Like many of us across the industry, Appeal Media has felt the impact of 2020's COVID-19 pandemic. Every graphics business has had to adapt to survive the trying trading conditions, but Appeal Media - founded by lifelong friends Stephen Matthews and Scott McCabe in 2008 - appears to have thrived. The secret seems to be all about the attitude: always say 'yes'.

French printing software company Caldera has announced the release of a new Ricoh driver for CalderaRIP Version 14. This new driver expands the award-winning software’s long list of supported peripherals and further enhances its user experience.

To advance the services and quality offered to local residents, businesses and nonprofits during an unprecedented time, Image360 Tampa-Ybor City is bringing streamlined visual communication solutions to customers through a new award-winning platform.

When Advantage Direct GM John Montcastle, Jr. was looking to bolster his company’s print capabilities, he set out to find a vendor that could help cover every aspect of its business. Among the key tenets he sought were quality equipment, superior customer service, and innovative and forward-thinking solutions.

Banbury Litho is in transformation mode. The journey started 18 months ago expressly to transition the company towards a strong new future vision. As part of this, it has invested in a Mimaki JFX200-2513EX flatbed UV printer and an Esko Kongsberg X24 Edge digital cutter with i-Cut software from CMYUK.

Two European Digital Press Association Awards have been awarded to Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies. They were for its Rho 2500 in the Best Flatbed/Hybrid Printer > 250 sqm/h category and the other for Durst Workflow (Best Workflow Technology).

Durst, manufacturer of advanced digital printing and production technologies, has unveiled a raft of innovations as it continues its journey to become a complete solutions provider in line with its “Pixel to Output” strategy. Central is the P5 350 High Speed printer – together with the Durst “Automat" ™ a new full automation system, enhanced Durst software, a full LED ink portfolio and partnerships.

Electronics For Imaging, Inc. received three European Digital Press (EDP) Awards from the European graphics arts trade press in 2020 for advanced new technology solutions that support graphic arts professionals to drive more productivity and revenue. For the 14th annual EDP Awards, judges recognised EFI™ Fiery® FreeForm™ Create variable data printing (VDP) software, the EFI VUTEk® 32h LED hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll inkjet printer and EFI VUTEk D Series LED roll-to-roll inkjet printers as winning solutions in one of Europe’s most respected print technology competitions.

FUJIFILM North America Corporation, Graphic Systems Division, announced that its complete line of Acuity and Inca wide-format printers have been certified by Color-Logic, based in West Chester, Ohio, for metallic printing. With this certification, Acuity and Inca press owners using the Color-Logic system can create eye-catching metallic effects that can be incorporated into packaging, signage, displays, and collateral material.

Canon is proud to announce the launch of its new online community, graphiPLAZA, for large format graphics experts. The platform is free to access for customers, Partners and employees. graphiPLAZA offers a global network of expertise to improve their business practices.

Committed to meeting the needs of today’s print service providers, Epson today introduced the SureColor® V7000 – its first UV flatbed printer designed for printing outstanding-quality outdoor signage, promotional goods and more. Delivering bright, colorful, tactile prints with low graininess and smooth gradation, the ultra-productive SureColor V7000 4’x8’ printer brings a new level of image quality, productivity and convenience to print service providers. Capable of printing on a variety of rigid substrates up to 3-inches thick, the new Epson UV flatbed printer is a flexible, reliable, entry-level flatbed solution.

Ricoh Canada Inc. has partnered with Ryerson University to drive greater print innovation within their creative and graphic programs. By integrating its Commercial and Industrial Print (CIP) technology into the general programs for the Faculty of Communication and Design (FCAD), Ricoh is committed to nurturing the graphic arts capabilities of both students and faculty staff alike.

Riding on international recognition of the ‘made in Switzerland’ brand name, the Swiss manufacturing sector possesses a strong competitive edge with advanced manufacturing capabilities, specialising in high quality and high value-added goods. Hence swissQprint’s world-class reputation for quality, reliability, technological innovation, craftsmanship and precision technology has resulted in a high demand for pre-owned swissQprint systems.

Commercial printing operations will investigate ways to reimagine a new future and build business resilience at Ricoh’s HENKAKU Live Goes Industrial. The Sign and Graphics and industrial print focused iteration of Ricoh’s successful HENKAKU Live webinar series will take place across EMEA from November to January 2021.

Abbi Signs likes to keep it in the family. This design and print business based in Widnes, Cheshire, was founded by John Goodfellow forty years ago, only these days he’s been joined by his son Steve, who is now Production Director and grandson Chris, Workshop Manager. Back in the day, there was a business partner subsequently bought out by John, after whom the company was renamed Abbi Signs & Designs after Steve’s youngest daughter.

It’s been a busy few months for Lentico. The lenticular print specialist has acquired plastic card manufacturer Plastic Data Card in a deal that was completed in September 2020. The acquisition will see Lentico Directors Andrew Roblett and Robin Sumner join forces to take on the business, production facility and expertise of Plastic Data Card, while pooling the newly combined resources to expand and target new markets.

Having won several industry accolades this year, including the ‘Innovation Award’ at the ISA UK British Sign Awards, it will come as no surprise that Signs Express Lancashire is continuing to build on its success with a purpose-designed unit upgrade. The new unit has been custom renovated to make it perfectly suited to their needs. Centre manager Matt Rutlidge explains: “The idea is that we'll invite customers to our new premises, and it will provide a full showcase of the services we offer and the work we produce.”

Print Service Providers can now benefit from highly flexible print production on roll fed media, as well as rigid media, with the Ricoh Pro TF6251 hybrid flatbed UV printer.

Keypoint Intelligence has recognised the advances that Canon has made in production print with the announcement of BLI Outstanding Innovation Awards in Production Print for three Canon products: the sheetfed inkjet varioPRINT iX-series, the ProStream 1800 web-fed inkjet printer and the Arizona 2300 flatbed printer series. All the winners of these inaugural awards “feature technologies that improve output quality, enhance productivity, deliver workflow efficiencies, impact sustainability, and advance their product segments in meaningful ways.”

Roland DG have announced the launch of its new EMEA Virtual Showroom, an immersive digital environment for customers and dealers to explore its products and services. The first of its kind in the printing category, the new showroom is the next step in the digitization of the B2B sales journey, a trend that the coronavirus pandemic is set to accelerate.

French printing software company Caldera has announced the release of new Canon drivers for CalderaRIP Version 13.1. These new drivers expand the award-winning software’s long list of supported peripherals and further enhances its user experience.