Print environmentalist Laurel Brunner says the Covid-driven slowdown in work is the perfect opportunity to get your printing business on message with sustainability, in order to be ready to meet the new market demands when the crisis is over.

Mutoh Australia is launching two new benchtop UV printers, both with braille and raised effect capability, and which print and varnish in one pass. It will donate $500 to the Fred Hollows charity for every printer sold between now and Christmas.

The harsh restrictions shackling the Victorian economy was the biggest story in print this week, with the Print21 report on the easing of restrictions in regional Victoria, and the muted responses to it from industry leaders, getting the most clicks.

The on-off auction of wide format house Craftech is back on, with Liquid Asset Management hosting an online auction that will close in a week's time and includes two Arizona printers and three Zund cutters.

Industry association The Real Media Collective has released a Commercial Tenancy Report, which provides detailed information for printers in every state on the current status with commercial leases in the Covid era, as federal and state government legislate various support packages for commercial tenants.

The beleaguered Victoria economy is seeing its first significant reopening as the government seeks to kick start the $45bn regional economy, although Melbourne faces another six weeks of closure.

Mental health help group Man Anchor founder Steven Gamble says there is no stigma attached to print business owners, managers, and staff seeking mental health support and input and the earlier the first steps are taken the better.

German press manufacturer KBA is launching a new B2 sheetfed offset press, the Rapida 76, available in a multitude of straight, perfecting, commercial, packaging and special configurations, and targeting high-end print production in the medium size format.

The annual face-to-face meeting between printers and politicians in Canberra, Print2Parliament, has now moved to a live streamed event, with a zoom conference call with leading politicians planned.

A new survey is being launched by suppliers’ association Visual Connections seeking important information from sign makers to map the multi-million-dollar local sign industry.

Wide format inkjet printers and printer cutters manufacturer Roland DG is launching a new Roland Academy Online Training course, designed to support customers in lieu of face-to-face training.

Some 150 protestors across three UK print sites managed to block the distribution of millions of copies of daily printed newspapers from being distributed, prompting a chorus of anguish from everyone from the prime minster down.

The biggest story in the print industry this week was the Print21 report on the backlash to the Daniel Andrews roadmap out of Covid, which has seen Melbourne cop some of the harshest lockdown measures in the world, including a curfew that was not health or police driven.

Industry identity Theo Pettaras has said goodbye to his innovative print business Digitalpress, having completed the six-month handover following the sale of the business to Bridgestone Holdings. Pettaras is now working as a business broker, and will remain secretary of the PVCA.

The print industry and all other industries are in uproar over the roadmap out of lockdown presented by Victoria premier Daniel Andrews in his statement, variously claiming it is a road to nowhere, a document of despair, a kick in the guts, and saying he is destroying the Victorian economy, with what are some the world’s harshest lockdown measures.

The number of Australian businesses going into liquidation or administration is plummeting to way below normal levels, leading to fears over credit lines extended by printers to their customers.