Editor's Blog

Well, given that ‘futureproofing’ has been a key focus of editorial coverage and debate here at Image Reports and within this year’s Widthwise Report, I’ve got to say that I’m over the moon to see Inca taking steps to increase the longevity of its Onset range of UV flatbed printers. I hope we see others making such R&D strides in 2014.

Not only is Fespa seeking the best examples of wide-format print, so am I! As of 2014, Image Reports will include a revamped In-Situ gallery of boundary-pushing jobs designed to grab the attention of potential customers – be they brand owners, agencies, architects, interiors specialists, independent designers etc. So get in touch as and when you create those ‘wow’ jobs. I’ll be putting together the first such gallery over the next couple of weeks.

Rocket is. The Hertfordshire-based print company Rocket has brought forward its 2014 expansion plans having seen a 25% jump in turnover this year. That MD Tim Porter is using the extra work as a power booster for the company's expansion is understandable. But of course turnover is not profit, and there are those that will argue growing margin rather than company size is what matters. What’s your standpoint?

News that Canon is integrating a cross-media workshop into its Essential Business Builder Program for wannabe ‘solutions’ providers has highlighted, yet again, another essential business building requirement – the need for a shared knowledge pool into which we can all dip our toes. Speaking at Cross Media recently, Print Power director Martyn Eustace referenced a new online resource that PSPs – and potential clients – can use to get real life ROI measures in relation to print as part of cross media campaigns. When I spoke with him again earlier this week he had the disappointing news that while it had been welcomed in theory, few companies were actively getting involved and uploading information. Print Power and Two Sides has shown what the industry can do when we all pull together, so can we work harder for the common good?

Are you finding it increasingly costly to do business? According to the latest Forum of Private Business’ ‘Cost of Doing Business’ survey of its members, a whopping  94% have seen an overall increase in their business costs during 2013. The FPB has outlined what it wants to happen to keep soaring costs in check - what about you?

I feel extremely buoyed by what I’m seeing and hearing of late and get the feeling that things are definitely on the up – I hope that’s not misplaced optimism, but the findings from latest BPIF ‘Printing Outlook’, together with news that wide-format growth opportunities are prompting the formation of new companies like M Partners Wide, and the amount of printers taking a real keen interest in things like the recent Cross Media event reflect heightened levels of activity and confidence. Long may it last.

It’s great to hear of these two really stunning textile print stories, which just go to show how far the technology has now been accepted and how it’s opening new doors for those involved. We in the UK were slow to move on digitally printed textiles, and for many it still means little more than banner and flag production, but clearly there are those being more creative and I trust, benefitting from their efforts. Good on you!

A big thank you if you have nominated your company for our new ‘Turning On The Talent’ campaign – the selection process is underway and the ten print companies chosen for the feature focus pieces throughout 2014 will be announced in the next issue.

OK, Halloween is a laugh for the kids, but on a more serious note it’s now big business for the retail sector. So if you’ve managed to get in on the act why not send me a picture of the work you’ve completed, along with a line of two on how it was produced and perhaps it’ll end up in the In-Situ gallery of work in the next issue of Image Reports.

I’ve spent the weekend drafting questions for Image Reports’ next annual Widthwise survey of the wide-format sector and have come up with a first draft that I think will provide you with really useful business development data. But I’m opening it up to you – is there a particular question you’d like to see included? If so, just drop me a line.

I’ll be at Cross Media as you get this, hopefully learning more about how wide-format print companies can benefit by getting more involved in this space. What I glean I’ll share with you in the next issue of Image Reports, but I’d be interested in hearing any key messages you might have on the topic, so get in touch.

Have you got a new graduate or apprentice within your print business that would be happy to talk about their decision to make a career in this sector? If so, please let me know.

Well done to Icon for clinching the Commonwealth Games job, which will see it partnering with various suppliers north of the boarder to deliver on this huge project. My thoughts on the news immediately turned to wondering whether more companies should consider banding together well in advance of major events to put together ‘wow’ factor projects that grabs organisers’ attention and makes them think of new possibilities that they perhaps would not automatically consider. Should we be doing more partnering to push the power of integrated print?

Is it just a UK thing – that everything around us seems to be shooting up in price I mean? We’ve just about come to accept constant energy rises as inevitable. And so everything linked to those must go the same way I suppose...and the same with raw materials. OK, it’s obviously not just a UK thing, but are we worse off here than elsewhere, and to what extent is the situation here restricting company growth? Is there anything we can do to better help ourselves? Any ideas, let me and everyone else know!