Printers speed date buyers at IPIA event
IPIA’s one day event ‘Meet the Trade Buyer, Meet the Trade Supplier’ at the Football Association’s new headquarters in Burton-on-Trent attracted 52 buyers and 48 suppliers. Chief executive Andrew Pearce said the key draw of the event, head-to-head appointments between buyers and suppliers, totalled a record 504 meetings, each lasting around 20 minutes. One of the most popular exhibitors was 3D Creation Lab, which showed off 10 3D printers. “The good news is there are a lot of people buying print out there,” he said. “There’s a definite swing from email communications, especially from a corporate perspective. Print was the poor relation for for a while but that has changed and it is now recognised as a crucial part of the mix again. Visitors were cautiously optimistic about the market – more so than last year.” Pearce added: “We are really pleased with the success of this year’s event, the 504 appointments between 9:15am and 5:15pm stimulated a lot of purchasing activity on the day and following the event. One company gave 30 quotes.” Ryedale Print Group sales manger Angie Francksen said she had two confirmed appointments following the event, six quotes and 13 follow-ups. Meanwhile, Pierce Communications’ procurement manager Barry Browne said he went to see specialist products. Other visitors included Printing.com production director John Prior, Andy Bleasdale of Office Depot and Paul Clarke of Mosaic Print Management. Suppliers included data specialists, paper merchants, trade finishers, direct mail service providers and social media and cross-media specialists....
read moreDigitalblanks’ debut for Roland VersaUV kit
The printer, which sells from £19,999, is a successor to the VersaUV LEF-12 desktop UV solution, and was launched in late September. The company in Aldershot, Hants, bought the Roland off dealer PrintMAX. Standout qualities are a bigger print bed and faster speeds to offer a higher return on investment than smaller models, said the supplier. Features include larger working area than LEF-12, up to 508mm x 330mm x 100mm high, and new LED lamp for fast UV curing. The new model prints at 1.37sqm/hr, more than twice as fast as the LEF-12, which ran at 0.61sqm/hr. Digitalblanks marketing manager Rob Hayes said it was crucial be be at the forefront of digital technology. “The finishes this kit enables our customers to achieve far surpass anything out there in the market. There are some budget machines coming out of China, which are good on price but the output doesn’t match up to Roland’s standards.” Digitalblanks.com specialises in blank merchandise but also works on creating precision jigs, which secure products on the bed to ensure best coverage when printing on to merchandise. The company works in partnership with manufacturers of digital printers. With the wider flatbed on the LEF-20 Digitalblanks.com will now be able to create larger print space opportunities with its customised jigs. As well as iPhone cases the equipment can print on pens and golf balls....
read moreDigitalblanks’ debut for Roland VersaUV kit
The printer, which sells from £19,999, is a successor to the VersaUV LEF-12 desktop UV solution, and was launched in late September. The company in Aldershot, Hants, bought the Roland off dealer PrintMAX. Standout qualities are a bigger print bed and faster speeds to offer a higher return on investment than smaller models, said the supplier. Features include larger working area than LEF-12, up to 508mm x 330mm x 100mm high, and new LED lamp for fast UV curing. The new model prints at 1.37sqm/hr, more than twice as fast as the LEF-12, which ran at 0.61sqm/hr. Digitalblanks marketing manager Rob Hayes said it was crucial be be at the forefront of digital technology. “The finishes this kit enables our customers to achieve far surpass anything out there in the market. There are some budget machines coming out of China, which are good on price but the output doesn’t match up to Roland’s standards.” Digitalblanks.com specialises in blank merchandise but also works on creating precision jigs, which secure products on the bed to ensure best coverage when printing on to merchandise. The company works in partnership with manufacturers of digital printers. With the wider flatbed on the LEF-20 Digitalblanks.com will now be able to create larger print space opportunities with its customised jigs. As well as iPhone cases the equipment can print on pens and golf balls....
read moreHP beefs up Barcelona demo centre with new Esko kit
The fully-automated, corrugated cutting machine for POS and short run production of packaging will run alongside HP’s other new machine, the HP Scitex FB10000 industrial press. Together, they will show how customers can achieve seamless, end-to-end workflow to improve productivity. The announcement follows last week’s news that Esko was to launch a “re-engineered and redesigned” Kongsberg digital finishing platform, the C-series, and showcase the 3,210×3,200mm C64 at SGIA Expo later this month. Esko business development manager Stuart Fox said it was too early to know if and when HP may want to take a machine: “Even though we are a partner with HP, they don’t tell us everything. We may get a phone call tomorrow saying ‘can we have one?’ but I’m not aware of any plans,” he said. Of the new Kongsberg XP Auto digital cutting table he said: “It sits very well beside the FB10000, the latest and greatest machine from HP. They are pushing themselves more into the corrugated packaging and POP sector.” The Kongsberg XP Auto fully automated die-less finishing machine is for packaging and point-of-purchase displays. The HP Scitex FB10000 large-format flatbed inkjet printer can run at up to 625m²/hr, or 1,000 B1 sheets in less than two hours. It combines high productivity with quality. Agustin Comadran, EMEA sign and display category manager at HP Graphics Solutions Business, said: “The successful relationship between Esko and HP enables us to develop solutions that effectively address today’s market challenges.”...
read moreHP beefs up Barcelona demo centre with new Esko kit
The fully-automated, corrugated cutting machine for POS and short run production of packaging will run alongside HP’s other new machine, the HP Scitex FB10000 industrial press. Together, they will show how customers can achieve seamless, end-to-end workflow to improve productivity. The announcement follows last week’s news that Esko was to launch a “re-engineered and redesigned” Kongsberg digital finishing platform, the C-series, and showcase the 3,210×3,200mm C64 at SGIA Expo later this month. Esko business development manager Stuart Fox said it was too early to know if and when HP may want to take a machine: “Even though we are a partner with HP, they don’t tell us everything. We may get a phone call tomorrow saying ‘can we have one?’ but I’m not aware of any plans,” he said. Of the new Kongsberg XP Auto digital cutting table he said: “It sits very well beside the FB10000, the latest and greatest machine from HP. They are pushing themselves more into the corrugated packaging and POP sector.” The Kongsberg XP Auto fully automated die-less finishing machine is for packaging and point-of-purchase displays. The HP Scitex FB10000 large-format flatbed inkjet printer can run at up to 625m²/hr, or 1,000 B1 sheets in less than two hours. It combines high productivity with quality. Agustin Comadran, EMEA sign and display category manager at HP Graphics Solutions Business, said: “The successful relationship between Esko and HP enables us to develop solutions that effectively address today’s market challenges.”...
read moreAtlantic Coast Studios fires up new Schneider guillotine
The screen and digital printer in Gloucestershire replaced an older Schneider 115 guillotine with a Senator S-Line 115H CT. The company uses it to cut vinyl, plastics and board for clients including more than 200 industrial plant and hire companies. The Friedheim-supplied guillotine trims stickers square, rectangular or to shape for heavy-duty machinery. Though accuracy not speed was a major criteria, you could not beat a guillotine for speed and volume compared to flatbed cutters, managing director Graham Higdon claimed. “The guillotine is absolutely key: if that goes wrong, everything stops – we can’t prepare or finish jobs,” he explained. “The Schneider does everything we need and is reliable. It has hydraulic cutting and clamping that cuts down on noise and makes it more effective. “The old machine was good but you can repair kit only so long. These are such dangerous machines, you have to make sure all the safety checks are performed. We looked at the main rivals but this kit fitted our needs perfectly. Friedheim was a big help advising on smaller cuts.” Six-staff Atlantic Coast Studio runs traditional flatbed screen print kit and five Roland VS digital print machines as well as a Summa cutter. The company makes £500,000 turnover and expects to continue expanding its range of kit and areas of work, according to Higdon....
read moreElite Cutters ups its wrapping capability with an Audion
The machine cost £6,500 from distributor Friedheim International and is an additional piece of kit at the business in Sandhurst, Berkshire. Other machines include a Bobst 102 SE cut and creaser, Paperplast International laminator, three Crosland hand-fed platens and foil-blocking kit. “Continuous investment in machinery and highly experienced staff ensures we can keep ahead of competition,” said Kris Watling, director of the 10-staff company with clients including printers and packaging companies. L500 SA Semi-automatic L-sealer can be used on PVC, polyolefine and polyethylene on thicknesses up to 50 micron. The kit has sealing temperature settings, an automatic cycle mode setting, six six operating programs and failure codes indication. Production speeds depend on the product size and materials, said Friedheim marketing manager Neil Elliott. Audion L-sealers packed in a safe, presentable way and had easy adjustment and settings to guarantee flexibility and high production quantity....
read moreAtlantic Coast Studios fires up new Schneider guillotine
The screen and digital printer in Gloucestershire replaced an older Schneider 115 guillotine with a Senator S-Line 115H CT. The company uses it to cut vinyl, plastics and board for clients including more than 200 industrial plant and hire companies. The Friedheim-supplied guillotine trims stickers square, rectangular or to shape for heavy-duty machinery. Though accuracy not speed was a major criteria, you could not beat a guillotine for speed and volume compared to flatbed cutters, managing director Graham Higdon claimed. “The guillotine is absolutely key: if that goes wrong, everything stops – we can’t prepare or finish jobs,” he explained. “The Schneider does everything we need and is reliable. It has hydraulic cutting and clamping that cuts down on noise and makes it more effective. “The old machine was good but you can repair kit only so long. These are such dangerous machines, you have to make sure all the safety checks are performed. We looked at the main rivals but this kit fitted our needs perfectly. Friedheim was a big help advising on smaller cuts.” Six-staff Atlantic Coast Studio runs traditional flatbed screen print kit and five Roland VS digital print machines as well as a Summa cutter. The company makes £500,000 turnover and expects to continue expanding its range of kit and areas of work, according to Higdon....
read moreElite Cutters ups its wrapping capability with an Audion
The machine cost £6,500 from distributor Friedheim International and is an additional piece of kit at the business in Sandhurst, Berkshire. Other machines include a Bobst 102 SE cut and creaser, Paperplast International laminator, three Crosland hand-fed platens and foil-blocking kit. “Continuous investment in machinery and highly experienced staff ensures we can keep ahead of competition,” said Kris Watling, director of the 10-staff company with clients including printers and packaging companies. L500 SA Semi-automatic L-sealer can be used on PVC, polyolefine and polyethylene on thicknesses up to 50 micron. The kit has sealing temperature settings, an automatic cycle mode setting, six six operating programs and failure codes indication. Production speeds depend on the product size and materials, said Friedheim marketing manager Neil Elliott. Audion L-sealers packed in a safe, presentable way and had easy adjustment and settings to guarantee flexibility and high production quantity....
read moreTecnograf launches entry-level PUR perfect binder that cuts waste
The ANT 150 PUR Hybrid is a fully automatic, single-clamp PUR perfect binding machine that is ideal for small job runs; it offers efficient, reliable and easy operation, as well as providing a professional quality finish. The machine costs from around £19,750 and runs off a standard 13amp supply. An innovative PUR gluing system provides better lay-flat and higher strength finished books, while heavy coated or special papers used in digital printing and photo books are handled with ease by the binder, according to Roger Cartright, sales manager for distributor Friedheim International. “It is aimed at the digital sector only, as it’s designed to prepare only cut-sheet work for binding rather than folding sections. The hybrid gluing system uses rollers but not roller tanks for the adhesive. Glue tanks involve lots of waste – you have to throw away what’s left after the job.” The kit enables finishers to use enough glue for the particular job, such as five or 25 books at a time, he said, adding: “PUR glue is still very expensive so it’s a shame to have to waste it”. The machine could tackle runs of hundreds but not thousands, he added. “It’s aimed at the digital printer who wants to produce a couple of dozen books for a client where a bigger binder would be overkill for them. Another key feature is a hot-melt side-glue capability, which is almost unique at this level with a PUR binder to give more stability of the spine.” He added: “Tecnograf has developed this compact machine for all digital customers that require an entry-level perfect binder that is simple to use and intuitive to handle. The system allows the operator to control every function of the machine during the binding cycle. The simple roller application means cleaning is simple and straightforward.”...
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