Entries are now being invited for the 2018 Kathy Woodward Award for Learning, a fund set up in 2015 in memory of the late BPIF CEO. Nominations are also being sought for the Victor Watson Trophy to recognise a young person of outstanding achievement in printing and allied trades.
Agfa will use Sign and Digital UK (24-26 April, NEC) to show its Anapurna H1650i LED for the first time in the UK and Ireland. Distributors I-Sub Digital (Stand J36) and Josero (Stand C22) will demon the 1.65m wide hybrid machine.
The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) and market research firm Keypoint Intelligence have surveyed 147 North American packaging converters to learn where the market is now in its adoption of digital print technology for packaging and to gain insight into its future.
Global Graphics Software has released a new Harlequin Rip compatible with the PDF 2.0 standard published last year by the International Standards Organisation. Harlequin v12 also contains features for high-speed digital printing.
Kernow Coatings is introducing a colour matching service for its print media. TrueMatch printable base films are custom matched to brand colours. The range of synthetic media can be used for internal and external banners, signage, window graphics and labels
The Antalis stand at Sign and Digital UK will be set-up as a luxury retail store to showcase the company’s full substrates portfolio for visual communications. The ‘store’ will be split into three collections: vehicle and wrapping; POS and signage; and décor, with quirky product displays that mimic traditional retail layouts, such as vinyl wrapped mannequins, FSDU’s and window installations.
Alliance Packaging in the US has bought a six-colour EFI Nozomi C18000 single-pass 1.8m wide corrugated packaging printer for its Seattle HQ. Once installation is completed in May the company hopes it will help it provide customers with new capabilities that will reduce waste, cost and turnaround time.
European Sign Expo 2018 - the non-printed signage show that takes place alongside Fespa 2018 - is sold out. The organiser says there has been a 42% increase in exhibitor numbers and a 58% increase in stand space compared with the 2017 show.
Italian-based W2P giant Pixartprinting is to exhibit at Fespa 2018. Chief manufacturing officer Alessio Piazzetta explained the move saying: “The special relationship that we've built over the last 25 years with plant manufacturers gives us a competitive advantage when it comes to technology: we can test new solutions before anyone else and request exclusive features. Our presence at Fespa sends a strong message to European printers and printing services providers. This international show will be an opportunity to introduce ourselves to those who have yet to partner with us and show them the many benefits of our approach.”
Leach has been acquired for an undisclosed sum by French-owned Chargeurs, a materials manufacturing and services group based in 34 countries across five continents and operating in four segments - temporary surface protection, garment interlinings, technical substrates and combed wool.
The recently restructured William Smith Group 1832 will have two stands at Sign and Digital UK. Stand L36 will have two sections to enable live demonstrations of the latest vehicle wrapping and architectural decorative and special effect films. On stand L40 it will promote the sign manufacturing facilities it provides on a trade-only basis.
Imaging Solutions’ long-time managing director Rainer Bauer is handing over responsibility for the Swiss company to Anthony Pieters, who will take up the position of CEO and MD on 1 May.
Image Reports
Supporting the wide-format digital print sector