HP today announced the creation of a collaborative on-line forum where print service providers (PSPs) in the sign and display markets from Europe, the Middle East and Africa can meet with HP experts and each other to share knowledge and best practice.

PaperlinX Merchanting continues its foray into new and emerging print markets with its acquisition of iMedia Imaging Supplies, one of Australia’s leading suppliers to the large format digital printing industry.

“Local Sales, Local Service and Local Support” is the philosophy behind three of the sign industry’s most experienced suppliers.  Project Engraving and Digital, (Sydney and Perth), iMedia Imaging Supplies (Melbourne), and Sign Essentials (Brisbane) have joined forces to provide the local touch right across the country! 

Amongst the many other product launches from Sun Chemical at SGIA '07, the company announced the new Streamline S-Tech, SCP and SCP Plus, digital bulk ink feed systems for wide format Mimaki JV3 solvent ink printers, Seiko Color Painter 64/100 printers, HP 9000/1000 printers, and the Océ 6060/6100 printers.

HP used the SGIA show in Orlando, Florida to announce their new HP Scitex XL2200 Super Wide Format Industrial Printer featuring the new HP Scitex X2 printhead technology as well as the new HP Scitex TJ8300/8500 Double Sided Upgrade which they say further extends HPs Print 2.0 strategy by empowering print service providers (PSPs) to address diverse markets and target new, high margin applications.

It's always sad when a company closes down, especially a wide format pioneering company like Mulgrave based Colour Graphics.

Inca Digital has reinforced their commitment to development and flexibility by launching the Columbia Turbo Plus printer.  The new model incorporates two additional print modules that increase the total number of print heads to 96 compared to 64 on a four color Columbia Turbo. The extra printheads enable the Columbia Turbo Plus to incorporate white or two additional colors which can be selected from light cyan and light magenta as well as green, orange or violet.

EskoArtwork has announced that its Esko Kongsberg i-XE series digital dieless cutting table is now available in two, larger sizes: the Kongsberg i-XE32 with a working area of 51”x63¾” (1300x1620mm) and the Kongsberg i-XE54 (63”x120”; 1600x3050mm). These two new models join the compact Kongsberg i-XE10.

FESPA, at its 2007 General Assembly in Athens, further increased its community of international affiliates welcoming the Screen Printing Association of Korea (SPAK) to the organisation as an Associate Member.

The Océ Arizona 250 GT UV-cured flatbed printer won top honours in the recent Innovation Awards at the Viscom International Trade Fair in Germany, being described by judges as “a truly innovative product”.

NUR Macroprinters will be presenting their advanced NUR Expedio Inspiration at SGIA 2007.

Here's an idea for our state and federal governments to explore, it may not be the total answer to our energy problem, but it surely could be an eco-friendly answer to some of our expanding energy requirements.

3M Touch Systems has announced the expanded product offering of MicroTouch DST touch screens for large-format interactive digital signage (IDS) applications in popular 32”, 40”, 42” and 46” screen sizes. Based on 3M’s patented Dispersive Signal Technology (DST), MicroTouch DST touch screens offer an ideal solution for large-format interactive applications that require fast, accurate, reliable touch response. Other unique features include operation unaffected by surface contaminants and “dynamic touch”, which ignores static objects on the screen and allows for multi-user touch capabilities.

Good news for those who are still processing film. MacDermid Autotype, has released its latest offering of Autotype Delta II, a low-cost, double-sided, frosted film that can be imaged on either side in a laser printer.

EskoArtwork has appointed Celmac Pty Ltd as its new authorised dealer for the Australian market. Celmac will represent EskoArtwork’s Kongsberg i-XL series in Australia.

SPOS, a leading signage and point of purchase solutions has announced that Mr David Evans has been appointed as a Managing Director of the Company effective 15/10/07.

SA International, developers of the Flexi sign software have released version 8.5.

Gandinnovations has improved its Graphic User Interface (GUI); now, they claim, operators can access a faster and more powerful program that will quickly and easily, drag and drop, as well as manipulate and manage artwork files.

Roland DG has announced new EcoXtreme LT ink for its AdvancedJET series of industrial inkjet printers including the 104”-wide AJ-1000 and 74”-wide AJ-740.

With the 2007 Australian and New Zealand exhibition season for the graphics industry at a close, it is still going strong in the US and Europe. Digital Print World opens at Earls Court in London today and promises to be one of the best ever.