Fineprint deploys new customer file upload facility
22nd February 2010
The nature of digital print files is that they generally tend to be quite large - and can often be very large indeed.
So Fineprint are pleased to announce a great new way for customers to send their print files to Fineprint that's quick, easy, convenient and secure.
Sending digital print files by e-mail is a viable option but is constrained by the relatively small file sizes that will be permitted to pass through a mail gateway. A CD or DVD is another popular choice but is at the mercy of the postal system or courier - especially where long distances are involved.
Easily one of the best options to despatch print-ready digital files is to use a file hosting service which is precisely what Fineprint have recently implemented.
» The benefits of the new upload facility include:
- It's quick: The process takes only minutes (depending on your network connection)
- It's easy: Just fill out and submit a simple form and away you go
- It's convenient: Access 24 x 7
- It's secure: Your data will not be available to prying eyes.
See the new customer print file upload facility.
Fineprint Managing Director, Mike Woolhouse commented, "We're always on the look out for ways to improve workflow processes for both ourselves and our clients."
He added, "If I'm honest, the technology behind the new customer upload facility isn't exactly rocket science, it's more to do with harnessing the technology available as a business enabler. Without doubt, the new facility has already become a very useful addition to the range of services Fineprint offers and I'm pleased to say that the uptake so far has been nothing short of amazing."
So the next time you need to send your print data files over to Fineprint, consider our new, easy-to-use customer upload system powered by YouSendIt.
Fineprint bolsters regional salesforce with key appointment
25th November 2009
Commercial printer Fineprint of Basingstoke has made a significant investment in its future plans by welcoming into its sales team Business Development Manager, Leighton Oliver.
With a wealth of experience in both the print and print finishing industries, Leighton has already taken up his post in this newly created position.
Leighton commented, "I'm delighted to be able to take on this role and particularly with such an established and well-respected name as Fineprint."
"He added, "I'm very clear on my priorities which I've identified as basically three-fold."
"Firstly, I aim to more fully understand and embrace the culture within Fineprint that has enabled them to prosper and continue to grow over the last 15 years."
"Secondly, I want to introduce new businesses to Fineprint by drawing on all my years of experience across the whole print spectrum."
"Lastly, and just as importantly, I want to make sure Fineprint's existing clients continue to receive the very highest levels of customer service and quality of work."
Leighton is also keen to remain focussed on continuing to meet the diverse needs of Fineprint's customers. He added, "I'm committed to delivering as wide a scope of service offerings as possible ranging from long-run, multi-colour litho work to business stationery to smaller digital jobs such as our current personalised Christmas card promotion."
Print runs in the family
It was always Leighton's ambition to go into the print trade. Reflecting on his formative years growing up in the Basingstoke area, Leighton feels that there was a certain inevitability of him being involved in print.
"When I was a teenager, my mum worked for a commercial printer in Kempshott, JB Shears who agreed to let me work a few evenings and weekends where I mainly made tea and emptied bins."
"That's about as far as it went with the print trade at that time really," he mused, "but little did I know what lay ahead."
After leaving school and taking a number of jobs including window cleaning, Leighton was offered a week's work at Shears which very quickly evolved into a full-time position. It was during this time that Leighton began to learn a range of skills ranging from forklift driver to guillotine operator.
Opportunity knocks
Finally, at 21 years of age, Leighton embarked on a full apprenticeship at C&G Print Finishing. It was here that he first encountered Mike Woolhouse, the current Managing Director of Fineprint. Mike was his tutor.
During the second year of his apprenticeship, a short-term position running Shears' print finishing department became available and, once again Leighton accepted the role from this employer.
In the following years, Leighton went on to work for a number of print companies in and around the Basingstoke region including Emerald Colour where he got his first taste of a print sales environment."
A return to the shop floor followed at Impact Litho then John Dollin Printing before Leighton moved to Turner Graphic as a print finisher. A succession of promotions resulted in Leighton ending up running a department of 26 people. Within 18 months, he'd been promoted to the position of Production Manager. With a team of 56, he now had overall responsibility for printing, finishing and dispatch.
Some three years later, Leighton assumed the role of Sales Manager with a team of eight and responsible for the overall sales of this large commercial printer.
A new opportunity
As fate would have it, Leighton and Mike's paths crossed once again in the autumn of 2009 involving discussions surrounding the potential opportunities of working together. An agreement was struck and Leighton accepted the newly-created role of Business Development Manager.
Fineprint Managing Director, Mike Woolhouse said, "Appointing Leighton is without doubt a significant milestone for us. Leighton not only brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the business but also shares my passion in putting in place the building blocks that will help take the business to the next level."
If you'd like to speak with Leighton he can can be contacted on 01256 814 144 or call him direct on his mobile 07540 403 908.
A Lighter Look At The Paper Industry: 'Paper Aid' From G-Print
22nd September 2009
OK. Let's be honest. The paper manufacturing industry is having a tough time of it. Prices have gone down by around 20% over the last ten years and commercial printers aren't as busy as they were as the financial crisis has turned into a global recession.
So the industry needs something to lift its spirits a little.
It so happens that Grycksbo, Swedish manufacturer of G-Print paper products are in a position to help out. Under the banner, "Working for paper awareness in an increasingly paperless society", these brands have invested and supported a number of initiatives to help raise the profile, understanding and appreciation of printing paper.
The intentions behind all these initiatives are serious, but that doesn't mean that 'Paper Aid' has overlooked taking a more light-hearted view of things.
Here, for example is a viral video produced by G-Print aimed at promoting paper products in general. Watch it and let us know what you think.
Digital Print vs. Litho Print. Adversaries or bedfellows?
18th August 2009
Is digital print really 'muscling in' on sheet-fed litho's traditional territory? Can these two technologies work together or will litho print even be around in 10 years time?
These searching questions have been around ever since the digital press first emerged as a commercially viable option to sheet-fed lithographic print. But even though digital technology continues to move forward at a fast pace, no definitive conclusions have yet been drawn.
A recent report tries to at least shed a bit of light on this issue claiming that while litho's immediate future is safe, other technologies, such as digital print, are eating into its market share.
Improving printing press efficiency
In an attempt to combat the incursion of the digital press, sheet-fed litho suppliers are continuing to explore ways to improve press efficiency and productivity through larger formats and perfector machines. The argument is, that by increasing sheet sizes, the printing of books, posters and packaging becomes more efficient.
Other key drivers
The report also goes on to say that the future for litho my lie in technological advancements such as digital workflow, enhanced colour control and automatic plate loading as key drivers for this market. Also, litho can benefit from better digital integration thanks mainly to higher levels of automation on modern presses that provide an increased flexibility of format, make-ready and changeover.
While digital will most likely impact litho in the medium term, its penetration will be felt most probably in the small-format markets such as B2 and B3.
Responding to the demand
In today's market, customers frequently request both litho and digital print and the commercial printers. It's those who are equipped with the right technology for the job and skilled in operating both methods that will have the competitive advantage in the near future.
For the time being, digital and sheet-fed litho technologies look set to hold complementary roles that can cater for different applications as well as varying run lengths.
Commercial printers such as Fineprint will continue to build their business on a combination of both digital and litho print processes. The case for maintaining investment in both these technologies is a very compelling one as it offers Fineprint the flexibility to cater for the needs and demands from all of its customers.
The top six myths of paper exploded
26th June 2009
Myth #1: Making paper destroys forests
In managed forests, for every tree cut down, three to four are replanted in its place. It's estimated that there are 25% more trees in the developed world today than there were in 1901. In Europe alone, forests are increasing annually by an area equivalent to more than 1.5 million football pitches.
Myth #2: Paper is bad for the environment
For every tree that is logged in managed forests, three to four trees are replanted. And as young trees grow, they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Furthermore, as a wood product, paper also continues to store carbon throughout its lifetime.
Myth #3: Paper consumes a vast amount of energy
It doesn't. On average it takes 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity to produce 200kg of paper, the average amount of paper that each of us consume each year. If that sounds like a lot it's actually equivalent to powering one computer continuously for five months or burning a 60w light bulb continuously for one year.
Myth #4: Paper has a high carbon footprint
Producing 200kg of paper, the average we each use every year, creates between 130-250kg of CO2 depending on the source of energy. This is comparable to many other small scale domestic activities, and is roughly equivalent to the CO2 produced by an average family car over a distance of 600 miles.
Myth #5: Recycled paper is always better for the the environment than virgin paper
While recycled paper does reduce waste paper going to landfill, you must also consider paper's full life cycle and not just the fibre source. Modern paper mills producing virgin fibre paper, whose energy source is nuclear, hydro or internally bio-fuelled, may well have a lower carbon footprint than a mill making recycled paper, powered by fossil fuels. And it's important to remember that virgin fibre is always required to make recycled paper possible in the first place.
Myth #6: Paper contributes significantly to landfill
Paper fibres can be recycled up to six times, and recycling is certainly the best way to keep waste paper out of landfill. Where the UK is unable to use all the waste fibre collected, the material is exported, thus reducing the worldwide need for virgin fibre. So paper has excellent credentials as a renewable, sustainable and recyclable product and managed paper production has a positive environmental impact.
Read more in full: There Are Two Sides To Paper
New publication on the benefits of paper
21st May 2009
The European paper and packaging industry has developed a new brochure entitled "The Story Behind Your Paper". It provides information on paper across its whole lifecycle and shows the benefit of paper in all its applications.
The brochure is a major change in the way the industry has traditionally communicated its messages.
First of all it brings together all sectors of the industry and presents a common approach. Secondly it focuses on the emotions and uses pictures and headlines to tell the story with simple support texts that explain the issues currently debated about paper in Europe.
The entire European forest and paper chain is one of the most important industry sectors in Europe with 6.5% of turnover of all manufacturing industries.
Fineprint's sustainability policy
As a business that's heavily reliant on paper as a raw material, Fineprint is committed to playing its part in a low carbon economy.
As such, all our paper is sourced from suppliers who are also committed to a sustainable future. Together, we recognise how forest management techniques amongst other things offers the opportunity to protect our climate and environment.
Download: “The Story Behind Your Paper”
Read more: CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries)
Fineprint discount deal now on Google
27th April 2009
Fineprint has teamed up with Google to offer a 5% discount on your next print order.
Until the end of May, both new and existing customers qualify for a handy discount off the cost of one, designated print job.
Large job or small, don't miss this great opportunity to save a little cash - especially during these challenging times.
So don't delay. Get your money-off coupon now and claim your cash back. *
* Terms apply.
~ Offer applies only on orders placed before May 31st 2009.
~ Only one print job per customer.
~ Fineprint reserves the right to withdraw the offer any time and without reason.
Your statutory rights remain unaffected. All trademarks acknowledged.
Fineprint launches brand new website
24th February 2009
Commercial & Digital Printers Fineprint of Basingstoke launches new-look website.
Fineprint owner Mike Woolhouse expressed his delight at the new website by saying, “I firmly believe that we need to maintain our policy of continued investment in our business. This applies as much to our marketing effort as it does to our staff, plant and equipment.”
He added, “To that end, I’m really pleased to announce the re-launch of our website and look forward to providing an enhanced end-user experience for all our site visitors as it evolves and develops over the coming weeks.”
