News

EFI is continuing its acquisition run with the buyout of Lector Computersysteme, a German-language MIS developer based in Mönchengladbach, Germany. Lector’s employees have joined EFI and will report to Sean Whelan, director of EMEA-region operations in EFI’s Productivity Software business.

As guest of honour at the The Printing Charity’s 186th Annual Luncheon last week, The Duke of York said in his speech: “Young people are our future. The UK’s prosperity depends on having the right skills for the future, increasing young people’s aspirations and encouraging businesses to take on apprentices…The Printing Charity has a long tradition of consistent work and its current efforts to encourage young people into the printing industry are commendable.”

Oasis Graphic completed a major job for the World Travel Market which took place at London Excel last week. The company provides graphics for four clients and seven exhibition stands including ‘Visit California’ and ‘Abu Dhabi’.

Brett Martin has expanded its transparent sheet range with the introduction of Marpet-g FS. This is an impact-resistant PETg sheet said to have superior chemical and fire resistance, easy thermoformability, and it is recyclable.

Roland has appointed Sprint Solutions (Scotland) as an authorised dealer for its print-and-cut and print machines across Scotland. In line with this Sprint is launching a wide-format and graphical consumables division called Sprint Direct. It will operate from the parent company’s new offices and showroom at Kirkintilloch, where there are also demonstration facilities. All Roland machines sold by Sprint Direct will also be installed and serviced by a fully qualified Roland engineer, giving the customer total piece of mind.

EFI has announced a $200m share repurchase programme, expected to be completed in three years. The announcement came as the company set a revenue target of $1bn and non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.30-$2.60 for FY2016.

An entry-level workshop for printers thinking of moving into cross-media has been added to the Canon Essential Business Builder Program.

After a decade of loyal service from their wide format HP printer, Polkadot Design and Print in Salford decided it was time to upgrade.

Mid November is always the time of year when yuletide business starts rolling in at CEWE. Considering that the seasonal trade accounts for a quarter of annual sales, Europe’s largest photo finisher has tooled up accordingly: yet another swissQprint inkjet printer went into operation at the end of October 2013, making a total of five identical Impala large format printers at the company’s two production plants in Germany.

Building a brand that stands out from the crowd is some achievement but with its signature pink hippopotamus, Wakefield based Hippoprint has an identity that's as strong as its product. When that product is an absolute guarantee of next day delivery on its ever expanding range of printed materials, it's important to keep to it, so company owner Anthony Wood is totally committed to investing in the right systems and technology.

Epson UK has appointed Adelco, DTG Solutions, i-Sub and RA Smart as authorised resellers for its new SureColor SC-F2000 direct-to-garment (DTG) desktop printer designed to print directly onto t-shirts, hoodies, jackets, bags etc.

Spandex Asia-Pacific has acquired two Australian suppliers to the wide format signage and display industry: Plas Image, a Sydney-based distributor of rigid materials and digital media; and Qualsign, a Perth-based distributor of aluminium composite sheets, cut vinyl and digital media. Both will continue trading under their own names for the next 12-18 months while full integration takes place.

InkTec has introduced a premium solvent textured lightblock film. It is a 9.5mil, satin matte finish with anti-reflective surface for optimum ink adhesion and scratch resistance. It also has a bright white front but light blocking antistatic black back for almost 100% opacity against rear lights. It is compatible with solvent, eco-solvent and latex printers.

The new Color-Logic Design Suite is suite of plug-ins and palettes for graphic designers that permits gradating multiple metallic colours, one into another. The Gradation-FX technique available in the upgraded Color-Logic Design Suite enables graphic designers to create special effects that are impossible with spot metallic inks.