half-year sales of pounds 134.9m, could...

Pims evaluates its operations.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Pims' New York and Chicago operations have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but its UK operations remain unaffected. Pims chairman Julian Henchley said that there was 'nothing sinister' behind the move, and that it was simply a...

Howitt secures Vertis Bardon.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Howitt has bought the former Vertis Leicester mailing site in Bardon and some ancillary assets of its print site from administrator UHY Hacker Young. The deal for the Bardon business, now named Bardon Mailing Company, was completed last...

Mail Solutions hires BDO to conduct review.(BDO Stoy Hayward)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Print envelope and mailing company Mail Solutions has appointed BDO Stoy Hayward to lead a strategic review of the company and also issued an Information Memorandum (IM) to possible purchasers. 'While we have prepared an IM for a possible...

Stop Press.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Williams Lea has been appointed by Norwich Union's Life business to handle its design, brand management and print management requirements in addition to the pounds 225m 10-year deal signed in October last year... Mercury Search and Selection...

Amicus majority gets behind PAW scheme.(partnership at work)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Amicus GPM Sector members have voted more than two-to-one in favour of the Amicus/BPIF Partnership at Work initiative. The DTI-funded national agreement, which covers working conditions, will be the first of its kind in the UK when it is...

Adare to shut down Pillings plant.(Adare Printing Group PLC)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... The Adare Group plans to close its commercial print and direct mail operation Pillings with the loss of 75-80 jobs. The closure was attributed to low margins and the loss of a large contract earlier this year. Adare is currently in a...

KEP goes super large with MAN kit.(MAN Roland 900XXL press)(KEP Print Group)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Point-of-sale printer KEP Print Group has moved into the super large-format litho arena with a pounds 2m investment in a new MAN Roland 900XXL press. The five-colour machine will be installed along with a Baumann pile turner at the firm's...

In brief: GretagMacbeth releases raft of improvements.
November 3, 2005... GretagMacbeth has released a raft of improvements for its Eye-One colour management package. The Eye-One Pro spectrophotometer is now bundled with an enhanced ruler and carry bag, while a new automated scanning table will be available this...

In brief: Places still available for 2005 BAPC Conference.(British Association of Print and Copyshops)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Places are still available for the 2005 BAPC Conference. The annual event, which takes place next weekend (11-12 November), features speakers including business development specialist James Cooke and Resource Print Solution's Andrew Dagg. There...

In brief: Checkprint awards scholarship.
November 3, 2005... Checkprint, part of the Tall Group, has awarded a pounds 250 scholarship to 22-year-old business student Thomas Moore to help with his degree at De Montfort University. The firm also awarded a pounds 50 book token to runner-up Karl Bassett, who...

In brief: Trinity Mirror puts share buy-back on hold.
November 3, 2005... Trinity Mirror has put its three-year share buy-back programme on hold until 2006, after spending pounds 52.7m this year to bring 8.2m shares back under its control.

In brief: McDonald's redesigns food packaging.
November 3, 2005... McDonald's is redesigning its food packaging to include nutritional information in a move that could be a bonanza for its print suppliers. The fast-food giant's packaging, which will display the information using icons and bar charts, will...

In brief: Union to start legal proceedings.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Amicus GPM Sector has branded the sacking of two members at CCL Labels (Ashford) as 'union-busting tactics'. Amicus assistant general secretary Tony Burke said the sacking of the two union reps was 'one of the worst cases I have seen in 20...

In brief: The Citizin prints on pink paper for breast cancer.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... The Citizen printed the first edition of last Thursday's issue (27 November) on pink paper in support of the battle against breast cancer. The Gloucestershire paper's masthead was adapted to include the pink ribbon that represents breast cancer...

In brief: European free newspapers grow in circulation.
November 3, 2005... The University of Amsterdam's Piet Baker has announced that European free newspapers have grown in circulation by 33% to 14.5m during the first nine months of 2005. The growth has been fuelled by new launches this year in the UK, Spain,...

Conde Nast set to award third biggest UK magazine contract.
November 3, 2005... A bumper printing contract to produce a magazine with one of the biggest circulations in the UK is set to be awarded by publisher Conde Nast. The Post Office appointed the publisher to create a 68pp A5 pilot magazine, targeting the 28m...

Microsoft chief backs e-paper.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has revealed his vision of the paperless future, claiming print will become virtually redundant within 10 years. Speaking at the Internet Advertising Bureau's Engage conference, Gates said that tablet...

Lloyd James puts litho into administration.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Lloyd James Direct Mail Services has placed its Woolwich-based litho print division into administration. The decision was made because the group wanted to focus on other areas of the business, including digital print and database services....

Screentec adds Thieme UV line.(Screentec Print)(Screentec Print )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Screentec Print has moved into a new 4,800m2 premises in Ferrybridge and expanded its large-format printing services in a strategy to double its pounds 3.5m turnover. The point-of-sale producer has invested in a two-colour Thieme 5060 UV...

BPIF unveils Kitemark scheme for printers.(British Printing Industries Federation)(British Standards Institution)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... A Kitemark scheme for printing firms has been developed by the BPIF in conjunction with the British Standards Institution (BSI). The standard, PAS 75, aims to help printers and buyers by providing a benchmark for the quality of a printer's...

Dedicated JDF areas at Ipex.(Job Definition Format (XML-based format for workflow and control information))(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Ipex will offer two dedicated areas for integration and automation using JDF to show the format has come of age. Organiser IIR has teamed up with CIP4, the organisation controlling JDF, to show how it can boost profitability. In the...

Crystal Communications prints first children's book with MetalFX inks.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Crystal Communications has printed the first book for children using MetalFX inks. Lollipopman: Hero of the Highway, published by UK road-safety charity Brake and written by MetalFX marketing manager Philip Sheppard, will support this month's...

In brief: Punch Graphix announces winners of prize draw.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Punch Graphix has announced the winners of the prize draw it held at Digital Print World. Graham Davidson, from armed forces division HPPO (C2) Media Centre, has won a personalised version of Monopoly, which will be printed by Snow's Business...

In brief: Bluprint UK to raise money for charity.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Bluprint UK plans to raise money for charity by auctioning 10 packs of Super Blue Nets on eBay over a 10-week period. Bidding for the anti-marking nets, which have a retail price of pounds 99 per pack, will start at 1p. Money raised will be...

In brief: Steffprint places order for first Komori press.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Steffprint, based in Keighley, West Yorkshire, has placed an order for its first Komori press. The SPICA will enable the company to handle both two-back-two and four-colour work more efficiently. 'We operate B1 and B2 multi-colour presses and...

In brief: GMI boosts salesforce.
November 3, 2005... GMI has boosted its service department and salesforce in Europe. The automated, closed-loop, colour-control company has appointed Becky Hendersen to the new position of vice-president of customer service. GMI's ColorQuick product has...

In brief: Soma Engineering places order with CompoTech.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Soma Engineering has placed an order with CompoTech for the supply of carbon tubes for its Soma Flex 127-8-EG printing press. Although they are currently an option for customers, CompoTech is 'confident that its carbon tubes will become a...

In brief: MAN Roland launches Pro-E Press Packs.
November 3, 2005... MAN Roland GB has launched Pro-E Press Packs, which are designed to 'provide printers with a safety net' and include key electrical components for certain presses. The Pro-E Press Pack has three levels - basic, comfort and supreme - which the...

In brief: Copyprint Group names directors.
November 3, 2005... Copyprint Group has made Marie Alexander and John Perrott directors. Alexander has been at the firm for over 20 years, while Perrott joined a decade ago. Copyprint has a factory in Vauxhall and two copy shops in Bromley and Victoria.

Fresh hope with new OFT regime.(Office of Fair Trading )(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... A new regime at the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) could offer a ray of hope over the controversial magazine distribution proposals. Philip Collins has been appointed chairman of the OFT, taking over from John Vickers. The new position of...

Printers hit out at local authority supplier lists.
November 3, 2005... Printers have raised concerns over what they deem to be the unfairness and worthlessness of third-party local authority supplier lists. The reactions were gleaned in a BPIF survey on the print industry's experience of local authority...

EPC bids to push turnover to pounds 5m.(EPC Direct)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... EPC Direct in Bristol is aiming to hit the pounds 5m turnover mark after investing almost pounds 2m in a 12-colour perfecting press and new CTP kit. The 50-staff firm has installed a Screen PlateRite 8800 thermal platesetter, following the...

Reader Reaction: How will a severely cold winter affect your energy buying?(cold winter )
November 3, 2005... WEB-OFFSET GROUP - CHRIS BARKER, GROUP COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, POLESTAR 'We've been taking our advice from energy auditors and market analysts in regard to this. If there's a shortage in the area, Transco will get in contact with our Purnell...

Leeds Council awarded for digital stationery.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Leeds City Council has won an IT excellence award for its use of Digital Pen & Paper technology, which the council estimates could save it pounds 1.2m over the next two years. Digital Pen & Paper, which was developed by Swedish technology...

DfT begins four-year recycling initiative.(United Kingdom Department for Transport)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... The Department for Transport (DfT) has established a four-year Recycled Printing Papers Framework to increase the use of recycled papers by UK central government and the public sector. Head of branch, print, publishing and distribution...

PIPS announces its first forum.(printing industry pension scheme)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... The Printing Industry Pension Scheme (PIPS) is to hold its first conference later this month. Pensions and the Printing Industry will cover: combined pensions forecasts; new tax legislation that comes into force in April; ways of...

Legal Notices.(Public Notice)
November 3, 2005... 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 APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATORS Special Paper...

GLA puts pounds 1m print contract for The Londoner out to tender.
November 3, 2005... The Greater London Authority (GLA) has put the print and distribution contract for its bi-monthly newspaper, The Londoner, out to tender, in what forms part of a contract worth in excess of pounds 1m. Trinity Mirror currently holds the...

Made4Print lets users size up ink.(PrintCalc, is a calculator designed like the calculators that print out on a paper roll)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Made4Print has launched Printcalc software designed to help digital printers determine how much ink or toner a job will use. The Bedfordshire-based firm showed the product on the Punch Graphix stand at Digital Print World. Printcalc...

Prima Paper offers web trimmer service that cuts out rewinding.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Prima Paper has launched a mobile web-trimming and in-house web-dividing service, which could benefit both printers and publishers. Managing director Grant Mahoney, who set up the Kent-based firm in 1990, said the web-trimming facility...

Robert Horne signs up to forest protective.(World Wildlife Fund)(United Kingdom Forest and Trade Network)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... The Robert Horne Group has become one of the first major paper merchants to join the WWF-UK Forest & Trade Network (FTN). Founded in 1991 as the WWF 1995 Group, the FTN aims to ensure members' timber and paper supplies come from...

Kodak unwraps violet B2 commercial plate.(Kodak Graphic Solutions and Services)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Kodak Graphic Solutions & Services (GSS) has officially launched its first violet plate for the commercial market. Stephane Lievain, Kodak GSS vice-president of marketing for EAMER, said the Violet Print plate 'fits perfectly with the...

Apple unveils tool for digital photography.(Aperture, an application for professional digital photographs)(Apple Computer (UK) Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Apple has launched Aperture, an application for professional digital photographs. The tool supports the RAW files produced by professional digital cameras and uses non-destructive image processing to produce pictures, including multiple...

Fuji premieres platesetter.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Fujifilm has revealed a new entry-level product in its B2 violet platesetter range, the Luxel V-6e. The fully modular machine can handle plates ranging from 279x381mm up to 765x686mm. It has been designed to image Fuji's new Brillia...

In brief: ROI Distribution to found operation in Colorado.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... ROI Distribution is to found an operation in Colorado in what director Tim Cox has described as 'a turning point for the business', and is currently selecting a network of dealers in the US. The move was announced at Digital Print World as ROI...

In brief: Agfa launches two platesetters.(Agfa-Gevaert Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Agfa has launched two platesetters aimed at medium-sized newspaper printers. The Advantage Xm is a manual-load plate-setter with a throughput of 85pph at 1,000-2,540dpi, while the Advantage Xs is a semi-automatic loading version. Agfa's...

In brief: Global Graphics teams up with QualityLogic.(Microsoft's new document and print format)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Global Graphics in Cambridgeshire has teamed up with US-based QualityLogic to develop a set of third-party tools for testing and printing Microsoft's new document and print format, XPS (XML Paper Specification). Set to launch at the end of...

In brief: Linotype revives typography journal.
November 3, 2005... Linotype has revived its typography journal, Linotype Matrix. The first issue of the magazine includes articles on the Palatino Nova typeface and the development of sans serif fonts. The publication, revamped by Brazilian designers Claudio...

In brief: HighWater celebrates.(Digital Print World)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... HighWater is celebrating after selling five of its B3 Cobra violet platesetters at Digital Print World. Sales of the new machine, which is priced at less than pounds 25,000 and can produce up to 30pph, were made through Litho Supplies....

In brief: DAL publishes notes on website.
November 3, 2005... Digital Ad Lab (DAL) has published the notes from its recent meeting on its revamped website. It now features a forum, which comes onstream next year. DAL is sponsored by a raft of pre-press firms, including Savvis, Markzware, Kodak, EFI and...

Agencies start to grasp digital media, HP finds.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Marketing agencies are increasing their knowledge of digital printing, said HP, following the company's third Marketing Innovators Forum. The event, hosted in central London last week, invited creatives from marketing agencies to look at...

Blackburns boosts its personalisation offer.(Kodak Versamark digital printing systems)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Blackburns has installed two Kodak Versamark digital printing systems to bolster its position in personalised direct marketing. The two machines will be used by the Leeds-based company to personalise inserts and direct mailers. 'This...

Q3 earnings dip in Presstek shift.
November 3, 2005... Presstek has attributed the fall in its third-quarter earnings to the steps it has taken to realign the business. Earnings fell to pounds 461,800 (dollars 823,000), compared to pounds 1.5m for the same period of last year. The company...

In brief: Folex targets HP Indigo users.
November 3, 2005... Folex is targeting users of HP Indigo digital presses with a new film for printing customised in-mould decorated component graphics. Digiprint IG/PC film, based on Makrofol polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience, offers 'for the first time,...

In brief: Kodak to launch website.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Kodak is to launch a website next year to help digital printers sell their clients' campaigns, based on variable data. Speaking at a press conference in Paris last week, Barb Pellow, Kodak GCG chief marketing officer, said that the website...

In brief: Mimaki's JV3 range now has two-year warranty.
November 3, 2005... Mimaki's JV3 range now comes with a two-year warranty, according to its reseller, Hybrid. The company has also announced across-the-board price reductions for print and cut bundles. The JV3 is available in four widths: 800mm, 1.3m, 1.6m and...

In brief: ESMA due to host exhibition.(Association of European Manufacturers of machinery and consumables for the specialist printing industry, including screen, digital and pad printing processes)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... ESMA, the association of European machine and material manufacturers for digital print, is due to host the Digital Printing Exhibition next year in Frankfurt. The DPE event, run with Messe Frankfurt Ausstellungen, had originally been planned...

In brief: Typetec completes deal.
November 3, 2005... Typetec has completed a deal to distribute HP Indigo products in the north and south of Ireland. The Irish distributor's customers include The Irish Independent and W&G Baird. Typetec managing director Tom Close signed the deal with HP sales...

MWP first as it releases its two-cylinder cutter.(MarquipWardUnited)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... MarquipWardUnited (MWP) has launched what it describes as a 'revolutionary' die-cut and print unit. The Continuous Run System (CRS) 2020 is a dual-die cylinder machine that can be configured with up to eight flexo-printing units. The...

Diamond buys laminating kit.(Diamond Print Services)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Diamond Print Services has made a clean sweep of its laminating kit with two new machines from Autobond. The B1 Compact 102T is due in the north London firm next month, closely followed by the B1 Mini 76TP. 'We want to laminate paper...

Mail Options installs a second C4 Challenger.(envelope inserters)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... London-based mailing house Mail Options has bought its second C4 Challenger envelope inserter from Addressing and Mailing Solutions (AMS). The company bought an identical model last year, but Mail Options managing director Farook Ahmed...

In brief: Compack buys second die-cutter.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Compack, the Livingston carton maker, has bought its second Bobst die-cutter to speed up makeready times and handle larger sheets. The SP102-Evoline Plus replaced a Bobst 900 to give the firm matching die-cutting and press formats, said...

In brief: Printflow uses Pit Stop AF.
November 3, 2005... Printflow is using a Pit Stop AF digital creaser for all its digital creasing and litho stock over 250gsm. The kit, from Encore Machinery, works alongside two NexPress digital printers and litho presses at the London factory.

In brief: Parkers Printers installs new bookletmaker.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Parkers Printers has installed a new Kasfold Sprint 3000 bookletmaker after the company was impressed by its 'sharp, clean folds'. The kit, from Ashgate Automation, handles print from a Xeikon digital press and offers quick turnaround times for...

In brief: Watkiss Automation notches up big sales at show.
November 3, 2005... Watkiss Automation notched up big sales at London's Digital Print World show. Sales director Paul Attew said he'd sold DigiVAC collating systems, Document Finishing Systems and several Automatic SpineMasters. The firm also sold some Lamibind...

In brief: TBM International increases productivity.
November 3, 2005... TBM International has increased productivity with a Burhs BB300 inserter, running alongside a bank of envelope-enclosing kit. The inserter, which has six rotary feeders and a friction-fed 'sure feeder', was supplied by MTS.

In brief: Logitrans taps into 3D animation.
November 3, 2005... Logitrans has tapped into 3D animation with a new website. The Danish material-handling kit manufacturer uses four techno-visuals to show machines in full operation. Marketing manager Gitte Kirkegaard said animation was better than photography...

In brief: Mario Cotta to unveil knife-holder at ICE show.
November 3, 2005... Mario Cotta will unveil a pneumatic knife-holder for cutting flexible materials at this month's ICE show in Munich. The Gold Series for converters and light applications cuts flexible materials of up to 450gsm. It runs at up to 1,450m per...

Up to 2,300 j0bs at risk as Stora Enso cuts back.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... As part of its plan to improve profits, Stora Enso is looking at stripping up to 2.3m tonnes per year of production from its mill operations and cutting up to 2,300 jobs. In accounts released this week, the firm said it would close paper...

Warren rebrands to show success.(Warren Board Sales Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Warren Board has introduced a new corporate identity to reflect its strength in new business sectors. The carton and graphic board merchant, which is based in Leicester, has previously been known for its distribution of cartonboard to...

Paper Pricewatch: Cartonboard, Nov 2005.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Mayr-Melnhof Karton (MMK) has announced price increases across all grades from January 2006, writes Philip Chadwick. The decision was made as a result of rising energy costs. From next January, virgin fibre products will rise pounds 50 per...

In brief: Map Merchant Group presents cheque to Born Free.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Map Merchant Group vice-president of communications Clare Cook presented a cheque to wildlife charity Born Free. The cheque, which was accepted on behalf of the charity by Coronation Street actress Helen Worth (who plays Gail Platt) was from...

In brief: M-real publishes guidelines.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... M-real has published guidelines for using ICC profiles to meet ISO 12647-2 with its Galerie range of magazine stocks. M-real's guidelines are based on testing the surface properties that have an effect on dot gain when Galerie papers are...

In brief: Antalis donates copier paper to project.(World Education Foundation for the Disabled)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Antalis has donated 10,000 sheets of its bright white copier paper, SRA2 80gsm Edixion Laser, to a project organised by the World Education Foundation for the Disabled. Based in London, 'The Healing Touch' project will culminate in 20 blind and...

In brief: Sappi raises prices.(Sappi Europe-Sappi (UK) Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Sappi is raising the price of its flexible packaging grades, label papers and release liners by 6-8%. The new prices will come into effect on 5 December for all European and overseas markets. The hikes are the result of the rising costs of...

In brief: McNaughton Group launches first in series of workshops.(James McNaughton Paper Group Ltd.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... McNaughton Group has launched the first in a series of 'Kick Off' workshops to demon-strate its new products. The workshops had been previously held internally, but proved so successful that McNaughton decided to offer them to clients. The...

In brief: Modo Papers launches paper grades.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Modo Papers, part of M-real, has launched what it claims are the world's first continuous stationery paper grades with a high percentage of recycled fibre content. The company said the grades will help high-volume print customers to meet their...

Time Inc renews print deals worth pounds 900m.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Time Inc, the world's biggest magazine publisher, has renewed deals worth pounds 900m (dollars 1.6bn) with North American print giants Quebecor World and QuadGraphics. In an eight-year deal worth pounds 620m, QuadGraphics will print 22...

RR achieves FSC certification.(Forest Stewardship Council)(R.R. Donnelley and Sons Co. R.R. Donnelley Norwest Greeley Div.)(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... RR Donnelley has achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its commercial printing business at its US and Mexico book-production facilities. The global print giant will now be able to offer customers the opportunity to...

Gulf Print 2005 all set for massive turnout.(Brief Article)
November 3, 2005... Gulf Print 2005, the Dubai-based international printing event, has lined up 150 exhibitors and 7,000 attendees, an increase of 50% on last year. The business-to-business exhibition, which will host seminars and workshops, is being attended...

Letter from the US: The future of print.(Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau)
November 3, 2005... In what is clearly a sign of the times in the US, the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau (GPCVB) has developed what it describes as a 'faster, less expensive response to potential tourists'. The scheme entails emailing brochures to...

Contract update.(Apple)
November 3, 2005... Manchester-based large-format printer Cestrian has produced the UK's biggest single-piece outdoor poster. The 75x20m banner ad for Apple's iPod Nano covers the entire front of Glasgow's giant Debenhams department store on Argyle Street....

Client Audit: Guardian Newspapers.(Guardian and Manchester Evening News PLC)
November 3, 2005... The Manchester Guardian was founded by John Edward Taylor in 1821. Today, Guardian Newspapers (GNL), part of Guardian Media Group, is based in Farringdon, London, creating a range of newspapers and magazines. Earlier this year, GNL completed a...