Already installed in over 30 locations across Europe as part of the Avery TrafficJet turnkey road signage printing system, the VKR3200 HS as shown at Fespa has an updated industrial design and prints CMYK plus white, with a further varnish option. The printer operates at up to 317sqm/hr in two-pass draft mode, which is also suitable for mesh work, and typically between 120 and 140sqm/hr in production mode.

The VKR3200 HS  can handle two rolls of up to 1.6m width, with independent control of each via a ‘novel’ user interface, as well as single rolls of wider media. Priced from €120,000 for the single row of Kyocera printheads version, the mesh kit and dual roll option may be added, and aa twin-row printhead version is also offered.

Unusually for a printer at this price point, it also offers full integration with Durst’s workflow and analytics software ‘ecosystem’, as well as being driven by Durst’s DFE, which offers preflighting as well as Ripping capabilities.

Distribution in the UK and Ireland is via Durst’s UK operation and distributor ArtSystems; Vanguard Europe has also struck deals with Netherlands-based Pixia for the Benelux region and most recently with Grup Transilvae in Romania.

Fabian Sottsas, managing director of Vanguard Europe, said, ‘Just a week after confirming Grup Transilvae’s partnership in Romania, we are preparing to share news of a new collaboration in France in the next few weeks, proving how committed we are to growing our operations quickly and efficiently. Our mission is to continue to replicate the success of our parent company, which has installed over a thousand LFP printing systems across the Americas.’

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Hexis, 3M, Adapt (with Profilm), Avery Dennison, APA, Grafityp, Spandex, William Smith, Innotech, Surfex (with FlexiShield and Teckwrap), HP and Metamark will deliver wrapping demonstrations from their own pit garages at the Silverstone race track in Northamptonshire. Attendees will be able to watch vehicle wrapping professionals demonstrate their skills, pick up new techniques and learn about the latest materials.

Concurrently, Wrap Talks, the event’s free-to-attend, interactive speaker programme, will adopt an interactive format, including ‘fireside chats’, influencer interviews and discussions around the business and science of wrapping.

TV presenter, podcaster and celebrity influencer Yianni Charalambous, owner of Yiannimize, will take part in an exclusive interview, while Justin Pate, founder of The Wrap Institute, will provide tips for wrapping entrepreneurs and material, installation and sales considerations. Professional racing driver and YouTuber Archie Hamilton will lead a panel discussion exploring market trends and innovative projects.

Joshua Stedford, of Livery Magic, will discuss the creative process of developing a Livery, including tips on logo and decal placement, how to create a colour scheme and how to use the car’s body shape. Additionally, wrap entrepreneur Corey England, the founder of Devon-based company Wrap Capital, will discuss his exciting Lamborghini Huracán fade wrap project being showcased on the WrapFest show floor.

WarpFest runs on 26 and 27 April 2023 at Silverstone.

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Hexis, 3M, Avery Dennison, APA, Grafityp, Spandex, William Smith, Surfex, HP and Metamark will sponsor the event, running from 26 to 27 April 2023 at Silverstone, UK. They will each deliver exclusive wrapping demonstrations and training-style content to attendees, as well as having a stand in the main exhibition area.

European sign vinyl film manufacturer and adhesive coating manufacturer Hexis is the event’s Pole Position sponsor. In addition to showcasing its popular Skintac wrap vinyl range, paint protection and automotive tint films, the company will also sponsor the UK and Ireland World Wrap Masters competition, for which it will be the exclusive vinyl supplier.

Among the platinum sponsors are 3M, Avery Dennison, APA, Grafityp, Spandex and William Smith. Each of these suppliers will showcase their diverse portfolio of wrap films, in an array of colours and effects, and wider tools and accessories that provide solutions for every stage of the vehicle wrapping process. Surfex is gold sponsor of the event, while HP and Metamark have been announced as WrapFest’s silver sponsors.

Duncan MacOwan, Head of Marketing and Events, Fespa, said, ‘We are delighted to confirm that some of the industry’s biggest names will deliver live demonstrations at the first ever WrapFest. The pit-garage area promises to be a vibrant feature where attendees can learn about new materials and pick up quality techniques that can be transferred to their business; we know from this community just how much attendees will benefit from witnessing experts first-hand.’

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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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In addition to his nearly seven years heading up the RBIS division, Mr Stander has also served as Avery Dennison’s sustainability leader, where he was a key figure in shaping the company’s sustainability strategy. As COO, he will now be responsible for the company’s global business operations, with all business unit leaders reporting to him.

‘Deon has led the remarkable transformation of our RBIS business, establishing a strong foundation for profitable growth, and he has been an excellent thought partner at the enterprise level,’ commented Mitch Butier, chairman and CEO at Avery Dennison. ‘He is highly respected throughout the company for his exemplary vision, and I look forward to our continued partnership. This appointment reflects the next evolution of our leadership capabilities that will enable our continued success over the long term, as we accelerate our strategies to deliver value for all of our stakeholders.’

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Digitally printable, Squid films are heat and moisture resistant, with sun protection, and can be ‘easily applied’ onto glass surfaces. Woven Squid textile has a linen look and comes ready to print. It offers homes, offices and hotels a ‘soft, minimalistic and elegant appearance’ and is available in six colours. Depending on colour, the film deflects between 25 and 36% of solar energy.

Alessandro Sacchi, product line director for digital print at Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions Europe, said that the new partnership with Lampe Textiles gives customers access to another important innovation in architectural window films.

‘Avery Dennison has developed a very extensive – and growing – range of different window films, across architectural, retail and vehicle applications,’ Mr Sacchi said. ‘This latest addition to our portfolio is the very first fabric that also acts as a self-adhesive curtain. It opens up new design options for interior designers and architects, and offers an excellent alternative to conventional films or net curtains.’

Johan Bonner, director Squid, said that the two companies are now positioned to gain a decisive share of the digital printed interior decoration market. ‘This new strategic partnership – a first step – means that architects and designers can count on easy access to innovative and high-quality products for interior design, along with outstanding production and installation partners. By taking over Squid distribution, Avery Dennison will extend the potential of these innovative Squid products. That provides a high-demand market with a broader and more flexible range of options.’

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Mr Rmaile, who will be based in the Netherlands, replaces Jeroen Diderich, who has relocated to the United States to take the equivalent role in North America.

Previously vice president and general manager for Global Graphics and Reflectives Solutions, Mr Rmaile has been part of the Avery Dennison management team since March 2016.

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Ms Buma, who has more than 19 years of experience with Avery Dennison, will be based in Ohio for this new role. She previously worked out of the Netherlands as senior director, procurement global categories and head of procurement for the European region.

‘We are excited to announce Robyn’s appointment to this important leadership position,’ said Georges Gravanis, president of the Label and Graphic Materials group at Avery Dennison. ‘Robyn has a successful track record in our organization, broad product knowledge, and a strong focus on building supplier relationships. With her leadership, I am confident that we will continue to stay on the leading­ edge of material trends, especially in support of our 2025 sustainability goals.’

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This year’s vehicle wrap competition runs from 3 June to 30 August and it will once again include regional Wrap Kings, continental Wrap Kings and the crowning of the prestigious ‘King of the Wrap World.’

Wrap installers from 50 countries are invited to submit non-commercial, full print or colour change wrap projects. The prize packages for 2019 are worth a combined total of over US$30,000.

‘We’ve been expanding the Wrap Like A King Challenge to new regions across the globe over the past two years,’ said senior director Oliver Guenther. ‘We’re also introducing the ‘People’s Choice Award’ which allows the public to vote for their favourite project.

‘This new award will provide additional and well-deserved recognition for our valued customers. We’re astonished at the level of creativity and talent with each passing year, and we anticipate the submissions for the 2019 challenge to surpass our expectations.’

Industry experts from around the globe will use their experience to narrow down the field, picking the most beautiful, technically challenging or otherwise most impressive wraps to advance at each round of the challenge.

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Portfolio director Rudi Blackett says of Sign & Digital UK 2019, ‘This year’s show is bursting at the seams. It’s three days dedicated to helping visitors level-up their business.

‘There will be inspiring talks and topical panel debates in the Main Stage theatre and two live demo areas – Décor Live Demonstrations and Retail is Detail. This year we’re introducing a zone dedicated to digital signage, we’re hosting the UK Hexis wrap battles and some major product launches. We’ll also be running our ever-popular educational workshops and Adobe and Corel software theatres.’

‘Content is becoming increasingly important at this event. In recent times there’s been a clear emphasis on user applications, and SDUK visitors are keen to see what’s possible in terms of output and to be inspired with creativity. It is no longer a visit to see what kit is available, it’s now about what you can do with the output from those products. Demonstrations and practical workshops are key elements of the show now.

‘Beyond the supplier-led live demonstrations and practical workshops, there’s also a real demand for business advice and inspiration as the current challenging market continues to impact the industry. This year, the Main Stage will offer some seminars presented by business experts, meaning our visitors will be able to benefit from top business advice and have their questions personally answered.’

AXYZ Automation Group will demonstrate its Trident print finishing system

Exhibitors

Most interesting for many attendees of course, will be the companies showcasing their latest products, technologies and capabilities. Here, Digital Printer brings you a selection:

Agfa is partnering with its resellers i-Sub Digital and Josero, inviting visitors to ‘Step Up’ their printing capabilities with wide-format solutions.

Kettering-based i-Sub is a wide-format digital print specialist and will be demonstrating Agfa’s 3.2m hybrid Anapurna H3200i LED along with the full suite of options in the Agfa Asanti production workflow. Cambridgeshire based Josero, which offers an extensive portfolio of products for the wide format market, will be exhibiting Agfa’s smaller sibling, the 1.6m hybrid Anapurna H1650i LED with Asanti Render, Agfa’s entry-level workflow solution.

‘Agfa has a long history of working closely with channel partners in the printing industry and we are proud to be supporting both I-Sub Digital and Josero at Sign & Digital 2019,’ explained Bobby Grauf, sales manager for inkjet at Agfa. ‘Their input helps Agfa to create the right solutions for the UK market and visitors to this year’s exhibition will experience this first-hand. We will be exhibiting both ends of our Anapurna printer spectrum for the first time at this show. Both models are driven by Agfa’s award-winning Asanti workflow and both have Agfa-made UV LED inks on board. This makes each solution a ‘Step Up’ in terms of productivity, quality and cost-of-ownership.’

Meanwhile AXYZ Automation Group will demonstrate its Trident print finishing system, incorporating a triple-head configuration and comprising a high-performance routing spindle and tangential/ oscillating knife-cutting units.

Key design features of Trident include a rigid solid steel frame to better accommodate more vigorous machine operation, an exclusive live vacuum deck for optimum material hold-down efficiency and an integrated helical rack and pinion drive system. This latter feature incorporates a multiple gear teeth configuration that ensures more even distribution of the workload, greater routing/cutting precision, faster material throughput and ultimately a longer-than-normal machine life. Readily interchangeable 120mm long blade attachments provide increased cutting efficiency when processing harder, thicker and heavier materials.

AXYX will also promote its 24/7 online spare parts, accessories and software facility. This accommodates the requirements not only of AXYZ router owners but also those of any other make of machine, regardless of type and country of origin.

i-sub will be demonstrating Agfa’s 3.2m hybrid Anapurna H3200i LED Printer

Nottingham-based specialist wide format print distributor ArtSystems has announced it will focus on the latest innovations in retail signage during the three days of the show, as part of the Retail is Detail thread.

The company will be exhibiting cutting-edge products from key vendors including printers from HP, cutting tables from Summa and RIP and workflow technology by Onyx, and will highlight the advantages of integrated print workflows for the production of retail signage. Supporting this, the stand will also feature HP, Neschen and Sihl media brands – and showcase the high-quality output possible with these specialist media ranges.

Charlotte Crampton, workflow development manager for ArtSystems, explained, ‘We wanted to show the flagship print and print finishing solutions of HP and Summa, and demonstrate why – with the HP Latex R2000 and the Summa F1832, both driven by Onyx 18.5 – it’s the perfect combination.

‘This allows us to illustrate the true benefits of a fully integrated workflow around a specific set of retail signage applications.’

Cutting specialist Graphtec GB will be demonstrating selected machines from its portfolio at the NEC. These will include examples from the CE and FC series of cutting/plotters and the F-Mark automatic digital die-cutting system.

The CE6000 series of vinyl cutters includes the Lite-50 and Plus machines. Both are described as ideal low-cost entry-level solutions, with the former, now priced at under £700, bridging the void between the traditional craft and commercial sectors and the latter providing new machine enhancements to better accommodate higher volume production. The FCX2000 supports combined cutting and creasing, while the FC8600 offers a ‘Best in Class’ combination cutting speed and force .

All of the cutters incorporate Graphtec’s proprietary ARMS (Automatic Registration Mark Sensing) system for optimum material alignment and cutting accuracy and ship with Graphtec’s own Pro Studio and (optional) Cutting Master 4 software that enables Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw integration. Graphtec Pro Studio is based on the popular FlexiSign family of design and production software, developed by software specialist SAi for which Graphtec GB is a distributor in the UK and Ireland.

All of the cutters Graphtec will be showcasing include the Automatic Registration Mark Sensing system

Demonstrating its colour management products for automated colour matching and ink optimisation will be GMG Color, whose ColorServer is suited to signage and large format print applications in which it aims to provide consistent results across different ink and printing processes, devices and substrate types. Software features that will be demonstrated on the stand include automated conversion of RGB, CMYK and mixed image colour data into one output colour space, making manual conversion of multiple image files unnecessary. A new capability in the latest release of ColorServer is adjustment of a digital printing machine to a custom input colour space via GMG SmartProfiler, to improve accuracy of colour reproduction.

Visitors to the show can also hear GMG colour expert Paul Bromley present on the Main Stage in the panel session on print workflows. Head there on Thursday 4 April to find out more about colour matching across devices and substrates, automating colour management within your workflow, and cutting consumables usage while improving colour results – plus your chance to ask questions.

Kew Green Hotels use 3M DI-NOC films at Ibis Styles Crewe Hotel

Debuting three new products in April will be Mimaki’s UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services. The high performance Mimaki TS55 dye sublimation textile printer for soft signage, retail graphics, fashion and sportswear will make its first UK appearance. There will also be the unveiling of two new Mimaki inks: the recently announced metallic LED UV ink for the Mimaki UJF-7151plus, suitable for high-end graphics for packaging, small- to mid-format signage and bespoke décor and giftware, and also a clear ink option for the popular UCJV300 Series LED UV printer/cutters.

‘Production printing is a core theme for the Hybrid stand at Sign & Digital UK this year,’ stated Brett Newman, chief operations manager at Hybrid. ‘Across Mimaki’s range of solvent printers and integrated printer/cutters, LED UV roll-to-roll and flatbed machines and a host of textile and dye sublimation technology, we’re able to deliver a production solution for print companies, whatever their volume requirements. Reducing lead times, increasing profitability, removing barriers to entry and delivering high quality output with the minimum of user intervention – all run centrally to Mimaki’s innovative approach.’

Ricoh UK will be showcasing its latest inkjet printers, both roll-fed and flatbed, including a new latex printer, a new smaller UV flatbed and a new mid-range direct-to-garment printer.

The company’s presence at Sign & Digital UK 2019 is part of its global Ignite strategy to expand into display printing via inkjet applications and follows on from its participation at Fespa 2018.

‘As with our hugely successful approach to the commercial print market, we’re looking to help wide format sign and display printers to increase their margins, keep ahead of the competition, and improve customer satisfaction,’ explained Simon Issacs, national sales director, adding, ‘Our customers tell us they value our partnership approach because we are helping them through their analogue to digital transition. They know we are there to support them all the way, beyond the technology in how they can use it to create new products and services. We’re looking forward to translating that to the Sign & Digital audience, for whom we’re sure we can make a positive difference.’

William Smith will be showing solutions from Squid

Following more than a year of intensive development, Roland DG will be displaying a number of its printers in Birmingham. These will include the VersaExpress RF-640 8 Colour, which was previewed at last year’s event. The printer has an additional four ink channels for additional primary colours, which allows it to accurately reproduce up to 99% of Pantone+ Solid Coated colours which. This year’s show will see an upgrade of the RF-640.

Additionally, Roland DG’s first direct-to-garment printer, the VersaStudio BT-12, will be on display. Described as user-friendly, affordable and compact textile printing solution, this model allows users to print directly to t-shirts, tote bags, cushion covers and any other cotton-based textile in a matter of minutes. Roland will also be displaying its headline print-and-cut offering, the TrueVIS VG series. As well as inspecting the new machines and output samples, visitors will also have the chance to speak to members of the Roland DG team and get advice on all aspects of wide-format digital printing.

Spandex will showcase swissQprint’s Impala, a UV LED flatbed printer from the high-end Swiss manufacturer. The latest model adds further developments to the printer including a brand new control system and a dual-roll printing option. swissQprint’s modular flatbed systems allow customers to ‘build’ their machine to their specific business needs, which includes nine freely configurable colour channels, supporting white ink, varnish, primer and other options.

‘With a swissQprint machine, customers can take on a much wider variety of jobs, ranging from standard hoarding signs to luxury retail graphics, without needing to invest in multiple pieces of equipment,’ expanded swissQprint product manager Steve Pridham. ‘swissQprint is constantly evolving its systems and the improved material handling on roll-to-roll as well as the dual roll option, makes this machine even more versatile.’

Spandex’s stand will also feature a wrap section, dedicated to Arlon, where Spandex will be demonstrating Arlon SLX Cast Wrap and the IllumiNite Wrap both with Flite Technology as well as a brand new product being seen for the first time in the UK.

The Mimaki Ts55-1800 textile printer will feature on the Hybrid Services stand

Trotec will debut two new devices at the show. One is the most recent addition to the budget end of its laser cutting range, the R500, and the other is an as-yet-unannounced ‘next generation’ model.

The entry-level R500 offers a 1300 x 900mm working area and is best suited to cutting applications in signage, model-making and prototyping. It can cut acrylics and wood up to 15mm thick, as well as common signage materials including paper and textiles. Trotec says the unit’s ergonomic design and large viewing pane facilitate loading, unloading and inspection of work in progress.

In addition to the laser cutters, Trotec will bring its range of sheet materials to the show, including recent additions such as glitter and mirrored acrylic, TroCraft Eco biodegradable fibre board and a new plastic laminate designed specifically for digital printing.

William Smith will be showing examples from its range of architectural finishes and wall/window decoration films. These include solutions from 3M, for which the company is the largest UK stockist and distributor, Avery Dennison, Cover Styl’ and Squid.

The Squid Window Textile Film is the latest addition to the company’s materials portfolio. A transparent woven polyester fabric, it can be applied to any size and shape of flat window or glass partition. In addition to preserving privacy, the film allows the entry of natural light during the day whilst reducing UV transmission. Available in five solid colours, the film has a MI/BI fire rating and can be printed by UV and inkjet processes, with a latex-compatible version to follow soon.

For interior and exterior architectural finishes 3M DI-NOC is a range that replicates hundreds of different materials including wood, metal, stone, leather, marble and concrete. There is also a range of architectural films from Cover Styl’. Available in hundreds of finishes, the films are especially suitable for interior applications.

Avery Dennison’s MPI800 series of textured and high-tack interior wall decoration films is available in a choice of six options, including canvas, crushed stone and natural stucco.

Vehicle wraps are a growing application for wide format print; Spandex is one of the suppliers who can advise

Zünd UK will demonstrate two different cutters: the 3.2 x 3.2m G3 3XL3200 and the more compact S3 L1200, which has a working area of 1.8 x 1.2m.

The G3 can process a wide variety of roll media such as textiles, vinyls and banners as well as rigid media including acrylic, MDF, ACM and expanded PVC. Designed for high volume production, this large-format cutting system is uniquely qualified for industrial use and multi-shift, 24/7 operation. 

The company will also be demonstrating as S3 L1200 machine, configured for the cutting and creasing of carton and corrugated sheets, as well as roll media. The cutter will be fitted with a robotic arm to show its productivity and accuracy in automatically picking cut parts off the machine bed, accelerating processes for a range of applications within the sign industry and freeing up operators’ time to work on other tasks.

GMG Colour will demonstrate its colour management products for automated colour matching and ink optimisation

Newcomers

Of course there will be many more companies exhibiting at this year’s event, including many coming for the very first time. These include ABC Display Industry, Liquid Lens Systems, Merlin Transfers, Premier Paper Group, Protek, Signzworld, Solar Illuminations, Target Transfers, Trade Sign Shop, UK Feather Flags and Viscom LEDs & Frames.

This year’s event will see several new features incorporated into the three days, including the Digital Signage Zone, dedicated to connecting those interested in expanding their business with potential partners and experts able to help people grow into Digital Signage solutions. The area will feature a devoted theatre and an accompanying Digital Café.

SDUK has also partnered with Art Systems to present a new live demo zone called Retail is Detail. This area will put on three demonstrations each day to show visitors how to make their retail and point-of-sale projects more effective.

The area will focus on the latest innovations in retail signage by showcasing cutting edge products from some of Art Systems’ key vendors such as HP, Summa and Onyx.

The Main Stage Theatre will return with all new topics to reflect current industry trends, including: Print Finishing, Interior Décor, Textile Print and Materials, Sustainability and the Environment, Print for Personalisation, and Colour Management and Workflow and of course, the effects of Brexit, whatever they might be by then!

SDUK has also teamed up with Hexis to host this year’s Battle UK Wrap Contest. With two heats and a semi-final taking place on the show floor each day, participants will compete in timed, 10-minute heats. The winners from each day will go head-to-head in the grand finale, on the show’s closing day, Thursday 4 April.

Whichever aspect of the wide-format and related businesses appeals to you, there’s plenty to see and do at the show, so put it in your diary and we’ll see you there.

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