West Sussex, England – 31st May, 2023

Print industry user group Automate Print, a collection of the leading print solution providers is holding its first UK session, at the iconic Kia Oval cricket ground in London, 21st June, 2023.

The Automate Print collective, which consists of Infigo, PrintIQ, Enfocus, and Esko, was created as a platform to collaborate between print industry professions to learn how they can streamline their workflow, capitalise on personalisation and significantly reduce overheads with innovative technology.

The full day event will include interactive sessions and demonstrations as well as drinks and canapés, on the rooftop terrace, for an evening of networking with industry peers. This follows the first highly successful Automate Print held at Top Golf in Las Vegas, in October 2022

The packed day begins with an introduction to each partner (and the part they play in the workflow), including a demonstration to show how an automated web-to-print workflow can be created when the platforms are fully integrated.

This will be followed by an interactive customer panel, Q&A sessions and individual breakouts with the four partners. This means that attendees can see how the platforms work together but also gives them the opportunity to drill down into granular detail on the individual platforms.

The event will be hosted by personalisation expert, Richard Askam, the visionary behind Coca- Cola’s ground-breaking “Share a Coke” marketing campaign.

Richard said: “Personalisation is critical to consider as the print industry continues to evolve. Most consumers expect the ability to personalise their product or packaging, with the same turnaround time or faster. Automating your web-to-print workflow to accommodate this is imperative.”

In short the event will enable users to learn more about automation and integration, discover how their solutions can be integrated further, learn from other customers and get 1-1 time with their solutions provider in a casual setting. So don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to speak to the decision makers that are shaping the future of web-to-print, discover how to fine tune your automated workflow and discuss the future features you’d like to see on the platforms you use daily.

Spaces are limited, so make sure you register now.

Greg Young, Head of Customer Success, Infigo, says: “I look forward to any opportunity to meet up with customers and partners but this is one I’m particularly excited about.

“To get all these experts and our users in the same room is an achievement in itself but to have the entire day for customers to ask whatever they want about the individual platforms is a highly unique opportunity.

“When we first held a similar event in Vegas last year, we were blown away by the feedback, so we’re highly excited that our UK and European customers will be able to get the same insight and grill the leading providers in print automation.

“The fact that there is such a variety of sessions, run by those that are the forefront of developing and integrating the platforms and driving print automation, I think we are all going to learn a lot about the current and future opportunities around web-to-print and where the industry is going.”

George Folickman, Sales Director, Phoenix Software, for Esko, says: “The key to any successful technology company is a keen awareness of the underlying challenges their customers face. More sophisticated automation and integration is required to enable the short runs and fast turnaround times being demanded of our industry, all while strictly managing their overhead.

“Yes, it takes investment, but when you integrate the right platforms, then all of this is possible. We can’t wait to hear more from our clients and how we can help them thrive in challenging conditions. It’s an honour to follow up our event in Las Vegas with our partners who all prioritise automation, open platforms, and connectivity – three drivers that we see as being a requirement for modern technology.”

Rachel Keenan, Channel Manager for DistributorX Solutions Ltd, the Enfocus distributor for the UK & Ireland, says: “The print businesses that have met the challenges over the last few years, have been the ones that have implemented and experimented with automation.

“When you have these different platforms that can be integrated, it reduces the need for rekeying information, cuts down on unnecessary phone calls and emails with clients, reduces errors across the workflow and speeds up the overall turnaround of jobs.

“This is an incredible opportunity for users of all our products to get together, compare notes, share what’s working for them and obviously ask us experts about how different software providers work together and specific points around each platform.”

Rob Thurston, Sales Manager, for PrintIQ, said the day would provide invaluable information for printers in a range of sectors.

He said: “The ability to be flexible with your offering, and your workflow, is imperative to growth. Not only does integrating these platforms help reduce overhead, streamlining the workflow and provide a quicker turnaround than ever before, but it also gives you better oversight and control of how efficiently your business is running.

“With these different platforms you can really drill down into the products, sectors and geographies that are proving to be most popular (and the ones that aren’t) to take a more strategic approach and maximise opportunities.”

For more information about the event, please visit https://www.automateprint.net/.

Irvine, Calif., May 30, 2023 – Large-format imaging leader Roland DGA has announced the addition of two new, uniquely designed media offerings – SoftSign™ Fabric Banner and HeatSoft™ GLAM heat transfer material – to the wide selection of substrates it currently offers for print professionals.

New SoftSign Fabric Banner (RCM-SSFB) is an addition to Roland DGA’s current SoftSign textile line. It’s a heavyweight, 15-mil, 100 percent polyester fabric with an Oxford weave that’s perfect for a variety of banner and décor applications. Compatible with eco-solvent, UV, and resin inks, this 10-ounce fabric allows for a higher-end look and feel than a standard glossy scrim vinyl banner. It’s also easy to work with, hangs beautifully, and doesn’t curl in retractable banner stands. Available in 20” x 75’, 30” x 150’, and 54” x 150’ rolls.

New HeatSoft GLAM (ESM-HTGLM) is a 7.5-mil heat transfer vinyl that is made of white polyurethane film with silver sparkle flecks encapsulated in the film for a smooth, printable surface. It features a heat-activated adhesive that allows for application to different types of fabrics, including cotton, polyester, and poly/cotton blend. As HeatSoft GLAM is a thick, heavy media, it’s best applied to thicker fabrics and garments like sweatshirts, denim, aprons, caps, hats, and tote bags. This media can also be used on T-shirts, but it’s recommended that T-shirt application be limited to small sections or as an accent piece. Designed for use with eco-solvent inks, HeatSoft GLAM is CPSIA certified and Proposition 65 compliant. It’s offered in 20” x 30’ and 30” x 30’ rolls.

“In the case of SoftSign Fabric Banner, customers asked for it and we listened,” said Lily Hunter, Roland DGA’s Senior Product Manager. “We now have an environmentally friendly fabric banner to satisfy a wide range of Roland DG printer users – from owners of VersaSTUDIO desktop devices to TrueVIS large-format customers. We’re equally excited about adding HeatSoft GLAM to our popular HeatSoft heat transfer family. It’s a truly unique media that’s sure to add a little ‘bling’ to your life.”

New SoftSign Fabric Banner and HeatSoft GLAM heat transfer material are available for purchase with a few clicks of the mouse at the Roland DGA Online Store, or through authorized Roland DGA resellers.  

To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

About Roland DG Americas

Roland DG Americas serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, personalization and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries. 

For Immediate Release

SATO Holdings Corporation announces that its consolidated subsidiary SATO International America, Inc. has acquired Stafford Press, Inc., a Redmond, Washington-based company. Stafford Press is a pioneer and market leader in the on-demand tag and labels business for inkjet color on-demand horticulture tag and labels market in North America. The acquisition positions SATO to deliver on-demand tag and label solutions to other industries as well.

Established in 1992, Stafford Press is a pioneer in the field of inkjet horticulture tagging and labeling, boasting the highest market share and a strong customer base in the United States. The retail vertical market, which includes horticulture, is a key focus for SATO’s U.S business, and the company has been providing barcode labels and printers to this segment since 2006.

The acquisition aligns with SATO’s investment strategy within its current medium-term business plan to solidify its business footing in overseas markets for sustainable growth. There are three main objectives to the deal. Firstly, SATO aims to further expand its horticulture label business in North America. Secondly, SATO aims to add inkjet printing as a new option to its existing range of thermal, laser and RFID-based horticulture labeling and tagging solutions.  Lastly, SATO will further grow its auto-ID solutions business by establishing a labeling manufacturing base on the west coast.  

Steve Sundstrom said, “Stafford Press is an excellent addition to the SATO family. They complement SATO America’s business, provide new avenues & markets for growth, and provide us coverage on the west coast. Dave and Kim Long have built a great company with a great team at Stafford and I believe they will fit well with our business and provide significant growth opportunities.”

Stafford Press, which comprises label and tag printing brands SameDay and WestHort, will be operated alongside SATO America, LLC, as it is integrated into SATO. SATO America president Steve Sundstrom will oversee the newly acquired company. 

About SATO

SATO (TOKYO:6287) is a global auto-ID solutions provider for leading companies in manufacturing, logistics, retail, food & beverage and health care. SATO tags every ‘thing’, making them knowable in real time for a connected world of productivity, safety, reassurance and sustainability. An industry pioneer with a focus that is grounded on site, SATO engineers hardware and integrates solutions to streamline the entire supply chain and capture and visualize data from factory to consumer. SATO has 83 years of expertise and a presence in 26 countries with a workforce of 5,637. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, it reported revenues of 142,824 million yen ($1.05 billion*).

 More information about SATO can be found at www.sato-global.com

(UPM, Helsinki, 30 May 2023 at 13:00 EEST) – Finnish beauty brand LUMENE is the first to launch a biobased packaging application with both the jar and label made with UPM’s innovative wood-based material, further processed by SABIC.

LUMENE’s new jar and the self-adhesive label originate from renewable UPM BioVerno™ naphtha, produced by UPM in Finland. The naphtha is processed into certified renewable polypropylene by SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, and then converted both into commonly recyclable cosmetics containers and product labels printed on UPM Raflatac Forest Film™ label material.

LUMENE, a Nordic pioneer in circular beauty for over 20 years, chose to use biobased raw material in order to reduce the carbon footprint of their packaging.

“By cooperating with UPM and SABIC we are taking the next important step in our sustainability journey and driving transition to renewable resources. LUMENE’s ambition is to have 80% of its packaging made from recycled and biobased plastics by 2025,” says Essi Arola, Head of R&D Packaging and Sustainability at LUMENE.

“We are committed to replacing fossil-based feedstocks with renewable ones. This collaboration with LUMENE, SABIC and UPM Raflatac is an excellent example of a future beyond fossils, which is a key driver for UPM going forward,” explains Juha Rainio, Sales and Marketing Director at UPM Biofuels.

Joint effort to reduce fossil-based plastic in packaging

This pioneering cooperation, in which both LUMENE’s jar and film label are made with renewable raw materials, reduces the need for fossil-based plastics by over 60 tons per year while also reducing the packaging’s carbon footprint significantly in 1,5 million jars annually.

The process begins when tall oil, a residue of the pulping process, is used to produce UPM BioVerno™ by UPM Biofuels. The wood-based renewable naphtha can be used to replace fossil raw materials in various end uses.

UPM BioVerno is then further processed by SABIC to make certified renewable polypropylene from their TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio. These certified renewable solutions, specifically resins and chemicals from biobased feedstock, are not in direct competition with the food chain and can contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

“We firmly believe that collaboration and innovation are driving the sustainable transformation of our industry. SABIC’s certified renewable materials demonstrate how our TRUCIRCLE solutions can contribute toward our shared goals for carbon neutrality. We are delighted to work with our value chain partners LUMENE and UPM Biofuels as a further step towards creating a more circular and sustainable economy for plastics,” tells Lada Kurelec, General Manager, PP & E4PS Business at SABIC.

By applying the mass balance approach1, LUMENE’s jar producer is able to create commonly recyclable jars from the certified renewable polypropylene with a reduced environmental impact. This innovative package is topped with UPM Forest Film™ – a world’s first film label material made with wood-based biomaterials.

“It’s inspiring to work with passionate brands with ambitions to go beyond fossils. LUMENE took a holistic view of the whole package – using renewable fossil-free feedstocks in the primary plastic as well as the label. Both are critical to the brand experience and integral to the circularity and climate performance of packaging,” adds Eliisa Laurikainen, Business Development Manager at UPM Raflatac.

All parties in the supply chain have ISCC PLUS sustainability certification and a verified amount of biobased feedstock is put into the manufacturing process to produce the certified renewable plastic packaging.

LUMENE’s new moisturizer jars will have a reduced carbon footprint while using both a biobased jar and product label.

Reducing the use of fossil materials is a worldwide challenge and one of the best ways of tackling it is collaboration in the value chain. LUMENE, SABIC and UPM have joined forces to drive change in the packaging industry.

Irvine, Calif., May 25, 2023 – Wide-format imaging leader Roland DGA will be hosting a special open house event at its Atlanta Imagination Center on June 27, 2023, making it easy for print professionals within the region to see the very latest Roland DG technologies in action. Roland DGA will be conducting live, hands-on demonstrations of recent product introductions such as the TrueVIS™ LG Series UV printer/cutters, TrueVIS™ AP-640 Resin printer, VersaOBJECT™ CO Series flatbed and hybrid UV printers, and new Rotary Rack attachments for printing directly on cylindrical objects with Roland DG flatbeds. In addition, the Atlanta Open House will enable attendees to get a firsthand look at larger Roland DG products that are not commonly found in reseller showrooms, like the IU-1000F high-volume UV flatbed printer. 

Those attending the event will also have an opportunity to discuss their business needs with Roland DGA’s product managers and obtain expert advice on which Roland DG solutions best suit their specific requirements.  With the opening of its Atlanta office just a year ago, Roland DGA now offers resellers and potential customers in the region a place for product demonstrations on a regular basis – without the need to travel to or wait for industry events – while hosting trainings and special events as well.

“With this open house taking place in our Atlanta office, it will be convenient for prospective customers in the Southeastern U.S. to attend, get familiar with our newest products, and discover how these amazing devices can help build their respective businesses,” said Roland DGA’s Vice President of Sales, Dan Johansen. “Along with the informative product demos and one-on-one consultations, there will be food, drinks, and plenty of excitement.” 

For additional details on the Roland DGA Atlanta Open House, or to register online to attend the event, click here.

To learn more about Roland DGA or the complete Roland DGA product line, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

About Roland DG Americas

Roland DG Americas serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution, and service arm for Roland DG Corporation. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers for the sign, apparel, textile, personalization and vehicle graphics markets; engravers for awards, giftware and ADA signage; photo impact printers for direct part marking; and 3D printers and CNC milling machines for the dental CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, part manufacturing and medical industries.

Schaumburg, IL – May 24, 2023 – INX International Ink Co. today announced the hiring of Paul Edwards as the new Vice President of the Digital Division. A longtime and successful printing industry executive, he reports to President and Chief Executive Officer Bryce Kristo.

Edwards joins INX after serving as the Vice President of Ink Technology at EFI since 2011. He directed a team of more than 60 chemists while leading the product development effort and maximized innovation for several business units, including display graphics, ceramics, textile, corrugated, wood and labels. He also managed the print-head technology and analysis group.

He was promoted to that position after serving as the Senior Director of Ink Research & Development for nearly three years. All told, Edwards was at the company for 19 years after beginning as the Director of Development at Jetrion in 2004. He began his career in the U.K. as a Project Manager and worked in technical positions at Domino Printing and Flint.

“We are very excited to have Paul Edwards join the INX International Ink Co. team,” said Kristo. “He brings with him over 30 years of leadership and technological experience within the analog and digital imaging field, both from a fluids and printing system perspective. We are focused on digital printing as a primary growth platform. His extensive experience in executing strategy within this market space will greatly help us drive this growth effort successfully in the future. 

“The Sakata INX Group has a long and successful history of providing quality inks and technology. I am excited to be part of the INX family and be able to create differentiated and high performing digital products for our customers,” said Edwards. “For much of my career, I have been involved with driving the analog to digital revolution in print, and in the development and commercialization of digital inks, coatings, and printing systems. Over the last few years INX has embarked on a digital journey for their customers, and I know my skills and experience can help accelerate the progress made by the team.” 

About INX International Ink Co.

INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America, with full service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of Sakata INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services. To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit the website.

STOW, Ohio – May 24, 2023 – Mactac®, a LINTEC Company, is acquiring Label Supply, headquartered in Ontario, Canada. Label Supply has been servicing the Canadian roll label market for more than three decades. 

The acquisition is expected to close June 1, 2023, and consists of an established, turnkey facility with 11 finishing assets, a comprehensive transportation/shipping fleet, robust laboratory and technical resource group, and an in-house ink partner. With the added support of Mactac, Label Supply benefits from a larger customer base, capital access, information technology, and broad, consistent product supply. 

The acquisition expands the geographic reach of both companies in the Canadian market, creating a unique service and product offering that provides specialty products, service, and large quantities to more customers throughout Eastern Canada. 

“Label Supply runs a highly successful business that is fast, agile and customer service centric.  They excel at meeting small to medium converters’ needs within Ontario, Canada, particularly the greater Toronto region,” said Ed LaForge, Mactac President and CEO. “This acquisition, like others we’ve made within the past two years, will build upon the proven success of Label Supply. We will enhance what they do by broadening service throughout Eastern Canada and providing additional equipment and technology solutions that will also meet the needs of the region’s larger customers.”

Expanding the operational and commercial capabilities of Label Supply, Mactac will invest in the facility’s resources, technology, and equipment, including adding high-volume slitting assets designed for larger material rolls. Mactac will expand product offerings, adding LINTEC high-performance products and others, while ensuring supply stability. 

“Adding additional commercial resources, product portfolios and assets to a talented Label Supply team is an exciting opportunity for the Canadian market,” said Kevin Clunie, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mactac.

“The way Mactac does business aligns with our business values,” said Jake Rempel, Founder of Label Supply. “We chose Mactac because they have a large international footprint, but they value and appreciate customers and employees. We look forward to being part of the Mactac team and are excited to see Label Supply grow with the support and backing of Mactac.” 

Mactac continues to invest and expand within the North American label market through recent asset expansion and strategic business acquisitions, including Duramark Products (formally Ritrama USA), Spinnaker Coating, LLC, CSI – Southern California and now Label Supply. Mactac is committed to delivering the roll label market and its customers enhanced products, services and technology, supply chain continuity, added reliability and unmatched value. 

As one of the largest, diversified global pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) suppliers, with 16 slitting and distribution sites across North America, Mactac is positioned to provide industry leading service to the North American market. Mactac and its parent company, LINTEC, a global leader in the field of adhesive materials, will continue to heavily invest in R&D, operational enhancements, and market growth. 

For more information, visit www.mactac.com.

MAPP, or Mark Andy Print Products to give it its full title, is the fastest growing sector of the American narrow web press manufacturer’s portfolio.  We look behind the scenes with Dave Telken in the US, and Andy Clarke in the UK.

Created in 2013 as a strategic part of Mark Andy’s plan to offer a single-source supply of printing and converting technology and all associated consumables, business for MAPP has really taken off!

With market-leading brand names onboard, including Dupont, tesa, Esko, and Konica Minolta, MAPP also offers spare parts and small converting machines amongst its range of doctor blades, tapes, alcohol, chiller fluid, flexo chemistry and offset supplies.  

The principal aim is to make sourcing supplies as simple and pain-free as possible for all customers, but it required a major investment from Mark Andy to secure the means to deliver on the promise.

Dave Telken explained: “The US facility is based in Earth City, MO, close to Mark Andy’s HQ, has 66,000 sq.ft. of space and houses over 33,000 press room items that are usually delivered within 24 hours of ordering, and in some cases, the same day.  We now ship more than 5,000 packages each month, which keeps our staff of 15 extremely busy, so you can see it’s no small operation.”

The UK Facility in Macclesfield is the company’s European distribution location where Mark Andy stocks printing machine replacement parts and an ever-growing range of printing consumables for Flexo, Digital, and Offset machines all in the same location, making it easier for customers to combine orders from one trusted supplier for problems they face every day in the workplace.

Speaking for Mark Andy UK, Andy Clarke added: “Our purpose-built slitting facility and our large stock of tesa tapes allows us to respond quickly to any requests.  We can provide tesa plate mounting tapes at any width required, which combined with our express shipping, makes next day delivery a reality.  Feedback from our customers is very positive – what they appreciate most is the simplicity of ordering and reliable delivery from a single source supplier – if we can make their life easier, we’re well on the way to becoming the perfect partner.”

(UPM Raflatac, Helsinki, 24 May 2023 at 10:00 EEST) – UPM Raflatac’s ambition is to be the first label materials company beyond fossils. The company takes climate action by increasing the use of certified papers and the traceability of other biobased materials, by fostering a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and by developing innovative solutions that meet the needs of sustainably minded brands and companies.

UPM Raflatac’s RAFNXT+ product range is a prime example of the company’s determined efforts to provide products that help customers reduce the carbon footprint of their labels. In 2019, it became the world’s first label material verified by the Carbon Trust, a global climate change and sustainability consultancy. In 2022, Raflatac customers avoided and reduced label material carbon emissions by over 5,000 tons of CO2e (CO2 equivalent) simply by selecting RAFNXT+ labels instead of standard label materials. According to EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, this equals over 1,100 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.

“As the latest IPCC report shows, the current pace and scale of climate action is insufficient. We all need to take climate action both today and in the future. RAFNXT+ is a readily available label material solution for brands and customers that want to take a step towards lower emissions today. We must increase momentum and make smart choices in packaging that deliver a low-carbon future,” says Satu Leppänen, Sustainability Manager at UPM Raflatac.

The RAFNXT+ product range has on average an 11% lower carbon footprint compared to standard label materials. Its superior carbon performance has been calculated using UPM Raflatac’s life cycle assessment (LCA) service known as Label Life by UPM Raflatac. LCA is an internationally accepted standardized method for analyzing the environmental impacts of products. The cradle-to-gate calculation of the RAFNXT+ carbon footprints has been verified by the Carbon Trust according to the PAS 2050 standard.

Through smarter use and choice of paper raw materials originating from sustainably managed forests, recycled materials, and other controlled sources, RAFNXT+ range also supports the capacity of forests to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

UPM Raflatac is determined to take concrete steps to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of its operations and continue developing leading solutions for its customers. At the end of the day, sustainability is a joint effort. The company partners with multiple organizations and global experts that share its vision of a sustainable, low-carbon future beyond fossils.