Wide format and promotional products printer supplier Roland DG is launching a desktop t-shirt printer, the VersaStudio BT-12, for printing directly onto cotton based products, such as t-shirts, tote bags and textile interior decor.

Registrations have just opened for the biggest domestic print event of the year, the PrintEx trade exhibition, which will run in Sydney in six months time, from August 13-16.

A slump in sales last year, and a thin order book for the new year, is sending manroland sheetfed owner Tony Langley to seek bolt on acquisitions that can use the manufacturing facilities in the main Offenbach plant.

Dates for this year's state based PICA and the National Print Awards have just been released, with the five state based events in June and July, to be followed by the national awards which will be held during PrintEx in August.

Neopost is bringing the US manufactured Arlon Graphics range of cast vinyls to the Australian market, with a distribution deal just signed.

Currie Group and HP are hosting a series of sessions in Australia and New Zealand for printers to test drive the HP Indigo 7r series – the reconditioned versions of the best selling digital press.

The peak print industry association PIAA is calling for the government to allow industry to embrace the gig economy, saying it will lead to innovation, efficiencies, and benefits for both business and workers.

Rupert Murdoch's local newspaper business saw its revenues decline by five per cent in the half year to December, with the media mogul citing weakness in print advertising market as the prime reason.

QLM Label Makers is using the innovative Mosaic software from HP to print one-of-a-kind labels on its HP Indigo for its client, gourmet food manufacturer Pukara Estate.

Melbourne wide format operation Vivad has invested in Australia's first cold cure Durst 512R LED printer, and has appointed industry identity Matt Evans as its new national sales manager.

Andrew Ward, Konica Minolta sales manager for Production and Strategic Sales in NSW, is running a 24 hour swim-a-thon to raise funds for mental health charity Gotcha4Life.

Mutoh is extending two promotional offers that were due to run out on Valentine's Day, with boss Russell Cavenagh keen to spread the love.

Jet Technologies and Stockman Paper Merchants have signed a deal that will see Stockman supply a range of Jet media in Western Australia.

Océ Australia is launching its new generation Océ ColorWave 3000 series, with the ColorWave 3500 and 3700 printers promoted as reliable, flexible and productive large format colour printing systems.

Australasia was the most profitable part of the Orora business in the first half of the year, delivering two thirds of the EBIT on 45 per cent of group sales.

The first 2019 issue of Print21 - the country's highest circulating print industry magazine - is at the mailing house, and about to hit the desks of print business owners and managers around Australia and New Zealand.