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Global printed textiles trade show Heimtextil – cancelled last month due to a spike in Covid cases in Germany – has been rescheduled as a ‘Summer Special’ physical trade show in June. Elsewhere, Brussels Expo has invested in a new air filtration and recirculation system to host Labelexpo Europe in April, and the US-based International Sign Association opened registrations for the ISA Sign Expo due to take place in Atlanta in May.

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Entries are now open for this year’s state Printing Industry Creativity Awards (PICAs), hosted by the Print & Visual Communications Association (PVCA). The state PICAs will run across the country in March and April, with winners competing in the 39th National Print Awards to be held during PacPrint at the end of June.

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Specialised textiles supplier Ricky Richards has introduced Polycril 275 and Polycril GW PVC free textiles for wall covering installations and banners.

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Three new categories have been added to the renamed HP 2022 National Sign & Graphics Awards, with entries now open for work completed between 1 June 2020 to 7 March 2022.

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The Royal Group (TRG), one of the largest independent corrugated box and display manufacturers in the USA, with more than 30 locations nationwide, has invested in a Delta SPC 130 Automatic single-pass inkjet press from Koenig & Bauer Durst to provide mass customisation and high-volume, fully automated digital production to its customers.

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Out-of-Home media company JCDecaux Australia has received certification from government group Climate Active for Australia’s first carbon neutral Out-of-Home advertising product across Transit.

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Kavalan Sunlight Weldable Frontlit Banner and Kavalan Spiderweb 300 Mesh Banner – distributed in Australia by Spicers - have successfully passed the stringent Certifire - TS62 certification programme.

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As medical experts revise recommendations on the best type of masks to use against Omicron’s airborne particles, industry supplier 3M is stepping up production of its top of the line N95 masks (also known as N95 respirators).

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“We have received reports or seen media coverage of tests costing up to $500 for two tests through online marketplaces…which is clearly outrageous,” said Rod Sims, chairman of the ACCC, which has joined with Australian Federal Police to investigate excessive pricing on rapid antigen tests (RAT). One online ad offered a single test for over $1,000. Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce says the ongoing shortage of rapid tests is preventing employees from returning to work.

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Sign and print media supplier Spandex Asia Pacific is lifting prices on most of its products by between 6% and 10% from February 7, 2022, due to continuing challenges in global supply chains.

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Brisbane sign company A Sign Design has produced a series of striking interior window graphics with Drytac ViziPrint Deco + optically clear window film for the nearby Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

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Keypoint Intelligence, a leading independent provider of testing and analytical information for the document imaging industry, has chosen three Epson SureColor printer models in the Signage categories of its Buyers Lab (BLI) 2022 Wide Format Pick Awards.

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Mimaki says highly automated microfactories enabling on-demand, on-location production – and using technology such as Mimaki's latest sublimation printer the TS100-1600 - are helping to create a “green revolution” in fashion.

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The Queensland industry has lost one of its leading lights, active in both the LIA and former PIAA, passionate about apprenticeships and training and a true friend and gentleman.

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Fujifilm Holdings has launched a new environmental action plan - ‘Green Value Climate Strategy’ – aimed at making the company fully operational on carbon-free energy with net zero CO2 emissions by 2041. 

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From 2022-2024, ORAFOL intends to invest €150 million (AUD$238 million) in high-tech and digitalisation at its headquarters in Oranienburg, Germany. This will represent the largest investment in production infrastructure since the company was founded. Part of the investment is aimed at diversification and tapping into new markets.

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Fastsigns, operating as SignWave in Australia, has been voted number one franchise for the sign industry category in Entrepreneur magazine's Top 500, and 47th overall in all categories - the only sign & graphics franchise in the top 100. Currently with 18 outlets in Australia, SignWave, under General Manager Linda Sultmann, is looking to expand during 2022.

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Predictions can be slippery things and can even turn into egg-on-face when they don’t eventuate. However, identifiable trends verified by research can be of great help to businesses planning for the near and longer future. Andy McCourt weighs in for the Sign, Display and allied industries - backed by statistical research, a little opinion from experience and some street-level gumshoeing to expose boring signage.

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Late last year, LIA Victoria held its first in-person gathering in several years to mark the reinvigoration of the Victorian chapter of the association and present the Victorian LIA Heidelberg Graduate of the Year Awards for 2020 and 2021.

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The global large format printer market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.4% to reach $US11.4 billion by 2026, according to new research. High demand for large-scale prints was helping to drive the market in North America - the largest global wide format market. The UV cured ink type segment is projected to increase its market share, according to ReportLinker.

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Global Inkjet Systems (GIS) of Cambridge, UK has been bought by Florida-based Nano Dimension for $US18 million, with an additional payment of up to $US10.5 million dependent on meeting some financial targets.