EFI announces availability of PrintMe Mobile 2.1

EFI today announced the availability of PrintMe® Mobile 2.1, the company's award-winning enterprise mobile print solution. The latest additions in PrintMe Mobile software provide greater flexibility to integrate with diverse network, security and communications infrastructures and make installation even easier. PrintMe Mobile enables enterprise IT to scale a mobile printing infrastructure to support any mobile device for thousands of users across a heterogeneous printer environment. A full version of EFI PrintMe Mobile software is available for download and a free 45-day trial at www.efi.com/printmemobile.

PrintMe Mobile is a cost-effective, scalable and secure on-premises mobile printing software solution that is easy to use, deploy, support and manage. PrintMe Mobile is the only enterprise software solution that enables direct Wi-Fi printing for iPads, iPhones, and Android devices, to all existing networked printers. IT departments can install PrintMe Mobile and deliver mobile printing on any printer connected to the network in as little as 20 minutes. EFI PrintMe Mobile includes the following new features:

• PrintMe Mobile Link - free add-on software that enables Wi-Fi printing across complex, multi-subnet wireless network configurations.
• Proxy Server Support - provides easy set up for network configurations that require an internet proxy server.
• Microsoft Exchange Server - PrintMe Mobile now supports Microsoft Exchange Server over HTTPS as well as IMAP and POP protocols.
• Mobile Printing Reports - an improved reporting capability allows export for further data analysis. Print management software can now automatically track mobile printing jobs.

Meeting the Unique Requirements of Enterprise Mobile Printing

According to a recent report by Quocirca, the diversity of mobile platforms and printer hardware makes implementing an enterprise mobile print strategy far from simple. Organisations face a complex array of hardware, software and service offerings, which vary both by mobile platform and printer device. Businesses cannot afford to ignore the consumerisation impact on enterprise printing. If they do, consumers will bypass IT and potentially use consumer printer apps which offer IT no real levels of corporate security or control on what is printed.

"The future of enterprise printing will increasingly be shaped by consumer trends. The extent to which organisations and vendors can harness this trend will determine success or failure," said Louella Fernandes, principal consultant at Quocirca. "Organisations must balance a mobile print strategy with security, cost, business process requirements, user needs and delivery models. Quocirca believes that PrintMe Mobile is ideally suited to enterprises that are looking for a flexible solution that provides a universal approach to printing across a mixed device fleet and multiple mobile OS platforms."

Growing Demand across Vertical Markets

PrintMe Mobile uniquely enables all printers on an enterprise network to be capable of AirPrint-like Wi-Fi printing from Apple iPads and iPhones as well as Android devices. This is particularly useful in markets where adoption rates of iPad tablets are growing.

"Zeno Office Solutions is seeing increased demand from our customer base for a mobile print solution that can provide direct Wi-Fi printing from the iPad and which works in a multi-vendor printer environment," said Keith Roher, vice president of sales for Zeno in Tampa, Fla. "We have successfully installed PrintMe Mobile at several customers recently and find EFI's enterprise mobile print software to be an ideal solution because it covers all of our customers' mobile print needs in all of the markets we serve."

"Knowledge workers are adopting tablets for their flexibility and convenience, and are integrating these devices into their daily routines at work. But unlike laptops and PCs, tablets were not built with printing in mind," said John Henze, vice president of Fiery marketing for EFI. "PrintMe Mobile leverages more than a decade of mobile printing innovation to provide a solution that enterprise customers need today. We are removing the barriers to mobile printing, and letting users print when they want to from whatever device they have."

For more information, please visit www.efi.com

New Canon research highlights customer communication as key to unlocking growth opportunities

A comprehensive new research study from Canon Europe among business professionals with responsibility for procuring print highlights that digital Print Service Providers (PSPs) are missing opportunities to grow their business through increased customer communication. The research is presented in Canon’s fourth Insight Report â€"The Bigger Picture, which will be published at drupa 2012.

Based on 420 telephone interviews with senior decision-makers in corporate organisations and marketing and creative agencies across Europe, the findings confirm that print is still a highly valued component of the marketing mix. Nearly 90% of respondents see professional print as important to their organisation - 15%, in fact, say that print is ‘critical’ and more than 70% see it becoming more important or remaining as important.

Highlights from the research include:

• Greater education of print buyers could deliver significant additional business for printers â€" 36% of the buyers surveyed were unaware of print-on-demand
• Over 70% of buyers view print to be as effective or more effective than any other media in the communications mix
• Positive outlook for print â€" Over 70% of print buyers see print becoming more important for their organisation or remaining as important as it is now
• Only 10% of buyers cite ‘lowest cost’ as key selection criterion for printer; primary factor is value for money

The responses indicate that print service providers are missing opportunities to raise awareness to their customers of the capabilities of digital print, so buyers may be far from clear about what digital print can do for them. For example, over a third of the buyers surveyed were unaware of print-on-demand, even though speed to market is a key driver in selecting media channels for marketing. Likewise, a third were unaware of the scope for short run publishing, and almost half are not using targeted customised direct mail.

This point is supported by the fact that more than half of customers, when questioned about proactivity in offering advice and guidance, indicated that their print service providers do not make them aware of new print developments or alternatives.

Respondents are confident of the effectiveness of print, with 71% perceiving it to be equally effective or more effective than any other type of media in the communications mix. The proven effectiveness of print is cited as one of the key drivers of print’s anticipated future growth, as is print’s increased use as a support mechanism for online and cross media. Print is also considered a key component of multi-channel communications, which respondents see as the most effective way to maximise reach and exposure.

While the study also confirms what many already know - that ‘value for money’ is the primary factor in choosing a PSP â€"only 10% cite ‘lowest cost’ as their key selection criteria, whereas 20% prioritise print quality.

Regarding the quality of service that printers are providing to customers, 97% of respondents reported that their PSPs meet their print communications needs and a similar percentage perceive their PSP to offer value for money. However, taking into account the buyers’ lack of awareness, this high level of satisfaction may be in part due to their ignorance of what information they’re not receiving.

Mark Lawn, European Marketing Director, Professional Print Solutions, Canon Europe observes, “There is an enormous opportunity for printers to educate their customers and raise awareness of what print â€" especially customised print on demand â€" can do to reinforce their brand and increase the effectiveness of their marketing efforts. Customers are actively looking for better education, more creative input and insights into print innovations. It is clear, therefore, that printers are missing out on significant potential opportunities for growth and need to communicate far more frequently with their customers, putting aside any presumptions they may have about the level of their customers’ knowledge. Printers who take a more confident and consultative approach can grow their business and make their relationships stronger.”

Canon’s focus at drupa 2012 will be on helping printers to see the bigger picture and actively use their digital investments as a catalyst to accelerate their business growth. Canon’s new research proves that the opportunities are significant and the company will be using this research to shape the support it gives to printers who visit the Canon stand (Hall 8a, Stand C06 â€" 1) at drupa 2012 (3 to 16 May) to ensure they are equipped to communicate the full potential of their digital print capabilities to customers.

Further in-depth interviews will be conducted with 30 respondents during March 2012 to probe more deeply into some of the challenges and opportunities identified by the first phase of the research.

FESPA reflects heightened interest in textile applications

FESPA Digital 2012 will reflect heightened interest and rapid growth of textile applications with two key visitor features: FESPA Fabric 2012 and the Textile Talk Theatre.

FESPA Fabric 2012 is a 1,000m2 ‘show-within-a-show’ dedicated to garment printing and decoration. This year in Barcelona it will feature more than 30 companies, showcasing the latest in promotional wear, machinery developments, innovative new inks, substrate advancements and embroidery solutions. The ever-popular Charlie’s Corner within FESPA Fabric gives visitors a chance to touch and try creating special printed effects on t-shirts in the expert hands of Charlie Taublieb.

Visitors to FESPA Fabric will see the winning design from FESPA’s T-shirt Competition brought to life. The competition attracted 11 entries and the winner was Veronique Verdyck of t-shirt print specialist Pas NV in Derune, Belgium. Veronique’s eye-catching design will be reproduced in Charlie’s Corner.

FESPA Managing Director Neil Felton explains, “FESPA Fabric started life as a garment printing zone within the main FESPA show in 2010, and is now in its third edition, underlining the continued significance of garment printing as a sector, be it for promotional apparel, sportswear, fast ready-to-wear fashion, and even prototyping for haute couture.

“The market for digital direct-to-garment is progressing fast, and the sector is evolving rapidly to keep pace with an increasingly globalised fashion market in which speed to market and capacity for personalisation and ultra-short run garment production are critical. Once again, FESPA Fabric will provide visitors with valuable insights into these changes and the technology and materials developments that are supporting them.”

Located within FESPA Fabric, the Textile Talk Theatre offers programmes of free educational content for printers working with textile substrates.

For garment printers specifically, leading garment expert Scott Fresener will chair sessions presented by an international line-up of industry specialists including: Jimmy Lamb and Ed Levy, two of the decorated apparel industry’s most knowledgeable and entertaining educators; global screen printing expert Mark Gervais and FESPA’s popular ‘Dr Print’, Charlie Taublieb.

Topics covered within the garment stream of the Textile Talk Theatre include: Secrets of High-End Screen Printing on Garments; High Fashion at Home; Great Prints Start with a Great Screen; Mass Customization and the Digital Supply Chain; The State of Direct-to-Garment Printing Today and Beyond; Success in Starting a Decorated Apparel Business; and Key Control Points for Successful Screen Printing; Decorating Diversity.

FESPA is also working in partnership with specialist publisher World Textile Information Network and Belgian textile federation Fedustria to present content around other textile-based products such as soft signage and industrial textiles for outdoor applications.

“Printing onto soft substrates is continuing to make huge inroads in FESPA’s community, for applications such as soft signage, flags and banners, tents and 3D inflatables, home decor, soft furnishings and interior architecture,” says Neil Felton. “Printer manufacturers have made their machines more flexible in the handling of textile substrates, and the substrate and ink suppliers have played a leading role in accelerating development. Successful printers are now harnessing their creativity to experiment with different applications, meaning that textile has ceased to be an ultra-specialist niche and is fast becoming a more mainstream aspect of an increasingly dynamic and innovative visual communications industry. Our content around the topic of digital printing onto textiles has evolved accordingly, and the Textile Talk Theatre programme offers some diverse insights into this exciting growth sector.”

FESPA Fabric and the Textile Talk Theatre are located at the heart of the FESPA Digital 2012 exhibition within the main show hall at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, and will run throughout the four-day event. Entrance to FESPA Fabric is covered by the main FESPA Digital visitor ticket.

FESPA news: HP showing Designjet L28500 and L26500 printers for first time at international ...

HP is demonstrating the improved versatility and durability of the new HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printers for the first time at an international tradeshow at FESPA Digital in Hall 3, stand G5.

Announced late last year, these two new HP Designjet printers are capable of handling a broader range of indoor and outdoor signage applications with better durability than eco-solvent inks.

Furthering HP's strategy to disrupt the eco-solvent market, HP says that the 2.64m (104in)-wide HP Designjet L28500 Printer delivers speeds up to 70 percent faster than the HP Designjet L25500 Printer, while the 1.55m (61in) HP Designjet L26500 Printer is ideal for customers entering the growing soft-signage market.

Both systems feature new HP 792 Latex Designjet Inks, which produce rich blacks and glossy results on banners and self-adhesive vinyl, and offer double-sided printing capabilities with less user intervention and more accurate, automated registration. Compatible with more than 500 media solutions, including the new HP Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner material, HP Latex Inks provide a consistent, reliable performance across a variety of substrates.

In November 2011, HP also launched HP Latex University, a set of training materials and application workshops led by industry experts, as well as the HP Ecosolutions Trained Printing Company programme for educating HP Latex Printing Technologies users in sustainability best practices.

"With about 9,000 HP Latex Ink systems installed worldwide, HP is offering a superior alternative to eco-solvent solutions that delivers the versatility and ease of use our customers demand while lowering their impact on the environment," said Santiago Morera, vice president and general manager, Large format Printing Business, HP. "By allowing customers to cost-effectively print a wide array of new applications and providing the training required to succeed, our current HP Latex portfolio helps PSPs differentiate their businesses and seize new growth opportunities."

Driving business growth with broad application versatility

Ideal for high-impact point-of-purchase displays, soft signage, bus shelters, vehicle graphics and more, the HP Designjet L28500 and L26500 Printer series can print on a broad range of materials, including eco-solvent compatible media and low-cost uncoated options. The devices produce 1,200-dpi output with outdoor display permanence of up to three years unlaminated or five years laminated for high-quality, long-lasting prints. The output also dries inside the printer, boosting productivity for double-sided print jobs, and allowing immediate finishing or use.

"Compared with the solvent world that we're used to dealing in, the HP Designjet L26500 Printer is a breath of fresh air. It allows us to laminate immediately, installing at the same time, and do reprints in real time, increasing our productivity considerably," said Duston Noble, founder of Dallas-based Wrap Experts. "We want to have the best equipment that makes our job easier and faster, so we love the fact that we can print and laminate jobs all in the same hour if we need to."

With new soft signage printing capabilities, customers can produce applications from retail banners to tradeshow signs and interior décor, which are easy to fold and pack, inexpensive to ship, simple to hang and have improved durability outdoors. Building on the introduction of HP HDPE Reinforced Banner, the latest printers also are optimised to work with new HP Double-sided HDPE Reinforced Banner, a compelling alternative to PVC scrim for advertising applications. The substrate offers the image quality, durability and tear strength of standard vinyl without the environmental disadvantages of a PVC-based substrate.

More information is available at www.youtube.com/hpgraphicarts or follow HP on www.twitter.com/hpgraphicarts.

[photo shows HP Designjet L26500 Printer]

Sign & Digital Awards finalists announced!

The finalists for the Sign & Digital UK 2012 Awards have just been announced.

The awards entries were of an exceptional standard and displayed some of the best creative talent in the industry. With over 60 entries submitted across the 10 categories, competition was high and the judging panel of industry experts - which included Large Format Review - had a real challenge to narrow down the nominations to produce the final shortlist.

After much consideration, the shortlisted finalists are as follows:

Individual Sign Project of the Year 1-9 employees

• Allen Signs Ltd â€" Chameleon Design & Print
• ID Signs & Graphics Ltd â€" Baskind Pharmacy
• New Vision Signs and Graphics Limited - FGH
• Signs Express (Leeds) - Floating Illuminated Signage for Hush Puppies
• Signs Now Ltd â€" Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Individual Sign Project of the Year 10+ employees

• Amber & Green â€" IBM Southbank Forum Refurbishment
• Image Technique Ltd - Fortnum & Mason Jubilee Project
• Piggotts Company Ltd â€" GAP Signage
• Signbox - Blackrock
• Signs Express (Manchester) - Princes Dock Monolith

Multiple Sign Project of the Year 1-9 employees

• Create â€" Mshed Bristol
• Rainforest Graphics Ltd - Gallery Town
• Signs Express (Leeds) - Bridgewater Place
• The Grain Sign Company - Longleat Safari Park

Multiple Sign Project of the Year 10+ employees

• Boyall Graphics & Print Ltd- Corporate Hard Hats
• Graffiti Design Limited - Amex Community Stadium
• Image Technique Ltd - Westfield Stratford City
• Piggotts Company Ltd - Hong Kong Asolay
• Signs Express (Manchester) - Sky Pro Cycling

Vehicle Wrapping Project of the Year

• C3 Imaging Ltd - Fleet Air Arm Van
• Creative FX - Skoda 228MPH Car!
• Principle Reprographic Services Ltd - PRS Van Wrap
• Raccoon - 2011 Gumball 3000 Rally Wraps
• Signs Express (Peterborough) - Top Hex TheatreCom van graphics
• Wrap Kings - Promotional Van Wrap

Wide Format Print Project of the Year

• Aurora Graphics and Displays Ltd - Birmingham City Council, Woodcock Street
• GT Marketing Services â€" Gü
• Service Graphics Ltd - National Museum of Scotland
• Hollywood Monster â€" Banner Display â€" Westfield Shopping Centre
• Service Graphics Ltd - Reiss 'Autumn Reflections' Campaign
• Signbox â€" Expedia

Green Award â€" Sponsored by DS Smith Recycling

• Aggregate Industries - Using the Ground to Improve the Environment
• Coastline Graphics - Envirocars
• The Grain Sign Company - Sandblasted Cedarwood Signs

Rising Star Award

• Fusion Print - Gemini Katwa
• Service Graphics Ltd - Chris McIntosh
• Sign Vision - John Matthews
• Service Graphics Ltd - Matthew Wickers
• Your Sign Company - Nick Dowell

Wide Format Printing Company of the Year

• Hollywood Monster
• RMC Digital Print
• Service Graphics Ltd

Sign Company of the Year

• Graffiti Design
• Sign 2000
• Signs Express (Falkirk)
• Signbox
• Signs Express (Gateshead)

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony being held at the National Motorcycle Museum on the 28th March.  The ceremony is being held on the evening of the middle day of the Sign & Digital UK exhibition.  Entertainment on the evening will be provided TV comedian Seann Walsh.  To book tickets/tables for the event, please email www.signandigitaluk@fav-house.com

Congratulations to all the companies and individuals who made the Shortlist!

For all the latest news, information and to register for free entry to Sign & Digital UK 2012, please visit www.signanddigitaluk.com.

ILFORD's BioMedia announced as substrate partner at FESPA Digital Print Shop Live

Ilford's BioMedia range has been announced as the exclusive substrate partner at FESPA Digital Print Shop Live. As the first ever FESPA Print Shop Live in Europe, Ilford has chosen the event to mark the European launch of its BioMedia range, the recyclable and biodegradable alternative for today’s commercial vinyl products.

Print Shop Live at FESPA Digital 2012 is an interactive event that recreates a fully functional, live print shop environment. With Print Shop Live tours taking place over four days throughout the FESPA trade show, visitors will be able to see a real production workflow close up, with expert commentary from global industry experts including Sophie Matthews-Paul, Juan Diaz Diaz, and Ilford Technical Support Specialist Martin Lannon.

For FESPA Print Shop Live, Ilford has chosen to focus on demonstrating the BioMedia Display Film, which was recently nominated for the prestigious 2012 Wide-Format Imaging Magazine Readers’ Choice Top Product Awards. The BioMedia Display Film employs the renowned coating technologies of Ilford to create a universally compatible layer, producing high-quality image results across a wide range of commercial printing equipment including Aqueous, Ecosolvent, Solvent and Latex printers. Working with a live audience, Ilford expert Martin Lannon and the Print Shop Live team will demonstrate the professional quality results produced by BioMedia Universal Display Film, which is suitable for a diverse range of applications.

The prepress workflow on show at Print Shop Live will include colour management software from GMG, together with ripping and preflighting tools from Onyx. Output will be demonstrated across multiple print devices from suppliers including Epson, HP and Mutoh, showcasing a wide array of print technologies for conventional and textile applications. FESPA’s Global Finishing Partner Esko Graphics will contribute its Kongsberg cutting solutions to demonstrate this aspect of wide format print finishing.

Visitors wishing to take part in Print Shop Live can register free of charge online to take fully hosted tours, with regular tours available in English and Spanish. Printers may also choose to submit their own artwork in advance to be printed live during their tour.

For more detail on all the individual solutions on show within Print Shop Live!, to register for tours, or to find out about submitting your own artwork, visit www.printshoplive.net

The Ilford BioMedia range includes:

• BioMedia Display Film: A flexible printing substrate available in standard roll sizes and in 300, 400 and 550 micron. Using a microporous imaging front layer, BioMedia Display Film is compatible with aqueous, eco-solvent, solvent and latex technology and is certified by HP for use with their latex printers. It is suitable for indoor applications as a direct replacement for coated vinyl or polyester media and can be used in a variety of applications from pop-ups and point of sale displays to posters and exhibition panels.
• BioMedia Display Film UV: Compatible with UV printers, the range is suitable for outdoor display applications including poster displays or banners. The product range is available in a range of weights and roll sizes to meet the different application requirements.
• BioMedia Rigid Display Board: These direct-to-print boards are suitable for all UV print platforms and, at 750 microns, 1.5mm and 2.7mm thicknesses, offer durable replacements for traditional mounting boards such as Foamex. They are perfect for heavy-duty signage, internal cladding or displays.
• BioMedia Laminate: For a biodegradable satin finish, the BioMedia line includes 75, 125 and 250 micron laminates. These have similar properties to traditional polyester laminates yet are biodegradable as well as recyclable and can be used with a variety of substrates for indoor or outdoor applications.
• Photo Realistic: A paper-based media that has been certified as responsibly sourced in compliance with the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C107238). Available in gloss and satin finishes and compatible with aqueous printers, the product features an instant dry porous ink receiving layer and is suitable for printing posters, exhibition panels and graphic displays.

For more information on the ILFORD BioMedia range, please visit www.ilford.com

GMG announces new ProductionSuite for wide format

GMG is positioning its ProductionSuite application as the most comprehensive production solution on the market for indoor/outdoor advertising businesses. The GMG ProductionSuite is available with immediate effect from GMG distributors and will also be demonstrated at FESPA 2012 on GMG’s stand H22 in Hall 3 and at the stands of its partners, JetSet (C38), Roland DG (H30) and Zünd Systemtechnik (P10).

GMG ProductionSuite targets both GMG’s typical, quality-oriented users, as well as those who put strong emphasis on maximum productivity. GMG ProductionSuite offers the entire range of functions required today in a modern wide-format production environment. It is a modular system, comprising Editor, RIP, SmartProfiler and PrintStation and currently supports over 800 output devices.

A flexible licensing model permits custom installation: from a simple configuration on one computer with only one RIP, one Editor and functions for driving one or two output devices, all the way to an extensive decentralised configuration with several editors that can send jobs to over ten printers and cutters. GMG ProductionSuite runs under Mac OS 10.5 - 10.7, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

The GMG ProductionSuite Editor is the application’s central processing unit

Simple, intuitive tools support highly efficient workflows. Users have access at all times to precision visuals that profile output quality. This way, a user can monitor every single detail of the end result prior to actual printing and, if necessary, edit work right in the application. The integrated Tiling Tool makes it easy in just a few steps to prepare tiled images very precisely for later assembly. The tedious process of calculating scaling factors to determine material input is eliminated, because images are edited right in the final format.

The GMG ProductionSuite Editor displays all settings required for processing in one main window. It takes just a few mouse clicks to define and position pockets, hems, grommets and pole pockets. The Editor even calculates the required number of grommets and, using a simple checkbox, the user can choose to omit corners. By accessing native data formats, such as PDF, PSD and AI, the GMG ProductionSuite Editor enables the variable editing of closed file formats. It is just as easy to implement a long production run with a number of different motifs, as it is to change individual images, texts, graphics or other elements. Integrated data preflight and process automation options round out the extensive range of functions.

The GMG ProductionSuite RIP

The GMG ProductionSuite RIP runs in the background, entirely independently of the work steps in the Editor. Print jobs requiring full computing power can thus be prepared while others have already been sent to the RIP.

To be able to check the final RIPped data prior to printing, the image in the Output Inspector corresponds exactly to the colour separations and colour quantities in the actual print data.

The GMG ProductionSuite SmartProfiler

Based on definitive colour profiles and printer calibrations, the integrated SmartProfiler can identically align several printers of similar type.

One fundamental feature in this connection is the precision processing of spot colours. With this GMG technology, previously reserved for high-end proofing, spot colours can be converted precisely to the printer’s colour gamut.

The GMG ProductionSuite PrintStation

Thanks to a user interface that visualises device- and media-dependent imposition, data can easily be grouped and prepared for production. Individual print jobs can be variably combined and optimised so as to ensure optimum material use and cutting sequences. The goal is to greatly accelerate order processing and significantly reduce material use.

Additional options

With its additional functions, such as Industrial Cutting, True Shape Nesting, Screen- and Variable Data Printing, the GMG ProductionSuite also fulfills some of the more unique requirements. Licensing an additional option not only expands the functionality of one work station, the option also is made available to all other associated main applications.

Rising demands on quality in the wide format segment prompted GMG to enter the market

For Ian Scott, managing director of GMG GmbH & Co. KG, entering the wide format market is a logical step in view of the company’s strategy, which has never compromised on the pursuit of quality. “With recalibratable spot colours, powerful editing options and support of some 800 output devices, we are now making all our know-how also available to the best wide format producers."

For more information, please visit www.gmgcolor.com

SAi launches production software to deliver standardised large format printing

SA International has introduced PixelBlaster™ print-to-finish production software - a genuine end-to-end system that covers pre-flight to production. Modular and scalable, the PDF-based software is a single solution delivering a customer-selected suite of workflow applications that drive an operation’s entire large format print hardware line-up.

PixelBlaster has been designed to reduce bottlenecks, streamline workflows and increase profitability, while its capability to standardise printing ensures predictable and consistent print quality and colour.

PixelBlaster offers a complete solution to guide  jobs through every stage of the production process â€" from file verification, job preparation, colour management, RIP to analogue or digital (CTS to screen), output check and finally printing and automated finishing.

Using a modular approach, PixelBlaster can be easily tailored and scaled to fit users’ needs in mixed Mac or Windows environments.  A key feature is its ability to standardise colours based on industry accepted profiles, including GRACoL, ISO, Euroscale and FOGRA.

The solution is first of its kind to deliver standardised printing to the large format sector. This means that in multi-printing device environments, PixelBlaster ensures each printer automatically generates exactly the same predictable and reproducible output quality and colour â€" regardless of the brand of hardware, the type of inks or the substrates used.

PixelBlaster’s advanced colour engine allows easy integration of proofing into the production process. By accurately predicting the final output, PixelBlaster offers a cost effective way of eliminating errors and significantly reducing media and ink wastage.

Additionally, PixelBlaster features an easy-to-use Variable Data Printing option to personalise text, graphics and images. Based on a template, users can quickly apply variables and load text and images into placeholders to mass produce customised prints.

“While other RIP’s focus heavily on print preparation, PixelBlaster goes more ‘upstream’ by providing a front-end comprising all job preparation features to drive production,” explains Gudrun Bonte, Product Manager at SAi.

“At the same time, PixelBlaster goes more downstream, providing all job finishing items from the front end and by supplying a separate software to drive the printers. In doing so, we believe that PixelBlaster delivers a wider and more tangible offering  than other RIP solutions, combined with a more improved and complete toolset,” she adds.

In addition to meeting the needs of users in super-wide high volume print production environments, PixelBlaster has also been designed for the increasingly important specialty printing sector, which embraces substrates such as textiles, glass and ceramics. To ensure colour predictability when not using the CMYK process, PixelBlaster includes an N-Color support feature. This enables production of custom ink sets to ensure full spot colour profiling within the gamut provided by the selected inks.

Thanks to the PDF engine, PixelBlaster handles transparencies with ease and has no problem managing multiple file types. Unlike certain RIPs that struggle to faithfully process PDF files, PixelBlaster eradicates such issues. This prevents workflow being impacted by avoiding the need for users to rasterise files before printing to ensure proper translation of information.

PixelBlaster is already being tested by several sign and graphics businesses, including US-based, Signs by Tomorrow. According to Ryan Warner, Press Operator and Design Manager at the York, Pennsylvania, company, PixelBlaster delivers a multitude of benefits, not least of which is its capability of faithful PDF support.

“PixelBlaster basically allows us to RIP and print jobs from PDFs faster and at a higher quality, as well as cut them more accurately, than any other software I’ve used in the past,” he says. “Not only that, PixelBlaster allows us to print the same file from the same computer on either or both printers, all while operating within the same colour space. We can print one portion of a job on our solvent printer and the other on our UV printer and the colours are identical.

“For anyone looking to simplify their work flow, improve their print and cut quality, decrease production time or just make their day easier, Pixel Blaster is the way to go,” he concludes.

PixelBlaster extends SAi’s growing line of comprehensive, professional software solutions, which also include the Flexi and PhotoPrint family of products. Having obtained a license for the software, customers can register at a dedicated on line portal, where they can create and manage their personal profile page, as well as download the software and necessary profiles drivers and user manuals.

For further information on SAi’s new PixelBlaster production software solution, please e-mail Info@SAintl.eu

[photo caption: SAi’s new PDF-based PixelBlasterTM print-to-finish production software delivers a customer-selected suite of workflow applications that drive an operation’s entire large format print hardware line-up]

"The Vinyl Cut" named UK winner of Roland Creative Awards

Roland DG is pleased to announce sign and graphics company, The Vinyl Cut, has been named a Regional Award winner of the Roland Creative Awards international design competition for its highly innovative van wrap entry. The Vinyl Cut will now travel to Japan for a sight-seeing trip of a lifetime and attend a special 30th anniversary event where they will compete for the worldwide grand prize: a Roland machine of their choice.

Simon Harrison Limited and International Greetings UK have also received Honourable Mentions for their highly creative, innovative and well executed entries. Both Honourable Mention winners in the UK have each won an Apple iPad2 with Roland RH200S headphones.

Says Gillian Montanaro, Head of Marketing, Roland DG UK, “The Roland Creative Awards honour our founder’s vision of using digital technology to transform imagination into reality and all the team here at Roland DG UK offers their congratulations to the UK regional winner, The Vinyl Cut and all the other contestants, including those who received Honourable Mentions or won the Monthly People’s Choice Awards."

She continues, “The standard of entries was extremely high and we have been very impressed with the number of creative professionals right across the UK who shared their work with us, contributing to more than 1,100 entries worldwide. All the judges loved the van signage submitted by The Vinyl Cut, with many commenting on the impressive blend of technical skill and creativity that went into the van wrap. In my view, all our competition entrants demonstrated just how innovative and skillful this industry is.”

Fourteen Regional Award winners from around the world have now been named, representing the best entries from more than 120 countries. Each will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan in April to celebrate Roland’s 30th anniversary and compete for the grand prize: his or her choice of a VersaCAMM VS Metallic Inkjet Printer/Cutter, EGX-360 Engraver, JWX-30 Jewellery Modeler or MDX-40A Milling Machine.

A gallery of all winning entries worldwide can be viewed online at www.rolandcreativeawards.com including the UK winners.

The news really hasn’t sunk in yet, I’m surprised and very pleased to have been chosen as the UK’s Regional Award winner in the Roland Creative Awards competition. I entered our wrapped works van and I can’t believe that this print, using my trusted Roland VersaCAMM SP-540V has won me a trip for two people to Japan â€" how amazing given the high calibre of entries in the UK. Thank you to the voting panel who selected my entry, I can’t wait to compete against the other winners from around the globe for a chance to win a new Roland machine of my choice,” comments Regional Award winner Donald McCaskill from The Vinyl Cut.
Honourable Mentions
“I’m really delighted to have been awarded an Honourable Mention in this competition considering the wide range of materials and techniques showcased. Our customers are top-end high street fashion retailers and so we are constantly manipulating our materials and modelling skills to ensure we can do things one step ahead of last season. We definitely get more out of our Roland EGX-300s with each new project,” adds Richard Kerr, Designer, Simon Harrison Limited
“We are absolutely thrilled that our entry has excited the panel and been awarded an Honourable Mention. We would like to thank Roland for introducing us to the VersaUV LEC-540, as it’s opened up a massive range of opportunities and has really pushed our business forward. Our design studio had been so restricted before it was installed, but with the ability to print CMYK plus white ink, emboss, crease and contour cut all from the one device we can mock-up items that are almost an exact match to the real thing â€" a real treat for our design studio, resulting in very happy clients,” comments Damien Morgan, International Greetings UK
Celebrating parent company Roland DG’s 30th anniversary worldwide, the RolandCreative Awards was launched in September 2011 to bring together the Roland community and showcase the best that Roland businesses have to offer. Open through to January 29th, the contest invited users of Roland equipment from across the globe to submit their best work as produced on the company’s wide-format inkjet printers, vinyl cutters, engravers and 3D milling machines. Entries spanned an impressive number of industries and applications, and included everything from signage, banners and vehicle wraps to personalised accessories and jewellery designs.

Final judging for the Roland Creative Awards worldwide winner will take place during the company’s 30th anniversary celebration, to be held in April 2012 at Roland DG’s headquarters in Hamamatsu, Japan.

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New additions to Fujifilm's euromedia portfolio announced at FESPA

Fujifilm has launched new additions and revisions to its euromedia portfolio on stand K50 at FESPA Digital 2012 which opened today (21st Feb). The company has also announced an update to its euromedia brand's image which it says 'makes the most of the euromedia qualities of innovation, quality and reliability, as well as environmental responsibility and transparency'.

The new products have been selected to provide customers with a wider choice of media for a variety of applications. With Fujifilm’s emphasis on service and support, the brand is now even more focused on helping customers to select the correct print media for their end applications.

Acuity LED 1600 “approved media”

Recommendations in terms of material selection are now available for the Acuity LED 1600, the company’s new hybrid UV LED printer which is built around proprietary Fujifilm technologies.

David Radtke, euromedia product manager at Fujifilm explains, “We have tested a large number of print media on the Acuity LED 1600 and selected 25 from the euromedia product portfolio, covering every application possible. The impressive results produced by the Acuity LED 1600 on these 25 media include unmatched print quality, innovative applications and the best options for print finishing. These materials are also the ones that have become firm favourites with customers throughout Europe.”

To enable customers to instantly recognise which products are recommended for the Acuity LED 1600, Fujifilm has developed its own “approved media” logo. “Approved media” also means that ICC profiles will also be available for the most important RIPs.

David says, “Using this package of printing system, inks and media, our customers can achieve high quality and rapid results right from the start. This means cost and time savings â€" a totally unique service package that is only available from Fujifilm.”

In addition, Fujifilm has extended and revised its range of frontlit banner materials:

UV Frontlit PE

Especially suited to Fujifilm’s Uvistar printer, UV Frontlit PE is made of 100% polyethylene. UV and weather resistant for up to one year, it does not contain phthalates, lead or PVC, making it totally recyclable.

Its satin matt white surface produces prints with brilliant colours and its low reflection front means advertising messages are always easy to read, while at 110g, euromedia UV Frontlit PE is light but extremely robust with excellent stretch properties. The material also comes with a particularly attractive price tag compared with other banner materials, which also makes it perfect for high volume work.

Frontlit Production FR

Another recent addition to the euromedia portfolio, Frontlit Production FR is perfect for medium-term outdoor applications while its B1-certification means it is also ideal for indoor use, for instance at trade fairs. The 510g banner material’s smooth white, low reflection surface produces advertising messages that are eye-catching and rich in contrast.

Project Banner White

For short-term applications of up to six months, Fujifilm offers euromedia Project Banner White, a laminated banner material for volume jobs and outdoor applications.

Frontlit Plus FR

Completing the Fujifilm euromedia frontlit banner portfolio shown at FESPA Digital 2012, Frontlit Plus FR is a high quality PVC-coated polyester banner ideal for long-term indoor and outdoor applications that need to last for up to three years. It is extremely tear resistant, has good lie-flat properties and dimensional stability.

Fujifilm has also revised its euromedia mesh portfolio, and will be showing two wind permeable, perforated polyester banners with a PVC coating. Thanks to the extra print surface area, the media‘s special cross weave guarantees high stability on the one hand and extremely intense colours on the other:

BigMesh Backing FR

Suitable for wind load applications and B1-certified, BigMesh Backing FR, for UV and solvent printing, is flame retardant and can be used safely for indoor spaces and at trade fairs. In addition, its robustness means it is ideal for medium-term applications on medium-sized areas like scaffolding wraps.

Caramba Mesh Backing FR

As Fujifilm’s premium euromedia mesh product, Caramba Mesh Backing FR has superb dimensional stability and tear resistance. It is also suitable for long-term and complete building wraps, and can be used with solvent, UV as well as latex printing systems. Caramba Mesh FR can be supplied without the backing.

Both mesh media come with a plastic liner that can be removed after printing without leaving a residue.

David Radtke comments, “We have intentionally avoided going for a low cost product within our mesh portfolio. The material has to reach a very high quality standard, since it is exposed to extreme weather conditions. A low cost material would not be able to suitably meet the demands of this application.”

He concludes, “By continually revising and expanding our euromedia portfolio we would like to ensure that our customers can find materials for every application. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the stand at FESPA Digital to talk them through the new brand image and show them just what our products are capable of.”

FESPA 2012 kicks off!

FESPA’s fifth digital print exhibition in Europe opens today (21st February 2012) at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, Spain.

Covering 16,500 square metres of hall space in Hall 3 of the exhibition centre, with more than 350 exhibiting companies, FESPA expects the Digital show to attract an international audience of print professionals looking to ‘explore the wider opportunities of digital print’ highlighted by the show’s extensive visitor promotion campaign. When pre-registration closed on 20th February, more than 16000 printers had indicated their interest in the show.

In developing the event content, FESPA has focussed on bringing to life the wealth of opportunities that exist for print service providers to grow their business, from technology investments and workflow optimisation, through diversification into new applications and business models taking advantage of the latest developments in substrates and inks.

In addition to the show floor exhibits, there are eight free visitor attractions under one roof at FESPA Digital 2012.

• Explore Conference
• Planet Friendly Zone
• Print Shop Live!
• Big Buck$ Cafe
• Narrow Format Zone
• Hall of Fame
• Wrap Cup Masters Series
• Wrap Rally II

FESPA Managing Director Neil Felton comments, “We’re delivering the richest and most relevant Digital visitor programme yet here in Barcelona, with a raft of new content that matches the specific needs and interests of the wide format printer community, all free of charge."

He continues, “FESPA’s central mission is to use our collective expertise in wide format print to educate, share knowledge and highlight best practice to help our community succeed. We hope visitors to FESPA Digital 2012 will take full advantage of this programme, using every opportunity that’s here to complement what they see on exhibitor stands with expert knowledge, insight and a dash of inspiration to help grow their business.”

The free onsite Explore Conference offers more than 40 individual educational sessions in English and Spanish on topics including: Business Building, Technology Issues, Narrow Format Print, Sustainability, Digital Signage, Customer Insight, Printed Electronics and Planet Friendly Printing.

FESPA’s long-standing commitment to sharing knowledge and best practice in the field of sustainability is manifested in the shape of the Planet Friendly conference stream within the Explore Conference, as well as a series of hands-on clinics and workshops running on the FESPA Planet Friendly Zone on the FESPA stand (B15A), inviting printers to share their queries about improving their environmental performance and receive direct advice from FESPA’s four subject experts.

In addition to the vast array of technology innovations on display on exhibitor stands around the show, FESPA’s Print Shop Live! offers PSPs their first opportunity to tour a real end-to-end workflow within a European FESPA show. Live jobs including conventional and textile applications are being produced using GMG colour management software, Onyx ripping and preflighting tools, with output across multiple print devices from Epson, HP and Mutoh. Media are supplied by Ilford and final output is being finished using Esko Graphics cutting solutions.

Inspiration and ideas around innovative print applications can be found at Big Buck$ Cafe, a working coffee shop and WiFi zone within the show, where visitors can see close up how digital print can enhance everything from POS and signage, to floors and walls, to furniture and fashion. The cafe menu provides details of how each application was produced and a dedicated microsite invites visitors to explore further.

For printers thinking about spreading their wings into other formats, the Narrow Format Zone at stand A30 offers advice and insights into opportunities to complement wide format production with digital labels and small format commercial printing. In addition to sign-posted narrow format exhibits around the show, Dr Peter Mayhew of Lyra Research Inc. will host a series of conference sessions within the Narrow Format theatre in this new zone.

The Hall of Fame is where FESPA’s celebrates the leading lights in digital wide format printing as nominated by their peers. It is the culmination of an online vote conducted over a ten-week period, during which members of FESPA’s worldwide community were invited to nominate a printer they believe has made an outstanding contribution to the field of wide format digital. Over 400 nominations were received and narrowed down to a shortlist of 250 who are represented in the gallery of stars in the show entrance. Over 3,000 votes have been made online so far, and visitors to FESPA Digital 2012 can continue to vote onsite for their favourite here. The winner will be honoured at a champagne reception on the final day of the show on the FESPA stand.

The pace speeds up at FESPA’s Wrap Cup Masters Series, the show-stopping live vehicle wrapping competition running throughout FESPA Digital 2012, in which 48 vehicle wrappers will battle through several rounds to be crowned FESPA Wrap Cup Masters European Champion 2012. In Barcelona, the teams will take on the challenge of wrapping a Smart car, to be judged on quality and speed.

The last, unmissable stop for visitors to FESPA Digital 2012 should be the wrapped motorhome which toured the UK, France, Switzerland and Spain on FESPA’s Wrap Rally. The eye-catching RV has come to a halt in the entrance area of Gran Via, and visitors can take a closer look at the printed vehicle graphics, and see video interviews captured dung the tour, which visited more than 10 print ‘explorers’ around Europe.