Service Printers' award-winning calendar
Wellington’s Service Printers are one of the most decorated printers in New Zealand, with a stellar record at the Pride In Print Awards. This year was no exception, with high quality New Zealand creative landscape photographs contributing to its Gold Medal in the Sheetfed Printing Calendar section. Achieving the particular finish envisaged by the client -- multi-national civil engineering consultancy Opus International Consultants -- required meticulous attention to detail and the utilisation of special techniques, says Service Printers Account Manager Julie Russell.
"A background screen of canvas was applied through computer software at the pre-press stage," says Russell.
"Generally, a linen board is used to recreate this effect. Whereas we were using CPI’s Silk Matt stock, which is very smooth but holds superb colour and detail, so a canvas filter was the logical solution.
"But it was not a straightforward process. Because of the colour differences between each image, we also had to adjust the strength and size of the canvas pattern. This required us to print several of the images to ensure a consistent and even repeat pattern that would not dominate the images, but provide a subtle canvas effect."
Russell says reproducing the photographs to the highest quality was paramount to achieving the result expected by the client and photographer.
"Opus has a different theme for its calendar each year, but it always incorporates a broad base of New Zealand landscape images.
"The Opus calendar has been produced for eight years now and is enjoying a position as a collector’s item -- with the print run steadily increasing each year from 2000 to 2700 copies last year."
Other high-end facets of the A2 landscape calendar included a UV lamination finish and special die-cut monthly ’tab dividers’.
"The tab dividers were introduced about three years ago, following discussions with designer Idiom Studios and the client. The tabs are located at the bottom of the calendar, making it easy to locate and view a particular month, instead of having to flick right through it."
"We have a good relationship with Opus and have maintained a very high standard result for them, on time, every year. Behind the scenes, our diversely experienced team gets involved in the pre-planning and are included in discussions on all areas of the process -- from the type of inks best suited, finishing techniques and processes to use, right through to the bindery and despatch planning etc."
Opus Marketing Services and Corporate Communications Manager Richard Silcock says his company uses Service Printers because of its strong reputation.
"We have an expectation they will provide a top-quality printing job, delivered on time and at a competitive price," he says.
"We are delighted the calendar has been recognised in this year’s Awards."
Service Printers won another five Gold Medals and received nine Highly-Commended at this year’s Awards. The company is ranked in the top three for Gold Medals, having won since the start of the Awards over a decade ago.
