Shops ‘popping up’ all over UK
June 5, 2010 by Michael
Pop up shop are really in fashion right now. The recession in the UK has hit the retail industry hard and most high streets will have more than their fair share of empty retail units until estate agents can find companies looking to expand, or new businesses starting up who want to take this space – no easy task at the moment.
Hence, the arrival of pop up shops.
Pop up shops can be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to road test a new idea or get into a high street to market their products and get consumers to experience their brand on a temporary basis. Fun, innovative and most importantly, cost [Read more]
Largest 3D lenticular display ever in the UK?
May 7, 2010 by Michael
The film Avatar has already broken records around the world, and now it looks like it’s just broken a new print record as well.
The movie, directed by James Cameron, has already surpassed his own directorial hit ‘Titanic’ in the worldwide box office stakes, in part due to the fact that Avatar is in 3D and 3D tickets cost more for theatregoers. Now it appears that Avatar may have set a new 3D print record too.
Lenticular specialist company Riot of Colour has created a 3D panel that is to be displayed at HMV’s flagship store on Oxford Street, London, to promote the DVD and Blu-Ray release of the movie. The display is believed to be the [Read more]
IPEX 2010 will be mainly digital
March 4, 2010 by Gareth
Recent printing trends confirm a growth in the marketplace for digital solutions. This year’s forthcoming event, IPEX 2010, which will take place at the NEC Birmingham on 18th-25th May, will see digital print as the dominant exhibitor.
Trevor Crawford, the IPEX exhibition director, has revealed that 38% of the exhibition floorspace is booked by digital manufacturers and suppliers with just 26% being taken by presses. Mr. Crawford believes that the market is more positive compared to six months ago and speaks of a ‘new air of controlled optimism’
According to Mr. Trevor Dodsworth, head of product marketing at Cannon Business Solutions, who has doubled its space take-up this year, digital is now a [Read more]
Online news, digital, Litho and the future
March 3, 2010 by Lyndon
There is a lot of debate and speculation at the moment about the way that news will be delivered to the consumer in the future. Speculation is being fuelled by the growth of free news sites online and new technological developments in digital print. Many printing companies, for example, typical brochure or catalogue printers, now run a digital facility as well as their litho operation.
Some people are worried that traditional coldset produced newsprint will vanish as a result of these new developments, whilst others believe that the newspaper format is here to stay. For example, Sir Harold Evans, former editor of The Sunday Times, believes there is plenty of life left in [Read more]
Adobe reiterates support for print industry
January 31, 2010 by Gareth
Adobe, the major US software company and makers of Acrobat, recently closed down its Print Service Provider partner programme. This caused concern within the print industry over whether Adobe was really committed to the print and graphic arts industry – concerns that Adobe was quick to address.
Adobe UK’s John Cunningham stated that Adobe’s decision wasn’t in any way a sign that Adobe wasn’t committed to the print industry and the print market is of vital importance to Adobe.
Cunningham stated:
It’s really just that the official programme, which was created to help with the transition to InDesign, is no longer [Read more]
Police request help of print industry to combat fake IDs
January 4, 2010 by Michael
The British police force are asking for the help of the UK print industry, and printing companies up and down the length and breadth of the country, to help them combat the creation and printing of fake ID cards.
The police are hoping that the manufacturers of the specialist printing equipment that is used to create fake IDs will assist them in monitoring who has access to it and what it is being used for. The equipment can be used to produce fake ID cards and even passports, when in the wrong hands.
The police are asking that manufacturers and distributors create profiles of their [Read more]
London printing costs may force sale of newspapers
January 3, 2010 by Gareth
In any business it’s important to keep the costs down, and printing costs can mount up if you don’t find the right print company that can fulfil your print needs quickly and cheaply. Last month, Independent News & Media (INM) announced that they were considering selling their London newspapers because of the increased printing costs making the newspapers lose money. The company was courting Alexander Lebedev, a Russian businessman, with a view to selling their stake in the newspapers.
INM has agreed to speak with Alexander Lebedev exclusively, but the exclusivity agreement will only last until February 15th.
INM controls the Independent and the [Read more]
Salford City Council Media City UK
December 31, 2009 by Michael
Funding has been secured to build a large 53,000ft Media Enterprise Centre (MEC) at Salford quays as part of its MediaCityUK development. The aim of the centre is to support and nurture new and existing media talent. The MEC is being financed by:
“£4.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund, £3.8 million from the NWDA and additional funding from Salford City Council”
The new centre will be able to offer a range of options to both individuals and businesses. There will be specialist training facilities, access to advisors from a range of agencies, access to the [Read more]
South Yorkshire Investment Fund
December 29, 2009 by Michael
The South Yorkshire Investment Fund is helping businesses in the region.
SYIF operate a Mentorbank scheme, which gives access to business mentoring and management support for participants. They offer support to small and medium sized firms. The Investment Fund offers what they describe as ‘seedcorn finance’, equity-linked investments and business loans. Financial support ranges from £15,000 to £2.5 million.
A printing company in Rotherham, Wright Printing Services, has just received £500,000, the first part of an investment programme to develop [Read more]
Scottish Design Consultancy of the Year 2010
December 27, 2009 by Gareth
A competition for the above accolade, which is run in conjunction with Eastern Exhibition and Display, will take place early in the New Year. There is not much time to register an entry. The deadline is 14th January.
The aim of the accolade is to identify companies which are performing best financially, who have high client ratings, have an excellent portfolio and who are rated as ‘formidable’ by their peers, such as other design companies and print companies.
Agencies are researched and the top agencies which fit the criteria are identified ‘as up and coming’. There is also an award for Managing Director of the Year. Agencies are judged on [Read more]