GenesisNews: 2009 Top Ten

Having already featured some of our own favourite stories of the year, it is now time for us to showcase the stories that you, our visitors, found most compelling. These are effectively the news items that you have voted for with your clicks as being the stories that you wanted to find out about:

1. Parrot Print Installs Third Ryobi Press

There was something about this B3 landscape press installation that caught peoples interest. It was the most read story on GenesisNews for 2009, and must therefore win some sort of award!

2. Ryobi DI Elected Winner by Kall Kwik Horsham

The compelling story of a Kall Kwik franchise that has created strong ties with political party UKIP. Ryobi’s UK distributor, Apex Digital Graphics, was delighted to find the perfect application for its DI solution.

3. Benson Group Make UK Packaging Awards Shortlist

Unfortunately the appearance on the shortlist this year didn’t lead to Benson Group retaining its Packaging Company of the Year Award, but this release was certainly well read.

4. Apex Launches Five Colour Ryobi GE Press

Towards the end of 2009 Ryobi announced the introduction of the 525GE press. A full independent review of the machine can be found here.

5. StudioRIP to Exhibit at PRINT 09

At least one UK exhibitor caused a stir at PRINT 09 in Chicago. Whilst the show might not have received rave reviews with regard to attendance, the StudioRIP team were delighted with the show.

6. LED-UV Makes B2 Debut for Ryobi at PRINT 09

A second PRINT 09 mention in 6^th place, as Ryobi expands its LED-UV concept up to B2 format. This introduction has certainly caught the print sectors imagination.

7. Reflections Optix: A 3D Print Revolution

In a year when printers have been desperate for new innovations, finishing specialist Reflections introduced Optix, a new and exciting 3D print solution. See the new Reflections web site for more samples.

8. New Premises for Marlowe Graphic Services

Whilst many businesses were feeling the pinch in 2009, the pre-press specialists at Marlowe Graphic Services enjoyed a good year in service, with customers keen to hang on to their pre-press systems rather than spend on new.

9. Reflections: Feel the Fabric

More finishing excellence at number 9, with Reflections bringing new and exciting laminated solutions to the world of print. The story was well covered by the trade press.

10. Hine Labels Open House Featuring Xeikon 3000

Following its purchase of the UK’s first Xeikon 3000 digital label printing system, Hine Labels, Rotherham, showed off its new investment with an open house.

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Capacity and Contingency for Borble

Barry Griffiths and Gavin Scott, Borble directors

Rhyl-based digital label printing specialist Borble has announced the installation of the latest version of the GM finishing line for its original Xeikon 330 digital label press. The upgrade brings both of the company’s Xeikon presses (Xeikon 3300 and 330) to the same high standard of inline finishing.

Borble purchased its first Xeikon 330 complete with the full original GM finishing line in 2005. Since then the press and control system have been maintained and up-graded in parallel with Borble introducing their on-line web to print service www.labelsprint.com and LabelFlow variable data process.

In January 2009 Borble added the UK’s first Xeikon 3300 so the company has the capacity and contingency to deliver value, quality in a fast service. Now in its fifth year Borble run both presses on a two shift system and has printed some 40,000 different label designs.

Because Borble is entirely digital it does not need to make plates so a fast and cost effective service is achievable as long as there is sufficient press capacity available at all times. With the 3300 came the latest GM finishing line with improved registration, drive motors and controls and now Borble have swapped-out their original GM line for the latest version so both presses have the same highest standard of inline label finishing including UV varnish, over-lamination, die-cutting, slitting and reeling.

“Inline finishing on two presses is the position of critical mass that is needed to adequately serve the needs of our customers,” says Gavin Scott, Managing Director of Borble.

Controversially, following a period of technology and market research, Borble brought the first Xeikon 330 into the UK in 2005. “Equally innovative has been our introduction of the 3300 and our further commitment to customer service by running each press with the full suite of inline post processing ,” says Scott.

Borble co-founder Barry Griffiths added: “The digital label printing technology we selected for this business is modular, maintained, robust and reliable, and is backed by manufacturers support and our own trained staff. The label printing resource within Borble is unique in the EU and enables us to economically deliver a fast short run printed label service even when one press is receiving maintenance or up-grade attention. The simple fact is that digital presses do require occasional maintenance. We, however, need to be able to meet urgent needs of our customers all the time. Therefore this additional finishing capacity is vital to continuity of the short run label service we deliver to our customers, who tend not to hold label stock but look to us for a just-in-time service.”

Contact Borble for further information on digital label production and samples through the www.labelsprint.com web site.

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

ENDS

Watch the Xeikon 3300 digital label press in action – click here for a short video of the product.

GenesisNews: Best of 2009 Part 2, July to December

Get Touchy Feely with Fabric Lamination

Whilst 2009 might not be a year that many will want to celebrate from a business perspective, there has been good news during the course of the year. As we near the end of 2009, it is surely a good time to focus on some of those stories that we enjoyed publishing on GenesisNews. This batch is from the second half of the year: (click the headline of any story for the full version)

July 2009: Portfolios Show Guide a Touching Success

Portfolios, a combined exhibition and seminar staged by the owners of The Creative Handbook and Creative Review, which took place in June, utilised the recently launched “Fabric” lamination product from Reflections for the cover of its show guide and product catalogue.

August 2009: Low-Chemistry Plates for Arlon Printers

Arlon Printers Ltd, Hemel Hempstead, has made a significant environmental statement by becoming one of the first UK printers to adopt the new Brillia HD PRO-V low-chemistry plate from Fujifilm. The plates are being used in conjunction with a Screen Plate Rite 2055vi platesetter, and both plates and computer-to-plate device have been purchased through Apex Digital Graphics.

August 2009: Able-Labels Further Enabled with StudioRIP

Able-Labels, Earls Barton, Northampton, leaders in the production of printed self-adhesive address labels and other personalised goods since 1954, has announced details regarding the purchase of StudioRIP to enhance the company’s pre-press department.

September 2009: Reflections Optix: A 3D Revolution

Reflections 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.

October 2009: Europe’s First Komori Lithrone SX40 for Benson Group

Europe’s first Komori Lithrone SX40 sheet fed press has been installed at Benson Group’s Integrated Packaging site in Gateshead. The 18,000 sheets per hour, 40 inch press is equipped with six print units and a coating unit capable of adding UV or water-based finishes.

November 2009: StudioRIP Announces New Activity in North America

StudioRIP, the UK-based independent software RIP provider, has announced details regarding the its newly formed relationship with Newtec Systems Inc, based in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. The company is to act as a distributor for the StudioRIP software in both Canada and USA.

December 2009: Integrity Print Expands into Digital Labels with Xeikon

Specialist trade print business, Integrity Print, Midsomer Norton, has announced details of an investment that will expand the company’s presence into the digital label market. The Xeikon 3300 digital label press, complete with in-line finishing, will be working alongside the company’s existing flexographic narrow-web presses.

ENDS

GenesisNews and the Best of PrintWeek 2009

Bill Hine and his Xeikon 3000

One key area for the promotion of Genesis Marketing news items is the UK’s leading printing industry publication, PrintWeek, in conjunction with its web site www.printweek.com. Here we review just a handful of the 80-plus GenesisNews stories included within the pages of PrintWeek during 2009:

January: Benson Group in Profile following a visit to the company’s head office in Bardon, Leicestershire by PrintWeek journalist Helen Morris.

January: The SRA1 format Ryobi 920 featured as a “Product of the Week”. Full details of the story can be found by clicking here.

March: Hine Labels Xeikon label press purchase was included as a news item on the digital page. Click here for the full story.

June: Reflections own glue manufacturing plant, Solutions, featured with a story detailing its first glue exports. Catch up on Solutions here.

August: “Me & My” feature on the Ryobi 755 + Coater at Leicestershire County Council. Check out this B2-format press and how it completely changed the business of this in-plant here.

August: Another “Me and My” feature on the Xeikon 3000 digital label press, as in use in this case at CS Labels in the West Midlands.

September: UK-based independent RIP supplier StudioRIP at Print 09. One of the few success stories of the show.

October: Packaging specialist Benson Group Buys Europe’s First Komori LSX40 for one of its North East based production plants. Find out more.

December: A Product of the Week feature on the recently introduced Ryobi 525GE offset litho press. The small footprint of this machine makes it ideal for printers where space is at a premium. Click here to read more.

ENDS

GenesisNews: Best of 2009 Part 1, January to June

Feel the Fabric: See April's Entry

Whilst 2009 might not be a year that many will want to celebrate from a business perspective, there has been some good news during the course of the year. As we near the end of 2009, it is surely a good time to focus on some of those stories that we enjoyed publishing on GenesisNews. This selection is from the first six months of the year:

January 2009: Hosted Rental Service for DigiQuote and JobControl Software

TimeHarvest Limited, the award-winning software development company specialising in digital print, announced a solution to three pressing needs amongst digital printing companies: firstly, to preserve cashflow; secondly, to provide increased data security; and finally, for sales staff to be able to roam whilst still having full access to office based systems. The solution? To make TimeHarvest products available via a Hosted Rental Service. Full story . . .

February 2009: Benson Group Moves into Pharma Labels Sector

Folding carton specialist Benson Group announced details of its first move into the labels sector with the purchase of a Gallus EM340S printing press with a Scantech VisionTrack rewind and inspection machine for its pharmaceutical-focused Medica Packaging business in Crewe, Cheshire. The seven-colour Gallus EM340S UV-Flexographic press, is capable of a wide range of label production formats, including reverse printing, printing on adhesive, edge slit, in-line die cutting, as well as printing onto a wide range of substrates. Full story . . .

March 2009: UK First for Xeikon at Hine Labels

Hine Labels Ltd, Rotherham, Yorkshire, announced details of a decision to upgrade its existing Xeikon label press to a new Xeikon 3000 machine. The installation was the first Xeikon 3000 digital label press in the UK. Xeikon 3000 has been designed as a counterpart to the Xeikon 3300 label press, and contains many of the same features as its “bigger brother”. Full story . . .

March 2009: “ISO 12647 Proficient Printer” Standard for Benson Box

Benson Group, headquartered in Bardon, Leicestershire, announced details of its newly acquired “ISO 12647 Proficient Printer” status, as awarded by colour specialists Mellow Colour, for its Benson Box carton printing operation. Benson Box, Bardon, specialises in the production of folding cartons for the food industry. Work on the colour standard was also underway at the three other Benson Group sites at Gateshead, Newcastle, and Crewe, the group’s 100% pharmaceutical plant. Full story . . .

April 2009: New Ryobi as X1 Growth Continues

X1, the Slough-based print and graphic design company, announced the installation of a new Ryobi 524GX press, as well as the purchase and consolidation of Jackson Print, a Hayes-based printing company, into the business. The incorporation of the order book and staff of Jackson Print took place in February 2009. Full story . . .

April 2009: Reflections Invited you to Feel the Fabric

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, announced the launch of a new fabric-surfaced substrate for printers and graphic designers who are seeking something different and exciting for a special promotional campaign. The substrate combines a card backing and a laminated fabric surface. Full story . . .

May 2009: MGS: Pre-Press Growth in a Recession

Marlowe Graphic Services Ltd (MGS), Leighton Buzzard, the UK’s leading independent pre-press service and maintenance company, recorded significant growth in its business during the early recessionary months fo 2009. Darren Eliot, Managing Director of MGS, said: “We have been delighted with the additional business that has been coming our way in recent months.” Full story . . .

June 2009: Ryobi DI Elected Winner by Kall Kwik Horsham

Kall Kwik Horsham declared its recent purchase of a Ryobi 3404X-DI press to be a real winner following a significant vote in its favour from political party UKIP. A local UK Independence Party (UKIP) representative recently approached the high street based franchise to produce some posters. After a swift and cost effective job was produced, further discussions took place with party leaders, and an agreement was reached for Kall Kwik Horsham to produce the political group’s publicity material for the whole of the UK during the recent local and European elections. An ongoing relationship is now being forged on the back of the performance of the Ryobi press. Full story . . .

ENDS

Free MicroMotion Samples at mediaPro 09

Z-Card Samples at mediaPro09

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has enjoyed the free circulation of samples of its MicroMotion finish to all mediaPro 09 exhibition visitors.

The exhibition, which took place on November 4 and 5, was attended by Reflections customer Z-CARD^®, and samples of a promotional Z-CARD^® were provided within the exhibition catalogue bag handed out to all visitors to the event. The exceptionally creative promotional Z-CARD^® samples enjoy MicroMotion highlights on both the front and back covers to give them an exclusive feel and look.

The following day, November 6, another MicroMotion promotion was incorporated by Reflections on a special-edition front cover of PrintWeek magazine.

Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “MicroMotion gives a unique and exciting appearance to print, and has particular benefits for promotional items. We were delighted to find out that Z-CARD^® used their promotional products at this show, as it really is a great advert for MicroMotion. This was duly supported by the use of the same finishing technique on our PrintWeek cover which was published on the very next day!”

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.

If you didn’t attend mediaPro 09 but would still like to get your free MicroMotion sample, please e-mail lukehastings@reflections.co.uk requesting one to be despatched immediately!

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 recently revised 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

ENDS

New, Innovative Reflections Web Site

One of the Optix 3D samples from the new Reflections.co.uk site

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has announced details regarding the latest version of its web site, which can be found at www.reflections.co.uk

The new build incorporates an extensive section called “Finishes” in which fold patterns and designs are illustrated in great detail, including the use of folding animations to show how particular print finishing operations work in practice.

On-line galleries are also included to show a number of recently released products in action, such as the 3D print product Optix, MircoMotion, and Designer UV.

Commenting on the latest update to the site, Luke Hastings, joint managing director of Reflections, said: “Web sites are often too static, and therefore don’t really inform the reader as much as they could. We have been able to incorporate a range of exciting techniques to help illustrate many of our leading edge finishes, and help explain what they can do for a designer, a printer, or an end-user. Even the simple folding routines help to bring finishing to life, and will help to inform. I am pleased that we have managed to squeeze so much information onto the site, and we will be delighted to receive feedback from visitors. The development, however, doesn’t stop here. A web site is always “work in progress”, and the Reflections site will continue to evolve, using the latest techniques to help illustrate our business.”

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.

ENDS

New Appointment at Finishing Specialist Reflections

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has announced the appointment of Colin Kirven to the position of Customer Services Manager at the company’s Basildon, Essex site.

Colin had been working most recently at rival finishing specialist Best Cover. This new appointment follows the closure of the Best Cover London site. Prior to this, Colin had been working in Customer Services for Hendy Banks since 2001, and has been involved in the industry for over 30 years.

Commenting on the appointment, Luke Hastings, joint managing director of Reflections, said: “Colin is a welcome addition to the team. He has an excellent knowledge of the fast paced print environment, he understands print, and he understands customer care. People of his experience and knowledge don’t come along that often.”

Colin spent his early industry years in in-plant print operations in the City, including both financial and transport based operations. With regard to this new appointment, he said: “I am delighted to be working with the team at Reflections. This company has a tremendous range of finishing services to offer its customers, and is keen to continually innovate new solutions. It feels good to be involved with a company that is moving forwards.”

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.

ENDS

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

ENDS

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.

ENDS

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.

ENDS

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.

ENDS

Reflections Introduce Soft Touch Range

Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director, Reflections

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has announced details of a new finishing range, the Reflections Soft Touch Range, which includes both a full-cover laminate finish and a spot UV varnish. Reflections are believed to be the first company to provide such a “matching pair” solution.

Soft Touch has been developed by Reflections to provide that up-market, luxury feel to print, publications and packaging. As with other recent tactile finishes released by the company, it helps to emphasise the importance of touch to the printed product – a feature that cannot be replicated via the internet!

Commenting on this latest introduction Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “The Reflections Soft Touch range of finishes has been developed by our in-house team to address customer demand. We believe that they can add a really creative touch to printed work. Whilst the obvious application would be for product packaging targeted at the luxury end of the market, I am convinced that there are many other potential uses for such a finish, either in the full laminate form or via the application of spot UV varnish.”

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.

ENDS

Hit the Spot with “One Hit Wonder”

Sample Print of "One Hit Wonder"

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has announced the availability of a new finishing solution to overcome problems encountered in spot UV varnishing. “One Hit Wonder”, a specially formulated product exclusive to Reflections, provides for spot UV work on absorbent substrates in just one pass.

“One Hit Wonder” offers an effective solution for adding spot UV to particularly porous materials, such as fine art boards, as well as those “cheap and cheerful” substrates.

Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “Spot UV on some boards has proved to be problematical do the absorbent nature of the stock. The usual solution is to run the job through the process twice to ensure effective coverage. On tight registration work this can be quite awkward, time consuming, and certainly not cost effective. We have developed “One Hit Wonder” to reduce the time and costs to produce such work. It is a highly effective solution, and works with any substrate in just one pass.”

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 highe st 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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Portfolios Show Guide a Touching Success

Portfolios show guide with Fabric laminated cover

Portfolios, a combined exhibition and seminar staged by the owners of The Creative Handbook and Creative Review, which took place in June, utilised the recently launched “Fabric” lamination product from Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, for the cover of its show guide and product catalogue.

The event was targeted at art directors, art buyers, designers and buyers of photography and illustrations. “With such a creative audience in mind, we needed something particularly eye-catching and different for the show guide,” said Janice Hoyes-Thompson, Group Production Manager. “Finishing specialists Reflections were able to provide the ideal solution. The fabric-feel cover went down very well indeed with all who went to the show. We noted that a lot of people were talking about it, and we received many favourable comments.”

The substrate combines a card backing and a laminated fabric surface. Luke Hastings, Joint Managing Director of Reflections, said: “Unlike some previous attempts at providing a fabric-feel substrate, this product offers superb printing characteristics. This new substrate really does make a printed item stand out from the crowd, and the tactile finish means that people will really take notice.”

Production of the show guide and product catalogue was handled by St Ives, with Reflections providing the unique cover for the publication. A production run of 2,000 copies was produced for the Portfolios event, which was in its first year.

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 include 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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Jade Adds Specialist Digital Finishing

Further to the recent announcement regarding its first move into digital print production with the purchase of an HP Indigo press 3500, Jade Press Ltd, Leeds, has detailed the purchase of specialist finishing equipment for its digital department. The Morgana products were also purchased from Digital People UK Ltd, Chessington, Surrey, the company that supplied the Indigo machine.

Commenting on the decision to add a Morgana Documaster and Morgana CardXtra for the finishing of its digital output, Darren Shepherd, Managing Director of Jade Press, said: “The Morgana equipment was purchased to provide creasing, folding and stitching capabilities for the shorter runs typically produced by digital. Our research, prior to the purchase, suggested that some local suppliers seemed to be completing digital work by hand producing very poor finished results, poor folds , cracked spines, and inaccurate stitching. In our opinion, adding a professional finish to a digitally produced job is just as important as getting the print end of the work right.

“The Morgana kit is producing superb quality, and we have also included the Square Back option to create a square spine on booklets with higher page counts. This has been so popular with customers that we have even finished a few litho jobs with the Morgana kit to achieve the square spine.

“These units are very important additions to the investment as it means we have created a high quality digital finishing solution, where delivery time is not compromised by the volume of litho work that we are working on.

Established in 1973, Jade Press has built a reputation for quality, reliability, honesty and integrity – all the values that a family owned business can ensure are continued to be delivered. The company works in partnership with UK and international clients, providing the best solutions for their general commercial printing requirements. Print advice is based on a wealth of experience from a dedicated team capable of delivering a wide range of solutions.

Morgana DocuMaster

The JDF-ready Morgana DocuMaster is a complete digital finishing system which provides near-line bookletmaking for printers producing pre-collated sets from digital print engines. Because it creases sheets as part of the feeding and bookletmaking operation it dispenses with the need for removing sheets that need creasing, creasing them and then re-collating the set. In addition to producing quality booklets with a perfect bound appearance, the unit will also act as a stand-alone creaser for 4pp documents and handles perforating as well.

The DocuMaster will handle variable data material, sending and retrieving data via a web browser, ready to be integrated into a complete workflow and MIS package. It is designed to work with any existing system without the need for any additional software.

The DocuMaster takes a maximum sheet size of 630 x 330mm and handles weights in excess of 350gsm. It has a programming facility that allows 9 repeat jobs to be stored and instantly retrieved.

Morgana CardXtra

In contrast to the multi-functional DocuMaster the Morgana CardXtra is a highly specialised unit designed specifically to produce business cards simply, quickly and cost effectively. It offers several programmes to store jobs for repeat work and optional cutters for other work, such as postcards, are available.

The suction-feed CardXtra is fast to set up, takes A3 sheets up to 325gsm and produces 140 business cards a minute. It offers huge savings over conventional methods of business card production.

Commenting on the installation for Digital People, Jerry Widdowson, Chairman, said: “Jade Press is a high-quality litho printer that can see real opportunity by expanding into the digital printing sector. Darren and the team can appreciate the need for a complete solution with regard to digital, and it was important for them to make the additional investment in finishing equipment in order to provide the company with a department that could produce work regardless of what is being produced by the litho side of the business.”

For further information on Jade Press call 0113 248 0929 or visit the www.jadeprint.com web site. For further details about Digital People call 0845 130 1445 or visit the www.thedigitalpeople.com web site.

First Lamination Glue Exports for Solutions

Solutions, Aylesford: lamination glue specialists

Solutions, Aylesford, Kent, an adhesive manufacturing business wholly owned by Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has announced details regarding the first export orders for its lamination glue product.

The water-based adhesive specifically formulated for the purposes of lamination has been gradually increasing its UK business since the creation of the company some two-and-a-half years’ ago. The weak exchange rate has recently helped to up opportunities for sales of the product into international markets. The first two export orders have recently been despatched to Brazil and to Germany. Luke Hastings, Managing Director of Reflections, said: “Changes in the currency markets have now made UK product very attractive to overseas businesses. We are currently in discussions with a number of potential distributors for our products in leading markets, but welcome further enquiries from both users and suppliers worldwide.”

Solutions is wholly focused on the provision of glue products for laminating, meaning that the company can be very responsive to urgent requirements, and even bespoke products. “We understand laminating,” explains Luke Hastings. “That means for customers that need a specific glue formulation, for work that is to be embossed for example, can place orders with us for a fast delivery. We can react quickly and positively to provide a product that meets a particular demand.”

Solutions is already believed to be the largest UK producer of lamination glue following the withdrawal from the market of Akzo Nobel and H B Fuller during 2008.

Printers, packaging specialists and international dealers seeking further information on lamination glue products from Solutions should call Tony Scott, Adhesive Technician and Plant Manager on 01622 718 862 or e-mail tony@solutionstoday.co.uk for details.

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 include 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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Reflections Joins International Print Finisher Group

Luke Hastings, Managing Director of Reflections

Reflections, the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, has accepted an invitation to join the prestigious International Print Finisher Group (IPFG) following its latest conference held in May 2009, which took place in Mallorca.

Membership of the International Print Finisher Group consists exclusively of specialist trade finishing companies from across the globe. Sixteen countries are represented, including members from USA, Brazil and Australia, as well as from a host of European countries. The organisation staged its first meeting in 1972 and has met regularly since then.

Predominantly membership of IPFG is limited to one company from each country, though for exceptionally busy countries, such as Germany and UK, more than one member can be invited. The group meets for a conference every two years, with meetings staged in a different member country on each occasion, with business meetings in the intervening year which are timed to coincide with Drupa and IPEX.

Luke Hastings, Managing Director of Reflections, said: “We are delighted to have been invited to become a member of the IPFG. Our initial “get-to-know-you” meeting in Mallorca was hugely beneficial, and we have already established some excellent contacts across the world. The concept of getting together with similar types of businesses from a wide range of countries means that we can all exchange ideas and product knowledge for the good of each other.”

The agenda for the Mallorca meeting including such topics as the current global economic situation; challenges posed by the current environmental focus, including a focus on more environmentally friendly product; and finishing for the digital print sector.

IPEX will provide the venue for the next business meeting of the IPFG, which the next conference, scheduled for 2011, will take place in Vienna.

Further details on the history of the International Print Finisher Group can be found at www.ipfg.org

About Reflections

Reflections the largest speciality print finisher in the south of England, with three core 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 include 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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