Business - Applications

The highly publicised opening of the new Birmingham coach station, one of the most important in the National Express network, was the result of a long project which involved the production and use of clear and innovative signs to promote the facility. Working with design company, Wayfinding Consultants, Sutton Coldfield-based Andesign was responsible for producing all the interior and exterior displays for the refurbished site using a mix of digitally printed and more traditional manufacturing methods.

It was Andesign's reputation which played a major part in winning this important contract, with the company providing the winning tender. Through continued investment in the latest production technologies, the business has grown steadily since its inception in 1995 and is now well-known nationally for its innovative range of services and attention to detail. Additionally, because of its comprehensive range of design and manufacturing facilities, the entire project was able to be handled in-house.

Consultation for the National Express work commenced in March 2009 with the project being completed just before Christmas. The broad variation of signs and displays was designed to represent a vital package to the customer as well as strong promotion of the brand, and it was essential that each one was informative and of high quality. This need was satisfied by Andesign's use of the latest technology combined with the durability essential to cope with the heavy human traffic using the new Birmingham coach station facility.

Andesign's brief encompassed every type of display required for the new coach station, including interior and exterior signs, plus a range of digitally produced graphics. In total more than 400 square m of vinyl and overlaminate were used, with a further 100 square m of 6 mm composite aluminium panelling being employed. Every element was manufactured and finished in-house, with installation carried out by the company's own specialist and qualified teams.

Andy Williams, director of Andesign, comments: "This was a major project for us and involved all of our production equipment, including our two new wide-format digital printers which give us UV-curable and very mild solvent-based ink-jet capabilities. With many more traditional processes also being involved, such as computer-cut text and built-up letters, we were able to complement these with new technologies.

Environmental considerations were high on the agenda, and no harsh solvents were present in any of the displays. For lighting, low cost long-life LED illumination was used throughout" Williams continues. "We also needed to comply with legislation by producing tactile and Braille signs in public areas yet keep within the design remit of the project."

Many of the displays were produced using Andesign's recently installed 3.2 m EFI VUTEk GS3200 using UV-curable ink and suitable for high-speed, full-colour quality output onto a broad range of rigid and flexible materials. This was complemented by another new addition, a Seiko I Infotech ColorPainter v-64s which utilises very low odour mild-solvent inks making it ideal for interior and exterior graphic applications on roll-fed media. The company's Zund XL1600 CNC router also played an important role in the finishing element by providing precise contour cutting and routing of the many different materials employed.

Jeremy Booker, brand design manager for National Express, states: "This is the first time we've worked with Andesign and we were very impressed with the attention to detail. The company pulled out all the stops to deliver striking signs that will welcome millions of National Express customers to Birmingham every year."

"We're delighted we were awarded the contract for this project," confirms Williams. "Our recent investment in the latest printing technology, which we believe no other wide-format digital print and sign specialist in the country is working with currently, has enabled us to offer a point of difference both to Wayfinding Consultants and to National Express."

"The result is high impact, visually appealing and, therefore, incredibly consumer friendly," Williams concludes. "We're also proud to be part of such a prestigious project right here in Birmingham."

With its UK head-quarters based at the Birmingham site, National Express's network of coaches last year carried some 16 million passengers around the UK. This coach station acts as a major interchange and the refurbishment, which opened officially on 18 December 2009, was estimated to have cost £15 million.

Further information is available from Andy Williams at Andesign, Unit F, 11-13 Coleshill Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B75 7AA, telephone 0121 354 2272, e-mail andy@andesignuk.com

 

Hampshire Flag Company has helped fundraising get off to a flying start in 2010 by supporting a charity calendar for the men and women of the Armed Forces.

The ‘Wickedelic Sweethearts’ calendar, which raises money for Help For Heroes and sister charity Combat Stress, features an array of Hampshire Flag donated Union flags used as a backdrop for lingerie models in a military context.

The leading flag manufacturing firm supplied five Union flags of various sizes for the photo shoots featuring models wearing Wickedlic Lingerie.

David Hildrew, Managing Director of Wickedelic Lingerie and former Royal Marine, said, “Hampshire Flag’s support has been invaluable and we would not have been able to complete this project to such a high production value without them. The flags gave the whole project a consistent theme and, as a result, the shots look great.”

This is the first Wickedelic Lingerie calendar for Help For Heroes and was the brainchild of David Hildrew as he wanted to show support for the charity. All profits from the calendar, which is still available from www.wickedeliclingerie.co.uk, go to Help For Heroes and Combat Stress.

“Hampshire Flag has shown itself to be genuine supporters of the brave men and women of the British Armed Forces and we are delighted with how the flags look in the shots,” David added.

Graham Wilkinson, Managing Director of the multi-award winning firm said, “It is an honour to be able to help so directly in raising both awareness and funds for such an important charity. The Union flag always creates a sense of patriotism and pride and was the perfect prop for the photo shoots.”

Hampshire Flag’s team of 21 produces hand-sewn national and international flags and digitally printed banners. The Waterlooville firm also offers a bespoke flag design service, PVC banners, marine flags, bunting, table flags, exhibition graphics and event systems in addition to the supply and installation an extensive range of flagpoles.

Its prestigious portfolio of clients includes Selfridges, the BBC, Channel 4, Portsmouth Football Club, IBM and British Airways. Hampshire Flag supports various charities and expeditions including Action for Kids, Samaritans, Gumboots and for swimmer and environmentalist Lewis Pugh’s on-going feats.

 

 

Celebrate a new decade and discover new print opportunities at MK2010 Digital Expo

Screen is partnering with Konica Minolta, Morgana and Friedheim International for the first MK2010 Digital Expo in Milton Keynes on 23rd and 24th February 2010. As we enter a new decade, the event is designed to showcase the tremendous potential and flexibility of today’s digital print technology to create profitable new applications that energize print businesses and breathe new life into marketing and sales campaigns.

MK2010 brings together top manufacturers, the latest hardware and software, leading industry experts and hands-on workshops in one focused event. This is an extraordinary chance to see the power of print today to produce print-on-demand books and magazines, stunning display graphics, personalized brochures and streamlined web to print in action.

There is a free, open invitation to the event which will run over two days, 23 and 24 February, and is aimed at printers who are looking at digital options, public sector and print room managers, universities and large format users looking for higher quality output.

This is a rare opportunity to see, under one roof, end-to-end production with powerful workflow, print-on-demand and finishing solutions. Industry experts will also be on hand to track the latest trends and explain how businesses can be re-energised in 2010 and beyond.

“MK2010 is a great opportunity for printers looking for digital and finishing options and also for Screen and Konica Minolta workflow users to gain some useful tips and tricks,” says Brian Filler, managing director of Screen UK. “With easy access from London and its close proximity to the M1, Milton Keynes is the perfect location for the UK’s digital print hub.”

For more information and to book a free place go to: www.mk2010digitalexpo.co.uk

or contact Dawn Tate at tate@screen.co.uk T: 01908 848500.

 

 

The versatility and productivity of the HP Scitex FB6100 Printer enabled XL Print, of Portsmouth, to create a 3.5m x 10m Christmas card for Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Culture, Media & Sport, to increase awareness for Portsmouth and Southampton's bid for the 2013 European City of Culture.

XL Print printed the Christmas card, envelope and stamp using its HP Scitex FB6100. The finished job was completed in just three hours and comprised 75m² of corex as well as a paper envelope, which was stamped and addressed to the Minister of Culture Media & Sport. The Christmas card was then assembled and delivered to Trafalgar Square within 24 hours.

"The HP Scitex FB6100 is the only printer on the market which converts from a roll-to-roll to flatbed configuration which offered us the perfect balance between wide format, high quality and speed. The printer enabled us to create something unique, while ensuring high quality results," said Avi Hochshteadt, director, XL Print.

With a portfolio comprising the HP Scitex FB6100 Printer, HP Scitex XP5100 Printer, HP Scitex XP5300 Printer and HP Designjet 10000 Printers, XL Print targets niche markets with needs for high quality wide format prints such as banners, backlit in large format light boxes, POP/POS displays, vehicle graphics and building wraps.

 

The West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds knows a thing or two about creating magical family entertainment on stage and the Leeds printer Digital Plus is helping out by providing an eye catching ‘Clever Cube’ to promote the current musical, The Secret Garden.

Using the theme of the classic children’s novel, Digital Plus designed the 7ft high cube with a clear acrylic section at the front and top to allow curious children to peep inside – as if they are looking into the secret garden of the story.  family entertainment on stage and the Leeds printer Digital Plus is helping out by providing an eye catching ‘Clever Cube’ to promote the current musical, The Secret Garden.

The cube is one of the many new applications Digital Plus is finding for the Océ Arizona 350 XT printer which it has recently installed and dubbed 'Liberty'. Owen Russell, director of Digital Plus said: “The investment we have made in our new print equipment means we can deliver just what our clients want, using our creativity to the full.  The Secret Garden project has been a delight to work on and we hope many families will enjoy the giant cube and the show.”

Nick Boaden, head of marketing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse said: “When Digital Plus approached us about creating a massive design based on The Secret Garden we understood straightaway how this could work for our business but the result has far exceeded my expectations.

An employee from Hampshire Flag Company has played an important role in raising money and awareness for a dynamic South African charity at a special Christmas event.

Mark Allibone, Print Room Manager at the leading flag manufacturing firm, designed eye-catching graphics for a pop-up stand donated by Hampshire Flag to be on display during the Gumboots fundraising event.

The charity, which Mark’s extended family helps to run, is relatively small and works with grass roots projects in the heart of impoverished communities in South Africa providing food, shelter and education. Since Gumboots was founded by Anthony Prangley in 2002, it has raised £180,000.

The 2.2x4m pop-up stand, on display at the event held at Village Underground in Shoreditch, London was designed to encourage the evening’s guests to ask questions about the charity and to provide a clearer picture of its aims. £9,000 was raised during the evening from ticket purchases and donations.

“It’s a privilege to both be involved with Gumboots on a personal level and to use my professional skills to help raise awareness too,” said Mark, who has been part of the Hampshire Flag team of 21 since 2005. “The turnout at the annual event was incredible and the pop-up stand attracted lots of interest and attention.”

As an annual fundraising event, this year’s Gumboots Christmas Celebration featured the world-renowned African Children’s Choir and Ghana drumming group Kakatsitsi.

Chrissy Dransfield, A member of Gumboots’ fundraising team said, “We are delighted with the pop-up stand. It was brilliantly designed and a very contemporary and effective way of communicating what Gumboots does. We are extremely grateful to Mark and to Hampshire Flag for their time, creativity and generosity.”

Hampshire Flag’s team of 21 produces hand-sewn national and international flags and digitally printed banners. The Waterlooville firm also offers a bespoke flag design service, PVC banners, marine flags, bunting, table flags, exhibition graphics and event systems in addition to the supply and installation an extensive range of flagpoles.

Its prestigious portfolio of clients includes Selfridges, the BBC, Channel 4, Portsmouth Football Club, IBM and British Airways. The multi-award winning firm provides on-going support for various charities and expeditions including Action for Kids, Samaritans and for swimmer and environmentalist Lewis Pugh’s on-going feats.