Limpet Labels Expand Digital Offering with Xeikon 3000

Limpet Labels, Wrexham, has announced an expansion into digital label production with the purchase of a new Xeikon 3000 digital label press. Established in 1992, the North Wales-based company specialises in the production of self-adhesive labels for the chemical, oil, hygiene industries and other markets where high label quality and durability are required.

Commenting on the company’s latest investment in digital equipment, Lee Goode, Managing Director of Limpet Labels, said: “Digital label printing is playing an ever more important role in the market, and we need ensure that we are keeping up with the very latest technology in this area. We recognise that customer needs are changing with shorter run lengths, just-in-time production, and a larger number of product variants. We believe that by moving further into digital production we will be able to help our customers to reduce their stock levels of label products, and provide labels that incorporate variable data, such as unique bar codes or sequential numbering. Undoubtedly, digital gives a label print business significantly more flexibility, and that is something that we believe our customers will benefit from.

“I believe that digital printing technology is not going to replace conventional printing methods in the foreseeable future, however, it is an important piece of a jigsaw puzzle in label production today. With our new investment we will be able to offer a complete package to our customers as well as gain a significant competitive advantage over our competitors.”

Limpet Labels currently run two Mark Andy LP3000 flexographic presses, the second of which was installed in September 2008, and automatic-feed screen printing. The company currently produces in excess of 5 million labels per month.

The Xeikon 3000 web-based press has a top speed of 31.5 feet of label production per minute, and a monthly duty cycle of 1,500,000 feet. The five colour engine provides for the four standard process colours plus a choice of spot colour, special security toner for anti-counterfeiting applications, or an opaque white for the “no label” look on transparent material. The press is capable of handling an unrivalled range of substrates including self-adhesive films, co-extruded films, unsupported films, paper, transparent and opaque foils, and paperboard. The press handles a substrate width of 330mm, and provides for an imaging width of 322mm. The environmentally friendly dry toner electrophotography imaging process enables the use of conventional substrates without the need for coating or pre-treatment.

For job preparation, the Xeikon press is equipped with the truly open, scalable and modular X-800 Digital Front-End (DFE), combining extensive pre-press functionality including a high-speed RIP with impressive variable data printing processing. In addition, the X-800 DFE is designed to deliver the highest print quality level, a practical die marker function and precise step-and-repeat functionality. The system is also equipped to handle complex operations such as sequential numbering and barcodes.

Commenting on the Limpet Labels order, Greg Neesham, Sales Director for Punch Graphix UK, said: “The team at Limpet Labels have taken a long hard look at the digital market and decided that the time is right for them to invest in a product that will further advance their competitive advantage in the market place. The outstanding quality, colour consistency and accuracy of the Xeikon 3000 will fit well into this established label production business.”

Further information on Limpet Labels can be obtained by calling 01978 66 44 11 or by visiting the www.limpetlabels.co.uk web site.

For further information on Punch Graphix and Xeikon e-mail infouk@punchgraphix.com or visit the www.xeikon.com web site.

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LED-UV Makes B2 Debut for Ryobi at PRINT 09

Ryobi's LED-UV Curing in B2-Format

Ryobi’s innovative LED-UV curing system, which made its debut in B3-format at Drupa last year, was shown at PRINT 09 in a B2-format for the first time.

The Japanese press manufacturer’s stand featured the new Ryobi 1050, a fully automated B1-format offset press making its North American debut at PRINT 09, and a B2+ format Ryobi 750 series in a six unit configuration.

The Ryobi 1050-6, a fully automated eight-up, six-colour press, was supported by the first appearance of the B2+ format Ryobi 756 with LED-UV curing unit. Both presses were demonstrated in a live print production environment.

The 750 series is available in up to 10 colours; the 1050 series is currently available in up to eight-colour models and features an optional closed-circuit camera to continuously monitor print quality. Both the 1050 and 750 series presses run up to 16,000 sheets per hour.

These two presses can run a wide range of substrates from super-lightweight papers to board and film, making them ideal for printers involved in the packaging world, or those seeking to add that capability. Ryobi’s new LED-UV curing system, which offers significant savings on power consumption and speeds drying time, was making its first appearance at a major show in B2 format, following a preview of the technology at Drupa last year.

Ryobi 750 series
Ryobi has seen strong worldwide demand for its popular Ryobi 750 series of six-up presses. The Ryobi 756 prints substrates from lightweight stocks and film to board stock.

The LED-UV curing unit on the Ryobi 756 is the first curing unit that replaces conventional UV lamps with long-life UV light-emitting diodes (LED), cutting power consumption by at least 70%. Dry times are shortened, speeding job completion. The LED-UV unit is also available for the two-up Ryobi 520 series press and the eight-up Ryobi 920 series press.

The system eliminates ozone emissions, has a lamp life 12 times longer than conventional lamps, and uses ink with no volatile organic compound solvents (VOC’s).

This breakthrough technology is viewed by many as the most significant advancement in UV technology for 30 years. Light emitting diodes (LED’s) are extremely efficient. Instead of using electricity to heat up a metal filament, LED’s produce light by channeling an electric current through a semiconductor material. The result: close to 100% of the electricity is converted into light with virtually no waste heat generation.

Ryobi 1050 Series
The Ryobi 1050 Series features a double diameter impression cylinder and a double diameter transfer drum. There is also an optional movable shell-type skeleton transfer drum that accommodates various print stocks and thicknesses. The press is ideal for packaging and other high-value speciality printing.

The six-colour 1050-6 model at PRINT 09 featured an inline aqueous coater and infrared/hot air knife dryers, which speed delivery times. High-value-added printing is made possible by optional UV curing units, enabling chemical embossed and lenticular printing, and production on film, metallized paper and other non-absorptive materials. The 1050 series press is designed for highly accurate sheet feeding.

Other standard or optional technologies on the Ryobi 1050 series press include the centralized settings covering make-ready, paper changing, cleaning, registration, dampening volume control and more. The inline Ryobi Printing Quality Control System monitors and controls ink density with a closed-circuit camera, allowing efficient colour adjustment and reducing waste. Other options include fully automatic plate changing and automatic cleaning.

Apex Digital Graphics – The Solutions Provider

Apex Digital Graphics Limited is a specialist in the supply and service of pre-press and press equipment. Apex is the official UK distributor of Ryobi presses, the Screen Micra 55 metal plate system, the ECRM range of polyester platemaking units, and a range of B2-format computer-to-plate products. The company offer national service coverage, and a one-stop shop for print consumables featuring next day delivery. Apex Digital Graphics can be contacted on 01442 235 236 or via the www.apexdigital.co.uk web site.

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Printforms Group Adds Second Ryobi 524HE

Printforms Group, the Wakefield-based print business that combines both Printforms Wakefield Ltd and broCARD, the patented pocket communication tool, has announced the purchase and installation of a second Ryobi 524HE – the first was installed back in May 2007.

Commenting on the purchase, Shaun Stanley, Director of Printforms Group, said: “Whilst 2009 has been a challenging year, we are convinced that our business needs to be in the best possible shape for when the upturn begins. We have put in a significant amount of work to bring in new customers, and it is vital that we have sufficient four-colour printing capacity to satisfy their needs, and the needs of our existing customers, both now and in the foreseeable future. Our investments have always been thoroughly considered and sensible. We believe that now is a good time to invest.”

With a keen eye on the local West Yorkshire economy, Mr Stanley adds: “The new press has allowed us to recruit extra personnel in the studio, production, and sales department.” The business currently employs 13 personnel and has a turnover of £1.2 million.

The B3-format, four-colour press purchase joins an existing Ryobi 524HE machine, and a Ryobi 522 and 520. The landscape format 524HE will provide significant additional capacity for the print room, with a throughput speed of up to 11,000 sheets per hour, and semi-automatic plate changing for fast make-ready. Polyester plates for the B3 products are produced by another Apex product, the DPX System.

“This new machine represents all additional capacity for us – we have not taken any presses out of our business,” adds Shaun Stanley. The new press incorporates some additional features when compared to the 2007 machine such as Ryobi-matic D dampening and oscillating bridge rollers; and the press is also equipped with auto ink and blanket wash.

The fourteen-year-old Printforms Group operates with two distinctive customer bases. Firstly, the general commercial print activity of Printforms, dealing both with end-users and with the trade; and, secondly, the broCARD business, which is primarily via agencies. The Printforms business handles a wide variety of commercial print from general stationery to high-end corporate brochures and specialist printed products. The company provides an extensive range of services for its customers, including graphic design, storage of and distribution of printed work, as well as marketing and campaign advice.

One development that has been a great help in 2009 in particular is the company’s on-line ordering system, “PF Live”. Originally developed for a major client, allowing them to select from stock items, the system is now available to all Printforms customers. “PF Live is ideal for clients who use us to produce multiple products, or for clients who themselves have multiple sites or offices. The facility can be personalised for customers, and we are also able to add special features to cater for specific requirements,” said Mr Stanley.

The company’s specialist product, broCARD, also continues to go from strength to strength. The product offers a unique and revolutionary design in the form of a pocket sized product that effectively incorporates both a brochure and a business card. broCARD is the only remaining company to possess a full UK patent to produce this type of product.

Apex Digital Graphics

Apex Digital Graphics Limited is a specialist in the supply and service of pre-press and press equipment. Apex is the official UK distributor of Ryobi presses, the Screen Micra 55 metal plate system, the ECRM range of polyester platemaking units, and a range of B2-format computer-to-plate products. The company offer national service coverage, and a one-stop shop for print consumables featuring next day delivery. Apex Digital Graphics can be contacted on 01442 235 236 or via the www.apexdigital.co.uk web site.

For further information on Printforms call 01924 363 686, broCARD on 01924 298 999, or visit the www.printformsgroup.co.uk web site.

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Z-CARD® to Go Europe Wide with MicroMotion

Z-Card with MicroMotion Finish

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has teamed up with Z-CARD^®, the global specialist in PocketMedia^®, to incorporate their unique Micromotion finish onto a marketing campaign.

The exceptionally creative promotional Z-CARD^® samples enjoy MicroMotion highlights on the cover to give them an exclusive feel and look.

Nick Lowe, Commercial Director at Z-CARD^® said: “We first saw the effect in use on the cover of an edition of Printing World magazine towards the end of 2008. MicroMotion really does make a piece of print stand out – it tempts people to pick it up and take a closer look. Our French business trialled the finish with a promotional campaign recently and it proved to be very successful. We have now decided to roll out the programme across all of our European operations, which will entail a production run of some 100,000 individual Z-CARD’s^®. These promotional products will be tipped-in to various trade, marketing and advertising publications, as well as being used for dedicated direct mail campaigns.”

Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “Z-CARD^® was the first business in the UK to recognise the potential of our MicroMotion finish, and we are delighted that they are now following this initial interest with further investment in a European wide marketing campaign. MicroMotion gives a unique and exciting appearance to print, and has particular benefits for promotional items.”

The Z-CARD^® range of patented products are designed to be stylish and impactful. Their compact size means customers keep them and they are frequently referred to. These features, in combination with a strong creative, ensure that a clients brand messages are likely to be retained and therefore remembered, for longer.

MicroMotion, a finish exclusively available from Reflections, is able to add an air of uniqueness, and indeed security, to a print project. The speciality varnish is available in a number of stock patterns, but bespoke variants can also be created.

About Reflections

Reflections the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, with three production centres in London, Essex and Kent. The services provided by Reflections to the print trade include: laminating, overall UV varnishing, spot UV, foil blocking, die-cutting and creasing along with many other more specialised effects.

The wide range of speciality finishes available from Reflections is exampled by MicroMotion, a unique screen printing process that provides colour shifts and subtle sparkling of the image when the final print is angled by the viewer. Suitable for application to virtually any stock, MicroMotion is just one of the patented special finishes available from Reflections.

The company provides the highest level of quality alongside a fast and reliable service to meet the needs of today’s modern print environment.

For further views of Reflections visit the www.reflections.co.uk web site, or call 0208 305 6333.

For further information on Z-CARD^® visit www.zcard.com or call Lander Davidson (Head of Sales) on 0207 801 3789

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Steinemann Lotus for Mirror Finish

Murray Lock (l) and David Malvern (r)

Mirror Finish, St Albans, Hertfordshire, one of the largest speciality trade print finishers in the south of England, has announced details regarding the purchase and installation of a Steinemann Lotus 102 SF laminating press.

The previously-owned machine was just purchased to provide Mirror Finish with the opportunity to differentiate its services within the standard coating and laminating sector. In order to get the most from the machine, the company has brought in the Steinemann technical support services provided by UK distributor M Partners. Machine inspection, training and a follow-up support programme have been commissioned to ensure Mirror Finish get the most from their investment, along with and the skills to enter new market sectors including the metallised arena.

Mirror Finish provides a wide range of post-press services to the print trade, including: lamination, overall UV varnish, spot UV varnish and re-moist gumming, along with many other more specialised effects.

David Malvern, Director of Mirror Finish, said: “The results from the Steinemann Lotus have been really impressive. It has been a significant benefit to us to draw on the expertise of Steinemann and M Partners. With their support we have been able to try out a number of new finishing activities, giving us a chance to test these for ourselves before releasing them to our customer base.”

Commenting on the support provided, Murray Lock, director of Surrey-based M Partners, said: “Buying product from the used sector generally has a financial benefit, but this can quickly be eroded if the machine is not set-up correctly, or is run inefficiently. By providing a full range of support services to such purchasers, M Partners can help make a real difference.”

Steinemann has developed laminating solutions to the same high-end, high performance standard as its world leading UV coating equipment. The specialist Swiss manufacturer has designed its laminating equipment for ease of operation and cost effective performance for the professional market. M Partners is the exclusive distributor for Steinemann equipment and support in the UK.

For further information on Steinemann products contact M-Partners on 020 8773 8123 or via the www.mpartners.co.uk web site.

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More Awards Nominations for Benson Group

Benson Group is delighted to announce to its customers that the quality and consistent performance of the company has again been recognised with two more awards nominations for the PrintWeek Awards 2009.

Following its double victory at the UK Packaging Awards of 2008, Benson Group has made the shortlist for the equally prestigious PrintWeek awards. The company has been nominated for an unprecedented sixth time in the shortlist for the Printing Company of the Year, and has also reached the final of the Packaging Printer of the Year. Benson Group is one of five finalists in the Printing category and one of just three that survived the scrutiny of the judges for the Packaging award.

The Bardon, Leicestershire, company has picked up a host of awards in the last year, including Packaging Printer of the Year, the Cartonboard Packaging Award, and the Customer Service Company of the Year at The Sunday Times sponsored Profit Track 100 awards.

The winners will be announced at a prestigious evening event on October 19^th at the Grosvenor House hotel in London’s Park Lane, where the great and good of UK print will assemble to celebrate the best of the industry.

Commenting on the latest awards announcement, Mark Kerridge, Managing Director of Benson Group, said: “We are especially delighted to be considered to be one of the top five printing companies in the country – especially as it is our sixth consecutive year in the final of the Printing Company of the Year category. This helps to emphasise the consistency that we believe that we offer to the purchasers of our packaging products.”

About Benson Group

Benson Group, the Packaging Company of the Year for 2008, is the UK’s leading privately owned printed carton supplier, producing packaging product for both the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Headquarters are in Bardon, Leicestershire, where the company owns 130,000 sq ft of production and warehouse space. Benson Group achieves annual sales in excess of £93 million. Food manufacturers are the main customers at Bardon and for the company’s two North East facilities in Newcastle and Gateshead. These two sites have a combined total of 200,000 sq ft of manufacturing and warehouse space. The fourth site in Crewe, Medica Packaging, serves pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. It has 73,000 sq ft of manufacturing, warehouse and office space. Since 2000, investment in new plant and equipment across the four sites totals in excess of £25 million. The company recently announced details of the acquisition of various trading assets of Glasgow-based packaging company Cameron Linn.

Benson Group creates packaging for many well-known companies, brands and retailers. Key account clients across the Group include GlaxoSmithKline, Northern Foods, Reckitt Benkiser, Greencore, Bakkavör, Samworth Brothers, and leading supermarket chains.

For further information on the Benson Group visit the www.bensongroup.co.uk web site.

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Reflections on PrintWeek Awards Shortlist

PrintWeek Awards Finalists Announced

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has been named as a finalist in the Post-Press Company of the Year for the 2009 PrintWeek Awards.

Reflections is one of just four companies to have passed the rigorous judging process, and the company will be hoping for even better things when the winner is announced on October 19^th. The PrintWeek Awards gala event takes place at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, where the great and good of UK print will gather for an evening celebrating the very best in the industry.

Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been named as a finalist for the Post-Press Company of the Year. Just to be included as one of the top four finishing companies in the country is a huge achievement for all of our team, and helps to emphasise the quality of work that we produce for our customers.”

Companies were required to submit a selection of finishing work for an award that was open to both trade finishers and in-house finishing departments. The judges were looking for the use of a finishing process (or a combination of processes) that genuinely adds value to a printed product. “We are fanatical about finishing, and believe very much in our ability to add value to a printed job. We were especially pleased with the four jobs that we submitted for the award, and it looks as if the judges were impressed too,” added Luke Hastings.

About Reflections

Reflections the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, with three production centres in London, Essex and Kent. The services provided by Reflections to the print trade include: laminating, overall UV varnishing, spot UV, foil blocking, die-cutting and creasing along with many other more specialised effects.

The wide range of speciality finishes available from Reflections is exampled by MicroMotion, a unique screen printing process that provides colour shifts and subtle sparkling of the image when the final print is angled by the viewer. Suitable for application to virtually any stock, MicroMotion is just one of the patented special finishes available from Reflections.

The company provides the highest level of quality alongside a fast and reliable service to meet the needs of today’s modern print environment.

For further views of Reflections visit the www.reflections.co.uk web site, or call 0208 305 6333.

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TimeHarvest Launches Web-to-Print INSTANT!

TimeHarvest, the award-winning MIS system for digital print companies, has just released Web-to-Print INSTANT!, a simple on-line system designed to enable printers’ customers to order print jobs in just three clicks.

Geoff Stephens, Managing Director of TimeHarvest, said: “We’ve been studying how Web-to-Print is actually used in practice and learned that whilst there is a steady demand from professional marketeers to use fully-fledged systems, these normally require a degree of technical competence and a “digital” mindset. We’ve seen that underlying this is a substantial audience of busy people with modest technical ability who just want to order what they need then get straight back to their main job. For this group, print ordering is often just an irritation that gets in the way of completing their primary tasks and objectives.

“A perfect example of this is the training course or conference organiser, whose head is full of critical information on delegate numbers, venue logistics, special catering requirements, transport, accommodation, and many other things, for their next event. Typically, this person just wants to connect to a reliable printer, get a reasonable price for the delegate pack – surprisingly not always the cheapest! – place their order, then get straight back to dealing with the latest crisis.”

It is for this market that TimeHarvest has developed Web-to-Print INSTANT!, allowing the printers’ clients to easily browse to the relevant job (by icon AND description); get an immediate on-line price for their required quantity; then place their order in just three clicks (submission of new or amended artwork requires just two more clicks).

For existing users of TimeHarvest’s DigiQuote-PRO hosted quoting system, investment is modest at just less than £3,000 to buy or £145 per month to rent, plus a nominal monthly hosting fee, but with no transaction or “click” charges.

Summing up, Stephens comments that the beauty of the system for the printer is in its simplicity: “If customers can get what they need easily and quickly then they’ll use the system and place orders, but if there are too many barriers they’ll just pick up the phone instead, often to a competitor who hasn’t put so many obstacles in their way!”.

TimeHarvest was founded in 2003 by digital print veteran Geoff Stephens for the express purpose of developing affordable, easy-to-use software aimed squarely at users of modern digital presses. The company operates from the UK but has clients throughout Europe, North America and South Africa.

For further information visit the www.timeharvest.com web site or contact the company direct at TimeHarvest Ltd, Mill Corner, Littleworth Village, Oxford, OX33 1TR, telephone 01865 989111.

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International Dealer Manager for StudioRIP

Phil Turner, StudioRIP

UK-based independent software RIP provider StudioRIP UK Limited, Leighton Buzzard, has announced the appointment of Phil Turner as International Dealer Manager. In an early assignment, Phil will head the company’s contingent heading for PRINT 09 in the very near future.

Phil’s considerable industry experience includes sixteen years spent at Crosfield Electronics, where he held various senior positions, including Customer Services Manager for Europe, and President of Crosfield Electronics Canada. In 1993 Phil was a co-founder of Artline Solutions Ltd, and in 2003 he founded a specialist software company, Fits Distribution Ltd.

Commenting on his new role at StudioRIP, Phil Turner said: “My considerable experience in pre-press software tells me that StudioRIP is product with huge potential. I am looking forward to an exciting challenge, and believe that this software RIP offers a significant alternative to the mainstream products that currently dominate the market.”

With regard to Phil Turner’s appointment, Andy Hemmings, Sales Director for StudioRIP UK Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have somebody with Phil’s experience and industry knowledge working with us. His expertise will, we are quite sure, take StudioRIP to the next level as far as international sales are concerned. Whilst we do have dealers operating in a number of territories, I am convinced that we have only scratched the surface so far. We are looking to significantly enhance our international presence, and welcome interest from dealers worldwide.”

The current focus for the company is Version 3.0 of its StudioRIP product, which features production speeds comparable with market leaders at a fraction of the cost. Version 3.0 was released in November of last year. StudioRIP is a software RIP compatible with PostScript Level 3 and PDF 1.8, and is designed for high performance imaging tasks, making it suitable for interfacing to a wide range of computer-to-plate systems, imagesetters, direct imaging presses, inkjet and laser printers.

Pre-press experts who would like to examine and test the performance and features of StudioRIP before the show can download a free “demo” system of Version 3.0 by visiting the http://www.studiorip.co.uk/download.php web page.

One of the most exciting and unique features of the product is that it can be configured around a user’s needs, with the optional inclusion of post-RIP imposition, in-RIP trapping, ink duct control software, second order stochastic screening (hybrid AM screening included as standard), TIFF output, multiple print engine output, and digital proofing output. StudioRIP Client software can provide for remote operation of all RIP functions from any PC or Mac workstation.

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Reflections Optix: A 3D Print Revolution

Two images from the same Optix print

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has announced the release of Optix, a print based product that provides a new and innovative three-dimensional optical illusion. The technology was originally developed in America, but after a recent deal with the patent holder, Reflections are proud to announce they have exclusive rights to develop and produce Optix in UK and Europe.

Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “Optix takes the concept of 3D technology to a completely new level. It really is something for print buyers and graphic designers to get excited about. Optix creates unbelievable depth and the illusion of an image in suspended animation. The effect is so captivating that anybody who sees it is completely fascinated and compelled to try and look behind the sheet, and even attempt to put their hand inside the print!”

With regard to market opportunities, Luke Hastings added: “We see potential in every aspect of print but we’ve already received great feedback from within the packaging industry, point-of-sale and magazine sectors. We are already working closely alongside a company within the plastic gift card market, who showed tremendous interest in our early samples and I would expect the first UK order of Optix within the coming weeks.”

Optix has already been said to offer a significant improvement on lenticular printing, which has a reputation for being difficult and time consuming to produce. Lenticular has many limitations and struggles in particular with achieving perfect focus, whereas Optix can be applied in “spot” locations, leaving the main subject, such as a product or company logo, in perfect focus.

About Reflections

Reflections the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, with three production centres in London, Essex and Kent. The services provided by Reflections to the print trade include: laminating, overall UV varnishing, spot UV, foil blocking, die-cutting and creasing along with many other more specialised effects.

The wide range of speciality finishes available from Reflections is exampled by MicroMotion, a unique screen printing process that provides colour shifts and subtle sparkling of the image when the final print is angled by the viewer. Suitable for application to virtually any stock, MicroMotion is just one of the patented special finishes available from Reflections.

The company provides the highest level of quality alongside a fast and reliable service to meet the needs of today’s modern print environment.

For further views of Reflections visit the www.reflections.co.uk web site, or call 0208 305 6333.

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