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We detail a selection of product releases and announcements you may have missed ahead of the launch of FESPA Global Print Expo 2025 next week
FESPA Global Print Expo returns to Germany next week after a three-year absence from the country, taking place at the Messe Berlin venue from May 6th to 9th.
With hundreds of exhibitors across FESPA Global Print Expo and its co-located events, European Sign Expo, and Personalisation Experience, the event is practically bursting at the seams with new releases and announcements from across the print, signage, and the graphics industries.
Ahead of the show’s launch, we detail a few key offerings from exhibitors that you may have missed, including industry firsts and worldwide debuts.
xTool, a manufacturer of digital fabrication and personalisation technology, is using the trade show to debut its new Apparel Printer, a direct-to-film (DTF) solution designed for businesses in the fashion, printing, and retail industries.
The company recently concluded a Kickstarter campaign for the solution, which surpassed its funding goal by over 5000% with over 980 backers worldwide, raising a total of $5,691,987 (£4,276,843.60) with a goal of $100,000 (£75,137.97). The printer has since been tested on the ‘Adam Savage’s Tested’ YouTube channel, which boasts 6.9 million subscribers.
The DTF solution from xTool offers ‘one-click’ operation and automatic maintenance, designed to ensure a seamless printing experience with minimal downtime. It also supports a wide range of materials including cotton, polyester, leather, and spandex.
The Apparel Printer is powered an Epson i1600 dual printhead along with a 16MP AI Camera which provides precise calibration.
Attendees of FESPA Global Print Expo can find the xTool at Stand C35 in Hall 4.2, where they can find live product demonstrations showcasing the full capabilities of the company’s solutions.
Digital decoration manufacturer, Sawgrass, is set to unveil its latest solution, the VersiFlex, at FESPA Global Print Expo.
The new hybrid solution combines sublimation, direct-to-garment (DTG), and DTF technologies into a single system. The process integrates printers, inks, software, and transfer papers such as Sawgrass’ VersiFlex Light self-weeding paper or TruePix sublimation paper. Designs are printed onto the paper and then transferred to the final substrate using a heat press
The solution reportedly allows professionals to print on virtually any surface, from cotton and linen to ceramics, wood, metal, acrylic, and vinyl. It is also compatible with heat transfer vinyl and traditional sublimation blanks.
Sawgrass developed VersiFlex for on-demand producers, boutique printers, and the growing custom merchandise market in Europe.
The system is designed to offer a significantly lower total cost of ownership by reducing the need for consumables, eliminating pre-treatment steps, and minimising maintenance.
Visitors to the Sawgrass stand will be able to experience live VersiFlex demonstrations, receive hands-on guidance from experts, and explore the full range of materials and surfaces the system supports.
Sawgrass can be found at Stand B58 in Hall 2.2 of the exhibition.
Direct-to-object (DTO) press manufacturer, Inkcups, will use FESPA to showcase a new ‘High Throw’ technology for its X5-T flatbed UV digital printer.
The enhancement is designed to significantly increase the ink throw distance between the printhead and substrate, enabling higher quality and accuracy on prints on contoured, rounded, slightly curved, and irregularly shaped objects.
In addition to the X5-T High Throw, visitors to the Inkcups booth can also experience a new feature of the company’s Helix ONE benchtop cylindrical printer. The new Auto File barcode scanning feature will be demonstrated in a collaboration with software company, Antigro Designer.
Visitors will have the opportunity to personalise artwork for their own takeaway cup, preview a 3D rendering in real time, and have their custom design printed live.
The company’s flagship Helix digital cylinder printer will also be shown at FESPA, featuring its Nano Pin Curing technology which enables printing onto transparent cylindrical vessels such as glass bottles without the need for a UV-blocking substance.
Inkcups will be exhibiting on Stand A50 inside Hall 27 of Messe Berlin.
PLASTGrommet, a manufacturer and supplier of banner finishing and textile finishing solutions, will launch four new solutions at FESPA Global Print Expo.
Among the products debuting at the exhibition will be the new All in One EDGE banner finishing machine. The solution includes the same integrated welding, eyeleting, and cutting capabilities as PLASTGrommet’s All in One, but aimed at medium-sized companies at a lower cost.
The TexWiz will also be shown for the first time at FESPA Global Print Expo. Utilising the All in One platform, TexWiz aims to demonstrate new sewing automation capabilities for textile finishing by adding a sewing module to the All in One.
Additionally, PLASTGrommet will introduce the Winder360, a product designed to automatically rewind banners from the All in One.
The Winder360 creates a workflow solution that ends with other products in PLASTGrommet’s portfolio including its Evolve Welder, Autocross automatic eyelet press, or Finishing Station. The product has been designed to reduce the time required to finish the short sides of banners by 50%.
Rounding up the new launches by PLASTGrommet is the JumboMAX, a new media roll lifter which can take rolls up to a weight of 1,000kg.
PLASTGrommet can be found on Stand 27-B50 in Hall 27.
Banner materials manufacturer, Kavalan, will use the exhibition to unveil a fresh brand identity, as well as introduce new materials to its PVC-free product portfolio.
Eight years since the KAVALAN PVC-free range was first unveiled at FESPA Hamburg in 2017, the company will use the show to expand its range of material solutions, with full details set to be announced live at the event.
The company’s full portfolio of material solutions will also be showcased, with representatives of KAVALAN available to talk through various applications.
Kavalan will also announce the winners of its inaugural Green Leader Awards at the event, which celebrates sustainable print projects using its PVC-free materials.
The awards will be announced with a champagne reception at 3pm on Wednesday 7th May. Kavalan has encouraged those interested to join in raising a glass to the winners and “celebrate the power of positive change”.
Kavalan will be found at Stand B81 in Hall 25.
