Prepare for change
Ben Randall, managing director, RGBuk
If only I had a crystal ball, then I would know what the winning National Lottery numbers are going be this week!
The sign and display market is still a rapidly growing market sector that will in no doubt have changed a great deal in five years time. If we look at the developments over the last five years and wonder where, out of seemingly nowhere, latex seems to have taken a massive foothold in the outdoor market. And we are also all striving for greener more eco-friendly solutions, then fabric and non-toxic ink is where it is going to be.
If the rumour mills are at all accurate, then will we see non-toxic water-based machines with three-year outdoor ink life from manufactures like Canon, if they ever reach the market? If so, the opportunities for this type of system seems tremendous, and through constant innovation and with that investment, we shall all try to keep up. Sign and display will no doubt be at the forefront of this technology, but only with continued investment in these new processes, which requires the profitability in this area to continue. We must also not be scared to charge accordingly for British-made products.
As a company, RGBuk’s mission has always been to develop and bring new, unique, innovative medias and products to the photographic, fine art, and display graphic markets.
A real focus for us will be sourcing the correct fabrics and medias to work with these new developing technologies”
This will allow us to try and provide our customers with real alternatives to PVC and other non-recyclable products in water-based, solvent or latex ink printing.
In the next five years, I also see this industry changing or migrating at break neck speeds to newer ways of producing the most amazing multi-active, intuitive signs and displays.
New technologies and techniques
Bruce Cozens, product manager, Vivid Laminating Technologies
Sign-makers have embraced new technologies and techniques over the last five years, including laminating more products to give them protection. We certainly see that continuing to be the trend for the next five years.
The companies that are able to diversify and offer customers a complete service will, I think, be the companies who will still be profitable five years from now. Customers don’t want to go to ‘Printer A’ for their new sign and ‘Printer B’ for their laminated roll-up banner. They want a company that can deliver a complete and quality service.
Customers also want value for money, but so do sign-makers and printers. If you invest in a good wide-format printer and laminator, you want to know that you will get a good return on investment (ROI) by printing and laminating as many different types of signage and display materials as possible.
I think more customers will turn to the web in greater numbers to find suppliers”
Sign-makers won’t be able to rely on word of mouth recommendations for much longer. Those that have a great web presence and fully embrace social media will find that customers will come to them and not just use local companies.
I also believe there will continue to be a shift towards products that are ‘greener’, whether that is legislation brought in by the EU or by customers deciding to ‘go green’ and use companies that champion being as environmentally-friendly as possible.
In terms of emerging markets, digitally printed textiles is definitely an area in which the UK sign industry can profit from. We are also seeing sign-makers ‘go large’ with huge building wraps and larger vehicle graphics. For example, our Easymount Laminators are now being used for boats and buses, not just cars.
The need for green speed
Chris Bailey, managing director, Quality Print Services
Here at QPS, we spend a great deal of time looking to the future. As an established supplier to the trade, we are constantly responding to customers’ requirements by sourcing, testing and supplying equipment and products that allow our customers to offer their clients the solutions required.
One of the biggest considerations going forward five years is the increasing importance of environmental responsibility, both in terms of materials used, but also systems available.
From our perspective as the main UK distributor for Nazdar Ink Technologies, we are currently in the final stages of testing our new 64" printer, developed by us to use the Nazdar HydroColor ink set. The HydroColor inks are aqueous, completely free from VOCs, which can be printed on to many standard indoor and outdoor substrates with similar outdoor characteristics as solvent, latex and UV curing inks. This, combined with another of our products, Ilford BioMedia, allows a customer to offer printed signage and display products which are ‘truly biodegradable’.
Increasingly, display systems are also moving away from PVC and vinyl substrates towards polyester-based fabric materials printed using dye-sublimation systems, again driven by the need for environmental responsible products.
From a technical view point, this is a very young industry that has seen very rapid advances, normally in output speed”
Looking forward five years, we feel there will be a paramount need for higher print quality as well as speed. To this end, we have recently signed a distribution agreement with Gandy Digital to offer the Pred8tor and Domin8tor flatbed UV printers. These machines are honestly game changing—offering litho print quality at commercial print speeds.
Finger on the pulse
Lascelle Barrow, board member, FESPA
I believe that the type of display materials, and the way we use them, will evolve over the next five years—there will be a gradual evolution, not a revolution. The style of display material will gradually change with a continued progression along the minimalist, clean and contemporary style that is currently being adopted. I envisage that it will be the message that will change most rapidly.
We have seen digital printing and automated artwork systems allow bespoke and personalised displays to be created. Retailers and brands now have the opportunity to vary the product promoted at each store, including the promotional mechanic and price point adopted. The benefits to the retailer and brand are clear, and significantly increase the potential ROI by delivering a marketing promotion direct to shoppers. As we understand more about shopper behaviour and buying patterns, this ‘localised’ marketing will begin to be delivered nationally and will drive change. We’ve seen early adopters already reaping the benefits.
I think advances in digital screen technology will also evolve, not as a replacement for traditional printing, but alongside it. The two will develop and complement each other. Management systems now allow for the full control and production of print and digital content for screens. This ease of control ensures that adding digital displays is integrated within one marketing, production and logistic process.
Finally, the speed of creation and production will become more rapid. For retailers, speed to market is becoming more critical and the pressure to be faster will continue to drive innovation and investment for printers.
As we know, the industry is moving quickly, so it is important for companies to keep their finger on the pulse. FESPA 2013 is bursting with ideas to motivate and inspire visitors, and the show will reflect everything that is trending in screen, digital and textile print.
