Look, learn, and do!

The saying goes: if at first you do not succeed, try and try again. But what about if at first you do succeed? Where do you go after that?

The inaugural edition of The Print Show was by all accounts a resounding success. With 5,384 visitors and a host of the biggest names exhibiting, the 2015 debut has come to be regarded as one of the success stories in the post-recession print industry. But what is next for this fledgling exhibition; how are the organisers of The Print Show going to ensure this year’s event not only tops last year, but consolidates the impact it has already made on the industry?



With a vast amount of returning exhibitors (including Konica Minolta, Signmaster Systems, Grafityp, Colourbyte -Epson, and OKI), as well as an exciting selection of new ones such as Spandex, matching 2015 will not be the challenge for The Print Show; it is being able to surpass it that will require the real creative thinking.



Luckily, the team behind this new exhibition seem to have this quality in spades. This year’s event sees the introduction of new and exciting education features such as The Printers’ Bazaar, as well as the return of favourites from last year like The Traditional Print Masterclasses.

Onwards and upwards

Commenting on last year’s event, Chris Davies, event director of The Print Show, explains: “The Print Show’s founding instalment in 2015 was widely heralded as a ‘breath of fresh air’ for the UK print and graphics industry as it mixed the right exhibitors, visitors, and special educational content to achieve a highly successful event.


“One of the most important trends witnessed in 2015 was that these visitors had come ready to invest in new equipment, products, and services. The show, therefore, ultimately helped to kick-start a new cycle of annual economic activity in the print industry that will only continue to gather momentum.”

O Factoid: 5,384 visitors came through the doors of The Print Show over the three days of its inaugural event in 2015. O

He continues: “The core mission statement of The Print Show is to provide UK printers large and small with 'the key tools they need to remain competitive, without forgetting the roots of our historic industry’. It was an absolute focus on this mission and a lot of hard work from the organisers, exhibitors, and show partners alike that helped to drive the success of the event, seeing 5,384 visitors come through its doors over the three days.”



As well as the vast array of technology on display, key to attracting these visitors to The Print Show was its unique educational content, an area that is a key focus for this year’s event. Besides drawing in the crowds, Davies explains the significance of these features for a show such as this: “Rather than just being another corporate orientated event, The Print Show is working to provide a fun and entertaining celebration of the industry’s culture and history.

“This is of key importance, as if the industry is to thrive and prosper into the future, today’s brand managers, marketers, and media buyers from across the UK need to understand print's legacy and the value of printed products in a modern context.

“From a celebration of the UK print industry's historic technological legacy in Traditional Print Masterclasses, to an exploration of the most profitable areas of diversification for our industry at The Printers' Bazaar, The Print Show has designed a range of special hands on educational content. The Software and Business Seminar Theatres will also provide visitors with high-quality business intelligence and free training.”



Weird and the wonderful

A must-visit feature for attendants of the 2016 show has to be The Printers’ Bazaar. Inspired by the diversity of street-markets in Asia, this eclectic space will play host to specialists from six different markets, designed to provide the UK print industry with exciting and practical ideas for expansion.



Davies comments: “What defines a ‘printer’ today is very different from even five years ago, in fact it is quite difficult to come up with a single definition that will encompass the majority of our industry.

“This change has been driven by the evolution of technology that spans software, inkjet hardware, large-format graphics materials, speciality paper, and most importantly the evolution of the market itself. What is vital to understand is that long-term success for many printers’ hinges upon the continued expansion of their product portfolio so they can continue to say 'yes' to their customers, no matter the request.

“This is the trend that has driven the creation of The Printers' Bazaar, a space where the industry can browse and shop for new 'businesses in a box' that will ensure their continued competitiveness.”

Two zones of The Printer’s Bazaar that most accurately fit this ‘business in a box’ title are Promo Print Ally and Stickers R Us. Both markets have limited barriers to entry and are easily accessible for those wanting to add a competitive edge to their product offering. At the Promo Print Alley, OKI and The Magic Touch will run demonstrations and advice about how to move into a market that offers anything from branded stationary and mugs, to printed t-shirts for stag and hen dos. Or if you are attracted by the idea of offering bespoke labels and promotional stickers to your client base, then a trip to Stickers R Us could be well worth your time, being run by media-specialist Soyang.

Having already touched on the potentially lucrative t-shirt printing business, textile printing is explained and displayed in depth at the Textile Trading Post, run by Grafenia. Because, of course, this sector goes far beyond t-shirts, or even clothes. From curtains to cushions, banners to flags, and even printed light boxes, this market is nothing if not varied. And with support from Grafenia, visitors can gain insight into which kit and consumables will provide the swiftest and most profitable access into this creative sector.
 
The Branding Corral is another key feature of this print-centered bazaar, where industry experts from Printmax will explain the tricks and pitfalls of the modern-day marketing sector. One area that is sure to draw the crowds is the Vehicle Wrap Shack, which will host expert wrappers showing off their skills and is hosted by sector-specialist Grafityp. While this section will undoubtedly appeal to the petrol-heads among you, there are real business opportunities to be had here: for wide-format equipped printers this market offers an important diversification area, and hands on training will be delivered here throughout the show.

Another stall that may peak your interest is 3D Print Express. As you would expect, this area is dedicated to the headline-grabbing sector of 3D printing, and, with support from Antalis, will suggest ways your business could get involved in this futuristic market.

Commenting on the diversity offered by these education areas, Davies comments: “Being able to see a wide variety of the latest niche print technology in action, while being surrounded by a myriad of real-world product examples, will hopefully inspire printers and sign-makers and give them tangible solutions to grow their revenue and perhaps start a new chapter in their business.”



Educate for success

Running alongside the content at The Printer’s Bazaar will be the Business Seminar Theatre. This stage will play host to an array of expert presenters throughout the show, from the likes of Nick Devine ‘The Print Coach’ and Jonathan Tame of print activist group Two Sides, to speakers from trade body group IPIA.

In addition to these expert speakers, the show will also host specialist presenters specifically designed to help visitors navigate the often complex waters of software. The Software Training Theatre, which covers Adobe, Corel, and Quark platforms, will provide in-depth training to visitors, as well as offering one-on-one consultancy free of charge in between sessions. Described by The Print Show as ‘one of the jewels in its crown’, the Software Training Theatre could offer real added-value to your day out of the office.

One of the unique selling points of the show is its focus on the UK print industry. Davies explains that, rather than over extend itself, the event works to support the industry by providing a solid and sustainable annual market platform for its best companies to showcase their products.

This specific attention on the UK industry goes beyond the modern day. The 2016 Print Show sees the return of The Traditional Print Masterclasses, celebrating the old techniques which made the UK print industry what it is today.

Davies explains the thinking behind this concept: “Over a period of more than four hundred years, the technology and skills that have underpinned the UK print industry have gone through a fantastically rich process of evolution and change.

“Hand cranked presses gave way to rolling presses, the first offset litho machines, letterpress, linotype machines, electrically driven litho, computer-to-plate, and of course the digital toner and inkjet revolution. What is amazing is that in 2016 there is still a significant number of jobbing printers and specialised finishers that use historic technology for their everyday print production.

“It is this unbroken chain of technical excellence and skills being handed down from one generation of professional printers to the next that The Print Show has set out to celebrate with the Traditional Print Masterclasses.”



Where the work happens

Everybody knows that one of the core reasons that both visitors and exhibitors alike attend these kind of events is the networking. Here The Print Show has once again worked to stand out from the crowd by providing a specialist networking venue ideally suited to the forthright exchange of ideas: a pub.

The Printers’ Arms is a pub created especially for those at the show, so you do not even have to leave the hall to catch up with your industry colleagues over a pint, as Davies explains: “The Printer’s Arms was founded to support one of the most important activities at any trade show, networking. The saying 'people buy from people' is very true, and being able to sit down one-to-one in a relaxed and warm atmosphere without having to leave the exhibition hall is a fantastic asset to have.”



If all this is still not enough to tempt you to head down to the NEC for a day or two, The Print Show is also running a ‘Golden Ticket’ prize draw each day of the event. The winners of the top prize last year took home an impressive Epson SureColour T5200D. Yet with this vast array of educational content, not to mention the extensive list of top-class exhibitors, it will not only be the winners that will take something away from this event—certainly worth a day out of the office.




Your text here...