Issuu

September/October 2026

Driving growth through hybrid production and workflow automation from

PRINECT

Proof over promise: low-cost green certification for print Deeper than digital: what lies beneath the print marketing iceberg From hot metal to high tech: counting down to 40 years of NZP Beyond greenwashing: actionable eco-strategies that cut costs

1987-2026

with

WIDE FORMAT

years in print

HYBRID PRODUCTION. POWERED BY PRINECT. More efficiency, more speed, more future: With the perfect symbiosis of offset and digital printing, you can ensure maximum flexibility even with the shortest delivery times and growing cost pressure. Prinect Touch Free makes the difference: By using artificial intelligence, you can fully automate your job control. Fast, precise, and reliable. hybrid.heidelberg.com

COVER STORY

The future of commercial print is hybrid and automated: Heidelberg Heidelberg enables print service providers to alleviate industry challenges and drive growth through its suite of hybrid production and workflow automation solutions

Today, digital printing stands out for its flexibility, efficiency, and print quality, helping users tap into new business models and opportunities

he printing industry has been undergoing profound transformation for decades and nowhere is this change more evident than in the commercial printing sector. As customer needs become increasingly segmented worldwide, businesses and print service providers must differentiate themselves by engaging highly targeted audiences with the right message, at the right time, and through the most appropriate channel. This shift is significantly reshaping the printing industry that supports these communications. Today, print service providers face a growing number of challenges, including shorter print runs, increasing demand for highly customised and complex applications, and ever-shorter turnaround times. At the same time, rising material and energy costs, coupled with difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled operators, continue to put pressure on profitability and long-term business sustainability. In this environment, printers must maximise the use of limited resources

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and improve margins by producing a wide variety of short-run jobs efficiently and without waste. While conventional offset printing remains essential for high-volume production, Heidelberg said it has inherent limitations when it comes to meeting these evolving market requirements. As a result, hybrid production environments that combine digital and offset printing have become increasingly important, providing the flexibility needed to respond efficiently to diverse production demands. The potential of digital printing to surpass offset in print production value Choosing the right printing technology is a critical strategic decision for any print business. It influences not only digital transformation initiatives, but also organisational operations, investment priorities, and the ability to adapt to changing market conditions. While offset printing volumes in the commercial segment continue to decline, digital printing has maintained steady growth.

September/October 2026

At the same time, research by Heidelberg has found that offset printing still accounts for approximately 90 per cent of total print volume, with digital representing only around 10 per cent. “This highlights a significant market reality: short-run and variable-data applications – the core strengths of digital printing – generate substantially higher value per printed page than traditional offset jobs,” Heidelberg Australia national sales manager Dierk Wissmann said. “The ability to address specific customer requirements, such as audience targeting, personalisation, and timing, has become a major competitive advantage for digital print providers.” This trend is expected to accelerate further. Going forward, commercial printers will need to process smaller job quantities and a broader variety of applications faster and more efficiently, without increasing resource consumption. In this context, Heidelberg says the future of commercial printing lies in

COVER STORY to expand their services and capture new growth opportunities. Installations have been rolling out across international markets since 2025. One of the greatest strengths of the Jetfire 50 is its exceptional productivity. With a duplex output capacity exceeding 4,500 SRA3 sheets per hour, it delivers consistently highquality results while maintaining reliable production performance.

The Jetfire 50 is an industrial B3-format inkjet press

The press efficiently handles everything from personalised short-run applications to medium-run work, providing excellent cost efficiency for both on-demand and volume production. Beyond productivity, the Jetfire 50 offers a high degree of versatility. It supports a broad range of substrates, including matte coated papers, uncoated papers, and NCR papers, while delivering excellent scratch resistance for durable, high-quality output. Features such as variable-image printing with automated collation, together with inline and nearline finishing options, enable fully integrated one-pass production workflows that minimise manual intervention and maximise productivity.

With a duplex output capacity exceeding 4,500 SRA3 sheets per hour, the Jetfire 50 delivers reliable production performance and high-quality results

fully automated workflows and hybrid production environments.

colour management, and seamless switching between production devices.

Production and workflows made smarter

A high-performance inkjet printing system

By combining the flexibility of digital printing with the reliability of industrial inkjet technology, the Jetfire 50 enables printers to produce a wide range of applications – from marketing collateral to highly personalised communications – without compromising on quality, turnaround time, or efficiency.

Modern production environments are increasingly characterised by a high volume of short-run jobs, each with unique data requirements, substrates, and finishing specifications. In addition, production teams must continuously manage file preparation, quality control, scheduling, and last-minute changes.

At drupa 2024, Heidelberg introduced its Jetfire 50, an industrial B3-format inkjet press, as an important addition to its commercial printing portfolio.

Digital Press regional business driver Ricky Tan said, “The real value of the Jetfire 50 lies in how it changes the economics of digital production.

Combining outstanding performance with remarkable flexibility, it is an ideal solution for commercial printers looking

“By combining high duplex and mix media productivity with fully integrated workflow and finishing, printers can significantly

In an era dominated by short-run production, relying on manual intervention throughout these processes is neither sustainable nor scalable. It consumes valuable resources and increases the risk of errors. Designing production processes around optimised systems and integrated workflows is therefore essential. The combination of Heidelberg’s latest innovations – the Jetfire 50 and Prinect Touch Free – offers a powerful solution to these challenges. Together, they streamline print production operations while meeting growing demands for faster turnaround times, superior quality, and greater cost efficiency. This is achieved through intuitive operation, rapid job changes, automated

Heidelberg offers a powerful portfolio for digital printing, which the company integrates – along with its offset offerings – into a digital ecosystem

September/October 2026

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COVER STORY Through Prinect Production, multiple jobs can be processed simultaneously, minimising downtime and maximising resource utilisation.

Market Developments in Commercial Print. Digital and Offset – Print Production Value (PPV*) Comparison Print Production Value(PPV*) in Commercial Printing Offset (Commercial)

Projection PPV (2027)

Furthermore, Prinect Touch Free dynamically adapts to unexpected events – including equipment failures or staffing changes – ensuring that production schedules remain optimised and operations continue running efficiently.

Product Technology Split 50% 50%

Offset

Digital

Print Volume Split 10%

Digital

Inkjet Digital (Commercial)

Offset

Typical Offset run length in 2025: 60 – 70 % is less than 2.000, approx. 10% is over 6.000

A comparison chart showing the difference in print production value between digital and offset

High print runs

90%

many short run products

*PPV – Print Production Value in Euro worldwide value in Euro of the print jobs produced from the printer's point of view Source/Data: PPV: HEIDELBERG Estimation, based upon industry statistics, PIRA, RISI, S&P HIS Global Insight; Relevant Product Segments Commercial Printing

Prinect regional business driver Brian Kow, said, “With Prinect Touch Free, Heidelberg offers a workflow solution that goes far beyond traditional automation. It not only handles individual steps but also orchestrates the entire production process – from order entry to delivery. “Prinect Touch Free combines offset and digital printing in a seamless hybrid workflow, ensuring maximum efficiency with minimal manual effort.” Wissmann added, “The Jetfire 50 comes with the highest print quality, excellent color consistency, unmatched machine availability, maximum flexibility, and industrial productivity for the digital B3 segment and truly rivals the existing digital B2 segment at the same time.

Heidelberg data shows commercial printing’s ongoing shift toward shorter print runs and higher job volumes

“Driven by Heidelberg Prinect this combination represents a true paradigm shift for the commercial printing industry.” Shaping the future of business reduce cost per printed product while bringing jobs to market faster. “From automated imposition and variable-data printing through to inline and nearline finishing, the Jetfire 50 enables a true one-touch production process. This means fewer manual steps, less operator intervention, and predictable output – allowing print shops to move more jobs through the press each day and profitably produce both personalised short runs and mediumvolume work.” AI-Powered automation with Prinect Touch Free While the Jetfire 50 delivers outstanding hardware performance, Prinect Touch Free takes productivity to the next level through intelligent workflow automation. By fully automating complex production workflows, Prinect Touch Free minimises manual touchpoints while optimising production planning, improving process stability, and reducing errors. From job submission to final delivery, every stage of production is managed

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seamlessly and efficiently, resulting in faster turnaround times, higher equipment utilisation, and increased overall productivity. One of the platform’s key capabilities is its end-to-end integration of the entire production process – from order intake through to shipment. Using AI-driven analysis, Prinect Touch Free evaluates job specifications, imposition requirements, production costs, delivery deadlines, and equipment availability. Based on this analysis, it automatically determines the most efficient production method, selecting either offset or digital printing depending on the requirements of each job. By automatically identifying the optimal production path from PDF file to finished print product, operators are freed from repetitive administrative tasks and can focus on higher-value activities. At the same time, the risk of human error is significantly reduced. This level of automation is particularly valuable for managing large volumes of short-run and personalised work.

September/October 2026

Keeping pace with rapidly changing market demands, including rising costs, tighter deadlines, and shifting customer expectations, is becoming increasingly challenging. Yet speed, quality, and cost efficiency remain critical success factors in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As a result, investing in advanced production technology has never been more important. Jetfire 50 and Prinect provide future-ready solutions that not only address today’s production requirements but also prepare print businesses for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. “As a leading technology provider, Heidelberg offers one of the industry’s most comprehensive solutions for integrating digital and offset production within a single workflow ecosystem,” Wissmann said. “This flexibility enables printers to select the most cost-effective production method for every job, from highly personalised short-run digital work to medium- and high-volume offset production, ensuring maximum efficiency, profitability, and long-term competitiveness.”

CONTENTS Cover Story p3-5 Heidelberg

3-5 Heidelberg: Looking to the future of print as automated and hybrid, Heidelberg enables print companies to alleviate industry challenges and drive growth through its suite of hybrid production and workflow automation solutions. PrintNZ p12-15

12 Comment: Ruth Cobb discusses the advantages of having a strong industry organisation. 14-15 Helping Hand: Iain MacIntyre reports on the Sustainable Green Print + Sign certification which PrintNZ has recently secured. Features p7-44

7 From the Publisher: Brian Moore reflects on nearly 40 years of New Zealand Printer and what lies ahead. 16 Konica Minolta: In little over 10 years, Konica Minolta has installed over 1700 digital label presses across the globe. 18 Ricoh: PrintLounge has installed two Ricoh Pro C9500 printers to boost production.

September/October 2026 26-30 Durst: The Durst P5 350 delivers the right combination of quality, productivity, and flexibility, all in one platform. 34-36 Cyber/RMGT: The RMGT 790ST-5 offset press boosts print capacity and productivity. 38 JMD: The region’s first JMD Digital FoldLine 180 install is up and running at leading Aussie printer IVE. 40-41 Sustainability: Denise Kirby explains why not going green means losing opportunities. 42-44 Anniversary: Craigs Design & Print celebrates 150 years; the country’s oldest continuously running printing company. Wide Format Plus p45-56

46 & 48 Aarque Group: With a diverse range of solutions, Aarque Group enables customers to choose the technology that best suits their needs. 50-52 Computaleta: Big Ideas Group has installed an HP Latex R530, supplied through Computaleta. 54-55 NZSDA President: Being a good bugger shouldn’t mean you have to pay for unexpected situations, says Logan Sutton.

56 NZSDA Update: Mikayla Hopkins discusses the benefits of the NZSDA’s Pay and Pricing Guides. Advertiser’s Index

Aarque Group 10,47 APM 11 BJ Ball 43 Computaleta Group 53 Currie Group 10-11 Cyber 37,60 Durst Oceania 27,31 Eamar Innovative Solutions 58 Heidelberg 1,2 JMD Technology 39 KirbyCo 41 Konica Minolta 17 Make It Happen 49 NZP Forum + Awards 11,42-43 NZP Subscriptions/Classifieds 8-9 Pride In Print 59 PrintNZ 13,58 Ricoh 19 Total Supply 27 Wholesale Print 59

20 Jet Technologies: LabelShop has moved into inkjet with a new Screen Truepress. 21-23 Kale Print: The Bay of Plenty print company has moved to a new purpose built site in Tauranga. 24 Total Supply: A new Mimaki JFX600, supplied through Total Supply, is expanding the wide format options for Kale Print.

NEW ZEALAND PRINTER EDITORIAL: 021 631 559 Bruce Craig, Editor - bruce@newzealandprinter.co.nz CONTRIBUTORS: Brian Moore, Ruth Cobb, Mikayla Hopkins, Denise Kirby, Iain MacIntyre, Logan Sutton CIRCULATION: brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES & SERVICE: Brian Moore - brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz +61 410 578 876 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Brian Moore - brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz DESIGN & PRODUCTION: Sarah Vella - svella@intermedia.com.au

Ink in their veins: Gavin, Stephen, Jill, and Brent Kale – page 23-25

ISSN 1171 7912

New Zealand Printer is mailed to members of the printing, packaging and graphic communications industry in New Zealand six times a year, February-December. New Zealand Printer is a member of the

Printer Media Group New Zealand: New Zealand Printer Asia Pacific: ProPack.pro Australia: Australian Printer, ProPrint MANAGING DIRECTOR: James Wells - james@intermedia.com.au GROUP PUBLISHER: Brian Moore - brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz © Copyright 2026: Contents of this magazine are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER This publication is published by The Intermedia Group Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials. The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information. All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication. Copyright © 2026 — Charted Media Group Pty Ltd

September/October 2026

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

40 Years in Print: New Zealand Printer shapes its next chapter

hen I look back over the 40 years that New Zealand Printer has served this industry, I am constantly reminded that print has always been defined by resilience, rapid adaptation, and unwavering partnership.

data leans heavily toward respondents placing greater trust in printed material than other forms of media. Some 86 per cent of survey respondents report feeling significant digital fatigue, with a clear majority stating they place far greater trust in print over digital platforms.

Together, we have navigated profound technological evolutions, shifting consumer expectations, and complex economic cycles. Today, as we approach our milestone 40th anniversary in 2027, the commercial printing, packaging, label, wide-format and signage landscape is evolving rapidly once again, and we are strategically adapting our business model to lead that change. Like many of the commercial businesses we report on every month, we are currently navigating a challenging economic environment in New Zealand, exacerbated by global market pressures and broader economic headwinds. Making the strategic decision to adjust our print publishing schedule was not taken lightly. However, it represents a proactive, forward-looking step to ensure we remain a strong, vibrant, and enduring voice for our sector while delivering even greater long-term value, deeper commercial insights, and more effective marketing channels for the industry we proudly serve. Beginning with this September/October 2026 edition, New Zealand Printer officially transitions to a bi-monthly publishing schedule of six comprehensive print issues per year. Moving away from short, quick-turnaround news cycles in print allows our editorial team to focus on richer, more impactful journalism. Our readers can expect expanded business intelligence, thorough market analysis, and in-depth industrial coverage that delivers tangible operational benefit to print business owners, managers, and operational leaders across the country. The first issue of 2027 will launch this exciting new era as the landmark 2027 New Zealand Printer Annual. Delivered directly to decision-makers as they return from their summer holidays in January, this flagship edition is specifically engineered to serve as an indispensable reference guide with a full 12-month shelf life on every reader’s desk.

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Brian Moore

Packed with big-picture analysis, expert guidance, and a comprehensive directory of suppliers across the commercial printing, packaging, and signage sectors, it will serve as the industry’s definitive buyer’s guide for the entire calendar year. To ensure maximum reach and accessibility for our audience, the Annual will also be fully searchable, viewable online, and downloadable across all digital devices. While our print publication adopts a deliberate, analytical bi-monthly pace, our digital presence is expanding significantly to meet the daily, fast moving needs of the market. Driven by newzealandprinter.co.nz, our weekly e-newsletter is undergoing major structural enhancements to deliver immediate, breaking industry news and direct coverage. For our commercial advertising partners, this enhanced digital ecosystem, complemented by targeted electronic direct mail (EDM) campaigns sent to our rapidly growing digital audience, offers an agile, multi-channel platform to keep their brand front and centre especially during the off-months between print editions. This integrated approach leverages the unique, complementary strengths of both physical print and dynamic digital media. As New Zealand Printer editor Bruce Craig highlights, recent market research strongly underlines the enduring power and credibility of the printed word: “The latest New Zealand research

September/October 2026

“While print undeniably ‘owns the lane’ in trust and engagement, digital still occupies a vital, fast-paced role, and New Zealand Printer fully recognises this operational reality. As we continue to evolve, we deeply appreciate our readership feedback, which enables us to continually tweak and refine the magazine as we progress. For our readers and advertisers, your business journey forms the true content for New Zealand Printer. This is your magazine, and newzealandprinter.co.nz is your website. As your business progresses, so does the shape and style of New Zealand Printer.” Our commitment to championing the sector extends beyond print and digital channels into high-impact live events. Working closely with our trusted event and publishing partner, PrintNZ, our industry event lineup is reaching new heights. We have rescheduled the popular New Zealand Printing, Packaging & Signage Forum, which flows directly into the celebrated People In Print and Rising Stars Of Print Awards, to April 20, 2027, in Auckland. Crucially, these flagship events will now be co-located with PrintNZ’s prestigious Auckland Industry Training Graduation event. This milestone gathering will bring together the entire printing, packaging, and signage industry under one roof, from rising stars and apprentices to established business owners, for an unprecedented day of learning, networking, and national celebration. This overall transformation allows us to deliver higher impact print journalism alongside highly targeted digital marketing avenues and powerful face to face industry gatherings. I take this opportunity to thank our readers, loyal advertisers, and commercial partners for your steadfast support over the past four decades. As we prepare to celebrate 40 years in print throughout 2027, our commitment to championing New Zealand print remains stronger, sharper, and more dedicated than ever.

Now is the time to choose either a Print (paid) or Digital (free) New Zealand Printer subscription As a paid print subscriber, you get six mailed issues every year including the 2027 Annual, New Zealand’s invaluable new guide to ‘who supplies’ what to Kiwi print, pack, label and sign businesses. Remember, you can read NZP in print anywhere, in the office, on the beach or at the bach. Even when there’s no Wi-Fi reception. Or the power’s off!

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Book a Display Ad in THIS issue or Sponsor/Support the NZP/PrintNZ Printing & Packaging Forum + People In Print & Rising Stars Of Print Awards event on April 20 2027 and your logo goes on the Front Cover above alongside other Power Supporters of Print in New Zealand.

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New Zealand Printer

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INTRODUCING THE

FREE with your Paid Print subscription to New Zealand Printer magazine. NZP is now bi-monthly with bigger, better issues and content even more relevant to your business every day.

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ORIGINAL PERFECTA GUILLOTINE (MODEL SEYPA115 – PMC) Currently still in daily use and in good working order. Has all safety requirements and digital back gauge. Programs however are not working. They might with some investment! Please come to view or ask for photos. Phone Colin 04 569 3730 or email Colin@screenartnz.co.nz 0417

AUCKLAND SCREENPRINTING continues to supply UV varnish coatings, self adhesive labels & flat sheet printing to a mainly print based clientele. With a clean well equipped workshop, two Ultra Violet drying units, one that can also dry conventional ink if needed, a cylinder press & a reciprocating flat bed press that has been recently installed. Centrally located in Onehunga with over forty years of printing history. For any further details or to speak to the owner. Phone Marshall 09 636 4806 0317

Wanted To Buy

GUILLOTINE (78cm or 115cm). Wanting a reliable and accurate, programmable machine. Phone Gary 0272850159 0417 WANTED, LEAD TYPE - 12 POINT OR LARGER Sorted, unsorted, part or whole fonts, pay $4 per kg and will pay for shipping. Email Simon at simonsspams@gmail.com 0317

SCREEN PRINTER can be used for both rotary and flat printing. Good condition with 12 aluminium screens (some screens need to be replaced). Photos can be supplied on request. $1500.00 + GST. Phone Sean 06 357 6883 0217

MORGANA DIGIFOLD Folder and Creaser. Reasonable price please. Preferable not more than 10 years old. Phone Simon 09 636 2111 or simon@haysom.co.nz. 0217

Graphic Machinery NZ Ltd

Printers Supply Agency

GOODMAN ENGINEERING

l Import / Export Sales l Machinery Plant Relocations l Recommendations & Machine Sourcing l Consulting Services l Plant Valuations & Inspections l Helping Grow Your Business

Printing Machinery Broker CONSULTATION | ADVISE | NEGOTIATION

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ARRAY OF 1ST CLASS LETTERPRESS MACHINES FOR SALE 2 Heidelberg T Platens - 1 a dedicated diecutter (print head removed) 1 a conventional printing / diecutting machine (with rollers) 1 Heidelberg K cylinder, printing / diecutting, with rollers Vast collection of letterpress equipment. Phone Ted 09 237 8099 - 021 169 7834 0217

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GUILLOTINE 2007 POLAR 78x auto with side air tables excellent condition available now. $25K + GST or near offer. Phone Stu 021 369 244 or email stuart@apexprint.co.nz 0417

1992 HEIDELBERG GTO52 ZP NP Stalk model. Perfector. 25 million impression. Bare back dampening, conventional system. Number and perf unit with accessories. Supplied with two cams, two rings, micro perf. One straight one convex numbering box. Tools and all manuals. Located in Christchurch. Contact Printers Supply Agency. Phone Ross Williamson 021 651 212 or email rossrw1944@xtra.co.nz 0317

2016 MULTINOVA 2 Semi auto gluer/folder. Three glue heads. Three phase power. No compressor, air supplied from factory line. 1973 POLAR 115 CE GUILLOTINE Air on main bed. Two blades. Some programmes in operation. 1987 KAWASAKI LONG ARM CARTON STITCHER Model Nikki. Single head. With extension table 1967 ORIGINAL PERFECTA S 107 GUILLOTINE In operating condition. Has new light barriers, to be fitted. For sale from Christchurch. Contact Ross (Printers Supply Agency) for information and photos. Phone 021 651 212 or email rossrw1944@xtra.co.nz 0417

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PRINTING COMPANY FOR SALE Located in West Auckland. Offset, Digital & Finishing, Can lease or buy building, $290,000.00, includes, machinery, stock & goodwill. Genuine Enquiries please phone 021 0281 9389 0217 PRINT AND DESIGN FRANCHISES FOR SALE Printing.com has a number of locations around New Zealand available to bolt on to existing print businesses. Join the largest distributed print network offering Offset, High-speed Inkjet, wide format and digital printing capabilities complimented by web-to-print and web design solutions. Licensed reseller and franchise opportunities available throughout New Zealand from as little as $7,500+gst. Check out www.joinprinting.com for more information or phone Cade on 027 278 2951 0217

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Machinery Wanted Sign up for your paid (Print) subscription today. Upon payment, you’ll receive instructions on how to submit your Contact Ross Williamson on: Phone Richard Newth on Phone/Fax 03 313 0258 Contact: John Lunt to discuss 03 379 7090 or 021 724 891 FREE monthly Word Ads. Don’t miss out on trading surplus gear, finding your next business deal. Mobile 021key 651 212 staff or Email:securing engineers@goodmanengineering.co.nz Machinery imports with no fee

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September/October 2026

Address: 417 St Asaph Street, Christchurch

April 2017 – Inky Fingers

NEWS IN BRIEF HYBRID SOFTWARE has released Packz 12, the latest version of its PDF editor for packaging prepress, which introduces an AI-powered assistant that helps users work more efficiently, along with support for Amazon transparency codes for product serialisation and authentication. Pascal Wybo, product manager at Hybrid Software, says, “We see AI as a way to remove barriers between users and the software, making advanced capabilities easier to discover, easier to learn and easier to automate routine tasks.” NUTEC DIGITAL INK has achieved Greenguard Gold certification with its Quartz Q50-HYB UV curable hybrid ink. Darren Claassens head of sales and marketing at Nutec Digital Inks, says, “This certification reinforces our commitment to high performance ink solutions that meet internationally recognised indoor air quality standards. Our focus remains on engineering solutions that not only deliver outstanding performance but also meet the evolving environmental expectations of our customers and their end users.” OPAL will sell its kraft paper bags and sacks converting operation, saying it will work closely with its bag customers and suppliers to support a seamless transition. The company will focus on its core integrated recycling, paper, and packaging products and services. Simon Nazu, chief supply chain and procurement officer at Opal, says, “The decision to sell the bags and sacks converting operation was carefully considered and it supports Opal’s continued focus on its core products and services.”

Computaleta appoints Phillipa Shaw to sales manager role

Computaleta’s Arlette Farland and Phillipa Shaw

Computaleta has promoted Philippa Shaw to the role of sales manager. Arlette Farland, regional general

manager of Computaleta, says, “Philippa has had a strong year, delivering growth in a challenging market, and

Kodak print revenues rise Kodak’s latest financial results show the company continuing its steady improvement in sales and growth. For the quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenues of US$311m ($NZ523) show an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2025. GAAP net income of US$17m for the quarter, compared to GAAP net loss of US$26m in 2025, an increase of US$43m primarily due to improvements in gross profit, reduction in interest expense

Jim Continenza, executive chairman and chief executive officer at Kodak

and lower asset impairments compared to the prior period. The company’s print revenues rose by 10 per cent for the quarter compared with the same period last year. Jim Continenza, executive chairman and chief executive

her commitment to providing a great customer experience makes her a natural fit for this next step. “With her background in business leadership, banking and finance, Philippa brings a strong commercial focus to the role, along with a real understanding of what matters most to our customers.” Philippa will lead Computaleta’s sales and customer service team from its largest branch in Onehunga, covering Auckland Central and South; Waikato; and Bay of Plenty. Arlette adds, “Irma Turnbull will continue to look after our Waikato and Bay of Plenty customers directly, maintaining that strong local connection. “This is an exciting step for Philippa and for everyone at Computaleta as we continue to strengthen our team and build the capacity and capability to support the growth ahead.” officer at Kodak, says, “The words that sum up our performance in the second quarter are stability and growth. We continued to deliver strong results for the fourth consecutive quarter, achieving significant year over year improvement in revenue, gross profit and operational EBITDA. The momentum we have built is the result of consistent execution of our long term plan. “We are entering a new phase in Kodak’s transformation where we have the operational and financial leverage to focus on growth. To capitalise on that opportunity, we will continue to expand our research and development to support our growth initiatives.”

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

NEWS Full Colour Trust hosts annual fundraiser Recently, the printing industry in Christchurch got together to support the Full Colour Trust’s annual Charity Quiz Night. Over 70 people attended the event from all parts of the local printing industry, making up 12 teams competing for the Christchurch Printing Industries Charity Cup. Mike Dawson, a Full Colour Trust committee member, says, “This year’s winner was a team from Spicers Paper. Over 20 raffles were drawn for prizes donated by print companies and suppliers. The event raised over $2300 for the Full Colour Trust, which will use the money to support industry members who require medical or other assistance where no other support is available. “The trust has been in existence now for 20 years and has supported many industry members over those years.

Full Colour Trust members Alister Scott, Sonia Dench and Nicky O’Rourke enjoying the evening

We appreciate the support of PrintNZ who donate the proceeds from the Christchurch Charity Golf Day and assist us wherever they can. “As a Charitable Trust, the full Colour Trust’s accounts are audited and posted on the Charitable Trust website. Our Trustees are Sonia Dench, Nicky O’Rourke and Gary

Holtslag from Spectrum Print; Shelley Smith from Caxton Print; Mike Dawson from MD Consulting; and Alister Scott, accountant. All these are volunteers and put aside time to keep the trust operating on the small amount of funds they have. “For further information, please visit our website www.fullcolourtrust.org.nz.”

Fujifilm flexible packaging enters US market Fujifilm has completed the first sale of its J Press FP790 digital flexible packaging press in the US to Illinois-based Quantum Flex Pack. This sale represents the sixth J Press FP790 sale globally since the product’s launch. Brian Batease, chief executive officer at Quantum Flex Pack, says, “I am incredibly proud that Quantum Flex Pack is the first company in North America to purchase the J Press FP790. “This acquisition represents a major leap forward in our capabilities and underscores our commitment to investing in the most advanced flexible packaging technology available. We are truly excited to be at the forefront of this innovation and look forward to

The Fujifilm J Press FP790 digital flexible packaging press

delivering unmatched quality, efficiency, and value to our customers.” Yuji Oki, general manager, Fujifilm North America Corporation, Business Innovation Division, says, “When it comes to flexible packaging, an ever growing variety of new products and shorter delivery times are rapidly changing market dynamics. “J Press FP790 was created to meet these high market demands, achieving

both high quality print output and adhering to the strict regulatory requirements of the packaging business, while facilitating a strategic and profitable packaging business.” The new press employs water-based primers and inkjet technologies. The company says the J Press FP790 reduces waste and the number of consumables used compared with traditional analogue production of a similar nature.

Auckland, Tuesday, April 20 2027

newzealandprinter.co.nz

September/October 2026

PRINTNZ COMMENT

Not yet a member of PrintNZ? here’s why associations matter Your membership helps your business and contributes to the strength, influence, and future of the entire industry.

ssociations are easy to overlook because much of their value sits beneath the surface, but without them, industries lose the shared learning, practical support and collective influence that help businesses navigate complexity with confidence. One of the comments we hear when approaching non-members to join PrintNZ is, “We don’t need you”. I get it, but the response is an inward-focused one; the bigger question is what might happen if everyone said that and associations didn’t exist. Associations bring the wider system into view. We can test whether something will work in practice, identify who carries the risk, explain what may fail, and speak from the real experience of members working with the system every day. As an employer you might receive any or all of the following: • • • • • •

A change to employment law A new health and safety expectation A payroll requirement A question about leave A workplace issue that needs to be handled carefully A compliance obligation that looks simple in theory but becomes much harder when you start to try and implement it.

We can: • • • A workplace should never depend on whether someone guessed the rules correctly; associations matter

•

Shared knowledge and guidance Without shared guidance, every employer has to interpret the rules alone and compliance becomes a guessing game. That is not good for employers, and it is not good for business. Without that shared knowledge, problems still get solved, but too often they are solved from scratch, at greater cost and with more risk than necessary. Here are some common scenarios: •

You want to be fair; you want to follow the law; you want to treat your staff fairly; you want to keep people safe; and you want to avoid a small misunderstanding becoming a formal dispute, but none of that should happen through guesswork.

•

A workplace should never depend on whether someone guessed the rules correctly. This is where associations deliver practical support.

•

Associations help employers: • • •

Turn complex rules into practical guidance that can be applied with confidence. Understand what good practice looks like in a New Zealand workplace. Access templates, advice,

helplines, briefings and real-world interpretation. Act earlier, before uncertainty becomes conflict.

•

A smaller employer would spend hours trying to understand a rule that someone else has already worked through. A business would absorb a cost without knowing others were facing the same pressure and possibly found a solution. A manager would write a policy from a blank page, unaware that better examples already existed. An owner would sit alone with a problem that dozens of others have faced before. A business would buy a system, sign a contract or make a decision without knowing the lessons others had already learned the hard way.

Advocacy matters Associations also create collective advocacy. By bringing together businesses that do not all have the same access, time or resources.

•

identify patterns and pressure points across the sector. show government how decisions affect businesses of different sizes and circumstances. test what might work, what may fail and where unintended consequences will land. make the whole sector visible.

Value below the surface While associations are often most visible through their events, newsletters, training and member services, their deeper value sits beneath the surface, with a deeper purpose to build sector resilience through: • • • • • • •

shared learning an organized collective voice sector memory/history practical guidance trusted networks pathways for leadership and professional development connections that help people, organisations, industries and communities work better together.

Working in associations is not just about supporting members. It is about building trust, strengthening capability, protecting standards and giving businesses confidence in the organisations, professions, industries and communities they rely on. Associations form part of the invisible infrastructure New Zealand depends on. Like all good infrastructure, we notice it most when it is missing. To our members who recognise and support that role, thank you. To those not-yet members, I invite you to see membership not only as a decision about what we can do for your business, but as a contribution to the strength, influence and future of the whole industry.

September/October 2026

Ruth Cobb

newzealandprinter.co.nz

helping hand

PrintNZ secures Sustainable Green Print + Sign certification Affordable solution enables print companies to show their customers that they take sustainability seriously.

Sustainability has become essential to the long term success of New Zealand print businesses

ew Zealand’s print, packaging and signage industries will now find their path to gaining Sustainable Green Print + Sign (SGP+S) certification streamlined after PrintNZ has received the local accreditation licence from the Visual Media Association (VMA). Ruth Cobb, chief executive at PrintNZ, says the environmental certification programme has been developed specifically for the sector and enables New Zealand print firms to gain formal recognition for improving their environmental footprint. She says, “There is growing appreciation in our industry and indeed in all areas of business and life as to the importance of reducing environmental impact. “Business and consumers are increasingly asking for evidence of clean or low-impact supply chains from their providers and this certification will officially recognise the positive moves many of our members are already making.

“Or, for those starting out on this journey, the programme provides guidelines and a straightforward pathway to certification for hundreds of dollars rather than thousands. “PrintNZ is happy to act as the provider for New Zealand for the certification. We are excited to see an affordable solution for smaller printers who can demonstrate to their customers that they take this seriously. “And from PrintNZ’s side we will also promote the certification to agencies, councils, print buyers etc to ensure that they are aware of the programme and what it means if a printer carries that certification.” SGP+S resource Achieving certification will provide the following benefits: • • •

Standard environmental profiles for the industry. Control measures to cover acceptable risk levels. Essential templated documents for

• • • • •

your business use. Industry-specific key performance indicators for evaluation. Flexibility to achieve the level of environmental management and certification. A stepped approach to continuous improvement. Increased environmental responsibility. Environmental leadership.

Ruth adds, “Training is delivered via self-paced learning modules and doing much of the work through industry-specific resources.” These have been designed to illustrate how to: • • • •

Comply with key environmental laws that impact the business. Manage environmental risks specific to the business. Develop control measures to prevent non-compliance with environmental laws. Document actions, undertake

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

helping hand

He says, “We believe that sustainability is essential to the long term success of our business and we are committed to reducing our environmental impact while delivering high quality printing services to our clients.”

Kiwis understand the environmental Research shows:

of New Zealanders recycle newspapers and magazines after use.

53%

prefer products they order online to be delivered in paper packaging.

Sustainable Print Manifesto

In line with this focus on environmentally-driven practices, PrintNZ is also championing the newlylaunched Sustainable Print Manifesto as providing a unified direction on sustainability principles for the global print industry.

of Kiwis are taking active steps to increase their use of paper packaging.

recycle paperbased packaging after use including delivery boxes, food packaging and drink cartons.

22%

pay attention to and recycling symbols.

Developed through collaboration of a number of leading sector stakeholders, the manifesto has put forward the following nine principles:

New Zealanders recognise the importance of Paper

84%

believe paper and cardboard packaging material is home compostable/ biodegradable.

56%

believe paper and cardboard packaging are easier to recycle.

64%

54%

believe paper and cardboard packaging materials are better for the environment.

New Zealand has

of New Zealanders agree only recycled paper should be used.

around 1.2 million hectares of forest, 100% of which is

Compared to plastic, glass and metal packaging material,

64% 52%

FSC certiﬁed.

believe paper and cardboard packaging is less expensive, and

78%

69% cotton/ canvas bags

19%

believe paper shopping bags are recyclable, more than... lightweight plastic bags

heavyweight plastic bags

www.printnz.co.nz

Two Sides Trend Tracker Report, April 2026

The Toluna research included 500 New Zealand consumers sharing their preferences in regard to print and packaging

internal audits and manage the firm’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Ruth continues, “All SGP+S certification is audit and review driven and comprises comprehensive EMS documentation, including worksheets, guides and templates. There is also a support network.” The three tiers of certification entail: •

•

Level 1 – focused on waste, storage, material handling and recycling, while also covering record keeping, compliance and cleaner production practices and waste management. Level 2 – introduces additional levels of management including the tracking of waste streams and brings into focus a firm’s energy consumption.

newzealandprinter.co.nz

•

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Optimise designs for purpose. Select better materials and inks. Produce print efficiently. Use finishing/embellishments responsibly. Recycle operational waste. Use low/no emissions electricity. Minimise water usage. Consider full lifecycle impacts. Lead with data and transparency.

The eight-page manifesto states an aim to provide a clear and actionable framework to help businesses improve sustainability performance. It focuses on achievable measures such as reducing carbon emissions, minimising waste, improving energy efficiency and selecting responsible materials, without unnecessary complexity or investment.

believe it is safer to use.

And recycling...

believe paper bags are compostable/ biodegradable.

1. 2. 3. 4.

It provides key performance indicators covering waste, recycling, water and energy usage, incident management, storage and handling of chemicals in the air emission controls. Level 3 Plus (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) – ensures the firm has a fullyoperational EMS that maximises the overall benefits of the SGP+S programme. Certification at this level prepares the business for full ISO 14001 certification if required.

Glenn Jarrett, chief executive at Snap Print Solutions, sees his franchise’s early adoption of the certification in New Zealand and Australia as demonstrating a distinct commitment to sustainable business practices and efforts to minimise the environmental impact of operations.

September/October 2026

The manifesto outlines that “by pledging to follow these principles, print businesses can operate more efficiently, meet evolving environmental expectations and contribute to a more sustainable industry. This manifesto is designed to make sustainability practical, manageable and beneficial for both business and the environment, while maintaining commercial viability”. Toluna survey highlights PrintNZ recently participated in a global survey by research firm Toluna, which included 500 New Zealand consumers sharing their preferences in regard to print and packaging. Ruth says, “The accompanying graphic provides highlights of this research, which reinforces the importance of sustainability to Kiwis consumers.” Iain Macintyre

LABELS

Konica Minolta delivers a decade of label excellence In a little over 10 years, Konica Minolta has installed over 1,700 digital label presses across the globe, becoming a trusted partner in digital label production.

ust over 10 years ago, Konica Minolta stepped into the label printing market ready to embrace its immense opportunity and intense competition. Fast forward to today, and the company has installed over 1,700 digital label presses across the globe. This remarkable milestone underscores Konica Minolta’s steady rise as a trusted partner in digital label production. This collaborative approach supports operations as they navigate the transformation the global label printing market has undertaken in response to customer demands.

size businesses, while giving larger operations scalable digital capability to supplement traditional systems better suited for long run production. Our approach combines cutting edge toner technology, intuitive operation, and seamless workflow integration, making it easier for businesses to pivot into digital or expand their current offering.

The Konica Minolta AccurioLabel 230 offers an accessible, high quality entry point into digital label production

Chris O’Hara, national industrial and production print manager for Konica Minolta New Zealand, says, “At Konica Minolta, we have seen how shorter runs, variable data printing, and the demand for sustainable, on demand packaging are shaping business demands, customer expectations and operational needs. “It is essential for label converters and print businesses moving into labels to develop the right response to these ongoing trends. The rewards for those who get it right will be a share in the booming market, which analysts at research company Smithers Pira predict will surge by nearly 60 per cent over the next decade, reaching US$20bn ($34.8bn) by 2032.” Chris says Konica Minolta is determined to play a prominent role in the industry’s growth, and he points out the factors encouraging it: Consumer Goods Boom: The continuous growth in consumer goods production and consumption across the globe has led to an increased demand for packaging and labelling solutions. Regulatory compliance: Stringent regulations, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, have necessitated more detailed and informative labelling, driving demand for advanced labelling solutions. Technological advancements: Innovations in printing technologies and materials have

“The AccurioLabel 230, the cornerstone of this success, offers an accessible, high quality entry point into digital label production for converters, commercial printers, and packaging companies. Designed for fast, efficient short run output with minimal setup and processing time, it helps operations expand capacity, reduce waste, and bring more jobs in house.” What’s next

Chris O’Hara, national industrial and production print manager for Konica Minolta New Zealand

opened new avenues for customisation and efficiency in label production. Sustainability initiatives: Growing environmental consciousness among consumers and businesses has spurred demand for eco-friendly labelling solutions. Quality and productivity

As label volumes rise and SKUs multiply, Konica Minolta has a focus on delivering the technology label converters and print companies need to scale confidently. Businesses can expect technology previews of a new AccurioLabel model launching later this year. Chris says, “Konica Minolta has designed this advancement to help customers keep pace with a rapidly expanding market. “As we celebrate more than 10 years of success in the label sector, our focus remains firmly on what’s ahead. Continued investment in innovation, service and customer partnership enables us to help place our customers in the best position to expand their label opportunities.

IDC analysts attribute Konica Minolta’s success to the company’s ‘sweet spot’ of balancing quality with productivity. Chris says, “This formula resonates with converters and print companies seeking reliable, efficient solutions without compromising on the visual impact and precision label applications demand.”

“Whether you’re just entering the world of digital labels, or looking to scale your production, Konica Minolta’s decade of experience offers a proven path forward so when you feel ready to expand your label capabilities, we can help you discover how digital label printing drives profitable short runs, automation, and new revenue opportunities.

Konica Minolta’s AccurioLabel series continues to drive its momentum. Chris says, “AccurioLabel has brought high quality digital label production within reach for small to medium-

“The team at Konica Minolta looks forward to discussing your digital label requirements. Please get in touch to see how we can help support your operation’s successful journey.”

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

FULL COLOUR LABEL PRINTING SYSTEM

AccurioLabel 230

DIGITAL PRINTING

PrintLounge doubles down on Ricoh Pro C9500 presses High capacity digital presses deliver enhanced quality and productivity at diverse Auckland-based print company. Darren Daffern and Greg Daniel with one of the Ricoh Pro C9500 presses at PrintLounge

Darren Daffern, graphic communications specialist at Ricoh New Zealand, says, “PrintLounge is an outstanding company that is always exploring ways to improve, and isn’t afraid to invest to do so. “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with PrintLounge.”

perating from its Albany facility on Auckland’s North Shore, PrintLounge has successfully expanded beyond traditional commercial printing to become a versatile provider of packaging, digital print, and label solutions. With 34 dedicated staff, the business delivers an extensive range of products to a growing customer base. In August, PrintLounge installed two Ricoh Pro C9500 presses, supplied through Ricoh New Zealand. Greg Daniel, general manager at PrintLounge says, “We had two large high capacity machines and replaced them with the Ricoh Pro C9500 presses. We can’t do without two presses. “Keeping up with our deadlines is one of our biggest challenges right now. We have put in the Pro C9500 machines to reduce the pressure.” The Ricoh Pro C9500 presses have made their presence felt in a short period of time. Greg says, “Their large capacity drawers and the ability to stitch at production speed is vastly superior to what we previously had. We find that the print is slightly less glossy than our previous machines and has a good consistent colour accuracy. “Media support is also very good. They handle everything we throw at them, from light weight stock to heavy weight as well as synthetics and adhesives. “For banner printing, we initially thought this might be an issue as we previously had problems with banner drawers but

in fact, this concern has turned into a non-event. We print large quantities with very good registration, no problems at all. “We are impressed with the flat print path and compartmentalised heat management, especially noticeable when printing synthetics and getting cool printed sheets with no static. When clearing paper jams, it is so simple, just open one door and remove; unbelievably easy.” “The Ricoh Pro C9500 presses are very easy to operate. It took just a couple of hours training, and one of our team had no previous experience with the workflow. Obviously, more intricate job requirements take longer to learn, but overall, we were up and running very quickly.

Ricoh Pro C9500 press brings benefits across the board •

• •

•

“Another plus is Ricoh’s Command workstation, which is more robust and more reliable than our previous workflow.

•

Ricoh partnership

•

The Pro C9500 presses mark a return to PrintLounge using Ricoh solutions for its digital production printing. Greg says, “Our relationship with Ricoh and the team goes back some time. Even when we changed suppliers for our production presses, we kept that relationship going. “We continued using Ricoh office machines and we maintained contact with the team at Ricoh. This made the transition back to the production machines very easy as we were always being updated with the newest offerings and abilities.”

•

Printing up to 115 pages per minute, which is upgradeable to 135 ppm with an optional productivity kit. Resolution of up to 2,400dpi × 4,800dpi using VCSEL laser technology. Paper handling: Supports heavy and diverse media weights from 40gsm up to 470gsm, plus oversized and banner sheets up to 960 mm (duplex) long. Maximum paper input capacity of up to 18,100 sheets. Volume: Built for heavy workloads with a high maximum monthly duty cycle of up to 1,000,000 impressions. Large 54cm full HD smart operation panel with remote management capabilities. Automated front to back registration; image position adjustment; and an inline image quality monitor to reduce manual errors. Colour control: Uses auto colour diagnosis and continuous colour monitoring to maintain steady output during long print runs. Powered by the Ricoh GC OS controller alongside support for EFI Fiery digital front end options.

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

Print what’s next. Not just what’s now. Built to help you move beyond today’s jobs and into new opportunities. More than production presses, these are tools to help you take on more work, expand into higher value applications, and produce with confidence. From specialty colours to smarter workflows, Ricoh works with you through co-innovation to unlock new ways to differentiate and grow.

Ricoh Pro C7500

Ricoh Pro C9500

Built for flexibility across applications without compromising quality

Built for high-volume environments where consistency and uptime matter

Let’s build what’s next. ricoh.co.nz/ricoh-graphic-communication

LABELS

Jet Technologies brings inkjet flexibility to LabelShop Screen Truepress Jet L350UV SAI delivers speed and flexibility to boost production. it’s a simple machine to operate and makes our operators lives much easier. “The display is straightforward and it opens up opportunities for us to do more outside work and bigger labels.” Following installation and operator training, the LabelShop team placed the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI into production quickly. John points to its simple startup, shutdown, and operation as a key advantage. He says, “Training went quickly and the installation team got everything set up. We’re running well now with no issues. “Startups and shutdowns are easy, and the process itself is very straightforward. There aren’t lots of menus to navigate around. You push play and it comes out the other side.” The speed of the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI gives LabelShop additional production capacity. John says, “The focus now is on bringing more work onto the press to make full use of its capabilities.” Partnering with Jet Technologies

Sam Toft, technical new business sales lead ANZ for Jet Technologies and John Christie, from LabelShop

uckland-based label printer LabelShop has partnered with Jet Technologies to install a Truepress Jet L350UV SAI, introducing inkjet production to its digital printing operations as it looks to increase speed and capacity. The new press expands the range of work LabelShop can produce digitally, providing additional capacity for jobs requiring fast turnaround while complementing its existing digital and conventional printing operations. Fast turnaround approach John Christie, operations manager at LabelShop, says the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI builds on an approach that has long centred on getting work through the business quickly. He explains, “Fast turnaround has always been important to us. Our approach has always been that

if a customer wants it today, we want to be able to give it to them today. “We’ve continued to invest in digital equipment, embellishment and finishing capabilities over the years, and the Truepress L350 is the latest addition. We have big hopes for what it can do for us.” High productivity LabelShop selected the Truepress L350 for its high productivity, consistent colour reproduction and straightforward operation among the factors behind the decision. The press also gives the business greater flexibility to take on a broader range of label work. John continues, “What appealed to me about the L350 is how quickly it churns through the work, and everything is contained in the one unit. There isn’t a lot of pre-priming we have to do and

The installation builds on LabelShop’s established relationship with Jet Technologies, which supported the business through the press selection, installation and training process. John adds, “I have always loved working with the Jet team. It’s been a great partnership we’ve had, and working with Jet has been a really good experience.” Jack Malki, director at Jet Technologies, sees the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI as well suited to LabelShop’s focus on responsive production and would give the business greater capacity to support its customers. He says, “LabelShop has always put responsiveness at the centre of its business, and the L350 is well suited to that approach. “It gives the team the speed and capacity to get more work through production efficiently, while providing the flexibility to pursue new opportunities as the business continues to grow. We’re pleased to continue working with John and the LabelShop team as they build on their digital capabilities.”

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

KALE PRINT

Kale Print celebrates four decades in print with a massive new building in Tauranga Innovative Bay of Plenty print company shows its intent to grow with a move to a purpose built site in Tauranga’s premier business estate.

The new Kale Print site at Tauranga’s Tauriko Business Estate

ale Print, the Bay of Plenty’s biggest commercial print operation, has completed the move to a new site in Tauranga’s Tauriko Business Estate. The move coincides with the company’s 40th anniversary and marks the end of an era at its Cameron Road plant, and the beginning of a significant new chapter for the company. Stephen and Jill Kale founded the company in 1986. Ink runs through the Kale family’s veins. Stephen’s father was a printer. Jill and Stephen’s sons, Brent, operations manager, and Gavin, production manager, work within the company. Rochelle, their daughter, is a graphic designer.

newzealandprinter.co.nz

Peter Lloyd, general manager of Kale Print, says, “As a family business, the roots that Stephen and Jill put down continue to shape our culture. Our team of 50 passionate and engaged staff, many of whom are long term employees, deliver hands on quality service. “We have grown the business at a steady rate over the past few years, and this move forms part of our strategy for future growth.” For several years, Kale Print had operated from both its head office in the Tauranga central business district and the Judea industrial area. Peter says, “We had our larger finishing equipment and

September/October 2026

paper store located in the Judea industrial estate, so team members had to travel between the sites several times each day to complete projects.” Easy access to the new site Situated in the Tauriko Business Estate, the new plant will provide easy access for suppliers and customers both locally and regionally via its connection with SH29. Peter says, “As the premier location for industry and manufacturing in Tauranga, the Tauriko Business Estate provides Kale Print with an opportunity to create something truly special. With the region experiencing strong growth and many

KALE PRINT

Family business: Gavin, Stephen, Jill, and Brent Kale

the board. This has also given us the capability to print for the trade.” The new plant’s design has allowed the company to make its production more efficient. Peter explains, “We took the opportunity to design and build the new facility using lean manufacturing principles. We put the plans through an extensive process of mapping out where each machine would go on the factory floor to maximise print flow. The result is significant improvements in our manufacturing processes with a vastly streamlined workflow.” “By bringing everything together under one roof we can support any size of organisation from owner‑operators and corporates, as well as trade support for other printers.”

Peter Lloyd, general manager at Kale Print

new companies moving into the region, the extra capacity will serve the company well into the future. “The new location also puts us a bit closer to our sister site, Advocate Print in Rotorua, who we collaborate with on a daily basis.” Full service print provider Spanning an impressive 3100 square metres, Kale Print’s new purpose built production facility houses the company’s A1 and A2 UV offset printing

presses; three digital printing presses, a recently installed eight-colour flatbed; an extensive wide format and signage department; bindery and finishing area; and paper store. It provides ample office space for administration, customer services, design studio and estimating. Peter says, “Kale Print is a true full‑service print provider offering digital and offset printing, wide format printing, graphic design, finishing, packaging, labels, and merchandise production. Rather than specialising narrowly, the business has built breadth across

Kale Print has continuously invested in new technology from its RMGT press through to the latest Mimaki JFX600 flatbed. Peter says, “Having the capability with innovative technology and outstanding operators, all we needed was the physical space to enable us to develop the print site into an all in one solutions centre. “For our customers, this means they can feel the confidence of having a partner they can truly rely on, especially when they look to scale their business; we will be with them on every step of their journey.” Making sustainability a priority Early in 2024, Kale Print officially became a Toitū Carbonzero certified organisation

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

KALE PRINT in line with ISO 14064-1. Peter says, “The certification showed our customers and suppliers our dedication to responsible business practices, sustainability and our commitment to meeting the highest social and environmental standards.

of our clients face increasing pressure to meet environmental targets, so we can now help them meet their environmental commitments.”

“The new facility gave us a chance to reduce our CO2 emissions with our new solar investment. Having 432 solar panels installed on the roof, the site generates 106 per cent of its energy requirements with surplus power exported back to the grid during the summer months.

The move into the new premises also prompted a refreshed brand design. Peter says, “The new brand reflects Kale Print’s evolution as well as our hopes for its future direction. We developed the brand using customer feedback, asking our clients why they chose Kale Print and why they kept coming back to us.

Completing the build marks the end of an impressively smooth 12-month project. Peter says, “The result is a space that mirrors the business itself: thoughtful, practical and future focused. The cohesive green and black palette throughout and a design that brings the outside in give anyone arriving at the business the immediate impression that Kale Print knows where it has come from and where it is heading next.

“The new tagline ‘Creating Better, Together’ captures Kale Print’s key strengths; its solutions-driven, collaborative approach; its commitment to

“Next time you are in the Bay of Plenty region, why not drop in and see the new site up close. We look forward to welcoming you.”

“We save 42 tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to planting 7500 trees. All print manufacturing for our clients is now powered 100 per cent by renewable energy. We know many

Rebrand

people and planet; as well as its reputation for tackling complex jobs with care, expertise and follow through.”

Latest technology: Kale Print has installed the latest Mimaki JFX600 flatbed

The Tauriko Business Estate enables easy access for Kale Print’s suppliers and customers

newzealandprinter.co.nz

September/October 2026

TOTAL SUPPLY

Mimaki JFX600 expands wide format options for Kale Print Total Supply brings the country’s first of Mimaki’s flagship flatbed printers to the Bay of Plenty.

Peter Lloyd, with the Mimaki JFX600 flatbed printer at Kale Print’s new plant

ecently, Kale Print installed the country’s first Mimaki JFX600 flatbed printer, supplied through Total Supply (Total). Chris Knuckey, product manager at Total, says, “Peter Lloyd [general manager at Kale Print] initially contacted Total in June 2025 to enquire about our flatbed printer options. The Kale Print management team had a distinct vision for rigid print media and the type of work they wanted to offer their clients. “Over the following months, we discussed and presented different platforms to the management team with the final decision on the Mimaki JFX600 coinciding with completion of their new site. We were absolutely delighted to supply and install the JFX600 into what is one of the very best printing environments in the country.” Peter Lloyd says, “The Mimaki JFX600 allows us to add additional signage services to our growing list of other trade products. The Mimaki JFX600 offers us the best value in wide format. It is well supported post installation, and it complements our other wide format technology. Its colour range, speed, UV, and embellishment give us options to further enhance printed products.” Kale Print has partnered with Total Supply for 10 years. Chris says, “As this was the first JFX600 in New Zealand, we supported the installation with technicians from both Mimaki and Total, as well as ongoing support through regular monthly visits by Total’s technicians.”

Kale Print has already made use of the Mimaki JFX600’s capability to build texture directly onto rigid substrates using 2.5D printing technology.

Peter says, “Chris was fantastic at helping right through the whole process from initial presentation right through to installation and training. His technical knowledge was invaluable in helping us make an informed decision on the best way forward. “The installation went really well, and the team is enjoying the new technology. It’s one of the favourites to see running when clients visit for a plant tour.” Mimaki has aimed the JFX600, its industrial flagship flatbed printer, squarely at high volume commercial territory. The platform incorporates UV-LED curing and a UV ink system providing the best durability and flexibility for the widest range of materials. The Mimaki JFX600 enables Kale Print to offer a diverse range of products with high end photographic quality, high build textured print, and raw speed for high volume print. Chris says, “Kale Print elected to configure the machine with sixcolours plus white and clear, significantly widening the usable colour gamut. The addition of light cyan and light magenta drastically reduces graininess in highlights, skin tones, and soft gradients.” Impressive capabilities The Mimaki JFX600 offers a range of impressive capabilities. Housing 16 print heads, variable dot technology and a range of resolutions up to 1200dpi x 1200dpi, it achieves a maximum draft print speed of up to 200 square metres per hour. Even at high speed, it delivers clean and crisp print.

A multi-layer 2.5D printing option allows Kale Print to create embossed, tactile textures, such as woodgrain, brick, or braille, adding high value structural effects to otherwise mundane flat graphics. Its ability to split the print bed into two operational zones (front and back) enables operators to unload and reload media in one zone while the printer continues working uninterrupted in the other. The built-in Nozzle Check Unit and Nozzle Recovery System automatically detects deflected or clogged nozzles and substitutes them with working nozzles. This minimises physical intervention and vastly reduces reject prints. The system relies on a modernised, touchscreen-driven graphic user interface. This simplifies job queuing, real-time maintenance status checks, and height adjustments. An integrated automatic media height sensor maps out substrate variations to eliminate printhead crashes. Kale Print will make full use of the JFX600’s capabilities. Peter says, “Our studio design team is buzzing with ideas. We are currently developing a self-promotion campaign using the Mimaki JFX600’s ability to build texture directly onto rigid substrates. It’s sure to be a real showstopper that we can use to grow new business and spark creativity within our clients. He concludes, “The Mimaki JFX600 ticks all the boxes for speed, flexibility, and quality.”

September/October 2026

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DURST GROUP

Norwood secures growth with Durst Group solutions Norwood Industries recently invested in a Durst P5 350 for the right combination of quality, productivity, flexibility, and confidence in the platform technology, and practical problemsolving,” Nicholas said. “Print is an industry where innovation has a direct impact on customers’ brands and operations, and that has always appealed to me. Over time, Norwood Industries has continued to invest in capability so we can deliver higher quality, faster, and more reliable print solutions for our customers. “Norwood Industries produces a wide range of large-format and display print work, including signage, pointof-sale and point-of-purchase displays, retail graphics, promotional materials, industrial graphics, and printed components for customer projects. “Our work involves digital wide-format production across both rigid and roll materials, supported by finishing processes that allow us to deliver complete, ready-to-use solutions in a rapid time period to create competitive advantages for our customers.” The best of the best Nicholas said Norwood invested in the Durst machine because it wanted “to buy the best”.

Jason Nicholas (Norwood Industries) and Matt Ashman (Durst Oceania) with the new P5 350

ustralian-owned printing company Norwood Industries has demonstrated its long-term commitment to serving its customers with the installation of a new Durst P5 350 at its manufacturing facility at Hallam, Victoria. With over 85 staff members, Norwood is now managed by CEO and director Jason Nicholas who was appointed this year following the retirement of Fran Coyle after 24 years with the business. Nicholas was selected by

the Eason family to join the business after his extensive experience working in senior management positions within globally recognised brands including Honda, Miele, and Tempur. Under his stewardship, Nicholas is looking to grow the commercial or trade printing arm of the business to service a broader range of customers. “I came into the print industry through a strong interest in manufacturing,

“We have a rich history dating back to the 1960s and as the family is financially secure, it buys assets instead of renting or leasing equipment. Looking at a suboptimal option, which might initially be cheaper and offer a faster payback, that often breaks down or needs to be replaced in the long-term is not our philosophy. As a result, Norwood purchases machinery that is designed to last as long as possible, so we prefer to buy quality European-made machinery,” he said. “Our Norwood team chose the Durst P5 350 because it gave us the right combination of quality, productivity, flexibility, and confidence in the platform. We needed a machine that could handle work efficiently, support fast changeovers, and fit into a high-volume production environment. Durst’s reputation for build quality, colour consistency, workflow integration, and service support gave us

September/October 2026

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YOUR FIRST DURST P5 350 CORE The P5 350 CORE, a 3.5 m hybrid digital printing platform, is your entry into the integrated Durst system. Engineered in Europe. Made in Durst. Built for your business.

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DURST GROUP

Matt Ashman (Durst Oceania) and Jason Nicholas (Norwood Industries) discuss printing substrates for the new P5 350 HS

confidence that it was the right long-term investment for Norwood Industries. “We use the Durst P5 350 as a key production platform for high-quality large-format work. It gives us the ability to move between substrates more efficiently, produce consistent output at speed, and manage a wide variety of customer applications – from retail display through to signage and industrial print work. “The features we value most are the hybrid capability, print width, fast media change, productivity, and workflow integration. Being able to print up to 3.5m-wide across applications gives us excellent flexibility. The machine is also designed for efficient production, with fast media change, easy maintenance, and options such as multi-roll and multitrack board printing that support a more streamlined workflow. “The Durst P5 350 has improved productivity by giving us more output capacity, faster turnaround, and greater flexibility across different job types. The combination of speed, quick media changes, and reliable colour output means we can move jobs through production more efficiently and reduce bottlenecks.

It has also helped us keep more work in-house, which gives us better control over quality and delivery times.” Family synergies with Durst One of bonds formed during the selection of the new printing equipment has been the shared family focus and long history of servicing customers by both of the privately-owned businesses. According to Durst Oceania managing director Matt Ashman, the relationship with Norwood Industries has developed very quickly. “Working with a business such as Norwood has been an absolute pleasure,” Ashman said. “The company is engulfed in the same rich history and family values we hold at Durst, which gives us such synergy. Jason and his team have demonstrated a clear ambition to drive future growth through the Norwood business by confidently investing in the latest technology. “The decision to increase the capability of an already capable and high performing business is inspiring and to see such a well-established team be so excited about

the new technology that Durst has brought to the business is truly humbling.” Nicholas emphasised the importance of the shared business philosophy that developed throughout the sales and installation process. “As Durst is an Italian company celebrating 90 years, we found a lot of synergies from a cultural perspective that aligned with the values of our business, and this is also very important to the family owners of Norwood Industries,” Nicholas said. “Like Matt Ashman and the Durst Oceania business, we are also customerobsessed – and while it is sometimes to our detriment – everyone on the floor of our business is a ‘yes’ person. Even if the customer has a problem that another company has been unable to solve and they may have come to us as a last resort – we have an internal focus to find a way to find a solution.” Stronger commercial focus As the new CEO of the business, Nicholas has set a long-term target of increasing the commercial trade work completed by the business.

September/October 2026

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DURST GROUP “Depending on the month, between 20 to 30 per cent of our work is commercial printing for other organisations. With four staff members in our commercial sales team, the goal is to grow this to 50 per cent of our turnover and the installation of the Durst is a critical part of that strategy,” Nicholas said. “It has strengthened our ability to pursue and win work that requires high-quality large-format output, faster turnarounds, and consistent production across different substrates. It gives customers greater confidence that we can handle more demanding projects, and it opens opportunities in areas where speed, scale, and finish are critical.” Boosting staff morale Nicholas was surprised about the reaction from his staff following the installation of the new Durst machine.

Gary Hocking (Norwood Industries) operating the new Durst printer

“I didn’t realise the impact that the new Durst P5 350 would have on staff morale. When you come to work every day and operate machinery, having state-of-theart equipment provides even long-term staff with a very high level of confidence and satisfaction when they operate a new machine,” Nicholas said. “Across the organisation, there is certainly a lot of excitement with the major expenditure as well as it is a clear signal to staff and customers that we are not sweating assets or draining money out of the business – we are reinforcing our capital infrastructure and reinvesting in the future of the company. “With our previous digital solution, we needed to throw more resources at it to get more work out. The Durst operates differently. I have found our team slowing down to go fast – this just means we work to calibrate and set up the machine for optimisation before letting it go. “The best analogy I can use is that before the Durst arrived, our digital production manager Gary Hocking used to have V8 Commodore that would go around Albert Park and complete a decent lap time. But now, he is mastering the art of driving a Mercedes F1 car that performs at several times the previous speed.” Installing the Durst The removal of the previous wide format solution and the installation of the new Durst took place in just one day. “We started the installation process at 6.00am on a Monday and the Durst was installed that day. By Friday of that week, we were fully commissioned and

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The Durst Welcome Box containing samples and inspiration for new customers

printing on the machine that we describe as the ‘jewel in our crown’,” Nicholas said. “As with any major capital equipment project, preparation was important, but the process was well managed and the machine was brought into production smoothly. The team adapted quickly, and the Durst P5 350 has become an important part of our production capability. “For a machine of this scale, local support, technical knowledge, and responsiveness are critical. We have been pleased with the support we have received, and that has helped us get the most out of the investment. “I could not talk more highly of the entire Durst team – from a customer experience perspective – it really has been 10 out of 10. No commissioning process takes place without issues, and

September/October 2026

the team fixed everything during the installation process straight away. The Durst team is now educating and training our staff who have been with us for up to 20 years and their new skills mean their capability is growing, which is building their confidence and making them more valuable to the business. “One of the Durst service technicians, Darcy, lives close to our premises and he now has a hot desk here. Being out on the road all the time can be a lonely experience, so we said ‘why don’t you join our business as an adopted son’. There are a lot of nice synergies between our family businesses.” Printing money In 1999, Norwood was contacted by Note Printing Australia and the Australian Mint to assist with the highly technical

DURST GROUP About Norwood Industries •

•

Norwood Industries was named after a family farm where one of the founders – Kath Garner – was raised at East Gippsland, Victoria. Norwood was a church the family attended at Liverpool in England before migrating to Australia. Kath married Don Eason and they adopted the name for the business. Don and Kath Eason established Norwood Industries in 1960 to print cloth labels for the local fashion industry. The company later diversified when nurserymen came to them requesting descriptive labels for planting and cropping that were initially paper and then weather-tolerant UV plastic labels and descriptive plant tags that help tell a marketing story for products in the horticultural industry. Norwood pioneered the introduction of coloured UV printed plant labels and horticultural tags in A/NZ. The company owns a patent on its globally-recognised Taglok label locking system for the secure attachment of tags to plant containers. Norwood now produces over 12,000 different plant tag varieties. Don and Kath passed the business on to sons Andrew and Stuart who grew the business further into a multi-milliondollar enterprise. The thirdgeneration of the family – Andrew’s son Trevor – now works as a pre-press operator within the business. There are now 85 staff within the business that are all connected to the printing operations either directly or indirectly. The oldest staff member working at Norwood is Kerry Ball (78) who was previously a die-cut operator and is now working in stripping, followed by Joy Taylor (76) who works in despatch, and digital production manager Gary Hocking (72). Approximately half of the Norwood team have worked in excess of 10 years with the business. The company culture is to provide a challenging, yet rewarding work environment with opportunities for advancement and additional experience and training.

printing of local and foreign polymer currency notes. “At the time there was a rush on currency manufacturing with the global concern attached to the potential implications of the Y2K bug – a technological issue that was expected to take place as computers could find it difficult to switch over from 31 December 1999 to 1 January 2000,” Nicholas said. “Sensing potential chaos, governments all over the world placed large orders for extra currency notes fearing that people would withdraw their finds from banks. “Norwood was the only printer in the market during this period with the capability to manufacture polymer currency at the required level. To maintain a high level of security – many cameras were installed and streets around the building were closed during the manufacturing of the polymer currency.” A legacy from 40 video surveillance cameras installed at Norwood in 1999 following the currency printing

project is, the company now has a reputation to deliver a very high security for its customers. “We specialise in work for customers that require a very secure printing project as well as clients that require a special oneoff printing job for a competition or highly confidential document,” Nicholas said. “We like to call ourselves the ‘Fort Knox’ of the Australian printing industry. Every door to our printing facilities can only be accessed through a fob and, of course, everything is always on camera. “If we have a printing job for a government department or a commercial customer requiring a specific level of security or compliance, they can obtain live access through our cameras to observe the printing processes and there may be additional security on site to observe what we are doing as well. “This high security capability is now an innate part of our company infrastructure and an integral part of the way we do business for our customers.”

Jason Nicholas and Shane Easton from Norwood Industries

Norwood Industries manufacturing and operations manager Shane Easton said the new Durst press is enabling the business to expand its offerings whilst creating new opportunities to differentiate and grow. “The quality of the Durst machine is amazing – I cannot rave enough about the quality. What the Durst specifically provides us now is a broad range of extra work that can now be produced that will set us apart from others in the market and grow our business into the future,” Easton said. “For example, we have been producing a job just now on the Durst printed with a varnish. The quality of the end result is so shiny that it appears as though it

has been laminated – but the finishing has been completed in the press itself. “We can also produce images with a raised print delivering a 3D texture that looks like a painting. One of the other special features available is a form of printing called lenticular where the Durst uses two different colours and the image can be viewed differently from separate directions – which is great for point of sale and retail applications. “The beauty of a digital press, compared to an offset press, is that we can create a ‘one-of’ or a ‘two-of’ for a customer and whether it is a painting, a poster or a piece of point of sale it can be personalised and individualised.”

September/October 2026

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Join the Leading Suppliers and Printers/Converters/Signage Businesses Sponsoring or Supporting the

2027 PEOPLE IN PRINT & RISING STARS OF PRINT AWARDS + NZ PRINTING, PACKAGING & SIGNAGE FORUM Now co-located with PrintNZ's Auckland Industry Training Awards event April 20, 2027 | Auckland PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR

SUPPORTERS

SPONSOR/SUPPORTER PACKAGES Brian Moore (Publisher) +61 410 578 876

AWARD NOMINATIONS Bruce Craig (Editor) 021 631 559

ATTENDING / TICKETS Tania McDougall (Ticketing) 021 587 072

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Build your brand’s exposure and prestige as a Sponsor or Supporter of the New Zealand Printing, Packaging and Signage Forum AND the People In Print Awards + Rising Stars Of Print This full day of events in Auckland on April 20, 2027, is proudly presented by New Zealand Printer magazine in partnership with PrintNZ and is co-located with PrintNZ's Industry Training Awards event - so even more reasons to be part of one of our industry's biggest days in print. SPONSOR INCLUSIONS GOLD •

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Complimentary NZP print and/or digital advertising to the value of Sponsorship investment 6 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon, value $1194 Opportunity to speak about why the brand supports the Forum and the Awards before introduction of Speaker at the Forum (short video of the Sponsor’s brand to play as its representative walks to the stage) Up to 10 months of exposure of brand logo and identification as a Gold Sponsor on all print and online pre-promotion and post-event coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening

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Complimentary NZP print and/or digital advertising to the value of Sponsorship investment 2 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon, value $398 Up to 10 months of exposure of brand logo and identification as a Bronze Sponsor on all print and online pre-promotion and post-event coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening

Complimentary NZP print and/or digital advertising to the value of Sponsorship investment 4 tickets to attend the daytime Forum and the Awards in the late afternoon, value $796 Opportunity to speak about why the brand supports the Forum and the Awards before introduction of Speaker at the Forum (short video of the Sponsor’s brand to play as its representative walks to the stage) Up to 10 months of exposure of brand logo and identification as a Silver Sponsor on all print and online pre-promotion and post-event coverage as well as Forum signage on the day and during the Awards evening

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Credit: iStock.com/toxawww

OFFSET PRINTING

XPS accelerates with new RMGT 790ST-5 offset press from Cyber XPS is boosting its trade print capacity and productivity with the install of a new RMGT 790ST-5 offset press, cutting turnaround times and expanding its capabilities By: Brian Moore

hen Xclusive Printing Solutions (XPS) placed an order for a new RMGT 790ST-5 offset press through local distributor Cyber, managing director Jason Meoushy and his brother John were driven by a clear directive: to service a rapidly expanding workload without compromising their signature agility. Fast forward to today, and the five-colour A2+ press is fully commissioned, bedded in, and running flat out at the company’s purpose-built facility in Ingleburn, Sydney. For Jason, the operational impact has been nothing short of transformative. A recent site visit alongside Cyber NSW/ ACT state manager Rob Crough, who facilitated the investment, revealed a business operating at peak efficiency. The press installation went entirely according to plan, meeting every timeline target. Because the XPS press crew was already well-versed in Ryobi/RMGT architecture, operator adoption was virtually instantaneous. “The installation was smooth, timeframes were met, and because our team knows Ryobi platforms so well, we hit the ground running,” Jason said. “Ever since putting in this new machine, we’ve been running six days a week, regularly pushing into 3am to 4pm shifts to keep up with trade demand”. The macro shift: Why trade printing is booming The operational growth at XPS mirrors a broader structural shift within the Australian print landscape. As consolidation continues and smaller commercial outfits exit manufacturing due to rising capital costs or business shutdowns, a massive volume of work is seeking a reliable home.

Jason Meoushy (XPS), Rob Crough (Cyber Australia), and John Meoushy (XPS) in front of the new RMGT 790ST-5

XPS has stepped directly into that void, capturing trade work not only from New South Wales, but increasingly from Queensland and Victoria.

September/October 2026

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OFFSET PRINTING

Jason and John Meoushy in front of the console of the press

Print brokers and agency clients are actively choosing local trade suppliers over interstate alternatives to ensure rapid turnaround times and direct communication.

completely in our comfort zone while maximising output.”

450gsm heavy board with smooth, effortless transitions.

Real production results: the technology difference

While large trade groups rely heavily on rigid, automated online upload portals, XPS offers a flexible, direct alternative. Brokers and middlemen can speak directly to decision-makers to get urgent jobs scheduled and issues resolved immediately.

Comparing the new RMGT 790ST-5 against their legacy setup highlights the significant productivity leaps made possible by modern offset automation.

“Time is money,” Jason noted. “Changing from 90gsm to 450gsm board requires minimal manual adjustment – the machine just copes with it.”

XPS strictly manages customer concentration, capping any single client at no more than 10 to 15 per cent of total business volume to maintain financial stability. Standing firm in the A2 market While many printing operations have migrated toward large-format A1 machinery or abandoned offset altogether, XPS remains fiercely committed to the A2 format. “A lot of trade operations are A1, but they struggle with short-run agility and smaller sheet sizes,” Jason said. “The A2 market is diminishing in terms of press numbers across the country, but the actual volume of A2 work remains strong. It’s a sweet spot for us. It fits our business model, matches our CTP and Horizon bindery setup perfectly, and lets us stay

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The XL advantage: unlocking packaging and overflow

Compared with previously operated presses like the Ryobi 755 (semi-automated make-ready taking eight or nine minutes), the new press has dramatically sliced setup times and paper waste.

A key feature of the new press is its XL extended sheet size, which delivers an additional 35mm of lateral printing width. This small dimension change has yielded massive commercial dividends.

Key productivity drivers

“The extra 35mm sheet size was a major reason we chose the XL model,” Jason said.

Transitioning from job to job now occurs at the press of a single button, from handling plate changing and blanket wash routines automatically to running full colour within 100 sheets. With the Ink Volume Setter software communicating CIP3 colour profiles directly from their Equios workflow, the press reaches target colour within 75 to 100 sheets. Complete job changeovers now take under five minutes, allowing the press operator to complete scores of individual runs per shift. The press handles everything from lightweight 90gsm paper up to

September/October 2026

“It allows us to take on overflow packaging jobs – flat sheets, heavy folding boards, craft stock, and grey-back boards – from agencies and packaging specialists who can’t fit those layouts on standard A2 sheets. We print the flat sheets here, and they convert them elsewhere.” Streamlined workflow: from prepress to bindery To keep the new RMGT press fed, XPS maintains an ultra-efficient inline production pipeline. Operating a Screen platesetter imaging Fujifilm processless plates eliminates chemical processing completely.

OFFSET PRINTING Alongside offset, XPS runs high-end digital engines and Fujifilm Acuity flatbeds. This multi-technology setup facilitates upselling clients across segments – moving a customer seamlessly from large-format signage to high-volume offset catalogue print. Press output flows directly into a toptier Horizon finishing suite from Currie Group, featuring an ICE Stitchliner Mark IV, BQ-500 Perfect Binder (running both EVA and PUR), and an HT-300 ThreeEdge Trimmer. This end-to-end speed enables XPS to eliminate production backlogs. Job turnarounds that previously took three to four days are now routinely produced and shipped within 24 to 48 hours. Partnership with Cyber: building for the long haul The decision to buy brand new was strongly advocated by Cyber’s Rob Crough, who recognised that XPS’s young management team needed rocksolid reliability to back their ambitious trade strategy. “Rob kept urging us to go brand new rather than looking at second-hand machines,” Jason said. “We looked at second-hand 10-colour presses, but there were just too many unknowns. Rob pointed out that John and I are young, our business is growing fast, and putting in brand-new technology allows the press to grow with us over the next decade.” Cyber A/NZ managing director Bernard Cheong and Crough have forged a deep relationship with XPS built on trust and prompt support. “Our relationship with Cyber goes back to day one when we ran small A3 Ryobi 524 presses,” Jason said. “They understand our business, they back our vision, and their service support gives us total peace of mind.” A culture of self-reliance Despite the rapid expansion, XPS maintains a lean, highly dedicated team of 14 personnel. The company culture is grounded in mutual respect, low staff turnover, and high internal capability. “We have a very relaxed management style,” Jason said. “Our people are highly skilled, very self-dependent, and they work to their own timelines to get the job done. We’ve never had to let anyone go. When we get busy, everyone rolls up their sleeves and works overtime together.”

Looking ahead, Meoushy hasn’t ruled out future equipment additions, noting that a perfector press could eventually be on the horizon as volume dictates. But for now, the

new RMGT 790ST-5 sits firmly at the centre of their operations – a high-tech engine driving one of Sydney’s most dynamic trade printing success stories.

XPS trade value proposition Traditional high-volume trade

XPS boutique trade model

Rigid, faceless online portals

Direct contact with decision-makers

Strict, inflexible gang-run templates

Highly flexible, custom jobs

Slow response for non-standard work

Urgent jobs answered and printed immediately

Make-ready and efficiency comparison Metric

Legacy presses

New RMGT 790ST-5

Make-ready time

8-9 minutes

Under 5 minutes

Setup automation

Semi-auto/manual

One-touch fully auto

Waste sheets to colour

150-250 sheets

75-100 sheets

Substrate range

Restricted

90gsm to 450gsm board

Sheet format comparison Standard A2 sheet

RMGT 790 XL sheet

Standard image area

+35mm lateral width extension

Standard commercial layouts

Accommodates larger packaging gang-runs and folding cartons

RMGT 790ST-5 specifications Feature

Specification

Print units

5 colours (conventional offset)

Max sheet size (XL)

780 mm x 600 mm (A2+ format)

Stock weight range

0.04 mm to 0.6 mm (90 gsm-450 gsm)

Max printing speed

15,000 sheets per hour

Prepress integration

Equios Workflow via Ink Volume Setter (CIP3)

Make-ready automation

Fully automatic plate changer and preset keys

Target colour speed

75-100 sheets

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

Invitation to a RMGT Factory that Builds In Reliability Witness with your own eyes a fully integrated system from design and development to parts machining, assembly, and pre-shipping inspection.

RMGT’s Head Office Factory in Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture, manufactures large and mid-size offset presses and is the company’s main facility. As printing presses require exacting precision, the Head Office Factory utilizes a fully integrated system from design and development to parts machining, assembly, and pre-shipping inspection. We invite you to visit the Head Office Factory, where you can see the technological expertise and creativity behind the manufacturing that builds in reliability to produce offset presses with proven functions and exceptional printing quality. We are constantly refining and improving our production lines, so even customers who have previously visited our factory are sure to discover something new. Everyone at the Head Office Factory is ready to extend a warm welcome. An online video offers more detailed information about RMGT and our operations. The video can be accessed via the QR code at right. If you are unable to use the QR code, the video can also be accessed at the URL below. https://youtu.be/3FQfsABk-tk New Zealand - Rob Crough (61) 423 337 788 Sydney - Rob Crough (61) 423 337 788 Melbourne - Greg Knight (61) 411 338 855 Sydney : 38 Victoria Street, Beaconsfield, NSW 2015 Australia Brisbane - Giorgio Rossi (61) 423 776 622 Tel: (61) 2 9318 0099 Fax: (61) 2 9318 0399 Perth - Alan Strugnell (61) 418 955 512 Singapore - Tel: (65) 6272 8936 Malaysia - Tel: (60) 3 7955 1668 (Kuala Lumpur) Indonesia - Tel: (62) 21 2555 8924 Thailand - Tel: (66) 2 682 3411-4 Tel: (60) 7 598 0771/2 (Senai, Johor) Vietnam - Tel: (84) 9 0938 9468

New Zealand : 3C Rothwell Avenue, Rosedale, Auckland 0632 New Zealand. Tel: (61) 2 9318 0099

sales@cyber1976.com www.cyber1976.com

DIGITAL BOOK PRODUCTION

IVE Group invests in JMD Digital FoldLine for Kemps Creek facility The Digital FoldLine 180 install marks the start of a new partnership between IVE and JMD, and represents the latter’s first install of the model in Australasia.

VE Group has further bolstered its

advances in technology, engineering, and quality, and the gap with established European and North American suppliers continues to narrow,” Meyer said.

new Kemps Creek production site in Western Sydney with the installation of

a JMD Digital FoldLine 180 – making IVE the first printer in the region to install the system and marking the beginning of a new partnership between the two companies. JMD Technology Corporation specialises in post-press equipment and automated book-production solutions across three core areas: perfect binding, saddle stitching and digital finishing. The FoldLine 180 adds significant capability to IVE’s high speed digital inkjet book production workflow. Rather than operating as a standalone folding and cutting machine, the system is designed as a key component of an automated digital book-production line. Operating at speeds of up to 180m/min, the web is folded, cut, stacked and glued to produce a book block ready for perfect binding on one of IVE’s high speed binding lines. The system can produce single books or multiple copies according to job requirements and can handle consecutive titles in line with the digital print sequence. Finished book blocks can also be delivered individually or in preset groups, making the system well suited to fast response, print on demand production. For IVE, the investment is designed to reduce the manual handling and intermediate processing traditionally associated with short-run book production, while providing the scale and infrastructure to further consolidate and automate its workflow. It also gives the company scope to grow its short run digital book offering as demand develops, without fundamentally redesigning its production model. “By moving more book production to high speed inkjet, we can efficiently produce longer runs digitally and create additional capacity on our offset presses for work, where offset remains the most appropriate technology,” IVE Group marketing activations CEO Darryl Meyer said. “This investment is part of a broader strategy for Kemps Creek, rather than simply in one piece of equipment, as it gives us greater flexibility to respond

Darryl Meyer (IVE Group) with the new JMD Digital FoldLine 180

Matt Aitken (IVE Group), Falon Yi (JMD Technology Corporation), and Darryl Meyer (IVE Group)

to the continuing shift towards shorter runs, faster turnaround times, and more on-demand book production. The ability to progressively integrate printing, finishing, and binding is an important part of how we see digital book manufacturing evolving at Kemps Creek.” IVE considered several solutions before selecting the JMD Digital FoldLine 180, which it determined offered the right combination of automation, productivity, flexibility and scalability for its requirements. As a relatively new supplier to IVE, JMD also underwent extensive due diligence, including visits by IVE representatives to existing JMD installations and the company’s manufacturing facility in China. The process gave IVE the validation in both the technology and the organisation behind it. “What gave us confidence was the combination of machine performance, automation, engineering quality, and the company’s approach to developing technology for the digital print market. We are also seeing a broader shift in the global equipment market. Chinese manufacturers have made significant

“For IVE, that is creating more choice when evaluating capital investment, particularly where a new technology can deliver the required performance and reliability at a competitive total cost of ownership.” The FoldLine 180 also provides a pathway to further automation, with JMD’s platform capable of integration with downstream perfect binding and trimming equipment. This creates the potential for a fully automated roll-to-finished-book workflow as production volumes and customer requirements evolve. JMD project manager Falon Yi said the installation demonstrates that the company’s digital finishing technology, already proven in demanding production environments in China, can meet the requirements of a highly developed international print market. “JMD has built a strong position in both conventional and digital post-press production in China. Our equipment is used by many of the country’s leading printing companies and has been tested over time through demanding, high-volume production across a wide range of products, including book and commercial print applications. The install at IVE gives customers in Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to see JMD technology operating in a local production environment and represents an important step in strengthening JMD’s presence in these markets,” Yi said. “We see the installation not only as the delivery of one system, but also as the beginning of a long-term relationship with IVE and an opportunity for JMD to continue learning, improving, and supporting the future development of IVE’s digital book-production workflow. We believe this combination of proven production experience, continuous improvement, practical automation, flexible integration and responsive support is what distinguishes JMD in the global market.”

September/October 2026

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FROM PRINTED ROLL TO FINISHED BOOK One integrated post-press workflow NOW INSTALLED AT IVE GROUP’S KEMPS CREEK FACILITY

DIGITAL FOLDLINE 180 High-speed roll-to-book-block finishing at up to 180 metres per minute. • • • •

Inline or standalone operation Flexible one-book or multiple-book-block output Designed for short-run and print-on-demand production Ready for integration with downstream perfect binding and trimming

JMD brings together high-speed roll-to-book-block finishing, automated perfect binding and final trimming in a scalable digital post-press solution. Designed for both print-on-demand and industrial book production, JMD's integrated workflow helps reduce manual handling, accelerate job changeovers and provide the flexibility to move efficiently from single-book output to volume production.

DIGITAL FINISHING | PERFECT BINDING | SADDLE STITCHING

Discover smarter post-press automation.

jmdpostpress.com info@jmd-group.cn

SUSTAINABILITY

What is the lack of sustainability costing your business? Denise Kirby explains why not going green means losing opportunities. as offering a lower performance or as less reliable than products the industry already knows and trusts and has used for years. Print businesses may feel tempted to not raise the subject with customers at all. Why rock the boat? However, the bigger question is, “What is the cost to your business if you don’t?” Print buyers have become increasingly aware of the materials our industry uses, including our reliance on PVC-based materials, inks and other products that have a significant environmental impact due to limited end-of-life options. Brands now look further down their supply chains and expect suppliers to help them meet their sustainability commitments. They want solutions that align with their sustainable messaging and that includes sustainable print.

Sustainability does not mean abandoning PVC, plastic or every traditional material we currently use

ustainability is no longer just a buzzword. You only have to look around to see how prevalent sustainable messages are in advertising and how corporates and brands adopting more sustainable practices and leading with these initiatives in their promotional advertising. Carbon emissions, plastic waste, circularity, ethical sourcing and recycling have all become important considerations and managing the environmental impact of business is becoming standard practice. This transformation is being driven by consumer demand, regulatory pressure and a growing recognition that sustainability is not only good for the environment, it’s important for long term business success. The Better Futures 2026 report published by Kantar and the Sustainable Business Council, highlights that despite cost of living concerns, consumers still prioritise

sustainability. 87 per cent of those surveyed expect brands and businesses to take responsibility for their social and environmental impact. 69 per cent believe businesses are not doing enough and 74 per cent say sustainability influences their purchasing decisions. That is a significant message for any business. Today, ignoring sustainability simply doesn’t make good business sense.

If we cannot offer credible solutions or at least answer questions about why we use certain materials, then we introduce risk into our business. Risk that customers may reduce their spend on print or look to other technologies they perceive as being greener such has digital screens or social media, or they may choose another print company who is more proactive. I have heard from retail brands who moved away from window decals, floor graphics and other point-of-sale print because they were concerned about plastic and waste. The issue was not that sustainable print solutions did not exist or weren’t a viable option. They simply didn’t know there were any and that they had a choice.

For print businesses, there can be a perception that sustainability means luxury, is a niche offering or an unnecessary additional cost that customers won’t pay for.

This is why our role as print providers needs to extend beyond simply producing what a customer asks for. We need to understand the alternatives ourselves, educate our customers and help them make informed choices. We should not just wait for customers to demand change when we can lead them through it.

There may be concerns that businesses will need to introduce new processes and that sustainable initiatives like recycling will require more work. In addition, some companies may view alternative materials

Sustainability creates opportunities. Offering sustainable solutions is not just about compliance or managing environmental risk. Done properly, it can create genuine commercial opportunities.

The risks in ignoring sustainability

September/October 2026

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SUSTAINABILITY Premium Products and Service

Sustainability saves you money too

Many customers are prepared to pay more for solutions that provide genuine environmental value, within reason of course! Importantly, using sustainable print media is not always more expensive than traditional materials. In many areas the price gap between PVC and PVC-free has narrowed considerably.

The commercial benefits don’t only sit with the products we sell. Some of the most effective sustainability improvements also reduce operating costs at the same time.

Rather than automatically treating sustainability as a cost that needs to be absorbed or avoided, it can be positioned as a value-add service. We are not just selling print, we are selling something of value, something that aligns with our client’s values and that has currency. It offers an opportunity to protect margins and perhaps even increase them. Market differentiation Print is an incredibly competitive industry. Sustainability offers another opportunity for businesses to differentiate beyond price, service and print quality. Brands and agencies with environmental targets increasingly need suppliers who understand their objectives. Being able to discuss material selection, waste, recyclability, recycled content, reuse and end of life options positions us as a knowledgeable partner rather than simply another supplier. Customer retention and acquisition One of the best ways to retain a customer is to solve a problem for them. If a client is under pressure to reduce plastic waste or meet internal sustainability targets and we can offer them a practical solution, we become more valuable to their business. Sustainability can therefore help strengthen existing customer relationships while opening doors to new clients whose procurement policies increasingly favour solutions with better environmental outcomes.

Material waste is a good example. Poorly planned layouts, overproduction, unnecessary reprints and offcuts not only have an environmental impact, they also cost money. Every metre of media that isn’t wasted is a metre that doesn’t need to be bought. Better nesting, standardising campaign sizes, reducing production errors and printing only what is needed all improve sustainability while directly protecting margin. The same applies to energy use. Efficient operational processes, print production and transport reduces emissions but also energy and fuel consumption, saving money. Sustainability and profitability do not need to be mutually exclusive. They can both be achieved by doing the same thing. Sustainability doesn’t mean getting rid of plastic We need to be realistic as an industry. Sustainability does not mean abandoning PVC, plastic or every traditional material we currently use. PVC has some exceptional performance attributes. For applications requiring long-term outdoor durability and conformability, such as vehicle wrapping and demanding architectural applications, it can still be the right material for the job. These attributes however are not needed for every job. There are many applications that simply don’t require any of the attributes of

PVC such as retail promotions, seasonal campaigns, events, trade shows and indoor graphics. PVC-free material solutions for all these applications are available in our market right now and using them doesn’t compromise quality or performance. It is here where changes can easily be made. Creating value for clients The important thing is to give our customers a choice and explain the difference so they can make an informed decision. Some may choose traditional materials, others will choose the sustainable option but if it is not offered, future opportunities could be missed. Sustainability is not about making our industry less commercially viable. Done well, it should make a business more efficient, more relevant and more valuable to clients. Sustainability complements business and can help reduce waste, protect margins, strengthen customer relationships and compete for work that may otherwise move elsewhere. Today the question no longer is “How much is sustainability going to cost my business?” but “How much business could it cost me if I ignore it?” With over 30 years of industry experience and a commitment to sustainability, Denise launched her own media brand, ZERO, with a mission to make print more environmentally responsible without compromising commercial performance. She focuses on striking the balance between meaningful environmental progress and the practical needs of the industry. Denise Kirby Founder Kirbyco

Reduce your print waste. Switch to sustainable PVC-free ZERO media. Recycled in NZ into fence posts.

www.kirbyco.co.nz

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September/October 2026

ANNIVERSARY

Celebrating 150 Years in print From hand-set type to digital technology, managing director Richard Wills recounts the remarkable story of Craigs Design & Print.

The greatest continuity at Craigs has come from its people and its current team embraces the company’s distinctive heritage

n an industry transformed almost beyond recognition, few businesses can claim a history spanning three centuries. A part of Invercargill and Southland since 1876, Craigs Design & Print has witnessed extraordinary change in printing technology, in the city, the region, and in the way people communicate. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: Craigs has continued to put ink on paper. From the days of hand-set type and mechanical printing presses to today’s sophisticated offset and digital production equipment, the story of Craigs is one of craftsmanship, resilience, innovation and a strong belief in supporting the region it calls home. Where it all began When the business that would become Craig Printing was established in Invercargill in 1876, printing was a very different trade. Every piece of type was physical. Words were assembled by hand, letter by letter and line by line. Printing presses were mechanical, production was labour intensive, and the skill of the printer was evident in every finished page. At the time, Invercargill itself was still a young city. Southland was developing rapidly, businesses were being established

The former Craig Printing Company building in Tay Street, Invercargill is a registered heritage building

and communities were growing. Printers played an important role in that growth, producing the newspapers, books, stationery, notices, forms and commercial material that allowed businesses and communities to communicate. Craig Printing became part of that story.

Over succeeding generations, the company built a reputation for quality printing and dependable service, forming relationships with Southland businesses and organisations that in many cases would continue for decades.

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ANNIVERSARY Atlas Print and Craig Printing come together An important chapter in the company’s more recent history was the merging of Atlas Print with Craig Printing. Both businesses had their own history, customers, knowledge and printing expertise. Bringing the two operations together strengthened Craig Printing and combined generations of local printing experience under one roof. It was more than simply bringing together equipment and customers. It brought together people, skills and knowledge developed over many years in the Southland printing industry. The merger helped create a stronger locally based printing operation with the capability to undertake a wider range of work while continuing to provide the personal service that had been a hallmark of both businesses. That combination of experience became part of the foundation for the business that would ultimately evolve into Craigs Design & Print. A trade transformed Few industries have experienced technological change on the scale seen in printing. The craft moved from hand-set metal type to mechanical typesetting, and later to photographic typesetting. Letterpress printing gave way to offset lithography. Artwork that was once created by hand became computer-generated, while film, plates and traditional prepress processes were gradually replaced by direct-to-plate and fully digital workflows. Then came another major change, digital printing. Jobs that once required extensive preparation could suddenly be produced directly from a computer file. Short print runs became economical, turnaround times shortened dramatically, and variable data allowed individual printed pieces to be personalised.

Long service has been a feature of the company, with a number of employees spending several decades of their working lives at Craigs. That depth of experience is increasingly unusual in modern manufacturing and has helped preserve knowledge that cannot simply be learned from a manual. It is those people past and present who have maintained the standards associated with the Craigs name. From craftsmanship to technology Walk through Craigs today and the contrast with the printing company of 1876 could hardly be greater. Modern offset presses produce thousands of full-colour sheets with exceptional accuracy. Digital presses reproduce complex colour and incorporate speciality effects that previous generations of printers could only have imagined. Wide format technology produces everything from posters and display graphics to specialised printed products, while automated finishing equipment has transformed processes that were once completed almost entirely by hand. Recent investment New digital printing technology has expanded colour and specialty print capabilities. Roll label production has been brought inhouse, providing customers with locally manufactured labels and shorter turnaround times. Digital cutting technology has opened new possibilities for custom shapes, packaging, presentation material and short-run products without the need for traditional cutting formes. The technology may be new, but the philosophy behind the investment is not.

Through each change, Craig Printing adapted. Rather than allowing new technology to replace the traditions on which the business had been built, the company combined the two – retaining generations of printing knowledge while continually investing in the equipment required for the future. More than printing As customers’ requirements changed, so did the company. Craig Printing evolved into Craigs Design & Print, reflecting a business that had grown well beyond traditional commercial printing. Today, design, digital and offset printing sit alongside finishing and binding, wide-format production, labels on a roll, promotional products, apparel, photography services and specialist book production. Yet traditional printing remains an important part of the business. Craigs continues to operate offset presses at a time when the number of commercial offset printers has reduced significantly. Its factory combines long established printing skills with modern production methods, allowing the company to handle everything from straightforward stationery and marketing material to complex publications and high quality books.

A testament to the hard work put in over many years and many more to come. From all the staff at BJ Ball, well done.

The people behind the presses Machines and technology are only part of the Craigs story. The company’s greatest continuity has come from its people. Over the decades, generations of printers, finishers, designers, photographers, estimators, customer service staff and tradespeople have passed their skills on to those who followed.

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September/October 2026

ANNIVERSARY organisations and people who make Southland what it is. Craigs has supported countless local organisations, sporting groups, events and community initiatives over the years. That relationship works both ways. When local businesses support Craigs, Craigs can continue investing in its people, equipment and technology here in Southland. It is something the company is extremely proud of.

From the 1970s, compositor and Linotype operator Pieter Hessels in the comp room pulling a proof

In an era when print can easily be ordered online and manufactured hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away, Craigs continues to demonstrate the value of having genuine manufacturing capability right here in Invercargill. Customers can talk directly to the people producing their work, see proofs, discuss options, solve problems quickly and know where their job is being made. Whenever possible, it is made here. Still evolving Reaching 150 years is an achievement for any New Zealand company. Achieving it in an industry that has been repeatedly reinvented makes the milestone particularly significant. Craigs has survived economic downturns, wars, depressions, changing consumer habits, new competitors and successive technological revolutions.

From 1947, in Craigs Machinery Row, the company’s Dawson Payne hand fed flat bed double fed press and a Miehle press

For 150 years, Craigs has survived by changing with its customers while remaining committed to Southland. Books – where old and new meet Perhaps nowhere is the combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology more evident than in book production. Books have once again become an important part of the Craigs story. From family histories and community publications to substantial commercial and historical projects, book production brings together almost every part of the business – design, prepress, colour management, offset and digital printing, specialist finishing and binding. In 2026, that craftsmanship was recognised when the H&J Smith book received a Gold Medal at the Pride In Print Awards. For a company celebrating 150 years in printing, the recognition was particularly fitting.

A beautifully produced book remains one of print’s most enduring products. Long after an advertisement has disappeared or a digital post has been forgotten, a well-made book can remain on a shelf for generations. Local people, local knowledge, local production Perhaps one of the most important parts of the Craigs story is that, after 150 years, it remains a Southland business serving its local community. For generations, local businesses, families, clubs, schools, councils and community organisations have trusted Craigs with their printing. Craigs believes strongly in keeping business local wherever possible. Choosing a local printer means more than where a job is produced. It means supporting local employment, local families, other Southland businesses and the wider regional economy. Money spent locally circulates through the community again, supporting the businesses,

The printing processes used by the company’s founders would be almost unrecognisable in today’s factory. But the fundamental purpose of the business remains remarkably similar. A customer arrives with an idea, information, an image or a story, and Craigs helps turn it into something tangible; something that can be held, something that can be shared and sometimes, something that will still be here many years from now. As Craigs Design & Print celebrates 150 years in 2026, the milestone is not simply about looking back. Continued investment in digital printing, labels, specialist finishing, cutting technology and book production demonstrates a commitment to ensuring high-quality print manufacturing continues to have a future in Southland. The equipment will continue to change, just as it has since 1876. New products will emerge and some traditional processes will inevitably disappear. But after a century and a half, Craigs remains proud of where it came from, proud of the people who have been part of its story and, above all, proud to be local.

September/October 2026

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HP Latex R530 opens doors for Big Ideas Group Computaleta supplies latest HP Latex solution for award winning bespoke signage company to take its creativity to new heights. NZSDA brings on new signees • Dust off your Terms of Trade • Glenn Conyers joins Durst

WIDE FORMAT

Aarque Group offers a diverse range of wide format solutions New offerings from Canon, Epson, HP, and Roland DG highlight Aarque Group’s capability to supply customer-specific solutions.

arque Group supplies solutions that cover the gamut of wide format possibilities.

Darrin Weir, general manager at Aarque Group, says, “With such a diverse range of solutions, customers can focus on what matters most in their business. Having the latest technology available, backed by service and support that is second to none, gives them the edge that matters in today’s competitive economic environment.

“This year, we have already welcomed in new offerings from HP, Canon, Roland DG, and Epson.”

helps simplify daily operations, reduce manual decision‑making, and streamline production from order intake to output.

HP Latex R530 AI Printer

“Features like automatic image upscaling, automatic print mode selection and data driven analytics will ensure you can spend less time managing production complexities and more time growing your business. Our current HP Latex R530 customers will have the opportunity to upgrade to this new feature in 2027.

Cloud and edge AI powers the world’s first all in one rigid and flexible large format AI printer transforming production and growing profits. Darrin says, “By bringing intelligence directly into both the printer and the workflow, it

Darrin Weir, general manager at Aarque Group

The HP Latex R530 printer

The Canon XL7 Colorado

September/October 2026

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0508 22 88 73 | www.aarque.co.nz

New Zealand's leading provider of digital print solutions Delivering seamless solutions with cutting-edge hardware and premium media to power your business

WIDE FORMAT

The Roland DG TrueVis AG-640 Latex Print and Cut solution

Canon XL7 Colorado This 3.4 metre roll to roll and hybrid printer is a modular platform that can print both rigid and roll substrates. Darrin says, “You can configure and upgrade the XL7 in the field. The base UVgel technology is proven ink technology used in the Colorado smaller 1.6m M-Series. “At the heart of the Colorado XL-series is Canon’s inhouse developed and manufactured UVgel 850 Printhead technology. These are so advanced that they need only two printheads for the regular CMYK colours and an optional third printhead for printing UVgel White. Canon’s FLXfinish+ enables the printer to produce dynamic matt and gloss effects in the same pass. With a top line speed of 211 square metres per hour and with its highly configurable options, it is a

production powerhouse for graphics and packaging markets. Roland DG TrueVis AG-640 Latex Print and Cut solution Darrin says, “New TA2 ink helps the TrueVis AG-640 turn Latex production into richer colour, stronger whites and faster finishing across a wider range of media. With richer colour and deeper blacks, improved CMYK plus Orange and Red inks expand colour capability, while high-density black supports stronger contrast and brand reproduction. “Dense white supports graphics on transparent and coloured media, while zero-waste circulation keeps it ready with low maintenance, whether used daily or occasionally. Benefits include faster finishing, broader media confidence, lower curing temperatures, scratch resistance comparable to overcoated latex

prints without adding an overcoat, and a more natural media finish help reduce production compromises. “It delivers print and contour cut labels, decals, stickers and short-run graphics on one device, adding flexibility for jobs that do not need a dedicated cutter. It will help you expand into higher-value applications while lowering operating costs, improving colour consistency, and simplifying production, all without giving up the environmental advantages!” Epson V4000 Darrin says, “This powerful 10-colour UV flatbed printer brings the benefits of UV printing to direct to object production and a wide range of substrates, helping you maximise output in a compact footprint. It uses a 10-colour UltraChrome UV ink set, featuring Red and Gray Inks for an expansive colour gamut, opaque White Ink and eye-catching Gloss/Matte Varnish Ink to deliver stunningly bright, colourful and textured prints. “Three PrecisionCore Micro TFP printheads; object-printable height up to 19.8cm; and an intuitive media setup help ensure high productivity and ease of use. A maximum print area of 69.85mm x 97.79mm on an extensive range of materials makes it the ideal choice for signage, photo, fine art, and promotional items such as keychains, golf balls, and pens. In addition, the V4000 comes with Braille printing capability, expanding the possibilities of where your business can go. Darrin concludes, “With these, plus many more products, and the continued developments from our suppliers, we look forward to helping our customers finish 2026 on a high as well as enjoying an exciting and productive year in 2027.

The Epson V4000

“Thank you to all our customers for their continued support of Aarque and our leading brands.”

September/October 2026

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NEWS Glenn Conyers joins Durst Oceania Wide format expert Glenn Conyers has joined Durst Oceania as sales manager responsible for Vanguard Digital Printing Systems. He says, “I am looking forward to promoting and increasing the awareness of the Vanguard portfolio of products in Australia and New Zealand. It is very exciting to be able to bring such a great product that is delivering true innovation and technological improvements to this market segment. “With such a significant install base for Vanguard hardware in the Oceania region, it is clear that local printers are no longer satisfied with incumbent solutions in the market that have not kept up with the current market requirements.

Glenn Conyers and Matt Ashman

“Vanguard is perfectly positioned to grow within the broader Durst Oceania business that has developed such a strong presence in the market with a strong team to support the business. “Local Vanguard customers include sign and display specialists as well as architecture, interior design and office fitout companies. Vanguard in the US

Desktop dye sub printer expands textile options Epson has announced the SureColor F360, an A3 desktop dye‑sublimation printer designed for small businesses, startups and producers looking to expand into promotional goods and personalised textile applications. Complementing Epson’s SureColor F160, the new SureColor F360 extends the company’s desktop dye sublimation lineup with A3 capability. Epson sees the SureColor F360 as a straightforward entry point into dye sublimation printing without the complexity typically associated with production equipment. Shuhei Sato, senior product manager, professional print solutions, Epson Australia, says, “Following the success of our SureColor F160, the SureColor F360

The new Epson SureColor F360

extends Epson’s desktop dye sublimation lineup into A3, giving customers greater creative freedom while maintaining the quality and reliability they expect from Epson. “The F360 has been designed to make dye sublimation printing more accessible for small businesses and entrepreneurs. With support for A3 media, low cost refillable ink bottles, wireless connectivity and Epson’s complete end to end solution, customers can confidently create a wider range of customised products while keeping operational costs under control.”

operates a healthy install base with manufacturing companies outside of the printing industry.” Glenn recently returned from a visit to the Vanguard head office in the US to complete further training and research the features and benefits of the products for customers. He says, “Visiting Vanguard in the US has helped me to understand the heritage and origins of the business as well as their commitment to build quality. I have a clear understanding of the product roadmap as well as the future technology platforms and applications which make it second to none in the market powered by the innovation that Durst is known for locally and globally. “The software sold with Vanguard provides customers with peace of mind and an end to end solution. Vanguard is backed by a high level of investment from the local Durst Oceania business and its team of technicians providing in field support.” With A3 print capability, the SureColor F360 enables the production of a broader range of customised products than traditional A4 systems, including apparel, tote bags, cushions, promotional merchandise, soft signage, and personalised giftware. The printer incorporates Epson’s PrecisionCore MicroTFP printhead technology, which the company says delivers sharp image detail, smooth gradations and consistent colour reproduction across production runs. The Epson SureColor F360 offers an integrated continuous ink supply system that uses 140ml dye sublimation ink bottles. A 6.8cm colour touchscreen with a tiltable control panel provides intuitive access to printer settings and status information, while flexible paper handling accommodates a range of media requirements. A front cassette supports up to 150 sheets of A4 media, while the rear media feed enables printing on media up to A3 size.

Book a Bootcamp! THE FIRST DRILL to the creativity of A beginner’s guide e! n, Engage, Accelerat Signs & Print – Lear

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THE SIGNAGE BOOTCA MP

ON FRON THE TLINE

A comprehensive

overview of fabr icated and illuminated signage

September/October 2026

WIDE FORMAT

HP Latex R530 and Computaleta open doors for Big Ideas Group Computaleta supplies latest HP Latex solution for award winning bespoke signage company to take its creativity to new heights.

Sophie Scott and Ross Hall, Big Ideas Group with Arlette Farland, Computaleta behind the new HP Latex R530

ince its inception in 2014, Big Ideas Group has become synonymous with creativity and bespoke design in the printing and signage sector. The award winning company continually stretches the boundaries of what is possible in visual exposure signage. Ross Hall, team player and Big Ideas Group founder, encourages his team of 16, “an equal break between male and female”, to share their thoughts about their work. He says, “We work together as a team, with much open discussion about every project that we encompass. “I think the greatest culture vibe we have is the respect that we all have for each other in our own separate ways of our thinking, and the ability to be able to voice opinions that influence, in many ways, the outcome of the projects we work on.”

Since its inception in 2014, Big Ideas Group has become synonymous with creativity and bespoke design

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WIDE FORMAT

Big Ideas Group is a leader in creativity and innovation within the printing and signage community

Deena Hudson, Computaleta with Ross Hall and Sophie Scott, checking out the HP stand at the recent Visual Impact show in Sydney

Recently, Big Ideas Group installed an HP Latex R530 printer, supplied through long term partner Computaleta. Ross says, “We were one of the first companies in New Zealand to ever embrace the HP Latex printer era. Ranging from the 365 through to the 830 and now introducing the R530 to our arsenal. “I guess our expectations on what that machine could do has been fuelled by our forward and creative thinking on how we can expose brands on different mediums but being faithful to the brand reproduction. The versatility that we have found in the short eight-weeks we have

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had the machine installed, has opened so many doors and areas of our industry that we have never approached before. “It is a super reliable and quiet machine, and we’re honestly thrilled with the print quality, especially how opaque the white ink is. The biggest win for us is how versatile it is with media; we can print graphics on everything from thin laminate to thick substrates. “It also has an onboard computer, which is a huge time saver because we can change profiles right on the machine instead of running back to the RIP. Plus,

September/October 2026

there’s hardly any wait time between printing and laminating, so we can move straight into finishing without hanging around.” The company has a reputation for out of the box thinking, always looking to extend the boundaries. Ross says, “The first job we put through the printer was an old door in our office. And we experimented with it by printing a graveyard scene on both faces of the door. “We watched with amazement as the cloudy skull graphic comes out of the printer and directly onto the door. Since

WIDE FORMAT Ideas Group. Ross Says, “It’s incredibly easy to use. Because it’s so similar to the printer we already had, using the same heads and inks, our team needed very little training. We just had to get used to a slightly different interface and workflow, but nothing major.” The HP Latex R530 printer will print anything flat up to 50.8mm in height, handling media weight up to 60kg. Ross says, “The biggest upgrade for us is the sheer versatility of the substrates we can print on. Having those extra options really opens doors for our business, giving us a lot more flexibility from in-house design straight through to final production.” Long term partners Big Ideas Group has partnered with Computaleta since Ross started the company. He says, “Arlette, Deena, and Cally from Computaleta are supportive; they understand our work vibe; and they are forthcoming with new technology movements in the industry. Just overall, they are great people to deal with.” Challenging times Recently, New Zealand businesses have come under fire for lacking grit and the will to innovate. However, across the printing, packaging, and signage industries, we see companies constantly looking to stretch the boundaries and find new ways of doing business. Big Ideas Group is a leader here, yet the company still has to deal with economic reality. Ross says, “An averagely flat commercial environment would be our biggest challenge at the moment, with people being conservative about their spending. In our opinion, now is the time to do exactly the opposite, and drive your brand harder than ever.

Ross Hall says now is the time to drive your brand harder than ever.

then, we have printed onto a multitude of materials like Corflute, palight, promo, and premium self-adhesive film, and we are still experimenting.” All in one solution Ease of operation has been a hallmark of HP Latex since the first machines arrived. Jeremy Brew, sales enablement at HP, says, “The HP Latex R530 printer delivers an all in one experience. Whether you need to print on rigid or flexible media, this printer does the business.

“For creatives like the team at Big Ideas Group, this means if they can imagine it then they can create it. They are always pushing the boundaries of creativity and with this solution there are no limits. “Ease of use is vital. Cumbersome tools kill productivity. The HP Latex R530 lets you change from flexible to rigid and then back again so you can be printing car wraps then 10 minutes later you are printing Corflute.” For ease of operation, the HP Latex R530 printer gets the thumbs up from Big

“To me, this all starts from presenting design work that is above and beyond the customer’s expectation and then being able to sell the benefit for their business; to create an investment into something that is truly different to what the average punter would expect.” “Our industry is full of so many unique opportunities which is fuelled by the ever-fast moving rate of technology. I applaud those in our industry who stretch the edges of the envelope, and those that bust through it, to create spectacular visual communication through colour, contrast and simplicity. “Uniqueness is king, for any brand.”

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

NZSDA PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Communicate early when the unexpected happens Logan Sutton believes that being a good bugger doesn’t mean your business should carry every unknown risk. Then, there are the unknowns. I have talked before about protecting our margins when material, freight or fuel costs change after we quote. But this is different. These are the things hiding underground, behind the fascia, or apparently inside the hardest concrete wall in New Zealand. Here are a few examples: •

•

An out of town job runs a day longer because of something we couldn’t reasonably foresee. Suddenly, it’s not just another eight hours of labour. It’s accommodation, meals, away allowances and maybe another day’s equipment hire. You arrive onsite to dig a hole for a sign pole and discover the ground is rock hard. Your 20-minute hole becomes a two-hour ordeal. While installing a fascia, you discover the building behind it is rotten, or there’s a weird cavity and you can’t find a decent fixing point.

Recently we had to attach signage to a concrete wall. No problem, we’ve done that a thousand times. Except this wasn’t the concrete we were expecting. We found ourselves killing drill bits and burning out our rotary hammer drill trying to penetrate what appeared to be around 100 MPa concrete when we’d expected something closer to 30 MPa. You can’t always see that coming. Good buggers Sometimes we underestimate how fiddly a job is going to be

technical fabrication, and jobs with a lot more moving parts than usual. They’re interesting, challenging, and incredibly easy to underquote.

We’ve had a few jobs like that lately: out of town installs, some highly

Sometimes, despite all our experience, we get it wrong. We think something will take six hours, and it takes eight. We underestimate how fiddly something is going to be. That’s business, and we can’t expect our customers to pay for every mistake we make.

few weeks ago, we were flying signage and tools up a mountain by helicopter. It was one of those jobs that reminds me why I love this industry. One week you’re putting stickers on boards in the workshop, the next you’re working out the logistics of getting people, equipment and signage somewhere you can’t even drive to.

And this is where I think our industry has an interesting habit. We are a bunch of good buggers. We want to get the job done and we don’t want to make a fuss. We certainly don’t want the client feeling like we are cheating them. So quite often, we sigh, grab another drill bit, work the extra couple of hours and quietly absorb the cost ourselves. But should we? Probably not. If a builder opens up a wall and discovers something completely unexpected, you can bet there’s a conversation coming about a variation.

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

NZSDA PRESIDENT’S CORNER

When the unexpected happens, communicate to your client early

Maybe we need to get a little more comfortable having that conversation too. For me, the key word is communication. Starting at the quote: • •

•

What assumptions have we made when we priced the job? If we are installing posts, perhaps our quote needs to state that excavation is based on normal ground conditions and doesn’t allow for rock, buried concrete or unidentified obstructions. If we’re fixing to an existing building, what are we assuming about its condition and the suitability of the fixing points? For remote work, how many days, accommodation nights and travel hours have we actually allowed for?

We don’t need a 14-page legal document every time we install a sign, but we do need to be clear about what we’ve priced and what assumptions we’ve based that price on. Then comes the really important part: if something changes, communicate early. Don’t spend six hours fighting with a problem, finish the job, and then surprise the client with an invoice that’s $1,000 higher than the quote. Stop, take a photo, and ring the client. We might say: “We’ve hit solid rock. We allowed for normal ground conditions, but this is going to take approximately another two hours and add $X. Are you happy for us to proceed?” That’s a pretty reasonable conversation. The customer understands the problem

newzealandprinter.co.nz

and knows what it’s likely to cost before you carry on. And then document it. An email, text or note through your jobmanagement system. It doesn’t need to become bureaucratic. It just needs to be clear, and you need a record to go back to if there is a problem with the invoice later. Knowing the difference There is another side to this, of course: we need to own our mistakes. If I quote eight hours and my team takes 10 because I underestimated the job, that’s probably on me. But if we discover a rotten wall, buried concrete, concealed services or something nobody could reasonably have known about, that’s a different conversation. Knowing the difference matters. Dust off your Terms of Trade While thinking about this article, I went back through some of the resources NZSDA provides to members, and it was a good reminder that we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. NZSDA has standard Terms of Trade as well as additional terms specifically for installation work. They cover things like scope of services, concealed services, the condition of the building or sub fascia, access and circumstances where installation may need to be suspended. But there’s an important catch. Having good Terms of Trade isn’t much use if your customer doesn’t know they exist.

September/October 2026

The NZSDA guidelines make it clear that customers need to know the terms apply, accept them, and we need to keep evidence of that acceptance. So, are our Terms of Trade going out with our quotes? Are our customers accepting them? And does the person onsite with the drill in their hand know when to stop and make the phone call? We don’t need to stop being good buggers. I hope we never do; it’s one of the things I love about our industry. But being a good bugger doesn’t mean our businesses should carry every unknown risk. We need healthy margins to employ people, invest in equipment and train apprentices. So maybe this month, take another look at your quotes and dust off your Terms of Trade too. What assumptions are you making that your customer doesn’t know you’re making? And does your team know when to stop, pick up the phone and have the conversation? Quote what you know. Be clear about what you don’t. And when the unexpected happens, communicate early. Most customers are pretty reasonable when we bring them along for the journey. And sometimes, being a good bugger means being fair to your own business as well. Logan Sutton President NZSDA

NZSDA UPDATE

NZSDA calls on members to take advantage of its new (and old) initiatives Pay guide, pricing guide, and sign specific insurance create opportunities and deliver numerous benefits to signees across Aotearoa.

t sounds like things are getting busy across the sign industry, with many of our members under the pump. It is great to see the industry thriving, and hopefully that momentum continues as we head towards the end of the year.

one, please get in touch. One copy per business is available at no charge, with a fee applying for any additional copies. Sign specific insurance Another benefit we released this year is a sign specific insurance package. Business Insurance Limited, Long Burroughs and Ando have all partnered up to create a sign specific insurance package. The programme has been specifically designed around the way sign businesses operate, providing cover tailored to the industry and helping address gaps that may not be covered by standard insurance policies.

Before we get into the really crazy end of year months, I thought it was a good time to remind you all about some of the new member benefits we introduced in 2026. Pay Rates Guide A sign maker recently told me about an employee who had asked him for a pay rise. He mentioned how he then checked the updated 2026 Pay Rates Guide and found that the employee was already at the higher end of the pay range for their role. Having the guide on hand gave him something to benchmark against and helped him explain his final decision to the employee.

Whether you are looking for a new insurance provider or happy with your current one, it is worth taking a look at what is included. It could highlight areas of your existing cover that are worth discussing with your current provider. Regional Meetings

Of course, pay isn’t the only way to recognise good staff. If a pay rise isn’t the right option, there are other ways to show your appreciation. The Pay Rates Guide outlines a whole range of options you could consider, including birthday leave, flexible working hours, fuel allowances and more. The Guide also includes valuable information on attracting and retaining skilled staff and pay equity in the workplace.

In other news, we are heading to the Bay of Plenty early October for our next Regional Meeting. This time, we are trying something a little different with an epic quiz night, thanks to Quizmaster Aaron Joines and our sponsor, PSP, for putting it all together. If you are based in the area, we really encourage you to come along and bring your staff with you. It is a great chance to get together, have some fun and catch up with others in the industry.

Fresh Pricing Guide The Pricing Guide also received a refresh in 2026, with the new version launched at the Sign & Print Expo. NZSDA has designed the Pricing Guide to help you benchmark your pricing, make sure you are accounting for the real costs of producing and installing signage, and give you greater confidence when quoting jobs. NZSDA has made the digital version available for all members to download from our website, so you can access it whenever you need it. However, I know many members still prefer having a hard

As always, if you need any support, please do reach out to us. We are here to support our members and want to see every one of you thriving and succeeding. Quizmaster and Mana Influencer Aaron Joines has helped put together a fun night for the NZSDA Bay of Plenty Regional Meeting

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

copy on hand, particularly when working through quotes or discussing pricing with the team. We have a limited number of hard copies available, so if you would like

September/October 2026

Mikayla Hopkins, Lead Projects, Events, and Marketing Specialist NZSDA

newzealandprinter.co.nz

FREE

Calend a templa r tes availab le now!

Diaries

Wall Planners

Calendars

Christmas Cards

Canvas Prints

Recipe Books

and many more festive gifting ideas.... chat with us today 0800 289 774 or order online www.wholesaleprint.co.nz

More than a supplier. Your trade partner. Offset Printing | Digital Printing | High-Res Inkjet | High Speed Inkjet

NZP CLASSIFIEDS To advertise please email brian@newzealandprinter.co.nz Women in Print & Sign November 3, 2026 | Quality Hotel Elms, Christchurch November 11, 2026 | Sorrento in the Park, Auckland Women In Print & Sign has become more than just a networking event. Specifically for the women in our industry, these sell out events have become calendar highlights so lock in the date in your diary.

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Custom Manufacturing Made in NZ

LOUPE South China December 2-4, 2026 | Shenzhen, China The event features all things labels, as well as flexible packaging and inline folding carton converting with a show floor alive with running presses, demonstrations, and materials ready to test.

Ringbinders & tabs Finishing services Mounting up to SRA2 Strut cards Case binding Clam shell diecutting Wiro binding Flatbed printing Lanyard pockets Rego holders & wallets Counter Mats Self adhesive pockets Satchels & tags Drilling, eyeletting, stringing Stationery & diaries

Fespa Global Print Expo April 6-9, 2027 | Munich, Germany Co-located with the European Sign Expo, the Personalisation Experience, WrapFest and Textile, the show features product launches, live demonstrations, expert talks, and competitions like World Wrap Masters.

New Zealand Printing, Packaging & Signage Forum April 20, 2027 | Auckland PrintNZ and New Zealand Printer are again partnering to bring the second edition of the Forum to Auckland. The People In Print Awards and Rising Stars of Print Awards will immediately follow the Forum.

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Specialists in Finishing & Synthetic Stocks

Industry Training Awards

Eamar: 11b Culperry Rd, Glendene, Auckland Tabbing: 6 Southgate Pl, Henderson, Auckland sales@eamar.co.nz

09 836 9069

www.eamar.co.nz

April 20, 2027 | Auckland The Training Graduations and Awards will follow the People In Print Awards at the same venue. These events have proved among the most popular in the year’s print calender.

printnz.co.nz Foodtech Packtech

Keeping it local, let the world know

September 21-23, 2027 | Auckland Showgrounds Held biennially, New Zealand’s largest food manufacturing, packaging and processing technology trade show offers visitors a mix of new technologies, source solutions, and connection with suppliers and fellow industry professionals.

drupa May 9-17, 2028 | Düsseldorf, Germany Planning is well underway for the printing and graphics industry’s leading trade fair. It will showcase the latest innovations and technologies with a focus on the trends that will guide the industry into the future.

PNZORG0000 Keeping print in New Zealand is more important than ever. Use this logo so both you and your customers can demonstrate the part you are playing. Apply to PrintNZ on info@printnz.co.nz or phone 0800 654 455

W O R K I N G

F O R

O U R

I N D U S T R Y

A N D

O U R

M E M B E R S

E V E R Y

D A Y

Women In Print & Sign have become sell out events

September/October 2026

newzealandprinter.co.nz

Thank you to all of our 2026 sponsors

Celebrating work that moves our industry forward

Blue Star Group (New Zealand), GratPak, Kale Print, SCG, Sealed Air Hamilton

XPS GROUP

New Zealand Printer September-October 2026