Image Reports
Supporting the wide-format digital print sector
One in four companies in the UK print industry could change ownership as a result of the current economic climate, claims a new study by financial analyst Plimsoll. It shows a number of cash rich competitors means the market could be set for a prolonged period of consolidation.
Canon and Océ are to combine their printing operations in Switzerland. Océ (Schweiz), which accounts for 3-4% of overall Océ revenues, is being sold to Canon Europa for a price that amounts to 15.9m Euro. The combined Canon and Océ operation creates the largest printing presence in Switzerland.
3P has been granted distribution rights to Hilord’s textile inks for selected printers. The inks include disperse dye and sublimation products for direct and transfer printing in many different mediums, water-based, solvent based and oil based offerings as well as Hilord’s new Bio-sub inks made with solvents from renewable resources.
BAF Graphics has been called upon by London department store Selfridges to help promote a marine conservation programme known as ‘Project Ocean’. The company was called upon to produce an extensive range of graphics, including a preview and teaser campaign based on digitally printed window films featuring oceans of swimming fishes and forks, together with images of the sea.
Two Danish printing companies have taken first and second place in the third lap of the Fespa Wrap Cup Masters Series which will culminate in a grand finale at Fespa 2013 in London. Sun Wrap won the third of the eight stage series spanning three years. Lindahl Wrapping, also from Denmark, came second.
The Sign and Digital Ireland and Print Ireland exhibitions planned to run in Dublin this October have been postponed. Instead, the shows will run in autumn 2012.
Blink Giant Media from the UK has won Fespa’s Digital Man Competition. Its submission, a video sequence showing Digital Man running down the side of a giant building wrap, has received more than 350 hits online (http://youtu.be/b8M4MsO25TI). It demonstrates all the aspect of the Digital Man challenge and also brings to life the Fespa Digital 2011 parkour theme.
When Classic Lines Plus Signs was asked to replace the main sign at local pub The Railway Inn, the company was quick to utilise its recently installed Roland VersaCamm VS print-and-cut machine to produce an innovative solution that shows off the metallic ink capabilities of the machine.
Leicester-based Data Image Group is one of the first printers in the UK to invest in an Inca Onset S40 from Fujifilm. The new machine will join a Fujifilm Acuity Advance HS HD3545 at the company later this month.
Following the installation of a Durst Rho 320 in May, Speedscreen of Kent has bought a Zund G3 3XL1600 to reduce the finishing bottleneck created by the new printer.
Lenticular specialist printer Riot of Colour has taken a first prize in the Lenstar Lenticular Print Awards.
“Rather than being a printer company HP will become a printing company” was the bold announcement of Phil Oakley, HP UK and Ireland manager covering the Designjet space, at the official opening of the UK’s first HP Print Station within John E Wright at its Nottingham city centre site on Monday (6 June).
Ipex is moving to the ExCeL centre in London in 2014. The exhibition, which has taken place at the NEC, Birmingham, since 1980, has also moved to an earlier slot in the calendar. It will be held 26 March – 2 April, avoiding the Easter holiday period.
Leeds-based large-format printer Digital Plus is celebrating over £1.5m worth of contract wins over the last year. In the last few months Digital Plus has won impressive orders from such diverse customers as Ripon Cathedral, Meadowhall, The Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth, and UK General Insurance.