Issue 359 - March | April 2026 www.printmonthly.co.uk LOVE PRINT? meet your perfect match... Visit PRINTLOVER.COM/PM and claim 15% off with code PM15
CONTENTS Issue 359 March | April 2026 ISSN 2977-005X NEWS Industry 06 We cover the latest stories in the industry including updates from the BPIF, reported job losses at Ricoh, and The Printing Charity’s newest president Business 09 Kit and Consumables 11 Materials 14 Events 16 Recapping events such as Packaging Innovations and its record breaking year, as well as news for upcoming events like FESPA and drupa 2028 SPECIALS Under the Hood: kodak prosper 7000 Turbo 22 INDUSTRY TIPS: COLIN SINCLAIR MCDERMOTT 24 fresh Perspectives: Rebekah hughes 27 Company spotlight: westcolour 31 Q&A: Mark stephenson 34 FEATURES Trending: Cybersecurity 37 Business: Humidification systems 42 Hardware: Inkjet Printers 49 software: MIS systems 55 specialist: bookletmakers 62 IN THIS ISSUE 31 27 06 08 55 37 49 34 3 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 22 14
Watch Online Hello and welcome to Print Monthly March/April! It’s safe to say that as we enter into Spring the whole of the UK has its fingers crossed the rain will end and we will finally get to go out in the sun and into calmer weather. However, I hope you will remain glued to your office chair for a bit longer as this edition of Print Monthly reflects a lot of the big news and shake ups taking place in the industry. Our news section is packed with stories from the industry including the continuing ramifications of Covid-19 Bounce Back loans, new industry reports and schemes, and a mix of positive and negative news regarding UK businesses (pages 6 to 9). While it is clear from the beginning of 2026 that restructures, reframing, and new outlooks will continue to be the norm for the foreseeable future, it’s promising to see so many cases in which the industry is adapting to change. Many businesses are continuing to diversify, as evident in our business and kit and consumables news (pages 9 to 12). Our materials and events sections (pages 14 to 20) are also testament to the increasing popularity of certain sectors of the industry such as books, premium print, paper, and of course, packaging. Every issue I also continue to be impressed by the fantastic voices we have emerging in our industry, especially when they understand the topics we are facing so well. This edition’s Fresh Perspectives special (page 27) comes from Rebekah Hughes from Latcham, who gives a great analysis of the roles both print and digital marketing can play in the future. Hughes stresses the importance of teaching students and young people about both mediums and embracing the strengths of both in order to achieve similar goals. A topic I got to personally look at this edition was the increasingly important issue of cybersecurity (page 37) in which I spoke to a variety of experts from across print, software, and security. The feature highlights the dangers businesses face if they do not protect themselves from system infiltrations, and the damage that can be done if companies do not take cyber-attacks seriously. On top of this we also delve into big kit in the form of the KODAK PROSPER 7000 Turbo (page 22), learn more about the importance of humidification systems in print (page 42), and ask the question: “Should you invest in a new MIS or upgrade your current set up?” (page 55). All this and more in this edition of Print Monthly! ISSUE 359March | April 2026 Publishing director: Page Tuck Production: Ben Mallon Contributors: Michael Walker, Colin Sinclair McDermott, Rebekah Hughes 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 Koru Media 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. Koru Media Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Koru Media 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 Production Manager Ben Mallon ben@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn k.quinn@linkpublishing.co.uk printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink MEET THE TEAM VIDEO COVERAGE Scan the QR code to watch our video coverage over on our Print Monthly YouTube channel Commissioning Editor Jonathan Pert jonathan@linkpublishing.co.uk printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink Feature Writer Rob Fletcher rob@linkpublishing.co.uk EDITOR S NOTE Campaign manager at CFH Docmail, Benedict Cook, browsing through his edition of Print Monthly in Les Deux Alpes in France! Get your team or colleague featured in our next edition by emailing editor@printmonthly.co.uk WHERE ARE YOU READING PRINT MONTHLY? 4 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP034244
6 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 INDUSTRY | NEWS printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink Royal Mail has confirmed that it has begun charging business customers for self-adhesive thermal label rolls. Previously, Royal Mail had provided the label rolls free of charge to those with valid posting accounts. Under the new changes, standard 100x150mm direct thermal labels will be treated as a paid consumable, listed at £4.69 per roll excluding VAT, which is equivalent to around £5.63 per roll including VAT. Royal Mail has also reduced the number of thermal label rolls you can order per request for some business accounts, dropping to five rolls per order instead of a previous limit of ten. Online supplier of packaging materials, Kite Packaging, has highlighted that it is stocking alternatives to the Royal Mail labels which match Royal Mail’s template alignment and printer compatibility. The print and design industries have reacted with mixed opinions to Pantone’s decision to make ‘Cloud Dancer’, a shade of white, the Pantone Color of the Year for 2026. Pantone’s Color of the Year programme, now in its 27th year, is designed to promote conversations on the impact of colour choice. This year, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer was chosen as its Color of the Year, with 2025’s choice having been PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as a “billowy white imbued with a feeling of serenity” which “serves as a symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection.” The choice of Cloud Dancer for 2026 has garnered some controversy since it was announced in early December. The term "Pantonedeaf" has been coined by critics and used in headlines by UK outlets including The Guardian, describing a perceived disconnect between Pantone’s choice and the global mood. Some critics have argued that choosing a shade of white is ‘bleak’ or ‘dystopian’ in the current social and political climate. Many graphic designers had reportedly predicted a bolder choice of colour to be chosen such as a vibrant teal or earthy green. Global trend authority, WGSN, had named ‘Transformative Teal’, a fusion of deep blue and aquatic green, as their 2026 Color of the Year. This led many designers to assume Pantone would follow a similar trajectory. Royal Mail now charges for thermal label rolls Print professionals react to Pantone Color of the Year Direct thermal labels will cost a reported £4.69 per roll excluding VAT By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) has launched a new apprenticeships guide for employers which was released to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2026. The guide from the BPIF’s Training subsidiary, titled 'Employer’s Guide to Understanding Apprenticeships 2026', is designed to give employers a clear and practical overview of how apprenticeships work, the benefits they bring, and the support available throughout the full apprenticeship journey. Designed for both employers new to apprenticeships and those looking to develop existing staff, the guide brings together information on apprenticeship levels, funding, recruitment, onboarding, and progression. It also includes detailed support for ‘off-thejob’ training, mental health, performance management, and understanding English and maths requirements. To support the launch, BPIF Training ran a new online employer briefing titled ‘Apprenticeships Explained in 20 Minutes: What Employers Need to Know’. Details on further events will be announced by the BPIF Training in due course, both on the events section of its website and on social media. The Printing Charity has announced its next honorary president is singer, actress, author, and politician, Baroness Floella Bejamin OM, DBO, DL. Known for programmes such as Play School, Play Away, and Jamboree, Baroness Benjamin is a Trinidadian British actress who is a member of the House of Lords as a life peer after being nominated by the Liberal Democrats. As well as writing over 30 books, including Coming to England, which is now part of the UK national Curriculum, Baroness Benjamin was given an OBE in 2001 and even has a statue of herself outside the University of Exeter’s students’ guild. As with previous presidents, Baroness Benjamin will be a keynote speaker at The Printing Charity’s Annual Luncheon on November 19th, 2026, at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London. Baroness Benjamin follows on from other female figureheads like Theresa May and Nicky Morgan BPIF releases new apprenticeship guide Baroness Floella Benjamin named as Printing Charity’s new president The guide provides up-to-date information on apprenticeship funding, recruitment, and onboarding David Osgar By Jonathan Pert Cloud Dancer has been described as “a whisper of calm and peace in a noisy world”
8 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 INDUSTRY | NEWS printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink Prashant Jobanputra has been handed a suspended sentence for fraudulently obtaining a second Covid-19 loan during the pandemic. The director of now-dissolved print company, Genesis Web, secured £100k across two Bounce Back Loans, despite businesses only being allowed a maximum of one £50k loan under the scheme. The UK government’s Insolvency Service says that Jobanputra falsely declared on the second application that he had not previously sought financial support under the Bounce Back Loan scheme. The 41-year-old was handed a suspended sentence of 18 months at the Old Bailey criminal court and was also disqualified as a company director for three years and fined £5,000. According to the Insolvency Service, Jobanputra said in interviews that his company was badly affected by the pandemic and that he did not read the loan agreement which stated that businesses were only entitled to a single Bounce Back Loan. Genesis Web went into liquidation in October 2021 and was dissolved in March 2024 By Jonathan Pert Print director sentenced for fraudulent Covid-19 claim Puzzle book combats screens Take a Break Puzzles has announced the launch of ‘The Essential Digital Detox Puzzle Book’, which has been created to help combat “the constant deluge of screens and notifications.” Offering a guided 30-day challenge, the book also includes colouring and doodling pages and journaling prompts. The book has been released amongst reports of serious issues in the UK of ‘digital overwhelm’ and ‘brain rot’ in the UK. West Ham players visit Paragon Print and business services firm, Paragon, recently got a special visit to its Dagenham facilities from two West Ham United football club players. West Ham players, Alphonse Areola and Jean-Clair Todibo, visited Paragon to personally thank the company for its support of the West Ham United Foundation, the charitable arm of the football club which focuses on providing initiatives to benefit its local community. Apprentice hire at leap Independent UK marketing agency, leap, has introduced a new Level 3 Print Technician Apprenticeship to its business operations. As part of the scheme, leap welcomed Oliver Owens into the business through a programme delivered in partnership with Learn2Print. In launching the new apprenticeship, leap hopes to address the skills gap in the print and production industry caused by a retiring workforce and a lack of new technical talent. Reports of job losses at Ricoh UK site According to a number of reports, Ricoh UK has decided to move around 70% of its office-related toner production from its UK plant in Telford to the Etria Manufacturing facility in France, which could put “hundreds of jobs on the line.” However, these figures are not confirmed and a report on the situation by the BBC says that Ricoh has not specified how many roles could be at risk. An official statement by a representative of Ricoh UK quoted in The Shropshire Star states: “We can confirm that Etria has announced changes to the production of office-related toner in Europe. “As part of a planned transition, some production will move from Ricoh UK Products (RPL) in the UK to Etria Manufacturing France, with phased activities beginning in May. The information was shared with our employees today, and we are committed to supporting them throughout this transition. We do not expect any impact on customers or service levels during this period.” Ricoh’s Telford site is estimated to have between 400 to 600 employees By Jonathan Pert BPIF Q1 report shows strong results, but lowering confidence 2025 finished with the strongest output and order performance in the UK print industry for four years, according to the Q1 2026 Printing Outlook survey from the BPIF. Q4 results from the BPIF show that the year ended with healthy activity levels, although the quarter didn’t quite match the “dramatic turnaround” predicted by its previous Q4 Outlook. According to the latest Printing Outlook survey, exactly half (50%) of printers were able to increase their output levels in the fourth quarter of 2025. Over one-third (35%) were able to hold output steady, whilst the remaining 12% experienced a decline in their output levels. The resulting balance of the output increases and decreases was listed as +35, a little down on Q3’s calculated outturn of +39 and a bit further below the Q4 forecast of +45, but still the second highest reported output balance since Q4 of 2021. Despite the positive Q4 balance, the BPIF has predicted a further decline in Q1 of 2026, with a forecasted balance of +15. By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
BUSINESS | NEWS 9 www.printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 Wiltshire print companies announce merge Corsham Print and Kennet Print have announced a merger, bringing together two established Wiltshire commercial print companies into a single entity. Kennet Sign & Display, the signage arm of Kennet Print, will remain a separate business under current director Nathan Turnnidge’s leadership, while strategically partnering with Corsham Print for its signage and display requirements. Neil Mortimer, formerly of Kennet Print, joins the merged company as a director alongside Corsham Print’s existing directors, Chris Perry and David Kilmurray. The trio previously worked together in the 1990s for Corsham-based printer, Addkey Print, with Perry noting that “this feels like we’re getting the band back together.” [L to R] Chris Perry, Neil Mortimer, and David Kilmurray Coveris, a global manufacturer of paper and plastic packaging products, has sold its Business Unit Paper (BU Paper) division to Kingswood Capital Management, together with its affiliates – Kingswood. The deal means that BU Paper will be rebranded to Paragon Print and Packaging (Paragon) which is a restoration of the unit’s original name. Paragon Print and Packaging is not connected to Paragon Group, a business services company that specialises in marketing services and customer communications. Last year Paragon Group purchased display and brand activation provider, Service Graphics, for an undisclosed amount. Jo Ormrod, who has worked at Coveris Group since 2008, and currently works as president of BU Paper, will serve as Paragon’s chief executive officer with the existing company management remaining in place. Workplace technology provider, Xerox, has announced a new global structure which aims to accelerate growth and “expand market leadership”. The news follows the company’s acquisition of Lexmark, which has been incorporated into this latest restructure. The new model is built around a streamlined, integrated sales system that has been made to enable stronger client outcomes, reduced service costs, and increased sales efficiency. Xerox has ensured the new structure is implemented globally and aligned to what it calls “regional realities” which is reflected in its new leadership appointments and redesigned segments. The plans have all been made in order to tap into opportunities in print, IT and digital services, as well as graphic communications. In a statement from Jacques-Edouard Gueden, chief revenue officer at Xerox, says: “Unifying the Xerox–Lexmark sales model allows us to eliminate redundancies, improve efficiency, and increase our ability to deliver value as we sharpen our focus on sustained revenue, profitability, and long-term performance. “With a go-to-market model aligned to each region and supported by strong partners and experienced teams, we are building a sales engine that is more focused, more efficient, and better positioned to compete.” The new “print go-to-market” framework is split into three regional models – North America, Western Europe, with the rest of the world supported by a dedicated production print service division and two specialised teams focused on distribution and inside sales. The new structure will come into effect in the second quarter of 2026 Coveris paper unit acquired and rebranded Xerox announces restructure to “eliminate redundancies” By David Osgar By David Osgar CFH launches ‘Print Lover’ CFH Docmail, a UK provider of print and multichannel communication services, has announced the launch of Print Lover, a new ecommerce brand designed to deliver print through what it calls a modern, intuitive, and visually distinctive digital platform. The launch has been touted as “a strategic extension of CFH’s capabilities,” translating its lithographic and digital print expertise into a focused online store for businesses, print brokers, marketing teams, and creative agencies. Print Lover has been developed to meet what CFH sees as a growing demand from customers for simplified, intuitive online ordering capabilities. The service offers a curated range of print products including business cards, leaflets, booklets, posters, and folded materials. Visual Print and Design acquired by Jamprint Swindon-based print provider, Jamprint, has announced its acquisition of Visual Print and Design, a commercial print and design company based in Lincoln and Glasgow. According to a statement from Jamprint on LinkedIn, the acquisition aims to bring together “two like-minded print companies,” thereby strengthening Jamprint’s expertise and allowing it to “continue delivering high-quality print solutions with the same trusted service our customers expect.” Graham Hunstone, previous managing director of Visual Print, has joined Jamprint as its commercial director following the acquisition. By Jonathan Pert Jo Ormrod [pictured] will serve as Paragon’s chief executive officer
KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS Fujifilm to cease sales of Jet Press 750S & 1160 Fujifilm will no longer sell the Jet Press 750S and Jet Press 1160 in Europe as of April 1st, with the company citing profitability issues. The move is the first step in a strategic transformation of the Fujifilm Europe Graphic Communications business. The decision does not affect the Jet Press FP790, which will continue to be sold. Fujifilm’s full official statement to Print Monthly is as follows: “At Fujifilm, our commitment to continuous improvement, while evolving and adapting to market dynamics, has been the cornerstone of our heritage. “In the printing sector, we have observed a gradual decline in volume as the industry shifts from one technology to another, with printers increasingly seeking flexible, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solutions. Navigating these challenges has proven to be significant. “Starting January 2026, we have taken the first step in a strategic transformation of the Fujifilm Europe Graphic Communications business. Due to ongoing profitability issues, the decision has been made to withdraw from future sales of the Jet Press 750S and Jet Press 1160 in Europe, effective April 1, 2026. This decision does not affect the Jet Press FP790, which will continue to be sold. As we move forward with this process alongside affected colleagues and customers, no further comments will be made.” The Fujifilm Jet Press 750S is a B2 sheet-fed inkjet digital solution designed to produce replicable results to offset printing. The press is suitable for commercial print applications, photography portfolios, book covers, and a range of packaging applications. The Fujifilm Jet Press 1160 series consists of continuous-feed roll-to-roll inkjet digital presses designed for high-volume commercial printing. Unlike the sheet-fed 750S, the 1160 models are built for industrial-scale production of books, direct mail, and transactional documents. As of 2025, there are over 300 installations worldwide of the Jet Press 750S High Speed Model and its predecessors. The news is part of a strategic transformation of Fujifilm Europe Graphic Communications Reeds makes £200,000 investment Penrith- and Carlisle-based print, signage, and digital agency, Reeds, has detailed its near £200,000 investment, which has been made in order to strengthen its in-house wide-format, finishing, and mail fulfilment capabilities. The company has purchased a HP Latex R2000 hybrid flatbed printer to expand its 2.5m wide-format capabilities. The printer, which includes continuous roll production, enables production across rigid and roll media, has now been installed in a purpose-built room at Reeds’ site in order to bring large-format work entirely in-house. The purchase was made following a management buyout completed one year ago, meaning the business now trades independently after parting ways with H&H Group in November 2024. Reeds has also invested in a Trotec laser cutter as well as a DS-85i folder inserter in order to strengthen its automated mail operation. The investments have been made to bring creative design, commercial litho, and digital print, as well as signage, mail fulfilment, and web development all in house so customers can maintain continuity across every touchpoint. Reeds has roots dating back to 1878 Cut Print Solutions upgrades output with Veloblade Cut Print Solutions has invested in a new Veloblade Nexus from manufacturer, Vivid, in order to transform its production output and speed. The print provider, based in Jarrow near Newcastle Upon Tyne, was established just three years ago, growing quickly to now offer a comprehensive range of wide- and small-format printing services. As the business continued to grow, Cut Print Solutions began to experience increasing pressure on its finishing department, particularly in terms of cutting. The volume and variety of work was creating significant bottlenecks that slowed production and limited scalability. The company reportedly approached Vivid after hearing positive feedback from industry peers, arranging a demonstration of the Veloblade Nexus to get a sense of its features and output quality. Since installing the machine at its facility, Cut Print Solutions has been able to expand into a number of new applications including die-cut and kiss-cut stickers, rigid boards, life-size cutouts, and custom-made boxes for packaging. Cut Print Solutions was established three years ago By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert By David Osgar 11 www.printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359
KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink 12 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 Fastbind appoints new UK distributor Finishing and bookbinding solutions manufacturer, Fastbind, has announced the appointment of CJB Printing Equipment as its official distribution partner in the UK. Leicester-based CJB Printing Equipment specialises in the supply of print finishing solutions and equipment, with a lineup that also includes solutions from Morgana, Duplo, and Eurofold. CJB Printing Equipment will now supply the full range of Fastbind machines, consumables, and accessories directly from local stock, with customers also receiving sales support, live demonstrations, and technical guidance. CJB Printing has a dedicated 1,500sq ft showroom of solutions at its Leicester base HP has announced the signing of a large-scale commercial agreement with global flexible packaging producer, ePac, including the install of ten HP Indigo 200K digital presses across its operations in North America and Europe. The value of the deal is estimated at roughly $50m (£37m), with the core press purchase amounting to approximately $20m (£15m) alongside an expected additional $30m (£22m) in revenue from consumables and technical services over the next three years. As part of the ongoing agreement, ePac already operates a fleet of more than 50 HP Indigo presses. HP positions its collaboration with ePac as part of a significant transformation in the global flexible packaging industry, accelerating the shift from traditional analogue production to digital printing. Print press manufacturer, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen (HEIDELBERG), has announced the availability of its B2-format Jetfire 75 press, expanding its portfolio for industrial digital printing. The new Jetfire inkjet press, which follows the release of the B3-format Jetfire 50, comes fully embedded within HEIDELBERG’s existing digital ecosystem which encompasses machines, software, consumables, service, and training. The company claims that the new solution provides a “level of productivity that has never been seen before in digital printing.” Technical highlights of the Jetfire 75 include water-based inkjet technology, 1200dpi resolution in B2+ format, speeds of up to 9,800 four-up sheets per hour in simplex, and a reported annual production output of up to 58 million four-up simplex sheets. The Jetfire 75 offers a substrate range of 60 to 450gsm, including compatibility with selected cardboards. The press also aims to provide enhanced automation capabilities, with a fully automated quality control and self-service concept, and full integration with both Prinect’s production management tools and its Touch Free AI-powered cloud software. Customers can place orders for the Jetfire 75 with immediate effect. From summer 2026, the press will be available for customer demonstrations at the company’s Print Media Center in Wiesloch-Walldorf, Germany. The first presses are due to be installed in autumn of 2026. HEIDELBERG claims that the Jetfire 75 takes digital industrial print production “to a whole new level” HP Indigo announces £37m deal with ePac HEIDELBERG launches Jetfire 75 [L to R] Oran Sokol from HP; Parag Patel from ePac; and Noam Zilbershtain, VP and general manager of HP Indigo By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert C&T Matrix relocates operations C&T Matrix, (C&T), a global supplier of creasing matrix and associated die-making solutions, has announced the relocation of its manufacturing operations to a new facility in Poole, Dorset. The move represents a major investment in C&T’s manufacturing capabilities and its plans for future expansion. The new site has been selected to support enhanced product development, improved operational efficiency, and upgraded customer-facing facilities. The Poole facility will include a dedicated customer suite featuring an on-site machinery training centre, designed to strengthen collaboration with customers and partners while providing advanced training and technical support. The relocation of the company’s rubber profiles production was set to commence in February, with the full manufacturing transition expected to be completed by the end of May 2026. Plockmatic launches new ColorCut Plockmatic has announced the full launch of the ColorCut SC7800 Pro-RS XL, which has been developed to provide sharper and more defined creases. The compact B2 digital sheet cutter and creaser is the latest addition to Plockmatic Group’s ColorCut SC7000 series, offering a range of automation features and other enhancements that make it suitable for small-footprint facilities. The ColorCut SC7800 Pro-RS XL made its world debut at the PRINTING United Expo 2025 in Orlando, Florida last October. Following its initial reveal, the system's commercial launch has begun, with the machine now officially available worldwide including in the UK. By Jonathan Pert The machine uses a floating second creasing wheel under the media to enable creasing on both sides By Jonathan Pert
MATERIALS | NEWS Materials manufacturer, GF Smith, has seen a significant boost in its social media presence in the year following its full rebrand, with one of its recent videos gaining millions of views. GF Smith unveiled a rebrand designed by communications agency, Templo, over a year ago in January 2025. The rebrand initially received mixed reactions from the print and design industries, with many people making their opinions known on social media. However, since the rebrand and the subsequent revamp of its social media output, the paper company has seen a significant uptick in engagement and followers. The company now has over 139,000 followers on Instagram, with many of its posts receiving thousands of likes. One of its most recent videos, made in collaboration with Pureprint Group, has racked up over five and a half million views and over 85,000 likes. The video demonstrates the construction of colourful sleeves to house swatches of GF Smith’s Geltex range, a tactile paper range designed for book covers, box wraps, and luxury packaging. The sleeves were constructed using GF Smith’s Colorplan materials and were printed by Pureprint. The Colorplan range was itself recently reimagined to include more colours, finishes, and weights. ‘Satisfying’ craft videos have gained particular viral momentum in recent years, with their popularity attributed to their broad, universal appeal GF Smith video goes ‘viral’ following 2025 rebrand Paper and board supplier, Elliott Baxter & Company (EBB), has collaborated with Art and Design students from Farnborough College of Technology (FCOT) on a project showcasing the versatility of paper materials, as part of celebrations for Love Paper Week. As part of Love Paper Week celebrations, EBB challenged students to treat paper as “a material in its own right” – asking them to fold it, cut it, layer it, and transform it through light, texture, and movement into interesting and functional designs. To support the project, EBB supplied a pallet of white and coloured paper and card stock, envelopes, and self-adhesive materials. EBB labelled the resulting submissions as showcasing “exceptional originality, craftsmanship, and conceptual thinking.” The winning entry was a ‘paper dress’ by firstyear Fashion and Textiles student, Ava Harrison. The dress includes thicker Buckram embossed Lessebo Design Smooth White crafted into a corset, with each section seamed and incorporating a laced back fastening. The dress will be exhibited on EBB’s stand at The Print Show in September, with Harrison invited to attend and see her work showcased. She was also awarded £100 in Hobbycraft vouchers to support her ongoing studies. In addition to celebrating Love Paper Week, EBB has announced that it is now stocking the Adestor of range self-adhesive sheets from European paper manufacturer, Lecta. The Adestor range includes both split-back and solid backface materials, designed to offer converters and printers flexibility across a broad spectrum of labelling applications. With a variety of adhesive specifications available, the product is suitable for multiple end uses ranging from standard identification labels to promotional and retail sticker production. Adestor has been formulated to support consistent and strong printing results, developed specifically for print operations producing labels and stickers at scale. EBB celebrates Love Paper Week Paper and packaging manufacturer, DS Smith, has reportedly achieved a “new world record” for boating in a vessel made of its corrugated cardboard materials. Crew members made up of DS Smith employees rowed the catamaran-inspired craft at the ‘Blue Ribbon of the Weser’ boat event, which is held every two years on the River Weser in Minden, Germany. The fibre-based boat measures approximately 12m long by 3m wide. The 23-strong DS Smith crew paddled the boat over 250m in distance, which they say qualifies it for world record status as the “longest corrugated cardboard boat of its kind” in the world. The crew documented their world record attempt and submitted it to the Rekord-Institut für Deutschland (RID), the primary German organisation for certifying world records, shortly after the event. The construction approach for DS Smith’s boat involved using a double wall of corrugated cardboard comprised of Kraftliner paper. The paperboard used for the outer layer of the corrugated material was comprised mainly from virgin wood fibres or recycled pulp. DS Smith achieves “world record” in corrugated cardboard boat By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert 14 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 By Jonathan Pert Kraftliner paper is designed to be suitable for heavy-duty applications, and can be made waterproof for set periods of time [L to R] Prize winner, Ava Harrison, and Clare Johnson, marketing manager for EBB
EVENTS | NEWS 16 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink The organisers of drupa have announced that exhibitor registration for the 2028 event has officially opened as of February 2026. The next edition of drupa will take place in Düsseldorf from May 9th to 17th 2028. Those wishing to exhibit have been encouraged to apply through the drupa website. Reflecting on the last year in the printing industry, the organisers of drupa say: “There is already a palpable sense of anticipation for drupa 2028, the world's leading trade fair for printing technologies and a global platform for integrated industrial solutions.” Drupa 2024, which featured over 138,000sq m of exhibition space, attracted an estimated 170,000 trade visitors from 174 countries and included 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations. 80% of the attendees were international, with 22% from Asia and 12% from the Americas. Girls Who Print, one of the print industry’s largest network for women, has announced details of the 2026 ‘Print HERstory Month’ events and its International Women’s Day Conference. March will mark the return of Print HERstory Month, an annual initiative hosted by Girls Who Print that takes place throughout the month in conjunction with Women’s History Month. The free virtual event will bring together women from across the industry to explore career growth, leadership, and the moments that shape professional paths in print and graphic communications. Attendees can register once, come and go as they please, and receive replays delivered to their inbox. As part of Print HERstory Month, Girls Who Print hosted its eighth annual International Women’s Day Conference on March 6th, 2026. This year’s Print HERstory Month will also align with the United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day guiding principle – ‘Rights. Justice. Action.’ Girls Who Print will apply the UN framework through its International Women’s Day Conference theme – ‘Make Your Move,’ promoting it within a Print HERstory Month Q&A which will encourage reflection on action, progress, and next steps in print careers. Women in print worldwide have also been invited to share their stories and help amplify the voices of others by engaging with and resharing posts using the #PrintHERstoryMonth hashtag throughout March. In 2025, Print HERstory Month generated nearly 300,000 global impressions through shared stories and social engagement using #PrintHERstoryMonth. The event runs in conjunction with Women’s History Month Registration for drupa 2028 now open Girls Who Print Announces 2026 Print HERstory Month The 2024 event included 1,643 exhibitors from 52 nations By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert The BPIF has announced its shortlist for the British Book Design & Production Awards (BBDPA) 2025, following a reportedly high level of entries from publishers and printers across the UK. The awards show characterises itself as the only industry awards dedicated to “celebrating excellence and craftsmanship in British book design and production.” The winners of each category, which span a wide range of books published in 2025, will be revealed at a awards ceremony on Tuesday April 14th at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Award categories include Excellence in Print Production, Fine Binding, Best Book Finishing, and Best Jacket/ Cover Design. In addition to 18 category winners, one stand-out title will be crowned Book of the Year. The awards also aim to champion emerging talent through a dedicated Student Book award, offering aspiring students the opportunity to win £500 and a short internship with a designer, publisher, or printer. This year’s shortlist was selected by a panel of industry experts spanning creative design, print, publishing, and production. The full nominees can be found at www.britishbookawards.org/ shortlist-2025/ The Print Show and co-located The Sign Show have announced the launch of a brand-new feature area for the 2026 events – Print Mastermind Live! Developed in partnership with Colin Sinclair McDermott, aka The Online Print Coach, this area will allow visitors across both The Print Show and The Sign Show to meet and connect with some of the most knowledgeable experts from the wider print market. Focused on education, Print Mastermind Live! will be a dedicated, interactive zone designed to give print business owners the chance to step away from the show floor and take part in open conversations about how to grow their business. Visitors will be able to drop in and join short, topic-led group sessions hosted by experienced print professionals, offering practical insight into what’s working in the print industry right now. Each 30-minute session will run at set times throughout the day, giving attendees the opportunity to speak directly with experts across a wide range of business topics. Colin Sinclair McDermott [L] at The Print Show 2025 Industry prepares for BPIF British Book Awards The Print Show launches new interactive learning zone The BPIF will crown its 2025 Book of the Year at this year's ceremony By Rob Fletcher By Jonathan Pert
The 21st edition of Packaging Innovations & Empack has reportedly attracted 8,021 unique visitors this year, an 8% increase on the previous year’s record numbers. The annual UK exhibition sees the packaging and associated industries come together to explore new solutions, discover future trends, and connect with like-minded professionals. This year’s exhibition featured over 500 exhibitors, a step up on last year’s figures of just over 450. Packaging Innovations & Empack 2027 will expand into Halls 6 to 9 of the NEC Birmingham next year, in response to what the event's organiser, Easyfairs, described as “record-breaking growth” and “overwhelming acclaim." The 2027 event will take place on February 24th and 25th, 2027. This year’s event featured four dedicated stages for expert speakers, with over 120 professionals hosting talks examining the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of packaging. Industry leaders including Pack UK, Exchange for Change, Nestlé, Recoup, GS1 UK, WRAP, Terracycle, Biffa, McKinsey, and Material Connexion all hosted talks, with insights on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the upcoming UK deposit return scheme, and the importance of system-wide coordination to make recyclability and circularity a reality. The exhibition also presented ten new show features for 2026 including a showcase from Material ConneXion about “the materials of tomorrow,” the first-ever UK exhibition appearance of the ‘Museum of Failure’, and a dedicated Automation and Robotics Zone. Also on show was new hardware from International Graphic Supplies (IGS), which had a particularly busy stand due to printers and packaging suppliers wanting to provide more short-run packaging. The equipment displayed was a new specialised Suction Feeder for the Cobalt SP800 single-pass printer and the new Titanium IL-330 digital label finisher. The new Suction Feeder for the Cobalt SP800 has been developed in response to what IGS sees as a surging demand for automation in short-run and direct-to-packaging printing. While previous configurations relied on friction feeding, the new suction system enables more seamless handling of a wide range of substrates including porous materials such as napkins, varying board thicknesses, and delicate bags prone to marking. The event hosted over 500 exhibitors and over 120 expert speakers this year Another “record-breaking” year for Packaging Innovations By Jonathan Pert The Federation of European Screen Printers Associations (FESPA) has announced that WrapFest 2026 will move from its standalone UK format at Silverstone Race Circuit, instead taking place as part of the upcoming FESPA 2026 at the Fira Barcelona from May 19th to 22nd. Designed as a hub for the vehicle wrapping and customisation community, Wrapfest describes itself on its website as “the ultimate festival for wrapping, tinting, PPF, and detailing.” After two UK editions in 2023 and 2024, WrapFest will now run alongside FESPA Global Print Expo and its co-located events, European Sign Expo, and Personalisation Experience, as well as the new Corrugated and Textile events. In the words of FESPA: “The strategic move brings the wrap, vinyl, PPF, window tint, architectural interior, and detailing industries closer to the heart of the action – and the wider speciality print industry – than ever before.” Confirmed WrapFest exhibitors for 2026 include 3M, APA, Antalis, Arlon, Hexis, LX Hausys, GSWF, Legend PPF, and SOIF. Visitors to WrapFest 2026 will also get to experience World Wrap Masters Europe and series final competitions. Over the first two days of the event, World Wrap Masters Europe will see regional competitions, during which vehicle wrappers from across Europe will go head-to-head to wrap a variety of special objects and vehicles. On days three and four of the event, regional champions will battle to be crowned World Wrap Masters 2026 champion in the finals of the global series. Visitors to WrapFest can also attend a series of live wrapping demonstrations with industry experts, as well a dedicated conference programme. Duncan MacOwan, head of marketing and events at FESPA, says: “Although WrapFest has built real momentum in the UK, by integrating it into FESPA 2026, we’re giving the global wrap community a bigger stage and a far more international platform. “The show at Barcelona will allow us to connect wrap installers, brands, and suppliers with a much wider audience. The result will be more energy, more knowledge-sharing, and more opportunities for our visitors and exhibitors to learn, compete, and make crucial connections – all under one roof.” WrapFest to join FESPA Global Print Expo By Jonathan Pert EVENTS | NEWS The strategic integration aims to transition WrapFest from a standalone UK-based show into a larger global platform 20 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk March | April 2026 - Issue 359 printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
22 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 359 - March | April 2026 UNDER THE HOOD | KODAK PROSPER 7000 TURBO If there was a speed war among continuous feed inkjet press providers, Kodak won it decisively when it launched the PROSPER 7000 Turbo in mid-2022, a machine that can run at up to 410m/min across a printable width of 62cm. Most competitors run to 150 or 200m/min so the 7000 Turbo’s 5523 A4 pages per minute stands well clear with Kodak claiming it is 35% faster than the nearest alternative. It’s rated for over 200 million A4 pages per month and designed for 24/7 operation. The press isn’t just intended to be run flat-out, though. Kodak stresses its flexibility, with three modes supported, trading speed for resolution and image quality. Slowest at a ‘mere’ 200m/min is the Quality mode, which prints at 600 x 900dpi and offers 175lpi-equivalent for halftone images; Performance mode gets you 600 x 600dpi and 133lpi-equivalent at 300m/min, while Turbo hits top speed by dropping resolution to 600 x 450dpi and line screen equivalent in the 85 to 100dpi range. Mode selection will depend not only on substrate type and desired quality but also coverage, with the slower modes supporting higher levels, as is usual with inkjet print. Quite a variety of media is supported, from newsprint and recycled papers to specialist inkjet-coated types, and via Kodak’s own Optimax primers, silk and gloss coated papers, though maximum speed is restricted with the latter to 200m/ min. Supported paper weights range from 45 to 270gsm. The aqueous Optimax primer can be applied inline to the press with a pre-coater unit, or applied offline/nearline, as suits. Kodak suggests that offline priming is more suitable for higher productivity. Optimax is designed to work with Kodak’s CMYK Ektacolor inks which were introduced in 2023. Kodak claims a number of advantages for these inks, mostly driven by the requirements of printing so fast. Its pigment particles are milled to typically around 50nm diameter, which Kodak says is smaller than competitors’ and results in less light scatter, producing more intense colour from a thinner ink layer when dry. Kodak holds the continuous feed inkjet speed prize with the PROSPER 7000 Turbo, capable of printing at up to 410m/min. Michael Walker looks at how that’s achieved and what else the press can do Capturing a Need for Speed with the KODAK PROSPER 7000 Turbo Michael Walker is a trade journalist, technical writer, and editor with over 37 years’ experience in the print, prepress, photography, and digital imaging sectors, with a particular interest in the digital transformation of processes. In addition to editing Desktop Publishing Today and Digital Printer magazines, he is co-author with Neil Barstow of Getting Colour Right (Ilex Press, 2004) and Practical Colour Management for Photographers and Digital Image Makers (2009, self-published e-book) and winner of a Communicators in Business Gold Award. Driving a press this fast with variable content requires some serious RIP horsepower too
The achievable colour gamut exceeds US Gracol and SWOP standards for offset print, though no Fogra equivalent is quoted. The very small and even particle size, coupled with the Stream continuous inkjet printhead technology, also means that less humectant is required, reducing the energy requirement for drying the ink and the overall volume needed to achieve any given amount of coverage. Continuous Feed, Continuous Flow The Stream technology has been around for over a decade and is used in all other Kodak PROSPER presses and imprinting modules, bar the PROSPER Ultra 520 introduced at the same time as the 7000 Turbo, which uses Ultrastream, a more recent development. There are reportedly over 80 PROSPER installations around the world. Stream is a continuous flow design in which ink droplets are emitted constantly from every nozzle and deflected by airflow if they’re not needed on the substrate; deflected droplets are then recycled back into the ink system. The advantages of this approach are that inks potentially drying and clogging lessused nozzles is avoided, allowing there to be less humectant in the ink, which benefits drying of the print. More spherical drops are produced with Stream printheads than by drop-on-demand inkjets, which produce teardrop-shaped droplets whose tails can smear when hitting fast-moving paper. This results in rounder printed dots which Kodak says brings a quality advantage; the difference is clear under the microscope, but you’d need to compare actual print samples to see how it manifests in normal viewing. Whatever the ink dot shape, drying is a major consideration in high-speed inkjet printing. The PROSPER 7000 Turbo has eight NIR (near infra-red) dryers, one after each colour print station. There are four stations per side of the web and it’s worth noting that this allows for a choice of configurations of the press – all in a straight line, and L- or U-shapes with the banks of four stations at right angles or parallel respectively. Kodak supplies the essential paper handling via an unwinder and rewinder. It says it’s open to third-party integration for inline finishing but notes that anything under consideration must be able to keep up with the press. Since it’s most likely that this machine will go into high-volume production environments which already have offline or nearline finishing capacity, it’s not a likely scenario. Driving a press this fast with variable content requires some serious RIP horsepower too. The Kodak 800 Print Manager is based on the Adobe PDF Print Engine (APPE) and as well as handling regular PDF, accepts PDF/VT and a variety of other high speed print variable content formats found in the transactional print world, including PPML, IPDS, and AFP. Housed in three physical cabinets, it uses hardware acceleration to drive the press at full rated speed and is compliant with JDF/ JMF and of course Kodak’s own Prinergy workflow offerings. So how might you harness all this print power? Kodak suggests that the Quality mode produces ‘offset-class’ results for catalogues and direct mail, while Performance suits book and transactional work. The headline-grabbing Turbo mode more fully exploits the speeds of which the Stream technology is capable (up to 900m/ min in some hybrid imprinting applications) to give fastest turnaround for work with ‘lower resolution and coverage requirements’, though examples of what this might be aren’t given. Kodak’s Josh Howard, senior director of Inkjet Research & Development, says that the 7000 Turbo is ideal for applications “where most volume is on uncoated stock, with the opportunity to move into coated paper on occasion”. Flexibility and lower running costs are said to be the strengths of the 7000 Turbo with Kodak claiming that it’s up to 20% cheaper to run than other inkjet systems. No detailed breakdown of this calculation was provided, but it seems reasonable to assume that some of this would come from the reduced operator labour-to-work ratio that a faster press brings, plus the benefits of the Ektacolor inks in terms of both volume consumed and reduced drying energy requirements. So far, Kodak has publicised only one customer for the PROSPER 7000 Turbo, Mercury Print Productions, based in Rochester, New York, USA. Already a long-standing PROSPER site, which enabled significant growth in educational book printing, Mercury has sheet-fed and web offset, sheet-fed and web inkjet, sheet-fed toner, and wide-format inkjet printers. The addition of the 7000 Turbo has enabled the company to pursue longer run lengths than were previously feasible and opened up new business opportunities, according to chief executive officer, John Place. If you’re hitting the limits with existing web inkjet or looking to consolidate work from toner and/or offset, then the PROSPER 7000 Turbo might be just the ticket. If you don’t need that absolute top speed, the PROSPER 6000 line is still available, offering the Quality and Performance modes via the same printhead and ink combination. Maximum Roll Width: 64.8cm, 62cm printable Print Resolution: Up to 600 x 900dpi via 48 Kodak Stream continuous Print Speed: Up to 410m/min in Turbo mode (5523 A4 ppm), 200m/ min in Quality Supported Media: Newsprint, uncoated, recycled, inkjet coated; silk and gloss with Optimax priming Inks: Standard: rotary, direct, and pen; optional: oscillating, kiss-cut, and VeloTaper Statistics ▼ The PROSPER 7000 was demonstrated live at Hunkeler Innovation days 2025 UNDER THE HOOD | KODAK PROSPER 7000 TURBO 23 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 359 - March | April 2026
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