The biggest story in the ANZ print industry this week was the news that PacPrint will run in September, with the Pro-Pac acquisition of Supreme, and the new sign directive for Victoria, ranked #2 and #3.

International print expert Pat McGrew says understanding workflow for print, and instigating an automated system, can be the difference between profit and pain.

Mental health advocate Steven Gamble says businesses will benefit from higher productivity when they instigate simple steps to care for the mental well-being of their staff.

Printed books are on the front line in the battle to empower remote and isolated Indigenous communities throughout Australia with literacy. Print21 editor-at-large Patrick Howard talks to Karen Williams, CEO of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, on the drive to get printed books into communities.

The biggest story in the Australian and New Zealand print industry this week was the Print21 report on IVE Group’s solid half yearly results, with O'Brien Formes expansion and TPD's regional print win coming in at two and three.

The biggest story in print this week was the Print21 report on wide format outfit Cactus Imaging becoming the world’s biggest consumer of Fujilfilm UV ink, with the installation of its third five-metre wide Acuity Ultra.

D&D Digital is building on its early success in diversifying from its cut-sheet base, installing the Ricoh Pro TF6250 flatbed UV printer and a new Ricoh Pro L5160 aqueous resin roll-to-roll printer.

The biggest story in the print industry over the past seven days was Print21's report on skyrocketing shipping costs, and their knock-on effect on the cost of paper, board and wide format media, which will all be rising by between three and nine per cent next month.

Print21 resident legal eagle Wal Abramowicz says print business directors need to be aware of the changing Covid-19 insolvency dates, the ending of safe harbour laws, and their own responsibilities.

The biggest story in print this week was the Print21 report on David Currie stepping away from day-to-day responsibilities at Currie Group after 51 years with the company, with Rob Mesaros the new CEO.

AAB Holdings, which owns two of the biggest commercial print operations in NSW, is looking to a digital future as it celebrates 20 years in business. Its CEO Wayne Finkelde tells Print21 editor Wayne Robinson how he sees the next 20 years shaping up.

Marketing guru Malcolm Auld says common sense is the secret to marketing in a pandemic. He says whatever print businesses do during the crisis, make sure you do not go dark, keep that light shining.

Rawson Print Co business development manager Cameron Woodley says local print boosts sustainability, and de-risks the supply chain, both increasingly important factors in today's world.

Print21 wishes all Aussie and Kiwi print business owners, managers, and staff a very Happy Christmas, and a Covid-free new year, as we wave goodbye to the hardest and weirdest year on record.

The biggest story of the year in the ANZ print industry was the Print21 report on the federal government’s assistance package for small businesses, particularly as it applied to printers. The Express Print & Mail goings on in Queensland was the most commented-on story. The biggest company story was the Print21 report on the travails of Ovato.

New holography devices that provide improved protection from counterfeiting for banknotes won awards organised by industry trade body IHMA.