Speaking about the co-location of SDUK with Printwear & Promotion Live (see preview on p40), event director Tony Gardner said, ‘Sign & Digital UK 2024 is the first SDUK under our ownership, and we are really looking forward to seeing how the co-located event works. All shows must continue to develop their offering and we believe a co-located event is key to help grow the show, and to attract a new audience into the world of sign-making and large-format digital printing. Visitors will have the chance to explore the latest technology and innovations first-hand, with many of these advancements being showcased in the UK for the first time.’

The exhibition will be complemented by the International Sign Association (ISA-UK) Explains Lounge. Now in its third year, the Lounge will host a series of presentations and panel discussions designed to inform and educate visitors to the show on the latest developments, trends and innovations and how they will impact the large format printing, sign-making and visual communications industry.

Topics include managing your sign business, business advice sessions, daily panel and feature sessions. The Women in Sign and Graphics session focuses on their contributions to the industry, while The Printing Charity will share ways to support mental well-being within the sector.

On the show floor, Hybrid Services, the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Mimaki Europe, is introducing three new printers at the event. These are the Mimaki TxF300-75 direct-to-film printer launched in August 2023, the UJV100-160Plus LED UV printer announced in September 2023, which will have its first UK exhibition showing, plus the first showing of the Mimaki UCJV330-160 LED UV integrated printer/cutter. The latter is a 1.6m production machine that Hybrid says offers ‘highly creative capabilities coupled with ultra-low running costs’.

RGB and Oki Europe are teaming up to support motor vehicle number plate printing with a complete ‘business in a box’ solution. They will be featuring the A3+ Oki Pro9542 printer, which includes white toner, and the Oki C650, described as ‘the world’s smallest high performance colour printer’  but still suitable for commercial print.

UK Feather Flags will showcase various products, including a new line of Eco fabric exhibition display solutions that it says demonstrate its commitment to sustainable signage. The company aims to build brand awareness, forge new business relationships, and gain insights into emerging market trends.

Sign Trade Supplies plans to display its range of sustainable aluminium profiles, sign fixings, and components, emphasising value to customers. The stand will also feature an interactive element, adding a ‘fun and engaging dimension for attendees’.

Assured Signage aims to use the show to highlight the potential of digital signage as a new revenue stream for traditional sign-makers and printers. It will present its media player, Sureview Genesis, which is claimed to offer offering exceptional performance and a low cost of ownership. The stand will also feature displays from Papercast, showcasing e-ink displays ideal for outdoor applications.

Roland DG  is taking space at both SDUK and Printwear & Promotion. At the former, it will showcase its new VersaObject MO-240, which replaces the company’s popular LEF2 Series and is designed to enhance direct-to-object printing with new levels of productivity. For those interested in signage, interior design and vehicle wraps, the company will also be showcasing its TrueVIS AP-640 resin printer, plus the popular TrueVis LG-640 UV print and cut device, and the 2.4 x 1.2m VersaObject EU-1000MF flatbed that can handle objects up to 95mm thick. These will be backed by demonstrations of the DG Connect software app.

Brownings, in partnership with Magnwall, plans to showcase novel wireless electrification systems at SDUK 2024. This allows users to mount electrical accessories onto the face of tension fabric systems, eliminating the need for complex wiring. The stand will also feature Brownings’ range, including TexSign tension fabric systems, Flex face products and bespoke snap frames.

BestSub will showcase its latest engraving machine, craft heat presses, Otter DtF system, and a comprehensive selection of craft supplies, materials, and tools.

InkTec had been planning to show a brand new printer, the Jetrix LXa5 flatbed, but the conflict around the Suez Canal has delayed it, so the firm will focus on sustainability, showing how Jetrix printers can be upgraded to move with the times and continue to deliver on their initial investment. The Jetrix LXi8 UV flatbed will be present, sporting a new user interface that improves the nesting and mapping capabilities of the printer to minimise media wastage. There will also be the first showing of the Jetrix XGR320 3.2m UV LED roll printer. Both machines will be printing with GreenGuard Gold accredited inks.

QPS will feature four LED UV printers from ColorJet on its stand – the 49sqm/hr Verve 2513M flatbed, the Verve Mini 1050 x 1650mm compact flatbed, the 2m width Vulcan Hybrid X and the 3.2m Vulcan 3201M which offers at top speed of 76sqm/hr. Collectively these cover a full gamut of wide-format applications from small signage and promotional items to high volume roll substrates, plus rigid materials including ACP, foam, board, flute board, glass, ceramic tiles and wood. QPS will also feature the Nazdar range of inks.

Drytac won’t have a stand of its own, but its products will feature on Epson, Hybrid Services and Roland’s stands, as well as that of exclusive distribution partner Premier Paper Group. While Premier will display a selection of Drytac materials and can advise about the full range, Epson will feature SpotOn Floor 200 and ReTac Textures Sand wallcovering films, while Hybrid will be printing Polar Chrome reflective PET, Polar Choice White film and Visiprint films. Roland’s stand will show ReTac ChalkMate, which yields a blackboard-type finish.

Another first will be the debut of the SC-V1000 A4 flatbed printer from Epson. This is an entry-level flatbed printer aimed at small businesses in the promotional goods industry. Described as highly compact and affordable, V1000 can print directly on a wide range of substrates with a thickness of up to 70mm, including acrylics, polycarbonates, PVC, aluminium, metal, polyester, foamboard, styrene, wood and stone, making it suitable for creating promotional and personalised items.

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Premier promises an ‘engaging and eye-catching stand’ on which it will be showcasing products from its extensive range of display graphic media including brands including ContraVision, Neschen, Ultraboard, Ritram and Plexiglas.

Premier’s product and application experts will be on hand to deliver product information, demonstrations and advice on how to transform space into ‘memorable and innovative’ retail displays and graphics. There will also be live competitions run throughout the course of each of the three days, with various prizes up for grabs and one or two special guest appearances.

QPS will showcase a wide range of wide-format print offerings. As the UK distributor for the Colorjet range, the company will have a Colorjet Verve 2513 UV flatbed printer running throughout the event, using Nazdar inks and suitable for direct printing onto rigid surfaces, including wood, glass, leather and ceramic tiles at speeds of up to 38sqm/hr.

QPS will also be highlighting the Nazdar range of alternative digital inks. Said to be up to 30% cheaper than OEM inks, they are claimed to provide the same or better colour and print performance, backed by a warranty that covers the entire ink train. Also featured will be DuPont Artistri textile inks, which QPS says deliver vibrant colours that last, with impressive colour fastness and UV resistance.

Soyang Europe and Josero will demonstrate hardware from manufacturing partners Fujifilm, Jetrix and Mimaki, as well as display an applications wall with products created using its own wide- and super-wide format digitally-printable materials. Hardware highlights on the stand will include the Fujifilm Acuity Prime flatbed; the 90sqm/hr Jetrix LXiR320 3.2m roll-to-roll LED-UV; the Mimaki UJF6042 MkII UV flatbed and UJV100-160 entry-level roll to roll UV printer; plus the Bubble-Free flatbed applicator table.

Soyang Europe will be demonstrating a selection of digitally printable wide-format and superwide-format media and surface coverings for industries including sign and display, design, marketing, construction and décor. In particular, it will be highlighting Solar non-PVC banner materials, The Print Media Collection, textile materials, wallcovering and décor media, plus self-adhesive floor coverings.

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Mr Pan, who has worked in global sales and marketing for 17 years, will be based in Shawnee, Kansas, and is responsible for both the development and implementation of Nazdar’s strategic planning process and marketing activities. The chemical engineering graduate went on to achieve a Masters in business administration from New York University.

Mr Pan said, ‘I am thrilled to be joining Nazdar at such an exciting time for the business as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.’

Richard Bowles, president and CEO at Nazdar, added, ‘We are delighted to have Shaun on board as part of our executive leadership team and I am confident that his background and experience will bring great success to the future of Nazdar.’

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Fespa Global Print Expo is returning to Messe Berlin from 31 May to 3 June, where it will be co-located with the European Sign Expo. Michael Ryan, the head of Fespa Global Print Expo, explained why the organisers wanted to return to the German capital. ‘Feedback on our Berlin events is always positive and it’s one of the favourite host cities for our community,’ he explained. ‘In addition, Messe Berlin is a familiar venue for exhibitors and visitors as we’ve hosted two previous successful events in 2007 and 2018.’

Mr Ryan added that, at the time of writing, there were 325 exhibitors already signed up for the show, including major names such as Agfa, Brother, Canon, Durst, Epson, Fujifilm, HP, Kornit, Mimaki, Mutoh, Roland and swissQprint.

‘There are 19 companies exhibiting for the first time and 105 exhibitors returning for the first time since 2019,’ Mr Ryan told Digital Printer. ‘Our exhibitor community is already signalling that they plan to use the live event as a launch platform and we’re expecting to see a lot of innovation in wide-format printing, covering the latest technologies.’

What’s new?

Brand new for 2022 are the Sustainability Spotlight and an Associations Pavilion. Mr Ryan outlined, ‘We aim to help printers make more sustainable choices for their operations at a time when environmental credentials are becoming business-critical for PSPs. That’s why we’ve launched the Sustainability Spotlight. The feature comprises presentations from several industry experts, providing useful, informative and actionable advice.’

The Associations Pavilion, meanwhile, will be located in the South Entrance of Messe Berlin and will ‘give visitors the chance to experience a range of diverse printed applications produced and finished by members of 17 of Fespa’s global associations.’

The World Wrap Masters is back for 2022

Alongside these new additions, visitors can look forward to the return of some old favourites as well. ‘Printeriors is set to be bigger and better than ever.’ Mr Ryan continued. ‘Also situated in the South Entrance, visitors can immerse themselves in a world of nature as they feast their eyes on a range of exciting print opportunities in interior and exterior décor. World Wrap Masters is back too, with free training workshops, demonstrations and the live-action wrapping competition.’

Hot topics

In terms of the topics that will be taking centre stage, Mr Ryan suggested, ‘Over the past few years, print businesses have sharpened their focus on areas including process efficiency, automation, web-to-print and sustainability. These trends will continue to be front of mind, with a particular focus on our Sustainability Spotlight feature.

‘The other trend we’re seeing is the diversification of the markets we represent as they continue to develop and become more specialised. For example, expansion into interior décor, vehicle wrapping, packaging and textiles. At the show, many suppliers will highlight the latest technologies, media and consumables and applications possibilities in these growth markets.’

Printeriors is set to be ‘better than ever.’

The exhibitors

Of course, no preview would be complete without a rundown of what visitors can expect to see on the various stands. So, without further ado…

Adelco will be unveiling its new Digi-Cure Plus allelectric hot air conveyor dryer. An updated version of its pre-existing Digi-Cure textile conveyor dryer, it has been developed to cure all textile ink systems, including digital, screen and transfers.

Managing director Mark Smith commented, ‘Adelco has always concentrated on high airflow and efficient exhaust systems as the best medium for curing digital and screen inks with minimum effect to fabrics. The Digi-Cure Plus provides such curing standards but at a more affordable price.’ The company will also introduce two other dryer innovations, demonstrate its Cyclone Auto Carousel and unveil a new hybrid digital textile option.

Agfa will be showing off several printers, including the flagship Jeti Tauro H3300 HS LED. Able to print at 600sqm/hr in four or six colours on media up to 3.3m in width, it is aimed at the high end of the signage and display market. Alongside will be the Avinci CX3200 dye-sublimation roll-to-roll printer, like the H3300 HS LED introduced in 2021. Capable of printing either directly to textiles or on to transfer paper, Agfa says the 270sqm/hr printer delivers ‘a consistently vibrant print quality’ on a range of polyester-based fabrics. Also on the Agfa stand will be the 3.3m Oberon RTR3300, a roll-to-roll machine available in four-colour plus white or six-colour versions.

Avery Denison will be sharing its stand with its subsidiary Mactac, with both brands set to highlight ‘a broad range of innovative products and materials,’ with a focus on the automotive and architectural sectors. Specific items will include a range of sustainable digital wrapping films, premium quality wrapping films and laminates, innovations in ‘supreme protection’ films, window films and wall films and what the company is calling ‘unique organoid natural surfaces for interior decoration.’

Li Wen, senior director and general manager, Graphics EMENA, commented, ‘Nobody can stand still in this industry. Events like Fespa give us a chance to share new ideas, and we also love hearing from our customers to make sure that our R&D programme meets their needs.’

ColorGate will feature a new release of its Rip, Productionserver 22, plus the Rapid Spectro Cube and its Custom Create web-to-production offering. Productionserver 22 is designed to support automated production in textiles, surface decoration, ceramics and large format printing via an API. It also introduces a new ‘2.5D’ printing capability that can be used to print textures for wood, embroidery, Braille and art reproductions on suitably-equipped printers with clear/varnish and multi-pass capabilities. A subscription pricing model is now available and a wide range of printers and print-and-cut devices, including direct-to-film (DtF) for textile use is supported.

Durst will present its P5 range of printers and supporting software and this year’s show will host the first European showing of the flatbed and roll-fed printers from US-manufacturer Vanguard in which Durst acquired a majority stake in October 2020. Vanguard opened a European headquarters adjacent to Durst’s own in Brixen, Italy in September 2021. Durst is also teasing a new product announcement at Fespa, which will be reported in Digital Printer in due course.

EFI will be bringing three of its printers to Berlin, the Reggiani Terra Silver textile printer, the Pro30h hybrid LED machine and the Vutek Q3r roll-to-roll LED printer.

Unveiled in 2021, the Reggiani Terra Silver is a 1.8m printer which runs EFI Reggiani’s Terra pigment ink for ‘high-quality, highly sustainable,’ direct-to-textile printing without steaming or washing. The 3.2m Pro 30h is a hybrid flatbed/roll-to-roll entry-level production machine which can print onto a variety of substrates for a wide variety of applications. It is powered by the EFI Fiery ProServer Core digital front end. The Vutek Q3r is a 3m roll-to-roll option which EFI says ‘goes beyond printing by providing a complete print to finished graphic workflow—from RIP to finished product—on the same platform.’

Fuijfilm will exhibit a total of six machines from its Acuity wide-format range. This will include the Acuity Prime and Acuity Ultra R2 as well as previously unseen models. The Acuity Ultra R2 is a roll-fed machine available in 5m or 3.2m versions, with both set to be showcased on the company’s stand. It is available in various colour configurations up to eight channels and with conventional UV curing as standard, or with an LED UV curing system for six colour and white configurations.

The Acuity Prime is the first new Fujifilm flatbed since the company ended its long-standing agreement with Canon (formerly Océ) for the latter’s Arizona line of UV-curing printers. It’s a 2.54 x 1.7m model able to handle media up to 51mm thick.

Inktec will display its Jetrix LXi8 UV and Jetrix LXiR320. The former is a 3.2 x 2.0m flatbed which can print at 206sqm/ hr. It makes use of InkTec’s latest-generation LED-UV ink and is powered by a dedicated Jetrix Graphical User Interface, designed to simplify and automate as many steps as of the printing process possible.

The Jetrix LXiR320, also 3.2m, is a roll-to-roll digital LEDUV printer with Konica Minolta print heads. It can print at speeds up to 110sqm/hr, resolutions up to 2160dpi, and is marketed as ‘perfect for large scale production of PVC, fabric banners and backlit banners for indoor and outdoor signage.’

The printers will be complemented by a dedicated inks and media area featuring a range of specially formulated alternative inks and ‘an extensive media range including solvent, aqueous and latex varieties.’

Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems will showcase its flagship Kongsberg C Series digital cutting solution, its modular Kongsberg X24 table and the MultiCam Apex 3R CNC router on a ‘huge’ display area. The C24 combines a steel tabletop with an aluminium honeycomb core, a rack and pinion drive system and dynamic table mapping for accuracy and consistency in cutting at up to 100m/min. A range of tools will complement this.

Add-on tools will also illustrate the flexibility of the X24 table, including the Kongsberg PowerHead for cutting and creasing heavy duty materials, able to exert up to 50kg of force, and a FoamHead which uses a reciprocating knife to cut foam materials. The Apex 3R router can cut a variety of materials including plastic, aluminium, wood, high-density foam, and composite materials.

Kornit Digital will be highlighting its direct-to-garment solutions, including the new Atlas Max Poly. The Israeli company says that it is an ‘industry first’ solution ‘delivering superior quality digital decoration for vibrant, colourful design on polyester and poly-blended apparel.’ Kornit hopes that the Atlas Max Poly will help to open up the professional and recreational sports apparel and teamwear markets, which have previously been limited by the difficulties involved in personalising polyester garments.

Also on the Kornit stand will be the Presto Max, marketed as the first to offer the ability to print white onto coloured fabrics whilst also allowing for neon colours and, via Kornit’s XDi technology, 3D decorative applications.

Mimaki will be featuring its recently launched 330 Series of roll-fed printers, which includes two eco-solvent machines, the JV330-160 and CJV330-160. The two 1.6m printers have a media changer that allows three media rolls to be loaded simultaneously and an XY slitter that provides inline cutting both axes. Making its trade show debut will be the TS330-1600, a dye sublimation printer with an improved take-up system and various optional add-ons that improve efficiency.

The stand will feature real world applications, evoking the streets of Berlin with urban-inspired works by by designers Nicky Nahafahik and Xavier Protano, all printed on Mimaki machines. There will also be a collaboration with Dutch designer Tessa Koops to create a selection of fashion items, following successful collaborations in 2019.

Mutoh will present several of its XpertJet Pro printers. Models to be found on stand will include the XpertJet 1641SRP and 1341SRP, which feature new print head technology, a new weaving algorithm for improved image quality in subtle gradations, and Mutoh’s VerteLith RIP software. They will be joined by the 1.6m XpertJet 1682SR, which will be in eight-colour configuration with orange ink which the company says allow for the printing of a new range of reds, oranges and yellows.

Also on the Mutoh stand will be the XpertJet 1642WR dual-head dye sublimation printer. Capable of printing at ‘sellable high quality production speeds’ up to 61sqm/hr, the 1642WR incorporates two new generation extra-wide 1600 nozzle AccuFine print heads, installed in a staggered setup. There will also be the XpertJet 461UF and 661UF, Mutoh’s second-generation UV desktop printers intended for personalised one-off prints and small lot production.

Nazdar will showcase its range of inks for digital inkjet, screen and flexo applications. Of interest to digital printers will be the company’s ‘plug and play’ alternatives to printer manufacturers’ own inks the Nazdar 706, 707 and 708 Series UV-LED curable inks are offered as direct replacements for Mimaki LUS inks used in the JFX and UJF ranges of printers and are claimed to be colour matched closely enough to be replaced one colour at a time.

The Nazdar 205 Series will also be featured. This offers direct replacement for owners of Roland DG machines that use the TR2 eco-solvent inks and is said by Nazdar to offer convenience, performance and great value.

Workflow automation will be the focus of the OneVision Software stand, where demonstrations in partnership with Canon and Kongsberg (see above) and others will show end-to-end automation. In one live showcase, visitors will see automation from order entry in a web store, through file preparation with OneVision’s Wide Format Automation Suite, to printing and finishing. Canon Arizona or Colorado models will be used for printing and finishing with cutting systems from Zünd and Fotoba.

A ‘smart finishing’ process that demonstrates the integration of OneVision’s software with its nesting and cutting capabilities and hardware from Kongsberg will also be shown live, with a Kongsberg X22 cutting system on OneVision’s stand, to show how best substrate usage can be achieved.

Pigment.inc will be exhibiting a range of hybrid direct to garment (DtG) / direct to film (DtF) printers and ancillary equipment, plus an industrial grade roll-to-roll DtF system for mass production of transfers for apparel and product decoration. The Q1 and Q2 Hybrid Series are able to operate in both DtG and DtF modes, producing up to 100 dark or 150 light garments per hour, while the Q1-T model features inline powder glue application and curing to produce film ready for heat transfer onto a wide range of natural synthetic fabrics. The company also offers DtF adapter kits for Epson, Brother and other printers.

Roland DG is offering a virtual rollercoaster ride but for those more interested in its printers, the most recent additions to the TrueVis eco-solvent and VersaUV ranges will be presented. These will include the TrueVis VG3 640/540 and SG3 540/300 printer/cutters launched in March 2022 which respectively support rolls widths of 1625, 1371 and 762mm, with various ink options such as double CMYK for productivity or additional primary colours for gamut expansion. The VersaUV LEC2 line of UV roll fed printers, printer/cutters and flatbeds will also be featured.

Sappi will be focusing on its portfolio of coated and uncoated dye sublimation papers for thermal transfer printing, containerboard and silicone base papers. The company has invested significantly in expanding its centre of excellence at Carmignano in northern Italy to increase production capacity to further support its dye-sub business, which includes the uncoated Sappi Basejet and Transjet product family. These address a variety of machine types and speeds for applications in fashion, home textiles, sportswear and sports equipment, in addition to soft signage and hard substrate print.

SwissQprint says that visitors to its stand will be able to experience new developments in its UV flatbed and roll-to-roll options, providing users with ‘a competitive edge.’ On the stand will be the company’s fourth generation of flatbed printers, which the company says come with the latest print head technology and mechanical enhancements.

Alongside that will be the Karibu roll-to-roll printer, a 3.4m LED-curing UV printer launched in 2019 in response to requests from customers for a dedicated roll-fed device. A faster (330sqm/hr) model, capable of printing with neon inks, was added in 2021. The company’s neon inks will also be on display, with pink, yellow, green and orange variants all set to be demonstrated. The company is also promising a ‘surprise launch’.

Laser cutter / engraver specialist Trotec will be demonstrating its flagship Speedy series and large format cutting tables, suitable for cutting materials such as acrylic, wood or cardboard and compatible with both wide-format Rips and CAD systems. The new Vision Design & Position camera system will be shown on the stand, alongside the Ruby laser software in order to demonstrate how efficient cutting workflows can be designed and implemented.

Last but not least, Zünd will be introducing visitors to PrimeCenter, its control centre for generating print-and-cut files. The company will use live demonstrations to show how the Pick&Place interface option controls robotic devices and fully automates the removal of cut parts and their placement at pre-defined locations.

Zünd will also display the Visualizing Option, a component of the Zünd Cut Center user interface and workflow software. Besides assisting the user during parts removal through projection, this option offers capabilities for labelling cut parts. The company will also showcase the web-based monitoring and analytics software Zünd Connect, which captures performance and availability KPIs from cutters integrated in the Zünd production workflow and uses this data to calculate overall equipment efficiency.

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InPrint describes itself as ‘Europe’s flagship event … for the emerging community of printing professionals and manufacturers who want to maximise on new business potential for print applications in the industrial production sector’ and so targets not just print industry people, but professionals from a range of manufacturing and related industries. After an pandemic-enforced break in 2021, the show is back this year, running concurrently with ICE Europe and CCE International which respectively cover paper, film and foil converting and corrugated and folding carton production, so the three collectively cover a wide gamut of packaging and industrial print applications.

Patrick Herman, event director for the Converting, Paper and Print Events at organiser Mack-Brooks Exhibitions, says, ‘For the first time, the three shows will take place at the same time and the same venue creating an all-round experience with increased opportunities and synergies for all trade visitors on-site. With InPrint Munich covering the print technology for industrial manufacturing we are now able to offer an almost comprehensive overview of the value chain.’

The InPrint exhibition is complemented by a conference programme that explores technology trends, market developments, new applications and innovative projects as well as the latest product and technology developments. Here are some exhibitor highlights:

Global Graphics will present its SmartDFE, a software and hardware solution that allows print to be added in industrial production environments. Combining the specialist capabilities of the various Hybrid Software Group companies, SmartDFE supports Industry 4.0 telematics, MIS integration and connectivity with automated manufacturing lines via OPC UA. Via the company’s Harlequin Direct technology, SmartDFE can also send print data directly to the printheads at the ‘blistering speeds’ needed for high volume single-pass inkjet systems.

The technologies displayed at InPrint have a wide range of applications

Global Inkjet Systems (GIS) will present its Atlas IQ Tools for image optimisation for digital print which also compensate for a variety of inkjet quality issues. Its ink/fluid delivery systems, which have high resistance to aggressive fluids to support extended materials deposition, will also be featured, along with the company’s capabilities in drive electronics supporting major printhead manufacturers’ models and an increasing range of industrial applications.

Slovenian manufacturer INO builds printing systems that combine the strengths of screen and digital printing which it says offer high output with minimal setup time via automated processes. Described as user friendly at ‘all operation levels’, the INO machines offer the convenience of a single supplier and a return on investment in ‘the shortest period’.

UK-based Integration Technology specialises in UV LED and other UV lamp implementations across various print sectors and has been involved with this technology since its earliest days. The company has recently made two new appointments to pursue growth in 2022, with Neil Stickland joining as marketing manager and Jamie Fenn as sales and business development manager. Each brings around a decade of relevant experience.

Ipco makes steel processing and conveying belts and will use InPrint to present findings that belt vibration – which can affect imaging quality – is between three and six times lower with steel designs than with plastic alternatives. On 17 March global product manager Cherryleen Garcia-Lindgren will present the results of independent research carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute. The company says its belts are suitable for applications ranging from large format corrugated packaging to furniture board, film wrap and ceramic tiles.

Meteor Inkjet, which develops control electronics and printhead subsystems for a wide range of inkjet applications, announced last summer that it is now working with Epson’s T3200, T1600 and D3000 printheads. Applications for the first two include signage and product packaging, while the latter has a positioning capability that reduces assembly time in multi-head arrays. Meteor has also significantly increased its floorspace at its Cambridge, UK headquarters, reflecting strong growth.

Nazdar produces UV, water- and solvent-based inks for inkjet and other printing technologies. It will demonstrate labels and packaging applications but will also discuss a range of industrial applications including textile, graphics, direct-to-shape, 3D and commercial print, as well as special effects with functional clear inks and varnishes. There will be a focus on OEM and system integration business, based around the company’s relationships with various print equipment and printhead manufacturers.

Customised inks for personalised packaging and labels will also be the focus of the Siegwerk stand at InPrint, including UV and water-based types as well as primers and OPVs for a wide spectrum of substrates.

A similar portfolio will be presented by newcomer to the show Zschimmer & Schwarz, which offers tailored solutions for primers, overprint varnishes and pigment inks for inkjet across a range of substrates including ceramics, textiles, technical glass and papers.

Xaar will showcase its array of inkjet technologies, printheads, electronics, data paths, system components and ink supply systems, as well as its expertise in designing systems to deliver ‘difficult’ fluids to a range of substrates and in multiple orientations. As a sponsor of the conference programme, general manager of the printhead business unit Graham Tweedale will present an overview of the company’s core technologies and the capabilities of the ImagineX printhead platform.

The post What’s new InPrint? appeared first on Digital Printer.

In the three years he has spent as president Mr Bowles, who originally joined Nazdar as vice president of marketing back in 2002, has played a major role in the growth of the business, helping the company to maintain its maintain its position in the market throughout the pandemic period. Part of his remit as CEO will be to ‘continue to drive further expansion and success’ as the business seeks new growth opportunities in markets all around the world.

Mr Bowles’ appointment coincides with the news that Jeff Thrall is to step down as president and CEO of Nazdar’s parent company Thrall Enterprises (TEI), instead becoming executive chairman. He will be replaced in his former positions by Dan Potts, who will work with both Mr Thrall and Mr Bowles to oversee long-term growth plans across the wider business.

‘Both Dan and I have every confidence in Nazdar’s continued success under Richard Bowles’ solid and exemplary leadership as President,’ Mr Thrall commented. ‘We will all continue to work together in various capacities, and I look forward to our continued success in the future.’

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G7 is the colour control methodology that achieves colour similarity across all print processes. The method balances the four primary process printing colours, CMYK and their three overprints RGB (the 7 in G7) to achieve neutral grey (the G in G7) in a raster image.

The methodology was created in 2006 by Don Hutcheson and in 2008 Nazdar Consulting Services introduced it to the screen and wide-format inkjet printing processes, saying it was the best way to achieve a common appearance in images when printed on different substrates using different printing processes. 

Bruce Ridge, director technical services at Nazdar, explained, ‘The G7 methodology is not a print specification as it does not prescribe how to achieve a result, just the result, which in this case is neutral grey balance in the quarter to three quarter tonal areas of an image and a shared neutral appearance. There are two other levels of G7 conformity that can be achieved, Targeted and Colourspace.

‘The focus on the grey balance in the quarter to three quarter tonal areas allows flexibility in substrate and ink deviations. This is critical to the screen and ink jet printing processes where the substrate white point can vary tremendously, and the ink hues may vary from the traditional hue targets originally set by offset inks.’

IDEAlliance has established a worldwide network of G7 Master Qualified Printing Facilities for the benefit of brand owners and print buyers that want to get printing done in multiple facilities in different geographic locations that yield printing with a common appearance, print consistency, and efficiency. These are the G7 Master Printing Facilities. There are 17 different areas of qualification for G7 printing, with DTG being the latest.

Mr Ridge concluded, ‘The DTG process of inkjet printing directly to T-Shirts brings this area of printing in line with all the other processes that reproduce full colour images using subtractive colour inks. The work at Nazdar demonstrates that three different DTG printers can all achieve a G7 qualified print.’

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Designed specifically for use in Mimaki’s digital printers, the Nazdar 130 Series inks are colour-matched and chemically compatible with the original inks. They are compatible with multiple substrates, including vinyl, banner material, blue-back paper and backed mesh. They also have enhanced drying characteristics to accommodate faster print speeds and are designed for maximum outdoor resistance when it comes to colour fade and the combined effects of UV degradation and environmental pollution. 

‘The Orange ink has been added to the range to ensure our end-user customers can achieve a wider, more vibrant colour gamut, while the new Light Black option will help deliver stunning monochrome images,’ explained Stephen Woodall, market segment manager, aqueous and solvent digital at Nazdar. ‘All our inks are covered by one of the most comprehensive warranties in the market – covering the entire ink train – enabling businesses to confidently take advantage of the increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness of our fully field-tested solutions.’

The two new shades have joined the existing options of CMYK, Light Cyan and Light Magenta.

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The 706 Series is the second of three Nazdar plug-and-play offerings for Mimaki LUS Inks. The first was the 708 Series, an alternative ink series to Mimaki LUS170 inks. The final addition to the collection will be announced in the coming weeks.

On the introduction of the new inks, Nazdar’s Josh Lutz, market segment manager, UV Inkjet Inks, said, ‘The 706 Series further expands Nazdar‘s plug-and-play selection, offering UV-LED inkjet ink users worldwide continued high-quality, consistency, and savings.’

Quality Print Services (QPS), Nazdar’s main UK distributo,r will be offering the newly-announced 706 Series with immediate effect. The company said that, Nazdar’s ink selections ‘Offer exceptional compatibility, quality and cost effectiveness, combined with a seamless conversion process. Closely colour-matched and chemically-compatible with the original inks, users can save both time and money by switching one colour at a time. Flushing, purging, or re-profiling is not necessary when transitioning, due to the accurate colour reproduction capabilities of the ink set.’

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In that white paper, Bruce Ridge, director of technical services at Nazdar Ink Technologies, explains that established methods for predicting how prints will fade outdoors were originally developed for screen printing. However, the inkjet inks and technology used for four-colour process images are different – meaning aging profile are significantly less accurate.

‘Weathering prediction processes have been developed over many years, but with inkjet printing gaining popularity in the production of outdoor-durable displays we need to update our approach,’ Mr Ridge said. ‘In our latest white paper we outline Image, a new process for generating colour profiles that can help graphics businesses design, sell and maintain graphics that will look better for longer.’

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