How can we standardise the colour output between our digital and our offset press to achieve consistent results?

To achieve consistent and comparable results from two different printing processes is a matter of taking the right steps at the right point in your workflow, without complicating the process. Essentially there can be two goals: either to achieve equal results or to gain the highest quality on each press.

A PostScript or PDF file entering a workflow may contain images that contain the same or different colour spaces (RGB, CMYK etc). An image or page  may also have an embedded ICC profile that varies from others within the file. You can set up your workflow to recognise these variations and convert everything into a single colour space (device-n) and a single ICC profile automatically. You can select the profile you wish, but I recommend you choose ISO Coated in order to optimise the file for offset printing.   

You then need to convert the offset press-optimised file to one optimised for digital print. This is done by creating a device link file or ICC profile specifically for the colourspace of the digital press. For example, if you want to print to an RGB digital press or printer, the workflow creates the RGB file using the specific ICC profile. The end result will be equal to the offset printed result. Screen’s Trueflow, among other workflows, can handle these steps automatically, so check that your workflow has the capability and make the necessary adjustments.

Differences may arise when you seek maximum quality of the end result instead of an equal result. This will occur if the colour space of the printing device is larger than your original device-n space. In other words, you can achieve digital print results equal to an offset press if the digital press has the same or a larger colour space. If the colour space of the digital press is larger and the goal is to gain the highest colour quality, the result will be different from the offset result.

This representation only relates to the ability of devices to reproduce colours, and does not take into account variations that result from image sharpness and resolution related to text and tints.

Sjaak Veeken

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We’re two partners who want to sell our small print business as a going concern. What are the main things to consider?

If you’re looking to sell your business, you need to pre-plan an exit and sale strategy well in advance to maximise goodwill in the business. It’s also essential to get the business in order before contemplating putting it on the market: while high premiums have been paid in recent years for goodwill, these are only achievable for efficient businesses with great potential.

Are you prepared to stay on as a consultant or director for a while to ensure your customers are kept happy while the transition takes place? A consultancy agreement may be tax-effective and allow the purchaser to pay you, in effect, over a period. Do you want to retain a shareholding longer-term and bring in new managers with financial backing while you sit in the background?

Premises themselves will be scrutinised, not only as to the adequacy of the facilities but also as to the security of the tenure, including the length and terms of the lease, if they are leasehold. If land holdings are in different hands it may be worth combining them to keep things simple.

Expect books and records to be crawled over in detail. Many print businesses don’t have nicely documented contracts – as buyers are interested in longevity, customer contracts are key, and often the longer the better. So it’s really worth getting contracts in order, even if it doesn’t add value.

The reliability and effectiveness of employees takes on a whole new significance in a sale context. Your claims record, and most importantly, outstanding claims on insurance will be considered.

It’s a good idea to select professional advisors with care, as your protection as a seller is in having the transaction dealt with professionally and diligently by experienced advisors who will structure the deal appropriately and tax-effectively, so it yields maximum value for you.

Dealing with due diligence enquiries followed by a lengthy contract with numerous warranties can be a daunting and tedious process, and in a sale there are a lot of issues that experienced accountants and lawyers will understand, but you may not. This could be the biggest deal of your life, so make sure you get it right.

Phillippa Dempster

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We’d like to join a mass buying scheme for energy, to get better prices. Are there such schemes for printers?

Mass buying schemes, more commonly known as energy purchasing consortia (EPCs) or baskets, are widespread within industry. Most EPCs are managed by energy brokers or consultants and for many firms they are a good way of accessing competitive prices. The BPIF’s energy buying scheme, BPIF Energy, is run by CMR Consultants on the BPIF’s behalf, and is open to BPIF members only. It has 130 members and buys approximately £6m worth of energy each year.

EPCs work on the basis that members ‘hunt as a pack’. By aggregating members’ consumptions and/or sites, the consortium automatically provides access to benefits and products that wouldn’t otherwise be available to members as individuals. These can include reduced supplier margins and access to specialist advice. Suppliers also find EPCs attractive because it’s an effective way of winning large numbers of customers through a single purchasing decision.

The most important element of energy purchasing is timing: it’s very important to make the right decision at the right time. All members of an EPC agree to use a nominated supplier for their energy. The supplier is then chosen using strict criteria, and would provide a fixed-price energy contract in line with a common renewal date for all members. The EPC’s strategy is usually based on a continuous evaluation of the energy market with an eye to the best time to secure future energy contracts. It’s important to note, however, that like all suppliers, brokers can only ever provide a market-reflective price, which basically means that prices can go up as well as down.

David Jutton