Print Week articles from October 2005

Print Week archives from October 2005

Polestar consolidation within year as print takes on Prinovis.(Polestar Europe PLC)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Polestar will not exist in its current form a year from now, according to the print giant's chief executive Barry Hibbert. Responding to questions over the firm's rumoured takeover plans at the BPIF's Print Congress on Tuesday (4 October),...

NI launches prove strength of UK magazines.(News International)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... News International is to jump aboard the consumer magazine bandwagon with plans to cash in on a booming weeklies sector that has grown by 14m sales in the last year. NI declined to comment on the plans to launch three weekly women's titles...

CGI's MD Croft steps down.(CGI Europe Ltd., John Croft )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... CGI managing director John Croft has quit the financial printer after a change of heart from its chairman thwarted his hopes of leading the company. Croft, taken on nine months before a management buy-out last year, was expected to take...

Press.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Tall Security Print has won a runners-up prize in the Cheshire Business Awards after the Runcorn firm struck lucky in the medium-sized business category... Leicester-based Graphic Inline raised pounds 5,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care...

Scanlon clinches deals for Boxstar and Vertis.(Mark Scanlon, Vertis Group)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Mark Scanlon has completed the deals to buy both Boxstar and the UK DM and fulfilment operations of Vertis. PrintWeek revealed last week that Scanlon had reached an agreement to take control of the Vertis operations in Croydon, Leicester,...

Publisher urges self regulation on green.
October 6, 2005... Hello! publishing director Sally Cartwright has warned printers, paper makers and publishers to expect more environmental legislation unless they self-regulate. Speaking at Print Congress 2005, Cartwright said a considerable amount of EU...

BPIF examines supplier lists.(British Printing Industries Federation )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Printers that supply local authorities through approved supplier lists, or have tendered to join them, are being invited to take part in a BPIF survey on the practice. It is part of a survey commissioned by the chancellor Gordon Brown on...

Haigh completes race.(Nick Haigh wins yacht racing)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Access Plus group sales director Nick Haigh has completed the Rolex Fastnet yacht race in four days, seven hours, 44mins and 15 seconds, outperforming most of the faster, larger yachts that took part. Haigh and his team went on to win the IRM...

Paper Style orders trailer.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Paper Style has placed an order for a Printmaster QM 46-2 after visiting Heidelberg's mobile trailer, currently on a tour of the UK. The Manchester-based firm has two Speed-master SM 74-6s but needed a press that could cover its stationery and...

Riverprint replaces model.
October 6, 2005... Riverprint in Surrey has moved up from B3 to SRA2 capability by replacing its Sakurai 458 EII with a 566 SI model. The installation comes as part of a pounds 500,000 investment programme. 'The new 566 has virtually doubled our capacity,' said...

MAN Roland deal.
October 6, 2005... MAN Roland will be supplying News International with Aurosys automated reel handling systems in a multi-million pound deal. The products will be installed at NI's three new production facilities at Eurocentral in Scotland, Knowsley on...

GMI appoints.
October 6, 2005... Graphics Microsystems (GMI) has appointed Gary Wetzel as president and chief executive of the California-based supplier of closed-loop control systems for web presses. Former president Erik Tobiason has been promoted to another position within...

Drent Goebel press.
October 6, 2005... Drent Goebel's Variable Sleeve offset printing press has led to growth in the use of offset in packaging thanks to its no-gap technology, according to the firm. The trend is expected to deliver significant cost and quality advantages in a...

Muller to run course.
October 6, 2005... GretagMacbeth UK applications manager Raf Muller is to run a one-day course at the University of Wales Swansea about colour. The cost is pounds 95 for Forum members and pounds 195 for non-Forum members. Contact Libby Pearson on 0870 240 7628...

Staffordshire Newspapers tower.
October 6, 2005... Staffordshire Newspapers has ordered a shaftless Goss Universal 70 four-high tower. The tower will be installed at the Burton-on-Trent printing site and is scheduled to be in production by Spring 2006.

St Ives' Emley goes part-time as firm reveals new structure.(Miles Emley )
October 6, 2005... St Ives chairman Miles Emley is to take a part-time role at the group following the implementation of a new divisional structure. Emley will work an average of two to three days per week from now on, said group managing director Brian...

Fulmar overcomes tough trading climate to post upgraded profits.
October 6, 2005... Fulmar improved profitability in the first half of 2005 despite tough trading conditions, particularly in its core commercial and financial print division. Pre-tax pre-exceptional profit rose 3% to pounds 2.1m and post-exceptionals were up...

Collective Labels grows.
October 6, 2005... Collective Labels has revved up a new Roland 505 LV press to print at 18,000sph as part of a pounds 1m expansion. 'The kit for shorter print-on-demand runs will help meet ever decreasing deadlines including next-day delivery,' said Tony...

Print by numbers.
October 6, 2005... 40% - Amount Charlesworth Group says it can save by sourcing print in China, p11 1/3 - Amount of Xerox's revenue that comes from its business of transforming how corporations use documents, p11 pounds 5.05 - The new minimum wage, which...

CIT signs ex-Close duo for new print division.(CIT Group Inc appoints Murray Booker, Mary Powell )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Former Close Print Finance managing directors Murray Booker and Mary Powell are back in the UK print finance sector. US commercial and consumer finance group CIT has recruited them both to set up a new specialist print division in the UK....

Bezier takes on heads for customer service.(Bezier Group appoints Jules Smith, Nina Butt, Andrew Stafford )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Bezier has boosted its customer service team with director-level appointments from major clients. Andrew Stafford has been hired as business unit director. He was previously head of marketing implementation at Boots the Chemist. Stafford...

Scaling New Heights.(Pantone system's Triangle Colorscale )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... A swatch chart billed as the most efficient CMYK colour scale ever is being targeted at designers and print specifiers. The Triangle Colorscale has more than 17,000 colours offering the 'broadest choice and an alternative to the Pantone...

Athenaeum Press promotes.(George Cullen, Sharon Weir promoted)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Athenaeum Press has promoted George Cullen to sales director and Sharon Weir to sales and customer services manager. Both joined the Gateshead book printer 18 years ago and report to managing director Anne Rennie. Recent investment has doubled...

Skanem wins award.(Skanem Industrier A/S)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Skanem has won a European award for innovation at the Labelexpo show in Brussels. Judges from around the world said the label converter 'achieved the level of continuous innovation that builds brand and customer loyalty across the European...

Crown Labels buys press.
October 6, 2005... Crown Labels has bought a Mark Andy 2200 press. 'With customers handing converters the baton of supply there is nowhere to hide inefficiency,' said owner Paul Board (pictured with son John, who recently joined the Redditch firm's sales team).

Tangent saves trees.(Tangent Communications)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Digital printer and marketer Tangent Communications saved 48 trees by recycling 2.9 tonnes of paper from July to August. Joint chief executives Nicholas and Timothy Green said recycling one tonne of waste paper saved 5,000kW hours of energy,...

Cambrian retrofit system.
October 6, 2005... Green thinking has prompted Cambrian Printers to retrofit a technotrans cartridge-inking system to its six-colour Heidelberg Speedmaster 102. Production controller Clive Evans said ink.line would push its usage to almost 100%, and cartridges...

Clunie Group shop.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Scotland's Clunie Group has opened a new shop, in Helensburgh, and bought a Heidelberg Printmaster QM 46-2 as part of an expansion that includes a new platesetter. Its other branches are in Oban and Fort William and the Printmaster offers quick...

GRE converter.
October 6, 2005... GRE Engineering Products launched the GRE 200 Multipurpose converter at Labelexpo. The kit applies RFID smart-label technology inline and takes pre-printed webs of up to 220mm. Antennae chips are auto-applied to substrates, which are laminated...

National Screen buys Madeart.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... National Screen, a print management firm specialising in film and entertainment, has acquired Madeart, a reprographics and print supplier based in Vauxhall, south London. National Screen manages 85% of UK print advertising for the movie...

TripleArc stays focused on hitting its targets.
October 6, 2005... TripleArc chief executive Jason Cromack says that if the group hits its predicted earnings for 2005 its faltering share price will recover. Shares in the AIM-listed print management group took a knock last week when it announced that...

Apex sells first B2 Ryobi 784E.(Apex Graphics)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Apex Graphics' drive into the entry-level B2 market with Ryobi has started with Hulbert Press buying the UK's first 784E. The Swindon-based company will have the press installed at the start of next year after signing a deal with Apex,...

Reader reaction: What do trade shows mean for your business?
October 6, 2005... SUPPLIER - JIM TODD, SALES DIRECTOR, HEIDELBERG UK 'Trade shows are a vital ingredient in our marketing mix. But there are so many today that we have to be selective about which ones really add value and enable us to reach the right...

Robert Horne merges four display divisions.(Robert Horne Group PLC, A&P Display, Cox Plastics and Paragon Imaging Materials )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... The Robert Horne Group has merged its four divisions that serve the sign and display market into a single group. The firm has integrated three group firms - A&P Display, Cox Plastics and Paragon Imaging Materials - under the name Robert...

BPIF extends deadline for print scholarships.(British Printing Industries Federation )
October 6, 2005... Applications for the BPIF's print educational scholarships for 2006 are now being sought. The entry age for the scheme has been lowered to 16 and the closing date for entries has been extended to tie in with Picon's PrintIT! initiative....

MY opts to take Nampak name.(MY Cartons, Nampak Cartons Europe)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... MY Cartons is to rebrand as Nampak Cartons Europe with the pounds 170m turnover company headed up by divisional managing director Mark Collet. 'The carton sector is not an easy one within which to operate and our new structure is designed...

Legal notices.(Public Notice)
October 6, 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 WINDING UP PETITIONS Literal Publishing Ltd...

EU Tenders.
October 6, 2005... Please read the important notes at the foot of the page as PrintWeek cannot supply any additional information or pass on your details. The tenders below are abridged. It is essential that you obtain a full copy of the tender before contacting...

Xerox more a services provider than a tech firm, says Mulcahy.(Anne Mulcahy)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Xerox chief executive Anne Mulcahy told a delegation of customers and business executives in London last week how the digital printer and copier developer had been transformed into a services and solutions provider. 'We can't find a...

Limpet to install UK's 1st VSR300.(Limpet Labels )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Limpet Labels is poised to be the first UK converter to install the new Mark Andy VSR300 inspection and rewind machine. 'Limpet installed a Mark Andy LP3000 line last year and the two machines will complement each other when the VSR is...

Charlesworth premieres China PM venture at PrintYorkshire.(Charlesworth Group, China Print Management)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Charlesworth Group aims to help clients trim costs by tapping into cheaper Chinese printing. The Wakefield printer launched China Print Management at this week's PrintYorkshire Showcase 2005, targeting larger-scale work with long lead...

Envelopes on Ebay.
October 6, 2005... Stars from around the world lined up for the second year running to take part in the Pitney Bowes 'Pushing the Envelope' charity auction. The 10-day ebay auction began on 3 October, with more than 50 celebrity-designed envelopes on offer in aid...

Pre-media: Prolatus fits workflow system at first UK site.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... File transfer and proofing workflow firm Prolatus has completed the first UK installation of a new workflow analysis package. Home shopping firm Express Gifts, a specialist in greetings cards, gifts, and home and garden items that...

Pre-media: ECRM adds products to Mako CTP platesetters.(ECRM Imaging Systems)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... ECRM Imaging Systems has launched two additions to the Mako CTP family. The System 4x is one of the first devices capable of moving to violet processless plates, according to the firm. It costs around pounds 38,000 and images more than...

Pre-media: OTM readies for in-house repro.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Leicester transactional mail house OTM is to set up an in-house repro department after moving into four-colour variable data printing. The firm's procurement arm, Opus Print Management (OPM), plans to set up the service within six months...

Pre-media: Kent Art installs CTP.
October 6, 2005... Kent Art Printers in Chatham has become the first printer in Europe to install a Kodak Magnus 400 Quantum CTP running Kodak Thermal Direct non-process plates. Marketing and technical services director Paul Anderson said the installation would...

Pre-media: Pro2col showcases.
October 6, 2005... Pro2col is using Digital Print World on 18-20 October to showcase Hermstedt's StingRay FTS artwork delivery tool and the Dev Zero G workflow package. It has also teamed up with Xelix to promote integrated-technology tools.

Pre-media: Cowell Square manager.
October 6, 2005... Square Group has made Nick Cowell its service and support manager as it gears up to launch iRepair online service booking. Cowell joins from Apple Computers where he held business and management posts.

Pre-media: Dalim Software range.
October 6, 2005... Dalim Software is targeting the newspaper industry with its first showing at IfraExpo in Leipzig on 17-20 October. The firm will show its range of workflow tools for newspaper production including Twist, Swing, Dialogue and Mistral.

Pre-media: Fujifilm plate.
October 6, 2005... Fujifilm Graphic Systems is to show off its new 'no-compromise' processless thermal plate, Brillia PRO-T, for the first time in Europe. The non-ablative plate, compatible with most thermal platesetters, will be shown at Komori's showroom in...

Pre-media: Vision Print system.
October 6, 2005... Vision Print in County Dublin has installed a Presstek Dimension425 Excel CTP system. Joint director Jack Caverly said using chemistry-free plates would lead to fast turnaround on previously outsourced jobs.

Pre-media: Quark sponsors theatre.
October 6, 2005... Quark is to sponsor the Digital Print World seminar theatre at this year's show on 18-20 October. Visitors to the room will 'glimpse into the future of QuarkXPress', said the firm.

Pre-media: Vertus drops price.
October 6, 2005... Vertus has dropped the price of its Fluid Mask Photoshop cut-out plug-in to pounds 179. The Windows version will launch this month. See Product of the Week, p41.

Digital: Canon unveils range to challenge Xerox at top.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Canon has revealed more evidence of its increased focus on commercial print with a new range of products, and made further inroads into wide-format. The firm has launched the imagePress, which comprises a range of colour and monochrome...

Digital: Jetrion sets up e-beam link.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Jetrion has partnered its 3025 Inkjet System with the Advanced Electron Beams (AEB) e-beam emitter. The e-beam curing system runs with virtually no heat going to the web, and will provide the 3025 with drying capabilities uncommon in...

Digital: Xerox's latest Nuvera offers speedier runs.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Xerox has added a higher-speed machine to its Nuvera range of black and white cut-sheet digital printers. The Nuvera 144, as its name suggests, produces 144 A4ppm, 20% faster than the current top-of-the-range Nuvera 120. In addition to...

Digital: EMEAR new premises.
October 6, 2005... Encad's EMEAR has moved to new premises in Hemel Hempstead opened by its mayor. 'We are thrilled with our new offices at Hemel One, which have been custom-designed to suit our needs,' said Encad general manager EAMER Martin Birch.

Digital: Inca Digital appoints.
October 6, 2005... Inca Digital has appointed Roger Walkley as product manager for flatbed printers. Walkley, who will be based at Inca's Cambridge headquarters, joins from ink-jet supplier Peridot, where he was a director.

Digital: Screen launches workflow.
October 6, 2005... Screen is launching its Trueflow Rite TP workflow for the TruePress 344 digitally imaged press, at Digital Print World on 18-20 October. Trueflow Rite TP will be supplied as an integral part of every TruePress 344.

Digital: Copytrax range.
October 6, 2005... DVD/CD printer Copytrax, will demonstrate its new range of fully automatic printing and publishing systems at DPW. They include the Picasso II print system, which will be available with bulk dye-based inks, and the R-quest range of products,...

Digital: Domino Amjet expands.
October 6, 2005... Domino Amjet has expanded its line of performance coding and marking solutions with options that reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) air emissions. The two A-Series AQ VOC-Exempt solutions enable ink-jet applications to comply with...

Digital: Avery Dennison promotion.(Avery Dennison Corp. Graphics Div.)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Avery Dennison Graphics Division is running a promotion for digital printers to coincide with the launch of films optimised for second-generation eco-solvent inks. To encourage printers to try Avery MPI 2900/2901, Easy Print and Roland's new...

Digital: Merlin FG launches.
October 6, 2005... Spectra Technology Integration has launched the Merlin FG, a high-speed, ink-jet printer suitable for foods.

Digital: AIT International technology.
October 6, 2005... AIT International has launched a 'groundbreaking' dot placement technology that produces display output with a 'doubling' of the physical resolution of the ink-jet print head. The technology will be key to its Shiraz V6.2 large-format display...

Post-press: Mitsubishi shows Cito RSP and JDF bindery.(Mitsubishi Imaging Inc., Cito Products Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Cito has expanded the range of presses that its RSP inline cutting, perforating and creasing cylinder can work on to include Mitsubishi sheet-fed machines. Mitsubishi showed the Cito RSP for the first time at its open house in Leeds this...

Post-press: Curtis takeover raises capacity at Automail.(Automail Envelopes acquires Curtis Envelopes & Print Services)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Midlands-based Automail Envelopes has strengthened its hold on the envelopes market through the acquisition of overprinter Curtis Envelopes & Print Services. Automail is absorbing Curtis into its own operation and is currently in the...

Post-press: Summa unveils latest S-class.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Summa has unveiled its new S140 vinyl cutter, which marks the company's final model in its S-class range of cutters. Summa developed the S140 in response to a growing demand for a cutter to accommodate the popular 137cm vinyl size media....

Post-press: Drytac catalogue.
October 6, 2005... Drytac is launching the latest version of its catalogue at Viscom, which promotes the firm's 'one-stop shop' laminating and finishing services. The company already offers clients a range of heatset and pressure-sensitive mounting adhesives and...

Post-press: Romec installs system.(Romec Print Solutions)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Romec Print Solutions has boosted its booklet production capacity at its Swindon works by installing a custom-built Horizon StitchLiner system from Graphic Arts Equipment. The stitchliner provides collation, folding, saddlestitching and...

Post-press: GBC solutions.(GBC Films Group demonstrates laminating solutions at Digital Print World)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... GBC Films Group Europe will be demonstrating some of its latest thermal laminating solutions for commercial on-demand and wide-format finishing at Digital Print World on 18-20 October in London. Attendees can visit GBC on stand 780 to view...

Post-press: dsicolourworks DocuMaster.
October 6, 2005... Docklands-based digital printer dsicolourworks has installed a Morgana DocuMaster to speed up the finishing work output from its three Xerox iGen3s, two 2060s and a 6060. Dsicolourworks, which is part of the DSI Group, specialises in...

Post-press: Royal Mail discount.(Royal Mail Group PLC offers 15% discount for publishing industry)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Royal Mail has launched an initiative to support the customer publishing industry by offering a 15% discount on customer magazine mailing costs. The promotion is designed to encourage clients planning to publish a title to favour mailing,...

Post-press: AB Graphic rewinder.(AB Graphic Machinery new )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... AB Graphic International launched its high-speed Vectra four-spindle turret rewinder at Labelexpo Europe last month. The kit has been designed to produce small rolls of labels at high-speed and includes closed loop tension control. The event...

Paper: UK buyers keep green pressure on Finland.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... UK paper buyers have called on Finnish paper producers to continue their focus on sustainable forestry practices and certification. A statement, signed by 28 firms, including BBC World-wide, Polestar Group and Random House UK, was delivered...

Paper: Curtis begins R&D following rejig.
October 6, 2005... Curtis Fine Papers has completed a restructuring of its operations and new product developments are currently underway. The restructuring involved the closure of the producer's Dalmore mill last year and the loss of around 100 jobs...

Paper Pricewatch: Woodfree, October 2005.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... The anticipated price rises for woodfree grades look set go through, despite resistance, reports Andy Scott. Merchants and manufacturers indicated last month that price hikes of between 4-9% could be expected, due mainly to rising energy...

Paper: Favini and Kolk team up.
October 6, 2005... Favini has joined forces with Dutch designer Ronald Kolk to produce entry tickets and invites to a winter Haute Couture show in Paris. Designer Loaded Ink selected Majestic Casino Gold and Night Club Purple 250gsm papers, available from...

Paper: PaperCo boxboard.
October 6, 2005... PaperCo is to supply Stromcard and Strompack white and cream-backed boxboard for buyers wanting a 'versatile' cut-to-size service. The boxboard comes in any sheet size on orders from one tonne or more. As well as a bespoke facility, pallet...

Paper: Robertson Korsnas manager.
October 6, 2005... Swedish board and paper maker Korsnas has made Glenn Robertson business development manager to spearhead a new product launch. Robertson, who has over 15 years of industry experience, will manage the launch for Supreme, a coated Kraft back...

Paper: Elliott Baxter prize draw.(KN Press)(Stabur Graphics)(Surrey's Woking Print)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... KN Press in Hersham, Stabur Graphics of Wimbledon and Surrey's Woking Print have struck lucky in the Elliott Baxter prize draw. They won Phillips widescreen TV-and-DVD systems. The prize draw was jointly run by Ebb Paper and Conqueror, and has...

Paper: Stora Enso fibre line.(Stora Enso Oyj)(Veracel pulp mill)(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Stora Enso has confirmed plans to build a second eucalyptus fibre line at its Veracel pulp mill in Brazil. When in full production, the Veracel mill will be the largest single line pulp mill in the world, with a production capacity of 900,000...

Paper: Raflatac doubles capacity.
October 6, 2005... UPM's Raflatac is doubling capacity of filmic pressure-sensitive labelstock in Europe. Finland's Tampere factory will be modernised, allowing for thinner films for the drinks, personal care and other industries. The new coating line is due to...

Paper: Antalis teams with DJs.(Asher D, DJ Wonder and DJ Cameo )(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Antalis teamed up with DJs such as Asher D, DJ Wonder and DJ Cameo for a 100pp magazine for inner-city children. The merchant's Wembley branch donated 2,000 sheets of Chromika Tints for the Tate Britain event. The BBC 1Xtra DJs inspired the...

Global: University pilots mass electronic circuit run.(Brief Article)
October 6, 2005... Posters that sing, interactive leaflets and product packaging with direct internet access could soon be printing off a press near you. The world's first mass printed electronic circuit has been produced at Chemnitz University of Technology...