FESPA WORLD Issue 46 - English

FESPA WORLD WINTER/06 3

Fespa WorldThe membership magazine of theFederation of European Screenprinting AssociationsIssue No.46Winter 2006

Published byFESPA Ltd

Editorial officeFESPAAssociation House7a West StreetReigate, Surrey RH2 9BLTel: +44 1737 24 07 88Fax: +44 1737 24 07 70E-mail: [email protected]

PublisherMarcus Timson – Group CommercialManagerTel: +44 1737 24 07 88

AdvertisingMichael Ryan – Group Sales ManagerJames Ford – Sales Manager Tel: +44 1737 24 07 88Fax: +44 1737 24 07 70

EditorVal HirstTel: +44 1623 88 23 98E-mail: [email protected]

Graphic Design Bate Brand Communications8 St Leonard’s Square, WallingfordOxfordshire OX10 0ARTel: +44 1491 835835www.batebrand.com

PrintingThe MANSON Group LtdReynolds House, 8 Porters WoodValley Road Industrial EstateSt Albans, AL3 6PZTel: +44 1727 848 440www.manson-grp.co.uk

NEWS ROUND-UP

4 SUPPLIER NEWSThe latest news from aroundthe industry

8 PRODUCT NEWSNew launches and Innovations

14 CHRIS’S COLUMNWhat’s happening within theAssociations

16 REACHHow the new regulations willaffect Screen and Digitalprinters

20 MAX POWER!How the new regulations willaffect Screen and Digitalprinters

SPECIAL FEATURES

28 INNOVATION -BREAKING THE BARRIERSThe Swedish company DesignForce has introduced Re-board, a novel new material,which is set to revolutionisethe display graphics sector

32 PERFECT PARTNERSInca is the printermanufacturer behind Re-board

33 FIRST OF A KINDAugend Technologies enters intothe industrial inkjet arena

34 PERSONAL CHOICEPrinters explain theirselection of equipment

38 ON THE ROAD AGAINMichel Caza describes howthe printing sector is faringin Russia, Turkey andBulgaria

MAIN FEATURE

42 BEAUTIFUL BRATISLAVAA report on The FESPAGeneral Assembly 2007

52 THE PETER KIDDELLCOLUMNIn the issue Peter explains theISO standards

INFORMATION

21 DIARY DATESFESPA’s regular guide to showsand events

22 FESPA NEWSLETTEREvents for 2007 and beyond

26 FESPA DIGITAL PRINTAWARDS 2007The latest update on thecompetition

56 FESPA CONTACT LIST

AND FINALLY…

58 In this issue Peter Cornelis ofAugend Technologies is in the hotseat

Editor’s letterIf 2006 has been a busy year for FESPA and its memberAssociations, 2007 promises to be even busier! Thesuccessful launch of FESPA Digital Printing Europe during2006 is due to be followed by possibly one of the mostexciting FESPA exhibitions ever, in June, together with thesecond FESPA World Expo India show in Dehli, in December.For full details on both these and the other events whichFESPA have in the pipeline, turn to page 22.

In addition, the FESPA Projects Committee, under the leadership of Chris Smith,will be continuing to support members’ activities throughout the coming year, whilstChris reports on some of the events he attended during the Autumn, on page 14. Andalthough the report on the FESPA General Assembly – pages 48-51 - reveals, that atpresent, some Associations are faring better than others, Marcus Timson’s review ofSIOTEC’s meteoric rise on page 20, may well provide some interesting ideas for otherAssociations to copy.

When not busying themselves with visits to exhibitions and other Associationevents, screen and digital printers will face the challenge of assimilating all of theinformation relating to important new regulations. Following Paul Rankin’s summary ofRoHS and WEE in the last issue is an article on REACH, which threatens to have evenmore bearing on printers’ profitability in the next year or two. Read all about it onpage16.

The FESPA Digital Printing Awards 2007, featured on page 26, will culminate induring the early part of the year and will no doubt highlight many new and innovativeapplications. It is possible that one of these might highlight the remarkable capabilitiesof a new rigid substrate, Re-board. Introduced by the Swedish company Design Force,it is exceptionally strong and durable but considerably lighter than any of the currentalternatives and seems likely to revolutionise the graphics sector over the next coupleof years. To get in on the act early, turn immediately to pages 28-31.

Our own Michel Caza is back on the road again and provides us with editedhighlights of his recent trips to visit printers in Russia, Turkey and Bulgaria, where thelevel of innovation that they are employing in their businesses amazed him. Read hisreport on pages 38-41.

FESPA World also has a new innovation it is very proud off. A new web link,www.digitalpublishingcompany.co.uk/activemagazine/welcome/FE, enablesreaders to browse through the magazine on the Internet. This new facility, inconjunction with the downloadable PDF facility already provided, viawww.fespaworld.com, thus offers both the enjoyment provided by the ‘flick factor’or the ability to print out articles for a more in-depth scrutiny. Call it our Christmaspresent to you!

The only thing left to do then, on behalf of the whole FESPA team, is to wisheveryone a very prosperous, productive and above all, profitable New Year!

Val Hirste-mail: [email protected]

Fespa World. Designed by Bate Brand Communications. Printed by The Manson Group Ltd. Editorial photographssupplied courtesy of the companies they feature. The publishers accept no responsibility for any statement madein signed contributions or those reproduced from any other source, nor for claims made in any advertisement.Fespa World is available to individuals who qualify within the terms of a controlled circulation and by subscription.

Fespa World

4 FESPA WORLD WINTER/06

NEWS ROUND-UP – SUPPLIER NEWS

The recent RFID Smart Labels

Europe Conference and

Exhibition broke new ground and

revealed how the subject has

moved on. The 350 delegates

from 30 countries, who assembled

in London, rated speakers from

San Francisco International

Airport and Manchester Airport

Group to be particularly

interesting. These speakers both

described RFID markets that have

come from nowhere, including

baggage tagging and people

tagging, which help to reduce

queues and improve safety and

accuracy. Another new market,

drug tagging, was also covered,

this being primarily for anti-

counterfeiting.

For further information visit:

www.idtechex.com

HP has created a dedicated

Graphic Arts division, designed

to help it drive the adoption of

digital printing and to bring

ground-breaking technologies,

new business opportunities and

outstanding print quality to the

expanding Graphic Arts sector.

The new division, part of HP’s

Imaging and Printing Group,

seeks to bring together a huge

portfolio of digital print solutions

to help HP customers capture

new business opportunities with

high-growth applications from

stamps to billboards, enhanced

by a complete range of industry-

leading end-to-end solutions.

The new organisation,

encompassing Designjet large

format printing, HP Scitex wide

format printing, HP Indigo

digital offset presses and HP

Specialty Printing Systems, will

be led in Europe by Santiago

Morera, Vice President and

General Manager of the Graphic

Arts Business for the Imaging and

Printing Group in EMEA. He will

be supported by Francois Martin,

EMEA Graphic Arts Marketing

Manager, Manel Martinez, Large

Format Printing Business

Manager for EMEA responsible

for the combined HP DesignJet

and HP Scitex businesses, and

Marc Schillemans, Business

Manager for HP Indigo.

For further information please

visit: www.hp.com

RFID Smart Labels breaksnew ground in London

Generic wide format inkjet ink

manufacturer Fillink

Technologies SA used the Visual

Communication Italy exhibition

to announce further company

and product developments.

After another year of

exceptional growth, which has

seen Fillink become the number

one generic ink supplier in most

European countries, it has

developed and manufactured a

range of versatile new UV inks,

which will be available

imminently. Fillink is also set to

supply UV ink, specialised

technical support and

equipment for the NUR Expedio

wide-format inkjet production

press, which will be followed up

next year by product and

support for the VUTEk PressVu.

In addition, Fillink has also

introduced an alternative ink

solution for the Roland

Advanced Jet AJ-1000 Printer,

which, claims Managing

Director, Esmeralda

Desart, “will enable the

Roland Advanced Jet to operate

as a small version of some of the

leading super wide-format inkjet

printers, whilst using inks and

producing prints that are

comparative in price.” She says:

“We are committed to enabling

this via a bulk ink system, with

inks selling at €30 per litre. This

will benefit users tremendously

by reducing the cost per m2

from €6 to €1 per print.”

Fillink continues to enjoy

success in Italy through Sintesi,

which operates in tandem with

DGVision who are responsible

for covering the North of the

country. Fillink has also just

expanded its distribution

network further with the

appointment of Sesoma-

Sericomex Group as its exclusive

distributor for the Nordic and

Baltic regions – extending the

company’s global reach to

include Finland, Sweden,

Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and

Lithuania.

For further information,

please contact:

www.fillink.eu.com

HP to drive digital

3P received its second DPI

Product of the Year award in

succession with its canvas

products. Universal Glossy

Canvas (IQ-IJ109) from 3P InkJet

Textiles Corp was awarded the

DPI (Digital Printing and

Imaging Association) Product of

the Year 2006 in the Fabric

category, following its

simultaneous launch of the new

material at the recent SGIA Show

in Las Vegas and Photokina at

Cologne.

Ergosoft Corp. printed the

winning print with its RIP

software TexPrint Version 12 on

Canon's 60" Image PROGRAF

iPF9000 with the new 12-colour

pigment system using 3P's

Universal Glossy Canvas. Last

year the same award went to 3P's

Studio Canvas (IQ-IJ 111) in

combination with Mimaki and

Ergosoft Corp.

For further information

e-mail: elkegrotmann@3p-

inktextiles.com

Full steam ahead for Fillink

Universal Glossy Canvas wins prestigious DPI award 2006

Ryuta Sakurai, Managing

Director of Sakuri the Japanese

press manufacturer, was in

London recently to help the

company celebrate its 60th

anniversary with an Open

House exhibition of high-tech

presses.

For the first time, Sakurai’s

West London showroom

played host to existing and

potential customers of both

offset and screen printing

presses. Mr Sakurai

commented: “Our OL 66SD

and OL 75SD offset series set

new standards for print quality

in the multi-colour SRA2 and

B2 markets. And, for the first

time, one of our market leading

screenprinting presses was also

in action. Both ranges signify

our commitment to ongoing

R&D in the market for print,

where quality expectations

continue to rise at a time when

prices are coming under

increased pressure.”


SUPPLIER NEWS

Sakuri celebrates 60th Anniversary

Succession assured for LüscherHans Lüscher, until now

proprietor and president of the

board of directors of Lüscher AG

in Leutwil, has recently

transferred the majority holding

in his company to the Austrian

investment company PAInvest in

order to secure the succession for

his company and its employees.

Since 2000, Lüscher’s turnover

has increased from €16 million

to €36 million.

An associated company of the

Austrian Global Equity Partner

(GEP), PAInvest has a majority

holding in medium-sized

businesses in Germany, Austria

and Switzerland. Wilhelm R.

Tschol, director of PAInvest, took

over the position of President of

the Board from Hans Lüscher,

who continues to serve on the

board of directors. Lars Janneryd

who was previously the member

of the board responsible for sales

and marketing, is retiring.

Kurt Steidle has been

appointed Managing Director. In

his last position with Kodak he

was responsible for the company

Kodak Polychrome Graphics in

Austria and Switzerland. Based

on his previous responsibilities

for the development, production

and quality control of the

Newsetter thermal platesetter, he

brings much experience in the

Computer-to-Plate sector.

Lüscher has informed its

distributors and customers that

the current production range

will be retained and that service

and support will continue within

the present framework. Further,

those products currently under

development will be brought to

market on schedule. PAInvest

has stated that it intends to

support the strong growth that

Lüscher AG has achieved thanks

to the quality of, and demand

for, its products.


www.luescher.com

Ryuta Sakurai, MD of Sakuri with FESPA’s Michael Ryan.


SUPPLIER NEWS

Fillink Technologies SA has

appointed Henry Maya as East

Coast and Latin America Sales

Manager for its subsidiary

company, Fillink America. The

Compose System has

appointed Kevin Caughtry to

the position of Sales Manager,

UK and Ireland. Caughtry, who

has taken over the UK sales and

marketing responsibility for

Compose System in Europe

with a specific remit to expand

its sales channel and dealer

network, has previously held a

number of senior positions at

MCSi (Mitsubishi), Konica

Corporation, DuPont, and most

recently, Punch Graphix.

role will see Maya assume

responsibility for overall

business growth across the

territories, as well as for the

development of Fillink’s rapidly

expanding distributor network.

Maya previously worked for

Ultraflex Systems Inc, where he

was Latin America Sales

Manager, responsible for

developing business throughout

the continent and NUR, where

he managed the ink division for

NUR America.

Appointments

Hen

ry M

aya

New UK Colorspan distributorColourgen, the UK-based

specialist supplier of digital

printing solutions, has been

appointed the exclusive

distributor for the ColorSpan

9840UV, MacDermid ColorSpan’s

new industrial grade UV-curable

flatbed printer. The printer

recently won the ‘Product of the

Year’ award at the SGIA 2006

Show in Las Vegas in the Flatbed

Rigid Substrate Output Device

category. Colourgen will also

distribute MacDermid ColorSpan’s

complete range of printers,

including the DisplayMaker

72UVR, 72UVX and 98UVX

flatbed inkjet printers.


www.colorspan.com

Jeff Biggs, Managing Director of Colourgen and Simon Goldsack, Sales Manager for ColorSpan confirmColourgen's exclusive distribution of the ColorSpan range in the UK.

Sun Chemical has created the

UK’s most modern and

automated supply location for

sheetfed and UV inks, varnish

and consumables by

redeveloping and modernising

its South Normanton National

Distribution and Customer

Service Centre.

The £1.8 million expansion

includes the installation of three

dispensers to handle UV and

conventional inks and will help

to guarantee the efficiency,

accuracy and repeatability of

special blends. The South

Normanton site in Derbyshire

also has additional capacity for

planned expansion.

The investment further

consolidates two production

centres, which had operated in

close proximity since Sun

Chemical’s acquisition of

Gibbon Inks and Coatings and

Coates Lorilleux.


www.sunchemical.com

Redevelopedsite for SunChemical

Dalim Software has entered

into an agreement with NEXTSolutions (Mijdrecht, The

Netherlands) to distribute its

software in The Netherlands,

Belgium and Luxembourg. NEXT

Solutions will be fully responsible

for the sales, integration and

support of Dalim Software's full

suite of software.

In Brief

Océ, has completed the launch

of the Océ CS9000 range, which

offers superior print quality,

speed and ink economy.

The range, which consists of

the Océ CS9065 and Océ

CS9090, high quality printing

systems, produces output with

an outdoor durability of up to

three years. The printers feature

Océ VariaDot Imaging

Technology, which enables a

printhead to produce dots with

variable drop sizes, versus

printheads using fixed dot

technology.

There are significant savings to

be made using this system with

the CS9000 range using up to 35

percent less ink, than other

machines in its class, typically

achieving cost savings of up to

25percent.

Both machines offer true 720

x 720 dpi resolution at print

speeds up to 13 m2 (140 ft2) per

hour in production (four-pass)

mode. In high speed (two-pass)

mode, print speeds up to 22 m2

(245 ft2) per hour can be

achieved with a resolution of

360 x 720 dpi. Top print speeds

of up to 42 m2 (452 ft2) per

hour can be achieved at 360 x

360 dpi resolution.

The Océ CS9000 Series can be

used in conjunction with either

low-solvent or eco-solvent inks

and are ideal for producing

indoor and outdoor point-of-sale

signage, vinyl and textile

banners, vehicle graphics,

exhibition displays, window

graphics and more. The system

also has an optional filter to

remove solvent fumes, and

optional heater units for the eco

solvent printers

The Océ CS9090 completes

the CS9000 range, following

the unveiling of the Océ CS9065

at Océ OpenHouse 2006 in

March.


www.oce.com


NEWS ROUND-UP – PRODUCT NEWS

Océ has recently launched the

Océ Arizona 250 GT, an advanced

printing system, which, it claims,

will set a new standard for the

fast-growing graphic arts market,

and enable companies to

significantly improve the image

quality of their outdoor

advertising and banner

applications. The Arizona 250 GT,

which has been developed by

Océ’s research centre in

Vancouver, enables ink droplets

to vary in size and density, thus

creating superior near

photographic images. It will be

commercially available early in

2007.

For further information visit

www.oce.com

Océ SneakPreview

Océ’s double launch tobenefit display graphics

3M’s range of digital printing

films has been further extended

with the introduction of 3M

Scotchcal Series IJ 25. Developed

specifically for use in

conjunction with most popular

inkjet printer platforms, this

0.10mm calendered monomeric

pvc film is suitable for a broad

range of short- to medium-life

sign and graphics applications

involving flat surfaces.

The film incorporates a

number of notable design and

production characteristics,

including the excellent adhesion

provided by the powerful

pressure-sensitive acrylic

adhesive, even at high ink

laydown, without compromising

the film’s fast removal capability.

The grey-pigmented adhesive

also demonstrates an

outstanding ‘no show through’

capability, even when the

graphics being applied are

superimposed over existing

imagery. Available in white/gloss

and white/matte formats, the

film can be easily applied and

removed from glass, metal, rigid

plastics and can be used without

lamination in both interior and

exterior applications.

Typical applications for

Scotchcal IJ 25 include short-

term advertising and graphics

promotions involving, for

example, general signage, fleet

marking on box-shaped vehicles,

exhibition panels and shop

window and product displays.

For further information,

including specific ICC printer

profiles and available

warranties, telephone

01344 857 850 or visit the 3M

dedicated website

www.3m.com/uk/graphicsolu

tions

New film provides brilliant graphics


PRODUCT NEWS

New release with wider appeal Innovation

Mutoh Europe has announced

the availability of BIS, a new bulk

ink system, which will be

marketed as an option for its

Viper digital transfer and Viper

TX direct textile printers. The Ink

System has been developed for

speed-intensive volume-oriented

Mutoh Viper and Viper TX

printer users, who require a high-

end, high-volume ink delivery

and refill system offering long

unattended printing capabilities,

along with minimum user

intervention.

BIS for Viper (TX) exists in two

models: a four-bottle system and

an eight-bottle system. The four-

bottle model can be used for

Viper (TX) printers set up in four

colour ink configuration, whilst

the eight-bottle model can be

used for two x four, six or eight

colour ink configuration. Each

BIS inkbottle has a total capacity

of 4.3 litres and can be refilled

during printing. BIS does not

require any extra floor space as it

can be easily installed in-between

the printers’ leg supports.

It comes complete with eight

permanent ink supply cartridges,

which are fitted into the Viper

/Viper TX printers’ cartridge slots.

Each cartridge offers electronic

and mechanical overflow and

each ink supply tube has its own

filter pump, which will prevent

dust particles from reaching the

print head, thus avoiding head

obstruction. A constant ink level

is maintained inside each

permanent ink cartridge to

guarantee a steady pressure inside

of the print head, ensuring

consistent print quality.

Mutoh’s BIS for Viper / Viper

TX also comes complete with

stand-alone system monitoring

software, facilitating installation,

configuration and operation of

the system. This enables the

operator to control all aspects of

its operation directly from his PC.

Mutoh’s Water-Based Disperse

Dye inks (C, M, Y, K, Lc, Lm) are

available in one litre, five litre

and 25 litre bottles. The company

is also marketing a similar ink

refill system for its Spitfire 65,

Spitfire 90 and Spitfire100 mild-

solvent printers, in combination

with Spitfire mild solvent bulk

inks, available in bottles of one

and five litres.


visit www.mutoh.be

Bulk inks for Vipers

The recently released single, “Come on

Sheffield United”, written and performed

by “Big Sister” has become a recording

‘first’. Released by ASB Ltd, on its Blades

Record Label, it has earned itself the

distinction of being the first CD to be

printed in Braille. Now, for the first time,

people with visual impairments will be able

to identify which CD they have in their

hands. Despite the (DDA) Disability

Discrimination Act currently in force, it has

not previously been possible to include

Braille on many items, including CD’s. ASB

has become the first music company in the

world to remedy this defect.

There are various ways to produce Braille,

the most common of which, the embossing

technique, can’t be used on items such as

CD’s. Various companies have tried to

perfect printed Braille, but have failed to

meet all of the exacting Braille standards

demanded by the Institutes such as the

RNIB. The basic requirement is that the

height of the Braille should be 500 mcn.

The only technique that fulfils this

criterion was developed by Professor John

Davidson and is marketed by The

Production Agency, based in Sevenoaks,

Kent in the UK. This technique facilitates

the printing of Braille on to literally

anything. Using this system, the shape and

texture can even be altered to suit people

with desensitised fingertips, a common side

effect of diabetes. The Braille can also be

printed in colour, to further assist those

with some residual sight.

Bob Holt, the founder of The Production

Agency and also a director of ASB, is also

an internationally known commentator on

printing techniques. When he began to

appreciate the positive benefits that printed

Braille could add to music products, which

are, for obvious reasons, often very

important to those with serious visual

impairments, he decided to do something

about it. Happily, the co-directors of ASB,

Adjei Amanning and Selwyn Korklin, were

in total agreement with Bob’s plan and

decided to launch this innovation with the

release of the Sheffield United single. Big

Sister, a duo that comprises of Elouise and

her brother Tom, were equally enthusiastic.

The song was produced and typically,

Sheffield United also added its support,

hosting a press conference at the ground.

The positive response has been

extraordinary. ASB will include a Braille

option on all future releases and want to

encourage all other record companies to do

the same.

For further information e-mail Bob Holt

at: [email protected]

PRODUCT NEWS


Wasatch Computer Technology

has launched version 6.0 of its

Wasatch SoftRIP family of

products, which provides existing

users with powerful tools that will

enable them to work more

efficiently, whilst also providing

new users with an easy interface

that they can learn and use

immediately.

The company developed this

latest version of its popular

software package following

discussions with users about their

optimal RIP workflows, in order

to provide precisely what is

needed. The resulting SoftRIP

interface makes it easy for

different users to work with the

software in the way that feels

most intuitive to them and

enables them to carry out all of

their typical daily tasks without

ever leaving the software’s main

screen. That makes it easy for

most users to complete their work

in the RIP quickly, whilst still

maintaining deeper level

advanced tools for printing and

colour experts.

New features include Direct-to-

Layout, for those who like to view

all of the images in a production

so that they can plan their print

run efficiently;

Job-Based processing, to

streamline file preparation for

individual RIP preparation and

print and Server-Based workflow,

so that the RIP can be managed

from the Master Queues Manager

and receive files to RIP from

separate networked workstations.

Existing SoftRIP users with an

active service contract will be able

to upgrade FREE of charge and

upgrade invitations will be sent to

qualified users by email.

For further information

Tel: (800) 894-1544 and (801)

575-8043; Fax: (801) 575-8075.

or visit: www.wasatch.com.

Hexis S.A. has launched a new

economy version of its popular

micro-perforated window films

The MICRO4 is a see-through

window film featuring full colour

graphics capability on the outside

whilst maintaining one-way

visibility from within. It can be

printed on both solvent and eco-

solvent inkjet printers and is

suitable for use with vehicle and

building applications.

Made up of a 100µm vinyl film

carrying a black solvent-based

adhesive, MICRO4 has 68:32

perforation pattern, with 65

percent of the film available as

printing surface and 32 percent

for see-through vision. This

perforation pattern provides a

sufficiently large area for high-

resolution colour prints whilst

maintaining sufficient internal

visibility.

Ideally suited for short-term

promotional applications, where

cost efficiency is a priority,

MICR04 is available in standard

roll sizes of 30m or 90m long

with a width of 1370mm.

Data sheets and samples are

available from Hexis directly or

its local distributors.


www.hexisgroup.com

Window appeal for less

PanoRama self-adhesive window

film from Continental Grafix

now offers the advantage of an

additional fire retardant

certification, bringing it up to M1

status, following tests carried out

by an independent French

institute (CSTB).

Continental Grafix has already

achieved the distinction of

becoming the first supplier of a

window film with B1

certification, which makes it

suitable for applications in public

buildings and at major sporting

events. However, in order to

satisfy all current safety

regulations, the company also

applied for the French M1

standard, in order to broaden the

scope of application to

encompass its use in exhibition

construction.


www.continentalgrafix.com

PanoRama now M1 certified

A revamp for SoftRIP

Xaar has approved Fujifilm

Sericol's Color+ XV ink for use

with its successful XJ-128/40W

and XJ-126/50 inkjet printheads.

The combination of Fujifilm

Sericol's high-performance

pigmented solvent inks and

Xaar's piezoelectric technology

offers a consistent and flexible

inkjet solution for sign and

specialty graphics printers.

Developed specifically for

wide-format digital printers, the

Color+ XV inks use high-quality

pigments blended with

specialised solvents to produce

brilliant colours. The inks also

feature superior light fastness

and adhesion to a wide range of

uncoated materials. In addition,

they have been formulated for

rapid drying times without the

application of heat – for

example, typical drying times for

the inks on vinyl are 60 seconds

at 40 °C.


www.xaar.co.uk and

www.fujifilmsericol.com

Xaar extends ink approval


PRODUCT NEWS

Two recent open days celebrated theadvantages of Spühl Ag’s Virtu printers

Over 100 industryprofessionals recentlyenjoyed an opportunity towitness the inner workingsof printer manufacturerSpühl Ag at close hand,when they were invited toan Open Day at thecompany’s new Wittenbachfacility.

The event, which also enabled

the visitors to mix informally

with Spühl’s 200 employees and

60 apprentices, featured a

demonstration of Spühl’s Virtu

RS 25 and Virtu RS 35 printers,

as well as the latest product

developments from Spühl’s

innovation partners, Alcan

Composites, Versaidag-Indutex,

Onyx Graphics, Color Concepts

and 3M. A special guided tour of

the JIT production facility,

which is equipped with modern

machining centres, all of which

are produced by Spühl in-house,

proved to be such an inspiration

for many visitors, that they left

determined to streamline their

own factories in a similar way!

One of Spühl’s most valued

customers, ChristingerPartner AG who specialise in

screen, offset and digital print,

recently held a press event at its

Swiss factory to celebrate the fact

that it has become the first large

format digital printing company

in Europe to be accredited with

the Process Standard Offset ISO

12647-2, a colour standard that

is rapidly becoming the

benchmark for colour quality.

Christinger’s proud owner, Karl

Heinz Kaiser commented: "This

standard enables us to print a

job on any of our 11 digital

printers, secure in the knowledge

that an identical high print

quality will be achieved on each

of the machines.”

There is no better illustration

of this than the James Bond

poster featured here, which

Christinger recently produced as

part of the promotional campaign

supporting Casino Royale, the

new James Bond film starring

Daniel Craig. The poster, which

formed part of the decorative

effects in the company’s new

print production facility, enabled

guests to examine the quality at

first hand.

For further informationvisit: www.sphul.ch

Open House!

From left to right: Mr.Schawalder (Spühl AG),

Toni Fricker andKarlheinz Kaiser (owners

of Christinger) holdingthe ISO Certificate issued

by ugra.

The James Bond posterthat decoratedChristinger’s printproduction hall.


NEWS ROUND UP – CHRIS’S COLUMN

Chris’s ColumnChris Smith’s regular round-up of all the latestFESPA and Association activities

Since the last edition I have attended quitea few events organised by Associationswith support from the FESPA ProjectsCommittee and I’m delighted to report onthem.

My travels began at the end ofSeptember, with a meeting of the SwedishAssociation in Visby, Gotland where I hadan opportunity to speak about FESPAprojects and to learn about theassociation’s plans for the future. Duringmy visit, I was the recipient of wonderfulhospitality from my Swedish colleaguesand also had a little time to look aroundVisby, a truly remarkable medieval town. Iam indebted to the Swedish Associationfor their kind invitation.

My next stop was Warrington, in thenorth of England, where the DSPA hadorganised a seminar (the first of two) withsessions entitled ‘The Evolution of Screenand Digital Print’ and ‘Screen v OffsetLithography - the Truth behind the Hype’.

Nazdar provided two speakers, the firstof which, James Macdonald, confirmedthat inkjet is the dominant digitaltechnology, with inks gradually movingfrom aqueous to eco-solvent and solventbased. It was interesting to note that,contrary to popular belief, eco-solventdoes not necessarily mean ecologicallyfriendly; rather it means economical. Wewere also reminded that solvent inks comeunder the PG6/16 rule, which means thatif you use more than five tones in 12-months, which is easy to do, you mustinform your local authority.

The next speaker was Keith Ramsey,who spoke about the evolution of thescreen process. Keith opined that screenhas lost 23 percent of its traditional marketto digital and offset over the last 10-yearsand thus those who use combinedprocesses have an obvious advantage.

After lunch, Trevor Tordoff (of KBA)

explained why the latest presses, such asKBA’s Rapida 205, are, under certainconditions, providing a viable alternativeto both screen and digital technologies.Capable of printing on to paper, board andcorrugated on substrates up to 1.49m x2.00m, and up to 1.6mm thick, at speedsof up to 9000 sheets per hour, this is apowerful machine. And, although theRapida is expensive, it enables users tosuccessfully compete for traditional screenwork where the volume is in excess of 250copies.

To conclude, Production Link’s Bob Holtencouraged delegates to ‘wake up andsmell the coffee’ whilst offering lots ofuseful advice for sales people whenapproaching print buyers. He thinks thatprint has a great future, but that we mustbe enthusiastic. For further information visitwww.dspa.co.uk

A Siotec recruitment meeting took me toPisa during October and I was delightedto see 91 people (mostly printers) attend

an interesting and, at times, fairly vocalmeeting held at the Calamidoro Hotel.

It is clear that Italian screenprinters aresuffering just as much as those in the restof Europe. Issues ranging from the threatfrom digital (and litho), to price pressurefrom customers were all raised anddiscussed throughout the day. However, itwas clear that Italian men (and women)remain passionate, not just for ‘amore’,but for screenprinting too, which was themain reason for this gathering.

The trip also gave me an opportunity tospeak about FESPA projects and to explain

Roberto Possarrelli withsamples of his work.


how FESPA can support many initiativesfinancially, including e-learning, whichshould now be available in Italian.

Whilst in Pisa, I also had an opportunityto visit Gruppo Possarelli (a group ofprinting companies run by RobertoPossarrelli) – a clever and entrepreneurialscreen printer based close to Pisa who hasan incredibly clean and efficient factorywhere he prints leather, decals, vehiclegraphics, motor parts, injection mouldingsand much more. If you would like tolearn more about this fine printer, adetailed report is available on theFESPA website at www.fespa.com,whilst information on Siotec can befound at www.siotec.it

The Hungarian Sign Show inBudapest was my next port of call andalthough this seminar was somewhat lowon numbers, the quality of thepresentations during this one-day event,more than compensated. Organised byMaygar Szitanyomók Szövetsége, of theHungarian Association, the variedprogramme, mainly delivered by PeterKiddell, included three presentations. Thefirst, ‘A digital future’ looked at howdigital printing is likely to affect our lives,whilst the second comprised an overviewand demonstration of the FESPA supportede-learning course, which is currently beingtranslated into seven languages. The third,entitled, ‘How to avoid problems’, reallygot the group involved, as Peter coveredthe elementary issues that so manyscreenprinters overlook.

This presentation was scheduled to lastone hour, but due to the considerablenumber of questions asked, it wasextended into a two-hour session and,were it not for the fact that the exhibitionwas closing Peter would have happily gone

on for longer! To round this event off,there was also a presentation on certifiedPDF (made by the Hungarian Enfocusdistributor) and I was once again able tospeak about FESPA projects. The Hungarian Association, MaygarSzitanyomók Szövetsége, is currentlybuilding a website but you cancontact it by e-mail [email protected]

Peter and I then travelled to Piestany inSlovakia to meet up with another oldfriend, Bill Appleton of Autotype, for a twoday seminar - the second Slovakian eventsupported by FESPA.

A joint venture organised by the Czechand Slovak Associations, this attracted over

30 delegates, including visitors fromPoland and Hungary. Peter and Billdelivered a varied programme, comprisinga total of eight sessions.

As previously, Zuzana Orolinova was ourtranslator and once again, demonstratedher considerable linguistic expertise, as sheundertook all translations withconsummate ease.

Peter’s first presentation was onindustrial printing and provided anintriguing sneak preview of a future thatwill include printing on to electronics,glass, ceramics, leather and even concrete,

as well as bio-medical engineering, RFIDprinting, proactive displays and specialeffects printing. This was followed by apresentation on Automotive printing, veryrelevant in this developing country whereVolkswagen, Peugeot and Kia have allrecently opened factories. Peter’s finalpresentation focused on the FESPA e-learning course that has also beendelivered in Hungary.

Bill’s four presentations were ‘Choosing theright stencil for the job’, followed by ‘Basiccolour theory and colour management’, ‘Printsequence effects in process colour printing’ and‘The Screenprinter’s press side companion’ allof which helped delegates get to grips withthe complexity of the topics covered.Although all were interesting, the one thatprovoked the most debate was printsequence. Bill had overseen a project atAutotype where seven print sequences hadbeen used: CYMK, KCMY, YMCK, MCYK,MYCK, YCMK and CMYK. Using the newtechnology of the Autotype Capillary ‘CP’stencil, the objective was to gatherscientific data and compare the colourreproduction with that achieved digitally.Students had printed all sequences and Billinvited the delegates to discuss the resultsand draw their own conclusions. Memberswill find this and all of the otherpresentations in full, in the members’ areaof the FESPA website.

After his fourth presentation, Peterthought he had finished, but as theEnfocus distributor was unable to attend atthe last minute, Peter willingly stepped upto the rostrum again and delivered abrilliant dissertation on Certified PDF,which he managed to make totallycomprehensible!

The speakers, Zuzana and myself wereall presented with gifts from the twoAssociations and a special presentation

CHRIS’S COLUMN

Bill Appleton.

Peter Kiddell.


ASSOCIATION NEWS

REACH and the future forthe Chemical Industry

The new REACH regulations will have an enormous impact on Digital and Screen Printers.Here, in a series of questions and answers,Paul Machin details the changes and reveals the potential effects.

Why is the future of theChemical Industry important todigital and screen printers? The world is made up of

chemicals and that includes

humans as well as anything used

by them. If the Chemical Industry

is restricted as to what it can use,

this will have a direct impact on

the products that can be produced

and sold. This, in turn, will have

an adverse effect on the develop-

ment of new markets where

digital printing can be utilised.

It will also affect inks and screen

making products that are

currently in use in the trad-

itional screen process industry.

What are the typical chemicalsused by printers?Let us examine some of the

equipment that is used. All

digital printing operations rely

heavily upon a computer. Circuit

boards, transistors and other

electronic equipment used to

make up the motherboards and

other components use inks,

solder and plating resists; key-

boards have marking inks. All

these inks require specialised

chemicals to impart specific

properties necessary for their

performance. The computer and

ancillary equipment are

manufactured from various

plastics that require monomers

and other additives in their

manufacture.

Another important subject

involving chemicals is that of

the consumables that are used.

Digital inks are manufactured

from pigments, resins, solvents

and other additives. The sub-

strate may be plastic; this could

have a siliconised liner. Altern-

atively, the substrate could be

paper. The latter needs a number

of chemicals to produce the

desired product. Often there is a

need to apply an adhesive

backing. These are just a limited

selection of the chemicals that

are needed by the digital printer.

Computers are widely used for

screen process image generation.

The vast majority of chemicals

used by digital printers are also

utilised in the screen process.

While many of the screen

making and reclamation products

make use of well-known chem-

icals, their application is industry

specific and these will require

registration with the suppliers.

Even simple products such as

bleach and White Spirit will

come under scrutiny.

was made to Bill Appleton, who wasdelighted to accept the first Slovakiancopy of the Autotype Moiré Handbook,on behalf of its author, Professor StevenAbbott of Autotype. This has beenprinted with support funding from theFESPA Projects Committee.The Slovak association can be foundat www.sietotlacovyzvaz.sk and theCzech association atwww.sietotlacovyzvaz.sk

My final visit was not, in fact, a FESPAsupported project, but the 30thAnniversary Dinner of the Association ofFinnish Screen Printers, which hasundergone a complete transformationduring 2006 and established itself as themain association for screen and digitalprinters in Finland. A total of 69 peopleattended the bash, which was held at adelightful hotel in Hämeenlinna. Weenjoyed a splendid feast in a magicalsetting and, during dinner, a troubadourserenaded us, before we danced the night

away. After all the hectic activity duringOctober, it was a joy to spend a relaxingevening in such pleasant company! The Finnish Association can befound atwww.suomenseripainoliitto.fi

Well that’s all this for this month. If youwould like your National Association toorganise similar events, please contactyour Association secretary. Their contactdetails can be found at the back of thismagazine.

The Group Stencil Seminar.


It is important that we only usesafe chemicals; surely thereforewe need to test them to makesure that is correct?There are many arguments for

taking such an approach. This

was the guiding principle set out

in the REACH Directive.

However, testing costs a

considerable amount of money

especially the type specified by

the REACH Directive. It will

mean that many chemicals that

have been used for decades

without any adverse effect to

man or the environment, will

have to undergo rigorous testing

just to prove what experience

has already shown. This testing

can run into millions of Euros

for an individual chemical. This

cost has to be recovered. It will

have to be paid for by the

customer and that will include

the printer and the consumer.

Why was REACH needed?It is only since 1981 that all

NEW chemicals have had to be

tested before they can be sold

within the European Union

(EU). Prior to 1981 there was

very limited toxicological

testing. There are approximately

100,000 existing chemicals that

were sold before 1981 and which

will now need to be tested.

What will be the likely effect of REACH?This EU Directive will have a

greater impact upon the

Chemical Industry and all the

downstream users, for example

engineering companies, ink

manufacturers, computer

fabricators, digital and

screenprinters etc than any other

piece of legislation that has been

issued. The testing and

authorisation will involve

substantial expense and

manpower resource throughout

industry. The EU has stated the

estimated cost for downstream

users (e.g. engineering

companies, digital and

screenprinters, etc.) will be Euro

3 billion; also 1 – 2% of all

substances will be withdrawn

from the market. This

information is provided by an

organisation that is

endeavouring to downgrade the

predicted adverse effect.

According to a survey published

by the German SMEs

organisation, Einsprunch, that

supplies the chemical industry,

20 – 40% of low volume

chemicals will disappear. Many

of these low volume chemicals

have very specialised uses,

particularly in the ink

manufacturing industry. There

have been various estimates that

the overall cost of REACH will be

Euros 2.3 – 10 Billion.

However, Greenpeace and

Friends of the Earth will be

pleased because industry will

have to pay for all the testing

and bureaucracy and many

chemicals will be withdrawn.

Also, any articles (e.g. printed

objects etc.) that are imported

into the EU will NOT be

affected. Therefore non-EU

manufacturers and printers in

China and India, for example,

can ignore these requirements.

Since it is predicted that REACH will cost a lot of money,what did industry do to try andchange it?There was a draft Directive

issued by the EU. It was 1328

pages long and published in

small type size. Many hours were

needed to comprehend the

ramifications of this Directive.

Machin Consulting along with

other organisations such as CEPE

put forward suggestions,

objections and recommend-

ations for change. Apart from

the direct response to the

consultation document, Machin

Consulting sought changes

through political contacts. The

consequences were presented to

Martin Callanan a MEP who sits

on the Committee reviewing

this Directive. Some concessions

were obtained, in particular

those relating to downstream

users; these will have a positive

effect on the costs involved.

Having accepted that REACH will be implemented; when willit commence?There will be a staged

introduction. Manufacturers and

importers will have to register

the sale of any chemicals within

the EU. For individual chemicals

that have an annual TOTAL sale

within the EU exceeding 1000

tonnes; registration will be

required by 2008. The

registration dates for annual

sales between 100 – 1000 tonnes

will be 2011; for 10 – 100

tonnes, 2014; and for 1 – 10

tonnes, 2019. That may appear

to be a long way ahead.

However, many of the

chemicals, and in particular the

organic solvents and pigments

used in the production of inks

and plastics, will belong to the

group of chemicals that have

annual sales exceeding 1000

tonnes per annum. This will

mean printers could be affected

as soon as the Directive is

operational.

What is involved?Where annual sales exceed 10

tonnes per year, a registration

dossier must be produced. As

part of the registration dossier

the manufacturer or importer

must conduct a Chemical Safety

Assessment (CSA), showing that

the chemical can be used safely

for all identified uses throughout

the chemical life cycle. The

chemical life cycle will have to

cover all uses of the substance

on its own, in preparations and

in articles or products.

In order to satisfy registration

requirements, it will be necessary

to undertake specified testing to

determine the effects on humans

and the environment. As far as

exposure of the chemical to

humans, it will be necessary to

provide information as to the

impact on ingestion of the

substance, both short and long

term; the consequence of

inhalation of the chemical as

well as the effect of exposure to

the skin. The environmental

impact of the chemical will also

have to be determined. This will

include the result of emissions

into the atmosphere; what

happens if the chemical is

deposited into land-fill and the

effects when it is released into

the aquatic environment.

Consideration will be needed

not only with respect to

discharge to the sewage system,

but also the outcome of contact

with fish and other aquatic

species, such as daphnia.

The manufacturer and

importer must also declare that

the Risk Management Measures

(RMM) are implemented for

their own manufacturing process

and that these have been

communicated to downstream

users for downstream identified

uses. These RMM are the process

and emission control measures

necessary when handling or

using that chemical; the correct

personal protective equipment

that must be used; the good

hygiene measures that must be

in place and the proper disposal

of that chemical.

To find out the potential

repercussions and what you,

as a FESPA member should

do, look out for the next

article in the series in the

Spring issue of FESPA World

What is REACH?It is the acronym for the:

Registration of manufactured

and imported chemical

substances;

Evaluation of some of the

registration dossiers;

Authorisation for use of

substances of very high

concern and the restriction of;

Chemicals.


EVENTS

Italy is an important country.

Not only is it a top 10 global

economy, it is also a creative

epicentre, as I was reminded on

a recent visit to Milan. Naturally,

this is also true of its burgeoning

screen and digital printing

sectors.

So it is even more amazing

that, until a year ago, Italy did

not have a National Association

for screen and digital printing.

I first met Massimo Poli,

during my second week at FESPA

and I decided then that it would

be interesting to relate how the

Italian Association, SIOTEC,

went from its inaugural meeting

last December, when it had

precisely zero members, to a

thriving association with 95

members in the space of a single

year! Whilst chatting to

Massimo, or Max, as he prefers

to be known, I realised that his

success to date is far from

random. In fact, Max had a very

carefully thought out plan

which could be referred to as the

“Four Ps’

1. Plan!The first meeting took place on

17th December 2005 for the

purpose of devising a strategy

and deciding how it would be

carried forward. Max assembled

20 “cornerstone” industry people

who were invited to contribute

their ideas and suggestions.

What this highlighted was that a

formal constitution was vital as

people’s opinions differed widely.

Just as importantly, this meeting

provided an opportunity to

designate different roles and set a

firm target for the coming 12

months.

Despite their different views,

all of these original members

agreed that an Association was a

good idea and shared a desire to

get it up and running. Once

agreement was finally reached

and a strategy had been put in

place, there was a proper focus

for the collective energy and

enthusiasm.

2. Passion!Of course, Italy is a passionate

country! But wherever you are,

passion for your product attracts

and impresses! The enthusiasm

and excitement generated by an

association fills a new member

with confidence and assurance.

More than anything else, serious

business people fear missing out

on an advantage that their

competitors might have! And if

you aren’t a member of your

national association, there is no

doubt that you are missing out!

All associations face the

challenge of proving their value

to their members. But in times of

great change, associations are the

guiding light, the place to go for

information and support. The

passion they can convey both

attracts members and provides

them with a reminder that they

are part of a great industry and

that they really ought to play a

proper part in making it better!

Max also did something which

enabled him to use his energy in

a really focused way. He

identified the 50 top companies

and called them! It’s simple, but

effective. He then set about

planning a series of events,

which encouraged them to get

involved with SIOTEC. This

proactive approach has produced

impressive results.

3. Perception!Vision, enthusiasm and engaging

with the market is, however not

quite enough. You still have to

prove that Association

membership offers a tangible

value. The old adage, “do as you

always do and get what you

always get” is true. Max asked

his members what they wanted

and then provided it! He thus

proves the Association’s value.

Even if you are running an

association that has been in

existence for a long time, you

can still start a new campaign, to

re-brand and re-position it, as

this gives you an opportunity to

refresh your focus and direction

as well as providing a reason to

approach potential members

with something new and

interesting.

When its membership rises

above 100, SIOTEC will be able

to lobby government more

effectively and the perception

and value will increase even

more. The more policy makers

know about our industry, the

more likely they are to take our

views and requirements into

account and we will be also be in

a better position to guide our

members and deliver superb

value for their membership

money.

Perception amongst the

market is that SIOTEC is a

dynamic and progressive

organisation that is doing

important things for the

industry, which encourages

everyone to find out more.

4. Perseverance!Of course, running a new

association, like any new

venture, demands energy and

enthusiasm and an ability to

keep going when the going gets

tough. I think we should all

realise and accept that running

an association isn’t easy. Focus

on new membership, as this

adds weight and power to your

organisation as well as providing

extra value for your members.

The more you provide for them

in all areas, the more likely they

are to renew when it comes to

asking for their membership fees

the following year.

To summarise, SIOTEC now

has the critical mass, the support

of the industry’s key players and

a sense of direction. Its next

challenge is maintaining

membership and delivering

value whilst still growing. I look

forward to watching SIOTEC

move up to the next level….

For further information on

Siotec visit: www.siotec.it

In the first of a series highlighting thework of different associations,

Marcus Timson reveals how SIOTEC managed to gofrom zero to 95 members in a single year!

Association Spotlight

Max Power!


Diary dates for 2007/8

If you would like your event tofeature on this page, please sendfull information via e-mail to ValHirst at [email protected]

FESPA 20075th – 9th June, 2007Messe Berlin, GermanyOrganiser: FESPATel: +44 1737 229 727Fax: +44 1737 240 770e-mail: [email protected]

Sign España 200718-20 October, 2007Ifema venue, Madrid, SpainOrganiser: Reed Exhibitions IberiaTel: +34 93 452 07 22Fax: +34 93 451 66 37www.sign-viscom.com

SGIA '07 24th–27th October, 2007Orange County Convention CentreOrlando, Florida, USAOrganiser: SGIATel: +1 220 313 489Fax: +1 703 369 1328e-mail: [email protected]

Graphispag 200719th-25th February 2007Venue Gran Via, Barcelona, SpainOrganiser: Graphispack OrganisationTel: +34 93 233 20 00www.graphispag.com

RFID Smart Labels USA 200720th-21st February, Marriott Copley Hotel,Boston, MA, USA Organiser: IDTechExTel: +1 305 572 7831 Fax: +1 305 572 7854 e-mail: [email protected]

Visual and Graphic Symphony21th – 23rd February 2007Hall 5/Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles, ParisOrganiser: SempTel: +33 1 48 55 05 49www.semp-france.fr

CTS Forum 200722 – 23 February 2007Venue: Lindner Congress & Hotel,Frankfurt, GermanyOrganiser: Antje Wessels MarketingTel: +49 71 41 44 35 110e-mail: [email protected]

FESPA Directors Summit22 – 23 March 2007Venue: Geneva, SwitzerlandOrganiser: FESPATel: +44 (0) 1737 240788www.fespasummit.com

Fespa World Expo India 20077th-9th December 2007Pragati MaidanNew Delhi, IndiaOrganiser: FESPATel: +44 1737 229 727Fax: +44 1737 240 770e-mail: [email protected]

Fespa Digital Printing Europe20081st-3rd April 2008Geneva PalexpoGeneva, SwitzerlandOrganiser: FESPATel: +44 1737 229 727Fax: +44 1737 240 770e-mail: [email protected]

Euro Reklama Outdoor Expo 200727 – 30 March 2007 Poznan, Poland Organiser: MPTTel: + 48 61 869 2419e-mail: [email protected]

Reklama Polygraf28 – 30 March 2007Prague, Czech RepublicOrganiser: MIP Group ASTel: +420 602 641 813e-mail: [email protected]

ISA Expo 2007April 11th-14th Mandalay Bay Hotel &Convention CentreLas Vegas, NevadaOrganiser: International Sign AssociationTel: + 1 703 836-4012Fax: + 1 703 836-8353www.signsexpo.org

Sign UK & Digital Expo 20071st-3rd May, NEC, Birmingham, UKOrganiser: Faversham House GroupTel: +44 (0) 20 8651 7155Email: [email protected]


FESPA NEWSLETTER

FESPA BERLIN

FESPA 2007 - A VitalExhibition Experience5th – 9th June • MesseBerlin • Germany

It is no surprise that for screen and digitalprinting companies, the exhibitionexperience is pivotal to business planningand decision-making. After all, where elsecan you see such a broad collection of livedemonstrations of the latest equipmentand materials? However, as important asthis is, the ‘exhibition experience’ is notlimited to merely walking the halls andsurveying the latest machinery. Manyvisitors regard the other elements ofexhibitions – the networking opportunities,seminars and workshops – as being equallyimportant when making choices abouthow to move their businesses forward.

What will feature at FESPA in 2007?

FESPA 2007 will occupy 11 halls at MesseBerlin, and will be the biggest FESPAexhibition to date. The level of interestfrom exhibitors so far has been nothingshort of phenomenal - by November lastyear, seven months out from the show, theamount of exhibition floor space sold wasalready equivalent to the total sold forFESPA 2005. The FESPA exhibition team istherefore confident that it will achieve itstarget of 600 exhibitors covering 34,000m2.

Equipment manufacturers use FESPA2007 as the international arena tointroduce new technologies and productsto the marketplace and encouragingly, alarge number of first-time exhibitors are

taking space in Berlin, as well as long-timeFESPA exhibitors, who are opting for largerexhibition stands than ever before. Around15percent of the exhibitors will be newFESPA exhibitors, and this is partlyattributable to the size and reputation ofthe show, as well as to the development ofthe industry itself. The show will also bewelcoming more digital exhibitors thanever before, along with suppliers offeringexpertise in prepress and print workflow,such as software and RIPS.

Visitors can look forward to theunveiling of all of the latest technologicaladvances, as well as enjoying a packedagenda that will include a free educationalseminar programme featuring some of themain authoritative figures in the screenand digital industries. FESPA will also behosting award ceremonies to recognise andreward creativity, as well as a revampedGala Night.

Two textile and garment decoration hallsThe show will provide the perfect showcasefor the textile printing and garmentdecoration sectors, thus adding anotherdimension for visitors. In fact, two hallswill be packed with new ideas, productsand solutions, complete with a liveshowcase section, which will have its ownlook and feel. The size of this area isimpressive, so much so, that it is predictedthat it will be the largest event of its kindin Europe.

Exhibitions Director, Frazer Chestermanexplains, “This important sector of theshow really adds colour and dynamism tothe whole visitor experience. Nearly 5,000people came to Munich to see productsand services for textile and garmentdecoration, so it makes sense to give this

area its own individual style and layout.We look forward to seeing how thisenhances the show experience for visitorsin 2007”.

Premier content from leading speakersincluding Scott Fresener, livedemonstrations from Corel and otherleading industry brands, will be adding aquality educational focus at the event andoffer a further visitor inducement.

FESPA Special EffectsFESPA 2007 will also be used as the launchpad for one of FESPA’s main projects forthe coming year, the “FESPA SpecialEffects” book. This project, whichrepresents a huge undertaking, will featurethe 23 different ink effects that can beachieved with screenprinting, in a highquality presentation book.

FESPA believes that the book will beinstrumental in raising the profile ofscreenprinting and the amazing specialeffects that can be achieved willundoubtedly inspire creative people todemand that such techniques be used intheir own marketing campaigns. The bookwill initially be distributed free to all FESPAAssociations and sponsors and to the topdesigners, agencies and print buyers ineach member country.

Along with the original FESPA Awardsand the new FESPA Digital PrintingAwards, the “FESPA Special Effects” bookfurther recognises excellence and helps andencourages print service providers topromote and showcase their capabilities totheir customers.

Corporate sponsor: Platinumsponsors:


FESPA NEWSLETTER

FESPA World Expo India December 7th-9th 2007 Good exhibitions stimulate, educate,inform and entertain and FESPA WorldExpo India 2005 offered all of thesequalities. So much so, that both exhibitorsand visitors have demanded that the eventbe repeated in 2007. The show, whichillustrates FESPA's commitment tosupporting India’s market and SPAI, thenational association in India, attracted10,000 visitors and 110 exhibitors, butFESPA confidently expects a bigger, betterand even more inspirational event in 2007.

FESPA Digital 1st-3rd April 2008 Geneva, SwitzerlandFESPA Digital Printing Europe 2006 wasanother stunning launch event that tookplace in Amsterdam, last May and providedthe perfect opportunity for visitors to learnabout and invest in, the latest technology.Digital innovation continues unabated anda large percentage of stand space for the2008 event has already been booked.Geneva Palexpo is a state of the art, hightech venue in a stunning and extremelyaccessible location as the exhibition centreis adjacent to the airport!

FESPA World Expo Asia-Pacific 27th-30th November 2008 Bangkok, ThailandThe Asia-Pacific region is dynamic, excitingand lucrative and boasts a mixture ofdeveloping and rapidly maturingeconomies, together with a growing middleclass population with money to spend. Allthis is great news for the imaging sector asthe market is increasing in both size andsophistication. The venue, BITEC, which is

located close to the new BangkokInternational airport, is a sparking venuewith superb facilities that make it theperfect choice for a professional FESPAevent. Bangkok is an impressiveinternational City with a population ofeight million people and offers easy accessto the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.Naturally, FESPA will be working closelywith the Thai Screen Printing & GraphicImaging Association as well as its partnersat BITEC and the Thai Exhibition &Convention Bureau to produce a FESPAevent that optimises the opportunitiesavailable in this wonderful region.For further information on all ofthese shows visit: www.fespa.com

In line with its policy for continuousinnovation, FESPA is planning a brandnew initiative, which will come to fruitionduring April this year. It plans to stage aspecial Summit meeting, which, for thefirst time, will bring together some of themajor European buyers and specifiers ofprinted graphics, the people who run topscreen and digital printing companies andrepresentatives from the industry’s leadingmanufacturers and suppliers.

The summit, which is the brainchild ofFESPA Exhibitions Director FrazerChesterman will provide a forum whereall of these leading industry figures candiscuss their idea and hopes for the future.Frazer Chesterman explains: “Throughrunning the FESPA shows I have come torealise that very often, each sector of theindustry acts in isolation, with screen anddigital printers relying upon their ownclients to provide them with informationas to how and where the graphics sector is

moving. By the same token, suppliers andmanufacturers often look to their owncustomers, the screen and digital printers,to provide general industry intelligence.Very often they are so far removed fromthe buyer of their customers’ productsthat their knowledge of the graphicssector is hazy or worse, outdated. We feelthat by providing the opportunity forrepresentatives from all of the differentmarket sectors to get together in aninformal setting, where they can exchangeopinions and ideas, everyone will end upwith a much clearer view of what will beneeded in the future and the industry as awhole will benefit.”

The Summit, which will last for twodays, will take place at a prestigious venueon the shores of Lake Geneva, to provideguests with a suitably inspiringenvironment. As well as more informaldiscussion periods there will also be aseries of workshops and presentations

covering such topics as ‘green’ issues,education, marketing and industryresearch.

Frazer Chesterman continues: “As anAssociation with an established Europeanpresence, which is now expanding all thetime, we feel that FESPA is ideally placedto chair a meeting of this kind and hopethat it might provide the nationalassociations with a blueprint that they canreplicate in their own countries in order toopen the channels of communicationbetween all those who are active withinthe printing sectors in whatever capacity.”

Initial response to the project has beenenthusiastic, with several leading playersalready declaring their support. FrazerChesterman concludes, “I am very excitedindeed about this development, and hopethat it will become a much anticipatedannual event.” For further information visit:www.fespa.com

The FESPA Future

Setting the Future Agenda

FESPA Directors SummitMarch 22-23 • Geneva 2007

FESPA 20075-9 June 2007 Berlinwww.fespa2007.com

Corporate sponsor Platinum sponsors

The largest global event for screen, digital and industrial printing

To register for your FREE visitor entry badge please visit www.fespa2007.com

The response to the FESPA Digital Print Awards Europe 2007has been enthusiastic to say the least and the judging panel nowhas the unenviable task of selecting the winners.

Val Hirst reports


FESPA DIGITAL PRINT AWARDS 2007

One of the main objectivesbehind the Fespa Digital PrintAwards Europe 2007, which arebeing supported by HP, was tocreate a suitable vehicle for theexchange of ideas for digitalprinting, from both theviewpoint of the print serviceprovider and of theincreasingly wide range of printbuyers. Entries were invitedfrom all commercial andindustrial print serviceproviders, in association withother parties involved in thecreation of digital printprojects, such as designers,studios, advertising agencies,advertisers, and end-users and,judging from the number andlevel of entries received, theoriginal objective has beenmore than met.

“The response we havereceived so far, indicates a highlevel of interest throughout thewhole of Europe,” reports NigelSteffens, FESPA’s GeneralSecretary, adding, “We initiallyreceived registrations from 25different countries, from as farafield as Macedonia in theSouth, to Finland in the North,many of whom have enteredstunning projects which

illustrate how digital printingsolutions can be imaginativelyused to enhance the broadgamut of commercialapplications.”

Certainly, he feels that thejudges will have a difficult, buthugely enjoyable task whenthey meet shortly to decideupon the winners. FESPA’sMichel Caza will chair thejudging panel, which willcomprise editors from some ofthe key digital printingmagazines throughout Europe,together with acknowledgedexperts in digital printing. Thejury currently includes editorsAndrea Bötel, Druck & Medien,representing Germany; PeterOllen, AGI, for the Nordiccountries; Claude Douat, Info-Seri, in respect of France;Melony Rocque, Image Reports,on behalf of the UK andRepublic of Ireland; MichaelSeidl, Print & Publishing, forAustria and East Europe; AlainVermeire, GraphiquesNouvelles/Grafisch Nieuws, forBenelux; Lorenzo Villa, ItaliaPublishers, in relation to Italy,Turkey, Greece and last but notleast, Agustin Torres, Pro-Digit@l, for Iberia.

They will be joined by TonySmith, Creative Director of theLondon Office of Publicis, oneof the World’s largest and mostinfluential advertising agenciesand Christian Duyckaerts, aFESPA Board Member and theTechnical Director of Print &Display, Belgium.

As previously mentioned, allentries will be celebrated in aspecial Prize Book which willbe published after thecompetition and widelycirculated amongst printers,advertising and designagencies, advertisers andindustrial manufacturers. It willalso feature all of the winningprojects and hopefully, provideits readers with much futureinspiration, as well asshowcasing all of the latestdesign trends from acrossEurope.

Nigel Steffens comments:“The prize book will alsoprovide a useful point ofreference for young peopleentering the industry,regardless of whether they areinvolved in the commissioningor production of printedgraphics, by highlighting all ofthe best examples of the digital

printers’ art.”He continues: “As well as

encouraging and rewardingprinting excellence, thecompetition has been designedto help to further enlarge thedigital market by encouragingthe medium’s imaginative useand further stimulatingindustry manufacturers andsuppliers to introduceinnovative new products tobroaden the scope of possibleapplications. Whichever wayyou look at it, we believe thatit is a win-win situation.”

The awards, which number32 in total, will be made onboth a category and regionalbasis, with a Platinum Awardbeing presented to the winnerof each of the eight maincategories and gold, silver andbronze awards going to the topthree winners in each of thedifferent regions, regardless ofcategory. Judging will takeplace after Christmas and thewinners announced in the nextissue of FESPA World magazine.For further informationplease visit:www.fespadigitalprintawards.com

Entries Galore!


If you ask any POP or signmaker whatqualities they would like to find in asubstrate, they will probably reply thatthey want something that is both strongand lightweight, water resistant anddurable, whilst also offering a surfacesuitable for printing. Some may alsostipulate a fire rating, so that it can beused in the widest possible range ofapplications. And, if they are ecologicallyminded, they might just ask for it to berecyclable too. Up until now, they havehad to settle for just some of thesedesirable qualities, but shortly, suchcompromises will no longer be necessary.This is because Kurt Aldén, the founderand Managing Director of the Swedishcompany Design Force, has invented aneminently versatile new material, whichticks all of the right boxes.

Kurt Aldén has spent most of hisworking life in the display sector, and setup his own company, Aldén Brothers

Packaging Ltd, in 1984. Four years later,the company became affiliated to SCAPakacking, who later acquired it outright,changing the name to SCA Display. Kurtcontinued as Managing Director until2002, during which time SCA, whospecialise in the production ofscreenprinted POP and Display material,grew rapidly, employing 128 people. Butalthough for many years Kurt enjoyed thechallenges it offered, he eventually beganto feel that too much of his time wasspent on the administration and generalmanagerial duties that are par for thecourse in big organisations. He says: “Idecided that it was time to flex myentrepreneurial muscles again - I reallywanted to get back to the sharp end andto experience the buzz that comes withbeing creative. I also wanted to design anecologically-friendly material that couldbe used for the broad spectrum of displayapplications, as I strongly believe that we

have now come to a point where we can’tsimply go on replacing and discardingwithout considering the environmentalimpact this will have on futuregenerations.”

Kurt left SCA Display in 2002 to set upDesign Force and now, four years ofintensive research and development later,it has introduced Re-board, a papersubstrate with a patented sandwichconstruction. Comprising different layersof Kraftliner, a special water-based sealantand a lot of air, Re-board is a totallyrecyclable substrate, which features aunique slanted ‘honeycomb’ centre.Designed to be used in place of particleboard, plasterboard and MDF, Re-boardcombines an impressive strength with alow weight – it is between 70- 85% lighterthan either particle board or MDF, thusproviding enormous benefits in relationto handling and transportation. Availablein sheet sizes of up to 6sq. metres and a

Breaking theBarriersAlthough manufacturers always claim that their products are ‘unique’ and‘innovative’ they very seldom are. However, these are adjectives that can bejustifiably applied to Re-board, a new lightweight substrate made entirely frompaper, which is all set to revolutionise the graphics sector.

Val Hirst reports

INNOVATION


choice of thicknesses from 6mm right upto 100mm, Re-board has already beenused for the production of an impressivenumber of POP displays, exhibitiongraphics, wall panels and, perhaps mostsurprisingly, furniture. In fact, thecenterpiece of the Design Force BoardRoom is a vast table and matching chairswith a convincing wood grain finish,which have all been crafted from Re-board!

Re-board can either be digitally printed,or used with a selection of different, heatapplied foils that simulate wood grains,metallics or any one of a host of similardecorative effects. Thereafter, the materialis cut into the desired shape on an EskoKongsberg cutter. The Kongsberg machinecan also be programmed to cut halfwayinto the Re-board sheet, thus creating thefacility to fold the material. This meansthat even the largest 6sq.metre panel canbe folded down to a more manageable

size. Once the panel is erected, there is notrace of the fold on the printed or foildecorated surface, making Re-board anideal choice for large-scale exhibitiongraphics.

Kurt produces several pictorial examplesof many ‘live’ applications, which rangefrom the simple to the highly complexand include a wide range of POP displays,some of which also feature integral LEDscreens, exhibition stands and graphics,together with more permanent in-storefittings. Re-board is also being usedinstead of flexible substrates to provide anew variant on the ubiquitous roll-updisplay, since it can be folded to offer thesame high level of portability, whilst alsoproviding an altogether more robust andprofessional looking structure. Some ofthe applications are really imaginative –my personal favourite is a giant Re-boardbox, containing a Smart Car. Part of apromotional campaign which is located in

a shopping mall, it is a life sized version ofa toy car in a gift box! Kurt remarks thatsome of the applications simply couldn’thave been achieved with any othermaterial. He says: “They would eitherhave been too costly to produce, or toodifficult and labour intensive to transportand assemble.” He adds that portabilityoffers enormous advantages: “A lot of theexpense of exhibitions for example, isdown to the fact that build-up andbreakdown is so time consuming andexpensive. However, with Re-board it ispossible for one person to erect anddismantle a stand and although Re-boardgraphics can be re-used many times, whenthey have reached the end of their usefullifespan, they can simply be disposed of.”He also explains that as Re-board’s use hasbecome more widespread, Design Forcehas also sourced a wide choice of differentfixings, fastenings and trims. “Becausethere has never been anything like Re-

INNOVATION

board before, we have had to commissionall sorts of special finishing items tocomplement it,” he says.

Kurt continues: “It has always been myaim that Re-board should be used tocreate new applications. Rather thansimply replacing other materials, I wantadvertising agencies and designers toreally let their imaginations run riot andto come up with lots of exciting newprojects.”

However, at present, Design Force isfocusing on the sign, exhibition, POP,display and furniture sectors, althoughKurt freely acknowledges that there aremany other areas where it can be usedequally successfully. In fact, I should thinkthat very few of the people who visit theDesign Force factory could resist makinguseful suggestions, which probablyexplains why Kurt has the slightlycareworn appearance of someone who isbeing constantly bombarded by ideasfrom all sides! This becomes even moreapparent later, when a visit to the factoryfloor reveals pallets made from Re-board.Kurt demonstrates their lightness bysimply picking one up and raising itabove his head in one smooth movement.Similarly, Re-board has also been used tomake giant reels for industrial cable.

But perhaps one of the most intriguingfuture uses is the one that is now beinghotly pursued by the various aid agencies.Kurt discloses that, following anexperiment carried out by students at a

local university, Re-board may be used inthe future to provide temporary dwellingsfor disaster areas. These will take the formof a simple, one room, single storeystructure, which is made from preformed,laminated Re-board and delivered directto site on a pallet, which then becomesthe building’s foundation. Aluminiumclips will fasten all of the sides together,whilst sturdy straps can be used to securethe structure firmly to the ground. Kurtsays: “The students erected a Re-boardhouse in a nearby wood and actually livedin it for a time, to prove its viability. Theyfound that it offers many advantages overthe tents that are more usually provided.On the purely practical side, it has betterwater resistance and, because it is raisedabove the ground, far better insulation.Re-board also carries a fire rating, so it ispossible to use some kind of portableheating device too. But just asimportantly, a more permanent structure,with its own door, provides its occupantswith a greater level of privacy andsecurity.” This makeshift home, which isbig enough to house four people,measures l0 metres sq, weighs just 150kgand costs between E350 to E500 Euros toproduce. It is extremely durable - testshave shown that the door can be openedand closed more than 30,000 times –something that would take around l0years of normal usage to achieve!

But this and other equally excitingapplications will probably have to wait a

while. Somewhat regretfully, Kurt admitsthat at present, the demand for Re-boardfar outstrips his capacity to produce it. Henames several well-known multinationalcompanies who have already beat anenthusiastic path to his door, only to beturned away disappointed. He says:“Tempting though they are, If we took upany one of these commissions, theywould use everything that we cancurrently produce, “which is why Kurt isworking hard to expand the Design Forceproduction facility. Up until now, thecompany’s Norrköping factory has simplyproduced the sheets from materialsupplied, but following the delivery of anew machine, which Kurt has co-designedin collaboration with Design Force’s localequipment suppliers, Pivab Machinery Ab,Design Force will be entering into a morecomprehensive manufacturing processand production will be significantlyramped up. At the time of my visit, thefactory was being extended in order toaccommodate the new patentedequipment, which took over a year and ahalf to design and will churn out around10 million sq.metres of Reboard per year.

Kurt is also in the process of setting upa comprehensive worldwide distributornetwork. These companies are likely to besubstrate suppliers already operatingwithin the display graphics sector, and asKurt believes that the demand for Re-board will increase as time goes on, theywill eventually need to have their own


INNOVATION

manufacturing facilities too. Kurtexplains: “When a distributor is sellingmore than 150,000, sq. metres of Re-boardper year, it will be time for them toacquire in manufacturing equipment oftheir own, so, with this in mind, I amparticularly looking for companies whohave the wherewithal to undertake thissort of future investment”.

In addition to this, Kurt is also planningto appoint a series of License Holders ineach country. These companies willprobably be screen and/or digital printerswho are already supplying the full gamutof display graphics to their clients. Theywill have free access to the current DesignForce data base, which offers more thanl,000 pre-designed Re-board structuresthat can also be further customised tosuit the precise requirements of individualclients. License Holders will need toacquire the equipment recommended byDesign Force, in terms of software, printerhardware – Kurt favours Inca’s Columbia,Columbia Turbo and Spyder machines -and a Kongsberg cutting table, togetherwith ancillary equipment such asvarnishing and sealing machines. DesignForce, or one of its designated distributors,will supply License Holders with Re-boardin the required quantities on a just-intime basis.

Kurt comments: “One of the benefits ofRe-board is that it can be made prettymuch on demand, so that it isn’tnecessary for companies to keep large

stocks ‘just in case’. Rather, they will beable to order whatever they need, whenthey need it and of course, they will alsobe able to call upon us for all the help andassistance they require to ensure that theircustomers get the best possible products.”

Design Force has already appointed itsfirst three distributors: Atlas Digital inGreece, Schneider Grafiska AB in Swedenand Re-board B.V. in Holland. Thesecompanies are further complemented bythe appointment of the first two LicenseHolders: Skylt & Butik in Sweden andGraphic World in Holland.

Kurt is also looking at providing alimited standard range of self-assemblyproducts for on-line ordering and thinksthat this scheme will work particularlywell when it comes to the provision offurniture, a niche market that has beeninspired by the Re-board shelving units,desks and tables that are currently in useat the Design Force factory.

Obviously, the whole Re-boardundertaking has required some seriousfunding and Kurt counts himself lucky tohave attracted the patronage of paper andpackaging giant Stora Enso, who havebeen quick to spot the remarkablepotential of his novel invention. He says:“Stora Enso has been very helpful notonly in financial terms but also becausewe have been able to take advantage of itsextensive R & D facility. We are in theprocess of patenting every part of the Re-board manufacturing process and the

machinery that we are using to produceit.” But grateful though he is to StoraEnsa, Kurt is sensible of the fact that bigcompanies often have a quite differentagenda for new products than those whoinvent them, which is why he hasrestricted Stora Enso’s share in thecompany to a mere 30 pecent. He says:“Whatever else happens, I want to be incontrol of what happens to Re-board inthe future, how it develops and where it isused. I am in the happy position of beingable to do this because I want to – I haveenough money, so financial success is notmy main aim any more. I’ relish thechallenges involved in producingproducts that push the boundaries ofdesign creativity whilst causing as littledamage to the planet as possible. To me,that is a very exciting and satisfying thingto do.” For further information on DesignForce visit: www.designforce.se


INNOVATION

INNOVATION


Thinking about it, it isn’treally surprising that DesignForce and Inca feel such anaffinity, as in many ways, thetwo companies share a similarheritage. Inca’ Digital Printers’Managing Director, Bill Baxterhas the same entrepreneurialspirit as Kurt Aldén and isequally passionate about hiscompany and its products.Formally established at Drupain 2000, Inca really came intobeing two years previously,when Bill, together with othercolleagues from technologyconsultancy CambridgeConsultants, were asked bycustomers if they could designa machine capable of printingpackaging material at the endof a production line. The resultwas a prototype inkjet printingsystem that was shown at Ipexin 1998 and received anenthusiastic response from theshow’s visitors. Since then,Inca has introduced a series ofUV flatbed inkjet printers,including the Eagle, theColumbia, the Columbia

Turbo and the Spyder, tobecome one of the leadingmanufacturers of digitaltechnology and employingover 160 people at itsCambridge headquarters.

Since being acquired by theJapanese-based DainipponScreen Manufacturing Co. Ltd.In 2005, itself one of theWorld’s largest manufacturersand suppliers of equipment tothe printing industry, Inca hasfurther enhanced its facility forthe meticulous research anddevelopment which hasbecome its hallmark.

Kurt Aldén, who describesInca as being, ‘a company thatwe could trust’, explains thatwhen he was first looking atequipment on which todigitally print Re-board, heconsidered a number ofdifferent machines. However,the Inca Columbia was theone that really stood out, interms of print quality andspeed, but perhaps moreimportantly, Kurt was alsoimpressed by the understated

claims made by Bill Baxter. Hesays: “Whilst other companieswere promising fantasticquality, even at the highestspeeds, Bill was much morecautious. In fact, if anything,he downplayed the Columbia’scapabilities to a level which, tome, sounded much morerealistic. In fact, the Columbiahas consistently deliveredmore than we originallyexpected. It is a very stablemachine, which works aroundthe clock when necessary, withthe minimum of hassle. And,if ever there have been anyglitches, Inca has been quickto remedy them. In the end,this level of service, plus Inca’salmost intuitive understandingof what we require from theprinter, has been much morevaluable to us than the morecavalier promises of othermanufacturers.”

Kurt is so convinced ofInca’s superiority that he isrecommending that all Licenseholders invest in an IncaColumbia, Columbia Turbo or

Spyder. He says: “Of course wecan’t compel the purchase, butalthough these three machinesall offer different features, theyprovide all of the elementsnecessary to produce productsof a sufficiently high quality.”Design Force and Inca has thusdeveloped a mutuallybeneficial business partnership,whereby Inca has committedto providing competitiveprices coupled with fast servicefor all Design Force LicenseHolders.

Kurt concludes: “One of thebenefits of being a DesignForce License Holder is that allof the preparatory researchand development has alreadybeen completed. Companieswho join us, will thus haveimmediate access to the bestequipment, as well as ourextensive data-base of differentdesigns and on-going help andadvice, all of which shouldenable them to makemaximum profits in theminimum time-span.”

Perfect PartnersOne company who has an especially keen interest in Re-board’s future success is Inca Digital Printers, whois hoping to become the printer manufacturer of choice for all future Design Force License Holders.

First launched in 2004 and stillarguably the world’s fastestdigital UV flatbed printer, theColumbia Turbo prints ontorigid or flexible material up to40mm thick and 126” x 63” insize, producing high quality,repeatable results at speeds upto 1,720 sqft/hr. The ColumbiaTurbo also uses Fujifilm SericolUvijet inks that provide anultra-wide gamut usingautomotive grade pigmentswith the highest lightfastness rating toensure print longevity.The Uvijet ink systemis designed to print ontoalmost anything from

paper to board to a wide rangeof plastics using Inca proventechnology to control dropletformation and accuracy. For further informationon Design Force visit:www.designforce.seFor further informationon Inca digital Printersvisit:www.incadigital.com

Inca Columbia Turbo

The Inca Spyder 320 systemuses an Inca print module,jetting the smallest drops in itsclass to provide crisp printquality with genuineproduction performance at 600sq.ft/hr. Its flatbed designfeatures a dedicated 126” x 63”vacuum table, pin registrationsystem and precise dropplacement allowing lenticular

printing, for example, to beachieved with ease. A varietyof configurations are available:a four colour, a six-colour anda low cost model, as well as thenew white version. Themodular approach of theSpyder range enables users tomodify the specification to suitchanging business needs.

IncaSpyder320

INNOVATION

Luc Teblick and Peter Cornelis, two dynamicBelgian entrepreneurs with years ofexperience in the graphic arts and signsectors, have announced the launch of anew company and moreover, one which willsend shock waves reverberating throughoutthe industry! Augend

Technologies is the first company todevelop and market a unique digital high-end industrial wide-format press, the AugendF16. This new machine uses solvent-basedink technology and prints on anything fromstandard stock rolls to completely finishedcut-sheets and is thus ideally suited to theproduction of eye-catching and colourfulbillboards, bus shelter posters, scaffoldingand building graphics.

The new company is built on afoundation that was successfully establishedby Infiniti Europe, a firm launched byTeblick and Cornelis in 2003, which quicklybecame the leading provider of customised,high quality Infiniti wide-format printers inEurope. Assembled in China, these printersare fully optimised in Belgium to ensurequality engineering and parts that matchEuropean standards. Today, over 200 suchprinters, sold under the Xplorer, Xpert,Xterius and Xtream brands, are installedacross Europe and supported by AugendTechnologies’ service and technical supportteams.

Teblick and Cornelis chose the nameAugend, based on the Latin wordaugendum, meaning a thing to be increased,because in mathematics it is the name forthe first element of a sum. The nameAugend thus refers to the first-to-marketinnovation and productivity of the newAugend F16 press. Luc Teblick, ManagingDirector, comments: "The word augend bestdescribes the strategic mentality that will beat the cornerstone of Augend Technologies.We aim to be the first company to introducea high-end industrial wide-format digitalpress that is the first of its kind, while alsodramatically increasing productivity andquality through automation. Since we are soclose to the customer and developmentourselves, we will be able to fulfill marketdemands very quickly and in a very flexibleway."

Augend Technologies reflects the dynamicprogression of a carefully planned corporategrowth strategy that first began in 2003,when the founders established a strong trackrecord of delivering affordable, high qualitywide-format printers and earning areputation for excellent service and supportin the process. "Our present-day success wasbuilt on a high standard of customer supportand we will honour this commitment toquality with Augend Technologies. Ourinstalled base of wide-format printers is ever-growing and their users will profit from oureven greater servicing capabilities," statesTeblick.

The release of the Augend F16 is pendingand represents a methodical research anddevelopment cycle. The founders listenedcarefully to their existing customer base andclosely analysed the wide-format inkjetprinting market. They identifiedopportunities in developing a printingsystem that maximised full automation andhigh throughput combined with superiorquality – key assets in an environmentdictated by high labour costs anddemanding customers. Applying theirtechnical background, internationalexperience and entrepreneurial savvy,Teblick and Cornelis developed the AugendF16, an innovative digital wide-formatindustrial press – destined to be the first inits kind in the industry.

Luc Teblick continues: “We have identifieda target group of customers who currentlycannot currently find a wide-format inkjetsolution which matches their requirementsfor speed, automation and high output. TheAugend F16 is already creating waves withbeta-testers and the feedback is positive."

Following the re-branding of its wide-format range Augend Technologies willcontinue to sell, support and service theexisting product range of large format inkjetprinters through its dedicated network ofdistributors across Europe. Manufactured inChina to Augend Technologies’ technicalspecifications, the printers are optimised toEuropean standards when they arrive inBelgium, and are fine-tuned to match acustomer's precise requirements. Accordingto Augend, the result is a superior qualityproduct that offers the best of both worlds.In accordance with the change of the comp-any name, these printers will be re-brandedas the Augend Xplorer, Augend Xpert,Augend Xterius and Augend Xtream. For further information visitwww.augend.eu.

The first of a kind


INSTALLATIONS


Redditch-based POS specialist, SP, part ofSt Ives Group, has now officially launchedits KBA Rapida 205 press. Designed tocomplement SP’s existing screen, litho anddigital production capabilities, the newKBA UV press will allow the leading retailspecialist to further enhance its totalfulfilment offering to the retail market.

The KBA Rapida 205 litho press willallow SP to provide alternative productionmethods to its customers for a range ofPOS, delivering increased print quality,improved efficiencies and reduced leadtimes for a better customer experience. Theoverall project investment is calculated at£4.5 million, which also includes theinstallation of a state of the art Screen CTPsystem, all in a temperature and humiditycontrolled environment.

“The new press will allow us to furtherbroaden our service offering to the retailmarketplace,” said Mark Lockley, JointCEO, SP Group. “In a constantly evolvingindustry, SP has always maintained itsposition at the forefront of technological

change and this installation is a reflectionof the markets’ changing expectations,especially for POS applications where highquality, large format graphics areincreasingly becoming the acceptedstandard. As well as opening up initialemployment opportunities on the pressfloor, the ramp up of production willpositively impact other areas of ourbusiness and significantly streamline ourworkflow.”

With the ability to print onto paper andplastic substrates up to 2.05m wide and1.2mm thick (corrugated up to 1.6mmmax), as well as many other specialisedsubstrates, the KBA Rapida 205 is thewidest litho press in its class. Featuring fivetowers and offering CMYK plus specialcolour, the new press also includes an in-line coating and drying unit to aid speed,and its quick drying UV inks provideadhesion to a wider range of substrates,further enhancing production flexibility. For further information visit:www.kba-print.de

Nottingham based large format specialist,Viva Imaging Ltd, has installed the UK’sfirst DuPont Cromaprint 22-UV, rigid andflexible large format digital printer.Marking a further move into digitalproduction, the new 2.2metre printer,which uses DuPont colour managementtechnology, has enabled Viva to increaseproductivity and expand its productportfolio, helping the company to staycompetitive and target traditionalscreenprint applications.

John Watson, Managing Director, VivaImaging comments, “The new DuPontCromaprint 22UV has taken our businessto the next level. With our previous laserimage writer, we were losing business toother digital printers who could undercutus and meet very tight deadlines. Byinstalling our direct-to-substrate printer, wehave been able to reduce costs and providethe same high quality print on a far widerrange of substrates. This has not only madeus more competitive, but it has alsosignificantly expanded the opportunities toservice new markets, including POP and in-store graphics.”

Installed earlier this year, the Cromaprint22UV is supporting Viva’s varied clientbase of advertising agencies, designcompanies and a host of direct customers,including many high street names andfurniture store IKEA, and is being used toproduce a range of indoor and outdoorapplications, including exhibition graphics,POS, external signage and banners.

Viva report that the Cromaprint 22UV’ssix-colour capability plus white, has been agreat benefit; by maximising the DuPontprinter’s wide ink gamut with its Cromanetcolour server, Viva can not only producevibrant graphics, but can also ensure

Personal ChoiceOur regular series which highlights why companies select the equipment they use.

The press was officiallyput into production byone of SP Group’s keycustomers, JaneAbbott, PrintProduction Managerat Marks and Spencer.

FESPA WORLD 06/04 35FESPA WORLD WINTER/06 35

INSTALLATIONS

consistency of colour across many rigidand flexible substrates including vinyl,wood, ceramics, metal and plastics – idealfor new markets, including interiordecoration.

The Cromaprint 22UV is a completeinkjet digital printing system made up ofall DuPont components – next generationpatent pending extended gamut UVCurable ink technology, an all newDuPont Cromanet CS (colour server)providing RIP, spectral colourmanagement, and production workflowtools - installed with DuPont service andsupport. The total package is specificallydesigned to meet the high volume andhigh-speed production needs for digitalprinting on to the widest variety of rigidand flexible media.

As further demonstration of itscommitment to customer service, Viva hasintroduced an online digital print service.By enabling customers to order print andupload digital artwork directly to a Vivaprint portal, it has been able to streamlinejob ordering and further improveworkflow efficiencies. John Watsoncomments, “We are extremely pleasedwith our Cromaprint 22UV. Sinceinstallation, the increase to our businesshas been phenomenal and theopportunities to grow further are mind-boggling. We may need a second machineto keep up with demand!”For further information visit:www.dupont.com

As the name implies, Big ImageSystems specialises in the printing oflarge images on fabric and other flexiblematerials. The company, who hasproduction facilities in Stockholm,Sweden, and Berlin, provides finishedprinted material to clients all over theworld, whilst also carving out a specialniche for itself as a supplier of theatrebackdrops.

One of Big Images’ many extraordinaryfeatures is that it builds its own airbrushmachines. Currently there are five suchmachines in use, the largest being 12mwide, with a further four of 5m wide. Inaddition, it has wide format solvent inkjetmachines including the Durst 350R roll-to-roll UV inkjet.

Andreas Skantze, President of Big Image,says: “Quality is always our first priorityand the Rho 350 impressed us from theoutset. We wanted a UV machine and theDurst was the only one on the market thatproduced the quality and productivity weneeded. Also, we like many of its features,

particularly the skip-white function and itsoverall ease of use. It is very operatorfriendly, requiring only one person tochange even the largest media rolls andthe software is both easy to use and fast.We have already been experimenting withdifferent media – to date we have tried 26different materials! And, most of theresults have been excellent. In fact, ifDurst were to build a 5m UV printer wewould buy one immediately!”For further information visitwww.durst-online.com

The first of the new model THIEME 5000XL series screen-printing machines to becommissioned in the UK is a keycomponent of the major programme ofexpansion and reorganisation justcompleted at Southampton’s AppletonSigns.

The three-colour, automatic THIEME5060 UV line has pole position in the20,000 sq ft printing hall, which has beenopened by Appleton Signs at its new HQand production complex

Twice the size of the company’s previouspremises, the 40,000 sq ft complex has notonly provided the company with space toupgrade and enhance its facilities, but alsoto co-ordinate all of its diverse print andsign production equipment under a singleroof.

Established almost 40 years ago, thefamily firm has grown, in one direction, tobecome a multi-skilled, multi-disciplinedmanufacturer of corporate, retail, safetyand wayfinding sign systems, as well as amajor supplier of printed vehicle liverygraphics and banners. In a paralleldirection, it has become one of the southof England’s biggest retail POP displayproducers with a blue-chip clientele.

Tailor-made for the automatedproduction of very large-format PoPdisplay and packaging media, Thieme5000 XL series machines are gearedspecifically to provide optimumproduction capacity with minimummanpower. Users are said to be able tosustain a 95 percent level of operationalavailability at all times and to limit set-upto less than five minutes per print station.

Although based largely on the hugelysuccessful THIEME 5000 model, XLmachines employ a number of re-configured key components – includingthe squeegee control, operationalmechanism and gripper design – to deliverthe twin advantages of optimumflexibility, for frequent job changing, andhigh precision, for perfect quality multi-

colour printing at high printing speeds. Asa result, they can print on substrates up to10mm thick and delivers 3,000 m ofmulti-colour output per hour.

Modular in concept, Thieme 5000 XLlines can be configured with from one tofour print and dryer stations and built insizes up to 2000 mm x 3050 mm.Appleton Signs opted for a three-colourUV line because, as Luke explained, thisoffers the greatest operational versatility.

The company’s MD, Luke Appletonconcludes: “Most of our POP work is infive or six colours, so two passes areneeded in any event. With make ready onthe THIEME being so fast, this poses noproblem at all. This is a real production-line machine, ideally suited to our short-ish runs and quick job changeovers, yetdelivering consistent top quality at alltimes.”For further information [email protected]


INSTALLATIONS

Manchester-based specialist large formatprinter, GBM, is the first company in theUK to invest in the Lüscher JetPrint 3530UV flatbed printer for large format digitalprinting. Supplied by systems integratorTurning Point Technologies, the versatilityof this new machine will enable GBM tosatisfy a variety of new applications,including banner production, rigid andsoft building wraps and vehicle liveries.

"When we carried out our marketresearch into suitable printers, we werespecifically looking for quality andaccuracy," comments Paul Towers, SalesDirector, GBM. "We did consider otherprinters, but the Lüscher JetPrint was ableto maintain its excellent quality whileprinting faster at 97m sq per hour at highresolution, and at 3500 x 3050mmmaximum format, wider than any of itscompetitors. We can tile up to five jobs onthe machine simultaneously and offergreat value for money at the same time."

Originally a repro company, GBM wasestablished over 30 years ago to supportpremier companies in the North ofEngland. Today clients include UCIcinemas, Harvey Nichols and CottonTraders. As well as specialising in large-format and lenticular printing, thecompany works closely with the LowryMuseum providing perfect copies ofLowry originals to customers on demand.GBM also offers a design service, aphotographic end-to-end facility, prepress,screen, digital print finishing anddistribution services to a wide range ofwell-known retail companies and brandslocally and nationally.

The Lüscher JetPrint 3530 UV is aversatile large format printer that canprint on virtually any rigid or flexiblesubstrate. Using environmentally friendlyUV inks and featuring a cost-effective andhighly productive workflow, it is simple tooperate. It can be used in conjunctionwith a wide range of rigid and flexiblesubstrates.

Paul continues, "TPT gave us theopportunity to see the JetPrint in action atHediger in Switzerland, a company thatproduces backdrops for television studiosacross Europe, as well as printingtransparencies for lorries, fixedsuperstructures, passenger vehicles andbuses. This gave us great ideas to branchout into different sectors in the future".For further information visit: www.t-point.co.uk


RUSSIAAt the beginning of July and followingmany problems relating to visas and travelplans, my wife Therese and I were finallyable to visit Russia and catch up with mydear friend and former pupil, ArtemNadisravilli, who runs Midi Print, one thebiggest screen, offset and digitalcompanies in Russia.

Midi Print was first established in 1995by Artem, a Georgian jazz-rock musicianfrom Tbilisi, and two of his partners,having all moved to Moscow during 1990.Artem is also the President of the RussianScreen and Digital Printing Association,which is, of course, a member of FESPA.The name of the company originates fromthe combination of two names: MilesDavis and MIDI (Musical InstrumentsDigital Interface). Of course this is a veryunusual name for a Russian company and

the fact that Midi Print also fields its ownfootball team who play twice a week in alocal league, makes it even more unusual!

Midi Print, which currently enjoys aturnover of five million Euros, specialisesin POP, signs and graphic printing, usingscreenprinting, UV offset and digitalprinting technologies. It also prints T-shirts.

Its 7,000-m2 Moscow factory is locatedon a huge industrial wasteland of some20,000 m2, which Artem intends torehabilitate for future expansion into thearea of fine art reproduction. The firstthing you notice is that the factory is verywell guarded, with security cameras andstaff who are hired to guard it day andnight. The Chechen problem is still a bigissue here and the fear of both criminalactivity and gang pressure is ever present.

Of the company’s 150 staff, 65 peoplework in the printing section, which

encompasses prepress, screenprinting,textile printing, offset and digital and 60in the finishing and mountingdepartment, whilst 25 people look aftersales and administration.

The print department, which iscurrently spread over three different levels,will soon be grouped together morelogically in a new area of the site, withprinting taking place at ground level andscreening on the first floor. Prepress andsales and administration will remain in theoriginal part of the plant.

The production is based on six lines ofscreenprinting presses, including anautomatic and semi-automatic flatbed, aSvecia 70 x 100 cm cylinder press, plustwo carousels, one digital press and oneUV offset press 50 x 70 cm in size. Thiswill soon be enhanced with a MHM 80 x120cm five colour carousel for printing

On the road againIndustry guru, Michel Caza resumes his travels to visit screenprinters inEastern Europe and is pleasantly surprised by what he finds…….

Artem Nadisravilli (centre) with partners. Stencilling.

Above and below; Midi Print’s printing facility.

T-Shirt printing.

plastic and paper sheets and a 210 x 350cm digital UV printer, that will add afacility for white and spot colours.

CTS will also be added to the screeningdepartment to partially replace thetraditional film.

When I ask about the importance ofR&D, Artem responds: “We see this as avery important function. As it is our aimto become one of the top companies inRussia and the surrounding countries, wedo everything we can to promote bothquality and productivity, includinginvestment in the latest technologies. Wewere one of the first to acquire theCazaway system, which facilitatesscreenprinting in four colour halftones of150 lines/inch and 58 and 90/inch forbigger images.”

Naturally the R & D department has alsospearheaded the company’s entry intosome niche areas, such aselectroluminescent, special inks and theuse of special effects, in the graphic, signand textile markets.

Artem goes on to say that in Russia, anaverage print run is 50 when printingdigitally, 2,000-3,000 when screen-printingand around 5,000 to 50,000 when usingoffset.

I ask him about the rules regarding the

environmental impact of the printingprocesses and he tells me that Midi Printuses 15 percent solvent inks and 85percent UV inks when screen and digitallyprinting. Of course, when it comes tooffset printing, the proportion rises to l00percent UV inks.

We move on to finishing and Artemconfirms that everything, including: diecutting, laser cutting, vacuum forming,mounting, and packing, is done in houseto ensure quality and clientconfidentiality.

With regard to Midi Print’s futuredevelopment, Artem assures me that thefine art printing and editing departmentwill soon be producing originalscreenprints, reproductions and posters, allof which will be shown in an on-sitegallery. He comments: “As you know, Ilove art and I feel that it represents a hugepotential market in Russia. And sinceother people, namely yourself, havesuccessfully managed to combine bothPOP and fine art reproduction under oneroof, there is no reason why we shouldn’tbe able to manage it too!”


The dry offset press.

The new MHM five colour carousel printer.

Nodar, the Technical manager.

The vacuum forming department.

The digital printing and laminating department.

Artem and Therese Caza study fine art reproductions.

Some special applications.


TURKEYA few months ago, I made a new friendwhen I spoke at a UV Printing Workshopheld in Greece, and explained how waterbased UV inks could be used to replaceplastisols in four colour process textileprinting. Samir Sadikoglu, the plantmanager of a T-shirt printing company inTurkey, helped me to solve some of theproblems we had with the equipment and,when he suggested that I spend a few daysat his factory in Istanbul to provide consul-tancy and help train the staff in the use ofthe new technology, I agreed with alacrity.

I must confess that I was expecting thecompany for whom Samir works, ETF, toresemble most other T-shirt printingfactories that I have visited, but actually, Icouldn’t have been more surprised! Insteadof the smallish concern of my imaginings,I found a vast, modern plant, of around13,000m2 in size.

I also found a team of guards, both atthe entrance to the industrial park andoutside the plant itself. But whilst inMoscow the guards were protecting thefactory’s security, here it was more to dowith political problems.

The huge factory was very clean, bothinside and out and fully equipped and Iquickly realised that, in addition toprinting the T-shirts, ETF also manufacturesthem from the raw cotton fabric. Thecompany, which employs 400 people,processes 25,000 T-shirts a day and theplant is divided into four different depart-ments. There is a sewing department,which includes cutting and ironing; a pre-press and printing department, a packagingdepartment and a sales department.

The printing department is managed byCengiz Kaptan and as most T-shirts areprinted in anything from one up to sevencolours, making up to l00,000 colours aday in total, he is a very busy man! ETFhas seven lines of M&R multicolourcarrousels, which for the most part, usethe new plastisol inks, without PVC andphthalates and water based inks. However,there is the possibility that in the future,this will change to UV water based inks,which is the reason for my visit!

In the main, ETF operates a two-shiftsystem, but there are several possiblecombinations, such as one, two or eventhree shift patterns, according to the needsof the different departments and customerrequirements. Some parts of the operationare very labour intensive according toProduction Manager Samir. I met him andthe General Manager, Can Dikmen in thepleasant offices where Can’s wife, Sanem,also manages the sales and marketingdepartment.

When I asked about the wages forworkers in this kind of manufacturingbusiness. they explained that the salariesrange from between 250 and 300 Euros permonth, plus the usual employer’scontributions, which in Turkey, as in othercountries within Europe, is relatively high.In addition, the workers enjoy the bonusof a proper lunch – the company has ahuge canteen, which prepares around 450meals a day.

The Prepress department has all thelatest equipment with regard to both Macand PC, including imaging and digitalproofing and also has a screen departmentbased on the CTS inkjet system. Inaddition, it uses traditional screenprinting

equipment. Including about one thousandself-stretching Newman Roller Frames!

One of ETF’s most important aims is toimprove the quality and reliability of itsproduct, particularly as it has to satisfy theexacting demands of internationalcompanies producing sports clothing. Thatis why quality control is very importantand also why ETF enters several AwardsCompetitions, such as those run by FESPAand SGIA. It has also been experimentingwith 3-D printing for which there is muchdemand from customers. In process colourprinting, photographic images arebecoming increasingly popular. ETF wantsto produce in 150 lines/inch (60/cm),which is another reason for my visit.

I really hope that this company willsucceed because in view of all of itsinvestment, coupled with its undoubtedenergy and drive, it certainly deserves to!

ETF Plant.

Sculptures in the enttrance hall. Control & packing.

Printing presses & Printing Manager Cengiz Kaptan.

Samir & Can.

The ETF Sewing room.

The Ironning room.


BULGARIAIncredible is the only word to describe TopPrint in Sofia! In all of my travels I don’tthink that I have ever seen such a cleanand well-equipped small plant.

In the west, we proudly boast about ourtop quality levels, our sophisticated prints,high technology and super cleanliness, butas I am discovering, we have a lot to learnfrom these so-called primitive companiesin Eastern Europe!

This visit followed hot on the heels ofthe surprise that had awaited me inIstanbul and came about as the result ofanother consulting job, following the UVworkshop in Greece. As well as beingastonished by the plant, I also have thepleasure of meeting with the appropriatelynamed Top Print’s big boss, Ivaylo Metrov,the Plant Manager, Hristofor Chernev andthe Prepress Manager, Nikolay Nicolov orIvo, Fory and Nicky as they begged me tocall them!

Top Print’s fully air-conditioned factoryis located very close to Sofia’s airportbecause this small company specialises inproducing decals, small displays anddiverse graphic products for export to theMiddle East and African countries.

Films are created in-house, whilstimaging is outsourced. Screen tension isachieved on Sefar’s latest machines, usingfabric from Sefar and NBC, whilst coating,which takes place on a Harlacher machine,controlled drying, exposure anddeveloping are also carried out, underalmost perfect conditions, in-house.

With the exception of a manualcarrousel, which complements the servicesoffered to customers, and Roland’s SoljetPro Z V-SC-545 print and cut machine,everything is output on a fully automaticcylinder press from SPS, which works intwo shifts. The production, mostly onpaper, adhesive decals and thin PVC, insizes of either 50 x 70 cm or 70 x 100 cm,runs at a speed of between 1,800 and2,200 sheets per hour.

The German Improinkmaster providesautomatic screen washing and reclamation,whilst finishing is either outsourced ordealt with in another part of the plant.

The commendable ethos of thecompany, according to Ivo is, quitesimply, “to be the best, not just in EasternEurope but throughout Europe!”

To achieve this Top Print makes a pointof using the best substrates and UV inks,whilst always on the look-out for superiorproducts. Ivo explains: “The reason youare here Michel, is to help us to produce200 lines/inch (80/cm) or even finer whenrunning four colour process and also totell us how we can improve our methodsand equipment to reach the highestquality levels. This is sometimes difficultto discern when you are based in acountry which doesn’t always haveimmediate access to either the latestinformation or products.”

This, of course, is nice for me to hear,but what a challenge, when so many

screen printers elsewhere in Europe don’twant to aspire to more than 75 or maybe100/inch, claiming that it is too difficult!Even my very clever and qualified friendsin the UK, who engage in complexresearch relating to the sequence ofprinted colour, stay within this range ofdot count! Why then is it that we areoutflanked by a small Bulgarian screenprinter who thinks nothing ofscreenprinting high quality graphics for acosmetic company, in 200 lines/inch?

Perhaps we should simply forget aboutscreenprinting being an outmodedtechnology and concentrate ondemonstrating that it can be at least asgood as offset or digital printing in termsof image quality and resolution. Certainly,my Bulgarian friends prove that it is quitepossible, providing you use very goodequipment and have sufficient motivation,determination and, most importantlyimagination! Top Print is happy to acceptthat it needs to combine very high screentensions with the creation of its own ICCprofiles and, if in the process, it needs tochange some of its equipment and usenew inks and substrates even when theyare not yet distributed locally – then so beit!

All three companies certainly providedme with food for thought and I hope thatthey will provide all screen and digitalprinters with similar inspiration.

Fory – Michel – Niky and Ivo, “the Boss”. Screen reclaiming and tension.

Nikolai, the “Macintosh master”.

Top Print produces T-Shirts too!

Printing on SPS.

Screening.

Measuring proofing in 200 lines/inch.


FESPA GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2006 - ASSOCIATION REPORTS

This year’s FESPA General Assembly took place in the beautiful city ofBratislava, which is one of the youngest capital cities in Europe. Previouslyknown as Pressburg or Pozsony it was one of the most important cities in theAustro-Hungarian Empire and populated by a mixing pot of various nations andnationalities. Located on the banks of the River Danube, Bratislava is enjoyingsomething of a renaissance and is now regarded as the political, cultural andeconomic centre of Slovakia. It was therefore the perfect venue for an assemblywhich brought together Fespa’s 32 members and associate members fromthroughout Europe, the Far East and Australia.

As previously, the Assemblyprovided each of theAssociations with theopportunity to provide anupdate on their countries’economies and their ownprogress during the past year.However, this year FESPAintroduced a new innovationin the form of an interactiveworkshop. The delegates weresplit into four different groups,to discuss the following topics: • What does the FESPA brand

mean for you and yourmembers?

• What does FESPA do for youand your members todayand how would you like it toevolve?

• What services do you wantFESPA to deliver for you inthe future?After much lively debate, the

day culminated in a generalmeeting of all delegates, which

considered the views aired andpoints made during the dayand discussed ways in whichthis information could be usedto make FESPA an even moreeffective organisation in thefuture.

Nigel Steffens, FESPA’sGeneral Secretary says: “Notonly did this session encouragedelegates to really think aboutwhat they expect from FESPA,it also provided us with a greatdeal of very useful feedbackwhich we can now useconstructively.”

Unsurprisingly perhaps, mostdelegates wanted FESPA’sassistance in recruiting newmembers to their Associationsand there was much discussionas to how this could be bestachieved. The final conclusionwas that FESPA needs to clearlydefine its organisationalstructure and objectives so

that people recognise the fullextent and scope of itsactivities and regard it as beingmuch more than just anexhibition.

Nigel Steffens concludes: “Allof the delegates seemed toenjoy the exercise and at theend of it were much clearer intheir own minds about whatthey expect from FESPA. Whilstwe already provide many ofthe support services discussed,it was very helpful to identifyhow this can be fine tuned andsupplemented to providemembers with even bettervalue for money in future.”

The General Assembly alsoelected the Ukrainian Screenand Digital PrintingAssociation (USDPA) as its 28thfull member. USDPA wasrepresented at the Assembly byits Secretary, Mr OlexiyVlasenko.

BeautifulBratislava!


The Baltic StatesAs the Baltic States’membership of the EU hascoincided with the rapidgrowth of digital technology,many market segments havegone straight over to digitalwithout progressing throughscreenprinting, notably thelarge format advertising sector.

Screenprinting is, however,holding its own when it comesto the production of salesliterature and special effectprinting and in Lithuaniaespecially, screenprinting isstill the premier method oftextile printing. Generally,competition is fierce, sincethere are now many smallcompanies engaged in price-cutting. However, the BalticStates Association feels thatthere is great potential for thegrowth of screenprintingtechniques within theburgeoning industrial sector.

All screen and digitalprinters within Estonia, Latviaand Lithuania have now beeninformed about both theAssociation’s activities andthose of FESPA via e-mailednewsletters and although, todate, the response hasn’t beenoverwhelming, particularlywith regard to small andmedium sized companies,some larger companies havehelped to formulate a draftplan of Association activities.These include a members’meeting, the changing of the

Association’s statutes, aneducational seminar and theorganisation of an educationalprogramme for colleges. Inaddition, the Association plansto launch a website to furtherpromote itself and itsactivities.

AustraliaThe Australian Associationreports that the screen sectorremains in a similar positionto last year, with some areas insteady decline, due to theongoing shift towards digitaltechnology coupled with fiercepricing pressure from globalcompetitors.

SGIAA’s major event for theyear was its conference atCoolum on Queensland’sSunshine Coast, whichincluded an excellent forumfeaturing both internationaland Australian speakersdiscussing the latest industrytrends and innovations.

Planning is now wellunderway for the SGIAA 2007Australasian Screen and DigitalAwards, which are open to allAustralian and New Zealandcompanies. It will culminate ina gala evening to be held atthe Sydney Convention &Exhibition Centre on Friday20th July 2007. TheAssociation’s future aimsinclude strengtheningcollaborative relationshipswith other trade associationswho serve the screen and

digital sectors and, to this end,it will continue to work closelywith FESPA, SGIAA, and theASGA.

AustriaAlthough the Austrian printingsector experienced zero growthduring 2005, this was animprovement on the previousyear when it reported an 11percent loss. Forecasts for 2006predict zero growth, butanalysts are forecasting a 10percent market growth withinthe next five years. Digitalprinting continues to grow inpopularity, with growth of 25percent expected over the nextfive years. Screen printers arecontinuing to prosper and arealso adopting digitaltechnologies, although largeformat printing is not quite asover-hyped as previously.

The Association’s activitiesinclude helping media groupVerband Druck &Medientechnik to organize theDataprint exhibition in Linzduring 2007. It will also behosting a series of seminars atthe show, which will bepromoted in its “DasÖsterreichische GrafischesGewerbe” magazine.

BelgiumThere are currently around2480 printing companies inBelgium, of whichapproximately 900 are Febelgramembers. Mostly one-manbusinesses, these companiesaccount for 13,338 jobs andgenerated a total of€3,197,177,000 during 2005.Of this total, 35 percent wasgenerated through domestictrade, with exports accountingfor €1,264 million and imports€1,095 million.

With regard to the screenand digital sectors, Belgiumhas seen the emergence ofhybrid companies, which offerall aspects of screen and digitalprinting and, in some cases,even offset printing. Last yearsaw at least three mergersbetween screen-printing/digitalor offset printing companies.And others are positioningthemselves as full servicecompanies, even changingtheir names to underline theirevolving status as all roundsuppliers.

Larger screenprinters have tofield the increasingcompetition from companieswho have installed UV flatbedinkjet printers; in the last yearseven such machines havebeen installed in Belgium.Outdoor media, in the form ofbillboards and building wrapsare becoming increasinglypopular methods ofadvertising and are generating


ASSOCIATION REPORTS

more business for roll-to-rollprinters, with five superwideformat machines beinginstalled in Belgium during2005.

During 2007, Febelgra isplanning to organise a digitalprinting event, in associationwith FESPA’s Special Projectsinitiative, which will featureseveral leading digital suppliersand provide an opportunityfor both members and non-members to meet and discussthe evolution of digitalprinting.

BulgariaThe Bulgarian screenprintingsector is prospering as far astextile printing, label printing,transfer production,advertising billboards andpackaging is concerned anddigital printing is alsobecoming an increasinglypopular technology.

During the last year, manynew digital printingcompanies have sprung upand there are also anincreasing number of digitalsuppliers. Unfortunately,there is less enthusiasm formembership of theAssociation, which to date, hasonly 10 paying members,although a further 85companies are registered.Accordingly, the Associationwill be working very hard torecruit new members duringthe coming year. Over thepast 12 months it has focusedon helping to strengthenrelationships between printersand suppliers, consulted withscreen printers, advised ontraining and hosted seminars.

Czech Republic This year the Association ofthe Czech Republic celebratedits 15th Anniversary with aseries of events As well as aspecial commemorative day inhonour of the anniversary, theAssociation organised itsseventh Congress, whichincluded a specialistprogramme for screenprinters.Representatives of theAssociation also took part inthe seminar held in Poznan,Poland and in May, itorganised a group trip to theFESPA Digital Exhibition inAmsterdam.

However the main thrust ofits celebrations took placeduring October, when itcombined a professionalscreenprinting seminarentitled, Comparison oftraditional and newscreenprinting technologies'’,with a full programme ofancillary events, where theemphasis was firmly on fun.Held in the pleasantsurroundings of the HotelHamonia in Svabov nearBatelov u Jihlava, more thanfifty participants competed tocomplete a series of differentscreenprinting tasks, rangingfrom the highly complex tothe simple, coupled with morelighthearted games.

Another noteworthy eventwas the result of the CzechAssociation’s collaborationwith the ScreenprintingAssociation of the SlovakRepublic, which culminated inthe Slovakian seminar whichhad Bill Appleton and PeterKiddell as speakers.

CroatiaCroatia is currently facing bigeconomic changes, which arehaving an effect on thegraphics sector. With manycompanies finding it difficultto raise sufficient capital toinvest in new equipment,leasing is becoming a popularoption. Pricing is now verycompetitive in the offset anddigital markets, due to theincreasing number ofcompanies who are offeringthese services, althoughscreenprinting continues tohold its own, possibly because,as a process, it demands ahigher level of skill andexperience and competition isthus weaker. A positivedevelopment involves theprovision of governmentfinance for anenvironmentally friendlywaste and disposal scheme,which will enable the smallCroation Association to helpits members keep up with allof the latest regulations.During the last year theAssociation has organised andsponsored a workshop thatfocused on environmentalprotection and run a hugelysuccessful seminar inassociation with FESPA, whichalso helped it to double itsmembership. At its annualassembly, the Associationpassed general regulationsrelating to screenprinting,whilst also hosting ademonstration of Enfocussoftware. During the comingyear it will introduce itsmembership to the

BE EFFECTIVE publication,translate the e-learning projectinto Croation, compile a list of

bad payers and promote theCroatian version of MichelCaza’s Friendly Planet manual.

China (CSGIA)China’s printing industry hasgrown at an annual rate of 10percent during the period 1999– 2004, with the totalproduction value amountingto Y332.67 billion in 2005,compared with Y280 Billion in2004, and accounting for twopercent of GDP.

The screenprinting sectorhas enjoyed an annual growthof 15 percent since 2000.Textile printing and industrialprinting applications haveenjoyed similar levels ofgrowth.

According to statistics, theoutput of digital printingincreased by 16 percent in2005, due in part to the factthat China now has theworld’s largest outdooradvertising market, withdigital printing accounting formore 54 percent of the totalproduction in this area.

During the past 12 months,CSGIA has established a“Screen Printing and GraphicImaging” department inassociation with a Beijingschool, and is running a three-year course for 100 students.It has also completed itssecond industry survey, whichwill provide much useful dataas regards equipment, capacityand market demands as well asgiving a forecast for screen anddigital printing over the nextfive years.


ASSOCIATION REPORTS

FinlandBenefiting from the buoyantFinnish economy, screen anddigital printing grew by two tothree percent in 2005, growththat has continued during2006. Many companies arenow investing in digitalprinters and some have evenacquired large format flat bedprinters.

This year, the FinnishScreenprinting Association,which celebrates its 30thanniversary, has retained mostof its members and, in order toassist future recruitment, hasdecided to change its name toThe Association of FinnishScreen and Special Printing. Atthe same time, with the helpof the FESPA ProjectsCommittee, it is revamping itscorporate identity, website anddatabase. This follows areorganisation that took placeearlier in the year and lead tothe association being runindependently by its secretary,Regina Aas.

Activities during the yearhave included the organisationof special trips to the FESPADigital Show in Amsterdam forover 100 visitors; the translationof the E-learning course into

Finnish and the implementationof a course designed to covercertified PDF, which will beheld in Helsinki, Turku andTampere. In addition, theAssociation has held eightregular meetings, including itsannual General Spring- andFall Assemblies and trainingevents in colour management,health and safety issues, pricesetting and cost calculating. Ithas also published anddistributed a further two issuesof its own magazine,SERITIETO.

FranceThe French graphic industry asa whole, which contributes atotal of one half a percent tothe country’s annual turnover,is a manually based industry,which, none the less, has seenthe total number ofparticipants decrease by twopercent since 1993. The rate ofaverage annual growth interms of turnover currentlystands at 1.1 percent.

The French Associationreports that the pressing issuesfacing the screen and digitalsectors at present are the needto resolve environmentalproblems and to enhance the

sector’s overall image.During the past year, the

Association, who has recentlymoved premises to share abuilding with the Associationfor offset printers, has workedon the institution of sixprofessional qualifyingcertificates related to specificactivities in screen and digitalprinting. These will beawarded to employees whenthey pass an exam designed totest their capabilities. It hasalso extended the scope of itsannual general assembly toinclude technical conferencesdealing with such issues asenvironmental controls andtraining. This innovation wasdeemed to be so successfulthat it will be repeated at nextyear’s assembly.

The Association has alsolaunched a new website and isworking hard to organise newforums, one of which will takeplace at a French trade show,and promote its trainingobjectives, which can beadapted to suit the needs ofindividual companies.

Finally, it is working on theproduction of anenvironmental logo for screenand digital printing.

GermanyAlthough there are no specificstatistics relating to thescreenprinting sector, theeconomic situation of theGerman printing industry as awhole showed furtherimprovement in 2005. After amoderate first six monthsturnover, production increasedto the highest level for fiveyears during Autumn 2005,with the industry achieving atotal turnover of €17.1 bn

During the last year, theAssociation has worked withthe Federal Guild of ScreenPrinters and the GermanPrinting and Media Federation(bvdm) to revise theexamination for the mastercraftsman's diploma. The draftdocument has been submittedto the Federal Ministry ofEconomy and Technology forfinal approval and it isexpected that it will come intoforce by the end of this year.

It has also provided a newmember database on itswebsite which will enablepotential customers to selectthe most suitable screen ordigital printer in their area, aswell as providing memberswith a networking


ASSOCIATION REPORTS

opportunity. In addition, the Association

has provided technicalinformation on pad printingwhich is designed to help usersachieve the best effect fromthis process

GreeceThe Athens-based HellenicScreen Printing Association(HEL.SPA), which wasoriginally formed in 1977 andnow has 82 members from allover Greece, aims to promotethe advantages ofscreenprinting. To this end, itholds many get-togethers in itsoffices, which enable membersto exchange news, views andinformation, and is also anactive member of the AthensChamber Of Small andMedium Sized Industries.

During the past year theGreek economy has stabilisedand screenprinters, despitehaving to contend with aflood of cheap imports fromEastern Europe, are holdingtheir own and are alsobeginning to invest in digitaltechnology, in order tobecome more competitive.

This year the Associationparticipated in two successfulGreek exhibitions; Syskevasia,a show designed to highlightgeneral packaging andEpigrafica, which focuses onthe graphic arts.

ItalyAn improving Italian economyhas benefited screen anddigital printers, although theincreased cost of ink,substrates, and transport hassomewhat impacted upontheir profits.

Established only this year,SIOTEC, the Italian Associationrepresents the interests ofscreen, digital and padprinters, as well as signmakers.It currently has a board of tenmembers, plus 53 associates,many of whom are limitedcompanies employing anaverage of 14 people. SIOTEChas already forgedrelationships with the leadingItalian trade journals and hasalso set up its own website. Inaddition, it has published apromotional brochure that wasdistributed during the ViscomItaly trade show and is alsobeing mailed to all therelevant companies in Italy.

SIOTEC has hosted its firstTechnical Seminar and, withthe help of the FESPA ProjectsCommittee, intends to holdtwo further such eventsshortly. It is also planning tooffer regional training coursesto its members, financed bypublic funds and supported byits supplier members. Anotherinitiative is its collaborationwith a leading Italian softwareprovider to provide a newbusiness package, which willenable members to manageand cost their work moreefficiently and profitably.

NorwayThe screenprinting sectorremains stable and, accordingto the Norwegian Association,things are progressingreasonably well, with thosecompanies servicing nichemarkets enjoying the highestlevels of profitability. Digitalproduction continues toinfluence the market andmany screenprinters have nowinvested in digital equipmentin order to increase theirproduction capacity.

The Association, whichcurrently has 45 members,held its 45th General Assemblyin Oslo, last February, whichincluded a visit to Denmarkwhere members had theopportunity to visit NSSystem. Presently theAssociation are translating theE-learning course intoNorwegian.

PolandIn the past year the PolishScreenprinting Association hasfocused on increasing itsmembership. Last Spring ithosted a successful multi-topicconference during theEuroreklama graphic andadvertising exhibition. Thistwo-day marathon, whichincluded lectures that weresimultaneously translated intoPolish and English, attractedover 70 delegates, and severalnew members, many of whichcome from the digital sector.

The Association has alsobeen busy translating the E-learning course into Polish andplans a full supportingpromotional programme whenthe translation is complete andready for publication.

During the coming year, itplans to recruit further newmembers, enhance its methodsof member communicationand organise more seminars,including one at Euroreklama2007.

PortugalThe digital sector in Portugal isgrowing, with the formation ofsome new digital companies,whilst, at the same time, thedemand for screenprinting isdecreasing, with the loss ofsome established players.Many screenprinters are nowchoosing to adopt digitalmethods, and sales of digitalequipment have greatlyincreased over the last year.

The Association reports thatenvironmental issues remain acontinuous concern and itplans to collaborate with aspecialist partner in order toachieve environmentalcertification (ISO 14001 andESMA). It is also collaboratingwith various governmentbodies in a project entitledPMEmas, which will enablesmall and medium sizecompanies to obtain EMAScertification.

RomaniaIn the run-up to itsmembership of the EU inJanuary, the Romanianeconomy has been boomingand accordingly, both thescreen and digital sectors haveprofited from this growth.Many screenprinters are nowinvesting in digital equipmentin order to expand theirservices and to remaincompetitive. At the sametime, the number of smallcompanies continues to grow,as they are able to use simplescreen or tampo printersand/or digital presses. Inpreparation for joining the EU,many companies have alreadyexpressed interest in acquiringall of the appropriate qualityand environmentalaccreditations in order tocompete effectivelythroughout Europe.

The Romanian Associationhas continued to promoteFESPA events and its websitenow attracts visits frommember and non-membercompanies, eager to takeadvantage of the informationit provides there.


ASSOCIATION REPORTS

The Association also reportsthat a screenprinting school inPloiesti offering a six-monthdiploma course inscreenprinting willcomplement the existingPrinting College in Timisoara.

SerbiaSerbia is in the midst of aperiod of democratic andeconomic transition and bothscreen and digital printing arebenefiting from this generalclimate of growth andprosperity. Textile printing isenjoying a particular boom atpresent and digital printing isset to grow in line with theeconomy of the region. Butalthough companies arekeeping up with all of thelatest technologicaldevelopments, their futureprofitability depends on thembecoming more efficient andproductive.

The Serbian Association hasenjoyed a very busy year. Itsseminar in Belgrade opened upmany new avenues and it isnow collaborating withSerbia’s National EmploymentService in a bid to help retrainthe unemployed asscreenprinters.

Slovakia The main activity organised bythe Slovakian ScreenprintingAssociation during 2005 was atwo day screenprinting courseorganised in collaborationwith the FESPA ProjectsCommittee and the CzechScreenprinting Association,which attracted more than 30participants from withinSlovakia and further afield.This year, the Association,which now has 19 members,helped to promote the FESPADigital exhibition, andarranged for a group of itsmembers to attend the show,during which it hosted aninformal get together forSlovak and Czech visitors onthe FESPA stand.

One of the Association’smain aims is to forgerelationships with otherAssociations and to this end, ithas held two joint meetingswith the Czech Associationthis year. It also sent arepresentative to the Euro-reklama exhibition in Poznanand the accompanyingseminar organised by thePolish Screen and Digitalprinting Association. Its co-operation with the HighSchool of Arts in Trencin, alsocontinues, with theAssociation providingconsultation and presentationson screenprinting matters.

SloveniaIn 2005 there were 595companies operating withinthe Slovenian graphics sector,comprising of eight largecompanies, employing 1534people, eight medium sizedcompanies employing 1019people and 579 smallercompanies employing 2255people –4808 people in total.This total doesn’t take accountof those working in a graphicscapacity within otherindustries. The total income inthe domestic marketamounted to €355 million,with a further €12.6 millioncoming via exports. At present,no specific data exists inrelation to the screen anddigital sectors, although it isclear that the number ofsmaller and specialisedcompanies is increasing.Digital printing has becomeincreasingly popular over thelast few years and there hasbeen substantial growth in thedemand for large formatdigital prints, largely fromcustomers requiring outdooradvertising and POP.

As with the rest of Europe,competition is fierce,particularly from places suchas the Czech Republic, Polandand Hungary, where labourcosts are much lower. Sincethe quality of Slovenianprinting is high, most of thelarger companies derive someof their income from

exporting to Western Europeand conversely, althoughdomestic demand isincreasing, prospectivecustomers often choose tosource suppliers from othercountries. Price remains thedominant factor whenselecting a supplier and it istherefore essential thatSlovenian companies continueto hone their skills and investin the latest technology inorder to become as flexibleand productive as possible.The future of the graphicsindustry will also beinfluenced by the introductionof JDF (Job Definition Format),which makes it possible totrack jobs from start to finishand to control costs andpricing with greater accuracy.

Over the past 12 months,the Slovenian ScreenprintingAssociation has helped to runa series of events relating toscreen, pad and digital printheld by the SlovenianChamber of Commerce. Thesehave focused on technologicaldevelopments and thepreparation of tenderdocuments for internationalprojects. In addition, it hostedthe 3D Print Forum during theFESPA Digital exhibition,which focused on the 3Dprinting process and includedpresentations and lectures.Currently, the Association ispreparing to exhibit at theGraphic and Packaging Fair in


ASSOCIATION REPORTS

Celje at the beginning of 2007and continues itscollaborations with theSlovenian Chamber of Craft aswell as actively collaboratingin the development of ISLPronto, which it will bepromoting to all of the othernational associations.

Spain According to the SpanishAssociation, the screen anddigital sectors haveexperienced a modest increasein growth, although the ‘pricewar’ continues and training,environmental and otherissues still need to be properlyaddressed.

With regard to its activities,the Association recently had astand at the Spanish ScreenPrinting Exhibition in Madridand has initiated its fifthScreenprinting training plan,which now offers more than50 courses in screenprintingand general management. Ithas also continued to providethe Spanish translation forFESPA World Magazine. Inaddition, it maintains theofficial Commercial Registerauthorised by the ConcurrenceOffice and completed andpromoted its Terms andConditions Of Sale for theSpanish Screen PrintingIndustry. Other activitiesinclude the distribution of theSpanish Screenprinting Bookand iReport on the SpanishIndustry, whilst also compilingdata for its ongoing industrysurvey, which providesquarterly reports on the stateof the screen and digitalsectors.

The Association is currentlyorganising a series of forumscovering variousscreenprinting applications,such as graphics, textiles etc.which will provide screen anddigital printing companieswith an opportunity to gettogether and discuss all of theissues relevant to them.Another initiative concerns anExport Plan, designed to helpSpanish companies take

advantage of the governmentsubsidies available when theyexport their products.

A further achievement hasbeen the publication of theGuide of Spanish Screen andDigital Printing Companies,which provides potentialcustomers with acomprehensive listing ofscreen and digital printers,together with information onthe services they offer. Finally,the Association has alsoachieved ISO 9001:2000certification this year.

SwedenIn recent years, as with theSwedish printing industry as awhole, the screenprintingsector has suffered from a lackof demand, but happily, thissituation now seems to bereversing in line with therecovery of the Swedisheconomy. In 2005 the averagescreenprinter enjoyed a profitmargin of two percent.

The Swedish Association,which has 88 members, hashad a busy year and haslaunched a number of newinitiatives. The first of these, aproject entitled ‘The Brain-Office’ is designed to helpmembers work their waythrough the morass of currentlegislation with the minimumof fuss. Each member hasreceived a binder in which tocollect the material producedby The Brain-Office, togetherwith its first offering, whichrelates to quality andenvironmental issues. Furthercontent will be added at theend of this year and at thebeginning of 2007 and thework of the Brain Office willremain ongoing.

The Association alsocontinues to publish itsmembers’ newspaper,ScreenPressen, three to fourtimes per year, in which itreports on all of its activities.As usual it has hosted twolarge members meetings andcontinues to run and promoteits successful Poster Project,which was originally

implemented to providestudents of Art and Designwith a better understanding ofscreenprinting, but has sincebecome something of aninstitution.

SwitzerlandThe Swiss Association reportthat the past year has, onceagain, been full of changes andinnovations in the screen anddigital printing sectors, themost important of which isthe growing trend forcompanies to marketthemselves as all-round‘graphic providers’. It alsoreports that there is now muchco-operation between screenand digital printers. On a lesspositive note, there have beenbusiness casualties this year,with some long establishedprinting companies closing.

Association activities includecollaborating with othergraphic associations toimprove education andtraining and, although theAssociation’s newsletter

“Seripost” is no longerpublished due to increasingcosts, members can find all ofthe information they need byvisiting the Association’srevamped website atwww.vsds.ch

United Kingdom In the UK, margins are stillbeing squeezed and mostscreenprinters have had areally difficult year, unless theyare serving a niche market oroffering value added products.Industry suppliers are findingconditions equally tough.Digital printing has againimproved enormously inquality and speed, but heretoo, margins are underpressure. The UK Associationreport however, that there issome evidence that industrialscreen work is returning to theUK from the Far East, as wellas some garment printing.

Over the last 12 months theAssociation’s website hasgreatly benefited from theFESPA funding which financed

its revamp and it is nowreceiving upwards of 600,000hits each month. This has leadto the Association selling somelimited advertising space onthe site to raise further revenuefor ongoing improvements.

The Association’s annualawards event, held at the endof 2005, was very successful,attracting a record attendanceand providing excellentpublicity for the sponsors.Although postponed for 2006,the awards will reappear in2007 and will be organised bya professional company inorder to broaden their scopeand appeal. The E-Learningproject is also going fromstrength to strength and willsoon be available in eightEuropean languages.

With regard to memberrecruitment, the Associationrecognizes that it needs to re-invent itself somewhat inorder to appear an attractiveproposition to the new,younger companies who havevery different needs fromthose of previous members.To this end, it plans to hold aseries of seminars around thecountry and will also initiatemarket research, surveys andother information gatheringexercises in order to positionitself to gain maximumimpact.

UkraineThe Ukrainian Digital PrintingAssociation, which was onlyformed this year, reports thatmany Ukrainian printingcompanies are now purchasingdigital equipment, as theybelieve it provides a betterreturn on investment.Previously, many companieshave over extended themselvesbuying expensivescreenprinting equipment,which they then foundthemselves unable to pay for,leading to many bankruptcies.

One of the Association’s firstduties this year was to arrangefor a group visit to the FESPADigital exhibition inAmsterdam.


How many screen printers reading this areaware of the ISO standards that have beenproduced for the process? It may be thatyou know that they exist, but do youknow what they say or where to findthem? This article is not for the experts inthe field, but rather for those of us forwhom a spectrophotometer is a dream!

There are three standards specifically forscreenprinting produced by "InternationalOrganization for Standardisation" (ISO):

They are:ISO 2846-4: 2000Graphic Technology – Colour andTransparency of printing ink sets for four-colour-printing. Part 4: Screen Printing

ISO 12637-5: 2001 Graphic Technology - Multilingual terminologyof printing arts. Part 5: Screen Printing terms

ISO 12647-5:2001Graphic Technology - Process Control for themanufacture of half-tone colour separation,proof and production prints. Part 5: ScreenPrinting.

They can be purchased online atwww.iso.org and you can see by theirsuffixes that they were created in 2000 and2001. These standards are coming up forreview, but there is unlikely to be anychange for at least two years. Some recentwork carried out by FOGRA in Germanyhas demonstrated that they are closer tohitting the target than some people haveconsidered possible.

To be able to reproduce four colourprocess images accurately and consistently,it is necessary to observe strict processcontrol. These standards are a goodstarting point. As with all internationalstandards, there are always compromisesalong the way, but the standards aresubstantially applicable and certainly a

hundred times better than the traditionalcolour lottery.

Although the standards apply to SolventBased Ink. Water Based and UV CuringInk, they are only truly relevant toConventional UV Curing ink as SolventBased Ink, Water Based and Water BasedUV all alter on the stencil, due to theevaporation of solvents and water. If it ispossible to stop this evaporation byenclosing the stencil and ink then thechanges will be minimised. With a fewexceptions, Conventional UV Curing Ink isthe only ink system that does not sufferfrom the effects of evaporation. It is,however, sensitive to temperature changesand should be brought up to its workingtemperature to perform at its best.

ISO 2846-4: 2000 is the starting point ofFour Colour Process Printing. It specifiesthe actual colour and transparency ofCyan, Magenta, Process Yellow and ProcessBlack ink. The other crucial factors are thecolour of the substrate, its surface finishand its absorbency. ISO 2846 covers theseaspects and it is aimed at inkmanufacturers who use its structure toarrive at inks that will meet the standards.The measurements of colour (colorimetricvalues) are on the basis of L* a* b* takenfrom the CIE Lab colour space.

L* Lightness (0 absolute Black 100 isabsolute White)

a* Red Green axis

b* Yellow Blue axis

PETER KIDDELL

PETE

R KI

DDEL

L

COLUMNIST

Regular columnist Peter Kiddell suggests thatscreenprinters could increase their productivity andprofitability if they would only goA standard

or a dream?

CIELAB COLOUR SPACEThere are )E (Delta E) values that state thedeviation acceptable from the stated pointon the L*a*b* colour space.

In terms of colour, many screenprinterswould normally just measure density. Thedensity measured could be right, but thecolour could still be wrong. This is whyink manufacturers aim to produce a colourthat is within the tolerances of thestandard, so that when the printer comesto measure the density, the colour willalso be correct.

Transparency is also an element of thestandard, as it is the ability of ink totransmit and absorb light withoutscattering.

Several ink manufacturers haveproduced ink sets to the standard, butinvariably printers have not shown a greatdeal of interest in them, preferring tomanipulate their normal ink range to suitthe finished print that they require.

Printers are generally unaware that thepigments used in offset inks are differentto those used in UV cured screen printinginks and also solvent based screen printinginks. They all have different colourcharacteristics and light fastness. Solventbased screen inks are the best in terms oflight fastness, UV curing screen inks nextand the least light fast are offset litho inks.

When it comes to colour matchingprints produced using different printingprocesses, the screenprinter is alwaysgoing to be struggling. It has previouslybeen suggested that offset litho pigmentsshould be used for screen printing inks,the aim being to reduce the problem ofcolour matching with litho, but the effectwould be to lose some of the vibrancy ofscreen printing inks and they would notbe as light fast. The ISO 2846-4: 2000standard, even though it has not beenwidely used, employs screenprintingpigments.

If you feel there is some degree ofconfusion in screenprinting inks, that isnothing compared to digital printing inks,where the possibility of arriving at astandard is unlikely, as machine supplierswish to provide their own label inks andmay consider standardisation a potentialthreat to own brand products.

ISO 12637-5: 2001 is a standard thatstates the technical terms to be used in thetext of a standard dealing withscreenprinting standards. It appears to besomewhat old fashioned in its language,but it is close enough to be interpreted bya reader of the standard.

ISO 12647-5:2001 is the standard that isthe most useful to the printer. It dealswith:• Colour separation where it states the

minimum density of the emulsion onthe photopositive

• The screen ruling over which thestandard is applicable

• Typical screen angles for different typesof dots

• Colour L* a* b* co-ordinates of bothprimary and secondary colours

• When the dot shape should link withinthe tonal range

• The image size tolerance • The tone value sum • Grey balance tone values.• Tonal range that can be printed• Likely dot gain/loss curves to give a

guide to calibration of the digital filesused in producing separationsPrinters may well deviate from these

values to achieve a specific effect, butknowing why these values are chosen iseven more important than the value itself.

Having the right set of angles can gosome way to reducing that killer moiré, ascan dot shape and knowing where thedots link up helps the printer avoidbanding. Of course, image size tolerancehelps registration and all resulting faultscaused by miss-registration. This tolerancehas to include repeatability at the imagesetter, as well as changes caused by theeffects of varying ambient conditions onthe size of the photopositive.

The tone value sum (TVS) is the valueobtained by adding together thepercentage dot areas for all fourseparations (yellow, magenta, cyan andblack) in any single defined area of theimage. If you are trying to match anotherprinting process, this may need to belower than the 300% minimum specified.

Grey balance is the interpretation of agrey scale that is created from thecombination of magenta, cyan and yellow

at specific tonal values. A process colourwill always have some level ofcontamination by the other two colours.This contamination will have an effect onGrey balance. The aim is to produce aneutral grey. Using Grey balance your eyescan quickly detect if there is any colourcast in the neutral area. In this respect, theeyes become the most sensitiveinstrument for checking Grey balance.

GREY BALANCE EXAMPLEThen the standard deals with how theprint looks. The substrate has to be aspecific white, as should the proof, with aclose match with regard to levels of gloss.The level of gloss on the final product willgreatly affect the look of the print andshould be considered at the proofingstage. To take the measurements for thisstandard, you will need aspectrophotometer to measure the L* a* b*co-ordinates and this test should becarried out in a way that conforms to ISO13655.

The International Colour Consortium(ICC) has reservations about ISO 13655.These reservations are that polarisingfilters on instruments should not be usedand that the printed sheet should have awhite backing rather than black, whenmeasuring. Polarising filters reduce thelight scatter from a colour. Even thoughthey correct a characteristic of a printedink film, what the human eye sees isscattered light and acceptance of a colouris, in the end, what you see, not what youshould see.

There are three colour gamut’s indicatedin the standard; Class 1, Class 2 and Class.3. Class 3 is normally used for Point ofSale where high saturation is required.Here the concentration of the pigment ishigher than Class 1. This in turn affectsthe secondary colours, Red, Green andBlue, that are created by overprintingMagenta + Yellow, Cyan + Yellow, Cyan +Magenta respectively. Printed in thesequence Yellow, Cyan and Magenta. Inreality Class 1 is a dull colour (lowsaturation) and it is very difficult toachieve with screenprinting. One couldask, why remove one of the real benefitsof screenprinting - its inherent vibrancy?


PETER KIDDELL


The figures given for these two ink typesare the best and worse case and do nottake account of the change in the SolventBased Ink during the print run, due toevaporation and the differing performanceof the ink because of changing ambientconditions.

The standard also provides anindication of the dot gain/loss along thetonal range for different ink systems.These are the print characteristics of atypical printing system. The data providedshould be used as the basis for creating thecalibration for the original separations.The actual calibrations will be dependanton the whole printing system. Thesemeasurements are taken using adensitometer from the control strip that isa 30 lpcm/ 76.2 lpi round dot. Theaperture of the densitometer shouldideally be 5mm, so the area it samples issufficient to provide a good statisticalresult. The minimum aperture is 3.5 mm.

Typical ISO Dot Gain Curves

To get the full picture you will need topurchase the ISO 12657-5: 2001 standardat approximately €45.00 and ISO 12647-5:2001 at €40.00. This investment is wellworthwhile. However, the standards doneed careful reading and to put them fullyinto practice you may need to talk verynicely to your ink supplier! Don’t forgetthat you will need the instrumentation totake the measurements.

The standards state what is consideredby industry specialists to be a target to aimfor, but they do not say how you go aboutachieving that target. That is down tostrict process control and consistentsetting and operating procedures. Withoutthese, the standard is as much use as achocolate teapot!

We are in business to make a profit bysatisfying a customer’s needs. The keyissue is consistency in all aspects of theprocess. If you are producing a campaignusing different processes on a whole rangeof substrates, your client will want thesame “look” on each item. To achieve this,you will almost certainly have to adjustone or more of the printing processes.This may take you outside the tolerancesof the standard. The key is to know whatyou have done and to maintain thatadjustment throughout the print run.

FESPA has a Standards Committee thatis reviewing the standards and looking towork with FOGRA, ISO, suppliers, printersand other organisations to spread bestpractice throughout the industry. This is avery complex area with many competinginfluences and you have to applaud FESPAin its endeavour.

In the end, whether a print is fit forpurpose comes down to a subjectivedecision, because we are not measuringsolid colours. What we are looking at inprocess colour printing, whether it is four,six or ten colours, is an optical illusionand the juxtaposition of the processcolours creates this illusion. Maybe weshould remember this when we becomeextremely pedantic about the topic.

Example of Colour Gamut

Class 1 Class 2 Class 3

The standard also gives what would be considered a suitable reproduction of tonalrange for the two stated screen (line) rulings.

Screen Ruling Solvent Based Inks UV Curing InkTonal Range % Tonal Range %

20 lpcm / 50.8 lpi 6 to 95 3 to 9620 lpcm / 101.6 lpi 10 to 90 8 to 92

PETER KIDDELL

Solvent Based UV Curing


INFORMATION

FESPA ‘contact list’The following list of Telephone, Fax and E-mail numbers will

help you when you need to contact a colleague in FESPA.

FESPA board Telephone Fax E-mailHellmuth Frey – President 49 408 50 40 21 49 408 504 930 [email protected]

Anders Nilsson – President Elect 46 493 130 40 46 493 121 20 [email protected]

Ricardo Rodriguez Delgado – Past President 34 914 85 28 70 34 916 73 1972 [email protected]

Michel Caza 33 1 34 67 16 79 33 1 34 67 28 89 [email protected]

Lascelle Barrow 44 207 537 42 00 44 207 531 12 77 [email protected]

Gyorgy Kovacs 36 28 51 66 15 36 28 51 66 16 [email protected]

Enrico Steijn 31 79 343 5353 31 79 343 5354 [email protected]

Christian Duyckaerts 32 34 57 90 20 32 34 57 03 81 [email protected]

FESPA secretariatKurt Sperisen – International Ambassador 41 44 910 5150 41 44 910 3866 [email protected]

Nigel Steffens – General Secretary 44 1737 22 97 22 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Frazer Chesterman – Exhibition Director 44 1737 22 97 26 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Val Hirst – FESPA Magazine Editor 44 1623 88 23 98 44 1159 81 81 99 [email protected]

Chris Smith – Projects & Member Services Manager

44 1737 22 97 20 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Mandy Goldfinch – PA to Nigel Steffens 44 1737 22 97 23 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Michael Ryan – Group Sales Manager 44 1737 22 97 27 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

James Ford – Sales Manager 44 1737 22 83 54 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Marcus Timson - Group Commercial Manager

44 1737 22 97 25 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Susan Hamer – Operations Manager 44 1737 22 83 52 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Lorraine Harrow – Marketing Executive 44 1737 22 83 50 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Claire Goodchild – Operations and Sales Assistant

44 1737 22 83 53 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Sarah Willcox – Accounts Manager 44 1737 22 97 24 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Mirela Agolli – Accounts Assistant 44 1737 24 07 88 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected]

Secretaries of FESPA national associations Telephone Fax E-mail / WebsiteChristian Handler Austria 43 15 12 66 09 43 15 13 28 26 19 [email protected]

www.druckundmedientechnik.or.at

Kristine Zakalovska Baltic States 371 750 11 41 371 750 11 42 [email protected]

Jan de Brabanter Belgium 32 2 512 36 38 32 2 513 56 76 [email protected]

www.febelgra.be

Evgeni Ivanov Bulgaria 359 608 400 35 359 608 4 00 35 [email protected]

Mirjana Bjelan Croatia 38 51 45 52 327 38 51 45 52 327 [email protected]

Evzen Sanc Czech Republic 420 487 71 27 12 420 487 72 63 55 [email protected]

www.sitotisk-serigrafie.cz

Finn Obbekaer Denmark 45 63 12 70 00 45 63 12 70 80 [email protected] / www.ga.dk

Regina Aas Finland 358 40 5674385 [email protected] /

www.suomenseripainoliitto.fi

Julie Chide France 33 144 086 422 [email protected] / www.gpsf.fr

Torben Thorn Germany 49 611 80 31 15 49 611 80 31 17 [email protected] / www.bvdm-online.de

Kimon Papas Greece 30 210 52 39 41 6 30 210 52 48 23 7 [email protected]

Janos Buranyi Hungary 36 28 51 66 15 36 28 51 66 16 [email protected]

Massimo Poli Italy 39 02 71 04 05 98 39 02 71 09 24 46 [email protected] / www.siotec.it

Cees Koedijk Netherlands 31 20 5 43 55 56 31 20 5 43 55 35 [email protected] / www.zso.nl

Jon Halvorsen Norway 47 33 07 15 30 47 33 07 15 31 [email protected] /

www.serigrafer.org

Michal Kridel Poland 48 12 296 03 85 48 12 656 01 32 [email protected] / www.ssp.com.pl

INFORMATION

José Carragosela Portugal 35 12 18 49 10 20 35 12 18 43 87 39 [email protected] / www.apigraf.pt

Marius Codirla Romania 40 722 28 21 22 40 264 59 71 39 [email protected] / www.arsitd.homestead.com

Artem Nadirashvili Russia 74 95 232 99 65 74 95 365 38 96 [email protected] / www.rspa.ru

Dusan Golubovic Serbia 381 11 2180 047 381 11 631 164 [email protected]

Ludovit Bartos Slovakia 42 1 32 74 43 589 42 132 74 30 434 [email protected]

www.sietotlacovyzvaz.sk

Edo Sternad Slovenia 386 1 565 72 50 386 1 568 45 78 edo@ib-procadd

Pablo Serrano Spain 34 91 307 74 44 34 91 307 76 08 [email protected] / www.asibnet.org

Else-Britt Lindeborg Sweden 46 87 62 68 17 46 86 11 08 28 [email protected]

www.screentryck.org

Susie Matti Switzerland 044 837 10 40 044 837 10 42 [email protected] / www.vsds.ch

Ibrahim Demirseren Turkey 90 212 212 41 16 90 212 212 41 07 [email protected] / www.ared.org.tr

Olexiy Vlasenko Ukraine 380 567 900093 380 567 900094 [email protected]

Michael Turner United Kingdom 44 1737 24 07 92 44 1737 24 07 70 [email protected] / www.dspa.co.uk

FESPA Associate MembersMr Bhargav Mistry The Screenprinters Association of India

91 250 248 0998 91 250 248 0786 [email protected] / www.s-p-a-i.org

Mr Clem Johnson The Screenprinting and Graphic Imaging Association of Australia

0061 02 8789 7362 0061 02 8789 7387 [email protected] / www.sgiaa.asn.au

Mrs Pei Guifan The China Screenprinting and Graphic Imaging Association

+ 86 10 6401 5007 + 86 10 6403 4996 [email protected]

Mr K Chaiyaboon The Thai Screenprinting and Graphic Imaging Association

+ 66 2509 66 53 + 66 2509 66 54 [email protected] /

www.thaiscreenprinting.or.th

Other associationsMike Robertson SGIA 1 70 33 8513 35 1 70 32 73 04 56 [email protected]

List of advertisersAeroterm ..................................................................................................................33

BASF ............................................................................................................................19

Basler Lacke............................................................................................................36

CST................................................................................................................................37

FESPA 2007 ............................................................................................................25

Fimor ........................................................................................................................ 49

Gandi Innovations ..........................................................................................49

Glassman..................................................................................................................55

HP Scitex ..................................................................................................................17

FESPA Digital Print Awards ......................................................................27

FESPA India ..........................................................................................................45

J TECK ........................................................................................................................21

KIWO ..........................................................................................................................47

Marabuwerke ..............................................................Inside Front Cover

Mimaki ................................................................................Inside Back Cover

Nazdar ..........................................................................................................................7

Saatichem......................................................................Outside Back Cover

Saatiprint..................................................................................................................11

Thieme ......................................................................................................................23

VFP................................................................................................................................13

Magazine coupon for ordering Fespa WorldAll members of FESPA receive this magazine every three months free. If you are not a FESPAmember and wish to order a copy, the annual subscription for four copies, including postage,is €63.00.Please complete the following order form to ensure your copy for the future. The magazine is published in English.Full translations in German, French and Spanish are available on www.fespaworld.com tomembers and subscribers.I enclose my cheque for €63.00 payable to FESPA for issues 47, 48, 49 and 50.Future issues: Issue 47 March 2007, Issue 48 June 2007, Issue 49 September 2007, Issue 50 December2007

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AND FINALLY…

Fespa World quizzes Peter Cornelis, one of the founders of Augend Technologies

Q. Since many of our readerswill not have heard of yourcompany, can you tell us a littlebit about its formation andactivities to date?

A. Originally known as InfinitiEurope, we are a Belgian companyfounded more than three yearsago. Initially our main activitywas the marketing, design,distribution and sales of acomprehensive range of Chinese-made, wide and super-wide digitalinkjet printers and to this end, weestablished a distributor channelthroughout Europe. This year, wedecided to change the name of thecompany to 'AugendTechnologies'. We offered a broadrange of solvent-based digitalprinters in different widths,ranging from 1,6m to 3,3m,which can be positioned indifferent segments of the digitalmarket. The evolution of qualityneeds and expectations has pushedus into the higher segment of thismarket and we decided to extendour portfolio with a new range ofhigher end digital printers and adigital press.

Q. Do you believe that theindustrial sector is the next bigthing as far as printermanufacturers are concernedand which applications are youparticularly targeting?

A. Yes! Since inkjet will be thedominant printing technology inthe coming years, we aim tobecome an important player inthis area. Our engineeringdepartment is constantlyimproving its technologies forapplications not yetaccommodated by digital printing.We are aiming our new F16 at thebillboard market, but our nextgoal will be an offset machine,once the new print heads arrive in2007 or 2008. We will thenintroduce printers suitable for thepublishing sector and are alsolooking at labelling andpackaging, since they areincreasingly being used as

marketing tools.

Q. What modifications do youhave to make to standard inkjettechnology to suit the differentdemands of this sector?

A. Inkjet and print headtechnology is arriving at the pointwhere it can be used as areplacement for offset printing andfrom 2008, continuous inkjetshould be able to take over fromtraditional printing techniques.

At present our engineers' arefocused on producing machinesthat challenge screenprinting, byoffering better quality, speed andautomisation. We are currentlyworking on a flatbed inkjet thatuses UV ink that dries instantlywhen printed on thick substratessuch as tiles, boards and glass etc.

Q. Do you feel that graphiccompanies will be able to adaptto take advantage of these newopportunities?

A. Since sales will mainly takeplace in the higher end marketsand to end-users with highlyqualified resources, we can'timagine that these companieswon't be able to adapt! Sincemarkets are rapidly changing thespecialist companies are alsoevolving and seem eager to moveforward. Of course, AugendTechnologies commits to educatingits distributors, by regularlyproviding them with technical,sales and marketing trainingprograms.

Q. What new skills will yourcustomers have to assimilate?

A. Since new machines offer newsales opportunities, the graphiccompanies need to be aware of thefollowing issues:- Return on investment;- Use of the machine;- New print head technologies and

how to use them.;In all of these cases, we have asolution in one of our trainingprograms.

Q. Is there a greateropportunity for profitability inthe industrial sectors and if so,could you explain why?

A. When going to the high-endmarkets and selling machines suchas our digital press, greaterprofitability is a given!! Both theend-user and the manufacturerwill have bigger profits due tohigher volumes and continuousproduction. Quantum discountsare easily manageable and, byusing jumbo rolls on the digitalpress, paper-loss is reduced to anabsolute minimum!

Q. The machines formerlydistributed by Infiniti-Europe,are manufactured in China andalthough this offers significantcost advantages, do you believethat the quality standards aregood enough?

A. Infiniti-Europe evolved frombeing a distributor of Chinesedesigned machines (OEM based)to a vendor of machines that arespecially adapted for the Europeanquality standards (ODM), andinto a full service sales andmarketing organisation, whichsells machines built to tour ownspecification in two differentfactories and by two differentmanufacturers in China. Webelieve that our quality standardsare eminently suitable forcompanies operating in Europeand America!

Q. Are there any other benefitsapart from cost?

A. Cost of ownership is one thing.Operational cost and service isanother, and in the long run,certainly the most important.Therefore, the AugendTechnologies team works closelywith the customer, providesexcellent service and respondsquickly to the ever- changingquality expectations of the market.Our newest product, the AugendF16, is a full-fledged inkjetprinting system that can beoperated by a single person, thus

providing the lowest possibleoperational overhead cost.

Q. Will Augend Technologiesbe using Chinesemanufacturing facilities for itsindustrial inkjets?

A. We will continue to offer theXterius, Xplorer, Xpert, andXtream wide format digitalprinters that are built in Chinaaccording to modified specs,formerly defined by InfinitiEurope. Our new offering, theAugend F16, represents a record-breaking innovation in theEuropean print industry. It is anext-generation solvent basedindustrial inkjet press that is truetechnology powerhouse. Positionedfor the very high-end outdoorprinting market, it excels atgenerating publicity materialssuch as full colour billboards andadvertising posters and has beendeveloped and built in Belgiumwith precision-made componentsand engineering that is fullyoptimised for the market. Acomprehensive network of serviceand support has been establishedto ensure customer satisfaction.

Q. Many people will beinterested to see your printersin action. Which exhibitions doyou plan to attend next year?

A. For the coming year, as in thepast, we intend to exhibit at all ofthe major European shows,including FESPA 2007.

Q. Do you anticipate spendingthe rest of your working lifewithin the digital sector and ifnot, which other areas inspireyou?

A. If you mean the digitalprinting sector, the answer isdefinitely yes, since document andimage reproduction has becomeand will remain digital. Theenabling technologies and thecommunication paradigm,however, may change and if theydo, we will see what comes next!

Peter Conelis, thank you!

FESPA WORLD Issue 46 - English

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