Fujifilm remains the inkjet’s biggest advocate with their launch of the Jet Press 720 at IPEX. Keith Dalton, Graphic Systems director at Fujifilm, claims the Jet Press 720 fulfills a need in the short-run market. Furthermore it is claimed that the inkjet can cut paper waste by 50% and has a carbon footprint around 25% smaller than offset, giving digital a more environmentally friendly appeal.

This positive sentiment is echoed by Tim Taylor, marketing manager at Screen Europe. Taylor believes there is a definite need for more cost effective short-run work which the B2 inkjet provides. Adding to this the inkjet allows for personalisation, something which Taylor believes all companies should at least have the option to do.

However, there are many that believe the existing offset already caters for the short-run needs that the inkjet is targeting. Neil Handforth, from Apex Digital Graphic says the existing offset can handle the short run jobs with their “very effective and efficient turnaround times.” Andrew Tribute, a PrintWeek columnist agrees with Handforth and remains unconvinced by the inkjet. Tribute claims the only advantage of the inkjet is being makeready, which cannot compensate for the higher costs associated with digital. The full PrintWeek Article can be found at printweek.com.

So with all this debate, where does Solopress stand on the issue? Well we believe that in the past litho has been superior to inkjet, in both quality and cost at high runs. However, now inkjet is quickly becoming a real contender with more flexibility during the run and easier personalisation: inkjet makes it possible to print 1,000 leaflets with different names on each, in any font, style or colour.

We support the Fujifilm argument that for short runs, digital is better in terms of cost effectiveness. We have managed to lower our short run prices because we have invested in two Xerox machines. This proves that the main challenge of inkjet cost is being overcome.

Essentially there are advantages and disadvantages with both inkjet and offset. Litho offers cheaper prices for long run and higher quality. Digital is still very much up and coming, but offers shorter print operator training times, and as prices continue to drop and quality increases it is sure to become a real competitor. Here at Solopress we believe the future does seem to be digital.

If in doubt please ask us which method we believe is best for your job.  We’ve got an experienced client team who can give advice and balance your budget requirement against quality control.

There are two reasons why an apostrophe should be used. Firstly, to indicate the possessive i.e. to signify something belongs to a person, object or organisation. In this instance you should add an apostrophe and an s.

They found Peter’s ball in the park.
The door’s hinges squeaked.
The charity’s party was a success.

If the objects are owned by a group, then sometimes the group already ends in an s i.e. dogs, cats, trees etc. In these cases you just add an apostrophe on its own.

The cats’ basket needed cleaning. (Several cats sharing one basket.)
The dogs’ collars were wet. (The collars belonging to all of the dogs.)
The trees’ leaves were beautiful. (Many trees with leaves.)

Two exceptions:  if the plural doesn’t end with a s then you still need to add the apostrophe and the s e.g. the women’s bags, the football team’s kit. And if the person, object or organisation is singular but already ends in an s you can choose whether to add just an apostrophe or an apostrophe and an s – St James’s Palace or St James’ Palace – both are correct.

The other way apostrophes are commonly used is when two words are made in to one:

Was not – wasn’t.
You are – you’re.
I have – I’ve.

Another main point of error when using the apostrophe is the word ‘its’. Without getting in to too much of a complicated grammatical explanation if ‘its’ could be replaced in your sentence with ‘it is’ you do need an apostrophe.

It’s great to see you.
It’s a long walk home.
For Edward, it’s a difficult task.

Whereas no apostrophe is needed here:

The bird ate its seeds.
The fox stopped in its tracks.
The dog wagged its tail.

A final word – don’t add apostrophes unnecessarily.  Plurals don’t need them i.e. The Browns bought a car, the 1980s, the holidays, CVs etc.

When proof reading, it is often worth doing one check entirely for grammar and punctuation without thinking about the design or flow of the text. Lots of people may not notice an errant apostrophe but we have heard stories about consumers who have posted a piece of direct mail back to a company with all mistakes marked up with a red marker pen!

Additionally, literal translations of a company or organisation’s strapline or slogan might not work so well in a different language.  Check these out: http://www.ahajokes.com/ads47.html

First and foremost we will be able to process orders more quickly: the new MIT from Shuttleworth allows information to be automatically copied into the system, eliminating manual errors. This not only increases quality and accuracy, but gives us here at Solopress more time to focus on customer service, improving your overall experience.

Secondly, the system allows for better integration with our website so we will be able to provide frequent updates regarding the status of a customer order as the job moves along the line.

At Solopress we are always trying to improve our business so we can provide more for our customers. The £60K we have invested in the new MIS is set to increase our booking capacity by 50-65%. We are now more efficient and effective than ever and so have more time to help you with your exacting printing needs..

How about these for some fairy unsavoury typos:

Starters

Hard boiled eggs, filled with delicate curried mouse
Uncared ham
Shrotted pimps

Mains

Quick lorraine
Boiled rabbi
Lamp chop

Desserts

Sherry trifle with randy snaps
Sweat from the trolley
Roquefart cheese

I hope Gran doesn’t mind?

Here we outline some of the terminology, the benefits as well as dispelling some of the myths surrounding recycled paper with the hope that we might persuade you, our clients, to consider the greener option.

What exactly does ‘Forest Sustainable’ mean?

A sustainable forest is a forest that is carefully managed so that as trees are felled they are replaced with seedlings that eventually grow into mature trees. This is a carefully and skilfully managed system. The forest is a working environment, producing wood products such as wood pulp for the paper and card industry and wood based materials for furniture manufacture and the construction industry. Great care is taken to ensure the safety of wildlife and to preserve the natural environment.

Why do we use inks made from vegetable oil?

Vegetable oils are better for the environment as they emit less harmful pollutants than mineral oils.  There is also a move towards converting diesel delivery vehicles to run on vegetable oil as it is much cheaper and also better for the environment

Is our recycled paper more expensive?

Most paper is evenly priced with non-recycled stock, especially letterheads, envelopes and business card board. Where recycled papers cost more, price differentials are usually quite small and we will buy in larger quantities and plan ahead both of which helps reduce price premiums on recycled paper.

Is it possible to produce the same high quality results on recycled and non-recycled?

Absolutely.  Recycled paper will have the same feel as virgin paper, it just comes down to choosing the correct stock.  Colour quality is not affected either.  In general the only drawback is that there are a much smaller variety of paper, paper sizes and weights available but if you can contact us as early as possible in the design phase, we’d be able to advise you about stock types.

What is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) recycled paper?

Without giving you too much science, ECF is the process of bleaching paper and compared to other methods it virtually eliminates, not just reduces, dioxin and other persistent chlorinated organics which are harmful to the environment.  The other main method of bleaching paper is called TCF but the paper produced using this method is weaker, meaning it can’t be recycled as many times and it requires 6-10% more wood to make a ton of TCF pulp than ECF pulp.

Isn’t it better to burn paper for energy rather than to recycle it?

The fibres in fine paper can be recycled up to a dozen times before becoming too short for papermaking, saving resources, water and energy, and reducing pollution each one of those times. The impact and value of these repeated savings are much greater than the minimal amount of energy produced when the paper is burned instead.

There is really no excuse to not use recycled paper today.  Most printing jobs could swap virgin paper for recycled stock with no effect on price or quality.  Going green needn’t be an add on, a ‘campaign’ or rely on recycling weeks such as those run by Recycle Now. It can be integrated in to an organisation’s entire printing and communications strategy with no negative impact.

“MAN SHOT DEAD BY POLICE STATION”

“COLD WAVE LINKED TO TEMPERATURES”

“MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH”

“DRUNK GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLIN CASE”

“CHIP SHOP OWNER BATTERED MAN”