The new HP Designjet L26500 Printer is ideal for a wide range of outdoor and indoor applicationsOPG has replaced the last of its solvent ink-based printers with a 61”, six-colour HP Designjet L26500 Printer.
Established in 1995, this fleet vehicle graphics specialist based in Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, has developed a substantial business and a reputation in the production of fleet liveries and vehicle graphics. However, 2008 was the year the recession began to bite hard and business began to suffer.
“That year marked a turning point for us,” said Alan Watson, general manager, OPG. “Like many companies, with the recession, we saw orders falling, but we used the time that gave us to look closely at what we were doing and think about what we might do to bolster revenues and improve the company.”
A root and branch examination followed and OPG’s team came to several conclusions in the process of changing the business.
“We realised that we had more than a decade of experience and were working for some large well-known companies,” Watson continued. “That gave us the confidence to look at our service, performance, quality, and waste levels and how we were serving our customers. By doing these things the company was able to mature. Our attitudes changed and our investments since then have reflected that shift.”
In 2011, OPG installed an HP Designjet L25500 Printer and an HP Scitex LX600 Printer, both of which use HP Latex Inks, replacing two solvent ink printers.
New market opportunities
While the production of odourless prints improved the environment and throughput in the print room, the company’s business mainstay, vehicle graphic orders, were down and action had to be taken.
“With the latex printers, and our new thinking, we decided that it was time not just to stir the pot, but to add something to it,” said Watson. “We approached our vehicle graphic customers and offered them indoor graphics for their offices. They responded very positively.”
OPG’s success in this new market was such that apart from printing wall graphics, it also produced self-adhesive graphics for application to glass partitions and windows, and wall coverings, using HP Wall Paper, designed for use with HP Latex Inks.
“One customer was so pleased that we produced graphics for the company’s financial headquarters in London,” Watson said. “In 2012, we installed our third latex device, an HP Designjet L26500 Printer. We’re now a completely latex operation.”
The new HP Designjet L26500 Printer is ideal producing OPG’s vehicle applications, but can also produce a wide range of outdoor and indoor applications at speeds up to 22.89m2/hr (246ft2/hr).
Leveraging latex
Having “responsibly disposed of” the last solvent printer, OPG then decided to expand its latex knowledge by undertaking HP’s EcoSolutions Training Programme. HP says this convenient downloadable training helps print service providers and their customers lay the foundations for a long-term commitment to sustainability, hone their competitive edge and create new opportunities for growth.
“I thought the HP EcoSolutions Training was so good that we’ve sent eight of our 27 people to it,” Watson said. “Not only can operators benefit from the course, but also sales teams and administrative staff. Having a full understanding of the technology and markets will enable us to realise our potential and better serve our customers.”
Watson is now a firm advocate of HP Latex Inks technology and notes that the advantages go beyond print quality and odourless prints.
“We can now finish and wrap graphics as soon as they are printed, rather than have to wait 24 hours for them to dry and off-gas,” said Watson. “That means we have more space, and capacity for more jobs. The customer benefits from the high quality, but also from the faster turnaround times we can now deliver and a wider choice of applications.
“The environmental benefits are good, too. Apart from greatly reduced odour in the print room, fire risk is reduced, and HP provides free collection of empty ink cartridges and old printheads. We used to have to pay for removal and certification of solvent ink-based waste. You don’t have to be a Scotsman to appreciate that,” Watson concludes.
More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.
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Mimaki-JV400-160LXHybrid Services will feature three product launches at Sign + Digital UK, including the much anticipated Mimaki JV400 latex inkjet printers. The exclusive UK and Irish distributor for Mimaki will have two latex printers on its stand, one printing high speed four colour output and the second utilising Mimaki's unique white latex ink.
Visitors to the stand (Stand D10, Hall 3) can see the Mimaki JV400-160LX printers put through their paces to demonstrate what the company sees as “the advantages the Mimaki latex solution offers over current alternatives”.
Hybrid is also hosting the UK and Ireland launch of two further Mimaki printers - the 1.9m wide production dye sub TS34-1800A and a development of the small format LED UV flatbed, the UJF-3042HG. The addition of the HG variant to this range gives users a machine capable of printing to almost any rigid substrate or object with vibrant process colour, opaque white ink (perfect for achieving high quality colour yield on dark coloured or clear materials) and even a varnish. The UJF-3042HG accepts objects up to 150mm thick, a feature Hybrid maintains will open up significant opportunities for print providers to brand, imprint and decorate almost any object up to A3 in footprint.
Andy Lewis, technical manager, Hybrid, says: “If you're looking to understand how investing in wide format hardware can help your business, or if you've got any questions on getting the most out of your Mimaki, then come and talk to the experts - we're here to help!"
Apart from the new printer launches Hybrid will be showing a large selection of Mimaki's printing and cutting solutions for the outdoor, textile and industrial markets with machines from 60cm right up to 3.2m in size.
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Digit Print 2012 LogoFaversham House Group has reported widespread industry support for its new show, Digital Print UK, which takes place at the NEC this year on September 18th-20th.
“We have been busy meeting with the industry and the reaction has been very positive” says Alan Caddick, senior marketing manager. Confirmed supporters for the show include the BPIF (British Printing Industries Federation) and BAPC (British Association for Print and Communication) which indicates it will be an important platform from which their members can benefit.
Dale Wallis, membership director, BPIF, says: “It is evident that there is a growing need for a show focused on the UK digital print market. Digital Print UK will cover every aspect of a printers needs. It will provide valuable information, innovative solutions and showcase the equipment which will allow the existing potential in digital print to grow. This will have a positive impact on the sales opportunities for businesses and contribute to the healthy growth of the printing industry.”
The BAPC has confirmed its status as an official show supporter and will work alongside the organiser to promote the show's values to its membership.
Sidney Bobb, chairman, BAPC, said: “Digital Print UK is an ideal opportunity for printers to see new technology which could help their operations. It also provides an important platform whereby business owners can meet with peers and suppliers to share experiences and discuss the issues of the day. Events such as Digital Print UK are vital to the UK marketplace particularly in these tough and competitive times. On show will be the latest hardware and software which could perhaps provide a much needed path to new income streams.”
Digital Print UK is being held at the beginning of the autumnal buying cycle and Faversham House Group believes it will be a fantastic opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers to actively demonstrate the benefits of their latest products and services to a highly targeted audience.
Chloe Thacker, marketing communications manager, Antalis McNaughton, said: “After the success of shows such as Sign + Digital UK last year, we have welcomed an event targeted specifically at the digital market. It is an important growth sector for Antalis McNaughton and we have put a lot of focus on developing our product offer in this area, especially with the launch of our new Digigreen grade. We’re confident the Digital Print UK show will help us get that message out to a wider audience.”
Paul Cassidy, segment marketing manager, Robert Horne Group and The Paper Company, added: “A focused show for commercial printers is a great idea. Both Robert Horne Group and The Paper Company are delighted to confirm that they are taking stands from which we will showcase our hardware, substrates, consumables, audit service and technical back up. We regularly do open days at our demonstration facilities in the UK and this exhibition helps us to carry on with that theme.”
A spokesperson for one leading supplier Mondi said: “The ongoing growth in the digital print market is reflected in our professional printing portfolio, which focuses on several key digital printing technologies, namely high-speed inkjet, HP Indigo, digital colour laser and hybrid printing. Digital Print UK is an excellent platform for key players in the digital printing industry and we are pleased to present our professional printing portfolio here to the UK market. Mondi will be exhibiting at stand D50, where visitors can learn more about our digital printing portfolio, which includes the well-known brands Color Copy, DNS® and NAUTILUS®.”
Press contact – Alan Caddick, Faversham House.
Tel: 0044 (0) 208 651 7074
http://www.digitalprintuk.net/
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The shortlist of finalists for the Sign + Digital UK Awards on March 28th, 2012 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, is now available.
Now in its second year, event organisers Faversham House Group said entry standards were exceptional, displaying some of the industry’s most creative talent. With over 60 entries submitted across the 10 categories, competition was high and Sign + Digital’s judging panel of industry experts had a challenge to produce the final shortlist.
For full details view the awards shortlist here.
Winners will be named March 28th, the evening of the middle day of the Sign + Digital UK exhibition at the NEC.
Sign + Digital has engaged TV comedian Seann Walsh to host the evening. Seann, a regular on UK TV, has permanent spots on Argumental as a team captain and on Stand Up for the Week as a weekly featured comic. He has also been a guest on a number of popular comedy and panel shows including Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and 8 out of 10 Cats.
Table bookings
To book your tickets/table call 0044 (0) 208 651 7091 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To download the awards table booking form please click here
Sponsorship
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities contact the team on 0044 (0) 208 651 7091 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." rel="nofollow">'+addy_text30664+'<\/a>'; //-->
For further information about product launches, seminar timetables and all other show news, visit the show website www.signanddigitaluk.com
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HP Indigo press 5500J Thomson Colour Printers, one of Scotland’s leading print companies, has installed its second HP Indigo press 5500 just three years after establishing a digital printing division.
The Glasgow-based company services most industry sectors including advertising, commercial, construction, education, financial services, government to tourism and retail and has over 50 years’ experience in print and communications. The investment aims to increase its digital printing capabilities in order to manage a growing demand for its services.
“We decided to install a second HP Indigo press 5500 because demand for our digital print services is still growing," says Kevin Creechan, managing director, J. Thomson Colour Printers. “The new HP Indigo press has increased our production capacity significantly and we can now turnaround the growing amount of orders within the short timeframe our customers have come to expect.”
Creechan attributes this rise in business in part to the extremely good quality, yet cost-effective print that his company’s existing and latest HP Indigo press enables it to provide to its customers.
“These consistent and high-quality results have really helped us to migrate existing jobs from litho to digital, win repeat business and maximise new business opportunities,” he adds.
The family-owned company offers an extensive range of tailored, high-quality products such as annual reports, brochures, prospectuses, magazines and direct mail to a variety of blue-chip customers across a wide-variety of market sectors.
Creechan adds that despite the current downturn the digital market is growing worldwide. The company believes that with this latest HP Indigo press it can now target new market sectors and expand its digital print services further to take full advantage of short run and variable data printing that are made possible with digital print technology.
The company also plans to introduce the HP Indigo white ink option kit which enables print service providers (PSPs) to create a number of unique applications by printing on specialised substrates such as transparent, metallic or coloured media, enabling greater creativity for customers, especially where marketing and sales collateral is concerned.
“During the last few years that we have been working together, HP has provided fantastic technical support and the training,” said Creechan. “We consider them to be the current number one in the digital market, and with HP’s backing, our business can only get stronger.”
More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.
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Mimaki JV400-160LXIf innovative products and technologies is where it’s at then Mimaki’s launch of a complete range of wide format printers, new inks and environmentally friendly solutions for the sign, display and graphics markets will certainly turn heads. The company’s new and first JV400-130LX and JV400-160LX printers feature state-of-the-art Mimaki latex inks and are the first machines to incorporate the firm’s cutting edge print engine. Other ink types are on the way and will deliver a significant number of applications based upon the same platform and include Mimaki’s pioneering SUV ink – available shortly after the new latex machines.
New Mimaki latex ink
Up to now HP dominated the headlines on latex. But Mimaki’s offering, the first latex solution to offer a white ink which sits along side six process colours, may change that.
Latex inks deliver significant advantages over alternative solutions. They need a very low heat to cure, opening up more materials to produce on, consuming substantially less energy and therefore minimising running costs. These new Mimaki latex inks are supplied in 600cc ink packs and when used with Mimaki’s eco-cases, the company claims they reduce waste and allow for long unattended print runs.
Latex ink is an aqueous, resin-based technology with proven eco friendly qualities and zero odours. This should make the machines ideal for installation in shops, education establishments and office spaces – as well as traditional print companies and graphics setups.
Pre, print and post heaters typically running below 60°C in combination with built in drying fans aid the fast curing of the Mimaki latex ink. With no gassing off required, post print lamination can take place immediately thereby shortening total job time for print suppliers.
New Printers
The 1.3m and 1.6m wide Mimaki JV400-LX printers feature what Mimaki term a unique piezo print head, offering the usual advantages over alternative technologies: no requirement for frequent user head replacement, a four picolitre dot size along with variable dot technology. Mimaki says use of piezo heads further supports it’s environmental and sustainability credentials with waste minimised and quality maintained throughout the printhead’s life.
Pre, print and post heaters typically running below 60°C in combination with built in drying fans aid the fast curing of the Mimaki latex ink. Add in the print speeds – up to 18m2/h at 900 x 900dpi – and the firm believes the JV400-LX range delivers a compelling solution across a broad range of applications.
New super durable UV ink
Mimaki’s unique SUV ink set will be available soon after the Mimaki latex range and will utilise the same print engine. Combining the flexibility of solvent with the durability of UV cured inks; the company maintains the newly developed ink delivers a glossy result that is extremely durable and vibrant. It will feature on the new Mimaki JV400-130SUV and 160SUV models and deliver the same speed and quality.
The high durability results from the unique ink recipe – with components of the ink keying to the ink-receiving layer of the media. The link surface is then cured using a UV process which produces a vibrant, durable and flexible finish making it ideal for banner production, pull ups and display materials – or any application where a combination of vibrant colour and a long-lasting, scratch resistant print is important.
Expanding range of solutions
John de la Roche, national sales manager, Hybrid Services Ltd (Mimaki’s distributor for the UK and Ireland since 1996) says: “The Mimaki latex and SUV inks that feature on the new JV400 line-up are incredible launches for the company. The level and quality of R&D that’s coming to market from Mimaki deliver an ever-expanding range of solutions for our customers and with the new models, we’re even more confident of providing exactly what they need.”
The UK & Irish launch of the Mimaki JV400-LX latex printer will take place on Hybrid’s stand at Sign & Digital UK 2012 next month.
Further details on the new products are at www.hybridservices.co.uk
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Robert Booth (L) managing director and Andrew Whittle (R) director, Bridgeshire PackagingBridgeshire Packaging has installed the world’s first HP Scitex FB7600 industrial press to increase productivity of POP/POS display units. The company, based in Derbyshire, UK, specialises in three-dimensional cardboard POS, free standing units, counter display units, pallet displays and off-shelf merchandisers.
Launched in October 2011, the HP Scitex FB7600 industrial press is a high-volume production printer that delivers high-end print on a wide range of substrates in thicknesses up to 25mm. Using UV-curable ink, the press operates in eight print modes with a maximum output of 95 full-size sheets per hour (500 m2/hr). Bridgeshire Packaging is employing the press, which can be used for printing films, papers and synthetics, to produce high-end quality POP/POS displays, primarily on corrugated board.
Andrew Whittle, director, Bridgeshire Packaging, said: “Investing in the FB7600 press was a big step and we followed a careful decision-making process. Our objective was to improve our production efficiency and reduce turnaround times.”
With national and international brand retail and industrial customers continuing to demand display and packaging products within 48 and 24 hours, the company had to look for a production press that could meet these challenges.
“Already we are asking ourselves how we managed without the FB7600,” Whittle said. “The new press gives us increased production capabilities so we are able to expand our capacity. We’re now in the process of building a sales team dedicated to the digital market and plan to increase the number of shifts we operate.”
Bridgeshire Packaging’s HP Scitex FB7600 press was installed last November and was fully operational by the second week of December.
The company started out in 1989 as a conventional corrugated manufacturer and has since evolved into a one-stop print service provider offering design, conventional and digital print, die-cutting, collating, assembly and distribution services. Apart from POP/POS displays, it designs and produces CDUs, FSUs and pallet displays.
Whittle added: “At present about 95 per cent of the output on the FB7600 press is on corrugated board, but we also run Foamex as well a vinyl’s and correx for outdoor banners on the new press as well.”
Bridgeshire Packaging also has strong environmental interests and recycles waste corrugated into products including fuel, animal bedding and its patented Pal-foot, a transit packaging solution for rigid bodied products (like white goods) and POS displays.
“I’m very impressed with the production and efficiency of our HP Scitex FB7600 industrial press,” Whittle concluded. “It is meeting our objectives of improved quality and cost-effectiveness, and is reducing turnaround times, enabling us to satisfy customer demands and our business goals.”
More information is available at www.hp.com/go/scitex or www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts, or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.
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MD of Readyprint Ltd, Syd Reading, with the first HP Indigo WS4600 Digital Press installed in the UKInteresting news from HP is that Readyprint of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, has installed the first HP Indigo WS4600 digital press in the UK to offer digital label converting services to increase competitiveness.
Readyprint is an established label converter supplying high-quality labels to a broad base of retail and industrial customers, including well-known national and international brands. The new HP Indigo WS4600 digital press will complement Readyprint’s comprehensive range of flexographic label presses.
“I am convinced that within three to five years, those companies without a digital capability will have a struggle to retain their ability to meet customer demands,” said Syd Reading, founder and managing director, Readyprint. “Although we had the option of contracting out digital print, we decided that we wanted to retain control of the process and the quality.”
The company has also invested in additional finishing equipment, a Digicon Lite and an Omega RTS330 folder from A B Graphic International, an HP finishing partner, which the company has had configured to its own specification.
The HP Indigo WS4600 digital press offers label converters four-colour printing at speeds up to 15m/min and up to 21m/min in the new enhanced productivity mode. For one and two colour work, the press runs for up to 50m/min and can handle a wide range of pressure-sensitive stocks and films up to 350 microns.
The HP Indigo WS4600 digital press also supports HP ElectroInk White and HP ElectroInk Invisible Red which can be used to add anti-counterfeiting components like invisible barcodes and various other security features.
“We are certainly interested in doing more than labels on the press,” Reading continued. “Apart from the ability to print labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and folding cartons, the ability to add security features to products adds value and gives us great flexibility for our future development as well as an immediate competitive edge.”
He added: “The installation of the WS4600 press is part of our strategic development which will include moving into ecommerce and a new website for our customers with enhanced online ordering.”
More information is available on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.
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Faversham House Group, organiser of Sign+Digital UK has just announced it is the 25th anniversary of the show which serves the UK’s sign and digital industry.
To mark the milestone, the show will feature an anniversary gallery. Here, visitors and exhibitors alike can view a whole host of historical sign-making products and equipment, as well as pictures of important and influential people who have worked in and helped to shape the industry over the past quarter of a century.
To ensure the gallery’s success the organisers are asking the industry for help. They want photographs and any examples of equipment, tools or work produced during this era. So if you have anything you think might suit the gallery exhibition, either equipment or historical photographs of the show or yourself working, even funny hairstyles or clothes – please let the organisers know.
All you have to do to be involved in the 25th Anniversary Gallery is email a member of the show team at the following address with the subject heading “25th Anniversary Gallery”.
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