Business - Events

CWE Bristol Open Day 2014

Two further open days in Bristol featuring the brand new HP Latex 300 series have just been announced by City and West End Solutions (CWE), following the success of their Scottish open days in July.

CWE maintains that the best way for users to be fully confident in their purchase is to see and try for themselves but they appreciate this is not always possible at opposite ends of the country, so that is why they are continuing with the road-show model.

CWE Director Graham de Kock said, ‘This is the first time we have exhibited in the Bristol area and is certainly the first time the HP Latex 300 series will be demonstrated here alongside other complementary solutions such as wide-format vinyl cutters, laminators and the wide portfolio of Expanse medias covering all applications. There’s something for everyone at these open days whether you’re a sign maker, display graphics printer or exhibition builder and we’d be delighted to welcome all on the day.”

The new HP Latex inks give outstanding durability with superior scratch resistance on vinyl and banner and enhanced quality and performance on a wider range of medias. The high ink density options further extend the superior detail and vibrancy to backlit media and textiles.

This year CWE is celebrating its fifteenth year in its current form as a leading large format print specialist, but the company goes back 40 years, initially servicing the technical and intricate demands of the reprographic and CAD market.

CWE is now a HP Gold Partner and Gold Production Specialist with HP Gold ServiceOne status, recognising their skills, knowledge and expertise in recommending and supporting large format printing solutions.  The company was also the leading reseller of HP Latex printers in the EMEA market last year.

The open days will be held at the Eastwood Park Training and Conference Centre on the 14th and 15th of October from 10am to 5pm and are free to attend. Eastwood Park is ideally situated just north of Bristol with easy access from the M5. Places are limited, so book your spot now at:

http://www.cwesolutions.co.uk/events

To find out more about the HP Latex 300 series call CWE Solutions on 08444 829895, email sales@cwesolutions.co.ukor see www.cwesolutions.co.uk/300series

Users from around the world reinforce importance of cross-media marketing  for the printing and marketing industries

Slightly over 100 EFI DirectSmile cross-media customers gathered 27-28 August in Berlin, Germany for the first ever EFI DirectSmile user conference. Users from 15 countries on 3 continents met to share ideas, find inspiration and get insights for the development of their cross-media business, as well as gain in-depth technical know-how on the solution. DirectSmile users also had the chance to give feedback on the current and future development of the software. Among them were printers, advertising agencies and marketing service providers.

Clothilde Vazeux from Swiss publisher Stämpfli said, "It was simply fantastic! It was enriching to meet so many professionals from all over Europe that work on the same topics as we do. I will keep contact and profit from a strong network of specialists. This conference has to happen again."

Tobias Flores, conference chairman couldn't agree more. "It is absolutely amazing, that even after just a few hours you saw customers from Sweden talk to users from the US, and French users to people from Singapore, all who never met before," he said. This is exactly what we wanted to achieve-turn individual cross-media users into a true community."

The first day of the event included seminars on the latest EFI DirectSmile software as well as on the changing media landscape. Keynote speaker, Magnus Kristiansen, a user from Norway proved to be a special highlight, giving fresh insights into the new requirements all communication providers are facing today.

On the second conference day, users could choose between in-depth technical expertise in the Cross Media Campaign Lab, including how to build a Facebook application, or they could join the Business Track on selling and marketing cross-media campaigns. During this session, EFI DirectSmile users Manfred Senn from Mapro in Switzerland, and Mikael Kuniholm from EO in Sweden shared case studies from their regions.

Christoph Clermont, director of engineering at EFI DirectSmile said, "The demands of our customers are so diverse because their campaigns made with our solution are so diverse. Listening very closely to what our customers say is absolutely essential for the decisions we take for the future development of the software."

Lucy Swanston from British advertising agency Nutshell Creative said, "For me, it was a validation that we are taking our business in the right direction. Talking to so many industry peers, I'm more convinced than ever that there is a huge demand for multi-channel communication, and there´s just one platform that does it, and that´s DirectSmile."

Filip Buyse, general manager of EFI Web-to-Print Solutions commented: "We received a very positive response from DirectSmile users about the value of the EFI DirectSmile VDP and cross-media solutions and how they are driving growth and expansion for their business. It is testimony to EFI's strategy to bring more value to marketing service providers, from ad agencies to print service providers."

EFI Connect 2015

EFI believes strongly in user conferences as a great tool to build communities of users who exchange ideas, help decide product direction, and learn about integration. Now in its 15th year, Connect gives EFI customers from around the world a unique educational opportunity to make their businesses more efficient, profitable and competitive. Going forward EFI plans to merge the EFI DirectSmile conference into Connect, which in addition to partner exhibits, includes EFI's most-advanced technologies, such as EFI Wide-Format and VUTEk printers, EFI Fiery print workflow products and EFI Productivity Software MIS/ERP, web to print and eCommerce software.

Connect 2015 will take place at the Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas, 20-23 January. For more information or to register, please go to www.efi.com/Connect

New platform makes its commercial debut at Viscom Paris 2014

Fujifilm today announces the commercial launch of the Vybrant F1600 at Viscom Paris 2014, France (9th - 11th September), following its preview at FESPA Digital earlier this year. The Vybrant F1600 is a new 1.6m roll-to-roll large format printer targeted at the sign industry, featuring Fujifilm’s patented FUZE hybrid UV Ink technology.

Fujifilm’s FUZE ink technology improves the efficiency and performance achievable within a large format production environment. The UV ink component results in a durable film for high scratch resistance, while a low ink build offers increased flexibility in terms of handling and finishing. Thanks to the UV curing capability, no de-gassing time is required, and substrates can be finished and shipped immediately after printing.

The Vybrant F1600 is a four colour machine with a productivity of up to 18 m2/hour and guarantees adhesion to a wide range of substrates. It is ideal for printing vinyl or any other flexible material to create indoor or outdoor applications where durability and fast turnaround times are key. The combination of UV chemistry with an eco-solvent carrier offers vivid colour reproduction, resulting in a smooth glossy print.

Mike Battersby, large format marketing manager at FUJIFILM Speciality Ink Systems, comments: “The Vybrant F1600 is a highly effective roll-to-roll platform that increases the competitiveness of small and medium sized large format printers.” He explains: “Fujifilm’s FUZE technology effectively integrates the unique benefits of UV chemistry with an eco-solvent carrier. The durability, flexibility and high gloss finish produced by the Vybrant F1600 will help companies take their production performance to the next level.”

At Viscom Paris Fujifilm is displaying the Vybrant F1600 alongside an extensive range of media to show visitors the variety of substrates that the printer can handle, including vinyl, PVC film, banner, backlit and canvas.

Stand GB3, 30th September – 1st October, Design Centre, Islington, London

GMG Color is teaming up with leading innovative technology company Epson and specialist packaging design graphics studio Studio404 at Packaging Innovations (stand GB3).

On the stand, colour management software experts GMG will show the importance and benefits of managing colour from packaging and label concept all the way through to the finished product – every time, anywhere, on any material, and by any printing process.

Using the latest technology to produce innovative and colour consistent artwork, GMG will demonstrate GMG ColorProof, the industry leading proofing solution, with Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 large format printer producing contract-level proofs for complex packaging applications. The 24-inch Epson printer uses CMYK + white ink to deliver highly accurate package proofs and is ideally suited to the GMG ColorProof software which offers precise and predictable spot colour simulation.

Alongside, Studio404 will be demonstrating its unique streamlined workflow process which takes creative packaging design concepts and turns them into engineered solutions that are ready to be printed – all enabled by GMG technology.

GMG OpenColor has been a vital technological breakthrough for Studio404, enabling the company to measure colours spectrally, rather than taking traditional colour measurements. Brand owners have very high colour accuracy expectations, no matter where something is printed, and GMG OpenColor is designed to address this complex and error prone problem in package production.

“Packaging Innovations presents GMG with the perfect opportunity to show the importance and benefits of managing colour from concept to creation, onto supermarket shelves and into the consumers’ homes,” says Toby Burnett, MD, GMG Color. “Teaming up with Epson and Studio404 enables us to demonstrate to prepress specialists, print firms, agencies, and brand owners how they can produce consistently better colour simulations, across different substrates and print technologies, and reduce time and costs during the production process.”

The line-up of experts speaking at the Industrial Inkjet Ltd (IIJ) symposium has been announced by organizers who are inviting attendees to register early.

Representatives from GIS, AGFA, Luminescence, Lake, Focus Label Machinery, Konica Minolta and two employees from IIJ will be addressing delegates on the importance of inkjet for label industrial applications.

Printers and other market players will be provided with insights into the “enormous” growth opportunities in digital inkjet label production in the day-long event at Clare College, Cambridge, on 15 October. Subjects covered will include digital inkjet, in line inspection, software, special inks and combination flex and inkjet printing, as well as describing how latest inkjet technologies can improve results and reduce production costs.

John Corrall, Managing Director of industrial inkjet specialist IIJ, based at Swavesey, near Cambridge in the UK, said: “It’s clear from independent feedback and our own first-hand experience that the industry in general needs more education into the opportunities for what are massive opportunities and economic benefits in using inkjet in label applications. And the double-digit growth in printed area for prime labels looks certain to accelerate as brand owners demand more customisation alongside systems with higher capacity.”

IIJ, which is the official sales and technical support centre for Konica Minolta industrial inkjet division, will also be holding special meetings at its nearby offices on the two days after the symposium. Symposium tickets cost £150 – details from Leanne Beattie, on + 44 1954 232023, leannebeattie@industrialij.com

Graphics installers meet industry leaders and receive hands-on learning opportunities on the show floor

The Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) is headed back to the 2014 SGIA Expo (Las Vegas, October 22–24) for three fully loaded days of unbeatable presentations, training and networking events for graphics installers. Whether you’re a novice installer or an industry pro, there is something for everyone at this year’s sold-out trade show.

Beginning Wednesday morning, get free, one-on-one industry information at the PDAA homebase on the show floor — the PDAA Graphics Installation Zone. Meet with the experts, gain new trade knowledge and expand your business. Focused sessions provide a hands-on learning experience and discuss a wide array of subjects, including:

• Specialized film applications

• Automotive color change

• Innovative installation tools

• High-spec, high-performance vinyls

• PDAA Master Certification

Each day of the Expo will also feature two sold-out vehicle wrap training classes taught by PDAA Master-Certified Instructors. Wrap Like a Pro (beginner to intermediate) teaches the “right” way to install vehicle wraps, followed by hands-on training to practice what they’ve learned. Extreme Vehicle Wrapping (intermediate to advanced) explores advanced techniques for wrapping extreme shapes such as bumpers, mirrors, helmets and more, and will give graphics installers the opportunity to install car-wrapping vinyl on the bumpers and mirrors of several cars.

Thursday kicks off right with the Keynote Breakfast, where Stephen Shapiro will show you how to get better answers with better questions in “Innovate Where You Differentiate.” And before heading out on the town that evening, stop by the PDAA Graphics & Installation Reception for the chance to meet your fellow professionals and grow your business network.

Attendance is by invitation only.

Register by September 30 for your free pass to the specialty imaging community’s biggest trade show of the year.