The Print Show will run from 20th to 22nd September at the NEC in Birmingham.
Bringing the industry back together
Returning this month for the first time since before the pandemic, The Print Show is still the only industry show dedicated to the UK print sector. Specifically designed for UK visitors, the event pledges to deliver the solutions they need to succeed in the modern, competitive market.
Taking place from September 20th to 22nd at the NEC in Birmingham, The Print Show 2022 will run under the banner ‘Bringing the industry back together’, serving as the first key meeting point for the UK industry since before the pandemic.
With a wide range of exhibitors, a packed speaker programme and even celebrity appearances, there is plenty to see and do at the show this year. Here, SignLink picks out some of the many highlights visitors from the sign industry can look forward to at The Print Show 2022.
More important than ever
Chris Davies has served as event director since the show’s launch back in 2015, overseeing its evolution into the biggest event on the UK print calendar.
“From day one, our aim has been to provide an event that showcases the solutions any companies with links to the print industry need to succeed and grow,” Davies says, adding: “Over the years, we have achieved this and so much more, with The Print Show now serving as a major platform for exhibitors to launch and showcase new technology.
O Factoid: The Print Show 2022 will run from September 20th to 22nd in Hall 17 of the NEC, Birmingham – tickets are free O
“This year, a whole host of print and finishing kit will be demonstrated in the UK for the first time, while visitors can also find out about the latest developments in other technology such as software and online tools.
“Simply put, nowhere else can visitors see such a range of equipment in one location, and The Print Show 2022 is absolutely an event that cannot be missed.”
Simply put, nowhere else can visitors see such a range of equipment in one location, and The Print Show 2022 is absolutely an event that cannot be missed”
While exhibitors and their new solutions will undoubtedly be the main highlight of the show for visitors, there is plenty more to see and do at the event this year, with all sorts going on in Hall 17.
A mainstay of The Print Show since its early days, the Business Seminar Theatre will play host to a series of specialist speakers, each of which will focus on a key talking point in the industry and advise visitors on how to best approach these trends.
Also returning this year is the ever-popular Diversification Zone, where visitors can get an exclusive insight into a number of growth markets. Experts from the worlds of engraving, sustainability and vehicle wrapping will speak with attendees about these areas and offer advice on how they can make the most of these trends.
Finally, visitors will be pleased to learn that the unique celebrity speaker feature will also be back. Following on from the phenomenal success of its debut in 2019, the area will this year welcome boxing icon Frank Bruno, former Countdown host Nick Hewer and gardening legend Monty Don; each of whom will take part in a live Q&A with visitors before posing for photographs and signing autographs.
Boxing icon Frank Bruno, former Countdown host Nick Hewer, and gardening legend Monty Don will all appear at The Print Show 2022
“Given the events of the past two years, we’re more excited than ever before to welcome thousands of visitors to The Print Show,” Davies adds.
Engaging applications
Among the companies showing new kit at The Print Show this year will be Hybrid Services, the exclusive distributor of Mimaki in the UK and Ireland, which will demonstrate a range of new print technology from Mimaki on its stand.
Visitors will be able to view two of the new 330 Series; Mimaki’s latest platform that currently includes solvent print and printer/cutter solutions, plus a dye-sublimation model. Featuring the two solvent machines at the event, Hybrid Services will demonstrate the productivity enhancements that the pair of 1.6m machines sport.
“Mimaki has continuously developed its solvent print technology over this time, ensuring it’s been at the forefront of innovation, and the new 330 Series is no exception,” Hybrid Services reseller account manager Martin Southworth says.
“Sign-makers, commercial printers, print-service-providers, and graphics professionals looking to invest in the latest models will see substantial productivity benefits and we’re delighted with the response we’ve had so far.”
Other highlights on the Hybrid Services stand will include the new UJF-3042MkII e Series and UJF-6042MkII e Series, Mimaki’s latest direct-to-object printers, with the ability to print onto an extensive variety of soft and hard media including plastics, leather, wood, acrylic, metal, and glass. The UJF-3042MkII e Series features a print area of 300mm x 420mm, while the UJF-6042MkII e Series offers a larger print size of 610mm x 420mm.
Hybrid Services will be showcasing the new Mimaki 3DUJ-2207 full-colour 3D printer
Finally, Hybrid Services will showcase the new Mimaki 3DUJ-2207 full-colour 3D printer. Utilising UV-curing inkjet technology, the high-definition colour reproduction made possible with the printer provides new opportunities across a range of industries.Exciting solutions
Hybrid Services will display two new Mimaki 330 Series solvent machines at The Print Show this year
Also showcasing new kit this year is ADAPT – Amari Digital Printing Technologies, which will be exhibiting across two stands at the show, with the aim of showcasing how it has a range of solutions to help visitors from all backgrounds and markets.
The smaller section of the stand will be dedicated to promoting ADAPT’s new partnership with Liyu UK, a specialist in large-format printing kit. Here, visitors will be able to view the Platinum Q2, a 2.2m x 2m hybrid flatbed machine that has never before been shown at a UK exhibition.
“We’re really excited to be displaying this solution for the first time in the UK,” says ADAPT’s general manager Dominic Bowen, adding: “It is an incredibly good looking piece of kit, and we think visitors to the show will really enjoy seeing what it can do.”
Further along the walkway on the larger part of the stand, ADAPT will also be running a number of other machines from some of its major manufacturers, including leading brands such as HP, Epson, Mimaki, Summa, and Canon.
Being demonstrated at a UK show for the first time will be the Arizona 135 GT, a UK flatbed printer that enables both sign-makers and print-service-providers to open up exciting new commercial opportunities.
Meanwhile, the Canon Colorado 1650 will be showcased at a UK exhibition for the first time since The Print Show 2019, with visitors able to view the new FLXFinish+ technology.
ADAPT will showcase the Canon Colorado 1650 with new FLXFinish+ technology
From HP, ADAPT will be displaying two of the manufacturer’s leading Latex solutions in the form of the HP Latex 800W and HP Latex 335, while a Summa plotter will also be running on the stand throughout the event.
In addition, ADAPT will showcase a Mimaki UCJV 300-160, a machine that was launched at The Print Show a few years ago, as well as a Mimaki UJF printer, which Bowen says will appeal in particular to promotional printers due to its ability to print on a range of objects such as golf balls and mouse mats.
“With everything opening back up and the fact that we have had a good year, we felt the time was right for the show,” Bowen says, adding: “We are expanding into different areas and the commercial print market is expanding again, which is fantastic for everyone.”
Perfect print
Looking at the other printing kit that will be on display this year, wide-format print solutions specialist Sedo will be offering live demonstrations of three Epson printers on its stand at The Print Show 2022.
Visitors to the Sedo booth will be able to view the Epson SC-S80600, Epson SC-T7700D and Epson SC-R5000 throughout the event.
The S80600 is the highest selling model within the S-Series range, offering users ten colours with an option for white or metallic, dual head, 98.2% Pantone match and accurate print lengths with its class leading take up system.
The Epson SC-R5000 is a 64” resin printer designed for printers and sign-makers that want to have greener printing with instant dry prints, something that Sedo says is perfect for vehicle wrappers and those wanting to print onto textiles.
Finally, the Epson SC-T7700D is a high speed plan and poster printer with CMYK and red ink, suitable for use in office environments and smaller print rooms due to its small footprint.
Elsewhere, large-format printing solutions provider Perfect Colours will display a selection of large-format HP printers on its stand at The Print Show as it seeks to harness interest from a wide range of visitors.
Due to appear on Stand E10, Perfect Colours will be showing a HP Latex 700W, a high-performance printer that offers printing speeds of up to 31sq m/hr in outdoor mode on media as wide as 64”. The device also runs HP’s incredibly popular HP Latex water-based inks, offering an attractive environmental feature for users.
Also set to be demonstrated is the HP DesignJet Z9+, a 64” plotter printer that provides professional photo-quality prints. The machine has a top speed of 14.1sq m/hr and can print on a range of media.
Finally, Perfect Colours will display the HP PageWide 5200XL Pro, a large-format, multi-function printer that can print at speeds of 400sq m/hr or 20 A1 pages per minute.
Finishing touch
Casting the net a little further and inkjet technologies specialist Axzyra will demonstrate its direct-to-film (DTF) system at The Print Show this year, with visitors able to see a number of techniques in action.
Axzyra will be running the system, pressing the transfers to a range of items other than garments, with the idea of showcasing how the machine can decorate other objects in full colour. Technical experts will be on hand to talk visitors through these options and how investment in the machine could help them access new work.
Axzyra’s DTF system will be running on its stand throughout the show
“We have exhibited at The Print Show since the inception of the show in 2015; we have had success reaching a variety of businesses from small digital print companies to large corporate businesses in many different markets,” says Steve Woods, managing director of Axzyra.
“We are looking forward to spending time talking face to face with potential customers as well as demonstrating equipment that excites and enthuses people.”
We are looking forward to spending time talking face to face with potential customers and demonstrating equipment that excites and enthuses people”
Elsewhere, laser cutting machines specialist Trotec will offer live demonstrations of its flagship Speedy 400 laser cutter, with brand new Vision Design and Position lid camera and Ruby software. Visitors will be able to learn more about the system’s cutting and engraving techniques as well as the different features available to users.
Laser cutting machines specialist Trotec will offer live demonstrations of its kit
Trotec will also be showing the Q500 mid-range laser cutter, which offers a working area of 1300mm x 900mm.
In addition, visitors can speak with Trotec staff about its other solutions such as the SP series, which has a bed size up to 2210mm x 3210mm.
“In recent years, Trotec has updated its laser cutting equipment to better meet the requirements of the industry,” Trotec Laser UK and Ireland marketing manager Siân Sweeney says, adding: “There are now three laser cutter ranges available to suit different budgets along with a wider range of bed sizes and camera options to suit varied applications.”
With all this and more to look forward to in September, plus the fact that the exhibition is free to attend, The Print Show 2022 is an event that cannot be missed for sign-makers as well as print-service-providers.
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