Print Week articles from November 2006

Print Week archives from November 2006

Industry wary over green taxes.
November 2, 2006... Printers need to be encouraged to become greener and should not be hit by more regulations and 'green taxes', according to the BPIF. The federation was reacting to this week's publication of the long-awaited government report on climate...

New Polestar parent likely after refinancing.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Polestar is likely to change owners when it completes ongoing talks over its refinancing deal, the print group's financial head has stated. Peter Johnston, Polestar's finance director, said that the debt refinancing deal, which would be...

US firm snaps up Box Room.
November 2, 2006... US pre-press and branding firm SGS is aiming to strengthen its foothold in the European market after buying design and repro house The Box Room in Tamworth. SGS International senior vice president for global operations Michael Shannon said...

Sun raises price of all its inks.(Sun Chemical Corp.)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Ink giant Sun Chemical has implemented across-the-board price rises of up to 12%. The firm has blamed the rises, which range from 4% to 12% depending on specific products, on continued hikes in raw materials costs and shortages of certain...

Stop press.(Financial report)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... US packaging pre-press company Schawk has announced an 11.1% year-on-year drop in turnover for its third quarter to pounds 70.9m (dollars 134.8m). Pre-tax profit for the period edged up 1% to pounds 6.9m... Large-format specialist Leach...

Firms offered pounds 1,500 to help jobless into work.(Tribal Regeneration)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Printers in London are being offered up to pounds 1,500 to take on an unemployed person for an eight-week work experience placement. The scheme, supported by the BAPC, matches employers with trained and prepared work placement candidates...

Adare wins two deals worth pounds 5m.(Adare Printing Group PLC deals with Fitness First and Securitas AB)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... The Adare Group has announced two contract wins, with Fitness First and Securitas, worth over pounds 5m. Group business development director Phil Muller said the deals were indicative of an increasing focus on electronic content, in...

Print kit firms spend pounds 8bn on R&D.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Print equipment manufacturers spent more than pounds 8bn last year on research and development (R&D), according to a government report. The international R&D Scoreboard, published by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this week,...

In Brief: Everydayprint celebrates 10,000th order.
November 2, 2006... Everydayprint has celebrated the 10,000th order placed using its upgraded, bespoke online print portal. Keeping track of the numbers was managing director Jason Walker. He said: 'In the 10 months since we updated our online print facility, we...

In Brief: Graphic Arts Equipment to unveil GBC's Delta Laminator.
November 2, 2006... Graphic Arts Equipment (GAE) will unveil GBC's Delta Laminator at what it is branding a 'mini-Ipex' open house at its Perivale showroom from 13 November. It is the first time the machine has been shown, following GAE's agreement with the global...

In Brief: Appointment at Printers' Charitable Corporation.(appointed lifelong newspaperman David Turner )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... The Printers' Charitable Corporation has appointed lifelong newspaperman David Turner and senior lawyer Stephanie de Laszlo to its council. Turner headed up contract printing sales at Northcliffe Newspapers before retiring in 2004. He works as...

In Brief: Appointment at Heidelberg UK.
November 2, 2006... Heidelberg UK has appointed Gunnar Voss as head of finance and company secretary. Voss replaces Gerard Heanue, who has been promoted to the role of senior financial officer for the press manufacturer's Europe, Middle East and Africa operations....

In Brief: Appointment at British Coatings Federation.
November 2, 2006... The British Coatings Federation has appointed John Keith as business development manager. He has worked for companies that include BP, Scott Bader and ICI.

In Brief: Hill & Tyler's former premises on market.(Glaisdale Industrial Estate at Bilborough)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Hill & Tyler's former premises have been put on the market by property consultant King Sturge. The printer ceased trading in June after going into administration. Located on a 1.48-acre site on the Glaisdale Industrial Estate at Bilborough,...

In Brief: Cicely Brown clothed in Livery.
November 2, 2006... BPIF deputy chief executive Cicely Brown has been clothed in the Livery of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers. She said: 'It is a very great honour to join some of the most respected names in the communications industry.'...

CGI becomes a force in digital print with third Xerox iGen3.(Alliances and partnerships)
November 2, 2006... Growing London firm CGI Group has joined the top flight of European digital printers after becoming the first commercial printer to run three Xerox iGen3s. The firm's digital division has installed a third of Xerox's flagship digital...

G&H to increase sales with new SM 102-10P.(Graham and Heslip)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Northern Irish printer Graham & Heslip (G&H) is set to take delivery of its first long perfector press this month. The Belfast firm is hoping the addition of the Speedmaster SM 102-10P will increase its pounds 6m turnover by at least 20%...

The price of celebrity.(commemorative banknote for footballer George Best)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... De La Rue has been called into action to print a special commemorative banknote for footballer George Best. The printer was commissioned by Ulster Bank to produce 1m of the limited-edition notes, which show Best playing both for his native...

Schawk cuts more jobs and moves to London.
November 2, 2006... Schawk is making further job cuts amid an ongoing reorganisation of its European division and the relocation of its headquarters from Leeds to London. A consultation period is underway with staff about possible redundancies at Schawk's...

Abba gets new name and new site.(Abba Print Group)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Cardiff print management firm Abba Print Group is set for a double overhaul this month when it rebrands and moves into a new facility. The company, which has a turnover of around pounds 3m, is set to be rebranded as Icom, which, it said, is...

Flying High.(Polar Print Group )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Polar Print Group in Leicester has become the first to achieve the new print-based Kitemark. The firm has received PAS 75, the British Standards Institute's new standard that recognises reliability, quality and customer service. Polar managing...

In Brief: Sakurai celebrates its 60th anniversary.(standards for print quality in the multicolour)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Sakurai will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a UK open house exhibition of its screen and offset presses. Managing director Ryuta Sakurai (pictured) said: 'We are delighted to demonstrate the OL 66SD and OL 75SD offset series because they...

In Brief: Rexam sells its Food Plastic operations in Gloucester.
November 2, 2006... Rexam has sold its Food Plastics operations in Gloucester, Lidkoping in Sweden, and Stilling in Denmark for a total of pounds 25m. The firm has also announced it has started the process to sell its refillable PET bottle operation, Rexam...

In Brief: Esson Print completes installation.
November 2, 2006... Esson Print in Hertfordshire has completed the installation of a new five-colour Heidelberg SM52 and Heidelberg's Prinance MIS. Both were bought at Ipex earlier this year.

In Brief: Independent Paper's new warehouse opens under management of Paul Cassidy.
November 2, 2006... Independent Paper's new Midlands warehouse in Bardon, Leicestershire, has opened under the management of group product manager Paul Cassidy. The facility can be contacted on 01530 275500.

In Brief: Pensord Press confirms its support.(inaugural strategic sponsor for the Independent Publisher's Advisory Council)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Pensord Press has confirmed its support for smaller publications by becoming the inaugural strategic sponsor for the Independent Publisher's Advisory Council. The three-year tie-up for the Welsh printer will initially involve support for IPAC's...

In Brief: Wall Street Journal announces two-year project.
November 2, 2006... The Wall Street Journal has announced a two-year, pounds 16m (dollars 30m) project to upgrade its US-based printing plants by 2009 in a bid to respond to demand for colour capacity from advertisers.

In Brief: Stora Enso announces price increase.
November 2, 2006... Stora Enso has announced an 8% price increase for labels and flexible packaging papers produced at the company's mills in Uetersen, Germany, and Imatra, Finland. The price rise will be effective from 1 January 2007.

In Brief: Appointment at Danwood.(appointed Adrian Stark as sales director)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Danwood has appointed Adrian Stark as sales director responsible for the South East. He was formerly UK manager for HP Indigo, and will report to South East managing director Adam Hackett. Stark will recruit a sales team to sell Danwood's...

Paper delivery route on track.(shipments of Stora Enso paper from across the North Sea)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... A new daily rail service carrying paper through the Channel Tunnel to major printers in the north west, including Prinovis' Liverpool plant, has begun deliveries. Under the service, which started last month, paper is being transported by...

Ryobi reveals another factory in the pipeline.
November 2, 2006... Ryobi is to rapidly increase production of larger presses at its Hiroshima East facility with the opening of its second factory and new plans to build a third. The firm, whose presses are sold in the UK by Apex Digital Graphics, could also...

Bemrose hires Murray as MD.(Dave Murray as a managing director)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... BemroseBooth has appointed a former Communisis director, Dave Murray, as managing director. Murray, a former managing director at Communisis' personalised products division, will replace Graham Bennington, who retired from the security...

Reader reaction: Does paper manufacturing have a future in the uk?
November 2, 2006... PAPER MANUFACTURER Terry Parry, director of marketing and sales services, UPM-Kymmene UK 'Yes. UK paper manufacturing has a great future as long as we remain profitable throughout the demand cycle with a competitive product mix...

Subsidence damage at site behind kit spend.(Richard Edward )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Playing card printer Richard Edward has revealed that irreparable damage to one of its MAN Roland presses was partially responsible for its pounds 3.6m Ipex kit spend. The London-based company's 10-colour Roland 700, the first to be...

Paragon UK to streamline PM.(print management)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Paragon UK has revealed plans to consolidate its print management operations into a single site in the Lutterworth area next year. The announcement follows Paragon UK's purchase of Aiza, the Lutterworth-based print management firm it bought...

Badge of Honour.(KallKwik )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... KallKwik had a dose of the celebrity treatment last week when TV star Ruth Badger - known as 'The Badger' in entrepreneur Alan Sugar's hit series The Apprentice - was called in to re-open the chain's Twickenham store. Badger, who was runner-up...

Legal notices.
November 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 Taylor Made Print Ltd...

Quark unveils Designer for cross-media sector.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Quark has made a major play to capture the growing cross-media market with the launch of Quark Interactive Designer (QID). The software, a plug-in for QuarkXPress 7 costing pounds 139 full-price, allows designers to simultaneously create...

Fuji ships latest Taffeta module.(Fujifilm )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Fujifilm has started shipping the latest upgrade to Taffeta, the FM screening module within Fuji Open Workflow. Taffeta v2.0 features what Fujifilm terms 'a new generation screening technology', which it claimed will both improve image...

Adstream to partner ICS for virtual proofs.(Integrated Colour Solutions )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Ad delivery firm Adstream has formed a technical partnership with virtual proofing developer Integrated Colour Solutions (ICS). Adstream will offer ICS's colour-managed remote proofing software as part of its own Quickcut advertising...

In Brief: KCS selected to provide high-end image retouching services for Imogen Stone.
November 2, 2006... Express KCS has been selected to provide high-end image retouching services for Imogen Stone. The Delhi-based pre-media company was contracted to ensure the colour accuracy of products on the online florist's website. Imogen Stone's creative...

In Brief: Middlesex University installs two proofers.(Colour accuracy and print quality )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Middlesex University has installed two DuPont Cromalin Largo wide-format proofers to cope with a growing student print demand. Senior reprographic technician Andrew Geddes said: 'High-speed printers were imperative to ensure students meet tight...

In Brief: Compose Systems receives Fogra certification for its software.
November 2, 2006... Compose Systems, the pre-media workflow and colour proofing developer, has received Fogra certification for its StarProof V5 software. The package was tested to industry standards defined in ISO 12647-7. StarProof was certified for halftone...

In Brief: Zenith Media invests in Agfa Avalon platesetter.
November 2, 2006... Zenith Media, the north Cardiff-based printer, has invested in an Agfa Avalon platesetter, following a recent contract win with steel giant Corus. The contract was dependent on quality, price and Zenith's commitment to the environment. Managing...

In Brief: Global Graphics' Harlequin RIP first product to achieve JDF certification.
November 2, 2006... Global Graphics' Harlequin RIP is the first commercially available product to achieve JDF certification from the CIP4 organisation. Global Graphics has received a 'JDF Certified' logo following two and a half days of testing, carried out by...

In Brief: Kodak's Graphic Communications Group undergoes management reshuffle.(Europe, Africa and Middle East region)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Kodak's Graphic Communications Group (GCG) has undergone a management reshuffle for its Europe, Africa and Middle East region (EAMER). Vice president for operations Guy Sasson has been appointed vice president for customer service, following...

Pollard installs 2nd DigiMaster.(William Pollard and Co)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Exeter-based William Pollard & Co has bought a second Kodak DigiMaster 9110 with inline bookletmaker. The B2 print firm will use the digital press in the production of booklets and training manuals. The firm's kit includes two Heidelberg...

Digital printer turns to DI to expand offering.(direct-imaging )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Digital kit has become so commonplace that small printers need another selling point to compete, a Sheffield printer has claimed. Colin McNeil, owner of digital house Word for Word in the City, said that the reduction in the price of...

HP's Production Manager out.(manage automated workflows, high-volume variable data and complex document printing)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... HP Indigo has released Production Manager, which will manage automated workflows, high-volume variable data and complex document printing. The off-press front-end hardware and software product is available this month and comes in single or...

FedEx Kinko's first UK printer to buy Konica C6500 digital press.(Mergers, acquisitions and divestments)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Konica Minolta has sold its first UK C6500 system to FedEx Kinko's in High Holborn, London. The high-street printer is the first company in the UK to take on the C6500 digital press and took delivery of the machine at the end of last...

Painting's on the wall.(Digetex)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Digetex, the home furnishing brand, has launched a bespoke mural installation service as part of its interior graphics range. It offers a design, supply and installation service anywhere in the UK with the murals printed in-house on digital...

Best Cover heads south with pounds 700k of new kit.(Best Cover UV)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Trade coater Best Cover UV is set to expand into the south of England with a pounds 700,000 investment in kit. The Leeds firm, which last year installed the UK's first Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 102 configured as a dedicated coater, has...

Duplo donating pounds 10k to PrintIT!(Duplo has continued its support for PrintIT)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Duplo has continued its support for PrintIT! by donating pounds 10,000 to the project, which aims to attract young people to the industry. 'What Picon, the organiser behind PrintIT!, is aiming to achieve deserves the support of everyone in...

Shrinkwrap launches mid-level wrappers.(Shrinkwrap Machinery)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Shrinkwrap Machinery has unveiled a mid-level family of twin reel sleeve wrappers, the V range, to complete its portfolio of high-end and entry-level shrinkwrappers. The range is made up of six models, which includes transit packaging...

In Brief: FE Burman buys KB2000 perfect binder from Morgana Systems.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... FE Burman has bought a KB2000 perfect binder from Morgana Systems, part of a deal that also includes a Foldnak 8 bookletmaker and trimmer. The investment is a continuation of the firm's move to digital, which began 10 years ago with the...

In Brief: Crawley Borough Council buys Ideal 5221/95EP guillotine.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Crawley Borough Council has bought an Ideal 5221/95EP guillotine, supplied by Total Print Finishing Services. The local authority's inplant, which has moved from offset to digital production in recent years, will replace its Polar 72 with the...

In Brief: Bobst sells five Alpina II folder gluers in five weeks.
November 2, 2006... Bobst has sold five Alpina II folder gluers in the past five weeks. Although the company wouldn't reveal the buyers' identities, it said that the machines are destined for four carton manufacturers, and will be delivered before Christmas.

In Brief: Digital Print World 'more quality than quantity'.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Encore Machinery has said last month's Digital Print World was 'more quality than quantity'. 'We had a lot of interest and some good sales enquiries,' said managing director Mike Biggs. 'We took an order for a top of the range fully automated...

In Brief: Polar's online, interactive training programme available in English.
November 2, 2006... Polar has made its online, interactive training programme available in English. The package is made up of four lessons and, according to the firm, gives users a 'quick and profound knowledge of the set-up and operation of Polar guillotines'....

In Brief: Colin Cross Printers buys Horizon EF-35 B3 suction folder.(Colin Cross Printers in Garstang)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Colin Cross Printers in Garstang, near Preston, bought a Horizon EF-35 B3 suction folder from Graphic Arts Equipment's stand at last month's Digital Print World. The folder replaces an aging Sofrapli, which was at the commercial digital and...

Stora Enso plans pounds 50m investment in its mills.(financial report)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Stora Enso has revealed plans to invest pounds 50m (EUR74.5m) in three European mills after posting a significant rise in third-quarter profits. In Finland, the paper manufacturer is to spend pounds 21.7m rebuilding the finishing line at...

New M-real chief calls for higher paper prices to offset rising costs.(loss in the second quarter of paper industry)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... M-real's new chief executive has called for more rises in paper prices just a week after announcing the planned closure of the group's fine paper mill in Sittingbourne, Kent. Mikko Helander, who became chief executive on the same day that a...

In Brief: James Cropper strenghtens board with appointment of Mark Cropper.
November 2, 2006... James Cropper has strengthened its main board with the appointment of Mark Cropper as a non-executive director, with immediate effect. The son of chairman James Cropper, he is the sixth generation of the Cropper family to be involved in the...

In Brief: Appointment at Favini Netherlands.
November 2, 2006... Favini has appointed Rienk Jan van der Kooi to the post of operations director at Favini Netherlands. Van der Kooi will be responsible for managing Favini's Meerssen and Apeldoorn mills. He has worked in the paper industry since 1992 and was...

In Brief: Rockwell Solutions launches packaging substrate.
November 2, 2006... Rockwell Solutions in Dundee has launched a packaging substrate that it claims is the first biodegradable lidding film for PLA trays and pots. BioPeel is a clear lidding or flow-wrap film, is suitable for use in food packaging, and can be used...

In Brief: One Digital printers wins competition.
November 2, 2006... Mondi Business Paper's Color Copy competition, which offered a table football game as first prize, has been won by One Digital printers in Brighton. The competition, launched to promote Color Copy coated glossy paper, also offered free reams to...

In Brief: Inuit named manufacturing category winner at Benchmark awards.(advertising campaign devised by London agency Blast )(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Arjowiggins' uncoated premium grade Inuit has been named manufacturing category winner at this year's Benchmark awards, which was run by weekly trade publication Design Week. The award was given for an advertising campaign devised by London...

In Brief: Apology for article published last week.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Moorgate Paper wishes to make clear that no lorry drivers were made redundant two weeks ago, contrary to an article published on this page last week. Managing director Neville Simpson's comments related to several voluntary redundancies made...

Contract update.
November 2, 2006... St Ives Westerham Press has produced a doorstep 704pp book celebrating the work of London-based creative and design agency Imagination. The oversized A4-format One had a print run of 1,000 and was printed on the Edenbridge, Kent firm's...

Client audit: Square One Publishing.
November 2, 2006... Established in 1992, Square One Publishing is a London-based contract publisher. It produces more than 35 titles, ranging from Waterstone's in-store magazine to The Job, the staff magazine for the Metropolitan Police Force. Head of...

Editorial: With less jollity, jollies may survive lean times.(Editorial)(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... While many suppliers still offer all-expenses paid trips to their manufacturing bases, it's probably fair to say the days of the 'jolly' are over. In our feature 'Courting your customers', p27, it's clear that in these relatively lean...

Comment: The case for pre-loved digital kit.(Brief article)(Column)
November 2, 2006... Sitting quietly and harmlessly sipping a cup of coffee at the recent Digital Print World exhibition in Earls Court, I became aware opposite of the stand of the Digital People suggesting that a market had developed for used digital colour...

Comment: Technically speaking - HDR: One small step for photography, but print's yet to take the giant leap.(high dynamic range)(Column)
November 2, 2006... Ever wished you'd stuck to your guns? In 1980, I had to propose a dissertation subject for my final year of printing studies at Manchester Polytechnic. Being a child of the space age, I dreamed up a suitably out-of-this-world problem to...

Training: Print MA prioritises management skills.(Master of Arts)
November 2, 2006... But can it overcome the subdued interest encountered by other courses? After months of consultations with leading UK print companies, Heidelberg and the London College of Communications (LCC) last month launched their MA degree in Print...

Comeback for catalogues?
November 2, 2006... Far from being dethroned by the internet, the big book has thrived on the back of an online presence and given UK printers a major boost Helen Morris reports. Whoever said that the internet would signal the death of print must be eating...

Sales excursions: Better business - Courting your customers.
November 2, 2006... Manufacturers regard trips to their European headquarters for potential customers as a cost-effective way of boosting sales, says Noli Dinkovski. It's not very often that I enjoy an evening meal in the opulent surroundings of a...

Technology report: Inkjet printing - New dimensions in design.
November 2, 2006... Chocolate, jawbones, lightbulbs and self-replication. Karen Charlesworth delves into the weird and wonderful world of 3D printing where inkjet has the power to recreate reality. To paraphrase Walt Disney, the wonderful thing about inkjets...

Product of the week - EFI Colorproof XF 3.0.(Product/service evaluation)
November 2, 2006... In an overcrowded colour proofing market, EFI is targeting new applications to keep its momentum. At last week's MacExpo in London, EFI demonstrated the first Mac OS X version of its Colorproof XF server, running on the latest Intel Macs....

Me & My ... Horizon VAC-Turbo 100.(Interview)
November 2, 2006... Tony Matterson, managing director of The Ark Group, loves his fast collator for the quick turnaround work now in his grasp, writes Noli Dinkovski. What does the Horizon VAC-Turbo 100 collator do? It takes pre-cut sheets and puts them...

Tried & tested: Sakurai Oliver 466.(Product/service evaluation)
November 2, 2006... Designed to fill the gap between B3 and B2, this fully automated machine allows printers a smooth transition to larger formats, writes Lisa Berwin. Before the turn of the millennium many press manufacturers were focusing their efforts...

Buyers' Guide: MIS.(Management Information Systems)(Buyers guide)
November 2, 2006... MIS is coming of age as more printers reap the benefits of JDF - less room for human error and more consistency across jobs - writes Lisa Berwin. If you look at the MIS market over the past 12 months there are three words that sum up the...

Philip's Help Line: Special black inks & local leaflets.
November 2, 2006... Philip Chadwick tracks down the solutions to your technical troubles. Q: We are a B2 litho printer and have a tricky job with some heavy black solids. But we're having some serious trouble getting an even and deep black across the sheet....

Technical tutorial - Calibration.(Brief article)
November 2, 2006... Making a press profile before calibrating your proofing device will lead to less accurate proofs, longer makeready times and lower profits. When you fingerprint a press and generate a profile, you've effectively taken a snapshot of the...

EU Tenders.
November 2, 2006... Please read the important notes below as PrintWeek cannot supply any additional information or pass on your details. These tenders are abridged. It is essential that you obtain a full copy of the tender before contacting any of the...