News
PressOn Automative opens its doors
Chatham-based PressOn has opened a Whitstable-based new venture called PressOn Automative to deliver printed and colour- changing vehicle wrapping services. The move marks a £100,000+ investment for PressOn. The operation has been born out of talks
between PressOn chief Andy Wilson and James Tilley, owner of Whitstable-based vehicle wrapping specialist VSM, which closed in December 2023. Tilley is heading-up the new venture, which is 100% owned by PressOn, and started operating from a new site in the town on 15 January, with three staff from the former VSM and two from PressOn. “I’ve been looking for ways to grow the business for some time, but as PressOn is already quite diverse in what it does it has been difficult to work out where to go next. James Tilley came to talk to me about 18 months ago, then I had my eyes opened at WrapFest where I realised there’s a whole other industry converging with ours - high-end car detailing that includes protection and colour changing wraps. Then buildings came up near where VSM was so we talked again and decided to set-up this new venture. We’ve spent more than £100,000 just fitting the place it out - there’s climate control, specialist lighting, non-slip floors etc.” PressOn Automotive installed its first printer, a HP Latex 630, in January, to produces printed vehicle wraps, and Wilson said he is working closely with Metamark on new services that will be announced soon.
Fiery XF 8 launches
Fiery has announced Fiery XF 8 for wide- to super- wide print production with integration for over 2,400 printers and 2,100 cutter types. “In practical terms, no matter which printer or cutter a customer wants to add to their large- format print production, chances are Fiery XF 8 will support it,” said Sue Hayward, commercial director at UK/Ireland distributor CMYUK. “This keeps onsite disruption, integration, installation, and training times to an absolute minimum.” Fiery XF combines Rip, colour management
and workflow software. It is powered by Fiery Command WorkStation and can drive multiple printers from a single Fiery XF server. Additional new features include: Cut Server 3.0; 250+ new printer drivers from vendors including Canon, Epson, Fuji, GongZheng, Inkcups, Liyu, Mimaki, and Roland DG for a total of 2,400 printers now available; a ‘Fast’ processing option that boosts job processing performance; a new Job Editor with features designed to simplify navigation, optimise space utilisation, and improve nesting capabilities; and automated Fiery XF system backup and enhanced server file management.
Three new Mimaki printers to get SDUK showing
Hybrid Services will show three new Mimaki printers at Sign and Digital UK (25-27 February, NEC). The newcomers are a pair of LED UV printers and the company’s fastest direct-to-film model. The new 1.6m-wide UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/cutter incorporates white and clear into its inkset and can print onto translucent, transparent and coloured materials. Being an integrated printer/cutter, it is also equipped with features for contour cutting.
MacroArt makes a number of major moves
Wide-format print, graphics and branding specialist MacroArt - recently acquired by US-headquartered print, fabrication and technical design company Moss Inc. - has partnered with non-profit organisation Inspire 2 Ignite to help attract more young people into the print industry. Focusing on NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) youths in the UK, Inspire 2 Ignite’s organic referral programme places young people in industries best suited to their interests and skill sets. Now MacroArt will provide mentoring, workshops, and guidance to individuals identified through the programme. “At MacroArt, we’ve always believed in nurturing talent and offering opportunities to young people,” said Lee Garnett, continuous improvement manager. “Partnering with Inspire 2 Ignite was a natural fit for us, aligning with our commitment to support young people in our community and open doors to the print industry.” MacroArt is also pushing the boundaries in
terms of sustainability - it has latterly partnered with Tobacco Dock to become its exclusive supplier of sustainable graphics. Tobacco Dock’s site spans over 16,000m2
,
comprising 57 event areas within a Grade 1 listed space. The core focus of the collaboration with MacroArt is to significantly reduce waste and environmental impact at the site. As part of its partnership, Tobacco Dock is utilising MacroArt’s full turnkey recycling scheme - the only UK events space offering this initiative on a year-round basis. In addition, the venue is taking advantage of MacroArt’s stock of rental frames for exhibitions and events, with its ‘reuse and recycle’ offering.
A number of the UCJV330’s efficiencies are shared with the second Mimaki launch, the UJV100-160Plus, which will have its first showing at an exhibition at SDUK 2024. The “competitively priced” machine also incorporates white and clear inks to maximise creative potential.
The third Mimaki printer making its debut is the TxF300-75, Mimaki’s fastest direct-to-film printer providing up to three times the productivity of the TxF150-75.
Epson transitions to 100% renewable electricity
Epson has become the first in the Japanese manufacturing industry to fully transition to 100% renewable energy. As of December 2023, all electricity used at Epson sites around the globe comes from renewable sources. The group consumes approximately 876 GWh of electricity per year. By sourcing renewables to cover this demand, Epson expects to reduce its annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 400,000 tonnes.
Epson publicly committed to becoming carbon negative and underground resource free in its Environmental Vision 2050. The use of renewable electricity is a key means by which Epson seeks to reach its goal of achieving decarbonisation. In line with this, Epson declared, in March 2021, that it would switch to 100% renewable electricity to meet the electricity needs at all Epson Group sites around the world by 2023. In November 2021, the switch was completed in Japan. The global switch to renewable electricity was completed on schedule in December 2023.
In addition to sourcing renewable electricity, Epson will promote the broader adoption of renewable energy, including by generating more of its own power and by supporting the development of new power sources through co-creation. Epson will reduce the amount of energy associated with production and products and will pursue further advances in resource circulation to attain the goal of becoming carbon negative.
CMYUK previews JWEI JCUT finisher
CMYUK has previewed the JWEI JCUT automatic packaging feeder stacker, which is scheduled for release in Q2 2024. Like the JWEI JCUT digital cutting tables launched into the UK by CMYUK in September 2023, this technology platform is expected to disrupt the status quo. Nick Reed, finishing business manager at CMYUK described the new JWEI JCUT automatic feeder stacker as
‘transformative’. At under £140k it is said to deliver comparable capabilities to equipment that historically inhabits the £320k+ price bracket. Key features include: full automation; a high-speed oscillating tool and creasing wheel; a proprietary conveyor; easy pallet access for loading and immediate delivery; simultaneous cutting and stacking; a 750mm stack height (inc. pallet); and an underside camera option.
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