Issue 357 - November | December 2025 www.printmonthly.co.uk
CONTENTS Issue 357 November | December 2025 ISSN 2977-005X NEWS Industry 05 Business 08 Events 13 Kit & Consumables 14 We take a look at some of the recent kit announcements from PRINTING United in Orlando, as well as substantial investments and installations throughout the UK print industry Materials 16 Software 18 SPECIALS Under the Hood: Epson Sc-G6000 19 INDUSTRY TIPS: COLIN SINCLAIR MCDERMOTT 23 fresh Perspectives: Jack Good 26 Celebrating 180 Years of JAmes Cropper 29 Mark Cropper talks about the amazing 180-year history of James Cropper, a paper manufacturer which puts particular focus on coloured papers Festive Gifting Solutions 35 FEATURES The Print SHow review 38 Rob Fletcher takes a look back at the biggest Print Show yet, detailing the feedback, announcements, and attractions at this year’s show Special Effects 43 Working with Suppliers 50 Label Printing 56 Packaging Opportunities 61 IN THIS ISSUE 19 35 38 08 29 61 50 13 3 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357
Hello and welcome to Print Monthly November/December! How is it already the end of the year? 2025 really feels like it has zoomed by – helped particularly because of all the news, events, and updates taking place over the past 12 months. As we transition into 2026, it is always the perfect time to reflect and look back at what has been achieved in the last year, as well as what can be improved in the months ahead. This year we saw a lot of change at Print Monthly with new team members joining us, as well as existing members progressing to new roles, after helping to evolve what we create and output. I am writing this not long after returning from PRINTING United, where me and my colleague Jonathan not only got to see a trade exhibition on the other side of the pond, but also see the power of a multimedia approach when covering the industry. Following this I am thrilled that Jonathan has recently taken on the role of commissioning editor, meaning he will have a great part to play in creating new video content, as well as continuing to produce great articles here in the magazine, and online. The new year will also bring some exciting new audio, video, and written content from the entire team here at Print Monthly, so watch this space! The Print Show in September was another fantastic demonstration of what could be achieved within the industry, not only for how we cover it, but also for visitors seeing what is possible in regard to print and signage. Being situated on our interview booth meant we got to speak to lots of professionals across the industry, as well as get a feel for what are the biggest topics everyone is talking about. Check out our YouTube channel for plenty of interviews at The Print Show as well as our coverage at PRINTING United Expo in Orlando. In this edition you can also read all about the many events that have been taking place across the industry, including news from PRINTING United on page 13, and our Print Show review on page 38. On pages 29 to 31 you can learn all about James Cropper and its impressive 180-year history, plus there’s plenty of news concerning the industry on pages 5 and 6. This edition’s Under the Hood takes a look at the popular new DTF solution from Epson (page 19), while on pages 26 to 27 you can get a fresh perspective from Jack Good about encouraging reusability within the print and packaging industries. Happy reading! ISSUE 357November | December 2025 Publishing director: Page Tuck Production: Ben Mallon Contributors: Rob Fletcher, Michael Walker, Colin Sinclair McDermott, Jack Good, Mark Cropper, Marcin Majda, Easyfairs Contact Editorial: 0117 980 5040 Sales: 0117 960 3255 Production: 0117 980 5041 Accounts: 0117 980 5042 Find us online www.printmonthly.co.uk Socials All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. The views expressed by contributors to Print Monthly magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or editorial team and Link Publishing Ltd. takes no responsibility for any errors that may have occurred. The publisher also accepts no responsibility for the advertising content, including any error, omission or inaccuracy therein. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Link Publishing Ltd. retains the right to publish and re-publish any images or information sent to the publication. Link Publishing Ltd, Unit G, Link House, Britton Gardens, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1TF Editor David Osgar david@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Jan Thomas jan@linkpublishing.co.uk Sales Manager Tim Hall tim@linkpublishing.co.uk Production Manager Ben Mallon ben@linkpublishing.co.uk Accounts Kathryn Quinn k.quinn@linkpublishing.co.uk printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink Printed on Sappi Magno Satin from EBB Paper CBP00015512002182040 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 Sales Executive Lucas Naylor lucas@linkpublishing.co.uk printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink 4 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 Feature Writer Rob Fletcher rob@linkpublishing.co.uk EDITOR S NOTE Mabel the office dog from Data Image Group, catching up on the latest news in Print Monthly. Get your team or office pet featured in our next edition by emailing editor@printmonthly.co.uk WHERE ARE YOU READING PRINT MONTHLY?
INDUSTRY | NEWS Frogmore Paper Mill in Hemel Hempstead has reopened its doors to the public for the first time since a devastating fire in January 2022. Frogmore is noted as the world’s first mechanised paper mill, with the facility having installed the world’s first paper machine in 1803. The site suffered significant fire damage in January 2022, leading to the site’s closure and the demolition of the visitor centre. Since then, staff, volunteers, and supporters have been working tirelessly to restore and rebuild the facility. The mill recently conducted its first ‘hard hat’ tour, with a group visiting the mill on October 15th. The new tours give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the mill, offering the chance to see historic machinery, including demonstrations of papermaking by hand and by machine. The limited reopening is the first step in a multi-year redevelopment plan that aims to see the mill return to a fully renovated and accessible space. Publishing and creative content agency, Title Media, has released a white paper titled ‘Media Habits in 2025: Evolving Preferences and the Role of Print’, which seeks to find out where and how media is consumed, and which media platforms are most trusted. Among its goals, the research paper aims to provide data about what types of media people are willing to pay for, what role advertising plays in all media types, and the overarching differences between digital and print media consumption. As the paper states: “The results present a nuanced picture: one in which digital still – perhaps predictably – remains dominant in generic reach, but where print plays a unique, valuable, and unexpected role.” As part of the research, a survey was undertaken asking respondents a range of questions about the trustworthiness and reliability of different forms of media. When asked which format they considered most trustworthy, 59.3% of the respondents selected print. By comparison, only 5.6% named social media as trustworthy. Survey respondents said that print feels more credible, premium, and permanent. According to the white paper, over 60% also said that reading a print magazine felt “more special” than engaging with content online. Of the reasons for returning to print, many cited the enjoyment of its tactile aspects, how it helps take time out to slow down, and feeling weary of screens. In addition, 66.7% of respondents said they would buy something after seeing it in a printed magazine. Digital, by comparison, scored higher for convenience and speed, but audiences cited ad fatigue and data-privacy concerns as major turnoffs. The total number of respondents to the survey was not listed, although an appendix showing the age groups, country of residence, and work situations represented was released. This showed that the majority of the respondents were over 45, lived in the UK, and were self-employed. All 100% of the respondents said they regularly used social media, with 53.3% regularly using print magazines, and 40% using newspapers. 0% of respondents said that newsletters and digital magazines were among their top three most used type of media. 66.7% of respondents said they would buy something after seeing it in a printed magazine Historic mill reopens after fire The BPIF has welcomed news that the UK government intends to strengthen legislation in order to tackle the UK’s poor payment culture. Under the proposals, which amends the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, payment terms would be capped at 60 days for all businesses. Following further consultation, the government also plans to reduce the cap to 45 days over the next five years. The legislative changes will additionally include a 30-day deadline for raising invoice disputes and mandatory statutory interest on late payments. Finally, a new piece of legislation will also be introduced to give the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) powers to issue financial penalties to businesses who persistently pay their suppliers late. According to the BPIF, late payments and long payment terms continue to place significant strain on businesses across the printing industry, particularly SMEs. The federation has consistently called for stronger measures to ensure fairer payment practices, based on the views of its membership. Print is more credible and trustworthy, according to survey BPIF welcomes late payment legislation The 2022 fire was caused by two teenagers who were given 12-month referral orders The federation has stressed that the government needs to get the proposals right 5 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
INDUSTRY | NEWS printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink 6 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 FDM Document Solutions, a commercial printer based in London, has announced the extension of a social value project that delivers paper to local schools. The news follows the successful pilot of the project in the London borough of Barnet, which saw FDM deliver reel-ends to schools throughout the area. In one working week, the FDM team visited ten schools across Barnet, delivering 30 reels of paper, which were provided free of charge. By offering reel-ends of paper that would otherwise be recycled, the project aims to not only supply schools with valuable resources but also demonstrate how a circular economy can work in practice. FDM has encouraged any school or community group which would like to get involved for free to contact the FDM team on 020 7055 1600, Steve Lyon at slyon@ fdmdocumentsolutions.co.uk, or visit the FDM Solutions website. The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) used its annual networking event to promote its latest research programme, which aims to effect positive change in the perception of print through utilising in-depth research of online conversations. Developed in collaboration with global insight agency, Madano, and a coalition of industry partners, this project has analysed more than 12,000 online conversations to uncover how print is perceived across key buying markets – and how those perceptions can be positively transformed. According to Brendan Perring, general manager at the IPIA, Gen Z individuals value print's tangible qualities, authenticity, and credibility, and experience a sense of relief from digital overload when interacting with physical media. However, part of the perception problem in this regard is that those outside of the core industry do not always perceive these products as ‘print’, with the term mainly only being associated with print media rather than instances such as specialist packaging, labels, signage, and graphics. According to Carey Trevill from Madano, many of those in the media and advertising space were already advocates of print but had received push-back from clients about misconceptions of its impact, cost, and sustainability. In response to the findings, the IPIA launched a social media campaign with the slogan “Print Made This”, demonstrating a range of instances of print positively effecting people’s lives as well as its ability to make lasting memories and increase consumer engagement. The IPIA and Madano have worked with professionals and influencers to change the public’s perception of print Printer paper donated to schools in need Webmart hits £1m charity milestone Print-focused marketing agency, Webmart, has donated over £1m to charity, helped in large part by its community and charitable cash pot (CCCP) scheme. Webmart’s CCCP is refilled each financial year, taking all of the company’s unearned income for the year such as interest earned or rent from office spaces and donating it to registered charities. Last year, Webmart gave donations to 49 organisations including Plunkett UK, Barnsley Food Bank, Oxfordshire Wildlife Hospital Appeal, and Berwickshire Marine Reserve. As well as its charitable work, Webmart has launched a number of initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. This includes its EcoMetrics carbon calculator tool, which is designed to allow its customers to calculate, mitigate, and offset their marketing carbon footprint. In its 2024/25 impact report, Webmart’s chief executive officer, Kelly O’Sullivan, says that the company’s charity work is part of its “do good, be good” ethos, saying: “I couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come or more excited about where we are heading next.” The BPIF has released findings it has gathered about the estimated gender, age, and ethnicity breakdown of the print industry alongside other descriptive statistics. In its report, the BPIF described the difficulty it had in gathering relevant, detailed, and accurate data that is entirely specific to the printing industry. By cross-referencing data from The ONS, the federation was able to build what it has labelled as “best estimates” that can help to depict the landscape of the industry. According to the research, the industry is 70% male, and 30% female which aligns more closely to the general manufacturing industry which is currently 72% male, and 28% female. The average age of the UK working population over 16 in 2024 is 42.3, while the average age in the printing industry in 2024 was calculated at 43.4. In terms of ethnicity, 84.0% of the total UK workforce is categorised as White. Comparatively, the printing industry is 88.2% White, according to the BPIF report. The new narrative aiming to promote print’s power BPIF reveals diversity statistics for UK print By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert Woodridge Primary School in Barnet was one of the schools which received reel-ends Webmart is headquartered in Bicester, Oxfordshire The BPIF report gives an estimated breakdown of the UK workforce by ethnicity, age, and gender By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
Landa Digital Printing (LDP), a manufacturer of digital printing presses, has confirmed its acquisition by FIMI, following months of speculation due to reports over LDP’s debts and lack of investment. LDP has now officially announced that FIMI, Israel’s largest private equity fund, has taken full ownership of the company following reports of the deal at the beginning of September. LDP says a new board has been installed, with Richard Klapholz installed as active chairman. According to LDP, Benny Landa, the company’s founder, has welcomed the news and expressed his support for the acquisition by FIMI, saying he is pleased that the company and technology he founded will continue to grow. According to online magazine, CTech, under the reported agreement FIMI has acquired Landa Digital Printing and invested $80m (£59.2m) into its operations. Much of the debt is owed to shareholders, including interest-bearing loans that can convert to equity if the company continues operating. CTech says the remaining debt is owed to suppliers, employees, and Mizrahi Tefahot Bank. CTech also recently reported that much of Landa’s creditors supported the company’s arrangement bar a select few including real estate company, Vitania, to which Landa reportedly owes millions for a specially constructed building the company was set to occupy. A recent ten-hour meeting about the proposed purchase apparently “grew contentious” after some creditors opposed lastminute changes to plans. Quoted in CTech’s coverage, Gillon Beck acknowledged the deal was “very complex” and that the company had lost a lot of money in recent years. Beck disclosed that Landa had lost about $150m (£110.9m) annually resulting in large damage of $1.8bn (£1.3bn) to shareholders, lenders, and creditors. The deal means that FIMI will own 100% of Landa and will continue to employ the majority of its workforce. The company has emphasised its plans for growth, with a “clear plan” centered on profitability, product performance, and renewed go-to-market focus. Speaking of his appointment as active chairman, Klapholz says: “We are excited and are here to build a strong, enduring industrial company. Our approach is pragmatic and long-term: focused investments, operational excellence, and steady, measurable progress. The printing industry needs LDP’s breakthrough technology; our mission is to realize its great potential.” BUSINESS | NEWS Landa confirms FIMI acquisition By David Osgar Following a cash flow crisis, Landa has confirmed its acquisition by FIMI 8 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 Resource bought out by senior leadership team UK communications agency, Resource, has entered what it has labelled as “a new era” following the completion of a management buyout by the senior leadership team. The agency, which specialises in print and mail communications, has announced Gail Weathers as its new managing director, alongside Asif Choudry, who continues as the company’s sales and marketing director. The two, who have a combined 40 years of experience at Resource, now co-own the business. The MBO, which completed in September, was instigated by Weathers, who wanted to realise a lifelong career ambition of helming a business. The buyout was funded through a combination of personal investment and bank support. Former managing director, Philip Thompson, has stepped away from ownership and day-to-day involvement following the acquisition. To mark the new chapter of the business, Resource is introducing a refreshed identity, which aims to reflect both the company’s 30-year history, and its vision for the future. [L to R] Newly appointed MD, Gail Weathers, and sales and marketing director, Asif Choudry Agfa confirms partnership with Friedheim International Agfa has announced the appointment of Friedheim International as a UK reseller for its advanced wide-format inkjet printing solutions. The partnership aims to strengthen access to Agfa’s hybrid, flatbed, and roll-to-roll systems in the UK market. Agfa hopes that the new deal will make its advanced wide-format inkjet systems more accessible through Friedheim International’s sales and service infrastructure and enable UK and Nordic corrugated and display producers to benefit from end-to-end support. Friedheim distributes a range of equipment to the UK market from manufacturers including Sharp, Busch, and Tecnau. In December 2024, Friedheim confirmed a new partnership with Tecnau, a provider of finishing solutions for sheet-feed and continuous-feed inkjet presses, distributing its complete product portfolio in the UK and Ireland. Agfa solutions distributed by Friedheim will include its Onset Panthera FB3216 By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink
EVENTS | NEWS 13 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 Labelexpo, an international event for the label and package printing industry, has announced a rename and rebrand, following its 2025 edition in Barcelona. As of 2026, Labelexpo will rebrand as LOUPE, an acronym for ‘Labels and Outer-Packaging Embellishment.’ The rebrand is designed to mark a strategic shift in focus, reflecting what the organisers see as the event’s broader scope. The new name aims to include not only labels but also flexible packaging and folding cartons. The first event under the new identity will be LOUPE Americas, which is scheduled to take place in Chicago in September 2026. Labelexpo Europe 2025 took place at the Gran Via venue of Fira Barcelona this year, with the event running until September 19th. PRINTING United Expo, which concluded October 24th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, saw a record-breaking number of attendees and exhibitors for 2025, as reported by its organisers. According to PRINTING United Alliance, the US print exhibition welcomed over 30,000 registered attendees from 104 countries, a significant increase from the 2024 event which saw almost 25,000 attendees. The event also featured 838 exhibitors showcasing the latest advancements in printing technology, materials, and workflow solutions across a one million sq ft space. The show featured hundreds of new product launches including global debuts, more than 100 educational sessions and presentations, and nearly 60 participating media outlets and association partners from around the world including Print Monthly and sister publication, SignLink. Chris Curran, group president of Media and Events at PRINTING United Alliance who assumed leadership of the annual event this year, adds: “The Expo embodied the convergence of every market under one roof – and the innovation our industry thrives on. “From AI to automation and sustainability, every corner of the show floor was power-packed with solutions driving print forward. We’re already looking ahead to 2026 where the show floor is already 65% sold to date.” PRINTING United Expo will head to Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 23rd to 25th, 2026, with exhibitor and sponsorship bookings already open at the PRINTING United website. PRINTING United Expo will head to Las Vegas for 2026 Labelexpo renames to LOUPE HEIDELBERG highlights the need for digitisation German print press manufacturer, HEIDELBERG, used its recent two-day SHIFT 2025 conference to exchange ideas on the process of digitisation and hybrid print production. The event in September featured both external speakers and interactive practical workshops, with more than 200 guests from all over Europe and overseas attending the summit. HEIDELBERG highlighted digitisation as a key way to combat rising costs and increased competition within the print industry in recent years. The print press manufacturer posits that the solution is “the consistent digitisation and automation of as many processes as possible, as well as the increased use of robotics to reduce manual intervention to an absolute minimum.” One of the speakers at SHIFT 2025 was Rob Cross, co-managing director of UK commercial print business, Micropress Printers. At the event, Cross described how the company has accelerated its processes and alleviated the shortage of personnel thanks to automation, robotics, and AI. The Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP) has revealed the winners of its 2025 Awards at a ceremony held at The Steel Yard in London on September 25th. More than 300 representatives from across the print and mailing supply chain gathered to celebrate innovations in the campaigns, people, and businesses across the mailing and multichannel marketing sectors. Awards were given in three distinct areas, namely the Mail Performance Award, the Sustainable Campaign Award, and the Bright Futures Award. Supported by headline sponsor Whistl, the Platinum Mail Performance Award was awarded to Webmart, working in partnership with Exodus Adventure Travels, for their Welcome Home Programmatic Mailing. Gold Awards were presented to five standout campaigns from Precision Proco, Formara, Join the Dots (Salocin Group), Nutshell Creative, and Whistl Doordrop Media. The Bright Futures Award, Gold, went to Hannah Murphy of PSE Agency, whose progression and leadership on datadriven direct mail campaigns were judged as having delivered significant results for clients. PRINTING United Expo sees “record-breaking” visitor numbers SMP Awards celebrates 2025 winners By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert Labelexpo, now LOUPE, first launched in London in 1980 More than 200 international guests attended SHIFT 2025, with a 2026 event already announced The awards show for the mail and marketing sectors was hosted by comedian Hal Cruttenden By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS 14 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 UK print specialist, Bluetree Group, has made further equipment investments to boost its output with the purchase of a RENZ Inline 500 Classic punching and binding machine and has also become the first company in the UK to install a IGS Cobalt SP800 single-pass printer. The RENZ Inline 500 was acquired predominantly for outputting personalised products such as photobooks, calendars, and wire-bound books. According to Plockmatic Group, which purchased RENZ in July, the 500 Classic will be producing around 35,000 calendars a week at Bluetree’s Rotheram-based facility, which has an estimated £60m turnover and employs 320 staff, of whom 250 work in production. The latest kit purchase is part of a wider investment programme from Bluetree which is aiming to maximise its production capabilities. In September Bluetree became the first UK company to install the IGS Cobalt SP800 printer from International Graphic Supplies (IGS), which it purchased to expand its production capabilities for packaging and point-of-sale (POS). The press boasts a speed of up to 30m/min, reportedly producing over 5,000 corrugated boxes per hour with a maximum material size of 800mm x 2500mm and a maximum image size of 594mm x 2500mm. In June, the company also installed a Titanium 330-R label cutter and a Cobalt SP800 single-pass printer, again from IGS. Bluetree had initial discussions with RENZ UK at Hunkeler Innovationdays in February. After visiting the RENZ headquarters in Germany, the deal – which includes roundthe-clock service and support – was finalised in August. Speaking about the purchase, Mark Young, managing director of Bluetree Group, says: “The acquisition of RENZ by Plockmatic Group has further cemented our great, long-standing relationship. It provides reassurance thanks to a great support network behind the companies.” Plockmatic and RENZ demonstrated a range of solutions side-by-side at the recent Print Show exhibition at the NEC Birmingham. Speaking to Print Monthly at the event, Ed Hudson, general manager of Morgana Systems, spoke about the success that they had at The Print Show, saying: “The response from the show has been with people’s chequebooks: we’ve over-exceeded our targets in terms of selling equipment on the stand, and that means genuinely cold-selling the equipment as opposed to things being teed up. “That’s really refreshing and exciting, and we’ve significantly more than paid for our presence here. Shows like this are an integral part of our overall marketing mix and it’s important we continue to do them, to show our wares to a diverse audience.” Bluetree Group continues to invest in new kit By Jonathan Pert [L to R] Mark Young, MD at Bluetree Group, and Peter Flynn, MD at IGS, with the Cobalt SP800 Delta Group completes testing of Speedset Orca The Delta Group, has completed beta testing of the new Agfa SpeedSet Orca, a single-pass, water-based digital press which claims to be “the most productive B1 inkjet press on the market.” The Delta Group became the first company in the world to trial the SpeedSet Orca in 2024. After a successful installation and testing phase, the press is now reportedly making daily production runs and will soon begin shift work, which Agfa highlights as a major milestone in the Orca’s journey to full commercial availability. Primarily aimed at the packaging market, the Orca offers reported top speeds of up to 11,000 B1 sheets per hour. Martin Shipp, chief operating officer at The Delta Group, says: “We had high hopes for the new press and we are delighted to see that it has exceeded them. “We can run jobs that we would have traditionally run on our offset lines, giving us much more flexibility on the production floor without compromising quality.” The Orca handles a range of substrates including paper, microflute, and folding cartons Bakergoodchild invests in Canon presses UK mailing house, bakergoodchild, has invested in new Canon imagePRESS V1350 and varioPRINT 140 digital presses, aiming to significantly enhance its production capabilities. The new devices were purchased to elevate print quality and unlock new opportunities across bakergoodchild’s direct and transactional mail customer base. According to the company, demand for high-quality printed communications has rebounded in recent years, as brands increasingly seek to complement their digital marketing and communications with tactile, physical experiences. To meet this growing customer appetite, bakergoodchild turned to Canon to replace legacy devices that had become unreliable and inefficient. Since installing the imagePRESS V1350 and varioPRINT 140, bakergoodchild has seen an uplift in productivity and received positive customer feedback, with one customer reportedly already committing to an additional 160,000 booklets next year and forecasting significant growth moving forward. The imagePRESS V1350 offers 2400dpi with a maximum speed of 135ppm By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert
KIT & CONSUMABLES | NEWS Independent UK label and packaging manufacturer, Baker Labels, invested in excess of £1m in new technology investments during the recent Labelexpo Europe 2025. The Brentwood-based business confirmed the addition of a Galaxy Packtech GS 24 Plus 200 SBS pouchmaker for its flexible packaging division, BakPac, alongside two new HP Indigo 6K+ digital presses for its labels operation. The company reportedly arrived at the exhibition without locked in spending plans, allowing for a more agile purchasing approach. The technology was purchased immediately after seeing it in action and talking with longterm supplier partners. Xerox has announced the launch of the new Xerox Proficio Production Series at PRINTING United Expo, with the event marking the debut of the Xerox Proficio PX300 and Xerox Proficio PX50 presses. The new series is designed to help print providers compete and grow in the evolving mid-production colour market. Proficio has been labelled as the new “master brand” for the company’s production press lineup, with the Proficio name derived from the Latin verb meaning to make progress, advance, and succeed. The Proficio PX300 and PX500 deliver speeds of 85ppm and 100ppm respectively, offering Ultra HD resolution with an optional fifth colour station which includes fluorescent pink, clear, and low gloss clear options. Xerox, has also recently announced its new Xerox IJP900 Inkjet Press in order to provide a new solution for what it calls the “rapidly expanding” mid-volume inkjet market. The IJP900 colour cut-sheet press has been designed to meet the demands of modern-day print service providers (PSPs) who are looking to expand into new profitable applications such as transactional printing and direct mail. According to Xerox, the press integrates with its end-to end production ecosystem, combining Xerox FreeFlow workflow automation, XMPie personalised communications, and AI-assisted workflows. Xerox says its ecosystem provides accelerated job preparation, automated repetitive tasks, and real-time operational insights, which can help reduce costs and increase output. A new Xerox Print Server, which is powered by the Fiery FS700X, has been exclusively designed for the PX300 and PX500 to deliver increased automation and streamline workflows. Speaking of the Proficio, Terry Antinora, head of product and engineering at Xerox, says: “Market conditions and client expectations have shifted in ways that make differentiation and efficiency more critical than ever. The new Proficio presses build on our leadership in automation, colour science, and ‘Beyond CMYK’ – helping print providers boost profits, stand out from the competition, and expand their business.” Xerox will begin regional rollout and order taking of the Proficio PX300 and PX500 in March 2026, with shipments expected in the first half of 2026. Speaking of the IJP00, Antinora adds: “The mid-volume inkjet market is expanding quickly, creating a clear opportunity for Xerox to re-enter with strength. “Clients are looking for smarter, more accessible solutions, and the IJP900 delivers by combining robust inkjet technology with our proven strengths in workflow, automation, and service.” The Proficio series is the new “master brand” for Xerox’s production press lineup Baker Labels purchases over £1m of kit Sublimation print press supplier, Nova Chrome UK, has been announced as an official reseller of Epson’s desktop SC-F line of dye sublimation printers. Among the solutions in the line is the Epson SureColor SC-F500, a 60cm width sublimation printer designed to meet the needs of professionals and small businesses producing personalised or promotional products. The SC-F500 has been developed to create mugs, t-shirts, and other photogifts, with the ability to print up to A1 size. Ryan Connolly, business development manager at Nova Chrome UK, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Epson and are eager to bring the benefits of its SC-F printer range to our customers.” Xerox releases new presses at PRINTING United Nova Chrome UK named as official Epson SC-F supplier By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert The investment included two HP Indigo 6K+ digital presses [L to R] Ryan Connolly and Ian McDowell from Nova Chrome UK with the Epson SC-F500 15 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 By Jonathan Pert
UPM has formally announced the permanent end of paper production in its Kaukus mill in Finland. The company first announced plans to permanently end paper production in Kaukas in July, with the stated aim of shifting its coated mechanical paper production in Finland to the UPM Rauma mill. Paper Machine 1 in Kaukas will now be permanently closed during Q4, impacting 220 employees. Following the closure, coated mechanical paper production capacity will be reduced by 300,000 tonnes annually. UPM has announced that employee consultation processes for those affected by the closure have now been completed. The pulp, sawn timber, and biofuels production at UPM Kaukas will reportedly continue as before, as well as its R&D activities. Matti Laaksonen, general manager of UPM’s Kaukas and Kymi mills, says: “The consultations were conducted in a constructive spirit, focusing on the rationale behind the planned changes, their potential impact, and the comprehensive support available to affected employees. “As part of the process, we agreed to implement a ‘from-jobto-job’ programme, which has been UPM’s established model for change support since 2006. The last few weeks have not been easy for any of us.” UPM Adhesive Materials also announced plans to shut down its label materials production in Nancy, France, in order to centralise its label material production to more cost-effective units. According to the company, the decision was driven by overcapacity, resulting from “exceptional market developments during the past few years.” The plans could affect up to 82 jobs at the company. The closure of Paper Machine 2 at Sappi’s Kirkniemi mill, also in Finland, is part of the company’s strategic plan to align production capacity with market demand. Paper manufacturer, Sappi Europe, has confirmed the closure of Paper Machine 2 at its Kirkniemi mill in Lohja, Finland, reducing its annual production capacity of coated mechanical paper by 175,000 tonnes and leading to the loss of 93 jobs. The announcement follows the commencement of a consultation process in August aimed at improving the mill’s profitability and cost competitiveness. The shutdown is part of Sappi’s strategic plan to align production capacity with market demand and to optimise the utilisation of the mill’s remaining paper machines. The closure of Paper Machine 2 is due by the end of 2025, with remaining output transferred to Paper Machine 1 and 3 at the Kirkniemi mill, which will both continue operating. Sappi has said that some of the redundancies will be managed through “retirement arrangements,” with the company committing to support all affected employees through the transition. A dedicated service point has reportedly been established at the mill in cooperation with the local employment office, with all impacted employees offered individual career transition coaching. In its statement on the shutdown, Sappi Europe says that “deliveries to customers will continue without disruption.” Misa Bursac, vice president of manufacturing, R&D, and technology at Sappi Europe, adds: "While the decision to close Paper Machine 2 was not taken lightly, it reflects the wider structural changes in the paper market and the need for ongoing efficiency improvements. “This step is part of our broader commitment to optimising our operations, enhancing sustainability, and ensuring the long-term competitiveness of Sappi Europe. By consolidating production on Kirkniemi’s remaining machines, we will strengthen our ability to serve customers reliably while continuing to invest in the future of our European operations and ultimately our industry." Sappi confirms paper machine shutdown Sappi has committed to support all employees being made redundant MATERIALS | NEWS Jonathan Pert printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink 16 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 UPM permanently halts paper production in Kaukus mill Jonathan Pert Pulp, sawn timber, and biofuels production will continue at the mill as was before
SOFTWARE | NEWS printmonthly PrintMonthlyMagazine printmonthly_signlink Print-focused software company, Artworker, has launched a free online PDF ‘print-readiness checker’, designed specifically for small and mid-sized print shops and their customers. The new tool is designed to show if a PDF meets key print requirements instantly, with no login or signup required. Speaking of the thinking behind the new solution in an online blog, Artworker says: “Running a print shop means spending time checking customer PDFs – bleed missing, fonts not embedded, RGB images. “These small problems slow down jobs and create extra work for pre-press. To help, we have launched the free online PDF print-readiness checker.” With the tool, you can upload any PDF up to 20mb in size. You will then receive a short, automated report showing what has been calculated to be correct and what needs attention. The tool checks criteria including page size and trim boxes, bleed presence, colour mode, image resolution, font embedding and subsets, as well as page count and orientation consistency. The tool can allow customers to check their own artwork before sending it, aiming to reduce the number of fixes needed by the print team. The software runs entirely in a web browser, meaning that no accounts, passwords, or installations are needed to use it. Artworker says that the tool, which allows for three free checks per day for each user, is “ideal for smaller print shops that want quick answers without extra tools.” Digital print press manufacturer, Durst Group, has announced the full integration of GMG Color’s colour management technology into its proprietary Durst Workflow software. Existing customers of the Durst Workflow with a valid software agreement will receive the new solution at no additional cost. GMG, a developer and provider of professional colour management software solutions which was founded in Tübingen, Germany, focuses on delivering complete solutions for the standardisation and simplification of colour management workflows. The integration covers all market segments in which Durst operates, namely labels and packaging, corrugated, and sign and display. The integration also includes the assimilating of GMG technology into Durst’s open Smart Factory portfolio, which is part of an open software initiative designed to create a modular, cloud-enabled, and vendor-neutral software ecosystem for the printing industry. The official launch of the solution coincided with the presentation of the open software initiative at PRINTING United Expo 2025. Michael Deflorian, director of the Software and Solutions business unit at Durst Group, says: “By integrating GMG into our Durst Workflow and open Smart Factory platform, we are delivering a new level of colour consistency – fully automated and highly scalable.” The launch of the solution took place at this year’s PRINTING United Expo Artworker releases free online PDF ‘printreadiness checker’ Durst integrates GMG colour management software Print ePS absorbed as part of major merger The tool builds on technology previously developed for Artworker’s free file-sharing service By Jonathan Pert By Jonathan Pert 18 website: www.printmonthly.co.uk November | December 2025 - Issue 357 Print eProductivity Software (Print ePS) and CAI Software, two providers of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and production software solutions, have announced that they have combined in a merger of equals. The newly combined organisation will operate as CAI Software (CAI), with Print ePS becoming the Graphic Communications business unit of CAI. As part of the transaction, the Packaging division of Print ePS will now operate as an independent software company. The company now has a combined workforce of over 800 employees and offices across North America, Europe, and Asia. In a statement about the merger, CAI says: “This brings together two trusted leaders with a shared vision: delivering best-in-class software solutions to address complex challenges across specialised manufacturing markets.” As part of the transaction, CAI has named Brent Pietrzak as its new chief executive officer. Pietrzak previously worked as chief operating officer of software development company, Flexera. Cort Townsend is the new chief financial officer of CAI, having previously worked in the same role at Tungsten Automation. Speaking of the new alliance, Pietrzak says: “This merger creates tremendous opportunities for our clients, employees, and partners. By aligning our customer-centric strategies, we are building a more dynamic, diversified software leader.” Symphony Technology Group (STG), the lead investor in both CAI and Print ePS, will continue its investment in the newly combined business. By Jonathan Pert The newly merged software company has a combined workforce of over 800 employees
Unlike some digital print technologies which start life as high-end, expensive offerings that eventually work their way down into the mainstream, directto-film (DTF) transfer printing for garment decoration grew from the bottom up, via a multitude of cheap and cheerful, and often home-brewed systems that offered a very appealing route into a growing market where decent margins could be made, supplementing more conventional print offerings. This all came with a bit of a Wild West atmosphere, however, with variable quality and poor reliability being the consequence of low cost and jury-rigged equipment. But the explosive growth in uptake attracted the attention of the bigger brands in wide-format printing who had to decide whether this was just a passing fad or whether they should invest in their own product development to address it. The announcements during 2023 of dedicated DTF machines from vendors such as Mimaki, Ricoh, Brother, InkTec, and Roland DG showed that the market was indeed being taken seriously. But the missing name was Epson, which was ironic as their print heads are favoured by many DTF printer builders, with stories circulating of far-eastern suppliers buying Epson’s other printers simply in order to extract the printheads to build into their own systems. Epson was certainly more than aware of the gap in its textile-focused offering by the time of international textile show ITMA in mid-2023, and was working on its offering, but the official announcement of the SureColor G6000 didn’t come until the beginning of 2025, with commercial availability following a few months later. According to Epson UK’s head of sales for Commercial & Industrial, Phil McMullin, there was a substantial pent-up demand for the Epson offering. “Forward orders have been huge,” he commented in a preview video for The Print Show, where the SureColor G6000 made its UK debut. Subsequent to the show, he commented: “We had a very busy show and around 40% of the leads we took were for the G6000.” So, what is it that the punters are so keen to get their hands on? The SureColor G6000 is a 900mm width roll-fed DTF printer which uses a single By its own admission, Epson was late to the DTF game, but now its first dedicated printer for transfer-based garment decoration is here and is aiming to provide the quality and reliability that users expect from Epson. Michael Walker unwraps the latest package Delving Into Epson’s DTF Development 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. Whatever the numbers, raw print speed is only part of the DTF productivity equation, given the number of (usually) manual production stages that have to follow UNDER THE HOOD | EPSON SURECOLOR G6000 19 www.printmonthly.co.uk Issue 357 - November | December 2025
UNDER THE HOOD | EPSON SURECOLOR G6000 Epson PrecisionCore printhead to print Epson’s Ultrachrome DF inks in CMYK plus white onto transfer films. These then need to be processed through an adhesive powder coating unit before being heat pressed onto a wide range of fabric types. The UltraChrome inks are supplied in 1.6l containers and are GOTS-approved, and have Oeko-Tex Eco Passport certification and so are suitable for use on garments. A recirculation system is built in for the white ink to avoid settling or clumping of the pigments, though a daily agitation of the ink bag is advised; the design of the printer enables the bags to lie horizontally rather than standing vertically, which should reduce the depth of any deposition that does occur. There is also an automated printhead wiping system to keep the heads clear and ready for use, while nozzle status electronics allow for detection and correction of any blockages during printing. Feel the Width, and the Quality The print width is wider than in many DTF printers, which typically offer 60 or 75cm, and this coupled with the ability to print to pretty well all of it (the data sheet specifies a 3mm margin at each side), should enable a decent level of productivity and minimal transfer film wastage. Though as ever, there’ll be some cutting out to do before individual items can be heat pressed onto garments, unlike vinyl transfers. With that said, there’s no weeding to do after pressing, which is one of the attractions of DTF. Resolutions range from 300 x 600 to 600 x 1200dpi, but Epson is a bit reticent in providing performance figures, referring in this case to seven ‘levels’ that correspond to the various resolution options and number of passes. The machine provides values of 4.2 and 3.4 sqm/hr for levels four and five respectively, both running at 600 x 1200dpi and printing in bi-directional mode, but with different numbers of passes. These figures are for CMYK-plus-white printing, with the latter requiring a separate set of passes; they double for CMYK-only or white-only printing, so reaching 8.4sqm/hr in Level 4 mode. Whatever the numbers, raw print speed is only part of the DTF productivity equation, given the number of (usually) manual production stages that have to follow. The powder/shaking process can be automated, though, and Epson demonstrated the G6000 at The Print Show with an Adkins unit hooked up, though it doesn’t endorse any particular supplier and recommendations will be made via its resellers, such as The Magic Touch, which added the G6000 to its roster in the summer of 2025. Epson doesn’t make specific claims for the colour gamut achievable or the durability of finished pressed transfers, as there are too many variables in materials and process, though it does claim “crisp, stand-out imagery no matter what the fabric quality” in its product brochure. The supplied software, Epson Edge Print Pro, aims to maximise the use of media, by nesting designs for output. It also offers settings for a range of output media and final textile types, covering caps, pockets, and shoes as well as the more typical t-shirts and tote bags. Epson’s 2024 acquisition of Fiery brought with it the Digital Factory textile pre-press software, which is available as an optional extra for the G6000. This provides pre-flighting capabilities, colour profiling tools, and step-and-repeat artwork generation, plus sophisticated controls for white ink generation and rendering of vignettes and other options that optimise image quality plus ink and media use, while also enabling aesthetic treatments such as very coarse resolution ‘mesh’ screening for ‘vintage’ effects. Epson makes both the inks and the printheads for the SureColor G6000 so should be able to achieve the optimum performance in terms of both finished print quality and reliable operation. Epson’s Customer Experience Centre lead Alex Matravers says: “The aim is for confident eight-hour working”. While it’s true that you can get a DTF printer for well under half of the G6000’s price tag of around £9,500 (plus VAT), lost time, wasted materials, and energy, plus dissatisfied customers can very quickly erode that difference. It’s clear from The Print Show that many prospective users preferred to wait for Epson reliability – or found the hard way that they didn’t have it – so if you want the security of a brand that you already know and trust, look no further. Maximum Roll Width: 900mm Resolution: Up to 600 x 1200dpi Speed: 1.9 to 17 sqm/hr, depending on quality and number of colours Ink Type: Epson UltraChrome DF Colour set: CMYK plus white Statistics ▼ The Magic Touch was annouced as a G6000 reseller in July, 2025 ▲The SureColor G6000 is a roll-fed DTF printer for the print, garment, and signage sectors 20 email: editor@printmonthly.co.uk Issue 357 - November | December 2025
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