Welcome to Printing Industries SA & NT NewsPrint, a regular electronic newsletter bringing association news and information to your desktop. Suggestions for content are always welcome. Contact Chelsea O’Connor in the Adelaide office on (08) 8223 7391 or sa@printnet.com.au

In my very short time in the industry to date, I am impressed by the numerous examples of environmentally friendly production, and yet a little perplexed why they are not promoted more. So, here’s a suggestion for every business to be proactive to educate clients and end-readers of good environmental practices where they are in place.

What about printing messages on the back of products, and/or on quotes, delivery dockets, wrapping or cartons? Think about putting signs in customer services areas, and including messages on websites and in advertising. Here’s some rough copy for you to work with:

(Client) and (Printer) care about protecting the environment. This quality product is produced on paper sourced from renewable forests and is printed using vegetable based inks. The production process uses solvent & water reducing technology. The CO2 emissions are offset through tree planing and all waste is recycled.

Please help the environment further by recycling this product when you have finished with it. Thank you.

Sending a message like this to as many recipients of printed product as possible would be a step to countering the prevailing public perception. Ensure however that any message you put out there is entirely accurate!

Industry will pay lower fees for environmentally friendly practices from next July following the establishment of a new licensing system by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The licensing system will be based on a 'user pays, polluter pays' principle, with licensees paying lower fees when they reduce their water and air emissions. The EPA's director of regulation and compliance, Tony Circelli, says the new system will be fairer than the current 10-year-old licensing system.

"There will be some activities that are potentially causing more risk, which will include higher fees," he said. "And there will be other activities which aren't, which previously paid higher fees, will now pay lower."

Sarah Thomas was chosen as the South Australian Graduate of the Year by the Lithographic Institute of Australia in 2006. 

At that time she was a senior prepress operator at Collotype Labels where she completed a Graphic Prepress apprenticeship.

At the LIA National Conference held recently in Melbourne she was awarded the National Graduate Award. The $15,000 GAMAA-LIA Award is presented every two years to the winning graduate from all of the LIA state finalists, and is recognized as the highest achievement award for graduates employed in the printing industry.

The award, presented at the prestigious Victorian PICA Awards event, will enable Sarah to attend Drupa, visit leading overseas printing industry establishments and undertake further study to advance her career.

Congratulations and well done Sarah!

Bookings are now open for the Aussie Night BBQs which will be staged during each week of drupa 2008.  

The BBQs are the must-attend guaranteed English-speaking functions where Aussie visitors can meet, greet, wine, dine and exchange their drupa exhibition stories.  

Regular entrants to the PICA Awards attest to the value to the business, whether they win an award or not.

An information session will be held in 2008 to assist first-timers (and regular entrants!) with tips on how to select and present work and what the judges are looking for.

Contact Peter if you would like information on preparing your business for sale.

If you would like further information on any of these articles or want to provide comment send an email to Peter.

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