Ich Liebe FESPA Digital

Following months of build-up and anticipation, it is finally time to pack your bags and head to Munich for the latest edition of one of the industry’s most talked-about events: FESPA Digital 2014. And if recent FESPA shows are anything to go by, then we can expect further innovation at this year’s digital wide-format print event.

While FESPA Digital will be the main event, visitors to the show this year will also be treated to the European Sign Expo (ESE) 2014, which is co-located in Hall A1 of the Messe Munich. Delivered in partnership with the European Sign Federation, the show will focus on non-printed signage, giving companies in the sector or those considering diversifying an insight into the market.

With long lists of exhibitors at both events, it is clear to see why excitement is already at breaking point. With this in mind, what are some of the key features you can look out for this year while walking the aisles of the Messe?

Dive into digital

Anyone who has been following the build-up to this year’s event will know that the show has been given the tagline of ‘Dive Deeper into Digital’. Neil Felton, chief executive officer of FESPA, was part of the team that decided on this focus and says the 2014 exhibition will offer print-service-providers (PSPs) plenty of insight into the digital world.

He explains: “As this is the sixth edition of the digital event, we anticipate that most graphics producers have already made their initial investment into digital printing and are now looking at how they can enhance their business further. PSPs want to see fresh and innovative content backed up with exciting new digital technology that will take their businesses for-ward—FESPA Digital 2014 is just the place for that.”

A mock-up of the FESPA Digital 2014 feature Hub concept, which will include presentation theatres and demo areas, as well as networking opportunities in VIP lounges

Felton says the 20 percent increase in floor space has convinced many key exhibitors to take extra space at the show this year—thus being able to display many more of their products. With this in mind, Felton goes on to pick out a number of show features we can look forward to during the 2014 event.

He continues: “With such a large show this year, we have looked at how we can help visitors get the most from their visit, and access the information they need, quickly and efficiently.

“We know the majority of visitors are senior decision-makers and that they come to events like FESPA to support significant business decisions. So, we have created four ‘feature hubs’—digital, fabric, wrap, and sign, which will allow visitors to gather information and inspiration in a focused environment. All of our hubs are free of charge and by registering for either FESPA Digital or European Sign Expo, visitors gain access to content in all four.

We know the majority of visitors are senior decision-makers and that they come to events like FESPA to support significant business decisions”

“The new FESPA hub concept will include presentation theatres and demo areas, while also offering the opp-ortunity to network in the VIP lounges. The hubs offer all the value of our excellent visitor features in a more focused format, to deliver compelling content alongside demonstrations, optimising the visitor experience at FESPA Digital 2014.”

Natural extension

The additional floor space will also come in handy this year as organisers have had to incorporate three events in one. In addition to the main show, ESE 2014 and FESPA Fabric will also take place at the Messe. Felton claims that this multi-event approach presents visitors with a great opportunity to view more kit and speak to a host of industry experts.

He continues: “Housing three focused events in one location means that visitors only have to travel to one place for all their sign and graphics needs, whether digital print, garment print and decoration, or signage.

“FESPA Fabric will return to Munich within FESPA Digital, offering a focused event for garment printers and decorators looking for new techno-logies, materials, and applications in garment printing.”

Neil Felton, chief executive officer of FESPA, says the 2014 show will deliver ‘fresh and innovative’ content to visitors

Turning to ESE, Felton comments: “It is a natural extension of FESPA Digital, and will provide further value to those attending from the signage and visual communications industries. In its second year, ESE will set out to provide valuable insights into the full spectrum of analogue and digital possibilities. The layout will encourage movement between the two events so visitors can easily see what both have to offer, and take a holistic view of the opportunities.

“ESE is the only dedicated event for signage professionals. It provides sign-makers and signage buyers the opportunity to explore innovations in non-printed signage from channel lettering, LED, and neon signage, through dimensional signage, engra-ving and etching, to digital signage.”

Having created plenty of interest at its debut event, exhibitors at ESE 2014 will be hoping that this year proves to be equally as successful. The event is organised by the European Sign Federation (ESF), the pan-European federation of national trade associations for the sign industry. Peter Tipton, is optimistic about the interest that this year’s event could create.

He comments: “The second ESE, which is hoped will be an annual event, seeks to unite sign-makers and visual communication companies with inno-vation in conventional and digital signage. Producers of architectural and informational signage will see the latest solutions in channel lettering, signage systems, illuminated disp-lays—including neon and LED—etching and engraving, as well as digital signage.

“There will be over 75 international exhibitors from the non-print signage sector displaying industry technolog-ies from machinery, software, sub-strates, systems, fittings and fixtures, and electronic digital signage.

Epson, one of the industry big players that was in attendance at FESPA 2013, is hoping for similar success at FESPA Digital 2014
 

“The benefits of attending the Expo include the opportunity to meet a wide range of exhibitors for their sector, learn details of the latest technology. Visitors who attended the 2013 event included sign-makers, design and creative agencies, printers, retailers, and interested parties from the public sector, leisure, and hospitality.”

Tipton goes on to say that the ESF will use the event to encourage friendly links between members that facilitate the free exchange of information on national markets. In addition, the ESF will also be hosting and presenting the second annual Sign Design Award. The competition tasks sign designers, sign-makers, sign design schools, colleges, and anyone interested in sign design to rebrand the Millennium Shopping Mall. The task is to evaluate, improve, and redesign the existing signage systems based on new technologies available both now and in the future.

Business growth

While organisers are understandably excited about the events, exhibitors are equally as optimistic about what they can expect in Germany. Industry giant Epson is one company taking full advantage of the interest that the event generates and will be in attendance at the Messe. Phil McMullin, sales manager ProGraphics Epson UK, says the company aims to show the industry how ‘serious’ it is about supporting the industry.

He explains: “Epson at FESPA will be the ‘must-see’ booth for anyone looking to invest in highly-reliable and great quality new-generation large-format printers to grow their business. At the show, our experts will be on hand to give you in-depth information about our printers, our inks, and materials, and show you the range of products you can produce with them.

Visitors will be able to browse a huge selection of creative products—all printed on Epson products—and see how they can very easily expand their businesses and access lucrative new markets”

“We are demonstrating the tremendous versatility and productivity of our SureColor inkjet printers at the show. Visitors will be able to browse a huge selection of creative products—all printed on Epson products—and see how they can very easily expand their businesses and access lucrative new markets.

“We will also show how the combination of easy-to-use and affordable Epson printers with Epson inks printing onto leading substrates can produce quality hard/soft signage, point-of-sale (POS), vehicle wraps, décor items, apparel, direct-to-shirt printing, and bespoke promotional products.”

Epson was in attendance at FESPA 2013 and is keen to recreate the successes achieved in London

With Epson’s main focus being on the SureColor range, McMullin is keen to highlight just how these models can help companies in the wide-format sector.

He explains: “Epson will show a variety of high-impact, high-quality, and durable signage, and POS printed by the SureColor SC-S30600, 50600 and 70600 64-inch roll-fed printers. Offering a choice of productivities and from four to ten colours, including white and metallic, the SureColor S series of printers demonstrate cost-effective, high-speed productivity printing onto a range of materials such as vinyl, canvas, clear film, photo-graphic paper, and a range of banner substrates. The combination of Epson’s UltraChrome GSX Ink and proven Micro Piezo TFP printhead delivers clarity, fine detailing, and smooth blends at resolutions up to 1440 x 1440 dpi.”

With the soft signage, apparel, gift, and promotional products sectors in mind, the firm also plans to demonstrate its SureColor SC-F6000 and SC-F7000 dye-sublimation prin-ters. The devices use Epson Ultra-Chrome DS ink, a new aqueous ink that McMullin claims produces, ‘outsta-nding images with vibrant colours, intense blacks, sharp contours and smooth gradations’. The new SureColor SC-F2000 direct-to-garment model will also be demonstrating fast t-shirt printing.

In addition, Epson will also show off the SureColor SC-F7100, the latest addition to its dye-sublimation range, as well as its latest aqueous-based production large-format printers.

Race ahead

Elsewhere, software and hardware supplier Esko will also be in attendance at the Messe, and will be keen to generate plenty of interest in its product range. Jef Stoffels, director of corporate marketing, says the firm will adopt a racing theme to show how sign and display professionals can ‘win the race’ with faster production.
He continues: “Esko will help visitors to learn more about how to ‘speed up’ sign and display graphics production—from prepress through finishing—and stay at the forefront of technology with next-generation Kongsberg cutting tables, as well as highly-innovative prepress and work-flow software solutions.

“There will be cutting machines and prepress and workflow software, demonstrating Esko’s breadth of offerings and leadership position in this market. The racing theme also high-lights the unique capabilities of Esko’s newly launched Kongsberg C Series cutting tables, the fastest and most precise digital finishing solution in the market for the widest range of materials.”

Epson will have a number of experts on hand to give visitors information about its printers, inks and materials, as well as the show range of products that can be made by using them

The new Kongsberg C64 cutting table will be demonstrated in Europe for the first time following its launch at SGIA in the US earlier this year. The super-wide digital finishing system can handle materials of up to 3.2 x 3.2m, including paper, textiles, fluted board, plastics, aluminium composites, and what Stoffels claims is unique to the Kongsberg C, corrugated up to triple-wall thickness. The Kongsberg V-series will also be handed its European debut at the event.

In addition, Esko will also showcase a host of prepress, workflow, and finishing software that it says has been specifically developed for the industry. This will include first-hand viewings of Esko i-Cut Layout, a redeveloped application of the i-Cut software suite that runs on both Mac and PC platforms. The ArtiosCAD and Studio structural design software for design of displays and other structures in 3D will also be displayed, as will the Esko Automation Engine and the colour management capabilities of the Esko Color Engine.

Esko will also feature a special area on its stand that is dedicated to the various tools and applications featured in signage work.

Esko’s new Kongsberg C64 cutting table will be handed its European debut at the event

Stoffels explains: “Esko’s expertise goes beyond the kit and software solutions it offers to sign and display and large-format printing professionals. Our extensive know-how on applications translated into the wide range of tools and tool heads that guarantee the best and most productive cutting, creasing, or milling results on the widest range of materials. At a dedicated desk with tools and applications, Esko experts will guide visitors in their search for the best-fit solution for specific application needs.”

These are just some of the features and companies to look out for around the Messe over the course of FESPA Digital and ESE 2014, with a whole host of other highlights in store. Amongst the thousands in attendance—both visitors and exhibitors—be sure to keep an eye out for the SignLink and Print Monthly team, which will be on scene to bring you the latest news and views from the Messe. Auf wiedersehen for now.

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