Platypus Graphics catches Printpoint

Waterless Brisbane printing company runs dry as New South Wales disease crosses the border.

Nigel Market, director at Pilot Partners, confirmed that Printpoint, which changed names to Red Gum Pacific Pty Ltd, entered liquidation yesterday. With investigations still ongoing, he was unable to speak further about the circumstances which led to the closure.

In an interesting twist, when Print21 called Printpoint today, the phone was answered by Platypus Graphics, where we were told that it had bought some of Printpoint and that director, Alan Rhodes, who has been responsible for pushing environmental printing practices even before he started Printpoint, was still around.

Tom Lusch, director of Platypus Graphics, would not discuss the situation. “I just don’t want to talk about it,” he said. His ambivalence is hardly surprising in these times of takeovers where people are ultra-sensitive as to who has picked up what – particularly from companies that have met a bad end.

The news ends weeks of speculation over the fate of the 20-year-old company which claims to be Queensland’s only dedicated waterless printer and had a reputation for taking out top awards, including the Heidelberg Award for Excellence in Craft at the 2009 National Print Awards.

At this year’s Queensland PICAs, Printpoint won two gold medals for booklets perfect, burst bound; two gold for books perfect, burst bound and a judge’s special commendation.

One industry source told Print21 that the closure of Printpoint could mean that the widespread carnage which has swept through New South Wales and Victoria is now making its way up through Queensland.