If you needed further evidence that the age of inkjet was here, then the numbers who attended the recent FESPA Digital 2014 show in Munich proves it is a booming market.

This reporter spent two days touring the show’s seemingly endless halls, and despite some very sore feet and the standard throat burn from all the solvent, it was worth it to gain some valuable insight into how the international market is taking shape.

Roaring success: Fujifilm displayed a highly impressive array of technology and output on its stand

Indeed, if you take the figures from the show at face value then organisers claim it was the largest ever show in its eight-year history, attracting a record audience of 16,766 unique visitors from 147 countries, a third up on the show in 2011 in Hamburg with half of all visitors returning to the event for more than one day, bringing the total attendance to 24,954 visits.

“It’s thrilling to see the market respond to FESPA Digital with this buoyant enthusiasm,” says FESPA’s managing director of exhibition and events, Neil Felton. He adds:  “It strongly reinforces our conviction that a content-rich, community-led event, geared towards the needs of exhibitors and visitors rather than those of shareholders, offers all participants the most positive experience, providing a great platform for business with a unique ‘feel-good factor’.”

Michael Althoff, did a very good job of stealing the hearts, and opening the wallets, of the stream of visitors passing across the front of the sign-making tool supply company’s colourful tour bus”

With its strapline urging visitors to ‘Dive Deeper’, there was certainly no shortage of opportunities at the show. And while it is of course impossible to cover every launch at such an event, there were a few key stands that made a lasting impression.

Chief among these has to be SignLink’s neighbour for the event in the European Sign Expo, YelloTools, which with huge smiles from its staff and the charismatic leadership of its chief executive officer, Michael Althoff, did a very good job of stealing the hearts, and opening the wallets, of the stream of visitors passing across the front of the sign-making tool supply company’s colourful tour bus.

The smiling team from YelloTools stole the show at the European Sign Expo, which ran parallel with FESPA Digital 2014

Sign and vehicle wrapping vinyl supplier APA also made a sizeable impact, as with pumping music, live ‘wrap-offs’, and a rotating Nissan supercar wrapped in its brand new Titanium Matt Chrome vinyl, it captured the imagination of the crowds in true Italian style.

Looking across the show, the sheer wealth of print, finishing, and material technology was overwhelming. A 20 minute walk would take you past the giant stands of EFI, Agfa, Mimaki, Fujifilm, Epson, Roland DG, Durst, HP, and Mutoh—each of which boasted an array of brand new wide-format print kit designed to meet the rapidly evolving demands of today’s sign-maker.

Summa’s marketing and communication’s manager, Daphne Mertens, says the CNC cutting specialist is pushing the horizon of accuracy, flexibility, and productivity

While on a tour of these behemoths you would be able to stop in at key players in finishing such as Zund, Summa, Eurolaser, Blackman and White, Comagrav, and AXYZ to name but a few, with similar levels of new innovations on show. This is not to mention the almost endless array of materials and tooling suppliers from the gargantuan Avery Dennison’s vinyl range to the very finest in router tooling from Crown Norge.

Perhaps this wealth of opportunity was the most important finding at the show. It is no small commitment if you want to make the most of your trip out, but if you are willing to spend four days touring the stands and all they have to offer, you will no doubt come away better armed and equipped than any of your competitors.

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