QR codes - the good, the bad and the completely uselessA lot has been written about QR codes in the last two years. Quick Response codes are 2d barcodes containing information and links to web pages which can be scanned by phones with the appropriate software (and a camera). Like with most things, the truth lies somewhere in between: done right they can add functionality and value, but if they are done badly, people will be disappointed. Tech friendly marketers need to remember that not everybody will jump at the opportunity to test a new gadget. If they do and it doesn’t work, or if it gets too hard or just not quick enough, they will move on and only re-try the technology so often. Below are some examples of codes seen recently: SOS Print + Media Group to install country's first WDF (UK) book on demand digital finishing line
Sydney-headquartered SOS Print & Media Group has ordered the country’s first WDF Fastset 60/700 automated three-knife trimming and book finishing line, due for installation at the end of May (pictured on the right, currently being custom built) . WDF (Wilstead Digital Finsishing) exhibited the machine at Ipex 2010 where SOS’s Michael Schulz and Michael Peel first spotted it.
“I was immediately impressed with the quality of engineering,” says Schulz, “but even more impressed with the speed of job changes between differing book sizes – as little as five seconds. This is increasingly important in our era of ultra-short book printing runs, where an order for just a few ‘C’-size books can be followed by an even shorter run of, say, A4 books. The WDF Fastset 60/700 enables virtually uninterrupted production from the perfect binder to finished books ready for shipping. It fits very well with our digital book production platform.” Environmental initiatives in a printing company: Interview at Sydney radio station 2SERSOS Director Michael Schulz was interviewed last week by Deirdre Cobbin of Sydney Radio station 2SER about SOS's LED installation and other environmental initiatives. Michael talks about the first large scale LED installation in the Southern Hemisphere, the recycling of consumables, the benefits of soy based inks and the environmental benefits of print on demand. A question of balance. Interview and article are here. SOS and Astra Partner for Cross-Tasman Print on Demand Solutions
New Zealand company Astra Print and Alexandria based SOS Print + Media Group have partnered to provide a true cross Tasman print on demand solution, offering production of books, training manuals and other print items in Sydney and Wellington with distribution services across Australia and New Zealand.
Both companies are at the forefront of technology in digital print and have a reputation of being early adopters: Astra recently installed a Screen Truepress 520, a high speed inkjet press with integrated finishing line. Publications are printed at speeds of up to 128 meters and bound inline. The system can switch between saddle stitching, glue and perfect binding.
SOS Print + Media will install a Kodak Prosper inkjet in October/November this year. The first installation of a Kodak Prosper press in Asia Pacific, it will print at a staggering 3600 pages per minute and mostly used for the production of trade books and educational print.
"We have been looking for a reliable, high quality print partner in New Zealand for a long time. Astra is an ideal partner for us, as distribute and print across the Tasman is an absolute necessity," says Michael Schulz, director at SOS Print + Media. "Astra Print in Wellington is a modern, technologically very advanced company and we know that we will be able to work well together, establishing seamless workflows and digital solutions for customers in Australia and New Zealand. The two companies are already working on several joint projects."
Steve Messenger, CEO of Astra Print in Wellington says “It is clear to Astra that in order for this supply chain to survive and flourish inventory needs to be removed. Astra is pleased to be able to be part of this regional solution for on demand books.”
SOS Print + Media Group was founded 1976 and has since grown to employ over 120 people. It has production, warehousing and distribution facilities in Alexandria.
Astra Print is Wellington based and was founded in 1935. Astra has production capabilities in Wellington , Auckland and Christchurch and employs over 200 people.
SOS and Astra Partner for Cross-Tasman Print on Demand SolutionsNew Zealand company Astra Print and Alexandria based SOS Print + Media Group have partnered to provide a true cross Tasman print on demand solution, offering production of books, training manuals and other print items in Sydney and Wellington with distribution services across Australia and New Zealand. POD changes what we can do with booksAdrienne Salley has a passion for stories and books but felt that a lot of good writing never got published. Last week she launched ACE Press, a small publishing company, initially with five titles. This venture was made possible by Print on Demand, allowing small print runs that can be adjusted as demand for the books changes. Read more at: Print21online Read more about Print on Demand below: launch at Gleebooks
SOS Installs Kodak Prosper High Speed InkjetSOS Print + Media Group is the first company in Australasia to purchase the new KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press, KODAK’s high performance inkjet web press solution. Below please find the Kodak press release: SOS Print + Media Group Purchases First Kodak PROSPER 1000 in Australasia
AUSTRALIA, 2 September, 2010: SOS Print + Media Group is the first company in Australasia to purchase the new KODAK PROSPER 1000 Press, KODAK’s high performance inkjet web press solution. The installation of the press is part of the company’s continued expansion into digital print as Bob Gardner, Joint Managing Director, SOS Print + Media Group explained. “There is no doubt the digital side of our business is where growth is coming from. Press Release: 03/07/2010
What turbulent times? SOS Print + Media and U&I Direct join forces for exciting times!
In what many economists and industry figures deem ‘gloom and doom’ or more so, ‘turbulent’ times, it’s certainly not for two of Australia’s foremost industry leaders!
Today SOS Print + Media Group and U&I Direct proudly announce their official and exciting partnership moving forward with passion and vision for where the print and cross media industries are heading.
A long time leader in the print industry, SOS has always positioned itself at the forefront of technology advancements. U&I Direct, an infant in years compared to that of SOS, has established itself as a leader in the utilisation of cross-media and personalisation technologies. Both have come together forging a powerful combination to continue both companies’ momentum into the future.
With a strong background in lithographic print, SOS were one of the first companies to embrace on-demand, digital print technology. U&I Direct who now bring a further string to the SOS bow with its support of its clients and marketplace offering.
U&I Direct, four years young in the cross-media world, was specifically formed by its founders, Nathan Butler and Cathryn Warren with the ethos of to ‘get personal, get relevant and get results’. This has rung true with its cutting edge personalised solutions that encompass print, email, web (including purls) and sms.
Nathan Butler, CEO and co-founder of U&I Direct commented on the new partnership –
“Cathryn and I are very proud of our business, and even more so now with our new partnership with the team at SOS. Cathryn and I had absolute faith just on four years ago in where the on-demand, and more so personalised cross-media sphere was heading and we feel vindicated in spades. Our personalised solutions encompass many varying industries such as children’s education, finance, entertainment, motor vehicle, liquor/alcohol, gaming, event ticketing, travel, finance, fragrance and beauty and telecommunication and we have enjoyed national and international recognition in our relatively small business life. We’re yet to find an industry that can’t realise value from personalised communication. We are proud of the suite of clients we support and more so of the measured results we achieve for them.”
“U&I Direct aim to drive increased response and revenues for our clients with our personalised cross-media programs and as such, the more success we bring to our client’s business, the more success is realised by U&I Direct. Our clients’ thanks and continued support of U&I Direct continues to drive us at all times.”
“Bob, Michael and the team at SOS have always been well respected and enjoyed a well earned reputation as a sound and profitable business, whilst always being positioned at the forefront of technological advancements. This is now more evident than ever before and Cathryn and I are proud to have them as our partners.”
“U&I Direct has grown from day one with year on year revenue increase and this is something we are immensely proud of. Cash in the bank, no commercial overdraft and we run on profit, an area most of the print industry fail to comprehend and the paramount ingredient to any business and its success. We couldn’t be any more comfortable and welcome an equity partnership with SOS. Not only are there numerous synergies for both companies with our future goals, but to have a sound and profitable partner who run their business on the same fiscal beliefs as ours is ideal.”
Michael Schulz – Director, SOS Print & Media
“This is an exciting new chapter for SOS Print + Media and U&I Direct. With the ever-changing world of media communication, the consumer is receiving their messaging in multiple, diverse channels and this is a key strength we identified with U&I Direct and its capabilities.”
“Not only did we consider them at the forefront of cross-media personalisation, we enjoyed and appreciated Nathan and Cathryn’s achievements in such short time as well as their beliefs and goals for the business in the future. This sat well with our business objectives and strategically it’s a great fit for the both of us.”
SOS Print + Media Group Pty Ltd U&I Direct 65 Burrows Road, Suite 52, 20-28 Maddox Street Alexandria NSW 2015 Alexandria NSW 2015 Contact: Michael Schulz Contact: Nathan Butler
T: (02) 9549 2100 T: (02) 8060 8728
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SOS acquires significant share in cross media company U&I directOn Friday the SOS Print + Media Group announced the acquisition of shares in the four year old cross media company U&I direct. U&I are known for their success in creating cross media campaigns and online solutions for a wide range of customers from real estate to the entertainment sector. Read on for the official press release: SOS is Colour CertifiedThe SOS Print + Media Group has proudly received its ISO ANZ certificate. ISO 12647 certification is fast becoming the world wide benchmark for colour printing and SOS has worked with Kayell Australia to achieve it:
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