So as I write this I am sitting at Drupa surrounded by all the whirring machinery and fantastic technological innovation that is this global print mecca. My first port of call on day one was the EFI press conference, which was absolutely packed with media waiting to find out how the firm will set out its stall for the future.

The biggest news item on its agenda for the sign and graphics market was the launch of its new ink formula that has been designed to rival HP Latex. “AquaEndure is a water-based inkjet platform which cures using much less heat, enabling a wider range of media, all while having strong colour fidelity, and a very eco-friendly profile,” said Guy Gecht at the briefing.

Another key highlight over my first days at the circus of Drupa was of course witnessing the bravado and fantastic vision of Benny Landa close up. The godfather of digital print, he is as fired up and passionate as ever about the future of Nano printing technology. During his first press conference he revealed the firm's Beta test sites, which include none other than Elanders, confirming they are all currently using Landa S10 presses, with shipments on current orders starting from January 2017.

The show was of course vast, and so while it is impossible to encapsulate all the runners and riders in a short editor's note, another key highlight was the enigmatic Mike Horsten of Mimaki. The manufacturer may not have had the biggest stand, but by golly did they pack it with product samples. Horsten also gave me insight into the company’s impending move into 3D printing through the use of a disembodied hand, which had been printed on its prototype system and then finished using its UJF series of 3D object printers—so life like I had to skip lunch. So, please do head to signlink.co.uk and check out all of our coverage of the event, I wish you happy reading.
ddd