Contex Americas and HP partner to deliver new MFP bundles for technical & graphics markets

Contex Americas has announced it is working with HP to develop two wide format multifunction (MFP) products specifically designed to meet the needs of the technical and graphics markets. The new bundles are high-production MFPs, combining the HP Designjet T7100 Printer with either the award-winning Contex HD Ultra 3650 or Contex SD 3690. These new MFPs provide users with affordable, fast, high-quality imaging solutions for wide format scanning, copying and monochrome or colour printing. The Contex and HP Designjet T7100 Printer bundles are specially priced until the end of June and available immediately through Contex and HP channel partners.

"The collaboration between Contex and HP offers a powerful and streamlined multifunction solution for mid-volume scanning, copying and printing, in monochrome and colour, " states Steve Blanken, General Manager, Contex Americas. "This is a full-featured alternative to monochrome-only LED MFPs."

Built for efficiency, the HP Designjet T7100 Printer provides low-cost, high-speed printing of monochrome CAD drawings and high-quality colour documents. When paired with the Contex SD 3690 wide format scanner, which is designed to handle high volume projects while accurately capturing everything from new originals to faded blueprints, the MFP addresses all technical imaging demands from capture to output.

Additionally, the HD Ultra 3650/HP Designjet T7100 MFP is suited for both the technical and graphic markets. Noted for its versatility, the award-winning HD Ultra is the fastest scanner available today. With xDTR2 technology and Gigabit Ethernet ensuring maximum throughput, the HD Ultra further elevates the scanning process with features such as 48-bit CCD technology and the widest colour gamut possible, delivering highly detailed images unmatched in colour reproduction quality.

For more information about the Contex and HP Designjet T7100 Printer bundles, please email salesamericas@contex.com

SignMaster Systems looking forward to a 'fantastic' FESPA

After its success at Sign & Digital UK, Signmaster Systems is looking forward to a similar reaction to its new products at FESPA. The company plans to reach even greater audiences with its new products including Rollover, a Norwegian flatbed application and laminating system.

As the UK’s Exclusive Sole Distributor, Signmaster Systems launched the Rollover at Sign & Digital and received very positive results and feedback in terms of its usability, efficiency, price and variety of sizes up to 1.7m in width and 8m in length. Signmaster will be located on the Rollover stand at FESPA (stand M68N). The Rollover solves the commercial need for laminating large sizes and volumes of work under time constraints whilst providing a recognisable return on investment, minimising the bottleneck effect which can often occur within Sign making and Commercial Printing.

Signmaster Systems will also be present on Intercoat’s stand - F28S - where brand new consumable materials will be printed onto using a revolutionary wide format printer which is to be revealed at the show. Intercoat produces premium self-adhesive films and vinyls suitable for solvent, eco-solvent and latex inks for fantastic image and colour reproduction.

Nick Woodcock, Head of Consumables at Signmaster Systems comments, “I am excited to be representing Signmaster and Intercoat at a world renowned trade show. The opportunity to promote a product that is growing steadily in the UK in an environment such as FESPA is invaluable.”

Nikita Whitfield, Marketing Executive at Signmaster Systems, summarises, “We are very pleased to be featuring on not one but two exhibition stands at FESPA. It really is a fantastic opportunity to market ourselves to a larger audience, showcasing remarkable products which are essential items for successful artwork production.”

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

PrintWeek to produce official Fespa show daily

The PrintWeek team will be decamping to produce the Daily live from the showfloor at London's Excel in a specially built newsroom on the PrintWeek stand, M90S in the digital hall. The FespaDaily will be published in English and German.

The 32-page publication will cover all of the show news as it happens: the deals, the launches and everything in between. In addition, it will offer insightful and thought provoking analysis of some of the key trends at the landmark event.

The six-strong editorial team's key objective will be to ensure that no delegate's visit to the show is complete without securing their copy of FespaDaily, which will be available at all of the entrances, registration points and other high-traffic areas.

"Fespa is the key international event in the wide-format sector in 2013 and it will offer an unparalleled opportunity to see where the industry is heading now and in the future. So actually reporting the latest news live from the show floor is critical - and it's what we do best," said PrintWeek editor Darryl Danielli.

For the first time, PrintWeek will be producing the FespaDaily in collaboration with Digital Textile magazine, part of the World Textile Information Network. The Digital Textile team will be producing textile news live from the show, as well as a number a textile focussed features for the Daily.

As well as producing the FespaDaily, the PrintWeek team will also be producing a daily email bulletin that will be sent to more than 40,000 key players in the wide-format sector, which, along with the Daily, will ensure that all the latest news and views of the world's largest wide-format show will be broadcast to the global industry's leading players. You can register for the Fespa bulletin here.

If you have any news during or in the run-up to and during the show, please email fespa.daily@markallengroup.com or complete the attached press release template available here.

For advertising enquiries, email angela.koduah@markallengroup.com.

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Mimaki Sb300 series inks awarded ECO-passport certification by Centexbel

Mimaki's Sb300 series of dye sublimations inks has been awarded ECO-passport certification by Centexbel. This certification, which certifies compliance with the Oeko-Tex standard 100 and the ECO-passport certification system, assures users that inks will cause no harm when they come in contact with the skin. This is highly important for producers of textiles, especially those creating products that are destined to come in contact with human skin.

“We are extremely pleased to receive this certification,” says Mike Horsten, General Manager, Marketing of Mimaki EMEA. “Our textile printing products have been received warmly by the marketplace, and we believe this certification will help us gain even more credibility among textile printers looking for a short-run digital solution. Many in the industry will remember the stir created by Mimaki-printed costumes on the Landa Dancers at drupa 2012. Now they can feel comfortable creating their own unique designs for digitally printed apparel and other textile products without any concern for potential harm to end users."

Mimaki’s exclusive distributor for the UK & Ireland, Hybrid Services Ltd launched the Mimaki TS500 at Sign & Digital UK and marketing manager, Duncan Jefferies, confirms high levels of interest from sportswear and apparel companies and expresses confidence that the certification is an additional benefit for garment manufacturers. “Beyond the printer’s unique combination of ultra fast production speeds and high quality of output; industry certification for the Mimaki dye sublimation ink is a further strong selling point for the TS500.”

Mimaki excels in offering innovative, high quality and high reliability products using a variety of inkjet technologies. Sb300 ink, an aqueous dye sublimation ink introduced to the market in 2012, is optimized for use with the Mimaki TS500-1800 textile printer for dye sublimation transfer. The printer can operate in a 6-colour mode for smooth gradations and higher quality light colours, or a 4-colour mode for increased productivity.

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

Improved print-head leads to greater performance with Hollanders ColorBooster XL

Following a preliminary roll-out of the Seiko 508GS print-head with nozzle guard earlier this year, Hollanders Printing Systems has announced that the latest revision is to be included in all of its future ColorBooster XL installations as well as being available as an option for its existing user base of machines.

This new head features a stainless steel cap to protect the anti-wetting layer of the nozzle plate from deterioration during operation and cleaning cycles.

In-line with the adoption of the new print-head, Hollanders has also introduced a capping station that includes a nozzle plate cleaning system with fluid flush and soft wipers. All ColorBooster XL 320 systems will be upgraded to incorporate this modification as an integrated element of the print-head maintenance solution that extends the current life-cycle.

When used in combination with the new capping station with integrated cleaning system, the warranty will be extended on the print-heads with nozzle guards, a policy which is backed fully by the print head manufacturer. Hollanders recommends that the capping station upgrade is carried out as part of the standard periodical pre-planned maintenance visits.

“Attention to detail with print-head performance and the option to offer improvements to our customer base is of vital importance when ensuring our users get optimum reliability from the ColorBooster XL systems,” explains Roland Biemans, Marketing and Communications Manager at Hollanders Printing Systems. “The capping station and print-head change might appear to be relatively minor elements in the overall machine, but all key parts that are upgraded must be acknowledged and factored in as a benefit for the increased life and easier maintenance of the printer.”

Revisions to all Hollanders solutions are part of the company’s ongoing policy of ensuring that a fully integrated and upgraded platform is offered to its customers. This facility is being extended with the expansion of the engineering team that complements the increased investment in resources and continued growth of its Competence Center.

[Image shows Hollanders Nozzle Guard]

Matan Digital Printers increases production floor by 75% to meet demand for Barak printers

 

Matan Digital Printers, manufacturer of the Barak line of superwide format UV printers, has recently increased its production floor by 75%. “With an ever-increasing demand for the Barak printers, our previous production space just could not accommodate the required volume and we had to expand” said Mr. Hanan Yosefi, Matan’s President & CEO.

Over the past year, sales have been generated by all of Matan’s worldwide channels, including both Matan’s local channels under the Barak brand and as well as FujiFilm’s OEM under the UViStar brand. The impressive success of the new 8 -colour Barak 8Q printer following Drupa 2012, has projected on the entire Barak line. Matan has seen orders for its entire range of printers, from entry-level Barak 16, through high-performance Barak HS and Barak iQ to the top of the line Barak 8Q, including its variety of unique value-added options.

The most remarkable phenomenon has been the amount of returning customers, some of whom have lately purchased their third, fourth and even fifth Matan superwide format UV printer. “We regard this as a clear vote of confidence for our products, their reliability and the high value they bring to their owners. They know that they can trust it as their main money maker”, added Yosefi.

The Barak 8Q and UViStar Pro8 respectively feature Matan’s patented PDS Parallel Drop Size technology combined with 8-colour printing, resulting in high definition POP printing. Optional value-added features include an Inline finishing system, fully automatic backlit printing and automatic flatbed loading and unloading system.  These unique systems give Matan’s customers today a clear advantage over their competitors, enabling them to have more printouts to be made in a short time, with less need for after-printing processes.

 

Hybrid Accounts Assistant awarded Apprentice of the Year prize

Mimaki’s exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland, Hybrid Services, is delighted to announce that the company’s Accounts Assistant, Ashley Kauer, has been awarded Apprentice of the Year 2013 by South Cheshire College.

Ashley started his apprenticeship at Hybrid Services in September 2012.  He has successfully achieved Level 2 and 3 AAT Accounting Diplomas and is currently working towards his Level 4 Diploma, which he is due to complete in July. He works four days a week at Hybrid as well as attending college on day-release to conduct his studies.

South Cheshire College awards an 'Apprentice of the Year' prize on an annual basis, which recognises highly motivated and top performing apprentices who have excelled at college and in employment. Ashley also received a prize of £50 for his efforts and plans to join the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to continue his studies after the summer.

Hybrid’s accountant, Paul Westmacott, has been supervising Ashley since he joined the team 18 months ago and comments, “Ashley has excelled in both his AAT studies at South Cheshire College and also his work-based role here at Hybrid. He has become a very valued member of the accounts department and the wider Hybrid team â€" we are all very proud of what he has achieved.”

Ashley - who has lived in Crewe for most of his life - adds, "I've really enjoyed the apprenticeship because it has given me the chance to earn money, develop my accounting skills in the workplace and improve my qualifications at the same time.  The apprenticeship and accounting courses have helped me to get to where I want to go. I'd thought about going to university but I was put off a bit by the cost... this apprenticeship has been a win-win situation for me. I'm pleased to have won this award because it shows that I must be doing something right!"

Further details of South Cheshire College can be found at www.s-cheshire.ac.uk

For more information on Hybrid, please visit www.hybridservices.co.uk