C3imaging invests in MTEX 5032 fabric printer from Digital Print Innovations

Improved customer choice was behind C3imaging’s purchase of an MTEX 5032 fabric printer from Digital Print Innovations (DPI).

Explaining the rationale behind the investment, C3imaging's National Accounts Manager, Nigel Davies, said, “We specialise in bespoke premium digital short run graphics, displays and exhibition materials.  “We knew that soft signage was a future growth area, and had been keeping our eye on fabric printing for the last couple of years. We met specialist textile printer distributor DPI at Sign UK and FESPA, and knew that the MTEX was a stand-out machine. It was the right fit, at the right time for our business, opening up exciting new soft signage opportunities for customers to create really innovative graphic displays.”

C3imaging has been in business for 25 years, with branches in Bristol, Cardiff, Colchester, Liverpool and London and in 2012 under new ownership it joined the Zenith Print Group alongside Zenith Media and Zenith Print and Packaging.  The companies have retained their own brands but, as Nigel says, with the litho and packaging specialisms added to C3’s digital expertise and the new MTEX, together there isn’t a print job that they can’t do.

C3’s new MTEX was installed at its Liverpool branch in October 2013. Nigel says, “It’s built around a solid engine and we know that the technology is sound. With this new 3.2metre fabric printer â€" and the right framing systems â€" we can now offer point of sale backdrops, fabric exhibition systems, aluminium tensioned fabric frames â€" wall mounted, freestanding or suspended, lightboxes, freestanding displays, hanging fabric banners and sound walls.”

The new generation MTEX printer offers a superb all in one direct to textile solution, printing up to 1440dpi and speeds up to 58m²/h direct to textile using a vibrant punchy waterbased inkset. The textile is then advanced to the inbuilt fixation unit where it sublimates into the fabric.
Added Nigel: “The main benefits of fabric are the simplicity of changing graphics. Once you have your framing system, you can reprint as many times as you want, tailoring your signage for seasonal promotions or special events. Reduced weight also means lower delivery costs, and robust materials make fabric ideal for indoor and outdoor usage.

“Having a direct to textile printer really simplifies what had previously been a fairly technical process. The MTEX also has a small footprint, making it ideal for our busy production area.”

For more information on the MTEX, please visit DPI at www.dpi-uk.com.

For more information on C3, please visit www.c3imaging.com

Josero celebrates tenth anniversary

Founded in November 2003 by Loic Delor, Josero is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month. 

Loic Delor has an extensive technical background in the inkjet market having worked for Xaar in the late 1990s followed by Lyson/Nazdar.  His intricate understanding and knowledge of printheads and inks led him to launch Josero in 2003.The business originally started in Luxembourg selling wide format Chinese printers, plus inks and printheads to the Middle East and Europe. With its products reaching global markets, Josero realised it was time to have an online presence and its first website was launched in 2005. This increased the sales of its products significantly with customers viewing their products online before purchasing them.

In 2008, Josero Limited was registered in the UK and Jon Spencer joined the Josero team as Technical Director. The first office and warehouse facilities were opened that same year in Cambridge, providing Josero with the ability to house all its products on site and allowing them to ship stock within 24 hours to customers throughout the UK.

Setting up in the UK facilitated further growth for Josero and in January 2009 the company was appointed the exclusive master distributor for Triangle inks for UK & Ireland.

By 2010, Josero had expanded its product portfolio so much, the company invested in new premises in Cambridge to accommodate additional stock of Triangle inks and expand its demonstration and training facilities. The new premises boast 2500 sq/ft of space for storage, technical training, a demonstration suite and staff offices.

Keeping a watchful eye on market conditions, Josero saw a gap in the market a couple of years ago, where customers were keen to invest in superwide printers but many couldn’t really afford do so. This led to the company selling refurbished superwide printers in the UK. This has proved a great triumph as printing companies can now invest in nearly new machines at a fraction of their original price, with technical support and servicing from Josero.

The past three years has seen Josero develop partnerships with key players in the finishing market and expand its offering to the inkjet market with products such as Kala laminators, Trimalco cutters and Hanolex eyelet machines. The company became the exclusive distributor for the Bubble Free Applicator table for UK and Ireland earlier this year and is enjoying tremendous success with this product.

Loic Delor, Managing Director of Josero comments, “It’s hard to believe we have been trading so successfully for a decade. The company is unrecognisable from what it was ten years ago as we have greatly diversified our product offering. That said, our roots and expertise are firmly within the inkjet market. We have adapted our product range in line with technological developments and market conditions. We believe the key to our success is understanding the challenges our customers face and delivering products that will help them achieve their goals.”

PressOn 'future proofs' its business with installation of HP LX 3000 printer and Kongsberg i-XP ...

Future proofing is crucial to business success in the fast moving world of large format printing, and for PressOn, the purchase of a HP LX 3000 and Kongsberg i-XP digital cutter from CWE Solutions was a major part of their investment strategy.

From POP and wallcoverings to vehicle graphics and outdoor banners, the HP Latex 3000 printer delivers both high quality and high volume printing, and all the environmental benefits of water-based inks.

The purchase from CWE Solutions has since supported the company in transforming productivity and working at meet the ever decreasing timelines of their customers.  “The key is, to keep abreast of new technology and move quickly towards it, to gain competitive advantage,” said PressOn’s co-founding Managing Director Andy Wilson.  2008 and 2009 had been tough years as recession hit but by 2010 things were improving.  We tested a small latex printer from HP and then went on to purchase two LS26500s (now known as the LX260), an LX600 and an LX850 from CWE Solutions.
“We became one of the largest producers of printed latex vinyl in the UK during 2012. Through 2012-2013 we’ve invested in a Kongsberg i-XP cutter, three more laminators, one of which is liquid, and an EFI VUTEk QS2 Pro, in addition to the HP LX 3000.”

PressOn, whose clients include Harrods, Crossrail, Limited Space, and the London Ritz, now employs 30 people across the UK and has a turnover in excess of £2.5m.  They had seen numerous machines before the HP LX 3000 but the speed and additional capacity it creates was the major selling point. The decision to purchase the Kongsberg was also based on the speed and variety of products it could handle.

Co-Managing Director Nigel Webster says, “We work with CWE Solutions when investing in new kit as we trust and like working with them. They understand us as a business and we have been happy with all aspects of service, installation and training. The installation of the HP LX 3000 was particularly swift and straightforward - it was productive within hours of being set up.”

Together, the HP LX 3000 and Kongsberg are mostly used for visual display products, banners, hoardings, signage, and vehicle wraps. Increasingly, taxi wraps are a serious growth area of the business.  As well as traditional media, PressOn print on to a variety of substrates from astro turf to aluminium. They say that the Kongsberg can cut board as easily as self-adhesive vinyl.

The HP LX 3000 is costing half the amount to print and run than PressOn’s previous latex machines.  “The new machines enable us to move with the same speed as our customers,” added Nigel. “The fast paced world of outdoor media means customers expect to place an order on a Thursday, send artwork on the same day, and receive installation or delivery by Saturday. The new HP LX 3000 enables us to fulfil this demand. The other major selling point we’ve found is that latex print doesn’t go brittle on self-adhesive vinyl, making removal easier. Latex also requires less time than solvent inks to dry â€" all contributing to us meeting very tight deadlines.  Customer service has always been a driving force for the business and this new technology helps us achieve this.”

Fujifilm and Inca Digital launch Inca Onset S50i digital flatbed UV inkjet printer

Inca Digital Printers and Fujifilm have launched the Inca Onset S50i - an ultra-high productivity, CMYK, flatbed UV inkjet printer capable of printing 725sqm/hr (7,803sqft/hr).  Designed and developed by Inca and sold exclusively worldwide by Fujifilm, the new Inca Onset S50i is the latest and most powerful large format printer in the Onset range and the first to be developed on Inca’s new-generation Onset Scaleable Architecture.

The Onset S50i has been designed to meet the market’s growing need for greater productivity. Today, display graphics print companies are not only handling larger volumes of digital print and meeting tighter deadlines, they are also experiencing growing demand for multi-version graphics from their retail and leisure industry clients. As a result, these companies want a printer that can increase their digital print capacity, deliver faster job turnarounds, streamline print production and handle production peaks with ease. The Onset S50i meets all of these requirements.

“When the Onset S70 was launched in 2007 we changed the industry’s expectations of digital print speed for display graphics,” says John Mills, Inca’s CEO. “The launch of the powerful, new-generation Onset S50i today raises productivity levels still further and makes it a true commercial and cost-effective alternative to offset presses and multiple screen presses.”

Tudor Morgan, systems marketing manager, Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems adds, “The desire for a greater level of personalisation, combined with shorter run lengths, is well documented in the industry. The challenge for the OEM is to satisfy this in an economical way. The speed and quality of the Onset S50i makes this achievable.”

Delivering a high throughput of up to 725sqm/hr (7,803sqft/hr), equivalent to 144 full beds per hour, the S50i uses Fujifilm Uvijet OB or OZ inks to print onto a wide variety of rigid and flexible media up to 3.14m x 1.6m (123.6in x 63in) and up to 50mm (2in) thick. A choice of print modes can be selected, alongside satin and gloss finishes, depending on the specific job requirements. The Onset S50i incorporates 224 (56 per colour) Fujifilm Dimatix printheads on a full width print array and two highly-efficient UV lamps ensure high-speed curing.

The printer also incorporates both hardware and software technologies that have been developed specifically by Inca to deliver industry-leading quality, reliability and productivity. These include: iNozzle mapping; sophisticated drive and control electronics; a 15-zone vacuum table to reduce bed masking requirements and, consequently, set-up time for thin substrates; a UV sensor system that accurately monitors printer condition; and substrate height detectors to prevent contact with, and damage to, printheads. Plus, Inca’s variable data Print Run Controller software module offers advanced job management capabilities and ReporterPro software gives users detailed information about the productivity of their Inca printers. The S50i is compatible with Inca’s flexible automation system, which gives users a choice to operate manually or using semi or three-quarter modes from the same configuration.

The Onset S50i is the first printer developed around Inca’s new-generation Onset Scaleable Architecture, also announced today. The Onset Scaleable Architecture is an innovative modular design which gives users the ability to choose the best printer for their initial requirements, but with considerable flexibility to change its productivity levels and ink options as their business evolves. This enables Inca Digital to convert the customer’s Onset on-site for the very first time, as and when needed. For example, an Onset S40i with CMYK LtmLtc can be converted to an eight-colour model with dual CMYK, or with the addition of white if required, to suit a change in the type of work a company prints. As a result, Onset Scaleable Architecture protects a company’s investment in their Onset printer for the long term and provides investment peace of mind.

The Onset S50i printer has successfully completed beta testing and is now in full production at four companies, three in the USA and one in the UK. The Onset S50i is commercially available now.

Inca Digital launches 'Inca Vision' customer support service for flatbed UV inkjet printers

Inca Digital has launched a customer support service for its Inca Digital flatbed UV inkjet printers. Branded Inca Vision, the service enables Inca to remotely and regularly monitor and diagnose a machine, and in many cases, catch issues before the customers decide to call for engineer service.

“The last thing any company wants is machine downtime. Inca Vision is able to detect possible failures before they happen, offering customers the opportunity to proactively service their machines and, in many cases, avoid costly delays,” says John Mills, Inca Digital CEO.

By gathering data from machines globally on a daily basis, Inca engineers can conduct remote diagnostics to determine how well the printers are performing and whether there is need for intervention with engineering support. Dashboards used by the Inca Digital Support Team offer a view of high-level data across all machines throughout the world. A RAG (Red, Amber, Green) screen allows the Inca Support Team to prioritise printers most urgently in need of attention and the team can also assist distributors and provide back-up data for any serious machine issues in their regions.

Data can be interrogated at a detailed level per machine to help determine causes for any failures. For example, a faulty UV shutter message or high temperature alarm compared with area printed or ink consumption - generally, machine usage - can help detect if a component is failing. Customer scans on iNozzle mapping allow Inca to monitor the condition of printheads to help the customer maintain quality and to offer suggestions for maintenance procedures. Also, the gathering of data on the use of vacuum zones can help to determine most commonly used sheet sizes.

While most printer activity is downloaded on a daily basis, the data - such as machine alarms and machine status changes - can be interrogated in minute intervals. In addition, the First Line support team can work with the customer to ‘log-in’ to the live data for more detailed analysis. Recent Inca Onsets are built with greater access to machine data, but even older models such as Inca Spyders offer access to sufficient data.

For customers, this means that their Inca printers can be monitored on a daily basis for any signs of future problems. Their support team can offer suggestions to help them maintain their machines in good running condition, based upon their own patterns of use, preventing downtime. If a printer needs onsite repair, data collected by Inca Vision can assist with a quick diagnosis and repair as well as parts requirements.

“On average 60 per cent of the cases opened by our Customer Support Team are resolved remotely. With the launch of Inca Vision we are aiming to increase the overall number of machine uptime as well as the number of cases solved remotely.” says Mark Noble, Senior Customer Service Manager at Inca.

Inca customers have access to similar, but much more specific data through ReporterPro, a software service launched by Inca in January 2013. Unlike Inca Vision, ReporterPro allows customers to see the files, customer names and job specifics that are unique and confidential to their business.

ReporterPro provides an accurate picture of overall efficiency, allowing managers to fine tune production schedules and generate a variety of internal management reports. It is designed to allow the customers’ management team to gather more information about machine utilisation, productivity and job costing.

While the Customer Support team will use individual machine data to diagnose machines remotely and predict problems before they arise, other departments within Inca will also benefit from the composite data. For example, the R&D team can run reports on failure modes or review a sequence of events prior to a component failure. Results can assist with future machine development - in addition to determining service frequency/failure periods on key components. The marketing team may use machine data compiled from many machines to spot usage trends or plan future product features.

Inca Vision is currently in service in the UK and other regions directly supported by the Inca  support team. It will be rolled out to the US during Q1 2014. Inca Vision will be built into higher-level service contracts as part of the complete support package. It will not be actively offered to customers without a support contract.

The Lighter Side... Ads with an Extra Dimension

The Lighter Side... this week we take a look at wide format advertising with an added dimension. Billboards with added creativity to grab the attention and stand out from the crowd.

And standing out from the crowd is something we all need to be thinking more about. According to numbers published in the New York Times, we are all now subjected to an average of 3000 marketing messages daily.  Online, offline, everywhere you go and everywhere you turn, someone is trying to grab your attention and get their message noticed. Now our brains can’t truly process that many messages.  We can’t notice, absorb, or even judge the personal merit of 3000 visual attacks a day.  The only way to get your message past all that noise is to be creative - be quirky, and do something different.

I'd venture that the problem is worse here in good old Britain.  Let's face it, we're a bit dull, a bit conservative, we like the status quo, rocking the boat is bad, and we certainly can't even consider doing anything that might shock.  Yes, here in the UK, crying out for attention is frankly something to be frowned at. Well it's time to break that particular mould and get noticed, because here and now, unusual trumps normal.  Quirky wins.  In order for your clients' Ad campaign to get the attention it craves, or maybe even go viral, you might need some fresh thinking.

 

See if some of these classic campaigns from the past can spark your imagination...

Part of a series of 'Posters with Straws' billboards from Coca-Cola, it might not be the most visually striking, but you can guarantee if you spotted it, you'd be nudging the person next to you to have a look.

 

Nationwide insurance turned a fictional paint company’s billboard into a colourful, messy disaster in this unique ad, spilling a massive puddle of paint down the side of a building and into a parking lot, even covering several vehicles.

 

Disposable razor Ads, how tough a gig is that? I mean how many times can you create a billboard with a tanned hunky man (who doesn't actually appeal to most of the target audience anyway), and push the ever-increasing number of blades we supposedly now need to ensure an acceptable shave - what is there left to say? Bic said nothing, they just hired a billboard in a field and had their giant razor give the grass a nice close shave.

 

This startling advert, over the entrance to a tunnel, is trying to entice Austrian motorists to stop off at Oldtimer, a chain of motorway rest-stops.

 

Whilst visiting McDonalds six times in a day might not be high on my list of priorities, the simplicity of this Sundial billboard is brilliant. It's always McDonalds time - well right up until you get so fat that you can't fit through the door any more.

 

I mentioned the 3000 marketing messages you are subjected to daily... it seems there really is no escape, anywhere - as Nike has even taken to the sea with this particular campaign.

 

Clothing was placed at bus shelters in conjunction with posters to promote the TV series 'The Power Of One', in which renowned hypnotist Peter Powers got people to carry out outrageous tasks under hypnosis. An innovative form of typography was also used in the poster to create an optical illusion that makes the type appear to move. To my mind this is just starting to get a little bit too clever for it's own good, but if the agenda was to get coverage, and create a talking point, well it worked perfectly on that score.

 

So there you have it. Some clever concepts that will have created a stir and captured the imagination - and it's worth remembering that some of the billboards above were first created over 5 years ago, yet they've been getting shared and repeated on the Internet ever since, and have thus gained from thousands upon thousands of additional pages of coverage for the brand. In a world of same old same old, different gets talked about, and shared.

Canon wins BLI's 2014 Wide Format Graphic Arts Printer Line of the Year award

Buyers Laboratory LLC (BLI), has selected Canon as the winner of its 2014 Wide Format Graphic Arts Printer Line of the Year award thanks to the overall strength of Canon’s imagePROGRAF graphic arts product line. BLI’s coveted Line of the Year is awarded once a year to the vendors whose product lines are determined to be the best overall in their respective categories based on their cumulative test results in BLI’s rigorous two-month evaluation. For wide format devices, among the many factors considered are reliability, image quality, ease of use, colour management, productivity and connectivity attributes. Also considered are the breadth of the manufacturer’s line and its ability to produce quality products suitable to a broad spectrum of customer needs.

The comprehensiveness of Canon’s offerings, satisfying the production/proofing print markets with the 8-colour models and the high-end graphics markets with the 12-colour models, across all the common size ranges, together with the outstanding lab performance of all the models tested, have justly earned Canon the 2014 Line of the Year award for its wide format graphic arts printers. Indeed, every Canon graphic arts model tested in the past year has earned BLI’s Highly Recommended rating and a Pick award.

In the past year Canon has updated its 8- and 12-colour wide format printers, adding several noteworthy features such as an optional spectrophotometer and Canon’s Direct Print & Share cloud portal solution. Among the new 8-colour units (designated by an S in the model name) BLI has tested are the 24-inch imagePROGRAF iPF6400S and 44-inch iPF8400S, both of which performed extremely well in BLI testing and were selected BLI Picks today in their respective categories. Though not tested, the larger 60-inch imagePROGRAF iPF9400S, released earlier in the season, differs mainly in its width and could therefore be expected to deliver a similarly high quality performance. These stellar performers are joined in Canon’s graphic arts line by several outstanding 12-colour printers. Those include two 24-inch modelsâ€"the imagePROGRAF iPF6450, a BLI Pick winner last year, and the very similar iPF6400. These models are also offered in 44- and 60-inch configurationsâ€"the iPF8400 and iPF9400, respectively.

Most notable among the devices’ numerous triumphs is the ability for users to readily manage colour output using the Color Calibration Management Control (CCMC) software, and more importantly, for the devices to consistently deliver precise colour output across multiple compatible models that employ the same number of inksâ€"even an entire fleetâ€"as long as just one of them is equipped with the company’s SU-21 spectrophotometer. (The SU-21 is optionally available for the two 24-inch models containing a hard driveâ€"the imagePROGRAF iPF6400S and the 12-colour iPF6450.) In evaluating Canon’s claim of being able to achieve tight colour control between multiple compatible devices, with a Delta E value of 2.0 or less, BLI’s testing proved the Canon units were up to the task. In fact, the recent lab evaluation of the iPF6400S and iPF8400S showed extraordinary consistency of colour, with amazingly low Delta E values of 0.92 and 0.79 in output on two non-Canon media types.

“This kind of colour consistency is indispensable for proof printing applications,” said Joe Tischner, BLI wide format printer analyst. “Canon builds colour tables directly into these printers for each Canon-branded media, so consistency is the expected result. However, with non-Canon media, users of these Canon devices have the tools to readily achieve extremely stable colour output.” He added that the CCMC utility is invaluable for keeping track of the calibration status of most media and performing the calibrations when needed across all of Canon’s 8- and 12-colour printers. “Conveniently,” said Tischner, “this can even be accomplished remotely for all networked iPF printers no matter their locations.” And since only one spectrophotometer is needed across all S series devices and one for all 12-colour units to perform these tasks, Canon’s graphic arts wide format line makes maintaining fleet-wide colour consistency economical and efficient.

Another feature new to these models is Canon’s Direct Print & Share utility, which enables easy job submission, bypassing software applications and print drivers, thus saving considerable time. Additionally, files stored in the cloud were easily accessible to BLI technicians and will be an advantage to collaborative teams worldwide. Another strength of these models is that Canon’s LUCIA EX ink tanks can be easily replaced on-the-fly, a capability BLI has thus far seen only with Canon large format printers.

“Canon’s iPFX400 and iPFX400S series of printers are known for their high efficiency, reliability, colour consistency and productivity,” said Yuichi Miyano, director of large format solutions, Canon Europe. “It’s an honour to be the recipient of BLI’s Wide Format Graphic Arts Printer Line of the Year Award, and to be recognised for the series’ ability to execute frequent, large-quantity requests that meet the highest standards.”

Canon's range of wide format printers are distributed in the UK by Velmex.  For more information, and details of your nearest authorised Canon supplier, please contact Velmex by visiting www.velmex.co.uk or calling the company on 0845 371 2928

 

Ipex 2014 Open Day hailed a 'resounding success'

Ipex 2014’s Open Day â€" which took place on Wednesday 20th November at the exhibition’s new home at the ExCeL London â€" has been hailed by attendees as a 'resounding success'. Over 250 delegates, including prospective and current exhibitors, media and other key players from across the industry, were presented with a comprehensive overview of Ipex 2014 (24-29 March 2014) and the role the event can play in boosting their businesses.

An opportunity to meet and network with fellow exhibitors and 36 of the event’s associate partners, attendees were provided with an in-depth presentation on the latest developments and features of Ipex 2014, with key insights into the World Print Summit, Future Innovations area, Inspiration Avenue, Eco Zone, Master Classes, Make-Ready Challenge and the co-located, inaugural Cross Media Production event.

After the event update from Ipex 2014 Event Director Trevor Crawford, attendees were provided with essential tools to ensure they maximise their exhibition return on investment (ROI). This included exhibition tips from Answers Training International CEO Simon Naudi, information from Ipex 2014’s Group Marketing Manager Angelina Stojsavljevic on how to benefit from Ipex’s co-marketing opportunities, and expert advice on how to generate important coverage in influential industry publications â€" including the Ipex Daily. An additional workshop will be run by Informa Exhibitions forIpex 2014exhibitors, taking place at theSt Bride Foundation in Londonon December 10th 2013.

The morning’s proceedings were brought to a close by Ipex 2014 President and St Ives CEO Patrick Martell, before a venue tour to showcase the London ExCeL’s exceptional facilities to host international events, and concluded with a Emirates Air Line cable car ride over to the O2 arena â€" the future home of Ipex After Hours.

Sidney Bobb, Chairman of the BAPC, comments: “The Ipex Open Day was an excellent event with something for everyone. I have the impression that optimism has returned and there is a very warm feeling towards Ipex.”

Sarah Crumpler, UK Marketing Manager, Duplo International, comments: “The Ipex Open Day provided a great forum for networking and sharing ideas with both the Ipex team and other exhibitors. Duplo is looking forward to the event and contributing to the overall value that it presents to visitors.”

“I thought the Open Day was a great launch pad for Ipex,” says Eric Bell, Director of Marketing Services, Goss International. “I spoke to a number of exhibitors who indicated that next year’s event provided them with the opportunity to start looking forward instead of back. The ExCeL looks to be a smart move too â€" a well-structured, modern venue that will serve Ipex well.”

Terri Winstanley, Head of Marketing and PR, Intec Printing Solutions, summarises: “The Ipex Open Day reminded us of the focus and hard work Informa puts in to ensure Ipex is a great event. It is an important platform for us to promote and launch our new products in March, and it offers us the opportunity to meet with prospects from the UK and the international community â€" all under one roof. Overall it was a well organised and informative event that enabled us to meet with media partners and engage with suppliers, as well as offer us new incentives to ensure we have a strong exhibition.”

Mark Hinder, Market Development Manager, Konica Minolta, adds: “Personally I am really encouraged by all the hard work Ipex is putting in. The programme to support a commercial printer is very well thought through, Cross Media Production will appeal to marketers and print service providers, and for me, I hope the industry can now see how the event is adapting to the changing landscape.”

“The event was run very professionally, and we came away happy that Informa is putting a huge effort into making Ipex 2014 a very relevant show for today's industry,” explains Miles Bentley, Commercial Director, Lumejet. “The Ipex team is working extremely hard to not only to drive footfall, but also to support the exhibitors.In fact, we are so confident that the show will be a great successthat we have doubled our floor space."

“The Ipex team organised and hosted an excellent Open Day, which I found to be very interesting and informative,” reflects Graham Harris, Managing Director of Tech-ni-Fold. “We spoke to quite a few co-exhibitors and the mood was extremely upbeat and positive â€" everyone is looking forward to a successful and fruitful Ipex 2014, which is great to hear. We have set up meetings with a few of the Ipex associates who were there to help support us all, as we really want Tech-ni-Fold to maximise all opportunities on offer to make this event successful.”

Anne de Lanoy, Marketing Manager of censhare, explains why the integrated publishing solutions provider has committed to Cross Media Production. “The Open Day for Ipex 2014 was very informative, and we found the discussions about the evolving industry to be relevant and pertinent. It was an ideal opportunity to see how the co-located Cross Media Production will be beneficial to a company like censhare. The event will complement Ipex perfectly, and censhare is looking forward to demonstrating how the creation, management and distribution of content through different channels can work on every level. It is important for the industry as a whole to be receptive to the changes that are taking place, and Cross Media Production will certainly reflect that.”

Trevor Crawford, Event Director, Ipex 2014, concludes: “It was a really productive and successful day â€" the excitement and enthusiasm in the room was palpable! It is always great to meet our customers face-to-face and to share our vision for Ipex â€" an event that has been developed with their interests at its heart. The feedback on what Ipex is aiming to achieve has been overwhelmingly positive, in both the direction of the event, the features, its content programme and the move to the ExCeL in London. The relationship between Ipex and the print industry is symbiotic, and fortunately for both, the tide is turning. We can’t wait to see it all in action.”

Improved banner materials from Metamark - and a special offer for LFR readers

Banners demand attention. They’re colourful, they grab a share of the air, and they’re easy and relatively inexpensive to produce too. According to Metamark, its improved MD-FL Series of printable banner materials takes the quality variable out of the banner media equation and introduces premium features and performance to a materials market segment that’s arguably better known for being led by low price - but where there’s often a price to be paid for economy.

The newly formulated materials are part of Metamark’s MD-Class digital materials portfolio and are compatible with Solvent, Eco-Solvent, UV and Latex inks. The materials’ print sides present a clean ink-receptive surface and variety of weights is available to suit a range of application demands whether indoor or out.

Of course is in the printing and it’s here according to Metamark that the MD-FL Series’ credentials really prove themselves. Metamark says that the materials’ ink holding characteristics produce results with orders of resolution that are typically not associated with digitally printed banners.

Metamark is convinced that anyone with a modern inkjet printer will immediately see the benefits the reformulated MD-FL series delivers. To help prove its point, Metamark will send a sample roll to any LFR reader wishing to test its claims free of charge.

If you are interested in the offer, email sales@metamark.co.uk and mention LFR in your mail.  Metamark will send your sample the day you order it.

Mimaki UJF-3042HG printer hailed Trophex's 'Most Pioneering Piece of Machinery'

Mimaki's UK & Irish distributor, Hybrid Services Ltd, has been presented with Trophex's 'Most Pioneering Piece of Machinery' in recognition of the Mimaki UJF-3042HG printer.  The Mimaki UJF-3042HG is a desktop A3 UV LED printer.  It differs from its close relation - the Mimaki UJF-3042FX - with an increased head height of 150mm which enables printing onto an almost limitless range of products.

Mimaki’s LED UV printers have pioneered their way in the personalisation and gift market with their capacity to print high quality images direct to rigid substrates.  They are also cost-effective on short to medium run lengths. The upgraded UJF-3042FX was released in October 2012 and incorporates additional features including an automatic primer function and flexible ink option.

The UJF-3042HG not only provides the increased functionality of the greater head height, but is able to utilise 6-colour printing plus white and clear capability alongside a newly developed white ink circulation system that prevents pigment sedimentation as well as increasing the yield of white ink for more efficient consumption and reduced waste.

Receiving the award from Trophy & Engraving News Magazine’s editor, Kylie Gould, Hybrid’s Industrial Products Manager, Mike Lewis, commented, “Recognition for the Mimaki UJF-3042HG as a pioneering solution from such an important industry for the product is very satisfying. We’re seeing the companies who invest in technology like this machine benefitting immensely from the revenue opportunities it can deliver.”

For more information about the machine, please www.hybridservices.co.uk.

Josero to offer Trimalco's range of high end cutters

Josero is now offering Trimalco's range of high end cutters which were launched at FESPA 2010.  The cutters are designed and manufactured in the UK using the latest in CNC technology and have been specifically designed for the large format sign and graphics markets.

Cutters in the Trimalco range include:

• Artemis â€" this straight edge cutter is ideal for cutting, scoring and pen lining and is available in six lengths. It has been engineered in extruded aluminium and anodised for lasting protection.
• Europa â€" this large format cutting system comprises a number of interacting products which together offer a high degree of performance and accuracy at a price unmatched by any other.
• Kronos - a general purpose cutter available in six standard sizes from 60cm (24”) to 300cm (120”). The strong and stable anodised aluminium base incorporates a narrow groove that safely accepts the blade tip during cutting.

Loic Delor, managing director of Josero comments, “We have chosen to work with Trimalco as their products are outstanding in terms of quality and also the ethos of the company is akin to ours. Their level of service and customer care is exceptional and the team really is passionate about its products. The cost saving over similar products in the market is around 50%, yet the products are of the same, if not of a better standard, so we can provide our customers with excellent value for money cutters.”

For further information, please visit www.josero.com