Blockbuster PrintEx for CyraChrome

“Probably one of the best graphic arts trade events in which I have been involved over the past 25 years” is the opinion of CyraChrome Marketing Director, Andy McCourt when it comes to PrintEX 2003.



The CyraChrome team at PrintEx.

“The timing was right, the audience was right and the compact shell-only booth idea made it easy for visitors to get around. On the CyraChrome stand we didn’t stop from open to close with the exception of Thursday night 6-8pm, which I think is unnecessary. But who cares? We logged more genuine customer enquiries per day that at PacPrint 2001 which was also a fantastic event for the industry.”

CyraChrome will make progressive announcements over the next few weeks about its PrintEX successes. These focus on areas such as the SpinJet Imposition Proofers for ‘Digital Dyelines’ in a CtP environment; the new range of Canon large format printers, enabled as contract proofers by the addition of ORIS ColorTuner™ version 5.0 from CGS Publishing Technologies; RealTime Proof online proofing software; more Epson proofers with ColorTuner™ and maybe one or two ORIS CtP Workflows with job management.

This is on the back of the announcement at PrintEX of a large proofing deal with the Penfold Buscombe Group where a total of seven ColorTuner+Epson 9600 proofers and five SpinJet 1000 imposition proofers will be operational across Vic, NSW and Qld by the end of July.

Orders for many Canon-based ColorTuner proofers were taken including the new W2200 A3+ device, which received 3DAP approval, with CGS media, two days before PrintEX opened its doors.

“We are especially delighted to partner with Ferag Australia and support their first Luescher XPose! CtP installations with ORIS software and SpinJet imposition proofing. As ORIS is a completely open workflow, we can work with any CtP manufacturer for workflow, proofing and job ticket management.”

Perhaps the most gratifying part of CyraChrome’s PrintEX showing was the attraction of ‘non-core’ graphic arts professionals. “One of the sales we made directly from the stand was an Epson SP7600 to renowned ACT-based botanical and wildlife artist Helen Fitzgerald www.helenfitzgerald.com. Helen and her husband came to the stand and saw the quality of our colour on the Epson and wrote a cheque there and then! This printer will be used for limited edition fine art prints”

Another Epson – a 9600 – went to Queensland company 1800 Prints - www.1800prints.com.au, who design and manufacture badges, key tags, cards and stationery and other promotional items. 1800’s Glenda Henry spent time with CyraChrome’ Phillip Burrell and bought the 9600 on her Gold Card!


“What these types of sale mean,” says McCourt, pictured right on the CyraChrome stand at PrintEx, “is that PrintEX 2003 has reached out into the parts of the graphic market other trade shows may not reach. In my opinion it is imperative that both trade show organizers and printers themselves continue to expand their universe beyond the self-imposed paradigms we have limited ourselves with. The old ‘it’s offset, gravure, flexo, letterpress, screen or rubbish’ mindset has to be challenged.’ The moving finger has written and we as an industry must move with it."

"Of course the sheer dimensions of the ‘traditional’ printing and publishing industry are wonderful and a vital part of CyraChrome’s business but even within these sectors we see mighty change. Who would have imagined that a world- leading glossy magazine would be contract proofed on an Epson, HP or Canon inkjet printer four years ago?”


CyraChrome’s blockbuster PrintEX has kick-started business again following a few slow months. “We’re on the upswoosh of the J-curve, to borrow from Paul Keating. And so long as the industry, organizers of trade events, trade magazine publishers and industry associations keep following graphic communications wherever it goes in whatever direction, we will all continue to prosper in this visually-enriched, alphabet-soup business of ours.”