Issue 353 - March / April 2025 www.printmonthly.co.uk AI in Print ▲ Exploring the opportunities and potential of AI in the industry Page 48 Fresh Perspectives Wil Wilson-Davies from Artworker gives his thoughts on print Page 45 Lithographic and Digital Looking at the increasing integration of these two major technologies Page 55 Women in Print Carys Evans from Karis Copp Media dives into this important topic Page 33 Workflow Software We take a look at the options and innovations in this sector Page 61 Finance and Funding Taking a look at advice and options for helping support businesses Page 40 AI in Print 48Page
3 CONTENTS Issue 353 March / April 2025 www.printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 ISSN 2976-9213 NEWS Industry 06 Business 10 We take a look at the deals and announcements taking place across the printing industry KIT & MEDIA 14 People 18 Packaging 20 SPECIALS Under the Hood: HEIDELBERG Jetfire 50 25 COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: WOODBANK OFFICE SOLUTIONS 29 Women in Print 33 Carys Evans looks at the reasons why the print industry is still male dominated in 2025 INDUSTRY TIPS: COLIN SINCLAIR MCDERMOTT 37 Finance and Funding 40 Fresh Perspectives: Wil Wilson-Davies 45 FEATURES AI in Print 48 Jonathan Pert dives into the world of AI to understand its future role in print Lithographic and Digital Print Technology 55 Workflow Software 61 Bookletmakers 67 IN THIS ISSUE 06 55 48 45 20 10 67 14
ISSUE 353March / April 2025 Publishing director Page Tuck Production Shaun Edwards Contributors Brian Sims, Colin Sinclair McDermott, Carys Evans, Wil WilsonDavies 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 Tim Hall tim@linkpublishing.co.uk Features Writer Rob Fletcher rob@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn kat@linkpublishing.co.uk Office therapist Skye PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP00015512002182040 March / April 2025 - Issue 353 4 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Hello and welcome to Print Monthly March / April! We’re in the full swing of 2025 and this edition is fittingly packed with plenty of trending topics and talking points. I’m sure for many of you the 2025 calendar is already getting filled with several different events, celebrations, and get togethers. Recently me and Jonathan Pert visited Packaging Innovations & Empack (pictured on the right) at our home away from home, the NEC in Birmingham. In this edition you can read more about the products showcased at the event, and the initiatives that took place on page 20. What’s also great about this edition is the number of diverse topics and informational articles we have for you to read about. A big talking point in print, and many other industries, is how to engage and encourage the next generation of workers. In order to highlight the viewpoints of young people already in the industry and bring attention to potential leaders in the future, we’ve created a new special called Fresh Perspectives which can be found on page 45. The idea of this regular article is to give a space for younger voices in the industry and for them to write in their own words about something from their point of view and that they think is important. This month Wil Wilson-Davies, head of growth at Artworker, talks about his experience entering the print industry (starting at drupa of all places) and challenges the perceptions about print that even he had before entering the industry. Embracing young talent is a challenge of the industry, as well as improving diversity overall. With International Woman’s day taking place this March, this issue puts particular focus on fixing the gender imbalance in the industry while also celebrating the game-changers who have carved out success. Carys Evans, account manager at Karis Copp Media, asks: “Why is the Industry Still Male Dominated in 2025?” on page 33. This edition’s Company Spotlight also hears from Janet Bowden, someone who has challenged the norm in the industry and achieved success with Woodbank Office Solutions. You can read more on pages 28 and 29. Aside from these engaging points of view, this month’s Print Monthly also delves into some big topics, such as the role of lithographic and digital print technologies (page 55), finance and funding options (page 40), and the hot topic at the moment – AI (page 48). I hope you enjoy this issue, and happy reading! Dave EDITOR S NOTE Carys Evans 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
INDUSTRY / NEWS 6 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine BPIF Outlook report reveals “nosedive in confidence” The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has released its 2025 Q1 forecast for the printing and packaging industries, outlining what it sees as a “nosedive in confidence” with signs of subdued growth. According to the organisation’s latest Printing Outlook survey, output and orders in Q4 of 2024 essentially performed as forecast, with the UK’s printing and packaging continuing a steady growth in 2024. The BPIF confidence data reported for Q3, first revealed in BPIF’s Q4 Outlook report, was also the most positive for two years, with Q4 output and order growth continuing pretty much as forecast. However, it has been calculated that business confidence slipped in Q4 and subsequently order and output expectations for Q1 have flatlined, with industry confidence lowering. Responding comments to the Printing Outlook survey suggest that the negative economic sentiment comes from changes to government, additional employment costs, and mounting regulations and administrative burdens on businesses. Wage pressure has become the most serious business concern according to the Outlook. According to the BPIF: “Demand is being held back, competition remains fierce, and many companies cannot currently afford to make the investments they seek”. Kyle Jardine, economist at BPIF, says: “There was a slow but steady improvement throughout much of last year, so it is disappointing to see confidence evaporate at the start of this year. “Wage pressures have become the most critical business concern, and recruitment intentions have been curtailed. Thankfully other costs, excluding energy, have been more stable. Investment remains key, the focus for many companies in 2025 will be on improving workflow and adding automation wherever possible.” Despite this, businesses in the printing industry are reportedly still investing, with new technologies such as AI being increasingly utilised. Many companies who responded to the Outlook believe that they can make improvements to their workflows and increase automation. A significant number of those who responded have reported that they are achieving healthy profits and growing. According to the responses, cash flow is holding up, output prices have stabilised, as have paper and board costs, and exposure to bad debt and late payments has decelerated. Speaking of the Outlook report, Charles Jarrold, BPIF chief executive, comments: “Hopefully the dip in forecast for Q1 is only a short-term blip, and it can be turned around. “Companies are currently looking to adjust and adapt to government decisions and searching for a way to invest so they can boost their productivity and increase profitability. If government can help stimulate business investment, then confidence could quickly turn positive once more.” Concerns over wage pressures have become the top business concern for printing companies by a large margin By Jonathan Pert Epson has officially launched its first ever Textile Academy at its newly launched Innovation Centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. The new Innovation Centre has been created after Epson outgrew its previous centre at Hemel Hempstead. The new space allows the company to showcase its various print, textile, photography, and industrial solutions to customers and various visitors such as the students who attended from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) on February 13th. Epson says the Textile Academy has been created as a platform for young people to “contribute to a better, more eco-friendly textile industry”. The inaugural event acted as a one-day workshop for final year and MA textile design students to experience the many opportunities and considerations within textile print. Katy Harvey, one of the students at NTU, won a SureColor F100 dye-sublimation printer after being awarded best design for creativity, colour, and impact. The award was voted on by members of the media attending the event. Double launch for Epson Xerox has announced that it has agreed to acquire manufacturer of laser printers and imaging products, Lexmark. Xerox will purchase Lexmark from Ninestar Corporation, PAG Asia Capital, and Shanghai Shouda Investment Centre in a deal valued at $1.5bn (£1.21bn), inclusive of assumed liabilities. This acquisition has been made to strengthen Xerox’s core print portfolio. US-based Lexmark is already a partner and supplier of printers to Xerox including a range of multifunction printers. Combined, Lexmark and Xerox have a top five global share in each of the entry, mid, and production print markets. The new organisation will serve more than 200,000 clients in 170 countries with 125 manufacturing and distribution facilities in 16 countries. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2025. Xerox purchases Lexmark [L to R] Katy Harvey, winner of the best design award, with Charlie de la Haye, PR and social media manager at Epson By David Osgar Xerox and Lexmark will maintain their current operations and operate independently until the deal is closed
INDUSTRY / NEWS 8 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine The latest figures from the Advertising Association (AA) and the World Advertising Research Center (WARC) reveal that UK ad spending increased in Q3 of 2024, with direct mail seeing a significant increase. Ad spending in the UK reached £10.6bn in Q3 of 2024, a 9.7% increase compared to the same period last year. Within this increase, direct mail saw a 12.9% year-onyear growth in comparison to 2023. UK ad spending has been predicted to grow a further 6.9% in 2025, bringing the total market value from £40.7bn to £43.5bn. The figures mark the first time in more than two years that UK direct mail has returned to growth, after declines in 2023 and 2022. Royal Mail has released statements on the latest figures. Philip Ricketts, wholesale commercial director at Royal Mail, says: “The latest data from AA/WARC reflects an advertising industry that is returning to confidence and investing in a healthily varied media mix.” Recently the Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP) has responded to major reforms of Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation proposed by Ofcom. Ofcom released a consultation document, open for responses until April 10th, proposing a range of reforms to Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation (USO), designed to ensure it remains financially sustainable while retaining key services. The SMP is among the organisations that are encouraging individuals and businesses to respond to the consultation before the deadline. The consultation is open until April 10th, 2025, with a decision based on the consultation expected in the summer. Any changes to the USO will take effect upon publication. Ofcom has encouraged those interested to review the consultation details and submit a response by the April 10th deadline. Information including a downloadable response form can be found on the Ofcom website. In 2024, Royal mail proposed a range of changes to the USO, which is also designed to ensure a minimum quality and affordability standard for the UK’s mail services. Royal Mail’s proposals for the USO included only delivering non-first class letters every other weekday, keeping its six-day-a-week service for only first-class letters. In December 2024, Ofcom fined Royal Mail £10.5m for failing to meet its targets for first- and second-class deliveries in 2023/24. In the same month, the UK government approved a £3.6bn takeover of Royal mail by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky's EP Group. By Jonathan Pert New figures reveal return to growth for direct mail Final UK ad spend figures for 2024 are due to be published in late April The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has launched its newly-formed Apprenticeship Champion Network. The initiative, which was launched this week as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025, will bring together advocates from across the print industry, with the aim of supporting and promoting the future success of businesses and professionals in the sector. The Apprenticeship Champion Network is designed to connect employers, training providers, and industry leaders together, creating a collaborative space where members can share best practices, mentor apprentices, and advocate for skills development within the printing industry. By becoming an apprenticeship champion, individuals and businesses will be tasked with raising awareness of apprenticeship opportunities and the benefits they bring to both employers and learners. The BPIF’s current apprenticeship schemes currently has over 400 apprentices in training and partnerships with more than 150 employers. According to the organisation, “the launch of the Apprenticeship Champion Network is a natural next step in strengthening the industry’s skills pipeline.” The launch of the Apprenticeship Champion Network has been created to align with ‘Skills for Life’, a national lifelong learning strategy in England for improving adult skills. Key focuses of the initiative include lifelong learning and workforce development. Throughout National Apprenticeship Week 2025, BPIF Training will be sharing stories of successful apprentices, employer case studies, and insights from apprenticeship champions through its online channels, aiming to showcase the value of high-quality training and career development in the print sector. Employers can access resources for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 on a resource hub on the BPIF Training website. BPIF Training will also be releasing guides and documents throughout the week, with topic titles including Understanding Apprenticeships, Onboarding, and Identifying Business Needs. According to a statement on BPIF’s website, those hiring an apprentice through its scheme may be eligible for an incentive payment of £3,000 per apprentice, in addition to the £1,000 incentive payment received for hiring an apprentice aged 16 to 18. BPIF launches new apprenticeship network BPIF Training is one of the UK’s main providers of print apprenticeships, supporting over 400 apprentices and working with more than 150 employers By Jonathan Pert
BUSINESS / NEWS 10 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Print company catapults to £50m turnover Catapult Print, a UK familyowned printing and packaging company headquartered in Orlando, Florida, has announced that it achieved a $60m (£50m) turnover milestone in 2024. The company’s $60m turnover follows two consecutive months of record sales in Q4 of 2024. In October 2024, Catapult achieved a reported 25% increase on revenue compared to October 2023, 5.8% more than the company’s previous best ever month. This revenue was then increased further in November. Catapult has reportedly onboarded more than 80 new customers in 2024, while maintaining a customer retention rate of 98%. Catapult was established six years ago by British packaging professional Mark Cook, alongside his sons Lewis and Ashley Cook. With over 30 years of experience in the print and packaging industries, Mark previously worked for Paragon Print and Packaging, including as a company shareholder. Mark moved to the US in 2013, first working as group sales director for global packaging agency Equator Design before launching Catapult in 2018. [L to R]: Brett Simpson (head of commercial operations), Lewis Cook (co-founder and CEO), Mark Cook (founder and chairman), Ashley Cook (managing partner), Carl Brock (technical director), and Ed Holden (sales director) By Jonathan Pert Scalderhurst becomes sole UK distributor April, a global paper and board manufacturer, has announced the appointment of Scalderhurst as its sole appointed distributor for the UK and Ireland. The new strategic partnership between April and Kent-based paper merchants, Scalderhurst, will focus on the distribution of April’s premium GC1 & GC2 Folding Box Boards, Art Boards, and Cup Stock Boards. April have designed the printable packaging products as cost effective solutions, aiming to achieve high quality at a competitive price. Scaldehurst will offer comprehensive UK Stocks of April products, available to meet immediate and large-scale demands. In-house conversion facilities will be provided at Scalderhurst facilities, providing tailored solutions for bespoke size sheets and reels fulfilled in the UK. Kenrick Chew, April’s regional sales head of Paperboard Europe (West & East), comments: “We are thrilled to partner with Scalderhurst, a company that shares our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. This collaboration will enhance our service capabilities, grow our market share, and ensure that our customers in the UK and Ireland receive the best products and support.” April has committed to a robust programme of corporate social responsibility By Jonathan Pert Print.Group acquires Simian in major European deal Print.Group, the holding company behind European print platform Print.com, has acquired online printer Simian, bolstering its brand portfolio. Founded in 2007, Simian achieved a reported revenue of approximately €28m (£23m) in 2024. The acquisition includes brands in Simian’s portfolio including Reclameland, Flyerzone, and Drukland, as well as Simian’s 23,000m² production facility near Groningen in the Netherlands. As a result of the acquisition, Print.com’s existing facility in the city of Oss will be closed, with operations moving to the new Groningen facility. The new production facility will serve as a central production and fulfilment hub for the brands within the Print. Group holding. According to the group, merging order volumes is a key priority, with the aim of enabling Print.Group to implement cost optimisations to benefit its customers. Since its founding in 2019, Print.Group has reportedly generated more than €60m (£50m) in revenue across nine European countries. Print.Group aims to create a clear price and product differentiation between the various brands, both in physical products and in tools and services. The Print.com platform will remain tailored to creative professionals such as print resellers, brands, creatives, and agencies, while the newly acquired Reclameland, Flyerzone, and Drukland labels will continue to focus on SMEs. Established in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Austria, Print. com has since subsequently expanded into the UK, Denmark, Spain, and Italy in 2024. Print.com announced its expansion into the UK in June of 2024, establishing a local UK service team that includes country captain, Fiona Robinson. As part of the UK launch, Print.com invited visitors to “come aboard” on its stand at The Print Show 2024. Print.com UK recently joined print and paper advocacy group, Two Sides. In a statement about joining the advocacy group, Robinson says: “Print.com is committed to a socially responsible and sustainable future of ‘more print, less footprint’. “Our sustainability values align with the Two Sides campaign, and we are delighted to have become a member.” Speaking of Print.com’s sustainable credentials, Robinson continues: “We produce locally, with efficient technology – this is how we reduce CO2 emissions, waste, and our energy consumption. “We are constantly adding sustainable products and services to our ordering environment with recyclability as our starting point. We also implement eco-friendly and ethical solutions throughout the supply chain and inspire partners to do the same.” [L to R] CEO and founder of Print. Group, Marco Aarnink, with Simian CEO and founder, Wouter Haan By Jonathan Pert
BUSINESS / NEWS 12 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Manroland UK to host major event as part of market relaunch Manroland Sheetfed UK has officially announced its latest demonstration event as part of a wider marketing relaunch. The manufacturer will host a day-long event on March 13th from 11:00am at the headquarters of Potts Print UK in Cramlington, Newcastle. The invite-only event will kick off at Potts Print with drinks, before a live press demonstration of Manroland machines. This includes its ROLAND 700 Evolution range including its flagship ROLAND 700 Evolution Elite and the ROLAND 700 Evolution Speed, which has a reported maximum speed of 20,000 sheets per hour. Potts Print was the first company in the UK to install a Manroland Roland 700 Evolution in 2021. The company now runs two ROLAND 700 Evolution Elites. At the event Manroland experts will be on-hand to demonstrate the company’s latest advancements, including representatives from the company’s German headquarters. After a lunch, attendees will be taken to the Crowne Plaza Hotel where an evening dinner will take place including live entertainment and what the company describes as “interactive surprises”. In its official invite, the company says these features are “designed to make this event an unforgettable experience”. Manroland UK adds that “this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss”. Manroland UK appointed Daniel Godbold as its new managing director in 2024. Godbold, who has an over 30-year career in print with previous experience in companies including Anton Group, Eclipse, and Printwise, has since hired a new marketing team as part of a push to evolve its representation in the UK market. At the time of his appointment, Godbold said: “I'm excited to join Manroland Sheetfed UK. With my experience in senior management roles, I'm dedicated to boosting our growth by truly understanding our customers' needs.” Speaking about the event in a video announcement on LinkedIn, Godbold said: “This show is going to be about creativity and excitement. I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a theme of nostalgia to the show which is going to bring back memories of the past combined with technology of the future. “Manroland wants to show you we are a brand of fun, support, and your future. You absolutely do not want to miss this show.” The event is part of German parent company Manroland’s ‘Evolution World Tour’ promotional event, which has already been hosted in India and Mexico in 2025. In 2024, the World Tour was hosted in Japan, Poland, Belgium, Germany, and Brazil. The recent two-day Brazilian leg of the tour demonstrated the ROLAND 700 Evolution and ROLAND 900 Evolution to over 120 participants. Manroland’s R900 Evolution was demonstrated at the company’s latest Roadshow event in Brazil By Jonathan Pert
14 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 HP has announced the release of the PageWide Web Press T4250 HDR and PageWide Web Press T500M HD, two new industrial presses for high-volume digital production. Utilising HP’s Thermal Inkjet technology, the industrial presses are designed to deliver added productivity, quality, and versatility in the direct mail, general commercial, and book publishing segments. According to specifications, the new 42-inch PageWide T4250 HDR digital offset press prints at up to twice the productivity of its predecessor, the PageWide T485 HD. It can produce up to 20,000 B1 duplex sheets and over 200,000 letter-sized duplex colour pages per hour. At full performance mode, the press has been calculated to deliver a duty cycle of 173 million A4 full-colour images per month. The HP PageWide Web Press T500M HD has been developed to offer book manufacturers a purpose-built solution to meet demands for shorter run lengths, tighter turnaround times, and more frequent high-volume orders. The 54-inch press, which boasts a 1000f/m speed, allows operators to shift between offset and digital print lines in order to reduce paper inventory and streamline labour resources. The press can produce finished book blocks of variable trim sizes that move directly to a final production stage, designed to save time, labour, and floor space. The T500M HD has also been developed with efficiency as a key focus, with added features including reduced paper waste at start-up and between jobs with variable cutoffs, a more optimised factory floor, and the complete elimination of offset aluminium plates. Two new HP PageWide presses released According to HP, its digital inkjet production customers have so far printed over 1 trillion pages on its presses SCREEN releases new inkjet digital press The Truepress JET 520NX AD’s 5th inkjet head supports variable printing using specialised functional inks XSYS has released two new analogue flexo printing plates as part of a wider goal to convert its plate portfolio to more sustainable versions. The new nyloflex eco ACT and nyloflex eco FAC plates leverage XSYS’ latest plate formulation, which the company says: “Contributes to a more sustainable future for flexo printing”. The new plates can reportedly replace legacy nyloflex plates without the need for press trials. All plate characteristics remain the same, to reduce the waste created in the changeover. Florian Hoelzle, product manager, nyloflex and nylosolv, for XSYS, says: “At XSYS, we are committed to lifting proven quality to a sustainable future, which is why we are swiftly expanding the nyloflex eco series while retiring our legacy plates as far as possible.” XSYS replace more printing plates XSYS is a global provider of flexo printing plates, plate processing equipment, and pre-press software By Jonathan Pert KIT & MEDIA / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine Suffolk-based label printing company, Abbey Labels, has installed a Xeikon LX3000 toner label press, the first in the UK to do so. The Xeikon press was purchased by Abbey Labels during drupa 2024, with Abbey Labels chairman, Tom Allum, travelling to Germany to secure the purchase in person. The new LX3000, also known as ‘The Lion’, has been added to Abbey Label’s arsenal of printing solutions at its production facility which includes two Xeikon CX300s. The five-colour, dry toner Lion press offers a reported printing speed of up to 42m/min, 40% faster than previous models. It also features a new ‘Cruise Control’ inspection tool, which aims to automate the process of quality control. Abbey Labels installs new Xeikon Lion press in UK first UK ink and chemical manufacturer, hubergroup, has announced the launch of its latest ink offering, the DYNAMICA Ink series. The product has been developed with high pigmentation as its basis, aiming to offer high colour density and vibrancy. The DYNAMICA series is compatible with the latest high-speed printing solutions as well as with a wide range of substrates. Reported features of the ink include a low dot gain, high dampening tolerance, and strong stackability, working on both straight and perfecting presses. The fast-setting ink, which is formulated for modern commercial printing, is designed as an eco-friendly alternative for the print industry. Hubergroup releases new DYNAMICA ink series Tom Allum [right], chairman of Abbey Labels, with representatives of Xeikon, during the purchase of the Xeikon LX3000 at drupa 2024 The DYNAMICA ink series is designed for a range of largevolume applications including booklets, posters, and calendars SCREEN Graphic Solutions (SCREEN) has released its new Truepress JET 520NX AD, the next generation of its JET 520NX roll-fed inkjet digital printing system. The Truepress JET series is designed for highmix, small-lot production, with major users including the transaction, direct mail, and publishing markets. Its ‘Xross-over’ printhead configuration is designed to allow for additional flexibility and expandability. The unique printhead design, which handles both monochrome and full colour printing, allows CYM printheads to be ‘parked’ when printing mono, to reduce ink consumption. An extra printhead can be installed adjacent to the other printheads to handle MICR and other specific function inks. According to SCREEN, major improvements have also been made to the efficiency of its preprint adjustment work, with the aim of improving overall productivity.
Print and marketing provider, Pureprint Group, has announced the appointment of Derek Kenney as its new brand development director and Helen Graham as its new bid manager. Kenney brings with him an extensive amount of experience following his role as sales director at Kingsbury Press, a branch of Bluetree Group. Speaking about his recent departure from the company, Kenney wrote on LinkedIn: "After just over three years, I have now left the Bluetree Group, and I would like to take this opportunity to wish Adam, James, and the rest of the team much continued success for 2025." According to Pureprint, Graham brings with her 27 years of experience in both the print and digital solutions industries. For the past ten years Graham has focused on bid writing and tender management, securing public sector contracts and “driving business growth”. Graham previously worked as a marketing development manager at Harlow Printing, where she improved tender success rates and secured placements on key public sector print frameworks. Pureprint says Graham has also been involved in major projects, including the implementation of electronic systems within the health sector. The appointments come following a year of growth for Pureprint which made big investments across its sites and acquired Ashford Colour Press at the end of 2024. Previously, Pureprint reported that it employed over 400 people and had an annual revenue of £70m. 18 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 PEOPLE / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine New changes at Solopress Solopress has made a number of announcement’s this year including the return of Greg Ralph, an original co-founder of the company. Ralph has joined as Solopress’ sales and customer success director. Ralph was one of Solopress’ original founders, establishing the business in 1999 alongside former school friends Andy Smith and Aron Priest. Ralph reportedly played a key role in the company’s early success, helping to drive its rapid growth. In 2012, Ralph stepped away from the business to explore opportunities in e-commerce, consultancy, and property development. In his new role, Ralph will be tasked with leading efforts to attract and retain customers and improve Solopress’ support services, as well as overseeing the company’s various sub-brands that focus on providing procurement solutions for trade partners. Earlier this year Onlineprinters announced that its UK customers will transition to its subsidiary, Solopress. The transition process to Solopress began in November, with the process on track for completion by April 2025. By that time, all customers of the website, onlineprinters.co.uk, will be transferred to the Southend-on-Sea based commercial printer. The switch will allow for a prioritised service for UK-based customers as well as faster delivery and dedicated UK-based customer support. Past orders and invoices will remain accessible during the process. After the transfer process, accounts, orders, and invoices will remain accessible on the Onlineprinters UK website for a further three months. Dedicated account manager Tony Mason will also be on hand to support Onlineprinters’ UK customers through the transition period. [L to R]: Chief executive officer of Solopress, Simon Cooper, and new sales and customer success director, Greg Ralph By David Osgar The Printing Charity has appointed three new trustees to help support the charity’s future plans and ambitions, as the organisation approaches its 200th anniversary in 2027. New trustee Lance Hill is chief executive officer of print and marketing services company, Eight Group. Elenor Hamshire joins The Printing Charity as both a trustee and honorary treasurer, taking over from Pauline Blake who stepped down at the end of 2024. Rounding up the trustee appointments is Donny McCormick, a welfare and safeguarding professional. Louisa Bull, trade union officer at Unite has also been appointed as The Printing Charity’s vice chair. Bull replaces Julia Cole, who stepped down after having reached the nine-year maximum tenure as a trustee. Printing Charity appoints trustees and vice chair Louisa Bull, trade union officer at Unite, and The Printing Charity’s new vice chair New appointments at Pureprint Group Helen Graham bid manager at Pureprint By Jonathan Pert Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK has appointed Mike Faiers as its new chief operations officer. Faiers first joined Konica Minolta in 2021 as its chief technology officer, where he was a member of the company’s executive board. He previously worked at BSH UK and Ireland for nearly a decade, where he rose from the rank of group marketing manager to become the company’s director of IT and eBusiness. In his new role, Faiers will be tasked with developing and refining processes and procedures, providing customer solutions, and supporting customers to overcome workplace challenges. He will also aim to optimise operations including service and support, logistics, and the wider supply chain. Konica Minolta UK hires new COO Pictured: Mike Faiers, new chief operations officer at Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK
•KNOWLEDGE ZONE •DIGITAL PRINTING •LARGE FORMAT •PRE-PRESS •SOFTWARE •FINISHING •PAPER The UK’s annual dedicated print expo co-located with NEC Birmingham | Hall 3 | September 23-25 | 2025 REGISTER FOR FREEENTRY AT www.theprintshow.co.uk 23-25 September 2025 Hall 3 |NEC Birmingham Dedicated to showcasing the latest printing technology Back for its ninth edition, The Print Show will again play host to some of the leading brands from across the print industry, showcasing new opportunities to visitors from all markets. From commercial print to wide-format production, The Print Show 2025 is an event that simply cannot be missed. @theprintshow The Print Show @theprintshow The Print Show Register at: www.theprintshow.co.uk | 0117 980 5049 | sales@theprintshow.co.uk @theprintshow The Print Show Hall 3 |NEC Birmingham |23-25 Sept 2025 Dedicated to showcasing the latest printing technology Back for its ninth edition, The Print Show will again play host to some of the leading brands from across the print industry, showcasing new opportunities to visitors from all markets. From commercial print to wide-format production, The Print Show 2025 is an event that simply cannot be missed. The UK’s annual dedicated print expo co-located with register for FREE ENTRYat www.theprintshow.co.uk 2025
PACKAGING / NEWS PrintMonthly printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine 20 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025, hosted by Easyfairs UK at the NEC Birmingham, has reported another successful show at the NEC in Birmingham. The annual event featured over 450 exhibitors showcasing their latest packaging solutions as well as more than 70 expert speakers across three stages, including talks from representatives of Google and McKinsey Design. At the show, machine manufacturer, Sovereign, unveiled its new label-making machine, which was made in response to customer enquiries for an entry-level range of machinery, offering an affordable and simple desktop labelling solution that does not compromise on quality. Zeus Packaging presented its new Apollo Pallet Wrapping System. The pallet wrap monitoring solution is designed to reduce plastic consumption by up to 60%, significantly reducing businesses' carbon footprint and scope 3 emissions. European packaging company, Coveris, made the UK’s EPR rules a focus of its offerings at the Birmingham packaging show, presenting a range of sustainable packaging solutions. Product highlights included Coveris’ MonoFlex, a range of lightweight paper alternatives including lids, trays, and a new range of wash-off labels designed for improved recyclability. Sustainable options also continued a big part of the show, especially for Saica Flex. The flexible packaging division of Saica Group presented a range of its sustainable packaging solutions at the event. The company said it aimed to use the trade show as a chance to demonstrate how it incorporates post-consumer recycled (PCR) content into its offerings, as well as its progress in reducing the use of virgin plastic. Another company exhibiting was Schumacher Packaging Birmingham which highlighted the integration of its new Koenig & Bauer Durst Delta SPC 130 press at its production facility. Schumacher demonstrated the output quality of its new press at the show and also invited visitors to its Open Day on March 13th to show the capabilities of its new machine. The Delta SPC 130 is an automated, productive, single pass water-based press suitable for food packaging. Another manufacturer, Highcon Systems, showcased a number of products at the exhibition, including the Highcon Beam 3, which is designed for folding cartons and micro-flutes. The Highcon Beam 2C for corrugated packaging and display, which was recently upgraded with a 15% faster running speed, was also on display. Focus on EPR and sustainability at Packaging Innovations Easyfairs, the organiser of Packaging Innovations & Empack, currently manages 110 events titles in 12 countries New Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) laws which were phased in during 2024 have now come into force. The new pEPR laws will hold businesses accountable for the full lifecycle of the packaging materials they use. Any business that uses, generates, or imports packaging materials will be required to cover the costs of sorting and recycling the packaging waste. The UK government’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) also published a Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) on December 23rd, 2024. Packaging Innovations & Empack hosted what it labelled as “one of the most consequential events in the recent history of the packaging industry” as PackUK, the UK administrator for its pEPR scheme, presented its vision for UK recycling live at the trade show. Packaging Innovations’ conference zone marked the first time PackUK publicly addressed the industry since its official launch at the end of January. The administrator was launched by Defra to deliver on behalf of all four UK nations. The new scheme administrator aims to shift the cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers and local authorities to businesses who use and supply the packaging, applying what PackUK labels as the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Alongside the pEPR scheme, the government’s packaging reforms also consist of its Simpler Recycling scheme and a Deposit Return scheme for drinks containers. Defra has estimated that alongside these schemes, pEPR will stimulate an additional £10bn of investment in UK recycling services in ten years as well as supporting up to 21,000 new jobs. There was a sizeable turnout at the PackUK talks at Packaging Innovations, with the seating completely filled and many people standing. Speaking at the event, Sebastian Munden, chair of the overall EPR scheme administrator, said: “This is an important milestone in the UK’s commitment to modernise packaging, waste management, and eliminate the idea of waste as we transition to a circular economy. PackUK debuts “Herculean” £10bn overhaul in UK recycling PackUK used Packaging Innovations as its public launchpad, which is predicted to have had more than 7,000 visitors attending By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
UNDER THE HOOD / HEIDELBERG JETFIRE 50 25 www.printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 Y ou know the world or print has changed when certain manufacturers make statements or show the masses a big new product. It is those seismic shifts that you look at and take for granted going forward, indicating that things are going to be different. One of these events happened at drupa 2024 when the leviathan of print, HEIDELBERG, unveiled a new addition to its lineup – the Jetfire 50, a B3 water-based inkjet printer. For a long time, all of the main lithographic manufacturers have been looking at the trends within the market and it is as clear as night follows day that the trend is to shorter run lengths. In the early years of digital printing, all the talk was of the new presses taking the place of the traditional lithographic versions. In fact, as time has gone on, this hasn’t really happened and they have found their own market and whilst the need for high to very high print volumes has decreased, the new digital sibling has actually grown up side by side to its older traditional family member. Building Partnerships When a company of the quantum of HEIDELBERG makes the decision to go digital, it would know at boardroom level the amount of investment and expertise needed to produce a home-grown product would be huge – unfeasibly huge you may say. So, once the company had taken the decision it needed a digital platform with the famous HEIDELBERG logo on it, and looked at how deep the pockets needed to be for its own device, it was again obvious the logical step was to look for a partner. This search could have led them two ways. Does it look for a smaller partner but one that has new and innovative printers with less market presence to present those products as its own, or does it look for a company with market presence, so that the product it chooses is readily accepted as the heritage is already known? Well HEIDELBERG choose the second option which has multiple benefits. The company have teamed up with Canon and will now benefit from both the reputation of the Canon brand and the user can be safe in the knowledge the printer will be firing straight out of the box. B3 Digital Colour So, what is the Jetfire 50? Just because the gap is growing for lower run volume, four colour process work, this does not mean clients are going to expect a change in quality from the lithographic versions they have been buying. Printers need to ensure the step down into the sector is sustained with comparative quality. The Jetfire 50 delivers this with true 1,200 x 1,200dpi resolution and with a proven water-based ink set which has deep pigHEIDELBERG finds the missing part of its jigsaw puzzle with a new addition in the form of the Jetfire50, a B3 inkjet machine which allows the print giant to span the whole spectrum of print JOINING THE DIGITAL FAMILY The Jetfire 50 is set to fill a gap in the HEIDELBERG line up of presses to ensure short run production is no longer problematic
26 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 mentation and robust adherence and the new printer can print on a wide range of substrates, just as the lithographic older sibling can. As for the substrate itself, there are a number of modules at the feeder end of the press that can take a variety of paper sizes up to B3. To ensure the paper is in the best condition, and as the first piece of the quality puzzle, each of these units is climate controlled which in turn conditions the paper prior to being fed into the machine. Once on its way, the paper passes through a sheet detection system which checks for any deformation or imperfections in the paper, any that are found are automatically displaced into a container so the press itself is never likely to be damaged. The paper continues on its way and is placed on a stainless-steel belt with small holes perforated in it though which air passes securing each sheet firmly to it. This is only one of several of the features of the Jetfire 50 which ensures a wide range of substrates can be used. At the Business End At the heart of the machine is the print head which has four inkjet heads for each of the four process colours and a precoating head. The technology within the heads produces a true 1,200 x 1,200dpi copy meaning quality can be taken for granted. As you would expect with a premium product, it is stacked with print head maintenance tools which will keep the heads in optimum condition. Nozzle uniformity control scans the nozzles in each head and ensures each is at consistent output and nozzle activity control, which assesses in real time the condition of each nozzle, closing-down and reappropriating other nozzles to take their place. All these systems go to ensure each copy is has consistent high, smooth print quality. Once printed, the sheet passes through two drying sections to ensure the copy is dry and fit for purpose. Firstly, the sheet passes around a large drying drum which evaporates the water from the freshly printed copy. Next up the sheet goes through the second stage which is a post fixation unit that fully cures the colour meaning it can go straight to post production such as trimming and stitching. Depending on how the machine is configured, in simplex or duplex, the sheet is either sent directly to the stacking unit or the process of the second side being printed is undertaken. In the Family It would be very easy for HEIDELBERG to have taken a machine from Canon and had it sat in the inventory as a stand-alone product. But this would have failed to do what was intended which was to seamlessly fill the gap it identified. What they demonstrated at drupa was this new press slots perfectly into the family and is connected across the print floor via the very successful Print Prinect production manager and the Digital Print Manager. With an inclusion of AI software, HEIDELBERG very much see the modern print shop automatically deciding what press the next job goes on but what the production manager can be assured of with the range of presses now available from HEIDELBERG, the final copy will be the same regardless of which route it took. Brian Sims, principal consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu UNDER THE HOOD / HEIDELBERG JETFIRE 50 Sheet size Max 356 x 508mm Min 203 x 208mm Production speed Max 4,560 duplex/9,120 simplex Colour CMYK plus precoat Substrates Uncoated/coated/matt offset papers Substrate weight 60/350gsm Statistics ▲ The Jetfire 50 can operate via its Prinect Touch Free Production Manager ▼ Litho and digital print are now being used in partnership more and more
29 www.printmonthly.co.uk March / April 2025 - Issue 353 COMPANY SPOTLIGHT / WOODBANK OFFICE SOLUTIONS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, BRIGHT FUTURE ▲ Janet Bowden, managing director of Woodbank Office Solutions Founded in 1989, Woodbank Office Solutions celebrated 35 years in business last year. The Stockport headquartered company has risen from a side project of its founder, Janet Bowden, to a 13-strong team with regional offices in Liverpool and Leeds. The company is still growing now, with 28% growth achieved in 2024 and 34% growth forecast for 2025. Woodbank offers managed print services and document management solutions from companies including Konica Minolta, Sharp, and Kyocera. It has risen to become the leading provider of Sharp and Konica Minolta in North West England. Customers come to Woodbank looking for ways to reduce print costs and waste, while increasing versatility and flexibility. As print equipment has evolved to become more reliable, complex, and digitally secure, Woodbank’s offerings have kept up. But where did the company start, and how did it develop? We do a deep dive on the company and its founder to find out more . Woodbank’s founder and managing director, Janet Bowden, didn’t begin her career in print, coming from self-proclaimed humble beginnings. In fact, she was first sent to catering college as a young woman by her mother. After not enjoying catering work, she managed to talk her way into becoming an underwriter at Rothschild Bank, moving on to repossessing and selling photocopiers for the company. As Bowden puts it: “Obviously I faked all my qualifications”. The work for Rothschild sparked the idea in Bowden’s head to start selling her own photocopiers and printers, initially as a side hustle, which is where the Woodbank concept began. The name Woodbank simply came from the area she lived in at the time. One of the first companies Bowden approached was Minolta (now Konica Minolta). According to her, the manufacturer initially ignored her requests to partner, but she persevered. “Well, I wasn’t going to give up,” she says when reminiscing on those early days. “I wanted to be the Waitrose of the copier world, and I didn’t want any other equipment than Minolta,” she remembers. Konica Minolta are still a major partner of the company today, with Woodbank offering a range of its solutions including its Bizhub 551i and Bizhub C4001i machines. Bowden’s passion is still clear today – “No day or week is ever the same”, she says. “It’s what keeps this business so interesting and exciting. We all still feel the excitement of welcoming a new customer to our business and the pride of looking after customers who have been with us for many, many years.” When asked about what sets Woodbank apart, Bowden is quick to highlight the company’s consistency, both in the delivery of its solutions and the staff at the company. Pride in the work and an enjoyment of its variety are also important, both to Bowden and the wider company. As she puts it: “We all still feel the excitement of welcoming a new customer to our business and the pride of looking after customers who have been with us for many, many years.” Woodbank’s current team of 13 includes engineers, in-house customer service operatives, and dedicated regional account managers. The majority of the team have worked at the company for over ten years, with many having been at the company for over 20. “Their experience and knowledge makes the difference at Woodbank,” Bowden asserts. The company is also still in its original four-story building in Stockport, which acts as a head office and hub for meetings and visitors while supporting the regional offices in Liverpool and Leeds. According to Bowden, while the company has grown over the years, its values have remained. She comments: “Our values and ethos of honesty and openness have never changed. We understand that one size doesn’t fit all. It starts with the right copier at the right price and from our very first meeting or conversation, our service has to be first class. “It’s that collective honesty, openness, and service that’s always appreciated.” 1989 – The company was founded in 1989, with the first employee hired in 1991 35 years – The company celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2024 13 – The company currently employs 13 members of staff 3 – The company has three offices: its Stockport headquarters as well as Liverpool and Leeds Statistics After celebrating 35 years in business last year, Woodbank Office Solutions is set for year-on-year growth for 2025. We talk to founder, Janet Bowden, about the company’s history and how she forged the company from a solo venture Solutions That Stand Out From Caterer to Company Owner
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