Spandex targets low-cost film at sign market
The specialist in sign making and display industries said the 777 Cast Film range included 100 coloured films and offered “conformability” over rivets and corrugations. Spandex business manager Kerry McGeown said a few colours were launched at Fespa but this marked the first commercial availability of all the colours from Spandex. “This is a do-it-all film for the sign industry,” she said. “Avery Dennison 777 Cast Film meets the needs for all signage applications indoors and out including vehicles, boats, windows, POS and outdoor advertising.” The firm based in Bristol claims the film boasts up to eight years’ durability. It is available for next-day delivery, which is imperative for a sector often facing tight deadlines for shop and vehicle fitting, said McGeown. Cast films differ from polymer films in being softer and thinner and easier to cut and use. The product comes in two standard widths, 610mm and 1,220mm. Costs, which McGeown said are similar to that of polymeric film, are available on a one-to-one basis. As an introductory offer, Spandex is offering a 50m roll of black or white gloss 777 for £240....
read morePaperlinx launches flexible London office for customers
The facility in Mandela Way, near Elephant & Castle in Central London, has been renovated with hot-desk, broadband Wifi, office printers, private meeting rooms and drinks machines. “Many of our customers regularly find themselves in London visiting clients or attending sales appointments and need more than a cramped table in a coffee shop to answer emails or respond to customers’ requests for quotes etc,” said Andy Buxton, managing director of Paperlinx’s Commercial Print division. “Our focus is firmly on meeting our customers’ needs, helping them to add value to their businesses, whatever their requirements and opening up this resource is a key part of that commitment.” The new facility follows the recent unveiling of a number of customer-centric initiatives, which included printers’ webstores and The Car Wrap Club. The office facility is open now and can be booked though selda.hussein@paperlinx.com....
read morePaperlinx launches flexible London office for customers
The facility in Mandela Way, near Elephant & Castle in Central London, has been renovated with hot-desk, broadband Wifi, office printers, private meeting rooms and drinks machines. “Many of our customers regularly find themselves in London visiting clients or attending sales appointments and need more than a cramped table in a coffee shop to answer emails or respond to customers’ requests for quotes etc,” said Andy Buxton, managing director of Paperlinx’s Commercial Print division. “Our focus is firmly on meeting our customers’ needs, helping them to add value to their businesses, whatever their requirements and opening up this resource is a key part of that commitment.” The new facility follows the recent unveiling of a number of customer-centric initiatives, which included printers’ webstores and The Car Wrap Club. The office facility is open now and can be booked though selda.hussein@paperlinx.com....
read moreTechnotrans hones marketing activities
Penny Culverhouse has a background in paper, print and publishing markets and previously worked for Harlow leaflet and flyer printer Frontline Marketing. “This job will allow me to apply the knowledge I have built up in a highly commercial environment,” said Culverhouse, who will report to managing director Peter Benton. She said marketing at Technotrans used to be shared but the new approach meant a dedicated role would give more focus to campaigns that would include e-shots and a higher degree of customer contact. Benton said: “Penny brings a new and fresh approach to the marketing role. She is taking a mixed marketing approach to ensure our customers are kept informed of our news and developments. “Emailing is good but we need to be talking to people much more. We are pushing more heavily on maintenance: businesses are making their equipment last longer,” he added. “We will keep people updated on upgrades, new product development and new legislation on areas such as refrigeration,” said Benton whose 18-staff company makes just under £3m turnover. “So if people need to make a purchasing decision, they can make an informed choice in good time.”...
read moreTechnotrans hones marketing activities
Penny Culverhouse has a background in paper, print and publishing markets and previously worked for Harlow leaflet and flyer printer Frontline Marketing. “This job will allow me to apply the knowledge I have built up in a highly commercial environment,” said Culverhouse, who will report to managing director Peter Benton. She said marketing at Technotrans used to be shared but the new approach meant a dedicated role would give more focus to campaigns that would include e-shots and a higher degree of customer contact. Benton said: “Penny brings a new and fresh approach to the marketing role. She is taking a mixed marketing approach to ensure our customers are kept informed of our news and developments. “Emailing is good but we need to be talking to people much more. We are pushing more heavily on maintenance: businesses are making their equipment last longer,” he added. “We will keep people updated on upgrades, new product development and new legislation on areas such as refrigeration,” said Benton whose 18-staff company makes just under £3m turnover. “So if people need to make a purchasing decision, they can make an informed choice in good time.”...
read moreApex announces long-awaited UK launch of the Ryobi 760E
Apex originally hoped a UK demonstration model of the B2-format, space-saving offset-litho press would arrive last autumn, but the delivery was delayed. The compact model, which is ready for demo at Apex’s Hemel Hempstead showroom, features a Ryobi PCS-K control system above a new low-pile delivery section and new-style footboards. “It is built on the foundation of the 750 series, which is long and well established all over the world,” sales and marketing director Neil Handforth said of the device, which has a guide price of £480,000. “Ryobi wanted a machine more accessible for the smaller print shops wanting to move up a size or those with B2 kit wanting shorter runs but tight on space. This is 20% smaller than a 750 series machine and is just short of 8m long. “But the important thing to remember is that although this is a compact press, underneath the covers it’s still a 750 series heavy-duty machine with the same inking power, up to 600 micron.” Handforth said: “In spite of the number of digital products launched into the B2 sector at Drupa, we are convinced offset still has a significant role to play.” The 760E press prints up to 13,000sph, 2,000sph slower than the entry-level 780E and the 750. Handling paper sizes through to 765mm x 600mm the device has a maximum printing area of 765 x 545mm for the S type machine, and 765 x 580mm for the XL. A double-diameter impression cylinder and transfer drum aid stable and efficient paper transport, even with heavier stocks, according to the manufacturer. Similar to the 780E and 750 models, the 760E can handle paper thicknesses from 0.04-0.6mm in straight mode or up to 0.4mm in perfecting. Other features include semi-automatic plate changing and continuous dampening, and an ultrasonic double-sheet detector. Additionally, following the Kodak/Ryobi partnership announced at Drupa, the device can be specified with Kodak Prosper digital inkjet printheads to provide a hybrid printing system. The device will be on display at the Print Efficiently event at Apex’s Hemel Hempstead showroom in October....
read moreTech-ni-fold blocks third patent infringement
In November 2011, after a three year legal battle, Tech-ni-fold reached a settlement in its patent infringement lawsuit against two Minnesota-based companies, Update and D&R Bindery Solutions. The UK-based firm has now reached a resolution with Michigan-based reseller Rosback Company, against which it also filed a patent infringement suit. Under the initial 2011 settlement, Update and D&R agreed to cease manufacturing and sales of its Ultimate Score product, meaning Rosback was also prevented from reselling the products, which it sold under the name Truescore. But earlier this year Tech-ni-fold discovered that Rosback was selling TrueScore-Pro and TrueScore-Pro Quad products that also infringed Tech-ni-fold’s Tri-Creaser patents. “Upon further investigation we concluded that although the look of the devices had changed in some respects, both products clearly infringed our patents,” said managing director at Tech-ni-fold Graham Harris. He explained that the Tri-Creaser patent protects the rotary rubber creasing technology used in 80% of Tech-ni-fold products. He added: “We wrote to Rosback, and last week Rosback agreed to cease selling the products.” Harris is still concerned however, about how many TrueScore-Pro and TrueScore-Pro Quad devices have already been sold. He said: “I have fought quietly and fairly for five years to protect my IP and good name in the market. It is sad that litigation is sometimes the only tool that works to deter certain behaviour. But I will not hesitate to start litigation proceedings next time I see a product that our legal team and I deem to be potentially infringing.” He added: “Tech-ni-Fold welcomes competition, but it must be fair and just, and I hope that by speaking out, others will think twice about chancing a design to gain quick access into the market.” Rosback was unavailable for comment....
read moreApex announces long-awaited UK launch of the Ryobi 760E
Apex originally hoped a UK demonstration model of the B2-format, space-saving offset-litho press would arrive last autumn, but the delivery was delayed. The compact model, which is ready for demo at Apex’s Hemel Hempstead showroom, features a Ryobi PCS-K control system above a new low-pile delivery section and new-style footboards. “It is built on the foundation of the 750 series, which is long and well established all over the world,” sales and marketing director Neil Handforth said of the device, which has a guide price of £480,000. “Ryobi wanted a machine more accessible for the smaller print shops wanting to move up a size or those with B2 kit wanting shorter runs but tight on space. This is 20% smaller than a 750 series machine and is just short of 8m long. “But the important thing to remember is that although this is a compact press, underneath the covers it’s still a 750 series heavy-duty machine with the same inking power, up to 600 micron.” Handforth said: “In spite of the number of digital products launched into the B2 sector at Drupa, we are convinced offset still has a significant role to play.” The 760E press prints up to 13,000sph, 2,000sph slower than the entry-level 780E and the 750. Handling paper sizes through to 765mm x 600mm the device has a maximum printing area of 765 x 545mm for the S type machine, and 765 x 580mm for the XL. A double-diameter impression cylinder and transfer drum aid stable and efficient paper transport, even with heavier stocks, according to the manufacturer. Similar to the 780E and 750 models, the 760E can handle paper thicknesses from 0.04-0.6mm in straight mode or up to 0.4mm in perfecting. Other features include semi-automatic plate changing and continuous dampening, and an ultrasonic double-sheet detector. Additionally, following the Kodak/Ryobi partnership announced at Drupa, the device can be specified with Kodak Prosper digital inkjet printheads to provide a hybrid printing system. The device will be on display at the Print Efficiently event at Apex’s Hemel Hempstead showroom in October....
read moreTech-ni-fold blocks third patent infringement
In November 2011, after a three year legal battle, Tech-ni-fold reached a settlement in its patent infringement lawsuit against two Minnesota-based companies, Update and D&R Bindery Solutions. The UK-based firm has now reached a resolution with Michigan-based reseller Rosback Company, against which it also filed a patent infringement suit. Under the initial 2011 settlement, Update and D&R agreed to cease manufacturing and sales of its Ultimate Score product, meaning Rosback was also prevented from reselling the products, which it sold under the name Truescore. But earlier this year Tech-ni-fold discovered that Rosback was selling TrueScore-Pro and TrueScore-Pro Quad products that also infringed Tech-ni-fold’s Tri-Creaser patents. “Upon further investigation we concluded that although the look of the devices had changed in some respects, both products clearly infringed our patents,” said managing director at Tech-ni-fold Graham Harris. He explained that the Tri-Creaser patent protects the rotary rubber creasing technology used in 80% of Tech-ni-fold products. He added: “We wrote to Rosback, and last week Rosback agreed to cease selling the products.” Harris is still concerned however, about how many TrueScore-Pro and TrueScore-Pro Quad devices have already been sold. He said: “I have fought quietly and fairly for five years to protect my IP and good name in the market. It is sad that litigation is sometimes the only tool that works to deter certain behaviour. But I will not hesitate to start litigation proceedings next time I see a product that our legal team and I deem to be potentially infringing.” He added: “Tech-ni-Fold welcomes competition, but it must be fair and just, and I hope that by speaking out, others will think twice about chancing a design to gain quick access into the market.” Rosback was unavailable for comment....
read moreGMG launches CoZone Collaborate
The platform allows users to manage, review, proof and approve graphic arts content within an online Amazon Cloud Service-hosted soft-proofing environment. Multimedia file support will be offered by the end of the year. “It is cloud-based – there’s no software or hardware to install and users do not need anything more than a web browser. Unlike other solutions CoZone offers no restriction on user numbers, file sizes or even storage,” said product manager Marcus Wright. He added: “CoZone Collaborate has been developed from the ground up so it meets the needs of people looking for a cost-effective, scalable and easy-to-use system for collaborating, reviewing, proofing and approving media files prior to production.” While CoZone Collaborate provides a soft-proofing and approval toolkit, future GMG CoZone modules to be released will incorporate connections to GMG-calibrated hard-copy output devices for end-to-end workflow. “Consumers have embraced cloud-based solutions for the storage, management and retrieval of their data, be it music, photos, documents or films and they now want the same flexibility in the workplace,” said Wright. “The way that jobs are produced, and the growing expectations of customers, mean that the industry has to sit up and take note. Adopting a more distributed and collaborative methodology that exploits the clear benefits of the cloud when producing content means easier, faster and more streamlined output, which is good for the industry as a whole.”...
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