INDUSTRY / NEWS 6 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2024 - Issue 349 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine The British Printing Industries Federation’s Printing Outlook report for Q2 of 2024 shows that while growth of output and orders didn’t match the expectations from Q1, the industry has had two consecutive quarters of growth. The Printing Outlook survey received “mixed signals” regarding trade as well as many opinions on numerous issues companies are currently facing. Takeaways regarding the economy are that inflation is coming down, but not as quickly as expected meaning interest rates are staying high, much to the frustration of those repaying Government Covid-19 loans. Respondents also stated that business rates are still remaining critically high which is increasing administrative and compliance burdens. The BPIF says the most voiced “annoyance” was the increase in the National Living Wage. Regarding the environment, 70% of respondents to the report said they were measuring their carbon emissions, up from the 56% reported in October and 38% in April last year. Other key findings from the report are that cost control remains a priority for most businesses while for many, average price levels continued to decrease in Q1 with a small majority managing to hold prices steady. Tight margins and Living Wage highlighted The new report by the BPIF contains an expanded section on sustainability in the industry The Printing Charity, a provider of practical, emotional, and financial support to the industry, has confirmed that King Charles III has accepted the role of Patron of the charity. Following a major review of more than 1,000 Royal Patronages and charity Presidencies, the charity announced the news on the first anniversary of the King’s Coronation. The role was previously held by the late Queen Elizabeth II and every monarch since Queen Victoria making it a long-standing tradition and reflection of the importance of print. Neil Lovell, Printing Charity chief executive officer, says: “We are really delighted and honoured that His Majesty has agreed to be our charity Patron. “His Majesty’s patronage is incredibly important to us, not just because of our long association with the Royal family, but as recognition of the work we do and services we offer for people who work or have worked in our sectors. “As we approach our 200th year in 2027, and we look to how best to develop our future services, it’s a real boost to receive this news and the continued recognition for our organisation.” King Charles III becomes Patron of The Printing Charity King Charles III was previously Charity President in 1977. Image: Benjamin Wareing By David Osgar By David Osgar The People Powered Press (PPP), a non-profit established in the wake of the pandemic through the “These Northern Types” project, recently hosted a new exhibition in Salts Mill, Shipley. Recognised by Guinness as the largest letterpress printing press of its kind in the world, the initiative works with community groups, printers, artists, and writers to create large-scale letterpress works from its workshop in Salts Works. The exhibition was opened by Shipley-based design studio, Split, which helped form the PPP, which it is continuing to work with on projects such as this. Works featured included collaborations from community groups from across Bradford and beyond who have worked with the PPP’s poet-in-residence, Anthony Dunn. Groups included Shipley & Saltaire Men’s Shed, People Poetry (Space2, Leeds), and Queer Saltaire. The exhibition was open throughout May and showcased “the Brico system” which has been used to create all the works and was designed for the press by Oli Bentley. Also exhibited were the very first A-Z of Brico letters created by Split in collaboration with Anthony Burrill and Thomas Mayo. People Powered Press showcases art The exhibition included an A-Z of Brico letters along with letters and numerals designed by visitors The Glasgow Stamp Shop has launched two books containing genuine original stamps that date back to the origins of the postal product. The books contain stamps like the Penny Black, the Penny Red, and two versions of the Two Penny Blue. In the early Victorian era, the Post Office introduced the Penny Red and the Tuppeny Blue after concerns people were re-using the Penny Blacks. The stamps are featured in the first book – The World’s First Postage Stamps 1840-1841: The Personal Collection. The second book, The Penny Black, features all 12 versions of the world’s first stamp with the plates used to produce them. Both books detail the introduction of stamps as a form of receipt and how they went from a British invention to a globally used product. Available from The Glasgow Stamp Shop in high-quality editions the company believes the titles will appeal to non-specialists and enthusiasts. Gordon Carroll, owner of the Glasgow Stamp Show (a name which has existed since 1908), says the idea came from his son Austin who has been involved in the business for a number of years. The world’s first postage stamps Gordon Carroll, owner of The Glasgow Stamp Shop, with the new Penny Black book By David Osgar By David Osgar
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjM0NDIxOA==