Allows production of cost-effective proofs and prototypes on-demand
Print and packaging specialist, Fingerprint FO+, wanted a proofing, prototyping and short-run production solution that could match its versatile offset technology, and found it in Roland’s VersaUV LEC-540.
l-R Allan Ashman of Atech, with Doug McBride and Foad Saberian, MD of Fingerprint FO+ The UK Company says that the new machine allows it to create accurate packaging prototypes and short-run applications from its desktop computers onto exactly the same range of media it puts through its two Heidelberg Speedmasters.
The company regularly prints on a broad range of substrates from polypropylene, PVCs, foils and boards to more specialist substrates like Mirri reflective media. It also produces applications using clings and lenticular effects. As such, it was critical that Fingerprint FO+ was able to produce cost-effective proofs and prototypes on-demand, as well as short runs and specials, using the actual materials used for the main print run.
In this respect the Roland VersaUV LEC-540, provided by Atech, a Roland Authorised Dealer, ticked every box on Fingerprint FO+’s criteria for generating mock-ups and to experiment with different materials. With a maximum width of 1370mm, high quality UV-curable ink and additional white and clear options, it has eliminated costly wet proofing and makes it a simple job to create concepts for customers and designers.
“Since we’ve taken ownership of the machine, we’ve gone far beyond just proofing and increasingly use it to trial new materials,” explained Doug McBride, sales director at Fingerprint FO+. “Previously we were working with an aqueous-based, wide-format unit for proofing but, whilst it could produce accurate colour, it didn’t offer the high levels of flexibility we get from this UV-curable system.”
Roland said the VersaUV LEC-540 is unique in the way it combines printing and cutting in a single unit for packaging and point-of-sale work and mock-ups. “For a company that specialises in producing innovative packaging and point-of-sale applications, the Roland VersaUV LEC-540 can open new doors to even greater creativity in the future,” commented Steve Chappell, Roland DG’s business. “At Fingerprint FO+, it’s quickly proved to be the ideal solution for prototyping and experimenting with new materials and finishes. Additionally, this integrated print-and-cut system with its durable, flexible UV-curable inks is the only machine of its kind which can produce design concepts and short-run applications in a single unit.”
Roland VersaUV LEC-540 Chappell added that Roland’s VersaUV LEC print-and-cut series is becoming increasingly attractive to companies in the commercial print, packaging and label sectors that want an efficient, colour-accurate proofing system.
“Its compact footprint is complemented by the fact it only needs a standard 13 amp power supply, thus making it a very cost-effective unit both in purchase and usage terms,” he emphasised.
Available in two sizes of 762mm and 1370mm, the Roland VersaUV LEC-540 chosen by Fingerprint FO+ is the larger option. It incorporates low energy LED-curing with long-life lamps that are able to work with a broad of range of traditionally tricky and sensitive materials without damaging the surface or buckling the media.
Further information about Fingerprint FO+ contact:
Tel: 0044 (0) 1707 322996
For details on Roland DG’s VersaUV LEC-540:
Tel: 0044 (0) 845 230 90 60
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Commercial and large format services provided at one-stop-shop
McGowans Print Ltd has continued to grow its business using HP digital printing technologies, enabling it to offer innovative commercial and large format printing services to its customers.
HP-Indigo-7500-Digital-PressThe company’s client base spans many market sectors including design and advertising agencies, financial and governmental organisations and the retail market. It operates two HP Indigo 5500s and an HP Indigo 7500 Digital Press for general commercial print, which makes up 30 per cent of its work.
One of the aspects that make McGowans stand out from its competitors is the company’s passion for technology. Throughout the years it has steadily invested in the best equipment available on the market to ensure it can provide innovative solutions as well as ensuring quality, reliability and competitively priced products for its customers.
Mal McGowan, managing director of McGowans Print Ltd said:
"Commercial print was hit hard by the current economic situation. However, because of our digital capabilities and the ability to do shorter print runs, our business is holding up and growing. The demand for targeted marketing materials has increased, and there has been a steady growth in personalisation in print. When the market is in recession, this ability to be flexible enables us to keep our existing customers happy and attract new customers. Digital printing is the answer."
McGowans has also recently expanded, adding a production facility in Belfast and a sales office in London to its existing 60,000 square foot facility in Dublin, where the company currently employs 70 people.
With the HP Indigo 7500 Digital Press, McGowans utilises the optional Thick Substrate Kit to print on materials up to 400 g/m2/460 microns. The retail market, one of their main customer groups, benefits from the company’s ability to print on non-tear paper. McGowans also uses web-to-print services to fulfil orders for established brands.
The HP Indigo 7500 Digital Press can print up to 120 A4 pages per minute and supports a wide variety of substrates, including coated and uncoated, and specialty media, such as plastic papers. It also has a white ink option which can be used on transparent, metallic and coloured media.
As well as the three HP Indigo Digital Presses, McGowans has several large format printers including an HP Scitex TJ8300 Industrial Press, HP Scitex LX800, HP Scitex LX600 Industrial Latex Printers and an HP Scitex FB7500 Industrial Press. Both HP Latex Ink printers enable the company to offer indoor and outdoor applications, POP displays, vehicle wraps as well as attracting environmentally conscious customers.
McGowans has a full turnkey solution which has contributed to the company's growth. Its suite of products enables printing on anything from business cards up to a building wrap which means it can provide a ‘one stop shop’ for customers of all sizes.
McGowan added:
"There has been considerable growth in digital commercial print due to a reduction in print-run lengths, and with faster and more cost-effective machines being developed this market will continue to grow. We have been enthusiastic about HP for a long time since purchasing our first Indigo back in 1994 and we know that HP products will continue to help us meet the latest demands of our customers."
McGowans has also installed the first Scodix S74 in Ireland, to complement its digital offering and add value to products.
More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts
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Xennia Technology, part of specialist materials company TenCate which is headquartered in the Netherlands, plans to launch its Zircon digital ink set for ceramic tile decoration in China. Xennia is embarking on this roll out due to the successful implementation of the ink in Europe.
Zircon-High-performance-inkjet-ink-for-ceramic-tile-decorationDesigned for difficult manufacturing environments, Xennia claims its Zircon inks provide ceramic tile producers with the opportunity to create designs with colour strength and density previously difficult to achieve with single pass digital production systems.
Dr Alan Hudd, managing director, Xennia said: “We are excited to be introducing Xennia’s Zircon ink set to the Asian market. China is the largest ceramic tile manufacturing country in the world and inkjet adoption is growing at a rapid rate. Zircon has been proven in production ceramic tile factories for over one year in Europe and is now available for all ceramic tile producers in China looking to create high quality ceramic tiles with excellent printing performance and reliability.”
With a history in inkjet stretching over 15 years, Xennia says it is the only ceramic ink supplier with roots in inkjet technology. This, it claims, generates the understanding necessary to deliver products focused on production reliability and productivity, providing a significant competitive advantage to customers. It added that the Zircon inks range leverages the benefit of Xennia’s industrial inkjet expertise to deliver unrivalled single pass jetting reliability. Xennia’s Zircon inks have been running successfully in Hope Ceramics Machinery’s Hope Jet printer over the past ten months.
Xennia is at the Ceramics China Exhibition, May 28th-31st, Guangzhou (hall 3.1, at stand C009-4)
www.xennia.com
www.tencate.com
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Canon and Océ exhibited its combined portfolio at the Canon stand at drupa this year. Co-developed, new and future technologies were on show as part of what Canon claimed were ‘the broadest range of professional print technologies and solutions in the industry’. They hope to persuade Print Service Providers (PSPs) that this new technology can expand their services, open up new markets and increase long-term productivity and revenues.
Canon-InnovationSince the launch of the jointly-developed Canon imagePRESS C7010VPS and C7010VP series, the two companies have worked closely together to develop digital printing solutions such as a high capacity stacker that offers unlimited stacking capacity via an ‘unload-while-printing’ functionality that facilitates continuous production, reduces foot print and the need for further investment. It has a high stacking accuracy that is ideal for feeding into offline post-processing equipment and the capability to configure stack height – ensuring exact output to input if post-processing is done at another location.
Also exhibited on the stand was the new Océ ColorWave 650 Poster Printer, a specialised version of the Océ ColorWave 650. The new press is aimed at the POS market and can print on a variety of paper sizes at speeds of 155 A1 sheets per hour. A key feature of the new device is that prints are instantly dry, water resistant, cut to size and ready to be mounted.
New additions to the Océ ColorStream 3000 range also announced were the entry-level Océ ColorStream 3200 and a high-speed Océ ColorStream 3900, which join the Océ ColorStream 3700.
The new Océ digital full-colour inkjet printing systems were developed for transactional print providers and offer a range of speeds and proficient ink and colour management.
Another new product highlighted was the new Océ JetStream 4300, the latest system from the continuous feed inkjet portfolio. The 200 metres per minute, full colour production printer offers PSPs the opportunity to produce books, magazines, newspaper and transactional print at short and medium lengths.
Visitors to the Canon stand had the opportunity to see the future of large format printing in the concept product – Velocity. The large format digital printer combines high-speed Memjet Inkjet technology with Océ workflow to print up to 500 A0 colour prints per hour.
Incorporating the same six media roll capacity of the Océ ColorWave 600/650, Velocity combines five Memjet inkjet printheads, to operate simultaneously, applying up to three billion drops of ink per second. Coupled with a width path of 106 cm (42”), it is claimed the machine will deliver a new level of large format print productivity to the CAD, GIS and GA markets.
“Today’s announcements are yet a further demonstration of how Canon and Océ are stronger together,” said David Preskett, European Professional Print Director, Canon Europe. “Through continuous product development and innovation, Canon can help customers take advantage of new opportunities.”
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Heidelberger Druckmaschinen and Landa Corporation have announced a global partnership to develop Nanographic Printing Presses. The purpose of the joint venture is to expand mainstream printing, including short-to-medium runs, variable data and quick turnaround printing. Heidelberg says it intends to develop, manufacture, sell and service a new generation of digital printing presses based upon Landa’s nanographic printing technology.
Bernhard Schreier, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGBernhard Schreier, Heidelberg CEO and Chairman of the Management Board, said: "Heidelberg is announcing this strategic partnership to signal to the market our commitment to our customers. We are keenly aware of their need for high volume and high speed. It is those needs that led us to develop our benchmark Anicolor systems and the very successful partnership with Ricoh on dry toner-based digital presses. And it is those same needs that led us to embrace Landa Nanography for a new generation of digital presses for commercial printing. The fact is, our customers need both offset and digital. The Landa Nanographic Printing process will enable us to offer digital versatility with the strength of offset for which Heidelberg is renowned.”
Benny Landa, founder, Chairman and CEO of Landa Corporation, stated that the alliance was a major step towards industry-wide adoption of Nanography for mainstream digital printing “For the foreseeable future,” he said “offset and digital will not only co-exist, but will complement one another — offset for medium-to-longer jobs and digital for short-to-medium run lengths. Now there is a digital printing technology that has both the speed and customer economics to fill that role – and Heidelberg is certainly well-positioned to take it to market.”
Benny Landa, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Landa CorporationAt the heart of the Nanographic Printing process is Landa’s water-based NanoInkTM. Comprised of pigment particles tens of nanometres in size, these nano-pigments absorb light and enable unique image quality. The system is characterised by ultra-sharp dots of extremely high uniformity, high gloss fidelity and the broadest CMYK colour gamut.
Ink ejectors apply the ink to the printing stock at extremely high speeds creating images with remarkable abrasion and scratch resistance. Most notably, it can print on any off-the-shelf substrate, from coated and uncoated paper stocks to recycled carton; from newsprint to plastic packaging films — all without requiring any kind of pre-treatment or special coating - and no post-drying.
Landa concluded, “I take great personal pride in announcing this global partnership between our two companies. Heidelberg’s reputation for quality and technological innovation is legendary, as is their extraordinary level of customer loyalty. Their technological and market strengths, as well as their focus on excellence, are a great fit with Landa and we are very excited about this important alliance.”
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Printers competing for profitable colour jobs are using Xerox’s Confident Colour programme to guarantee customer satisfaction and stimulate demand, according to the company.
Xerox Chairman & CEO Ursula BurnsXerox maintains it takes the uncertainty out of colour management, so repeatable, consistent colour can be achieved quickly and easily. But it realises this can’t be done with technology alone, so the programme includes consulting, business development, partner services and custom solutions.
Frank Romano, professor emeritus, school of print media, Rochester Institute of Technology said: “As print professionals deal with different printing devices, usually in the same plant, the need for colour consistency is critical. Xerox has faced this challenge and brought reliable colour printing into the 21st century.
Automation essential
On the technology front, Xerox says its digital presses are the only ones that automate all three major steps in the colour management process: calibration, profiling and hitting spot colours.
Calibration and profiling are managed with Xerox’s Automated Colour Quality Suite (ACQS), which maintains colour precision for all applications, including marketing collateral, brochures and direct mail pieces. Xerox says this automation not only saves time but ensures colour consistency on every job and across multiple print engines.
REAL Digital International in the UK relies on Xerox’s technology to guarantee colour consistency, shorter production times and lower costs.
“With the matte dry ink, the iGen4® EXP presses have allowed us to build a leading market share based on superlative colour,” said David Laybourne, managing director, REAL Digital International. “With these presses, we know the colour quality will be the same from one sheet to 50,000 sheets. The confidence that instils in our customers is very important.”
Expert advice
Canadian company Mimic Print & Media Services said Xerox’s Confident Colour helped triple its print volume while delivering consistent colour quality on applications such as corporate logos and brochures. The company has also reduced production times – in some cases turning jobs in less than 24 hours.
“Xerox’s colour consulting team provided the assistance we needed,” said Laura Ambrozic, president, Mimic Print & Media Services. “The training absolutely gave us a competitive advantage and I don’t believe there’s another colour management consultant organisation available that can touch Xerox.”
Additional offerings and resources of Xerox Confident Colour include:
• Xerox Business Development Consulting Services and ProfitAccelerator® tools;
• Xerox Production Colour Consultants;
• Business Innovation Partner Solutions, such as CGS-ORIS and CMI;
• Customised solutions can be developed for unique colour management requirements;
To learn more about Confident Colour visit www.xerox.com/confidentcolour
http://news.xerox.com/pr/xerox/xerox-confident-color-program-and-helps-print-professionals.aspx
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FTSE4Good logoRicoh has been recognised by the FTSE4 Good Index Series for the ninth consecutive year following an analysis of its corporate social responsibility activities. The assessment, conducted by Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions (EIRIS), reviewed critical areas such as environmental management, climate change, human and labour rights, supply-chain labour standards and countering bribery.
Ricoh was particularly recognised for its environmental policy and environmental management, achieving a "best practice" rating in these areas. These categories considered a range of criteria that included commitment to using objectives and targets, monitoring and auditing, public reporting, stakeholder involvement, product or service impacts and the presence of documented objectives and targets.
Ricoh stressed that sustainability is one of the core attributes of the Ricoh brand and makes up a key part of the company identity. It said that it had a clear set of targets up to 2050, whereby it aims to reduce energy, resource and pollution by 87.5 per cent compared to 2000 levels.
Chas Moloney, marketing director, Ricoh UK and Ireland said. "Ricoh views business, society and the planet as interconnected. It strives to be a company people are proud to work for, going beyond compliance to encourage responsible growth wherever possible. By linking its commitment to forward-thinking business strategies, it promotes development that is profitable and sustainable at customer sites as well as its own operations."
"We want to be part of a society that recycles its resources, minimising energy consumption and environmental impact. We are proactive in helping our customers to make their workflow more efficient while reducing environmental impacts. At the same time we are committed to driving CSR projects that address local social issues from local perspectives by utilising our business resources to help develop a sustainable society."
Visit www.ricoh.com/environment for more information.
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Duran logoThe Israeli company, Highcon, has announced it has been cooperating with Duran Machinery to perform digital cutting and creasing on folding carton packages that then pass to Duran’s Omega folding gluing machines.
Highcon has developed a unique patented converting solution for the folding carton finishing market and its first product, the Highcon Euclid, will be presented at drupa 2012.The tie-up with Duran Machinery is part of Highcon’s strategy of building partnerships to support its customers.
With over 23 years experience in producing folder gluers, Duran Machinery has established Omega as one of the best-known brands in the business.
Chris Baker, Highcon Vice President of sales and business development commented: "Once packages have been cut and creased on the Highcon Euclid, they need to continue smoothly to the folding gluing station. Therefore we are delighted that one of the industry leaders has agreed to cooperate with us. We firmly believe the new Highcon Direct-to-Pack category will be an industry game-changer.”
Pinar Kucukaras, Duran Machinery sales and marketing director added: "Duran Machinery has already demonstrated its commitment to packaging solutions. We have been impressed with the direction the Highcon team is taking and are pleased to be able to cooperate on ensuring a seamless integration with our machines which are installed in over 50 countries around the world."
More information can be found at their respective booths at drupa in Dusseldorf, Germany, May 3-16.
Highcon booth: Hall 4, B28
Duran Machinery booth: Hall 10, E59
MOD 
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The HP Latex Application Tour will embark on a roadshow across Spain and Portugal
HP marches on – or should I say drives – with new dates announced for the Iberian leg of its European Latex Applications tour. The concept is simple. Take a 16.5m-long customised truck and trailer designed to demonstrate the opportunities available to print service providers (PSPs) using HP latex printing technologies and go on the road.
Having recently visited a host of European countries HP’s roadshow now heads for Spain and Portugal.
The European Latex Applications tour for 2012 is equipped with a few new introductions, including the recently-announced HP Designjet L28500 Printer. Visitors to the truck will also see the newly updated interior decoration featuring a cafeteria-style creative applications centre using indoor decorative textiles, wallpapers and double-sided banners.
Each event is crafted to show how incorporating HP latex printers, inks and compatible HP substrates into their operations can help deliver business enhancing opportunities to PSPs. The events will feature informative presentations, customer testimonials, hands-on workshops and live product demonstrations on the 2.64m (104in) wide HP Designjet L28500 Printer.
The dates for the Spain and Portugal legs of the Latex Applications tour are:
• May 7th: HP, Sant Cugat
• May 8th: Gerona
• May 9th: Barcelona
• May 10th: Valencia
• May 11th: Murcia
• May 15th: Málaga
• May 17th: Lisboa
• May 18th: Oporto
• May 21st: Vigo
• May 22nd: Oviedo
• May 23rd: Donosti
• May 24th: León
• May 28th-30th: Madrid
HP stresses that the tour will focus on how users can expand their applications offering and undertake innovative graphic arts projects that can maximise the multi-substrate printing capability of HP latex printers. Using the new cafeteria-style interior, sessions will showcase the new market opportunities enabled by the versatility of latex ink including non-traditional signage applications.
The roadshow also explains the environmental benefits offered by HP Latex Printing solutions and how these technologies can help PSPs to limit the impact of their operations on the environment, while also fulfilling certain stipulations required of their own customers. Previously impossible applications, such as printing for enclosed spaces, lifts, or places where strict regulations are in place, as in hospitals and restaurants, are also possible using HP Latex Ink printers.
The tour also aims to show existing users of HP latex printers how the HP Latex University can help them get the most from their HP latex printer investment. This complimentary initiative gives users access to a comprehensive set of resources and training materials, including those focusing on textile printing or vehicle wrapping.
Additionally, the truck features a new flatbed area showcasing some of the many applications achievable using devices like the HP Scitex FB500 Printer, which handles rigid substrates such as wood, glass and ceramics.
For exact venues, timings and updates on the full tour schedule and to register for a session please see www.latextour.com
More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts
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