Business - Knowledge

French textile company Senfa has appointed Sun Sign and Technologies (SST) as sole distributor of its Decoprint range of products in India.

Decoprint, the inkjet division of Senfa, has rapidly developed a presence in Europe and overseas with its high quality printable textiles for large format and super-wide applications. Its flagship product, Pearl, has become the reference for indoor backlit displays in Europe but the Decoprint range also includes fabrics suitable for frontlit and speciality applications printable on all main print platforms (UV-curing, latex, solvent and direct and transfer sublimation).

In 2015 Senfa invested 8 million Euros in a new 5 metre wide coating line vastly increasing production capacity and also catering for a segment of the market in need of wider media.

Sun Signs and Technologies already has a huge footprint in india being the exclusive distributor of Starflex products.  “We are a distributor of premium products for Visual Communication”, explains Deepak Gupta, owner and CEO of SST. “With Senfa-Decoprint, we see a brand that has a proven track record in Europe. Pearl is simply the best product for premium backlit graphics in shopping malls, retail units and airports. The large-format digital print market is moving towards textiles for various reasons. Textiles are certainly more environmentally friendly and easier to transport than PVC banners. Some Indian states have already started to ban PVC products in the sign industry.”

“A local partner is absolutely essential for any company moving into the Indian market,” continues Gupta. “Sun Sign and Technologies has a very long experience in the large format digital print industry and we see a dramatic trend towards printing on to textiles. Sun Sign is more than just a distributor. We are a true partner working hand in hand with our suppliers. Sales of textiles for the indoor market are very often project driven and our people are in with corporate customers and advertising agencies suggesting new ideas and at the same time we offer printing companies immediate access to these new products from local stock.”

Colm Garvey, Senfa Area Sales Manager, adds: “The time is right for expanding into new markets and we are delighted to have Sun Sign on board as our sole distributor in India. I recently visited the country and was extremely impressed by the sheer size of the market – I have been told that a new shopping mall opens in India every single week. We manufacture high quality products and we will be well-represented by SST. They are present nationwide which is a huge advantage in a country as vast as India. I also saw a trend towards higher quality images, especially inside airports, shopping malls and hotels. We see no reason why the year on year growth experienced in Europe cannot be reproduced in India when print-houses see the benefits of printing onto textiles – now available up to 5 metres wide – and stocked locally by Sun Sign and Technologies.”

UK customers have marked a key milestone at Canon with the confirmation of its position as the global No.1 provider of inkjet continuous feed inkjet mono and colour print systems.

Christian Unterberger, Executive Vice-President of Océ Printing Systems, a Canon company, told 500 customers from 23 countries at a technology forum that more than 1,000 systems had been supplied worldwide.

The guests attended the Canon Commercial Printing Business Days held last week, 20-22 September. This future insights event involved live demonstrations, as well as workflow solutions, at Canon’s Customer Experience Center at Poing, near Munich, Germany.

Canon’s line-up of both Continuous Feed and Sheet Fed Inkjet solutions included the new Océ ColorStream Chroma and Océ VarioPrint i300, together with the first showing since drupa of the upgraded imaging system ColorGrip, the Océ ImageStream 2400 and Océ ImageStream 3500, the Océ VarioStream 4000 and the Océ VarioStream 7170. The complementary cut-sheet systems included Canon’s new toner-based full-colour flagship imagePRESS C1000VP and the monochrome Océ VarioPrint 6000. Finally, the DreamLabo 5000 for photobook printing was also featured.

“It’s been a really interesting day,” said Colin Ray, Manufacturing Manager, Lightning Source UK. “Not only have I been given insights with live demonstrations of an array of systems in production print, but it’s good to see the partners such as those involved in finishing.  The networking has also been extremely important and I’ve spoken to a lot of other Canon customers, including business owners from a variety of backgrounds. The highlight for me was the factory tour – what an array of systems that are produced at Poing!”

Kevin Spindler is Director of Signature Gifts Ltd, one of the UK’s leading personalised gift companies, which is an exclusive user of Canon print systems. “Visiting the production print manufacturing headquarters in Poing has been a real eye-opening experience,” he said. “It has been really useful to see the latest technologies, as well as a glimpse into what the future will bring.  Bearing in mind our production facilities are in a relatively remote location, the renowned reliability, quality and servicing of the systems is absolutely vital. It’s been a real partnership approach.”

Another visitor to the event was Giles Lock, Managing Director of Top Print, based in Alton, Hampshire. “The Canon Commercial Print Business Days’ event has been highly informative and a great opportunity to further assess both hardware and software options available from Canon,” said Giles. “Having installed two Canon C800 print engines linked to PRISMAPrepare in August, I was particularly interested in seeing what growth opportunities Canon envisaged. The presenters shared some interesting ideas and I found their presentations thought provoking. The event also provided a chance for me to reacquaint myself with some industry colleagues in a relaxing and welcoming environment; I’m very pleased to have been a guest once more.”

Craig Nethercott, Director, Commercial Printing, Canon UK, said: “Our customers understand that Canon’s philosophy is about a true partnership and not just about selling printing systems. The feedback we receive at such events is that the Canon Customer Experience Centre provides the perfect platform to educate, network and for us to further engage by demonstrating our worldwide expertise and leadership in inkjet presses in both monochrome and colour. This is why we hold a series of annual events focusing one specific marketplace or application, such as the Future Book Forum, scheduled for 2-4 November in Poing. This will bring both the publishers and book printers together to discuss market trends, new business models and future opportunities.”

Quality Print Services (QPS) has officially announced the addition of Easymount laminators to its range, following its appointment as a reseller for Vivid Technologies.

Burscough, Lancashire-based QPS – a highly respected supplier of consumables including Nazdar digital inks, hardware such as Longier wide-format printers and Roland dye-sublimation systems, and nationwide service support – is now offering both the Easymount and Easymount Sign ranges of film laminators. All Easymount systems are designed in the UK.

The models in the Easymount Sign range are designed and priced as entry-level laminators, ranging from as small as 650mm wide up to 1600mm wide. As the name suggests, Easymount Sign laminators are ideal for all types of sign and display work, including outdoor signage, pop-up displays and banners, as well as for mounting prints onto boards.

The Easymount range includes cold laminators, models with single hot rollers and models with double hot rollers, depending on application, plus the award-winning Easymount Air laminator. Models are available in widths from 1200mm up to 2100mm in selected ranges. Each Easymount system is reliable and built to last, and to offer cost-effective versatility for the user.

In addition to Easymount hardware, QPS will also supply the Vivid Boss range of wide-format pressure-sensitive laminating films, available in several finishing options and widths. The line includes a number of specialist films such as anti-graffiti film and self-wound mount film.

"We really are a one-stop shop for the UK wide-format print market," says Chris Bailey, Managing Director of QPS. "We're proud to supply everything from printers and inks to a technical support network and a cartridge recycling scheme, so the addition of Easymount laminators simply offers even more to our customers.

"The Easymount range includes so many options, from entry-level models to heavy-duty thermal systems designed for 24-7 operation, so we're confident of providing the right machine to meet any need."

For more information about QPS's large-format print products and services, please email sales@qualityprintservices.com or call + 44 (0)1704 897575.

For more information on Nazdar and its comprehensive range of ink solutions, please visit www.nazdar.com.

[Picture caption: QPS now supplies the full Easymount laminators range]

Winner of Mimaki distributor, Hybrid Services’ Sign & Digital UK competition, Martin Cherry (otherwise known as Stan!) of Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions, got more than he bargained for when he visited this year’s show. Not only did he place an order for a new Mimaki JFX200-2513 flatbed printer with specialist reseller Granthams, but his demo at the show secured him a place in Hybrid’s prize draw to win a luxury holiday at Spanish resort, La Manga Club.

“We were delighted to not only receive Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions’ order for the new Mimaki, but to pick Stan’s name out of the hat as well,” said Hybrid’s National Sales Manager – Industrial Products, Stuart Cole. “The prize draw was open to everyone who demoed a Mimaki during the show with one of our resellers, providing an opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with the latest technology.”

Stan wins flights, transfers and accommodation for four people in a luxury villa at La Manga Club – a fabulous 1,400-acre sporting paradise nestled between the Murcian Hills and the Mediterranean Sea, famous for its superb golf courses and world leading sports facilities.

“Sign & Digital UK was a great opportunity for us to audition new kit and we were quickly convinced the Mimaki flatbed was the right machine for us,” proclaimed Stan. “Since the installation, the JFX200 has being running virtually non-stop, delivering stunning quality print at quite remarkable speeds. Being able to print direct to rigid substrates makes our whole operation much more productive and profitable. Even operators not particularly familiar with Mimaki kit have found it easy to use. To be honest, our only regret is that we didn’t invest in one sooner!”

Stan was also very complimentary about the support he received from Hybrid and Mimaki reseller, Granthams of Preston. “From our initial enquiry and demonstration we were skilfully guided through the whole process by Sue Hayward and her colleagues, who showed great expertise and professionalism – right through to the very efficient install.”

“Sign & Digital UK 2016 was an excellent exhibition for Hybrid and its partners,” concludes Cole. “The uptake of Mimaki technology across all product ranges was significant and we were extremely pleased to present the prize to Stan. We’re sure he will have a wonderful holiday and we look forward to a great future of working with Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions to ensure they get the very best from their new printer.”

For more information about Ebbsfleet Printing Solutions visit its website: www.ebbsfleetprinters.co.uk

Granthams can be contacted on www.granthams.co.uk

[Photo shows Hybrid's SDUK 2016 luxury holiday prize draw winner, Stan Cherry (left) with son Sam and their company's new Mimaki JFX200 flatbed printer.]

The Premier Paper Group, the UK’s largest independent paper merchant, has recently proudly given its support to Longridge Print and their chosen charity, Friends of Chernobyl’s Children, which provides opportunities for the families and children affected by the Chernobyl disaster.

The Friends of Chernobyl’s Children charity provides a range of opportunities for the children to experience, including a wide variety of outdoor activities that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy back home. The charity works to relieve the suffering of children from the resounding after-effects of the 1986 nuclear disaster, which is still devastating families across poverty-stricken Belarus. It funds yearly visits to the UK for children from the most desperate circumstances in the contaminated area of Belarus. For a month each year, the children receive recuperative healthcare, English lessons, and most importantly lots of loving tender care from their UK host families.

Whilst the children were over in the UK, Premier sponsored a weekend woodland camping experience with Tim Kirwin and his team at Wilder Things UK, in conjunction with The Woodland Trust, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity. Tim is the leading figure of Wilder Things UK, an organisation with many years’ experience and an unparalleled enthusiasm for all things woodland and tree related. Tim inspires people to love their woodland the natural surrounding environment.

Some of the activities that the children got to experience and take part in with Wilder Things UK included; learning how to prepare and cook meals over an open fire, build mini dens, as well as building fires and learning how to make their own bows and arrows. Despite the unpredictable weather, spirits were far from dampened and an excellent fun and enjoyable experience was shared by all.

Speaking about the weekend event Tim stated, “The kids were so enthusiastic and got involved in everything I challenged them with. I thought the day went absolutely brilliantly and Neil and his team were so supportive.  Thanks to all involved for inviting me along and thanks to Premier Paper for funding my time.”

The Premier Paper Group is the UK’s leading independent paper merchant and through its business divisions and nationwide branch network, offers a great choice of products and services.

Premier Paper has 30,000 tonnes of paper held throughout its branch network, offering some 5,500 different product items, from many of the world’s leading paper manufacturers, including the UK market’s widest selection of media for digital printing.

The Premier Paper Group endeavours to be an integral and valuable part of its customers’ business providing first class services, sharing its extensive knowledge and information, offering advice and a choice of quality products.

For further information about the product ranges available from The Premier Paper Group, Email marketing@paper.co.uk or Visit www.paper.co.uk

For more information about Friends of Chernobyl’s Children event http://www.focc.org.uk/

For more information about Wilder Things UK, visit: http://www.wilderthings.co.uk/

Ben Grist, founder of Oakdene Designs, first came across Roland DG printers whilst at college and knew from that moment he wanted to own one of his own. An entrepreneur at heart, at the age of 17, Ben started his first business, manufacturing high end chicken coops. He soon invested in a Roland DG GX-24, the predecessor to the GS-24 Desktop Cutter, allowing him to produce custom-made stickers for the coops. The desktop printer required a low initial investment and this, coupled with Ben’s prior knowledge of the machine from college, made the GX-24 the perfect choice for the newly launched business.

Wanting to diversify and expand, Ben explored the applications possible available using the versatile Roland DG machine and was able to start a new business producing and selling wall stickers and prints through well-known commercial retailer websites such as ‘Not on the High Street’ - and in 2012 Oakdene Designs was born.

Juggling a product design course at Bournemouth University with his new business venture, Ben made the decision to leave university in his final year of studies to fully concentrate on his design company which was growing month by month. The business was run out of a small studio at the end of his road in Brockham, Surrey alongside his 3 members of staff to keep overhead costs at a minimum. The decision proved to be the right choice as Oakdene Designs achieved a turnover of 60k in its first year.

As the operation grew from strength to strength, Ben was keen to diversify into new and exciting markets and so he invested in a Roland DG GX-500 from the CAMM-1 PRO GX Series. Much larger in size than the GX-24 desktop cutter, the powerful vinyl cutter combined with an aqueous printer gave the team the opportunity to create a more diverse variety of products including canvases, decorative signs, adhesive wallpaper murals and larger wall sticker sets.

Looking to streamline work processes, and further increase the business offering, in 2014 Ben also invested in a Roland DG SOLJET PRO 4 XR-640 wide format inkjet printer/cutter. Having the print and cut facility in one machine meant that Ben and his team were able to maximise efficiency to produce high-volume, high-quality products on demand. Soon after, Oakdene Designs introduced a more creative product range to include personalised printed photos, signs and larger bespoke canvas.

Commenting on the rapid expansion, Ben said: “As business started to pick-up I knew I needed more than a desktop cutter. The GX-24 had been a great first investment and given us the chance to find our feet and understand where we wanted to be in the market. The addition of the two new Roland DG machines meant we could expand on our vision to offer an exciting range of bespoke decorative products.”

In 2016 the small team of eight full-time staff members were selling high-volume specially made-to-order decorative products on the web in the UK and worldwide and had reached an annual turnover of over one million in four years. Determined to remain competitive and maintain the level of growth the business has achieved, Ben, who is always thinking of new ideas and design opportunities, came across the Roland DG VersaUV LEF-300 UV Printer. The UV inkjet flatbed printer could take Oakdene Designs productivity to the next level and offer the flexibility of digital customisation and personalisation, which was a growing market trend that Ben was keen to exploit. Without any delay the LEF-300 was soon part of the Oakdene Designs family and not long after its arrival, the business was able to expand its product line accordingly.

The UV printer was able to print directly onto a wide range of substrates, allowing Oakdene Designs to create a larger range of unique decorative items to include bamboo decorations, illuminating photos, street signs and transparent photos. Built to meet high-volume demands, the UV printer provides a consistent high-quality finish even during long production runs.

“The addition of the LEF-300 gave us the ability to print onto a larger variety of materials including wood, fabric leather and acrylic, all without a primer. We have remained successful at Oakdene Designs because we are constantly thinking of new and innovative designs that no one else has done before, and using our Roland DG machines, we have been able to produce some really exciting stuff,” Ben added.

With personalisation at the heart of Oakdene Designs’ success, the Brockham-based business is looking forward to the future and have hopes to one day take creativity to new heights with the purchase of a Roland DG LEJ-640FT, the newest addition to the Roland DG UV range.

“I knew from the minute I first started working with Roland DG machinery at college that the machines were something I wanted to work with forever. The ease of use, versatility and power are incomparable and have been an essential element to the success of the business. At Oakdene Designs we have succeeded by combining our Roland DG machine capabilities together to create new and innovative products. By continuing to do this we will carry on providing our customers with the high-quality products that they have come to expect. All that’s stopping us is our imagination!”

For more information on all of Roland DG’s products, please visit: www.rolanddg.co.uk.

For more information on Oakdene designs products: http://www.oakdenedesigns.com/