Launched in January, the Omega 2 offers light cyan and light magenta on top of the standard CYMK colourset. According to Durst it can handle a wide range of heat-sensitive substrates thanks to the addition of UV-LED drying technology. Surrey-based Signbox is the fifth UK printer to install the Omega. Other installs have been made at First2Print in Sunderland and Print & Cut in Stockport. Signbox’s machine was delivered at the start of this week and was supplied by London-based large-format reseller Perfect Colours, the exclusive UK distributor for Durst Omega entry-level, wide-format UV inkjet printers as of last November when they took over from Durst’s previous Omega 1 distribution partner Spandex. Signbox decided to upgrade its Omega 1 model to boost the quality of its range of poster, illuminated signage, vehicle, banner, wallpaper and modular signage prints, particularly on skin tones. The new printer will also allow the company to print ‘Fire Exit’ signs on heat sensitive heat acrylic. “The Omega 1 was brilliant and we’ve done an awful lot with it,” said Signbox managing director Mark Bartlett. “But we wanted to expand our capabilities. We will now be able to print faster on white, higher quality and the new LED technology will help us lower our environmental impact.”...

Launched in January, the Omega 2 offers light cyan and light magenta on top of the standard CYMK colourset. According to Durst it can handle a wide range of heat-sensitive substrates thanks to the addition of UV-LED drying technology. Surrey-based Signbox is the fifth UK printer to install the Omega. Other installs have been made at First2Print in Sunderland and Print & Cut in Stockport. Signbox’s machine was delivered at the start of this week and was supplied by London-based large-format reseller Perfect Colours, the exclusive UK distributor for Durst Omega entry-level, wide-format UV inkjet printers as of last November when they took over from Durst’s previous Omega 1 distribution partner Spandex. Signbox decided to upgrade its Omega 1 model to boost the quality of its range of poster, illuminated signage, vehicle, banner, wallpaper and modular signage prints, particularly on skin tones. The new printer will also allow the company to print ‘Fire Exit’ signs on heat sensitive heat acrylic. “The Omega 1 was brilliant and we’ve done an awful lot with it,” said Signbox managing director Mark Bartlett. “But we wanted to expand our capabilities. We will now be able to print faster on white, higher quality and the new LED technology will help us lower our environmental impact.”...

Under the extended agreement, the Leicestershire-based firm will continue to offer IP’s SBS brand Everest, which it has stocked and distributed for around 15 years. It will also expand its range to include the US-manufactured Carolina, which comprises one and two-sided coated solid bleached sulphate boards targeted at markets including greetings cards, book covers, DM, catalogues and luxury packaging. Warren Board Sales managing director Kieran Ferguson said: “We already have a firm relationship with International Paper and helped them develop their Everest brand into Europe. The company now wants to develop Carolina in the same way so we will work with the brand and effectively be a stepping stone to it gaining a presence in Europe.” Other new brands offered by Warren Board under the new deal include high quality folding box-board products Arktika and Alaska, which are produced at IP’s Polish mill in Kwidzyn and aimed at the pharmaceutical, confectionary and cosmetics markets. Ferguson added that there would most likely be further speciality board developments. International Paper’s commercial director for coated paperboard and recycled specialities, Michael Krüger, said: “The strengthening of this partnership will help International Paper develop its coated board presence in the UK and Irish graphical and converting sectors and provide a more comprehensive service and value proposition to these markets.”...

Managing director Jon Olley said the move was the result of changes in the company’s client base, including company closures and the fact that a number of firms have taken laminating in-house by putting their own kit in. “The client base doesn’t warrant having two factories anymore,” he explained. “We can consolidate our laminating and varnishing services at Harleston. The two facilities were only 30 miles apart anyway, so this is a sensible and cost-effective way forward.” The company will close its smaller Bury St Edmunds site as a result, with the loss of eight jobs. Sales and transport manager Marvin Coe will transfer to Harleston. The 1,160sqm Harleston facility employs 20 people under factory manager Dean Ames. Olley also plans to expand the range of services offered at Harleston and is in the midst of evaluating the digital spot UV coating systems from Autobond, Scodix, MGI and Komfi. “That will be something completely new as a trade service,” he added. “Our finance director Mone Sharma is looking at the financial return on investment and we’re talking to major customers about this offering.” Coatings Direct’s clients include major book and magazine printers. It had sales of just under £3m last year....

Under the extended agreement, the Leicestershire-based firm will continue to offer IP’s SBS brand Everest, which it has stocked and distributed for around 15 years. It will also expand its range to include the US-manufactured Carolina, which comprises one and two-sided coated solid bleached sulphate boards targeted at markets including greetings cards, book covers, DM, catalogues and luxury packaging. Warren Board Sales managing director Kieran Ferguson said: “We already have a firm relationship with International Paper and helped them develop their Everest brand into Europe. The company now wants to develop Carolina in the same way so we will work with the brand and effectively be a stepping stone to it gaining a presence in Europe.” Other new brands offered by Warren Board under the new deal include high quality folding box-board products Arktika and Alaska, which are produced at IP’s Polish mill in Kwidzyn and aimed at the pharmaceutical, confectionary and cosmetics markets. Ferguson added that there would most likely be further speciality board developments. International Paper’s commercial director for coated paperboard and recycled specialities, Michael Krüger, said: “The strengthening of this partnership will help International Paper develop its coated board presence in the UK and Irish graphical and converting sectors and provide a more comprehensive service and value proposition to these markets.”...