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"The three great essentials to achieving anything worthwhile are; first, hard work, second, stick-to-it-iveness, and third, common sense."
- Thomas Edison - |
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If you put 23 people in a room there is a 50% chance two will share a birthday.
According to research, the most productive workday is Tuesday and the least productive is Friday.
The revenue that is generated from gambling is more than the revenue that comes from movies, cruise ships, recorded music, theme parks, and spectator sports combined.
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| This week at Printers Post: |
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Gallery-quality prints impress creative professionals
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The new HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer has been chosen by world renowned photographer Martin Parr, a member of the prestigious Magnum Photos agency, to output prints for his exhibition currently being held at the Niagara Gallery in Richmond, Melbourne, up to November 29. Parr was in Melbourne to shoot the Melbourne Cup as part of his At the Races collection.
In Sydney HP is also sponsoring the world premiere of ‘The Christmas Tree Bucket’ the latest exhibition by Australian photographer Trent Parke which opens at the Australian Centre for Photography, in Paddington on November 21 where it will be on show in the main gallery until
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 | February 2009. Parke is the only Australian photographer to have been admitted to the prestigious Magnum stable. He has spent the last few weeks in his studio outputting prints on his HP Designjet Z3100 photo printer in preparation for this exhibition.
‘The Christmas Tree Bucket’ is humour of the blackest hue. In a dazzling display of virtuoso storytelling Parke snaps the family rituals of Christmas with the in-laws and builds a gritty gothic tale of a nightmare lurking in the suburban shadows. Operatic in its vision and darkly satirical in its style, ‘The Christmas Tree Bucket’ is a photographic masterpiece destined for cult status.
The HP Designjet Z3100 Photo Printer series creates exquisite large-format gallery photo prints and portfolio proofs. It delivers consistent and accurate colour with the first built-in spectrophotometer in a printer of this class and a 12-ink printing system using HP Vivera Pigment inks that offer outstanding image quality. Fade and water resistant, its colour and black-and-white prints can last for up-to 200 years.
“The rigourous standards for image quality and colour consistency that professional photographers demand are clearly met by this new addition to the HP Designjet Z series,” said Jeremy Brew, market development manager, HP Designjet, South Pacific. “The HP Designjet Z3200 Photo Printer delivers on the high production values expected by professionals working in photography and other creative markets such as limited edition art prints. And its highly accurate proofing capabilities are ideal for commercial printing environments.”
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3D pinting out of the box
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You can now get 3D printing out of the box in Auckland, and at any size that you want. Impressions International Limited has invested in Humaneyes Producer 3D Litho and at the same time DE Group Limited has invested in Humaneyes Producer 3D Digital. Specialist label printer Impressions International will be producing volume small format lenticular prints on its Heidelberg 52 UV press, while exhibition and signage specialists DE Group will be driving their Océ Arizona large flatbed printer to create one off short run
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 | lenticular pieces as well as large format lenticular and Lensfree products.
Chris Graham, managing director of Premedia Technologies, the master distributor of HumanEyes for the ANZ region, stated: “Both companies have put a lot of effort into bringing their respective lenticular 3D products to the NZ market place. The significant benefit of the Humaneyes Creative 3D software will be to allow their customers to create 3D, flip or animation in the low cost Humaneyes Creative 3D software and then send the artwork file to either Impressions, DE Group, or both for local production through the Humaneyes Producer 3D software.”
Dale Bamford, general manager of Impressions International, said: “The new Producer 3D makes the whole process very streamlined, very efficient, but most of all consistent and repeatable. The response to date from the marketplace has been extremely positive and we are all very excited about the potential.”
Chris Clews, managing director of DE Group, was equally up-beat. “We purchased the Océ Arizona flatbed knowing that it was one of the leading options for creating large format lenticular printing direct to lenticular lenses. The fact that we can also print Lensfree and do short runs on to low cost litho lenticular is all an added bonus. The sales team are already getting some amazing enquiries from both existing, and new customers. Working with Impressions will gives us the potential to have small format handouts or inserts carrying the same message or image as the large format displays or POS we produce. The relationship offers massive opportunities for highly creative marketing.”
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Register online now for PacPrint 09
There may still be a few months to go until the doors of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre open on May 26, 2009 for the largest and most comprehensive PacPrint exhibition ever held, but if you’re hoping to attend, there is no need to wait! Intending visitors can now register online in a straightforward system designed to make registration faster and easier than ever before.
Alastair Hadley, PacPrint 09 Chairman, says there are a number of reasons for intending visitors to register early. “By registering now, you will avoid the last minute rush and be able to walk straight past the queues next May,” he says, “but more importantly, you will receive all the latest information, updates and special offers between now and PacPrint, allowing you to make the most of your visit.”
The registration form allows visitors to nominate their business sector and areas of interest, to ensure they are notified of anything which may relate specifically to them. “The ability to earmark your areas of interest means you will be notified of any events, presentations, news or special offers that relate specifically to your business,” Hadley says. “And, we’ve also included an ‘opt out’ clause to ensure you won’t be bothered by information you don’t need or want.”
“Plus, for visitors attending from interstate, there is information about what to do and see in Melbourne, where to stay, and how to make the best travel bookings, and this information will be updated regularly as new information comes to hand.”
“PacPrint 09 will be the best opportunity in the next four years for businesses to view the latest developments in a wide range of areas, from paper, ink and chemistry, to prepress and CtP systems, MIS and software products, copiers and ink-jet technology, finishing, mailing and paper handling systems, and complementary services such as industry associations, financial and business services, and even environmental services. “There’s no need to wait – make sure you get all the information by registering online now.”
Click here to register
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Strategic partnership to benefit New Zealand market
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Roland DG Australia Pty Ltd, leading provider of wide-format inkjet printers and integrated printer/cutters in the Asia Pacific market, is to partner in a new strategic alliance with Aarque Graphics NZ Ltd, leading partner of choice for digital print solutions in New Zealand.
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 | Marc Margetts, managing director of Roland DG, states "After an extensive review of the New Zealand market the decision was made to restructure the New Zealand operations, through appointing Aarque Graphics as exclusive distributor of colour products. We believe the Aarque partnership will benefit Roland NZ’s current and future user base through the company's extensive service, sales, and support network in New Zealand."
The alliance between Aarque Graphics and Roland DG delivers a solid foundation of expertise and experience in wide-format digital print technology. Peter Bult, Aarque Graphics CEO, says "This partnership is a strong value-driven opportunity for New Zealand's existing and prospective Roland user-base. We will continue with Roland DG's market-leading innovations such as their new Roland DG Care programme comprising the five year warranty, the Roland DG Academy, the Value-Up programmes, and Roland DG's authorised dealer channel and service network."
Roland DG announced simultaneously that it' Engineering/3D product lines in New Zealand will be headed up under a new company formed by Dave Hullah, with 19 years experience with the Roland DG brand. On behalf of Roland DG, Hullah will continue to support Aarque during this restructuring to streamline delivery of rapidly changing technologies to the New Zealand market. The new distribution structure is effective December 1, 2008.
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 Federal Member for Banks Daryl Melham MP, Ligare chairman Richard Celarc, & Ligare CEO Cliff Brigstocke at the opening
MP opens Ligare’s new Digital Print Facility
Daryl Melham, Federal Member of Parliament for Banks, has opened the new state-of-the-art Digital Print Facility (DPF) within Ligare’s Riverwood plant. Cliff Brigstocke, Ligare CEO, said: “This is a very exciting development for Ligare as it reinforces our position as the industry’s leading short-medium run book printer. Despite the current economic climate, we are experiencing an increase in demand for short-medium run books and are benefiting from capital investment in our digital print facility. This investment means we are now able to offer an unparalleled range of printing and binding solutions with an improved turnaround time for our customers.”
Ligare has partnered with Océ to fit out the facility with an Océ 7450 digiweb printer, a 6250 sheet printer (with more to come) and an additional 620 colour printer. These new machines will support the existing 900 colour printer and confirm Ligare’s status as one of the leading Australian book printers. To improve turnaround time and offer a more sustainable binding solution, Ligare has also invested in a new Horizon BQ-270 – a heavy duty, fully automated short run perfect binding machine.
Ligare’s Sitma mailing machine will also be located within the same facility. The Sitma mailing machine completes the offering by providing an individualised mailing service to Ligare’s customers. “Our enhanced capability means our customers’ digitally printed products can go straight to either the square back saddle stitcher that sits at the end of the 6250, or to the Horizon perfect binder. They can then be sent directly to Australia Post or the required delivery point in record time,” Brigstocke said.
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Ricoh injects US$20 million into Asia Pacific production print market
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A substantial figure of US$20 million will be injected into Asia over the next three years by Ricoh to enter and establish its presence in the printing production market by creating a new sales organisation and the development of two Printing Innovation (PI) Centres. The first of their kind in Asia Pacific, the PI Centres to be located in Sydney and Singapore, will be state-of-the-art centres that demonstrate Ricoh’s latest production printing technologies which include integrated hardware and software solutions.
The PI Centres are targeted to open in the first quarter of 2009. The 7900 sq ft Australian PI Centre, a facility with state-of-the-art infrastructure, will support the growing market
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 | and customer base in the Pacific region. It will act as a demo arena, providing simulation and replication of real world industry practices, and a platform for customers to learn and benchmark best practices and new technological implementations.
In the production printing industry, it is estimated that for every $1 spent on printing, an additional $6 is spent on managing the print workflow. As companies recognise the significant costs associated with printing, there is an increasing demand for printing solutions to be more supportive of organisations' needs through greater cost-effectiveness, higher productivity and solutions which can meet corporate objectives.
“Setting up the PI Centres is a statement of intent from Ricoh to secure our leadership position in the high volume printing segment,” states Nobuaki Majima, managing director, Ricoh Asia Pacific. “We will continue to invest and strengthen our presence and ability to support our customers in the region through key initiatives such as this in Singapore, Sydney and the rest of Asia.”
As part of the company’s investment strategy, Ricoh will also be increasing its headcount to support its expansion into production printing. “We have created a new sales division for the production printing market and our target is to expand this base to 100 by 2010, which includes sales, support and technical talent. Through this significant investment we will help customers realise the creation in value that can result from workflow re-engineering and our increased customer support and care,” concludes Majima.
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 The e-Bricks can be easily and safely stacked to reduce their footprint or even integrated with the press.
e-Brick now integrates wide format UV printing and converting
GEW has announced the further development of its e-Brick electronic power supply for wide web printing formats available with as much as 32kW of high frequency square wave power. UV lamps up to two metres in length can now be run without the need for a transformer driven power supply.
According to GEW, the advantages of this are numerous. Reliability is increased as the UV lamps run with better stability, lamp life is increased reducing down time and phase loading is balanced. The units themselves are a fraction of the size of a conventional transformer supply so much less valuable factory space is needed for installation of wide format UV curing system.
Having a constant lamp output delivers savings because kilowatt for kilowatt, less energy is required to cure at a given speed than with a pulsed output. Barring effects that occur when the pulsing lamp causes bands of greater and lesser curing at high web speeds are also eliminated. In addition because the lamp receives a smooth power input, it is under less stress and so lasts longer.
The e-Bricks can be easily and safely stacked to reduce their footprint or even integrated with the press. The major advantage however, comes in the form of reduced energy consumption and costs as well as carbon emissions. These are now key issues in the industry where printers are under pressure to reduce overheads and become “greener”.
Compared to conventional power supply, the company claims e-Brick’s high frequency, square wave technology can boost UV output by over 20% and reduce energy consumption by up to 30% for an equivalent cure. The key to this is through supplying the UV lamp with continuous rather than fluctuating power that results in electrical energy being converted to UV more efficiently.
GEW manufactures energy saving UV curing systems for all makes of printing presses and supplies both original equipment manufacturers as well as UV upgrades for existing equipment. Since 1991 the company has built itself a strong reputation as the global market leader of web-based UV curing systems. Based near London, England, GEW manufactures all its products in-house, which are available together with spare parts and after-sales service in every continent through its satellite offices and distribution network around the world.
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New VP for HP’s South Pacific Imaging & Printing Group
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Hewlett-Packard (HP) has announced the appointment of Richard Bailey as vice president of the HP South Pacific Imaging & Printing Group (IPG). Bailey moves to the role from HP’s Financial Services Division where he served as vice president of Asia Pacific and Japan. In his new role he will be responsible for driving the imaging and printing business, products, supplies and business printing solutions across consumer, small to medium business through to enterprise and graphic arts segments for Australia and New Zealand.
Within IPG, he will also be overseeing the South Pacific consumer segment go-to-market strategy which covers the range of stylish, mobile and
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 | easy to use products, from handhelds to home entertainment devices, personal computers and photo and document printers.
“The IPG business is well positioning in the South Pacific market and we have a clear strategy for continued growth. With HP’s Print 2.0 strategy we are focused on offering exceptional products and services to meet the imaging and printing requirements of our customers,” said Richard Bailey. “By leveraging the relationships with our channel partners and customers, we are confident of delivering the very best value to end-users to maintain our competitive edge.”
Bailey has held senior leadership positions at both the local and regional level over a 20-year period. He has extensive experience in commercial financing with small medium businesses and large enterprises across a wide variety of industries. Prior to joining HP in 2006, he was the managing director for GE Commercial Finance for Australia and New Zealand, where he oversaw the equipment finance and vendor finance segments.
His appointment comes after the completion of HP’s restructure of its South Pacific Imaging and Printing Group. Simplifying the group’s operations while accelerating HP IPG's Print 2.0 strategy, lowering costs and improving customer focus. IPG is now made up of three business units: Graphics Solutions; Inkjet and Web Solutions; and LaserJet and Enterprise Solutions.
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Brand protection system protects against fraud and counterfeiting
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In recent times there has been an explosion of growth in counterfeiting of designer goods, DVDs, software, food and beverages. There is a new wave of counterfeiting in prescription drugs such as Lipitor, life-saving medications used in oncology and to treat HIV as well as lifestyle drugs such as Viagra. This counterfeiting explosion has prompted Kodak offer forensically invisible authentication technology that protects against fraud and counterfeiting.
Steven J. Powell, director of business development for the Security Solutions business within the Graphic Communications Group at Kodak, is utilising his considerable business and
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 | marketing experience to establish the formation of strategic relationships with leading industry participants to drive the adoption of proprietary anti-counterfeiting solutions to address the brand protection needs of customers in pharmaceutical, luxury goods, fashion, food and beverage, electronics and other industry and government segments.
“The Kodak Traceless System has been developed using the foundation of Kodak’s expertise in photography, and offers the printing and packaging industries the opportunity to add value to existing and new customers by increasing the security levels of their products and services,” he noted.
The system is easy to implement and integrates into a wide range of materials with no disruption to product design or production processes. Proprietary Kodak markers can be integrated into a wide range of host materials with no impact on material characteristics. The markers are only detectable with Traceless Readers being invisible to standard optical, forensic, or chemical analysis.
Precision built for reliability, durability, and accuracy under extreme conditions, the system has built-in safeguards to make reverse engineering virtually impossible. Multiple levels of security are possible with the same marker and reader – basic pass/fail or additional levels of security (confidential disclosure only). The Kodak Traceless System can be custom tailored to individual needs and is already providing anti-counterfeiting protection for customers in a wide variety of applications including pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; premium wines and spirits; fashion apparel and accessories; documents and identification.
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‘Next Generation Camp’ for print media managers in Hong Kong
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Heidelberg’s second ‘Next Generation Camp’ for upcoming international young managers of the print media industry will be conducted by the Print Media Academy in Hong Kong from December 8 - 12, 2008. Participants will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of personal and managerial skills and exchange experiences as well as strategies for success. The five-day intensive seminar is geared towards participants from Asia Pacific as well as Europe and other regions.
"The pressure to compete as well as the changing market dynamics require in-depth knowledge from the next generation in the print media industry.
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 | They need to be up to date on current trends in the industry and new methods of corporate management," says Bernd Schopp, head of the Print Media Academy at Heidelberg. "That's why this seminar helps them to maximise their companies' value and improve their marketability in the future."
Experts from Heidelberg and internationally renowned lecturers will be presenting efficient marketing approaches, explaining modern management strategies for young managers as well as defining an individual action plan. Further presentations and discussions will spark new ideas within the areas of finance, organisational development and personnel management.
On top of that, they will have the chance to discuss their own experiences with experts and receive individual coaching. Participants will also visit a Hong Kong ‘Next Generation’ print shop to learn more about the qualification of modern Chinese printers. The ‘Knowledge Camp’ in Hong Kong will once again be rounded off with an attractive social program, including an evening event.
The event location is the Park Lane Hotel in Hong Kong. Costs will amount to 1,900 Euro. Included in the price are five overnight stays, in addition to lunch and drinks, as well as all seminar materials. The number of participants is limited. Seminar languages are English and Mandarin with simultaneous translation into Mandarin.
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