Business - Events

As part of FESPA’s Feature Hub programme, FESPA’s World Wrap Masters will return for FESPA Digital 2014 (20-23 May 2014) with a brand new competition format.

The pro wrap competition will remain the focal point of the World Wrap Masters, in which up to 36 individuals from across the globe will go head-to-head to compete to become the World Wrap Master.

Taking place in the Wrap Hub (stand 150, Hall A2), this year’s participants will not just be wrapping cars, but will also have the chance to wrap an array of more challenging items such as mannequins, bathroom fittings and Scandyna Podspeakers to showcase the wider applications of wrapping.

Piotr Cinski who was crowned FESPA World Wrap Master at FESPA 2013 in London returns to the competition this year as a judge alongside regular Wrap Master judge, Ole Solskin. Pro-wrappers will compete in the four day competition to win the €3,000 cash prize. The runner-up will receive €1,500.

Duncan MacOwan, Head of New Media & Events, FESPA comments: “Wrapping is going from strength to strength in the industry. Where it has traditionally been cars that have been wrapped, people are now using the technique to develop creative and inspiring applications. So, while cars will remain the focal point of our wrap competition, this year we’re introducing a variety of other items to wrap to illustrate the wider application and potential of wrapping.”

This year FESPA will also introduce a head-to-head competition, open to anyone, in which visitors will be invited to join in and wrap a car door ‘against the clock’. The World Wrap Masters judges will also be on hand at lunchtime on each day of the show to offer insight and guidance into the world of wrapping. The judges – pro wrappers themselves – will also demonstrate advanced techniques and discuss the business opportunities open to the wrap community.

Duncan adds: “The Wrap Masters is always a crowd pleaser and this year, instead of visitors just watching the pro wrappers, they can now join in, making it an interactive event for everyone. So for printers looking to diversify into vehicle or any other type of wrapping, the Wrap Hub is the perfect place to get started and try it out for themselves.”

To register your interest in competing in the World Wrap Masters, please visit www.regonline.co.uk/worldwrapmastersfinal

For more information about FESPA Digital 2014 and to register to attend the event, please visit www.fespadigital.com

Cutting edge technology and creative business streams are set to take centre stage at this year’s Sign & Digital UK, which returns with the theme State of the Art.

The industry’s leading trade exhibition for the sign making, display solutions and digital printing industry, Sign & Digital UK will take place at NEC Birmingham from 29 April to 1 May. The show will feature more than 170 of the industry’s biggest name exhibitors, with experts from across the sign, print and wide format sectors providing advice and copious networking opportunities.

2014 offers an extensive free-to-attend seminar programme, featuring more than 30 daily sessions and demonstrations across the five theatres, all packed with practical advice and tips on getting ahead in the print and sign industry.

Exhibition Trails

• The Textile Trail: This exciting new feature will highlight any exhibitors with products and services on display at the show for textile related printing and finishing or display systems. A wide range of products will be covered including textile printing equipment, embroidery equipment and promotional products. Businesses taking part in the Textile Trail include Hybrid Services, Colourgen, Corel, The Magic Touch, Doro Tape UK and GDL.
• The New Business Trail: Returning to Sign & Digital UK for its second year, the New Business Trail is dedicated to helping sign and print professionals grow and develop their business. The New Business Trail combines practical ideas for increasing revenue and information for identifying developing markets in the UK. Businesses taking part include Perspex Distribution, Eurobond Adhesives, Lion Picture Framing Supplies and Banner Ups Europe.

2014 seminar highlights

Learning is at the heart of the exhibition, with five education theatres and workshops featuring more than 30 daily seminars, foregrounding practical tips and new business ideas.

Adobe Theatre

The Adobe Theatre will feature six workshops daily, focusing on practical tips and advice for mastering their software packages. This includes the Breaking the magician’s code session, designed to help people master the Creative Cloud, and the 10 reasons to use Adobe Bridge, offering expert advice and tips to help people achieve the most from this popular software package.

Managing colour quality, intelligent upsampling, InDesign typography and Photoshop skills, camera shake reduction and real-time image asset generation are some of the other practical skills and techniques the workshops will explore.

Corel Theatre

Combining a range of practical workshops and product demonstration, the 2014 Corel Theatre is a must-attend for anyone in the sign making and garment personalisation sectors.

The seminar sessions include an overview of new features in the CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite, a practical step-by-step guide to poster design and an insight into using DecoNetwork and Corel technology to allow shoppers to customise products and buy online.

For those working with apparel and promotional items, garment printing, embroidery and appliqué, they will have dedicated sessions in the Wilcom DecoStudio® e2 workshop.

SignLab Theatre

Wide-format design and production software specialists, CADlink Technology will present a series of seminars focusing on best practice print and cut, sign and display design and production workflows.

Session highlights include an introduction to dedicated sign-making software packages, with tips on mastering contour cut, serialisation and vectorisation.

The SignLab for Versaworks session will also explore the opportunities for leveraging innovation in Roland’s print and ink technology. Practical skills to be explored include contour cut-lines and working with Roland colour profiles and metallic and white ink sets.

Signmakers’ Workshop

Expert signmaker Paul Hughes will be offering practical industry tips that are a must-see for anyone in the sign making industry. All of Paul’s sessions include a beginner’s introduction followed by an advanced class, with content ideal for all skill levels and experience. An introduction to applying vinyl, the basics of vehicle livery and overview of signboard making are some of the practical sessions available this year.

Business Theatre

The Business Theatre will offer practical skills and identify new revenue opportunities for business owners looking to expand and improve their services in 2014.

The Hewlett-Packard workshops, presented by Jane Rixon and Phil Oakley, will explore the new digital solutions for wall decorations in the HP WallArt suite. They will cover its new design and mobility features, as well as the range of applications available for commercial, retail and residential spaces. For any print service providers and wall-covering manufacturers, this seminar is a must-attend to help identify new business areas and revenue adding opportunity.

Vicki Hughes, PR consultant and founder of Fugu Public Relations, will explore how public relations can help small business owners get ahead in their industry. Her talk Mastering PR for SME success will help guide visitors through the process of establishing a PR strategy in order to build their profile, attract customers and generate more business success.

In the Direct to Garment Printing session, Colin Marsh from Resolute DTG will look at the direct to garment printing process and the opportunities for digital printing and sign companies to take it on as a new revenue stream. The session is ideal for anyone looking to get involved in the direct to garment sector, covering how the technology works, what profits can be generated and where to sell new products.

The British Sign and Graphics Association will also run two workshops to help small business owners get to grips with changing industry legislation. Covering contentious topics such as requirements under new European standards and the impact of changing planning laws on sign maintenance, the sessions will use practical case studies and Q&A sessions for maximum interaction. There will be two workshops each day of the show.

Big name exhibitors

2014 will welcome a host of big name industry brands, including Fujifilm, Grafityp, Esko, Graphtec, Inktec/Jetrix, Hewlett-Packard, Ricoh, Epson, Canon, Roland DG, PrintMax, Signmaster Systems, Hybrid Services/Mimaki, Perfect Colours, SMGG, i-Sub, Quality Print Services (QPS), Colourgen and more.

Sign & Digital UK 2014 returns next week - 29th April to 1st May 2014 - in Hall 2 at the NEC, Birmingham.  For more information, please visit www.signanddigitaluk.com

Agfa Graphics will show the latest additions to its portfolio of UV-curable wide-format inkjet printers, including two models from the new Anapurna i-series as well as the new Jeti Titan S/HS – all fuelled by the company’s proprietary UV-curable inks - at FESPA Digital 2014.   Agfa Graphics’ dedicated Asanti workflow software will be driving all wide-format engines on the booth (Hall B1 stand 380-390).

The new Anapurna i-series of UV-curable inkjet printers moves up-market delivering both more productivity and quality per invested euro/dollar.

• The 2.05m wide Anapurna M2050, the best-selling hybrid printer in its segment, has been redesigned to meet the need for higher performance in an increasingly professionalised market – at a highly competitive price point. Incorporating the latest generation of high-resolution print heads, the Anapurna M2050i achieves a productivity increase of at least 50%, in addition to optimised dot positioning and thus higher image quality. It features Agfa Graphics’ ‘white ink management’ solution for highly reliable white printing.
• The 3.2m wide dedicated roll-to-roll UV-curable Anapurna M3200i RTR is a first-in-industry mid- to high-end printer with a broad application scope at entry-price level. At FESPA, it will be shown with dual roll capability to maximise efficiency. The new mesh option enables printing on mesh material without liner.

All Anapurna i hybrid engines are prepped for integration with an ABF (automatic board feeding) system for enhanced productivity and convenient multi-board feeding. They also have a brand new contemporary design.

The Jeti Titan S and HS were launched at the beginning of the year. These true flatbed printers, targeted at the high-end segment, combine exceptional print quality and high productivity at a best-in-industry price point. At FESPA, the Jeti Titan S/HS will be shown with an additional primer feature, which improves adhesion on thermoplastic substrates. A (spot) varnish option to create an appealing cosmetic effect will follow later.

Agfa Graphics’ automated Asanti workflow software will be driving all engines. This dedicated development adds color management and automates wide-format production to help even the most demanding sign & display printers increase productivity, as well as produce consistent and compelling quality time after time. It is completed by the Asanti StoreFront cloud-based web-to-print system, which comes as an optional low-investment SaaS solution.

Last but not least, Agfa Graphics will present its large gamut of UV inks. These inks are tuned to the specifics of each system for optimal reliable printing of the most demanding wide-format indoor and outdoor applications. Thanks to Agfa’s ‘thin ink layer’ pigment dispersion technology, they deliver the highest coloring power, as well as the lowest ink consumption per square metre in the industry. This results in better looking prints and saves on inks costs.

“At FESPA Digital 2014 Agfa Graphics once again proves it is committed to extend its sign & display portfolio with versatile integrated systems consisting of equipment, ink, software, peripherals, media (in some regions), as well as application knowhow and service”, said Willy Van Dromme, Marketing Manager Wide Format Inkjet. “We aim to help printers expand their customer base with high-quality, high-productivity systems at a best-in-industry price-point.”

True to tradition, Agfa Graphics booth will feature many unique applications. The impressive ‘House of Asanti’ is constructed entirely out of real-life applications, offering visitors a first-hand experience of the high quality of the printed output, as well as inspiration for new business opportunities.

Agfa Graphics is exhibiting at FESPA Digital 2014 in Munich, 20-23 May 201 – Hall B1 stand 380-390.

The Total Event Company has been selected by i-Sub Digital to build its entire Sign and Digital UK stand after purchasing a new Agfa Anapurna M² wide-format printer from i-Sub Digital last year. The company will supply and construct a 12m x 9m structure featuring full-colour wall-to-wall graphics, a floor platform, power supply, storage, furniture and lighting.

Herefordshire-based Total Event, owned by Tracy Locke, bought the Agfa Anapurna M² to enable the business to bring its complete shell scheme stand and exhibition panel hire service in house. The company works with entire trade shows and exhibitions, building anywhere from 25 to 120 stands for each event.

While Total Event already provided banner stand printing – produced on a Mimaki JV33 solvent printer supplied by i-Sub Digital in May 2011 – its capacity for larger orders of graphics was limited.

"Previously we were physically unable to do the print work in time; our clients often demand a very quick turnaround and we were nervous about printing and mounting the quantity needed by the deadlines," says Tracy Locke, Owner, The Total Event Company. "We would have to sub out the work or suggest the client go to their own print supplier. But now we can offer the full package in house."

Locke explains that as the machine was required for the specific purpose of printing exhibition panels, i-Sub Digital was given the task of finding a printer that met strict criteria.

"We needed a flat-bed printer that was able to print graphics up to 2.4m high and around 1m wide, that could print directly onto Foamex, quickly and effectively," she says. "I'm not a print expert so after i-Sub Digital supplied our Mimaki in 2011 I trusted them to find us the right machine. They suggested the Anapurna and arranged a demonstration at the site of an existing user in Cheltenham, and we found it ticked all the right boxes."

The Agfa Anapurna M² is a heavy-duty, industrial UV-curable inkjet system that delivers accurate print onto a wide variety of rigid and roll-to-roll media thanks to its high-resolution print-heads and accurate media feed system. Offering borderless and dual-board printing it is ideal for exhibition graphics, posters, wall graphics and advertising panels up to 1.6m wide.

Total Event is currently working on i-Sub Digital's stand for Sign and Digital UK – the company's largest ever space at the show – having already created a 3D render of the design. Total Event rarely supplies a single quantity stand but it has made an exception for i-Sub Digital.

"We'll be exhibiting on our biggest ever stand at Sign UK so will need a structure capable of displaying our range of equipment effectively," comments Andy Spreag, Director, i-Sub Digital. "We're sure Tracy and her team at Total Event will exceed all of our expectations with the graphics from the Anapurna and the complete stand structure.

"We will have an Agfa Anapurna on our stand for the first time this year so it is ideal that our stand graphics are produced on the same machine to further demonstrate to visitors how good the print quality is from the Agfa range."

The 2014 Sign and Digital UK line-up from i-Sub Digital will feature its exclusive Digi-Foil digital hot-foiling system, the Mimaki UJF-3042 desktop printer, the Mimaki CJV130 print-and-cut solvent solution, the high-speed UV-curable Agfa Anapurna M2050, the Zünd M1200 cutting table and Agfa Asanti RIP, colour management and workflow software. Sharing the stand will be i-Sub Digital's sister company i-Sub Ltd, which will be showing textile printing equipment including Epson SureColor F6000, Mimaki JV33 and Dgen Teleios Black dye-sublimation printers, CadCam Technology's Contour Cut laser-cutting system and a Monti Antonio heat press.

Sign and Digital UK runs from Tuesday April 29th to Thursday May 1st at the NEC, Birmingham. The i-Sub Digital and i-Sub Ltd ranges can be found at stand E10. To book a meeting at the show or a demonstration of the Agfa Anapurna M², please email info@i-subdigital.com or call +44 (0) 1536 415511

The content programme for FESPA’s Digital Hub at FESPA Digital 2014 (20th to 23rd May 2014) is expanding with the addition of a major keynote presentation and other high quality seminar sessions from key industry leaders.

The Hub content has been developed to explore the opportunities and challenges for printers in the wide format digital print market. Whether printers are already established in digital and looking to expand their services, or are just starting their journey into digital, there are sessions for everyone.

A newly announced Keynote Session on Day 2 offers printers an invaluable opportunity to hear from Carola Lammich, Print Procurement Manager at Deutsche Bahn AG, who will discuss the company’s strategic approach to print suppliers and how they are likely to develop. She will also cover how Deutsche Bahn interacts with its suppliers, and the impact of EU public procurement law on print purchasing. Frau Lammich is one of many prominent German speakers on the FESPA Digital 2014 Hub programme, with approximately 10 percent of the Hub sessions throughout the week being presented in German.

On day one of the show, Wolfgang Kern, Managing Partner at KernKompetenz will discuss performance analysis within digital printing and how both employees and machinery can become profitable within the business.

Hubert Höger, Managing Partner at Datamedia GmbH will speak about how controlling prices and the calculation of hourly rates will increase cost effectiveness.

Bert Martin Ohnemüller of Neuromerchandising Group will talk about the power of emotions, and how neuromerchandising® revolutionises the point of sale.

International standards in print production are of great importance for process control quality, assurance, communication and customer service relations of printers and prepress service providers. Karl Michael of FESPA’s German national association BVDM, will address ISO standards and how they provide sustainable support of quality assurance, economic and ecologic print production.

Folker Wrage, Owner of Wrage/Antwort will also deliver a session highlighting how different types of change can affect a business and how creativity can be used to manage change more effectively.

Trends & Market Intelligence

For wide format printers with an eye on future trends, there is an unmissable opportunity to hear from Landa’s European Sales Director, Gerry Mulvaney who will discuss the issues that producers of POS and display materials face in the 21st Century. Gerry will also address the role that nanography will play in bringing the benefits of digital technology to mainstream printing.

The Digital Hub also offers printers free access to valuable market intelligence from renowned industry research bodies. Tim Greene, Wide Format Service Director at Infotrends will examine the trends impacting print buyers in wide format sign and display. His presentation will cover applications such as building and car wraps, signage and retail POS and how wide format print delivers timely and effective results.

Jim Hamilton, also of Infotrends, will explore the emerging opportunities in digital printing in a session observing the trends central to the rise of digital print for industrial applications such as decorative and functional print.

FESPA Head of New Media & Events, Duncan MacOwan comments: “Taking inspiration from our Dive Deeper theme, the Digital Hub at FESPA Digital 2014 provides an educational, informative and thought-provoking content programme that will allow visitors to explore the many opportunities available to them as business owners. It offers a multitude of topics for an individual’s printing needs and will motivate them to consider diversifying into new areas of print.”

Other seminars taking place in the Digital Hub include seminars on ISO standards and sustainability, efficiency as well as colour output and colour correction seminars by Marco Olivotto. There will also be live demonstrations by Mimaki, and refreshments and networking opportunities will be in the lounge area.

Through the support of CMA Imaging, Kornit Digital and Mimaki, all conference sessions and workshops are free of charge to visitors registered for FESPA Digital, FESPA Fabric or European Sign Expo.

The detailed programme and session times can be viewed at www.fespadigital.com/features.

To pre-register, visit the FESPA Digital website at www.fespadigital.com.

Brett Martin (Stand B2-432), the global manufacturer of plastic products for the construction, fabrication, print and display sectors, will change the way that wide format printers think about substrates at FESPA Digital 2014 (20-23 May 2014) in Munich, Germany. The company’s full portfolio of semi-finished specialist plastic substrates will be showcased on its stand, with the ultra-smooth, ultra-bright Foamalux White PVC sheet taking centre stage.

The supplier of the widest PVC sheet range on offer in the market will demonstrate how Foamalux White foam PVC sheets can help print providers create innovative work that brings colour to life. The company will also showcase the capabilities of its Foamalux Foam PVC , Marlon FS Polycarbonate and Marpet-g FS PETg sheet ranges.

True white – the power to bring colour to life

Visitors to the stand will see how Foamalux White’s formulation enables high definition digital printers and screen printers to create eye-catching sign and display applications with optimum clarity. The ultra-bright white makes it possible to bring photo-real colour to life, while the rigid, even surface is ideal for intricate cutting and creating durable displays that can withstand knocks and scratches. Available in thicknesses from 1-24mm, Foamalux White is a premium product that will enhance the quality of printers’ service offering.

“Our Foamalux White is a formidable true white PVC sheet that radically accentuates colour to create striking applications,” explains Duncan Smith, Sales Director, Brett Martin. “Our innovative technology has taken white opacity to the next level and helps our customers to make a change for the better. It is a cost effective solution that can become a real driver in a company’s output, and sits perfectly inside our Foam PVC sheet range – the widest range in the market.”

Foamalux; a burst of colour and possibility

Lightweight, versatile and durable, Foamalux has earned a reputation for its quality performance and endless applications in sign, display and print. The company’s Foamalux Colour range offers 15 shades of colour in two variations of thickness – 3mm or 5mm – offering customers an attractive depth and intensity of colour that are ideal for an exciting variety of applications for digital or screen printing, graphics adhesion and fabrication. This includes Neon Pink, Neon Green, Raspberry and Black Sparkle, the four colours launched to great fanfare at FESPA Digital 2013 in London.

Foamalux Ultra, the company’s high gloss premium surface PVC offering, will also be showcased on the stand. Available in white, red, yellow, green, blue, grey and black, the 3mm or 5mm product offers enhanced UV protection and a high quality gloss finish.

Digital and screen printers looking for a high quality environmentally-friendly option to print, adhere graphics, engrave or route should visit the stand to view Brett Martin’s Foamalux Xtra. It comprises up to 80% recycled content in its black core, which is sandwiched between one or two bright white PVC surfaces and provides the optimum surface for any sign and display application.

“The breadth and diversity of the Foamalux range makes it the leader in the market, enabling printers to design and deliver more innovative products than ever before with a stunning array of vibrant colours,” explains Duncan Smith, Sales Director, Brett Martin. “Brett Martin focusses on developing products that deliver superior image quality, print clarity and colour reproduction and visitors will be able to witness this for themselves at our stand at FESPA Digital 2014.”

Marpet-g FS – transparent flat sheets for a crystal clear picture

Brett Martin will also showcase its wide array of transparent sheets – including PETg, Marpet-g FS – which was also launched at FESPA last year. Offering exceptional ease of workability in print and display applications, Marpet-g is a lightweight, durable, 100% recyclable clear substrate with excellent optical clarity and light transmission properties. The sheet, currently available in thicknesses of 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 7.5mm is an ideal graphics adhesion solution suitable for digital and screen printing.

Finally, Marlon FS provides 200 times more impact resistance than glass, at only half the weight. The fire resistant clear plastic, which is also available in bronze and opal tints, is easy to handle and offers brilliant design flexibility. And, for more challenging applications, specifiers have the option to add a hard coat for additional abrasion and graffiti resistance.

Duncan Smith concludes, “Our wide range of transparent sheets are well established in the wide format market now as Brett Martin to continues to help the print and display community to create eye-catching applications that enables them to diversify and stand out. We can’t wait to engage with our existing and prospective customers to discuss these opportunities and more.”