Agfa launches process-free printing plate Eclipse

Agfa introduced Eclipse, a “convenient process-free” printing plate for sheet-fed commercial printers that combines all the benefits of process-free technology with effortless printing.

Eclipse eliminates the need for a processor using chemicals, reducing printers’ capex and prepress costs. It, however, distinguishes itself from other process-free plates as this drop-in is just as easy to use as a conventional plate.

“You can see the difference with our latest innovation,” said Iris Bogunovic

Staff Writer, 24 October 2019

Heidelberg adds opaque white to its new Gallus label presses

Staff Writer, 15 October 2019

Scodix launches web-to-print digital enhancement integration

Scodix launched a new software offering to help web-to-print companies to improve their productivity and efficiency through workflow automation.

Available with immediate effect for “all major existing web-to-print workflows”, Scodix Studio W2P integrates digital enhancement to enable web-to-print businesses operating in both the B2B and B2C sectors to “unlock new avenues for profit”.

Enhancement design files are sent to Studio W2P, which automatically processes the data and directs it to a Scodix

Staff Writer, 12 September 2019

Epson announces its compact, commercial photo printer

Staff Writer, 07 September 2019

Canon unveils Oce Colorado 1650, adds to series of large format printers with UVgel technology

News Editor, 07 September 2019

Raqam International invests in Nilpeter’s automated press

Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh-based Raqam International purchased Nilpeter FA6, a mid-web flexo press. The machine would be installed at Raqam’s customer facility, that is built exclusively for running
flexible packaging and tube laminates, in October.

According to Raqam’s general manager Khalid Aziz Shah, it is the “quality and a highly cooperative team” of Nilpeter that lures his company’s press needs. “The key features of Nilpeter machines are that they are stable and have almost no downtime,” he

Staff Writer, 05 September 2019

Epson announces its first 24-inch dye sublimation printer: SureColor SC-F500

Epson announced the new SC-F500, 24-inch, dye-sublimation printer, developed to help promotional houses, photo labs, clothing producers and copy shops increase customer choice. According to the company's statement, whether producing printed phone covers, mugs, mouse mats, t-shirts or cushions, the SC-F500 offers fast turnaround times, reliability and a low total cost of ownership (TCO) to small businesses, and it requires no specialist knowledge to set up, operate or maintain.

The SC-F500 forms

Staff Writer, 22 August 2019

Inkcups unveils X360: rotary inkjet printer

Global printing industry leader Inkcups announced the release of its latest high-speed rotary inkjet printer, the X360, to the European market following a successful year of operation at commercial production facilities in the US market.

The X360 is the newest addition to the company’s overall direct-to-cylinder product line, which boasts the industry’s premier inkjet printers on a price to performance-basis. Capable of printing on tapered and straight-walled cylinders, this machine features

Staff Writer, 07 August 2019

Sun Chemical unveils its new range of inks

Sun Chemical has launched a new range of UV/LED-curing sheetfed offset inks for the commercial print market. “SunWave Lumina is designed for “class-leading” performance, fast makeready and stable printing with minimal wash-ups,” said the firm.

Based on Sun’s UV resin system for fast, hard curing under UV-LED and low-energy mercury lamps, the inks are made to meet the ISO 12647 process standard for offset printing.

Marketing manager of energy curing products Jonathan Sexton said: “This is a

Staff Writer, 31 July 2019

Roland DGA introduces its new dye-sublimation printer

Roland DGA, a provider of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, had launched Texart RT-640M – a multi-function dye-sublimation printer that allows users to print directly onto coated polyester fabrics, or to sublimation transfer paper, using the same specially-formulated Texart SBL3 sublimation inks.

Texart RT-640M simplifies dye-sublimation production for soft-signage with its direct-to-textile print option, while maintaining the versatility of printing to transfer paper for creating

Staff Writer, 31 July 2019

Nazdar’s series of digital imaging inks is now available worldwide

Nazdar Ink Technologies announced the introduction of its 204 Series digital imaging Inks. Previewed at FESPA 2019, the new 204 Series inks have been designed specifically for use in Roland TrueVIS SG and VG Series digital printers using Roland TrueVIS ink.

The Nazdar 204 Series inks offer a closely colour-matched and chemically-compatible alternative for Roland TrueVIS SG and VG Series printers using TrueVIS TR inks. With plug-and-play capabilities and consistent high-speed printing

Staff Writer, 22 July 2019

FiberForce, Pantone enter into a partnership for 3D printing

Pantone entered into an agreement with FiberForce Italy to bring Pantone colours into the world of 3D printing.

There are lots of reasons companies want 3D printed items in their corporate colours and for those colours to be portrayed accurately. With some systems, white materials are used, which then can be painted. But this can be an expensive and time-consuming process. What if the items could be printed in the actual target colours?

This partnership between Pantone and FiberForce sets the

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Flint Group unveils its water-based ink range

Flint Group Paper & Board introduces HexaCode – a full range of water-based inks designed for in class performance on corrugated board, paper bags and sacks, paper shopping bags and gift wraps.

The HexaCode ink range, according to its makers, has been designed to reduce converters’ overall total cost to print exhibiting critical key features such as optimised resolubility, excellent pH and viscosity stability, superior print quality, high colour strength and is easy to use.

Paul Winstanley

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

EFI plugs its portfolio gap with a second ‘true’ flatbed printer

The 3x2m LED UV EFI Pro 30f features six channels, CMYK plus double hit white, running 12 Ricoh Gen 5 UltraDrop printheads with variable drop size of 7-12 picolitres. It is capable of 210sqm/hr.

Sitting above the Pro 24f in EFI’s portfolio, offering almost double its smaller sibling’s productivity and bed size, it also offers twice the maximum media height at 100mm. “That significantly broadens the application range, particularly in terms of the industrial applications out there,” said EFI

Staff Writer, 20 June 2019

Colordyne expands 3600 series with aqueous pigment solutions

Manufacturer of digital label and packaging equipment Colordyne has announced the addition of two aqueous pigment solutions to its 3600 Series Production Class. Colordyne debuted its 3600 Series AP - Retrofit and 3600 Series AP - Engine Kit.

“One of the biggest benefits for label converters and print providers is that the aqueous pigment inkjet works on a greater number of substrates than other water-based inkjet technologies,” said Taylor Buckthorpe, director of sales at Colordyne Technologies

Staff Writer, 23 May 2019

MagnaColours unveils new ‘economical’ under base ink

Water-based textile inks supplier MagnaColours has developed a new under base ink to enable plastisol screen printers to take their first steps into water-based printing.

It has been developed to improve print appearance and handling while simultaneously providing “significant” cost savings for printers.
MagnaColours said the product is designed to be used as a water-based replacement for the first layer of plastisol ink or as an alternative option for printers using discharge under bases. With

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

Enfocus launches latest version of PitStop 2019 correction software

Enfocus is gearing up to launch the latest version of its PitStop pre-flight, editing and correction software.

The PitStop Pro 2019 Adobe Acrobat plug-in, PitStop Server 2019 hot-folder based server product and PitStop Library SDK 2019 PDF is commercially available from April. The Belgian developer’s latest release contains a raft of new features, including tools to handle complex files that can cause bottlenecks in a workflow.

Selective Rasterization enables pre-press operators to select

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

Xante releases iQueue 13 workflow software

Xante’ recently announced  the release of iQueue, its flagship Adobe PostScript PDF workflow software.

“iQueue 13 opens an entirely new aspect of the commercial printing industry for us and for our customers. Complete preparation and printing of mail jobs is now more powerful, simpler, and much more economical than ever before,” said Robert Ross, president and CEO of Xante’. “iQueue 13 has made mail prep just as easy as we’ve made envelope printing.”
With Xante’s iQueue 13 workflow software

Staff Writer, 22 May 2019

Enfocus announces upcoming release of PitStop 2019

Enfocus, one of the leader in PDF quality control, advanced PDF editing and workflow automation for the graphic arts industry announces the upcoming April 2019 release of PitStop Pro 2019, PitStop Server 2019 and PitStop Library SDK 2019, the latest versions of their award-winning PDF Preflight, Editing and Correction applications.
This upcoming release contains new and improved functionality that has been developed as a result of extensive ongoing customer feedback. In particular, this release

Staff Writer, 14 April 2019

Chili Publish gains fresh investment

Software developer Chili Publish has secured additional investment to back ambitious expansion plans.
The Belgian firm develops software for “smart artwork and marketing collateral creation”, which can be integrated with other systems. Its flagship product is Chili Publisher.
It has gained a further €3.63m (£3.1m) investment from its original backers: Volta Ventures, Pamico and Group MC.
The funds will be used to double the size of the Chili’s operations in Belgium and the US, where the firm is

Staff Writer, 28 March 2019

Avanti to feature HP PrintOS Integration

Bi-directional integration with HP PrintOS to provide real-time job profitability data
Toronto – Avanti Systems Ltd announced it is extending its collaboration with HP to empower print services providers (PSPs) to be more efficient and productive with Avanti Slingshot and HP PrintOS. Avanti will demonstrate these new capabilities at Dscoop Edge conference in Orlando, Florida, March 24-27.
For most PSPs, calculating the profit margin on each job they produce is standard business practice. However

Staff Writer, 04 March 2019

Ricoh and Cisco enter a strategic partnership to up productivity

Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and chief executive officer: Yoshinori Yamashita; head office: Ota-ku, Tokyo; “Ricoh”) and Cisco Systems G.K. (president and general manager: Dave West; head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; “Cisco”) have announced a global strategic partnership aimed at providing cloud solutions to empower digital workplaces that deliver increased productivity in a more secure environment.
The two companies will jointly develop solutions that deliver simpler and more secure environments in

Staff Writer, 04 March 2019

Fespa introduces colour management feature for 2019

Fespa is set to introduce a new colour management technology showcase and supporting conference programme at its flagship event in Munich in May.

The new feature, Colour L*A*B*, has been designed to help visitors to improve the colour management practices in their print businesses.

It will offer a structured end-to-end overview of all individual elements contributing to professional colour management including monitors, measurement and calibration tools, lightboxes, hard and soft proofing

Staff Writer, 13 February 2019

QuarkXPress 2018 December update adds full aupport for Indic languages

Quark Software Inc. released today the December Update for QuarkXPress 2018. With this update, QuarkXPress 2018 adds new features to fully support Indic language typography.

The Value of Indic Support
As a global leader in graphic design and page layout software, Quark recognizes the need for full Indic language support, which is now offered as a free update to QuarkXPress 2018. In addition to supporting current customers, Quark sees significant potential to attract a new customer base with

Staff Writer, 24 January 2019

Jet Technologies offers new laminating films

Jet Technologies has launched a new textured matte film, Rough Touch, featuring a unique rough, gritty feel.

Released this year, Rough Touch thermal matte film provides a new touch and feel that meets consumer demands for luxury looks and sensations in products.

"The new sandy film is the biggest variation in film to hit the market since the hugely popular Soft Touch film, which offers an ultra-matte silky feel laminate," said Jack Malki, director, Jet Technologies. "We expect that the Rough

Staff Writer, 21 January 2019

Meteor Inkjet outlines software integrations

Meteor Inkjet has bolstered its offering with a raft of new products and software integrations.
The independent supplier of electronics and software to drive industrial inkjet printheads said its new DropWatcher range of products are turnkey systems for evaluating and optimising printhead and ink combinations, using proven electronics that can be transferred straight from the lab to manufacturing.
Driven by a single Windows 10 PC, Meteor said DropWatchers are “an essential tool for printhead

Staff Writer, 31 December 2018

Pantone Introduces 16-1546 Living Coral

Dubbed the Pantone Colour of The Year 2019, 16-1546 Living Coral is a nurturing colour that appears in natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media.
In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, Pantone are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of Pantone 16-1546 Living Coral welcomes and encourages

Staff Writer, 20 December 2018

Tesa introduces Softprint X-Hard

Tesa has added to its range of Softprint plate mounting tapes.

Tesa Softprint X-Hard has been designed to combat the issue of pin-holing, which has a direct effect on print quality and often leads to uneven or incomplete ink distribution on solid print areas, resulting in a loss of density and a reduced color vibrancy.

Choosing the appropriate foam hardness within the plate mounting tape, in conjunction with the selected printing plate, is a crucial factor to achieve the best solid ink

Staff Writer, 20 December 2018

OKI Europe unveils Augmented Reality App

OKI Europe has announced the launch of its new smartphone app, the ‘OKI AR Showroom’. This innovation enables customers to visualise OKI’s devices as well as high impact visual communications materials in their own environments through the use of Augmented Reality (AR).

Designed for retailers, the app is free to use and language agnostic, ensuring retailers in any country can benefit from its use. AR technology projects images onto the screen of a smartphone or tablet when the device is in

Staff Writer, 10 December 2018

OKI Europe boosts performance for ColorPainter users with launch of Media Profiles platform

OKI Europe has launched a dedicated database for ColorPainter users with over 14,000 media profiles, giving registered users fast, free access to accurate media and colour management settings and unlocking new revenue opportunities for graphic arts businesses and creative organisations.

Developed by OKI in conjunction with leading media brands, registered ColorPainter users can download unlimited profiles from the platform, significantly cutting time and costs for dealers, distributors and

Staff Writer, 09 December 2018