Business - Knowledge

Nimlok, a division of Orbus Exhibit & Display Group, is proud to announce that two of its expert Nimlok distributors – Group Delphi and The Rogers Company – were included in Event Marketers’ Fab 50 list, which recognises the industry’s top exhibit fabricators throughout the United States.

The Fab 50 is an annual editorial list produced by Event Marketer Magazine, which selects top fabricators through an intensive application and judging process. A full list of recognised exhibit builders can be found at www.eventmarketer.com/fab50-2017.

Combining award-winning expertise with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and backed by Nimlok’s global network of experienced exhibit partners, Nimlok distributors Group Delphi and The Rogers Company stood out among Fab 50 applicants.

Group Delphi, with offices in Alameda, CA, Roanoke, IN and Paris, is an expert Nimlok distributor with a wide range of experiential and display capabilities, from trade show displays to museum exhibits to corporate environments and more. The company has also appeared on past Fab 50 lists. Learn about Group Delphi at www.groupdelphi.com. Group Delphi, formerly ICON Exhibits of Indiana, has been a Nimlok distributor partner since 1983.

The Rogers Company is the exclusive Nimlok distributor serving the Cleveland area and, in addition to being named on the Fab 50 list, is the recipient of the Smart Business Cleveland 2016 and 2017 Business Longevity Awards. The company provides a wide range of expertly-crafted exhibit, display and branded environment solutions. Learn more at www.therogersco.com. The Rogers Company has been a Nimlok distributor partner since 1982.

“It was such an honour to be included on this list and named as one of the industry’s leading exhibit builders,” said Rick Busby, President of The Rogers Company. “Our incredible team works hard to deliver excellent solutions for our clients, and it’s wonderful to have that hard work recognised.”

Epson collaborates closely with schools and universities to provide digital printing expertise and technology and, in turn, learn from a new generation of artists and designers.

Creation, a specialist in packaging artwork, reprographics and plate production, is calling for change to encourage more young people to consider careers in the industry.

The company's managing director, Matt Francklow says: “We need to light the fire and ignite inspiration in our young people to explore the incredible world of reprographics.”

Established in 2004, Creation offers 24 hour reprographics and platemaking services to the UK and European print markets. The company has previously employed young graduates to adapt and bring fresh new ideas and people into the business.

Matt Francklow continues: “We need to set the right foundation for a positive flow of new talent into our industry. It is our belief that the right balance of diversity and inclusion drives better business performance. We see young talent as a great way to bring new and fresh ideas into this creative industry.”

The UK printing industry has a turnover of £13bn and employs 116,000 people, according to new data sourced by the BPIF. In addition, figures have revealed 8.4 percent of the industry’s workforce is under the age of 24.

17 year old Charlie Barge, who is currently a studio trainee at Creation, had previously carried out work experience at the Daventry headquartered company. He is now working alongside experts in designing creative artwork, maintaining digital systems, running equipment and controlling output and quality for specific projects. He says: “It’s the design aspect of the industry that I love. It never gets boring – there are always new creative jobs coming in to tackle. The freedom to express yourself through your designs is the most satisfying element of the job. I also enjoy learning about new technologies and software systems which help to bring designs to life.

“Young people have a different outlook and view. They bring a fresh insight to the reprographic industry with new concepts. They find it easier to adapt to change and are more technologically aware.”

Charlie believes the industry needs to open its doors to the younger generation and show them what it entails, something Francklow agrees with: “Part of the problem stems from a lack of awareness amongst young people of the job opportunities within our industry and what those jobs involve. Connecting schools and colleges with the industry will help to bridge this gap and highlight the opportunities in our sector.”

Charlie, who is still studying digital design at college and working at Creation during the school holidays, is hoping his enthusiasm, positivity and developing skill set will secure him a full time role once he has completed his course.

Organisations such as the BPIF, The Institute of Packaging and The Printing Charity have made efforts to encourage young people to consider print as a career – but more needs to be done.

Francklow concludes: “We need to invest in staff to futureproof our business. We need to inspire young people to become the next generation of designers and printers. Addressing the age and possible skills gap is a critical issue and giving young people access to career and training opportunities has never been more important for our industry.”

For more information on Creation Reprographics, please visit www.creation-repro.com.

[Image shows Matt Francklow]

Esko is proud to have hosted the Flexible Packaging Honours Class, an initiative of the Graphical and Digital Media department of the Artevelde University College Ghent.

Mimaki’s integrated production printer/cutter – the CJV300-160 – is to benefit from an attractive summer price promotion, resulting in the multi-award winner costing just £15,995. In addition, prospective purchasers can invest in a bulk ink system along with 16 litres of Mimaki ink for just an additional £1,000, which as a package will save £5,670 against the list price.

The 1.6m wide CJV300 is Mimaki’s top of the range printer/cutter and, available with either eco solvent, solvent or dye sublimation inks, offers volume production of stickers, decals, signage, garment decoration and vehicle graphics amongst many other profitable applications. With a top speed of over 105sq m / hour it utilises next generation print heads to deliver high quality print onto an unsurpassable range of substrates.

Exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Hybrid Services; the company’s national sales manager, John de le Roche states: “The sheer flexibility of the CJV300 sets it apart from alternative solutions at this price point, ensuring print professionals benefit from its high output quality, low running costs and ease of use.

"When utilising Mimaki’s popular SS21 solvent inks, the CJV300-160 has proven an ideal production workhorse for signmakers and graphics houses, producing vibrant, long lasting and abrasion resistant prints onto outdoor durable materials such as vinyl, banner and canvas.

“The CJV300 beats any latex printer’s output for colour yield and longevity of print.

“With GREENGUARD Gold certification, Hybrid’s unique, rebate linked “Let’s Do MORE!” cartridge recycling scheme and a power requirement that’s a fraction of some machines, the Mimaki also boasts superb environmental credentials.”

With its ultra-compact footprint and supplied as standard with a two year, fully inclusive Gold warranty, intuitive RIP software and powered take-up unit, the CJV300-160 easily fits into any print room.

In addition to its significant headline offer, Hybrid is offering prospective customers the opportunity to benefit from Mimaki’s bulk ink system, which when ordered alongside the machine, will be delivered with 16 litres of ink and is available at a substantially discounted price of only £1,000.

“Customers not only save upfront with this popular option, but long term as well,” says de la Roche. “Mimaki’s 2 litre ink sacks offer 25% savings over the cartridges and with this attractive promotion, the system pays for itself even sooner.”

Applicable to all new orders placed before 30th September 2017, the offer on Mimaki’s range-topping CJV300-160 is available through its network of authorised resellers, and can be viewed at demonstration facilities around the UK and Ireland. For further information, please visit: www.hybridservices.co.uk/cjv300.

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions announced that the fifth annual “Wrap Like a King” Challenge will run July 1 through September 15, 2017. This year’s Challenge will feature a new Continent Wrap King title, to be awarded between the announcement of Regional Wrap Kings and the crowning of the “King of the Wrap World.” Due to increasing global interest in 2017, Avery Dennison is adding Mainland China, Japan and South Korea, while dividing Europe into four distinct regions.

Wrap installers from 53 countries across the globe can submit commercial, full print or colour change wrap projects to be judged to win thousands in prizes. This year’s prize packages are worth a combined total of $30,000, which will be spread out among Regional Wrap Kings, Continent Wrap Kings and the “King of the Wrap World.” Over 220 installers entered the Challenge last year, and more are expected to compete in 2017.

“We feel that our fifth annual Wrap Like a King Challenge will bring out the most creative and stunning vehicle wrap projects yet,” said Oliver Guenther, marketing director, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions Europe. “This year’s Challenge has more competing countries, more winners and greater worldwide recognition, and this combination should make for an event that is even more captivating than its past editions.”

Twelve geographic regions in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea have been established for the 2017 Wrap Like a King Challenge. Wrap installers from these regions will submit projects featuring Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping™ Film, the Conform Chrome series, the ColorFlow™ Series, MPI 1105 Supercast Digital film or a combination of car wrap films to be evaluated against their regional peers by a panel of judges.

New for 2017, the 12 Regional Wrap Kings will battle for the top spot on their continents, with four Continent Wrap Kings selected to move onto the next stage of competition. The continents for the Challenge are North America, Europe, North Asia and Australia/New Zealand. Winners of the North Asia and Australia/New Zealand regions will automatically be elevated to continent winner status.

The first 25 submissions in the Challenge will receive a special entry prize. Regional and continent winners will be announced in October. The overall winner will be chosen by the panel of judges as the best in show and crowned the “King of the Wrap World” at the 2017 SEMA Show, October 31 - November 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, NV.

The 2017 Judges Panel includes:
•    Justin Pate - The Wrap Institute, USA
Pate is an Avery Dennison certified installer/instructor in the US. He leads the Avery Dennison North America hands-on car wrap workshop and certification program and is co-owner of The Wrap Institute.
•    Myles Kovacs - DUB Magazine, USA
Kovacs is the president and co-founder of DUB® Magazine, a US based magazine that focuses on the urban custom car culture and celebrities and their vehicles.
•    Jun Kinoshita - Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Japan
Kinoshita is the sales manager for Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions in Japan. He introduced the Certified Wrap Installers training program to Japan and worked together with Justin Pate on the training course.
•    Stefan Ude - Ude FolierungsKonzepte, Germany
Ude is the owner of Ude FolierungsKonzepte in Germany. The company offers a wide range of services from car wrapping and signage to facade applications and trainings.
•    Anders Prates - WTP Dekor, Sweden
Prates is co owner of WTP Dekor on the west coast of Sweden. Its three founding partners, Anders Prates, Diego Castro and Claes Lindvall, are Avery Dennison certified installers.
•    Molly Waters - Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, North America
Waters is a senior technical specialist in North America with over 18 years of industry experience. Waters often visits sign and wrap shops around the region, talking with customers about the car wrap industry. She also frequently contributes to the Avery Dennison blog.
•    Peter Wright - Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Asia Pacific
Wright is a technical marketing manager and works with the industry's leading installers, teaching vehicle wrapping workshops and promoting the industry.
•    Jurriaan de Vries - Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions, Europe
De Vries is the technical services and support manager, responsible for the European technical support organization, trainings and workshops in different Graphic Centers across Europe.
The four continent winners will receive a three night stay in Las Vegas for the 2017 SEMA Show, where the 2017 “King of the Wrap World” will be announced. The $3,200 prize pack for continent winners also includes personalized Wrap Like a King swag, $500 in gift vouchers, a 67” Race Ramp and a variety of promotional and marketing tools for the winner’s wrap shop. The “King of the Wrap World” grand prize package is worth almost $5,000.

Car wrap installers are encouraged to enter a vehicle wrap project using Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping™ Film or digital Supercast films at www.wraplikeaking.com/eu. Official rules, judge bios and prize information are also posted on the site.

For more information on Avery Dennison vinyl for car graphics and where to buy Supreme Wrapping Film, visit www.graphics.averydennison.eu.