Vincent Pilette resigns as CFO of EFI

Vincent Pilette has resigned as Chief Financial Officer of EFI, effective 3rd September 2013, to pursue another opportunity. The company states that he will be available through the end of the quarter to ensure a smooth transition and that it will initiate a formal search for a new Chief Financial Officer.

The company intends to appoint Marc Olin, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EFI Productivity Software, as interim Chief Financial Officer.

Marc was previously CEO and co-founder of Printcafe Software, a public company EFI acquired in 2003 as a part of its growth strategy. Brandy Green, EFI's Chief Accounting Officer, will assume additional finance responsibilities and will be joining EFI's Senior Leadership Team and report to Marc Olin.

"We are grateful for Vincent's contributions to EFI and we wish him the best with his new endeavor," said EFI CEO Guy Gecht. "We are confident in the finance team's ability, with Marc and Brandy's leadership, to comprehensively support the entire organisation in our mission to capitalise on the significant short and long term opportunities in front of us."

"While it was a difficult decision for me to leave EFI as the business is just beginning to realise its full potential, this strong position also makes it the right time for me to take on a different set of challenges and embark on the next chapter in my career," said Vincent Pilette. "My confidence in the Company's leadership and opportunities has never been higher, and I look forward to remaining a supporter and a shareholder of EFI."

ONYX Graphics adds support for Roland SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 to software solutions

ONYX Graphics has added support for the Roland SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 large format printer/cutter to its software soliutions. The new printer driver is available for ONYX Thrive version 1.2 print workflow software and all ONYX RIP version X10.2 software packages and supports the SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 printer’s new Eco-Sol MAX 2 ink set including light black ink, optional white and metallic silver inks, and resolutions up to 1440 dpi. In addition, several universal media profiles are included that support a wide range of banner and vinyl media.

For best results, ONYX Graphics recommends ONYX Thrive print workflow software with the Roland SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 printer/cutter. ONYX Thrive software is a scalable solution based on Adobe PDF Print Engine technology enabling users to achieve brighter, more vibrant images, reduce manual intervention and eliminate repetitive tasks. It includes ONYX Graphics’ unique PowerChroma™ Black Generation tool with a new GCR (Grey Colour Replacement) Plus feature, white and specialty ink tools, an easy recalibration tool and highly automated colour profiling with Black Diamond tools.  ONYX Thrive software also includes network licensing and a production manager that enable users to customise their print workflow and easily grow with business demands.

The Roland SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 printer driver is available now to registered licensed users of ONYX Thrive version 1.2 print workflow software and registered licensed users of ONYX ProductionHouseT, ONYX PosterShop and ONYX RIPCenter version X10.2 RIP software.

For more information, please visit www.onyxgfx.com.

RNIB Maps for All from Signs Express (Peterborough)

Signs Express (Peterborough) has been awarded the official contract by Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to manufacture its specialist commercial product "RNIB Maps for All."  RNIB Maps for All are exclusive to RNIB and are bespoke maps designed to be read by sight and touch.  Each map is carefully designed to blend tactile and visual elements to allow everyone including blind and partially sighted people access to important information they need when using and visiting public places like museums, art galleries, gardens, and railway stations.  The first commission for Signs Express has been for 5 RNIB Maps for All for Southern Railways.

Sue King from RNIB comments, “We were looking for a supplier that would be able to deliver the high quality and precision manufacturing required for our maps.  Signs Express has demonstrated that they are able to do this and the fact that they are local to our offices in Peterborough is an added bonus.”

Signs Express is able to ensure continuity and accuracy of the braille and tactile components with all manufacturing completed within the Signs Express group.  Anne Hitch, owner of Signs Express (Peterborough) says, “We work very hard to ensure our solutions meet the needs of our customers and I am very pleased that RNIB contracted us as a supplier for this very worthwhile ongoing project. Working with their commerial clients, RNIB are dedicated to supporting the needs of blind and partially sighted people and RNIB Maps for All are a very important part of this work.”

She continued, “It’s a great example of local organisations working together on national projects.  Through our close working relationship, we are also able to deliver signage which is attractive but also vitally functional.”

Drytac launches DecorTac Printable SA Wallpaper for interior design applications

Drytac Europe has launched DecorTac Printable SA Wallpaper for customised interior design applications.

The fire-resistant 220 micron digitally printable non-woven wallpaper is coated with an aqueous acrylic adhesive and is supported by a siliconised release liner.  It is suitable for solvent-based, latex and UV curable ink systems and offers photorealistic print quality, a quick drying time and good scratch resistance.  Embossed designs of the new wallpaper are also available.

Steve Broad, sales director for Drytac Europe, comments, “This versatile addition to Drytac’s product line has been specifically developed for the ever-growing bespoke interior design sector. Printable wallpaper can be used within almost any interior environment to create an original and eye-catching display.  In particular, uptake has been strong in the retail and corporate environments, as well as within the restaurant trade.”

“Our versatile and cost-effective DecorTac Printable SA Wallpaper perfectly meets the needs of Print Service Providers focused on these â€" as well as other â€" sectors and enables such businesses to truly personalise their space in an original way,” he concludes. 

Pricing and availability

Drytac’s entire range of films and adhesives is exclusively distributed throughout the UK and Ireland by Antalis.  For the most up-to-date pricing and availability, please visit www.antalis.co.uk

For further information on Drytac and its leading range of films and adhesives, please visit www.drytac.co.uk

Bordeaux Digital Printink to exhibit on partners' stands at Reklama Polygraf 2013

Bordeaux Digital Printink will be exhibiting in hall 4, booths 476, 430 and 408, at Reklama Polygraf 2013, Czech Republic between 14th and 16th May 2013. The company will be showcasing a wide range of wide format ink and coating solutions with its official distributors in Czech Republic and Slovakia, AWC Morava (booth 476) and Spandex (booth 430/408).

Spandex and AWC Morava will provide live demonstrations of Bordeaux’s wide spectrum of ink solutions including eco solvent, UV and UV LED and water-based dye-sublimation ink on Mimaki and Roland printers.  Bordeaux’s range of mix and match inks, 100% colour and chemically compatible with OEM inks, are ideal for printers looking for efficient and easy switchover from the original ink without flushing or spending costly time creating new colour profiles.  These environmentally friendly inks, free of VOCs, are formulated to achieve optimum adhesion, high quality colour and performance as well as long-term outdoor durability with multiple rigid, flexible and super-flexible substrates.

Bordeaux inks are available in cartridge, bottle and bulk ink feed systems for virtually every machine on the market within Czech Republic and Slovakia, including Roland, Mimaki, Mutoh, Vutek, HP, Seiko and Oce and all the latest printhead technologies.

“We are excited to showcase our comprehensive range of  products with our dedicated partners,”  says Matthew Reijnders, Bordeaux’s business development manager.  ”Bordeaux inks and coatings are popular throughout Czech Republic and Slovakia due to the cost savings of up to 30% compared to OEM inks. Moreover, AWC, Spandex and Redot, our local resellers, have their own technical and service teams to support Czech and Slovak customers.”

Germany-based CEWE installs 4th swissQprint Impala large format printer

Europe’s largest photo service company is all revved up and ready for the Christmas season.  In early December, yet another swissQprint Impala large format printer went into operation at the CEWE plant in Germering near Munich (Germany), the company’s fourth swissQprint UV flatbed printer.

Next to the usual photo offerings, CEWE has offered large format prints in a variety of sizes since 2011. Inkjet technology is used to print UV-hardening inks directly onto acrylic glass, Dibond® and rigid foam panels. CEWE chose to go with Swiss printing quality from swissQprint. Their main plant in Oldenburg took the lead in acquiring a second Impala, now the company’s Munich operation has followed suit. All four systems are identically configured and hence deployable interchangeably. Of the nine colour channels on each machine, eight are in use for CMYK plus light Cyan, light Magenta and light Black for natural-looking skin tones, plus a white masking coat for application to acrylic glass. Furthermore, each machine is equipped with a roll-to-roll option for handling canvas and similar roll stocks.

CEWE's business takes off during the pre-Christmas season. The make-or-break factors are achieving the best possible picture quality, utterly reliable logistics, and meeting the promised delivery dates. In each case CEWE are the professionals, offering a colourful array of products that extends from photo albums, calendars and greetings cards for loved ones, all the way to large canvases and posters for style-conscious homemakers.

For more information, please visit www.swissqprint.com

Caldera wins Viscom Best of 2012 award for InkPerformer module

Caldera won a Best of 2012 award at last month's Viscom Frankfurt show with its InkPerformer module. The ink consumption management tool impressed the awards' judging panel with the 'considerable potential savings' the software offers, while also helping print business take a step towards more sustainable production.

InkPerformer, created in conjunction with Alwan Color Expertise, is a ground-breaking solution that allows PSPs to not only monitor but also control their ink consumption for optimal ink economy without compromising on output quality.

"We are truly delighted that InkPerformer has been recognised by the Viscom jury as one of the top products to have been launched in 2012," says Sebastien Hanssens, Vice President Marketing, Caldera. "It is testament to our hard work, and our collaboration with Alwan, that InkPerformer won the software award and we feel the product really deserved it. It is always foremost in our development strategy to create products that make printing more rewarding for our users, and it is edifying when they are then independently acknowledged to do so by industry experts."

Launched in May this year, InkPerformer is an option for version 9 of Caldera's RIP solutions that sits in the print workflow before the RIP process and allows users to determine the required level of ink saving, and the threshold at which black is allowed to replace other ink colours in the print. As the Viscom jury noted, this simple adjustment can realise reductions of between 20 and 35 percent of the typical ink laydown, thus offering significant financial and environmental savings for PSPs and paying for itself within weeks.

It's 'on yer bike' for printMAX's Comic Relief fundraising team

On Saturday 9th March, three members of the printMAX team donned their cycling shorts for Comic Relief.  Marketing manager, Vicky Jarman, and consumables consultants Caitriona Wood and Katie Fell cycled a total of 141 miles for charity. Between the three of them they cycled the total distance from their offices in Selborne, Hampshire, to Birmingham’s NEC, the location of the annual Sign and Digital UK.

The Sign and Digital UK exhibition is an annual highlight for Roland’s most successful authorised dealer and printMAX was keen to incorporate it into their fundraising efforts.  Starting at 9am at a local gym, Energique, and on 3 exercise bikes, the team took four hours to complete the ride.

Vicky Jarman comments, “It’s definitely the furthest any of us have cycled in one go, I think our previous track record was a maximum of 10k so this was a huge challenge for all of us. We’re proud of the achievement and really grateful for the kind donations we’ve received to make this all worthwhile. Comic Relief is a fantastic cause, knowing the money goes a long way to help improve lives all over the world, we’re proud to have been able to give just a little towards this.”

In total the printMAX team raised £700 before gift aid, all of which going towards the 25th year of fundraising for Comic Relief.  Donations are still being welcomed at https://my.rednoseday.com/sponsor/printMAX

Disq Group plans Fespa 2013 launches

The group, which consists of Alfa Display, Eve Products, Eurostand Display and Promotor Industries, are currently developing wide-format display products across their portfolio to bring to June's show at Excel London.

The four trade suppliers joined forces in early 2012 as an outsourcing exercise to build a pan-regional network and generate business between the partners.

Disq Group chairman Philippe Jeffery, also managing director of Hertfordshire-based Promotor Industries, said that the trade show was the biggest event that the group had exhibited at together.

He added that the focal point of the event was portable displays for iPads and PC tablets, which he identified as a growing market.

Eurostand Displays is the group's specialist in the area, with certain fixtures already available.

Jeffery said: "iPads are everywhere and Eurostand is doing well with the portable display products. Now is a good time to push that side of the group."

Skipton-based Eve Products is also expected to showcase a finalised version of what Jeffery claimed to be the world's first seamless roller banner in time for Fespa, which takes place on 25 to 29 June.

The Link banner, which has flooded Eve Products with UK and international demand according to the manufacturer, offers a high quality seamless finish even with uneven flooring, Jeffery claimed.

Jeffery said: "We have made further progress over the past six months with the DISQ Group and our clients have begun to bring to them from our partnership. We have better supported our clients' sales teams and this is leading to more sales, which is of course what any graphic, display or event business wants to see at the moment.

"Things are going well and we are covering more and more of the market."

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Disq Group to launch new services and products at Fespa 2013

The group, which consists of Alfa Display, Eve Products, Eurostand Display and Promotor Industries, are currently developing wide-format display products across their portfolio to bring to June's show at Excel London.

The four trade suppliers joined forces in early 2012 as an outsourcing exercise to build a pan-regional network and generate business between the partners.

Disq Group chairman Philippe Jeffery, also managing director of Hertfordshire-based Promotor Industries, said that the trade show was the biggest event that the group had exhibited at together.

He added that the focal point of the event was portable displays for iPads and PC tablets, which he identified as a growing market.

Eurostand Displays is the group's specialist in the area, with certain fixtures already available.

Jeffery said: "iPads are everywhere and Eurostand is doing well with the portable display products. Now is a good time to push that side of the group."

Skipton-based Eve Products is also expected to showcase a finalised version of what Jeffery claimed to be the world's first seamless roller banner in time for Fespa, which takes place on 25 to 29 June.

The Link banner, which has flooded Eve Products with UK and international demand according to the manufacturer, offers a high quality seamless finish even with uneven flooring, Jeffery claimed.

Jeffery said: "We have made further progress over the past six months with the DISQ Group and our clients have begun to bring to them from our partnership. We have better supported our clients' sales teams and this is leading to more sales, which is of course what any graphic, display or event business wants to see at the moment.

"Things are going well and we are covering more and more of the market."

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EFI confirms Benny Landa as speaker at upcoming Connect conference

EFI has announced that Benny Landa, industry pioneer and Chairman and CEO of the Landa Group, will participate in a "fireside chat" Q&A session with EFI CEO Guy Gecht at the company's 14th annual EFI Connect Users Conference, being held from January 15-18, 2013 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Landa made headlines this spring at drupa 2012, where he unveiled Nanographyâ„¢ and six Landa Nanographic Printingâ„¢ Presses, the culmination of a decade of research into nanotechnology.

"We are excited that Benny will be joining us at Connect this January," said EFI CEO Guy Gecht. "As we are preparing for an outstanding Connect, which will be focused on the growth opportunities for our industry, I'm personally very much looking forward to hearing Benny's insights and unique industry vision."

"EFI is an industry leader and I look forward to sharing our vision with EFI users on how Nanographyâ„¢ can bring digital printing to mainstream applications," said Landa.

The Landa Group was founded by Benny Landa ten years ago, following the acquisition by Hewlett-Packard Company of Indigo B.V., which Landa had founded 25 years earlier.

Connect 2013 will be the industry's best venue for open dialogue and idea-exchange in 2013. Business leaders worldwide will gather to participate in over 150 educational sessions, receive hands-on experience, discuss industry trends, network with peers, voice their opinions, and learn from others.

"Early Bird" registration pricing is available until September 30th, 2012. For more information and to register, please visit www.efi.com/connect.

Metamark launches new printable photo mural media

Digital print finds a home and discovers new applications in so many places these days that it’s evident that its potential is far from fully exploited or discovered. New materials and technologies introduce more producers to the possibility of yet more profitable new applications and so, the popularity of the medium grows.

Among Metamark’s latest introduction to its MD-Class digital media portfolio, is MD-TX or, WallTex as it’s also known. WallTex promises MD-Class imaging quality, easy application, and yet more profitable new applications for printers and producers to explore.

WallTex is a printable wall covering. It holds image detail and resolves an impressive gamut thanks to its ink handling characteristics. The material is 100% polyester based and features an adhesive that makes its application, and its removal, clean and easy.

According to Metamark, the new material will find uses anywhere that there’s a need to introduce ambience or a measure of impact. Metamark also suggests that WallTex will find a home in domestic situations where photo-murals are becoming popular.

Supplied on a liner, WallTex can be cut using the same tools used for vinyl. So abstract shaped output and other novel approaches to mural application are challenged more by imagination than practical considerations.

Metamark says it is making sample rolls of the new material available to users of solvent and eco-solvent printers who’d like to try fabric-based photo-mural applications for themselves. Samples are available for same day despatch by contacting sales@metamark.co.uk.

Metamark launches e-Brick vinyl selection app for iPhone

Metamark has launched a new 'e-Brick' app for iPhone which makes it even easier to select and match Metamark SignVinyl colours.

Metamark’s hefty “Brick” SignVinyl and Speciality Materials swatch now has a somewhat lighter-weight e-cousin. The e-Brick takes a useful chunk of Metamark’s Brick’s contents, the 4 Series and 7 Series SignVinyl ranges, and packs it into an intuitive and easy-to-use iPhone app that makes material colour selection and specification even easier still.

The new app uses the iPhone’s camera to capture images of anything its user might want to survey. The captured images can be saved and subsequently examined in close detail using a touch-controlled cursor. The app dynamically calculates and displays the closest available Metamark SignVinyl matches for the image area under the cursor’s focus.

Captured images and corresponding selected matches can be saved for future reference and the entire swatch can also be browsed without making a match reference to an image. Full product data sheets are also stored within the app and it’s possible to e-mail Metamark directly from the application too.

A Metamark spokesperson says, "It’s unlikely that the e-Brick will replace the real-world article, but it's just another example of how Metamark strives to make itself easy to deal with, and its products easy to choose and to buy. There’s also no doubting that the iPhone is a very powerful and useful tool and its talents are put to good use by Metamark’s app."

The app is available now, free of charge on Apple’s app store by searching under e-Brick.

For more information, please visit www.metamark.co.uk

PrintBoard 'dashboard display' software launched by Caldera

Caldera has launched PrintBoard - a software signage system designed to provide printers with a dashboard display of their production status.  The software interacts with Caldera’s RIP to display data including daily square metres produced, productivity of each printer and the job queue. The display can be fed to up to five screens, including a mix of large flat panel displays and tablets, such as the iPad. Those screens can be positioned anywhere within the printer’s factory, offices, boardroom or viewed remotely.

"We wanted to provide a platform that could educate printers about digital signage within their own facilities and get the tools in their hands so that they can work with it," said Caldera vice president of marketing Sebastien Hanssens. "We see it as a great tool."

"Our customers told us that they wanted a more visible monitoring solution that would enable them to be more proactive in driving efficiency," said Caldera chief executive Joseph Mergui.

Printers wanting to add digital signage to their range of services can upgrade the system to Caldera’s Variable Display media player. Variable Display supports unlimited content feeds, playlists, content management and RSS feeds, to enable a basic digital signage solution.

"Variable Display is very easy for the printer to use," said Hanssens. "Digital signage is not the enemy for print, as many may believe, it can be a friend. We believe there are great opportunities for combining print with digital signage, such as using printed graphics around monitors â€" a TV screen on its own is boring."

John Dollin in £950,000 Heidelberg deal

The Suprasetter 105 plate-setter is to be delivered in October and will produce plates for John Dollin's new Speedmaster XL 75, Speedmaster XL 105, and two SM 52-4+Ls.

The £150,000 system has Prepress Manager CIP 4 connectivity, a completely new system to John Dollin, which will keep track of wastage, makeready and job times. It will create a closed colour loop, monitored by the XL 75's Axis Control, to link prepress to the pressroom remotely.

Meanwhile the £800,000 B2-format Speedmaster XL 75-5+L will replace an SM 74-5 when it is installed this December.

Co-director Ian Dollin said that the company had been interested in the machine for some time and felt that the time was right to invest as the current SM 74-5 needed to be replaced.

Dollin said: "We do a lot of carton work and the new XL 75 will come into its own for that with the double size impression cylinder.

"It is far better suited for the heavier weight materials than the SM 74. The thickest board we would handle would be 600 microns but we know that the XL 75 can handle heavier weights than that."

He currently runs Heidelberg's Image Control colour measurement system but believes that the XL 75's Axis Control management, which scans colour bars on-press, will cut down on waste and streamline practices.

The decision to invest in only Heidelberg equipment was a conscious one, as Dollin said that the back-up and service would be more straightforward if coming from one manufacturer.

He said: "If anything goes wrong we will just have one port of call."

Dollin added that the company was looking to invest in B2-format for its digital shop in the new year and was watching the market for an affordable addition to its portfolio.

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John Dollin boosts in £950,000 Heidelberg deal

The Suprasetter 105 plate-setter is to be delivered in October and will produce plates for John Dollin's new Speedmaster XL 75, Speedmaster XL 105, and two SM 52-4+Ls.

The £150,000 system has Prepress Manager CIP 4 connectivity, a completely new system to John Dollin, which will keep track of wastage, makeready and job times. It will create a closed colour loop, monitored by the XL 75's Axis Control, to link prepress to the pressroom remotely.

Meanwhile the £800,000 B2-format Speedmaster XL 75-5+L will replace an SM 74-5 when it is installed this December.

Co-director Ian Dollin said that the company had been interested in the machine for some time and felt that the time was right to invest as the current SM 74-5 needed to be replaced.

Dollin said: "We do a lot of carton work and the new XL 75 will come into its own for that with the double size impression cylinder.

"It is far better suited for the heavier weight materials than the SM 74. The thickest board we would handle would be 600 microns but we know that the XL 75 can handle heavier weights than that."

He currently runs Heidelberg's Image Control colour measurement system but believes that the XL 75's Axis Control management, which scans colour bars on-press, will cut down on waste and streamline practices.

The decision to invest in only Heidelberg equipment was a conscious one, as Dollin said that the back-up and service would be more straightforward if coming from one manufacturer.

He said: "If anything goes wrong we will just have one port of call."

Dollin added that the company was looking to invest in B2-format for its digital shop in the new year and was watching the market for an affordable addition to its portfolio.

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Atlantic Tech Services launches NEOLT's versatile Shield Laminator range

Atlantic Tech Services has announced launch of the versatile Shield Laminator range which has been designed and manufactured to deliver solutions for the widest range of applications from vehicle wrapping to visual communications and sign making.

The Shield range is totally field upgradeable from the basic cold lamination model to the dual heated roller version. The Shield is also available as a dedicated Wrapping edition end-to-end work station with motorised double roll and automatic rotary cutting system at exit, which can be completed with the addition of the optional back lighted and scratch resistant tables. The lamination rolls are covered with a specially designed silicone coating which enables easy lamination of media.

The Shield Flatbed model is designed for all professional lamination requirements comes supplied with a pneumatic pressure motor and moveable feed/exit tables as an online extension to the versatility offered by this quality laminator. This allows the Shield to become a complete online system when placed between any UV or water based flatbed printer and a digital flatbed router/cutter such as the Zund.

Available with hand or foot pedal controls in Cold or Hot versions with optional online vertical exit cutting and delivers an unrivalled low energy consumption performance. Maximum working width is 1650mm with a maximum thickness of 30mm and maximum speed of 3 metres per minute.

For more information, please visit www.atlantic-ts.com

[Image shows Neolt's Shield Flatbed model]