The Print Show ▲ We preview and look at what people are saying ahead of this year’s show Page 18 Industry Tips Colin Sinclair McDermott gives his advice on running a business more effectively Page 32 CPS expands print operations Custom Print Solutions based in Caerphilly has purchased a new factory Page 8 Buying a Print Business David Osgar asks industry professionals their advice when it comes to M&As Page 52 Coffee cup to children’s book James Cropper has helped create a story book made from recycled paper cups Page 16 Marketing and Communications Jonathan Pert looks at how print businesses can boost their visibility in the market Page 68 Back for our 9th installment | The Print Show 2025 | Our biggest show yet! Register for FREE ENTRY at www.theprintshow.co.uk
3 CONTENTS Issue 355 July / August 2025 www.printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 ISSN 2977-005X NEWS Industry 05 Business 06 KIT & consumables 10 We report on the latest equipment releases and installations taking place in the print industry People 14 Packaging 16 Events | THE print show 2025 18 Taking a special look at the news, sign-ups, and announcements ahead of this year's Print Show SPECIALS Under the Hood: HP Latex R530 30 INDUSTRY TIPS: COLIN SINCLAIR MCDERMOTT 32 fresh Persectives: Neil Wallis 36 company Spotlight: Formara print & marketing 40 Supplier spotlight: Xeretec 43 selling on webshops 47 Buying a print Business 52 FEATURES Humidification systems 57 Wide-format Printers 62 Marketing and communications 68 Jonathan Pert gets advice from marketing professionals on how to market a print business Colour Management 74 IN THIS ISSUE 30 47 14 10 14 57 74 43 40
Hello and welcome to Print Monthly July/ August! The sun has continued to shine all over the UK, bringing with it heat and summer festivities. Good weather can be both good and bad for businesses, as live events can drive orders but also mean that businesses and consumers are distracted by holidays and other activities. The sun can benefit events in the industry however, as seen by the many get-togethers and celebrations taking place across the world of print. The beginning of May brought with it the annual FESPA Global Print Expo which took place in Berlin from May 6th till May 9th. Having attended with my colleague Jonathan to catch up with the industry, it was clear to see that wide-format and speciality print are two ever-evolving markets, especially as the show attracted various international visitors and a variety of different solutions in print, packaging, software, and signage. It was fantastic to catch up with so many members of the industry at FESPA, particularly as year on year we get to see visitors and exhibitors from businesses that continue to grow and diversify. You can read about just some of the releases and products showcased at this year’s FESPA in our Wide-Format Printers feature on pages 62 to 66. Our recent trips have also made evident our need to continue producing thought-provoking and insightful content for our readers, and this issue is no exception to that mission as we have some fantastic reads from across the print spectrum. In our March/April edition we had our first edition of ‘Fresh Perspectives’, a regular article written by a new or unheard voice in the industry. The reception to this was fantastic and even led to the creation of this edition’s article which comes from Neil Wallis from Inkwell Printing. Wallis gives a great insight into taking over a family business and making software and automation work for a small to medium-sized print business (pages 36 to 37). If you have an idea for a future edition of Fresh Perspectives, please do get in touch at: editor@printmonthly. co.uk On top of this we also have advice on buying or investing in a print business (pages 52 to 53), selling print on webshops (pages 48 to 49), plus Michael Walker takes a look at the HP Latex R530 in this edition’s Under the Hood. Plenty to read in the summer sun (Formara Print and Marketing I’m looking at you – featured on pages 40 and 41). ISSUE 355July / August 2025 Publishing director: Page Tuck Production: Ben Mallon Contributors: Rob Fletcher, Michael Walker, Colin Sinclair McDermott, Neil Wallis Contact Editorial: 0117 980 5040 Sales: 0117 960 3255 Production: 0117 980 5041 Accounts: 0117 980 5042 Find us online www.printmonthly.co.uk Socials All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors to Print Monthly magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial team and Link Publishing Ltd. takes no responsibility for any errors that may have occurred. The publisher also accepts no responsibility for the advertising content, including any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Link Publishing Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Link Publishing Ltd, Unit G, Link House, Britton Gardens, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1TF Editor David Osgar david@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Jan Thomas jan@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Manager Tim Hall tim@linkpublishing.co.uk Graphic Designer Ben Mallon ben@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn k.quinn@linkpublishing.co.uk Office Therapist Skye printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP00015512002182040 EDITOR S NOTE MEET THE TEAM VIDEO COVERAGE Scan the QR code to watch our video coverage over on our Print7 YouTube channel Multimedia Journalist Jonathan Pert jonathan@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Executive Lucas Naylor lucas@linkpublishing.co.uk [L to R] Luke Wildey from Howden Insurance, and Wil Wilson from Artworker, catching up on Print Monthly while taking in the sights of the London skyline. Get featured in our next edition by emailing editor@printmonthly.co.uk 4 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink WHERE ARE YOU READING PRINT MONTHLY?
Xaar, a provider of printheads and inkjet technology, has announced it has surpassed £100K in donations for its charity partner, Break. Xaar Group employees have reportedly raised £50,000 via various fundraising activities with the company then match-funding their efforts. The money has been raised for Break, a charity which works across East Anglia to make life better for young people on the edge of care, in care, and leaving care. Employees across Xaar and Megnajet, the latter of which is part of Xaar Group, have embraced a variety of different fundraising initiatives including marathons, the Three Peaks Challenge, and an organised skydive. 5 www.printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 INDUSTRY / NEWS The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) has held another successful Annual Networking Lunch, which took place on June 19th in a very sunny Birmingham. The annual event forms part of the IPIA’s efforts to drive growth for the UK print industry and foster collaboration in its supply chain. Hosted at the Marco Pierre White restaurant on the top floor of The Cube Hotel in Birmingham, more than 100 print professionals came together to enjoy a three-course meal, drinks, and networking opportunities. In order to maximise networking potential, guests at the event are asked to rotate tables between courses. After the meal, IPIA chair and director of Abbott Print, Alasdair Browne, took to the stage to talk about the importance of human interaction, live events, and share the projects the IPIA is championing to promote industry growth. Speaking to Print Monthly, IPIA general manager, Brendan Perring, says: “The IPIA Annual Networking Lunch is all about creating the right environment for our guests to make valuable connections. It’s a relaxed, enjoyable setting – but with real purpose behind it. "What stood out again this year was the quality of conversations taking place – whether between potential collaborators, suppliers, or customers. There’s huge value in stepping away from the day-to-day and taking the time to talk, listen, and share ideas.” Industry members gather for annual IPIA lunch This year’s event took place at the Marco Pierre White restaurant in The Cube Hotel, Birmingham BPIF Q2 outlook shows confidence “depressed not destroyed” Output levels were marginally above forecasted levels in Q1 The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has described confidence in the printing and packaging industries as being “precariously positioned”, with marginally negative order numbers below forecasted levels. According to the association’s Q2 outlook for the UK printing and packaging industries, output and order performance in Q1 was close to the subdued forecasts previously predicted. The outlook also highlights that for the second successive quarter more companies decreased than increased employment levels, with intentions for Q2 also predicted to be more negative. Charles Jarrold, chief executive of BPIF, says: “Our members have been clear; they are crying out for government to start supporting businesses, reducing the cost, regulatory, and compliance burden they face, and make it easier for them to invest in both skills and technology. By David Osgar FESPA has outlined its new corporate vision, dubbed FESPA Future, which details how it aims to inspire, connect, and support its community beyond its global exhibitions. FESPA has kickstarted the launch of its strategy by releasing its FESPA Future manifesto, which provides predictions on the evolution of its community and highlights the elements which it will focus on investing in. Among the core focuses of the association will be its 37 global member associations, educational programmes, youth engagement, and digital transformation. The launch of its new charity initiative, The FESPA Foundation, is another key focus, along with a range of other grassroots initiatives. FESPA announces new corporate vision £100K donated by Xaar to charity partner UPM invests over £8.4m in speciality paper mill Material solutions manufacturer, UPM, has announced that its speciality papers division will invest over €10m (£8.4m) in the modernisation of its Tervasaari mill in Valkeakoski, Finland. The investment aims to allow UPM Specialty Papers to boost capacity and improve production stability in its specialised products, such as glassines and flexible packaging papers. The Tervasaari mill has a capacity of 300,000tpa of glassine papers and packaging papers, employing over 300 people. The modernisation project, which is expected to be completed at the end of 2026, will include a rebuild of the mill’s paper machine drying section and the upgrade of its steam system upgrade. By Jonathan Pert David Osgar Staff at Xaar celebrating surpassing £100,000 in donations to Break By Jonathan Pert The Tervasaari mill is situated approximately 90 miles from Helsinki Neil Felton, CEO of FESPA, discussing the federation's new vision
Global print conglomerate, Cimpress, has formally agreed to install up to 20 new HP Indigo 120K or 18K digital presses, its largest deal with HP Indigo. The formal agreement follows a preliminary announcement at drupa 2024 by HP and Cimpress. The installation of the new digital presses will take place in North America, Europe, and Australia. Cimpress, which owns a wide range of web-to-print and print-on-demand companies including Vistaprint and Tradeprint, reportedly chose the Indigo 120K and 18K to accelerate the volume of customer orders delivered while reducing overall running cost. The HP Indigo 18K adds an improved colour gamut and increased substrate flexibility in comparison to previous models. Vivid Laminating Technologies directly confronted a company it claims has copied its patented technology, carrying out a cease-and-desist order in person at this year’s FESPA Global Print Expo. Vivid, a UK manufacturer of finishing systems, contends that its patented Velotaper technology was copied by an undisclosed Chinese manufacturer. The manufacturer was exhibiting at FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin in May, with the allegedly copied solution on display at the show. The VeloTaper taping system automatically applies doublesided tape onto a variety of media and substrates automatically, aiming to produce finished cut and creased print and packaging products ready for assembly. Vivid, headed by director Lewis Evans, arrived at the company’s stand on May 6th with a team of lawyers and bailiffs, including Sebastian Dworschak of law practice, Nordemann. Once at the stand, a formal warning letter was delivered including a cease-and-desist notice. As part of the formal warning, the company was given until the following morning (May 7th) at 10am to resolve the dispute out of court. The machine at the company’s stand was reportedly removed the following day. According to Evans, the issue came to a conclusion in Vivid’s favour, with the legal process of determining damages now beginning. A video of the confrontation was released on a social media post by Evans on May 8th. In the post, Evans said: “The lawyers at Nordemann, especially Sebastian Dworschak and the bailiff, were fantastic from start to finish. Now we start the process of damages.” 6 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 BUSINESS / NEWS Manufacturer delivers cease and desist in person at FESPA EBB Paper launches new publishing division EBB owns 11 storage and distribution centres across the UK and Ireland Paper and board supplier Elliott Baxter and Company (EBB) has announced the launch of a dedicated division to serve the needs of the publishing industry. The new division, part of EBB’s wider growth plans, will utilise EBB’s full range of publishing papers as well as what the company refers to as a deep understanding of the sector’s unique demands, with a fleet of support and stock management solutions to publishing businesses across the UK. Commenting on the launch, David Tennent, sales director for EBB, says: “The publishing industry has distinct requirements, and our new division is designed to meet those needs with precision and reliability.” By Jonathan Pert A video of the confrontation was released to LinkedIn by director of Vivid, Lewis Evans By Jonathan Pert Portsmouth-based commercial printer, Bishops Printers, has detailed its latest output and productivity figures, following a range of significant kit investments. An average annual investment of £2.3m has been made over the past three years, in order to modernise Bishops’ equipment, enhance production efficiency, and reinforce its ability to deliver reliable output at high quality and speed. The company has consistently improved its machine arsenal in that time, including replacing a B3 HP Indigo 7800 with a B2 HP Indigo 100K in 2023. The family-run firm, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, has made investments in equipment including a Müller Martini six-station stitcher with a cover feeder, three Heidelberg Stahlfolder RFH-66s with Palamides stackers, an additional Stahlfolder Ti 52, and a new guillotine. According to the company, the investment in the Müller Martini stitcher has aided an uplift in Q1 stitching productivity of 42%, compared to Q1 2024. The increase has been credited to the extra speed and efficiency delivered by the newer machine, combined with more uptime due to fewer repairs needed. Rachael Mundy, marketing manager at Bishops, says: “In terms of additional investment, we’re in the process of spending roughly £80K in IT infrastructure renewals and replacements, which are ongoing for Q2. Bishops' workforce has grown to nearly 200, supporting a reported annual turnover of just over £25m. The company remains on track for a steady 5-6% growth, which it credits to its strategic investment and commercial management. Bishops Printers reveals boosted output after major investment Cimpress signs largest ever deal with HP Indigo By Jonathan Pert Bishops Printers runs from a 7,900sq m facility, which is powered by 1,500 solar panels Cimpress first announced the deal with HP at drupa 2024 printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
8 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 Welsh speciality printer, Custom Print Solutions (CPS), has purchased a new factory and upgraded a range of equipment across its various sites as part of a multi-million-pound investment programme. Founded in 1992, the company has expanded its core offering of brochures, labels, and point of sale (POS) in recent years to include a range of solutions for upholstery, fabric, acrylic, rubber, and other specialist offerings. Speaking to Print Monthly, CPS director Simon Green, explains the company’s approach: “We are now the only printer in Wales that prints the way we do on fabric labels, and we've been recognised within Wales for that. It's one of the reasons why we get the grants and the support.” As part of a five-year growth strategy, the Caerphilly-based printer has recently purchased another factory, its fourth in the Welsh town. It has also added a plethora of new equipment to its facilities, including new flexo, litho, and flatbed machinery. New solutions purchased by CPS in recent years include a HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL 75, a B2 press boasting a speed of up to 16,500sph. The company also recently purchased a Sinocolor FB-2513s flatbed printer from press distributor, China Print Supplies. The 8 x 4 ft flatbed offers eight printheads as standard, with six heads for colour and two for white. The press can be upgraded to up to 11 colours, with a 2400dpi resolution, a 75 m2/h printing speed, and variable dot printing capabilities. CPS purchases fourth factory as part of multi-million expansion The company website runs with the slogan – ‘we can print anything’ Hereford print supplier aims for growth after management buyout Magenta Technology, a Hereford-based print equipment supplier, is preparing for expected growth under new ownership, thanks to funding from the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF) delivered by BCRS Business Loans. Founded in 1995, Magenta Technology supplies printers, copiers, and scanners to customers across the Midlands, South West, and South Wales. Managing director and owner of Magenta, Ray Willows, purchased the printing, scanning, and photocopying solutions provider along with his wife Clare, after working for the company for 15 years. Willows now plans to expand Magenta Technology’s range of services into a number of complementary digital products. After securing the employment of three staff at the business through the management buyout, Willows has since recruited a new colleague, which he says was made possible through the CIEF funding support secured from BCRS Business Loans. By Jonathan Pert Enfocus announces “Batman and Robin” style partnership Enfocus, a provider of print automation software, has announced the integration of its PitStop Library Container solution into DesignNBuy’s web-to-print platform, DesignO. The API of PitStop is available in version 2.3 of DesignO, offering a range of automated PDF file checks designed to increase speed and quality by reducing errors, reprints, and file issues. DesignO 2.3 is an AI-powered web to print solution that offers products like apparel, print, and packaging on a website, with 2,500+ packaging models and a number of AI image enhancement tools. The technology also features ‘smart upload’ functionality, cloud storage, and barcode-based job tracking. Piet De Pauw, head of marketing at Enfocus, says: “By teaming up with DesignNBuy, we’re extending the power of automation and quality control to a whole new audience.” BUSINESS / NEWS Print-on-demand distributor, Jet Technology Group (Jet Tech), recently launched its newly opened demonstration centre in Warrington (June 3rd) with an open day presenting a range of digital equipment. The new centre in Birchwood Technology Park, which will be open year-round, is designed to provide access to live demonstrations and hands-on training, with a number of further events scheduled in the coming months. Steve Andrew, managing director of Jet Tech, comments: “Sadly most of the OEMs in this area have closed their innovation centres since the pandemic. “Therefore, for anyone that’s looking at digital printing, packaging, new innovation, or new technology, people are having to go a lot further afield. Now for the Midlands upwards to Scotland, we’re looking to provide the graphics markets with a lot of new products, innovation, and experience that they can see first-hand.” The first open day at the centre focused on a range of solutions from Fujifilm and Morgana designed for shortrun packaging, alongside print applications to help graphics companies offer a wider portfolio of products. Jet Tech opens new innovation centre for Northern and Scottish market The five-colour capabilities of the Fujifilm Revoria SC285S were demonstrated at the open day By Jonathan Pert printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
KIT & CONSUMABLES / NEWS 10 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 Print press manufacturer, Ricoh, has announced the launch of the new RICOH Pro C5400 series of colour production printers. Ricoh’s latest production printer aims to combine enhanced production speed and operation with greater usability, designed to meet the diverse needs of commercial and enterprise operations. The Pro 5400 Series reportedly features significant improvements in overall core performance in comparison to its predecessors, the RICOH ProTMC5310S, C5300S, and Pro C5300SL. The new models also offer faster scanning speed, with duplex scanning of up to 300ppm. A new AI-powered orientation detection technology aims to elevate efficiency further, with further software support for continuous scans of small-format documents such as business cards. The Pro C5400 Series also offers a stapleless binding function which Ricoh calls an industry-first. The finishing option uses water to moisten and press the papers together, enabling stapeless binding of up to 16 sheets for corner binding, or up to 12 sheets for two position binding. HEIDELBERG has added a new very large-format (VLF) sheetfed offset press, the Cartonmaster CX 145, to its portfolio of solutions for the packaging sector. Announced as part of a commercial partnership between HEIDELBERG and Manroland Sheetfed, the CX 145, which is aimed at growth segments in folding carton printing, is based on the ROLAND Evolution 900. The new VLF solution means that HEIDELBERG is now a full-range supplier in folding carton production, with the new press aiming to plug the gap between its Speedmaster and Boardmaster press ranges. The press can be integrated into both HEIDELBERG’s Prinect workflow and the workflow solutions of third-party suppliers. Customers can also access performance data for the press in the HEIDELBERG Customer Portal. The VLF press is available to order from HEIDELBERG with immediate effect. The first customer installation of a Cartonmaster CX 145 is planned for 2026, followed by a global rollout, with the biggest demand expected to come from North America, Europe, and China. The package on offer for the CX 145 also covers sales, installation, training, and support, including service and consumables. Jürgen Otto, chief executive officer of HEIDELBERG, says: “Adding the Cartonmaster CX 145 to our portfolio is further proof of our credentials as a system integrator for the end-to-end production of folding cartons. Thanks to our excellent position in the folding carton segment, this new press is expected to be highly popular with customers and generate increasing sales.” The release of the CX 145 was announced at HEIDELBERG's recent 175th anniversary celebrations at its newly dubbed Home of Print customer demonstration centre in Wiesloch-Waldorf, Germany. To celebrate HEIDELBERG’s history, the business has made a number of announcements for new presses and solutions as well as officially opening its Print Media Center (PMC) with its new look. Jürgen Otto, chief executive officer of HEIDELBERG, welcomed visitors to an event at PMC in June, which included customers, suppliers, and politicians. The new Home of Print features various end-to-end production systems and according to HEIDELBERG, tracks the company’s “growth strategy for its core business” and presents “future-proof and specific solutions” that will appeal to relevant target groups. The centre includes the entire HEIDELBERG portfolio incorporated into a single digital ecosystem which includes software, equipment, robotics, postpress solutions, consumables, training, and consulting. The new offset press is based on the ROLAND Evolution 900 from Manroland Sheetfed Ricoh launches new Pro C5400 series of production printers Scottish folding carton producer, KennedySmith, has reported positive results after installing its first digital press, a Xeikon CX500, to run alongside its existing B1 litho printing equipment. The press was installed after the Irvine-based KennedySmith undertook a productivity analysis, highlighting the amount of smaller-format jobs that it was printing ‘multi-up’ on its B1 litho presses. According to director of KennedySmith, Michiel Molenaar, the jobs were taking longer to make-ready than to actually print, reducing the company’s profitability. Molenaar says: “We decided that this could be the ideal time to take a serious look at digital – the process typically offers virtually zero make-ready, though on a smaller-format substrate.” The company started printing on the Xeikon towards the end of 2023, and the re-training of its litho press operators is still on-going. The company has reported that the work produced on the press has been very successful. The CX500 covers a wide range of applications including labels, cartons, paper cups, and wall decoration, in a rollto-roll or roll-to-sheet configuration. Manroland and HEIDELBERG collaborate on new VLF sheetfed press KennedySmith reports success after Xeikon CX500 installation By Jonathan Pert and David Osgar The press supports various types of media including long sheet printing By Jonathan Pert Pictured: the Xeikon CX500 at KennedySmith’s facility in Irvine, Scotland printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
Tecnau has introduced the Cutter c7, a guillotine and cutter engineered to meet the evolving demands of colour inkjet finishing. Built on the company’s previous TC 7000 TS model, the Cutter c7 is designed to process a wider range of paper types and weights at higher speeds, allowing print service providers (PSPs) to expand their offerings and operate more efficiently. The c7 supports paper weights from 60gsm up to 400gsm, allowing for a broad range of applications including postcards, brochures, photo books, and greeting cards. The cutter also comes with a white paper management system that automatically separates blank sheets, reducing the need for operator intervention. Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK has supplied Eight Group with an AccurioJet KM-1e digital B2+ inkjet press, the first of its kind to be installed at a UK print business. The Nottingham-based print specialist reportedly chose the AccurioJet KM-1e for its print quality and colour accuracy, as well as its sustainability credentials and compact footprint. The addition of the press brings its larger-format production in-house, which was previously outsourced to lithographic subcontractors. The LED inkjet press is capable of achieving 1200 x 1200dpi resolution utilising Konica Minolta’s Dot Freeze technology, a patented inkjet printing process that fixes ink droplets on the print media, aiming to prevent colour mixing and seepage. Along with the KM-1e, Eight Group has also invested in a Konica Minolta AccurioPress C12000e production printer, both of which join an AccurioPress C14000 the company has used for two years. As a certified B Corp, the products’ sustainability credentials were key to Eight Group selecting the AccurioJet press. The advanced UV inkjet technology uses ink that does not require water, with its ink application process and quick-drying LED UV ink both designed to require lower energy use. Recently Konica Minolta has also unveiled the new AccurioPress C7100 ENHANCED series, an upgrade to the AccurioPress C7100 and AccurioPress C7090 designed to deliver quicker turnaround times and greater media flexibility. The new ENHANCED series, which offers a 3,600 x 2,400dpi resolution, has also been developed to provide greater automation and ease-of-use in comparison to previous models. [L to R] Rob Ferris, CEO of Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK, and Lance Hill, CEO of Eight Group Tecnau releases new cutting solution to market GPS reports major productivity boost from HEIDELBERG Speedmaster Northern Irish commercial printer, GPS Colour Graphics (GPS), has reported a significant productivity boost after replacing two long perfecting machines with a new HEIDELBERG Speedmaster XL 106-8P. GPS is reportedly one of the largest commercial printing companies in the Irish region, specialising in book, magazine, and leaflet printing. The company purchased the Speedmaster in response to increased customer demand, replacing the B1 perfectors it had used since 2008. The machine was the first HEIDELBERG press GPS purchased in forty years, with the company choosing the XL 106 due to its productivity, reliability, and value, according to director at GPS, Lorraine Bell. Bell says: “HEIDELBERG makes bold claims about the XL which we didn’t quite believe the press would live up to. However, looking at the market, we believed HEIDELBERG was the only option.” Speaking about how the press has performed, Bell continues: “At its peak, the XL 106 has given us a 43% productivity boost, and we still have capacity for another 20% at least. “It has done more runs in a year than any other machine we’ve had before, with capacity to spare. To complement this capacity increase, we have invested in a new binding line, capable of much higher speeds than our previous machine.” GPS is now aiming to enhance its growth plans, with a new binding line working in tandem with the increased output of the Speedmaster, asserting that “the sky is the limit.” Kyocera has developed a new air-cooled, UV LED light source, designed to provide enhanced curing performance for applications such as ink, resin curing, and adhesion. The G7A series, which will shortly be available to the market, reportedly ranks among the smallest in its class and achieves the highest irradiance among air-cooled UV LED light sources for UV curing applications. The technology has been developed in response to growing demand for space-saving solutions in manufacturing, which has led to a need for more compact light sources with higher curing performance. Compared to Kyocera’s previously released G5H series, the G7A has a footprint 62% smaller and a height 10% lower. Eight Group purchases ‘first of its kind’ Konica Minolta AccurioJet Kyocera launches new UV curing unit 12 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert The c7 has been developed to seamlessly integrate into a wide range of finishing lines The G7A has a maximum irradiation width of 2,400mm printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink KIT & CONSUMABLES / NEWS
Tributes from across the print industry have been paid to print business expert Jo Lloyd, who passed away on May 23rd, aged 62, after a long illness. Lloyd’s 40-year career started with roles at Reed and EMAP McLaren, after which she held sales and leadership positions with a variety of print businesses throughout the nineties and early 2000s including The Lettershop Group, Carlton Barclay, Z-Card, DST (later Dsicmm), and Lloyd James. In her time in the industry, LLoyd also invested in several print and creative businesses of her own. This included providing strategic and team-building support to a variety of print organisations through her consultancy business, Cotmandene Training & Development. David Preskett, current vice president, EMEA and APAC, at Kongsberg, worked with Lloyd over many years while at Canon. Preskett recalls: “Jo was the energy you needed in a team. When you’d done nine days’ hard work at drupa or IPEX, Jo would be smiling, laughing, and lifting the team’s spirits.” Mark Lawn, head of POD Solutions at Fujifilm Graphics Europe, was supported by her at both Canon and Fujifilm. He says: “At various times when I’ve faced a challenge, a chat with Jo made everything feel better and gave me renewed energy and determination.” Jo Lloyd’s funeral will take place at Clandon Wood, GU4 7FN on Thursday, July 17th at 13:00. Print industry friends of Jo are welcome, with it expected to be standing room only. The dress code of the funeral is ‘no black’. Those who wish to RSVP should email: jolloydcelebration@gmail.com Industry pays tribute to print business expert Jo Lloyd Jo Lloyd’s career included a significant contribution to Canon’s Essential Business Builder Programme Xerox appoints Lexmark execs to board after £1.2bn acquisition Xerox has announced that two Lexmark executives will join its executive committee, as part of its acquisition of the company. As part of the integration of the companies, Billy Spears will become chief product development and delivery officer, having previously worked as Lexmark's senior vice president and chief product delivery officer. Chuck Butler, who was senior vice president and chief financial officer for Lexmark, will become chief business services officer for Xerox. Alongside the appointments from Lexmark, Kim Kleps has been announced as Xerox’s new chief people office, having previously worked for the company as senior vice president of people, talent, culture, and diversity. Ines Hiu Wai Law from label printer, Spirit Labels, has been named the Apprentice of the Year at Print Scotland’s tenth annual Scottish Print Apprentice of the Year awards. Ines, who is in the final stage of her two-year apprenticeship at the Renfrew-based label printer, graduated in 2022 from the University of Glasgow with a masters in Product Design Engineering. Other awards handed out included Press Apprentice of the Year, which was won by 21-year-old Aidan Rogan from CCL Design of East Kilbride, as well as Mentor of the Year which was given to Rogan’s mentor, CCL Design’s Steven McKnight The Post Press Apprentice award winner was 18-year-old Logan Van Beuge, who works at Glasgow-based Push Print, and the Pre-Press Apprentice of the Year was Riley MacRae Duffy of CX Services in Dunoon. Print Scotland provides a range of apprenticeship and training opportunities through the Scottish Training Scheme, which provides a grant from the Scottish government to cover the cost of the training. Sponsors of the awards included Antalis, Muller Martini, CCL Design, and Elliot Baxter and Co (EBB). Scottish Print Apprentice of the Year crowned Ray Hillhouse retires from Plockmatic Creasing and folding equipment manufacturer, Plockmatic Group, has announced structural changes after the retirement of Ray Hillhouse, long-term director of the offline business. Hillhouse, who officially retired on April 30th after 15 years of working with Plockmatic, joined the industry in 1985 as a service engineer with offset equipment supplier ABDick, in his native Glasgow. Following Hillhouse's retirement, Ed Hudson has been appointed as general manager for the Plockmatic Group’s UK sales and service operation, effective from May 1st. In his newly-created role, Hudson is responsible for sales, service, and support for both inline and offline post-press products in the UK. PEOPLE / NEWS Jonathan Pert [L to R] Chuck Butler, new chief business services officer, and Billy Spears, new chief product development and delivery officer for Xerox Jonathan Pert 14 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 Jonathan Pert printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
PACKAGING / NEWS 16 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 Eco Flexibles, a UK-based flexible packaging company, has reportedly doubled its turnover within 18 months, following its investment in two Fujifilm FP790 digital presses. Eco Flexibles, which purchased the presses in response to growing market demand for environmentally friendly flexible packaging, is known for its various sustainable packaging solutions across the food and wellness sectors. The first Jet Press FP790 was installed in June 2023, making Eco Flexibles the first customer outside of Japan to invest in the technology. The second press was installed later that year to keep up with rising demand. Speaking of the first purchase, Simon Buswell, director at Eco Flexibles, comments: “That was a huge moment for us. We knew we were taking a leap into something that hadn’t been widely proven outside of Japan, but we had complete confidence in Fujifilm and the technology. We were willing to lead the way, and it’s paid off.” Eco Flexibles had already utilised Fujifilm technology prior to investing in the Jet Press FP790, having previously employed the company’s Flenex FW water-wash flexo plates. The move to the digital solution was made with sustainability in mind, with the FP790 designed to require no solvents, produce minimal waste, and minimise energy consumption. The company also highlights the speed, quality, and commercial viability of the press as being key reasons behind the choice to purchase two machines, as well as the digital press’ ability to handle smaller order volumes. Eco Flexibles doubles turnover after Fujifilm Jet Press investment [L to R] Simon Buswell, sales and marketing director at Eco Flexibles, and Matt Francklow, director of Eco Flexibles, with the Jet Press FP790 Esko launches packaging compliance tool Packaging software solutions company, Esko, has launched a new tool designed to streamline complex processes to help brands meet packaging compliance standards. The tool, which is a new module for Esko’s WebCenter packaging management solution, aims to dramatically reduce errors, reworks, and regulatory risk. Esko Comply offers automation capabilities which validate critical components of product packaging and promotional materials, using customisable rules and AI to check labels and packaging for missing allergens, incorrect barcodes, FDA formatting violations, and other potential errors. Abilities of Comply include creating custom rulebooks based on brand compliance and requirements like logo, copy, language, industry requirements, and mandates. The tool can also be used to verify barcodes, as well as ensure image accuracy. The solution, which was designed with input from compliance officers, brand managers, and creative teams, also offers automated image measurement capabilities. By Jonathan Pert BakPac hits 1 million milestone Independent UK pouch manufacturer, BakPac, has hit a significant production milestone, converting and shipping over 1 million digitally printed stand-up pouches in a single week. According to the company, this production milestone is now expected to become its ‘new normal’ figure, following the installation of two additional Galaxy Packtech pouchmaking machines. The machines were installed at BakPac’s Brentwood facility throughout May, bringing BakPac’s total fleet to five alongside two HP Indigo 200K presses. BakPac is reportedly the only site in the UK to run this machine setup. Paper and packaging manufacturer, James Cropper, has helped to release the first published children's book printed on paper made from recycled coffee cups. The book, titled ‘Little Coffee Cup and the Big Surprise’, is the debut title from author and sustainability advocate, Hayley Slack. It follows tale of Little Coffee Cup, who leaves the comfort of a café to discover the wide world. The work was created to spark conversations about waste, reuse, and the circular economy. Each book is made from materials using James Cropper's CupCycling process, which upcycles used coffee cups into premium paper at James Cropper's Burneside Mill in the Lake District. In a poetic twist, the story of the book ends at the very same mill. Each physical book is made from 13 recycled coffee cups, collected from across the UK. According to James Cropper, 58 million coffee cups have been diverted from landfill through CupCycling in just the past year. World’s first children’s book made from recycled cups released Author Hayley Slack, also works for waste management company, Biffa By Jonathan Pert Supervisor, Harvey Dailly and sales and operations manager, Harry Baker printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
EVENTS - / NEWS 19 www.printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 In a significant demonstration of support for this year’s inaugural event, HP has signed up to exhibit at The Sign Show, which is co-locating with The Print Show, and revealed it will use the exhibition in September to show off several new products. HP has enjoyed a regular presence at The Print Show for many years, working with distributors and partners to demonstrate various technologies. The manufacturer also previously had its own stand at The Print Show, with this year marking its return under a HP-branded banner. Colin Easton, UK and Ireland HP Large-Format Print channel manager at HP, says the decision was taken due to the nature of the event. While HP will be based near the main entrance, inside The Sign Show area of the event, the co-location with The Print Show will grant the manufacturer access to visitors from across the print and signage markets. “We are thrilled to be part of The Sign Show, a vital gathering of creative minds and business leaders in the sign-making community,” Easton says, continuing: “The Sign Show provides a supreme platform for HP to debut our most recent innovations, tailored to meet the dynamic needs of the sign and display market. “Attendees will have the opportunity to experience HP’s range of wide-format printers, high-resolution graphics solutions, and our most environmentally certified printing technologies designed to elevate the quality and efficiency of signage production.” Gain a Competitive Advantage As to what HP will be focusing on during the show this year, Easton says the manufacturer’s aim will be to connect with both existing customers and potential clients to demonstrate how working with HP technology can help their businesses succeed and grow. This reach will extend further with the co-located events set to welcome a hugely diverse audience from all corners of the print and sign-making markets, many of which HP is active in. “Our goal is to empower sign-makers with tools that not only enhance productivity but also enable them to produce stunning, environmentally friendly visuals that stand out in today’s competitive market,” Easton says. “We have just launched our latest HP Latex R530 all-inone printer to the market and The Sign Show offers a great opportunity to showcase how the machine will transform production and grow profits with the only compact all-in-one rigid and flexible HP Latex printer. “The Sign Show will provide sign-making companies in the UK a unique chance to source all the technology, services, and new suppliers they need under one roof.” Exciting Technologies The HP Latex R530 will be one of the main highlights on the HP stand. The machine has a maximum printing width of 1.6m and can handle materials as thick as 5cm. Additional features on the new printer include running a single roll up to 55kg in weight and three-litre ink cartridges in colour and white. On top of this, as is the case with all HP Latex printers, the machine runs water-based HP Latex inks, which the manufacturer says have less impact on the environment than other ink types. Also on display at the HP stand will be HP Latex 830W, another new solution that can print on media as wide as 1.6m. The latest ‘W’ model allows users to print with white ink, which HP says opens up a wider range of application opportunities. “We have introduced the HP Latex 730 and 830 Printer Series to the market, allowing sign-makers to maximise the productivity and deliver high-value jobs with consistent quality,” Easton says. Other machines set for live demos at The Sign Show include the HP Latex 630W, which also offers a maximum print width of 1.6m, runs one-litre ink cartridges, and can print with white ink. Aside from HP Latex technology, visitors to HP’s stand will also have the opportunity to view the HP DesignJet Z9 Pro and HP DesignJet XL3800, a multi-function colour printer that offers a range of features such as 128GB of memory for file processing and 500ml ink supplies. HP hails The Print/Sign Show as “supreme” platform for new tech HP can be found on stand S300 at The Sign Show 2025 By Rob Fletcher HP will be showcasing several new machines on its stand at The Print/Sign Show printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
20 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 SwissQprint has announced that it will once again display its Kudu high-end flatbed machine at The Print Show this year. Boasting a top printing speed of 341sq m/hr and a 3.2m x 2m flatbed size, the Kudu drew plenty of interest during the 2024 event. Such was this success that swissQprint will bring back the device this year and will be inviting visitors to experience its capabilities first-hand. Additional benefits of the swissQprint Kudu printer include ten colour channels, which the manufacturer says offer “endless possibilities” to users, while the device is also supplied with a 36-month warranty for peace of mind. “Designed for both speed and precision, the Kudu is capable of handling everything from tension textiles and braille signage to fine art, packaging, and retail displays,” explains Erskine Stewart, managing director of swissQprint UK, adding: “While the Kudu will take centre stage, everything shown on our stand could be produced using any model in our Generation 5 range, underlining the flexibility and productivity that all swissQprint flatbed printers now offer. Stewart adds: “We support businesses around the world by providing local expertise and service through our network of international subsidiaries including the UK, ensuring fast support, training, and tailored advice close to our customers.” As to why the manufacturer is once again using The Print Show as a platform to connect with the UK market, Stewart says swissQprint is keen to build on the momentum it experienced at last year’s show, “The event is a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with the UK print industry, showcase the capabilities of our systems and demonstrate how swissQprint technology can help businesses stand out with quality, speed, and versatility in wide-format printing,” Stewart explains. “The Print Show is a great place to explore the latest in print technology, meet industry experts, and discover solutions that can genuinely impact businesses. For anyone looking to enhance their production capabilities or understand where the future of print is heading, it’s a must-attend event.” SwissQprint set for Kudu showcase [L to R] Regional sales managers Ian Maxfield and Steve Pridham with managing director Erskine Stewart By Rob Fletcher Konica Minolta will showcase the new AccurioPress C14010S production press on its stand at The Print Show this year, with the manufacturer taking a larger stand to display more of its kit. A long-term supporter of the event, Konica Minolta will be based on Stand P410 at The Print Show 2025. Here, visitors can learn more about some of its latest and most popular printing solutions. Highlights include the new AccurioPress C14010S, which offers fifth colour capabilities that the manufacturer says produce “spectacular eye-catching” results on a broad range of media. As for productivity, the machine has a top speed of 140 pages per minute, as well as the ability to accommodate sheets up to 1,300mm and paper thicknesses of 450g/sq m. Additional features on the machine include an IQ-601 Intelligent Quality Optimizer Unit and IM-104 and IM-105 Intelligent Media Sensors. “The Print Show will be a great opportunity to see the AccurioPress C14010S in action, first hand,” says Jon Hiscock, head of production and industrial print at Konica Minolta, adding: “This new production press opens a wealth of creative possibilities, that can enable print companies to develop profitable new lines of business.” Visitors will also have the opportunity to speak with Konica Minolta’s expert team about its range of other solutions. Hiscock says this will help them learn how these machines can help them grow their business. “Our goal for The Print Show 2025 is to help as many businesses as possible to capitalise on the opportunities available to them,” Hiscock says, adding: “We will be showing them how our print and workflow solutions can boost their productivity, efficiency, versatility, and sustainability, giving them a competitive edge.” Chris Davies, event director at The Print Show, adds: “We are thrilled to welcome Konica Minolta back to The Print Show in 2025 for the fourth year running. With a larger and even more impressive stand this year, Konica Minolta will undoubtedly be a standout attraction of the event and an essential focus for visitors across the print industry looking to see the latest and best in production print solutions.” Konica Minolta to display AccurioPress C14010S at The Print Show [L to R] Konica Minolta’s Jon Hiscock with Chris Davies from The Print Show EVENTS - / NEWS By Rob Fletcher printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
21 www.printmonthly.co.uk July / August 2025 - Issue 355 Label printing specialist A4Labels.com has revealed how a visit to The Print Show in 2024 led to the company investing in a new machine that has allowed it to significantly expand its service offering. Based in Sussex, A4Labels. com began life in 2011 a broker selling A4 sheets of self-adhesive labels on eBay. Over the years, the company has grown to become a manufacturer of A4, A5, and SRA3 sheets for the label trade and brokers across the UK and Europe. To support its ongoing growth strategy, managing director Charlie Hawker visited The Print Show last year to gain insight into the latest machinery and chat with manufacturers about solutions that could support the company’s expansion plans. Having spoken with specialist Fujifilm staff at the show, where the manufacturer had a stand for the second consecutive year, Hawker signed off on a deal to invest in a Fujifilm Apeos Pro C810 for sheeted print jobs. The machine was installed at the company’s Sussex facility in November and has had a significant impact on production over the past six months or so. Looking towards this year’s event, Hawker says he will be attending again to catch up on the latest goings-on across the UK market. “I will be looking to attend again,” he says, adding: “For someone young and fairly new to events like this, it was my first time, and it was a great way to network and get to know and learn things about the industry. “What stood out for me was communicating face to face. It was nice to meet people away from Zoom and get a feel for the industry and what I was potentially buying. “I obviously went with an idea of what I was looking for but aside from the machines, I also met with the team at Artwork Guru. We have since acquired their services for label design work, which never would have happened had I viewed the machines on a Zoom call.” Print Show visit leads to Fujifilm purchase for A4Labels.com Large-format printing solutions provider Liyu England has opened up about its decision to return to The Print Show in 2025, saying the company now feels part of the event’s “family”. Liyu England has been a regular at The Print Show in recent years, taking larger stands at the centre of the hall to showcase its range of printing machines to visitors. This has proved to be a shrewd move, with the company completing a series of sales and deals on the back of each appearance. Booking on again for 2025, Liyu England will be based on Stand P250, with plans in place to again display a number of machines to draw in visitors from all corners of the market. Speaking about the company’s return, managing director Eddie Tucker only has good things to say about The Print Show. He said such as been Liyu England’s success over the past few editions that the company will continue to exhibit year after year. “In our first year at the show, we exhibited almost by accident as guests of Amari Digital, but the interest we had was unbelievable,” Tucker says, continuing: “Coming back for the second, third and now fourth time was an absolute no brainer. “It gives us a chance to show off our amazing range of Platinum printers and cutters, which have been taking the UK by storm, with some big printing houses now investing in the machines.” Tucker goes on to say the now-annual tradition of exhibiting at The Print Show is something that the entire workforce at Liyu England looks forward to – and 2025 will be no different. “Our team love going to The Print Show; one of our highlights is end of the show Christmas singalong, which has become something of a Liyu England tradition,” Tucker says, adding: “We really do feel like part of The Print Show family.” Liyu England: “We feel like part of The Print Show family” A4Labels.com managing director Charlie Hawker with his new Fujifilm machine Liyu England has become a regular feature at The Print Show EVENTS - / NEWS By Rob Fletcher By Rob Fletcher
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