May 3rd, 2011

In this week's newsletter  Editor's note, Pick of the news, Features, Interview, Talk Print!, On the calendar, Video of the week, Get in touch

Editor's note

The bunting's coming down, indicating a return to work, and normality, for most of us. For me, especially, as I've also been on holiday, and I'd like to thank our deputy editor Camilla Corr for handling things last week.

And there's certainly a lot to do. This week on Output we have a look at the surge of new machines introduced recently to the wide-format print market, we talk exclusively to Spandex about its new distribution agreement with Durst, and there's heaps of news about the trade fairs on the horizon. Speaking of which, scroll down to hear the new drupa song – it'll be stuck in your head for months.

Somehow even a couple of days sheared off a month makes for feelings ranging from panic over fitting a week's work into a few days, to the end-of-term muck-about holiday feeling, all of which are tricky to shake off. If you don't quite feel like getting immersed in work yet, why not get in touch and tell us what you should be working on, or upload some pictures of your projects to our Tumblr site.

Happy Outputting.

Morwenna Kearns, managing editor
www.twitter.com/morwennakearns
morwenna@outputmagazine.com

Pick of the news

Ocean's Two Towers shows royal wedding as it happens
Digital signage Ocean Outdoor says it achieved a media first last Friday by displaying photographs of the royal wedding as the events unfolded on its Two Towers digital signage sites in London. Read more >>>

Caldera upgrades CostView software to include carbon footprint monitor
Wide-format print Caldera has announced that version 3.0 of its CostView print management software will include a module that allows for the analysis of carbon emissions alongside other job considerations. Read more >>>

Scala moves into 'important emerging marketplace': India
Digital signage Scala, which currently drives some 500,000 digital displays globally, has announced a decision to branch out into the Indian market, leading it to establish Scala India. Read more >>>

Fastsigns adds QR codes to product arsenal
Sign-making Fastsigns will now offer its customers QR code integration with its product range, a move which it says will allow businesses to have an additional means of connecting with potential customers. Read more >>>

Canon and Océ post financial results for Q1 2011
Wide-format print Canon has reported a fall in operating profit of five percent in Q1 2011 while Océ, which it now owns, made a net loss of €6.1m (£5.41m) in the same period. Read more >>>

ISA to serve as launchpad for latest version of Delcam 3D sign-making software
Sign-making The International Sign Expo (ISA) played host to the introduction of Delcam's low-cost version of its ArtCAM CADCAM software, designed for use by 3D sign-makers. Read more >>>

Durst creates dedicated textile business unit
Wide-format print Durst has announced that it will launch a new division of its business at FESPA Digital to concentrate solely on textile printing technologies. Read more >>>

Latest Arizona flat-beds to 'open doors' to new applications
Wide-format print Océ has launched an upgrade to its 'best-selling' series of UV-curable wide-format printers in the Arizona 360 GT and 360 XT flat-beds, which incorporate enhancements such as lower-energy curing and a new style of table top. Read more >>>

Fujifilm brings latest Acuity Advance flat-beds to market
Wide-format print The new Acuity Advance and Advance X2 from Fujifilm will offer 'functional improvements and enhanced value' for users, the company says, and include a High Definition print mode for the production of fine details. Read more >>>

DSE Apex Awards open for entries
Digital signage Entries are now being accepted for the 2012 Digital Signage Expo (DSE) annual Apex Awards, the organiser has announced. The programme will feature new categories and other improvements. Read more >>>

Features

Wide-format print

Small but perfectly formed: the route to small-size products for wide-format printers

Sophie Matthews-Paul predicts a growth in narrower output, and explains why it will add value to the market.

Wide-format print

A royal slew of new printers: making sense of the new launches

James Matthews-Paul looks at the wealth of new wide-format equipment that has hit the market in the past week.

Talk Print!

This emperor has plenty of new clothes: HP's new Scitex LX offerings

Sophie Matthews-Paul looks at the latest additions to HP's Latex line of wide-format printing technologies.

Interview

Exclusive interview: Alpha to Omega: Spandex's journey to the Durst Omega 1

Spandex's Leon Watson talks exclusively to James Matthews-Paul about what the new agency agreement with Durst means for his company, the significance of the Omega 1's entry into the British wide-format printing marketplace, and the ramifications for Spandex's previous UV-curable technologies in light of the announcement.

On the calendar

The last Northprint in 2009 was reported as something of a casualty of the recession, but the 2011 shows signs of being back to good health. This time round it will feature a dedicated Wide Format Applications Showcase and the return of the Printers' Profit Zone, which made its debut at Ipex 2010. http://www.northprintexpo.com/

'The very best digital signage, digital out-of-home and digital place-based media solutions' is the draw of Screenmedia, according to its exhibitors. This year's show will include four free education programmes. http://www.screenevents.co.uk/screenexpo2011

Evolution is the theme for this year's FESPA Digital exhibition, urging digital printers to look at growth through adaptation. FESPA Fabric and the complementary Digital Textile Conference will be co-located with the digital expo to provide a 'campus' feeling, says the organisation. http://www.fespa.com/digital, http://www.fespa.com/fabric and http://www.fespa.com/dtc

Video of the week

Drupa marks one year until opening with latest song

The drupa songs have a cult fascination within the printing industry, bordering as they do that fine line between hilarious and hideous. This outing is no different, picking up on low-hertz bass frequencies from recent dance/pop tracks and combining it with the standard, inoffensive inanity of Messe lyricists: 'Where your partners are, profit can't be far,' apparently. There's also more than a hint of Lady Gaga's Poker Face in the thumping tune, which will appeal to Europop enthusiasts and print trade songsters alike. The song-writer and performer, Dirk Zeisler, is even part of the drupa marketing team, so you'll be able to congratulate him at the show, which starts a year from today.

Available on the drupa website

Don't forget to keep an eye on our channel for several more videos and playlists from around the industry, including in-depth applications and equipment pieces, all on our stream at http://www.youtube.com/user/OutputMagazine.

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