With PacPrint only weeks away, if the success of international industry events is anything to go by, it will be a blockbuster. The recently concluded ISA International Sign Expo in Atlanta, USA ended on a high note with some stands selling every item of equipment on display. South Africa will hold its third trade show this year from 18th-19th May, Sign Africa in Capetown and FESPA opens on May 31st in Berlin.

If you have old stock of an HP Latex CN667 Yellow/Magenta printhead, then Shane Hale of Sign Creations in New Zealand would like to buy it! The printer is admittedly 'on its last legs' but Shane just wants to run a few more jobs through it.

Election signs that link independent candidates to The Greens may breach voter deception laws, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. The AEC is investigating “all avenues possible to get to the source of the signage” – including seeking information about how the signs were produced. As if there wasn't already enough misleading in the upcoming election!

Roland DG Corporation has launched My TrueVIS, a webpage and social media campaign to share global user testimonials about TrueVIS large-format inkjet printers and printer cutters. Australian users have a chance to win a full set of TR2 inks for their TrueVIS.

Neschen Coating – distributed by Starleaton - will focus on latest green product solutions in its graphic products and laminators portfolio at FESPA 2022 in Berlin.

Print technology manufacturer Agfa-Gevaert Group reported a 22% year-on-year increase in earnings before tax to 19 million Euro in Q1 of 2022. Revenue was up 7.2% to 424 million Euro but the group posted a net loss of 7 million Euro. Agfa’s sign & display business “continued its upwards trend.”

An automated, digital print & cut workflow is essential for standardised manufacturing processes and economical production, according to cutting systems manufacturer Zünd, which is presenting its latest automation solutions at Fespa 2022 in Berlin. Zünd will highlight a Pick&Place interface option that controls robotic devices and automates the removal of cut parts and their placement at pre-defined locations.

“We’re now entering an era when it’s as normal to ask about the environmental footprint of goods or services as it is price.” MIS specialist Tharstern’s new carbon footprint tool instantly adds the certified carbon footprint of each print job to a quote. 

Waste reduction, cost savings and automation are three key areas for wide format printers to consider when looking to boost profit in a maturing market, according to Ricoh Europe’s Sander Sondaal.

Manufacturer of wide-format printers and cutting plotters, Mutoh has celebrated its 70th anniversary. Starting in 1952, Yoshiro Mutoh founded Mutoh Scale Engraving Research Center in Mishuku, Setagaya, a company that manufactured measuring equipment. Today, it is renowned for its high-quality 'Made in Japan' wide format printers and cutters.

“It was a very busy couple of days for ASGA at the SA Careers Expo last Friday & Saturday with plenty of interest on the signage industry from visitors,” says the national sign association, which is planning similar events around the country in coming months.

It's true - Signageworld of Regency Park, Adelaide has beaten the world's best at the 2022 'Best of Wide Format Awards' at the ISA International Sign Expo in Atlanta. The Big Picture awards are presented in partnership with the International Sign Association (ISA). It gets better - the Award is for wrapping three carriages of the marvelous Ghan train that runs from Adelaide to Darwin - in Indigenous artworks, using 3M & Clear Focus materials and HP Latex printers.

Global shipper Toll Group is urging Australian businesses to lock in fixed rates and space on container ships now as world events continue to cause havoc with international freight. But businesses with small volumes face a greater battle in persuading carriers or freight providers to commit to a contract rate, Toll said.  

Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS) says it will demonstrate how “the power, performance and versatility of its digital finishing solutions bring designs to life” at the FESPA Global Print Expo in Berlin.

UK-based inkjet printhead specialist Xaar says its new Technology Centre in Stockholm, Sweden provides the ideal environment for its research into “the transformative potential of inkjet technologies and opportunities.”