No-one understands the fierce dynamics of the printing hierarchy better than Wayne Finkelde, CEO of AAB Holdings, owner of several leading print business.

Emmanuel Buhagiar's Imagination Graphics took out the top spot in the Konica Minolta National Specialised Print Awards 2018, at a ceremony held last night at the glittering harbourside Park Hyatt hotel.

Welcome to the latest issue of Graphics Grab Bag, a weekly record of engagements and observations on the printing industry here and around the world.

The Government has now decided to intervene to make the Commonwealth a party in a test case before the Federal Court of Australia, which considers whether an employer can be required to pay twice to casuals.

Melbourne-based community newspaper printer All Colour Media Print collapsed with debts in excess of $4m, with the liquidator now auctioning off the kit in the hope of recovering some money.

In the largest deal to date for the HP Graphics packaging business, ePac Flexible Packaging is investing US$100m in 20 new HP Indigo 20000 presses, including hardware, supplies and services.

The PIAA has added a trio of print industry heavy hitters to its board, with Digitalpress owner, Theo Pettaras, Opus Group executive chairman Richard Celarc and Eckersley Group managing director Tom Eckersley all joining.

Wide format printing systems developer Roland DG celebrated 30 years of business in Australia with a party for customers, dealers, staff and the trade press at Pier One in Sydney.

Finishing systems suppliers Graffica is once again selling Century large format die cutters and SBL Die cutters and Folding box gluers into Australia and New Zealand.

The inaugural Print2Parliament event saw more MPs and Senators turn up than for any other industry event, according to the politicians present.

Industry identity and owner of innovative Digitalpress Theo Pettaras has joined the Board of the PIAA, and says he intends to focus on promoting print and helping create a cohesive industry.

Trade finishing supplier Avon Graphics is launching a new raised foiling solution, Aluma, which uses no dies, no embossing, and which the company says enables finer detail and type than possible with digital systems.

The Real Media Collective has launched a fourth campaign – this time promoting the benefits of direct mail in marketing.

Between 20 and 30 Australian printers are expected to make the trip to the big HP user group conference Dscoop in Orlando next March.

Welcome to the latest issue of Graphics Grab Bag, a weekly record of engagements and observations on the printing industry here and around the world.

Canon is bringing eight new wide format printers to the market in its imagePrograf range, designed for the CAD and poster printing.