Fujifilm launches white ink Uvistar Pro8
The Uvistar Pro8W, which is being given its worldwide debut in North America this week, will be available in Europe in the first half of next year, with Fespa Digital 2014 in May a likely launchpad. The Pro8W is available in 3.5m and 5m widths and can print up to 350sqm/hr on an array of media, including rigid, flexible, backlit or block-out and can print roll-to-roll, free fall or roll-to-sheet. It is fitted with two white ink channels across eight dedicated print heads and uses Fujifilm’s Uvijet QN inks, which include CMYK, Lc, Lm and Lk. Fujifilm Europe said that European pricing and availability for the Pro8W had yet to be finalised, although its predecessor cost from £212,000 (including flatbed option). White ink can be layered over or under the CMYK image and can also be used as a spot colour. Another new addition to the machine is a block-out sensor option, which Fujifilm said allows precise registration of opaque media to ensure consistent results, with a maximum deviation of 5mm over 10m. Fujifilm said that the sensor was intended to simplify the printing of two-sided banners for less-experienced operators. Meanwhile inline slitters allow media to be cut to size, reducing the need for off-line finishing. Jeffrey Nelson, business development manager, inkjet solutions, Fujifilm North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division, said: “The Uvistar family continues to expand its capabilities every year. The Pro8 with white is a feature our customers have been requesting, and we are pleased to be able to deliver. “With its automation of rigid media handling, two-sided printing, and in-line finishing, it’s an operator’s dream machine.” The Uvistar Pro8W is being debuted at SGIA 2013 this week....
read moreKonica Minolta launches practical workshops without the sales pitch
Up to 20 free places are available to commercial print owners or directors at each of the five events run in conjunction with Print Future. Key focus areas will be business planning, production efficiency, sales and business development, and adding new services. Konica Minolta production printing market development manager Mark Hinder said: “There will be no kit or technology; we are not trying to sell anything but give advice on business, marketing and sales and how to remove costs. The whole programme is geared around their businesses. “We want to teach them what to do to to embrace new ways in the market place. We will give them the tools to make a mini business plan and look at whether they survey customers, how they market themselves and who to, how they train sales people and how they grow business.” The initiative follows on from the Digital 1234 business development training Konica Minolta launched at Drupa 2012 and will underpin a similar training initiative the manufacturer is working on for next year’s Ipex. Follow-up sessions will take place to see how individuals implemented what they learned at the workshops, said Hinder. The workshops will take place at: St Brides in London on 12 November; in Bristol on 19 November; Nottingham on 26 November; Warrington on 3 December; and Livingston, Scotland, on 11 December. Case studies and other good-business examples will be part of the programme. Hinder said: “These events will help enable printers to determine their future growth strategies and opportunities through identifying key priorities. This isn’t about investing in technology and solutions, it’s about knowing how the market will adapt and what to plan for.” BPIF chief executive Kathy Woodward said: “It is really positive to see the whole supply chain coming together to harness the undoubted opportunities of the quickly changing digital arena.”...
read moreKonica Minolta launches practical workshops without the sales pitch
Up to 20 free places are available to commercial print owners or directors at each of the five events run in conjunction with Print Future. Key focus areas will be business planning, production efficiency, sales and business development, and adding new services. Konica Minolta production printing market development manager Mark Hinder said: “There will be no kit or technology; we are not trying to sell anything but give advice on business, marketing and sales and how to remove costs. The whole programme is geared around their businesses. “We want to teach them what to do to to embrace new ways in the market place. We will give them the tools to make a mini business plan and look at whether they survey customers, how they market themselves and who to, how they train sales people and how they grow business.” The initiative follows on from the Digital 1234 business development training Konica Minolta launched at Drupa 2012 and will underpin a similar training initiative the manufacturer is working on for next year’s Ipex. Follow-up sessions will take place to see how individuals implemented what they learned at the workshops, said Hinder. The workshops will take place at: St Brides in London on 12 November; in Bristol on 19 November; Nottingham on 26 November; Warrington on 3 December; and Livingston, Scotland, on 11 December. Case studies and other good-business examples will be part of the programme. Hinder said: “These events will help enable printers to determine their future growth strategies and opportunities through identifying key priorities. This isn’t about investing in technology and solutions, it’s about knowing how the market will adapt and what to plan for.” BPIF chief executive Kathy Woodward said: “It is really positive to see the whole supply chain coming together to harness the undoubted opportunities of the quickly changing digital arena.”...
read moreShuttleworth upgrade at Multisets streamlines work
The 50-staff company in Swindon, Wiltshire, uses the system for production, sales, delivery and shop-floor data collection, said managing director Iain Cox, who said the latest upgrade was a major release. “New developments include a new job tracking function ‘Milestones’ and an iPhone and iPad mobile CRM app. The system has more of a Windows feel and lets you know exactly how many jobs and estimates we’ve done in a day at a click rather than having to run of streams of reports,” said Cox. “The mobile CRM app is enabling me and the sales team to log into the Shuttleworth system to find out details about customers such as location maps and the events planed for them. It makes it a lot easier and cleaner.” The Milestones job tracking feature integrates and updates all job information making it quick and easy to view the status of any job as it progresses. Multisets can see real-time job information, giving them more control over work and production planning and improving communication, added Cox. The 50-staff company produces pads, DM for charities and integrated labels for dispatch in the online market. Kit includes an eight-colour Rotatek with UV drying, a four-colour Concept also with UV drying and two Tamarack finishing lines. The company is on track to make £4.8m turnover this year....
read moreShuttleworth upgrade at Multisets streamlines work
The 50-staff company in Swindon, Wiltshire, uses the system for production, sales, delivery and shop-floor data collection, said managing director Iain Cox, who said the latest upgrade was a major release. “New developments include a new job tracking function ‘Milestones’ and an iPhone and iPad mobile CRM app. The system has more of a Windows feel and lets you know exactly how many jobs and estimates we’ve done in a day at a click rather than having to run of streams of reports,” said Cox. “The mobile CRM app is enabling me and the sales team to log into the Shuttleworth system to find out details about customers such as location maps and the events planed for them. It makes it a lot easier and cleaner.” The Milestones job tracking feature integrates and updates all job information making it quick and easy to view the status of any job as it progresses. Multisets can see real-time job information, giving them more control over work and production planning and improving communication, added Cox. The 50-staff company produces pads, DM for charities and integrated labels for dispatch in the online market. Kit includes an eight-colour Rotatek with UV drying, a four-colour Concept also with UV drying and two Tamarack finishing lines. The company is on track to make £4.8m turnover this year....
read moreSurging cutter demand drives growth at B&W
John Ichikawa, who has been with the business in Maldon, Essex, for 12 years, was promoted to head of technical sales to work alongside managing director Alex White who will now focus more on international sales. Ichikawa is grounded in production, installation, technical support and servicing. He said: “We have enjoyed record sales in this downturn. In tough times people recognise more acutely that labour is their biggest expense. Automated machinery helps cut those costs and is good on quality control, as every product made is the exactly same, not always so with hand cutting. “We have also invested more in proactive marketing – press adverts, trade shows and updating the website. Whereas people used to say ‘Blackman and White who?’, we are now much better known thanks to marketing and tighter targeting of areas such as graphics and POS markets. “All our machines and accessories are made in the UK and tailored to meet each customer’s needs. We can also react rapidly so our customers are up and running with the minimum of delay.” Ichikawa has practical experience of automated blade and laser cutting of a wide range of materials from PVC and sailcloth to composites and other technical textiles, said the company, which has promoted Adrian Zurek installation and service manager. White said: “A dramatic increase in enquiries in the UK and overseas for automated cutters in the last year means we need additional experienced staff who understand the practical issues that customers face. John has a full understanding of our machines and their applications.”...
read moreSurging cutter demand drives growth at B&W
John Ichikawa, who has been with the business in Maldon, Essex, for 12 years, was promoted to head of technical sales to work alongside managing director Alex White who will now focus more on international sales. Ichikawa is grounded in production, installation, technical support and servicing. He said: “We have enjoyed record sales in this downturn. In tough times people recognise more acutely that labour is their biggest expense. Automated machinery helps cut those costs and is good on quality control, as every product made is the exactly same, not always so with hand cutting. “We have also invested more in proactive marketing – press adverts, trade shows and updating the website. Whereas people used to say ‘Blackman and White who?’, we are now much better known thanks to marketing and tighter targeting of areas such as graphics and POS markets. “All our machines and accessories are made in the UK and tailored to meet each customer’s needs. We can also react rapidly so our customers are up and running with the minimum of delay.” Ichikawa has practical experience of automated blade and laser cutting of a wide range of materials from PVC and sailcloth to composites and other technical textiles, said the company, which has promoted Adrian Zurek installation and service manager. White said: “A dramatic increase in enquiries in the UK and overseas for automated cutters in the last year means we need additional experienced staff who understand the practical issues that customers face. John has a full understanding of our machines and their applications.”...
read more10 Steps to Successful Lithographic Dampening
On an offset press, every minute of downtime equals money lost. Being proactive with proper press maintenance—from blankets to roller settings to dampening systems––is the key to efficiency and profitability in your pressroom. Greg Workman, Technical Consultant/Pressroom and Bindery Supervisor, brings 34 years of industry experience to teach—both through classroom and hands-on training—tactical techniques for proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and efficiency in Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize. Here, Greg shares10 steps to achieve successful lithographic dampening: Give a sample of your water to your dampening solution manufacturer for analysis. This sample will provide information for selecting the correct dampening solution and alcohol substitute chemistry for your dampening system and your plant’s water characteristics. Discuss your printing operation with your chemical supplier. Be specific about press models, dampening systems, inks, roller washes, blanket washes, and types of paper to make sure that they are totally compatible. Check dampening roller pressure settings and durometer readings. This should include inking and dampening form rollers. Make sure plate-to-blanket pressure is also set properly. Follow the manufacturer’s mixing instructions. If the instructions recommend mixing between 3 and 8 oz. of solution with each gallon of water, start with the minimum of 3 oz. Take a pH/conductivity reading and record the information as a starting point reference. Run this mixture of dampening solution and monitor its printability. For example, how does the plate roll up? How does the press start up after feeder trips? Does the plate run clean and open without feeding excess amounts of dampening solution? Communicate this information back to the dampening solution manufacturer. Observe the scum line.Whenin perfect ink-and-water balance, an ink scum line will form on the lead edge of the plate. It will be thin and even (visually about the width of a lead pencil line) spanning from the operator’s side to the gear side of the press. Check it often. When the line disappears, the dampening water setting is too high. When the scum line thickens, the dampening water setting is too low. Check your dampening solution regularly. Paper coating, ink bleed, and blanket and roller cleaners can contaminate dampening solution. Take temperature, pH, and conductivity readings after every three hours of press operation. Record these readings in the press logbook. Keep the solution at the mixture you have found works best. Observe the changes in pH and conductivity as the pressrun continues. When they reach a point where printing problems begin, such as plugging or scumming, the dampening solution is probably contaminated. Record your finding in the press logbook and mix a fresh batch of solution. Drain and clean your dampening system weekly. Check and service the refrigeration system on your water circulation systems regularly (after 1,000 hours of operation). This should be performed by a qualified technician. Proper cooling of fountain solution helps to control the viscosity of the fountain solution. Find these tips useful? Learn even more at the Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize workshop November 5–7, 2013, at our headquarters near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is the FINAL time this course will be offered in...
read more10 Steps to Successful Lithographic Dampening
On an offset press, every minute of downtime equals money lost. Being proactive with proper press maintenance—from blankets to roller settings to dampening systems––is the key to efficiency and profitability in your pressroom. Greg Workman, Technical Consultant/Pressroom and Bindery Supervisor, brings 34 years of industry experience to teach—both through classroom and hands-on training—tactical techniques for proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and efficiency in Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize. Here, Greg shares10 steps to achieve successful lithographic dampening: Give a sample of your water to your dampening solution manufacturer for analysis. This sample will provide information for selecting the correct dampening solution and alcohol substitute chemistry for your dampening system and your plant’s water characteristics. Discuss your printing operation with your chemical supplier. Be specific about press models, dampening systems, inks, roller washes, blanket washes, and types of paper to make sure that they are totally compatible. Check dampening roller pressure settings and durometer readings. This should include inking and dampening form rollers. Make sure plate-to-blanket pressure is also set properly. Follow the manufacturer’s mixing instructions. If the instructions recommend mixing between 3 and 8 oz. of solution with each gallon of water, start with the minimum of 3 oz. Take a pH/conductivity reading and record the information as a starting point reference. Run this mixture of dampening solution and monitor its printability. For example, how does the plate roll up? How does the press start up after feeder trips? Does the plate run clean and open without feeding excess amounts of dampening solution? Communicate this information back to the dampening solution manufacturer. Observe the scum line.Whenin perfect ink-and-water balance, an ink scum line will form on the lead edge of the plate. It will be thin and even (visually about the width of a lead pencil line) spanning from the operator’s side to the gear side of the press. Check it often. When the line disappears, the dampening water setting is too high. When the scum line thickens, the dampening water setting is too low. Check your dampening solution regularly. Paper coating, ink bleed, and blanket and roller cleaners can contaminate dampening solution. Take temperature, pH, and conductivity readings after every three hours of press operation. Record these readings in the press logbook. Keep the solution at the mixture you have found works best. Observe the changes in pH and conductivity as the pressrun continues. When they reach a point where printing problems begin, such as plugging or scumming, the dampening solution is probably contaminated. Record your finding in the press logbook and mix a fresh batch of solution. Drain and clean your dampening system weekly. Check and service the refrigeration system on your water circulation systems regularly (after 1,000 hours of operation). This should be performed by a qualified technician. Proper cooling of fountain solution helps to control the viscosity of the fountain solution. Find these tips useful? Learn even more at the Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize workshop November 5–7, 2013, at our headquarters near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is the FINAL time this course will be offered in...
read moreIpex 2014 Master Classes aim to help printers become more profitable
The programme, organised by Print Future’s Neil Falconer, aims to help printers to “future-proof their business and to look at new and existing opportunities to make money”. Falconer told PrintWeek: “Printers need to adapt to survive – most SME printers are not going to survive on offset print or even on a mix of offset and digital; they still need to diversify and look at opportunities in cross-media, wide format and packaging. “The whole thing is really targeted at the SME print community and the essence of the Master Classes is based around better business and better margins.” The Master Classes will run daily across two theatres – each with a daily theme – and will include a mix of practical sessions and case studies. “We will have a series of short, sharp, very practical sessions with key takeaways around things like: planning for change; improving your marketing; identifying key customers in vertical markets and being more strategic about the customers you win,” said Falconer. The programme will include a blend of sales, production efficiency and technical development themes with a target of three key takeaways per session, which Falconer said would be a case of, “go away and do this and you’ll make more money in your business”. A daily “Ask the Expert” lunchtime panel debate will aim to help printers audit their current sales and marketing approach and identify additional digital and cross media service opportunities. Topics include: colour management; environment; business planning; workflow; web-to-print; selling print; market intelligence; marketing print; sales techniques; wide format; packaging; finance. “I think we as an industry have a tendency to get hung-up on print quality when no-one else is,” said Falconer. “Printers will ask: why are we going to put in a fully colour-managed workflow when our customers are happy with the quality as it is? “But putting in a colour-managed workflow isn’t just about colour and quality, it’s about being more productive, stopping tinkering for 5-10 minutes on every job and taking costs out of your bottom line.” He added: “There are a fantastic range of new print-related applications and market opportunities to take advantage of, but first and foremost you have to get the basics right. “In all the consultancy work that we do for SME printers, even the bigger, more digital and cross media savvy ones are often let down by a lack of planning, inefficient production and an ineffective sales process. “The Ipex Master Classes will help them improve in these areas.” Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2014 event director, said: “Ipex 2014 has been developed as a source of information and education for everyone in the print and communications industry, and the Master Classes are an important part of this. “Designed and overseen by print experts, these sessions will go back to basics and ensure that the right foundations are there to be a successful print enterprise.” Falconer added that the Master Classes would offer practical support for print business owners, but also for their sales and production teams. “The sessions are designed to be the best day you never spent in the office,” he concluded. “It is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a great line-up of industry experts.” To attend the free Master Classes, visitors should pre-register at www.ipex.org....
read more