80 years of Australian Printing – the book

8 July 2004

As yet un-named, the history intends to provide an inclusive record of a dynamic period in the printing and graphic arts industry in Australia during which time it has changed almost beyond recognition. The publishers are currently soliciting contributions of photographs, personal recollections, and personality and corporate profiles from members of industry past and present.

According to Nick Walker, of Australian Scholarly Publishing, the aim is to record and illustrate the industry’s history informatively, yet with a lightness of touch. “In design and production values, it will reflect the high standards and capabilities of the industry — and be a true collector’s item. In content, it will be sound and original, and many readers will refer to and quote from it in years to come. Visually, it will be outstanding and include a large number of illustrations,” he writes.

The project is being facilitated by Heidelberg to commemorate the company’s own 80 years presence in Australia.

The publishers have issued a questionnaire (below) to make it easy for industry members to contribute to the book. To become involved either fill in the questionnaire and post it to:

PRINTING HISTORY

ASP/NCAS

PO BOX 299

KEW VIC 3101

Or contact Nick Walker
Ph: 03 9654 0250
Email: aspic@ozemail.com.au








History of Printing in Australia: Book Project Questionnaire

Name of Firm: ___________________________________

Name of respondent: ______________________________

Position: ________________________________________

Qualification/Trade: _______________________________

Contact details: __________________________________

Your answers to the following questions will be treated as confidential and any information based upon them will not be used without consultation and your permission.

Key Questions:
  • In what market segment do you predominantly work – book publishing, magazine production, corporate, marketing and advertising, jobbing, point of sale, merchandise etc.?


  • What printing services do you offer – offset, digital, web, flexo etc.?


  • What other services do you offer – design, marketing, distribution etc.?


  • Since your firm was established, has the type of work done changed to meet client demand? How has it changed?


  • In your firm, what major equipment improvements or technological innovations have been made over time? When did these occur?


  • How have advances in technology changed the way you conduct business or produce print? (We refer in particular to digitisation and computerisation.)


  • What for you have been the major shifts in business practices?


  • If your experience in the industry has spanned decades, would you be agreeable to participating in an interview, if requested?


  • Do you have a company history, history archive or historian?


  • Do you have any illustrations that might be suitable for reproduction in this book? (Please tell us what you have.)


  • If you were to sum the industry up in 50 words or less, what would you say?


General information required
  • When was your firm founded and by whom?


  • Who are its owners today?


  • Where was it originally located, and where is it located today?


  • What was its original name?


  • Is your firm small, medium or large?


  • How many trade-based staff did you have when you first commenced business? How many do you have today?