Business - Events

Ipex 2010 got off to a notable start, following a high profile opening ceremony which saw the print community celebrating the inspiring work of the Ipex ’Champions in Print’.

Members of the Ipex Advisory Committee as well as other Ipex exhibitors, the media and visitors watched industry visionaries Benny Landa, Professor Frank Romano; Lord Bob Gavron, John Crosfield and Mike Gordon (RR Donnelley) being officially honoured during the ceremony and receiving an award in recognition of their pioneering work which has shaped the modern print industry.  Representatives of Adobe and Kodak collected the awards on behalf of Dr. John Warnock & Dr. Charles Geschke as well as Dan Gelbart. Remaining Ipex Champions JK Rowling will be presented with the award after the show.

In their speeches, both Trevor Crawford, Ipex 2010 Event Director and George Clarke, Ipex 2010 President & Heidelberg UK MD & thanked the industry for their continuous support and commitment since Ipex 2006. The event is set to impress visitors from over 150 countries with over 1,000 exhibiting companies, demonstrating the latest technological advancements, providing printers with a real insight into the future of their businesses.

Says Trevor,” We’re delighted to have the Ipex Champions opening the event. Ipex has always had a reputation for being more than an exhibition. Yes, first and foremost it is a business show but it is also a showcase for all that is great about our industry. For that reason, two years ago we launched the ‘Champions In Print’ initiative to honour a group of people who have made a significant contribution to the development of the printing industry.”

Digital Print Pioneer and first ever Ipex Champion Benny Landa spoke on behalf of  all the Ipex Champions, re-iterating the important role print continues to play in today’s communications landscape.

Says Benny Landa: “It’s a great honour to be speaking on behalf of all Ipex Champions whose creativity and commitment have shaped all areas of our continuously evolving industry. It is especially thrilling for me to return to Ipex, since, after all, it was at Ipex seventeen years ago that Indigo first made its debut. I am fascinated to see how Ipex continues to be a watershed event for entrepreneurs, product developers and visionaries, giving them – and their future customers - an unrivalled opportunity to meet and exchange insights."

For the next eight days, the NEC in Birmingham will welcome tens of thousands of visitors to Ipex from the UK and all over the world aiming to make investment decisions and keep abreast of fast-changing technology.  To assist visitors, the Ipex organisers have introduced a raft of new features, including the Printers’ Profit Zone (Hall 9, Stand 9F333), The Great Print Debates (Hall 9, Stand 9F333) and the Knowledge Centre (Hall 11, Stand 11F230) to help print providers understand new market dynamics and the opportunities they represent.

Roland DG Corporation, a leading worldwide provider of wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, have announced that they will be exhibiting at IPEX 2010, held at NEC, Birmingham UK from May 18 through 25, 2010. Visitors will see demonstrations of the latest digital print solutions from Roland DG at booth Hall 12, Stand C-140.

Some significant developments to be revealed at IPEX – the global event for print, publishing and media are several new strategic technology partnerships between Roland DG and digital proofing and Colour Management System companies. These partnerships combined with the Roland VersaUV LEC-330 and LEC-300, UV-LED printer/cutters, will bring leading edge technologies to the graphics industry.

 

Strategic Partners and Colour Management Systems:

- CGS (CGS Publishing Technologies International GMbH):

ORIS Color Tuner // Web with ScreenDot halftone option

- EFI (Electronics for Imaging, Inc.):  Colorproof XF and Web Control Center

- EskoArtwork (Esko NV):  FlexProof and Color Engine

- GMG (GMG GmbH & Co. KG):  FlexoProof, and ColorServer

*Listed in alphabetical order.

 

"Integrating a Colour Management System from our strategic partners with the Roland VersaUV series gives our customers more flexibility and a greater capacity to produce labels and packaging prototypes," said Kevin Shigenoya, Roland DG Product Marketing executive officer. "Using a VersaUV and the CMS will save time and be more cost effective, while maintaining uncompromising quality. We look forward to the opportunities created in the printing industry from these partnerships."

 

Colour Management System (CMS)

CMS is a system used to achieve a closer colour match between devices that have different colour gamut, such as offset and inkjet printers. By adopting the CMS into the print workflow, highly accurate and precision digital colour proofing is achievable. Connecting the Roland VersaUV series with the CMS will make it possible to establish a more flexible and accurate colour-proofing system.

 

Roland VersaUV Series LEC-330 and LEC-300

The 30" wide VersaUV series prints on an unprecedented range of substrates and features Roland's renowned Print&Cut technology, which enables precision printing and contour cutting of graphics all on one device through one seamless workflow. In addition to CMYK and white inks, VersaUV prints a clear coat which can be layered to create gloss and matte finishes, unique textures and special effects. Roland Eco-UV inks exclusively developed for the VersaUV series offer an expansive colour gamut and remain flexible to support the production of packaging samples and short-run high-quality labels and stickers.

 

UK-based distributor IGS UK is planning to make the most of its first FESPA attendance with a strong portfolio of cost-effective, environmentally aware options geared for the wide-format ink-jet market. With a rapidly growing reseller channel, the company’s popular after-market inks and service options are being complemented by the introduction of a completely new, modestly priced eco-friendly range of printers.

Being kept under wraps until the doors open at this year’s FESPA, IGS UK’s environmental printing solution will be making its international debut in Hall 3, Stand 490. These innovative systems bring alternative ink chemistries to the market which use greener formulations and will appeal to users who want the benefits of durable, eco-aware high quality output at a sensible investment level. The new family of machines will encompass popular widths and be suitable for applications onto coated and uncoated materials, with additional models already in the pipeline.

Since its formation as a distributor of wide-format products IGS UK has developed a strong network of resellers throughout the UK, and is now extending its channel within Europe and other key areas of the world. The emphasis is on providing high quality, good prices and keener environmental practices, combined with simplifying product choice for end users. This is endorsed through its families of inks, plus its Colorgreen cartridge recycling service which is free to all registered companies.

IGS UK’s ethos has always been to source the best products from the most reputable manufacturers and suppliers world-wide. This policy is endorsed throughout its entire portfolio, down to spare parts and service options. Take-up by resellers has been swift and the company has recently moved to larger premises in the UK to enable more comprehensive stock-holding, a wider range of options and fast, efficient delivery.

 

Gerber Scientific Products will demonstrate the new high resolution Solara ionZ wide-format cationic UV printer June 22-26 at FESPA 2010 in Munich, Germany. In addition, they will demonstrate the new M Turbo flatbed cutting system which works with both the Solara ionZ and other industry leading printers to create a precise, fast print-to-cut solution. Visitors to Gerber's booth at FESPA 2010 will have the opportunity to see these two machines work together and independently to produce output that will increase productivity and exhibit create new sales opportunities for customers.

The Solara ionZ is the newest high resolution model of Gerber's wide-format UV flatbed printer. The Solara ionZ utilizes Gerber's GerberCAT cationic UV ink technology for unmatched ink flexibility and adhesion, and the ionZ's higher resolution allows owners to expand their ability to produce point of purchase signs and many other profitable jobs. The Solara ionZ works hand-in-hand with Gerber's high-powered M Turbo cutting system to provide a print-to-cut solution that enhances the user's precision and control, allowing for faster, higher quality results.

The M Turbo Cutting System employs a powerful 1kw router that routs aluminum up to 0.080 inches and acrylic and wood up to 0.75 inches. Working together with the Solara ionZ and other leading flat bed printers, the M Series can be purchased as a complete turnkey system for one reasonable price that includes everything needed to begin production.

A big hit for this years show was the introduction of the all NEW Sign Makers Workshop. With ideas for its increased presence at next years show already being planned, this feature is set to be a favorite for sign makers at Birmingham’s NEC on the 12-14 April.

Hosted by Paul Hughes from Western Signs & Printing and the producer of the popular Price It Guide, the Sign Makers Workshop was a dedicated area onsite where visitors came to see our ‘expert’ demonstrate some of the most commonly asked for jobs in the world of sign making. This forum allowed visitors to watch and learn as well as ask questions 1 on 1 with the ‘sign clinic’ and get hands on with the tools and equipment involved!

As part of the new Sign Makers Workshop was the Panel Swap competition where the rules were the panel must be brought to the show, be no bigger than 2ft x 2ft, have reference to Sign & Digital 2010 on it. So congratulations go to the winner, Neil Davey, of Sign & Art, who produced an inspired panel displaying a range of different sign making techniques. Paul comments: “as a sign maker I can really appreciate the work that has gone into producing this sign, what we all liked was the range of both traditional and modern techniques that had gone into producing it which we all felt reflected the broad church that the sign industry is today.'

The winner was drawn at random on the last day of the show by Paul Hughes, Alan Caddick the marketing manager for the show and Phil Kneale of Graphtec who kindly supplied the winner’s prize of a cutting plotter.

The Sign Makers Workshop was really well received by this year’s visitors with the new feature pulling in the crowds. Paul Hughes comments:

“The Sign Makers Workshop offered a full programme of workshops including the basics of sign making. In addition the ‘sign clinics’ were there for visitors to ask questions, get involved and try their hand at different sign making techniques. It proved very popular and was very busy - I did not stop from just after show opening to show close.”

Alan Caddick, marketing manager of the show said: “we are looking to build on this year’s success. We have already had good feedback and have some really interesting ideas for next year”

For information about the success of the 2010 show and further information about Sign & Digital UK 2011 please visit the website, www.signanddigitaluk.com or email the team at

signanddigitaluk@fav-house.com

At IPEX 2010 (Hall 10 Stand C260, NEC, Birmingham), Epson will demonstrate the multi-purpose flexibility of the Epson Stylus Pro inkjet printer for small to medium commercial print firms and inplant facilities. The printer is a powerful production and profit centre capable of producing colour-accurate proofs, stunning display graphics for POS and exhibition applications, and CTP plates for offset printing.

Stylus Pro inkjet printers take print resolution and image quality to a new level, providing the truly outstanding performance required by graphic designers and print professionals. The 10-colour inkjet Epson Stylus Pro printer models most suitable for professional print applications are the B2 Stylus Pro 4880, the B1 Stylus Pro 7900 and the B0 Stylus Pro 9900.  These printers range in price from £2000 – £7000 making them ideal devices for most commercial or inplant print operations.

Using the Epson UltraChrome family of inks -  UltraChrome K3 VM and UltraChrome HDR -  proofs and graphics will be produced at IPEX on a range of Epson media including film, poster board, proofing, photo, matte and fine art in a choice of matte, semi-gloss and gloss finishes.

High-resolution CTP plate production will be demonstrated using the latest Technova PoliJet inkjet polyester plate material. PoliJet is a unique ‘no-process’ plate for 1-8 page formats that can be imaged on Epson large format inkjet printers and is ideal for low-cost, multi-colour, on-demand offset printing for run lengths of up to 2,000 impressions or, if the plates are baked, 10,000 impressions.

Epson’s 10-colour UltraChrome HDR (high dynamic range) and 8-colour UltraChrome K3™inksets achieve an extremely wide colour gamut to produce high colour accuracy, great subtlety and exceptionally smooth gradations. A unique three-level black ink technology significantly improves the overall gray balance while enhancing the mid-tone and highlight detail, which in turn gives a smoother tonal range. The high-density pigments ensure strong vibrant colours and accurate neutral and dark tones.

The Epson Stylus Pro printer range features a raft of technologies which make them ideal for inkjet plate production and contract proofing. They also enable print firms to extend their business into the demanding packaging proofing and flexographic markets. In addition an optional calibration and verification system, the Epson SpectroProofer™, enables the Stylus Pro 7900 and the Stylus Pro 9900 to be used confidently for remote proofing applications.

“The flexibility and functionality of our award-winning Stylus Pro inkjet printers can revolutionise a small print operation,” says Claes Jeppsson, Senior Business Manager EMEA, Professional Graphics, Epson. “The combination of best in class Epson inkjet printing technology, wide colour gamut inks, and versatile media with proven third-party software RIPs and the PoliJet plate material gives companies the confidence that, with a relatively minimal investment, they can obtain a great deal of value across a range of profit-generating applications.”