Durst Group adds open house twist to FESPA showcase
Spanish Durst customer, Nivell Publicitari, will showcase the manufacturer’s print solutions live at its Barcelona facility during this year’s FESPA Global Print Show
A range of companies announced machine sales during the event, including Fujifilm, CMYUK, and Liyu
Yesterday (September 19th) marked the final day of The Print Show 2024, the UK’s only exhibition dedicated solely to the UK print market.
The event garnered a real buzz due to the calibre of new and returning exhibitors, with a sold-out floorplan and featuring major names such as Agfa, swissQprint, Konica Minolta, and Morgana Systems all bringing their latest technologies to the show.
During the trade show, organisers of The Print Show announced that they will launch a new focused sign event in 2025, a co-locating event alongside The Print Show dubbed ‘The Sign Show’. The announcement has been seen as a clear show of support for the sign-making industry.
Speaking to SignLink during the event, managing director of Encore Machinery, Paul Davidson, said: “We always come to this show and the one thing we do like about it is we always sell here.”
Encore secured the sale of multiple gluing machines at the trade event. A range of other companies announced machine sales during the event, including Fujifilm, CMYUK, and Liyu.
Wide-format printing manufacturer Agfa launched its new Anapurna Ciervo H3200 machine to the UK market at this year’s Print Show.
The 3.2m hybrid model offers enhanced print quality and higher productivity than its predecessor and includes an almost 70% increase in printing speeds in Production Mode.
At the show, Agfa announced the sale of one of its machines to advertising services brand The Delta Group.
Speaking of the sale on its official Instagram page, Agfa said: “Thank you for your trust and partnership. Here’s to many more successful years ahead!”
Talking in more detail to SignLink during the event, application specialist at Agfa, Graham Clark said of the event: “The quality of people has been unbelievable. It has been a really good show.”
Returning after years away from printing exhibitions in the UK, CMYUK gave visitors a chance to get up close with technology from brands like Canon and JWEI.
The stand featured the Canon Colorado M5W UVgel LED printer as well as the JWEI JCUT 1625 digital cutting table and Fiery Prep-it software.
CMYUK reported a string of sales at The Print Show including two JWEI cutting tables and three Canon Colorados. Among these sales was the purchase of a Canon Colorado to design, print and display company, Carbon Colour.
Speaking to SignLink at the event, Jason McNulty, senior digital sales consultant of CMYUK, explained: “The customer was after an upgrade from the machine he had, to give him more productivity.
“He came to the show because he was after more of an idea of how the machine was going to run. He had a look at it and confirmed everything we discussed.”
Returning to The Print Show after a successful exhibition in 2023, Liyu UK presented its range of wide-format printers at the event.
Included on the manufacturer’s stand this year was the popular Q3XL pro as well as the introduction of the new Xline model. The manufacturer also showcased the recently launched Platinum KCXL+ flagship flatbed model.
The Platinum Q3XL Hybrid UV printing machine includes an automatic head cleaning unit, dual-direction automatic material loading and operation, a continuous printing system, and an antistatic system.
One of the new Platinum Hybrid machines was sold by wide-format supplier Perfect Colours at the show to wide-format printing services company Print Station.
Another Platinum Hybrid purchase was announced by Richard McCombe, marketing manager at Graphic Warehouse. Speaking of the purchase on LinkedIn, McCombe commented: “We bought one of the breathtaking and market-disrupting Liyu Platinum Q3XL wide-format printers at The Print Show from Liyu UK.
“We are so excited to have this machine installed in the coming weeks in our new factory.”
Fujifilm had the largest single exhibitor stand at the show, spanning 240sqm, and returned to The Print Show this year to showcase its latest digital printing innovations, including the UK debut of the Revoria SC285 toner press.
Launching to the UK market, the Revoria SC285 toner press is an advanced 5-colour printing press incorporating a special pink toner that expands the colour gamut and enhances the reproduction of skin tones.
Also showcased at this year’s Print Show was the Revoria PC1120, which boasts a 10-colour advanced print engine.
During the show, Fujifilm announced the purchase of the PC1120 by Ballyprint, a Northern Irish print provider specialising in litho, digital, and wide-format.
Speaking to Fujifilm, owner of Ballyprint Aaron Klewchuk, explained: “With Fujifilm as a trusted partner, first supplying us with the Acuity Prime followed by the Revoria Press PC1120 and the Revoria Press EC1100, we have been able to significantly enhance our print offering within the space of a few months.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to see how these investments can help us to grow in partnership with Fujifilm.”
Hybrid Services, the exclusive Mimaki distributor for the UK and Ireland, showcased the Mimaki CJV200 Series and the Mimaki TS330-3200DS models at The Print Show for the first time in Europe.
Using the same print engine as the 330 Series high-production models, the CJV200 Series is Mimaki’s new range of entry-level solvent integrated printer/cutters.
This range has been designed to be more accessible to printers of varying levels of experience to operate and maintain and new features include an ‘ink saving function’, a quicker printhead cleaning time, and Mimaki’s Dot Adjustment System (DAS).
Hybrid announced the very first UK sale of a Mimaki CJV200-160 at this year’s show. The machine was purchased by Cre8ive Printer. The Manchester-based company specialise in printing for banners, signage and posters.
There was a wide range of feedback and news about The Print Show this year from a range of exhibitors and visitors.
Hampshire Design Studios gave positive feedback about the trade show, saying: “Attending the show is beneficial in so many ways. We all get to look at new ideas together and keep up to date on the latest trends. It also gives us a chance to network with others in the industry too.”
Marketing lead of Sign Trade Supplies, Garrick Dartnell, also spoke of the show on his LinkedIn profile, saying: “It is always interesting to see the crossover between the print and sign worlds. [There is] some very impressive print hardware on display and lots of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers which are not so prevalent in the sign industry.”
At this year’s event, paper and board supplier Elliott Baxter Group (EBB) hosted a table football tournament dubbed ‘The Magno Cup 2024’.
Exhibitors competed for the chance to win a football table branded around EBB’s partner, Sappi Magno. The eventual winner of the 20-team tournament was creasing and print finishing company, Tech-ni-Fold.
