Huntsman Corporation said it entered into a definitive agreement to sell its chemical intermediates businesses, which includes PO/MTBE, and its surfactants businesses to Indorama Ventures in a transaction valued at $2.076 billion, comprising a cash purchase price of $2 billion, plus the transfer of up to approximately $76 million in net underfunded pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities.

The $2.076 billion transaction value represents an LTM adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 8 times, which includes retained SG&A costs of about $30 million, a portion of which Huntsman expects to eliminate overtime. Under the terms of the agreement, Indorama Ventures would acquire Huntsman’s manufacturing facilities located in Port Neches, Texas; Dayton, Texas; Chocolate Bayou, Texas; Ankleshwar, India; and Botany, Australia. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close near year-end.

“This transaction further transforms Huntsman’s balance sheet and future. It accelerates our ability to expand more in areas both downstream and complementary to our portfolio," said Peter Huntsman, Chairman, president and CEO. "This is another milestone in our stated strategy to focus more on our downstream and specialty businesses where we will generate more stable margins and consistent, strong free cash flow. We are committed to retaining our strong investment-grade balance sheet, repurchasing our shares, investing in organic research and select capacity expansions and acquiring strategic assets that are accretive to our earnings and create shareholder value.

“Indorama Ventures will be acquiring a strong EO/PO derivatives business with a very experienced workforce and management team."

“Huntsman intends to accelerate share repurchases under its existing $1 billion multi-year authorisation after the close of this transaction.”

At Labelexpo Europe 2019, Mark Andy gives a European debut to its Digital Pro line, a modular entry- to mid-market digital system.

On stand 4C45, Labelexpo attendees will see live demonstrations of Digital Pro 3, the in-line converting model fitted with semi-rotary die-cutting. The roll-to-roll configuration, Digital Pro 1, will also be on display on stand 8A60, extending Mark Andy’s presence to the ‘Digital Hall’ for the first time.  

Printing at 23.4m/min (77ft/min), the new product line comes provides production-level speed for all applications. 

Digital Series HD, a 7-color UV inkjet press with QCDC-SR, Live VDP and StitchAI will be making its first appearance in Brussels since launching in spring of 2018. Mark Andy’s hybrid inkjet system is now available in 431mm (17ih) web width, and will be demonstrated four times daily, with special demonstrations highlighting its high-speed shrink sleeve capabilities.  

The newest iteration of Mark Andy flexo technology will make its worldwide debut at Labelexpo Europe. This dual-servo driven label press is the result of a dedicated flexo engineering team, lean manufacturing and customer input, and will be unveiled live for Labelexpo Europe attendees during the show. 

Representatives from Mark Andy Print Products Europe will be on-stand during the show. Mark Andy Print Products, now supporting European converters and customers, offers all essential flexo pressroom consumables, including, plate mounting tape, doctor blades, anilox rolls, splicing tape, pressroom chemistry, and more. 

Japanese offset specialist Miyakoshi will unveil its new small-footprint printer supporting small run label production and showcase an improved MLP-C model at upcoming Labelexpo Europe this month.

Miyakoshi will present its new LED-UV inkjet printer MJP13LXV able to run at the speed up to 50m/min and 1200 X 1200 DPI resolution. The new press can be set with up to six colours and is designed to work with LED-UV inks. The company equipped it with pinning drying technology between colour applications and LED curing system. The latter is powered by Miyakoshi’s nitrogen purging technology, which reduces the odour and improves the drying process. At the end of the production line, the substrates are finally passed through a chill roller for finishing and colour fixing.

The company will be also showcasing an improved MLP-C model, equipped with UV dryers and chill rollers. This semi-rotary web offset press runs at 101m/min with a repeat length of 406,4mm. Miyakoshi introduced cold start and automatic plate change on this model to reduce substrate waste and improve timings on changeovers. Target applications are label runs between 500 - 30.000m, requiring different processes and finishes in-line. MLP-C is available in 350mm and 420mm web widths.

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, "UV-Curable Resin Market by Type and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026," the global UV curable resin market was valued at $4,745.6 million in 2018 and is estimated to reach $9,769.7 million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2019 to 2026.

The use of UV curable resins has grown significantly, as they have several advantages over conventionally cured resins in terms of less energy consumption, reduced waste, zero-emission of volatile organic compound (VOCs), and higher productivity (fast curing).

UV curable resins do not contain any organic solvents, which could have adverse environmental effects. However, the light penetration depth, which depends on the wavelength and spectral distribution, does not exceed a few millimetres. Thus, the application of UV-curable resins is restricted to inks, coatings, and adhesives.

The UV curable resin market is segmented based on resin type, application, and region. Based on resin type, the global UV curable resin market is fragmented into acrylated epoxies acrylated polyesters, acrylated urethanes, acrylated silicones, and others. The acrylated epoxies UV-curable resin segment is expected to dominate the market, owing to its fast cure rates and good adhesion performance because of the presence of polar hydroxyl and ether groups in the epoxy backbone structure. However, the acrylated urethane UV curable resin segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on application, the market is categorised into coating, packaging, printing, adhesives & sealants, and others. The coating application is expected to dominate the market and printing application is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the market.

Region-wise, the market is analysed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific dominates the market owing to the growth in paints and coating industry which is the primary consumer of UV curable resins. Asia-Pacific is further expected to maintain its dominant position in the near future.

"UV-LED curing technology has undergone significant advancements in the past few years. This technology serves as an environmentally friendly solution, as UV-curable resins ensure zero VOC emission, thereby significantly fuelling their demand across the globe," said Eswara Prasad, manager, Material and Chemical at Allied Market Research.

Xeikon has developed a new option for printers looking to enhance and increase their range of inkjet-printed labels, combining its X-800 workflow and PantherCure UV inks to create a tactile layer.

This is responsible for a so-called ‘haptic effect’ in print, noted Xeikon, with printers able to create labels with enhanced tactility, textures and a luxury feel utilising the new option. The beer, beverage, food, and health and beauty markets are identified as viable targets for such labels.

No modifications are required to the pre-press file.

Jeroen Van Bauwel, director of product management at Xeikon, explained, ‘The technology generating the tactile and textured layer is embedded in the Panther’s X-800 workflow. It is the brand owners and designers who define the structure, shape and form of the design. When the file is received, the workflow automatically recognises the elements of the design and generates the information required to drive the printhead – that’s what creates the haptic effect in print on the end product.’

In order to further optimise the workflow of its Panther technology, Xeikon has developed automated optimisation of the white ink layer, embedded in the X-800 workflow. When producing labels on clear facestocks, an opaque white is required to make the design standout. A result can be varying ink layer thicknesses across the web. An uneven thickness of the ink layer will generate a telescoping effect on the printed rolls. In the past, press operators have overcome this by printing smaller rolls, resulting in more frequent roll changes and extra waste in material and time, noted Xeikon. One option to overcome this has been to spend extra time in pre-press to reduce the amount of white required.

This time-consuming pre-press work can now be handled in a fully automated way by the X-800 digital front-end without intervention at any stage in the production process. The X-800 automatically reduces the white layer. The extent of reduction will depend on the colours that come on top of it.

Van Bauwel concluded, ‘Xeikon continues to work towards excellence to enhance every facet of its portfolio. We continue to look for opportunities to make savings on costs and time. By improving each small step of the process, we can make a big difference to the overall production process and reduce manufacturing costs.  Achieving haptic effects in print through the unique capabilities of our X-800 workflow and ink optimisation not only boosts and increases the range of possible applications but allows printers to streamline their operations.’

Ball & Doggett announced the launch of a campaign to reward customers for their Avery Dennison wide format purchases.

Ball & Doggett stock an extensive range of Avery Dennison Self-Adhesive Vinyls and Laminates. This includes monomeric, polymeric, cast, floor graphics, window decals, wall films, overlaminates and much more. Avery Dennison offer perfect self adhesive solutions for transportation, architecture, general signage and short-term advertising and promotion.

Ball & Doggett are giving customers across Australia the chance to win an experience with every $500 ex gst purchased between 1 September to 30 November 2019. Experiences range from a hot air balloon ride, hot laps in a V8, dining experience, harbour cruise, Yarra Valley weekend and many more. Entries can be increased from 1-30 September 2019 by purchasing from the MPI 3300 Easy Apply™ range and customers will receive the equivalent number of tickets to rolls purchased.

“Avery Dennison is a globally recognised brand. All medias are designed, engineered, manufactured and tested for quality and assurance. We want to reward our customers loyalty to Ball & Doggett and the Avery Dennison brand. Not only can our customers benefit from this competition, they will also be eligible for rewards tokens under our new Aspire Loyalty Rewards Program” said Leigh Hooper, National Manager Display & Visual Solutions.

Full competition details can be found by visiting www.ballanddoggett.com.au/competition. Winners of the experience vouchers will be contacted each month.

Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide format inkjet printers and printer cutters, today announced the VersaUV LEF2-300 benchtop UV flatbed printer will be rolled out worldwide. The LEF2-300 is the newest model in the LEF2 series, delivering 1.5-times the print area and print speed of the recently released LEF2-200. It also comes with a range of new functions that make it even easier and more efficient to use.

The LEF2-300 uses UV-LED lamps to instantly cure ink on the surface of materials with UV light, so that photos, graphics and fine text can be printed onto PVC, plastics, canvas, wood, leather, fabric, and other materials with unmatched print quality. Using Clear (transparent) ink produces premium gloss and matte finishes that can be applied in multiple layers for a simulated embossing look and textures that seem amazingly lifelike. UV ink is designed for flexibility and can be used on soft materials such as leather and fabric. The 770 (W) x 330 (D) x100 (H) mm print area of the LEF2-300, combined with its four print heads and two UV lamps, ensures enhanced productivity. 

According to Kohei Tanabe, President of Roland DG's Digital Printing Business Division, new features make printing easier and quicker. “A Multiple Print Function prints the same data again by simply pressing a button on the control panel and a Printer Status Monitor checks the operating status of multiple printers in real-time to promote efficient performance when printing large volumes.” 

“As lifestyles and preferences become increasingly varied, the demand for making one-of-a-kind items or high-mix, small-batch runs, continues to grow,” Kohei said. “The LEF2 series is designed to meet such demand. The devices are capable of on-demand printing quickly onto a diverse range of materials. The addition of the LEF2-300 to the series lineup gives even more customers the ability to print amazing graphics and lifelike textures. We aim to develop more products that encourage customer creativity in order to boost business growth.”

The LEF2-300 comes with a range of new functions that make it even easier and more efficient to use: 
- Print stunning, premium-quality photos, graphics and fine text onto PVC, plastics, canvas, wood, leather, fabric, and other materials with unmatched print quality.
- In addition to CMYK, clear ink produces premium gloss and matte finishes for unique textured effects, and white ink is available to ensure colours pop on dark or clear substrates.
- Optional on-board primer increases efficiency by prepping the surface of materials like acrylic and plastic for full-colour customisation.
- A 770 (W) x 330 (D) x100 (H) mm print area, combined with four print heads and two UV lamps, ensures enhanced productivity.
- A height tolerance of 2mm allows printing onto curved and irregular shapes, and an optional rotary axis jig is available for printing onto bottles and other cylindrical objects.
- An automatic media height system for detecting the thickness of the substrate.
- A Head Refresh Feature removes any ink remaining on the print heads and cleans the print head surface to maintain the health of the printer.
- Should a print head clog, a new Nozzle Mask function allows printing to continue while using the remaining part of the print head.
- A Multiple Print function allows users to perform the next print just by pressing the start button on the machine, without returning to the software.
- A Start Timer function lets users set a time to automatically complete the set-up procedures so the machine is ready to load materials and print straight away.
- “Roland DG Printer Status Monitor" allows users to instantly check the operation status of multiple printers, including printing, waiting, and emergency stop errors on a monitor.
- A built-in vacuum table efficiently and accurately secures thin materials and delicate media.
- Bundled Roland VersaWorks 6 RIP software includes Special Colour Layer Generation for quick and easy printing operation.

To find out more, go to: www.rolanddg.com.au/lef2series

We know that deciding to invest in a laser machine is a big decision.

That is why we are bringing our machines to you. We will be showcasing our latest laser products in Darwin.

This is your opportunity for a personalised demonstration close to home.

Our laser experts will be on-site and available to answer all your laser cutting and laser engraving questions.

If you’d like to check the application for a particular material, bring a sample along and we’ll be happy to run it through.

DATE: Wednesday 9th October 2019
LOCATION: Rydges Darwin Central
TIME: 9am to 6pm

Register Here

Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital production technologies, has announced the opening of Durst Oceania after the successful launch of its P5 technology and innovation platform for large-format specialists at Printex in Sydney. This new branch marks another watershed moment in the proud history of family-owned Durst, which opened its new global headquarters in Brixen, Italy, earlier this year, as it continues to cement its transformation into a highly integrated process service provider.
 
Durst Oceania covers Australia, New Zealand, Tazmania and other outreach markets in the Pacific Ocean. Its headquarters will be close to Melbourne’s international airport and central business district in Tullamarine. The official launch follows the successful conclusion of negotiations to acquire the business interests of Durst distributor Photo Electronic Services – known as PES – based in the north-east of the Australian city. 
 
Durst Oceania Managing Director is long-serving employee Matt Ashman who hails from the UK but has taken up Australian residency. He has been associated with Durst for more than 25 years, first as a customer and then within Durst UK and Ireland’s sales and marketing operation until relocating from England in 2015.
 
“I am delighted to be at the helm of a new era of what I am sure will be sustained growth for Durst in the region,” he said. “The market potential is huge. Durst Oceania is a strong economic region with a young entrepreneurial vibe. Its diverse population represents many different cultures from around the world. Customers in the region have really embraced our innovative technology – particularly the new P5 platform shown at Printex for the first time in August – and software solutions such as Durst Workflow, Dust Analytics and Durst Smart Shop.”
 
Durst Group CEO and joint owner Christoph Gamper, who has led the company’s transition and introduced a new management structure, said: “We are extremely grateful to the work dedication of PES, and would like to put on record our sincere thanks for their support and cooperation as a long-standing Durst distributor. But now we move forward and welcome Durst Oceania to our growing family. Matt and his team epitomise our new business philosophy: a passion for technologies and markets, with innovation as the driver, and provides active collaboration and participation in every area. Durst Oceania is an important strategic step as we continue to shape the future and grow our business. Driven by the mantra of innovation, Durst offers complete solutions from pixel to output.”
 
Durst is a global leader in high-performance printing systems – from image data processing and printing to final product finishing – all from a single source. It employs more than 700 people across the world. At FESPA this year it launched new P5 printing systems with integrated modular software solutions, analytics software and optional expansion with prepress and webshop solutions under the motto "Pixel to Output". The P5 platform setting new standards in print quality comprises the P5 250 HS launched in 2018,  new family members the 350/210 hybrid solutions equipped with LED technology, and the P5 250HS and P5 200 HS featuring MEMS printhead technology. 

Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions today introduced five new satin and gloss metallic colours incorporating vibrant pigments unique to their Supreme Wrapping™ Film portfolio.

These new colours of Hope Green, Passion Red, Fun Purple, Wave Blue and Energetic Yellow offer vehicle owners in Australia and New Zealand exciting ways to show off their personality and originality.

“These bold new colours are designed to add a premium finish, enhancing contours and body work,” said Jordan Leach, Senior Business Manager for Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions in Australia and New Zealand. “With a prestigious metallic finish, the new colours reflect the latest trends in automotive paint. Customers can instantly transform their vehicles to the latest in fashion and style.”

With its high-quality performance, reliability and durability, these new colours feature the patented Avery Dennison Easy Apply RS™ technology, providing high conformability and repositioning capability for the most demanding wrapping applications. The new colours are now available at all authorised distributors. The Avery Dennison Supreme Wrapping Film portfolio boasts of more than 120 colours and finishes for car wraps. For the full range of Supreme Wrapping Film available, please visit graphicsap.averydennison.com.

Dantex will show two versions of its PicoJet inkjet press at Labelexpo Europe 2019.

These digital UV inkjet presses have printing capabilities of 350mm width and 75m/min (250ft/min), with 600 DPI at 2.5pl dot size. Incorporating LED final cure, with temperature-controlled back-up roller for sensitive substrates, PicoJet incorporates static control, web cleaning and corona treatment for printing a wide variety of substrates.

PicoJet is available with a wide range of in-line finishing options: die-cutting, lamination, backslit/edge trim, slitting and rewinding. In addition, a reel-to-reel only version will be on display. The system will demonstrate its Full Variable Data functionality, which runs alongside the press’s operating software.

Dantex will also present an upgraded PicoColour UV inkjet press in CMYK + white or varnish, with HMI touchscreen, chill roller and full variable data.

Alongside Dantex’s well-established photopolymer plate sales activity will be the latest processor technology, AquaFlex 920F, which has been designed to work with the new ‘high speed process’ and filtration-free UV flexo plate, RapidoFlex.

For digital finishing, the company is showing four new fully modular digital finishing machines including hot stamping, embossing and flatbed screen. Other new modules are the Lasx laser die-cutting system, a complete multilayer label module and a high speed non-stop line with Gigafast semi-rotary die-cutting at 160m/min. The system can be upgraded with any modules in the future.

Grafotronic is offering a range of compact machines with three models and for the first time the MCF with a new and operator-friendly design.

Three new inspection slitter rewinders are being introduced at the show. The HI3 for 100 percent inspection and high-speed slitting is the third generation of the HI with hundreds of installations worldwide.

The SR3 is a new vertical slitter rewinder with a lower budget but fully servo driven and the Pharma2 is a ‘200 percent’ re-inspection machine for pharma and security labels. The machine is equipped with inkjet numbering with inspection and automatic set up of tensions and slitting systems.

Grafotronic is also showing converting machines from the DC2 range with four new innovations that will be producing blanks and pre-printed labels during the show.

If life teaches you anything, it’s that no matter what plans you make, fate sometimes has other things in store. For James Sultana, owner of NSW-based sign and display company Grand Print Services, plans for a relaxing life on the coast morphed into a busy new business that now supplies customers around Australia.

There were no grand career aspirations behind James Sultana’s decision to move to the NSW South Coast from Sydney. Rather, he and his wife saw it as an opportunity to spend extra time with their young family in a more relaxed environment. 

But the best laid plans are apt to go astray, as they say – and four years later, James is instead working hard to take his business, Grand Print, to the next stage, with a new factory in Gerringong and a double investment in equipment from Océ Australia.

The move – which will see the company install a top-of-the-range Arizona 1380XT flatbed printer and a ProCut 3200L digital cutting system – is a significant leap for Grand Print, which started with a chance encounter soon after the family’s move.

“I was looking for work and a connection here offered me some signage installation management work” James explains. “With my background in the sign and display industry, project managing installations and expos, it seemed like good work to pick up while I looked for something more permanent.”

Pretty soon, that ‘stop gap’ became almost a full-time occupation, and his clients started to ask for a full ‘turn key solution’

“I had no plans to get back into production, and starting a business was the furthest thing from my mind…but eventually I found a niche in the market to provide a very high level of service for the entire production process, as opposed to just supplying print or just managing the install,” he explains.

For a while, outsourcing the print sufficed, but by late last year, it became apparent that the convenience and control of his own manufacturing facilities would make life easier.

An initial investment in a roll-to-roll machine helped somewhat, but there was still an enormous amount of work that had to be sent out – or, alternatively, assembled manually in-house, like corflute signage, which involved a time-consuming process of printing decals, then mounting on the rollover table and manually trimming. 

After doing some research – prioritising flexibility and reliability – he found the solution in the printer and cutter duo from Océ Australia.

“We had talked to our Océ BDM, Chris Bowden, about their solutions, and we ended up taking a trip to Melbourne to the company’s new Customer Experience Centre, where we were able to see both machines in action,” James explains.

“Chris worked with us to really understand our business requirements and recommend a solution which would answer those needs – and the new workflow from Océ makes the whole solution seamless.”

As a key innovation centre for Canon, a global leader in consumer and professional imaging, Océ invests heavily in R&D. The new Arizona 1300 range draws on more than a decade of flatbed development to provide the sign and display market with a printer which is not only more versatile than competitors, but also more productive.

As well as handling an impressively wide range of media, the high-quality printer’s application versatility is enhanced with innovations like Touchstone software which enables ‘2.5D’ print for raised and textured surfaces, and LED curing – which not only speeds make ready, but also enables the use of Greenguard-certified LED-UV ink – while Arizona Xpert job preparation software turbo-charges productivity. 

 “The flatbed capacity will be a game-changer for us, hugely expanding the range of work we can handle and increasing options for our clients, and I’m really excited about the range of products and print finishes it will allow us to produce,” James says.

The ProCut 3200L – from the Océ range of digital cutters, can cut, mill, polish and engrave on media up to 60mm in depth. The ProCut pairs with the Arizona for seamless large format workflow – from prepress to finishing. Providing automation and ease of use, making it the perfect finishing companion for this flexible printer.

“The ProCut will be an amazing addition, increasing our accuracy and capacity to trim and finish both rigid and flexible products in-house and improving our productivity and profitability,” he adds. “And it’s so easy – we can just print directly onto whatever substrate we’re using, scan the barcode into the digital cutter, and we’re done!”

As well as giving James control over production by bringing a high percentage of jobs in-house, the dual investment also provides capacity for future growth and, together with the planned addition of some new staff resources, sets the stage to give him some much-needed time to reflect on his future business strategy and planning.

“I was talking to someone the other day about how busy I was at work, and they asked me if I really wanted to be spending long hours at the factory every day for the rest of my life. And of course, I don’t – having more time with my family was the reason we moved here in the first place,” he says.

“This new technology from Océ, backed by their technical expertise and local service support, will put me back in control of my future – and that’s a great feeling.”

Imagination Graphics, a professional printing company based in Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west and Konica Minolta National Specialised Print Awards 2018 winner, is the first NSW customer to invest in the AccurioJet KM-1 from Konica Minolta.

Imagination Graphics provides graphic design, print, and pre-press services to help customers maximise the value of their promotional material. Imagination Graphics focuses on delivering high quality outcomes for a reasonable price. The company was on a solid growth path and had gone from strength-to-strength over the past three years. This made it the right time to invest in new technology to support that growth, and future growth.

The AccurioJet KM-1 is a B2+ sheet-fed UV inkjet press that delivers all the quality and versatility of offset printing with the convenience and flexibility of digital printing on any type of stock for projects such as bound books, presentation folders, and packaging.

Emmanuel Buhagiar, director, Imagination Graphics, said, “This investment was a big step for Imagination Graphics, however, it was the right one. We did our due diligence and had faith that the KM-1 and Konica Minolta, as a trusted partner for more than 10 years, would deliver.

“Imagination Graphics chose the KM-1 due to its ability to print on a wide variety of stocks, which gives us great versatility in the types of work we can take on, as well as the colour and quality reproduction and ability to match Pantone colours.

“The KM-1 will open up a whole new market and client base for Imagination Graphics. It will also give us more speed, faster turnaround, the ability to bring work in-house that we have previously had to outsource, and the opportunity to take on short-run projects, which will make us more competitive. For example, using the KM-1, we can print up to 3,000 A2 posters in an hour, all with different designs, which would be far more costly and time-consuming on an offset press. As a customer-focused business, the ability to deliver on time with quality is critical to our success.”

Adam Todd, industrial print solutions consultant, Konica Minolta, said, “Konica Minolta is excited that Imagination Graphics is the first NSW installation of the game-changing KM-1, and the third in Australia. The KM-1 will open up new markets for Imagination Graphics and let it produce a much wider variety of high-value applications for its customers. We are proud that Imagination Graphics has selected Konica Minolta as its strategic partner for this venture.”

Emmanuel Buhagiar said, “Imagination Graphics has worked with Konica Minolta for more than 10 years, and every time we have upgraded our equipment we have seen business growth right up to our last investment, which was the AccurioPress C6100 and C1085. We expect the KM-1 to bring the same benefit.”

This is the first NSW install for the KM-1, the third in Australia, and the 100th globally since its introduction to the market just over two years ago.

Global print industry OEM Inkcups (Danvers, MA) has announced the release of three new pad printers. The ICN-120, ICN-200 and 2200-DLI expand the company’s current pad printer portfolio to produce larger images on longer goods with extended stroke capabilities.

Inkcups ICN-200 Pad Printer.
The ICN-120 is a one-colour pad printer that provides increased flexibility with product decorating and labelling due to larger-area image reproduction – with an extended stroke of eight inches for greater printable area reach. Ideal for the apparel, industrial and safety equipment industries, common applications include: hooded sweatshirts (design location of left chest and neck); apparel sleeves; medical items including sharps disposal containers; denim jean pockets; and tall drinkware such as protein shakers and tumblers. The machine’s 120 mm ink-cup size can print an image up to 4.3 inches in diameter. The ICN-120 also offers an optional pad-cleaning device as an add-on.

The new ICN-200 produces large one-colour prints on injection-moulded plastics, industrial parts and appliances. This industrial pad printer is ideal for one-colour logos, graphics and labels on larger parts up to 11.7 inches tall. In addition to printing large graphics, this machine’s plate accommodates multiple images for smaller parts. The ICN-200 utilises a 200 mm ink cup, 11.8-inch pad stroke length and can print an image size of up to 7.48 inches in diameter. Typical applications include: plastic containers (recycle bin); kitchenware (plastic and metal paper towel dispensers); food storage containers; satellite dishes, and appliance panels.

Inkcups 2200-DLI Pad Printer.
Inkcups’ 2200-DLI Pad Printer is ideal for decorating long, hard goods or small two-up items, allowing multiple image print locations on the same part. The 2200-DLI prints one-colour, 2-up on footwear insoles, promotional products and electronics, including Bluetooth speakers. It also enables printing of multiple images on a single part, such as lacrosse or hockey sticks. It has a 90-mm ink cup with a 6-inch pad stroke length, and can print an image of 2.76 x 8.66 inches on parts up to 10.2 inches tall.

All three new pad printers are delivered as a turnkey package that includes the company’s InkcupCare warranty and service coverage. Inkcups also offers multiple pad printing inks, solvents and other consumables and supplies – along with application testing and sample prints on request.

German thin film technology specialist Kurz has unveiled the new KPW XU cold foil for narrow web printing.

The new development aims to provide converters with a cold foil that combines good processing characteristics and overprintability as well as excellent finishing results. KPW XU is characterized as a versatile grade that offers a high covering power and edge definition, high-gloss finish, and good adhesion when applied.

‘The newly developed cold foil makes processing easy for label printers. Provided the machine and materials have been precisely tailored to one another, trouble-free application of the KPW XU can be expected. Optimal decoration results can be consistently achieved, when using this cold foil, regardless of the design,' said Jens Niemann, head of Application Technology Graphics at Kurz.

The company will be demonstrating the versatility of the new KPW XU cold foil at the upcoming Labelexpo Europe in Brussels this September.  

RISO Kagaku Corp. has launched a new brand of high-speed production inkjet printers. The brand’s first product, the VALEZUS T2100, is a high-speed, 320-ppm full-color cut-sheet printer.

One of RISO’s commanding strengths is the development of inks optimized for high-speed paper feeding and high-speed printing. This expertise enables RISO to deliver unique printing solutions serving the demand for high-volume printing.

By connecting printer engines to print the front and back sides respectively, the VALEZUS T2100 achieves a fast double-sided printing speed of 320 ppm. The VALEZUS T2100 offers a compact footprint for a production printer as well as superior ease of use and maintenance.

With these features, the VALEZUS T2100 increases productivity and dramatically improves work efficiency in high-volume printing. In high-volume printing applications, such as transactional printing at print service providers, in-house printing at financial institutions, insurance companies and government offices, the VALEZUS T2100 opens a world of new possibilities in cut-sheet printing.

The VALEZUS T2100 will be available in the fall, and RISO Inc. will show the inkjet printer at PRINTING United, October 23 - 25 in Dallas.
Main features of the VALEZUS T2100:

The VALEZUS T2100 can print 320 ppm (continuous printing of A4-sized paper with long-edge feed on standard settings) or 19,200 pages per hour (not including cleaning time), based on full-color, double-sided printing of A4-sized paper. Because the VALEZUS T2100 is a cut sheet printer, it can easily handle short-run jobs as well, enabling speedy processing of a diverse range of jobs.

The VALEZUS T2100 is equipped with two high-capacity feeder/stacker units, each capable of feeding and stacking up to 4,000 sheets (total of 8,000 sheets). The two units can be switched while the printer is active, allowing users to load/unload paper without stopping the job. Also, the stacker unit is equipped with a jogger mechanism and dedicated cart, enabling smooth transition to post-processing after printing. The feeder/stacker units are scheduled to be available in the spring of 2020.

The VALEZUS T2100 can fit in existing workflow of customers. It supports PDF and Postscript, generally used in an open system environment as well as AFP/IPDS, which is used as an industry standard for mission-critical production print applications.

The VALEZUS T2100 incorporates an inkjet system that adopts oil-based inks ensuring energy-saving operation. Oil-based inks contribute to energy-saving because there is no need for ink-drying heaters required for water-based inks, and unlike toner-based technologies, there is no heat-fixing process required.

After its successful world premiere in May 2019, Karibu, the new swissQprint roll to roll printer is scheduled to be unveiled in the Asia Pacific region: Sign & Display Show, Tokyo, 29–31 August 2019.

swissQprint will be present at the Sign & Display Show, Tokyo from 29 to 31 August 2019: Aomi Big Sight, hall A, starring Karibu, the first swissQprint roll to roll printer at stand No. 46. Karibu has unique features which swissQprint already presented at the printer’s world premiere at Fespa Munich in May 2019. The highend inkjet printer is now to have its debut in the Asia Pacific region.

High efficiency and versatility

Karibu is a roll to roll printer with swissQprint DNA; reliable, sophisticated and versatile – just as the flatbed printers of this Swiss manufacturers are. Unique features render the printer highly efficient, starting with the quick setup of the material, on to clever vacuum control, and to operation via the newly developed output software. Karibu is precise and delivers first-class print quality. Thanks to cool LED curing the printer processes a wide range of roll material using a specially developed ink set. Hence, it provides great versatility as well as high return on investment.

Toshiba Tec has launched new BA400 mid-range barcode label printers able to achieve increased speeds of up to eight inches per second and offering a wider range of connectivity options.

The next-generation devices feature new processors and enabling multiple printer language emulations to enhance compatibility, and upgradeable operating system for added high degree of future proofing. The new printers also compatible with Toshiba’s unique RFID technology.

BA400 series also features dual-band Wi-Fi, built-in Bluetooth functionality for easy integration with mobile Android and iOS applications, and support for Android NFC pairing to provide on-demand connections via Bluetooth.

There are currently two models available: the BA410 with its metal case, developed for use in demanding manufacturing environments, while the small footprint BA420 is designed for workplaces with a limited space. Both models are available with 203 dpi or 300 dpi print resolutions.

All printers incorporate Toshiba Common Graphic LCD screens, as well as front access media loading. The printers are configured and maintained via a web interface, with support for the Microsoft Windows, iOS and Android operating systems.

Available optional accessories include cutter and peel-off modules, serial interface and Centronics parallel interface boards, wireless LAN modules, UHF RFID kits, expansion I/O boards, RTC (real time clock) modules and fanfold paper guides.