PacPrint 2017 News

Graph-Pak, a trusted source of systems and consumables for laminating, printing, packaging and converting since 2006, will bring a range of ‘blue chip’ systems to its PacPrint stand, representing manufacturers including APR, D&K, Rollem USA and Busch.Tom Ralph, founder and Managing Director of Graph-Pak, says the company is looking forward to the opportunity to bring the market up to date with the latest releases from its principals – and to reconnect with businesses as they look to re-equip for the future.“During the pandemic, our partners have continued to evolve, develop and expand their ranges of equipment, systems and consumables,” Ralph says, “and we are delighted to be bringing many of those new releases to the show for industry businesses to see, first-hand, including box gluers, taping, laminating, banding and die-cutting solutions.”In a particularly exciting development, APR Solutions will be launched to the Oceania market at PacPrint, bringing a team of product experts to talk to visitors about its market-leading solutions including the Box Plus 2 compact hybrid folder gluer and three ATHOS taping machines ideal for packaging and e-commerce operations.“The Box Plus 2 is a fully-automatic machine for folding and gluing straight boxes and crash-lock bottom boxes and more,” Ralph explains. “With three-point gluing, it can also be configured to handle envelopes, DVD wallets, folders, inserting paper and plastic cards, applying double-sided tape and tear tape, and more, making it a very versatile and profitable addition to any packaging operation.”The APR Box Plus 2 is an exciting addition to Graph-Pak's PacPrint showcase.APR industrial tape application solutions on show will include the semi-automatic Athos which can apply tapes including TNT and PVC, to banner, acrylic, transfer, foams up to 3mm, Rissband and also tape VHB for automotive applications, to a huge range of supports, from paper and corrugated cardboard, to acrylic, PVC and plastic, and even wood and aluminium.“The Mini Athos as its name suggests, a smaller model which is cost-effective and versatile entry-level solution to apply double-sided tapes including banner tapes, PVC, TNT, acrylic and transfer,” Ralph explains, “while the Athos Plus is a higher-volume, higher-speed option which efficiently applies double-sided, acrylic, foam, PVC and eTear tapes to any type of paper, cardboard, profiles, wood and aluminium. “With a removable, fully-automatic feeder, it’s ideal for even the longest runs of products from labels to bank notes, and still flexible enough to handle niche or multi-layered custom jobs by simply swapping to manual feed.”Graph-Pak will also showcase D&K lamination solutions including the Europa B2 system, based on the successful Jupiter range, and Neptune B3 model.The D&K Europa will be on show at PacPrint. “These compact and fully-automated models offer smooth, trouble-free processing of a wide range of sheet weights, with fully-automated operation, compact footprints and easy, PLC-controlled operation,” Ralph explains.“The Europa is ideal for digital or litho output with a high-pile feeder to maximise efficiency on longer-run work, while the speedy Neptune runs at up to 15 m/min for B3 work. Users can also choose to add features including extended feed tables or a rewind unit for foiling, to further extend flexibility.”Digital, offset or label printers looking for a profitable die-cutting solution, won’t want to miss the innovative Insignia IS7H rotary die-cutter from Rollem USA, which features a maximum sheet size of 61 x 76cm and cutting thickness of 0.61mm.“The Insignia IS7H uses flexible dies which clip into place and are pulled into position using magnets as the cylinder is rotated, then released easily by simply reducing the strength of the magnetic field,” Ralph explains. “This reduces makeready and changeover times to minutes, rather than hours, making this a highly profitable solution for...Read More. . .

While equipment and systems take centre stage at PacPrint, systems architect Soltect is encouraging attendees to take the chance to ‘think big’ and design the kind of seamless and efficient workflow which embraces all the benefits of our digital age, and will ensure they survive, and thrive, into the future. Yves Roussange, founder and CEO of Soltect, points to the dramatic culture change in our industry driven by digital innovation and the impacts of global shifts, saying it is critical for print and graphic communications businesses to move from a traditional manufacturing mindset, to a technology mindset. “We live in a different world today from a decade ago. For businesses to keep up with this transformation, they need to not only continue to invest in equipment and systems, but to foster a completely new way of thinking about their workflow and their business – to completely change their business DNA, if you like.” PacPrint visitors who will be coming to the show to look for new systems and equipment should, he says, also consider how any new investments will fit together, with the goal being a totally integrated and streamlined system which takes advantage of automation and two-way, digital communications technologies to absolutely maximise efficiency, productivity and profitability.“What businesses need to be thinking about – particularly if they are looking at new investments, but also if they are just seeking to maximise the value of their current investments – is how much they are losing in terms of time and efficiency by not designing the right business architecture…and how much that is already costing their business, every day.”As the adage says, ‘time is money’, and Roussange says many businesses are unaware of just how much time – and, consequently, profit – is being wasted simply because their workflow is not optimised.“Many work flows are assembled piece by piece as businesses grow,” he says. “But like a jigsaw puzzle, if you don’t take time to step back and identify where pieces are missing, and work to fill the gaps and connect each piece to the other, you can’t enjoy the full benefit of the complete picture.”As well as allowing businesses to correct more easily identifiable workflow interruptions and bottlenecks, Soltect finds many businesses have more subtle and fundamental workflow interruptions and disconnects, and far too many touchpoints in their production process. “This has been highlighted during the pandemic, when staff absences caused production delays and even closures for some businesses,” Roussange comments. “For our customers who were working with us to increase automation, however, the benefits of reduced reliance on manual processing were immediately evident. It allowed them to minimise disruption and keep the presses running. “You don’t need a pandemic to be able to benefit, though – most businesses can identify and recoup wasted time and profits, but success does not come out of a box; you have to redesign the architecture of the business.”This starts right from the very first interaction, and Soltect will be launching a new, cloud-based customer interface at PacPrint, which Roussange says is easy, affordable and intuitive, helping to educate customers and giving them the tools they need to take full advantage of automation. With the recent Federal Budget providing significant incentives for this type of investment – in fact, businesses can claim 120% of their monthly investment for eligible cloud computing solutions, Roussange says it’s really a ”no-brainer”.Sitting behind new customer interface is Soltects suite of software products, including Enfocus Switch for workflow automation, PitStop PDF pre-flight software and ConnectALL advanced PDF Pre-flighting delivery tool, as well as Callas PDF pre-flighting and template building solutions, Ultimate Impostrip imposition...Read More. . .

The past 12 months has been one of intensive modernisation for Currie Group under the guiding hand of new CEO Rob Mesaros. Now, the company is preparing to unveil a new look and feel at PacPrint, to reflect the transformation within. Mesaros, who took over the top job in early 2021, has been clear about his intentions from the start, with intensive efforts behind the scenes to redesign the systems, tools and processes which allow Currie Group to remain agile and responsive into the future. Now, that modernisation strategy is paying dividends, with the company not only maintaining its team and its dominant market position over the past 12 months, but acquiring some significant new brands to its product stable and, most recently, introducing its own refreshed brand identity, which PacPrint visitors will be among the first to see. “The 2022 timeslot has proven to be ideal for us, as we can have a genuine unveiling of our new look, feel and approach, showcasing in a very resolved and complete way, just how we have evolved as a company,” Mesaros says. For a start, he says, the stand will be quite a visual departure from what’s been done in the past, not only due to the fresh branding but also a more solutions-based approach. “Our aim at PacPrint is to put a very strong focus on applications, showing visitors what is possible in a very tangible way, then working with them to explore how they can make those possibilities a reality in their own business,” he explains. While this will mean a little bit less ‘heavy metal’ on stand, the company will be running live demonstrations on an impressive selection of technologies within specially-designed engagement spaces, including the much-anticipated HP Indigo 100K Digital Press, the very latest in grand-format technology from new partner EFI, plenty of options for finishing and 3D printing, and some revolutionary label and packaging solutions.  The HP Indigo 100K Digital press is expected to be a highlight of the stand. “The HP Indigo 100K Digital Press is expected to be a real highlight of the stand, representing the latest evolution of what has become the benchmark for high quality digital presses,” Mesaros says, adding that the press will be demonstrated live, as will its stablemate, the HP Indigo 7K Digital Press.  While the 7K model will be familiar to many, the new 100K – being hailed as a ‘breakthrough’ press with true, non-stop print capability – is totally new to the A/NZ market.  “This press can not only boost margins on short runs, but also help businesses tap into new digital markets to secure long-term business gains,” Mesaros says. “It’s already generating a huge amount of interest with a couple of orders even placed ahead of it’s release, so we’re really looking forward to demonstrating it at PacPrint.” efi Pro 30h featuring two rolls Other highlights will include the market introduction of the new EFI Pro 30h – a 3.2-meter hybrid flatbed/roll-fed LED entry-level production printer which will be supported by an extensive showcase of wide format applications for sign & display. “This machine can print to a diverse array of substrates, both rigid and flexible, using environmentally-friendly LED imaging technology to produce superior image quality, helping businesses extend their capabilities into the sign and display space with a versatile, productive machine at a very attractive price point,” Mesaros says. For label printers, the HP Indigo 6K Digital Press will be a drawcard. In the label and packaging space, an HP Indigo 6K Digital Press with its established credentials in high-speed digital label and packaging production, will be joined...Read More. . .

Kyocera Australia is exhibiting for the first time ever at PacPrint in June, bringing a ‘game-changing’ affordable and sustainable inkjet solution – plus a full team of sales, product and technical specialists – to the Melbourne show. Kyocera is already well known in this part of the world for its MFP solutions, which have earned it a high market share in the government and corporate printing markets. Now, the company is taking the opportunity provided by PacPrint to showcase its commercial production solutions at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Skipp Humphreys, National Sales Specialist for Kyocera, says the company’s showcase will centre on the new TASKalfa Pro 15000c press, a revolutionary system which reflects the company’s wealth of experience in cut-sheet and roll-fed inkjet printing. “The TASKalfa Pro 15000c uses patented inkjet head technology which has been proven in use on many other systems from a range of manufacturers, and ticks all the boxes when it comes to productivity and quality – producing up to one million A4 impressions a month, or more than 150 A4 impressions a minute, at 600dpi.” “The TASKalfa Pro 15000c is a unique inkjet solution which fills a real gap in the production printing market by providing a cost-effective, full-colour printing solution for short-run, cut-sheet applications on uncoated stocks,” Humphreys explains. “This makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, like short-run transactional print, small scale publishing runs, exams and manuals, forms and direct mail; where versatility, cost-effectiveness and sustainability are key – and where coated stocks or ultra-high resolution are redundant.” Humphreys says a lot of print service providers, even those who currently run digital presses, are being squeezed on price for this type of work, as the traditional pricing structure for digital simply doesn’t allow enough flexibility to sustain previous margins.  The TASKalfa Pro 15000c is a ‘game changer’ in this situation, because it’s been designed to allow printers to not only meet a wide range of demands…but to profit from this type of work.  “This cut sheet inkjet printing solution is ideal for everyone from small to medium sized mailing houses and publishers; corporates, schools and universities; and printers who may either be looking to complement existing digital presses or eliminate the need for overprinting of offset shells,” Humphreys says.  “Most importantly, Kyocera provides a choice at installation of an ‘ink-in’ or ‘ink-out’ pricing model. Typical digital models have set, all-inclusive cost-per-impression for SRA3 or A4 sheets, which includes parts, service and ink – what we call the ‘ink-in’ model. “Where Kyocera differs is that users can opt to leave ‘ink-out’ of this initial cost calculation, paying a very small base rate per impression to which the actual cost of the ink used for the job is added. “Particularly for businesses which produce a lot of work with low ink coverage, this can save up to 50% on impression costs for the customer, and give the print service provider a competitive pricing advantage while ensuring healthy profit margins,” Humphreys says. Further to these benefits, Humphreys says the TASKalfa Pro 15000c meets sustainability criteria, making it truly a press for the future.  “At Kyocera, we are very conscious of the need to maximise sustainability for the long-term future of our planet. These machines have been designed to minimise power consumption and deliver exceptional energy efficiency for their speed by utilising features such as achieving an ambient ink drying temperature of only 65 degrees Celsius.” This is proving vital in many countries which are now facing power supply and continuity issues, but Humphreys says even in this part of the world where...Read More. . .

Visitors to PacPrint are invited to unlock the mystery of the sales process, at a special PacPrint Forum session from The Sales Coach, Greg Donlan on Wednesday 29 June at 3.30pm. Greg is an acclaimed, engaging and passionate global keynote speaker with deep insights into the science of selling. His presentation at the show is sure to be one to savour, as he explains how small and medium-sized businesses can turn sales from an ‘unexplainable art’ to a repeatable and scalable scientific system. The session, on the final day of the show, will give visitors the opportunity to learn from Greg’s vast experience, which includes stints with leading organisations including Myer, Seiko, Coca Cola and Ericsson, successful leadership of national sales teams, and – as an acknowledged sales strategist with his business, The Sales Coach – has helped his clients not only survive, but thrive through the GFC and, more recently, the pandemic. “Our aim at this session will be to ensure business leaders in the print, signage and related sectors leave the presentation not only with some profound insights into the sales process, but also with some tangible actions which they can implement immediately,” Greg says. “During the session, participants will learn the science which underpins successful selling in 2021 and beyond, and how to build a reliable and repeatable selling system. “We’ll look at why educating your sales prospects – rather than selling ‘at’ them – gives you a persuasive edge, and step through the process of how to gently control and progress a sales opportunity, to deliver the most successful outcomes, time after time.” The 2021 PacPrint Forum Series of seminars will run daily throughout the show, which opens at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on 28 June and runs through until 1 July. Click here to register for the show, or go to www.pacprint.com.au for more information and the full seminar program.Read More. . .

Velflex is excited to be marking it’s 15th anniversary this year, so the company will be taking the opportunity at PacPrint to celebrate by taking a look at its history as innovators in the heat transfer world, as well as looking forward to the all-important future of the industry. Founded back in 2007, Velflex was banking on the rise of digital printing in heat transfer, and as a result helped to bring new technologies to the Australian market that are now common place.  To this day, the company’s range of Stahls and Plotterfilms heat transfer vinyls, Australian made UltraColour transfers, Hotronix heat presses and Mimaki print and cut machines are the ‘go-to’ solutions for quality garment customisation. “At PacPrint we will be doing live demonstrations on how easy start to finish transfer production can be using our vinyl range, UltraColour transfers, heat presses (Hotronix STX, Hotronix Dual Fusion and Hotronix 360 IQ hat press) and the new Mimaki CG-AR Series cutter,” says Managing Director, Ben Carroll. “Now in 2022 and beyond we aren’t slowing down! We’re keeping at the forefront of heat transfer technology with the introduction of direct-to-film consumables to our range.  “The hottest thing in garment decoration right now is DTF and after extensive trialling we are excited to be launching our Velflex DTF range at PacPrint, including hot peel sheets and adhesive powders. “You can see them all in action on our stand C20 and come help us celebrate the past, present and future of Velflex,” he says.Velflex will be on Stand C20 at PacPrint, which will co-locate with Visual Impact Melbourne and the Label & Packaging Expo at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 28 June to 1 July this year. Click this link to register for the show, or find more information about the event, go to www.pacprint.com.auRead More. . .

Böttcher Systems has confirmed its display at PacPrint will focus on innovative solutions, covering all ‘four pillars’ of its business - carton packaging, printing with hybrid UV and Light Emitting Diode inks (HUV-LED), flexible packaging and commercial print. It’s news which will not only delight PacPrint visitors, but those lining up for the co-located Label & Packaging Expo.A focus of the Melbourne show for Böttcher will be innovative solutions aimed at helping businesses reduce makeready times while also improving their sustainability record, says Managing Director, Mitch Mulligan. “Böttcher’s ECS ‘Easy Cleaning System’, for instance, was designed with this in mind,” he says. “These easy-to-clean inking rollers incorporate special polymers and additives in the rubber to reduce the adhesion of the ink to the roller surface, effectively improving ink transfer whilst also enhancing the washability of the roller train.“This not only saves time, but means you can significantly reduce your wash consumption, typically by 30-50%. These ECS rollers are available for all drying technologies and in a range of durometers to accommodate printers’ and press manufacturers’ preferences.”As well as the special roller coverings, the ECS system now also includes washes with enhanced cleaning power, including the Mistral ECS which will be launched at the show, which is set to open at the end of June.“To make this product, we took our highest-quality conventional wash and made it even better,” Mulligan says. “New materials not only improve its ability to dissolve and remove ink from rollers and blankets, but increase the proportion of biological components in the wash, helping businesses reduce their environmental impact. “With businesses in this region among the most eco-conscious in the world, we believe PacPrint is a fitting place to launch the best wash Böttcher has ever made!”Tailor-made solutions for flexographic and rotogravure printing will also feature on the company’s PacPrint stand, with the proven CAMBIUM sleeve for plate mounting among them.“Valued by independent printers and packaging groups for their geometric and mechanical stability and low weight, CAMBIUM sleeves are now available internationally through the Böttcher Group with our worldwide production and sales companies,” Mulligan advises.“We’ll also be showing sleeves for plate assembly, including products from the BöttcherFlex product series which includes DLE elastomer sleeves and plates for direct laser engraving. DLE elastomer sleeves enable premium printing quality with the advantages of an endless seamless printing form.”  Böttcher’s flexible packaging range is complemented by its converting products, which include special products used on a wide variety of converting equipment to facilitate processing steps from varnishing to laminating, winding, slitting, die-cutting and embossing.“These products have been developed in response to the specific requirements of each processing step, maximising quality while minimising wear and tear, to increase longevity and reduce downtime,” Mulligan says.“And when it comes to gravure, we have Böttcher impression and inking rollers to help enhance production stability on both long and short print runs and ensure consistency when printing frequent repeat jobs. Featuring modern rubber and polyurethane coverings, these products meet the most stringent requirements for conventional and ESA package printing,” he explains.“The BöttcherFlex portfolio is rounded off by the new washing and care products, including VELVET for use with water colours and SOLVENTO for solvent and UV inks. This gives print service providers a full range of efficient cleaning products available for daily use, and for special deep cleaning of anilox rollers, we offer the product CREME, as well as HISONIC High Pressure for use with high pressure cleaners and HISONIC UltraSonic for ultrasonic baths.”Also on stand at the show will be BöttcherTop 4k and Rainbow blanket technology, along with the BöttcherTop range of coating plate for water-based...Read More. . .