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About 30 companies from across all states and territories have so far taken up the Australian Sign and Graphics Association’s free membership offer to all sign, graphics and print businesses. ASGA has also announced a Q&A webinar for members next week - presenters will include its business adviser and accountant.

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Organisers Messe Düsseldorf issued a ‘365 days to drupa’ alert this week: “The new date of April 20 - 30, 2021 is now firmly established in the international calendar. The decision to postpone was difficult, but the only right choice for everyone involved.”

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country will move out of its level four coronavirus lockdown to alert level three at 11.59pm on Monday 27 April, clearing the way for manufacturers including printing and signage companies to prepare for reopening their doors. "Great news," said Print NZ GM Ruth Cobb.

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The global large format printer market is projected to grow from $US9.3 billion in 2020 to $US11.2 billion by 2025, at an annual growth rate of about 3.8 percent, according to new research. The Asia-Pacific region is forecast to grow at the highest rate during the five-year period.

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Fujifilm Australia has moved its headquarters about 20 kilometres west from Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale in northern Sydney to Waterloo Road in Macquarie Park, northern Sydney. The company’s camera repair and optical device service centre remains at its existing Brookvale location and all service booking procedures remain the same.

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Big companies - including MYER, David Jones, Just Group, Sussan Group, Carlton United Brewery and CIMIC - are using the coronavirus as an excuse for slow payments and forcing many small businesses to close their doors, says Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell. 

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The Minuteman Press franchise group has launched a new COVID-19 resource, the 'Bounce Back Australia' initiative to support local businesses to ' Bounce Back' from the crisis. Amongst other benefits, it provides free local business listings and COVID-19 Safety Posters. Started by a caring Nashville, USA Minuteman franchisee, it's now going global.

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EasyCut, a leading global developer of sign-making software programs, has released the new EasyCut Pro 5.1.02, the 32-bit and 64-bit vinyl cutting software for Windows and macOS, with a range of new features. 

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“It will be good to have our industry back in business,” says PrintNZ general manager Ruth Cobb. "An announcement will be made on Monday about whether we move to Level 3...and If it goes ahead businesses that can re-open will have 48 hours to have the right protocols in place for safe operation.”

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ASGA has issued a free 5-page Q&A surrounding the Federal Government's JobKeeper programme, compiled by legal advisors Hicksons. It is free to members and membership for new subscribers is free until end of 2020.

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The Print & Visual Communication Association (PVCA) has launched an industry petition calling on federal, state and local government agencies to stop buying printed matter in China. “At this time of disruption to our economy from Covid-19…it seems incongruous for government to be spending tax dollars overseas on print that is readily available in Australia.”

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GSP Print, the company responsible for printing many of Australia’s most famous billboard ads for leading Out-Of-Home advertising company JCDecaux, is marking 50 years of operation in 2020. "Static billboards have an important place in the advertising landscape," said JCDecaux.

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Electronics For Imaging will host its first-ever EFI Ignite Virtual Experience event this month - three days of sessions featuring its full line of display graphics solutions, including latest wide- and super-wide format inkjet printing technologies livestreaming from EFI customer experience centres. 

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Len Lauer, CEO of Memjet, passed away unexpectedly at his home in La Jolla, California on April 13th. He was 62 years old. Lauer was named the CEO of Memjet in 2010 and assumed the role of Chairman in 2012. A regular visitor to Australia where Memjet's R&D is headquartered, he was always approachable and  affable, with an obvious passion for Memjet technology.

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The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has amended 99 awards, including the Graphic Arts, Printing & Publishing Award, to allow employees to take two weeks of unpaid pandemic leave as well as twice as much annual leave at half their normal pay - if their employer agrees.

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A survey conducted before the outbreak of the coronavirus and the postponement of drupa shows a global print industry that remained positive but reflected more challenging global economic conditions. "Printers are recognising the need to innovate – by launching new products and services in their existing markets or by entering new markets."

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“These people represent the best in their respective sectors and will go on to contend for the overall Print Apprentice of the Year title,” says Print NZ chief executive Ruth Cobb. “They had some tough competition.”

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PostNet Broadway in Sydney has transitioned into MBE Broadway, becoming the first PostNet store to join print & mail franchise competitor Mail Boxes Etc (MBE) since parent PostNet Australia went into administration last year. MBE also says it’s been officially labeled an ‘essential business’ during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Outgoing Konica Minolta Australia chairman/MD Dr David Cooke has agreed to continue in his current role until Australia's borders are reopened and new MD Yohei Konaka can travel to Australia from Japan. 

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As trade events around the world are postponed, a raft of ‘virtual’ trade fair organisers has cropped up in the expectation that budgets will transfer from steel-and-cement halls, to computer and mobile screens.

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Inkjet printheads for industial-commercial use have been around for about three decades and have progressively improved - along with onboard cleaning and maintenance systems - but they can still clog. In times of intermittent use or shutdown. With some piezo printheads costing as much as $6,000 each, it's worth looking after them.