Following the failure of Australian Envelopes in 2011, the printing industry has doubled its consumption of imported envelopes despite a revival of local manufacturing.

In the absence of a local Single Width Users Group conference this year, Dan Blackburn invites Australian newspaper printers to Rotorua.

Former Canon Professional Print (CPP) GM Mike Boyle has been appointed head of HP’s graphic services business (GSB) for Asia-Pacific.

Four out of five people prefer reading print on paper than on a digital device, according to a new survey. About 84% of respondents said they understood, retained or used information that had been printed and read on paper much better than information received on an electronic device.

Entries are pouring in from manufacturers, brand owners, designers, retailers and raw material suppliers for the 2015 Australian Packaging Design Awards run by the Packaging Council of Australia. The annual competition recognises companies that are 'imaginative, innovative and creative.'

Australia’s largest plastic packaging manufacturer Pact has signed an $80m deal to take over leading supplier Jalco Group. Pact just secured a debt financing agreement that will diversify its funding base and more acquisitions are expected. “It’s in our DNA,” said Darren Brown, Pact CFO.

Former CEO threatens to launch a Federal Court challenge as early as this Friday for unpaid salary and expenses following his shock dismissal in March this year. “They even cut off my phone,” he said from London.

Higher quality printing rather than the cheapest prices is the ‘most important’ requirement for customers of the long-established national ‘for trade’ printer. Alex Coulson, manager at the Sydney-based production centre, was especially pleased with the focus on better printing.

A cone of silence has descended on the machinations at Sydney-based printing company, Sydney Allen, following an extraordinary detailed statement from industry identity, Bob McMillan.

A revamped printing apprenticeship program has struck a chord with digital-savvy young people unwilling to commit to the traditional four-year apprenticeship. “The most encouraging feedback from students was that they were keen to adopt digital and other new technologies," said PIAA.

Sydney digital printer Next Printing has taken out the grand prize and four other major awards at this year’s sixth HP Digital Print Excellence Awards for HP Sign and Display in Singapore.

Former PaperlinX chief Andrew Price has been appointed CEO Asia-Pacific of print marketing and services giant HH Global. Price was sacked by PaperlinX just weeks before the collapse of its UK operation in April. “I am excited to be working with this highly successful team,” said Price.

There was a lot of skepticism about the prospects for B2 digital given the longer run lengths and additional colours, coatings and drying associated with B2 work. What is happening is that the markets – printers and their clients – have spoken and said unto us: “we want B2 digital and its capabilities.”

David Currie marked a significant milestone in the digital march of the commercial printing industry with the announcement of the 10th installation of the groundbreaking HP Indigo 10000 press.

News Corp has announced 19 redundancies at its Port Melbourne printing press in the wake of the axing of the company’s free commuter newspaper mX. One of the sacked printers described the decision as “another nail in the coffin for manufacturing in Australia.”