Paperlinx 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 moreKensett upgrades with new wrapping kit
The kit replaced a 13-year-old machine from Wraps UK, said managing director James Wheeler, who is using it for jobs including shrink wrapping of books. His company paid £18,500 for the equipment, supplied by Friedheim International. “The old equipment was coming to the end of its useful life and we wanted more speed and better options on size – this kit goes up to A3,” he said. “We were keen to increase not so much turnover but to make the work we do more profitable.” The EM 24 EL-Matic sealer runs at 600 to 2,400 packs per hour and the TM 18 TE-Matic shrink tunnel has a conveyor speed of 2.8 to 9.4m per minute. Kensett, based in Hove employs 40 staff and makes £1.8m turnover. It’s nearby sister company K&L Laminators has 10 staff and makes a turnover of around...
read moreKensett upgrades with new wrapping kit
The kit replaced a 13-year-old machine from Wraps UK, said managing director James Wheeler, who is using it for jobs including shrink wrapping of books. His company paid £18,500 for the equipment, supplied by Friedheim International. “The old equipment was coming to the end of its useful life and we wanted more speed and better options on size – this kit goes up to A3,” he said. “We were keen to increase not so much turnover but to make the work we do more profitable.” The EM 24 EL-Matic sealer runs at 600 to 2,400 packs per hour and the TM 18 TE-Matic shrink tunnel has a conveyor speed of 2.8 to 9.4m per minute. Kensett, based in Hove employs 40 staff and makes £1.8m turnover. It’s nearby sister company K&L Laminators has 10 staff and makes a turnover of around...
read moreBaker Goodchild invests in seven machines to meet growing demand
The company installed five Ricoh Pro 1106 EX high-speed mono printers, which totalled £80,000. They replaced five Hitachi DDP 70 machines and the fastest new printer runs at 110 images per minute. The old kit produced 70 images per minute. The 25-staff company also paid £30,000 for a second Norpak P9 polywrap inserter to allow staff to process, print and polywrap documents at double the speed, up to 8,000 feeds per hour. Baker Goodchild spent £15,000 on an Astrojet 3800 high-speed address inkjetter that runs at 40,000 sheets per hour. The mailing house does direct mail, international mailing and bulk postage work for charities, the city council and businesses. Production manager Wesley Sinclair said: “As we continue to grow it is essential we update and increase our plant and machinery to keep ahead of our customer demands. With more kit we can now run bigger jobs, and have doubled the speed of our printed outputs. “We needed more equipment to meet growing production needs – it’s a big thank you to our sales team and the quality of our products. Each year we want to increase business bit by bit: our turnover is £3.6m and this year we hope to go over the £4m...
read moreBaker Goodchild invests in seven machines to meet growing demand
The company installed five Ricoh Pro 1106 EX high-speed mono printers, which totalled £80,000. They replaced five Hitachi DDP 70 machines and the fastest new printer runs at 110 images per minute. The old kit produced 70 images per minute. The 25-staff company also paid £30,000 for a second Norpak P9 polywrap inserter to allow staff to process, print and polywrap documents at double the speed, up to 8,000 feeds per hour. Baker Goodchild spent £15,000 on an Astrojet 3800 high-speed address inkjetter that runs at 40,000 sheets per hour. The mailing house does direct mail, international mailing and bulk postage work for charities, the city council and businesses. Production manager Wesley Sinclair said: “As we continue to grow it is essential we update and increase our plant and machinery to keep ahead of our customer demands. With more kit we can now run bigger jobs, and have doubled the speed of our printed outputs. “We needed more equipment to meet growing production needs – it’s a big thank you to our sales team and the quality of our products. Each year we want to increase business bit by bit: our turnover is £3.6m and this year we hope to go over the £4m...
read moreDrytac Europe expands laminate range for UV-curable print
The pressure sensitive Protac high coat weight (HCW) films will improve the life and colour integrity of UV printed output on permanent and semi-permanent signage, according to the manufacturer. The new solvent adhesive Protac HCW films include the anti-graffiti 50 micron PET, designed to enhance graphics and images that require a “popped” or 3D effect, and a glossy 80 micron monomeric PVC film. The latest films follow the introduction earlier this year of the anti-scratch matte 100 micron monomeric film. The Protac HCW laminates include UV inhibitors within the adhesive designed to extend the life of the UV inks beneath them. Drytac Europe sales director Steve Broad said: “One of the problems of UV ink is its limited outdoor durability in south facing light conditions. This is due to the fact that the inks are manufactured with minimum levels of inhibitors so they cure more efficiently. These films have high levels of inhibitors which overcome this issue and protect UV-printed output from sun damage.” He added: “Our tackifiers in the adhesive help with adhesion to low surface energy substrates which is especially important if your products are going to be cut on digital cutters. The films offer up to three years’ protection outdoors and are available in a range of widths between 1040mm and 1550mm. Protac glossy is available on 50m reels while anti-scratch and graffiti come in 50m or 100m reels. Starting price is around £297 per reel. Drytac products are available through Antalis, after the supplier secured an exclusive distribution deal earlier this year....
read moreNew digital boss at Rhapsody says print is here to stay
His appointment forms the last stage in Rhapsody’s expansion into the cross-publishing arena using the firm’s Emagine asset and workflow management system, said the firm. Rahim will be responsible for devising and implementing digital strategies across the client base and overseeing digital output. “My goal is to help catalogue companies produce better, more engaging digital content for use on technology such as iPads, and really bring a new level of understanding,” he said. “Some publishing companies are strong on digital but most are in the transitionary phase. “There is still a role for print: a lot of titles are fantastic and deliver great value to their customers, but digital can offer something different and enable people to delve deeper. Print isn’t going to go away but its relationship with digital is changing, driven by the customer.” Rahim’s career spans 17 years in the digital arena for employers such as Fitch, Harvest Digital and Modem Media. He has worked with Apple, Penguin Books, Conde Nast Publishing and government departments, and before Rhapsody he worked in retail design. “The way we consume media has changed beyond all recognition and publishers and brands are still questioning how best to integrate print, digital, and mobile content to ensure consistent user experiences irrespective of the medium or format,” he said. Managing director Les Pipe said: “This is a key appointment for Rhapsody and reflects our commitment to innovate, manage and deliver clients’ content across all media. John’s experience in digital adds value to our compelling suite of services in print and on-line.” Rhapsody, owned by Walstead Investments which also owns Wyndeham Group, has several blue-chip clients such as Boden, De Beers, Superbrands, Marie Claire, Orient Express and Waitrose Food. Walstead boasts £125m sales....
read moreNew digital boss at Rhapsody says print is here to stay
His appointment forms the last stage in Rhapsody’s expansion into the cross-publishing arena using the firm’s Emagine asset and workflow management system, said the firm. Rahim will be responsible for devising and implementing digital strategies across the client base and overseeing digital output. “My goal is to help catalogue companies produce better, more engaging digital content for use on technology such as iPads, and really bring a new level of understanding,” he said. “Some publishing companies are strong on digital but most are in the transitionary phase. “There is still a role for print: a lot of titles are fantastic and deliver great value to their customers, but digital can offer something different and enable people to delve deeper. Print isn’t going to go away but its relationship with digital is changing, driven by the customer.” Rahim’s career spans 17 years in the digital arena for employers such as Fitch, Harvest Digital and Modem Media. He has worked with Apple, Penguin Books, Conde Nast Publishing and government departments, and before Rhapsody he worked in retail design. “The way we consume media has changed beyond all recognition and publishers and brands are still questioning how best to integrate print, digital, and mobile content to ensure consistent user experiences irrespective of the medium or format,” he said. Managing director Les Pipe said: “This is a key appointment for Rhapsody and reflects our commitment to innovate, manage and deliver clients’ content across all media. John’s experience in digital adds value to our compelling suite of services in print and on-line.” Rhapsody, owned by Walstead Investments which also owns Wyndeham Group, has several blue-chip clients such as Boden, De Beers, Superbrands, Marie Claire, Orient Express and Waitrose Food. Walstead boasts £125m sales....
read moreDrytac Europe expands laminate range for UV-curable print
The pressure sensitive Protac high coat weight (HCW) films will improve the life and colour integrity of UV printed output on permanent and semi-permanent signage, according to the manufacturer. The new solvent adhesive Protac HCW films include the anti-graffiti 50 micron PET, designed to enhance graphics and images that require a “popped” or 3D effect, and a glossy 80 micron monomeric PVC film. The latest films follow the introduction earlier this year of the anti-scratch matte 100 micron monomeric film. The Protac HCW laminates include UV inhibitors within the adhesive designed to extend the life of the UV inks beneath them. Drytac Europe sales director Steve Broad said: “One of the problems of UV ink is its limited outdoor durability in south facing light conditions. This is due to the fact that the inks are manufactured with minimum levels of inhibitors so they cure more efficiently. These films have high levels of inhibitors which overcome this issue and protect UV-printed output from sun damage.” He added: “Our tackifiers in the adhesive help with adhesion to low surface energy substrates which is especially important if your products are going to be cut on digital cutters. The films offer up to three years’ protection outdoors and are available in a range of widths between 1040mm and 1550mm. Protac glossy is available on 50m reels while anti-scratch and graffiti come in 50m or 100m reels. Starting price is around £297 per reel. Drytac products are available through Antalis, after the supplier secured an exclusive distribution deal earlier this year....
read moreRoyal visit marks opening of James Cropper pioneering recycling plant
The £5m reclaimed fibre plant at James Cropper’s production mill in Kendal, Cumbria, was opened today (17 July) by The Queen and Princess Anne, after four years of development. “Until now the plastic content of cups made them unsuitable for use in papermaking,” said chairman Mark Cropper. “In the UK alone around 2.5bn paper cups go to landfill. We separate the plastic in the cups leaving paper pulp for use in the highest quality papers. “Pulp is a big cost, it is a global commodity that swings all over the place and, like other paper businesses, we have no control over it. As well as our environmental aspirations, if we can do more production ourselves we will have more control.” Cropper said the technology could be used on about a quarter of his company’s output. James Cropper produces 45,000 tonnes of paper a year for some of the biggest names in the world including Krug, Fendi, Selfridges and Dunhill. He would not reveal how much he aimed to save or how much he hoped to add to the 500-staff company’s existing turnover of £80m, “but this is a major investment and it will earn its keep”, he said. Disposable cups are made of up to 95% high strength paper with a 5% thin coating of polyethylene. James Cropper recycles the fibre content in cup waste and the plastic coating, giving a sustainable solution to the global problem of disposable cup waste, he said. The process involves softening the cup waste in a warmed solution, separating the plastic coating from the fibre. The plastic is skimmed off, pulverised and recycled, leaving water and pulp. Impurities are filtered out leaving high grade pulp for use in paper and packaging. Cropper said: “Because the cups are designed to take hot drinks, the quality of the paper is very high. This will enable us to create a paper stream. We will be recycling 1bn cups a year, around 40% of the UK’s coffee cups. But there are 500bn around in the world, so potential is vast. This is a fantastically important project – the most important in a generation for sure.” Chief executive Phil Wild said: “This is the latest in a long history of innovation that has kept James Cropper ahead of the game for nearly 170 years and six generations. We were one of the world’s first producers of coloured paper.” “We were also a pioneer in the production of paper-like non-woven materials from carbon and other fibres. Today these are used in industries as diverse as US defence programmes to the latest composite cars and aeroplanes.”...
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