Features

Is the industry prepared for a move away from PVC boards towards more flexible and sustainable options? Ashley Moscrop, group director of Dufaylite shares his thoughts and predictions for the year ahead and what this means for the printing industry.

It can’t be ignored; the very noticeable trend within the retail sector is a move away from PVC boards towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly substrates like paper and polypropylene. As the retail industry bows to pressure to reduce its carbon footprint by removing PVC in stores, it’s an issue that’s becoming more apparent and more pressing. In 2014 this will be both an opportunity and a challenge for the printing industry, where PSPs will need to demonstrate increased expertise in printing on in-demand paper-based substrates.

Hollywood Monster confirms future 5m strategy with Vutek GS5000r order to CMYUK digital.

For Hollywood Monster, the new year has already seen investment in new equipment with the purchase of an EFI VUTEk GS5000r from UK distributor, CMYUK Digital. The West Midlands based specialist display producer is already renowned for producing fast turn- round superwide-format graphics up to 5m in width, by virtually any length, and the new machine now enables the company to match the standards of its output with its existing 3.2m VUTEk GS3250 without compromising quality.

Do distributors and resellers add value to the products they sell? Nessan Cleary takes a look at this crucial supplier network.

When it comes to buying new kit it’s easy to think about specs and prices but an important ingredient in every purchase is the way that it’s sold and supported. In some cases, particularly with the bigger, more expensive flatbeds, themanufacturers will deal direct with customers. But often the sales and support is outsourced to specialist distributors backed up by a network of dealers that have developed relationships with customers, possibly in niche areas that it’s hard for the equipment manufacturer to reach alone.

Inaugural ‘Think Bigger Report’ this spring to explore and develop the relationship between ‘creatives’ and the wide- format print sector. Here Graham Leeson, head of European communications, graphic systems, Fujifilm Europe, explains why the company has got behind the project.

Image Reports speaks to Tracey Shanks, partner, Mercury Signs & Designs.

Laurel brunner, md of consulting group digital dots, works with various ISO committees. One group is now looking into the deinking as a vital part of paper recycling. Can you help?

ISO 16759 for quantifying and communicating the carbon footprint of print media has been topping the charts for ISO TC 130 sales since publication last July. TC 130 is the technical committee for graphics technology standards and Working Group 11 writes standards relating to the environmental impact of graphics technology. This group is now looking at a new line of standardisation ideas - deinking - and would like your help.

Image Reports speaks to Mandy Roscoe-Enion, director, Carrick Signs.

In keeping the widthwise 2013 theme, a panel of grassroots players recently met in a round table to discuss the issues impacting upon the wide-format sector.

Because wide-format print output is often not paper–based, its producers tend to feel sidelined when it comes to organisations like Two Sides waving the flag for print per se. So Lesley Simpson, Editor of Image Reports, met with Martyn Eustace, director of Two Sides UK and of Print Power, to ask whether these organisations can, and do, represent the interests of the wide-format print sector as part of the overall remit to put print back firmly on the marketing communications map.

The 21st century manager's role is to facilitate and coach, not to control, according to Michelle Bailey of Engage for Success, a voluntary movement committed to the belief that employee engagement is a better way to work.

Can print really get its value across to marketeers when it comes to comms campaigns? Lesley SImpson reports from the second day of Cross Media, where the topic was hotly pursued.

There were plenty of wise words spoken in the Print and Innovation Theatre when I attended on the second day of Cross Media recently, and what’s more, there were plenty of printers in the audience to hear them.