Dare to be different

‘Dare to Print Different’ is the challenge that has been set by organisers of FESPA 2017 this year. Given the current situation of the print market, this phrase may be more apt than ever, as companies of all shapes and sizes are being encouraged to expand their horizons, and establish themselves as a multi-service solutions provider.

With this theme, FESPA and its organisers clearly feel the same way, and diversification into new and profitable markets will be a key theme at the event, which runs from May 8th to 12th in Hamburg, Germany. As always, hundreds of exhibitors from around the world will be in attendance, each keen to show off their latest offering to the markets.




While the main show will be enough to keep most visitors busy, the co-located European Sign Expo (ESE) and Printeriors will certainly be of interest to those companies considering a move into markets usually outside of their remit. And with this in mind, what other features can we look forward to at this year’s exhibition?

Comprehensive coverage

Roz McGuinness, divisional director at FESPA, has been heavily involved with the planning process for the three events and, as such, believes the shows will be the, “most comprehensive event for screen, digital and textile print technology”.

“Our three-events-in-one proposition provides visitors with access to over 700 international exhibitors across screen, digital, and textile printing and signage and means that FESPA 2017 will be the most inclusive environment for speciality printers and sign-makers seeking out product innovations to support their business development,” McGuinness comments.

She continues: “Whether visitors register for FESPA, ESE or Printeriors, they can cross between the events to explore and benefit from additional opportunities available to them. For instance, we know that 44 percent of visitors to FESPA Digital in 2016 said that while the digital event was their primary focus, ESE was also an area of interest.”



Delving into the features of each show, McGuinness highlights the wide-reaching conference programme that will provide over 20 free-to-attend seminar sessions on the show floor over the five days. This year, to help attendees plan their visit, the programme has been consolidated into one ‘hub’, covering all technologies and processes.




McGuinness explains: “We have simplified our educational features for FESPA 2017, which will take the format of one hub of seminars, panel discussions and technology showcases covering screen and digital and textile printing and signage. These sessions will allow like-minded professionals to gain access to and discuss a mix of technical and business knowledge, ensuring they leave with the tools to take their business to the next level.”

Seminar highlights include How to create a great retail experience by Mal MacGowan, owner of McGowans Print; A Designers’ creative journey to market by Debbie McKeegan, creative director at Digetex; European Sign Code of Practice by Luc Steegmans, owner at ELBO Signs and Technology; and New measurement method of light emission by Ralph Hug, an engineer for Swiss Association VWP.

Away from the seminars, visitors will be able to experience the climax of this year’s FESPA World Wrap Masters, the global vehicle wrapping contest that has been taking place at various FESPA events around the world. Regional winners will descend on FESPA 2017 for the final round and attendees are invited to see some of the industry’s most talented wrappers in action.

McGuinness goes on to say that Signlink readers can access all of this for free by registering at www.fespa2017.com and entering the special free entry code ‘FESM712’.

Wide audience

One of the big exhibitor attractions at FESPA 2017 will be Epson, which, based on stand D45 in hall A1, will show off the latest solutions within its print portfolio. Phil McMullin, sales manager for Epson UK, says the event is important for the manufacturer as it allows the company to reach new and existing customers from across the wider print world.




McMullin comments: “FESPA is a very important event for Epson because it is a perfect opportunity to showcase our latest printers to a significant audience of print companies, not only from all over Europe, but further afield. There is nowhere better to see the broadest range of kit, substrates, and techniques.

“UK companies visiting for a couple of days will benefit a great deal because they can spend the time properly exploring and evaluating before returning to the UK inspired and energised.”

McMullin goes on to reveal that Epson will be showcasing its SureColor range of printers at FESPA 2017, explaining that the machines are suitable for work such as signage, textiles, t-shirts, product decoration, and graphics and, as a result, will attract interest from the wide range of visitors expected to attend.

Attendees will be able to view six different Sure Color models, with McMullin pointing to the SC-S80600 ten-colour 64” device as one of the main highlights. The machine features an Ultra Chrome GS3 inkset, including red, white, and metallic for accurate corporate colour matching and high print quality.

For visitors interested in soft signage and fabric, Epson will be demonstrating the Sure Color SC-F9200 dye-sublimation printer, which has two high-capacity ink supply systems the manufacturer says will allow for longer, uninterrupted print runs at resolutions up to 720 x 1440dpi and speeds just over 100sq m/h.

McMullin adds: “The six different Sure Color models we will be showing have all been developed by Epson to give PSPs a choice of flexible systems that tick all the boxes in terms of quality, running costs, flexibility, performance, ease of use and ability to maximise profits.”

Exciting innovations

Another big name that will have a major presence at FESPA 2017 is HP, which, based on stand D15 in hall A1, will be demonstrating a number of its printing products, including a new industrial solution for sign production and a new ecosystem that it says will help users to establish an “efficient end-to-end workflow”.

In a statement, HP says: “Visitors to FESPA 2017 can explore HP’s digital print applications up close and personal when visiting our booth, designed to emulate the experience of browsing in a shopping mall. The booth will include everything from high-end retail setups to coffee shops to supermarket aisles.

“Attendees will learn about the decoration market with wallpaper and new textile and soft signage solutions, and join renowned designers for inspiration in the ‘Designer Lounge’.”

In terms of the technology that will be on show at the HP booth, the company is planning a mass showcase of solutions. Featured kit will include products from its Scitex and Latex ranges, as well as from the Page Wide portfolio, which has attracted much interest in recent times.

Visitors will be able to view the HP PageWide XL 8000, which can run at speeds of up to 30 A1 prints per minute and handle media as wide as 40”. The device will be linked to a Fotoba Cutter, with HP keen to showcase how the solution can fit into a production process.

The manufacturer adds: “The HP Graphics Solutions Business is leading in analogue-to-digital transformation by
reinventing its approach to print and creating new business opportunities while generating less waste. And within the fast-growing market the company operates in, it is optimistic about the ways in which it will innovate over the next year.”

Meanwhile, Agfa Graphics will use the FESPA 2017 momentum to present a number of brand new inkjet solutions, under its Extremely Vivid Printing theme.

In addition, it will show a number of its current wide-format printers, including: The brand new Avinci DX3200, a dedicated 3.2-meter soft signage roll-to-roll printer that produces remarkable print quality and vibrant colors up to 173sq m/h for both in- and outdoor soft signage applications.

The new :Jeti Ceres RTR3200 LED is a true workhorse, offering extremely rapid results and stunning image quality on a wide variety of flexible media. The white printing features and primer capability yield a new level of image vivacity, dimension and durability, while the rapid dual-sided printing amplifies the impact of backlit or block-out print applications.

The Agfa :Jeti Tauro H2500 is a highly productive hybrid six-color UV inkjet printer, plus white or primer. Featuring multiple automation options, it sets new print quality and productivity standards on all kinds of media.

The true flatbed six color + white :Jeti Mira 2732 HS LED offers a high degree of versatility. It is equipped with a dockable roll-to-roll option and its ‘Print and Prepare’ function allows the operator to load a new job while the previous one is still being printed. The varnish function also creates stunning effects.

The Anapurna H3200i LED is a high-speed hybrid UV LED-curable inkjet system with a printing width of 3.2 m for indoor and outdoor applications.

All its printers are driven by Agfa Graphics’ Asanti 3.0 workflow, which automates the prepress process and takes care of consistent colors. In different presentation cubes, a wide variety of applications will be shown.

Last but not least, Agfa Graphics will focus on industrial inkjet printing applications and demonstrate how inkjet technology enables businesses to integrate print into their industrial manufacturing operations to assist the function, decoration or manufacturing of various objects.

As McGuinness from FESPA concludes: “Covering 10 halls of Messe Hamburg and three events—FESPA 2017, European Sign Expo and Printeriors—FESPA 2017 global print expo is a not-to-miss event for PSPs and sign-makers involved with screen, digital and textile printing technology and non-printed signage.

“These events, combined with our feature programme, will help visitors discover new applications and growth opportunities to help them ‘dare’, as the show’s strapline challenges, to take their business further.”

O Factoid: FESPA was founded in 1962 by a group of screen printing associations that wanted to establish a platform to share knowledge of the technology in Europe. O

Although members of the UK market may be focused on homegrown events such as The Print Show and Sign and Digital UK, there is also plenty to be gained from widening your horizons and taking in FESPA 2017 this year. In addition to access to many of the industry’s leading brands, visitors will be able to attend a series of seminar sessions, network with peers, and talk shop with experts from across the global market.

And with Hamburg just a short flight away, it might be time to swot up on your German and make the trip to what promises to be a global celebration of print.

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