Jo's helpline

trade printers

John Thompson — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:48:35 GMT

Im currently on the lookout for a trade print supplier with low prices can anyone help? I use a company who can offer me 5000 A5 leaflets 130gsm for £38 including free delivery throughout the uk and ireland. Would anyone have any other recommendations keeping that sort of price in mind?

Print on Fruit

Harry Bawbags — Fri, 03 May 2013 07:13:30 GMT

I run a small greengrocers and I would like to print an image of an orange on an apple if possible. In effect i want to cover the whole apple so it takes on the appearence of an orange. This could turn out to be quite a large order if it takes off, i may also want to extend the idea to printing banana image on cucumber. Do you know anyone who could help?

Print buying software

Jo Francis — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:52:04 GMT

This question has popped up via LinkedIn.

Can anyone recommend a print procurement software package?

Jack Weiss, via LinkedIn

It's going to depend on your requirements, but here's a selection of suggestions, with thanks to Laura McClennon at Haymarket Media, Matthew Parker at Print & Procurement, and Andrew Moss at AM:PM for their input.

If you have a large print spend and a complicated range of products try Neil Smith at print procurement consultants Blue Buffalo.
www.bluebuffalo.co.uk

Claritum has an online solution that encompasses more than print.
www.claritum.com

Speedquote has been suggested for smaller, one-off purchases. www.speedquote.co.uk

Webmart has developed very clever print buying software so worth talking to Simon Biltcliffe there.
www.webmartuk.com

For e-tenders try e-RFX from Trade Interchange.
www.tradeinterchange.com/eRFX.aspx

And remember that a human with know-how also helps a lot! As Andrew Moss puts it: "I have yet to see a package that can beat the experience of a professional print buyer/print manager".

Hopefully this is useful. Other suggestions welcome, as always.

Printing onto notebook covers

Jo Francis — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:52:05 GMT

From PrintWeek, 1st March edition:

I want to find an economical way of printing onto small notebooks that are about 5mm thick. The notebooks have a brown, uncoated cover.

A, via email

You might want to investigate the transfer paper range at The Magic Touch - they have various types and a while back they sent me a personalised notebook to show off the results (this was a hardcover notebook) and it looked really good. Still does, in fact.
They have papers, printers, and all the kit for applying this stuff onto various objects. It might be that you could print the special paper on an existing printer.
www.themagictouch.co.uk

Tel: 01582 671444.

They are usually very helpful chaps, so if you phone and explain what you want to achieve, they'll know whether it's feasible or not.

Alternatively, a simple pad printing system like these from Creative Printers in London might be appropriate.

See www.padprinters.co.uk/

Or, depending upon your budget and likely volumes required, something like this UJF-3042 inkjet printer from Mimaki, which can print on items up to 50mm thick could do the trick.
www.mimakieurope.com

Hope this helps.

Other suggestions welcome, as always.

European book printers

steven Showler — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 14:46:26 GMT

Hi there, I have a very interesting project coming up, a bespoke US A4 format book, possibly with specialist covers such as wood veneer, sections would include several different paper stocks. Whilst this would normally be a small run specialist job we are looking to produce approx 5K-10K copies, therefore I've been asked to look at the European book printing market place, not entirely sure where to start with this, any ideas on potential suppliers or supplier lists? Many Thanks Steve

Vexed by UV onto vinyl

Jo Francis — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:52:27 GMT

This problem was posted on PrintWeek's LinkedIn group:

I'm having problems with ink adhesion onto self adhesive vinyl printed using UV Litho, the ink scratches off easily in certain areas. I'm being told all sorts of reasons by the printer but I want to try and understand more from people with a neutral point of view. Any help appreciated.

Scott Dunn

I spoke to an ink supplier, and a specialist UV printing company.

There are lots of possible variables at play here. The printer, Reflex Printed Plastics in Kent, said that if the ink is falling off it is invariably a materials issue.

Or it could be that it wasn't printed properly, or a combination of things!

And Grant Penfield at Druckfarben also said it was important to use the correct materials for this particular printing process, and to ensure the UV ink was being applied and cured properly.

Both said that people who do UV occasionally tend to have problems, whereas people who do it all the time should know what they're doing.

Hope the job turned out OK in the end.

All the best
Jo

NCR numbered and coded

Jo Francis — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 07:40:00 GMT

This question has come in from a reader:

I'm trying to find a supplier who can produce NCR pads with sequential numbering AND sequential barcoding that matches the number. The barcoding aspect is proving problematic. Can you suggest anyone?

Steve

You're right, plenty of people can produce NCR forms with numbering, not so many have a barcoding facility too. Here's a selection of firms that do, hopefully it will give you enough options for your job.

Abbot Print 01442 867600 www.abbotprint.com

ATec Print 01706 643050 www. Atecprint.com

Integrity Print 01761 409201 www.integrity-print.com

Rotaset 01507 472473 www.rotaset.co.uk

Any other suggestions welcome, as always.

Hamada Service Engineer

Michael Jones — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 17:08:51 GMT

Hi i am looking for a service engineer for our Hamada H234K machines in the North West of England as the chap who used to do these left the industry. If anyone can help please let me know thanks Mike

A4 Booklets

David Barlow — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:08:32 GMT

We have a need for a 12 page A4 booklet but the sheets need to be fastened together without staples or other small parts. Since the job is to be used in a food production facility there must be no danger of staples or other things falling into the food. The sheets can be either 6 A4 sheets or 3 A3 sheet folded as long as they are fastened together somehow. The run length will probably be 4,000 or 5,000. Any ideas?

A4 Booklets

David Barlow — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:24:28 GMT

We have a need for a 12 page A4 booklet but the sheets need to be fastened together without staples or other small parts. Since the job is to be used in a food production facility there must be no danger of staples or other things falling into the food. The sheets can be either 6 A4 sheets or 3 A3 sheet folded as long as they are fastened together somehow. The job is black on white 80gsm copier and the run length will probably be 4,000 or 5,000. Any ideas?

Who can produce hybrid mail?

Jo Francis — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:05:51 GMT

This question has come in via the PrintWeek Group on LinkedIn.

I am looking to speak to UK organisations that have Hybrid Mail capabilities. Can you suggest some contacts?

Seline, The Mailing Associates

Try GI Solutions www.gi-solutionsgroup.com

UK Mail www.ukmail.com

Integrity Print www.integrity-print.com

CFH Docmail www.cfhdocmail.com

Mailadoc www.mailadoc.co.uk

CMS Managed Mail www.cmsnetwork.co.uk

Some of the above do the actual printing, some work with partners.

With special thanks to David Palmer-Jeffrey for helping me compile this list.

Hope this helps.

Short-run packaging

Jo Francis — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 19:09:56 GMT

This query has come in from a reader:

We would like to print 50 chocolate boxes, preferably with hot foil. Any printers out there can do such small quantities?

Molly, via the PrintWeek Group on LinkedIn

Have you tried RCS? They put a Screen B2 inkjet press in last year, and one of the specific applications for it was short-run packaging. www.rcs.plc.uk 01777 711001

Rod Fisher at Print-Leeds also chipped in on this thread, saying Print-Leeds (http://www.print-leeds.co.uk)offers this service in-house. Call 0113 290 0340 and ask for Nicole.

Lastly, Claire Turner at www.cheapleaflets.co.uk of Croydon says her firm can also do packaging.

Thanks for the input, all, much appreciated.

Laser cutting quest

Jo Francis — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 10:20:50 GMT

This query has come in from a reader:

Do you have any contacts for a company that can do laser cutting on paper/card?

George, via Twitter

Try Papershapers www.papershapers.co.uk or Trilogy Lasercraft www.lasercraft.co.uk

Hope this helps, any other laser cutting specialists out there, please do get in touch. I've a nagging feeling I've missed someone off.

Cheers

Seeking alternative to PVC

Jo Francis — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 09:48:32 GMT

This question has come in from a reader:

I am looking for the best material to use for a 2m wide roller banner as an alternative to banner grade PVC. Any suggestions?

Chris Payne, Wallace Print

I've contacted Fujifilm and the recommendation from Euromedia, the firm's specialist wide-format division, is a substrate called DreamTex. This is a polyester fabric that is rollable and has "good weight", making it stable enough for your application.

See www.euromedia.eu.com/gb/home.html or call 0845 006 006.

In a similar vein, Antalis sells a range of heavy-duty polyester display textiles under its Coala range. See

www.antalis.co.uk/coala/coala_home.aspx or call 020 8390 6888 or 01925 868 650 for more info.

Hope this helps, I hear some other non-PVC materials are in the pipeline too, and will report back with details when available.

If anyone has any other suggestions, please let me know.

Cheers

Anti-bacterial coatings?

Simon Dawlish — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:37:20 GMT

We are about to launch a new publication for use in doctor's, dentists and hospital waiting rooms and it's essential that the covers and all pages have an antibacterial coating. There's no room for compromise on this, but we need to find the most cost effective method available. All suggestions would be welcome please..

Biodegradable plastic envelopes

Jo Francis — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 09:29:46 GMT

This query has come in from a reader:

We need to print 43,000 biodegradable plastic envelopes. Can you suggest some potential suppliers?
J, via email

Try Templecoombe, their product range includes various types of carrier bags as well as the mailing bags you require. Their minimum quantity is just 1,000 unlike someone else I spoke to where it was a quarter of a tonne.

Contact: www.templecoombe.co.uk Tel 01234 712121

Hope this helps. Happy to hear from other suppliers who can handle this sort of job, too. Please get in touch.

Cheers

A vote of confidence in the future of print

Alex Scott — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:54:01 GMT

Thought you might be interested to see the following press release from Whitmar Publications. A vote of confidence in our industry if ever I saw one!

LATEST: Whitmar Publications Ltd has announced that from January 2013 Print & Paper Monthly magazine will no longer be published in a printed format, however its online presence will be expanded allowing a greater diversity of information.

If you would like more information please contact Rob Mulligan, publisher on +44 (0)1892 779592 or e-mail rob.m@whitmar.co.uk

Digital print and fulfilment

Jo Francis — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:48:51 GMT

This question has come in from a reader:

I need to find a digital print firm that has multiple engines (good ones), has online variable data apps such as DirectSmile, is able to do some web development, and, most importantly is able to do fulfilment and send our printed product direct to end customers. Can you help?

Alan, via email

Here are some possible suppliers:

Precision Printing http://www.precisionprinting.co.uk/

First Byte. http://www.1stbyte.co.uk/

Harrier http://www.harrierllc.co.uk

Sherwood Press http://www.sherwood-press.co.uk/sherwood-digital/

Rapidity http://rapidity.com/

Tangent http://tangentplc.com/

No doubt I've missed someone terribly obvious off. Please get in touch if this sort of requirement is up your street.

Cheers

Bespoke printed splashback

Jo Francis — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 16:45:04 GMT

Apologies for the late filing of this question from last week:

We want to get a personalised design printed onto a glass or perspex splash back - can you recommend anyone?

Katie, via email

I put a shout-out on PrintWeek's LinkedIn group about this, which has garnered a host of useful responses.

Andrew Pearce at the IPIA suggested Logoshack Ltd, www.logoshackltd.com Contact Keith Tinkler on 07584 235902.

Steven Clegg at Print Related offered his firm's services sales@printrelated.co.uk

Adrian Sleeman at Sleeman Creative Print said his firm "has produced quite a lot of this kind of work using flat bed digital print and have also experience in three dimensional forming and laser cutting of Perspex and Acrylic. adrian_ascpc@yahoo.com

Justin Smale at Wallace Print Group says: "We do a lot of this type of work on our digital flat bed, up to 40mm thick plus we have white so no need for vinyl back ups. Send me details if you would like to see what we could offer." http://www.wallaceprint.com/

Andrew Alia at Fosco hayes Hurdley says: "This is something we can do, drop me a line with the details and i will get a very competitive price over to you" andrew@foscos.co.uk

Gary Smith at Rival Print Management says: "Yes we manage these projects on a very competitive rate!" Tel 020 7538 0805

Emma Borland recommended Screaming Colour, which can apparently now do this type of work. Try Jack Trodd on 020 7549 3000

Last but not least, Ian Whitfield at Alpha Media Solutions recommended Crystal Galleries Jem or Jo Lowes 01642 225799

Many thanks for the info all, hopefully Katie will find the perfect supplier for her needs among the above.

Cheers

Xerox 700i

Gary Trotter — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 10:56:57 GMT

Hi I print wedding invitations and christmas cards from orders received via websites. It is basically a niche web to print business. I therefore spend most of the time running 300gsm board through my machine. I currently run a Xerox 242 and am thinking of upgrading to a Xerox700i. The two key benefits as I see then are the ability to run 300gsm board auto duplex and I think I can expect it to be a bit quicker on the heavier boards. I get this from the specs but I am wondering if anyone out there has a Xerox 700i and can give me any real world feedbacl about running 300gsm board auto duplex. is it any good registration wise? Thanks

Gary
DigiPrint School Christmas Cards

Dimensions dispute

Jo Francis — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:41:33 GMT

This question has come in from a reader:

Are you able to help with this one, I’ve tried googling and the BPIF website but can’t get a definitive answer on this question.
When specifying a paper size which comes first Height x Width or Width x Height, it’s causing a few heated discussions here and studio say because of x y co-ordinates it’s W x H but production say it’s H x W – is there a standard for the print industry?
Alan Manger, Jarvis Print

This is a very interesting question. I have struggled to find a definitive source but I'm hoping someone will dig out their old London College of Printing course notes.

Having canvassed a selection of veteran (ahem, perhaps "highly-experienced" is a better description) print pros, they are all adamant that it is H x W - the spine dimension is always first.

That way, if the dimensions are 297x210mm there is no need to say "portrait" because everyone knows what the orientation should be.

Apparently they used to use some sort of mnemonic at LCP to help students remember this, something to do with going down the stairs and out of the door - am trying to find out precisely what that was too!

Perhaps this explains why your production dept was so adamant about it being H x W.

I will continue to try and find a definitive reference for you - if anyone can point me in the direction of such a thing, would be most grateful.

Cheers

Business cards with edge printing and photographic image

Tim Jones — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:42:54 GMT

Zoe has asked if she can have business cards printed with a photographic image and edge painting. Yes, she can. You won';t see it often as for edge painting the card needs to be very thick, so is unsuitable for most digital processes. So it isn't cheap. We can help if she'd like to contact us: www.carfaxltd.co.uk.

Tim Jones

Coating kit query

Jo Francis — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:14:13 GMT

This question has come in from a reader:

I'm searching for some information on suppliers of off-line gloss coating machines. I know there are manufacturers such as Autobond, Billhofer and Steinemann who do them. Can you direct me to where I can get a full list?
Malcolm McReath, via email

We don't currently have coating machines as a separate category in our Buyers' Guide, but perhaps it's something to consider for the future.

Here's a few more possible additions for your list, it's quite a broad church these days, so I've included some of the compact systems aimed at short-runs, such as those from Duplo and Morgana:

SPS TechnoScreen www.sps-technoscreen.com

Delpro www.delpro.co.uk

Harris & Bruno www.harris-bruno.de

Kompac www.kompactech.com

Morgana www.morgana.co.uk

Friedheim International (for Komfi) www.friedheim.co.uk

Duplo www.duplouk.com (for Ultra coaters)

MGI www.mgitechnology.co.uk

Scodix www.scodix.com

Hope this helps. I'm sure there'll be more so please do chip in with any pointers.

Cheers

Digital printing of decals with white ink

Jo Francis — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 10:34:15 GMT

This query has come in from a reader:

I'm looking into producing a decal-type product in short runs, which would also require white ink. Can you recommend a digital printing device that would be suitable for this application?
S, via email

Tabletop press

Jo Francis — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 18:54:53 GMT

This question has come in from a reader.

Can anyone help please? I need a table top/portable press for letterpress printing.
Jo Roberts, via Twitter

This is not really the realm of PrintWeek's sister site for used machinery, PressXchange - although I might suggest they set up a special section for letterpress kit, given its popularity.

I suggested Caslon for Adana tabletop letterpress kit, but it turns out Jo wants something with a larger print bed for wooden type.

In which case you're probably best-off setting up some alerts on eBay and keeping an eye on the 'sales and wants' section on the British Printing Society's website www.bpsnet.co.uk.

Hope this helps and you find a press to suit.

Cheers