UK News

• Solopress reflect on dual AGFA Anapurna H2500i installation
  12 Aug 2020

  Twelve months on from the installation of two Agfa Anapurna H2500i LED wide format machines being installed and Jack Clifford, Head of Operations at Solopress, confirms they have delivered improved quality, reliability and great ink savings for the business.

• Claremon increases print capacity with Canon Arizona 1380 XT
  10 Aug 2020

  Claremon Limited, a print company based in Yorkshire, has increased business capacity and services to customers by installing the Canon Arizona 1380 XT.

• VR Motorsport's female drivers in pole position with MediaCo's HP Latex wrap
  5 Aug 2020

  VR Motorsport has unveiled a vibrant new racing car design to inspire and celebrate female drivers, printed by MediaCo using flexible HP Latex technology.

• HNS Signs - Making social distancing child's play
  4 Aug 2020

  Hillstone Primary School in Birmingham recently approached HNS Signs for both innovative and friendly signage solutions to help their pupils adhere to social distancing best practices.

• Why your business needs direct-to-garment printing
  4 Aug 2020

  The promotional goods market is creative and varied, covering everything from luxury corporate gifts to cheap-and-cheerful giveaways. But as the sector gets busier, and the events calendar recovers from a fallow period, it's essential that businesses in this market work smarter.

• ISA-UK welcomes Linda Edwards to council
  31 Jul 2020

  ISA-UK powered by BSGA, the trade association for the sign, graphics and visual communications industry, has appointed Linda Edwards of The Sussex Sign Company to its council. ISA-UK held its AGM in June, and its directors voted unanimously to bring Linda on board.

• EFI VUTEk H5 investment helps 3 Sixty future-proof business
  31 Jul 2020

  This is the fifth large-format digital printer that the Cardiff-based print specialist has purchased from CMYUK in a decade but according to 3 Sixty’s Managing Director Richard Inkin it's the company’s most significant piece of equipment yet, and one which is set to be a real “game-changer” for the business.

• YPS launches Your Print Institute
  29 Jul 2020

  The YPS Your Print Institute is an initiative designed to help commercial printers, sign makers, designers, creatives and crafters gain skills that allow them to harness their talents and help them get saleable products to market.

• Ricoh to host new webinar on potential of wide format print
  29 Jul 2020

  Ricoh continues its Anything in Print webinar series with an informative session on the potential of the wide format print sector.

• Epson team with Longdean School on Mobile Milk vehicle wrap
  23 Jul 2020

  Epson UK has recently completed a project with Longdean School, based in Hemel Hempstead, to design and wrap the Human Milk Foundation’s new ‘Mobile Milk’ urgent delivery vehicle – the first of its kind in the UK.

• Ricoh competition with Ri100 direct-to-garment printer prize
  22 Jul 2020

  Ricoh is offering businesses the chance to win a Ricoh Ri 100 direct-to-garment (DTG) printer package, an entry-level solution for the personalised apparel market.

• Kernow Coatings launches new FloorSharK for Dry Toner
  20 Jul 2020

  UK manufacturer Kernow Coatings has launched the first floor graphic material which has been tested and certified for dry toner.

• Wide format printers, Imageco are going solar
  15 Jul 2020

  Leeds-based print and signage firm, Imageco have committed to install 256 tier 1 photovoltaic solar panels to generate enough energy to power their 30,000 square ft facility.

• New date set for UK Graphic Awards 2021
  15 Jul 2020

  Vism and FESPA UK have announced that the inaugural UK Graphic Awards will now take place on Tuesday 2nd February 2021.

• PressOn gets creative with latest HP Latex R-series upgrade
  13 Jul 2020

  PressOn says the additional functionality offered by HP's updated Latex R-series printer is enabling 'great results' on new materials and applications, adding the upgrade to the 2020 edition was undertaken 'painlessly and effectively'.

• Severn - first in UK to invest in Canons varioPRINT iX-series
  13 Jul 2020

  Severn, based in Gloucester, will become the first UK company to install the new Canon varioPRINT iX2100. The device will be Severn’s third inkjet production printer from Canon and will help the company to further expand its offering to customers and welcome new business opportunities.

• Print Hive responds to buzz for greener decor with EJ-DECO
  9 Jul 2020

  The Print Hive can meet increasing demand in two key areas – sustainable graphics and customised interiors – without sacrificing speed, quality or affordability, following the installation of a Roland EJ-640 DECO, a dedicated printing solution for the thriving interior decoration market.

• imageData Group aligns workflow with Tharstern MIS
  8 Jul 2020

  Print and visual communications’ company, imageData Group, are preparing to implement the Tharstern MIS so they can streamline their processes.

• Ultima Displays launches a child friendly sanitising station
  8 Jul 2020

  Government guidance stipulates that for the Autumn term, schools must ‘introduce preventative measures to help students and staff clean hands thoroughly more often than usual and introduce enhanced cleaning, including cleaning frequently touched surfaces often.’

• Natural Print Solutions installs latest Ricoh Ri 100
  8 Jul 2020

  Essex-based Natural Print Solutions has installed Ricoh's latest direct-to-garment (DTG) printer, the Ricoh Ri 100, to bring the production of branded workwear and personalised merchandise in-house.

• LFR Spotlight on PressOn the wide-format print specialists
  7 Jul 2020

  PressOn was established in 2000, but it's not just its birth date that marks it out as a fully 21st century business. Based in Kent, the large format digital printing and installation company has won loyal customers across the UK, thanks to its ethos of evolution.

• AAG introduces new and upgraded Trident finishing solution
  6 Jul 2020

  A new and upgraded version of the AXYZ Trident print finishing system has been introduced by AAG (AXYZ Automation Group).

• Roland VG2 from QPS makes 'huge difference' to Source Signs
  1 Jul 2020

  Glasgow's Source Signs says replacing its second-hand Roland VersaCAMM with a brand-new Roland TrueVIS VG2-640, supplied by Quality Print Services (QPS), has made 'a massive difference' to its turnaround speeds.

• Mimaki CJV150-75 allows HEAROES to help hearing-impaired kids
  30 Jun 2020

  HEAROES is an independent family run business that creates unique and personalised skins and accessories for hearing equipment, particularly for children.

• Spandex launch ImagePerfect SafeTouch antimicrobial laminate
  29 Jun 2020

  Spandex, the one-stop supplier of innovative solutions to the sign, graphics and display industries is launching ImagePerfect SafeTouch, an antimicrobial laminate for use in environments where it’s important to minimise the spread of bacteria on surfaces.

• Design Packaging invest in Zund G3 120 mm High Beam cutter
  24 Jun 2020

  Design Packaging Group Limited, a specialist in packaging solutions, have taken delivery of their new Zund G3 120mm High Beam cutter, to further their wide range of packaging services for its clients.

• Smith Sign & Display offering pre-made social distancing signs
  24 Jun 2020

  Smith Sign and Display, part of William Smith Group 1832, are pleased to announce they are now supplying off the shelf social distancing graphics for the trade.

• Renault F1 boost productivity with Roland remote functionality
  23 Jun 2020

  “Once again this has shown how critical the Roland equipment is for our business. Because we have this solution in place, we’re prepared for anything.”

• Mac Signs continues legacy with new Roland TrueVIS SG2-540
  18 Jun 2020

  Edinburgh-based Mac Signs have taken receipt of the multi-award-winning Roland DG TrueVIS SG2-540 printer/cutter, continuing a legacy for this accidental sign maker and his family.

• ADAPT finance to help businesses recover from COVID-19
  18 Jun 2020

  UK businesses recovering from the impact of COVID-19 may be eligible for a new business package from ADAPT in conjunction with First Business Finance.

• XAAR and MAPLEJET mark 20 years of collaboration
  18 Jun 2020

  The high performance and reliability of Xaar’s 128 printheads have made Xaar the printhead manufacturer of choice for the last 20 years, for global coding and marking printer provider Maplejet.

• Ricoh blog: Unlock the full potential of print with software
  18 Jun 2020

  We're well and truly living in the digital era. Most of us are carrying around phones with greater power than the Apollo 11 lunar space capsule, with more opportunities for communication, information, and entertainment than Neil, Buzz and Michael could have thought possible in 1969.

• Graphtec GB announces entry into graphics laminating sector
  17 Jun 2020

  Renowned for the wide range of high-performance digital cutting solutions supplied primarily to the sign and graphics, digital printing/finishing, print wear and promotional products, packaging and labelling sectors, Graphtec GB has highlighted its propensity for product diversification by adding the latest L300 Laminator from WID Innovations to its expanding portfolio.

• Metamark CEO Paul French positive about industry bounce-back
  16 Jun 2020

  It’s a been a while now since the UK Government actioned its lockdown programme and signs are beginning to indicate that the unprecedented measures are having the desired effect.

• Zund UK installs swissQprint's Impala 3 at its demo centre
  16 Jun 2020

  Zund UK has installed a swissQprint Impala 3 flatbed printer at its state-of-the-art demonstration centre in St Albans.

• Minuteman Press gives salon makeover with Drytac Polar
  16 Jun 2020

  Material hair salon in Bath has revealed a new look every month, with window graphics printed by Minuteman Press using Drytac Polar Premium. Thanks to Polar's ease of application, each new window display can be installed in under an hour.

• The Print Show postponed to September 2021
  15 Jun 2020

  Organisers of The Print Show have confirmed that the event will be postponed until 2021, due to the ongoing novel coronavirus (Covid-19) situation in the UK.

• The IPIA & BAPC combine forces to fuel the engine of UK print
  8 Jun 2020

  The Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) and the British Association for Print & Communication (BAPC) have combined forces as part of their shared mission to raise the tide for print in the long-term.

• CMYUK to reopen its Demo and Training Centre to UK customers
  8 Jun 2020

  CMYUK, the largest independent supplier of wide-format digital printers, cutters and materials will be reopening its Shrewsbury-based Demonstration and Training Centre to customers from Monday 15th June.

• The Label Makers wins new business with the Durst Tau RSC
  5 Jun 2020

  Multi-award-winning company The Label Makers has expanded into higher-end markets and turned a major food brand prospect into one of its biggest accounts, thanks to the Durst Tau RSC platform and software capabilities.

• How Ricoh is empowering print with large-format innovations
  1 Jun 2020

  Ricoh has made its globally recognised name in office solutions, providing document services, consulting, software and hardware to customers around the world.

• Proactive support from Kornit helps TShirt Group win business
  28 May 2020

  Tshirt Group says it has overcome the 'tough' COVID-19 lockdown period thanks to the combination of a fantastic production team, proactivity in terms of its finances and technical support and advice from Kornit.

• AXYZ router provides an infinite solution for sign makers
  28 May 2020

  Building on the legacy of 30 years’ experience in the development and supply of technically advanced CNC routing/cutting systems, AAG (AXYZ Automation Group) has set a new benchmark for machine price-to-performance capability, configurability and longevity with the appropriately named AXYZ Infinite router.

• Fujifilm and Tinmasters announce metal decoration partnership
  28 May 2020

  Fujifilm's foray into metal decoration has been given a significant seal of approval as one of Europe's biggest independent metal packaging printers agrees to inkjet development partnership.

• New business Aroc Compliance launches thanks to Ricoh TF6250
  27 May 2020

  The owners of Appeal Media have launched a new business, Aroc Compliance, specialising in health and safety and compliance signage.

• First orders and install of new Canon varioPRINT iX-series
  27 May 2020

  Canon has already received its first orders for the new varioPRINT iX-series advanced sheetfed inkjet press since its introduction on April 1st 2020.

• The Vinyl Guys adapts to a changing market
  26 May 2020

  Alex Liggett went full-time with his business The Vinyl Guys just last summer but has quickly refocused to meet the changing demands of the past few weeks.

• Ricoh to continue its Anything in Print webinar series
  20 May 2020

  Ricoh is continuing its Anything in Print webinar series with an informative session on the wide format print sector.

• Drytac blog on using short-term graphics
  20 May 2020

  Social distancing has become standard practice across the world in recent weeks. As businesses and public spaces reopen or prepare for a swell in customer numbers, it's essential to provide guidance in the form of graphics.

• Inspirwood spreads happiness with NHS charities print campaign
  19 May 2020

  Combining state-of-the-art Mimaki printers, carpentry, laser cutting and CNC techniques, Inspirwood’s team of designers is currently helping customers communicate through decorated wooden products even more than normal.

• QPS - on call during times of need
  18 May 2020

  While some print service providers have remained operational since the introduction of lockdown conditions on March 23rd - perhaps to supply the key worker infrastructure and or by diversifying to offer PPE provisions - there will be a large number who needed to close.

• Why UV flatbed print is top of the industry's shopping list
  18 May 2020

  The 2019 Widthwise poll of wide-format print professionals found that almost a third (31%) planned to invest in UV-curing flatbed printers in the next couple of years, putting the technology top of the list of purchasing intentions.

• Signworks relies on HP Latex for social distancing signs
  14 May 2020

  The owner of Moray-based Signworks says his work has gone from 'zero' to 'crazy' in the past few weeks with orders for temporary signage and banners relating to COVID-19, which he can turn around in hours using his HP Latex 315 wide format printer.

• FD Signs and the Fujifilm Acuity LED 1600 deliver for TFL
  14 May 2020

  West London signage company FD Signs successfully delivers nearly 100,000 social distancing floor graphics for use across the London transport network.

• Automate and customise with Canon's UVgel Wallpaper Factory
  14 May 2020

  Canon has launched its UV gel Wallpaper Factory together with partner Fotoba. Designed for maximum throughput, high quality and to run all day long, it’s the perfect solution for automated production of customized wallpapers.

• Full Speed Ahead to accelerate your print productivity
  14 May 2020

  Everyone in the digital print supply chain can speed the production of variable data printing (VDP) jobs thanks to a new independent guide to the “dos and don’ts” of optimizing PDF files for the fastest, most efficient processing by digital front ends (DFEs).

• Drytac launches Protac Antimicrobial for extra peace of mind
  12 May 2020

  Drytac has released Protac Antimicrobial in the UK and Europe, a new laminating film that protects surfaces against bacteria and fungus.

• CMYUK launches Safer Spaces Range
  11 May 2020

  CMYUK has launched its Safer Spaces range, a collection of specialist products and materials designed to help jump-start the UK’s digital wide-format sector back to work.

• CMYUK Textiles secures stock for protective gowns and masks
  7 May 2020

  CMYUK Textiles has secured a substantial UK stock provision of 300,000 non-permeable, protective healthcare gowns and1.5m community grade facemasks per week.

• Ricoh, BPIF and IPIA to examine key challenges for UK print
  6 May 2020

  In light of challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ricoh UK have today announced that it will launch a series of webinars examining key points of focus for UK printers in a post-pandemic world.

• SDi hygiene solutions in demand as retailers add protection
  5 May 2020

  Urgent demand to keep employees and customers safe in the wake of Covid-19 has seen a Leicestershire point of sale and visual merchandising display specialist pivot its operations to deliver a range of end-to-end hygiene products and services.

• Roland Academy expands online with fresh weekly content
  4 May 2020

  “Training is one of those things that we like to put off until we have more time,” says Joe Wigzell, Academy Manager for Roland DG,

• swissQprint now direct in the UK
  1 May 2020

  The Swiss manufacturer of high-end large format printers, swissQprint, has established a new subsidiary in the UK. swissQprint UK is based in Bracknell, Berkshire and provides sales, servicing and application support.

• Elite Signs put their Roland DG printer to work for the NHS
  30 Apr 2020

  Family business Elite Signs has responded to an urgent call for easily readable name badges for NHS staff treating COVID-19 patients. In addition, the Bridgend graphics specialist is helping children and their parents with a colourful challenge.

• It is time to consider cost-efficient alternative ink says QPS
  30 Apr 2020

  With the current challenges facing the print industry - and the UK as a whole - many businesses are looking at their finances.

• Stickerdrops helps local NHS staff with fundraising campaign
  29 Apr 2020

  Upon discovering that frontline healthcare staff at their local hospital were self-funding additional items of PPE, StickerDrops owner Dave Fowler took matters into his own hands, producing supportive stickers and donating all the profits to the hospital’s fundraising charity.

• Global Graphics announces Direct - a new class of software
  29 Apr 2020

  Global Graphics Software announces a new class of print software for the next generation of faster, wider, high-resolution digital presses.

• Funky Labels upgrades to Roland TR2 inks
  28 Apr 2020

  Funky Labels, based in Somerset, have taken advantage of Roland’s TR2 ink conversion opportunity.

• ISA-UK postpones Sign & Print Awards in response to Covid-19
  27 Apr 2020

  ISA-UK powered by BSGA, the trade association for the sign, graphics and visual communications industry, has announced today that it is postponing the 2020 ISA-UK Sign & Print Awards, scheduled for 25th November, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

• British companies pull together to produce visors for NHS
  24 Apr 2020

  Three British businesses have collaborated to produce visors for the North West Ambulance service in a bid to help fulfil demand for much needed PPE for the NHS.

• UV technologist develops sanitiser to combat virus infection
  24 Apr 2020

  A hand-held sanitiser using ultra-violet (UV) light to inactivate biomolecules and micro-organisms including Coronavirus Covid-19 has been introduced to market by Integration Technology Ltd.

• Hybrid assists sewists with patterns for NHS scrubs campaign
  24 Apr 2020

  With the national “For the Love of Scrubs” campaign in full flight, hobby sewist, Emma Dalzell set up the ‘Mid Cheshire Hospitals - Leighton/Northwich’ offshoot to respond to increasing requests from local hospitals for scrubs and other items required on the frontline as the health service continues its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

• Gilmex orders three new Ricoh Pro L5160 printers
  22 Apr 2020

  Gilmex International says it has 'dramatically increased' its output quality and turnaround times thanks to the installation of a new Ricoh Pro L5160 printer with Latex ink in August 2019.

• Roland Hero winner Peak UK going for gold at Tokyo 2021
  21 Apr 2020

  Pete Astles from Peak UK, winner of the Roland Hero contest, is having to revise his plans due to the wholly necessary postponement of the Tokyo Olympics.

• British Sign Awards to go Online this year due to COVID 19
  21 Apr 2020

  In light of the emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic the decision has been taken to cancel the British Sign Awards 2020 Gala presentation event, which was to have taken place at the Athena in Leicester on Thursday, November 12th. Instead the awards will take place online instead.

• Global Graphics Software wins a Queen's Award for Enterprise
  21 Apr 2020

  Cambridge-based Global Graphics Software, a leading developer of core technology for digital print, has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

• ISA-UK freezes all membership renewals during pandemic
  17 Apr 2020

  As part of its efforts to support members during the Coronavirus pandemic, ISA-UK powered by BSGA, the trade association for the sign, graphics and visual communications industry, has frozen all membership renewals due from 1 March 2020 to 31 May 2020.

• Perfect Colours helps sewists meet demand for NHS scrubs
  16 Apr 2020

  Perfect Colours, an award-winning supplier of large format printers, print consumables and printing equipment in the UK and Ireland, is printing A0 sewing patterns for home sewers to make nursing scrubs needed urgently by the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak, using its HP PageWide XL to get the job done at ultra-high speeds.

• Funding competition for innovation during Covid-19 ends soon
  15 Apr 2020

  The UK Government has released a new funding competition with a grant opportunity for businesses with plans to respond to the current Covid-19 crisis.

• Blackman & White cut through PPE shortage with new visor
  14 Apr 2020

  An Essex-based manufacturer is using its expertise in cutting systems to design and make vital equipment to support frontline staff in the fight against Covid-19.

• Printers encouraged to get their creative marketing hats on
  9 Apr 2020

  The UK Graphic Awards have announced a brand-new category for their awards celebration taking place this September.

• Meteor Inkjet launches eLab Pro next generation inkjet RIP
  2 Apr 2020

  Meteor Inkjet Ltd takes digital printing of labels, packaging and books to a new level with the launch of eLab Pro, a scalable industrial inkjet RIP solution in a complete, plug and play package.

• UK Graphic Awards issue update & message of encouragement
  2 Apr 2020

  Organisers of the inaugural UK Graphic Awards, scheduled to take place on Tuesday 15th September, have issued a statement filled with positivity and encouragement for the UK graphics industry, whilst encouraging those with some downtime to use it in a positive and productive way whilst bringing their teams together - virtually, of course!

• Entrepreneur swaps wetsuits for sweatshirts with Roland BT-12
  31 Mar 2020

  Rosie Lees took over The Embroidery Barn in 2018 with no experience of producing promotional and personalised clothing, but investment in equipment such as the Roland VersaSTUDIO BT-12 has helped her sail into success.

• Pinseeker on course to diversify with HP Stitch
  30 Mar 2020

  Golf equipment specialist Pinseeker is hoping to diversify into new markets following the installation of a new HP Stitch textile printing system.

• Perspex acrylic production increases to meet Covid-19 demand
  30 Mar 2020

  In response to unprecedented demand due to Covid-19, Lancashire based acrylic manufacturers, Perspex International Limited (PIL), have prioritised increased production of Perspex clear acrylic to fulfil requirements for protective Perspex acrylic screens across the UK and Europe.

• Konica signs business pledge to help nation through COVID 19
  30 Mar 2020

  Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Limited has joined businesses from across the UK in an initiative to help Britain and its most vulnerable citizens to pull through the coronavirus crisis.

• GMG provides free additional ColorPlugin licenses
  27 Mar 2020

  In order to assist in keeping businesses operational during the COVID-19 pandemic, GMG Color is offering its customers free temporary licenses of the GMG ColorPlugin tool for Photoshop that they can use while working from home.

• UK printers can remain open for business says Government
  26 Mar 2020

  The IPIA and BAPC have met with The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and a key piece of confirmed guidance is that — following the representations of our industry’s associations — all print production can currently remain open for business.

• Racesafe announces installation of an HP Stitch S300
  25 Mar 2020

  Racesafe, manufacturer of equestrian silks and riding apparel, has announced the installation of an HP Stitch S300 dye-sublimation printer. The new machine will help Racesafe to meet customer demand for accurately colour – matched and customised riding silks, while improving efficiency.

• Rishi Sunak promises to guarantee £330bn loans to business
  18 Mar 2020

  The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, outlined a raft of further measures last night to support the UK’s ailing businesses, those affected by the forbidding COVID-19 outbreak. The list that follows summarises his announcements in the order they were announced:

• Eco Signs boosts productivity with EFIs new VUTEk 32h
  13 Mar 2020

  Swindon, England-based Eco Signs has increased its capacity - delivering a greater number of jobs produced on a broader range of substrates - using an EFI VUTEk 32h hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll LED inkjet printer from Electronics For Imaging, Inc.

• Aztec Signs buys an EFI VUTEk h3 from CMYUK
  12 Mar 2020

  Aztec Signs has purchased an EFI VUTEk h3 printer from CMYUK, the UK’s largest independent supplier of wide format digital printers, cutters and materials.

• ArtSystems' announces free-to-attend Décor Event in London
  11 Mar 2020

  Nottingham-based specialist systems distributor and service provider, ArtSystems, has announced 8th April 2020 as the date for its first Wide Open Print Forum. Entitled the Décor Event it will take place at the DotDigital offices, London Bridge.

• Mactac launches new high-performance MACmark Marking Films
  10 Mar 2020

  Expanding its high-performance 9800 PRO series of MACmark Marking Films, Mactac Distributor Products is launching two new premium quality marking films.

• Sign & Digital UK 2020 now postponed until March 2021
  9 Mar 2020

  Faversham House today announces Sign & Digital UK 2020 (SDUK), due to take place at Birmingham’s NEC from 28 to 30 April 2020, has been suspended and moved to 2 to 4 March 2021.

• CMYUK amasses stocks of PONGS materials
  5 Mar 2020

  CMYUK has announced that it has increased stocks of PONGS textiles in all its UK warehouse locations.

• Signarama accelerates production with HP Latex 365 install
  5 Mar 2020

  A new HP Latex 365 large-format printer has helped a Midlands sign business to accelerate production, especially of vehicle wraps.

• ISA-UK Sign & Print Awards 2020 date and venue announced
  5 Mar 2020

  It has been announced that the ISA-UK Sign & Print Awards gala event will take place on 25 November 2020 at the Hilton Deansgate in Manchester.

• Coronavirus implications on overseas travel insurance
  5 Mar 2020

  With the unfortunate postponement of FESPA, many of us are now seeing a clear indication of the significant impact of Coronavirus on our industry and its international events.