Who’s baby is it then?

Available in the USA as the Xerox IJP900, or through Ricoh and Kyocera as the Kyocera TASKafla Pro1500C, it would be easy for buyers to get a bit confused about whom should supply their new cut sheet colour inkjet printer. Fortunately for me, neither Xerox nor Ricoh currently […]

Do some of the pdfs that are sent to you, just mess up your work-flow?

Not everyone take time to produce good images before sendig them to print. I appreciate this may surprise you… Why is optimising PDF files even important? The simple answer is that many applications create crummy PDF files that don’t fit well into production requirements. This becomes obvious if […]

All print starts with design…

Improve your design processes Create more striking output Add in spot-colours and metallics easily It really isn’t so hard For more information on Color Logic Touch 7 software, get in touch, paul.stead@digitalprint.org.uk or call 07518 604611 You could just visit www.color-logic.com and download a free 7 days licence […]

Looking to increase the weight and thickness of your printed cut-sheet substrates? How does 810 micron sound?

You can now extend the potential of your RICOH ProC9500 digital press to enable new markets:- Bespoke luxury packaging High value gift and access cards Eye-catching Point of Purchase Vibrant freestanding media Compostable food cartons Premium thick media brochures Elegantly crafted games High impact direct mail inserts Sustainable […]

Lets talk about web to print to publish to sales type ‘stuff’ for a while

What’s the difference between Multichannel Marketing and Omnichannel Marketing Anyway? Hint: It’s all about the Customer Experience XMPie uses a few phrases to explain what you can do with our software.  You’ll see the terms Cross Media or Multichannel, and Omnichannel in various articles and resources.  These reflect […]

SRA3 label printing, roll to roll

This is not an industrial printer…it is very simply a commercial label printer, with, or without, white. The OKI PLAVI can output directly back to the roll, or through a ‘weeding’ system to remove excess substrate and then, back onto roll. Want to know more? Get in touch.. […]

A new launch from Xerox…..Introducing the NEW Xerox PrimeLink C9200 Series Colour Printers

The Xerox PrimeLink C9265/C9275/C9281 include features that enable more flexibility and customization, adapting to the needs of both production environments and offices.These colour printers use a new toner formulation similar to the Xerox Iridesse Production Press. Custom media profiles also provide optimal settings for the widest array of […]

Ooooooooh Shiny! Rethink digital spot UV… and add a little glitter too

The Konica Minolta AccurioShine 3600 will offer your customers spot-coating of digital and offset prints, highlighting of individually defined areas, and the addition of 3D effects – in other words, vivid and tactile print products that just cannot be passed by. Want to more know? Get in touch, […]

Profitable label production in small batches on your mind?

Outstanding productivity and brilliant image quality for beverages, foods, wines & spirits, cosmetics, household and industrial applications. Let’s keep it simple. The Konica Minolta Accurio Label 230 is worth a closer look. Want more information? Get in touch.. paul.stead@digitalprint.org.uk or call 07518 604611

Kyocera’s latest inkjet innovation is making a big impression

Let’s not get bogged down by detail, at this stage. The Kyocera TASKalfa Pro55000C is here and ready to view. With its compact size and efficient technology, the TASKalfa Pro 55000c offers both a smallfootprint and a big impact on workflows. It fits into smaller spaces than the […]

Getting Young People into Print…

Our project has taken on a life of its’ own and we now have a number of print service providers across England, ready to open their doors to young people on 23rd October. If you would like to encourage young minds to think about a role in the […]

Discover the TASKalfa Pro 15000c production printer

‘The sustainable inkjet printer with a new vision of the production printing market.’ The TASKalfa Pro 15000c is the result of Kyocera’s many years of experience and expertise in the production printing industry. This machine has a unique printhead and ink technology on board. This allows you to […]

Is your sustainability story being sabotaged by your toner printers?

Toner presses tend to use a lot more power than their inkjet rivals. The main OEMs produce devices that run on 16amp or 32amp power supplies. The Kyocera doesn’t! Would it surprise you to know that the Kyocera C15000 cut sheet colour inkjet printer uses far less electricity […]

Is variable data printing just about putting a different name on a bill or letter?

It can be, if that’s all your market needs, and there is nothing wrong with that! But what about cross channel communications? What about personalised marketing videos? What about ‘targeting specific markets and dynamics’ with messaging that is relevant to them on an individual basis across all media? […]

How do you make that SEXY print work?

The print industry has charged headlong into a race for #Sexyprint, taking things beyond ‘boring CMYK’ with embellishments and additional colours, BUT, how does it work? Don’t ask me… I just sell the machines. Instead, ask those clever people at TAKTIFUL. They offer a short course of consultancy […]

Ricoh open day to view the new ProC9500 and ProC7500

The new production print engines from Ricoh, ProC9500 and ProC7500 are due for launch in the next two months. ASL has secured access to the Ricoh showroom on October 5th and October 12th from 9:00a.m. to 16:30p.m. Would you like to attend? We will be supported by Vpress […]

Are you ready for high-speed cut-sheet monochrome inkjet?

Inkjet isn’t just for full colour! What about those long runs of monochrome reports, books and invoices? With running costs that are far lower than laser print devices, and power usage that is up to 70% less than comparable printers, perhaps YOUR time for cut-sheet mono inkjet is […]

What is this ‘Print With Pride’ thing?

It’s an initiative put together by a few enthusiastic print industry people who firmly believe that UK Print has reasons to be proud of what we do. Our events are often created off the cuff and ‘making it up as we go along’ is an acceptable accusation. But […]

How much power does your inkjet use?

If your cut-sheet inkjet colour printer isn’t using a standard 13amp plug, then you are probably paying a lot for your power. Speed does not always need 16amp or 32amp power supplies. The Kyocera C15000 uses standard 13 amp plugs and still outputs at 150 A4 full colour […]

The importance of correct data in your mailer

I recently sent out a mailer on the Kyocera TASKalfa C15000 because I think it is a beauty. Sadly, my email address in that mailer is wrong and it should read paul.stead@asl-group.co.uk Schoolboy error or just plain dumb? You decide! The importance of getting your data right is […]

The future’s bright….. it’s black and white!..

In our rush for higher quality colour output, it is easy to forget that monochrome applications still provide a huge potential for revenue. Monochrome engines are available from many OEM’s, but the Xerox Nuvera remains my favourite. In my role as monochrome marketing manager for Xerox, I made […]

Don’t just LOOK.. TOUCH!

Time to ignore what your Mum told you. These output samples of Scodix embellishments and stunning to look at, but equally impressive to hold. For brands who want their packaging or collateral to stand out, this is one way to do it. Print is not just about creating […]

This IS a print sample book…

As print sample books go, this one is real beauty. Created by Stephen Hawkins-Flavell and Brad Hyde of Ricoh UK channels team, this booklet shows the variety of substrates and print output that Ricoh production printers can produce. It includes output from:- ProC5300, entry level production CMYK ProC7200, […]

Getting ready for cut-sheet inkjet?

Inkjet is here and it’s getting more economical. Cut-sheet inkjet devices run as well as ‘mono only’ as they do in full colour. But where are you going and how do you get the right software to support your journey? The Kyocera TASKalfa C15000 and Solimar Systems make […]

Some PDFs are just UGLY!

Not all PDFs are as print ready as they should be. But how do you avoid wasting time and money putting them right? Here’s one way:- https://youtu.be/oruYxVkMKdU With Solimar Systems, you can take the pain away, reduce your wasted time and thereby increase your profits. Need more information, […]

A quick introduction to the Konica Minolta C7100 colour press.

Simple things work. In this case, the KM C7100 shares feed trays with the C12000 and C14000 that can feed, 900mm x 330mm up to 400gsm from THREE vacuum fed input points. This sheet size can be duplexed, making EIGHT-UP A4 work a possibility. Output quality from Konica […]

Short run labels on your mind?

If the production of short run labels is taking up some of your time, relax, the answer is close to hand. The OKI 1040 and 1050 desktop reel to sheet or reel to reel printer, could be just what you need. The OKI 1040 is CMYK only whilst […]

What is personalisation?

Seems strange to me that some organisations still struggle with producing “personalised print”, although the truth is that a lot more do it under the heading of “variable data printing”. At a basic level, variable data printing is the use of databases and desktop publishing software to combine […]

Cut sheet inkjet printing that will reduce your electricity bill by a very large amount

It isn’t what we usually think about when sourcing printers is it? But these are interesting times. With energy costs set to soar, the low power consumption of the Kyocera TASKalfa C15000 might just be what you need. Water-based ink just adds to the green credentials. Designed for […]

Why would you add embellishments to your digital print?

To increase awareness? To capture attention? To set you aside from your competition? To enhance your brand image? ….All of the above? A great webinar from Ricoh Europe shared information on how the expansion of your colour range and addition of enhancements such as silver and gold, really […]

A greetings card is not just for Christmas

If you work in the print industry and you send e-mail greeting to the people you care about, aren’t you missing the point? Greetings cards take your message directly into the hands and eyes of the intended recipient. Whether it’s a valentine card, Christmas card or just a […]

Going for Gold: Digital Print Enhancements Free Webinar

As we emerge from the pandemic, the print landscape is changing and new production techniques are coming to the fore. The use of Digital Print Enhancement techniques, such as gold and silver, are increasingly becoming the norm as a profitable way to stay relevant to clients. Later this […]

Printed and folded A4 landscape boxes..

With the increasing demand for printed A4 landscape output, comes an increased demand is ‘somewhere to put it’. Not a lot of point printing a lovely brochure if it the gets damaged. This video shows a cutting table printing a simple design that is subsequently folded by hand […]

Printing onto synthetic media…? Is it the same as paper?

The method of printing is just the same…load it into your paper cassettes, tell the print engine what the stock is and press ‘print’.. very simple. The output possibilities go beyond simple. Synthetic substrates are:- Tearproof…useful for items that many people may touch Waterproof…useful for menus where spillages […]

Why a cut-sheet digital printer should expand to provide wide-format as well!

You are probably thinking. ”We have a good working relationship with a wide format company and we send our sign work to them”. Nothing wrong with a little collaboration and long may it continue for those who work it well, BUT, you might be missing the point. The […]

Digital devices are pretty much the same right?

This depends on what you want to achieve, the range of stocks that you use and whether or not 5th/6th colours are required. At entry and mid-production levels, there ARE differences in output image quality, registration and substrate capabilities. At the high-production end of the scale, these functions […]

I get excited by the simplest of things….

A few months ago, before things went a bit wobbly, I went to a Konica Minolta showroom to look at the new C14000 colour printer. required speed?…. check nice flat image?…… check smooth even tints?….. check inline quality controls to ensure that page 1000 looks the same as […]

Fashion? Or a technology with a lasting impression?….Digitally printed garments are here..

Consumer demands for ‘personalisation of everything’ now includes clothing. Whether a simple T-shirt design of one, or multiple items for a Hen/Stag party, the desire for ‘MY’ shirt is here. Going further, personalised gift-bags for events or maybe even your own design of fabric, the drive for ‘MY […]

How Tech has Turbo Charged “Traditional” Print

Those of us who have been in the industry for a while will remember how involved it used to be to develop and source print. From design, the production of physical artwork through to repro and the need for large print volumes for economies of scale, sourcing print […]

Don’t ask me about the Top 10 creative tips for employee engagement.. ask Lucy Swanston

Gallagher recently released its annual ‘State of the Sector’ survey on what’s trending in internal comms (IC) and employee engagement. It understandably reported that 2020 had been a year like no other and chose to position its findings more as a guide to navigating holistic communication challenges. We’ve […]

Don’t ask me about Web To Print…ask Kelvin Bell

Adaptability and Convenience Are the Watchwords for Print There is a well-known saying in reference to Darwin’s Origin of Species that characterises businesses that have met the challenges that 2020/1 has thrown at us and found a way to move forward: “It is not the strongest of the species that […]

FONT Doesn’t Have to Be a Four-Letter Word in Your Print Shop

If you have had problems with fonts in your digital print environment, then this subject has been tailor-made for you. Especially for all of you that are taking in what customers have told you are “print ready” PDF files. You know the ones we are talking about—those files […]

Don’t ask me about PDF optimization..ask Jamie Walsh of Solimar Systems

PDF optimization (or lack of it) impacts your printing environment’s costs and savings. We continue to see print and digital production processes move to the PDF file format as a standard. As experts in PDF, we believe there are significant cost savings to be unlocked based on how […]

Sometimes, printing digitally with CMYK just isn’t enough.

The options for digital printers, in terms of the additional colours that are available can create some stunning and unexpected results. This video was made by Brad Hyde of Ricoh UK and shows the range of colours now available for the ProC7200 series:- 5th colour options for digital […]

Be responsible… PRINT!!

We are in a time where being responsible to the environment is important to all of us. For some people, ‘printing’ is perceived as bad for the environment, possibly because paper comes from wood. The following video presents some interesting data that might change your mind. Be responsible, […]

Increase in direct mail got your mono volumes jumping?

The Covid period has seen a dramatic increase in direct mail output and whilst a large part is full colour promotional material, we have also seen a huge leap in monochrome transactional print. True monochrome printing costs are much lower than full colour, and usually a lot less […]

Printing Industry Influencer Warren Werbitt Launches…“The Print Whisperer”..

Management, coaching, and consultancy practice providing a range of services for small to medium-sized print shops MONTRÉAL, September 23rd, 2021 – Print industry influencer Warren Werbitt announces the launch of The Print Whisperer (https://theprintwhisperer.com), a business management, executive coaching, and network facilitation consultancy. To most people in the […]

One to one marketing….That’s my car!

Is NOW the time for personalised print?? Lockdown has increased Direct Mail volumes and has changed the way that print is produced. Going to a car showroom for a test drive was virtually impossible, but thankfully, the car manufacturers hit on a great idea. Build ‘your car’ online […]

Does the power of personalised video marketing interest you?

How can you improve your hit rate? How can you retain more customers? How can you get your existing customers to spend more money? ….Create a personalised video that’s how! We have a few options available, including InVideo from Blue Rush or video via XMPie. For more information, […]

Don’t ask me about ‘planning your next event’….ask Joanne Gore..

At long last, it looks as though we can get ready to host and attend live events. Great news, unless like me, you’ve forgotten all the important things around ‘planning and running’. As with most aspects of life, my knowledge is limited, BUT thankfully, I know someone clever! […]

Encourage kids to join in with ‘print’ by first helping them to read and write.

Very interesting article in Digital Printer magazine about the issues of literacy in the UK today. Nutshell Creative (Formidable marketing agency in Milton Keynes) has launched an initiative called Topic Heroes. Read the article…it really is a beauty. Magazine | Digital Printer (digitalprintermag.co.uk)

When you buy a digital press, you’re not just buying a printer – you’re buying opportunities, possibilities and a marketing tool.

What a great way to look at the world of digital print. I’d like to say that I thought of this, but sadly, I’m not that clever. Kudos to Jean Lloyd of JLConsulting Look her up on LinkedIn… clever stuff. I have a copy of her brochure and […]

Introducing the new AccurioPress C7100 series….

packed with innovative technologies that will give you the power to grow your business INTELLIGENT AUTOMATIONBy instantly detecting the precise stock you’re using, the Intelligent Media Sensor IM-101* significantly reduces production time.With real-time quality and VDP inspection, the IQ-501 Intelligent Quality Optimizer* also ensures perfectly consistent colour reproduction […]

As Industry 5.0 kicks in, are you ready to match it to Society 5.0 with the right staff?

It is easy to see how more automation might replace people with robots, but is that right for society? Shouldn’t automation work as much WITH us and it does FOR us? A typology has been developed for Operator 4.0, which aims at expanding the capabilities of the industry […]

Want to sell print 24/7 even whilst you are tucked up in bed?

If there is one thing we should all have learned through lockdown, it is that an online print business is a busy print business. Want to engage with more clients? Want to engage with your existing clients more? Want to create personalised greeting cards? Want to change brochure […]

Want to communicate better with your prospects and customers?.. Try using print!

People are suffering from e-mail marketing overload The sheer volume of e-mail can seem overwhelming for both marketing staff and prospects. According to research group Radicati, over 2.8 billion e-mails are sent every day. In order to keep our inboxes manageable, most people delete a lot of e-mail […]

Personalisation shouldn’t be tricky.

..sometimes we use a bit too much jargon, which can damage the simplicity of the message we are trying to send. Personalisation is such an area. Even the word ‘personalisation’ can have multiple meanings to the reader. This short video, from Xerox shows just how easy the message […]

Adding metallic hues to your print jobs…doesn’t necessarily call for metallic toner

As the number of OEMS supporting digitally printed gold/silver and other metallics grows, it is easy to get drawn into a trap whereby you need the latest printer to achieve these results. Not so…. Look at things a little bit differently and you might find that software is […]

Easy personalised packaging… with something sweet inside

In Easter 2020, working with our ‘Print With Pride’ partners, we produced some very simple personalised Easter Egg boxes. The process was simple:- print a design onto box board using a Ricoh ProC9200, soft touch laminate, over-print in mono text the parts that we wanted to personalise, pass […]

Why should a wide format printing company add cut-sheet to their portfolio?

You are probably thinking. ”We have a good working relationship with a digital print company and we send our cut-sheet work to them”. Nothing wrong with a little collaboration and long may it continue for those who work it well, BUT, you might be missing the point. The […]

Inkjet printing without pre-treatment?

The new Kyocera Taskalfa 15000 is a beast of a printer. Fast, quiet and environmentally friendly….are all topics for discussion. Maybe more impressive is that cut sheet inkjet does not need pre-treated stocks. But don’t take my word for it…listen to Chris Matthews.. he knows his stuff. Kyocera […]

Do you provide print services for these industries?

Great business to be had and as always, to be appreciated. BUT…sometimes the files are just not right, are they? Are they ‘print ready’? Do they process quickly through your workflow? Do you experience font issues? Are the images, sometimes, not quite clear enough? Do you lose time […]

Additional colours in digital printers

Embellishments and additional colours are very much in fashion right now. But, how easy is it to add those colours? This short video (ran in 2x speed) shows how the internal workings of a Xerox Primelink can be changed to run White, Clear, Silver and Gold, or a […]

During Lockdown….Online became a way of life!..

We have all changed the way in which we buy goods and services and it’s safe to say that an online presence has saved some businesses. A review of our customer activity through the Covid pandemic has shown that those with a good website offering customers the ability […]

Cut-sheet inkjet will replace all of your other print processes!!… what are they talking about?

I hear this a lot. Our new cut-sheet inkjet press is a real ‘game-changer’.. It’s going to ‘revolutionise your business’ and transition mass volumes from offset to digital making you far more profitable almost overnight. Whilst I have no doubt that the age of cut-sheet inkjet has arrived, […]

How easy is it to produce strong white prints?

Many manufacturers offer ‘white’ ink/toner products, so the choices are there to explore. BUT, how many of them can produce strong white images in ONE PASS? They will tell you that the others can’t do it as well as they can That’s just nonsense! We supply a number […]

This printer is awesome!!

New technology really floats my boat, particularly when it can make a difference for a client. The new Konica Minolta C14000 is poised to capture a huge market segment from Xerox iGen/Iridesse and Ricoh ProC9XXX, due to its sheer power and increased stock capability. Multiple paper trays that […]

Embellishments etc…

Bright and shiny!!!…Ooooooh nice! There is much talk in the industry right now about metallic colours, embellishments and increased response rates or profit margins from 5th/6th colour additions. Print applications where embellishments are applied can surprise you. Perhaps the biggest surprise should be the potential amount of additional […]

Cut sheet digital inkjet at 150ppm!!

Discover how inkjet technology is transforming high-volume printing High-speed digital inkjet devices have torn up the rulebook for production printing. Inkjet production printing solutions from KYOCERA overcome volume printing cost limitations, bringing the benefits of digital technology to high-volume as well as low-volume jobs. The TASKalfa Pro 15000c brings together […]

Personalisation……are you STILL not doing it?

What is the most important thing about variable data printing? This short video from NINE years ago gives a few ideas on the value of VDP (variable data printing) Variable data printing… – YouTube I’m not sure that the story has changed much, although the types of output […]

At last, a digital press with 3 face trim in-line, producing finished full sheet booklets.

A compact system that packs a booklet maker, creaser/two-sided trimmer, and square fold trimmer into one in-line unit Production press printing at 100 ppm Print on stocks and specialty media from 52–400 gsm 2400 x 2400 dpi VCSEL ROS for sharpness, detailed shadowsand bright highlights Full Width Array […]

Getting in the Game for Transactional Print

How can you tap into this profitable business opportunity? Here are our four critical must-haves. Intelligent Document Design Skills Develop or partner with a firm that has deep expertise in colour and transactional document design. Data That Delivers Acquire a fundamental knowledge of how to work with data […]

Getting in the game for inkjet book production

If you would like to reap the rewards of inkjet printing but don’t know where to start…here is our simple 4 step guide to get you moving. Become a relevant Player Evaluate production inkjet technologies. As trade book publishers embrace inventory management models, these solutions improve the economics […]

Which digital production press is right for you?

There are a lot of digital printers in the market-place and for every one, there are an even larger number of suppliers. Picking the best one for you, really should not be hard, although I do accept that the varying messages from some suppliers, can add to the […]

Pick a colour…any colour?

Pick a colour, any colour, then vote for it…. No! I am not talking about the election (YAWN!),… although. Elections are good for the print industry so why don’t we all get together, split the vote and then have another election in 12 months? Printing election applications is […]