Print21

Sales for the second quarter at inkjet printing solutions developer Agfa saw a 10 per cent increase in the second quarter of its financial year. Its Digital Printing division achieved a 10.8 per cent increase, up to €51m ($83m), with ink sales up by 10 per cent. Agfa saw particular success from its larger inkjet printers, and says its order book is building. Agfa said there had been a “step up in revenue and profitability” at the digital printing wing.

Print business large and small are being urged to participate now in the Industry Workplace Planning Survey, in order to maintain print apprentices’ key position on the government’s Priority List. Print employers’ group Visual Media Association warns that without compelling data to give to government, print apprentices may not stay on the Priority List, which would be seriously detrimental to print. Being on the list provides a host of financial benefits to both apprentices and employers.

IVE has officially opened its new Kemps Creek printing supersite, welcoming a host of guests from near and far to the 42,000sqm site, which now houses five IVE business units, including commercial printing, packaging and display print. The greenfield site is a collaboration between IVE, Mirvac and Australian Retirement Trust, with the build taking just 13 months from the deal being signed to completion.

Advance Press team member Chisato Moriguchi has become one of the first recipients of the Women in Print HP Indigo Scholarship to translate the training into a full-time position. Moriguchi, who worked in the bindery at Perth-based Advance Press, was a scholarship recipient last year. After the certification, on her return to Perth, the company committed to providing her with regular hands-on training.

Offset press manufacturing giant Heidelberg will host its second Shift conference next month, with a focus on the future of print. The two-day event will take a close look at the digital transformation of the printing industry, automated production processes, robotics, end-to-end digital printing innovations featuring the Jetfire 50 and Jetfire 75, and the continued integration of artificial intelligence into modern print shops.

The year’s major domestic print trade show Visual Impact opened its doors this morning, and will run for the next three days at the Sydney Showgrounds in Homebush, NSW, with a host of industry vendors on the expo floor highlighting the latest developments in sign and display print. The 2026 iteration of the sign, graphics and visual communication expo is expected to draw around 4000 visitors.

The first Connect Conference opened this morning, with the three-day event taking place alongside Visual Impact from 8.30am-1.30pm each day. Produced by Visual Connections, each day of the Connect Conference has a particular theme – today is Better Business; tomorrow Navigating Sustainability; and Friday is Future Ready.

Day 1 of the new Connect Conference 2026 will examine what business owners and key decision makers in our sector need to know to build the success they deserve, with an impressive line-up of speakers and panelists leading the day.

Smartech Business Systems has a host of printing and finishing systems on its stand at Visual Impact, along with promotional activities including a meet and greet with Wallabies rugby players. The company is also serving a brunch at 10.30 each morning with complimentary beverages and breakfast bites.

Epson is set to unveil an immersive stand experience at Visual Impact that it says will combines creative theatre with practical business value for print, signage, textile, promotional and visual communications professionals. Appearing as a Gold Sponsor at the industry’s leading event, Epson will welcome visitors to Stand D11 with a showcase that it says is built to demonstrate both where print technology is today, and where it is headed next.