Q The ‘Enter’ button on our Perfecta TVC 92 Guillotine has just about stopped working – too much use, I guess. We have been quoted £1,200 by GAE [now Intelligent Finishing Systems] to replace the button (servo plate), but in order to replace this section we need to pay £3,500 to get our hands on the entire screen section (we can send our old screen section back to Perfecta and be reimbursed for the difference of £2,300). We’ll pay if we must, but to be honest, I think £1,200 for a keypad is a bit steep. Anyone with a Perfecta got any ideas?
Tim Thompson, via the Help Line forum at printweek.com

A This query generated some lively discourse on the forum, and it quickly became apparent that repairs of this nature can be pretty costly no matter who the supplier is. You might find a more affordable solution via an independent guillotine engineer. Forum member Sam Deonavon suggested Tony Kilbride at Kilbride & Son in Manchester (0161 428 3265) along with DTS Engineering (01942 883000). Consensus Guillotine Engineers (www.guillotineengineers.co.uk tel 01473 657575) received plaudits from ‘Boris the Fox’, and via James Wells at Sonar Technologies (thanks, James). I have an additional possible contact: Richard Flynn at R&F Print Engineer Services (07860 399518).

Q Do you know where I can apply for inclusion for any print contracts that may arise for the 2012 Olympic Games? Thank you in advance.
Linda, via email

A Yes, I wrote a blog about this last year, you can find it here bit.ly/c0iMV6. You need to register on the ‘CompeteFor’ website, www.competefor.com. This is how it describes itself: CompeteFor is a free service that enables businesses to compete for contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 Games and other major public and private sector buying organisations. Good luck.

Q What is the best vinyl to use for shirt printing? We are going to be printing on 100% polyester shirts, but as this is all new to me. I don’t know what is the best or where to buy it from. All help and feedback is welcome.
Craig, via the Help Line forum at www.printweek.com

A The following list of websites should give you some good insights into what you need: www.themagictouch.co.uk, www.thetransferpress.co.uk, www.xpres.co.uk.