Business - Knowledge

In the months since our last look at Pixartprinting, the Italian web-to-print company has set its sights on expansion and innovation – and has succeeded. The purchase of a 97 per cent stake of Pixartprinting by Vistaprint this spring provided routes to grow the family-run business in its 20th anniversary year.

"We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition will provide us," commented Alessandro Tenderini, Pixartprinting's CEO on the acquisition.

"We started as a family-run traditional printing business in 1994 and during the last decade, we have transformed into a successful web-to-print business that still places the customer at the centre of our goals. We believe Vistaprint will be a strong partner for future international growth as we tap into its scale, global presence, financial strength, technology and manufacturing process expertise."

Pixartprinting's 338 employees cater for 120,000 active customers throughout Europe, producing on average of 6,000 jobs per day. Sales are made directly through online stores and production is centralised at its headquarters in Quarto D'Altino, Venice. The latest-generation fleet dispatch deliveries across Italy and further afield on time.

What it calls 'mother tongue representatives' are a big part of Pixartprinting's customer service operations; at the end of last year it opened new online shops in the Netherlands, Romania, Poland, Sweden and Russia, bringing the total number of language-specific web stores to eleven. Pixartprinting is also mindful of multilingual nations such as Belgium and Switzerland and directly reroutes customers to the dominant language of their region based on their IP address.

It's not just about language barriers however, as Andrea Pizzola, Sales and Marketing Director at Pixartprinting, explains. "Each nation mirrors different cultures, purchasing habits and hours, but also different needs and rules," he says.

Each of the e-stores offers a comprehensive large-format range including banners, posters, POP displays, flags, interior décor items and textiles, plus small-format options such as packaging, business cards, catalogues, stationery and magazines.

The past year has been one of new ideas and new markets for these products. Pixartprinting has improved its label selection to include white and silver prints, new materials and customisable formats, which helped it achieve a highly effective bottle label for Sicilian artisan spirits brand Bomapi. The brand, whose relationship with the web-to-print business goes back to 2010, also selected pillow boxes from Pixartprinting's new packaging range. The boxes are distributed ready printed, pre-mounted, folded and partly glued, making filling orders as easy as possible for the customer.

Moreover, Pixartprinting's e-stores have achieved Trusted Shops certification. Based on 60 quality criteria covering data protection, credit-worthiness, safety and transparency, plus the guarantee of a refund or compensation if deliveries fail, the certification means peace of mind for Pixartprinting's thousands of customers. Independent feedback system Reevoo has also been put in place to monitor and maintain satisfaction.

"We applied for the Trusted Shops seal of quality because it is an important assurance provided by an external and independent company, and because it is acknowledged internationally," comments Davide Turatti, Web Marketing Supervisor at Pixartprinting.

"After the implementation of Reevoo, a totally transparent and reliable system to measure customer satisfaction, on our e-commerce portal, this certification is a further step forward in our strategy to continuously improve the user's experience, to assure total transparency and reliability."

In December, the Italian shop had garnered more than 3,200 reviews of which 96 per cent expressed general satisfaction. With more web shops now live, Pixartprinting will be aiming to please ever more customers across Europe.

[Photo shows (L to R) Ernst Teunissen, Executive Vice President & CFO Vistaprint; Matteo Rigamonti, Founder Pixartprinting; Alessandro Tenderini, CEO Pixartprinting; and Ashley Hubka, Vice President, Corporate Strategy Vistaprint.]

In this guest blog written for LFR, Joe Wigzell, Academy and Creative Centre Manager at Roland DG UK, looks at four key ways to make the most of your hard-working, money-making wide format printer.  He says:

1. Look after your business partner.

Whether you work on your own, in a small team or as part of a larger outfit, you have at least one business partner that needs some special care and attention – your printer.

Looking after your machine will increase productivity, the quality of output and the life span of the product. Here are a few tips for taking care of your valued partner. Whilst they may seem obvious, they are key to nurturing your investment:

• Clean your machine regularly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification:  A clean machine will last longer and maintain the quality of output you require.
• Use official parts and engineers/technicians: A high quality product requires the parts to match and the knowledge and training of an authorised engineer to fit/change them.
• Work in an appropriate environment: Your machine is another employee - and needs to be treated like one. It will not enjoy an overnight stay in a damp, cold room. It will however appreciate a constant, warm and steady environment - much like your other workers!

2. Learn the ins and outs of your co-worker.

Anybody can run a printer and get it printing output - the key to differentiating yourself from the competition and getting the best from your machine will be knowing all about its features, capabilities, parts and software. A few things that can help you are:

• Training: Learning from a professional or somebody whose job it is to know these things will help you will save valuable time in trial and error experiments.
• A RIP will drive your machine and you must drive the RIP:  Knowing the capabilities and/or limits of the RIP can dramatically change your workflow.
• Read the manual!: Again this may sound obvious and may be a little tedious, however the manual will have a lot of important information from the people who know the machine the best.
• Experiment:  Don’t be scared to try new things and allow a bit of ‘play-time’ to get acquainted with your machine.

3. The printer is only a quarter of the puzzle.

There are 4 elements to a print process: RIP > Printer > Inks > Substrate.

The last piece of this puzzle is the part that the customer will take away: the final product. Your customers will often not see, know or care about the other 3 elements, so you must get this part right as it is your reputation on the line.

• Discover and research what is available: Your machine will have the ability to print onto a variety of substrates and it is up to you to find out what’s on offer.
• Quality vs quantity: Sometimes you will need a high quality media and sometimes you may need something a bit cheaper. It is good to understand how products differ and how quality affects print/life span/cost etc.
• The substrate you use is subject to the same rules as above. It needs a good working/living environment. It needs to be looked after and you need to experiment and learn its characteristics.

4. What other skills does my printer have?

One of Roland DG’s key messages is “there’s so much more in the box than just a printer” and it’s really important to us that you have the support and knowledge you need in order to get the best out of your printer - and gain the advantage over your competitors.

Diversifying, researching and trying new things are effective ways to expand your business and increase profitability. At our Creative Centre at our HQ we demonstrate many of the countless applications and possibilities of your machines. We run courses throughout the year at the Roland Academy which focus on developing your technical and commercial skills and helping grow your business. We also recommend going to trade shows, talking to your contemporaries and keeping your eyes peeled for new and exciting applications. Online forums such as www.rolandforum.co.uk are also a great sources of hints, tips and practical information. All of this will help you to use your machine to its full capacity/capability and, most importantly, keep you at the forefront in the race for success.

For more information on Roland DG and its products, please contact the Roland Academy via http://www.rolanddg.co.uk/support/academy/

SA International (SAi) has announced the certification of its software solutions by HP for use with the recently launched HP Designjet Z6600 and Z6800 Printers.

The certification, which follows a period of extensive testing by HP, is for SAi Flexi and PhotoPRINT Families Version 11 with Cloud, and Flexi subscription software. The drivers used in this software were tested by HP to its own stringent criteria to assure print performance, printer calibration using on-board printer devices, printer status reporting and job management.

The two printers deliver vibrant output quality with production speeds for high-value indoor applications and are targeted towards large format print providers (one of SAi’s key audiences), graphic designers, professional photographers and fine artists. SAi’s RIPs are especially suited to indoor POP/POS signage and display applications, and trade show graphics, making the choice of SAi Flexi and PhotoPRINT software for use with these printers particularly beneficial to users.

Certification and savings

Companies using SAi RIPs with HP Designjet Z6600 and Z6800 Printers have the assurance that their software has undergone rigorous testing to maximise the performance and productivity of their printers. SAi’s long relationship with HP and the quality and compatibility of its software with specified printers is recognised by its status as an HP Platinum Level HP Partner.

Another benefit to large format print providers and signmakers choosing an SAi RIP is that the cost of printer ownership can be significantly reduced through SAi’s monthly subscription program. This enables users to access the latest version of SAi Flexi without a major capital investment but only a low operating cost.

“The certification of our software for the HP Designjet Z6600 and Z6800 Printers is an acknowledgement of the strengths of SAi RIP solutions and represents an official seal of approval to users of these new printers,” said Sarit Tichon, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales and Marketing, SAi. “Our software RIPs are already certified for use with three earlier HP Designjet Z-series models as well as the recently announced HP Latex 300-series Printers, consolidating SAi’s position as a leading innovator in signmaking and large format digital printing.”

SAi drivers certified by HP support on-board continuous tone and halftone print modules of the printers enabling maximum control over output speed and quality. SAi’s drivers also include HP media profiles for 55 media for the HP Designjet Z6800 Printer and 20 for the HP Designjet Z6600 Printer.

The certified drivers are available for users of SAi FlexiPRINT, FlexiSIGN Pro and PhotoPRINT Version 11 with Cloud, as well as to monthly subscribers to SAi Flexi.

Antalis UK has launched a series of informative podcasts covering a range of topics to help Print Service Providers select a substrate that best fits their needs.

As part of its Digital2Business (D2B) initiative, Antalis will present several podcasts covering a range of topical industry issues, further demonstrating Antalis’ commitment to innovation and product development in the substrate market. These online discussions will include topics such as new innovations in digital papers, markets, colour management and new developments in small format digital. Customers can also suggest topics that they would like to be covered by ‘Asking the Experts’ via the D2B online community.

Recorded at the Antalis Digital Academy, the first in the podcast series finds experts Giles Bristow, Digital Support Manager and Chris Green, Sign & Display specialist at Antalis UK discussing the importance of environmental responsibility within substrate selection, a particularly topical issue given the increase in landfill tax for non-recyclable materials.

During the podcast, the two Antalis experts outline the issues affecting retailers today in terms of their corporate social responsibility, highlighting the potential cost benefits of choosing a biodegradable product in terms of a reduction in landfill costs and the potential of selling recyclable products, as well as outlining some of the new substrates that offer solutions to meet both their POS and CSR requirements.

Commenting on this latest initiative, Giles Bristow, Digital Support Manager at Antalis says, “We are dedicated to finding new ways to educate and inform our customer base about the diverse range of substrates that are available, and to commit to industry improvements and new substrate innovations.”

“It’s really important that we share our knowledge as much as possible so print service providers have access to the latest trends, issues and product innovations. Over the course of the weeks to come, we’ll be adding further podcasts to the series which will become a useful reference archive held on our D2B website, from which anyone can call on for advice – free of charge!”

To listen to the podcasts, please visit www.digital2business.co.uk

Contex has launched a new blog: WideFormatScanning.com. This blog covers a wide range of topics, from the latest developments in scanning technologies to fascinating case studies from users across the globe. The WideFormatScanning.com blog will also highlight how wide format scanning solves real-world challenges and will regularly provide valuable tips to maximise a scanner’s productivity.

WideFormatScanning.com is for anyone interested in the subject. Prospective customers will find valuable information to make purchasing decisions easier. Existing customers will find in-depth articles on getting the best-possible image quality, as well as examples that demonstrate how users from various industries are solving their scanning challenges.

“WideFormatScanning.com is a great resource for anyone interested in scanning. From technical articles to scans captured by Contex scanners, this blog presents readers with comprehensive insight into wide format scanning technology and its capabilities,” comments Steve Blanken, General Manager, Contex Americas. “Our new blog complements our corporate website by providing an in-depth look into our products as well as detailed real-world applications of wide format scanning."

Visitors can expect to see informative weekly updates on WideFormatScanning.com. Upcoming posts will address the obsolescence of Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system and its impact on Contex wide format scanners, as well as an informative article on scanning three-dimensional objects with the Contex HD iFlex flatbed scanner. Visitors will also learn how to improve productivity with time-saving Nextimage software techniques. In the coming month, Contex will reveal details for an upcoming wide format scanning contest.

Visitors are encouraged to subscribe to WideFormatScanning.com to receive a monthly digest of the blog’s valuable content, as well as exclusive promotions available only to WideFormatScanning.com readers.

WideFormatScanning.com is also on Twitter at @widescanning.

The following article, written by Smithers Pira, discusses what you need to know about the digital and screen wide-format printing industry:

The digital wide-format industry is dynamic and fast-moving. The sector has moved from initiation to rapid growth with strong proliferation of players and consolidation, reaching a high stage of maturity all in less than 20 years. The number of integral players is shrinking, and start-ups are becoming quite rare. Major players with diverse interests in the printing industry - specifically the digital printing industry - are now active in this particular market segment. Many others, including Inca Digital, Agfa and Mimaki, have established themselves in digital wide-format print.

Meanwhile wide-format screen printing, which for many years has been the predominant technology in the display graphics and visual communications sector, now continues to lose ground. Innovations are few and far between, and it is now confined to a role as a legacy technology, although it will retain an important position for several decades yet as it is still used to lay down very heavy coverages much more cheaply than inkjet. What can we expect to see from these industries in the near future? In this new and exclusive bulletin, Smithers Pira examines the current state of the wide-format printing industry.

Threats to progress

The emergence of electronic displays based on flexible electronics is, potentially, one of the most significant threats to the wide-format printing industry. It is true to say that electronic signage has been considered a potential threat for some time, without taking significant market share. There have been some recent experiments which haven't progressed, such as the Tesco in-store TV, however flexible electronics will be better suited to meet the needs of signage applications, enabling them to take a greater market share. After years of converting to digital, it is somewhat ironic that digital print may ultimately see itself being replaced by yet another form of digital technology, in the form of electronic displays. Roll-to-roll manufacturing will be essential in order to create flexible, low-weight displays that can compete with printed displays from a cost point of view.

The effects of the 2008-2009 recession were most marked in the screen printing market, which suffered more than its digital counterpart. The shipment of screen printers declines rapidly in the Western world as the print shops stopped investing, particularly in old technology. In contrast, 2010 was the rebound year. Broadly the market recovered and regained its 2008 size. However, the gradual decline of screen-based printing will continue, but it is expected to be a long tail.

Geographic forecasts

Worldwide, Smithers Pira predicts that the transformation of this market will continue over the forecast period at a global level. Screen's share of combined screen and wide-format/flatbed inkjet machines will fall 30% in 2011 to 22% in 2017, while screen's share in terms of combined printing output valued at ex-factory prices will fall from 36% to 24% over the same period. This may be due to the fact that digital technologies offer multiple benefits such as reduced set-up time, cost-effective short-run production, rapid response time, consistent output for repeat orders, and a completely digital workflow. In addition, growth of digital is being fuelled by increased reliability, increased productivity and lower cost. The combination of all these factors will lead to an overall market expansion as a growing number of applications become feasible for digital technologies.

Geographically, the replacement of screen technology will be more significant in Western Europe than anywhere else. With a higher degree of environmental focus than in other areas, Western Europe has been quicker than other geographic areas to adopt UV-curable inkjet technology, as well as the more recent latex printer products. Other regions are catching up to these trends, but penetration will remain highest in Western Europe throughout the forecast period.

The screen printing market developed strongly in North America in the 1960s and 1970s and a highly productive installed base remains in place. This has also resulted in a slower penetration of digital technology compared with, for example, Western Europe. With longer print runs and less demand for customisation, conventional (litho and screen) print has retained a larger share of the display graphics market - and for a longer time. With Western Europe, however, the continued development of digital offerings combined with the demographic changes in North America makes it a strong growth market for digital, especially for the new generations of UV - and latex-based printers. Utilisation of the installed screen base is declining, whereas it is increasing for the digital base.

The full report, titled The Future of Screen and Digital Wide Format Printing to 2017, can be downloaded from https://www.smitherspira.com/market-reports/printing/wide-format-screen-printing-industry-market.aspx

Research compiled by Smithers Pira, www.smitherspira.com