New KAMA register kit boasts more precision and cost benefits
The AutoRegister, presented at last year’s Drupa, is now commercially available and costs from £36,000. It can be used with KAMA’s ProCut range of die-cutters to tighten up on accuracy in cutting, creasing and other finishing operations in digital printing. KAMA originally developed the AutoRegister for its ProCut53 die-cutter for the common format of 530x400mm. But it has adapted it further to cater for other sheet sizes including the B2 format 760x600mm, ProDigi 76 die-cutters, and models that hot foil stamp. “This has an accuracy of 0.1mm,” said John Harrison, sales manager for the converting division at Friedheim International, which is the sole distributor for the UK and Ireland. “Sometimes trade finishers are asked to foil stamp an image and that image constantly moves.” He said in contrast to conventional post-press machines, which aligned the sheet along the sheet edges, the AutoRegister positioned each sheet individually based on the actual print image. The kit also costs less than any other alternative register system from competitors, he said. “A camera detects small deviations in the position of the print image relative to the sheet edges. Servo motors correct the sheet position and move the sheet into the gripper with an accuracy of 0.1mm. Cuts, creases and finishing effects can now be applied very precisely.” KAMA managing director Marcus Tralau said the system opened up new business opportunities in commercial print and short-run cartons: “Customers can now integrate the system into their digital workflow and get more value-added in-house benefits thanks to the new finishing options. “Sheets which are cut after printing can now also be finished with the same high registration accuracy. This can mean significant cost savings in printing, especially when material utilisation is optimised with multiple blanks per...
read moreWorld’s first print-on-demand newsstand uses Ricoh tech
Meganews vending machines have internet access and can print more than 200 magazines and journals in real time. Titles spool off a Ricoh Pro C751 digital press and the tech is being trialled in airports and supermarkets in Sweden, said a spokeswoman for the manufacturer. “It takes only two minutes from making a purchase until a freshly printed magazine drops down the hatch,” she said. “The solution reduces publishers’ costs for distribution and logistics. It is also more environmentally responsible, as it saves transportation. She said the spec of the kit used for the vending machine was no different from existing Pro C751s and print was no less glossy. The machine uses vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers for 4,800dpi images on chemical toner. The process involves oil-less technology. “The printing technology inside is currently the Ricoh Pro C751,” she explained. “Ricoh has met the needs of Meganews to ensure the printer fits inside along with the finishing, but the specification and product is the same. “When you choose publication you receive exactly the same content as the printed versions in shops. Maybe the stock of the paper will vary. An interesting concept for consumers is they can buy archived magazines or special editions, as these are stored on the system.” She added: “They are looking at expanding beta sites to other areas where there is potential good footfall. This may include the UK but at present there are no further details. The kit is integrated within the system but the spec of the product has not changed.” The idea is the brainchild of Swedish journalist Lars Adaktusson, his brother Hans, and their company Meganews Sweden. Ricoh supplied the technology, while Sweco created the software, card terminal and screens, and LA + B designed the stand. Ricoh said a survey carried out by Swedish research institute Innventia for Meganews found fossil greenhouse gases generated during the life cycle of a magazine printed in a kiosk were around 60% lower against conventional print and distribution. “This is because 40 per cent of traditionally printed journals are not sold, must be returned and go to recycling. Some of Sweden’s leading publishers are taking part such as Bonnier Tidskrifter, Aller Media, Albinson & Sjöberg, LRF Media, IDG, Talentum and Medströms.” Tommy Segelberg, director of Nordic operations’ production printing business group at Ricoh Sweden said: “Purchases are made on screen using a credit card, ensuring convenient and secure transactions.” Ricoh Europe director of business development Graham Moore said: “This product responds to the growing need for on-demand printing. It is also an example of true innovation and we are proud Ricoh’s leading technology is contributing to magazine production of the...
read moreWorld’s first print-on-demand newsstand uses Ricoh tech
Meganews vending machines have internet access and can print more than 200 magazines and journals in real time. Titles spool off a Ricoh Pro C751 digital press and the tech is being trialled in airports and supermarkets in Sweden, said a spokeswoman for the manufacturer. “It takes only two minutes from making a purchase until a freshly printed magazine drops down the hatch,” she said. “The solution reduces publishers’ costs for distribution and logistics. It is also more environmentally responsible, as it saves transportation. She said the spec of the kit used for the vending machine was no different from existing Pro C751s and print was no less glossy. The machine uses vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers for 4,800dpi images on chemical toner. The process involves oil-less technology. “The printing technology inside is currently the Ricoh Pro C751,” she explained. “Ricoh has met the needs of Meganews to ensure the printer fits inside along with the finishing, but the specification and product is the same. “When you choose publication you receive exactly the same content as the printed versions in shops. Maybe the stock of the paper will vary. An interesting concept for consumers is they can buy archived magazines or special editions, as these are stored on the system.” She added: “They are looking at expanding beta sites to other areas where there is potential good footfall. This may include the UK but at present there are no further details. The kit is integrated within the system but the spec of the product has not changed.” The idea is the brainchild of Swedish journalist Lars Adaktusson, his brother Hans, and their company Meganews Sweden. Ricoh supplied the technology, while Sweco created the software, card terminal and screens, and LA + B designed the stand. Ricoh said a survey carried out by Swedish research institute Innventia for Meganews found fossil greenhouse gases generated during the life cycle of a magazine printed in a kiosk were around 60% lower against conventional print and distribution. “This is because 40 per cent of traditionally printed journals are not sold, must be returned and go to recycling. Some of Sweden’s leading publishers are taking part such as Bonnier Tidskrifter, Aller Media, Albinson & Sjöberg, LRF Media, IDG, Talentum and Medströms.” Tommy Segelberg, director of Nordic operations’ production printing business group at Ricoh Sweden said: “Purchases are made on screen using a credit card, ensuring convenient and secure transactions.” Ricoh Europe director of business development Graham Moore said: “This product responds to the growing need for on-demand printing. It is also an example of true innovation and we are proud Ricoh’s leading technology is contributing to magazine production of the...
read moreHow JDF Certification Gives Your Products a Competitive Advantage
Like a common language, wide-format digital printers need set standards to enable their devices to communicate with different parts of the workflow efficiently. When different products operate on the same standard “language,” printers can easily purchase new equipment that will integrate with their existing workflow and connect with one another. Using JDF technology, they achieve standardized interoperability and break free of the data exchange issues and loss of time and revenue caused by competing systems. Through Printing Industries of America, you can take advantage of a new CIP4 JDF Product Certification Program for wide-format devices to complement the existing certifications. This new certification is based on the Digital Print Workflow Interoperability Conformance Specification (DPW ICS) 1.4a. Why is this important to the growing wide-format market? For starters, a JDF Certification provides a competitive selling point to attract new customers and extend services for new clients. For a limited time, members can participate in a beta test of DPW ICSat a special reduced fee.* Here, Dr. Mark Bohan, Vice President, Technology and Research, Printing Industries of America, and CIP4’s Education & Marketing Officer, shares some of his thoughts on JDF Certification for both the seller and the consumer. Discover facts that will increase consumer confidence in purchasing JDF-Certified products and the unique profitable advantages for sellers. Q: What does “JDF-Certified” mean? Mark Bohan: If a product is “JDF-Certified,” it means that it writes and reads JDF and JMF as established in one of many “Interoperability Conformance Specifications” (ICS) documents published by CIP4. The “ICS” documents establish the basic requirements for systems that produce and consume JDF within different workflow options. Certification means that a product has proven that it meets these requirements for basic interoperability, the level of the certification relating to the amount of JDF and JMF information that the systems will handle. Q: Who certifies that my products are JDF compliant? MB: Printing Industries of America provides world-wide JDF certification testing for CIP4. Registration for the certification is carried out through the CIP4 website, www.cip4.org. The program was developed in collaboration with CIP4 and their members to provide a method to ensure that the basic interoperability was available. We have seen great strides over the years with the results for the certifications and level of JDF implemented by the different manufacturers. On a personal note, it has been great to see the development of the program and the success that it has had in helping workflow implementations, as this was one of the reasons that I joined Printing Industries of America to head up this program. Q: How will my customers know that my product is JDF-Certified? MB: We issue products certified by Printing Industries of America a JDF-Certified logo with a unique certification number. You can look up the details of that product’s certification history with that unique number at the JDF Product Certification list on the CIP4 site. This will outline the product and also the certification details, including the JDF version, level, and if there were any gray box expansions it received. Q: Does JDF Certification guarantee to my customer that a product is interoperable? MB: JDF Certification does guarantee a basic level of interoperability, but optional and advanced feature support for JDF may be supported by some products and not others. Hence, when integrating two JDF...
read moreHow JDF Certification Gives Your Products a Competitive Advantage
Like a common language, wide-format digital printers need set standards to enable their devices to communicate with different parts of the workflow efficiently. When different products operate on the same standard “language,” printers can easily purchase new equipment that will integrate with their existing workflow and connect with one another. Using JDF technology, they achieve standardized interoperability and break free of the data exchange issues and loss of time and revenue caused by competing systems. Through Printing Industries of America, you can take advantage of a new CIP4 JDF Product Certification Program for wide-format devices to complement the existing certifications. This new certification is based on the Digital Print Workflow Interoperability Conformance Specification (DPW ICS) 1.4a. Why is this important to the growing wide-format market? For starters, a JDF Certification provides a competitive selling point to attract new customers and extend services for new clients. For a limited time, members can participate in a beta test of DPW ICSat a special reduced fee.* Here, Dr. Mark Bohan, Vice President, Technology and Research, Printing Industries of America, and CIP4’s Education & Marketing Officer, shares some of his thoughts on JDF Certification for both the seller and the consumer. Discover facts that will increase consumer confidence in purchasing JDF-Certified products and the unique profitable advantages for sellers. Q: What does “JDF-Certified” mean? Mark Bohan: If a product is “JDF-Certified,” it means that it writes and reads JDF and JMF as established in one of many “Interoperability Conformance Specifications” (ICS) documents published by CIP4. The “ICS” documents establish the basic requirements for systems that produce and consume JDF within different workflow options. Certification means that a product has proven that it meets these requirements for basic interoperability, the level of the certification relating to the amount of JDF and JMF information that the systems will handle. Q: Who certifies that my products are JDF compliant? MB: Printing Industries of America provides world-wide JDF certification testing for CIP4. Registration for the certification is carried out through the CIP4 website, www.cip4.org. The program was developed in collaboration with CIP4 and their members to provide a method to ensure that the basic interoperability was available. We have seen great strides over the years with the results for the certifications and level of JDF implemented by the different manufacturers. On a personal note, it has been great to see the development of the program and the success that it has had in helping workflow implementations, as this was one of the reasons that I joined Printing Industries of America to head up this program. Q: How will my customers know that my product is JDF-Certified? MB: We issue products certified by Printing Industries of America a JDF-Certified logo with a unique certification number. You can look up the details of that product’s certification history with that unique number at the JDF Product Certification list on the CIP4 site. This will outline the product and also the certification details, including the JDF version, level, and if there were any gray box expansions it received. Q: Does JDF Certification guarantee to my customer that a product is interoperable? MB: JDF Certification does guarantee a basic level of interoperability, but optional and advanced feature support for JDF may be supported by some products and not others. Hence, when integrating two JDF...
read moreScotland confirms standardised tobacco packaging plans
Scotland’s health minister Michael Matheson said it was disappointing that the UK government had decided not to take action on the standardised packaging of tobacco products. He added: “The Scottish government remains committed to introducing standardised packaging, given the strong evidence to support the impact it will have on preventing young people from starting to smoke. “We will now identify an appropriate timescale to introduce legislation on standardised packaging to the Scottish Parliament.” It follows UK health minister Jeremy Hunt’s announcement last week that the government would delay any plans to ban company branding on tobacco packaging until it has seen the impact of similar action in Australia, where plain packaging legislation has been in place since November 2011. In a written statement published alongside the government’s long-awaited Consultation on the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products, Hunt said: “Having carefully considered these differing views, the government has decided to wait until the emerging impact of the decision in Australia can be measured before we make a final decision on this policy in England.” In March, Scotland launched a tobacco control strategy making it the third country in the world to set an ultimate target of becoming tobacco-free and having less than 5% the population choosing to smoke by 2034. The strategy also included a commitment for the introduction of standardised packaging and education programmes to prevent young people from starting to smoke. Mike Ridgway who fronts a lobby group of UK packaging firms, said that last week’s announcement from the Scottish government suggested more thought is also needed north of the border. “All they have done is said they are thinking about a timescale. Who knows how long that might be? I’m sure they are committed but they are thinking about the practicalities. “How easy is it going to be if everything in Scotland has to have a different packaging design on it than south of the border? I think that would be a serious problem for retailers.” Institute of Packaging Professionals managing director Kevin Vyse said that both governments need to carry out more research before changes are made. He added: “There needs to be more in-depth data. We live in a world where branding plays a huge role and we need to properly look at how this would impact such an industry and all those businesses involved in it. “Changing to standardised packaging won’t stop smokers and in fact it is our belief that the gruesome pictures and lack of branding could in fact encourage a sort of cult behaviour with younger smokers. “I don’t think this is as much to do with waiting for evidence from Australia, where I don’t think there is much evidence yet, but more to do with political expediency and a very powerful tobacco lobby that pays a lot of money into the economy.”...
read moreAutobond helps save the day at fire-hit Aussie firm
The new model, which sells for around £120,000, replaces Special Binding Service’s previous Autobond Mini 105 laminator, which was destroyed by smoke and water in an inferno last year. The new kit in Brisbane outputs 10,000 sheet per hour B1. Autobond managing director John Gilmore said: “The old kit was about five years old and we moved heaven and Earth to get the new machine there; it’s a 10-week shipping time. What makes this model stand out is it’s really fast, very productive. Makeready takes five minutes.” Mini 105 mark II is a 105cm x 76cm landscape laminator with a maximum operating speed of 60m per minute. It utilises a Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 feed head and is fitted with an optional perfector to laminate two sides in one pass. It also features a stacker. “Special Binding Service has shown real character to bounce back from last year’s setback,” said Gilmore. “Australia is consistently proving to be one of our best markets for laminators. Because of the vast distances, it is essential to have reliable and versatile machinery.” Special Binding Service is a full finishing house for printers offering binding and lamination of book covers and posters. Production manager Warren Swinburne went to Drupa to replace the company’s production line. Tom Ralph, managing director of Australian agent Graph-Pak said: “Autobond is renowned across the Australasian markets for producing great build quality machines that are powerful, easy to use, and that can help expand a company’s business.”...
read morePaperlinx expands Car Wrap Club
The Car Wrap Club soft launched earlier this year, with a white label website and social media campaign to generate interest and leads for car wrap companies. So far the website has generated “hundreds” of leads and social media interactions according to Paperlinx head of digital marketing Nick Stragnell. The initiative is the second in the paper merchanting group’s customer-centric projects, following on from the launch of its printers’ webstores packaging service in May. The Car Wrap Club project, which has in effect been in beta and more focussed on raising awareness via social media, is now set to go fully operational with a new, content driven website, supported by AdWord advertising, going live next week. “When we looked at launching The Car Wrap Club, we were aware that there might be some sensitivities about us targeting end users and in effect leapfrogging our customers. But after we spoke to them, they fed back that there isn’t a lot of knowledge and awareness out there and if we can help change that then that would be great,” said Stragnell. “We’re at the point now, six months after we had the first idea, that we’ve now tested the water and it’s been fantastic, so we’re ready to take it to the next level.” The first member of The Car Wrap Club is AST Signs, with five more companies set to be unveiled in the coming weeks. To support The Car Wrap Club strategy, an HGV trailer converted into a training centre has been touring Paperlinx branches in Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, Northampton, London, Bristol and Birmingham for the past few months. It was also on show at Fespa and live wrapping demonstrations were held at the recent Mini Festival at Brands Hatch, in conjunction with Mini racing specialist Lohen, to drive consumer awareness. The “training truck” offers practical information for new entrants to car wrapping and established wrap companies looking to develop their skills. It is also being used for Paperlinx to benchmark the skill levels of the latter group, with a view to them being accredited and invited to join the club. The training truck is run by Rob Lambie, head of sign and display buying consortium UK Sign Group. Stragnell said that the company was ultimately looking at 100 members, but the plan was to be selective in terms of service quality and the fact that they are Paperlinx customers in some form. Equally, the merchant will aim not have any two members that are in direct geographic competition. “We don’t want to put customers in competition with each other, equally we don’t want to be seen as playing favourites. The important thing to remember is that we’re not just looking to drive business to members, we want to raise awareness of what’s possible with wraps. It will hopefully increase our business, but it will probably also increase business for our rivals too – and that’s fine.” Paperlinx executive director Andrew Price added: “We provide the training, we provide the customers and, of course, we provide the raw materials. It’s an opportunity to provide printers the chance to enter a new market. But it’s very transparent, we want to sell more product – but we’re adding true value to our customers too.” For more information on the Car Wrap...
read moreScotland confirms standardised tobacco packaging plans
Scotland’s health minister Michael Matheson said it was disappointing that the UK government had decided not to take action on the standardised packaging of tobacco products. He added: “The Scottish government remains committed to introducing standardised packaging, given the strong evidence to support the impact it will have on preventing young people from starting to smoke. “We will now identify an appropriate timescale to introduce legislation on standardised packaging to the Scottish Parliament.” It follows UK health minister Jeremy Hunt’s announcement last week that the government would delay any plans to ban company branding on tobacco packaging until it has seen the impact of similar action in Australia, where plain packaging legislation has been in place since November 2011. In a written statement published alongside the government’s long-awaited Consultation on the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products, Hunt said: “Having carefully considered these differing views, the government has decided to wait until the emerging impact of the decision in Australia can be measured before we make a final decision on this policy in England.” In March, Scotland launched a tobacco control strategy making it the third country in the world to set an ultimate target of becoming tobacco-free and having less than 5% the population choosing to smoke by 2034. The strategy also included a commitment for the introduction of standardised packaging and education programmes to prevent young people from starting to smoke. Mike Ridgway who fronts a lobby group of UK packaging firms, said that last week’s announcement from the Scottish government suggested more thought is also needed north of the border. “All they have done is said they are thinking about a timescale. Who knows how long that might be? I’m sure they are committed but they are thinking about the practicalities. “How easy is it going to be if everything in Scotland has to have a different packaging design on it than south of the border? I think that would be a serious problem for retailers.” Institute of Packaging Professionals managing director Kevin Vyse said that both governments need to carry out more research before changes are made. He added: “There needs to be more in-depth data. We live in a world where branding plays a huge role and we need to properly look at how this would impact such an industry and all those businesses involved in it. “Changing to standardised packaging won’t stop smokers and in fact it is our belief that the gruesome pictures and lack of branding could in fact encourage a sort of cult behaviour with younger smokers. “I don’t think this is as much to do with waiting for evidence from Australia, where I don’t think there is much evidence yet, but more to do with political expediency and a very powerful tobacco lobby that pays a lot of money into the economy.”...
read moreAutobond helps save the day at fire-hit Aussie firm
The new model, which sells for around £120,000, replaces Special Binding Service’s previous Autobond Mini 105 laminator, which was destroyed by smoke and water in an inferno last year. The new kit in Brisbane outputs 10,000 sheet per hour B1. Autobond managing director John Gilmore said: “The old kit was about five years old and we moved heaven and Earth to get the new machine there; it’s a 10-week shipping time. What makes this model stand out is it’s really fast, very productive. Makeready takes five minutes.” Mini 105 mark II is a 105cm x 76cm landscape laminator with a maximum operating speed of 60m per minute. It utilises a Heidelberg Speedmaster 102 feed head and is fitted with an optional perfector to laminate two sides in one pass. It also features a stacker. “Special Binding Service has shown real character to bounce back from last year’s setback,” said Gilmore. “Australia is consistently proving to be one of our best markets for laminators. Because of the vast distances, it is essential to have reliable and versatile machinery.” Special Binding Service is a full finishing house for printers offering binding and lamination of book covers and posters. Production manager Warren Swinburne went to Drupa to replace the company’s production line. Tom Ralph, managing director of Australian agent Graph-Pak said: “Autobond is renowned across the Australasian markets for producing great build quality machines that are powerful, easy to use, and that can help expand a company’s business.”...
read more