Probably the simplest way that printing companies can improve their bottom line is to set targets for energy and water usage, writes consultant Laurel Brunner.

Sydney printer Ken Buckland is closing the doors of his award-winning Western Graphics business after almost 40 years and heading into retirement. "I feel like a great weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Holmesglen TAFE's new digital training centre at Chadstone campus, sponsored by Konica Minolta, is almost ready to go and will be open to students early next year. The new facility includes the Accurio Label C71cf digital label press - the second to be installed in Australia, and the first in Victoria.

The Keep Me Posted campaign has met with Treasury to deliver its submission for the Government's consultation on paper billing fees. Throwing its support behind a complete ban on the practice, the campaign has urged industry to do the same.

James Cryer takes us into the inner sanctum of a clandestine group of shadowy figures, and shines a light on one of our industry's best-kept secrets, revealing for the first time some of their strange rituals and beliefs.

B&F Papers will become the exclusive distributor of Jet Technologies' range of specialty laminates and films in New Zealand, after the companies signed a new strategic partnership. The deal will bring Jet's premium film range, including soft touch and anti-scuff laminates, to NZ.

Melbourne offset and digital house Fine Print Australia has acquired local competitor Ace Printing and moved the business into the Fine Print facility at Carrum Downs.

The PIAA has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to speed up its payments to small and medium sized (SME) business suppliers, including dozens of government printers.

Veteran print executive Bob Lockley is retiring as Fairfax Media’s group director, print and distribution, after a 51-year career in the industry. “Under Bob’s leadership, Fairfax embraced cutting-edge production methods and rationalised our printing footprint," said CEO Greg Hywood.

Esko launched the Kongsberg C66, a digital finishing table for short run production of corrugated applications that was developed as part of the company’s robotics program.

That’s a clean sweep for paper rises in the new year with all paper merchants flagging prices increase of up to 8%. The last domino to fall is the biggest one, Ball & Doggett, which dipped out on a mid-year price rise due to its merger activities.

Shares in the region’s largest printing company fell by more than 31% in one day after PMP warned that higher volumes of short run work had contributed to a $20 million downgrade in profit forecasts. Meanwhile, CEO Peter George will step down later this month after a family bereavement.

The Federal Government has called for submissions to a public consultation into paper billing, which could see the practice of companies charging fees for paper bills restricted or banned. The Keep Me Posted campaign, which opposes fees, will meet with the Treasury Office on Thursday.

Imports of printing and communication paper have crashed to 690.9 kt for the year ending September 2017, down 15 percent from the previous year, according to the latest issue of industry bible Pulp and Paper Edge. Packaging and industrial paper imports declined by six percent to 307.3 kt.

Melbourne-based Fabio Ongarato Design swept nine awards including Studio of the Year at the 2017 AGDA Design Awards attended by more than 200 designers and guests in Canberra.

'We print 'em - you store 'em': James Cryer pays his overdue library fines to re-enter the wonderful world of books and help to forge a closer relationship between the printing industry and the NSW state library.