Was it the speed FESPA? Canon, who launched the Colorwave 900 with speeds of up to 1,100 sq m/hr, Xerox the IJP 2000, and RTI who had the Vortex, all Memjet-powered although Xerox would never say that, all make that case.

Was it one where digital got closer to replacing screen? POD launched the Turbo Sub that can output at 110 sq m/hr, but as screen manufacturer M&R, who broke the record for most screen prints in an hour at the show, pointed out, screen is still a more versatile technology.

Was it the applications FESPA? Manufacturers say discussing the applications of the technology is now just as important a part of the sales process as the technology.

The graphics industry really knows how to put on a show and full credit to the organisers for delivering an event that had, let's just be frank, a buzz. Why? It is hard to say.

Graphic arts is a very visual industry and maybe the vibrancy of the room works in its favour – lots of high quality, tactile prints.

When we caught up with a clearly happy managing director, Neil Felton, on Saturday afternoon he claimed that the event was ‘day-on-day’ ahead of its previous best in Munich 2010.

Most exhibitors, as always at trade-shows, declared themselves delighted with the show and the impression from walking the aisles dictates that it was successful. The truth will be revealed when those all important leads are totted up and the conversion rate calculated before the next big show.

Printers who we chatted to at the show are all reporting the familiar grumble of the rest of the printing market: customers are incredibly price driven and are becoming more that way with each passing month.

How are companies future proofing themselves against that? Through giving customers what they want, when they want it (now) and delivering more. If you are not the cheapest on the market, you better have the best quality and customer service in place.

Speed is a huge determining factor, but Epson and Fujifilm had some brilliant applications using white and clear inks that allow for stand out POS material.
 
Keep your eyes on SignLink over the next few weeks where we will have a host of content from FESPA 2013.
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