The increase in price will apply to Sappi’s coated and uncoated flexpack paper, siliconising base papers and label papers. The company cited sustained increases in input costs, including pulp, chemicals and transport, saying that the price rise was needed to restore margins. Implementation of the price adjustment will be addressed in the coming weeks with Sappi Fine Paper Europe clients on an individual basis. A spokeswoman said: “We believe our markets are strong enough to be able to sustain such a price increase.” The move follows similar price increases initially announced at the end of last year across Sappi’s graphic paper range, which came into effect in February this year. Meanwhile, the same price increase across the rest of its coated fine paper range came into effect in February. Earlier this month Sappi’s global Q2 financial results illustrated the impact of the weak market conditions, particularly in Europe, with an operating profit excluding exceptional items of just $40m (£26m) compared with $125m in the same quarter of 2012 and $73m in the quarter to 31 December. Sappi chief executive Ralph Boettger said that market conditions for the paper businesses, particularly in Europe, were expected to continue to be weaker than previously envisaged. He added: “The price increases in Europe, to date, have not been sufficient to restore margins given rising input costs. Despite the interventions and major cost reductions that have taken place, we expect the European business to only achieve a breakeven operating profit excluding special items for the full year.” Boettger warned that the poor performance would necessitate “further action” and that the company was currently “evaluating a number of options that could result in capacity and cost reductions in our European business”. In April, both Metsa Board and Arjowiggins Graphic also increased prices of their wood-free coated papers, also citing the rising cost of raw materials....

The 3m x 1.8m Diecut Goldline manually fed platen works on paper, card, foam board, vinyl and corrugated and folding boxboard. The firm in Edmonton, north London produces point-of-sale material for film companies and supermarkets. “The beauty of the machine is that digital print houses are printing bigger and using larger sheet sizes than traditional litho or screen work,” said production assistant Joanne Hobbs, adding PPFS was keen to home in on the digital market. She said other big plusses of the new kit, which cost around £200,000, were faster makeready times and safety. Additionally repeat jobs only required one makeready, which could take up to two hours, which offered big savings in time. Configuration of the machine meanwhile made it safer, she added, with some conventional machines operators having to “get into the machine” to make them ready whereas the task on the Goldline can be done at the rear of the machine away from working parts. Hobbs said the 40-staff company was trialling the Goldline, which was installed by Diecut UK, on magnetic vinyl and initial results were positive. Diecut UK said PPFS was one of the first companies to embrace this new technology. It not only increased its capacity as a trade finisher but protected their workforce using the machinery, the company said....

The 3m x 1.8m Diecut Goldline manually fed platen works on paper, card, foam board, vinyl and corrugated and folding boxboard. The firm in Edmonton, north London produces point-of-sale material for film companies and supermarkets. “The beauty of the machine is that digital print houses are printing bigger and using larger sheet sizes than traditional litho or screen work,” said production assistant Joanne Hobbs, adding PPFS was keen to home in on the digital market. She said other big plusses of the new kit, which cost around £200,000, were faster makeready times and safety. Additionally jobs need only one make-ready, which means repeat jobs do not need to be made ready. This has offered big savings in time. Configuration of the machine meanwhile made it safer, she added, with some conventional machines operators having to “get into the machine” to make them ready whereas the task on the Goldline can be done at the rear of the machine away from working parts. Installer Diecut UK said 40-staff PPFS was one of the first companies to embrace this new technology. It not only increased its capacity as a trade finisher but protected their workforce using the machinery, the company said....

The 3m x 1.8m Diecut Goldline manually fed platen works on paper, card, foam board, vinyl and corrugated and folding boxboard. The firm in Edmonton, north London produces point-of-sale material for film companies and supermarkets. “The beauty of the machine is that digital print houses are printing bigger and using larger sheet sizes than traditional litho or screen work,” said production assistant Joanne Hobbs, adding PPFS was keen to home in on the digital market. She said other big plusses of the new kit, which cost around £200,000, were faster makeready times and safety. Additionally jobs need only one make-ready, which means repeat jobs do not need to be made ready. This has offered big savings in time. Configuration of the machine meanwhile made it safer, she added, with some conventional machines operators having to “get into the machine” to make them ready whereas the task on the Goldline can be done at the rear of the machine away from working parts. Installer Diecut UK said 40-staff PPFS was one of the first companies to embrace this new technology. It not only increased its capacity as a trade finisher but protected their workforce using the machinery, the company said....

The deal was announced at this week’s North Print & Pack show. Victory Signs bought the kit from Mimaki reseller Your Print Specialists (YPS), which has been a long-term supplier to the Northumberland-based engraving and sign specialist. The new Mimaki has just been installed, and becomes an addition to Victory Signs’ existing production facilities spanning specialist engraving techniques and digital printing, including two other smaller-format Mimaki devices. Managing director Alan Wood praised the quality and speed of the JFX500-2131, which has a list price of £125,000. It prints at up to 60sqm/hour at 600x600dpi on items up to 50mm thick. “It’s cutting edge technology, I’m as excited about it as they [YPS] are,” he said. The new printer will allow the 13-strong family-owned business to bring screen printing work that is currently outsourced back in-house, as well as providing a springboard to expand into new areas, such as internal point-of-sale. Manager Neil Wood added: “Having a flatbed will save a lot of time. Being able to print directly onto substrates such as Dibond and Foamex will eliminate application costs and the cost of vinyls.” YPS managing director Garry Brown described it as “a great personal pleasure” to see a long-standing customer with a UK first: “It’s proof indeed that service, support and true commercial understanding are key to solid business – and we look forward to developing that value with new and existing customers alike.” Mimaki will be showing the JFX500-2131 among its exhibits at next month’s Fespa show in...